[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
[August 6, 1996]
[Pages 1264-1265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1997
August 6, 1996

    Today I have signed into law H.R. 3603, the ``Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1997.''
    For the upcoming fiscal year, the Act provides $13.1 billion in 
discretionary budget authority for important nutrition, food safety, and 
rural development programs, and $40.3 billion for mandatory programs 
such as the Food Stamp program, the Child Nutrition program and the 
Commodity Credit Corporation. In addition, the Act provides urgently 
needed supplemental funds for the current fiscal year in two vital 
areas.
    First, the Act provides $12 million in FY 1996 funds to support and 
enhance the ability of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to 
investigate the appalling incidents of church burning that have 
disturbed and angered Americans across the Nation. As I said when I 
spoke to this issue in Greeleyville, South Carolina in June, we will do 
everything we can to bring those responsible for these acts to justice. 
And so I appreciate the timely action by the Congress in providing this 
funding in the first available appropriations bill.
    Second, the Act includes $32 million in FY 1996 emergency funds for 
farmers who have been hurt by natural disasters, particularly those in 
the Southwest suffering from the prolonged drought and those in the 
Southeast affected by Hurricane Bertha. These funds will support $100 
million in low-interest direct loans. I hereby designate all of these 
funds as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D)(i) of 
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
amended.
    For fiscal year 1997, I am particularly pleased that the Act 
includes my request for increased funds for the Food Safety Inspection 
Service. On July 6, I announced a sweeping reform of the meat and 
poultry inspection system, which

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has not been upgraded in 90 years. This investment will revolutionize 
the way we ensure the safety of American meat and poultry.
    The Act also provides significant increases in rural development 
programs, to improve the quality of life in rural America and to help 
diversify the rural economy. In addition, the Act includes much of my 
proposal to create a Rural Development Performance Partnership, which 
will provide greater flexibility to tailor Federal assistance to local 
needs, reflecting my Administration's belief that there is no ``one-
size-fits-all'' solution to the challenges facing rural areas.
    I am concerned, however, that the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 
program is funded at $150 million below my request. I am disappointed 
that the Congress failed to provide my requested increase for the WIC 
program in order to reach a full participation level of 7.5 million 
women, infants, and children.
    Finally, I note that $69.1 million of valuable agricultural research 
funding has been earmarked for unrequested buildings and facilities. In 
the Statement of Managers accompanying the Bill, the conferees have, 
however, expressed their intent to make FY 1997 the last year in which 
they earmark research funds for such purposes. It is my hope and 
expectation that the Congress will hold to that intent.
    On balance, this is a good bill that will provide funding for 
important nutrition, food safety, and rural development needs as well as 
providing a strong boost for two immediate priorities.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

August 6, 1996.

Note: H.R. 3603, approved August 6, was assigned Public Law No. 104-180.