[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 31 (Monday, August 7, 1995)]
[Page 1378]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the District of Columbia Emergency Highway Relief 
Act

August 4, 1995

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 2017, the District of 
Columbia Emergency Highway Relief Act, a law to enable our Nation's 
capital city to advance critically needed highway construction projects. 
By temporarily waiving the District's cost-sharing requirements for 
these projects, this legislation assists the District during its period 
of fiscal crisis in a very practical and important way without imposing 
any additional cost on the American taxpayer.
    Recognizing the importance of maintaining the District's highways 
for its residents, commuters from throughout the national capital area, 
and thousands of tourists from around the Nation and the world, this 
Administration initiated legislation to secure a similar temporary 
waiver for the District. With bipartisan and intergovernmental support, 
and through the dedicated efforts of members of the congressional 
delegation from this region, this legislation was expeditiously passed 
by both houses of Congress.
    The District will be held accountable for the funds advanced for 
highway construction under this bill. The District is required to repay 
its share and must establish a dedicated highway fund to ensure it is 
able to make this repayment and to meet its matching share requirement 
in the future.
    This legislation will enable the District to begin rebuilding its 
infrastructure almost immediately, as projects that were stalled for 
months due to a lack of funds can now quickly resume, creating many new 
jobs and safer streets for all who come to our Nation's capital.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
August 4, 1995.

Note: H.R. 2017, approved August 4, was assigned Public Law No. 104-21.