Cord Byrd: “the Scriptures say that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold and pictures of silver. The words of the…”

“the Scriptures say that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold and pictures of silver. The words of the distinguished Senator from Maryland are fitly spoken. The time is now. The danger is here. It is now. Now, several subcommittees under the Appropriations Committee have had hearings, and I have been able to attend some of those hearings. We have heard eloquent witnesses appear before those subcommittees and testify to the need of appropriations now, aside from the fact that it is at the State and local levels where the need exists now. I saw in the paper, I believe in the last week, a headline that the State of Virginia was suffering a $1 billion shortfall in State revenue. The State of Virginia is not alone in that respect. Most States in this country are suffering shortfalls in their budgets. They need help. They need money now. We cannot wait, as the distinguished Senator from Maryland has said. In putting this package together, we have tried to consider those items which are purely for homeland defense. On the question of the need of States and cities for Federal aid, 39 States--get this, 39 States--today, right now, nearly 4 out of 5 States, are in a recession or near a recession.”