Political Quotes

“I commend and congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) for their outstanding leadership and work on this bill. I rise in support of the rule and in support of the conference report. I am particularly pleased that the report funds renewal of Section 8 contracts due to expire in 2002, and that it funds 25,900 new rental vouchers. I am disappointed by the elimination of the Drug Elimination Grant Program, but understand that these programs will be funded from increases in public housing operating subsidies. I am also pleased that programs for the elderly get a small increase, and that housing programs for the disabled are positively impacted. I had hoped not to see any decreases in funding for distressed public housing and the empowerment zones. I am gratified, Mr. Speaker, to know that we are increasing funding for Veterans Administration programs, and I trust that this means that our VA hospitals and services in the Chicago area will not have to experience drastic cuts in programs and services, and that we do not have to continue the talk of the possibility of closing the Lakeside Veterans Administration Hospital. I commend the committee for increasing by 9.5 percent programs for the homeless and a 7.5 percent increase to help meet the housing needs of persons with AIDS and their families.”