Joseph Knollenberg: “Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Florida. What we have…”

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Florida. What we have before us today in H.R. 2442 is nothing more than super pork. In many ways, the ARC was the centerpiece of President Johnson's so-called Great Society program. In 1965, Johnson actually launched the Great Society initiative from the porch of a poor Appalachian resident. Yet 30 years and billions of dollars later, the Appalachian region is no better off than it was before. It is just another example of why big government doesn't work--and why it cannot work. Believe it or not, this legislation actually contains language that would try to expand those areas considered part of the Appalachian Regional Commission [ARC]. With the level of funding that some Members in this House are likely to authorize, maybe I should vote `yes', and try extending the ARC to Michigan. I would hope that given our country's need for fiscal responsibility that we would simply eliminate this program and save the taxpayers of this country valuable dollars. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Goss amendment.”