Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, water is a treasured resource everywhere in this Nation. For my constituents, degraded water quality in the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta stemming from increased salinity is a growing problem. The fiscal year 2003 omnibus appropriation bill recognized this growing problem by dedicating $2 million for planning studies to enlarge the Los Vaqueros Reservoir. The omnibus bill also dedicated Central Valley Project storage feasibility funding towards Sites Reservoir, the Upper San Joaquin River and Shasta Dam in California. All of this funding was the result of many years of debate and compromise and serves as one strong step towards fixing California's water supply problems, and I appreciate the help in this effort of the gentleman from Ohio. Today's appropriation bill thankfully continues this step, but a very large piece of the puzzle is missing: Los Vaqueros funding. With the fact that the Senate version of this bill contains $1 million in funding for this important water quality mechanism, I would like to ask the gentleman for his commitment in funding this important project in the conference report.”