Major Owens: “I would also like to add my congratulations to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Ford], and the gentleman from California…”

“I would also like to add my congratulations to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Ford], and the gentleman from California [Mr. Martinez] and all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who helped to make this legislation possible. I would like to express my appreciation for the additional money for LIHEAP and the recognition of the fact that LIHEAP is an emergency program, a program giving funds to victims of emergencies, and to recognize that in the future we have to have that more flexible and increase the funding. We have witnessed the passage of an $8-billion program for earthquake relief for California, a $6-billion program for relief for the victims of the Midwest floods, a $6-billion program before that for relief of the hurricane victims in Florida. We recognize natural disasters, and we rally to the aid of victims, everybody except in the Northeast when they have massive snow storms, and nobody wants to recognize that those victims also deserve the help of their Government. Government should come to the aid of victims, certainly people who are victimized by natural disasters. LIHEAP, as inadequate as it is, at least moved a few inches forward, and we praise the conference for that. Community services block grant is contained in this program. As a former community action director I regret the fact that community action agencies are still the most underrated agencies receiving Federal funds.”