Political Quotes

“Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. While this bill authorizes a number of much needed projects to address infrastructure needs and environmental restoration throughout the Nation, I am particularly pleased with two provisions in this bill. One of these is the authorization of funding to deepen and widen the Houston ship channel. These improvements are essential to the economic development not only of the region, but of the country generally. The Houston ship channel is a critical economic lifeline between our Nation and the rest of the world. The Port of Houston draws cargo from every State in the Nation. It is the No. 1 U.S. port in foreign tonnage and the second busiest in total tonnage. To remain competitive, however, the ship channel must be improved to permit faster, safer handling of cargo vessels. The improvements authorized are also consistent with the port's and my enduring commitment to the environment. By working with 13 Federal and State agencies, the port and the Corps of Engineers arrived at a plan that will use the dredged material from the ship channel project to create over 4,000 acres of additional marsh land to be used in developing bird islands, boater destinations, and shoreline erosion projects.”