Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 728, the small watershed rehabilitation amendments of 2000. The bill takes steps to improve the nation's deteriorating water resources infrastructure and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to rehabilitate aging dams built under programs of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The bill also requires the Secretary of the Army to inventory and assess certain dams from the Great Depression era and authorizes actions to mitigate against immediate threats to public safety. I commend Representative Frank Lucas and his colleagues for championing this legislation and the leadership of the Agriculture Committee for their cooperation, as well. Thanks should also go to my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in particular Representative Jim Oberstar, the ranking Democrat, Representative Sherry Boehlert, the chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, and Representative Bob Borski, the subcommittee's ranking member. The Transportation and Agriculture Committees share jurisdiction over the NRCS's small watershed program and worked together closely to revise and improve title I of this critically important legislation. I also appreciate the Agriculture Committee's cooperation with respect to title II, relating to the Army Corps of Engineers' authorities regarding dam safety and included by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mr. Speaker, the needs are great.…”