Political Quotes

“I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. I requested $150,000 to purchase equipment for a community and recreational park for low-income children in Yauco, Puerto Rico, a city in the southwestern part of the island. The park will be constructed so that it is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This funding will supplement funding already provided for the project by the city of Yauco. This is one of the smallest earmarks in this bill. It is unquestionably an appropriate and viable use of Federal funds. There currently is no recreational park in Yauco, which is home to approximately 50,000 residents, has a poverty rate of 56 percent and has an unemployment rate of over 17 percent. Furthermore, although there are over 75,000 children in Puerto Rico, I am advised that there is not a single recreational park in the entire southwestern region of Puerto Rico that is ADA compliant and thus meaningfully accessible to children with disabilities. What better way is there to promote the goals of this landmark Federal law than to provide a reasonable amount of funding to help equip a recreational park that children with disabilities can enjoy side by side with their able-bodied friends.”