Political Quotes

“This is my ``can we all get along'' amendment. I thank, again, the chairman and ranking member for their work on this bill. My amendment would be helpful to the Army Corps of Engineers and their work on our east coast, on our gulf, and on our west coast because it deals specifically with restoration. It sends a strong message to the importance of restoration and its issue of national importance. It talks about the economic well-being of the regions along the Nation's coastlines, and it provides an opportunity for restoration. There is no doubt that over the years our coastlines have deteriorated and that wetlands have not been protected. We've experienced a devastating spill on the gulf coastline, and so many along that coastline, from Florida to Alabama to Louisiana to Texas and in between, have experienced a negative impact on their wetlands and their coastline. This takes a mere $10 million--again, I say it with respect--to assist the Nation in providing aid and improvement to the Nation's coastlines, which, again, produce opportunities of economic development, tourism, and various protections for a coastline that has suffered under neglect. The United States Army Corps of Engineers estimates that 60 percent of the coastline along the gulf is eroding. The coast loses up to 10 feet of shoreline a year, with 225 acres of topsoil washing into the gulf coast. Funds are needed to preserve the gulf coast as well as other coasts.…”