Orrin Hatch: “I could not believe my ears yesterday afternoon when I heard the Senator from Arizona take out after my home State and…”

“I could not believe my ears yesterday afternoon when I heard the Senator from Arizona take out after my home State and my home city. On behalf of the people of Utah and America, I express our outrage over the notion that supporting our country's Olympic Games could be termed either ``parochial'' or ``pork barrel.'' Nothing could be further from the truth. I frankly do not agree with every provision the committee recommends either. But, I do not question the motives or sincerity of my colleagues who put it there. Yesterday, the Senator from Arizona specifically questioned the level of federal support for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. It is, of course, his right to oppose such assistance. But, before he walks further down the plank, I would like to provide a few facts. Perhaps the Senator will reevaluate his position. First, the report just issued by the General Accounting Office, ``Olympic Games: Federal Government Provides Significant Funding and Support,'' is flawed in several respects.”