Ron Kind: “I rise in support of the Kelly-Kanjorski amendment and ask that the House support its adoption. This amendment…”

“I rise in support of the Kelly-Kanjorski amendment and ask that the House support its adoption. This amendment recognizes that inclusion of language to prohibit funding for the American Rivers Heritage Initiative into the Agriculture Appropriations Act is short-sighted and ignores the tremendous benefits of this important program. Since its inception, the American Heritage Rivers Initiative has been extremely popular with communities and local government officials. Currently, there are over 50 communities that are included in the Upper Mississippi River American Heritage River Initiative. Four (4) river communities within my district participate in this program. "River towns" are some of our nation's oldest and have rich cultural, social and natural histories. In the past, many of these towns were forced to turn their backs on the river because the costs associated with redevelopment were too large and the planning process too cumbersome. Today, however, as a result of this initiative, people are returning to the river and seeking to integrate it into their daily lives. The communities in my district are working to invest in riverfront development projects that share the story of their communities' pasts while also stimulating much-needed economic development.”