Scott Klug: “Mr. Chairman, the Appalachian Regional Commission was first established in 1965 to help promote the economic development…”

“Mr. Chairman, the Appalachian Regional Commission was first established in 1965 to help promote the economic development of the Appalachian region. Since then the Federal Government has poured more than $7 billion into funding for projects. Some of these projects to essentially boost economic development include $750,000 from Federal taxpayers to help pay for the Carolina Panthers NFL stadium or $1.2 million for the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. The Appalachian Regional Commission was first established back in 1965 and 3 years later, the Nixon administration began one of the first attempts to kill the Appalachian Regional Commission. Here I am 32 years after the Appalachian Regional Commission was first begun to essentially carry on this sometimes valiant and quixotic fight. What we are here to consider tonight, Mr. Chairman, is an amendment specifically aimed at the Appalachian Regional Commission's road program. Some of these projects, back to a catalog of ARC's long and sordid history, include $2.9 million under the guise of economic development for an access road to a Pennsylvania ski resort.”