Wendell Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is necessarily absent. I also announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent because of a funeral. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``nay.''

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is necessarily absent. I also announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent because of a funeral. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``nay.''

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I remind my colleagues that over 60 Members voted for tabling last time.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise today in opposition to the Grams amendment to further reduce spending for the Appalachian Regional Commission. ARC serves parts of 13 States including 39 counties in my State, and I'm disappointed to see that may colleague from Minnesota is still not convinced of the importance of this program. The people of eastern Kentucky have much to be proud. That region of the country has a strong tradition of producing some of this country's most gifted musicians, writers, and artists. But, unfortunately, they also produce something none of us are particularly proud of--poverty. Back in 1993, the Washington Post wrote that ``the last time the United States fought a war on poverty here, poverty won.'' That's because the forces at work manufacturing this region's double-digit poverty figures and all the social disintegration that comes with those figures, are deeply imbedded in a region that was subjected to a century of economic exploitation and geographic isolation. While poverty claimed victory 30 years ago in the first years of President Johnson's admirable battle, those of us with a deep-seated commitment to the Appalachian region knew that the task of undoing a century of destruction would not be quick in coming. ARC was borne of this commitment to see the battle against entrenched poverty through to the end--to the time when poverty would no longer be the norm. And in fact ARC has had a dramatic effect in improving the lives of Appalachian citizens, including cutting the region's poverty rate in half, reducing the infant mortality rate by two-thirds, doubling the percentage of high school graduates, slowing the regions out migration, and reducing unemployment rates. With 115 of the region's 399 counties still classified as economically distressed, we certainly cannot say we have won the war. But, we can say that we have weakened poverty's hold on this region. * * * that we have given the proud people of this region a finger hold in the climb back to self-sufficiency and productivity. My colleagues should be aware that the ARC's fiscal year 1996 appropriation represents a cut of almost 40 percent from the fiscal year 1995 funding level, while the bill we're considering today makes an additional cut of $5 million for fiscal year 1997. We have already had this debate last year, when my colleague also made an attempt to cripple this program and to cripple the Nation's ability to move an entire region of the country from poverty to productivity. On August 1 of last year, a very similar amendment offered by the Senator from Minnesota was tabled by a vote of 60 to 38. His amendment failed last year for the same reasons it should not prevail today. ARC is doing its job--helping communities put in place the building blocks of social and economic development to create self-sustaining local economies that can become contributors to the Nation's resources rather than drains on the Nation's resources. It does this by providing the glue money that leverages other investment from the private sector, other Federal programs, or State and local funds. Since 1992, in my State alone ARC has provided over $80 million that in turn leveraged more than $115 million in additional funds. These were for a wide range of projects from water and sewage systems to tourism to adult literacy. And as my colleagues pointed out last year, the ARC that is accomplishing this mission is lean and efficient. When it comes to administrative and personnel expenses you'd be hard pressed to find an agency as efficient. Total overhead accounts for less than 4 percent of all expenditures with State Governors contributing 50 percent of those administrative costs. I can assure you, those Governors wouldn't be made that contribution in these tight fiscal times if they didn't believe they were getting their money's worth. But, ARC work is far from done. As the national highway system began cris-crossing the country tieing State's together and creating jobs in its wake, the mountainous Appalachian region was left behind. Today, ARC's highway project has had a tremendous impact on the region. A 1987 survey showed that between 1980 and 1986, 560,000 jobs were created in the Appalachian counties with a major highway--4 times that of counties without. With only 76 percent of the 3,025 mile Appalachian development highway system constructed or under contract, those figures tell all too clearly why it's so important to let ARC complete its work. The same is true with ARC's involvement with a wide range of other projects from health care to job training to water treatment to small business assistance. And, even with ARC funding, Appalachia receives 11 percent less in total per capita Federal spending than the national average. And, I hope my colleagues will remember that this debate takes place just 1 week after this body made huge changes in the welfare program. We cannot ignore the total impact of changes to the welfare system and crippling cuts in ARC to this region of the country. Mr. President, I hope my colleagues will join me in defeating this amendment and sending a strong signal to the people of Appalachia that we support their tremendous efforts to move their region forward and secure productive and prosperous futures for their children. Also, the Senator from Minnesota said that this duplicated a lot of other Federal programs. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a statement that shows that it does not duplicate other Federal programs be printed in the Record.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is necessarily absent. I also announce that the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] is absent because of a funeral. I further announce that, if present and voting, the Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Pell] would vote ``no.''

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I have a statement I wish to put into the Record as it relates to that amendment. I want to read it so that there will be no mistake about what we are putting in the Record. Although the ``U.S. Senate Internet Services Usage Rules and Policies'' were adopted on July 22, 1996, Chairman Warner and I have determined that implementation of the requirements concerning promotional and commercial links to Senators' home States will be delayed for 60 days. During that time, the committee is interested in hearing from Senators and Senate offices concerned about this issue and will seriously consider constructive input during that time. All other aspects of the policy remains in effect. I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, the ranking member sent an amendment to the desk numbered 5118 on behalf of Senator Leahy. At this time, I ask unanimous consent that that amendment be withdrawn.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. Two votes tonight?

Mr. FORD. Reserving the right to object, do I understand the floor leader, then, that we will have two more votes this evening, the debate, and then stack the votes until 9:30 in the morning, and then final passage?

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Nebraska [Mr. Exon] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Nebraska [Mr. Exon] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Mr. LEAHY addressed the Chair.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Nebraska [Mr. Exon] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I want to take a few moments. I have been asked to advise my colleagues that the administration supports the Cohen-Feinstein-Chafee amendment. I ask unanimous consent that the letter be printed in the Record from the Assistant Secretary of the Department of State so advising my colleagues that the administration supports the Cohen amendment.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Nebraska [Mr. Exon] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Inouye] and the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Lautenberg] are necessarily absent. I further announce that the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] is absent on official business.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Lautenberg] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Louisiana [Mr. Breaux] and the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Lautenberg] are necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. There must be respect for the Chair.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. precision agriculture

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New York [Mr. Moynihan] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Hawaii [Mr. Inouye] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I move to lay that motion on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to. Amendment No. 4950

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote, and I ask for the yeas and nays.