The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1863 on Sept. 23, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EXTENSION ACT
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HON. JOHN D. DINGELL
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call upon the President and House Leadership to work with Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar to craft a comprehensive transportation bill that addresses the needs of our nation. While I will vote for the short-term extension for our transportation program, I do so reluctantly.
We have had months to prepare a good bill that does right for the nation. I believe my dear friends, Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar are headed in the right direction, but, unfortunately, a select few have held up any attempt at crafting a good bill, bringing us to this impasse.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to reiterate my support for Chairman Young's and Ranking Member Oberstar's $375 billion proposal. In my home state of Michigan, 1 in 5 roads have been rated as being in ``poor condition''. In Southeast Michigan, Metro Detroit ranks fifth for motorists who pay the most annually in additional vehicle maintenance because of poor road quality. The only way to help alleviate the problems in my state is to ensure that we grow the program so Michigan and all the other donor states receive their fair share of highway dollars. The longer we wait to pass a comprehensive bill the longer it will take to improve our nation's infrastructure.
For some, they will say, Dingell, it is only six months. But I have been here long enough to know how the cow chews the cabbage, and a delay puts us into an election year. That delay could easily be extended and put our state department's of transportation planning process in serious jeopardy. We cannot continue to operate our government through continuing resolutions. To do so not only puts our infrastructure in jeopardy, but the well being of our nation.
We must craft a comprehensive bill that helps our nation's infrastructure, puts people to work, and gets our economy moving again. Many people understand this, a few do not. It is time the few stop blocking the path to progress, and help kick start our economy with a bill that my Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman and Ranking Member support.
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