Date: 2005-06-29
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of the amendment. Mr. Chairman. I want to begin by commending the gentleman from Michigan (Chairman KNOLLENBERG) and the ranking member. the gentleman from Massachusetts . for their good work on this bill in the midst of an extremely tight budget environment. Both gentlemen have.had to make some very unpopular decisions. However. eliminating funding for a proven. resultsoriented program like the Brownfields Economic Development Initiative is one I. along with my colleagues from California and Massachusetts. feel strongly should be reconsidered. When cities redevelop brownfields. they boost their tax base. spawn job creation. spur neighborhood revitalization and provide environmental protection. Unfortunately. H.R. 3058 eliminates funding for the continued cleanup and redevelopment of urban brownfield sites for which $24 million was provided last year when no funds were requested. This amendment represents a renewed pledge to communities across the country signaling this bodys commitment to creating and sustaining viable communities. This amendment increases grants available under the Community Development fund with the intent that this increase would be directed toward brownfields redevelopment activities. The increase is offset by reducing the IRS information systems and telecommunications support program by $24 million. This! account is $29 million above last years appropriation and $16 million more than the Presidents budget requested. The assessment and cleanup of brownfields are critical to the economic and environmental health of communities across the Nation. Within the city of Dallas. a Federal investment of less than $2 million has leveraged more than $370 million in private investment and created or helped retain close to 3.000 permanent. fulltime jobs. Over 1.600 units of housing. including 134 units of affordable housing. have been developed on former brownfields sites. The program has brought new vitality to longdistressed portions of the city. boosting the tax base. and bringing important econotnic opportunities to many neighborhoods. According to the Government Accountability Office. there are well over 500.000 brownfields across the country. Brownfields affect cities of all sizes and represent lost opportunity wherever they exist. Yet. in spite of this fact. the National Report on Brownfields Redevelopment produced by the U.S. Conference of Mayors cites the lack of funds as the biggest impediment to meaningful brownfields redevelopment. I am aware of the argument that the expanded authority of EPA to handle brownfields precipitated the current cut in HUDs the brownfields account. EPAs guidelines are much more restrictive. However. in my respectful view. that flexibility for our Nations communities to utilize more than one funding source should not be eliminated. Further. many communities across the country already have existing relationships with their local HUD offices. I urge my colleagues to renew this bodys pledge to American communities .and urge a "yes" vote on this amendment. I thank my colleagues for this partnership opportunity.