Date: 1982-06-09
Speaker: ROBERT C. BYRD (democrat)
Chamber: S

Mr. President. I rise in strong support of S. 2144. the Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 1982. This legislation to provide a transitional authorization for the Appalachian Regional Commission is a barebones proposal that reflects a drastic reduction in the ARC highway program and economic development programs. The administrations fiscal year 1981 budget proposed to eliminate the Appalachian Regional Commission completely by the end of fiscal year 1982. The Congress rejected that proposal in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981Public Law No. 9735. However. the Commission was directed by that law to submit to the Congress a plan for the gradual termination of ARC activities. S. 2144 embodies the proposals set forth by the bipartisan group of Appalachian Governors in that plan. I testified before the Committee on Environment and Public Works on March 29. 1982. in support of S. 2144. At that time. I commended Senator RANDOLPH. my colleague from West Virginia and the distinguished ranking member of the committee. for his introduction of this measure. I take this opportunity to reemphasize my respect and admiration for Senator RANDOLPHS efforts on behalf of this legis. lation. I also commend the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works. Senator ROBERT STAFFORD. for his leadership and cooperation in connection with this important legislation. The Appalachian Regional Commission was created to perform a twofold mission: improvement of the road transportation system. and development of the industrial and commercial infrastructure required for economic progress in the region. S. 2144 scales back the goals of the development program to target the arias of greatest potential future economic growth. and the areas that are critically short of health and medical services or that are the most seriously distressed. The reduction in the highway program amounts to targeting funds for a regional network of roads totaling 2.351 mileswhich is approximately 700 miles less than the 3.033mile network that had been.planned. The Governors of the Appalachian Regional Commission memberstates considered the completion of at least that portion of the highway system to be a critical element in . the future economic growth of their States. I fully agreecommerce can scarcely develop without roads. The mountainous country In West Virginia makes It look like "almost heaven." but it is difficult to build roads over. ARC has helped West Virginia and other States make tremendous strides in their transportation systems. and the economy of the region and the Nation has been improved. In the nonhighway programs. ARC has been a force in bettering the fundamental economic opportunities of our region. Improvements in our housing stock. health services. technical and vocational education. and basic community services have been accomplished through the efforts of our citizens working with the the Appalachian Regional Commission. The benefits from ARC highway and nonhighway programs accrue not only to our States but to the Nation as a whole. West Virginia Is one of the top energyproducing States. and exports far more energyin the form of coal. oil. and gas. and electric power. than it uses. The development of these resources has been greatly enhanced by the operation of the infrastructurecreating programs of the ARC. As I have stated. S. 2144 represents the consensus position of the Governors of the region for a severely reduced ARC program. The reductions are consistent with the effort that the Congress is making to achieve a balanced budget. For those reasons. and because of the need to help spur the economy of West Virginia and other States in the region. I urge the rapid enactment of this bill.