[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RICHARD BURR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2000

  Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unable 
to be present for the vote on final passage of H.R. 3908. Had I been 
present I would have, albeit reluctantly, voted in favor of the bill. 
While I wholeheartedly endorse the provisions of Title III, I did have 
concerns about much of the new spending provided elsewhere in this 
legislation. Much of what is provided for in this bill could have been 
addressed through the normal appropriations process.
  Title III, however, addresses the true emergency needs of many in 
this country, and in North Carolina particularly. Thousands of people 
in my home state are still struggling to overcome the impact of last 
fall's hurricanes. The assistance provided in this emergency 
appropriations bill will be critical in helping my fellow North 
Carolinians return to at least a semblance of the lives they led before 
last September's devastating floods. I am grateful to the 
Appropriations Committee for providing this much-needed assistance, and 
appreciate their hard work in bringing this legislation to the floor.

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