Water Resources Development Act of 2007 -- Veto Message from the President of the United States

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES -- (House of Representatives - November 06, 2007)

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Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Water Resources Development Act. The benefits that this bill provides are not only long overdue, but much needed by communities all across our great Nation.

The importance of this bill is highlighted throughout my congressional district and this country. Part of my district has been labeled by some as a ``corridor of shame,'' communities bisected by Interstate 95. This region of South Carolina has some of the most serious health problems to be found anywhere in this country.

I have consulted the experts trying to ascertain why these health disparities exist in my district.

And they have said that the problems originate in the water that my constituents are drinking. In fact, they tell me that at the turn of the last century, the life expectancy in this country was less than 50 years. At the turn of this century, life expectancy has reached over 70 years. They say that this extension of life is directly attributed to the water that my constituents or the people in this country drink.

And beyond the health issue, this is also a safety and natural disaster issue. This bill authorizes funds for our coastal communities throughout the country that are susceptible to hurricanes and flooding. This legislation also reaffirms this Congress's commitment to helping our brothers and sisters who had their lives shattered by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This bill authorizes close to $2 billion for coastal restoration initiatives along the gulf coast.

So I encourage my colleagues to vote to override this veto because in doing so, you are safeguarding the health and physical well-being of millions of Americans.

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