Deparment of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 -- (House of Representatives - May 19, 2005)

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Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, at the outset let me thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor) for bringing forward a bill that I believe addresses many of the critical issues for the Department of the Interior.

It is impossible not to note that this budget environment creates genuinely tough challenges for the Department of the Interior. With that said, I believe the subcommittee has done an excellent job in crafting a bill that addresses those major problems.

Several years ago this committee provided funds for a new visitors center at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in my district. The bids came in high due to the rising cost of materials. Before the project could be downsized the Department of the Interior had to reprogram these funds for emergency wildfire suppression.

Mr. Chairman, I am asking that you consider restoring this project in conference should funds become available.

Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I understand the gentleman's concerns and the unfortunate turn of events which caused this project to be delayed, and I will give the request of the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) every possible consideration.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).

Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor), our distinguished chairman, for offering to work with me and the committee to resolve this through the conference process.

I believe that this is an important and critical step toward addressing what has been a very real injustice. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Taylor).

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