Speech #1040241741

I would. Mr. Speaker. like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for continuing its strong support. first begun under the leadership of the gentleman from West Virginia . of funding to help control illegal immigration. The increased funding for the INS and for the border patrol are very important to the country and. of course. to the States that are most affected by immigration. The committee is to be commended. too. Mr. Speaker. for continuing to increase the appropriation for reimbursing States for the costs of incarcerating criminal illegal aliens. a program first funded as a result of an amendment that this gentleman and other Members offered 2 years ago to the 1994 crime bill. After years of seeking help to fight illegal immigration. Congress has. over the past 3 or 4 years. through the leadership of this particular appropriations subcommittee. finally recognized the severe problems caused by illegal immigration. especially in such States as California. New York. Florida. New Jersey. Illinois. and Texas. Immigration is. after all. a Federal responsibility. and I would like to say to the chairman and to the ranking member that we very much appreciate the committees support for the programs that many of us have been advocating for a good many years. I would also finally like to congratulate the gentleman from Kentucky and the gentleman from West Virginia for their bipartisan cooperation in working on this bill. This is a difficult process. this appropriations process. with such graat fiscal restraint. and the House is appreciative of tne spirit of comity and the good example of being able to work together so well that these two gentleman have shown to the rest of us.