Save America's Communities Coalition

Representative Hilda Solis (D-CA)
Congressional Record, Page H1512, March 16, 2005

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to oppose cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program in the Republican budget.

The Community Development Block Grant program provides critical funding for public safety, affordable housing, economic growth initiatives for cities, counties and Native American communities.

The district I represent strongly opposes these cuts. And I have heard from a lot of people, the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, the League of California Cities, the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing, and mayors from various cities in California, in addition to the County Native American Indian Commission. All of them strongly oppose the proposed Republican budget which seeks to cuts back important funding for cities like mine, particularly one that I represent.

The city of Rosemead has used this vital money to help provide residential rehabilitation assistance to over 100 elderly and disabled households. In addition, they have done testing for lead poisoning in low-income homes.

So I urge my colleagues to enact a budget package that contains sufficient funding for community development that helps the underserved neighborhoods, like mine in the 32nd district, throughout the country.