Washington, DC – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, released the following statement after the U.S. House passed H. Res. 1641, Celebrating September 30, 2010, as the 60th Anniversary of Impact Aid:

“For the past 60 years, Impact Aid has successfully assisted local communities in Eastern Washington with the substantial and continuing financial burden resulting from federal land ownership,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “Whether in Nespelem, Wellpinit, Inchelium, Medical Lake or one of the many other school districts in my District, the Impact Aid program transcends all bounds and benefits a diverse and equally needy group of children.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers was an original co-sponsor of the bill.

“As states and communities across the county tighten their budgets, it’s more important than ever that the federal government fulfill its contractually obligated responsibility to communities on time, every time.  By passing this bill, I am pleased Congress has renewed its commitment to Impact Aid while reducing the bureaucratic paralysis plaguing an otherwise successful program.”

The Congresswoman submitted the following statement into the Congressional Record.

 

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Floor Statement in Support of

House Resolution Designating September 30, 2010 as Impact Aid Recognition Day

H. Res 1641

Madame Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1641, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Impact Aid Education Program. The Federal obligation upon which the Impact Aid Program was founded is no different today than it was at the program’s inception.  Originally authorized in 1950, and for the last 60 years, Impact Aid has successfully assisted local governments and communities with the substantial and continuing financial burden resulting from federal land ownership. 

This year alone, in 1,484 school districts across the country, 15 million children have benefited from the necessary supplemental funding Impact Aid provides. Whether it is the Nespelem, Wellpinit, Inchelium, Medical Lake or one of the many other school districts in my District, the Impact Aid program transcends all bounds and benefits a diverse and equally needy group of children.

Impact Aid is a contract between the Federal government and the local communities, and we must hold up our end of the deal.  As states and communities across the county tighten their budgets, it is now more important than ever, that the Federal government fulfill its contractually obligated responsibility to communities on time, every time.  On this 60th Anniversary, we have an opportunity to renew our commitment to Impact Aid and renew our drive to reduce the bureaucratic paralysis plaguing an otherwise successful program.

Programs, like Impact Aid, where the Federal government provides the necessary support and empowers local communities to provide invaluable services, without burdensome one-size fits all regulation, should not only be applauded, but imitated.  That is why I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 1641, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Impact Aid Education Program.

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