February 1, 1965
PAGE 1674
STATEMENT BY SENATOR MUSKIE ON REGIONAL NEW ENGLAND COMMISSION
I commend my colleague, the junior Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. KENNEDY], on his active interest in and promotion of the concept of regional planning for New England. I am convinced that this approach, coupled with regional development based on such planning, offers real hope for economic revival and growth in our region. Economic need is not limited to Appalachia and regional economic unity is as apparent in New England as it is in the 11-State region which has been designated as Appalachia.
New England's identity as a region predates the independence of our Nation. It has continued throughout our history with an accelerating effort to create institutions which recognize and take advantage of our geographic, economic, and social interdependence. We do not always see eye to eye on specific issues, but we recognize that our fortunes are ultimately intertwined.
We also recognize that the pockets of poverty and economic distress cannot be treated as isolated problems. The ills of a single community or group of communities are influenced by, and influence, the health or disability of a region. Furthermore, economic problems tend to repeat themselves throughout a region-as, for example, in the case of the New England textile industry.
I support the Appalachia bill (S. 3) because I believe the Nation has a responsibility toward the people who live in that region and because I believe the Nation's economic health is affected by the problems of Appalachia. In addition, I believe the attention and the treatment being given Appalachia should be applied in New England and in other similar regions.
The administration, through the Budget Bureau, has advised us of its general intention to assist regional planning and development under the Area Redevelopment Act. This has been set forth in a letter I received from Mr. Phillip S. Hughes, Assistant Director for Legislative Reference, dated January 27, 1965, which I attach to this statement. The details of that approach have not been spelled out, but we anticipate that they should be in a message from the President. Senator McNAMARA, of Michigan, in his regional development bill (S. 812) -- which I have cosponsored -- suggests a different Federal approach to regional development.
We have not had an opportunity to examine these proposals so as to decide on the best vehicle for regional planning and development which incorporates Federal, State, and local assistance and cooperation. The administration and the Congress should do so without delay. Passage of the Appalachia bill (S. 3) does not relieve us of our regional development responsibilities.
Those responsibilities can only be met with a sound Federal program which offers comparable financial and technical assistance for regional planning and for the programs and projects necessary to implement such plans on a regional basis.
I am pleased to join with the junior Senator from Massachusetts [Mr. KENNEDY] and my other New England colleagues in announcing our determination to obtain the same kind of assistance we are supporting for the region designated as Appalachia.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT,
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET,
Washington, D.C.,
January 27,1965.
Hon. EDMUND S. MUSKIE,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR SENATOR MUSKIE: During consideration of the Appalachian Regional Development Act (S. 3), a number of Senators have raised questions about the administration's intentions with respect to making provision for redevelopment planning on a regional basis for other areas of the country.
The President is aware of the benefits to be gained from planning and carrying out economic redevelopment along regional lines. For areas outside of Appalachia, however, the appropriate regional groupings vary widely in terms of their size, their economic problems, and their economic resources. As a consequence, the careful definition of regional boundaries and the development of regional plans can best be undertaken as part of a general program for area redevelopment.
With this in mind, the administration intends to propose very shortly, as part of the extension and improvement of the Area Redevelopment program, measures to encourage and assist regional planning for the redevelopment of distressed areas.
The President is convinced that we can apply the sound principles of regional economic planning toward assisting in the economic redevelopment of depressed areas throughout the Nation. The proposals which we will submit will provide the authority and funds to accomplish this purpose.
Sincerely yours,
PHILLIP S. HUGHES,
Assistant Director for Legislative Reference.