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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I wherever the opportunity presents itself. We need to realize it as a nation, not only in the East but in the West as well. President John F. Kennedy, on his trip through the western United States last summer, stated this principle forcefully, when he said in Colorado: "What I preach is the interdependence of the United States. We are not 50 countries. We are one country of 50 states and one people, and I believe that those programs which make life better for some of our people will make life better for all of our people, " It is this great public principle to which all of us who believe in the future of the West, and who know that the key to this future is in the prudent usage and broad development of our water resources, must dedicate our- s el ve s , ++++++ NEW LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO WESTERN RECLAMATION by Honorable Wayne N. Aspinall, M,.C, Chairman, House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee What we need in reclamation generally today is, first, understanding, and second, unity. Reclamation as it relates to irrigation projects furthered by the federal government is in difficulty today, I say this even though the record of the 87th Congress appears favorable, We authorized two large projects and seven smaller one totaling almost one half billion dollars in cost. The construction program this fiscal year totals more than $300,000,000, In my appearances before the Public Works Appropriations Committee, I have proposed an orderly authorization and construction program resulting in construction each year of between $250,000,000 and $300,000,000. Where we are in trouble is that in two roll calls for project authoriza- tion during the 87th Congress nearly 40 percent of the Congressmen from the Reclamation West voted against the projects. Thirty~seven percent of the western congressmen opposed the Mann Creek Project in Idaho and 39 percent of the western contingent voted against the Baker Project in Oregon. I intend to call a conference of all western congressmen to discuss this problem soon after I return to Washington, Congress is hesitant to decide intrastate quarrels and disagreements. Congress will not decide priority of consideration of projects within states. But once the planning report showing feasibility has been sent to Congress and legislation has been introduced, Congress determines priority of attention. The list of projects for consideration in the 88th Congress looks like this: Midstate in Nebraska, Garrison in North Dakota, Waurika in Oklahoma, Crooked River Extension in Oregon, Savery-Pot Hook in Wyoming and Colorado, - 11 - _a.,..i