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<br />MR. STAP~TON: I sort of noticed by the last sentence of your report <br />that you are getting a little discouraged. (Laughter.) <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: Well, you might gather that. . <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Mr. Gormley, do you have a comment? <br /> <br />MR. GORMLEY: could I ask a question? DO I gather that you feel it is <br />not worth the effort at this time to consider asking for planning <br />money to modify the plans on savery-Pot Hook and Fruitland Mesa? <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: Yes, you have to realize that the mood of Congress at this <br />time is one of discouragement. <br /> <br />I thought we elected Congress to run the country, but maybe I don't <br />quite understand how our government works. <br /> <br />Congress tried last year. As you know, Congress granted all the funds <br />that we requested last year. congress. has been extremely generous with <br />us over the years,'based upon what Congress considered was a firm com- <br />mitment to go ahead with these projects~ All the leaders of Congress <br />joined together last year in trying to override the presidential. veto. <br />That included both the leaders of the Republicans and the. Democratic <br />parties in Congress. They made an all-out effort to override the presi- <br />dential veto on the Public Works Appropriations Bill. .They:were not. <br />successful. <br /> <br />The leadership assumes--and I think correctly so--that they are in no <br />better shape this year to 9verride the veto. So they say that there is <br />no point in reopening old wounds. For the time being, the Congress is <br />in a mood only to approve what the President has asked for, rather than <br />go through the veto fight. <br /> <br />In view of that attitude, there is no point in our irritating Congress. <br />I wouldn't hesitate to irritate them, but I don't think we would get. <br />anywhere. <br /> <br />MR. GORMLEY: I guess the question in my mind is: if it is not on our <br />agenda to ask for these things, the fact that it isn't there this year <br />or next year, does that create a situation where it makes it that much. <br />more difficult if we ever want to reinstitute those? <br /> <br />MR. SPARKS: I don't think so. I think we have to play along with the <br />leadership of the House and Senate. They have indicated some ground. <br />rules this year that they would like to see followed. <br /> <br />. <br />Bear in mind that the President, as yet, has not requested the deauthori- <br />zation of any projects. When that comes about, we will have to gird <br />for another battle. These projects are still very much alive. until <br />they are actually deauthorized by Congress, which requires, by the way, <br />affirmative action by Congress, then we are in a position to pursue <br />them when conditions improve, possibly after 1980. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />MR, STAPLETON: Is there any further discussion on the motion? (NO. <br />response. ) <br /> <br />-20.- <br />