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<br />Politics in the states, in Congress, or in the Bureau itself can do and <br />has done a great deal of damage to the reclamation program. If there <br />is any federal program which should carry a unanimity of opinion and <br />ambition, it is the reclamation program where we of the reclamation <br />west are still in a great minority position - as related to the rest of <br />the nation. <br /> <br />We must continue to be one unified, understanding and diligent body, if <br />we expect to be recipients of federal aid for Reclamation in the future <br />as we have in the past. <br /> <br />Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Board, for permitting me to <br />make this statement. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Mr. Starleton: Thank you, Congressman, for a very fine statement. <br />wonder f the members of the Board have any questions. <br /> <br />Mr. Sparks: I have one question, Congressman Aspinall. As you well <br />know, yOU sponsored, and Congress enacted a bill in 1964 which autho- <br />rized the Fruitland Mesa and Savery-Pot Hook Projects which are <br />entirely irrigation projects. As you know, over the years we have been <br />unable to"get the Administration to release funds for the construction <br />of these projects on the grounds that further irrigation should be <br />discouraged. Now, suddenly we get the very pleasant surprise that the <br />President has recODDIlended funds. Do you have any insight as to why <br />that change in attitude took place? <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Mr. Aspinall: I think the former Administration, and now the present <br />Administration, and Congress determine whether or not we are in an <br />inflationary period or utilizationary period. I don't believe the <br />Administration and the Department of Interior are any more friendly <br />toward irrigation than they have been heretofore; but they feel now that <br />spending for public service projects is desirable. I think they under- <br />stand the. public understands that, also, and so they are willing to <br />release those funds. To me that has been one disappointment of our <br />Congressional operations and Executive operations throughout the year. <br />We have appropriated these funds and have authorized these funds for <br />these projects. We have appropriated funds for bringing them up to <br />planning and the final construction period. <br /> <br />And then to have the Executive Department go out from under their <br />original position - as I was saying in my statement - to go out from <br />under their original position that these are ~ood projects, and try to <br />make priorities of their own, that just doesn t seem fair to me, and <br />that is part of the gist of my statement. <br /> <br />Mr. Stapleton: Are there any other questions by members of the Board? <br /> <br />In these hallowed halls we should have a more dignified procedure, but <br />we have a lot of people from the State of Colorado, and at least one <br />Congressman I know, here; and this is a fine opportunity for any of our <br />audience, if they have a question that they feel would be in order, to <br />have your advice and counsel at this time. So, I am going to ask, are <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />-8- <br />