EMERSON OPPOSES USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS IN LA

Over objections of U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, the House Thursday approved a $495 million appropriation for federal agencies to provide disaster assistance to riot-scarred Los Angeles and flood-damaged Chicago.

The money will enable the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide $822 million in disaster aid grants and subsidized loans to the two cities.

Federal funds should not be used to rebuild sections of Los Angeles destroyed by recent rioting, said Emerson.

Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, said it is wrong to "reward" the rioters with federal funds.

"Los Angeles isn't the only place in America that can use money to rebuild," Emerson said. "Think about our nation's rural areas."

The House bill would provide $822 million in emergency grants and loans to rebuild neighborhoods in Los Angeles and flood-damaged Chicago, with most of the money going to L.A.

"It is simply wrong that all American taxpayers should pick up the tab to clean up and rebuild south central Los Angeles, just as it is wrong that all Missouri taxpayers should pay for desegregation efforts in St. Louis and Kansas City while our entire state education system suffers," Emerson said.

Emerson compared using federal funds to clean up the riot-torn areas to rewarding people with money for traffic violations.

He said: "Think of it like this: Every time a person is stopped for a traffic violation, the driver is given a $20 so he won't do it again. That simply does not make any sense."