Mr. NATCHER. I want to thank you and your associates for appearing before this committee at this time.

Before I ask a question or two concerning the ACP program, I might say to you, Mr. Secretary, since you have heard Mr. Passman's statement, we have 13 subcommittees on our Committee on Appropriations.

FISCAL CONDITION OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL

The one that I am chairman of, of course, is the most important one of all, Mr. Secretary. For 10 long years I have been saying to them that one day they will be bankrupt unless they do a little better than they have been doing.

Our Nation's Capital now owes the Federal Treasury $1 billion. They have $1 billion in unfunded pension accounts. They have $146 million in obligated accounts that they are not paying out of their 1975 budget. They had to borrow a major amount of $40 million from the Federal Treasury about 3 months ago.

We have a rapid transit system, Mr. Secretary, that you have been reading about for years. I told them 5 years ago it was going to cost between $4 billion and $5 billion. It is going to be $6 billion now.

So you see, Mr. Secretary, Mr. Passman is chairman of a subcommittee that has a few problems. We have a few all down through here. We know that you have a lot of problems. I know that. I appreciate your coming before our committee. You and I started about the same time, Mr. Secretary.

You started out as an Assistant Secretary and I keep moving further down here but I am struggling to stay. I have one more chair, Mr. Chairman, under the new rules of our committee, I have one more chair and I am struggling. But I will be here.

Secretary BUTZ. What do I infer from that? What's my next step? Mr. NATCHER. I don't know, Mr. Secretary. I am moving down under the rules of our committee, but I have been on this one 20 years.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ACP PROGRAM

Mr. Frick, as you well know, in the ACP program most of the States are unable to announce their programs until about January 1 of each year. This is brought about as a result of the fact that this bill goes through Congress a lot of times late and then the matter comes up of releasing the funds as far as the ACP program is concerned. Last year I believe the President signed the agricultural appropriations bill on December 31, 1974. The Department did not announce the program until April 11. Is that right, Mr. Frick? Now the things that concern me, assuming that this committee recommends to the full committee that this deferral here that we have before us as far as ASCS and ACP of $90 million be refused. I want to talk to you just a minute now about this program generally from the standpoint of the announcements, the release of the funds and so forth.

Now, April 11 was the date that the program was announced in the Department. Is that correct?

Mr. FRICK. I don't recall exactly, but that is close, yes, because we were going through the rescission-deferral process and our proposal for a rescission last year in contrast to a deferral this year.

Mr. NATCHER. So that date, I believe, is exact, April 11.

The thing that concerns me and my people, Mr. Frick, is the fact that this program is funded from year to year and as soon as possible we would like to have this program announced.

We would like to know what is going on as far as the Department is concerned.

FISCAL YEAR 1976 PROGRAM

Now, for instance, our bill for fiscal year 1976 was signed on October 21, I believe. Now you started making your announcements concerning the program on what, December 4?

Mr. FRICK. Yes, sir.

Mr. NATCHER. On what basis, Mr. Frick, on what amounts, the amount here of the $90 million or the amount of $85 million? What amounts are you setting this program up on as far as the December 4 announcement?

Mr. FRICK. $85 million.

I find as I go through the country that this amount gives the counties sufficient funds to start the program in good shape at this point in time.

TIMING OF ANNOUNCEMENT OF FULL PROGRAM IF DEFERRAL IS DENIED

Mr. NATCHER. Now, assuming, Mr. Frick, that the committee decides not to go along on this deferral of $90 million, how long will it be after you received word and it comes from the Secretary's office and through the Department that the committee has refused to go along, how long will it be before we have announcements of the program at the full funding, the amount incorporated in the bill?

Mr. FRICK. Once this is resolved according to the system right now, it will be announced immediately.

Mr. NATCHER. Mr. Passman, I yield to you if you just don't talk about foreign aid.

TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN NATCHER

Mr. PASSMAN. Mr. Chairman, I think the greatest tribute ever paid to a great Member of Congress was in the Congressional Record yesterday pointing out the record of our distinguished friend and colleague from Kentucky, Mr. Natcher. He answered 8,018 rollcalls without a miss in 18 years. That sets an alltime record. I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Chairman, that this brief complimentary statement be placed in the record at this point.

[The information referred to above follows:]

CONGRESSMAN NATCHER EXTENDS PERFECT VOTING RECORD

(Mr. Richmond asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, Chairman William H. Natcher, Democrat, of Kentucky, who began his distinguished career as a Member of the House of Representatives on January 6, 1954, has today completed his 8,018th rollcall vote. Chairman Natcher has created a unique congressional record of 100 percent attendance.

No Member of the House since the beginning of Congress has ever served in the House of Representatives or in the Senate for 17 consecutive years without

missing one or more votes. Chairman Natcher is presently about to begin his 22d year and clearly this display of dedication and perseverance is to be highly commended.

Each Member of Congress is well aware of the many other demands placed upon them. Being present for votes is not the sole criteria for Members and often it is difficult to be present this consistently. The chairman's dedication and service to his constituency is unfaltering and in addition to his impressive voting record, the projects he has undertaken in Kentucky are equally as impressive. He has taken the lead in programs concerning agriculture, education, health, pollution, recreation, new industry for Kentucky, and the list continues. This type of creativity is well recognized by those who work with him and the fine residents of Kentucky he represents.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on the District of Columbia of the Committee on Appropriations, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Natcher), is unquestionably the most knowledgeable man in Washington on the affairs of our Nation's Capital.

The problems and tasks his subcommittee undertakes are often very complex and always controversial. The solutions and many decisions his committee must make, although disputed, are always fair.

As my favorite presiding Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, Chairman Natcher does more to keep order in the House with the small tapping of his gavel than other presiding Chairmen do with a very heavy hand. This is reflective of the effectiveness and character of this fine gentleman. It is an honor for me to participate as a Member of this great body with such a man.

SECRETARY BUTZ' CONGRATULATIONS TO CONGRESSMAN NATCHER

Secretary BUTZ. Yesterday it was my privilege to address the convention of the Kentucky Farm Bureau in Louisville. I know that Mr. Natcher represents some wonderful people. There were over 1,000 people in that room yesterday from all over the State. That was a great group of leaders. I want to congratulate you for working with them.

Mr. NATCHER. Thank you.

Mr. EVANS. I think that is appropriate.

Members, we stand adjourned.