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Show Hansen wanted amendment Congressman James V. Hansen strongly supported an amendment to the Foreign Aid Authorization Bill that would give state and local governments first priority in obtaining obtain-ing surplus federal property. The intent of the legislation is to keep taxpayer-financed surplus property from being away wholesale to foreign countries, and to get more of it to state and local communities. Currently there are six programs run by the Department of Defense which transfer excess government equipment to over thirty thir-ty foreign countries. Rep. Hansen stated, " these foreign for-eign nations are given first access to millions of dollars worth of government property paid for by the American taxpayer. At a time when our state, county and city governments govern-ments are experiencing tight budgets, and desperately need the equipment, allowing our people first access to federal surplus is only logical." The measure will allow programs such as the Humanitarian Assistance Program to offer true humanitarian aid such as food, medical supplies, tents, and other aid intended to help people in need. The amendment is geared more towards prioritizing the giving away of heavy equipment. "The original intentions of the Humanitarian Assistance Program remains commendable, but the program pro-gram ahs outgrown the scope of its original purpose." Rep. Hansen added, "this measure is needed to assure that the states and their tax-paying tax-paying citizens receive fust priori- |