Floor Statements

Thank you. And thank you for having this hour tonight to talk about jobs and manufacturing and how we can make it in America. I appreciate the gentleman from California's leadership and, of course, our friend from Pennsylvania joining us here tonight as well.

Manufacturing is the backbone of a strong economy, it's the backbone of this country, and it's long past the time in my view that we stand up for U.S. manufacturing. Now I am proud to say that I'm a product of a manufacturing household. When I grew up it was a time when people could have a good job in manufacturing, put food on the table, cover health care costs and supply a pension. But we have seen obviously a lot of loss of good manufacturing jobs due to a number of things, but including unfair trade practices and policies that put our companies and our workers at a disadvantage.

As we work together to pass this initiative that is multifaceted in its approach, there are many things we need to do to level that playing field and invest in many ways in our manufacturing sector so that we can again make things and create real value.

We just saw an economic collapse in this country and it is all too vivid in our minds. A lot of that, that wealth that we thought was out there, was actually created by people moving money around. There was a lot of smoke and mirrors going on, and when the room cleared up, the American people were smashed under the results.

When you make things, you create real value. We are embarking. We've been in this mode, but now we're really racheting up the attention to U.S. manufacturing. It's a welcome, welcome train that we're moving here.

We've got to encourage innovation. We hear a lot about innovation. We need to create a level playing field, as I said, for U.S. manufacturers. We have to improve our U.S. infrastructure with iron and steel and products produced right here in the United States. That's what the American people expect us to use when their dollars are being used. We also, of course, have to help our labor pool. We need to strengthen our training and education and coordinate our efforts, because we are in this together, and we will make it in America.

Today we passed a couple of bills, I am happy to report, out of the Energy and Commerce Committee consistent with our goals, to make it in America. One of them calls for a national manufacturing strategy. Now that's a pretty good idea, don't you think? Since it is a multifaceted task and mission that we're on, it makes a lot of sense to plan out our actions and make sure we have our policies in order so that they work together and that they work for and with our businesses and our workers. The National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010 was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee and hopefully on its way to the House floor so we can vote on it in the near future.

Another bill was passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee today and it was a bill that I sponsored called the Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2010. This bill deals with products that are manufactured in foreign countries, sold into our marketplace, and then if they injure our consumers, we don't have a right of redress really for them to deal with that. Every year countless Americans are injured, sometimes fatally, by dangerous products that have been manufactured abroad and imported into the U.S. Some of the examples we're all well aware of--the toxic drywall and faulty infant cribs, lead paint in toys, defective tires.

These products not only hurt consumers, but they also hurt American businesses, because when our businesses put manufactured products out there, they have to comply with safety standards that we expect for our consumers. Yet it's very difficult for injured parties to hold foreign manufacturers accountable because they can't serve process, they don't have jurisdiction over them, and as a result our consumers and businesses are forced to engage in cost prohibitive and consuming international legal battles. What is more is, the fact of avoiding all of those issues, producing things in foreign countries, allows them to undercut our U.S. manufacturing; and it's not fair.

This is a bill about fairness. It's about accountability. It will improve the safety of products that come into our marketplace. And it will allow our manufacturers to compete on a level playing field.

We're on our way. I thank the gentleman for the three bills that he has pending on manufacturing and I look forward to this mission to revitalize the strength of our Nation, the backbone of our Nation, manufacturing.

Well, again, I just want to summarize some of the things that we've been talking about here and just say it loud and say it strong, that we have to focus on replacing policies that reward businesses for outsourcing jobs with incentives and sensible tax policies that will help our businesses and workers what? Make it in America.

And we have to develop a trade model that will put an end, an enforceable end to currency manipulation and illegal subsidies and product dumping, one that requires reciprocity of market access and one that ensures that products produced elsewhere and sold into our U.S. market are safe for consumption here in the United States.

If you look at this chart that my friend, Representative Ellison from Minnesota, is helping me hold up here, we can see how working Americans are being squeezed; 12,000 to 20,000 American jobs are offshored every month. It is outrageous, and we have a chance with our policies to stop this from happening. Let's close the corporate tax loopholes and save $14 billion a year and start to save these jobs.

Mr. Speaker, next month we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of Social Security. Before 1935, half of America's seniors lived in poverty. Since FDR signed Social Security into law, we have upheld a sacred trust to our parents and grandparents that after decades of hard work, raising their children, and defending the U.S. against foreign enemies, that they would be able to retire with dignity and respect.

Three weeks ago, my colleague from Ohio, the House Republican leader, implied that we should raise the retirement age to 70 for everyone, office workers and construction workers alike, and cut Social Security benefits to help reduce the deficit and pay for the war in Afghanistan. Raiding Social Security in this way is both irresponsible, and it is a breach of trust.

We should not be gutting Social Security and breaching our sacred trust to America's seniors. It's amazing that Republicans are willing to gut Social Security and refuse unemployment compensation during these challenging times while at the same time arguing that we must preserve the tax cuts for the superwealthy.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia for the time and for his leadership on this very important issue.

I rise today in strong support and as a cosponsor for the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act. And I thank Mr. Gallegly and Mr. Peters, and all of those who are involved in dealing with this horrific, horrific problem.

The recent Supreme Court decision overturned 10 years of Federal law that outlawed animal crush videos. They said that the 1999 law was overbroad. And the Supreme Court also left open an avenue for a more targeted law. So today we make it clear, again, that the intentional crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, and impaling of animals for profit is beyond sick, and it must be stopped.

Today, with this narrowly tailored measure, we will end the trade of crush videos, videos where animals are tortured for profit. Animal abuse and profiting from these actions are beyond wrong. It's our responsibility to close the loopholes to crack down and end the trade in crush videos, and I urge a ``yes'' on the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act to end this unconscionable practice.

I thank the gentleman for the time, and I thank my colleague, Congressman Kucinich, for his efforts and leadership on this legislation.

David John Donafee was a 42-year-old letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service who lived in the congressional district that I am so honored to serve. He lived in Medina County, Ohio, in the city of Brunswick; and, sadly, David was crossing the street while walking his route when he was fatally hit by a car on February 14, 2008.

David was a devoted husband, a father, a son, a brother, a brother- in-law and uncle; and he was very involved in the community in children's hockey.

For 14 years, David delivered the mail; and to paraphrase the U.S. Postal Service's motto, he went about his life with duty, honor, and pride. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a Nation challenged stayed David from the swift completion of his appointed rounds. But tragically, a reckless driver did.

Our hearts remain with Sandi, his wife, his children, and the entire Donafee family. David's death was a tragedy that should not have happened. While we are honoring his life by naming the post office after him, as it should be, we also have a duty to remind drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing the street. We know that this small gesture will not close the hole in the Donafee family's hearts, but we want them to know that we care and we appreciate all that he did for our community. He connected us, one with another.

With this post office naming, we will remind people of David's noble service, and we will remind each other of our obligation to look out one for another.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support for Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (S. 1660).

And I'd like to commend my friend, Rep. Matsui, for her leadership on this issue.

This bill will protect the health of American families from high uses of formaldehyde in common household products like flooring, paneling, cabinets, and doors.

Currently foreign manufacturers who use unsafe levels of harmful toxins like formaldehyde are able to undercut domestic manufacturers who put safety above profits.

When a family installs a new countertop or paneling, they expect that the wood products are harmless.

And we must ensure that is the case regardless of where the products are made.

Recently, the Economic Policy Institute published a report stating that 2.4 million American jobs have been lost since 2001 directly because of unfair trade tactics by China.

The report states that in the ``wood products'' segment, our trade deficit was a negative $862 million in 2001.

By 2008, our trade deficit in ``wood products'' alone had more than doubled to $1.8 billion.

This trade imbalance from unfair trade practices like using cheaper and often dangerous materials like formaldehyde has cost our nation millions of jobs and endangered American families.

Today, we can help to level the playing field for domestic manufacturers by taking action against unsafe amounts of formaldehyde.

Vote yes on Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for H.R. 5481 and am proud to be an original cosponsor.

I'd like to commend Rep. Capps and Rep. Markey for their leadership on this issue.

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling must have subpoena power.

Last week, BP CEO Tony Hayward was anything but forthcoming in his answers before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

And through Congressional investigations, we have already learned that standard methods were not followed by BP and that shortcuts were taken to maximize profits at the expense of safety.

The Commission must have subpoena power and BP must be held accountable for the consequences of their unsafe approach.

We must take the necessary actions on behalf of the American people to ensure that reckless and careless decisions at the expense of our environment, our workers, and our economy are forever abandoned.

Mr. Speaker, thank you, Representative Dingell and thank you for organizing this special order hour to honor Ron Gettelfinger.

I rise today to honor Ron Gettelfinger as he retires from the United Auto Workers where he has served for the last eight years as President.

Thank you President Gettelfinger for your service--not only to your membership but to our Nation.

You have made a difference and you have made our Nation a stronger and a better place.

Your efforts have strengthened the middle class.

In 1964, Ron Gettelfinger became a member of UAW Local 862.

He worked as a chassis line repairman and was elected by the workers at Ford's Louisville Assembly plant to represent them.

Ron served as Director of UAW Region 3, which includes Indiana and Kentucky . . .

Ron exemplified what it means to be a leader.

Through his leadership, the UAW has navigated the difficult waters of the financial collapse in 2008 and the current recession.

And as unfair trade deals have devastated U.S. manufacturing jobs, Ron Gettelfinger stood strong in the fight for a new approach to trade.

Fair trade that works with our workers and businesses, not against them.

Ron Gettelfinger has called for fair trade agreements that include workers' rights and environmental provisions.

And Ron Gettelfinger has called for the so-called Free Trade Agreement with South Korea to be renegotiated.

This Bush-negotiated trade agreement would allow unfair advantages for Korean automakers to persist.

In 2009, our trade deficit with South Korea in autos was $7.8 billion.

Korean automakers control 95 percent of their domestic auto market.

And Ron Gettelfinger led the charge for reciprocity of market access, calling on Korea to open their market.

Ron knows, as we know, that our workers are the very best in the world and can compete on a level-playing field.

Ron negotiated deals for working families and our trade representative must also negotiate good deals with our working families in mind.

Because of Ron's leadership during his eight years as President and his service to UAW members since 1964, I am proud to represent 8,700 active and retired UAW members in my Congressional District.

In Ohio, we have at least 111,000 active and retired UAW members.

Thank you again Ron for your outstanding service to the UAW, to American manufacturing, and to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the Calling Card Protection Act (H.R. 3993) and would like to commend Rep. Engel for his leadership on this issue.

The Calling Card Protection Act provides common-sense solutions to protect consumers from fraud and abuse.

When buying a calling card, a consumer should receive the full amount of time purchased to talk to their family or friends.

Unfortunately, because of hidden fees and charges, this is not the case.

H.R. 3993 requires that calling card providers accurately and clearly disclose any fees and charges . . . and provide an accurate representation of how many minutes the card will provide.

Madam Speaker, our troops use pre-paid calling cards to call their loved ones while they are fighting for us overseas.

They deserve the full amount of time when calling their family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1272, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 4, 1970, Kent State University shootings.

As a lifelong Northeast Ohioan and a graduate of Kent State University, I hold what took place on May 4th close to my heart.

After the announcement of the U.S. incursion into Cambodia, Kent State students began a weekend of anti-war protests that culminated in the deaths of four unarmed students on May 4th . . .

. . . Another nine were injured, including one of my constituents, Barberton resident and my very dear friend, Alan Canfora.

During the height of the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1971, 17 people were killed during anti-war protests on college campuses.

Many of these Vietnam War demonstrations, including those at Kent State, pitted students against their peers serving in the National Guard.

Forty years after the Kent State shootings, the tragic events of May 4th remain a symbol of the Vietnam War and the protests that ensued at college campus in Ohio and across the country.

I commend the recent placement of the site of the May 4th shootings on the National Register of Historic Places.

I also applaud the establishment of the May 4th Visitors Center, Memorial, and Historical Walking Tour on the campus.

May 4th took the lives of Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder.

They will always live on in our memories.

They represent a generation and a tumultuous chapter of our Nation's history that should not ever be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2010, for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Police Week. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential proclamation that set aside May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week of May 15 an as National Police Week. Since that time, we have dedicated this week to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty.

During this week, police officers and their families and people in our communities throughout the country come together to honor and remember those officers who have fallen in the line of duty. It's a week to honor their service, their sacrifice, and their life. But this week is also for the surviving family members and fellow officers of the fallen. It's a time of tribute, and it's a time of healing.

Northeast Ohio has experienced the tragic loss of two police officers recently this year. At the end of his watch on March 15, 2010, Officer James Kerstetter of the Elyria Police Department was shot and killed in the line of duty. Just 2 days earlier, on March 13, Officer Thomas Patton of the Cleveland Heights Police Department collapsed and died while in pursuit of a suspect. Officers Kerstetter and Patton gave their lives in protection of their communities. These brave men knew the risks of the profession, but they also knew the rewards. Our policemen and women are part of the foundation of our communities. They risk it all as they walk the beat and patrol the streets, keeping our families and neighborhoods safe. Police officers go to work every day, committed to the oath that they take to serve and protect. And too often when officers fall, we are reminded of the costs and the sacrifice of the protection they provide us.

But we must not only remember their service in times of loss. We must not only appreciate all that they do for us during this 1 week. We must appreciate their service and support them every week, every day. We must commit ourselves to the mission of supporting the service of our police and giving them the means to fulfill their oath. That's why this year and in previous years, I supported full funding to the Community Oriented Policing Services, known as the COPS program. Congress created COPS in the 1990s to address increasing crime rates, and it has succeeded in putting over 117,000 more police on the beat. COPS' funding had been cut significantly after the 1990s, but I am proud to say that I have fought to make sure that this funding is continually improved and restored.

The Recovery Act that was passed and was supported by the FOP provided $1 billion for this competitive grant, aiding police forces that were facing drastic cuts in the face of a declining economy. There were 165 officers' jobs saved throughout Ohio, and in my district alone 30 officers' positions were saved through COPS funding by the Recovery Act, and that doesn't even take into account all of us who were saved and safer because they were on the street.

We must continue to fight for funding and support our police, just as they fight for us every day to keep us safe, just as Officer Kerstetter and Officer Patton fought to keep us safe and gave their lives to protect us, let us always be there for them.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise as a proud cosponsor in strong support of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. As we recover from this recession, we must remain committed to ensuring that our students are properly educated in math and science to strengthen our Nation's economic competitiveness.

With the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, we will make targeted investments in science, technology, engineering, and math education and groundbreaking research. Research leads to innovation. Innovation leads to manufacturing new products, and manufacturing leads to good-paying jobs.

According to the Alliance for American Manufacturing, every manufacturing job in our country directly supports four additional jobs. This bill will support our manufacturers, many of which are small businesses, by improving access to credit with innovative technology Federal loan guarantees.

This bill improves the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program by reducing the local cost share, allowing Manufacturing Extension Partnership program centers like MAGNET in Ohio to leverage more funds. MAGNET, which is based out of Cleveland, has leveraged Manufacturing Extension Partnership funds to generate nearly $10 million in new investment and has created or retained over 400 jobs in my congressional district alone between 2005 and 2009.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers will help rejuvenate our Nation's manufacturing base by informing local community colleges of the skill sets local manufacturers seek. Our workers must have the necessary job training to secure good-paying jobs. We must invest in our students, our workers, our small businesses, and our short-, mid-, and long-term economic competitiveness, and that is exactly what our bill does.

For these reasons, I am proud to cosponsor the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, and when the bill is called up for a vote tomorrow, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Matsui for yielding the time and for her leadership.

I rise today in strong support of the underlying bill, H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, and I want to congratulate and thank Representative Peter Welch for his leadership in bringing us to this place.

This is a timely, smart, commonsense bill that will achieve multiple goals. Home Star will help our workers, help our economy, and our environment. Make no mistake, Madam Speaker, this is a jobs bill. And jobs are the highest of high priorities. It's estimated that the Home Star Program will create 168,000 good-paying construction, manufacturing, and retail jobs. And these are jobs that cannot be shipped overseas.

Home Star will help kick-start the construction industry, which has been one of the hardest hit industries during this economic recession. Today more than one in four construction workers remain unemployed. And today those in this Chamber have the chance to vote to change that. Home Star will also stimulate domestic manufacturing and grow jobs, which will strengthen our economy and strengthen our Nation.

There are sustainable building solution companies in my district and across this country that are ready and waiting for the Home Star initiative, employers who are ready to ramp up production, ready to put people back to work. And the positive ripple effects will be felt throughout the retail and distribution sectors.

Home Star will also help millions of families lower energy bills. Improving energy efficiency is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways for homeowners to reduce energy waste. And Home Star will improve our environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and enhance our national security. Energy efficiency improvements will create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Household energy accounts for more than one-fifth of U.S. carbon emissions. And as we proved with the bipartisan, let me stress bipartisan and successful Cash for Clunkers program, it doesn't have to be jobs or the environment. It can be jobs and the environment. Home Star enjoys broad national support from business leaders, environmental and energy efficiency groups, labor unions, manufacturers, retailers, and construction contractors.

For these reasons I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying bill because this is a jobs bill, and we need to make jobs the highest priority.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for her time and the leadership that she is displaying here and on so many issues. I also want to thank my friend, Representative Alcee Hastings, for his leadership in bringing this very appropriate resolution to the floor.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1157, to honor and congratulate the National Urban League on their 100th year of giving back to our communities.

I want to thank the leaders in our communities of the Urban League: Bernett Williams, who has the leadership of the Akron Urban League; and Fred Wright, who is the leader of the Lorain County Urban League. Each of these affiliates in Akron and Lorain has stood tall and served as a pillar in our community through the difficult times that many have faced over the past years.

This year, the Akron Urban League will celebrate its 85th anniversary of serving the Akron community, fighting to eliminate the disparities that African Americans face, and helping others who face disadvantages in our community. The Akron Urban League has set out on an aggressive list of programs for adults, one which focuses on career training and pairs each student with a mentor from the local corporate community.

The Lorain County Urban League has served Lorain County for 30 years, empowering African Americans and the disadvantaged. In Lorain County, they offer opportunities such as a youth empowerment program, a program designed to give our young people the preparation and the skills that they need for the 21st century careers through education and community service.

Both the Akron and Lorain County Urban League affiliates mean a great deal to northeast Ohio and to our country.

Putting people back to work remains my top priority in Congress, and the National Urban League and its affiliates in Lorain County and Akron are steadfastly dedicated to this mission.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to Jody Lowry, who passed away on December 25, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. I know Jody from her active role in the Northeast Ohio Community, and have personally come to know her friendship and hospitality at her lovely home in Akron.

Jody was an avid volunteer, devoted daughter, wife, and loving mother.

Jody was also very active with local service groups in Akron, Ohio.

She knew that she could make a positive contribution in Akron while continuing to fight her cancer. Jody was determined to serve our community by giving to the people who needed her help.

Whether it was at The Summit County Battered Women's Shelter, Children's Hospital, or the St. Joseph Parenting Center, Jody committed her time to helping people who could not always help themselves.

Her work for children's rights continued as a Guardian Ad Litem for the Summit County CASA/GAL Program and was further proof of her devotion to others in need.

Perhaps her most avid cause was her work at the Alzheimer's Association, where she chaired the Annual Alzheimer's Association Gala last year. She became involved in the Alzheimer's Association as a result of her father, Jacob's long time Alzheimer's illness, which took his life last summer.

Jody was a lifelong resident of Akron, was a respected and beloved member of the greater Akron Community, and her presence will be remembered by the entire area. Her legacy of community, friendship, family and good work will continue for many, many years however. The fact that her funeral at the Akron Jewish Center was overflowing with hundreds upon hundreds of her friends and family members is a testament to her life long work.

Jody leaves behind not only those whom she served, but also a loving family--her husband Randy, her daughters Marisa and Meredith, her mother Elaine Apelbaum, her brother Perry Apelbaum, as well as other many other close family members and friends.

Jody will truly be missed.

We will always remember Jody for her ever-present smile, her commitment to her community, and her dedication to her family.

On behalf of the people of Ohio's 13th District, I want to express my deepest sympathies to her Mother Elaine, her husband Randy and her daughters, Marisa and Meredith.

They have lost a great daughter, wife and mother who passed away much too soon and we have lost a true friend and committed member of our community.