Floor Statements

Thank you very much, Mr. Miller.

I rise in opposition to H.R. 2117, the Protecting Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act.

This legislation would remove critical safeguards ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are used responsibly in our higher education system. For example, unregulated for-profit colleges are targeting our veterans, targeting low-income students, and targeting minorities. These institutions receive a high percentage of their revenue from Federal student loan dollars, yet they're failing to properly educate their students. As a result, the students who need the most support are failing to get it. They are more likely to drop out, graduate without a degree and without the proper training they need to obtain gainful employment. And in turn, they're unable to pay back their student loan debt. H.R. 2117 would let the for-profit colleges off the hook.

We must start focusing our efforts on making college more affordable for all students. We must stop the interest rates from doubling on student loans and provide for innovative ways to help students pay back their loans rather than condemning them to early lives of debt.

We need to increase the maximum Pell Grant and broaden the eligibility for them. We need to invest in programs at community colleges that train students to enter into our workforce. We need to refocus our attention on assisting young Americans to obtain the education they need and deserve instead of repealing regulations that protect our investment in their future.

I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 306, the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act. This bill is a responsible and well-studied solution to the on-going debate regarding wild horse populations. Generally, when we discuss wild horse populations we are trying to find answers on how to curb the rapidity of herd growth. Yet today we are here attempting to support the expansion of the dwindling Colonial Spanish Mustangs that roam on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

These graceful and social wild animals have captured the hearts and minds of Americans for hundreds of years. They are stunning to watch as they roam free on public lands and remain an historical national treasure. It is imperative that we protect and ensure a viable future for the Corolla wild horse population.

Currently, the Corolla wild horses are at risk of being reduced to a herd of 60 horses. According to scientific research led by Texas A&M University's Dr. Gus Cothran, a herd of horses that small is unsustainable because it lacks sufficient genetic diversity. A healthy population for the herd would be in the range of 110 to 130 horses. H.R. 306 takes heed of this warning and ensures that steps to responsibly increase the herd population are taken without affecting the other endangered species and refuge lands in the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

In the past, I have advocated for significant changes to current herd management practices to ensure humane and responsible population management on public lands. Such concerns are shared by the public and Members of Congress alike. I support this bill and will continue to work to ensure that wild horse populations are protected.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. William H. Willoughby, Jr. who is being recognized by the Joint Veterans' Commission of Cuyahoga County as the 2011 Outstanding Veteran of the Year.

Born a true ``military brat,'' Mr. Willoughby grew up around the world in places such as California, Japan and Washington, DC. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School before graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He furthered his training at Infantry, Airborne, Ranger and Special Forces Qualifications Schools. Mr. Willoughby served his country valiantly during two tours in Vietnam during 1965-1966 and again in 1968. He was an A Team Leader with the 5th Special Forces Group on his first tour and a Battalion Operations Officer (S3) with the 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry 1st Infantry Division during the second, during which he was wounded in combat. Mr. Willoughby was awarded with the Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation, Air Medal and Combat Infantryman's Badge for his brave service to his country. Due to medical reasons, he retired from the Army in 1971.

While recovering from his injury, Mr. Willoughby earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Tulane University. He used his education to obtain work in the manufacturing industry. Working his way up in the field, Mr. Willoughby became the president of Pettibone Ohio Corporation. In 1984, with only five employees, he established Cleveland Track Material, Inc. (CTM). CTM quickly became a thriving company and by 2007 employed 260 people. It was named one of the ``100 Best Places to Work in North East Ohio'' for three consecutive years. It has received the Ohio Governor's Workforce Excellence Award, Blue Chip Enterprise Award and it was named the 1990 Ernest & Young Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.

In addition to his military service and business success, Mr. Willoughby has been an outspoken supporter of the U.S. Military Academy and in 1979 was appointed the West Point Admissions Coordinator for Northeast Ohio. In 2010, he was named the coordinator for the entire state. Over the years William has assisted more than 650 young people from the State of Ohio to gain admission to the prestigious military academy.

Since 1997, he has served as the Master of Ceremonies for my 10th Congressional District's annual Service Academy Day and has provided invaluable assistance with the nomination process to my congressional staff. He has set the standard for a Service Academy representative, and is the recognized leader among West Point representatives. Everyone knows Bill! Always positive and professional, he leads by example, with a life history to illustrate the success of following the path of Duty, Honor and Country.

Mr. Willoughby has also brought four new Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps programs to Cleveland City Schools. Mr. Willoughby has been recognized as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Emeritus in 2005, received the U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2008.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Mr. William Willoughby, Jr., Cuyahoga County's 2011 Outstanding Veteran of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of Mr. Frank W. Anderson, a strong proponent of disabled veterans' rights in the state of Ohio, who is being honored by the Joint Veterans' Commission of Cuyahoga County with the Judge Felix T. Matia/Chester J. Koch Memorial Award.

Frank Anderson was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1953 and attended East Tech High School. He attended Bowling Green State University, and then left in 1976 to enroll in the Ohio National Guard's 107th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Mr. Anderson was paralyzed in an accident while participating in an Ohio National Guard convoy in 1981. He was discharged as a sergeant in 1982.

Following this life altering experience, Frank became a strong advocate for disabled veterans' rights. He joined the Paralyzed Veterans' Buckeye Board in Ohio in 1985, and became the Advocacy Director in 1987. Mr. Anderson was also an active member of ADA Ohio Network, Greater Cleveland RTA Citizen's Advisory Board, Governor's Council on People with Disabilities, and was a trustee with the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Frank was the 1st Vice President of the Joint Veterans Commission of Cuyahoga County and the Vice President of the Memorial Day Association of Greater Cleveland. Because of his tireless work he was awarded the Richard Fuller Outstanding Achievement in Government Relations Award in 2010.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Mr. Frank W. Anderson and his tireless work on behalf of Ohio's disabled veterans.

I thank my friend.

We are here as stewards of our Nation, and we must be here to care for the people of our Nation, to care for those who are working hard every day trying to survive, trying to pay their mortgages, trying to pay their car payments, get their kids in school. And all they're looking for, 160 million Americans, is a continuation of a tax cut. We should be for that.

Those millions who are unemployed are also looking for help. They're looking for recognition that they've earned these unemployment benefits. This isn't welfare. It is an earned benefit, unemployment insurance. We should make sure they get that benefit.

Now, why do they need it? It's pretty obvious. People have to pay their mortgages or their rent. They have to feed their family, and they have to put clothes on their kids' backs. They need this unemployment insurance.

I have trouble understanding, Mr. Speaker, this proposal that's before the Congress in this bill, H.R. 3630, that would discriminate against Americans who aren't employed, who don't have a high school diploma, by saying if you're going to get unemployment benefits, you have to go to school. Well, that sounds good, but then it doesn't give them any resources to do so. This sounds too much like urging people to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and then stealing their boots.

We should give people unemployment benefits, and if they have time to go to school because they don't have a job, we should be paying for that as well. That helps to uplift the knowledge level in America, and then when our economy comes back, we'll have a better-trained workforce.

Now, this other proposal which would allow States to subject all of those who apply for unemployment insurance to drug test needs to be looked at.

Has anybody in this Congress suggested that those who are getting a bailout should take a drug test? That those who have oil depletion allowances should take a drug test? That those who were the recipients of the Bush tax cuts in the top bracket should take a drug test? No. We say the poorest of the poor should be subject to drug tests. I mean, come on. Get real.

We need to create jobs in this economy, and there's one way to do it. We could create 7 million jobs debt-free with what's called the NEED Act, the National Employment Emergency Defense Act. Government needs to create these jobs debt free. We don't have to have the unemployment level we have. We shouldn't be having this debate.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3835, a bill to extend the pay limitation for Members of Congress and Federal employees. There is an attack on the idea that government has a role in the proper functioning of society. That battle has resulted in the privatization of government services, which leads to inefficiencies and higher bills for taxpayers. Across the country we are also seeing an attack on government workers who frequently work long hours in support of our great nation.

Federal employees have already sacrificed because of our shrinking budget. These men and women are members of the middle class, and they are already subject to an unwarranted two-year pay freeze in the form of a $5 billion cut to their wages and benefits by the end of 2012. They also face the possibility of layoffs and furloughs in coming years as automatic spending reductions mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 reduce agency budgets for salaries.

Federal employees are public servants who do work that is essential to this country every day: they guard our borders, care for our wounded veterans, deliver our mail, ensure the safety of our food supply, and provide many other sometimes invisible, but important services.

This bill inappropriately groups the pay and benefits of Members of Congress with the men and women of our federal civil service. In so doing, it attempts to turn Federal employee pay into a political issue. I am not opposed to extending the pay freeze for Members of Congress. However, I stand with the workers. The merits of pay increases for Federal employees should be debated separately from our consideration of pay for Members of Congress.

I stand with the workers; that is why I voted against this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Harry J. Bury, a long time proponent for peace who will be honored by the Government of Vietnam for his anti-war activities during the Vietnam War.

Harry Bury was born on January 26th, 1930 and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Bury currently resides in Berea, Ohio. He is an Adjunct Professor of Systems Management at the Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea. In 1990, Mr. Bury won the Strosacker Award at Baldwin-Wallace for his excellence in teaching. He is also the Chair of the Doctorate Program in Business Administration at Burapha University in Bangkok, Thailand, and has taught Organizational Behavior at Assumption University in Bangkok. Mr. Bury received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University. He completed the Gestalt Institution of Cleveland's Post-graduate program in 1975.

During the Vietnam War, Mr. Bury chained himself to the gates of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon to protest the military actions in Vietnam. He is now being honored by the Government of Vietnam, as well as receiving an honorary citizenship.

In addition to his activism in Vietnam, Mr. Bury traveled to the Gaza Strip on a peace mission in 2005. He was abducted by a Palestinian gunman, but was later released unharmed.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the many accomplishments of Mr. Harry J. Bury, as well as his lifelong commitment to promoting peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Ms. Wislawa Szymborska, a Nobel Prize winning Polish poet.

Ms. Szymborska was born on July 2, 1923 in Brin, Poland. At the age of eight, in 1931, her family moved to Krakow, where she spent the rest of her life. During World War II, in order to avoid deportation to Germany, Ms. Szymborska worked as a railway clerk. Following the War, she attended Jagellonian University where she studied Polish literature and sociology. She began working for the literary magazine, ``Zycie Literackie'' in 1953. She served as a columnist and poetry editor until 1981.

In 1945, Ms. Szymborska published her first poem, ``Szukam slowa'' (I am Looking for a Word) in the Dziennik Polski newspaper. She published her first book of poetry, ``Dlatego zyjemy'' in 1952 and her last will be published posthumously. Ultimately, Ms. Szymborska will be credited with more than 21 volumes of poetry published, many in several languages.

Ms. Szymborska was recognized and honored numerous times throughout her illustrious career. She has been coined the ``Mozart of Poetry'' and the ``Greta Garbo of World Poetry.'' Ms. Szymborska has been awarded the Geothe Prize, Herder Prize, Polish PEN Club prize and in 1996, and she was the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. She also received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Poznan University. In 2011 she was honored by Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski with The Order of the White Eagle for her cultural contribution to Poland.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the memory of Ms. Wislawa Szymborska. Her work and her memory will live on with all who were blessed by knowing of her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Vietnamese New Year: Tet, 2012--Year of the Dragon. As the Vietnamese community in Greater Cleveland gathers to celebrate, I join them in honoring their rich history and culture.

Tet is the time of the year to pay homage to ancestors, reconnect with friends and family and celebrate every hope and possibility rising with the new year. This year's gathering will once again honor community volunteers and leaders, showcasing many Vietnamese cultural treasures including Vietnamese culinary cuisine, music and dance.

This year also marks thirty-seven years of service to the community by the Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland, Inc. This organization has been an invaluable resource for hundreds of Clevelanders of Vietnamese descent, linking them to needed resources and preserving the rich heritage of the Vietnamese people.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Le Nguyen, President of the Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland, Inc., and every member, past and present, for their dedication to Vietnamese- Americans of Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebration of the Vietnamese New Year: Tet, 2012--Year of the Dragon. May every American of Vietnamese heritage hold their cultural legacy forever in their hearts, and find peace and happiness within every new day of the rising new year.

Mr. Speaker, the need to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration is urgent. A failure to do so could result in the loss of thousands of jobs and compromise flight safety. This Congress should pass a clean reauthorization without compromising the right of thousands of workers to collectively bargain. This bill does not do that.

Instead, it replaces over 70 years of labor law precedent in which major changes were agreed upon by both workers and management, with changes decided upon by a handful of negotiators in Congress. It will increase the percentage of employees who must petition to have an election about whether to be represented by a union, from 35 percent to 50 percent. The bill makes it even harder for workers to organize and bargain for better wages, working conditions and passenger safety. We must not undermine the workers who have borne the brunt of the great recession. We should stand behind them

I want to thank the gentleman from Maine for his ever- present leadership on the issue of unemployment insurance and also for fighting for jobs for Americans, because we're really here looking at two problems. One is the problem of making sure that those who are on unemployment are going to get benefits so they can survive, and the other one is the massive unemployment that we have in America. I mean, obviously, these matters are interrelated.

Let me speak first to Mr. Michaud's motion to instruct conferees.

This provision to remove Section 2123 from H.R. 3610, this section severely undermines the unemployment insurance system that nearly 8 million Americans rely on. It allows States to apply for waivers that would change how unemployment insurance funds are allocated, and it does this under the guise of strengthening reemployment programs. In reality, these proposed waivers would allow States to use unemployment insurance funds for purposes other than paying out benefits.

Think about this. If people are on unemployment insurance, they need those benefits. They need full benefits. You don't want the State to find an excuse to siphon those benefits to some other purpose. And by allowing the use of unemployment insurance funds for purposes other than providing unemployment benefits to those who rely on them, we would be weakening a system that has provided assistance to unemployed Americans for decades.

The rationale for the reallocation is deceptively camouflaged. It's being described as fulfilling additional benefits to the unemployed, such as bolstering job training programs and reemployment programs. Yet, in reality, diverting funds from the unemployment insurance fund to other equally important programs is not a viable solution and will, ultimately, undermine the unemployment insurance system that millions rely on.

The truth of this matter is that this Congress has been shirking its responsibility to independently and to adequately fund these programs.

Section 2123 of this legislation also gives the States the ability to create their own eligibility requirements, which could impede otherwise eligible recipients from collecting their benefits. The waivers permitted under Section 2123 would give States the opportunity to impose new eligibility requirements on unemployment insurance recipients that are unrelated to their employment history and current unemployment status. This includes giving the States the right to require a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite for receiving unemployment benefits.

Now, think about that. You have so many people who, because of family situations, have not been able to finish high school, and they're working to support their families. They get laid off, and then they're told, Well, wait a minute. Because you don't have a high school diploma, you can't get any benefits. This is a double punishment for people.

What we should be doing is enabling people who are unemployed to be able to get a college education paid for while they're unemployed, so that when they're graduated or better educated, that when they come back into the workforce they can help make a greater contribution to our country.

Frivolous requirements like giving States the right to require a high

school diploma or GED as a prerequisite for receiving unemployment benefits will do nothing but prevent benefits from reaching those who need them the most.

In my home State of Ohio, the unemployment rate is still above 8 percent. Just last week, more than 20,000 Ohioans were on the brink of losing their extended benefits. The men and women of this country should not have the added stress of monitoring the government's attempt to deny or delay their unemployment benefits. We have to protect the integrity of the unemployment insurance program and those that rely it.

And while we're at it, we also have to start thinking about creating jobs in this country. We have at least 13 million people who are unemployed and another 6 million who are underemployed. It's time we got America back to work, then we wouldn't be having this debate about unemployment insurance.

While people are unemployed, they should get the benefits, and they should be full benefits. But we should also be creating jobs, and that's not what we're doing. We need new mechanisms to create jobs. We shouldn't tell people, Well, the government doesn't have any money.

Well, we're borrowing money from China, South Korea, and Japan. Why don't we start--spend the money into circulation. Look at what the Federal Reserve does. The Federal Reserve creates money out of nothing, gives it to banks. The banks park the money at the Fed. They gain interest. Our businesses are starved for lack of capital.

What if we, the government, took back the constitutional right that we have under article I, section 8, to spend or create money, coin money, spend it into circulation, create millions of jobs, put our country back to work, rebuild our infrastructure? More money for education, more money for health care.

America's best days are ahead of it if we start to think about the mechanisms we have to create jobs in this country. In the meantime, we sure better protect those people who are unemployed.

The mechanism I talked about, it's called the NEED Act, National Employment Emergency Defense Act. We have a means of getting people back to work. In the meantime, if they're not working, let's make sure we don't curtail their unemployment benefits.

Support the Michaud amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention the 40th anniversary of Tommy's Restaurant, and its owner, Tommy Fello.

What later became ``Tommy's'' on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights started out as a part-time job at a 7-stool lunch counter at the corner drug store for Tommy when he was in the 9th grade in 1967. By 1972, just a year and a half after graduating from Cleveland Heights High School, Tommy bought the lunch counter and renamed it Tommy's. Having learned to make Lebanese specialties, such as falafel, hummus and baba ghanouj, from the lunch counter, he incorporated these and other items to cater to a growing demand for good food and healthy lifestyles. His menu includes vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic, and gluten-free foods. But one can also get hamburgers, hot dogs and meat pies. After 45 years cooking and 40 years as the owner, Tommy still works long hours behind the grill making sandwiches and other treats for his many customers.

With success, Tommy always found ways to give back to his community. Every year on Earth Day, Tommy Fello can be found at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio's 10th Congressional District, feeding all the volunteers the wonderful food he cooks at his restaurant. On New Years Day every year, Tommy opens his restaurant for a 4 hour pancake breakfast with all proceeds donated to the local arts community. Tommy's Restaurant has provided a first job to thousands of youths in the Cleveland area since opening. Tommy has worked as a mentor for many local schools and is often asked to give entrepreneurial and motivational speeches to students of all ages.

Tommy's Restaurant is a Cleveland-area landmark. His website lists many customers of national and local renown, including TV personality Al Roker, actress Alicia Silverstone, the late Cuyahoga County poet laureate Daniel Thompson, blues musician Mr. Stress (who also has a sandwich named in his honor), comedian Molly Shannon (who once worked at Tommy's), actor Danny DeVito, the late graphic novelist Harvey Pekar, singer Patty Smith, and movie director Jim Jarmusch. I am proud to also be on this list.

I am also proud to know this fine individual who has worked hard, found much success, and has given so much back. Other business-owners on his street have nicknamed him the King of Coventry or the Mayor of Coventry because of their appreciation for all his hard work and dedication to the community. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Tommy Fello on his celebration of 40 years owning Tommy's Restaurant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the St. Ignatius Football Team, which won the 2011 Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division I State Championship.

St. Ignatius High School was founded in September of 1886 on Cleveland's West 30th

Street. At the time, it was the twentieth secondary school sponsored by the Jesuits in the U.S. An all male college preparatory high school, the Wildcats continue to live by the school motto, ``Men for Others.'' Academically, St. Ignatius is one of Ohio's most prestigious high schools. It is St. Ignatius great emphasis on academic achievement which produces scholars and which translates to success both on and off the field. Each year 99% of its students go on to four-year college programs.

Led by Coach Chuck Kyle, the St. Ignatius Wildcats took to the field at 7:07 p.m. on December 3, 2011 against the Pickerington Tigers. The Wildcats gained an early lead in the first quarter, highlighted by a 45 yard touchdown pass by Eric Williams to Tim McCoy. The first half ended with the Wildcats ahead, thanks to two Tim Shenk field goals and a Tim McVey rushing touchdown, by a score of 20-13. The second half was dominated by the Wildcats defense, which did not allow the Tigers to score again. The Wildcats offense continued to produce; Tim McVey ran for another touchdown and Eric Williams threw a 40 yard touchdown to Jake Mooney. At 10:03 p.m., the St. Ignatius Wildcats left the field as OHSAA Division I State Champions for the 11th time in 12 state championship appearances with a score of 34-13.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating the 2011 OHSAA Division I State Champions, the St. Ignatius Football Team.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Micheline ``Mickey'' Benedict as she retires after 50 years of service at St. Ignatius High School as Director of Technology.

From an early age Mickey has been part of the St. Ignatius High School community. Her uncles, Fr. George Kmieck, the former Dean of Philosophy at John Carroll University, and Dr. Peter Kmieck, the St. Ignatius High School team physician, began bringing Mickey to the school at the age of two.

Mickey began her career with St. Ignatius High School in May 1961. She was hired by Fr. Pingstock and made $1.25 per hour for clerical and typing work. In November of 1997, she was promoted to head the school's Computer Services Department by Fr. Robert Welsh. She led a team of 20 who worked to move the school into the age of modern technology. Mickey was promoted to the position of Director of Technology in May of 2000 and held the position until her retirement in December of 2011.

The St. Ignatius High School community will celebrate the career of Mickey Benedict on January 20, 2012 with a mass and school wide reception.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mickey Benedict and congratulating her on her retirement from St. Ignatius High School following 50 years of dedicated service.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to America's economic recovery is that corporations can legally buy elections and then influence policies which move millions of jobs out of America which escape taxation by offshoring profits, which cash in on wars, which press military industrial spending through the roof.

While we pledge allegiance to the red, white and blue, corporations, whose only allegiance is to green, are selling out America; and they're becoming ever more powerful because of a Supreme Court decision in Citizens United, which effectively turns this government into an auction where policies may go to the highest bidder.

We must stand up for America. We must reclaim our Nation. House Joint Resolution 100 is a constitutional amendment which aims at taking all private money out of elections and returning government to the people.

I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 100 so that we can break the golden shackles which are imprisoning this government right now and so that we can get rid of corporate influence once and for all. No private money in elections. Support H.J. Res. 100.