Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very straightforward, and I believe it will help provide the proper amount of interagency communication with the EPA when they go to write air quality standards for particulate matter.

The legislation being considered today excludes nuisance dust from the EPA regulatory net, but the bill provides an exemption if the EPA determines that the economic benefits of regulating dust outweigh the cost. My amendment would simply direct the EPA to consult with the Department of Agriculture in making this determination.

As a member of the Ag Committee, I've heard testimony from both the Secretary of Agriculture and the EPA Administrator on how their respective agencies propose and write regulations. A problem that became apparent to me is that the two agencies don't even seem to communicate. Neither agency could give me a sufficient explanation of the protocol for interagency communication between the EPA and the USDA. Their responses were bureaucratic and vague.

I find this troubling because if you ask the farmers and ranchers in my Arkansas district about the greatest threat to their operations, they always respond with three letters: EPA. I don't think their response would be the same if both agencies worked together more often.

Perhaps the best example of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing occurred this past summer when the President was in his home State of Illinois for a town hall event. One farmer asked the President why the EPA was targeting new regulations at farmers after a difficult growing season through the Midwest and Midsouth this year. The President pointed to Ag Secretary Vilsack for backup and asked the farmer to explain the specific regulations.

The farmer cited rules that would be crippling to the ag community, including regulating farm dust. President Obama defiantly dismissed the question by saying, ``Don't always believe what you hear.'' He later told the crowd: If you ever have a question as to whether it's going to make it harder for you to farm, contact USDA.

It seems to me that the President didn't understand that it's the EPA, not the Department of Agriculture, that was the source of this man's frustration. If the President doesn't realize

that the EPA is coming down hard on our Nation's farmers and ranchers, then why would the agency, itself, find it necessary to consider agriculture in proposing regulations? Clearly, it does not.

My amendment would ensure that the EPA and the Department of Agriculture work together if the EPA seeks to further regulate the agriculture industry in the future. The Department of Agriculture understands the economic well-being of our Nation's farmers and ranchers better than any other agency and should have a degree of input whenever the EPA writes rules that directly impact farmers and ranchers.

This amendment would be a small but important step in that direction.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in fiscal year 2011, the United States Postal Service brought in $65.7 billion in revenue but spent $70.6 billion. When counting a $5.5 billion mandatory payment to fund retiree health benefits, which they would have defaulted on already were it not for the extensions on the payment, the postal service ran a deficit of $10.6 billion.

In an attempt to cut costs, the postal service has announced that it's considering closing over 3,600 post offices, the large majority of which are rural. By the postal service's own numbers, they would only save $200 million annually if they were to close each of these post offices.

This is kind of like asking a family of four that makes $65,700 a year and adds $10,600 in credit card, and then only cuts $200 from their annual budget to get their finances under control.

Last month I visited the Grubbs and Sedgwick post offices, two of the 100 post offices that are being considered for closure in my rural district. Residents in both towns told me about the important role that their post office plays in their communities.

In order to prevent the post office from unfairly targeting rural communities, I recently introduced H.R. 3370, the Protecting our Rural Post Offices Act of 2011. The legislation would prevent the postal service from closing any post office that does not have an alternate post office within 8 miles driving.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to take this time to honor a constituent from my district, Mr. Ron Rooney. Mr. Rooney is president and CEO of the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould, Arkansas. The Arkansas Methodist Medical Center has provided Arkansans with the highest quality medical care available for over 60 years and has continued to raise their standard of service under Mr. Rooney's leadership.

Mr. Rooney graduated from George Washington University with a master of business and health care administration and has used his expertise in health care to benefit his community for the past 40 years.

In addition to his duties as president and CEO, Mr. Rooney remains active in the health care community nationwide. As a member of the board of directors of VHA, Mr. Rooney helps provide best practices for nonprofit hospitals throughout the United States. He previously served as chairman of the Arkansas Hospital Association and remains active on the organization's governmental relations committee.

As the son of a doctor, Ron Rooney has been surrounded by health care his entire life. He has raised his own family with his wife, Lois, his four children and seven grandchildren. Mr. Rooney remains committed to his profession, and his contribution to health care in Arkansas and his community is immeasurable.

I want to say happy retirement after several, several years-- decades--of service. Mr. Rooney, we appreciate your service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a topic that concerns most Americans at this time, and that's jobs. The House has opposed the administration when they have proposed hitting job creators with new taxes or more regulatory burdens. So far this year, the House has passed a total of 17 job-creating bills. This week, the House will vote on two jobs bills that will enable small businesses and entrepreneurs to access more capital to create more jobs. Jobs can't grow when the cash doesn't flow. Smarter regulation and fewer roadblocks to capital will help job creators put more Americans back to work.

We in Congress have the responsibility to give entrepreneurs and small business owners the business environment they need to unleash America's economic potential. That's what we were sent here to do, and that's what our constituents deserve.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the important role that John 3:16 Ministries plays in the lives of recovering addicts in the First District of Arkansas, which I am privileged to represent.

John 3:16 Ministries is a nonprofit, faith-based recovery center, located in Cord, Arkansas, which offers men an opportunity to overcome their addictions through faith and service to others. This organization was founded by Bryan and Beverly Tuggle, who were inspired to open a spiritual boot camp for addicts after Bryan sought help for his own addictions years earlier at the New Beginnings Ministry.

John 3:16 Ministries took its first resident on May 5, 2003, and it has been helping men who struggle with addiction ever since. Residents receive lodging, are taught skills to help them become more productive citizens in their communities, and are encouraged to enroll in classes offered through the local community college. Most importantly, residents of John 3:16 Ministries are given an opportunity to heal physically and spiritually.

Unlike most recovery centers, John 3:16 Ministries offers these services free of charge and is funded by donations only from local churches, businesses, and individuals. When asked about the cost of the services that John 3:16 Ministries provides, Bryan always has the same response: Jesus Christ has paid the cost in full.

Mr. and Mrs. Tuggle provide an incredible service, and I am honored to serve such selfless constituents in the First District of Arkansas.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, September 15, 2011, I was inadvertently detained on rollcall vote 709. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted ``yes.''

I thank the chairman for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this bill.

I want to start by making a comparison and contrasting the events recently in the great State of South Carolina with that of my home State of Arkansas.

In Arkansas, aerospace is one of our top exports. We have more jobs in Arkansas affiliated with the aerospace industry than any other sector of our manufacturing economy. With aviation manufacturers like Hawker Beechcraft and Dassault Falcon, thousands of Arkansas families enjoy high-paying jobs. Communities, schools, and small businesses are all positively impacted by the aviation industry's choice to locate in Arkansas. But, Mr. Speaker, if the NLRB had had their way, none of this would have ever been a reality in my home State of Arkansas.

The recent action by the NLRB is a case of massive overreach, overreach that attempts to tell a business where and when they should locate their businesses that employ people and create jobs. You see, Mr. Speaker, South Carolina, along with Arkansas, are right-to-work States. Right-to-work States focus on fostering economic conditions that allow the private sector to create jobs and prosper.

And again, not a single job was lost as a result of Boeing's decision to open another manufacturing plant in the State of South Carolina. Yet the NLRB chose to attack the private sector once again. And that's just indicative of this administration's economic agenda that focuses on growing government instead of creating jobs and growing our economy.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, the NLRB decision sets a dangerous precedent. This bill is the first step to limit the government overreach that threatens Arkansas companies and job creators all across the country.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember a great leader from the State of Arkansas, Mr. Stanley Reed. Stanley Reed was prematurely taken away from us last Friday, but his legacy will live on.

Stanley was from Marianna in Lee County, but his influence is felt throughout the entire State of Arkansas. He served as president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau and worked tirelessly for the agriculture community, leading several initiatives to advance Arkansas agriculture.

For 10 years, he served on the Board of Trustees for the University of Arkansas. Stanley placed a great emphasis on the importance of education, and it can be seen through his work at the university.

Stanley was also an advocate for Arkansas businesses. He served on the Board of Arkansas World Trade Center where he shared his vision for Arkansas businesses to compete in the global economy.

Stanley leaves behind his wife, Charlene, his children--Nathan, Haley and Anna--and three grandchildren. Arkansas lost a great leader, advocate, and ambassador last week; but Stanley Reed's legacy will live on through the impact of his work.

Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today to bring attention to an amazing program that exists to repay our returning war veterans by helping them to readjust to life as a civilian.

The Beck PRIDE Program is an outreach of Arkansas State University that helps young, combat-wounded veterans achieve their higher education and other post-military goals. Beck PRIDE provides free mental and physical rehabilitation services, as well as academic counseling and financial aid. Both veterans and their families are referred to organizations throughout Jonesboro that give them the help they need during this critical time of adjustment.

The Beck PRIDE Program is nationally recognized for its success in improving the quality of life of returning military personnel and reintegrating them into the community.

In light of the great sacrifices that these veterans make for our country, it is only right to help them readjust to the way of life they served to protect. I am honored such a program exists in my district.

I move to strike the last word.

I would like to congratulate and recognize the tremendous work of the Appropriations Committee in responding to the flooding disasters during a time of tight budget restrictions. There were tough choices that had to be made, but I believe the committee effectively prioritized the needs of the American people.

Madam Chair, my district in Arkansas was severely impacted by the recent floods that wrought devastation in the Mid-South and the Lower Mississippi Valley. Preliminary estimates of crop damage surpassed a half a billion dollars, and communities were evacuated because the levees struggled to retain the floodwaters.

The St. Francis levee district suffered the most damage because the water levels were so high the water enclosed entire areas and almost completely flooded Cross and Woodroof Counties in my district. In St. Francis County alone, hundreds of homes were underwater and tens of thousands of acres of farmland were flooded as well.

In another part of my district, heavy flooding devastated all areas of Des Arc in Prairie County. The community of Spring Lake, which is home to 32 families, was completely flooded with several feet of water. So far, only three of those families have moved back into their homes. The community of Smith Road, which is home to 18 families, was completely flooded as well. So far, not one of those families has been able to move back to their homes. On top of the damage to these communities, more than 50,000 acres of farmland were flooded. The entire corn crop was wiped out and most of the rice crop as well.

Mr. Chair, the flood disasters across the Mid-South have taken a huge toll on our way of life and have touched nearly everyone in my district. We must ensure we retain the vital funding to the Corps of Engineers so that we can repair and reinforce our levees so that citizens in the lower Mississippi Valley and the Mid-South can live in safety and our economy can recover.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of funding for the Army Corps of Engineers directed toward improving infrastructure and the damaged levee system that needs critical restoration after this historic season of flooding.

The unprecedented flooding along the Lower Mississippi River Valley area touched every part of the First District of Arkansas, my home district, and profoundly impacted our way of life. Homes and property were damaged, businesses were closed, and a vast amount of cropland was under water shortly after planting season had begun.

Preliminary estimates of crop damage across Arkansas has surpassed half a billion dollars, a huge toll on my district's agriculture-based economy. Farming is our way of life, and this bill provides farmers with the assurance necessary to reinvest in future production. Much of America's commodities are produced along the Mississippi Delta, and we must take the necessary steps to ensure our safe and reliable food supply is protected.

This vital investment in our Nation's infrastructure and levee system will provide security not only to our farmers but the families who live and work there as well as our consumers all across the country.

Madam Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Madam Chair, I also rise today because I strongly oppose this amendment.

As I've listened to the debate, I think some folks are missing some fundamental principles of where our Nation's food supply comes from. I've seen many Members come to the floor to defend funding our nutrition programs--which is obviously a worthy cause--but at the same time many of those Members come down here and attempt to pull the rug out from under farmers by scrapping programs that provide an important safety net to our producers.

We have to be clear: We can't have a stable food supply for recipients of nutrition programs and all Americans unless our commodity producers have some stability. Through a deliberate and balanced approach, the Ag Committee has brought reform to the AGI means test by further targeting program benefits to those individuals that depend on farming for their livelihood. By setting the income level at an appropriate level, the committee recognized the production costs and the economies of scale that are necessary to be competitive in today's agriculture. An overly restrictive AGI ceiling disregards the financial reality of commercially viable farms.

Let's be clear about this: A farmer's AGI is not profit. There are still a number of expenses that must be covered. In addition to personal expenses, farmers must service the debt that, given the cost of today's machinery and land, can easily reach into the millions of dollars.

At a time when more and more people have to rely on the productivity and stability of American agriculture, now is not the time to pose a threat to the very food source on which they rely.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, along with my Republican colleagues, I share a commitment to fiscal discipline in the fiscal year 2012 budget. And while it's important to find savings and carefully consider every item in the budget, it's also important to maintain commitments that have already been authorized.

The 2008 farm bill authorized the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, or BCAP for short. So I stand here today to support at least partial funding for the BCAP program. In my district, hundreds of farmers have worked hard in preparation for planting a variety of switchgrass called Miscanthus giganteus, which has proven to be a viable cellulosic biofuel feedstock. In fact, 1 acre is capable of producing 20 tons of biomass, as opposed to corn, which produces less than 8, on average.

This program will help our country produce renewable energy and accelerate economic growth. I hope my colleagues in the House will keep an open mind about the program and will find a way to give it the priority it deserves as this bill moves through the legislative process.

Mr. Speaker, on Thanksgiving Day 1944, current Mountain Home, Arkansas, resident Sergeant Augie Held took a bullet in his left shoulder. Held was 22 years old at the time and a member of 84th Infantry Division, Bravo Company. That was how Sergeant Held received his first Purple Heart. He was back to battle a mere 3 weeks later.

On December 19, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, Sergeant Held earned his second Purple Heart. Members of his company tried to take shelter from the cold in a barn, where they were attacked. Bullets and schrapnel went flying, and Sergeant Held took a piece of schrapnel to his left wrist.

Just 2 months later Sergeant Held was caught in mortar fire. Mortar hit so close to him it knocked him unconscious and a piece of shrapnel was embedded in his cheek, and that shrapnel stayed with him until he went stateside, and that was how Sergeant Held earned his third Purple Heart.

Sergeant Held is one of many First District residents in my home district in Arkansas who selflessly fought for America. Our district has an amazing group of veterans from World War I to the current War on Terror who put America first and their own lives second. These are the people that make this country great.

Yesterday was Memorial Day, a day to honor those who fought for our country and also remember the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. My family and I spent this weekend honoring all who served, not only in the First District of Arkansas but all across America.

I want to thank the troops and their families for the shared sacrifice they make to our country. And a special thank you to Sergeant Augie Held, who is a living reminder of why I am so proud to be an American.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 307) to designate the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 217 West King Street, Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the ``W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within

which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on Senate bill 307.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, Senate bill 307 would designate the Federal building and courthouse on West King Street in Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the W. Craig Broadwater Federal Building and United States Courthouse. A House companion bill was also introduced by the gentlewoman from West Virginia of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I want to thank her for her leadership on this issue.

Judge Broadwater was a dedicated public servant, serving both as a Federal judge and as an assistant adjutant general in the West Virginia Army National Guard. He was appointed to the Federal bench in 1996, after nearly 20 years of legal service in private practice, as a hearing examiner for the West Virginia Workers' Compensation Fund and as a special prosecuting attorney.

He was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1972 after completing the ROTC program at West Virginia University. He served on active duty as a military intelligence officer that included a tour in Korea. In 1976, Judge Broadwater joined the West Virginia Army National Guard as an operational detachment executive officer and rose through the ranks to brigadier general and his assignment as assistant adjutant general for installations and homeland defense in 2002. During his military service, he received countless awards and decorations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star.

I am impressed with his clear dedication as both a military officer and as a Federal judge. I think that it is appropriate for us to honor his service to our Nation and his memory by naming this Federal building and courthouse after Judge Broadwater. I support passage of this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito).

I yield back the balance of my time.