Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to add my voice to the growing number of Members not only here in this body but also in the Senate that are calling on Senator Reid to take action.

Last week, on Wednesday, 30 freshmen and myself wrote a letter imploring Senator Reid to pass a long-term continuing resolution so that we could address the bigger issue of our fiscal year 12 budget. We said simply: We the undersigned call on you and the Senate to pass a long-term continuing resolution, a resolution that hears the calls of the American people and makes reasonable, responsible spending cuts. We have received nothing from the Senate except denials of the dire straits of our Nation's fiscal health.

Mr. Reid, we are letting you know that we will rally on the Senate steps every day until you pass a long-term continuing resolution.

And that's exactly what we've done every day for the past week. In fact, today will be the 8th day, in just a few minutes, that we step over to the Senate steps and call on him once again to be a leader.

On Wednesday of this week, we sent another letter asking Senator Reid, if he wasn't willing to lead, to step down and allow someone in who would lead. Ninety Members signed that, and we were joined by Members of the Senate in that call asking Mr. Reid, simply: Your lack of action and absence of leadership is irresponsible.

Let's take a look at the costs that we face as we are literally hours away from a government shutdown. We spend $69 billion a week in spending, of which $27 billion is borrowed. We are asking for $61 billion in cuts--2 percent. Any small business that I know of in this economy, if you ask them can you cut 5 percent out of your budget and the other option is closing the doors, what do you think they're going to do? They're going to find the 5 percent and stay open, keep the doors open and stay in business. That's all we're asking at this point, a small down payment for the bigger picture that's coming up in fiscal year 2012.

Not to mention our troops. I got a call this morning from a young sergeant with four children, serving in a National Guard unit in my district that's being deployed in just weeks. And he said, Congressman Crawford, we are frustrated. We're angry. We're upset. What's going to happen to my family as I go to Afghanistan and they rely on my paycheck? And yet the Senate says, no, we're not interested in funding the troops for the balance of this year.

Yesterday, this body took responsible action in funding the troops for the balance of this year and funding our government for another week until we could address the bigger picture, the balance of fiscal year 2011. It is time for Senator Reid to lead, as his title suggests. We passed a bill to fund the government. We're asking for leadership on the Senate side.

Mr. Reid, please pass a bill.

Mr. Chairman, on rollcall No. 212, Gingrey of Georgia Amendment no. 18, I inadvertently voted ``no''--intending to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 872 because the last thing the agriculture industry needs is another regulation.

Pesticides are an integral part to ensuring that our Nation continues to produce the world's most abundant, safe, and affordable food supply. As it stands today, pesticides must already go through a minimum of 125 safety tests before being registered for use. On top of that, they are subject to strict labeling and usage requirements.

If we do not pass this bill, our farmers will be required to obtain permits that require them to state the amount of pesticides they will use for a 5-year period. That's not only next to impossible, it will be an expensive and time-consuming process that will harm American agricultural, as well as cost jobs.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to enter into the Congressional Record Arkansas House Resolution 1014 that was recently passed on February 24 of this year by the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Fish hatcheries at the Norfork and Greers Ferry Dams are vital components of the economy in north central Arkansas. They provide vital fish stock not only to Arkansas' waterways but to Arkansas' neighbors as well, and

they help draw sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.

State of Arkansas

88th General Assembly

Regular Session, 2011

By: Representatives Linck, Hopper, Benedict

House resolution--Requesting that the President of the

United States and the Arkansas congressional delegation

support and continue the immediate and future funding of the

Norfork and Greers Ferry National Fish Hatcheries.

Subtitle--Requesting that the President of the United

States and the Arkansas congressional delegation support and

continue the immediate and future funding of the Norfork and

Greers Ferry National Fish Hatcheries.

Whereas, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service plans to

cut the budgets for the trout hatcheries below Norfork and

Greers Ferry dams; and

Whereas, these fish hatcheries provide the foundation for

Arkansas's world-renowned trout fishery waters that produce a

total economic impact of well over one hundred fifty million

dollars ($150,000,000) annually but only cost taxpayers

approximately one million five hundred thousand dollars

($1,500,000) annually to operate. The hatcheries at Norfork

and Greers Ferry dams alone generate five million five

hundred thousand dollars ($5,500,000) in federal tax

revenues, roughly three dollars and sixty-five cents ($3.65)

for every one dollar ($1.00) invested; and

Whereas, seventy-five (75) years ago, north Arkansas's

White River was arguably the best smallmouth bass stream in

America. Fisherman came from all over the country to

experience once-in-a-lifetime float trips down the beautiful

bluff-lined river; and

Whereas, upon a series of dams being built in the White

River basin in the 1940s, the federal government assured the

state's citizens that mitigation efforts would be included to

offset the loss of the river's incredibly productive native

fishery. The key component of this commitment was the

construction of Norfork National Fish Hatchery in 1955 near

Norfork Dam and the establishment of world-class trout waters

below both Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes; and

Whereas, a decade later, the trout hatchery at the base of

Greers Ferry Dam provided the means for a similarly

successful fishery to be established at the Little Red River

in Greers Ferry; and

Whereas, these modest projects rank among the all-time

success stories of our federal government because of the

overall economic impact and return on investment they

produce; and

Whereas, fish production at the Norfork hatchery employs

nine hundred ninety-four (994) individuals, and the Greers

Ferry hatchery employs an additional seven hundred fifty-two

(752) people; and

Whereas, dozens of resorts employing hundreds of

individuals have been established in these world-class

fishing areas because of the increase in tourism. The town of

Cotter, Arkansas, for example, bills itself as ``Trout

Capital USA''; and

Whereas, trout fishing in the. White River basin is worth

about three times the annual flood losses prevented by

Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Greers Ferry, and

Clearwater reservoirs, and these structures averted fifty-one

million four hundred thousand dollars ($51,400,000) in

damages in the last fiscal year; and

Whereas, the electricity generated from Bull Shoals Lake

and Norfork Lake averages approximately one hundred million

dollars ($100,000,000) of electricity each year, but the

trout fishery is worth an additional fifty percent (50%) more

than that on an annual basis; and

Whereas, investment in the Norfork and Greers Ferry fish

hatcheries has consistently demonstrated positive returns for

more than half a century. The federal government's goal to

reduce the federal deficit and increase economic growth would

be damaged, not enhanced, if funding for trout programs is

reduced or eliminated to the detriment of its promise to

Arkansas and to these small towns whose livelihood depends on

the fish hatcheries; Now therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Eighty-

Eighth General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, That the

President and Congress of the United States work together to

continue the immediate and future funding of the national

fish hatcheries at Norfork and Greers Ferry dams and allow

the investment in these hatcheries to continue to contribute

to the economic vitality of these towns, the State of

Arkansas, and the entire country. Be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the House of

Representatives forward official copies of this resolution to

the President of the United States, to the Speaker of the

House of Representatives and the President of the Senate of

the United States Congress, and to all the members of the

Arkansas Congressional Delegation with the request that this

resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1076.

As a broadcaster, I understand the importance of the free marketplace, the freedom to express yourself, but to do it on your own merit.

I brought an idea to the marketplace to develop a radio news network, started with four stations, and within 4 years was able to grow that to 50 stations serving five States. I did not ask for one thin dime from the Federal Government.

I think freedom to succeed in this country has to exist also with the freedom to fail. We have an open marketplace. We have an opportunity to sell advertising around the ideas that we express on the radio.

I'm a success story in using the open marketplace, the freedom to succeed. But it also comes with the freedom to fail. And earlier in the year, or last year, rather, I started a radio station, a small venture. I populated that staff with folks that were on unemployment; so I know what it means to create jobs.

And certainly this is not about further burdening our taxpayer with support of an industry that is perfectly capable of supporting itself.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I come to the floor today to mourn the passing of Derry Brownfield, a pioneer in the farm broadcasting industry. As the only agri-reporter and farm broadcaster in Congress, I feel compelled to honor him today.

Derry's influence across the farm broadcasting industry was far- reaching, and it will be felt for years to come. While many overlook the importance of agri-reporting, Derry understood the necessity. He prided himself on ``speaking as a farmer, to the farmer, for the farmer, from the farm.''

His vision and passion for informing and educating rural America was unparalleled and an inspiration to the farmers and farm broadcasters he influenced. There is now a noticeable hole in the agriculture community, but we can take what Derry taught us and honor his legacy by continuing the tradition of quality agricultural reporting.

Thank you.

Absolutely. I appreciate the opportunity to be heard, Mr. Speaker.

Under the Obama administration, the executive branch has hijacked the legislative process. The administration is riddled with unelected officials who are regulating the American people. The FCC, for example, the EPA, and dozens of appointed czars have way too much to say. Congress needs to take back the reins on legislating, which is what we were elected to do.

Appointed friends of the President, they don't know what the people need. That's why we have Congress. We were elected to know our districts and represent our districts' needs. That's why I know how detrimental the EPA's regulations are to farmers, for example.

Time and again, the EPA has produced regulations that go way beyond the intent of the Federal law. For instance, the Clean Air Act was intended to keep our air safe and clean, but the EPA has turned it into something it is not: a means to regulate dust. Mr. Speaker, I have actually risen in support of legislation to not fund their ability to regulate dust, and here I am again talking about this very same thing.

I represent a heavily agricultural district in the great State of Arkansas, and the farmers in the First District will tell you this. Food comes from the ground; and in the process of taking it out of the ground, they're going to stir up some dust, and now the EPA wants to regulate that dust. It's a natural byproduct of growing and harvesting crops and has been since man first put seeds in the ground. In order for these farmers to do their job and feed the millions of hungry mouths in our country, they should be allowed to do their job without being further poked and prodded by EPA bureaucrats.

Under the new national ambient air quality standards, the total estimated cost to industry lies near $90 billion a year. A huge portion of this will be a direct hit to our farmers, putting many permanently out of business. Mr. Speaker, I am certain that the Clean Air Act was not legislated to put farmers out of business.

Another example of unelected officials missing the mark is EPA's fuel containment regulations; once again, the EPA overstepping its bounds. They want to tell farmers how best to run their farms. Not only does the EPA not trust farmers to run their operations well, the parameters end up costing the farmers tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size of their farms.

What the EPA needs to remember and understand is that farmers are smart people. It is in the best interest of them to invest in containment berms to ensure the land remains productive. Farmers don't want to spend money to clean up a fuel spill, which is why they already take the necessary safety measures. They shouldn't be forced to spend $10,000 for each containment facility when $1,000 would do the trick. Farmers know best how to protect their own land.

We can't forget to protect the farmers. Folks, if we eat, we're involved in agriculture. There are over 300 million people to feed in America and only 1 million farmers. In fact, out of that 1 million farmers, 250,000 account for 80 percent of the total food production. I know here in Washington we can barely agree on anything. But I think there's one thing we can agree on regardless of our political affiliation, age, race, or gender, and that is: We like to eat. So why are we harming the people who feed us?

We need to bring common sense back to Washington. Quit letting the bureaucrats in Washington run a rice farm in northeast Arkansas, and let them do their jobs.

The Clean Air Act and fuel containment are two solid reasons why the congressional relief act is necessary, and I proudly stand with my colleagues in this effort to scale back rogue agencies such as the EPA in order to restore congressional intent to the regulations that are being produced. No longer should we let the tail wag the dog.

Absolutely right.

Like many of my colleagues, I represent a largely rural district. Agriculture is the number one industry in the First District of Arkansas. Farmers there--and across the country, I might add--are facing tough economic challenges like many other businesses today.

Regardless of the production they are engaged in--poultry, cattle, cotton, rice, soybeans, whatever--the chief complaint of farmers in my district is the continued pressure placed on them by the onerous regulatory burdens of the Environmental Protection Agency. Now under the auspices of ``clean air,'' the EPA wants to regulate dust.

American farmers produce the safest, cheapest, and most abundant food supply on the planet. There are over 300 million mouths to feed in our country, and less than a million farmers engaged in the process of meeting that demand. Not to mention, global demand is growing exponentially where by the year 2050 there will be a total population of over 9 billion people.

Folks, for centuries, America has led the way in agricultural production, and we will continue to be the leading producers of commodities so long as farmers aren't being stifled by crippling regulations and EPA overreach. Government should be aiding our efforts to lead the way in agricultural production, not hindering them. The regulatory regime must come to realize that our food is grown in the dirt and that, in the process of the production of that food, farmers are going to stir up a little dust.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded vote on the House floor the legislative day of Tuesday, February 8, 2011. Had I been present I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall vote #26 (on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 514).

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to speak in honor of the legacy of President Ronald Reagan.

While running for this office, I was often asked, ``Why are you conservative? Why are you conservative?'' My answer was always, ``Ronald Reagan.''

As a soldier, I was stationed in a bomb disposal unit in Pennsylvania, and I was tasked several times with Secret Service details protecting the President. And there was one in particular that I remember, September 17, 1987, when he gave the address at the bicentennial of the Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. I was literally standing in the shadow of history and, as a 21-year-old soldier, didn't fully appreciate it. And as I look back on that moment now, I fully appreciate what President Reagan had to say.

In his speech, he said the Founding Fathers had the presence of something higher that enabled them to write the Constitution. He said, ``It was that ideal that enabled them to rise above politics and self- interest, to transcend their differences, and together create this document, this Constitution that would profoundly and forever alter not just these United States but the world.''

We can learn a lot by looking back at President Reagan's speech. President Reagan always remembered the principles and sacrifices this country was built upon. In my opinion, the best way we can honor President Reagan's legacy is to walk these Halls with the sacrifices of our Founding Fathers in mind, just as President Ronald Reagan did.