Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today we begin debate on the Republicans' unfortunate effort to repeal health care reform. I pray that this debate today is civil and that it is respectful.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, and many of our colleagues know, I served as a judge in my State for many years. I understand what it means to be objective and to have a fair debate. And I know there are usually two sides to every issue. But when it comes to repealing the reforms that Democrats have passed, I just can't figure it out.

Why would Republicans add $230 billion to the deficit when their mantra has been deficit reduction? Why would Republicans force small businesses to pay higher taxes after fighting for cuts? Why would Republicans take away a parent's right to cover their adult children? And why in the world would Republicans make seniors pay more for their prescription drugs? I just don't understand. It appears to me that this may be partisan politics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an extraordinary American who has devoted his life to building the community in which he lives--Wilson County, North Carolina. As a passionate, empowering and inspirational leader, Frank Edward Emory, Sr. has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around him.

Mr. Emory is a native of Johnston County, North Carolina. He received his college education at A&T College--now A&T State University--in Greensboro, North Carolina. After completing his education, Mr. Emory became a distinguished extension agent and later served as assistant director of Urban Affairs at North Carolina State University.

In 1970, Mr. Emory was elected to the City of Wilson Board of Education (later Wilson County Board of Education) and remained in this capacity until 1984 when he was elected to the Wilson County Board of Commissioners. He was the first African-American to serve on these boards.

Mr. Emory has been a wonderful example of faith in God and community, and faith that we may someday realize a place where equality and opportunity flourish. He has been a special friend and leader who truly understands people and their issues. He is always ready to work with anyone willing to improve the total community.

After 40 years of continuous service, Mr. Emory has decided to retire from elective office. And while his retirement will be a tremendous loss, Mr. Emory leaves a great legacy that will continue to enrich and strengthen the community for many years to come.

Mr. Emory's remarkable tenure included the development and construction of numerous county facilities as well as the expansion and development of critical emergency services including emergency disaster response, centralized communications, rescue services, and full countywide paramedic services.

Mr. Emory was a key leader in expanding recreation opportunities, improving services for seniors, enhancing cable television services, improving health care facilities and the county's road system.

Mr. Emory has also been a strong and consistent supporter of economic development throughout the region, and a tireless advocate for improving education. He strongly supported funding for the Wilson County Public Schools and Wilson Community College. He also supported state and local bond issues for school and community college construction, which included the renovation of multiple schools and the construction of the Darden Middle School and the John W. Jones Elementary School.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to his countless gifts to our community, he has given me true friendship, by which I have been enormously honored. He has been married to Athalene Dancy Emory for more than 50 years. They are the proud parents of two sons, Frank, Jr. and Randolph, who have blessed them with four grandsons.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the commitment, dedication and success of Frank Edward Emory, Sr. on the occasion of his retirement from elective office.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an extraordinary American who has devoted her life to building the community in which she lives--Wilson County, North Carolina. As a caring, thoughtful and passionate leader in the community, Josephine Farmer Edwards has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around her.

Mrs. Edwards is a native of Nash County, North Carolina. She graduated from Nash County Training School, earned a bachelor's degree from Fayetteville State College (now Fayetteville State University), and a master's degree from Pennsylvania State University. She put that education to work as a classroom teacher for 38 years in Nash and Wilson counties, and later taught adult education.

In 1986, Mrs. Edwards was elected to the Wilson County Board of Commissioners and

has distinguished herself as an elected official for the past 24 years. Mrs. Edwards has now retired from elective office but leaves a great legacy that will continue to enrich and strengthen the community for many years to come.

Mrs. Edwards' remarkable tenure included the development and construction of numerous County facilities as well as the expansion and development of critical emergency services including emergency disaster response, centralized communications, rescue services, and full countywide paramedic services.

Mrs. Edwards was a key leader in expanding recreation opportunities, improving services for seniors, enhancing cable television services, improving health care facilities and the County's road system. She has also been a strong and consistent supporter of economic development throughout the region, and a tireless advocate for improving education.

With her background in public education, Mrs. Edwards was a tireless supporter of funding for the Wilson County Public Schools and Wilson Community College. She also supported state and local bond issues for school and community college construction, which included the renovation of multiple schools and the construction of the Darden Middle School and the John W. Jones Elementary School.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to her countless gifts to our community, I have been blessed with her lifelong friendship, by which I have been enormously honored. Mrs. Edwards was married to the late James Edwards and continues to own and operate the family business, Edwards Funeral Home of Wilson. Mrs. Edwards has two adult daughters, Angela Edwards Jones (Tyrone) and Carla Edwards Williams (Daryl). She is also a proud grandmother and great grandmother.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the hard work, dedication and success of the Honorable Josephine Farmer Edwards on the occasion of her retirement from elective office.

Madam Speaker, I have come to the well today, not to make a long speech, for my colleagues have spoken so well, but to extend the heartfelt tribute to the affected families on behalf of the people of the first district of North Carolina.

Madam Speaker, we must seize this senseless and tragic event as an opportunity for us to reconcile our differences and reduce the political tone in this country. The American people are demanding that we represent them with civility and a sense of enforcing the Constitution to keep America strong and provide for the general welfare.

I pledge my part in making that happen.

To those families who are living this unspeakable tragedy, we extend our condolences and prayers to your family. And we pray for a speedy recovery for our dear Colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and the other great Americans who are victims of this tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the distinguished public service career of Mrs. Evelyn Howard. Mrs. Howard has dutifully served the Town of Ahoskie in Hertford County, North Carolina for 28 years, and will retire on January 31, 2011.

Mrs. Howard is a native of Ahoskie, graduating from Ahoskie High School. She then attended Shaw University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. At Shaw University, Mrs. Howard earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a major in Business Management and a minor in Public Administration. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Mu and Alpha Chi Honor Societies, and was included in the 2000 Edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She also received the United Negro College Fund/Avon Scholarship, The Carol Wilson Caldwell Memorial Legal Scholarship, Aramark Scholarship, the Pinnacle Award, and the Gold Award. A lifelong learner, Mrs. Howard also earned several certifications from the University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill Institute of Government.

Mrs. Howard began her career with the Town of Ahoskie in 1982 as an Office Clerk, and over her 28-year career she progressed professionally to serve as Deputy Town Clerk and Deputy Finance Officer, Town Clerk and Chief Finance Officer, and Interim Town Manager. Ultimately she would rise to become Ahoskie's Assistant Town Manager.

During her career, Mrs. Howard was an avid participant in several professional affiliations including the North Carolina Association of Municipal Clerks, the North Carolina Finance Officers Association, and she served on the board of the State Employees Credit Union.

Mrs. Howard is married to Mr. Earnest Howard. Together, the two have reared two daughters, Earnika and Etoria. They have been blessed with three granddaughters and two grandsons. Mrs. Howard thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family and being involved in her grandchildren's activities.

Mrs. Howard's nearly three-decade career in public service deserves the highest appreciation and commendation. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Evelyn Howard on the completion of a successful career, and in wishing her happiness in her retirement.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule.

Madam Speaker, after Democrats took a shellacking on November 2, I concluded then and now that it was because of the fragile economy and because they thought just perhaps Republicans would have some new ideas about fiscal discipline.

Well here's what we get. We get a Republican majority that is more concerned about political theatre and messaging to the Tea Party than they are in creating jobs and reducing the deficit. We need a Jobs bill. Now.

The CBO on yesterday told us what we already suspected. Repeal will increase, yes increase, the deficit by $230 billion. It will result in 32 million Americans losing their health insurance. And what eclipsed this whole episode was a Republican Rule that exempts Repeal from Pay- as-you-Go rules.

Shame on the Republican majority. Shame on you.

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to honor the 60th anniversary of Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

North Carolina's first Girls Club was founded in Elizabeth City in 1950. It was the culmination of over a year's effort on the part of a local group of women to organize a club to provide recreation and training for the city's girls.

In 1951, the club affiliated with Girls Clubs of America. When the Girls Clubs of America voted to change its name to Girls Incorporated in April 1990, the Elizabeth City Girls Club's Board of Directors followed the requirements of affiliation, changing the local club's name to Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle in May 1990.

Today, Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle continues to actively pursue its mission: to meet the needs of girls; to develop their self- worth and emotional maturity; to develop their capacity to be self- sufficient responsible members of their community; and to serve as a vigorous advocate for them.

Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle's staff and volunteers are superior role models for our youth and deliver a wide variety of wonderful after-school and summer camp programs.

Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle also collaborates with our local communities and corporate partners to allow girls to interact with other women in various professions and experience hands on activities and events that they may otherwise not have exposure to. These partners include Museum of the Albemarle, United States Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City State University, Hopeline, 4-H, Circuit Court Judges and Attorneys, Port Discover, NC Cooperative Extension Service and the Tobacco Cessation Coalition.

This is the only organization in northeastern North Carolina that offers such comprehensive programming designed specifically for girls.

To their credit, the organization's goal is to reach all girls regardless of socio-economic status, and they recognize that girls in at-risk communities have greater need for their programs. Of the girls they serve, 65 percent come from families earning less than $25,000 a year and approximately one-half are from single-parent homes headed by women.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Girls Incorporated of the Albemarle on their 60th anniversary and for the great service they have provided the community over these many years.

Let me thank the gentlelady for the time.

As a member of the committee, I rise today to oppose the pending motion. There is no question that Mr. Rangel violated House rules. For more than a year he has admitted his misconduct and has apologized for it. But it must be clear, Mr. Speaker, there is nothing in this record to suggest that Congressman Rangel engaged in dishonest or corrupt conduct. Nor is there evidence suggesting that he sought to enrich himself while violating his oath.

The record shows that Mr. Rangel was approached by City College of New York to seek assistance in obtaining funds to establish an inner city school for disadvantaged youth, and he did so. My colleagues, you must know that it is not unethical or improper for Members to raise funds for a charitable purpose. Many of you do this every year, and it's a good thing. Our rules simply require any Member desiring to raise funds for a 501(c)3 charitable purpose to refrain from using official resources.

In this case, Congressman Rangel improperly used official resources to make the solicitation. Yes, that was a mistake. But it was not corruption. Had he written his solicitation letters on other than official stationery and mailed them with 44-cent stamps, that would not be a problem.

The other observation I make, Mr. Speaker, concerns the appropriate sanction for a Member who has been found to have violated House rules not involving dishonesty or corruption. The punishment in this case, in my humble opinion, should be reprimand or less. Censure has always been reserved for extreme and outrageous conduct, touching upon corruption and intent to gain a financial benefit.

As many of you perhaps know, I spent much of my former life as a superior court judge. For nearly 15 years, I made difficult sentencing decisions every day. In making difficult decisions, the judge must first decide a baseline punishment and then adjust that punishment by weighing aggravating and mitigating circumstances. As applied to this case, the baseline punishment was offered by our committee counsel. He stated that the proper punishment, in his opinion, was between reprimand and censure.

If that be so, Mr. Speaker, it seems to me that aggravating and mitigating circumstances become important. There are mitigating circumstances, my colleagues, that you should consider that substantially outweigh any aggravating factors that you may find. In deciding whether to round up to censure or round down to reprimand, I ask you to consider a dozen factors: his age, 80 years of age; combat military service of 3 years as a volunteer; Bronze Star; Purple Heart; left on the battlefield for dead; length of legislative service here is 40 years; he requested our committee to investigate these matters; he acknowledged mistakes at an early stage, and was willing, he was willing to settle this matter without a trial; he did not participate in the evidentiary hearing. Some of you may see that as a negative. But failing to participate in the hearing essentially admitted the essential facts of this case, precluding a long trial. He could not afford counsel after spending $2 million, and we refused to waive the rule to allow for pro bono counsel. Over the years, he has mentored Democratic and Republican members on this floor. And he has been a person of good moral character.

These, my colleagues, are mitigating factors that support reprimand. I urge my colleagues to vote to reprimand our dear colleague. Let him know that he must be sanctioned for his carelessness, but let him know that this House understands fairness and justice and legal precedent. A censure is not justified in this case.

I thank you, Madam Chair, for the time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question on the amendment and on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, 98 percent of American families face a tax increase on January 1, 2011. That's right; 98 percent. Democrats are prepared this week to prevent that from happening. Our recovery demands keeping as much income as possible in the hands of those who need it the most--America's middle class. By extending the middle class tax cuts, we can protect American families and strengthen our economy.

But with a national debt already exceeding $13 trillion, we simply cannot afford to borrow $700 billion needed to cut taxes for the 2 percent richest families in America. It is also important to remember that the richest Americans would still receive substantial tax cuts on the first $250,000 of their income.

This is not class warfare. I urge my colleagues to support permanent tax cuts for America's middle class. Don't hold the tax cuts hostage to help 2 percent of America's families.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Walker, a community leader being honored for his decades of service. On Thursday, November 18, 2010, the community will come together to celebrate as Reverend Walker is inducted into the Twin County Hall of Fame.

Reverend Walker is well deserving of this honor. He is a native of Rocky Mount, N.C., and has devoted his entire life to serving his community.

Since 1970, Reverend Walker has worked to better the community as pastor of the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, N.C.

He has also served as an Edgecombe County Commissioner, Chairman of the North Carolina Martin Luther King Jr. Commission and as President of the Greater Rocky Mount Ministers' Council.

After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Reverend Walker sought to help others by channeling his energy into writing a book entitled, ``Brother to Brother--You Don't Have To Die of Prostate Cancer.'' Many urologists around the country use the book to educate patients and help people understand prostate cancer.

Reverend Walker also founded the Edgecombe-Nash Political Caucus, created Project Empowerment and has experienced great success as a gospel artist.

Reverend Walker will be among 10 Twin County Hall of Fame inductees honored at the banquet being held at the Dunn Center at Wesleyan College: Mae Woods Bell, Harold Cooley, Daniel Finch, Richard T. Fountain, Allan Gurganus, George Higgs, James W. Hines, Warren R. Jones, Aldolphus Staton, and Reverend Walker.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise to join me in recognizing all of this year's deserving inductees. I also extend my congratulations and best wishes to my good friend, Reverend Walker, his wife Joyce, and their two children, Timothy and Teresa.

Let me thank the gentlelady for yielding this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for two reasons. First, to offer my support for H.R. 1428, the measure that was offered by the gentlelady from Brooklyn, New York (Ms. Clarke). That is a resolution recognizing the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on its 100th anniversary. That is a good resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today in support of H. Res. 1475, which was a resolution that I offered some months ago. Unfortunately, I was not on the floor a few moments ago when this matter was taken up, and I regret that I was not here at that very moment. But I wanted to come to the floor now to offer my strong support for H. Res. 1475, which is a resolution congratulating the town of Tarboro, North Carolina, on the occasion of its 250th anniversary. I introduced this resolution in June of this year, with 54 original cosponsors, including the entire North Carolina House delegation. I thank my North Carolina colleagues for their very strong support.

Most people, Mr. Speaker, may not know about Tarboro, North Carolina, or the tremendous impact the town made on the history of our State and Nation.

On November 30, 1760, the North Carolina General Assembly approved the charter for the town, and Tarboro was born, making it the 11th oldest colonial town in our State. President George Washington visited the town during an historic visit through the South in 1791, choosing to overnight in this small town. Settled as a trading post on the Tar River in the mid 18th century, Tarboro thrived as a river port.

Mr. Speaker, Tarboro was also an early political incubator and produced two Congressmen who both represented the Second Congressional District of North Carolina in this House.

Congressman George H. White was elected to Congress in 1897 and served until 1901. He was the last Reconstruction-era African American from the South to serve in Congress until the 1970s. Rising racial tension made it impossible for George H. White to win a third term in Congress. His final speech before his congressional colleagues right here on this House floor has inspired Americans for over 100 years. He said, and I quote: ``This, Mr. Chairman, is perhaps the Negroes' temporary farewell to the American Congress, but let me say, Phoenix- like, he will rise up someday and come again.'' That statement was made right in this Chamber.

Congressman L.H. Fountain served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1953 until 1983. He is remembered for being a stalwart advocate for small towns such as Tarboro during his service in the House.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Retired General Hugh Shelton of the United States Army, who served in that position under President Bill Clinton, was born in Tarboro and reared in the neighboring town of Speed, where he continues to live today.

Today, Mr. Speaker, Tarboro is home to some 11,000 residents. They are my constituents. Its ideal location on the banks of the Tar River historically served as a thriving river port and trading post, and today offers extensive fishing, boating, and recreation for people of all ages.

Tarboro's downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where many original structures are still in use today, including restaurants and theaters and quaint shops, and even the home of Congressman George H. White and the home of Congressman L.H. Fountain. Its town commons joins Boston, Massachusetts, as the only original remaining town common on the East Coast. The town continues to grow and evolve while maintaining its connection to history and originality.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent this town. It is indeed an historic day for the residents of Tarboro, and I sincerely congratulate the town on the occasion of its 250th anniversary. I am pleased that the House is considering this resolution. I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' when it is presented for a vote.

Again, I would like to thank the gentlelady and I also would like to thank my friend Mr. Bilbray from California for their courtesy.

Madam Speaker, I rise to salute Taiwan on its forthcoming National Day on October 10, 2010.

Taiwan is a model of success in Asia. Through hard work and ingenuity, Taiwan has become one of the strongest economies in the Asia Pacific.

Two years ago, Taiwan was in the midst of a global economic crisis. After taking some notable economic measures, Taiwan is expected to bring its unemployment rate below 5 percent, and GDP is expected to grow by 4.72 percent this year.

Taiwan is also a showcase democracy and continues to strengthen its democratic institution. The accomplishments of Taiwan, whether economic or political, are truly remarkable.

On the occasion of Republic of China's National Day, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing new era of peace and prosperity between Taiwan and mainland China. There have been many agreements between the two sides, including direct air and sea links, increased mutual investments, and exchanges of peoples.

Also, my congratulations to Taiwan for its continued participation in the World Health Assembly meetings last May in Geneva. We should also acknowledge Taiwan's humanitarian assistance to Haiti and Taiwan's medical and public health missions to Pacific island countries in recent years.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Taiwan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the more than three years of service provided by the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Base Supply Center (BSC) and to applaud the 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC Program.

AbilityOne BSCs are retail stores located on military installations and in federal buildings. Operated through the AbilityOne Program, BSCs fulfill a dual purpose: supporting training and employment opportunities for people who

have significant disabilities and meeting the procurement needs of military and federal consumers.

The AbilityOne Program is administered by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (``the Committee''). Each BSC is added to the Committee's Procurement List as an AbilityOne Program ``service'' project, which ensures that the establishment of a BSC helps accomplish the AbilityOne Program's employment mission.

AbilityOne BSCs harness the collective resources of a nationwide network of providers to supply superior products and services to government customers through a commercial retail-type setting. Since the launch of the first BSC in 1995, government customers have appreciated convenient access to thousands of high-quality, competitively priced SKILCRAFT' and other name brand products as well as Hazmat, Individual Equipment Element, and other services.

Purchases from AbilityOne BSCs support the employment of qualified professionals who are blind or have other severe disabilities. These employees produce and ship products, provide services, and staff the BSCs. Furthermore, service-disabled veterans and military dependents have the opportunity to join the AbilityOne team, where they continue to play a valuable role in the military communities that are significant to their lives.

BSCs partner with the leadership at each location to satisfy the specific needs of base and installation personnel. Today, BSCs are located on over 138 federal installations nationwide.

The AbilityOne Program works with two Central Nonprofit Agencies, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and NISH. NIB and NISH operate under the direction of the Committee and oversee a network of over six hundred associated nonprofit agencies to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other severe disabilities. AbilityOne purchases from federal government and military consumers generate revenue used to fund training and employment programs for people with severe disabilities. Employing over 45,000 people with disabilities, the AbilityOne Program is the largest employer of people with disabilities in the country.

I am proud to represent the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point BSC. On this 15th anniversary of the AbilityOne BSC Program, we should all take a moment to visit our local BSC or associated agency to better understand the good work they are doing in our communities.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 4785, a bill authored by the distinguished majority whip, Mr. James Clyburn of South Carolina. The Rural Energy Savings Program Act will not only quickly create construction and manufacturing jobs, but it will also help Americans make their homes more energy efficient.

The Agriculture Committee reported this bill favorably in July. I want to commend the chairman of the committee, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Clyburn for subsequently working with my committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, to actually improve the legislation. The bill includes the Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program that was reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee on April 15, 2010, as part of H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010.

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 5019 was approved by the committee with a bipartisan vote of 30-17. It was supported by a broad array of stakeholders, including energy efficiency advocates, manufacturers, business and industry trade associations, and small businesses. Under this bill, homeowners anywhere in the country will be able to work with their rural cooperative, utility, or other governor-designated lender to borrow money for proven energy efficiency investments in their homes. They would repay the loans over time, generally from a portion of the money they save on their energy bill, and at an interest rate of not more than 3 percent. The lenders would repay their States, and the States would repay the Federal Government after not more than 20 years.

The Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program is a natural companion to the Rural Energy Savings Program Act. As you may know, the Rural Energy Savings Act authorizes zero-interest loans to rural electric cooperatives for purposes of offering consumer loans for energy efficiency home retrofits. The Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program will authorize zero-interest loans to those portions of the country not served--I repeat that--not served by rural electric cooperatives.

I originally cosponsored this bill because it provided enormous assistance to consumers served by rural electric cooperatives across the country. My district in North Carolina is served by 10 rural electric co-ops in addition to the 20 municipal power utilities and two investor-owned utilities.

Across the country, cooperatives only serve about 12 percent of the Nation's population. So the provisions included in the substitute amendment will ensure that a homeowner will have the same access to a low interest energy efficiency loan whether or not they are served by a co-op, an investor-owned utility, or a municipality.

Under the Home Star loan program, States could borrow Federal funds to allow entities like electric utilities or other entities provide loans to consumers for residential energy efficiency measures. The Department of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, would identify the eligible energy efficiency measures.

The programs in this bill, Mr. Chairman, vary significantly from the Weatherization Assistance Program. Weatherization is a grant program used by low-income households to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The programs in this bill are loans, and thus do not increase the deficit. They are available to anyone, regardless of income.

Some of my Republican colleagues have questioned this bill's necessity due to the significant investment made in the Weatherization program in the Recovery Act. Well, while I concede that Weatherization got off to a slow start, today over 30,000 homes each month are being weatherized across the country. In September, the Department of Energy announced that it had weatherized over 200,000 homes across the country. In June, 960 homes were weatherized in my State of North Carolina. Each of the low-income families living in those 960 homes will save an average of $437 annually on their energy bill. But that's not why we are here today. We are here to offer all Americans a chance to lower their utility bills and put their neighbors back to work.

The recession has had a significant impact on the home construction and services industry, which has experienced unemployment rates of 27 percent. Additionally, manufacturing plants that produce construction- related products have operated at 50 percent of capacity. Home energy retrofit work can provide, and it will provide, significant employment opportunities for construction workers while boosting domestic manufacturing. More than 92 percent of the energy-efficient products and materials for which the Home Star program will stimulate sales are manufactured here in the United States of America.

Home energy efficiency retrofits can also cut the Nation's energy use, saving consumers money and cutting pollution. American homes account for about 33 percent of the Nation's total electricity demand, and approximately 22 percent of all energy use in the United States. This legislation, Mr. Chairman, presents an opportunity for all of us to work together to save energy and create jobs. I urge all of our colleagues to seize this opportunity.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for his comments.

We continue to say that this legislation is a good bill and it is certainly deficit neutral. It has been judged that way by the Congressional Budget Office. It is a loan program. It is not a grant program. It will not add to the deficit. It will not add to the debt in any respect.

I would like to encourage my colleagues to distinguish this program from the Department of Energy program that is a weatherization program. The weatherization programs, as we all know as Members, are intended to help low-income families, and it is a grant program. This is a loan program whereby Federal dollars are given to an investor-owned utility or to a municipality or to a rural cooperative, and the money is used then, in turn, to make low-interest loans to families who qualify. It is not income based. There are qualifications for the loans, but the family income is not a qualification to qualify for the loan.

We must enable the American people to weatherize their homes. Forty percent, in some instances, of their utility bill can be attributed to the loss of heat and air within the homes. And so this program is intended to help install replacement windows and insulation and other things that will make homes more energy efficient.

It will pay for itself. It's a good bill. I ask my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Chairman, I stand to offer this amendment as a designee.

Mr. Chairman, I am told that the gentleman from Washington is en route to the floor. I simply stood to offer the amendment to make it in order. The gentleman who offered the amendment should be here momentarily.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to proceed as the designee.

Let me apologize to the Chair, to the ranking member and to my colleagues for all of the confusion, but we are ready to proceed on this matter.

Mr. Chairman, I have reviewed this amendment. It appears to be in keeping with the spirit of the underlying legislation. I would urge my colleagues to support it.

I reserve the balance of my time.

To the extent that I can, Mr. Barton.

I do not have that material in front of me, Mr. Barton.

You certainly appreciate the disadvantage at which I find myself.

I thank the gentleman for his kind comments.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report the bill, H.R. 4785, back to the House with an amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' attention to the tragic slaying of a 30-year-old Sheriff's Deputy in my home state of North Carolina.

Greene County Deputy Jon Willis died in the direct line of duty on July 28, 2010 while responding to a domestic disturbance call. During the call, Deputy Willis was shot and killed before the shooter ended his own life.

I have expressed my condolences to Greene County Sheriff Lemmie Smith, and I know that the department and the entire community are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic event. Flags at the Greene County Courthouse were flown half-staff yesterday as the community paid tribute to Deputy Willis.

The father of two children, Deputy Willis joined the Greene County Sheriffs Office in December 2001, but left for a job at the Winterville Police Department. He returned to the Greene County Sheriff's Office in April 2009.

Deputy Willis' death marks the second time the Greene County Sheriff's Office has lost a deputy in the line of duty. Deputy Ernest Martin Hull died in a vehicle crash on Jan. 2, 2000.

Deputy Willis is also the second area officer to lose his life in the line of duty in the past 15 months. Lenoir County Deputy Allen Pearson was shot and killed in April 2009 near Grifton, N.C.

On average, a law enforcement officer is killed in America every other day. Since 1792, when recordkeeping started, more than 20,000 officers have lost their lives in service to their communities. And sadly, 101 officers have already been killed in the line of duty across the country this year.

This event reminds us of the mortal dangers that our officers face each day in the line of duty.

Madam Speaker, it is with both sadness and pride that I share with you the death of Deputy Jon Willis. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing his loved ones the strength they require to overcome their loss. God bless Deputy Jon Willis. His bravery, courage, and goodness will never be forgotten by his community or his state.