Floor Statements

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I currently do not have additional speakers; so I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to join in and thank the gentleman from Connecticut for bringing this very commonsense piece of legislation before us. It is essential to bringing capital into our local communities and creating jobs, as Chairman Bachus mentioned. I also want to thank Chairman Bachus for his leadership on this issue.

I remember very fondly our trip to Afghanistan. It is nice that we have found common ground and that we are working today in a bipartisan fashion to make sure that our communities are strong and are vibrant and have the tools necessary to create additional jobs.

So, with that, I would certainly encourage my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

The American people need to see our Congress taking meaningful action to help grow our economy. America is tired of too much partisanship out of Washington, and they want to see Republicans and Democrats working together on bipartisan solutions to create jobs and grow American businesses. As Chairman Bachus said earlier today, this is exactly what we are doing.

But before I go any further, I would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert) for introducing H.R. 1070, the Small Company Capital Formation Act, and I would also like to thank the gentleman from Arizona for working across the aisle to ensure that the concerns of both Republicans and Democrats were met in this very commonsense bill.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would permit a small company to raise up to $50 million through a security offering process that balances both streamlined registration with adequate investor protections. As of right now, the current exemption under the SEC's regulation A is little used due to the small size of issuances permitted. As a result, there were only three offerings last year.

The current offering limit of $5 million hasn't been raised since 1992, almost 20 years; and it's long past time for us to do something about it. In the last Congress, Democrats sent a letter to the SEC recommending that it raise the exemption limits. Today we can fix this problem by passing this bill.

Additionally, H.R. 1070 would also provide small and medium companies with the ability to offer securities of up to $50 million publicly without the full cost of a registered offering, potentially expanding their access to capital beyond private offerings that many use.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, Democrats also added important investor protections to this bill, such as requiring companies to provide investors with audited financial statements annually. In addition, Democrats offered investors legal recourse for misstatements companies make in their prospectus documents in order to prevent potential abuses.

Finally, the gentleman from Arizona has also worked with Democrats on the remaining issue of contention, and that was the preemption of State law. The gentleman from Arizona's substitute amendment to H.R. 1070 removes the exemption from State level review that was previously provided to an issuer using a broker-dealer to distribute and issue. Regulation A securities can be high-risk offerings that may also be susceptible to fraud, making protections provided by the State regulators an essential future.

Mr. Speaker, it's clear that we must pass this bipartisan legislation to help our small companies grow and create jobs. I urge adoption of this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I certainly appreciate the comments of the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from California (Ms. Eshoo), who has been an incredible leader on this issue.

I yield the gentlelady 1 additional minute.

I yield the gentlelady an additional minute.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friends Mr. Schweikert and Ms. Eshoo for their work on this bipartisan bill to help small companies grow and expand. As we all know, the American people want to see Congress working together to strengthen our economy and to create jobs. This bill will help companies access the capital they need to pull our Nation out from these tough economic times and put Americans back to work.

Additionally, this bill provides the necessary protections investors need to have in order to ensure that they will not be subjected to potential abuses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1070, a commonsense, bipartisan bill to improve our economy, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the auspicious occasion of the Troy Community Coalition's twentieth year of service to the residents of Troy to recognize the profound impact of its members on efforts of communities across the Nation to combat and prevent substance abuse.

Born out of grass roots organizing by residents concerned with the rising incidence of underage drinking, the Troy Community Coalition, TCC, and its sister coalitions across the country have become the chief advocates in promoting the importance of preventing substance abuse. Like many of its younger counterparts, when the TCC was organized in 1991, its members focused on the need to educate area residents on the deleterious effects of substance abuse on their community. As the TCC grew, it assembled a broad alliance of community stakeholders and gradually shifted its mission from education to changing the environment and public policy of Troy to prevent substance abuse.

As one of the first community coalitions, the TCC has been a model for coalitions across the country. Thanks to the advocacy of its members, in 1998 federal legislation was passed creating the Drug Free Communities program, which provides important resources to seed developing coalitions. Recognizing the innovation and knowledge base created by the TCC, its Executive Director at the time, Ms. Mary Ann Solberg, was tapped to be Deputy Director of the Executive Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2002.

Being a model coalition, the TCC has been the originator of many novel and innovative programs that have been implemented by its sister coalitions. The TCC's staff has even been tapped by the Community Anti- Drug Coalitions of America, a national advocacy group, to provide instruction to coalitions from around the country. Locally, the TCC has also gone on to mentor other area coalitions that are now recipients of Drug Free Communities resources.

Mr. Speaker, as families across my state of Michigan and the Nation feel the increasing pressures of our current economic environment, the work of community coalitions, like the TCC has become increasingly important to prevent individuals in crisis from turning to illicit substances. The TCC regularly engages thousands of members in the Troy community in activities which promote the strength of families and mold our youth into independent leaders of their generations. I congratulate the Troy Community Coalition and its members on twenty years of success in the fight to save the lives of youth across our community and I know its members will continue to lead the national dialogue in this important endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Pravina Ramanathan, for her work with the State of Michigan over the last fifteen years to protect the civil rights of its diverse residents.

As a Civil Rights Enforcer and the Asian American Liaison to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), Pravina makes it her daily mission to protect the safety and well-being of Michigan residents and serves as an advocate for the needs of my state's Asian American communities. In her role as a Civil Rights Enforcer, Pravina devotes her energy to assessing many of the civil rights complaints which come before her office and works with victims, witnesses and other professionals to ensure that victims of discrimination are protected. Expounding further upon that work, Pravina uses her role as the Asian American Liaison to the MDCR to design and implement programs that build connections and understanding between Michigan's diverse ethnic communities. Specifically, Pravina has instructed Michigan state employees on how to exercise cultural competency, organized panels to help Asian ethnic communities better understand their rights and directly assisted victims of hate crimes and discrimination.

In recognition of her outstanding work as a civil rights advocate and protector, Pravina has been honored with numerous awards by local ethnic communities. In 1988 she was first honored as a Gold Medalist in Hindu law by Bangalore University as she graduated with a Bachelor of Law in Advocacy. In 2002, the Association of Kannada Kootas of America honored Pravina for her work to protect the civil rights of Asian Americans. She received a similar recognition from the Michigan Konkani Association in 2003 for her with the State's Indian American communities. And just earlier this month, Pravina was recognized by her own Sikh community in Michigan for her advocacy work on its behalf.

Mr. Speaker, everyday civil rights advocates, like Pravina Ramanathan, are making it their mission to ensure that our country continues to be a land of tolerance where we draw strength from our diversity. Pravina's civil rights work has earned her the praise of many organizations in Michigan and I know she will continue to be successful as she works to strengthen cross-cultural dialogues and enhance protections for victims of discrimination.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my outrage at the military government in Egypt which committed a horrendous act of violence against its own citizens last Sunday night, and at the state run media in Egypt which helped incite that violence.

Coptic Christians have lived peacefully in Egypt for millennia, but sadly in recent months Coptic churches and protestors have been targeted for violence by sectarian extremists. Sadly, it now appears that the government is playing a role in fostering this unrest, and attacking its own people.

Last Sunday more than 1,000 Copts gathered to protest a recent attack by Islamist radicals on a Coptic church in the country's south. While it's not clear why this protest turned violent, what we do know from video shot at the scene is that 26 protesters died after the military drove armored vehicles into the crowds.

Perhaps even more disturbing, state run media sources called upon other Egyptians to take to the streets to protect the military from the protesters. The actions of the media served only to heighten tension and create the increased likelihood that a peaceful protest would turn violent.

I applaud Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi who submitted his resignation on Tuesday in protest over the government's actions. I am disappointed that Egypt's military government has refused to allow him to resign.

The end of the reign of Hosni Mubarak creates an enormous opportunity for Egypt to create a democratic society that respects the rights of minorities. In order to maintain international legitimacy and the support of the United States government, the Egyptian military must demonstrate a commitment to protecting Christians and others who have been targeted for violence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the grand opening of Otto Bock Polyurethane Technologies in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Otto Bock is world-renowned and award-winning for its work in the field of prosthetics and orthotics. The story of the Otto Bock family of companies is a striking example of how innovation and technology can be transferred across discrete industries to create synergies for new products and processes.

Founded in 1919 in Berlin, Germany and named for its founder, Otto Bock has stayed true to its origins as an innovator and manufacturer of prosthetic devices. The perpetual process of innovating and improving prostheses combined with the challenge presented by the physical needs of returning war veterans, pushed Bock to use new materials and processes to increase production of improved prostheses. Traditionally an artisan-based process, Bock sought to move the industry toward a component-based manufacturing system. He was a forerunner in the use of aluminum parts and in 1950, he applied the first plastics to prosthetic production, some of which are still used today. Recognizing the vast potential of this new material, Max Nader, Bock's son-in-law, founded the Otto Bock Kunststoff in 1953. Today, the company is an important technology partner for Otto Bock HealthCare as well as a successful developer

and supplier of plastics for the automobile industry. The third pillar of the company group Otto Bock is Sycor. Formerly part of the computer department of Otto Bock, the information and communication technology company develops customized solutions for company networks.

Otto Bock's Rochester Hills facility will focus on advanced products and manufacturing of technologies of noise-reducing NVH Foam Parts for automotive engines and will eventually bring nearly $14 million in capital investments and 100 jobs to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to welcome the entire Otto Bock family to Michigan's 9th Congressional District and I am honored to recognize Otto Bock Polyurethane Technologies and the dedicated individuals who work to maintain its mission of innovation. I know that the leadership of Otto Bock will find some of the best engineers and skilled workers in the world here to further its work in advanced technology and manufacturing. I look forward to Otto Bock maintaining its strong tradition of innovation, excellence and good corporate citizenship in our communities for many decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) as it celebrates fifty years of service to the Chaldean community of metro Detroit.

Established in 1961 by twenty women volunteers, CALC's mission has been to assist needy Chaldean families in Southeast Michigan. CALC initially focused on providing care and support to the elderly and sick, but has transitioned and expanded its services as the needs of the community have evolved.

As the greater Detroit region has developed over the last half century, Chaldean Americans have grown with it, becoming an integral part of the community. Over time, as the Chaldean population has grown and new generations have been raised outside their ancestral homeland, CALC has taken a leading role in helping Chaldean Americans preserve their culture and history. Furthermore, CALC has also become a valuable bridge to the broader community, sharing the rich history and culture of Iraqi Catholics. And most importantly, CALC has taken on the responsibility of helping newly arrived Chaldean refugees integrate and become successful members of the community by providing basic services and support for those who need more critical services.

As CALC celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, the success of the organization can be seen in its seven hundred volunteers who continue its mission of serving Chaldean families in need with a dynamic set of initiatives and programs. By collecting and distributing essential supplies to newly arrived Chaldean refugees and families facing obstacles, CALC is the most crucial community support mechanism. Today, CALC provides a comprehensive set of youth programs that provide cultural, educational and recreational enrichment opportunities to promote strong scholarship and citizenship in Chaldean American youth. A fully developed series of programs for families in need provides educational scholarships, essential material assistance in food and clothing and free health services to uninsured families. In order that its mission endures, CALC's Chaldean Angels program teaches the next generation of young women the importance of community service. Under the leadership of my friend, President LeeAnn Kirma, CALC not only supplies precious material resources, but brings hope to the dispirited.

Mr. Speaker, as the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, I rise to join its members and honor their decades of service to Chaldean families across Southeast Michigan, which has greatly strengthened and enriched the metro Detroit community. As CALC continues its mission, I look forward to continuing my work with its members in our shared goal of building a bright future for Michigan and putting the American Dream within reach for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my Democratic colleagues for standing with me to protect a program that has created or saved over 41,000 auto jobs.

At one point during this debate, many thought that the Republicans would be successful in cutting $1.5 billion from a program that literally moved production of the Ford Focus from Mexico to Michigan creating thousands of badly needed manufacturing jobs.

But we proved them wrong. We proved that a united Democratic Caucus can stand up and win when we're working to save jobs.

By uniting, we showed Speaker Boehner that Democrats in the House would not stand by and accept a plan to kill tens of thousands of jobs.

Today marks a victory for working Americans, but we must never let our guard down.

As long as Republicans continue to put Tea Party Special Interests and corporate outsourcers before American jobs, the fight will continue.

I hope that our friends on the other side of the aisle will take this opportunity to end their war on jobs and the American Middle Class but if they do not, we will unite and fight back once again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rabbi Dannel Schwartz of Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on the occasion of his retirement after forty years in the rabbinate and a lifetime of service to the Jewish community in Michigan and beyond.

Like many who heed to a call to serve their community, Rabbi Schwartz's leadership began early in his life when he served as President of the Bronx and Manhattan Federation of Temple Youth. Rabbi Schwartz completed his rabbinical training in 1972 and has served the Jewish community of Southeast Michigan as Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth El of Bloomfield, Michigan, and for the last two decades has served as Founding and Senior Rabbi of Temple Shir Shalom. For the past two years, Rabbi Schwartz has also served as CEO of The Corners, an institution that provides affordable space and resources to nonprofit organizations.

Rabbi Schwartz has not only taught the values of Judaism, but has also set an example for his congregation and the Greater Detroit community through his commitment to service. As a member of the Michigan Board of Rabbis and its former president, Rabbi Schwartz devoted considerable time and energy to providing spiritual leadership beyond his own congregation. Rabbi Schwartz also serves as Chaplain at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, and through his work there has offered patients and their families important emotional and spiritual support in times of difficulty. And as a believer in lifelong learning, Rabbi Schwartz has continued his education both formally by obtaining a doctoral degree from the Jewish Institute of Religion and informally through his experiences with his congregation, family, and friends.

On many occasions Rabbi Schwartz has demonstrated his ability as a leader in Michigan's Jewish community, but one occasion serves as a seminal example of his leadership: the founding of Temple Shir Shalom. It was Rabbi Schwartz who gathered together with thirty families just over twenty years ago to establish their new congregation. And through his guidance and support of those families, the congregation of Shir Shalom has prospered and grown to over nine hundred families. Along the path of the Temple's history there have been many obstacles, including the need to construct a permanent home for the congregation, which was first housed in a converted office building, but with Rabbi Schwartz's unyielding efforts, the congregation of Shir Shalom overcame those challenges.

Mr. Speaker, the congregation of Temple Shir Shalom and the Jewish community of Michigan are blessed to have benefitted from the wisdom, knowledge, and service of Rabbi Dannel Schwartz over the last forty years and I know his retirement will affect generations of worshippers. I wish Rabbi Schwartz well in his retirement and I know his commitment to service will continue through his volunteer work and the Rabbi Dannel Schwartz Legacy Foundation.

As a former lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Reserve, I rise to applaud the repeal of the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

This backward policy has turned away over 14,000 able-bodied men and women from our military while our Nation is fighting two wars. It wasted over $1.3 billion taxpayer dollars through investigations, legal proceedings, and wasted training for fighter pilots, mechanics, medics, and even Arabic translators.

I am proud to have fought for this necessary change and feel privileged to have been able to cast my vote to make this misguided policy a relic of the past. Our military can now recruit and train qualified patriotic and courageous Americans who want to serve our country regardless of their sexual orientation.

During my service in the United States Navy Reserve, I served with many dedicated men and women who were always ready to serve their country. I was never concerned about their sexual orientation. Implementation of repeal marks not just an increase in military readiness but a significant step forward for civil rights and equality.

Mr. Speaker, I come from the Greater Detroit area, which has been especially hard hit from this recession.

When many wanted to let the auto industry fail, I stood with President Obama, and now the Big Three auto companies are once again earning profits and creating jobs in our region.

Today, however, the House Republicans are trying to pass job-killing cuts to our auto industry by eliminating section 136 loans. We have the support of the Big Three auto manufacturers, as well as several labor unions and environmental groups but, sadly, the Tea Party can't even say ``yes'' to a program that has created and protected 41,000 jobs. In fact, according to experts, this program is directly responsible for bringing manufacturing of the Ford Focus automobile from Mexico to Michigan, with American workers making the Ford Focus.

We absolutely need to fund disaster relief for communities affected by the recent natural disasters, but that doesn't mean we need to cause an economic disaster for our workers.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule and ``no'' on the continuing resolution because we need to be working to create more American manufacturing jobs, not destroying them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 77. This resolution is another pointless political gesture put forward by Republicans in their efforts to fight our President tooth and nail, regardless of the impact on American families and our economy.

This resolution has already failed in the Senate; it is going nowhere. It is beyond irresponsible to spend time catering to far-right Tea Party Members with doomed procedural technicalities while American families face a jobs crisis.

Early this year, we were seeing hundreds of thousands of jobs created each month and real economic recovery was taking root. Since then, Republicans have manufactured one crisis after another. Whether it is threatening to shut down the government, default on our debt, or cripple the FAA with furloughs, Republicans have shown an unbelievable willingness to harm our economy so they can score points with their Tea Party base.

Washington gave our country a pointless, dangerous debt limit showdown in July, and our nation's employers responded by creating zero new jobs in August. We need to move past this divisive, debt limit gamesmanship and take action to get our economy moving by passing the American Jobs Act now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor public safety workers across Michigan's Ninth Congressional District, the State of Michigan and our Nation as we remember the tragedy that befell our country 10 years ago on September 11, 2001.

The brutal attacks of September 11, 2001 are no doubt etched into the minds of every

American, as they are in mine. I recall the disbelief, the shock and the horror we felt as we saw our Nation rocked to its core and saw thousands of innocent Americans lose their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington in acts of deliberate and horrific violence. It was an assault, the likes of which had never before been carried out on our homeland.

Yet, in the face of overwhelming tragedy, we witnessed the enduring resilience and unwavering determination of the American spirit as our public safety personnel thrust themselves into unimaginable danger to save the victims. Indeed, our public safety personnel, overcoming fear, in a moment that embodied their sense of service and professionalism, rose to meet a challenge that none before them had ever faced. And on that day, some of our brave firefighters, first responders and police, made the ultimate sacrifice as they gave their lives in the fulfillment of their duty to protect the communities they served.

In this poignant display of their bravery, their courage and their resolve, we are reminded that our public safety personnel willingly and fearlessly put their lives on the line every day to ensure our wellbeing.

The men and women of the West Bloomfield Fire Department in Oakland County, Michigan carry within themselves these same virtues. The 86 employees that comprise the department have made protecting the residents of West Bloomfield and its surrounding communities their professional responsibility. It is a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the West Bloomfield Fire Department that it is being honored with a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. I know this dedication ceremony will serve as a constant reminder to the communities served by the first responders of West Bloomfield's Fire Department that their vigilance and sacrifice make our lives safer every day. I commend and recognize the families and individuals who have made this dedication possible.

Mr. Speaker, the service and sacrifice of our public safety personnel make them true American heroes. On the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, I rise with my colleagues and stand with my constituents in honoring the commitment and sacrifice made by our family, friends and neighbors who hear the call to serve the public as police, firefighters and first responders--they are truly emblematic of the great strength of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor public safety workers across Michigan's Ninth Congressional District, the State of Michigan and our Nation as we remember the tragedy that befell our country 10 years ago on September 11, 2001.

The brutal attacks of September 11, 2001 are no doubt etched into the minds of every American, as they are in mine. I recall the disbelief, the shock and the horror we felt as we saw our Nation rocked to its core and saw thousands of innocent Americans lose their lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington in acts of deliberate and horrific violence. It was an assault, the likes of which had never before been carried out on our homeland.

Yet, in the face of overwhelming tragedy, we witnessed the enduring resilience and unwavering determination of the American spirit as our public safety personnel thrust themselves into unimaginable danger to save the victims. Indeed, our public safety personnel, overcoming fear, in a moment that embodied their sense of service and professionalism, rose to meet a challenge that none before them had ever faced. And on that day, some of our brave firefighters, first responders and police, made the ultimate sacrifice as they gave their lives in the fulfillment of their duty to protect the communities they served.

In this poignant display of their bravery, their courage and their resolve, we are reminded that our public safety personnel willingly and fearlessly put their lives on the line every day to ensure our wellbeing.

As is the case with their brothers and sisters across the Nation, these virtues are embodied by the first responders of the Birmingham Fire Department in Oakland County, Michigan. Last year they responded to over two thousand emergencies ranging from fires to motor vehicle accidents and hazardous material spills. With 32 employees, the department has worked vigilantly on daily basis to ensure the safety of Birmingham residents. And in honor to their service, I know the steel from the World Trade Center which is being presented to the department, will remind us all of the unwavering commitment they have made to our community. I commend and recognize the families and individuals who have worked hard to make this dedication possible.

Mr. Speaker, the service and sacrifice of our public safety personnel make them true American heroes. On the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, I rise with my colleagues and stand with my constituents in honoring the commitment and sacrifice made by our family, friends and neighbors who hear the call to serve the public as police, firefighters and first responders--they are truly emblematic of the great strength of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the leaders of Oakland County on the completion of Oakland County International Airport's new ``green'' terminal. This impressive accomplishment will undoubtedly enhance the service the airport provides to residents and businesses across Southeast Michigan. As a believer in the idea that economic development can be environmentally balanced, I am pleased to have advocated for national support of this project, which received federal resources to make this new terminal a reality.

Following its construction in 1928, the Oakland County International Airport, OCIA, has been a symbol of the forward-thinking economic vision and entrepreneurial spirit upon which the county was founded. In 1930, as a first-in-the-nation event, the OCIA was certified with an A- 1-A rating from the U.S. government and has since been an important component of the local economy.

Today, the OCIA continues to play a significant role in the ongoing development of Southeast Michigan's economy. On an annual basis, the airport generates over $150 million in revenue which supports the operations of Oakland County and the broader region. In 2010 alone, the airport served over a half a million passengers and pilots. With almost 120,000 departures and landings annually, the OCIA was the nation's twelfth busiest general aviation facility in 2010.

In keeping with its status as a symbol of Oakland County's economic progress and forward-thinking vision, the new terminal for the

OCIA has been LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council--the first airport in the nation to achieve this distinction. Among its ``green'' features, the new terminal at OCIA boasts use of wind, solar and geothermal energy systems, which drastically reduce the environmental impact and cost of operating this regional economic engine. Additionally, the terminal includes recharging stations for electric vehicles and not only showcases the use of recycled materials in its construction, but also demonstrates recycling of rainwater for landscape irrigation use on the building's ``living'' wall.

Mr. Speaker, this latest first-in-nation accomplishment of the Oakland County International Airport is truly a remarkable milestone and as a lifelong Oakland County resident, it is a source of great pride. This ``green'' terminal is not only a realization of Oakland County residents' continuing commitment to build a better future, but is also a model for the nation of the success that comes from the merging of economic development and environmentally sound building strategies.