Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ellie Ricker for the many significant contributions she has made to the Scottsdale Sister Cities Association. She has spent the last 30 years of her life working with Scottsdale's sister cities of Alamos, Mexico; Cairns, Australia; Kingston, Canada; and Interlaken, Switzerland.

Ellie, who is now retiring, was recently honored by Scottsdale Sister Cities for her three decades of loyal, dedicated work for the association and the people who benefit from their labor. She has served as secretary and representative to Cairns and chair of the Alamos and Kingston home-stay committees. Her passionate activism has ranged from organizing

trips to welcoming exchange students into her home.

Last fall, Ellie, along with volunteers from Scottsdale, helped mobilize relief efforts when Alamos, Mexico was struck by a devastating hurricane. She helped provide clothing, food, and relief funds to the residents of Alamos in their mission to rebuild their town.

Ellie and her husband John have had the privilege of traveling all over the world in support of Sister Cities' programs, forming longstanding relationships along their way. Her incredible commitment has raised the bar for all of our citizens and has already inspired many to follow in her path.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Ellie Ricker's 30 years of work and dedication to Scottsdale Sister Cities and the peoples' lives she has touched.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Councilmember Keith McMahan of Fountain Hills and to recognize the many significant contributions he made to our community.

On March 17 Keith passed away of natural causes at the age of 70.

During the time he lived in Fountain Hills, Keith was a strong force behind the growth and prosperity of the town. Keith served as the advertising and tourism chairman while also serving on their Board of Directors for the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce for many years. In addition to serving as a member of the Town Council, Keith was a local small business owner and formed his own advertising agency in 1991 to cater to area clients. Keith was even named ``Business Person of the Year'' by the Chamber of Commerce in 1997.

Keith is well-known for his leadership abilities not only within the Town Council, but in the Fountain Hills community as well. Most notably, he was an active member of the Fountain Hills Civic Association, Fountain Hills Historical Society Board of Directors, and the Fountain Hills School Board. In addition, Keith participated extensively in the Fountain Festival held by the Chamber of Commerce, helping out on 30 different occasions.

Madam Speaker, please join me in commemorating the life of Keith McMahan's life and remembering the strong and positive impact he left on his community and the many people who knew and loved him.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the Citizenship Counts organization, whose inaugural naturalization ceremony is being held today to welcome new American citizens. The event's keynote speaker, Gerda Weissmann Klein, is one of very few living survivors of the Holocaust and the founder of Citizenship Counts. She has used her experiences to educate and inspire others in our community and all over the world.

Gerda's story is one of true bravery and heroism. She survived the perils of six concentration camps during the Holocaust and a 350-mile march through Eastern Europe before being liberated by Allied forces. In the many years since, Gerda has dedicated her life to being an advocate for the teaching of tolerance, empowerment, and respect through her extensive work with the Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation and Citizenship Counts.

The Citizenship Counts organization motivates students through civics education and community service while bolstering pride in their citizenship. Through these programs, Citizenship Counts effectively promotes the ideal of American citizenship as a responsibility, and instills the strong moral values that Gerda has worked so tirelessly to uphold.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Citizenship Counts, an organization whose efforts have truly strengthened our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of charitable giving.

Americans give generously.

In the weeks following the deadly 2004 tsunami in Asia, donations from American charities outpaced official government aid by more than $100 million.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast of our nation, Americans responded with faster and more forceful giving than ever before. In the first 10 days, charitable giving topped $700 million. Ultimately, more than $4 billion was donated to the recovery effort.

Since the mid-1990s, charitable giving has accounted for roughly 2 percent of our annual GDP, which is more than double the rate of giving in any other country.

And Madam Speaker, most donations don't come from big business. They come from hardworking Americans. Individuals account for 75 percent of charitable giving.

Recently, some have proposed limitations on the tax deduction for charitable giving. We face a staggering deficit, and I believe we must balance the budget--but not by raising taxes on these donations.

It has long been a hallmark of the U.S. tax code that giving gets a tax break. Today, I joined Rep. Ros-Lehtinen of Florida to introduce a resolution that would state this Chamber's support for charitable giving and its opposition to raising taxes on donations. At this time of great need at home and abroad, we must not make it harder for Americans to give. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing a tax increase on charitable donations.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009.

This is an important bill that will help close the approximately $3.2 to $11.1 billion gap between our nation's wastewater infrastructure needs and our current levels of federal assistance.

This bill is especially important for Arizona, because it will finally begin to address a grossly inequitable funding formula that long plagued our state.

Inexplicably, and unfairly, the formula used to distribute federal assistance to State Clean Water Revolving Funds (SRFs) remains linked to Census data from 1970.

While, obviously, this is not a problem for states that have lost population, or whose population has remained stable, it's a huge problem for states like Arizona, whose population has grown dramatically.

Since 1970, Arizona's population has more than tripled.

As a result, we've been getting massively short-changed.

Arizona ranks 9th in the nation in terms of need, but we rank 37th in receipt of federal funding for SRFs. On a per capita basis, Arizona ranks 53rd. Even the territories do better than we do.

This is a disparity that belies any pretence of fairness, and it needs to change.

If enacted, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 will begin that process.

I want to thank Chairman Oberstar for his leadership on this issue, and for his continued commitment to fairness.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1262, and I look forward to its final passage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies Incorporated, a mechanical engineering company in my home town of Tempe, Arizona.

Phoenix Analysis & Design was established in 1994 and has since become an important member of the Arizona business community. It has served as a leading consultant and provider of mechanical engineering services in the Southwest for fifteen years and continually sets the standard for excellent customer service.

The business thrives because it is committed to innovation and employee participation. It has increased its employment base from the initial four founders to 50 employees, and the personal integrity of each employee shines brightly with their timely and efficient service. Each member of the company is extremely talented and continually strives to master the new technologies of their field.

If one were to choose a place in Tempe to represent what the community should value, that place would be Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies.

The success and longevity of this local company is a model for independent businesses. It is for these reasons and more that I ask you to join me in congratulating Phoenix Analysis & Design on this accomplishment and wish them many more years of prosperous business.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Speaker Pelosi for agreeing to bloc the next scheduled congressional pay raise.

As government acts to cap executive compensation, and as millions of Americans watch their incomes shrink, a pay raise for Members of Congress would have seemed glaringly out of touch.

If we are going to talk the talk of fiscal discipline, we must also walk the walk of self-restraint. The American people are not getting a raise this year. Neither should Congress.

I also wish to thank Dr. Ron Paul and 107 of our colleagues-- Republicans and Democrats--who were willing to support H.R. 156, the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act. Without the leadership of these Members--so many of them new Members--we may not have taken this important step.

I rise today to thank Speaker Pelosi for agreeing to block the next congressional pay raise. As government acts to cap executive compensation and as millions of Americans watch their incomes shrink, a pay raise for Members of Congress would seem glaringly out of touch. If we are going to talk the talk of fiscal discipline, we must also walk the walk of self-restraint. The American people are not getting a pay raise this year, and neither should Congress.

I also wish to thank Dr. Ron Paul and 107 of our colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, who are willing to support H.R. 156, the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act. Without the leadership of these Members, so many of them new Members, we may not have taken this important step.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate William J. Post, who is retiring from his position as Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation after 38 years of extraordinary service to the company. Since the beginning of his time at Pinnacle West in 1973, Bill's strong work ethic and ambition have earned him great respect, and have inspired others within the company.

During his time at Pinnacle West Bill's leadership contributed to many important company milestones, including navigating a state push to deregulate utilities and then reshuffling when that effort was pulled back. Bill accomplished this without bankruptcy, new ownership, or any kind of employee reorganization. His efforts have made a significant and lasting impact on the company.

Bill is well-known for his leadership abilities not only within the Pinnacle West Corporation, but in his community as well. Most notably, he contributed to the creation of the Greater Phoenix Business Leadership Coalition, which is comprised of regional businesses working toward stabilizing the economy. Bill is also involved in the United Methodist Outreach Ministry, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Arizona State University.

On a personal note, like me, Bill is an alumnus of Tempe High School, where I also taught. I know the residents of our hometown share my pride in seeing a fellow Tempe Buffalo make such profound contributions to the community.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Bill Post's contributions to Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and his surrounding community, and wishing him well in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Patricia Garcia Duarte, who was recently appointed to serve on the Federal Reserve Board's Consumer Advocacy Council. Patricia was one of only 10 new members selected to the board out of 167 nominees. This select group of advisors directs the Board on the implementation of its responsibilities under the consumer credit protection laws, as well as on many other consumer-related issues.

Ms. Garcia Duarte is currently the President and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services, one of the leading nonprofit affordable housing organizations in Arizona. As President, she oversees her company's programs in financial literacy education, individual credit counseling, mortgage lending, affordable housing finance, and real estate developments. In addition, Patricia is the Chair of the Arizona Foreclosure Prevention Task Force, which organizes outreach and educational efforts to reduce the negative impact of foreclosures. In this position, she has promoted these initiatives, and has played an instrumental role in bring stakeholder groups together, during these difficult economic times.

I commend the Federal Reserve Board for selecting such a deserving candidate for their Consumer Advisory Council. I am sure that Patricia will provide valuable service and leadership during her time there.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Patricia Garcia Duarte's contributions to our country and community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Smitha Ramakrishna, who has been selected as a Semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search 2009 competition. The Intel STS is one of the Nation's most prestigious science competitions for high school seniors, and has been held annually for the past 68 years. Smitha is one of 300 Semifinalists selected out of 1,600 students who entered the competition.

All of the Semifinalists for this competition are now eligible to become one of the 40 Finalists who then move on to compete in Washington, DC, for top awards, including a grand prize of $100,000. As you can see from Smitha's project title ``Analysis of the Chemical and Biological Degradation of Sucralose in Synthetic Wastewater'', she is a serious student with a bright future in the sciences.

As a former high school teacher, I am always especially glad to know when students are awarded for their academic successes. Smitha should be very proud of this achievement.

Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Smitha Ramakrishna for her fine academic accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fountain Hills chapter of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for its service project ``To Uganda, Love Fountain Hills.'' This town- wide drive to collect backpack and school supplies will culminate with members of the FCCLA traveling to Uganda to distribute the donations to local school children.

The fundraiser began in December of 2008 and is expected to last until the group travels to Uganda in the summer. So far, it has collected more than $11,000 from friends, parents, teachers, and generous community members. In addition to delivering the school supplies while in Uganda, the FCCLA plans to serve in construction and well digging crews, schools, food banks, and health clinics.

I am particularly proud, Madam Speaker, to recognize Claire McWilliams, a Fountain Hills High School teacher and FCCLA sponsor. Claire coordinated the entire project and continues to serve as an inspiration to her community.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Fountain Hills chapter of FCCLA and its sponsor, Claire McWilliams, for their selfless work to raise money and collect supplies for the children of Uganda.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pink Heals Tour, which covered over 10,000 miles in 2008, to support the fight against breast cancer.

Breast cancer occurs in one out of every eight women in our country, and this cross-country tour in a decorated pink fire truck aimed to increase awareness of this disease and to raise funding for cancer research. In particular, this journey reached out to typically male- dominated organizations, such as police and fire departments, to encourage them to wear pink clothing in support of this cause. A second tour is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2009. The upcoming Pink Heals Tour will cross the United States in three pink fire trucks throughout September and October.

I am particularly proud, Madam Speaker, to recognize David Graybill, who founded the Pink Heals Tour to inspire citizens and community leaders to join in local breast cancer fundraising organizations and events. When I taught high school back home in Arizona, David was one of my students. So far, his efforts have had an enormous impact on his community and on millions of people across 21 states and 40 different cities.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Pink Heals Tour and its founder, David Graybill, for their selfless work to raise awareness and support the fight against breast cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to block the next scheduled congressional pay raise. At a time when the economy is forcing so many of the families we represent to tighten their belts, I believe this is the wrong time to be raising our own pay.

Last month, 524,000 Americans lost their jobs, bringing the unemployment rate to its highest since 1993. Since last year, jobless rates increased in 49 States and in the District of Columbia. In my home State of Arizona, unemployment rose by over 50 percent, leaving nearly 200,000 workers unemployed.

Last week, I introduced House Resolution 156, with Representative Paul of Texas, to stop the next automatic congressional pay raise from taking effect next year. As of this morning, we have been joined by 77 cosponsors--Republicans and Democrats.

Our Nation is at war. Our economy is reeling. The American people aren't getting a pay raise. We shouldn't either. I will be donating my 2009 pay raise to charity just as I did with the 2008 pay raise.

I urge my colleagues to join our growing coalition and to support the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act.

Madam Speaker, earlier today my colleague Representative Mark Kirk and I introduced the Capital Gains and Estate Tax Relief Act of 2009, a bill to extend critical tax cuts that will help middle-class families in my district and across the country.

If enacted, this legislation would make recent cuts to capital gains and estate taxes permanent. If Congress does not act, these tax cuts will expire at the end of 2010.

At a time when we so desperately need to encourage economic growth and investment, I believe it is wrong to raise these taxes.

Last month, the United States lost 524,000 jobs, bringing the total number of lost jobs in 2008 to 2.6 million. In December, unemployment rose to 7.2 percent, the highest rate since January 1993.

Arizonans, like all Americans, are feeling this pain and factoring the sluggish economy into their decision making. Home sales have slowed, small businesses are struggling and people are taking a hard look at their IRAs and 401Ks. With the economy weighing down important decisions about how, where, and when to buy a home or make other critical investments, Congress should not add to this burden by allowing capital gains and estate taxes to increase.

Several years ago, these tax cuts were championed by President Bush and a Republican Congress. Since then, the political winds have clearly changed. But in our haste to distance ourselves from the past, I implore my colleagues to give careful consideration to these tax cuts before dismissing them.

These tax cuts are sensible. They help millions of middle-class Americans, and making them permanent would make our tax code fairer and more predictable. They affect small businesses. They affect stockholders. They affect anyone who owns a home.

Unfortunately, when it comes time to buy or sell a home or stock or make other basic investments, these taxes often act as disincentives toward optimal financial decision making. At this difficult time, we need to keep these burdens as low as possible.

We need to incentivize investment and encourage growth, not penalize them.

Some have called for the outright elimination of these taxes. Still others have sought to rescind these tax cuts before they have a chance to expire.

Now more than ever, we must place pragmatism above partisanship, and do what is necessary to get our economy moving.

In 2007 and again in 2008, I voted against the Budget Resolutions, in part, because they failed to extend cuts to capital gains and estate taxes. At the time, I expressed frustration with both Democrats and Republicans for failing to work together to create a budget that incorporates good ideas from both sides of the aisle.

I believed then that we could do better, and I believe now that we must. So today, I challenge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the right thing for middle-class families, small businesses, stockholders, and homeowners. Consider this legislation, not on a partisan basis, but on its merits. Making these tax cuts permanent will help our middle class, and working together, I know we can make that happen.