Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the D.C. Divas Football team for their eleventh season and on returning to the Women's Football Association for the 2012 season. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which protects people from discrimination based on gender. Passage of Title IX has helped to make it possible for teams like the D.C. Divas to accomplish great success and serve as a role model for young girls.

The D.C. Divas were established in 2000, with the first season beginning in the spring of 2001. They have been a strong team with nine winning seasons and eight division titles. The D.C. Divas are currently celebrating as the 2012 Division Champions. The team won the NWFA Championship in 2006 after completing a perfect season.

Not only have they been strong on the field, but they are actively involved within the D.C. and Maryland communities. Members of the team have participated in Recess by the River since the program began, helping educate kids on active living to prevent child obesity with kids from Ward 8. The team has also supported the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House, and the Special Olympics of Northern Virginia. These are only some of the many organizations in which the D.C. Divas are actively involved.

I congratulate the D.C. Divas for their accomplishments on and off the field over the past twelve years. This is a great team that provides an athletic outlet for the people of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas. I wish them the best during the rest of their season and the many seasons to come.

Mr. Speaker, the failed policies of the Obama administration continue to drag down the economy. The policies of stimulus programs, bailouts, crony capitalism, the Department of Justice investigating only what they choose worthy to be enforced, bowing to Saudi kings, going to China hat in hand asking for more money have brought down the economy.

Indeed, the unemployment rate, which the administration says is 8.2 percent, that's not accurate at all. They simply got it down that low by omitting a whole lot of unemployed people from the unemployment category. There's about 4 million people who have given up looking for a job, and the Obama administration doesn't even consider them as being unemployed.

In my opinion, there are four things we can do to address this, and we need to do it on a bipartisan basis. I have reached out to the White House. I will continue to. And even in an election year, it's far more important to put America first and party second.

The first thing we need to do is pass a budget. Right now, the national debt is over 100 percent of the gross domestic product, a $15 trillion national debt and a $15 trillion economy. Indeed, we are on the road to Greece. For every dollar we spend, 40 cents is borrowed.

The United States Senate, under Harry Reid, has not passed a budget in 3 years. That is the constitutional duty of the legislative branch of government. The House has done so. The House passes a budget. We had a great debate 2 weeks ago. We had a budget offered by the Democrats, one offered by the Progressive Caucus, one offered by the Congressional Black Caucus, one offered by the most conservative caucus, one offered by the Ryan Budget Committee. We had a great debate, and we passed a budget.

Now, the Senate doesn't like that. I understand that. Footnote: we even offered the President's budget, which increases the debt $1.2 trillion--another $1.2 trillion--and not a single vote from Nancy Pelosi to John Boehner, not one vote for the President's budget. The same thing happened in the Senate last year.

But I understand the Senate doesn't like our budget. They don't like the President's budget. But where is your budget? You have got to pass it. And if you would pass a budget in the U.S. Senate, we can hammer out our differences between the House and Senate. Indeed, both parties will have to give; both bodies will compromise. That's always been the case. But it would send a huge international signal that America, the economic leader of the world, is serious about getting our hands on our debt. We are leading the way instead of falling to the demise of Greece, Spain, Portugal, and so many of the other troubled countries.

So the first thing we need to do to change our economy around is to pass a budget.

The second thing to do is to look at regulatory burden, which is stifling new jobs, and instead of government bureaucracies going to the small businesses with this ``I gotcha'' attitude--we know you hate people; we know you hate consumers; we know you want to pollute the air; we know you want to poison the food--maybe the Federal Government regulatory agencies should go into the small businesses and say: We recognize what you're doing right; we want to encourage it. And where you're doing wrong, we're going to discourage it; and if you don't address it, we will fine you. But don't go to every business in America assuming they're guilty of something besides creating jobs and delivering goods and services to people.

So we need to ease up and find the balance in the regulatory burden.

Thirdly, we need to drill our own oil, and we need to encourage the new technologies of horizontal drilling, fracking, and all the great promises that are out there. We need to look at the example of Williston, North Dakota, which has brought its oil production from 200,000 barrels to 600,000 barrels in less than a year's period of time. Indeed, America could perhaps become an energy exporter. Not only would that be an economic boon, but the national security advantage of it would be an unbelievable sea change in the world stability today.

Fourth and final, we need to have tax simplification. How many Americans within the sound of my voice fill out their own tax return? More and more people are turning to accountants and lawyers to figure out what the heck we owe Uncle Sam every April 15. And when you pay an accountant $300 or $400 or $500 or $1,000 to figure out what you owe Uncle Sam, that's a tax in itself. Businesses spend lots of time avoiding taxes. We need a tax system that's certain, that's clear, that's concise and fair so that everybody understands it and everybody pays their fair share. Indeed, tax simplification would help turn the economy around.

So, Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, Democrats and Republicans have the moment right now to change the economic direction of America by passing a good, solid budget; by having balanced regulatory reform; drilling our

own oil and having a good energy policy; and, finally, tax simplification.

America is on the economic road to Greece. Our national debt is 100 percent of our gross domestic product. And I want you to think about that 1 minute. Did you ever think you would hear that on the floor of Congress, that our national debt is 100 percent of our gross domestic product?

It's just mind-boggling if you just take a step back and think, for every dollar we spend, 42 cents is borrowed. What would a business do, what would a family do, what would you do with your own individual finances? Obviously, you would change your ways.

Today we have that opportunity. That's what the Ryan Republican budget is all about. Number one, it reduces spending. It reduces spending by over $5 trillion, more than the President.

Number two, it eliminates loopholes in the tax system so that the Tax Code would be fair, competitive, and balanced.

Number three, it reduces the deficit and the debt by over $3 trillion.

And number four, it reduces the size of government from being 24 percent of the economy down to 20 percent. Hopefully, we could even reduce it more than that, and it reduces the size of government without endangering us from a national security point of view, or without pulling out the safety net that's so important to our seniors and our most vulnerable members of society. It does this through commonsense reforms, through elimination of waste, through reduction and duplications.

You know there are 44 different Federal job training programs? If one of them works, why would you need the other 43?

The GAO says there are 19 duplications of effort and procurement at the Pentagon. Let's get rid of them.

Over at the USDA--I happen to know, I'm on this committee--the Federal feeding programs are unbelievable. If you're Bob, and you're 3 years old, Bob is eligible for 12 Federal feeding programs. At 10 years old Bob is eligible for nine. At 35 years old Bob is eligible for seven.

At 65, Bob is eligible for six Federal feeding programs. That doesn't mention what's going on on a State or local level. These are duplications that Democrats and Republicans alike should agree with, let's eliminate. This is the low fruit.

That's what the Ryan budget does, commonsense reform, elimination of waste and getting rid of the duplications, and putting America on a road to prosperity, so that my children, Ann, Betsy, John and Jim, can live in an economy that's growing where there's opportunities for them. And I urge my colleagues to support the Ryan budget.

Bob's Food Assistance Programs

At age 3, Bob is eligible for 12 programs:

1. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

2. Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

3. Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP)

4. School Lunch Program (SBP)

5. National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

6. Special Milk Program (SMP) [Can receive if not on any

other program]

7. Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

8. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

9. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

10. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

11. Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

12. WIC's Farmers Market Nutritional Program (FMNP)

At age 10, Bob is eligible for 9 programs:

1. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

2. Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP)

3. School Lunch Program (SBP)

4. National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

5. Special Milk Program (SMP)

6. Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

7. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

8. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

9. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

At age 35, Bob is eligible for 7 programs:

1. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

2. Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

3. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

4. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

5. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

6. Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

7. WIC's Farmers Market Nutritional Program (FMNP)

At age 65, Bob is eligible for 6 programs:

1. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

2. Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

3. Sr. Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

4. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

5. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

6. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

At all ages, Bob can receive:

1. Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR)

if living on Indian Reservation & not receiving SNAP

2. Disaster Assistance Program (D-SNAP) if family

experiences natural disaster

3. Nutrition Assistance Block Grant (NABG) if family lives

in U.S. Territory

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bicentennial of The Hibernian Society of Savannah, Georgia.

The Hibernian Society of Savannah originated in 1812 as a society of gentlemen to come to the aid of Irish immigrants in the area. One year later they held the first St. Patrick's Day celebration in Savannah at the Independent Presbyterian Church. In 1824, they invited all of the Irishmen of Savannah to join in on a parade which would become the first St. Patrick's Day parade in Savannah's history.

Their role in the history of Savannah and its people has developed greatly over the years. They have been addressed in the past by notable speakers such as President Taft in 1912 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt by radio in 1937. President Truman addressed the body in 1952 at their 150th Anniversary Dinner and President Carter addressed their Anniversary Dinner in 1978. Since its inception, these notable figures have recognized the actions and donations of the society for the greater good of the people of Savannah.

The scope of their efforts evolved from just the Irish community to the community of Savannah as a whole. They are very active through The Hibernian Society of Savannah Foundation, Inc. in their charitable contributions to the community. These organizations they support include some local schools as well as the Empty Stocking Fund, the Inner City Night Shelter and the Salvation Army among others.

A rich heritage and strong personal ties to the city and the community have ensured that the The Hibernian Society will continue to play a vital role for those in need in Savannah. What once started as a society of Irishmen helping Irish immigrants in need has transformed into a body whose positive impact can be seen everywhere around the City of Savannah.

I commend The Hibernian Society of Savannah, Georgia for their contributions to the people of Savannah and would like to congratulate them on their bicentennial celebration and their rich and continued history in the area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of Cecil Nobles, the much celebrated Sheriff of Long County, GA, and a pillar of his community.

Cecil Nobles was born on February 21, 1935 in Long County, GA, to Raymond Elliott and Minnie Baxter Nobles. Raised in Long County, he was educated in Long County schools and graduated from Ludowici High School in 1953. After high school, Mr. Nobles earned a Bachelor's degree in Business and a Master's degree in Education from Georgia Southern University.

Soon after graduation, Cecil Nobles began teaching in the Long County school system from 1959 until 1969. During that time, he also served as an Assistant Principal and as the elected Coroner of Long County from 1962 through 1968. Mr. Nobles made a remarkable impact within the realm of education when he taught one of the first integrated classes in Southeastern Georgia.

Forever dedicated to Long County and public service, Cecil Nobles rose to become the longest serving Sheriff in the State of Georgia and the second longest serving Sheriff in the United States. During his eleven terms as Sheriff and two terms as Coroner, Mr. Nobles was always known for his tireless dedication to public service, his commitment to law enforcement, and his love of his family and friends throughout Long County and beyond.

Sheriff Nobles was part of a vanishing tradition in Georgia of long serving, old school sheriffs. In many ways he ran Long County. If you wanted something done with one phone call, you dialed his number and his influence did not end at the county line. Using his extensive Rolodex, which may have not been a rolodex, but it certainly was not an email list, of elected officials, and agency heads, he always knew just who to call. He fought for everything as if it was the last chance between Long County's survival and its bankruptcy. He secured funding for countless projects and his legacy in South Georgia will be long lasting. Most importantly he never forgot a friend and frequently used two words that have become rare in politics: `thank you.' In turn today we thank him for his service. I was proud to call him a friend.

Mr. Speaker, there are three things we need to do to create jobs in America:

Number one, we need to roll back job-killing regulations. You don't have to work for worker safety at the expense of the job. There is a balance. Government agencies need to work with the entrepreneur and the employer and the job creator, not against him or her. We can find a balance.

Number two, you need to drill your own oil. For us to suggest and believe that the people in the Middle East are more environmentally friendly or more sensitive than we are is ridiculous. We have got to get our head out of the Middle East sand and our drills and bring it back home to America. If gas fell $1 a gallon, it would be a huge economic boom to our country.

And, number three, we need tax simplification. Ask any audience, ``How many of you fill out your own tax return?'' and then ask, ``How many of you pay to fill out your own taxes?'' and inevitably you'll find an 80/20 split. It is ridiculous when 80 percent of the people in America have to pay an accountant or a lawyer to fill out their taxes. We need tax simplification.

I thank the gentleman.

The President of the United States has said it would be inexcusable not to extend the payroll tax cut for 1 year. Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Hoyer have said the same thing, as have dozens of other leading Democrats. I agree with them and so does a bipartisan majority of the House who last week voted to extend the tax cut for 1 year.

Now why do we support it for 1 year? Because 2 months only gives uncertainty to this fragile economy. Uncertainty. Families can't plan, businesses can't plan, and jobs can't be created. So why do the Democrats want the 2 months? Sadly, because like their Democrat colleagues in the Senate, they want to go home. But do you know what? There is a 200-year-old mechanism for ironing out Senate and House agreements. It's called ``conference committee.''

Now your leader has decided not to appoint people to this conference committee. You want to compromise, that's what this vote is all about. We want to compromise. We know we can't get everything we want. But unlike the Senate, we're not saying it's our way or the highway. We're saying compromise. Vote ``yes'' on this vote. Let's compromise, and let's get this done.

Mr. Speaker, every town has a few heroes, and lucky is the man whose

life crosses the path of one. I have had that good fortune in getting to know Ben Cole of Savannah.

Ben runs the Chain Baseball Academy. For nearly two decades, he had trained thousands of boys in the competitive art of ``America's Favorite Pastime.'' Ben takes youngsters of various walks of life and teaches them the fundamentals of hitting, pitching, and catching. Many go on to become star high school, college, and professional baseball players. It is no surprise that Chain Baseball has produced over 300 college level athletes and 44 professional, including two World Series pitchers!

However it is not just about baseball. It's about character building, teamwork, and excelling on and off the field. Ben's most important lesson for the parents is that if the kid doesn't want to be a baseball player: Don't force him. In today's society, sometimes parents can push their children too much. That takes the fun out of it for them and can hurt their confidence. Instead, parents should let them enjoy being kids. If they want to play baseball, fine, and if they don't, that's fine too. They have to want it for themselves, not their Moms and Dads.

Because of the amount of traveling required, playing baseball can be expensive. Not all families can afford the time and money involved. That's why Ben and Chain owner Buddy Meyer work hard to find financial aid for kids in need. The term ``elite athlete'' doesn't mean financially elite. They want the door to be open to all.

Ben also works patiently with Moms and Dads. He has a special place for women whose husbands are deployed. Chain Academy is less than a mile from Hunter Army Airfield, home of the 3rd ID. Often, Moms walk through the door with a boy whose dad is in Afghanistan or Iraq. Mom doesn't know much about baseball, but she's come to the right place. Ben makes sure her son, who has often just moved to town, is treated like family.

Finally, Ben leads by example. At 81 years old, he doesn't sit at the desk barking out instructions. He gets in the cage, picks up a bat, and shows his students how to swing, catch, or throw. And when the time allows, he puts on a batter's helmet and takes a few swings himself. With his perfect form he drives the ball hard and strong, proving to all he knows what he's doing.

Ben likes the great athlete but no more than the earnest athlete. No matter what the age, if a kid tries his best, Ben's there to help make him a better player. I can attest to that. I've seen him patiently spend hours coaching a fifty-six-year-old congressman. Even if there's little improvement, year by year, he's ready to help! His enthusiasm is contagious.

Ben's an optimist. He loves his country, his family, his favorite sport of baseball and the kids of all ages who play it. Star athletes come to the Chain all the time but nothing lights up his face as much as a grandchild.

In today's society, we have widespread obesity. In the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, we spend as much time talking about obesity and exercise as hunger. We need more people like Ben who have kept themselves in shape. We need people to stay active physically, mentally, and spiritually. Think of the billions we could save in health care costs if more people took Ben's example. Finally, think how much more fun we'd have as a country if instead of just watching America's favorite pastime we would all play it.

May Ben and the Chain Baseball Academy keep up the good work and continue to inspire the rest of us for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, when I was in 10th grade history class, the teacher caught me chewing gum. I don't know why it's so hard to chew gum without being noticed, but there I was caught and on my way to the Principal's office. I had never personally met him. He was a no- nonsense man named John Tillitski.

He asked me why I was sent to him. There weren't any official forms so when asked, you were expected to give a full report of your crime without equivocation.

``I was chewing gum, sir.''

``Oh,'' He looked me in the eye and added, ``Do you want to stay in school?''

``Yes, sir.''

``Fine, bend over.'' With that, he pulled a 12'' rubber sole of a shoe out of his desk, popped me on the hindquarters, and said, ``go back to class.''

That was it, verdict, sentence, and punishment. It was over in 5 minutes. Then I was back in class, sitting quietly, taking notes, and learning American history. No more chewing gum.

That's the way John Tillitski handled things. Clear. Concise. Fair. Without drama, without red tape, just old fashion, even-handed, blind justice.

It was 1971. He was a man suited for the time. We were the first white class to attend what had previously been the all black Burney Harris High School. The courts had spoken. The town was nervous, the administration tentative and the teachers incredibly challenged by the change set in front of them. Not Mr. Tillitski. He saw black and white not in skin color but in justice, fairness, and common sense. He could bridge the unsettled times with confidence.

The fear was that every fight, skirmish, or incident could accelerate into a race riot. In this atmosphere he became the ``go to'' guy. Everyone knew he was a straight shooter. If the issue could be resolved quietly he could do it.

A few years later, his son Chris and I decided to liven up the day by driving a motorcycle down the hall of the school. I should do the right thing and say it was a joint decision, but in the style of Washington politics I'll blame the whole idea on Chris, who in turn claimed his brothers Steve and Mike had pulled similar stunts. Down the hall we roared loudly as a jet plane. Soon, hundreds of students and teachers poured out of their classes trying to find out what had happened. We were surrounded by a mob of teachers and students, some laughing, some screaming, most in bewilderment. The principal was beet red in anger and unable to complete a sentence in his fury. Finally, Mr. Tillitski re-emerged from the throng. As the sea parted for his entrance, he simply said, ``Turn the damn thing off and get it out of here.'' We pushed it outside, order was restored, and we were duly punished.

He was a man's man. Strong, gruff, and competitive. As the father of boys, he knew boys needed discipline, love, and nourishment. Once, Chris and I found an old canoe in the river. Its seaworthiness had been beaten out of it by a series of rapids. We took it home to restore it, a long shot at best but Mr. Tillitski supported our effort. When we finally got it to float, he was the first to give us boat paddles.

Another time, Chris and I hopped a train and tried to make it to Myrtle Beach, S.C. We didn't disclose the details of our mode of transportation to our parents. We made it to Morehead City but ran out of track and trains headed in the right direction. Hitchhiking home, we informed our parents where we had been and announced that we'd try again soon. Rather than fighting about it, telling us we were stupid and how dangerous it was, Mr. Tillitski quietly let us borrow his prize green 1967 Mustang. Practically a sports car. Not a prettier sight was seen driving down the Myrtle Beach strip. He knew boys had to push an envelope but he also knew how to rein them in without killing our youthful spirit.

As with so many influential men there was a great family structure to go along with them. John's wife, Joan, was a wonderful partner standing by him, raising the boys and making sure the family bond stayed strong. As a trained nurse she knew when one of the boys needed a trip to the hospital, a bandage or a good hug. They are an ideal couple.

I was blessed to have people and educators such as John and Joan Tillitski in my life. In today's world with its confusion and uncertainty, we need more people with firm ideals and gentle hands to guide them. The world would be a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the language included in this bill that would remove current barriers for states to strengthen the unemployment program through optional drug testing. The purpose of the unemployment insurance program is to be a safety net, a bridge to reemployment. However, when beneficiaries choose to abuse illegal drugs they are no longer at their competitive best within the jobs market.

That is why I have proposed legislation, H.R. 3601 the ``Ensuring Quality in the Unemployment Insurance Program (EQUIP) Act,'' that would require screenings for applicants of unemployment insurance. Applicants would be screened using a non-invasive questionnaire that has a 94 percent accuracy rate. If identified as likely to use drugs, an applicant for unemployment would be required to pass a drug test as a condition of benefits. This non-invasive practice has been upheld by state courts in New Jersey, Texas and Indiana. A federal court in West Virginia upheld that state's practice of screening applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance.

The screening would not increase federal spending. The estimated cost is $12 per person. This would be more than offset by reducing the $7.5 billion budget for the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) and Consumers Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OPs), which was established to ration health care expenditures.

At one of the several listening sessions I had with business owners earlier this year, I had an employer tell me of an overwhelming response for job openings. There was just one problem: half the people who applied could not even pass a drug test. Another told me about an employee they had to temporarily lay off when times were tight. A month later when he contacted his former employee to offer him a new position, he declined because unemployment was paying the bills. With our budget woes of more than $15 trillion in debt, how can we justify using unemployment insurance to pay someone not to work when they have voluntarily taken themselves out of the hiring pool? That is what we are doing when someone on unemployment is using drugs.

Under the current system, workers can earn up to 26 weeks through employer contribution but are eligible for 99 weeks of benefits under current law. Your tax dollars make up the difference. Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness of programs like unemployment insurance has to be our society's goal.

Drug screening beneficiaries incentivizes individuals to not abuse drugs, which would otherwise render them unfit to be employed. Some have said this proposal asks too much of those who have lost their jobs, but asking someone who is unemployed to do his or her part by staying eligible to work is common sense, not draconian.

I look forward to working with the Committee on this proposal and a hearing in the spring.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into a colloquy with the distinguished chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you for including language in this bill that would remove current barriers for States to strengthen the unemployment insurance program through optional drug testing. By doing so, we can help increase individuals' ability to gain future employment and help ensure benefits are not being used to finance an individual's drug dependency. It is my understanding that the intent of this language is to provide flexibility to States to establish drug screening methods if they so choose.

I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Thank you.

I would like to call States' attention to drug screening assessments approved by the National Institutes of Health that identify individuals as having a high probability of drug use. Under the bill I introduced, individuals deemed by those assessments to be high risk would be required to complete and pass a drug test in order to receive benefits.

General tax dollars help fund payments after 26 weeks. So people who are unemployed should be looking for a job and should not become voluntarily ineligible by taking illegal drugs. In this tough budgetary environment, we must maximize tax dollar spending efficiently and effectively. I appreciate your commitment to hold a hearing on this issue no later than the spring, and I thank you for pointing toward further action.

I look forward to working with the committee on this proposal. I thank the chairman and the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Davis, for their support and their discussions of this language.

I thank the gentleman for engaging in this colloquy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support passage of S. 535, the Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act, which would allow the Savannah Bar Pilots 10-year leases for their operating base on Cockspur Island which they have used continuously in cooperation with the National Park Service since 1940. I also would like to thank Chairman Hastings and Chairman Bishop for holding hearings and bringing this bill to the Floor today.

The Savannah Bar Pilots were founded in 1864, making them one of the nation's oldest pilots associations. Since then, they have helped Savannah grow into the nation's fourth largest seaport and fastest growing port on the East Coast. Bar Pilots assist cargo ships navigating the Savannah River and guide them 20 miles upriver to either the Georgia Port Authority's Garden City Terminal or Ocean Terminal, both of which make up the Savannah Port.

The Bar Pilots' expertise is essential in helping ships reach the terminals. Every cargo ship above 200 gross tons--which is nearly every ship that calls on the Port of Savannah--must have a bar pilot on board. After an incoming ship contacts the pilots and a meeting is established, the pilots depart from their operating base on Cockspur Island and are ferried on one of several pilot boats up to 12 miles offshore to the ``pilotage grounds.'' There they board the cargo ship and safely guide them through the channel. Cockspur Island is the ideal location for the operating base, situated just inside the mouth of the Savannah River separating the north and south channel. Other than this location, there is no other available land near the Savannah River entrance from which the pilot boats can quickly and efficiently reach the pilotage grounds in the Atlantic. If the pilots are forced to move, they would have to move inland, leading to longer transit times and ship delays, increased safety risks in stormy weather, and increased fuel usage. The Bar Pilots' use of the Park Service land is a unique situation in which the pilots provide a crucial public service and also act as good neighbors to one of Coastal Georgia's most treasured historic sites.

S. 535 will allow the Bar Pilots to have 10-year leases with the National Park Service. Bar Pilots have been using this land since 1940 under a Special Lease Permit agreement, sometimes having to renew the permit on a year-to-year basis. The National Park Service, the Bar Pilots, and local authorities have worked together to draft this language which will save all parties involved time and paperwork. Additionally, the language protects the integrity of the park and Fort Pulaski National Monument. The language explicitly states that the rental fee paid by the Bar Pilots will be based on a fair market value and be subject to change by the Secretary of the Interior if property preservation, maintenance, or repair require increased outlays. This bill is identical to H.R. 4773, also titled the For Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act, which passed the House during the 111th Congress.

I thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Lujan for their support of S. 535, and I urge my colleagues to pass the bill.

I thank the Chairman.

The REINS Act provides powerful, commonsense regulatory reform. It reins in the costly overreach of Federal agencies that stifles job creation and slows economic growth.

If we want to have jobs, we have to help the job creators. This bill restores the authority to impose major regulations on those who are accountable to the voters, their elected Representatives in Congress.

Opponents of the bill resist it for two primary reasons. They say, number one, it takes too much time for Congress to approve or disapprove major regulations. Secondly, they say Congress isn't expert enough to understand whether major regulations should be approved or disapproved. Both objections amount to one thing: their belief that Congress cannot be responsible and accountable for major decisions that affect America's economic life.

Fortunately, the Framers of the Constitution saw things differently, and so do most Americans. The Constitution gives Congress the Federal authority to regulate the economy, not the unelected bureaucrats. If the Constitution gives the authority to Congress, then Congress should be willing to accept the responsibility and the accountability for these decisions.

We should and we will take the time. We should and we will hold hearings. We should and we will allow amendments on the floor and votes and, most importantly, Mr. Chairman, transparency, something that the job creators are not being allowed right now.

This administration has admitted its failure to consider the costs and the benefits when it imposes major new regulations. This administration clearly intends to force through the regulatory process things that they cannot achieve in the people's Congress. They do not want the transparency. They do not want the constituent input, and they do not want to have the hearings where experts from all over the country can give balanced testimony.

The American people struggle enough under the Obama administration's failed economic policy. It's time for Congress to say, Enough.

I urge my colleagues to vote for the REINS Act. Let's help the job creators and vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Georgia Olive Farms for successfully harvesting the first olive crop in the eastern United States in nearly 125 years.

An Italian vacation inspired Jason Shaw to envision olives being grown in, of all places in the world, South Georgia. To make his vision a reality, he partnered with his brother Sam Shaw and cousin Kevin Shaw and the trio planted their first olive orchard near Lakeland, Georgia in 2008. They later established a cooperative association with George Hughes and Berrien Sutton of Homerville, Georgia to create Georgia Olive Farms.

Georgia Olive Farms was organized in 2009 near Lakeland, Georgia to establish and develop the innovative agricultural venture of mechanical olive harvesting. In September, they successfully harvested approximately three tons of arbequina olives to be processed into high quality extra virgin olive oil. This harvest marks a milestone in southern agriculture, as this was the first harvest of olives in not just the south, but in the entire eastern United States since the late 1800s. In addition to harvesting, they are a distributor of olive trees and offer grower contracts for others who may wish to expand this historical venture in order to introduce olives as a new viable cash crop for southern farmers.

Georgia Olive Farms' innovative techniques and information sharing have potential implications for some of our country's great problems. Georgia Olive Farms has developed a new market which will create a new revenue source for farmers, create new employment opportunities, and expand agricultural innovations and inspirations. Moreover, the new market for olives will increase the production of olive oil made here in America. As such, American-made olive oil can finally be a significant and healthy alternative to the standard cooking oils that are correlated with the high rates of obesity and health concerns plaguing this country. Georgia Olive Farms now exists as a reminder that the innovations and visions of small businesses do in fact provide the answers to many of our country's great questions and that we must obligate ourselves to supporting them.

Mr. Speaker, I think there are four things the United States of America needs to do to turn the economy around.

Number one, we need to balance the budget. We can do this on a bipartisan basis just by reducing the duplications in government and the overlap between State functions and Federal functions; also getting through the waste, and then trimming off 1 percent over time to bring revenues and spending at the same level. Right now spending is at 23 percent. Revenues historically have been at 18 percent. Common sense says you need to balance those out.

Number two, we need to get rid of the regulatory overload on businesses that are creating the jobs right now. Change regulations from an ``I gotcha'' mentality to one that ``we're here to help because we're in it together,'' for worker safety, environmental protection or whatever. We can do a lot just by changing the attitude of the regulators.

Number three, we need tax reform, tax simplification so that taxes are fair. The Tax Code needs to be a half an inch deep and miles and miles wide so that everyone is participating. Let's get rid of the underbrush, all the loopholes.

Number four, and finally we need to drill our own oil. We cannot keep importing 65 percent of our oil. We need to have an all-of-the-above energy policy.