Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of the Honorable Ronald Panioto, who is retiring as a judge of the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Judge Panioto leaves the courtroom some 35 years after he first ascended the bench of the Hamilton County Municipal Court.

Judge Panioto became presiding judge of the domestic relations division of the Common Pleas Court in 1981, and he quickly gained a reputation for fairness and sensitivity for families--especially the children--who came before him.

On the occasions in domestic cases when he had to interview children, Judge Panioto bought stuffed animals to give to the children to put them at ease.

Throughout his life, Judge Panioto has rightfully been proud of his Italian heritage and served as President of the United Italian Society from 1971 to 1993.

Judge Panioto's diligence, humanity and graciousness on the bench have won him the respect of the community.

Madam Speaker, please join me in wishing Judge Panioto a long and happy retirement and thanking his wife Judith, his son Ronald Jr., his granddaughter Christine and great-grandson Andrew for sharing the judge with us over all these years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1743. I was honored to join with Congressman Mitchell to introduce this Resolution which congratulates Gerda Weissmann Klein on being selected to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Mrs. Weissmann Klein was born in 1924 in Bielsko, Poland. She is a Holocaust survivor and an amazing person with a truly inspirational story.

When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, her family was forced to live in a ghetto. She was separated from her family and spent 3 years in slave- labor and concentration camps. In 1945, she was forced to walk a 350- mile death march that ended in Volary, Czechoslovakia. Out of 2,000 women, less than 120 survived.

A true love story, she met her future husband, German-born U.S. Army Lieutenant Kurt Klein, amongst the liberators in Volary. They married, moved to the United States, and started a family.

Mrs. Weissmann Klein has led a dignified life in the United States. She is dedicated to her family and to educating others about many things, including the Holocaust and the importance of citizenship.

She is the author of five books. Among them is one the best biographies I have ever read, All But My Lift, which recounts her experiences before and after the Holocaust. The award winning documentary, One Survivor Remembers, is based upon All But My Life and won an Emmy Award and the Academy Award for documentary short subject.

The glass is always half full with Mrs. Weissmann Klein. She has personally witnessed the very worst of humanity, yet she rises above it to promote courage, compassion, forgiveness, and the meaning of freedom.

I was fortunate to meet Mrs. Weissmann Klein when she was in Ohio to speak with a school group. She has spoken with many students throughout the country, including those in my own Congressional District in Southwest Ohio.

Mrs. Weissmann Klein will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in early 2011. I hope that all our colleagues in the House will join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved honor.

Madam Speaker, today I rise, along with all of Cincinnati, to congratulate and celebrate the Cincinnati Reds' first baseman Joey Votto being crowned the 2010 National League Most Valuable Player.

Cincinnati has a rich and proud tradition of great baseball teams. It is the home of the first professional baseball club, which began in 1869. The Reds have won five World Series titles, four National League pennants, multiple Most Valuable Player trophies, and numerous Golden Glove awards. And a number of players have risen to the status to be celebrated in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The Cincinnati Reds are indeed proud to have the Most Valuable Player, Joey Votto, playing for them.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Votto was drafted by the Reds just out of high school, in the second round of the amateur draft in 2002. He worked his way through the Reds' minor league system and debuted in September of 2007. His defensive skills and offensive production consistently improved leading up to the 2010 season.

Joey Votto helped lead the Cincinnati Reds to their first National League Central Division Title since 1995 with an impressive .324 batting average, including 37 home runs, and 113 runs batted in. Mr. Votto led the National League in on-base percentage, as well as slugging percentage, and receiving 31 of 32 first-place votes by the Baseball Writers Association of America to reward his hard work with one of the most coveted awards in baseball, the Most Valuable Player Trophy. He was named to the National League All Star Team, and won the 2010 National League Hank Aaron Award.

Again I would like to join all of the Redlegs Nation in congratulating Mr. Votto on his achievement. I want to congratulate the owner of the Reds, Mr. Bob Castellini, and his ownership group for bringing a winning baseball team back to Cincinnati. Congratulations, Joey, and go Reds.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report the passing of a very dear friend of this House and a former Member, Bill Harsha, who passed away at the age of 89 on October 11 of this year.

Bill was a friend of mine and a mentor. He served with distinction in what was then the Ohio Sixth Congressional District from 1961 to 1981, a period of 20 years. He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1939 and from Kenyon College in 1943. He served honorably as a marine from 1942 to 1944.

He was admitted to the Ohio bar on March 6, 1947, and served as an assistant solicitor until 1951 when he was elected prosecutor. After serving in Congress, he returned to his law practice in 1986.

I am proud to have called Bill my friend and proud that I had his support when I decided to run for Congress.

He is survived by his wonderful wife, Rosemary, of 64 years and four sons and six grandchildren.

I would ask that the House observe a moment of silence for the passing of this great man.

Madam Speaker, I rise today along with all of Cincinnati to congratulate and celebrate the Cincinnati Reds becoming the 2010 National League Central Division Champions.

Cincinnati has a rich and proud tradition of great baseball teams. Cincinnati is the home of the first professional ball club beginning in 1879. The Reds have won World Series Titles in 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and most recently, 1990. The Reds also won National League Pennants in 1939, 1961, 1970 and 1972 and have numerous Reds players and coaches inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, this year's Reds ball club has had an astonishing number of come-from-behind wins and walk-off wins in the final at-bat. Last night was no different when, in the bottom of the ninth, Jay Bruce hit a home run to break a 2-2 tie and send Cincinnati into the post season.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Manager Dusty Baker for, leading this diverse team full of young players, seasoned

veterans, gold glovers, and an MVP candidate to the division title. I congratulate their owner, Mr. Bob Castellini, and his ownership group for bringing winning baseball back to my hometown in Cincinnati.

Go Reds.

Madam Speaker, one of the best aspects of my job is the wonderful people from Southern Ohio that I have the opportunity to meet. I am often inspired by their stories, their struggles and their successes, and their commitment and dedication to bettering our communities. A few years ago I had the opportunity to meet one such person, Verna Naylor.

At the time, Verna was 91 years old and serving as Bentonville Postmaster in Adams County, Ohio. She was one of just 5 United States Postal Service employees over the age of 90. Her late husband, Harry, served as the Bentonville Postmaster until his death in 1968. At that time, Verna decided to take over the position, and greeted her customers each morning.

During the time that Verna served as Postmaster, she never took a sick day. She thrived on hard work, family and community. According to her son, James, ``Mom just always wanted to help someone else and she would do anything for the people of Bentonville.'' And, her daughter, Sue, said, ``There were many times where mom just opened her house to people, feeding them, giving them a place to sleep, and taking care of them.''

Madam Speaker, Verna Naylor, the oldest female Postmaster in the U.S., passed away on July 6, at the age of 94. She was the heart and soul of Bentonville. Her tireless commitment and outstanding service to her community set a wonderful example for everyone she met. She will be missed.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House join me in honoring the life of Verna Naylor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1558, which expresses the sense of Congress that our Nation's farmers use the American flag to promote fruits, vegetables, and commodities produced in the United States.

In the early 20th century, about 40 percent of Americans were engaged in agricultural production. Today, that number is down to 1.75 percent. Our Nation's farmers and ranchers provide Americans the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food supply in the history of the world. Our bounty of sustainable and nutritious food is so great that we also feed countless millions around the world.

America's farmers and ranchers endure uncertain weather, regulatory burdens, and animal and plant disease and pest threats in order to participate in a highly competitive global market. This resolution encourages them to stand tall for what they provide for us every day.

When passage of the 2008 farm bill closed the long-running debate on mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry, there remained considerable concern among opponents that we should not impose labeling on our producers. The reasoning held that origin labeling is an element of marketing and should be left to the producers, processors, packers, and retailers that bring America's food to our tables. Proponents of labeling argued that affixing country-of- origin labeling would enhance value and benefit farmers and ranchers.

Mr. Speaker, no matter what position an individual has taken on the question of country-of-origin labeling, it is easy to support this resolution. House Resolution 1558 simply asserts that the American flag is such a positive attribute that farmers are encouraged to use this symbol to promote the products they grow here at home in America.

Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution because it encourages our farmers and ranchers to act in what we believe to be their own self interest, while refraining from additional regulatory requirements or burdens.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4658, a bill that authorizes two land exchanges in the Cherokee National Forest. This legislation authorizes the Forest Service to sell a 66-acre tract of land to the Towee Falls Baptist Church in order to enlarge their cemetery which is within the boundary of the national forest. The funds the Forest Service receives from this sale will be used to purchase a 102-acre tract of land to add to the national forest. I think it's a good deal. The land exchanges would ensure better land management by the Forest Service and the Cherokee National Forest.

This bill will not cost the taxpayers one penny. The church is responsible for all costs associated with the purchase of the land. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) has worked with the Forest Service to ensure that this bill is drafted in a manner that is acceptable to all interested parties, including the community. I think this is a great idea. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 5669. This bill will allow the Agricultural Research Service to convey 44 acres of land in Ames, Iowa, to the city of Ames. The funds derived from this conveyance will then be used by the Agricultural Research Service to purchase replacement land and for other purposes relating to the National Animal Disease Center.

The National Animal Disease Center located in Ames, Iowa, is the largest Federal animal disease center in the United States. This facility, along with the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and the Center for Veterinary Biologics co-located on the same site, make up our National Centers for Animal Health.

The USDA has advised that it no longer has any use for the land to be conveyed and that it supports this legislation.

This legislation is important for the continued development and operation of this critical laboratory facility, and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham).

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

Mr. Speaker, last week the State of Ohio announced that its unemployment rate for June was 10.5 percent. Every county in my district saw an increase, and in some areas it's higher than 14 percent. And that's before taking into account those people that have given up looking for work and the underemployed. No wonder my constituents continually ask, ``Where are the jobs?''

Business leaders in my district and around the country continue to say the same thing. We need to stop this reckless spending in Washington and stop pursuing job-killing policies. When businesses are faced with new taxes to cover the government takeover of health care, the uncertainty of cap-and-trade tax legislation, and the litany of other taxes, how are they expected to hire new workers and reinvest in their business?

I am gravely concerned about the direction this Congress is taking with our economy. The reckless spending has to stop, and the massive debt which we are saddling our children and grandchildren with is unconscionable. It is time to put sound fiscal policies in place. Let's spend less, keep taxes low, and help create an environment in which small businesses can thrive. Only then in Ohio can we finally say, ``Here come the jobs.''

Mr. Speaker, spending is out of control. In April, the U.S. Government ran a record monthly deficit of $82.7 billion. That's almost $83 billion in just one month.

Unfortunately, the Democratic majority has done nothing to reduce spending. Overall, spending has only gone up since they've been in power. Perhaps the most outrageous thing is that the majority is not even trying to pass a budget, which would give us a framework to rein in runaway spending.

Budgeting is the most basic duty of government. Yet here we are 2 months beyond the deadline to produce a Federal budget, and it doesn't appear this House will produce one. This will be the first time since 1974 we haven't produced a budget. Failing to consider a budget doesn't make the problems go away. It simply provides more proof that the current leadership in Congress has no plans for dealing with the debt and deficits that continue to rise.

We cannot keep laying the current financial burdens on our children and our grandchildren. They can't afford it, and we can't afford it. Let's pass a budget. Reduce spending, rein in, and get ourselves back in control.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of true American patriots who selflessly give of themselves to honor our men and women in uniform. The Patriot Guard Riders have honored our sailors and troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice, given comfort and protection to their grieving families, and proven themselves to be more than worthy of our thanks.

The Patriot Guard Riders started in Kansas to protect grieving families from protestors who would attempt to disrupt the funerals of troops that had died defending our nation. That initiative has grown and now stretches across the United States. In my home state of Ohio, we have a great group of men and women who have picked up the flag to ride in honor of our brave men and women.

I have had the distinct honor to meet and spend time with the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders, and the State Captain, Robert ``Bob'' Woods, of West Chester, Ohio. In just a few short years the membership of the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders has grown from 400 to over 4,000, who at the request of the family ride to honor our fallen heroes. And, when necessary, they shield them from people who would try to tarnish the honor of their loved one.

Bob Woods is an American hero aside from his work with the Patriot Guard Riders. He served our nation in Vietnam. Bob has made it his personal mission to ensure that every returning member of the military knows that their service to our nation is appreciated, and that our fallen heroes are honorably remembered for their service in defense of liberty.

Ohio's Patriot Guard Riders have been there to honor our men and women in uniform and the Veterans who came before them. And today as we approach this Memorial Day weekend, I ask all in Congress to honor and thank the Patriot Guard Riders for their devotion to the ideas of freedom and liberty and the men and women who defend it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly urge my colleagues to reject the amendment proposing the elimination of funds to the Joint Strike Fighter Alternative Engine program, a amendment being lobbied by Pratt Whitney to eliminate their competition.

The Joint Strike Fighter is the Department of Defense's largest procurement program. Plans currently call for acquiring nearly 2,500 Joint Strike Fighters. Hundreds of additional F-35s are expected to be purchased by U.S. allies. This is a major acquisition.

The gentlelady from Maine is in error when she says that there was competition, because, in fact, in testimony just last week, both the Department of Defense and the GAO testified that this engine was never actually subject to competition.

The fact is, providing funds for competitive alternate engines will ultimately drive down costs, improve product quality and contractor responsiveness, drive technological innovation, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are not wasted.

History shows that competing engines can result in significant long- term savings. The ``Great Engine War'' saved the F-16 program 21 percent in overall costs, according to a 2007 GAO report. This represents $20 billion in savings for the lifetime of the Joint Strike Fighter.

Just last year, the House and Senate unanimously voted on the Weapons Systems Acquisition Act, mandating competition on large military procurement. This is a large military procurement. Now some want to circumvent this law with an amendment.

Fully funding the alternate engine is not only prudent risk management, but an acknowledgment of the fundamental responsibility that Congress has to protect and provide the most reliable equipment to our men and women in uniform.

This is the right thing to do. It will save money for us in the long run, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment that will be offered later today.

Mr. Speaker, budgeting is one of the most fundamental duties of governing. Yet here we are, a

month beyond the deadline for producing a Federal budget, and the Democrat-controlled House will not pass a budget for the next fiscal year. This will be the first time since 1974 that the House fails to pass a budget, and passing a budget is important.

The budget provides a fiscal blueprint for moving forward and addressing the deficits and debt. It provides the bigger picture in which fits all of the smaller things that Congress works on throughout the year.

American families and businesses budget all the time, making difficult choices necessary to remain solvent. So must government. Failing to consider a budget does not make the budget problems go away. It simply provides more proof that the current leadership in Congress has no plan for dealing with all this mounting debt and deficit--at least no plans that it wants the American people to know about.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize not only all of those who participated in Sunday's Flying Pig Marathon, but most importantly, our male winner from my area, Milford, Ohio.

Let me tell you the conditions 18,000 participants faced on Sunday. Six-thirty in the morning, torrential downpour, with a forecast of a 90 percent chance it wouldn't let up. And unfortunately, they were right. But as 18,000 of us decided to go at least part of the distance, 6,000 of us decided to go the full 26.2-mile distance.

The Flying Pig Marathon was the brainchild of Bob Coughlin 12 years ago. Twenty-five thousand people participated in the weekend event. And it took an enormous amount of folks, including 3,000 volunteers, to help make that event happen. For all of us that participated, we want to say ``thank you''.

But I think this year's winner, Brian List, really wants to say thanks to those that helped because his dream came true. This young man, Milford High School graduate, cross country participant in high school, cross country participant in college, came back to his hometown to raise a family and to continue to pursue his dream of running. This was his fourth try at the marathon in Cincinnati. He never really thought he had what it took to actually be a winner. But on Sunday, he was. He posted a great time, 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 20 seconds. He followed his dream, his heart, and achieved his goal. And I am so proud of him.

I don't want to not recognize Lauren Arnold from Colorado, the female winner, but I do want to brag about Brian List, because as a runner I know what it takes to go the distance, and he certainly did that for us.

In conclusion, I would like to say that for most of us I think we adopted Barry Manilow's song, ``I Made It Through the Rain.'' But I know that for Brian and Lauren they were more like Gene Kelly, because at the end they were singing in the rain.

I want to thank all of those that participated, especially the volunteers. And I really want to thank Bob Coughlin for putting this brainchild together and allowing all of us to have fun. Because you know, Mr. Speaker, in Cincinnati pigs do fly at least 1 day out of the year. And next May, the first Sunday in May, it will be our 13th running. Let's hope that the weather will compete as well as it has for 11 of the 12.

I again want to say ``thank you'' to Brian List for following his dream, keeping his pedal to the metal, and getting that crown.