Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the President says he supports nuclear power development, but his actions have sadly stopped construction at Yucca Mountain after more than $10 billion of ratepayer money has already been invested, killing jobs in Nevada.

Utility companies across the country have been mandated by the Federal Government to collect over $33 billion for the Nuclear Waste Fund to build Yucca Repository. The Federal Government promised citizens of South Carolina and Georgia that nuclear material being stored at Savannah River Site would be sent to Yucca for permanent disposal. Now, this high-level waste will sit at SRS, and as reported by The Post and Courier, at more than 106 other sites across the country. The Post and Courier has editorialized that the President's position is ``breathtakingly irresponsible.''

I agree with Brian Tucker, president of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, that the administration should quit playing political games and follow through on promises to be guided by science and not by politics.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, the University of the South Carolina men's baseball team ended the College World Series this season just as they did last year: The Gamecocks are national champions again, back-to-back victories, by beating the Florida Gators on June 28 at Omaha, Nebraska's TD Ameritrade Park. The University of South Carolina became only the sixth team in NCAA history to win back-to-back baseball national championships.

The Gamecocks won the national title in record-setting fashion. This is the first team ever to go 10-0 in an NCAA tournament. The Gamecocks' streak of 16 NCAA tournament wins and 11 straight in the College World Series are both all-time records.

In the title game, the Gamecocks rode the arm of Michael Roth as he only allowed two runs by the Gators. He was helped by Series Most Outstanding Player Scott Wingo, who not only batted in a couple of runs, but made defensive plays throughout the tournament. Coach Ray Tanner should be credited with putting the pieces together once again in steering the Gamecocks to a 55-win season, capped off by this national championship victory.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, Asians have a rich tradition of entrepreneurship, self-improvement, and family values. After India's independence in 1947, many of that country's young people immigrated to the United States to pursue their education and ``the American Dream.'' The hospitality industry was a popular career choice because it offered immediate housing and cash flow, as well as the opportunity to assimilate into society despite any cultural differences.

Soon, the name ``Patel'' became synonymous with the hotel business. In ancient India, rulers appointed a record keeper to keep track of annual crops on each parcel of land, or ``pat.'' That person became known as a ``Patel.'' At first, many of these hoteliers met with resistance, especially from bankers and insurance companies who discriminated against Indians, specifically those with the last name Patel.

To resolve this issue, a group of hoteliers formed a hospitality association in 1985 and grew its membership nationwide. Eventually the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) was born from the merger of similar groups. Last week, AAHOA held its annual national convention at The Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was hosted by the 2010-2011 AAHOA Board of Directors made up of Chairman Hemant (Henry) Patel, Vice Chairman Alkesh Patel, Treasurer Mukesh (Mike) Patel, Secretary Pratik (Prat) Patel, Ex-officio Chandrakant (C.K.) Patel, and President Fred Schwartz. I was accompanied by Second Congressional District Communications Director Neal Patel of Nichols, S.C. Representing over 40 percent of America's hotels and motels, AAHOA is the voice of owners in the hospitality industry. It is now one of the fastest-growing organizations in the industry, with more than 10,000 members owning more than 20,000 hotels that total $128 billion in property value. AAHOA is dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of its members by inspiring excellence through programs and initiatives in advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community involvement.

I am proud of AAHOA's growth and look forward to its continued success in the future creating jobs for the people of America.

Mr. Speaker, the NLRB, under the influence of union bosses, on Tuesday acted again to restrict workers' rights. The NLRB proposed new rules that would speed up elections for unionization. In doing so, unions would force workers into union memberships before fully considering both the advantages and disadvantages of membership. By implementing a shorter voting period, U.S. Chamber Vice President Randy Johnson has revealed this is a cleverly disguised mandate to pressure workers into joining a union without making an informed decision.

Moreover, the NLRB wants to delay litigation over many voter eligibility issues. As Chairman John Kline stated, ``Big Labor has found faithful friends on the Obama NLRB.''

The job-killing influence of unions over the NLRB must be stopped before it tramples the rights of American workers, killing jobs at Boeing in South Carolina, and now killing jobs across America.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, the unemployment rate for the month of May was 9.1 percent. This marks the 28th consecutive month that unemployment has been at 8 percent or above. The President said unemployment would never reach 8 percent with his economic policies, which have sadly failed. Tragically, almost 14 million Americans are unemployed and looking for a job. The average job seeker in America has been unemployed for almost 40 weeks--almost 10 months.

This administration and its job-killing policies continue to spend and borrow money at a reckless rate without understanding a basic and fundamental principle: when the Federal Government borrows money wildly, it takes it away from the private sector's ability to create jobs. The House Republicans have solutions to promote jobs with the ``cut and grow'' congressional plan. First, you cut spending and then small businesses add jobs. This is the best way for families to get back on the path to prosperity.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Congressman Darrell Issa conducted a field hearing in North Charleston, South Carolina. A witness who really brought home the consequences families will face as a result of the NLRB's job-killing complaint was Cynthia Ramaker, who is currently employed at Boeing.

Bringing a human face to the complaint, she explained how the NLRB is denying her right to work. She explained that Boeing's new 1.1 million square foot building is already completed. Manufacturing is to begin this summer, with over 1,000 jobs already, and up to 3,800 more jobs could come. With construction and suppliers, ultimately 9,000 jobs could be created.

Boeing was attracted to South Carolina because of the trained world- class workforce, a welcoming pro-business climate, right to work laws, and a pro-business government of Republicans and Democrats. The job- killing action

of the Obama administration is a threat to American workers.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Madam Speaker, tomorrow the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Chairman Darrell Issa, will conduct a field hearing at The Boeing Company's 1.1 million square-foot manufacturing plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. This will expose an outrage of Big Government killing jobs.

As the Seattle Times correctly editorialized Monday: ``The NLRB is attempting to reverse a U.S. investment by the Nation's number one exporter 17 months after the company decided to make it--after the money's been spent, after the equipment is set up, and after 1,000 workers have been hired. For the government to demand now that the company move everything to another State shows no sense of practical reality.''

South Carolina recruited this new second line of 787 Dreamliners through a competitive incentive package developed by Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor, which included a trained, world-class workforce, a welcoming pro-business climate, right-to-work laws, and pro-business local government of Republican and Democratic bipartisanship. The Boeing Company's decision was based on economics and sound business policy. The Obama administration should stop its attack on American jobs and American workers.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, Friday marks the 1-year anniversary of the current administration's ``Recovery Summer.'' The 3- month ``victory lap'' was designed to celebrate the fabricated success of the so-called ``stimulus'' plan. The reality of this victory lap is failure. Since passage of the stimulus, America has lost 1.6 million jobs.

Sadly, earlier this month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced more families are without jobs. The failed economic policies of this administration, with skyrocketing gas prices promised by the President, have slowed the growth of small businesses. These are America's primary job creators, especially the hospitality industry of hotels and motels which have promoted job opportunities for millions of persons across the country.

Tragically, over 14 million Americans are now without jobs. House Republicans presented the ``Cut and

Grow'' congressional plan. It's common sense. First cut spending, then the economy will grow. That is the best way to produce jobs by small businesses.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, this morning's announcement of an increase in the unemployment rate indicates yet again that the President's economic policies are failing American families. The out-of-control spending is killing small business job creation.

Sadly, more than 14 million people are still without jobs, and the average price of gasoline is almost $4 a gallon. The President pledged to reduce unemployment to 8 percent and failed. He pledged to skyrocket energy costs and he succeeded. This is a failure of leadership on job creation and gas cost. American families are at risk.

Earlier this week, the President asked Congress to increase the debt limit by $2.4 trillion with no meaningful reforms. Reforms are needed because American families need jobs. The President's request was defeated in a bipartisan vote.

House Republicans presented the ``Cut and Grow'' congressional plan. It's a commonsense plan: first cut spending, then the economy will grow. That's how to create jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

I am honored to be here with the newly elected freshman member of the First District of South Carolina, Tim Scott. I appreciate his leadership on the Rules Committee. The people of South Carolina are very proud of his service. The people of the First District of South Carolina are noted for their strong support of the military. They elect Members to Congress like Tim Scott who work for a strong military, a strong national defense in the tradition of Ronald Reagan, of peace through strength.

In the First District, the Congressman has the Citadel, the military college of South Carolina; the Charleston Air Force Base, the Naval Weapons Station, SPAWARS. In fact, I actually grew up there adjacent to a U.S. Coast Guard base, so we know the value of a strong military.

Personally, in fact, Congressman Scott's brother was the Command Sergeant Major at Landstuhl, one of the largest military hospitals in the world in Germany. Through his Army experience and family connection, we know that Tim Scott is for a strong military and understands as I do how important it is that military force should only be used when it is in America's vital interests.

I have the perspective of being the son of a World War II veteran, a Flying Tiger. I served 31 years in the Army National Guard. I have four sons currently serving in the military. I want our military to be used properly. When the President is right, as he was to follow the advice of General David Petraeus to add troops, the surge in Afghanistan, the resulting success that we see in Afghanistan today, we're happy to support him. But this resolution is very important, because we have not seen from the President of the United States, there has been a failure of leadership in regard to explaining why military forces are being used in Libya.

I'm very pleased with the resolution. The key point that the American people need to know is declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya. To put troops on the ground, I believe, is highly irresponsible. A case has not been made of why this is in America's vital interests. We know there is great conflict as to who the rebels are. What are these rebels? Are these al Qaeda elements that are attacking the Qadhafi forces? The Qadhafi forces themselves? What would happen if we got involved with troops on the ground? These issues need to be resolved on behalf of the American military, on behalf of the American people, and we urge through this resolution that the answers be provided to the American people, to the American military, to our allies, why are we there? What is America's vital interest?

And so I urge support of the rule and commend the freshman Congressman from South Carolina for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to announce that on June 21st, the oratorio, A Melancholy Beauty, will premier at 8 p.m. at the Kennedy Center in Washington (Concert Hall). The oratorio is a choral-orchestral work for mixed choir, children's choir, symphony orchestra, soloists, narrator, folk vocal ensemble, and indigenous folk instruments. It is dedicated to the Rescue of Bulgaria's 49,000 Jews by ordinary citizens during the Holocaust of World War II. The oratorio traces this event chronologically through the language of music in seven movements.

Songs of Life is an international music festival that reenacts the heroic deeds of little-known events by composing and performing choral- orchestral works for those who have not yet had a voice to sing their song. On the 65th anniversary of the rescue of Bulgaria's Jews, the 1st edition of Songs of Life debuted in four cities of Israel and Bulgaria featuring ``Sacred Service'' by Ernest Bloch with the participation of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, The Raanana Symphonette Orchestra, choirs from Israel, Bulgaria, Canada, and America.

A Melancholy Beauty ``echoes a thank you, paying tribute to the brave Bulgarian people and offering a source of inspiration, hope and change for people everywhere today,'' said Kalin Tchonev, who together with his wife, Sharon, founded Songs of Life in 2008. No Bulgarian Jews went to the concentration camps during World War II. ``This oratorio could not be timelier, when people and nations are burning bridges instead of building them. It inspires its performers and audience to stand up for justice and acceptance in the face of bigotry and hatred.''

The oratorio was composed by the award-winning Bulgarian composer Georgi Andreev, who combines classical choral-orchestral music with traditional rhythms and folk styles rarely encountered today. The motet was composed by internationally renowned cantor and composer, Charles David Osborne, while a team of writers penned the libretto, including lyricist Scott Cairns and contributing author Aryeh Finklestein.

``A Melancholy Beauty is a major choral-orchestral oratorio that brings 300 superb choristers and instrumentalists to the stage in an unparalleled music celebration,'' Sharon Tchonev said. This moving oratorio will be conducted by internationally acclaimed choral director Maestro Henry H. Leck. The festival includes performances by the Indianapolis Children's Choir; the Tel Aviv Chamber Choir, Israel; the Philip Kutev National Folklore Ensemble, Bulgaria; the Victor Valley College Singers and the Master Arts Chorale, CA. The oratorio will be accompanied by the National Philharmonic in the Washington and New York performances and by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project in Boston. This coming together of musicians from countries impacted by these crucial events ``is intended to redefine freedom and harmony through the power of music,'' Sharon Tchonev said.

Songs of Life invites people to pay tribute to victims and survivors and to speak out against intolerance today by attending one of the following performances of A Melancholy Beauty: The Citi Performing Arts Center, Wang Theatre, Thursday, June 23, 2011, 7:30 PM; Boston, The Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Sunday, June 26, 2011, 3 PM; New York City.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday night, the people's House spoke loud and clear: No debt limit increase without real spending cuts to promote job growth. Liberals wanted to increase the debt limit by $2.4 trillion with no meaningful reforms. At a time when the Federal Government is borrowing 42 cents of every dollar it spends, the last thing Americans want to do is raise the government's borrowing limit recklessly killing jobs. Liberals in Congress need to attach real cuts to any increases they are seeking. That means for every dollar proposed to increase the debt limit, there should be one dollar in cuts. It makes sense.

Tuesday night's vote of 318-97-7 shows that the House is overwhelmingly in agreement with this debt limit increase being denied. Over 80 Democrats joined with the 237 Republicans to vote against the President's debt ceiling request. Adding more debt to our economy handicaps small business job creation and aggravates our country's debt crisis even further. This is a direct risk to senior citizens with the value of the dollar being put at risk. It's a threat to students who could be faced with overwhelming debt in the future.

In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget September 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, over 750 days have passed since the Senate passed a budget. Now, liberals in Congress are leading the charge to increase the current debt limit. The Federal Government officially reached its $14.3 trillion debt limit in May. America's finances are now borrow, tax, and spend--killing jobs.

Congress should not raise the debt limit without making serious changes in the way the Federal Government spends money. Recklessly raising the debt ceiling without exercising fiscal restraint will lead to a lower international credit rating, higher borrowing costs, and an increase in the cost of the Nation's imports.

This is a threat to senior citizens by risking the value of the dollar. It's a threat to young people, saddling them with overwhelming debt.

Washington must change its way, which is now killing jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, today I return from a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Varna, Bulgaria, where the U.S. delegation was chaired by Congressman Mike Turner, accompanied by Mike Ross, Jo Ann Emerson, and Jeff Miller. We were welcomed by the former Mayor of Varna, Hristo Kirchev, who is a champion of freedom and democracy in a nation which, since 1990, has evolved from the chains of communist totalitarianism to being a vibrant free market democracy today.

Parliamentarians from NATO's 28 member nations and delegations, from Russia to Montenegro, were briefed on issues critical to promoting democracy in the world. Secretary General Anders Rasmussen presented a clear report on NATO's progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, while encouraging civil society movements in North Africa. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov of Bulgaria gave a stirring promotion of a missile defense system for Europe. Bulgaria is a valued partner of America.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, it was an honor to have Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu speak to a joint session of Congress yesterday. Israel is one of our country's closest allies, and the partnership shared between our two countries is vital in achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister is correct that reinstatement of the 1967 borders makes the country indefensible. I am grateful to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for two tours of Israel, where I saw the strategic importance of the Golan Heights to stop Hezbollah and I learned of the inhumanity of rocket attacks by Hamas on Sderot. Israeli families are vulnerable to cowardly murderers.

Israel should not be forced to negotiate with those who refuse to acknowledge its right to exist. The United States must remain committed to Israel to promote peace and democracy in the Middle East.

I look forward to continuing to work with Israel in promoting peace, freedom, and stability. Ronald Reagan was right: peace through strength.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism.