Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I submit to the Record the following remarks regarding my absence from votes which occurred on December 14th. Listed below is how I would have voted if I had been present.

H. Res. 779--Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month, roll No. 969--``yea.''

H. Res. 942--Commending the Real Salt Lake soccer club for winning the 2009 Major League Soccer Cup, roll No. 970--``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, there are many jobs creation proposals that have been presented but have been ignored. Many will help promote jobs immediately, provide a 5 percent across-the- board tax cut, increase the child tax credit from $1,000 to $5,000, repeal the alternative minimum tax on individuals, permanently repeal required distributions on retirement accounts, increase by 50 percent the tax deduction on student loans and tax deduction on qualified higher education expenses, make unemployment benefits tax free so those individuals between jobs can focus on providing for their families, and, to encourage responsible buyers to enter the housing market and stabilize prices, offer a homebuyer's tax credit of $15,000.

Both parties should consider positive alternatives that offer tax relief to small businesses and families to promote job creation.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Our prayers are with Wayne Dell and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1147, the Local Community Radio Act of 2009.

I appreciate the leadership of Congressman Lee Terry of Nebraska on this important issue.

Passage of this bipartisan legislation is vital to expanding the availability of noncommercial, low-power--LPFM--radio stations to towns and cities across our country. This legislation repeals certain restrictions which limit broadcast capabilities for low-power FM stations. Expanding LPFM licenses will make owning a radio station possible for churches, synagogues, schools, emergency responders, and other community groups that best understand the needs of their local communities.

These stations give civic, clergy, and community leaders a forum to discuss local issues and to provide essential emergency services during times of crisis. Hundreds of churches and ministries already rely on LPFM stations to get their messages out; but, unfortunately, service is currently limited only to rural areas and is frequently limited to property lines.

I urge Members to pass H.R. 1147, which will move to expand low-power FM radio for churches, synagogues, schools, community groups, and emergency responders in the United States.

Madam Speaker, this week I stood with my colleagues to introduce a bill to audit stimulus funds. It is time for Congress to demand answers on behalf of the hardworking taxpayers that we represent.

The misnamed stimulus is one of the largest spending bills in our Nation's history, and it is critical that American taxpayers know the facts. This is the people's money, not the government's money. It is wrong that a well-connected Democrat pollster received $6 million to preserve just three jobs when we could provide jobs for dozens of families. I urge Speaker Pelosi to consider our legislation to ensure full accountability of every dollar spent.

I first sent a letter to the President asking him to implement the recovery panel that the stimulus bill provides. The request went unanswered. Therefore, I introduced a national commission to investigate how many jobs have actually been saved or created. Taxpayers should know, Where's the jobs?

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

Mr. Speaker, American taxpayers deserve an audit of stimulus funds. Taxpayers have faced weeks of fake jobs in fake districts posted on recovery.gov. We have heard the Government Accountability Office announcement that one in 10 jobs are fake. Action must be taken.

I have introduced the National Commission on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create a bipartisan commission to investigate how many jobs have actually been saved or created by the Recovery Act. The commission will look at the circumstances in which these jobs have been saved or created. The commission will make recommendations on what works to save or create more jobs and what steps can be made to prevent the improper spending of taxpayer dollars, such as The Hill's front page disclosure today of a Democrat pollster receiving $6 million to preserve three jobs.

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

Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of Dr. John Bradham, a lifelong patriot and public servant to the citizens of South Carolina and the United States. Born and raised in Sumter, John's unyielding desire to learn and succeed led him to the University of South Carolina for his undergraduate studies and to Texas A&M for multiple advanced degrees. John has a rich history of putting others' needs before his own with the utmost honesty and integrity. He served 24 years in the United States Air Force where he filled numerous leadership roles including command of Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer, C4, programs, as well as environmental research on aircraft systems, radar, and various energy communications systems. John's contributions and service to his country have gone above and beyond the call of duty, evident by the fact that he retired from the Air Force as a full colonel before joining the South Carolina Research Authority,

Mr. Speaker, success in Afghanistan should be defined in the tradition of Ronald Reagan: we win and the terrorists lose.

While his decision was long overdue, I was pleased the President announced sending 30,000 reinforcements to Afghanistan. The President has listened to our commanders on the ground for a counterinsurgency to secure Afghanistan, which protects American families. This decision will defeat al Qaeda terrorists and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Along the border with Pakistan, U.S. troops are denying al Qaeda and Taliban safe havens in which to operate.

For the sake of our mission, American families at home, and our brave men and women in uniform, I hope the President will rally congressional leaders behind his strategy and our troops' mission for victory in Afghanistan. Supporting the President's decision shouldn't come down to party lines. Terrorists do not differentiate between Republicans and Democrats as targets.

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

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to be removed as a cosponsor of H. Res. 648.

Mr. Speaker, 30 years ago on November 28, 1979, I was honored to help break ground on the Michelin Tire Corporation plant in Lexington, South Carolina, recruited by Governor Jim Edwards.

Michelin, the French tire manufacturer, has annual sales of $7.25 billion, and they employ close to 18,000 American workers. Over 7,000 of those jobs are in my home State.

For over 30 years, Michelin plants have been successful due to hardworking South Carolinians, and today they specialize in world-class car and Earth-mover tires. In addition to providing jobs, Michelin is an involved corporate citizen.

Another extraordinary achievement, yesterday we broke ground on the Ameresco biomass cogeneration project at the Savannah River site. CEO George Sakellaris has pioneered the development of alternative energy projects.

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

Madam Speaker, I submit a heartfelt poem penned by Capitol Guide Albert Caswell, entitled ``This Thanksgiving'' in honor of all the members of the Armed Forces and their families who are separated by war and death this Thanksgiving. Our thoughts go out to all of them this Thanksgiving. Bless them all.

This is a special Thanksgiving as we recognize the success of Cold War veterans from Korea to Vietnam and across the world who achieved victory on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall inspired by Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II working with Lech Walesa of Poland and Vaclav Havel of Czechoslovakia.

The spirit of Ronald Reagan is kept alive by Young America's Foundation preservation of the Reagan Ranch, Ranco del Cielo (Ranch of the Sky) in California.

This Thanksgiving

This

Thanksgiving . . .

Be thankful, when you're at home . . .

With your family all at peace, remember all of those so all

alone . . .

Who on battlefields can not be home . . .

Families at dinner tables with tears

in eyes . . .

And all of those who upon battlefields of honor died . . .

The ones who so live without the ones, they so can not live

without . . . who now so cry . . .

And all of those children, whose daddies and mommies, can't

wipe those tears from their eyes . . .

And not watch their children grow and smell that pumpkin pie

. . .

The ones who but gave, That Last Full Measure!

One's Life, The Greatest of All Treasures . . .

The ones without arms and legs . . .

As their fine eyes they gave . . .

Showing us all, of what a hero is made!

So Few, but for so many . . .

Have carried that load . . .

Have bore all of the heartache so . . .

And when you watch that touchdown

run . . .

While, holding your loved ones . . . having all that fun . .

.

But, let your thoughts to them so run . . .

The ones who died, for what is true . . .

And all of those out on the front, the face of death must so

view . . .

And the loved ones at home, each day who wait by the door . .

. the phone . . .

Bow down now upon your knees . . .

And ask our Lord God, so please . . . to bless all of these .

. . The Families . . .

Who with such heartache, and will never see another day of

peace . . .

And as you say grace . . .

Say a prayer for all of those Heroes of such splendid grace .

. .

Who did not so hesitate . . .

And all of those families, whose loved ones for them now so

wait . . .

Who sit, with one less spot at the Thanksgiving table set . .

.

Be ever thankful, for what they gave . . . and have to yet .

. .

On this day of days . . .

Give Thanks, Be Thankful for all of those who gave!

This Thanksgiving . . .

Madam Speaker, as co-chairman of the Afghanistan Caucus, I want to congratulate President Hamid Karzai on his inauguration for a second term in Afghanistan. In his speech, I am pleased President Karzai stated that he is committed to tackling corruption and restoring security in his nation.

I support the position of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who attended the inauguration, that President Karzai has his chance to ``have accountability and tangible results that will improve the lives of the people.'' In my nine visits to Afghanistan, I have learned of the dedication of Defense Minister Abdul Raheem Wardak and Interior Minister Haneef Atmar. I know firsthand of the capabilities of the Afghan police and army units, who were trained by my former National Guard unit, the 218th Brigade led by Brigadier General Bob Livingston, 2007-2008, of the South Carolina Army National Guard.

It is vitally important that in order for Afghanistan to turn the corner, the U.S. must do everything promised to the people of Afghanistan to provide for a secure and stable society. We must grant the necessary resources with our NATO allies to President Karzai to get the job done.

I was grateful to learn last night at a dinner with Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that Slovakia is doubling its troop commitment in Afghanistan. Slovakia is a revered partner of America promoting freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, two nights ago, America learned that recovery.gov, the official administration Web site, was full of fake stimulus jobs in fake congressional districts. Last night, even ABC News broke that the Government Accountability Office says that one out of every 10 jobs created by the stimulus are also fake. When asked about the inconsistencies, the spokesman for recovery.gov replied, Who knows, man? Who really knows?

One thing is certain--Americans need real jobs. I call on my colleagues to listen to Republican plans to promote real jobs. Where are the jobs?

The Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Relief Act of 2009, which I support, unleashes the potential of American small businesses. It reduces the burden that government places on employers and employees.

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

Mr. Speaker, last night, I learned that the government's own official Web site that was designed to report waste, fraud and abuse of the misnamed stimulus funds has produced a fake report.

Recovery.gov, the official administration Web site, shows that $6 million was to create six jobs in South Carolina's fake 16th Congressional District. It shows that $3 million couldn't even produce a single job in South Carolina's fake 43rd District.

Somehow, $1.8 million was spent for 1.4 jobs in the fake 00 district. This would be funny, but the money belongs to the taxpayers, not the government. The administration is mocking people looking for jobs.

Americans are faced with fake districts and fake jobs. Democrats and Republicans should work together to jump-start America's economy by promoting real jobs for real, hardworking American families.

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

Congratulations, Jesse Jackson of Greenville, South Carolina.

Back in March, the President made it clear we need a comprehensive approach to secure stability in Afghanistan. He stated that the safety of people around the world is at stake. I issued a statement in support. General McChrystal has requested more troops and resources in Afghanistan to do just that, but this administration continues to dither.

Several weeks ago, former Vice President Dick Cheney used the term ``dithering'' to describe the President's indecision. I agreed with the former Vice President because ``dithering'' means to hesitate and waste time.

In the Los Angeles Times on Saturday, Doyle McManus highlighted that now some of the President's own supporters are beginning to wonder whether Cheney was right. For the sake of American families at home, Congress and the President should not dither, but listen to the commanders in the field.

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

Madam Speaker, the nonpartisan, independent experts at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, released their analysis of the Pelosi takeover. I would like to say it was shocking, but I already had my suspicions that the government takeover of health care was going to cost much more than claimed. The independent report this weekend exposes the truth and the real cost.

The report shows that the Pelosi takeover will increase health care costs by $289 billion. This discredits all the assertions we have heard about how a 2,000-page bill, the $1.3 trillion health care bill, will somehow lower costs. This health care takeover will violate this administration's promise to ``bend the cost curve.'' It will add more than a dime to the deficit and kill jobs.

There are better alternatives that Congress should consider, like H.R. 3400, that will lower health care costs for families and small businesses while creating jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. Mass murderers should be tried at Guantanamo Bay, not in New York City.