Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring to the floor my constituents' opposition to the Economic Stimulus Package recently signed into law.

The American people are hurting. Too many jobs have been lost, and too many hard working Americans are worried about their future. Every day I receive calls from Arkansans opposed to Congress recklessly throwing around billions of dollars in an attempt to spend our way out of this crisis by running headlong into more debt.

The American people do need action; but responsible, focused action that will create jobs and return tax dollars to working Americans immediately. This is the time-proven and fastest way to truly stimulate our economy. We cannot afford, nor can our children afford, an $800 billion mistake which gives too little attention to creating and saving jobs and securing our retirement savings. I can't say to the average Arkansan fearful of losing their job that this stimulus will save their jobs and help their lives--so it does not deserve our support.

I urge Congress to work harder and together for a focused, responsible bill that will save jobs, create jobs, and protect pensions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the stimulus package that our colleagues behind closed doors because of the lack of stimulus.

The American people are hurting. Too many jobs have been lost, and too many hard working Americans are worried about their future. Every day I receive calls from Arkansans opposed to Congress recklessly throwing around billions of dollars in an attempt to spend our way out of this crisis by getting more into debt.

The American people do need action; but responsible, focused action that will create jobs and return tax dollars to working Americans immediately. This is the time-proven and fastest way to truly stimulate our economy. We cannot afford nor can our children afford--an $800 billion mistake which gives too little attention to creating and saving jobs and securing our retirement savings. I can't says to the average Arkansan who is fearful he or she will lose their job that this stimulus will save their jobs and help their lives it--so it does not deserve our support.

I urge Congress to work harder and together for a focused, responsible bill that will save and create jobs and protect pensions.

Mr. TERRY, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

I come to the floor to oppose this bill reluctantly. When I am home in my District I talk to my neighbors, old school friends, and folks in the coffee shop, they share with me the economic problems they are facing--fellow workers being laid off, difficulty in meeting the house payment because there is now only one wage earner. Small business owners are laying off people due to slow sales especially at car dealerships, retail stores, and restaurants.

The slow down of the U.S. economy has not missed my community--folks are hurting and Congress needs to act in ways that will jump start the housing markets, get credit and lending flowing, increase U.S. exports and provide tax relief so families have more money in their pocket to pay for daily household expenses.

But Mr. Speaker, I have many worries about the massive bill that we have before us today.

I worry there is too much spending in this so-called ``Stimulus'' package. The cost of this bill today is $791 billion. Over time the bill will cost $1.138 trillion. There is too much spending on government programs that should be funded through the normal appropriations process, not in this bill. Under the guise of stimulus, the huge increase in these government programs significantly raises the baseline on which future spending cannot be sustained without large tax increases. This policy could be devastating to our economy and prolong the current economic recession.

I worry that too little of the package goes toward the most effective tools for creating jobs for small business owners, like lower taxes and tax credits. In fact, the only help directed to small business, net operating loss, carry-back was reduced by this bill from $1 billion to $2 billion. The home buyer tax credit was reduced from $35 billion to $2 billion; the car tax credit to purchase a new car was reduced from $11.5 billion to $2 billion.

Infrastructure money for roads and bridges was $67 billion, which I appreciate, although my request to add $13 billion for combined

sewer operations funds in the infrastructure section fell on deaf ears. Compare this to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid $8 billion for a high speed train from Las Vegas to Disneyland. The priorities in this bill are wrong.

The small business tax breaks and infrastructure spending make up about $100 billion of the total $791 billion in the bill, but accounts for 2.5 million jobs of the 3.5 million jobs the White House has estimated will be retained or created by H.R. 1.

Mr. Speaker, to state it another way, $691 billion of the spending may retain or create just one million jobs, most of which will be government bureaucrats that populate the big gray buildings in Washington, DC. That does little or nothing for job creation in my District.

I worry that printing nearly a trillion dollars of new money will result in inflation that will create economic problems over the next several years that will negate any short term gains that might be achieved by this package.

I worry that this additional trillion dollars of new money will create new economic problems by ``crowding out'' private investment dollars that otherwise might be available to stimulate our private sector economy, create new jobs, and grow the economy. Instead, the U.S. government will be sucking up those dollars to pay off its debt. Not to mention the burden this places on our children and grandchildren who will be saddled with the responsibility of paying off that debt.

I am also very frustrated with the non-stimulus liberal policies that found their way into this bill. Two of these policies have earned a lot of attention. First, there is more than $1 billion for ``comparative medical treatment research'' that will be spent by a new panel of non- physicians that reviews the medical treatment decisions of physicians and healthcare professionals. Many feel that this treatment review committee could result in the rationing of treatments of drugs for patients, or even deny medical care to some people, especially seniors. Some have labeled this a form of ``euthanasia.'' While I don't foresee that any time soon, it is very scary.

Another liberal policy that was put in this bill is the reversing of welfare reform, which was the ``Welfare to Work'' program that was enacted on a bipartisan basis in 1996. This legislation will encourage individuals to remain on welfare who would otherwise be given two years to develop skills and training to get a job and move off of the welfare rolls. The roll-back of this program will end up costing the taxpayers more money and reduce a job pool that many employers looked to for entry level hires.

Mr. Speaker, this 1,100 page bill was made available to Members at 10:30 p.m. last night. I suspect the majority of my colleagues, like me, have not had time to read through this bill line for line. We do not know what other policy shenanigans have been tucked into this massive bill.

I am also frustrated that a viable alternative, at least half the cost, was not even considered. The Republican alternative focused on small business owners and manufacturers, tax relief, consumer incentives to purchase new homes and cars and truck, along with infrastructure funding. Economists estimate this alternative would have created over 6 million jobs, twice the jobs at half the cost of the measure before us. But this alternative bill was stiff-armed by the Majority.

Mr. Speaker, it is because of all these worries and frustrations that I am not able to support this package. We could have worked on a bipartisan basis to craft a bill that we could all support. But we were not given a chance to do that. This bill was written behind closed doors by a small group of House Democrats. The American people deserve better from us. I will be voting against this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Arkansas' USDA Rural Development Director, Roy G. Smith for his outstanding efforts to improve the quality of life for all rural Americans.

Roy has been a lifelong champion for rural communities; both as a farmer and as an advocate, joining the Farmers Home Administration, a predecessor to today's USDA Rural Development 40 years ago. Under his guidance countless Arkansans have benefitted from millions of dollars in projects to make their lives better.

We are blessed to have had Roy at helm for the past three and a half years and I am blessed to have him as a friend. I have enjoyed the Rural Development Tours where he showcased just some of the latest funded projects. I have been to many check presentations with Roy and I will remember his encouragement of getting civic leaders to sign the check ``to get enough signatures to make the check float.''

Roy has done a tremendous job of meeting the needs of rural Arkansans. His leadership will be missed but his influence will be felt for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Attorney Robert C. Balfe III for his commitment and service to the citizens of this country.

Bob has done a tremendous job at the helm of the Western District of Arkansas, working to bring justice to criminals and initiating programs to make our streets safer.

One of Bob's top priorities has been targeting crimes against children. Indictments of child sexual predators increased by 800% in the Western District of Arkansas in part due to the creation of Project Safe Childhood Task Force which is dedicated to the identification and apprehension of online child sexual predators.

The list of Bob's accomplishments is lengthy, from the successful implementation of an Immigration Crimes Task Force to a Financial Crimes Task Force and an anti-gang initiative. You don't have to look far to see how the citizens of the Western District of Arkansas have benefited from Bob's leadership and vision.

I thank him for a job well done and I thank his wife Jennifer and his young sons, Ryan and Luke for the sacrifices they have made to allow Bob to serve the people of Arkansas.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the Pope County, Arkansas Sheriff Jay Winters for his dedication, commitment and selflessness he has shown on the job and in the community.

Sheriff Winters has served his community admirably, first for the U.S. Army then as a officer for the Russellville Police Department, then as the Deputy Sheriff of Pope County and for the last 18 years, as Sheriff.

His influence is felt throughout the community, volunteering with the Russellville Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, the Arkansas River Valley Boys and Girls Club and as an active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Russellville where he serves as a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher.

I have had the privilege to work with Jay on many different projects, most recently in an effort to help with recovery efforts from a tornado in Atkins.

Now after more than two and a half decades in law enforcement Jay is retiring. He'll be able to spend his time focusing on his family, his wife Sheena, daughter Amber Morgan and her husband Ryan, son J.J. and the light of his eye, his granddaughter Kyleigh.

I appreciate his friendship and example. I am honored to have had the opportunity to have worked with such a great man, and thank him for his service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Arkansas Executive Director of Farm Service Agency, Dotson Collins, for his commitment to this country.

Dotson has led a life of service, first in the U.S. Armed Forces. He studied agriculture under the GI Bill and he used that knowledge and understanding to become a leader in the field.

Dotson first served as USDA State Executive Director under President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush. In 2006, under President George W. Bush he was anxious to do it again.

Dotson devoted his life to helping Arkansas. The list of positions he has held is impressive, from Labor Commissioner and Director of the Commodity Food Stamp Division, to Policy Advisor of Agriculture, Veterans and Military Affairs, Environment and Rural Development.

In roles that would leave the rest of us tired, Dotson found time to serve as President of the Christian Union Council, a position he has held for the last 20 years and he's looking at ways he can continue to help Arkansans.

I appreciate the leadership Dotson has shown and most of all I appreciate his friendship.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Dr. David Land, a gracious contributor to the Third District of Arkansas, who passed away earlier this year.

Dr. Land was the superintendent of Omaha schools for more than 22 years, but he wasn't just an administrator. He was a mentor and a friend to the staff and students who knew him as ``Doc.'' Doc spent his life as an educator and showed that actions do speak louder than words. He fixed tiles in the cafeteria, jump-started students' cars, drove the bus to field trips and wrote grants for the small school district. These actions weren't out of the ordinary for this extraordinary man.

He was named the Arkansas Rural Association's 2005 Northwest Arkansas Superintendent of the Year. Doc spent his life as an administrator, but it wasn't just a job, it was something that he loved.

When a friend talked to him and asked about retirement, Doc said, ``What else would I do? This is my life.''

Madam Speaker, Doc will certainly be missed. I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to honor and celebrate the life of this wonderful man.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the devotion and commitment Jack and Dollie Harvey have shown their community.

In their 40 years of marriage, they have worked together to help others. Their romance was born out of tragedy with each of them being widowed at a young age. Instead of dwelling on the hardships they faced in losing a loved one and, eventually, the challenges of merging their two families, they became more mindful of the needs of those around them. They helped rebuild after the 1976 Teton Dam collapse; ``adopted'' the homeless; taught at a juvenile detention center; ministered in migrant camps throughout the Southwest; volunteered at a community recreation center; counseled the terminally ill and their families; organized and managed summer camps for children from low- income families; entertained at nursing homes, state hospitals and city missions; and gave their time, money and energy to every opportunity for service that came their way.

Like many other Americans their age, the Harveys have to stretch their Social Security check to cover their monthly expenses. But they don't worry so much about paying the bills. Quite often, their biggest concern is just finding the energy to breathe. Jack, 78, who suffers from a chronic respiratory disease, and Dollie, 71, a cancer survivor tethered to oxygen, squeeze their numerous doctor's appointments and her frequent transfusions and injections into a hectic schedule devoted to ministering to others.

Sundays are busy days for the couple: teaching Sunday school, practicing for Christmas programs and guest preaching, their efforts continue to make a difference and inspire all of those who meet them. Their lessons have not been lost on their 8 children, 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, who include ministers, educators, law enforcement personnel, healthcare professionals, a social worker, military members and Arkansas and U.S. Government officials.

Jack and Rollie long ago adopted the motto not to pass on peacefully but to charge ahead helping others until they drop--exhausted and totally spent--into the grave. Truly, it is this kind of commitment, this type of dedication, that makes America grew.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a young man beloved by his family, friends and his country, Staff Sergeant Solomon T. Sam of the United States Army, who was taken from us on December 4, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq.

Staff Sergeant Sam devoted nearly a decade to this country. He enlisted in the U.S. Armed Services in October 2000, and redeployed to Iraq in November of 2008, serving with the 523rd Engineer Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

The commitment for this country is something we can all be proud of. Solomon will be remembered as a soldier, a son, a husband and a father. His three young children will grow up knowing their dad was a hero.

Madam Speaker, Staff Sergeant Sam is a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. I ask my colleagues to keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a brave American soldier who sacrificed his life for freedom, Sergeant John Penich.

Sergeant Penich, by all accounts, was an extraordinary solider whose hard work and determination earned him the title of Soldier of the Year in 2007 for his brigade. His bravery was evident in combat on several occasions. Brigadier General Perry Wiggins has said he knows of three separate instances when Sergeant Penich saved the lives of his comrades.

According to newspaper reports, one of his final acts of bravery came on September 6, 2008, when his patrol was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. He showed his courage under fire, taking charge and reestablishing security and saving the lives of his platoon members. His heroics on that day earned him a Silver Star, the third highest honor given to members of the armed services for valor.

Five and a half weeks after he earned the Silver Star, he gave the ultimate sacrifice. Sergeant Penich put himself in harm's way to make the world a better place.

His commitment to this country is second to none. He wanted to be an officer, and there's no doubt we would have benefited from this young man's tremendous leadership abilities.

Sergeant John Penich is a true American hero. I ask that my colleagues keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Jack and Dollie Harvey. Their commitment to each other as well as to their community is something we can all be proud of.

Over those 40 years, they have worked together to help others. Their romance was born out of tragedy with each of them being widowed at a young age. Instead of dwelling on the hardships they faced in losing a loved one and, eventually, the challenges of merging their two families, they became more mindful of the needs of those around them. They helped rebuild after the 1976 Teton Dam collapse; ``adopted'' the homeless; taught at a juvenile detention center; ministered in migrant camps throughout the Southwest; volunteered at a community recreation center; counseled the terminally ill and their families; organized and managed summer camps for children from low-income families; entertained at nursing homes, state hospitals and city missions; and gave their time, money and energy to every opportunity for service that came their way.

Like many other Americans their age, the Harveys have to stretch their Social Security check to cover their monthly expenses. But they don't worry so much about paying the bills. Quite often, their biggest concern is just finding the energy to breathe. Jack, 78, who suffers from a chronic respiratory disease, and Dollie, 71, a cancer survivor tethered to oxygen, squeeze their numerous doctors' appointments and her frequent transfusions and injections into a hectic schedule devoted to ministering to others.

Sundays are busy days for the couple, teaching Sunday school, practicing for Christmas programs and guest preaching, their efforts continue to make a difference and inspire all of those who meet them. Their lessons have not been lost on their eight children, 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who include ministers, educators, law enforcement personnel, healthcare professionals, a social worker, military members and Arkansas and U.S. government officials.

Jack and Dollie long ago adopted the motto not to pass on peacefully but to charge ahead helping others until they drop--exhausted and totally spent--into the grave. Truly, it is this kind of commitment, this type of dedication, that makes America great.

Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the commitment and service, my friend Stanley Reed provides to Arkansas youth.

Stanley is a leader in the state, serving as President of the Arkansas Farm Bureau, a former member of the Arkansas Board of Trustees, a board member of Baptist Health, and Simmons First National Corporation and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Arkansas World Trade Center and of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation.

His professional achievements are far reaching, and so are his accomplishments away from the Board Rooms. Stanley spends much of his time and energy being an example for Arkansas youths and helping them lead a better life.

Stanley's life of service will be honored by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and the Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches, an organization that provides a stable living environment with responsible role models.

Stanley has been a very good friend and was a teammate at the University of Arkansas. He has been blessed with a wonderful family, his wife Charlene, son Nathan and daughters Hailey and Anna.

I have had the privilege to work with Stanley throughout my professional career. His dedication, persistence and leadership are all exemplary qualities. I appreciate his friendship and example. I am honored to have had the opportunity to have worked with such a great man, and thank him for his service.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas. The centers provide critical services for women who are faced with life changing decisions.

Employees in the Rogers and Fayetteville centers have a difficult task counseling and educating one thousand women annually on the choices they have. Their job is made easier with the help of 30 volunteers who collectively spend more than one thousand hours serving the needs of women in a reproductive health crisis. Offering a listening ear, helping expectant mothers prepare for their baby and using their sewing skills are just a handful of services volunteers provide.

In recognition of their efforts, Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas received the `President's Volunteer Services Award.' This honor is given to Americans who demonstrate their commitment to volunteerism and inspire others to do follow their example.

I am thankful Northwest Arkansas residents are so willing to help their neighbors in need and share their time and resources to benefit the greater good of the community. Volunteers are a critical component of ensuring the continued success of Loving Choices Pregnancy Centers of Northwest Arkansas.

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

The Tennessee Valley Authority, an independent government corporation, was established in 1933 to aid in the development of the Tennessee River Valley watershed through the proper use, conservation and development of the region's natural resources. TVA is the Nation's largest wholesale power producer and the fifth largest electric utility. TVA supplies power to nearly 8 million people over an 80,000- square-mile service area covering Tennessee and parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.

In addition, TVA's nonpower program responsibilities include the multipurpose management of land and water resources throughout the Tennessee Valley and fostering economic development. Prior to 1959, construction of the power projects was financed mainly by congressional appropriations. The power program is now completely self-financed through power revenues.

During the TVA's first 20 years, most of the power generated was hydroelectric. By 1950, with increased power needs, TVA began building coal-fired electric plants, and those plants now account for about 75 percent of TVA's power generation. TVA provides more electricity than any other public utility in the Nation and has an unparalleled record of reliability.

In addition, TVA is broadening its environmental stewardship responsibilities by increasing its use of renewable resources, improving energy efficiency, and working to improve air quality for the millions who live in the Tennessee Valley watershed. TVA constructed nuclear plants to supply additional power needs and just recently returned an additional nuclear power unit in Alabama, Browns Ferry Unit 1, to service to meet expected future demand in energy.

The agency spent approximately $2 billion to recover the facility, which became fully operational by May 2007. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a 20-year license renewal for all three units at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.

For 75 years, the TVA programs of navigation, flood damage reduction and power reduction have fostered economic development in an important region in the Nation.

I urge all of my Members to support the resolution celebrating the Tennessee Valley Authority's 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume to my good friend, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) who is the ranking member on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of Transportation.

Mr. Speaker, we certainly support this resolution and thank Mr. Cramer for bringing it forward. We also thank him so much, not only for this resolution but for his hard work in Congress in general. Mr. Cramer has done an outstanding job and he is an individual that will be missed by both sides, by Republicans and Democrats, and we truly appreciate all that you have done, Bud, in serving your constituents.

I yield such time as he would like to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).

Does the gentleman have any more speakers?

If the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

H.R. 3068 was introduced by Subcommittee Chairwoman Norton last year, and prohibits the Federal Protective Service from awarding contracts to businesses owned, controlled or operated by convicted felons. Specifically, the bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate regulations to implement this prohibition.

The Federal Protective Service, FPS, has a critical mission. FPS serves as one of the first lines of defense for our Federal buildings. It employs more than 1,000 trained personnel, and 15,000 contract security guards. It is charged with securing nearly 9,000 federally owned and leased buildings.

This legislation will help improve security at those buildings and facilities and increase the standards of safety for Federal properties across the country. H.R. 3068 passed the House last year and was amended in the Senate. The Senate amendment provides additional direction to the Secretary of Homeland Security on key issues that the regulations should include. The Senate amendment also directs the administrator for Federal procurement policy to issue a report to Congress on establishing similar guidelines government-wide.

This legislation is important to ensure the integrity of the forces protecting our Federal buildings and the employees and visitors that work in and visit those buildings every day. I support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Norton for bringing this legislation forward. It's something that we certainly support.

We thank you for your hard work.

I yield back the balance of our time.