Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, last October, I stood here and spoke out against the new free trade agreements that would have continued to add to the damage done to the manufacturers in

my district that was done by NAFTA a decade ago. I mentioned a woman I had met at the Buffalo Airport who, after 23 years working in a textile factory, was now selling energy drinks because her jobs had been shipped south and then overseas.

That's why I am fighting for policies that support making it in America. And that is why I am so proud that a company--Kittinger Furniture, a company that makes furniture that's found today in the White House--is being recognized by the 2012 Best: Made in America Award in recognition to their strong commitment to American manufacturing.

This Congress must work together to level the playing field for domestic businesses like Kittinger Furniture against unfair competition, particularly from China. The American Government and American consumers must commit to buying American so we can have more success stories like Kittinger's.

Did any of you wake up to a nice bowl of cereal or an instant breakfast drink, like I did? Did you give any thought to the effort that went into bringing that fresh, wholesome milk to your table? Well, I sure do.

Just this past week, I was visiting the Koener farm in Wyoming County, the largest dairy-producing county in New York State, which is the fourth largest producer in this great country. But I didn't go just to have their milk; I went to listen to their concerns. And I saw a mother, father, brother, sister getting up before any of us see the light of day to do their work, tremendously hard work; but there's a lot of pride in what they do.

So as we proudly salute the millions of families across this country, in particular the dairy-farming families during National Dairy Month, we need to do more for these stewards of our national food security. We can give out proclamations and pay lip service to the 51,000 families across this Nation who supply us with these products, or we can actually listen to them and do something to help.

First of all, they want a farm bill. They want certainty to know what the deal's going to be, not later, not later this year, but right now.

Secondly, they need labor. That's the number one issue I hear when I'm visiting the Nobles and the other family farmers, the Zubers, the Coynes. Let's give them what they need.

Imagine you got up every day of your adult life working for the same company, helping build the American auto industry. You worked hard, but you're proud because you're part of something bigger than just collecting a paycheck--you're part of rebuilding the economic engine that gave us the middle class. You counted on a pension, life insurance, and health insurance when you retired, because that's what you were promised. You

thought you lived the American Dream--until one day that dream turned into a nightmare.

That's what happened when GM spun off Delphi Corporation in 1999 and later filed for bankruptcy, and over 20,000 salaried employees were left out to dry. Family finances were ruined all across this country, including the cities of Lockport and Rochester in my district. This must be corrected. That's why I'm delighted to see the reemergence of GM as a global powerhouse.

But we cannot forget these individuals. I've called on this administration for their help. I've not received an adequate response from the Department of Labor and the Department of Treasury. And I call on the President to take up the cause of these retirees because they need our help. Their promises are broken, and it's our responsibility to help them at this time.

Madam Speaker, as we recall the brave heroes of the D-day invasion 68 years ago today, I thought of the new American heroes who are fighting for us on the front lines of Afghanistan, a place I left a few weeks ago, and the 36 hours I spent in the war zone speaking to them.

Conversations with generals, diplomats, and the troops on the ground confirm that Pakistan remains a safe haven for the Taliban and al Qaeda. First it was proved to the world when Osama Bin Laden was found to be hiding there for a lengthy amount of time.

But on Monday, a drone strike just over the Pakistani border killed al Qaeda's number 2 in command, further proving beyond all doubt that Pakistan continues to harbor terrorists. If Pakistan is unwilling to condemn these international terrorists and work with the United States to find them, they should not be eligible for foreign aid. Period. End.

I pledge to continue to work in a bipartisan way with my colleagues to restrict funds as long as Pakistan sits by and provides refuge to terrorists who put our troops, which I just left, and our Nation, in harm's way.

Mr. Speaker, as we begin voting on the National Defense Authorization Act later today, I want to remind people that, earlier this year, the Air Force proposed cutting 5,100 Air National Guard positions from our military. Part of this plan eliminates three C 130s and 800 jobs from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in my own district.

Transparency in government is important to all of us. Yet in this decision, no information was provided to us as to how these decisions were made to cut that many across the country. It's clear we need to reduce our spending, but we need to do it in a transparent and open way.

Last week, I was proud to join Republicans and Democrats on the Armed Services Committee in offering an amendment to restore these positions. When our citizens need help, whether it's fighting terrorism in Afghanistan or being rescued from floods in upstate New York, I say: Who you gonna call?

I want to make sure that the Air National Guard is prepared to protect us; and therefore, today, we need to protect them.

Madam Speaker, you had to look at their faces and right into their eyes to see the worry that these young people had.

Just yesterday, I convened a roundtable of students at Daemen College in my district and we talked about the biggest concern on their mind. It wasn't their final exams; it was the knowledge that in 3 short months, if this body does not act, these young people will face a doubling of the interest rate on their student loans from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. These young people are afraid; they're concerned.

I asked them what it would mean to them. One man who already has $120,000 in debt now said he would probably have to leave in order to start paying back his debt. One woman said she would probably have to take a fourth job on top of her third job. Another junior said he probably would not be back next year. Heartbreaking stories, ladies and gentlemen, but we can stop it from happening.

You've got to ask: What's wrong with this picture? Banks are lending to each other at about zero percent. You can get a home mortgage loan for 3.9 percent. Why are our young people, who are doing nothing other than having a shot at the American Dream that each one of us had by getting a good education, why are they going to be strapped with this debt?

I ask all of us to join in asking the House of Representatives leadership to allow us to vote on this bill.

I rise today to honor and recognize a true American patriot, Sergeant William Wilson of Amherst, New York, my district, for giving the ultimate sacrifice and service to his country. On March 26 of this year, Sergeant Wilson lost his life defending us in Afghanistan while serving with NATO forces.

Billy, as he was fondly called by his mom and dad and his brothers, served our country for 7 years, and was on his third tour of duty. His commander said:

Without question, he was my best, most skilled and talented

squad leader. That's who Billy was--selfless, dedicated and

always putting his heart and soul into his soldiers.

If you ask his family or friends and look into the eyes of his mom and dad, they are overwhelmed with pride of his service. Billy was proud to put on the uniform and to serve our country. His smile would light up a room. Just ask any of the thousands of people who came and paid tribute to him just this past week--a devoted family friend, respected and loved by many. To his brother, he was known as Superman. For his brave efforts, Sergeant Wilson was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

But my message today is for Billy's parents, Bill and Kim, for his brothers Jeremy and Wesley, for his fiancee, for his entire family, for his grandma. I want them to know from a grateful Nation: your boy did not die in vain. He honored our country with his service, and for that we are forever grateful.

Mr. Speaker, from Buffalo to Rochester, New York, people in my district want to get back to work. They just need the opportunity. That's why during budget hearings yesterday with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, I posed the question: Can our government be doing more to make sure that our limited Federal procurement dollars are being spent on jobs in manufacturing right back here in America?

The answer is, yes. They want to work with us, and we need to work together to make more of our limited dollars spent in companies that have a higher percentage of the American workforce right here making our defense systems and our products for the Department of Homeland Security. My policy is to give more preferences to those businesses based on the percentage of workers in America.

We need to have a policy that is going to reward those companies and not penalize them. We need to create more opportunities for manufacturing right here in America and in my district in upstate New York.

So I look forward to working collaboratively. I'm going to introduce legislation that I expect to be bipartisan in nature. Who could not agree that we could do more to make it in America?

Madam Speaker, just a minute ago we heard our chaplain beseech us to be open to the hearts and minds of the people we represent. That is exactly why, today, we need to pass the STOCK Act to stop insider trading on congressional knowledge. This has waited too long, Madam Speaker.

My colleague from upstate New York, Louise Slaughter, has led the charge for this for 6 years. It is now time for us to take action--and not a watered-down version. We need to stop the insidious practice of insider trading, giving Members of this body an unfair advantage over Americans who sent us here to represent them. This practice must stop.

I'm calling on all of my colleagues and calling on the leadership to give us a bill we can support, put an end to this insidious practice, and let us begin the long process of restoring the faith of the American people in this institution.

Three years ago this week, an unspeakable tragedy occurred when a plane full of people, those who were dearly loved by their families, crashed through a home in Clarence Center, in my district. The cause was pilot fatigue and inexperience, and the cruel irony that it occurred over Valentine's Day weekend was lost on no one.

Yet, out of those ashes arose an indomitable spirit among these families that united them in their grief and brought their quest right here to the Halls in Washington. They wanted to ensure that no other family had to endure having their hearts ripped out the way they all had. They never took ``no'' for an answer. They never gave up, and they inspired Congress to work in a bipartisan way to pass historic flight safety reform rules.

That's why I am joined by my colleagues from western New York to introduce a resolution to honor them, the victims of the crash, to thank the surviving families of Flight 3407, and to call on the administration to finish the work they started to implement these necessary FAA rules.

Until the will of Congress and of the families we serve is translated into new rules, we will not give up the fight, because the families are counting on us, and they've never given up the fight.

Mr. Speaker, I stand with my good colleague from western New York, Congressman Brian Higgins, united in opposition to the proposed elimination of the postal processing and distribution center in Buffalo and the 700 jobs of people that are currently employed there.

I understand the Postal Service has gone through some tough times. They need to make some hard decisions. Up in our neck of the woods, 700 jobs is a very big deal. That is 700 families making mortgage payments, 700 families making their car payments, and 700 families that haven't been able to make their tuition payments.

In addition to these individuals, businesses, seniors, and rural communities we represent would be adversely affected if this were to end. This would end the overnight delivery of first-class mail in the Buffalo region, impacting all the businesses that depend on this service. It would probably slow commerce, delay the delivery of medication to our seniors, and impair communications for rural families who don't have Internet access.

At a time when the Postal Service is struggling to retain business, they need to be creative and find new ways to garner more customers.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation.

Whereas: Mortimer Sullivan is a resident of Erie County and is married to Maryanne Calella. They are the proud parents of two children, Mark and Michael; and

Whereas: In 1954, Mortimer graduated from the University of Buffalo where he earned a degree in Psychology and completed Western New York's first college-accredited certificate-granting law enforcement training program. He also was the first commander of the University's Air Force ROTC Corps of Cadets; and

Whereas: After graduating from College he reported to active duty in the Air Force, and later served in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Mobilization Reserve Program from which he retired in 1987; and

Whereas: Colonel Mortimer Sullivan earned the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army and Air Force Commendation medals, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross during his service; and

Whereas: Mr. Sullivan was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1964; and

Whereas: Rising to the rank of Lieutenant, Mortimer is a founding charter member of the Erie County Sheriffs Scientific Reserve with 40 years of service; and

Whereas: For 25 years, Mortimer Sullivan chaired the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York Committee on Constitutions and Cannons and received the Bishop's Award for Ministry of the Laity; and be it further

Resolved; That we pause in our deliberations to honor Mortimer Sullivan for his dedication and service to the Erie County Sheriff's Department and our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the one hundred year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, this organization has cultivated courage, confidence, and character in young women and girls across the Nation. It is the largest organization for girls in the world and includes 3.2 million scouts today. Through volunteering, community service, adventures, and, of course, cookie sales, these young women have become the emerging leaders of our world today.

Girl Scouts participate in a wide variety of services and projects, from science and technology based activities to programs focused on financial literacy and understanding. Campaigns launched by the Girl Scouts in the past have included action against bullying and awareness of eating disorders. The highest achieving scouts even get the opportunity to apply for a Capitol Hill internship.

The organization is undeniably an American institution committed to developing women leaders, and thus the hundred year mark comes with much celebration. In honor of this century of service, 2012 has been designated ``The Year of the Girl,'' and the projects we will see are ambitious, eclectic, and simply inspiring. As a Nation, let us recognize the astounding efforts of the organization and continue to support the Girl Scouts of America.

Mr. Speaker, exactly 12 hours ago, those of us who sat in this Chamber watched raw courage walk through that door when our colleague, Gabby Giffords, came in here of her own accord. She overcame obstacles both physical and emotional that few of us can ever imagine. In this room, we often find similar challenges. I call on this body in the spirit of Gabby Giffords to put aside our differences and work together and institute the parts of the President's plan we heard last night that we all agree on.

I sat over here on the so-called Republican side of the aisle, and I know there were times when my colleagues, all of them, got up and applauded and supported the President and issues, whether it was to bring back jobs from overseas, whether it was fairness in our Tax Code, or infrastructure for our roads and bridges that are crumbling, at least in my district.

We have much before us, just as our friend Gabby did. We can overcome it. She did it. We must. The American people are counting on us.

Mr. Speaker, over the last few weeks, I have traveled constantly throughout my 26th District of New York, meeting business owners and talking to them about the challenges that they are facing in this particular economic climate. Right now, they are frustrated with the various levels of government they have to go through to get an answer out of their Federal Government. It has become so burdensome that there are actually 80 different economic development agencies, four different departments, and in fact, there are 47 different job training programs. These businesses have enough on their minds and have enough challenges before them without having to solve this problem.

Fortunately, the President has come up with a plan. Last week, President Obama proposed consolidating six various entities into one, a one-stop shop for businesses, for trade so that they can get their questions answered without having complications. This is something I support, my local Chambers of Commerce support, and that's why I'm calling on this body: Let's take up this plan. Let's give the people in my district--a Republican district, I might add--what they're looking for. Streamline our government, reduce the cost of government, save taxpayer dollars, a one-stop shop for our businesses; and once and for all, let's demonstrate to the American people that we have the capability to work together.