Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, we must end this culture of uncertainty. It is delaying our economic recovery. Businesses are unwilling to hire new workers because they do not know what new taxes and regulations Washington will enact on them. ObamaCare's chilling effect on hiring and new jobs was just the beginning. The cap-and-trade bill will further hurt our economic recovery if it is enacted.

As a result of policies adopted by this administration, businesses are sitting on huge stockpiles of cash to brace themselves for further interference from the government. Economist Larry Kudlow noted that corporations are sitting on $2 trillion worth of cash. If allowed to be injected into our economy, this could unleash a tremendous private sector stimulus of our economy.

The government-run stimulus has failed. We now need to get government out of the way of the private sector to let it save our economy.

Mr. Speaker, for some time now, my colleagues have come to the floor to ask the question: Where are the jobs? Now, in addition to asking that question, I am also asking: Where is the budget?

With our national debt standing at over $13 trillion, we must enact a plan to curb wasteful and reckless spending. Although Democrats in this House have not undertaken the hard work of compiling a budget plan, House Republicans have.

Under the Republican plan, we reduce the 10-year deficit by $3.3 trillion. The Democrats have no plan to do this.

Under the Republican plan, we borrow 3.6 trillion fewer dollars than the administration does. Congressional Democrats have no plan.

Under the Republican plan, we spend $4.8 trillion less than the President's bloated budget. Once again, congressional Democrats have no plan.

I call on the majority today to produce a budget so that we can have a debate on improving our fiscal condition.

Madam Speaker, for quite some time now, many Members have come to the floor to ask ``Where are the Jobs?''

In addition to asking ``Where are the Jobs'', I am also asking where is the budget? With our national debt standing at almost thirteen trillion dollars, we cannot simply ignore our fiscal woes and hope that they will solve themselves. More than a month has passed since the April 15 deadline set by the Budget Act, and no committee or floor actions have been scheduled to address this missing budget.

I call on the Majority to produce a budget so that we can have a debate on improving our fiscal condition. We must not continue to saddle our children and grandchildren with massive debts. Where is the Budget?

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the completion of the Denton County Veterans Memorial. This memorial represents the bravery and selfless sacrifices of veterans who have served in United States Armed Forces. These men and women have performed their duty to our country with honor.

The Denton County Veterans Memorial assures that the legacy of veterans from all services will not be forgotten by the residents of Denton County. Inspired by veterans who dedicated their service to protecting the freedom of the United States, the Denton County Veterans Memorial honors the service members who have served the United States past, present, and in the future.

Since the founding of our great nation, the members of our armed forces have been charged with the responsibility for defending the United States. Currently, many men and women serve around the world protecting and defending our security and sovereignty. While paying tribute to our fallen heroes, this memorial also acknowledges our soldiers who have returned home to their families and loved ones. America has more than 23 million living veterans, and we are inspired by their devotion and commitment to the United States as demonstrated through their service.

Today, as citizens, we have been made stronger by the bravery and courage of our veterans. I ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in commemorating the Denton County Veterans Memorial to honor the great men and women who have served the United States in war and peace, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who stand in harm's way.

Mr. Speaker, this radically Republican Texan rises today to highlight the CMS analysis for the government takeover of our health care system. As many have predicted, CMS concluded that the new law fails to contain cost increases in health care. CMS projects health care spending will rise to 21 percent of the GDP in the next decade. This places our country on an unacceptable path and getting less coverage for our money.

Even more alarming, CMS concluded that 50 percent of our Medicare Advantage patients will lose their coverage over the next decade when the law is fully implemented. Thousands of seniors in my district depend on Medicare Advantage. We need to repeal and replace this now. We need a new bill that will control health care costs while still allowing patients to keep the coverage that they have now and as they were promised.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and pride that I rise today to welcome Heartland Church to its new location in the 24th District of Texas. Heartland Church has been a centerpiece of spiritual growth and community outreach in the greater Irving area for 58 years.

On Christmas Eve of 1951, The First United Pentecostal Church of Irving held its inaugural service in the Irving Community Center. This was the beginning of the rich spiritual history of Heartland Church which today has grown into a caring, compassionate, service centered congregation. Soon after opening, The First United Pentecostal Church of Irving moved from the Irving Community Center to its first building on Camano Road and then eventually to Story Road. Heartland Church has made several building transitions and a name change (originally Christ Temple and then later Heartland Church) to more adequately reflect its desire to meet the needs of its congregation and the community. In December of 1984, the building dedication ceremony was held for what Heartland Church called home up until December 2009.

Guided by faith, in 2000, Heartland Church made the decision to purchase 25.8 acres located on the west side of Highway 161. But God in His infinite wisdom had other plans and that was to bring Heartland Church to Carrollton. Today, through the vision and leadership of the church's founders and with the help of the surrounding community, Heartland Church has flourished from a small congregation, meeting in a 3,000 square foot building, to a thriving congregation with more than 22,000 square feet of meeting space.

On behalf of the 24th District of Texas, I would like to welcome Heartland Church to its new location in Carrollton, Texas. I am certain that Heartland Church will succeed and continue to be an example of Christ's love to others in the community.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and pride that I rise today to recognize Mr. Sam Pack, owner and president of Sam Pack Auto Group. Mr. Pack has earned the recognition as one of the most prominent leaders in the American automotive industry in recent years.

Mr. Pack has held various management positions with Ford Motor Company. In 1980, Mr. Pack became the president, general manager, and partner of Lee Jarmon Ford Inc. in Carrollton, TX. During Mr. Pack's tenure as a business executive, he has developed Sam Pack Auto Group into a nationally renowned and influential business.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Pack has always had a reputation of high customer satisfaction, owner loyalty, and leadership in the community. Mr. Pack was honored in 1988 by Time Magazine as the ``Quality Dealer of the Year,'' which is the highest industry standard for new-car dealers who exhibit exceptional performance in their dealerships, combined with distinguished community service. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association bestowed Mr. Pack with the prestigious ``Legends Awards'' in 2006, which makes him one of only nine dealers to receive this accolade.

Mr. Pack is an active member in many civic service organizations. In 1990, Mr. Pack was named ``Citizen of the Year'' by the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pack was also the recipient of the 2003 ``Award for Outstanding Community Service'' from Ford Motor Company. These achievements display Mr. Pack's community involvement and selfless service to others.

On behalf of the 24th District of Texas, I would like to personally thank Mr. Pack for his diligent service and entrepreneurial spirit. Mr. Pack's civic and professional accomplishments have been numerous, and it is an honor for me to recognize him for his contributions to the people of 24th District of Texas. I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Pack many years of continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong objection to what occurred yesterday in the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee passed a shell of a reconciliation bill. This shell bill will be replaced with whatever the Rules Committee deems as appropriate health care legislation. No one has seen what the Rules Committee plans to insert.

This is not an open and transparent process. An open and transparent process wouldn't be resorting to using shell bills. An open and transparent process wouldn't have had backroom negotiations that are far and away from the C-SPAN cameras. What happened in the Budget Committee and what's happening in the Rules Committee is not what the American people want.

I strongly oppose the majority's use of the parliamentary gimmicks to pass big government takeover of health care.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 118, I was off the floor with a constituent. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to observe the 63rd commemoration this coming Sunday of Taiwan's ``2-28 Incident.'' The Incident was an antigovernment uprising in Taiwan that began on February 28, 1947, and was violently suppressed during the following weeks by soldiers that had been sent from China by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Estimates of the number of deaths vary from 10,000 to 30,000.

In the fall of 1945, 50 years of Japanese occupation of Taiwan ended after Japan had lost World War II. In October of that year Taiwan was returned to the Republic of China (ROC).

Due to the mounting corruption and the implementation of unfair public policy and official practices on the indigenous population, tension increased between the Taiwanese people and the ROC administration. According to Ambassador John L. Stuart, ``the economic deterioration of the island and administration of the mainland officials became so bad that on February 28th, 1947, popular resentment erupted into a major rebellion.'' The flashpoint came on the evening of February 27, 1947, when in Taipei a dispute between a female cigarette vendor and certain armed Monopoly Bureau agents and special police agents triggered civil disorder and open rebellion that lasted for days.

The Incident is now openly discussed and commemorated as Peace Memorial Day. The details of the Incident have become the subject of investigation. Monuments and memorial parks to the Incident victims have been erected in a number of cities in Taiwan.

Madam Speaker, the Incident had far-reaching implications. Over the next half century, the Taiwanese democracy movement that grew out of the Incident helped pave the way for Taiwan's momentous transformation to a thriving and pluralistic democracy. Nowadays Taiwan has demonstrated the strength of its democracy by succeeding in peaceful handovers of power. I am confident that Taiwan will continue to make contributions to the development of democracy in the region.

Madam Speaker, I hope Members will join me in commemorating this important historical event.

Mr. Speaker, as we left church yesterday, our pastor ended his sermon with a prayer for all of those in our church that were unemployed. With this on my mind as I walked out into the foyer, I saw one of the largest employers in our area and walked up to him and said, ``Sir, what will it take for you to begin hiring again?''

He did not hesitate. He looked me right in the eye and said, ``Washington has injected too much uncertainty about what my health care expenses are going to be and what the health care that I have to provide my employees will have to be.'' He said, ``There is also a great deal of uncertainty about my tax rates and about what taxes I am going to have to pay.'' He said, ``Before I can begin to hire people again, Washington needs to clarify and remove that uncertainty.''

This is what's keeping us from having jobs today in the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Anita Thetford who is retiring after twenty-nine years of service as a city employee of Hurst. Since 1990, she has served as the Director of Finance, holding positions as Certified Government Finance Officer and Registered Tax Assessor and Collector. Her leadership in the City of Hurst has impressively improved the standard of living for her community, and I am proud to honor such a distinguished leader.

Ms. Thetford's invaluable leadership has laid the groundwork for a strong fiscally conservative economy in the City of Hurst. In her twenty-nine years of service, Hurst has maintained healthy financial ratings, earned lower bond interest ratings and reduced the property tax.

Ms. Thetford has also been an active member of the community serving as a leader in the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT), Women's Professional Network group and the Rotary Club of Hurst-Euless-Bedford. Her commendable dedication to the City of Hurst proves that citizens can truly make a difference in lives of others.

Throughout Ms. Thetford's tenure she has accumulated an impressive list of awards. To name just a few, Ms. Thetford was honored with the 1998 Outstanding Service Award from her peers, 1998 Outstanding Finance Officer by GFOAT, 1995 Woman of the Year from Metro Business and Professional Women's Club and 2007 Linda Keithley Award.

On behalf of the 24th District of Texas, I would like to thank Ms. Thetford for her tireless service to Hurst. Ms. Thetford's successes have been many, and it is an honor for me to recognize her for her twenty-nine years of contributions to the people of Hurst. I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing Anita Thetford continued success in her future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an amazing boy from Texas. His name is Drew Scott Rice, and he is a cancer survivor and amputee. Drew has experienced some difficult times, but his strong character has made it possible for him to live a healthy active life.

At the age of six, Drew was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer on April 30, 2004. His treatment consisted of fourteen rounds of chemotherapy and the amputation of his left leg.

Drew returned to school on crutches after missing nine months for treatment. Even with missing so much school, he was able to continue his academics at the same grade level.

Even more surprisingly, Drew began playing baseball only three months post treatment. Drew has successfully adapted to his prosthetic leg as if it was second nature. He has played a total sixteen seasons between two leagues as a 1st baseman, 3rd baseman, and pitcher.

Drew has also shared his strength with other patients. He has visited cancer victims and amputees at San Antonio area hospitals and homes to offer encouragement and hope that they too can overcome their hardships.

As of December 10, 2009 Drew has been cancer free for five years. I am honored to speak of Andrew's strength here today and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Drew as an inspiration and role model to those who suffer from cancer and or amputation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Grand Prairie. The city is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and I would like to take a moment to speak about the history of the city and its great future.

In 1841, the area that is now Grand Prairie began to be settled by people accepting Republic of Texas land grants. In 1861, Alexander MacRae Dechman traded his wagon and oxen for 239.5 acres in what is now downtown Grand Prairie. He filed for a town plat in 1876, and named the town Dechman. That same year Alexander gave a portion of his land to the Texas and Pacific Railroad in exchange for operating a depot. In 1877, the railroad renamed Dechman to Grand Prairie because of its location on the eastern edge of the prairie that stretched into West Texas. On March 20, 1909 the citizens of Grand Prairie voted to establish a local city government in order to create the civic infrastructure necessary for public safety, growth and prosperity.

In 1909, the City of Grand Prairie had roughly 1,000 citizens. The city's growth accelerated during and after World War II when its population changed from 1,595 in 1940 to 14,594 in 1950. The population then doubled to 30,386 by 1960. Today the city is home to more than 168,000 citizens. The growth is symbolic of the city's strength and success over the last hundred years.

Grand Prairie has created a strong infrastructure to ensure continued growth. The city has constructed attractions for both economic development and tourism such as Lone Star Park in 1992, Nokia Theatre in 2001, the Ruthe Jackson Conference Center in 2002, the Uptown Theater, QuikTrip Ballpark and the AirHogs in 2008 and Market Square in 2009.

The city's success is also demonstrated by its long list of awards. Some recent awards include the Money Magazine 2008 Best Places to Live in USA, Today Newspaper 2008 Readers' Choice Award--Best Place to Live, the 2008 National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award for best parks system in America and named a Playful City USA in both 2008 and 2009.

Under the able leadership of Mayor Charles England, the City Council and City Manager's Office, Grand Prairie plans to continue growing stronger for their citizens and businesses. In 2010, the city will open a new Lake Rescue Center, Summit Activity Center for senior citizens and Public Safety Headquarters. A city known for being comfortably casual and incredibly friendly, Grand Prairie looks forward to the next 100 years of dreaming big and making it happen.

I am honored to represent the City of Grand Prairie and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the city upon their 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, the Wall Street Journal said it best, this bill may well be the worst piece of post-New Deal legislation ever introduced. My constituents of the Texas 24th District agree. They have told me loud and clear, time and time again, that they do not want this government takeover of our health care system.

This legislation creates 111 new Federal programs, bureaucracies, commissions and boards; and this is just counting the ones that are in the original bill. I am sure that when the manager's amendment is introduced, there will be many more.

We need a patient-centered approach to health care reform. We do not need to mortgage the future of our children by saddling them with a $1 trillion debt. Let's not punish our seniors, our families, and our grandchildren by passing this bill.