Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor today Bill Ballagh of State Farm Insurance as he receives the 2008 Small Business Leadership Award by the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce. On a local level, Bill is a strong supporter of many events in the Chelsea community. He is an active board member of the Chelsea Senior Center and has been a valuable source of ideas and advice for the board in both the financial aspect and the improved image for the Center and its programs. Many local agencies and fundraisers have appreciated Bill's support by allowing them to promote their projects in his windows and the side of his downtown office building.

Bill goes above and beyond when it comes to serving his customers. As he writes and reviews policies for customers, he may direct them elsewhere if he feels they may be better served--without financial gain for himself and also points out ways that policies written by others can be improved upon to better meet their needs, again, without financial gain for himself. Bill has served Chelsea since 1996 in his business and consistently goes the extra mile making his clients feel they're more than just part of a business relationship.

It is with deep appreciation for his many contributions that I congratulate and commend Bill Ballagh of State Farm Insurance for his faithful commitment to service and quality and wish him and his family the best in all their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor today one of Michigan's finest healthcare professionals, Dr. Mary Ellen Benzik of Battle Creek. Dr. Benzik has been a dedicated member of the healthcare community for over two decades and has served our state with honor and distinction. She has shown extraordinary devotion as an Outstanding Volunteer Teacher and Volunteer Physician, and her efforts have been recognized by the Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies as well as Calhoun County. Dr. Benzik has promoted clean air for our county and state as a member of the Calhoun County Cancer Control Coalition, and has served on the Battle Creek Community Foundation to supervise healthcare initiatives and funding for our community. She has done all of this as a loving partner with her husband, David, and mother to her two children, Matthew and Elizabeth. Doctor Benzik is a model of community service and well deserves our respect and appreciation for her service.

Colleagues, I can think of no greater honor than to pay tribute to John D. Dingell, Jr. of Michigan, who, today, becomes the longest serving Member in the 220-year history of the U.S. House of Representatives.

As one of Michigan's newest Members, today is my 36th day as a Member of Congress. Today is John Dingell's 19,420th day. As Chairman Dingell told the press this week, ``It isn't how long, it's how well.'' No one has done it better than Chairman Dingell.

As a Representative whose district is next door to his, what is most remarkable to me is how universally loved, revered and respected he is by his constituents. Their faith in him is acknowledgment of his selfless service and unblemished record of always putting the needs of real people first, whether championing universal health care, clean water or good jobs and a strong middle class.

In the many years I've known Chairman Dingell, he has been a great and supportive mentor. My first week on the job here, the Dean offered me a simple piece of advice, stay focused on the issues that are most important to your constituents and your district, and ignore the rest.

Chairman Dingell, thank you for sharing your wisdom and being the statesman that our founders envisioned. And most of all, thank you for all that you continue to do.

Madam Speaker, I came to Washington to be a voice for those in my State who are hurting.

H.R. 2 will help children and families who are victims of our economic crisis; 100,000 children in Michigan lack health insurance. That is immoral and weakens our economy. This bill ensures comprehensive health care coverage for children, and is an investment in prevention and approved overall health status for America.

With Michigan's economy in crisis, with our Nation's economy struggling, with our families losing health insurance due to this recession and unfair trade, now is exactly the right time, colleagues, to act, to cover 11 million children with the health care coverage they deserve and need.