Floor Statements

Thank you very much for yielding.

I am pleased to join my colleagues on the floor this evening. And, of course, I work with Congresswoman Speier on the Financial Services Committee. And she very aptly talked about what was going on at Goldman and the effect that it has had on our economy. But this is not a case of just one bad company. We, unfortunately, had a culture all across Wall Street that allowed things like this to happen. And recently I asked Chairman Frank if we could take a look at some of the practices of Lehman Brothers. And we did. We had a hearing on Lehman Brothers. We both participated in that hearing. Because Lehman Brothers gambled with the hard-earned money, the pension funds of countless Americans. Certainly people from Ohio, people from California's pensions, people from Colorado's pensions had been invested in Lehman products, and Lehman Brothers did not tell those investors or other investors that they were so over-leveraged that their financial picture was pretty bleak. Instead, they tried to disguise what was really going on at Lehman by this tricky accounting practice where they moved some of the problems off the balance sheet at the time when their quarterly report was due.

If you look at the quarterly report, you would not get the real story from Lehman because of this practice called Repo 105. They did this very deliberately. And they had become, like Goldman, very leveraged into the subprime mortgage market, the Alt-A mortgage market, and even came up with this product called an Alt-B. And Lehman Brothers, which is an investment house, did not have the same level of regulation that, say, a community bank in one of our localities would have if they were engaging in mortgage practices. Nobody was watching them. The SEC wasn't watching enough, and investors and advisors who maybe would be sophisticated investors who could look at a balance sheet, they weren't getting the right picture either because of this on- and off-balance sheet practice of disguising the true financial picture. When Lehman did this, when they gambled in the subprime market, when they increased, bought more, bought more, bought more to try to make up for the losses and tried to hide what was really going on, they hurt not just the sophisticated investor; they hurt hardworking Americans.

I asked for some public records. One of our pension funds told us that they took an actual loss of over $100 million as a result of this between December of 2007 and September of 2008. Over $100 million. That's just one. I'm getting information from the other public pension funds in Ohio. And this isn't right that they are allowed to gamble and not listen to the alarms that were sounded in their own company by the risk managers or the fixed asset manager. Instead, those people who were trying to tell the truth were forced out. And it's that same story: Everything's just fine, don't look over here at what's on the off-balance sheet accounting tricks and give a different picture to the world.

We need to hold the Lehman Brothers and the Goldmans to account, and it is time to really talk about real financial reform, real Wall Street reform so that they are not allowed to hurt hardworking Americans and put their life savings in jeopardy again.

I think it's really important when you take a look at what went on in Wall Street after Bear Stearns collapsed. The SEC and the New York Fed went into these major Wall Street investment houses and were there trying to look things over but either didn't have the statutory authority or the expertise to really take a look at these mortgage instruments or really take the kind of action that would have protected consumers, and even not waited until you got to a situation with Bear Stearns but had gone in there much earlier and looked at it from the eyes of the consumer. Not how it's doing for Wall Street traders but what is its impact on consumers, the subprime mortgage solicitations and all the things that went on around this. It's so important, I think, that we do have a Consumer Protection Agency as part of Wall Street reform.

I hear from so many of my constituents, people in business, people who are developers, that the ability to obtain capital and then to expand their business, to hire more people, just isn't there. They are not being able to get the loans. It is really important to get that moving again so we can get our Main Street economy, our real economy, going again.

Too much of the money is somewhere else in the pipeline. We need to get it out there to Main Street. I know several of us are working on a number of bills and issues to help expand Small Business Administration loans and others, but we need to get the banks in a position where they are doing the kind of lending that helps small business and mortgages that make sense, because there is the right kind of documentation, down payment, and other finances are in order.

If the gentleman will yield, I agree that we really need to have strong regulation of derivatives and, of course, make them much more transparent. But the point you have made just now about the Wall Street pay is interesting. One of the things that I think infuriates people is when they see they are being hurt, jobs have been lost, shops have closed up, and yet they see the people that are responsible for taking our economy to the brink of disaster are getting that kind of a reward.

Also we need to see the corporate boards and the corporate shareholders take some more responsibility for what their corporations are doing. I think some of them want to do that. One of the things I would like to see happen is that shareholders get some kind of a say, some kind of an up-or-down vote on this kind of compensation. And not only do they get to vote, but I think when you have shareholders that may be hedge funds or pension funds or mutual funds, that they need to disclose also how their proxies are being exercised in these decisions about pay.

I absolutely agree with you. I voted for the House bill. I supported the House bill. I would welcome an even stronger bill in the Senate if

they would pass something along those lines to make sure that the excesses of Wall Street are reined in, that there is appropriate regulation, that these exotic products don't bring our economy down again, that there is accountability, and if somebody, some big house gets in economic difficulty, that it is not in the position where the government and the taxpayers have to rush in and bail them out.

We need to make very clear that there is not going to be a taxpayer- funded bailout, and that there needs to be the kind of resolution authority or some kind of orderly method to protect the rest of the economy from a company that has gotten into trouble.

We do have more work to do.

You're correct that things are improving and also correct that we're not out of the woods yet. The Recovery Act in Ohio, as in your State, helped keep teachers; police cadets were able to get another class going in the city of Columbus, Ohio; keep firefighters on the job, keep teachers teaching in schools.

We also put money in the pockets of hardworking Americans with the biggest tax cut in our history to make sure that middle-class families benefited from that Recovery Act. People who were unemployed or on food stamps also got a raise--not the kind of raise that Wall Street gets, but they got a raise. We know that that money goes directly back into the local economies. That helps build that path to economic recovery.

We'll continue to focus on jobs, on our economy, and on holding Wall Street accountable, and passing a strong Wall Street regulation bill. I look forward to working with you on that.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1116, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. I want to thank my friend and colleague Representative Barbara Lee for introducing this resolution, which brings attention to a disease that affects an estimated 400,000 people living in the United States.

Because I was diagnosed with MS in 2003, I know the importance of research into treatments and a cure for the disease. I support additional funding for research regarding MS, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. MS is a serious disease, but I am lucky to have insurance that pays for most of the cost of the expensive drugs that slow its progression and help prevent disability. However, many people diagnosed with MS often find their necessary medications financially out of reach. The 111th Congress has taken historic action to make health care affordable and accessible, to end discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions, and to help people control and live well with chronic illness--keeping them out of wheelchairs or nursing homes. However, we must continue to work on behalf of our constituents who every day are dealing with serious health conditions.

I am pleased that included in the health insurance reform law recently signed by the president is the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act. The CLASS Act will create an insurance program for the 10 million adults with disabilities in America to help them obtain the services and supports they need to stay functional, independent, and active in their community. It is a disgrace that millions of Americans with disabilities are forced to live a life of poverty just so they can qualify for long-term benefits offered by Medicaid. The CLASS Act will allow

people with disabilities to remain functional and independent while giving them an opportunity to receive an education, maintain a job, or join a community group.

I also want to acknowledge the work of the National MS Society, which works tirelessly on behalf of persons living with MS. Just this past weekend I participated in the Columbus MS Walk with my many friends in the Ohio Buckeye Chapter. This walk was just one of many across the country to raise money for research into MS.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to the day when the world is free of MS. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in finding the causes, improving the treatments while lowering their costs, and fighting for a cure for MS and other diseases, so that all Americans can live fully active and healthy lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor The Byrd Polar Research Center at The Ohio State University for fifty years of leadership in polar and alpine research. My staff and I had the pleasure of visiting this innovative research center on the campus of The Ohio State University where we met with Director Ellen Mosley- Thompson and Dr. Lonnie Thompson and saw some of their pioneering research first hand. We visited interactive classrooms, the cold lab, and cold storage facility, which houses the research center's impressive collection of ice cores.

Founded in 1960 as the Institute for Polar Studies, The Byrd Polar Research Center focuses on the history and evolution of global climate systems and the role of cold regions in climate change. In 1987 the facility was renamed for famous American Polar Explorer, Admiral Richard E. Byrd. The Research Center now includes eight research groups, a library, an archival program, and the U.S. Polar Rock Repository. Undergraduate and graduate students at The Ohio State University are able to participate in and learn from this cutting edge facility that organizes expeditions around the world. To reconstruct past climate trends The Byrd Polar Research Center uses a variety of methods, including the study of chemical records preserved in ice cores collected from glaciers in Greenland, Asia, North and South America, and Antarctica.

Our planet is in peril and during this critical time The Byrd Polar Research Center has advanced our knowledge of how cold regions play a role in our Earth's changes. The phenomenon of climate change has been well documented in the scientific community by groups like The Byrd Polar Research Center. Climate change demands immediate attention and action; for fifty years The Byrd Polar Research Center has contributed to our understanding of climate change and our ability to mitigate and adapt to its effects.

The Byrd Polar Research Center strives to improve our understanding of the environment and the changes that are occurring to it and provides central Ohioans with a world-class education and research facility. I am proud to recognize and honor The Byrd Polar Research Center and its hard working staff for fifty years of dedication to the advancement of scientific understanding of the world around us.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Meribah Mansfield for nearly four decades of service to Ohio's libraries and to congratulate her on her upcoming retirement.

Meribah has spent the last 38 years working in central Ohio's libraries and has served as the Director of the Worthington Libraries for the last nineteen years. An outstanding leader, Meribah is a past president of the Ohio Library Association and a past chair of the Ohio Library Council Board of Trustees. Over the course of her career, she has made countless and lasting contributions to Ohio's libraries including her involvement with the construction and renovation of the Columbus Main Library, the Worthington Northwest Library, and the Old Worthington Library. Meribah also has directed the creation of a Web site that commemorated the City of Worthington's bicentennial.

Public libraries play a crucial role in our communities, and we are indebted to all librarians, especially Meribah, for the indispensable service they perform.

Following her July 23rd retirement, Meribah plans to pursue her dream of becoming a deacon in the Episcopal Church. She also looks forward to spending time with her husband Bruce, children Matthew and Jessica, and grandchildren Owen and Connor. It is with great pride that I rise to honor Ms. Mansfield for her contributions to Ohio's libraries. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 200th anniversary of Madison County. This central Ohio county has reached its bicentennial milestone, during which we reflect on the history of the region and pay tribute to the proud and industrious families who live and work in Madison County today.

On February 16, 2010, Madison County residents celebrated two centuries of accomplishments, challenges, and growth. Established in 1810, Madison County was named after America's fourth president, James Madison and encompasses 467 square miles in central Ohio. Whether they are members of close-knit communities such as Mount Sterling, Plain City, West Jefferson, London, Midway, and South Solon, or part of the larger agricultural heritage of the surrounding homesteads, roughly 43,000 Ohioans call Madison County home. The county also offers a diverse workforce. From innovators that develop breakthroughs in research at Battelle Labs in West Jefferson, to the Amish farming tradition around Plain City, residents are both forward-thinking and grounded by their strong work ethic.

Madison County has been one of America's agricultural leaders. To this day, 88% of the land in the county is utilized for farming, ranking fourth in soybean and corn production in the state of Ohio. Because of the critical position agriculture holds in Madison County agricultural industry, it annually hosts The Ohio State University's Farm Science Review, one of the largest farm exhibitions in the world.

Madison County is home to Ohio's only natural plains, smaller versions of the Great Plains found in the West. They are dotted by family cemeteries of original settlers, often studied by genealogists across the state. Numerous attractions--such as the Madison Lake State Park, Lake Choctaw, the Red Brick Tavern, the Jonathan Alder Cabin, and Big Darby Creek State and National Scenic River--as well as many local parks and segments of the Prairie Grass Trail make Madison County a great place to live, work, and visit.

For two hundred years, Madison residents have played a vital role in the growth of central Ohio and particularly to Ohio's 15th Congressional District. I am proud to represent the residents of Madison County and to honor them as they celebrate two hundred years of history and achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Columbus Chapter of the MOLES on its 50th Anniversary. The MOLES, an acronym for Maturity, Optimism, Loyalty, Enthusiasm, and Sparkle, is a social organization consisting of nearly 1,000 women in 30 chapters across the United States.

The MOLES was chartered in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1950. Although the original purpose of the group was to foster fun, pleasure and fellowship, the members soon realized that some in their respective communities needed a helping hand. Chapters across the country have contributed to the health and physical needs of the less fortunate, provided scholarships, assisted the aged, blind and underprivileged, and encouraged racial equality in their communities. In 1960, fourteen women dedicated to the ideals and goals of the MOLES organization formed the Columbus Chapter. This sisterhood of joyful and compassionate women has remained a steadfast component in Franklin County.

On February 27, 2010, the Columbus Chapter of the MOLES celebrated its 50th year of fellowship and service to others. In attendance that night was Eleanor DeLoache, one of the original members of the Columbus chapter. The Columbus MOLES has been an exemplary social and service organization for 50 years, and I am proud to offer them my congratulations and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lonnie Carmon, who in 1926 became the first African American to fly a plane in central Ohio. Through his persistence, creativity, and ingenuity, Lonnie contributed to the evolution of aviation as well as the advancement of African Americans. The Ohio Historical Society has honored Lonnie Carmon for his role in the history of aviation in Ohio with a tribute to aviators who lived and flew out of Columbus.

Lonnie Carmon was affectionately referred to as the ``junk man'' for his recycling business, in which he would take discarded goods and sell them to people who could use them. Lonnie was a creative and inventive man who built his aircraft himself with little guidance, using materials he came across in his recycling business. His ability to turn what others considered trash into a working airplane has made him a pioneer in the field and for this reason he is celebrated during National Aviation Month every November.

Lonnie Carmon was recognized in 2004 by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which dedicated its 2003 Annual Report to the celebration of the History of Aviation in Central Ohio during the 75th anniversary of Port Columbus International Airport. The Annual Report included a photograph of Lonnie and the aircraft he built and flew.

Lonnie Carmon was honored by his granddaughter and other members of the Columbus community on February 20, 2010, at the Ohio Historical Center where he received a Citation of Achievement from Mayor Michael Coleman. State Representative and House Majority Floor Leader Tracy Maxwell Heard also issued a resolution of recognition in celebration of Lonnie's accomplishments. Lonnie Carmon, along with all those who contributed to the history of flight in Ohio, will continue to be honored and recognized for his impact on aviation. I am proud to honor Lonnie Carmon, for his drive, innovation, and ability as a pioneer in Ohio aviation history.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Nathan Elfrink, an energetic, passionate young man. Despite having spent most of his life fighting a brain tumor, Nate never let his illness diminish his thirst for adventure. He passed away at the age of seven on February 26, 2010. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and all those who have been touched by Nate's kindness and bravery.

Nate never complained about his illness, the doctor's appointments, or the difficult treatments. Instead, he often asked his mom when he could go play on his way to appointments. He was a caring boy who would bake cookies for his teachers and friends. Nate was active in various community events around central Ohio and he led a group, known as ``Nate's Mates,'' at a local Relay For Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Nate's favorite holiday was Christmas. Last year, Nate's mother posted an online update about his condition and said that he would enjoy receiving Christmas cards. A subsequent Facebook group was initiated asking for one million Christmas cards for Nate. As cards poured in from all 50 states and 63 countries, the town of West Jefferson came together to open all the cards and read the most notable to Nate.

Nate always had a passion for sports and despite his worsening condition, Nate watched the entire Winter Olympics opening ceremony and enjoyed pointing out all the countries from which he received cards.

Nate enjoyed his life the best he could. His family plans to keep the cards Nate received and hold a Christmas in July celebration on what would have been Nate's eighth birthday. I am proud to honor Nate Elfrink for his courage and optimism throughout his illness; this inspirational member of our community will be sincerely missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4840, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1979 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio, as the ``Clarence D. Lumpkin Post Office'' in honor of Clarence Lumpkin, a long-time community activist who has worked tirelessly on behalf of his Columbus neighborhood of Linden. Mr. Lumpkin has had a profound impact on many families in central Ohio, and his community involvement and activism have helped ensure that the Linden community retains its post office.

Growing up in the rural South, Clarence Lumpkin first moved to the Linden neighborhood after serving in the Army during World War II. Proving to be a tireless community activist, Mr. Lumpkin became affectionately known as ``the Mayor of Linden'' for his efforts. He successfully advocated for the needs of his community numerous times over the past several decades, persuading the city to separate storm and sanitation sewers to stop basement flooding, to build a long-needed new fire station, and ensuring the Department of Transportation did not divide the Linden community with interstate highway construction. His many accomplishments also include his work with the Community Development Block Grant task force to secure home improvement grants for seniors and low-interest loans for Linden residents, leading anti- drug marches, and making Linden the first inner city community with lights on every residential street.

Mr. Lumpkin once presented a speech before the Columbus City Council in 1974 regarding the needs of the Linden community, calling for ``a point of pride'' to be developed to motivate interest in Linden and give the community a sense of direction. His vision became reality in 2007 with the dedication of the ``Clarence D. Lumpkin Point of Pride Building,'' the last building to be built by the Greater Linden Development Corporation as a part of its Four Corners Vision Plan for commercial redevelopment, and a testament to his diligence and activism.

As a father, grandfather, and mentor, Mr. Lumpkin worked to instill in others the same virtues of hard work and community involvement that drive him. His son, Doug, and his daughter, Carolyn, who worked with me during my time as a county commissioner, continue his legacy of public service through their work in state and local government. Mr. Lumpkin also had a tremendous impact as a mentor through the Simba program, a program in which African-American men mentor African-American boys, most of whom have no father or other adult male in their lives. Because of his efforts, a young man Mr. Lumpkin mentored is expected to graduate from college in 2011.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation and to recognize Mr. Lumpkin's many achievements and decades of service to his community. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Clarence Lumpkin and his lifetime of community involvement and activism by supporting the passage of H.R. 4840.

Madam Speaker, I believe that a great strength of our democracy is in our First Amendment. It allows for the robust exchange of ideas and opinions. I welcome that. I want to hear what my constituents are thinking, what concerns they have, concerns about how health care will work for them. I want to listen to them discuss the lack of health care and how that affects their life, the high cost of health care and how they are coping with that.

I have held town halls, roundtables, small groups, over 20 meetings in my district over health care. And this week demonstrations for and against health care reform were held in front of my district office.

Unfortunately, some of those opposing health care reform went too far. Instead of making their arguments against the bill, they engaged in abusive language directed at one of my constituents who suffers the terrible ravages of Parkinson's disease. They treated him like a beggar. They threw dollar bills at him. They did not respect his humanity, did not respect his right to give his opinion on the health care bill. This type of protest goes too far. It has crossed a line.

The health care legislation is about respecting each other's rights as human beings. And when it comes to needed medical care, it should respect our rights as citizens to express our opinions.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band, who in January 2010, became the first blind marching band in the nation to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Thirty-five talented and inspirational blind students, accompanied by their sighted marching assistants, demonstrated their unique abilities by marching alongside some of the nation's top marching bands.

Located in Columbus, the publicly-funded Ohio State School for the Blind offers academic, vocational, and extra-curricular opportunities to its students. The school is committed to developing their students' potential by partnering with the community to ensure that their students' educational experience is both effective and enjoyable.

The Ohio State School for the Blind has the only fully blind marching band in the nation. Before joining the Tournament of Roses Parade, the marching band performed at the Ohio School for the Deaf football games and other local events. This unique marching band was formed in 2005 and the members were thrilled to discover in October 2008 that their application to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade had been approved.

January 1, 2010, was an exciting day for central Ohio. In addition to celebrating the victory of The Ohio State Buckeyes over the University of Oregon Ducks, I was proud to see the young people of the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band represent our district with such passion and skill. The marching band completed the full parade route of almost six miles and participated in the halftime show, wowing the crowds with their signature performance of Script Ohio in Braille.

The Ohio School for the Blind provides an immeasurable service to our blind children and their families. Their marching band's recent trip to California is an excellent example of one of the many achievements these dedicated and talented students have attained. It is with great pride that I honor the Ohio State School for the Blind and congratulate its stellar Marching Band on such a remarkable achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of The Shamrock Club of Columbus and its president Francis Doyle for their efforts to share and celebrate the historical, cultural, and social contributions of Irish-Americans. The Shamrock Club of Columbus is a non-profit social organization that hosts events throughout the year and builds lasting friendships between Columbus residents.

On March 17, 2010, The Shamrock Club will join other members of our nation's Irish community in celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. Each year, The Shamrock Club celebrates the Feast of Saint Patrick with a procession, a mass, a parade, and the annual Irish Family Reunion. Since 1936, this group has organized and sponsored the traditional St. Patrick's Day Parade, which has become a beloved tradition for families throughout Columbus area.

The Shamrock Club benefits from the leadership of President Francis Doyle, a man whose dedication to the Irish community of Columbus has made him an influential member of the group since he first joined over 40 years ago. Before being named president, Francis helped to organize the annual Irish Family Reunion, which brings together Irish families and supporters for an afternoon of activities and celebration. Francis has proven to be an energetic and intelligent president, and under his leadership The Shamrock Club has grown to almost 2,500 members.

The members of The Shamrock Club and Irish-Americans throughout central Ohio have contributed greatly to the social and cultural development of our community. I am proud to honor Francis Doyle, The Shamrock Club of Columbus, and the large and vibrant Irish community in central Ohio as they join together to celebrate Irish heritage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elford, Inc. for a century of dedicated service to the Columbus area. Elford has remained true to its core values of integrity, consistency, and responsibility, while providing first-rate construction services to businesses, hospitals, schools, and other organizations throughout central Ohio.

In 1910, Edward ``Pop'' Elford founded Elford, Inc. with the goal of providing honest, high-quality service through dedicated construction professionals. One hundred years later, Elford has grown to over 200 employees while staying true to its roots by building lasting relationships through expert advice and guidance on each of their projects. The company's commitment to excellence has been recognized with numerous awards and honors including the City of Columbus EOC Prime Contractor of the Year, the Governor's Award for Excellence, the Association of General Contractors Build Ohio Award, and the American Subcontractors Association Outstanding Contractor Award.

In addition to providing superior project planning, general contracting, and building management services, Elford, Inc. has committed itself to improving the surrounding community. The company donates generously to many charitable and community-building organizations and the Elford employees carry on the values of this century-old construction company by donating their time to various causes including the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, local hospitals and health centers, Hospice, the Rotary Club of Columbus, and local teams and clubs that benefit Columbus' youth. Elford also strives to promote diversity within their business and partners with and mentors local minority and women-owned businesses.

For 100 years, the honesty, dedication, and commitment to excellence that characterized ``Pop'' Elford has carried on through the high-

quality and reliable services that Elford provides in central Ohio. I am proud to recognize and honor Elford for a century of service to the Columbus area and for its record as a company that has positively shaped our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Columbus Compact Corporation for its service to the city of Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus Compact Corporation, or the Compact, is a nonprofit community development organization that works to improve the quality of life in the central city neighborhoods of Columbus. On March 10, 2010, Columbus Compact Corporation will celebrate its 15th anniversary of serving central Ohio residents and businesses.

The Compact's mission is to act as both a catalyst for positive change and agent for the growth and development of central city Columbus. Since 1999, the Compact has led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-designated ``Columbus Empowerment Zone.'' This program implements community redevelopment strategies and directs resources to rebuild the city's most distressed urban neighborhoods, making Columbus a happier, healthier, and more desirable place to live, work, and play.

The Compact also lends money to new and existing businesses to create jobs and bring vital goods and services to Columbus. Over the last 15 years, the Compact has focused on developing real estate in concentrated areas and on a scale that allows for larger redevelopment in the neighborhoods of Columbus while enhancing the variety and quality of the housing stock.

The Columbus Compact Corporation strives to improve the city of Columbus by strengthening neighborhoods and encouraging people to reach their full potential. The Compact is continually working towards creating a healthy, thriving central city that is filled with successful and economically secure individuals, families, and businesses. I am proud to recognize and honor the Columbus Compact Corporation for its 15 years of dedication to improving the quality of life in the city of Columbus.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1047, bipartisan legislation I introduced to recognize the Ohio State University Buckeyes football team for its victory in the 2010 Rose Bowl. As a graduate of the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University, and the Representative of the 15th Congressional District, where Ohio State University is located, it is my very great pleasure to wear the scarlet and gray today, and to publicly and formally congratulate the Buckeyes on a wonderful season, particularly for its Rose Bowl win.

I would like to thank the 26 cosponsors of this resolution for joining me in recognizing the Buckeyes' achievements, including all 18 members of the Ohio delegation. Buckeye football unites us across party lines. And I thank my Big 10 colleague from Wisconsin for his support of the resolution, and particularly for his kind words about Ohio State University's strong history of academic achievement. I am pleased that we can set aside partisan differences to come together and recognize the achievements of the student athletes of Buckeye football. I would also like to thank Chairman Miller for his help in bringing this resolution to the floor.

On January 1, 2010, central Ohio cheered on the Ohio State Buckeyes as they defeated the University of Oregon Ducks 26-17 in the 96th Rose Bowl game. It was the Buckeyes' fifth straight BCS bowl appearance and seventh Rose Bowl victory in the program's history. The Buckeyes' strong defense held the high-powered Oregon offense to 27 points below its season average.

While the win was a result of a tremendous team effort, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, son of Pennsylvania, Mr. Speaker, turned in an exceptional individual performance, throwing for 266 yards and rushing for 72 more, earning the Most Valuable Player award.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Buckeyes' worthy opponent, the Pac 10 champion Oregon Ducks, on a great season. Led by their quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and their running back LaMichael James, the Ducks came into the game ranked number seven and boasted one of the most prolific offenses in the Nation. Although the Buckeyes prevailed in Pasadena, Oregon overcame adversity all season and should also be proud of their achievements.

A great thing about college football is that you see the students come and go and new teams every year. And so after losing a wealth of experience on both offense and defense, some thought that 2009 might be a rebuilding year for the Ohio State Buckeyes' football team. But instead, during a banner month of November, the Buckeyes tallied wins over then-number 10 Penn State and then-number 13 Iowa in a thrilling overtime game on their way to winning the Big 10 title.

The Buckeyes achieved many historic achievements during the 2009 season. The team earned its fifth consecutive Big 10 Conference title, and its sixth in the last eight seasons. The Buckeyes also won at least 10 games 5 straight years for the first time in the program's storied history. The Ohio State defense was ranked in the top five nationally in four statistical categories, while shutting their opponents out three times. This year's senior class is the most successful in Ohio State history, winning a school record 44 games over the past 4 years. In addition, head coach Jim Tressel became only the second Ohio State coach, along with Woody Hayes, to win both a Rose Bowl championship and the national championship with the Buckeyes. Most importantly, 31 Buckeyes were named to the Big 10 all-academic team, and the Buckeyes have led the Big 10 in all-academic team honorees in eight consecutive seasons.

One other comment about the Rose Bowl, this one about the Rose Bowl Parade. Many great marching bands, including those from Ohio, marched on that day in the Rose Bowl Parade, but it was a banner day when the marching band from the Ohio State School for the Blind marched the streets of Pasadena as part of the Rose Bowl Parade, an historic first. And I really congratulate those students, their teachers, and their band director. We are very proud of their outstanding achievement as well.

As it turns out, the Buckeyes' victory in the Rose Bowl was a sign of good things to come for Ohio State athletics in 2010. The women's basketball team recently won the Big 10 regular season title for the sixth year in a row, a new record, and the Big 10 tournament title for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, the men's basketball team won a share of the Big 10 regular season championship going into this weekend's Big 10 tournament. I wish both of these teams the best of luck during their postseason runs.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution recognizing the Ohio State Buckeyes' athletic and academic achievements. The 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team conducted itself both on and off the field with the excellence we have come to expect from this great program. I congratulate the Buckeyes on their season and look forward to cheering them on in 2010. As we say in Ohio, Go Bucks.