Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3199--Emergency Medic Transition, EMT, Act. As an original cosponsor and co-author of this bill, I'm pleased that policy language I authored regarding reciprocity for military emergency medical technicians can be considered today. This provision establishes reciprocity between the armed services and states regarding certification for emergency medical technicians, EMTs.

In 2008, the State of Illinois passed legislation which allows military ``EMT'' training of an honorably discharged member of the armed forces to be considered as `reciprocal' for its licensure requirements. Working with Representatives Harman and Herseth Sandlin, I included a similar provision in H.R. 3199, The Emergency Medic Training, EMT, Act, a comprehensive bill that will assist our EMT vets with training, grants, and education opportunities when they arrive home.

The need for such direction to states remains necessary. Our men and women in uniform should be able to use their real-time training and education in the field to help those in emergencies here at home, without the cost and redundancy of retraining upon their return.

I want to thank Congresswomen Harman and Herseth Sandlin for their hard work and support of our returning EMTs as well as their efforts to bring the underlying bill to the floor. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1640 and as the designee of the chairman of the Committee on Financial Services, I call up the bill (H.R. 5297) to create the Small Business Lending Fund Program to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to make capital investments in eligible institutions in order to increase the availability of credit for small businesses, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for small business job creation, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and I have a motion at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5297 and urge my colleagues to support America's small businesses, our job creators, by voting ``yes'' on this bill.

Some Members of Congress frequently talk about the importance of small businesses to our communities and our economy, yet fail to actually vote for pro-business legislation that comes before them on this House floor. Today they have the chance to act, to do something that truly provides real and immediate assistance to small business owners.

The Small Business Jobs Act is one of the most important bills this year to support our economic recovery. During the small business Federal resource seminars that I hold in my district, community business owners have told me again and again that lack of access to affordable credit remains their greatest obstacle to business recovery, expansion and diversification.

This critical and timely bill will help bridge that gap. Today's legislation builds on the successful provisions in the Recovery Act that helped revive small business lending and secondary credit markets. This bill provides increased SBA loan guarantees and reduced fees; and $12 billion in small business tax cuts like the net operating loss carryback, enhanced section 179 expense provisions and bonus depreciation, and eliminates capital gains taxes for small business investments.

Also included is a provision I authored to allow commercial real estate refinancing in the SBA 504 program. This will help business owners with performing loans stay in their business properties that would otherwise be ineligible for refinancing due to falling values.

I would now like to ask the gentleman from Massachusetts to engage in a short colloquy to clarify the capital treatment of small business lending fund investments.

Over the last few months, hearings in the Financial Services Committee and many meetings that Members have had with constituents have clearly demonstrated that this kind of legislation is being called for by a broad spectrum of American small businesses and small lenders. One of the main components of the bill is the small business loan fund.

Up to $30 billion in capital to small banks can be leveraged to $300 billion in loans to small businesses, our job creators, by making money for the government over 10 years. Community banks that participate in the small business lending fund will be able to support many multiples of that amount in new lending. To allow that to occur, it has always been our intent and understanding that the bank regulators should treat small business lending fund investments in all eligible institutions-- community banks, thrifts and holding companies--as tier 1 capital, in a manner consistent with that accorded to other capital securities issued to Treasury by eligible institutions and in consideration of the strong public interest in promoting lending to small businesses.

It is my understanding that these investments are meant to be counted as tier 1 capital. Mr. Chairman, is that correct?

I yield to the chairman.

Mr. Chairman, it is also my understanding that you and committee staff have been in discussion with Treasury and regulators since this bill was in our committee about the intent that these investments can be counted as tier 1 capital in a manner consistent with that accorded to other capital securities issued to Treasury and that Treasury and the regulators understand Congress' intent and have noted that they have the appropriate authority to do so under the bill.

Thank you, Chairman Frank, for all your hard work on this important bill. With access to tier 1 capital, community banks that participate in this program will be able to provide small businesses with the credit they need to grow and hire.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding and for your thoughtful leadership and stewardship on our Nation's transportation resources and your commitment to strengthening America's competitiveness.

I strongly support the renewed focus and investment in our Nation's critical rail infrastructure. Yet I continue to have grave concerns about the impacts of freight rail traffic on communities whose road infrastructure was not designed to accommodate increased levels of rail traffic.

In communities in my district in Illinois, those concerns include blocked crossings that cause traffic bottlenecks; safety threats due to decreased mobility of emergency responders; safety issues due to increased car volumes and speeds; noise and air pollution; and interference with proposed commuter rail expansions.

The recent acquisition of the EJ&E by Canadian National promises to significantly increase daily rail traffic. This would necessitate construction of over a dozen grade separations, like underpasses and overpasses, to ensure adequate safety and traffic flow. With each construction project estimated at costs of tens of millions of dollars, the impact of this federally approved rail transaction rises to the level of regional and national significance. Municipalities like Barrington and others along the EJ&E need DOT funding to help their communities continue to function which is why we need a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization moving forward to address such needs nationwide.

While funding for grade separation construction will come from the FHA in this bill, the FRA and STB must continue to work together to align transportation and safety priorities. State and local governments cannot be expected to bear the burden of accommodating regionally and nationally significant freight movement. It's in everyone's interest that Federal agencies partner with communities to ensure the impacts of such freight are mitigated to a reasonable and practicable extent.

I would like to point out that crossing hazard reduction efforts should not be limited to high-speed rail corridors. The vast majority of our rail network continues to be comprised of non-high-speed rail, regardless of maximum potential train speed.

I yield to the chairman.

I agree with the chairman, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on these important issues. I look forward to working with you further on it.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 430, the Obey amendment, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Since the 2008 financial crisis that reduced the values of their homes and savings, our constituents have demanded action and answers. What went wrong and what will Congress do to make sure it doesn't happen again? This bill answers with strong protections for American families.

The problems started in our neighborhoods where too many home buyers took out loans they couldn't afford and too many lenders approved those loans. This bill ends the period of no-doc loans and drive-by appraisals with new lending standards, with risk retention to ensure lenders want to keep those good loans on their books, and rating agency liability and reform.

Next, derivatives were at the heart of the AIG failure. This bill creates regulation where it did not exist in this multitrillion market with required transparency, ensuring that these trades are exchange- traded cleared and-or reported. Capital reserves will be required to back up the risks they take and protect the entire system. And, most important, it ends taxpayer bailouts. Those companies who take risk, if you fail, you're fired. Your shareholders will lose money and the financial industry is responsible for liquidation.

Everyone, from home buyers in our neighborhoods to wizards on Wall Street to regulators in Washington, recognizes that the era of no regulation is over. Status quo doesn't work. It's time to act and protect the American people.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the instruction in the amendment printed in part B of House Report 111-506 relating to page 11, line 8, be considered to refer to section 4(d)(2)(a) of the original-text substitute.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 5297 and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 5 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, our Nation's economic rebirth relies upon the ability of our community businesses to innovate, develop, and market solutions that deliver measurable value to their customers. Their success drives the majority of new jobs in our Nation. They are the engine of innovation, and their resiliency to reinvent their business models and adapt to emerging growth markets is critical. It's their creativity that drives 13 times more patents per employee than larger firms. They are the cornerstones of our economy and our communities. Beyond the goods and services and the jobs they provide, they invest in the bricks and mortar/real estate in our communities. They have supply chains that depend on their business. They do charitable giving, and they mentor young people in their communities.

Congress has done much to address the challenges small businesses face. Among the $288 billion in tax breaks in the Recovery Act were crucial small business tax provisions, such as accelerated bonus depreciation and an expansion of the net operating loss carryback that has already rebated $2.8 billion to businesses across our Nation.

U.S. manufacturing is growing, we're adding new jobs every month in 2010, and GPD is now trending positively, moving from a negative 6 to positive 6 in the year following the Recovery Act and it's now holding at 3 percent. But as I talk with small businesses in my district and across the Nation, the issue that has continued to be an obstacle to business expansion and diversification is access to credit.

The financial crisis of 2008 severely tightened small business access to credit and affordable terms. When businesses can't access financing, they're prevented from entering into new contracts, buying new equipment, hiring new employees, and other expansions. In the worst cases, business owners must cut payrolls, go into bankruptcy, or close their doors for good. Congress has taken steps to alleviate that problem. The Recovery Act included valuable changes to the SBA loan programs, reducing fees for lenders and borrowers on the 7(a) and 504 loan programs and increasing government guarantees to attract more capital. As a result, weekly SBA loan approval volumes have increased by over 90 percent.

The improvements to SBA loan programs and other measures we've taken have helped, but much more needs to be done. Earlier this year, commercial and industrial loans declined for the seventh straight quarter, down more than 17 percent from 2009, and banks are receiving mixed messages. On the one hand, Congress and the administration are urging them to lend more; on the other, bank regulators are telling them to hold back on lending. In fact, our colleague, Mr. Price, has an amendment expressing a sense of Congress on that point.

In addition, banks have greater risk aversion due to their exposure on their balance sheets--stemming especially from the instability of the commercial real estate sector. That brings us to this important bill on the floor today. The Financial Services Committee has held several hearings on the restriction of credit for small business. The bill before us today builds on those hearings and was considered in the open process the committee is known for.

During markup of the bill, the committee adopted 15 amendments, including seven Republican amendments, and today we will consider 17 additional amendments, the vast majority of which are to the Financial Services portion of the bill.

The Small Business Lending Fund Act is a significant step to boost small business lending through our community banks. This legislation builds on the effective financial stabilization measures Congress has previously taken by establishing a new $30 billion small business loan fund to provide additional capital to community banks that increase lending to small businesses. This $30 billion investment on which the government will be collecting dividends and earning a profit per the CBO estimates can be leveraged by banks into over $300 billion in new small business loans. This is an important investment by the Federal Government in our small business that brings tremendous returns.

The terms of the capital provided to banks are performance based; the more a bank increases its small business lending, the lower the dividend rate is for the SBLF capital. If a bank decreases its small business lending, it will be penalized with higher dividend rates.

This legislation includes strong safeguards to ensure that banks adequately utilize available funds to increase lending to small businesses, not for other lending or to improve their balance sheet. There will be oversight consistently throughout the program, plus it requires that the capital be invested only in strong financial institutions at little risk of default and the best positioned to increase small business lending.

It's important for Americans to understand that although this fund has a maximum value of $30 billion, it is estimated to make a profit for taxpayers in the long run. And the money will ultimately go not to banks, but to the small businesses and their communities that they lend to. As our financial system stabilizes and our community banks recapitalize, these funds will be repaid to Treasury with full repayment required over the next 10 years.

Also included in the Financial Services portion of this bill is the State Small Business Credit Initiative championed by our colleague, Mr. Peters. The underlying bill provides $2 billion in funding for new or existing State lending programs.

I yield myself 1 additional minute.

This program provides funding for States to expand or create lending programs that use small amounts of public resources to generate private bank financing and are designed to address critical reasons why banks are having trouble making increased investments now--lack of adequate capital reserves on the part of lenders and collateral shortfalls on the part of borrowers.

The State Small Business Credit Initiative is required to leverage $10 of private funding for every $1 of government funding. Many of the existing capital access programs leverage 30 private dollars for every 1 government dollar. By supporting existing programs and using an easy- to-replicate model, this program will be quickly ramped up to increase small business lending which will retain and create jobs.

Small businesses are the job creators of our Nation. Supporting their ability to grow and innovate is key to a robust and stable economic recovery. I commend the leadership of Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Velazquez in bringing this package to the floor, which will provide critical support to the half of all American workers who either own or work for a small business.

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

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).

I thank the congressman for his concerns, and I have similar concerns.

In my home State of Illinois, we also have institutions that would like to participate but would be unable to because of the asset cap. I know Chairman Frank agrees on this point.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 additional seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Peters).

I yield 1 minute to the majority leader.

I yield myself the balance of time.

Well, first I would like to address some of the points our colleague from Missouri suggested, that all we need to do for business is less Federal action and less regulation. And on that point, I would have to agree, the minority has delivered--less action and less regulation, a culture of deregulation that led to the financial crisis and the recent oil spill in the gulf. But this bill isn't about regulation. It's about credit.

And I would then like to move to the point of my colleague from Texas who suggested that this bill adds $33 billion to the national debt. That's disingenuous, as the gentleman knows. This is not a $30 billion cost, according to the nonpartisan CBO. The legislation, in fact, will reduce the deficit. Now, these funds are an investment, and there are clear safeguards that ensure that taxpayers are repaid with interest. Also, his concern for small businesses fearing higher taxes is unwarranted, as taxes are, in fact, at historic lows; and in the Recovery Act, of the $288 billion in tax cuts, many of those went to our community businesses.

He also cited the NFIB to claim that access to credit is not a serious problem, yet the NFIB's own data shows that only 40 percent of small business owners attempting to borrow last year had all of their credit needs met, and nearly one-quarter of would-be borrowers, 25 percent, had none of their credit needs met. Now, he did suggest that some businesses--or he suggested all businesses--are just in a holding pattern, when the reality is, some of them are, and that's not who this legislation is directed to. There are many others who have started to see their pipeline build and their forecasts develop and are seeking to expand their operations and hire people, and they need that access to capital.

This Small Business Lending Fund Act is for those who are going to grow us out of this recession. I urge my colleagues to support this important investment in those community businesses that are the cornerstone of our economy.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I claim time in opposition, even though I'm not opposed.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to acknowledge Congressman Price's amendment and its recognition of the challenges facing not only community businesses seeking loans but the community bankers that are trying to provide them. His amendment recognizes mixed messages between legislators urging more lending while regulators and examiners are often urging less, particularly in the area of commercial real estate. That's why I have a bill that addresses both priorities by expanding the SBA 504 program to allow banks to lend to small businesses for owner-occupied properties, while easing the exposure on their bank's balance sheet with investments from the CDCs.

I also want to acknowledge that this amendment recognizes the credit crisis that's challenging our country and our small businesses particularly, which is the point of this underlying bill. And I hope my colleague will support the underlying bill as it addresses those credit challenges.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I just want to applaud Congressmen Driehaus, Connolly, and Moore's efforts to improve the oversight of the SBLF program. This amendment importantly expands oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected. I urge my colleagues to adopt the amendment.

I would further rebut our colleague from Texas' inaccurate assertion that the program is not paid for. The gentleman knows full well that it is fully paid for and that, according to the CBO, the government will earn a profit.

Madam Chairwoman, I just want to acknowledge Congressman Braley's efforts recognizing the challenges Americans have reading many government documents, particularly lending disclosures, which are very difficult to understand. This amendment is a commonsense approach to making the program more accessible. And I commend his leadership to expand plain language to all government documents.

Madam Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment I am here to talk to my colleagues about today protects taxpayers and increases government accountability while preserving a critical program that has helped 37 million Americans become homeowners since 1934.

My amendment requires HUD and the FHA to conduct annual comprehensive assessments and considerations for increased minimum down payment requirements in the FHA mortgage guarantee program and grants the FHA greater authority to do so.

Currently, the minimum cash investment requirement, commonly referred to as the ``down payment requirement,'' is set at 3.5 percent. HUD has used its existing authority to propose a 10 percent down payment requirement for borrowers with credit scores below 580, and I applaud FHA Commissioner Stevens and HUD for this important step to protect taxpayer dollars.

However, it's important for HUD to be given clear direction on evaluating future down payment increases as data suggests that the foreclosure crisis is not yet over.

According to core logic, approximately one in four borrowers are underwater in their mortgages, which means they owe more than their house is currently worth. As borrowers become increasingly underwater, they lose incentive to continue to pay their mortgage, which can lead to delinquency and further foreclosures.

While it is difficult for individual homeowners to guard against large swings in the housing market, one important tool for preventing negative equity is to require a meaningful down payment. To make sure HUD is setting down payment requirements for the FHA program that will sufficiently protect the Federal Government from excessive defaults, my amendment requires HUD to submit an annual report to Congress regarding proposed or actual increases. The report would require HUD to analyze the impacts that they would have on the financial soundness of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund--which is the reserve fund referenced frequently in today's debate--also the effect on the housing finance market of the United States and the number of borrowers served by the FHA program.

The amendment requires HUD to consider the findings of these annual reports in determining whether higher down payment requirements are warranted. In addition, it grants authority to HUD to establish requirements for all borrowers or a class or classes of borrowers, and it directs HUD to consider a borrower's credit score when making these decisions.

Combined, this amendment will mandate HUD to evaluate resetting down payment requirements every year, and it will ensure the Federal Government is effectively protected from unnecessary risk. This amendment allows Congress to protect taxpayers without being overly prescriptive or handcuffing the FHA with specific terms. Instead, it provides the FHA the authority to make fact-based decisions based on the level of defaults and market conditions.

We learned from the current mortgage crisis that the FHA needs the data and the flexibility to address changes in today's more dynamic and diverse mortgage market and to protect taxpayers. We also recognize the importance of preserving access to affordable mortgages for millions of American families. FHA has helped Americans attain home ownership and has provided crucial mortgage insurance at times when the private market has pulled back from the mortgage market.

This legislation well-complements the consumer and taxpayer protections in the Wall Street reforms Congress is moving towards final passage.

I urge my colleagues to support the Bean amendment and the underlying bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Well, first of all, it's mandating it. They have to evaluate the facts every year and then propose to Congress why they are or aren't making changes. So that's different than what they've been required to do in the past.

They do have the authority to make changes.

That's correct.

I yield such time as she may consume to Congresswoman Waters.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, and I'm pleased that policy language that I authored regarding emergency medical technicians has been included in the committee report. With this inclusion, reciprocity between the armed services and States regarding certification for emergency medical technicians, EMTs, will be established.

Last year, the State of Illinois passed legislation which allows military ``emergency medical technician'' training of an honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces to be considered as reciprocal for its licensure requirements. Working with Representatives Harman and Herseth Sandlin, I included such a provision into H.R. 3199, the Emergency Medic Training, or EMT, Act which was later incorporated into the House Health Insurance Reform Bill.

Although the provision was not included in the final health reform legislation, the need for such direction to States has now been addressed. Our men and women in uniform will be able to use their real- time training and education in the field to help those in emergencies here at home, if they so choose, without the cost and redundancy retraining upon their return.

I thank Chairman Skelton for his support and his efforts on the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize National Small

Business Week. This year marks the 47th annual Small Business Week, during which we honor the immense contributions of entrepreneurs, their companies, and their workforce to our country.

Our Nation's economic rebirth relies on the ability of our community businesses to innovate, develop, and market solutions that deliver measurable value to their clients. Their growth and success creates up to 80 percent of new jobs in our Nation, including 25,000 already this month.

As a former business owner, I recognize today's many challenges, including getting access to capital, lowering energy costs, funding R&D, workforce training, and improving efficiencies.

When I host Small Business Federal Resource Seminars in my district, I encourage community businesses to connect with Federal agencies whose resources and programs could be useful to their operations, including-- I have the SBA come out and share information with our businesses about 504 and 7(a) and Express loan programs. We also talk about small business development tools from the SBDCs.

The IRS is available to provide information about small business tax incentives, which include 179 expense provisions and bonus depreciation, the NOL carryback that has already refunded $2.6 billion to small businesses that had been in the stimulus, so that as they had been profitable in previous years, they can get those dollars back at a time they need to cover payroll and operating expenses. There are also tax credits for health care, which the IRS elaborates on as well.

The Commerce Department talks about export programs, and the Department of Energy talks about Webinars and grants, tools, and incentives for energy development and energy efficiencies.

Small firms are the engine of our U.S. innovation and competitiveness, producing 13 times more patents for employees than those in larger firms. And they support our communities. In addition to goods, jobs, and services, small firms invest in local real estate. Their suppliers grow as they grow, and they contribute to charities and provide leadership and mentoring services to their neighbors.

To help small firms weather the recession and access the capital that is critical to their growth, Congress and the SBA have stepped up. The Recovery Act included $288 billion worth of tax cuts, not just to 95 percent of working Americans, our consumers, but business incentives as well, including bonus depreciation, 179 expensing, the NOL carryback, and capital gains exclusions for small business stock. The first-time home buyer tax credit helped bring 700,000 new buyers back into the market.

This broad-based stimulus went further with infrastructure investment in roads, bridges, energy, and water projects, and included investments in education, smart grid technology, and health IT.

We have seen a positive return. GDP growth has gone from negative 6 to positive 6 since the stimulus, and U.S. manufacturing is now growing at its fastest pace since 2006. While these signs of recovery are encouraging, more needs to be done.

Creditworthy businesses need to have access to working capital, and many need to restructure their debt in the months and years ahead. When businesses can't access financing, they delay contracts, hiring, equipment purchases, and other expansions.

The Recovery Act provided higher guarantees and reduced fees on SBA 7(a) and 504 loans. Since its passage SBA has driven over $27 billion in small business loans into the hands of our community businesses, yet many are still struggling to access affordable capital. Banks are operating under tightened lending standards and have greater risk aversion and greater exposure to the instability of the commercial real estate market.

Their strained balance sheets make it difficult to continue extending credit, where appropriate, to small businesses.

The experience of the Recovery Act has shown that the SBA guarantee can make a difference for an entrepreneur in need of capital. When it comes to Congress' approach to fostering recovery, every week must be Small Business Week.

My colleagues and I will continue to address the capital access gap with measures we move forward in the weeks ahead. Congresswoman Dahlkemper and I have a bipartisan measure to increase the maximum loan size and guarantee on the SBA express loan, a critical tool that provides working capital so firms can restock inventory and make new hires.

Today I introduced the Small Business Asset Investment and Modernization Act, which will enhance the SBA 504 loan program for commercial real estate, buildings, and heavy equipment.

Businesses are facing a collateral program as their loans mature and their equity is down in value. Many small business owners obtained loans during the bubble, getting loans at inflated appraised values on their property or with balloon payment structures. Banks are reluctant to restructure debt, particularly if the borrower is equity challenged or if the bank is capital challenged.

My bill will temporarily enable business owners to refinance their commercial real estate debt through the 504 program, addressing an acute near-term need in that sector. Over the next few weeks, I look forward to advancing these and other initiatives to help our growing businesses get the capital they need.

I urge my colleagues to join us in moving forward on further programs to support the work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit of our small businesses, the cornerstone of our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow New Dems to highlight the value of trade and exports to our economy. During World Trade Week, it is important for America to demonstrate our commitment to competing and leading in the global marketplace.

To bolster economic recovery and build sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities, America cannot cede emerging markets to our global competitors. Instead, we must recognize, target, and seek to gain share in high-growth, high-population markets.

Trade agreements that give American workers and products access to new markets, and greater share, are critical to removing barriers to sustainable growth and competitiveness. By ensuring these agreements do not disadvantage American employers but, instead, create a level playing field and are enforced, American innovation and work ethic can and will prevail in the global economy.

I applaud and support the President's National Export Initiative to double our exports in the next 5 years, and I encourage the administration and Congress to resolve remaining issues and move forward on passage of the pending trade agreements. New Dems look forward to working with the administration to do just that.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the manager's amendment and the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. I want to commend Chairman Waxman and particularly Congressman Peter Welch for their leadership, making energy efficiency more affordable for American families in my Eighth District in Illinois and across the Nation.

Welcome signs of economic recovery and competitiveness in the global economy are directly related to the opportunities emerging as businesses become cleaner and leaner. The same philosophy holds true for American households. Investments in better building materials and technologies can pay for themselves in the form of energy savings, and then some. At the same time, Home Star is a jobs measure. It will provide timely and targeted employment to the skilled trades industry which is still reeling from the housing bust and economic recession.

Two amendments I authored, included in the manager's amendment, will enhance the job creation potential of Home Star. States will be directed to engage with community colleges to implement the retrofit program. These community colleges are excellent resources for worker education, training, and certification; and they collaborate with area employers to provide dynamic and affordable educational resources to meet workforce needs. The role of community colleges in our clean energy economy will only continue to grow in significance.

I also authored a provision with our colleague, Mr. Driehaus, to expand rebate eligibility to replacement storm windows and doors, which will particularly help historic homes. To improve energy efficiency and maintain the historic integrity of a house, a homeowner may prefer to install storm windows and doors. This amendment will provide families more options to retrofit their homes in a manner that best fits their needs.

H.R. 5019 is a well-crafted measure that will create jobs and boost domestic manufacturing, while saving families money and reducing energy consumption.

I urge my colleagues to support the manager's amendment and this important underlying bill.

Madam Speaker, I was inadvertently detained and I was unable to cast a vote on March 4, 2010. If I had been present I would have cast the following vote:

Rollcall 90--On motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments with an Amendment to H.R. 2847: ``No.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Boy Scouts of America and all current and former Scouts across the world, on the occasion of the organization's 100 year anniversary. This Sunday, I will join the Northeast Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts of America as they celebrate with a Centennial Concert and Talent Show in Lake Villa located in Illinois' Eighth Congressional District.

Partnering with local churches, schools, businesses, and other community organizations, the Boy Scouts have touched the lives of tens of millions of young people throughout the past century. Young men involved in Scouting are taught valuable skills in the areas of personal leadership, career development, and outdoor survival. In addition, Scouting offers participants the opportunity to form lifelong friendships and benefit from the guidance of positive adult role models serving as troop leaders.

The Boy Scouts program teaches young men the values of responsible citizenship and community service. Year after year, I am impressed by the number of projects benefiting my district undertaken by area Scouts. It is especially inspiring to see those young men hoping to become Eagle Scouts take it upon themselves to develop a service project and organize their peers to carry it out. It comes as no surprise that such a high number of former Scouts go on to serve as leaders in our armed forces, government, businesses and community organizations across the country.

Once again, I congratulate the Boy Scouts on reaching such an impressive milestone and the Northeast Illinois Council for organizing Sunday's celebration. I look forward to watching today's Scouts become tomorrow's leaders.