Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the people of the Katahdin region in my home State of Maine.

The paper mill in East Millinocket is shutting down and taking with it hundreds of jobs and much of the tax base. Like so many other mills and factories across this country, it couldn't keep its doors open.

In the last decade, our Nation has lost nearly 6 million manufacturing jobs and seen 50,000 factories closed. It's because we haven't prioritized our manufacturing sector and haven't made an effort to keep good-paying, blue collar jobs in the United States.

I worked at this mill for over 29 years alongside the hardworking people of the Katahdin region. In solidarity, I stand with them today, confident that if we are pulling together, we can find a way to put this mill back online.

I urge my colleagues in Congress to help me and workers in Maine and all across this country by supporting a national manufacturing strategy and a new trade policy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my concern about the decline in U.S. manufacturing and China's currency manipulation. It is time our government responded to these issues by developing a national manufacturing strategy and bringing to the floor immediately H.R. 639, the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act.

This chart here shows a significant drop in manufacturing employment in the United States. We have lost nearly 6 million manufacturing jobs in the last decade alone. At our current rate, it will take us 24 years to get back the U.S. manufacturing jobs that we have lost between the year 2000 and 2010. Just last month, a report revealed that United States manufacturing is now in second place behind China. Making things here at home is critical for our economic diversity, our national security, and just makes common sense. China's enormous growth in manufacturing has come at America's expense, and it is bad for American businesses and American jobs.

There are many reasons for our manufacturing sector's decline. I want to highlight two that the Obama administration and Congress can act upon today. First, we need to develop, adopt, and adhere to a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. Second, we need to address China's currency manipulation and stop giving our manufacturing jobs to Beijing.

A national manufacturing strategy makes sense. Many developed economies and many of our competitors, including China, have them. If China is going to implement nationwide policies designed to boost specific sectors, so should we. Our strategy should not involve illegal trade practices like China, but it should involve clear objectives. We should ask ourselves the question, what should the American manufacturing sector look like? I believe a diverse, robust manufacturing sector is key to a strong American economy and critical to our national security.

The strategy should also evaluate what policy changes are needed to promote more domestic production. We should seek the input from companies that currently choose to make their products in the U.S., and we should also consider ways to incentivize U.S. production through our tax structure.

And, finally, the manufacturing strategy should establish clear metrics of success over the short, medium and long term. Our manufacturing sector has declined over the last several decades, and it won't be rebuilt overnight. But if we are going to reclaim our spot as a leader in manufacturing, we are going to have to have our own roadmap for the United States manufacturing industry.

The second thing we should do to help U.S. manufacturing is address China's currency manipulation. By devaluing the yuan, China makes their exports cheaper and U.S. imports more expensive.

This is unfair, and it creates an unlevel playing field that forces U.S. businesses to close their doors here in the United States. We cannot wait any longer to take action. Diplomacy has not worked, so we must seek legislative action.

Congress must pass the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act immediately, and President Obama must sign it. In addition, the United States should bring a WTO case against China for undervaluing its currency. We have to fight this blatant violation of trade law through every step available to do that.

China's currency manipulations put Americans out of work and force American businesses to close their doors. We must act with urgency to stop that.

I urge my colleagues to support a national manufacturing strategy and urge the House leadership to bring H.R. 639 to the floor for a vote immediately.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to the Korea Free Trade Agreement.

The Korea FTA is fundamentally flawed. As everyone knows, it is the same NAFTA-style agreement that hasn't worked for 17 years. This agreement will further undermine U.S. manufacturing and ship more American jobs overseas. But there are things the American people don't know about this trade deal, things that the administration hopes that they will not find out.

The administration will say that this agreement is key to increasing U.S. exports. But what they don't say is that it also increases Korea's imports, too, which will expand our trade deficit by hundreds of millions of dollars each year and cost us 159,000 American jobs.

It will also result in more underpriced goods from China being transshipped through Korea and being dumped in the United States.

The administration will say that this trade deal is important for U.S. national security. But what they don't say and talk about is the potential for it to benefit North Korea through the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

And the administration will say that they fixed the auto provisions and opened up Korea's market to all U.S. companies. But what they don't mention is the fact that they only fixed the auto provisions on paper, not in reality, and this is still a bad deal for the United States companies here in the U.S.

They don't tell the American people that this free trade agreement does nothing to stop Korea's currency manipulation. But the Treasury Department actually identified Korea as a currency manipulator in their report this February.

I have come to the floor today to make sure the American people are aware of how bad this trade deal is for the United States and how good this FTA is for China, Kim Jong Il, and South Korea.

I would urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose this flawed NAFTA-style trade deal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorees of the 2011 Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner. The Mid- Maine Chamber of Commerce serves the people and business community of the greater Waterville area, working with the business community to strengthen economic opportunity throughout the region and the state.

Each year, the Mid-Maine Chamber recognizes some of the outstanding businesses and individuals that make Maine ``the way life should be'' for all Mainers and Maine businesses. These individuals and businesses are committed to strengthening opportunity and prosperity in Maine.

This year's award recipients include Robert Martin, recipient of the Distinguished Community Service Award; Fortin's Home Furniture, Business of the Year; Bill Mitchell of GHM Insurance, Business Person of the Year; Barbara Haynes, recipient of the Elias A. Joseph award; David Holden of Bangor Savings Bank, Outstanding Professional of the Year; the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers, Community Service Project of the Year; Matthew Clark of Weeks & Hutchins, LLC and Sarah Sugden, of the Waterville Public Library, both recipients of the ``Rising Star'' Award; and Valley Distributors' Flint Collier, recipient of the Customer Service Stardom Award.

These nine recipients are among the best that Maine has to offer. Through their leadership and incredible commitment to their communities and the region, Maine is a better place to live and do business.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and these individuals on their outstanding service and achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 12-year-old Christopher Fillyaw, of Waterville, Maine, and his participation in Civic Day 2010 at the Alfond Youth Center, in Waterville, Maine.

On Civic Day 2010, 8 students from Benton Elementary School shadowed civic leaders to learn about the important work that they do to serve their communities. I was very impressed with Christopher's comments during a ceremony honoring our troops and would like to enter his remarks into the Record:

I would like to start out by saying Thank You to all of our

brave men and women and their families in the military. They

risk their lives and the lives of their families and fight

everyday to ensure the freedoms that we as Americans enjoy

and sometimes take for granted. If it were not for these

brave men and women who serve our country so well, who knows

where we would be today.

We really owe them so much more than they receive, for

every day is a struggle and the hardships they have to endure

while they are in enemy's territory away from loved ones and

unfamiliar grounds and then here at home getting readjusted

to fit back into their own surroundings. There are no words

to describe how important of a job they have and the

sacrifices they have to make to do their jobs. It is really

amazing. This is one of the hardest and most unbearable jobs

in the world to risk the life of your own and the stability

of your own family in hopes to save and secure the American

way.

I hope that when I grow up I can pay a little something

back in some way to show how much I thank them for making my

life and my family's life safer.

Chris's comments ring true and showcase the next generation's respect for the sacrifice made by those who keep all of us safe here at home.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the words of Christopher Fillyaw and his commitment to public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Henry D. Moore Parish House and Library as it celebrates 100 years serving the community of Steuben, Maine.

Henry D. Moore, a native of Steuben, was a philanthropist who donated the library and parish house for use by the people of Steuben. Opened in 1911, the donation of the Parish House and Library was monumental to the towns and communities in rural, downeast Maine. Many towns in the region did not have a library, and the new building helped provide access to new information and resources in Washington County.

Today, the Parish House and Library serves as a non-profit community center, meeting house and venue for classes, arts and performances. The Moore Library also boasts an impressive 12,000 item collection, featuring many rare pieces of literature and other works collected over the years.

The Parish House and Library are a central part of Steuben and Washington County. The facility continues to serve the community, including the Kindergarten through Grade 8 students and teachers at the Steuben Ella Lewis School across the street.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that you will join me in celebrating the centennial of the Henry D. Moore Parish House and Library in Steuben, Maine.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Welsh, who will retire this year after four decades of service in hospital administration. Since obtaining his Master of Health Administration from the University of Missouri in 1971, John has been committed to ensuring the strength of the health institutions he has worked at and to providing the highest level quality of care for patients.

John has most recently served as the President of Rumford Hospital in Rumford, Maine. Rumford is a small mill town of just under 5,000. Under John's leadership, Rumford Hospital has provided top quality health care and other services to the residents of Rumford and beyond.

The Rumford Hospital is a vital part of the community. Not only does the hospital provide quality healthcare to Rumford and many of the surrounding rural towns, but it also is the leading job creator for the area. Under John's leadership, the Rumford Hospital has been able to offer many services that had formerly been unavailable to the citizens of the region. These services include LifeFlight Helicopter service and an Oncology Suite.

Recently, Rumford Hospital named their new building in honor of John as thanks for his many years of service. The building includes a new operating room and nursing unit with up-to-date equipment and furnishings. It is incredibly important for the rural communities of the Rumford area to know that they have access to quality care so close to home. This assurance would not be possible without John Welsh.

John has also gone beyond his work at Rumford Hospital and played an important role in the State's health care system. John's many contributions include serving as Chairman of the Maine Hospital Association Board and as the Maine American College of Health Care Executives Regent.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking John Welsh for his tremendous contributions and service to the people of Rumford and the State of Maine.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the town of Lubec, Maine as it celebrates its bicentennial this year.

For two hundred years, America's day has begun in Lubec, its Quoddy Head Light having long been touted as the easternmost point in the contiguous United States. Situated next to President Franklin Roosevelt's beloved Campobello Island on the Bay of Fundy, Lubec is a small town of just under 2,500 hard-working Mainers.

Lubec has always been associated with the sea, not just due to its proximity, but for its industry as well. In 1797, the first herring was cured by smoke in Lubec, ensuring that the town would become a leader in smoked herring production. Later, Lubec would become a leader in sardine canning, creating jobs and opportunities for communities in the Down East. Today, fishing is still a major part of the local economy.

The town has also been at the forefront of American history. As the Civil War raged, 200 soldiers left Lubec to defend the Union. 26 made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home. Despite being closer to Canada than any other part of the nation, nearly one in twelve residents in Lubec fought to ensure that the rest of the nation would stand united.

While the days of the canneries and smokehouses have come and gone, Lubec stands firm and strong as it heads into its next century. With its beautiful coastline and wonderful outdoor opportunities, people from across the nation continue to travel to Lubec each year and recognize the strength of its community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing all the citizens of Lubec well on this monumental and joyous occasion.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer this amendment to restore funding to the Economic Development Administration. The investments made by EDA in all of our districts lead to economic development and job creation. But these investments are not just some government handout.

By law, EDA projects require a 50 percent local cost share and must leverage significant private sector investment. EDA's investments are also competitive and based on a regional, comprehensive economic development strategy that are spearheaded by local officials, private sector leaders and community representatives. The agency utilizes this approach to reflect the local and regional priority of our communities. But most importantly, all EDA project investments must result in creation and retention of high-quality jobs.

Let me repeat: EDA is the one agency of the Federal Government that has a singular focus of creating jobs, and it has a strong track record of success in my home State of Maine and throughout the country.

In fact, from 2004 to 2008, EDA-funded projects directly led to the creation of approximately 200,000 jobs.

All of us support cuts to spending to get our fiscal house in order, but we all are realistic. We know that actions of one program or agency won't be enough to solve the Nation's job problems. But at a time when our States, local communities, and businesses continue to struggle, it is the wrong time to be cutting a program that is a proven job creator. It's the wrong time to turn our backs on investments in our communities that will make a real difference. But it is the right time to set our priorities and insist that our investments are focused on job creation.

The fiscal year 2010 level was $293 million. The CR cuts it to $175 million. This amendment will actually bring it up to $255 million. So I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Offered By: Mr. Michaud

Amendment No. 153: Page 196, line 18, after the dollar

amount insert ``(increased by $80,000,000)''.

Page 199, line 6, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced

by $80,000,000)''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Roger Milliken, a dear friend and true champion of American workers and manufacturing. Roger passed away on December 30 after a long life of hard work and passionate advocacy. His passing signals the end of an era when corporate leaders valued more than profits and when American companies did not jump at the first chance to ship jobs overseas just to save a buck.

Milliken was larger than life in many ways. He had many passions and lived vibrantly. We are fortunate for this, because it means his legacy will still be here to inspire us to do more and work harder. It will also remind us to never give up on U.S. manufacturing and the idea that you can make things in America.

In fact, it was Roger's commitment to American manufacturing that sparked our friendship. About six years ago, Roger came to my office on Capitol Hill without any previous introduction. He walked into my office nearly unannounced at the respectable age of 90 to shake hands and talk about our common concerns with U.S. trade policy's impact on our manufacturing sector. He introduced himself and forged a friendship with me, a new and far-from-senior Member of Congress, simply because he wanted to thank me for my attention to manufacturing and trade and to encourage me to continue the fight to make U.S. policy on both issues better.

One funny anecdote in particular speaks to Roger's honest, friendly character. I couldn't be at an event one morning, so one of my staff went in my place. Roger was at the event, and listened to my staffer's speech, which she had to give sitting down because she didn't feel well. After her remarks, Roger

went up to her and seeing that she wasn't feeling very good and knowing she had recently gotten married, said, ``have you considered the possibility that you're pregnant.'' My staffer had not even considered that idea but a few days later confirmed that Roger's prediction had been right. And that's the kind of guy he was, compassionate and honest in the best way. Now everyone knows Roger Milliken had enormous foresight, but this took it to a whole new level.

Our friendship was not an obvious one. Roger was a mill owner, and before I came to Congress I was a mill worker. Roger was a Republican, and I am a Democrat. He lived a long life in South Carolina, and I come from Maine. Still, Roger was the kind of guy who looked for commonalities, regardless of the number of differences. And we shared a commitment to fixing U.S. trade policy and promoting U.S. manufacturing.

Roger truly believed in innovation and hard work as the keys to being good at making things. And he believed in a corporate code of morals. He rolled up his sleeves, got involved in the day-to-day workings of his company and pushed his employees to do the best work they could. And through these qualities, he created the largest privately held textile empire in the world. He also became a pioneer of corporate patriotism and firmly held the belief that profits didn't have to come at the expense of American jobs. He believed the strength of our nation relied on a strong manufacturing base. He lived what he preached.

One story is very telling about Roger's commitment to his country and to his employees. In 1995, one of his plants in LaGrange, Georgia burned to the ground. This tragedy happened right after NAFTA had passed, and it would have been a perfect opportunity to move his plant to Mexico to take advantage of lower labor costs. But he did not do that. Instead, Roger found temporary jobs for all of his employees and said he would have the plant up and running again in 6 months. He moved down to LaGrange to personally oversee the rebuilding of the plant, and in true Roger form, the plant was back up and operational right on schedule.

It's unlikely there will ever be another Roger Milliken. He was truly one-of-a-kind. But our country needs more leaders like him who are guided by principles and not by profits. It needs more corporations who are committed to their country. More who believe that the best solution is not always the easiest solution but that hard work and creativity will forge a better, more sustainable path. We need more corporations to carry Roger's torch of corporate patriotism and a commitment to making things in America.

I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work with me to remember Roger Milliken. Through bipartisan, collaborative efforts to promote American manufacturing and to fix our trade policy, we can make the most of the paths he forged and the standards he set. We can honor him in the way he would have wanted to be honored: by being more innovative, working harder and advancing the notion that corporate patriotism is better and more sustainable for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing sincerest condolences to Roger's family, Milliken Company and Associates, all of his community in South Carolina, to his co-advocates in the manufacturing and trade community and all those who were blessed to know him. He will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates its Centennial.

Founded in 1911, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest such groups in the State of Maine. Originally founded as a merchant's association, the chamber assisted in developing trade relationships within the city. In the late 1980s, the merchant's association became regionally focused on the business interests of its increasingly diverse membership body. The organization today has continued to grow into one of the largest in the State, representing businesses from 21 communities in the greater Bangor area.

As a cornerstone of the Bangor community, the chamber is active in business development, advocacy efforts and community betterment programs. These programs seek out emerging business leaders, helping them foster networks to promote growth and working to empower entrepreneurs to create opportunities in these tough economic times. Additionally, the chamber sponsored seminars and leadership development trainings continue to have a major positive impact in the community.

As Americans continue working to get back up on their feet after the worst economic recession since the 1930s, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce stands as a shining example of what community members coming together can accomplish. For 100 years they have led the greater Bangor community in promoting a favorable business environment conducive to generating economic growth and prosperity. I wish them the very best as they continue serving Bangor, the State of Maine and the United States of America .

Mr. Speaker, please join me again in congratulating the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce on this joyous occasion.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution.

All of us on Capitol Hill were dealt with the shocking news that Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her staff were shot and that her director of outreach, Gabe Zimmerman, was killed. This tragedy makes me think of my own staff and the great work that they do each and every day for me, representing the people I was elected to represent.

I join our entire country in continuing to pray for the recovery of our friend and colleague, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. She is a hardworking and highly respected Member of this Chamber, and she is a true advocate for her home State.

In 2008 I had the privilege of joining her in Tucson for a discussion on the need to improve mental health care for our servicemembers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know she cares passionately about this issue as she does about so many other issues important to her constituents.

May God bless Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, her family, her friends, and all those in Arizona who have been affected by this tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield, Maine.

Founded in 1963, the Sebasticook Valley Hospital was started by local citizens who were concerned about the health and well-being of their families, neighbors and employees of the region. The hospital continues to honor that legacy and commitment by being accountable at all levels of the organization in meeting the changing health care needs of the local communities. Sebasticook Valley continues to strive for improvement in services and to ensure that their patients receive the best possible service for their health care needs.

Sebasticook Valley Hospital has been recently recognized as one of the nation's top rural hospitals by the Washington, DC-based Leapfrog Group. The Leapfrog Survey, which launched in 2001, focuses on four critical areas of patient safety: the use of computer physician order entry to prevent medication errors, standards for doing high-risk procedures, protocols and policies to reduce medical errors and other safe practices recommended by the National Quality Forum and adequate nurse and physician staffing. In addition, hospitals are measured on their progress in preventing infections and other hospital-acquired conditions and adopting policies on the handling of serious medical errors, among other things.

Sebasticook Valley Hospital has displayed a tremendous commitment to providing the best quality health care for their patients. I am proud to congratulate the employees, providers, board members and volunteers for their dedication to providing the best care to our rural communities. Their skills, compassion and dedication make this hospital a well-deserved award recipient.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Sebasticook Valley Hospital for their devotion to ensuring that patients and families receive the best possible health care.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Inland Hospital in Waterville, Maine.

Inland Hospital is a 48-bed, not-for-profit, community hospital that was founded in 1943 by a group of osteopathic physicians with a vision of providing compassionate care that focused on the whole patient, not just the disease. Today, that patient-centered approach is alive and well at Inland, where staff provide the kind of care we all want for our own families. Patients are treated with respect and dignity and benefit from an open communication process that delivers an extraordinary experience and the best possible medical outcome.

Inland Hospital has been recently recognized as one of the nation's top rural hospitals

by the Washington, DC based Leapfrog Group. The Leapfrog Survey, which launched in 2001, focuses on four critical areas of patient safety: the use of computer physician order entry to prevent medication errors, standards for doing high-risk procedures, protocols and policies to reduce medical errors and other safe practices recommended by the National Quality Forum and adequate nurse and physician staffing. In addition, hospitals are measured on their progress in preventing infections and other hospital-acquired conditions and adopting policies on the handling of serious medical errors, among other things.

Inland Hospital has displayed a tremendous commitment to providing the best quality health care for their patients. I am proud to congratulate the employees, providers, board members and volunteers for their dedication to providing the best care to our rural communities. Their skills, compassion and dedication make this hospital a well- deserved award recipient.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Inland Hospital for their devotion to ensuring that patients and families receive the best possible health care.