Floor Statements

I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I thank the ranking member and the distinguished chairman of this committee for their work on the defense elements of this legislation, but I rise with a heavy heart to express my opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act because today's vote isn't just all about providing for the national defense.

Because of actions taken in the United States Senate, unrelated, divisive, liberal social policies have been added to this legislation in the form of hate crimes. For that reason, I must oppose it.

The majority in this Congress and in the Senate has included hate crimes provisions in this legislation that have nothing to do with our national defense and will threaten the very freedoms of speech and freedom of religion that draws the American soldier into the uniform in the first place. Thomas Jefferson said it best: ``Legislative powers should reach actions only and not opinions.''

The reality is that by expanding the Federal definition of hate crimes, as this legislation does, we will generate a chilling effect on religious leaders in this country. Pastors, preachers, rabbis, and imams will now hesitate to speak about the sexual traditions and teachings of their faith for fear of being found culpable under the aiding, abetting, or inducing provisions of current law, and that must not be. It is just simply wrong to use a bill that's designed to support our troops to erode the very freedoms for which they fight.

As a result, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise to state for the record that I was unavoidably absent and unable to vote on rollcall votes 740, 741, and 742. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on Nos. 741 and 742, and ``nay'' on No. 740.

Mr. Speaker, well, Washington, D.C., is focused on a lot of things these days. The debate over health care continues outside of committee hearings, and we hear news reports that health care reform is being rewritten in the back hallways of this building somewhere.

We also heard today that leading Members of the Senate on the Democratic Party introduced a national energy tax, the so-called cap- and-trade legislation, that will raise the cost of

utilities on working families and small businesses across this country by dramatic amounts. And of course, the President is making plans to travel to Copenhagen later this week on an economic development mission for the city of Chicago.

But I've got to tell you, as a constituent of mine from Alexandria, Indiana, that's with us today, Mr. Speaker, might well attest, when I'm back home, folks aren't talking about how we can pass legislation that raises utility rates or how we can pass legislation that will lead to a government takeover of health care paid for by hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes and individual mandates, and they're not much talking about the Olympics. What folks back in Alex are talking about is jobs. They're talking about what in the world this Congress is going to do to put America back to work.

Now, back in February when Congress passed the so-called stimulus bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood on this floor and said, This bill is about jobs, jobs, jobs. The administration suggested that if we didn't borrow nearly $1 trillion from future generations of Americans and spread it out in the so-called stimulus spending, that unemployment would reach 8 percent.

In fact, this very useful chart illustrates the point. The Obama administration said that without passing the stimulus bill, unemployment would go from 7.5 percent upwards over 8 percent. They said, with the stimulus bill being passed, that unemployment would not exceed 8 percent.

Now, as people are looking in from the gallery and around the country can see for themselves, the reality is a little bit different. Since the passage of the so-called stimulus bill back in January, not only has unemployment exceeded the high water mark the administration projected at 8 percent, but now it's almost 9.7 percent, and I say with a heavy heart, it might be rising as soon as this Friday.

You know, look, we need a strategy for energy independence in this country, a strategy that begins to take us in the direction of new resources and exploiting our current reserves. Our American Energy Act does that.

We need health care reform in this country that will lower the cost of health insurance for working families and small businesses and lowers the cost of health care in the long term without a government takeover. Chicago might even need the Olympics in 2016.

But more than anything else, we ought to be willing to set all those enterprises aside and work on this. We ought to be willing to do what has always worked to get this economy moving again, and that is fiscal restraint in Washington, D.C., and tax relief for working families, small businesses, and family farms. You combine that with a pro-growth trade policy, you combine that with policies that will result in a stable dollar, you combine that with rational regulatory reform, and you have a prescription for economic renewal and growth. In a word, to borrow the Speaker's phrase, you have a prescription for jobs, jobs, jobs.

And I have to tell you, Mr. Speaker, apart from providing for the common defense and apart from, I believe, standing up for the values that make this country great, we have no higher calling in this institution than to pursue policies that will create conditions to create growth in this country.

And so I challenge my colleagues as we find ourselves talking about government takeovers of health care with their higher taxes, as now the Senate begins in earnest to work on passing a cap-and-trade bill in the name of climate change that will result in a massive national energy tax, why don't we all just do what they're doing back in Alex, Indiana? Let's take a breath. Let's have those debates in the cool of the day, after first and foremost we come together in a bipartisan way, we do what President Kennedy did, we do what President Reagan did, we do what President George W. Bush did after the tower fell, and we pass fast- acting tax relief for working families, small businesses, and family farms this year, and we begin to practice fiscal restraint on Washington, D.C. That combination of traditional American principle applied to this economy will create nothing short of jobs, jobs, jobs, and that's still job one on Capitol Hill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Irving Kristol, an extraordinary modern intellectual leader who sadly passed away recently.

Irving Kristol will be remembered as ``perhaps the most consequential public intellectual of the latter half of the 20th century'' as The Daily Telegraph recently memorialized him.

Born to Jewish immigrants in New York City in 1920, Irving grew up during the Great Depression, and his experience during those dark times undoubtedly shaped his worldview.

Kristol was a Trotskyist in his youth who embraced socialism long before he ever advocated for free markets and tax cuts; however, he broke from liberalism and will be remembered most for his conservative thoughts and writings that had a profound impact on generations of Americans.

He worked as the managing editor of Commentary magazine, executive vice president of Basic Books, and in the Mid-1960's, Kristol co- founded The Public Interest, a domestic policy journal that cast wide influence among policymakers.

Kristol also served as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, senior fellow emeritus of the American Enterprise Institute, and a member of the board of contributors for the Wall Street Journal in addition to the many books he authored. To honor this distinguished career, President George W. Bush awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.

Irving Kristol was a thought leader and his forward-thinking ideas shaped policies and helped cement the Republican Party's position as the ``party of ideas.''

A soldier during World War II, Kristol once wrote that ``my army experience permitted me to make an important political discovery . . . The idea of building socialism with the common man who actually existed--as distinct from his idealized version--was sheer fantasy, and therefore the prospects for 'democratic socialism' were nil.''

These beliefs helped shape the policies of President Ronald Reagan's administration in defeating communism.

Our former colleague, Speaker Newt Gingrich recently said that it was Irving Kristol's insights that helped create the solutions-oriented Republicanism that led to the Contract with America.

Irving Kristol was a cheerful conservative, rejuvenating and shaping American politics, often with a smile.

The list of those who will mourn his loss is long and distinguished as he touched many lives, but I take comfort in knowing that both the Kristol name and legacy will live on.

I offer my most sincere condolences to his wife Gertrude, and children, Elizabeth and Bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of a dear friend to the community of Muncie, Indiana.

Lenette Freeman, known to all as a giving and determined woman, passed away following a five year battle with cancer. Though the pain of her passing is deeply felt, we will continue to be inspired by the life she led.

Lenette Freeman was born on October 29, 1958, in Evanston, Illinois to Leonard and Dolores Hartowicz. A graduate of Taft High School in Chicago, Lenette went on to receive her bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate from Northern Illinois University.

In 1987, Lenette moved to Muncie, where she would become an active leader and vital asset in this eastern Indiana Community. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Cross, the Rotary Club, the Muncie Endurathon, and co-founder of the youth Academy for Community Leadership. For 4 years, Lenette served as the executive director of the Muncie Children's Museum, a children's educational learning facility in the community.

When the City of Muncie authorized the creation of a Mayor's Youth Council in 2002, Lenette volunteered countless hours as a mentor to the young students on the founding Council and remained active in the years to follow. Her impact on the members of the Mayor's Youth Council, as well as the effect the Council had in the community, will be felt far into the future.

In 2004, Lenette was named director of the Cardinal Greenway. The Cardinal Greenway is a series of recreational trails spanning 27 miles throughout my district. Lenette was keenly aware of the benefits of these trails and advocated for its continued development. Her passion and dedication to the preservation and extension of the trails will forever be remembered by a grateful community.

Just one month after becoming Director of the Cardinal Greenway, Lenette was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than succumbing to feelings of self-pity and defeat, Lenette said her diagnosis was a ``blessing in disguise'' that resulted in a greater appreciation of people and deeper relationships with them. Despite her illness, Lenette was a determined fighter and continued her work with the Greenway, holding meetings in her home and working via teleconference when necessary.

Lenette's determination was evident not only in her work, but in her personal life. She was the proud mother of three boys, and she encouraged each of them to pursue their own individual talents and goals. Fondly referred to as her ``cowboys,'' her boys were undoubtedly a major source of strength and inspiration in Lenette's fight against cancer.

Lenette will be sorely missed by her sons, her mother and three siblings, those fortunate enough to know her, as well as the entire Muncie Community.

We have lost an important figure in the Muncie community, but I know that Lenette's legacy will not soon be forgotten. Let us keep Lenette's three boys, family, and cherished friends in our prayers during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Irving Kristol, an extraordinary modern intellectual leader who sadly passed away recently.

Irving Kristol will be remembered as ``perhaps the most consequential public intellectual of the latter half of the 20th century'' as The Daily Telegraph recently memorialized him.

Born to Jewish immigrants in New York City in 1920, Irving grew up during the Great Depression, and his experience during those dark times undoubtedly shaped his worldview.

Kristol was a Trotskyist in his youth who embraced socialism long before he ever advocated for free markets and tax cuts; however, he broke from liberalism and will be remembered most for his conservative thoughts and writings that had a profound impact on generations of Americans.

He worked as the managing editor of Commentary magazine, executive vice president of

Basic Books, and in the mid-1960's, Kristol co-founded The Public Interest, a domestic policy journal that cast wide influence among policymakers.

Kristol also served as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, senior fellow emeritus of the American Enterprise Institute, and a member of the board of contributors for the Wall Street Journal in addition to the many books he authored. To honor this distinguished career, President George W. Bush awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.

Irving Kristol was a thought leader and his forward-thinking ideas shaped policies and helped cement the Republican Party's position as the ``party of ideas.''

A soldier during World War II, Kristol once wrote that ``my army experience permitted me to make an important political discovery. . . . The idea of building socialism with the common man who actually existed--as distinct from his idealized version--was sheer fantasy, and therefore the prospects for `democratic socialism' were nil.''

These beliefs helped shape the policies of President Ronald Reagan's administration in defeating communism.

Our former colleague, Speaker Newt Gingrich recently said that it was Irving Kristol's insights that helped create the solutions-oriented Republicanism that led to the Contract with America.

Irving Kristol was a cheerful conservative, rejuvenating and shaping American politics, often with a smile.

The list of those who will mourn his loss is long and distinguished as he touched many lives, but I take comfort in knowing that both the Kristol name and legacy will live on.

I offer my most sincere condolences to his wife Gertrude, and children, Elizabeth and Bill.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, following the defeat of tyranny throughout Europe in 1945, and in the ashes of the Holocaust, the United Nations was born. It was formed to create a forum to confront dictators before they rose to global power.

President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address warned some four decades ago that the United Nations must not become a forum for invective against the West. But as we saw yesterday, with the leader of Libya decrying Israel in terms of ``the Israeli demon,'' as we saw the leader of the discredited regime in Tehran denounce the ``barbaric'' attacks of the Zionist regime and continue to deny the Holocaust in public forums, we have seen the United Nations become not only a forum for invective against the West but especially a forum for invective against our most cherished ally, Israel.

Today the American people provide 20 percent of the financial support for the United Nations. Today the American people are asking why.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to commemorate the life of a very important friend to my home state of Indiana, Mildred L. Cox.

For more than a quarter century, Millie, as she was known, tirelessly advocated for Indiana's credit unions and worked to ensure that they would provide the best financial services to their members.

Millie was born to William Clyde and Vonnie Pearl South in Jamestown, Tennessee on May 17, 1940. A graduate of Kennard High School in 1957, Millie's zest for life was obvious to all those who were fortunate to know her.

As the ``Team Mom'' of her late husband's little league teams and president of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority, Mille touched many lives. In her free time, Millie could often be found reading, gardening, or researching her family's genealogy; however, it was her work on behalf of Indiana credit unions that will cast Millie's most lasting legacy.

Millie joined the staff of the Indiana Credit Union League in February of 1977, serving as secretary in the Governmental Affairs Department. Due to her tremendous work ethic, Millie was first promoted in 1980 and two years later, she became the department's legislative coordinator. In this position, Millie began actively lobbying the Indiana Statehouse and U.S. Congress on behalf of Indiana's credit unions.

Millie soon became a recognizable figure both at the Statehouse and in Washington, D.C. She was known for her passionate convictions and spent a great deal of time educating others with regard to the legislative process, as well as strongly encouraging political involvement.

In 1986, Millie became the Vice President of Governmental Affairs and served as a liaison between the credit unions and regulatory agencies that shape policy.

Upon her retirement in 2003, Millie had amassed a legacy of service that will be remembered for generations to come. Of the many honors she received, the late Governor of Indiana, Frank O'Bannon awarded Millie with the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash.

The Indiana General Assembly adopted a resolution honoring Millie's service as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs in 2003, and each year, the Indiana Credit Union Foundation now awards the Millie Cox Award. It is presented to a deserving recipient that best exemplifies Millie's qualities in advocating on behalf of the credit unions.

Millie was also blessed with a loving family. She will be sorely missed by her son Curt, her brothers and sisters, extended family and all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

We have lost an important figure in our community and I have lost a dear friend.

Let us keep Millie Cox and her family in our thoughts and prayers as we mark her passing.

Yesterday, Democrats in the Senate unveiled a much anticipated new compromise on health care reform, and as my late father used to say, ``Here comes the new guy. He looks a lot like the old guy.''

The compromise for government-run insurance is more government-run insurance, but I rise this morning to draw particular attention to a proposal in the compromise that would force Americans who don't have health insurance to buy it. Under the proposal, everybody would be forced to buy government-approved policies, and if you don't, families could face tax penalties of $3,800 per year and, individuals, $950 if they don't comply. Well, none other than candidate for President, now President, Barack Obama opposed such mandates.

He said in a primary debate in January of '08 that you can mandate it, but there are still going to be people who can't afford it, and if they can't afford it, the question is: What are you going to do about it?

More memorably, the President said on CNN's American Morning in February of '08 that if a mandate were the solution, we could try to solve homelessness by mandating everybody to buy a house.

Mr. President, I couldn't have said it better myself. The President was right. Mandates are not the answer. Let's scrap this government-run insurance plan and work in a bipartisan way to lower costs without more government, more mandates and more taxes.

I rise today in opposition to the resolution of disapproval of Mr. Wilson. A friend of mine back in Indiana likes to say that Washington, D.C., is 100 square miles surrounded by reality. That never felt truer than it does today.

Think about it. Our economy is struggling, families are hurting, and Congress is poised to demand an apology from a man who has already apologized. Extraordinary.

First, let me stipulate that Joe Wilson is a good man and a man of integrity. He is a devoted husband to his beloved Roxanne, a proud father of four American servicemen.

I have traveled with Joe into some pretty tight spots, like many of my Democrat colleagues have. I have seen his devotion to our soldiers. I have never failed to be inspired by his love for the men and women of this country in uniform, his love of his country, and his constituents.

The Old Book tells us a harsh word stirs up anger. We might have seen a little bit of that last week. In the midst of a highly partisan speech by the President of the United States, Joe made a mistake. Immediately after the speech was over, Joe recognized his mistake and he offered his sincere apology to the President and the President's staff. And he was right to apologize. But it's important to note that, despite his admitted error, the broader national interest was actually served.

The American people didn't send us here just to get along. They sent us here to get it right. Ironically, because of Joe Wilson's outburst, we have been engaged in nearly a week-long debate about what's really in H.R. 3200. In fact, now the American people know there's nothing in the Democrat's bill

in the House that requires an individual to verify their identity or citizenship, leaving open the very possibility of undocumented workers receiving health care benefits. This was concurred in by the Congressional Research Service that noted in the absence ``of a provision in the bill specifying the verification procedure, undocumented immigrants could receive taxpayer-subsidized health benefits.''

If you need any further proof, the White House clarified their position last Friday, stating their support for verification expressly of an individual's citizenship.

Despite the controversy and the sound and the fury, Congress has a shot to get it a little more right than they would have otherwise.

Let me speak, as I close, about the broader issue of bringing this resolution to the floor of the Congress today. I was home in Indiana yesterday. Hoosiers were shocked with the news that one of our most storied companies, Eli Lilly and Company, was announcing 5,500 layoffs.

I was in Evansville, Indiana, in August, on the very day that Whirlpool announced they were closing a factory and sending more than a thousand jobs out of that city and out of this country forever.

More than 2 million jobs have been lost since the so-called stimulus bill was passed. Fifteen million Americans were out of work. Yet here we are, taking time in the people's House to demand an apology from a man who has already apologized.

The American people want better. The American people want less politics and more jobs. They want Congress to set aside petty partisan politics and come together to take action to get this economy moving again.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Last Wednesday was not a good day in the House, but today is worse. Today we see politics overwhelming this institution. The American people are tired.

So let me say again, without the din of the gavel, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution, put attention back on the work that the American people sent us here to perform, and that is to serve the interests of their families and the interests of this Nation with everything we've got. I'm with Joe; vote ``no.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today with deep sorrow to mark the passing of a true friend of the state of Indiana.

Jonathan Byrd will forever be regarded as a savvy businessman who grew a family-owned cafeteria into the world's largest banquet facility and owned a successful racecar team. But it was his generosity and deep faith that will cast Jonathan Byrd's most lasting legacy.

Jonathan Byrd often told people as a teenager that he would be a millionaire by the age of 25. Operating Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in central Indiana in the 1970's and 80's, Jonathan did in fact become a millionaire in his first quarter century on Earth.

However, those closest to Jonathan understood that those millions were not for himself, but instead a means in which to carry out the will of the Lord. He funded many Christian schools, financed mission trips, and helped put more than 500 million copies of Scripture in the hands of people around the world.

Millions of people have dined at Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria since it opened in 1988, but this enterprise wasn't the only business venture Jonathan Byrd found success in.

He Founded Byrd Enterprises of Arizona--their products include Intercontinental, Hilton and Marriott Hotels. Jonathan Byrd's Rare Books and Bibles quickly became the nation's largest dealer, importer, and restorer of ancient Bibles and theology books under his stewardship.

Like many Hoosiers, Jonathan had a passion for auto racing that led him to form his own race team. True to form, Jonathan applied his business sense to his race team and of the 16 cars that he entered in the Indianapolis 500, he is credited with 7 top-ten finishes.

He was also blessed with a wonderful family: wife Virginia of 35 years; two sons, Jonathan and David; and many grandchildren. My prayers will be with them in the days and weeks ahead. Though Jonathan Byrd is no longer with us, we can all take comfort knowing that the Byrd legacy will live on because of the example he leaves behind.

Jonathan Byrd personified the American Dream. Though he was a well known businessman, Jonathan was guided by strong principles, anchored by his faith and had a servant's heart.

Let that be the standard to which we all aspire.

After a tumultuous month of townhall meetings across the Nation, the American people have spoken, and House Republicans are on the side of the American people.

As the President comes into this well of Congress tonight to deliver a speech on health care reform, one thing is clear: the American people don't want just another speech on health care; they want another health care plan.

What I heard back home is that the folks want us to take action here in Washington that will lower the cost of health insurance and lower the cost of health care in the long term, but the American people don't want us to launch a new government-run insurance plan that will lead to a government takeover of health care paid for with $800 billion in higher taxes.

As the President knows, House Republicans have a broad range of legislative ideas, and we hope to hear and reflect on some of them tonight. Why not let Americans purchase health insurance the way Members of Congress can across State lines? Why not bring about reasonable restrictions and limits on medical malpractice claims to end the era of defensive medicine?

House Republicans will welcome the President of the United States respectfully to the well of Congress tonight, and we stand ready to work with the Democratic majority to solve our health care challenges.

The American people have spoken. Tonight we'll see if Washington is listening.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the House Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.