Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in the next few days, Congress is going to pass another increase in the statutory debt limit, and it will be signed by the President. I want to talk about the rising sea of debt, and we have to be careful that we do not drown.

A few years of surpluses between 1998 and 2001, which were not really surpluses except by Washington standards, seems to have given us a false sense of security. Since then the situation has deteriorated very rapidly, with huge increases in spending; and now we face the most serious debt and overspending crisis in American history. The value of the dollar is going down because of the increasing debt and the tax obligation that our kids and our grandkids are going to pay is going up because of increased debt.

President Andrew Jackson paid off the Federal debt in 1835, retiring the last of the Revolutionary War bonds; however, the United States returned to borrowing which has now grown to levels that President Jackson could hardly imagine. Starting at zero in 1835, it took more than a century for the debt to reach $100 billion in 1943; $100 billion in 1943. After 200 years of American history, the debt reached $500 billion in 1976. Now we are projected to borrow more than $500 billion every year, this year, next year, the year after. The debt stands at $6.5 trillion today and will reach $10 trillion at current borrowing rates before the end of the decade. The administration is now using gimmicks to pay our bills until Congress again increases the statutory debt limit.

The debt is not even the worst of it. The government unfunded liabilities are several times larger than the official public debt. These liabilities are promises that the government has made or obligations it has undertaken without setting aside any resources or a way to pay those debts. According to the Department of Treasury's latest financial report to the United States Government, we owe or can expect to owe $57.8 billion to cover otherwise defaults on direct and guaranteed loans; $55.8 billion on accounts payable across the government; $1.86 trillion for government and military pensions and benefits; $849 billion in other veterans benefits, mostly medical; $273 billion for projected environmental cleanup from government activities; $202 billion in miscellaneous liabilities. These are all OMB projections, and this is only the beginning. This is the least of it.

This still is not part of the unfunded liabilities which are Social Security and Medicare. It will cost $9 trillion to pay promised Social Security benefits. Similarly, Medicare part A is expected to run $5.13 trillion over expected taxes. Part B is another $8.13 trillion.

Thus, the liabilities in just these three programs is about four times our current debt.

Further, this unfunded liability assumes the full repayment of all trust funds. Government has been borrowing from all of these other trust funds to afford the expenditures that have increased so dramatically over the last several years. If those trust funds are not paid, those amounts, which are really very small by comparison, will have to be added to the liability.

We have gotten to the sorry state of affairs through what I consider overspending and overpromising by Washington. Reelection votes are bought today in exchange for promises of benefits later, and the problem is that the country cannot afford all Washington is promising.

About 13 percent of the total Federal budget is now used to pay interest on the debt. If overspending continues and interest rates return to normal, we could easily see spending of the United States using one-quarter, one-fourth, of all of the total budget. A day of reckoning is coming sooner or later. If the government stays on its present course, we will face the choice of much higher taxes or much reduced benefits and services.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, Washington needs a new sense of urgency. We are promising too much, spending too much, and leaving future generations at risk. I have long pushed for spending restraints and necessary entitlement reform, including Social Security reform. It is time for those issues to come before the floor.

I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Imagine for a moment the late 1990s where many farmers were going broke. There were auctions, and farmers had to sell out farms that had been in their family for generations.

Imagine running for reelection in 1998, being reelected, and being asked to serve as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture to pass a new farm bill to try to keep a viable agriculture in the United States, a huge challenge. Every commodity group is coming forward to suggest that they should have more money from the Federal Government, but being chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Larry Combest was still under pressure to limit total spending.

I think it should be repeated that where we ended up on the subsidies for agriculture were actually less under this farm bill that the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Combest) guided through. Subsidies for farmers ended up less than what they were for the prior 3 years.

Larry Combest came to Congress as a leader in Texas agriculture. He came with the knowledge of how farm programs work. I had my disagreements with some of the provisions of the farm bill, like I suspect every member of the Committee on Agriculture might have written it a little bit differently if they had their personal desires. But what we ended up with is a help for American agriculture, faced with a situation of challenging subsidies in a world atmosphere. Let me give a couple of examples.

Europe, for example, subsidizes their farmers five times as much as we subsidize our farmers. Japan subsidizes their farmers between 20 and 25 percent as much as we subsidize our farmers. We ended up with a farm bill that is going to help assure, at least, that we have a strong, viable agriculture in the United States.

On Larry Combest's retirement, I wish him Godspeed and thanks for the effort.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Jessica Cauthon, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Jessica is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Jessica is an exceptional student at Jackson High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Jessica has received numerous awards for her excellence in academics and athletics, as well as her volunteer activities with the Aware Shelter.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Jessica Cauthon for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents,

teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence he has compiled in academics, leadership, and community service, that I am proud to salute Ryan Shannon, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Ryan is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, MI.

Ryan is an exceptional student at Grand Ledge High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Ryan has received numerous awards for his excellence in writing, math, and music, as well as his volunteer activities with the Grand Ledge High School National Honor Society. Ryan is a winner of the Candy Hyland Award for Mathematics and numerous awards for his participation in band.

Therefore, I am proud to join with his many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Ryan Shannon for his selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to his success. To this remarkable young man, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Josie Cole, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Josie is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Josie is an exceptional student at Springport High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Josie has received numerous awards for her excellence in academics and athletics, as well as her volunteer activities with the Eaton Rapids Women's Club and Vacation Bible School. Josie is also proficient in sign language and has signed the National Anthem at athletic events at Springport High School.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Josie Cole for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Stephanie Smith, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Stephanie is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Stephanie is an exceptional student at Camden-Frontier High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Stephanie has received numerous awards for her excellence in academics and athletics, as well as her volunteer activities with Student Council, coordinating sponsorships for seven needy families for Christmas. In addition, Stephanie has participated in 4-H for 10 years, winning a State Gold Public Speaking Award and being chosen as Regional Star Farmer in FFA.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Stephanie Smith for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Jamie Titus, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Jamie is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Jamie is an exceptional student at Athens High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Jamie has received numerous awards for her excellence in science as well as her volunteer activities on missions to Mexico and Canada. Jamie has been recognized for her outstanding performances in Track and Cross Country, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Jamie Titus for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence he has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Bart Northrup, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Bart is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Bart is an exceptional student at Tecumseh Creek High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Bart has received numerous awards for his excellence in music, science and math, as well as his volunteer activities with the Secret Santa Shop, The Boy Scouts, and the Community Euchre Tournament. Bart has also accumulated numerous awards for his accomplishments in music, and has participated in Honors Bands at both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.

Therefore, I am proud to join with his many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Bart Northrup for his selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to his success. To this remarkable young man, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Brienne Willcock, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Brienne is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Brienne is an exceptional student at Hanover Horton High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Brienne has received awards for her excellence in English, as well as her volunteer activities with The Girls Scouts, earning a Silver Award. Brienne has also garnered several awards and much respect from her peers for her exceptional leadership skills.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence he has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Derrick Miller, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Derrick is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Derrick is an exceptional student at Union City High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Derrick has received numerous awards for his excellence in academics, as well as his volunteer activities with the Soup-R-Bowl project. Derrick is also active in Student Council and National Honor Society.

Therefore, I am proud to join with his many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Derrick Miller for his selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to his success. To this remarkable young man, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Campbell, an outstanding educator and Professor at Spring Arbor University, who has served the youth of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Michigan for over 30 years.

Mrs. Campbell's career has truly spanned the spectrum of education. Her career started in a one-room schoolhouse in Miltonville, KS, in 1960. She has also taught in South Bend, IN and Syracuse, NY before coming to Michigan. Her career in education in Michigan started at Concord Elementary School. After nine years teaching at the elementary level, Mrs. Campell moved to Concord Middle School, where she taught for 15 years.

Her love of learning lead her to try new and innovative means of teaching and reaching her students. Mrs. Campbell always kept abreast of the latest in educational research and methods. She was an early proponent of team teaching and active learning experiences. She initiated student-led parent teacher conferences at Concord Community Schools, and made sure that her class was about learning and held herself and her students accountable for the goals she set. She was a positive influence in the learning community.

Mrs. Campbell has often expressed her affection for middle school students. She understands the difficult transition from childhood to adolescence, and took an active role in trying to help her students learn to cope with the difficulties in their lives. She often took the time to help prepare her students for real life situations, from teaching students how to dance to help allay their fears the first time they participated in a school dance, to making a presentation in front of an audience during a student-led conference.

As a Professor at Spring Arbor University, Mrs. Campbell provides inspiration and reallife experience to the future teachers there. Her influence will prepare them to be successful, innovative, and effective teachers as well.

It is fitting, then, that she has been recognized by her peers as the College Educator of the Year by the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators. As an educator, a professor and a friend, Mrs. Mary Campbell has consistently demonstrated integrity, leadership, and a lifetime love of learning. It is for those reasons that I rise to honor her today.

Mr. Speaker, it is a sincere pleasure to recognize the finalists of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program. This special honor is an appropriate tribute to the academic accomplishment, demonstration of leadership and responsibility, and commitment to social involvement, demonstration of leadership and responsibility, and commitment to social involvement displayed by these remarkable young adults. We all have reason to celebrate their success, for it is in their promising and capable hands that our future rests.

The finalists of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program are being honored for showing that same generosity of spirit, depth of intelligence, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. They are young men and women of character, ambition, and initiative, who have already learned well the value of hard work, discipline and commitment.

These exceptional students have consistently displayed their dedication, intelligence and concern throughout their high school experience. They stand out among their peers due to their many achievements and the disciplined manner in which they meet challengers. While they have already accomplished a great deal, these young people possess unlimited potential, for they have learned the keys to success in any endeavor.

As a Member of Congress of the United States of America, I am proud to join their many admirers in extending our highest praise and congratulations to the finalists of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship program.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Erica Bushinski, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Erica is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan.

Erica is an exceptional student at Napoleon High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Erica has received numerous awards for her excellence in science, English, social studies and athletics, as well as her volunteer activities with HOST and many other volunteer organizations. Erica is the recipient of a Board of Trustees Scholarship from Central Michigan University.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Erica Bushinski for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, let it be known that it is with great respect for the outstanding record of excellence she has compiled in academics, leadership and community service, that I am proud to salute Jessica Wilson, winner of the 2003 LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This award is made to young adults who have demonstrated that they are truly committed to playing important roles in our Nation's future.

As a winner of the LeGrand Smith Scholarship, Jessica is being honored for demonstrating that same generosity of spirit, intelligence, responsible citizenship, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, MI.

Jessica is an exceptional student at Harper Creek High School, and possesses an outstanding record of achievement in high school. Jessica has received numerous awards for her excellence in theater and music, as well as her volunteer activities with the Battle Creek Jr. Theater, and as the organizer of the Youth Choir at her church. Jessica has won numerous awards for her activities, including the Young Woman of Promise Recognition and the Young Woman of Excellence Award.

Therefore, I am proud to join with her many admirers in extending my highest praise and congratulations to Jessica Wilson for her selection as winner of a LeGrand Smith Scholarship. This honor is a testament to the parents, teachers, and others whose personal interest, strong support and active participation contributed to her success. To this remarkable young woman, I extend my most heartfelt good wishes for all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, It is a sincere pleasure to recognize the finalists of

the 2002 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program. This special honor is an appropriate tribute to the academic accomplishment, demonstration of leadership and responsibility, and commitment to social involvement, demonstration of leadership and responsibility, and commitment to social involvement displayed by these remarkable young adults. We all have reason to celebrate their success, for it is in their promising and capable hands that our future rests.

The finalists of the LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship Program are being honored for showing that same generosity of spirit, depth of intelligence, and capacity for human service that distinguished the late LeGrand Smith of Somerset, Michigan. They are young men and women of character, ambition, and initiative, who have already learned well the value of hard work, discipline and commitment.

These exceptional students have consistently displayed their dedication, intelligence and concern throughout their high school experience. They stand out among their peers due to their many achievements and the disciplined manner in which they meet challengers. While they have already accomplished a great deal, these young people possess unlimited potential, for they have learned the keys to success in any endeavor.

As a Member of Congress of the United States of America, I am proud to join their many admirers in extending our highest praise and congratulations to the finalists of the 2002 LeGrand Smith Congressional Scholarship program.