Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to recognize the exceptional service and leadership of Charles L. Bar III on his retirement from a long and successful career in Clay County, Missouri government.

A graduate of the University of Missouri, Charlie served as Athletic Supervisor for the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department and was responsible for the management of numerous Buchanan county amenities and projects. In 1987, he became Clay County's Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites, and supervised the enhancement and construction of new recreational facilities. He also oversaw countless special functions, from races and concerts to historical site events.

More recently, Charlie served as Assistant County Administrator, handling the oversight of purchasing activities and staff, and then became the overall Director of Parks and Recreation. There, he expertly managed over 5,000 acres of park land, 34 miles of trail, a 7200-acre lake, and a large staff dedicated to assisting Clay County citizens and maintaining the county's public spaces. Finally, having spent the past few months as Interim County Administrator, Charlie retires after 34 years of outstanding service.

Charlie's hard work has not gone unrecognized. A member of the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association, Charlie received the Fellow Award, the Association's highest honor. He has also received Mizzou's Eye of the Tiger alumni award and numerous recognitions from the YMCA, the city of St. Joseph, and Clay County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in commending Charlie Barr for his dedicated service to the people of Clay County. I know Charlie's colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking him for his commitment to others and wishing him happiness and good health in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize The Palmer Center of Missouri's Sixth District. The Palmer Center is being honored by The National Institute for Senior Centers for meeting and exceeding the NISC standards of accreditation.

Of the 11,000 senior centers in the country, only 126 senior centers are able to achieve accreditation. The Palmer Center is one of only two sites in all of Missouri to earn that lofty distinction. Throughout the year-long process to receive the accreditation, the NISC noted the Palmers Center's innovative partnerships with various organizations and businesses throughout the community, it's dynamic health and fitness programs, and The Palmer Center's exceptionally organized and professionally operated senior program. The NISC also made special note of the most important strength of The Palmer Center, it's committed and dedicated volunteer staff.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing The Palmer Center located in the Sixth District of Missouri. It is an amazing place with an outstanding group of people dedicated to making a daily impact on the proud seniors in Independence, MO and the whole of the Sixth District. I am honored to represent The Palmer Center in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the outstanding achievement of the Staley Falcons High School football team on defeating the Kirkwood Pioneers, by a score of 35-21, to win the Class 5 State Championship.

The Falcons finished their incredible season by posting an undefeated 14-0 record. In a hard-won championship game, Staley scored an 80-yard drive in the 4th quarter, taking 7 minutes off the clock. Staley then made a defensive stop to win the school's first-ever state title, and the first football title for the North Kansas City School District. Staley's football team also became the first in Missouri history to have two-2,000 yard rushers, with Morgan Steward earning 2225 yards and Trent Hosick 2054 yards.

I want to recognize the great leadership of the team, including Head Coach Fred Bouchard and the work of his assistant coaches. I also want to acknowledge the work of Superintendent Todd White, and Principal Clark Mershon as additional keys to success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in congratulating the Staley Falcons High School football team on their perfect season and State Championship. It is an honor to represent this team in the United States Congress and I wish them the best of luck in the seasons to come.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Captain Louie A. Wright on his retirement as President of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 42.

A self-made man from humble beginnings, Louie graduated from Ruskin Heights High School and joined the Kansas City Fire Department in 1972. Louie was first elected as President of Local 42 in 1976. In 1988, Louie resigned as President of Local 42 in order to run for General Secretary of the IAFF. This hiatus from the Presidency gave Louie the opportunity to finish his Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, finishing a collegiate journey that included receiving his Master of Public Administration from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. Louie was again elected President in 1995, leading Local 42 ever since.

His time with Local 42 has been marked by many memorable moments. When the negotiations over 40 hour work weeks and mandatory overtime grew fierce in the late 1970s, Louie and around 70 other firefighters were arrested. An agreement was later reached and Louie was pardoned by the governor. However, it was not the only time this happened and Louie often jokes that he is the only member of the Missouri Bar Association to have been arrested and pardoned twice. For the past 35 years Louie Wright has led the Local 42 to unprecedented growth with skill, street smarts and toughness. Local 42 members, their friends, families, fellow firefighters and the citizens of greater Kansas City will always remember Louie Wright as a ``fireman's fireman.''

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me, Louie's children Joanna and Nick and his family and friends in congratulating Captain Louie A. Wright on his retirement after 29 years with the Kansas City Fire Department and the IAFF and in wishing him the best of luck in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Hunter Jeffrey Faris. Hunter is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 249, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Hunter has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Hunter has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Hunter has earned the rank of Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, led his troop in various leadership positions, and attended the Philmont Scout Reservation High Adventure in 2008. Hunter has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Hunter completed the construction of a 280 feet split rail wooden fence at Platte Ridge Park in Platte County, Missouri.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Hunter Jeffrey Faris for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Cameron L. Mason. Cameron is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 249, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Cameron has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Cameron has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Cameron has earned the rank of Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, led his troop in various leadership positions, and earned the Eagle Coup in 2011. Cameron has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Cameron removed and replaced the base for the sign for Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Weston, Missouri, as well as replacing and installing new landscaping around the church.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Cameron L. Mason for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report on H.R. 1540.

Included in this bill is a long-term reauthorization of the Small Business Innovative Research program. This program sets aside Federal research and development dollars for small businesses that have cutting-edge ideas and promising research that the government needs. The SBIR program fosters innovation while giving a boost to our Nation's best job creators.

Today, I am pleased to say that the House and Senate have come together on a compromise that will give certainty to our small businesses and make important reforms to the program. I want to thank Chairman McKeon and Ranking Member Smith for including this bipartisan deal in the National Defense Authorization Act conference report, and I would also like to thank the ranking member of the Small Business Committee, Ms. Velazquez, for her very important contributions to this debate, as well as the chairman and ranking member of the Science Committee, Mr. Hall and Ms. Johnson, who have also been partners in this effort. And, of course, all of the staff on the various committees who have worked very hard on this. They deserve a lot of credit for their hard work.

I encourage my colleagues to support the conference report and the thousands of small businesses and jobs that benefit from the SBIR program.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ryan Hosford. Ryan is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Ryan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Ryan has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Ryan has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ryan Hosford for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Lucas Youtsey. Lucas is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 395, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Lucas has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Lucas has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Lucas has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Lucas Youtsey for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 527, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011. I was the original cosponsor. I want to thank Chairman Smith for the opportunity to work with him on this very important piece of legislation.

Opponents will argue that the bill stops agencies from issuing regulations. However, in reality, H.R. 527 will force agencies to consider how their actions affect small businesses and other small entities. More importantly, if the effects are significant, agencies, not small entities, will have to develop less burdensome and costly alternatives.

Shouldn't a government understand the consequences of its regulations? Of course, it should. And by doing so, the government may arrive at a more efficient and less costly way to regulate. In a nutshell, that is what H.R. 527 does.

Some may argue that agencies already do this when they draft regulations. However, nearly 30 years of experience with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or the RFA, shows that agencies are not considering the consequences of their actions, and it is about time that they start doing that.

Government regulations do have consequences. Small businesses must expend scarce and vital capital complying with these rules. If there's a better way to achieve what an agency wants while imposing lower costs on small businesses, the sensible approach would be to adopt the lower cost methodology. This will enable small businesses to meet the requirements imposed by regulators while freeing up scarce resources to expand their businesses and hire more workers.

H.R. 527 ensures the consideration of consequences of rulemaking through the removal of loopholes that the agencies have used to avoid compliance with the RFA. In addition, the bill will require a closer consideration of the impact of rules on small businesses and other small entities. Yet nothing in H.R. 527 will prevent an agency from issuing a rule. It just stops the government from issuing a rule without understanding its effect on America's job creators--small businesses.

With that, I urge my colleagues support this very carefully crafted measure to improve the Federal regulatory process.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the 24th District of New York (Mr. Hanna).

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations, the gentleman from the Sixth District of Colorado (Mr. Coffman).

(Mr. COFFMAN of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, the gentlelady, my colleague from the Small Business Committee, pointed out that the Bush administration added $60 billion in regulatory burdens out there, which is not a good thing at all. In fact, that scares me in and of itself. In 8 years of the Bush administration you had $60 billion in extra regulations.

The Obama administration has added $40 billion in only 3 years. So at the rate that that administration's on, it's going to far outweigh any administration.

But my point is, I don't care what administration it is. I don't care if it's a Republican administration or a Democrat administration. I want to make darn sure that those agencies comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and I want to make darn sure that those agencies take into account how much this is going to cost small business when they're implementing some of these ridiculous regulations that they're asking small business staff to comply with.

Some of this stuff is outrageous, and it needs to be studied, or it needs to be taken care of, or it needs to be stopped. But these agencies--and again, I don't care what administration it is--they need to have to comply with this and they need to understand what the consequences are.

With that, I would urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Spencer Rosenak. Spencer is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 216, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Spencer has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Spencer has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Spencer has earned the rank of Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, participated in the 2010 National Jamboree and has held several leadership positions within his troop, including Assistant Patrol Leader and as the Chaplain's Aide. Spencer has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Spencer documented the directory of those buried at B'nai Yaakov Cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri, and created a map of the plots in the cemetery. Spencer then published his work on the internet, providing an online directory for anyone interested in those buried at the cemetery.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Spencer Rosenak for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Bradley Donaghy. Bradley is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 495, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Bradley has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Bradley has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Bradley has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Bradley Donaghy for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Samuel Patrick Stowers. Samuel is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 495, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Samuel has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Samuel has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Samuel has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Samuel Patrick Stowers for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Alex Mitchell Goforth. Alex is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 495, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alex has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alex has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Alex has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alex Mitchell Goforth for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize James Chandler Adams. James is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 495, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

James has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years James has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, James has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending James Chandler Adams for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.