Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Madeleine Misemer of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Madeleine is active in the community and in her school and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Future Leader Award.

Leadership is a hallmark of Madeleine's high school career. While earning high academic honors each semester, she remained involved in Student Council and was a delegate to the Missouri Association of Student Council Summer Leadership Workshop. Madeleine has been enrolled for three years in the Leadership Class and has also been a DECA leadership conference delegate. She is often seen at athletic events supporting her peers, and is a member of the varsity tennis team. Her lengthy list of service activities includes chairman of the blood drive and steering committee member for the Senior Citizen's Prom. She is also a natural tutor and mentor, leading activities for struggling students.

Madeleine's nominator states, ``Her high morals and ethics are not to be questioned . . . others trust her judgment, and she sees the bright side to all situations.''

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Madeleine Misemer. She is an amazing individual and a tremendous asset to our community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jan Saxton of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Jan is active in the community and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award: Woman in the Workplace.

In 1945, after every member of Jan's family worked to save all their earnings through the great depression, her father decided the time was right. Every penny saved was invested into the dream of rebuilding a spot of family entertainment, a golf course. A small lot at 9th and Jules in St. Joseph, provided land for rent. Used lumber and materials started a modest 18 hole course. Jan graduated from Lafayette High School and with the help of her grandmother, Pearl Summers, was put in charge of the business. The little course thrived, yet before the end of the third season, the land was sold.

After her brother and Guy Saxton returned home from the service, she married Guy, her high-school sweetheart. Soon they purchased land to build what is now Cool Crest. His engineering and carpentry skills, and her gardening and ``people skills'' made for the perfect combination that we still enjoy today.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Jan Saxton. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph Community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Diane Hargrave of Saint Joseph, Missouri. Diane is active in the community through her work and has been chosen to receive the YWCA Women of Excellence Award for Woman in Support Services.

Within her 23 years of service to the Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, Diane has continually excelled at a complex set of responsibilities. She has assisted with five successful federal and state inspections, and has served several facility leaders on her journey to her current title as Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. Diane holds the complete history of the facility in her hands, and has been praised for her assistance through a major leadership reorganization. Her knowledge of the facility has been instrumental for hospital leadership navigating service delivery in the complicated public mental health care setting. Diane has guided coworkers to top administrative leadership positions, while helping NMPRC maintain rigorous accreditation--and all with humor and generosity.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Diane Hargrave. She has made an amazing impact on countless individuals in the St. Joseph Community. I am honored to represent her in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1082) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members shall have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

The legislation we have before us is a short-term extension of programs that helps our Nation's small businesses. Last week, the House passed the bill by voice vote to extend these programs for 4 months until the end of the fiscal year. Unfortunately, that bill was used as a vehicle to pass the PATRIOT Act authorization. So we have a new bill before us today.

Like the bill the House passed last week, this legislation extends the authorization of the Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs until the end of the fiscal year. These two programs provide R&D dollars to small businesses to create jobs, spur innovative ideas to the market, and solve Federal agency problems, all at no additional cost to the government.

Secondly, the bill extends for 2 months, until July 31, 2011, the authorization of several other programs of the Small Business Administration. Among them is the pre-disaster mitigation program that provides loans to small businesses so they can implement technology that will reduce the impact of disasters on their operations.

With the recent devastation we have seen in the Midwest, including in my home State of Missouri, and with the hurricane season right around the corner, it's imperative that this program continue for small firms who wish to bolster their disaster plans.

Mr. Speaker, this is bipartisan legislation that has the support of the administration, as well as the leadership of both parties on the other side of the Capitol. It is important that we do not let these programs lapse, because they will expire if we do not pass this legislation today. This is the last day.

I urge my colleagues to support our Nation's small businesses and vote ``yes'' on S. 1082.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the ranking member.

In closing, just let me reiterate this is a simple, short-term extension of programs that are very important to our Nation's small businesses. We aren't changing any policy here. We are just extending them until hopefully we can work out the differences with the other body on the other side of the Capitol.

Again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 1082 and keep these programs running so we can hopefully work out these differences.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Colby Harrison Scroggins. Colby 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 87, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Colby has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Colby 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, Colby has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Colby refinished the floor of the Firemen's Memorial in Cameron, Missouri, and also constructed two 8' 10' planters on either side of the memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Colby Harrison Scroggins 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 Eric Brian Hallmark. Eric 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 900, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Eric has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Eric 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, Eric has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Eric Brian Hallmark 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 Walter Thompson. Walter 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 161, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Walter has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Walter 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, Walter has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jesse T. Reynolds. Jesse's service to this Nation during World War II exemplified the highest characteristics of the service men and women who bled and died to preserve freedom.

Jesse was aboard the USS MacDonough when it was anchored in Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7, 1941. Jesse was among the first to spot the incoming Japanese aircraft that morning and informed the only officer on board of the pending attack. After Pearl Harbor, Jesse was assigned to the newly commissioned USS Radford, where he served in support of the Battle of Guadalcanal and in the Battle of Kula Gulf, where Jesse helped rescue the survivors of the USS Helena.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I proudly ask you to

join me in commending Jesse T. Reynolds for his accomplishments with the United States Navy and for his service to the United States of America during World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 990) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members shall have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, America's 27 million small businesses drive U.S. economic growth and innovation. Those small companies have created 64 percent of our net new jobs over the past 15 years. Strong and vibrant economies are built from the ground up, and as our Nation's entrepreneurs are making decisions to take risks and invest they need to know that their elected officials are looking out for them and providing them with the certainty they need to have confidence moving forward. That confidence will result in increased economic output, new jobs, and a better way of life for all Americans.

The legislation we have before us is a simple extension of programs overseen by the Small Business Administration through September 30, 2011. The current authorizing legislation expires at the end of this month, and we need additional time to continue our legislative work.

Chief among the programs we are extending today is the Small Business Innovative Research Act, the largest Federal Government small business research and development initiative. Earlier this month, the Small Business Committee held a markup of legislation that would fully authorize the SBIR program through 2014. This bipartisan legislation passed our committee by voice vote, and we are ready to bring this legislation to the floor to provide our small entrepreneurs with the certainty that they need to move forward. Unfortunately, the long term SBIR reauthorization introduced by our counterparts in the other body has been stalled and the prospect of them passing that legislation still remains unclear. We have reached out to the other body and are continuing a constructive dialogue on finding a solution to fully authorize the SBIR program as well as other important small business initiatives. It is my hope that we can continue to work in a bipartisan and bicameral way to pass this long-term reauthorization.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 990, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me reiterate that small businesses can and will lead our economic recovery, and this is a very strong case for fully authorizing the SBIR and STTR programs. They have a proven track record of creating jobs, advancing innovative science in the marketplace, and solving Federal agency problems.

These programs provide a bridge between product conception and marketability--a step of vital importance for innovative ideas to become a reality. The new technologies and discoveries that come out of these programs go a long way towards keeping our competitive edge in the world marketplace, and the SBIR and the STTR programs are the kind of public-private partnership that is essential to the continued growth of our economy.

I look forward to working with Ranking Member Velazquez, our colleagues on the Small Business Committee, and our colleagues in the other body on a long-term reauthorization in the coming months.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise to recognize Mrs. Betty Lou Loch on the occasion of her 90th birthday celebration. Mrs. Loch was born on May 23, 1921 at the St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Missouri. She is the daughter of the late William and Maude Butler.

Mrs. Loch is an active member of her community but more importantly, she is a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Mrs. Loch is celebrating this special day with her two children, Robert Edwin Loch, Jr. and James William Loch; two daughter in-laws, Mildred Loch and Jessica Loch; four grandchildren, Robert Edwin Loch, III, Courtney Susan Loch, Jaimie William Loch, and Brittney Jayne Loch, and; two great-grandchildren, Robert Colman Loch and James Quinton Loch.

Mr. Speaker, this celebration will bring together close friends and four generations of the Loch family, which is truly remarkable. So I ask that you join me in wishing Mrs. Betty Lou Loch a happy 90th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall vote No. 325, the Hinchey amendment to H.R. 754, I voted ``aye'' when I intended to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Michael McKenna Hoppenrath. Michael 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 374, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Michael has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Michael 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, Michael has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Michael McKenna Hoppenrath 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 Sean Kincaid Daldrup. Sean 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 374, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Sean has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Sean 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, Sean has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Sean Kincaid Daldrup 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 Mitchell Ryan Kovac. Mitchell 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 374, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Mitchell has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Mitchell 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, Mitchell has contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Mitchell Ryan Kovac 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 William F. Allen, Jr. William 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 388, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

William has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years William 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, William was the first in his troop to earn the Conservation Badge. William has also joined the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and joined the Order of the Arrow.

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