Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Joseph Daniel Moss. Joseph 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 260, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Joseph Daniel Moss 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 Ryan Jacob Roberts. 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 1180, 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. Ryan designed and constructed a picnic area in the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department's Trail of Heroes park, as a place of significant importance to Ryan as both his father and brother are Kansas City Police officers.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ryan Jacob Roberts 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 Zach Ildza. Zach 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 214, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

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

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Zach Ildza 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 Mahlon Kruse. Mahlon is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Civil Air Patrol and earning the most prestigious General Billy Mitchell Award.

Mahlon has been very active with his patrol, participating in many activities. Over the many

years Mahlon has been involved with the patrol, he has not only earned numerous decorations, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Most notably, Mahlon has earned the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Platte Valley Squadron and further distinguished his record at Hawk Mountain Ranger School and at the National Glider Flight Academy. Mahlon has also maintained an impressive 3.97 GPA and is also planning on serving his country by attending the Air Force Academy.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Mahlon Kruse for his accomplishments with the Civil Air Patrol and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of the Mitchell Award.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 366) 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.

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

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

Madam Speaker, we have a big job ahead of us in the 112th Congress. Unemployment remains above 9 percent, and millions of people are out of work. Entrepreneurs are struggling to create jobs and grow their businesses amid threats of higher taxes and more unmanageable Federal mandates. Our economic recovery has been erratic at best. Hard work lies ahead to reduce the uncertainty, to create new jobs and restore confidence in our economy.

Today, we are discussing a simple extension of programs overseen by the Small Business Administration through May 31, 2011. Enacting this legislation is a critical first step towards giving small business owners some certainty while we continue to fully examine all of SBA's programs and make necessary changes to improve SBA services. Enacting this legislation will give our new majority the opportunity to explore new and innovative ideas to improve the services offered by the SBA.

I am humbled and honored to serve our country's entrepreneurs as the chairman of the Small Business Committee, and I look forward to working with Ranking Member Velazquez to enact a more permanent reauthorization in a timely manner. The two of us have had an excellent working relationship over the past 2 years, and I have no doubt this is going to continue in the future.

Madam Speaker, we are all eager to get the work done on restoring America's faith in government and reducing the uncertainty that prevails throughout our economic sectors. We can take this first step by approving this temporary extension and laying the groundwork for a full reauthorization that will bring these programs into the 21st century.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill before us.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, in order to close this debate, let me reiterate that small businesses are going to lead this economic recovery, but we have to provide them with some certainty first. Enacting this legislation before us is going to do just that and let entrepreneurs know that we are back on their side.

Once again I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Velazquez and our colleagues on the Small Business Committee for a more permanent extension.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Richard Holwick. Dick will be receiving the 2010 Northlander of the Year award from the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce for his service to the Kansas City area community.

Dick grew up in the Kansas City area and attended Raytown schools until his family moved north of the river before his senior year of high school. Dick graduated from Oak Park High School and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting. Dick began working for his family's business, Kaw Transport, in 1976, leading it as President from 1982 to 1998, when the company condensed into KTTR and began focusing solely on tanker truck cleaning and maintenance. Dick also showed himself to be a leader for the business community, having served as Chairman for the Northland Redevelopment Corporation, the Clay County Economic Development Council and the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce during times of great economic boon for the Northland. Dick was instrumental in the design and construction of the new Christopher S. Bond Bridge over the Missouri River, providing the Northland with greater and more efficient access to Downtown Kansas City. Dick, ever cognizant of his roots, has also given back to his community by serving as the President of the Liberty Sertoma Club and as a Board Member for the Northland Salvation Army.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me, his wife Annie, their children Lindsey, Angela, Evan and Bryan and their grandchildren Austin and Grace in commending Richard Holwick for his efforts to better Clay and Platte Counties and the surrounding communities.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Jeremy Phillip Thon. Jeremy 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 376, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Jeremy has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Jeremy 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, Jeremy has earned the rank of Firebuilder in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and became an Ordeal Member of the Order of the Arrow. Jeremy has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Jeremy designed and supervised the construction of a handicap-accessible deer blind and nature viewing stand at Smithville Lake, Missouri.

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

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

I rise today in support of H.R. 2, legislation to repeal the job- destroying health care law that was rushed through Congress last year. The American people have repeatedly voiced their frustration over the way the health care law put the government between patients and their doctors. They have protested this law's outrageous Federal mandates and high taxes. They have demanded that reform of our Nation's health care system focus not on bigger government, not on more bureaucrats, but on targeted, commonsense changes that encourage competition and better choices.

But instead of listening to the people, Washington gave them a law that piles more than $500 billion in tax increases on families and small businesses. This law will force as much as 80 percent of all small businesses to give up their current coverage and could cost our economy 1.6 million jobs, 1 million of which could come from small businesses.

All of these new regulations and restrictions included in the law will make it more difficult for small businesses to hire new workers, expand their operations, and offer competitive wages. With unemployment still hovering above 9 percent, families and businesses simply cannot afford more regulations and red tape from Washington. It is going to make jobs more scarce and further slow our economic recovery.

My Republican colleagues and I repeatedly tried to reach across the aisle to craft a better bill when this was pushed through. I was disappointed that rather than listen to their counterparts, the American people, those in charge when this was pushed through chose to put a completely partisan, widely unpopular bill through the people's House.

We now have an opportunity to give the people what they want by repealing this law and replacing it with meaningful reforms that will cut costs and increase access without creating big problems for businesses or piling more unsustainable debt on future generations.

I urge my friends and Members to vote in favor of repeal of this legislation, and join me in implementing better solutions for improving our Nation's health care system.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Mulvaney).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann).

Madam Speaker, at this time, I yield 1 minute to another member of the Small Business Committee, the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Landry).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Walsh).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from North Carolina, a nurse and the new chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health Care and Technology, Mrs. Ellmers.

(Mrs. ELLMERS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentlelady 30 additional seconds.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Hayworth).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gibson).

(Mr. GIBSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I don't have any more speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to claim that the health care law is actually going to benefit small businesses despite the mountain of facts that are out there. Specifically, and what was argued earlier, is that the health care tax credit's going to make it easier for employers to offset the costs that are being required to provide health insurance. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. Any potential assistance from this tax credit is far outweighed by the tax increases and paperwork burdens that this law is going to pile on small businesses.

Madam Speaker, the American people spoke loudly in November. And we need to make sure that we move away from the health care law that penalizes our Nation's entrepreneurs and place a renewed focus on enacting targeted, commonsense reforms that increase access and lowers costs.

Madam Speaker, with that I would urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 2, and let's get back on track.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Tanner Joseph Dalman. Tanner 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 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Tanner has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Tanner 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, Tanner has earned the rank of Senior Patrol Leader. Tanner has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Tanner designed and constructed an open shelter for Jesse James Park in Kearney, Missouri, a task that included many long weekends this past fall.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Tanner Joseph Dalman 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 Daniel Francis Burke. Daniel 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 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Daniel has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Daniel 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, Daniel has earned the rank of Senior Patrol Leader. Daniel has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Daniel designed and constructed an open shelter for Jesse James Park in Kearney, Missouri, a task that included many long weekends this past fall.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Daniel Francis Burke 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 Alan Robert Wilkin. Alan 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 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Alan has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Alan 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, Alan has earned the rank of Assistant Patrol Leader. Alan has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Alan helped record names and other information for Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kearney, Missouri in an effort to help genealogists and locate one particular lost plot for the trustees.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Alan Robert Wilkin 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 Robert Joseph Pence. Robert 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 397, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

Robert has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Robert 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, Robert has earned the rank of Assistant Patrol Leader. Robert has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. Robert aided the City of Kearney, Missouri by repainting many of the town's fire hydrants.

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

Madam Speaker, I would like to state my position on the following votes I missed.

On Tuesday, December 14, 2010, I missed rollcall votes 628, 629, 630. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 628, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 629, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 630.

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize John Trout. John 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 45, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout.

John has been very active with his troop, participating in many scout activities. Over the many years John 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, John has earned the God and Country award and represented the United States at Peak 2010, an international Scout Jamboree in Darby County, England. John has also contributed to his community through his Eagle Scout project. John built an outdoor patio for the Juda House, a long-term homeless shelter in St. Joseph, Missouri. John also designed a playground and ornamental flower garden for the Juda House.

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

Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to celebrate the birth of Melia Enne Woodward. Melia was born on Friday, September 10, 2010, to her proud parents, Ryan and Kristin Woodward of Fruita, Colorado. Melia entered the world at 12:32 p.m. at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, weighing a healthy 7 lbs. 0.7 oz. and 19.5 inches long. Melia also joins her sister, Elliana Kaye Woodward.

Melia also has proud grandparents, Susan Kaye Tanner of Laramie, Wyoming, Cheryl Farmer of Sidney, Nebraska, as well as Bruce Woodward of Maryville, Missouri, to spoil her. Also looking after her from heaven is the late Darrell Earnest Hall of Sidney, Nebraska. Melia is also the nephew of Travis and Sarah Woodward of Kansas City, Missouri, Nathan Woodward of Maryville, Missouri, Sarah Hall of Grand Junction, Colorado, Zach Hall and Zane Hall both of Sidney, Nebraska.

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in celebrating the birth of Melia Enne Woodward. I see great things in Melia's future considering her parents' and grandparents' great emphasis on family values, service and patriotism.

I wish Melia the best life has to offer.