Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember an Arkansas legend--former Mayor Ray Baker--who died March 4, 2011, following a lengthy illness. For 20 years, Mayor Baker presided over Fort Smith, Arkansas, our second largest city. He was remembered this week not only for his outstanding civic leadership, but also for his 44 years of teaching American history at Fort Smith Southside High School, lessons taught to thousands of students on many of the very issues debated in this hallowed Chamber. He was an institution in civic and academic accomplishment, including the prestigious Milken Family National Educator Award.

Mr. Speaker, it warmed the soul to listen to his colleagues, former students, family, and friends eulogize him for his contributions to humankind. His enthusiasm was contagious; his devotion to his school, church, and community unmistakable.

Thanks to Mayor Baker, in his own immortal words, ``Life's worth living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.''

Mr. Chair, I am glad the gentleman a few minutes ago from Virginia talked about the mayors of America and the county judges of America, because just a few weeks ago I was one of those mayors.

Twelve years ago, when I sought that office, I inherited a city that was in terrible deficit spending, that had unreasonable government intrusion into the private sector, that was affecting the economic well-being of that city.

I am pleased to say that, because we took the position of putting our fiscal house in order and because we changed the way government approaches its involvement in the private sector and because we limited the dependency of our city on the Federal Government that we created a city of excellence, that we significantly enhanced the quality of life. We did $1 billion worth of investment; we created thousands of jobs, and Rogers, Arkansas, is the example the American people are looking for today.

I realize that these are difficult times. They are times that are going to require great courage, a sense of duty, and shared sacrifice in order to put America on the right path. I believe in this America, and that's the way forward.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, last night just a few seats down from where I stand, I listened to our President say that he would offer his support to eliminate whatever we can honestly afford to do without. I stand here today in this House Chamber feeling a little less like a freshman representative of the United States Congress and more like a guy presiding over the people's choice awards. There is no better program in my judgment that is tailor-made for elimination than this program.

In overwhelming fashion, the people of Arkansas and indeed the people of America spoke loud and clear last year about the need to reduce spending in this country. The gentleman from Oklahoma talked about the fact that this program does not educate anyone; it doesn't feed anyone; it doesn't produce a mile of interstate highway. The gentleman from California articulated the declining participation in this checkoff program. I don't think there's a better barometer out there for the overwhelming support that the people have for this particular measure.

I urge my colleagues to join me today and vote in favor of H.R. 359.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember the brave service of Sergeant Ethan C. Hardin, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, who died in service to this great Nation on January 7, 2011, in Logar Province, Afghanistan.

Sergeant Hardin served with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, a battalion affectionately known as the Wild Boars, fitting for this proud Arkansan who hailed from razorback country. Nicknamed ``Easy'' for his easygoing personality, Sergeant Hardin was also a veteran of the conflict in Iraq.

Sergeant Hardin was the product of a loving Christian family and a 2004 graduate of Fayetteville Christian School. His dedication to God and country defined him as both man and soldier.

While we mourn with his parents, Tom and Ceil Hardin, we celebrate the life of this American patriot, knowing he has eternal life through the grace and glory of Almighty God.

I thank the gentleman from Missouri for the time.

Throughout this debate there's been a lot of talk about jobs. And there should be. There is little doubt that this law impacts American workers. Take, for example, Baldor Electric in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Madam Speaker, this is a company that has 6,000 employees across America, and the impact of the health care law in the first year alone is $2.9 million. How does a company like Baldor absorb that cost? By further automating its processes and through attrition, allowing 50 jobs to disappear.

Eliminating 50 jobs in the first year of this law for a company like Baldor--not to mention thousands of companies across America similarly situated--is not my idea of restoring economic prosperity for America.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2 and begin the process of crafting a meaningful, affordable, and workable solution. That's the way forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with great sadness to remember one of America's great entrepreneurs, Don Tyson of Springdale, Arkansas, who passed away Thursday, January 6, 2011, following a brief illness.

The son of Tyson Foods, Incorporated, founder John W. Tyson, Don was former chairman of the board and CEO of a company that began as a family business, supplying feed and baby chicks to local producers. It became a global food enterprise with annual sales in excess of $28 billion, over 115,000 team members, and operations in five countries. He founded the Tyson Family Foundation and is well-known for his philanthropy in the fields of education, conservation, and the arts.

Don Tyson's ``no bad days'' outlook on life personifies the true definition of the pursuit of the American Dream. The State of Arkansas and the United States of America have lost an original, and we mourn the passing of this industry legend.

``Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.''