Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today we endure much discussion about who most cares for our poor. Some measure their compassion by spending their own money; some measure their compassion by spending other people's money. Yet compassion for the poor's true measure is premised upon this fact: You cannot empower a person by making them dependent, be it upon charity or be it upon bureaucracy.

Thus, let us strive to emancipate our poor from dependency's nightmare so that our suffering brothers and sisters may rise in self- reliance and awaken to the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge the extraordinary life and decidedly courageous outlook of Rachel Collett upon her graduation from Livonia Churchill High School.

On January 13, 2012, Rachel, resplendent in her red cap and gown, rose from her wheelchair and walked across the stage to accept her high school diploma. After ceremoniously moving the tassel from right to left, she triumphantly tossed her cap into the air as family, friends and school officials applauded.

Rachel Collett has taught much more than she has learned. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 11 and though since the initial diagnosis she has been constantly been in some form of treatment but never remission, she has never let the disease define her. Rather, she focused on living and determined to schedule her treatment around life and not life around her treatment. She has resolved to make every moment worth remembering. Rachel was earned a Livonia Rotary Service Award, earned college credits while in high school, coached middle school cheerleading squads and was a member of the Churchill High School varsity cheerleading squad until this school year. She attended classes until October 2011 when the debilitating pain made it impossible to continue. Even then, the indomitable Miss Collett continued her schoolwork at home.

Rachel Collett is a remarkable young woman who reminds us longevity is never promised in this life. She has accepted what is and is determined to live the days God has given her striving to accomplish the goals she has set for herself. What we take for granted she fights for the opportunity to achieve.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and absolute privilege to recognize this incredibly inspiring young woman. For all she has endured, Rachel Collett still embraces life with an irrepressible smile. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the incomparable light she is to all who know her and in thanking her for all she has brought to our community and our country. Shine on, Rachel.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the extraordinary life of Kent Morton and to mourn him upon his passing at the age of 28.

Born on June 12, 1983, Kent Morton was a gregarious man with a ready smile. He loved his close-knit family and called his older brother Shane his best friend. Kent was a man who was always willing to help in any way he could. He was happily involved in his Garden City community and spent many hours as a PTA volunteer at Lathers Elementary School where his daughter Makayla is a student. He often used his formidable painting skills to help beautify his church.

Regrettably, on January 11, 2012, Kent Morton fell more than 100 feet from the painters' scaffolding on the Ambassador Bridge into the frigid Detroit River. Although he did survive the initial fall, he could not survive the strong current and passed from this earthly world to his eternal reward. He is survived by his beloved parents, Fawn and Mario Salvatore, and father David Morton. He leaves a legacy in his adored daughter, Makayla, and an unborn child. His treasured siblings, Shane, Amber, Bret and Sarah will forever carry Kent in their hearts. He will be deeply missed by his cherished fiancee Kristi Waltsgott and many family members and friends.

Mr. Speaker, Kent Morton is remembered as a loving father, a compassionate son, a devoted brother and an admired friend. Kent was a man who deeply treasured his family, friends, community and his country. Today, as we bid Kent farewell, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning his passing and honoring his devotion to his country and his community.

Mr. Speaker, the late Czech champion of freedom, Vaclav Havel, once explained the battle between good and evil as ``an eternal, never-ending struggle waged not just by good people against evil people. It takes place inside everyone. It is what makes a person a person, and life, life.

``So anyone who claims that I am a dreamer who expects to transform hell into heaven is wrong. I have few illusions. But I feel a responsibility to work towards the things I consider good and right. I don't know whether I'll be able to change certain things for the better, or not at all. Both outcomes are possible. There is only one thing I will not concede: that it might be meaningless to strive in a good cause.''

Mr. Haval, for your meaningful life's work engaging the affairs of state and of the heart for right and good, thank you and God bless you as your mortal struggle ends and you finally rest in peace amidst the freedom of your beloved Republic.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge Retired Master Sergeant Nathan Weiser, on this the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, a horror which by the grace of our Almighty God, Mr. Weiser survived.

After graduating from Albion College with a teaching degree in 1939, Nate Weiser enlisted in the newly formed United States Army Air Corps along with two of his friends in October 1940. All three men were sent to Hawaii as part of the 15th Fighter Group, 45th Fighter Squadron and were stationed at Pearl Harbor on the horrific day of December 7, 1941.

Retired Master Sergeant Weiser and his two friends were in the mess hall waiting in line for breakfast when the attack began. He recalls the planes flying low enough to be able to see the red scarves and goggles of the pilots hell-bent on destruction. After surviving the initial wave and the smaller second wave of enemy planes, it began to rain. Having lost the friends he enlisted with to the Japanese fury, Weiser and his unit headed toward a mountain foxhole and spent some very uncomfortable nights in the flooded dugout.

In 1943, Staff Sergeant Nate Weiser was sent back to the mainland to attend special schooling. He was asked to serve as an Army officer and declined. Weiser requested to be sent back to the Army Air Corps and was assigned to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. From there he was detailed to the 365th Fighter Bomber Group, 386th Squadron based out of Richmond, Virginia. Nate Weiser arrived in Normandy, France on June 13, 1944, a mere seven days after the initial invasion. As 1944 gave way to 1945, Weiser served in the grueling 40 day Battle of the Bulge. Master Sergeant Nate Weiser undoubtedly saw some of the fiercest combat in the history of these great United States and was released from service in August, 1945.

Mr. Speaker, Nathan Weiser has faithfully served and dutifully protected the citizens of the United States. Our nation owes him a deep debt of gratitude. He has been retired since 1996 after 55 years as a small business owner. He is blessed to enjoy life with his beloved wife of 65 years, Norma, their daughters Karen and Kendra and two granddaughters. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and acknowledging Master Sergeant Nathan Weiser for his years of loyal service to our community and country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 1 State Champion Boys' Soccer Team from Canton High School. On November 5, 2011, the Canton Chiefs eked out a 1-0 victory over Grand Haven, marking their 1st State Championship since 1994 when Head Coach George Tomasso was the Canton goalkeeper.

After having amassed a division record of 9-0-1 and winning the Kensington Lake Athletic Association's South Division, the Kensington Conference and the KLAA overall title, the Chiefs headed in to district play with overall regular season tally of 14-1-2. Canton leveled Ann Arbor Skyline 2-1 before taming the Northville Mustangs 3-0 in the district semifinal. The Chiefs caged the Novi Wildcats, winning 3-1 in double overtime to take the District 5 crown.

Moving on to regional match-ups, Canton stormed past Dearborn by a score of 3-0. The Chiefs blazed by Ann Arbor Pioneer 4-1 to claim the Region 2 crown. Canton's defense would prove impenetrable against top ranked Warren DeLasalle in the semi-final round as the Red and White grounded the Pilots 1-0, setting the stage for the champonship showdown.

Facing Grand Haven in the final match of the season, a pair of sophomore midfielders gave the Canton Chiefs the only goal they would need. At 3:32 in the second half, a perfectly threaded pass led to an unstoppable low shot ripping past the Buccaneers' goalie into the middle of the net. Canton's defense stymied the Bucs, giving the Chiefs the right to hoist the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Championship trophy.

Mr. Speaker, with a season record of 24-1-2 and having allowed only three goals during their entire playoff run, the 2011 Canton Chiefs deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement, spirit and effort. I ask colleagues to join me in congratulating the Chiefs for obtaining this spectacular title and in honoring their devotion to our community and country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge Michigan's Division 1 State Champion Cross Country team from Milford High School. On November 5, 2011 the Milford Mavericks outran the Hartland Eagles to claim the title, placing three runners among the state's top five finalists.

After a season that saw great success in both dual meets and invitationals, Milford won the West Division of the Lakes Conference in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association with a record of 5-0. The Eagles placed 2nd in the talent laden Lakes Conference meet behind Hartland. Moving on to the undeniably toughest MHSAA Regional, the Eagles' 55 point total topped conference rivals Hartland and Lakeland with 83 and 94, respectively.

Head Coach Brian Salyer's harriers were determined to take the state title as the starter's pistol sounded at Michigan International Speedway. The Kensington Lake Activities Association Lakes Conference placed an incredible four teams in the top five state finalists. Milford avenged the stinging conference loss to Hartland by legging out a 1st place finish of 128 over 2nd place Hartland's 172. Waterford Mott took 3rd with 177 and Lakeland finished 5th with 188.

Mr. Speaker, the 2011 Milford Mustangs deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement and spirit, and I am very proud of their fortitude and effort. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Mavericks for obtaining this spectacular title and in honoring their devotion to our community and country.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia.

I would like to take a quick second to add that in 1969, the Democratic Congress had a Republican President to help them do it.

I rise in support of a constitutional balanced budget amendment. In this debate, we have heard that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will be doomed by a balanced budget amendment. But if we do nothing, those entitlement programs will continue to be doomed by today's fiscal implosion. We have heard that tax hikes will somehow manage to balance the budget all by themselves. But we've heard this talk before, and after all the tax hikes of the past, today we face a fiscal implosion.

We have heard that there was a brief glowing era when a Democratic President and a Republican Congress managed to balance the budget. That is the exception that proves the necessity of a balanced budget amendment because, again, today we are fiscally imploding.

We have heard the differences between how families borrow and how the government borrows, and these are absolutely accurate. When a family borrows money, it is personally liable for that debt. It must prioritize its finances and pay it back with its own money. But today we are fiscally imploding because Big Government is not personally liable for that debt. It does not prioritize, and it can't even pay it back with other people's money.

What is the solution? I believe that Big Government is addicted to spending, so we must turn it over to a higher power called the United States Constitution. Only in this way, when Congress spends your money, will you be allowed in the room to sit over their shoulder and say ``no,'' because as we know, today's fiscal implosion is here. And under statutory limitations, the Congress has not been able to balance your budget. Go to the highest law of the land, force them to live within your means, and ensure that the doom and gloom we hear about being able to spend less money to help America actually occurs.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the extraordinary life of Robert Alan Duggan, and to mourn him upon his passing at the age of 46.

Born in Livonia, Michigan on February 23, 1965 to Patrick and Joan Duggan, Bob was a classmate and fellow graduate of the class of 1983 from Detroit Catholic Central High School. He went on to attend the Adrian College, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business/Broadcasting. While attending Adrian College he became a member of this nation's oldest and largest professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. Bob joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1997.

A true son of Livonia, Bob Duggan was born at St. Mary's Hospital, and there the incredibly benevolent heart that led him to donate more than 120 pints of blood to the Red Cross in his lifetime stopped beating. Bob was a long time member of St. Aidan Catholic Church, where he had served as an altar boy and faithfully attended every Sunday. He was a realtor who loved the Detroit area, and an avid sports fan.

Regrettably, on November 3, 2011, Robert Duggan passed from this earthly world to his eternal reward. He is survived by his beloved parents, Patrick and Joan, and his brothers Michael, Daniel, James, and Timothy. Bob was a devoted uncle, and will long be remembered by 13 nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, Robert Duggan is remembered as a dedicated son, devoted brother, loving uncle, and a true friend. Bob was a man who deeply treasured his family, friends, community, and his country. Today, as we bid Robert Duggan farewell, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning his passing and in honoring his devotion to our country and community.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Madonna University, located in my hometown of Livonia, Michigan, upon the 75th anniversary of the school's founding by the Felician Sisters.

In 1937, the Felician Sisters established Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary Junior College on what had been sprawling farmland. As a teaching college with a staff of 18 Sisters committed to providing higher education to area Catholic schools, the school grew to include service- oriented majors such as nursing, hospice, sign language and criminal justice.

After 10 years of rapid growth, Presentation Blessed Virgin Mary College expanded to a baccalaureate institution and was renamed Madonna College. In 1965, the main Academic Building and Residence Hall were dedicated. Madonna launched its first master's program in 1982, and in 1984 dedicated a new library and Kresge Hall. Madonna became a University in 1991 and currently offers more than 50 undergraduate majors toward associate and bachelor degrees as well as 22 masters programs in clinical psychology, business, criminal justice, education, history and health professions. The year 2009 brought the University's first doctoral program in nursing

and the dedication of the Franciscan Center for Science and Media. The Franciscan Center has been awarded Gold Status for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by the United States Green Building Council. The Ford Motor Company Technology Wing offers opportunities for students to work collaboratively on class projects. From its humble beginnings Madonna University has been at the forefront of academic excellence.

Mr. Speaker, for 75 years Madonna University has been true to its mission and Franciscan values. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Madonna University and the Felician Sisters for their commitment to furthering education and their positive influence on our community and our country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Brett Everett Wood, a courageous and noble soldier, who died on September 9, 2011 at the age of 19. Army Private First Class Wood laid down his life when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

A 2010 graduate of Owen Valley High School who enlisted shortly after his high school graduation, Private Wood was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Private First Class Wood had recently returned to active duty after recovering from head wounds suffered in a previous IED blast. He was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal among several other military honors.

A hard worker, a proud and brave American, and a loving son, Private First Class Brett Wood leaves behind his beloved parents, Malissa and Chris Frye and Mitchell and Angela Wood. He is survived by his adored brothers Nikk Wood, Brandon Wood and Cory Poland and dearly loved sister Amber Poland. His grandparents, Charles and Evelyn Wood and Jim and Sandy Corns will long remember him.

Private First Class Brett Wood made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in Operation Enduring Freedom. To his fellow soldiers, his family and friends, and to everyone who knew and loved him, he was a dedicated member of his community who answered the higher calling to serve his country.

Mr. Speaker, during his lifetime, Brett Everett Wood enriched the lives of everyone around him by employing energy, leadership, and courage in everything he set out to do. As we bid farewell to this exceptional individual, I am reminded that freedom does indeed exact a heavy price and I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering and honoring his contributions and years of devoted service to his community and our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Schoolcraft College in my hometown of Livonia, Michigan as it celebrates 50 years of serving the residents of southeastern Michigan.

In October of 1961, voters approved the formation of Northwest Wayne Community College. On February 6, 1963 the college was renamed Schoolcraft College in honor of Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, an American geographer, geologist, and ethnologist, noted for his early studies of Native American cultures, as well as for his 1832 discovery of the source of the Mississippi River.

An essential part of our community, Schoolcraft College continues to provide outstanding and affordable educational opportunities to a district reaching into three counties, sixteen municipalities and six school districts. While best known for its Culinary Arts, Nursing and Public Safety programs, Schoolcraft serves students by providing general education and transfer credits at reasonable cost.

Having served as a member of the Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees, I am impressed by the college's intelligent investment in expanding and upgrading the school's infrastructure. This has provided tremendous opportunities to educate and re-train the workforce in Southeast Michigan. In 2003, the ribbon cutting ceremony opened the VistaTech Center. A state of the art facility, it is home to Schoolcraft College's award winning culinary arts program and business development center. The Culinary Arts Department boasts four Certified Master Chefs and seven Executive Chefs. This gives Schoolcraft College a higher Certified-Master-Chef-per-student ratio than any other culinary school in the country. The VistaTech Center also is home to the American Harvest Restaurant, a student operated restaurant, where students provide exceptional gourmet cuisine and service to the local public.

In 2008, Schoolcraft hosted the grand opening for the new Biomedical Technology Center, BTC. This cutting edge building is home to several science and technology-focused programs and its growing nursing program. This building supports the mission to train our youth in promising future careers in the high tech and biomedical fields. The Biomedical Technology Center hosts truly top-notch labs: Imaging and Analysis Lab, Anatomy and Physiology Lab, Biomedical Engineering Technology Lab, Cellular and Molecular Biology Lab.

From an initial enrollment of 2,425, attendance has now grown to more than 36,000 students each year, each of whom can choose from 70 academic majors. Schoolcraft's Continuing Education and Professional Development Courses reach an additional 16,000 annually through credential programs, professional development, personal enrichment, and courses designed to further personal interests.

Mr. Speaker, Schoolcraft College has served, trained, educated and advanced the interests of our region for 50 years. As a former Schoolcraft College trustee, I ask that we congratulate them on their devoted service as an exemplary and vibrant campus, finding innovative ways to inspire students of all ages to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps based in Plymouth, Michigan as they celebrate 40 years of service to our community and our country.

Formed in November 1971 by Mark and Carol Petty, the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps is not only the first fife and drum corps in Michigan, but the first fife and drum corps in the entire Midwest. Corps members aged 12-18 are dedicated to the preservation of the arts of color guard, fifing, and drumming through performances at parades, historical and patriotic celebrations, and other civic events.

Each year the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps embarks on an eight to ten day tour to visit and perform at historical sites. The group prides itself on a celebrated history, having performed at sites of historical importance in the personal life and military career of George Washington during its silver anniversary year of 1996. The crowning moment of the tour was receiving a standing ovation after a performance for the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the official ceremonial unit of the Army, and escort to the President. The Old Guard has long served as a model for the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps.

Mr. Speaker, for 40 years the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps has maintained a prominent presence in the Metropolitan Detroit area and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada to preserve our nation's musical heritage. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the storied members and alumni of the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps, and in recognizing their four decades of patriotic inspiration and loyal service to our community and our country.

Mr. Speaker, the administration and the Democratic Senate, in their posturing, show what America knows: We are being neither led nor governed. Yet in their policy irresponsibility, they remain united in their party unity.

On the right, take note: It is as unwarranted and injurious for a Republican to call a Tea Partier a hobbit as it is for a Tea Partier to call a Republican a RINO. We cannot unite America if we divide the movement. Consequently, the time has come for the Tea Party to grow up and the Republican Party to wake up and come together to serve and save this great Nation.

I thank the gentleman from California.

We hear a lot of talk about plans. We hear a lot of talk about secret default plans, Senate plans, the Reid plan, but we've yet to hear about the President's plan.

We live in a period of time where we are engaged in a struggle against economic stagnation, where 30 million people can't trade jobs because there are no better ones out there, where 14 million people are unemployed. We live in a period of time where inflation is rising, real wages are declining. In short, we live in a period of time in which we are being neither led nor governed.

We are seeing postures, not plans--with one exception. The House Republicans have endeavored to meet the duty that was entrusted to them by the American people, which is to put forward a plan that will prevent the default of the United States and a diminishment of our economic credibility in the world. Unfortunately, what we get in response is not an attempt at honest bipartisan collaboration. Instead, it is more political rhetoric, more partisanship, more posturing.

At this point in time we have before us a plan that can work. It is not a perfect plan. People on both sides of the aisle have their qualms with it. And yet it is a plan that can be helpful to the American people, that can be helpful to ensuring that our economy does not further deteriorate, a plan that can make sure that Big Government no longer crushes the aspirations of the American people to grow this economy, to find employment, to secure their pursuit of happiness around their hearth and home.

For that, I will support this bill, and I would urge my colleagues to do it, because the American people deserve no less.