Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 69, on the Labrador amendment, I was detained off the floor talking with constituents. Had I been present, I would have voted ``present.''

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 I was scheduled to fly out of Champaign, Illinois, on American Airlines Flight 4373 which was supposed to arrive in Chicago at 10 a.m. CST. This flight would have allowed me to make a connector flight to Washington in time for votes at 1:30 p.m. However, a maintenance issue on that flight unfortunately precluded my attendance for the first series of votes.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on Ordering the Previous Question and ``aye'' on adoption of H. Res. 547, the Rule for H.R. 3408. Further, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 2079, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10 Main Street in East Rockaway, New York, as the ``John J. Cook Post Office''; H.R. 3247, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building''; and H.R. 3248, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 112 South 5th Street in Saint Charles, Missouri, as the ``Lance Corporal Drew W. Weaver Post Office Building.''

Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievement of the United Way of McLean County. The United Way provides funding for 27 agencies that operate a total of 45 local programs to help assist the homeless, people with developmental disabilities, and families in crisis.

The United Way, with the help of citizens and businesses throughout McLean County, raised over $4.3 million during its latest fundraising period.

This money was raised in part by a community that has always valued self reliance and over the years has come together in times of hardship to meet common goals and to assist its own citizens. The great people of McLean County are proof that we do not need to rely on the government to take care of every problem.

I would like to also thank State Farm and all of their employees. Together, they donated a total of $1.9 million to the cause of the United Way. This includes $99,000 that State Farm donated before the close of fundraising to make sure the United Way exceeded its goal of $4.3 million. State Farm's continued relationship with the McLean County community is another illustration of the benefits that accompany accepting and promoting private businesses in your local area.

The United Way is an asset to McLean county, and I pray for their continued success and assistance in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of Mr. Marcus Clark, former Mayor of Piper City, Illinois, and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Mr. Clark passed away on Thursday, February 2nd at the age of 82 at his home in Piper City.

Mr. Clark was born September 23, 1929, in Latona, Illinois and spent his childhood in Piper City, graduating from Piper City High School. He married Phyllis June Read in 1952 and together they had six children. Following his service to our country in the Army, Mr. Clark was an active member of the Gibb Post 588 of the American Legion, as well as Rotary and Eastern Star. He was the Plant Manager for Louis Melind in Onarga and announced football games in Piper City for 22 years.

Mr. Clark served as the Mayor of Piper City for twelve years and was also a Board member. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed golfing. His rich legacy lives on through his family of five children, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and three siblings.

Mr. Clark was a tremendous ambassador for Piper City, and he will be missed. Thank you, Mr. Clark, for your service to your country and your support of your community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, also known as the STOCK Act. As a sponsor of the original bill in 109th Congress, I am a firm believer that Members of Congress should receive no greater privilege than that of our own constituents. Although I am grateful for the passage of this bill today, it is reprehensible that it has taken six long years for this legislation to finally come to the Floor for consideration.

As President Lincoln stated, our government was intended to be a ``government of the people, by the people, for the people.'' Sadly, we have fallen away from those founding principles. Today, many government officials live in Washington, secluded from their constituents, and out of touch with reality. They benefit from financial insight used to improve their own stock portfolios, enjoy luxury trips disguised as CODELs, and upon retirement, receive generous pensions despite their own actions while in office. Politicians come to Washington not to represent their constituencies, but for their own avail.

Vainglorious acts such as these, committed by our country's leaders, are simply unacceptable.

I have introduced several pieces of legislation intended to reduce government waste, hold Members accountable for their actions, and increase transparency within our federal government. For example, the STAY PUT Act would require the completion of a study on the costs of Congressional foreign travel claimed to meet criteria of ``official business,'' by Members, officers, and employees of Congress. Another piece of legislation I have introduced, the Citizen Legislator Act, aims to cut the time spent in Washington, DC in half, cuts Congressional salaries and budgets in half, allows Members to work jobs outside of public office, and increases the time Members spend in their districts with the people who elected them.

Madam Speaker, while, many of us may attempt to project the appearance that our motives are truly altruistic, the time has come for real action. I applaud my colleagues for passing the STOCK Act today and encourage them to consider additional legislation bearing similar objectives, to listen to their constituents, and to spend more time in their districts. I remain optimistic that many of us still remember why we find ourselves here today: to serve the American people.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, February 6, 2012, I had a previously scheduled meeting with business leaders in Champaign County, Illinois. As a result, I am unable to attend votes this evening. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 1162, the New York City Natural Gas Supply Enhancement Act; ``aye'' on H.R. 1162, to provide the Quileute Indian Tribe Tsunami and Flood Protection Act; and ``aye'' on the H. Res. 537, the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 1734, the Civilian Property Realignment Act.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 100th anniversary of an important community service organization in Champaign, Illinois.

The Champaign County Farm Bureau was founded in 1913 and has grown into a vital element of all Champaign County farmers. For the past 100 years, the Champaign County Farm Bureau, like farm bureaus everywhere, has brought together farmers across the county to discuss ways to band together to keep agriculture profitable. Not only are they teaching the importance of agriculture to the county but also the nation. I applaud the willingness of the Champaign County Farm Bureau for stepping forward and showing how modern agriculture is feeding the world today.

The Champaign County Farm Bureau provides critical information to its truly visionary farmers in the county and in the halls of government here in Washington and in our great State of Illinois. But their efforts don't stop there; they understand the importance of talking and discussing with consumers where their food comes from. They impress upon those they meet that United States' farmers produce the safest, most reliable, and most affordable food supply in the world!

I believe that the mission statement of the Champaign County Farm Bureau says it all: They will strive to assist families in agriculture by recognizing and responding to issues of concern while strengthening partnerships and improving farm family life for this and future generations.

I want to congratulate President Watson, Manager Uken and all the members of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, past and present, on celebrating their 100th anniversary. I want to join with the other Members of this House in wishing them continued success for another 100 years and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to President Obama's administrative rule requiring religious institutions that provide health insurance policies to supply coverage for medicines and procedures that violate the tenets of their faith.

Freedom of religion is one of the foundations of our country. Famously, in the early days of the Republic, the Vatican requested permission of the Continental Congress to appoint a bishop. The Congress wisely declined the appointment, recognizing that there was no appropriate role for government in the regulation of church activities.

Now, over 200 years later, the Obama administration wants to roll back the clock and make decisions for religious institutions that should properly be left to those institutions. People freely associate themselves with churches and their affiliated organizations, such as hospitals and schools. In doing so, they accept that they will abide by the rules of those organizations. The Obama administration has uniformly usurped the autonomy of each institution to set those rules upon themselves.

This is a dangerous precedent. It is not difficult to see further encroachments by the ``all powerful'' federal government upon the rights and privileges of church communities. Will the Department of Education begin setting curriculum standards for private religious schools? Will the Department of Labor set standards of employment for Catholic health facilities? Will the Department of Health and Human Services begin requiring end of life counseling that violates the teachings of certain religions?

During the healthcare debate of 2010 and after, assurances were given to Members of Congress and to leaders of religious organizations that nothing in the bill would or could be used to violate the right of conscience of any faithful American. I voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in part, because I feared exactly this; it is being used as a lever to force values upon the American people that are contrary to their own beliefs.

Let us hope this and future Congresses will work to repeal President Obama's takeover of healthcare and, by extension, the conscience of individual. Further, let us implement true healthcare reform that improves our system, lower costs, and protects the rights of Americans to have healthcare coverage that conforms to their values.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leanna Cossman of Urbana, Illinois. In Febuary she will be making her sixth trip to assist people in Haiti, which has recently been devastated by natural disasters and disease.

Mrs. Cossman's first journey to Haiti occurred shortly after the terrible earthquake in 2010. She returned to the country for a second time not long after to continue providing care for the hundreds of thousands still struggling. When Cholera began to spread among the refugees, Mrs. Cossman made another trip to help the sick and dying. She made two more trips in 2011, assisting relief workers with the nursing skills that she has practiced as a certified nurse for schools in Urbana.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Jewish Healthcare International for sponsoring Mrs. Cossman's upcoming trip, as well as many others. Their organization and the people who volunteer for them have made an incredible impact in the lives of thousands of people.

Mrs. Cossman's selflessness and dedication to providing help and care for others serves as an incredible example for people across our great nation, and I am truly honored to serve as a representative for such a caring individual. I want to personally thank Mrs. Cossman and her family, and let them know that her story is an inspiration not only to myself, but to all the members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the life of Mr. Hiram Paley, former Mayor of Urbana, IL, and Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois in Mathematics. Mr. Paley passed away on Monday, January 9, at the age of 78 at the Carle Foundation hospital in Urbana, IL, after his long fight with cancer.

Hiram Paley was an excellent representation of what living the American dream is all about. He was born the son of Russian immigrants and rose above humble beginnings to obtain his doctorate in mathematics with a specialization in algebra. Mr. Paley became a professor at the University of Illinois in 1959 where he would meet his wife of over 50 years, Jean Paley. Together they had three children. He soon became active in the local community, eventually rising to the Office of Mayor for the town of Urbana, IL. He served a single term as Mayor. Afterward, he remained active in community events throughout the rest of his life. He remained always perceptive to the concerns of everyday citizens with whom he interacted.

It is paramount to emphasize that although Hiram Paley was not of the same political affiliation as I, he was always civil and respectful toward individuals who did not share similar political philosophies. This is an underlying theme that we as leaders should glean most from this man's life. This ideal ought to be at the forefront of our debates today. Civility and discourse in politics may seem like a large river, seemingly impossible to cross, but in actuality, our political reality today is but a modest stream that is only in need of leadership to step across and achieve consensus. And that model is what government is truly about. Thank you, Mr. Paley, for your excellent example and extraordinary life, as well as your service to our Nation; you shall be missed tremendously.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sarah Bradbury, Brittney Evans, and Megan Schuler for their accomplishments in the Mattoon High School band. They have been selected to the All- State Concert Band and the All-State Orchestra. Bradbury, on French horn, will play with the All-State Concert Band while Evans, oboe, and Schuler, trombone, will play with the All-State orchestra. The three will represent the Mattoon High School Pride of the Green Wave Band Program at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference in Peoria. Rehearsals and performances will take place from Wednesday to Saturday.

This is the highest honor for a junior or senior musician to accomplish; each participant went through a tough audition back in October. ``Of the tens of thousands of musicians throughout the state, 300 winds and percussionists are selected from nine districts to participate in the two All-State Concert Bands and Orchestras.''

The Mattoon High School Pride of the Green Wave band is directed by Todd Black and James Stanford. I would like to further congratulate these directors on a job well done; everyone's family, community, and school are extremely proud of the accomplishments of Sarah, Brittney, and Megan.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of a quick conclusion and passage of a multi-year Federal Aviation Administration Authorization. On Friday afternoon, I was pleased to see that a compromise was reached regarding language on union elections under the National Mediation Board. It was almost a year ago on February 11, 2011 that the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act was introduced. During this time, Congress passed

five extensions contributing to the now 23 short-term extensions that the FAA has operated under for several years.

Twenty-three times the FAA and thousands of employees who rely on the FAA have faced potential shutdowns and uncertainty due to Congressional inaction, with one two-week shutdown resulting in millions of dollars in lost federal revenue. The impact of these extensions is not limited to instability for Americans in the aviation industry and a loss of federal revenue.

The lack of a multi-year authorization has stalled the implementation of the NextGen aviation system. When fully implemented, NextGen will allow for a more dynamic aviation system by allowing for quicker and more fuel efficient routes for aircraft and a more flexible aviation system. Each delay places our domestic aviation industry at risk of falling behind their international competitors. The passage of a multi- year FAA authorization bill ensures that NextGen will move forward and allow the United States to remain ahead of the world in implementing this system.

I am confident that the FAA extension we passed earlier this week is the last extension needed to complete this process. When the remaining issues are resolved, we will be able to provide the aviation industry stability and show to the American people that Congress can work together and accomplish something.

Mr. Speaker, I had a previously scheduled meeting with constituents in Champaign County Illinois and was unable to attend votes this evening. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' and ``yea'' on H.R. 1141, the Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act and H.R. 3117, the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2011.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 98 disapproving of President Obama's request to increase the statutory debt limit of the United States. Though, I voted against the original bill authorizing this request, the Budget Control Act, I stand firmly in opposition to any increase in the debt limit and have been opposed in increases since 2005.

Madam Speaker, reckless spending is crushing our economy. It must stop and we cannot continue to give a blank check with no strings attached to the powers that be. These powers, Republican and Democrat alike, have spent this country in to a fiscal catastrophe.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to eliminate duplicative programs, wasteful spending, and reforming the way Congress does business. For example, I have recently introduced the Citizen Legislator Act and the Biennial Budgeting Act. These bills are starting the dialogue to create the fundamental changes so desperately needed in Washington as demanded by our constituents. Congress must be honest with itself and honest with the American people when discussing the defining issue of our time.-

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 2011 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Women's Volleyball Team.

This talented group of young women truly represents the epitome of athleticism, dedication, and perseverance as the team placed 2nd in the country in the Division I NCAA Tournament. This marked the first time in history that this Illini organization has made it to the finals of this competition.

I would like to also congratulate Kevin Hambly, the head coach, as well as his fellow coaches and staff members who helped guide the 2011 Women's Volleyball Team to accomplish greatness. Mr. Hambly was recently named the National Coach of the Year by Volleyball Magazine. In addition, this publication named Michelle Bartsch as a first-team All-American and Colleen Ward as a second-team All-American. I would also like to note that 11 of the young women on the 2011 Women's Volleyball Team placed among the top 60 in each of their recruiting classes.

It is undeniable that the women on this team all serve as role models for community that I represent, and it is honors such as these that make me incredibly proud to call the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign my alma mater.