G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the Chair for the opportunity to offer this amendment. I want to speak on this briefly, and then I will withdraw it. The Federal Government has a stated goal of supporting small businesses and, in particular, minority-and women-owned small businesses. One way the Federal Government promotes these businesses owned by minorities and women is through the Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. This program has been shown to be effective when implemented properly. In order to become certified as a DBE, the business must go through a long and rigorous approval process of interviews, audits, reviews, and visits so as to ensure that a company and its owners are who they claim to be. However, once certified, a business is forced to go through the process all over again if it wishes to conduct business in another State. The forms and criteria do not change from region to region, as they are all clearly standardized by the Department of Transportation. The two inches of paperwork and the approval process is so time consuming that companies can miss deadlines and thus lose contracts while waiting for a certification. Since construction projects frequently cross political boundaries, these bureaucratic delays are frequent. This amendment, if signed into law, would prohibit the use of funds from this bill to be spent on administrative expenses and public agencies that do not recognize DBE certifications by other State or local DOTs. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble), the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price) and to the other Members of this august body. It is my honor to join the 108th Congress to represent the citizens of the First District of North Carolina. It has been a long night. Yesterday was election day in the First District, and I have the privilege of winning both the special election and the Democratic primary. I have traveling with me today many members of my family, friends and supporters. They are seated in the gallery. I would like to take this rare privilege to be able to point to them and to say to them, Thank you, thank you, thank you. Mr. Speaker, North Carolina's First District is located in the northeastern part of our State. It is a largely rural community that once thrived upon tobacco as its main product. Tobacco farmers in North Carolina are facing a crisis that this Congress is now addressing. The people of the First District are no different from your constituents. They want our government to work to enable all people to experience the American dream. Therefore, I look forward, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, to working with each of you as we serve our respective districts and as we serve America. Thank you, thank you, thank you.