Dan Benishek

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Marvin Gibson of Marquette, Michigan on the occasion of earning his Seventy Year Pin in service of the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Gibson was awarded this honor at a ceremony in Northern Michigan on May 31, 2015. As Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 305 in Marquette, Mr. Gibson has shown his devotion to the scouting way of life. In his long career with the BSA, he has earned several other distinctions such as the rank of Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, National Jamboree Leadership, and the Order of the Arrow National Conferences. Mr. Gibson is additionally the father of an Eagle Scout and a long time summer camp staffer at Camp Hiawatha. As a former Boy Scout myself, I have firsthand experience in the positive work that Scouting provides, especially in helping young men become self-reliant and learn important skills. On behalf of all residents of the First Congressional District, I wish to convey my congratulations to Mr. Gibson, his family, his fellow scouts, and the many that he has helped to positively influence in his seventy years in service of scouting.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Sergeant Eric Lund, a true American hero, as well as the community that banded together to help serve one of their neighbors who sacrificed so much in defense of our freedom. Sergeant Eric Lund joined the U.S. Army National Guard in 2003 after graduating from Ludington High School. He served with the 126th C Company as a gunner atop a Military All-Terrain Vehicle, and was in Afghanistan when he was injured in May 2012 as a result of a roadside IED. The explosion resulted in serious injuries including the loss of both arms. Eric spent over two years enduring numerous surgeries during his rehabilitation in San Antonio, Texas. However, he knew his goal was to be back home in Ludington--near friends, family, and the water. Returning home for Eric also meant living an active lifestyle that include biking, being outdoors, and most importantly, being able to live independently and tackle everyday tasks on his own. That dream became a reality as a result of an outpouring of support from the Ludington community and the ``Helping a Hero'' organization. As part of the their first Michigan project, ``Helping a Hero,'' working with Malliet Construction, built Eric a new home featuring adaptive technology to allow for independent living tools like voice activation and a shower with scrubbers. Donations from the Ludington community came in various forms--from money to materials and labor. There are so many people to thank for making this project a reality for Eric, and I will be proud to join them all on June 8, 2015 for the neighborhood ``Welcome Home'' ceremony. As our nation's heroes return home, we must welcome them back and recognize the sacrifices they made protecting our freedoms and way of life. As the Ludington community has proven, we can and must help serve these brave men and women. So long as there are soldiers like Sergeant Eric Lund fighting for us, we can never forget that the cost of freedom is high.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rights of the unborn and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the rule for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. I, along with many of my constituents in northern Michigan, believe that life inside the womb is just as precious as life outside the womb and that it must be protected. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act will prevent abortions from occurring after the point at which many scientific studies have demonstrated that children in the womb can actually feel pain. All children, even the unborn, have the absolute right to life, and we need to do our utmost to protect the most defenseless among us. I served as a doctor in northern Michigan, where I was able to witness the miracle of new life in the delivery room. Because of this, and because of my experience as a father and as a grandfather, I have made protecting the rights of the unborn my priority while serving in Congress. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to have the Secretary of the VA report to Congress on the status of VA clinics currently in the leasing or construction process. Our rural veterans deserve access to quality care without having to drive hundreds of miles. In many areas, like in northern Michigan, VA clinics can serve an important role in providing care to veterans in their communities. However, no one is served when the VA takes many years to approve and complete these projects. In Traverse City, Michigan, an expansion for the VA clinic was approved and funded by Congress in 2013. After I sent letters to the Secretary asking for an explanation, the program was finally approved by the VA in August of 2014. To this day, the VA has yet to make measurable progress on this facility, and they have told me that it could be as many as 6 more years before this facility is completed. Our veterans deserve to know how many facilities are facing similar delays. As we work to enforce some accountability at the VA, we can't ignore our rural veterans that rely on VA clinics. The VA must be held accountable for these delays, and I want to know who in the agency is responsible. My goal is for all veterans to have a choice in where they receive care. We have taken an important step towards that with the Choice Act, and I look forward to continuing to work to expand that program. However, it is critical that we do not allow the VA to hold veterans and taxpayers in limbo as critical, funded projects sit unfinished. The money we provided in this bill is not for plush executive salaries and full retirement benefits for those that manipulate data. It is for our veterans. The VA must return to its focus, to its central mission and remove bureaucratic hurdles that keep veterans from the care they have earned. I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. I thank the chairman. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2028 and would like to take this opportunity to talk about the importance of investing in American infrastructure. This legislation provides support for critical national and regional waterways. The Soo Locks, located in my district, are a critical point in our Nation's infrastructure. Over 80 million tons of commercial commodities travel through the Soo Locks each year, including the vast majority of the iron ore mined in the United States. The value of the cargo traveling through the Soo Locks represents approximately 3.2 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product each year. Recently, the Army Corps completed a sensitivity analysis on the Soo Locks and has indicated that they may begin a new benefit-cost ratio in the future. This lip service isn't good enough. The impact on our economy, should there be a failure of the lock, is too great. The study must be completed, and I am confident that it will show a need for a replacement lock and construction can get underway. I urge the Corps to continue to work with Congress in an efficient and transparent fashion so that we can continue to move this process forward and get this project going.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for all of your good work on this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule for H.R. 2. Since the current flawed Medicare payment rate was enacted in 1997, Congress has kicked the can down the road and has passed 17 different patches to avoid devastating cuts to Medicare. These patches have cost the taxpayers almost $170 billion, more money than it will cost to permanently fix this problem right now. Today, we have the opportunity to actually fix a major problem and pass meaningful legislation that will help keep Medicare solvent and ensure that seniors are able to get the medical care they deserve. As a doctor who has taken care of patients in northern Michigan for over 30 years, I know how terrible it would be if we failed to act today and how seniors would bear the brunt of that failure. Today's legislation may not be perfect; it is a bipartisan compromise that will ensure that Medicare continues to provide necessary health care for my constituents in northern Michigan. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense and long overdue fix.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize James Jendrusina, of Bessemer, Michigan and his achievement in earning the Congressional Award. The Congressional Award recognizes four avenues of individual growth--community service, physical fitness, exploration, and personal development--and how the fulfillment of these goals forms balanced and promising young citizens. In their pursuit of these goals, recipients of the Congressional Awards have gained new skills and greater confidence. In earning his Congressional Award, James volunteered over 200 hours of service through the Boy Scouts, where he focused on teaching younger scouts about service opportunities and how they are able to enrich the communities in which they live. He was also able to introduce bats to the Little Girls Campground to try to control the mosquito population. For his personal development, James dedicated his time to learn about agriculture by planting and taking care of his own garden. Through this experience he learned how to control pests, preserve vegetables and eventually harvest the fruits of his labor. For his Physical Education, James chose to focus on healthy eating and working out. By running and adding a weight routine to his exercises, he was able to achieve an understanding of what is needed to ensure a healthy lifestyle. For his Expedition, James traveled to Alaska and visited the Kenai Peninsula to learn how to fish using varying techniques. I believe the projects undertaken by James will be the cornerstone for future achievements and a commitment to bettering one's self and their community. Please join me in congratulating James for his accomplishments and for success in the future.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 11th annual Seney Veterans Snowmobile Ride, which will occur on Saturday, March 14, 2015 in Seney, Michigan. I had the privilege of participating last year with over 300 fellow riders as we honored and remembered the sacrifices and service of all that have served our nation. Founded by Don and Diane Reed, veterans and owners of the Fox River Motel and sponsored by the Seney Snowmobile Association, the event has grown every year since it was first established building on their motto of ``be a Vet, bring a Vet, thank a Vet.'' Please join me in recognizing all the veterans and supporters participating in the Seney Veterans Snowmobile Ride. We must never forget our veterans and their contribution to the United States.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 280, legislation to allow the VA Secretary to claw back bonuses from senior employees who were found to have manipulated veterans' care data. Frankly, I can't believe that this wasn't already the case. No business in America would allow employees to not only stay at work, but to hold on to bonuses that they earned by cooking the books. This is exactly what the VA has done. The VA has paid more than $380,000 in 2013 to directors and top executives at VA hospitals that were under investigation for falsifying data. I am the father of a veteran. I know exactly the character of those who choose to serve the cause of freedom. They deserve so much better. Bonuses should be awarded only for exceptional performance. This kind of severe mismanagement has to end. I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say it will not be tolerated by this Congress. Secretary McDonald says he is working to change the culture of the VA, and I give him credit for that. Too often the VA seems to be focusing on the health of the organization, not the health of the veteran. I agree with him that the VA must return the focus to the veteran. However, I would like to see more meaningful strides toward accountability than I have seen thus far. Congress will keep giving him the tools, but it is ultimately up to him to use them. This is a management problem, and it is best solved by good management. I thank Chairman Miller for his leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it, but even more so, I urge Secretary McDonald to use this authority. You have a willing partner in Congress in the fight to change the culture at the VA.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, today, as we consider many issues surrounding the education of our Nation's youth, I rise to draw attention to the importance of career technical education. Having raised five kids, I understand how access to quality learning is critical to ensuring that every child has an opportunity to achieve their potential. That is why I have worked to support career and technical education and teach students the relevant skills they need to get a good-paying job. Often referred to as vocational, or voc-ed, CTE courses frequently offer on-the-job training that translates into employment right after graduation. That means more opportunities for students and less debt. I was proud to learn that Cheboygan Area High School in my congressional district was named one of the top schools in northern Michigan in CTE, an achievement for which Cheboygan Area Schools should be justifiably proud. It is my hope that students in northern Michigan and all over the United States will take advantage of quality CTE programs to further their careers and continue to grow our economy. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to supporting measures that help to return control of education to States and parents, allowing families to choose an educational program that fits their needs.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the important health care issues surrounding the National Cancer Prevention Day. This day is an opportunity for health care providers, policymakers, and other community leaders to educate people on the healthy activities and behaviors that can prevent this disease. While we learn more and more every year about how to best treat cancer, more must be done to focus on preventing cases from ever occurring. Today is a reminder to patients to make it their business to learn of activities and behaviors to decrease the incidence of this disease. As a doctor who treated patients in northern Michigan for over 30 years, I am far too familiar with the devastating impact that cancer has on countless lives every day. I hope that all of my colleagues in the House and the Senate will join me in the 114th Congress to remember the victims of cancer, to honor its survivors, and to do everything in our power to prevent future cases of this disease.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the rule and the underlying bill. I have been a doctor in northern Michigan for 30 years, and I have always put the needs of my patients first. I believe it is time for Congress to do the same thing today. We need to get to work on finding bipartisan and commonsense solutions that will put the patient and their doctor back in control of health care decisions and help lower the cost of health care while maintaining the quality. We need to focus on things like allowing people to purchase health insurance across State lines, just like we can already do with car insurance, making health insurance portable so you can take it with you from job to job, another simple change that would improve access to health care. A few of these simple changes would dramatically improve the quality of care available while lowering the overall cost. Many of the patients that I have been talking to tell me their health insurance has gone up, their deductible has gone up. This is not bringing more health care to the American people. This is bringing less health care to the American people. They have less access to care now than they have had in the past. I hope all my colleagues today will join me in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 596 so that we can finally pass patient-centered improvements to our Nation's health care system.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Angela Danison, a third grade teacher at Chassell Elementary School, as the Michigan Teacher of the Year. On behalf of all residents of northern Michigan, I wish to congratulate Mrs. Danison on earning this honorable distinction. Loved by her students, fellow teachers, and school administrators, Mrs. Danison's dedication to teaching children is a credit to her hard work and attention to her students. Mrs. Danison decided that she wanted to help the next generation while she was still a high school student herself. She turned this dream into a successful, lifelong teaching career. On receiving the award, Mrs. Danison modestly stated the following: Educators work so hard, and there is a lot of time where you just don't feel worthy because there are a lot of other dedicated people working around you. Mr. Speaker, I submit to you that Mrs. Danison is certainly a worthy recipient, and I applaud her hard work and dedication.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National School Choice Week. I have traveled all across northern Michigan, and I have been blessed to visit all kinds of schools in my district. I have met with hardworking kids, parents, and teachers who are trying to achieve a better future. Our education system should not be a one-size-fits-all model. School choice programs provide a way for parents to help their children succeed. Choice promotes competition in our educational system, which will improve the educational outcome for all students. While many students are able to prosper by attending their local public school, many others are bogged down by outdated rules that prevent parents from choosing the best educational fit for their children. In order to succeed, parents need options and flexibility, not more regulations. Michigan has enacted the popular Schools of Choice program, which allows parents to send their children to any school in a participating district. These are the types of programs that empower parents and students instead of teachers' unions and bureaucrats. School choice will help to ensure that every child has a chance to flourish, and that is why I am a proud supporter of National School Choice Week.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the rights of the unborn and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this rule. I, along with many in northern Michigan, believe that life inside the womb is just as precious as life outside the womb and must be protected. Both unborn and born children have a right to life. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize a practice that so many of my constituents cannot condone. Your hard-earned tax dollars should not be used to pay for abortions. I served as a doctor for 30 years in northern Michigan, and I have had the awesome gift of witnessing the miracle of new life in the delivery room. I have also been blessed with the experience as a father and a grandfather, and I know how life-changing this event can be. I want to commend the pro-life grassroots efforts led by passionate advocates in our local communities. Thank you for the hard work that you do to educate our communities on the value of life. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. ``Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.''

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 30, the Save American Workers Act, and to urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on this important initiative. I have heard from many people across northern Michigan--from working moms and dads and small business owners to county government--that the President's health care law is stifling economic growth, job creation, and hours of work. Mr. Speaker, one of the most burdensome and baffling regulations imposed by the President's health care law was the reclassification of what constitutes a full-time employee. The Save American Workers Act will get rid of this rule, helping employees in Michigan and around the country create more opportunities in our area. This simple and commonsense fix will be a good first step towards restoring the true definition of full-time employment and increasing jobs in northern Michigan. I have joined with 147 of my colleagues--more than one-third of the entire House--in being an original cosponsor of this legislation. I am happy that this is one of the first bills that the House of Representatives will pass. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, the ranking member, and Mr. Walz, thank you so much for introducing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support the Clay Hunt SAV Act. I am honored to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation. As the father of a veteran, and a doctor who worked at the VA hospital in northern Michigan, I know that the challenges of military life do not end once our servicemembers return from active duty. The mental wounds of war may be invisible, but no less real to the young men and women suffering from them. Facing high unemployment rates, the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder, and the loss of military fellowship, returning veterans often face a crisis of confidence at the very moment they should feel nothing but relief and rest. That is why our bill will help the VA to put the very best mental health professionals to work for our veterans and will create peer support networks to help catch those transitioning servicemembers who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The time to act to address the epidemic of veterans suicide is now. With this bill, and with continued focus on the health of our veterans, and their mental health as well, we can make a real impact. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and pass the Clay Hunt SAV Act.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report to the Veterans Access to Care Act. As a doctor who served at the VA hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan, for 20 years, I have seen firsthand how Washington bureaucracy can keep doctors and nurses from taking care of veterans. On its most basic level, this is the sacred mission of the VA, and the VA has failed. Today we take an important step toward reversing that failure. Most urgently, our bill will allow veterans suffering long waits for care the option to be seen by a local doctor at a private hospital. I believe every veteran should have a choice as to where they receive care, and this bill moves us closer to that goal. But this triage measure is not the long-term solution. That is why our bill directs the VA to tap the best health care minds that we have in this country to go step by step through the system and write us a blueprint for a lean, smart, 21st century VA. Our bill is not perfect, and the problems at the VA will not be solved overnight. However, this landmark effort is the best chance we have had in years to make fundamental changes to the way the VA operates. Make no mistake, our true test comes next. We must continue to keep the pressure on the VA long after the headlines have faded and the worst employees have been fired, because our veterans will still be there and they will still deserve to be at the top of our priority list. As the father of a veteran myself, I am committed to refusing to let this issue go. We will demand results, and we will demand swift and full implementation of this legislation. Anything short of that is not worthy of our veterans and is unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the conference report.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4315, the Endangered Species Transparency Act. Mr. Chairman, as a doctor and lifelong resident of northern Michigan, I have been supportive of conservation my entire life. Like many on the floor today, I understand there is more work to be done in the arena of conservation and recovery of species. However, the Endangered Species Act, as written, isn't working. When the Endangered Species Act, or the ESA, was signed into law 40 years ago, it was meant to save species, not lawyers. Today, more money is being spent on frivolous lawsuits than recovering or conserving species that actually need saving. These lawsuits result in listings or proposed listings for very questionable species. As a result, the taxpayers, the environment, and the economy all lose. In my district, the northern long-eared bat is currently a candidate for listing. As this decision is being considered, local and State officials, as well as businesses in northern Michigan, must be able to know how the decision will be made and what information is being used to make it. I believe that local residents and officials know what is better for northern Michigan than bureaucrats or high-paid attorneys in Washington. That is why I am here today to support commonsense reforms to the Endangered Species Act. The bill goes a long way towards improving the Endangered Species Act by requiring good government through transparency and capping attorneys' fees. If you truly support the environment, then you realize funds should be spent on conservation and recovery, not $500-an-hour attorneys. Mr. Chairman, I believe this legislation is a win-win for the taxpayer and for conservation of truly endangered species, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Keith Haske, a storied basketball coach and school administrator from Northern Michigan who has recently been diagnosed with throat cancer. Mr. Haske served as a head varsity boys' basketball coach in Northern Michigan since moving to the area in 1998. He initially coached at Charlevoix High School, where he compiled a tremendous record of 239 wins and just 78 losses. In these thirteen years he also amassed 10 district titles, 6 regional titles, 4 semi-final appearances, and 2 state runner-up titles. On top of that, he served as coach for the varsity girls program from 2004 to 2006, guiding them to a state title berth of their own. Following his time at Charlevoix, Keith became the varsity boys coach at Traverse City St. Francis where he continues to find success. He recently led the team to a state runner up title in 2012. It must be noted that as a coach Keith's impact transcends the wins and awards his teams have amassed over the years. The young women and men he has mentored over the years have looked to him for leadership and guidance, and his impact is seen all over the Northern Michigan community. As Mr. Haske moves forward on a path to recovery, I would also like to send a heartfelt ``thank you'' and best wishes on behalf of the citizens of Northern Michigan to the Haske family-- Barb, Ty, and Chelsey.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I wish to salute the city of Gaylord, Michigan, on the occasion of the 50th Alpenfest this year. Since 1964, the Alpenfest has celebrated the city of Gaylord, its connection with the particle board industry, and the heritage of many of the region's residents. The first Alpenfest (then called the Alpine Festival) was formulated in 1964, with the imminent location of a U.S. Plywood particle board plant in 1965. To celebrate this occasion, as well as complete a goal of establishing an alpine look for Gaylord, the inaugural festival was set for July 5 through July 10 of 1965. The festival was a great success despite no dedicated source of funding and the need to dress the town and the residents with alpine garb to complete the aesthetic for the festival. The Chamber of Commerce, along with many local businesses, civic associations, and citizens help to make this event possible every year. In addition to the transformation of Main Street in Gaylord, numerous activities are enjoyed by all during the week, including the Alpenstrausse arts and crafts market, a carnival, the crowning of the Alpenfest queen, activities for children, and the ``World's Largest Coffee Break.'' This festival is one of the highlights of summer in Otsego County and Northern Michigan as a whole. As a final note, I wish to invite all Members of this body and all Americans to come to Northern Michigan and experience the natural beauty, great events such as Alpenfest, and friendly hospitality that make my home state one of the best places in the country to visit.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from Maryland and Arizona for bringing this bill to the floor. I rise today in support of H.R. 2223, a bill to name the post office building in Munising, Michigan, after the late Mrs. Elizabeth Kinnunen. Born in 1893, the former Elizabeth Lempi Paasto immigrated to our country from Finland in 1903. She came, like many in northern Michigan and throughout our great land, for freedom and opportunity and for a chance at the American Dream. She married Oscar Kinnunen in 1909. Together, they had 11 children. To provide for their family, Mr. and Mrs. Kinnunen operated a boarding house in Marquette, Michigan. They provided lodging to timber and mining workers in Marquette County. Eventually, they moved to Munising, Michigan, where Oscar worked for the paper company and Elizabeth worked as a local cook. Mrs. Kinnunen continued to work to support her family after Oscar died in 1952 and was a faithful member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Munising. Mrs. Kinnunen's life was, unfortunately, marked by tragedy in two great wars that defined this country. Two of her sons, Eiso and Raymond, were killed overseas defending the American people and our freedom. Eiso was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge in 1945, and Raymond lost his life in Korea in 1952. We will never know the devastating grief their family must have suffered after such an enormous loss. We will also never be able to fathom the somber dignity Mrs. Kinnunen must have felt, in the words of President Lincoln, ``to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' Mrs. Kinnunen died on April 5, 1974, at the age of 81. While Mrs. Kinnunen is not a household name, her hard work to provide for her family and the terrible sacrifices she and her family endured, much like many throughout our country, form an important part of our history. Naming this post office in her honor is a thoughtful and lasting way for the community of Munising to celebrate her life and accomplishments. The City of Munising, the Alger County Board of Commissioners, and the American Legion Post 131 in Munising have worked for years to honor Mrs. Kinnunen by renaming this post office in her name. It is my honor to represent the citizens of northern Michigan today who have worked so hard to recognize the sacrifices Mrs. Kinnunen made for love of family and country. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BENISHEK

Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Hahn- Huizenga amendment which would increase funding for the United States Army Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance account by $57 million, a funding level that was established in the House-passed WRRDA bill. This funding is fully offset and is bipartisan in nature. I am here today to support additional funding because my district-- Michigan's First--urgently needs to address the backlog of projects on the book, from dredging to basic port maintenance to the Soo Locks, which are in desperate need of replacement. The backlog impacts jobs and our local economy in Northern Michigan. I understand tough decisions must be made during these economic times, but Michiganders and all Americans depend on the Great Lakes for transportation of goods and services. I appreciate consideration of this amendment. I ask for a ``yes'' vote from my colleagues. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Huizenga-Hahn Amendment, which would increase funding for the United States Army Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance account by $57.6 million, a funding level that was established in the House-passed WRRDA bill. This funding is fully offset, and is bipartisan in nature. I am here today to support additional funding for the Army Corps O&M budget because my district--Michigan's First--is in urgent need of funding to address the backlog of projects on the books. From dredging to basic port maintenance, to the Soo Locks the needs in Northern Michigan are only getting worse. This backlog impacts jobs and our local economy. While $57 million will certainly not suffice to meet the backlog on the Great Lakes, nor even begin to address a number of the other already authorized projects around the country, this represents a small step forward. What types of projects are we talking about? In my district, we have the Soo Locks. The Soo Locks represent the primary point of passage for goods in the Great Lakes. Products travel on ships from all around the world through the Soo Locks, which are in desperate need of replacement. This is truly a national security issue, and the estimated cost for replacement is approximately $580 million. The inability to replace the Soo Locks leads has lead to light- loading and collisions at the entry point, which also increases annual maintenance costs. This is costly to taxpayers and the shipping industry, ultimately leading to higher costs for Northern Michiganders and all Americans who utilize goods that are transported through the Great Lakes. The work done by the Army Corps impacts the economy and jobs not only in Northern Michigan, but around the world. Commodities transported on the Great Lakes Navigation System represent 10 percent of all U.S. waterborne domestic traffic. The 60 large and smaller federal commercial ports on the Great Lakes are linked in trade with each other, with Canadian ports, and with ports throughout the rest of the world. Mr. Chairman, I understand that tough decisions must be made during these economic times. However, Michiganders and all Americans depend on the Great Lakes for the transportation of goods and services. I thank you for your consideration, as this amendment would work to support projects not only in my district, but across the country.