Jason Chaffetz

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of this resolution, urging the support of the American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day. In 1963, Congress required the President to proclaim February as American Heart Month in an effort to bring awareness and to urge Americans to join the battle against today's number one killer, heart disease. Heart disease has and remains the leading cause of death in the United States of America. Its tragic grip encompasses men, women and children of every age and race in every State in our Nation. Approximately one in three adult Americans have one or more types of heart disease, including high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and congenital heart disease. There are currently 106 million Americans diagnosed with high blood pressure. A staggering 66 percent of adult Americans are overweight or are obese, and 43 million Americans are at risk for heart disease because of smoking. All of these lifestyles, among many others, have a direct impact on heart disease, therefore, making it imperative that we should sound the alarm and should remain supportive of heart disease awareness programs. By exercising regularly, by avoiding tobacco, by limiting the consumption of alcohol, by following a nutritious diet and by monitoring high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we can all work to decrease the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Although heart disease does not care what you wear, which is a slogan used by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as part of American Heart Month, February 6 is National Wear Red Day, a day when people across the United States wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness. Studies show that women tend to receive delayed emergency heart care compared to men because their symptoms are less recognized; although, women account for more than half of the total heart disease deaths. There are currently a number of initiatives that are underway to raise awareness of the dangers of cardiovascular disease in women. However, the challenging work of promoting awareness continues as cardiovascular disease increases in the country. While encouraging all citizens to take advantage of regular screenings and to consult their doctors about reducing the risks for heart disease, I am proud to do my part through the support of this resolution. It is also important that we support organizations such as the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and many other organizations that celebrate National Wear Red Day. American Heart Month in February is an effort to educate the public, to promote awareness and to fund the research of this serious disease. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague from the State of New York, Mr. Lee.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H. Res. 112. I congratulate my colleague, Mr. Lee, for his important work on this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. It is a personal honor, thrill and privilege to stand in this body at this time and to recognize such an American hero. I rise today to pay honor and tribute to the life of Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, on the 200th anniversary of his birth. Born in modest circumstances in Hardin County, Kentucky, this great man went on to have a profound effect on the life and times of this Nation for over two centuries. President Lincoln's service to his country began in 1832 when he served with distinction and was elected to the rank of captain in an Illinois militia company in the Black Hawk War. After completing his military service, he was elected to the State legislature in 1834 where he served the citizens of Sangamon County until 1840. In 1846, President Lincoln moved on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving one term before he decided not to seek reelection and return to the private sector as a lawyer. Spurred by the turmoil that gripped the Nation after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, Mr. Lincoln decided to reenter the public arena, lending his clarion voice to the causes of liberty. Notably, while addressing the opponents of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise in Peoria, Illinois in July 1854, the then former Congressman Lincoln declared, ``No man is good enough to govern another man without the other's consent.'' Four years later in 1858, Mr. Lincoln continued to be troubled by the practice of slavery, and wrote, ``As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.'' In the following year, in a letter to Massachusetts Representative Henry L. Pierce, Mr. Lincoln wrote: ``Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.'' Abraham Lincoln's views clearly resounded with the American people, and he was elected the President of the United States in 1860 during the national crisis that would ultimately lead to the Civil War in America. Abraham Lincoln's singular vision that the Union must be preserved guided this Nation through some of its darkest days. Reelected in 1864, Mr. Lincoln lived to see the end of the war and the abolishment of slavery. Sadly, only 6 weeks into his second term, the President was shot and killed at Ford's Theater. Two hundred years after he was born, this humble man of great courage and conviction continues to be one of our country's most beloved statesmen. To this very day, he continues to symbolize through his writings and deeds the promises of liberty, equality, and humility first put forth in our founding declaration. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers at the moment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H. Res. 139.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise today in support of this bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the ``Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building.'' Born on January 12, 1965, in Bibb County, Georgia, Yvonne Ingram- Ephraim--or ``Von'' as she was known by those close to her--was a generous and passionate member of the community. Having grown up in Hancock County, she graduated from high school in 1982 before continuing her education at Macon Technical College. Driven by a desire to serve her country, she took time off from her education to enlist in the United States Air Force Reserve. After basic training, she continued her academic pursuits at Fort Valley State College where she earned a bachelor's in home economics and a master's in elementary education. Her thirst for knowledge unquenched, in 1997 Von received her Educational Specialist degree in Elementary Education from Troy State University. After graduation, she returned to Hancock County where she worked as a teacher and assisted part time at the family business, the Ingram Brothers Funeral Home, as a funeral director apprentice and staff member. Always devoted to her community, Yvonne became active in politics through the Hancock County Democratic Executive Committee. In 1992, she became the first African American elected to serve on the city council and later served as Mayor pro-tem for the City of Sparta. Throughout her life, Von nourished a tremendous connection to her faith. Joining the Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church at a very young age, she remained an active member of the church throughout her life. In December of 2000, Yvonne married the love of her life, Reverend Michael G. Ephraim, Senior. Sadly, in April of 2007, Von passed away. This devoted wife, mother, and friend will forever be remembered for her loving generosity to those around her. I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this legislation so that the accomplishments and qualities of this wonderful citizen will not soon be forgotten. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 663. I have no additional speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, while I rise in support of the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, I have to say that I have been reading the polls and I have been listening to the people who have called in. And they have come in from across the Nation. They do not believe because they know that this stimulus package that is moving forward will not grow jobs. We want to spend $100 million to reduce the hazards of lead-based paint. It is time we do get serious about what is going on in this country. More government spending, deficit spending, is not the way to our future. It is absolutely not the way to our future. We are running this government on a credit card, and it is wrong. The people can't live their lives on a credit card, and those who do are in trouble. It is a sinking, deep-seated feeling. And those of us here representing our States, we all care passionately about this country. Nobody has a monopoly on pride. Nobody has a monopoly on patriotism. We all want to do what is best for our country. But I am also here to say that all of this spending is not the way we are going to solve our problems. When government comes in and picks winners and losers, there are too many people who lose. I am a freshman here. I am first to tell you the Republicans who had the House, the Senate and the Presidency, they blew it. But we also have to come to grips that it is this House of Representatives that over the last 2 years has controlled the United States Congress. They are the ones who have spent the money. They are the ones who have control. And there is plenty of blame to go around. The question is how are we going to move forward? When you look down this laundry list, $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems, everybody knows that is not going to get somebody a job. We need a game changer in this country. Putting more money onto our credit cards is not the way we are going to solve our problems. This laundry list of things that passed this body and that the Senate is contemplating, $200 million for public computer centers at a community college is not going to grow our economy; $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas, probably a worthy project, but we have a $3.1 trillion budget.

Mr. CHAFFETZ. There is $13 million for research related to volunteer service. We need a game changer in this country. We need to look at tax policy, and we need to look at those things that are actually going to grow this economy. We have a $3.1 trillion budget in this country. We have offered stimulus packages. We have offered bailouts. Maybe the way to grow our economy is not to try to spend every dollar that comes before this body. It is the American people's money. It is not our money.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. I congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). This is a great piece of legislation. There are too many of our fellow citizens who don't feel the safety and security that the rest of America feels. They feel the weight of somebody watching them or pestering them. They are worried about that when they go to the grocery store, they are worried about that when they go to the gas station. There's a feeling that sinks in on you that all too many people recognize. And this will address the stalking component of it. It's something that I think the rest of America also feels when they look at our economy and what this Congress is failing to do. It's failing to be responsible with the people's money. It's not the government's money. As we look at $10-plus trillion debt and a so-called stimulus bill that I think most of us recognize will not stimulate the economy, we can only look at that and recognize that it's our children and grandchildren that will be burdened with this debt. That they will have to pay it. We are $10 trillion in debt. Last year, we paid $429 billion just in interest on that debt. And the people that I talk to, the people from Utah and from around the country that are peppering us with information and feedback, are absolutely fed up. They don't want to have that burden. And every time we spend a dollar, a dollar we don't have, and can't afford, we create a burden upon the American family. $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. It will do nothing to stimulate our economy. Absolutely nothing. $650 million for the conversion to digital television, for goodness sake. We don't have the money to do that. $13 million for research related to volunteer service; $70 million for a support computer for climate research; $524 million to create, ``388 jobs in the United States'' through the State Department Capital Investment Fund.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Thank you, I appreciate it. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 738. I appreciate the good work and the action of the Congress and believe that this act will actually encourage better government which our citizens certainly support. I also want to thank the men and women who are serving in these prisons. They go underappreciated and, in my opinion, undercompensated. That's why it gives me so much frustration as I see the out-of-control spending that this Congress is willing to pass forward. I read about $88 million for an ice-breaking ship in the polar region, and yet we're not taking care of the men and women who are there in the prisons protecting us against these criminals; $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. I just physically do not understand why this government, which is $10 trillion in debt, which already has a $3.1 trillion budget, a budget that over the course of the last 12 years has doubled, that there is not enough financial constraint because we need to take care of those men and women who are there protecting us in those prisons. And while this act will go a long way to helping us understand what's happening within the system, I just am so frustrated and fed up with the Federal Government that cannot rein in spending as this so-called stimulus package has $400 million for the Centers of Disease Control to screen and prevent STDs--there does not seem to have the priorities in place that we need as a Federal Government--$75 million for smoking cessation activities. Again, I think the American people demand limited government, fiscal discipline, which seems to be lacking in this Congress as the Democrats push forward, this liberal spending that we continue to see time and time again. $10 million to inspect canals? $10 million to inspect canals. I was actually glad to see a bill out there that actually had the word ``millions'' instead of ``billions.'' Now this bill, this act, that we look at today, H.R. 738, Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2009, will go a long ways to making government better, but please let's take care of the men and women who are serving us; and let's take get rid of this excessive spending, rein in spending. We can't be all things to all people, but let's make sure that we do those things that matter most to the American people and get rid of this stimulus bill and get rid of the excessive spending that does nothing but put us further and further into debt.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to comment about a growing concern among my constituents. They are concerned about our unwillingness to hold ourselves and others accountable. As the Senate debates the $1 trillion stimulus package, my constituents are begging us to consider the consequences. Every American knows about consequences. They pay them all the time. But they're beginning to wonder if Congress knows about consequences. The continued commitment to deficit spending exacts a huge price upon this country. Yet, it is not nearly enough discussion about the consequences. It's easy to ignore the consequences. It's easy to pretend they don't exist. It's easy to get caught up in short-term fixes that ignore long- term results. But we weren't elected to do the easy thing. We were elected to make tough choices. We cannot be all things to all people. It's time to turn things around. If we're serious about change, we have to get serious about accountability. I'm concerned that Congress has been sending the wrong message to the American people. Consider what they see on a daily basis. They see Wall Street exploiting people, breaking rules and ruining lives. For the offenders, the consequences are minimal. But there is a price. The American people get stuck paying it. They see financial gurus allegedly ripping people off, and consequences are minimal. But there's a price and the victims pay it. They see tax evaders nominated to serve the highest offices in our government and, oops, there doesn't seem to be much after of a consequence. But there's still a price. The American government pays it, as we undermine our own credibility. Now the American people see a government spending trillions of dollars of borrowed money. Congressional leadership is telling them there won't be a consequence. But they know better, and so do we. We need to join the President's calls to raise our standards. In his inauguration speech, the President said, ``Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held accountable, to spend wisely, reform bad habits and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between people a government.'' If we are truly going to restore that ``vital trust'' we must demand and expect accountability. We have to tell the American people the truth. The American people know what happens when you borrow too much. They know what happens when you spend too much. And they're worried. They should be. And so am I. Over the past 12 years our Federal budget has doubled and we are now more than $10 trillion in debt, with long term obligations close to $100 trillion. We are a Nation in debt. We have record numbers of individuals filing for bankruptcy. Where is the self-restraint, the personal pride, the honor that is our heritage? We haven't even passed the majority of the appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2009. We are operating our government on an extension. Yet, the first priority of this Congress is to pass an emergency stimulus bill. Last week, all the House Republicans and some brave Democrats voted against this so-called stimulus. I was and am fundamentally opposed because it does not solve the underlying challenges eroding our economy. We all want our economy to thrive, but the bill currently in debate in the United States Senate does not make the fundamental changes we deserve and we need. The so-called stimulus was sold as a jobs bill. Tell me, how do the following expenditures drive our economy forward? $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, $150 million for the Smithsonian, $400 million for global warming research, another $2.4 billion for carbon capture demonstration projects, $600 million for the Federal Government to buy automobiles, $650 million on the top of the billions already doled out to pay for digital TV conversion coupons, $1 billion for the follow up for the 2010 census. And the list goes on. We need a game changer. Massive spending bills do not represent change because it is merely more of the same. Setting aside money we don't have to pay for projects we can't afford is not change. The economic crisis we face provides a historic opportunity for us to show America that we get it. When I speak with business interests in my State, I hear the same request over and over, and it doesn't matter if it's a small business or a big business. From the sole proprietor who owns a graphics shop, to the trucker I spoke with that has 12 employees, to the medical device company that employs nearly 1,000 people in my district, the call is unanimous. They want us to demonstrate accountability. They want us to live within our means. They want us to quit borrowing from our enemies and taxing generations that are yet unborn. This country needs a game changer. Let us understand the consequences, and let us live within our means.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to rise in support of this resolution. Fiscal discipline, limited government, accountability, these are things that the American people demand and that we deserve. It's interesting to me that we have a $3.1 trillion budget and somehow that's not enough to stimulate the economy. Our government spending is so out of control that we added since January, 2007, roughly $2.8 billion per day to our national debt. Certainly, if deficit spending was the way to our prosperity, we would be experiencing quite a revival. It's not the way to succeed. Putting more money on the government credit card is not the way to succeed. I have been opposed to the TARP. I wasn't around here to vote for it originally. I'm a freshman. But I can tell you the people I chat with are fundamentally opposed to this because it's fundamentally flawed. It will not solve the underlying challenges. We need to look at debt. We need to look at tax relief. We need to look at the fact that manufacturing is good in this country, and we need ways to improve the economic atmosphere for manufacturing in this country. But throwing more money at it is not the way to solve this problem. I appreciate the time. I would urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Foxx resolution.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, some among us believe that government holds the keys to our prosperous future. Some have argued that only government can solve our challenges. I beg to differ. Our freedom, our liberty, indeed, our ability to live as free people and thrive is directly proportionate to the limiting of government in our lives and in our pocketbooks. We established a Constitution to ``secure the Blessings of Liberty.'' Our country was founded on the principle of limited government. Let us not mistake the need for a more promising economic future as an excuse to allow further encroachment of government in our lives. Let us seize this moment in time to secure our liberties by limiting our government. More government, more taxes, more spending of the people's money will not solve our challenges. Securing liberty will. The United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the planet, but liberty, not bigger government, will allow us to prosper.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give voice to the need to cut the size and scope of government. While the rhetoric and calls for increased spending continue to escalate, let us also remember it is our duty and obligation to do more with less. Over the past 12 years, annual Federal spending has more than doubled, exceeding $3.1 trillion. Since January 2007, our government has added an average of $2.8 billion per day to our national debt. If deficit spending were the way to prosperity, our economy would be booming. We are more than $10 trillion in debt and there is no end in sight. Let us remember it is not the government's money we talk about and spend, it is the American people's money. And we cannot afford to continue to run this government on a credit card. We're going to have to do more with less, and that means finding ways to cut government spending.

Mr. CHAFFETZ

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, the University of Utah Football Team deserves to be National Champions. The Running Utes of Utah had a remarkably perfect 13-0 season, the only undefeated team out of the 119 in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision. They started the season by defeating the perennial powerhouse Michigan Wolverines. They beat the Oregon State Beavers, who one week earlier had beaten the #1-ranked USC Trojans. They went on to beat the TCU Horned Frogs and the BYU Cougars, who were both ranked in the top 15 of the BCS at the time. Finally, in the Sugar Bowl, the University of Utah crushed the University of Alabama, who was ranked #1 in the BCS for much of the season. The Utes were able to turn back the Crimson Tide, but were still wiped out of consideration for the BCS National Championship. Perhaps the Bowl Championship Series, the so-called BCS, would best be referred to as the Good `Ol Boys Championship Series. The University of Utah bowled over 13 opponents this year without a single loss. It would be seemingly inappropriate for the Utes to be bowled over by the good 'ol boys off the field. The University of Utah Football Team deserves to be National Champions.