Keith Ellison

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Well, you know, I'm glad you mentioned that it's not just the individual who is getting their mortgage restructured with the FHA assistance who will benefit, actually, it's the neighborhood. Foreclosures really don't hit individuals alone, they hit neighborhoods. Because if you end up with a foreclosed home and an abandoned house, it's an attractive nuisance for people in the neighborhood who have bad intent. We know the price of copper. These houses are being stripped of their copper wiring. And oftentimes the copper strippers are not very careful about how they get it out. They've been known to nick and cut and damage gas lines and cause fires and explosions, not to mention other damage. And so when you have a concentration of foreclosed and abandoned buildings in a neighborhood, it really does put downward pressure on the homes of everybody in the neighborhood, even the people who have been fortunate enough to pay every single mortgage payment on time every time. And so it really is something to help everybody, not just the individuals who are being directly assisted. And of course, as you also know, when a house is abandoned, the city cannot receive property taxes on that house anymore. And so really what it's doing is coming up with a practical solution which will allow the bank to keep getting some of that money back, maybe not the originally intended amount, but a portion; of course half a loaf is better than none often. And so it's a practical solution to a serious problem. And it's just one more example of how Democrats and how freshman Democrats like you and I are part of solutions to try to improve our Nation. And we're trying to bring benefits not only to our citizens, but also, as you mentioned before, our veterans, trying to make sure that our vets and all kinds of people who are going through this foreclosure crisis are able to keep their homes, neighborhoods are able to be stable, cities are able to receive property tax, city police departments aren't having to run out to properties and spend resources kicking people out of abandoned houses, or fire departments putting out fires. It really is a responsible way to sort of operate and try to improve the situation here. Well, Mr. Perlmutter, it looks like we've got about 5 minutes left. Any parting shots?

Mr. ELLISON. Well, Mr. Perlmutter, I want to be a witness to what you just said. You have made a great difference. You, together with our freshman class--which I'm also a member of--have been here trying to improve the lives of Americans. And what we've been offering, yes, vision on energy policy, yes, vision on dealing with unemployment insurance and the jobs and the economy, yes, vision on veterans. But what we're really offering is a bigger vision of America, not just a litany of bills, but a bigger vision of our country, a bigger vision, an America that is fairer, that's more prosperous, that's more innovative, that takes care of its own. This is the America that we all know we can have because people like your dad and mine fought for an American that could be that way. And we believe that it is our generation's responsibility to make a better America for our children and our parents and everyone. So it's been great hanging out with you, Mr. Perlmutter. Have a great night.

Mr. ELLISON. We need a safety net. We need to have a caring Nation, and Americans are a caring people and a compassionate people, but we also are a working people and we want to work, and we also need a vision for our future because if you're unemployed right now, this might not be a bad time to think about getting some extra education, as long as you can get some unemployment insurance, and if you get that education, maybe you want to think about a green job for a green energy future. You know, I want to add, too, while we're on the subject of jobs, the payroll contracted for the fifth month in a row, down 49,000 with most of the net job losses occurring in the construction industry, factories, offices, and retailers. Since the total payroll peaked last December, they've been down by around 324,000 jobs since the government sector tends to be less cyclically affected by downturns. And looking at just the private sector, job loss can provide a more accurate gauge of the lagging economy's impact on job growth. Private sector employment has fallen over the past 6 months by over 400,000 jobs. I'm not happy to report that to you, Mr. Speaker, but it is the situation that people are facing, and I think it's important that this Congress be willing to respond to the needs of the people, which is why we needed three more votes in order to get that extension of the unemployment insurance passed as we tried to do today. I think we're going to hit that mark. We're certainly not going to quit. I certainly believe that there are a lot of people out there who really want this policy. They certainly can get on the phone, get on the e-mail, and let folks who represent them know how they feel. But this unemployment extension is a big deal, but I think it's important as we push to extend unemployment insurance benefits that we tell folks that while they know they're dealing with putting the food on the table tomorrow and paying the rent tomorrow and paying the mortgage tomorrow, we want them to look to a better future, and that involves the green job economy that you've so amply described. I also want to just say, too, as we talk about the economy and the job situation that, you know, we've got to have a real clear understanding about those indicators that tell us which direction the economy is going in. And I'm looking for a time when we can actually set policies in place that really will give Americans the kind of vision that they need, as we talked about just a little while ago.

Mr. ELLISON. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, tonight the freshmen, the Democrats of the Freshman Caucus are going to take the rest of this hour to talk about our economy. And it's an excellent way to move forward, Mr. Speaker, because the prior speaker had some interesting things for us to chew on, and we will help the American people to see that under Republican control, the economy has not fared well, that they're not good at running the economy, and the proof is out there for everybody. We'll be able to show how, when Democrats are in charge, that we do have job growth, we do have strong economy, we do have an economy where we are reducing poverty. We have an economy where all Americans are doing better than they were doing before. I think it is obvious to everyone if you reflect only a few years ago in the late 1990s--I think it was a different President in office than the one we have now--that the economy was much better than it is today and that it is these policies that we've seen over the last 8 years where it was a Republican House, a Republican President, that have really led us to the difficult situation that American consumers and workers are seeing today. So we have a different vision. We have a vision that includes everybody. We have a vision that says that workers should have the right to organize. We have a vision that says we should have a fair trade policy. We have a vision that says that we need investment in our public infrastructure. We have a vision that says that we need universal health care coverage for all people. We have a vision for an economy, Mr. Speaker, that says that everybody counts and everybody matters. And, you know, I really couldn't be happier tonight because I'm joined by my good friend from Colorado, Ed Perlmutter, not only a very excellent legislator but a really nice guy. Ed, how you doing?

Mr. ELLISON. Now, let me just ask you this question sir. You have studied this issue. I consider you one of the most learned persons on this issue in the Congress, and I just want to know, isn't this proposal of just drilling in the Continental Shelf, drilling in ANWR, isn't this kind of like trying to cure a disease by simply treating the symptoms of the disease? For example, if I were to have cancer, you could try to find a cure for my cancer, or you could simply try to alleviate the symptoms of the suffering that I am enduring but not really get to the root of the matter. Is this kind of like--does that analogy work when it comes to just drilling for more oil and continuing to spoil our natural wilderness areas and to risk oil spills? Isn't that sort of an analogous situation?

Mr. ELLISON. Yes, sir.

Mr. ELLISON. Well, then, why are they crying about wanting to drill in ANWR and wanting to drill off the Continental Shelf when they have all of these places they can drill now? I mean, I know that there's got to be a million Americans watching this broadcast who want to know that question.

Mr. ELLISON. Well, you know, the gentleman from Colorado makes an excellent point, Mr. Perlmutter. And what you're describing is a slice of a Democratic vision for our country for a fair economy and a cleaner economy. I think it's important when you mention construction jobs and retrofits and things like that, what you're talking about is the green economy, an economy that can include everybody, people who can do relatively menial jobs and also the innovators. Up and down the educational scale. But it's going to take training, it's going to take opportunity, and it is going to take courage. You know, when Jonas Salk, who cured--came up with the polio vaccine, when he was--he could have spent his time making better braces for kids who had polio, right? But what did he do? What did he do, Mr. Perlmutter?

Mr. ELLISON. So what we need is a vision for a green economy for now and in the future where we can increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles, where we can invest in transportation and transit, where we can move people and not just cars, where we can take some of our old windy buildings where right out of the roof the heat's just going out, retrofit them for some green roofs. Are these the kinds of things that you have in mind, Mr. Perlmutter?

Mr. ELLISON. Conservation.

Mr. ELLISON. Well, you know, Mr. Perlmutter, when you talk about these energy issues, it makes me think that this is where the country, I think, really wants to go. I mean, in these last several months we've heard a lot about change. It seems Americans want change. We don't want to be stuck in oil handcuffs. We want to go towards an energy future that includes everybody and that where we need to invest in our innovation, we need to invest in our brain power, you know, where we can have a into new opportunity in our country to make sure that we're not polluting the air, warming up the globe. And again, as our friends on the other side of the aisle talk about, well, why don't we just drill off the Continental Shelf off Florida, they kind of imply it's just a matter of sunbathers not wanting to see an unsightly rig out there. Of course it is ugly to see that. But that does minimize the real concerns we're talking about; isn't that right, Mr. Perlmutter?

Mr. ELLISON. Don't the businesspeople say you've got to diversify?

Mr. ELLISON. I'm all for saying let's not build more leg braces; let's find some vaccines.

Mr. ELLISON. I've got to ask you a question. If you are training somebody to retrofit a downtown office building in, say, Denver or Minneapolis, and they're going to retrofit that building to be green and efficient, can you offshore that job?

Mr. ELLISON. As we talked about the gas prices and things like this, we'll be talking more about that as we get closer to the end of the hour. But I also want to bring some other things into the conversation which I think are very important. One of those things is that today the House tried to increase the unemployment insurance, and we tried to put it on the suspension calendar and pass it that way. Unfortunately, we did not meet the marker we were looking for. We needed three more votes to get there on suspension calendar, and we are not going to quit. As you know, the Democrats have a lot of fortitude, and we don't quit, and we are persistent and dogged in our efforts to stand up for the American people. But the Senate recently did pass a 13-week extension of the unemployment insurance as part of a supplemental appropriation, and I think that it is really indicative of the situation people are finding themselves in. As we're talking about $4 a gallon gas, we also have to take into consideration, Mr. Speaker, that we've seen 30 years of stagnant wages, except for that period in the late 1990s when we had a Democratic President. We have seen 30 years of stagnant wages except for that 1990s blip, and now that paycheck is being asked to do more, being asked to take on more child care, more health care, more fuel prices, more in terms of food prices. Americans are in a difficult situation, and I dare say that now we have about 8.5 million unemployed people who need help, and I think that it is a little unfortunate we were not able to pass that mark today with that unemployment insurance, but I'm sure that we're going to keep on trying until we get it. I just wonder how the people in Colorado are faring. Are they unemployed, having a tough time there, and basically, as we see ourselves having creeping expenses for our food, fuel and things like that?

Mr. ELLISON. Well, you know, all of us are looking for better days. You know, I can tell you that my constituents in Minnesota let me know that we've been hit with the foreclosure crisis as well as stagnant wages, and I'm sad to report to you that the Nation's job market showed clear signs of recessionary conditions, as the jobless rate leapt up a half a percent in May alone from 5 percent to 5.5 percent. That's a lot of people, and that's according to our Bureau of Labor Statistics. And this monthly increase was the largest since the mid-1980s. It's been a while, pushing unemployment to the highest rate since 2004. I don't like to rattle the sabers in terms of the partisan divide, but I'm one, speaking only for myself, who's prepared to say that, you know, the Democrats have a better vision for how to run the economy, vision in terms of the energy future, vision in terms of trying to get some unemployment insurance extended so that people can have a little relief as they try to find that next hard-to-find job. But I think it's important that we see this thing in a broader context.

Mr. ELLISON. Right.

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote to extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks to help workers out as they continue to look for a job. Mr. Speaker, the grim numbers of five consecutive months of job losses is yet another sign that President Bush's economic policies have utterly failed the American people. The unemployment rate has surged from 5 percent in April to 5.5 percent in May, representing the biggest one month jump in more than 2 decades, and climbing to the highest level in nearly 4 years. These statistics are not just numbers to more than 1.5 million Americans who have seen their unemployment benefits expire simply because there are not enough jobs to go around. So today the House will vote to extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks to help these workers. Democrats have been pushing to extend unemployment benefits since the beginning of the year, but have faced stiff opposition from the President and congressional Republicans. Mr. Speaker, with job losses so far this year totaling 324,000, American families can wait no longer. Thanks to this Democratic Congress, today we are going to get some relief.

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, I inadvertently failed to vote on rollcall No. 379. Had I voted, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, on the afternoon of Thursday June 5, 2008, I have an excused absence to attend my son's school graduation. If I were present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 384 and 385. I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 386 and 387.

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, on Tuesday June 3, 2008, I inadvertently failed to vote on rollcall No. 367, 368 and 369. If I were present, I would voted ``aye'' on all three rollcalls.

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker , I rise today to pay tribute to two of my constituents including one of the most remarkable women I know--and the extraordinary things she has done and continues to do. Koryne Kaneski Horbal of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, is a tireless force for equality who defines the word trailblazer. She has served as Chairwoman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, founder of the DFL Feminist Caucus, and a Member of the Minnesota Democratic National Committee (DNC) where she started the DNC's Women's Caucus. President Jimmy Carter named her Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women where she served for four years. During that time she, and noted author and feminist, Gloria Steinem, became good friends and have since worked together on many projects. Koryne has been a contributing writer to MS. Magazine, and now serves as a consultant to Augsburg College, in Minneapolis. In recognition of Koryne's contribution to society, Augsburg College established the Koryne Horbal Lecture Series to continue opening the windows of opportunity for young women and men that reflect Koryne's commitment to a gender equal society. Fittingly, next month Koryne Horbal will receive a ``Humane With Respect'' honorary college degree from Augsburg College that she didn't have the opportunity to acquire in her younger years. Koryne is a loyal and dear friend--and a loving grandmother. If you asked Koryne, of all her renowned accomplishments; all the barriers she's broken down; all the glass ceilings she's shattered; all the myths she's proven wrong; what she is most proud of? Undoubtedly, and without hesitation, she would say loving grandmother--to a young man named Bryce Horbal whom she has raised since infancy. Bryce is a 13 year old honors student at Columbia Heights Middle School in my district. This young man, who towers over his grandmother at over 6 feet, reflects the values that have shaped his young life--instilled in him with a nurturing and loving hand by his grandmother. Almost three years ago, this young man wrote a poem that shows us why the accolades and accomplishments Koryne has achieved pale in comparison to the grandson she has raised. Bryce Horbal is a young man of whom much will be expected. Madam Speaker, Bryce Horbal's poem: ``I am the homeless man who lives on the corner of main street asking for spare change holding a bottle of scotch in my hand; I am the child whose mother and father left them in an orphanage because they couldn't handle the responsibility; I am the person peering over the edge of a building considering to jump off because life is too hard to live; I am the soldier in Iraq who gets killed by a road-side bomb fighting for the United States of America; I am the little kid in Africa with HIV fighting to live without food or water on their own. I am the person holding out my hand to the homeless man on main street giving him my spare change; I am the new family to the child in the orphanage who I have just adopted; I am the arm that pulls the person peering over the edge backwards to the thing we call `hope;' I am the person who jumps in front of bullets to save our troops in Iraq because every person in this world means something; I am the cure for HIV and I have just gone into the little child in Africa along with food and water; I am each and every one of you who cares about others.''

Mr. ELLISON

Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding student from my district whose research has helped develop a new biodiesel production method that will help move our country in the direction of energy independence. Brian Krohn, a Senior Chemistry Major at Augsburg College in Minneapolis recently conducted a summer research project aimed at investigating new ways to produce biodiesel. His project developed a new, innovative chemical reaction that has never before been described in scientific literature. This new process--``Mcgyan Process,'' named for the three scientists officially credited with the discovery, can convert a much wider range of feedstock oils and animal fats into biodiesel. The Mcgyan Process can make more biodiesel fuel, faster and with a minimal environmental impact. The wider range of renewable oils that can be used through the Mcgyan Process also has the potential to foster additional environmentally sound discoveries that can help move our country in the right direction of renewable energy. All of these discoveries were made possible by the research and ideas initiated by Brian Krohn and the learning environment fostered by Augsburg College. Brian's success should serve as a reminder of the potential that exists within every student. With the appropriate encouragement, support and a positive working environment truly amazing discoveries can occur. Madam Speaker, we salute Brian Krohn and all our nation's remarkable students, teachers, and scientists who are persistently working to bring knowledge, ingenuity and hard work together to move our country toward energy independence.