Parker Griffith

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, over the last year, there has been a lively debate on the future of NASA's manned spaceflight program. The debate has largely focused on the role of commercial space and what direction the government programs should take. Those advising the Obama administration chose an approach with deep practical and technical flaws which has embarrassed the administration and brought resounding rebuke from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. To quote Scott Pace speaking at a recent event, ``The administration's radical course abandoned the most precious and rare commodities for the U.S. space community--a bipartisan consensus.'' This administration has directed NASA to ignore the spirit of last year's appropriations. Layoffs due to changes at NASA are taking place all over the country. These incredibly intelligent individuals represent a culture, not just a profession. They are literally rocket scientists, and they will disappear if we don't give them direction and firm funding. For this reason, it is absolutely imperative that we pass a new NASA authorization bill, providing NASA and the Obama administration with firmer guidance.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to revisit the subject of health care reform. The bill was passed behind closed doors using bribery, deceit, and arm twisting. It is not popular with the American people, and the majority of them want it repealed. The promises made to the American people were false. You will not be able to keep your doctor. You will not be able to keep your insurance. There will be rationing of health care, even to the seniors. The acute physician shortage means the poor, near poor, and middle class Americans will find the quality of their health care diminished and their access limited. Emergency rooms will be busier than ever, and it will be increasingly difficult for Medicare and Medicaid patients to be seen. The unfunded medical mandates forced onto the weakened financial systems of the States are designed to collapse and fail. The administration had no intention of keeping any of the promises it made. Their only concern was furthering their own agendas, even at the expense of the taxpayer and the American health care system. The American people stand ready to support those of us who seek to repeal this disastrous health care bill, and I stand resolute with my colleagues to do so.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the ongoing destruction of the American Dream. As the dense fog of increasing debt suffocates our economy, joblessness creates the uncertainty in which small businesses cannot survive. Credit is not available. Increasing taxes are creeping in at every level. We now know that we cannot keep our doctors or our insurance. We, the people, see no leadership. As the President treads water, as America looks for leadership, as small business is paralyzed with uncertainty, as our elderly watch their health care rationed and as they are fearful for their future, as our families lose their confidence in leadership, all of this poses the virtual collapse of the American Dream. The denial on the part of the administration is pathologic. The refusal to acknowledge reality is causing undue human suffering, prolonging the agony of massive unemployment, creating confusion and doubt in our military, and sending international messages of U.S. indecision and weakness. It is time for action. It is time for us, the American people, to restore the American Dream.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chair, on rollcall Nos. 371, 372, and 373, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great business in my District, Nesin Therapy Services. In 1987, Janet Nesin founded Nesin Therapy Services from her home in Madison, Alabama. The initial practice focused on providing contract physical therapy services for home health agencies and nursing homes. Janet's primary goals included controlling the quality of physical therapy services and providing flexible work schedules for her employees. She began the practice with one employee, who remains with the company today. Despite the turbulence that often accompanies the initial years of small business, the company enjoyed relative success and by 1994 the company had over 15 employees and gross sales were growing. Both of Mrs. Nesin's daughters worked with the business from the beginning and as each completed their respective physical therapy degrees, began to treat patients. In 1999, gross sales continued to rise. However, with the inherent instability of contracting in the health care industry, the company downsized to 7 employees and began transitioning from contract services to an independent outpatient clinic. This decision by the Nesins, spurred from the loss of a major contract, proved to be the pivotal point for the ultimate success of the company. Nesin Therapy focused on providing exceptional care, marketed avidly, and capitalized on changes in the local health care market. By 2001, the outpatient division had rapidly expanded and the clinic was moved to Nesin Therapy's current Madison location. In 2002, the business shifted exclusively to outpatient physical therapy services and gross sales once again began to climb. In 2003, with 13 employees, the decision was made to expand into Huntsville. During this time, increased profitability allowed for the expansion to be funded in cash and, in addition to providing more competitive salaries, bonuses were given to employees. The second clinic was opened June 2004 in Southeast Huntsville. Nesin Therapy Services has grown into a thriving family-owned business with 35 employees and a newly opened third clinic in January of 2011. Nesin Therapy Services has been the recipient of a number of awards over the years. The past several years have included the 2008 Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award; a 2008, 2009 Best Places to Work Award Winner; a 2009, 2010 United States Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Winner; and a 2010 United States Small Business Administration Family Owned Small Business State and Regional Winner. So, Madam Speaker, I am pleased to highlight this great corporate citizen of North Alabama.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 243 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Ms. Pam McCue. Ms. McCue is the Director of the Missile and Space Intelligence Center (MSIC), which is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal in my district. Ms. McCue has spent her entire career in the field of intelligence analysis of foreign missile and air defense systems. She assumed her current position upon her appointment to the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service in May of 2007. She is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing an organization of 400 people in analyzing intelligence information on foreign missile and space systems and related technology. The work done at MSIC under Ms. McCue's direction delivers integrated, timely, and high confidence intelligence assessments to our warfighters, weapons system developers, and policy makers. Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate Ms. Pam McCue on a spectacular career and wish her continued success.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, it is no coincidence that we have the most advanced manned space flight program on earth, attracting and inspiring the world's greatest minds. Our space program is a matter of great national pride and of great national security importance. We are profoundly disappointed in the lack of vision coming from the administration, sending a message to our scientific community that indicates a lack of understanding and commitment. This matter goes to the very essence of what makes America the greatest country on earth. Lowering expectations for manned space flight is not compatible with the culture of America. Dr. Holdren's recent statement that we can't expect to be number one in everything indefinitely is shockingly, shockingly uninspiring. However, if we do not strive to maintain our primacy in manned space flight, we will be well on our way to mediocrity. I and the entire NASA Caucus will do everything in our power to fund Constellation with a budget that is respectful of the investments we have made in our space program.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 200, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three brave Boy Scouts. These young men--two brothers, Victor and Carlos Rosado of Madison, Alabama, and their cousin, Quinton Gundolf of Camden, Arkansas--were on a family vacation in Puerto Rico. They were enjoying themselves on the beach when they noticed a man struggling amid the waves. Without regard for their own safety, these young men bravely swam out to help the man to shore. It was clear that, without their intervention, this man would not have survived this harrowing experience. These young men acted bravely and decisively to save a life. Entering the water to help a man who is struggling for his life is a very dangerous undertaking indeed. However, the American Spirit is epitomized by such selfless acts. For that, I commend them and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and pay tribute to a fine American, Drew Linn, on an occasion when he and his business have received a prestigious honor: the International Circle of Excellence Award for 2009. The Circle of Excellence, which is awarded by the International dealer organization of Navistar, Inc., honors International truck dealerships that achieve the highest level of dealer performance with respect to operating and financial standards, market representation, and most importantly, customer satisfaction. It is the highest honor a dealer principal can receive from the company. Drew's business, Southland International Trucks, is headquartered in Homewood, Alabama, where it was founded more than 30 years ago, and includes two dealerships in my district, in Huntsville and Decatur. Under his leadership, it has grown into one of the preeminent truck dealerships in the Southeast and the entire nation, with 171 employees and five dealer locations throughout Alabama. It was recently named the International Dealer of the Year, an honor awarded to the one International dealer who exhibits the highest commitment to best-in- class customer service. Last year, Southland delivered more trucks than any other International dealer in the global network. With this most recent award, Southland International has now received the Circle of Excellence Award, under Drew's leadership, a total of 10 times. Drew has achieved this level of accomplishment and recognition through many years of hard work and service to his industry and community. He has also built a successful truck leasing business, Southland Idealease of Alabama, which is a multi-year winner of the IdealGold Award for Excellence. He is a past president or chairman of the Alabama Trucking Association, its Workers Compensation Fund, and the Shelton State Foundation. He is an active member of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, the West Alabama Regional Commission, the West Alabama Bank Board of Directors and the University Transportation Center for Alabama. Through his commitment to hard work and outstanding customer service, he has built an economically vital business of which he can be justly proud. Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Drew Linn for his record of accomplishment and for his many contributions to his community, state and nation.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, the long-term care physicians of America are unsung heroes. Many of you have never seen them, many of you have never met one, but yet they work with some of the most difficult patients in the world. Imagine, if you will, walking into a room of 20 or 30 Alzheimer's patients, walking into a room of 20 to 30 young men or women with closed-head injuries who will live in a vegetative state for 20 to 30 years. Imagine, if you will, a physician who has three to four nursing homes to take care of, patients on five and six medications. Very, very difficult medicine and very, very hard to find these individuals. Less than 2 percent of our medical school classes are going into primary care; 35 percent of our physicians are trained overseas. The health care bill that is being proposed for America today is going to accentuate the physician shortage. We will have a very difficult time finding long-term care physicians. We have a hard time even today having people be seen who have Medicare coverage but still no access, Medicaid coverage but still no access. And our long-term physicians, long-term care physicians who are unsung and our heroes in medicine will become a fewer and fewer number under this present bill. We are very concerned about that. Because of that, we have voiced our opposition, but we are proud to sponsor this resolution.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to encourage the rejection of this health care bill. The American people have spoken out time after time, and I'm puzzled why Congress is still considering it. Done in secrecy, this bill will cost jobs, raise taxes, and slash Medicare benefits. And as a physician, I know this bill will be bad for patients. It's terrible for our economy, and it's damaging to the very people we are trying to help. Although the past is no guarantee of the future, it is, however, instructive. This administration has a failed stimulus package, a failed banking system, a failed cap-and-trade, and numerous questionable interventions into General Motors, AIG, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and others. This kind of track record gives the American public no reason to trust this administration with its health care. I urge my colleagues to listen to the will of the American people and vote ``no.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 117 and 118, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American who was a good friend of mine and a good friend of north Alabama--Lieutenant General Larry Dodgen. General Dodgen passed away this past Saturday leaving a void in our Huntsville community. He was a battle tested soldier, having led his battalion into war in 1993 during Operation Desert Storm. Later in his career, he became commander of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) at Redstone Arsenal. He assumed this command on September 10, 2001, and led during a trying and transformative time in our nation's history. Following that duty, in 2003, he was tapped to command the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command headquartered at Redstone (SMDC/ ARSTRAT). He was fully invested not only in the Arsenal, but also in the Huntsville community. He was a leader in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process on Team Redstone. Following his retirement from his distinguished career in the United States Army, he remained in the community and became the corporate lead executive of Northrop Grumman's Huntsville operations. Men such as General Dodgen are rare; he was a true servant who was fully involved both in his profession and his community. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Leslie, and his many friends and family who are mourning at this time. Next month I will join with many others to honor him as he is laid to rest among his fellow heroes at Arlington National Cemetery. We will all truly miss this great man, and are better for having had the opportunity to know him.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of NASA and the Constellation Program. I am disappointed that the administration seeks to discontinue manned space exploration. Last week, an administration official was quoted in The Orlando Sentinel as saying it was not necessary for us to return to the moon. Language like this is a slap in the face. It's disrespectful for the lives lost, the thousands of hours of research and development that have gone into manned space flight. As we are being challenged internationally by China, Russia and others, this administration is not accepting the challenge as President Kennedy did in the 1960s. This administration is asking us to walk away from this challenge, and we will not do so. We, the scientists, the American public, deserve to be number one in space exploration. The things that NASA has done for medicine, for regular space flight, for regular airlines, the safety, all that's concerned in our society, has been touched by NASA. The very idea that this administration is lowering the expectations of America as far as manned space flight is concerned is a disgrace and we, in Congress, will reject it.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 17, 18, and 19 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 22 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Thank you very much for this opportunity. This is a very, very important day for us, and certainly it will be an even more important day for us tomorrow. As a lawmaker and a physician for over 40 years, I recognize the importance of continuing to protect the sanctity of life. The 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade tomorrow reminds us all that life is precious and should not be taken for granted. Fortunately, we can be thankful that a majority of the Congress can see that taxpayer-funded abortions is morally abhorrent to most Americans. So with the current health care legislation before us, I commend my colleagues for supporting the Stupak amendment, which passed the House with an overwhelming majority of 240-196, with one voting present. I fully support protecting the unborn in any and all future bills. The Stupak amendment is clearly a high-water mark for opposition to government funding of abortion and a critical firewall to keep abortion from being mainstreamed as a routine medical procedure. As the 111th Congress presses forward on the eve of the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I would like to remind Members on both sides of the aisle of the importance of continuing to protect the sanctity of life in all policy.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of Jerry Hayes of Huntsville, Alabama. In the Tennessee Valley, Jerry's decades of responsible journalism have earned him the respect and trust of hundreds of thousands of people. His 30 years at WHNT News 19 in north Alabama have brought inspiration and guidance to an untold number of aspiring journalists looking to begin their careers. When he is not in the studio or at the scene of a story, Jerry is bettering the community around him. His work for Tennessee Valley children is near to my heart, and north Alabama parents owe him a debt of gratitude that is almost impossible to repay. Each year, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognizes individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to broadcasting by inducting them into the Silver Circle. Jerry epitomizes the type of excellence that the academy looks for, and I congratulate him on this achievement. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Jerry Hayes for his 30 years of service to north Alabama. Our community would not be the same without his dedication to the families of the Tennessee Valley.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask Congress and the administration to permanently eliminate a punitive tax that has plagued family farms and businesses for over 100 years. The estate tax only serves as a double taxation to those who have worked tirelessly to build their estates for themselves and their family. These entrepreneurs are not only working for themselves; they are working for their children and their grandchildren, and future generations of Americans. Building a small business from the ground up is the very fabric of the American dream, and the estate tax tears that fabric apart. This punitive tax inflicts great harm on the hardworking families of America. The estate tax costs small business owners thousands of hours in manpower and millions of dollars in legal counsel. It is time to eliminate the estate tax. Madam Speaker, I urge Congress to prioritize the quick and permanent abolition of the Federal estate tax in order to accelerate our economic recovery and foster a greater environment for business and rural development.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize yet another achievement by north Alabama's Marshall Space Flight Center. Last week, Time magazine named NASA's Ares rocket as the best invention of 2009. We have seen time and again that tireless work and flawless execution breeds brilliant results, and that is exactly what we have seen out of the short history of Ares. A few weeks after an impressive and successful test-flight, Ares received this review from Time magazine, calling the project ``the best and smartest thing built in 2009.'' The review of Ares said that the finest moments from our space program come when bureaucrats give the designers a clean sheet of drafting paper and let them dream. Our brilliant men and women in the American space program can do just that if they receive the funding they need to bring manned space flight to the outer reaches of our universe. This recognition and the recent Ares flight further prove that the Constellation program is exactly what our country needs--a safe, innovative, affordable, sustainable human space flight exploration vehicle.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, almost one in seven residents in my home State of Alabama is over the age of 65, a sector of the American population that is expected to grow dramatically over the next 2 decades. As our citizens age, many will develop costly and debilitating health conditions that will require additional care and additional expenditures for the Medicare system. Advanced home health treatments are now targeting some of the most serious illnesses and have been successful in keeping more of the elderly out of the hospitals and reducing the cost to Medicare. There are numerous cases in Alabama where home health care has been instrumental in preventing emergency room visits and hospital readmissions and helping older residents to live more independently at home for as long as possible. Our goal is to improve the care of Americans and control rising costs, especially in our Medicare population. Home health care is meeting these goals and has the potential to do even more. Yet there are provisions in the House health reform legislation that would cut $57 billion from the Medicare home health program over the next decade. If these reductions remain in the bill, they will surely have an adverse effect on the access to home care for our senior citizens. The cuts in home health care services in the bill are significantly disproportionate to other provider sectors. The bill seeks 14 percent of all Medicare cuts from home health care, while home health makes up only 4 percent of the Medicare program currently. This disproportionate impact is further magnified by the fact that, unlike most other health care providers and insurers, expanding health insurance will have no meaningful increase in the home health care business. Home health patients average nearly 80 years of age and are already insured by Medicare and Medicaid. This means that the Medicare cuts to home health agencies are not offset by new revenues from newly insured patients. Instead, the proposed cuts of over 14 percent of spending on home health services will be as can be. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to reject the proposed cuts to home health care and support better care at home for all older Americans.

Mr. GRIFFITH

Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Gaines Roland Partridge. Dr. Partridge had a rewarding career in education that spanned over five decades. The scope of his accomplishments and contributions transcended every level of academia in various capacities, as he served our community as a teacher, principal, Dean, Professor, Department Chair and, in retirement, a student liaison. Dr. Partridge's rich legacy was as impressive as it varied. His relationship with and influence on students continues. Few individuals can measure the impact of their accomplishments in such significant numbers. As a result of his passionate advocacy on behalf of minority applicants to Loma Linda University, nearly 800 African American students have become alumni of the institution during his tenure. Affectionately referred to as ``Doc,'' Dr. Partridge was steadfast to the cause of self-determination in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He provided leadership in the fight to determine the pace, direction, and outcome of their efforts to establish and implement ministry priorities. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize Dr. Gaines Partridge on a phenomenal life as educator. His legacy will continue to empower students for years to come.