Tom Graves

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the words of the gentleman from Oregon. It's not this Chamber's fault that we have to pass an extension. The reauthorization should be finished by now. I want to thank the chairwoman for all of her work in the committee and the work that we've been able to accomplish so far in the committee. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Parker Golliglee, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 309, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Parker has been very active with his troop participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Parker has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Parker Golliglee for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Kenyon R. Parton, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 215, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Kenyon has been very active with his troop participating in many scout activities. Over the many years Kenyon has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Kenyon R. Parton for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and pleasure that I rise today to recognize Gary W. Nichols for his outstanding service to his country, and to congratulate him on receiving his honorary high school diploma from North Kansas City High School in North Kansas City, Missouri. Gary dropped out of high school in 1954 to join the United States Navy. He would have been a member of the graduating class of 1956. Gary was a career serviceman from 1954-1974 and served on several destroyers and carriers during the Vietnam War. He attained the Rank of E-5. Gary has earned the gratitude and respect of his fellow veterans and fellow citizens of Kansas City, Missouri. He has served as the Post Commander as well as the District 3 Commander for the American Legion. His life's dedication and hard work should serve as an example to the rest of us on how we can better serve each other and our great nation. Gary is originally from Kingsville, MO, but he now lives in Kansas City with his wife Shirley, where he is the proud father of seven children and step-children, 22 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in congratulating Gary W. Nichols on the occasion of receiving his honorary high school diploma on January 30, 2010. I would also like to thank North Kansas City High School for providing Gary with the degree he would have received had he not left school to fight for his nation. I know Gary's colleagues, family and friends join with me in thanking him for his commitment to his country and wishing him happiness and good health in his future endeavors.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to congratulate Liberty High School senior Marcus Lucas on his selection to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The selection is a reflection of his hard work and dedication throughout his career as a Blue Jay. Marcus is joining elite company. NFL players Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Vernon Davis and Derrick Johnson are all alumni of the All- American Bowl. I join the entire Liberty community in expressing how very proud we are of this young man and wish him the best in both the upcoming game and as he heads to the University of Missouri in the fall of 2010. Madam Speaker, I respectfully request you join with me in commending Marcus Lucas on his selection to the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to recognize Anna McKee, a very special young woman who has exemplified the finest qualities in journalism by competing in the recent Journalism Education Association (JEA) and National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Convention in Washington, DC. While competing, Anna and the Liberty High School broadcasting staff were honored as Pacemaker Award finalists for their KLHS broadcast. Anna and the team earned this distinct acknowledgement by conducting one of ten top broadcasts in the nation, a noteworthy achievement. Anna has been very active with her endeavors in journalism and teamed up with fellow classmate Todd Swetnam to conduct a Public Service Announcement on Liberty's 20/20 program. This announcement earned the duo an honorable mention. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Anna McKee for her accomplishments in the field of journalism and for her efforts put forth in achieving such prestigious awards.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Joey Lombardo, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Joey has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Joey has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Joey Lombardo for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Evan Johnson, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 75, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Evan has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Evan has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Evan Johnson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise to recognize Todd Swetnam, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities in journalism by competing in the recent Journalism Education Association (JEA) and National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Convention in Washington, DC. While competing, Todd and the Liberty High School broadcasting staff were honored as Pacemaker Award finalists for their KLHS broadcast. Todd and the team earned this distinct acknowledgement by conducting one of ten top broadcasts in the Nation, a noteworthy achievement. Todd has also been deemed the best in the Nation in his field and given top on-air reporter honors based upon his exemplary journalistic skills. I join the Liberty community in congratulating Todd for his excellence in the field of journalism. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Todd Swetnam for his accomplishments and wish him good luck on all future endeavors.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Bradley Nelson, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Bradley has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Bradley has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Bradley Nelson for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Bennie Rudolph Wenzel III, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 714, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Bennie has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Bennie has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Bennie Rudolph Wenzel III, for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Ben Milks, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Ben has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Ben has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Ben Milks for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize Will Quarles, a very special young man who has exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 374, and in earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. Will has been very active with his troop, participating in many Scout activities. Over the many years Will has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned numerous merit badges, but also the respect of his family, peers, and community. Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in commending Will Quarles for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of America and for his efforts put forth in achieving the highest distinction of Eagle Scout.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. Small businesses have struggled for years to obtain affordable health insurance for their employees. However, rather than embrace solutions that enjoy the unanimous support of the small business community, this bill takes a government-heavy approach that fails in its goal to make health insurance more affordable. What is more unfortunate is that the bulk of the funding for the health care bill is balanced on the backs of small business owners and entrepreneurs. I offered an amendment to the Rules Committee to provide relief to these job creators by striking the mandate and tax on employers, but my fight fell on deaf ears. The tax increases included in this bill are job killers, plain and simple. At a time when our Nation's unemployment rate exceeds 10 percent for the first time in 26 years, the first goal of this body should be improving the economy and creating jobs. Real solutions exist to the problem of affordable health care. This bill is not that solution, and I would urge my colleagues to vote against the rule and this bill.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the Republican Leadership standards on earmarks, I am submitting the following information regarding an earmark I received as part of H.R. 2996, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010: Congressman Sam Graves, (MO-6), Department of the Interior, EPA/STAG Account--$500,000 to the City of St. Joseph for Stormwater and Wastewater Infrastructure (1100 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64501) The federal funding I obtained will be utilized by the City of St. Joseph, MO, to repair and update its aging stormwater and wastewater system. The community's sanitary and stormwater collection system is divided into two components: a large combined sewer system and a separated system. Specifically, the funds will support the development and implementation of a county-wide Stormwater Management Plan to make improvements to the system to comply with EPA requirements and operational needs resulting from new regulations, system conditions and community growth in the City of St. Joseph and Buchanan County, MO. This federal funding has the potential to create new jobs with the increased sanitary waste capacity, as well as have a positive impact on ratepayers thanks to more efficient operations with improved water quality.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today extremely disappointed with the Rule put before us. Every day I hear the same message from my constituents--stop Washington's addiction to spending. Bailout after bailout, with no change in sight, the small business owners, farmers and hard working families in Missouri have grown weary and frustrated. Instead of providing our taxpayers much needed relief, we are here today to ask for more of their money. H.R. 2454 is a thinly veiled attempt to address climate change, unsuccessfully I might add, while its actual goal is to direct more taxpayer dollars to the government coffers. The results are unacceptable: an average tax increase of $3100 for families; additional regulatory and administrative costs on small businesses; higher energy expenses for all--especially those in rural areas; and significant job loss. When will enough be enough? I offered two common sense amendments to H.R. 2454--rejected by the Rules Committee--which struck the cap and tax provisions in the underlying bill should the unemployment rate reach 8 percent or higher. I have financially strapped companies in my district, who instead of laying off their employees have chosen to keep them on payroll at reduced hours. These business owners and employees are making serious sacrifices. Should this cap and tax provision be implemented while these companies continue to struggle to survive this economic downturn, their strategic and innovative efforts will become null and void and their employees will join the already overextended unemployment line. Today I strongly urge my colleagues to stand with me. It is irresponsible of Congress to use taxation as an answer to our challenges. Voting against this rule and the underlying legislation will demonstrate your willingness to work together towards real energy solutions for our future and our children's future.

Mr. GRAVES

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the energy tax recklessly being forced through the legislative process only to harm small business owners, farmers, and families in Missouri. As a 6th generation farmer I can tell you that it is an extremely energy intensive practice. Sixty-five percent of a farmer's costs are dedicated to electricity, fuel, fertilizer, and chemicals; even a slight increase in costs would have a damaging effect on farmers. When it comes to rising fuel prices, we farmers drive trucks because we have to haul stuff. I would challenge any of my colleagues to come to Missouri and try doing farm chores in a Prius. Those claiming this bill benefits agriculture don't know a thing about the business. Agriculture producers are price takers on both ends of the equation. It is one of the few industries in the world that purchases its inputs at retail to sell its end product at wholesale. Farmers have very little ability to pass their own costs onto their customers and even those costs that agriculture producers can pass on will mean only one thing: higher food prices for American families. Rising food prices will be an indirect tax imposed on American families by this Cap and Tax bill and its effects won't just be confined to agriculture. Business everywhere will be confronted by a new dueling reality of seeing their own energy costs rise and the disposable income of their customers fall. All this can accomplish is to restrain future economic growth and lead to long-term joblessness. That is if there are any jobs left. None of the regulations or increased costs in this bill will be shouldered by our trading partners and competitors. How can we expect our businesses to remain competitive and create jobs when we are imposing new taxes not only on those same businesses, but their customers as well? Let's be honest with ourselves. This legislation is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to address climate change, while its actual goal is to direct more taxpayer dollars to the government coffers to fund a big government agenda, including the federal takeover of health care. Today I strongly urge my colleagues to stand with me. It is irresponsible of Congress to use taxation as an answer to our nation's challenges. Voting against this bill will demonstrate your willingness to work together towards real energy solutions for our future and our children's future.