Randy Hultgren

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. I thank my colleague from Kentucky for yielding. I rise in support of the TRAIN Act, which will help give small businesses and our Nation's job creators the certainty they need to hire, expand, and invest. This is an excellent bill which will help create the pro-growth environment our economy needs. Upcoming EPA gasoline regulations, along with other regulations impacting domestic refiners, have the potential to raise the price at the pump, to reduce domestic gasoline output and increase reliance on imports, and to destroy domestic refining jobs. Fuel price changes create a ripple effect throughout the economy, increasing the price of food, goods, and services that are transported to our communities, increasing the price of driving to work each day. These broad impacts must be taken into account when we seek to understand the cumulative impact of EPA regulations on the energy prices, jobs, and our global competitiveness. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting the TRAIN Act.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, recently I had the opportunity to meet with a constituent of mine who also happens to be a minor celebrity. Rock Katschnig is the farmer who had the chance to ask President Obama last month about regulation and red tape coming from unelected and unaccountable bureaucracies, such as the EPA. The President's not-so- reassuring response: ``If you hear something's happening but hasn't yet, don't always assume it's true.'' What President Obama said defines the uncertainty that has crippled our small businesses, entrepreneurs, and job creators and hamstrung our economic recovery. Businesses don't plan just for tomorrow; they plan for next week, next month, and next year. All red tape, even if it hasn't happened yet, affects a business's decisions about hiring, expansion, and investment. That's why businesses are desperate for regulatory certainty, a message I heard not only from Rock, the farmer, but from countless other small business owners across my district. They want to grow, but they won't if they don't know what Washington will do to them. And that's why we are advancing our fall agenda to deliver that regulatory certainty so that small business owners and enterprises can invest, grow, create jobs, and get our economy moving again.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, in these dire financial times, government must identify what works and what doesn't, even when it comes to sex education for our kids. The CDC released a fascinating study this year that found that two- thirds of teens, ages 15 to 17, are abstaining from sex. In fact, 70 percent of parents support abstinence until marriage for their teens. But under this administration, we have seen a troubling 16:1 funding disparity between contraceptive-centered education and sexual risk avoidance education. That's why last week I filed a bill, H.R. 2874, to restore fairness to the funding and direct it instead to programs which give our kids the facts about contraception without distorting them. I am a dad of four great kids, two of them teenagers. I have a 15- year-old daughter, Kylie, and a 17-year-old son, Karsten, who may, in fact, be watching right now. Nothing is more important to me than seeing them make responsible choices. I have every confidence that they will. Now I'm just hoping the House and Senate will do the same.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all the World War II veterans, but especially our distinguished guests from the Honor Flight Chicago program. This noble program enables hundreds of Veterans from the Chicago area to come visit the memorial built to honor their great service and courage, and I have the great privilege of welcoming them to Washington DC. We all have a special appreciation for our veterans because we know the sacrifices they made to protect us and bring peace to a world ravaged by war. These servicemen answered our nation's call during one of its greatest times of need. These brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them our deepest gratitude and thanks for protecting and ensuring our future. I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorial. I am proud to submit the names of these men for all to see, hear, recognize and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing thanks. Charles Anderson Venice Anderson James Anderson Sam Lucas Roy Anderson May Anderson Louis Beiriger Laurain Beiriger Edward Berry Fran Berry Norma Berry Christine Roberts David Bish Elaine Bish Tracy Bish Lucile Slattery Avon Blevins Vivian Blevins Patti Bortz Stephanie Bortz Jay Braxton Edward Jones David Caesar Trevelon Caesar Johnny Carlisle Sarah Carlisle Rubin Castillo Patricia Castillo Leo Chrostowski Valita Chrostowski Bill Clark Dianne Brady Joe Clark Rose Clark Bill Clawson Pauleta Clawson Malcolm Creighton Nancy Creighton Hoke Culbertson Bea Culbertson Ron Dotseth Betty Dotseth Jay Elshoff Kathleen Elshoff Charles Emanuele Justus Ghormley Harold Fuquay Ann Fuquay Floyd Gilmore Janice Gilmore Judy Daniel Cindy Tester Graig Godin Sue Hayes Edward Gore Vanita Gore William Hansen Kristin Hansen David Kedrowski Sandie Kedrowski Lawrence Klecha Kathy Klecha James Lamborn Marilyn Lamborn Gregg Lebert Joy Lebert Vernon Lewis June Attaway Ronald Litchy Beverly Litchy Herschel Luckinbill Eva Luckinbill Ray Madrid Betty Madrid Ladd McCarnan Patty McCarnan Kayla Feld Denise Mire Patrick Patterson Rebecca Grace George Padilla Cecilla Padillo Robert Prentiss Dianna Tetrick Joseph Ransom Opal Ransom Nicholas Rightor Susan Mire James Robbins Barbara Robbins Thomas Rowley Rosemary Rowley Bill Sasser Nell Sasser Dennis Schechinger Maria Chu Mario Silva Armeda Silva Ron Parsons Patsy Parsons Gary Sprenkle Kay Sprenkle Carl Vance Margie Vance Doug Ward Theresa Ward Phil Wilkes Janice Wilkes Charles Williams Charlene Williams John Yeager Cynthia Yeager Dennis Yepson Nancy Yepson Glen Zuhlke Dave Zuhlke Terry Michaels Marilyn Michaels Patrick Sweetland Shirley Sweetland Judy Gagnon Kenneth Shofter Ron Santoro Cindy Santoro Heber Dunkel Robert F. Dorr John Price Al Doering

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, over the last months I've had the privilege to travel across the 14th Congressional District in Illinois. I've met with hundreds of my constituents at town hall meetings, coffee shops, diners, and in their workplaces. Over and over I heard the same concern about our economy and our Nation. We talked about how to get our economy moving again, and many of my constituents are convinced that we must get government out of the way, cut spending, cut redtape, keep taxes low. They know, as I do, that government itself cannot create jobs. They know that the best thing we can do to help our economy is to create a pro-growth environment, reasonable regulations, fiscal sanity, and a cleaner, fairer Tax Code. I'm pleased that that will be our agenda here in the House this fall, and I look forward to serving my constituents by giving our job creators the certainty they need to expand, hire, and get our economy moving again.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Madam Speaker, Shuttle Atlantis returned to Earth at daybreak this morning, and it marked the end of America's 30-year shuttle history of scientific and engineering excellence in space. I am a strong believer in American exceptionalism, and at its heart, the story of America's exploration of space is a story of American exceptionalism. No other nation has mastered manned space flight like the United States, launched anything like the Hubble Space Telescope, or led efforts like the international space station. Forty-two years ago today, Americans first walked on the Moon. No other nation has come close to matching this achievement. But I am deeply concerned about America's future greatness. Today, the path forward for our space program is unclear. Save for empty political rhetoric, President Obama has been unwilling to lead or articulate a vision for future American endeavors in space. The Defense Department fears that the loss of our civilian space program will erode our aerospace industry base and threaten our technological edge in all fields. As a result, we are left relying on Vladimir Putin for rides into orbit. This is unacceptable and it's un- American. I hope we will reform Washington's habit of borrowing and spending. And after we have cut, capped, and balanced, it's time to lead again in space. It's time again for American exceptionalism.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, the American people know that Washington has a massive spending and debt problem that threatens not only our Nation's credit rating, but our fiscal future. As a father of four, I understand the threat our Nation's fiscal crisis poses to them and to others in their generation. A child born today inherits more than $45,000 of debt, an astounding and terrifying statistic. It's clear that Congress needs to cut spending to ensure that America remains strong and prosperous for future generations. We must fight both the threat of downgrade and the threat of default. This commonsense bill provides a guide to doing just that, without raising taxes on job creators. We must force this government to live within its means, preserve our Nation's sterling credit rating, and fight for a brighter future for our kids and our grandkids. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Cut, Cap, and Balance bill and send it to the Senate with the strongest possible support.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Madam Speaker, 9.2 percent unemployment in June. Twenty-nine months in a row of over 8 percent unemployment. Twenty million Americans remain unemployed or underemployed. It has to stop. These are stark reminders that President Obama's excessive spending, unprecedented debt, and overregulation, as well as the threats of job- killing taxes on small businesses and entrepreneurs, are holding back private sector job creation in our economy. American job creators fear the regulatory and fiscal environment they will face in the near future. Until they have some certainty, they will not invest or hire. We are working hard to bring back that certainty and ensure our pro-growth economic environment. By doing that, we must cut red tape, cut spending, and keep taxes low, but also pass legislation to expand domestic energy production and open new markets for American goods overseas. We need President Obama and his party to stop trying to raise taxes on job creators and instead embrace our commonsense proposal to put Americans back to work.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the BULB Act because, simply put, the government has no business telling my constituents what kind of light bulbs they can use in their homes. Here's a novel idea: Let's let the free market work. This valuable bill would restore consumer choice and remove the danger posed by mandated mercury-filled compact fluorescent bulbs in our homes. As a constituent of mine said recently: Like we need a light bulb that requires a hazmat suit to clean up if you break it. I urge my colleagues from both parties to support this bill and restore consumer choice to their constituents.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I stand to tell a rare success story that I saw firsthand last week. Custom Aluminum Products, a local manufacturing business employing more than 360 people, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Throughout those 50 years, they have grown from a small local manufacturer to a nationally recognized leader in the aluminum industry. I tell their story today because Custom Aluminum is a thriving local business--expanding, employing, and excelling despite the economic and regulatory burdens. We have much to learn from stories like this: that if given the opportunity to excel, our small businesses will answer the call; and that it is never the role of the Federal Government to create jobs. Instead, government must get out of the way of small businesses by reducing job-killing regulations and bureaucratic red tape and allowing the job creators do what they do best: create jobs. We must bring back certainty to the small business community and rebuild their confidence in our economy so that we can get Americans working again and celebrate many more local success stories like this in the coming months and years.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. The cost of gasoline is devastating American family budgets, destroying jobs, and debilitating our economy. Gas prices in my home State of Illinois are among the highest in the Nation. It's clear that America needs an energy policy that will take advantage of America's vast supplies of oil, gas, and other resources. But instead of choosing to boost domestic energy production, which would create jobs and help get our economy moving again, the President has chosen the shortsighted, politically expedient, and financially expensive route of tapping our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. I urge him to reconsider his decision and embrace the legislation we have passed to increase domestic energy production. I have been proud to support the bills we've passed because they will not only reduce our reliance on unstable and unfriendly regions of the world, they will also create good-paying jobs here at home. So instead of tapping the SPR to help his reelection campaign, the President should do what is truly best for America and support our efforts to increase domestic energy production and create the jobs hardworking Americans are looking for.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, last Friday marked 1 year since President Obama promised the American people a recovery summer. But looking at the latest grim economic reports, it is clear that recovery couldn't be further from the truth. Consumer confidence slid to a 6-month low; unemployment rose to 9.1 percent, the highest rate since December; the stagnant economy created only 54,000 jobs, less than half of the 125,000 many economists predicted; and housing prices fell to new depths in April. Mr. Speaker, it is painfully clear that President Obama's policies of excessive spending, borrowing, and regulation are failing. The American people are paying the extremely high price, and they are demanding changes--an end to the spending and borrowing, and more pro-growth, pro-job policies. That is why we are working hard on a real recovery agenda that will create jobs, cut spending, and restore our Nation to fiscal health.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recall a promise that we heard many times from this President and his administration: that under his health care law, if you like your insurance, you can keep it. Unfortunately, it seems that that promise was an empty one, and it will affect millions of Americans. A recent study from McKinsey & Company found that due to the law, at least 30 percent and perhaps as many as half of employers say that they will probably or definitely stop offering health care coverage to their employees after 2014. These are astounding statistics, and they reveal the fallacy we heard so frequently that if you like your plan, you can keep it. With every passing day we find out more and more what is in the President's health care law, and we find out that it hurts middle class families and small business owners, holding back our economy and killing job creation. This study is just one more reason for the House to redouble its efforts to repeal this law and replace it with legislation that will control the cost of health care while preserving individual freedoms.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all the World War II veterans, but especially our distinguished guests from the Honor Flight Chicago Program. This noble program enables hundreds of Veterans from the Chicago area to come visit the memorial built to honor their great service and courage, and I have the great privilege of welcoming them to Washington DC. We all have a special appreciation for our veterans because we know the sacrifices they made to protect us and bring peace to a world ravaged by war. These servicemen answered our nation's call during one of its greatest times of need. These brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them our deepest gratitude and thanks for protecting and ensuring our future. I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorial. I am proud to submit the names of these men for all to see, hear, recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing thanks. Joseph Bialek, Stephen Bobic, George Bosy, Norman Breyer, Ralph Brockman, Peter Broustis, Simon Bult, Joseph Burke, Joseph Buzinski, Ingemar Carlson, John Carlson, James Carson, John Casper, George Charnas, Lehman Cheshier, William Corrigan, Raymond Craig, John DeHesus, Arthur DeLorenzo, Cyril Diskin, James Doheny, Raymond Donovan, William Doyle, John Dryja, Eileen DuPont, Willard Duvall, Irving Ellis, Robert Elmer, Robert Engdahl, Charles Ettner, Guy Franzese, Julian Friedman, William Froelke, Alfred Galuszka, Olaf Gjovik, Norman Goone, Lester Guenther, Gilbert Hancock, Robert Heinzen, Vernon Hill, Donald Hintz, Andrew Hitzelberger, Rick Jimenez, James Kinnard, Fred Klooster, Alfred Koszyk, Guenther Krieger, Walter Krulac, Andrew Kwinn, Lloyd Lage, Seymour Laurie, John Lavelle, Thomas Leo, Irving Lerner, James Letarte, Marcel Levesque, C. Russel Lockwood, Joseph Mann, John Marias, Richard Martial, Marvin McGreal, Marion Mitchell, Edward Moran, William Nicholson, John Oberholz, Louis Olmetti, David Perlman, Richard Pevitts, John Plisky, Joseph Pratl, Emil Pribula, George Renner, Arthur Reynders, William Rjeker, Robert Riplow, Frank Rock, James Rossi, Edward Ryan, Charles Sauer, Donald Schoo, Robert Shields, Edward Siessmann, Paul Sternfeld, Howard Surrett, Leonard Sytsma, Anthony Thomas, Robert Tinucci, John Torhan, Eugene Tronvig, Howard Vander Meer, Robert Vehlow, Dorothy Vesely, Lawrence Wallach, Frank Washburn, Albert Wiener, Elmer Wilhelm, Robert Winscott, Theodore Woytowicz, Joseph Zajac, Richard Zidek, and Henry Westrop.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask whether Congress can raise itself to the standard of accountability of your home State, the State of California, that was set there recently. On April 15 of this year, I introduced the Congressional Pay Accountability Act of 2011, a bill that requires Congress to pass a budget and appropriations bills before the beginning of the fiscal year. If we don't, we don't get paid. I introduced this bill because if Congress is unable to perform its basic fundamental duties--to pass the budget and appropriations bills-- we aren't doing our job and should be held accountable and should not get paid. Recently, I read that California voters approved a ballot measure that requires the same thing of their State legislators--pass a budget or don't get paid. California voters, facing one of the worst budget crises in U.S. history, spoke up and said that they wanted to hold their elected officials accountable. As America faces the worst debt crisis in its history, I hope Congress can stand up and declare that we, too, want to be held accountable. Ask yourselves: If California can do it, why can't Congress do it?

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Newark Community High School boys basketball team on their 2011 Illinois class 1A championship title. This is a great accomplishment; and their team, coaches, and the entire Newark community should be very proud. Newark, Illinois, is a town of less than a thousand people. It is symbolic of our great Nation and is a place I am honored to represent. Newark High School, with a total enrollment of less than 200 students, has never before won the State championship. Coach Rick Tollefson, head coach of the Newark Norsemen, has been with the program for 5 years and in that time has led the Norsemen to three consecutive sectional championships as well as this year's State title. It has certainly been an exciting time for this close-knit community. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to personally congratulate everyone who made Newark history this year, as well as those who made it possible--the school's administrators and the entire Newark community. I appreciate their hard work and dedication to this basketball program and to the students of Newark High School. Congratulations on a job well done.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 279 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 362 would redesignate the Federal Building and Courthouse at 200 East Wall Street in Midland, Texas, as the George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush United States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway) for introducing this legislation. I also want to thank the bill's 25 cosponsors, who all represent various districts throughout the State of Texas. The former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have honorably served this Nation for many decades. President George H.W. Bush dedicated his life to public service. His public service began when he was just 18 and enlisted in the Armed Forces. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy when he earned his wings and flew 58 combat missions, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action after getting shot down by antiaircraft fire. Later, he was elected to Congress as a representative from the State of Texas and served in this Chamber for two terms. Subsequently, he served in various other public service positions critical to our Nation, including as ambassador to the United Nations, as chief of the U.S. Liaison Office to China, and as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He was elected Vice President in 1980 and stood by President Ronald Reagan's side for 8 years, contributing to the policies that brought the Cold War to an end, and in 1988 was elected as the 41st President of the United States. During his term in office, he skillfully navigated the diplomacy with new nations created following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and helped to overthrow and bring to justice the corrupt Manuel Noriega regime in Panama. A few months ago, in February, President George H.W. Bush was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. This award is the highest civilian honor given for an especially meritorious contribution to the security of the national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors. In 2000, his son, George W. Bush, followed in his footsteps when he was elected the 43rd President of the United States, after serving 6 years as the Governor of Texas. President George W. Bush led our Nation in response to the worst terrorist attack on our soil. He helped to unite the Nation after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and, under his leadership, led the reforms of our intelligence and securities capabilities to better counter this unconventional threat. During his two terms, he effectuated the overthrow of a dictator in Iraq and removed the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, upsetting a key staging ground for al Qaeda and bringing democracy to an oppressed country. And, yesterday, this groundwork led to our Nation bringing justice to Osama bin Laden when, during a raid by one of our Special Operations teams, he was killed in a compound in Pakistan. And I want to recognize the work of our Special Operations teams and our intelligence community, including the CIA, which were critical in locating Osama bin Laden and executing this mission. With the help of intelligence that was gathered from detainees from Guantanamo Bay, our intelligence community was able to gather the key information needed to locate Osama bin Laden. With these events comes a sense of closure. However, we must remain vigilant in protecting our Nation from the threat of terrorism. President George W. Bush helped to realign our intelligence and military capabilities to set the framework for our Nation to better respond to this new threat. I think that it is appropriate for us to honor their service to our Nation by naming this courthouse after them, as both former Presidents have lived in Texas for some time and George W. Bush calls Midland his hometown. I support passage of this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway).

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 362.

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 362) to redesignate the Federal building and United States Courthouse located at 200 East Wall Street in Midland, Texas, as the ``George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush United States Courthouse and George Mahon Federal Building''.

Mr. HULTGREN

Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments of Darryl Vandervort of Dixon, Illinois. Darryl has served as President and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois since 1989. During his tenure, Darryl oversaw significant organizational growth, including five major hospital additions, the opening of seven satellite locations, and the formation of the 65-physician KSB Medical Group. KSB Hospital employed 394 people when Darryl was named CEO in 1989; it's now the largest employer in Lee County, with 1,112 employees. Darryl's focus has always been to provide the best possible medical treatment and patient experience. His contributions at KSB Hospital have improved the local quality of life and strengthened the local economy.- Darryl has also been a true community leader. Darryl was recognized for his exemplary commitment to community service when he was named Citizen of the Year in 1996 by the Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Darryl's contribution to the Sauk Valley area is a permanent reminder of his community spirit, vision, and hard work. As Darryl Vandervort concludes his 28-year tenure at KSB Hospital, the people of the 14th Congressional district recognize his distinguished career and wish him a happy and healthy retirement.