Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Yes, it sure did. And so I readily signed on your letter that you're circulating, your ``Dear Colleague'' letter. And I'm glad to know, as well, that the President has included a modest $50 billion stimulus aspect in his proposal to strike a grand bargain and avoid the fiscal cliff. So all of these things are a part of what is hopefully being negotiated now.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. No, it's not healthy. And it's amoral. Greed, when you've got to get more, more, more and you're not willing to share, you're not willing for everyone to prosper; and when you think that a person is poor because they don't want to get out and work, they have bad habits, they didn't do this, they didn't do that and, therefore, they deserve to be where they are now. But me, I did it the old-fashioned way, I inherited my money. And so don't blame me. I'm going to make more money and I don't care about you, I'm going to make money off of you, that is rather immoral, rather shortsighted.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. We all do better when the money is circulating. Those on the top end, they're going to continue to make money; but those who are just working people, regular working people, and those who aspire to the middle class, when that money is circulating, then we can all, collectively, become more wealthy, and we will all spend more dollars, and that means more goods and services have to be produced, and that means you have to have people employed to service the needs of those with the money. So it's just really common sense. Instead of trying to break the unions, we should be trying to solidify the relationships that the unions have established with their employers. Detroit is a fine example of how the greatest, richest union, the Auto Workers Union, came to the table with the corporate bosses, after the corporate bosses had run the business into the ground, and needed a bailout from government, and President Obama made a determination that we're going to invest money in GM and in Chrysler, and we're going to not let those companies go bankrupt.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. And so we spent $700 billion. And it was the United Auto Workers union that sat down at the negotiating table with Big Business, worked out what some may call give-backs. It actually gave up some of the benefits that it had signed contracts for with the employer. These are things that actually created the middle class, things like working days, working hours, wages, benefits, retirement, those kinds of things that people would not have had unless they had been represented by a union and we had strong unions. So those things workers gave back in part to make sure that the corporations could maintain or regain stability. And so now, just a short, 3, 4, 5 years later, GM is back to being the number one car maker in the world.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I think they still owe us a little bit. We still have some GM stock. The Federal Government still owns some GM stock, which they're going to have to repurchase those shares from us. So we are still involved, but that's another example of the role of government. And I, myself, I'll never be one to hate government. And I try to explain to people why government is not the problem. Government is a part of the solution.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. You've got an educated work force, relatively speaking. You've got enhanced transportation abilities here to get your goods and services to market quickly, as opposed to the expense and the security of coming across the water. And I'm happy that businesses are looking to re-establish their production facilities inside of America. That's good corporate consciousness.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. No, that's enough said. Let me say how much I enjoyed our colloquy today, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that America remains the great Nation that it has always been.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I was thinking to myself earlier today, what happens when you put in a cage fight a giant with a midget? Well, the midget will not win the fight. I'm going to tell you that. Why? He just doesn't carry enough weight to do so. But if you put 30 midgets in with that giant, then the midgets have a chance. Now, they have weight classes in cage fighting, so you're not going to find a situation where you have two or three against one. You'll just have equal weights. You'll have equally weighted combatants, and then they will go at each other, and the best man will win, or woman. But we don't have that kind of set up when it comes to relations between employers and employees. There are no weight classes. And so what generally happens is whoever's paying the workers is usually the giant. And so giants are in business to make a profit. That's how they became big and muscular. But they need those midgets, they need the midgets out there, they need the workers to actually produce the goods or service that is traded in return for the money, which strengthens the giant. So in an employment relationship, employer/employee, you've got the giant, you've got the midget. Because there are no weight classes in that situation, you have an inherent imbalance. Whoever has the most money has the most clout. They can give you a job, or they can decide that they don't want to hire you. That's not your call. You don't have a right to work. You can offer yourself out for employment, but you don't have a right to work. So with no weight classes in this employment relationship, where the employer is the giant and the worker is the midget, how do you go about making it a fair fight? Well, that's where you put the midgets together. You put 30 midgets in with the giant, and the midgets then have a chance, collectively. And so that is how the situation has unfolded here in America. Seventy-five years ago, almost 75 years ago, Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act, which helps to protect American workers' rights to organize and negotiate the terms of employment with corporations. The midgets get a chance to speak with one voice to the giant. The midgets collectively have the ability to stand somewhat equal to the giant. They have a possibility of winning. It's never going to be an employee win everything and employer goes down in defeat. No. The thing is the workers get together. The midgets get together to try to get as strong as they can so that they can then deal with that giant in a more productive way. And the giant, wanting to avoid the fight, decides to speak eye-to-eye with the midgets--with the workers--and work it out to where everybody can win. That's what it's all about. So the National Labor Relations Act, which protected American workers' rights to organize and negotiate the terms of employment, this actually leveled the playing field between the giant and the midget. It leveled the playing field. Now, how was it set up that the collective body of workers could stand together and negotiate fair wages and fair employment conditions; things like paid holidays, things like health care benefits, things like retirement, things like number of days off, things like how much do you make, pay? So workers stood together. They had the ability to stand together, and they were protected by Federal law in standing together to be able to bargain with the mighty giant, the employer, to bring about some equity and a balance to that inherently unfair relationship. I won't say ``unfair,'' but inherently unbalanced, out- of-balance relationship. So we passed that law. It's been working well almost 75 years. But, ladies and gentlemen, in the course of just 7 days, what has happened in Michigan is a blow to crush unions, to crush collective bargaining, and to crush the power of individual workers to stand together, pool their resources so that they can support public policy workers--in other words, politicians--so that they could support those politicians who support their interests. It's been working that way for almost 75 years. During that time, we went from a Nation where so many people were in poverty, lived in poverty, had no benefits, made slave wages, worked 20 hours a day, and went from that kind of situation into where most workers had obtained middle class status, where workers could afford to go out and buy the house, buy the two cars, send the kids to college and take a vacation and have nice clothes and all of the things that middle class people want. That's what the union movement produced for America by being in a strong position to be able to demand fairness and equity from the employer. So the employers, let's say General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, the automobile manufacturers, since we're talking about Michigan, they all made lots of money and the workers who work for those companies were middle class and their children went to college and became lawyers and doctors and accountants, and some of them even went back to work in the factories. But now, 7 days it took to crush the ability of workers to stand together financially. They'll never crush the spirit of the workers. But they have used the law with no public hearings, no committee action, no regular course of action during the legislative session--which is a lame duck legislative session, by the way--no regular order, just a sneak attack. Thursday morning, the 6th of November, 1 month after the landslide election in Michigan and throughout this country that turned back the corporate money that was a raid against the Democrats and a raid against President Obama, it turned that back. A resounding victory on November 6. On December 6, a sneak attack during a lame duck session, with no public hearings, no committee action. A sneak attack. They announced it that Thursday morning, the 6th, and by 8 p.m., action to crush the union laws had passed both houses, house and senate, in Michigan. Less than 10 hours it took to bring down 75 years of prosperity for all. Now, why would anyone want to crush the union? And I'm not calling them right-to-work laws because, as I told you earlier, there is no right to work. So let's get rid of that misnomer and let's call the legislation what it is. It's not right-to-work legislation. It is crush-the-union legislation. Who would want to crush the unions? It certainly wouldn't be the union members themselves. It must be, by process of elimination, the folks that they work for. Now, in Michigan, who did they work for? They used to work for GM and Ford and Chrysler, but due to all of those hefty bonuses and corporate greed that consumed the corporate leaders, they were so busy getting those bonuses and million-dollar bonuses, multimillion-dollar bonuses and salaries and whatnot, that they took their hand off of the wheel and they allowed competition from foreign automakers to overtake their competitive position. And so, as a result, they ended up needing a bailout. Ford didn't need a bailout. They went and borrowed some money. They did it the right way. They also did some things to make their business more competitive in terms of the products, and so they were able to weather the storm without a government bailout. But Chrysler and General Motors took money from the people to be able to sustain themselves. Both corporations were close to being crushed themselves, and the workers would have gone down with them. So we did the right thing here and we provided funds to bail out GM and Chrysler. As a result of that, and as a result of the workers' union getting together with the fallen giant to help pick that giant back up, what they did was they reached a deal, they cut back on some of the vacation days and some of the benefits, they lowered the wages. They did a lot to pick the giant up. The giant was awakened and ended up getting back on his feet, and now General Motors has become, once again, the number one automobile manufacturer in the world. That shows you the American spirit, and it was those workers who were instrumental in making it happen. Where were the auto manufacturers on December 6? Where were they? I've seen reports that say that, well, you know, they are just kind of staying in the background, but they really don't support this legislative effort to crush the unions. They say that we don't really need that right now. But there's nobody from the company getting up in front of the microphone and saying, ``Don't pass this law. This is wrong. Governor, don't sign this law.'' So in the absence of any manifestations of support for the workers, I've got to suspect that General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, are feeling pretty good about how things have worked out so far. In the absence of somebody telling me different, I've got to believe that they see where that level playing field has now been tilted in their favor, and despite the fact that the midgets helped them get up when they had fallen, now they're going to crush the midgets. That's what it looks like to me. Especially when I think back on this organization which is known as ALEC. ALEC is the American Legislative Exchange Council. That's ALEC. When I look back and think back on the history of that organization, and when I ponder who their corporate members have been, I'm brought to the realization that those auto manufacturers are longtime members of ALEC. Now, what is ALEC? ALEC is an organization that brings public officials, mainly State legislators, together for quarterly meetings at luxurious locations throughout the country. About 80 percent of the State legislators in America belong to ALEC. They pay dues. It used to be $50 a year. Now I understand it's $100. You pay dues, $100. The citizens actually pay the dues for the politicians. That comes out of the State treasury. They join ALEC and they go to the quarterly meetings and they participate in the legislative efforts of that organization, which also includes, in addition to legislators, corporations, big business, some small businesses, but it's basically an organization of big business. They wished that they could pay only a hundred dollars. They might pay $25,000 or more for a year as a member of ALEC. You've got corporate members, you've got legislators who are members, you've got individuals and you've got corporations. You've got midgets against giants, who are not against giants but with giants in ALEC. And the giants take real good care of the midgets, as long as the midgets do what the giants want them to do. So, what am I talking about? At these quarterly events, the legislators are invited, as well as the representatives of the corporate interests. They come together. They talk about the concerns of the business community. The business community has the legislators there who make the laws. So they talk to those legislators. They're being wined and dined the whole time. And you're able as a legislator to join a committee of ALEC. That committee could be the public safety committee. It could be the committee that deals with voting issues. It could be the criminal justice committee. Now, why would ALEC be involved in criminal justice? Well, you have private prisons. The private prison industry is booming. They are members of ALEC. They get those captive legislators to introduce bills or legislation, such as, let's say, let's target the undocumented immigrants. Let's target them. Let's create some State laws, and Federal laws, also, to make it convenient, make it attractive for law enforcement to go in there and bring those folks to the private detention center and house them down there and pay them government money, $70, $80 a bed. Why would ALEC have a committee dealing with voting rights? Well, to produce legislation that makes it more difficult for people who support the opposition, makes it easy to deny those folks their right to vote. And so you have those voter suppression laws. They came out of ALEC. Then you have the commercial committee, let's call it, of ALEC. They produce legislation such as crush-the-union legislation, also misnamed right-to-work legislation. It is not right-to-work, it is crush-the- union. So the bill, or the bills, that have been passed out of the Michigan assembly in both their house and senate are products of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, almost word for word. I challenge anyone to go look on the Internet, look at, if you will, go look up prwatch, PR, Paul Robert, prwatch, W-A-T-C-H.org, prwatch.org. Go there and put in the letters A-L-E-C in their search button. Go there and find out about ALEC. Find out. Go look at the draft legislation that was produced by the corporations who are members of ALEC which then, after wining and dining the legislators, the legislators then went back home and introduced that legislation which benefits the very corporations that wined and dined them and gave them the legislation. And guess what? Those corporations, pursuant to Citizens United, can participate in the campaign process. They can do electioneering. They can influence elections. They can give money to organizations that support candidates. And so it's an ugly lobbying situation when you put corporations with legislators in a wining-and-dining setting with added benefit of campaign contributions. They can't lose. That's what ALEC is all about is putting legislators with businesses. And then those legislators, who tend to be Republican, then carry out the wishes of the big business. Who suffers? The middle class. So just 30 days after, the middle class, the people, rue the day we still have ALEC and the corporations that fund it out there trying to destroy the middle class by crushing the union. How do they crush the union? Because they know that the union doesn't have a situation like ALEC where you are putting the legislator with the corporation or the corporate interests. You're putting them together, you're wining and dining the legislators, and then you are also pushing your legislation on them; and as an added bonus, you're giving them campaign contributions so that they can get reelected. You got it going on. Unions don't have that kind of set up. There is no ALEC of unions. But unions do participate in the political process. They get behind candidates who support working people. I see my time has come to an end, and I would love to discuss this more. In fact, I believe that I will because this time last year I was on the floor for an hour talking about the Koch brothers. I want so much to be able to bring the Koch brothers into this discussion to see how Sheldon Adelson and Karl Rove come into this equation going all the way back to the Lewis Powell memo. So we will be back. We will talk about those things as soon as possible. Thank you very much.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the HomeSafe Georgia Program. HomeSafe provides temporary assistance to homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed due to no fault of their own. I'm hosting my second HomeSafe Georgia Foreclosure Prevention Event of 2012, Saturday, December 8, at the Salem Bible Church Fellowship Hall in Lithonia, Georgia, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. My friend, Jasper Williams, is the pastor. My last HomeSafe event helped hundreds of homeowners temporarily lower their mortgage payments, and I expect to help hundreds more after this weekend's Georgia HomeSafe event. The event is free, and I hope Georgians who need help will attend. For more information contact me at hankjohnson.house.gov.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Deeply embedded in this legislation is a poison pill, and for that reason and others, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6429. It eliminates the Diversity Immigrant Visa program while failing to address the broader problems of the immigration system. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much to the U.S. economy through new businesses and jobs. Indeed, STEM visas should be the cornerstone of a 21st century immigration system that meets our economic needs; but the STEM Jobs Act unnecessarily eliminates the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, which provides 55,000 visas annually to immigrants who are underrepresented in the U.S. immigration system. Because roughly half of these immigrants are blacks from Africa, eliminating these visas disproportionately affects them. African immigrants are also disadvantaged by a system that perpetuates their exclusion. For instance, Africans are unable to take advantage of immigrant visas issued in the family preference category because few Africans have existing family ties in the United States. Eliminating the Diversity Visa program harms America's diversity, which is both important and necessary. It is alarming that Republican supporters of this bill view immigration as a zero-sum game in which we can only grant STEM visas by eliminating Diversity visas. That is racist--if not in its intent, then certainly in its effect. Republicans just received historically low votes from minorities in the past election, yet they want to create an immigration system that gives visas with one hand while taking visas away from minorities with the other. H.R. 6429 fixes one problem while creating others, undermining a program that is critical to our Nation's diversity. It is a Trojan horse, and the ugly head of racism will rear its ugly head if this Trojan horse, H.R. 6429, becomes law. What America needs is an immigration system that creates opportunities for new Americans, unites families, and provides for a robust system for enforcement. Because this bill fails to address these larger challenges while eliminating an important program for enhancing diversity, I plan to vote against it, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I am not accusing anybody of racism. I don't know what is in the heads of those who support this bill, but if it's not racist in its intent, it's certainly racist in its effect.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge Congress to deal with the fiscal cliff. The majority of Americans cast their ballots in support of the President and a balanced solution to our fiscal challenges that protects the middle class by asking everyone to pay their fair share. Our job is to act. We should extend the middle class tax cuts now while we work on a long-term solution. We must work together because failure would have dire consequences for middle class jobs, the military, and crucial programs that help the middle class and the poor.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following. One can never underestimate the power of the heart and mind, One can never make changes if One never puts in the time One can be as powerful as a nation of many if One desires to be One can make the difference in being a captive or living free One can set many on the path to harmony in the universe One becomes the master musician when One helps others to rehearse One can be the difference in making war and violence cease One can be essential for a world of harmony and peace One can show herself friendly and gain friends throughout the world One can give words to help mold young boys and girls One can be the voice of many--urging justice for all One can make the difference in whether we stand or fall One can change the world by giving a helping hand One, such as you, Ms. Trethewey with your love for all of man For Ms. Natasha Trethewey, 19th U.S. Poet Laureate, Penned July 4th, 2012 by Eric Charles@.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, the birth of Walter Myers, Sr., in the state of South Carolina in the 1800's began the Myers family lineage which has blessed us with descendants that have helped to shape our nation; and Whereas, the Myers Family has produced many well respected citizens and the patriarchs and matriarchs of the Myers family are pillars of strength that have touched many throughout our nation, family members of the past and present; and Whereas, in our beloved Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, we are honored to have members of the Myers family for they are some of our most beloved citizens in our District; and Whereas, family is one of the most honored and cherished institutions in the world, we take pride in knowing that families such as the Myers family have set aside this time to fellowship with each other, honor one another and to pass along history to each other by meeting at this year's family reunion in DeKalb County, Georgia; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Myers family; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim September 1, 2012 as Myers Family Reunion Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 1st day of September, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I present the following U.S. Citizen of Distinction. Whereas, our lives have been touched by the life of this one man . . . who has given of himself in order for others to stand; and Whereas, U.S. Air Force Major Walter D. Gray served our nation with honor and gave his life answering a call to duty; and Whereas, Major Gray never asked for fame or fortune, nor found a job too small or too big; but gave of himself, his time, his talent and his life to uplift those in need by demonstrating unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the citizens of the United States of America; and Whereas, he was a husband, a father, a son, a brother and a friend; he was also our warrior, a man of great integrity who remained true to the uplifting and service to our nation; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia recognizes Major Walter D. Gray as a citizen of great worth and so noted distinction; Now Therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby attest to the 112th Congress that Major Walter D. Gray is deemed worthy and deserving of this ``Congressional Honor'' by declaring Major Walter D. Gray U.S. Citizen of Distinction in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 17th day of August, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I present the following US. Citizen of Distinction. Whereas, we are saddened by the death of Deacon Eli McKenzie, Jr., Ph.D., because our lives have been touched by the life of this one man; and Whereas, Deacon Eli McKenzie's work is present in our district and his church, Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia; also through the work of his beloved fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and Whereas, this highly effective motivator utilized his skills to aid in the growth and development of his church and community; and Whereas, he gave of himself, his time and talent as he served his family, friends and community; and Whereas, Deacon Eli McKenzie, Jr., Ph.D., was a husband, a son, a father, a brother and a friend; a man of great integrity who remained true to the uplifting of our community; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to bestow a special recognition on Deacon Eli McKenzie, Jr., Ph.D., for his leadership, friendship and service to all as a citizen of great worth and so noted distinction; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby attest to the 112th Congress of the United States that Deacon Eli McKenzie, Jr., Ph.D., of Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia is deemed worthy and deserving of this ``Congressional Recognition'' by declaring Deacon Eli McKenzie, Jr., Ph.D. U.S. Citizen of Distinction in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 25th day of August, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, Bishop Eddie L. Long, is celebrating twenty-five (25) years as pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church this year and providing leadership to his church on an international level; and Whereas, Bishop Eddie L. Long, under the guidance and calling of God began preaching the word of God to members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church as pastor in 1987 and today is celebrating a milestone; and Whereas, from North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia, he has transformed, trail blazed and taught the gospel; fed the hungry and assisted those in the community in need; and Whereas, this man of God has been a blessing to us as a spiritual leader, an educator and a community leader; and Whereas, Bishop Long has given of himself these past twenty five years to build up the community and has spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to recognize Bishop Eddie L. Long, as he celebrates his 25th Pastoral Anniversary; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr.1 do hereby proclaim August 19, 2012 as Bishop Eddie L. Long Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 19th day of August, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Forty years ago a virtuous woman of God accepted her calling to serve in the Federal Government at the Centers for Disease Control; and Whereas, Ms. Susan Bradley began her career with the CDC with a willingness to lead and a passion to serve. Today she retires after providing exemplary service to the CDC and our community, and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents, giving the citizens of our district a friend to help those in need, a fearless leader and a servant to all wanting to ensure that the system works for everyone; and Whereas, Ms. Susan Bradley is a cornerstone in our community that has enhanced the lives of thousands for the betterment of our District and Nation; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Ms. Susan Bradley on her retirement from the CDC and to wish her well in her new endeavors; Now Therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim August 30, 2012 as Ms. Susan Bradley Day In the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, This 30th day of August, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, Pastor Marques L. Fletcher is celebrating thirteen (13) years in ministry this year as Pastor of Young Street Community Baptist Church; and Whereas, Pastor Marques L. Fletcher, under the guidance of God has pioneered and sustained Young Street Community Baptist Church, as an instrument in our community that uplifts the spiritual, physical and mental welfare of our citizens; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious man of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the hungry and is a beacon of light to those in need; and Whereas, Pastor Fletcher is a spiritual warrior, a man of compassion, a fearless leader and a servant to all, but most of all a visionary who has shared not only with his Church, but with our District and the world his passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Pastor Marques L. Fletcher as he celebrates his thirteenth Pastoral Anniversary at Young Street Community Baptist Church; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim September 16, 2012 as Pastor Marques L. Fletcher Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 16th day of September, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, there are many individuals who are called to contribute to the needs of our community through leadership and service; and Whereas, Pastor Micheal Benton has given of himself to lead Fairfield Baptist Church these past thirty-five years; and Whereas, Pastor Micheal Benton under the guidance of God has pioneered and sustained Fairfield Baptist Church as an instrument in our community that betters the spiritual, physical and mental welfare of our citizens; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious man of God has shared his time and talents for the betterment of our community for the past thirty five (35) years by preaching the gospel, singing the gospel and living the gospel; and Whereas, Pastor Micheal Benton is a spiritual warrior, a man of compassion, a man of great courage, a fearless leader and a servant to all, but most of all a visionary who has shared with not only Fairfield Baptist Church, but with DeKalb County and the world his passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Pastor Micheal Benton for his leadership and service for our District as he celebrates his 35th Pastoral anniversary; Now Therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim September 23, 2012 as Pastor Micheal Benton Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, This 23rd day of September, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, many years ago a virtuous woman of God accepted her calling to serve the citizens in DeKalb County and the state of Georgia; and Whereas, Ms. Margaret Schuelke began her career in service working diligently to assist citizens in need, as director of Project Community Connections, Inc., she has and continues to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness with permanent housing placements; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents, giving the citizens of our district a friend to help those in need, a fearless leader and a servant to all wanting to ensure that the system works for everyone; and Whereas, Ms. Margaret Schuelke is a cornerstone in our community that has enhanced the lives of thousands for the betterment of our District and Nation; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Ms. Margaret Schuelke for her outstanding leadership and service to our district and to congratulate her for being chosen as a Champion of Change by the White House; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim August 29, 2012 as Ms. Margaret Schuelke Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 29th day of August, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, we encourage viable businesses in our community to provide our citizens with the goods and services they need to survive and thrive; and Whereas, in 1982, Marshalls Distribution Center set up shop in Decatur, Georgia to serve the citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia and communities far and near; and Whereas, the lives of thousands have been touched by this good corporate citizen which is an active partner in the community; and Whereas, Marshalls Distribution Center continues to be a resource for citizens in DeKalb County with excellent service, providing employment opportunities and providing products that contribute to the local and national economies; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia is officially honoring and congratulating Marshalls Distribution Center on their 30th Anniversary as a business anchor in our District; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim September 14, 2012 as Marshalls Distribution Center Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 14th day of September, 2012.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to take politics out the Post Office. In 2006, Congress passed legislation that forced the United States Postal Service to pre-fund 100 percent of retiree health and insurance premiums. No other company, public or private, is forced to comply with this inherently destructive policy. On September 30, of this year, the law requires a payment of $5.6 billion to fund pension obligations. This will do more than cost the USPS precious dollars. It also threatens the very life of the postal service and it will cost hard-working postal employees the dignity and respect that goes along with a hard day's work. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans cited declining physical mail volumes and a growing USPS labor force as the primary reasons why the 2006 legislation was necessary. Yet, 2005, 2006, and 2007 were the highest volume years in the USPS's 200 year history. In fact, 2006 was the highest volume year ever for the USPS. And how did House Republicans expect the Postal Service to deal with the additional 2 million addresses being added to their delivery routes each year? By hoping and praying that the mail gets delivered? Mr. Speaker, the 2006 legislation was solely intended to break the back of a public sector union and privatize the mailing industry. Why else would Congress alter an entity that hasn't used a dime of tax payer's money in 30 years? According to the Congressional Research Service, the USPS was self- supporting since 1971, using revenues from postage sales to fund its operating costs. In fact, the Postal Service was so profitable, Mr. Speaker, that it returned money to the Treasury every single year while providing free services to visually impaired persons and overseas voters. If the Postal Service were a private corporation during that time, my colleagues across the aisle would have hailed it as the model of economic success and sung its praises from sea to shining sea for paying dividends to shareholders. In the years after Republicans dumped the pre-funding mandate into the lap of the USPS, the Postal Service has nearly crumbled under the weight of spiking pension costs. Mr. Speaker, how does an organization that had robust profits for 30 plus years leading up to the 2006 legislation suddenly start running deficits and lose $25.4 billion between 2007 and 2011? How did the USPS go from no debt in 2006 to over $13 billion in debt today? The answer is simple--my friends across the aisle wanted to continue their assault on public sector unions. They chose to pass a bill they knew would cause massive deficits for the USPS. They chose to commit the USPS to payments they knew it could not afford. They created this problem for the USPS and now they refuse to be part of the solution. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans should abide by the phrase ``If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'' Many of my colleagues on the other side have well-connected friends, such as the Koch Brothers, who publicly advocate for postal service privatization. I am here to connect the dots for the American people. I repeat, we must ``take politics out of the post office.'' Instead of wasting time today, we should vote to stop the damage inflicted upon the USPS by this body and remove these absurd constraints by passing H.R. 1351, the United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act. We must protect the hard working employees of the Postal Service by passing legislation to fix this blunder. The USPS was not in danger of becoming insolvent until Congress decided to meddle in its affairs. Mr. Speaker, the Postal Service already missed a $5.5 billion payment in August. This body must act before the Post Office defaults on another payment later this month. Instead of scheduling symbolic votes that highlight our differences, let's stop the madness and do what is best for the American people, the economy, and communities across the nation. Mr. Speaker, it is vital that we keep our Postal Service in good financial standing. The Postal Service employs 700,000 of our fellow citizens, 17,751 of whom are in the state of Georgia; one third are military veterans who deliver 212 billion pieces of mail to over 144 million locations. If big corporations and the Koch Brothers get their wish, the Postal Service will slowly be destroyed, causing good jobs to be lost and allowing companies to raise prices of delivery. The American people deserve a Postal Service reform bill that will allow the Post Office to continue its operations and not reduce or restructure them. Taking action to strengthen the Postal Service's finances is not just good for letter carriers and post masters, it is also good for business. There is a $1.3 trillion mailing industry in the U.S. that supports between 7-8 million private sector jobs that is heavily dependent on a healthy and efficient Postal Service. The time to act is now.