Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. The Census Bureau recently reported that 100 million Americans are on the brink of poverty. Maybe now Tea Partyers here in Congress will realize what millions of people already know, which is that Americans are barely getting by and that the misguided Republican agenda of deregulation, higher taxes for the middle class and tax cuts for the rich will do nothing for those who are struggling. We should extend the payroll tax cut, toss a lifeline to struggling Americans who can barely make ends meet, and stop holding small businesses and American families hostage with the threat of higher taxes. I hope my Tea Party colleagues will take a moment to put the interests of the majority of Americans over those of overpaid bankers and oil executives. We must extend the payroll tax cut, help renew opportunity, and restore the American Dream to the American people.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Thank you. Many Americans watched in horror as the drama unfolded on the I-35 bridge, the aftermath of crashing into the waves of water below and taking out a multitude of cars and taking lives and causing people to be injured, and also resulting in an economic detriment to that area that needed that bridge in order to continue to conduct business. We can look at it sterilely on the TV from a distant location, but we should realize that the same thing that happened to you guys in Minnesota can happen to us in Georgia with our own bridges that are in disrepair due to deferred maintenance. This is something that can happen not just in Georgia, not just in Minnesota, but all across the land. And it doesn't have to be that way, because as President Obama has proposed in the American Jobs Act--or as a part of the American Jobs Act--there is money--a small amount, but any amount is better than none--for infrastructure. I think it's $50 billion. That infrastructure, in addition to helping with our public safety issues--health, safety, and well-being of the people--would also create jobs. So we're killing more than one bird with one stone by passing the American Jobs Act. Not one of my friends on the other side of the aisle has been able to put forth any rationale for not considering any part of that Jobs Act. We did, I'll give them credit, pass something last week having to do with veterans. They just could not find it within their hearts to avoid voting for that. But if there was some way that they could, they would have. They are insisting that the tax cuts to the working people of this country, the payroll tax, they want that to be paid for. But nobody said anything last year about paying for the extension of the Bush tax cuts.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Who does he represent?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. It certainly will not create any jobs. There is a false perception that has been bought into wholesale, unanimously, by my Tea Party-Grover Norquist Republican friends, and that is that deregulation somehow creates jobs. Now, I know what kind of jobs are created when you deregulate the health and safety of food, water, air quality, drugs, Wall Street. I know what happens when you don't have any regulations. It means you're going to have more people going to the doctor because of unsafe and unhealthy conditions--adulterated food, water. It means that you will have more----

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. People in the mortuary business who are trying to determine the cause of death for people. You will have more cleanup workers, workers who are dispatched to clean up toxic sites. You'll create those kinds of jobs. Yet, as for the kind of high-level, 21st century jobs that America needs in order to be the leader of the world economy in this global environment that we're in, there is not one measure that the Republicans have introduced that will stimulate the creation of those kinds of jobs. So what we're doing, Congressman Ellison, is just creating conditions of great suffering so that people will vote against President Obama next November. The stated goal of my friends on the other side of the aisle--their main, central goal--is to make sure that President Obama is a one-term President. They don't care about how much pain they inflict on the American people, on the 99 percenters--and 47 percent of them are millionaires, so they don't have to worry. It's just to serve a political purpose.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota, my junior in the House. When I say that, I mean we're both juniors, having served now in our third terms. We will be officially recognized, I guess if we're fortunate to make it back for the 113th Congress, that will be our fourth term. We will be seniors, and we will be permanent seniors as long as the voters allow us to be. And we certainly want to do what the voters want us to do here. What the voters of the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia tell me over and over and over again, day in and day out, 24-7, is that jobs is the issue, and they want us to pass the President's job creation bill. They don't understand why simple proposals that will create jobs and reinvigorate our economy are something that we can't come to grips with here on the House floor. And I tell them to keep the faith, but I also tell them where the problem lies. It is not with the President. It's not with the Democrats in the House of Representatives. It's with my friends on the other side of the aisle, the Tea Party-Grover Norquist Republicans who want to balance the budget. Their main issue is balancing our budget. And certainly our budget needs to be balanced, and that's something that we should do. It's not our first priority. Our priority right now, and I agree with the people of the Fourth District, it should be jobs. And if we don't create jobs, if we leave people on unemployment or unemployment having expired, that means less money circulating in the economy. If there's less money circulating, less economic activity, less job creation. And so there's a lot that we can do, Congressman Ellison, to help the people, especially during this holiday season.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. They signed it 20 years ago.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Starting January 1.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. The top 1 percent.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. But Grover Norquist doesn't want them to do it.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. They don't have any knowledge of how you grew up and what kind of values you were taught and what kind of family you had. They just want to condemn you because you are a Muslim. They want to make you a threat to America, a threat to our military, and make a threat of those engaged in the military who happen to practice the faith of Islam. It plays into this decision to put Americans through this suffering so that they will then vote against President Obama and the Democrats so that the Republicans can then throw the welcome mat out like they have done for the large corporate interests and wealthy individuals in order to control public policy in America.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. So you hold hearings on issues that are false issues.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to this hazardous and radioactive bill called the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act. Now, I want this body to consider my amendment to the bill for the following reason: The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act became law in January of this year, January 4, 2011. It was necessitated by a continuing series of incidents, such as the October 2009 Stephanie Smith incident, which I will tell you a little bit about. She's a children's dance instructor from Minnesota. She became partially paralyzed from E. coli. According to a New York Times article, ``The frozen hamburgers that the Smiths ate, which were made by the food giant Cargill, were labeled `American Chef's Selection Angus Beef Patties.' Yet confidential grinding logs and other Cargill records show that the hamburgers were made from a mix of slaughterhouse trimmings and a mash-like product derived from scraps that were ground together in a plant in Wisconsin. The ingredients came from slaughterhouses in Nebraska, Texas, and Uruguay, and from a South Dakota company that processes fatty trimmings and treats them with ammonia to kill bacteria.'' Stephanie has sued Cargill, and I know that many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would want to limit her ability to recover for this injury through misguided so- called tort reform. But getting back to this matter, this amendment is simple. It would ensure that Americans have access to safe and untainted food. It would create an exception for any rulemaking that seeks to carry out the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. Every year one in six Americans gets sick from foodborne diseases. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act enables the FDA to better protect public health by strengthening the food safety system. This bill would make it virtually impossible for Federal agencies to protect public health and safety. Nobody likes to be tied up in redtape, but this bill would bring regulations to a halt and make it virtually impossible to enact new regulations. Currently, rulemaking agencies must make an analysis for every new rule that would have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, such as small businesses. However, agencies have the authority to waive or delay this analysis in emergency situations. Now, this bill, Mr. Chairman, would require agencies to determine the indirect costs a rule has on a business, and repeal the authority of an agency to waive or delay this analysis in response to an emergency that makes timely compliance impractical or imprudent. This summer there was a listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupes that sickened 139 people and killed 29. Just today, The Washington Post reports that Consumer Reports released an alarming study that found high levels of arsenic in samples of apple juice. Consumer Reports is now calling on the FDA to set standards for arsenic levels for apple and grape juices. The Consumer Reports Group is now suggesting that parents restrict juice consumption to children up to 6 years old to no more than 6 ounces per day. For older children, it recommends no more than 8 to 12 ounces a day. Now is not the time to hamper agencies, such as the FDA, that are charged with keeping the American public safe. If there is a legitimate concern that our food supply may be tainted, the FDA needs the authority to act quickly and without delay. It's essential that the FDA have the ability to conduct inspections as well as prevention programs without having to go through speculative paralysis of analysis of a proposed rule, nor should the FDA be forced to justify existing rules. Mr. Chairman, I urge support for my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. At a time when Americans are not really deeply concerned about investors in European markets and what will happen to them upon Greece or Italy or somewhere like that going belly- up, most Americans are fixated on one problem, ladies and gentlemen. It's a very personal problem. That problem is unemployment right here in America. Now, while we are pondering the difficulties that investors may face because of efforts to prop up central banks in Europe, people are hurting out here. People, including wives or husbands of unemployed spouses, are suffering. They're suffering as we close in on the holiday season when they see so many out doing for their families and they themselves, having been unemployed, most of whom have been unemployed for at least 6 months, many for 2 years, they're looking and they're feeling this holiday spirit but in a bad way. They're regretful of the fact that they're not able to fully participate in this part of the American Dream doing for others, buying Christmas gifts. In fact, people are worried about whether or not their unemployment insurance will be there for them after the beginning of the year. They realize that they're closing in on the cut-off date for expiration of the long-term unemployment benefits. And they're worried about that, not about investors and how they might fare in terms of European countries not being fiscally solvent, allegedly. So, Mr. Speaker, every day it seems like I read another report from economists telling us how important it is to extend unemployment benefits to help our fragile economy recover. And there's no doubt about helping millions of unemployed Americans during the worst downturn since the Great Depression, which was caused by the very investment bankers that have been discussed today that might be hurt because of European shenanigans. It's mind-boggling. They are the ones that actually kicked this cesspool that we're in off. And then they got bailed out, but they're not willing to allow the very Tea Party, Grover Norquist Republican parties who they control, they're not willing to let them extend unemployment insurance benefits for the long-term unemployed unless there's a penalty involved. They can't bring themselves to fund it. They don't want to do it. As the holidays near, economics should take a backseat to our basic humanity. What about our commitment to each other? We're all in this together; but unfortunately, the 47 percent of millionaires who populate the House of Representatives don't have that same concept of knowing what it is to hurt when you've been unemployed for such a long time and when money is not coming in. They don't relate to that. We've got nearly 14 million unemployed workers, and about five workers are applying for each job that is available. So, for Congress to think about going home to celebrate the holidays with their families and leaving these people out with no hope is, indeed, a great tragedy.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, reaching the age of 75 years is a remarkable milestone; and Whereas, Ms. Lizzie Alexander was born on October 25, 1936 and is celebrating that milestone; and Whereas, Ms. Alexander has been blessed with a long, happy life, devoted to God and credits it all to the Will of God; and Whereas, Ms. Alexander is celebrating her 75th Birthday with her family members, church members and friends here in DeKalb County, Georgia on October 22, 2011; and Whereas, the Lord has been her Shepherd throughout her life and she prays daily and is leading by example a blessed life; and Whereas, we are honored that she is celebrating the milestone of her 75th birthday in the 4th District of Georgia; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Ms. Lizzie Alexander for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all, Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 22nd & October 25th, 2011 as Ms. Lizzie Alexander Days in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 22nd day of October, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell, is celebrating fifty (50) years in preaching the gospel this year and has provided stellar leadership to his church on an international level; and Whereas, Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell, under the guidance and calling of God began preaching the word of God as a child and has transformed over the years as pastor of the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia from 1975-1992, founding Covenant Ministries of Metropolitan Atlanta in 1993; and Whereas, from Miami, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia, he has transformed, trail blazed and taught the gospel on a national and international level wherein the lives of many have been touched; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious man of God has been and continues to be a blessing to us as a spiritual leader, an educator and a community leader who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk; and Whereas, Bishop Carswell 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 Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell, as he celebrates his 50th Pastoral Anniversary; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 23, 2011 as Bishop Quincy Lavelle Carswell Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 23rd day of October, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation: Whereas, we need businesses to set up shop in our community to provide the goods and services that are needed in order for our citizens to survive and thrive on a day to day basis; and Whereas, in 1969, Mr. Lamar Ferrell started Lamar Ferrell Chevrolet here in Decatur, Georgia to service the citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia and nearby communities; and Whereas, when Mr. Ferrell passed away, the new owner Mr. Buddy Hyatt purchased the business and it has been family owned ever since under the name of Superior Chevrolet; and Whereas, Superior Chevrolet continues to be a resource for citizens in DeKalb County and beyond with excellent service, providing employment opportunities and providing a product that ``keeps America moving'' contributing to the local and national economy; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia is officially honoring, recognizing and congratulating Superior Chevrolet on their forty-second (42) anniversary as a business anchor in our District; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 21, 2011 as Superior Chevrolet Day In the 4th Congressional District of Georgia Proclaimed, this 21st day of October, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I declare Robert ``Shane'' Wilson 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, Corporal/Detective Robert ``Shane'' Wilson served eight (8) years in the City of Doraville Police Department and gave his life answering a call to duty; and Whereas, Corporal/Detective Wilson 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 Doraville and DeKalb County; 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 community; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia recognizes Corporal Detective Robert ``Shane'' Wilson 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 Corporal/Detective Robert ``Shane'' Wilson is deemed worthy and deserving of this ``Congressional Honor'' by declaring Corporal/Detective Robert ``Shane'' Wilson U.S. Citizen of Distinction in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 17th day of November, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation: Whereas, Bald Rock Baptist Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our county for the past one hundred fifty years; and Whereas, Pastor Christopher Shipp and the members of the Bald Rock Baptist Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our county; and Whereas, the Bald Rock Baptist Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our District; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past one hundred fifty (150) years, being Rockdale County's first African American Congregation; and Whereas, Bald Rock has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with Rockdale County their 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 the Bald Rock Baptist Church family for their leadership and service to our District on this the 150th Anniversary of their founding; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim November 13, 2011 as Bald Rock Baptist Church Day In the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 13th day of November, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Thirty-five years ago a virtuous woman of God accepted her calling to serve in the Atlanta Field Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and Whereas, Mrs. Emma H. Newsome began her career working in various positions, she rose to the rank of Regional Director's Liaison and has served the citizens well and our community has been blessed through her service; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents as a Coordinator, Deputy Director, Liaison and Motivator, giving the citizens of Georgia a person of great worth, a fearless leader and a servant to all who wants to advance the lives of the citizens in our region; and Whereas, Mrs. Newsome is formally retiring from her governmental career today, she will continue to promote civic duty because she 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 Mrs. Emma H. Newsome on her retirement from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to wish her well in her new endeavors; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim November 4, 2011 as Mrs. Emma H. Newsome Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 4th day of November, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, we need businesses to set up shop in our community to provide the goods and services that are needed in order for our citizens to survive and thrive on a day-to-day basis; and Whereas, in 2001, Mr. Tony Royal opened the 1,000th Chick-fil-A restaurant at Turner Hill Road here in Lithonia, Georgia to service the citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia and nearby communities; and Whereas, Mr. Royal is the owner and operator of the restaurant, he credits all of the success to his team: the sales, the community outreach, the community partnership, and the promotion of scholarships; and Whereas, Mr. Royal and the Chick-fil-A team at Turner Hill continues to be a resource for citizens in DeKalb County and beyond with excellent service, providing employment opportunities and providing a product that ``keeps America moving''--contributing to the local and national economy; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia is officially honoring, recognizing and congratulating Mr. Tony Royal and Chick-fil-A at Turner Hill on their tenth (10th) anniversary as a business anchor in our District; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim November 1st, 2011 as Chick-fil-A Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 1st day of November, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation: Whereas, reaching the age of 50 years is a remarkable milestone; and Whereas, Mr. Tony Royal was born in Savannah, Georgia on November 20, 1961 and is celebrating that milestone today; and Whereas, Mr. Royal has accomplished much in his years, but the two things he is most proud of is being the husband of Leslie and father of Antasha and Anthony; and Whereas, he is a stellar businessman, a model citizen and a community partner who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk; and Whereas, Mr. Royal has been blessed with a long, happy life, devoted to God, family and community; and Whereas, Mr. Royal is celebrating his 50th birthday with his family and friends, his good will has touched the lives of persons everywhere across the nation in particularly the Fourth District of Georgia; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mr. Royal for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all, Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim November 20, 2011 as Mr. Tony Royal Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 20th day of November, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, the Southeastern Region of the United States has many citizens that work to make our Region a worthy instrument for good; and Whereas, President Barack Obama appointed five outstanding individuals to serve as directors of the Southeastern agencies, Cassius Butts, Small Business Administration, Gwendolyn Keyes-Fleming, Environmental Protection Agency, Edward Jennings, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Paulette Norvel Lewis, U.S. Department of Labor and Carlis V. Williams, Department of Health and Human Services, each individual being charged to bring community service, honor and excellence in government; and Whereas, the Southeastern Regional Directors are promoting and providing the concept of One Community-One Goal by working with and for individuals in all walks of life to make our Region a place where the needs of the people are met; and Whereas, these directors give of themselves tirelessly and unconditionally to serve our community and our nation by providing leadership and service; and Whereas, the lives of many in our district are touched by the leadership and service given by these directors; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Cassius Butts, Gwendolyn Keyes-Fleming, Edward Jennings, Paulette Norvel Lewis and Carlis V. Williams for their outstanding service to America; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 27, 2011 as Southeastern Federal Regional Directors Day In the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 27th day of October, 2011.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Oakhurst Presbyterian Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our county for the past ninety years; and Whereas, Pastors Gibson ``Nibs'' Stroupe and Pastor Caroline Leach and the members of the and Oakhurst Presbyterian Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our county; Whereas, the Oakhurst Presbyterian Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our District; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the ninety (90) years by preaching the gospel and living the gospel; and Whereas, Oakhurst has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with DeKalb County and the world their 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 the Oakhurst Presbyterian Church family on their 90th Anniversary and for their leadership and service to our District; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim September 25, 2011 as Oakhurst Presbyterian Church Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 25th day of September, 2011.