Jack Kingston

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of Cecil Nobles, the much celebrated Sheriff of Long County, GA, and a pillar of his community. Cecil Nobles was born on February 21, 1935 in Long County, GA, to Raymond Elliott and Minnie Baxter Nobles. Raised in Long County, he was educated in Long County schools and graduated from Ludowici High School in 1953. After high school, Mr. Nobles earned a Bachelor's degree in Business and a Master's degree in Education from Georgia Southern University. Soon after graduation, Cecil Nobles began teaching in the Long County school system from 1959 until 1969. During that time, he also served as an Assistant Principal and as the elected Coroner of Long County from 1962 through 1968. Mr. Nobles made a remarkable impact within the realm of education when he taught one of the first integrated classes in Southeastern Georgia. Forever dedicated to Long County and public service, Cecil Nobles rose to become the longest serving Sheriff in the State of Georgia and the second longest serving Sheriff in the United States. During his eleven terms as Sheriff and two terms as Coroner, Mr. Nobles was always known for his tireless dedication to public service, his commitment to law enforcement, and his love of his family and friends throughout Long County and beyond. Sheriff Nobles was part of a vanishing tradition in Georgia of long serving, old school sheriffs. In many ways he ran Long County. If you wanted something done with one phone call, you dialed his number and his influence did not end at the county line. Using his extensive Rolodex, which may have not been a rolodex, but it certainly was not an email list, of elected officials, and agency heads, he always knew just who to call. He fought for everything as if it was the last chance between Long County's survival and its bankruptcy. He secured funding for countless projects and his legacy in South Georgia will be long lasting. Most importantly he never forgot a friend and frequently used two words that have become rare in politics: `thank you.' In turn today we thank him for his service. I was proud to call him a friend.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, there are three things we need to do to create jobs in America: Number one, we need to roll back job-killing regulations. You don't have to work for worker safety at the expense of the job. There is a balance. Government agencies need to work with the entrepreneur and the employer and the job creator, not against him or her. We can find a balance. Number two, you need to drill your own oil. For us to suggest and believe that the people in the Middle East are more environmentally friendly or more sensitive than we are is ridiculous. We have got to get our head out of the Middle East sand and our drills and bring it back home to America. If gas fell $1 a gallon, it would be a huge economic boom to our country. And, number three, we need tax simplification. Ask any audience, ``How many of you fill out your own tax return?'' and then ask, ``How many of you pay to fill out your own taxes?'' and inevitably you'll find an 80/20 split. It is ridiculous when 80 percent of the people in America have to pay an accountant or a lawyer to fill out their taxes. We need tax simplification.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman. The President of the United States has said it would be inexcusable not to extend the payroll tax cut for 1 year. Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Hoyer have said the same thing, as have dozens of other leading Democrats. I agree with them and so does a bipartisan majority of the House who last week voted to extend the tax cut for 1 year. Now why do we support it for 1 year? Because 2 months only gives uncertainty to this fragile economy. Uncertainty. Families can't plan, businesses can't plan, and jobs can't be created. So why do the Democrats want the 2 months? Sadly, because like their Democrat colleagues in the Senate, they want to go home. But do you know what? There is a 200-year-old mechanism for ironing out Senate and House agreements. It's called ``conference committee.'' Now your leader has decided not to appoint people to this conference committee. You want to compromise, that's what this vote is all about. We want to compromise. We know we can't get everything we want. But unlike the Senate, we're not saying it's our way or the highway. We're saying compromise. Vote ``yes'' on this vote. Let's compromise, and let's get this done.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, when I was in 10th grade history class, the teacher caught me chewing gum. I don't know why it's so hard to chew gum without being noticed, but there I was caught and on my way to the Principal's office. I had never personally met him. He was a no- nonsense man named John Tillitski. He asked me why I was sent to him. There weren't any official forms so when asked, you were expected to give a full report of your crime without equivocation. ``I was chewing gum, sir.'' ``Oh,'' He looked me in the eye and added, ``Do you want to stay in school?'' ``Yes, sir.'' ``Fine, bend over.'' With that, he pulled a 12'' rubber sole of a shoe out of his desk, popped me on the hindquarters, and said, ``go back to class.'' That was it, verdict, sentence, and punishment. It was over in 5 minutes. Then I was back in class, sitting quietly, taking notes, and learning American history. No more chewing gum. That's the way John Tillitski handled things. Clear. Concise. Fair. Without drama, without red tape, just old fashion, even-handed, blind justice. It was 1971. He was a man suited for the time. We were the first white class to attend what had previously been the all black Burney Harris High School. The courts had spoken. The town was nervous, the administration tentative and the teachers incredibly challenged by the change set in front of them. Not Mr. Tillitski. He saw black and white not in skin color but in justice, fairness, and common sense. He could bridge the unsettled times with confidence. The fear was that every fight, skirmish, or incident could accelerate into a race riot. In this atmosphere he became the ``go to'' guy. Everyone knew he was a straight shooter. If the issue could be resolved quietly he could do it. A few years later, his son Chris and I decided to liven up the day by driving a motorcycle down the hall of the school. I should do the right thing and say it was a joint decision, but in the style of Washington politics I'll blame the whole idea on Chris, who in turn claimed his brothers Steve and Mike had pulled similar stunts. Down the hall we roared loudly as a jet plane. Soon, hundreds of students and teachers poured out of their classes trying to find out what had happened. We were surrounded by a mob of teachers and students, some laughing, some screaming, most in bewilderment. The principal was beet red in anger and unable to complete a sentence in his fury. Finally, Mr. Tillitski re-emerged from the throng. As the sea parted for his entrance, he simply said, ``Turn the damn thing off and get it out of here.'' We pushed it outside, order was restored, and we were duly punished. He was a man's man. Strong, gruff, and competitive. As the father of boys, he knew boys needed discipline, love, and nourishment. Once, Chris and I found an old canoe in the river. Its seaworthiness had been beaten out of it by a series of rapids. We took it home to restore it, a long shot at best but Mr. Tillitski supported our effort. When we finally got it to float, he was the first to give us boat paddles. Another time, Chris and I hopped a train and tried to make it to Myrtle Beach, S.C. We didn't disclose the details of our mode of transportation to our parents. We made it to Morehead City but ran out of track and trains headed in the right direction. Hitchhiking home, we informed our parents where we had been and announced that we'd try again soon. Rather than fighting about it, telling us we were stupid and how dangerous it was, Mr. Tillitski quietly let us borrow his prize green 1967 Mustang. Practically a sports car. Not a prettier sight was seen driving down the Myrtle Beach strip. He knew boys had to push an envelope but he also knew how to rein them in without killing our youthful spirit. As with so many influential men there was a great family structure to go along with them. John's wife, Joan, was a wonderful partner standing by him, raising the boys and making sure the family bond stayed strong. As a trained nurse she knew when one of the boys needed a trip to the hospital, a bandage or a good hug. They are an ideal couple. I was blessed to have people and educators such as John and Joan Tillitski in my life. In today's world with its confusion and uncertainty, we need more people with firm ideals and gentle hands to guide them. The world would be a better place.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, every town has a few heroes, and lucky is the man whose life crosses the path of one. I have had that good fortune in getting to know Ben Cole of Savannah. Ben runs the Chain Baseball Academy. For nearly two decades, he had trained thousands of boys in the competitive art of ``America's Favorite Pastime.'' Ben takes youngsters of various walks of life and teaches them the fundamentals of hitting, pitching, and catching. Many go on to become star high school, college, and professional baseball players. It is no surprise that Chain Baseball has produced over 300 college level athletes and 44 professional, including two World Series pitchers! However it is not just about baseball. It's about character building, teamwork, and excelling on and off the field. Ben's most important lesson for the parents is that if the kid doesn't want to be a baseball player: Don't force him. In today's society, sometimes parents can push their children too much. That takes the fun out of it for them and can hurt their confidence. Instead, parents should let them enjoy being kids. If they want to play baseball, fine, and if they don't, that's fine too. They have to want it for themselves, not their Moms and Dads. Because of the amount of traveling required, playing baseball can be expensive. Not all families can afford the time and money involved. That's why Ben and Chain owner Buddy Meyer work hard to find financial aid for kids in need. The term ``elite athlete'' doesn't mean financially elite. They want the door to be open to all. Ben also works patiently with Moms and Dads. He has a special place for women whose husbands are deployed. Chain Academy is less than a mile from Hunter Army Airfield, home of the 3rd ID. Often, Moms walk through the door with a boy whose dad is in Afghanistan or Iraq. Mom doesn't know much about baseball, but she's come to the right place. Ben makes sure her son, who has often just moved to town, is treated like family. Finally, Ben leads by example. At 81 years old, he doesn't sit at the desk barking out instructions. He gets in the cage, picks up a bat, and shows his students how to swing, catch, or throw. And when the time allows, he puts on a batter's helmet and takes a few swings himself. With his perfect form he drives the ball hard and strong, proving to all he knows what he's doing. Ben likes the great athlete but no more than the earnest athlete. No matter what the age, if a kid tries his best, Ben's there to help make him a better player. I can attest to that. I've seen him patiently spend hours coaching a fifty-six-year-old congressman. Even if there's little improvement, year by year, he's ready to help! His enthusiasm is contagious. Ben's an optimist. He loves his country, his family, his favorite sport of baseball and the kids of all ages who play it. Star athletes come to the Chain all the time but nothing lights up his face as much as a grandchild. In today's society, we have widespread obesity. In the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, we spend as much time talking about obesity and exercise as hunger. We need more people like Ben who have kept themselves in shape. We need people to stay active physically, mentally, and spiritually. Think of the billions we could save in health care costs if more people took Ben's example. Finally, think how much more fun we'd have as a country if instead of just watching America's favorite pastime we would all play it. May Ben and the Chain Baseball Academy keep up the good work and continue to inspire the rest of us for many years to come.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the language included in this bill that would remove current barriers for states to strengthen the unemployment program through optional drug testing. The purpose of the unemployment insurance program is to be a safety net, a bridge to reemployment. However, when beneficiaries choose to abuse illegal drugs they are no longer at their competitive best within the jobs market. That is why I have proposed legislation, H.R. 3601 the ``Ensuring Quality in the Unemployment Insurance Program (EQUIP) Act,'' that would require screenings for applicants of unemployment insurance. Applicants would be screened using a non-invasive questionnaire that has a 94 percent accuracy rate. If identified as likely to use drugs, an applicant for unemployment would be required to pass a drug test as a condition of benefits. This non-invasive practice has been upheld by state courts in New Jersey, Texas and Indiana. A federal court in West Virginia upheld that state's practice of screening applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance. The screening would not increase federal spending. The estimated cost is $12 per person. This would be more than offset by reducing the $7.5 billion budget for the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) and Consumers Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OPs), which was established to ration health care expenditures. At one of the several listening sessions I had with business owners earlier this year, I had an employer tell me of an overwhelming response for job openings. There was just one problem: half the people who applied could not even pass a drug test. Another told me about an employee they had to temporarily lay off when times were tight. A month later when he contacted his former employee to offer him a new position, he declined because unemployment was paying the bills. With our budget woes of more than $15 trillion in debt, how can we justify using unemployment insurance to pay someone not to work when they have voluntarily taken themselves out of the hiring pool? That is what we are doing when someone on unemployment is using drugs. Under the current system, workers can earn up to 26 weeks through employer contribution but are eligible for 99 weeks of benefits under current law. Your tax dollars make up the difference. Maximizing efficiency and effectiveness of programs like unemployment insurance has to be our society's goal. Drug screening beneficiaries incentivizes individuals to not abuse drugs, which would otherwise render them unfit to be employed. Some have said this proposal asks too much of those who have lost their jobs, but asking someone who is unemployed to do his or her part by staying eligible to work is common sense, not draconian. I look forward to working with the Committee on this proposal and a hearing in the spring.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into a colloquy with the distinguished chairman. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for including language in this bill that would remove current barriers for States to strengthen the unemployment insurance program through optional drug testing. By doing so, we can help increase individuals' ability to gain future employment and help ensure benefits are not being used to finance an individual's drug dependency. It is my understanding that the intent of this language is to provide flexibility to States to establish drug screening methods if they so choose. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. KINGSTON. Thank you. I would like to call States' attention to drug screening assessments approved by the National Institutes of Health that identify individuals as having a high probability of drug use. Under the bill I introduced, individuals deemed by those assessments to be high risk would be required to complete and pass a drug test in order to receive benefits. General tax dollars help fund payments after 26 weeks. So people who are unemployed should be looking for a job and should not become voluntarily ineligible by taking illegal drugs. In this tough budgetary environment, we must maximize tax dollar spending efficiently and effectively. I appreciate your commitment to hold a hearing on this issue no later than the spring, and I thank you for pointing toward further action.

Mr. KINGSTON. I look forward to working with the committee on this proposal. I thank the chairman and the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Davis, for their support and their discussions of this language. I thank the gentleman for engaging in this colloquy.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support passage of S. 535, the Fort Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act, which would allow the Savannah Bar Pilots 10-year leases for their operating base on Cockspur Island which they have used continuously in cooperation with the National Park Service since 1940. I also would like to thank Chairman Hastings and Chairman Bishop for holding hearings and bringing this bill to the Floor today. The Savannah Bar Pilots were founded in 1864, making them one of the nation's oldest pilots associations. Since then, they have helped Savannah grow into the nation's fourth largest seaport and fastest growing port on the East Coast. Bar Pilots assist cargo ships navigating the Savannah River and guide them 20 miles upriver to either the Georgia Port Authority's Garden City Terminal or Ocean Terminal, both of which make up the Savannah Port. The Bar Pilots' expertise is essential in helping ships reach the terminals. Every cargo ship above 200 gross tons--which is nearly every ship that calls on the Port of Savannah--must have a bar pilot on board. After an incoming ship contacts the pilots and a meeting is established, the pilots depart from their operating base on Cockspur Island and are ferried on one of several pilot boats up to 12 miles offshore to the ``pilotage grounds.'' There they board the cargo ship and safely guide them through the channel. Cockspur Island is the ideal location for the operating base, situated just inside the mouth of the Savannah River separating the north and south channel. Other than this location, there is no other available land near the Savannah River entrance from which the pilot boats can quickly and efficiently reach the pilotage grounds in the Atlantic. If the pilots are forced to move, they would have to move inland, leading to longer transit times and ship delays, increased safety risks in stormy weather, and increased fuel usage. The Bar Pilots' use of the Park Service land is a unique situation in which the pilots provide a crucial public service and also act as good neighbors to one of Coastal Georgia's most treasured historic sites. S. 535 will allow the Bar Pilots to have 10-year leases with the National Park Service. Bar Pilots have been using this land since 1940 under a Special Lease Permit agreement, sometimes having to renew the permit on a year-to-year basis. The National Park Service, the Bar Pilots, and local authorities have worked together to draft this language which will save all parties involved time and paperwork. Additionally, the language protects the integrity of the park and Fort Pulaski National Monument. The language explicitly states that the rental fee paid by the Bar Pilots will be based on a fair market value and be subject to change by the Secretary of the Interior if property preservation, maintenance, or repair require increased outlays. This bill is identical to H.R. 4773, also titled the For Pulaski National Monument Lease Authorization Act, which passed the House during the 111th Congress. I thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Lujan for their support of S. 535, and I urge my colleagues to pass the bill.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the Chairman. The REINS Act provides powerful, commonsense regulatory reform. It reins in the costly overreach of Federal agencies that stifles job creation and slows economic growth. If we want to have jobs, we have to help the job creators. This bill restores the authority to impose major regulations on those who are accountable to the voters, their elected Representatives in Congress. Opponents of the bill resist it for two primary reasons. They say, number one, it takes too much time for Congress to approve or disapprove major regulations. Secondly, they say Congress isn't expert enough to understand whether major regulations should be approved or disapproved. Both objections amount to one thing: their belief that Congress cannot be responsible and accountable for major decisions that affect America's economic life. Fortunately, the Framers of the Constitution saw things differently, and so do most Americans. The Constitution gives Congress the Federal authority to regulate the economy, not the unelected bureaucrats. If the Constitution gives the authority to Congress, then Congress should be willing to accept the responsibility and the accountability for these decisions. We should and we will take the time. We should and we will hold hearings. We should and we will allow amendments on the floor and votes and, most importantly, Mr. Chairman, transparency, something that the job creators are not being allowed right now. This administration has admitted its failure to consider the costs and the benefits when it imposes major new regulations. This administration clearly intends to force through the regulatory process things that they cannot achieve in the people's Congress. They do not want the transparency. They do not want the constituent input, and they do not want to have the hearings where experts from all over the country can give balanced testimony. The American people struggle enough under the Obama administration's failed economic policy. It's time for Congress to say, Enough. I urge my colleagues to vote for the REINS Act. Let's help the job creators and vote ``yes.''

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Georgia Olive Farms for successfully harvesting the first olive crop in the eastern United States in nearly 125 years. An Italian vacation inspired Jason Shaw to envision olives being grown in, of all places in the world, South Georgia. To make his vision a reality, he partnered with his brother Sam Shaw and cousin Kevin Shaw and the trio planted their first olive orchard near Lakeland, Georgia in 2008. They later established a cooperative association with George Hughes and Berrien Sutton of Homerville, Georgia to create Georgia Olive Farms. Georgia Olive Farms was organized in 2009 near Lakeland, Georgia to establish and develop the innovative agricultural venture of mechanical olive harvesting. In September, they successfully harvested approximately three tons of arbequina olives to be processed into high quality extra virgin olive oil. This harvest marks a milestone in southern agriculture, as this was the first harvest of olives in not just the south, but in the entire eastern United States since the late 1800s. In addition to harvesting, they are a distributor of olive trees and offer grower contracts for others who may wish to expand this historical venture in order to introduce olives as a new viable cash crop for southern farmers. Georgia Olive Farms' innovative techniques and information sharing have potential implications for some of our country's great problems. Georgia Olive Farms has developed a new market which will create a new revenue source for farmers, create new employment opportunities, and expand agricultural innovations and inspirations. Moreover, the new market for olives will increase the production of olive oil made here in America. As such, American-made olive oil can finally be a significant and healthy alternative to the standard cooking oils that are correlated with the high rates of obesity and health concerns plaguing this country. Georgia Olive Farms now exists as a reminder that the innovations and visions of small businesses do in fact provide the answers to many of our country's great questions and that we must obligate ourselves to supporting them.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I think there are four things the United States of America needs to do to turn the economy around. Number one, we need to balance the budget. We can do this on a bipartisan basis just by reducing the duplications in government and the overlap between State functions and Federal functions; also getting through the waste, and then trimming off 1 percent over time to bring revenues and spending at the same level. Right now spending is at 23 percent. Revenues historically have been at 18 percent. Common sense says you need to balance those out. Number two, we need to get rid of the regulatory overload on businesses that are creating the jobs right now. Change regulations from an ``I gotcha'' mentality to one that ``we're here to help because we're in it together,'' for worker safety, environmental protection or whatever. We can do a lot just by changing the attitude of the regulators. Number three, we need tax reform, tax simplification so that taxes are fair. The Tax Code needs to be a half an inch deep and miles and miles wide so that everyone is participating. Let's get rid of the underbrush, all the loopholes. Number four, and finally we need to drill our own oil. We cannot keep importing 65 percent of our oil. We need to have an all-of-the-above energy policy.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman from Virginia. An amendment to the United States Constitution should never be taken lightly. It is a sacred and profound document. Well, 15 years ago when Mr. Goodlatte and I and a number of others first came to town, we voted to amend that Constitution. We were joined not only by all of the Republicans but by 72 Democrats. Now some of those very 72 who voted ``yes'' have changed their minds. We're hearing the same old arguments: Social Security and Medicare. When all else goes wrong in Democrat liberal land, you start scaring seniors, children, teachers, first responders, critical programs, and saying whatever the bill is, this bill threatens them. Well, the worst thing you could do to Social Security and Medicare is to go broke. And since that vote 15 years ago when it failed in the Senate by one single Member, we have accumulated $9.2 trillion in debt. Balancing the budget is what 49 States do, what every city does, what businesses and families do. It's a matter of survival. It's not a radical concept. Oh, don't the people in Greece wish that they had a balanced budget all those many years? And what of their Social Security and Medicare programs right now? What will happen to the seniors in Greece without those critical programs? If their government had done the prudent thing, the right thing, just as we tried to do 15 years ago, what a different picture it would be in Greece. But Greece is not alone in trying to defy the laws of financial gravity. America seems to be doing it. For every dollar we spend, 40 cents is borrowed. And yet we are choosing to ignore all the many red flags that are around us. But when the whole thing goes broke and melts down, won't our children say, What were you thinking? Mr. Speaker, this vote today is not about the next election. It is truly about the next generation. Vote ``yes.''

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank Chairman Rogers for the time. I've enjoyed working with him and Ranking Member Dicks, and also the ranking member of our Subcommittee on Agriculture, FDA, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the gentleman from California, Mr. Sam Farr. We've held 11 hearings, and we've had probably about 25 hours worth of debate on the floor in which over 50 amendments were offered. This bill is a prime example of what can happen when we get back to regular order. It was an open process, passed by the subcommittee, full committee, and then finally by the House floor. The bill is $350 million below FY11 in the discretionary portion, and $2.5 billion lower than the President's request for FY12. It is compliant with the Budget Control Act, and a step to show both regular order, compromise and moving us towards a balanced budget. I also wanted to point out something, Mr. Speaker, that the mandatory portion of this bill is tremendous. Our discretionary total on agriculture is $19.77 billion, but the mandatory is $116.9 billion. School lunch and breakfast and the SNAP program are $98.5 billion alone. If we do not get control of the mandatory spending, we will never be able to balance the budget. So I urge all Members of Congress to be cognizant of that and work in the important authorizing committees to do some of the reform. This bill was successful in eliminating a Federal program that goes back to World War I, the mohair subsidy; and that actually was a program designed to get more wool for the World War I soldiers' uniforms. And Ronald Reagan famously said, if you don't believe in resurrection, try killing a government program. And yet, today, the mohair program does get eliminated. We also reduced the BCAP program, which was something that our committee has been very concerned about the out-of-control spending on it. We've restrained the CFTC with some important bipartisan language regarding user exemptions and cost-benefit analysis. And we have urged the FDA to stay on its core missions, and we hope that the authorizing committees will look at medical device and drug approval time and transparency so that the FDA can work closer with the providers and the manufacturers rather than in an antagonistic point of view. We've balanced school safety, inspection, ag research with the many demands that are out there. We have worked with Secretary Vilsack, Dr. Hamburg at FDA, and Mr. Gensler at the CFTC; and we've had an open process throughout the year. So I urge my colleagues to vote for this and pass this bill. But I also wanted to say thank you to the great staff on both sides. Martin Delgado, head clerk on the majority side; along with Tom O'Brien, Betsy Bina, Andrew Cooper and Allie Thigpen and Mike Donal; and then on the minority side, working for Mr. Farr, Martha Foley, Matt Smith, Troy Phillips and Rochelle Dornatt. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, October 4, 2011. Hon. Gary Gensler, Chairman, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Washington, DC. Hon. Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, Washington, DC. Hon. Mary L. Schapiro, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, DC. Hon. Martin J. Gruenberg, Acting Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, DC. Dear Chairmen Gensler, Schapiro, Bernanke and Acting Chairman Gruenberg: As authors of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203) (Wall Street Reform Act), we commend your work implementing Title VII of this important new law. We have an enormous opportunity to set a new global standard for the operation of an efficient, transparent and well-regulated derivatives market. It is in a spirit of support for your efforts that we write with suggestions for how to avoid some unintended consequences that could undermine this objective. As you know, the existing $600 trillion derivatives market operates as an integrated global market, despite the jurisdictional determinations made in Title VII between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is our hope that the two agencies will work closely and collaboratively together and that the new swap regulations can be sequenced and implemented in a logical, coordinated manner that encourages compliance and market competition. Given the global nature of this market, U.S. regulators should avoid creating opportunities for international regulatory arbitrage that could increase systemic risk and reduce the competitiveness of U.S. firms abroad. Congress generally limited the territorial scope of Title VII to activities within the United States. This general rule should not be swallowed by the law's exceptions, which call for extraterritorial application only when particular international activities of U.S. firms have a direct and significant connection with or effect on U.S. commerce, or are designed to evade U.S. rules. We are concerned that the proposed imposition of margin requirements, in addition to provisions related to clearing, trading, registration, and the treatment of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. institutions, all raise questions consistent with Congressional intent regarding Title VII. Moreover, U.S. regulators should work with other international regulators to seek broad harmonization of appropriately tough and effective standards. This can be accomplished by an appropriate staging of the adoption or implementation of our rules abroad. Should current harmonization efforts ultimately fail or prove a race to the bottom that would undermine effective regulation, the U.S. would of course reserve the right to proceed to extend the application of its standards to overseas operations. In addition, as you proceed through the rule-making process, we urge you to respect Congress' intent to protect the ability of end users and pension plans to use swaps in a cost-effective manner. In particular, Congress recognized the need to allow pension funds, states, municipalities and other ``special entities'' to continue to use swaps by expressly rejecting the imposition of a fiduciary duty for swap dealers that is legally incompatible with their legitimate role as market-makers. The withdrawal of the Department of Labor's rules on a fiduciary duty under ERISA gives the agencies an opportunity to work together to prevent such adverse results. We urge you to work to revise the proposed rules in a way that avoids unintended consequences. As one of the first countries to propose new financial rules following the 2008 crisis, the world is closely watching what we do. As you revise and finalize the proposed rules, we look forward to working together to support your important work in a way that keeps our financial markets the envy of the world. Sincerely, Senator Tim Johnson, Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Congressman Barney Frank, Ranking Member, U.S. House Committee on Financial Services.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I think there are three things that we need to do in America in order to increase jobs and economic growth. Number one, we've got to drill our own oil. If you drive a car or if you use goods and services that come to you by a vehicle using an internal combustion engine, somebody had to drill for that gas. Now, do you really believe that Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and Libya are more environmentally sensitive than we are? Of course not. We can do it in an environmentally sensitive way and become oil independent. Secondly, we need to have tax simplification. I'm outraged when I hear about people not paying their fair share of taxes. We need to have a Tax Code that is a half-an-inch deep and miles and miles wide so that everybody is paying their fair share. Then, thirdly, we need to change the regulatory environment. Regulators don't need to approach businesses with an ``I gotcha. I'm against you'' attitude, but as more of a partnership--``Hey, we want to work with you on worker safety and environmental protection and product liability laws''--and things like this so that we can work for business and nurture responsible corporate citizenship. I think we can do that, and that will increase our jobs and our economic growth.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and accomplishments of Bobby Thomson, a baseball legend and pillar of his community. Bobby Thomson was born in 1923 in Glasgow, Scotland, the youngest of 6 children and emigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings in 1925 to join his father in Staten Island, New York. He grew up in Staten Island and quickly became a baseball standout both in school athletic leagues and on the city's sandlots. After graduating from high school in 1942, he signed with the New York Giants for $100 a month. Despite his fledgling professional baseball career, Bobby Thomson left the Giants in 1943 to enlist in the Army Air Corps and trained as a bombardier in Victorville, California, and served until 1945. After leaving the Army Air Corps he rejoined the New York Giants and became a starter by 1947. He played with the Giants through 1953 with a batting average of .279 and an average of 25 home runs and 94 runs batted in (RBI) each season. He had a career-best season in 1949 with a .309 batting average, 27 home runs, and 109 RBI. On October 3, 1951, Bobby Thomson hit what became known as ``The Shot Heard 'Round the World.'' It was in the the bottom of the ninth inning in the deciding game of a playoff for the National League pennant. The New York Giants were trailing the Brooklyn Dodgers two runs to four and there were runners on second and third. Thomson stepped up and proceeded to knock Dodger pitcher Ralph Branca's second pitch down the left-field line and over the fence for a game- and pennant-winning three run home run. The ``Shot Heard 'Round the World'' was so spectacular that it caused WMCA-AM broadcaster Russ Hodges to famously exclaim, ``The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the left-field stands! The Giants win the pennant and they're goin' crazy, they're goin' crazy!'' Forever the humble hardworker, Bobby Thomson continued his baseball career through 1963 and thereafter worked as a sales executive in order to, in his own words, ``stay home more with my wife and daughter and live a normal life.'' His integrity, work ethic, and positive outlook helped him excel in private business and led him to become involved in nonprofit foundations, such as New Jersey Arthritis Foundation, Tomorrow's Children Fund, and the Optimist Club. In 2006, he moved to Savannah, Georgia, to be closer to his daughter and he quickly made friends in the community due to his warm demeanor and he continued to live the life of a humble living legend, father, uncle, and grandfather. After a long and fruitful life, Bobby Thomson passed away during the evening of August 16, 2010, in his Skidaway Island home in Savannah at the age of 86. We commend Bobby Thomson on his outstanding baseball career and his famous three run home run known as the ``Shot Heard 'Round the World'' and express admiration for the devotion of Bobby Thomson to various charities and nonprofit foundations after his retirement from baseball.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, last year the brains over at the EPA, in all their wisdom, came out with the conclusion that since milk comes from animal fat and fat has oil in it, therefore milk is a hazardous substance. And so if a dairy farmer has a spill in a milk tank, they have to have a hazardous substance evacuation plan. It was so ridiculous that Democrats and Republicans alike worked to repeal the law. This is just one of the crazy examples that we see day after day from the bureaucracy in Washington, and it's one reason why businesses aren't investing in new jobs. There is a lot of money on the sideline right now because of regulatory uncertainty. Businesses need to know the rules of the game in order to engage. Right now there's no motivation to do it. There is a beer brewery, and they came up with a beer called St. Paulie's Liquid Wisdom, just a whimsical kind of name. But what did Uncle Manny say? You can't have that name because it's a medical claim. That is the state of job killing in this administration. I invite you to go to jobs.gop.gov to learn more.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize George Holtzman for eighteen years of service to the Georgia Real Estate Commission. A graduate of North Carolina State University, George is the Co-Owner and Broker of Coldwell Banker Holtzman in Hinesville, Georgia. George is also the President of the Holtzman Insurance Agency, Holtzman Real Estate Services, the Holtzman School of Real Estate, and All American Storage and U-Haul in Hinesville, Georgia. Previously, George has served as President of the Hinesville Area Board of Realtors and as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Georgia Association of Realtors. George was later appointed by Governor Zell Miller to the Georgia Real Estate Commission, where he was elected Chairman. In addition to his commitment to the Georgia Real Estate community, George has dedicated his life to helping others and serving the community. A United States Army Vietnam Purple Heart Recipient Veteran, George was presented the coveted United States Army's Patriotic Civilian Award for his continuous and unselfish support of the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield community. Additionally, George has served as a Military Liaison for the Hinesville Military Affairs Committee. Throughout Mr. Holtzman's years of community involvement, he has served as the President of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Coastal Empire Association of the United States Army, President of the Bradwell Institute Band Boosters, President of a local Rotary Club, and was also appointed to the Coastal Bank Board of Directors. This list of achievements is just a small representation of Mr. Holtzman's community involvement. I congratulate George on his many years of service. He has devoted his life and time to helping others and continues to make invaluable contributions to the Real Estate community and the state of Georgia. I wish him many more years to come.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reverend Carl Scott Gilliard for twenty-eight years of service to the Savannah, Georgia community. Reverend Gilliard, a native of Savannah, has been diligently working to make Georgia a better place through his leadership, community service and passion. Reverend Gilliard has dedicated his life to helping others and serving his community. A graduate of Alfred Ely Beach High School and Morris Brown College, he first became active in civic affairs in 1984 when he served as the youth coordinator for the presidential campaign of Reverend Jesse Jackson. After working with Reverend Jackson, Pastor Gilliard began his public affairs talk show, ``Tell It Like It Is,'' which became the number-one rated radio program for ten consecutive years. In 1995, Reverend Gilliard was ordained and served as pastor of the Miracle Christian Life Center for six years until he was appointed President of the Georgia Coastal Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Throughout Reverend Gilliard's years as a community activist, he has led a variety of successful efforts to improve the lives of his fellow citizens, including founding the Chatham County Youth Commission, chairing Unity in Our Community, starting the Savannah Out Marching Against Drugs movement, and organizing prayer vigils throughout Savannah. Currently, Reverend Gilliard is the Host of ``The Urban Journal.'' In addition, Reverend Gilliard is the CEO of Savannah Feed the Hungry where twice a week he offers a short message of encouragement and prayers to the hundreds who come seeking food at the newly opened Life Center. I congratulate Reverend Gilliard on his many years of service. He has devoted his life and time to helping others and continues to make invaluable contributions to the city of Savannah and the state of Georgia, and I wish him many more years to come.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, Americans have had to tighten their belts. All around the country, American families have had to decide what is important to them and to divide their needs from their wants. Washington, D.C., has to do that. We have to have not just a balanced approach, we need to have a balanced budget. We need to cut our spending, we need to control our spending, and we need to have accountability so that when Washington politicians make decisions, that the families back home can take a look at it and decide what are the consequences of these decisions. Now, there have been a lot of consequences that America has suffered because of the failed economic policies of President Obama. One must ask him- or herself, when will President Obama admit that his stimulus program was a failure? When will the President admit that the consequences of his health care mandate has killed jobs? When will President Obama admit that Cash for Clunkers wasn't such a great idea? And, most importantly, when will President Obama admit that it's a failure of leadership not to present a plan to balance the budget to Congress? We need to see the President's plan. Today, we will be voting on yet another Republican proposal to cut spending and control spending and give accountability to our process, but we have yet to have a bill introduced by the President of the United States. And keep in mind, before he was President, as a Senator, he voted against increasing the debt ceiling, siting a lack of leadership. Today, the bill that we will be considering cuts spending now. It also controls spending because it has an across-the-board trigger that if we spend too much money, there will be a cut.

Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, these cuts are real. They are measurable. This is what the American people need to know, something that is accountable. This puts in place a 10-year budget. The United States Senate, under Harry Reid's leadership, has not had a budget in 3 years. There's no end to their spending without a budget. American families have budgets. Why doesn't the U.S. Senate? So this bill puts in accountability, 10 years' worth of accountability. It puts in controls in spending, across-the-board triggers. And finally, it has cuts to it. Again, Madam Speaker, American families have had to tighten their belts. Washington must do the same thing, and that's what we're doing here today. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I must begin, Mr. Speaker, by asking, do you have the President's plan? Or perhaps, do any of the Democrats over there have the President's plan? I keep hearing that this plan is not a good one; it's not a compromise; it hasn't been vetted. I would like to see the President's plan. That way, I can sit down with a cheat sheet and compare the President's plan with the plan of Senator Reid, with the plan proposed by Speaker Boehner. There's nothing, nothing but silence. How long has he been President? Nearly 3 years. He knew the debt crisis was looming out there. He knew that there would be a debate about the debt ceiling. Indeed, as a Senator, in 2006, Barack Obama voted ``no'' to a debt ceiling increase, citing lack of leadership. Well, surely since that moment in 2006, he knew he would have to be dealing with the debt ceiling. He knew Medicare needed reform. He knew that Social Security needed reform. He continued the war, which he campaigned against. He continued the Bush tax cuts, which he now cries is the whole problem, that that's why we're in this situation. It's even more appalling, Mr. Speaker, when you read his statement, July 12, just a few weeks ago, ``I cannot guarantee that those checks''--speaking of Social Security checks--will ``go out on August 3 if we haven't resolved this issue because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it.'' That's what the President believes, but he has no plan? How can he face the seniors of the United States of America?

Mr. KINGSTON. How can he say to the seniors of America, I might not be able to pay you your Social Security, and then not offer a plan? Well, God bless the Speaker, and God bless the people who have, in good faith, engaged in this discussion and offered plans. Indeed, the Republicans have already passed one plan, Cut, Cap, and Balance. The Senate, in their cowardliness, tabled it, refused to even vote on it. In fact, this was the same Senate who rejected the President's budget 97-0. Today we offer a second plan. If the Democrats have a plan, let them put it on the table. If the President has a plan, let us look at it so we can compare.

Mr. KINGSTON

Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, our guest chaplain today is Mr. Rick Postell from Brunswick, Georgia. Rick is a native of Gastonia, North Carolina, and received his BS in business management from Troy State University and later a master's degree in theology from Beacon University in Columbus, Georgia. He currently lives in Brunswick, Georgia, with his wife, Amy, and their three children. After graduating from school, Rick served in the United States Air Force base at Moody Air Force from 1981 to 1986. He traveled extensively well in the Air Force and worked on the aircraft maintenance unit while at Moody facilitating F-4 Phantom aircraft. After his service in the Air Force, Rick served in the United States Post Office from 1986 to 2000. And then he joined the staff of Christian Renewal Church in Brunswick. He currently teaches religious studies at Heritage Christian Academy in Brunswick and has served as guest chaplain not only with us here today but in the Georgia State legislature on the Senate and on the House side. He travels extensively and has been to Mexico many times on mission trips. His wife, Amy, is with him today along with 18-year-old Sam and 16-year-old Charlie and 14-year-old Hayley. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome with me Pastor Rick Postell.