Daniel Kildee

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bay City, Michigan, on the occasion of their 150th anniversary. Westminster's sacred story began on August 23, 1865, when 15 members organized a new Presbyterian Church in the Village of Wenona. On the same day a cornerstone was laid for a house of worship on two lots donated by Henry W. Sage on Catherine St. The house of worship for ``The First Presbyterian Society of the Township of Bangor'' was completed and dedicated on December 3, 1865 under the leadership of Missionary Donald B Campbell. His mission complete, Rev. Campbell left in 1868 and Rev. Elihu Turney Sanford became the first ordained minister of the new church. Westminster has been privileged to be led by a number of very capable leaders over the past 150 years, to include our current minister Rev. Matthew Schramm, who had the honor of serving as a guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives in the summer of 2014. In 1872, the name of the church was changed to the ``First Presbyterian Church of Wenona'', and finally in 1882 to ``Westminster Presbyterian Church.'' Also in 1882 plans were drawn for a new worship facility. Once again Henry W. Sage came forward and donated four lots on Midland St where the church is presently located. On Christmas Day in 1883, the congregation worshipped in their new semi-gothic style church. In 1958, ground was broken for a new Fellowship Hall, classrooms and a kitchen, and in 1969 the congregation endorsed a building program for the existing Sanctuary with formal dedication ceremonies in September 1970. In 2015, Westminster will begin its next 150 years with a campaign to update the facility for future generations. The congregation has been active in ministry and service for 150 years. From working in USO activities, collecting metal for scrap drives, and sending care packages to servicemen during the war years, to hosting literacy programs for children and adults, serving free hot meals to those in need, and providing quality Christian education for all ages today, Westminster is well known in Bay City for its community focus. The church is proud to have been a charter organization for the Boy Scouts for over 50 years, and to open its doors for programs ranging from job training for special needs young adults to music and theatre rehearsal, and to provide meeting space for countless community organizations. Westminster has been a proud partner with the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission in Bay City since its inception. Not only has the church been an annual supporter during each of the mission's ten years of operation, it was instrumental in the construction and opening of the men's wing of the mission in 2008. In 2015 Westminster helped sponsor the mission's annual Golf Challenge Fund Raiser, which earned a near record $73,000 to provide a place of hope and care for the needy in and around Bay City. Westminster actively supports missions in Niger, India, Zambia, Thailand, and the Middle East, while also supporting disaster relief efforts throughout the world. Both pastors and members of the congregation have assumed an active role in leading the Lake Huron Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly. Through partnering with quality programs and organizations, sharing fellowship and service, inspiring teaching and worship, and outwardly- focused and selfless mission, Westminster seeks to further its own legacy of hope and care in Bay City since 1865, and looks forward to the next 150 years serving God and humanity, sharing the love of Jesus through faith, hope and love, with an open and genuine spirit. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work done by the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bay City and thank them for the service they have provided to the community.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the veterans of the Vietnam War on the 50th anniversary of the start of the conflict. U.S. ground combat operations began in South Vietnam in 1965, with the last troops being pulled out in May 1975. Over three and a half million Americans served in Vietnam during that period, and more than 58,000 lost their lives. It is my honor to recognize the veterans of Vietnam and their families for their patriotism and sacrifice. While this anniversary presents a clear opportunity to remember the sacrifices of our veterans, I want to make sure our nation does not forget their contributions in the generations to come. The immense perseverance and bravery of our soldiers both in the face of conflict and in the decades following exemplify the American commitment to service and democracy. We owe these veterans our profoundest gratitude. I would particularly like to recognize the contributions of Michigan veterans. Over 400,000 men and women of our state served in the Vietnam War, with 2,654 paying the ultimate sacrifice. On July 18th, we honor our state's veterans at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. It is my honor to represent many of these men and women, and my duty to respectfully preserve their memories with the same dedication with which these veterans defended our freedoms. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the veterans of Vietnam and extend my deepest appreciation to them for their years of service to our great country.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I met with business owners and the Chamber of Commerce back home in Michigan to discuss what actions we can take here in Congress to create jobs and to boost our economy. One action that came up is that Congress could immediately act to bring up legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. It was clear to these businessowners Michigan jobs are at risk if Ex- Im is permanently shuttered. This bank, the Ex-Im Bank, supports over a million U.S. jobs, thousands of small businesses, across the country. Sadly, the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, which has been supported for over 80 years by Democrats and Republicans in this House and in the White House, has become a victim of Washington's partisan gridlock, and it is Michigan's businesses and workers and workers all across this country that are paying the price for Congress' unwillingness to take this up. Nearly every developed country, including China, has an export credit agency of some type. Ex-Im cannot be allowed to expire. American jobs are at risk. Let's reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, overnight, House Republicans have dramatically and inexplicably reversed their position on taking down this terribly divisive symbol, the Confederate battle flag. While they initially allowed House Democrats' amendments to remove this symbol from our national parks, late last night, they allowed an amendment on voice, which was challenged. I will be on the floor for a rollcall later today to keep--believe it or not--keep the Confederate flag as a symbol for sale and for display in America's national parks. Of course, this morning's headlines, the scathing headlines, tell it all: ``House GOP takes step back on Confederate flags.'' Unbelievable--it is a shame. It is really a shame that House Republicans last night, very late last night, without warning, attempted to turn back important progress on taking down this terrible and divisive symbol. This, of course, happens just weeks--days, literally--after nine Americans were slain in an historic Black church in Charleston, South Carolina. A terrible and tragic massacre committed by an evil individual, who wrapped himself in that very symbol, and celebrated the hate that it stood for. I attended the funeral of Reverend Clementa Pinckney and, with other Members of Congress, grieved with that community in their pain. I saw that community asking themselves a question: Why, why does that hateful symbol, that flag, continue to fly over their State capitol? On the same day that the South Carolina Legislature expressed the will of its people and the American people and voted overwhelmingly to take down this horrible symbol, on the same day that South Carolina voted to take down that hateful symbol, a Member of this House of Representatives came to this floor and offered an amendment to preserve that symbol in America's national parks--what a shame. Amazon, Walmart, and Sears all have taken that symbol out of their stores and no longer sell it; but the Republican leadership allowed and would have allowed on voice vote an amendment to stand that would preserve the right to have that symbol sold in our national parks--what a shame. I hope the American people are watching and paying attention to this because it is a moment of truth, I think, for this Congress. I hope and I pray that Democrats and Republicans--I know the feelings of the Democratic Caucus; we spoke about it this morning--but I hope will be joined by Republicans on the other side in turning back this awful amendment that would say horrible things about the progress that we hope that we had made just in the last few weeks. I ask Americans to join us. Use social media, #takeitdown. Express yourself. Join with us in rejecting this horrible symbol of hate. Let's take it down.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, on July 31, the highway and transit trust fund will expire. So what does the expiration of the trust fund mean to America, to American families? It means the potential loss of over 600,000 jobs. It means the cancelation of major infrastructure projects. In fact, I heard this morning that five States have already canceled or delayed major projects because of Congress' lack of ability to do its work. My home State of Michigan, we know more than anyplace that if we invest in our roads and bridges and rails, we grow our economy. Other nations, instead of planning months ahead, are planning years ahead and building infrastructure. China, for example, is spending 10 times what we are as a percentage of their GDP on infrastructure. Meanwhile, back in May, instead of thinking about the decades to come and hundreds of thousands of jobs, this Congress passed a 2-month extension, a self-imposed, manmade crisis, governing crisis to crisis on every big issue that we deal with. We can't let this happen. This Congress needs to do its job. We need to come together in a bipartisan way--we can do it--and pass an extension of the highway trust fund that invests in America and puts American workers back to work rebuilding this country. If we don't do this, we cannot expect our economy to grow. Congress has to act.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, at the end of this month, the highway and transit trust fund will expire, which would be devastating to our country's competitiveness and threaten 660,000 American jobs and thousands of projects to rebuild America's roads, rails, and bridges. We can't let this happen, not during the middle of the summer construction season for sure. That is why Congress, Democrats and Republicans, really have to work together in a bipartisan fashion to pass a plan to invest in our Nation's infrastructure, our roads, our rails, and our bridges. Right now, as a percentage of GDP, China is spending 10 times what we are on infrastructure. They are investing in their future. Meanwhile, here at home, we can't even act to extend the highway trust fund, let alone adopt a 21st century plan that invests in our future, invests in America, and rebuilds this Nation in a way that puts people to work and makes us more competitive. How are we supposed to compete with China if we can't even rebuild our own roads and bridges? We need to act together. Mr. Speaker, the time has long passed. Let's act today.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, other than to say that I will continue to press every opportunity I have to find a way to help these communities. I understand the gentleman's point of order, and I will continue to work with him and any other Member of this body that will help me find a path forward to help communities like this community of Flint that is really struggling to deliver clean water to its residents.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, my hometown of Flint, Michigan, has endured decades of job loss and population loss through the slow, painful erosion of our manufacturing base. Previous trade deals, population shifts, bad land use management, and trade deals like NAFTA, for example, have accelerated the job losses in my hometown. That has had the effect of reducing local revenues, creating lower housing prices, less local services, and less investments in things that matter the most, like infrastructure, including our own water system. To reinvest in those places costs money that the cities don't have. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund was specifically designed to assist communities with maintaining and improving water infrastructure. This fund provides critical support to ensure safe, clean drinking water is available in our communities. Many of us represent communities, however, that have outstanding loans issued under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund from prior to 2009, and those loan funds are ineligible for certain types of help because of the timing of those loans. In Flint, our current water system loses over a third of the treated water due to decades-old delivery systems before it even reaches the faucets in homes and businesses. This city has relied on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to improve this system, but the challenge and the cost is immense. The cost is even more daunting when the city is working to pull itself out of an economic downturn that has lasted not just a few years, but has lasted decades. So we should, as Congress, give these communities the tools that they need to build bridges and roads, to fix their aging water systems, and bring, most importantly, economic development. My amendment would be an important step to doing this. First, it would allow current revolving loan funds to be used to provide loan forgiveness to cities that have outstanding loans, regardless of the date of the incurrence of that loan. Prior to 2009, those loans are not eligible for loan forgiveness. Loans incurred after 2009 are actually eligible for forgiveness. So the first option, we would like to see those pre-2009 loans eligible for forgiveness. Second, the option to use new funds to provide loan forgiveness on prior loans is limited because these cities have had--this amendment would limit that loan forgiveness to cities that have had significant financial problems due to population loss, cities that have had a population loss of more than 15 percent since 1970 and also have a high rate of abandoned and vacant buildings--basically, the cities that are in no position right now to finance improvements to their system just because of the level of abandonment, the level of population loss, and the revenue loss associated with it. Allowing financially distressed cities like Flint to have loans forgiven will bring some stability to these communities and allow them to better serve their residents. So I ask for support for this amendment to help communities across the country, like Flint, the backbone of the American economy in the 20th century, so that they can again become leaders in the 21st century. If we don't re-invest in those places and find ways to do that, we are going to have a difficult time having them join the economy in a way that really makes a difference for the people who live there. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. Point of Order

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, I stood on the steps of the Supreme Court as the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act was struck down. On a beautiful day in June, much like today, I stood there with the words ``Equal Justice Under Law'' inscribed on the top of the Court and celebrated a truly historic decision that finally, after decades of injustice, granted LGBT Americans the right to have their marriages recognized by the Federal Government. That day was even more important to me because I stood on those steps with many of my close friends and many of my staff whom I deeply care about, many of whom for the first time had their basic humanity recognized by the highest court in the land. I am looking forward again, in the next coming days, to stand on those same steps as the Supreme Court hopefully rules that every American has the constitutional right to marry the person they love. I am optimistic and hopeful that marriage equality will soon be the law of the land. As a vice chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, I am committed to continuing to provide Federal policies that recognize the rights of all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I thank my friend for yielding. He has his photo of the hydroelectric pump storage facility. His is from the right. I have a picture from the left. It is a different view, but it is the same facility. This is really important. I support this amendment. With electricity demands varying, as Mr. Huizenga said, throughout peak and nonpeak times, Michigan companies produce and store reserve energy in this facility for future use when demand is high, which provides, as was said, energy literally at a moment's notice, which is critical for grid stability and also critical to keep prices low for our consumers. This technology allows our companies to respond quickly when demand exceeds base load capacity, especially during extreme weather events such as heat waves and polar vortexes. The EPA has repeatedly recognized the need for large-scale storage facilities like Ludington's and how pumped hydroelectric storage can fill this role, but the EPA's proposed rule compliance formula does not include a way to calculate the benefits of pumped hydroelectric storage. With this amendment, we would like to encourage the EPA to address specifically how pumped hydroelectric storage will be counted in Michigan and other States, so the consumers will have access. This is important for Michigan.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, let's be clear, the Members on this side of the aisle-- the Democratic Party Members on this side of the aisle--completely understand what we are debating today. We know we are debating the rule on TPA, the same TPA which has been modified. As the gentleman has said, we are not debating TPP. The problem we have is, the trade promotion authority is intended to be the method by which this body, this Congress creates the parameters for negotiation of trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. And the reason that this has been difficult, this House and the Republican leadership, in particular, is trying to create a TPA that accommodates the already negotiated TPP. So while it is a good rhetorical argument to say we are not debating TPP, the fact of the matter is, the reason that there has been such a lack of willingness to consider any modification, any amendments to the TPA bill is because any change would not align with the already negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership. The reason, for example, that a bipartisan amendment that I and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Clawson) offered--with equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans, 22 of us--to deal with currency manipulation was not made in order is because it would not align with the already negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership. Most everybody agrees that it would be good policy, but this deal is already written. And now we are trying to back in a TPA bill that it will accommodate the TPP. So it is rather difficult for me to accept the argument that this TPA question has nothing to do with the Trans-Pacific Partnership when everybody in this House of Representatives knows that it has everything to do with it. The other thing that is important for us to keep in mind is that this is a worse piece of legislation than the bad one that came before the House last week. Because of the modifications to TPA that came through in the customs bill, as my colleagues have said, despite the fact that many on the other side have argued that our attempts to deal with climate change here in the U.S. alone will not be affected because it is not a global approach, when we have an opportunity to take a broader approach, representing 40 percent of the global economy and deal with climate change, we now have an absolute prohibition, a gag order where we can't talk about climate in the greatest opportunity we would have to deal with climate change; nor can we have even a weak provision regarding currency, which has been excised from the TPA. And, unbelievably, we will actually weaken our ability to deal with bad actors when it comes to human trafficking. This is shameful, it ought to be rejected.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, in 2 weeks, at a time when every American has anxiety about the economy and is wondering how he is going to make ends meet, in 2 weeks, the Export-Import Bank, absent action by this Congress, will be allowed to expire and cost this country and our economy hundreds of thousands of jobs. For the Record, let me read a comment by the President: Exports create and sustain jobs for millions of American workers and contribute to the growth and strength of the United States' economy. The Export-Import Bank contributes in a significant way to our Nation's export sales. That is a comment from the President, President Ronald Reagan. This is not an ideological debate between thoughtful participants in the legislative process. There are extreme voices for ideological purposes on the far right that oppose the Export-Import Bank and its work, but a majority of this Congress and a majority of the American people would like to see it reauthorized. We were sent here to do the people's work, and I think it is long past time for the majority of Congress to have its voice heard and for the majority of the American people to have its interests represented. We should reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and save hundreds of thousands of American jobs.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. I thank my friend from Colorado for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to the previous question in order to make in order a vote to reauthorize the Export- Import Bank. For Americans, the Export-Import Bank means jobs. It means economic growth. Failing to reauthorize Ex-Im threatens American jobs, threatens American businesses, threatens our economy. Supporting Ex-Im used to be a bipartisan issue. Just read a little history: Dwight Eisenhower supported it. Ronald Reagan supported it. If you want a more recent example, George W. Bush supported it. This never has been a partisan issue until just recently, where even the House leadership--the Speaker, I think, supports it--has now been captured by a small group of very far right-leaning ideologues to whom, apparently, much is owed because we can't get a floor vote on a piece of legislation supported by a majority of the House of Representatives that helps American business and helps American workers. What is wrong with this picture? This makes no sense whatsoever. The Export-Import Bank is an essential part of a growing economy, and particularly in supporting American businesses to grow their exports and put Americans to work. In my home State alone, 228 companies, $11 billion in export value, are at risk if we don't reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, and we have 5 days to do it. But we could do it in 5 minutes if we defeat the previous question, bring to the floor of the House legislation, H.R. 1031, that would reauthorize the Export-Import Bank through 2022. Let's let the will of the American people and, frankly, the will of a majority of the United States Congress, be manifest in our policy. A majority of Congress supports the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. Bring a vote to the floor of the House. Let's put America to work, support American business, support American workers, and support the Export-Import Bank.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is long past time for Congress to come together and pass a bold, bipartisan plan to rebuild our Nation's infrastructure. Right now, China is spending 10 times as a percentage of GDP what we are on infrastructure. They are making huge investments in roads, bridges, ports, and rail. Meanwhile, Congress has simply not acted to put us on a competitive path in this global economy. Now, a lot of debate has occurred here in the last weeks and days about our position in global trade, and we should have a trade deal that protects American jobs. Meanwhile, what are we doing about China outspending us on infrastructure, which makes us less competitive? How are we supposed to compete with them when we haven't done anything to deal with our crumbling roads and bridges that are essential to making our manufacturers competitive in delivering their products to market? It is time for bold action, big action on infrastructure, like the development of a national infrastructure bank that would leverage public capital with private capital to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges. Mr. Speaker, it is long past time for action. There is bipartisan support for this. We need to bring a big infrastructure bill to the floor of the House.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking Chairman Royce for his efforts on this resolution and my friend Ranking Member Engel, as well, for his efforts, along with the 201 Members of this body who have cosponsored this, most particularly Mr. Deutch, Mr. Huffman, and Mr. Labrador, who have worked with me and my staff in preparing this resolution. I want to speak briefly about Amir Hekmati, my constituent, a young man who is an American citizen, born in the United States, raised in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, served in the United States Marine Corps. He is a brother; he is a son; he is a Michigander. Back in 2011, for the first time, he traveled to Iran to visit his grandmother, as has been said. He notified the Iranian Government that he was going to Iran. He traveled under his own name. He disclosed his history as a member of the United States Marine Corps. He was in Iran for almost 3 weeks when he was apprehended. Initially tried and convicted and sentenced to death for espionage, that sentence was later set aside, but he continues to languish in Evin Prison, serving a 10-year sentence. I want the world to know about Amir. I want people to know his name, just as we want the world to know the names of Jason Rezaian, Saeed Abedini, and Bob Levinson. These are real people. Amir is a real person. He grew up in my hometown of Flint, like me, played high school hockey. It is important that we remember these names. These are individuals. They are not just pawns in a geopolitical struggle between Iran and the rest of the world. They are individuals. They are people. They have families. They feel pain. They suffer. Amir Hekmati has been in Evin Prison for 1,386 days. It is long past time for him to be reunited with his family. He has committed no crime; yet he continues to sit in that prison, in a dark cell. If Iran is serious about rejoining the community of nations, about being a member of the international community, they will release-- immediately release--Amir Hekmati and the other Americans that they hold. That is why it is so important that this House pass this resolution and speak for the American people with one voice. We have lots of disagreements in this place. There should be no question here in the United States, across the world, but especially within the Iranian Government and among the Iranian people, there should be no question that this body, this House of Representatives, which often disagrees, has no disagreement on the question of these Americans. If Iran wants to be taken seriously, if anything they do, if any engagement that they have with the world, whether it is a nuclear agreement or economic engagement, if any of that is to be legitimate, they cannot hold political prisoners; and they need to take action to release Amir Hekmati and the other Americans that they hold. Now, the fact that the P5+1 negotiations are underway does give us space for something that we haven't had in 35 years, and that is bilateral discussion on the sidelines of those nuclear agreements, but while it does provide the moment, there is one point that I do want to make, and others have spoken to this. It is difficult to imagine taking any agreement with them seriously as long as Iran holds these Americans, but it is also important that we keep in mind that we never want to be in a position where, as part of a transaction with Iran, we exchange the freedom of these Americans for a concession at the nuclear negotiating table, a concession that may make the world a less safe place. We don't want that, and I know that Amir Hekmati, through his family, has communicated to us that he does not want to be exchanged for anything. I think it is fair, as Members have said, that Congress considers all of Iran's behavior when considering any engagement with them, whether it is a nuclear agreement or anything else. When I have spoken to the President and the Vice President or Wendy Sherman or Samantha Power, our U.N. representative, I have made it clear to them that, while it is important that we get our Americans home, we don't want to see the world become a less safe place in exchange for the freedom of innocent people. They have agreed with that, and they have shared that with the Iranian Government at every opportunity.

Mr. KILDEE. I thank my friend. Simple point, Congress, today, will speak with one voice and say to the Iranian people, say to the world, that these Americans--this resolution will say, with absolute clarity, that if Iran expects to be treated as a member of the international community, they will unilaterally release these Americans. It would advance their cause, presumably, of joining the global community. It would send a strong message to the rest of the world and to the United States and to this Congress that they can and should be taken seriously, but it is very difficult to imagine doing that if they continue to hold Amir Hekmati and the other Americans they hold. I just want to reiterate my gratitude to Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel and the whole committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the whole House for their support of this. The families of these individuals, I know, appreciate it very deeply, and I do as well.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, House Republican leadership is, once again, threatening to bring us to the edge of yet another deadline that threatens American jobs and our very economy. There are just 7 days left for Congress to reauthorize the Export- Import Bank, a critical agency that gives American manufacturers and small businesses the tools and access to capital that they need to sell American-made goods overseas. It is how we grow our economy. Letting the Export-Import Bank expire endangers hundreds of thousands of good- paying jobs in the United States. In my home State of Michigan alone, 228 exporters with $11 billion in export value are at risk if Congress fails to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank. That will all end on June 30--no new support, no new loan guarantees, no new loans to help exporters sell goods across the country and keep Americans at work. It is reckless and it is irresponsible that we are facing another fiscal cliff. This is a cliff for our own manufacturers and our own economy. Mr. Speaker, a majority of this House of Representatives supports the Export-Import Bank. Let's vote this week to reauthorize the Export- Import Bank.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Donna Leitermann as she transitions from Bangor Township Treasurer to Bay City Treasurer. She will start her new career with the city on June 22, 2015. Ms. Leitermann began her work as a public servant as Deputy Treasurer in December 1992. Two years later, she was elected as Bangor Township Treasurer and continued to serve for five terms. Concurrent to serving as Bangor Township Treasurer, Ms. Leitermann was the treasurer of Bangor Township Downtown Development Authority and committee member of Bangor Township Department of Public Works. For two decades, there has not been a major infrastructure project in Bangor Township for which she was not responsible. Public servants like Donna Leitermann deserve respect and appreciation. Every day, she has done important work that has positively affected her community. Ms. Leitermann has also been a member and past president of the Bay County Treasurer's Association, member of the Michigan Treasurer's Association, and treasurer and board director of Bay Future of Bay County. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Donna Leitermann for her commitment to public service and thank her for diligently serving as Bangor Township Treasurer these past 21 years. I wish her all the luck as she begins a new chapter as Bay City Treasurer.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I come from Flint, Michigan. Flint, Michigan, was the birthplace of General Motors, a place that put the world on wheels. In the last couple of decades, it has seen 90 percent of our manufacturing jobs go away. Now, true, not all of them were lost because of bad trade deals, but many of them were. And bad trade deals have exacerbated that job loss and have ruined many parts of that community. I support, as virtually all of us do, expanded trade as a way of growing the U.S. economy. I am a member of the President's Export Council. This is something we have to do. But this TPA is not a ``yes'' or ``no'' question on whether we should expand trade. This TPA is flawed. It fails to address the most significant trade barriers hurting American manufacturers. It fails to address currency manipulation by our trading partners. And if we don't address the most significant barrier, how can we expect any trade deal to have the effect? All we have to do is look at the performance of past deals that have had similar flaws and we can see why we have failed. If we are going to engage in expanded trade, we have to do it right, in a way that deals with currency, that deals with labor obligations, that deals with environmental obligations.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the American Association of University Women Flint Branch on the occasion of their 95th anniversary. The AAUW Flint Branch was established in 1919 when 28 college- educated women formed a branch of the Western Association of Collegiate Alumnae. Throughout its history, the Flint Branch has actively supported regional, cultural, civic and educational programs and events. The group gathers several times per year through membership meetings and book club gatherings. The meetings have consisted of guest speakers who educate members and initiate conversation around important issues affecting women and the greater community. Funds are raised through various initiatives allowing the branch to build awareness and advocate for worthy causes not just with its voice but also through financial support. In 1922, an annual college scholarship of $200 was established for worthy women students. This fund was continued for four years. In 1972, the Flint branch reinstated the annual merit scholarship bestowed to a female student attending a college or university in Genesee County. The award is now $1,000 and is renewable one additional year to each recipient along with a new yearly recipient. The branch also provides financial support to the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund, the Legal Advocacy Fund, and the National Women's Council facilitated through the AAUW National office. Throughout the years, the Flint branch has been a strong supporter of Title IX and would keep area schools and athletic associations apprised of issues at the national level. The branch also actively supports non-profit organizations in Genesee County such as Carriage Town Mission, Whaley Children's Center and UM-Flint's MPowering My Success program. In the 1960s and 1970s the Flint branch of the AAUW organized large book sales at the Genesee Valley Mall to promote literacy and generate funds for its philanthropic endeavors. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work done by the AAUW Flint Branch and thank them for the service they have provided to the City of Flint and the surrounding communities.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, well, once again, the Republican leadership in Congress is bringing us to the brink, this time by endangering hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs by threatening the Export- Import Bank. The Export-Import Bank gives American manufacturers the tools that they need to sell U.S. goods overseas. That is direct and real support for American businesses and real jobs for American workers, and it is all at no cost to the taxpayers. For ideological reasons, this Bank could close by June 30 if Congress does not act. It is more of the same of this sort of reckless brinksmanship and irresponsible behavior that we have seen from the Republican leadership in Congress. One might ask: Why would you threaten hundreds of thousands of American jobs just to make an ideological point? If you want to make a point, send a letter; don't threaten the American worker to pursue an extreme ideological agenda. Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. Let's end the political games. Let's get back to the work we were sent here to do and support the Export- Import Bank and our small businesses and the hard-working Americans that depend upon that.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, Michigan, of all States, knows that we need to fix our crumbling roads and bridges if we are going to remain competitive as a nation. It is long past time, long overdue, for this Congress to rebuild our infrastructure, to pass legislation to fully fund, on an extended basis, the highway and transit trust fund bill. Unfortunately, instead of working on a big infrastructure bill, last month Congress passed a mere 2-month extension, an extension that gets us no further in repairing our Nation's crumbling infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are fed up with more delays instead of real action on road funding. No city and no State is going to move forward on major projects because Congress extended this fund by 60 days. No more temporary extensions. No more delays. Let's get to work on a bipartisan, long-term plan to invest in our Nation's roads, our bridges, and our ports. We have to believe in ourselves. We have to bet on the American worker and on American business. If we invest in infrastructure, they will pay us back with productivity.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church on the occasion of their 80th anniversary. Macedonia Ministry Baptist Church has been described as being unique in the sense that many of the descendants of the founders and early leaders of the church are still active members today. On May 9, 1935, a council of 16 men and women came together to organize a new Missionary Baptist church in the City of Flint. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Mack. In the 1940's, Rev. Ira Watkins led the congregation into a building fund campaign for the building of a new church. In 1953, they moved from their original storefront dwelling to their new building at 1116 Hickory Street. Rev. Watkins passed away in October of 1960, after serving 20 years as pastor. In December of 1960, the congregation elected Dr. J.C. Curry as its third pastor. Dr. J.C. Curry would become the church's longest serving pastor and was one of the original organizers of the Church-Security- in-Ministry initiative. After 41 years, Dr. Curry retired in 2001. The fourth pastor was Rev. Alfred L. Harris who led the congregation from 2002 to 2011. In June 2012, Bishop Neal Roberson was named as the new pastor. Pastor Roberson was honored to accept the assignment, stating he was grateful for the opportunity. For eight decades, the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church has worked tirelessly to help those in the community most in need. Residents of the area have come to rely on the Macedonia Ministry Baptist Church for such blessings as food baskets given to the impoverished during the holidays, ministerial services offered to inmates of the Genesee County Jail, and the annual Free Food Give-Away. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the tenacity of the Macedonia Ministry Baptist Church and thank them for the service they have provided to the City of Flint and surrounding communities.

Mr. KILDEE

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mr. Roy A. Dumont for his honorable service in the Second World War. Mr. Roy A. Dumont served the nation honorably in the United States Army 87th Infantry Division, the ``Golden Acorns,'' from 1942 through 1945. On this date, at the age of 92, Mr. Dumont traveled from his home in Flint, Michigan to Washington, D.C. in order to tour and pay homage at the World War II Memorial. To that effect, Mr. Dumont pays honor to the war to which he was a witness and remembers those known and unknown lost throughout the war. Therefore, he encourages all Americans to cherish and honor the sacrifice borne by our men and women in uniform from all theaters and eras. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Mr. Roy Dumont for his service and unyielding commitment to the nation.