Sander Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of an important community leader and a good friend, Jaroslaw Duzyj, who passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Mr. Duzyj was a leader of a very strong and vibrant Ukrainian community in Michigan, and was a founding member of the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, Michigan. He was born in 1923 in Peremysl, Ukraine and was one of 10 children. At the age of 19 he was arrested by the Nazis and sentenced to death. Miraculously, he survived five Nazi concentration camps before being liberated on April 15, 1945. Mr. Duzyj immigrated to the United States in 1949 with little money and limited ability to speak English. He found work at Ford Motor Company and began establishing strong roots in the community. He married his beloved wife, Olga and they went on to raise three children, and now have seven grandchildren. Throughout his life he continuously worked to promote Ukrainian causes and also display his love for America. His passion and unwavering dedication allowed him to participate in several unique and prestigious events. In 1991, he was invited to a personal audience with Pope John Paul II, and on his 70th birthday he received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from the Pope. He also had the distinct honor to meet with two sitting U.S. Presidents. In 1984, as former president of the Ukrainian-American Republican Association, he chaired a reception for President Ronald Reagan at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, and was a guest of President Bill Clinton at a state dinner honoring the president of the Ukraine. Mr. Duzyj also experienced personal success as a business owner, as he became co-owner and president of Cylectron, which made high- precision parts for rocket and aircraft engines. In 1992 he started a company called Envotech Systems, which builds mobile laboratories for the detection and control of nuclear matter in the environment. In 1995, he became a partner in Crocus Co. in Ukraine, a company that manufactured road building machinery. In 1996, Michigan Governor John Engler named him to Michigan's Bilateral Trade Team to the Ukraine. Mr. Duzyj cared deeply about higher education. He and Olga donated $100,000 to establish a fund at Harvard University to enable the Ukrainian Institute to publish significant works on the history of the Ukraine. He also published several books about Ukrainian history, geography, and the Ukrainian genocide of 1932-33. In 2005 he was honored as Ukrainian of the Year by the Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor for the role he played in the business community, with higher education and his church. The experiences Mr. Duzyj endured early in life and the triumphs and selflessness he displayed through his entire life are truly inspirational. Mr. Duzyj is a shining example of what the American success story is all about. Today, I join with Mr. Duzyj's family, friends and the extended family of the Ukrainian community, in both mourning his loss, celebrating his life and honoring him for all the good work he did for others.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. This is what is in the recovery package for Michigan families: Creating jobs for 519,000 unemployed in Michigan. I spoke to the electrical workers this morning, 40 percent of whom are unemployed, 2,000 individuals; 50 percent of iron workers, 1,200, are unemployed. This package has $1 billion for Michigan transportation and water infrastructure. This is just one example of the recovery package putting people to work. For the unemployed, an extension of unemployment benefits to an additional 161,000 unemployed workers and the historic expansion of TAA. For individuals in Michigan losing health care for the first time, some help to purchase health insurance. For Michigan schools, $2 billion to help make up for reduced State assistance. And for the State of Michigan, under immense budget strain, over $2 billion to shore up our Medicaid program. For the restructuring auto industry, $2 billion in grants to help develop and manufacture advanced batteries here in the U.S., incentives to buy new cars and a tax credit for the purchase of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Families in Michigan and everywhere are fearful for their jobs, for their health care, education, and the stability of their local communities. For the minority, they say they acknowledge the pain but they have no prescription, only wornout ideology. I will head home and look families straight in the eye and say the Federal Government is on your side, providing support during this downturn and making key investments for the future.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Well, for you, John--and I guess I'm not supposed to be directing my comments to a particular Member. To John Dingell and to Debbie Dingell, this is an emotional moment, but it is for all of us. To know John Dingell, one has to know his roots and his father's-- coming from an area that saw the middle class develop. Really, for many, for the first time, there were jobs that really paid. There was health care for so many for the first time. They were provided pensions for the first time, and in most cases, in many cases for the first time, provided for a single family house. For John Dingell, the automotive industry was not a special interest. It was an area that had interests that were special, and so John Dingell has never forgotten those roots. He has never forgotten the blossoming of the middle class and his determination to fight for it. John Dingell has never forgotten his roots. It is a good example for all of us. Another example has been that John Dingell was able to grow beyond his roots in a sense, to have a sense that there were underdogs virtually everywhere. So John Dingell came here, not only fighting for those who were part of a new middle class but for those who were not, and he had the courage, if one remembers, it was not so easy, to fight for the rights of every human being. As has been so often said, John Dingell's service here is more than the days numbered; it is the issues fought for with esteem and success. So this is an emotional moment for us all--as I said, for John and Debbie Dingell but, I hope, for all America--because his service has been a truly American service and story.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Your bill would eliminate that, when we need to build roads, fix bridges. And we talk about the auto industry and the need for a new industry with electric vehicles. And your proposal on the Republican side would eliminate $2 billion for battery development. It's really a sad day for you to come here with the same old tune.

Mr. LEVIN. I am really saddened to hear the Republican substitute. We have new challenges, and now we hear again the same old song; tax breaks, tax reductions. But the way they tailor it, a family with $30,000 would get what, less than 10 percent of a family that is making three times that? Unbalanced tax cuts. Mr. Camp, if I might, you and I have known each other for a long time. We are going to go back to Michigan. I think perhaps you won't go until the weekend. And here's what you're going to have to defend by trying to defeat our package. A reduction in health and education benefits for the State of Michigan of $2.2 billion, when our colleges are in trouble in terms of enrollment and our schools are in trouble in terms of providing a good education and school construction. You're going to have to go back to Michigan and say to at least 25,000 families that health care provided under the Democratic approach--and I hope it's a bipartisan approach--would be eliminated. And you're going to have to go back, and I use you, Mr. Camp, and it's true throughout this country. Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. LEVIN. I will do that. Because what I was saying about Michigan would be true throughout this country. Infrastructure in Michigan, we are providing over $1 billion. This is for Michigan.

Mr. LEVIN. The families today are in fear. I want to make this point. They are afraid, not only of losing their jobs, but education for their kids, and health care. Our proposal addresses these fears. Yours ignores them. I urge its defeat. Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chair, there is a crisis of confidence in our country. Much of it related to the meltdown that has occurred within the financial system. But there is also an uncertainty on the part of everyday people across this country about whether they will be able to maintain the basics in their lives. They wonder if the bottom is going to fall out from beneath their families. People are worried about their jobs and whether they will be able to meet the mortgage payment. This bill contains funds to create jobs by building roads, sewers, a new electric grid and other needed infrastructure. It also contains a tax cut for 95 percent of working Americans. People are worried about whether they'll have health insurance for themselves and their families. This bill provides a 65 percent subsidy for COBRA health care coverage for unemployed workers. There is another provision that will allow people to qualify temporarily for Medicaid until they find another job or alternative health care. It is estimated that these two provisions will provide health insurance to more than 8 million people. They are worried about the cutbacks they see happening in education and how it will affect their kids. And they wonder if they will be able to send their children to college. This bill contains funding for States and school districts to prevent deep cuts in critical education programs and modernize and repair schools. The bill also boosts Pell grants by $500 to make college more affordable. As much as anything, people are wondering whether the Federal Government is going to take action to help them--or will the old political divisions keep this Congress from taking effective action to help people in their daily lives. By passing this bill, we show that we will step up to the plate and help address these concerns. This bill is a first step. Other steps will be needed, but this recovery package is a good beginning. Vote for the bill.

Mr. LEVIN. Well, the opponents of this bill say there is a dramatic set of conditions that are new, but they have too narrow a focus, and they are singing the same old song, and we just heard it. There are crises of confidence in this country, and this bill addresses it. There's a crisis of confidence in jobs. This bill addresses the need for jobs and for those who lose them. Families are worried about the education of their kids, and they wonder whether the government will respond. This bill provides, I think, $140 billion to make sure that the education of the kids in this country will continue. Families are worried about whether health care will continue. This bill provides dramatic new provisions for health care for 8 million families, at least, in this country. Vote for this bill.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, some of the issues we debate in Congress are complicated. This one is quite simple. Americans want the children of this country covered by health insurance. The State Children's Health Insurance Program currently covers about 7 million children, including 114,000 kids in my home State of Michigan. However, there are still about 9 million children in our country who are uninsured. This is unconscionable. No mother should have to worry about whether she can pay for the health care her child needs. No father should have to take his son to the emergency room because he does not have insurance to visit a primary care doctor. No society should allow a child to go without the security health insurance provides. Congress passed two SCHIP bills last session. Both pieces of legislation were bipartisan, and both cleared the House and Senate with large majorities. Unfortunately, President Bush vetoed these bills. As economic conditions have worsened over the course of the last year and more and more children have lost health insurance, this bill has become even more vital to ensuring that children do not fall through the cracks of our current health care system. The legislation under consideration today would extend coverage to another 4 million low- income children. It is an important step toward the goal of ensuring that all Americans, especially children, have the quality and affordable health care they need. President-elect Obama strongly supports this SCHIP legislation. I can think of no better beginning to the next 4 years than to send the new President this critical investment in children's health. I urge my colleagues to vote for passage of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. The test isn't in our rhetoric, but what action we propose, and for the gentleman from California, his action plan is bankruptcy. Bankruptcy. The suggestion is go into chapter 11.

Mr. LEVIN. Essentially that is being proposed by the minority.

Mr. LEVIN. By some in the minority. They are saying do chapter 11. Mr. Dreier, that is bankruptcy.

Mr. LEVIN. And not from all. We hope for a bipartisan effort. We worked with the White House. It is interesting that now we face opposition, though the White House has said action is necessary; the President-elect has said action is necessary; the Speaker has said action is necessary; the majority leader in the Senate has said action is necessary. And now what many are saying on the other side in this House is bankruptcy, chapter 11. Chapter 11 will lead to chapter 7. I just want to quote from a few documents that say that. A recent study by the Anderson Economic Group says, ``It would be four times more expensive for a bankruptcy proceeding than a Federal bridge loan.'' Also J.P. Morgan, I want to read this, their analysis: ``Without government support, we believe auto suppliers will tighten terms, causing Big Three bankruptcy filings. Due to a potential sales decline and fixed-cost absorption issues, we expect a chapter 11 reorganization would rapidly move to liquidation.'' Look, this is complex. But what isn't complex is the essential continuation of a domestic auto industry. Mr. Dreier says don't play favorites. Winners and losers. Doing nothing to help the domestic industry is playing favorites. So I suggest we look at what is involved here. This bill proposes strong oversight. All parties will come to the table, all parties, without chapter 11, without chapter 7; all parties will be brought to the table and taxpayers will be protected. Let me just say what is at stake here. We are talking about millions of people. We are talking about people who work in the factories and people who manage them. We are talking about suppliers. If one of the Big Three goes down, the supplier network will be devastated, and all those who sell automobiles and all those who are involved indirectly in the economy. So I just urge, the time for rhetoric is gone. Why is this going so fast, Mr. Dreier? It is because there is an international economic and national credit crisis. Every country that has an automobile industry is now helping them. Rushing? It doesn't matter whether they are conservative or liberal or socialist; all of the other countries are moving to help.

Mr. LEVIN. Let me take my time back, because the main proposal, as Mr. Frank has said, from some on the minority side is bankruptcy. Let me just finish and I will ask for an additional 30 seconds, if I might.

Mr. LEVIN. Every country with an auto industry is helping. You can call it rushing. The German Government.

Mr. LEVIN. I didn't yield. Look: There is nothing that you proposed that would help like a bridge loan so the companies would survive, so that there could be continued restructuring that they have started. Germany, the European Commission is being requested for $50 billion. This bill is $15 billion. Brazil, $3 billion. Argentina. Even China, because of this credit crunch, is now saying they are going to help their industry. Essentially what is being proposed by those who oppose this is paralysis. We need action to help bridge. They have started on restructuring. They have a long ways to go. It is up to us to provide this bridge to the future. These domestic companies are moving on electric cars, on hybrids. Don't shut them down when they want to move ahead.

Mr. LEVIN. I am not from Detroit. I am from Michigan.

Mr. LEVIN. I am not from Detroit. I am from Michigan. And this is a national issue, not a Michigan or Detroit issue.

Mr. LEVIN. Yes.

Mr. LEVIN. Yes.

Mr. LEVIN. Many on your side are.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Thank you very much, Mr. Frank, for your being a pillar of commitment and of intelligence. I want to ask a question, but before I do that, I just want to say: We hear from the minority that they don't want the domestic industry to collapse, but then they give all of the reasons why they'll do nothing to help it from collapsing. They talk about the power, as Mr. Frank has said, of someone appointed by the President, and give it to a trustee who is accountable to no one. Well, a person appointed by the President is accountable to the President of the United States. To Mr. Frank, our distinguished chairman: Is the savings clause in the subordination provision of the legislation intended to apply to unfunded committed credit facilities of an automobile manufacturer in effect on December 2, 2008?

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 7222) to extend the Andean Trade Preference Act, and for other purposes, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, this morning a jobs report came out. It paints a truly devastating picture for the American economy and for American families. In September, we had the biggest 1-month job loss in over 5 years. Long-term unemployed rose dramatically, up 167,000, to a total of 2 million; 775,000 people will exhaust the first emergency extension this month alone, over 1 million by the end of the year, unless we act. New claims for unemployment are at a 7-year high. And I point this out finally, the statistics are startling. Let's look beyond the statistics to the people involved. In total, there are now 9.5 million people in our country looking for work, the most since 1992. I simply would ask those who would vote against this, come down to the floor and explain not only to their district, but the American people, why they would not vote ``yes'' on the extension of unemployment compensation.