Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Western Washington University Vehicle Research Institute for their outstanding achievements in the X Prize Automotive competition. The X Prize Competition challenged our best scientists and engineers to develop a new car that could achieve fuel efficiency of over 100 miles per gallon in real world driving. To win, the car had to be safe, affordable and potentially desirable to consumers. Western Washington's team, comprised entirely of undergraduate students, developed and entered a 2-seat car, the Viking 45, in the ``alternative'' class. Their car successfully navigated several rounds of testing, becoming the only American university team to reach the finals of the competition. The success of the Viking 45 continues the long tradition of excellence at the Vehicle Research Institute. I commend them for their success in the X Prize competition and their continuing outstanding work to develop the next generation of passenger vehicles.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of our nation's small manufacturers. Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 5797, the Small Manufacturers Export Initiative. I am pleased to see that the provisions of the Small Manufacturers Export Initiative have been included in this Small Business bill that we are voting on today. This legislation, and this Rule, will help small and medium sized manufacturers export their products--not their jobs--overseas. I want to see the label ``Made in America'' again, continuing our drive to create American jobs, and expand America's manufacturing sector--and this bill is an important step in that direction. When we make it in America, we lead the world economy, we promote competitiveness, and we create jobs. The provisions are simple; they provide resources to the Department of Commerce to help small and medium sized businesses and manufacturers export their products overseas and create jobs here at home. The global market presents a fast and ever growing market for U.S. exports. Nationwide, nearly 3.7 million manufacturing jobs are supported by exports--27 percent of all jobs in the manufacturing sector. In my district alone there are over 170 aerospace manufacturing companies, and in Washington state there are over 100 boat manufacturers--with many of these small businesses exporting their products. We must do all we can to support these manufacturing companies sell their products both here in the United States--and in other countries. The small business export promotion provisions included in this bill will build the infrastructure necessary to connect American Small and Medium Sized manufacturers with export opportunities around the world and help them increase their productivity and expand their businesses. Let's work together to ensure ``make it in America'' is a reality for today's economy--and the future. I urge support for this legislation and this Rule.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the worst environmental catastrophe that our nation has ever faced. Unfortunately, this human and environmental catastrophe revealed many shortcomings in our current oil spill pollution and response laws. Today's vote on the CLEAR Act is an important step towards strengthening our nation's oil spill response and prevention laws. The CLEAR Act contains three critical provisions for which I have advocated. First, this legislation ensures that oil companies will be responsible for 100% of the cost of cleaning up their mess, and every penny of the damages they cause to Americans. The current liability cap of $75 million has proven to be grossly inadequate to cover the damage caused by a major offshore oil spill. Second, immediately following the spill, President Obama and Secretary Salazar took immediate steps to reform the troubled Minerals Management Service (MMS). This legislation codifies those changes to prevent conflicts of interest. Third, the bill puts in place safety regulations to reduce the risk of catastrophic spills. It requires new regulations on well designs, including blowout preventers, and requires a third party to certify safety plans. I have concerns, however, regarding the bill's ``Requirement of Certification for Responsible Stewardship,'' which makes the issuance of new Outer Continental Shelf leases contingent on a company avoiding citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I strongly support efforts to protect worker safety in our nation's oil and gas industry and have cosponsored the Protect America's Workers Act to give OSHA the tools it needs to enforce rigorous worker safety laws. I believe that strengthening OSHA and EPA authorities is a more effective way to improve worker safety than threatening oil companies with the loss of revenue from OCS drilling, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House to strengthen worker safety in the oil and gas industry. As a representative from the Puget Sound, I understand how devastating an oil spill would be to a coastal region. I want to do everything possible to prevent an oil spill from occurring in Puget Sound and other areas of the country. I am committed to continuing to investigate the impacts of this massive environmental disaster and examining the best ways to ensure any future offshore drilling will live up to oil companies' claims of safety and reliability.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Representative Owens for his work on drafting this bill. I rise in support of H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy of 2010. This legislation fulfills a critical need by mandating that the Administration provide a comprehensive strategy to stem the flow of narcotics between the United States and Canada. Our northern border with Canada is the longest open border in the world. While the Administration has developed a strategy for addressing the flow of drugs across the southwest border, our northern border must not be forgotten. As a cosponsor of this legislation and as the representative of a district with nearly 60 miles of international border, I understand the critical need to keep our communities safe from the influence of drug trafficking. It is essential that law enforcement agencies have the tools to minimize the influence of narcotics trafficking. In Washington state, Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) have consistently used the I-5 corridor to distribute meth, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana from Canada into our local communities. It is vital that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) work with the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive northern border counternarcotics strategy to ensure our local communities have the necessary resources to combat this illicit activity. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I not only stand in support of extending unemployment benefits to over 18,000 Washington State residents; I stand today in support of small manufacturers in my State of Washington. Earlier this week, I introduced H.R. 5797, the Small Manufacturers Export Initiative. This legislation will help small- and medium-sized manufacturers export their products, not their jobs, overseas. I want to see the label ``Made in America'' again, and this bill is an important step in that direction. The global market presents a fast and ever-growing market for U.S. exports. Nationwide, nearly 3.7 million manufacturing jobs are supported by exports. In my district alone, there are 182 aerospace production suppliers and other vendors. In Washington State, there are over 100 boat manufacturers, with many of these small businesses not only supplying the domestic market but also exporting their products. We must do all we can to support these manufacturing companies to sell their products both here in the U.S. and overseas. The Small Manufacturers Export Initiative will build the infrastructure necessary to connect these small- and medium-sized manufacturers with export opportunities around the world and help them increase their productivity and expand their businesses. I urge support for this legislation.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, nearly one year ago Joshua Fueston, a 19-year-old Army soldier from Bellingham, Washington, committed suicide in Washington, DC. Joshua was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center receiving treatment for physical wounds suffered in Iraq, but he was also suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD. In honor of his life and service, I request that the following poem, penned by Albert Caswell, be placed in the Congressional Record. The Scars of War (By Albert Caswell) As when our fine sons and daughters go off to war . . . Much heartache, and such great burdens bore! As some come home all encased in wood, all but for the greater good! While, others come home without arms and legs . . . as do they! Ones without eyes, and faces . . . with burns upon their bodies as placed this . . . Touching all hearts, in so many ways . . . as it's for them we now so pray . . . But, some scars are not so easily seen . . . But found deep down inside most heroic hearts, convened! Are but found Those Scars of War, not so easily seen! The kind that, in the middle of the dark night make them so awake . . . All in cold sweats, as upon all of their fine souls such heartache is placed . . . All in their most sleepless sleeps, now carried in their souls so very deep . . . As each day these scenes from hell they pray not repeat, as its for them we weep! For War is Hell, and Hell is War! For their battles do not end, when they reach their home shores again! As from the outside, they look so strong and secure . . . While, deep down inside . . . in all of them, the battle builds all the more . . . Destroying even the bravest, and the strongest of all hearts for sure! As upon their fine hearts and souls, but lie these most dreadful scars of war! As P.T.S.D., is but the silent killer . . . that we all should so look for! Because, while some die on battlefields of honor bright . . . And then others, come home all in anguish . . . to fight this fight! And sadly, without help . . . many will but live their last and final nights! As they must fight their own private wars, never ending both day and night . . . As this darkness upon them so lies, as they so try and try! With tears in eyes! As another Hero died this day! Take a look around you, I say . . . A Hero stands beside you, with tears of heartache upon their souls which lay! All in their quiet suffering, we must somehow so hear their pain! For some things are not so clearly seen! But, lie so deep down so inside this pain . . . Remember, under the surface but lie all of their most dreadful dreams . . . Such things that Heroes dare not repeat! Now, carried all in their fine hearts, so very deep! For ever vigilant, as we must keep! For all of our Sons and Daughters, who deep down inside their fine hearts! The Scars of War, they so keep! P.T.S.D. a silent enemy . . .

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, nearly one year ago Joshua Fueston, a 19-year-old Army soldier from Bellingham, Washington, committed suicide in Washington DC. Joshua was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center receiving treatment for physical wounds suffered in Iraq, but he was also suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In honor of his life and service, I request that the following poem, penned by Bert Caswell, be placed in the Congressional Record. The Scars Of War As when our fines sons and daughters go off to war. . . . Much heartache, and such great burdens bore! As some come home all encased in wood, all but for the greater good! While, others come home without arms and legs. . . . as do they! Ones without eyes, and faces . . . with burns upon their bodies as placed this . . . Touching all hearts, in so many ways . . . as it's for them we now so pray . . . But, some scars are not so easily seen . . . But found deep down inside most heroic hearts, convened! Are but found Those Scars of War, not so easily seen! The kind that, in the middle of the dark night make them so awake . . . All in cold sweats, as upon all of their fine souls such heartache is placed . . . All in their most sleepless sleeps, now carried in their souls so very deep . . . As each day these scenes from hell they pray not repeat, as its for them we weep! For War is Hell, and Hell is War! For their battles do not end, when they reach their home shores again! As from the outside, they look so strong and secure . . . While, deep down inside . . . in all of them, the battle builds all the more . . . Destroying even the bravest, and the strongest of all hearts for sure! As upon their fine hearts and souls, but lie these most dreadful scars of war! As P.T.S.D., is but the silent killer . . . that we all should so look for! Because, while some die on battlefields of honor bright . . . And then others, come home all in anguish . . . to fight this fight! And sadly, without help . . . many will but live their last and final nights! As they must fight their own private wars, never ending both day and night . . . As this darkness upon them so lies, as they so try and try! With tears in eyes! As another Hero died this day! Take a look around you, I say . . . A Hero stands beside you, with tears of heartache upon their souls which lay! All in their quiet suffering, we must somehow so hear their pain! For some things are not so clearly seen! But, lie so deep down so inside this pain . . . Remember, under the surface but lie all of their most dreadful dreams . . . Such things that Heroes dare not repeat! Now, carried all in their fine hearts, so very deep! For ever vigilant, as we must keep! For all of our Sons and Daughters, who deep down inside their fine hearts! The Scars of War, they so keep! P.T.S.D. a silent enemy . . .

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the conference report on H.R. 2194, the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. Iran is a threat to regional security and stability. It has flouted international law and supplied weapons to terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. Upon taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama attempted to engage with Iran, including offering a deal which would have allowed Iran to receive nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes. However, Iran has spurned these good-faith efforts at engagement, and the time has come to put in place comprehensive sanctions. The international community supports our efforts to isolate Iran through sanctions. President Obama secured a landmark sanctions agreement at the United Nations Security Council several weeks ago. The European Union took further action earlier this month when it agreed to impose stringent sanctions on Iran. This bill goes even further than the UN and the EU--it is a comprehensive and stringent package of sanctions. Among many important provisions, it will prohibit investment in Iran's oil refining industry and create a legal framework for companies and investment managers who wish to divest from companies doing business with Iran. It will force many companies to answer a question--do I work with the U.S., or do I work with Iran? I urge my colleagues to join with me in passing H.R. 2194 and sending a clear message to Iran that their provocative actions and reckless pursuit of a nuclear weapon will not be tolerated.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res. 1382, a resolution expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the South Korean ship Cheonan, and solidarity with South Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident. On March 26, the South Korean ship Cheonan sank in the Yellow Sea following an explosion, killing 46 sailors. I offer my condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those killed in this tragic incident. In the two months following the sinking of the Cheonan, the South Korean government has undertaken extensive forensic work with a team of impartial international investigators to determine the cause of the explosion. Their work leaves no doubt that the sinking of the Cheonan and the death of 46 sailors was the direct result of a torpedo fired by North Korea. The United States stands with President Lee Myung-bak and fully supports the measures he has taken to respond to the sinking of the Cheonan. President Lee's decision to close sea lanes and cut off trade with North Korea sends a strong message that South Korea will not tolerate unprovoked aggression. South Korea is a strong ally of the United States, and as the President has made clear, our commitment to supporting their defense is unequivocal. I urge the international community to join with South Korea and the United States to condemn North Korea's unacceptable, belligerent behavior. And I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1382 and send a strong message that the United States Congress stands with South Korea during this difficult time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Snohomish County World War II Veteran's Project participants and organizers. I would like to begin by thanking all veterans for their service to our country. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, our men and women in uniform have overcome and continue to overcome tremendous adversity to fulfill their missions. Our nation's veterans have helped keep us safe, and helped keep us free. It is important that our community remembers and honors the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served in our military, as well as their families and supporters. Although future generations may never meet a veteran of World War II, the book assembled by Janell Wood and Christina Moore, ``War and Sacrifice,'' will help all of us understand how our neighbors in and around Snohomish County contributed to this nation's largest war effort at home and abroad. I thank Janell and Christina for their work recording the individual histories of this diverse group that came together to defeat the Axis Powers. I also recognize the following individuals whose experiences during World War II comprise this book, and honor them for their service: Lois Auchterlonie, Elwood Barker, William Brayton, Donald Brown, Lawrence ``Maggie'' Bryant, Jospeh Burkard, Dan Burris, H.B. ``Chris'' Christie, Paul Cormier, Herbert Courtney, William Dean, Ted Dufour, Roy Eastman, Fred Ensslin, Earl Horn, William Huested, Frank Hutchins, Leo Hymas, Stanley Innes, Edwin Kirchgessner, Grace Kortbein, Arthur Langdon, Marcelle ``Honey'' Langdon, Arthur Larson, Eleanor Leight, Leonard Martin, Harold McMahon, Truman Merritt, William Miller, William Moore, Robert Otto, David Pesznecker, Wallace Pesznecker, Art Poier, Paul Schaus, Ervin Schmidt, Allen Stewart, Jack Terhar, George Thorleifson, William Tygret, Louise Vandervanter, Maurice Vincent, Mick Wagelie, Jack Walter, Maynard Wege, Theodore West, Lonnie Williams, and Robert Willingham. Our nation's triumph in World War II could not have occurred without the hard work and sacrifice of these men and women and millions of others who gave up ordinary jobs as teachers, factory workers, and businessmen to fight enemies of freedom around the world. Upon returning to the United States and civilian life, these brave men and women helped America achieve an era of unprecedented economic prosperity. To the veterans of World War II, and those that supported them, thank you for service to our country, and your involvement in our community.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation to extend the important programs of the Small Business Administration. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, having created 65 percent of all new jobs in the last decade. However, over the course of the last 18 months, small business owners have had trouble accessing the capital they need to grow their business and to create jobs. The SBA's lending programs are a critical piece of helping small businesses access this credit and create jobs, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Now, according to the Northwest Business Development Agency in Washington State, for every $1 lent under the SBA 504 program, $94 is generated in tax revenue for our communities. Congress has made important steps to encourage increased lending for small businesses, including allowing SBA 504 loans to be used for debt relief, reducing fees in the SBA's 7(a) and 504 loan guaranty programs, and increasing the maximum percentage of the loan guaranty for 7(a) loans to 90 percent. And credit is starting to move. In my district alone, between October 2009 and the end of February 2010, 58 SBA 7(a) loans worth nearly $18 million and 15 504 loans worth nearly $6 million were provided to small businesses in the Second Congressional District of Washington State, allowing them to expand and to modernize. However, at the end of this month, authorization for these important SBA programs will expire. As Congress stays laser-focused on creating jobs, extending these important programs and ensuring small businesses can access credit is critical. So I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee for their assistance in bringing the resolution to the House floor. Madam Speaker, on April 2, Washington State experienced a tragedy when a fire occurred in the Naphtha Hydrotreater unit at the Tesoro oil refinery in Anacortes, Washington, in my district. Six workers died as a result of the fire. One more was burned and remains in intensive care. I offer my condolences to the families, the friends and loved ones of the victims of this fire. My thoughts and prayers are with Tesoro's employees and everyone from the city of Anacortes and the State of Washington and our country who grieve for the workers who died and who suffered injury. I encourage my colleagues to join with me in supporting this resolution to honor the lives of Matthew Bowen, Darrin Hoines, Dan Aldridge, Kathryn Powell, Donna Van Dreumel and Lew Janz. This resolution also expresses the best wishes of Congress to Matt Gumbel, who was severely burned in the fire and is currently in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. I hope that Matt recovers as quickly as possible from these terrible injuries. And earlier this week, Madam Speaker, I received a letter from the CEO of Tesoro and the chair of United Steelworkers Local 12-591 expressing support for this resolution. And I'd like to enter this letter in the Congressional Record. Multiple Federal, State and local agencies, including the Chemical Safety Board, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, are currently investigating the cause of the fire. I strongly support the work they are doing to help us understand what happened and how to prevent a similar accident in the future. And although most Americans don't associate northwest Washington with oil and gas, Skagit and Whatcom Counties in my district have been home to major oil refineries for over five decades. The four refineries in northwest Washington process a combined 500,000 barrels of oil a day. These refineries are central to the local economy, employing nearly 2,500 people and supplying over $200 million in wages to workers and contractors. The refining industry is inherently hazardous. As one refinery employee in my district put it, ``We don't bake cookies; we bake oil.'' That being said, preventing accidents that harm workers is vitally important. As the fire at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes fades from newspaper headlines, we must remain sharply focused on worker safety, at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes and at refineries and industrial sites around the country. While it's not possible to prevent all refinery accidents, we need to learn from what happened in Anacortes. We need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future. So I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting this resolution expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to those who lost families, friends and loved ones in this terrible, terrible tragedy. April 20, 2010. Hon. Rick Larsen, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Larsen: The Tesoro Corporation, United Steelworkers Local 12-591, and our family of employees wish to express our collective gratitude for your Resolution being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives that expresses condolences for and honors the victims of the recent tragic fire at our Anacortes, Washington facility. We are deeply touched by your concern and that of your colleagues in the House. Please know that we welcome and appreciate the comfort your words provide to all those affected. Bruce Smith, Chairman & CEO, Tesoro Corporation. Walter Cleve, United Steel Workers Union, Local 12-591 Unit Chair.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, last week's Senate hearings on the failure of Washington Mutual painted a picture of a bank that sold risky mortgages to unsuspecting homeowners in order to rake in huge profits. Federal regulators turned a blind eye to these risky practices and allowed Washington Mutual to gamble with our future. Now, when I grew up in Arlington, Washington, Washington Mutual was known as a friend of the family. But their reckless behavior at the expense of consumers helped bring about the greatest financial crisis of our time. It was the largest bank failure in U.S. history and resulted in thousands of job losses in Northwest Washington State. Friend of the family no more. Federal regulators as well were asleep at the switch while Washington Mutual made tens of thousands of risky loans. Consumers suffered as big banks put the interests of big profits and big bonuses ahead of working families. Now, last week, we hear that the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs alleging misdealings in the mortgage securities collateralized debt obligation market. And today the House holds hearings on the fall of Lehman Brothers and the huge negative impact on middle class families from whom the risk seemed to be hidden. These revelations and the Washington Mutual hearings and the Inspectors General report provide a sobering reminder of the urgent need for financial regulatory reform. We must prevent a crisis like this from happening again by imposing strong oversight of financial firms like Washington Mutual, and protecting American consumers and American taxpayers from unfair and abusive financial products like those in Washington Mutual's risky mortgages. So I urge the Senate to act quickly and pass financial regulatory reform so that the House and the Senate can get together to come up with an even stronger bill, and so that financial firms like Washington Mutual, that, in the future, if they want to drive off the cliff, they may be free to do so, but no longer will American families be trapped in the car as an innocent passenger.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, President Obama has recently taken three key actions to strengthen our national security and help bring us closer to a world without nuclear weapons. First, the President issued a Nuclear Posture Review which prioritizes stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials that could be used by terrorist groups or states to harm the United States and our allies. Focusing on securing nuclear materials and stopping proliferation will make America safer. The NPR also maintains America's role as a leader in non- proliferation by demonstrating our commitment to continuing a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent without resorting to nuclear testing. While I share the President's goal of creating a world without nuclear weapons, it is important to have a deterrent capability to keep Americans safe as long as other states possess nuclear materials. Second, the President signed a New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia. The New START Treaty will require the United States and Russia, the two largest nuclear powers in the world, to reduce the number of strategic nuclear warheads and launchers. This will send a strong message to the global community about our commitment to ending proliferation and securing nuclear materials around the world. Importantly, the New START treaty will place no restrictions on the United States' ability to develop missile defenses that will keep the United States and our allies protected from missile attacks from countries such as Iran. Third, the President hosted a summit of forty-six nations to discuss the need to prevent nuclear proliferation and secure loose nuclear materials. This meeting has resulted in a historic commitment by these states to secure all the world's loose nuclear materials in the next four years. This is an ambitious goal, but it is necessary to take swift action to reduce the risk of a nuclear attack. Getting to a world without nuclear weapons will be a long journey, but the steps that the President has taken over the last few weeks have us moving in the right direction.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4849, the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010. This bill is another important step forward in helping small businesses create jobs in our communities and in assisting state and local governments to crawl out of their financial holes. I agree with Secretary Geithner that by extending the Buy America Bonds program we are providing an important financing tool for state and local governments and investing in our country's long term economic growth in a cost-effective way. As local governments continues to struggle financially, local officials can look forward to using the Buy America Bonds to build bridges, fix roads, and upgrade schools--all while creating jobs in our communities. Snohomish County, in my district, is about to utilize the Buy America Bonds to fund public and private capital improvements that promote economic development and job growth throughout the county. In addition, this bill includes provisions that will help small businesses obtain additional capital and encourage the formation of new businesses. Small business is the engine that drives our economy, having created 65 percent of all new jobs in the last decade, and continues to play an important part of our economic recovery. I will continue to do all I can to support our small businesses and create jobs.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4899, Disaster Relief and Summer Jobs Act. While the bulk of this legislation provides disaster relief for ongoing response and recovery efforts, this bill makes important steps forward to continue our Nation's economic recovery and create jobs. First, this bill provides fee reductions and eliminations under the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loan program and the 504 program, and extends the termination date for the loans through April 30. These loans have been important economic drivers in my Congressional district, and have provided needed capital to small businesses in our communities. Small businesses are going to play an important part of any economic recovery. Small businesses are the number one source of new job growth in our Nation and have created 65 percent of all new jobs in the last decade. Between October 2009 and last month, there were 58 SBA 7(a) loans and 15,504 loans provided to small businesses in my district allowing them to expand and modernize. These are the types of programs that Congress must support to continue our economic recovery and create jobs at home, and I am happy to support the legislation on the floor today.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, trade creates jobs. In my home State of Washington, one in three jobs is dependent on foreign trade. So as Congress continues to focus on ways to create jobs, we must help American businesses export their products and services. This weekend I will travel to my own district to visit companies who have partnered with Federal programs to increase exports and create jobs. Western Chemical, for instance, a small business in Ferndale, is a leader in fish health products and biosecurity supplies. It recently received $500,000 in financing from the Export-Import Bank. By utilizing the Ex-Im Bank, Western Chemical is able to maintain cash flow, export their products, and protect the jobs at their Ferndale location. Exports drive Washington State's economy, accounting for over 30 percent of economic growth over the past decade in our State, and contributing to almost half of the new jobs created over the past 30 years in our State. So the recent establishment of the National Export Initiative, setting a goal to double U.S. exports in the next 5 years, is a step in the right direction. By finally utilizing the resources from the Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Trade Rep's office, the Department of Commerce, the Ex-Im Bank, and the Department of Energy, the administration has made it a priority to help farmers and small businesses increase their exports and create 2 million new jobs here at home. Now, we in Congress must provide the resources to help them do just that. First, we should support the effort to hire trade experts to serve as advocates for U.S. companies and assist the more than 23,000 American companies who are trading to begin or grow their export sales in 2011. However, we must not forget that the engine that drives our economy is small business, and that over the last two decades small- and medium-sized businesses have accounted for almost 65 percent of new jobs created here in the U.S. Last year I introduced legislation that directs the Department of Commerce to assist these SMEs in exporting their products, particularly to developing economies like China. From 2000 to 2007, Washington State exports to China grew by 406 percent. This created jobs in sectors likes transportation equipment, crop production, and even processed foods. I know that the U.S. Trade Rep's office has launched an initiative specifically aimed at increasing exports by small- and medium-sized firms here in the U.S. I stand ready to help. Lastly, our farmers will benefit as well. For every $1 billion in ag exports, 9,000 jobs are created, and $1.4 billion in economic activity is generated. Our farmers, our small business owners want to export their products and services. They want to create jobs here in the United States. I am urging my colleagues to help them do this by supporting the National Export Initiative, which will in turn create jobs and launch us on a path towards long-term economic growth.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force for its success in combating vehicle theft in my district. Recently, the task force was recognized as the top auto theft recovery team in Washington State by the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority. While vehicle thefts across the State decreased 20 percent in 2009, Snohomish County led the way with a remarkable 29 percent decline. The Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force is an example of law enforcement agencies working together to make a difference in our community. The Snohomish team is made up of detectives from the Monroe, Marysville, and Lynnwood police departments; the Washington State Patrol; the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office, and, most recently, the Tulalip Tribes. Through this partnership, the task force disrupted the operation of 26 chop shops and theft rings over the past year alone--tracking down stolen vehicles, arresting those responsible, and helping make sure the bad guys were convicted. Since forming in 2008, the Snohomish County team has convicted over 100 people and recovered 82 vehicles with an estimated value of $1.5 million along with $337,400 worth of stolen property. At a time when budgets are stretched thin, we should not forget the needs of law enforcement or of the work of our prosecutor's office in making sure these folks are behind bars.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, small businesses are the number one source of new job growth in our country, and their success will be critical to our Nation moving out of economic recession and toward recovery. One of the key drivers of small business success is access to capital. Unfortunately, the credit crunch has prevented them from accessing the capital they need to grow and to create jobs. The Recovery Act and Small Business Administration lending programs such as 504 loans, 7(a) loans, and America's Recovery Capital, or ARC loans, are helping to stem the tide of job loss and getting our economy moving again, but more needs to be done. In order to expand the availability of credit to small businesses, we must strengthen our community banks to allow them to lend to deserving small businesses. Our Nation's community banks play a vital role in small business lending, but the financial crisis has hamstrung their ability to make these loans. I look forward to seeing how the administration's Small Business Lending Fund proposal will help our local community banks provide loans to give small businesses access to the tools they need to build their own businesses and to start hiring again. I have heard from many community banks in my district that Federal regulatory policies are also inhibiting their ability to lend. These banks are struggling because Federal regulators are requiring them to increase capital above already well-capitalized levels and shrink their balance sheets. As a result, they are forced to restrict their lending activity in order to meet these standards. So I have urged the Treasury Department and the FDIC to review the effect that the current regulatory environment has on community bank lending in order to ensure an appropriate balance between prudent and necessary regulation and a robust lending market. In northwest Washington, the state of commercial real estate is also threatening their economic recovery. Community banks in my district have been devastated by these troubled real estate loans. This problem must be addressed so that we can free up much-needed capital for our banks to jump-start their small business lending. While I appreciate the FDIC's October guidance on prudent commercial real estate loan workouts, I am concerned that this guidance is not yet working to stabilize the CRE market. The Treasury Department and FDIC must take further measures to address this problem and ensure the guidance is fully implemented. I urge my colleagues to address this problem head-on so we can help our community banks lend to small businesses, which will in turn create jobs and launch us on a path towards long-term economic growth.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of today, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today on a motion offered pursuant to this order, it adjourn to meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2010, unless it sooner has received a message from the Senate transmitting its concurrence in House Concurrent Resolution 235, in which case the House shall stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I request that for rollcall vote #963, the Marshall Amendment to H.R. 4173, I inadvertently voted ``no'' but I intended to vote ``aye.''

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 963 on H.R. 4173, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``nay'' when I should have voted ``aye.'' I ask unanimous consent that my statement appear in the record immediately following rollcall vote No. 963.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support H.R. 4165, and I yield back the balance of my time.