Blaine Luetkemeyer

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 2711. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late John William ``Blind'' Boone, famed ragtime musician and a proud son of Missouri. It is my honor and privilege to participate in the celebration and observance of Boone's birthday, Monday, May 17, 2010. I would also like to recognize the members of the John William ``Blind'' Boone Heritage Foundation, who plan to restore and preserve the home where ``Blind'' Boone lived in Columbia, Missouri, coinciding with his birthday. John William Boone was born on May 17, 1864, in the midst of the Civil War. Soon after his birth, he was diagnosed with a life- threatening illness that doctors referred to as a ``brain fever.'' Doctors believed the only chance for survival would come through a radical operation that would end the brain swelling; they would have to remove his eyes. The procedure was a success and would alter the course of his life. Boone faced much adversity but soldiered through. His musical talents were noticed early on, and he would later become one of the legendary musicians of his era, with a classical repertoire, which included folk music, religious songs and, most famously, ragtime. In 1912, he was contacted by the QRS Piano Roll Company and became one of the first African American artists to cut piano rolls. Music allowed Boone to cross many racial boundaries and brought him all over the world, bringing diverse audiences together. Boone enjoyed an illustrious career and spent the remainder of his life in Columbia, Missouri. In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in acknowledging John William ``Blind'' Boone and his contributions to the arts.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. And, again, as you talk to the individuals--and each individual industry is a little different, but I know the fast food industry, I was talking to a gentleman who has 25 fast food franchises from Missouri all the way to South Dakota. He said it's going to cost him about $20,000 per location. And some of his locations don't make $20,000 because they're small towns or smaller locations. Before the bill passed, he was looking not only at trying to figure out how he could make some more dollars here, but he was looking to expand his operation. He was looking to purchase eight other units from another fast food franchise owner as well as build four additional ones. But now he says, Because of this extra cost, I not only am not going to expand my operation, I'm probably going to have to contract because I can't afford it. At the end of the day, he's looking at half a million dollars in additional costs. He did nothing wrong. He didn't change his business model, but all of a sudden now, under this bill, he's got another half a million dollar bill that he has to figure out how to----

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Well, 5,000 people.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. I think that tells you that there is a lot of concern and that there is a lot of frustration. These are people who are watching what's going on. They don't approve of it, and they want their voices heard. I think this is the key--that nobody here in D.C. is listening to these folks. They don't perceive what is happening with this administration as listening to their voices, as listening to their concerns, as listening to them when they point out that there are problems with this bill, that there are problems with this thought process, that there are problems with this ideology. They are being shut out just like we are as minority Members. As a result, they're standing up, and they're doing what they can, which is to raise their voices even louder. So it was exciting to be able to talk to that group last night by conference phone. They're energized, and they're going to be very vocal come November.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Well, I think it's pretty obvious, gentleman. I think that we're not about preventing health care in this bill. It's about a government takeover of one-sixth of our economy. It's about control; they want to control that portion of the economy. Again, I've got another friend of mine who owns three manufacturing plants around the country, looking to open a fourth, but with the uncertainty of our economy, with bills like the health care bill, cap- and-trade, the stimulus package, additional tax increases that are sitting on the back burner right now, he says, I'm not going to open this business; I'm not going to build a new manufacturing plant. To bring another business example here, I had a group of bankers in yesterday and I asked them, I said, How is your money supply? Have you got plenty of funds to loan out and what is your loan demand? And he said, We have the funds to loan out. The demand is sort of lukewarm right now, but the last five guys we've had come in who wanted to take out business loans were all ready to sign the papers. We had approved them, everything was fine. They're good customers, they're good business people, they decided at the last minute, we're not going to expand. We don't want to do this because we're going to endanger our whole operation if we go down this road. So they actually backed off, and as a result, look at how many jobs we're not providing or jobs that we're killing because of bills like this.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. I thank the gentleman. I think at the end of the day everybody understands now what's in this bill. And it's not something that's good for our country, it's not good for our people, it's not good for our business climate. It's impacting everybody in a negative way. And I think the only alternative is to replace and repeal it. I think that at some point we are going to be able to do that. And I think it's imperative that now that we have seen what's in it, and again have another report that's come out that shows it's going to cost more than anticipated, this thing is a boondoggle. It's got to be replaced, it's got to be repealed. This can't continue because it's going to lead us over a cliff, as the gentleman from Tennessee has talked about TennCare. The Massachusetts plan continues to go over a cliff as well. We are headed over that cliff with our national health care as well.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Thank you, Congressman Akin. It's good to be with you. I've had a number of visitors over the last several days that have been talking about the health care bill. It's amazing, people are now starting to sit down and look at the bill, trying to figure out what kind of implications it has for themselves, their business, their families, whatever it may be. And to follow up on the gentleman from Pennsylvania's comment, yesterday I had a group of rural hospital folks in, and not only is it going to affect the hospitals, it's also going to affect the doctors from the standpoint that the payment schedule can't be made whole so that they can make enough money to keep their doors open. Private practices will be a thing of the past. You're looking at them all becoming employees of hospitals or the government, whichever one is the surviving--I guess the last one standing here. So it's really a challenging time for not only the medical professionals, but also for the businesses as well.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. That's correct. That's correct.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. They would have literally rode me out of town on a rail. The people in my district are conservatives. Whether Republicans or Democrats, they are conservatives, and they don't believe in government takeovers. They don't believe in governments solving problems that people can solve for themselves. Regardless of party, I think they are appalled by what is going on. Last night, for instance--and, in fact, today--we have the President in my district. He had a closed meeting with some folks versus an open meeting where the people could have actually spoken to him and where they could have actually listened to what's going on, which is concerning to me because, here in D.C., we hear more lecturing than we do listening from him, and it's unfortunate, because I think there are a lot of people who have a lot of good things to say, and a lot of information could be transferred back and forth. At the end of the day, I think the folks in my district--and there were 1,100 people at a rally last night in a town of 5,000, and they weren't supporting what the President was doing. So I think that will tell you--and this was in an area that is conservative Democrat by nature.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in support of House Resolution 1075, commending the Agri-business Development Teams, or ADTs, on their work. I want to thank Chairman Skelton along with Ranking Member McKeon, as well as the rest of the Missouri delegation for their support and efforts in helping the Missouri ADTs. In addition, I would like to thank the senior Senator from Missouri, Kit Bond, for his support of the ADT program from the very beginning. There are many people who made the efforts of the ADT a great success. First, I want to commend Colonel Marty Leppert, Chief Tony Romano, and the entire team of men and women dedicated to using their skills and knowledge to improve the situation in Afghanistan. They have met a massive challenge with determination to see their goals achieved. The National Guard's Agri-business Development Teams started as a pilot program in Missouri. The Missouri team partnered with the Missouri Farm Bureau, the University of Missouri, and Lincoln University to draw a blueprint that is being followed by other Army National Guard units from around the United States. In addition, ADTs get resources and guidance from the National Guard Bureau, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the United States Agency for International Development. The National Guard ADTs have a big mission. They help to modernize agricultural practices and increase food production in a war-torn country. ADTs are made up of Guard members who have a civilian background in farming or a related agricultural business, and they are using those skills to teach Afghan farmers sustainable farming practices. This task is not easy, but the units from 11 different States have been working long hours with farmers and community officials. The farming practices used today by the Afghans are very primitive, almost medieval-level farming. The teams that have been deployed work with Afghan farmers to provide basic agricultural requirements. Their goals include: improving irrigation systems, providing effective methods for fertilizing, planting, harvesting, marketing, and storage of agricultural crops. In addition, they have established modern slaughter facilities to help contain spreading diseases, set up markets to trade crops and livestock, developed a juicing and canning facility, and improved livestock health through mobile vet clinics. They have been quick to use alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, and small water dams as well. Maintaining a reliable water source still remains one of the biggest problems. The Guard units are using sustainable methods for pumping water and working on watershed management to capture snow melt and rainwater runoff for irrigation. Since a national energy grid and 24/7 energy is not available, these alternative energy sources actually provide a better solution. There is no easy fix for the situation in Afghanistan. There are problems with local customs, tribal leadership, and issues of property rights that must be solved on a routine basis. If a team wants to construct a building or dig a well, it has to find out which village elder has authority to grant permission to use the land. In many villages, property usage and ownership is decided in meetings with family elders. However, our young men and women labor vigorously and diligently in search of solutions to these many challenges. The work in Afghanistan is important, where agriculture makes up 45 percent of the gross domestic product and employs more than 70 percent of the population, but where farming practices are inefficient and outdated. Many Afghan fields are used to grow opium poppy plants, which provide the raw material used to make heroin. It is my hope that establishing a viable agricultural industry will provide farmers throughout Afghanistan with alternatives. And quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, in my judgment this is the way that we are going to be successful in Afghanistan, by turning the Afghan people and their economy around and earning their trust to be able to work with us in running the Taliban out of the country. The bill we consider today recognizes the good work that these men and women are carrying out every day. I encourage other States to look at ways they can contribute to the mission of the National Guard ADTs. I urge my colleague to join me in passing this legislation.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I would like to read a few examples of some of the emails I have been receiving on the health care proposal. From Columbia, Missouri: ``Just a note to encourage you to fight hard against this horrible health care bill.'' From St. Charles, Missouri: ``Please vote `no' on the health care reform now before the House.'' From Hannibal, Missouri: ``Congressman, please vote `no' on the Senate's health care bill. We need to scrap that plan and start over.'' From Ashland, Missouri: ``Please do not vote for the health care bill.'' From Huntsville, Missouri: ``I sincerely hope you do not vote for the health care bill as it now stands.'' Finally, from Columbia, Missouri: ``Vote what your people want you to do, which is against this health care bill.'' Madam Speaker, my constituents have listened to the debate and rejected the proposed health care bill. No, no, no, no, no. What part of ``no'' does the majority not understand? I am going to listen to my constituents. I am going to be voting against the health care bill.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the House voted down H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act. This bill would have cost an estimated $153 million of taxpayer dollars for 2010 through 2014 and $22 million after 2014 to establish a new task force charged with responding to hypoxia events and, among other items, implementing and overseeing the regional research and action plans. I joined with 141 of my colleagues and voted against this misguided bill. I understand and appreciate that the health of our rivers is of vital importance to the 9th district of Missouri and to the Nation, and I believe that responsible environmental management is critically important to national commerce and infrastructure. However, agriculture has been forced to bear the brunt of environmental attacks for long enough. While the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, point the finger at agriculture as a contributor of gulf hypoxia, particularly through the dumping of sediment and runoff of fertilizer, the Army Corps of Engineers, Corps, at the direction of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is digging chutes that are up to 25 feet deep, 200 to 300 feet wide, and sometimes over one mile long to provide shallow water habitat for the endangered pallid sturgeon. According to the Missouri Clean Water Commission, the Corps will dump 34 million metric tons of sediment into the Missouri River annually. This soil contains a significant amount of phosphorous, a known cause of hypoxia. All of this without facing fines from the EPA, which have been levied against farmers and businesses along the river, because the Corps was able to obtain a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit granted by themselves. Instead of continually attacking agriculture and small business and trivially spending hard earned taxpayer dollars, perhaps the Federal Government should spend some time investigating its own actions.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the late General Omar Nelson Bradley, hero of World War II, America's last surviving five-star General, first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a proud son of Randolph County in the heart of Missouri's 9th Congressional District. It will be my honor and privilege to participate in the celebration and observance of ``General Omar Bradley Day'' in Moberly, Missouri on Friday, February 12, 2010, the General's birthday. An event to commemorate Moberly's favorite son will be held at the Moberly High School and a reproduction of the portrait of General Bradley, which is in the Bradley corridor at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., will be unveiled and will hang in the foyer of the Moberly High School auditorium, on the south end of the school campus. I would like to recognize the members of the General Omar Nelson Bradley Library and Museum Committee for arranging Friday's celebration and for their tireless efforts to promote awareness of General Bradley's special connection to Moberly. The members of the committee are Chair Sam Richardson, City Councilman Dick Boots, City Manager Andy Morris, Russ Freed, Wayne Wilcox, Joe Knaebel, Howard Hils, and Mary Lee Noel. I would also like to enter an excerpt from the following article, ``General Bradley Day Here Friday'' into the Congressional Record. This item appeared in the Monday, February 8, 2010 edition of the Moberly Monitor-Index. General Bradley Day Here Friday General of the Armies Bradley was born in rural Randolph County near Clark, on February 12, 1893. He moved to Moberly at age nine and graduated from Moberly High School in 1911. As Moberly High School's most distinguished alum, General Bradley went on to become a member of the United States Military Academy class in 1915 and was one of its most outstanding scholars, as well as a football and baseball star. He commanded the largest American army ever assembled, during the invasion of Europe in 1944, led the Veterans Administration after World War II, was named Army chief of staff in 1948 and in 1949 was promoted by President Harry Truman to first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served two terms as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Bradley was the youngest and last of nine American military officers to earn the coveted fifth star. After retirement from active duty, General Bradley was chairman and chief executive officer for the Bulova Watch Corp. Under his leadership, Bulova developed the Accutron watch, which was first developed for America's military and fledgling space program. Bradley died in New York City on April 8, 1981. He had participated in the inauguration of his friend, President Ronald W. Reagan, in Washington in late January 1981. Among those at his state funeral at Arlington National Cemetery was longtime friend and internationally acclaimed comedian Bob Hope. An avid golfer and fan of horse racing, and lifetime fan of baseball and college football, Bradley lived his final years in special quarters built for him at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas. Both the Sun Bowl at El Paso and the Independence Bowl at Shreveport honored Gen. Bradley during his lifetime and in the years since his death. The event at Moberly High School Friday is sponsored by the General Omar Nelson Bradley Library and Museum Committee, a citizen panel organized by the Moberly City Council last year to bring recognition to the community's favorite son. In an October 1966 letter to former Moberly Mayor Will Ben Sims, General Bradley--a man known for his humility and modesty--wrote that he accepted the fact he was Moberly's ``favorite son'' and that he and Mrs. Kitty Bradley viewed Moberly as their most favorite city in the whole world. He was an honorary member of the Moberly Country Club and Moberly Rotary Club and longtime member of the Central Christian Church, where he grew up.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, last week, I spent a lot of time back in the district, talking to my constituents, and they asked one simple question: Where are the jobs? Folks in Macon, Kirksville, Kahoka, and throughout the district remember all too well the promises of the so-called ``stimulus plan.'' They realize now they were empty promises. People back home were eager to hear about Republican plans to reduce taxes and to cut spending. Folks are mad at this Congress for spending more than they take in and for proposing more job-killing taxes and regulations. The small business people I talk to understand you can't spend more than you can afford, and you can't exist with increased tax burdens and more harmful regulations and expect the economy to turn around. I've heard the voices of the people of the Ninth District, and I am going to work hard to try and find a way to provide more jobs, more jobs, more jobs. The people of the ``show me'' State are waiting for us to show them the jobs.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Intelligence Specialist First Class Petty Officer James K. Brown, who is retiring following twenty years of service in the United States Navy. IS1 James K. Brown's storied military career began in August 1989 when he enlisted in the United States Navy. Soon after, Brown participated in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield, for which he earned the Combat Action Ribbon. In 1994, he reported to the USS George Washington, taking part in her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean. During this deployment and subsequent deployments, the command was engaged in Operation Southern Watch and operations in Kosovo. In December 1999, he reported to the USS Carl Vinson as the Leading Petty Officer of Multi-Sensor Interpretation Branch. In October 2001, the USS Carl Vinson launched the first attack of the Global War on Terrorism into Afghanistan in response to the September 11 2001 attacks. During the second deployment, on station off the Korean peninsula, he participated in exercises FOAL EAGLE and TANDUM THRUST. In December 2008, IS1 Brown reported to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo as his last duty station in the United States Navy and is currently serving as the Leading Petty Officer and the Special Security Officer for the Naval Station and Tenant Commands. Over the course of his twenty years of service, IS1 Brown has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Intelligence Studies from the Joint Military Intelligence College in 2004 and earned Post Graduate Certificate in Intelligence in 2007 from the National Defense Intelligence College. Brown has also received the following awards and decorations: the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal for Yugoslavia, and Joint Staff Identification Badge, along with several unit and campaign awards. IS1 James K. Brown's military efforts were supported by his wife, Nichole, and their four children, Ashley, Alesha, Amber, and Zechariah. In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in congratulating Intelligence Specialist First Class Petty Officer James K. Brown on reaching this important milestone.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, for more than a year, the people back home in the Ninth District of Missouri have expressed their anger about the way our government and this administration are spending their hard- earned money. They are even angrier today after learning that the next proposed budget comes in at a whopping $3.8 trillion with a record deficit of $1.6 trillion. I give the President credit for his idea of a spending freeze, but the problem is that it freezes spending at record levels. It comes in after he has signed spending bills and a failed stimulus that have increased some spending by as much as 84 percent in the last 2 years. And the spending freeze applies to just 13 percent of the budget and doesn't even take effect until next year. In other words, using good old fashioned Missouri logic, this spending freeze is a lot like trying to close the door after the horse is already out. It just doesn't work. The good folks at home are tired of lip service and fancy speeches about getting spending under control. The people of the Show-Me State want us to show them that we are serious about getting spending under control.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of Mississippi (Mr. Harper).

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I urge the Members to support the passage of House Resolution 4139. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 3892, designating the United States Postal Service facility located at 101 West Highway 64 Bypass in Roper, North Carolina, the ``E.V. Wilkins Post Office.'' Born in Roper, North Carolina, on July 4, 1911, Elmer Vanray Wilkins spent his childhood in Roper before attending North Carolina Central University, where he received a bachelor of science and master of arts degree. Upon graduation, Mr. Wilkins returned home to Roper, where he taught mathematics at J.J. Clemmons High School. During the time he was serving as a teacher, Mr. Wilkins met his wife, Elizabeth, also a fellow teacher. As a result of his success as a teacher, in 1941 he was promoted to principal of Clemmons High School, a position he held with distinction for over 30 years. Throughout his decades of service at Clemmons High School, Mr. Wilkins was described as a mentor to many of his students. In the 1950s, Mr. Wilkins began his involvement in politics. He worked with the NAACP to file a lawsuit that eventually ensured that African Americans in his home county of Washington County were allowed the right to vote. He continued his work in politics, and in 1967 he became the first post-Reconstruction African American member of the Roper town council. Mr. Wilkins broke down more racial barriers in 1975 when he became the first African American mayor of Roper. He served as mayor for 20 years until he retired. During his time as mayor, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention three separate times. His years of public service earned him many different awards and honors. His passion for helping others and dedication to the town of Roper was a model for young people in the community that he helped grow and change. He was given the North Carolina Distinguished Citizen Award, the Service Award by the North Carolina Leadership Caucus, the North Carolina Distinguished Service Award, and the North Carolina Human Rights Commission's Libby D. Koontz Award in recognition of his dedication and leadership in the areas of education, civil rights, and human rights. Elizabeth City State University dedicated its computer center to Mr. Wilkins and created an endowed faculty chair in his honor in its School of Education and Psychology. Mr. Wilkins' personal accomplishments are an inspiration to many in Roper and throughout North Carolina, including his daughter, Bunny Sanders, who is the current mayor of Roper. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor E.V. Wilkins' life and successes. I ask my fellow Members to join me in supporting H.R. 3892. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. S. 692 is identical to House Resolution 1506, which passed the House on November 16. Therefore, I want to reiterate the points made previously during debate on the House bill. This bill will waive certain claims of the United States to specific documents, known as the Tully Collection, relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Grace Tully served in Franklin Roosevelt's secretarial staff for several decades, and in 1941, became his personal secretary. After her death, her collection of papers passed through a number of hands and finally to the current owners, Sun Times Media, who bought the collection for $8 million in 2001. In 2004, the National Archives asserted a claim to a portion of the documents. Sun Times Media wishes to donate the collection to President Roosevelt's Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York, and take a tax deduction. Due to the Archives claim, Sun Times Media is prevented from receiving a tax deduction on the donation. This bill waives the legal claims of the United States and the Archives, thereby clearing the way for the tax deduction and the donation. I understand the Archives has offered to support this legislation in a letter to the committee. Nevertheless, I want to again highlight two points: The majority moved this bill without a hearing. We should have had a better understanding of legislation relinquishing the Federal Government's claims while benefiting certain private entities through tax breaks. Given the multiple, ongoing instances of mismanagement of the Archives, we should have the opportunity on the committee to review all legislation relating to this agency.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I urge the Members to support the passage of S. 692, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. No, I am not.

Mr. LUETKEMEYER. As noted all year, oversight and accountability are critically important. This bill provides GAO additional process authorities regarding access to information and enhances GAO's ability to carry out its mission. The GAO has done a long-standing right-of- access to agency records. On occasion, its efforts have been frustrated and delayed by agencies refusing to provide GAO with copies of necessary records or by a lack of willingness on the part of agency officers and employees to discuss the content of records or provide background information relevant to programs under review. This bill augments the GAO's existing access authority by confirming GAO's right to make and retain copies of records and by providing GAO with the right to interview agency officers and employees. In addition, the bill requires agencies to interpret statutes as requiring disclosure of information to GAO unless the statute expressly prohibits disclosure to GAO. Finally, the bill makes some commonsense changes to the Comptroller General's ability to administer oaths as well as agency reporting requirements. Madam Speaker, Congress looks to the GAO to assist with the investigative and oversight functions vested in the legislative branch. This bill is intended to increase the effectiveness of GAO by ensuring that the agency is not unnecessarily restricted in its efforts to secure necessary information when performing these necessary and important functions. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding his time.