Thad McCotter

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Garden City Cougars, champion women's high school softball team, upon reaching Garden City High School's first team State title. The Cougars, a MHSAA Division 1 team, were determined to achieve victory this season. Led by Head Coach, Barry Patterson and Assistant Coaches, Al Russell, Mark Minch, and Chuck Drewicz, the Cougars were on the prowl; knocking teams out of the tournament bracket left and right. The final game was a nail-biter. With two outs and a 2-2 count, senior Hallie Minch slammed the game winning hit, driving in teammate Katie Torok to make the final score 2 to 1. The Cougars season rounded out to 32 wins and 6 losses after the championship game on June 14, 2008. To seniors, Hallie Minch, Christina Seward, Katie Torok, Stacey Brickan, Kristina Susalla, Tricia York, Breannea King, and Karen Greficz; juniors, Shannon Pietruska, Katelyn Shattleroe, Jenniger Leone, Melissa Dimitrijevich, Amanda Quartz; sophomore Allison Chiti, and Freshmen, Carley Shattleroe and Naomi Oxendine, the thrill of softball will have given them an unforgettable day on Bailey Field. Madam Speaker, the Garden City Cougars deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement, and spirit. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Garden City Cougars for obtaining this spectacular title and honoring their devotion to our community and country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, in the interest of legislative process whereby we hear many speeches on the floor, many Members talk to their constituents, I am going to try to bring a bit of enlightenment to this process with the use of a technological device known as a ruler and charts. We are going to learn how to speak Democrat today, speaking local Democrat. Often we heard the word ``progressive,'' which translates into ``regressive.'' As used in a sentence, ``Democrats are progressive.'' The translation, ``Democrats are regressive.'' We hear the word ``change,'' which means ``the 1970s.'' ``Democrats will bring you change.'' Translation, ``Democrats will bring you the 1970s.'' ``Government'' means ``socialism.'' ``Democrats support proactive government.'' Translation, ``Democrats support proactive socialism.'' ``Enhance revenues'' translates into ``raise taxes.'' ``Democrats will enhance revenues.'' Translation, ``Democrats will raise taxes.'' This is my favorite part. ``The rich means you.'' For example, ``Democrats will only tax the rich.'' Translation, ``Democrats will only tax you.'' Ouch. ``Invest'' translates into ``waste.'' Again, used in a sentence, ``Democrats will invest your money.'' Translation, ``Democrats will waste your money.'' ``Energy'' means ``lethargy.'' ``Democrats have an energy policy.'' Translation, ``Democrats have a lethargy policy.'' ``Green-collar jobs'' translates into ``unemployment.'' ``Democrats will replace your blue-collar jobs with green-collar jobs'' translates into ``Democrats will replace your blue-collar jobs with unemployment.'' Speaking global Democrat. ``Diplomacy'' equals ``magic.'' ``Democrats will protect America from Iranian nukes through tough principled diplomacy'' translates into ``Democrats will protect America from Iranian nukes through tough principled magic.'' ``Engaged'' means ``appease.'' ``Democrats will engage America's enemies.'' Translation, ``Democrats will appease America's enemies.'' Importantly, ``end'' means ``lose.'' ``Democrats will end the Iraq war.'' Translation, ``Democrats will lose the Iraq war.'' Finally, contextually construing electoral Democrat, i.e., walking the party plank. This is a graduate-level course. ``As a progressive party, Democrats will bring you change by using government to enhance revenues from the rich to invest in the production of energy and green-collar jobs and by using diplomacy to engage America's enemies and end the Iraq war.'' The translation, ``As a regressive party, Democrats will bring you the 1970s by using socialism to raise taxes from you to waste in the production of lethargy and unemployment, and by using magic to appease America's enemies and lose the Iraq war.'' I hope this exercise has been instructive.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Civitan Club of Westland, a distinguished service organization, upon reaching 30 years as a chartered international group. Civitan Club of Westland is an organization open to all adult members in the community with the goal to improve the area, assist community members, and grow individually as better citizens. Civitan performs its services both locally, nationally, and internationally. Some of their local projects include, Turn off the Violence, Paws for a Cause Drive, and the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. Civitan targets many different careers, ages, and interests. From Special Olympics to Nursery Olympics, Police Departments to Fire Departments, and Festivals to Historical preservation, the Civitans have a vast range of activities that they plan, organize, and contribute their services to. The Civitan Club of Westland was chartered on June 19, 1978, and led by Charter President Candice Addis. The organization has continued its purpose of knowledge, service, and fellowship for thirty years and has been successful in all its endeavors. To all those who have been touched by Civitan Club of Westland, a legacy of determination and community support has been established. Madam Speaker, the Civitan Club of Westland is an organization that should be recognized for its 30 years of service, devotion, and kindness to the Westland community. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Civitan Club of Westland for reaching this spectacular milestone and honoring the group's loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Judy Rank, an inspirational couple, upon reaching their 50th wedding anniversary. Jerry and Judy were both brought up in Fort Dodge, Iowa and attended Fort Dodge High School. The idyllic duo began to date and became high school sweethearts. On August 10, 1958, Jerry and Judy exchanged vows and were pronounced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Rank. The Ranks relocated to Michigan when Jerry furthered his career with Ford Tractor. Mr. Rank's career with Ford lasted over 30 years, when he decided to retire and create new dreams with Judy. Upon Mr. Rank's retirement, Jerry and Judy have spent time with the loving family they have built together including their children Kyle (Kris), Mark (Kim), and Beth (Hal) and their grandchildren, Joseph, Thomas, Jennifer, Andrew, and Halee. The beautiful pair continues their strong marriage in Beulah, Michigan on Crystal Lake. Jerry and Judy enjoy watching the sunset together, entertaining guests, and salmon fishing, which is their favorite pastime. Madam Speaker, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Judy Rank are an extraordinary example of love, strength, and togetherness that families today should look to for guidance. The Ranks will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 10, 2008. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating The Ranks for reaching this spectacular milestone and honoring the couple's loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge Mr. Les Cash, Fire Chief of the Lyon Township Fire Department, upon reaching his retirement after 35 years of loyal service. Mr. Les Cash was born in 1943, the sixth of ten siblings to Floyd and Leona Cash. In 1960, Mr. Cash enlisted in the Army, served 16 months in Korea, and was later stationed in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood where he worked as a battalion mail clerk. In 1963, Les was honorably discharged and married his lovely wife, Renate, in July. Together, the blissful couple had two sons, Dan and Brian, and one daughter, Lisa. In 1964, Mr. Cash began a career for the Ford Motor Company where he remained until his retirement over 30 years later. During this time, Les volunteered with the Lyon Township Fire Department. In 1973, Mr. Cash was honored to accept the position of Fire Chief and became Full- Time Fire Chief in 1998. Les was a devoted and determined leader and served his community with utmost ability. Madam Speaker, Mr. Les Cash will retire from Fire Chief of the Lyon Township Fire Department on June 30, 2008. To his wife, Renate; his children, Dan, Brian, and Lisa; his grandchildren, Devin, Taylor, Brianna, and Nicole; and to everyone whose lives have been enriched by him, Les is a man of courage, vigor, and guidance. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Les Cash for his 35 years as Fire Chief and honor Mr. Cash's honorable service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia and the gentleman from North Carolina for holding this. Phillip Bobbitt, the author of the ``Shield of Achilles,'' once wrote that if you don't know where you have been, you won't know where you're going, and any road will take you there. Throughout the history of the 20th century, we have seen where people who deny the role of religion within their government--the hells to which they have descended, hells of which Dostoevsky warned a long time ago that all manners of things are possible in the absence of God. It has been said tonight, and rightly so, that the United States, from its founding, has understood a self-evident truth that our liberty comes not from the pen of a government bureaucrat but is written on our hearts by almighty God. It is this self-evident truth that allows us to understand that it is our liberty which has curated the subservient government which exists to protect our God-given rights. I think it is also important that we understand that history is not merely something that happened 200 years ago, 100. But let us look back to our own recent history of religion and its salubrious effects on the American people. In the civil rights struggle, it was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, who understood that America was a country founded upon the principle of equality for all because all human beings were endowed by the creator with the gift of liberty. It was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, who appealed to the conscience of this country to allow us to live together and to one day achieve the dream of equality, regardless of race. In pursuit of this noble goal, in pursuit of this Godly goal, Dr. King was slain. And in a eulogy performed for him in Indianapolis in the wake of this tragedy, it was Senator Robert F. Kennedy who said, And even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget, falls drop by drop upon the heart until then our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God. In that moment of anguish for our Nation, which would be repeated shortly thereafter for Senator Kennedy, we saw that religion and government in the United States were not exclusive but complimentary. And we saw that what binds us together as the greatest Nation on the face of the earth stems not from government but from the yearnings and the common bounds of our own heart. This recognition, this understanding of where we've been, where we are, and where together we must go, is what will allow America to remain a community of destiny, inspired and guided by the virtuous genius of her free people and eternally blessed by the unfathomable grace of God.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, today the world commemorates and mourns the events that happened in Tiananmen Square 19 years ago today. It was then that over 2,000 people were massacred by the Communist regime for the crime of quoting Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the crime of creating a model of the Statue of Liberty, killed for the crime of wanting their God-given right to liberty. In these 19 years, many things have changed and, sadly, too many people have forgotten. But there are 130 people that cannot forget. There are 130 people that remain in the communist Chinese prisons for participating in the pro-democracy demonstrations at Tiananmen Square in 1989. Today, many are told that the communist Chinese regime will one day change. We've heard this for 19 years. We have seen corporate leaders, we have seen elected officials, and regrettably we will soon see the President of the United States go over to Beijing for the Olympics and meet with the butchers that killed 2,000 people, and they continue to imprison 130 of their fellow human beings. The arguments that will be made in attending this propaganda fest will be that we have to show our respect to the Chinese people; that we have to show them that somehow the United States of America wants to usher in this communist, nuclear-armed dictatorship into the world stage. I find this logic reprehensible. The United States is a beacon of liberty and hope for all the world suppressed. When the leaders of the United States, be they in business or, more importantly, in the corridors of Congress or in the halls of the White House, attend these communist Olympics, the Chinese people that I am worried about, the Chinese people that I believe we will not be standing behind will be the people who are rotting in the jails for the crime of yearning to be free. The question then arises, what can we do as a Nation? Many believe the 21st century will be the century of the communist Chinese regime; that their economy will pass ours; that their rival model of governance will be adopted throughout the world of the corporate structure where one can make money when allowed by the tyrants and that all of your political rights simply do not exist but for the whim of the communist party. I believe the people who are writing the obituary of the West and of our free Republic are mistaken, and I believe that over time, the voices and the influence of the communist tyrants in Beijing will ring as hollow in the ears of our fellow human beings as once did the callow calls from the halls of the Polit Bureau that the Soviet Union was going to bury the United States. So as we go forward toward the Olympics, as we go forward from the 19th commemoration of the butchering in Tiananmen Square of the killing of students my own age for wanting the same God-given rights that I and everyone in this country have, let's not forget the 130. Let's demand their release, for if we do not, we will betray not only their liberty, but our professed commitment to being a beacon of hope for all of the world; and we will have squandered the legacy given to us as the custodians of this last best hope of Earth.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge an event, Cruisin' Michigan, which will be held in Wayne County, Michigan. Cruisin' Michigan is a charity event created by Don Nicholson, an avid community serviceman. On July 12, 2008, classic automobiles will be cruising Michigan Avenue from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. This is the first multi-city Michigan Avenue cruise where classic beauties will be traveling through Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Wayne, and Westland, Michigan. Cruisin' Michigan will benefit many non-profit organizations, the Wayne Rotary Club, service groups and supports the City of Inkster's Summer Jazz Festival. This special occasion is expected to bring more than 50,000 visitors to the area, which will increase the sales for local businesses and stimulate the economy. Madam Speaker, Cruisin' Michigan will encourage travel, create economic growth, and benefit numerous organizations. This event is also expected to promote future charitable events produced by Mr. Nicholson including, the Don Nicholson Charity Car Show and EnjoyWayne.com Charity Car Show, which raise money for adults with special needs and for scholarship funds. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Cruisin' Michigan event and acknowledging Mr. Don Nicholson for his loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge Ms. Dorothy Thomas, a remarkable Michigan citizen, upon her 100th birthday on May 27, 2008. Ms. Thomas was born on May 25, 1908, in Detroit, Michigan. Dorothy grew up surrounded by an affectionate and giving family. Dorothy attended Craft Grade School and Condon Junior High. While attending Western High School, Ms. Thomas completed a business course, which included shorthand and led to her first job after graduation as a stenographer with Ford Motor Truck Company. Ms. Thomas has been alone since age 58 after her husband passed away in 1966, and both children passed away at an early age. Dorothy continued to press on in spite of her loneliness. She worked as a Kelly girl, was a secretary at Art Center Hospital, and retired at age 67 from working in a business office at Mercy College. Ms. Thomas has filled her life with personal interests such as playing the piano, spending time with family, and her new pastime favorites: crafts and bingo. Dorothy has also been a devoted member of the church and continues to attend regularly. Dorothy's two nephews, two nieces, 12 great nephews and nieces, five great-great nephews, and five great- great nieces, all look to Dorothy for strength and inspiration as she reaches this amazing milestone. Madam Speaker, for 100 years Ms. Dorothy Thomas has graced the world with her kindness, hard work, and spirit. Ms. Thomas's claim to a long life is a wonderful upbringing, athletics, strength under tragedy, and her dedication to work and church. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Dorothy Thomas upon reaching her 100th birthday on May 27, 2008, and for being an upstanding citizen to her community and country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Ms. Mamie D. Folino, a valued member of the Northville community, and mourn her upon her passing at age 77. Ms. Mamie D. Folino was known in the Northville community for her service work and her efforts to preserve heritage in the area. Mamie Folino was born on August 24, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan and was a proud graduate of Fordson High School and Cleary College. Ms. Folino was an extremely active member of her community. Mamie participated in the Mainstreet '78 Project, which revitalized the landscaping along the downtown area. Mamie also volunteered at International Festivals after she had retired as an office manager at her late husband's State Farm Insurance Agency. Ms. Folino became a prevalent member of the community when she became a dynamic component of the Northville Chamber of Commerce, which helped the community prosper. Mamie was also involved with the Northville Historical Society to conserve the culture of the area. Furthermore, Mamie Folino was a devoted member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Sadly, Ms. Mamie Folino passed away on May 13, 2008. Mamie was highly regarded in the community for her involvement, but her love for her family and her pets always came first in her life. To her daughters, Teresa and Paula (Gary); her granddaughter, Domenica; her siblings, Charles, Domenic, Prudy, Mary (Jim), and Frank (Charlyn); and to everyone that knew and loved her, Ms. Mamie D. Folino was a woman who tended to the preservation of culture and history and was a dedicated member of the community. Madam Speaker, during her lifetime, Ms. Mamie D. Folino enriched the lives of everyone around her by exhibiting kindness, cooperation, and dedication. As we bid farewell to this outstanding individual, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning her passing and honoring her many years of loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Over the recess, I had the opportunity to meet with a manufacturing community in my district; talk to managers, talk to owners, talk to employees. The one thing they all agree on is the cost of American energy is adding to their fixed costs at the very time international pressure is forcing them to reduce the cost of their product. In short, they're facing the nightmare scenario of energy prices forcing them to lay off workers in the manufacturing sector or to, unfortunately, terminate their employment altogether. What we need in the United States is American energy production, conservation, and free market innovation if we are to protect these jobs and help these workers. It is very cold comfort for the people of Michigan and the manufacturing workers of the United States to hear that some day a green collar job will come and take away your blue collar job. When you're putting them out of work today, the prospects for tomorrow look much more bleak than they do to some academic or to some politician who is engaging in rhetoric that somehow the government will innovate us out of this effort. We need American production to help protect manufacturing jobs and help provide prosperity for the American people.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge Mr. Rod Cook, the City Manager of South Lyon, upon his retirement from a prominent 25-year career in public service. Mr. Cook accepted the position of City Manager in October of 1983, and led the citizens of South Lyon with confidence and pride for over two decades. Rod was known for his stern, quiet demeanor and his ability to listen intently and make superior decisions. Mr. Cook took on the challenge of city manager at a time when the population was only 5,200 people. Rod was able to establish growth within the city; more than doubling the population before his retirement. During his career, Mr. Cook also spearheaded road improvements throughout the area; launched the identity of South Lyon; assisted with the creation of the Rail Trail; and played an essential role in the revitalization of the downtown area. Rod Cook, through his proactive measures, made South Lyon one of the fastest growing small communities in the nation during his career. As Mr. Cook enters the next phase of his life after his retirement on March 11, 2008, Mr. Cook looks forward to spending time with his wife, Sydney. Constantly showing his love for the city, Mr. Cook will continue to contribute his services, after retirement, until a new manager is hired. Madam Speaker, for 25 years Mr. Rod Cook has successfully served the citizens of South Lyon, Michigan. As Mr. Cook resigns from his position of City Manager, he leaves behind a long-standing legacy of trust, dedication, and achievement. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Rod Cook upon his retirement and recognizing his years of loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. Karen J. Stuck, a cherished leader of the medical community, and mourn her upon her passing at age 56. Born on September 7, 1951, and raised in Lancaster, Ohio, Dr. Stuck was inducted into her high school's Hall of Fame as a distinguished alumnus for her many accomplishments throughout her lifetime. Karen performed her undergraduate career at the University of Michigan in 1973, where she served as president of her sorority and was installed as a member of the school's academic honor society. Dr. Stuck continued her education at the Ohio State University Medical School in 1976 and undertook internships and residencies at Duke University and the University of Michigan. Her love of medicine brought her to teach the field of radiology at the University of Michigan. Karen's profound research made her papers and exhibits nationally renowned at meetings, books, and scientific journals. Dr. Stuck applied her medical expertise to acquire a 20-year career as a radiologist at Henry Ford Hospital; Division Head of GU Radiology; the Interim Director of Breast Imaging; and as an educator. Karen's gift in medicine permitted her to receive the profession's highest honor as a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. Regrettably, Dr. Stuck, after a year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia, passed away on March 5, 2008. Dr. Stuck was not purely known for her medical talents, but was also known for her love and devotion to her friends and family. To her husband, Walter; mother, Jean; her sons, Andrew and Thomas; her step-son, James; her brother, Tom (Catherine); her nephews, Thomas and Joseph; and to everyone that knew and loved her, Dr. Karen Stuck was a dedicated member of the medical community locally, nationally, and world-wide. Madam Speaker, during her lifetime, Dr. Karen Stuck enriched the lives of everyone around her by exhibiting compassion, leadership, and courage. As we bid farewell to this exceptional individual, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning her passing and honoring her many years of loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge Ms. Nancy Swanborg, long-time Director of the Women's Resource Center and Schoolcraft College employee, upon her retirement from an exemplary nineteen-year career in serving the public. Ms. Swanborg obtained the position of Director of the Women's Resource Center in the summer of 1989. Through her vital leadership, Nancy has been recognized locally and nationally for her successful measures to remove the educational, financial, and legal barriers that face women. Nancy's vision to help women has inspired her to create a unique program called ``From Chocolate Chips to Micro Chips to Blue Chips'', which is a college program assisting women to transition from home to the work force. Ms. Swanborg's work at the college is not limited to the Women's Resource Center. Nancy is currently working on writing a grant for the school; is instrumental in the implementation of a scholarship to assist women; and is a trustee for various Schoolcraft College Foundation Scholarships. Nancy exerts energy well beyond her responsibilities with the Women's Resource Center and Schoolcraft College. Ms. Swanborg is extremely involved in the community through activities including, Threads of Power, Detroit Race for the Cure, and organized several campus-wide memorial services. Nancy is also a loving and devoted mother of two and grandmother of four. Madam Speaker, for nearly twenty years Ms. Nancy Swanborg has been a devoted community leader in Livonia, Michigan. As Ms. Swanborg turns over the reigns of Director of the Women's Resource Center on May 6, 2008, she leaves a community who will surely miss her strength, commitment, and movement to empower women. Ms. Swanborg's accomplishments in her personal and professional life have ensured the greatness and stability of the Women's Resource Center for years to come. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Nancy Swanborg upon her retirement and recognizing her many years of loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Jerry Trumpka, a treasured community leader, and mourn him upon his passing at age 57. Jerry Trumpka was a founding member and president of the Plymouth A.M. Rotary Club. Jerry contracted polio at the age of nine. Mr. Trumpka used his struggle with the disease as an inspiration to assist his local community, our Nation, and worldwide efforts to provide comfort to families and victims of polio and help eliminate the disease. The Rotary Club, which is an international organization, has made its main focus since 1985 to eradicate polio worldwide. Jerry was honored to become President of the Club in 2003. Mr. Trumpka was instrumental to the development of the Sandra Sagear award, named after a local high school student who overcame the challenges of living with polio. Mr. Trumpka helped to initiate the award and $500 scholarships in Sagear's name and assisted in the construction of a memory wall honoring the recipients of the award. Jerry was known as a quiet giver both through his leadership in the Rotary Club and in his position as the operations associate at the Plymouth Community United Way office. Mr. Trumpka was also known for his involvement in the political community as a Republican activist. Tragically, Jerry passed away from a heart attack. Jerry will be cherished as a devoted husband and father. To his wife, Becky; his daughter; Toni; and to everyone who knew and loved him, Jerry was a dedicated member of his community who will be truly missed. Madam Speaker, during his lifetime, Mr. Jerry Trumpka enriched the lives of everyone around him by exhibiting vigor, leadership, and spirit. As we bid farewell to this outstanding individual, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning his passing and honoring his many years of loyal service to the community and our country.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves today as a minority party watching a very perplexing bill come towards us. It's perplexing in the sense that we watch a majority party which has promised America to end the war, which many of us, I think, rightly view and the world will view as an American defeat because it has failed and cannot be changed to the point where America can win. We've also watched a majority party tell us that the spending on the Iraq war has destroyed the American economy. We can differ on that but that is their position. And we now watch the Democratic Party bring forward a bill that will fund a failed war and will evidently, by their logic, further decimate the American economy. Now how does one come to the conclusion that this is a necessary step for said party? Well, you have discretionary spending added into it. Now, I would argue that a fine piece of legislation has been attached to this bill, which was introduced by the gentleman from Washington, to help people who are unemployed. Thanks to the policies of my State legislature, which has raised taxes and helped drive business out of Michigan, we have seen that people need unemployment insurance to get themselves through difficult times in the hopes they can find employment. Which brings me to the next problem with this, which is in an attempt to help veterans, we are raising taxes on small business income. Eighty percent of the income that will be taxed comes from small business. So now what we have is an attempt to show that we can fund a war that we believe has failed with money that has decimated the American economy by going overseas; yet we will try to help the unemployed, who will further suffer from this, and we will try to help veterans who come back from that war by making sure that there are no jobs here waiting for them. Again, it is a very perplexing bill. I would suggest to the gentleman who earlier suggested there was nothing Congress could do to end this war to rethink the position.

Mr. McCOTTER. Congress still holds the power of the purse. If the war is not funded, the war cannot continue. That's perhaps a position I disagree with, but it is a factual matter. If you are serious about this, you would do that. Or you would have a straightforward vote on funding the troops to ensure that we continue to move forward and that America is not defeated in Iraq. You would have dealt with the McDermott bill and sent it to the President despite his veto threat because he has also threatened to veto this legislation. There would be much Republican support for this. And then you would deal with the veterans in the way they should be. Now many friends of mine are Blue Dogs. You were not questioned on your patriotism when you determined that this money for veterans had to be offset. No one said you cared more about big government than veterans. I would suggest that those of us who want to make sure our economy recovers and do not want to tax it into submission and decimation should not have any patriotism questioned about supporting veterans by opposing tax increases and instead looking for cuts in Federal pork to pay for it.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Just a brief description of the amendment which I hope will prove noncontroversial. What I would like to do under the bill, though I'm not particularly a fan of the bill itself and its particulars, I would like to try to help to make it better. My amendment would, under the bill, require States to give first priority to veterans, active duty military personnel, National Guard, Armed Forces Reserves, schoolteachers and emergency response personnel when selling rehabilitated housing with funds authorized under H.R. 5818. Importantly, this amendment will not exclude those individuals who are low income, and does not change the underlying low-income eligibility requirements established under the bill. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Chairman, I would like to yield 1 minute to the author of one of the letters in question, the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett).

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McCOTTER. May I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. McCOTTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I would like to reemphasize the point made by the gentleman from New Jersey. The distinguished chairman of the committee is right, the Republican numbers are declining, and this painful experience with arithmetic has taught us that 17 is still a greater number than zero.

Mr. McCOTTER. The gentleman may potentially yield, but not at this point. I would also like to point out that the distinguished chairman is right, the bill, if this amendment is adopted, would not be for speculators, simply for Bear Stearns, for Wall Street, would not be a big, bloated government golden parachute, but again, I think in this town, I think I'm being thanked for adding deserving people to something that may or may not help. You see, it's not the intent that we are debating, it is how we get to where we all want to go. Do we believe that this is the best way to go? I highly doubt that on our side that we would concur with that. And the reason that we cannot concur with that is, as I believe the gentleman from Georgia pointed out, there are fundamental principles at stake here that we simply differ on. That's all right. We agree on some things, sometimes we don't, but they're a matter of principle. And in the end, the fundamental principle at stake is that our side believes that Americans' prosperity does not come from government, it comes from their own hard work and entrepreneurial investment. And what we want to see with this bill is an appropriate balance for the people that we truly are trying to help, for them who have made no mistakes, for them who have managed to hang on by their fingernails, for them to be able to say that we were compassionate towards our fellow Americans, our tax dollars were wisely used, and yet they were appropriately used. We believe in better government, not necessarily bigger government. And that is the crux of what we are debating today. All good people on both sides. And as for the chairman, I do believe he is a very honorable man. One of the places we do agree is on the Bear Stearns bailout. A lot of our colleagues on this side of the aisle screwed up their jobs and didn't get to walk away with $61 million. They walked away with far worse. And I think that the Bear Stearns issue, which is being conducted by Bernanke over at the Federal Reserve and the Secretary of the Treasury, both of whom work for the Bush administration--well, one technically does--and who both were, I think on a bipartisan basis, confirmed by the United States Senate. So at least there's one thing we have in common, we aren't to blame for that. So I would look forward to working with him on that. But again, I appreciate the support for the amendment, and I will yield to the chairman.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge Gilbert Guy Francis upon the occasion of his 80th birthday. Gilbert Francis dedicated his life to selflessly serving our community and country. Following service in the Air Force, Mr. Francis graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education and subsequently taught for 10 years at Southwestern High School in Detroit. Many happily remember his efforts as he found the time to teach typing and accounting to the continuing education school at night and the regular students during the day. Gil has many hobbies as well. He faithfully studies the genealogy of the Francis family, tracing their roots back to Wales. Gill also excels at stamp collecting, roller-skate dancing, and playing the piano. As well as being an expert keyboardist, Gil has along the way done much to further the study and appreciation level for pipe organs. Not the first book he has put pen to paper for, ``Michigan Pipe Organ Theaters'' is his latest anticipated forthcoming publication. He has distinguished himself serving as the Treasurer and then President of the Detroit Theater Organ Society for a number of successful years. These days, lucky listeners can happen upon the organ historian playing the pipe organ at the famed Redford Theatre for classic old films. Gilbert Francis is a man of integrity, devoted to his family, who has dedicated his life to his wife Penny, his two children Carl and Nancy, and their wonderful grand- and now great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, for eighty years Gilbert Guy Francis has faithfully served his family and community. As he enters the next phase of his life, he continues a legacy of dedication, skill of craft, and dignified leadership. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Gilbert upon this momentous day and recognizing his years of loyal service to our community and country.