Thad McCotter

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Novi resident, Michelle Rzepka, for her contribution to the United States bobsled team during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. As a student at Novi High School, Michelle demonstrated extraordinary athletic ability as a varsity letter winner in basketball, volleyball and track and field. During her college career, Michelle was a two time All-American pole-vaulter and Big-10 indoor and outdoor pole vault champion for Michigan State University. In 2007, Michelle began her bobsledding career when she joined the World Cup team. Since joining the team, Michelle has placed in the top ten in seven out of eight World Cup races. In Vancouver, Michelle joined teammate Shauna Rohbock as the sled's brakeman on the United States first bobsled team. The duo finished in sixth place. Madam Speaker, as we recognize Michelle Rzepka for her participation in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating her for her past athletic accomplishments and wishing her continued success in all future endeavors.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 1 State Championship Bowling team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central High School. This has been a noteworthy year for the gentleman at Catholic Central, as this championship marks the fourth state title of the 2009-2010 school year. The Michigan High School Athletic Association recognized bowling as an official sport in 2006. Thus, it is impressive how the Catholic Central team has risen to state prominence in a very short time. Two members of this State Championship Bowling team qualified for the individual finals and, although they did not ultimately win, they represented CC High admirably and honorably. After defeating Salem 1856-1824 in quarterfinals, the Shamrock bowlers outdueled Flint Carman-Ainsworth 1855-1747 and earned a berth in the finals setting up to take on Macomb Dakota. On March 5, 2010 the Catholic Central Shamrocks rolled over Macomb Dakota 1834-1565 to earn their first state championship trophy. Coach Al Bridges saw his bowlers in seventh place after the morning qualifying round. In true Shamrock fashion the team kept fighting and refused to give up. As the day wore on, CC kept moving up in the standings, leading by 143 pins after the Baker games. From that point on the Shamrocks never looked back. Coach Al Bridges credits good conditioning and a lot of practice for the payoff of winning a championship. The hard work and dedication of each team member epitomizes what it means to be a Shamrock. By the teaching of our Basilian Fathers through goodness, discipline and knowledge, the entire Catholic Central family, including this alumnus, shares in this accomplishment. Madam Speaker, in earning their first bowling title, the 2010 Catholic Central Shamrocks deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement and spirit. In recognition of their effort, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Shamrocks for obtaining this spectacular championship and honoring their devotion to our community and country. Live and Die for CC High!

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Division 1 Wrestling Coach of the Year, Mitch Hancock. Hailing from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central High School, Coach Hancock led his grapplers to their first state championship in 22 years. Under his tutelage, all 14 Catholic Central wrestlers qualified for the individual state meet. Taking over the head coaching reins from his mentor, 40 year legendary Coach Mike Rodriguez, in the fall of 2007, Mitch Hancock brought the unique perspective of having won an individual state title himself. Hancock was selected as a high school All-American and went on to have a stellar career at Central Michigan University where he again attained All-American status. Though CC is known for excellence in many sports, it reserves a section of its rafters for state championship banners in the two sports the Shamrocks herald as their calling card: football and wrestling. In his inaugural season, Coach Hancock took his Shamrocks to the state regionals, where their season ended at the hands of Hartland, 39-33. Hancock's sophomore campaign ended at the state quarterfinals as Catholic Central was bested by Lake Orion, 42-27. This season Coach Hancock and the Shamrocks reached the pinnacle by dethroning perennial power Rockford, 39-24, earning their first state championship under Hancock's reign. Mitch Hancock has coached five individual state champions in three short years, amassing a record of 56-18. He has placed eight wrestlers in All-State status with the 2010 selections as yet to be announced. It is understandable why former coach Mike Rodriguez felt completely comfortable in turning his legacy of 40 years over to Hancock. Rodriguez saw a willingness to get on the mat and challenge his wrestlers. Mitch Hancock has an incredible passion for the sport and enjoys helping his athletes develop. Coach Hancock's priorities are, in order; God, family, job and wrestling. His wrestlers understand that excellence is the expectation, not the exception. Madam Speaker, after earning his first state championship and being selected as the Michigan High School Association's 2010 Division 1 Wrestling Coach of the Year, Mitch Hancock deserves to be recognized for his dedication to the young men of Catholic Central and his determination to keep the highly respected winning tradition of the Shamrocks alive. In recognition of his effort and the honor bestowed upon him, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Detroit Catholic Central Wrestling Coach Mitch Hancock on his accolades and in honoring his devotion to our community and country. Live and Die for CC High!

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 1 State Champion Football team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central High School. On November 27, 2009 the Catholic Central Shamrocks steamrolled Sterling Heights Stevenson 31-21. The win capped off an undefeated season for the Blue and White. This 2009 Catholic Central football team gave Coach Tom Mach the 10th State Championship in his 34 seasons as head coach of the Shamrocks. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment for this close-knit group of young men. The hard work and dedication of all of its members epitomize what it means to be a Shamrock. By the teaching of our Basilian Fathers through goodness, discipline and knowledge the entire Catholic Central family, including this alumnus, shares in this accomplishment. Following a wildly successful Catholic season that saw 6 shutouts and a defense that allowed only 23 points on the season, Catholic Central added yet another shutout, edging Orchard Lake St. Mary's 7-0 for the Detroit Catholic League Championship. After routing Livonia Franklin 42-7 in the district opener, the Shamrocks exacted revenge on Livonia Stevenson, who had ended Catholic Central's 2008 playoff run by trouncing the Spartans 38-0. With the win Coach Mach became only the 7th coach in Michigan history to have reached 300 wins, all at the helm of Catholic Central. But there was more to accomplish. A determined Canton team forced the Shamrocks into overtime before Catholic Central ran into the end zone on the first possession. The stingy Shamrock defense wouldn't budge, and the beloved Blue and White eked out a 31-27 triumph. With only Holt standing in the path to the finals at Ford Field, the Shamrocks rolled to a 31-0 win, racking up the 9th shutout of their spectacular season. Finally a winning team took to the turf of Ford Field as Catholic Central went to the big dance against Sterling Heights Stevenson. While this Stevenson team fared slightly better than their Livonia counterparts, the Shamrocks met their final challenge and soared to a 31-21 victory, raising the Division 1 trophy in triumph. Madam Speaker, with a season record of 14-0, the 2009 Catholic Central Shamrocks deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement, and spirit and I am very proud of their determination and effort. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Shamrocks for obtaining this spectacular title and honoring their devotion to our community and country. Live and Die for CC High!

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 1 State Champion Wrestling team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central High School. On February 27, 2010, the Catholic Central Shamrocks defeated Rockford 39-24 to hoist their first state championship trophy since 1988. Third year Head Coach Mitch Hancock, an individual state final winner for the Shamrocks in 2000, saw all fourteen of his wrestlers earn a berth to the Individual State Finals. This is the first time in recent Division 1 history that an entire team has qualified for the Individual State meet. Three Shamrock grapplers brought home individual state titles to complement the team championship. This is truly a tremendous accomplishment for a devoutly dedicated group of young men. The hard work and dedication of all of its members epitomizes what it means to be a Shamrock. By the teaching of our Basilian Fathers through goodness, discipline and knowledge the entire Catholic Central family, including this alumnus, shares in this accomplishment. Following in the remarkable tradition of legendary Catholic Central Coach Mike Rodriguez, who was both coach and mentor to current Coach Mitch Hancock, the Shamrock's brought home their eighth state wrestling team title. Madam Speaker, with a season record of 27-4, the 2010 Catholic Central Shamrocks deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement and spirit and I am very proud of their determination and effort. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Shamrocks for obtaining this spectacular title and honoring their devotion to our community and country. Live and Die for CC High!

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the retirement of WOMC-FM radio host Mr. Dick Purtan after 45 years on the air in Detroit. During his 45-year career, Mr. Purtan has become a well recognized radio personality nationwide. From his work at WOMC-FM, Mr. Purtan has been inducted into the Michigan Broadcasters Hall of Fame, National Radio Hall of Fame and won the Marconi award for being the Nation's top radio personality. Mr. Purtan is also known for his dedication to philanthropic works benefitting the Metro Detroit area. In September 2009, he and his wife Gail were named ``Goodfellows of the Year'' by the Detroit Goodfellows Organization. Since 1988, Mr. Purtan has raised $22 million for those in need through an annual Radiothon to benefit the Salvation Army's Bed and Bread program. Also, Mr. Purtan supports Children's Hospital as well as the Karmanos Cancer Center through the Gail Purtan Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Madam Speaker, Mr. Dick Purtan will be remembered for his award winning personality and as a philanthropist and friend to Metro Detroit. As we celebrate his retirement, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his many achievements and honoring the contributions he made to society.

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division 1 State Champion Hockey team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central High School. On March 13, 2010 the Catholic Central Shamrocks routed Howell 6-1. In a repeat of last year's matchup the Royal Blue and White again hoisted the championship trophy and capped off a nearly perfect 27-1-1 season. This victory marked the 14th state hockey title for Catholic Central and a record 5th Division 1 state title for the 2009-2010 athletic season. This victory came right after the cross country, football, wrestling and bowling teams all won championships. This is a remarkable achievement for these exemplary young men. The hard work and dedication of all members epitomizes what it means to be a Shamrock. By the teaching of our Basilian Fathers through goodness, discipline and knowledge, the entire Catholic Central family, including this alumnus, shares in this accomplishment. Following a successful regular season campaign with only a single 1-0 loss, Catholic Central embarked on a determined postseason run, outscoring their opponents 31-3. After beating Northville 5-1 in their first pre-regional game, the Shamrocks decimated Brighton 8-0 in the second pre-regional round. In the Region 7 Final, they defeated Livonia Stevenson 2-0. Head Coach Todd Johnson's players crashed the net in their quarterfinal match against Ann Arbor Huron, hammering out an 8-0 win. In a true test of will, CC relied on a strong defense to oust a scrappy Orchard Lake St. Mary's squad as they cleared the semifinal to make their second consecutive trip to the Division 1 final against Howell. Going into the 3rd period the Royal Blue and White held a 3-1 lead before slamming home three unanswered goals for a 6-1 win. Madam Speaker, with a season record of 27-1-1, the 2009-2010 Catholic Central Shamrocks Hockey Team deserves to be recognized for their determination, achievement and spirit. I am very proud of their effort and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Shamrocks for having brought yet another title home and in honoring their devotion to our community and country. Live and Die for CC High!

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Division I State champion hockey team from my alma mater, Detroit Catholic Central High School. On March 13, 2010, the Shamrocks bested Howell 6-1 to cap off a nearly perfect 27-1-1 season and to repeat as State champions. This victory marked the 14th State hockey title for Catholic Central and a record fifth Division I State title for the 2009-2010 athletic season. The hard work and dedication of Coach Todd Johnson's team epitomizes what it means to be a Shamrock. Mr. Speaker, the Shamrock hockey team deserves recognition for their determination, achievement, and spirit, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating them for bringing home another title and honoring their devotion to Mary Alma Mater, our community, and our country. ``Live and Die for CC High.''

Mr. McCOTTER

Mr. McCOTTER. I would like to start with a match-up of two wily veterans, Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner. These two teams have known each other quite some time on the floor of this House. They have had wins and losses, and there is no love lost. Yet despite a spirited effort by the tanned and resilient minority leader, he eventually did succumb to the tenaciousness and, yet some argue, some questionable tactics of Speaker Pelosi, who advances to the next round.

Mr. McCOTTER. If the gentleman will yield, I just want to add, and this is to watch in later rounds as Speaker Pelosi advances, is one thing that the opponent might want to watch for is she only dribbles on the left. So this could come in handy in later rounds for those of a more conservative bent. Secondly, I think it is important that we point out to those people watching at home is that in many States wagering is illegal and is certainly frowned upon by most denominations.

Mr. McCOTTER. Clearly the Cornhusker kickback had a tremendous inside game, and I think overwhelmingly just the sheer determination and tenacity of the American people did defeat the Cornhusker kickback. Although there was a case of a potentially flagrant foul involved, but that would have been the Cornhusker kickback itself.

Mr. McCOTTER. I would have to agree that in this contest, the Blue Dogs came up lame.

Mr. McCOTTER. I say we go to the contest of Mr. Rahm Emanuel versus former Member Massa.

Mr. McCOTTER. Well, I would have to say that in a pointed confrontation, Mr. Emanuel had a finger roll at the end of the game and sent Mr. Massa to the showers. I think this one has to go to Rahm.

Mr. McCOTTER. I would have to concur in this. Clearly, around the office cooler, between Mr. Waxman and taxes there was no clear-cut crowd favorite, although most of the early money was on taxes because, as we all know, there is nothing more certain than death and taxes. Well, as so happens in the early rounds of the tournament, the underdog does prevail. And with this expert knowledge of the X's and O's of the insider Washington game and with the help of a deep bench of 16,500 new IRS agents, I think it's pretty clear that Mr. Waxman came out smoking in the field and buried taxes.

Mr. McCOTTER. When we come to Congress, as the gentleman knows, we are empowered by our constituents' trust to engage in voting, to make decisions on their behalf and to engage in the great debates. And with that comes a constitutionally prescribed duty to the institution to respect its traditions, its customs and its rules because we are not allowed to leave this institution of the House or of the Senate or of the Congress as a whole in a worse condition than when we entered it. And what we are seeing today with the process that is being used and abused to try to jam this bill on the American people is undermining the American people's faith not only in their Representatives, but in their representative institutions. So this is clearly a case where the process not only has institutional ramifications but, I would argue as well, has potentially constitutional ramifications. As we have heard described in the press, the ``deem as passed'' rule, which some refer to as the Slaughter House rule, could constitute a clear violation of article 1 section 7. And this is where I commence going back to the beginning. Article 1 section 7 says we have to pass legislation. We are empowered to vote. We are supposed to be accountable. It is fundamental to our representative democracy that we come here and we vote upon the substantive issues that are before us before they are foisted upon the American people as law. To say something is ``deem and passed,'' to use a procedural device to avoid your responsibility to discharge the duties entrusted to you, I believe, is a violation of the Constitution. It will do damage to the institution just as these Cornhusker kickbacks, just as these Louisiana purchases, just as the Florida Gator deal, just as everything else we are seeing to get this bill passed, despite the American people, is doing damage to this institution.

Mr. McCOTTER. I think like the health care system we all know, our time may be shorter than we think. I like to point out that if we were to change the ``Schoolhouse Rock!'' and ``Schoolhouse Rock!'' educational movie to update it to the shady backroom dealings and such as we have seen here, it would no longer be suitable content for children. With that, let us move into the bracket our colleague Representative and my fellow Michigander, the great State of Michigan, Mr. Bart Stupak versus the National Abortion Rights Action League. It is my view that despite attacking offensively, NARAL could not withstand the tenacious zoned defense of innocent human life that was put forward by my colleague, Mr. Stupak, and given his height advantage, morally he prevailed.

Mr. McCOTTER. As we recall, at the time of the Stupak amendment on the House bill, there were some voices from within the Republican Party that said to engage in mischief and to potentially defeat the bill, the pro-life Republicans should vote against the Stupak amendment. And my argument and the argument of so many of us at the time was no. Our commitment to the sanctity and dignity of the unborn will not be changed; it will not be utilized in a way that is diminished simply to engage in a parliamentary attempt to defeat a bill. We will stand for principle.

Mr. McCOTTER. What we are seeing now is a converse, but because the Senate bill has come back without the language to defend innocent human life that Representative Stupak has not only put into the House bill but has defended in principle here against the Senate bill, you're going to see a lot of Democrats on the other side of the aisle who are going to have to face a crisis of conscience: Will you continue despite what may be your perceived political self-interest to continue to defend the unborn in this process and from the taxpayer funding of abortion? And sadly we have seen so many not. I appreciate the gentleman's observation. We only have one game left, and that is Medicare, which, of course, Mr. Speaker, you know that both the House and the Senate bill call for a reduction of about one-half trillion dollars from the Medicare program. Now, the people who have drafted the legislation indicate that that is going to be achieved by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. I have been here long enough to remember MediScare from 1996, when in our budget we proposed to slow the rate of growth of Medicare spending to twice the rate of inflation. I think it was projected to save about half of this one-half trillion dollars that is now proposed to be cut out in this legislation. When I ran for reelection in 1996, there were ads on television that said, I hated your grandmother and your grandmother and my own grandmother, and I didn't want them to have medical care. But now, without a whimper, all of a sudden taking twice that amount--and, again, just like I don't understand how you lower cost by putting 30 more million people into the program, how you make Medicare better by taking one-half trillion dollars out. And then the matchup is the mighty team from PhRMA. And again, Mr. Speaker, you know that PhRMA basically is the trade association for the pharmaceutical industry here on Capitol Hill. There was a pretty well- documented deal made down at the White House that I will ask one of my colleagues to talk about. But if I had to say that there were two groups that have been demonized during the discussion of this, it is health care insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. They are continually talked about on this floor as being anti-American, villains, gougers, greedy. But we are going to talk about this matchup, and I would just say that when we are talking about one of the sweetheart deals that remains in the bill and will not be removed by fixers, as of this writing, is what I will call the New Jersey needle exchange. Apparently, there was some difficulty in getting the vote of one of the Senators from New Jersey, and so under this bill there is $1 billion that is going to go to the drug companies, the PhRMA representatives, who apparently are doing everything they can to mess around with people's health care and so forth and so on. But maybe, Mr. Tiberi, let me turn to you and maybe you could talk a little bit about the discussion that took place between one of our former colleagues, the soon-to-be former head of PhRMA, and the administration relative to their participation in this program.

Mr. McCOTTER. We would have to. Actually, PhRMA has run up the score in this game. You see one-half trillion dollars cut from senior citizens' Medicare. You see a backroom sweetheart deal for PhRMA. PhRMA, unfortunately, wins out with this administration and Democratic Congress over senior citizens who need their Medicare. I would also like to point out here the malleable morality of the Democrat Party and the administration when, in 2007, we knew and were told repeatedly by their candidates, even one for the highest office in the land, of how intrinsically evil pharmaceutical companies were. And yet, come 2009, when they are putting together their health care bill, their government takeover of your wellness, all of a sudden PhRMA wasn't so bad when they got on board and took a sweetheart deal to support this. Now, this, to me, and I am loathe to say it, tragically, how quickly the President's campaign mantra of ``Hope and Change'' has degenerated into hate and tax. When we now see it is the health insurance companies that are evil, well, PhRMA has been redeemed. The only difference is the health insurance companies have not taken a sweetheart backroom deal; PhRMA did. I find that morality objectionable. At least be consistent.

Mr. McCOTTER. If the gentleman would yield, I would like to say that the residents of Michigan understand that in our constitutional free Republic the equality of treatment under the law cannot be vitiated. And while this provision may have some benefit to us in the short run, there is nothing more damaging to the people of Michigan or America than a Federal Government that treats people disparately and does so to put together a deal that, in the long run, will take over their health care.

Mr. McCOTTER. I would like to pick between the People and Senator Reid. And I think, clearly, with the talk of reconciliation, we are going to have to go with Senator Reid defeating the people; although, I understand that the people are demanding a rematch in November, where the score is expected to be settled.

Mr. McCOTTER. If the gentleman will yield, you might want to be careful. Someone may be taping the game.

Mr. McCOTTER. If the gentleman will yield, they both know each other's games very well, in many ways. They are former teammates. Very well acquainted. But I think just for sheer athletic grace and the ability to pirouette, I would have to give it to the Chief of Staff for the President.

Mr. McCOTTER. I believe that was settled in the instance of Senator Reid.