Glenn Nye

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2352, the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009. And I want to thank our chairwoman and our ranking member. I appreciate all your efforts to move this comprehensive package of legislation forward and especially want to thank our chairwoman for working with me on title I of the bill, the Veterans Business Centers Act, which will help our Nation's veteran entrepreneurs. In my district, we have the second largest concentration of veterans of any congressional district in the country. My district is home to Norfolk Naval Base, the largest naval base in the world. In our community, there are countless veteran-owned businesses that are vital to the local economy. The measure that we are considering today will give veteran entrepreneurs everywhere the support they need to launch new enterprises and to grow existing businesses. The cornerstone of this effort will be a new nationwide network of services dedicated to veteran entrepreneurs, called Veterans Business Centers, the first nationwide business assistance program for veterans. Establishing this network will provide veterans with dedicated counseling and business training, with access to capital and to securing loans and credit and with help in navigating the procurement process. We know already, when they have access to the right tools, veterans can succeed in business, and I believe that we can build on what works and that we can expand access to these critical services. I strongly urge the passage of this bill.

Mr. NYE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act. In fact, I authored title I, the Veterans Business Centers provision, and I am in strong support of the title as it is. Today, however, I would like to make a minor addition to that bill, the Military Entrepreneurs Program. Mr. Chairman, it takes a special kind of person to be an entrepreneur. Small business ownership takes leadership. And in times like these, it takes resilience. So it is not surprising that, as they reenter civilian life, many of our returning servicemembers decide to launch their own enterprises. After all, these are the same attributes that they have exhibited while serving our Nation. Our veterans leave the military with valuable skills and experience. But they often don't have the resources to apply those skills to the challenge of starting and running a small business. This bill will make sure our veterans have the support they need to launch successful small businesses. And by supporting our veterans and our small businesses, we will help create jobs and get our economy going again. The cornerstone of this effort will be a new nationwide network of services dedicated to veteran entrepreneurs called Veteran Business Centers. Establishing this joint public-private network will provide veterans with the dedicated counseling and business training they need to launch new enterprises or grow existing businesses. By creating a new program to assist veterans in accessing capital and securing loans and credit, we will help them overcome some of the most significant hurdles blocking them from becoming successfully self-employed. By creating a new program to help our veterans to navigate the procurement process, they will be able to compete more effectively in the Federal marketplace. The Recovery Act is expected to create work in many sectors that are veteran dominated, like engineering, telecommunications, project management and construction. This bill will help veteran entrepreneurs take advantage of these opportunities. In coordination with these new Veteran Business Centers, this amendment, the Military Entrepreneurs Program, will direct the SBA to provide servicemembers transitioning to civilian life entrepreneurial information, training and financial guidance, the things they need to start up a business. This amendment specifically targets young entrepreneurs and proactively reaches out to them, letting them know the immense resources that are available to them. This ensures our returning warfighters have the know-how to land firmly on their feet after they have honorably served our country. Our veterans made every sacrifice necessary to defend liberty, justice and American values; and they deserve every chance at a fair shot at the American Dream. For that reason, the Veteran Business Centers provision has the support of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I strongly urge passage of this amendment and the bill. And I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor America's entrepreneurs, those distinguished individuals who support our communities, drive innovation, and keep our nation strong. Small businesses bring fresh ideas to the table, develop the resources to meet the demands of an ever-changing world, and make a meaningful impact on our neighborhoods. Entrepreneurs are responsible for providing 60 to 80 percent of all new jobs, giving them the potential to propel rapid economic growth and expand ever-developing fields. Some of the country's largest companies began as start-ups in small offices, homes and garages exploring these new fields. Limited only by their imagination, these firms performed cutting-edge work in emerging industries that have become the very foundation of our society. As our nation and the world face the most difficult economic conditions in decades, entrepreneurs have the potential to lead us back to prosperity. The resiliency and adaptability shown by small businesses in past recessions demonstrate their capability to meet the challenges standing in their way and emerge stronger than ever. America's small businesses will drive the economic recovery from this downturn and our economy will emerge stronger than ever. Times may be tough, but America's entrepreneurial spirit is tougher. To recognize the monumental achievements of our nation's small firms, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared May 17-23 as the 46th Annual National Small Business Week. The House Small Business Committee is celebrating all our country's hard-working entrepreneurs by saluting the Heroes of Small Business, those men and women who have shown the strength, leadership, and resourcefulness that keeps our economy moving forward. I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing and thanking Ms. Dona Storey for her tremendous accomplishments on behalf of small businesses. Ms. Storey is president and CEO of Quality Technical Services, Inc. (QTS), a minority and woman-owned small disadvantaged business. Founded in 1980, QTS provides strategic management consulting and manages multiphase, multi-location interior design projects. QTS counts among its clients some of the nation's largest corporations such as Time Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, and has contracted with federal, state and local governments. Ms. Storey has garnered several accolades for her entrepreneurial success and contributions to the business community, including being named by the Small Business Administration in 2007 as Virginia's ``Women in Business Champion of the Year.'' She participates in speeches and mentoring programs to educate other entrepreneurs about navigating the government contracting process, and is the creator of an online guide that provides information on how to succeed in the federal marketplace. Madam Speaker, Ms. Storey has exemplified the remarkable accomplishments of which America's entrepreneurs are capable. This week, she will testify before the House Small Business Committee to share her story. I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in honoring her for the extraordinary work she has done for the small business economy. Her efforts demonstrate that if given the right resources, America's small businesses can be the catalysts that lift our economy from the current downturn and put us on the road to recovery.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, the service and the sacrifice of Petty Officer Second Class Tyler Trahan, who was killed in action by a roadside bomb outside Fallujah, Iraq, on April 30. Petty Officer Trahan was an explosive ordnance disposal technician, one of the most dangerous assignments, assigned to Unit 12 based in Norfolk, Virginia, and at the time of his death, he was deployed with the SEAL team based out of Virginia Beach. Three years ago, like his father and grandfather before him, he signed up to bravely serve his country in uniform, telling his hometown newspaper, ``I want to go and fight for the freedom I enjoyed growing up.'' During his service, he earned numerous commendations and medals, including a Bronze Star with a Combat ``V'' Distinguishing Device and a Purple Heart. On Sunday I had the opportunity to have dinner with the warfighters of the EOD Unit 10, which was based in Norfolk, like Trahan's unit. In an asymmetric conflict, where we are faced not with tanks and planes, but with roadside bombs with cell phone triggers, our EOD personnel, like Tylar Trahan, are critical for our success in the region. Tyler Trahan was killed while performing his duties in al Anbar Province. While we may never know how many lives were saved by his actions, we must ensure that his life, his service and his sacrifice are never forgotten.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of our merchant mariners from World War II and to urge this House to provide them with the compensation that is many years overdue. I would first like to thank Chairman Filner for his tireless work and his commitment to this issue. As a representative from an area with a long maritime tradition, it means a lot to me personally. The Merchant Marines were an integral part of our fighting forces during the Second World War. Just like our war fighters, they answered the country's call. And just like those brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, many of our merchant mariners made the ultimate sacrifice. Over 1,500 Merchant Marine ships were sunk during the war, many of them by German U-boats during the perilous crossing of the North Atlantic. By the end of the war, our merchant mariners had suffered the highest casualty rate of any service. Of the approximately 250,000 Americans who served on our Merchant ships, more than one out of every 26 was killed. But despite these sacrifices, they were not granted the same benefits that other veterans received. They were promised benefits by President Roosevelt, but they were systematically cut out of the GI Bill, health care, loans, and the other tools that our grateful Nation provided to our ``Greatest Generation.'' Even though many of our merchant marines were eventually granted veteran status many years later, the effects of their unequal treatment put them at a disadvantage that continues to this day. That is why I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 23. This bill will provide each qualifying merchant mariner with a $1,000 monthly stipend, a small step in the right direction of acknowledging the great sacrifices that these brave men made. Madam Speaker, this is an injustice that should never have happened. It should have been fixed long ago. But with every year that passes, there are fewer and fewer of these men left among us. It is now 2009, over 63 years after the end of World War II, and it is long past time for us to right this wrong. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague from New Mexico for his hard work on this amendment and for yielding. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit two forward- operating bases in the eastern part of Afghanistan, and it's true our troops today can keep in touch with home more easily than ever before. But the reality of patrolling the border along Pakistan means that sometimes payment dates will be missed. Quite frankly, our troops deployed overseas have more important things to do than worry about a credit score. Their only concern should be to complete their missions and come home safely. The same is true for injured veterans. As service-disabled veterans work to readjust to civilian life, they often face serious challenges finding a job, going through therapy, and working to recover from their injuries. We should do everything in our power to help them recover and rebuild. That's what this amendment will do. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment and supporting our troops overseas and our injured veterans back home.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I thank my colleague. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the actions of all the brave Americans who brought about the safe rescue of the captain and crew of the Maersk Alabama. I have the distinct honor to represent Naval Station Norfolk, the home port of the USS Bainbridge, the first ship to respond after the Alabama was attacked and her captain taken hostage by pirates. In particular, I would like to applaud the quick, decisive, and effective action taken by the men and women of the Bainbridge and her commanding officer, Commander Frank Castellano. Throughout his 23 years in the Navy, Commander Castellano has served with distinction and honor and has received numerous awards and commendations. As captain of the USS Bainbridge, he skillfully managed the rescue of the Maersk Alabama, ensured the safety of her crew, and led the hostage negotiations with the pirates. And on April 12, when Captain Phillips' life was in danger, Commander Castellano did not hesitate; he gave the green light for our SEALs to take action. Over the 4 days of the rescue operation, as the world watched, Commander Castellano and the men and women of the Bainbridge made us all proud and reminded us why the U.S. Navy is second to none. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, the men and women who sign up to serve our country in uniform do so knowing they may not return home, and with the expectation that, if the unthinkable should happen, their loved ones will be cared for. However, because of the so-called ``widow's tax,'' survivor benefits paid for by the VA are subtracted from benefits paid by the Department of Defense, meaning that families receive less than they should. For families of servicemembers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, this sudden loss of income adds an unnecessary burden to the tragedy of losing a loved one. The widow's tax also strikes the families of older veterans. Often the spouses of seriously disabled veterans give up their own careers in order to act as caregivers. And when these veterans pass away, the reduced benefit is not enough for their widows to make ends meet. With this bill we will take a strong step toward righting this wrong by increasing the payments to survivors. This is the least we can do for our servicemembers, our veterans and their families, and it's the right thing to do as a country. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 543,000 troops who fought valiantly against communist forces in Vietnam. During that conflict, more than 58,000 brave Americans lost their lives, and over 300,000 were physically wounded. Yet, when our veterans returned home, our Nation too often failed to appreciate the sacrifices they had made on behalf of our freedom. Thirty years earlier, we opened our arms to the soldiers returning from World War II, but for those coming home from Vietnam we failed to do the same. Instead of respecting their service, our Nation largely shunned these young servicemembers for doing the job that they had, in most cases, been drafted to perform. We did not comprehend nor did we respect the difficulties that many of them faced in transitioning back to civilian life after the horrors they had witnessed in combat. The legacy of our failure to welcome our veterans home is still with us today. Every night, roughly 154,000 veterans are homeless, and 45 percent of these are from the Vietnam era. To allow those that fought for our safety to live on the streets is a black mark on the history of our Nation, and it is a warning to present and future generations of what must never happen again. I believe the designation of March 30 as the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day is the least we can do to begin righting these wrongs. And as we do, let us also pledge to honor our commitment to the men and women who served in Vietnam, to give them the full care and benefits that they have earned, and to make sure that no veteran, past, present, or future, is ever forgotten again.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I want to thank my colleague very much for yielding to me. I am rising today to express my strong support for a resolution this House passed yesterday by unanimous vote, Mr. Speaker, the resolution urging the President to designate 2009 as the ``Year of the Military Family.'' And while no words or gestures can fully match the service or sacrifice of our soldiers and sailors, our airmen and Marines, we must also remember those Americans that do not wear a uniform: our military families. In my home district of Hampton Roads, we know all too well that the challenges faced by our military families are not just financial. They are emotional and physical too. Men and women in my district wake up every day not knowing if their loved ones are safe, not knowing when they will return, or what scars they might bear when they do. Dealing with that and explaining it to your children with a smile on your face is not easy, and it must never be overlooked. These hardships are not limited to our active duty military families. The families of Guard and Reserve members also confront regular absences for training, and in the years since 2001, more and more families have seen their loved ones deployed overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working closely with Chairman Skelton, who introduced the resolution, and with all the members of this House to support our military families. I again thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. I thank the chairman for his leadership and for giving me the opportunity to work with him to make sure that our veterans and our small businesses are included in this economic recovery package. Mr. Chairman, helping businesses hire veterans makes good economic sense. That is why I strongly support the provision of this bill that would give substantial tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed veterans. This proposal will reduce taxes for small businesses. It will bring more highly-trained workers into the workforce. And perhaps most importantly, it will help us keep faith with the men and women who have served our country in uniform. In my home district, the Second District of Virginia, we're home to the largest population of military personnel and veterans in the country. And as the people of Hampton Roads can tell you, an investment in our veterans and small businesses is a responsible investment in our economy and a wise investment for our future. I thank Chairman Rangel for his leadership. I know he shares my commitment to standing up for all of our veterans, and I look forward to working with him on this issue as we continue to rebuild our economy.

Mr. NYE

Mr. NYE. Mr. Speaker, for most of the past 12 years, I have traveled all over the world with the Foreign Service. In places like Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, I had the honor to serve alongside the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. It is now my honor to be here as the Representative of Virginia's Second Congressional District--to represent the people of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore--and to represent our military personnel and their families. We have very important work ahead of us--strengthening the economy, restoring fiscal responsibility and standing up for the families who are working every day to make a better life for the next generation. While we're doing that, we must always remember that we still have people over there--we're fighting two wars--and as we face new threats, we must maintain a strong military, and we must fully support our troops in harm's way. Mr. Speaker, our military personnel and their families ask nothing more, and they deserve nothing less than the same level of care and devotion that they have shown our country. This is not a partisan issue. It is a basic American value, and it is a value I will champion every day as a Member of Congress.