Member of Congress

Erik Paulsen

Role
Former Representative
State
MN
Party
Republican

Speeches

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 20152014-04-09

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I want to just speak for a few minutes in favor of the Republican budget resolution. This is a budget resolution that stands in stark contrast today compared to what the President has offered in his budget. It is a budget that balances. It is a budget that is responsible. It is a budget that is thoughtful. It addresses the spending side of the ledger to be more fiscally responsible, and it also includes, Mr. Chair, a roadmap for progrowth tax reform to create a healthier economy. Yes, we need to spend less, but our national debt and our budget imbalance have grown so big that we can't fix them alone by simply addressing spending. We have also got to grow our economy and put people back to work to bring in more revenue. We are suffering from a growth gap. Normally, the economy doubles every 20 years; but because of excessive Washington spending, budget deficits, high debt, these onerous regulations that come out of Washington, and higher taxes, the economy is now set to double every 30 years; so we have literally added 10 years onto our growth cycle. What does that mean? The growth gap means this, Mr. Chair: it means, for disposable income, since the end of the recession nearly 5 years ago, every man, woman, and child has been robbed of almost $3,200 every year. It means that a family of four has been robbed of about $13,000. That is an additional average of aftertax income and disposable income. That is real money to a family. What could you do with $13,000? Our economy is performing way below average. We can do a lot better than performing below average. This budget expands opportunities for American workers by equipping them with the skills that they need to succeed in a 21st century economy. It lays a path to reform a broken Tax Code by simplifying and lowering tax rates, by eliminating special interest loopholes, and by moving us to an internationally competitive tax system, so that U.S. employers can compete fairly in a global economy. We need commonsense tax reform to keep American businesses headquartered here in the U.S., so that we can sell to customers overseas, bring the earnings back, keep our headquarter companies here, keep the innovation here, and keep the jobs here. This budget also cuts cronyism, corporate welfare, and waste. It ends the Dodd-Frank bailouts of big banks. It eliminates billions in corporate welfare, and very importantly, it protects and strengthens important programs that our seniors rely on and ensures that these programs will be there for future generations. It is time to stop spending money that we don't have. We can no longer borrow 40 cents of every dollar that we spend. Finally, Mr. Chair, this budget not only balances by growing our economy and making government more efficient, it also puts the country back on a path to actually paying down the national debt because the longer we wait to address the drivers of our debt, the harder our choices will be later. This is a budget proposal and a blueprint that puts the country back on track for a balanced and responsible path. I would ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of the Republican budget.

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CONGRATULATIONS WAYZATA BOY'S SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM2014-04-04

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wayzata High School's Boy's Swimming and Diving team who recently won the Minnesota Class 2A state title. The Trojans were able to secure the school's first championship with a balanced effort in the finals. Led by a first place performance from Greg Arnold in the 100 freestyle, Wayzata was able to secure the title before the last race even began. Coach Dave Plummer, in his first season as head coach, pointed to the full team effort necessary to qualify in the preliminary races. Six top-four finishes in the finals also helped put the Trojans over the top. The dedication it takes to excel in swimming and diving is to be commended. It means that these athletes push themselves every day to shave hundredths of a second off their personal best or repeat dive after dive until it's perfect. When adding in schoolwork, family obligations, and other time commitments, it is remarkable these student-athletes accomplish all that they do. Once again, congratulations to the Wayzata High School Boy's Swimming and Diving Team on a job well done.

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PARK CENTER GIRLS' BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP2014-04-04

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Park Center Girls' Basketball team for winning the Minnesota State High School Championship, the first title for any sport in their school's history. While any championship season is going to have its trials and tribulations along the way, many do not include the obstacles that Park Center had to overcome in their championship game. The triple overtime victory for the Pirates did not come easy. Park Center came back from a nine point deficit and relied on a Danielle Schaub buzzer-beater to tie the game up at the end of regulation. At the end of the game, because of foul trouble, Park Center did not have a player older than a sophomore on the floor. The perseverance and competitive spirit that the Pirates showed is commendable. Winning a state title does not just happen; it takes years of dedication and hard work to reach that goal. When adding in schoolwork, family obligations, and other time constraints, it is remarkable these student-athletes accomplish all that they do. Congratulations to the Park Center Girls' Basketball team on their first state title.

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SAVE AMERICAN WORKERS ACT OF 20142014-04-02

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it has been said before, the more we learn about the President's health care law, the more the facts show it is hurting more people than it is helping. The latest development now is the law's 30- hour rule is forcing some companies to scale back hours with more part- time jobs and less full-time jobs, so that those employees that have good full-time jobs are now having to go to part-time jobs. Mr. Speaker, I met with a small business owner. He owns seven different restaurants. And I know that a lot of folks think that people in the restaurant industry, they only employ part-time workers, but 41 percent of his workers he employs full-time. But because of the new law, where now 30 hours is the standard being considered full-time work, he is being forced to lower the work hours for those employees, nearly all of them, to 29 hours or less. That absolutely makes no sense. These reduced hours are now going to force a 25 percent reduction in pay for those workers. Many will now have to go out and find a second part-time job just to make up for the hours that they lost. Another small business owner I talked to from Minnesota, he was imploring me when he contacted me: please, Congress needs to correct the 30-hour rule so that it reflects his workforce's needs and his employees' desire to have more flexible hours. He said, if it's not addressed by Congress soon, there will be disruptions in the workforce, and the flexible work options for his employees could disappear altogether. The 30-hour work rule is negatively impacting restaurateurs, manufacturers, and even our schools, as was mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker. We should be removing these barriers to work. We should not punish employees who want to work more, and we should be helping American workers. So let's pass this legislation. It will restore some common sense and a common understanding in America that full-time work is 40 hours. It will pass with bipartisan support. I commend the gentleman for his leadership on this issue for getting Americans back to work.

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PROTECTING SENIORS FROM MEDICARE CUTS2014-04-01

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on an issue that affects hundreds of thousands of seniors in Minnesota. Over half of the medical-eligible seniors in my district have chosen now to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans to meet their health care needs. The Medicare Advantage program has been a resounding success by providing better quality care with more options. However, the proposed cuts to the program, if enacted, will now mean that seniors in Minnesota could see their premiums increase by nearly $1,000 annually. On top of that, seniors will face a loss of benefits and less choice. Mr. Speaker, we need to take steps to strengthen our Medicare system and ensure it stays solvent for generations to come, and these proposed cuts are not the answer. By encouraging more health care coordination, creating better incentives for providers, and using new technologies, we can lower costs while providing more improved care. These are areas where we can find bipartisan agreement to make progress and make sure that our seniors are protected from these devastating cuts.

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HONORING VEDNITA CARTER, CNN HERO2014-03-26

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly remarkable woman and my guest at this year's State of the Union address, Vednita Carter. Vednita was recently recognized as a 2014 CNN Hero for her work combating sex trafficking and is truly deserving of this recognition. Her organization, Breaking Free, provides food, clothing, and support for women who are victims of sex trafficking to help them escape from their tragic situations. Breaking Free has helped over 6,000 women leave sex slavery. Studies have shown, Mr. Speaker, that women who are trafficked often come from difficult home situations and are vulnerable to exploitation. For many of these victims, Vednita is the first person to reach out and try to help them. With over 100,000 children estimated to be involved in the sex trade in the United States, Vednita's efforts should serve as a guide to how we can combat this trafficking problem on a wider scale. Congratulations, Vednita Carter, and thank you for positively impacting so many exploited women's lives and for inspiring so many others.

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POLAR PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS2014-03-14

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday, I had the opportunity to celebrate the cold winter in Minnesota by getting together with hundreds of others and jumping through a hole in the ice and into a freezing lake. Now, while some may think that many Minnesotans consider this normal recreational activity in the winter, it actually was to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. The Polar Plunge, which takes place throughout Minnesota and other areas of the country all winter long, raises millions of dollars for the Special Olympics programs. This important funding allows more than 7,200 Special Olympics athletes in Minnesota to grow and thrive through a variety of competitions. I want to thank our State's law enforcement for organizing the plunges, Channel 9's Ian Leonard for giving his selfless time and energy to support this cause and events, to all those who pledged their support for the participants, and of course, those who are crazy enough to jump in the middle of the winter through a hole in the ice. Mr. Speaker, I want to offer and congratulate the support for the Special Olympics, an organization that is truly life-changing for its participants and their families.

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SUSPENDING THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE PENALTY LAW EQUALS FAIRNESS ACT2014-03-11

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, the more we learn about the President's healthcare law, the more the facts show it's hurting more than it's helping. The President said premiums would go down by two thousand dollars, but instead his chief actuary finally admitted that premiums will go up for two-thirds of Americans working for small businesses. While the administration continues to provide delay after delay, admitting that the law is unworkable, they continue to let the individual mandate take effect. Millions of people will be hit with a mandate and new financial penalties, while losing the coverage they like, not being able to see the doctors they want, and facing higher premiums and out of pocket costs. Why is the administration willing to give big businesses a delay but not do anything to help hardworking Americans? Today, we have an opportunity to also delay the individual mandate in order to protect all Americans. Minnesotans needed genuine healthcare reform before President Obama signed his healthcare law--and they still do now. It's time to act and spare the American people of Obamacare's costly and burdensome mandates and enact true, bipartisan healthcare reform that improves quality, increases choice, and reduces costs.

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CONGRATULATING EDINA HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY CHAMPS2014-03-11

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Edina High School hockey team for becoming repeat State champions. This weekend, the Edina Hornets won the State high school hockey championship when they cruised to an 8-2 victory in the tournament finals against the tough Lakeville North squad. The Curt Giles-coached team became the very first AA high school hockey team to win back-to- back State championships in 20 years. Led by senior captain and Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist Tyler Nanne, the Hornets rolled through the three-game State tournament winning by a combined score of 17-4. It is certainly a testament to the hard work of these young men that they spend countless hours on the ice honing their craft while still balancing their schoolwork, family time, and other endeavors. Becoming State champs does not happen overnight but through years of dedication. Mr. Speaker, the teachers, the parents, the students, and the entire school district are tremendously proud of these young student athletes. Congratulations again to the high school hockey champions in Edina.

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ELECTRICITY SECURITY AND AFFORDABILITY ACT2014-03-06

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 104 I was detained while meeting with a constituent. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

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THE PEACE CORPS' 53RD ANNIVERSARY2014-02-27

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peace Corps Week and congratulate the Peace Corps for celebrating its 53rd anniversary this Saturday. The Peace Corps is doing great work around the world with 7,200 volunteers and trainees working on projects in 65 countries. Their work reaches every corner of the world. However, none of this could be accomplished without the great volunteers. These volunteers come from all around our country, but from my home State in Minnesota and my district, we have got a pretty good track record of producing members. In fact, there are currently over 200 different Minnesotans volunteering in the Peace Corps, and 30 of those volunteers come from the Third District. Last year, our State ranked seventh in producing these volunteers for the Peace Corps, and my district was actually one of the highest performing in the country. Mr. Speaker, recently I had the chance to welcome, and also join, Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet to come to Minnesota to participate in a recruiting event. I can tell you that after 53 years, the desire to volunteer for the Peace Corps is as strong as ever. I would like to commend all the Peace Crops volunteers, both past and present, for their service.

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RECOGNIZING RARE DISEASE DAY2014-02-25

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, this week, on February 28, we recognize Rare Disease Day, which gives us a chance to raise awareness of the rare diseases affecting our communities. In the United States, there are 7,000 rare diseases affecting nearly 30 million Americans. One disease I would like to raise awareness about today is pulmonary fibrosis, which affects individuals' lungs and their ability to breathe. Pulmonary fibrosis kills 40,000 Americans each and every year, the same number of annual deaths as from breast cancer. There is still no known cure, no known cause, and no FDA-approved treatment. Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, Senator Coons and I led a bipartisan letter, with 41 other Members of Congress, asking the National Institutes of Health to review their funding levels for rare diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. This letter shows that Members on both sides of the aisle want to see more progress in fighting back against these rare diseases. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues and constituents to remember our fellow Americans suffering from rare diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis.

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ENDING RUSSIA'S BAN ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION2014-02-10

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, as millions of Americans turn their attention to Sochi for the Winter Olympics, we cannot overlook Russia's continued ban on intercountry adoption. Every day, families across America eagerly await news that the Russians' ban on allowing American families to adopt Russian children has finally ended. Some families have decided to look at other places to adopt, but many are still committed to completing their adoptions. Families like the Thomases, from Minnetrista, Minnesota, have not given up hope in adopting their second child from Russia. In 2008, they completed an adoption for their son Jack. After a successful transition, they have now begun the process of adopting Jack's younger brother, Nikolai. Unfortunately, Russia's adoption ban has squashed any hopes of completing that adoption. Mr. Speaker, every child, no matter where he is born, should have the opportunity to grow up in a loving family. I urge my colleagues to continue fighting to end the Russian adoption ban and to let our families bring home their children.

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LET'S HELP AMERICAN WORKERS2014-02-05

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, 4 years ago, the American people were told that the President's new health care law would create 4 million new jobs. Well, it turns out supporters of the law were only off by 6 million, because yesterday the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office revealed that over 2 million jobs will actually be lost under ObamaCare. One problem is the law drastically changes the definition of full- time work to 30 hours per week. Because of this so-called ``30-hour rule,'' millions of Americans working in education, small business, hospitality, retail, food service, and public safety are now having their hours and their wages cut by up to 25 percent. And this comes at a time when there are already 7.8 million Americans working part-time who want full-time work. America's workers deserve better, and, thankfully, there is bipartisan support for the Save American Workers Act to restore a common understanding in America that full-time work is 40 hours. The bill passed the Ways and Means Committee and is headed for the floor. Mr. Speaker, let's have some common sense and eliminate this onerous mandate so we can get people back to work.

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CONGRATULATIONS, WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL SCIENCE BOWL TEAM2014-01-27

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two Wayzata High School National Science Bowl teams for winning first and second place at the 2014 regional competition. These teams of dedicated students competed against dozens of neighboring high schools for a chance to represent Minnesota at the Department of Energy's National Science Bowl. More than 225,000 students, Mr. Speaker, participated in the National Science Bowl since it first was established in 1991. The top 16 high school teams in the national finals will win $1,000 for their schools' science departments. The winning team of Amanda, Joseph, Jayant, William, Orien, and Nathan will now head to Washington, D.C., in April to compete against other high school teams from across the country in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and math. I want to congratulate all of the teams in Minnesota and encourage everyone to keep up the great work studying science and math.

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BETTER CARE, LOWER COST ACT2014-01-16

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I along with Peter Welch, my colleague, and Senators Wyden and Isakson introduced the Better Care, Lower Cost Act, bipartisan legislation to truly bend the cost curve and improve chronic care management in Medicare. Medicare today, Mr. Speaker, is very different than it was in 1965, as 68 percent of all beneficiaries have two or more chronic conditions, which account now for 93 percent of all Medicare costs. Our legislation will help seniors like Darlene from my district, who suffers from multiple chronic conditions, including arthritis and diabetes. The complexity involved with gaining input from her many doctors and nurses makes it very difficult for her to manage her own health. This is a difficulty that many seniors typically face today. But by modernizing the Medicare payment system--paying for results, not just activity; incentivizing people to take care of themselves; and removing the barriers to innovation--we can ensure that seniors get the right care at the right time. We can also take advantage of health care technology, like telehealth. We can break down the barriers, the geographic barriers, to bring chronic care management skills and experience of institutions like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to light. Mr. Speaker, we can create a better system, and this bipartisan group shows that it can be done with a little cooperation and collaboration.

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PROTECTING THE HALLOWED GROUND AT GETTYSBURG2014-01-13

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, it was over 150 years ago, on a battlefield near a small town in Pennsylvania, that President Abraham Lincoln gave what many would argue was one of the most prolific and inspiring speeches in history. His Gettysburg Address may not have been long, but his words lifted a Nation and shone an everlasting light on the immense sacrifice and patriotism displayed on that battlefield only a few months earlier. Lincoln's words and, to a larger extent, the actions of the brave soldiers who fought at the Battle of Gettysburg must never be forgotten. Today the House will pass legislation to give the National Park Service the authority to incorporate the Gettysburg Train Station into the Gettysburg National Military Park. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's national parks, including Gettysburg, are some of our greatest treasures. It is imperative that we continue working to ensure that future generations of Americans can visit the history, the scenery, the vistas, and the landmarks of our Nation's national parks.

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CONGRATULATING EDEN PRAIRIE WRESTLING COACH SCOT DAVIS ON HIS 1,000TH COACHING VICTORY2014-01-08

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Eden Prairie Wrestling Coach Scot Davis on his 1,000th coaching victory as his Eagles squad defeated Columbia Heights by a score of 58-17 last month at Eden Prairie High School. Davis' 1,000th victory gives him the most wins of any high school wrestling coach in the United States. While this is Davis' first year coaching at Eden Prairie, he has coached 35 different seasons of prep wrestling, including 20 years at Owatonna High School, where he coached two state championship teams. With a group of his friends attending the match at Eden Prairie, he admitted to feeling a little bit more pressure than usual, but the Eden Prairie team easily delivered the milestone victory. While Coach Davis said he never set a specific goal for victories, he did say that reaching the 1,000th victory was a special accomplishment. So again, congratulations to Coach Davis for accomplishing this impressive feat, and also, thank you for continuing to dedicate yourself to helping student athletes with your time and your talent.

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RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH2014-01-07

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It is a perfect time to highlight the terrible reality of sex trafficking that is happening in our communities. It is also an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to take steps to combat this growing problem that now puts 300,000 children at risk in the United States--many of whom are 12- and 14-year-old girls. I'm authoring several bipartisan bills to address sex trafficking. One gives law enforcement additional tools to turn the tide against sex trafficking and help the victims of these horrific crimes receive the support they need and deserve. That's what these young girls are: victims. The second bill improves data systems that track missing children because better information will help us find better solutions. Mr. Speaker, it's time to end sex trafficking, and there's bipartisan support for action.

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PROTECTING MINNESOTA RATEPAYERS FROM WASHINGTON INACTION2013-12-10

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, recently, the D.C. Circuit Court ruled in favor of America's energy ratepayers. For more than 30 years, the Department of Energy has assessed a special tax and a special assessment on my constituents and the residents of 40 other States around the country who receive their electricity from nuclear power. Minnesotans have paid over $400 million alone. The stated reason for this tax: to pay for the disposal of used fuels generated from nuclear energy. To date, the total amount collected is more than $24 billion, but little of that money has even been spent. Since 1987, the law of the land remains that Yucca Mountain is the site for geological storage of nuclear spent fuel. Unfortunately for ratepayers, partisanship and bickering in Washington have nearly halted the program from moving forward. In classic Washington fashion, even with all of this inaction, the tax has continued to be assessed and the moneys have continued to be collected. Fortunately, this court action will bring an end to this, but just for now. I have long been an advocate of stopping these payments. The government is not doing what it promised to do with used fuel; yet millions of ratepayers are still being forced to foot the bill. Minnesotans and Americans should not be taxed for a service that the government is not providing. Mr. Speaker, we should be expanding the development of nuclear energy. It is safe, it is clean, and it is renewable. Storing these used fuels is a critical piece of that effort, and we need a permanent solution, whether it is at Yucca Mountain or somewhere else. It is reasonable and fair that if the administration is going to continue to drag its feet on a permanent storage site, as they have for several years now, then ratepayers and taxpayers should not be forced to fund inaction. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the court's decision to protect Minnesota ratepayers and stopping these payments. In addition, it is time to get serious about the future of nuclear energy and moving forward with safe and proper storage facilities for the waste.

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APPLAUDING STATE CHAMPION EDEN PRAIRIE EAGLES FOOTBALL TEAM2013-12-02

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Eden Prairie Eagles for winning this year's Minnesota High School Football Championship. It was a three-peat, Mr. Speaker. With this weekend's victory, the Eagles solidified a State record ninth school championship and became the first large enrollment school to win three consecutive titles. Going undefeated the entire season, the road to the State title was nothing short of excellence, and the Eagles' victory was earned through unwavering hard work. Mr. Speaker, the members of this year's team exemplify what it means to be student athletes, and they have shown incredible determination, character, and teamwork. It is no wonder that nearly 20,000 Minnesotans came out to watch the championship game. Congratulations to the entire team, including Coach and Eden Prairie High School Athletic Director Mike Grant. This year's success is a tribute to their high level of commitment, one that I am sure they will continue to display not only on the field, but in all aspects of their years to come.

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CONGRATULATING STATE CHAMPION MINNETONKA GIRLS SOCCER TEAM2013-11-21

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Minnetonka High School Girls Soccer Team. The talented group of young ladies demonstrated extreme passion, intensity, and dedication to their school in a hard-fought effort to win this year's Girls State High School Championship. The team had a phenomenal season, finishing with a record of 17-2-2. Four of their players, Maggie Crist, Ellen Mau, Elizabeth Endy, and Alli Bakken were selected for the all-tournament team. The Skippers allowed only two goals throughout the playoffs and shutout Lakeville North in the championship final. The only goal of the game was scored in the 56th minute by junior forward Ellen Mau, solidifying the championship for the Skippers. Showing true sportsmanship, Mau later stated, ``We are proud of ourselves for getting one past that defense because we know how tough they are. It's also exciting we could get this result against an equally as good of a team.'' The ladies of this team exemplified hard work, sportsmanship, and dedication the entire season and portray what it means to be a student athlete. I would also like to commend the coaches for leading their team to the Skipper's first championship since 2001. Finally, a special congratulation goes out to senior Elizabeth Endy for being named Girls' Soccer Metro Player of the Year and Minnesota Ms. Soccer. Mr. Speaker, the Minnetonka Girls Soccer Team displayed a positive standard for all of their classmates and the community. It's an honor to be able to represent, and recognize, such all-star athletes. To the entire team, coaching staff, and school: congratulations and go Skippers!

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NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH2013-11-20

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, during the month of November, we celebrate and promote the wonderful and selfless commitment to adoption, as it is National Adoption Month. Last year, American parents proudly adopted over 135,000 children at birth, in foster homes, and from overseas. However, I would like to bring special attention to the many American families that are no longer permitted to adopt children from places such as Guatemala and Russia. I have signed on to two separate letters with bipartisan support from Members of both the House and the Senate to urge the Guatemalan and the Russian Governments to once again resume intercountry adoption cases for American families. Mr. Speaker, every child deserves to grow up in a loving family. We should not be limited by the country they are born into. Let's refresh our commitment to creating more effective strategies and opportunities to work towards a day when every child has an opportunity to be in a safe and loving home.

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PROTECTING AMERICAN INNOVATION AND JOBS2013-11-18

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong concern about the increasingly discriminatory trade and investment environment in India. The United States and India share a very important trade and security relationship. But our trading relationship is being threatened by an alarming array of discriminatory and internationally inconsistent actions and decisions recently. This is particularly the case in the area of intellectual property. Intellectual property is the engine that drives the U.S. economy. The attacks on our IP not only harm U.S. job creation and competitiveness, but also chip away at the overall global IP framework that is essential to the innovation of new medicines. Since 2012, India has inappropriately revoked or denied patents on at least 14 lifesaving and life-enhancing drugs. These decisions harm the R&D system, hurting patients and their families who rely on the development of new cures and treatments. That is why earlier this year Representative John Larson and myself were joined by 170 other Members of this body in urging the administration to raise these issues at the highest level of discussions with the Indian government. It is critical that we send a strong message to our trading partners that we will not sit idly by while India blatantly undermines intellectual property rights and discriminates against our businesses.

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KEEP YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE2013-11-14

Mr. PAULSEN

Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans are losing their health care plans, their doctors, and their confidence in the President's new health care law. The simple truth is the facts show the law is hurting more people than it is helping. Although the President committed many times that no one would lose their original health care coverage, millions have. One of my constituents, Ron from Champlin, has had his health care plan for 21 years. He likes his health plan. It works for him. But Ron, like thousands of other Minnesotans, received a cancelation notice. Another constituent emailed me this morning, saying that his family health care plan was renewed, but the costs were going up $5,400 this year. And unfortunately, I have heard stories like these from many others in my community. Mr. Speaker, if you like your health insurance plan, you ought to be able to keep it, and no one should be forced to buy health insurance that isn't right for them or for their families' needs. I will continue to work with all of those that are willing to sit down at the table to have a responsible solution and a real solution to our health care challenges.

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