Bill Shuster

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Aldo Santorum, the father of my friend and colleague, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. Aldo Santorum passed away on January 15th in Crescent Beach Florida at the age of 88 in the home where he and his wife, Catherine Dughi, had spent the past 20 years together. Aldo was an American patriot who served alongside fellow members of the Greatest Generation who honored the call to service in World War II. After the war, Aldo Santorum took advantage of the GI Bill to earn a degree in psychology from St. Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania as well as a graduate degree from Catholic University in Washington and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa. Instead of going into private practice, Aldo devoted his professional career to serving fellow veterans as a clinical psychologist for the Veterans Administration. Throughout his career, Aldo Santorum served in VA hospitals in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Butler, Virginia and in Chicago until 1990, when he and his wife Catherine retired to Crescent Beach, Florida. In addition to his wife and children, Aldo Santorum is survived by an extended, but closely-knit family of 10 grandchildren. I extend my condolences to Rick Santorum and the entire Santorum family for their loss.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, as the co-chairman of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I rise today to join with the people of Azerbaijan to commemorate the tragic events of ``Black January.'' On January 19, 1990, approximately 26,000 Soviet troops stormed Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku in tanks and armored vehicles. That night, the Soviet military bulldozed innocent Azeris and opened indiscriminate fire on peaceful demonstrators, including women and children. According to Azerbaijani sources, as a result of these merciless acts 131 people were killed, 611 were injured, 841 were arrested, and 5 went missing. The Human Rights Watch report ``Black January in Azerbaijan'' states that ``among the most heinous violations of human rights during the Baku incursion were the numerous attacks on medical personnel, ambulances, and even hospitals.'' The report concludes that the violence used by the Soviet Army constituted an exercise in collective punishment and that the punishment inflicted on Baku by Soviet soldiers may have been intended as a warning to nationalists, not only in Azerbaijan, but in other Republics of the Soviet Union. Far from crushing the spirit of Azeris, the atrocities of Black January instead consolidated the rising independence movements in the country and united the Azerbaijani nation in its quest for freedom. Today, Azerbaijan is a critical and strategic ally of the United States and is preparing to celebrate 20 years of independence from the Soviet Union. It is my honor to thank the Azerbaijani people for their friendship and to offer my thoughts and prayers to the families of those who gave their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan. I encourage my colleagues to visit the very moving memorial to Black January in Baku that honors the memories of those killed in these attacks by the Soviet military and to join with me today in standing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate this tragedy.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. I rise today with a heavy heart to join my colleagues in support of this resolution and to honor the innocent Americans whose lives were so senselessly and tragically altered by the events in Tucson last week. Gabrielle Giffords was embodying the very essence of what it means to be an elected Representative in our great Republic by meeting and listening to her constituents last Saturday. Gabe Zimmerman, Ron Barber, and Pamela Simon were there, too, doing their jobs like thousands of other dedicated congressional staffers who support us and the work we do here every day in Washington and especially back in our districts. The Americans who lost their lives on Saturday and the innocent victims who were wounded were performing their civic duty to take an active role in their government, and among them were 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green and Pittsburgh native Judge John Roll. In our disbelief of the events last week, let us not forget the heroism of those who subdued the attacker preventing further loss of life. They put their own lives on the line to protect their neighbors. They represent the best of America and shine in our darkest hour. We will not allow this tragedy to weaken our resolve or to undermine the sacred responsibility that we as elected officials have to serve the people we represent. To allow this act of violence to keep us from our duties would be a disservice to the people we honor today, especially Gabby. Gabby was a friend of mine. We first became friends when I looked at her bio and realized that her family and she were operators and owners of a tire business just as my family was. So not only could Gabby and I talk policy, but we could talk tire; and there are few women that can talk tire like Gabby. Also, I served on the Armed Services Committee and got to know her very well. We traveled on two trips--one to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. It was the week before her wedding to Mark that we traveled, and she talked about looking forward to her marriage and to future trips. And just last week, we discussed going to Afghanistan again. So I look forward to Gabby's speedy recovery, for her return here to the House, and for that trip that we will take to Afghanistan to go greet our men and women in harm's way. May God bless Gabby. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the career of an icon of the House of Representatives: Jim Oberstar. Jim's decades of leadership and tireless service to this House and especially the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee deserve recognition and I am proud to be able to add my own words to tonight's tribute. I have known Jim Oberstar for a long time. In fact, I've known him longer than I've served in Congress. I first met Jim when my father, Bud Shuster, served on and later chaired the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. My father still considers Jim one of his dearest friends and holds the highest regard for his work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Bud likes to say that he and Jim were ``joined at the hip'' on transportation and infrastructure initiatives and it's easy to see why. Like my father, Chairman Oberstar lives and breathes transportation policy. I can easily say that no one in the House of Representatives today knows more about those issues and their history than Jim Oberstar. It has been an honor to have served with Chairman Oberstar on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Together, we tackled critical issues that run at the core of America's strength and prosperity. The roads, railways and jetways of our nation are the arteries through which the commerce of our nation flows. Under his leadership, Chairman Oberstar worked tirelessly to ensure that this fact isn't forgotten by policy makers in Washington. While much was accomplished over his years of service, much more needs to be done to realize America's transportation potential and the work of the committee will continue in the next Congress. It will do so with Jim's indelible mark to help guide us moving forward. In conclusion Madam Speaker, I congratulate Chairman Oberstar on his historic service in the House, both on staff as the administrator of the Committee on Public Works and as a member and later Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. We are losing a giant in the world of transportation policy and his presence on the committee and this House will be missed.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Republic of Turkey in celebration of the 87th anniversary of Republic Day on October 29, 2010. In 1923, Turkey officially became a Republic. Over the years, Turkey has joined with the United States and the international community on numerous critical issues ranging from energy security to the global war on terror. Turkey and the United States share many important values and provide an example that freedom and democracy are key foundations for peace, prosperity, and security. Again, as a member of the Congressional Turkey Caucus, it is my distinct pleasure to honor the Republic of Turkey and all Turkish citizens in celebration of Republic Day and wish them continued success in building on the political, economic, and cultural progress envisioned by the great Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the work of Pastor Scott Manganella and Precious Life Incorporated of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Precious Life has been involved in helping young women between the ages of 16 to 22 through the challenges of unplanned pregnancies for over 20 years. Precious Life began its mission in 1985 when Pastor Mangenella began operating a non-profit 24-hour hotline to give pregnant women counseling and an alternative to abortion. 80 women were helped in the hotline's first year of operation. In 1988 after seeing a need for expanded services, Precious Life bought a house on Allegheny Street in Hollidaysburg and converted it into a temporary home for pregnant women with nowhere else to turn. Since the Precious Life Maternity Home opened 22 years ago, it has offered shelter, comfort and support to over 150 displaced young pregnant women in the Altoona area. Pastor Manganella and the staff at Precious Life provide an open door for comfort and support to young women who have been kicked out of their homes, abused or simply have no other place to turn. Equally important, the staff act as a surrogate family for many of these young women, giving them structure and direction that was absent in their lives. Pastor Manganella's work has expanded throughout central Pennsylvania, with a sister office in Bedford as well as a ministry in Johnstown. In addition, Pastor Manganella recently partnered with My Brother's Keeper, a Pennsylvania non-profit international Christian charity to open a center for education on abortion and family issues in Romania. Pastor Manganella will be honored for his leadership on October 19, 2010 at the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation's 2010 Celebrate Life Banquet in Harrisburg and I congratulate him for his noble service.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate the Altoona Curve on winning the 2010 championship of Minor League Baseball's Eastern League. The Altoona Curve is a Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates that began play in Altoona in 1999. This is the Curve's first title after four previous trips to the league playoffs. The Curve are a hit in Central Pennsylvania. The franchise was named minor league baseball's best in 2006, and the team continues to provide great entertainment during the summer months for hundreds of thousands of loyal fans. I would especially like to recognize Curve owner and Altoona native Bob Lozinak, his front office staff, manager Matt Walbeck, and the many Curve players this year who helped make 2010 a championship season in Altoona. An entire region says thank you, congratulations on this accomplishment, and best wishes for continued success on and off the field.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the work of Dr. Dennis E. Murray and the positive impact he's had on education as Superintendent of the Altoona Area School District in Altoona, Pennsylvania for the last 25 years. At a time in our country when many public school systems have been under attack for not making the grade, Altoona has experienced steady growth and achieved tremendous accomplishments under Dr. Murray's effective leadership. Recently, U.S News and World Report named Altoona Area High School as one of America's best high schools. Dr. Murray is an innovator who has challenged his district to be on the cutting edge of technology and educational programs. He is also a pragmatist who's helped modernize its buildings and facilities efficiently for the district's taxpayers. Most important, Dr. Murray has never forgotten his roots in education that began 47 years ago as a classroom teacher. His emphasis on hiring excellent teachers and providing students with the necessary tools for a solid education means that Altoona's graduates are among the best prepared for the future in our great Nation. Dr. Murray will be honored on October 6, 2010 by the Altoona Kiwanis Club as its Distinguished Citizen of the Year. I congratulate him on this recognition and I ask to place his long list of accomplishments into the Congressional Record. I would like to thank him for his continued stellar service to the local Altoona area community. Dr. Murray's List of Accomplishments for the Record: Dr. Murray received a B.S. in education from Slippery Rock University in 1963 and an M. Ed. in educational administration from Duquesne University in 1965. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in elementary education and educational psychology from Penn State in 1973. He has been honored with many prestigious awards including the Educational Leadership Award from Phi Delta Kappa; the Distinguished Educator Award from the Tri-State Study Council of the University of Pittsburgh; the Excellence in Education Award from the Penn State University College of Education; the Exemplary and Innovative Educational Leadership and Management Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education; the Excellence in Administration Award from the Pennsylvania School Study Council; the Blair Bedford Central Labor Council AFL-CIO Person of the Year Award; and an honorary doctorate from St. Francis University in 2008. In addition to his service to the Altoona Area School District, Dr. Murray is a member of the Board of Trustees at Slippery Rock University. He has served on numerous community boards and committees and teaches graduate level courses for St. Francis University and Penn State. Management of the budget for the past 25 years with only four minimal tax increases over that time period. The 2010-2011 AASD budget is $89.3 million. Completion of numerous capital projects including new school construction/renovation at Baker, Ebner, Juniata Gap, Penn-Lincoln, Irving, Pleasant Valley and Logan elementary schools as well as the $48.5 million Altoona Area Junior High School which opened in 2008. Creation of the Bertram Leopold Recreation Center (five tennis courts, two volleyball courts and two basketball courts) on the campus of Altoona Area High School in 1988. Successful negotiation of numerous contracts with teachers in the Pennsylvania State Education Association, non-instructional employees in the AFSCME Union, and teacher assistants who belong to the Educational Support Personnel organization. These agreements included health/hospitalization agreements. Negotiation of payments to the school district in lieu of taxes from area hospitals. Outsourced management of the school district's food service program as well as student bus and van transportation. Improved computerization of the school district Tax Office. Established countless school/community partnerships which have stimulated economic development in Blair County. Implemented a school-based management/total quality education program known as Q-SITE (Quality Schools Involving Teams for Excellence). As part of this initiative, the school received ISO-9001 certification in January, 2002. Creation of the Altoona Area School District Foundation--a non-profit organization that has attracted $2.9 million in private contributions since 1989. More than $725,000 has been allocated for a very successful Teacher Grants program. A $507,000 donor-designated gift to the AASD Foundation by the Sheetz family led to the creation of the new Sheetz Athletic Training Center at Mansion Park. Last year, Bob Sill, an AHS graduate, donated $125,000 for team rooms and coaches' offices at Mansion Park. Creation of the national 4,200-member Altoona Area High School Alumni Association. Establishment of partnerships with colleges and universities that have helped to make Altoona a teaching/research-based school district. Creation of the Center for Advanced Technologies in 1994, believed to be the first of its kind in a public school district in the United States thanks to a partnership with the Cornell University Synthesis Coalition. Creation of the Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation, a cyber charter school begun during the 2002-2003 school year in cooperation with 32 Central Pennsylvania school districts. Creation of an After-School Arts Program and an Elementary Stage Band. Establishment of a rigorous secondary curriculum which features 18 Advanced Placement courses. The College Board has recognized this AP program. Creation of a digital multi-media lab at AAHS to enhance foreign language instruction. A digital Mt. Lion Television studio enables students to learn broadcasting skills. Another new digital lab is used to teach multi-media skills and music theory and harmony. Installation of an artificial surface and an all-weather track at Mansion Park Stadium and an artificial turf on the Altoona Area High School intramural field. In 2008, a new Trophy Turf surface was installed at Mansion Park. Construction of a third turf field, Roosevelt Field, at the site of the former Roosevelt Junior High School, also has a Trophy Turf playing surface. Offering elementary students a school of choice at the McAuliffe Heights Program at Irving School, which was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2007 as well as an Apple Computer Distinguished School in 2010. U.S. News and World Report named Altoona Area High School as one of America's best high schools in 2010. Becoming the first Pennsylvania school district to put strobe lights on school buses. Establishment of the William P. Kimmel Alternative School for at-risk secondary students. Creation of a partnership with Atlantic Broadband which has enabled the school district to deliver public access/educational access television to Blair County residents. Helped create the Central Blair Recreation Commission of which the school district is a member. Establishment of a School Police Department will full police powers. This department oversees an extensive network of security cameras throughout the school district. Security greeters are also assigned at all three secondary schools. Established a technology coordinator position along with a Technology Department. Instituted drug testing for all new AASD employees and for secondary interscholastic athletes. Created an employee wellness center. Helped AASD become one of Pennsylvania's first school districts to implement full-day kindergartens at all schools. This year, Altoona has 31 full-day kindergartens.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Willard Morrissey, recipient of the HEALTHSOUTH Personal Achievement Award for his unparalleled strength and exceptional perseverance. On January 25th, Mr. Morrissey was involved in a traumatic accident in Altoona, Pennsylvania while operating a cardboard crusher. He was flown by medical helicopter to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and immediately underwent surgery, which resulted in the amputation of both legs. Will has made an amazing recovery and is now ambulating with bilateral prosthesis and no assistive device. Will's perseverance and determination throughout his path to recovery has served as an inspiration to us all. Staff and patients of The HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center were moved to tears when Will proudly walked through the halls with his new sneakers that he proudly wore. Will has risen above adversity and lifted himself to a stature that we should all emulate in our daily lives. I would like to wish Willard the best of luck in his path to recovery. I know that my words reflect the feelings of all citizens of our nation when I say that Willard Morrissey is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Diane Beach, recipient of the HEALTHSOUTH Personal Achievement Award. In November 2007, Diane was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on the C-5/C-6 vertebrae which was traced and found to have originated from her right breast. The tumor was removed causing loss of the use of her left arm--which happened to be her dominant arm. However, even with these unforeseen circumstances, Diane never wavered in her optimism that she would win her fight. She underwent physical therapy at HealthSouth that was physically and mentally demanding, beginning with an initial two-week patient stay, and evolving into several weeks of outpatient therapy. Through it all, Diane continued to be a valuable asset to Home Instead Senior Care as their Office Manager. She was even consulted during her hospitalizations to continue working on payroll and bookkeeping. Diane also learned to adapt where necessary as she relearned to write with her right hand. Ms. Beach deserves recognition for her career accomplishments and exemplar spirit, which should serve as an inspiration to us all. I commend Diane for her positive attitude and determination, and I wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my dear friends and constituents at the McLanahan Corporation on the occasion of their 175th anniversary, which they will celebrate on August 28, 2010. Located in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, McLanahan Corporation has long been committed to service, innovation, and family ownership. From its founding in the 1830s when James Craig McLanahan moved his family to Hollidaysburg, where the company first produced castings used in farm implements, McLanahan Corporation has developed into an international powerhouse as a supplier not only of equipment, but also of process solutions. McLanahan Corporation is poised to remain a leader well into the future as its customer base has expanded from a small town in central Pennsylvania to reach around the world. Customers have grown to appreciate McLanahan's heavy-duty equipment and outstanding customer service and support. All of this has been done without abandoning its roots or compromising its sound values as the 6th generation of family now assumes a leadership and ownership role. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating The McLanahan Corporation on their 175 years in business.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. I would say thank you. I did make note we are getting three more bills, and we appreciate the effort.

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H. Res. 1366, recognizing and honoring the United States freight rail industry. Before I do, I must note, once again, as other of my colleagues have, that every single transportation bill on today's suspension calendar is a Democratic bill. The majority has not been living up to the common practice of a 70/30 split on those suspension calendars. Currently, it's running at about 95-5 percent, although I am pleased to say that they've added three Republican suspension bills to the calendar later this week. So I hope the majority will continue to try to honor that common practice we've had in the House for a number of years. We are honoring the freight rails today because our freight rail network is the undisputed envy of the world. Every year freight trains move 40 tons of material for every man, woman and child in this country. Railroads provide a remarkable public benefit, reducing traffic on the highways, lowering pollution, and providing a less expensive mode of transit for freight. And this public benefit is provided at no expense to taxpayers. Perhaps the greatest thing about the railroad industry is that it utilizes private money rather than public funds to build and maintain its infrastructure. Investors risk billions of capital annually to support the Nation's railroads because these private companies produce a reliable, although modest return to investors. We must not jeopardize this critical industry by over-regulating or re-regulating and creating an environment where railroads cannot access the capital to maintain and expand their operations. Without this access to investment capital, the industry will decline, as it has in the past. And we don't want to be here 10 or 15 years from now discussing taxpayer subsidies for the freight rail industry. Over the course of the 20th century, Congress enacted policies that nearly ruined the railroads in the name of reducing shipping rates. These policies discouraged investors, and led to decay in the railroad industry. ``Standing derailments'' became common in this dark era, a term that was used for an idle freight car that simply collapses on its side because of rotten tracks. Over one-fifth of the Nation's railroads were owned by bankrupt firms by the end of the 1970s. But the Staggers Reform Act in 1980 created an environment that has led to the revitalized freight network we all benefit from today. Railroads are prosperous again, productivity has soared, and rail continues to gain market share thanks to improvements in service and competitive pricing. This reconnaissance culminated earlier this year when Warren Buffett made his $34 billion investment in the BNSF railroad. Despite the fact that shipping rates are much lower today than they were in the 1980s, and freight rates in the U.S. are half of what they are in Europe and Japan, the same forces are at play that nearly destroyed the railroads in the 20th century. Already the urge to regulate has led to a policy that will force the railroads to spend more than $12 billion on positive train control, a price tag that continues to grow at an alarming rate. Positive train control has a cost-benefit ratio of 20 to 1, and will prevent less than 3 percent of rail accidents. It is my belief that railroads themselves are the best judge of where to invest capital dollars for safety improvements, not Congress. We should work together with the railroads to identify areas of safety improvement that can be accomplished at a reasonable cost. And I believe we should reexamine the scope of the positive train control mandate. I note that this is the first time that Congress has considered a resolution recognizing and honoring the freight railroads alone. I think it's very appropriate, because the National Train Day resolution we passed earlier this year was changed from previous years' versions to focus solely on Amtrak and passenger rail. Amtrak operates primarily on private freight tracks. Without the continued economic vitality of the freight railroads and their constant investment in maintaining 140,000 miles of track in the U.S., Amtrak would not have a national passenger rail system. In closing, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1366, and believe that Congress should honor the freight rail industry by working to create an environment that will allow it to have continued success. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. In response to the chairman of the committee and his comments--and it is always dangerous challenging the chairman on his historical notes and happenings in the House, but as I recall in 1995, although I was not here, don't recall the debate, I do recall that it was a commission set up by President Clinton that made some of these recommendations. So, to continue, for the majority to point to Republicans as not voting for it, as trying to rip it out by the roots, as trying to privatize, just simply is not accurate, and that's some of the rhetoric we hear from the other side. Today, as we move this resolution forward, as I have said before, this is something we should be looking at as a model, as something we should try to understand how this works, the railroad retirement works, how it has grown 16 percent in the last 7 years despite these very volatile times in our economy. We did not privatize railroads' retirement. We took a portion of it, and we know that the retirees are receiving greater benefits because of what we've done here. So I urge my colleagues on the other side as we debate this, as we talk about--a lot of folks talk about Social Security, as the chairman and the chairman of the subcommittee has mentioned Social Security, I'm not so sure, and I guess I have to ask the question: Do you support the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust which does something very similar to many on both sides of the aisle, the commission that was set up by President Clinton and others on my side of the aisle talked about, as one of the ways to reform the Social Security system? So we can stand up here today and talk about in glowing terms about the Railroad Retirement Investment Trust, when it's doing something that is very positive and it's a potential to help reform, to help make sure that those 18 to 34 years old in this country, that 75 percent of them do not believe they are going to get any money out of Social Security when they retire. It just seems to me that the majority is using a lot of rhetoric, trying to hype up retirees in this country which we have to make sure that we keep that ironclad guarantee that those who are retired, those that are soon to retire are going to get the Social Security benefits that they've earned, that they have been promised by the Government of the United States. But we have to look to the future generation, those that are going to retire in 20 and 30 years. Social Security, as the chairman pointed out, has not bounced a check. The check comes every month; but if we don't figure out a way, a bipartisan way, how to reform Social Security, there's going to come a day when there's not going to be any money there, or we are just going to continue what we've been doing over the past 18 months, spending money, borrowing money that we don't have, which is going to be inflationary; and then that tax on our retirees, on our Social Security beneficiaries, is going to be an even more brutal tax when you lose value because of inflation. When inflation soars to four and five and seven, and those that have been on this Earth for more than 35, 40 years, remember the days of double-digit inflation and how brutal that was to the economy and how brutal that is to our retirees. So this is an opportunity for us to look at a system that both sides of the aisle here talking, standing up today, as I said talking about in glowing terms the Railroad Retirement Fund, and we should look at this as a potential to help reform and strengthen Social Security for future generations.

Mr. SHUSTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H. Res. 1463, which designates Railroad Retirement Day on August 29, 2010. Railroad Retirement Day is established in this resolution to celebrate the success and importance of the Railroad Retirement System, which has benefited generations of hardworking railroad workers and their families. I am proud to support the railroad retirement system, which predates Social Security and provides comprehensive retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. More than 600,000 beneficiaries receive approximately $10 billion in benefits each year from the railroad retirement system. For the last 7 years, a portion of retiree assets has been managed in the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust. The NRRIT invests in U.S. and global equity markets, fixed income, and real estate and commodities, much like many private-sector retirement funds. This innovative fund has already returned $7.9 billion to retirees, and has grown 16 percent in the last 7 years, despite payouts and the volatility in the markets and the global economy. I believe we should take a close look at the success of this system as one of the potential solutions to the looming crisis in Social Security. So I congratulate and applaud the majority for bringing this up today, as I have heard so many of my other colleagues talk about Social Security and how those on my side want to privatize Social Security. That just is not true. Nobody on our side of the aisle wants to privatize Social Security. But we have to look at innovative ways to be able to keep Social Security viable. Just today there was a poll in USA Today that says that the overwhelming majority of Americans under 34 years old do not believe they will get anything from Social Security. So once again, looking at the railroad retirement system is a potential solution to Social Security. And again, it's not privatizing. It's taking a small portion of it and investing it in different ways. And as I said, the success of this over the last 7 years, even in these volatile times, has proven to be successful. It has grown 16 percent over the last 7 years. I would urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stop the rhetoric, stop the scare tactics in talking about the way we want to privatize Social Security. This is a viable solution that we need to consider. This is something that we need to take a look at as we move forward in this country. So, again, I applaud the majority for bringing this up today when, as I've said, I've heard so much talk about privatizing Social Security. And we all need to look at Social Security and figure out how to reform it, because I have two children--22 years old and soon-to-be 19--and Social Security will not be there for them. And we're not talking about the folks who are retired today. We need to make sure we are going to keep that ironclad guarantee with today's retirees and those that are soon to retire, that we are not going to affect their Social Security. But as we move forward, as I said, let's look at the railroad retirement system as a model for how we can improve Social Security for those in America that are just moving into the job market who won't be retiring for 20 and 30 and 40 years. The freight rail industry strongly supports the railroad retirement system because these good benefits attract and retain highly skilled workers. This is a system that has worked well for generations. And I would encourage the railroads and the unions to protect the system by ensuring that benefits are distributed fairly and to remain vigilant for fraud and abuse in this system. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. SHUSTER. I yield myself the balance of my time. I will close by making the final note, again, the urging, the plea to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, to stop using the rhetoric that those of us on our side want to privatize. We do not want to privatize Social Security. We want to find reforms to make sense. We want to find reforms that are going to strengthen Social Security and not just for those today, but, most importantly, those that are going to retire in 20, 30 years from now. Because if we in this Congress do nothing, then we are going to continue to see Social Security going in the wrong direction and nobody in this country wants to see the Social Security system continue to go down, having less money, moving towards insolvency. So we have got to do something. I say, let's look at the railroad retirement fund that has returned $7.9 billion to its retirees and has grown 16 percent in the last 7 years, despite payouts, volatility in the markets, in the global economy. This is a system that, again, 7 years ago, we have taken a small portion of it and invested it in U.S. and global equity markets, fixed income, real estate, commodities, not the entire amount, but a portion of it. Our railroad retirees are benefiting greatly by that. I stand here today in support of this resolution. I hope it passes overwhelmingly, and I hope that we look to future generations to try to solve our problems, solve the reform of Social Security by looking at railroad retirement, which has been a tremendous success. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. I appreciate the gentleman's comments but, again, we can use this as an experiment, it's working. I understand the scale is different, but the principles can be the same. Business principles, running an efficient operation, making sure of a return on investment. All those things that we use in a small business that I operated, they use those same fundamentals when they are operating large companies in this country. My suggestion, my urging is that the majority, as we move down the road, look at this as something to consider on how we can reform Social Security and strengthen it for those future generations. As I want to continue to stress, for the folks that are retired today and those that are going to retire soon, we have got to keep that guarantee that it is going to be there. But if we don't do something, don't consider some other way to strengthen Social Security, those who are 18 to 35 that have stated in that poll, 75 percent of them do not believe there is going to be anything available for them in Social Security when they retire. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, I want to make sure we set the record straight here. There is a lot of rhetoric, a lot of talk going on on the floor today about Social Security, and I just want to make sure that the record stands clear that in 1935, the Social Security Act, on April 19, 1935, was passed with 79 percent of the Republicans in the House voting for it in the House. There weren't many Republicans in 1935, I might add. Seventy-seven Republicans voted for it, and there were 18 that voted against; 288 Democrats voted for it and 13 voted against. So let the record show that Republicans have supported Social Security, and we continue to support Social Security. Nobody that I know of on my side has talked about privatizing Social Security. We look to something like the railroad retirement system, how they've taken a portion of it, 7 years ago--under the Bush administration, I might add--under a Republican Congress, moved a portion of that to be able to be invested into different investment vehicles that has given a much greater return. As I've said, 17 percent growth in the last 7 years, even in these tough economic times. So it can be done. And as I mentioned earlier, there was a poll out today that 18- to 34-year-olds in today's USA Today poll, 75 percent of them do not believe they will receive Social Security benefits. So standing up talking about railroad retirees, I'm here. I applaud the system. I want to applaud the railroad retirees and the freight system in this country, the railroads in this country. But we've got to talk about all retirees, future retirees. That's who we owe it to, to the future generations to look at ways that we can strengthen and reform Social Security. And as I will go back to, as I've continued to state, I want to make sure that we hear this loud and clear, this is a system that we can look at as potentially a model. We have to consider this to make sure that we save Social Security for future generations. With that, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 449 I was not present due to my flight being delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 448, I was not present due to my flight being delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. SHUSTER

Mr. SHUSTER. When we did the stimulus bill, we spent money on all different kinds of programs, many of which don't create jobs. Only 8 percent went to infrastructure in this country, 8 percent, which is a very small amount.