Mark Schauer

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Exactly right. Exactly right.

Mr. SCHAUER. Exactly.

Mr. SCHAUER. Yes.

Mr. SCHAUER. It satisfies the Buy American provision. I actually met with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke about this--and by the way, I have been appointed to the President's Export Council, and I plan to work on these American jobs issues--is if there are certain orders that have to be done quickly, that there is a loophole.

Mr. SCHAUER. Correct.

Mr. SCHAUER. I have. Thank you for asking me that. I've heard a couple of interesting answers. And I also have a hat. The people that I represent at home see me with this hat. It's white, a very poor quality hat that says ``United States Census 2010,'' you guessed it, made in China. And the United States Census says, well, if products are substantially altered, substantially altered--this sounds like bureaucratic speak--can qualify as made in America. So I guess what they consider substantially altered is this little metal key chain that was made in China, apparently had the ``United States Census 2010'' printing done in the U.S., and that's substantially altered. The hat that I usually have with me--I don't have it tonight--same thing: the hat is made in China.

Mr. SCHAUER. I will yield.

Mr. SCHAUER. Thank you, Congresswoman. I'm proud to be here tonight to talk about our recovery, our economic recovery, about jobs, about a manufacturing agenda, and a ``made it in America'' agenda. The people that I represent in Michigan understand that we have a fundamental problem with our economic recovery, and that is unfair trade policies that have cost us in Michigan hundreds of thousands of jobs. I've cosponsored a bill to repeal NAFTA. I know there are different views on that. My views are very clear, that we need to support trade policies that put American jobs and American workers first. The people at home that I represent have heard me say it, and I'm proud to say it on the floor of the House of Representatives here today. The time is now to fight for American jobs. The time is now to fight for American jobs. There's an issue that I'm working on that I think I've gotten some attention of certainly Democratic leadership that wants to fight for American jobs and manufacturing and American workers, and I think this is an issue where my friends on the other side of the aisle will embrace as well. I've already got one Republican cosponsor on H.R. 5312. And it's a very simple issue. It's about fairness. It's about fair trade rather than trade policies that, again, have cost us millions of jobs in this country. What I learned as I've been fighting for fair trade and giving our businesses, small businesses and large, an opportunity to make things again in my State and in this country, is that we have been using our tax dollars to support and create jobs in China rather than jobs here in the United States of America. As I dug into this issue, quite innocently, I was looking through some census promotional materials, and I was shocked to find that some of those materials to promote something that I support 110 percent, the United States Census, each of our communities needs to get its fair share of dollars to support education and housing and public safety, and so forth, but some of these promotional materials, you guessed it, were made in China. This is a key ring that--I carry this everywhere I go. And I show small businesses, tool and die shops, small manufacturers, they tell me that they could tool this little key chain, and it says, United States Census 2010. They could have the tooling done, they could have their manufacturing process ready in 1 week to make this little metal key chain. Now, what you may not be able to see at home, you may not be able to read where it says United States Census. And again, I want to remind you that your tax dollars are paying for this. There's a little sticker, and you guessed it, it says ``made in China.'' Now, we can and we should make this with our tax dollars here. Now, China, when they joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, did not sign the government----

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. I thank you, Mr. Dingell, and it is an honor to be here during this hour to talk about a man who has shaped our Nation's economy and manufacturing; and it is an honor to follow Congressman Sandy Levin, also from Michigan, who has been a fighter for jobs. Ron Gettelfinger, from my experience I can best describe him in a couple of stories. We are here to congratulate him on his retirement and his legacy with the United Auto Workers. Chairman Dingell and a bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives visited the auto show, the North American International Auto Show, at the beginning of this year. We met with the top leadership of Ford, GM and Chrysler. Ron Gettelfinger was right there. It was apparent, as these companies have worked through a very challenging time, they had a true partnership in their workers; the best workers in the world, and their leader, Ron Gettelfinger, was there as each of the management leaders of Ford, GM and Chrysler talked about their new technology. They talked about their innovations, and they talked about retraining of their workers. They talked about more efficient and cost-efficient manufacturing processes. Ron Gettelfinger was there as a true partner with each of those companies as they talked about their exciting new products made in the United States of America by American workers that Ron Gettelfinger represented. The best products in the world, the best automobiles in the world, that is Ron Gettelfinger. Another story hits close to home for me. I represent a lot of auto workers and a lot of families that earn their living from manufacturing. I have an automotive assembly plant in my district. It is General Motors Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Eaton County in my congressional district. It is the auto industry's most modern, efficient plant in the world. Just a year and a half ago or so, that plant was down to just one shift making a crossover vehicle. At that time it was the GMC Acadia; the Buick Enclave; the Saturn Outlook, a great, best in class, most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. They were down to one shift. Ron Gettelfinger, in partnership with General Motors management, made some important decisions about that plant, about its products, about its company. That plant, which is represented by UAW Local 602, Brian Fredline is their president, now today is back to three shifts plus overtime. And in addition is making the Chevy Traverse. It is a world- class vehicle; and Ron Gettelfinger, through his partnership with this automotive company, has put people to work. In fact, Michigan, which has struggled with high unemployment over the years, actually saw about 450 families move from Tennessee to work in that plant. And I thank Ron Gettelfinger and I thank General Motors for that. By the way, the Buick version of this vehicle made in my district by UAW Local 602 workers is China's number one imported vehicle. What Ron Gettelfinger's work and career and his legacy mean to me is he is a champion for manufacturing, and in this country we must fight for manufacturing. It is a national security issue. This is the industry, the auto industry that built our middle class and that is part of Ron's legacy. Another is fair trade. We must continue to fight for fair trade, as Ron Gettelfinger did in his career, to make sure that our workers, the best workers in the world, the most innovative companies in the world have a chance to compete on a level playing field. Ron Gettelfinger fought for fair labor practices for his workers. He helped transform America's economy. And retirees to Ron Gettelfinger were more than legacy costs, as some consider them. They are real people. So to Ron Gettelfinger, congratulations and thank you for your commitment to the United States of America for good jobs, a middle class, for advanced manufacturing and an industry that is on its feet again. Bob King will be a very able new president. I wish him well, but I am here today, Chairman Dingell, to thank Ron Gettelfinger for all he has done for the United States of America.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, the Seventh Congressional District of Michigan and our country lost a hero. On June 9, First Lieutenant Joel Gentz of Grass Lake, east of Jackson, was killed while completing a helicopter rescue mission in southern Afghanistan. He was 25 years old. The people that I serve will never forget the sacrifices he made because of the love of his country. I would like to share his story with you. Joel ran cross-country at Chelsea High School, where he graduated in 2002. He attended Purdue University and graduated with honors in aerospace engineering in 2007. In June 2008, Joel married Kathryn Sullivan, his college sweetheart. They had just celebrated their second wedding anniversary when he lost his life. I spoke with Kathryn on Saturday. She has truly lost her best friend. Joel originally wanted to be an astronaut, but through his ROTC program, he met combat rescue officers, learned about their mission, and decided what he wanted to do most was to help people. As part of the Air Force's 58th Rescue Squadron, First Lieutenant Gentz spent 2 years becoming a combat rescue officer. He completed Superman School, a training program with a 60 to 90 percent dropout rate. The intense program takes 2 years, and only the strongest finish. Joel was one of about 14 that graduated of the 90 that started in his class. When he died, First Lieutenant Joel Gentz was flying eight helicopter rescue missions a day into hostile territory in Afghanistan to rescue both Americans and Afghanis. He told his dad there was no greater joy than saving an Afghani child and seeing the look on the faces of the parents. He saved a lot of children. His mother said, He was more of a peacekeeper than a fighter, and his service to others demonstrates this. Just a month ago, Joel emailed Ellen Harpin, the founder of The Ships Project, asking her to send toys to Afghani children that could be dropped off during his unit's missions. The Ships Project sends packages to servicemen and -women in Iraq and Afghanistan. The toys had been gathered, and she was just waiting to hear back from Joel for an address to ship them when he died. She promises to make sure they are all shipped and Joel's wishes are honored. The Pararescue Code states, ``It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, that others may live.'' Joel lived and breathed this code. He knew when he chose his career that he would have to make sacrifices. He understood that someday, he might lose his life serving others. First Lieutenant Gentz accepted this responsibility willingly because he wanted to help. He leaves behind not only his grieving family but his fellow officers and the people he saved who are still alive because he bravely put their lives ahead of his own. ``These things I do, that others may live.'' First Lieutenant Joel Gentz is truly an American hero. Today I offer my sincere condolences to Joel's parents, Steven and Judith Gentz; siblings Jared and Rachel; and to his loving widow, Kathryn. May God's grace be upon them. May they find peace in knowing that Joel's service and his sacrifice mean everything to our country's freedom. He will never be forgotten. Our Nation's debt to him will never fully be repaid.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I testified before the Ways and Means Committee about U.S. trade with China because I'm tired of seeing millions of American jobs lost to China because of blatantly unfair trade practices. China is playing us for fools regarding the Government Procurement Agreement, the GPA. Upon joining WTO in 2001, China said it would sign the GPA as soon as possible; 9 years later it still hasn't happened. Since that time, we've lost 2.4 million American jobs--68,000 in Michigan, 4,700 jobs in my district alone--due to China's unfair trade. It's time that we get tough. We need to show China that we're willing to be strong until they open their procurement markets to us. I've introduced H.R. 5312 as a way of addressing the issue, to limit the amount of U.S. Government procurement of Chinese goods to the amount of American goods purchased by the Chinese Government. How about fairness for a change? How about no more U.S. census materials paid for by our tax dollars made by Chinese workers? Please join me in protecting American jobs.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Thank you, Mr. Lynch. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1172 to commemorate the extraordinary life of Will Keith Kellogg. W.K. Kellogg represents the embodiment of the American Dream. With an education only through the sixth grade, Mr. Kellogg rose out of the stockyards of Battle Creek, my home town in Michigan, to become one of the most influential industrialists and philanthropists in American history. Now, in the 150th year since his birth, through both the Kellogg Company and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, he continues to touch the lives of millions throughout the country and the world. Through the invention of the ready-to-eat breakfast cereal in 1906, W.K. Kellogg provided widespread access to a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals for the first time. Think about this: W.K. Kellogg stood up an entire industry that didn't exist before he invented the corn flake in Battle Creek, Michigan. Breakfast cereal has grown to become one of the most widely eaten foods around the world. In many countries, fortified cereal breakfast foods represent one of the few readily available sources of essential micronutrients. A nutrition and health visionary, W.K. Kellogg hired the first dietician to work in the food industry, was the first to print nutrition labels on packaging, and believed strongly in educating consumers to empower them to make good nutritional choices. With the number of obese and overweight children on the rise, W.K. Kellogg's message about nutritional awareness continues to resonate throughout our country. W.K. Kellogg formed a foundation which bears his name. During the Great Depression, he announced, I'll invest my money in people. Today, through the Kellogg Foundation, his legacy lives on. From the $64 million he set aside to ease the suffering of children during the Great Depression, the Kellogg Foundation now boasts assets of over $8 billion and grants upwards of $200 million each year to charitable organizations, especially those aimed at benefiting children. W.K. Kellogg would be proud of the Kellogg Company's work to attack childhood obesity and the Kellogg Foundation's grant-making to promote education and health and eliminate poverty and racism. As we commemorate the 150th anniversary of his life, we should remind ourselves of the increasing importance that a healthy lifestyle plays in our lives and also remember that, in America, anything is possible.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, I was outraged when I found that our U.S. Census bought promotional materials made in China, including this Census 2010 baseball hat. This hat is the poorest quality I have ever seen, and your tax dollars paid for it. Recently, I read in the American Chamber of Commerce in China's 2010 White Paper that Chinese markets remain closed to American goods, even when U.S. companies manufacture in China. What remains clear is that China has access to our government contracts, and we don't have access to theirs. So it's time to stop buying Chinese goods with our U.S. tax dollars. I have in my hand a quality hat made in America by Unite Here workers, and a lousy, Chinese-made hat in the other hand. Where do you want your tax dollars going? Which jobs should your tax dollars support? Support my bill, H.R. 5312, to force China to let our people and our businesses compete.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I salute Jackson Northeast Elementary School students. I was with them last Tuesday when they presented a flowering plum tree and a plaque at the Jackson Police Station in memory of city police officer James Bonneau who was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 6 while responding to a domestic call. Blackman Township officer Darin McIntosh was also shot and injured in this incident. On their own, these students raised $210 for this project. The students also presented handmade quilts to Chief Matt Heins for the family of Officer Bonneau. Jackson Northeast Elementary students demonstrated that every person can make a difference no matter their age or size. They reminded my community and our Nation that Officers Bonneau and McIntosh are heroes and so are all men and women in uniform who report to work every day to keep us safe. Thank you Northeast Elementary students for setting an example for all of us to follow.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Chair, in Michigan, gaining access to needed capital is hard to come by, and many Michigan businesses continue to be redlined for loans. In my district, there's a need for loan programs to help manufacturers, such as production engineering in Jackson, Michigan, to help them have the opportunity to gain access to capital, to help them move forward to retool their current manufacturing process with the newest technologies, to help make the high-quality components for the military, heavy truck, construction equipment and material handling equipment, industries that they are known for, and to help put them in a better position to be able to capture their share in the global economy. This amendment is about jobs that we need now. I ask for your support of the Boccieri-Schauer amendment.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Every day that Republican Senators block Wall Street reform, another day goes by that our Nation's middle class and our Nation's economy are at risk. Heads I win, tails you lose; I'm sure you remember that game. Well, those are the same rules that Goldman Sachs rigged up to routinely bet against its own customers. Heads they won, tails their customers and the American people lost. And AIG, who the taxpayers bailed out, was a full partner in this fraud. My constituents are angry. They want their money back. They want commonsense protections that will end too big to fail and make sure they never get stuck with the tab again. The House has already acted to protect hardworking middle-class families from the abuses of Wall Street. It is time for the Senate to do the same.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Chairman, just a couple of points in closing. The Federal Government's Web site on this topic of estuaries, it refers to the Great Lakes as freshwater estuaries that are, quote, ``affected by tides and storms, just as estuaries along the oceanic coasts are.'' In fact, there is currently a federally-recognized freshwater estuary in Ohio located on Lake Erie. My final point, there is a group called Healthy Lakes--Healthy Lives that wrote in support of this amendment. They state that, ``Traditionally, estuaries are transition zones along our coasts between fresh water from rivers and saline water from oceans. Regardless of whether it is a traditional mix of fresh and saltwater areas that are similar, all estuaries provide a unique environment that supports diverse habitats.'' I would urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I have great respect for my colleague's comments. My amendment would merely bring this National Estuary Program into compliance and consistency with the 2000 Estuaries and Clean Waters Act. For purposes of that act, Congress's definition of estuaries included Great Lakes. So in substance, this definition would be exactly the same as the 2000 Estuaries and Clean Waters Act. I now yield to the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The amendment before you would define ``estuary'' under the Clean Water Act to include Great Lakes near shore waters and connecting waters that are similar to traditional estuaries covered by the National Estuary Program. The amendment would allow Great Lakes estuaries eligible to apply on a competitive basis for inclusion in the National Estuary Program. The Great Lakes and surrounding waters are a valuable natural resource of national importance, and it makes sense that they are eligible to apply for inclusion in this competitive grant program. Again, my amendment would clearly define ``estuary'' to include Great Lakes waterways and connecting waterways. The Great Lakes hold 90 percent of the United States surface freshwater, 20 percent of the world's freshwater, and are the largest system of fresh surface water on Earth. The Midwest relies on the Great Lakes for commerce, tourism, and drinking water. Unfortunately, the health of the Great Lakes has been threatened by pollution, invasive species, and water withdrawals. Failure to protect the Great Lakes now could result in more serious consequences. Conservationists, environmental stewards, hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen from all over the country share my sentiment. Including the Great Lakes waterways in the National Estuary Program will help create long-term planning and management of both point and nonpoint sources of pollution and protect areas of commercial importance from ecological risks. Mr. Chair, we need to do everything we can to protect Great Lakes waterways. We can make another step in the right direction by expanding the definition of ``estuary'' to include the Great Lakes waterways and allow these waterways to be eligible for funding in the National Estuary Program. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, while many are quick to criticize the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the truth is that last month our economy created 162,000 jobs. But, of course, we have got a long way to go to get everyone back to work. Since tomorrow is Tax Day, I wanted my constituents to know one of the reasons our economy is getting stronger is record tax cuts in the stimulus for middle-class families. Ninety-five percent of workers are receiving the Making Work Pay tax credit of up to $400 per worker, $800 per family. Expansion of the child tax credit has helped families of more than 16 million children. Four million more students are attending college as a result of the new $2,500 tax credit; and tax credits and deductions are helping families stimulate the economy through purchases of homes, cars, trucks, and mobile homes. As families file their taxes and get their refunds, I want them to understand that these benefits didn't happen by accident. They were the result of a strategy that I supported and Democrats supported, cutting taxes for middle-class families.

Mr. SCHAUER

Mr. SCHAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I stand for the people of Michigan who lost their insurance when they lost their jobs--they've been dropped and denied coverage by insurance companies for preexisting conditions or because they got sick--and are going broke because of their medical bills. I stand for the elderly in my district who fall into the doughnut hole and must choose between food and medicine, and I stand for small businesses who plead for help to put an end to double-digit premium increases that make them choose between jobs and health care. All of these things will end with the passage of this bill. The question of the day is: Whose side are you on? I'm on the people's side, not on the side of the powerful special interests who've spent millions to kill this bill. Cutting through all of the deception, misrepresentation, and lies, I stand with the people. I urge you to do what's right and vote ``yes.''