Terri Sewell

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. I would have offered an amendment to actually control the cormorants, which are an invasive species that affect the catfish farmers. I understand that due to technical reasons, I can't. But I was hoping the chairman would allow me to engage in a colloquy regarding it. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, APHIS as it's known, is an agency within the USDA which plays a critical role in helping farmers to handle losses as a result of wolves, coyotes, birds, and other invasive species. This agency is especially important to our catfish farmers because it helps to protect and control the livestock from cormorants, which are birds that prey upon catfish. In the South, especially in Alabama, the southern catfish production has seen phenomenal growth over the last 30 years. The continued growth of the catfish industry has really been limited by the growth of these cormorants and other invasive species that feed upon the livestock. The State of Alabama has roughly 22,000 water acres of fish farms where nearly 200 commercial farmers produce 25 different species, most of which are catfish. In Alabama, farmers are quite concerned that in the committee record it looked as if the control of these invasive species would be limited only to the Southeast. I don't think that was the original intent of the committee report. I really was hoping the chairman would address that issue and just clarify, if he would, whether or not the cormorants funding would be limited.

Ms. SEWELL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ms. SEWELL. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia.

Ms. SEWELL. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson).

Ms. SEWELL. To make sure on the clarification of the language.

Ms. SEWELL. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of farmers and producers all across these United States, and especially in the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama. As we debate and discuss issues surrounding the Agriculture appropriations bill, let us remain mindful of the enormous impact that the agriculture sector has had on the United States and our world economy. Agriculture employs more than 21 million American workers and accounts for 15 percent of the total U.S. workforce. In fact, in my home State of Alabama, agriculture contributes nearly $5 billion to the State's economic sector every year. Any Agriculture appropriations bill must take into account the potential economic impact and the strengthening of the agriculture sector that is needed for the 21st century. I understand that we are making very difficult budgetary decisions; however, I am concerned that the types of cuts proposed in this year's Agriculture appropriations bill are ill-advised and disproportionate. This bill reduces the funding for agriculture research programs, including the Agriculture Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, by over $354 million from last year's level. Now, I know that that's a substantial cut in very important research that must be done, both nationally and within our individual States. In fact, the National Institute for Food and Agriculture fulfills this mission by supporting research education and extension programs at land grant universities like those in Alabama like Auburn, Tuskegee, Alabama A&M University and others. We must preserve funding for each of these critical and important investments in the future of agriculture research and food safety. Under this Republican appropriations bill, food and nutrition programs like SNAP and child nutrition are funded at nearly $2 billion less than the President's budget. SNAP is an important and essential program in these challenging times for low-income individuals who cannot afford to purchase food for themselves and their families. Since the program was created, SNAP has literally saved millions of lives, and currently provides essential support to over 165,000 individuals in my district alone. The proposed funding for the Women, Infants and Children Food Assistance program, WIC as it's known, is far below what is needed to serve all those individuals who are eligible for benefits. WIC provides essential nutrition to new mothers, babies and small children under 5 that are nutritionally at risk. Nearly 50 percent of the babies born in our country each year rely on WIC. In Alabama, WIC provides assistance to over 140,000 individuals and over 25,000 just in my district alone. Contrary to popular belief, this program is cost-efficient, and it serves nearly 10 million people each year, costing less than $100 per person receiving benefit. The lack of proper funding in this appropriations bill is yet another example of Republican attacks on hardworking families and children that definitely need assistance for nutrition. I cannot stand idly by and let this occur. We must ensure that any appropriations bill provides robust and adequate funding for these essential programs, both now and in the future. The Republican Agriculture appropriations bill reduces funding for essential rural development programs by $337 million below last year's levels. These reductions disproportionately impact loan authority for 502 direct housing programs. Without these loans, low-income rural families could not find financing options that would help them purchase homes and simply be able to live. This bill also seeks to reduce funding for agriculture business and rural business grants by $20 million below last year's level. In a time of economic recovery, we must continue to make strategic investments in small and rural businesses, and not make reductions. It is important that we who know better do better. Agriculture in our global society is of the utmost importance. As our global population increases, food security and adequate food production will be necessary for our national security, economic development, and our overall survival. It is my hope that all on both sides of the aisle will pass an agriculture approps bill that is both fiscally responsible, forward- thinking, and makes economic sense.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passing of a great American. Kathryn Tucker Windham was a steward of the community and one of Alabama's most beloved authors and storytellers. Mrs. Tucker was a master storyteller, author of 24 books, a playwright, an accomplished photographer, popular public television and radio personality, and a female reporter in a time when there were so few. Her spellbinding stories of life in Alabama and of the true Southern culture have captivated people all across this world. On a personal note, growing up in Selma, Alabama, where she lived and did most of her writing, I heard Kathryn Tucker Windham tell her ghost stories, which captivated my imagination and encouraged me to read and write. Her stories were an integral part of my childhood, and for that I will be forever grateful. Over the years, Kathryn Tucker Windham built a well-deserved reputation as a respected writer and reporter. She was a true treasure, and her stories were a gift to all of the people of the Seventh Congressional District and the State of Alabama. Her writings will serve as an outstanding legacy for not only her incredible talent but also for her boundless passion for the life of Alabamians. Therefore, I, Terri Sewell, the Representative of the Seventh Congressional District, do hereby recognize Mrs. Tucker for her numerous contributions to the life of those in the Seventh Congressional District and the State of Alabama and our Nation. And I ask those present to join me in honoring her and commending her for her many achievements across this Nation.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of the Make It in America Special Order hour. I want to acknowledge the importance of small businesses in making it in America. Small businesses play a critical role in our economy. They provide jobs, they spur innovation, and they strengthen our economy. Small businesses are responsible for generating half of our Nation's gross national product and for employing half of its workforce. That is why I have introduced the Small Business Start-Up Savings Account Act. More folks would benefit if they were provided incentives to allow them to save money to start up a business. On average, an entrepreneur who wants to launch a new business spends $80,000 in first-year start-up costs. Entrepreneurs often go into large amounts of debt to start their businesses. They may even try to save money ahead of time in order to start these businesses. Many even use their savings from their retirement accounts to build the capital they need to run their businesses. This bill would allow entrepreneurs to save money tax free so that they could start their small businesses. Similar to the retirement accounts, this bill would allow entrepreneurs to save up to $10,000 per year and to grow that amount tax free. Once people start their small businesses, funds from their savings accounts can be used for operating expenses. In his State of the Union address, President Obama charged America once again to spark its creativity and imagination. He reminded us that we are the Nation that put cars in driveways, computers in offices, the Nation of Edison and the Wright Brothers, of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn't just change our lives; it is how we make our living. The government can't guarantee a company's success, but it can knock down barriers that prevent hardworking Americans from starting their very own small businesses. Innovation is the key to keeping America number one, and small businesses have always been at the forefront of American innovation. We can't expect to stay competitive in a global market without making the creation of small businesses a centerpiece in our playbook. In the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama and throughout this country, the number one issue is job creation. Ordinary Americans with dreams of starting their own businesses will create most of the jobs that will employ the workers in America. In fact, over the past decade and a half, America's small businesses have created 65 percent of all jobs in this country. As we continue to build our economy, we must again build things in America, and we can do that through innovation and job creation through small businesses right here in America. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation and to help make things right here in America. I want to again applaud the gentleman from Rhode Island for leading us in this discussion tonight. It is critically important to the people of Alabama, whom I represent, and this Nation that we make things right here in America.

Ms. SEWELL. Thank you so much for yielding. I rise before you today to discuss the recent disasters, natural disasters, that have affected families, businesses and communities across this Nation. In the aftermath of such disasters, there must be a shared commitment to rebuilding communities across this Nation. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Joplin, Missouri, who suffered the most recent wrath of nature. We in the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama suffered massive devastation during the April tornados. Nine out of 12 counties in my district suffered tremendous damage. These pictures only show part of the story. Homes were destroyed. Schools, churches, businesses, and communities were destroyed; and many of my constituents lost the lives of their friends and loved ones. I want to thank the President and the First Lady for visiting my district and seeing the devastation firsthand. Mr. President, you told us then that you had not seen such devastation before. You also said that you would make sure that we were not forgotten. Thank you, Mr. President, for your commitment to rebuilding Alabama. I want to thank your administration for responding so quickly. Within hours, FEMA administrator Craig Fugate was on the scene to survey the widespread damage. The emergency disaster declaration and the major disaster declaration were approved within hours. I also want to thank Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and SBA Administrator Karen Mills for traveling to my district days later. As a result of the April tornados, 67 lives were lost in my district alone; and in the State of Alabama, 238 people lost their lives. I want to extend my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I want to thank all of the first responders who were on the scene to help so many of the victims. I also want to thank the volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to restore the lives of families who lost all that they had. The destruction and loss of lives has been absolutely heartbreaking. But out of this tragedy, we will triumph. We will recover, rebuild, and restore our communities. We will be better and stronger than before. I am inspired every day by the resilience that my district in the State of Alabama and the people have shown. Neighbor helping neighbor. The response by the State and local government has been tremendous. I want to thank Governor Bentley of Alabama for his leadership and timely response. The coordinated efforts of my local mayors have been amazing. I would like to thank Mayor William Bell of Birmingham, Mayor Walt Maddox of Tuscaloosa, Mayor Cunningham of Geiger. Your leadership and tireless efforts have been commendable. I also would like to commend the Alabama Emergency Management Agency under the leadership of Art Faulkner. I would be remiss if I did not mention the incredible support and help of my colleagues within the Alabama delegation. What we have learned is that what affects one of us indeed affects all of us. Together, I know we will work to rebuild Alabama.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a great American, Dr. John Logan Cashin, Jr., a visionary civil rights leader and extraordinary Alabamian. Dr. Cashin was born in Huntsville, AL on April 16, 1928 to John Logan Sr., a dentist, and the former Grace Brandon, a school principal. His parents were active in social justice and civil rights work. His paternal grandfather, Herschel V. Cashin, served in the Alabama Legislature during Reconstruction. Dr. Cashin received his B.A degree from Fisk University and D.D.S. degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and joined his father in dental practice. He was a devoted member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. John L. Cashin, Jr. was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was made a first lieutenant and Chief of dental services for soldiers stationed near Fountainebleu, France. Dr. Cashin Jr.'s wife of 39 years, Joan Carpenter Cashin, died in 1997. They are survived by their children, Sheryll Cashin Esq., Professor of Law at Georgetown University, John M. Cashin of Lagos, Nigeria and Carroll L. Cashin of Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Cashin has five grand-children: Winton, Etalvia, Jasmine, Langston and Logan. He is also survived by his wife, the former Dr. Louise R. White of Washington, D.C. whom he married in 1998. As a visionary leader in the struggle for social justice and equal rights for African Americans, Dr. John L. Cashin, Jr. founded the National Democratic Party of Alabama in 1968 and served as its Chairman until it disbanded in 1976. Under the leadership of Dr. John L. Cashin, Jr., the National Democratic Party of Alabama changed the face of local political leaders in office throughout the state. In November of 1968, seventeen of the party's candidates won local offices in Alabama's Black Belt region, comprising seventeen counties in the central and western part of the state. In 1970, Dr. John L. Cashin Jr., ran for Governor of the State of Alabama as the first African American candidate since Reconstruction. His courage paved the way for numerous African American candidates to win and hold elected offices. Dr. John L. Cashin, Jr. passed away on March 21, 2011 at the age of 82 in Washington, D.C. Therefore I, Terri A. Sewell, Representative to the United States Congress from the 7th District of Alabama, do hereby recognize Dr. John Logan Cashin, Jr. for his numerous contributions to the region, state, and nation. I do hereby extend deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. John L. Cashin, Jr., a visionary leader for the Civil Rights movement who never forgot his roots, and who fought for equalities for all mankind. I stand on the shoulders of Dr. John L. Cashin, Jr. and for that I am eternally grateful.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 861, which would terminate all funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The program has really helped families and communities in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District tremendously. Our Nation is recovering from one of the worst recessions experienced in our lifetime, and in my district, the economic downturn happened long before the rest of the Nation began to experience it. The foreclosure rate in my district has reached 8 percent. These foreclosures have devastated homeowners. The foreclosures have had a debilitating effect on the neighborhoods, leading to blight, decay, and reduced property values. The NSP program provides States and hard-hit cities with program funding to help them recover from the effects of foreclosures, abandoned properties, and declining property values. The City of Birmingham, the City of Bessemer, Jefferson County, and the State of Alabama have received funding from this program. In my district, the NSP program has revitalized 259 homes, relocated 69 families, and has saved at least nine distressed neighborhoods. In speaking recently with the mayor of the City of Birmingham, Mayor Bell, about the effectiveness of this program, he informed me that the program has benefited greatly distressed neighborhoods in Birmingham. I've also heard from families whose neighborhoods have been improved because of this funding. My colleagues across the aisle want to terminate NSP, but I respectfully disagree. There's still much work to be done for our families and our communities. Without a doubt, we must reduce our national budget and Congress must work together to make the tough cuts. However, such cuts cannot be made on the backs of our communities, families, and seniors.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill that seeks to repeal the Affordable Care Act, legislation that has helped so many constituents of mine and Americans all across this Nation. Nearly 2 weeks ago, I was honored by being sworn in as a Representative for the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama. On day one I received numerous calls from my constituents urging me to oppose this repeal, and this weekend I heard from countless voices that the health care bill that's currently enacted has begun to help them. Let me tell the story about Mr. and Mrs. Cheatem in Greene County from my district. Both are on Medicare. Mr. Cheatem suffered several heart attacks, and Mrs. Cheatem has a chronic back condition. Prescription medication alleviates her pain and keeps him alive. Several provisions in the Affordable Care Act have helped Mr. and Mrs. Cheatem to get their prescriptions. Now they don't have to choose between putting food on the table, gas in their cars, or paying for their medication. The Affordable Care Act is a first step towards strengthening our health care system and is already helping to save the lives of many in my district. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.