Marlin Stutzman

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. I thank the gentleman from Iowa for bringing this amendment forward. Mr. Chairman, I just want to share with you a little story that we experienced over the past couple of years with Davis-Bacon. I think that the people we often forget about here when we get into these debates are the taxpayers, themselves. The taxpayers are the ones who have to foot the bill for the wages that Davis-Bacon drives up. After the stimulus bill was passed a couple of years ago, even though I opposed the idea of what the stimulus bill was going to do, we in our community had been taking the initiative to put in sewer systems around our lakes and our rivers to protect our soil and our resources. After a couple of projects that had already been bid out without Davis-Bacon wages, the company contacted our office and said, Hey, we would like to apply for stimulus dollars to help drive our costs down on these particular projects. Well, after doing some research, because they did not bid the projects with Davis-Bacon wages, they were ineligible, and therefore were going to be paying higher rates. They were also going to be paying the contractors, themselves, at a lower wage because they were not eligible for the stimulus money, money which would have put infrastructure into our communities, allowing for the building of long- term assets in our communities. Instead, they were ineligible because they had not bid Davis-Bacon wages. I think it's very important that we remember the taxpayers, who have to fund these projects because of the higher costs, and I think it's important that we also remember that each community individually recognizes that their labor costs are different and that they shouldn't always be required to deal with Federal standards. I appreciate the gentleman from Iowa for bringing his amendment forward, and I ask that you support it.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Thank you and thank you to my colleagues for bringing this very, very important issue to the House floor this evening. I appreciated all the other comments that have already been made. Having the opportunity to serve as the chairman in public policy back in Indiana, I do remember the time when my wife and I were expecting our second born. When we were dealing with pro-life legislation in Indiana, and having the opportunity to go home and to see the ultrasounds of our second-born son was quite the experience. And I know that with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade coming up, this is an issue that is on a lot of hearts and minds of Americans across the country. So today I rise as we remember the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, but more importantly the millions of innocent lives taken since 1973. In 2008 alone, there were over 1.2 million abortions; that is 3,315 innocent unborn children per day, 138 per hour and about two every minute. While I have no doubt that future generations will place Roe v. Wade alongside the terrible Dred Scott decision, I know that there is much unfinished work before us. All of that work begins with a single inquiry. Mr. Speaker, a simple question forms the cornerstone of a national debate: When does human life begin? Without that answer, we are left with empty rhetoric and euphemisms. So I ask: When does human life begin? This question is not a lofty philosophical endeavor. Science has already given us the answer. Advances in molecular biology underscore the undeniable fact that life is present from the moment of fertilization. That life is fully human and infinitely valuable. Those who willfully ignore reality ought to remember the admonition of our second President, John Adams, that facts are stubborn things. Because a unique human life begins at the moment of fertilization, it is our solemn duty to defend the unborn, to speak up for the weak, to continue with firmness in the right. I proudly support H.R. 212, the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which defines human life accordingly and affirms that each State has the authority to protect the lives of all human beings. We take up this charge because we are still dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. All possess the inalienable right to life.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. On December 21, 2010, Lance Corporal William Henry Crouse, IV, age 22, died of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. As a field artillery cannoneer assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Lance Corporal Crouse was serving his first deployment to Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he had been for 6 weeks. Born June 13, 1988 in Angola, Indiana, Lance Corporal Crouse joined the Marine Corps in November 2007 and was promoted to lance corporal August 1, 2008. Lance Corporal Crouse's awards and decorations include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Lance Corporal Crouse is survived by his mother, Nancy, and stepfather, Vinnie Siders, of Fort Wayne; his brothers, Nathan and Ryan; and his sisters, Jennifer Chaffee and Jennifer Hartman. After quickly being promoted to lance corporal, Lance Corporal Crouse selflessly gave his life as a service to defend our country's freedom in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. My heart goes out to his family, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to them both for the sacrifice they have made for our Nation.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. ``The President of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President.''

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, tonight we find ourselves faced with a very important decision with regard to what sort of taxes we face in the coming years. We are not simply voting on whether to ``keep tax cuts.'' We are voting on whether or not we ``raise taxes.'' To let our current tax law expire is to raise taxes on Americans. Some say that the tax cuts will cost the government $700 billion. Well, I say that allowing the current tax cuts to expire will cost taxpayers $700 billion. Who needs that money the most, our government or the people? If this bill fails and taxes go up in the middle of a very fragile economy, we risk any potential job growth and recovery from this great recession. Refusing to take more of taxpayers' money is not spending we wish we could afford. Taking taxpayers' money is spending the taxpayer cannot afford. Mr. Chairman, I contend that we cannot punish taxpayers with a massive tax increase to pay for the massive spending problem in Washington. Let's let Americans keep more of their money, and let's start cutting spending and be responsible with the money that they have entrusted us with. Should we increase taxes to bring more money into the government so that we can pay for the spending that's happened over the last several years? I say no. The message we need to be sending to the citizens of our great Nation is this, that we get it. We are not going to live beyond our means and ask you to foot the bill. We are going to cut spending, eliminate waste, and reduce our national debt responsibly. Let Americans keep their money and see what happens to the economy. Let Americans keep their money and see what happens to the unemployment rate. Let Americans keep their money because it's the responsible thing to do.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 625, I was unavoidably detained, and had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 624, I was unavoidably detained, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Madam Speaker, over 2 weeks ago, Staff Sergeant Kevin Matthew Pape, age 30, was killed by enemy forces during a heavy fire fight while conducting combat operations in the Konar province of Afghanistan. Born February 5, 1980, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sergeant Pape enlisted in the United States Army in September of 2005 from his home town of Fort Wayne. As a squad leader assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Pape was on a remarkable sixth deployment, with three previous deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. Sergeant Pape's awards and decorations for his service are too numerous to list here. However, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service medals. Sergeant Pape is survived by his wife, Amelia Rose Pape; his daughter, Anneka Sue; his father, Marc Dennis Pape; and his sister, Kristen Michele Pape, both of Fort Wayne. Sergeant Pape selflessly lived his life for others, distinguishing himself as an Army Ranger while continuously deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and fighting valiantly as he served our great Nation and following the Ranger creed.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Thank you. Madam Speaker, it is just a tremendous honor to stand here before you today. It has been very, very humbling, I can say that, your kindness to us, the Members that we have met so far. I want to introduce my wife, Christy, who's up in the gallery. She has been my most supportive person. We have done this together as a team, and I can't say enough about her and am so proud of her. My father, Albert, and my mom, Sarah, are both along. My brothers, my sisters, and a lot of other friends and family. But I just want to say thank you. It is such a humbling experience so far. I am excited and privileged to serve the people in northeast Indiana. We have a wonderful community, and to know that I get to serve with the Indiana delegation is such a high honor. Thank you very much. I am looking forward to serving you in this upcoming Congress.