Pat Tiberi

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, could I ask how much time each side has remaining?

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, with that, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schock), a distinguished member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your leadership. You have done more to advance the cause for comprehensive tax reform and stopping tax increases on Americans than anyone in America, and we certainly appreciate your leadership. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois reminded us that after the election in 2010, the President of the United States said, in this economy, we cannot let tax rates go up for any American because the economy was too weak. Well, today, ladies and gentlemen, the economy is weaker than it was in December of 2010. In fact, it's been weaker the last 4 months than it was, with little hope that it will get better soon. Ladies and gentlemen, Americans are long overdue in having comprehensive tax reform. They want it, 9 out of 10 Americans. Nine out of 10 Americans now use a tax preparer. My father, a retired steelworker, my mother, a retired seamstress, use a tax preparer. And ironically, Mr. Speaker, my father came to America, my mother came to America for a better life. And when I got my first job, my first job at McDonald's, when I was 16 years old, my dad said, Son, we have a really crazy Tax Code that doesn't encourage you to save, that doesn't encourage you to invest. And you know what? You're going to save a little bit of that paycheck because it's the right thing to do, even though we have a crazy Tax Code. Well, my immigrant dad today thinks we have even a crazier Tax Code than we did back in the early 1980s, and it's time that we change that. The process in this bill will force people in this town to do what we haven't done for over 25 years, and that's fix the Code. There's been talk on this floor about small business owners. I was a realtor. I had small business income. I didn't employ anybody. I'm proud of what I did. But there's a guy that I know. His name is RJ. He's a small business owner. He would be impacted tremendously, and so would his 50 employees, if we allowed his taxes to go up on January 1. Or William, a small retailer who hires people. He would see his taxes go up. Ladies and gentlemen, House Republicans believe that jobs are created not in Washington, D.C., but by entrepreneurs and risk takers throughout America. And there are two roads that we can choose to go down. And this chart couldn't be better in showing everybody out there those two roads. One road leads to danger. One road leads to a failing and falling economy with 700,000 jobs to be lost. We don't want to go down that road. We've seen too much misery already. No, Mr. Speaker, the road that we want to go down, led by our chairman of our committee, is the one to the right, now hiring, in green, with a million new jobs, not created in Washington, but created by people like RJ and William, entrepreneurs, risk takers and, ladies and gentlemen, people like my dad who came to America with nothing, who understand that hard work and risk taking should be rewarded, not penalized. That's why, today, the process that this bill puts in this motion will lead us finally to say to the American people, yes, we heard you, loud and clear, and we're going to simplify our Tax Code. We're going to simplify it for every American taxpayer so we can have an economy that creates jobs, doesn't pick winners and losers, and, ladies and gentlemen, gets us to a place where we have a Tax Code that people like my mom and dad don't have to go hire a tax preparer to do their taxes. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The President said throughout the debate of health care and since, if you like what you have, you can keep it. Employers have told us that's simply not true. The President said, throughout the debate and since on the health care bill, the mandate is not a tax. A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court disagreed and said the mandate was a tax. Today, in this Capitol, there was an executive with White Castle, a company headquartered in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, a family-owned, family-run business with almost 10,000 employees, which has been providing health insurance to their full-time employees since 1924. And he testified today that the bill is a tax and that it will impact their ability to provide health care to their employees. Their health care may be too generous, and they'll be taxed. Their health care may not be generous enough, and they will be taxed. Furthermore, he testified that White Castle will not expand. They've put on hold expansion of 400 to 500 jobs that would be created with their expansion beyond the 12 States they're in. One day I got a call from another employer, in my district, with 48 individuals. He had just come from his tax preparer, who told him not to expand his business--not to expand his business. He provides health care to his employees. But he was told not to go over 50 because he'd have to comply with the Federal Government and the Federal bureaucracy, new rules, new taxes, and new regulations. ``And we're supposed to grow our economy,'' he said to me, ``Pat. We're supposed to grow our economy, the private sector?'' Ladies and gentleman, CBO estimated that this bill will cost 800,000 jobs by 2021. This is not a commonsense bill that became law. Let's repeal the bill and replace it with provisions that will expand access and affordability.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I honor the life and work of Lou Mitchell on the occasion of his passing from this life to the next. Lou Mitchell's connection to central Ohio reached back several generations and his roots ran deep in our community's soil. His family has lived and contributed to our area for generations. For example, his great-grandfather graduated from Dennison University after returning from his service in the Civil War. Irrespective of his family's illustrious history, Lou strived to place his own stamp on the place that helped shape him. As a very successful businessman, he could have lived anywhere he wished. He wished to live in central Ohio. He wanted to live among people like himself--people who enjoy and respect hard work and honest dealings. He wanted to give back to the people and community that gave him an education, a career and common sense values. Lou did give back in many ways over his life. As president of the Board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Ohio, a member of the Boards of the Ohio Historical Society Foundation and I Know I Can, and a Denison University Life Trustee, his wisdom and spirit influenced the direction and missions of these agencies. Lou gave to causes dear to his heart such as the Licking County YMCA, where the Mitchell Family YMCA Recreation Center was dedicated in 2005, his beloved Dennison University to build the Mitchell Athletic and Recreation Center in 1994, and the non-profit organization he started known as ``A Call To College Program,'' which provides college scholarship money to Newark High School students. In addition, he privately helped countless individuals who he learned had experienced setbacks in life such as large medical bills or educational expenses beyond their means. He did not seek publicity or notoriety for these acts; he did them because he could and he believed it was right. I offer my deepest sympathies to his family. Their sense of loss is shared by many of us who knew and loved Lou Mitchell. His legacy will stand as an example for all, and he will be dearly missed.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Madam Speaker, many employers have reassured me that the pension stabilization language included in the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012 will allow them to invest more to create jobs and will prohibit a reduction in their workforce. I hope this is the case and that these pension reforms will help businesses create jobs in a struggling economy. However, H.R. 4348 does not make changes to the financial reporting requirements known as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to allow companies to reflect the reforms on their balance sheets. The end result of this is that many company balance sheets will be required to show inflated pension liabilities that the reforms seek to address. There is also no guidance provided to the overseeing entities of GAAP on how to conform these reforms and accounting requirements. The pension stabilization language is meant to allow companies to calculate their pension funding status through a more stable, long-term method. There should be consistency between the law and how pension obligations are reported on companies' financial statements.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Bobby Moser upon his retirement from the position of vice president for Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Since its inception, the United States has always been known for its institutions of higher education. Our universities and colleges represent some of the most well-known and respected schools in the world. In my opinion, these heavily lauded institutions remain only as successful as the administrators and professors who make up its faculty. Every American who has attended a school of higher learning can fondly remember one or more faculty members whose impact resonates with him or her today. We must not forget the role of educators and administrators whose unwavering efforts sometimes go unnoticed. It is because of the intelligence and hard work of these men and women that our schools stand today as some of the world's finest places of learning and educational development. For over 20 years Bobby Moser has represented one such educator and administrator. Since his introduction to The Ohio State University, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has gone on to become a well-recognized and respected department nationwide. In light of his efforts, the college has seen an increase in grant awards, issuance of patents and donations. As an alumnus and a former member of the marching band at OSU, I can appreciate the efforts and impact of quality individuals like Bobby. Much of his career has remained dedicated to the development of this college and the students who have devoted themselves to Ohio's oldest and most reputable industry. I am proud to recognize the career of such a supreme leader at OSU and look forward to hearing of his future successes and contributions to our community. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I would like to thank Bobby Moser for his steadfast commitment to The Ohio State University.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. The Foundation was established in 1992 by Dave Thomas as a public charity with one primary goal: to help every child in foster care find a loving, permanent family. Throughout its history, the Foundation has set forth on a mission of dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of waiting children. For 20 years, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has committed itself to finding permanent families for the more than 100,000 children waiting in the United States foster care system. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption awards grants to public and private adoption agencies all across the country. Last year these grants totaled more than $8 million and focused on supporting adoption professionals who implement proactive, child-focused recruitment programs targeted exclusively on moving the longest-waiting children from foster care into adoptive families. This signature program is Wendy's Wonderful Kids (WWK). The results from an empirical five-year case study on WWK were released in October, 2011. The research showed that children in the program are up to three times more likely to be adopted. The Foundation also supports employers through the Adoption-Friendly Workplace program, is a founding member of National Adoption Day, and is a proud partner of the annual television special, A Home for the Holidays. The Foundation is an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, Standards for Excellence certified, and has received the highest possible rating on Charity Navigator. The Foundation has helped more than 3,000 children find their forever families and provided information and support to tens of thousands of potential adoptive families. For these reasons, I am proud to applaud the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its dedicated staff for their extraordinary contributions to the people of Ohio's 12th Congressional District and throughout the United States.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, as we work to reevaluate our country's health care delivery and payment system, I rise in recognition of the great success my home state of Ohio has had in caring for our senior citizens. Ohio Governor John Kasich realized not only the cost savings but also the quality of care that could be achieved through caring for seniors in their own homes. He dramatically increased the availability of home health services for Ohio's senior populations, and according to the Ohio Department on Aging, the state will save an additional $300 million per year by 2020 because of that decision. When seniors are paying their own room and board, sleeping in their own beds, and doing their own laundry and cooking, they end up having more personal investment in their own health care decisions--covering costs that taxpayers would otherwise pay in increased Medicare and Medicaid spending. Giving seniors, and all Americans, more control over their medical choices and health care dollars will help promote high- quality, cost-effective health care. Last month was Older Americans Month, and this year's theme was Never Too Old To Play. Older Americans were encouraged ``to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities.'' What better way for seniors to do this than to receive needed care in the comfort of their own homes? I applaud the state of Ohio for the quality and cost-effective care we are offering our senior citizens and encourage the federal government to do the same.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Michael Carroll, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus for 34 years of outstanding service. For the past three and a half decades, the citizens of the Greater Columbus area have received assistance and comfort from their friends and neighbors through the work of this fine leader. Since 1995, Mr. Carroll has served as CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus covering Fayette, Franklin, Madison and Pickaway counties. In 2007, he was appointed Regional CEO for the Central-Southeast Ohio Region comprised of 16 Red Cross chapters covering 26 Ohio counties. His talents are so well respected that he has often been called upon to aid other areas of the country as well. Since 1979, Mr. Carroll has served in field leadership roles on more than 20 major disaster operations in 12 states including Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In September 2004, he served as Deputy Director of the Hurricane Frances relief operation in Florida and, in September 2005, was Director of Hurricane Katrina relief for Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The Red Cross is an internationally recognized symbol of humanitarianism and hope, and Michael Carroll has done much to burnish that reputation by easing the pain and sorrow of disaster victims across our community and around the nation. In short, Michael Carroll has made our community a safer and better place to live. I offer my best wishes to him and his family for a wonderful retirement. His legacy will stand as an example for all, and he will be dearly missed

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Evan R. Corns upon him receiving the Herman ``Rusty'' Shipps leadership award. This prestigious award is named in honor of Rusty Shipps, Class of 1913. The Award, bestowed by the Ohio Wesleyan Alumni Board of Directors, recognizes exemplary leadership, stewardship, dedication, and commitment to the advancement of the university. Mr. Corns' support of his alma mater is legendary at Ohio Wesleyan University, as is his commitment to private liberal arts education as reflected in his 2010 induction into the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence. Throughout a tremendously successful business career, Evan R. Corns has made his mark both at Ohio Wesleyan and around the State of Ohio. An active member of the university's Board of Trustees for more than 20 years and a supporter of many Ohio Wesleyan initiatives, Mr. Corns has never ceased to find new ways to enhance the campus and mission of his beloved school. For example, in an effort to make college available to others he graciously provided financial support for a number of campus scholarship programs, including the Woltemade Center's Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars program, all in an effort to support the students, faculty, and staff at Ohio Wesleyan University. Alumni like Evan R. Corns represent the finest aspects of Ohio Wesleyan University and symbolize the finest traditions of citizenship.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, along with my colleague from Massachusetts, Representative Neal, and Representatives Sam Johnson, Charles Rangel, Devin Nunes, Pete Stark, Dave Reichert, John Lewis, Peter Roskam, Earl Blumenauer, Jim Gerlach, Ron Kind, Aaron Schock, Joseph Crowley, Lynn Jenkins and Erik Paulsen, I rise today to introduce the Update and Streamline REIT Act (U.S. REIT Act). Congress created real estate investment trusts (REITs) in 1960, with the goal of providing Americans from all walks of life a transparent and liquid way to access the income and diversification benefits of investments in commercial real estate. Periodically over the past fifty years, Congress has enhanced and improved the REIT rules as the real estate industry and marketplace has evolved, typically with non-controversial legislation that attracts significant bipartisan support. In that vein, the last REIT update was introduced in 2007. A number of publicly traded REITs are headquartered in my home state of Ohio, and listed REITs as a whole have invested over $8 billion dollars to date in Ohio malls, office buildings, health care, hotel, self-storage and other properties. This investment by REITs creates jobs, improves local economies; and helps to support and beautify our communities. The U.S. REIT Act has been developed over a lengthy period. It has considerable bipartisan support and is largely revenue neutral. If enacted, it would increase flexibility and remove certain redundant and unnecessary restrictions on REIT activities, in order to enable REITs to continue to achieve the goals on behalf of their shareholders set for them by Congress over fifty years ago.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to a golf legend, devoted philanthropist, husband, father and grandfather, Jack Nicklaus. Known as ``The Golden Bear,'' Jack Nicklaus has continually set an admirable example of excellence, not only emulated by generations of golf fans, but by those who value sharing their success by giving back to others. As someone who shares the experience of growing up in Central Ohio and attending The Ohio State University, I can attest to the pride held by both communities. Dubbed the ``Golfer of the Millennium,'' Jack Nicklaus is world renowned for his winning record of 118 professional golf tournaments and an unsurpassed 18 professional major-championship titles. However, it is his accomplishments off the course that I recognize today. In 2005, Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara formed the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which provides support for activities that advance and enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of childhood diseases and disorders. To date, Jack and Barbara have raised over $15 million in support of pediatric health care programs through their foundation. In addition, as a trustee of The First Tee program, Jack provides positive life values and promotes healthy choices through the game of golf to young people who would normally not have access to the game. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the Legends Luncheon this week, which advances pediatric care through the Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation alliance. As a fellow Ohio State Buckeye, it is truly my honor to recognize such a great role model, Jack Nicklaus.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to recognize the efforts of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), which is headquartered in my district in Westerville, Ohio. NGWA is sponsoring National Ground Water Awareness Week which began on March 12. Each year, this event puts the national spotlight on a critically important issue, the preservation and protection of groundwater for human and environmental purposes. National Ground Water Awareness Week is the pinnacle of NGWA's year- round effort to educate the public about proper groundwater and water well stewardship. The United States uses 349 billion gallons of freshwater daily, 79.6 billion gallons of which is groundwater, serving 90 million Americans. NGWA is a nonprofit organization composed of more than 12,000 U.S. and international groundwater professionals including contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers. The organization is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA's vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water. Association members are using Ground Water Awareness Week to participate in a variety of activities and events. I want to thank them for their efforts to preserve, protect, and safely utilize this most valuable resource.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Chairman Camp and Chairman Mica for their fine work on the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, and to explain the bill's treatment of the fractional ownership industry. Fractional aviation has grown rapidly to change how business travels, but Washington doesn't always keep up with the pace of change in business, and fractional aviation was no exception. The Federal Aviation Administration recognized that fractional is non-commercial in 2003, but the Internal Revenue Service is still trying to tax it the same as a commercial airline ticket, despite the fact that fractional owners own their planes. Today we are clarifying and reaffirming that fractional aviation is non-commercial aviation. This bill clearly states that instead of being subject to the commercial ticket tax, as the IRS has asserted, fractional flights will pay the fuel tax used in noncommercial aviation, plus a fractional surtax. Ohio is the birthplace of aviation. This heritage of aeronautical innovation continues today with cutting edge fractional ownership aircraft programs. This bill will align fractional aviation's tax treatment with the longstanding FAA rules, and help the fractional aviation industry in Ohio and across the country grow even more. I want to thank Chairman Camp for making this clear.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 3622.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, this debate is in many ways surreal-- surreal. I learned in Civics 101 that the House is a coequal branch to the Senate. Members on the other side say, well, this is a compromise. It's a compromise in the Senate, not the House. The House has spoken. The Senate says, my way or the highway. Now, I understand that that's how it's kind of become around here, and I know there are friends on the other side of the aisle who are upset with the Senate when they've done it on other bills when they were in the majority. This is enough. The American people deserve better. We need to get back to regular order. We need to compromise between the House-passed bill and the Senate-passed bill. That's the way the Founding Fathers wanted it: compromise between the House and the Senate, not between the Senate and the Senate. Two months for the American people, that's outrageous. They deserve a year, a full year to have a payroll tax holiday, not 2 months. Come on, ladies and gentlemen, let's send the Senate a message: come back to Washington and do your work. Give the American people a year, not 2 months.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Bob Conners upon his retirement from 610-WTVN Columbus. The often transient nature of a career in radio remains a hard truth for those who choose this field. The industry sometimes forces these men and women to relocate to different stations and towns across the country. These individuals come and go, sometimes without developing a strong connection with a community. Over the years, however, one voice has remained a mainstay in Columbus, representing the pinnacle of morning radio hosting. As a proud central Ohioan and occasional guest on his show, I am deeply honored to show my sincere appreciation for one of the greatest radio hosts in this city's history, Bob Conners. Bob came to Columbus from Pittsburgh over 40 years ago and since then has brought acclaim to and instilled pride in the central Ohio community. His morning show, Bob Conners in the Morning became one of the most popular shows in the area, attracting listeners from miles around. Known as the ``Morning Monarch'' for his longstanding service to the station, Bob eloquently presented national and local news, along with sports, weather and traffic reports. For years he delivered the news to millions of citizens. His on-air disposition and the consistency of his presence made waking up to his voice a pleasurable morning routine for an entire generation. I fondly remember listening to his show when I was growing up and how honored I was each time I was asked to speak with him on-air. While he has retired from hosting the show, Bob's legacy and uplifting presence will resonate throughout our community for years to come. I am proud to wish him the best of luck as he moves on to the next exciting phase in his life. He not only remains one of the city's most recognizable voices, he also is one of Columbus's favorite sons.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Natala K. (Tally) Hart upon her retirement from The Ohio State University. Expressing how much Tally Hart has meant to The Ohio State University and the many students who have felt the impact of her unwavering commitment to higher education remains no easy task. As a graduate of Ohio State and an admirer of this remarkable person, it gives me great pleasure to add my personal appreciation. For over three decades, Tally has dedicated herself to helping students achieve their dreams of attending college. After serving at various institutions around the country, in 1996 she was hired as Ohio State's Director of Financial Aid. In this position she gained national recognition for not only her unrivaled ability to obtain funding for students, but also the strength of her character and the sincerity of her efforts. In 2006 Tally was named Senior Advisor for Economic Access. In this role she was given the opportunity to lead a new program that allowed her to create programs that benefit thousands of disadvantaged students and make Ohio State a leader in college access and success initiatives. Upon her retirement, Tally will leave behind a legacy that will permeate throughout central Ohio for years to come. Like fellow Buckeyes before her, she has become a beloved figure at our school. Through her selfless pursuits and deep passion for Ohio State, Tally has added greatly to the school's storied history and rich tradition. While she is moving on to the next phase in her life, Tally will surely never stop doing what she loves: helping others. On behalf of the citizens of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I would like to wish Tally the best of luck and thank her for her devotion to Ohio State.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor the memory of Sister Catherine (Mary Isaac) Colby, O.P., Ed.D., of the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Columbus, Ohio, who passed away suddenly on December 2, 2011. Sister Catherine Colby was a native New Yorker, and a graduate of St. Helena's Elementary School in the Bronx and Dominican Academy in Manhattan. She entered the Novitiate of the former Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs in 1960 and made her Profession of Vows in 1963. Sister Catherine earned a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University of Florida; an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Xavier University of Cincinnati; an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from St. Joseph's College of Connecticut; and a bachelor's degree in Education from the former College of St. Mary of the Springs, now Ohio Dominican University, in Columbus. A lifelong educator, Sister Catherine was an outstanding administrator and a compassionate and perceptive preacher--the principle charism of the Dominican Order--as well as a division chair, faculty member, school principal and teacher in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. Additionally, she had been Vocation Director and Director of Candidates for her Dominican Congregation. Sister Catherine was an Associate Professor of Education at Ohio Dominican for twenty-three years, and for seven of those she served as Chair of the Division of Education. The founder of the Center for Dominican Studies at ODU, Sister Catherine was also the University's first Vice President for Mission and Identity. In that capacity, she coordinated and facilitated the university-wide process of sustaining, enhancing, and promoting its distinct mission as a Catholic and Dominican university. Her passing is a great loss not only for the Colby family, but for the Dominican Sisters of Peace, the entire campus community, the twelfth Congressional District of Ohio, and for Catholic education across this country. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Sister Catherine's family, including her godson, John Colby, who serves with us here as a United States Capitol Police Officer, as well as to her Congregation, Ohio Dominican University, the Dominican Order, and her friends and colleagues during this most difficult time. Her legacy will stand as an exemplar for all Catholic educators and women religious, and she will be dearly missed.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for advancement of the artificial pancreas, a transformative medical technology under consideration at the Food and Drug Administration that would help millions of Americans who suffer from diabetes. In my home state of Ohio, approximately 900,000 people have diabetes--nearly 10 percent of the state's population. This unforgiving disease is not only the leading cause of kidney failure and adult-onset blindness, it also causes more than 80,000 amputations each year and increases the chance of suffering a heart attack. The toll of diabetes is not limited to health. Americans spend $174 billion each year in diabetes-related treatments, with a significant portion of that figure going toward addressing long-term complications. With millions of lives at stake and billions of dollars being spent, this is a disease that demands our attention and we must strive to find better treatments for it until a cure is found. The artificial pancreas is one such technology that automatically adjusts blood sugar levels for people with type 1 diabetes. With this technology, people will see optimal blood sugar control and as a result, significant reductions in complications associated with type 1 diabetes. Furthermore, an independent study has projected that Medicare will save $2 billion over 25 years once this technology is finally available to the diabetes community. Currently, this technology is awaiting draft guidance from the Food and Drug Administration as to how clinical trials can proceed. The FDA has a self-imposed deadline of December 1st to issue this draft guidance and it is my sincere hope that they will not only meet this goal, but will give full credence to clinical expert recommendations so as to assure that this life-saving technology can safely and quickly be put in the hands of the people who need it.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I along with Congressman Steve Stivers rise today to honor and recognize the Ohio State University Marching Band director Dr. Jon Woods upon his retirement. As a former member of the marching band, I had the extraordinary opportunity of learning from and getting to know Dr. Woods. To this day, I am honored and blessed to call Jon a good friend. Issuing remarks about a man that has meant so much to me and every Buckeye around the world gives me great pleasure. The Ohio State Marching Band remains one of the most well-recognized college bands in the country. Its artistry, accuracy and sound has earned the band the informal title of ``The Best Damn Band in the Land.'' Observing the band in action fills Buckeye fans with immense pride and captivates an audience in a way unlike any other live event. Most Ohio State supporters credit much of the band's success and acclaim today to the efforts of Dr. Woods. Since his arrival, Jon has upheld the band's traditions, while also employing new and innovative techniques that have helped the band sustain so many years of unrivaled superiority. After several decades, the Ohio State Marching Band and the entire university has benefitted from the supreme expertise and visionary leadership of Dr. Woods. He has become a cornerstone of Ohio State, and, through his legendary work, has etched his name into the school's storied history. I along with Congressman Stivers and the entirety of the Ohio State community will greatly miss his presence. His passion for our beloved school and his years of commitment to the band have left him with an enduring legacy.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize ``The Best Damn Band in the Land!'' In my opinion, there are not many more electrifying and time-honored traditions in college sports than The Ohio State University Marching Band's presentation of ``Script Ohio.'' Throughout the country, it would be hard to find a college football fan that has not personally witnessed or been told the tale of this truly remarkable exhibition of music in motion. This year marks the 75th anniversary since former band director Eugene Weigel developed this storied ritual, and today ``Script Ohio'' continues to bring immense pride to the university and Buckeyes all over the world. To me, attending an Ohio State football game and observing the band's elegance and precision remains a breathtaking experience. Along with other lifelong supporters of the school, I consider watching ``Script Ohio'' a considerably moving event, one that warms the heart of any Buckeye. The flowing spelling of those four letters stands as a monument to our state and an appreciation that all Ohioans cherish. As the band takes the field, fans throughout The Horseshoe, whatever colors they wear, quickly realize the significance of the spectacle they are witnessing. As a former member of the band I have had the honor of forming ``Script Ohio'' countless times. My time with the band remains one of the most memorable and thrilling experiences in my life. One of my fondest memories is personally watching the legendary Ohio State Football Coach Woody Hayes dotting the ``i'' before a game. Only a handful of non-band members have ever been given the opportunity to take part in such a prestigious event. Seeing Woody honored that way was a testament to his legacy and Ohio State's respect for tradition and honor. It deeply pleases me to speak on behalf of something that continuously fills me with pride: The Ohio State University Marching Band. Congratulations on the 75th anniversary of Script Ohio. Go Bucks!

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. I rise in support of the three agreements before us today and would like to read a recent quote from our President, Barack Obama: ``If Americans can buy Kias and Hyundais, I want to see folks in South Korea driving Fords and Chevys and Chryslers. I want to see more products sold around the world stamped with three proud words: `Made in America.' '' Madam Speaker, this is about jobs, and I support the President's effort, our chairman's effort in crafting these three agreements before us today. In fact, I asked Ambassador Kirk earlier this year in our full committee, how many jobs did he think would be created if these three agreements were passed? And his answer was 250,000 new American jobs would be supported with these three agreements. In Ohio, Madam Speaker, agriculture is still the number one industry. We believe, the trade ambassador believes, that we will see an increase in exports to South Korea and the three other countries of 55 million per year. This is about jobs, Madam Speaker. This is about exports. This is about leveling the playing field. I urge my colleagues' support of the agreements.

Mr. TIBERI

Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that childhood obesity is among the most serious health problems affecting our nation's children. Indeed, approximately 17 percent of children and adolescents age 2-19 years in the United States are obese. The problem is only growing in magnitude, as over the past two decades, the prevalence of children who are obese has doubled, while the number of adolescents who are obese has tripled. As co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Childhood Obesity and in recognition of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, it is imperative that we begin to identify and promote solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic. One of the key places to look towards is the work of our children's hospitals. Children's hospitals across the country are working to provide unique solutions for both treating and preventing childhood obesity. In my home district, in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Children's Hospital has created programs which approach the obesity epidemic from multiple angles, partnering with other organizations like the YMCA and Ohio Healthy Weight Outcomes Coalition to help foster a multi-lateral approach to addressing the epidemic. One of these programs, the F.A.N., Fitness and Nutrition, Club was established in 2008 as part of Nationwide Children's Hospital's pediatric obesity initiative to help 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in neighborhoods around the hospital experience fun activities to keep them fit and healthy through physical activity and education. This month we applaud programs like F.A.N. Club and our children's hospitals, which in partnership with our local communities help ensure that children across the nation receive the tools and education necessary to prevent childhood obesity.