John Yarmuth

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, by overwhelming majorities, the American people are demanding a change of course in Iraq. After 5 years of a failed Bush administration strategy to bring peace and stability to Iraq, the American people are fed up with the way that is jeopardizing our national security, our military strength and our Nation's fiscal future. The American people no longer listen to the President when he says the situation in Iraq is improving. And they received more proof last week that the President's new way forward strategy, the so-called surge, is only inflaming Iraq's civil war. Casualties among U.S. forces have surged and the political process in Iraq has halted. The President's policy has produced few results on the ground, and yet he is asking both the American people and the Congress for more time. Mr. Speaker, President Bush has had 4 years to make his policy work, and the situation is not getting any better. It's time that we get back to fighting the real global war on terror so that al Qaeda does not continue to gain strength in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Senate has a chance today to follow our lead, listen to the American people and begin bringing our troops home.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my home town of Louisville's largest employer and one of its greatest corporate citizens: The United Parcel Service, UPS. For one quarter of UPS's 100 year history, it has located its international hub in Louisville, Kentucky forging a partnership that has facilitated tremendous growth for both the company and our city. Louisville has undoubtedly been good for UPS. They have built a four million square feet facility that processes more than 300,000 packages an hour, using 122 miles of conveyor belt and enough fiber optic cable to stretch from coast to coast four times. UPS went public with the highest initial public offering in the history of the New York Stock Exchange, reached a milestone that saw its services reach an astounding two-thirds of the world's six billion people, and--keeping with the times--just won the Clean Air Excellence Award for its ``Green Fleet'', which has logged more than 100 million miles. But UPS has also been very good for Louisville. Let me tell you a little bit about what Brown has done for us. UPS employs 20,000 members of our community and will hire 5,000 more after it completes a one billion dollar renovation to our airport--only the latest major improvement at least in part due to UPS's influence. But that is just a fraction of the story. Because they are not merely jobs, but good ones. We are fortunate that our largest employer pays wages on which a family can be raised, health benefits for personnel, and even college tuition for part-time workers. Through the Metropolitan partnership with the city and area universities, UPS has paid the tuition for thousands of Louisville students, giving them a chance to pursue fulfilling careers at UPS while earning a college degree. Of the four billion people around the world who benefit from UPS, few can claim the advantages we gain in Louisville--not just the employees, but all who are helped by their economic development initiatives, community service, and commitment to our community. I congratulate UPS--the world's largest package delivery company--on its first successful century and hope that the next one yields continued success in our home of Louisville, Kentucky.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Appalachian State University for winning the 2006 NCAA Division I-AA Football National Championship. On December 15, 2006, the Appalachian State University Mountaineers captured their second consecutive NCAA Division I-AA Football National Championship by defeating the University of Massachusetts Minutemen by a score of 28-17. I want to extend my congratulations to Mountaineer head coach Jerry Moore, Chancellor Kenneth Peacock, the student athletes and fans for a national championship and a 14-1 season. I also want to extend my congratulations to the University of Massachusetts and their student athletes for a great season. The Minutemen finished their season with a record of 13 wins with only two losses for the year. The Mountaineers achieved some amazing accomplishments in 2006. The team won the Southern Conference for the second year in a row; six players were named Associated Press All Americans; Armanti Edwards was named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year; and Coach Jerry Moore was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. Madam Speaker, I once again commend and congratulate the Appalachian State University Mountaineers for their dedication and success. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 210) commending the Appalachian State University football team for winning the 2006 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-AA Football Championship, as amended.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days during which to insert material relevant to H. Res. 210 into the Record.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I also want to close by congratulating the entire Appalachian State University family. I urge my colleagues to pass H. Res. 210.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Synder).

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 436) recognizing the 100th anniversary of the University of Central Arkansas.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert material relevant to H. Res. 436 into the Record.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I want to once again congratulate the University of Central Arkansas on its 100th birthday, commend my colleague, the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the distinguished gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Snyder) and thank the distinguished gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx). Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. YARMUTH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the University of Central Arkansas. The University of Central Arkansas has gone by a handful of different names over the years, but its strong commitment to higher education has remained consistent. The University of Central Arkansas had its humble beginnings in 1907 as the Arkansas State Normal School with only 105 students. The school started as an entity only to train teachers, but now that school has diversified in a way that its founders would be proud of. The University of Central Arkansas now has 100 undergraduate courses of study, 33 master's degrees programs, and three doctoral programs. The University of Central Arkansas enrolls students from each county in Arkansas, students from 35 States, and students from 55 foreign countries. With current enrollment of over 12,000, the University of Central Arkansas has conferred more than 52,000 degrees in its 100-year history. Madam Speaker, I am glad to see another outstanding educational institution continuing to serve those who wish to advance their education. I would like to thank my colleagues from Arkansas for bringing this resolution to the attention of the House of Representatives. I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, in this great land of opportunity, wealth should not be a prerequisite for education, and it should not be a prerequisite for future success. For too many hardworking and qualified Americans, a college degree is the key to a successful career. And for millions more, that education sends them so deep into debt that raising a family is impossible. The College Cost Reduction Act will respond to this injustice with an unparalleled commitment in higher education. 140,000 students and families will save more than $200 million on tuition costs in my home State of Kentucky alone. We've heard a lot during this debate from our colleagues on the other side throwing the word around of ``entitlement'' as if ``entitlement'' is a dirty word. And I will grant that over the years, some entitlements have not been particularly productive, but entitlements can also be significant investments in not only human capital but in the future of this country. And in this particular instance, what we are saying is we are going to make a dramatic step not just to improve the lives of millions of young Americans, but also to make an investment in their futures and the future of this economy. And if we don't do it, the great disparity in wealth between the most wealthy people in this country and everyone else will continue to grow, and we will face an economy in which we are not developing the type of talent that will keep this country at the stature that it has always maintained. So I am firmly against and urge my colleagues to vote against the amendment. I strongly support the College Cost Reduction Act because this is ultimately an investment in our future as a country, as a great nation, and the future of many Americans who without this help will be destined to a mundane future, which will mean that our country will result in the same state.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of one of the most storied institutions in Louisville's rich history on this day of its rebirth as an independent liberal arts institution, as it was intended. Shortly after the end of the Civil War, 12 forward-thinking former slaves gathered in Louisville, united by the understanding that education would be key to prosperity as free people in America. The institution of higher learning that opened its door 14 years later in 1879 was unique in its commitment to African American education. While many similar institutions were the result of the efforts of white missionaries working to give recently freed people the advantages of American society, Simmons, known at that time as the Kentucky Normal Theological Institute in Louisville, was created in a collaboration that bridged the racial divide. Black Baptists and white Baptists, recently freed and those born of privilege, worked hand in hand in pursuit of equality in education. Early leaders at the school came with impressive Ivy League pedigrees, but as the strength of the institution increased, they turned more and more to alumni that came from within. By the early part of the 20th century, it was difficult to find a finer education than that offered at Simmons College, earning it the nickname: ``The Black Harvard of the South.'' Within four decades of its inception and a half century removed from slavery, Simmons embodied the dream and exceeded the expectations of the dozen visionaries who foresaw education as the tools for equality. Louisville's Simmons College was a liberal arts college of national renown. But like so many others, the economic hardships of the Great Depression devastated the school. The properties succumbed to foreclosure and the institution lost its independence. Despite meeting tremendous adversity, the determination that led Simmons' inception and incredible ascent drove its journey onward. For decades and under several names, the school continued to exist. Most recently, the school specialized in theology, expertly training pastors at Simmons Bible College at 18th Street and Dumesnil. But, Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, the latest in a great tradition of Simmons leadership dating back to Elijah Marrs, William Simmons, and Charles Parish, has led the way to a full restoration of Simmons' early success as, in his words, ``the mother of black higher education in the State of Kentucky.'' Through his work as president of the school and as pastor at St. Stephen Baptist Church, Dr. Cosby has worked to expand the school to its original home at 7th Street and Kentucky, where, in conjunction with the current campus, it will once again operate as a fully independent liberal arts university. In this capacity, Simmons will again offer students from around the country a chance to realize their potential and excel, giving hope to those who need it. I applaud the vision and fortitude that Dr. Cosby has shown in restoring this indispensable treasure, which is not just a shining light in Kentucky's history, but to the Commonwealth's present and future as well. I hope that it is Simmons, not recent decisions in Washington that could indicate a slow retreat from our strides in civil rights, that portends the course our Nation now treads. It is my great honor to stand on the House floor in recognition of the tremendous national significance and benefit of Simmons College of Kentucky and to say: Welcome back.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, over the last 7 years, Dick Cheney has convinced himself that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11, that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and that the insurgency was in its last throes. Now it seems he's convinced himself that he is not actually Vice President, insisting that he, unlike the previous 44, is not a member of the executive branch. It's difficult for any American who's taken seventh grade civics to miss the hypocrisy of this claim, especially when it comes from a man who so frequently has withheld information from Congress based on the assertion of executive privilege. It's time for the Vice President to remove the secrecy, reject hypocrisy, and honor his pledge to support the Constitution. It's time for Dick Cheney to start respecting the citizens who pay his salary and start leveling with us. Even a child can tell you, you can have special privileges if you obey the rules, and even the Vice President can't have it both ways. Many of us wish you weren't part of the executive branch, Mr. Vice President, but so long as you accept the executive perks, we will demand executive responsibility and accountability.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, this House has repeatedly passed the bipartisan Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act to authorize Federal funds to be used for lifesaving research on embryonic stem cell lines that would otherwise be discarded. This type of research, conducted under strict ethical standards, is supported by an overwhelming number of Americans because of the hope it offers for the potential cures of many diseases, such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cancer and MS. But yesterday, President Bush once again vetoed this important bill. In an attempt to save face, the President instead signed an executive order that will do little to advance essential medical research. The symbolic order is the President's attempt to score political points, but it fails to direct new resources or support for potentially lifesaving research. A majority of this House and a majority of the American people are fed up with the Bush administration's stifling of this important life- affirming science. Democrats will continue to fight to promote important and groundbreaking research so that we can provide real hope to millions of Americans.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the National Athletic Director of the Year, Tom Jurich. While it has taken 10 years at the helm of the Cardinal athletics program for him to be honored as the nation's finest AD, in my hometown of Louisville, this has been a well-known fact almost from the start. When Tom Jurich first arrived on the University of Louisville campus in 1997, he took control of a program with little to brag about off the hardwood. Today, the Cardinal baseball team will play in the college world series--an amazing achievement for a club that had never played a single post season game prior to Jurich's arrival. Today's appearance makes UofL one of just two schools to have played in the Final Four, a BCS bowl, and the Final Four in the last 3 years. While these accomplishments are astounding, they are the norm for a leader who regularly achieves the impossible. Leading a top 10 track program just a few years after the team, in Jurich's words, couldn't ``have finished third in its own intramural meet before.'' Impossible. Winning the Orange Bowl a decade after the team failed to win a second game. Impossible. Enticing Rick Pitino to town just 4 years after his historic run at UK. Incredibly impossible. But, with Tom Jurich, nothing is impossible in Louisville. This year he fielded new teams in four sports, sent nine teams to NCAA tournaments, and UofL--once a school that struggled to comply with Title IX regulations--now exceeds those regulations. For all the awards, all the accolades, and all the accomplishments, however, Tom Jurich's greatest calling card is his consistent recognition that he is dealing not just with athletes, but with student athletes. Half of his student athletes receive at least a B average. His commitment to the whole University has consistently been displayed though his dynamic partnership with President James Ramsey. Their leadership has helped transform the campus's landscape and level of pride, facilitating UofL's shift from a largely commuter school to a top notch higher-learning institution capable of attracting the brightest students in the nation and around the globe. With the openings of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Jim Patterson Field, Cardinal Park, the most modern practice facilities in the nation, and the announcement of a new basketball arena, the momentum of the Athletic Department has helped spur a decade of unparalleled growth throughout the University. Today, as the Cardinal baseball team embarks on another new chapter for the University of Louisville, it is clear that under Tom Jurich's leadership more and greater milestones lay ahead for the athletic department, the University, and the city of Louisville. I am happy he calls Louisville his home, awed by his success, and proud to have the opportunity to congratulate Tom Jurich, 2007 Athletic Director of the Year. Go Cards!

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, it appears that the House Republicans are operating from the same playbook as President Bush. Over the first 5 months of this year, this new Democratic Congress has approved more than 45 key measures, most of them with strong bipartisan support. Unfortunately, President Bush has been a stubborn opponent of our efforts to move this Nation in a new direction. He opposes or has threatened to veto 60 percent of the House's work. The President threatened to veto a Defense authorization bill because he believed it gave our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan too big a pay raise. His administration opposes a bill that would make college more affordable by cutting student interest rates in half. And he has once again threatened to veto legislation promoting life-saving embryonic stem cell research. While the President has been obstructing our agenda for months, House Republicans have jumped on the bandwagon and are now delaying critical appropriations bills. Rather than obstructing the process, Republicans should join us in passing bills that will help us better secure the homeland and better serve our veterans.

Mr. YARMUTH

Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to addressing the most important issues currently facing our Nation, the Republicans in this body are once again all talk and no action. Despite overwhelming public opposition to President Bush's open-ended commitment in Iraq, despite thousands of lives lost and hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayers money spent, Republicans still won't actually take action to end this war. Oh, they talk a good game. They say they are listening to the retired generals, the soldiers and the American people who want our troops brought home. A few of them even went to the White House a few weeks ago to vent their frustration over the war in Iraq and the President's leadership. But when it comes to actually moving to send President Bush a message that this Congress is moving the war in the right direction, my colleagues on the other side the aisle do what they always do; they line up and vote with their leadership and with President Bush. Mr. Speaker, despite their claims, Republicans still want to write blank checks and rubber-stamp the President's policy. While they wait, Democrats are moving forward with our commitment to making serious changes in Iraq.