Congressional Record—House H6748

H6748 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 15, 2010 That’s what happened in the War of And I have confidence, I have con- place where people are employed and Independence. That’s what happened in fidence that the American public still excited about their work and where the other wars of America’s past. When has a passion for freedom, still has a there’s a responsibility and a vigor and people threatened our premise that love for this country, still cares about a vibrancy that was so common of the God gives you certain basic rights, and the American Dream and wants to live old Yankee that the Europeans used to they got in the way of that, that’s in an environment where they can be make fun of. And once again, that Yan- when Americans stood up and they free to exercise their God-given gifts kee will be back again, Yankee Doodle. acted. and abilities. They want their children They used to sing about it to make fun to grow up in a better condition than b 1920 of us, but as we have seen tsunamis and they are. They want to see civilization hurricanes and all kinds of crises Today, there are a lot of Americans building and suffering going down. But around the world, they like old Yankee that are saying to our Federal Govern- the only way you can do that is you Doodle to come to help them. ment, No, this is not what America is have to allow some people to prosper. And so I’m proud to be an American. built on. Our government was built on You can’t knock down all the busi- I know that you’re proud to be Ameri- justice. It was built on the concept nesses and anybody who makes money cans. We have to move back to the that people are equal before the law. If and expect to have jobs. You just can’t policies that made this country great. you are a rich man or a poor man, it do that. It doesn’t work. And I see that a very good friend of makes no difference. Everybody is And so we come back as we started. mine, a former judge, a Congressman equal before the law. That’s not bailout Do you want jobs? Let’s get rid of all from the great State of Texas is here to fever. this excessive taxation. Let’s do what join us before long, and perhaps he will We have given up justice and gone to every President in the past has done carry on along these lines. I know he is socialism. It hasn’t worked in Europe. when there is a recession—JFK, Ronald a man who loves God. He fears God. He It didn’t work for the USSR, and it Reagan, Bush. Let’s cut the taxes. That loves his country, and he loves his fam- won’t work for us. We need to go back is what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to ily, and that’s why I love him. And so to what works, and that is people are change the regulations in the banking I think the next hour will be exciting, equal before the law and people are free system so there’s liquidity for busi- and I urge you to stick with us here. to take a gamble and try to run their nessmen to raise money. We have to f business, and if it doesn’t work, then create an environment where people they’ve got to pick themselves up and aren’t afraid of some new whacky idea VACATING 5-MINUTE SPECIAL try again and not complain that they coming down the pike and totally ORDER need more bailouts. changing the business climate. We have The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without In short, there is a reason why there to create a condition where people have objection, the ordering of a 5-minute is unemployment today. There is un- confidence that there will be a stable Special Order speech in favor of the employment today because it was cre- government in this country which is gentleman from Texas (Mr. GOHMERT) ated by government policies. And those not hostile to business, and we’ve got is vacated. government policies have to change. to cut the red tape and the government There was no objection. We have to take the chains off of mandates. f American business, and we have to go What that means is we basically need back to the principles that work. to take a look at the Federal Govern- LET’S FIX AMERICA Well, we’ve talked about a couple of ment, and we need to say anything The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under very philosophical kinds of things: Jus- that the Federal Government does not the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- tice, which is a very important word. have to do, it has to be just gotten rid uary 6, 2009, the gentleman from Texas Justice does not mean that Lady Jus- of. We need to delegate it back to the (Mr. GOHMERT) is recognized for 60 min- tice who has the blindfold over her eyes States or the local governments. We’ve utes. is peeking. It does not mean that she got to get the Federal Government out Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is al- peeks and gives a special deal to one of all kinds of businesses they have no ways an honor to speak here on the person or another person. We have cre- constitutional reason to be in, and we House floor and have that opportunity ated now, with the law, a special bill to have to focus on the basic things, that was provided by those willing to create a whole bailout section of the which are justice. We need to make show the greatest love, according to Federal Government so Lady Justice sure there is a level playing field at Jesus, willing to lay down their lives can peek and give money to one person home for people to do their work, and for their friends, their countrymen, so and maybe not to another. there has to be a secure environment that we could have these freedoms. And What confidence does the individual internationally, which means we have when you read the Declaration of Inde- American have that the government is to have national defense. Those are the pendence, it talks about we are en- going to come and bail them out when basic functions of justice. Those should dowed by a Creator with certain in- they need it? Is the government going be the functions of limited govern- alienable rights, and all men were cre- to be there? Do you want to be servant ment. ated equal; now, not with equal tal- to Big Government or do you want to When the government gets too expen- ents, not with equal abilities, not with be a free person? Do you want to sive, you have to go back and say, Wait equal money or substances. That was breathe the fresh air, live in the fresh a minute. Let’s do the basics. Let’s do not the point. In God’s eyes, we are air and the sunshine of being free, the basics well, and everything else the equal. In the eyes of the Creator, we knowing that you also have to be re- Federal Government does not have to are equal. And so we are supposed to do sponsible? Or do you, instead, choose do, then let’s get rid of it. That’s where the best we can with what we’ve got. the gloomy path of the promise that we have to be going. That’s a clear And as my friend from Missouri was the government will take care of you path. It’s something that’s not going to talking about light bulbs, I couldn’t even though you know that it can’t happen overnight because it has to help but scratch my head because here economically, or it will not take care change in the hearts of Americans, in in Washington, we are told that the of you well and allow you to live in the families of America. In the church- most environmentally friendly major- some sort of pseudofreedom where you es and places of worship, there has to ity in the history of the country is in don’t make responsible choices and you be an understanding that it’s not the charge now. But I wanted a light bulb hope the government will take care of job of the government to take care of that was incandescent so I can see bet- you when it doesn’t work? everything that goes wrong in ter, because it takes so dadgum long That’s where we are as Americans. It everybody’s life, because it won’t work. for those others with the curl in there has to start in our hearts. Freedom And then Washington, D.C., will to warm up where you can see. And starts in the hearts of self-governing change, reluctantly, but Washington, sometimes, there’s a tiny closet there, people who love God. They love their D.C., will change, and we will see a new and I flip the light switch on, well, I family and they love their country. America and a brighter day and a bet- just need to flip it on and off. Well, now And America is full of those people. ter day for Americans. We will see a I’ve got to leave the energy on long

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:57 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H15SE0.REC H15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE September 15, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6749 enough so the bulb warms up to where you kill incentive and you kill produc- we had a great product. And now I have I can see what’s in there. And it’s in- tivity. So when you get right down to a President that is getting people to teresting, you can’t find, you will not it historically, what always brings free hate me and saying I don’t deserve to be provided an incandescent light bulb. market systems to an end is when a pay the same rate as other people? I And we read in the past week that the governing authority begins to meddle mean, how much must a person despise last incandescent manufacturing plant and ruin the free market system and those kind of entrepreneurs who have in the United States proper has now start converting it over to a socialist built a business and created out of gone out of business. system. And once a governing author- nothing. They worked hard with inge- So what have we done as the most ity is able to manipulate the free mar- nuity and sacrifice, created a thriving environmentally conscientious Con- ket system over into a socialist system business, how much must a President gress in history? We have got light where you are trying to spread the or an administration despise those peo- bulbs that have mercury in them—mer- wealth, you are killing incentive and ple to say, I am willing not to help the cury, the substance that does not go you are creating class warfare, you are people that I call middle class if I have away. If you get mercury in your sys- creating all kinds of problems. You are to give the same rate to the people tem, you don’t get it out. If you get too trying to do the things that this gov- that make above $200,000. I am willing much, it’s lethal. It builds up over ernment is doing right now, and then to punish the middle class and not let time. So what are we doing? We are you kill the free market system. Not them have the same rate as they do raising the level of mercury as high as because it doesn’t work, but because now. I am willing to let their tax rates we can get it, this lethal substance, you have now converted it to a social- zoom up with the biggest tax increase and you say, what is going on? ist system, which always fails by its in American history come January 1, I own weight. And then that obviously b 1930 am willing to let that tax rate go up if requires a dictator, somebody who you try to make me allow those entre- How can we be environmentally forces a sharing of the wealth, a killing preneurs who have built a business on friendly when we are forcing everybody of incentives across the board so people their own, if you try to make me give on Capitol Hill to have mercury do all they can to sit in the shade and them the same tax rate as the middle throughout their offices? It is just one not do anything and not produce and class, because you see I want to punish of those things. not help out their neighbors because them. They have made too much If we are all created equal, and the they don’t have to. money. They took risks, they laid it all thing we are endowed with by our Cre- So it broke my heart to keep hearing out there on the line. ator, inalienable rights, life, liberty our President talking about the rich, One fellow talked about how he and the pursuit of happiness, nobody is anybody making over $200,000. He is didn’t even own his own trailer, those guaranteed happiness, but the right to talking about small business people. He kinds of things. And he built a busi- pursue happiness. Nobody is guaran- is talking about people I have had ness, and now our President says he is teed, under our Declaration or under come pleading to me: Stop destroying rich and he needs to be punished. That the Constitution, that everybody is what I have spent my life building. I is the way you end a free market sys- going to share and share alike. That is had nothing. I had nothing, worked 20 tem. You spread the wealth evenly called a socialist manifesto: from those hours a day, put what little bit I had at from those who have risked it all and according to their ability to those ac- risk and eventually was able to hire give to those who have been sitting in cording to their needs. It is a lovely another employee and another em- the shade watching them work. You idea but it has never worked. It always ployee and another employee. And fi- kill the free market system. You kill goes bankrupt because as I found when nally I have in some cases 20, 30, or 140 the jobs. I was in the Soviet Union as an ex- in one case, one man that was talking So we have an administration out change student talking to farmers who to me, 140. Now he is down to about 60, there saying we are all about jobs, that had not been out in their field all day I think he said. But you are killing me. is our main focus. But by the way, we on a great day, well, it was mid- You are killing my business. And you are going to push through this health morning, but to that point, that was make people hate me because of how care bill that the majority of America prime time to work. When I spoke a lit- hard I worked and how much I sac- says don’t, don’t, don’t, and they tle Russian back then, I asked, When rificed to build this small business. pushed it through. And then you see do you work in the field? They laughed. And in the process, you made me put 80 people laid off. So many people have One of them said I make the same people out of work. come to me about family members, number of rubles if I am out there, We should not be about class envy. themselves, cuts in pay, laid off be- pointing out in the sun in the field that The reason a free market society works cause the cost of the health care that really looked bad, or if I am here in the is because there is fairness. When you was supposed to go down when this ad- shade. So I am here in the shade. That have a government that is about fair- ministration ramrodded and crammed is why socialism doesn’t work. If you ness, then people compete. Entrepre- this bill down America’s throat with- pay somebody the same thing to be neurship springs up all around and peo- out letting people truly understand all working out in the hot field, sweating ple comes up with ideas. It is worth that was in it. You lose your country if it is based on a free market system and wearing themselves out, and pay risking what they have to make things when an administration and a Congress them the same as if they sit in the work. That is free enterprise. tries to make it socialist. shade and cut up with their friends, And when we have an administration they are going to be in the shade. that is so busy stirring up class envy b 1940 The reason free market systems fail and trying to get people to hate the Now, I realize some people think, oh, is not because a free market system people that have come to me and said, Socialist is such a horrible word. It’s doesn’t work; it works beautifully. You yeah, I have been making over $200,000 really a very nice concept, actually. If do need a government to make sure a year. I have been pouring every dime you look at it, you know, we want ev- that everybody plays fairly, not to back into my business. It grows and eryone to share and share alike. Some- take away from those who are able to grows, and we have been able to hire times we’re told that growing up: we produce more than others, not to kill more people. Now I have to lay them want to share and share alike. As a the incentive for people to actually off, and you have got people hating me parent, I tried to make sure that all produce, but to provide a level playing because they think I’m rich. And now three of our girls shared and shared field where everybody can compete you have a President that says I don’t alike, but if one of those children could equally. That is the job that we are deserve the same tax rate that every- take what she was given and parlay supposed to have. That is the job of the body else does. That I deserve to be that into something even better and government. punished because I took risk and I sac- more productive, that was hers. Wheth- And we have gotten too busy in this rificed and I grew my business and I er she shared it or not was completely body trying to tell everybody what hired people and I was fair to them and up to her. I would encourage her to use they can do, and as the President says they loved their jobs and they worked and develop the talents and what she share the wealth, spread the wealth, hard, and it grew bigger and better and has been provided.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:57 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H15SE0.REC H15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE H6750 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 15, 2010 It is true, as an old preacher of ours owe for it, so we can’t trade it in. We a gallon the year before, and we just used to say, that there are an awful lot can’t get another car. We’re stuck. Yet, have not been able to catch up; but you of people around here who are born on if we got 2 months of our own income let us have all of our income taxes for third base and go through life thinking tax in our checks, we’d be able to fi- a couple of months, we’ll catch up, and they hit a triple, and there is an arro- nally buy a good, fuel-efficient car. then you won’t have to do all of these gance that goes with that. Sometimes, We’d be able to save money on gas in ridiculous government programs to try if somebody comes from a poor family the future. and save people’s mortgages. and has everything handed to him, The truth is that GM and Chrysler There are other things that need to then he thinks he has hit a triple be- wouldn’t have needed to have been be done, but I brought this up when I cause somebody else placed him on bailed out because people would have met the President back when he very third base. been out there buying cars. Actually, first came to our Republican Con- Either way, we’re supposed to never the idea for the tax holiday, when I had ference, which was held down in the forget that the Founders believed—and it in 2008, came from seeing that $700 basement here in the Capitol. I said, most Americans according to the polls billion for the Wall Street bailout and Look, I don’t care who gets the credit. believe—that the blessings we have are then hearing here in Washington that, You can put your name on it. Do it. a gift of God; and if we turn our backs between the Federal Reserve and the Moody’s says it will help the GDP more on him long enough, though he is long things this government was going to in one year than any proposal that has suffering, patient and full of grace, do, it would probably end up costing been proposed. Even our own leader- eventually, he will say, Okay, you between $3 trillion and $9 trillion just ship’s proposal wasn’t going to do that turned your back on me long enough. to try to get the economy going again. much good in one year in the Repub- Now I turn my back on you, and you That’s when I inquired: How much do lican Party. I don’t care who gets the disappear. You head to the dustbin of we anticipate will be paid for the whole credit. history. year of 2008 in Federal personal income I wouldn’t have minded if he had Now, I wasn’t going to bring up this tax? It was around $1.21 trillion. $1.21 taken the idea back then and had used matter. I was very pleased that the trillion and $3 trillion to $9 trillion it, but he waited over a year and a half President was talking about the tax over here, maybe more. I like the $1.21 and then started describing, virtually holiday concept. The problem is he is trillion. It’s at least three to 10 times almost verbatim, the way I described it bringing it up over a year and a half cheaper, and it’s people keeping their over a year and a half ago and then in later than it was brought to his atten- own money that they’ve earned. Then some of the same speeches said, But tion by me. I told him at the time, you wouldn’t have needed all the bail- you know what? The Republicans don’t Look, you promised everybody a tax outs, and everybody could have kept have any good ideas. Well, I don’t care cut. You know, of course you put a all of their income taxes for a whole that somebody’s taking credit. The old $250,000 cap on income. I don’t think it year. saying goes—Reagan said it often—it’s ought to be there. I don’t like a government’s not pay- amazing what you can get done here in Moody’s did an independent study. ing its bills as it goes along. It’s not a Washington if you don’t mind who gets They said the tax holiday idea, the way good idea, but to say no personal in- the credit. I read it, increases the 1-year GDP come tax for a year when that is so more than any other stimulus proposal b 1950 much cheaper than what the Bush ad- if we pass this stimulus, a tax holiday So I don’t mind other people taking ministration pushed with the $700 bil- idea that just said, you know, for the credit for the idea. I do mind when it’s lion bailout, with the $800 billion that next 2 or 3 months, every dime you followed or even preceded by the words, is now a $900 billion porkulus bill, from make stays in your check and does not ‘‘But Republicans don’t have one good January of 2009 under President go to the Federal Government. You get idea.’’ I think we need to pray for the to keep your income tax in your check. Obama, and with the $400 billion land President’s memory. I know the pres- Whether you want to make it 2 or 3 omnibus bill the following week—all sure is great. I know it’s an awesome months, you keep it. If we passed it these stimulus packages, so-called— responsibility. It’s easy to forget today and if the President signed it man, it would have been so much things. Boy, do I know that. My wife today, tomorrow they would have that cheaper to have said, People, just keep will sure tell you that. It’s easy to for- money in their checks. It wouldn’t go all of your income taxes for a year. get things. But before you go alleging Well, there weren’t that many people to Washington. that Republicans have no good ideas, At the time, it was going to cost so here on Capitol Hill who felt like they think for a moment where you got the little money compared to the money could politically risk signing onto a idea you’re proposing. That’s what I the government was spending. In fact, full year of no income tax. Especially would offer, Mr. Speaker. And we keep that’s where I got the idea in 2008. Of after January when we had the $800 bil- hearing the President and others here course, we had the $700 billion Wall lion or the $900 billion, my position was on the floor saying that Republicans Street bailout, which was a huge mis- you could take the $800 billion stim- have not one good idea. They’re the take, and I hope our leaders do finally ulus package and what was left of the Party of No. No good ideas. None at all. realize that, but it was a huge mistake. original $700 billion Wall Street bailout None at all? We need to pray for peo- Both sides of the aisle had about half of and pay for a whole year of no income ple’s hearing, because there are a lot of their Members buying into it. $700 bil- taxes being paid. Just take the money fantastic proposals that are being lion. That could have provided 4 from those stimulus packages and bail- tossed out there that would be wonder- months of every worker in America outs and use those to let everybody ful. We do need major tax reform. I’ll getting every dime of their income keep their own income taxes for a year. never forget how depressed I was after taxes back, along with all of their So- John Shadegg was one. He loved the I left the Republican annual retreat in cial Security money for those 2 idea of having a whole year of no in- early 2006. I had been elected, sworn in months, and it would have let the em- come tax. Boy, you talk about a stimu- in January of 2005, and started Con- ployers keep the 2 months of matching lated economy. People would have been gress with all kinds of hopes and money that they normally would have buying cars. They would have been eat- dreams of making the country a better to put in to match what the workers ing out. They would have been buying place. A year later we’re told, look, put in. That would have given busi- products, buying new homes. Even with there’s a tiny chance we might not nesses a boost, and it would have given 2 months of people’s own income taxes, have the majority next year. It’s pos- employees this tremendous boost. Newt Gingrich’s folks ran the numbers sible we could lose. We don’t think it We did a little survey of people in our for me. He was very helpful. As I recall, will happen. We know we had talked districts: What would you do? Look at an average family, just an average about major tax reform this year, but your check and at how much money is household in America, in just 2 instead we’re going to just try to get going to Washington. What would you months, was going to have around through this year, not do anything big do with it? $5,000 or so of extra money. Some peo- that will make people mad one way or Some said, Look, we’ve got a gas guz- ple said, You know, we got behind on the other, keep the majority next No- zler, and it’s worth less than what we our mortgages when gasoline got to $4 vember, and then we’ll come back in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:57 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H15SE0.REC H15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE September 15, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6751 January 2007 and do the major stuff they wouldn’t have stood up and inten- knew what had been done with the like major tax reform. tionally lied. They wouldn’t have done Texas employment retirement system. Well, we’ve lost a lot of people who that. It’s just that they had not read They took real money from people’s have been defeated since then, because the bill so they were not aware that checks that were supposed to go to- America wants to see us keep our whoever’s staffer or special interest ward retirement and put it in a retire- promises. There have been a lot of group wrote that bill, they knew people ment account. Real money in a real re- promises made by this administration, would lose their jobs and that’s why tirement account. Now that was in- this majority, of things that were they were creating a fund in the bill to vested and it got hit pretty hard after going to be done. Even on the crap-and- give an allowance to people that lost 9/11. It got hit very hard after ‘‘Chicken trade bill that passed here last year, their jobs as a result of the bill. And as Little’’ Paulson ran around and said the promises were made over and over: I pointed out then, the good news, I the financial sky was falling if we Oh, no, this bill is not going to cost guess, to those that voted for that bill didn’t give him the $700 billion slush jobs. It’s going to create jobs. Create is that if it becomes law, no doubt in fund he wanted, and so the market fell green jobs. After seeing what the peo- my mind, a lot of the people that voted 777 points in one day, a self-fulfilling ple in charge have done in taking away for that bill will lose their job as a re- prophecy, and the money lost by every- incandescent light bulbs, it makes me sult of voting for that bill, and they’ve body that had anything invested. wonder, are those green jobs going to got an argument that they’re entitled There was one Republican that I have to carry around mercury, too, or to funds from the bill for losing their went to because he was so well re- what? job as a result of the bill. So they may spected for his business and financial The American people are letting it be have created a fund that will help them mind, and I said, Look, I’ve talked to a known, they’re not happy with people out. lot of Republicans and I’ve talked to not keeping their promises here. Actu- But we should have a balanced budg- some Democrats. Something we could ally the truth is, I have a real fear as et amendment, and it’s a shame on the get through here even in September of a Republican that we only get the ma- Republicans for not getting that done ’05 was a bill that had one thing in it jority back one more time in my life- when we had the White House, the that just said, Social Security tax time and if we do not keep our word House and the Senate. We should have money for the first time in the history this time, we’ll never get it back again gotten it done. Shame on the Repub- of Social Security, since its inception in my lifetime. licans for in the last administration in the late 1930s, will require that that There are some great ideas. There are when we had the majority agreeing to Social Security tax money be put into things that should be done. We’ve tax cuts that we knew would stimulate the Social Security trust fund. talked about balanced budgets for the economy and but for those tax cuts years. And there are some in the prior we would have gone into a massive de- b 2000 administration that equated compas- pression. But the economy was stimu- I don’t want to hear any ridiculous sion with paying money. There are an lated, and we brought more money into talk about lock box. There’s never been awful lot of people in the current ad- the Federal Treasury than had ever one. I want one. I want there to be So- ministration that equate compassion been brought into the Treasury; but cial Security tax money put into the with giving away somebody else’s the problem is we spent more than had Social Security Trust Fund and stop money. But that’s not compassion. ever been spent in history—up until, of putting IOUs in there, markers that That’s hurting free enterprise, killing course, this administration. And are noninterest bearing, and we have to incentive, killing jobs. And when you whereas I can remember being over borrow 42 cents out of ever dollar that take away somebody’s job, you have here on this side and hearing col- we spend. Stop it already. hurt them. Psychologists say that’s leagues beat up on Republicans because Now, to put the Social Security tax one of the most devastating blows to a we were in the majority and to have a money into the Social Security Trust person mentally, emotionally, to lose a $160 billion deficit was unthinkable, it Fund will require us to actually make job. Losing a spouse is up there. Losing was just so irresponsible—until, of some tough calls. And since this major- a child is right up at the top. But los- course, the Obama administration, the ity condemned us all the time for ing a job is one of the most devastating Democratic majority, and then actu- spending too much money, then I think things that can happen. And here we ally 10 times that much of a deficit is a good idea would be to go back to the keep doing things over and over. okay. It was not okay at $160 billion budget of 2006. I know some are talking The crap-and-trade bill is still hang- and it’s certainly not okay at 10 times about 2008. I think it ought to be 2006. ing out there. The rumors are there that. We’ll go back to that budget. And I could be a lame duck session and peo- People in the American public were think that would help us maybe take ple that have lost their seats, who were promised change, and yet what they care of the issue and get us a good afraid to vote for it before in the House got was not really change; they got 10 start of being able to put all of the So- or Senate will vote for it in a lame times more of what they had before. I cial Security tax money into the So- duck session because they’ve already don’t know why President Bush is cial Security Trust Fund. been voted out, they’ve got nothing to being demonized, because this adminis- Now, the Republican is so brilliant he lose, and maybe hoping if they vote for tration and this Congress is pushing 10 told me that we could never do that. I it in November or December, maybe times more of exactly what the prior was shocked. Why not? Because the the administration will give them a job administration did. So instead of con- government would probably buy bonds if they really cater to them and help demning the Bush administration and with it. They’d be the biggest bond- them do that. That would be disas- the Republican majority, they ought to holder. We could never allow that to trous. But if you go back and read the be rightfully saying, you know what, happen. Well, not really. We could cre- crap-and-trade bill, as I did, you find we thought you had a good idea when ate a treasury note that’s interest out that back there it seemed like— you ran up a $160 billion deficit, that bearing. So it’s not risky. It doesn’t and I read from it, standing right over was such a good idea, we have gone 10 put the Social Security Trust Fund at there—around page 900 and something, times that, and we’re really running up risk. That money makes interest. And there was a fund that was created in a deficit now. it’s there, and we stop having a Ponzi the bill that would reimburse people or Shame on Republicans when we had scheme. A very simple idea, and a Re- give them a little allowance for those the chance in 2005 and President Bush publican has proposed it. But when we people who lost their jobs as a result of ran on shoring up Social Security. Now were in the majority, our leadership that bill being passed. there was all kinds of discussion of pri- didn’t go for it, but I hope and pray Now I know my friends across the vatization; what does it mean, what is they will if we get the majority again. aisle who stood up over and over and it really going to do? And by Sep- Health care. Boy, we’ve seen what said, no, this isn’t going to cost jobs, tember of ’05, it was obvious the Presi- the ObamaCare bill has done to health this is going to create green jobs, they dent’s political capital was gone and care. And even though people were obviously had not read the bill because what he had hoped to do would not be promised there would be no rationing, I know them well enough to know, done. But I still had hope, because I then we put a doctor in charge of it

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:57 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H15SE0.REC H15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE H6752 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 15, 2010 who’s talked about, as I recall, not may end up going out of this world the creased in the Federal Government, whether there would be rationing but way I came in, in a home with a wood- you have to come justify it, and we when and who would be rationed. So all burning stove and nothing else, no ought to put those budgets online of the promises about no rationing, ap- other power, because people are want- where people can watch them like—I parently those were not true. And it ing the prices to skyrocket. And that think the President put it this way, could be going back to the problem I poor woman, not to be able to pay for that he was going to go through the alluded to earlier. We need to pray for her energy bill. No, that’s no good way budget line by line with a fine-tooth the President’s memory so he can re- to do it. comb. He was going to put JOE BIDEN in member those things that were prom- God bless this country with more charge of doing that, too. They were ised. natural resources than any other coun- going to get rid of everything that was Now, another Republican idea—and I try in the world. Yeah, the Middle waste. think everybody on this side of the East, they may have more oil with b 2010 aisle has signed on to it, is in support things that are being found around the of it, is an energy bill, an energy plan world, who knows. But we have mas- Well, that hasn’t happened yet. Since that says use what we’ve got. Make sive amounts of natural gas, maybe the he is an honest man, I am sure it will sure that when coal is used that it most coal in the world. We’ve got nu- eventually happen. But it sure hasn’t doesn’t harm the environment. Put clear power. We’ve got wind power. happened yet. But it would sure happen scrubbers on there to make sure that it We’ve got solar. We’ve got all kinds of if you let Americans see every Federal goes in the environment clean and we things, so many things that can be har- department’s budget, how they were don’t harm the environment. We can do nessed. spending their money, put it up online, that. But if you use the energy with which make them put those purchases online Use uranium. Use nuclear facilities we have been blessed and designate—I the way Congress is now doing. There like we do with our ships and our sub- don’t care if it’s 25, 50 percent of the would be people watching all right. marines. It works. That’s why we have royalty that we get back from the en- And if we had a tax holiday and peo- sailors who are able to go underwater ergy or from the mining or whatever it ple saw for a couple months how much on submarines and stay submerged for is, designate that that will all be used money they were actually sending to 6 months. I was told by some of my to find and research and develop alter- Washington, they would demand it. friends from A&M that went in the native energy sources, so that when we And they would be watching to see how Navy and were on subs underwater 6 run out—it will be well before we run every Federal department was spending months at a time. And he said, You out. We’ve got over 100 years of natural money. know why we have to come up every 6 gas that’s been found and finding more And hey, I got another one for you. months? I said, I assume, to refuel. all the time. Before we run out, we’ll This is a Republican proposal from this Oh, no. Those submarines could stay be able to convert to alternative en- Republican. Our leaders have not en- underwater just on and on and on. We ergy without raising anybody’s taxes, dorsed this. I am just tossing this out. have to come up so that the crew without making any 80-year-old women But you know, we had to come in here doesn’t go crazy, because the nuclear living alone have to go without power, in August, it cost an awful lot of subs could just stay under there as long keep the power prices down. That’s a money to turn all the lights back on, as they needed to from a practical Republican solution. And I have friends do everything to go back into session, standpoint. on the other side of the aisle over here but we did just so that we could get $10 But there’s a source. Most of Amer- that would sign on to that if their billion extra to go to the Department ica didn’t notice when our committee Speaker wouldn’t punish them for of Education to help so-called teachers. voted to put the second-largest source doing so. Well, it turns out across America only of uranium in this country off limits. Another idea. I know it’s not popular about 50 percent of all the public edu- People in Louisiana, Republicans and with the administration, but we call it cation employees are teachers. Democrats alike, have been screaming the U.N. Voting Accountability Act. Well, if you did away with the De- out, You are doing more damage to our Very simple. It says, in essence, recog- partment of Education here in Wash- State with the moratorium on gulf nize the fact, first of all, that every ington and kept that, $68 billion I be- drilling than the oil spill did. country is sovereign. You can make lieve is what we are spending this year, And when you hurt an economy and your own decisions. We’re not going to and divided it among the less than you put people out of work, tragically tell you what to do in your country. We 14,000 independent school districts in they don’t care about the environment. shouldn’t. But any country that votes America, I am open to a good formula They’re just trying to survive. The against the United States’ position in how to do that, just average it would only countries that can really do much the U.N. more than half the time, the be between $5 million and $6 million about the environment are those who following year will get no financial as- dollars for every school district in have such a prolific economy that they sistance from us. America. Most school districts could can take care of it. But when you have As I’ve said before, you don’t have to really use that money. And boy, that people out of work and they’re just liv- pay people to hate you. They’ll do it would help education. You wouldn’t ing hand to mouth and they’re trying for free. And there are some countries need near as many bureaucrats because to get by, they don’t care about the en- that we keep pouring cash into think- there wouldn’t be as many decrees vironment because their economy ing they’ll end up loving us because from on high here, Mount Olympus doesn’t allow it. we’ll buy it. Not only do they not love here in Washington. The local school Now, I and, as far as I know, every- us, they have even greater contempt districts would be able to comply with body on this side of the aisle wants to because they know we know they don’t the Constitution, because the Constitu- develop alternative energy sources. But like us and yet we’re just pouring tion does not enumerate education as a what a great idea, and it’s been pro- money into them. It makes them not power in the Constitution, which under posed, and we pushed it over and over. only not like us; it makes them have the 10th Amendment means it’s re- Instead of raising taxes and—as the no respect at all for us. It’s so unneces- served to the States and to the people, President’s promise would happen sary. the local folks. when he was running for office—having Something that should have been Another idea—they say we’ve got energy prices skyrocket if we use coal passed in 2006 when we had the major- none—another idea, after having been to make power, instead of doing those ity and we had the chance and some of to China years ago and having talked things—and as one 80-something-year- the people that said they would not let to CEOs about why you went. The cor- old lady told me from east Texas, I was it go through are no longer here—some porate tax here is 35 percent. You lump born and raised in a house with no elec- are—it’s a zero-baseline budget bill. It on some of the State income taxes, you tricity. We had a wood-burning stove. just says there are no automatic in- lump on local property taxes, all of the And now the price of energy has gotten creases in any Federal departments’ taxes, some of them are paying 40 per- so high, I’m going to have to let it go. budgets. There’s a Republican solution cent, 50 percent in tax for their compa- I can’t pay for it. And it looks like I for you. If you want your budget in- nies, competing with countries like

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:57 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H15SE0.REC H15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE September 15, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6753 China that don’t exceed 17 percent. And he has made each day a beginning. He b 2020 if they are a big enough company mov- knew for many of us that rainy days It was called ‘‘Smokey and the Ban- ing over from anywhere in the U.S. to and Mondays always get us down. And dit.’’ China, they’ll cut you a deal, no in- some days it truly did feel that it was, There were other Smokey sequels, come tax for a while, because they get through Helen Reddy’s voice, you and but that first one was the best. Paul it. me against the world. Sometimes it said, Billy Bob Thornton told him that If we dropped our corporate tax to 12 feels like you and me against the in the South ‘‘Smokey and the Bandit’’ percent, I have had CEOs with major world. When others turn their back and is not considered a movie, it’s consid- companies say we would be rebuilding walk away, we could always count on ered a documentary. Though some a plant in the U.S. almost immediately you to say just the right thing, Paul identify him in the movies as the short when we went to a 12 percent corporate Williams. But for all the times we guy, I personally know him to be a full tax. And what would happen? More and cried, you always felt the odds were on 10 feet tall. more people would go back to work, our side, and we found consolation in In recognition of Paul’s significant and more and more people would be that. and long-lasting musical impact, he able to pay their taxes. And more and Paul Williams asked the ongoing was inducted in 2001 into the Song- more revenue would come into the Fed- question through the voice of Kermit writers Hall of Fame, and he is cur- eral Treasury. And then we would be the Frog as to why are there so many rently serving as the president and able to buy more and more of those songs about rainbows? And what’s on chairman of the board of the American mercury lights that are going to create the other side? Well, someday we’ll Society of Composers, Authors and such a problem for the environment. find it, the rainbow connection, be- Publishers, ASCAP. There are a lot of very good solu- cause Paul is a lover, a dreamer like But Paul will tell you that having hit tions. And so I don’t mind somebody me. rock bottom through his drinking, God taking my idea. I love it. I think it’s Paul, of course, is widely considered blessed him even still, He lifted him the highest form of flattery. But I one of our most prolific, talented, cre- and gave him new life with an even don’t appreciate it when it’s followed ative singer-songwriters. He has won more infectious joy. He became a up with a comment that we have no awards called Oscar, Grammy, and Christian and although some alcoholics ideas, no solutions. We’ve got a lot of Golden Globe on multiple occasions, fear that they will not be nearly as cre- them. We just aren’t allowed to make and was nominated for these awards— ative without drinking, Paul showed amendments on the floor to get those more than 20 times he has been nomi- that’s absolutely not the case. to the floor where they could pass. nated over the span of his illustrious Like virtually all creative geniuses, I want to finish tonight with a trib- musical career. Even though he also though, he has known times when he ute. It is a great honor for me to recog- wrote the theme for ‘‘The Love Boat,’’ had trouble writing. On one such occa- nize one of America’s greatest song- he nonetheless is deeply loved by so sion he went to Nashville, collaborated writers in our Nation’s history, who many like me who carry his lyrics in and out came one of the most touching turned 70 years of age this week. He is our hearts for life. and autobiographical songs which be- a man to whom we are indebted for As a further attestation of his talent came a huge hit for Diamond Rio. The many of the songs that lifted us, espe- and wide-ranging artistic scope and ap- words reflected a part of his own strug- cially those of us who are baby peal, his songs have been recorded by a gle with alcoholism and his recovery, boomers, from our low points because diverse array of our most famous clas- though the woman who made him face his songs spoke our feelings. They sic and modern musicians such as the truth was not waiting for him when spoke our despondence, our hopes, our Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, he completely sobered up and dried joy, and especially the joy that comes Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Tony out. The words say it better than I can: from loving other people. Bennett, Sara Vaughan, Luther ‘‘I said, Hello, I think I am broken, I had not met Paul Williams until re- Vandross, R.E.M., and Jason Mraz, and though I was only jokin’, you took cent years, but I knew the man well among so many others, in addition to me by surprise when you agreed. I was through his lyrics. I have known the the ones I mentioned already tonight. trying to be clever, for the life of me I man through his lyrics for decades. The But this House has time restraints, so never guessed how far a simple truth hauntingly clear and comforting voice there is not enough time to mention all would lead. You knew all my lines; you of Karen Carpenter shared some of his of them. knew all my tricks; you knew how to songs and expressed our hearts that we But additionally, Paul has appeared heal that thing no medicine can fix. had only just begun to live. White lace as an actor in many movies and has And I bless the day I met you, and I and promises. A kiss for luck and we’re been a favorite on television shows. He thank God that He let you lay beside on our way. was one of the most frequent guests on me for a moment that lives on. And the For those of us who have loved, he Johnny Carson’s ‘‘Tonight Show.’’ I good news is I’m better for the time we expressed for us to the one we love that used to love to watch him. Always he spent together. The bad news is you’re we won’t last a day without you. And had the most contagious sense of gone. that all we needed was just an old-fash- humor that caused viewers instantly to ‘‘Looking back it’s still surprising, I ioned love song coming down in three- smile when he was introduced as a was sinking; you were rising, and with part harmony, one I am sure they guest, because you just knew you were a look you caught me in mid-air. Now wrote for you and me. Or that we had going to laugh. You always knew you I know God has His reasons, but some- so much in common because we were were going to laugh with him in the times it’s hard to see them when I all building a home for the family of room. awake and find that you’re not there. man. On one such occasion he was a guest ‘‘You found hope in hopeless; and you Paul Williams expressed for us on ‘‘The Tonight Show’’ with Burt Rey- made crazy sane, you became the miss- through the voice of Barbra Streisand nolds. The chemistry was extraor- ing link that helped me break my that wonderful love could be soft as an dinary and hilarious. It was only days chains. And I bless the day I met you, easy chair, love fresh as the morning later when Burt Reynolds called Paul, and I thank God that He let you lay be- air, one love that is shared by two, I impressed with how much fun they had side me for a moment that lives on. have found with you. Like a rose, had together. He wanted to get with And the good news is I’m better for the under the April snow, I was always cer- Paul, with Johnny Carson’s beloved time we spent together. The bad news tain love would grow. Love, ageless and writer Pat McCormick, plus a few is you’re gone.’’ evergreen, seldom seen by two. other favorites like Sally Field, Jackie And Paul knows, however, that all Even though Paul had not yet recog- Gleason, and Jerry Reeves and others things work together for good for those nized that he had a drinking problem, and make a movie. They did. And the who love God and are called according he forecast years down the road as a re- fun they had making that movie came to His purpose. But that doesn’t mean covering alcoholic in that song with across from the screen to the audience, that everything is good; it’s certainly the words every day a beginning. Paul which made it one of the most success- not. But thankfully things have has now done that for over 20 years, as ful movies in history. worked out so that Paul has been a gift

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:57 Nov 24, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD10\RECFILES\H15SE0.REC H15SE0 mmaher on DSK69SOYB1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE H6754 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 15, 2010 to this planet and to the millions that with the least of these, like me. His fa- SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED he has touched. vorite anonymous quote, apparently he By unanimous consent, permission to Paul has a true driving passion for is one we can all take to heart with our address the House, following the legis- his family, for his work as a drug reha- interactions with one another, ‘‘Care lative program and any special orders bilitation counselor with Musicians’ deeply; give freely; think kindly; act heretofore entered, was granted to: Assistance Program, a nonprofit pro- gently; and be at peace with the (The following Members (at the re- gram created by and for the benefit of world.’’ quest of Ms. SPEIER) to revise and ex- musicians to help them overcome their One of my favorite quotes is: ‘‘Before tend their remarks and include extra- substance abuse issues. In 1989 Paul ob- the rising sun we fly; so many roads to neous material:) tained his certification as a drug reha- choose, we start out walking and learn Mr. ETHERIDGE, for 5 minutes, today. bilitation counselor from UCLA and to run. We’ve only just begun.’’ Mr. BRIGHT, for 5 minutes, today. has for the last 20 years been actively We are so grateful that the good Lord Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. imparting the lessons to others that he led Paul down a road of expressing Ms. SPEIER, for 5 minutes, today. had to learn himself the hard way. what we felt, though Paul expressed it Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. He has been given a number of in a way we never could. But we can Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. awards for his humanitarian efforts certainly sing, even though some of us Mr. KENNEDY, for 5 minutes, today. and remains a shining example of should do so only privately. Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ, for 5 minutes, today. someone who has used fame not for But it is also true, as Paul wrote, (The following Members (at the re- self-centered ends but to promote the ‘‘Time won’t change the meaning of quest of Mr. BURTON of Indiana) to re- well-being of others. He is indeed de- one love.’’ And though 70 years of age vise and extend their remarks and in- voted to his church, to the Lord, and this week, Paul Williams is ageless and clude extraneous material:) just as I found out after I got dumped ever, ever green. Mr. POE of Texas, for 5 minutes, Sep- in college by my girlfriend, God had Here in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD something else waiting that was sup- for all the world to read, as long as tember 22. posed to have been all along. there is a United States, it will ever be Mr. JONES, for 5 minutes, September One of the great mysteries in this recorded that Paul Williams lived, 22. world, though, is that it is only after a laughed, loved, and was immensely Mr. COFFMAN, for 5 minutes, today. broken heart so often that our hearts helpful to those around him doing the f are stretched enough and then mend same thing; and hopefully he will be even bigger with a greater capacity for around the rest of my life to add the ADJOURNMENT loving others. And so it was with Paul. music to my life. Subsequently he met and married Mar- And, yes, to borrow from another of Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I move iana. They are happily married and his songs: ‘‘As a traveling boy, Paul that the House do now adjourn. have the deepest love for and pride in was only passing through, but we will The motion was agreed to; accord- their wonderful family. always think of you.’’ ingly (at 8 o’clock and 27 minutes Though he is a Democrat by political God bless you, Paul, for blessing us. p.m.), the House adjourned until to- affiliation, he, just as Jesus did, can Happy birthday. morrow, Thursday, September 16, 2010, mingle and feel right at home even I yield back. at 10 a.m.

EXPENDITURE REPORTS CONCERNING OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL Reports concerning the foreign currencies and U.S. dollars utilized for Speaker-Authorized Official Travel during the second quarter of 2010, pursuant to Public Law 95–384 are as follows:

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2010

Date Per diem 1 Transportation Other purposes Total U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar U.S. dollar Name of Member or employee Country Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Foreign equivalent Arrival Departure currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency or U.S. currency 2 currency 2 currency 2 currency 2

Hon. Alcee Hastings ...... 5/28 6/1 Qatar ...... 456.00 ...... 8,990.00 ...... 9,446.00 6 /1 6 /3 Belgium ...... 896.00 ...... 896.00 Alex Johnson ...... 5/28 6/1 Qatar ...... 456.00 ...... 8,640.60 ...... 9,096.60 6 /1 6 /4 Belgium ...... 1,344.00 ...... 1,344.00 Dr. Mischa Thompson ...... 5/31 6/4 Belgium ...... 1,792.00 ...... 1,005.70 ...... 2,797.70

Committee total ...... 4,944 ...... 18,636.30 ...... 23,580.30

1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Chairman, July 28, 2010.

REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FOR OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL, COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EXPENDED BETWEEN APR. 1 AND JUNE 30, 2010

Hon. Betsy Markey ...... 4/8 4/9 UAE ...... 389.00 ...... 389.00 4 /9 4 /10 Pakistan ...... 360.00 ...... 360.00 4/10 4/11 Afghanistan ...... 78.00 ...... 78.00 4/11 4/12 UAE ...... 0.00 ...... 9,672.10 ...... 9,672.10 Per diem returned ...... 324.00 ...... 324.00

Committee total ...... 503.00 ...... 9,672.10 ...... 10,175.10

1 Per diem constitutes lodging and meals. 2 If foreign currency is used, enter U.S. dollar equivalent; if U.S. currency is used, enter amount expended. HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON, Chairman, July 31, 2010.

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