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Statements For the Record

September 12, 2012
Statements For the Record

[as prepared]

The House should not be spending its limited floor time on this bill. The House should be debating the American Jobs Act – the President’s plan to put nearly 2 million Americans back to work without adding a dime to the deficit.

Instead, the Republican Majority has a land exchange bill on the floor that is completely unnecessary. The State of Minnesota and US Forest Service have the authority they need to finalize this land exchange. There is a stakeholder process underway in Minnesota to determine a proposal for land sale and exchange.

Issues: Environment & Energy

Sister of Mercy of the Americas
Hermanas de la Misericordia de las Americas

July 24, 2012

The Honorable Betty McCollum
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative McCollum,

As members of the Institute Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, we are writing to express our profound gratitude to you for sponsoring the House Resolution honoring Catholic Sisters’ contribution to the nation.

Issues: Education Foreign Affairs Health Care

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 100th anniversary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 110 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the hundreds of working families the union represents.

Issues: Labor

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Historic Pilgrim Baptist Church of Saint Paul, and its 150 years of rich history and dedicated service to our community.


Mr. Speaker, this “do nothing” Republican-Tea Party Congress is killing jobs with its endless political games. This week’s gimmick vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a meaningless vote to deny millions of American’s healthcare. Meanwhile, this House’s failure to pass an extension of the Wind Energy Tax Credit to producers of all-American energy is killing jobs. Roughly 37,000 American jobs in the wind energy sector are at risk.

Issues: Economy & Jobs Environment & Energy Health Care

[as prepared]

Chairman Drier, Ranking Member Slaughter, Members of the Rules Committee, I must say I am surprised to be here today responding to this effort by the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee to perpetuate wasteful and ineffective government spending on Department of Defense sports sponsorships.

This year the Pentagon will spend in excess of $80 million on NASCAR racing sponsorships, professional bass fishing tournaments, ultimate cage fighting, and a myriad of other sports sponsorships.

Issues: Appropriations & Budget Defense & National Security

[as prepared]

I rise in support of Mr. Moran’s amendment to strike the egregious policy riders from this appropriations bill.. There are many reasons to be disappointed in this bill, and removing the riders will not solve these fundamental problems. Nevertheless, I support this amendment because it will prevent additional damage to our precious natural resources.

Issues: Appropriations & Budget Environment & Energy Native Americans

During the Vietnam War another “secret war” was taking place in Laos with thousands of Hmong fighters assisting the U.S. The Hmong who risked their lives for the freedom of their country and in the aid of the U.S. suffered tremendously as they served with great courage.

Issues: Foreign Affairs Veterans