Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the manager's amendment and the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. I want to commend Chairman Waxman and particularly Congressman Peter Welch for their leadership, making energy efficiency more affordable for American families in my Eighth District in Illinois and across the Nation. Welcome signs of economic recovery and competitiveness in the global economy are directly related to the opportunities emerging as businesses become cleaner and leaner. The same philosophy holds true for American households. Investments in better building materials and technologies can pay for themselves in the form of energy savings, and then some. At the same time, Home Star is a jobs measure. It will provide timely and targeted employment to the skilled trades industry which is still reeling from the housing bust and economic recession. Two amendments I authored, included in the manager's amendment, will enhance the job creation potential of Home Star. States will be directed to engage with community colleges to implement the retrofit program. These community colleges are excellent resources for worker education, training, and certification; and they collaborate with area employers to provide dynamic and affordable educational resources to meet workforce needs. The role of community colleges in our clean energy economy will only continue to grow in significance.…”