On the recordJanuary 24, 2011
I want us to reclaim America's genius. I could go back, of course, to the Model T or maybe even to Thomas Edison, with the light bulb. There is an excitement about being able to build, create, and invent-- frankly, when I came to Congress, I wondered why we were not making submarines anymore. As you well know, we had a shipbuilding industry in Virginia and, of course, in Mississippi--because genius also is part of building. You must have the kind of technology, the kind of expertise to make it the best equipment you possibly can have. That's what I sense that we have lost, and there is an excitement when young people can be part of the genius of America. I come from Houston, Texas. We are one of the new starts in light rail, and we have been trying to get there for about 30 years. We are just about there when we would be on the precipice of funding for light rail.
