[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 20, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H2166-H2167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL INDOOR COMFORT WEEK

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 130) recognizing the contributions of 
environmental systems and the technicians who install and maintain 
them, the quality of life of all Americans and supporting the goals and 
ideals of National Indoor Comfort Week, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 130

       Whereas for over 100 years, our Nation has been improved by 
     the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration 
     systems that keep our buildings warm in the winter and cool 
     in the summer;
       Whereas the contractors that install heating, ventilation, 
     air conditioning, and refrigeration systems are comprised of 
     small businesses located in all 50 states;
       Whereas according to the Office of Advocacy at the Small 
     Business Administration, small businesses [represents] 
     represent 99.7 percent of all employers and employ half of 
     all private sector employees;
       Whereas the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and 
     refrigeration industry is a growing field that continues to 
     create jobs and grow small businesses;
       Whereas indoor environmental systems have saved millions of 
     lives and improved the health of our citizens;
       Whereas because of environmental systems, food is 
     preserved, modern medicine is possible, and children breathe 
     easier;
       Whereas the men and women who design, manufacture, install, 
     and maintain heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and 
     refrigeration systems play a crucial role in our economy;
       Whereas professional certified technicians save the Nation 
     millions of dollars each year through the design and 
     installation of more efficient equipment that provides 
     essential comfort while reducing energy usage; and
       Whereas the Air Conditioning Contractors of America have 
     proposed designating the week of April 17-23, 2005, as 
     National Indoor Comfort Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the contributions that environmental systems 
     have made to the quality of life of all Americans;
       (2) commends the technicians who install and maintain 
     environmental systems;
       (3) recognizes that these small business contractors have 
     benefited from the reduced regulatory burden provided as a 
     result of

[[Page H2167]]

     passage of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and the 
     Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
     (SBREFA);
       (4) commends small business air conditioning contractors 
     for participating in the Occupational Safety and Health 
     Administration panels required by SBREFA to better educate 
     regulators on the effect of Federal rules on small 
     businesses;
       (5) recognizes that small business air conditioning 
     contractors have actively supported the Section 7(a) loan 
     guarantee program administered by the Small Business 
     Administration; and
       (6) supports the goals and ideals of National Indoor 
     Comfort Week, as proposed by the Air Conditioning Contractors 
     of America.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New 
York (Ms. Velazquez) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).


                             General Leave

  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This resolution recognizes the contributions of indoor environmental 
systems, commonly known as heating and air conditioning, and the 
technicians who install and maintain these systems. On a day like today 
where the temperature is expected to go above 80 degrees, I am 
particularly grateful for air conditioning that makes it easier to do 
our jobs each day. Heating and air conditioning provide a high quality 
of life for all Americans. This resolution simply supports the goals 
and ideals of National Indoor Comfort Week, which is taking place this 
week and sponsored by the Air Conditioning Contractors Association.
  The Air Conditioning Contractors of America are comprised mainly of 
small businesses. In fact, over 98 percent of HVAC contractors are 
small businesses. This is an industry that many of us take for granted, 
until we call upon them for service. They are responsible for ensuring 
that in the winter our heating systems work and in the summer our air 
conditioner hums along without interruption.
  And it is because of air conditioning that many parts of our great 
Nation, particularly in the South and West, have grown into booming 
areas, creating new jobs and enhancing our economy.
  There are very few people left in our country who can remember what 
it was like without refrigeration. Now refrigeration takes away most of 
the concerns we used to have about how our food is preserved. 
Refrigeration also protects vital medicines from contamination and 
helps us conquer diseases that have plagued mankind for generations.

                              {time}  1145

  Children and seniors have cleaner, safer air to breathe. The 
filtration systems in many HVAC units in our homes, office buildings 
and factories help purify the air that we breathe, helping to lower the 
effect of airborne diseases.
  For all these reasons and more, I urge all of my colleagues to 
support passage of this resolution and salute the small business men 
and women who work in the HVAC industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  We are here today to consider legislation honoring the contributions 
of the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration 
industries, a large segment of our small business constituency. 
Although we often fail to think about the relevance to our everyday 
lives, the impact of these industries and firms can be seen in every 
household across the Nation. This resolution honors the men and women 
that strive to improve the lives of Americans by providing quality 
services on a daily basis.
  This industry has helped to drive the economy by creating thousands 
of good-paying jobs every year. In 2002, heating, air conditioning and 
refrigeration mechanics and installers held nearly 250,000 jobs, and 
approximately 15 percent of these workers were classified as self-
employed.
  The heating and cooling industry has also set the standard for 
creating innovative, environmentally safe products that help to 
preserve and strengthen our environment for future generations to 
enjoy. New technologies are constantly developed to ensure efficient 
energy use so that we can keep indoor environments safe and comfortable 
while protecting our outdoor environments. Without the modern 
conveniences and environmental advances the industry has developed, 
Americans would not have the means to enjoy the quality of life as we 
know it today. Clearly, given the unique contributions of the small 
businesses in this industry, it is only fitting that we find ways to 
recognize the exceptional work of these service men and women.
  In recognizing what they have brought to the table, we must also 
strive to equip the indoor cooling industries with the resources they 
need to succeed, including access to capital, reduction of regulatory 
burden, affordable health care, business development and technical 
assistance. Entrepreneurs in service industries across the board 
deserve our full support in ensuring that these programs and 
initiatives are utilized to their fullest potential.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize Tim Slattery and Allyson 
Ivans of the House Small Business Committee minority staff and Piper 
Largent of the majority staff for their work on this legislation. I 
would also like to commend the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. 
This organization has been instrumental over the years in demonstrating 
how vital their industry is to communities across the country.
  I am pleased to offer my support in designating the week of April 17-
23, 2005, as National Indoor Comfort Week. The heating, ventilation, 
air conditioning and refrigeration industries are deserving of our 
attention. I cannot overstate the important role that the small 
businesses in these industries have played in improving our health, 
safety and overall quality of life.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 130, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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