[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H2977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1930
                A NEW PHILOSOPHY OF RECOVERY AND RENEWAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, again, the gentleman from Iowa was kind 
enough to allow me to borrow some of his time. And I appreciate, again, 
his passion and his focus on the essential issues of the day. But I'd 
like to continue, just briefly, the discussion that we were engaging in 
at the moment regarding the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom's 
address before a joint session of Congress today.
  And let me add, Mr. Speaker, that Prime Minister Brown rightly warned 
us earlier of the dangers of protectionism. But in no way is it 
protectionist, I should add, to want to consolidate our economic 
recovery efforts on Main Street. More than any bailout crafted by 
Washington or Wall Street, it is a return to our hard-fought American 
ideals of responsibility, discipline, entrepreneurship and stewardship 
that will actually help Americans build a more just and secure future 
for ourselves, as well as for the world's poor.
  Mr. Speaker, the United Kingdom has been a stalwart friend of ours 
throughout our modern history. And after two centuries of partnership, 
it can be said that we have no greater ally. In no way do I seek in 
these comments to undermine that. Our two nations will be forever 
grateful for our aid to one another during times of both war as well as 
peace.
  The United Kingdom is our greatest ally in preserving our long-
standing commitment to the inalienable human rights, especially for 
vulnerable populations. I deeply value the Prime Minister's words that 
when the strong help the weak, it makes us all stronger. And this 
certainly rings true with regard to the pursuit of international 
policies that recognize the inherent dignity and rights of the human 
person, which are essential to preserve liberty and justice in the 
world.
  However, Mr. Speaker, let me make this clear: we should give long 
pause before becoming more intertwined in an internationalist, 
industrial financial model for the future. Let us continue our strong 
relationships of commerce with the United Kingdom and all other 
nations, but let us not find our financial wellbeing entangled in 
complex, poorly understood, exotic, international economic alliances. 
Instead, let us embrace a new philosophy of recovery and renewal based 
on the time-honored principles and notions of individual 
responsibility, entrepreneurship and community.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________