[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3170) making 
     appropriations for financial services and general government 
     for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 3170, the 
Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal 
Year 2010.
  I am especially supportive of Congressman Steven LaTourette's 
amendment to restrict funding to GM and Chrysler if the auto companies 
follow through with their plans to close dealerships, and I thank 
Chairman David Obey of the Appropriations Committee as well as Majority 
Leader Hoyer for their efforts to protect the LaTourette amendment.
  The crisis in the automobile industry has devastated Ohio and my 
district. Statewide, it is estimated that the bankruptcies of GM and 
Chrysler, with the accompanying dealership closings, will cost up to 
8,000 jobs and approximately $300 million in state income tax revenue. 
Moreover, the state could lose an additional $250 million in sales tax 
revenue.
  I cannot stand by arbitrary and capricious decisionmaking that will 
destroy the communities in my district. Hundreds of employees of other 
industries inextricably linked to auto dealerships will also lose their 
jobs, and the cascade of destruction through the local economy will 
continue.
  We must not let this happen.

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