[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 12 (Thursday, January 28, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S318-S319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TIME FOR BOLD ACTION

  Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, last night, just down the hall from this 
Chamber, my colleagues and I assembled with our friends in the House of 
Representatives to take part in a tradition as old as our Republic.
  This is more than just a Presidential address.
  It is mandated by the U.S. Constitution, and it is one of the great 
rituals of modern democracy, the practice of bringing the major 
officers of our government together to assess our national priorities.
  Last night, President Obama laid out a bold vision for the years 
ahead, and a renewed commitment to the uniquely American ideals that 
make this country great.
  So today, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss a few of 
the things we heard in yesterday's speech, and how our agenda will 
benefit the people of Illinois.
  I am glad the President recognizes that this is not a time to change 
our priorities it is a time to recommit ourselves to the values and the 
ideas that the American people voted for in 2008.
  The mandate for better policy could not have been more clear.
  Voters want us to focus on job creation. They want us to help small 
businesses, repair our national economy, and invest in clean energy.
  They want us to pass real health care reform, reduce the deficit, and 
keep corporate money separate from politics.
  Under President Obama's leadership, my colleagues and I have already 
made significant progress on a number of these issues.
  A year ago, we passed far-reaching economic recovery legislation that 
brought us back from the brink of disaster.
  We voted to extend unemployment benefits, and keep sending help to 
the people who need it most during these difficult times.
  Even today, we are poised to take up job creation and climate change 
bills, and are closer to passing comprehensive health reform than ever 
in our history.
  We are examining ways to address the deficit, and in pursuit of that 
goal I believe we need to keep all options on the table.

[[Page S319]]

  And in the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling, which dealt a 
major blow to campaign finance reform, I believe we need to take steps 
to minimize the ability of giant corporations to influence elections. 
We need to keep companies from overriding the voice of the people in 
Congress.
  Our system is designed for incremental change, so none of these 
things will come easily.
  But the agenda set by this President, and the demands of this trying 
moment in history, dictate that we must set aside our partisan 
differences and come together to solve big problems.
  We have made gains over the last year, and we are continuing to make 
tangible strides almost every single day.
  So I would like to talk about what this means for my home State of 
Illinois.
  When Congress passed a sweeping economic recovery plan about a year 
ago, this country was losing more than 700,000 jobs a month, and the 
economy was in freefall.
  Today, the economy is growing for the first time in 2 years, and job 
losses have fallen to a tenth of what they were last year.
  For ordinary Illinoisans, this has made a real difference.
  In Danville, IL, recovery act funding created 20 jobs at the East 
Central Illinois Community Agency. It put additional police officers on 
the street and created 14 jobs at the local housing authority.
  It created summer jobs that allowed local kids to help support their 
families. It helped fund a Head Start program in neighboring Gibson 
City, and it funded three local projects through the Illinois 
Department of Transportation.
  This is the measurable impact our legislation has had on only one 
community in Illinois.
  But letters and phone calls and news stories have been pouring into 
my office from across the State, and the message is always the same.
  From Danville, to Chicago, to Rockford, to Elmwood Park, I have heard 
from Illinoisans who have felt the positive effects of our new economic 
foundation.
  We must not forget that America is still on the road to recovery. But 
our policies have already made a real difference in people's lives.
  One Danville business owner even said: ``I was leery of the whole 
stimulus thing at first, but they got it right.''
  That is why it is time to look ahead.
  It is time to redouble our efforts and prove our commitment to the 
values the American people voted for in the last election.
  The national economy is no longer in freefall, but there are still 
far too many people without jobs and far too many families that are 
struggling to make ends meet.
  We need to use the remaining recovery act funds to create more jobs 
in cities such as Danville, IL, and across America.
  We need to provide tangible help to the small businesses that form 
the backbone of our economy, and the local banks that are essential to 
our national prosperity.
  As a former banker myself, I understand how important these 
institutions are to the communities they serve. And I know they are 
hurting badly right now.
  I am grateful that the President shares my support for these 
initiatives. And I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 
Senate and with the administration to take action.
  Already, President Obama's speech is being analyzed by the media as a 
partisan rallying cry, a recap of the administration's record, and a 
dozen other things.
  But as I sat on the House floor last night, I heard more than that.
  I heard a bipartisan call to arms, a sober recognition of the current 
situation, and a strong vision for job creation, continued economic 
recovery, and healthcare reform in the coming year.
  The truth is, the American people do not need politicians in 
Washington to tell them about the current State of the Union.
  They are the Union. They know about the challenges we face, and the 
distance we have yet to go.
  They do not care about partisan politics, or electoral math, or which 
party has the majority in Congress.
  The American people are interested in the answer to one question: 
Where do we go from here?
  So, as we set out to tackle the ambitious agenda that was laid out 
last night, we must approach these proposals with the same mindset.
  We must draw our energy and our strength from the American people, 
and summon the principles and ideas that can make that vision a 
reality.
  This is not about scoring political points or winning elections.
  It is about how we move forward together as a Congress, as a nation, 
and as a people.
  It is about making a difference for the hard-working people of 
Illinois, and every other State in the country.
  This is a time to be thoughtful and reflective and forward-thinking, 
but it is also a time to roll up our sleeves.
  Colleagues, as President Obama reminded us last night, this is a time 
for bold action.
  So today, let us get to work.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington State is 
recognized.

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