[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H5735-H5736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PASS THE EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

  (Ms. SPEIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, Thomas Currier and his family are my 
constituents, and they're suffering needlessly because Republicans are 
shamelessly blocking the extension of unemployment insurance. The 
Republicans argue that people like Thomas are lazy and would rather 
collect unemployment than work. Well, let me tell you about Thomas 
Currier.
  He's 62. He's worked his entire life and at one time even owned his 
own business. After 25 years in the IT field, he was laid off in August 
of 2008, and last month he finally lost his unemployment insurance. His 
wife needs surgery they can't afford. His daughter dropped out of 
college because they can't pay her tuition. Not only has Mr. Currier 
lost his income, but as a result

[[Page H5736]]

of the GOP opposition, he's lost his dignity.
  I urge my Republican colleagues in the Senate to drop their 
indefensible opposition to extending unemployment insurance 
immediately, and with it, provide needed relief to millions of people 
like Thomas Currier.

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