[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN SUPPORT OF AMENDMENT 64 TO H.R. 1, CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2011

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Amendment 64 offered by 
my friend, Mr. Thompson of California.
  This amendment would require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to adopt 
standards consistent with the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program of 
the Department of Energy.
  In my hometown of Sacramento, our economy is struggling with 
unacceptably high unemployment, and furloughs of State employees have 
erased tens of millions of dollars from the economy.
  Since July 6 of last year, I have worked diligently with my 
colleagues, specifically Representatives Thompson, Israel, Perlmutter, 
and Sarbanes, to restore the promise of the job creation program known 
as PACE.
  The PACE program is an extremely important component in our nation's 
transition to a clean energy economy. It would upgrade thousands of 
homes with energy efficiency products, and create thousands of jobs in 
California alone.
  Unfortunately, our efforts to expand and support the PACE program 
have been extremely difficult because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and 
the Federal Housing Finance Agency, are not holding up their end of the 
bargain.
  I have heard from clean tech and business leaders about the 
importance of the PACE program for economic growth, achieving energy 
independence, and reducing our emissions. One company CEO told me that, 
``The only thing worse than absence of jobs, is the illusion of 
jobs.''And that is exactly what has happened as a result of the 
inaction of Fannie and Freddie Mac, and the ill-advised actions from 
Federal Housing Finance Agency.
  Today's amendment can once again make those jobs a reality.
  We have seen the job creation benefits from the PACE programs in 
Sonoma and Placer County, and I know my hometown of Sacramento is eager 
to take advantage of the program.
  I am pleased to support my colleague's amendment to require the 
reinstatement of the program as intended.
  I will continue to fight for the PACE program, which will reduce 
energy bills, promote a cleaner environment, and put hard-working 
Americans back to work. lt is important for Sacramento, and for our 
economy as a whole.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in support of Amendment 64.

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