[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 45 (Thursday, March 31, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H2113-H2114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INSIGHTS FROM THE CONSTITUENT WORK WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BARLETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
in the House what my neighbors at home shared with me during the past 
constituent work week. Throughout the week I heard from small business 
owners, local officials, university leaders, teachers, students, 
Rotarians, and a Purple Heart National Guardsman about the issues 
facing Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. Although the voices 
were different, the message was the same. We need to get our economy 
back on track.

[[Page H2114]]

  Last week I spoke at the Rotary Club in my hometown of Hazleton about 
the debt crisis crippling our Nation. The Rotarians were engaged, 
attentive, and concerned about the spending habits of Washington.
  Madam Speaker, I let them know that we have a debt crisis in this 
country, not because Washington taxes too little, but because 
Washington spends too much. For far too long, the Federal Government 
has overspent, overtaxed, and over-borrowed. That stops now.
  If we are serious about our economic prosperity, we must cut wasteful 
spending in favor of investments proven to work. Last week I visited 
the SHINE 21st Century After-School Program at Panther Valley 
Elementary School in Nesquehoning. Located in 10 schools in Carbon and 
Schuylkill Counties, SHINE is a data-driven, rural education model 
designed to provide academic enrichment to at-risk students. I commend 
Jeanne Miller, Director of the SHINE Program, and Lehigh-Carbon 
Community College for partnering together to benefit pre-service 
teachers and, more importantly, some of our region's most deserving 
students. Like the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, the SHINE 
model stands out as a program that works.
  As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I 
will continue to examine how education at all levels is preparing 
students for careers. I was privileged last week to welcome Chairman 
Kline and the House Education and the Workforce Committee to Wilkes 
University in Wilkes-Barre for a field hearing on the role of higher 
education in job growth and development. Witnesses from Wilkes 
University, Empire Beauty School, Luzerne County Community College, and 
Lackawanna Junior College demonstrated firsthand how northeast 
Pennsylvania is taking strides to provide quality higher education.
  Additionally, Chairman Kline and I met with and read to a 
kindergarten class at Riverside Elementary East in Moosic. The 
reception we received from all of the students was unbelievable, and I 
couldn't be more appreciative of the students, teachers, and school 
administrators for putting such a fantastic visit together.
  Also, last week I welcomed Chairman Mica, Subcommittee Chairman 
Shuster, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to 
Scranton for a listening session on the future of our roads and 
infrastructure. The listening session helped me and other members of 
the committee gain a greater level of insight from local leaders with 
expertise and real world experience in transportation and 
infrastructure policy. During the listening session, we spoke about job 
creation, heard some examples of burdensome regulation, listened to 
ideas about cost-effective maintenance plans, and were briefed on 
public-private partnerships as new ways to build and repair 
Pennsylvania's roads and bridges.
  Madam Speaker, the challenges we face in our district are great, but 
they are not unique. My friends and neighbors in Pennsylvania's 11th 
Congressional District are hardworking people, and I will continue to 
bring their voices to Washington throughout the 112th Congress.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to note that we're 
all here today, free to talk and debate, because of the brave men and 
women serving in our Armed Forces. I was humbled and honored this week 
to attend the Purple Heart medal presentation in Hazleton to 
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Sergeant First Class John Leonard.
  Sergeant Leonard was injured in an IED explosion in Iraq in February. 
It is men and women like Sergeant Leonard who make me proud to be 
standing freely in this House Chamber today.

                          ____________________