[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 28 (Thursday, February 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A CONSTITUENT'S VIEW ON THE STATE OF OUR NATION

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. DARIN LaHOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 16, 2017

  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of my constituent, Ed 
Rapp, from Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Rapp recently retired as a top 
executive and group president from Caterpillar Inc. after thirty-six 
years of tremendous and admirable service to the company and the Peoria 
community. He was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease and 
turned his focus to raising awareness and supporting those in search of 
a cure. The following is an open letter Mr. Rapp penned to his 
grandson:

                     An Apology to My Grandson Cole

       On the heels of a frustrating election, the combination of 
     reading ``Hamilton'' and seeing the Chicago Cubs win the 
     World Series, I'm compelled to put my thoughts down in 
     writing taking the form of an apology to my grandson, and the 
     next generation of Americans. ``Hamilton'' reminded me of the 
     combination of leadership and compromise demonstrated by our 
     Founding Fathers. And the Cubs showed us that, against the 
     odds of history, if you improve competitiveness, you can 
     compete and win. (And let the record show that I--a die-hard 
     St. Louis Cardinals fan--can appreciate that feat!)
       Fortunately, what was the most disappointing election 
     process in my history is behind us. My words are not aimed at 
     one party or the other as I am equally frustrated by both 
     sides. Our leaders spend too much time trying to defeat the 
     opposing party instead of focusing on how to make sure that 
     America competes and wins.
       At 59 years old, my generation inherited the most 
     competitive country in the world, and that competitiveness 
     led to the highest standard of living in the world. We seem 
     to have overlooked the direct correlation between a country's 
     competitiveness and the standard of living of its citizens.
       The Cubs championship team stands as a first class example 
     of how changing the way you compete can change your results. 
     If you want to improve your competitiveness, you adapt. New 
     leadership made great draft choices that complemented wily 
     veterans, ending more than a century of losing.
       The same opportunities are afforded to this great nation 
     (yes, it should be noted I remain optimistic about this 
     country's future). However, what lies ahead won't be easy. It 
     will require strong leaders like Hamilton, compromise by both 
     parties and an understanding that it is all about 
     competitiveness.
       Like it or not, our infrastructure is in a state of 
     disrepair and we have not addressed its long term funding in 
     more than 20 years. The build-out of our US highway system in 
     the 1960s ignited one of the greatest economic booms in 
     history. But we haven't re-invested. The road to progress 
     still begins with a road, period.
       We have gone from having one of the most competitive 
     corporate tax rates in 1986 to being the laggard amongst OECD 
     countries. While the rest of the world has gone to a 
     territorial system, we are still living in the past with our 
     worldwide system. With a corporate tax rate 56 percent higher 
     than the average of other OECD countries, is it any wonder 
     companies want to locate in other parts of the world?
       We also seem to have forgotten that our country was built 
     by immigrants. We must remain a nation where the world's best 
     and brightest come to innovate and create new businesses. We 
     can't continue to provide world-class college education to 
     young minds from around the world, and then tell them to pack 
     their bags.
       The political debate criticized global trade. Have we 
     forgotten the U.S. is only five percent of the world's 
     population and, for decades, led by example on free trade, 
     which improves the standard of living of Americans and our 
     trading partners? We need to move forward and trade is 
     fundamental to growth. If countries turn nationalistic, we 
     won't like the long term outcome (Brexit and backing out of 
     the Trans Pacific Partnership really concern me).
       I would offer my generation has made no meaningful progress 
     on some of the core elements of competitiveness in decades 
     (no major corporate tax or immigration reform since mid-
     1980s, no change on infrastructure funding since 1993, no 
     major global trade deal since 1994) and, as illustrated 
     above, the cost will be significant: a lower standard of 
     living for the next generation. For this, I say to my 
     grandson, I am sorry.
       But, as emphasized up front, I remain optimistic. I really 
     do hope and pray for the next generation that Congress and 
     the President work together to take on the challenges at 
     hand. Be brave and compromise like Alexander Hamilton. 
     Improve competitiveness like the Cubs. And, as we go about 
     ``Making America Great Again,'' let's just remember what made 
     her great in the first place.

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