[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2777-H2778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING THE JAMES MADISON BRASS BAND

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Cline) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the James 
Madison Brass Band on their historic achievement at the North American 
Brass

[[Page H2778]]

Band Championships held in Huntsville, Alabama, on April 6.
  Under the leadership of their conductor, Professor Kevin Stees, the 
JMU Brass Band clinched the championship section title, marking a 
monumental milestone in the band's 24-year history.
  Their victory is a testament to the talent and hard work of the 
students and their conductor.
  Competing against seven other top-tier bands, the JMU Brass Band 
emerged victorious, marking the first time a collegiate band has 
claimed the highest division of the competition. This accomplishment 
adds to the band's remarkable record at the North American Brass Band 
Championships, including 14 podium finishes, underscoring their 
consistent excellence and resilience.
  Moreover, Professor Stees' outstanding leadership has not only 
brought glory to JMU but also secured him a distinguished place in 
North American Brass Band Association history as only the second 
conductor to win in two different sections in the same year.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations to the JMU Brass Band, 
Professor Kevin Stees, and the entire JMU Dukes community on this 
remarkable achievement.


                      Honoring Broadway Lions Club

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Broadway Lions 
Club, which is celebrating their 70th anniversary this year.
  The Broadway Lions Club was chartered in 1954 by 20 men in Broadway, 
all thanks to the sponsorship of the Mt. Jackson and Elkton Lions Club. 
Although there has been much change over the last 70 years, their 
mission of serving the community has remained the same.
  With 40 active members from the Broadway community, the Lions Club's 
primary focus is on sight and hearing needs for those in the community 
and assisting food programs in schools for students in need.
  Mr. Speaker, as a fellow Lion, I thank all members of service 
organizations like the Broadway Lions Club for their outstanding work 
to make a difference in our community. I congratulate the Broadway 
Lions Club for their 70 years of service to our community. We look 
forward to their continued contributions and success for many years to 
come.


   Recognizing 100th Anniversary of Rockingham County Baseball League

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rockingham County 
Baseball League's 100th anniversary.
  One of the oldest continuous baseball leagues in the country, the 
Rockingham County Baseball League was founded in June 1924 after J.R. 
``Polly'' Lineweaver, who was a sportswriter for the Daily News Record, 
spearheaded the efforts.
  At the beginning, seven communities joined the league, including 
Bridgewater, Briery Branch, Broadway, Dayton, Keezletown, Linville-
Edom, and Spring Creek. They played their first games on June 28, 1924.
  By 1938, the league began playing its own championship series each 
season. While teams have come and gone throughout the years, this 
league is made up of eight teams today: The Bridgewater Reds, Broadway 
Bruins, Clover Hill Bucks, Elkton Blue Sox, Grottoes Cardinals, 
Montezuma Braves, RCBL Shockers, and Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks.
  As the league's 100th season begins on May 31, I am proud to honor 
the Rockingham County Baseball League. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in congratulating the league for reaching this milestone and wishing 
the league continued success for years to come.


                  Marking National Small Business Week

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, as we mark National Small Business Week, it 
is crucial to confront the stark reality facing America's entrepreneurs 
under the Biden administration. The administration has imposed 
regulatory burdens that have escalated to an unprecedented scale, with 
the cost of Federal regulations soaring to $1.3 trillion.
  The small business community is now saddled with over 267 million 
man-hours of compliance paperwork, a stark comparison to the regulatory 
landscape under the Trump administration, where regulatory costs were 
over 45 times lower.
  The economic climate continues to pose significant challenges, with 
persistent inflation undermining any optimism for relief.
  Despite expectations, interest rate cuts remain a distant hope, 
forcing small businesses to halt expansion and investment plans. 
Inflation rates have not only been higher than anticipated but have 
seen recent upward revisions. Additionally, the first quarter GDP 
report revealed a disheartening 1.6 percent growth rate, falling short 
of the expected 2.4 percent.

  This slowdown in consumer spending is further compounded by a 3.4 
percent increase in the personal consumption expenditures price index, 
signaling the largest inflation surge within a year.
  These figures underscore the dire circumstances confronting small 
businesses. The current administration's relentless regulatory assault, 
coupled with severe economic headwinds, is not only risking the 
survival of small businesses but is indicative of a broader disregard 
for the backbone of our economy.
  We must pivot toward policies that alleviate rather than exacerbate 
these pressures. Our commitment must lie in fostering an environment 
conducive to the prosperity and growth of small businesses, which are 
integral to the Nation's economic vitality.
  The evidence is clear, and the time for action is now. We owe it to 
America's entrepreneurs to implement measures that help rather than 
hinder their potential.

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