[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15899]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALLEGHANY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 105th 
anniversary of Alleghany County, North Carolina. Alleghany County was 
created by an act of the North Carolina legislature in 1859. The county 
sits astride the Appalachian Mountains and the North Carolina High 
Country and boasts some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in North 
Carolina.
  Since its creation in 1859, Alleghany County has been called home by 
countless hard-working North Carolinians, from farmers to small 
business owners who know the value of a hard day's work.
  One of Alleghany's most notable native sons, Robert Doughton, served 
here in the House of Representatives for 42 years, from 1911 to 1953. 
Congressman Doughton was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee 
for 18 of his 42 years in Congress. He also played a decisive role in 
creating the Blue Ridge Parkway, which we all know as one of the most 
beautiful scenic roads in America.
  Today, Alleghany hosts the 6,000 acre Doughton Park named in his 
honor and known for its excellent wildlife viewing. The Blue Ridge 
Parkway itself also cuts a scenic path through Alleghany County, just a 
stone's throw from the county seat, the town of Sparta.
  Alleghany County is a place of unique beauty and character, right off 
the beaten path. From the pristine waters of the New River to the 
distinct sounds of its local Blue Grass musical heritage, it is a one-
of-a-kind place found only in the great State of North Carolina. The 
people here are friendly and welcoming, good-natured and full of common 
sense. I am proud to represent them in Congress and proud to join them 
in celebrating the 105th anniversary of this fine county.


                  Controlling Runaway Federal Spending

  Madam Speaker, I would also like to speak briefly this morning about 
the runaway Federal spending that we are seeing occurring in this 
Congress.
  Here are the facts on spending from this year:
  A $2 trillion deficit for FY 2009;
  The second tranche of the TARP allowed to be spent, $350 billion;
  The stimulus package, H.R. 1, $787 billion, but over $1 trillion with 
debt costs;
  The omnibus appropriations bill, $409 billion.
  President Obama's budget increased total spending to $4 trillion in 
2009, or 28 percent of GDP, the highest Federal spending as a 
percentage of GDP since World War II. Federal spending is out of 
control.
  Republicans in the last week or so have offered many, many 
amendments, most of which were designed to cut Federal spending. 
However, the Democrats don't want to hear those amendments. They say 
they would take too much time. Apparently, the Democrats can't spend 
the people's money fast enough.
  Republicans believe Congress has the time to practice fiscal 
discipline. Republicans are going to stand up for the American people 
and fight runaway Federal spending.


           True Facts on the State of Health Care in America

  Madam Speaker, the other issue that needs to be addressed is the 
misleading comments made almost every day on this floor about the 
uninsured in this country. We hear over and over and over again a 
figure that 47 million Americans don't have health care. That is not 
true.
  First of all, the number of people who are uninsured in this country 
is only 45.7 million: 9\1/2\ million of them are illegal aliens; 12 
million of them are eligible for public programs, but they choose not 
to participate; 7.3 million have incomes of $84,000 a year and choose 
not to purchase insurance; and those only temporarily uninsured, 9.1 
million. That brings us to 7.8 million who are American citizens, lower 
income and long-term uninsured.
  We have to continue to correct the misleading numbers given on this 
floor every day by our colleagues across the aisle, and we are going to 
continue to do that.

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