[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 21161]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            NATION BUILDING

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we marked the end of the war in 
Iraq. I join with all of my colleagues in expressing our gratitude to 
those Americans who served when their country called. We owe it to our 
returning veterans to do everything we can to make sure that the 
economy they are returning to is strong and prosperous.
  The United States spent $62 billion nation building in Iraq. The end 
of the war will generate enough savings to put a downpayment on nation 
building we need to do right here in America. An aggressive investment 
in infrastructure, rebuilding our roads, bridges, rails, and water 
systems can generate the economic activity we need to reduce 
unemployment. A $1.2 trillion investment will create 27 million jobs 
over 5 years. This growth will both reduce the debt and deficit.
  We have deferred infrastructure investments in America for too long. 
We get a D grade from the Society of Civil Engineers. The Chamber of 
Commerce predicts $362 billion in lost growth over the next 5 years 
will occur unless we repair our infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to do everything we can to ensure that our 
returning veterans have an opportunity to work and to rebuild this 
Nation right here at home.

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