Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL) Wows AWMA Members with Breakfast Remarks
Citing Rep. Ray LaHood’s strong defense of America’s leadership role and the rights of its citizens, Government Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Burklund, Burklund Distributors, introduced his long time friend and Congressional representative to kick-off our May 17 Day on the Hill breakfast meeting. "I’ve known Ray LaHood for many years and I’m proud to have him as my congressman," said Burklund. "Ray is incredible in the way he represents his district, how he gets around and truly understands our needs. Truthfully, the entire country benefits from the dedicated public service of Ray LaHood."
In response, Rep. LaHood said how much he appreciates all the good things the Burklund family does in his home district. "The Burklunds are wonderful people who do so many positive things to support the economy of our area – through employment, business activities and their community involvement."
He went on to thank AWMA members for coming to Washington, DC. "It’s a good thing you’ve come to Washington to meet face-to-face with your representatives. You’re smart to bring your business issues directly to your members of Congress. And don’t worry if you end up meeting with a member of their staff. Those folks may be young, but they are incredibly bright and hard working and they need to hear from you, too," said LaHood.
LaHood Outlines Top Three Congressional Priorities: Iraq War, Immigration Reform and Energy Policy
Acknowledging that things look bleak in Iraq, in part, because Iraq does not appear to have any "Thomas Jeffersons or George Washingtons waiting in the wings," LaHood said that the current Iraqi prime minister is struggling to pull his new government together. LaHood spoke of President Bush’s new battle plan, new General and new Ambassador in Iraq. The $500 billion question is, he said, will the President’s new plan work in Iraq? "This war has become very controversial and costly – especially in the number of lives lost, both Americans and Iraqis," lamented LaHood.
On a brighter note concerning the war, Rep. LaHood pointed out that 15 of the 18 provinces in Iraq are "very peaceful . . . that’s something you won’t see on the news. We are focusing on Baghdad, which is really the problem."
"We need comprehensive immigration reform," emphasized LaHood, who noted that the issue was pending in the U.S. Senate on that very day. When an immigration package later comes to the U.S. House of Representatives, LaHood said that President Bush will be working hard to come up with something he can sign in to law. "These immigrants are doing work Americans don’t want to do," pointed out LaHood. "Take a look at industries like landscaping, construction, agriculture, meat packing – they all rely heavily on these foreign workers," noted LaHood. While some people may be skeptical of any immigration reform plan which requires sending 14 million people back to Mexico ("There aren’t enough buses!" exclaimed the congressman), LaHood said he supports working out a plan whereby immigrants can be legally employed in the U.S. and still have the opportunity to follow a path to citizenship.
On the energy front, with gasoline selling for over $3.50 per gallon in some locations, LaHood said, "Americans are the problem. We must take steps to reduce our dependency on crude oil from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela by drilling in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico." LaHood urged people to think outside the box on energy, saying that we cannot sustain the American appetite for crude oil. "Car manufacturers should raise fuel efficiency and develop more fuel efficient vehicles for the future, but it is the American drivers who must change their driving habits."
Developing renewable fuels of choice over the next ten years is crucial, said LaHood, who supports federal incentives for ethanol plants which are showing tremendous potential in Illinois.
Responding to questions from the audience, LaHood noted that the November ’06 elections have made a big difference now that Democrats control both houses of Congress. But, he noted, the entire legislative process is a complicated and long one which often takes 5-10 years to get anything done. "Witness how long it has taken us to address the immigration problems," LaHood said.
On the matter of healthcare reform, Rep. LaHood said the government has not solved the problem of 40 million people without healthcare. "One of the problems is we are working with dinosaur programs that don’t reflect the current population."
Immediately following the congressional breakfast, AWMA members headed to appointments with legislators in both the House and the Senate.
