Davis: 'Trying to soften the blow in uncertain times'
By Beverly Majors
The Oak Ridger
April 7, 2009

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Congressman Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., was the keynote speaker at a recent East Tennessee Economic Council breakfast.

Thom Mason, director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and president and CEO of UT-Battelle, and member of ETEC, introduced Davis, stating that Davis represents the 4th congressional district which includes Roane County. ETEC is a network of companies that promotes Oak Ridge-based government-sponsored science, technology and national security programs.

Davis has served in the Congress since 2003 and is a member of the House Appropriations Committee/Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

Davis started his talk joking about Pi Day stating that "Anyone who is a champion for Pi Day is a champion for Oak Ridge."

National Pi Day was resolved by the 111th Congress on March 12, designating the day as March 14, the day in which the month and day of the calendar is 3/14, the first three digits to the mathematical formula for pi (3.14).

The bill has been the brunt of jokes in several Tennessee newspapers but basically the bill was designed to recognize the importance of National Science Foundation's math and science education programs, and encourage schools and educators to observe the day with appropriate activities that teach students about Pi and engage them about the study of mathematics.

Davis also made a joke about the bill but then talked about the national budget deficit.

"We are trying to soften that blow in uncertain times," Davis said.

"Our democracy is a nation of laws. What's in store for Oak Ridge in Washington will always be on the table for Oak Ridge."

Davis told ETEC that he tries not to play politics in Washington when making tough decisions.

"I look at things from the American standpoint, not the left or right," he said. "I'd like to see more American Democrats in Washington and more American Republicans in Washington."

The congressman addressed the three current issues being talked about in Washington and the U.S., the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), the auto bailout and the stimulus package.

Davis said he voted no five times against the TARP, or "big bank bailout if you voted for it."

He said he did not trust Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson's judgment and that the TARP "didn't have the right strings attached."

Davis also said the bonuses paid out of the TARP were wrong and that he looked at the auto bailout differently.

"It wasn't about the big three, it was about the 147 factories in my district," he said. "I feel like if you establish a debt you should pay for it."

The congressman said he wants three things from government: non-intrusion, non-oppressive and don't waste money.

"I'll use the same process to make decisions," he said. "I will justify to you the way I voted."

He also talked briefly about the Blue Dog Democratic Coalition, which among other things, promotes fiscal conservatism and accountability.

"My office is getting hundreds of calls to support Obama's plan but if you ask what the plan is, they don't know," he said. "It's not about Obama, it's about America."

He also talked briefly about health care, and global warming and energy.

"I believe what you do here (Oak Ridge) is important and want you to keep me informed," Davis said.