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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky spoke in the House of Representatives yesterday in support of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which passed today by a vote of 275-155. The bill is designed to improve education, create jobs, and encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools by making critical investments to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across the country, creating healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient learning environments. It includes a Buy America provision to help preserve steelworker jobs by requiring the use of American steel in such school projects. In 2008, Visclosky successfully amended an earlier version of the bill to include a Buy America provision and that provision was included in the 2009 bill. Yesterday’s announcement that ArcelorMittal will layoff 978 workers at its Indiana Harbor facility in East Chicago, Indiana underscores the need for job-preserving policies such as Buy America. Below are Visclosky’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. Chairman: I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, and commend Representative Chandler and Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon for their great work on this measure and in ensuring that our students have the most healthy and environmentally-friendly schools.
“Particularly, I am most pleased that language is included in this measure that requires the use of American made iron, steel, and manufactured goods. Last year when this program was first debated on the floor of the House, Representative Stupak and I successfully amended the measure to include the Buy America language, and I thank Representative Chandler and Chairman Miller for including that language in this measure.
“In April of 2008, the Congressional Steel Caucus held a hearing on sub-standard steel from China. We discussed concerns about how we monitor the safety of steel imports, and how some Chinese steel companies do not adhere to international standards and guidelines when they manufacture steel. This steel may be used in our bridges, hospitals, and schools.
“In addition to ensuring American-quality steel is used and that our students have a healthy, safe learning environment, this provision also provides another critical stimulus to turning around the steel industry.
“The situation currently does not get any more real for our steelworkers. Last week, steel production across the country was at 42.9 percent, compared to 91.1 percent a year ago. Also within this past year, US Steel has laid off about 9,000 American workers, and ArcelorMittal has laid off about 3,000 American workers.
“We must do everything possible to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are going to build American schools with American steel. If the school construction projects provided under this Act are to be truly safe for our children—that pipes won’t burst, that roofs won’t collapse—then we must ensure that the steel used is American. If the construction projects under this Act are to be truly beneficial for the American economy—to create American jobs—then we must ensure that the steel used is American.
“The Buy America provision in the measure does just those things. I am pleased to support this measure and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
“Thank you Mr. Chairman and I yield back my time.” |
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