[Watchdogs] Fwd: PEC Press Releases

[joesummy at moment.net]

PEC Press Releases

///////////////////////////////////////////
U.S. Congressman speaks at PEC headquarters



February 17, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Congressman speaks at PEC headquarters
U.S. Representative Lamar Smith, R-Texas, spoke about fiscal restraint,
the  
federal budget, energy legislation, health care reform and national  
security at Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s headquarters in Johnson City

on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Smith represents the 21st Congressional District,  
which includes Bexar, Blanco, Comal, Kerr, Kendall, Real and Travis  
counties.

Smith, the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, began his 

presentation by challenging the notion promoted by a nationally-renowned  
columnist that America’s reign as a great nation is coming to an end.

“I think that is something we need to challenge. I think if we choose the 

right policies in Washington, if we get our financial house in order and  
get our priorities straight, we will continue to be a great nation,” Smith

said. “It all depends on the choices we make."

The congressman spoke about the importance of cutting spending in  
Washington, and he said he takes President Barack Obama at his word that
he  
and the congressional leadership want to work with Republicans to reduce  
the federal deficit. Smith also said the most recent budget proposal was a

“source of concern” that sets records for tax increases, spending and the 

size of the deficit.
Smith said the United States government hasn’t had a balanced budget since

the late 1990s. He said it is essential the nation’s leaders begin  
practicing financial restraint.

“In 2009, for the first time in history, the United States spent two  
dollars for every one dollar we took in,” Smith said. “No government, no  
family, no industry, no organization can do that for very long. Sooner or 

later, you’ve got to pay it back.”

Talking about the energy issues facing America, Smith said he wants more  
alternative energy such as wind and solar. He said the U.S. needs better  
technology to access the oil and natural gas within its borders. Smith
also  
advocated for more nuclear power, and he said that technological  
improvements over the past 30 years should calm public concerns about the 

safety of nuclear plants.

With regard to health care in the United States, Smith said there are
about  
14 million long-term, low-income people in the country who do not have  
access to health insurance. He said that while more than 50 percent of  
Americans oppose the health care overhaul proposed by Democrats, there are

several bipartisan measures that Congress could pass to give those
citizens  
the help they need.

After his presentation, Smith fielded questions from PEC  
employees.Copyright (c) 2009 Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Inc., All  
Rights Reserved.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://103.greenbuilder.com/pipermail/watchdogs/attachments/20100219/65c59498/attachment.html>