The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Walberg pays tribute to McKune Memorial Library
PUBLISHED: April 17, 2008
U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-District 7) last week entered the following statement honoring the Chelsea District Library into the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives:
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Mr. TIMOTHY L. WALBERG: Madame Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize the Chelsea District Library on being named the Best Small Library in America for 2008 by Library Journal. It is with great admiration and pride that I congratulate the Chelsea Library on behalf of all of those who have benefited from its commitment to Washtenaw County and dedication to high standards and superior services.
The Chelsea District Library proudly serves 14,000 residents of Chelsea, Michigan and its surrounding areas by providing accessible, reliable, and up-to-date information and technology. Within its impressive renovated facility, the library offers an extensive collection of diverse research materials including books, periodicals, and videos as well as online and CD-ROM databases. Exceptionally responsive to community needs, the Chelsea library boasts abundant success for its targeted outreach programs.
In its fourth year, the Best Small Library award is presented to libraries that serve populations of less than 25,000. The award is co-sponsored by the Library Journal, the oldest publication covering the library field, along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which seeks to ensure that all people have access to a great education and to technology in public libraries.
This year's award for Best Small Library in America went to the Chelsea District Library for its continued excellence in its field. Today this library stands as the pride of the Chelsea community, working to educate all local citizens by providing access to cutting-edge resources in a welcoming environment. This historic library continues to serve as a model for small libraries across Michigan and the nation.
Madame Speaker, today I honor the Chelsea District Library for its continued service to the Chelsea community. May others know of my high regard for this library's innovative programs and enthusiastic outreach, as well as my best wishes for the Chelsea Library in the future.
Supporting farmers
Walberg, the only Michigan member of the House Agriculture Committee, last week made the following statement about a Farm Bill agreement that is currently being finalized by a bi-partisan Farm Bill conference committee. The conference committee has begun to iron out differences between the House- and Senate-passed farm bills (both passed in 2007) before a final bill comes to the House floor.
"In 2007, House leadership brushed aside months of hard work by Republicans and Democrats on the House Agriculture committee and decided to insert a 600 percent tax increase on subsidiary manufacturers into the Farm Bill.
"A recent study revealed Michigan ranks 9th in the United States in the number of employees supported by U.S. subsidiaries, and many significant international job-creators in Michigan would see a 600 percent tax increase because they have American plants and employ Americans. Overall, this bill would have raised taxes on companies who employ 5.1 million American workers and pay $325 billion in wages to American workers. This is simply unacceptable.
"We need to pass a Farm Bill that meets the needs of American farmers without raising taxes. I was pleased to support a bi-partisan motion that passed the House 400-11 instructing conferees not to agree to any provisions that increase taxes in a final Farm Bill agreement. I urge the conference committee to work together in a bi-partisan way, recognize that tax increases destroy jobs and pass a Farm Bill that gives our farmers certainty for the future."
Housing bill
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) announced Senate passage of the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008. The act offers urgent assistance to families and communities devastated by the housing crisis. Included in the legislation is the Stabenow Amendment, co-sponsored with Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), allowing manufacturers to utilize built-up tax credits to invest in their businesses, stimulate the economy and create new jobs.
"Families and communities across our state are suffering in the grip of a housing crisis that is threatening the economy in Michigan and our Nation," Stabenow said. "This bill is a good first step in helping families facing the loss of their homes and communities devastated by foreclosures - but we can and must do more. That's why I will continue my fight to create good-paying jobs across our state that will provide a true boost to our economy."
The Stabenow Amendment targets companies unable to turn a profit, suffering an economic downturn. Under the new legislation, manufacturers may utilize previously accumulated alternative minimum tax credits and research and development tax credits to create new investments in their businesses including plants, equipment and worker training.
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