Washington Update
It has been another busy month since my last Gillmor Bulletin. In the past month, I have traveled through the Fifth District holding meetings with constituents and touring plants, and speaking with students. So please enjoy the latest copy of The Gillmor Bulletin and remember to subscribe to continue receiving these emails.
Saddam Hussein Sentenced to Death
On Sunday, Saddam Hussein was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death by the Iraqi High Tribunal.
That was a good day for justice and for Iraq. The U.S. military ended the reign of Saddam Hussein, and the Iraqi people have now ended his tyranny. Today’s verdict shows that freedom can prevail under a democratic system of justice in Iraq. Rather than plotting his next attack on democracy, Saddam Hussein will be spending his time now planning his last days.
Iraq has many challenges which lie ahead but with a new government, free elections, and democracy flourishing, the people of Iraq have reached yet another turning point. All Americans stand with them during this time as they continue to earn their freedom.
Letter to the Editor of the Lima News
Another Reason for Ohio Ethanol
Dear Editor,
When the average price for a gallon of gasoline peaked at $3.06, the feasibility of running cars on ethanol came true and our area benefited from seven possible ethanol plants. Today, gasoline has dropped to nearly $2 per gallon throughout most of the Fifth District. While this relief has been wonderful for every person on the roads and in the fields, it also puts pressure on the booming ethanol market in our area. Although the federal government created incentives for ethanol production and the American people have become more conscious of the need for energy independence, some still need another reason to continue ethanol production. Enter Hugo Chavez.
Just a few weeks ago, President Bush spoke to the United Nations General Assembly of the promise of democracy and “a world beyond terror.” The next day, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez came to New York and called our President the devil and a dictator. Chavez is a man who views our democracy and our leaders with contempt and is now lamenting our falling gas prices.
Hugo Chavez leads a nation which is the third largest exporter of petroleum into the United States. He and the other leaders of OPEC nations will continue attempting to exert control over the falling oil prices. This is the perfect reason to continue Ohio’s ethanol production.
Since I was the only Ohioan on the committee which created the energy bill last year, we have already yielded an ethanol plant in Leipsic and six other possible plants around the Fifth District in areas like Mercer and Allen Counties. But when faced with leaders like Hugo Chavez, we see further the need for our ethanol production. Rather than join the chorus of leaders condemning Chavez, I think we should hit him where it hurts most- his wallet.
Paul Gillmor
U.S. Congressman
Gillmor Receives Guardian Award
(From the Bryan Times in Bryan)
The Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) recently presented Congressman Paul Gillmor (R-Tiffin) with its prestigious “Guardian of Worker Freedom Award” for advocating on behalf of the America’s workers throughout the 109th Congress.
Upon receiving his award Gillmor said, “I am honored to have been recognized for advocating for America’s workers. Our nation has the best and brightest workforce in the world. It is the responsibility of Congress to ensure our workers remain competitive in the global marketplace and continue growing our economy.”
The Guardian of Worker Freedom Award was presented to Members of Congress who received at least an 80 percent voting record based on the AWF’s scorecard. Among the votes for which the AWF commended Rep. Gillmor for are his support of raising the minimum wage, positive trade agreements, OSHA reform and pro-labor market immigration reform.
“Paul Gillmor clearly knows the difference between being pro-Big Labor and pro-American worker,” said AWF Executive Director Ryan Ellis. “When it comes to keeping American workers competitive, Paul Gillmor is a tremendous advocate for a twenty-first century workforce.”
The Alliance for Worker Freedom Association is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing America’s workforce. For more information, please visit www.workerfreedom.com.
Gillmor speaks on myriad of issues at Monday Rotary Club meeting
(From the Fostoria Focus in Fostoria)
Congressman Paul Gillmor (R-Old Fort) spoke on a myriad of issues, ranging from the War in Iraq and illegal immigration to energy policies and transportation.
The tax renewal is one issue at the top of Gillmor’s list of priorities.
“Some people are opposed to the tax relief because they believe it will only benefit the rich,” Gillmor stated.
However, Gillmor said the previous temporary tax relief passed in 2003 benefited 117 million Americans and dropped the unemployment rate to 4.6 percent, the lowest in the last 30 years by adding 6.6 million jobs within the last three years.
Gillmor also supports the Pension Reform Bill to protect citizens’ pensions even if a company suffers.
“One of the things that is disheartening to read about more and more is companies that didn’t fund their pension systems,” he said.
Another bill Gillmor has helped develop is the Energy Policy Act to increase petroleum and natural gas supply and provisions.
“Fortunately, I had the opportunity to be very involved with that.”
Gillmor informed the Rotary members that manufacturing costs for natural gas have averaged 30 percent higher than the rest of the world because there is no international program for natural gas.
The bill would encourage conservation, renewable fuels, especially bio fuel, wind and solar power, and clean coal technology research.
The United States currently imports 62 percent of its fuel supply.
One issue important to Gillmor is to double ethanol use by 2010 and develop ethanol plants, which would add jobs and aid farmers.
Gillmor also briefly mentioned the 70 Children’s Hospitals throughout the country, six of which are in Ohio.
Previously, Children’s Hospitals were not eligible for a discount on prescription drugs, but Gillmor had advocated to change this situation, providing at least $2 million a year towards the program at each Children’s Hospital.
“That’s a savings that’s not just for this year, but for year after year,” Gillmor expressed.
Gillmor also updated the Rotary Club on the Highway Funding Bill which had added $6.9 million to fund the completion of area bypass projects.
“Hopefully, if things go right, that will take care of the Seneca County portion of that.”
Lastly, Gillmor’s other main issue he shared dealt with maintaining control over repeated sex offenders.
“You keep hearing about repeat sex offenders and people who committed an offense, rape or murder, and sometimes, law enforcement has no idea of the amount of offenders in their area,” Gillmor stated.
Two bills under this issue would create one national database that every state would be able to use. Presently, some states have a database in place, but not all are complete or searchable and at this time, each one has differences.
In addition, President Bush signed a bill in July which allows the justice department to create a classification system.
During the question and answer session, the War in Iraq, the threat of nuclear war and illegal immigration were all brought to attention.
Addressing the War in Iraq, Gillmor assured the members present of the progress that has been made, including training a police force and the successful infrastructure.
“It has been longer and more difficult than what everybody thought (in the beginning). But you have to remember the progress that has been made and you have to give credit to the Iraqi people,” he said, using the fact that before the United States intervened, Iraq had never participated in a democratic election and has since completed three.
The United States, according to Gillmor, continues to work towards its unchanged, clear goal to help Iraq form a democratically-elected government with a reasonable chance of surviving, which is in the United States’ self-interest.
“Our goal is simply to help them be able to manage the situation as soon as we can,” Gillmor said.
With respect to illegal immigration, Gillmor believes there are five principles to attacking the problem.
Gillmor believes we must first secure our borders, better enforce the laws, be realistic, refuse to admit amnesty and to finally change the laws to give preference to legal immigrants awaiting citizenship and those who are highly skilled.
With the 12 million illegal immigrants currently present in the country, up from only three million 20 years ago, Gillmor supports the temporary workers’ program, especially since agricultural immigrants in the Fostoria area are a necessity.
