What People Say About Cliff Stearns
"Long before his career in Congress, Stearns had a keen interest in serving others. Congressman Cliff Stearns is a shining example of a Floridian. He has been president of the Kiwanis Club, which focuses on community service. Rep. Stearns was also on the Board of Directors for Boys & Girls Club, as well as for Munroe Regional Hospital."
"He is a vocal advocate for increasing funds for Veterans Affairs, and authored the Veterans Millennium Healthcare & Benefits Act."
"In addition, the Florida legislator is passionate about higher education, sponsoring programs at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Santa Fe College in Gainesville, and also the University of Florida in Gainesville. I graduated from a community college (Valencia Community College) myself, and then transferred to the University of Central Florida, so his dedication to both two-year and four-year colleges is one I truly admire and applaud."-- Laura Tellado, has spina bifida and is raising awareness of the disease on her blog Holdin’ Out for a Hero (April 2010)
"Veterans such as Cruce are the reason that U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, pushed so hard for the development of The Villages Outpatient Clinic. 'I first spoke to the VA about establishing a new facility for this area in 2003, and in 2008 I attended the groundbreaking for this state-of-the-art facility. I am very excited that the new facility is slated to open in August and I look forward to thousands of veterans benefiting from the care and services that it will provide.'" - The Villages Daily Sun (March 15, 2010)
“The Chamber is proud to present Representative Stearns with the Spirit of Enterprise Award on behalf of businesses large and small. In the face of unprecedented economic challenges and in the midst of an election cycle, this Congress made some historic and courageous decisions that impacted the lives of every American. The Spirit of Enterprise Award identified those lawmakers that truly stepped up to the plate and demonstrated real leadership in making this country a place where business can continue to grow and create jobs. ” - Thomas Donohue, President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce (March 26, 2009)
“Thank you for your strong support for the Jeffersonian ideal of a smaller government that permits the free enterprise system to flourish. Through your votes on issues such as reducing taxes, workplace regulations and other economic matters, you have demonstrated your commitment to our nation’s prosperity and economic well-being.” – Jonathan Eisen, Senior Vice President, International Foodservice Distributors Association (July 24, 2008)
“Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, was critical to the project (new outpatient VA clinic in South Marion County) ‘because everyone saw the need for this clinic in the area.’” - Mary Kay Hollingsworth, Department of Veterans Affairs (June 15, 2008)
After encouraging the students to stay in school until they had completed at least a two- or four-year college degree, Stearns opened the floor for questions…"He inspired me to consider politics," said Juliun Kinsey, 16, a junior at the Professional Academies Magnet at Loften studying business and entrepreneurship. "I liked the points he brought up," said Fredrick Caldwell, a 17-year-old junior from the early college program at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville. - Gainesville Sun Article (February 2, 2008)
Sharing ideas with politicians can be like shouting inside a sound-proof booth. But U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, who represents part of Westside Jacksonville, has come up with a booklet with the ideas of his constituents that he calls "Your Good Ideas." Stearns gets a gold star for seeking input from his constituents and doing more than just paying lip service to listening. - The Florida Times-Union (December 12, 2007)
Congress -- Spend, spend, spend -- "If you think Congress has even a modicum of good sense, consider this: The U.S. Senate recently passed a transportation bill that included $2 billion in 'earmarks' -- local projects inserted by members. Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, voted to eliminate waste in 42 of 50 votes studies. That's 84 percent, one of the best records in Congress. This nation needs more people like Stearns in office. - The Florida Times-Union (September 18, 2007)
Three Cheers -- Stearns stands out -- "Members of Congress were poor stewards of the public's money last year, says Citizens Against Government Waste. One exception was Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala. Of the House vote analyzed by the group, its Web site says, Stearns voted against pork-barrel spending 91 percent of the time. He qualified as a 'Taxpayer hero.'" - The Florida Times-Union (July 16, 2007)
"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns received an 'A' from the National Taxpayers Union for his fiscal responsibility, the highest rating in the Florida delegation and one of only 48 members in the House. The federal government has a spending problem. Too few of the members are willing to keep the budget in balance without raising taxes." - The Florida Times-Union (April 2, 2007)
"For example, Ocala Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns, a longtime champion of veterans issues, called conditions at Walter Reed unacceptable and an outrage...'Congress must ensure that our troops get the best care possible for the injuries they received defending our freedoms.' We could not agree more with both points." - Editorial, Ocala Star-Banner (March 9, 2007)
"The era officially ended (steroids in baseball) in March 2005, in hearings before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House of Representatives (Stearns, Chairman). But the legal ramifications, inside and outside baseball, continue." - Howard Wasserman, FindLaw Legal News (March 24, 2006)
"Congressman Cliff Stearns is one of the more frugal members from our area." - Channel 9 News Investigates (Orlando, WFTV, Feb. 27, 2006)
"Rep. Stearns' pro-taxpayer score was one of the best in the entire House. By consistently voting to reduce federal spending, taxes, and debt, Cliff Stearns has truly earned the title, 'Taxpayers' Friend.'"- John Berthoud, President, National Taxpayers Union (Feb. 23, 2006)
"Cutting waste is a politically difficult task becuase almost every program has an active constituency that profits from the status quo. But Rep. Stearns recognizes that the federal government must set priorities. He has taken a long-term view of the nation's fiscal problems and makes a serious effort to tackle the enormous debt being left to future generations." - Tom Schatz, President, Citizens Against Government Waste (September, 2005)
North Central Florida is full of veterans, and Stearns built a strong reputation as their advocate -- a reputation that remains formidable. - Chuck Floyd, Chairman of the Alachua County Democratic Party (May 15, 2004)
"Stearns' philosophy on the federal budget is pretty simple: don't spend more than you have, don't increase the budget more than the cost of living and don't give government workers bigger pay raises than the average taxpayer. Sure sounds a lot like accountability and fiscal responsibility." - Ocala Star Banner (January 24, 2004)
"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns has been honored by the nation's largest wartime veterans organization and a coalition of 142 other groups. Representative Stearns was elected by the people and truly listens to his constituents here in Florida." - American Legion (March 4, 2003)
"Cliff Stearns has shown his colors to the taxpayers of Florida and those living all across America...Florida taxpayers need not worry where Rep. Stearns's interests lie. Stearns represents taxpayers, not raptorial government spending lobbies that swarm around his office building in Washington." - Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (February 28, 2002)
"U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns listens with horror as a parade of witnesses describes the accounting mess that helped ruin Enron. As one of the most senior members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, (he) is demanding answers about the 'complete failure and meltdown of fundamental responsibilities and oversight' in the Enron Corp. case." - Orlando Sentinel (February 10, 2002)
"Cliff Stearns, long a strong advocate for veterans...told us that keeping veterans issues on the front burner is an ongoing battle. We have long supported Stearns' proposal that veterans be allowed to receive treatment from their regular physician or local hospital...." - Ocala Star Banner (December 7, 2001)
"Recently, Rep. Cliff Stearns...introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel Act. For the sake of our veterans...and the overworked VA medical personnel, [I] wholeheartedly urge the passage of this important legislation." - Washington Times (July 10, 2000)
"Over the years the National Guard has depended on his reliable support... The National Guard has no better friend in Congress than Cliff Stearns." - Presentation of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit by the National Guard Association of the United States (September 6, 1998)
