News Archives
House Approves Legislation drafted by Representative Young to Fund our Troops, Keep Government Running
4/7/2011 – The House today approved H.R. 1363, the Department of Defense and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, legislation drafted and strongly supported by Representative C.W. Bill Young. This important measure will provide funding for the Department of Defense and our soldiers in the field for the rest of the fiscal year and ensure that they are paid without interruption. The legislation also continues to fund the remainder of other federal agencies for one week, keeping the government open while negotiations continue on the full year continuing resolution. Without a funding bill, the federal government is set to shut down at midnight on April 8th. Forty-Seven days ago, the House approved H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act on February 19th, but the Senate has yet to pass a long-term funding bill since then.
See Rep. Young speak on the House Floor in support of H.R. 1363
See letter signed by Rep. Young and ten of his colleagues in support of keeping the government open in a responsible way
U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young Introduces Legislation to Help Save Local Governments Money
Washington - U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced H.R. 1340, the End Unnecessary Costs Caused by Report Mailing Act, legislation intended to save local governments thousands of dollars per year. H.R. 1340 will remove the requirement that community water systems annually mail a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all the customers in their system and was created after several of Young's constituents, including the Mayors' Council of Pinellas County, brought the mailing requirement to his attention.
Click here to read press release
Click here to read Congressman Young's remarks
Representative Young, Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Statement on Continuing Resolution
February 11, 2011 - Chairman Young issued the following statement on the filing of the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution:
"From day one, I have said that Defense cuts should be on the table when addressing the federal deficit, but that any cuts I recommend will not adversely affect our national security and I will not support any cuts that adversely affect our war fighters. Within a $500-plus billion bill, we can certainly find savings and efficiencies while providing for the wellbeing of our troops and their families, and ensuring they remain the best trained and equipped fighting force in the world."
"Specifically, the Defense section of this bill provides $516.2 billion in base funding, which is $8.1 billion above the fiscal year 2010 enacted level. While this level is $14.8 billion below the requested level, the bill strikes a balance between reasonable and valid reductions while not jeopardizing national security. The bill also includes $157.8 billion for overseas contingency operations, the same as requested for fiscal year 2011. These funds specifically, will ensure that those brave men and women on the front lines get everything they need to carry out their mission successfully."
Rep Young Honors Ronald Reagan on the Anniversary of his 100th Birthday
February 9, 2011 – Representative Young paid tribute to President Ronald Reagan in memory of what would have been the 40th President's 100th birthday. "President Reagan believed in the individual character of the American people. He believed in the great power that human liberty and freedom had to change the lives of citizens not only in this country, but of those around the world," said Congressman Young.
Read the rest of Rep. Young's remarks here.
1/24/11 Representative Young Mourns Fallen St. Petersburg Police Officers
This evening, Representative Young spoke on the House floor in tribute to the two St. Petersburg Police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty:
"Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform my colleagues of a tragedy that took place in St. Petersburg, Florida this morning.
Two St. Petersburg police officers Sergeant Thomas Baitinger and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz were killed in the line of duty and a Deputy U.S. Marshal whose name I cannot release just yet was seriously injured while serving a warrant.
This is a sober reminder that the men and women who serve us as law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day. In the past 24 hours alone, 11 law enforcement officers across our nation have been shot in the line of duty.
It is my hope that my colleagues will keep the families of Sergeant Baitinger, Officer Yaslowitz and our Deputy U.S. Marshal in their prayers during this difficult time. It is also a good time to say thank you for all those who serve us in uniform at home or abroad.
Mr. Speaker, God bless the families of those who were killed and wounded this morning."
1/20/11 Representative Young votes to Repeal and Replace Health Reform Bill
Yesterday, the House voted to repeal last year's health care reform bill in order to prevent more than $500 billion in Medicare cuts, the unconstitutional mandates, and the $700 billion in new fees and taxes this law created.
More importantly, Representative Young voted in favor of H. Res 9, a measure that will require stand-alone bills to improve our nation's health care delivery system through an open, transparent, and deliberative process that includes the things that we should all agree on, like allowing individuals to keep their current plan if they like it, helping people with pre-existing conditions, lowering healthcare costs through increased competition and choice, liability reform, allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines, and providing incentives to employers to provide health care coverage instead of fines and penalties.
1/8/11 Representative Young Statement on Shooting of Representative Giffords
Rep. Young Statement:
"The attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords that resulted in six deaths is a senseless tragedy. While this horrific event showed us the worst in humanity, it also showed us the best, with several heroes stepping forward to stop the gunman and assist the injured.
As Members of Congress we must continue to do the job we were elected to do, just as Representative Giffords has done since 2007. The House of Representatives will always be the people's House and Gabby will remain in my prayers. I wish her, and the rest of the injured, a speedy recovery."
1/7/11 Representative Young Confirmed as Defense Appropriations Chairman
It was announced today that Representative Young was confirmed as the Chairman for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. This position will allow Rep. Young to continue ensuring that our nation's brave men and women in uniform are provided with every tool necessary to perform their vital tasks, while also working to eliminate wasteful or duplicative spending.
1/5/11 Representative Young Sworn in to Begin 21st Term
Representative Young was sworn in today to mark the opening of the 112th Congress, the Congressman's 21st term of service as Pinellas County's federally elected representative. Rep Young: "It is an honor to serve the people of Pinellas in the Congress. I took an oath today to uphold and defend the Constitution and I take that responsibly very seriously. In this new Congressional session, we must focus on cutting excessive spending, restoring our economy, and supporting our soldiers who defend our way of life."
Young Meets with Board of Everglades Foundation
May 20, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with members of the Board of Directors of the Everglades Foundation to discuss ongoing federal support for the Everglades restoration project. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Young has been a staunch supporter of funding to acquire land and restore the natural flow of water through the “River of Grass.” During his chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee, he negotiated the final agreement that became the first major legislation authorizing the Everglades project. He has long said that the Everglades is not just a Florida project, but “an international treasure.”
Young Meets with Secretary of the Air Force
May 19, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz to discuss the current requirements of the Air Force, and in particular to schedule for the replacement of the fleet of tanker aircraft. MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa will be the home to one of the first units of the new tanker aircraft.
Young Receives Oil Spill Update at Florida Command Center
May 17, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with the Florida Unified Command on the oil spill to ask about the ongoing cleanup and recovery effort. The Command, headquartered at Bayboro Harbor in St. Petersburg, includes representatives of the Coast Guard, NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Service, other federal environmental and wildlife agencies, and the University of South Florida. Young wanted to be sure the response team had all the equipment onboard in place to respond to any environmental impacts from the spill on Florida’s West Coast. It was Young’s amendment to a 1983 supplemental appropriations bill that put in place the first oil drilling moratorium for the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Over the years, Young expanded the protected areas from 25, to 100 to now 265 miles off the Pinellas County beaches and fought off repeated attempts to open up those areas in the Gulf to oil exploration and drilling.
Young hosts Clearwater Police Officers for Law Enforcement Memorial Week
May 13, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young hosted a contingent of Clearwater police officers who were in our nation’s capital for the 25th Law Enforcement Memorial Week. This annual event honors the men and women who fell in the line of duty while serving our communities in uniform. The Clearwater officers presented Young with the official shirt they wore for the event that paid tribute to the four Clearwater police officers who have died while on duty.
Young Meets with Pinellas Realtors
May 12, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with a team of Pinellas realtors who were in our nation’s Capitol to discuss ways in which to help homeowners with the downturn in the housing market. Among other issues, they discussed efforts to make more credit available for home and business owners and encouraging Congress to provide a permanent extension of the flood insurance program.
Young Sends Letter to President Obama about Oil Spill
April 28, 2010 - The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf is a stark reminder that drilling for oil too close to Florida’s coastline imperils Florida’s economy, environment and security. Representative Castor and Representative Young sent a letter to the President asking him to maintain the current 235-mile moratorium – a moratorium Congressman Young first established through the 1983 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill.
Young Receives National Health Award from Seminole Constituent
May 5, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with Emma Mattes of Seminole to receive a Distinguished Public Service Award from the Dystonia Advocacy Network for his work as a member of the House Appropriations Committee to fund Dystonia research. They discussed his longstanding support for Dystonia research and the importance of finding a cure for this movement disorder. Dystonia causes the muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily with opposing muscles often contract simultaneously as if they are “competing” for control of a body part. The involuntary muscle contractions force the body into repetitive and often twisting movements as well as awkward, irregular postures.
Young Meets with MacDill Air Force Base Wing Commander
May 5, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with Colonel Lawrence Martin, the Commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), to discuss current base operations and future operational requirements. Colonel Martin introduced the Wing Airman of the Year and the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year who discussed matters of concern to MacDill’s enlisted service members. Colonel Martin also thanked Young for the state of the art facilities that Young was instrumental in bringing to MacDill AFB and presented the base’s future year needs. Young will be instrumental in preparing MacDill for receiving future squadrons of the next generation tanker aircraft. Although not in his Congressional District, Young has worked to improve the facilities at MacDill to support the air tanker unit that operates there, the only unit of its kind in the Southeast, and to support the work there of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.
Young Meets with Dunedin Businessman
April 28, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young met with Stephen Smith; General Manager of the Coca Cola bottling facility in Dunedin, one of North Pinellas’ major employers. They discussed the facility’s unique process for bottling concentrated orange juice and the growth in business, particularly its exports abroad.
Young Kicks off March of Dimes Walk in Safety Harbor
April 24, 2010 – U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young helped kick off the annual Pinellas County March of Dimes March for Babies Walk in Safety Harbor. More than 1,500 walkers helped raise funds to support local programs that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. Young has been a staunch supporter of federal funding for the Healthy Start and Maternal Child Health Block Grant programs which helps pregnant women and newborn babies.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Honors Congressman Young
April 21, 2010 – The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society honored Congressman Young in Washington, D.C. for his work in advancing blood cancer research and patient services. Congressman Young was nominated for the Congressional Honors Award by Richard Spayde, a leukemia survivor from St. Petersburg who was a recipient of a bone marrow transplant through the National Marrow Donor Program established by the Congressman. In presenting the award, the Society cited Young for being “a champion in the fight against cancer, and in particular, blood cancers. Congressman Young single-handedly saw the need for, and sponsored, the National Marrow Donor Program in 1985. C. W. Bill Young’s leadership in supporting bone marrow transplants for blood cancer patients and research into blood cancer has done much to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”
Young Meets with Seminole High School Student in Support of Arthritis Research
April 19, 2010 – Congressman Young met with Alexa Volland, a senior at Seminole High School, to discuss her interest in arthritis research. Alexa has suffered from the effects of arthritis from a young age and has become a spokesman for the Arthritis Foundation. She asked Young to cosponsor legislation to increase federal funding for arthritis research, and in particular juvenile arthritis, and to educate medical professionals about the symptoms associated with the disease. Young agreed to cosponsor H.R. 1210, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2009.
Young Meets with Local Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Action Team Members
April 19, 2010 – Congressman Young met with three local families who have children suffering from Juvenile Diabetes to discuss ways in which the federal government can increase its commitment to research and treatment programs. He has been a longtime champion of biomedical research and pledged to cosponsor legislation like H.R. 3668, to continue to provide dedicated funding for diabetes research.
Young Meets with Florida Dentists
April 13, 2010 – Congressman Young met with a team of Pinellas County dentists to discuss federal legislation to expand dental coverage for Americans, especially children. They also discussed his longtime support for research programs to improve dental care, particularly for service members in the field and for those who have received facial and dental injuries.
Young Opposes Presidential Plan to Open the Florida Coastline for Oil Drilling
March 31, 2010 – Congressman Young met with a large gathering of Pinellas County constituents outside the Vinoy Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg to reaffirm his opposition to a plan by President Obama to change federal law and allow drilling for oil within 125 miles of Pinellas County’s coastline. It was Young’s amendment to a 1983 supplemental appropriations bill that established the first oil drilling moratorium off the coast of Florida. He has been the leader of the Florida congressional delegation in maintaining and expanding that buffer along Florida’s coastline over the last 27 years. Young was one of the principle negotiators in the final legislative package Congress enacted three years ago to create a buffer that extends 235 miles from Pinellas County’s beaches.
Young Greets Students from Northside Christian School at the United States Capitol
March 25, 2010 – Congressman Young met with middle school students from Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg during their spring trip to our nation’s Capitol. They met on a beautiful sunny day to take pictures and talk about current national events. The students also had the opportunity to talk with Congressman Young about his thoughts on a number of legislative items, including the recently passed health care legislation.
Young Thanks Florida Adjutant General Doug Burnett for His Service to Florida
March 24, 2010 – Congressman Young met with Florida Adjutant General Doug Burnett to thank him for his 8 ½ years of service to Florida as Adjutant General. Young told Burnett he has provided outstanding leadership to the state during a period in which the state was hit with a record number of hurricanes and the nation was focused on the global war on terrorism. Florida Guardsmen just deployed to Afghanistan in January in what is the largest deployment of Florida troops since World War II. Young and Burnett have worked very closely together during Burnett’s tenure to ensure that Florida’s guardsmen have the equipment, training and resources available to be prepared for their response to natural disasters, terrorist attacks or their deployment abroad.
Young Meets with St. Pete Beach Mayor
March 19, 2010 – Congressman Young met in the Capitol with St. Pete Beach Mayor Michael Finnerty to discuss some of the challenges facing the city and its residents. Young thanked the Mayor and the residents of St. Pete Beach for their ongoing program to collect cards and packages for shipment to the men and women in uniform serving our nation abroad.
Young Receives America Legion Public Service Award
March 2, 2010 – The American Legion presented Congressman Young with its Distinguished Public Service Award in recognition of his “commitment to the nation’s military and intelligence communities, particularly the quality of life of military personnel and their families.” National Adjutant Daniel Wheeler and National Commander Clarence Hill presented Young with the award during the American Legion’s national legislative conference in Washington.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/legion-honors-rep-cw-bill-young-with-award,1187565.shtml
Young Meets with Clearwater City Officials
February 24, 2010 – Congressman Young met with Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and other city officials to discuss the city’s thoughts on a number of legislative proposals and about the challenges facing the city in the current economic environment. The Mayor thanked Young for his support of a number of economic development initiatives, including the highly successful Beach Walk project in Clearwater Beach that revitalized the area.
Young Meets with Eckerd College President
February 24, 2010 – Congressman Young met with Eckerd College President Don Eastman to talk about legislation currently before Congress that will have an impact on higher education and in particular, Eckerd’s students and faculty. The President also thanked Young for his support over the years with funding for a number of initiatives at Eckerd College including improvements to the college’s library, its technology base and the construction of a youth development center and science building.
Congressman Young Joins in Hands Across the Sand Event to Say No to Drilling
February 13, 2010 – Congressman Young was one thousands of Pinellas County residents who on a cold and blustery day lined Pinellas County’s beaches to join hands in a human chain to say NO to oil drilling off Florida’s coasts. At a press conference to kick off the event Young said there are some who want to drill as close as three miles to our beaches “and that is wrong.” It was Young who put in place the first ever oil drilling moratorium off Florida’s Gulf Coast with his 1983 amendment to a supplemental appropriations bill. Over the past 27 years, he has remained a leader in the Florida delegation in maintaining that ban and expanding it to 235 miles through legislation that was approved by Congress and signed into law three years ago.
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hands-across-sand-021410
Young Addresses Members of the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation
January 23, 2010 – Congressman Young was the keynote speaker at the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation’s annual dinner. He thanked the members of the bar for their commitment to upholding the United States Constitution. It is the Constitution, he said, that has maintained order and democracy in our nation and which is the envy of developing nations throughout the world.
Young Introduces General Petraeus at St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Dinner
January 14, 2010 – Congressman Young had the honor of introducing General David Petraeus, the Commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, as the guest speaker at the annual dinner of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce. Young called Petraeus a national hero for his leadership in the global war on terrorism and for the development of the successful “surge” strategy which restored order in Iraq, beginning the process of returning the responsibility of the country to Iraqi forces.
Young Visits St. Petersburg L-3 Communications Facility
January 7, 2010 – Congressman Young visited the L-3 Communications facility in St. Petersburg to discuss the company’s advanced imaging technology systems that are used for aviation security at airports throughout the world. The St. Petersburg facility has already produced and shipped more than 500 whole body scanners that are an answer to the attempts to carry aboard aircraft hidden explosives or other equipment that might threaten the safety of passengers and crew members. Young asked the L-3 team if there was something they needed to help deploy more of these units to airports to help prevent future terrorist attacks on U.S. flights, particularly in light of the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a flight bound for Detroit. L-3 current employs 240 people at its St. Petersburg facility.
Young Pays Tribute to Deploying Florida Guardsmen
January 7, 2010 – Congressman Young joined with community leaders in seeing off members of the 53rd Infantry Brigade from the Armed Forces Guard and Reserve Center in Pinellas Park who are deploying to Afghanistan. This is the largest deployment of Florida National Guard troops since World War II. Young thanked the men and women of the 53rd and their families for their dedicated service to the nation and the war against terrorism.
Over 32,000 of my constituents responded to my Town Hall by Mail survey that was sent out last fall, and I would like to share the results with all of you. As I stated in my remarks to my colleagues in the House when sharing the survey results with them, our nation is currently facing more major issues than at any other time I have served in the Congress. Having the benefit of my constituents’ thoughts is extremely helpful to me as we consider these important matters of national security, financial reform, economic repair, and transforming our nation’s health care system. Thank you again to everyone who took part in our legislative process by participating in this Town Hall by Mail project.
Click here to view the results of my survey
As of this date, Congressman Young has received nearly 40,000 responses to his Town Hall By Mail survey. These responses are being counted and the comments are being recorded. Just as soon as they are counted, Congressman Young will post the results here on his web page and send a copy to all those who responded to the survey.
In the event you were not on the mailing list used to send out the survey, you can print out a copy to fill out and mail it back, or complete it on line, by clicking on the following link:
Click Here
August 18, 2009
Health Care Reform
As you know, the House and Senate are considering major legislation to reform health care coverage for all Americans. Three House committees and two Senate committees are considering differing versions of this legislation. It is unclear at this point how the House and Senate leadership will merge these bills into one version that the full House and full Senate could vote on later this year. Although I am not a member of these three committees, I am focused on what the House may be asked to consider and I have spent the last few weeks reading and reviewing the three House bills which total more than 3,000 pages and include 76 amendments approved by the Committees.
Below are links to the versions of each bill approved by the three committees as well as actual video of the committee meetings. It is my hope that this will help you understand the complexity of the issues and the legislative process. If after reviewing this information you have some thoughts about the legislation, I would welcome your input. You can write to me at bill.young@mail.house.gov.
Energy and Commerce Committee documents
Ways and Means Committee documents
Education and Labor Committee documents
July 17, 2009
Appropriations Committee Approves Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Including Five Tampa Bay Area Projects
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill and included at the request of Congressman Young $500,000 for a Central Avenue Bus Rapid Transit System in St. Petersburg, $1,250,000 for a new downtown Clearwater Intermodal Transportation Terminal, $500,000 to enhance St. Petersburg’s City Bicycle Trails, $1,000,000 for runway and taxiway improvements at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, and $500,000 for the Veterans Commons project in Tampa. More detailed information about this project can be found on this web site at:
Strike Energy and Water and insert Transportation and Housing
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill and included at the request of Congressman Young $1,000,000 to harden BayCare Medical Care facilities against hurricanes and other weather emergencies, $700,000 for the Cancer Lifelink Program at the Moffitt Cancer Center, $100,000 for the Elder Justice program at the Stetson University College of Law, $200,000 for Florida Blood Services to ensure their ability to operate during natural disasters, $500,000 for the Florida Cancer Clinical Trial Network operated by the University of South Florida, $200,000 for youth outreach programs at the Florida Holocaust Museum, $500,000 to consolidate the operations of Gulfcoast Jewish Family Services, $300,000 to train students at St. Petersburg College in the field of health informatics technology, and $300,000 to treat substance abusers entering the Pinellas County legal system. More detailed information about this project can be found on this web site at:
July 10, 2009
House Approves Veterans/Military Construction Appropriations Bill, Including Funding for Bay Pines, MacDill Air Force Base Projects
The House approved the Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations bill providing funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs and for Military Construction projects, which included a major new hospital addition at Bay Pines, and four projects at MacDill Air Force Base.
The appropriations committee has placed the highest priority on providing the best care and services for service members who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. One of our nation’s centers for the treatment of PTSD and TBI is the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Bay Pines. Included in the appropriations bill is $96,800,000 to build a state of the art medical facility at Bay Pines to better screen returning service members for mental health problems and to provide the state-of-the-art facilities in which to treat them. The Committee approved Young’s request for the design and engineering funding for this project last year to accelerate the construction of this vitally need unit.
The Committee also included in the bill $371,300,000 for a new VA medical facility in Orlando that will benefit veterans throughout the state. Florida continues to experience one of the largest inflows of veterans of any state in our nation. All of Florida’s VA medical facilities feel the strain of a growing caseload, especially during the winter months. The construction of this long anticipated VA hospital in central burden will ease that burden on all the existing hospitals.
For Military Construction funding, the bill includes $21,000,000 Young added to accelerate construction of a Consolidated Communications Facility to support the Joint Components of Central and Special Operations Command at MacDill. Communications is critical for both commands to manage operations that are underway half a world away. This facility will ensure that war fighters will have the most up-to-date and secure communication capabilities for them to do their job.
This legislation also includes $15,300,000 for the Central Command Commandant Facility which will coordinate air operations for Central Command’s commanding officers and support staff to enable them to deploy rapidly and efficiently. This is imperative given the geographic distance and the number of crises that continue in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. This will provide a secure facility to accommodate the Joint Special Operations Air Component, train increasing numbers of personnel, and store authorized equipment. In addition it will provide a Sensitive Compartmented Intelligence Facility to conduct analysis and assessments to provide Central Command with accurate and comprehensive situational awareness for our forward deployed forces.
Another $7,000,000 is included in the bill for a much needed Child Development Center to care for the children of service members who work around the clock to support their missions. This facility is designed to accommodate and care for the many families of our many working parents at MacDill Air Force Base. And $16,000,000 is included here for a new dormitory to provide unaccompanied enlisted personnel with safe, energy efficient housing.
More detailed information about this project can be found on this web site at:
July 7, 2009
Appropriations Committee Approves Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Including Five Tampa Bay Area Projects
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and included five projects at the request of Congressman Young. These include: $14,000,000 for the Pinellas County beach renourisment project, bringing to $104,815,404 the federal funding Young has provided for this program since 1986; $2,500,000 for the St. Petersburg Sustainable Biosolids Management project to convert wastewater sludge and yard waste to renewable energy; $1,000,000 for the St. Petersburg Solar Pilot Project to implement a renewable and sustainable solar energy network to provide the electricity required to power 40 city parks; $500,000 for the Tampa Port Authority for planning and design work to widen and deepen the Tampa shipping channel to allow for the safer passage of shipping traffic and to accommodate larger ships requiring a deeper draft; and $4,500,000 for the West Coast Inland Navigation District for the maintenance dredging of sections of the Intracoastal Waterway through six Florida counties, including Pinellas County. More detailed information about each of these projects can be found at:
Appropriations Committee Approves Financial Services Appropriations Bill Including Three Florida Projects
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Financial Services Appropriations Bill and included three projects at the request of Congressman Young. These include: $262,000 for Pinellas County to support the Business Assistance Partnership Network to grow the number of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Pinellas County; $261,000 for Florida Gulf Coast University to establish a partnership with five other Florida state universities to spur innovation activities in the area of information technology; and $262,000 for the University of West Florida to establish a partnership with four other Florida universities to provide technical assistance for the statewide business community to halt the accelerated number of business failures and closures and enhance the survivability rate of small businesses. More detailed information about each of these projects can be found on this web site at:
July 6, 2009
Young Helps Break Ground on New Central Command Headquarters
Congressman Young joined General David Petraeus, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, to break ground on a new headquarters building at MacDill Air Force Base in T
ampa . “This new facility will greatly improve Central Command’s ability to support of nation’s warfighters abroad as they continue to lead the fight to protect our nation and our allies from terrorists and terrorist attacks,” Young said. Petraeus thanked Congressman Young for his foresight in 2005 for providing $8 million in a defense appropriations bill to jump start work on the project. “Without Congressman Young’s support four years ago, we would not be breaking ground on this project today,” Petraeus said. The four-story, $61 million project is scheduled for completion in 2011.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/article1016099.ece
July 2, 2009
Young Joins in Ceremonies Congratulating Clearwater Company as National Small Business Contractor of the Year
Congressman Young joined in congratulating the employees of EEI of Clearwater for being named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Subcontractor of the Year for their quality and excellence in support of contract work for the Department of Defense. Young thanked Sue Englander, the President and Founder of EEI, and all of her employees for their vital role in supporting our men and women who serve in uniform EEI provides subcontracting services for some of the nation’s largest defense contractors.
June 26, 2009
Congressman Young Speaks Out Against National Energy Tax
Congressman Bill Young spoke out and against the American Clean Energy and Security Act, better known as the Cap and Trade or Cap and Tax bill that will impose new costs and restrictions on practically every aspect of American life.
After the vote where the controversial legislation narrowly passed the House, Young said: “Never before in the history of the Republic has one vote given the federal government more control over the lives of every American than this one.” This is unprecedented legislation in that it dictates U.S. and in some cases international energy and environmental polices for more than 40 years through the year 2050.
Young also made clear his long-standing support for proactive ways to accomplish his goals of promoting environmental and energy responsibility: “Despite my support for clean energy and a clean environment, I must oppose this cap and trade legislation which will impose increased costs on American citizens who have done nothing wrong. At a time when the people of Pinellas County and our nation are hurting, it is incomprehensible that the House will knowingly approve legislation that will impose a new energy tax on American citizens, will put American companies at a competitive disadvantage, and will endanger the jobs of American workers.”
“Because if this legislation is signed into law, energy costs are going to rise. Even the President acknowledges that electricity rates are going to “necessarily skyrocket,” Young said.
“We all agree that the United States must begin the transition to domestically available, renewable, and clean sources of energy. We should work to make it easier for this change to happen, and it is appropriate for the government to provide incentives, not penalties, on those who do the right thing by investing in new sources of energy. This is the right way to approach our future energy and environmental needs. The wrong way is to punish average American citizens simply for going about their everyday lives – picking their children up from school, starting a small business, keeping their family cool in the summer and warm in the winter, or trying to make ends meet. And that’s who this bill taxes and punishes.”
Below is a link to Young’s remarks during the debate in the House of Representatives:
Congressman Young's Speeches
June 24, 2009
Congressman Young Welcomes Winning Pinellas County High School Art Student to the Capitol
Congressman Young welcomed Alexa Pullicin, a rising senior from Gibbs High School, to opening of the 28th Annual Congressional Art Competition at the United States Capitol. Art work by Alexa was selected by a panel of Pinellas County art teachers to represent the 10th Congressional District in the national display. This competition provides a unique opportunity to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of high school students in each congressional district. Alex’a painting can be viewed at http://www.conginst.org/gallery/gallery.php?File=Florida09.xml. The award winning painting was chosen from more than 80 different Pinellas County entries and will be displayed for one year in a walkway between the House office buildings and the U.S. Capitol.
Congressman Young meets with 10th District Congressional Art
Competition winner Alexa Pullicin
June 18, 2009
Appropriations Committee Approves Interior Bill, Including Clearwater Wastewater Improvement Project
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill and included $500,000 at the request of Congressman Young for the city of Clearwater to upgrade its wastewater treatment system. More detailed information about this project can be found on this web site at:
Appropriations Committee Approves Agriculture Bill, Including University of Florida Agricultural Research Project
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill and included $6,677,000 at the request of Congressman Young for the University of Florida to continue its ongoing research into tropical and subtropical pests and diseases that threaten the safety of Florida crops and livestock. More detailed information about this project can be found on this web site at:
June 12, 2009
Appropriations Committee Approves Homeland Security Bill, Including Port Security Project for St. Petersburg Company
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill and included $4,000,000 at the request of Congressman Young for SRI International of St. Petersburg for its ongoing work to establish a model Maritime Domain Awareness program to enhance port security in Florida and throughout the nation. More detailed information about this project can be found on this web site at:
June 10, 2009
Young Meets With Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue
Congressman Young met with Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue to discuss plans for the Social Security Administration to open a new center for the adjudication of Social Security disability cases in downtown St. Petersburg next year. The new center will bring to Florida as many as 11 Administrative Law Judges to assist with the backlog of Social Security Disability Claims in the Tampa Bay area, the largest backlog of claims anywhere in the nation. “This will provide long overdue and much needed relief for disabled individuals who deserve their day in court to get the disability benefits they are owed and need so badly to survive,” Young said.
June 9, 2009
Appropriations Committee Approves Commerce, Justice Bill, Including Six Pinellas Projects
The Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice Appropriations Bill and included six projects at the request of Congressman Young. These include: $100,000 for the Florida Silver Alert Program; $400,000 for the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law at Stetson University College of Law; $2,000,000 for the National Forensic Science Technology Center in Largo; $1,500,000 for the National Terrorism Preparedness Institute at St. Petersburg College; $300,000 for the Pinellas County At-Risk Youth Diversion Program; and $250,000 for the Pinellas County Sheriff to develop a joint-use outdoor firing range. More detailed information about each of these projects can be found on this page:
Young Meets Two Survivors of Bone Marrow Transplants
Congressman Young had the unique opportunity to visit with two survivors of bone marrow transplants who found unrelated marrow donors thorough the C. W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program. Congress named the program for Young in honor of his work in 1986 to establish the program for his leadership in sponsoring legislation to expand and fund the program. Richard Spayde on St. Petersburg was a recipient of bone marrow that saved his life and Nathan Mumford of Cleveland was a recipient of cord blood cells that also saved his life. Both were in Washington, D.C. to see Congressman Young on different subjects but they met in the office at the same time. “The National Marrow Donor Program continues to be a program that is a medical miracle, saving lives here and around the world every day,” Young said. “Richard and Nathan are living proof of that and it was exciting to have them meet in the office at the same time.”
Congressman Young meets with two bone marrow transplant recipients Nathan Mumford (left) and Richard Spayde (right).
May 29, 2009
Youngs Honored as Family of the Year
Family Services Centers of St. Petersburg honored Congressman and Mrs. Young as their Family of the Year in ceremonies in downtown St. Petersburg attended by more than 300 Pinellas County community, business, civic, and elected officials. Mary Jo Monahan, President and CEO of Family Service Centers, said her board decided to honor the Youngs for their tireless work in support of American service members and their families and for their work to serve Pinellas County families in need. In accepting the award, Young thanked Family Services for their work saying, “There is no greater calling than taking care of our children and our families.”
http://www.familyservicecenters.org/FOY2009/
May 25, 2009
Young Honors Those of Made the Ultimate Sacrifice During Memorial Day Ceremonies
During ceremonies at the Bay Pines National Cemetery and again at a Memorial Day gathering at Indian Shores, Congressman Young honored the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation and in support of freedom. He spoke about the thousands of brave Americans who gave of their lives during World War II and whose remains are buried at one of the national cemeteries abroad. He also spoke about the ongoing threat to the United States and its allies as the North Koreans launched long range missiles that could one day reach our shores.
May 20, 2009
Congressman Young meets with Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians
Congressman Young met with a group led physicians by Dr. Michael A. Zimmer of St. Petersburg, Florida, to discuss the residency shortage in Florida and the impact that health care reform will have on physicians throughout the state. Young also presented Dr. Zimmer with a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in recognition of his election as Governor of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians.
May 14, 2009
Young Meets with Clearwater Police Officers during National Police Week
Congressman Young met with seven Clearwater police officers who were in the nation’s capital representing the city for National Police Week and to attend the National Peace Officer’s Memorial Service to honor fallen law enforcement officers. Young thanked the officers for their service to the community and for taking the time to pay their respects to those who died in the line of duty.
May 13, 2009
Congressman Young Casts Milsetone 20,000th Vote
Congressman Young cast his 20,000th recorded vote in the United States House of Representatives. His colleagues stopped proceedings in the House to pay tribute to Young and his 39 years of service in Congress. Below is a link to the House tribute to Young. The milestone 20,000th recorded vote occurred on an amendment to H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act. A few facts about Young’s voting record in the House: he was first elected to Congress in 1970 and he cast his first recorded vote on January 21, 1971 to elect the Speaker of the House for the 92nd Congress; he cast his 100th vote on July 7, 1971 on a procedural motion relating to the release of documents governing U.S. military operations in Laos; he recorded his 1,000th vote on November 13, 1974 to give final approval to the conference report on Fiscal Year 1974 State, Justice, Commerce Appropriations Bill; and he cast his 10,000th vote on November 18, 1991 to give final approval to the conference report on the Fiscal Year 1992 Defense Authorization Bill. This is Young’s 20th term in the U.S. of Representatives. The most votes he cast in any one year were the 1,130 he recorded in 2007, the first session of the 110th Congress. And the fewest number of votes he cast in any year were the 294 in 1971, his first year in the House during the first session of the 92nd Congress. The House instituted electronic voting on January 23, 1973, during Young’s second term in the House, and the number of recorded votes increased substantially in the years following that time.
Read story in St. Petersburg Times
May 7, 2009
Committee Approves Young Amendment to Boost Funding for Military Personnel
The Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment by Congressman Young to restore $2.5 billion in funding for the pay and benefits of military personnel. He offered the amendment during the committee’s consideration of the supplemental appropriations bill to fund the war against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. Young is the Ranking Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
May 5, 2009
Capitol Hill Survey Lists Congressman Young as One of Most Bipartisan Members
Congressman Young is one of the 10 most bipartisan lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to a survey conducted by The Hill newspaper in Washington. Below is a link to the full story.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lawmakers-rank-pelosi-the-most-partisan-dem-2009-05-04.html
April 22, 2009
Young Meets with General Petraeus to Receive Update on the War Against Terrorism
Congressman Young met with General David Petraeus, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, for the second time this year to receive an update on the current status of U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Petraeus later in the morning testified before Young’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
March 19, 2009
Young Meets with Bone Marrow Donor, Flown Back from Kuwait to Save a Life
Congressman Young met with Jeff Erle, a former Air Force technician now serving as a civilian in Kuwait, who flew back from Kuwait to donate bone marrow through the National Marrow Donor program. Young established the national registry and remains its Congressional champion. Erle donated bone marrow during a surgical procedure the day before visiting Young at the Capitol. Young thanked Erle for his service to the nation in uniform and for being a hero in helping to save the life of another person, for whom a bone marrow transplant was their only hope for life.
Click here to read the full story
February 21, 2009
Congressman Young thanks MSG Catherine Washington for Her Service
During a visit to the C.W. Bill Young Armed Forces Reserve Center in Pinellas Park, Congressman Young thanked Master Sergeant Retired Catherine Washington for her years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve by presenting her with a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in her honor and with the Army Legion of Merit award on the occasion of her retirement after more than 30 years of service. Young worked with the Army to secure approval for the award.
February 10, 2009
House Passes Silver Alert Legislation
The House approved H.R. 632, the National Silver Alert Act to create a nationwide communications network to help locate missing senior citizens. Congressman Young cosponsored similar legislation last year in response to the tragic death of 86-year-old Mary Zelter, who drove away from her Pinellas County assisted living facility and drowned when her car crashed into a local waterway. Largo Police Chief Lester Aradi personally helped establish a local Silver Alert system and Congressman Young attended the kick-off for this network when Aradi activated the county-wide system September 30th. Aradi was also the Chairman of the committee that coordinated the establishment of a Florida-wide silver alert system, which was activated by Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement last October. Since then, there have been 41 silver alerts throughout the state, including nine in the month of January. The legislation approved by the House takes the Florida model nationwide so that all states can have the benefit of a silver alert system to track missing senior citizens who drive off in their cars.
January 29, 2009
Young Expresses Outrage at Bonuses Paid to Wall Street Executives
Congressman Young wrote Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner a letter this morning expressing outrage at a report by the New York State Comptroller that Wall Street executives received $18.4 billion in bonuses last year. Young asked Geithner whether taxpayers subsidized any of these bonus payments and whether these executives are skirting federal law that was to prohibit the payment of pay raises and bonuses with federal bailout funds. “You know that I opposed the financial bailout legislation last fall because I was concerned that it would not help individual homeowners and small business owners. Instead, I was afraid that it would bailout financial firms and their executives who took undo risks for which our nation is now paying a steep price,” Young said in his letter.
Click here for pdf of the letter
Click here for the NY Times story
January 28, 2009
Young opposes economic stimulus package
Congressman Young voted against the economic stimulus bill during House consideration. In his remarks during debate on the legislation, he expressed concern about the bill’s cost, its ability to really create jobs to stimulate our economy, and about the procedure with which it was written and brought before the House with little or no input from the large majority of House members. “I opposed the $700 billion bailout of the financial industry last fall which was rushed through Congress in the same manner with little deliberation, with no input from members of Congress, and that has provided no help to the economy. Now we are being asked to repeat the same mistake with this economic stimulus plan which is not paid for and which will result in an estimated $347 billion in additional interest payments on the national debt over the next 10 years.” The bill passed the House 244-188 and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.
Click here to read Young's remarks
January 27, 2009
Young and Tampa Bay area Congressional delegation meet with USF leadership team
Congressman Young hosted a meeting with all five members of the Tampa Bay area Congressional delegation for University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft and her senior leadership team. They discussed a number of USF research proposals including one to improve health care in the Tampa Bay area by bringing all doctors, hospitals and pharmacists into an electronic prescription network. This would reduce costs and enhance safety for patients. They also discussed ways in which the University can contribute to national efforts to reduce the demand for energy and create more alternative energy sources.
Young joins House Republicans in meeting with President Obama
Congressman Young joined House Republicans in meeting with President Obama during his first visit to the Capitol since Inauguration Day. They discussed with the President their concerns about the proposed $815 billion economic stimulus bill, the House process for writing the bill, and ways in which it can be improved to create more jobs and lessen the cost to taxpayers. “We appreciated the President being so generous with his time, listening to our concerns, and being candid with us when he disagreed,” Young said. “I hope we can continue to have this type of open dialogue with the President and his administration.”
January 20, 2009
Congressman young attends Inauguration of President Obama
Congressman Young, as the senior Republican in Congress, was asked to lead the members of the House of Representatives out of the House Chamber to attend the Inauguration ceremonies at the United States Capitol for the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. He also welcomed to his office hundreds of Pinellas County visitors who made the trip to the nation’s Capitol to attend the event. This is the 10th Presidential Inauguration Young has attended as a member of Congress and President Obama will be the eighth President that Young has served with while a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
With Students and Teachers from Largo High School
With the Collins family from St. Petersburg, FL
January 15, 2009
Congressman Young meets with Florida hospital officials
Congressman Young met with the Bruce Rueben, President of the Florida Hospital Association, to discuss ways in which Congress can help expand health care coverage and the availability of health care for Florida residents and for all Americans. They also discussed ways in which the federal government can help prepare Florida’s hospitals to sustain their operations through emergencies and severe weather.
January 8, 2009
Congressman Young Meets with General David Petraeus
Congressman Young met in Washington with General David Petraeus, the new Commander of US Central Command which oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to discuss ongoing operations in those countries. General Petraeus previously served as the Commanding General of the Multi-National Force - Iraq from January 2007 to September 2008 where he was the architect of the successful surge operation that has allowed coalition forces to gain control over the country. After thanking Congressman Young for his steadfast support of soldiers both in combat and at home, General Petraeus and Congressman Young discussed the military and political conditions in the region, the expansion of the war against terrorism taking place in Afghanistan, and the draw down of US troops in Iraq. General Petraeus also thanked Congressman Young for his work to provide funding to build a new, state of the art headquarters for Central Command at MacDill AFB, which he said will greatly enhance his ability to direct combat operations half a world away.
January 7, 2009
Congressman Young Speaks out in support of Israeli people
A statement by Congressman Young regarding the current situation in the Middle East:
January 6, 2009
Congressman Young sworn into 20th term of Congress
Representative C.W. Bill Young was sworn in as a Member of the 111th Congress. First elected in 1970, Young begins his 20th term representing the people of Pinellas County and is the senior Republican in Congress. "It is an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 10th Congressional District of Florida and I look forward to getting down to work with my colleagues in the House on the many critically important issues facing our nation," Young said. He was reelected to the House on November 4, 2008, receiving 61 percent of the vote.
