| Congratulating Muir Omni Graphics On 50 Years Of Business In Central Illinois |
May 17, 2013 |
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Aaron Schock, R-IL
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a business in my hometown of Peoria, Illinois that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Muir Omni Graphics started as a small family-owned silkscreen printing business. Today, they provide decals and logos for some of America’s most well-known corporations, including Caterpillar, Verizon, AT&T, and the Chicago Transit Authority. Don Muir had a vision in 1963 when he started Muir Omni Graphics. He saw a trend developing, with companies moving from hand-lettered markings to printed decals on their trucks and machinery. His first customers were Caterpillar Tractor Co., Montgomery Ward, a garbage disposal company, and Grim Reapers Motorcycle Club. By 1971, Muir was printing over one million decals and emblems every year and was the largest producer between Chicago and St. Louis. The late 1970s and early 1980s were a difficult time for many businesses, and for the City of Peoria. While many businesses closed their doors and people moved out of Peoria, giving rise to the phrase, “Will the last one to leave Peoria please turn out the lights,” Muir developed new business models to continue serving their clients. They not only weathered the economic downturn, but they thrived and were there in Peoria to welcome everyone back when prosperity returned. Today, the great strength of Muir is that it is still run as a family business, and that family attitude extends beyond the Muirs themselves to their 42 employees. Muir is currently in the process of transitioning the business to employee ownership, demonstrating the great trust and confidence they have in their employees’ abilities and knowledge. I am honored today to be able to recognize this company for their half-century of service in Central Illinois. While they provide superior products and customer service to their clients, the story of Muir in a larger sense is a profoundly American story. The idea that a family in Peoria, Illinois can start a business that will then grow to become a part of the community and a profitable enterprise with global reach is the very essence of the American Dream. Muir is not only a business presence in Peoria, however. Andrew Muir, the president of the company, has given back to his community in a variety of ways. As a member of the Peoria Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors, Andrew works to improve and enhance public education in Peoria through classroom grants. These grants have been used to purchase new technology, fund afterschool art programs, and institute a drum program for a primary school, among other things. Under Andrew’s leadership, Muir Omni Graphics sponsored the West Peoria Jamboree Family Fun Run, a community event that raises donations for the West Peoria Habitat for Humanity, West Peoria Volunteer Fire Department, Lion’s Club and other organizations. Muir also donates wooden screen frames and kid-safe scrap products to local community art programs, allowing teachers to lead activities that encourage and stimulate creativity among their students. The company was awarded the Peoria County Recycling and Waste Reduction Award for their efforts to constructively reuse scraps and recycle unusable byproducts. These examples of the community service Muir and its employees provide to Peoria are just the tip of the iceberg, but they are demonstrative of the philosophy of giving back that this extraordinary company exhibits. I congratulate the team at Muir Omni Graphics for their sustained dedication to sound business practices and quality work. I am confident that the next 50 years will see more exciting developments from Muir and that they will continue to grow and thrive in Central Illinois. Businesses like Muir are what make Central Illinois an attractive place to live and work, and I wish them all the best as they move forward."
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| Point Of Order |
May 16, 2013 |
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Mark Takano, D-CA
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"Mr. Speaker, I realize that H.R. 45 and its rule have not been brought up for consideration, but I wish to object to the consideration of H.R. 45 as well as consideration of the rule governing debate on the bill because it violates rule XII, clause 7, section (c), which states, “A bill or joint resolution may not be introduced unless the sponsor submits for printing in the Congressional Record a statement citing as specifically as practicable the power or powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the bill or joint resolution.”"
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| Core American Beliefs |
May 16, 2013 |
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Todd Rokita, R-IN
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"We believe that each generation should leave the next generation better off to enjoy life, to enjoy liberty, to enjoy the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, everyone knows on the floor of this House and elsewhere, day by day, that we are not leaving the next generation better off, that we are going to be the first generation in the history of this great Nation—based on the facts, based on our budget, based on our debt, based on our standard of living—that will not leave the next generation better off if we don’t start living within our means again and if we don’t stop printing and borrowing the money that we are to fund this beast called the Federal Government."
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| Publication Of Budgetary Material |
May 14, 2013 |
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Paul Ryan, R-WI
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"Mr. Speaker, pursuant to sections 401 and 503 of House Concurrent Resolution 112 (112th Congress), the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013, deemed to be in force by House Resolution 614 (112th Congress), House Resolution 643 (112th Congress), and House Resolution 5 (1136th Congress), I hereby submit for printing in the Congressional Record revisions to the budget aggregates and allocations set forth pursuant to this concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2013, as deemed in force."
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| Policy Regarding Internet Governance |
May 14, 2013 |
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Greg Walden, R-OR
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"The Internet is possibly the most important technological advancement since the printing press. Governments’ hands-off approach has enabled the Internet’s rapid growth and made it a powerful engine of social and economic freedom. This bipartisan bill is designed to combat recent efforts by some in the international community to regulate the Internet, which could jeopardize not only its vibrancy, but also the benefits that it brings to the entire world."
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