Rep. Matsui Sworn-in to the 111th Congress; Will Continue to Carry the Voice of Sacramento to Washington
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
CONTACT: Alexis Marks
(202) 225-7163
Rep. Matsui Sworn-in to the 111th Congress
Will Continue to Carry the Voice of Sacramento to Washington
Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) released the following statement after being sworn-in to serve in the 111th Congress:
andquot;I am honored and humbled that Sacramentans re-elected me to represent the 5th Congressional District, and I look forward to working with President-elect Barack Obama. I will continue to spend every day making sure that Sacramento's voice is heard in our nation's capital.
andquot;The election of Barack Obama and an increase in the majority we achieved two years ago creates a special challenge for Democrats. It is now our responsibility to take the lead in addressing the fundamental trials facing our nation. With that challenge comes an opportunity to take action in the 111th Congress to stabilize our economy, ensure public safety, and address global warming. This work must begin immediately, and I believe that the overwhelming support for President-elect Obama and his platform will help us navigate these issues.
andquot;With the new Congress and President-elect Obama, we can look forward to addressing our country's economy. Our financial markets are in significant trouble, and it will take a concerted, global effort to bring stability to them. Historically, investing in our country's infrastructure has been the fastest and most sure-fire way to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Local projects will provide a shot in the arm to our country's economy and will also deliver much needed infrastructure improvements and give working families greater financial security.
andquot;This year, we will also continue to tackle our housing crisis. The housing sector has had an enormous effect on our nation's economy. Declining property values have cost state and local governments billons of dollars in lost tax revenue, resulting in budget cuts in almost every city in California. Sacramento County alone stands to lose almost $2 billion from declining property values and tax base from foreclosures on subprime loans originated in 2005 and 2006. That is why I introduced the Home Retention and Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which calls for a temporary andquot;time outandquot; on foreclosures that will help responsible homeowners stay in their homes while they seek assistance in modifying their mortgages.
andquot;The 111th Congress will also work to responsibly end the war in Iraq. President-elect Obama's commitment to restoring America's positive leadership in the global community has created good-will throughout the world that we must seize upon. Our first step must be to begin to responsibly redeploy from Iraq. This will allow our military to rebuild and focus on managing emerging threats from other parts of the world and spur the Iraqi government to make the political compromises necessary to reconcile their nation's diverse ethnic and political factions.
andquot;The United States must also recommit to our past dedication to diplomacy. The new Congress stands ready to assist President Obama carry out that mission. Only by uniting with countries around the globe will we be able to promote peace and security.
andquot;From my seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, we will also address our nation's healthcare system. America has millions of uninsured children, and it is simply unconscionable that in the world's wealthiest country, we allow our youth to grow up without adequate health care. We need to find a way to offer health insurance to all Americans, and as a Member of the Committee that will play a major role in writing healthcare policy, I will be able to push for sensible health care policies that address the needs of the sick and help prevent people from getting sick.
andquot;The Energy and Commerce Committee will also tackle environmental issues abandoned by the past Administration. With our region's commitment to SACOG's Blueprint for growth and the growing number of clean energy companies calling Sacramento home, we are positioned to be one of the greenest cities in America. The last Congress gave certainty to producers of clean and renewable energy by extending necessary tax credits. The next Congress will continue to invest in clean technologies and design a responsible cap-and-trade system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
andquot;The country has made it clear that it wants and needs a new direction, new ideas, and a new approach to addressing our nation's needs. As a mother and a grandmother, I am committed to making sure that the country we transfer to the next generation of Sacramentans is better than the one this generation inherited. Yes, we face enormous challenges. But with a renewed sense of what it means to be an engaged citizen and a good steward of our country's future, I believe that a new dawn of American leadership has begun. I am tremendously honored that Sacramentans have elected me to represent them at this time.andquot;
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