May 2008 Archives

Vietnam Veterans Day will Recognize and Remember Sacrifices 
 
Washington, D.C. – With Americans preparing to take pause on Memorial Day to honor our nation’s military members, Representative Heath Shuler has introduced a bill to recognize Vietnam veterans with their own day.
 
Rep. Shuler’s bill calls on the American people to recognize March 29th as Vietnam Veterans Day to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives, remember those who are still missing in action, honor those who were prisoners of war, and acknowledge all members of the Armed Forces throughout the Vietnam War for their service protecting our nation.
 
March 29th is the anniversary of the date in 1973 when the last remaining American forces withdrew from Vietnam.
 
“More than 3,000,000 brave young Americans served our nation in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, with more than 58,000 making the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. We will never be able to fully repay them for their selfless service, but by recognizing March 29th as Vietnam Veterans Day we can make certain they are not forgotten,” Rep. Shuler said. 
 
The Vietnam Veterans Day legislation, H.RES.1231, has twelve original cosponsors, including Rep. Bob Filner, the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

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Download: Rep. Shuler Introduces Legislation to Honor Vietnam Veterans

Continues Efforts to Provide Tax Relief and End Dependence on Petroleum
 
Washington, D.C. –Representative Heath Shuler continued working to invest in clean,
renewable energy sources to create jobs and end America’s dependence on petroleum
today by supporting the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act. The legislation, which
passed the House with bipartisan support, also provides important tax relief to middle
class families.
 
“After years without a real national energy policy, our nation is now facing a very serious
energy crisis. By meeting this challenge with investments in clean and renewable energy
sources we can end our reliance on petroleum and create thousands of good-paying jobs
in Western North Carolina,” said Rep. Shuler.  “The economy of the 21st Century
demands that America be energy independent and the Renewable Energy and Job
Creation Act takes another step toward that goal.”
 
The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act extends and expands tax incentives that
encourage investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and
carbon capture and sequestration programs. The failure to extend these tax incentives
could have resulted in the loss of over 100,000 jobs in the solar and wind energy
industries through the end of 2009. 
 
Today’s legislation also provided tax relief to millions of hardworking American
families, including an expansion of the $1,000 refundable child tax credit and allowing
more homeowners to deduct up to $700 of their local property taxes from their federal
income taxes.
 
“Many American families are struggling right now, and this legislation provides them
with tax relief in a fiscally responsible manner,” Rep. Shuler said.
 
The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act is paid for by closing loopholes that allow
corporations evade taxes by shipping jobs and investment overseas, so it does not add to
the nation’s debt.

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Download: Rep. Shuler Votes for Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act

House poised to vote on legislation to lower fuel prices
 
Washington, D.C. – With the U.S. House poised to vote on legislation directing the Bush
Administration to temporarily suspend shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
(SPR), U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) joined Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), Nick
Lampson (D-TX), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) in urging
bipartisan support for this short-term action to lower gas prices for consumers.
 
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008,
H.R. 6022, sponsored by Welch, Shuler, Lampson and Markey, directs the President to
suspend shipments to the SPR through the end of the year or until prices drop below $75
per barrel.  This action could reduce gas prices by 5 to 24 cents per gallon, according to
experts. The legislation comes as gas prices hit a new record high of $3.73 per gallon.
 
“Record gas prices are causing some painful choices for the families of Western North
Carolina,” said Shuler. “Families are forced to go into debt just to take their children to
school and drive to work. It’s time for Washington to make a choice. Do we represent the
American people or the oil industry?”
 
Filling the SPR takes 70,000 barrels of oil off the market each day and taxpayers are
currently paying record prices for this oil.  The reserve is 97 percent full, sufficiently full
to meet our national security needs.
 
“This temporary suspension of filling the SPR is a great first step in helping working
families and small businesses, but there is more to be done to fix our energy crisis and
addiction to foreign oil,” said Shuler.
 
The SPR has been tapped or temporarily suspended before by President Bush, President
Clinton, and President George H.W. Bush.  In 2000, after such action, the price of oil
dropped by one-third, from $30 to $20 per barrel. 
 
The U.S. House is expected to vote on the legislation Tuesday evening.  Earlier today, the
U.S. Senate passed companion legislation by a near-unanimous vote of 97-1.

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Download: Rep. Shuler Calls on President to Halt Oil Reserve Purchases

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Heath Shuler today applauded the signing of
legislation to allow the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site to expand its
boundaries to protect the integrity of the park and build a visitors center as legislation
boundary revision. The Consolidated Natural Resources Act that the President signed into
law contained the Sandburg Home boundary revision, which Rep. Shuler helped pass the
House in May 2007.
 
The Consolidated Natural Resources Act contained more than 60 public lands bills that
had previously passed the House individually. Rep. Shuler had originally introduced the
legislation to allow for the boundary revision of the Sandburg home, H.R. 1100, in
February 2007. H.R. 1100 passed the House in May of 2007. 
 
“I am extremely pleased that our efforts to protect the Sandburg Home have been
successful,” said Rep. Shuler. “The Sandburg home is an important part of both our
heritage and our economy in Western North Carolina. By expanding the site and allowing
the building of a new visitor’s center we will ensure that the Sandburg Home continues to
help drive our economy.” 
 
In 2003 the National Park Service recommended the expansion of the historic site’s
boundary by up to 115 acres to allow construction of a visitor center and parking lot as
well as to protect the pastoral views from Sandburg’s estate. This recommendation was
developed through a 4-year planning process that involved extensive community input.
 
Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr cosponsored companion legislation to Rep.
Shuler’s bill in the Senate.  
 

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Download: Rep. Shuler Hails Signing of Sandburg Home Boundary Revision into Law

Guest Brandon Silveria Will Share his Story of Alcohol-related Crash
 
Washington, D.C. – Representative Heath Shuler will encourage high school students at
McDowell County to enjoy a safe and alcohol-free prom and graduation season during an
assembly tomorrow at McDowell County High School. Rep. Shuler will be joined by
Brandon Silveria at the event. 
 
Shortly before his high school prom Mr. Silveria, then 17 years old, was involved in a
nearly fatal auto accident while driving home from a party where he had drank several
beers. Mr. Silveria was left in a coma for nearly three months and endured three years of
rehabilitation. He was left with permanent and visible speech and walking disabilities.
Since his rehab Mr. Silveria has traveled the country with his father, Tony, to share his
story with high school students and educate them about the dangers of drinking and
driving.
 
What:  Presentation to McDowell County High School Students about the dangers
of drinking and driving
 
Who:   Representative Heath Shuler; Brandon and Tony Silveria (Sil-vair-uh)
 
When:  Friday, May 2nd 
9:30 a.m. 
 
Where:  McDowell County High School
600 McDowell High Drive
Marion, NC 28752

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Download: Rep. Shuler to Encourage McDowell County High Students to “Make the Right Choice” During Prom and Graduation Season