McHenry County Blog

16th District Congressman Don Manzullo has issued the following press release with suggestions of how small and medium-sized businesses could export more:

Plan to Help Small Employers
Export More Products Overseas, Create American Jobs

[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and shared his plan to help increase small business exports and put Americans back to work.

Manzullo, Chairman of the House Small Business Committee from 2001-2007, spoke this morning during an ITC hearing entitled,

“Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: U.S. and EU Export Activities, and Barriers and Opportunities Experienced by U.S. Firms.”

During his testimony, Manzullo offered four action items Congress and the Administration can take to help small employers sell more of their products overseas. They include:

• Make American products more cost competitive by requiring foreign governments – especially China – to stop misaligning their currencies to the benefit of foreign manufacturers.
• Support aggressive export promotion programs that help small and medium enterprises identify exporting opportunities overseas and secure trade financing.
• Pursue export control reforms consistent with national security objectives.
• Negotiate trade facilitation agreements that eliminate tariffs and trade barriers.

Manzullo has continually encouraged his constituent small business owners to consider exporting as a way to expand business and create jobs. Manzullo has hosted exporting workshops for small employers in northern Illinois and maintains a close relationship with the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Rockford, IL.

The Rockford region exported $739 million worth of goods for the first six months of 2008, more than the region exported in all of 1993.

Manzullo was pleased that President Obama during his State of the Union address announced his National Export Initiative to help farmers and small employers increase their exports. The goal is to double our nation’s exports over the next 5 years and create 2 million jobs, the President said.  Manzullo said,

Don Manzullo

“More than 96 percent of the world’s consumers, controlling 70 percent of global purchasing power, live outside of the United States and offer significant growth opportunities for America’s small employers.

“I was encouraged by the President’s call to double our exports and create 2 million American jobs over the next 5 years, and I look forward to working with the Administration on this initiative. More than anything, Americans need jobs right now. And encouraging our small employers to export will certainly expand U.S. production and put more Americans back to work.”

To read Manzullo’s full testimony, click here.

Veterans have lunch at Camp Algonquin. Organizer John Blanchard can be seen top right next to Amy Johnson, who is in charge of the details.

NASA Education’s John Blanchard told me that about 325 Veterans came to Camp Algonquin for the Stand Down that his organization has been putting on twice a year for a couple of years.

Here are the staffers for Congressman Don Manzullo and Congresswoman Melissa Bean.

The only “celebrity” was 8th Congressional District U.S. Representative Melissa Bean this year. She didn’t speak, rather walked around and talked to the Veterans.

Main men snaked through the service provider room waiting for lunch.

So, the two-day event was about service more than publicity.

While mainly men were standing in the room next door, these Veterans were chowing down.

35,000 pounds of clothing were distributed.

Undoubtedly, the TV room was packed last night with 166 staying at Camp Algonquin.

166 stayed overnight at the McHenry County Conservation District-owned, but YMCA-operated campground.

The road down to the lower building, where clothes were distributed.

For the first time, there was snow. Melting.

One could still see it had been a snowy winter.

Get off the path and mud was the result.

Naturally, I arrived about lunch time.

There was a big feed.

Volunteers staffed the food line.

Some of the volunteers I recognized from before.

Blanchard told me some had been volunteering since the first Stand Down.

He also told me that seven of the Veterans would be staying in Crystal Lake to enter his group’s training program.

“This is our outreach,” he said.

“Where are you going to put those pictures,” one Veteran asked as I was leaving.

Stand Down Vets posing before the main building at Camp Algonquin.

“On McHenry County Blog,” I told them as they posed for this photo.  “And, it will show the snow.”

Mike Tryon

It was “just” a surplus property issue.

Should it take approval of the Illinois General Assembly to dispose of surplus property worth more than $1 million?

But House Bill 4744 was aimed by Crystal Lake State Representative Mike Tryon directly at the Democratic (and some regional Republican) Party politicians promoting turning maximum security Thomson Correctional Center into terrorist central.

How creative!

President Barack Obama, Governor Pat Quinn and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin think it is such a wonderful idea.

But, led by not-yet-nominated-for-U.S.-Senate Congressman Mark Kirk, Republicans, including Congressman Don Manzullo, in whose district the prison is located, attacked the idea, not once, but repeatedly. All over TV.

Liberals pooh-poohed the unreasonable fear of opponents. When Manzullo pointed out that the terrorists would likely be tried in Rockford, the Obama Administration rushed in with the alternative that the courtroom would be behind the prison’s walls.

Then the would-be Christmas airplane bomber turned out to be from Yemen, the same country as most of the Guantanamo terrorists President Obama wants to transfer to Northwestern Illinois.

Byron nuclear power plants as seen from Interstate 39, upwind from McHenry County.

That got me thinking about

those Byron nuclear power plants we see on our annual pilgrimage to the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair.

A terrorist act there releasing radiation would float right over McHenry County.

Enter Tryon with his bill.

It got out of committee, indicating House Speaker Mike Madigan’s approval.

And, it passed overwhelmingly. 81 of 116 voting “Yes.”

Today must be “GOP Congressional Criticism of President Barack Obama’s stimulus program.” (Note Congressman Peter Roskam’s press release on the same subject here.)

Manzullo: Three Million More Americans Out of
Work on 1st Anniversary of Failed Stimulus Bill

WASHINGTON – Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today said the $862 billion stimulus bill he opposed a year ago has failed miserably in its primary objective – to create jobs for Americans. Instead, Congress and the President should focus on helping the private sector put Americans back to work.

When the stimulus bill was enacted one year ago today, the Administration claimed it would create 3.5 to 4 million jobs.

In reality, another 3 million Americans lost their jobs since then.

In addition, America’s unemployment rate rose from 7.6 to 9.7 percent since that time.

The big problem is that less than 5 percent of the bill was for job-creating infrastructure spending.

The vast majority was spent on expanding and creating new social programs that are not heavy private sector job creators.

And because of the record spending, the budget deficit has surged past $1.4 trillion and our national debt is beyond $12 trillion.

In fact, the fastest growing part of the President’s just-released budget is interest on the national debt, which is estimated to be more than $800 billion annually by 2020.

Instead of continuing the out-of-control government spending that doesn’t create jobs, Manzullo has offered a plan to help the private sector expand and put Americans back to work. If more Americans work in the private sector, they would pay the taxes necessary to sustain public sector jobs.

Manzullo’s American Jobs Agenda focuses on helping employers cut costs, become more competitive, and create jobs through tax incentives, lower health care and energy costs, leveling the international playing field, and helping employers export more overseas and sell more to the government.

“From the beginning, we knew the $862 billion stimulus would fail its primary purpose to put Americans back to work because so little of it was focused on private sector job-creation. In fact, we have lost 3 million more jobs since it was enacted a year ago,” Manzullo said.

“Government can’t create self-sustaining jobs. We need to focus on helping the private sector become more competitive so they can expand and put Americans back to work. One answer is my American Jobs Agenda, which gives our employers tax incentives, cuts health care and energy costs, levels the international playing field, and helps our employers export more and sell more to the government.”

In the Republican Party, each congressional district has a member on the State Central Committee. Currently the 16th District State Central Committeeman is Rockford State Senator Dave Syverson. This is the district Congressman Don Manzullo represents in Washington.

16th Congressional District Map, Illinois

When I got tired of not ever seeing a Republican precinct committeeman knock on my door or even leave literature at my door, I ran again and was elected.

This past week I received this statement of candidacy for the office from Joe Wiegand. Wiegand has run for state representative twice and served on the DeKalb County Board. He spearheaded the Tax Cap referendum in DeKalb County. Wiegand impersonates Teddy Roosevelt and has even appeared in Crystal Lake.

Republican precinct committeemen select state central committeemen.

Here is his Statement of Candidacy:

My name is Joe Wiegand, and I am a candidate for the post of 16th Congressional District Republican State Central Committeeman.  The election for this position will be held on March 3, 2010, at the Republican Conventions occurring in the nine Northern Illinois counties of the 16th Congressional District.

As Republican State Central Committeeman, it would be my goal to help Republican County Chairmen, Precinct Captains and candidates to win elections and, in turn, to bring better, common-sense, conservative public policies to the people of Illinois.
In 1982, as a Northern Illinois high school student, I campaigned for Congressman Phil Crane in McHenry County, the eastern-most portion of today’s 16th District.  In 2008, I led the Mike Huckabee effort in Illinois and appeared on the primary ballot as a candidate for 16th Congressional District Presidential Delegate.

In the three decades that I have been active in the trenches for Republicans and good government, Illinois has gone from the Reagan Revolution which promised greater freedom to the dominance of a one-party, Chicago-Democrat fiefdom which portends only greater servitude.  In the name of all that is decent and good, it is time to take back Illinois.

Like many of you, I have decided that it is time to put the future of our families, friends and neighbors first and to answer the call of “all hands on deck!”

It’s time for us to save the Land of Lincoln from this terrible fate of higher taxes and failed jobs.

Like you, I have tried to do some good.  I served on my DeKalb County Board and its finance committee, bringing the property tax cap to a successful referendum in 1999.  In 2007, I led the successful opposition to the proposed McHenry-Boone-DeKalb property-tax-fed water district.  I am pro-life, pro-Constitution and pro-traditional marriage, and I believe Republicans will do better in elections when we stand four-square in favor of these cornerstone issues.

We can all do more in the way of service to our neighbors in Northern Illinois, and I know I can help to bring the people of Northern Illinois together in support of party candidates that believe in lower taxes, smaller government, more freedom and respect for human life and our treasured institutions.  I believe we can join together to change the course in Illinois and to bring our fiscal house in order.  Together, as Republicans, Independents and former Democrats, let us strive to make a brighter future for the people of Illinois.

Joe Wiegand
868 State Route 72 – Fairdale                                                                                                 Kirkland, IL 847-373-0691  jwiegand@tbc.net

More About Joe Wiegand

Family – After a college romance, Jenny and I married in 1987.  In June, we celebrate or 23rd Anniversary.  Our daughter, Sam, is a soccer playing 6th grader.

Roots –I was raised in Elmhurst, Illinois (DuPage County) and graduated from Palatine High School in Palatine, Illinois, (Cook County), I have lived in DeKalb County since 1988.

Joe Wiegard on Applachian Trail

Profession – After a twenty plus year career in politics, campaigns and public policy, I am excelling as the nation’s premiere Theodore Roosevelt reprisor.  I performed for President and Mrs. Bush in the East Room of the White House, live on C-SPAN for TR’s 150th birthday in 2008.

Faith – A conservative Christian, I have enjoyed worshiping in churches throughout the 16th district.  I am a former senior warden of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Belvidere, Illinois.

Education – I graduated from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, with a degree in political science emphasizing American government and economics.  At Sewanee I was named a Thomas Watson Fellow in honor of the founder of IBM, Corporation and I traveled in Europe, Africa and Asia, interviewing national legislators about republican government.  I also received a Harry S Truman Scholarship, the official memorial for Give ‘em hell, Harry, for promise for a career in public service.  I pursued graduate studies in American government and public policy at Northern Illinois University, where I served as a graduate assistant in the Center for Governmental Studies.

Public Service – My public service ethic came from good teachers and great parents.  I served for six years as an elected member of the DeKalb County Board.  Representing seven western townships, I served on the finance committee, sponsored property tax caps and spearheaded their ultimate passage at referendum. I offered myself twice for the state legislature from Fairdale, a decade apart in two very different districts.  In 1994, I endorsed Rep. Ron Wait to take the 69th House seat back from the Democrats, after he bested me 67-33 in the primary.  In 2004, I endorsed Rep. Bob Pritchard after he bested me 55-45 in the primary.

Party Service – A former Vice-Chairman of the DeKalb County Republican Party, I have served as a precinct committeeman in the City of DeKalb and in rural Franklin Township about half of the time since 1988.  I served as a campaign professional for Nancy Beasley for State Senate, Chris Lauzen for State Senate, Jim Oberweis for Governor and Mike Huckabee for President, and as a campaign volunteer for Pat O’Malley for Governor, Peter Fitzgerald for US Senate and Jack Ryan/Alan Keyes for US Senate.  I have been a delegate to the State Republican Convention, an attendee of Republican Day at the State Fair and a frequent enthusiastic supporter and modest contributor to good candidates.

Here’s 16th District Republican Congressman Don Manzullo’s reaction to the Stare of the Union Address:

Rep Manzullo Responds to President Obama’s State of the Union Address

(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) tonight issued the following statement responding to President Obama’s State of the Union Address to Congress and the nation:

“It’s good to hear President Obama talk about the need to help create jobs in America. But I’m concerned his fix will involve more deficit-hiking government spending. We have actually lost 3 million jobs since the President signed into law the failed $862 billion stimulus bill, and our national debt has surpassed $12 trillion.

“We need a colossal change in thinking here, and I implore President Obama to halt the ineffective government spending that is burdening future generations with debt, and instead focus on helping the private sector create jobs.

“At a minimum, Congress needs to stop pursuing job-killing legislation – like the health care and cap and trade bills – that would put another 8 million Americans out of work and hike taxes and health and energy costs for Americans.

“My American Jobs Agenda offers a host of legislative avenues to help create economic opportunities for our employers to put Americans back to work.”

When on house of a legislative body like Congress passes one version of a bill and the other passes a different version, a conference committee is set up.

When W. Robert Blair was Illinois House Speaker from during my first term in Springfield (1973-75), there were actual meetings. I had some bills that went to conference committee and was actually put on the committee.

Later speakers just had staff members bring around whatever they wanted to put on the House floor for a vote soliciting signatures of reliable conference committee appointees.

According to an NPR segment I heard yesterday, most of the differences in the health care reform legislation will be decided by having a Democratic Party staffer from the Senate meet with his or her counterpart from the House.

The major differences will be determined by actual Democratic legislators meeting in person, but behind closed doors.

The Democratic Party apologist being interviewed said that was fair because no Republicans in the Senate and only one in the House had voted for the bills in question.

I seem to remember a campaign pledge from President Barack Obama that such negotiations would be held in public. C-SPAN coverage..

Now comes 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo with a call for negotiations to be in open session. Here is his press release:

Manzullo Signs Petition to Force Open Health Care Talks
Resolution would require Democrat leaders to negotiate bill in public

[WASHINGTON]  Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today joined many of his colleagues in signing onto a discharge petition that would force Democrat leaders to come out from the shroud of secrecy and start negotiating the massive health care bill in public.

The resolution, H.Res. 847, would require Congressional Democrat leaders and the Administration to start negotiating the health care bill in a public forum open to the media.

So far, 151 Members of Congress have signed the petition. Once that number reaches 218, Democrat leaders would have to open the talks to the public.

Since the House and Senate approved different versions of the bill in November and December, Democrat leaders from the House, Senate and Obama Administration have been holed up behind closed doors trying to work out a compromise version of the bill to present to the President for his signature.

On the campaign trail last year, then-Sen. Barack Obama pledged that

health care reform negotiations would be broadcast on C-SPAN so the “American people will know what’s going on.”

On Dec. 30, C-SPAN called on congressional leaders to carry out President Obama’s “C-SPAN pledge” and allow coverage of the health care talks. Two weeks later, the talks are still behind closed doors.

“In all my years in Congress, I have never seen an issue that has invoked as many constituent calls and as much emotion as this health care issue.

“It has the potential to affect every American and dramatically change the way health care services are paid for and delivered in our country. With this much at stake, Democrat leaders should honor the President’s campaign pledge and allow C-SPAN coverage of the negotiations so all Americans can see what could affect them for the rest of their lives.”

It was probably Don Manzullo’s 1992 campaign that started the tradition of politicians’ using the public right-of-way for political signs.

That was when he was running against former State Senator Jack Schaffer, McHenry County’s favorite.

Schaffer had plenty of sign sites; Manzullo didn’t.

So, Manzullo’s volunteers had all sorts of signs and nowhere to put them.

So, they put them on publicly-owned property.

Mid-week I was on Route 176 in Crystal Lake and saw an illegally posted sign for McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.

December 31st, the sign was gone.

I wonder if the sheriff’s supporters took it down or someone else put his campaign in conformity with the law.

The following press released was received from the office of 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan):

Rep. Manzullo:

Transportation Improvements Great News for Motorists, Commuters in CL

Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley talks with 16th District U.S. Representative Don Manzullo at the Pingree train station.

[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) joined several local officials in Crystal Lake this morning to celebrate the opening of two transportation improvements that will benefit area motorists and Metra commuters.

At an early morning news conference at the Pingree Road Metra station, the officials dedicated the opening of the station’s expanded parking lot as well as the nearby improvement to the busy intersection of Crystal Lake Avenue and Pingree Road.

Manzullo secured $1 million in federal funds to help fund the widening, realignment and new traffic signals erected at the busy intersection that was previously regulated by a 4-way stop sign. The project — shared by the City of Crystal Lake, Metra, Algonquin Township, and Nunda Township – was completed last month.

Congressman Don Manzullo talks with Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano and McHenry County Metra Board Member Jack Schaffer in the Pingree Road Station.

“The two improvements we celebrated today will help improve traffic flow through Crystal Lake while making the Pingree Road Metra station more accessible,” Manzullo said. “Traffic congestion continues to be McHenry County’s number one challenge, and I will continue to seek McHenry County’s fair share of federal transportation dollars to help alleviate the back-ups.”

In addition to the intersection project, Manzullo has secured significant federal funding for the Western Bypass of Algonquin ($19 million), the Rakow Road widening project through Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills ($7 million), and the Route 47 widening project through Huntley ($6.7 million). Construction on all three of those projects is scheduled to begin within the next year or two.

First it was a Cary-Grove High School youth appointed to the Naval Academy.  Now, 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo announces an Algonquin teen is off to the Air Force Academy:

Algonquin Student Appointed
to U.S. Air Force Academy

[CRYSTAL LAKE] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today announced that Rachel Doby of Algonquin, Illinois, has received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Rachel will graduate in June 2010 from Westminster Christian High School in Elgin. Rachel is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Elgin Rotary Club Honor Roll and her school’s Student Athlete Honor Roll.

She is also an editor and writer on the school’s newspaper, coaches youth sports camps, is a member of the school’s spiritual leadership team, and is a member of the Harvest Bible Chapel’s Youth Gospel Choir.

Rachel is also captain of the Varsity Basketball and Varsity Soccer teams, and she also ran cross country at her school. She was named All-Conference in both soccer and basketball and was a sectional qualifier in Cross Country.

Rachel is the daughter of David and Kathleen Doby of Algonquin.