January 15, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E99 

are being discussed deal with bailing out people’s mistakes or using taxpayers’ dollars for 

public works projects and more government 

programs. Some also talk about the government creating ‘‘new jobs’’ but they don’t understand that there are still jobs in existence and 

all they lack is orders from consumers. 

We need something easy to understand that 

is considerably less expensive for the taxpayer 

than current proposals. We need a proposal 

that will begin to restore our economy immediately by providing a significant incentive to 

purchase the second largest purchase a typical consumer will make in their lifetime (after 

housing) in order to help jump-start the economy. 

First, in 2007, about 17 million new vehicles 

were sold in America. A year later, only 10 

million cars were sold. This represents a net 

loss of 7 million cars. At an average price of 

$25,000, this loss of new car sales translated 

into $175 billion that was directly removed 

from the economy in 2008. If we can get back 

to selling 15 million cars, that would add about 

$125 billion directly into the economy. Multiplier effects of between 3 to 7 percent could 

increase the U.S. economic benefit of selling 

5 million more cars up to $900 billion. 

Second, when cars and trucks start selling, 

it moves inventory from factory lots and dealers showrooms. It pays salaries of all the vehicle assembly workers, dealers, and employees. It replenishes local and state sales tax receipts. It restarts manufacturing and supply 

chains and the economy begins to boom 

again because vehicles are the second biggest consumer item (after housing). 

Third, by offering a tax credit of $5,000 for 

the purchase of a new car or truck, an individual could buy, for example, a new Chrysler 

Jeep Patriot (assembled in Belvidere, Illinois, 

which I am proud to represent) for less than 

$15,000 or around $200 a month for 5 years. 

This incentive is large enough to encourage 

consumers on the fence to make the decision 

this year to buy a car. 

Fourth, we need to implement this tax incentive immediately while people who still 

have jobs are able to buy a new car. 

We will continue to lose jobs until items are 

again purchased. Common sense and sound 

economics have given way to ‘‘I want my fair 

share of the stimulus’’ mentality. No one is 

thinking about the massive inflation and the 

higher taxes that will eventually be necessary 

to pay for the current stimulus and bailout proposals. Many are unfortunately focused on the 

pre-eminence of ‘‘the government is the only 

answer’’ doctrine. There is little regard for restarting our economy from the bottom up. 

While government cannot be the answer, it 

can be part of the solution. We can do things 

now that will drastically alter the negative 

course we are on. Thus, I urge my colleagues 

to join Rep. UPTON and me in co-sponsoring 

the Get America Moving Again Act of 2009. 

f 

IN HONOR OF THE 2008 LAWRENCE 

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND 

HON. ANDRE ́ CARSON OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, 

today I rise to recognize the Lawrence Central 

High School Marching Band, whose 2008 success catapulted them forward as one of our 

nation’s top high school marching bands. 

With hours of dedicated practice, the band 

developed a musical expertise and performance ability that led them to their first Indiana 

State Championship since 2000. Following this 

victory, they were invited to participate in the 

Bands of America Grand Nationals where they 

placed third. 

Lawrence Central’s amazing season culminated with an invitation to the prestigious 

Annual Fiesta Bowl and Blue Cross/Blue 

Shield National Band Competition. Competing 

against the nation’s best bands, Lawrence 

Central was crowned Grand Master Champion, the highest award available. 

The band’s achievements would not have 

been possible without the highest quality band 

staff. Directors of Bands Randy Greenwell and 

Matthew James and their staff all served as 

excellent teachers and mentors to their band 

members. Additionally, all the Lawrence Central fans, and in particular the spirited student 

body, should be recognized for their enthusiastic support. 

I offer my sincere congratulations to the 

Lawrence Central Marching Band, their band 

staff, classmates and parents on their incredible success in 2008. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO GWEN REGALIA, 

MAYOR OF WALNUT CREEK 

HON. GEORGE MILLER OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam 

Speaker, I rise today in honoring Gwen Regalia for her many accomplishments and contributions to the city of Walnut Creek. 

Gwen Regalia has provided remarkable 

leadership as a member of the Walnut Creek 

City Council since 1987. As Mayor of Walnut 

Creek, Gwen served for an unprecedented 

five terms and my congressional district has 

been greatly enhanced by over two decades 

of her service. Now, as Gwen retires from 

public office it is my great privilege to pay tribute to her work in the CONGRESSIONAL

RECORD. 

Gwen’s career began upon her graduation 

from the University of California at Berkeley. 

She began teaching elementary school when 

she moved to Walnut Creek in 1958 and now 

holds a Life Credential in Elementary Education. Gwen’s political career began in 1978 

when she ran for the Walnut Creek School 

District board and served for almost ten years; 

she also served as president for two of those 

years. 

In 1987 Gwen was elected to the City Council, but her duties did not stop at the Walnut 

Creek boarder. While in office she also served 

as President of the Kennedy-King Memorial 

College Scholarship Fund, she was president 

and former director of the Diablo Valley Foundation for the environment, she is a forty-year 

member of the American Association of University Women, member of the League of 

Women Voters of Diablo Valley, Diablo Regional Arts Association member, as well as 

other local cultural organizations. 

Under Gwen’s leadership in the City Council 

several capital projects were completed, including the Lesher Center for the Arts, the 

Shadelands Art Center, the Iron Horse Trail 

Bridge, two gyms, five parks and seven ball 

fields, as well as the acquisition of 305 acres 

of open space. 

Gwen Regalia’s twenty-one years of public 

service is an example to us all, and we are 

lucky to have her vision and her commitment 

to the citizens of Walnut Creek. It is my honor 

to recognize Gwen Regalia as she retires from 

public service and I wish her success and 

happiness in her future endeavors. 

f 

IN HONOR OF SECRETARY 

VALERIE A. WOODRUFF 

HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE OF DELAWARE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with 

great pleasure that I rise today to recognize 

Valerie Woodruff, Delaware’s Secretary of 

Education. Val will retire this year after a 44 

year career in public education and serving 

the state of Delaware for over 30 years. 

During her term as Secretary, Val led the 

implementation of Delaware’s accountability 

system and worked with Congress and the 

U.S. Department of Education to implement 

the federal No Child Left Behind Act in Delaware. 

Although Val’s work in public education 

began long before her service in Delaware, 

Val has had a huge positive impact on Delaware’s education system. Val led the development of the first school-based Wellness Center in Delaware that has served as a model for 

additional Delaware schools. Val served as a 

Thomson Fellow for the Coalition of Essential 

States, where she participated in, and conducted workshops in her capacity and was selected as Delaware’s Principal of the Year in 

1990. Val also serves as a member of several 

boards including the Delaware Workforce Investment Board and its Youth Council and the 

State Chamber of Commerce Partnership. 

Additionally, Val represents Delaware on the 

Southern Regional Education Board, serves 

on the Executive Committee of the Southern 

Regional Education Board, and is the first K– 

12 educator to serve as Vice Chair. She also 

served as President of the Council of Chief 

State School Officers from November 2005 to 

November 2006. 

Val was born in Steubenville, Ohio and grew 

up in West Virginia. She attended Alderson 

Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia 

and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts 

degree in Secondary Education in English and 

Social Studies. In 1971, Val began her work in 

Delaware and received her Master of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling 

from the University of Delaware in Newark, 

Delaware. 

I would like to thank Val for her many years 

of service and her focus on developing quality 

teachers and school leaders, as well as the 

importance of providing an excellent educational experience to all children in Delaware. 

Val’s work has resulted in improved student 

achievement and positive recognition of Delaware public education. 


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