Representative Tim Walberg

Tim's Blog

Walberg pumps gas for Delta Township residents

by Walberg Press Office

July 1st, 2008

Congressman Walberg pumped gas for constituents in Delta Township on Tuesday.

The Congressman also discussed his plans to bring down prices at the pump.

Specifically, the Congressman spoke about the No More Excuses Energy Act and his efforts to bring it up for a vote in the House.

American Declaration of Energy Independence

by Walberg Press Office

June 27th, 2008

Yesterday Congressman Walberg signed the American Declaration of Energy Independence. Full text of Declaration is below:

DECLARATION OF AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
To CONGRESS, JULY 4, 2008
An Energy Declaration for the fifty United States of America

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to dissolve its dependence on foreign oil and force Congress to act to defend America by allowing environmentally sound development of the natural resources that God established in this country for the betterment of all Americans.

We hold these truths to be self-evident that Americans have suffered long enough and that Americans should not be dependent on foreign dictators like Hugo Chavez or any other nation that supports terror groups. Americans have the need for energy independence to secure the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Congress should end the tyrannical rule over our nation by hostile foreign nations by encouraging more production of American energy from all of America’s bountiful resources. To prove this, let these facts be aired to the People:

- Congress has refused to enact laws necessary for American Energy Independence and Security;
- Congress’s hostility toward American-made energy has driven prices higher for gasoline, food, home heating fuel and the basic necessities of life, levying the heaviest burden on the poor and preventing them from exercising their own fundamental civil rights;
- Congress’s failure to act is costing America jobs, its technological edge and a highly trained workforce for the future; and
- Congress’s determination to keep Americans dependent on foreign energy harms our country and threatens our national security.

We, therefore, as citizens of the United States of America, petition Congress to enact laws and declare our nation a nation of energy independent and secure states, free from allegiance to foreign oil. As citizens and representatives of government, we call upon Congress to act now by enacting a comprehensive energy bill.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a view toward firm reliance on our nation’s abundant resources, we refuse to sacrifice our jobs, our economy, our recreation, and our children’s futures for lack of a domestic energy policy.

Hillsdale Daily News: Walberg signs health petition

by Walberg Press Office

June 26th, 2008

An excerpt from the Hillsdale Daily News:

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R - Tipton) signed the Solutions Start Here health care petition on June 10, immediately after talking with members of the National Federation of Independent Business during a summit meeting in Washington, D.C.

By signing, Walberg agreed to work with the next president and Congress to provide “quality, affordable health coverage” to all Americans, though the NFIB’s petition focuses on small business owners and employees’ struggles.

Walberg said the NFIB’s plans for health care reform align closely with the Making Health Care More Affordable Act, which Walberg introduced to the House on May 1.

“It goes along with my agenda,” he said of the NFIB’s petition. “We’re on the same wavelength.”

Walberg’s bill would allow small businesses to band together to purchase health insurance, which would give them buying power similar to the power labor unions enjoy, said Matt Lahr, Walberg’s press secretary.

Stephanie Cathcart, spokeswoman for the NFIB, said her organization didn’t approach Walberg just because of his health care bill.

“We reached out to everybody,” she said. “Every single solitary member of Congress.”
But she said Walberg displayed more enthusiasm than most other members of Congress when the NFIB contacted him.

“We’re grateful that he’s paying attention to small business, and obviously we’re grateful that he’s paying attention to the health care debate,” Cathcart said.

Signers of the petition also promise to work toward giving Americans choices in insurers, doctors and hospitals; ensuring that medical records are “private, safe and secure”; and securing Americans’ health care coverage so the citizens don’t lose that coverage if they lose their jobs.

Walberg honors Palmyra resident

by Walberg Press Office

June 25th, 2008

From the Adrian Daily Telegram:

A 2008 Blissfield High School graduate was recently awarded one of 237 youth achievement awards in Washington.

On June 19, U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, presented Jesyka Palmer, 17, of Palmyra with a 2008 Congressional Award Gold Medal, recognizing her efforts at personal development, exploration and community service.

The Congressional Award is a program created by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative, and service in America’s youth. Any young person between the ages of 14 and 23 can earn the award.

According to Joshua Stockstill, program manager for the Congressional Award office in Washington, Palmer was one of two winners from Michigan.

Palmer said Tuesday the application process for the award is extensive. She filed paperwork for it prior to entering her freshman year in high school. There are bronze, silver and gold achievement levels, and Palmer chose to challenge herself to achieve the high honor. She was informed of her award status earlier this year.

To be eligible for a Congressional Award Gold Medal, each winner must spend a minimum of two years completing at least 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of both personal development and physical fitness activities, and a four-night expedition or exploration. Gold Award winners receive a gold medal and recognition by Congress.

Palmer completed more than 500 hours of public service by volunteering through the Girl Scouts; she was a member of the Blissfield chapter until her recent graduation from high school. For personal development she learned how to play the piano, and she improved her fitness through weightlifting and yoga to meet the physical fitness requirements. She also traveled to New York to meet the exploration criteria.

Walberg’s press secretary, Matt Lahr, said Tuesday that Palmer is the first award recipient from Lenawee County during Walberg’s congressional term.

Walberg Bill To Bring Down Gas Prices Gains Momentum

by Walberg Legislative Office

June 18th, 2008

Support continues to grow for Congressman Tim Walberg’s discharge petition to bring the No More Excuses Energy Act to the House floor. The petition currently has over 140 signatures and is gaining attention across south-central Michigan and the entire country.

Congressman Walberg Discusses High Gas Prices - CSPAN’s Washington Journal program

No More Excuses: The U.S. Needs To Tap Into Its Own Oil Reserves - Rep. Tim Walberg, Investor’s Business Daily

EDITORIAL: ‘No Excuses’ needed to boost U.S. energy - Adrian Daily Telegram

Walberg, local officials discuss gasoline prices - Jackson Citizen Patriot

Walberg Says No More Excuses - WKHM

B.C. forced to triple fuel budget - Battle Creek Enquirer

Walberg pushes energy solutions - Lansing State Journal

Congressman Walberg looking for signers on Energy vote - Hillsdale Daily News

Congress needs to make ‘No Excuses’ on policy - Rep. Tim Walberg, Jackson Citizen Patriot

City/County budgets hit by gas prices - WWMT

Walberg plans meeting to discuss high energy costs - Jackson Citizen Patriot

Walberg to discuss gas prices at forum - Adrian Daily Telegram

Energy bill could be put to vote - Scripps Howard News Service

No More Excuses for Delaying Energy Reform - Rep. Tim Walberg, The Hill’s Congress Blog

Congressman Tim Walberg is introducing a petition to bring the No More Excuses Energy Act to the House floor for a vote - WJR’s Frank Beckmann Show

Walberg talks about energy solutions - WILS’s AM Lansing program

The No More Excuses Act could reduce dependence on foreign oil - WSJM

Republican Tim Walberg Pushing Energy Plan - WKZO

Investors Business Daily Op-Ed: No More Excuses: The U.S. Needs To Tap Into Its Own Oil Reserves

by Walberg Legislative Office

June 14th, 2008

Congressman Tim Walberg penned an op-ed in the weekend’s edition of Investors Business Daily on his discharge petition and the need for energy independence.

Here’s an excerpt of the op-ed:

Our country has vast and large supplies of energy, but unfortunately tapping into American energy sources has become controversial and mired in politics.

And while political games are played in Washington, D.C., Americans keep paying more at the pump.

Just as with the Manhattan Project or the race to the moon, breaking our dependence on foreign oil should be a national priority. Congress needs to allow an increase in America’s investment in our overall production of energy.

Last week, I introduced a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy.

The appropriately named No More Excuses Energy Act, H.R. 3089, would increase the supply of energy produced in America.

Walberg Energy Bill In The News

by Walberg Press Office

June 13th, 2008

Congressman Walberg looking for signers on Energy vote - Hillsdale Daily News

Walberg to discuss gas prices at forum - Adrian Daily Telegram

No More Excuses for Delaying Energy Reform - The Hill’s Congress Blog

The No More Excuses Act could reduce dependence on foreign oil - WSJM

Republican Tim Walberg Pushing Energy Plan - WKZO

CSPAN’s Washington Journal

by Walberg Press Office

June 11th, 2008

Congressman Walberg appeared on CSPAN’s Washington Journal program this morning to discuss his efforts to bring down gas prices. Click here to view the program.

Walberg tries to force Congress to take real action on gas prices

by Walberg Press Office

June 10th, 2008

Congressman Walberg today introduced a discharge petition in the House to bring the No More Excuses Energy Act, legislation to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy, to the House floor for a vote. House rules state that a discharge petition must have 218 signatures (a simple majority) in order to bring a bill to the floor for a vote.

The Congressman’s action comes on the heels of House leadership failing to work towards energy independence and more and more Americans demanding increased American energy exploration.

The No More Excuses Energy Act:

- Encourages new refinery construction by requiring IRS to take action to allow tax exempt bonds to be used for construction of certain refineries, and make federal lands available for refinery construction.
- Reduces green house emissions by offering a tax credit for CO2 captured for use in marginal oil wells.
- Boosts alternative energy development by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years.
- Lifts the Congressional Moratoria on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf, potentially providing 17 billion barrels of oil.
- Opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible drilling, potentially producing nearly a million barrels per day for several decades.
- Encourages investment in a much-needed industrial base for building new nuclear power plants by reducing the tax burden on that industry.

Service Academy Day

by Walberg Press Office

June 4th, 2008

Congressman Walberg hosted the second annual Seventh District Service Academy Day on May 30, 2008. This event is a unique opportunity for students and parents to meet with representatives of the service academies to discuss the application process, academy life, and career opportunities within the various branches of the military. All branches of the military were present to meet with students.

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