Congresswoman Gillibrand delivers Democratic Radio Address
"Good morning, this is Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand from Upstate New York. I hope this morning's greeting finds you well and enjoying the holiday season.
"This is a time when each of us reflects upon our many blessings from the past year and our hopes for the coming one. As a mom with a four-year old son and a little one on the way, I am most grateful for the blessings of my family. As a new Member of Congress, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve my constituents from Upstate New York and be part of a vision to build America's greatness.
"This new Congress has a vision for change that we have begun, step by step, to realize. We see a nation free from dependence on foreign oil, which will strengthen our economy by growing our agricultural and manufacturing base through an investment in renewable fuels and new energy efficient products. This makes America safer, grows American jobs, and begins to address global warming.
"To accomplish our goal, we have raised the miles per gallon requirements, set new standards for renewable fuels and efficiency, and are investing in research and development into new technologies. And this is only the beginning. With our new innovation agenda, we can continue to create new high tech jobs and remain world leaders in science and technology.
"We have a vision for strengthening the economy by supporting hard-working Americans and their families. We have fixed the alternative minimum tax to protect middle-class families, raised the minimum wage, and funded small business tax cuts to address the pressures of high fuel prices, increasing health care costs, and rising property taxes.
"Early childhood and college education is also becoming unaffordable for most Americans. By investing in Head Start for our youngest, increasing grants and cutting interest rates for college loans, we have helped to ensure that the next generation can succeed. And we will do more. Our fundamental duty as leaders is to ensure that every American child has the opportunity to achieve his or her God-given potential.
"We also have a vision for a safer America. Every time I board a plane home with my son, Theo, I think about the risks to our security and what we must do to protect our nation. We have invested in the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission to prevent another terrorist attack.
"A strong military is also essential to our security. When I met servicemen in Iraq and at Walter Reed, some learning to use new limbs, I cannot describe to you the pride I felt for their courage and strength and the gratitude for their sacrifices and commitment. Providing the greatest funding since World War II for benefits and health care for our armed services and veterans is one of the most important accomplishments of this Congress. These men, women, and their families deserve our respect and eternal gratitude; this support is the beginning of what they have earned.
"They also deserve a strategy for success in Iraq. Congress is challenging the Administration's strategy in Iraq in favor of a better one that will effectively combat terrorism and create stability in the Middle East. Time and time again, we voted for a strategy to redeploy troops out of Iraq to leave policing the streets to Iraqis and to focus our mission on anti-terrorism - and we won't give up. Such a strategy forces the political reconciliation through which stability and rejection of terrorism can flow more effectively. Such an approach would allow for a greater focus on addressing growing terrorist threats in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"We still need health care reform to reduce the financial burden on our communities and to make America more competitive. We need to address the high cost of fuel, protect our family farms, address the mortgage crisis, and invest in infrastructure, including broadband for rural America. And we must insist on fiscal discipline and balanced budgets - with a $9 trillion debt, we spend hundreds of billions each year in interest payments to foreign governments. We cannot continue to deliver to our children and grandchildren a legacy of endless debt.
"I truly believe that all good things are possible when the American people are heard. I learned this lesson at a very young age from my grandmother's example. She had a vision - as a secretary in our State Legislature who never attended college, she believed that by organizing all of the women in her community to become active in politics and government, they could make a difference - and they did. Polly's Girls, as they were known back then, were heard by their local leaders because of their advocacy and commitment. We can all make this difference in this coming year.
"God bless you all, and please join me in a resolution to make 2008 the year of building America's greatness.
"This is Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. Thank you for listening and Happy New Year."
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