Democratic Radio Address 12-29-07

[0:00] ..." Good morning this is congresswoman -- until a brand from upstate New York. Hope this morning's greetings finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. This is a time when each of us reflects on -- many blessings in the past year and hopes for the coming went. 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'm profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve my constituents from upstate New York. And be part of -- vision to built America's greatness this new congress has a vision for change that we have begun"...

[1:07] ..." 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 strengthen the economy by supporting hard working Americans"...

[1:42] ..." investing in head start for our youngest increasing grants and in cutting interest rates for college loans we 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"...

[0:00]" Good morning this is congresswoman -- until a brand from upstate New York. Hope this morning's greetings finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. This is a time when each of us reflects on -- many blessings in the past year and hopes for the coming went. 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'm profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve my constituents from upstate New York. And be part of -- vision to built America's greatness this new congress has a vision for change that we have begun step by step to realize. We see -- 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 and -- American jobs and begins to address global warming. To accomplish our goal we've raised the miles per gallon requirements set new standards for renewable fuels and efficiency. I 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 strengthen 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 pundits small business tax cuts to address the pressures of high fuel prices increasing health care costs and rising property taxes. Early child -- college education is also becoming unaffordable for most Americans. By investing in head start for our youngest increasing grants and in cutting interest rates for college loans we 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 safer America. Every time I board a plane home with my -- CEO I think about the risks to our security and what we must do to protect our nation. We've 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 serviceman Iraq and that Walter -- some learning T used new limbs. I cannot describe T the pride I -- for their courage and strength and the gratitude for their sacrifices and commitments. For -- 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 and women and their families deserve our respect any eternal gratitude this support is the beat gaining 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 pill effectively combat terrorism and create stability in the Middle East. Time and time again and we voted for a strategy to redeploy troops out of Iraq. To leave policing the streets to Iraqis to focus our mission anti terrorism and we won't give up. Such a strategy force as the political reconciliation to a stability and rejection of terrorism can Lowell more effectively. Such an approach would allow for 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 broad band for rural America. And we must insist on fiscal discipline and balanced budgets. With a nine trillion dollar debt we spent hundreds of billions each year in interest payments to foreign governments. We cannot continue to deliver to our children and grandchildren a legacy of -- I truly believe that all good things are possible when the American people are heard. I learned this lesson and a very young age from my grandmother's example. She had a vision. And the secretary in our state legislature and you -- never attend college. She believed that by organizing all of the women in her community to become active in politics and government. That they can make a difference. And they did. Polly's girls as they were in and back and were heard by their local leaders because of their advocates he and commitment we can all make this difference in the coming year. God bless you all and please join me in a resolution to make to fascinate the year of building America's greatness. This is congressman -- Hillenbrand thank you for listening and happy New Year"