In my continuing effort to bring good jobs and industry to our district, I was proud to host the 9th Annual Defense Trade Show in Fayetteville last week. The relationship between our local businesses and the Department of Defense is strong, but must be made stronger. This event helped bring the two closer, and provided our defense and military contractors with workshops to better understand the procurement process. I believe we best ensure the safety of our servicemen and women by outfitting and equipping them in uniforms and equipment made here in America. This is the most common sense way to not only protect our freedom and borders, but also help protect our economy. Bad trade deals and tax loopholes for businesses that ship jobs overseas have hurt our local economy for far too long. We must pave the way for individuals and small businesses to prosper, not hinder them. I remain committed to doing all I can to promote small businesses.
I serve you in Congress with one priority in mind--to do what is right by the people of our district. Over the past decade, we’ve seen countless companies pack up and ship their manufacturing facilities overseas. I’m sad to say that we have loopholes in our laws that ultimately end up rewarding these companies with huge tax breaks. This week, I cast a vote for the people over foreign profits. Congress passed legislation to close over $9 billion dollars in foreign tax loopholes, ending the rewards for businesses who leave our workforce by the wayside. I remain committed to putting an end to all unjust incentives and tax loopholes that reward companies for taking jobs overseas. Given a fair chance, the American workforce will leave all others in the dust. This vote was step to give our workers that fighting chance.
That very same legislation also included much needed funding for education. As a former teacher, I know the anxiety of the start of the new school year. In our current economic times, both teachers and parents must deal with additional concerns of financial woes and fear of job loss. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act will directly help ease those burdens, and I was proud to support it last week. The bill is estimated to save over 5,000 teaching jobs in North Carolina alone, as well as provide funding to keep law enforcement officers on the beat and keep our firefighters on call.
I also had the distinct honor of welcoming the Republic of Zambia’s Ambassador to the U.S to our district last week. Our office is working with local companies interested in doing business with the Zambian government, and having the ambassador here to witness what we have to offer first hand was a great step. While here, we toured the Golden Gait Trailers headquarters in Concord to show the Ambassador the MED-1 Partners’ mobile hospital trailers. These trailers are a standard 50-foot length, but are able to expand and adapt into an emergency hospital capable of treated hundreds. Innovative local ideas like this need to be shared with all willing to listen, and I’m proud to say that the Zambian government is working on purchasing multiple units to help them treat patients in more rural areas of their country.
While in Cabarrus County, the ambassador also toured the North Carolina Research Campus and got to see all of the great work they continue to do there. As a leading research facility, the NCRC is on the cutting edge of science and nutrition worldwide, and I was honored to be able to help display their abilities and accomplishments on a global stage.
Our tour brought us to a Concord company also revolutionizing its field. SBM Solar designs and manufactures affordable solar panels for alternative energy. The appeal and market for alternative energy technology is worldwide, And with many other fields, I was proud to show the Zambian delegation a local company with a proven record of success in that industry. Just as we can use the sun to help power our homes and businesses, we can use common sense and innovation to help power our local economy.
Our district is making progress. Though economic times have been hard, we are still on our feet and remain the strongest nation in the world. I will continue to do all that I can to tell everyone I meet just how great our district and just how much our people to offer. Please do not hesitate to contact any of my offices if you ever need assistance or have any questions or concerns. We’re in this fight together, and I will continue to do all in my power to open up opportunities for the businesses and workers of our district. We have so much potential and talent here, and I am going to continue to work to make sure the world knows it.
Congressman Larry Kissell (D-N.C. -8) offices include Rockingham: 230 East Franklin St., Rockingham, NC 28379, Phone: 997-2070; Concord number (704) 786-1612; Fayetteville number (910) 920-2070; Washington office: 512 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515; phone (202) 225-3715. Web site, kissell.house.gov.
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