Congressman Loebsack: American Spirit Alive And Well In Iowa
The following is a Guest Opinion published in the Iowa City Press-Citizen by Congressman Dave Loebsack, representing the Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives.President Obama's address on Tuesday was a sincere acknowledgment of where we are, where we are going and where we can go. He reminded us that “Americans are the hardest working people on Earth.” I know that Iowans in particular have the ability to dig in, work hard and achieve amazing results.
Here in Iowa, the resilience of the American people cannot be more magnified by the flood. As I tour the district, I am amazed by the depth and generosity of the American spirit. The hospital staffers who donated over one thousand hours of unpaid leave to help their co-workers remind us what a strong, self-reliant community can do when times are tough. They remind us that hard work and self sacrifice are vital attributes of a community. The young America Corps workers who were among the first on the ground sandbagging alongside residents of the flood-afflicted areas remind us that those who are first and last to help when disaster strikes are often our youth.
As a former educator, I believe education is the equalizer and enabler necessary to pull people up. The president and I share a commitment to service and education. I believe that all students should have the right to an affordable and an accessible education. I look forward to working on both sides of the aisle to make sure that our children receive an education that equips and empowers them to succeed in an increasingly globalized economy.
Investments in education, health care and renewable energy will empower America now and in years to come. We are making strides to bring about the measures that will stabilize the economy and bolster the backbone of our country – the middle class. We have passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a bill that while not perfect, will bring aid quickly into the second district, create jobs and give tax cuts across the board to 95 percent of Iowans.
As President Obama works with my colleagues and me to set the fiscal priorities in the budget, we must remember that there are no overnight solutions. Times ahead promise to be difficult, but Iowans are up to the challenges we will no doubt face. The budget and our path toward a stronger Iowa must include the long-term investments in energy, health care and education that will lead to new jobs and industries.
The president's call to action reminded us that the time to renew America's promise has come, that our actions today will determine our future and that Americans can achieve anything when put to the test.
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