Congratulating the James Madison Brass Band
Floor Speech
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the James Madison Brass Band on their historic achievement at the North American Brass Band Championships held in Huntsville, Alabama, on April 6.
Under the leadership of their conductor, Professor Kevin Stees, the JMU Brass Band clinched the championship section title, marking a monumental milestone in the band's 24-year history.
Their victory is a testament to the talent and hard work of the students and their conductor.
Competing against seven other top-tier bands, the JMU Brass Band emerged victorious, marking the first time a collegiate band has claimed the highest division of the competition. This accomplishment adds to the band's remarkable record at the North American Brass Band Championships, including 14 podium finishes, underscoring their consistent excellence and resilience.
Moreover, Professor Stees' outstanding leadership has not only brought glory to JMU but also secured him a distinguished place in North American Brass Band Association history as only the second conductor to win in two different sections in the same year.
Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations to the JMU Brass Band, Professor Kevin Stees, and the entire JMU Dukes community on this remarkable achievement. Honoring Broadway Lions Club
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Broadway Lions Club, which is celebrating their 70th anniversary this year.
The Broadway Lions Club was chartered in 1954 by 20 men in Broadway, all thanks to the sponsorship of the Mt. Jackson and Elkton Lions Club. Although there has been much change over the last 70 years, their mission of serving the community has remained the same.
With 40 active members from the Broadway community, the Lions Club's primary focus is on sight and hearing needs for those in the community and assisting food programs in schools for students in need.
Mr. Speaker, as a fellow Lion, I thank all members of service organizations like the Broadway Lions Club for their outstanding work to make a difference in our community. I congratulate the Broadway Lions Club for their 70 years of service to our community. We look forward to their continued contributions and success for many years to come. Recognizing 100th Anniversary of Rockingham County Baseball League
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rockingham County Baseball League's 100th anniversary.
One of the oldest continuous baseball leagues in the country, the Rockingham County Baseball League was founded in June 1924 after J.R. ``Polly'' Lineweaver, who was a sportswriter for the Daily News Record, spearheaded the efforts.
At the beginning, seven communities joined the league, including Bridgewater, Briery Branch, Broadway, Dayton, Keezletown, Linville- Edom, and Spring Creek. They played their first games on June 28, 1924.
By 1938, the league began playing its own championship series each season. While teams have come and gone throughout the years, this league is made up of eight teams today: The Bridgewater Reds, Broadway Bruins, Clover Hill Bucks, Elkton Blue Sox, Grottoes Cardinals, Montezuma Braves, RCBL Shockers, and Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks.
As the league's 100th season begins on May 31, I am proud to honor the Rockingham County Baseball League. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the league for reaching this milestone and wishing the league continued success for years to come. Marking National Small Business Week
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, as we mark National Small Business Week, it is crucial to confront the stark reality facing America's entrepreneurs under the Biden administration. The administration has imposed regulatory burdens that have escalated to an unprecedented scale, with the cost of Federal regulations soaring to $1.3 trillion.
The small business community is now saddled with over 267 million man-hours of compliance paperwork, a stark comparison to the regulatory landscape under the Trump administration, where regulatory costs were over 45 times lower.
The economic climate continues to pose significant challenges, with persistent inflation undermining any optimism for relief.
Despite expectations, interest rate cuts remain a distant hope, forcing small businesses to halt expansion and investment plans. Inflation rates have not only been higher than anticipated but have seen recent upward revisions. Additionally, the first quarter GDP report revealed a disheartening 1.6 percent growth rate, falling short of the expected 2.4 percent.
This slowdown in consumer spending is further compounded by a 3.4 percent increase in the personal consumption expenditures price index, signaling the largest inflation surge within a year.
These figures underscore the dire circumstances confronting small businesses. The current administration's relentless regulatory assault, coupled with severe economic headwinds, is not only risking the survival of small businesses but is indicative of a broader disregard for the backbone of our economy.
We must pivot toward policies that alleviate rather than exacerbate these pressures. Our commitment must lie in fostering an environment conducive to the prosperity and growth of small businesses, which are integral to the Nation's economic vitality.
The evidence is clear, and the time for action is now. We owe it to America's entrepreneurs to implement measures that help rather than hinder their potential.
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