Congressman honors Rusk citizen

U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling, right, presents a congratulatory statement included in the Congressional Record to Rusk Citizen of the Year Lewie Byers. "I am honored to recognize Mr. Byers for his hard work and want to thank him for generously offering his time to the community. am proud to represent such a dedicated servant in the House of representatives," Mr. Hensarling said.

U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling (TX-05) presented Rusk's Citizen of the Year Lewie Byers with a congratulatory statement Feb. 20. Hensarling had included the statement in the Congressional Record.

"I am honored to recognize Mr. Byers for his hard work and want to thank him for generously offering his time to the community. I am proud to represent such a dedicated servant in the House of Representatives," Hensarling said.

Mr. Byers is the president of the Rusk branch of Texas National Bank, but manages to find time to serve his community in several civic organizations, including the Rusk Chamber of Commerce, Rusk Economic Development Corp. Board, the Rusk Industrial Foundation, a former member of the Rusk City Council. In addition, Mr. Byers is a member of the Rusk Lions Club and served on the East Texas Council of Boy Scouts.

In addition to honoring Mr. Byers, Congressman Hensarling visited Cherokee County to discuss the economy. He toured Tally Ho Plastics in Jacksonville that morning where he spoke about the economy with factory employees. The congressman also discussed solutions he has proposed in Congress that would help create jobs for hardworking East Texans.

"First and foremost, Congress must help ensure that middle-income Americans can keep up with the rising cost of living. As East Texans face an uncertain economy and rising health care, food, education and energy costs, it is time for both sides in Washington to work together and ensure that good paychecks continue to flow into the pockets of workers," Rep. Hensarling said.

"We have to make sure that couples who get married aren't punished by the marriage penalty and other scheduled increases, such as the expiration of the child tax credit. Tax relief for middle-income Americans is very important, especially at a time when their paychecks are squeezed by an increase in the cost of living."

Congressman Hensarling also wants to ensure that small businesses don't face an enormous tax hike.

Hensarling has co-authored legislation that will allow East Texas job creators to keep more of their earnings so they can, at a minimum, sustain current payroll levels but more than likely put more paychecks into the hands of deserving workers and hire new people. The Economic Growth Act of 2008 will ensure that Washington takes a back seat to Main Street and job creators are empowered to do what they do best- create jobs.

"It is hardworking people like you, and job creators like Tally Ho, that are the engine that drives the American economy," Hensarling told the crowd. "We must do everything we can to protect - and strengthen- - middle income paychecks so that workers in Cherokee County can keep up with the cost of living."

Congressman Hensarling empathized with displaced workers who lost their jobs due to the recent closing of Alliance Data's Jacksonville call center saying, "I am very concerned about the loss of jobs in Cherokee County, and realize some East Texas workers are facing rough times. That is why I have introduced legislation, the Economic Growth Act of 2008, aimed at growing the economy and increasing employment opportunities for East Texans.

"Congress can be a partner with Cherokee County to help create an even more attractive place for businesses to locate," Congressman Hensarling said. "Let me assure you that I will not stop fighting for commonsense economic growth and job creation until every hard working Cherokee County resident has access to a job and the ability to keep food on their kitchen table."

Congressman Hensarling also addressed the recent tax refund proposal that President Bush signed into law last week. Under this law, a one-time tax refund will be mailed to qualifying taxpayers.

"It is never a bad thing to give money back to hard-working taxpayers," Hensarling remarked. "But, we must be careful not to confuse temporary tax rebates with economic growth. True growth comes from allowing small businesses, families, and job creators have access to capitol to actually grow the economy. This kind of growth will preserve jobs and paychecks and even offer the opportunity to grow those paychecks." Congressman Hensarling is also working to fix the broken system of congressional earmarks which cost American taxpayers $18 billion last year alone. Hensarling is one of only 12 members of the House who have refused to request any pork barrel projects.