The Roswell Daily Record: Chamber Awards Pearce for Pro-growth Support

News Article

Richard Jacques

The Roswell Chamber of Commerce presented U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce its "Spirit of Enterprise" award for his support of pro-growth legislation during the second session of the 109th Congress.

Announced in April by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the award was presented locally by Roswell Chamber President Greg Nibert Wednesday.

"Steve knows the obstacles and the hurdles that businesses face, particularly small businesses and rural communities and so he has gone to Washington with a keen eye toward those issues," said Nibert, while introducing the third-term Republican from Hobbs.

Nibert said Pearce and his Congressional voting record have been instrumental in working for local businessmen on some local concerns.

According to the USCOC, the award is presented annually with eligibility based on how members of Congress vote on key business issues, which the U.S. Chamber outlines in its annual publication, "How they Voted."

The Chamber key-voted 12 Senate and 15 House votes in 2006, including comprehensive pension reform, extended tax relief, maritime and cargo security enhancements and the U.S./India nuclear agreement.

This year 306, lawmakers, who supported at least 70 percent of the Chamber's "key vote" issues, received the Spirit of Enterprise award - 248 in the House, according to the USCOC.

Also in attendance at the Chamber building ceremony were Roswell Mayor Sam LaGrone, Hagerman Mayor Cliff Wade, Roswell City Councilor Marlin Wells, New Mexico Military Institute President and Superintendent Rear Adm. David Ellison and Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Provost Dr. Judy Armstrong.

At the presentation event, Pearce thanked the Chamber for the award and held a lengthy question and answer session regarding issues facing the nation and New Mexico.

What Pearce had to say regarding:

Big business:

I don't dislike any business, but I will tell you I distrust large businesses as much as I distrust large government. ... I don't hate those stores but I distrust them because they make decisions which are for their home base, not for our home base."

Education:

"Our entire education system depends on changing our education system to where we can compete. China is very good, not just a little good."

A possible clash between Taiwan and China by 2012:

"We will be faced with 'what to do?' ... We've got five years until we are going to have to (possibly) face the Chinese and decide whether to stand by our friend, Taiwan, or to let China take them in and just simply take them over. .

Iraq:

"We can run but we can't hide and we can bring the troops home if you want to ... but we are the single target for every tyrannical regime that exists they want to annihilate us because we are the one voice that will stand up for justice and freedom throughout this world."

Methamphetamine problem:

"We are going to continue the discussion on methamphetamines because they are killing our state and they are killing 2nd District families .. five times the national average, at what point are we going to get concerned enough to fight back as a community? ... When we fight door-to-door, that's when we start winning the war on drugs."

Border protection:

"I've raised the pressure high enough and loud enough that the border in southern New Mexico is quite secure. The National Guard has a good bit to do with that. ... 10,000 people are trying to be worked through the system, then we can lower the number of National Guard troops on the border."

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