Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 -- Motion to Proceed -- Continued

Floor Speech

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Mr. PRYOR. Madam President, I thank my colleague who allowed me to jump in front of him in the line. I appreciate that.

I am sorry for my voice today. I sound a little bit like Daffy Duck, but I have a cold, and I am working through that right now.

I rise today to speak for a few minutes about something in this country we take for granted--and that is electricity.

Ever since the Rural Electrification Act back in the 1930s passed, for the most part every person in this country has had access to electricity. I know there are a few exceptions, but basically that program has worked extremely well and continues to work. As the Presiding Officer, who comes from a rural State, knows, sometimes we have investor-owned facilities, sometimes we have these cooperative type utilities, and sometimes we have even municipalities.

I rise today to focus on something the Arkansas electric cooperatives have been involved in, and I thank 25 power linemen in the 12 electric coops in Arkansas who recently completed a mission to electrify two remote Guatemalan villages. Combined with a 2013 project, Arkansas electric cooperative linemen have assisted in providing electric service to more than 770 rural Guatemalan residents who otherwise would not have electricity. This is the first time these people have ever had electricity in their lives.

This rural electrification initiative is part of Arkansas's Operation Razorback-Guatemala that started in 2012 in cooperation with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International. After a year of planning, the linemen arrived in Guatemala on March 26 and then traveled approximately 9 hours to the remote villages of Las Flores and La Hacienda to ``light up'' the land. I commend them for giving their time, energy, and know-how to improve the lives of hundreds of Guatemalans who before this did not even know--because electricity is a critical element to improving the quality of life--the quality of health care, the quality of education, and some of the basics that, again, we often take for granted in this country--such as clean water and many other vital services.

This area in Guatemala processes and exports coffee beans that end up at companies such as NESCAFE, McDonald's, Starbucks, and other coffee outlets. This new reliable access to electricity will help these villagers increase the quantity and quality of their locally grown coffee, resulting in economic prosperity and a better quality of life for present and future generations. So they will be even more connected with the global economy because of what these people from the Arkansas electric coops did to help these folks.

Senator Boozman could not be here today; otherwise, he would be here sitting at his desk saying a few words. But he did pass on for me a brief statement he wanted me to read:

We are proud of Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas's willingness to support people around the world who need safe, affordable and reliable electricity. Operation Razorback has been a real success that will result in improved economic prosperity, a higher quality of life and more opportunities for Guatemalans today and for future generations. Sharing our knowledge, expertise and technology will make a lasting impact. These Guatemalan villages will never be the same thanks to the progress made by the volunteers of Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

We have a few of those people with us today, and I wish to recognize them: Duane Highley, who is the CEO; Kirkley Thomas, who is the vice president of the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation in Arkansas; Mel Coleman, CEO of the North Arkansas Electric Cooperative; Paul Garrison, one of the linemen who actually went on the trip.

I asked him earlier: What is the first thing these people will get? He said: Lights. Naturally that is what they are going to try to get.

Again, we appreciate them. And also, Jo Ann Emerson, a long-time friend and colleague on the House side, president and CEO of NRECA.

In addition to donating their time and raising more than $100,000 to support this electrification effort, the group also trained local linemen, donated power infrastructure materials, and distributed humanitarian aid items to these local villages.

I again thank the coops and acknowledge them for how they are making not only Arkansas better but also making the world better.

Madam President, I yield the floor.

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