I'm going to post the entire press release with one bit of commentary. The news isn't all bad. Larry isn't anti-environment. It's actually one of his strengths. His district has some of the counties with the highest unemployment in the state and high unemployment is a chronic condition for them. Maybe, for the 8th District, this was just the right bill at the wrong time.

Those of you who pay attention to this stuff...there's a delicate little dance they do in Congress allowing certain members in competitive districts to vote with their district if they've been able to whip enough votes and know the legislation is going to pass. I can't help but think that Heath and Larry traded votes on this one. No way in hell Heath Shuler is left of Larry Kissell.

Last week the Union County Chamber of Commerce hosted Rep. Larry Kissell for their Freshman Forum series. This week the U.S. Chamber's Executive Vice President of Government Affairs, Bruce Josten, sings his praises.

Since the elections, we’ve worked with the President and Congressman Kissell to quickly pass a bill that would apply a defibrillator to the economy and shock it back to life.

While not everyone in Washington or North Carolina agrees on every item in this package, the whole is more important than the individual parts. Our economy is in uncharted and dangerous waters and inaction from Washington is not an option.

I know there are times when we love to hate the Chamber. I wish we could separate their financial support for Republicans out of the mix. They've worked hard so hard to elect Republicans, it is tough not to hold them accountable for some of the mess we're in.

Rep. Larry Kissell fulfills a long-broken promise made by Robin Hayes to help the textile industry and its workers. When he proposed the amendment, Rep. Kissell called it an extension of the Berry Amendment. This new amendment is now known as the Kissell Amendment. A little over a month and Larry has his first bit of legislation passed through both houses of congress and headed to the President's desk.

Senator Kay Hagan had high praise for Kissell's efforts on behalf of North Carolina's textile workers.

The textile industry is a cornerstone in North Carolina, and the Kissell amendment will be a boon for our economy there. I am so pleased to support another member of the delegation in such a worthy endeavor, and pleased that we were able to keep the measure in the conference report. North Carolina families are hurting, and this legislation will help create the jobs that they need. Congressman Kissell’s amendment is a prime example of the kinds of common sense provisions in the economic recovery package that will put people back to work immediately, ensure a certain degree of job security and get the economy moving again. I applaud Congressman Kissell’s success in having his legislation passed as a part of the economic recovery package, and I look forward to seeing the positive effects it will have in North Carolina and around the country.

Rep. Larry Kissell was one of 11 members of Congress who had their amendments to the stimulus bill introduced on the House floor and offered for debate and a vote. In 2007 Kissell's predecessor had introduced a similar bill. He was not able to get it out of committee. In ten years holding the seat, former Rep. Robin Hayes was able to get five bills passed with most introduced to rename post offices in the congressman's district.

Kissell's amendment, if it remains part of the package after the bill makes it through the Senate, will expand the Berry Amendment to require that uniforms purchased by the Department of Homeland Security also be made with fabric and findings manufactured in the United States. The amendment is intended to keep people working and put some textile workers back to work.

For your viewing pleasure....and don't miss the look that Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-GA gives Larry after he challenges Rep. Kissell. We must note that Rep. Westmoreland is a member of the Prayer Caucus, a group that has Robin Hayes on the board of advisors.