The Debate Begins Today‏

From the office of Congressman Peter Roskam…

This is an important week in Washington. As Congress goes back to work today following the tragic event in Tuscon, we do so with a critical task at hand: debate and vote on repealing Pelosicare.

Today, 200 economists sent an open letter to House and Senate leadership highlighting the law’s negative economic impacts on our country. These respected economists include former Congressional Budget Office directors, Federal Reserve economists, White House officials, and a Nobel laureate – and they’ve recognized what the American people already know. Pelosicare is bad for employers and detrimental to job growth in America.
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The Debate Begins Today‏”


Roskam Remarks on Resolution Condemning Attack of Rep. Giffords

From the office of Congressman Peter Roskam (R,ILL)…

Rep. Peter Roskam: “…I think as we all reflect on the gift that we’ve been given, we have a great example in Gabrielle Giffords of somebody who understands the nature of democracy, and a real willingness to serve. And we wish her the very best and pray for her complete recovery.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), the Chief Deputy Whip of the House Republican Majority, made the following remarks on the House floor this morning regarding House Resolution 32:

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Roskam Remarks on Resolution Condemning Attack of Rep. Giffords”


Ill. Congressman Roskam Condemns Horrifying Attack on Member of Congress, Staff, and General Public

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Chief Deputy Whip Congressman Peter Roskam released the following statement after the senseless attack against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), members of her staff, and members of the general public:

“Today’s attack against Rep. Giffords, members of her staff, and citizens interacting with their representative in the Tucson area, is horrifying and devastating, and I condemn it in the strongest of terms. Attacks of this kind, in our democratic society, simply cannot stand. My thoughts and prayers are with all those injured and their families in this senseless attack.”


The 11 Republicans on the Powerful House Ways and Means Committee

-By Warner Todd Huston

Veteran fiscal conservative Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL) has announced the names of the 10 Republicans that are joining him on the House Ways and Means Committee, the powerful committee that has jurisdiction over taxes, trade, and programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Peter Roskam is the Representative for the 6th Illinois Congressional District which is situated just west of Chicago. He is about to begin his third term in Congress and will advance to the position of Chief Deputy Whip in the 112th Congress. Roskam ranks fourth in the House GOP leadership. His American Conservative Union (ACU) ranking is 97.33 percent.

Two freshmen Representatives will be taking their place on this powerful committee.
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The 11 Republicans on the Powerful House Ways and Means Committee”


Schilling to Serve on Armed Services and Agriculture Committees

From the office of Congressman-elect Bobby Schilling…

Rep.-elect Schilling successfully pursues two committees important to our area’s interests

EAST MOLINE, IL–Representative-elect Bobby Schilling has received his committee assignments for the 112th Congress. He will be serving on both the Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. Illinois will get a representative on the House Armed Services panel after not having one during the 111th Congress. Schilling said he was pleased with his assignments and ready to start working for the 17th District.

“When I decided to run for Congress, I promised to deliver excellent constituent services to the people of our area,” Schilling said. “I will protect the Rock Island Arsenal and our area’s military interests on the Armed Services Committee and I will work hard for our farmers and producers as a member of the Agriculture Committee. I look forward to serving the people come January.”
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Schilling to Serve on Armed Services and Agriculture Committees”


Rep. Peter Roskam: What You Need to Know About the Deficit Commission‏

From the office of Representative Peter Roskam…

Recently, President Obama’s Deficit Reduction Commission put forth a plan to address our country’s staggering deficits and national debt. The plan did not receive enough votes to make it out of it’s own committee and into Congress, but it does provide an important opportunity to discuss a critical economic issue – spending.

Although the report does recognize the need for spending restraint in Washington, particularly focusing on the federal bureaucracy, it also advocates for raising taxes at a time when Americans can least afford it. For all of my observations, click below to watch my interview on Fox News Chicago:
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Rep. Peter Roskam: What You Need to Know About the Deficit Commission‏”


What They’re Saying About Rep. Roskam’s New Leadership Post

From the Office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, IL, 6th Distirct)…

Here is what they are saying on the various news outlets about Roskam’s appointment to Chief Deputy Whip. Also, enjoy the mashup video of the Chicago TV coverage below.

Crain’s Chicago Business

“Rep. Peter Roskam was named chief deputy majority whip of the incoming GOP-controlled House on Monday. The Wheaton Republican will rank fourth among House Republican leaders, giving Illinois a voice at the upper levels of the party’s hierarchy.”

“Mr. Roskam is positioned to be a go-between with the White House for the House GOP leadership. He and President Barack Obama served together in the Illinois Senate and collaborated in Springfield on issues such as death penalty reform.”
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What They’re Saying About Rep. Roskam’s New Leadership Post”


Roskam Receives Top Leadership Appointment, Named Chief Deputy Majority Whip

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (L 6th District)…

Rep. Peter Roskam: “The American economy faces serious challenges and we must all work together to end the uncertainty coming out of Washington so that we can once again unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit and get our economy and our country back on the right track.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Majority Whip-designate Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) today named Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) to serve as the Chief Deputy Whip for the 112th Congress.

McCarthy issued the following statement regarding the appointment:
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Roskam Receives Top Leadership Appointment, Named Chief Deputy Majority Whip”


A Thanksgiving Message From Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL)

-By Peter Roskam, Representative from the Illinois 6th District

As we enjoy this Thanksgiving Day, we have much to be thankful for. This holiday is an opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family, and to reflect on the many accomplishments and challenges the past year has brought.

One of the challenges most on the minds of families and individuals throughout Illinois is the looming federal income tax hike set to take effect in just five short weeks.

As I have traveled across the Sixth Congressional District, speaking to small business owners and local residents, I have heard an outpouring of concern that without immediate action, Congress will allow tax rates to climb higher for every American taxpayer, from the very lowest end of the tax bracket to the very highest. Meanwhile, our economy continues to struggle with persistently high unemployment that has left many in Illinois hurting from unemployment and under-employment.
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A Thanksgiving Message From Congressman Peter Roskam (R, IL)”


Congressman Roskam Commemorates Veterans Day From Korea

From Congressman Peter Roskam…

Joins His father, a Korean War Veteran, At President Obama’s Remarks to Troops at Yongsan Garrison

SEOUL, Korea, Nov 11 – Congressman Peter Roskam issued the following statement in commemoration of Veterans Day:

“It is a privilege to be in Korea today with my father on the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War – a war which he fought bravely in to preserve freedom and halt the advance of Communism. My father, V.R. Roskam, has received an outpouring of thanks and appreciation from Koreans everywhere we’ve visited the last week. It’s a powerful lesson: the sacrifices our men and women in the Armed Forces have made to preserve freedom in almost every corner of the globe, even decades later, are not forgotten. The bustling capital city of Seoul, home to 12 million people, is testament to the generations of Americans who have helped ensure the existence of whole nations of free people.
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Congressman Roskam Commemorates Veterans Day From Korea”


Democrat Teacher Can’t Believe Kids Would Vote For Republican

-By Warner Todd Huston

Last week I spied a short piece at Illinois Review about a post on My Suburban Life that detailed the story of a left-wing teacher that was shocked that a majority of her students in DuPage County, Illinois voted for Republican Representative Peter Roskam in the school’s mock election.

Social studies teacher Lori Keough of Glenbard High School found herself flummoxed that her students voted for every Democrat on the fake ballot but Representative Roskam, a Republican. Glenbard High is situated in Roskam’s 6th legislative district.

Students picked Republican Peter Roskam for the 6th district, with 52 percent of the vote, compared to Democrat Benjamin Lowe, who brought in 44 percent. For the other elections, students mainly voted for Democrats.

Social studies teacher Lori Keough was surprised by yesterday’s results.

“Just because DuPage County is so Republican, I was shocked that Democrats won every single race except for Roskam,” she said. “It shows in general that students are learning on their own and making decisions on their own and not going with what their parents think.”

You just have to laugh at this blinkered assumption that left-wing teacher Keough had here. So the kids didn’t make decisions just “going with what their parents think” but agreed with her that all Democrats should be elected… and as far as she is concerned her indoctrination of students is evidence of students “learning on their own” but if kids went with their parent’s ideas, why they are not “learning on their own.”
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Democrat Teacher Can’t Believe Kids Would Vote For Republican”


Roskam Video: The Road We are On is a Recipe for Disaster!

Representative Peter Roskam gives a rip roaring speech about the failures of Nancy Pelosi’s House of Representatives at a recent DuPage Republicans gathering.


Peter Rosakm: A Few Op Eds for Your Interest

From the office of Representaive Peter Roskam (R, Ill.)…

When you get a chance, take a look at two op-eds I wrote last week.

The first in National Review Online discusses the Republican agenda for the fall, including our plans to spur job creation, reel in government spending, establish predictability in the marketplace, and replace Obamacare with reforms designed to actually lower health care costs.
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Peter Rosakm: A Few Op Eds for Your Interest”


Rep. Roskam on The ‘Pledge To America’ (Answers to Earmarks Question)

-By Warner Todd Huston

Last week the House Republicans issued their update of the 1994 “Contract With America.” They have labeled it the “Pledge To America,” and it was launched to a standing ovation from House Republicans. On Friday I spoke to Representative Peter Roskam (R, Ill.) and asked a few questions about this new effort.

Roskam said that the preamble of the pledge, “which is really, I think, moving,” was met with a standing ovation when it was presented to all the Hose Republicans and the representative was pleased that the National Review said that the new pledge was bolder than the original 1994 contract.


Click to download document

He also threw out a little taunt to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi saying, “our members are game on and ready to go… if the Speaker wants to mock this stuff then the best way for her to deal with it is to call us out, which of course she won’t.”
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Rep. Roskam on The ‘Pledge To America’ (Answers to Earmarks Question)”


Roskam Responds to Obama’s New Stimulus Plan‏

From the office of Congressman Peter Roskam…

Recently President Obama presented his latest plan to “stimulate” our economy. Although he’s not calling it a stimulus package, the American people are seeing it for what it is – $50 billion of additional government spending. Unfortunately for the President, we’ve already seen the failure of one stimulus, and this new plan is no different.


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Roskam Responds to Obama’s New Stimulus Plan‏”


Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) on Obamacare

Last week, Congressman Peter Roskam was a guest blogger for The Heritage Foundation

If at first you don’t succeed, change the message. That’s the lesson learned when it comes to the new trillion dollar health law passed this spring.

One of the central advocacy groups who pushed for the Obamacare recently held a confidential ”messaging” conference call with the progressive movement where they revealed the results of extensive polling on the new law. Remember when the left was confident their controversial health care vote would soon be cheered by the public? The thinking was that Jane and John Doe simply needed more time to understand the two and half thousand page bill, because the year-long health care debate wasn’t enough time for them to get a grasp on it.
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Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) on Obamacare”


How To Keep An Economy Down

-By From US Congressman Peter Roskam

If you haven’t been paying attention to the tax cut debate yet, you need to take a few minutes to find out how Democrat Leaders in Congress are set to deliver a one-two punch to the American public in the form of higher taxes on families and small businesses. At this time of economic uncertainty and sluggish growth, an across-the-board tax increase on families and individuals promises to keep the economy on its knees.

Starting January 1, 2011, new tax rates will kick in across the board, raising taxes on American families and small businesses by a staggering $3.8 trillion, from those in the lowest tax bracket and continuing all the way up the economic ladder. The Tax Foundation, a non-partisan, independent research organization estimates that an average family of the Sixth Congressional District will see their income taxes increase $1,972. At a time when many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, this misguided policy will take more money out of the pockets of individuals in order to fuel more of the wasteful government spending that is on track to triple our national debt.
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How To Keep An Economy Down”


Roskam Seeks Increased Transparency in the House‏

From the office of Congressman Peter Roskam (R, ILL)…

As you may know, House Republicans recently rolled out a series of innovative tools for Americans to interact with their government and provide feedback on the issues facing our country today. These efforts, AmericaSpeakingOut.com and YouCut, are examples of the type of transparent and responsive leadership House Republicans will provide if we take back the majority in November.

I’ve had the privilege of serving on the forefront of this effort as the Vice Chairman and Job Creation Policy Director for AmericaSpeakingOut.com. Recently, House Republican Leader John Boehner, Rep. Aaron Schock, and I met with several organizations representing a range of businesses nationwide, organizations like the National Association of Manufacturers and National Federation of Independent Businesses. The purpose of this meeting was to hear suggestions directly from businesses responsible for creating jobs, generating growth, and restoring our economy to prosperity.
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Roskam Seeks Increased Transparency in the House‏”


Roskam Gives Republicans Weekly Address

From Roskam’s Office…

Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) Delivers Weekly Republican Address

Rep. Roskam: “Back in Illinois and around the country, the situation has reached a boiling point. Americans are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ and – forget about getting answers – they can’t even get President Obama and Washington Democrats to listen to their concerns.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the Weekly Republican Address, Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL) says President Obama needs to listen to the American people, who are asking ‘where are the jobs?,’ and abandon his failing ‘stimulus’ policies in favor of common-sense solutions that will promote private sector job creation. Republicans are listening to the American people through America Speaking Out and offering better solutions to cut spending now and help small businesses get people working again. Now in his second term in Congress, Rep. Roskam represents Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District and serves as job-creation policy director for America Speaking Out. Text of the address follows; audio of the address is available here and video of the address will be available here once the embargo is lifted.
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Roskam Gives Republicans Weekly Address”


Roskam Declares August 4th Debt Dependence Day

From the Office of Representative Peter Roskam…

Starting Today Every Dollar U.S. Spends in 2010 Must Be Borrowed

Rep. Roskam: “Though most families won’t celebrate Debt Dependence Day with fireworks and parades, this August 4th, every American should take note of the huge and growing share of our national debt with their name on it.”
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Roskam Declares August 4th Debt Dependence Day”


Rep Peter Roskam (R,IL) Returns from Israel after meeting with Netanyahu

<‬p>From the Office of Illinois Representative Perter Roskam…

‪<‬p>Greetings from Washington! In this town, it’s easy to get swept up in the critical domestic issues facing our country each day. With the mid-term elections less than four months away, a Democratic majority unable to draft a budget, and unemployment near ten percent, there is plenty keeping us busy.

‪<‬p>However, our country is also facing critical security issues on the international stage. Recently, I had the privilege of leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Israel – our nation’s only democratic ally in the tumultuous Middle East – to get a first hand account of the situation on the ground as it relates to American interests. As the co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, this trip was particularly insightful.
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Rep Peter Roskam (R,IL) Returns from Israel after meeting with Netanyahu”


Peter Roskam Working to Keep Ally Israel Close

Israeli Ambassador: ‘Tectonic Shift’ between Israel and U.S. Diplomats

Roskam Visit to Israel Next Week

From the Press Shop of Congressman Peter Roskam (R, ILL): In case it wasn’t already obvious, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren made it clear this weekend. As reported by Laura Rozen at Politico: “Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren is reported to have told Israeli diplomats that the U.S. and Israel are experiencing a “tectonic rift,” not a temporary crisis… According to the Israeli diplomats, Oren said … ’Relations are in the state of a tectonic rift in which continents are drifting apart,’”…. Oren noted that contrary to Obama’s predecessors – George W. Bush and Bill Clinton – the current president is not motivated by historical-ideological sentiments toward Israel but by cold interests and considerations…”
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Peter Roskam Working to Keep Ally Israel Close”


Roskam’s Straightforward Fix to Medicare Fraud

From Representative Peter Roskam’s Office (6th District)…

Predictive modeling technology would save billions

“This is not about donkeys. This is not about elephants. This is not about liberals. This is not about conservatives. This is about being smart and using the technology that is available to us, investing in it and deploying that to the benefit of the taxpayers and the seniors that we’re here to protect.’”

Washington – As much as $60 Billion of Medicare claims every year are fraudulent. Rep. Roskam has a straightforward, commonsense solution to fix this. In fact, even Nancy Ann DeParle, the White House’s Director of Health Reform, called him a few weeks before the healthcare vote to learn why his amendment wasn’t included in the healthcare bill. Roskam’s solution involves the same predictive modeling technology that credit card companies and other financial services institutions use to discover fraudulent payments with amazing success – only 0.047% of their $11 trillion in annual transactions are fraudulent.
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Roskam’s Straightforward Fix to Medicare Fraud”


Why Do Fannie And Freddie Execs Make More Than our Generals?

-By Warner Todd Huston

Representative Peter Roskam tries to offer an amendment that makes sure that the executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac don’t make more money than the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Naturally the Democrats would rather pay millions to the executives that are still running Freddie and Fannie into the ground than accept even this small measure of agreement between parties. The leftists keep bawling for bi-partisanship, yet won’t even agree with the smallest of bi-partisan measures.

Democrats don’t want “bi-partisanship.” They want total control and their voters are fools to imagine anything else.
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Why Do Fannie And Freddie Execs Make More Than our Generals?”


Gallup says Republicans in Lead – Keep the Momentum!‏

From the office of Representative Peter Roskam (6th District)…

It’s hard to believe but the November elections are just five months away and we have a critical task ahead – restoring a conservative Republican majority to the House of Representatives. This feat that once appeared to be out of reach is now well within our grasp if we keep our momentum going strong.

A new poll last week found that Republicans have opened their widest lead yet when it comes to which party voters prefer this fall. Gallup’s generic congressional ballot finds that the number of voters who say they will vote Republican has jumped to 49 percent, compared with 43 percent for Democrats. That’s not only the biggest lead Gallup has recorded for the GOP this election cycle – it’s the largest lead Republicans have ever had in the poll since it began in 1950.
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Gallup says Republicans in Lead – Keep the Momentum!‏”


Video: Let ME Stir ‘Em UP, Baby

-By Warner Todd Huston

Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam held a townhall last week after which he had video stations set up for folks to add their own ideas to the mix. He called it “Speaking Out” and I sure did.

the good congressman may not have been all so happy with my speaking out… but, hey, he ASKED for it! Ha ha.

Congressman Roskam has a YouTube channel (HERE) where you can see the other voters speaking out, too.


Rep. Peter Roskam’s Townhall (IL 6th District)

-By Warner Todd Huston

U.S. Representative Peter Roskam held a townhall back home in his 6th Congressional District in Illinois this weekend in Roselle, Illinois. This was a sort of dual purpose event, part one meant to advertise the GOP leadership’s new website project AmericaSpeakingOut, and part two being an open forum for anyone to ask the congressman a question.

I must say, it was refreshing to see a townhall where both left and right leaning questioners were able to interact with a congressman without yelling and screaming. The left was well represented in this right-leaning district by an email blast from MoveOn.org that alerted the lefties in the area to attend. It seemed that about 1/3 of the questions were from the left perspective.

First up Roskam discussed AmericaSpeakingOut.com.
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Rep. Peter Roskam’s Townhall (IL 6th District)”


Shame: Nine GOP Reps Supporting Union Bailout

-By Warner Todd Huston

For decades unions have mishandled their pension funds. These funds have been embezzled into the pockets of union chiefs, they have been wasted on needless expenses, and have been spent away on left-wing political causes not to mention simple mismanagement and bad investing. It has gotten so bad that few union pension funds for the rank and file members are adequately funded and retirement money for millions of union member’s is now at risk — naturally the separate pension funds for union bosses are almost universally in the black.

So, what’s the solution? What will befall the retirement funds of these poor rank and file union schlubs? As far as Illinois Representatives Aaron Schock and Peter Roskam and seven other Republicans are concerned you and I should bailout out these union thugs that have filled their pockets with their member’s retirement funds by giving them our tax dollars in a bailout plan supported by the Obama administration.

Apparently union crooks and neer-do-wells are too big to fail and Reps. Schock and Roskam think that our taxes should go to reward the criminal behavior and neglect by union bosses.
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Shame: Nine GOP Reps Supporting Union Bailout”


GOP Will Repeal Obamacare if They Take Control of House

-By Warner Todd Huston

Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) told reporters that the Republicans are “committed to repealing the health care law” if they take back control of the House or Representatives in November.

Boehner was touting the GOP effort AmericaSpeakingOut.com. Earlier today Representative Peter Roskam debuted his op ed about the effort here on the blog.

Please do take advantage of this opportunity to make your voice heard by our GOP leaders.
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GOP Will Repeal Obamacare if They Take Control of House”


AmericaSpeakingOut.com: Listen, Learn and Lead

-By Representative Peter Roskam (R, IL)

If you’ve noticed the uproar around the country over the direction America is heading, you are one step ahead of the Democratic Majority. It appears everyone from Nancy Pelosi to the intern answering the phones has their fingers in their ears and their eyes clamped shut when it comes to responding to the will of the people. Unfortunately, their mouths are still working overtime.

Alexander Hamilton stated the fact best: “Here, Sir, the people govern.” Congress would be wise to listen to the American people. Thankfully, in our social media age, it’s possible for Congress to be wise in ways almost unimaginable a few years ago.

Today/On Tuesday, May 25th, I joined my colleague Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), in a major national announcement unveiling an exciting new project we are spearheading called “America Speaking Out.” This effort will equip men and women all across America to dramatically affect the direction of our country by offering solutions to the tough challenges we face. This initiative draws on first-of-its kind technology to enable a meaningful two-way conversation about the policies our nation needs to pursue to get back on the right track.

Active, enthused participation is perhaps the hallmark of successful democracies. Through AmericaSpeakingOut.com, and through in-person town halls in congressional districts across the country, House Republicans can now engage the American people in the process of governing like never before.
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AmericaSpeakingOut.com: Listen, Learn and Lead”