Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference During Congressional Delegation Visit to Flint, Michigan

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered remarks today at a press conference in Flint, Michigan during a Congressional delegation visit with Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07), Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52), Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12). Members of the Congressional delegation met with small business owners and received a briefing on the federal response earlier in the day. Below is a transcript of his remarks: 

"Thank you so much Dan Kildee. Thank you so much Debbie Dingell. Thank you so much Brenda Lawrence. Thank you so much Michigan Delegation. From your Senators and entire House team that has been raising this issue, focusing the Congress’ attention on this issue, focusing the Administration attention on this issue, and yes, focusing the attention of people of this country on this issue. Very frankly, I came here to see about the lead in the water. What I’ve seen here in Flint and in the people in Flint - the determination, resilience, the expectation that tomorrow will be better than today.

"The first meeting we had was not about a wringing of hands, it was about the fact that we’re going to make it and we’re going to improve the health of our children and the health of our community. But also we’re going to be improving the economics of our community, and the job availability in our community, and retail strength of our community. That is the good news. So while Flint needs help, Flint is about helping itself. Dan Kildee’s leadership, the Mayor’s leadership, the business community's leadership.

"We talked to people from the northern part of Flint who said don’t forget about us, we are one city. I’m here on behalf of the people that I represent who know they could be in Flint’s place. Because they too have older infrastructure. And the message needs to be we need to invest and not be pennywise and pound foolish. That’s what happened in this instance. That’s the negligence of which Dan Kildee spoke. Pennywise, saving a little bit here, and we have a lot of cost there. The cost cannot be determined just in dollars and cents. But I’m here with two colleagues, who are not from Michigan, but understand we are in this together – one nation indivisible.

"And so, we are glad to be here. Dan Kildee, thank you for organizing this opportunity we’ve had. We’ve been here for some period of time, we’re going to do a couple of other visits when we leave you to better understand the challenges. But leaving here with the good news of a community that is committed to making sure that this will not be the end but a new beginning. So Dan Kildee thank you very much. We are going to be with you, as well as with other communities, telling people that we need to invest in our infrastructure, in our people’s health, and in our children.

"And I’m now pleased to yield to somebody who knows a lot about challenges, who knows a lot about resilient communities, and who knows a lot about how to focus  – the Congressman who represents Baltimore, former Speaker Pro Tempore of the Maryland House, and now the Ranking Member of Oversight and Government Reform Committee, my friend Elijah Cummings from the state of Maryland."