Hocking County, meet Congressman Stivers

Originally from Ripley, Ohio, Stivers' mother, sister and brother still live there. "It was a great place to grow up," he recalled. "I went to Ohio State University and that's what took me to Columbus." He now makes a life there in the suburbs with wife Karen, and daughter Sarah, 2. "This new district takes me to Southern Ohio, and I'm excited about that. It gets me back to my Southern Ohio roots."

While in Logan this week, Stivers met with community leaders and officials about local economic concerns before chatting with the public down at the Logan-Hocking County District Library.

"Getting the HUBZone back is a focus," said Stivers. A HUBZone is a program of the United States Small Business Administration for small companies that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). The main goal is to create incentives for the federal government to contract with businesses that operate and create jobs in communities with certain economic needs. Therefore, this acts as an incentive for such businesses to be located here.

"I was talking to Bill Rinehart about that. (Rinehart is the Hocking County Community Improvement Corporation executive director.) The HUBZone issue is an issue that [State] Sen. [Troy] Balderson (R-20th District) is working on too. Bill explained that the CIC is competing against the Port Authority in Athens which has different powers and regulations. So there's an interest in restoring the HUBZone designations. [U.S. Rep.] Bob Gibbs' office (R-18th District) is working on that."

He continued, "I want to make sure that is taken care of so we can bring jobs to Hocking County. Two-hundred to three-hundred jobs is a big deal in a community this size and [the kinds of companies the CIC wants to lure] certainly would be a major employers."

Like many elected to office, Stivers says he'll focus on creating jobs and reducing the national debt; though he is taking some steps to position himself to effect change for his constituents. "As a freshman Congressmen, right now I'm on the financial services committee. Moving forward, I want to make sure my committees reflect the new district I serve," he said, naming agriculture as an example.

Something that separates Stivers from his fellow Congressmen is that he's a Lt. Colonel in the Ohio Army National Guard. Stivers is perhaps best known in Ohio for having been called to active duty in 2004 while serving as a State Senator. For 14 months, he divided his time between Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Djibouti as a Battalion Commander. He was awarded a Bronze Star.

Also unique is that he currently is attending War College and serving as a U.S. Congressman at the same time. The United States Army War College is the Army's most senior military educational institution. It serves high-level military personnel and civilians, preparing them for strategic leadership responsibilities and trains most of the army's colonels or lieutenant colonels. In the U.S. military, it is considered an honor and a privilege to be chosen to attend the War College of your respective military branch. Because he can't attend the one-year residential option at the War College, Stivers is completing the three-year option which utilizes online forums.

"I wish every member of Congress got that kind of strategic education," said Stivers, who graduates in July. "The knowledge I get there I use every day on national security issues. It's been busy the last year; I started War College before I was elected to Congress. It really is valuable in matters of civil military affairs or deciding what to do in a hot spot.

"There's a new, untested leader in North Korea, and we are addressing Afghanistan — and Iraq despite the troop withdrawal. I think the experience of 27 years of 'boots on the ground,' War College and other military education helps me make thoughtful choices."

While in Logan, Stivers also met with someone representing local bank concerns over federal regulations. "I can't tell banks what's important when they know what's important to their customers better than a regulator. I think financial services can and should matter. You've got to be able to have a bank that lends you money."

So what else is on Stivers' mind? "I've sponsored nine bills. We've had a couple of them pass committee; some, I think, will pass the full House. We've helped change the debate in Washington from 'how much we'll spend' to 'how much we'll reduce.' We haven't been able to spend down since the 1990s. We've started to change the culture to one of more fiscal responsibility, checks and balances. And I think that's what the founding fathers wanted. It's a frustrating time to be in Washington. I try to lead by example." For instance, he has given 5 percent of his salary to pay down the National Debt, and while in Washington during the week, he sleeps on an air mattress in his office. "It gets me to work earlier," he said deadpan.

Stivers says that every bill he sponsors has a Democrat co-sponsor. "These are things that matter, that we can work together on."

Stivers says his "real signature bill" is a national transportation bill that will be funded by off-shore drilling "which will reduce the price of fuel at the pump, pay for roads and bridges and create jobs." Stivers says there is a backlog on the maintenance of roads and this measure will provide billions of needed dollars toward replacement and repair. The Energy Security and Transportation Jobs Act has been referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. It has 16 cosponsors.

Two other bills he has introduced would direct nickels and pennies to be made out of steel. "It costs 10 cents to make a nickel." Taking it a step further, Stivers says it costs 1.5 cents to make a penny. He believes the bills (HR 3694 and HR 3693 to alter the metallic composition of these coins, respectively) could equal billions of dollars in savings. The measures have been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

"Another bill I'm sponsoring is related to the purchase of federal land. When the federal government purchases land, it comes off the tax rolls. The federal government could do a better job of conservation if it focused on what it already owned. [The law] wouldn't prevent the government from purchasing more land, but we'd have to sell to buy. This will equal better conservation practices," said Stivers.

He also initiated an easier way for Americans to utilize an "innovative way to pay down the National Debt." It's the same thing he's done by giving back 5 percent of his salary. "Americans made voluntary contributions last year more than ever to pay down the National Debt. It's a tax deductible contribution, but not convenient." Stivers has proposed a check-off box on tax forms that individuals may check if they wish to contribute to reducing the National Debt. Each person can write in the amount he or she wishes to give. "The money has to go directly and totally to pay down the National Debt. It can't be diverted," He explained. The bill (HR 2214), has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. It has 111 cosponsors.

When not working on legislation, every fourth week, Stivers spends a week back in Ohio in his district. "I need to make sure people get to know me — know me and trust me."

After 11 months in Washington, D.C., Stivers now has some impressions of life on Capitol Hill. "We have a big freshmen class. I was a State Senator for six years, and what surprises me is that a lot of these people have never served in public office. But they've risen to the task — and Republican or Democrat — I've learned something from every one of them. They've added something to the debate. That doesn't mean I always agree, but they're doing a great job of representing their constituents.

"Then there's how frustrating its been to see the gridlock. We agree on a lot of things [in Washington], but can't get things done. Bills are just sitting there. I'd like to see those move. I'm frustrated by the pace of Washington."

Despite the frustrations and time away from home, Stivers says, "I feel like this is something I've got to do for a while to get America turned around. ... Having a two-year-old, that's the hardest part, being away from my wife and daughter. But I do it because if we don't start turning this country around, Sarah's future, and the future of other children, won't be as bright."