Recently, the House passed a bill that will benefit consumers, investors and homeowners across the country. Congressman Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly, who represents the 11th district, my district, voted, along with 236 colleagues, to pass the Wall Street reform bill that will, among many other sensible measures, hold banks and corporations accountable and their practices transparent to their shareholders and to the public.
I was glad to see Rep. Connolly's name in the "yea" column. His vote confirms that his concerns lie with the financial security of individuals and families within the 11th District and not the special interests and deceptive practices of Wall Street mega-banks.
His was a vote to eliminate loopholes for loan corporations and commercial companies. It was a vote to ensure proper professional responsibility and prevent harmful self-dealing. It was a vote to allow shareholders of public companies to have a say in compensation packages for corporate executives.
I am grateful that my congressman has sided with American families, not with Wall Street executives and their risky deals that led to one of the largest financial collapses in our history and an economy that is still struggling to regain its momentum.
With the passage of this bill, there will be more confidence in our financial institutions, and I believe that the recovery will accelerate. I hope that the Senate proceeds quickly with the same common-sense judgment, and that the bill arrives on the president's desk as soon as possible for the sake of the economic future of our families.
ELLEN M. GUILLEN
Lake Ridge
