Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the remarkable life of Walter Monahan, an exceptional man who was taken far too soon due to COVID-19. Walter was a decorated Vietnam military veteran, an active community leader and volunteer, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Walter became the second resident in Erie County to pass due to COVID-19. His wife, Valerie Monahan, and his family, wishes for the public to remember Walter for the extraordinary person he was, not just as a statistic in a public health emergency. Walter's unfortunate passing allows us to honor his legacy and the incredible work he did while reminding us all that we must continue to actively take a stand against COVID-19.

Walter's lifelong commitment to serving his country is beyond commendable. He was a Petty Officer second class in the United States Navy. Walter's military career began when he served two tours on a destroyer during the Vietnam War. From there, the Navy truly became a part of Walter's blood. When his tours ended, Walter was transferred to the Pentagon to work for the Chief of Naval Operations. Walter also was a dedicated and active veteran. He marched with the Rochester Vietnam Veterans Chapter 20 marching unit and served on the board of directors.

I had the honor of meeting Walter myself and presenting him with a Vietnam Lapel Pin in thanks for his remarkable service. Walter's immense dedication, sacrifice, and service does not go unrecognized. He exemplified what it means to truly be a patriot, dedicating himself to our American values and serving his country proudly.

It was while he worked at the Pentagon that Walter met the love of his life, Valerie. The two soon got married and returned to Rochester, where Walter had grown up. Together, Walter and Valerie raised two lovely children, their daughter, Kelly and their son, Michael. After moving to Buffalo in 2007, Walter worked as a facilities director for People Inc's Senior Centers. He is remembered by his co-workers for his exceptional customer service, incredible family-oriented mindset, and his immense compassion. They reflect on Walter as being ``the kind of employee everyone would want on their team--skilled, caring, friendly, funny and enjoyable to know.''

A pinnacle of his community, Walter additionally dedicated his time to being an active member of numerous organizations. He served as a Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph University Parish, a docent at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, and a school bus driver. Walter, a true family man at heart, also became a fixture at just about every event involving his grandchildren during his retirement. Walter nobly dedicated his life to service in all manners. He went above and beyond in working to make a better community for all, a true testament to his dedication to service.

COVID-19 wrongfully claimed the remarkable life of Walter, taking his life all too soon. After noticing Walter was not getting enough oxygen, his wife of 50 years, Valerie, called 911 and Walter was admitted to Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Walter's family believed he would recover quickly, thinking he simply had pneumonia or bronchitis. Unfortunately, Valerie was never able to see her beloved husband conscious again. Hours after he arrived at the hospital, Walter was attached to a ventilator and put under a medically induced coma. The family was allowed just moments at his bedside before Walter's passing. Despite the persistence and dedication of the doctors, there was nothing more that could be done for Walter. Walter passed on March 25, 2020 at the age of 74 due to COVID-19, being the second Erie County resident to lose their life to the deadly disease.

After Walter's tragic passing, Valerie dedicated herself to mobilizing people in the community to take a stand against COVID-19. Valerie's early and persistent calls for mask usage along with her active pursuit in spreading the truth about the virus was vital in keeping our community safe during such challenging times. The people are forever in debt to Valerie for her work in taking preventive measures against COVID-19 and advocating for others to do the same.

Today, I wish to echo Valerie's calls for action and encourage the American people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. We now have the means to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this horrible disease. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way we can prevent another loss such as Walter. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Walter and the extraordinary life of service he led and in choosing to actively stand against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. Walter was an incredible man who dedicated his life to serving his country and community nobly. His life was cut all too short due to this horrible and deadly virus. By getting the COVID-19 vaccination, each person is actively taking a step to ensure we do not lose any more American citizens to this illness. May we honor Walter's legacy and remarkable life by ensuring his death is not in vain; we must continue to protect our communities and country in the same fashion Walter did during his lifetime.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Roscoe Brown, a member of the Montford Point Marines, an elite team of men who bravely signed up to fight abroad for our nation's freedom even while they were being denied equal rights here at home. We will never forget his courage, trailblazing determination, and selfless service.

In 2011 I co-sponsored H.R. 2477, a bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines. The legislation was approved by Congress and signed by President Obama. In November of 2012 a ceremony was held to present many of the Marines with their medals, however Mr. Brown was unable to attend. In April of 2013 my office secured the medal and at Mr. Brown's request, I presented the honor in a special ceremony at Bethesda World Harvest International Church in Buffalo, where Brown served as a Deacon.

During the struggle of World War 11, America called Mr. Brown and the Montford Point Marines to duty, and they answered with selfless service in defense of our freedoms. The 1941 Fair Employment Act prohibited racial discrimination by federal agencies; finally giving African- Americans the right to enlist in the Marine Corps. However, like the rest of America at the time, military training facilities were segregated. Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina served as the training site for African-American men eager to serve in the Marines. Over a 7 year period beginning in 1942, approximately 20,000 African Americans were trained at the Camp, many serving during World War II. In 1949 Montford Point Camp was deactivated and all recruits were trained side-by-side.

The Public Affairs office of the United States Marine Corps added, ``The sacrifice of these men paved the way for other minorities and all women to be integrated into the Marine Corps. By their sacrifice, MPM's engineered social and cultural change in the Marine Corps that created a lasting impact and has contributed to the success of the Marine Corps today.''

Born in 1927 in Texas, Roscoe Brown came to Buffalo in 1944 and resided in Williamsville, New York. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July of 1945, was squad leader in boot camp and served as a personnel clerk in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably discharged on August 30, 1946.

After his military service, Mr. Brown briefly worked for the United States Postal Service in Chicago before returning Western New York to work at the Bethlehem Steel plant, where he was employed for 33 years and rose to the rank of foreman. After retirement from the plant, Mr. Brown opened a Laundromat at 2116 Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo. He operated the small business, named ``Thrif-T-Wash,'' from 1983 to 2005.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by Congress. It is awarded to those who have performed an achievement that has impacted American history and culture. Others receiving the medal include, but are not limited to: George Washington in 1776, Rosa Parks in 1999, Pope John Paul II in 2000, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King in 2004, the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006 and the Victims of 9/11 in 2011. Mr. Brown will always be remembered as a hero alongside others who have received this high honor.

Madam Speaker, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law will invest more than $14 billion this year alone in the Nation's ports and waterways.

In my community, this will provide $10 million for Times Beach Nature Preserve on Buffalo's Outer Harbor to preserve and improve the natural habitats and parkland.

Once a dumping ground for contaminated Buffalo River sludge, today Times Beach is a vibrant 55-acre home for wildlife and a destination for visitors.

This funding will support work by the United States Army Corps, Buffalo District to fortify the breakwater at

Times Beach, to help restore public access that was lost in storm damage 2 years ago, and to reduce the influence of that kind of damage from happening in the future.

This funding builds on previous Federal Great Lakes and infrastructure investments that are transforming Buffalo's waterfront and revitalizing the western New York community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 452, the Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act.

Willie O'Ree, which has been already said, was a trailblazer for hockey both on and off the ice. He was to the National Hockey League what Jackie Robinson was to Major League Baseball.

As the first Black player in the National Hockey League, he endured racism, bigotry, and prejudice from both players and fans. Despite this, he played more than two decades in the National Hockey League and in the minor leagues developing his skills and later becoming the National Hockey League's diversity ambassador.

Willie O'Ree broke down historic barriers and paved the way for young athletes in marginalized communities. In 2012, he visited my community for the Willie O'Ree Skills Weekend hosted by the National Hockey League Buffalo Sabres. Today we honor his dedication to improving diversity and accessibility in sports which makes him most deserving of this high honor.

He is an inspiration to all athletes, and particularly to young athletes of color in western New York and throughout the Nation. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce my introduction of H.R. 6330, the Nonmarket Economy Overcapacity Reform Act.

For too long, the United States has been deferential to foreign governments who undermine American workers and manufacturers through unfair trade practices, targeted subsidization, and excess production capacity. This playbook involves undercutting American industry, flooding the domestic markets with imports, distorting competition, and driving competition under.

Our trade laws allow American manufacturers to seek relief from the International Trade Commission only after they've sustained material injury from uncompetitive trading practices. The decline in American manufacturing shows these laws to be insufficient. How many dormant American factories could have been saved before unfairly subsidized imports flooded U.S. markets? How much wealth has been shipped overseas, only to come back in the form of goods that put American workers out of a job?

Last year, the United States Trade Representative testified before the Ways and Means Committee on the need for forward-looking trade laws that protect American industry from price dumping, unfair competition, and illegal subsidies. In many cases, we know non-market economies intend to undermine American workers and our nation's industrial base through unfair means--it is their stated policy.

The Nonmarket Economy Overcapacity Reform Act will give the United States the tools we need to protect American jobs from the looming and established threat of global excess capacity. This narrowly tailored bill gives the United States the right to proactively seek antidumping and countervailing duties in demonstrated instances of buildup in excess production capacity. By focusing on non-market economies, this bill seeks to preserve the beneficial and lawful competitive trading relations we have established with our allies and good-faith trading partners around the globe.

Madam Speaker, the United States has a responsibility to protect our Nation's manufacturers from unfair trading practices. When put on a level playing field, I know American workers can outperform anyone in the world--we must support them. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6330, the Nonmarket Economy Overcapacity Reform Act.

Mr. Speaker, from the steel mills to the auto plants, Buffalo and Western New York are communities that respect hard work and have a long and strong record of leading and supporting the labor movement.

That tradition continues with local Starbucks workers. Despite pressure tactics and roadblocks, they were successful in their bid to organize unions at Starbucks locations in Buffalo and Cheektowaga, New York.

This weekend, I was proud to stand with the Starbucks Elmwood employees who were fighting for better working conditions.

Today, I recognize the efforts of all workers who show courage and solidarity in their fight for fair wages and working conditions.

Every social movement in America started from the ground up, from people with passion and vision to demand better for their workplace, for their community, and for our collective future.

Congratulations to Starbucks Workers United. Your organizing achievement is a victory for many and an inspiration to all.

Madam Speaker, temperatures this week in Buffalo and western New York are in single digits.

My community has some of the oldest housing stock in the country. Keeping these homes safe and warm is expensive. Failing to do so can be life threatening.

This year, Congress approved $876 million in additional Home Energy Assistance Program funding for seniors and families in New York to afford energy. The infrastructure bill goes further, providing a historic $3.5 billion nationwide for weatherization. This funding means that old houses will better withstand extreme weather as well as supporting green energy jobs.

But we can't stop there. We must do more. This Congress must enact the renewable energy provisions in Build Back Better so entire neighborhoods in my community can be retrofitted for long-term resilience. I urge the Senate to enact these provisions now.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, for his integrity, and his steady leadership throughout this process.

I am proud of the legislation that we are considering today, and the entire House should be as well. Over the past two decades we have spent $6 trillion in three Middle East wars.

Today, this Congress is cementing a commitment to finally nation- building at home, in America and for Americans; investments in American families to help them become healthier, happier, and more productive into and through adulthood.

Mr. Speaker, because of this bill, the future of my community in Western New York will be stronger and more resilient. We are building back better, stronger, and longer. This bill reflects our optimism as Americans to confront our challenges with strength.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, high-quality, high-speed broadband is essential in today's interconnected and interdependent world. Underserved communities throughout America need internet access for education, transportation, and healthcare services and to realize the full potential of all of our citizens.

The American Rescue Plan provides money, lots of money, for State and local governments to expand broadband. The bipartisan infrastructure law builds on that effort by making a $65 billion investment in broadband.

Madam Speaker, I urge the Federal Government and local governments in western New York to move quickly and effectively to ensure everyone can realize their full potential with access to quality, high-speed broadband.

Madam Speaker, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law yesterday reveals the power of this moment and the importance of momentum.

Madam Speaker, 50 years ago, the Buffalo River was declared biologically dead and ecologically destroyed. Through the work of the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and their partners, we made a plan and made progress passing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Now with new infrastructure funding, new life for the Buffalo River is closer than ever.

Today, I am calling on the Environmental Protection Agency for a full restoration of the Buffalo River and for a date-certain action plan to delist the river as an area of concern.

This project restores our natural environment, and it makes more viable other projects like The Riverline and the DL&W terminal. It also leverages a settlement reached this week to provide river access to the Kaisertown neighborhood and new public access along Buffalo's City Ship Canal.

The power of this law will lead us to a logical conclusion, connecting our community to resources long denied and to improve our life quality now and into the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise to add my voice and support to restaurant owners in Buffalo and Western New York standing up today to call on Congress to approve additional restaurant relief.

Congress authorized, through the American Rescue Plan, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, providing $28.6 billion to help restaurants hit hard by the pandemic. While the program was able to help over 101,000 small business owners, over 63 percent of eligible applicants, more than 177,000 restaurants the Small Business Administration deemed qualified for funding received nothing.

According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry sales in 2020 were down by $240 billion, and restaurant employment dropped 3 million below expected levels. Restaurants support jobs, fuel our local economies, and as gathering places for families and friends, help to build stronger communities.

Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of swift replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of November as National Family Caregivers Month.

Nearly 600,000 New Yorkers are caregivers for loved ones living with dementia. This is difficult work, and it takes an emotional toll that too often goes unrecognized.

My bill, the Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act, would enact higher-quality dementia care standards in Medicare and Medicaid. It broadens assistance, including direct education and support for caregivers and improved access to high-quality doctors with expertise in dementia.

Dementia care is very complex, so we need to do all we can to make sure the patients and their families have what they need.

I hear regularly from my Alzheimer's advocates in Buffalo and western New York and throughout New York that much more needs to be done.

This bill can help them get the best possible care for their loved ones while providing support to them as caregivers. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Despite many advances in cancer diagnosis, care, and treatment, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in America today. Screening is key to detecting lung cancer early and can significantly improve survival outcomes. But fewer than five percent of all eligible Americans undergo screening for lung cancer each year.

It is vital that we encourage all those who are eligible to get screened and ensure that receiving screening is as easy as possible. By improving access to screening, we can catch lung cancer early and give patients the best possible hope for beating this terrible disease.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I was listening intently to the other side extolling the virtues of nothing but a cynical assessment of the American economy when the American economy, in fact, needs investment.

A couple of facts I want to clear up here, if the United States economy had grown at the increased rates seen under Democrats since 1933, the average income of Americans would be more than double than it currently is today.

Economic growth since 1933: 4.6 percent under Democrats; 2.4 percent under Republicans.

Annual jobs increases since 1933: Under Democrats, 2.8 percent; under Republicans, 1 percent.

Since 1962, Democrats created 21 million more jobs than Republicans.

Ten of 11 of the United States recessions between 1953 and 2000 began under Republicans administrations.

George Bush I, a Republican, created a $300-billion deficit. William Clinton, a Democrat, wiped out the entire deficit and left the next administration, Bush II, with a $300-billion surplus. Bush II turned that into a $1.3-trillion deficit. Obama, a Democratic President, cut that deficit to $600 billion.

Will the gentleman yield?

That would be 91 percent.

It was reduced to 77 percent under a Democratic administration, under John F. Kennedy.

That is right, sir.

Well, I think the point that is being made here is, despite perceptions to the contrary and the assertions of those who have now left perhaps because they can't defend this, clearly the American economy performs much more efficiently, much more effectively under Democratic administrations.

That is why the Build Back Better program invests not in wars that don't create any new roads and bridges in America, that don't pull any kids out of poverty, that don't provide childcare and child tax credits. Complete waste of money. Brown University just came out with a study that said Americans paid $6.2 trillion in the past two decades in three Middle East wars.

The Build Back Better program invests in America by rebuilding America, by investing in young America so that they become safer, have better nutrition, and have more economic activity at a very young age.

Every single study points to the same conclusion, that if you invest in kids, the child tax credit, pre-K, childcare, you produce a more productive citizen. University studies show that for every dollar that you spend, you produce in long-term economic benefits $7 to $8.

Madam Speaker, my two colleagues from Pennsylvania were very clear about the component parts of this plan and the good things that they do for individuals, but they also do good things for our Nation as a whole.

Madam Speaker, the conservative economist from Moody's Analytics, Mark Zandi, did an analysis of the 2017 corporate tax cut. He said that for every dollar that you gave away, you could expect to recapture 32 cents. That is a loss in investment of 67 percent.

On infrastructure, the conservative economist says that for every dollar that you spend on infrastructure, you produce $1.60 in economic activity. The gain on investment on infrastructure is 60 percent. So it is beyond the bricks and mortar of infrastructure. It is also the good that that does for the growth in the economy.

I would leave you with this: The oil age isn't going to end because we run out of oil. The oil age is going to end because we find a better way than the internal combustible engine, something that is quieter, cleaner, and eventually cheaper. And guess what? This bill, the Build Back Better, the infrastructure bill, has money to provide charging stations to facilitate the making and the using of electric vehicles, ending this Nation's addiction to foreign oil.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the rededication of the Town of Tonawanda Police Headquarters as the ``Frank H. Pfonner Public Safety Building,'' in honor of Police Officer Frank H. Pfonner. Officer Pfonner, the only Town of Tonawanda Police Officer to have been killed in the line of duty.

Frank was born in June of 1893 to George and Elisabeth Pfonner. He was raised on the Pfonner family farm, located where Military Road meets Knoche Road today. The path that once connected the house to the barns has become Ensminger Road in Tonawanda

Frank was one of the first officers hired by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department. He became Constable for the Town, and during his years of service risked his life to protect those in Tonawanda on many occasions. In one instance, he incurred a gunshot wound to the head, but later returned to duty.

Frank would be killed in a hit-and-run incident while on his motorcycle, ending his watch over the Town of Tonawanda on April 8, 1923.

Frank had no children, but his commitment to service lived on through his family. His brother, Elmer G. Pfonner, would serve in the First World War. Upon his return, Elmer served as a Constable much like Frank. However, Elmer resigned when his parents became distraught at the thought of losing another son.

Elmer went on to have five children, who would have been Frank's nieces and nephews. Two of Frank's nephew served in the Korean War, and the youngest of the nephews would go on to have four children. As a symbol of the legacy of Officer Pfonner, the youngest of the children was named Frank H. Pfonner, after his great uncle.

Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger, the Town Board, and Police Chief James Stauffiger are to be commended for remembering the life and legacy of Officer Pfonner through rededication of the Town of Tonawanda Police Headquarters in his honor.

This tribute will serve as a lasting reminder of the great sacrifices made by Officer Frank H. Pfonner and all police past and present who risk their own lives to serve our communities.