Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, with the Congressional Budget Office reporting that 22 million people would lose healthcare coverage and premiums for those who keep their coverage increasing by more than 20 percent next year, it is not surprising that the Republican Senate bill was pulled due to a pervasive lack of interest and support.

Hit hardest under the pulled Senate bill were low-and middle-income Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 and people with preexisting diseases like cancer and diabetes.

The time has come for this Congress to use the leverage of a massive purchaser of healthcare--the Federal Government--and authorize a Medicare buy-in for Americans between the ages of 50 and 64.

With the leverage of 60 million-plus beneficiaries and low administrative costs, a Medicare buy-in option for the 50 to 64 population will drive down costs and drive up the quality of healthcare. We have an obligation to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago, Western New Yorkers witnessed tragedy due to inadequate pilot training. A poorly trained pilot crashed a commercial jet into a neighborhood in our community, ending the lives of those on board and one on the ground.

Since then, the victims' families of Flight 3407, who suffered unimaginable loss on that day, have turned their grief into a powerful citizens' fight to strengthen pilot training and flight safety rules.

The families of Flight 3407, who are here today, led the charge urging Congress to pass landmark flight safety legislation in 2010, including rules that could have prevented the tragedy that they all suffered. Since then, there have been 7 years of no fatal commercial crashes on domestic U.S. airlines.

Now the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization is nearing and some want to beat back this tremendous progress. Let's be clear, what is being proposed is a rule change that will allow less experienced pilots to fly commercial jets again.

The safety of the flying public should never be compromised again. I am prepared, along with the Western New York delegation and with the 3407 families, to protect these reforms once again, because we know the painful lessons of accepting anything less.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as they have gathered in my hometown of Buffalo, New York for their Congregational Chapter meeting from June 19-June 29. More than 300 Sisters of Mercy from various parts of the continental United States as well as from the Philippines, Guam and Latin America will elect an Institute president and leadership team, determine priorities, renew their vision and respond to the changing needs in their mission during this two-week summit.

Inspired by the life of Jesus and its founder Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy are women of faith who have committed their lives to God and use their resources to serve, advocate and pray for those in need throughout the world. Arriving from Ireland at the invitation of the Bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1843, the women originally dedicated themselves to the service of people who were poor, sick, and uneducated. As membership grew throughout the United States, the organization's influence expanded to issues in education, health care, and social services.

The work of the Sisters of Mercy is inherently woven into the historic fabric of the growth of Buffalo and Western New York as these devoted women taught in numerous Catholic schools. They opened, led and cared for others in our Catholic hospitals as well as being highly engaged in numerous charitable organizations. The Sisters' profound influence on those they taught, those they tended to who were suffering physically, mentally, spiritually, those they helped bring into this world, and those they comforted as the end drew near has deepened across generations.

Today, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas operate under the core values of Spirituality, Community, Service, and Social Justice focusing on the critical concerns of the earth, immigration, nonviolence, anti- racism, and women. They sponsor or co-sponsor 77 schools from early childhood education to the collegiate level and partnered with the Global Catholic Climate Movement to urge world leaders to commit to climate action.

This commitment to action on climate change is one I strongly share and support. For decades, the United States set the world's public policy standard on critical environmental issues; a tradition that ended when this Administration backed away from the Paris Climate Accord--a pledge joined by more than 190 countries to reduce emissions toward the goal of cleaner air and a healthy planet. This reversal does not demonstrate the leadership that is characteristic of America, nor does it protect the health and safety of people today or those for generations to come.

In solidarity with the communities in which they minister, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas' commitment to everyone's right to clean water will take another strong, steady and significant step forward; actually many hundreds of steps forward, as the Sisters will participate in a Contemplative Walk down Main Street to Canalside, the center of Buffalo's resurgent waterfront, where the Buffalo River flows into Lake Erie. The ``Walk for Water'' on Friday, June 23 will be led by representatives from the Native American community who will add their voices and vital historical perspective to the urgent need to protect and preserve our natural environment.

As the Congressional Representative who secured the funding for the infrastructure needed to make public access at our water's edge a reality, this ceremony is especially significant as we find ourselves, inexplicably, fighting to ensure the federal dollars used to restore our Great Lakes remains in place.

The Great Lakes contain 95 percent of America's fresh surface water and drinking water supply to more than 40 million people in North America. Currently under threat of drastic cuts, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is a joint effort between the U.S. and Canada to restore the Great Lakes by cleaning up pollution, promoting shoreline health, combating invasive species and protecting fish and wildlife. Over the last decade the federal government has invested $32.38 million in Great Lakes funding in and around the Buffalo River Area of Concern and is credited with the ecological and economic turnaround of the Buffalo River.

Now more than ever, we need to demonstrate the value both environmentally and economically of Great Lakes investments, and come together to fight for the continuation of this program and others that enhance the quality of life for this and future generations. And so, joined by the Interfaith Climate Justice Community, Climate Justice Coalition and like-minded public officials, the Sisters will add water from their regions to one container. This blended water will be sprinkled over the Sisters, over the land and then poured out into Lake Erie.

Once again, with humility and humanity, these valiant women are leading by example. This symbolic mixing of waters from lands served by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas represents active and unified engagement in this crucial crusade to protect, promote and preserve our natural assets for all people. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas for adding another historic milestone to the legacy of the Buffalo waterfront. And to extend immeasurable gratitude for all they have sacrificed, shared and stood for in the past, and for all they will continue to stand up for today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, on June 21, 2017, I was not present for the recorded votes on Roll Call Nos. 311, 312, 313, 314, and 315. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on the motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair; NAY on the motion on ordering the previous question on the rule for providing consideration of both H.R. 1873 and H.R. 1654; NO on agreeing to the resolution providing for consideration of H.R. 1873; AYE on agreeing to the Carbajal of California Part A Amendment and; NO on the passage of the Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act.

Mr. Speaker, the Senate bill that was unveiled this morning, much like the House Republican healthcare bill, is a repulsive scam perpetrated against the American people.

On page 30 of the bill, section 120, under Executive Compensation Tax Cut, UnitedHealthcare will get a tax cut, under this bill, representing $15.5 million. If that is not egregious enough, the fact is that UnitedHealthcare is under investigation today by the United States Department of Justice for defrauding the Medicare program of billions of dollars over the last 7 years.

This should be rejected today and, decisively, by all decent Members of this Congress who believe there is a moral responsibility to ensure that the legislation passed here is fair and just.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the active and impressive life of my friend Matthew `Matty' Ferrentino as he celebrates his 90th birthday on June 21, 2017.

Matty Ferrentino is the son of Italian immigrants and was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. He and his wife Joan now live in West Seneca,

Mr. Speaker, soon President Trump will announce plans to reinstitute an almost 60-year U.S. embargo on Cuba. This embargo was lifted by President Obama in 2014, and today, over 75 percent of Americans support continued normalized relationships with Cuba.

The new, open relationship with Cuba has helped grow the U.S. economy, and the President's plan to close Cuba will cost the U.S. economy over $6.5 billion.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute in my home community of Buffalo, New York, is today partnered with the Center for Immunotherapy in Cuba to clinically test, in the United States, CIMAvax, a lung cancer vaccine giving advanced lung cancer patients new hope.

The Roswell Park-led clinical trial, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, was only possible because of normalized relationships with Cuba. President Trump wants to destroy that relationship, and this Congress needs to stand up to this President and on behalf of the millions of Americans who benefit, including millions of cancer patients, from open relationships between the United States and Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, thousands of Russians took to the streets of Moscow's Red Square to protest President Putin's party of crooks and thieves. The protesters chanted that they want to make Russia free and that they want to live in a modern democratic state. They want democracy.

Today, in America, here in the Nation's Capitol, another Trump official is testifying before Congress on Russia's interference with U.S. elections for the fourth time in as many weeks. There is no doubt that Russia interfered. This we know. Did Russia interfere in coordination with Trump officials? With whom and to what extent? This is what the American people deserve to know.

Today, in America, the talk is how Putin tried to dishonor American democracy to do one thing, to keep his people from wanting it, the very democracy that is uniquely America's.

And yesterday, in Moscow, was about what Putin couldn't do. He couldn't keep young Russia from taking to the streets of his capital city denouncing him as a crook and a coward and demanding American democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stephanie Barber Geter, recipient of The Medgar Evers Award at the NAACP--Buffalo Chapter's Medgar Evers Dinner. Ms. Geter has dedicated much of her life to serving others, especially the people of Western New York. She has left a lasting impact on our community by putting others before herself and combining her skills with compassion to improve the lives of others.

Ms. Geter served as Senior Vice President of Funds Distribution & Community Initiatives at the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. In this role, she distributed approximately $25 million annually to agency providers and community partners which played a vital role in community development within Western New York. Ms. Geter's tireless work for the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County has improved the quality of life of countless members of our community, and presented so many individuals with opportunities they would not have had without her.

The extensive background in community service Ms. Geter possesses speaks volumes to her drive to make a positive impact on the world. She has experience working in the legislative service branch of government, neighborhood housing programs and youth job services. Ms. Geter has served diligently on numerous non-profit boards, community and government committees and oversight groups as well.

Currently, Ms. Geter works at Buffalo State College as Director of the Head Start Partnership. As Director, she is a mentor and teacher to Head Start teachers who go on to help children. In addition, Ms. Geter serves as the President of the Hamlin Park Taxpayers Association, Board Chair of Restoring Our Community Coalition, Board Chair of Elim Community Corporation, and is on the Board of the WNY Food Bank. As the Board Chair of Restoring Our Community Coalition, she has used her leadership to revitalize neighborhoods along Humboldt Parkway in Buffalo, NY. Ms. Geter has worked with Elim Community Corporation, a bible-based ministry that offers worship to many in our community. In her role on the Board of the WNY Food Bank, Ms. Geter organized and helped provide services vital to the people of Western New York. The impacts of her work can be seen in many different forms. While Ms. Geter has been involved in many different causes and organizations, one constant is her devotion to people in Western New York.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the time to recognize the remarkable work Ms. Stephanie Geter has done for the Western New York Community. Ms. Getter has truly dedicated her life to helping the people of Buffalo & Erie County. Stephanie's devotion to serving others is admirable and I would like to congratulate her on receiving the Medgar Evers Award.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor the accomplishments of Mr. Anthony Wiley Jr., as he receives the Youth Award, which has been awarded to him by the Buffalo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He is deserving of this award due to his involvement with his local Boy Scout Troop, and his volunteer work for churches throughout his community.

Anthony has been involved with community service as a member of his Boy Scout troop throughout his life, and has been promoted to an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 237. He attained this honor by earning his merit badges through service-oriented and camping experiences, and was further awarded the rank of Eagle Scout for his hard work and dedication.

Some of Anthony's achievements as a Boy Scout include performing his role as Crew Leader on an eighty-two mile journey at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, acting as a Patrol Leader and later as a Senior Patrol member, and becoming a member of the Arrow of the Arrow. His Eagle Scout Project involved supervising the building of a new supply cabinet for his church. Notably, he spent a total of 105 hours to complete this project, and was acknowledged and rewarded by the Eagle Scout board of review on December 22, 2015.

Anthony has shown dedication to the Scout Oath, exhibiting an exemplary sense of duty and admirable mental and moral aptitude. He is extensively involved with his community, as shown by his attendance at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where he plays the drums, volunteers regularly in the food pantry, and helps those who run the church in their duties by tending to the sanctuary in the evenings.

He is a graduate of Tapestry Charter High School, where he was a member of the Thunder Hawks Varsity Basketball Team and of the school band.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor Mr. Anthony Wiley Jr. for his hard work and his dedication to his community. I wish him the best in his future endeavors and look forward to seeing how he will continue to serve others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional service of civil rights and social justice pioneer Frank B. Mesiah as the former president of the Buffalo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as he is presented with the President's Award at the NAACP Annual Medgar Evers Dinner.

Frank Mesiah is from Buffalo's West Side and a graduate of Grover Cleveland High School, in the Buffalo Public School system he would later fight to integrate. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Buffalo State College and worked as both a Buffalo police officer, Buffalo teacher, and at the New York State Department of Labor to support his wife and three daughters.

After serving our nation and earning an honorable discharge from the United States Army in the 1950's, Frank worked tirelessly to further the civil rights movement in the city of Buffalo. Under his leadership, the local NAACP chapter saw many successes in the public sector, notably in the city's police force and the public education system.

Frank diligently played the role of watchdog in the community by exposing racism and discrimination. Through the work of the NAACP, the Buffalo Public Schools were desegregated, thanks in no small part to Frank's efforts. He also fought for reforms in the Buffalo police force to ensure black and white officers were treated equally in the workplace. The NAACP also advanced black teachers and administrators in public schools.

In addition to striving for improvements for people of color in the city of Buffalo, Frank fought for the rights of women, senior citizens, and the gay and lesbian community. Buffalo is indebted to his remarkable determination and steadfast resolve. While much work remains to be done, Frank's work and the battles fought by the NAACP under his leadership have created a better place for us all.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to highlight the tremendous service of Frank Mesiah and the Buffalo Chapter of the NAACP. Our city is so grateful for his dedication to civil rights. I wish him the absolute best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor the outstanding works of Ms. Tiffany Renee' Lewis, as she receives the distinguished Daniel R. Acker Community Service Award from the Buffalo Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Her contributions to the community of Buffalo are numerous, including her ownership of the Skin Deep Beauty Spa, her volunteer work for The American Cancer Society's ``Look Good Feel Better'' Program, her work as a realtor for Realty USA and as a marketing assistant for Watts Architecture and Engineering, and her development of the youth mentorship program, ``Confident Girl,'' which she launched in 2016.

Through her volunteer work with The American Cancer Society's Look Good Feel Better Program, she has provided invaluable assistance to those who are suffering by helping cancer patients to look and feel their best. She is uniquely qualified for this service, as she received her Esthetics license from The Salon Professional Academy, receiving top honor for her hard work. She then further pursued her Certification in Clinical Oncology Esthetics through the Skin Therapy Institute, making her the first African American female to do so in the Western New York Region. Notably, she trained in Washington, D.C., with First Lady Michelle Obama's Personal Esthetician JoElle Lee in June of 2014, earning a Certificate in Dealing with Multicultural Skin. Her dedication has allowed her to become a celebrity esthetician, speaker, educator and mentor who specializes in the health and wellness of the skin. In addition to her honorable work with cancer patients, she has also demonstrated her preeminence in her field through her work with celebrities, professional athletes and world renowned artistic directors. She also offers guidance by contributing to magazine and newspaper articles, as well as radio shows. She is now a highly- regarded expert in the field of Esthetics.

Ms. Lewis also holds a dual degree in Legal and Religious Studies, and has spent more than twelve years working within the community on various development programs. She combined her extensive experiences in community organizing and the beneficial social effects of Esthetics to create the ``Confident Girl'' Mentoring Program, which works to empower youth, teens and young adults in New York. The program serves over thirty young people in the Advantage After-School Program in Niagara Falls, New York, by helping them to pursue self-discovery and wholesome developmental strategies. She works to promote feelings of self- confidence and self-worth in those who might otherwise feel marginalized. She teaches children and young adults about the importance of taking care of their minds, bodies and spirits. Simultaneously, she advocates for the youth members of her community, and continues to learn and develop ever-improving methods of Esthetic care and community development.

Formerly Ms. Lewis served as Vice-Chair for the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood Community Council, and has been a member of the National Notary Association, the Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the National Association of Realtors.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Lewis moved with her family to Buffalo, New York, at a young age. The Buffalo community is extremely grateful to her for her hard work and her contributions to the overall health of its members.

Ms. Lewis has been recognized for her accomplishments many times before, earning the Trailblazer Award by the program ``Women Making History,'' the Women of Influence Award by Buffalo Business First, the New York State Award for Public Policy, the Volunteer of the Year Award for her community service with the developmentally disabled, a Volunteer Award by the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood, and many more.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor Ms. Tiffany Renee' Lewis for her inspirational dedication to the community. She has proven herself to be an extraordinarily intelligent and accomplished woman, and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to recognize Kanasha Blue's service to others. Ms. Blue's years of work in public service have earned her the Rufus Frazier Human Services Award at the NAACP--Buffalo Chapter's Medgar Evers award dinner.

A native of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Ms. Blue has made improving the lives of others a fundamental component of her life. She has resided in Buffalo, NY since 1997 and is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as a retired Staff Sergeant of the New York Army National Guard.

In addition to her commendable and brave service in our military, Ms. Blue is impressive in her willingness to go above and beyond what is asked of her. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Ms. Blue organized a drive for personal care items and clothing for local workers in need that helped close to 100 people meet their basic personal care needs. Recently, she supported deployed troops with a personal care item drive that resulted in hundreds of dollars in products being donated to the noble cause. These are just a few examples of Ms. Blue actively searching for opportunities to help others.

Ms. Blue volunteers with the Second Baptist Church Food Pantry, Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Inc., and the Buffalo/Niagara Mentorship Program. She has used her leadership skills to bring about positive change in the lives of countless individuals. Her ability to lead and impact others led her to serve as President of Second Baptist Church Missionary/Deaconess Ministry, Third Vice Commander of the American Legion Jesse Clipper Post 430, Executive Committee member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and Co-Chair of the Young Adult Action Committee (YAAC).

Other accomplishments by Ms. Blue include her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Buffalo State and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. She enjoys spending time with her husband of two years, Robert Blue.

Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to take the time to recognize the great work Ms. Kanasha Blue has done for the Western New York community and people throughout the world. Her generosity and dedication are admirable and I wish her the best in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the accomplishments of this year's recipient of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Buffalo Branch Youth Award, Tyler Horton.

Tyler was born and raised in Buffalo, and has always been a contributor to his community. At an early age Tyler displayed signs of leadership by becoming the Vice President of the National Junior Honors Society while attending Westminster Community Charter School, where he achieved the title of Valedictorian. At the age of 12 he became a Boy Scout, and later, an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 237, where he earned many merit awards and badges.

The lessons Tyler learned in his Boy Scouts troops truly molded him into an outstanding citizen. In 2012 he was a Chaplain and Assistant Patrol Leader at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he was able to share his Scout experience, serving as a mentor to other young men. In 2016 Tyler supervised and assisted renovations of the Macedonia Baptist Church's food pantry. Through his example of volunteerism and leadership, Tyler eventually became an Eagle Scout and a Member of the Order of the Arrow. Tyler now attends Bethesda World Harvest International Church and contributes to the youth group and Cinematography Team.

This year, Tyler is graduating from Health Science Charter School, where he is the Salutatorian, a member of the National Honors Society, a winner of the Jesse Ketchum Memorial Fund Bronze winner, and a Student Ambassador.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor this impressive young man as he is recognized by the NAACP. I wish him the best in all his future endeavors and look forward to seeing him continue to do good for others.

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, 2017, I was not present for the recorded votes on Roll Call No. 286 and 287. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on the motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended and YEA on the motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended.