Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1. My community of Buffalo and Niagara Falls are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of decisions that put polluters over people.

Toxic waste dumped by Hooker Chemical in the 1940s contaminated the Love Canal neighborhood of Niagara Falls. President Jimmy Carter declared a Federal health emergency, and Congress passed the Superfund Act with Love Canal becoming the first cleanup site.

In 1968, the Buffalo River caught fire due to industrial contamination and was considered biologically dead.

Atrocities like this led to the approval of the Clean Water Act in 1972 and have required hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

After residents sounded the alarm for years, in 2013, Tonawanda Coke was found guilty of deliberately releasing cancer-causing benzene into surrounding neighborhoods, a violation of the Clean Air Act.

The Superfund Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act were each put in place after historically unchecked pollution impacted the health of our waterways, communities, and families.

H.R. 1 removes safety protections, lessens accountability for violators, and diminishes public input.

If this bill were in place 10 years ago, western New York neighbors would have had no recourse to address the carcinogens and toxic substances released into the air by Tonawanda Coke.

We can't let polluting history repeat itself.

I am voting ``no'' on H.R. 1 and encourage my colleagues who care about the health and future of our communities to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Roseanne Butler-Smith on her retirement from many years of dedication and service to Western New York's Public Libraries.

Roseanne began her career in 1987, working part-time at the Lancaster Public Library and was appointed a full-time librarian in January 1988. She continued her career moving throughout our vital public libraries, serving as Library Director for the Cities of Tonawanda, Clarence and Amherst. She also served as a member of the New York State Library Association, American Library Association, and Public Library Association. Throughout her time, she always put the needs of the library patrons first, ensuring that these public resources could continue to provide meaningful service to the members of their communities.

During her time as Library Director for the Town of Amherst, budget cuts eliminated funding for the Williamsville Public Library. Roseanne was responsible for helping to keep its doors open through various creative fundraising efforts. These included hosting the Winter Gala. This annual fundraiser started in 2012 and has grown tremendously over the years, successfully raising thousands of dollars for the Williamsville branch. Other fundraising efforts included hot dog sales at the Glen Park Arts Festivals and raffle events. Roseanne even delayed her retirement to ensure she could oversee the completion of the Audubon expansion--an anecdote that perfectly encapsulates the commitment she showed to our library system.

Today, I ask that you join me in celebrating Roseanne Butler-Smith on her retirement and unwavering dedication to Western New York. She has made extraordinary contributions over her career, ensuring that these libraries stay open and operating for all members of the community to enjoy. I'm confident that Roseanne's retirement will be marked by spending time with her husband Gordie and their children, traveling, and as always, settling down with a good book.

Mr. Speaker, today we recognize and congratulate Rhonda Frederick on her retirement after decades of dedication and service to the Buffalo community. Through her leadership at People Inc., Rhonda has been an indispensable advocate for those with disabilities.

After 43 years working in almost every facet at People Inc., Rhonda was instrumental in starting and developing many programs offered by this essential non-profit. She started her career working in group homes and day services, eventually earning her role as CEO and President. As COO, she built and cultivated important relationships with multiple regulatory and funding agencies including the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Developmental Disabilities Regional Office (DDRO), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), NYS Homes and Community Renewal, NYS Department of Health, and NYS Office for the Aging. She played a key role in starting People Inc. Senior Living, which now has over 20 apartment buildings for older adults who meet federally mandated income guidelines. The growth of People, Inc. to its current state of 150 group homes, countless programs, and strong partnerships shows her commitment to realizing an ambitious vision for this organization and our community.

Outside of her extensive official career, Rhonda is extremely active and involved in the community. Currently she serves on the Boards of Hilbert College, New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSIDD), Special Olympics NY, Amherst Meals on Wheels, and Accountable Health Community Inc. She is the President of Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY (DDAWNY) and is involved with WNY iCan Bike--a program that provides tailored and unique opportunities in recreational activities for people with disabilities.

Rhonda's unwavering dedication to the Western New York community makes her worthy of an easygoing and laid-back retirement, but if her career is any indication, she will continue to devote her time to improving senior and disability services. For that and all her efforts over an illustrious career, Western New Yorkers owe Rhonda Frederick a debt of gratitude.

Madam Speaker, last week the Buffalo Fire Department lost a brother, and western New York lost a hero in the line of duty during a four-alarm fire on Main Street in the city of Buffalo.

Jason Arno was a 3-year member of the Buffalo Fire Department serving at Engine 2, one of the busiest companies in the city.

A son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a friend, Jason was committed to putting his life on the line each day for the community that he loved.

As our city mourns this tragic loss, we are once again reminded of the bravery and the sacrifice it takes as a first responder.

While Jason is laid to rest this Friday, our hearts are heavy. Our thoughts are with the Arno family, the

western New York community, and his brothers and sisters of Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282.

The city of good neighbors and a grateful nation are forever indebted to firefighter Jason Arno for his selfless sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Michael N. Coppola. He was an outstanding man of character who touched the lives of countless people and contributed to the betterment of the Buffalo community.

He was born at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo, New York on August 25, 1948. He was the oldest of 10 children of Angela Coppola and Dr. Joseph R. Coppola. He attended Christ the King School in Snyder, New York, moving on to Canisius for high school. He continued to attend Canisius through college, where he earned a degree in Business Administration and Management. He was honored as an Outstanding Graduate by Canisius College in 2016.

At the age of 16, Michael Coppola began working as a stock boy for Tops Markets. Over the next 33 years, he climbed the ranks within the company, eventually earned the title of Executive Vice President of Marketing. He was considered an innovator in the supermarket industry, even opening up the first Tops International Store in order to meet the demands of the diverse cultures living within the City of Buffalo and the metropolitan area.

Michael Coppola was regarded as a dear friend, mentor, teacher, and inspiration both within and outside of the Tops company. It gave him great joy to guide and mentor others throughout his life and career; his lifelong motto was ``Choose Love.'' Before his passing, he was able to organize a reunion with his former Tops colleagues, further strengthening his local community. His leadership and dedication to God, family, and community will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Michael Coppola passed into the arms of the Lord on August 21, 2022. On the day of Michael Coppola's funeral, Byron W. Brown, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, proclaimed October 29, 2022, as ``Michael N. Coppola Day'' in the City of Buffalo and joined his family and friends in celebration of his life and selfless legacy.

Michael Coppola leaves behind to cherish his children Jennifer, Jill, Michelle, the late Joseph, and Jeffrey; his grandchildren the late Angelina, Serena and Arabella, Ryan and Miranda, Zach, Hailee and Addison; his siblings Leonard, Joe, Jack, the late Mary, Peter, Paul, Robert, Richard, and Donna--and a host of other family members and loving friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible life and service of Paul Woods as he celebrated his 100th birthday on February 20, 2023. Along with defying the average lifespan and despite segregation, Paul Woods fought for our democracy in the Pacific Theater of World War II. As we celebrate Black History Month, I think there's no better example of American courage than Buffalo's own Paul Woods.

Paul Woods was born in Alabama on February 20, 1923 in an era of racial oppression and segregation. When his father died, he and siblings were split at the gravesite among relatives. Paul Woods promised that he would raise his brother Sherman, and for the rest of his life ``Daddy'' has been taking care of people.

Paul Woods joined the segregated U.S. Army in 1941 when he was just 17 years old. He often says that ``A bullet knows no race, rank, or status. We were all brothers on the battlefield.'' The bravery of Black units overseas belied their second-class status at home and helped lead to the abolition of racial segregation in the military in 1948 as well as the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In 2012, Paul and 30 other World War II vets were flown to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. Five years later, Wish of a Lifetime sponsored a trip to Australia where he visited the exact location of his service during World War II and was thanked by the U.S. Consul General. Today he is the World War II Coordinator for the Jesse Clipper American Legion Post 430.

After helping to protect the Philippines, Paul Woods moved to the Buffalo region where he worked 16-hour days at Bethlehem Steel to feed his growing family. From Alabama to Australia, teenage recruit to war hero, and segregated soldier to seeing the first Black president, Paul Woods' life has spanned continents, a world war, and the fight for racial equality. The father of 15 will turn 100 on February 20, 2023, having seen multiple children and grandchildren serve in the same military his bravery helped to desegregate.

Mr. Speaker, I'm thankful for the chance to honor Paul Woods, a longtime Western New York resident who helped free the Philippines despite enduring injustice at home. A proud member of Prince of Peace Church of God in Christ in Buffalo and husband to the late Mary

T. Woods, Paul Woods' 6'4" stature is dwarfed only by his impact on his family, community, and country.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate Arthur O. ``Champ'' Eve, Jr. on being recognized with the Erie County Democratic Committee's 2023 Joseph F. Crangle Legacy Award. This award rightfully acknowledges Champ's name as one of the great leaders of our party and commemorates his service to our community and the Democratic Party.

Champ rightfully earned this distinction through a lifetime of public service and commitment to others. Born to trailblazing leaders, Constance Boyles Eve and Arthur O. Eve, Sr., Champ was quickly taught the importance of family, hard work, and staying true to one's values. Champ is a proud graduate of Canisius High School and the University at Buffalo, though Buffalo State University holds a special place in his heart as he serves as Assistant Men's Basketball Coach and a mentor for the young student-athletes. Champ has been on the frontline of local, state, and national campaigns since becoming involved in politics at a young age, and he has never faltered in his commitment to the party. He is the founder and President of Unity Coalition, an organization that through his leadership has and advised and recruited candidates for local office, collected thousands of signatures, and planted hundreds of lawn signs. Throughout his years of involvement, Champ and Unity Coalition have been tireless campaigners for candidates including, President Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, Honorable Jeannette Ogden, Governor Kathy Hochul, and County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

Currently, Champ serves as the Deputy Board of Elections Commissioner for Erie County and Vice Chair of the Erie County Democratic Committee. He shares his passion for politics and community service with his wife, Kim, and his seven children, Arthur III, Shiana, Laneesha, Eric, Louis, Melzetta, and David, as well as his treasured grandchildren.

Mr. Eve's dedication to his country, community, family, and party is indicative of all that is great about Western New York. I am thankful for the opportunity to call Champ a friend and to honor him and the countless positive contributions he has made to our community. Today, those in attendance for the Chairman's Council Reception in Buffalo express their gratitude toward Champ, but our appreciation pales in comparison to the unwavering dedication that Champ has demonstrated for several decades. Champ undoubtedly deserves the Joseph F. Crangle Legacy Award, and I thank him for his commitment to bettering the lives of those in our community.

Mr. Speaker, Joe Biden has been our President for 25 months. He said he would build an economy for working families in America.

The largest infrastructure law in U.S. history: Done.

The American Rescue Plan: Done.

The CHIPS and Science Act: Done.

The Inflation Reduction Act: Done.

The United States economy added 517,000 jobs last month alone. The unemployment rate is 3.4 percent, the lowest in 54 years. Biden created 11 million jobs. That is 440,000 jobs every single month.

According to Bloomberg Business, Biden is now on his way to becoming the greatest job-producing President in U.S. history.

Mr. Speaker, 35 million Americans today have healthcare because of the Affordable Care Act, and 92 percent of all Americans have healthcare that is better and more affordable.

Mr. Speaker, it is no wonder why our Republican House colleagues are now threatening to destroy the American economy by defaulting on the very obligations that they voted to create. We are better as a nation, and we are better as a Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the incredible life and service of World War II veteran Paul Woods.

Mr. Woods joined the United States Army in 1941. During the war, he bravely fought for America's freedoms abroad and racism at home.

Mr. Woods is known to say: ``A bullet knows no race, rank, or status. We were all brothers on the battlefield.''

On February 20, Mr. Woods will celebrate his 100th birthday. It is my honor to celebrate this American hero and to thank him for his selfless service on behalf of a grateful Nation.

Madam Speaker, on May 14, 2022, a racist mass shooting took place at a supermarket in my home community of Buffalo, New York.

Armed with an assault weapon, the shooter killed 10 people and injured three more in just 2 minutes and 3 seconds; one shooter.

We continue to mourn, and we continue to struggle to move on. Sadly, we are not the only community facing this challenge. Horrific mass shootings have taken place in Uvalde, Texas; Highland Park, Illinois; Colorado Springs; Raleigh, North Carolina; Monterey Bay and Half Moon Bay, California.

Last year we passed the bipartisan Safe Communities Act. This was an important step, but more needs to be done. As we mark National Gun Violence Survivors' week, we must honor those impacted by shootings by continuing to deliver legislation that will save lives.

I am proud to support a Federal assault weapons ban, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, on January 11, the failure of the Notice to Air Missions system grounded thousands of flights across America. This malfunction created air travel chaos for days.

This system is essential to safe flight operations and needs to be reformed. The Notice to Air Missions Improvement Act takes a proactive approach to make much-needed upgrades.

Many of the airline safety measures implemented over the past 15 years were borne out of the lessons we learned following the crash of flight 3407 outside of Buffalo. We must not wait for another tragedy to make the

necessary steps to protect the flying public.

I support this bipartisan bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, Buffalo and western New York have had our fair share of challenges over the last year:

A racist mass shooter murdered innocent people at a local grocery store.

A blinding blizzard took the lives of dozens of our neighbors 2 weeks ago.

And what should have been an exciting Monday night football game turned into a nightmare for Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin and his family.

Our community is grateful Damar is recovering at home with his family now.

Today, I rise to celebrate the people and the spirit of Buffalo. We are more than neighbors, we are family. We are a family that sticks together, works together, and rallies around our teams and one another in good times and in bad.

Madam Speaker, I am proud of the way Buffalo works through our struggles, and prouder still to call this place with a big heart home. Our best days are immediately in front of us.

Go Bills.

Mr. Speaker, the United States and Canada enjoy a shared border and shared values. We are friends and trading partners.

Unfortunately, in recent years, we have seen a layering of restrictions that hinder binational movement. This not only makes it hard to cross a bridge, but it hinders binational cooperation. It separates us from one another. It stifles trade and diminishes life quality.

Confusion, hassles, and delays prevent travel and inhibit travel plans.

As President Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meet today to discuss our future, I urge them to leverage our strengths to craft solutions that make it easier for us to connect between two countries, fostering better connections, a better economy, and a better life quality.

Mr. Speaker, Charles Rettig, the former IRS Commissioner, who was appointed by the Trump administration, said early last year that the United States is losing $1 trillion in unpaid taxes every year. He said the agency lacks the resources to catch tax cheats. Most of the unpaid taxes, he said, are a result of evasion by wealthy and large corporations.

With this legislation we are considering today, it is clear that the GOP once again is putting tax-evading profits over people.

Mr. Speaker, I am asking my colleagues to join me in rejecting this legislation to protect working families that play by the rules and fight fairly every day.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the VA Employee Fairness Act. We rely on the work of dedicated healthcare professionals to care for our veterans who risk their lives for our country. Yet, our laws do not provide an adequate voice for those workers to ensure care is of the highest quality.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed us why that voice is necessary.

This bill changes that by granting all VA healthcare providers the same collective bargaining rights. It means that healthcare workers can have a greater say in protecting patients, ensuring clinical competence, and setting wages and benefits.

It would provide rights for over 100,000 VA doctors, nurses, dentists, and chiropractors, including more than 350 nurses at the Buffalo VA Medical Center.

I am proud to be one of 218 cosponsors of this bill on the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to please support it.