Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, April is Autism Awareness Month, and I would like to recognize a family landmark in my district that has gone the extra mile to assist individuals with autism.

Sesame Place, a theme park located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in my district, and my former employer, was recently designated as a Certified Autism Center. This distinction, developed by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, certifies facilities that are compatible for those with autism, and their families.

To earn this designation, all staff at Sesame Place underwent extensive training on autism awareness and sensitivity. When the park reopens for its 38th season this year, it will also include two new ``quiet rooms'' with adjustable lights and noise-canceling headphones.

Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud to say that Sesame Place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center. I would like to thank the staff and all of my friends at Sesame Place for making the park a hospitable and fun place for our entire community.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Small Business Committee, I am proud to stand with owners and entrepreneurs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who embody the spirit of American enterprise.

As such, and in honor of National Small Business Week, beginning Sunday, I am proud to recognize two small businesses in my district that have recently achieved significant milestones in their respective industries.

Crossing Vineyards and Winery of Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, was named a top 50 Irish-owned small business and will be honored at the Irish Small Business 50 Awards in Philadelphia.

Additionally, Sabre Systems of Warrington was recently contracted by the United States Air Force to develop a cutting-edge antenna that would be more difficult to detect, further strengthening our military at home and abroad.

I am proud of these local small businesses and so many others in my district, Mr. Speaker. We must do our part as elected officials to enable them to thrive and succeed in our diverse and global economy.

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day, and I am proud to recognize the significant event and to reiterate my strong support for the environmental stewardship and conservation in our communities.

From my days as a Boy Scout, I learned the true beauty of nature and the value it brings to our community, and I still live by the Scouting mantra: Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, which held its annual symposium last month. This event awards the Land Ethics Award for usage of native plants and an eco-friendly design to create a sustainable habitat for wildlife and for public education.

This year's winner was the Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve Committee in New Britain Borough. I would like to recognize the Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve Committee for their dedication to land conservation, and congratulate them on receiving this award.

I would also like to thank and recognize Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve's education coordinator, Kelly Joslin, for her role in organizing this important event.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an organization in my district that strives to empower individuals with special needs as well as their families.

The Miracle League of Northampton Township fosters both social and educational growth through sports and recreation. Along with buddy programs and coaching opportunities, Miracle League offers those with special needs the ability to participate in baseball, basketball, bowling, and soccer leagues.

On May 5, this organization will be holding its first annual charity wiffle ball tournament. The Miracle League of Northampton Township Wiffle Ball Classic will take place at Miracle League Fields in Churchville, and will feature a single elimination bracket along with awards for best team name and best uniforms.

I would like to recognize president Brian Damiani and vice president Allan Corless, along with the executive directors, board members, and volunteers, for the countless hours they put in to improve the lives of those in Bucks County.

Recognizing Warwick Township for its Rank as One of Pennsylvania's

Safest Cities

Mr. Speaker, we have no higher priority than working to ensure the safety of the communities we represent. Working with law enforcement and local officials is essential to meeting this responsibility. I am proud to recognize Warwick Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for being ranked as one of our State's safest cities.

In identifying Pennsylvania's safest cities, the statistics were compiled from the FBI Uniform Crime Report. This information indicated that Warwick Township was the 15th safest city in the State of Pennsylvania. I would like to thank Judith Algeo, chairwoman of the Warwick Township Board of Supervisors, and Police Chief Mark Goldberg for their hard work in keeping our district a phenomenal place to live, work, and raise a family. I look forward to continuing our mission together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a pillar of our community who has had a profound influence on the lives of so many students in our community in Bucks County and beyond.

Lou Volpe, who dedicated 44 years of service to the students of Harry S. Truman High School in my hometown of Levittown, retired in 2013 as its longtime theater director.

Recently, Lou was inducted into the Bucks County Playhouse Hall of Fame, an event I was honored to attend, joining the likes of Oscar Hammerstein and Angela Lansbury, among others.

Throughout his esteemed career, Lou has left an indelible mark on the thousands of students he taught. Under his leadership, Truman regularly participated in the Student Theater Festival at the Bucks County Playhouse.

A pinnacle of his career included a coveted invitation to the Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska for his production of ``Good Boys and True.''

Mr. Speaker, fortunately for us, Lou's legacy will live on with the new NBC TV series ``Rise,'' of which his tenure at Truman served as an inspiration.

It is comforting to know that this theatrical brilliance of Lou's will live on in our community and in our Nation for decades, and I ask all of my colleagues in this House of Representatives, Democrat and Republican, to honor Lou for his incredible service to our community and to our country.

Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I join in acknowledging the eighth anniversary of the Smolensk Disaster, a tragedy that claimed the lives of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and 94 others aboard a government aircraft on April 10, 2010. Among the victims were high ranking generals and government officials, clergy, anti-communist leaders and the family members of victims traveling to a ceremony for the 1940 Katyn Forest Massacre. Also on the plane was one American citizen on an official mission for the city of Chicago. This week, we offer our prayers for the souls of the 96 crash victims and honor those who served their country.

Mr. Speaker, today I stand to honor and celebrate the achievements of my constituents with Down syndrome and the worldwide Down syndrome community. I also want to recognize all of their families and loved ones who witness the tremendous struggles individuals with Down syndrome face and the wonderful victories they achieve every day.

This past month, on March 21, marked World Down Syndrome Day. On this day, people with Down syndrome, and those who live and work with them throughout the world, organized and participated in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice for advocating for their rights, rights such as inclusive education, access to quality and affordable healthcare, meaningful employment, and protection of their civil rights.

On March 21, we celebrated the contributions of individuals with Down syndrome in our communities and the meaningful work of organizations and individuals who dedicate their personal and professional time to ensure individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities achieve their optimal abilities.

Every year, this day is a time for education, increased community awareness, and giving thanks. When individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities are included, we all benefit. Our goal as a society is to prepare today's children for tomorrow's leaders, including those with Down syndrome and other disabilities.

Enabling individuals with Down syndrome to live, work, and participate with confidence and autonomy, fully included in society alongside of their friends and peers, is our duty as a Nation. I personally have seen the hard work of constituents in ensuring individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities have the same educational, financial, civil rights, and opportunities afforded to others, as well as access to services that help them achieve their full potential.

I am appreciative of the work of the Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition, the Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group, the Bucks County Down Syndrome Interest Group, The Arc of Pennsylvania, The Arc Alliance, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and other national organizations that are collaborating on

behalf of the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities.

I ask all of my colleagues to commit to working with us in bringing the concerns and needs of the Down syndrome and disability communities to the bipartisan discussions occurring within Congress.

The special needs community are the most special among us, Mr. Speaker. We need to be here for them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a group of thoughtful and innovative students in my district from Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Six students at Bensalem High School have been working in their industrial design class to build a snow sled for the blind. Working with students from Villanova University to make their prototype as strong as possible, they came up with a design that included a backrest and steering handles, and they also enhanced this device with sensors that vibrate the handles when obstacles are detected.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the hard work of students Jonathan Champagne-Cox, Brandon Gomez, Jakub Hajduk, Tom Kelly, Eric Rosenberg, and Michael Wible. I would also like to commend Bensalem curriculum coordinator Dan Lubacz for his guidance and for teaching his students that their gifts and talents could be used in compassionate ways.

Mr. Speaker, on my first day serving in this Congress, I introduced a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and I am honored to be cosponsoring the resolution on the floor today.

As I travel back home in my district, I get this question--as I am sure so many of my colleagues do--I am repeatedly asked, why doesn't Congress manage the national budget the same way businesses manage their budget and families manage their budget? Why doesn't Congress follow the same rules that businesses and families do, that we only spend what we generate in revenues?

And it is a good question, Mr. Speaker, which gets us to the need for a balanced budget amendment. One would think that we would not need to amend the Constitution to do what Members of this body should be doing anyway.

This is common sense, Mr. Speaker. But for decades, we have seen the problem perpetuate, which is the responsibility of both parties. I am convinced this is the only mechanism to force this body to balance the budget. We are $21 trillion in debt, Mr. Speaker.

To my friends voicing opposition, we need to be honest about what this resolution does. This resolution does not necessitate any cuts of any kind. It simply requires that the budget balance. A commitment to raising revenues through progrowth economic policies is the answer. And that is what this resolution will force this body to do: raise revenues to offset expenditures on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Mr. Speaker, prior to this Congress, our economy was sluggishly growing at about 1.6 growth in GDP, which is fiscally and financially unsustainable. We are now well over 2 percent, on our way to 3 percent, and we need to get to 4 percent.

As one of only a handful of CPAs in this Congress, I know that economic growth has three essential components: tax reform, regulatory reform, and a balanced budget. When you balance the books, you create jobs, which leads to more revenue, which leads to an expanding economy, making it easier for us to fund our critical priorities, like serving our veterans, protecting our troops, funding public education, and preserving our environment.

Mr. Speaker, that is what this resolution is about. And that is why I am proud to cosponsor this legislation.

This is common sense, Mr. Speaker. The American people want this by overwhelming margins. We need to get this done for them. It is our moral responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of John T. Glasson. Known by many as ``Johnny Angel'' he had an infectious smile. For 47 years John was a volunteer firefighter with Levittown Fire Company No. 2 where he served for some time as Deputy Chief. An active member of his community, John was a third-degree brother with the Knights of Columbus and helped to organize the South East Pennsylvania National Fallen Firefighter Foundation golf outings as well as raising funds for Local 22 IAFF Widow's Fund. In total, John helped raise over $180,000 for charitable organizations. John will be forever remembered by his large family including many brothers and sisters but also by the handful of individuals whose lives he saved as a volunteer firefighter. While John did not like to recount those stories, his impact on the Lower Bucks community will be felt for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, John exemplified how active participants can be a force for good in their communities. My district is better because of men like John Glasson.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the House Judiciary Committee, the chairman and ranking member, for unanimously advancing the Combat Online Predators Act for full consideration of the House today. I am also very appreciative of the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Murphy) for her tireless, bipartisan leadership in protecting our Nation's children.

This bipartisan legislation was inspired by the story of the Zezzo family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, whose teenage daughter, Madison, was cyber stalked by a friend's father on social media. Despite the stalking being sexual in nature, the then-51-year-old stalker pleaded guilty only to a misdemeanor stalking charge and was sentenced to probation and counseling. Three years later, in 2016, the very same stalker began making contact again. This time he was arrested in a sting operation by local police and sentenced to between 18 months and 7 years in State prison.

Mr. Speaker, the Zezzo family is here with us today. Their story is the reason that this legislation was written and the reason it will get a full floor vote in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

When I first met the Zezzo family in my office, their sense of fear and anxiety was evident. After hearing of the disturbing story of cyber stalking endured by this young girl and her family for years, it was clear that something needed to be done. As legislators and as citizens, we have no higher calling and no higher responsibility than to protect our children.

We must do everything we can to forcefully respond to egregious instances of stalking and cyber stalking, especially when committed against minors. Our children are the most vulnerable among us.

Mr. Speaker, stories like this, unfortunately, are too common in this country, and they do not always end with a stalker in custody. The Combat Online Predators Act ensures that not only are we increasing penalties for these crimes, but also requiring Federal law enforcement officials to evaluate and update best practices to combat online stalking and online bullying.

This bill provides enhanced criminal penalties for stalkers under title 18 of the U.S. Code, giving judges more flexibility to impose harsher punishments. Additionally, the Attorney General and the Department of Justice will be required to produce an evaluation of Federal, State, and local efforts to enforce laws relating to cyber stalking and identify and describe elements of these law enforcement efforts that constitute best practices around the Nation.

Cyber stalking is a serious crime that needs to be met with stricter penalties and more cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies both on the Federal, State, and local level.

The Combat Online Predators Act is the first step in making the internet a safer environment for all users, especially our children. This step cannot come soon enough as the National Center for Victims of Crime stated in its endorsement of this legislation: ``In today's age where children can be stalked both in person and online, we must ensure that our laws provide real justice for our most vulnerable victims.''

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Zezzo family and, in particular, Madison Zezzo for sharing her story so that kids across this Nation can be protected.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the issue of food insecurity, affecting nearly 1.6 million people in my home State of Pennsylvania. In our district, that is 1.6 million too many.

I am proud to recognize the efforts of Mary's Cupboard in Levittown, Pennsylvania, a food pantry which has served nearly 86,000 individuals since its inception in 1976. Operating in conjunction with Catholic Social Services, Mary's Cupboard offers both perishable and nonperishable food items. Their standard practice is to provide a family with 5 days' worth of food.

I would like to recognize founder Marion Slack and operations coordinators Betty Rommet and Ann Hyjurick, who, along with the assistance of partnering parishes St. Ignatius in Yardley, St. Andrew in Newton, St. Cyril of Jerusalem in Jamison, and St. Michael the Archangel in Levittown, bring hope and peace of mind to their neighbors on a daily basis.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of us to follow their lead and work to eradicate hunger in all of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Walden, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Griffith, and my friends Andy Biggs and Senator Johnson for their unflinching commitment to see right to try debated, passed, and signed into law.

Moreover, I thank the overwhelming bipartisan majority of the House, who, just last week, supported the Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act, and proved emphatically that right to try is about more than politics. It is about hope.

Each year, thousands of Americans receive a life-altering diagnosis of a terminal illness. Even with the amazing work done in American medical research and development, for too many families, access to these potentially lifesaving treatments will come too late or not at all.

As their Representatives, we should each endeavor to support these individuals in their time of need, as well as support new pathways to potentially lifesaving treatment. That is what right to try is all about.

For those patients caught between traditional drug approval delays, a clinical trial process for which they do not qualify and limited time, right to try simply establishes the freedom for patients and their doctors to try therapies where the benefits far outweigh the risks. It gives them the option of trying to save their life.

Although the FDA has a program that allows terminal patients to apply for early access to a promising treatment, right to try is needed because the FDA compassionate use process doesn't help enough people. Moreover, the application process is complicated, time consuming, and expensive. Only about 1,200 people each year can make it through the application process.

In 2014, more than 12,000 people in France were using investigational

treatments through that government's equivalent program. If a country with one-fifth the population of the United States can help 900 percent more people then the FDA's plan, clearly, is not working.

In Australia, doctors are allowed to work directly with drug and device manufacturers to provide investigational treatments to terminal patients without the government's approval. They simply must report to the government at some point that the patient received the drug. No permission slip is required.

This bill requires robust informed consent between the patient, doctor, and manufacturer, while requiring notification be given to the FDA after an unapproved drug becomes available to an eligible patient and requires doctors and manufacturers to report adverse events to the

Mr. Speaker, over 4 weeks have passed since our Nation suffered an unspeakable tragedy in Parkland, Florida, where we lost 17 souls that we cannot get back.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the names of these young, brave souls who will move this country to act to protect other young students across this Nation.

Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque Anguiano,

Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Chris Hixon,

Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver,

Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter,

Carmen Schentrup, Peter Wang.

Mr. Speaker, I have met with the brave students of Parkland. I have also met with the parent of one of those lost souls.

I have met with students and parents and teachers alike in my own district in Pennsylvania. I have seen the fear and the anxiety in their demeanor. I have seen the tears in their eyes. They are asking for this Congress to do what past Congresses have failed to do.

Mr. Speaker, there were countless missed signals and missed opportunities that could have prevented this tragedy from happening. However, this is not the time for finger-pointing; this is a time for healing, and, more importantly, this is a time for action.

We were elected to Congress not to hide from tough decisions, not to be afraid to tackle tough problems. Mr. Speaker, we were elected to lead, and lead we must.

As a 14-year FBI agent, I carried a weapon on my ankle every day in order to save lives and keep people safe. And as a Federal gun crimes prosecutor, I prosecuted and imprisoned those who committed violent gun crimes in order to protect people, in my role as a prosecutor, and keep our communities safe.

Keeping our communities safe and protecting the Second Amendment are not mutually exclusive concepts. We can advance both and preserve both simultaneously. All we need to do, Mr. Speaker, is be willing to do what every American wants us to do, which is put away ideology and come together in a bipartisan fashion.

Of all the responsibilities we have, of all of the responsibilities we have, we have no higher responsibility as elected officials, and as citizens, than to protect our kids.

After the terror attacks of September 11, we said: Never again. Never again will we allow terrorists to seize control of a cockpit and turn a commercial airliner into a guided missile.

What did we do? We created the Department of Homeland Security; we deployed a Federal Air Marshal Service, the likes of which this country has never seen; we fortified our cockpits; we deployed state-of-the-art screening equipment across our Nation's 450-plus airports across the country. We said: Never again.

I am calling on my colleagues to have the same response to school shootings: Never again.

Mr. Speaker, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, of which I am a proud member, has developed a well-thought-out list of 10 legislative proposals that help us achieve this goal, to protect our kids, to say never again to this needless violence.

I urge my colleagues in this House, Democrat and Republican alike, to show leadership in tackling these tough issues. Call for a floor vote and support these bipartisan proposals. Let's do it for our kids. They need us now more than ever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Bucks County Children's Museum and the impactful programs that they bring to our community.

Located in New Hope, the museum focuses on creating fun for children up to 7 years old who enjoy using their imagination. At 9,000 square feet, the Children's Museum provides something for every kid. From ``The Hospital'' exhibit, where kids can put on a lab coat, drive an ambulance, and perform an operation, to the ``Town Square,'' where kids can go back in time to a ``turn of the century'' general store, or ride the Express train. Our kids can take a virtual hot air balloon or grab a shovel and dig to find artifacts buried in a ``Digging'' exhibit.

It is incredibly important that we continue to inspire and educate our next generation. I thank the Bucks County Children's Museum for what they do to bring wonder and wonderful experiences to the youngest citizens of Bucks County.