Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am recorded as not voting on Roll Call No. 412, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 1155--Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Had I been recorded, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 412.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lancaster Public Library in the Town of Lancaster, New York on its bicentennial anniversary.

The Lancaster Public Library was founded in 1821 as the ``Cayuga Creek Veterans' Library Society'' in honor of the estimated forty veterans from the American Revolution and War of 1812 that founded the library. The library grew considerably over the years, moving from the Johnson School House to the Lancaster Presbyterian Church in 1832. It then moved to the Town Hall in 1896 and then to the Potter Estate in 1940 after the residence was donated by Mrs. Fanny Potter Eaton. In 1947, the growing Village of Depew located within the Town of Lancaster opened its own branch library, enabling even more Western New Yorkers to read and learn. By 1964, the Depew branch had opened its own exclusive facility until the Lancaster and Depew libraries merged in 2005.

Today, the Lancaster Public Library is one of the most vibrant and community-oriented libraries in the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System. The library hosts various programs for all community members to enjoy. In recent years, the library has organized institutional staples for children such as story hours, crafting, and science activities. For adults the library hosts lectures series from local leaders on business, STEM topics, government affairs, and the arts. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lancaster Public Library worked to provide extensive virtual programming for the residents of Lancaster. Additionally, raffles, giveaways, and chicken barbeque fundraisers also help to promote the Lancaster Public Library's close- knit relationship with our community.

The Lancaster Public Library also partners with other local organizations and agencies to enhance their patrons' library experiences. Through the Lancaster Historical Society, the library has been able to compile photography displays of Lancaster from its humble beginnings to the bustling town that it is today. With Frosty's Ice Cream, a Lancaster favorite, the library has organized scavenger hunts for children with Frosty's coupons as prizes. Finally, the Lancaster Public Library has worked closely with the Erie County Department of Health to keep community members knowledgeable about COVID-19 and vaccinations. The library has forwarded public health directives and created public forums for citizens to speak directly with county health officials.

I thank the Lancaster Public Library for its tireless efforts serving the community since its founding and I again congratulate the library on its bicentennial anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Village of Orchard Park, New York, on its centennial anniversary.

The Village of Orchard Park is a beautiful, tranquil village that lies in western New York, and I am honored to call it my home. The Village of Orchard Park was founded in 1921.

The area of present-day Orchard Park was historically referred to as an ``uncultivated part of nature's garden'' and was said to resemble a ``park of orchards.'' The early pioneers of Orchard Park worked to transform a forest into the beautiful community it is today. They built residences, churches, and public places which remain important parts of the culture and values of today's Orchard Park.

Many great businesses and businesspeople have hailed from the Village of Orchard Park, including Harry Yates. Mr. Yates moved from Buffalo to Orchard Park and purchased multiple farms, including roughly 3,500 acres of land. Mr. Yates created and donated Green Lake to the Orchard Park community, which is still enjoyed today by residents and visitors. Mr. Yates also donated the land for the construction of two churches, Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic and St. John's Lutheran.

The Village of Orchard Park centennial celebrates the best of America. These communities are the incubators of local politics, commerce, education, recreation, entertainment, and faith for our village neighborhoods.

I am proud to congratulate the citizens of the Village of Orchard Park on their 100th anniversary. I believe that it is important to recognize their unique contribution to the development of western New York and wish them happiness and prosperity during the next 100 years.

Madam Speaker, Democrats claim their bill will cost $1.7 trillion. That number, by itself, should cause alarm. But this number is reached through budget gimmicks.

If Democrats succeed in making the provisions of this bill permanent, as they have publicly said they intend to do, then the cost will be much, much higher.

The Penn-Wharton Budget Model estimates total spending for this bill would be $4.6 trillion over 10 years if the provisions are made permanent. The Committee for a Responsible Budget estimates the cost at $4.9 trillion.

If Democrats are going to spend this kind of money, they should at least be honest about the true cost to the American people. I urge my colleagues to reject this reckless spending.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his service and sacrifice to our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support, as well, of H.R. 1476 to allocate more resources to our American heroes struggling with post- traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.

Madam Speaker, as we become more aware of mental health, we must ensure that we make every possible effort to help those who served our Nation and are now struggling. It is estimated that 11 to 20 percent of veterans suffer from PTSD, and almost 500,000 veterans have suffered a TBI in the past 20 years.

These injuries were incurred protecting our Nation and defending our freedom across numerous wars. Certainly this conversation surrounding mental health has gained a new national spotlight in the past number of months as veterans witnessed the chaotic and reckless withdrawal from Afghanistan. My office has received numerous calls from veterans in my district who are deeply disturbed by the events we have witnessed, and many are experiencing new grief and pain.

Similarly, it was reported that the veterans crisis hotline saw a recent surge in both texts and calls from veterans struggling with mental health around the Nation.

There is no greater honor or act of selflessness than to sign up to serve our Nation in our military. We have a moral and sworn obligation to protect those who sacrificed protecting us, and we have an obligation to ensure any veteran can access the resources they need.

I proudly cosponsored the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act as one solution to this complex problem. I would say I knew full well how well this program operated as a member of the State senate trying to carry on the great work and the creation of Congressman Zeldin when he was in the State senate. I want to thank him for his leadership on this issue and carrying this forward to the Federal level so more areas can benefit from it.

Supporting our veterans is a bipartisan issue we can all get behind. There is no room to debate this issue, only room for action to help our American heroes.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring H.R. 1476, and I urge this body to move efficiently to provide more mental health and brain injury resources to hundreds of thousands of veterans across the Nation who desperately need it. I am grateful for this opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Democrats' radical reconciliation package and, specifically, their plans to weaponize the IRS and dramatically expand the agency's reach into the lives of everyday Americans.

Originally, Democrats' plan was to hire thousands of new IRS agents to surveil the bank accounts of Americans who have $600 or more in their accounts. While they have upped that amount in the legislation to $10,000 in deposits and withdrawals, this would still subject every American working at least a minimum wage job, who has a bank account, to government intrusion.

I can tell you, and I think most of my colleagues would agree, that I have not had a constituent call and beg me for more IRS agents or for the agency to have increased ability to monitor their accounts. Rather, my constituents are concerned this proposal represents an attempt by the administration to weaponize and politicize the IRS and fund their partisan agenda.

I believe Americans are entitled to privacy and constitutional rights. This proposal is a dramatic overreach and emblematic of this administration's

priorities: expand the government's control over everyday Americans.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Buffalo Medical Group on its 75th anniversary.

In 1946, Drs. Ramsdell Gurney, Murray S. Howland, Jr., George F. Koepf, and Frank Meyers came together to form the Buffalo Medical Group. At its founding, the Buffalo Medical Group was one of the first group physician practices in Western New York. Today, the Buffalo Medical Group continues to deliver high-quality patient care, and I am honored to represent it in Congress.

The founding physicians of the Buffalo Medical Group served in World War II, where they were exposed to the group practice model. Unlike the solo practice model, which was the norm at the time, the group practice model allows for greater shared clinical experience and access to information. It also broadens the scope of a practice, enables a group to provide care to more patients, and allows physicians to practice medicine more effectively.

Given these benefits, a year after the war, these doctors brought the group practice model to their community, establishing the Buffalo Medical Group. By 1963, the practice consisted of ten physicians and had widespread name recognition throughout Western New York. Several years later, to accommodate the growing practice and its new patients, the group constructed its own office building at 85 High Street, which still functions as a Buffalo Medical Group office today. Buffalo Medical Group's continued success led to the construction of additional major offices in Williamsville, NY in 1986 and in Orchard Park, NY in 1999.

After 75 years, the Buffalo Medical Group has grown into one of the largest multi-specialty physician practice groups in New York State. Today, the group has 135 physicians, 115 advanced practice professionals, 725 employees, and 34 surgical and medical departments that occupy four main offices and seven satellite offices throughout Western New York. The Buffalo Medical Group records more than 850,000 outpatient visits annually and continues to maintain a strong and positive presence in Western New York.

The Buffalo Medical Group has employed exceptional physicians, including Dr. Richard Cooper, who developed the ``Cooper regimen'' of chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer, and Dr. Scott Tu Iman, who performed the first laparoscopic splenectomy in North America. More recently, in October 2021, Dr. John Notaro of Buffalo Medical Group was honored nationwide as a ``Best Physician'' during National Primary Care Week.

The group is also admired for its early adoption of innovative medical technologies and software. Over a decade before Congress created federal subsidies to incentivize the use of electronic health record systems, the Buffalo Medical Group implemented its own electronic health record system. This early investment created long- term benefits for both the practice and patients alike.

I thank all the doctors and employees of the Buffalo Medical Group for their unwavering commitment to wellness and patient care, and I again congratulate the group on its 75th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I urge the Democratic leadership to heed the message of Senator Joe Manchin and take a strategic pause on the $4.3 trillion reconciliation bill they are attempting to pass. To spend this amount of money on top of the nearly $6 trillion we have spent on COVID since last March is reckless to say the least. We should not forget the long-term debt crisis we are facing.

The graph beside me shows how dire this fiscal outlook is. By 2051, as is shown in this chart, the Congressional Budget Office projects our debt will reach 202 percent of the GDP. In other words, more than twice our annual output. And that does not include the $4.3 trillion the Democrats are proposing to spend in this reconciliation package.

This will far exceed the debt levels even after World War II. As you can see in the graph, at the end of World War II our debt fell sharply and continued falling for several decades.

Madam Speaker, this body needs to come together now, just as we did back after World War II, to get our fiscal house in order. I know no one here wants to see this projection become reality where we will have record and unsustainable debt loads for decades and decades to come.

I urge my Democratic colleagues to end their reckless spending proposals and work with us to get our fiscal house back in order. This cannot be the legacy we leave for our children and our grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Genesee Symphony Orchestra on its 75th consecutive season.

One of the oldest civic orchestras in New York State, the Genesee Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1947 as the Batavia Civic Orchestra, with a mission to enrich the local community with high-quality performances, educational opportunities, and guest artists. Under the leadership of its three founders, Mr. Norman Hall, Mr. Hugh Lawing, and Dr. Biagio Mansuetto, the orchestra performed its first concert at the Dipson Theatre in Batavia, New York on November 6, 1947. Under the direction of conductor Jan Wolanek, the concert was played to a sell- out crowd of 1,400 people. As the orchestra became more popular and its influence grew beyond the city of Batavia, in 1958 its management changed the orchestra's name to the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra has been an important institution within the surrounding community since its founding, including in recent years. In addition to its annual concerts, the Genesee Symphony Orchestra holds an annual ``Young Artists Competition,'' allowing high school students to compete for the opportunity to perform with the orchestra. The orchestra also holds an annual ``Meet the Orchestra'' event and a ``String Workshop.''

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is proud to have hosted a wide array of talented individuals during its 75-year history, including fifteen renowned conductors and hundreds of musicians. The orchestra has welcomed musical talent ranging from world-class artists and composers, to more locally known soloists.

I thank all musicians, conductors, and members of the Board of Directors for their unwavering commitment to bringing arts, culture, and entertainment to Western New York, and I again congratulate the orchestra on its 75th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the State University of New York College at Geneseo on its 150th anniversary.

Founded in 1871, SUNY Geneseo is a liberal arts college located in the historic Village of Geneseo, New York. SUNY Geneseo has a rich history, and I am honored to represent it in Congress.

On September 13, 1871, the Geneseo Normal and Training School opened its doors with 71 certificate-seeking students. The following year, the first commencement was held with a graduating class of ten students. Later renamed SUNY Geneseo, today the school has more than 4,000 students, fifty undergraduate degree programs, and twenty-six interdisciplinary minors. SUNY Geneseo has grown exponentially over its 150-year history, while maintaining its strong commitment to quality education.

Despite the challenges of the past year, SUNY Geneseo has continued to deliver a high-quality education. This success is demonstrated by SUNY Geneseo' s designation as a ``Top Producer of U.S. Student Fulbright Awards,'' as well as the university's U.S. News and World Report ranking of third for ``Top Public Regional Universities'' in the Northern United States. Each of these designations reflect the hard work of the students and faculty at SUNY Geneseo, who have grown the school into an outstanding institution over the past 150 years.

SUNY Geneseo is known not only for its academics, but also for its history and traditions. An iconic feature of Geneseo is the Seuss Spruce found in the Sturges Quad. The tree's shape resembles a Dr. Seuss illustration, likely developing its shape from an ice storm. The Sturges Quad also holds the ``Greek tree,'' a tree painted by students from different Greek organizations during the night. This tradition began in the 1960s, yet thousands of layers of paint later, the tree grows taller each year. Geneseo is also known for its remarkable sunsets, especially those that can be seen from the campus Gazebo overlooking the Genesee Valley.

I thank SUNY Geneseo for its commitment to preserving and promoting 150 years of education, and I again congratulate Geneseo on its 150th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the County of Orleans Sheriff's Week designated this year between September 19th through September 25th.

The Orleans County Sheriff's Department, led by Sheriff Christopher Bourke, has an extensive history of honorably serving the people of Orleans County. The Department conducts itself with the utmost professionalism and demonstrates integrity, honor, and courage daily.

Just in the past year, we have seen countless examples of heroism. Last November Sheriff's investigator Kevin Colonna went above and beyond the call of duty and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to revive an elderly man who had become non-responsive.

Similarly, Undersheriff Mike Mele took incredible action last December when a driver lost control of their vehicle on slick roads and crossed into his lane. Undersheriff Mele quickly turned to avoid the car and careened off the road seriously injuring himself in the process. His selfless actions undoubtedly saved the life of the other driver.

These are just two of the countless examples where members of the Orleans County Sheriff's Department have gone above and beyond the call of duty and acted selflessly to protect the people of Orleans County. They patrol the streets, operate a safe and secure jail, patrol the waterways, and provide resources to local schools--among many other duties.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent such a distinguished department and the fine men and women who oversee its operations. Our Orleans County Sheriff's Department and all our brave law enforcement officers deserve our utmost respect and gratitude for their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act.

Our Nation faces many challenges in the coming years, from the growing threat of terrorism brought on by our reckless withdrawal from Afghanistan to Chinese aggression.

This bill reverses defense cuts proposed by the Biden administration to fund our military and ensure our Nation can counter any threat.

It also addresses President Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan by prohibiting financial support to the Taliban and allocating resources for counterterrorism operations.

In addition, it provides our troops a pay raise and supports the procurement of essential equipment.

Finally, the bill includes a bill I introduced to improve retention and readiness for providing opportunities for reservists, and the rule makes in order my amendment that will get more small and innovative companies access to DOD contracts.

Mr. Speaker, we face numerous challenges both today and in the future. This legislation prioritizes resources for our military at a critical time, and I urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the 100th birthday of Mr. Paul Catalano.

Mr. Catalano is a proud lifelong Western New York resident. He was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where he resided for most of his life.

Mr. Catalano is a member of the Greatest Generation and fought for our country in World War II, serving in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1944 when he was honorably discharged as a Private First Class. After the war, he continued his service to our country as a Lieutenant in the National Guard. He also had a long and productive career in the Buffalo banking and retail industries and retired in 1991 from Riverside Credit Union.

Mr. Catalano and his late wife, Theresa, were happily married for 66 years. Mr. Catalano is the proud patriarch of his large family consisting of 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Catalano is proud of his Italian heritage, as demonstrated by his membership in the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York. He served as treasurer for the Federation for several decades, until retiring at the age of 98.

Mr. Catalano is also a lifelong New York Yankees fan and was privileged to see them play in his hometown of Buffalo at the age of 99.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Mr. Paul Catalano for his service to our country and in celebration of his 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation on its 50th anniversary.

On Friday September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz during a trip to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Closely monitoring the situation from a family vacation in the Adirondack Mountains, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt traveled to Buffalo to pay his respects when it became apparent that President McKinley would not survive his injuries. President McKinley died the day of Roosevelt's arrival, on Saturday, September 14, 1901.

It was only a matter of hours before the Vice President assumed the Office of the President of the United States. That same day, Vice President Roosevelt was sworn in as president at the residence of his close friend, and an esteemed lawyer, Mr. Ansley Wilcox, located at 641 Delaware Avenue. In taking his Oath of Office, Roosevelt declared, ``In this hour of deep and terrible national bereavement, I wish to state that it shall be my aim to continue, absolutely without variance, the policy of President McKinley, for the peace and honor of our beloved country.''

In conjunction with the National Park Service, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation has maintained the residence on Delaware Avenue since 1971, with several missions in mind. First and foremost, the foundation strives to uphold educational dialogues around the Roosevelt Presidency, ranging from the inauguration itself to his life, policy choices, and legacy. The foundation also highlights the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, which introduced Buffalo to the world as the first electrified city of light, powered by nearby Niagara Falls. More generally, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation highlights a period in Western New York's history when it served the country as an industrial powerhouse filled with driven, creative individuals seeking to build a new and better future.

Today, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation offers a variety of programs and experiences that aim to preserve the legacy of President Roosevelt. The foundation displays a variety of exhibits and showcases within the home that examine Roosevelt's inauguration and time in office. Tours are offered at the nearby museum, as well as at sites of importance across the City of Buffalo. The foundation also hosts a ``Speaker Nite'' series of events, inviting esteemed individuals to explore issues of significance from President Roosevelt's tenure and share how these issues remain relevant today.

I thank the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation for its commitment to preserving the unique history of the Western New York region, and I again congratulate the foundation on its 50th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lt. Col. Matt Urban VFW and AMVETS Post 7275 on the 75th anniversary of its founding.

The VFW and AMVETS Post, located in the Town of Lancaster, NY, is named after Matt Louis Urban, one of the most decorated American soldiers from WWII and a native of Buffalo, NY. Lieutenant Colonel Urban served in the United States Army from 1941-1946 and during his time in the military, saw combat in North Africa, Sicily, France, and Belgium. After being wounded in France, Urban and his battalion carried on into Belgium where he was severely wounded by machine gun fire in Philippeville. Urban eventually made his way to Germany without the ability to speak from his previous injuries and medically retired from the Army in 1946. Returning to the United States, Lieutenant Colonel Urban settled down in Michigan, received the Medal of Honor in 1979, and passed away in 1995. Some of Urban's other honors include 2 Silver Stars, 7 Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit, and the Croix de Guerre from France.

Post 7275 adopted Lt. Col. Matt Urban's name in 2011 and today, it looks to keep its namesake's legacy of selfless service alive through community involvement and outreach. Chicken and steak dinners, classic car shows, and holiday parties all populate the Post's calendar and fundraise for various causes and services. Additionally, the Post organizes several veteran-related services and memorials for its members. During the Thanksgiving holiday, a food drive is put on by and for veterans. For Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day, the Post organizes ceremonies to remember the fallen and honor its members' sacrifices. Flag Day is especially significant for both the VFW and AMVETS as flags are placed at the graves of veterans and those killed in action at local cemeteries. The Post has also remained very active during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping members stay in contact with the local VA hospital for medical services and keeping veterans informed about vaccination information.

I thank the Lt. Col. Matt Urban VFW and AMVETS Post 7275 for its tireless commitments to serving our local veterans and greater community, and I again congratulate the Post on its 75th anniversary.