Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Commander Andrew Patterson, a native of Chittenango, New York, who currently serves as the Chief of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Plans/Operations for the military in Afghanistan. He is the son of Marlene A. Patterson and the late commander, Kenneth F. Patterson, U.S. Navy.

Lieutenant Commander Patterson has served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for 12 years, as well as serving with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency for 13 years. Stationed in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Patterson is leading the charge on the intelligence collection operations against the Taliban, working closely with joint regional U.S. military personnel.

In today's era of combat, the role of intelligence plays an especially important role in the success of our military. Lieutenant Commander Andrew Patterson is a true hometown hero. He is an inspiration to all of us and is an exceptional community leader.

I would like to extend my gratitude to him for his answer to the call to serve, his bravery, and his dedication to our Nation. I wish him the best of luck as he continues to serve our country.

Go Navy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a distinguished constituent from my district named Goldie Small from Binghamton, New York. Goldie currently resides at the Good Shepherd Fairview Home in Binghamton, where she will turn 110 years old on April 1.

Goldie was born in Paris, New York--on Paris Hill as we call it--on April 1, 1908, and lived there until 1940, when she moved to New Milford, Pennsylvania.

As a child, Goldie went to a one-room schoolhouse until she attended high school in Waterville, New York. In order to get to and from the schoolbus, she either had to hitch a ride, walk 1 mile to catch a train, or use a horse and carriage to travel all the way to Waterville.

After high school, Goldie went to school in Rochester, New York, to the famous Eastman School to become a dental hygienist. Shortly after, the Depression hit and very few people could afford the luxury of dental care, so she went back to school to become a secretary.

After getting married and moving to Pennsylvania, Goldie had two children, Glenn and Marion.

Goldie has an amazing memory, never forgetting any of the birthdays of her six grandchildren and, now, nine great-grandchildren.

To this day, she continues to play bridge and other card games as well as completing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

Mr. Speaker, I ask to have everyone join me in wishing Goldie a very happy 110 years. She is an inspiration to all of us on a long, clean life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4263, the Regulation A+ Improvement Act, introduced by my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. MacArthur).

Congratulations to Mr. MacArthur and the chairman for bringing this great legislation to the floor.

This legislation would increase, from $50 million to $75 million, the offering exemption amount that companies can offer under the Securities and Exchange Commission's, the SEC, Tier 2 of Regulation A, an amendment to the 2012 JOBS Act.

As the owner of a small business, I understand firsthand the vital importance of making our Nation's business climate competitive at all levels. Small businesses create nearly 70 percent of the new jobs in our country. Yet small businesses are only starting to see a resurgence from the struggling ecosystem created in the last Presidential era. Thanks to the recent tax cuts and regulatory changes, we have seen continued growth.

H.R. 4263 would be the next step toward helping small companies raise necessary equity capital to enable them to grow and compete in a changing and dynamic marketplace. This will result in more jobs and more opportunities for our communities.

This bill would expand the SEC's Regulation A+ from $50 million to $75 million, and it would allow companies to consider mini IPOs or mini initial public offerings at a less costly alternative to raising capital.

In my district, it is difficult to raise capital and secure a steady line of credit for developing and sustaining small businesses. I have experienced this very difficulty and struggle with clients I have represented in my own legal practice.

This bill would help tremendously in improving access to capital for small companies that ultimately are the drivers of job growth in New York and across the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank Mr. MacArthur and the bipartisan group of cosponsors for their hard work, and I urge my colleagues to support this great legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exciting spring tradition in upstate New York and, particularly, the 22nd Congressional District.

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School District, or VVS, is holding its Maple Weekend this coming weekend. Maple Weekend is run for two weekends each year by the Future Farmers of America, also known as FFA. This FFA organization has approximately 125 members, and its success has been recognized both on the State and national levels.

Despite the two nor'easters that New York has received in March alone, VVS' FFA organization has worked tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming maple season. This weekend, VVS will join 170 other local organizations across New York to prepare demonstrations on how to harvest and produce maple syrup products, host pancake breakfasts which feature our award-winning syrup, and provide tours of the mouthwatering ``sugar shack,'' where maple products are created.

Last year, VVS' Maple Weekend extravaganza drew more than 2,000 visitors. I am thrilled to attend each year and to take part in this educational and delicious local event that is expertly organized each year by high school students from FFA.

These same FFA members from VVS travel throughout New York State, from Buffalo to New York City, using their Maple Syrup Trailer to educate other high school students across our State, teaching them how to produce maple syrup and to produce maple candies and other delicious maple products.

New York State still produces the very best maple syrup in the world and is continually winning the award for the best maple syrup.

I would like to congratulate these outstanding VVS and FFA students on their hard work, and I wish them and the hundreds of other maple producers across the State the best of luck during this very difficult season for maple production.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Public Schools Week.

A quality public education is among the most important gifts we can provide to our children.

As a product of a terrific public school, where my son also attended and graduated from 30 years later, I understand the challenges our local schools, administrators, and teachers are facing in public schools.

Ninety percent of American children attend public school, making the local school district in most communities the largest and most significant employer.

I had and will continue to be a strong advocate for public schools throughout our communities and throughout our Nation.

Throughout my time in office, I have called for responsible increases in education and resources to our public schools, that are increasingly having to take on unfunded mandates and face many of the societal challenges that are now brought into the school districts.

As a former member of the New York State Assembly Education Committee, I fought against a very unfair school aid formula that indirectly and unfairly impacted our upstate public schools.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the public schools and thanking those teachers, administrators, and custodians who provide guidance and provide leadership and a lifetime of memories to our students.

Communities are stronger and schools are better when we work together to support public education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding member of my community, Mary View from Ilion, New York. Mary recently made history by becoming the first female firefighter in the Village of Ilion.

Mary was raised in a family of firefighters. Her father, Ed View III, is currently the deputy chief of the Herkimer Fire Department; and her grandfather, Ed View II, also served in the Herkimer Fire Department and is now happily retired.

As a young girl, she would spend a lot of time at the fire station. She remembers being in the car with her father when he would receive emergency calls, and she would be happy to join along with him to respond.

Serving in the fire department is a bit of a legacy, as we described, for the View family. Mary always thought she would grow up to become a firefighter, and despite a brief time thinking she was going to take up a career in criminal justice, the urge to become a firefighter was irresistible, and Mary ended up doing just that.

Mary is not only making history, but also living her lifelong dream. She hopes to be an inspiration to all women who want to pursue the same career in the fire service.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mary View on making history as the first woman firefighter in the Village of Ilion. She is part of the next generation of women leaders, and I know she will do an amazing job.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rome Elks.

Hailing from Rome Elks Lodge #96 on Liberty Street, our hometown Elks truly embody the mission the Elks National Foundation has been committed to for over 140 years. For generations, Elks around the Nation have dedicated themselves to building strong communities and lending a helping hand to their fellow neighbors.

Today I would like to recognize an outstanding group of hometown Elks who have made the journey from Oneida County to visit us here in Washington: Donna Townsend; Whitney Cook; Mary Bielby; and retired captain of the Rome Police Department, John Bielby.

Our Elks in Rome and around the country help our youth develop lifelong skills, assist students who are attending college, support charitable work in their communities, and care for our local veterans.

However, Rome Elks are unique to all other Elks in the country. In addition to the honorable work of the Elks, Rome Elks also carry out the longstanding tradition of caring for the gravesite of a historic Rome native, Sir Francis Bellamy. Some of you may not know it, but Sir Francis Bellamy is the author of our uniquely American tradition, the Pledge of Allegiance.

Francis Bellamy was born in Mount Morris, New York, attended our Rome public schools, and graduated from Rome Free Academy, affectionately known as RFA, in 1872.

Every day throughout our country, in public and parochial schools; at Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings; at American Legions and all fraternal and patriotic organizations; in government, including here in our Nation's Capitol, millions of Americans recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Pledge of Allegiance reminds our citizenry of the notion of what it means to be American. We pledge allegiance to this great experiment; to our constitutional Republic, a nation that reveres freedoms, individual rights, and liberty. We pledge allegiance to our country's historic Judeo-Christian values.

Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 at the age of 37. During his time working as a writer for a magazine called ``The Youth's Companion,'' a family magazine that, at the time, had 500,000 subscribers, Bellamy was tasked with creating a patriotic school program to honor the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival to America. Through this assignment, the Pledge of Allegiance, as we know it today, took shape.

At a trying time in our Nation's history, Francis Bellamy captured so elegantly and simply America's unity and loyalty. With only a sentence, Bellamy ultimately symbolized America's ability to surpass all internal differences. It is the manifestation of our patriotic conscience and it is recognized throughout our Nation.

Francis Bellamy's spirit pervades in Rome to this day, especially during patriotic holidays, like Flag Day. On Flag Day, the Rome Elks replace the two American flags that fly over Sir Francis Bellamy's gravesite. These annual ceremonies are a dedication to the patriotic principles that our flag has stood for since it was first adopted in 1777. In 2008, the Rome Elks started a significant renovation project on Bellamy's gravesite, and completed it 1 year later, just in time to rededicate it for Flag Day.

In addition to their work in honoring Sir Francis Bellamy and the American flag, the Rome Elks are also well known for their commitment to helping our local veterans.

Recently, the Rome Elks held a fundraiser to raise money for therapy dogs for veterans through a local organization called Clear Path for Vets. As part of the fundraiser, the Rome Elks took flags that had flown over Sir Francis Bellamy's gravesite and removed the stars and stripes. They then individually separated and added a slip of paper with the words ``This little star is proud to say I flew over Bellamy's grave.'' The Rome Elks call this project ``Stars Over Bellamy.''

They started with 300 of these little packets, but quickly added 200 more when they realized how popular this projects was. To date, the Rome Elks have raised over $1,000 for this fundraising effort. One of the most touching aspects is that every veteran that a Rome Elks member comes across receives one of these stars for free as a thank-you for their years of service.

I was lucky enough to be able to purchase a star for myself and a few others for my son, who is currently serving in the Marine Corps. It is a constant reminder for me of the legacy Francis Bellamy left for our country, as well as the patriotic principles I as a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge #1444--a nearby Elks Lodge down the street--have come to live by.

These are just a few examples of the hard work and devotion that the Rome Elks show for their community. The Rome Elks bring so much more to the community than just a building. Although it is a beautiful, historic building on Liberty Street--aptly named--in Rome, New York, they invest in programs that help children grow up healthy and drug- free, meet the needs of today's veterans, and improve the quality of life for our area.

As I mentioned, as a member of the nearby Ilion Elks Lodge #1444, I am proud to know and work with so many outstanding Elks and members throughout our region. I also am excited to participate in our benevolent Elks Lodge, which has a motorcycle ride each year, where we travel to each of the Elks Lodges and raise money for charities that help many of our veterans in need.

So I just want to say, if you happen to be visiting our region, take the time to stop by one of our wonderful Elks Lodges. They have weekly events. Particularly in the Rome Elks Lodge, they have Tuesday Wing Night, Wednesday Night Spaghetti Supper, Fish Fry Friday, or one of our special events on the weekends or holidays. It is really a beautiful and wonderful time to meet and have fellowship with a community that is so patriotic and so devoted to our Nation.

Today I urge all my colleagues and anyone watching at home to thank

Elks Lodges from around our Nation for the tremendous work they do for our communities, especially our veterans. Or, better yet, take the opportunity to volunteer at an Elks Lodge or consider joining an Elks Lodge. They do so much great benevolent work for our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time to speak on this important bill and also for his tremendous and strong leadership on our committee.

H.R. 4296 would set reasonable standards for regulators that are based primarily on the risk posed by a banking organization's current activities and businesses, not on past activities, as you have heard.

Operational risk standards were created and are a product of the European Basel Committee and have been amended twice, actually, since that time. But their adaptation still doesn't hit the mark, and that is why, though the Basel Committee's proposal is well intentioned, this bill and this proposal will amend that to tailor it to the needs and to the effectiveness and efficiency of our banks.

The current framework is based on past activity and will hold operational capital on discontinued products, products that banks don't even have in their portfolios. This bill will correct those errors by allowing our U.S.-based financial regulators to tailor the capital requirements they need based on their unique business model.

H.R. 4296 limits the burden of operational risk capital requirements to a bank's current activities and businesses, gives the bank the ability to determine risk under forward-looking assessment, and would permit adjustment on risk-mitigating factors.

This bill, as you have heard over and over, does not eliminate the Federal Government's ability to assess operational risk or alter the regulators' authority to set capital requirements when doing business on high-risk customers.

Mr. Luetkemeyer's bipartisan legislation would create a commonsense reform to the Basel standards, and I urge all Members to support it.

I also want to thank Congressman Meeks, a fellow New Yorker, for cosponsoring this legislation.

Again, I want to thank Mr. Chairman for his great work on our committee and also Mr. Luetkemeyer for his hard work, his bipartisan work on this bill, for a person who is a banker, a business person from a rural area of our country who really understands the need to protect consumers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alan Williamson from Greene, New York, in New York's 22nd District.

Alan Williamson is a true craftsman who keeps history and tradition alive through his business ventures in Greene. Each of his businesses is inspired by trades that are slowly becoming a lost art in our country.

Alan runs an antique sawmill, a shingle machine, a shoelace business, a rope-making business, and a broom-making business.

Alan recently created a one-of-a-kind broom for President Trump. It is alternating red and white, with stars wrapped up the handle. The ``Presidential Broom'' is fitted perfectly inside a wooden and glass case that Alan also crafted.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Alan the best of luck and hope that his beautiful, patriotic, and handcrafted broom makes it to the White House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major Sandra Stoquert of Camden, New York, an outstanding member of our community. Major Stoquert recently took command of the 109th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, based out of Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York.

Major Stoquert joined the New York Air National Guard in 1996, after serving in both the Army and the Navy Reserves. In 2004, she was commissioned as an officer and since then has served in Iraq at Balad Air Base and was deployed to New Orleans in 2005, to assist in the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Since returning to upstate New York, Major Stoquert has remained active in the community. In 2013, she was named the public affairs officer for the 174th Attack Wing based out of Syracuse, New York. She served as a school counselor at Adirondack Central School District in Boonville, New York, as well as on the board for the Central New York Veteran's Outreach Center in Utica.

I would like to take this time to thank Major Stoquert for her years of service to our country and community. She is an inspiration to all and a wonderful community leader.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ty Muse, the CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union, who was recently honored by the Boy Scouts of America and the Baden-Powell Council as the Broome County Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Each year, this award is given to an individual in the Broome County community who sets a positive example for others and demonstrates concern and significant care for their community.

Mr. Muse moved to the Broome County area 5 years ago and hit the ground running. He has been honored for his commitment to helping young leaders throughout the region by sponsoring a free track program, donating to several local school districts and colleges, and working to raise awareness in financial literacy.

Madam Speaker, I extend both my congratulations and my thanks to Mr. Ty Muse for his hard work and dedication to the Broome County community and for his commitment to inspiring leaders of the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a world-class athlete and Olympian from the 22nd Congressional District, Erin Hamlin.

Four-time Olympian and two-time world champion luger, Erin Hamlin carried the Team USA flag during the 2018 Winter Olympic opening ceremony in Pyeongchang, South Korea, last Friday. Following a vote from her fellow athletes, Erin was selected from eight other athletes to enter her last Olympic Games as the flagbearer.

Erin made history in 2014 as the first U.S. athlete to win a singles luge medal after taking home the Olympic Bronze Medal at the Sochi Games. She made history again as the fourth luger to serve as the United States flagbearer and the first since 2010.

During Friday's Parade of Nations, Erin led 244 athletes, the largest team ever from the United States. Yesterday, she competed in the last race of her outstanding career.

Erin will be remembered as someone who shattered barriers for both men and women in the sport of luge. Please join me in congratulating Oneida County's and Remsen, New York's own rock star, Erin Hamlin, on these incredible achievements.

Mr. Speaker, last week I received a letter from Frank Suits, Jr. Frank is the president and CEO of Suit-Kote Corporation, a family-owned, multigenerational paving company located in the 22nd District, in Cortland, New York. He wrote to share the impact that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on Suit-Kote's nearly 800 families.

As a direct result of the lower income tax brackets included in the tax cuts legislation, Suit-Kote employees receive an automatic 2 percent increase in their take-home pay in 2018. This increase means about $1,400, on average, in the paychecks of each hardworking family.

Suit-Kote's 401(k) plan has also increased by 11.5 percent and totals more than $56 million. This means that each individual employee saw an average increase of more than $6,400 in their 401(k) savings plan.

In direct response to the new tax law, Suit-Kote Corporation has announced plans to match the Federal tax cut and provide its employees with a 2 percent retroactive pay increase. They also plan to accelerate its 401(k) contribution for 2018 by 4 months to provide employees additional funds in their retirement accounts.

The benefits are not crumbs. These are actual results involving real people.

Small businesses like Suit-Kote are proof that delivering desperately needed tax cuts are the most effective way to improve the lives of New Yorkers, not Albany's oppressive tax-and-spend, cronyist policies.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 40 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Critz Farms in Cazenovia, New York.

This month the New York State Agricultural Society honored Critz Farms with the 2018 Business of the Year Award. The award recognizes the quality, leadership, and innovation demonstrated by State farms and particularly agribusinesses.

Critz Farms was established in 1985 by Matthew and Juanita Critz. The family-run farm offers various educational tours for visitors such as apple cider production, pumpkin patch browsing, and maple sugaring tours. Their mission is to educate people about farming and the origins of food, all while providing fun for the whole family.

Critz Farms grows a variety of crops, including apples, strawberries, blueberries, and conifer trees for Christmas. The family-run farm also produces apple cider, award-winning hard cider, craft beer, and pure maple syrup.

Congratulations again to Critz Farms for being honored as the New York State Agricultural Society's Business of the Year. I am looking forward to visiting Critz Farms, as I do each year, for maple syrup season this March. Many of you may be surprised to know that the best maple syrup in the world is produced in New York State.