Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the underlying bill. At a time when Americans' top priority is job creation--when Americans are desperately calling on us to work together to turn our economy around--some are instead launching the most comprehensive and radical assault on women's health in our lifetime. This shameful attack on women's ability to obtain complete health information and services does a disservice to women, families, and all Americans.

To begin with, according to the stated purpose of the bill, which is to prevent federal funds from being used to cover abortion services, the bill is already gratuitous. Recent legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act have revealed that it contains ``strict safeguards at multiple levels to prevent federal funds from being used to pay for abortion services beyond those in the case of rape or incest or where the life of the woman is endangered,'' rendering this legislation unnecessary. This type of extreme and redundant legislation will prove insightful to jobless Americans wondering why they have yet to see meaningful economic turnaround.

H.R. 358 would effectively prevent women from obtaining private insurance coverage for abortion services. By banning coverage of abortion in health exchanges, the bill will ensure that no one will be able to purchase abortion coverage--including women who do not receive federal assistance. The bookkeeping burden that would be required for insurers to offer separate policies, with and without abortion coverage, is simply too high. Insurance providers are surely not interested in providing both, when most women cannot afford to pay for the abortion coverage option out-of-pocket anyway. Proponents of the legislation suggest that insurance companies could simply offer an ``abortion rider.'' Women would have to plan for an unplanned pregnancy by purchasing supplemental insurance. This is unlikely, considering that most cannot afford to purchase even a single insurance policy. Furthermore, history has shown that insurers are reluctant to offer ``riders'' even when given the option to do so. As health exchanges grow as they are expected to, these restrictions will only affect more and more women looking for affordable and adequate health insurance.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to dramatically expand dangerous refusal provisions which contradict prevailing standards of care. Such expansion ignores the basic tenant of ethical health care, which requires that patients be presented with all of their medical options when making health care decisions. This bill would allow professionals with only a tangential connection to abortion services, such as a hospital receptionists or claims adjusters at insurance companies, to obstruct the medical process due to their beliefs. This would effectively tip the balance against patients seeking effective and comprehensive health care.

The `non-discrimination' provision in fact discriminates against abortion providers, as it provides no protection for their beliefs. A one-sided non-discrimination provision is not nondiscriminatory at all. We cannot allow this expansion, which would create a culture of refusal where anyone could obstruct access to abortion services for any reason.

Most disturbingly, a late addition to the Pitts bill would allow the expansive refusal provision to trump important patient protections guaranteed by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, as well as similar protections in state laws requiring emergency care providers to save a woman's life. This would be an unprecedented expansion of the right to refusal. We simply cannot allow for the possibility that a pregnant woman suffering from a medical emergency would see her right to medical care overridden by health professionals' moral views, which do not always place her health and safety first. Unfortunately, we have already seen what happens when professionals place their views over the health of the patient. In one case several months ago, a woman almost died over an unviable fetus as medical professionals exercised their right of refusal and waited for the fetus to die, delaying treatment for the mother. We cannot allow women to unwittingly seek emergency treatment at medical facilities that do not value their safety first. We cannot override existing EMTALA patient protections.

Finally, language in the Pitts bill extends far beyond abortion, and could allow insurers to refuse to provide other vital health services that are part of the minimum standards for health coverage set by the Affordable Care Act. This bill would open the door to refusal of effective reproductive services concerning contraception and infertility, for example. As we look to preventative services to avoid more

expensive future treatments, this bill could prevent access to screening for sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer. At a time when many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, put food on the table, and pay their mortgages, it is unfathomable that we could consider restricting access to these essential, safe, and effective health services.

To reiterate, the Affordable Care Act contains ample protection against federal funding for abortion. The Pitts bill, in addition to being discriminatory, would create undue hardship on women and families as they attempt to make private health care decisions. It is dangerous to the health of pregnant women, and all women. At a time of staggering unemployment and economic hardship, this bill, unnecessary and unfair as it is, is not the kind of leadership Americans are looking for from Congress. To vote Yes on this bill is to roll back the strides we have been making toward equitable and effective health care for all Americans, and that is unacceptable.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote No on this Bill.

Mr. Speaker, on October 10, 2011, The Republic of China (Taiwan) celebrates their 100th anniversary and I want to congratulate our friends in Southeast Asia on this most important of milestones.

One hundred years ago a Chinese doctor, Sun Yat-sen, rose up against the Qing rulers of China to free his people from their tight grip. The end result of this uprising led to the formation of what is now known as The Republic of China (Taiwan).

Over these last 100 years, Taiwan has become a beacon of democracy in the Pacific and a champion for peace and human rights in that part of the world. Taiwan is a strong proponent of the same freedoms we enjoy here in the United States such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of religion.

Taiwan's President, Ma Ying-jeou is also to be congratulated for his work in maintaining peace in the Pacific by reducing tension with China, their neighbors along the Taiwan Strait.

Again, congratulations to Taiwan. We look forward to our continued friendship over the next 100 years and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Ms. Dolores Reid Barker, a charismatic Brooklynite who carries the energy to inspire and motivate others.

Ms. Dolores Reid Barker is a native of Colon, Panama but was raised in the Costa Rican province of La Lola by her maternal grandparents. Ms. Barker received her primary and secondary education in Costa Rica before migrating to the United States to pursue her quest and rich interest in attaining advanced degrees. With dedicated and focused attention, Ms. Barker obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brooklyn College, a Masters Degree in Special Education from Long Island University, and a second Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Through her academic achievements, Ms. Barker developed a relentless focus on the student-teacher relationship as a prerequisite for sustained student success. It was this emphasis that drove Ms. Barker to assume the first of several positions in the academic environment as a bilingual teacher, eventually becoming staff developer/resource specialist and assistant principal. It is of most importance to Ms. Barker that she clearly communicates her vision of high achievement and teacher accountability in order to build a positive rapport with the parents of children. Ms. Barker currently holds the position of principal of one of New York City's elementary schools, PS 95 Queens, where she raised the schools' evaluation from mediocrity to high achievement.

Within her community Ms. Barker is very active with her Seventh Day Adventist church and several organizations. The organizations Ms. Barker works with include the Concerned Women of Brooklyn Inc., the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Phi Delta Kappa, The Interfaith Medical Auxiliary and Assistant Coordinator of the New York State Geography Bee.

She has also been the recipient of many awards for her ardent advocacy for teaching, learning, and leadership. The latest two were the Certificate of Excellence which was presented to her by the Community District Education Council, and Educator of the Week which was featured on Univision, Channel 41 New York.

A piece of inspiration that motivates Ms. Barker is found in Philippians 4:13, ``I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'' Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Dolores Reid Barker for her contribution to the education of Brooklyn students and the community.

Mr. Speaker, as the ranks of the unemployed continue to swell, all eyes have been focused on the plight of the middle-income working Americans. Many of their fortunes have changed dramatically for the worse. Many have lost their homes to foreclosure, many have seen their retirement accounts all but disappear, and, sadly, many of those who have been out of work for months have fallen below the poverty level.

From 2006 to 2009, more than 7 million Americans joined the ranks of the poor. Next week, on September 13, the Census Bureau will publish its annual report on poverty and income. We expect dire news again. These are not just poor people; they are poor Americans. The vast majority of poor people in this country are not poor because they are lazy and don't want to work or to do better. Many people are poor because they grew up in poverty and could not find the means to escape. They were trapped by failing schools, broken families, poor nutrition, and hopeless conditions.

In recent years, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of children living in poverty. It looked like we were making progress at the turn of the century when the child poverty rate dipped to 16 percent. By 2009, the rate has risen to 21 percent, with 15.5 million children living in poverty. This disturbs me greatly. Children who grew up in poverty are more likely to be poor during adulthood. Children who were born in middle class families have a 76 percent chance of being middle class. Poor children only have a 35 percent chance of escaping poverty.

On Friday, September 16, in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers, I will be conducting a forum on The Future of New York City's Children. One thing we will be doing is taking a look at what we are doing for children in poverty. This is still the greatest nation on Earth. We are still the richest nation on Earth. There is just no good reason why so many of our citizens are living in poverty. We must do better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Oleg Smurygin for his continued contribution to the health care initiatives of his community.

Mr. Smurygin was born to a middle class Jewish family to Yuriy and Bella Smurygin on April 7, 1966, in Kiev, Ukraine. He attended school in Kiev from 1973 until 1983, when he was recruited into the army for two years. Mr. Smurygin served as a Sergeant in the army from 1985 until 1987 under Special Forces by the border of China, Khabarovsk City. Once Mr. Smurygin was discharged in 1987, he attended the University of Kiev, where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in the Arts in 1991.

In 1992, Mr. Smurygin and his family decided to relocate to the United States as refugees. He supported his family working at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn, New York as a full time regular security guard. With more experience, Mr. Smurygin was promoted to shift supervisor and eventually to Director of Security in 2006. Spending over 10 years at Victory Memorial Hospital, he was awarded Victory Memorial Hospital 10 Year Award of Excellence.

When the Victory Memorial Hospital closed its doors in 2009, Mr. Smurygin headed to the PAIN Institute as a Business Manager.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Mr. Oleg Smurygin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Michael Urbino for his service to and excellence throughout his community as a model citizen.

Mr. Michael Urbino is a well-rounded, results-oriented, innovative, and persevering man, who fervently upholds the belief that there is no finish line, but a constant struggle that keeps one challenged.

A native of the Philippines, Mr. Urbino was a pioneer of a business conglomerate in New Jersey and New York. Since a young age, Mr. Urbino professed an interest in business and as such, he went about to complete a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Business Administration at the University of Santo Tomas, followed by a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

From 1985 to 2001 he accumulated substantial experience in sales and marketing of pharmaceutical products while working for multinational companies like Mead Johnson-Bristol Myers, American Home Products, Abbot Laboratories and Novartis. As an executive at ABN-AMRO and at Philippine Savings Bank, prominent banks in the Netherlands and in the Philippines, respectively, Mr. Urbino became exposed to financial services.

After much experience, Mr. Urbino founded his first of three corporations, Axis Point Alternative Solutions, Inc, in 2006. Axis Point operated as an employee leasing and certification company to healthcare professionals with the State of New York and the State of New Jersey. Shortly after, in 2007, Mr. Urbino registered American Healthcare Facility Management Group (AHFMG). A three-division entity, AHFMG offers licensing, administrative, and managerial services to health professionals.

Mr. Urbino also values the importance of educating and training health providers from grass roots. This longing gave birth to Adriland Institute, which offers vocational medical courses covering various medical specialties.

Mr. Urbino has had a long professional career purposed to provide people the tools necessary to carry on an optimal future for themselves as well as society.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the work of Mr. Michael Urbino.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Michael Goldberg for his continued activism in the community.

Mr. Goldberg was born and raised on Manhattan's lower east side as the youngest of three in a blue collar family. He grew up working part time for his family's store, while also attending school in Brooklyn. Mr. Goldberg's interest in journalism and passion for local politics encouraged him to stay in Brooklyn to attend Brooklyn College. Pursuing a political science degree and working for local newspapers, Mr. Goldberg was exposed to many in the legal profession which served as a springboard for his career.

After attending Brooklyn Law School, Mr. Goldberg held a position with a landlord-tenant law firm in Central Brooklyn. His success propelled him to form Goldberg & Lustig with Harvey Lustig who has been his law partner for the past 26 years. This became one of the premier landlord-tenant firms in Brooklyn, establishing a loyal roster of clients over the years.

Mr. Goldberg's success in the area has given life to the local community's businesses and has been critical in its economic vitality. Protecting many local small business owners and tenants from losing their locations, Mr. Goldberg has gained a positive relationship with his community.

Mr. Goldberg is happily married to his loving wife Jeryl, and together they have raised two bright children: Lee and Lyssa. In his hometown of Long Island's South Shore, Mr. Goldberg remains heavily involved in the local synagogue as the Men's Club President for the past five years.

Mr. Goldberg strongly believes that lawyers hold a special responsibility for improving our society and furthering our democratic way of life.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and success of Mr. Michael Goldberg.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Carolyn Faulkner for her activism in her community among the youth and with her Church.

Ms. Faulkner has been the loving wife of Melvin Faulkner for the past 48 years and have three beautiful children: Lenora, Tasheba (Nikki) and Leonard. They also have had the joy of raising eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Ms. Faulkner attended school in Brooklyn, New York, at P.S. 83, P.S. 54, and Bushwick High School. She always had a passion for business and was poised to have a career within the business community. With her husband, Ms. Faulkner began catering and coordinating weddings in her church, Pilgrim Church. She and her husband were successful at their craft and decided to open One Stop Wedding Corporation, which handled everything from invitations, to designing bridal wear, and honeymoon traveling.

Together they have been in business for over 38 years, but have now focused their attention to planning wedding travel. Ms. Faulkner, however, has continued to be an instrumental voice in her community and has been a part of many organizations. Currently Ms. Faulkner is a member on the Executive Board for Community Board 5, and is an active member of the following groups: Rosetta Gaston United Democratic Club; Rehoboth Cathedral under Bishop Gerald Seabrooks; Brooklyn Clergy/ N.Y.P.D. Task Force; and a former member of Churches United For Worldwide Action, Inc.

Among all else, Ms. Faulkner's greatest passion is working with youth. In February 2004, she started workshops in schools which enlightened children and parents on gang awareness. If necessary, Ms. Faulkner would attend Family Court and the Supreme Court with the youth to recommend these teens to enter into a preventative program.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Ms. Carolyn Faulkner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Harvey Lawrence and his exceptional service to the public health of his community and his ongoing public service career.

Mr. Lawrence began his career by attaining a Master of Science degree in Management Science and Policy Analysis from Harriman college and SUNY Stony Brook. He is also a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson/UCLA Health Care Executive Certificate Program.

Mr. Lawrence has been serving in the capacity of President and CEO of the Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center since January 2009. Before his ascent to President, Mr. Lawrence served as the Corporation's Executive Vice President and COO. Since working with the Brownsville Family Health Center on 1994, Mr. Lawrence has been responsible for most of the new initiatives and expansions the corporation has taken on.

Using his vast experience in public finance and non-profit development, Mr. Lawrence has been able to accelerate the growth of this corporation and provide more services to the public. Mr. Lawrence began his public service career as Management Trainee at the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and quickly gained experience in NYC's Office of Economic Development.

Mr. Lawrence is a former non-profit developer for affordable housing and vice president in the investment banking, public finance and real estate divisions of the former Manufacturers Hanover Trust Bank. Using his knowledge, Mr. Lawrence maintains his position as the executive Director of the City's Industrial commercial Incentive Board and Senior Finance/Development Director at the NYC Public Development Corporation.

Mr. Lawrence is a man of exceptional character and one that has been humbled through his ability serve those with greater needs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Mr. Harvey Lawrence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Mark Gladstein for his ongoing ability to serve his community by providing advanced health care options.

Dr. Mark Gladstein is a founder and a medical director of Brooklyn's leading pain management facility, Pain Institute of New York. He is offering his community an expert team of personnel that have completed over 4000 procedures per year--retaining the recognition of being the fastest growing, advanced, and most diverse pain management practice in New York. With locations in Brooklyn and Queens, Dr. Gladstein's practice serves over 2,500 patients from all five boroughs as well as outside of New York City and all walks of life, ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

Being in practice for over 8 years, Dr. Gladstein has gained the trust and respect of the community by providing the most advanced care in the field. Their patients receive quality care in an accredited state-of-the-art office and ambulatory surgery facility. To this end, the entire skilled staff follow one simple philosophy: pain is an individual struggle and requires a unique and personal approach to manage. This approach allows Dr. Gladstein and his staff to personalize their attention to patients in a unique way.

Over the past years, Dr. Gladstein's achievements have been recognized by his peers and patients alike. He is a recipient of multiple Patient's Choice Awards, Consumer Research Council of America Awards as well as multiple teaching awards.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the many accomplishments of Dr. Mark Gladstein.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Celal Secilmis for his ongoing ability to serve his community through public service and education.

Mr. Secilmis was born in Sarikamis, Turkey in 1953 and was raised in Mersin, Turkey until his early adult life. After graduating from Istanbul Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences in 1974, he went on to complete a Graduate Certificate Program at Istanbul University, Institute of Business Economics.

Mr. Secilmis has had a life in academia--deciding to move to America in 1975 after winning the Turkish Government Scholarship to do doctoral studies in the United States. Under this scholarship, Mr. Secilmis attended Georgetown University for a Masters Degree in Management, and then received an MBA degree from LIU.

Mr. Secilmis continued his dedicated studies at City University of New York's Graduate Center in Financial Economics with emphasis on ``Agency Theory: Bonding and Monitoring Costs.'' Upon completion of his graduate studies, he worked as a professor of finance at Baruch College, CUNY, until 1995. Mr. Secilmis had started his own business, but shortly returned to the academic arena to fill the role of adjunct professor, which is his current profession.

In addition to being an adjunct professor, Mr. Secilmis also serves as the CEO and President of CEL Group of companies: Seckin Management, CEL Management, Semerica Trading, Inc., ATA Marketing Co, Inc., and ATA Construction USA, Inc. Mr. Secilmis is also the current President of Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as his term expires in 2012.

Mr. Secilmis is happily married to Olcay Soymen and together they have two sons Seckin and Ata and a daughter, Deniz who is married to Adam Beaulieu.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and success of Mr. Celal Secilmis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. James Aurora for his exceptional service to his community and the youth.

James Aurora is a third generation of owners of the now famous Sonny's Collision Specialists in Queens, New York. This renowned business has been serving the Brooklyn community for 60 years and has gained a distinct reputation for quality customer service.

Mr. Aurora has built an operation that employs 25 professionals that offer clients guaranteed personal attention. In the years that Mr. Aurora has been operating Sonny's Collision Specialists he has never known any unsatisfied customers. Every customer of Sonny's has only experienced top notch service in the most expeditious manner.

Jimmy Aurora knows the importance of giving. Sonny's is not only a staple in the community for their expertise in auto body collisions, but they are famous for their giving spirit. Mr. Aurora on a yearly basis has sponsored cricket teams, baseball leagues, and boys' clubs, along with donating thousands of dollars towards autism awareness and the American Cancer Society. He has not only provided a necessary service to his community but he has found the means to give more to those in dire need.

Mr. Aurora lives by the company's motto: ``Perfection is not an accident.'' Jimmy proudly represents his heritage and family legacy by ensuring that Sonny's Collision Specialists continues to be a leader and trendsetter in auto body collision work.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Mr. James Aurora.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Archie Warner for his professionalism as a public servant for the United States Postal Service and for his contribution to the Brooklyn community.

Mr. Warner has been promoted throughout the Postal system in a relatively quick manner during his 38 year tenure. Mr. Warner's long and successful career began with an appointment in the United States Postal Service as a Distribution Machine Operator. He was then promoted to Supervisor of Mails, then another later position as a supervisor.

During his time at the USPS, Mr. Warner was promoted several times in the Customer Services sector. He was promoted to Manager of Customer Services EAS 18, followed by another promotion to a higher level Manager, EAS 21, and finally promoted in 2000 to Manager, Customer Services Operations or Area Manager for the North. This area encompasses Cadman Plaza Station, Pratt Station, Metropolitan Station, Williamsburg Station, Brownsville Station, Bushwick Station, Greenpoint Station, Red Hook Station, Shirley Chisholm Station, Wyckoff Heights Station and the Collections Unit.

Throughout his loyal career with the USPS, Mr. Warner is most proud of when he became the manager of Brownsville. For Mr. Warner working as the manager of Brownsville he was able to see firsthand how the station changed for the better, and in turn improved the community. Mr. Warner has enjoyed working with the United States Postal Service and views his contribution as a direct service to community businesses and citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Archie Warner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. James Aurora for his exceptional service to his community and the youth.

James Aurora is a third generation of owners of the now famous Sonny's Collision Specialists in Brooklyn, New York. This renowned business has been serving the community for 60 years and has gained a distinct reputation for quality customer service.

Mr. Aurora has built an operation that employs 25 professionals that offer clients guaranteed personal attention. In the years that Mr. Aurora has been operating Sonny's Collision Specialists he has never known any unsatisfied customers. Every customer of Sonny's has only experienced top notch service in the most expeditious manner.

Jimmy Aurora knows the importance of giving. Sonny's is not only a staple in the community for their expertise in auto body collisions, but they are famous for their giving spirit. Mr. Aurora on a yearly basis has sponsored cricket teams, baseball leagues, and boys clubs, along with donating thousands of dollars towards Autism awareness and The American Cancer Society. He has not only provided a necessary service to his community but he has found the means to give more to those in dire need.

Mr. Aurora lives by the company's motto: ``Perfection is not an accident.'' Jimmy proudly represents his heritage and family legacy by ensuring that Sonny's Collision Specialists continues to be a leader and trendsetter in auto body collision work.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Mr. James Aurora.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Harvey Lawrence and his exceptional service to the public health of his community and his ongoing public service career.

Mr. Lawrence began his career by attaining a Master of Science degree in Management Science and Policy Analysis from Harriman college and SUNY Stony Brook. He is also a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson/UCLA Health Care Executive Certificate Program.

Mr. Lawrence has been serving in the capacity of President and CEO of the Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center since January 2009. Before his assent to President, Mr. Lawrence served as the Corporation's Executive Vice President and COO. Working with the Brownsville Family Health Center since 1994, Mr. Lawrence has been responsible for most of the new initiatives and expansions the corporation has taken on.

Using his vast experience in public finance and non-profit development, Mr. Lawrence has been able to accelerate the growth of this corporation and provide more services to the public. Mr. Lawrence began his public service career as Management Trainee at the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and quickly gained experience in NYC's Office of Economic Development.

Mr. Lawrence is a former non-profit developer for affordable housing and vice president in the investment banking, public finance and real estate divisions of the former Manufacturers Hanover Trust Bank. Using his knowledge, Mr. Lawrence maintains his position as the executive director of the city's industrial commercial incentive board and senior finance/development director at the NYC Public Development Corporation.

Mr. Lawrence is a man of exceptional character and one that has been humbled through his ability to serve those with greater needs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and accomplishments of Mr. Harvey Lawrence.