Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Ms. Thomas. A native of Macon, Georgia, Ms. Thomas has enjoyed nearly a century of good health with the love of her family and her deep faith in God. We celebrate your 100th birthday.

Ms. Thomas was born Willett Evelyn Smith on March 19, 1912, in Macon, Georgia. She is the oldest of three daughters born to her mother. During the early years of her life, Ms. Thomas grew up in Macon, Georgia in the household of her grandparents, Lucinda Jackson (Momma Lucinda) and Papa Dudda. Ms. Thomas has said, ``Her family was very poor people, but she lived a rich and privileged life surrounded by lots of love.''

Ms. Thomas completed her elementary education at Rutland Station School, a public school with grades one through seven. She attended high school at Hudson High located in the city limits of Macon, Georgia, but she had to walk a long distance to reach the bus line, where she then took a bus through the city to the school. She was motivated by her cousin Mary Washington, who was also determined to get an education. They, along with a few others, weathered many a stormy days in triumph of a better life.

Ms. Thomas moved to New York where she would meet and marry the late Nelson Brown. They had one son, Thomas Brown, but the marriage would later fall apart. Ms. Thomas continued to attend Antioch Baptist Church and served at Brooklyn Hospital until she met and fell in love with Army officer, Leroy Thomas.

Ms. Thomas struggled with her husband's post war syndromes but they weathered the storm and raised her son together. When her son took ill becoming disabled in 1976, she and her husband needed to share sacrifice. For several years, she continued to work her night shift while her husband worked during the day. This worked out great for them because one of them was at home at all times to be of assistance to their son.

Ms. Thomas took advantage of new opportunities and landed a position as a Nurses Aide at Brooklyn Hospital. She was a devoted, prompt and competent worker until her reluctant retirement after 60 years of service in 1996.

As her son's health continued to decline, Ms. Thomas turned to worship and began attending New Faith Community Baptist Church every Sunday. Over time his health improved and together they attended fundraising events and became very active at the church. On December 29, 2005, her son passed quietly in his sleep.

Today, Ms. Thomas remains in good spirits enjoying every moment of every day. She enjoys going out for a ride, taking in the sights of the city and various cultural events.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ms. Willett Thomas on her 100th birthday. She continues to live a life full of joy and is a model citizen to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. Lynch Syndrome is a hereditary condition that exposes families to a higher risk of contracting aggressive cancers at a younger than average age.

First identified in 1966 by Dr. Henry T. Lynch, Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, EPCAM, and PMS2. Mismatch genes typically protect the body from cancers by repairing the errors in DNA replication, but due to the mutation, those mismatch genes have stopped functioning properly. Consequently, the defective gene causes individuals affected by Lynch Syndrome to sustain a lifetime risk of up to eighty-two percent of developing Colorectal Cancer, sixty-five percent of contracting Endometrial Cancer, nineteen percent Gastric Cancer and a much higher than average risk of contracting many other cancers, most often at a younger than average age.

The only accurate method of diagnosing Lynch Syndrome is through genetic testing and a comprehensive assessment of the family's medical history. To be diagnosed with

Lynch Syndrome, a patient must meet the Amsterdam Criteria II--three relatives must have Lynch Syndrome associated cancers, two must be directly related to the third, and one must be under the age of 50.

In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 600,000 people who are carriers of Lynch Syndrome mutation, yet only five percent of those carriers have been diagnosed. In comparison to the general population, in a lifetime, people affected by Lynch Syndrome are up to eighty-two percent more susceptible to Colon Cancer, up to sixty percent more prone to Endometrial Cancer, eleven to nineteen percent more disposed to Stomach Cancer, nine to twelve percent more vulnerable to Ovarian Cancer, and the list continues.

While researchers have not been able to determine a cure for Lynch Syndrome, there are still various ways to manage and treat this condition. Through screenings and medical management programs, polyps and growths can be detected and removed before becoming life- threatening. In addition to annual colonoscopies, EGDs, endometrial samplings, urinalyses, dermatological examinations, pathological testing of all colorectal tumors in accordance with NCCN guidelines, and abdominal hysterectomies, Lynch Syndrome can be effectively managed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing today as Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. Although researchers have yet to find a cure, hopefully, through our support and recognition more people will become educated about this extremely life-threatening disease and a cure will shortly be on its way.

Mr. Chair. I rise today to express my objections to the inclusion of H.R. 5, the HEALTH Act into H.R. 452, Medicare Decisions Accountability Act of 2011. Medical malpractice tort reform does not belong as a part of the repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB.

The HEALTH Act is an inherently flawed bill that should not be considered by the House and should not be included with H.R. 452. It does not fix the problem of medical malpractice or the supposed insurance ``crisis''. Instead, it takes control away from the states, where it belongs. This legislation was originally conceived over 20 years ago and has yet to pass both houses. There is a reason for that.

The cap imposed by H.R. 5 is both unjust and unfair. It does not take into account the severity of a patient's injury or whether negligence is at issue.

The real problem we are facing is patient safety. If we fix that, then there will be no need to try and take away from the states their right to legislate this issue. In a Wall Street Journal article, it was found that by focusing on patient safety, anesthesiologists went from being one of the most risky specialties to insure to having one of the lowest malpractice insurance premiums. In fact, their premiums are lower now than they were 20 years ago. We should not focus on medical malpractice tort reform, but rather education and training for medical professionals.

I am a strong proponent of repealing the IPAB, but cannot in good conscience vote for this bill because it is not a clean repeal.

The IPAB takes away from Congress the ability to determine Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals. It consists of 15 members who are unelected by the People, but rather are appointed by the President. The members of the IPAB are not accountable to anyone once appointed and therefore Congress loses much of the power it has to shape Medicare payment policies. By repealing the IPAB, the ACA will be strengthened, not weakened.

If this bill was as it was passed in both the Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means committees, there would be no controversy from many of my colleagues on the Democratic side. While I supported a clean repeal of IPAB in Energy & Commerce, I cannot support a bill that will have such a profoundly negative impact on the 74,000 Medicare eligible constituents in my district. I advise my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``no'' on this bill as currently written.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Peace Corps Week, in honor of the 51st Anniversary of the Peace Corps on March 1, 2012.

Since the inception of the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 200,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served their country in 139 developing nations around the globe. They range from recent college graduates to retirees with several decades of work experience, and represent the tremendous diversity of the American people. The issues they address cover agriculture, business development, information technology, education, health and HIV/AIDS, youth development, and the environment.

The work of Peace Corps Volunteers around the globe exemplifies a legacy of service that has become a significant part of America's history and positive image abroad. Their desire to make a difference has improved the lives of millions of people around the world as well as here in the United States. Their enduring efforts for the cause of peace are commendable and have made a lasting impact on the communities in which they have lived and worked.

Four individuals from my Congressional District in Brooklyn are presently serving as Peace Corps volunteers. Melinda Blaise has been serving in the Eastern Caribbean since October 2010; Ethan A. Glasser- Camp has been serving in Cameroon since August 2010; Evelyn Minaya has been serving in Romania since August 2010; and Rosemarie B. Philip has been serving in Costa Rica since December 2010. Their tireless efforts for the greater cause of peace will profoundly affect these communities. I would like to applaud and commend these outstanding volunteers from Brooklyn for committing themselves to such a worthwhile cause. They are role models for us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in great sadness to mark the passing of Barbara Douglas, an exceptional businesswoman and a champion of the game of golf who displayed tremendous courage during her three- year battle with cancer.

Although Barbara faced challenges and endured discrimination as a female and minority, she never let that get in the way of her personal and professional goals. She was a successful executive for IBM, but what she was most well-known for was her passion and contributions to the game of golf.

Barbara started playing golf on New York-area public courses and went on to compete as an adult in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links, a United States Golf Association national tournament.

Among her many accomplishments was serving as the first minority chairman of the U.S. Golf Association's Women's Committee in 2009 and 2010; receiving the Golf Writers Association of America's 2011 Ben Hogan Award for overcoming a physical disability to remain active in golf, serving as president of the National Minority Golf Foundation, and being inducted as a member of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. She also found time to champion causes such as the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program.

The world has lost a true champion. Those who knew her will miss her compassionate spirit, but her legacy to the game of golf will live on forever. My deepest sympathies and my prayers go out to her friends and family and the many lives she touched along her 69-year journey.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer thanks and respect to His Excellency Han Duk-soo, who is departing Washington after three years as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States.

Before his appointment in March 2009, Ambassador Han had served as his country's Prime Minister. The fact that President Lee Myung-bak chose a man of such distinguished credentials to be his country's Ambassador to Washington demonstrates the high regard with which he holds the longstanding friendship of South Korea and the United States.

In addition to his service as Prime Minister and Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Han has also been Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economy, Ambassador to the OECD, and a senior diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The three years of Ambassador Han's tenure in Washington have been marked by great success and achievement in strengthening the U.S.-Korea alliance.

Last October, at the invitation of this body, President Lee addressed a joint meeting of the House and Senate. It was emblematic of not only the importance of our bilateral alliance, but a reflection of Ambassador Han's diligence and the many friends he has cultivated on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Speaker, nearly six decades have come and gone since the armistice that ended the Korean War, and the United States and the Republic of Korea remain partners dedicated to peace, freedom, democracy, and global stability. Our two countries' soldiers have fought side by side not only in Korea but also in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

In recent years, the Korean government has sponsored visits by American veterans to the place where they served and fought. Many Korean War veterans are getting up in years. There will not be many opportunities for them to revisit the battlefields of sixty years ago. The Korean people are most generous, and most gracious, in making these trips possible.

Ambassador Han has made a point of visiting with groups of Korean War veterans as he travels the United States. His personal expressions of gratitude have been touching, and most appreciated.

The friendship of the United States and Korea goes well beyond a military alliance, and well beyond our shared past on the battlefield.

Our countries are major trading partners. Our students study in each other's universities. We share numerous cultural exchanges. Ambassador Han has done much in his time here to strengthen and deepen the longstanding relationship between the United States and Korea. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ambassador Han Duk-soo, wishing him well in his future endeavors as the Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association. I thank him for his service and most especially his friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Leslie Lewis. A native of the Bronx, New York, Mr. Lewis is an outspoken highly respected advocate for the community.

Mr. Lewis was born and raised in the Bronx, New York but eventually spent a large part of his life in Scarsdale, New York. In Scarsdale, Mr. Lewis raised his two sons, Robert and Mark. Mr. Lewis first moved to Brooklyn in 1982, when he settled into a home on Wyckoff Street-- between the Gowanus Housing Projects and the Wyckoff Housing Projects. Shortly after moving there, he joined the precinct community council.

Mr. Lewis worked for 30 years in the exhibition business, becoming president of the Greyhound Exposition Company in the process. Along with national trade shows, Mr. Lewis maintained his concern for minority areas. He developed his ``Job Power'' concept as a way to bring employers to unemployed urban minorities. This concept was recognized by then President Nixon, who transformed it into the modern day job fair.

These experiences led Mr. Lewis towards recognizing his talent for bringing the concerns of regular people to their elected officials. Upon moving to Brooklyn, he developed a relationship with the district attorney's office in an effort to improve community relations. In his capacity of police liaison, as well as council president of the 84th Precinct, Mr. Lewis serves as a switchboard between Borough President Markowitz, the Brooklyn district attorney's office, the police and his 2.5 million constituents.

Mr. Lewis gathers complaints from the public and then communicates them to the police, making sure that something gets done about them. Crime has seen a dramatic decrease in the 84th Precinct. Since 1990, it's gone down over 90%, according to NYPD statistics. Because of efforts of community leaders like Mr. Lewis, Brooklyn neighborhoods have a high

quality of life, are more walkable and real estate is more valuable.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Leslie Lewis for his lifelong effort to bring additional resources into our local institutions, communities and neighborhoods, and helping to improve employment opportunities for needy Brooklyn residents.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Mrs. Gavina Guadarrama on her 101st birthday. Mrs. Guadarrama has been fortunate that God has graced her with good health and her full faculties to reach this wonderful centennial.

Mrs. Guadarrama was born in Hato Tejas, Puerto Rico on February 19, 1911 as the eldest daughter of Jose and Victoria Acevedo. Raised in a household of 10 siblings, many of the responsibilities fell upon her as her parents worked. Those siblings still alive tell stories of how special she made each one of them feel with the little she had to share.

Mrs. Guadarrama would marry her husband Juan Guadarrama at the age of 29 and begin a life together that would span close to 50 years. They had two lovely daughters--Maria and Honoria--and built a lovely house with a full veranda in their hometown. Years later due to the economy, they would move to Brooklyn, New York where she gave birth to her youngest daughter Rosie. Mrs. Guadarrama would remain in Brooklyn for the rest of her life as she raised and schooled her children.

Mrs. Guadarrama had a true skill for sewing and had always dreamed of being a fashion designer. She created patterns from brown bags and made designer dresses for herself and her daughters--always receiving high praise and recognition for her talents. Most of her career was as a homemaker, caring for her husband, children, and seven grandchildren.

In 1988, Mrs. Guadarrama lost the love of her life, Juan, to lung cancer. They had a loving relationship that spanned nearly half a century. Even with the loss of her husband, Mrs. Guadarrama continues to maintain the strong familial bonds that have spanned four generations. Mrs. Guadarrama is blessed to have her family and the gracious home attendants that care for her with love and respect.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Mrs. Guadarrama for her extraordinary strength as the anchor of her family and on the celebration of her 101st birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor Attorney Ed Hales. A native of Kiskimere, Pennsylvania, Attorney Hales has a long history of mediation and arbitration between unions and other labor groups and their employers. He has also contributed greatly to the administration of higher education and been active in many civic responsibility groups.

It all started when Mr. Hales was a high-schooler at Vandergrift High School, in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania where he was a three letter sports player in football, basketball and baseball for the Vandergrift Lancers. Educationally speaking, it took one of his teachers, Mr. Bernardo to help him realize his talents and potential, thus paving the way for Mr. Hales to attend the historically white ``University of Nevada'' in Reno on a football scholarship. After the football team was deemphasized, he transferred to Baldwin-Wallace College where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Government and History. Once seeing what he could accomplish, he went into law school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity while earning his law degree. He went on to become a practicing lawyer in Wisconsin and had a long and prodigious career, until his retirement in 2000.

As an attorney, he worked tirelessly to mediate between labor groups and their employers. He filled such roles as Permanent Umpire for the Ford Motor Co. and United Auto Workers, Panel Member for U.S. Steel Corp. and United Steel Workers; Panel Member for U.S. Postal Service and National Association of Letter Carriers; and Panel Member for the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Public Employees Union.

In addition to his work as an arbitrator and mediator, he was affiliated with many civic and educational organizations in various capacities. Attorney Hales served as the Chairman of the Board of Regents at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the Director of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in Washington, D.C. and the Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility in Madison, WI as well as with several other esteemed organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Attorney Ed Hales for his lifelong contributions to higher education, civic responsibility, and his work to resolve conflict and mediate difficult issues within the labor industry.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Attorney Ed Hales.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns with a health provision in the Payroll Tax Compromise. Even though we have successfully protected Medicare beneficiaries from significantly increased premiums on Medicare patients with incomes below $40,000, and prevented attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act's mission of expanding coverage to millions of Americans, the Payroll Tax compromise still contains provisions that will hurt middle-class and economically disadvantaged Americans. Specifically, I am concerned about the inclusion of cuts to Medicare laboratory services. Under this legislation, clinical lab payment rates will be cut by an additional 2 percent in 2013, on top of the cuts that were included in the health reform law. These new cuts also rebase the lab fee schedule, resulting in lower rates for clinical lab services for years to come.

In some independent clinical laboratories, especially those serving rural communities or nursing home populations, 80 percent or more of their patient-base consists of Medicare beneficiaries. The cuts being faced threaten their practice's existence and no additional cuts--big or small--can be absorbed without adversely impacting patient care. Medicare payment amounts for clinical laboratory services have already been reduced, in real terms, by about 40 percent over the past 20 years. While clinical laboratory testing is less than 2 percent of all Medicare spending, it has been subject to significant freezes in payments and cuts over the last decade.

Clinical laboratories are an important part of the health care system. Their tests inform up to 70 percent of a doctor's medical decision-making. As the first point of intervention, laboratory tests serve as the foundation for the diagnosis and clinical management of conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and infectious diseases. These clinical laboratories do more than just draw a person's blood. They are a major part of the medical process.

Independent clinical laboratories also are essential for those who must depend on the laboratory's mobility for testing. Medicare

beneficiaries in nursing homes rely upon the services provided by independent clinical laboratories that can deploy medical professionals to their place of residence. If these laboratories continue to have their Medicare payments cut, not only will jobs be lost, but patients will suffer.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to repeal these cuts.

Mr. Speaker, recently I met Jill Wood from my district in Brooklyn. I was very moved by this meeting as she described the struggles of her son, who is diagnosed with a rare genetic disease known as Sanfilippo syndrome.

Before we met, I was not familiar with this particular disease, but she touched my heart to hear about her child's courage. Every day he has to overcome physical disabilities that make it almost impossible for him to complete a very simple task that we complete with ease. I was inspired by the strength of their family and the bond that they share.

I have long been a strong advocate for rare disease research and development. In fact, this is why I am working with my colleague from Florida, Congressman Stearns, on H.R. 3737, the ULTRA Act. This bill would codify the flexibility the FDA needs to encourage development of treatments for rare diseases like Sanfilippo syndrome.

It is our duty, as Members of the United States Congress, to come together and support measures that aid the rare disease community. Imagine being afflicted with a disease your physician has never heard of and has no idea as to how to treat it. Can you imagine the devastation this would cause to your family?

We must provide the National Institutes of Health with additional funding to support the important research for orphan and rare diseases. We must also give flexibility and support to the FDA to help the agency bring potential cures and treatments to the market much sooner.

How long must we wait and continue to suffer until lifesaving treatments are available?

Nearly 30 million Americans are affected by 7,000 rare diseases. We must do everything in our power to support education, advocacy, research, and patient assistance to bring this number down. Imagine the families out there watching their loved ones suffer because we have not yet provided enough support for this cause.

We are a great Nation of innovation, but that innovation and drive only goes so far without the proper support coming from the government. Our constituents need to know that we hear their needs and that, as their elected officials, we are determined to make available the resources that will support them.

The next time I speak to a family affected by rare diseases, I want to be able to look them in the eyes and tell them that we have helped, that we made available the means necessary to support lifesaving research and development, we care and we will do everything in our power to ensure that everyone has the chance to live full, healthy, and prosperous lives.

Thank you, Jill, for bringing this to my attention.

I urge my colleagues to support the ULTRA Act and increase funding for rare disease research and development. It is so important that we do everything possible to be able to bring the numbers down.

Mr. Speaker, today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and I rise to highlight the struggle of the African American community against this terrible disease. The theme for this year is ``I am My Brother's/Sister's Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS''. HIV is a crisis in the Black Community and has been for thirty years.

African Americans are disproportionately affected by this disease. According to the CDC, an estimated 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection at some point in their lifetimes; and an African American woman is 15 times more likely to be living with HIV than a white woman of the same age. The CDC also notes that in 2007, HIV was the ninth leading cause of death for all blacks and the third leading cause of death for black women and black men aged 35-44.

Today, the New York Health Department announced that new HIV data shows a 41% drop in deaths among black persons living with HIV/AIDS in New York between 2001 and 2010. Though this is promising new information, the black community is still disproportionately affected by this disease. More than 107,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV, but thousands more don't know they're infected. New York City's AIDS case rate is almost 3 times the U.S. national average. Brooklyn alone has the highest population of any borough in New York City and has one of the highest HIV infection rates among Black and Latina women in the country. According to a Brooklyn based research institution, in 2008 nearly 30% of people living with HIV/AIDS in New York City, who died, were Brooklyn residents.

African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed late in the course of HIV infection, less likely to be connected with care and less likely to be prescribed the necessary preventative and life preserving anti- retroviral medications. Blacks are also most likely to die from HIV- related causes.

These are sobering statistics, but they offer us the opportunity to spread awareness and take action to provide the community with the help they need. The Affordable Care Act, which I fully supported, is a fantastic opportunity to provide assistance to African Americans as well as others suffering from this disease. It stops providers from denying coverage to HIV positive children and adults as well as providing increased access to Medicaid and other prescription assistance programs. However, until this act is fully implemented, we must work hard and work together to educate and provide access to care for those who need it most.

We cannot let the black community continue to bear the most severe burden of all racial groups. We must stand together to support the community and take action against the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. We must ensure our youth receive comprehensive education about the disease to help prevent infections in future generations. Until we put an end to AIDS, we must remain united to achieve the common goal of prevention and treatment for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Rauf Raif Denktas, the Turkish Cypriot leader who formerly served as the Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus and President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Mr. Denktas passed away on January 13, 2012.

Mr. Denktas had a career of service to Turkish Cypriots that spanned six decades. As far back as 1958, he attended the United Nations General Assembly as a representative of Turkish Cypriots. In 1960, Cyprus won independence from Britain and an impassioned debate and conflict over the future of that island has continued to this day. Cyprus has been divided since 1974. Mr. Denktas was elected President of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus in 1976 and was reelected in 1981. He was subsequently elected President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on four separate occasions between 1985 and 2000, and served through April 25, 2005. He was also a prolific writer and photographer, and his works have been publicly displayed.

Mr. Denktas was a colorful, effective leader and spokesman for Turkish Cypriots. Despite

the tensions that have existed on the island of Cyprus for decades, the two sides have maintained a largely peaceful existence. Let us hope that a peaceful, prosperous, long-term solution can be found for the future of Cyprus.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the people of Azerbaijan in remembrance of the 22nd anniversary of the tragic events of Black January, when at midnight of January 19, 1990, 26,000 Soviet troops stormed the capital city of Baku with tanks and armored vehicles to crush the demonstrators. The shooting continued for three days and among the victims were women, children and elderly citizens.

Black January had a profound effect on Azerbaijan. However, it was the opposite of what the Soviets had wanted. For 40 days, the country mourned the victims and as a sign of mass protest stayed away from work. This was a turning point in the history of Azerbaijan. This massacre did not stop the people of Azerbaijan from continuing their struggle for national independence. The Azerbaijani national movement succeeded to stand against Soviet challenge, and Soviet troops eventually had to withdraw from Baku. Subsequently, Azerbaijan declared its independence on October 18, 1991.

Azerbaijan has developed into a thriving country and has become an essential partner of the United States in the region, collaborating on strengthening energy security and working together to counter terrorism, drug-trafficking and extremism. I would like to thank the Azerbaijani people for their friendship and share my thoughts and prayers with the families of those who gave their lives fighting for a better Azerbaijan. The United States will continue to work with Azerbaijan and other countries in the region to resolve protracted conflicts, to promote democratic development, to maintain stability, strengthen institutions, and enhance the rule of law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Quail for his distinguished career of exemplary educational services to the District 14 community. Mr. Quail retires having vastly improved the quality of education for the students in his community.

Mr. Quail grew up in Astoria, Queens, and is the son of Irish immigrants. With ambitions of going to law school, Mr. Quail always had an affinity for the importance of education to promote ones wellbeing. After graduating from Fordham University he decided to follow in the footsteps of his sister and pursue a career in teaching.

Mr. Quail subsequently began his illustrious career as a student- teacher in the District 14 community. His first assignment at the then Board of Education was to report to P.S. 132 on Metropolitan Avenue. Mr. Quail spent five years at P.S. 132, while also earning educational administration degrees in his out-of-school time that enhanced his professional development. With such experience and dedication, Mr. Quail was promoted to Assistant Principal at P.S. 250 and served in that capacity for five years.

At P.S. 250, Mr. Quail would have the biggest impact on the students he encountered as well as in his personal life. With the support and confidence of student parents, school administration, and the community; Mr. Quail was selected to serve as the Principle of P.S. 250. Mr. Quail would spend the next 25 years in this post as the educational leader of P.S. 250. During his tenure, Mr. Quail accomplished many notable achievements which include leading P.S. 250 to become one of the top schools in the district.

In 2003, Mr. Quail was named superintendent of District 14. In this capacity he has served as the top education official in our community, overseeing all 26 schools and the 15,000 children they serve. Mr. Quail has led the efforts to implement a number of new initiatives in the district. Among them includes the Federal 21st Century grant which supports schools in their effort to create specialized programs in the community. Additionally, he has increased the visibility of the District's involvement in community activities.

Over the past four decades, Mr. Quail has been fully committed to ensuring a quality education for the students of the District 14 community. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Jim Quail on his retirement and for leading the charge of education reform in his community.