Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Saint Joseph's Medical Center located in my district will host its annual Ball on November 3 and has chosen an outstanding slate of honorees for the event. One of those wonderful honorees, Ronald Sylvestri, has been working to improve the community for many years.

Ron was born in Yonkers on September 1, 1942. He attended Yonkers schools and attended C.W. Post College, LIU, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business in 1966. He is a distinguished alumnus and has served as a member of Long Island University's Board of Trustees since 1975. He is a recipient of the University's Chancellor's Award, the C.W. Post President's Medal.

Ron was Senior Vice President/Regional Manager of Hudson Valley Bank, New York City and formerly held high level executive posts with Fleet Bank Investment Group, Barclays Bank of New York and D.B.G. Development Corporation. He was a Charter Member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Governing Boards (CGB) since its founding in 1976. After having served in leadership positions as its Secretary and Vice Chairman, Ron became Chairman of CGB in 2005. Throughout, he led with dedication, tenacity and merit.

At Saint Joseph's, Ron serves as the Vice Chairman of St. Joseph's Health Fund. His extensive knowledge and expertise in banking and finance have been a tremendous asset to Saint Joseph's Medical Center. He has also been Vice Chairman of the Friends of Saint Dominic's Foundation since its formation in 2005 and chaired Saint Dominic's Golf Tournament for the past 25 years. Saint Dominic's dedicated the ``Sylvestri Residence'' in Rockland County for mentally challenged women in 1998. Ron was inducted into Saint Patrick's Cathedral as a Knight of Malta, American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1982. He was honored with the St. Bartholomew School Distinguished Recognition and Community Service Award in 2001. The New York City Correction Officer's Association gave their Distinguished Service Award to Ron in 2002. He also received the New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation Dedicated Dad Award in 2009.

Ron and his wife Donna, whom he founded and chaired the Alzheimer's Golf Tournament for 17 years with, were married in 1972. They have two children, Ronald Jr. (Melissa) and Allyson (John). They are also blessed with four grandchildren; Madison Reagan Sylvestri, Ellie, Jack and Bobby Griffin.

Ron has accomplished a great deal and is most deserving of this warm recognition. Congratulations to him on the occasion.

Mr. Speaker, Saint Joseph's Medical Center located in my district will host its annual Ball on November 3 and has chosen an outstanding slate of honorees for the event. One of those wonderful honorees, my friend Peter X. Kelly, has set the standard for dining in New York State while becoming part of the fabric of my District.

Operating the most critically acclaimed restaurants in the Hudson Valley, Peter is an experienced, talented and successful entrepreneur. Born in Yonkers, New York, tenth in a line of 12 children, Peter began working in local restaurants at the age of 14. While studying Business Administration at Marist College, Peter held several kitchen and front- of-house positions in some of New York State's finest restaurants. In 1983, Peter's culinary interests led him on a pilgrimage to France and to the pursuit of perfection in the culinary world. At 23, this self- taught chef opened his first restaurant, Xaviar's in Garrison, and began his journey. To date, Peter has owned and operated some of the most renowned and acclaimed restaurants in New

York, including the wonderful X20 in Yonkers. They have received popular praise and the industry's most coveted awards and accolades which include The New York Times highest rating (Extraordinary), The Mobil Travel Guide Four Star Award, The Dirona Award, Restaurant News Dining Hall of Fame, Wine Spectator's ``Best of Award of Excellence'', Zagat's Survey (29 out of 30), and New York State Restauranteur of The Year 1998.

Most recently, in his home town of Yonkers, Peter has been honored for his commitment to the City and named a ``Patron Saint'' of Yonkers. He has received numerous proclamations including from the NY State Governor, United States Senate, U.S. Congress, NY State Congress and Legislature, The County of Westchester, The City of Yonkers, including being presented with the ``Key'' to the City. In addition to Peter's entrepreneurial spirit, he has been an active participant in many charitable and community organizations including the Nyack Hospital Pediatric Center, Cluster, Hudson Valley Health Care (2008 Honoree), Westchester Coalition for Homeless & Hungry (2007 Honoree), Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Hospital, Make a Wish Foundation, City Meals on Wheels, Westchester Food Patch, Windows of Hope, the United Way, One to One Learning Center, Greyston Foundation and Yonkers Public Schools.

Saint Joseph's Medical Center is proud to have an industry leader and humanitarian such as Peter X. Kelly as part of its family, and I am proud to have such a dedicated individual working to improve our community. Congratulations to Peter on receiving this great honor.

Mr. Speaker, Saint Joseph's Medical Center located in my district hosted its annual Ball on November 3 and chose an outstanding slate of honorees for the event. One of those wonderful honorees is Doctor Gary Heitzler, a very active member on the Hospital's Medical Board.

A D.D.S., Dr. Heitzler is a product of the New York City public school system and received a scholarship and graduated from CUNY at Queens College. While at dental school, he was very active in community outreach programs and assisted in providing education and much needed dental care to many underserved communities on Long Island. He received the American Dental Association's Children's Dentistry and Service Award upon graduating from dental school. Wanting to continue his efforts in providing education and dental care to the underserved, Dr. Heitzler decided to complete a two-year Pediatric Dental residency at Brookdale Medical Center located in Brooklyn, New York. He received his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1994 and opened his own practice that same year in Westchester County.

As his private practice grew, Dr. Heitzler realized that he still was not reaching the pediatric population that most needed quality pediatric dental care. He reached out to Saint Joseph's Medical Center as the hospital had the reputation of providing quality healthcare to the community and never turning any patient away who needed help. In February 2001, Saint Joseph's Medical Center and Dr. Heitzler opened the hospital's first ever Pediatric Dental Center. The practice grew very rapidly as this much-needed service was welcomed by the community. Now, in 2018, Dentistry For Children at Saint Joseph's Medical Center has over 17,000 active patients, ten dental chairs, a staff of over twenty and countless happy parents and children.

In addition to the hospital-based practice, Dr. Heitzler maintains two other pediatric dental practices located in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY and Peekskill, NY. Outside of work, he resides in Briarcliff Manor with his wife Melissa, and their three children; Jenna, Spencer and Jackson.

I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Dr. Heitzler on this auspicious occasion and, on behalf of New York's 16th Congressional District, thank him for all the fine work he has done to improve the lives of people in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of the community who this year is being recognized by the Northeast Jewish Center at their annual event, Lou Leonard.

Lou was born on May 8, 1955 at Jewish Memorial Hospital in Manhattan. A ``Mother's Day'' present for his Mom, he was taken home to East Tremont, in the Bronx. His family moved to the newly-completed Sprain Lake Knolls housing development in northeast Yonkers, NY in the fall of 1957. There, they discovered and joined a new synagogue that was formed to take advantage of the influx of Jewish people into Yonkers in the post-WW2 era. Known as Northeast Jewish Center (NEJC), it was at its inception a storefront shul--as Lou remembers it--and his sister began Hebrew School classes at the synagogue located at the Hartman Home for Hebrew Orphans where the new hotel is presently located.

Lou's earliest memories include his father taking him to the Friday night Shabbos services at the storefront shul and the ``Sunday School'' in the rear of the sanctuary, when he was five years old. Lou also remembers his Dad taking him to Rosh Hashanah services and the short walk down the block to a building under construction that would eventually become the synagogue's new home. Lou spent seven years at this Hebrew School that he attended on Sunday and for two additional afternoons each week--after his Public School No. 32 classes were over for the day.

Lou's public schooling included Walt Whitman Junior High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School (Yonkers). Trained in science and mathematics, and having an interest in the electronics of the day, he went on to study engineering at Columbia University. Though he left school prematurely, Lou would later return, fortified with a new religious sense of direction and a greater respect for education. He became the Electrical Engineer he was meant to be and has been in the electronics business for over 40 years. He's had both fun and aggravation, but throughout his journey, he'll always tell you he's grateful to Hashem for the consideration, the blessings, and the learning. That's why you will see him here at NEJC and other synagogues.

NEJC is honoring Lou at their annual event as a Guest of Honor and he is most deserving of the honor. Congratulations to Lou on this wonderful occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor two members of the Northeast Jewish Center Community who this year are being honored at the Center's Annual Event, Michael and Leslie Tugetman.

Michael is a talented musician, singer, songwriter as well as a family health physician who owns an urgent care practice. He performs in a Jewish music/Rock cover band, MIDlife with other physicians, lawyers, accountants, Real Estate executives and other professionals.

For most of her career, Leslie was a corporate interiors renovation project manager. For the past 11 years she was the office manager of a busy physician's office. These days she offsets her time by helping with administrative duties in Michael's practice. Leslie has been known to aid friends and family with interior design issues in their homes or offices.

Michael and Leslie are the proud parents of two wonderful children, Graham and Jessica. Graham, married to Alana, teaches the next generation of Jewish children in Toronto, and is a tremendously gifted drummer. They are the parents of two charming sons, Yonaton and Asher. Dr. Jessica, married to Dr. Noah, are busy training in Pediatrics and Surgery, respectively.

Michael and Leslie both have a terrific sense of humor and share a deep love for their community. The Northeast Jewish Center has made a terrific choice in honoring them with a Special Service Award at this year's Annual Event. Congratulations to them both on receiving this wonderful honor and I want to also thank them for their service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of the community who this year is being recognized by the Northeast Jewish Center (NEJC) at their annual event, Mr. Jack Rodack.

Jack was born in the Tremont section of the Bronx to Aaron and Getrude. He grew up in Kingsbridge and attended public school at De Witt Clinton High School. After graduation from high school, he attended the Bronx campus of Hunter College with dreams of becoming either a history teacher or a pharmacist. However, Jack dropped out following his first year, and after serving in the military, he took a stab at clerical work with a finance company. This position inspired him to complete his formal education and so in 1976, he left a full- time job and enrolled in the Bronx campus of Fordham University's Business College. He graduated Cum Laude in 1979 with a double major in accounting and finance.

After graduation, Jack spent the first three years of his professional career in public accounting and then moved onto a commercial finance field examiner position with several major New York money center banks, launching a 31 year career from 1982 until his retirement in 2013.

Upon retiring, Jack cared for his elderly mother, who passed away in 2014. Additionally, he now spends most of his time reading, managing his stock and bond portfolio, watching TV news programs and movies as well as enjoying his favorite pastimes of both coin and stamp collecting.

Jack's best times or what he would call his sunshine days are those spent at NEJC, whether it be for attending services or various holiday events, which he joined as a member in 2015. He hopes to continue to participate in the daily life of the wonderful, warm, most friendly and supportive NEJC synagogue for years to come.

NEJC has made a terrific choice honoring Jack as a Guest of Honor at this year's event. Congratulations to him on receiving this wonderful, well-deserved recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a leader in the community who is celebrating a tremendous anniversary at Unity Baptist Tabernacle Church in Mount Vernon.

Reverend Edward Mulraine, Unity Baptist Tabernacle's Pastor, is celebrating his 15th Anniversary leading the congregation on October 19. The church has seen great growth in membership and the formation of various ministries since his installation. The biggest achievement has been the elimination of a 300,000 dollars debt in less than one year.

Beyond his duties at Unity Baptist Tabernacle, Reverend Mulraine has taught Homiletics at New York Theological Seminary from which he graduated with a Masters of Divinity. He also lectures on African American Religions and The Political Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Manhattanville College. Edward Mulraine is also a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York with a Masters in Sacred Theology.

Reverend Mulraine is also the former President of the Williamsbridge Branch of the NAACP and Vice-President of the New York State Conference of NAACP Branches where he was instrumental in creating the National NAACP Get Out the Vote Plan for 2000 and 2004. He is married to Minister Monifa Mulraine; they have three children, Shandira, Adia and Malachi.

Reverend Mulraine has accomplished a great deal for the community over the past 15 years. Congratulations to my friend on reaching this wonderful milestone.

Mr. Speaker, the Pelham community of which I represent is very fortunate to have so many active and involved members working to improve the neighborhood. One of those individuals, Richard Davidian, has had an especially impactful role for students in Pelham's exceptional school system.

A long-time Pelham Civic Member and Officer, Rich, as he is better known, created and chaired one of the most successful programs in Pelham Civics' history--Help a Child, Change A Life Student Development Initiative. This revolutionary program focuses on students (K-12) from economically challenged households providing access to learning tools and skill development programs designed to move them closer to their true potential. Nothing like this had been done before, and the program rapidly grew across the entire district touching all the schools and grades.

The results were unprecedented--Elementary school students who were performing far below benchmark, were now performing at benchmark; Middle school and high school students who were failing multiple classes were now passing, and some were achieving honors, and high honor roll; Students were now attending advanced placement courses, and college courses. Rich was honored by the Board of Education with the Thomas B. Fenlon Award, which was usually given to retiring Board of Education members.

In addition, Rich chaired the Pelham Civics Good Neighbors Program for 12 years, where his exemplary diligence and attention to detail, combined with his compassion and commitment, was a tremendous source of comfort and hope. Rich is a Retired Partner of a global consulting firm where he was a recognized thought leader in marketing and sales strategy. He and his wife Sona take great pride in their three daughters, two sons-in-law and first grandchild.

Rich is honored as humanitarian, visionary, and exemplary Pelham Civic. It is no wonder then why the Civics have decided to honor Rich at their 2018 Dinner Dance. He is most deserving of the recognition. I want to congratulate Rich on this wonderful honor and thank him for all he has accomplished on behalf of Pelham and its residents.

Mr. Speaker, communities draw their strength from individuals who are willing

to work hard for the greater good. The Pelham community which I represent has no doubt been strengthened by the work of Kathie O'Callaghan, who has done so much not just to help her fellow Pelham residents, but also people from all over the world.

A Pelhamite for over 30 years, Kathie is a visionary who has broken conventional barriers and applied her talents to a wide range of charitable causes that have truly made a difference. Kathie's most recent accomplishment is being the Founder & President of Hearts and Homes for Refugees, an innovative grassroots non-profit that supports U.S. Department of State designated agencies in welcoming, protecting and advocating for refugees resettling in U.S. communities. Inspired by the crisis in Syria, Kathie created a group to advocate for resettlement in Westchester County. HHR is now comprised of 400 volunteers that welcomed the first refugee family to Westchester County: a Syrian family of six that was resettled in Pelham. In 2018, Kathie led HHR in creating the Westchester Refugee Initiative, a county-wide coalition to support and grow the network of over 20 community and interfaith organizations and 1,500 individuals who support the welcoming movement in Westchester. Under Kathie's leadership, the Westchester Refugee Initiative's volunteers continue to welcome and advocate for new refugee arrivals and supports refugees who are already in the country and need of help.

Beyond her incredible work with refugees, Kathie has also been an integral part of the formation of the Friends of the Pelham Library; a Member of the Rotary Club of the Pelham; an In-Home Hospice Volunteer at Jansen Hospice & Palliative Care; a Pelham Manor Volunteer Firefighter; a Member of the leadership team of Huguenot Memorial Church; a Lector at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; and was an honoree at the 2017 Pelham Woman of Distinction event.

Kathie has done it all, and the work she has done in Pelham is nothing short of inspirational. This year, the Pelham Civics are honoring Kathie at their 2018 Dinner. They could not have picked a more deserving honoree. Congratulations to Kathie O'Callaghan on this tremendous honor.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize a spiritual institution in my district that this year is celebrating its remarkable 165th anniversary.

First Baptist Church in Bronxville is a warm, friendly community of Christians comprised of people with a diversity of cultural and racial backgrounds. First Baptist is a Christ-centered Church that seeks to relate Biblical messages to contemporary practical life experience. As a member of the American Baptist Churches, USA, the church is also affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York.

The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854 as The First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon and was located for eighty years on the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street in Mount Vernon. In 1970 the congregation chose to move to our present location, 407 New Rochelle Road because of its central location, convenient to the nearby towns and villages where most of our members live--Bronxville, Crestwood, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers.

The beautiful modern church building houses the Sanctuary which can accommodate more than 300 people, and The Fellowship Hall which is used for the Sunday Church Coffee Hour, special church programs and conferences, church dinners, socials and Youth meetings and activities.

The contributions made by First Baptist Church and its congregation to our community for 165 years cannot be over stated. I want to congratulate Reverend Lamont Granby and the entire First Baptist family on this wonderful occasion.

Mr. Speaker, first responders are the heroes of our local communities. We in the 16th Congressional District of New York are fortunate to have had the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 for the past 125 years, and I want to honor them on reaching that amazing milestone.

Established in 1893, the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 started with a handful of dedicated volunteers as they hooked a couple of horses to a wagon attached with fire extinguishers, and were without a fire station until the following year. Now, the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company is one of three fire stations throughout the Village of Scarsdale comprised of 47 career members and 70 volunteer firefighters across 3 different fire stations.

In 2016 alone, the Scarsdale Fire Department responded to 1,499 alarms, which included 42 structure fires, 139 motor vehicle accidents and victim rescues, 268 hazardous condition requests, and 258 public assistance calls. The skill and professionalism of the Scarsdale firefighters is evident in their average response time of 3 to 4 minutes per emergency. This has made the Scarsdale Fire Department one of the best in Westchester County, and within the top 10 percent of fire departments in New York State.

I want to commend Fire Chief James E. Seymour IV for his outstanding leadership as well as all the career firefighters and volunteer firefighters who dedicate their time and service for protecting the Scarsdale community.

Mr. Speaker, every community unknowingly relies on the dedicated service of unsung heroes. The Village of Scarsdale is fortunate to have the amazing first responders of the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company protecting them for over a century.

Mr. Speaker, it is truly a feat to reach a 100th anniversary, it is a greater feat to reach a 125th anniversary, but, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize an organization within my district that has reached its 135th anniversary, the Yonkers Family YMCA.

The Yonkers Family YMCA began in 1882 by accident. Story has it that the founders were traveling to New York City, but became lost in Yonkers. They decided to open a local chapter of the YMCA in Yonkers, and 135 years later, the Yonkers Family YMCA remains a cornerstone of the community.

``To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.'' That's the YMCA's mission statement, which strives to provide a safe environment where those in the community can better their lifestyle through health and fitness. As such, the Yonkers Family YMCA offers a variety of programs year-round for Yonkers residents and the surrounding area, that include boxing, aquatics, youth, and teen summer camps, as well as youth employment training programs.

It would not be possible for the Yonkers Family YMCA to offer the wellness programs and services to the community without help from the community itself. Yonkers has always stood by the YMCA, and continues to support its vital mission.

I would be remiss to not mention the YMCA's leadership, which ensures the continued success of the YMCA on a day-to-day basis: Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Marisol Mancebo, Vincet Talia Ferro, John Thompson, Donald Golding, Mercedes Bangari, Donald Somerville, Carolyn Mosha, Franklin Peat, and Keith Guinyard. Additionally, I want to also thank the Board of Directors for their continual support of the YMCA: Maria George, Steven Tvert, Arnaldo Torres, John Pagliarola, Christopher Jonson, Jade Sharpe and Maurine Koranteng.

Mr. Speaker, the Yonkers Family YMCA has been a central part of the lives of people all throughout the region for well over a century. It's a remarkable feat that deserves this recognition. Congratulations to the entire Yonkers Family YMCA family for 135 years of service, and may they have many more years of great success.

Mr. Speaker, today, as the credibility of journalists and media outlets come under fire daily, I want to recognize one newspaper in my district that has been serving Westchester County for the past 90 years, the Westchester County Press.

Casilda luella established the local newspaper, at first, to serve her community of Hastings-on-Hudson, and did so for 23 years. Casilda then sold the newspaper in 1951 to Reverend Alger Adams, and his wife Jessie of Hastings-on-Hudson, who shifted the focus of the newspaper. Moving from a strictly local point of view, the Westchester County Press began reporting on the lack of African-American representation within the county. Over the next 35 years, Reverend Adams followed leads, hired reporters, and columnists to grow the Westchester County Press. Most notably, Reverend Adams hired civil rights activist M. Paul Redd, Sr. to write a weekly political column titled ``M. Paul Tells All.''

Mr. Redd's columns brought increased exposure to the Westchester County Press, and he eventually became the owner in 1986. Under Mr. Redd's leadership the Westchester County Press became the leading voice of issues impacting the African-American community throughout Westchester. As owner, he would continue to write his ``M. Paul Tells All'' column until his passing in 2009.

For more than 60 years, the Westchester County Press is the only weekly newspaper owned and run by African-Americans within Westchester County. Now led by Sandra Blackwell, since 2009, the newspaper continues to maintain high journalistic standards when reporting on the African-American community on a local, state and national level. As a result of their unwavering mission, the Westchester County Press is 1 of 200 African American newspapers that are members of the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA).

I want to congratulate the Westchester County Press for serving the Westchester County community for the past 90 years. Their dedication to reporting on issues impacting the African-American community cannot go unrecognized. Lastly, I would like to honor M. Paul Redd Sr.'s near 50 years of work, and acknowledge his enshrinement in the NNPA's Hall of Fame as of 2014.

Mr. Speaker, the Yonkers waterfront is a remarkable natural resource for our community, and for 10 years now Groundwork Hudson Valley has made incredible use of it with their Science Barge.

The Science Barge is a prototype sustainable urban farm developed by NY Sun Works and acquired by Groundwork Hudson Valley in October, 2008. Since then, it has been operated as an environmental education center. The Science Barge greenhouse, floating on the Hudson River, grows an abundance of fresh produce including tomatoes, melons, peppers, eggplant, and lettuce with zero net carbon emissions, zero pesticides, and zero runoff. All of the energy needed to power the Barge is generated by solar panels, wind turbines, and biofuels while the hydroponic greenhouse is irrigated solely by collected rainwater and purified river water, thus operating completely ``off the grid.'' It is the only fully functioning demonstration of renewable energy supporting sustainable food production in New York. The Science Barge is open for weekday educational programs and field trips for schools, camps, and other groups from mid-April through the beginning of November.

Mr. Speaker, our planet is changing. Climate change is real and having a profound impact already. We need more initiatives like the Science Barge to help us learn and adapt to these changes, while simultaneously teaching us about sustainability. I'm proud to have the Science Barge in my district and I congratulate the entire Groundwork team on 10 terrific years.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure. Let me first thank our chairman on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, who has done great work to get this bill to the finish line.

I want to especially thank my dear friend and colleague, Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, who was so instrumental in crafting this bill and then getting it passed, like so many other things she has done for so many years on the Foreign Affairs Committee. It has just been an honor and a pleasure to work with her, and we are going to miss her. But she has done some great work, and people's lives will be saved because of the work that Ileana Ros-Lehtinen has done, so I want to thank her.

I am also grateful to the Members of the other body who have helped push this measure forward. This bill is the product of a good, bipartisan effort aimed at a clear goal to isolate Hezbollah, one of the world's most dangerous terrorist organizations.

With hundreds of thousands of rockets pointed at Israel and fighters returning home, battle-hardened from years fighting alongside the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah has become more sophisticated and more lethal.

Hezbollah, with support from Iran, has served as a lifeline to Assad, allowing his regime to butcher the Syrian people. Without Hezbollah's support, Assad would have been swept out of power years ago.

When he was losing, Hezbollah came in. Iran unleashed Hezbollah, and they turned the tide in the war. Birds of a feather flock together, unfortunately, and Hezbollah has also gained from this relationship.

The war in Syria bound Hezbollah and Russia together. The result was deeper coordination and training between the two. Russia talks a good game about fighting terrorism, but its partnership with Hezbollah has shown that Moscow is eager to collaborate with a group that has American blood on its hands.

Now is the time to choke Hezbollah off from its patrons. This bill would give the administration every tool it needs to confront this dangerous group. With this measure, we build on a 2015 law by imposing sanctions on anyone who knowingly supports Hezbollah's fundraising and recruitment efforts.

As terrorist groups, including Hezbollah, rely more and more on online crowd sourcing and social media to spread their message, we need to be one step ahead.

This bipartisan legislation also imposes sanctions on any part of a foreign government that supplies material support or arms to Hezbollah.

That could include Russia and Iran for the training and assistance they provide to Hezbollah in Syria.

This measure would also ramp up oversight on the administration's strategies when it comes to diplomatic engagement to shut off Hezbollah's networks and safe havens. This legislation is meant to signal to anyone who supports Hezbollah: Your time is up.

Let me add a final note about Hezbollah as it concerns Lebanon. I have been a friend of Lebanon for many years. Back in 2003, I wrote the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act with my friend Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. We pressed Syria to get out of Lebanon and allow Lebanon to secure its own independence, free from Syria's outside influence.

Unfortunately, Hezbollah has, so far, endured as a fact of life in Lebanese politics. The Lebanese people deserve better. Hezbollah should stop holding the Lebanese people hostage to its radical agenda.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, Hezbollah is a threat to peace and stability across the Middle East. This group is emerging from the Syrian civil war even more dangerous and determined to spread its hatred and violence. Their tactics have grown more sophisticated, and we need to give the administration every tool we can to crack down on this group. This bill is a strong move in that direction. It is a great example of what we can produce when we work

across the aisle on national security issues.

Let me say, I never hesitate to say how proud I am of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman Ed Royce and the leadership of the committee on both sides of the aisle for what we think as being the most bipartisan committee in Congress. It is important when we are talking about foreign policy that America speak with one voice, and it is important when we talk about foreign policy that politics stops at the water's edge.

This bill is a very important bill. It is a great example of what we can produce when we work across the aisle, and I am glad we are getting it across the finish line before we wrap up our work this month.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.