Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend for yielding, and I want to say unequivocally, on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee, we strongly support this amendment. It is an excellent amendment. I also want to thank the gentleman for working with the committees on this amendment.

Madam Speaker, today is National Decision Day. It is an exciting time of year for students as they commit to colleges across the United States. I rise to speak in support of the international scholars who choose to attend our American academic institutions. Their presence in the U.S. is an asset to our country's culture and economy.

While the Department of State's annual Open Doors report states that the United States is still the top location for international students, a concerning statistic shows that new international student enrollment declined by 6.6 percent during the 2017-2018 school year.

The congressional district I represent greatly benefits from international student enrollment in our local colleges and universities. In addition to their intellectual and research contributions, these students make an annual financial contribution of $52.2 million dollars and support the creation of several hundred jobs each year. We're at risk of losing this valuable talent and the benefits they bring to the residents of New York's 16th District.

But it's not just my district that will suffer--the entire country will. Although they only make up 5.5 percent of higher education enrollment in the United States, the economic value that international students have on our economy is significant. In the 2017-2018 academic year alone, international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $39 billion to the U.S. economy and supported over 450,000 jobs. For every seven international students enrolled, three U.S. jobs are created and supported through spending in the higher education, health insurance, and transportation sectors, among others.

International education doesn't just foster economic benefits; it advances learning and scholarship. Students want to come to the United States because they know that this country has some of the world's greatest educational opportunities. However, as a result of delays in processing student visas in recent years, many international scholars have decided to study in other countries, such as Canada and Australia, which have more welcoming policies. As a result, our country is missing out on incredible talent, and students are foregoing the opportunity to study in one of the best education systems in the world.

As the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I am grateful for the work international students are doing every day to strengthen ties with countries around the world. International education develops cultural understanding and respect among different peoples.

We need to send the message that international students and scholars who want to study in the United States are welcome. I urge my colleagues to work with me in ensuring that the United States continues to be the world's best destination for academic study.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 9.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act.

I shouldn't need to persuade anyone in this Chamber that we desperately need to take serious action on climate change. Just look at the news. We are already seeing the consequences of our inaction: natural disasters, famines, instability, human suffering.

The time for action to avoid the worst effects of climate change is rapidly closing. We must demonstrate to the rest of the world and to future generations that we are still committed to taking on this fight.

Climate change is a national security threat that transcends borders and requires international coordination. That is why it is so critical that we work shoulder to shoulder with our friends and partners around the world.

The negotiation of the Paris Agreement was a defining moment for the future of our planet. For the first time, the countries of the world came together to face this global crisis.

At challenging times like these, the international community usually looks to the United States for leadership. So when President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from this landmark agreement, it sent an unmistakable message that America is on the retreat. It is really just shameful.

Every nation in the world has now signed on to the Paris Agreement. If we withdraw, we will be the only country unwilling to step up to this challenge.

We can--we must--do better.

The Climate Action Now Act keeps the United States in the Paris climate accord, renewing our country's pledge to address climate change head-on.

The Paris Agreement allows every country to determine its own pollution reduction targets and to develop a public plan for how to meet those targets. This bill follows that same model. It gives the executive branch total flexibility to decide what approach we need to follow and what kind of technology we need to use to reach our national targets.

H.R. 9 gives us all an opportunity to show Americans that we hear them, that we take their concerns seriously, and that we are addressing this danger that is hurting their health and safety.

Mr. Chair, it is time for Congress to put our country back on the right path to address the climate change crisis facing the world. I strongly support passage of H.R. 9, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, my friend on the other side of the aisle just said that all four witnesses at our April 2 hearing in the Foreign Affairs Committee expressed agreement that President Obama should have submitted the Paris accord to the Senate for ratification. I was there and chaired the hearing. I didn't hear that.

Let me tell you that, first of all, we were proud to welcome a distinguished panel of national security leaders, including former military officials. They offered detailed descriptions of the risks that climate change poses to our national security.

They talked about how climate change acts as a threat multiplier and a source of international conflict, how it makes individuals more vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist organizations, how it is increasing great power competition and tensions in places like the Arctic, and how it is the driver of extreme weather and natural disasters that require dangerous and expensive military responses.

More to my point, there was a fleeting question about whether any witness disagreed with the statement that President Obama should have submitted the Paris Agreement to the Senate for ratification. The only response, I believe, came from one retired admiral, who simply said, ``military, not political,'' meaning he is not the right guy to ask, nor were any of the other witnesses, so they all sat in silence.

As my colleague should know, silence is not an assent, whether it is at a congressional hearing or at a deposition or even in the exit row of an overcrowded commercial airplane. A person must give a verbal ``yes'' or ``no'' for their answer to be accepted and relied upon.

So I just want to clear the record, because what really happened is one of my colleagues posed a question to the wrong person and got no answer.

So when it comes to arguing that the Paris Agreement needed to be submitted to the Senate for ratification, my colleagues are incorrect as a matter of international law and incorrect as a matter of U.S. law. The previous President had the authority to enter into the Paris Agreement, derived from the Constitution, the Senate-approved United Nations Framework on Climate Change, and domestic law.

We all know that the vast majority of international agreements entered into by the U.S. are not approved by the Senate, and the Paris Agreement is no different.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), the author of this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

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

Mr. Chair, I want to remind my colleagues that the United States was once a global leader in pushing for climate action, but the current administration has largely abandoned our efforts to mitigate the effects of a warming world. As a result, our progress in reducing pollution has dwindled and is now reversing itself.

The Environmental Protection Agency's latest data shows that reductions in greenhouse gas pollution fell to just half a percent in 2017, and, according to the International Energy Agency, U.S. carbon dioxide pollution actually rose by 3.1 percent in 2018.

Think about that for a minute. At a time when the world desperately needs to decrease emissions, ours increased. In a year, where more dirty coal plants closed than almost any other year in history, our emissions increased. So this bill is absolutely important.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Spanberger), a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Chairman, let me say, the whole world--not just the United States and not just China--needs to do more if we are to be spared from the worst damage of climate change.

Under Paris, China committed to leveling off its carbon emissions no later than 2030 and reducing its carbon intensity by 60 to 65 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. And that is a big step towards sustainability.

Meanwhile, global action on climate change has already spared public and

private-sector investments and green innovation. China has created the world's largest carbon market, pumped approximately three times as much money into renewables as we have, and surpassed the United States in terms of both the number of electric vehicles on the road and the number of publicly available charging stations.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), the distinguished chairwoman.

Mr. Chairman, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the Paris Agreement, including the idea that it will hurt the U.S. economy. The Paris Agreement will cost little or nothing, and allowing climate change to proceed would certainly be very expensive indeed.

A raft of studies from environmental organizations, Citibank, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development all argue that a failure to mitigate the effects of climate change could cost the U.S. economy trillions of dollars. Citi found that investing in low-carbon energy to address climate change would save the world $1.8 trillion through 2040, but not acting will cost an additional $44 trillion by 2060.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Mr. Chair, it is now my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Crist).

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

When President Trump announced plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement in 2017, hundreds of businesses from all over the country immediately responded that it was a mistake and that they would redouble their own efforts to cut emissions.

In a separate declaration a few days later, a group called We Are Still In said that, despite Trump, they continue to support climate action. They argued that compliance with the Paris Agreement would open markets and generate jobs.

Today, We Are Still In is comprised of over 3,500 leaders, including Governors, mayors, universities, and over 1,800 companies working together to uphold America's promise to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Included in the coalition are some of the country's most successful companies, and I think you will recognize the names: Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Belkin, Ben & Jerry's, Campbell's, Chobani, Citi, DuPont, eBay, Gap, Google, The Hartford, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Levi Strauss, Lyft, Mars, McDonald's, MGM Resorts International, Microsoft, and I can go on and on.

The Paris Agreement will not on its own solve our global warming problems, but it does present business and investors with a historic opportunity by signaling a new global consensus that the transition to a clean energy economy is underway.

The argument that the Paris Agreement is somehow antibusiness or will hurt our economy just doesn't hold water. So I encourage my friends on the other side of the aisle to listen to American businesses and treat climate change as both the threat and opportunity that it is.

Mr. Chair, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), our majority leader.

(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui).

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

Mr. Chairman, in closing, let me say that I am very glad that the Foreign Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over this bill.

I would also like to note for the Congressional Record that we have three additional Members who intended to cosponsor H.R. 9, Congresswoman Kaptur, Congresswoman Gabbard, and Congresswoman Underwood.

Let me also say that I include in the Record 9 letters in support of H.R. 9. Specifically, I have letters from a group of four dozen environmental organizations led by Oxfam; the Sierra Club; the Union of Concerned Scientists and others; the League of Conservation Voters; The Wilderness Society; EDF Action, which is an advocacy partner of the Environmental Defense Fund; BlueGreen Alliance, which is a coalition of the Nation's largest labor unions and environmental groups; the United Steelworkers; E2, which is a nonpartisan group of environmental entrepreneurs from across the country; Ceres and its BICEP Network, which is the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy; the We Are Still In coalition, which is made up of over 3,750 U.S. businesses, cities, States, Tribes, colleges, universities, investors, faith groups, cultural institutions, and healthcare organizations; the NAACP; leading public health and medical organizations, including the American Lung Association, the American Public Health Association, and the Allergy & Asthma Network; and the American College of Physicians.

April 29, 2019.

Dear Representative: On behalf of our millions of members

and supporters across the country, we urge you to support

H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, to ensure the U.S. meets

its commitments under the Paris Agreement and to reinforce

our national resolve to address climate change.

The Paris Agreement is a global response to the greatest

environmental challenge of our time. It includes, for the

first time, specific commitments from all major countries and

a pathway for each country to strengthen its own domestic

climate actions in the years ahead. United States leadership

and

participation was crucial in bringing the world together to

act. But now, by threatening to exit the agreement, the Trump

administration risks isolating itself, undermining global

climate action, and weakening America's international

influence on a broad array of critical foreign policy issues.

Americans are experiencing climate change here and now in a

rising tide of extreme weather disasters, from hurricanes in

the southeast, to wildfires in the west, to flooding right

now in the country's heartland. It's no surprise that polls

consistently show that concern over the climate crisis is

rising across generational, geographic, and partisan lines.

Americans' personal experience is underscored by a raft of

new scientific reports. Last fall the Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed that climate change is

already happening, and ambitious action to curb carbon

pollution is needed starting now to stave off steadily

worsening impacts in the U.S. and across the globe. The last

four years have been the hottest on record since global

measurements began in 1880, according to the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics

and Space Administration. And the National Climate

Assessment--prepared by 13 federal agencies and released by

the Trump Administration last year--lays out the stark

reality of current climate impacts in all regions of the

nation and projects how much worse they could get.

Without significant global action, the National Climate

Assessment concludes: ``rising temperatures, sea level rise,

and changes in extreme events are expected to increasingly

disrupt and damage critical infrastructure and property,

labor productivity, and the vitality of our communities.''

``[C]oastal economies and property are already at risk,''

especially communities disproportionately comprised of low-

income and minority Americans. In short, climate change is

already here in America and it's already harming Americans'

lives.

Despite these dire forecasts, we can still stave off the

worst effects of climate change. Congressional leadership is

more important than ever, and the Climate Action Now Act will

go a long way to ensure that the United States fulfills our

commitments under the Paris Agreement and stays on the path

to serious action on climate change.

This legislation demonstrates leadership and vision needed

to tackle the climate crisis. We urge you to support the

Climate Action Now Act to help make the future climate safe

for our children and grandchildren and honor America's

commitments to help confront this global challenge.

Signed,

Alaska Wilderness Action, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy

Environments, Arizona Parks and Recreation Association, Blue

Future, Bold Alliance, Chispa, Chispa Arizona, Citizens'

Climate Lobby, Clean Water Action, Climate Hawks Vote,

Climate Law & Policy Project.

Climate Reality Project, Colorado Farm and Food Alliance,

Conservation Colorado, Defend Our Future, Defenders of

Wildlife, Earthjustice, Earthworks, Eastern PA Coalition for

Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Elders Climate Action, Endangered

Species Coalition, Environment America.

Environment Colorado, Environment North Carolina,

Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Justice Center of

Chestnut Hill United Church, Environmental Law & Policy

Center, Friends of Ironwood Forest, Gasp, Green The Church,

GreenLatinos, Hispanic Access Foundation, Hispanic

Federation.

Interfaith Power & Light, Kids Climate Action Network,

League of Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters of the

United States, National Hispanic Medical Association,

National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife

Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, NC League of

Conservation Voters, Oxfam America.

Partnership for Policy Integrity, Physicians for Social

Responsibility Pennsylvania, Public Citizen, Sierra Club, The

Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah), The Trust

for Public Land, The Wilderness Society, Union of Concerned

Scientists, Voices for Progress, World Wildlife Fund.

I think that it is very clear to say that this is a broad- based bill, and I do hope that we will pass it. We have the ability to work together to do it.

Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the following letters of support for H.R. 9.

Dear Members of Congress, Congress will soon vote on

legislation that would compel the Trump administration to

honor and plan for meeting the United States' commitment

under the Paris Agreement. We, the undersigned members of E2

(Environmental Entrepreneurs), strongly urge you to vote in

support of this bill to ensure that we continue to focus on

actions to protect our climate and grow our economy.

E2 is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders who

advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and

good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded

more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs,

and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private

equity capital.

As business leaders, investors and professionals from every

sector of the economy who live or do business in every state,

we understand the enormous economic promise that can arise if

the United States leads on this issue and stays a party to

the Paris Agreement.

Thanks in part to federal leadership, more than 3 million

Americans now work in clean energy and vehicles jobs. These

are residents of every state who go to work every day

installing solar panels on homes and commercial buildings,

manufacturing wind turbines, and making our homes, schools,

vehicles and offices more efficient. By honoring our

obligations in the Paris Agreement, America can continue to

drive demand for innovative technologies and industries that

grow our economy and create jobs.

Studies show that delivering on the Paris Agreement would

unlock at least $19 trillion in economic growth globally. The

international clean energy market is already worth an

astounding $1.4 trillion a year--and set to grow, with

America's share pegged at $200 billion annually. This

economic activity could fuel an additional $26 billion in GDP

growth in the United States alone by 2020, which would also

provide greater opportunities for U.S. businesses to lead in

emerging clean economy markets.

The Paris Agreement is good for American businesses and its

workers. Ensuring that we maintain our obligations under this

historic agreement is a chance to ensure America leads in

clean energy, agriculture, transportation, infrastructure,

technology and other sectors instead of falling behind our

overseas competitors.

We urge you to vote in favor of legislation that keeps the

United States in the Paris Agreement and creates a plan for

meeting our nation's commitments.

Sincerely,

382 E2 Business Members and Supporters

Dan Abrams (California), President/CEO, Wynkoop Properties;

Clifford Adams (New York), Managing Director, Coady Diemar

Partners; Hartwig Adan, Google; Milo Aguilar (Illinois),

Consultant, Sumac Consulting; Shauna Alexander (Oregon), Vice

President, Sustainability Stumptown Coffee Roasters; Annick

Anctil (Michigan), Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental

Engineering, Michigan State University.

Trevor Anderson (California), Policy Manager, Climate

Action Reserve; Emily Applegate (Colorado), Senior Manager,

Business Funding & Incentives, Business Investments, OEDIT;

Esteban Arenas; Gerald L. Armes, Principal Engineer,

Aurastar; Anne Arquit Niederberger (California), VP, Market

Development, Enervee; John Atherton (Pennsylvania); Michael

Atkins (California), Communications and Impact Manager,

Friends of the Los Angeles River; Betsy Aubrey (California);

Marta Badon (Louisiana); Ravi Bajaj (California); Claire

Baldwin (California); Jay Baldwin (California), Partner, Wind

River Capital Partners, LLC.

Fred Bamber (California), Managing Director, Spartina LLC;

Tom Bartley (California), Founder/VP Sales & Marketing,

Proensis; Caroline Bauhaus (California), Education

Consultant, Equity & Access; Mark Bauhaus (California),

Partner, Just Business; Keir Beadling (California), CEO and

Co-Founder, Mavericks Surf Ventures; Michael Bean (Ohio),

Facility Manager, Third Federal Savings & Loan; Jacob Bean-

Watson (Oregon); Natalie Bearbower (Illinois).

Josh Beck (Pennsylvania), General Manager, BCI Technology

Investments; Karen Begin (California), Development Director,

Environment, San Diego Habitat for Humanity; Thatcher Bell

(New York), CoVentures; Dave Belote (Virginia), Managing

Partner & CEO, DARE Strategies LLC; Jeff Bennett (Colorado),

Founder, Big Kid Science; Lisa Bennett (Colorado); Karin

Berardo (California), Founder, SIRES Advisors (Also Board

Member, CleanPath); Seth Berkman (Massachusetts), Energy

Market Analyst, SourceOne; Elliot Berman, CEO, Solar Energy

Corp.

Eric Berman (Washington), President and Co-Chair, E8

Angels; Luann Berman (Washington); Aron Bernstein

(Massachusetts), Professor of Physics, MIT; Marcella

Bernstein (California); Stuart Bernstein (California),

Founding Member, Sustainable Capital LLC; Doug Berry

(Pennsylvania), President & CEO Solar Renewable Energy LLC;

Phil Beyl, Co-Director, GBD Architects; Jan Birenbaum

(California); Larry Birenbaum (California), Former SVP, Cisco

Systems.

Mari Bishop (Illinois), CLEAResult; Maureen Blanc

(California), Director, CHARGE ACROSS TOWN; Philip Blumenthal

(North Carolina); Darren Booth (Colorado), Director,

Renewable Energy Integration, GreenPowerU; Dara Bortman

(Pennsylvania), Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales,

Exact Solar; Mark Bortman (Pennsylvania), Owner, Exact Solar;

David Bowen (California), Consultant; Bill Boyk (Oregon),

CEO/Founder, GyroVolts by Ameristar Solar, LLC; Diane Boyk

(Oregon); Mickele Bragg, Product Manager, Geotech

Environmental Equipment, Inc.; George Brandt (California).

Alice Brown (Massachusetts), Director of Planning, Boston

Harbor Now; Beth Brummitt (California), President, Brummitt

Energy Associates, Inc.; Barbara Brenner Buder (California);

Jim Bunch (California), Chairman, Green Chamber; Kyle

Burkybile (Illinois), Administrative Lead, Franklin Energy;

Adriane Busby (Colorado), Staff Attorney, Ryley Carlock

Applewhite; Richard Bush (California), Chairman, Identity

Engines; Vince Calvano (Colorado), Attorney & Business Owner,

Vincent P. Calvano, LLC; Paul Campbell (Illinois), Director,

Sears Holding Corp.

Bill Capp (Florida), Founder, Grid Storage Consulting;

Jacqueline Capp, DDS (Florida), Owner, JHC Studio; Patrick

Carberry (Colorado); Jim Cassidy (Colorado); Shaandiin Cedar,

Sales and Marketing Assistant, GreenBiz; Suzanne Charle,

Journalist, Freelance; John Cleveland (New Hampshire),

Executive Director, Green Ribbon Commission; Michelle

Cleveland (New Hampshire); Carole Connell (Oregon), City

Planner, Connell PC Associates Inc.; Martha Conway

(California) Valerie Corbett (New York); President,

Intelligreen Partners.

D. Rafael Coven (Pennsylvania), SVP Bus Dev, PaceControls;

Jane Cuddehe (New York), Broker Associate, Coldwell Banker

Devonshire; Michael Cuddehe (New York), Principal, Strategic

Global Advisors, LLC; Greg Curhan (California), President and

CEO, Merrriman Curhan; Mary Ann Cusenza (California),

Independent Consultant for high tech and cleantech companies;

Joseph Dalum (Wisconsin), Odyne; Diane Dandeneau (Colorado),

CEO, IPower Alliance; David Danielson, Managing Director,

Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

Chris Davis, VP Smart Cities, Cimcon Lighting Inc.; Michael

Davis, Vice President, Bergmeyer; Bart Deamer (California),

Treasurer, ODC Dance; Patty Debenham (California), Managing

Director, Ocean Enterprise, Environmental Defense Fund; Rick

DeGolia (California), Executive Chairman, Cimbal, Inc;

Michael Delapa (California), DeLapa Consulting; Sheila Dennis

(Massachusetts), Director, Principal Gifts, Harvard Divinity

School; Sally DeSipio (Oregon), Creative consultant and

climate activist, Self-employed.

James Dice (Colorado), Vice President, Sitton Energy

Solutions; Scott Dietzen (California), Chairman, Pure

Storage; Christopher Dillion (Illinois), President, Campbell

Coyle; Sean Donaghy (Massachusetts), Energy Management

Analyst, Mass DOT; Mark Doughty (Massachusetts), President &

CEO, Thoughtforms Corporation; James Doyle (North Carolina);

Teresa Dupuis (Michigan), Patricia Durham (California);

Robert Earley (New York), Principal, Armor Capital; Mike

Eckhart, Managing Director, Citigroup, Inc.; Stanley Eilert

(Colorado); Lloyd Elam, Auditor, Impact.

Ellington Ellis (Michigan), President, Ellington Management

Group; Blake Enyart (Colorado), Lab Manager, University of

Colorado; Bob Epstein (California), Co-Founder, Sybase, New

Resource Bank, Environmental Entrepreneurs; Helen Fairman;

Chris Farrington (Oregon), Co-Found, Voxity Video

Productions; Jerry Feitelson (California), CEO, Agribody

Technologies, Inc., Anne Feldhusen (California), Consultant,

Green Business, Technology Marketing; Boris Feldman

(California), Base Energy; Brett Feldman; Jason Fike.

Barry Fitzgerald (California), Founder, Hidden Compass

Consulting; Kevin

Fitzwilliam (Louisiana), Regional Account Manager, Joule

Energy; Vanessa Flores (Illinois), Sustainability and

Property Operations Manager, ACE Hardware; Suzanne Foster

Porter; (Colorado), Principal, Kannah Consulting; Andrew Foy

(Oregon), MBA Candidate, Lundquist College of Business.

Karen Francis (California), CEO, Academix Direct, Inc.;

Richard Frankel (California), Co-Founder, Rocket Fuel; Corey

Friedman (Illinois), Principal, CF Financial LLC; Micah Fuchs

(Illinois), Business Development Director, Dynamic Energy;

Linda Gerber (Oregon), Principal Consultant, Linda Gerber

Consulting Services; Gerry Glaser (California); Barbara Glynn

(California), Glynn Capital; John Glynn (California), CEO,

Glynn Capital; Nancy Gail Goebner (California), Owner,

Gardenpeach Place; Susan Goldhor (Massachusetts), Biologist,

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize a dedicated member of the community and a friend, Mr. Richard Naclerio. Richard is an honoree at this year's J.A.D.E. 35th Annual Scholarship Dinner and he is most deserving of the recognition.

Born in the Bronx to Elizabeth and Salvatore Naclerio, Richard is one of ten children. He attended Christopher Columbus High School and graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Following school, the United States Army called, and Richard served with the 7th Infantry G2 Section in Korea before receiving an Honorable Discharge.

Richard's involvement and dedication to many charities and organizations is well documented, and they have filled his years with many wonderful memories. He has been affiliated with Montefiore Sound Shore Medical Health Systems; he served as Vice President on the Board of Trustees of Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital; and he is a former Trustee of Calvary Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. Richard is also a retired Director of Patriot National Bank. He served on the Board of the Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, is a member of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient. Richard is also the creator of the Richard and Barbara Naclerio Faculty Scholars Program.

Outside of charity work and his day job as CEO of Maestro's Catering Hall, Richard enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, Barbara, with whom he is celebrating 59 wonderful years of marriage. Together they live in Pelham and are very proud of their family, which includes an astounding 12 grandchildren whom they love dearly.

Madam Speaker, few have done more to strengthen New York's 16th Congressional District over the years than Richard Naclerio. As he is honored this year by J.A.D.E. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate him for all his accomplishments and thank him for all he has done to better our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a wonderful institution in Mount Vernon, the Friendship Worship Center, which this year celebrates its remarkable 75th Anniversary in the community.

Friendship Worship empowers people with solid biblical principles, while advocating for justice, fairness, and delivering social services. The story of Friendship Worship begins in 1942, when a group of women from the Mount Vernon Community led by Mother Lillian Davis, an active missionary, began a Freewill Baptist Mission work. For two years these women shared in their homes the message and work of Christ. In 1944, the officials of the Freewill Baptist Conference came and officially organized the St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York. Around the late 1940s the church was renamed Little Friendship United American Freewill Baptist Church. In 1950, Little Friendship became incorporated in the State of New York. During those early stages of the church development many different ministers and layperson held the church together. This was done under the supervision of the late Rev. N.E. Sharp, Moderator of the Northern Annual Conference of the United American Freewill Baptist Church. The first elected pastor of this church was the late Rev. B.T. Johnson who led the church from 1948-1956. During his tenure Little Friendship purchased its church building at 358 South Ninth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York. The successions of Pastors were Rev. S.H. Wylie 1956-1957, Rev. H. Miller 1957-1958, Rev. O. E. Davis 1958-1959, Rev. Otis Park 1959-1983, Rev. Joe L. Brown 1983-1988, and finally my friend Elder C. Nathan Edwers 1988 to present. In 1997, the church name was changed, and Corporation papers were amended to Friendship Unified Freewill Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York.

Under the strong leadership of Pastor Edwers many new programs were established. Due to an expansion and betterment of the

church, over $200,000 has been done in renovations since 1989. In August 1998 Pastor C. Nathan Edwers was led by the Lord to move Friendship Unified Freewill Baptist Church into $1.3 million edifice located at 261 East Lincoln Avenue in Mount Vernon at present. The church seating capacity is 1,200.

In September 1998 the church was renamed Friendship Worship Center, The Family Center. In March 20, 1999 Pastor Edwers was consecrated as a Bishop. Friendship Worship Center is now on the cutting edge of the 21st Century and every day its parishioners are helping to improve the Mount Vernon community and beyond.

On this special occasion, I want to congratulate the entire Friendship Worship Center community on 75 amazing years of love and service.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor a woman who has done a tremendous amount to build and strengthen the Scarsdale community in my district, Ms. Jill Spieler, this year's recipient of the prestigious Scarsdale Bowl Award.

For over 70 years, the Scarsdale Bowl has been awarded a Scarsdale resident who ``has given unselfishly of time, energy, and effort to the civic welfare of the community.'' Nothing could better describe Jill. She has a long and distinguished record of volunteer services to Scarsdale and well beyond.

Jill began her service to Scarsdale in 1981 as a founding member of Kids B.A.S.E. and The Little School. She served as a board member from 1983 to 1988, then became President of the Board where she served two terms. She continued on the board till 1998, and during her tenure she provided outstanding leadership, especially during some difficult times. Jill continued her commitment to the community by serving on the Scarsdale Village Board of Ethics, the Advisory Council on Youth, and the Village Parks and Recreation Council, becoming Chair of the Recreation Committee in 2000. She was also active member of the League of Women Voters and chaired the Voter Service Committee.

There are many other examples of Jill's community involvement, but they are too many to mention. She is, without question, a highly respected, trusted, insightful and collaborative community leader who has contributed a great deal to Scarsdale. Jill's selfless contribution of time and energy to community affairs epitomizes the principles symbolized by the Scarsdale Bowl.

Madam Speaker, the Bowl Award is considered the highest and most prestigious recognition given for volunteer service in Scarsdale. It is no surprise then that this year that award is going to Jill Spieler. As Member of Congress representing Scarsdale, I want to congratulate Jill on receiving this wonderful honor and thank her for her years of dedicated service to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished member of the Edgemont community in my district, Mr. David M.C. Stern, who this year is being honored by the Edgemont Community Council with their Silver Bowl Award for Distinguished Community Service.

David served two terms on the school board, from 2010 to 2016, was president in 2015-2016, and made his mark on the curriculum, audit and superintendent search committees, as well as liaison to the Edgemont School Foundation and the Scarsdale Teachers Institute. He has coached over 20 seasons of local youth sports--soccer, lacrosse, basketball and tee-ball--and now serves as president of Edgemont Youth Lacrosse. In the schools, David has taught Great Books and volunteered in the Wiggleworks reading program. He currently sits on the School Board Nominating Committee and is a former director of the ECC. David has been an assistant Cub Scouts den leader, and he has been a long-time member of Greenville Fire District's volunteer fire company, where he has served as a volunteer firefighter.

David also currently serves as chairman of the board of Westchester Institute for Human Development, a Valhalla-based organization that works with developmentally disabled men and women, and member of the board of MusicCorps/Renovation in Music Education in Washington D.C., which uses music to help wounded military veterans recover. David has also been a director of the Scarsdale-Edgemont United Way, and a member of the Woodlands Community Temple School Board.

Professionally, David runs a consulting firm that provides strategic business advisory services to healthcare organizations and investors. After graduating from Edgemont in 1982, David went on to get a BA and an MBA from Yale. David lives on Old Army Road with his wife Mary Elizabeth and their children Kasey, Gavin and Fiona.

As you can see Madam Speaker, David Stern is a very active member of the community who is most deserving of this wonderful recognition from the Edgemont Community Council. I want to congratulate him on this honor.

Madam Speaker, It is my sincere honor to recognize a dear friend, Reverend Dr. Collie Nathan Edwers, who this year celebrates his 30th Pastoral Anniversary at the Friendship Worship Center in Mount Vernon.

Nathan, as he is best known, was born in Newark, New Jersey to the union of Bishop Collie Edwers and the late Mother Dorothy Edwers. He is the third child born to this family of seven. He was raised in the quiet suburban community of North Edison, New Jersey. He was educated in the Edison High School system until his parents relocated to Metuchen, New Jersey during his junior year of High School. It was during this time of his adolescent years that Nathan felt and responded to the call of God on his life. At the age of sixteen, Nathan preached his initial sermon at St. Mark U.F.W. Baptist Church, the same church where his father baptized him.

Upon High School graduation, Nathan continued his education through the encouragement of his parents. Nathan was directed to pursue his undergraduate education at Northeastern Bible College in Essex Falls, New Jersey. During his senior year of study, Nathan was approached by the officers of Calvary U.F.W. Baptist Church to serve as their next Pastor. In May of 1983, Nathan was elected as their Pastor and assumed that responsibility on the Fifth Sunday. During this time Nathan decided against the advice of his father, to discontinue his education at Northeastern Bible College in order to move full attention to the Church. During his six years tenure as Pastor, Nathan was very fortunate to meet his darling wife, Aro Denise Harper. Out of this union were born two, children, Eric and Sherri. Both of his children are adults and are successful in their life choice career.

In January 1989, Nathan answered the call as the First Family of Little Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church. During his ministry at Friendship Church, the Lord added to his family his son, Eric Nathan Edwers. In October of 1997, Pastor Edwers began the process to acquire Temple Emanuel Jewish Center in Mount Vernon, which was up for sale. In January 1998 the church agreed to modify its name by removing the word ``little'' from its former name known as ``Little Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church''. Bishop Edwers led the church into a $1.3 million dollar relocation expansion program, and on August 16, 1998 he marched the ``Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church'' and hundreds of friends into their new home, renamed the Friendship Worship Center in September 1998.

Madam Speaker, Friendship Worship has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to Nathan and Denise Edwers. On this special occasion, I want to congratulate the pastor on 30 wonderful years, and thank him for all he has done in the community.

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor a dedicated public servant and good friend, Peter Swiderski. Peter served as Mayor of the Village of Hastings for many years, and his exceptional work will leave a lasting positive impact on the community.

Peter has always believed deeply in our democracy and the power of public service. That's why he ran for Mayor of Hastings some 16 years ago. His slogan, ``Hastings Forward!'' spoke to his consistent commitment to progress. Though he took over during difficult financial times for the village, Peter was able to deftly navigate the choppy economic waters. Abandoned buildings from Hastings' industrial past were replaced with storefronts that our now local hot spots. The beautiful waterfront hugging the Hastings coastline has been revitalized. Parks that were once run down have been transformed. All of this happened under Peter's leadership, and all of it happened while the village's finances steadily improved. Peter grew the Hastings' rainy-day fund to $2 million, which has meant investments in infrastructure and funding for first responders can be met. But beyond quality of life and economic development, Peter also managed to focus on growing affordable housing options for residents, encourages local sustainability initiatives, and even started a Deer Immunocontraception Research Program. How many local municipalities can say that?

After 16 successful years, Peter chose not to run for reelection as Mayor of Hastings. Though the village is now in the excellent care of new Mayor Nicola Armacost, we will all miss Peter leading the way in Hastings. As a partner in government, Peter was exceptional to work with across the board. I want to congratulate him on the years of hard work and thank him for his ceaseless dedication to the Hastings community.

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor the life of a Bronx icon, Mike Greco, the longtime owner of the famous ``Mike's Deli'' on Arthur Avenue, who passed away in late March at the age of 89.

Also known as the ``Salami King'' and ``Mayor of Arthur Avenue,'' Mike was a legend in the community. Born on May 8, 1929 to Luigi and Luisa Felice Greco, he came to America in 1947 from his home in Calabria, Italy with his twin brother, Joe, in a new suit and $50 dollars to his name. He moved to the Bronx, began working in a butcher shop, and by the early 1950s had opened his very open deli on Arthur Avenue.

Mike worked seven days a week starting at 6 a.m. to build Mike's Deli into the huge destination it became. For six decades, people from all over made the pilgrimage to visit, for both the wonderful food and for Mike himself. As the New York Times wrote, ``Mr. Greco was larger than life.'' The big personality, the singing, the friendly banter was all part of his mystique.

Of course, personality wasn't the only draw to Mike's Deli. The food was renowned. A well-earned reputation for quality preceded Mike's, with such favorites as the imported cheese, sometimes aged for as long as 36 months, leading the way. Mike's eggplant parm is so delicious that it beat all the competition on an episode of Food Network's ``Throwdown With Bobby Flay.'' Mike's fame also extended to television, where he appeared in a Ronzi commercial filmed on Arthur

Avenue, and on the stage, where an autobiographical play written by his son Marco was performed.

Mike leaves two lasting legacies--the deli and his wonderful family. He married Antoinette Cappiello in 1951 and together they had 2 sons, David and Marco and two daughters, Louisa Greco and Anna Greco Silvani. Mike is also survived by his five grandchildren.

Mike Greco really was larger than life, and his contributions to the Bronx have left an indelible mark. He will be deeply missed.

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor a pillar of the community and friend, Mr. William Mayer, who this year is being honored at the J.A.D.E. 35th Annual Scholarship Dinner.

William was born on June 4, 1962 to William and Marjorie Zaino Mayer in Mount Vernon, New York. His family was rooted in catering and community affairs, and at a young age William was encouraged to follow in that tradition. While attending Iona Prep and Iona college, he worked feverishly by his father's side at Mayer's Parkway Catering and at The Eastwood Manor, learning and growing with every opportunity. William graduated from Iona in 1984 with a B.A. in Business and went on to own and operate Maestro's Caterers and the Eastwood Manor.

Over the years, William has become a very well-respected member of the community, not just for his business acumen, but also for his tireless work and contributions. The list of organizations that have honored William over the years is extensive and varied: The New York City Public School system, The National Council of Negro Women, The Bronx YMCA, R.A.I.N., Williamsbridge NAACP, the Scarsdale PBA, NYPD 47th Precinct Clergy Coalition, North Bronx Little League, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and the Bronx Organization for the Learning Disabled, just to name a few. He has also been recognized by the Bronx Borough President's office, the Transit Workers Union Local 100, and now, by the U.S. House of Representatives.

William shares his commitment to community and family involvement with his wife, Kenia, and their children, Dustin and Riley. The family currently resides in Ardsley and during his spare time, William enjoys golfing at the Wykagyl Country Club, where he is an active member.

Madam Speaker, William Mayer has helped to grow and build our community in countless ways. As J.A.D.E. is set to honor him, I want to take the opportunity to thank him for his contributions, and congratulate him on receiving this well-deserved recognition.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 274, I call up the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 7) to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on S.J. Res. 7.

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

Madam Speaker, it is a little surprising that we find ourselves back on the floor debating this resolution. After all, it has already passed both Chambers with bipartisan support. It has passed the Senate twice.

Opponents of this measure have used every trick in the book to slow it down, to try and derail it, but we have reached the last page in that book, and I am confident that after we vote today, this resolution will head to the President's desk, and the President will have to face the reality that Congress is no longer going to ignore its constitutional obligations when it comes to foreign policy and when it comes to determining when and where our military is engaged in hostilities.

We are taking up this resolution because we see a policy from this administration that has strayed from our values and a crisis that demands moral leadership, which is the war in Yemen.

I fully understand America's security concerns in Yemen. I appreciate the complexities of our interests in the region. The Houthis are trouble. They launch missiles and armed UAVs into Saudi territory and international waters, and that is a direct threat to Americans. They are starving the Yemeni people, diverting assistance, and holding civilians hostage to their political demands.

The Houthis are one of the groups Iran uses to drive instability and gain influence. We all know what a serious threat Iran poses in the region. The regime is the world's prolific state sponsor of terrorism, so it is important that we push back against Iran and those who depend on Iranian support.

But the Saudi-led coalition's response has not grappled with this problem in a responsible way, in a way designed to minimize damage to civilians and the communities where they live, and in a way that could help bring about a political solution to this crisis.

Instead, time after time after time, coalition strikes have resulted in the loss of innocent life, and the violence has set off ripple effects that have contributed to the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

Madam Speaker, 85,000 children have starved to death and 14 million are on the brink of famine. More than 1 million suffer from cholera, and just last week, the coalition reportedly bombed a hospital run by Save the Children.

In the face of this catastrophe, the administration has demanded no accountability from the Saudis and Emiratis. But Congress won't remain silent.

This brings us, once again, to the resolution we are now considering. This measure would specifically ban aerial refueling of warplanes carrying out airstrikes. The Defense Department has stopped refueling as a matter of policy. This measure would do so as a matter of law.

The Defense Department also says that the United States is not engaged in hostilities when it comes to this war. Well, the Defense Department is entitled to its opinion, but Congress is a coequal branch of government, and only we say when the United States is at war. We don't look to the executive branch to explain the war powers that reside in this body or for permission to exercise that power, the power the Framers gave to Congress.

This measure is written very narrowly, so it won't tie the hands of the executive branch or set new precedents or cause unintended consequences when it comes to our other security agreements around the world.

It does nothing to expand or modify the authority provided under the Authorization for Use of Military Force this body passed in 2001. Instead, it focuses on this particular tragedy and sends the message that enough is enough, that Congress will no longer abdicate its responsibility when it comes to foreign policy, and that we will push to make sure our values are at the core of how the United States conducts itself around the world.

This resolution is rooted in those values: respect for human rights, for human dignity, and for the belief that all people should be able to live free of fear, oppression, and violence.

I hope the President understands that; and if he uses his veto pen, I hope he understands just what it is he is vetoing.

Let me thank Mr. Khanna for his hard work and leadership on the resolution we are considering today.

I also want to thank our ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. McCaul. We have an honest disagreement on this one, but he has consistently and forthrightly made his case on the policy. I am grateful to all my colleagues who have contributed so much to this important debate.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna), who has been so instrumental in bringing everyone together to make a change in policy that is much needed.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

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

In closing, let me say this. Everyone who knows me knows that I hold Iran guilty to many nefarious things that are happening in that region. This is not really about Iran. Iran is providing dangerous weapons to the Houthis, and the Houthis have starved the Yemeni people, killed civilians, and diverted assistance. I am not here to defend the Houthis.

The Saudis do have legitimate concerns about the Houthis, and the Houthis are not my vision of good and righteous. Quite the opposite.

But this resolution doesn't empower Iran. Quite the opposite. The longer the conflict goes on, and the longer the United States supports it, the better off Iran is.

We are really doing two things here. We are saying to the administration--and I, frankly, would say this, given my experience over the past two decades--to any administration. There is no blank check for war. We have abrogated our responsibility in the years that I have been here--and I am as guilty as anyone--by allowing administration after administration after administration to conduct wars that this body should have voted on.

Only Congress can declare war. And if we ignore what is happening with the civilian population in this war with the Houthis, then we do so at our own peril. We then say that, because Saudi Arabia does have legitimate concerns--and they do--we are giving them a blank check to do whatever they want.

No blank checks anymore. No blank checks to say the administration can run wars without getting the approval of Congress. And no blank checks to indiscriminately bomb and have innocent civilians and schoolchildren in buses be killed, and people starving in a humanitarian crisis.

We can't just sit back and say: ``Well, you know, we have difficulties with Iran, so we are going to look the other way.'' I have lots of difficulties with Iran, but we can't look the other way when people are starving or when people are being killed. That is what we are doing now.

So we are doing two things. We are saying no more war in which we are complicit, where a population is wholesale starving. We are also saying that this body is not giving a blank check to every administration. And I would be doing this no matter who the President of the United States was.

We need to reclaim our authority. We have fought in war after war after war. As everyone knows, we haven't declared war since before all of us were born, since December 7, 1941, when President Roosevelt stood up right here and declared war. That was the last time.

I hope this will be the start of Congress taking back its constitutional power, not for the sake of having a fight with the executive branch, but for the sake of doing what we are supposed to do.

Congress has the power to declare war. Congress has the power to say what we do when it comes to war. We are taking that back today. We are saying that America will not be complicit in the wholesale beating down of civilian populations and looking the other way.

Let me say that again. Iran has fueled this conflict through its support for the Houthis, but the longer this conflict rages, the better it is for Iran. Iran thrives on every misstep of the Saudi-led coalition. A vote for this resolution is a vote to end the United States' involvement in this war, a war which helps Iran.

Let me say again, for Congress, this is an important step in reclaiming our role in foreign policy, by debating where and when the United States military is engaged abroad. With the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, it is critical that we act now. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it.

Before I yield back, I want to, again, tell Mr. McCaul that we don't always agree on things. I think we agree on things more than we don't. But I do appreciate his earnest attempts with me to try to make foreign policy as bipartisan as we can. I think that is what we need to do.

We need to show unity in strength. In unity, there is strength. We are all Americans. We may disagree from time to time, but I think we are not going to be disagreeable. So I thank Mr. McCaul.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved member of the community who is celebrating a remarkable 95th birthday this year, Mr. Robert B. Thomas.

Robert's story is, in many ways, a uniquely American one. He was born on March 14, 1924 to Robert and Annie Thomas in Augusta, Georgia and he migrated with his family to New York, where he attended Benjamin Franklin High School. He graduated from New York Vocational High School, where he was introduced to, and excelled in, the trade of plumbing. During World War II, Robert heeded the call to serve his country and on March 15, 1944 he joined the United States Army. He became a gunner in the 394th Anti-Aircraft Unit and after serving our nation, he came back to serve his city with the New York City Public Housing Authority. In 1946, Robert met the woman who he would marry, Doris E. Jones and they had two daughters, Symra and Sandra. He also has three grandchildren, Duane Nichols, Turhan Brandon and Taniya Brandon, and four great grandchildren, Indira Nichols, Sebastian Brandon, Orion Brandon and Dominick Brandon.

Robert worked in construction as a member of Laborers International Union of North America, Laborers Local 60 and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 15 and Con Edison, which enabled him to put his daughters through college. He likes to reminisce about the past and enjoy talking about how he was a foreman and helped build the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge. His experience on that project later led to his work on the Throgs Neck Bridge and second deck of the George Washington Bridge.

To his family, his friends, and his community, Robert Thomas is known as a kind, generous and loving person, who has helped others achieve their goals. It is my honor to recognize Robert on this special occasion and to

thank him for his service to our country and community here in New York.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor two pillars of the Scarsdale community, Miriam and Ari Loren, who this year are being honored by Young Israel of Scarsdale at their 47th Annual Dinner.

Miriam was born in Bratislava, Slovakia and came to the U.S. in 1982. Her family moved to Silver Spring, MD where she graduated from the Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington, now known as Melvin J Berman Hebrew Academy. Miriam is a graduate of Barnard College and Columbia University's Teachers College, after which she worked for many years in early childhood special education, running classrooms for developmentally delayed children and their parents. Miriam has also worked as an evaluator, diagnosing, testing and evaluating children for special services.

For the past few years, Miriam has worked for Camp Yavneh as their Inclusion Coordinator. This program has grown from two campers participating in only the second month of camp to almost thirty campers across both months.

Miriam has volunteered extensively for her children's schools, including serving as their Parent Association President for six years. Miriam was also on the Westchester Jewish Council inclusion initiative for local synagogues. Miriam is currently on a mental health task force for the Ruderman Foundation.

Ari was born and raised here in New Rochelle. After graduating from Westchester Hebrew High School, Ari earned his BS from Yeshiva University and MBA from Bar-Ilan University.

Professionally, Ari operates a family business and manages some real estate. Outside of work, Ari has spent the last 8 years heavily involved in the local hockey scene. He served as President of New Rochelle Lightning Hockey from 2013 to 2018, growing the program from 52 players in 2013 to well over 200 kids today. Ari loves coaching hockey, and currently helps coach in the New Rochelle Lightning program, as well as at the Frisch School and as a head coach at Westchester Day School. Miriam and Ari have 5 fantastic boys, aged 6 to 16. The Lorens love raising their children in the same warm and loving community in which Ari was raised. Miriam and Ari

credit both of their parents in teaching them the importance of community and giving back.

Madam Speaker, Miriam and Ari are most deserving of the Community Service Award from YIS. Congratulations to them on this honor.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor two pillars of the Scarsdale community, Andrei Bezzubikoff, this year's Distinguished Service Award honoree at the Young Israel of Scarsdale 47th Annual Dinner.

Andrei studied Theology at the Facultad de Teologia Pontificia y Civil de Lima. He later graduated from the Stated University of New York at Purchase in 2013, and went on to receive his Masters degree from St. John's University.

Since 1997, Andrei has worked at Young Israel of Scarsdale. He also serves as adjunct faculty at my alma mater, Lehman College, since 2018. Andrei has become a beloved part of the YIS community and is well known throughout the congregation.

Outside of his professional work at YIS, Andrei is also a very accomplished author. In 2008, his short story La Mujer de los Barcos, was awarded first prize at the ``2008 Palabras'' contest in Lima-Peru. In 2010, Asilos de Luz, his short narrative book, was published by Hipocampo Editores. He had read his work at McNally bookstore, at Westchester Community College, Purchase College, and at the Ossining Public Library.

Of course, Andrei's true love and passion in life is his family. He has been married to his wife, Shirley, since 2001 and they have two wonderful children, Oleg age 13 and Ilari age 11. Andrei's hobbies also include reading, playing soccer, visiting museums, listening to classical music and traveling.

Madam Speaker, no one is more deserving of the Distinguished Service Award than Andrei Bezzubikoff. I want to congratulate him on receiving this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his years of service to the Scarsdale community.