Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2072, the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012, the long term bipartisan reauthorization agreement announced last week.

As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I believe that by passing this bill, Congress will give U.S. business the tools they need to compete in the global market place and create jobs for workers here in the United States.

H.R. 2072 reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) for three years, giving U.S. businesses the certainty they need, and incrementally increases the exposure limit to $140 billion by fiscal year 2014 in response to the growing demand for Ex-Im financing.

I am pleased to say that this legislation is widely supported by Labor and business groups--such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, NAM, Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable.

This wide array of organizations is well aware of the critical role the Bank plays in supporting American workers by providing credit where it's prohibitively expensive or by neutralizing official foreign credit competition.

Just last year, the Bank provided $32 billion in financing to thousands of companies, which supported nearly 290,000 American jobs.

However, it is important to note that the work of the Bank is done at no cost to the taxpayer, as it is self-sustaining: the Bank covers all of its operating expenses and loan loss reserves through the fees it charges users of the Bank.

In fact, the Bank returns money to the Treasury, and since 2008 it has returned almost $2 billion.

I, therefore, urge you to support job creation and vote for the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012.

I thank the gentleman from California, and I rise in strong support of this resolution.

I want our colleagues to hear what's been going on here on the House floor. At a time when Congress has been derided as not being able to get its act together, when people say Democrats and Republicans cannot agree on anything, when people say that Congress doesn't know how to work together and meet in the middle, what are we hearing? We're hearing Democrats and Republicans alike expressing strong bipartisan support for Israel, expressing strong bipartisan support for the U.S.- Israel relationship.

We know that the United States and Israel have so much in common. We have common feelings of democracy. We have common mores. We have common people who understand what democracy is all about.

Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and faces threats from terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel is willing to sit down and negotiate with the Palestinians with no preconditions. Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that many, many times, and he has been rebuffed by the Palestinians, who want all kinds of preconditions before they will even sit down and talk with Israel.

And of course Iran looms large. Iran must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Iran is not only a threat to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth, as that lunatic Ahmadinejad has said, but Iran is a threat to the West, to the United States, and to NATO as well.

So, what are we doing here this afternoon? We're rising in strong support of H.R. 4133, the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act. This important bill reaffirms that Congress stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel as it faces numerous challenges in the weeks and months ahead. It restates U.S. policy that America must provide Israel with the capability to defend itself and preserve its qualitative military edge. It increases military and civilian security cooperation between our two nations in order to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability. It supports a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution. It encourages Israel's neighbors to recognize the Jewish state, and Israel must be recognized as a Jewish state.

As importantly, though, I think this bill also shows that, even as partisanship runs through Congress, support for Israel remains rock solid and bipartisan. Democrats and Republicans, as I said before, are here on the floor together saying that we need to support the U.S.- Israel relationship and defending Israel's inherent right to self- defense.

With more than two-thirds of Congress cosponsoring this legislation, I think the message to Israel's detractors is clear: The United States will stand with the Jewish state for now and forever.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

On May 24, 2011, President Obama issued a memorandum on Federal fleet performance which requires all new light-duty vehicles in the Federal fleet to be alternate-fuel vehicles, such as hybrid, electric, natural gas, or biofuel, by December 31, 2015.

My amendment echoes the Presidential memorandum by prohibiting funds in the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill from being used to lease or purchase new light-duty vehicles except in accord with the President's memorandum.

Last year, I introduced similar amendments to four different appropriations bills--Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security. All were accepted and passed by voice vote.

Our transportation sector is by far the biggest reason we send $60 billion per year to hostile nations to pay for oil at ever-increasing costs. But America doesn't need to be dependent on foreign sources of oil for transportation fuel. Alternative technologies exist today that when implemented broadly will allow any alternative fuel to be used in America's automotive fleet.

The Federal Government operates the largest fleet of light-duty vehicles in America. According to GSA, there are over 660,000 vehicles in the Federal fleet, with over 41,000 being used by the Department of Justice and another 2,400 with the Department of Commerce.

By supporting a diverse array of vehicle technologies in our Federal fleet, we will encourage development of domestic energy resources-- including biomass, natural gas, agricultural waste, hydrogen, and renewable electricity.

Expanding the role these energy sources play in our transportation economy will help break the leverage over Americans held by foreign government-controlled oil companies and will increase our Nation's domestic security and protect consumers from price spikes and shortages in the world oil markets. So I ask that you support the Engel amendment.

On a similar note, I have worked with my colleagues John Shimkus, Roscoe Bartlett, and Steve Israel to introduce the bipartisan Open Fuel Standard Act, H.R. 1687. I have particularly worked with Congressman Shimkus on this bill in this Congress. Our bill would require 50 percent of new automobiles in 2014, 80 percent in 2016, and 95 percent in 2017 to be warranted

to operate on nonpetroleum fuels in addition to or instead of petroleum-based fuels.

Compliance possibilities include the full array of existing technologies--including flex fuel, natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel, plug-in electric drive, and fuel cell--and a catchall for all new technologies.

In conclusion, I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment and the open fuel standard as we work toward breaking our dependence on foreign oil.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on his reelection, and on his second inauguration, which takes place on May 20, 2012. This is a great achievement for President Ma, and for Taiwan--a country that held only its fifth direct Presidential election since it began doing so in 1996.

I take pride in the fact that Taiwan, an ally of the United States, is serving as a beacon for democracy in Southeast Asia. Through his term, President Ma has maintained strong ties

with countries in the region, including a constructive relationship with China, and has continued the democratic traditions which have allowed Taiwan to prosper. I call on my colleagues to join me in congratulating President Ma, and wishing him the best of luck as he undertakes four more years as the leader of Taiwan.

Mr. Speaker, to watch Parents of the Year, Martin and Wendy Mayer is to suggest a concept described by a valet of Britain's royal family. ``Working for aristocracy,'' he said, ``is like being a swan. On the surface, you must look like you're gliding effortlessly, but underneath, you're paddling like crazy.'' The Mayers' chesed for our Mamleches Cohanim looks easy, but their earnest sharing and resolving the tzoros of others is deliberate and thorough. The catering company provides the perfect venue for their unassuming communal service as they take care of many food needs for organizations and individuals behind the scenes, always seeing the world through the eyes of others. Professionally, the sensitivity and attentiveness at Menagerie Caterers has earned its reputation as the premier caterer in the greater metro area, from the smallest simchas to large, gala affairs.

Midos like this come from hard work. Martin absorbed the essence of his East Side neighborhood--no shtick, no embellishments, just pure erhlickeit and yashrus. He's the capable friend and reliable confidant that everyone needs. As part of East Side's Hatzolah, Martin

had the zechus of regularly attending to Rav Moshe Feinstein zt''l, imbibing from his lofty midos. Martin's own parents, z''l, and their courageous strength also deeply affected his life. Joining together from opposite sides of concentration camp fences, Staff Sergeant Herman (Hanoch) Mayer of the US Army Air Corps won medals and citations as a WWII hero who helped liberate the camps. With his own money, he bought medicine, food, and blankets for survivors, even transporting one woman to a hospital for immediate care. Martin's mother, Mrs. Freida (Elizabeth) Mayer survived Auschwitz and Birkenau on less than substandard rations, because she gave of her food to her weaker sister who also survived. Her intense care for her family continued, as she raised her children with unbounded love, often carrying hot lunches to them in school.

Martin and his sisters' beloved esteem for their parents prompted them to establish various memorial tributes: The Bais Medrash of the Agudah of Passaic (HaRav Sacks), the Bikur Cholim room of Englewood Hospital, which Martin supplies, a Sefer Torah written for them and more. Martin's fondest quotes from his Dad pertain to ``if you're going to do something, do it right.'' It was unthinkable for Herman Mayer to be late for shul.

For her part, Wendy's gracious warmth keeps the home running smoothly despite Martin's erratic catering schedule. Besides working in real estate, Wendy tirelessly supports every need for their shul, yeshivos or business. Her selflessness moves her to host communal events and family simchas, create extraordinary cakes or sew decor for school productions, down to every beautiful detail. A caterer's wife might well use her husband's resources for large crowds, but Wendy makes everything herself. The only thing more inviting than her kindness is her fragrant fresh challah. Like her parents, Barbara & Nathan Finkel, Wendy's simchas hachaim and winning smile make everyone feel welcome.

Doing for others flows into the next generation as YOT graduating talmid, Moshe and YOT alumnus Aryeh are known around town as helping hands and smiling big brothers to neighborhood kids. May the honor they bestow upon their parents, as well as their support of Ohavei Torah and other institutions, be a continual source of brocha and hatzlocha for the entire Mayer family.

I am grateful for the opportunity to join with Yeshiva Ohavei Torah in honoring Martin and Wendy Mayer as Parents of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, a poignant episode in the Chumash reveals a strength of character few can claim. Leah's seemingly odd response to Rachel's request for the Dudaim, ``Is it not enough you took my husband? Now you want these too?'' begs a question. Didn't Leah know what Rachel did for her? Meforshim explain, Rachel must have given Leah the simonim in a way that concealed the truth. Doing for others is certainly praiseworthy; doing inconspicuously and with great personal sacrifice warrants the crown called ``a good name''.

In this regard, Ohavei Torah is especially proud to honor its parents, Eli & Chedva Treitel, with the Keser Shem Tov award. Few positions are as thankless as that of Shul Gabbai. How remarkable it is that the diverse mispallelim of Monsey's Ateres Rosh feel unanimously blessed to have a true ``Yehoshua'' caring for all the needs of their shul: material, emotional and spiritual. The secret lies in one word: respect. The unparalleled kovod that Eli shows each person and every single shul need never fails. He keeps track of every aliya and chiyuv, buys and sets up Seudah Shlishis each week, sits on the board of directors and locks up the shul each night. For over 10 years, he does it all, notwithstanding his demanding position as Loan Officer for Meridian Capital, one of the largest Mortgage Brokers in the country.

A talmid of Ner Yisroel, Eli's personal avoda reflects equal dedication. It is unheard of for him to miss his early Daf Yomi. Together with Chedva, they share an uncanny ability to make everyone comfortable, traversing all community sectors and ages. Recently, a young man felt reassured enough to open up to Eli about a misunderstanding with his Rebbe. Eli's insight and empathy helped the teen mend the rift, prompting the Rebbe to remark that such helpful advice must have come from an exceptional advisor.

Like her husband, Chedva pursues shalom and chesed. Active in her children's schools and shul functions, her main priority remains always being vigilant about the feelings of others by seeing everyone in a positive light. Her soft-spoken, friendly and unassuming manner belies how much she actually accomplishes, often anticipating needs before being asked. Nothing is too difficult--extra driving, rearranging her schedule, full course dinners for neighbors in need and of course, quality time for each of her children. As Rabbi Pechter describes, ``The respect and warmth they afford to everyone is unparalleled.'' This type of humility, honesty and gentle demeanor make their son Lippy a pleasure to have as a talmid at Ohavei Torah as well.

Both Eli and Chedva's parents model the midos that make their children and grandchildren so well-liked. Eli's parents have upheld the tzarchei tzibor in LA for 50 years: Barbara Treitel as the beloved Hebrew reading specialist at Yavneh Hebrew Academy, now teaching her third generation and Stanley Treitel who tirelessly works on multiple political projects and community affairs on behalf of Klal Yisrael. Chedva's parents, Reuben & Sandra Botnick, noted attorney and real estate broker, respectively, are part of the founding family of Toronto's orthodox community.

Eli and Chedva's children are a great source of pride to their family and community: Lippy, a senior at YOT, Rachaeli, a freshman at Ateres Bais Yakov in Monsey and Michal and Chaim, who attend Yeshiva of Spring Valley. Just as the Treitel Family carries the responsibilities of the community, may the they merit to carry their Keser Shem Tov with overflowing brocha, ad meah v'esrim shana.

I proudly join with Yeshiva Ohavei Torah in honoring this wonderful couple.

Offered By: Mr. Engel

Amendment No. 28: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Sec. 542. None of the funds made available by this Act may

be used to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles, for any

executive fleet, or for an agency's fleet inventory, except

in accordance with Presidential Memorandum-Federal Fleet

Performance, dated May 24, 2011.

Mr. Speaker, Andrew F. Simmons, a native of Yonkers, has spent a good deal of his adult life in improving housing in his hometown. He began a partnership with Yonkers 15 years ago in assisting with the development of affordable homes in the distressed southwest area.

Since 1999 he had managed numerous development projects, including the Gazette Building Waterfront Development. He was contractor for the Hamilton Heights renovation project, the Metro North Train Station demonstration projects in Yonkers and Croton-Harmon.

He has helped to lead the completion of the pre-development of three two-family homes and worked as general contractor and developer of an additional three two-family homes. Further, he is developing an affordable twelve-unit condo on the Hudson River.

Andrew Simmons developed Think Services, a consulting firm which works with Community Development Corporations with design phase, budget and community inclusion in project development.

I am proud to join with the Women's Civic Club of Nepperhan in honoring Andrew Simmons for his outstanding work in developing and building homes for those who need it most.

Mr. Speaker, Elaine David comes to us from Nova Scotia when her parents moved here to relocate in Mount Vernon where she graduated from high school, and by taking weekend and evening courses while working, she also graduated from Elizabeth Seton College.

As a hobby, she and her sister-in-law took classes in floral design and with the encouragement of her family, opened her own flower shop.

Elaine carried over that dedication into her community life. She is a devoted member of the Macedonian Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, a past member of the Black Women's Political Caucus of Westchester, and a member of several floral trade associations. She has received awards from Westchester School for Special Children, the Westchester Chapter of the National Association of Negro Professional Women's Club, the Empire State Funeral Directors Association and the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce.

For more than two decades Elaine David has served her community and the people in it faithfully and with devotion. I am happy to join with the Women's Civic Club of Nepperhan in honoring her for this dedication and thank her for all she has given.

Mr. Speaker, James L. Simmons, Jr., is a Yonkers native who has been giving back to his community for years. For many of those years he was owner/operator of a hair care salon in Yonkers while also serving as a community planner for affordable housing.

In 1999 Mr. Simmons started a partnership with the city of Yonkers to assist in developing affordable homes in distressed areas of southwest Yonkers. Under his leadership as Director of the Center for Urban Rehabilitation and Empowerment, CURE, as it is known, acquired numerous parcels of land in southwest Yonkers with the aid of the Bureau of Planning and Development.

With the land, Mr. Simmons, as general contractor, then obtained various grants and loans to complete two- and three-family homes. He acquired another parcel of land on which he built twelve condominium units and named the development after his late mother.

He had worked on numerous developments including the Waterfront Development Project Gazette Building, and he is now in the predevelopment stage of Cook's Landing, his largest project, which will be 77 affordable rental units.

Mr. Simmons has served on the Yonkers Community Advisory Committee and has received numerous awards for his achievements. He currently serves on the board of the Yonkers Community Action Program and is commissioner of the Yonkers Municipal Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

I am proud to join with the Women's Civic Club of Nepperhan in honoring James Simmons for his outstanding work in developing and building homes for those who need them most.

Mr. Speaker, Nichele Johnson and her husband Arthur Muhammad are continuing working for the youth of Mount Vernon and they raise four daughters of their own.

Nichele is Corporation Council for the City of Mount Vernon but it is her work with our young people and their families as a counselor and mentor that led to her being honored tonight by the Henry Allen Educational & Learning Foundation. Her husband, Brother Arthur Muhammad can usually be found on streets where troubled youth congregate, there and in the classrooms of Mount Vernon High School where he engages with some of our city's most troubled youth.

Nichele was raised to embrace her multicultural heritage, to appreciate the power of prayer, and to contribute to society. This manifests itself through her counseling, her giving our food at soup kitchens, to gathering clothing for the needy.

Brother Arthur combines a soft-spoken demeanor with, when necessary, the firmness of one who knows what he is talking about. The respect he has earned often leads to his being called on as a mediator for all age groups.

The Henry Allen Educational & Learning Foundation is honoring Nichele and Brother Arthur who have worked to help all in need, no matter what the need. I am proud to join with the Foundation in praising the work of Nichele Johnson and Brother Arthur Muhammed for what they have done so much to make Mount Vernon a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, the Cantor fills a special role within the Jewish community; leading worship, officiating at lifecycle events, teaching adults and children, conducting synagogue music programs, and offering pastoral care.

Ten years ago Cantor Erik Contzius brought his talent, his commitment to Reform Judaism and unique personality to Temple Israel of New Rochelle. All the congregants have been touched by him, from the training of children to become B'nai Mitzhvahs, to making the High Holidays alive with sound, to entertaining us with song. He holds a special place at Temple Israel of New Rochelle.

Cantor Contzius founded Kol Simkha, the Temple's youth choir, as soon as he arrived in New Rochelle. A decade and hundreds of students later, Kol Simkha is going strong, singing the beloved prayers at Family Services. Cantor Contzius has cultivated many young voices in the congregation, giving them a chance to be heard during special services and on his own album, Teach My Lips a Blessing.

Cantor Contzius has given many distinguished solo presentations, most recently with the Westchester Chorale, singing the Darius Milhaud Service Sacre. Within the synagogue, he performed with its own jazz band, Yidlock, as part of the annual Follies show, and with the Chordsmen, a barbershop quartet.

In November of 2010, the Cantor's original composition, ``Ma Ashiv Ladonai,'' was premiered at the Vatican--a true honor.

He was raised in Parsippany, N.J., received his B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers College and went on to study abroad at the University of York, England. He received his Master of Sacred Music degree from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music, studying in Israel and New York.

Before becoming a part of the Temple Israel family, along with his wife Monica and son Jacob, he served as Cantor at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA, and Temple Israel of Omaha.

I enthusiastically join with Temple Israel of New Rochelle in honoring Cantor Erik Contzius for the joy, guidance and leadership he has provided over the past decade and wish him many more years among us.

Mr. Speaker, Eleazer and Sari Klein are admirably refreshing in that despite their impressive accomplishments, they remain a sincerely caring, responsive and unassuming couple. Both have much to be proud of. They come from families who have created worlds of good in diverse arenas. They use their talents to run successful businesses and support organizations of Torah and chesed. And for all this, it is clear that they take most pride in raising children who are a credit to their families.

Eleazer's father, Rabbi Dr. Bernard Klein, z''l, originally from Munkatch, survived the Holocaust, and went on to receive Smicha from Torah Vodaath, attend Columbia University and become a practicing Rav and Chairman of the Department of History, Philosophy and Political Science at the City University of New York. Mrs. Shirley Klein, amu''sh, granddaughter of Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld zt''l, was a teacher and educator with a Masters in Education. Together, they infused their children with the primary goals of commitment to family, education and placing Torah values above all.

Sari's family, the esteemed Gotlib/Fink Family, remains one of the most respected families in Belgium. Her role models, Sari's parents and grandparents, realized success in business, but always kept at the top of their priorities raising a refined Torah family as well as doing their utmost to be Osek B'Tzarchei Tzibur. In a heart-warming gesture of generational bonding, Sari took their son, Michael, to Antwerp, to provide him the privilege of hearing his great-grandfather, Chazzan Fink, lead the tefillos this past Yom Kippur.

Catching a glimpse of Eleazer's modest demeanor walking into shul, ready to lain any kria, always with a sefer in his hand, one would be hard pressed to believe his imposing bio--Senior Partner in Schulte Roth & Zabel's corporate law department, rated one of NY's top attorneys by Super Lawyers, Senior Editor of the Yale Law Journal, noted legal speaker and author. And yet, he helped found the Agudah of Madison in Flatbush, is the first to deliver mishloach monos every Purim to his Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaath, Rav Yisroel Reisman, Shlit''a, and makes himself available to dispense clarifying advice to anyone in need. With Smicha from Rav Pam zt''l, Eleazer maintains a very strong relationship with his Rabbeim, exemplifying what they taught: impeccable integrity, unflagging menschlikeit.

A graduate of Michlala and Stern, Sari, too is not complacent with past accomplishments. Juggling many roles--owner and manager of Virgo Business Centers which offers turnkey business offices, steadfast, sensitive confidante to friends on both sides of the ocean, organized chesed supporter--she takes overwhelming joy in being emotionally in tune with her husband and children. Truly, it is the Klein children who personify all that their parents and grandparents stand for--quietly strong, well mannered, articulate. Calling their children the Klein's ``masterpieces'', Rabbi Chaim Pechter, Menahel, comments, ``You cannot impose such things on children. Their behavior testifies to generations of midos tovos and hanhagos tovos in a home of Torah, Kedusha and Tahara.''

As Sari says, ``It's all about appreciating what you have and instilling the correct values into your children.'' It is our heartfelt brocha that all these extraordinary attributes, exemplifying ``Mah Tovu Ohalecha'' continue in their doros, ad bli dai.

May I have the honor of joining in congratulating Eleazer and Sari Klein as Guests of honor at the 13th Anniversary Dinner of Yeshiva Ohavei Torah.

Mr. Speaker, Calvin Jones, called CJ, has been involved with the Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club, and counseling the youth of Mt. Vernon for more than 40 years. CJ first came to the Mt. Vernon Boy's Club at the age of 12 after he and another boy were seen fighting by then Director Dick Cuputo who stopped the fight and asked them to instead join the Club.

He would ask CJ, now a member, to help with odd jobs around the Boys Club and through his efforts and merit CJ was made a ``Lifetime Member'' of the Boys Club. In 1972 CJ was recruited by his brother James, who was Athletic Director and a basketball coach at the North Side unit of the Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club, to become a basketball coach. Since then CJ has been a mentor and

counselor for thousands of children who have grown to become men and women living and serving in communities across America.

CJ has always stressed education and being a ``Student Athlete'' over just being an athlete. He continues to work at the Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club as the Athletic Director and Head / Director of the Mount Vernon ``Elite'' AAU Basketball program.

Calvin Jones is being honored by the Henry Allen Educational & Learning Foundation for his decades of good work for and among the youth of Mount Vernon. His motto, relevant to all of us, is that we should listen to our children because they have a lot to say and need to be heard.

I am proud to join with the Foundation in honoring CJ for his work in inculcating wise counsel into our young boys and girls, the fruit of which is growing and thriving across the country.

Mr. Speaker, Miriam Lopez is a retired New York City police officer who worked jointly with federal agencies because of her expertise in laws that governed firearms and explosives. She was in charge of the inspection of fire arm dealers in New York City and the tri-state area and the renewal or removal of the dealers' licenses.

After retiring from the Police Department, Deacon Lopez became more involved in the church and with youth. She had mentored teenagers for years through the Police Athletic League program, and now she is a member of the Generation X Ministry in Kingdom Baptist Church, serves as a Deacon for the congregation, and is the office and bookstore manager. Her passion for youth and the community has led her to pursue mission work, which is her next endeavor. Deacon Lopez is mother, grandmother, sister and daughter as well as a pillar of strength to the community she serves.

Deacon Miriam Lopez is being honored by the Henry Allen Educational & Learning Foundation and I join with the Foundation in congratulating her for her years of working with our youth.