Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of an outstanding public servant and community leader from the Town of East Lyme, Connecticut located in Southeastern Connecticut, Beth Hogan. An inspiring trailblazer for women in the legal profession, politics and town government, Beth departed this world too soon on January 28, 2023, after a three-year battle with cancer, with her devoted husband and law partner Conrad Seifert, and her daughter Emily, at her side. The news of her passing brought forth an outpouring of sadness and praise from the entire region of Southeastern Connecticut and speaks volumes of her impact upon the lives of so many who she helped in countless ways.

Born in Meriden and raised in Stamford, Connecticut to Bill and Rita Hogan, Beth knew from a young age that she was destined to uplift the lives of others. Upon graduating from Boston University and Quinnipiac Law School, Beth met Conrad and they began a journey in a two-person law firm--Seifert and Hogan, representing individuals with both compassion and the highest degree of ethics and professionalism. Throughout her time at the firm, Beth practiced in the areas of criminal defense litigation, civil practice, and juvenile and family law. As I know from my own experience as a small-town general practitioner, this type of law can be stressful. Despite the challenging nature of this work, she handled her clients with calmness and poise. She most recently focused on the cause of fair sentencing for juveniles, which in recent years has been reformed in Connecticut due in part by lawyers who advocated for this change.

Her view of the law was not just about individual cases. As a political candidate, office holder and political organizer she was outspoken believer in progressive policy. This was not just an intellectual exercise for her-- she was dedicated to getting real results in her region that were an expression of her beliefs. In 2008. for example, she joined The Connection, Inc., where she focused on expanding affordable housing opportunities. As director of government and community partnerships, Beth fought hard for years to successfully convert a former school into St. Mary Place of New London, Connecticut--a 20-unit affordable housing complex.

Beth also had a knack for recruiting other selfless individuals into local politics. She never missed an opportunity in this regard and was the driving force behind adding members to her town's Democratic party. Her proficiency in finding new advocates, candidates, and volunteers across all ages is exactly why Beth served as the chair of the local party's committee for a total of nearly two decades. Because of Beth, there is an army of visionaries and changemakers who will now march forward in their own relentless pursuit towards a better town and region. In fact, her love of community saw Beth in her final days delegating projects to her trusted friends and colleagues in local politics.

Beth's works are far too numerous to even begin counting. She served on many boards and commissions within East Lyme's municipal government. Beyond the various charities to which she also belonged; Beth notably once served as the first-ever First Selectwoman of East Lyme.

Mr. Speaker, Beth Hogan was the archetypal citizen and public servant. She was a compassionate confidant, a cultivator of community, a public servant, a champion of policy, a connector and mentor of people. Beth Hogan was a force multiplier for good. To say that we mourn the loss of this unwavering positive character could not be more of an understatement. And yet, Beth's dynamic legacy will continue to pay dividends far into the future--it is a garden where the flowers will never die. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Conrad, her daughter Emily, and the

infinite number of individuals in whom she instilled hope. I can assure my colleagues that she would not wish for these words of praise, which is exactly why we must commit her to our Nation's memory. To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the giving nature of Beth's story.

Madam Speaker, on January 13, 2023, the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, announced that the United States had hit its debt ceiling, which is a legal authorization that Congress has done on a recurring basis since the early 1900s that allows our Treasury to go out and sell bonds so we can pay the bills for our country,

whether it is fentanyl issues, whether it is our military, or whether it is our education programs.

Normally, when the Secretary of the Treasury gives that type of announcement, responsible leadership in Congress takes up the task of extending the debt ceiling so that our government can continue to function. We are talking about paying the bills for existing budgets that have already been passed. That is what the debt ceiling empowers by Congress moving forward.

It has been 18 days since Ms. Yellen's warning to the country and to the world, and the leadership of the House has done absolutely nothing. We have passed a series of pointless resolutions that have no legal impact in terms of real lives of people in this country and a bunch of bills that we know are immediately dead on arrival in the Senate.

Again, as the clock ticks, the world wants to know: What is the Speaker's position? What does he want in terms of doing what every Speaker, Republican and Democrat, has done over and over again to protect the full faith and credit of our currency and the paper that the Treasury sells, again, as basically the gold standard in terms of financial markets across the world?

Mr. McCarthy has not told us.

What is at work here? If we look at the Republican Study Group, which consists of roughly 170 Members, they have been talking openly and publicly about the fact that they want to do entitlement reform, which is to go after Social Security and Medicare.

Madam Speaker, I would just say that this is a very off-target proposal and solution because, in fact, Social Security has no bearing in terms of the operating deficit of the Federal Government, which, again, the Speaker claims that he cares so much about.

Social Security is funded through a separate revenue stream, the payroll tax that comes out of working people's paychecks every single pay period that goes into a fund that, again, is separate and distinct from the operating budget of the Federal Government.

The proposals of the Republican Study Group, which are to raise the retirement age from 67 to 70 and to impose a degraded level of CPI cost-of-living adjustment, a changed CPI, would hit middle-class Americans hard, particularly younger ones because this is definitely proposed as sort of a two-tiered Social Security system.

There is a fundamental flaw in the whole approach that is being suggested and discussed by the Republican Study Group, which is the claim that the Medicare and Social Security systems are entitlements.

Entitlement is not a legal term. It is not a budget term. It is a political term. It is an attempt to try to mask the fact that Social Security, since Franklin Roosevelt signed it into law 80 years ago, is a social insurance program.

If you don't believe me, look at your paycheck. What your paycheck shows is that the withholding for Social Security is separate from your Federal taxes, which go into the operating budget of this country, and is designated as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, FICA, for old-age insurance.

Again, it is an insurance program, and it provides coverage for people who are retired because they have hit retirement age, for young people who have lost a parent, or for people on disability.

If we were responsible about trying to deal with the fact that Social Security is going to be challenged in 2033--it is going to have a shortfall; it is not going to go bankrupt, which the press sometimes says--there is a solution to that, which is to lift the earnings cap. Today, basically anyone who earns income above $160,000 suddenly doesn't have to pay into the Social Security system.

As Warren Buffett, a billionaire, aptly pointed out, he is paying less into Social Security than his secretary. It is called the Buffett rule. The solution, which basically says everybody pays the same rate, or at least people whose income is above $400,000, would overnight push back the solvency for decades to ensure that young people, in particular, are going to have Social Security just like all the Americans in the preceding 80 years have had. That is really one of the pillars of middle-class economic security.

In the meantime, the clock is ticking. We know that we are really not just going to go at the debt ceiling, but we are going to hit full default by June 1.

This leadership has to do the right thing, just like we have done in past Presidencies and past Congresses: Extend the debt ceiling.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Noreen Kokoruda of Madison, Connecticut. A stalwart community leader and advocate, Noreen passed away on December 21st, 2022.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Victor and Eileen Swaller, Noreen immediately showed traits of the characteristics which would define her life: compassion for others; commitment to service; and devotion to friends and family. At an early age, she distinguished herself for her friendly and out-going nature, going out of her way to help others. Even in high school, Noreen's penchant for public service was made clear after her election to the student council at Notre Dame High. Her passion for service blossomed as she continued her studies at Pace University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education. While at Pace, she was once again elected to represent her peers, this time as class president.

Soon after her graduation from Pace, Noreen met her life partner, Daniel. Noreen and Daniel began their lives together in West Haven, Connecticut, but soon settled in nearby Madison where they grew their family and community roots.

In Madison, Noreen threw herself into community work. She dedicated her time to the parent teacher organization, athletic boosters, and even worked as a substitute teacher. After serving on the Beach and Recreation commission, Noreen was elected to serve on Madison's Board of Selectmen, where she worked tirelessly for 14 years to weave a bright future for the town.

Ever savvy, Noreen was also an influential member of the Shoreline Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating recreational and enrichment opportunities in the Madison area. Through this organization, Noreen helped host summer camps in Killingworth to support local youth. Additionally, recognizing the want for a regional pool, Noreen was the one to discover an angle for the Foundation to support the construction of the Madison Aquadome, a facility which helped meet the needs of the community at no additional taxpayer cost.

In 2011, Noreen was elected to represent the 101st district in the Connecticut General Assembly, where she worked on the Planning and Development, Children, Appropriations, and Education committees. In the General Assembly, Noreen distinguished herself as a tenacious fighter for her constituency who worked across the aisle to collaborate on efforts to support the 101st district with her colleagues from both parties. Following Noreen's work in Hartford, she served on the Board of Selectman in Madison. Her dedication to public service was rare and her work touched the

lives of many people throughout the communities of Madison and Durham and the State of Connecticut as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to represent leaders as devoted and compassionate as Noreen. Her absence will be felt throughout the region, and I offer my sincere condolences to her family and friends during this time. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Noreen's life and work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Lieutenant Logan O'Shea, United States Navy, during his service as a legislative fellow in my Washington, DC office this year. Throughout 2022, Logan has played a critical role in supporting my work on the House Armed Services Committee and representing the proud Navy community in Eastern Connecticut.

As Chairman of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which has the solemn, critical duty of overseeing much of our nation's Navy, Marine Corps, and various Air Force programs and policies. Year in, and year out, the Department of Defense's legislative fellowship program brings highly talented junior officers to Capitol Hill that provide invaluable benefits to Members of the House and Senate to the defense committees. Officers, like Logan, bring real-world experience from their time in the classroom at the various academies and experiences from their time serving on active duty. This year, as our subcommittee once again considered our approach to critical shipbuilding programs, shipbuilding industrial base development, and Navy and Marine Corps readiness through the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, Logan provided exquisite judgement in navigating the landscape of crafting such a large and critical piece of legislation.

Logan has also seized initiative in a variety of areas beyond naval affairs that benefit Eastern Connecticut. He worked tirelessly to provide insight in our Navy's planned shipbuilding programs, communicated with leadership at Naval Submarine New London to improve the quality of life on base, and drafted policy to examine how we can better improve the lives of our Navy civilian workers on various installations. He also served as the staff lead for the Friends of Australia Caucus and the AUKUS Working Group, both of which I serve as co-chair, ensuring that the ties between our countries remain as strong as ever. This is of special importance as our two nations continue to develop key priorities in support of the AUKUS security agreement to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Logan's work to coordinate with the Executive Branch, other Members of Congress, and the Australian and British Embassies has facilitated new partnerships in support of our shared principles. In particular, he participated in drafting H.R. 8073, a bill establishing a joint training pipeline between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Navy to enable the AUKUS effort to create a nuclear-powered submarine force. This bill was later adopted as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 NDAA.

Logan's work ethic, diligence, intelligence, and first-hand experience as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer made an immediate benefit and memorable impact on my office and subcommittee staff. After traveling across the world with tenures on the USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68), I am thankful for his family's tremendous sacrifice to our nation and for landing in Washington for the current phase of their life. Though Logan's presence will be deeply missed by both my personal staff and Seapower staff, I know full-well that he will make his presence known as he heads to the Surface Warfare Officer Department Head Course at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island.

Madam Speaker, as has also been the case for each of his predecessors that my office has had the opportunity to host, I have benefited greatly from Logan's training and background. This recurring process that the fellowship program fosters, strengthens civilian-military understanding for future leaders of the greatest military in the world, which I believe is a necessary component of a strong democracy. Our nation is best served at sea and here onshore by officers and leaders of the highest caliber like Logan. He embodies such qualities and has a promising career ahead in continued service to our Nation, and we owe him such gratitude. To that end, I ask that the House join me in wishing LT Logan O'Shea, his spouse Megan, and their dog Murphy, the best of luck in their next life chapter, particularly as they welcome their first born into the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the rich life of Edward `Ed' V. Morris of Niantic Village, East Lyme, Connecticut. Aged 97, Ed departed from this earth peacefully on November 23rd, 2022. Ed was a giant within East Lyme and the surrounding community, and his passing forces a farewell upon us to a member of the greatest generation.

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Ed purposed his life toward strengthening his Connecticut roots and influencing opinions and decisions throughout the region. Though this is central to the arc of his life, it is worth acknowledging that immediately upon turning age 18, Ed heeded our nation's call to action and honorably served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific Theatre during World War II. Ed was deservedly very proud of that service and over the years, he was a regular at the East Lyme Memorial Day Parade, wearing his garrison cap.

When Ed returned to Harford in 1946 after the war, he wasted no time in picking up right where he left off at age 17 pursuing his passion to work in the newspaper business. He returned to his first place of work, the Hartford Times, setting off on what would become a loyal 25 year long career with the agency until it, unfortunately, closed in 1971. Ever the adaptive, dedicated soul, Ed kept with his passion for circulating news, continuing his work with other local productions including the Hartford Courant and then the Manchester Journal Inquirer, before impressively retiring at age 70.

Ed's decades of experience in local journalism dovetailed with another passion of his, connecting with his community. In committing so wholly to his humble, meaningful line of work, Ed became a reliable and known personality amongst clientele, vendors, and small businesses alike. Whether delivering information to the local diner or neighborhood storefront, he kept up with the local conversation, becoming a direct conduit and invaluable source for reporters at every agency he worked for.

Equipped with such a gregarious personality and having developed such a knack for keeping an ear to the beat of the town, it is no surprise that he transferred his experience into political leadership. Outside of the newspaper industry and well into retirement, Ed utilized his spare time to push for greater community involvement and gather feedback on improving the region from his neighbors. He was a known presence, particularly in East Lyme, having served for years between roles including the Board of Selectman, Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and the representative for the 20th district of the Democratic State Central Committee.

Madam Speaker, I can personally attest to the strength of Ed's character and outgoing, friendly personality, each of which we will not soon forget. It is an honor to know and represent constituents of the Second District, like Ed, who have been so purposeful in growing their personal and familial ties to our state.

Though we mourn this incredible loss, we can find appreciation that his memory and legacy will live on through his family as well as the countless number of individuals who knew him personally. He is specifically survived by his children, Brian and Christine Morris of Glastonbury, Connecticut, Pamela Seibert of Wakefield, Massachusetts, Richard `Dick' Morris and his wife Deborah of East Lyme, as well as his grandchildren and much larger extended family who reside throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. Dick Morris in fact followed in his father's footsteps as a community leader serving as Fire Marshal of the East Lyme Fire Department. As we memorialize his near century's worth of service to our region and the nation, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in paying tribute to Ed Morris, codifying his name and life well-lived.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career in public service of Alanna Kabel of Bridgeport, Connecticut. A housing policy guru, Alanna retires from a career that spans 44 years, eight of the last with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on December 31, 2022.

Alanna's service in government goes much further than her time with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 1978, after completing a degree in History from Immaculata University, Alanna began her career with the City of Bridgeport, first as a Relocation Assistant. Though she transitioned between public-service roles over the decades, working for other institutions, including the nearby City of Norwalk and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Alanna possessed an unending degree of loyalty to her home community, Bridgeport. Her loyalty was reflected through her continual return to Bridgeport City Hall, including as the City's Assistant Chief Administrative Officer between 2011 and 2014. In this capacity, Alanna coordinated daily business operations for an organization of more than 45 departments, supporting efficient services for the largest city in the state.

Alanna joined the U.S. Department of Housing in 2014. As the Community Planning and Development Director in the Hartford Field Office, she has overseen a period of growth for a team that more than doubled under her watch--directly expanding the field office's ability to advance U.S. HUD initiatives. Under her leadership, the Community Planning and Development office administered roughly $118 million in annual--and $91 million in pandemic specific--funding to scores of municipalities, nonprofits and the state government. In doing so, Alanna has worked to support the viability of urban Connecticut life, revitalization of neighborhoods, enable opportunities for affordable housing development and implement homelessness mitigation strategies.

In her time with U.S. HUD, Alanna has been responsible for a wide array of priorities. She has overseen the Community Development Block Grant--Disaster Recovery Program, Rebuild by Design Program, National Disaster Resilience grants, and two Youth Homeless Demonstration Program grants in Connecticut. One of Alanna's proudest accomplishments has been her leadership on a team of 18 staff to audit and streamline the Department's Consolidated Annual Action Plan and field training processes. This administrative overhaul enabled the department's ability, particularly during the pandemic, to efficiently receive, review, and distribute funding to grant requests.

Madam Speaker, my office learned firsthand about Alanna's stellar work ethic in 2015 when a little understood crisis began affecting residential foundations across the state. Homeowners found themselves grappling with the untimely and unpreventable crumbling of their concrete foundations. With no assistance from insurance providers, every homeowner impacted by a crumbling foundations faced the difficult predicament of securing the financial means to make the costly repairs. As my office worked with federal partners to identify resources for homeowners, Alanna's role as the Community Planning and Development Director was pivotal in those efforts. HUD was the first agency to identify a means of assistance for homeowners using an already existing federal program, the Community Development Block Grant. With HUD's guidance, federal and state stakeholders began to formulate avenues of assistance that continue to benefit impacted constituents.

Madam Speaker, I can personally attest to the tremendous support Alanna has been to my office, and by translation, constituents of the Second District of Connecticut, for which this representational body ought to be eternally grateful. There will certainly be large shoes to fill in her place as dedication as she transitions into retirement with her husband, William, to spend more time with their beloved four children and four grandchildren. To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in recognizing and thanking Alanna Kabel for her decades of service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan fiscal year 2023 NDAA.

Madam Speaker, as you know, Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution mandates that Congress ``shall provide and maintain a Navy.'' The Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee's work does exactly that.

Our mark increased the number of battle force ships from 8 requested to 11 and invests in the workforce and supply chain necessary for their construction. The bill also authorizes the Maritime Administration, for the first time, to buy 10 new-build sealift vessels to recapitalize our National Defense Reserve Fleet built in American shipyards by American workers.

Also included is the first congressional action in support of the AUKUS security agreement between the U.S., Australia, and U.K. which establishes joint nuclear training for U.S. and Australian naval officers, which is critical for an Australian nuclear-powered submarine fleet of their own.

I thank my colleagues on the subcommittee, particularly Ranking Member Rob Wittman, our outstanding

staff: Jay Vallario, Kelly Goggin, Dave Sienicki, and Naajidah Khan, and our defense fellow, Lieutenant Logan O'Shea, all who contributed so much to this measure.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and join Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Rogers in fulfilling our constitutional duty to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the service of Vice Admiral Bill Merz, who will retire from the U.S. Navy on December 1, 2022, after nearly 40 years in uniform. His long and distinguished service to our nation reflects an unwavering devotion to duty and great love of country.

Vice Admiral Merz earned his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1986 and upon graduation entered the fleet as a newly minted submarine officer. Having first qualified aboard the attack submarine USS Haddo (SSN 604), he subsequently qualified in surface warfare while serving aboard the submarine tender USS Proteus (AS 19), which was the last remaining vessel in service that observed the end of World War II from Tokyo Bay. After commanding the nuclear deep-sea vessel ``NR-1,'' the attack submarine USS Memphis (SSN 691), and Submarine Development Squadron Twelve, his sea-going career concluded aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) as commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

Merz' service ashore reflected the same rigors he faced at sea, serving in prestigious and demanding roles as Director, Undersea Warfare Division (OPNAV N97); Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements (OPNAV N9); and in his final tour of duty, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy (OPNAV N3N5). During his time at the Pentagon, he had the duty to frequently appear as a witness before congressional committees, and to present budgets and policy. This can be an arduous experience at times, but Admiral Merz never lost his patience, composure, or civility. He treated every member with respect and showed a refreshing willingness to listen to suggestions. As Chair of the Seapower Subcommittee for the last four years, I had the opportunity to see up close the seriousness and authenticity with which he approached his job. He understood that Article one, Section eight, Clause thirteen of the U.S. Constitution vested in Congress the authority to `provide and maintain a Navy.' As exasperating as that arrangement can sometimes be, Admiral Merz adhered to that edict and thus kept faith with his oath to the Constitution from the day he left Annapolis to his departure on 1 December, 2022.

Madam Speaker, as the proud Representative of Naval Submarine Base New London--the Submarine Capital of the World--I recognize the immense sacrifice Bill has made for this country. Few choose a life that takes them away from their family, but fewer still choose a life in the ``Silent Service,'' where submariners endure deployments without the luxury of frequent communication with their loved ones. For this reason, I ask the Members to also recognize the service and sacrifice of the Men family--his wife Martha, his daughter Caroline, and his sons Thomas and Matthew--without whom these past 40 years could not have been possible. They have been an integral part of the admiral's long journey and deserve our nation's thanks.

As Bill brings to an end this chapter of his life and hangs up the uniform, I ask that we honor him today for his many years of leadership and service to our great Nation. To that end, it is most appropriate that my colleagues in the House join me in celebrating Vice Admiral Bill Merz and wishing him and his family all the best as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the long life of a cultural force of eastern Connecticut, John Wong. John passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on January 28th, 2022. A resident of Uncasville, Connecticut, John used his time on this earth as a conduit to extend appreciation for Chinese-culture and heritage among his fellow community members.

Born in 1929 in Canton, China, John was son to James and Ago Gay Wong. John and his family moved to the United States during the Second World War, in 1944, resettling in Connecticut. John attended Buckley High School in Hartford, where he gained an appreciation--and eventually a scholarship--for the study of Fine Arts.

Ever the dutiful son, John focused on supporting the family business, Wong's Restaurant, after graduation. The joys he experienced working in the restaurant inspired him to establish a restaurant of his own, China Lake, in 1956. Supported by the love of his life Kally, who he married in 1958, John and his restaurant came to be known as an iconic spot in Uncasville for more than 25 years. After selling China Lake in 1982, John used his entrepreneurial skills to embark on other successful ventures, such as the Connecticut Air Freight Logistic Co. and Sing's Kitchen-located in the Town of East Lyme. John's Sing's Kitchen was such a hit in the area that he had to upgrade it from a takeout destination into a full-fledged restaurant before passing the business onto his son, Nage, and moving into retirement.

Though there are many eras of John's life for which he was known throughout his community, some of his most impactful years came about after his retirement. He used his time wisely, nurturing and fostering his connections with friends and family to establish an immeasurable reputation across the region. A man with an eye for opportunity, he recognized the potential to help those within the community on a larger scale and formed the Chinese and American Cultural Assistance Association. The positive influence of the CACAA was immediately recognized within the community and membership grew exponentially across New London County. Due to John's efforts, southeastern Connecticut was exposed to a layer of culture it had not seen before; and in 2014, he was recognized by the Rotary Club of Norwich, CT, and given the Diversity Award.

It is through this advocacy that I first came to know John as an avid contributor to the community, a participant in countless public events, and an instrumental figure in bridging the cultural gap between the Asian community and residents of the district. John and my staff developed a close relationship that spanned over ten years, working on issues focused on immigration, education, and economic development. Many of these efforts will undoubtedly have generational impacts on members of our community and their families.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to have had the opportunity to represent constituents like John, who was so dedicated and creative toward the growth of his own community. I had the opportunity to meet John during my tenure in Congress and can personally attest to his relentless commitment to improving our region.

Throughout his life, he gave every project before him his all, and pushed to solidify an entire segment of a community within eastern Connecticut. For that we are grateful. Though we, alongside his fellow friends and surviving family--his daughter, Namie Tedford; sons, Nage and Walter Wong; and grandchildren--mourn his loss, we of course must seek to understand and preserve the weight of his life's work, which will continue to positively influence the district and state long beyond his final days with us. To that end, it is most appropriate that my colleagues in the House join me in paying tribute to the inspirational, all-American story of the life of Mr. John Wong by preserving his memory through the permanence of the Congressional Record.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of a ``man of the people'' from eastern Connecticut, Mr. Carl Anderson. Carl recently passed away on June 21, 2022, at age 79, leaving a rich legacy of devotion to his community, family and the pursuit of justice on behalf of thousands of clients in the courts of the State of Connecticut. Carl's life was a rich one, which he led with great gusto, arguing cases before countless juries, raising a beautiful family or pursuing his love of fishing.

Born on Independence Day in Voluntown, Connecticut, in 1942 to Carl Sr. and Ellen Anderson, Carl was a living image of the American story. Much of Carl's life and community-oriented perspective was afforded by his nurturing family and hometown. For instance, he was raised in his parent's family-owned business, Tamarack Lodge, and met the love of his life, Karen, who he was wed to for nearly 50 years, in Voluntown. Tamarack Lodge was eventually passed down to Carl Jr. and Karen, which they then used to continue the family tradition by raising children of their own, Christopher, Michael, and Kate, while contributing to the local economy for nearly 30 years.

The strong foundation which Carl formed through the Town of Voluntown cannot be understated. His strong sense for community caused him to be quite an adept advocate on behalf of others. Backed by his passion for community, Carl attended the University of Connecticut, also in the eastern district of the State, where he ultimately earned his law degree. Carl employed that law degree towards the good of the region starting his own law firm representing individuals and families first with his closest partners, before bringing his sons Christopher and Michael into the fold.

Throughout his tenure as a trial lawyer, Carl built a brand of commitment toward helping all those in need, whether it was an injured victim or an individual in need of trusted advice. His character and skill to practice law proved remarkable. Carl performed a true dedication in service to Connecticut's civil justice system, which was recognized by his colleagues in the Connecticut bar who elected him as president of the Connecticut trial lawyers association. Carl also was extremely involved in the political life of eastern Connecticut, supporting campaigns of former congressman and Senator Christopher Dodd, Congressman Sam Gejdenson,--and I am proud to say--myself. Carl was a true-blue friend whose support and advice were treasured by us all.

Known for being proud of his background, Carl also volunteered time toward causes which he felt strongly close to. With his Northern European family roots, Carl acted as the Honorary Consul in Connecticut on behalf of the nation of Finland, supporting the country's diplomatic network and nationals abroad with his local, legal ties. His more than 40 years of service in this part time role earned him the Finnish accolade, the Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland. Another example of his dedication to his local community includes his membership and service as the chairman of one of Voluntown's local party committees, reflecting his longstanding priority to engage with his neighbors and effect change within the town for the better.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents who are as humble, dutiful, and distinguished as Carl Anderson. His loss will be felt throughout the region. We can find solace, however, in knowing that Carl touched the lives of thousands in the region as well as his family and loved ones, namely, his wife Karen, his children Christopher, Michael, and Elizabeth and Katie, and his sister Beverly. To that end, I ask that the entire chamber join me in setting Carl Anderson's name further into stone, officially recognizing his life and service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a beloved Northeastern Connecticut public servant, Mr. Geri Langlois of Windham, Connecticut. Geri Langlois sadly passed at the all too young age of 68 on Sunday, September 18, 2022, after a valiant battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. Mr. Langlois was a leader who was instrumental in executing successful development projects in eastern Connecticut which will have a lasting legacy on the lives of residents throughout the region.

Born on April 16, 1954, in Putnam, Connecticut to Carol and Edrose Langlois, Geri grew up with his family only a few towns south of Windham in Canterbury. Geri graduated from Windham High School and continued to practice his devotion to learning at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Geri was a true jack of all trades, including, for example, the additional education he gained from MIT where he studied computer sciences, as well as his numerous other passions, from gardening to crafting custom guitars.

Upon his graduation from university, Geri's lifelong arc began to bend to its true form: public service. In applying his unique ability to master any new skill or challenge before him, Geri first started out as an organizer for the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, committing himself toward the mission of creating a just and sustainable Connecticut. Given his natural success at community organizing, Geri then ran for and was elected to the position of First Selectman of the Town of Thompson, yet another community in the northern reaches of the Second District of Connecticut. Among his countless skills, Geri was clearly most adept as an advocate for others, and his neighbors ultimately promoted him to the elected office of State Representative of the 51st District. Madam Speaker, I had the pleasure of serving in the Connecticut General Assembly in the 1980s and early 1990s as a colleague of Geri, and had a front row seat to watch him in action. I witnessed his intelligent, principled advocacy for the people of the 51st District which was highly successful. State Representative Langlois specifically facilitated many key economic development projects including the revitalization of Windham Mills, an iconic site in the Town of Windham as well as the enactment of a prescription drug plan for Connecticut seniors in 1987 which predated the U.S. Congress passage of Medicare Part D by 14 years. Geri was a great friend and an ally on many issues during our time together and his honorable service will be remembered for all time.

Geri Langlois' charisma extended far past the state officials he routinely worked with and came to be known as a ``fighter of the people.'' After his terms as State Representative and First Selectman, Geri remained a stalwart champion of economic development through his tenure as Executive Director at the Northeast Connecticut Economic Alliance and President of the Windham Mills Development Corporation. At the Northeast Connecticut Economic Alliance, he helped struggling small businesses obtain funding when they were locked out of obtaining funds from traditional lending sources, spurring economic activity throughout all of Windham County. As a member of the Windham Zoning Board of Appeals, he remained an active participant in community-based discussions, oriented toward economic development, through to his final days.

Geri's most defining trait was his love for his family. Despite Geri leading an immensely busy life and career, he always made certain to prioritize his wife of 27 years, Sherry, children, and grandchildren. In fact, the bond between Sherry and Geri was so well tuned that they even co-founded a business together, Rapid Framework, which was missioned toward supporting other businesses through website development services.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents as devoted to the prosperity of their community as Geri Langlois. Geri's storied career of public service is a shining beacon that has reflected onto countless others to inspire good citizenship. I am honored to have gained the opportunity to work with such a remarkable individual on behalf of eastern Connecticut. His memory will live on in the hearts of his family and throughout the communities and businesses which he helped grow. To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring Geri's life, so that his distinct work in service to the region may never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the continued career of Maureen Bellody, a lifelong Connecticut resident, recently- turned-Eastern-Connecticut native, who has quietly but effectively used her talents and empathy for people in the practice of law to make a positive difference in her community. Maureen will recognize her career accomplishments as a paralegal working for Mader, Roberson & DeFelice on October 3, 2022, following more than 37 remarkable years with the firm.

Born in East Hartford in 1959, Maureen remained a member of her hometown community for most of her life. Even prior to starting and raising a family of her own in East Hartford, she attended Goodwin University--then Goodwin College--earning her business certification in 1985. I had the first privilege of meeting Maureen in that same year, when she joined the team at the law firm of what was then Flaherty, Marder, Kallet, Meisler, and Courtney. I saw firsthand what a quick study she was even at a young age, to navigate the complexities of the law and the endless variety of clients that populate a small-town general law practice. Her poise with clients, sometimes in very emotional circumstances was remarkable.

Maureen has remained with the firm even though its principals have changed, including myself. Her expertise, loyalty and efficient work ethic have helped keep the firm on track and well organized throughout her tenure. This week the firm, her family and many friends and clients are celebrating her service--a very well-deserved honor.

Outside of her time dedicated to the firm, Maureen has also been moved by a commitment to and strong bond with her family. This has been a guiding force throughout her life, even before her time working in the legal field, since bearing and raising her daughter, Jessica, in East Hartford.

In 2011, she moved to Ellington of the Second District of Connecticut, where she remains close with her daughter, son-in-law, Joseph, and two grandchildren, Landon and Mia.

As we appreciate her dedication to serving families throughout Tolland and Hartford County, we also wish that she may continue to impact our region through her work with the firm Marder, Roberson & DeFelice. To that end, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in recognizing the career of Maureen Bellody, wishing her the upmost, continued success in her career.

Mr. Chair, for years, leaders in mental health and addiction have been sounding the alarm that despite the best intentions, our Nation's mental health parity laws are not meeting the needs and expectations of patients.

Existing mental health parity laws were supposed to ensure that patients access mental health benefits with the same ease as medical benefits under their insurance.

Unfortunately, we know that patients and their families are continuing to struggle with barriers to needed treatment that should be prohibited under existing law.

The 2022 mental health parity report to Congress from the U.S. Department of Labor, HHS, and Treasury found that health plans and insurers are failing to comply with our Federal parity laws at an alarming rate, meaning that plans are illegally denying claims for treatment associated with mental or behavioral health conditions at a time when substance use disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions are rising rapidly, especially for children.

The legislation we are considering today would implement recommendations to fix this. The Mental Health Matters Act includes my legislation, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act, which would bolster the ability of the Department of Labor to effectively enforce the mental health parity laws and provide resources to the Department of Labor to help bring plans into compliance. The goal here is compliance, not retribution.

In their 2022 report, DOL made a series of recommendations for ways Congress can amend ERISA to empower the Department and patients to hold insurance companies accountable to the law. In this legislation today, we are codifying those recommendations.

This will help patients recover funds spent on treatment that their insurance company should have paid for and will empower DOL to require insurance companies to revisit claims that they wrongly denied. It will also allow penalties to be levied against plans that are found in violation of law, which does not exist today. As the old ancient legal maxim says, without a remedy, there is no right.

That is what this bill is doing. It is enhancing people's rights for mental health parity.

Mr. Chair, this is not the first time the executive branch has asked for additional authority from Congress. President Trump's Commission on Opioids issued a report in 2017 which asked for exactly the same reforms. DOL must be given the real authority to regulate the health insurance industry.

``The health insurers are not following Federal law requiring parity in the reimbursement of mental health and addiction. They must be held responsible.'' That is a quote from Chris Christie, the chairman of President Trump's opioid task force.

We are executing on bipartisan recommendations that came from the prior administration and from the Biden administration to create a real mental health parity system in our Nation.

Mr. Chair, I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, a couple days ago, Medicare beneficiaries all across America received very welcome news. For 2023, Medicare announced that the part B premiums, which are deducted from seniors' Social Security checks, will actually be reduced by $6 a month. That is the first time in 11 years that the Medicare program has actually cut the premiums that erode month by month Social Security checks.

There is a reason for this, which is that last year there was a spike in terms of the part B premiums. It was driven by the fact that a new drug, Aduhelm, was approved just about the same time the actuaries were calculating the part B premiums.

Aduhelm's cost, when it was initially approved by FDA, was about $58,000 per patient. That one medication resulted in half of the increase last year in terms of Medicare part B premiums. There was a hue and cry about the cost of that drug after the new premium had kicked in. They cut the price from $58,000 per patient to $26,000. Medicare also limited the use of that drug in terms of experimental, controlled settings because it was so brand new.

Unfortunately, the premium had already kicked in, and a number of us were working with the Department of Health and Human Services saying that the premium should be adjusted because it was based on data which had been overtaken by events. At that point, it was too late for Medicare to readjust the premium in the last calendar year, 2022, but next year they will make the adjustment, and those premiums will go down.

In about a week or so, the government is going to be announcing the COLA for Social Security for 2023 for seniors, which is obviously a very intensely watched event. Right now, the projection, based again on the market-basket system that they use to calculate COLA, looks like it is going to be an 8 percent increase for Social Security for 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to note that in past years some of those COLA increases have been eroded, as I mentioned earlier, by increases in the part B premium. In 2023, the opposite is going to happen. There will actually be, not only a COLA increase but a reduction in the premium, and that means more money in the pockets of seniors and people on disability.

Again, this is very welcome news. Obviously, inflation has been really tough for a lot of families, and particularly seniors on fixed incomes, but in 2023 there is going to be, again, more relief coming their way.

It also coincides with the new Inflation Reduction Act, which will be capping the cost of insulin, starting in January, at $35 a month. For seniors who are on Medicare today who need insulin, which is a life or death drug, insulin roughly costs about $160 per month.

There will be savings, not only in terms of a new COLA and a reduced part B premium, but also the cost of insulin will be capped at $35 a month. In 2024 and 2025, under the Inflation Reduction Act, because of savings resulting from price negotiation, which the bill finally enabled and empowered, we are going to see an overall cap on out-of- pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2,000 for seniors through the part D program.

If you talk to anybody who has an MS condition or an MS patient in someone's family, the mere infusion of a monthly MS treatment basically forces most seniors onto Medicaid because it is thousands of dollars per treatment.

Starting with this new program, their overall cap for a year will be $2,000. That is why the Multiple Sclerosis Society endorsed this bill, as did many other patient advocacy groups. As valuable as Medicare was for prescription drugs, the existing system still is way too expensive.

With the Inflation Reduction Act, we are going to cap insulin, we are going to cap the overall cost of medications. Unbelievably, just a few days ago, the minority came out with their commitment for America where they actually want to repeal the law on which the ink is barely dry, that is going to provide a ray of hope for seniors to pay for the cost of lifesaving drugs. We can't let that happen.

Starting in January, we are going to see the real benefits of that law, as well as welcome news in terms of a higher COLA and a smaller part B premium.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman's rights leader and advocate, Ann McGuiness, of Selkirk, New York. Ann passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 3, 2022, following an aggressive, and courageous battle with cancer. Ann's life and achievements will be celebrated and remembered on September 28, 2022, in Washington, DC, where she did so much work to advance privacy rights and delivery of women's health care based on science and medicine.

Born in 1957 and raised in Newington, Connecticut, to Edward and Catherine McGuiness, Ann's life was initiated and guided by her Connecticut origins. Her proud, Connecticut-Catholic upbringing--and with it an instilled affinity for social justice--was reinforced by her earning a political science degree from the College of St. Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut. By that point, through her tenacious demeanor, she had already discovered what would ultimately grow into her life-long passion: advocating for women's reproductive rights.

Her tireless advocacy and passion can be observed in every step of her life's story--no matter what Ann was doing, she always tied it back to advancing equal rights for women. The earliest stage of her career prior to obtaining a master's in public administration from Columbia University, was with the National Women's Political Caucus. She continued her political advocacy by campaigning on Tim Wirth's campaign for Senate. Upon then Senator Wirth's successful electoral bid, Ann, equipped with her experience and passion, made a career transition to work for NARAL Pro-Choice in 1987, a mission which she remained dedicated to for 17 years. Madam Speaker, I had the privilege of knowing Ann personally, particularly in her earliest years of political activism. She was very bright, very principled and had a great sense of humor. Her husband and soul mate William ``Chip'' Reynolds was a perfect match and they supported each other's social activism as well as their commitment to growing and raising a beautiful family.

Having built up roughly two decades of experience and a network in reproductive rights advocacy, Ann transitioned her career again in 2006, this time lending her unmatched expertise to Planned Parenthood's fundraising arm. She approached her senior role at Planned Parenthood with the same sense of ferocity that she brought to every other project. What caused her to be most successful in her role, however, was her penchant for connecting with young people and her steadfast belief in affording reproductive rights for all that energized her to pour limitless energy into the mission. Relentless in her pursuits to ensure equal access to reproductive rights, Ann left Planned Parenthood in 2018, working to form the Contraceptive Access Initiative in 2020-- an effort which was purposed towards ensuring contraceptives were available to women without barriers.

Madam Speaker, we have all come to know Ann McGuiness as a champion of community, inspiring and convincing others to become philanthropists and donate hundreds of millions of dollars toward a cause fundamentally important to her and the lives of women across the country. We would be hard-pressed to find an example of someone more unwavering in their commitment to a cause. Of her critical work, nothing may have been more important to Ann than mentoring and recruiting youth on the issue of reproductive rights. For, over the decades, Ann McGuiness had not only solidified the legacy and strength of a post-Roe America, but has now undoubtedly inspired brigades of activists to carry the torch, as we collectively fight to not just regain, but expand even further women's reproductive rights. This legacy will hopefully provide solace for the loss her husband, Chip Reynolds, children Nora Reynolds and Nicholas Reynolds and siblings, Patrick McGuiness, Timothy McGuiness and Mary Kate Hallisey have and will endure. Those of us in public office can and should contribute to that effort to honor her memory. To that end, Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Ann McGuiness.