Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on November 12, Medicare announced the largest part B premium increase in the history of the Medicare program, 14 percent. This could not come at a worse time in terms of, again, the cost of living that many seniors are facing.

Looking closely at that decision, one of the driving factors was the projected cost of the drug Aduhelm, which was priced at $56,000 per year for Alzheimer's patients who were, again, very excited about the possibility of getting the benefit of that drug. But the cost of that drug was one of the big driving forces for a 14 percent rate increase.

On December 20, Biogen, the manufacturer, cut the cost of that drug from $56,000 to $28,000. About 2 weeks ago, Secretary Becerra correctly instructed the actuaries of Medicare to go back and try and recalculate the Medicare part B premium to see if there was a way to get some relief for seniors from that 14 percent rate increase.

Today, 31 Members of the House Democratic Caucus are sending a letter to Secretary Becerra again applauding his decision and strongly advocating that Medicare go back in and recalculate that rate increase, which will provide tremendous assistance for seniors at exactly the time that they need it.

Madam Speaker, just a few days before Christmas, on December 21, President Joe Biden issued a Presidential determination with little fanfare under the Defense Production Act of 1950.

The Defense Production Act of 1950 is a Korean war-era law that allows the government to accelerate production of critical materials and technology. It is the same law that Presidents Trump and Biden used to stimulate production of COVID-related ventilators and PPE during the pandemic.

In his memorandum to the Secretary of Defense, Biden noted that: ``Ensuring a robust, resilient, and competitive domestic defense industrial base that has the . . . workforce to meet the Virginia-class submarine undersea warfighting mission is essential to our national security.''

To accomplish that mission, the President invoked DPA authorities to expand the domestic production capability for ``large-scale fabrication, shipbuilding industrial base expansion for resilience and robustness, and maritime workforce training pipelines.''

As chair of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which oversees the Virginia-class program, I strongly support the President's decision because it is based on both strategic national defense considerations and industrial base demand.

Indeed, just a few days after Christmas, the President signed into law the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which contained provisions my subcommittee authored that are completely aligned with the President's DPA order.

Specifically, the new 2022 NDAA added funding for new facility construction for submarine production, as well as a boost for workforce training and supply chain development. All of these provisions were plus-ups from the Navy's initial budget request last February and based on our own analysis of strained shipyard capacity.

The more consequential issue contained in the DPA, I believe, is its finding that the Virginia program ``is essential to our national security.'' That finding is a blaring signal to the Congress and the entire country that we need to bolster our undersea deterrent capability to counter aggressive, coercive actions in the maritime domain--specifically, the behavior of both the Chinese and Russian navies that has been overwhelmingly repudiated by the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, the former in the South China Sea in 2016 and the latter in the Black Sea in 2019.

In both cases, despite the International Court's scathing rejection of both countries' intrusions on protected waters, there is no sign that lawlessness has abated. China's encroachment on territorial waters in the Philippines and Vietnam continues, as does its illegal island building and militarization of artificial landmasses that the court condemned. In the Black Sea and the North Atlantic, Russian claims to sea control and its seizure of Ukrainian naval ships are blatantly in violation of the international rule of law.

Madam Speaker, today, China has the world's largest navy, and Putin is aggressively increasing the size of his submarine fleet.

For the U.S. Navy, what is particularly concerning is the development of sophisticated missile technology by both countries that increases the vulnerability of our surface fleet that has been working in conjunction with allies like France, Japan, and Australia to reassert post-World War II principles of freedom of navigation visibly and peacefully. The joint sea patrols in the international waters of the Indo-Pacific and Black Sea are a reassertion of principles that, since the end of World War II, have successfully reduced the risk of conflict while enhancing trade and prosperity.

To counter ongoing threats to rule of law, the Biden administration has been diplomatically reconnecting, all throughout 2021, with U.S. allies in both regions, as well as reevaluating the highest and best use of limited defense spending. The DPA issued on December 21 is a logical extension of that process. Given the new challenge posed

by missile technology to our surface ships, stepping up production of the Virginia-class program makes perfect sense since those submarines are not at risk from even the most sophisticated airborne missiles, and the Chinese and Russian navies know that.

Madam Speaker, in addition, last September, the new AUKUS security alliance between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K., whose centerpiece is the sharing of nuclear propulsion technology for a new class of Australian submarines, is another powerful, tangible statement about the importance of strengthening our joint allied undersea capability.

As David Ignatius, a longtime observer of U.S. foreign policy, recently wrote in The Washington Post: ``The AUKUS alliance with Australia and Britain to build nuclear submarines and share other military technology might be the most important strategic move'' by the U.S. ``in decades.''

The Biden DPA order last month and the AUKUS agreement last September are a powerful, tangible signal by the U.S. to our allies and friends who support a collaborative action to uphold international rule of law, which is critical to maintaining a peaceful coexistence among the world's nations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bipartisan Impact Aid Flexibility Act, S. 2959, which is a companion bill to H. 6126, which I introduced on December 2, 2021. I thank Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Foxx, and her representative this evening, Mr. Owens, of the Education and Labor Committee, and the committee staff for accelerating consideration of this important measure which provides Federal support to 11 million K-12 schoolchildren across America, and whose passage is very time sensitive, which I will explain in a minute.

Mr. Speaker, Federal Impact Aid is our Nation's oldest K-12 Federal education program. Impact Aid has its origins in 1821 when Congress first authorized support for schools to educate military dependent children.

In 1934, Congress passed the Johnson-O'Malley Act, which extended help to school districts located at federally recognized Tribal lands. Congress recognized that, like military school districts, kids residing on Native American Tribal lands, which were not subject to State or local taxation to fund schools, deserved assistance.

In 1950, President Harry Truman signed into law the statutory framework for Impact Aid which still stands today. Impact Aid is an important statement to communities that host children who reside in and are connected to Federal property and facilities, namely, that the Nation will not force them to bear an unfair disproportionate cost to public education.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a district with two of those host communities, Groton and Ledyard, Connecticut. Groton is the home to our Nation's oldest Navy submarine base with approximately 9,000 sailors and officers who work every day to protect our Nation. Ledyard is the town next door where many personnel live. Groton has over 1,000 Navy kids, and Ledyard has 850. Ledyard is also the site of the Mashantucket Tribal Nation, many of whose children attend Ledyard schools. Impact Aid is critical to these towns' school budgets.

The bill before us addresses an urgent logistical problem with Impact Aid, that, unless we act, will harm military and Tribal districts all across the country, namely, the obstacle created by COVID, to get an accurate headcount of eligible students that must be filed with the U.S. Department of Education by January 31, 12 days from now. And that, again, is the time-sensitive urgency this evening. Military and Tribal districts across the country have reported that COVID restrictions have slowed down the paperwork process, and this hindrance will result in an undercount, and thus, an artificially low Federal reimbursement.

The Impact Aid Flexibility Act will solve this problem in an elegant way by simply carrying over last year's student census, thus ensuring no Impact Aid district will be harmed financially. This is a 1-year fix, the same as the fix the last Congress passed in December 2020, the Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act, which I sponsored with my Republican colleague, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota.

Mr. Speaker, this vote is being watched nervously by school officials and military staff all across the Nation, such as Groton school superintendent, Susan Austin, Ledyard superintendent, Jason Hartling, and Miranda Chapman, the Navy School liaison officer at the Groton SUBASE, New London, who have worked with the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools, and I salute them and all their colleagues across the country for their work raising this issue before Congress.

The bill before us has already passed the U.S. Senate unanimously and has the support of the Biden administration. It is a bill that keeps the promise to host communities that a high-quality education will not be denied because of military service or Tribal recognition.

I urge the House to pass this bill tonight with an overwhelming vote of confidence and thanks for those who wear the uniform of this country and our Tribal nations and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of dedicated public servant, Captain Jerry Desmond, of Stonington, Connecticut. Mr. Desmond tragically passed at the all too young age of 63 on Friday, December 24, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in 1958 to James and Phillis Desmond in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Jerry attributed his strong work ethic to the model of his parents. From an early age, Jerry was instilled with the value of giving whatever task or challenge laid before him a full ``100 percent.'' This principle guided him through life to the very end, even during his arduous battle with cancer which he did so with an infectious sense of optimism and the can-do attitude that defined his life.

At the age of 5, Jerry moved with his family to Stonington, putting him on a destined path to become an integral part of the local community. The Stonington Public Schools had such an immense impact on him that upon graduating he went on to serve as a substitute teacher and tutor beginning in 1976. This role existed as a further point of inspiration for Jerry, who attended Southern Connecticut State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts of Education.

Though upon graduating he was unable to immediately bridge to a career in teaching, Jerry remained undeterred in his ultimate mission to give back to the community that helped raise him. As someone who was able to appreciate the larger picture, Jerry used the athletic prowess he formed in high school and joined the local police force while simultaneously taking up the role of assistant coach for Stonington High School's football and track and field teams. In addition to football and track and field, Jerry coached the local woman's gymnastics team through to his final moments. A fierce optimist who believed in the value of hard work, Jerry was a perfect fit for the Stonington Public School's athletic programs. He appreciated working with the town's youth--passing onto them the same values taught by Jerry's parents before him--and viewed that work as one of the most rewarding parts of his career--especially enjoying his time as Stonington Police Department's Youth Officer.

Jerry would eventually return back to school and advance his background in education, graduating from the FBI Training Academy in Quantico. He also received a Masters in Homeland Security Leadership from the University of Connecticut. Aimed with a revitalized education, Jerry went on to teach as an adjunct professor at the nearby Mitchell College, in New London, Connecticut.

Of course, the pinnacle of Jerry's career was his remarkable 35 years of service to the Stonington Police Department, 17 of those years as Captain of the Department. During that time, he helped oversee the department's marine unit and was involved with the dive team and acted as a boating instructor. He was instrumental in the awarding of a $375,000 federal grant to the Department for a new police boat which went into service in 2014. That same year, Jerry retired from the department. Not content to accept a sedentary retirement, however, Jerry used his spare time to begin a new career with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as its Boating Safety and Education Representative, maintaining the role of teacher to the very end.

Madam Speaker, it is an incredible honor to represent constituents as loyal to the future of their community as Jerry. I had the privilege to interact with him as congressman and can attest to his diligent professionalism and down to earth personality which was so engaging. Jerry's life was defined by his love for teaching and giving to his community. His actions touched thousands of people, and he served as an excellent role model for Stonington's next generation. Though the gap left by his generous and caring nature could not hope to be filled in the Stonington community, we can find relief in the reality that those whose lives were enriched by Jerry's presence will not soon forget his example. To that end, I ask that my colleagues and this chamber join me in observing the loss of Jerry Desmond.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of an eastern Connecticut legend, and my friend, Edith Prague.

Edith's life was marked by service to others, as teacher, a social worker, a state legislator, a state commissioner. I met Edith in our days working together in the Connecticut General Assembly, where she served first a State Representative from 1982 to 1990 and then a State Senator from 1995 to 2013, and her example and guidance on how to conduct yourself as a public official influenced so many new legislators, myself included. She was a fierce and tenacious legislator--never one to back down from a tough debate or miss a chance to advocate for those she served.

Edith was especially passionate about her work for seniors--from lowering drug costs, to expanding access to long-term care and home- based care. In 1987 the State of Connecticut permanently established the ``CONNPACE'' program which was one of the few public programs that provided direct help to seniors for prescription drugs. That program was a protype for the federal Medicare Part D prescription drug program enacted by Congress two decades later. I remember well as a new state representative from Vernon, Connecticut watching Edith's inspirational passionate speeches on the floor of the general assembly the day CONNPACE was enacted. That passion led to her confirmation to serve as the first ever head of the CT Department of Aging, another Prague initiative, which gave her an even bigger platform to advocate for the needs and priorities of those in need in the later stages of life.

That was always a hallmark of Edith's service--looking out for others and fighting on behalf of those who needed a champion. Edith called herself ``a social worker with power,'' and she worked every day to use her platform to make a difference in the lives of those she served and crossed paths with over her lifetime. The proof of that is in the countless people across eastern Connecticut who can say that Edith helped them in ways big and small.

Above all, though, family was the most important part of Edith's life. Being a mother and grandmother was always top priority for Edith, and I know daughters Shelley, Benay and Joanne and grandchildren Nathan, Matthew, Sam, Josh, Chris, Brian, Katie, Tim and Michael, will remember her love and passion for her and for others in need.

I will always be grateful to call Edith my colleague and my friend. She was truly one of a kind, a wonderful person we just won't see replicated. Our region, our state and our country are better for her lifetime of service and dedication to others.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Edith's life and legacy as eastern Connecticut mourns her passing.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the members of the House to join me in mourning the passing of Richard Banbury, a highly respected attorney, dedicated public servant, loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a cornerstone of the Marlborough community for decades. Richard sadly passed away on December 2, 2021, at the age of 83. He represented the pinnacle of civic and community engagement, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to others. His service in the legal and political spheres will be held in high regard by all those he impacted.

A son of Connecticut, Richard was born in Hartford in 1938. He excelled academically, attending Yale University where he graduated with his Bachelor's in Economics in 1960. Upon graduation, Richard remained at Yale to pursue his passion in law, later graduating from Yale Law School in 1963. Immediately, Richard began making an impact within the legal field, serving as the Chair of the Jerome Frank Legal Aid Society in 1963 where he guided the organization in providing legal assistance to those who could not afford private attorneys. He continued this passion into his budding career, serving as a Law Clerk to Associate Justice John P. Cotter, of the Connecticut Supreme Court. As a result of his unwavering dedication to helping others through the law, Richard became a State's Attorney and later Chief Assistant Attorney for Hartford County, where he served for nearly a decade.

Richard's legal career evolved throughout the years, as he began to find new areas in which he could make an impact. Amidst this evolution, Richard was chosen in a highly selective process to become a Guggenheim Fellow at Yale Law School from 1976 through 1977. This respected fellowship allowed Richard to further delve into his legal passions and develop legal academia. Richard's next legal pursuit began with Rome McGuigan, P.C. in Hartford, where he worked as a civil litigator, an arbitrator, and defense counsel. As a defense counsel, Richard represented the Mohegan Tribe and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority located here in Southeastern Connecticut. Throughout these years, Richard served an additional twenty-five years on the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee as well as thirty years as the Executive Director and Counsel to the Council on Probate Judicial Conduct in Connecticut. Throughout each and every one of his legal endeavors, Richard continuously held himself and the practice of law itself to higher standards of success, improving upon the quality of representation available throughout the region and beyond. On a personal note, I first met Richard at the Hartford Superior Court at 95 Washington Street when I was an intern in the public defender's office in 1978 and had a chance to watch him argue cases before judges and juries. He stood out as a very effective advocate who conveyed a deep grasp of the law and a friendly but very strong persona that connected with his audience. Later, after I passed the bar and encountered him as a young lawyer, he always had an encouraging word in the hallways of the courthouse that I will never forget and still deeply appreciate. Years later, in 2006 he was a staunch supporter of my race for Congress which succeeded by only 83 votes out of 241,000. He was a tireless campaigner and once again, I will be forever grateful to him for his friendship and good counsel.

Richard lived a life of service, actively participating on various town committees in Marlborough and the town's Democratic Town Committee. He used his voice to advocate for the well-being of his community members and for the issues he was passionate about, including through his published editorials in the Hartford Courant. His active engagement transcended politics, and he spent substantial time fostering a community with his graduating class of Yale. He found enjoyment through service and the many pastimes he enjoyed, including swimming in the beautiful Lake Terramuggus. His passion for life was admirable and showcased the wealth and joys of community.

All those who had the pleasure of knowing Richard saw firsthand his tireless work ethic and love of life. He is survived by his wife of twenty-seven years, Nicolette Banbury, six children--Michael, Anthony, Andrea, Jennifer, Samantha, Thomas, and twelve grandchildren. He has left an immeasurable impact on his beloved Marlborough community and the entirety of Eastern Connecticut. I am honored to have known Richard and have felt the impact of his life's work. As a chamber, please join me in sending our deepest condolences to the Banbury family and expressing our greatest respect for Richard's work. Madam Speaker, to that end, I ask that we immortalize the life and legacy of Richard Banbury.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn and observe the passing of a passionate family man and faithful community servant, Dr. Joe Zeppieri of Groton, Connecticut. A dedicated member involved in local politics, Joe passed away on December 4, 2021 after 77 full and loving years. His loss is significant for the Town of Groton.

Born to Paul Zeppieri and Ella Buonanno Zeppieri in 1943, Joe was destined to live an accomplished life with a strong sense of duty. He was a lifelong learner who graduated from Groton's own Fitch High School and went on to attend several institutions of higher education including Providence College, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine before immersing himself with a career in the medical field. Within those years of schooling, Joe was able to reconnect with his childhood sweetheart, Paula, who would shortly thereafter become Mrs. Zeppieri in 1967. Grounded by these roots, Joe went on to serve our country in the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander as both a doctor on the USS John Marshall and then chief medical officer on the USS Fulton. Upon completing his stint in the Navy, Dr. Zeppieri settled back down in the Town of Groton. He used his penchant for knowledge to help other people with their own health and well-being, working in the field of orthopedic surgery all the way into the new millennium.

Of course, simply one field of expertise would never have been sufficient for someone such as Joe. Upon his retirement from the medical field, Dr. Zeppieri reinvigorated his passion for education. He completely shifted gears, working hard to obtain yet another degree from Western New England--this time, in the field of law. Paula and the family remained his rock during this period, and he was sure to gravitate back home every week while working to achieve his new merits. After obtaining a JD from Western New England, Joe worked at the local law firm of Stephen M. Reck and Scott D. Camassar before opening his own firm. He operated in the incredibly complicated field of medical malpractice, adding another notch to his belt of service by advocating on behalf of those who received improper healthcare in the courtroom. As a retired doctor himself, Zeppieri had a perspective that enabled him to become a natural success in this new line of work and hold his former industry to fair standards.

Outside of the courtroom, Joe Zeppieri's care for his fellow community members really began to shine through into his latest years. He always had his finger on the pulse of Groton, leading him to municipal service on the City of Groton's Board of Zoning Appeals. In 2017, he was elected town councilor--a form of service that he would keep up with until his final days. Fellow Groton residents and stakeholders that were lucky enough to have known or collaborated with Joe can attest to his loving character, his integrity, dependable expertise, fairness, and ability to keep the discussion level-headed. At the end of the day, Joe was someone who could be relied upon to advocate for and focus the discussion on the community services that held the greatest impact on the health and vibrance of the Groton community.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to know of constituents as dedicated as Dr. Joe Zeppieri. Joe's service to his community has taken several forms--whether it was through the Navy, medical field, courtroom, or municipal government. His greatest contributions, however, originated from his honed expertise, which enabled him to change the lives of countless individuals forever. Though we mourn the void left in his wake, we ought to remember Joe's lifelong contributions and the value he placed in the things that truly have an impact on people's lives for the better. In that sense, we should also find gratitude in the strength of Joe's family ties and trust that his surviving family--his wife Paula, children Christopher, Michael, and Laura and their respective partners, and nine grandchildren--and his fellow community members will reverberate the memory and legacy of Joseph Zeppieri for generations to come. To assist in this endeavor, I ask that my colleagues and the House join me in setting Joseph Zeppieri's memory further into stone, and thank him for his life full of love and service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of hardworking public servant, Steve Richardson. After serving nearly 40 years with the Social Security Administration spanning three different field offices, Steve will head onto the next chapter of his life this on December 31st, 2021. Steve has dedicated his life to serving and informing the public, and his loss is a notable one for the Social Security Administration and the Boston region as a whole.

As a fellow native New Englander, Steve graduated from Northeastern in 1984 with a Bachelor's in Political Science. As someone who place strong value in an education, he also went on to obtain a Master's in Public Affairs from Boston's Emerson College in 1999. Equipped with an impressive Massachusetts education, Steve was destined to serve the public of Connecticut's neighboring state.

Before even completing his Bachelor's, he began with the Roxbury Social Security Administration's Field Office in 1982 as a claims representative, working to prove his professionalism and wealth of knowledge from the get-go. It was because of his experience and dedication to the public that he was able to expand his career with the Administration to the Roslindale and Chelsea field offices while wearing numerous hats including the additional roles of supervisor and regional public affairs specialist. He most recently transitioned to the role of regional communications director for the Boston regional office in 2018, where he has remained responsible for the coordination of the Administration's public activities in all six New England states.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Steve and know of his work on all things related to Social Security. He has been an invaluable resource for my office and longtime Social Security caseworker Karen Weseliza, and has acted as a strong leader, creative teacher, and an excellent administrator to those who have worked with and for him. Even with Karen's sharp expertise, he could always be relied on as the first person to call on the hardest cases and could always be relied upon to assist my casework team with any complications. To that end, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating Steve's life of hard work and congratulating him on a well- earned retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn and observe the passing of a hardworking public servant, Lieutenant Josip Peperni, who departed from this earth on November 16, 2021. Josip was nearing 20 years of leadership with the police department of Norwich, Connecticut when he unfortunately passed at the all too young age of 57. Josip was an indescribable positive force in the Town of Norwich, and his loss is a particularly sensitive one to the communities of eastern Connecticut.

Born across seas in Bradina, Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Balkans to Kazimir and Reljka Peperni, Josip immigrated to the United States at an early age, gaining the opportunity to establish roots of his own. In achieving that purpose, Josip transitioned to and lived as a longtime community member of southeastern Connecticut, gravitating toward a fulfilling career as a policeman. Though he held several essential roles during his loyal tenure as an officer with the Norwich Police Department--working as a school resource officer, within the department's crisis intervention team, and as a K-9 patrol officer-- Josip Peperni was most recently promoted to the role of Lieutenant in 2018, overseeing the day-to-day functions of the Department's patrol unit. Joe utilized his position as Lieutenant as a resource to connect with the Town's community members, ensuring that Norwich Police portrayed an accessible and communicable brand. His incredibly approachable nature and guiding principle of treating everyone with equal respect helped him succeed in this mission. It is for these prime reasons that his intimate presence will be so sorely missed.

Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to represent constituents like Josip, who has reflected the continued strength of the American story by making the hard choice to immigrate to our nation, not just for opportunity but to also become intertwined with our communities. Though his loss is great, we should find solace in his work to contribute to that story, ensuring that it lives on through his surviving family, many of whom are now thriving members of their own communities within the State of Connecticut--his wife, Katie, his children: Nikita, Dakota Peperni and his wife Stephanie, and Kayla, grandchild Mya, and siblings Olivera and Karolina. Josip's legacy and compassionate character will also be remembered by his colleagues at the Norwich Police Department and the countless community members whose lives have been touched by his example. To that end, I ask that my colleagues and this Chamber join me in appreciating Josip's story and successes, expressing our condolences to the Peperni family and extending the reach of Josip's memory by setting it into stone.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, which is before us this evening.

As chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, this bill is proof that our panel upheld its duty under Article 1, Section 8 ``to provide and maintain a Navy.''

Our bill authorizes 13 new ships, continuing our tradition to independently scrub the budget and augment our Navy fleet responsibly. Within that total, we authorize three destroyers and two additional Fast Transport ships to support the rapid deployment of equipment and personnel.

The agreement also reflects our panel's ongoing efforts to recapitalize our aging sealift. The bill fully authorizes the new sealift Tanker Security Program, an initiative our panel started last year to meet gaps in our at-sea refueling capabilities.

It also authorizes the fifth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, another initiative our subcommittee led to boost maritime training and sealift capacity. Later this week, the historic Philly Shipyard will lay keel for the first in a series of NSMVs, which is tangible proof that our Nation can rebuild its decrepit sealift fleet with our

domestic shipbuilding industrial base. To that end, this agreement rejects a request to further our reliance on used foreign-built sealift ships.

Madam Speaker, of particular note, is the mark on undersea capabilities, which at the end of the day is the most effective path to deter the pacing threat of China. For proof of this, look no further than AUKUS, the recent security agreement between the U.S., U.K., and Australia, whose centerpiece is building a new fleet of Aussie nuclear- powered submarines. This NDAA funds two per year Virginia-class subs and full production of the Columbia program. It also includes House provisions of $200 million for a new facility, $130 million for supplier development, and $20 million for workforce development. Altogether, this will increase production capacity to help both our allies and our Navy to maintain dominance in the undersea domain.

Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Rob Wittman and all the members on the subcommittee for their great bipartisan work building the NDAA this year, as well as Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Rogers.

I also thank Phil McNaughton, Dave Sienicki, and Kelly Goggin for their great staff work, and Lieutenant Commander Matt Harmon, my Navy fellow, who is sadly leaving us soon. His really solid contribution as a SWO really was instrumental in terms of the work that our subcommittee was able to produce.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the commendable career of a dedicated public servant and important figure in southeastern Connecticut, Lonnie Braxton. After 24 years of service as the Senior Assistant State's Attorney for juvenile matters for New London County, Lonnie retires on December 14th, 2021. Throughout his career, Lonnie has been a stalwart guardian defending civil rights within his community and a source of wisdom and guidance through his leadership positions within the State and local branches of the NAACP. Though the setting of Lonnie's public service has evolved throughout his career, his north star has always been driven by his mission to assist others. He has served honorably throughout his career, representing a true commitment to civil rights and justice.

Born in 1948, Lonnie was raised in Greenville, Mississippi where he attended high school and signaled his high level of competence, joining the U.S. Navy Reserves by his sophomore year. Upon his graduation, he served 18 months on Active Duty aboard the USS Amphion AR-13. After completing his Active Duty service with the Navy, our region became lucky enough for Lonnie to take a job with the submarine manufacturer Electric Boat in Groton, ultimately causing him to choose southeastern Connecticut as his new home. Lonnie went to work at Electric Boat for 10 years, holding various positions including electronics mechanic, radiation control monitor, property control analyst, and technical administrator in the material department. His technical skills and expertise were highly prized in an enterprise that adheres to a standard of excellence. He knew from his naval service that the lives of sailors depended on doing the job right.

Lonnie, of course, was destined to help his community in a different way--to make sure our courts protected the rights of every citizen young or old who came into contact with the criminal justice system. Following his time with Electric Boat, Lonnie went on to further his education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Connecticut College in 1986 and subsequently a Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1988. He immediately immersed himself in legal work, where he gained the experience that prepared him for his paramount work as a Senior Assistant State's Attorney with the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. Since 1997, he has worked in Juvenile Court where he has furthered the agency's mission of promoting restorative justice, accountability, and rehabilitation. Lonnie overcame all resistance faced in his career, relentlessly representing every member of his community in the courtroom.

Madam Speaker, on a personal note, I first met Lonnie as a fellow attorney during my time as a practicing attorney in eastern Connecticut. His intelligence and compassion were apparent to me during the inevitable waiting time that lawyers experience in the court system. Based on that friendship, Lonnie in 2007 recommended a young attorney, Ms. Ayanti Grant, to apply for a job in my district office. Lucky for me, I offered her a job doing constituent immigration casework, and today she is the District Director for Connecticut's second district. I will be forever grateful to Lonnie for that fortuitous suggestion of Ayanti Grant, that has benefited thousands of citizens in eastern Connecticut.

Lonnie spent considerable time outside of his duties as a prosecutor serving his local communities. He is a member of the Board of Finance for the City of New London, a past member of the New London Planning and Zoning Committee, a member of the New London Schools Truancy Review Board, among others. He has demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of others and has helped guide southeastern Connecticut's next generation of legal advocates and civil figures. He became the First Vice President of the Norwich Branch of the NAACP upon its founding in 1963. He has fought for equality and civil rights for decades, having been a former President of the New London Branch of the NAACP. His work has paved the way for current and future activists to continue making gains for all residents of eastern Connecticut. Lonnie has lived through and helped foster great change in his lifetime, helping lead our Nation's continuing civil rights movement.

Outside of his career, Lonnie has demonstrated a passion for family, history, and the arts. He is the proud father of Lonnie Braxton III, who won the gold medal and silver medal in tennis at the National Special Olympics Games in 2010. This commitment to family runs into the past, as he is also the proud keeper of his family's stories and history. He is a renowned speaker and lecturer on the civil rights movement, African-American History, and African-American cinema. This history is crucial to our Nation's present and it is due to the efforts of historians such as Lonnie that the Nation can look to the past and continue striving to fulfill its great promises. Lonnie has also dedicated himself to collecting African-American movies from the 20th century. These arts have greatly contributed to the culture of the United States and we benefit tremendously from Lonnie's preservation efforts.

Madam Speaker, Lonnie's contributions in administering and advocating for justice within Connecticut's Second District are immeasurable and deserving of an equal amount of gratitude. His life and career, dedicated to public service, exist as an inspiration to those who follow in his footsteps. Although his retirement from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice undoubtedly leaves large shoes to fill, he has demonstrated that the principles that have guided his career are larger than any one position. After such a long tenure in service, I also cannot imagine that his valuable insight will continue to go untapped. Lonnie will continue on to the next phase of his life with his family, his wife, Gwendolyn Bosco, and his son, Lonnie Braxton III. To these ends, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring, thanking, and congratulating Lonnie Braxton for his successful commitment to the public well-being and safety. There is no better way to honor such a steadfast steward of our community than immortalizing his career through the Congressional Record.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn and observe the passing of a diligent public servant and a passionate community member, Joseph ``Jack'' Quinn, Jr. of Suffield, Connecticut. A dedicated member in local politics and a loving family man, Jack passed away on November 7, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones, after 85 years on this Earth.

Born to Joseph J. and Mary Mae Quinn in Hartford, Connecticut, Jack demonstrated fierce loyalty to our State from the get-go. Jack's life- long intention was to improve what our region had to offer his fellow neighbors by way of hard work and civic engagement. This intention extended through every aspect of his life--even for his professional career, Jack chose to serve an impressive 37-years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation before moving on to a rightfully deserved retirement.

Of course, Jack's personal commitment to improving his own community went far deeper than just an occupation with the State. His intrinsic community-oriented perspective encouraged his involvement within state and local politics throughout the entirety of his life. He was an ardent member of the local Democratic Town Committee, leading to various roles of service with the Town of Suffield, including a stint in leadership as a selectman. In his tenure with the municipal government, Joseph helped the town oversee several priorities from managing operations of the Suffield Police Department, to uplifting and preserving Suffield's 350 years of history, to improving proper traffic safety and the town's infrastructure. Beyond his time as selectman, it is worth noting Jack maintained his ability to advocate for the interests of the Suffield community through an innumerable amount of settings--acting as a traditional participant in state conventions, serving as a commissioner for the Suffield Police Commission, a member for the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety and Infrastructure Committee, serving on Suffield's Water Pollution Control Authority and additionally the Vice Chairman of the Heritage Committee.

Throughout his impassioned involvement with the town, Joseph unwaveringly prioritized Suffield's best interests and sought to leave the town and its government even better than when he began his work. Armed with the vitality brought by his own sense of dedication, Jack kept a busy, local presence even into his latest years, working at Vinnie's Little Acre in Windsor Locks over the holidays, utilizing his younger experience as a florist to produce arrangements for and share stories with fellow community members.

Madam Speaker, Joseph Quinn, Jr. was a diligent civil servant who deeply and consistently enriched the lives of those within the community. I have had the honor to represent the Town of Suffield for many years in Congress and have seen Jack's dedicated work firsthand. He epitomized what it meant to be a loyal public servant and a passionate community member. In his passing, Joseph leaves behind his loving wife, Corrine, three children: Katherine, Lisa, and Joseph Quinn III, as well as several grand and great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with them and will be remembered as a passionate family member. His memory will undoubtedly live on through his family as well as within the Suffield community which he served. To that end, I ask that my colleagues and this Chamber join me in remembering Joseph's legacy and expressing our deepest respect for Joseph's work and life.

Madam Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I rise today to honor the life of the late Eric ``Ric'' Sawyer, a longstanding eastern Connecticut resident who passed on November 5, 2021, at the age of 76. Having served the State of Connecticut and our nation in a variety of capacities, public service was engrained within Ric's outlook on life. In fact, I can attest to the fact that community service was a vital aspect of the entire Sawyer family, as I had the opportunity to briefly serve with Ric's partner, Pamela Sawyer, in the Connecticut General Assembly, who is now going on to lead the Town of Bolton, Connecticut as its First Selectwoman after more than two decades in the Assembly.

Born a stone's throw away in Providence, Rhode Island to Dr. Carl and Gertrude Sawyer, Ric was destined to spend his life giving back to his country. Ric joined the military at a young age in 1967, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and went on to proudly serve across seas as a pilot with the U.S. Army and National Guard (USANG) during the Vietnam Conflict. After a year on tour in Vietnam, Eric was not only promoted to the rank of captain for his integrity as a commissioned officer but then also shipped across the world to Germany for another two years in foreign service. Captain Sawyer concluded his long stint in active duty with countless recognitions of his skilled leadership through military campaigns. Among his several accolades, Captain Eric Sawyer was most notably bestowed with a Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star.

After serving abroad, Ric returned home determined to strengthen his New England roots and direct his career in service toward his local community. Upon retiring from the USANG with a total of 27 years as a pilot, Ric spent the remainder of his career as a state police and corporate helicopter pilot. Though he was always dutiful in his work, Ric's prosperity was ultimately reflected by way of spending time with his family, network of friends and cultivation of several hobbies.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents who are as humble, dutiful, and distinguished as Ric Sawyer. Though Ric's legacy and character will continue to have a ripple effect as a force of altruism, particularly for those who knew him in the Bolton community, his loss and what it means for the region cannot be understated. It is worth finding solace, however, in the impact that his legacy will have upon the local community as well as his surviving family and loved ones, namely, his wife Pam, daughters Margaret and Elizabeth and son- in-law Sean, and six siblings. He is predeceased by one sibling, Richard Sawyer. To that end, I ask that the entire House join me in setting Eric Sawyer's name further into stone, and recognizing his life and service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, November 15, at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which, for a lot of us who have been serving around here, was an incredibly gratifying and important moment in terms of really finally getting this country ahead of the curve in terms of critical investments for infrastructure.

Last Wednesday night, I held a telephone townhall on the infrastructure bill because the House had passed the measure on November 5. We had 7,000 people on the call who were either on the phone or streaming in. Lots of questions, lots of excitement. Connecticut is obviously a State that has been settled really since the origins of our Nation and has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country.

Mr. Speaker, I would note, however, that some of the questions that came in said, Well, only 10 percent of the bill is for hard infrastructure, for surface transportation. What's up with that?

And I was joined by Don Shubert, who is the executive director of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, who was quick to jump into the call and point out the fact that if you step back and look at this bill, it is a continuation of the last infrastructure bill which passed in 2015, the FAST Act, which passed on a bipartisan basis and was signed into law by President Obama, and was extended twice by President Trump.

Again, that baseline was kind of keeping the lights on for infrastructure. It was not, however, getting us ahead of the curve in terms of the changes that are happening in other countries around the world. And with the new money that was included in the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we are seeing a huge increase, both in roads and bridges, but also in rail, also in the electric grid, also in broadband, which is now critical for any economic development for small communities to be able to tell companies and businesses that they have high speed internet.

So what does that mean in terms of the State of Connecticut? It means that the roads and the bridges--which again is a big focus--got a 32 percent increase in terms of the State's allotment, which will flow through the State's Department of Transportation.

Some of the old bridges in our State--again, the largest vehicle bridge is the Gold Star Bridge, which is part of the I-95 corridor, has been getting a pounding since it was built in 1943. The northbound lane right now, quite frankly, is so compromised that large trucks are basically not given permits to travel across that bridge. Again, it is part of the Interstate Highway System. It is a $250 million job.

This bill will make sure that that funding is there. It is a project labor agreement, so it is going to be union labor and apprenticeship programs incorporated into the work that is there.

Again, there are countless other small bridges, medium-size bridges in the district. There is a swing bridge over the Connecticut River in East Haddam, Connecticut, that was built 108 years ago that breaks down, interferes with boat traffic going up and down the Connecticut River, that now has got full funding and is slated for repairs.

Also, in terms of the rail piece, which is separate from roads and bridges, $66 billion, a big investment in the Northeast Corridor. Across the Connecticut River, there is the Old Saybrook Bridge, which is 114 years old. Anyone who sails underneath it and sees, again, how fragile the supports are for that bridge, it is screaming out for repairs. That project now will be fully funded as a result of this legislation.

The Coast Guard Academy, which is in New London, Connecticut, is going to get $53 million to repair the barracks and the dormitories. Again, anyone looking at the age of those buildings, which some of our future leaders for the Coast Guard are going to school there, is getting a long overdue upgrade. As well as a city pier in New London where the USS Eagle--which is the proud sort of flagship of the U.S. Coast Guard--will now be able to tie up to modern infrastructure that is there.

There is a host of other smaller projects in Tolland and Windham Counties that are included in this package. Again, I would emphasize that the total funding amount is not what some of the stuff that is out there in the media in terms of small fractions for hard infrastructure. The fact is when you incorporate the FAST Act baseline that was passed in 2015, along with the bipartisan infrastructure funding on top of it, the roads and bridges is close to 40 percent of the package. It also includes increasing and boosting the electric grid; which as we convert to electric vehicle passenger traffic, as we convert to offshore wind, which is going to be transmitting voltage to the coastline, we need to have a stronger grid.

All of that is good jobs that is going to be, again, built-in, baked- in over the next five years. It is not going to create inflationary pressures because of the fact that, again, it is spread out over a period of time.

It was a great day for our country. We came together on a bipartisan basis to get this done and now we are ready for a real 21st century growth that will be beneficial to all communities large and small.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding, distinguished career of Police Chief Brett Mahoney of Waterford, Connecticut. After more than 26 years of diligent service to the town of Waterford, Chief Mahoney ``pulled the pin'' and retired on October 29, 2021. He was sent off at a well-attended retirement ceremony where the department and town officials took the opportunity in heartfelt remarks to remember Chief Mahoney just as he is: a highly talented, good-natured community member and a dedicated public servant.

As a native of nearby Westbrook, Connecticut, Brett steered his drive and focus toward bettering Connecticut from an early age. He placed high value in obtaining an education, graduating with a bachelor's in English Literature from Central Connecticut State University. Upon obtaining his first degree, Brett eagerly began his work in Connecticut law enforcement with a brief stint at the East Hampton Police Department before starting his nearly three-decade-long journey with Waterford Police in 1995. In his first few years as a Waterford patrol officer, Brett distinguished himself within the department by dutifully serving on task forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. His valuable contributions to the force were rightfully recognized by the department as he rose through the ranks to Sergeant in 1999 and then to Lieutenant in 2005. During his time as Lieutenant, Brett committed himself to advancing his law enforcement education, graduating from the FBI National Academy in 2012 and returning to Central Connecticut to earn a master's degree in Criminal Justice. His work with the FBI is something I particularly appreciate, since my father Robert Courtney who spent his retirement years in Waterford served in the FBI during World War II in its Manhattan office.

In October 2015, Lieutenant Mahoney was promoted to Waterford's Chief of Police. It was not just his accomplished background that produced this promotion, but also his obvious leadership qualities. As Chief, Brett led the department with compassion for his community and commitment to ensure the department's success by modernizing and enhancing its members' capabilities. Chief Mahoney strengthened community engagement by integrating 21st technology into the town and department. During his time as Chief, Brett became chairman of the town's Information Technology Committee and oversaw the department-wide rollout of body cameras for all Waterford officers, building upon an already existent brand of transparency with the community.

Brett's transformational leadership extended far beyond the department. Chief Mahoney utilized the department as a stalwart supporter in community outreach efforts like the Waterford Youth and Family Services 2020 Turkey Drive and breast cancer fundraisers for Waterford-led foundations. Chief Mahoney also initiated one of the first-of-its-kind programs in Connecticut, where Waterford officers were trained to connect and interact with community members diagnosed with cognitive impairments so that they had greater sensitivity and awareness with the town's more vulnerable population. Through this new program, first responders have honed their emergency response tactics and gained a refined understanding of the needs of their fellow community members. Chief Mahoney's emphasis on positive departmental and community change coupled with his genuine compassion for Waterford has undoubtedly left the town and the police department in a stronger, better position than it was 26 years ago.

Madam Speaker, as the representative for the town of Waterford, Connecticut I can firmly state that it is constituents like Brett Mahoney whose dedication to their community represents the best of Eastern Connecticut's spirit. Even though he is stepping away from the department, Chief Mahoney has affirmed that his heart will always lay with the Town of Waterford and that he will continue to support the local department any way he can as a resident. Now that he has positioned the department for greater success along with the help of his colleagues, Brett will embark on a new chapter with his family--his wife, Michelle, and two daughters Marin and Clara--as deputy chief of police with the University of New Haven. To that end, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring and thanking Waterford Police Chief Brett Mahoney for his exemplary service and to wish the Mahoney family all the best on their new path in life.