Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible milestone reached by Raymond Tremblay of Vernon, Connecticut, who turns 100 years old on February 14, 2024. Raymond is the epitome of a patriotic, service-oriented American and continues to live a full life.

Born on February 14, 1924, to Yvonne and Emile Tremblay in Berlin, New Hampshire, Raymond has been a devoted American, dedicating his life and work to bettering our country.

Raymond's life trajectory changed with our Nation's entry into the Second World War following the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943, he heeded the call of his Nation to serve the United States in World War II. Raymond was drafted into the Infantry and sent to train in North Carolina. There he spent time honing his skills, preparing to be deployed at a moment's notice. The Army Air Force, during a visit to the base for recruitment of new airmen and engineers, recognized Raymond's talent and commitment to the war effort and immediately approved his transfer to that branch of the service.

Now newly baptized as an airman, Raymond traveled to Texas to train as a flight engineer on a B-17 aircraft. His attention to detail and devotion to his obligations led to a promotion to the rank of Sergeant. Although never sent to fight in the European or Pacific theaters, Raymond was always ready to go wherever he was needed, a symbol of his devotion to his country.

After his service in the Air Force, Raymond used his newly acquired aviation knowledge to contribute to a leading company in the aerospace industry. After the war concluded and he was discharged, Raymond returned home to Connecticut and found employment within the experimental and testing division at Pratt and Whitney where he could continue to support its mission with his skills and passion for working with aircraft. Pratt and Whitney Aircraft was instrumental in developing jet engines in the Cold War era that made a decisive difference in protecting our allies and the U.S. homeland. Until his retirement in 1982, Raymond was a part of that effort which our Nation should never forget.

During this time at Pratt and Whitney, Raymond also married his hometown sweetheart and the love of his life, Lillian. Together they moved to Vernon, Connecticut in 1957. In Vernon, Raymond fulfilled his life-long dream of settling down and owning his own home, a place he and his wife raised their family in and lived for over 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues please join me in wishing Raymond a happy 100th birthday and recognizing him as the outstanding citizen he has distinguished himself as. I consider myself fortunate to represent constituents of such quality as Raymond. It is my honor to cement the incredible and continuing story of Raymond Tremblay. We wish Raymond a joyous birthday and many more years of happiness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the bipartisan national security package that passed out of the Senate Tuesday which will deliver critical security assistance to our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and provide historic investments in the U.S. submarine industrial base to dramatically increase capacity in support of our own Navy and the historic trilateral AUKUS security agreement with Australia and the U.K. that Congress last December enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, an overlooked item in this package is the $3.3 billion for the U.S. submarine industrial base for workforce development, to stabilize the nationwide supply chain, upgrade shipyard infrastructure, and advance mature technology opportunities like additive manufacturing. I would note, as part of AUKUS, Australia has agreed to match that sum and invest $3 billion into our economy and our industrial base for the same objectives.

Make no mistake, failure to pass this legislation is a vote against AUKUS and limits the outstanding progress that our nations have already made. I implore Speaker Johnson to bring the bill to the floor. We know that there are over 300 votes today to get this package through to help our friends who are desperately looking to America for global and national security leadership.

Madam Speaker, I rise before the House today as the Member from eastern Connecticut having the honor to represent the Second Congressional District to report on some encouraging news on probably one of the most gut-wrenching, disheartening problems that our Nation faces, which is the epidemic of opioid overdoses.

In the State of Connecticut, like other parts of the country, the rise of opioid deaths from 2012 up until 2021, 2022, has been 300 percent.

People are more likely to die from opioid overdoses than they are from motor vehicle accidents, and eastern Connecticut was no exception.

Again, in 2021, the number of opioid deaths in New London County, which takes up the largest portion of eastern Connecticut by population, peaked at 134 deaths.

Starting at that point, people decided it was time to get serious about trying to come up with ways to create more prevention and also remediation and recovery for people suffering from addiction.

In 2022, that number dropped from 134 to 125. A couple days ago, the 2023 numbers were reported, and it dropped to 71 deaths.

This did not happen by itself. It was in collaboration with the community of New London, the New London Overdose Action Team, which was led by

Margaret Lancaster from the Ledge Light Health District created in collaboration with the New London Police, the New London EMS, and social services agencies to get more Narcan kits out into the community and to educate people in terms of what to do in these situations, these crisis situations, and it is showing real results.

In Norwich, which is also one of the larger communities that was hard hit, the Norwich Opioid Task Force was created, led by Kate Milde, who is the director of Norwich Human Services, again, in collaboration with the Norwich Police Department, EMS, the youth prevention team, and the Recovery Coach Program, which is led by Michael Doyle from Reliance Health.

The Reliance Recovery Coach Program is a model with trained, street- smart staff that are out in the community street by street, tracking where overdoses have occurred and distributing Narcan kits--500 in 2023, and the number of deaths dropped from 34 to 17 in that community.

Again, I salute Michael and his team who are amazing people doing hard work, saving lives, and getting this country better positioned to deal with this crisis.

Again, I said it was encouraging news. We cannot end our efforts. We cannot stop there. We have more work to do in terms of making sure, through budgets in Washington and in State governments, that these incredible individuals are able to continue to do their work in collaboration with law enforcement and in collaboration with hospitals and EMT professionals to make sure that we save lives, get people into recovery, change lives, and get them up on their feet and contributing to our community.

Madam Speaker, I end by saluting their great work and encouraging them to continue. We are watching you, and we are cheering you on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the career and accomplishments of one of southeastern Connecticut's most prominent veterans' advocates, Mr. Paul Dillon. Paul has dedicated his retirement from his service in the U.S. Navy to being a staunch defender of veterans both within his hometown of Gales Ferry, Connecticut, and around the southeast region.

Paul served in the Navy for nearly a quarter century from 1956 to 1980 and was an exemplary sailor. His service encompassed the Vietnam War and his tenure saw him promoted to U.S. Navy Master Chief. After service, he became a member of my Veterans Advisory Council, the president of the Nautilus Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Navy, and more. In 2012, he was befittingly inducted into the CT Veterans' Hall of Fame. The efforts he has made to protect and serve his country reflect his generosity and patriotism. His selfless commitment to his community and to veterans from across the country has undoubtedly inspired future generations.

Paul Dillon courageously and honorably served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, putting his life on the line to defend our nation. He was a Master Chief Radio Man on the USS Oklahoma City and USS Providence for three years. Paul rose to the challenge of working over 18 hour days, surrounded by constant fire. The stressful conditions of war were no match for Paul's tenacious spirit. He continued to work tirelessly to protect our country. His presence was integral to the protection and preservation of democracy and every American's liberty.

Unfortunately, Paul was exposed to Agent Orange during his tours and to this day he suffers from the health complications caused from the chemical exposure. After his years of active-duty service ended, he quickly focused

on advocating for veterans, especially for Blue Water Navy veterans like him who suffered from similar service-connected health complications. Shockingly, the U.S. Veterans Administration in the early 2000's refused to grant ``presumptive eligibility'' for agent orange exposure health illness for veterans of AMERICA'S sea services. The VA's ``foot on the ground'' rule granted such coverage for Army and Marine Corps ground troops creating an outrageous disparity and discrimination against Navy and Coast Guard veterans of the Vietnam War. It took 17 years of constant advocacy to finally get Congress to pass a new law correcting this injustice. Paul's personal experience with the lasting impact of exposure served to enhance his advocacy ability, giving him a unique understanding of the hardship endured by many Vietnam era veterans. It was an honor for me as his congressman to help achieve this hard-fought legislative victory as an original cosponsor of this measure.

When he was appointed as the Northeast Regional Vice President of the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS), he worked on behalf of other veterans to protect and enhance their earned benefits.

After his retirement from the Navy, Paul joined Sonalyst Inc. By 1983, he started at Northeast Utilities as a telecommunication manager at Millstone Nuclear Power Station, retiring from his second career in 1997. One year after his second retirement, Paul started at the Retired Activities Office (RAO) at NSB New London where he remains today.

Paul's sense of modesty and obligation to the Connecticut veteran community has been evidenced through his numerous volunteer commitments. In addition to his work at the RAO, he participates in events to honor the veterans of the district, such as when he lays wreaths on graves of veterans at the Jordan Cemetery in Waterford as part of Wreaths Across America. Moreover, he served the Co-Chairman of Kaps for Kids in Groton. With Kaps for Kids, he visits sick children, brightening their days, at a local hospital each Veteran's Day. His attentiveness to those experiencing adversity is heartening and inspiring.

I am honored and privileged to know Paul Dillon on a personal level. Paul has been an irreplaceable asset as a member of my Veterans Advisory Council. His wisdom surrounding veterans issues is extremely useful, it is a pleasure to receive his guidance. He is a dear friend of my office and frequently assists on myriad issues relating to veteran affairs.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize and immortalize the continued works of Paul Dillon. In addition to his distinguished service career, he has been a mainstay of the veteran community within my district. It is no small consolation to know that model citizens like Paul continue to inspire future generations. I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in commending and thanking Paul Dillon for his endless service to the public.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a minute this morning to again look at the 118th Congress, which just completed its first year of operation last December, and it was sadly the least productive Congress in memory.

Thirty-one bills were enacted during that first year of the 118th Congress. Again, that is a fraction of the number of bills that have been introduced in this Congress. That now surpasses 7,000 bills which were introduced in the House and a comparable number in the Senate.

Obviously, much of the year was consumed with a lot of interparty fighting with the majority party, but now with really a year left, it is our duty to try and find bipartisan measures that are actually going to help this country and address real problems for Americans.

The good news is, a week ago Friday, the Ways and Means Committee reported out H.R. 7024, which is a bill aimed at making corrections and improvements to the Tax Code that are long overdue.

There are three basic pieces to it.

Number one, it reinstated the child tax credit, which had been wiped out after ARPA expired. This will basically take roughly half a million children out of poverty. Low-income families don't qualify for the full value of the child tax credit. Thankfully, the two sides came together to come up with a meaningful fix. We really have more work to do, because the initial version that was part of ARPA actually cut child poverty in this country in half.

The second thing it did is it expanded the low-income housing tax credit. We have a desperate need for more housing supply in this country, and this will stimulate more investment by developers to build more housing.

I want to be clear. Those units that will benefit from this will be mixed income and will benefit working families and folks who are desperate to find affordable places to live.

Mr. Speaker, what I really want to talk about is the research and development tax deduction, which, in 2017, when the tax law was passed, which I opposed at the time, it basically took the research and development expensing mechanism that had been on the books since 1954, which allowed businesses to write down the investments that they did in new products, processes, workforce innovation, and basically forced them to have to spread it out over 5 years, causing a huge hardship for small businesses, particularly small manufacturers.

I have a poster next to me from the Westminster Tool company in Plainfield, Connecticut. I visited it a few days ago. This is a firm with 35 workers. Again, a family-owned business. They do great work in terms of medical device manufacturing. They also make aerospace parts that go into our F-35 program that is so critical to the Air Force and the Navy.

When this new expensing mechanism went into effect, it is almost hard to believe this, but their tax bill went up 355 percent. Again, for companies like this, who don't have cash reserves to continue innovating in terms of new products and processes, which Westminster Tool does, this is basically a wipeout in terms of their ability to invest.

This is showing up across the country. It was a terrible decision back in 2017. This bill will resume having the annual expensing mechanism, which will allow this company--and this is a picture with Ray Coombs, who is to my immediate right there, the owner, and his two daughters and his son, Colby, who are running the business. Behind him is the president of the Eastern Manufacturing Alliance, which has been desperately asking Congress to go back and fix this ridiculous change which took place in the 2017 tax bill.

So, again, this is a pro-growth measure, which is going to allow companies like this to get back on track in terms of innovation, which is so important for us in keeping ahead of our global competitors and creating jobs--good jobs, skilled jobs. Westminster Tool has been just an absolute shining example of why we need to make this change.

Hopefully, we are going to get this across the finish line and make sure that, again, the problem is fixed. We could do more; there is no question about it. But the fact of the matter is, in this Congress, we have to take Ws where we can and victories where we can to address real problems for companies like Westminster Tool.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Dr. Richard ``Dick'' Van Wyck Buel, Jr. of Essex, Connecticut. Richard passed peacefully at the age of 90. Throughout his life, Richard embraced a love for education and dedicated himself to spreading knowledge all around his community.

Born in 1933 to Richard Van Wyck Buel and Frances Worthington Thompson Buel, Richard learned early on the value of history, a passion he held throughout his life. Richard attended the Groton School and later Amherst College, from which he graduated in 1955. He followed up this astounding educational background by attending Harvard University to earn a doctorate in history.

Richard made a career of his love of history and learning at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, teaching American history for 40 years. Here, Richard chaired the history department from 1977 until 1980. He also served as associate editor at History and Theory for 22 years and received fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation for his impressive research. Upon his retirement in 2002, Richard maintained an office at Wesleyan for another ten years, staying involved in the Wasch Center for Retired Faculty and teaching an American intellectual history course for Wesleyan's Prison Education Program.

In addition to his impressive career at Wesleyan, Richard published six books about different historical topics. One of these books, The Way of Duty, which he wrote with his wife Joy Day Buel, was modified into the film ``Mary Sillman's Way,'' airing on national television in 1994.

He also edited three books for the Acorn Club, which is focused on producing materials with primary sources that reveal more about Connecticut's history to educate people about the place they call home.

Bringing his passion for history to public service, Richard was President of the New England Historical Association and served on the Connecticut Humanities Council and Connecticut Historical Commission, which later became the Connecticut Historical Preservation Council, Richard also served as an active member of the Connecticut Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History.

Later in his life, Richard focused on serving his local community. Here, he worked with the campaign to finance the expansion of the Essex Library and helped restore the library's endowment after the recession in 2008. Richard kept himself involved in numerous organizations, serving a four-year term on the library board on top of his service on the Chestnut Hill Concerts and Musical Masterworks boards. He was also president of the Essex Meadows Foundation and volunteered for Middlesex Hospice.

In his free time, Richard embraced his proximity to the shoreline and enjoyed sailing, racing a Blue Jay at the Pettipaug Yacht Club and in a fleet of Ideal 18s at the Essex Yacht Club.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent constituents like Richard. Richard spent his entire life dedicating himself to learning, contributing immensely to our understanding of Connecticut's early history and spreading his passion for knowledge as a beloved teacher and community leader. I had the honor to know him and his wife Marilyn who predeceased him as dear friends and ardent supporters, going back to 2002. His perspective

on current affairs, both foreign and domestic, which he shared with me from time to time, was always thoughtful and well informed, which I deeply valued. I ask my colleagues and this Chamber to join me in expressing our deepest respect for Richard's work and life and send our deepest condolences to his family. Richard is survived by his daughter, Margaret and her husband John Coppens, his stepdaughter Elizabeth Frankel and her husband Donald T. Rave III, and his grandchildren Alexandra, Riley, and Haskel. As we memorialize Richard's faithful service to his community, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his memory.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, January 12, 2024, during Roll Call Vote Number 10 on H.J. Res 98, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to ``Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status'', I mistakenly recorded my vote as YEA when I should have voted NO.

I strongly opposed this resolution when it was considered in the Education and Workforce Committee on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and I signed the minority views opposing the Resolution. I oppose the Congressional Review Act resolution in its entirety and intended to vote NO.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to to honor the life and career of Reverend Gregory Perry of Norwich, Connecticut, who suddenly and sadly passed away this past week. His loss is deeply felt all across the state of Connecticut, because of the enormous, inspirational impact that he made on our community throughout his life. As the pastor of the Greenville Congregational Church, longtime chaplain of Norwich Hospital, chairman of the NAACP's Religious Affairs Committee, and president of the Norwich Area Interfaith Association, Rev. Perry's legacy will be long remembered.

Born in Norwalk, Connecticut in 1952, Reverand Perry's profound spiritualism would manifest early through his involvement at the Grace Baptist Church of Norwalk. He attended Wagner College in Staten Island. While committed to his studies, Rev. Perry met his future wife, Jayne, and they married in 1977. Together, the pair raised three children: Janine, Greg, and Jade. In 1979, Rev. Perry graduated from the Yale Divinity School where he earned two master's degrees.

Rev. Perry was raised as one of four children by a single mother and proved early on to have a tenacious spirit overcoming life's barriers, by teaching himself many basic life skills. Most notably, he taught himself how to put together computers. He combined this skill, with his passion to uplift disadvantaged members of the community, to spearhead a new initiative. ``Building Computers for Humanity''. Through this program, he provided computers to students of low-income households, who were at that point on the wrong side of

the ``digital divide.'' Today, access to laptops and the internet are well understood as necessary tools for young people to succeed, by school systems and job training programs. Greg saw this basic need long before; it became commonplace because of his empathy and brilliant intellect. This project typifies just one aspect of the Reverend's giving spirit.

After entering the ministry, Rev. Perry dedicated his life to providing for his community. At the Greenville Congregational Church, he coordinated impressive community efforts--especially for the annual Martin Luther King Birthday march. He considered the march his ``baby,'' and invariably looked forward to bringing this event to his community annually. Concluding each march, Rev. Perry would give a speech focused on a common theme: ``Different American Realities, Shared American Dreams'' He actively supported interfaith events within the city, such as his participation in the ``Way of the Cross'' procession, which was an event held along leaders of the Baha'i faith. As president of the Norwich Area Interfaith Association, he and his group met with public officials to advocate for community concerns and conducted public vigils. The Clergy Association is known within the community for its success in carrying out its motto: ``Fostering Unity in Diversity in Norwich''.

Moreover, Rev. Perry's empathetic nature guided him to provide resources for and to connect with those in need. At the Greenville Congregational Church, he opened his services to churchgoers and non- churchgoers alike and spoke with anyone after service. He was known to give money to those who could not afford meals and to offer his home to people without houses of their own.

Working for the equality of all was a tireless pursuit of Rev. Perry, but he also enjoyed his leisure time. He was known for his affinity for motorcycles. He was reported to say that if he had so pleased, he would spend his days riding his motorcycle. Instead, he incorporated the motorcycle into his daily travels. When he arrived at the New London County Bar Association's Law Day Luncheon to accept the Law Day award, bestowed upon him for his endless efforts to bring unity to his community, he arrived on his beloved motorcycle, winning the prize for the coolest Law Day awardee ever.

The absence of Rev. Perry has been felt by many individuals and groups within and beyond Southeastern Connecticut, in addition to the many members of his family who survive him. I had the distinct privilege to know him as a friend, and joined him at ecumenical vigils, MLK marches, and youth programs year in and year out. No matter how sad the services or challenging the state of the world was, Reverend Perry always had a positive hopeful perspective, grounded I believe in his deep belief in the goodness in people. He was a beautiful soul, who will be sorely missed by his family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, Reverend Gregory Perry now joins the pantheon of great American spiritual leaders who have advocated staunchly for the life, liberty, and happiness of their fellow citizens. He stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Isaac Backus, a fellow reverend from Norwich who fought for independence in 1776 and later the codification of civil rights in the newly formed United States. I consider myself immensely fortunate to have represented Rev. Perry as a constituent. His leadership, inclusiveness, and thoughtfulness will be greatly missed by Connecticut residents, especially those of Norwich. We join in mourning the immeasurable loss of Rev. Perry with his surviving family: his wife, Jayne, and their three children, Janine, Greg, and Jade, their respective spouses and descendants. I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Rev. Perry's example.

Mr. Speaker, as we begin the second year of the 118th Congress, a Congress which unfortunately in its first year was one of the lowest and least productive Congresses in memory, only 31 bills, it is time for us to come together and identify measures which have strong bipartisan support and would make a meaningful difference to the people of this country.

One of those bills is H.R. 2663, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, a bill I introduced back in April with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska. We have 151 cosponsors. Ten Republicans are part of this effort. It is

supported by 76 healthcare organizations, particularly those centered around nursing, a caring profession that every family relies on.

This bill addresses the frightening and accelerating epidemic of workplace violence that people who go to work every day in our hospitals, nursing homes, EMS, and ambulances, as well as our home health nurses, are facing every single day.

That is not just rhetoric. We did a GAO study a number of years ago and found that people who work in the healthcare sector suffer injuries, sometimes serious, sometimes fatal, five times more than any other sector in the U.S. economy.

There are ways to address this, Mr. Speaker, in terms of putting it into practice. Some preventative measures which hospitals have endorsed and used around the country are: train up their staff, give them a way to identify high-risk patients, give them the equipment, whether it is panic buttons or alerts to get help when they need it, and in some instances to provide more security dealing with more high-risk patients.

The 76 organizations include the American Nurses Association, the Emergency Nurses Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians. The list goes on and on.

They are feeling this every single day. In my district, unfortunately, last October, we experienced the tragic loss of a nurse. Joyce Grayson of Willimantic, Connecticut, was making a home health visit to a halfway house for a high-risk individual. He was on the sex offender list and had been convicted of a violent crime. She went in at 8 o'clock in the morning to administer medication, and she never left. She was found stabbed to death.

This is a woman who was 63 years old, 36 years as a nurse, 26 with the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 10 years as a home health nurse, mother of 6, and she brought in foster care children. She was identified and awarded the Foster Care Parent of the Year in the State of Connecticut in 2017 by the Department of Children and Families. She was an angel. That was the way she was described at the time that we, as a State, came together to mourn her.

Her family has asked one thing. They want to see change. Their lawyer, Kelly Reardon of New London, Connecticut, gave an interview recently. That is what the family is begging for. They don't want this to happen again.

All of us rely on our healthcare workforce, Mr. Speaker. Republican or Democrat, all of us need them to take care of us. It is time for us to care for them. It is time for us to listen to them. It is time for us to put into practice commonsense measures which are happening intermittently around the country and make it universal and enforceable for all of the people in the caring profession and the healing profession.

Mr. Speaker, let's pass H.R. 2663 in this Congress and do something meaningful for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall Vote number 10 on H.J. Res. 98, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yea'' when I should have voted ``nay''.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I begin by thanking my colleague, Congressman John Larson, for his thoughtful, courageous leadership on this issue, crafting Social Security 2100, which is the only comprehensive, paid-for measure which enhances Social Security and averts the 2034 cliff that this country is going to encounter if Congress does not act.

As Mr. Larson stated, when the social insurance program was created in 1935, signed into law by Franklin Roosevelt, it was created as an insurance program.

Congress, over time and on numerous occasions, has reformed the bill to protect the basic promise, which was made by the Congress and by President Roosevelt, to make sure that people who are retired, children who have lost a parent, and in recent times, people with disability are protected from the vagaries of life.

Again, we have stepped forward and taken care of challenges, fiscal challenges, that the law has encountered.

What John's bill would do, in essence, is extend the solvency of Social Security to 2066. We would avoid the cliff that we are going to hit in 2035. It would not gouge or cut any benefits.

The Republican Study Committee is talking about raising the retirement

age. That is a Social Security cut for people who have paid into this program out of payroll year in and year out.

It increases the benefits by 2 percent on average for all beneficiaries. It rebases the program so that people will not receive Social Security and be below the poverty line.

It is exactly, in other words, what this country is looking for, a program that affects every single American, every single family member.

Everybody cares about Social Security. It is our job, just like prior Congresses when they have been approaching these fiscal challenges, to act.

What we need is for John's bill to be taken up and voted on. We don't need commissions that are going to take this bill behind closed doors with no transparency, which again is exactly the opposite of what the people of this country want.

They want to see what we are doing because this affects them and all those years of insurance payments that they have put into this program.

We need to take up John Larson's bill, Social Security 2100. Again, I implore the leadership of this Congress to move and to act and to not go down the path of a nontransparent commission, which is going to shut out the American people. That is not how we fix Social Security.

I thank Mr. Larson for his leadership. Let's move forward on Social Security 2100.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished service of Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Admiral James Frank Caldwell, Jr. This month, Admiral Caldwell is slated to retire after over eight years as head of the program, which was only one part of an amazing forty-two-year career in the Navy. The longevity of his service was recognized by the U.S. Navy when he attained the respected title of ``Old Goat'' for the longest serving graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy on August 31, 2022. His talented, outstanding dedication to his country, as well as his expertise, will leave a momentous, far-reaching legacy that will live on for many years to come.

Frank Caldwell comes from a family with a deep Navy background. As a fifth-generation Naval Academy graduate, Admiral Caldwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering in 1981 with distinction. His thirst for knowledge continued after that bachelor's degree. He later pursued, and received, a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School. All that advanced learning prepared him for the elite assignments he was chosen for during his illustrious career.

Admiral Caldwell's first operational posts directed him to serve as a division officer on USS Boston, an engineering officer on USS Alabama, and an executive officer on USS Buffalo. Admiral Caldwell commanded USS Jacksonville, ported in Norfolk, Virginia, and served as the Commanding Officer for Submarine Development Squadron 12 in my district at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut.

The pinnacle of his career came on August 14, 2015, when the United States Senate confirmed his nomination by President Barack Obama as the seventh Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. This highly unique position, which has the solemn responsibility for the safe and reliable operation of the United States Nuclear Navy, has authorities vested within both the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy. No other military officer has such a portfolio. Its pedigree reaches back seventy-five years to the legendary Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, whose foresight in 1948 introduced nuclear propulsion into naval vessels, transforming American seapower forever.

During his tenure, Admiral Caldwell has completed outstanding work to develop and maintain a modernized squadron of nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. Under his leadership at Naval Reactors, he has done remarkable work to stabilize the surface and undersea enterprise and has ensured our industrial base is positioned to meet the moment, especially as we usher in a new class of ballistic submarines through development and construction of the Columbia-class program. Most significantly, Admiral Caldwell's expertise has been critical as the United States embarks on a generational security agreement with our closest allies--the United Kingdom and Australia--as we transfer, for the first time ever, our nuclear-powered attack submarines and technology to another nation under the trilateral AUKUS security agreement.

After the AUKUS strategy was first announced in September 2021, all three nations conducted an 18-month analysis and review to develop a comprehensive framework for its actual execution. Admiral Caldwell's knowledge and first-hand experience in all aspects of construction, maintenance, and operation of nuclear vessels was instrumental in the release of the ``Optimal Pathway'' that occurred

on March 13, 2023, at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California. Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Congress enacted AUKUS authorities into the law of the land--in line with that plan--which is an emphatic endorsement of his collaborative work. This was truly a fitting, legacy moment as Admiral Caldwell's career drew to a close.

Mr. Speaker, as both Ranking Member and Chair of the House Armed Services' Seapower Projection Forces Subcommittee, I have had a front row seat to Admiral Caldwell's impact. I ask that my colleagues in the House, and particularly those who serve on the House Armed Services Committee, join me in recognizing Admiral Caldwell and his wife Kim, for their life of service to the Navy and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Alfred `Smokey' Dreher of Vernon, Connecticut. Alfred was a true, devoted member of the Vernon community, always looking for ways to keep others safe. Aged 89, Mr. Dreher sadly but peacefully passed away on December 2nd.

Born on August 14, 1934, to Gladys and Alfred O. Dreher, Sr. in Rockville, Connecticut, Alfred attended Rockville High School, graduating in 1953. Even before his completion of high school, Alfred joined the Rockville Fire Department in 1950 as a Junior Firefighter. Alfred served as a part of the Hockanum Host Company as a hose-man, ladder-man, and driver, eager to fill in wherever necessary.

Upon his high school graduation, Alfred entered the workforce, joining the Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company in Hartford as an Apprentice Underwriter. It was here that Alfred met the love of his life and wife of 59 years, Diane.

In 1955, Alfred heeded his nation's call to action and joined the Army as a Heavy Equipment Transport Driver at Fort Lee Virginia and Fort Dix New Jersey. It was during this service that Alfred and Diane got married and began their lives together. After an honorable discharge in 1962, Alfred and Diane relocated to Rockville, where they would remain the rest of their married life. Alfred rejoined Aetna in the Supply Department, as a Security Guard. Alfred retired from Aetna in 1992, after 40 years. As if 40 years of service isn't enough, Alfred never missed a day of work because of illness, always dedicated to his commitments.

Throughout his career, Alfred remained unwavering in his work as a firefighter. When the Rockville and Vernon Fire Departments merged into the Town of Vernon Fire Department, Alfred became an EMT. He served with Rescue 411 as a driver and paramedic and attained the rank of second Lieutenant. After 55 years as a Firefighter and EMT, Alfred semi-retired. This retirement did not, however, stop Alfred's work with the Vernon Fire Department. Alfred joined the Town of Vernon Fire Police to make sure responding crews were sufficiently equipped with tools and to help with traffic control during accidents and fires. Alfred is the longest-serving firefighter in Vernon's history, concluding an astonishing 65 years with the Fire Department upon his retirement in 2015.

Alfred's selfless devotion to creating a safe and welcoming community was without limits. He was involved in numerous local organizations such as American Legion Post 14 in Vernon to organize and advocate for fellow veterans. To help ensure others were equipped to successfully serve their communities, Alfred taught as a First Aid and CPR instructor for the American Red Cross. He spent his free time as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to seniors in the region. Alfred was also a devout member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Vernon for over half a century.

Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly lucky to represent constituents as devoted to serving their communities as Alfred. As a resident of the town of Vernon for the last forty years, I had the honor and privilege to know Al and his son Jeffrey and can personally attest to his steadfast commitment to the fire department, and what a beloved and respected leader he was in town. He was completely down to earth and had a wry sense of humor. The loss of Alfred leaves a deep void in the Vernon community. Alfred's work giving back to those around him was extraordinary. Though we mourn this loss, we take solace in the knowledge that his legacy will live on in those he impacted. Alfred is survived by his sons John and Jeffrey, sisters Nancy, Irene, and Tina, half-brother John, grandson Joseph and countless nieces and nephews. I ask my colleagues to join me as we memorialize Alfred's faithful service to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former Connecticut State Senator Pierce F. Connair, Jr. He passed away on November 29, 2023, having lived a long, meaningful, and happy life of 97 years.

Born to Hazel and Pierce Connair, Sr. in 1926, Pierce Jr. attended parochial school at Vincentian Institute in Albany New York, and was admitted to the College of the Holy Cross. With America at war, Pierce entered militarv service in 1943, training with the naval aviation cadets. His service to the United States extended through both World War II and the Korean War, as a Navy officer.

While a pupil at the Vincentian Institute, Pierce would meet the love of his life, Irene, at 16 years old. Their courtship persisted, and he and Irene married after World War II in 1948, settling in Glen Falls, New York. During the Korean War, the Connairs transited among several naval bases, eventually returning stateside to settle in New England. By 1971, Pierce and Irene found their permanent home in East Lyme, Connecticut. Pierce managed Sears-Roebuck stores across New York and New England, bringing him to New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

From an early age, Pierce was involved in numerous local organizations in Albany, New York such as the Knights of Columbus. He joined numerous committees, helping ensure successful fundraisers for his chapter. Community service is a throughline in Pierce's life,

whether in New York or Connecticut, Pierce made certain to stay active in organizations that shape neighborhoods and towns.

Upon his permanent move to Connecticut, Pierce very quickly established himself as a lynchpin in the southeast Connecticut business community. By 1974, Pierce was appointed president of the Southeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce--truly a meteoric rise given his just coming to the region in 1971. By 1981, his position in the chamber changed from President to Executive Director--an office he held until 1984. Pierce was not content serving his community in merely a business capacity. Some of his additional involvement includes acting as president of the New London Rotary, serving as a trustee of the Savings Bank of New England, and as vice president of the Connecticut Retail Merchants' Association. He was also heavily involved in the United Way of southeast Connecticut, sitting on its Board of Directors and being named Residential Chairman. He is remembered for the vigor he attacked his work with at the United Way, urging fellow community members to generously give to its drives.

By 1980, Pierce retired from managing Sears stores and focused his new-found time on realty and government. In 1984, Pierce was elected State Senator and served in the prestigious and powerful position of co-chair of the Appropriations Committee. After his tenure came to an end, Pierce remained active in his community. In 1993, he helped lead the response to the decline of the defense industry in Eastern Connecticut, championing retraining programs for those workers laid off by a shifting economy in the wake of the Cold War.

Mr. Speaker, I consider myself incredibly lucky to represent constituents as community oriented as Pierce. Pierce showed up in every aspect of his life--whether for his family or for his neighbors. Pierce served not for his own glory or fame, but because it was right to do so. Although his passing leaves a hole in Eastern Connecticut's community, we can take solace in the knowledge that his legacy of selfless volunteerism and care for his fellow citizens lives on in the thousands he touched. We mourn his passing with his surviving family-- children Michael, Thomas, Stephen, and Patricia as well as their respective spouses and children. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our deepest admiration and appreciation for a life well lived.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a long-standing public servant to the Town of Preston, Connecticut and pillar of our state's sizable rural population, Mr. Gerald `Jerry' Grabarek of Preston, Connecticut. Jerry has recently marked his 50th year of community service to the Town of Preston and also just celebrated the 100 anniversary his multi-generational family farm, appropriately named, Preston Farms. Most recently, he has won reelection unopposed to the Board of Selectman, and was sworn in on the 5th of December. Preston and the region are lucky to have such a talented, stalwart advocate.

Jerry's long history of service begins in the early 1970's when he and his wife, Deb, took a more active role in managing the farm. During this time, they shared responsibility with the farm's original founders, Andrew and Anastasia Grabarek. Jerry used this time to pursue a degree in Biology, Botany, and Zoology from Connecticut College in New London, graduating in 1981. This experience proved beneficial immediately when he and Deb took over Preston Farms upon the death of Andrew in 1984. Jerry's tenure at the farm has been defined by his eagerness to engage with his neighbors, often giving fieldtrips and hay-rides to Preston's elementary school students. Countless generations remember the visit to Jerry's farms with fond memories of tractor rides and cups of ice-cream.

Ever a steward of his community, one of the earliest times Jerry opened his farm and maze to local students was in the wake of the 11th of September terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Many children of Eastern Connecticut's servicemen and women had to contend with their parents being suddenly mobilized without explanation or words of good-bye. In response, Jerry coordinated field trips to Preston Farms free of charge to give those children a much-needed respite in the month immediately following the attacks. This episode truly epitomizes the selfless, bottom-up service approach which has defined Jerry's life.

In 1978, Jerry began his municipal service in earnest through his being voted on to Preston's Democratic Town Committee. Little did he know at the time that this action would take him on a winding journey of advocacy. By 1982, Jerry served on the Planning and Zoning commission wherein he eventually became chair. Jerry's tenure in town politics oversaw a significant shift in the dynamic of southeast Connecticut living. In 1983, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe received federal recognition and reservation rights which soon saw the development of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, causing a large increase in the number of visitors to the region. This increase in tourism necessitated enhanced infrastructure to accommodate the additional traffic. Under his chairmanship of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Jerry helped ensure development was executed in a balanced manner to avoid undue burden on area residents while still accommodating the increased travel.

Jerry's advocacy for Preston only increased in 1995 when he successfully ran for the Board of Selectmen, ending his first term in 2009. In his early years on the Board, he continued to advocate for the needs of residents when weighing responses to the increased traffic caused by tribal economic development. In 2020, Jerry rejoined the Board and continues his service today.

Mr. Speaker, I have known Jerry personally for over 30 years and consider myself immensely fortunate to call him a friend. Representing hardworking, good hearted constituents like Jerry Grabarek is an inspiration to me to stay focused on helping people which is his trademark. Amazingly Jerry continues to serve even as he surpasses 50 years of hard work for Preston and the southeast region. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Jerry for his decades of dutiful stewardship.