Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of Mr. Darrell Supak on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Supak is retiring after twenty-five years of exemplary service to Granite Associates, LP in Liberty, New York.

I cherish the commitment of those distinct individuals who have tirelessly devoted themselves to their community, and Mr. Supak is no exception. Mr. Supak exemplifies compassion and leadership as a dedicated man of faith, an advocate for the arts, and a fierce defender of health care. A valued member of his community, Mr. Supak's regular involvement with numerous organizations and projects to further the causes he believes in, as well as to safeguard the wellbeing of his friends and neighbors, has set a high standard for others to follow.

As a graduate of Texas A&M University's ROTC program and a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Mr. Supak is a fervent patriot, actively committed to supporting his fellow veterans. I am fortunate to have him, a man of great wisdom and experience, as a longtime member of our Congressional District's U.S. service academy panel.

A true testament to his steadfast loyalty to country and community, Mr. Supak has received countless civil and military awards and decorations, including the prestigious Walter A. Rhulen Award for Business, Community and Humanity from the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development.

Mr. Supak's legacy of hard work and philanthropy is a source of inspiration, instilling the values of determination, confidence, and civility in his community. I am grateful for Mr. Supak's years of dedicated service to the 19th District and to New York state. I wish Mr. Supak continued happiness as he embarks on this new chapter, and I am confident that even in retirement he will continue to be actively involved in service to our nation.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound respect that I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Juanita Knott for being named a ``New York State Registered Historian''. This designation is reserved for those special few in our state who exemplify ingenuity and have an authentic passion for promoting local history.

Mrs. Knott has served the Town of Stuyvesant as its historian for over twenty years. Through actively conserving, interpreting, and presenting the town's history in unique and engaging ways, she has unearthed the wonders, heroes, and stories of Stuyvesant's past. Understanding local history is a key way in which we discover a shared identity and strengthen our democracy. That is why historians like Mrs. Knott play such a vital role in communities throughout New York and nationwide.

I am grateful for Mrs. Knott's years of dedicated service to the Stuyvesant community, to the 19th District, and to New York state. I wish her the best as she continues to preserve the historical integrity of Stuyvesant. Her work will be remembered for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of Bertha Rogers, the Founding Director of Bright Hill Press & Literary Center of the Catskills, on the occasion of her retirement and the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bright Hill Press. With her husband, Ernest M. Fishman, Bertha co-founded Bright Hill Press in 1992. Since then, through her dedicated work as an educator, mentor and an artist, Bright Hill has become an epicenter of free thinking and creativity, and a haven for writers both young and old.

Bertha is gifted with remarkable literary talent. Her work has appeared in hundreds of literary journals and in several collections, and her translation of Beowulf was published in 2000. She has been the recipient several NYSCA and NYFA grants and residency fellowships to the McDowell Colony, the Millay Artists Colony, Jentel, Caldera, Saltonstall, Hedgebrook, and Hawthornden International Writers Residence (Scotland). Using this talent, Bertha has left a permanent mark on the Treadwell community through her work at Bright Hill.

What started as weekly poetry readings, Bright Hill has grown to become an established and respected literary organization, attracting authors and poets both locally and worldwide. Largely the result of Bertha's time and efforts, Bright Hill now offers youth and adult writing workshops, reading series, small press publishing, and boasts an impressive literary library. Bertha's excitement for literature and poetry, combined with an authentic passion for teaching, has fostered an increased appreciation for writing and the arts in the Catskills.

It is an honor to recognize Bertha and Bright Hill for their distinctive milestones. Leaving behind an organization marked by ingenuity, creativity, and passion, Bertha has given Bright Hill a buildable legacy which will grow in future years. I wish Bertha every happiness as she embarks on this new chapter, and I am confident that even in retirement she will continue to be an advocate for the literary arts. The 19th District and New York State are a better place because of Bertha and Bright Hill Press. I thank them for helping to make the Catskills a cultural center.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of James ``Jim'' Sacket on the occasion of his retirement. Jim is retiring this December after twenty years of dedicated service to Schoharie County as District Attorney.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Jim has resided in Schoharie, New York for over sixty years. From a young age, he exhibited a rare diligence and a community-driven spirit. While attending Schoharie Central School, Jim was an Eagle Scout and an active participant in the National Honor Society as well as in many athletic programs.

In 1984, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Suffolk University. He then went on to obtain his Juris Doctor degree in 1987, and later clerked for Attorney Paul Callahan in Duanesburg, New York. In 1990, Jim was admitted to the New York State Bar, and established his own practice shortly thereafter. Jim's legacy of hard work is a source of inspiration, instilling the values of determination, confidence, and civility in his community.

In 1997, Jim was elected Schoharie County District Attorney and has proudly served as the county's Chief Law Enforcement Officer since. In this capacity, through his effective prosecuting, Jim has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to preserving the safety and security of Schoharie County. Jim is a man of uncommon judgement with a fierce loyalty to the integrity of our judicial system.

As District Attorney, Jim served as a respected leader of the Schoharie community, and I thank him for his commitment to the State of New York. I wish him, his wife Rhonda, and their two children, James and Anne, every happiness as they embark on this new chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Shimkus for his leadership in this regard. I thank the Speaker and my colleagues for the opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, my district has numerous former industrial sites that have benefited directly from brownfields grant funding.

Shortly after the program was authorized, the EPA selected the City of Oneonta as a recipient of a $200,000 brownfields assessment grant to prepare reuse plans for a 100-acre heavy industrial area. This modest assessment grant helped accelerate ongoing efforts to support site enhancement by providing essential financial support to the city.

Similarly, Montgomery County has been able to utilize designations to assist it in the redevelopment of the former Beech-Nut manufacturing facility in the Village of Canajoharie.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my full support for this bipartisan legislation because

it works to better the lives of families and communities throughout my district and across America. I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this critical legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sorrow that I rise today to announce the passing of our former colleague, Congressman Maurice Hinchey.

Mr. Hinchey passed away on November 22, just before Thanksgiving, at the age of 79 in Saugerties, New York, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that was marked by fervent patriotism, political courage, and forward-thinking leadership.

During his 20 years of service in the House of Representatives, Maurice Hinchey represented a broad swath of New

York State, from the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains, over in the Southern Tier as well. Many of those areas make up what is today's 19th Congressional District, which I currently represent.

I also had the honor of working alongside Mr. Hinchey for 6 years in the New York State Assembly. There, he developed and honed his legislative skills as chairman of the assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee.

We proudly note the service of Maurice Hinchey to the Nation, and I am glad to be joined here by colleagues from the New York delegation and the dean of the delegation, Ms. Slaughter, to extend our heartfelt condolences to Maurice Hinchey's widow, and to the entire Hinchey family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Smiley Family of Mohonk Mountain House for being named the recipients of the 2017 Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year by Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. This prestigious award acknowledges multigenerational, family-owned historic hotels that are exemplary in both their operation and preservation efforts. It is true testament to the Smiley Family's continued legacy of historical, environmental, and cultural stewardship.

Founded in 1869 by Albert Smiley, the Mohonk Mountain House--a picturesque Victorian castle resort surrounded by vast forests and wildlife--is still owned and operated by the Smiley Family. What makes the Mohonk Mountain House such a prized treasure in the 19th District, and an attraction for travelers worldwide, is the Smiley Family's dedication to conserving the historical integrity of their resort and the land surrounding it.

Using their timeless resort as a catalyst for historical, environmental, and cultural preservation, the Smiley Family has redefined the role of hoteliers and has established a higher standard of excellence. For example, in 1963, the Smiley Family founded the Mohonk Preserve, a nature preserve that safeguards more than 8,000 acres. In 1980, the Smiley Family also founded Mohonk Consultations, a non-profit think tank focused on environmental issues throughout the Hudson Valley.

On behalf of New York's 19th District, I want to congratulate and celebrate the Smiley Family on their much-deserved award. We are grateful for the Smiley Family's dedication to the values we in the 19th District hold dear: environmental conservancy and a profound appreciation for history and culture.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Donald and Sharon Campbell, who have actively volunteered for more than a dozen years at the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry, a ministry of the Ichabod Crane Clergy Association in Columbia County.

With Don serving as chairman from 2006 to 2017, the leadership of these two honorable individuals has enabled the food pantry to serve hundreds of families in northern Columbia County. Utilizing grants, community donations, local farms and markets, the Campbells have truly supported their less-fortunate neighbors, enabling those folks to better support their families and loved ones.

Don and Sharon's efforts extend beyond the food pantry, aiding many other charitable pursuits in our community. We thank them as well as the volunteers of the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry for their gracious service to our Columbia County community.

Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to recognize the 250th anniversary of the Reformed Dutch Church in Claverack. Reverend John Gabriel Gebhard dedicated this historic sanctuary on November 8, 1767, adorning the church with the text, ``Stand in the gate of the Lord's House, and proclaim there His Word . . . enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.'' Reverend Gebhard headed the church for the next fifty years until his death, laying the foundation for what would be two more centuries of continued worship and community in central Columbia County.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Claverack's Reformed Dutch Church is a historic treasure. During the Revolutionary War, this building served as a refuge for soldiers and officers. Surrounding the church is the Claverack Cemetery, where Claverack residents connect to the community's earliest members.

The church continues to serve as a center for religious, educational, and community activities. On November 5, 2017, Claverack will come together to celebrate this incredible milestone. I thank Pastor Linda Miles, Vice President and Senior Elder Louise Bliss, Senior Deacon Donna Lynk Campion, and all members of the local Reformed Dutch Church for their contributions to this special community. I am proud to honor the Reformed Dutch Church in Claverack for fostering 250 years of prayer and kinship.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 598.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Lipinski, my friend from Illinois, for holding this Special Order this evening, to highlight the important work being done by the Climate Solutions Caucus, to develop economically viable solutions to address climate change.

Mr. Speaker, changing weather patterns and extreme weather events threaten nearly every aspect of New York State's economy, including our agricultural and outdoor recreational sectors. The recreational economy alone generates $42 billion in consumer spending each year, while supporting over 300,000 Empire State jobs. As we work to address climate change in a bipartisan manner, we must employ a variety of techniques that both mitigate impacts and support economic growth.

I am currently working with my Agriculture Committee colleagues on conservation legislation for the next farm bill that will provide important data points on conservation programs and outcomes, allowing legislators and regulators to most efficiently use taxpayer dollars to achieve real conservation results for our farms. These incentive programs support farming practices that, among other benefits, like increasing yield, lowering the amount of fertilizers that are employed, pull carbon from the air and sequester it in the soil.

In addition to sequestering carbon in the soil. We can also work to reduce emissions through greater efficiency in the transportation sector. Indeed, the transportation sector is one area where CO2 emissions have risen in the last 20 years, unlike, for instance, the electric generation sector.

One easy fix would be to modernize the air traffic control system to fly planes on more direct satellite guided routes because direct routes save fuel. When Canada switched to a modern air traffic control system, the national fleet was able to reduce emissions in that nation by millions of tons per year.

These commonsense changes are great steps forward in combating climate change, but our work is far from over. We must address the real impacts of man-made climate change and emphasize the need to develop and create jobs with a goal of protecting our environment. It is critical that we work together to develop smart solutions that will conserve our natural resources and protect our communities and infrastructure for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be a member of the Climate Solutions Caucus, and I look forward to working with my colleagues. I, particularly, want to applaud our distinguished friend from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski, for organizing this Special Order tonight on a bipartisan basis so that we can address this issue and allow the folks at home and all around the United States to better understand the work that is being done here in Congress on a bipartisan basis to address climate change.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 21st Century AIRR Act. This critical FAA reauthorization offers the best possible plan to finally modernize our antiquated air traffic control system.

I recently traveled to Ottawa, Canada, with congressional colleagues to learn firsthand how Canada's private air navigation service provider has been efficiently and safely moving 12 million aircraft each year since 1996.

This model consistently upgrades and improves air traffic control technology and isn't subject, as it is in the United States, to onerous government procurement rules. It is clear that this system works far better than its U.S. counterpart.

These reforms would also benefit the environment, as the updated technology allows for more direct routes. For instance, in Canada, over the last 20 years, this has resulted in 1.4 billion fewer gallons of fuel that have been used just in the last 10 years, and twice that amount in the last 20 years.

This needed change has widespread bipartisan support, and it would guarantee consistent funding for modernizing our air traffic safety system.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, today I rise to recognize Unalam, a family-run lumber manufacturing business in Otsego County, New York, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year on October 4.

Unalam is owned by the Van Cott family, which has established a multigenerational reputation of supporting our upstate farmers and small businesses with quality lumber products and innovations.

Unalam's journey began in 1892, when J.W. Van Cott began selling lumber in Unadilla, New York. Since then, each generation has left its mark on the family's business. Unalam has become a renowned firm for its expert production of glulam, or laminated timber barn rafters.

Today, Unalam is headed by J.W. Van Cott's great-great-grandson, Craig Van Cott, and his children, Zoe Vandermeulen and Leif Van Cott.

I thank and congratulate the Van Cott family as well as the past and present employees of Unalam as they celebrate this incredible milestone.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the commitment and dedication of Wayne Marshfield, who just recently retired after 50 years of hard work with the Delaware County Electric Cooperative.

Over the course of his career, Wayne has supported the Cooperative's central mission of providing reliable and affordable energy services to families throughout its entire service area.

Wayne's leadership and penchant for innovation have significantly enhanced the Cooperative's operations in our upstate communities. For example, Wayne developed the service location system, which greatly improved his company's service mapping, allowing us to greater respond to emergencies and needs of the community. In addition, he implemented the smart meter to modernize the area's outage alerts.

We thank Wayne Marshfield for his indispensable 50 years of service at the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, and also his 20 years-plus service as Hamden's town supervisor. Wayne has always gone above and beyond to ensure affordable and reliable power to our local homes and businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I salute Wayne Marshfield.

Northern Columbia Lions Club 70th Anniversary

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Northern Columbia Lions Club, which will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary on September 30 of this year.

Based in Valatie, New York, this Lions Club International post has a long history of extending a helping hand to neighbors in need. Its members practice charitable leadership, living out the Lions Club motto: ``Where there's a need, there's a Lion.''

This year alone, the Northern Columbia Lions Club has hosted vision screening tests for preschoolers, held a successful eyeglass drive for people in underdeveloped countries, refurbished benches in Chatham's Callan Memorial Park, and awarded scholarships to local college-bound students.

I thank our past and present members of the Northern Columbia Lions Club for their 70 years of dedication to a better Columbia County and a better world.