Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the distinguished career of Stephen A. Rogers, longtime chairman of Advance Media New York, publisher of The Post-Standard, Syracuse.com, and NYup.com, who recently retired after 58 years in the news business.

A graduate of Syracuse University, Steve Rogers began working part time at The Post-Standard and The Herald-Journal in 1960 as a beat reporter covering crime. Seeking independence from his father, Stephen Rogers, then-editor and publisher of The Post-Standard, Rogers went to work for The Miami Herald as a general assignment reporter. Determined, Rogers worked hard to become The Miami Herald's managing editor for news. In 1977, he returned to Syracuse to become editorial director of The Post-Standard and The Herald-Journal. Four years later, in 1981, Steve succeeded his father as editor and publisher of both newspapers.

During his time leading the company, the newspapers won recognition for reporting on state government failures, Syracuse University basketball NCAA violations, and the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. Under Rogers' leadership, The Post-Standard has consistently ranked as one of the best-read newspapers in the country.

For the first time in 63 years, the name of Rogers or his late father, Stephen Rogers, who preceded him as publisher, will no longer appear on The Post-Standard's masthead. As a lifelong Central New Yorker, I join many in our community in thanking Steve for his leadership and passion for journalism. I am proud to congratulate him on his much deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the selfless actions of several members from the Fairmount Fire Department who went above and beyond the call of duty to help an elderly couple.

On January 12, 2018, members of the Fairmount Fire Department were called to the residence of an elderly couple in Camillus, New York. Heavy rains and melting snow had flooded their basement, leaving their hot water heater and furnace submerged under a foot of water. To make matters worse, temperatures that evening were expected to plummet to below freezing, putting the couple's safety in danger. With no family in the area to assist, and unable to relocate for the night, the Fairmount Fire Department came to the rescue.

Exhibiting consummate professionalism, the first responders replaced a broken sump pump to drain remaining water from the couple's basement. Fairmount's Fire Chief personally arranged for a last-minute heater installation. Ernie Kreis, the owner of Ernie Kreis and Sons Heating Co. Inc., rushed to the couple's home, and placed heaters throughout the house to keep the couple warm. The following day, Fairmount firefighters returned with dehumidifiers while Mr. Kreis and his crew finished installing a new furnace and hot water tank.

Today, it is my distinct honor to recognize Fairmount Fire Department's President Greg Popps, Chief of Fire Scott Clarke, Lieutenant Chris Barlow, Jesse Belon, Stephanie Barlow, Billy Spinelli, Zachary Benjamin, Chris Sheedy, and Lucas Patchen for their selfless actions. Fairmount Fire Department is comprised of countless community volunteer firefighters, and I am grateful for their countless hours working to keep the public safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, and as an avid fan of the game, to recognize hockey's Declaration of Principles.

Those who love hockey know that it requires teamwork and perseverance, instills integrity and a sense of humility, strengthens character and brings communities together. On September 6th, 2017, the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association issued a joint statement signaling the end to a two-year discussion between seventeen major worldwide hockey organizations including: American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA); American Hockey League (AHL); Canadian Hockey League (CHL); Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL); Canadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL); College Hockey Inc.; ECHL; Hockey Canada; International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF); National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); National Women's Hockey League (NWHL); North American Hockey League (NAHL); U SPORTS; United States Hockey League (USHL); and USA Hockey.

As part of the group's reaffirmation to the game, these seventeen hockey organizations have collectively issued a set of eight key principles--the Declaration of Principles--aimed at rededicating the game at every level to the group's core values and beliefs. The Principles are meant to serve as an internal compass to help guide decisions and shift behaviors of hockey organizations, as well as players, parents, coaches, fans, partners and all those who represent and care for the sport of hockey.

These Principles are:

1. Hockey should be an enjoyable family experience; all stakeholders--organizations, players, parents, siblings, coaches, referees, volunteers and rink operators--play a role in this effort.

2. Hockey's greatest value is the role it plays in the development of character and life skills.

3. All hockey organizations--regardless of size or level of competition--bring value to players and families in their ability to deliver a positive family experience.

4. Physical activity is important for a healthy body, mind and spirit.

5. There are significant benefits of youth participation in multiple sports.

6. Hockey programs should be age-appropriate for all players, accounting for each individual's physical, emotional and cognitive development.

7. There is great value in all forms of hockey, both on and off the ice.

8. All hockey programs should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. Simply put, hockey is for everyone.

This set of principles serve as a powerful platform for participants to build character, foster positive values and develop important life skills that transcend the game. Moving forward, the adoption of this declaration of principles will advance policies, programs and initiatives, while inspiring fans, players and communities to create the best possible experience for the entire hockey community.

It is my distinct honor to recognize hockey's Declaration of Principles, and thank the National Hockey League, National Hockey League Players' Association, and all groups involved in this declaration for their continued dedication to the improvement of Hockey, and by extension the lives of millions of Americans who watch, play, and love the sport.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the selfless action of my constituent, Kelli Maher, of LaFayette. Kelli is an extraordinary woman, who donated her kidney to child in need.

After learning she was unable to donate a kidney to a friend in need, Kelli Maher decided to volunteer her kidney for someone else. For 8-year-old Cecilia Brown from Ilion, Kelli Maher's transplant was the ultimate Christmas present. For her parents, it was a Christmas miracle. Kelli's compassion saved Cecilia's life.

Research shows that while most New Yorkers support organ donation, only 28 percent of New York's eligible population is enrolled as an organ donor.

I'm proud to honor Kelli today. Her act of kindness made a real difference, and changed a young girl and her family's lives forever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the selfless action of Jackie Bush Roorda, of LaFayette. Jackie donated her kidney to a complete stranger, who would have died without a kidney transplant.

Jackie wanted to do something brave. She donated her kidney to Gary Schmidt, who she had never met before, and who needed a kidney transplant in order to live after a lung transplant. Jackie's altruistic act gave her recipient another chance at life.

Research shows that while most New Yorkers support organ donation, only 28 percent of New York's eligible population is enrolled as an organ donor.

I'm proud to honor Jackie today. Her selfless act made a real difference, and changed Gary's life forever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chapel House Shelter, a nonprofit organization that serves homeless individuals in Cayuga County. On December 2, this wonderful organization celebrated 10 years of helping members of our community get back on their feet.

Founded in 2007 under the direction of Father Dennis Shaw and Executive Director Sandi Mettler, Chapel House provides a compassionate response to homelessness in Cayuga County. Once operating out of the gymnasium of the former Holy Family School on North Street, Chapel House has expanded and now provides emergency housing and services for men in a three-story, wood-frame house on Franklin Street.

Today, this nonprofit organization relies on the support of 14 full- time employees and 20 volunteers led by Executive Director Christina Thornton, as well as the generosity of individuals and businesses within the community. Thanks to the support of so many in our community, Chapel House Shelter is able to pursue its mission to provide our homeless neighbors with emergency shelter and the tools for self-sufficiency in a safe and respectful manner.

This phenomenal group has helped over 1,500 people find a warm place to sleep at night, fed the hungry, and offered a sense of security for those in need. In the last five years, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Chapel House has assisted over 75 veterans.

It is my distinct honor to recognize the 10 year anniversary of Chapel House, and thank Executive Director Thornton, her employees, and volunteers for all they do to help support those in need and alleviate homelessness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Oswego Buccaneers Girls Volleyball Team on their well-deserved Section III Class A Championship.

On November 4 at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, the Oswego Girls Volleyball Team fought hard to build a solid lead and then pull away from Jamesville-Dewitt High School. In the fifth set, the Buccaneers won the Class A Sectional title 3 to 2, maintaining a narrow four point lead during the remainder of the match. This is their fifth title in six years, an amazing accomplishment.

The Buccaneers finished their season with a 10-0 in League Record, and a 14-2 Overall Record, due to the hard work of seniors Laurin Furlong, Samantha Gardner, Brianna Guentner, Kennedy Shurtleff, and Adeline Benjamin; and juniors Michaela Bradshaw, Maddie Armet, Willow- Su Knapp, Reagan Thompson, Lauren DeVinny, McKinley Thompson, Sarah Casaletta, Sofia Proano, Alexa Quesnell, and Lisa Klunker. The team was coached by Ronald Ahart, an exceptional leader with an accomplished volleyball resume.

The Buccaneers played with heart and dedication throughout the entire season. I commend the hard work, commitment, and teamwork displayed by these young women. Excellence on the field translates to excellence off the field and the practice of sacrificing for the common goal builds character in our children. I could not be more proud to congratulate these young women on their tremendous season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave and selfless actions of members of the Fulton, New York Fire Department.

On December 17, 2017, Fulton Firefighters Terry Recore, Allan Baker, and Assistant Chief Shane Laws responded to an incident at the Oswego River in which two individuals had become trapped when attempting to save a dog that had fallen through the ice and into the river.

A man and woman saw a dog drowning, and acted immediately. Both the man and woman entered the water and hoisted the dog into a kayak. However, the pair was then unable to return to shore. Wearing ice suits, Firefighters Terry Recore and Allan Baker helped get the woman and dog out of the freezing water. Assistant Chief Shane Laws threw a rope to the man who in the water and returned the group to shore.

I have the utmost respect for our fire fighters and first responders. I thank them for the long hours, for charging into danger, and for putting their lives on the line to keep us safe each and every day. They guard our cities, protect our towns, and make our communities better.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my colleague's bill, H.R. 4477, the Domestic Explosives Detection Canine Capacity Building Act of 2017.

This bill will help develop a domestic program through which the DHS and the TSA can acquire high-quality explosives detection canines from the United States. Currently, too much money is spent on too few canines because we are forced to compete for dogs from other countries in this high-demand threat environment.

Mr. Rogers' bill will help mitigate threats to aviation security by working to build our capacity here at home while proliferating the use of highly capable explosives detection canines. In a time when threats to homeland security are rapidly evolving, these dogs represent one of our greatest security tools in detecting explosives in surface and aviation transportation systems.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rogers for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4567) to require a Department of Homeland Security overseas personnel enhancement plan, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4567, the DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017.

As chairman of the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, I recently led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Europe and the Middle East to examine international aviation security and counterterrorism operations. The efforts of DHS personnel stationed overseas to build relationships with foreign partners, to coordinate with other Federal agencies, and to secure our homeland from threats before they arrive on our shores are truly a testament to the vital counterterror mission of Homeland Security. Additionally, the trip underscored the need to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of our overseas programs in a manner that is risk-based.

Unfortunately, however, I also observed that even today, more than 15 years after 9/11, the United States Government still struggles to avoid stovepiping and effectively participate in information sharing and collaboration on homeland security matters. It is imperative that DHS personnel serve as a force multiplier with their Federal counterparts to act in genuine partnership when mitigating threats to the homeland both here and abroad.

My legislation takes observations from our delegation and codifies requirements to make overseas DHS personnel more effective and better equipped. This bill provides critical transparency to the training provided to overseas DHS employees, as well as how their positions and roles measurably contribute to the counterterrorism mission of the Department of Homeland Security.

Additionally, my bill will allow Congress to understand what organizational culture or bureaucratic hindrances exist to effective information sharing among DHS personnel and how we can break down barriers to better address evolving threats to the United States.

The first role of government is to protect its citizens, and it is incumbent upon those of us in Congress to ensure that the United States Government is doing all it can to respond to changing threats, share information effectively,

and build counterterrorism capacity among our foreign partners.

I appreciate the bipartisan support of Ranking Member Watson Coleman, Congressman Vela, and Congresswoman Meng of this bill and I look forward to continuing our work together on these and other issues. I also wish to thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul, for his unwavering support of our efforts.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the starkness of the challenges facing the men and women of DHS to accomplish our mission was made clear to me and my committee colleagues on a recent trip to the Middle East and Western Europe. I hope they know just how much we appreciate all of their tireless efforts to protect the homeland.

Madam Speaker, I digress just for a moment before I close and note that, for the last 3 years on my committee, one of my colleagues, the main committee staff person, Krista Harvey, has worked on all these bills and worked on all these trips I have taken and has played a key role in the things we do to keep our country safe. In fact, I was just checking. Twenty-one bills that she helped author passed the House, and many were signed into law.

Ms. Harvey, regrettably, is leaving our service, but she is going to continue serving the government in working at the Department of Homeland Security in a senior capacity at the Transportation Security Administration. I thank her for her work and doing all she does as a public servant helping us keep our country safe.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4561) to provide for third party testing of transportation security screening technology, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4561, the SAFE TECH Act, sponsored by my good friend and colleague and a knowledgeable alumnus of the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Bilirakis, who recently participated in my subcommittee's overseas congressional delegation to examine airport security and the passenger screening technology in place at last point of departure airports with direct flights to the United States.

As part of our delegation, we visited Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, where we saw the effective deployment of new and advanced computed tomography screening technology, as well as a number of other screening technologies aimed at making the passenger and employee screening checkpoints both more effective and more efficient.

Upon returning to the United States, the committee conducted rigorous oversight and found that the existing testing and evaluation processes in place at the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration are riddled with bureaucratic bottlenecks that serve to delay new technologies for years.

I will note that the technology in place at the airport in Schiphol was made in the United States, yet we are not taking advantage of that technology because of these bottlenecks.

Additionally, due to logjams at Homeland Security and TSA facilities, small businesses, as well as technology startups, are often prevented from participating in the acquisitions and procurement processes. As a result, our aviation system is left with antiquated security technology that is incapable of adequately responding to new and ever-evolving threats.

Madam Speaker, this is simply unacceptable, and we must act to reform the Homeland Security and TSA acquisition processes. H.R. 4561 takes significant steps toward making these reforms by allowing new technologies to receive third-party testing and evaluation, while maintaining existing lines of authority for the TSA administrator to ensure such testing remains held to the highest standards of security and integrity.

This bill will not only drive innovation but will also save taxpayer dollars at Homeland Security and TSA, while reducing costs to companies developing new screening technologies. That is why we have received broad support, not only in a bipartisan manner here in Congress, but also from the private sector.

Madam Speaker, I commend the dedication of Congressman Bilirakis to reforming the broken acquisitions process currently in place and for working with me and the committee on developing this bill. I also wish to thank Chairman McCaul for supporting this legislation and moving it quickly through the committee to address the serious concerns we found through our oversight efforts.

I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who routinely support bills of ours, and we routinely support bills of theirs, because we both understand that homeland security is a very bipartisan issue.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the time is long overdue to apply strong oversight and reform to the manner in which TSA develops and deploys new screening technologies across our aviation system.

With persistent threats facing the aviation sector, H.R. 4561 makes much-needed improvements to the innovation and procurement process at TSA. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of bill, H.R. 4559: The Global Aviation System Security Reform Act of 2017. This legislation will help raise the global baseline of aviation security and protect the traveling public from a litany of terror threats.

After recently participating in a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the Middle East

and Europe to observe international aviation security efforts firsthand, my colleagues and I returned home determined to bolster the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to build capacity among foreign partners.

When it comes to aviation security, we are only as secure as our weakest link. Unfortunately, through our oversight on the Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, we have grown increasingly concerned that existing standards are simply not sufficient to keep up with the changing threats to aviation.

This legislation will ensure that DHS and TSA are aggressively committed to eliminating security vulnerabilities and inconsistencies at overseas airports with direct flights to the United States.

I wish to thank Congressman Estes for participating in the important delegation we undertook which led to this legislation, as well as his commitment and leadership to security America's transportation systems on my Subcommittee.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the legacy of New York native Solomon Northup on Solomon Northup Freedom Day.

165 years ago, Solomon Northup was set free from his enslavement. Born a free man in New York, Mr. Northup made a living as a farmer and as a professional violinist. Unlike many African American free men during this time period, Mr. Northup was a landowner in Hebron, New York.

In 1841, Mr. Northup was offered the position of violinist with a traveling circus. In Washington, D.C. the very same men who hired Mr. Northup drugged him, and sold him into the abhorrent institution that is slavery. Mr. Northup was sent to Louisiana, and lived in captivity for 11 years, 8 months, and 26 days.

During his horrific enslavement, Mr. Northup worked with a Canadian who helped get word to New York about his whereabouts. New York State provided aid to free New York citizens who had been kidnapped and sold into slavery. Mr. Northup's family and friends did not abandon hope. They sought the support of Washington Hunt, the Governor of New York, who helped Mr. Northup regain his freedom on the morning of January 4, 1853.

No longer enslaved, Mr. Northup took little time to rest after being freed from his captors. Mr. Northup became a fierce abolitionist. He began to lecture on his experience and appear at anti-slavery conferences throughout the northeast. His memoir, ``Twelve Years A Slave,'' recounted the horrors and injustices that he faced, and received domestic and international acclaim.

Today, on Solomon Northup Freedom Day, I am proud to join the cities of Saratoga Springs and Auburn in recognizing the story of Solomon Northup. Central New York is such an important part of the Abolitionist Movement. After escaping from slavery, Harriet Tubman lived in Auburn, New York until the day she died. Tubman fought her whole life for the eradication of slavery. Today, the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn represents her legacy, and the importance of human rights, gender equality, and ending racism.

Solomon Northup Freedom Day also reaffirms the necessity of eradicating modern-day slavery, human trafficking, and racial prejudice. This January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month, and the United Nations estimates that more than 40 million men, women, and children continue to be enslaved globally.

Solomon Northup will be remembered for his dedicated efforts to fight for those who

were vulnerable and did not have a voice. May we honor his legacy each and every day by following in his footsteps.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Onondaga Nation Chief Irving Powless, Jr.

Chief Powless was born in Syracuse, the son of Chief Irving Powless, Sr. and Cecelia Powless, both active members within the Onondaga Nation. As chief of the Beaver Clan of the Onondaga Nation, Chief Powless, Jr. established a reputation for his quick wit, enthusiasm, and ability to ease stressful situations. He served as secretary of the Onondaga Council of Chiefs for more than 30 years and was a respected leader throughout Central New York. Chief Powless was an expert on treaty rights, and throughout his life, tirelessly advocated for the rights of the Onondaga Nation and the Haudenosaunee peoples.

Chief Powless' love for his people and for their history never faltered over the course of his life. He was an avid historian, and spent time as a lecturer, author, and teacher. Beyond his role as a scholar, Chief Powless was

an avid hunter, lacrosse player, and environmental advocate. He worked to obtain a new health center for the Onondaga Nation School, and to return sacred objects from museums to the Onondaga people. He published several books, including, ``Who are These People Anyway?''

It is my honor to recognize the life and legacy of this great leader in our community. May Chief Irving Powless, Jr. name and legacy forever be remembered in the Record. Rest peacefully.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in favor of S. 1532, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill strengthens our Nation's efforts to combat human trafficking.

As a former organized crime prosecutor for two decades both on the Northern border and on the Southern border, I have seen firsthand the horrors of human trafficking. Too often, human traffickers take advantage of our Nation's transportation network to transport their victims from one location to the next.

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the transportation industry play a critical role in preventing and stopping these heinous exploitations. I want to commend the trucking industry for their commitment in training drivers to identify instances of human trafficking through organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking.

Truck drivers are often a critical asset in helping law enforcement identify victims who otherwise might go unseen. However, an isolated few individuals have taken advantage of their position to illegally traffic innocent people. We must stop this from occurring.

Earlier this year, alongside my good friend, Congresswoman Esty, I introduced H.R. 3814, the identical House companion to this bill. While the vast majority of our Nation's truck drivers are hardworking, honest men and women, our bill is necessary to ensure that the select few who commit these crimes are brought to justice.

I am grateful for the chairman's support in moving our bill through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and bringing this important issue before the floor of the House. I would also like to thank outside organizations, like the National District Attorneys Association, for supporting this legislation.

Again, I would like to thank Representative Esty and Senators Thune and Klobuchar for their bipartisan, bicameral leadership in this matter.