Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Syracuse native Mr. Victor G. McNett.

Mr. McNett served with his brother in the U.S. Army's 27th Infantry Division during World War II in Pearl Harbor, Saipan, and Okinawa. Mr. McNett then returned home and joined the Syracuse Police Department, where he served in the department's crime laboratory as a photographer, search technician, and fingerprint analyst. Mr. McNett later became the Director of the Crime Laboratory before retiring as a Lieutenant in the Syracuse Police Department in 1973. Mr. McNett served Central New York diligently as a member of the Syracuse Police Department, and was honored with numerous awards throughout his 27 years of service.

Mr. McNett was predeceased in death by his wife of 43 years, Virginia McNett, and daughter, Susan McNett. He is survived by three children: Linda, Eric, and Douglas McNett; six grandchildren; two great-grandsons; his brother, Duane; and sister, Phyllis.

Mr. McNett's love for country and family never faltered over the course of his life. He decided to share that love with the world in his memoir, ``Victor G. McNett, A Life of Service to Country, City, and Family.'' May Mr. Victor G. McNett's name and legacy forever be remembered, and may he rest peacefully.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Central New York Chinese Culture Center's new Rock Center facility in Syracuse, New York.

The CNY Chinese Culture Center plans to reopen the former Rockefeller United Methodist Church building as the Rock Center on July 22, 2017. The building has undergone significant renovations, but the structure's architectural character and history have been preserved to help facilitate the cultural exchanges that will occur at the Rock Center. The CNY Chinese Culture Center's hope for the Rock Center is to continue serving the Syracuse University and DeWitt communities with a wide array of programs, classes, and clubs.

Over the years, the CNY Chinese Culture Center has become a driving force in the Syracuse community, utilizing grassroots efforts to introduce Chinese heritage and culture to our community and foster cultural exchange. I am proud to recognize the grand opening of the CNY Chinese Center's Rock Center and I wish this outstanding organization continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2825. This critical piece of legislation is a chance for Congress to fulfill its duty to oversee the missions, programs, and functions of the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective Security, I am particularly pleased to support the important provisions of this bill relating to the Transportation Security Administration and the Secret Service.

This bill will make measurable and lasting improvements to the way in which we protect the traveling public on both aviation and surface transportation systems. It also provides much-needed leadership and continuity to TSA by establishing a 5-year term for its administrator.

Specifically, the bill provides important streamlining of TSA functions and offices; improves the vetting of aviation workers; enhances emergency preparedness at airports to protect against terrorist attacks and active shooters; and bolsters the Department's focus on aviation cybersecurity issues.

Passing this legislation will ensure that TSA is prioritizing the development and procurement of new passenger screening technologies and ramping of deployment of explosives detection canines for both aviation and surface transportation sectors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 30th Anniversary of Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc.

Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. was founded with the goal of revitalizing Syracuse's Southwest neighborhood with long-term solutions for its residents to achieve adequate and affordable housing. For the last 30 years, Jubilee Homes, led by Executive Director Walter Dixie, has collaborated with community partners to construct over 100 affordable new homes and expanded its efforts to include economic, youth, and workforce development in Southwest Syracuse. By creating a sense of community among the residents of Southwest Syracuse and through its initiatives increasing homeownership and expanding business development, Jubilee Homes has helped to stabilize the neighborhoods in Southwest Syracuse and improve the quality of life for countless residents.

I am proud to recognize Jubilee Homes for celebrating its 30th anniversary. Jubilee Homes has become a staple for the Syracuse community and I wish this outstanding organization continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the second annual Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival in Auburn, New York.

Auburn is a place that Harriet Tubman once called home, and our community is proud to preserve and highlight her extraordinary life's work. This concert pays tribute to Harriet Tubman's remarkable legacy through music.

The Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival's creator, Sean McLeod, is an Auburn native and descendant of a slave rescued by Harriet Tubman. McLeod is a member of the Thompson AME Zion Church and has devoted much of his life to the Harriet Tubman Home, now a National Historic Park. McLeod established the Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival to develop both a local and global impact through partnerships with a variety of businesses and nonprofits. McLeod also composed ``A Soundtrack for Harriet Tubman,'' which will be featured at this year's Music Festival.

This celebration is a fitting tribute to a woman who escaped slavery and devoted her life to advancing the freedom and equality of African Americans and the rights of women. I am honored to recognize the Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival and I wish it continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Liberty Store in Auburn, New York, as this family-owned business celebrates over 100 years serving our community.

For over a century, The Liberty Store has provided a large variety of menswear items to Cayuga County. When the Goldman family first opened the doors of its small business in 1915, it advertised shoes, pants, and socks. Over the years, the Goldman family has grown The Liberty Store into a one-stop shop for individuals and businesses alike, including the Auburn Correctional Facility. This small business has evolved over the past century to meet the needs of its clients and our community--now serving jails, police, and fire departments in 30 states. The Liberty Store has become an integral part of Auburn's landscape and still provides menswear for Central New Yorkers of all ages.

I am proud to recognize The Liberty Store and to congratulate the Goldman family on 102 years in business. This fourth-generation company has become a staple for the Auburn community and I wish The Liberty Store continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of the Christian Brothers Academy Lacrosse Team in the New York State Public High School Association Class D Championship on June 10, 2017. The CBA Brothers defeated the Westlake Wildcats 12-5 to secure the Brothers' first state title in program history.

The Brothers, finishing the season 18-5, were determined to win the program's first state title. Senior Alex Calkins, the game MVP, scored five goals to lead the Brothers to victory. Other members of the state championship include Michael Adornato, Joey Akl, Wyatt Auyer, Augustus Bonacci, Sam Bonacci, Peyton Bowler, Matt Buck, Francis Cannizzo, Tommie Caputo, CJ Carbone, Michael Catalano, Doug DeMarche, Zach Eber, Will Fallon, Ian Henderson, Malcolm Jackson, Colin Kelly, Lewes Kunda, Sam Lubinga, Matt Luddington, Ryan MacKenzie, Joey Matheson, Michael Matheson, Ben McCreary, Patrick O'Brien, Dan Polhemus, Lynch Raby, ZJ Shahin, Preston Taylor, Matt Vavonese, Gabe Vinal, Eli Weiss, Gregory Wells, and Jace Whelan. The team is coached by Ric Beardsley.

I am honored to recognize the teamwork displayed by the CBA Brothers and to congratulate the members of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Christian Brothers Academy. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of the Fayetteville-Manlius 3,200 Meter Relay Team in the New York State Public High School Association Class AA Championship on June 10, 2017.

Christy Berge, Palmer Madsen, Sophie Ryan, Rebecca Walters, Phoebe White, and Claire Walters of the Fayetteville-Manlius Hornets took home the state title in the 3,200 meter relay with a time of 8:56.41. The team is coached by Bill Aris.

I am honored to recognize the teamwork displayed by the Fayetteville-Manlius Hornets and to congratulate the members of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Fayetteville- Manlius High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of the Liverpool Baseball Team in the New York State Public High School Association Class AA Championship on June 10, 2017. The Liverpool Warriors defeated the Massapequa Chiefs 4-1 to secure the Warriors' first title in program history.

The Warriors, finishing the season 23-3, were determined to win the program's first state title. Members of the championship team include Nick Antonello, Peter Belgrader, Thomas Bianchi, Jordan Brown, Joel Ciccarelli, Jeff Destefano, Jake Evans, Brandon Exner, Jonah Harder, Andre Leatherwood, Devan Mederios, Gerard Mouton, Zach Pieklik, Matt Rioux, Nikolas Saunders, Zach Scannell, Zach Scharett, Jacob Sisto, Owen Valentine, and Joe Zywicki. The team is coached by Fred Terzini.

I am honored to recognize the teamwork displayed by the Liverpool Warriors and to congratulate the members of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Liverpool High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alexandria Payne of the Jamesville-DeWitt Red Rams for taking home the state pentathlon title in the New York State Public High School Association Class A Championship on June 10, 2017.

Payne set a District III record for amassing 3,351 points during the two days of competition. She is coached by Jim Lawton.

I am honored to recognize the hard work displayed by Alexandria Payne and the rest of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Jamesville-DeWitt High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of Brooke Rauber of the Tully Black Knights for taking home the state steeplechase title in track and field in the New York State Public High School Association Class C-1 Championship on June 10, 2017.

With a time of 7:01.26, Brooke Rauber took home the state title in the steeplechase. She was coached by Michelle Franklin-Rauber.

I am honored to recognize the hard work displayed by Brooke Rauber and the rest of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Tully Junior-Senior High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of the Skaneateles Girls Lacrosse Team in the New York State Public High School Association Class D Championship on June 10, 2017. The Skaneateles Lakers defeated the Bronxville Broncos 12-11 in double overtime.

The Lakers, finishing the season 18-4, overcame a six goal deficit in the championship game to secure the program's second title in four years. Members of the championship team include Hope Allyn, Sarah Bailey, Emily Baldwin, Riley Brogan, Christiana Ciaccio, Olivia Dabrovsky, Grace Dower, Emma Goodell, Taylor Hill, Abby Kuhns, Grace Kush, Sophie Kush, Abby Logan, Mae McGlynn, Mary McNeil, Olivia Navaroli, Maggie Newton, Olivia Nye, Jessica Patalino, Rachel Pinney, Kyla Sears, Mikaela Terhune, and Gaby Welch. The team is coached by Bridget Marquardt.

I am honored to recognize the teamwork displayed by the Skaneateles Lakers and to congratulate the members of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Skaneateles High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of the Solvay Softball Team in the New York State Public High School Association Class B Championship on June 10, 2017. The Solvay Bearcats defeated the Depew Wildcats 1-0 to secure the Bearcats' first program title since 1986.

The Bearcats, finishing the season 23-2, were determined to win the state title. Members of the championship team include Jordan Bamba, Sidney Chaffee, Althea Davies, Nadea Davies, Sam Farruggio, Lauren Hurd, Izzy Lambert, Hannah Martineau, Caitlin McCann, Lauren Nichols, Gabriella Petralito, Hope Riviera, Delana Thomas, and Aleah Yaizzo. The team is coached by Phil Merrill.

I am honored to recognize the teamwork displayed by the Solvay Bearcats and to congratulate the members of the team, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Solvay High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mia Grasso, Kaitlyn Neal, Katherine Carlile, Maddie Peterson, Shannon Roberts, and Olivia Gage of the Skaneateles Lakers for taking home state titles in their respective events at the New York State Public High School Association Class B-1 Championship on June 10, 2017.

The Skaneateles Lakers' Mia Grasso placed first in the 400 low hurdles with a time of 1:07.72, Kaitlyn Neal placed first in the 3000 meters with a time of 10:37.26, Katherine Carlile in the discus throw with a distance of 83-10. Carlile and Grasso were also members of the 1600 meter relay team with Maddie Peterson and Olivia Gage with a time of 4:15.26. The team was coached by Rob Tuttle.

I am honored to recognize the hard work displayed by the Skaneateles Lakers, their families, the coaching staff, and teachers at Skaneateles High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the victory of Jeremiah Willis of the Cicero-North Syracuse Northstars Track & Field Team in two individual track and field events at the New York State Public High School Association Class AA Championship on June 10, 2017.

With a leap of 23 feet and one inch, Jeremiah Willis took first place in the federation long jump. Willis also took first place in the federation triple jump in 46-05.25. He was coached by Greg Boton.

I am honored to recognize the hard work displayed by Jeremiah Willis and his coaching staff and teachers at Cicero-North Syracuse High School. This is a historic win for Central New York and I am confident that the positive experiences from the 2017 season will yield continued success in both athletics and academics.