Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand up for New Jersey jobs and New Jersey workers who are the best in the world. In Fair Lawn, New Jersey, the men and women at Mondelez bake top-quality products like Oreos, Teddy Grahams, Ritz Crackers, Chips Ahoy, and Barnum's Animal Crackers.

Mr. Speaker, Americans who enjoy Oreos or animal crackers would be proud to know that these delicious cookies and crackers are produced right here in America. However, I believe they would be shocked to hear about some of the recent practices of the company that threaten these employees' retirement and will outsource their U.S. production jobs to Mexico, an issue that Democrats and Republicans alike are rightly sounding the alarm about.

In the past month, Mondelez announced its intention to withdraw from its employees' retirement plan that the company participated in for 60 years, setting the stage for a retirement catastrophe that could impact more than 100,000 American workers.

The men and women I represent have worked hard and played by the rules their whole lives, responsibly planning for their retirements, taking care of their families, doing what they need to do. Mondelez can't just change the rules mid-game as people prepare for their retirements.

Mr. Speaker, America's seniors deserve security when they retire, and our workers deserve nothing but the best. Destroying retirement income, shipping jobs overseas to low-wage countries, and eroding the middle class sets us on a dangerous and unsustainable path.

I stand with the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers Local 719 in Fair Lawn and America's jobs. And I hope that Mondelez can sit down at the table and find a way to keep their commitments to New Jersey workers while continuing to make a great product in the United States of America and in New Jersey in the district that I represent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor New Jersey State Senator Bob Gordon. Bob is a loyal son of New Jersey and proud Fair Lawn resident, who has dedicated his life to helping North Jersey's communities.

During his time in the Senate, Bob quickly established himself as a leader among his ranks. He has never been afraid to reach across the aisle to get things done for the Garden State. Bob doesn't approach policy debates by labeling issues as Democratic or Republican, but rather by pushing for sound policy and what's best for the families and businesses of New Jersey. While at the helm of the Senate Transportation Committee, Bob achieved numerous legislative accomplishments, including key reforms of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and New Jersey Transit. His calm demeanor and respect for his fellow colleagues will be sorely missed on the Senate floor in Trenton.

Bob will leave New Jersey's State Senate to continue his passion for public service at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. This is one more role that Bob will tackle to help the state he loves so dearly. He has served New Jersey as a mayor, councilman, and fire commissioner in Fair Lawn, and later as an Assemblyman before ascending to the Senate in 2007. Our state is lucky to have Bob in our corner, fighting for New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank Senator Gordon for his tireless work on behalf of New Jersey, and I wish him and his wife, Gail, all the best in continuing to serve our state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor New Jersey Assemblyman Tim Eustace.

Assemblyman Eustace embodies all that makes North Jersey such a special place to live. I am honored to call Tim a friend and partner in the fight to help our region's families and businesses. Tim is a loyal son of New Jersey, the state that he loves so dearly, and has served so well.

Tim is New Jersey through and through. He was born in Passaic, went on to attend Blair Academy in Blairstown, and later graduated from Ramapo College in Mahwah. Tim quickly became a leader in Maywood as someone his neighbors knew they could count on. Starting his own small business, Tim helped countless patients as a licensed chiropractor and went on to become president of the Maywood Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Before ascending to the New Jersey State Assembly, Tim was elected Borough of Maywood Mayor, Councilman, and Council President. In each role throughout his career, Tim's leadership has been shaped by a deep commitment to doing what's right and what's best for North Jersey.

As a champion of the environment, Tim has successfully protected the beautiful natural landscapes and resources in New Jersey. He is on the front lines fighting for clean water in North Jersey, helping keep our kids and families safe. Tim's impact on communities across the state and his outspoken dedication to public health will be felt for generations to come. That's one reason why I am excited to see all that Tim accomplishes in his new role at the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.

As a trailblazer in the LGBTQ community, Tim is a tireless advocate for equal rights for all Americans. He is only the second openly gay person to be elected to the state legislature and played a key role in making marriage equality the law of the land in New Jersey. Along with his beloved late husband Kevin Williams, Tim made it possible for openly gay couples to access joint adoption in New Jersey by bravely breaking down barriers. Tim continues to be an incredible dad to Kyle and Cory to this day.

Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank Assemblyman Eustace for his friendship and for his service on behalf of New Jersey. I wish him all the best in continuing to serve our state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the Paramus community and those who lost their lives in the Route 80 bus accident in Mt. Olive, New Jersey, and to all those who were injured. My heart breaks for the 38 fifth grade students and seven adults involved in yesterday's horrific bus accident.

On a day when students from East Brook Middle School should have been enjoying their class trip, instead, they experienced every parent's worst nightmare. As a father, I am praying for every parent, child, teacher, friend, and administrator; and I know I will be hugging my kids extra tight this evening.

I join the Paramus community as they come together to support all those affected in this tragedy, especially the family of the student who lost their life and the family of Jennifer Williamson, the fifth grade social studies teacher chaperoning the trip, who lost her life.

May God rest their souls.

Savannah Clark, an East Brook Middle School sixth grader, remembered her teacher saying: She made things really, really fun for us kids, but now she can't anymore.

Mrs. Williamson, your care for our community will never be forgotten.

I also want to thank the first responders, doctors, and nurses who responded so quickly to help students, care for the victims, and investigate how such a horrible tragedy could ever have happened.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate two very special birthdays in North Jersey, George A. Vallone and Mary ``Dixie'' Vallone.

George A. Vallone, who was born on June 18, 1920, is a World War II Army veteran who served in an anti-tank division in North Africa. Later, George served in Rome as a Technical Sergeant working for the Allied Theater Commander. After returning home from the war, George continued to serve his community as the Co-Chair of the New Jersey Citizens for Property Tax Reform and as the President of the Sussex County Senior Citizens Presidential Council. George's work to better the country he loves so dearly is a testament to his patriotism. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing George's selfless sacrifices.

Additionally, Mary ``Dixie'' Vallone, who was born on March 8, 1929, has been an active member in the Sussex County community for decades. Mary is an award-winning crafter, winning several Blue-Ribbon awards at our local Sussex County Fairs. Mary has been a devoted wife and mother for nearly seventy years. Residents like Mary are what makes North Jersey such a special place to live.

George and Mary, happy birthday. I wish you both good health and happiness for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for their leadership on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, working with me on a bipartisan basis on the FRA Safety Data Improvement Act. Additionally, I want to thank Congressman Mitchell for helping colead this important bill.

In New Jersey, our rails and tunnels are literally crumbling. In a political environment, that is all too often polarized. Democrats and Republicans can certainly find common ground on our infrastructure being deficient, degrading, and incurring accidents that are becoming all too regular.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gave America a D-plus infrastructure rating on their scorecard. New Jersey also received an overall D-plus, with rail and transit in particularly bad shape.

Bergen County, in my district, is the worst in the Northeast for railway crossing crashes. America's infrastructure failure is leading to more and more accidents. In fact, recently, we have seen fatal Amtrak and New Jersey Transit crashes in Hoboken, New Jersey, Washington State, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

We simply can't afford to sit idly by, punting on this urgent need. We need infrastructure investment, but we also need to proactively improve our safety procedures and processes. We need to take on safety in this country. And for all we pay in taxes and tickets, both of which I think are far too high, we cannot play games with the safety of our families and children. From administration to administration, we can't have inconsistencies or delays in implementing rail safety rules.

I am proud to have led on this bipartisan bill to secure America's rails with real safety provisions. The bipartisan FRA Safety Data Improvement Act improves and standardizes reporting and training around railway accidents on railroads like Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. By better standardizing reporting requirements, we can leverage big datasets to improve safety and make smarter decisions. It does so my implementing the DOT's inspector general report and ensuring reporting to Congress on compliance.

The IG found that the Federal Railroad Administration had taken some steps to improve data reporting, but it still lacks standardized reporting and training. This bill codifies steps suggested by the IG, providing more certainty in the safety of our rails.

By allowing us to better leverage bill datasets--and the key here is putting big data to work--this bill will save lives. I urge support and passage of the FRA Safety Data Improvement Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Robert C. Sweeney--a bold and courageous community leader, a pioneer for New Jersey workers, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by the entire State of New Jersey, particularly our brothers and sisters in labor for whom he tirelessly advocated throughout his entire life.

Bob was committed to fighting for the working men and women of New Jersey. For twenty-five years, Bob served as President and Business Manager of Local 399 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers in South Jersey. As the longest- serving business manager in the history of the ironworkers, Bob fought vigorously to defend the labor movement and New Jersey's dedicated workforce. Bob's unflinching values and passionate leadership continue to live on through the steadfast work of his sons--Robert Sweeney, New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney, and New Jersey AFL-CIO Vice President Richard Sweeney.

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply grateful for Bob Sweeney's invaluable contributions to our community and our state, and I am confident that his memory will serve as an inspiration for our future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank Congressman Loudermilk for working together on the Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act. Congressman Loudermilk has been a true partner who has been tireless in pursuing smart regulatory reform policies and in finding solutions for the people he serves. We both want to get something done for the people we represent.

I also want to thank Congresswoman Sinema for her help and support in leading this legislation.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bipartisan Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act.

America's economic engine has been under pressure for some time now from unnecessarily burdensome and outdated regulations building up on the books of our regulators. It costs us in economic growth. And while there are clear times where smart guardrails are necessary, there are others when it actually holds back smart growth for our country and for our families.

We need a smarter, more efficient government. It is time to relieve these unnecessary burdens and spur business job growth and access to credit in New Jersey's Fifth District and across the country while protecting consumers and our economy. This bipartisan regulatory relief bill does just that. It updates and expands regulators' mandatory review of financial institutions while protecting consumers. It also requires the review be performed every 7 years rather than every 10.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the mayors of Sussex and Warren Counties, who convened last month for my Fifth District Mayors Summit. I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these leaders to save taxpayer dollars, invest in critical infrastructure, improve rural broadband connectivity, and provide law enforcement and firefighters with the resources they need to protect our communities.

In North Jersey, we are paying far too much in taxes and getting far too little in return. My District pays some of the highest taxes in the nation, yet we receive only 33 cents back for every dollar we send to Washington. Compare that rate to that of the ``Moocher States'' including Mississippi, whose citizens receive $4.38 back for every dollar they send to D.C. These states are giving themselves relief and sticking New Jersey with the bill.

We must continue working hard at the local level to stop New Jersey from becoming America's piggy bank. With the new challenges created by the recently passed Tax Hike Bill, we have to be more creative than ever in bringing federal dollars to the District and fighting for federal grants to boost our return on investment. Our mayors have already seen record successes in earning grants that support our cops, firefighters, and towns. For example, in Wantage Township, the Fire Department received $102,000 in federal funds for safety and operations through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program--the first AFG grant awarded to Wantage in thirteen years.

In Belvidere, the town received more than $1 million in federal excess equipment programs--more than $857 per family--through which the Police Department and Department of Public Works received equipment. That equipment included fifteen workstation computers, a network server, trucks, trailers, and six generators that can function as an electric power plant and provide electricity to the Fire Department, Police Department, and two storm shelters in the event of a major storm. Our work together is about fighting for North Jersey and helping our residents reduce their tax burden.

I am leaving no stone unturned in clawing back federal resources for New Jersey and hope that by shining a light on these public servants, our mayors can build on their success, and save more money for their towns and taxpayers. There is nothing partisan about this; it's just good for New Jersey.

This year, I am thankful for the fourteen mayors and leaders who attended our summit, rolled up their sleeves, and put in the weekend hours to help strengthen their towns:

Hackettstown Mayor Maria DiGiovanni

Andover Borough Mayor John Morgan

Andover Township Mayor Janis McGovern

Allamuchy Mayor Keith DeTombeur

Mansfield Township Mayor Joseph Watters

Washington Borough Mayor Dave Higgins

Hope Mayor Timothy McDonough

Newton Mayor Wayne Levante

Independence Mayor Robert Giordano

Allamuchy Deputy Mayor Elliott Koppel

Hackettstown Councilman Matt Engelau

Hackettstown Councilman Jerry DiMaio

Hackettstown Councilman James Lambo

Hackettstown Councilman Scott Sheldon

I thank them for their service. I am lucky to partner with this bipartisan group for the good of the Fifth District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 676, to urge support for this bipartisan resolution to help stop terror.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and my good friend Ranking Member Eliot Engel for their leadership on this issue, and I am glad that this bipartisan resolution has proceeded swiftly to a vote on the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, the revolution of 1979 marked an enormous step backwards for global security and for the basic rights of the Iranian people, the longest suffering victims of this corrupt terrorist regime.

From its very beginnings, the Islamic Republic of Iran, under the control of its Supreme Leaders, has repeatedly violated the fundamental human rights of its own citizens.

In August, the U.N. Special Reporter on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran highlighted the Khamenei regime's many ongoing abuses, ``including the arbitrary detention and prosecution of individuals for their legitimate exercise of a broad range of rights; the persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, students, trade union leaders, and artists; a high level of executions, including of juvenile offenders; the use of torture and ill treatment; widespread violations of the right to a fair trial and due process of law, especially before revolutionary courts; and a high level of discrimination against women and religious and ethnic minorities.''

Beginning late last month, protestors across the country have taken to the streets to decry their dismal economic prospects; Iran's costly, aggressive, and destabilizing actions throughout the region; and an antidemocratic regime that stifles their rights and aspirations and supports terror. These brave men and women, engaged in peaceful demonstrations, have every right to demand change from their corrupt and oppressive terrorist government.

While Iranians live under a brutal, authoritarian mullahcracy at home, their government insists on bankrolling terror throughout the region. Iran has capitalized on sanctions relief, bolstering its arsenal of conventional arms and its illegal ballistic missile program, and increasing the funding of heinous terrorist organizations and proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as propping up the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

As the world's leading sponsor of terror, Iran provides more than $800 million, annually, to Hezbollah and recently renewed its support for Hamas. Iranian-backed forces are also attempting to gain a foothold in Syria, right up against Israel's border, to threaten our vital ally and the leading democracy in the region.

There should be nothing partisan about having the backs of brave men and women anywhere who risk death to speak out for what is right and against a terrorist regime. This bipartisan resolution condemns the regime's censorship, violent crackdowns, and systematic repression. We must send a clear message to Iran that its destructive behavior throughout the Middle East will not be tolerated.

Mr. Speaker, the time has come for the people of Iran to enjoy their fundamental right to a peaceful and democratic government. I urge each of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan resolution to help stop terror.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the mayors of North Jersey, who convened last weekend for my Fifth District Mayors Summit. I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these local leaders to help save residents' property tax dollars, improve our schools, and get police and firefighters the tools and resources they need to protect our communities from crime and terror.

I am humbled every day to have the opportunity to work with our mayors. This past weekend, I watched first-hand as they put party aside and worked across the aisle to help claw back federal tax dollars in their towns--an urgent need, now more than ever, given the tax hike we are facing.

In North Jersey, we are paying far too much in taxes, and not getting enough in return. My District pays some of the highest taxes in the nation; yet, we only get 33 cents back for every dollar that we send to Washington. Compare that to ``Moocher States,'' like Mississippi, which gets $4.38 on the dollar. These states are giving themselves relief and sticking New Jersey with the bill.

The Tax Hike Bill passed yesterday is only going make matters worse-- gutting our State and Local Tax deductions, increasing our taxes, and lowering our property values. We must continue working hard at the local level to blunt the impact of this harmful legislation and stop New Jersey from becoming America's piggy bank.

In New Jersey, we must be vigilant about clawing back as many federal tax dollars as possible to boost our return on investment for roads and bridges, for firefighters and law enforcement, and the resources they need to help fight crime and lone wolf and homegrown terror. Working closely with my office, and my Director of Return on Investment, these mayors have already seen record successes this year to support our cops, firefighters, and towns. For example, in Paramus, the police department will be hiring five new post-9/11 veterans as police officers, thanks to a $1.875 million federal COPS grant. Harrington Park also brought back nearly $213,000 in AFG grants to help protect firefighters and our families. These are dollars that would be going to Alabama and Mississippi if we didn't fight to claw them back here. Our bipartisan work together is about fighting for North Jersey and helping our residents reduce their property tax burden.

I'm leaving no stone unturned and hope that by shining a light on these public servants, our mayors can build on their success and save more money for their towns and taxpayers. Getting this done is all about problem solving, and reaching across the aisle to do what's right for our communities. These are not Democratic or Republican issues; they are about what's best for New Jersey.

This holiday season, I am thankful for the twenty-one mayors and leaders who attended our summit, rolled up their sleeves, and put in the weekend hours to help their towns. Countless other mayors, councilmen, and councilwomen across the District have also worked

around the clock. Currently, as we head into the new year, I rededicate myself to being their partner in making towns and communities even safer, more prosperous, and more affordable.

Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko

Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz

Dumont Councilman Carl Manna

Emerson Mayor Lou Lamatina

Fair Lawn Councilwoman Lisa Swain

Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona

Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer

Hackensack Mayor John LaBrosse

Harrington Park Mayor Paul Hoeschler

Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet

Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali

Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager

Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera

Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna

Ramsey Mayor Deirdre Dillon

River Edge Councilman Thomas Papaleo

Rochelle Park Committeeman Michael Warren

Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin

Westwood Mayor John Birkner

Wyckoff Mayor Rudy Boonstra

Wyckoff Administrator Bob Shannon

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this bipartisan legislation and to thank my friend, Mr. Luetkemeyer, for working across the aisle with me on this commonsense measure.

This bill is a smart, thoughtful effort to perfect and improve our financial safeguards, cut burdensome regulation, and spur economic growth. Developed with Democrats and Republicans on the committee, it addresses our systematic risk in the financial sector.

With these changes, we can free up resources at smaller banks to get loans into the hands of New Jersey small businesses, families, and consumers, ultimately growing our American economy. It does so by making practical changes to protect New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan legislation to help constituents in New Jersey's Fifth District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1164, the bipartisan Taylor Force Act. I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel, who is my friend and colleague and a real leader for our party and for this issue, for all of their hard work and leadership to bring this legislation to the floor. All of us in Congress could learn from and emulate their friendship and bipartisan working relationship, especially when it comes to our foreign policy and support for our vital ally Israel, and in our fight against terror around the world.

I commend the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) for introducing this important legislation, and I am proud that Ranking Member Engel and I were the very first Democrats in the House to cosponsor this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I serve on the House Financial Services Committee's Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, where, day in and day out, my colleagues and I track the flow of money to terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS through illicit financial networks.

For years, the Palestinian Authority has shamelessly engaged in an equally heinous practice out in the open: the awarding of official payments to terrorists it inspires to go out and kill innocent civilians, including American citizens like U.S. Army veteran Taylor Force.

Israeli citizens live under the constant threats of stabbings, suicide bombings, and vicious terrorist attacks. Palestinian leaders, including President Abbas, have not just refused to call for an end to these attacks or to speak out against those who promote hate and violence, rather, they celebrate, defend, and promote terrorism through an elaborate system whereby the Palestinian Authority literally ``pays to slay.''

That is because for decades the PLO and the PA have provided payments in some form or another to terrorists and their families, as well as various other awards and titles and honorifics, but the practice is especially heinous because today it is enshrined into Palestinian law. The deadlier attacks of terrorism will be rewarded with even more money.

I know because I have read the laws and seen the accompanying payment charts. There is literally a payment schedule based on the severity of the terrorist attack, which encourages more severe and gratuitous violence and terrorist activity.

For instance, a terrorist who slayed three people in 2015, including an 18-year-old American citizen, Ezra Schwartz, who was spending his gap year in Israel and planned to attend business school at Rutgers University in New Jersey, would be rewarded by the PA with a monthly salary--the terrorist--of more than $3,000.

In sum, these payments total hundreds of millions of dollars that the PA redirects from its own budget to pay off the murderers of Jews, Israelis, and foreigners. The Taylor Force Act will eliminate U.S. foreign aid to the West Bank and Gaza that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority until the Secretary of State can guarantee that they have ended these payments. This legislation is carefully targeted to achieve maximum leverage over the PA to end the funding of terror.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation stands in stark contrast to a partisan, one-sided, offensive, and harmful bill recently introduced in Congress under the guise of promoting human rights that would cut aid to Israel for cracking down on terrorism. Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself and its civilians who have been the targeted victims of brutal attacks and murders while going about their daily lives. The United States ought to stand with them by condemning Palestinian incitement.

Members of both parties have been working together to do just that. Since fiscal year 2015, Congress has reduced, dollar for dollar, the amount of money that the PA and PLO pay to terrorists and their families from the Economic Support Fund aid that the U.S. provides. While this has resulted in the reduction of our foreign aid, it has not yet brought an end to this practice.

In May, I joined Representatives Claudia Tenney and Tom Suozzi and 33 of our colleagues who demanded that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson address these terror payments directly with Palestinian President Abbas during his visit to Washington, D.C.

It has been suggested that the PA may be more receptive to international pressure. I am glad that this bill urges the Secretary of State and the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to highlight this issue with the international community to condemn these horrific acts of violence. But that is simply not enough.

The United States must use every tool at our disposal to counter violence and terrorism. The PLO and the PA may well continue down the path of more hatred, violence, and terror without regard for the damage inflicted or for their role in diminishing the prospects for peace. But so long as they pay citizens to murder civilians, then they will do so without benefiting from the support of the United States taxpayer. There is no question that should be asked about that.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in standing in solidarity with the families of the victims of terror to bring an end to this appalling system of paid violence, and I urge support for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of 32-year-old Darren Drake from New Milford, New Jersey, whose promising life was cut short in last month's tragic and senseless act of ISIS-inspired lone- wolf terror in Manhattan.

Darren was one of our best and brightest, and a son of New Jersey through and through. A hardworking project manager at Moody's and a lifelong Jets fan, Darren earned more than three degrees from New Jersey universities. Not only was he driven and accomplished, Darren was also a committed public servant, serving as president of the New Milford School Board.

Darren was beloved. It was intensely moving to see so much of the North Jersey community come together at his wake and funeral last week and this week.

To his parents, Jimmy and Barbara, and everyone whose life he touched, I want to express my deepest condolences. Darren's death is our profound loss. He packed more into his years than most do in a lifetime. His life enriched our lives beyond measure.

No act of terror will ever be able to diminish the bright and burning love he had for his home, my State, and our country. I will spend my days here fighting terrorism at home and abroad in Darren's honor.

May God rest his soul.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome to the U.S. House of Representatives my dear friend and my adopted rabbi, David- Seth Kirshner, the leader of Temple Emanu-El in my congressional district in Closter, New Jersey.

As a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rabbi Kirshner has dedicated his career to serving his family, community, and our country. Dori and David are proud and loving parents to Eve and Elias, and I am glad they are here. Rabbi Kirshner is a spiritual mentor to many and a man of deep faith, conviction, and conscience.

Temple Emanu-El has been a beacon of civic engagement, youth education, and community service in our State, and under Rabbi Kirshner's leadership, Temple Emanu-El has brought a warm and open atmosphere that will endure for generations to come, building on its 85-year history of service to our State.

Rabbi Kirshner and Temple Emanu-El call on each of us to do our part to engage in ``repair of the world,'' ``tikkun olam,'' to love your neighbor as yourself, and to fulfill God's commandments with the work of our hands.

In addition to his work as rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi Kirshner is a leader among his colleagues, serving as the vice president of the New Jersey Board of Rabbis and as a member of the Chancellor's Rabbinic Cabinet at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

A strong advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship, Rabbi Kirshner is on the New Jersey-Israel Commission. He is a believer that Israel is a key strategic ally and a defender of democracy and freedom against the evils of terror.

I would like to thank Rabbi Kirshner for praying with us today and representing all faiths of the Fifth Congressional District of New Jersey.

May God continue to bless the United States of America.