Floor Statements

I rise today to honor the memory of Vincent Everett Fields of Long Valley, New Jersey who honorably served his country during the Second World War. Mr. Fields was a Private First Class, United States Marine Corps, and was killed in action during the battle of Iwo Jima on March 6, 1945.

Mr. Fields was 23 years old at the time of his death and left behind a young wife and a baby daughter. He was a member of the 5th Marine Amphibious Corps, which assaulted the Island with sea and air support. In the battle of Iwo Jima our Nation lost 6,800 American service members.

At the time of this tremendous loss, General James L. Jones, 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, stated,: ``The valor and sacrifice of the Marines and Sailors who fought on Iwo Jima is, today and forever, the standard by which we judge what we are and what we might become.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Chairman Upton's legislation, which will provide much-needed certainty and relief for millions of Americans, including 800,000 in New Jersey.

Regarding this issue, The New York Times editorialized this morning that the President has ``damaged his credibility, and it is uncertain how he can earn back the public's trust.''

I would suggest support of this bipartisan legislation will earn back the President's trust. This matter should be addressed legislatively and permanently and not administratively and temporarily, as the President suggested yesterday. It is time for us to work together.

I strongly support Chairman Upton's legislation. I am sure it will pass in a bipartisan fashion and there will be bipartisan support in the other House.

Mr. Speaker, New Jersey's largest newspaper, the Newark Star-Ledger, yesterday reported that fewer than 27,000 people have signed up for private health care insurance via the troubled ObamaCare Web site, healthcare.gov. The number includes just 741 in New Jersey.

These enrollment numbers are being dramatically outpaced by the millions of Americans, including at least 800,000 New Jerseyans, who are losing their plans because of the law, despite the President's promise they would not.

The House will vote tomorrow on the Keep Your Health Plan Act that will provide much-needed certainty and relief to Americans who have lost or are about to lose their current health care coverage.

I encourage President Obama to keep his promise to the American people and join Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle in support of letting those who like their current health care plans keep them under the law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 252, the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act, which will provide vital and continued medical education and research in the national effort to reduce preterm births. This legislation will advance the great progress made since the 2006 act and support Federal research and community involvement in premature birth research.

Our Nation's premature birth rate is among the highest in the world, and it is the leading cause of newborn deaths in the United States. Infants born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk for lifelong health and learning disabilities. In addition to its human toll among infants and its toll on their families, premature births cost our Nation's economy much financially, and while the medical community has made great strides in identifying the risk factors associated with premature births, far too many premature births today have no known causes.

It is fitting that the House will consider this legislation this evening. November marks Prematurity Awareness Month, a product of the fine work of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes estimates that, since 2006, 176,000 fewer babies have been born too soon because of improvements in the preterm birth rate. This is why the Members of the House and the Senate have worked in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion to reauthorize the 2006 act.

I thank Chairman Upton and Chairman Pitts and Ranking Member Waxman and Ranking Member Pallone for their leadership on this issue, as well as Senator Alexander and Senator Harkin and Senator Bennet. I especially want to thank Congresswoman

Anna Eshoo from California for working on this important issue, which benefits the health and well-being of the American people.

This is how Congress should work--together--on issues that make a lasting difference for the American people. It is in that bipartisan spirit that I ask all of my colleagues to join with us in support of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act so that we as a Nation will be able to continue our focus on premature birth research and prevention.

My thanks also to Congresswoman Capps for her leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Kevin Shanley of Gladstone, New Jersey. Kevin was a fine leader of the Newark Museum whose contributions will long be remembered. Kevin was also a successful businessman, a generous and caring philanthropist and a wonderful father and grandfather.

Kevin served as the Chairman of the Newark Museum for over 25 years. Under his leadership the museum underwent its largest expansion to date with the completion of its North Wing. His work at the museum expanded its mission and brought in objects and ideas that educated and inspired.

Kevin was a generous and caring philanthropist. He served as President and Treasurer of the Victoria Foundation, which assists young children and their families in the Newark community. Kevin also served on the Board of Trustees of New Jersey Futures, as a regent of St. Peter's University in Jersey City and on the boards of many other organizations. He was also a successful businessman working with a number of major companies. There he mentored many of his colleagues who appreciated his sound perspective and high degree of integrity.

Kevin's long devotion to his civic and personal responsibilities will forever be his legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the Honorable Jay Douglas Weeks of Lebanon Township, New Jersey. Jay leaves a long legacy of courage, honor and distinguished public service.

Jay started his life of service by volunteering for the Marines. He was taught to fly and excelled in combat maneuvering and navigation. He mastered fighter jets and bravely served on many important missions. In his professional life, Jay crafted his love of the skies as a pilot for United Airlines.

Jay continued his dedicated public service on the Lebanon Township Committee. There he had a long and accomplished tenure, including serving many terms as Mayor. He also volunteered his time with organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Elks and the Free Masons. He was also a lifelong sportsman and outdoorsman. Jay was a wonderful husband to Matilda and a beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jay's devotion to others and his love of life will be sorely missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lt. Colonel Robert Vaucher, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, on his induction into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame. Lt. Col. Vaucher enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1940 and served valiantly throughout the entirety of World War II. He has remained a presence in his community and in service to our country since.

Lt. Col. Vaucher was first assigned to Central America in 1942, where he logged over 1,000 hours in the air protecting the Panama Canal. For his steadfast efforts he was selected to be part of the B-29 bomber test team, which was charged with testing and modifying the B-29 before it was ready for combat use. Lt. Col. Vaucher was the first pilot ever to fly the B-29 at an elevation of 38,000 feet. In recognition of his contributions to the B-29 program, he was selected as Mission Commander to lead 525 B-29s in a final show-of-force flight over General MacArthur's Japanese surrender signing ceremony on the USS Battleship Missouri.

Lt. Col. Vaucher's courage and dedication in serving others continued long after he left the Air Force Reserve in 1962. He has been a local leader in Bridgewater Township for decades. His efforts helped lead to the establishment of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, the Bridgewater Township Police Department and the Bridgewater Township sewage system. I applaud Lt. Col. Vaucher's decorated history of military and community service, and congratulate him for his induction into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the House-passed continuing resolution and I call for its passage in the United States Senate.

The House-passed resolution ensures that our government remains open and operational; it ensures that our military personnel will continue to receive protection in the field and pay at home; and it guarantees continued care for our veterans. It protects individuals, families, and small businesses from the harmful effects of ObamaCare; and it holds the line on spending--the most critical fiscal issue currently facing Washington and the American people.

The United States Senate should join the House and pass this fiscally responsible measure and avert a government shutdown.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeffrey Mattison of Franklin Township, New Jersey for his distinguished tenure as the Executive Director of The Arc of Hunterdon County. The Arc of Hunterdon County is a non-profit agency dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Under Jeff's leadership The Arc has expanded to now provide permanent residences to more than 100 individuals and additional services to daily residents and family members. Jeff's service included 12 years on the board shaping the direction of the organization. Jeff has also enjoyed a 28-year career in commercial lending, working for several Hunterdon County community banks.

Jeff's commitment to community service is also highlighted by his leadership roles with the New Jersey Bankers Association, Builders Association of Northwest New Jersey, Rotary Club of Flemington and the United Way of Hunterdon County. I congratulate Jeff for being recognized by the Raritan Township Republican Club with its Outstanding Community Service Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to honor the military service record of Colonel Jack H. Jacobs of Far Hills, New Jersey.

Colonel Jacobs was awarded the U.S. Army's Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy in Vietnam.

Under intense heavy machine gun and mortar fire from a Viet Cong battalion, Colonel Jacobs called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack. Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped.

Although wounded by mortar fragments, Colonel Jacobs assumed command of the allied company, ordered a withdrawal from the exposed position, and established a defensive perimeter. He returned under intense fire to evacuate a seriously wounded adviser to the safety of a wooded area where he administered lifesaving first aid. He then returned through heavy automatic weapons fire to evacuate the wounded company commander.

It is for his courage and unwavering devotion to duty that I am proud to honor and remember the actions of Colonel Jack H. Jacobs.

Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration last week announced that it would delay until 2015 the employer health mandate, a crucial provision of its signature health care law. This is of questionable legality.

Days after that announced delay, the White House said that it would roll back requirements for new State online insurance marketplaces to verify the income and health coverage status of people who apply for subsidized coverage.

And this week it was reported that the Obama administration has quietly notified insurers that a computer system glitch will limit penalties that the law says companies may charge smokers.

These disclosures underscore the fact that ObamaCare is unaffordable, unworkable, and isn't what the American people were promised. It is time for President Obama to work with House Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with effective, commonsense reforms that actually lower health care costs for working families and small businesses while protecting jobs and our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Hunterdon Medical Center for sixty years of excellence in medicine. The Hunterdon Medical Center is a product of community initiative, with county residents petitioning the Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture to build a hospital--the last county in the state without one. In 1953, the medical center opened its doors and has since built an esteemed reputation providing expert care.

The Hunterdon Medical Center attracts excellent doctors from our finest medical schools. They come to practice in Hunterdon and to live and work in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. The Family Practice Residency Program is among the oldest in the Nation, and one of the most respected.

New Jersey is a world leader in medical and biopharmaceutical research and development and the Hunterdon Medical Center is a proud partner in this distinction. I commend the physicians, nurses, support staff and community of the Hunterdon Medical Center for sixty years of fine work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford for being awarded the 2013 Distinguished Citizen Award by the Boy Scouts of America and the Patriots Path Council. After twenty-seven years of distinguished public service this recognition is well earned.

Sheriff Rochford is the top law enforcement official in Morris County, New Jersey, regarded as one of the safest counties in the country. He oversees the operation of the Morris County Correctional Facility which has been lauded as one of the ``cleanest, quietest, most well run'' correctional facilities according to the American Correctional Association. His office received the Triple Crown Award from the National Sheriffs' Association for being a fully accredited agency--becoming one of only thirty-four to earn this national distinction.

Sheriff Rochford's community service includes President and Executive Director of the Sheriffs' Association of New Jersey and member of the advisory board of the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Sheriff Rochford's continued involvement in fundraising to help minimize medical costs to families of children suffering from cancer recently earned him a commendation from the American Cancer Society. He was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Jersey State Troopers Coalition in 2012.

Sheriff Rochford is an outstanding public servant who has continually demonstrated leadership. I congratulate him on his achievements and on his award as 2013 Distinguished Citizen of the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the work of Mrs. Betty Ann Benton of Pennington, New Jersey for her accomplished career in education. Betty Ann has taught for over thirty years as an elementary school teacher spending many years in Hopewell Township. There she introduced innovative programming and community outreach.

Betty Ann showed leadership in the classroom and her dedication led her to become the first Certified Reading Recovery teacher in the Hopewell Valley School System. Her notable service and accomplishments led to her recognition as Teacher of the Year in Hopewell Elementary School in 1994. Since that recognition she has been a role model to young educators. Betty Ann also introduced Hank, the Reading Therapy Dog, to the district, an idea acclaimed by students and parents that encouraged young, shy students to be engaged.

In addition to her distinguished work as an educator, Betty Ann has also demonstrated great commitment to her community through her involvement in the Healthy Communities Program and her time as a volunteer professional development instructor.

Betty Ann serves as an outstanding role model who has continually shown her dedication to her community through her students. I congratulate her on a long and distinguished career and congratulate her on her retirement.

Thank you, Congressman Pallone, and thank you, Congressman Smith, the dean of the delegation.

Senator Lautenberg was a tenacious fighter for the 9 million residents of the State of New Jersey, and tenacity was at the heart of his public service. New Jersey is a State that is complex and that is comprised of many different ethnicities, and Senator Lautenberg represented all of us extremely well. The only person in history of the State to serve five terms in the United States Senate, Senator Lautenberg died with his boots on in the saddle as he would have wished.

He was extremely proud of his roots in Paterson, a great industrial city in this Nation, where he was born and raised; and at age 18 he went off to war, World War II, as one of the Greatest Generation. Senator Lautenberg was the beneficiary of the GI Bill of Rights, and he was able to attend Columbia University from which he graduated after the Second World War, and his brilliant career in the private sector at ADP is a hallmark to the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people; but he recognized that he could do more for the people of our State and of the Nation when he was elected to the United States Senate in 1982, reelected in 1988 and reelected again in 1994, a hiatus of 2 years, then elected for a fourth term in 2002, and again for a fifth term in 2008. He was a person of perseverance.

To Mrs. Lautenberg and the Lautenberg children and family, we extend our profound sympathy. The people of New Jersey and, might I suggest, the Nation are saddened by his death.