Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor as it becomes America's first National Heritage Area to receive a partnership designation from the Smithsonian Institution. The D&L, as we in eastern Pennsylvania call it, preserves the historic canal that carried anthracite and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia. It is one of three National Heritage Areas in my congressional district, and it runs through three of the 17th District's counties. I am proud to support areas like the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor by co-sponsoring the National Heritage Area Authorization Act.

A National Heritage Area is a site designated by Congress for the purposes of preserving history and encouraging an appreciation of the site. It is a place where natural, scenic, cultural, and historic resources combine to offer a landscape of stories celebrating our unique journey and status as a region. A National Heritage Area is a lived-in landscape and is administered by a state government, non- profit, or private corporation rather than the National Park Service. It is a place where stewards collaborate with residents to forge a way to make heritage relevant for local interests and needs. This community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development must be preserved and grown. These sites are essential to how we share who we were, who we are, and who we might become with the next generation.

The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 and is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. It has over 216 affiliates. This affiliation partnership for the D&L comes on the heels of its recent merger with the National Canal Museum in Easton, Pennsylvania. The affiliation partnership designation will raise the profile of the D&L and help it better connect to nature, recreation, and our nation's industrial heritage. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the D&L will reap the benefits of co-branding, professional development, and customized client service to facilitate exhibition and artifact borrowing needs.

Those who know me well know my passions for preserving history, natural resources, and outdoor recreation opportunities. With the D&L, these passions are one. It is my honor to share with the House the story of a place that so well engenders a love of nature and of history and that now includes its welcome into the Smithsonian family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Edward W. Stanks, Jr., CPA who will be honored on May 13 by the Wyoming Valley Children's Association. Ed will receive the 2017 ``Making a Difference Award'' for his continued involvement in the Children's Association. Ed has served on the WVCA board as treasurer for over fifteen years. He has shared his knowledge, expertise, and countless hours of his time to help the children of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Ed has worked as a Certified Public Accountant for nearly four decades for companies like Coopers and Lybrand (now Price Waterhouse Coopers/PwC) and Baron, Strassmen & Co. (now Kronick, Kalada, Berdy, & Co., P.C.). Today, Ed owns and operates his own accounting office in Kingston, Pennsylvania. In addition to serving the Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Ed is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. He is the former president and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Kingston. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow of the Kingston Rotary Club. Ed also serves as the treasurer of the Exodus Prison & Aftercare Ministry. He belongs to St. Therese's Parish in Shavertown, where he serves on the finance council and helps with the music ministry.

It is an honor to recognize Ed Stanks, Jr. for his service to the Wyoming Valley Children Association, an outstanding organization helping to provide the therapeutic support needed to give all of the children in northeastern Pennsylvania a quality early childhood education. I am truly grateful for his efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise because evidently, in the House of Representatives, we will be taking up the possible passage of a revised but, as yet, unseen American Health Care Act.

I rise to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote against this. The CBO has not scored it, so we don't know how much it will cost. We don't know how many Americans will be thrown off their health care.

I want to quote Dr. Andrew Gurman, who is the president of the American Medical Association, who said this today:

``Not only would the AHCA eliminate health insurance coverage for millions of Americans, the legislation would, in many cases, eliminate the ban against charging those with underlying medical conditions vastly more for their coverage.''

This is a bad bill that has gotten worse with time. We haven't seen it. It hasn't been scored for money or how many patients will be thrown off their health care. It will hurt patients, it will hurt medical providers, it will hurt hospitals, and it will hurt this country.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael J. Eagen, former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court whose life will be commemorated by the Lackawanna County Historical Society with a History Marker. A shrewd legal mind, Eagen was a celebrated force for change in the Pennsylvania justice system before his retirement in 1980.

Michael J. Eagen was born on May 9, 1907 and grew up in Jermyn, Pennsylvania. In 1927, Eagen graduated from St. Thomas College, today the University of Scranton. Eagen then enrolled at Harvard Law School. After one semester, he returned to Northeast Pennsylvania following the loss of a family business. Eagen later enrolled in a law course in Philadelphia and passed the bar exam to start practicing law.

Eagen then set his sights on elected office and public service, beginning his illustrious judicial career. In 1933, at the age of 26, he was elected the youngest District Attorney in Lackawanna County. After two terms as DA, he became the youngest judge in Lackawanna County history at 34 years old. While on the bench, Eagen was outspoken against corruption, notably criticizing city police and Assistant City Solicitor Joseph V. Phillips in a 1943 case when a defendant claimed he was denied his right to testify.

In 1959, Eagen joined the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In 1977, Eagen was named the Court's 38th Chief Justice. In his years on the Supreme Court, Eagen ordered a number of reforms to improve Pennsylvania's judicial system. Under his deft leadership, the Court was expanded, delays in resolving civil lawsuits were rectified and streamlined, and a system of accountability for judges was instituted requiring them to submit a monthly report on the status of their assigned cases.

After an impressive 21-year career on Pennsylvania's highest court, Chief Justice Eagen retired from the bench in 1980. Eagen passed away in 1987 at 80 years of age, leaving behind an impressive legacy and a reformed Pennsylvania judicial system. It is an honor to recognize his many contributions to Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Keith Moss, Mayor of Duryea Borough. On April 18, 2017, Mayor Moss will receive the 2017 Joseph Saporito, Sr. Lifetime of Service Award for his dedication to the people of Duryea.

Keith first began serving his community in his youth as a Boy Scout. At the age of 20, Keith joined the Germania Hose Company as a volunteer firefighter. Throughout his membership with the hose company, Keith served as president, vice-president, and trustee. Keith began his political career in 1992, when he was elected to Duryea Borough Council. In 2001, Keith successfully ran for Mayor of Duryea and has since served the borough as its chief administrator. In addition to presiding over the borough's affairs, Mayor Moss has officiated weddings over the years.

In September 2011, Mayor Moss' leadership was put to the test when rain from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee flooded areas of Duryea. After being alerted by Luzerne County Emergency Management of possible flooding, Mayor Moss issued a declaration that gave him temporary operational control of Duryea. For 72 hours, he worked non- stop with other government officials to prepare residents for evacuation. After the storm hit, 139 homes in the borough were destroyed. Tasked with clean up from the storm, Mayor Moss was promised federal aid from former Vice President Joe Biden, who personally surveyed flooded sections of Duryea.

Today, Mayor Moss continues to serve the Duryea Borough and is focusing on fostering closer relationships in the community. He helped arrange Duryea's involvement in National Night Out, an event that promotes community-police camaraderie, as well as the borough's Halloween party.

It is an honor to recognize Mayor Moss as he accepts the 2017 Joseph Saporito, Sr. Lifetime of Service Award. His long history of service to Duryea is significant contribution to the fabric of America. May he continue to fulfill his mayoral duties with honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Camdyn Lewis, Ava Decker, and Molly Dougherty of West Scranton Intermediate School. These three 8th grade students, with the help of their social studies teacher Erin Mangan, came in first place in the middle school division of the 2017 National C-SPAN StudentCam Video Contest.

The students' prize-winning entry is entitled ``US Gun Violence--A Complicated Puzzle.'' The seven minute piece covers the victims, legislation, law enforcement, mental health, and socioeconomic aspects of gun violence and included interviews with leaders who work in areas related to firearm policy. Those featured in the film were Nicole Hockley, whose son Dylan Hockey was a victim of the Sandy Hook shooting; U.S. Senator Bob Casey; Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Jr.; NRA Spokesperson Catherine Mortensen; and Jeffry W. Swanson, Ph.D., Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Services at Duke University. The video urges Congress and the president to take action to reduce the number of gun-related casualties in the country, but also calls viewers of the piece to action to prevent incidents of gun violence in their communities.

It is an honor to recognize these three young women for covering such an important issue with sensitivity and tact. I congratulate them on winning the 2017 National C-SPAN StudentCam Video Contest. I applaud the faculty and staff at West Scranton Intermediate School for helping these students make a successful video project. Camdyn, Ava, and Molly should be proud of the exceptional piece of journalism they produced.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ron Faraday, who will be honored April 18 as the Greater Pittston Person of the Year. Ron is the president of the Greater Pittston Historical Society. Ron's work with the Greater Pittston Historical Society has helped revitalize the organization's involvement in the community.

The Greater Pittston Historical Society was founded in 2000 as a repository organization so that members of the community could gather, donate, and preserve items of local history. Ron joined the organization in 2012. After an increase of membership and reorganization in 2013, Ron was elected president of the Society. It is headquartered at the Pittston Memorial Library and has 85 active members. The members diligently work to collect memorabilia and digitize newspapers, photographs, and other historical records. Under Ron's leadership, the Greater Pittston Historical Society has partnered with Misericordia University to provide internships to students. The students have helped with the Society's website design, research, and archiving materials. Ron was also instrumental in pushing for the documentary film ``Our Town: Pittston'' which was released on February 23, 2017 by WVIA-TV.

It is an honor to recognize Ron for all the great work he has done with the Greater Pittston Historical Society. I congratulate him being named the Sunday Dispatch Person of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Natalie Gelb, Executive Director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority works to preserve, conserve, and educate the public about the historical, cultural, economic, and natural resources of Lackawanna County. On March 30, Natalie will officially retire from her ED position after twelve years of outstanding service.

A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Natalie attended Scranton Central High School and then the University of Maryland, where she graduated magna cum laude with degrees in English and history. Natalie joined the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in 2004.

As Executive Director of the Authority, Natalie rehabilitated the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and worked to foster closer relationships with other area organizations and institutions. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is part of a unique, seventy-mile, multi-purpose trail system. The trail begins at the confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna Rivers in Pittston and continues north where it connects with the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail. When Natalie began her work in 2004, the trail system was underdeveloped. But under her leadership, it was transformed into a highly utilized attraction in Lackawanna County, now drawing over 300,000 visits a year.

In addition to serving as Heritage Valley Authority's Executive Director, Natalie has compiled an impressive personal record of service to others and her community. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewish Family Service, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, and the NEPA Health Care Foundation. She is a member of the President's Advisory Council of Keystone College, Living Independently for Elders (LIFE), the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Steering Committee for Women in Philanthropy.

It is an honor to recognize Natalie for all that she has done while leading the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. I wish her the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of Dupont, Pennsylvania, which will celebrate its Centennial on March 28, 2017. When Judge Garman signed a decree on March 28, 1917 to officially incorporate the Borough of Dupont, he could not have imagined the robust, close-knit, and thriving community that Dupont is today.

The citizens of Dupont have always shown resilience and determination. In 1896, when the residents of the Dupont section of Pittston Township were unhappy with their living conditions and the allocation of their tax dollars, they banded together to present a petition for incorporation to Luzerne County. When their petition was denied, the citizens of Dupont did not back down or give up. They spend the next 21 years revising and submitting new petitions until their ultimate success in 1917.

In 1917, Dupont was home to 27 saloons, 6 butcher shops, a watch maker, 5 candy stores, and 3 pool rooms, among other fine establishments. Today, Dupont is home to many area favorites, including the Dupont Polish Club and VFW Post 4909, as well as a number of successful businesses and restaurants. These small businesses and gathering spaces truly reflect the community-minded and entrepreneurial spirit of Dupont.

Communities like Dupont are what make Northeastern Pennsylvania a unique and vibrant place to live and work. Over the past one hundred years, the Borough has demonstrated a commitment to fellowship and progress, a trend which will no doubt continue and contribute to the prosperity of this treasured community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stanley Waleski, who will receive the 2017 Achievement Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Stan will be honored by the Friendly Sons during the 103rd annual dinner on March 17.

Stan is a former educator in the Pittston Area School District. He served as a teacher, coach, and principal for over 35 years, retiring in 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from East Stroudsburg University with a teaching certification in Health and Physical Education. Stan received a Masters of Arts degree from Marywood University with certifications in Elementary Education, Elementary and Secondary School Administration, and a Superintendent's Letter of Intent. While attending Scranton Preparatory School, Stan was an outstanding athlete and a member of the 1973 PCIAA state champion basketball team.

For 51 years, Stan has been an active member of the Avoca Jolly Boys, a civic and community service organization, serving on its board of directors and at one time as president. The organization provides the community with athletic programs for youth and adults, as well as social events and picnics. The Jolly Boys sponsor the popular Avoca Basketball League, which Stan has served as the director of for the past 22 years. The league plays annually with over 450 players and 75 coaching volunteers.

It is an honor to recognize Stanley Waleski for his lifelong service to the Pittston community, and I congratulate him for receiving the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Achievement Award. I am grateful for his contributions to his community, and I wish him continued success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jason Klush, Mayor of Pittston, Pennsylvania. On March 17, Mayor Klush will receive the ``Man of the Year'' Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick during their 103rd annual banquet.

Jason was elected as Pittston's Mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2013. He is the youngest mayor in the city's history. Under his leadership, Pittston has seen a revitalization of its downtown and other key neighborhoods, improvements to infrastructure including an $11 million sewer improvement project, and increased funding and development for the Pittston Memorial Library.

Jason is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. In addition to serving as Pittston's Mayor, Jason is a foreman and site supervisor for Hadley Construction. He has served on the boards of several non- profits and is a current member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Land Bank Authority, the Greater Pittston Compost Commission, and the Pittston City Festivals Association Board.

It is an honor to recognize Jason for his contributions to his community and I congratulate him on being the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick ``Man of the Year''. I wish him all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph D. Burke, Esq. Today, Mr. Burke will receive the Swingle Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick during their 103rd annual banquet.

Joe is a partner at Burke Vullo Reilly Roberts. He has practiced law for thirty-two years focusing on commercial law and civil litigation. Joe is admitted to practice before the United States and Pennsylvania Supreme Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer four times by Thomson Reuters. He has been recognized by the Martindale Hubbel Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers for the past seventeen years. He is a Fellow of the American and Pennsylvania Bar Foundations, as well as the Litigation Counsel of America. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Professionalism Committee.

An alumnus of Scranton Preparatory School and Lehigh University, Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Government. He received his Juris Doctorate from Delaware Law School of Widener University. While at Widener he was a member of the law review, The Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, and received the 1982 Moot Court Competition Best Advocate Award.

Joe has a long record of service to the community throughout his professional career. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth. He is the former President of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Scranton Preparatory School and Chair of its Ignatian Identity and Mission Committee. He also served as Co-Chair of the North Penn Legal Services Campaign and for eight years as Lawyers Division Chair of the United Way of Wyoming Valley.

He and his wife Kathleen have been blessed with three children, Elizabeth Davis (Christian), Joseph Jr., and Michael, and two grandchildren, Burke Christian Davis and Whitney Elizabeth Davis. Joe and Kathleen actively support the work of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, Coaches vs. Cancer, Endure for the Cure, the Catherine McAuley Center, St. Joseph's Center, and Marley's Mission.

It is an honor to recognize Joseph D. Burke, Esq. as the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Swingle Award recipient. He is well deserving of praise for his service to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill Jones of Mountaintop, Pennsylvania as he is honored by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons of St. Patrick ``Man of the Year'' during their 72nd annual banquet on March 17.

Bill Jones currently serves as President and CEO of the United Way of Wyoming Valley. Since joining the organization in January 2012, he has led the local United Way in making transformational and historic changes in the way the organization serves the community. Under his administration, the United Way has become a leading and passionate voice on critical issues related to childhood poverty in the Wyoming Valley.

Prior to the United Way, Bill served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania. During his twelve-year tenure he was involved in growing and developing programs that served children and youth, the elderly, the homeless, those with mental illness, and families in poverty. He also spent fifteen years in the banking industry and was Vice President and Community Development Manager for PNC Bank.

Bill is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Misericordia University and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Wilkes University. In addition, he graduated ``With Distinction'' from the Stonier School of Banking at the University of Delaware.

I join with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in congratulating Bill on becoming their ``Man of the Year.'' I congratulate him on his achievements, and I wish him the very best for the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Patrolman Milan Barber of the Minersville, Pennsylvania Police Department. Patrolman Barber will be formally inducted to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 13 at the 29th Annual Candlelight Vigil during National Police Week.

A veteran of World War II, Milan served in the Navy before becoming a law enforcement officer. Patrolman Barber served the borough of Minersville in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. His watched ended on Friday, June 19, 1970 after he suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty. Patrolman Barber and another officer attempted to apprehend an individual suspected of committing theft of a vehicle. The two officers struggled to contain the suspect as he resisted arrest. During the altercation, Patrolman Barber collapsed abruptly. The subject fled the scene while the other officer tended to Patrolman Barber. The suspect was eventually taken into custody and charged with manslaughter, larceny, and resisting arrest. Patrolman Barber was survived by his wife and four children.

The loss of Patrolman Milan Barber was a great tragedy for the people of Minersville. His sacrifice and the sacrifice of all fallen police officers will not be forgotten. Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to brave individuals like Patrolman Barber for protecting our communities. May he be remembered by all whose lives he touched and made better as he rests in peace.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

Mr. Chairman, I also oppose this underlying bill, which is why I call it, as others have, the wrongdoer protection act for multistate and multinational corporations, and for that purpose, I add this amendment.

It is no coincidence that these corporate wrongdoers want to force consumers to fight them in Federal court. That is the effect of this bill, to enlarge Federal court diversity jurisdiction.

It is no coincidence that the corporate wrongdoers want to fight in Federal court. It is not because they think the Federal judges are better looking or the Federal judges are more polite or the decor in the Federal courtrooms is nicer to look at. That is not it all. They want to go there because they are more likely to prevail and to beat consumers in Federal court. They know that.

They know that, after a generation of regrettable decisions across the street by the Supreme Court of the United States, Federal court has become very favorable turf for corporate wrongdoers--generations of bad decisions that invite and exhort Federal judges to forget about the Seventh Amendment in our Bill of Rights.

You remember the Seventh Amendment. It was written by James Madison. It was announced as approved by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, whose statue stands right outside this Chamber. It was an amendment that says very simply: `` . . . in suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed $20, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved. . . . `'

There is nothing ambiguous about that statement. It is not hard to understand. It is about how important the right to trial by jury is to us here in these United States.

But since the 1980s, there has been this steady drumbeat of decisions from the United States Supreme Court encouraging and emboldening Federal court judges to decide and dismiss cases without the trouble of a jury trial. Their toolkit is enormous for doing that: motions to dismiss, motions for judgment on the pleadings, motions for summary judgment, motions for directed verdict, motions for judgment as a matter of law.

Cases do get thrown out every day in this country without the trouble of a jury trial, and the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial is not preserved. That is why wrongdoer corporations prefer to be in the Federal court.

Federal court has become candy land for corporate wrongdoers in this country, and this bill helps them stay there and fight consumers in Federal court. It changes the law to allow corporate wrongdoers to do that.

I want to give you some very strong reasons, Mr. Chairman, why this bill is so bad.

Number one, it is discriminatory. Unless you are a multistate or multinational corporation, this bill doesn't help you. If you are an individual sued in State court, this bill does not help you. If you are a small-business owner only doing work in your State, this bill does not help you. Only multistate, multinational corporations get help from this bill, and that is why I call it the wrongdoers protection act for multistate and multinational corporations.

Number two, it is burdensome. The Federal courts are already overworked and understaffed. The civil caseload is growing at 12 percent a year. There are currently 123 vacancies in our Federal judiciary. There is no reason to add to this burden by changing the law.

Number three, this bill forces State court cases into Federal court. We have a crowd in this House that consistently preaches about states' rights and the need to cut back on the Federal Government's reach, but a bill like this comes along and they drop that state's rights banner like it is a hot potato and pick up the coat of arms of the multistate, multinational corporations.

If you really do care about states' rights, you should be voting ``no'' on this bill.

You see, these cases called diversity cases are filed in State court under State law. Ever since the 1930s, in the Erie Railroad case, if you take these cases and handle them in Federal court, the Federal judges are bound by law to follow State law, not Federal law.

Mr. Chairman, there is nobody better at interpreting and following State law than State court judges. It stands to reason.

I offer this amendment that is at the desk to exempt consumer cases against insurance companies for bad faith in insurance practices. If the majority is going to persist and present this gift to multistate and multinational corporations, at least include this amendment and protect consumers trying to fight insurance companies.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.