Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Lieutenant Joseph A. LaPointe on the occasion of his retirement from the New York City Fire Department Ceremonial Unit, effective September 15, 2025. This date marks the conclusion of more than four decades of distinguished public service and a career defined by leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the FDNY and the people of New York City.

Born in the South Bronx, Lieutenant LaPointe is the eldest of seven children. His father served as a firefighter in the Bronx and his mother dedicated herself to raising their family. He grew up in Great Kills on Staten Island's South Shore and now resides in Annadale with his wife, Linda, and their three children, Thomas, Teresa, and Tara.

Lieutenant LaPointe began his distinguished career in civil service in 1982 as a New York City corrections officer. In 1984, he transferred to the New York City Police Department, serving as a police officer in Manhattan's Midtown North Precinct. In 1990, he joined the New York City Fire Department, assigned to Brooklyn Ladder 109. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 2001 and became an instructor at the FDNY Fire Academy.

On September 11, 2001--the darkest day in the history of the FDNY-- 343 firefighters, along with 23 NYPD officers, 37 PAPD members, and thousands of innocent civilians, perished. In the immediate aftermath, the entire Fire Academy staff, including Lieutenant LaPointe, was assigned to the World Trade Center site for rescue and recovery operations. By the end of that month, he and other academy instructors were reassigned to the FDNY Ceremonial Unit to take on the monumental and solemn responsibility of planning and executing the funerals and memorial services for all 343 fallen firefighters.

Funerals and memorials were held six days a week, sometimes with as many as 20 services in one day. In October 2001, Lieutenant LaPointe was asked to lead the ceremonial team handling services in Brooklyn and Staten Island. On December 31, 2001, he was assigned to Ladder 114 ``Tally Ho'' in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, while continuing his work with the Ceremonial Unit.

In 2004, he became the Executive Officer of the Ceremonial Unit, and in 2007, he was appointed its Commanding Officer. In that role, he has overseen a staff of more than 400 fire and EMS officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics, managing over 800 events annually, including graduations, promotions, parades, and, most importantly, line-of-duty funerals.

Lieutenant LaPointe's leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark not only on the FDNY, but on all of New York City. His 43 years of public service exemplify the highest traditions of honor, duty, and selflessness. I am proud to represent him in Congress and to call him my constituent.

Beyond his service in uniform, he is a proud board member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports catastrophically injured members of the Armed Forces and assists the families of fallen members of the military, law enforcement, fire, and EMS services.

Mr. Speaker, few individuals can say they have stood beside thousands of grieving families and lifted them with dignity, respect, and love. Lieutenant LaPointe has done so for more than two decades, and in doing so, he has become part of the very soul of the FDNY. On behalf of a grateful community, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lieutenant LaPointe's extraordinary career and in offering our deepest gratitude for a lifetime of selfless service.

Mr. Speaker, since her historic appointment as WSWA's first Chairwoman in September 2024, marking a milestone for women's leadership in a historically male-dominated industry, Ms. Opici has led with vision and resolve, advancing the interests of multi- generational, family-owned distributors across the Nation.

During her tenure, Chairwoman Opici has been a steadfast advocate for critical tax and trade policies, including securing 199A permanence in the One Big Beautiful Bill, championing the repeal of tariffs on imported wine and spirits, and empowering grassroots advocacy from all three-tiers of the beverage alcohol industry.

Chairwoman Opici's tenure was defined by dynamic leadership--uniting the wholesale distribution community, elevating advocacy, and securing policy victories that empower family-owned businesses nationwide. Under her guidance, WSWA continues to strengthen the industry's infrastructure, amplify its voice in Washington, and lay the groundwork for sustained, responsible growth.

We requested that a flag be flown over the U.S. Capitol as a tribute to her transformative contributions to the legacy of America's family- owned wine and spirits wholesalers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask the question: Why are the Democrats so obsessed with allowing noncitizens to vote in our election? Why do they go out of their way to dilute the voices of American citizens, the very American citizens who elected them to represent them?

It is incredibly frustrating to hear that they continue to double down or triple down on giving rights to people who are not citizens of this country at American taxpayers' and citizens' expense.

The lead debater on the other side of the aisle said that it is not just Washington, D.C., that is looking to allow noncitizens to vote in our elections. Mr. Speaker, 20 municipalities--and guess what? They are all run by Democrats.

In New York City, we had the same problem when the New York City Council passed legislation to allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections. We had to sue to stop it, and we successfully did. It took not just one round in court, not just two rounds in court, but three rounds in court, where the city council and the mayor of New York used taxpayer money to continue to fight this each and every round despite being voted down in the New York State Supreme Court, the New York State Appellate Court, and, lastly, the New York Court of Appeals.

By the way, all were Democrat appointees on that panel of judges. We still won because it is illegal. It is not constitutional for noncitizens to vote in our elections.

Just like we fought this in New York City and prevailed, we will do the same here in Washington, D.C. We will make sure that they stop allowing and don't allow noncitizens to vote in their municipal elections because we are exercising our constitutional responsibility to protect our elections.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue to be strong and vote in support of this because we know that it passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support last year. Fifty-two Democrats sided with Republicans.

Those who continue to push for noncitizens to vote in our elections to dilute citizenship and dilute the voice of citizens in our elections should be ashamed of themselves. They should think about who actually elected them to represent their interests here today and why they continue to push to the contrary.

Mr. Speaker, in this bill, we are providing real tax relief for hardworking Americans, middle-class families, and our senior citizens, not the billionaires like the Democrats claim.

We increased the State and local tax deduction, the standard deduction, and the child tax credit. The last two would be cut in half if we take no action today.

We provide tax relief by including my legislation to provide a bonus deduction to reduce the taxes that our seniors pay on their Social Security income.

We fulfill President Trump's commitment to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime.

We stopped the return of the alternative minimum tax that crushed middle-class families.

We allow Americans to fully deduct auto loan interest on their American-made vehicles.

We help young graduates with student loan debt get reimbursed by their employers tax-free.

All of that is for the working and middle class, not billionaires.

We also make sure that this bill keeps our borders secure and funds the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants. We increase and strengthen domestic energy production and security. We safeguard Medicaid for our seniors, disabled, and children with disabilities. We crack down on fraudsters by targeting waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Democrats can continue to fight for the fraudsters. They continue to fight for the illegal immigrants. We are going to deliver for the working families, middle class, and senior citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the Ways and Means Committee staff for working with me on this legislation to combat mail theft and fraud.

A few months ago, I raised the issue of stolen checks to the Ways and Means Committee after my office had been slammed with constituent cases from taxpayers who have seen their hard-earned money stolen from them via check fraud.

I, alongside my colleagues, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Congressman David Kustoff, introduced H.R. 1155, the Recovery of Stolen Checks Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow taxpayers whose tax refunds were stolen in the mail to receive a replacement payment via direct deposit. This legislation passed out of the Ways and Means Committee last month on a bipartisan basis, and it was unanimous.

In my district alone, we have seen 376 constituents who have had stolen IRS checks. The amount is staggering: $5.4 million, and that is in my district alone.

Out of these 376 cases, 50 times checks were stolen twice, 7 times they were stolen 3 times, and in some cases, checks were even stolen 4 times in a row from the same constituent.

It has been reported that for IRS checks alone, approximately 40,000 were stolen nationally in 2024 and that is up from 100 checks in 2022.

The value stolen has been approximately $1 billion, and this has become a real business for criminal organizations and enterprises and the fraudsters who are preying upon American citizens.

It is very unfortunate that we are seeing this hardship and stress placed on the intended recipients who have had to endure seeing their checks being stolen and then they have to wait months to sometimes see their replacement check also stolen.

This is not just happening with IRS tax refunds. It is also happening with Social Security and other benefits that our constituents rely on.

Approximately 10 percent of American taxpayers receive their tax refunds via paper checks, equating to about 10 million paper checks issued annually. While the majority of taxpayers opt for direct deposit, a significant number still receive refunds through traditional mail.

The IRS plays a critical role in ensuring taxpayers receive their hard-earned refund securely and efficiently. However, outdated IT infrastructure and delivery systems have left many vulnerable to fraud and stolen tax reimbursement checks.

Modernizing these systems is no longer optional. It is necessary to protect taxpayers, to enhance efficiency, and to reduce fraud. Obviously, there is still more work to be done. We still need the DOJ and our law enforcement partners to continue their investigations to find and prosecute these fraudsters. We are hearing of arrests and prosecutions on a regular basis, but we urge them to continue their good work.

This is an essential first step in addressing the increasing frequency of mail theft. I am encouraged by President Trump's executive order last week titled, ``Modernizing Payments to and From America's Bank Account,'' which intends to phase out most paper checks by September of this year and modernize other government payment systems.

I thank President Trump and Secretary Bessent for their quick and decisive actions here to address this matter. It was within weeks of me speaking with the Secretary that they issued this executive order.

My legislation here today will ensure that in those cases where there are exceptions or accommodations, a direct deposit option will be available for the intended recipient if those physical checks are stolen--that was something the IRS had given us such a hard time about--so taxpayers can receive their payments via direct deposit when they needed replacement.

I was also pleased to learn that the Bureau of Fiscal Service recently launched a pilot program to leverage existing technology and services offered by the U.S. Postal Service to track the transmittal of checks. I look forward to reviewing the results of this pilot program and working with the administration to modernize delivery systems across the Federal Government and ensure stronger safeguards against mail fraud in the future.

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the chairman and my colleagues for their work on this bill. I look forward to seeing this bill pass unanimously on the floor today as well. Let's protect American taxpayers and make sure they are no longer victims of this type of check fraud.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague, Monica De La Cruz, for joining me in this effort. I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have cosponsored our legislation, H.R. 1329.

Today, we conclude Women's History Month. It has been a monthlong celebration of the remarkable achievements and contributions of American women throughout our Nation's history.

Whether it is the suffragists who fought for the right to vote, the riveters who stepped in while men fought during World War II, the 10,000 women known as Code Girls who broke German and Japanese codes for the U.S. Army and Navy during World War II, the ``Hidden Figures'' of NASA who helped launch John Glenn into space, or the Black Angels from my district, Staten Island, New York, who treated sick tuberculosis patients when no one wanted to and helped find the cure for this disease, American women have been instrumental in shaping our Nation's progress and success.

We think about how much has happened in five decades. Fifty years ago, women were still battling for so many rights, not just equal pay. They could not get a credit card without a male cosigner. They had no protections against pregnancy discrimination or sexual harassment. They could not serve on juries, and they did not have the ability to join military academies. Women before us have made so much progress. We celebrate and thank them. Now we pave the way forward.

Last week, 37 female Republican Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate joined President Donald Trump at the White House to launch the GOP Women's Caucus.

I would remind my colleagues from the Republican side that it was the Republican Party who helped champion women's rights and protections. It was Republican Susan B. Anthony who led the suffrage movement. It was a Republican Senator who sponsored the 19th Amendment to give women the right to vote. It was a Republican Congress that approved it, and it was a majority of Republican States that ratified it.

It was Republican Jeannette Rankin who 4 years prior made history in 1916 as the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1972, it was President Richard Nixon who signed Title IX into law, eliminating sex discrimination in education and athletics, opening doors for female athletes to receive scholarships.

In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor, also a Republican, made history as the first woman confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, paving the way for greater female representation in our legal system.

Most recently, President Trump authorized the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in 2020. In his first few days of his second term, he signed an executive order to protect women in sports.

Today, we are fighting to get that museum that was authorized in 2020 its rightful place on The National Mall. I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, nearly 100 Members of this institution, who have cosponsored H.R. 1329. We can transfer this land and get this museum built to honor the women who are currently known and unknown, who have contributed so much, and who have built our Nation. This is one of our new caucus' priorities, and we must get it done in this term.

Last week, something exciting happened at the White House. President Trump threw his 100 percent support behind building the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on The National Mall. We must seize this opportunity, working together across this political spectrum, and get the job done.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues. I thank all the women and the men who have been so supportive of this project, and I look forward to seeing all of them at the groundbreaking.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the distinguished service and extraordinary life of Lieutenant Colonel Johanny Rodriguez, a dedicated and decorated military officer who served our Nation with valor and integrity.

Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez, a native of Manhattan, New York City, embarked on his distinguished military career by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998. Following his honorable service in the Marine Corps, he transitioned to the U.S. Army, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps in 2004.

Throughout his career, Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez held numerous critical positions, demonstrating unparalleled leadership and expertise. His assignments included roles such as Platoon Leader, Operations Officer, Mobility Officer in Iraq, and various leadership positions at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He served with distinction as the Executive Officer for the 354th Movement Control Battalion during Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait. Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez pursued extensive education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Health Services Administration.

His dedication and service were recognized by numerous awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal, among many others. His service record reflects not only his valor and dedication but also his unwavering commitment to the principles of duty, honor, and country.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lieutenant Colonel Rodriguez was a devoted family man, deeply cherished by his wife and four children. His legacy of service and leadership will continue to inspire future generations of service members and citizens alike.

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect and gratitude that we remember and honor Lieutenant Colonel Johanny Rodriguez for his extraordinary contributions to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight the rampant fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicaid that is draining American taxpayers and hurting our most vulnerable seniors, disabled, and other Americans who rely on this program.

Yesterday, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, told us something shocking, that one out of four Medicaid payments are improper payments--one out of every four.

This echoes a 2024 report from the Biden administration's Office of Management and Budget that designated Medicaid and Medicare as a high priority for susceptibility to fraud, waste, abuse, improper payments, and overpayments.

In 2024, the Government Accountability Office released a report estimating over $100 billion in improper payments were made in the Medicare and Medicaid programs for the fiscal year 2023.

Now, I could read some of these headlines that highlight it in the media. There was a CNBC report that detailed how Medicare and Medicaid programs are being brazenly targeted by sophisticated criminals to the tune of $100 billion a year.

``Lack of State oversight spurs Medicaid fraud,'' says Spectrum New York.

``Scammers ripped off NY's controversial Medicaid home care program to the tune of $68 million,'' from the New York Post.

The New York Times says: ``Staggering Rise in Catheter Bills Suggests Medicare Scam.''

``Florida Man Indicted for [Medicare and] Wire Fraud . . . in $97 Million Scheme.''

``Medicaid program suspended from two south Jersey nursing homes,'' after being ``accused of taking $83 million from nursing homes funded by New York Medicare and Medicaid.''

``Fiscal year 2023 proved to be a high-value one for healthcare frauds and settlements, with the DOJ totaling $2 billion in illicit activity.''

In California: ``Attorney General Bonta Announces Indictment of Southern California Healthcare Provider for Medi-Cal Fraud of Nearly $60 Million.''

CEO of ``Digital Health Company Arrested for $100M Adderall Distribution and Healthcare Fraud Scheme.''

In New York: ``Doctor Convicted of $24M Medicaid Fraud Scheme.''

``Attorney General James Announces Convictions and Sentences of Five Taxi Company Owners in Orange and Rensselaer Counties for Stealing Millions from Medicaid.''

``Florida Telemarketer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for $67 Million in Medicare Fraud Scheme.''

In San Antonio: ``Hill County doctor sentenced 10 years in prison, $26 million in restitution for Medicaid fraud scheme.''

I can go on and on, reading headline after headline about the rampant fraud and abuse in this program that is actually taking away--that is what is hurting our vulnerable Americans who rely on this program, the fraudsters who are stealing the money.

My Governor, Kathy Hochul, lied to New Yorkers about what Republicans

are really trying to do. Our real goal is to root out this waste, fraud, and abuse to protect benefits for our eligible recipients.

Kathy Hochul said it herself in her own words. She pointed out how fraudulent the program is. In July 2024, the Governor said that the State's Medicaid Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program has ``become a racket.'' She said it is ``one of the most abused programs in the entire history of the State of New York.'' She said that the current trajectory of Medicaid spending is ``not sustainable.''

Other Democrats have pointed out the same things. Attorney General Garland, President Biden's Attorney General, in a 2024 speech regarding healthcare fraud, announced charges against 193 defendants for over $2.75 billion in false Medicare and Medicaid claims, and that was just one event.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a January 2025 speech, said: ``Companies that illegally profit by exploiting Medicaid patients steal taxpayer money and undermine the healthcare system that all New Yorkers rely on.''

To my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, let's work together to actually fix this. Let's work together to go after those fraudsters to eliminate this abuse that we are seeing in this system so we can preserve this very important program that our seniors, our disabled, our children with developmental disabilities, and vulnerable Americans rely on. Let's not play partisan politics with something that is so critically important to so many New Yorkers and Americans across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

It is unconscionable to me that our colleagues on the other side are actually continuing to fight to protect fraudsters, going so far as to even say that if they just stole $500,000 that they should not be prosecuted.

We House Republicans are fighting for transparency. We are fighting to protect taxpayers. We are exposing the waste, the fraud, and the abuse, including an estimated $100 billion to $135 billion in pandemic unemployment fraud, money that was paid for by the hardworking taxpayers of this country to help people who are going through a tough time during the COVID pandemic.

Sadly, my State of New York ranks near the top of the list with an estimated $11 billion in fraudulent unemployment benefits. The precious taxpayer dollars went to fraudsters, many overseas, including China, Russia, and Nigeria. They even went to dead people and inmates in prison.

Criminals spent their money on luxury items like Rolex watches; fancy furnishings; items from Louis Vuitton, Burberry, and Gucci; and even a $10 million villa in the Dominican Republic. One spent $3.5 million on a mansion in New Jersey; a chartered private jet; Porsches, Ferraris, Bentleys, BMWs, and Mercedes-Benz. Another received over $1.5 million over a span of 10 months.

Meanwhile, my district offices in Staten Island and Brooklyn had to help dozens of constituents who had their identities stolen and could not get the unemployment benefits they desperately needed. This is about fixing something that went badly wrong to not just recoup taxpayers' money but to ensure it doesn't happen again.

This bill will help crack down on this type of fraud and would extend the statute of limitations that law enforcement needs to pursue criminal charges or civil actions and also incentivizes States to help us crack down and recover these fraudulent payments, and it puts in checks and balances to stop future unemployment insurance payments from going to incarcerated and deceased people.

To date, only $5 billion or less, about 4 percent of this massive fraud, has been recovered. This statute of limitations for prosecuting fraud in COVID-19 pandemic-era unemployment insurance will expire on March 27, and there are roughly 1,000 open cases investigating that fraud. We must allow law enforcement to do their work.

I gladly support this bill because I am on the side of the hardworking, tax-paying American who have had to foot this bill while my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to defend and protect the criminals and the fraudsters.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 20th Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina, Sr., a distinguished leader whose contributions have profoundly impacted our community and beyond.

Reverend Dr. Carolina has been serving as the Senior Pastor at First Central Baptist Church, where he has provided spiritual guidance and support to countless individuals. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is the CEO of Dior Consultants LLC, a full-service business that specializes in staff and board training development, His commitment to education and leadership is further exemplified by his role as an Adjunct Professor at St. John's University in the School of Education and at HJ International Graduate School for Peace and Public Leadership.

Prior to his current roles, Reverend Dr. Carolina served as the Executive Director of the Central Family Life Center, which stands as the most prominent black and brown nonprofit in the Borough of Staten Island. In this capacity, he was instrumental in developing corporate, public, and private relationships, overseeing and administering crucial strategies to ensure the operation and sustainability of the Center.

In 2015, Reverend Dr. Carolina was appointed as a Commissioner of Human Rights by Mayor Bill de Blasio, demonstrating his commitment to social justice and equality. He has been recognized for his efforts with numerous awards, including the 2017 New York City Council MLK Community Award. He also served on the Civil Complaint Review Board for New York City until February 2023.

Reverend Dr. Carolina's advocacy efforts are noteworthy, having founded The Staten Island Black History Town Hall Meeting and serving as the lead advocate for the establishment of the nationally recognized Eagle Academy in Staten Island. Furthermore, he has been a driving force in growing nonprofit community partnerships that connect Staten Island with other boroughs.

In terms of academic qualifications, Reverend Dr. Carolina holds a master's degree in educational administration leadership from Temple University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership/Management from the University of Phoenix.

On a personal note, Reverend Dr. Carolina is married to Josenia Ruiz- Carolina, and together they are the proud parents of four wonderful children: Dior Isaiah, DeLisa Mona, Demetrius Solomon II, and Demetri Rafael Carolina.

Today, as we commemorate this significant milestone in Reverend Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina Sr.'s ministry, I invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing his unwavering dedication, impactful leadership, and the positive change he continues to bring to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleagues, Representative Monica De La Cruz, Representative Emilia Sykes and Representative Janelle Bynum; in honoring Lynda Carter. During Women's History Month, we pause to highlight and reflect on the achievements of American women who have inspired generations and left an indelible mark on our Nation.

Fifty years ago, in 1975, ``The New Original Wonder Woman'' pilot movie aired on ABC and brought America's favorite heroine to life with Lynda Carter starring as the Amazon warrior Princess Diana who left her homeland of Themyscira to fight for justice in the world of men. Wonder Woman, first created by William Moulton Marston for DC Comics in 1941, became a guiding light toward empowerment for young girls and women.

Lynda Carter's portrayal of the character on television came during a pivotal time for women who were still battling for many rights including equal pay, the ability to get a credit card without a male co-signer, protections against pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment, the right to serve on juries, and the ability to join military academies.

By the time the show concluded its three-season run on CBS in 1979, the Women's Movement had made significant progress as women across America were empowered and emboldened by the strength, wisdom and compassion Lynda Carter displayed both on and off the screen.

In the decades that followed, this TV icon remained an advocate for women, becoming a staunch supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Women's Alzheimer's Movement and as a member of the Advisory Council of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. Lynda also supports GLAAD and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, and most recently has partnered with City of Hope and TGen to research new drug therapies for myelofibrosis patients.

Lynda Carter has been recognized for her work with various honors that include an Emmy Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Gracie Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, the Sor Juana Award by the National Museum of Mexican Art, the Raul Julia Award from the National Hispanic Foundation of the Arts, and the Take the Lead's Leading Woman Award.

As the Nation celebrates Women's History Month, the leadership of The Bipartisan Women's Caucus of the House of Representatives honors Lynda Carter for her many achievements and contributions to womankind in the five decades since she first appeared as the superhero with the mission of protecting the world from injustice in all forms.

Mr. Speaker, as our Nation celebrates Black History Month, I rise to honor Staten Island's own Black Angels.

Seventy years ago, tuberculosis plagued our Nation, killing over 1 billion worldwide and accounting for nearly 18 percent of all deaths in New York City alone. Fear of this unknown, highly contagious, and deadly disease led many nurses who were treating tuberculosis patients to quit.

In search of staff, New York City turned to African-American nurses from the Jim Crow south who could not find jobs due to segregation, and 300 women bravely accepted New York City's request to help to serve sick patients, taking advantage of the opportunity for employment in a career field often withheld from them. They became known as the Black Angels.

These nurses selflessly cared for 2,000 patients in my district at Staten Island's Sea View Hospital. They played a significant role in the first ever human trials and the first drug to cure tuberculosis.

Since its discovery in 1952, tens of millions of lives have been saved, and these women all did it at a time when they didn't even have equal rights in our country.

I am proud to represent the last remaining Black Angel who worked during the trial. Staten Island's Virginia Allen began as a 16-year-old pediatric nurse's aide and worked in the ward for 10 years.

She was there during the clinical trials and is one of the two Black Angels who are still alive today. She continues to selflessly serve our community as president of the North Shore, Staten Island Section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Last year, I honored Virginia, along with Curlene Jennings Bennett, who had later on come to serve at Seaview in 1957 in the adult pavilion.

They, along with their fellow Black Angels, were recognized for their heroic achievements in the Congressional Record in an article that I submitted so they will be applauded and recognized for years to come.

I also hosted them and their families and descendants in my Staten Island office to properly acknowledge the contributions they made to our community.

Also, I am very happy to have worked with our local city councilman, David Carr, to get legislation passed through the council to rename a street outside of Seaview Hospital in their honor. That will soon happen. I thank Councilman David Carr for getting this done so we can unveil it this spring.

Their riveting story is beautifully laid out in the book ``The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis'' by Maria Smilios, which I had the opportunity to read last month. I encourage everyone to read this powerful book to learn about this inspiring piece of our Nation's history.

The Black Angels heard the call to arms and boldly, proudly stepped into the hallowed halls of Seaview Hospital with their mission to care for the infirm, knowing they were putting their lives at great risk.

Their story is finally being shared with the world, and it is fitting that we bestow upon them all the accolades that they were deserving then during this Black History Month and each and every day moving forward.

I thank them for their service to Staten Island, to our city, to our Nation, and to the world.

Mr. Speaker, Anthony Aquaro was born in Brooklyn on February 27, 1921, and served our Nation in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945 as a first-class boatswain's mate on the USS Impulse and the USS Kingsmill.

In 1944, while on leave, Aquaro married his high school sweetheart, Gloria. The couple, believed to be Staten Island's longest-married, were together for nearly 80 years.

Aquaro joined the FDNY as a firefighter when he was 31 and served for 26 years with Engine 269 on Union Street in Brooklyn highlighting his commitment to his community. Aquaro later settled in New Dorp in 1965 and had two children. He later became the grandfather of four and the great-grandfather of eight.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Anthony Aquaro for his dedicated service to our community, city, and Nation. His unwavering commitment and bravery have left an indelible mark on all who knew him. We mourn his loss alongside his family and friends, and his legacy will be forever remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. Philip Christopher, a leader and steadfast advocate for freedom and justice for the Cypriot people. For over 50 years, Mr. Christopher has championed the cause of Cyprus, dedicating his life to the struggle for the reunification of Cyprus, the rights of the Cypriot people, and the broader Hellenic community.

Mr. Christopher is the founder and President of the Pancyprian Association of America and the International Coordinating Committee ``Justice for Cyprus'' (PSEKA). Through these organizations, he has tirelessly promoted Cypriot sovereignty and human rights, advocating on behalf of Cyprus and Hellenic issues with passion and dedication. As a refugee, who was forced to flee his beautiful homeland of Kyrenia, Cyprus following the illegal occupation of the island nation by the Turkish military in 1974, no one is more passionate and dedicated to these issues than he is. His efforts have left a lasting impact, as he has worked to ensure that the voice of the Greek Cypriot community is heard in the halls of Congress and across the United States.

Philip Christopher's contributions have not gone unrecognized. He has received numerous honors, including the Republic of Cyprus Medal of Honor, the title of Honorary Mayor of Kyrenia, and honorary citizenships from multiple Cypriot communities. He was also the first Greek Cypriot to receive the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in the United States. In 2024, he served as Parade General Chairman of the NYC Greek Independence Day Parade. These awards and recognition are a testament to his exemplary commitment to his community and his invaluable role as a bridge between Cypriot and American interests.

Beyond his advocacy, Mr. Christopher has demonstrated significant achievements as an executive in the telecommunications industry and as a board member of various respected organizations. His dedication to excellence in both his professional and community endeavors is an inspiration.

Today, I commend Philip Christopher for his enduring dedication to Cyprus and the Hellenic community and express gratitude for his tireless efforts to further the cause of justice and freedom. His legacy stands as a beacon of leadership and commitment that strengthens the bonds between Cyprus and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my constituent, Leon Wallace, who will be commemorated with a street naming in his honor on October 5, 2024, at the intersection of Post Avenue and Simonson Place in Staten Island, New York. I include in the Record the following proclamation:

Whereas Leon Wallace was a native Staten Islander who grew

up in West Brighton and Mariners Harbor, attended P.S. 18 and

graduated from McKee High School in 1956.

Whereas Leon Wallace enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and

served as a jet mechanic while stationed in Guam until his

honorable discharge in 1961. He later returned to service

with the New York State Army National Guard's 5-117th Cavalry

Unit in 1976 while simultaneously pursuing an education at

Staten Island Community College, now the College of Staten

Island. During his 39 years of combined military service, he

contributed as a map-reading instructor and retired in 2001

as a Sergeant.

Whereas Leon Wallace put his life on the line for our

country at a time when our nation did not afford him equal

rights as an African American. Not only was Leon a dedicated

patriot and member of our military but he was a steward of

outstanding service to our community.

Whereas after Leon's time in the Air Force, he dedicated

his time to helping individuals with developmental

disabilities and their families. He was also a member of the

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

(NAACP), The United Staten Island Veterans Organization

(USIVO), and the 369th Veterans Association, as well as St.

Philips Baptist Church, and completed the New York State

chaplains' course to minister to other veterans in need.

Leon is still greatly missed and our community remains deeply appreciate of his service to our Nation.