Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor 9-year-old Bethany Moultry for her amazing work in providing care packages to give to the homeless. Through her business, Bethany's Happy Bags, Bethany and her mother have dedicated hours of service providing food, first aid kits, toiletries, and so much more to people in need.

Bethany's mother, Colleen Moultry, began Bethany's Happy Bags in December of 2020, when Bethany's wish for her birthday was to help people. As word began to spread over Facebook, the Moultry's began receiving supplies and funding from across our country. With many packages being sent to their doorstep, schools were able to get involved in helping with packing and distribution.

Bethany's Happy Bags initiative grew, developing a movement across the nation and inspiring others to do the same. This project has formed into a much larger service where community members have joined together to give donations to the Moultry's. These efforts have led to over 5,000 happy bags to be distributed to the people who need them the most.

I had the privilege of recently meeting Bethany Moultry and was amazed by her dedication to giving back to her community in so many ways. Her slogan ``I want every person experiencing homelessness to know that I see you and I care,'' is truly inspiring and I hope she knows that myself, as well as many others in the district, stand with her and can't wait to see what the future holds for this extraordinary project.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the impressive record of Mr. Stephen Cole for his service to our country. During the Vietnam War, Sergeant Cole was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division working directly with the intelligence section. He was a part of a small patrol reconnaissance and ambush team that operated in Vietnam's Central Highlands near the Cambodian border and the La Drang Valley. While in Vietnam during a recon patrol, Sergeant Cole suffered wounds during a firefight when he was impaled by a punji stick after stepping in a booby trap. He was subsequently evacuated to the Field Hospital in An Khe for medical treatment. Sergeant Cole was awarded the Bronze Star, which is awarded by the Department of the Army in recognition of heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone, in addition to the Purple Heart for wounds he received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on July 14, 1970. Sergeant Cole received numerous other awards for his service, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star Attachments, the Combat Infantry Badge, and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. All of these awards are a true representation of Sergeant Cole's true grit while in combat. Upon returning home, Mr. Cole was the Regional Public Affairs and Communications manager for IBM where he served on the board of directors of several regional organizations for economic development. He worked at the IBM Kingston facility in my district as a corporate liaison before it closed in 1995. Mr. Cole's dedication to this country is truly inspiring and I wish him the best of luck in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the historic 100-year anniversary of the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company.

On December 26, 1924, the Kerhonkson Fire Company was organized as a meeting of 31 men. In a community that needed their men to step up, the community worked together to build a fire company that has continuously protected Kerhonkson and the surrounding areas. Today, the fire company includes 84 men and women among its ranks.

Over the past 100 years, the Kerhonkson Volunteer Fire Company has maintained a strong group of dedicated workers and generations of families. Creating such a strong institution is inspiring and I wish them success in the next 100 years as they continue protecting their neighbors.

I want to personally thank the men who started this fire company 100 years ago as well as those who lead this great group of men and women today. I thank Fire Chief Steve Stephens and President, Former Chief, and Life Member Christopher D. DePew. Their work does not go unnoticed, and I wish them great success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Bannerman Castle Trust for thirty years of excellent work in historical preservation.

Since 1994, the Bannerman Castle Trust has overseen the preservation of the historic buildings on Pollepel Island, also known as Bannerman Island. Pollepel Island is located just off the eastern shore of the Hudson River between Beacon and Cold Spring, New York.

The island is home to Bannerman Castle and its surrounding structures, built by Scottish-American businessman Frank Bannerman

in 1901. Since then, Bannerman Castle has been a beacon of architectural beauty in the Hudson Valley.

The Bannerman Castle Trust is an official ``Friends'' organization of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Taconic Region.

Over the past 30 years, the trust has been dedicated to maintaining and preserving educating community members and tourists about the history of the land.

Throughout this time, Neil Caplan, founder and Executive Director of the Bannerman Castle Trust, has dedicated his work to making this historic site safe and accessible to the public. By hosting kayak tours, river cruises, dinners, and even movie nights, Caplan and his team has continued to preserve this site and make it a special place within our community.

I want to personally thank Mr. Caplan and his Board of Directors for all their great work and years of service. I wish all the best in the next 30 years as Bannerman's Castle is preserved and remains an important historical feature within our district.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 6.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stephen Viray for winning this year's Congressional App Challenge.

The Congressional App Challenge encourages creativity for high school students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) related education fields. This nationwide contest allows these students to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software applications.

While in school, Mr. Viray created an app called District Insights, dedicated to being a resource for anyone who wants to know more about their own congressional district.

The opportunity to explore, understand, and engage in local government allows users to get involved and stay up to date on legislation that directly impacts their community.

District Insights simplifies the process of identifying your congressional district. Its intuitive map and user interface makes it effortless for users to pinpoint their district, ensuring they stay informed about their representatives, and issues that directly impact their lives. District Insights provides a wealth of statistical information, giving users a comprehensive understanding of the factors that shape their community.

This years Congressional App Challenge was exceptionally competitive this year. Within

the district, Stephen's app was challenged by eight other impressive software applications. I am always glad to see these yearly submissions from bright, young students who have been able to combine their interests with their impressive coding skills

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Stephen Viray. It is my privilege to rise in recognition of his extraordinary work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank and honor the brave first responders who risked their lives to save Hudson Valley families after a catastrophic gas explosion in Wappingers Falls injured 15 in our community last month, several severely.

Officer Devin Ludwig, Investigator Andrew Hettinger, and Firefighter John Marko Nuculovic ran back into extreme peril to carry out victims trapped inside the smoldering rubble.

John himself refused medical attention for injuries sustained during the rescue until all others were out safely.

Firefighter Raquan White pulled an injured victim from the scene, and with backup medical personnel still en route, took it upon himself to transport the victim to a nearby hospital for immediate care, saving their life.

Officer Corchado, Wappingers Falls Fire Chief Enson, Detective Sergeant Farrell, Lieutenant Reverri, Deputies Kemlage and Aronow, and contractors from J. Mullen & Sons are among the countless other heroes who displayed exceptional courage that day.

Our Hudson Valley community and those affected in particular owe you a deep debt of gratitude that we will never be able to truly repay.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Florida for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of my Hudson Valley community to honor the memories of the community members we lost on October 7 and to plead and to demand the safe return of all of the Hudson Valley families and friends still held hostage by Hamas.

Judith and Gadi Haggai, who you can see behind me, are both dual American and Israeli citizens, Judith was born in the Hudson Valley in Goshen, New York, in Orange County.

On October 7, Judith and Gadi were on their usual morning walk around Kibbutz Nir Oz when they were ambushed by Hamas, shot, and the last location of their phone was traced to Gaza.

Judith and Gadi are not combatants or soldiers. They are a schoolteacher and a musician. They are peace-loving people whose only crime was being Jewish.

Their niece, Ofri, took a one-way flight to the United States, came to my office, and made two powerful requests: Never allow our country to forget her aunt and her uncle and to fight with everything that we have to bring them back. I promised her I would do that, and I stand here today to honor that commitment.

Mr. Speaker, I served 27 months in combat. Our rule was that we never leave a fallen sister or brother behind.

I ask all to not forget Judith and Gadi, and I refuse, and I know my fellow Americans refuse to leave behind our Hudson Valley brothers and sisters.

Tragically, the Haggais are not the only Hudson Valley family grieving. Maurice Shnaider of Kingston, New York, my hometown, lost his sister, Margit, and his brother-in-law, Yosi, in these barbaric attacks.

While we honor their loss, it is impossible to mourn properly while the fate of their daughter, Shiri, and their grandsons, Ariel and Kfir, hang in the balance--Ariel, 4, Kfir, 10 months old.

My children, my two boys, Theo and Cameron, are 4 and 1. I cannot think every night as I put my boys to bed of anything other than the faces of the Bibas family.

These are not prisoners of war. These are children, babies ripped away from their home and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. This is pure, unadulterated evil.

To the Haggai family, the Bibas family, to their friends, to my whole community, to every Jewish person worried about their safety amidst the historic rise in anti-Semitism, know this: We are here for you, we see you, and we will not give up until every single hostage comes home safely.

Mr. Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 581.

Amendment No. 91 Offered by Mr. Gosar

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of the Hudson River in New York State.

For too long, too many that have enough wealth and enough power have gotten away with dumping toxic materials into our river, putting their profits ahead of the health and safety of our families.

Now those same forces are at it again, attempting an end around maneuver that would turn our precious Hudson River into a parking lot for dangerous barges carrying oil, asphalt, and other toxic materials.

To be very clear, this presents a clear and present danger to our community, and we must and we will stop it.

Mr. Speaker, that is why I demanded that the Coast Guard uphold the anchoring ban on the Hudson River and why I am calling on every single Hudson Valley resident to join me in this fight to protect our river.

This is where my kids and your kids and grandkids play. It is where we get our drinking water for over 100,000 of our residents. It is the lifeblood of our community, not a parking lot for big corporations looking to make even more money.

We owe it to our kids, our seniors, and our future generations to fight for our river with everything that we have.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Benenati for his long and distinguished career in the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Hudson Valley.

Michael's career began in 1977 when he certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in New York State. While a full-time student at The Pennsylvania State University, he worked as a crew chief and medical receptionist for the University Ambulance Service, responding to emergencies on campus and in the surrounding community.

In 1987, Michael received his certification as a paramedic in New York State. He has worked part-time in Mobile Life Support and as Emergency Dispatcher for Ulster County ever since.

Michael has served as an important leader in EMS in the Hudson Valley. From 1998 to 2004, Michael worked as the Captain of New Paltz Rescue Squad. Since 2004, he has served as EMS Administrator for the LaGrange Fire District.

Michael has also been a tenacious and effective advocate for needed improvements to EMS in the Hudson Valley and across the country.

As leader of the New York State EMS Council Sustainability Technical Advisory Group, he spearheaded a review of challenges faced by EMS and potential solutions. The group's recommendations were compiled in the NYS 2023 Evidence Based EMS Agenda for the Future, a nationally recognized blueprint for the future of EMS.

Michael has been lauded for his important contributions to the field of EMS. He has been recognized time and again by the State of New York, Ulster County, New York State EMS Council, Hudson Valley Regional EMS Councils, New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association, and the EMS Councils of both Ulster and Dutchess Counties, among others.

Most recently, Michael received the Harriet C. Weber EMS Leadership Award from the New York State EMS Council in honor of his decades-long career serving Hudson Valley communities and advocating for fellow EMS workers. Michael is a true public servant who exemplifies the very best of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Michael Benenati. It is my privilege to rise in recognition of his extraordinary career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sky Top tower on the Mohonk Preserve in Ulster County, New York. For over a century, Sky Top has been a testament to our region's natural beauty and a symbol of home for many in the New Paltz area.

In 1870, the twins Albert and Alfred Smiley constructed the original Sky Top tower on the grounds of the Mohonk Mountain House resort. Although severe weather and fires destroyed the original tower, it was rebuilt three times. The fourth and current iteration of Sky Top, built in 1923 as a memorial to Albert Smiley, celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

Located on a high point of land overlooking Lake Mohonk, Sky Top provides a view of nearby states New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Over the years, the tower has been a beacon for hikers and nature lovers from New York and all over the country. Today, Sky Top stands as a symbol of the collaboration and determination of our community.

Sky Top owes its continued existence to the commitment and hard work of countless individuals who have contributed to the project over the decades.

Among them are the Smiley brothers, stonemasons John and Frank Lawrence, architect Francis Allen, and Charles Miller, who led the committee to construct the current tower. Their efforts embody our shared history and our commitment to preserving our community's abundant natural wonders.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring this enduring landmark and the hard work of the community that sustains it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Raymond Lopez on being named ``Knight of the Year'' by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 444.

Raymond was born in New York City on September 18, 1941. After graduating from Harren High School, he worked in the city's Garment District. In 1960, Ray enlisted in the Army and served his country honorably for four years, one of which he served in Vietnam.

Upon returning home, Ray married the love of his life, Gloria, on June 27, 1964. He went on to work as a parking lot supervisor for the Museum of Natural History and LaGuardia Airport. Ray then began the position of railroad clerk for the New York City Transit Authority, before receiving a promotion to collecting agent on the money train.

Ray retired from the Transit Authority after 22 years of service in 1990. Ray then began working in the Hudson Valley at New York Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, New York.

Ray joined the Monsignor Henry O'Carroll Council No. 444 of the Knights of Columbus in Newburgh, N.Y. Council No. 444 was established on September 5, 1899, and currently has over 150 members.

Ray quickly moved up the ranks and became a third-degree knight and served Council No. 444 as Grand Knight from 2020 to 2022. This year, Council No. 444 is honoring Ray for his service to the Knights of Columbus by recognizing him as ``Knight of the Year.''

The Knights of Columbus Council No. 444 have worked tirelessly to support food pantries, disaster relief, assistance to the homeless in the community, vocations development, the Special Olympics, and many more worthy nonprofits. I am honored to recognize Raymond Lopez's many contributions he has made to the Council and our community.

In addition to his work at the Knight of Columbus, Ray is a dedicated husband to his wife, Gloria, and loving father to his 2 children, Annette and Raymond Jr. He is also the proud grandfather of 6 grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Raymond Lopez. It is my privilege to rise in recognition of his service to our country and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Jerome ``Jerry'' A. Vandemark of Huguenot, N.Y., a devoted husband; beloved father, grandfather, brother, and uncle; dedicated public servant; and cherished friend, who passed away at home with his family by his side on July 24, 2023.

Jerome Vandemark was born on May 12, 1954, in Middletown, N.Y. to the late Joseph T. Vandemark and the late Eleanor Simon Vandemark. He married the love of his life, Louise Burch, 48 years ago on November 16, 1974, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Jerry worked as a Transportation Supervisor for the New York State Department of Transportation in Middletown, N.Y. He also worked in the rubble during the September 11 recovery efforts. He was passionate about his community, serving as a past Chairman of the Deerpark Recreational Committee, New York State Democratic Committee Person, and a member of the Town of Deerpark Democratic Committee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Steven Burch.

He is survived by his wife Louise; children Michael and Stephanie; grandchildren Alexandra, Sophia, Theona, Mikaela and Jacob; brother John and his wife Nancy; sisters JoAnn, Ruth, and Jodie and her husband Dominick; brothers-in-law Joseph Burch and his wife Kanda, and Andrew; sister-in-law JoAnn; good friends Susan Burch and Michael Witt, who was like a son. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the life and legacy of Mr. Jerome A. Vandemark. It is my privilege to rise in recognition of his accomplishments and to honor his memory.

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

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

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, which increases Army construction funding by $103 million to address extensive flood damage at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

A few weeks ago on July 9, New York's Hudson Valley, along with other parts of the Northeast, was devastated by a once-in-a-millennium flood that saw nearly 10 inches of torrential rainfall arrive on the Hudson Valley in just a few hours, washing away homes of our military families, devastating roads, businesses in the surrounding community, and tragically costing the life of a young woman in the surrounding community just outside West Point.

My alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point, was hit particularly hard. I have been on the ground multiple times seeing the damage firsthand, along with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, to assess the extent of the damage. We have decimated roads, collapsed cliffside routes, compromising damage to barracks, bridges, and facilities critical to carrying out the vital mission of the United States Military Academy at West Point. In particular, I draw attention to the fact that all of the enlisted soldier barracks, serving hundreds of enlisted soldiers at the garrison have been completely destroyed. There is nowhere for these soldiers on post to live, causing a cascading effect and a real housing crunch across the post.

As of this moment, the cost estimates to rebuild are increasing each day, presently topping out at over $100 million. As we know, West Point serves a mission-critical role in our Nation's national security--the world's premier leadership institute, creating leaders and shaping the future of our Nation's Army. This institution made myself, many of my colleagues across the aisle, and many others of our Nation, into leaders. We cannot stand by during this time of need for such a critical national security resource.

Allowing West Point to be hamstrung by such significant damage imperils our military readiness, and we must ensure the institution has the resources it needs to urgently repair and rebuild and get back to their mission.

Mr. Chair, I urge the support of my colleagues throughout the Congress, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for the bipartisan support of this critical amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.