Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Denzel Bimpey was a beacon of joy and positivity in the lives of those around him. His contagious smile, warm spirit, and unwavering kindness touched everyone he encountered. He was a devoted brother, a cherished son, a beloved cousin, and a dear friend to many. His laughter filled rooms and his presence brought light to the darkest of days.

Denzel's brothers referred to him as the star of the family. He was filled with charisma and this personality went perfectly with his wonderful sense of humor, making him an absolute joy to be around. He loved his family just as much as they loved him.

His sister's words encapsulate how important Denzel was to those around him,

``Denzel's light in my life was an emotional masterpiece.

He, among my four protectors, stood as a pure-headed soldier,

radiating affection in a beautifully unique way. Denzel's

sensitivity to emotions, his lack of grudges, and absence of

envy made him profoundly special. He was the luminous star in

my life, my baby brother, my best friend, my love--the very

pulse of my being. May your journey lead you to our ancestors

and the heavenly embrace.''

His spirit will live on through the love of his family and his community.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, I was not present in the House Chamber. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on rollcall No. 716, and NAY on rollcall No. 717.

Mr. Speaker, Georgina Cardona, affectionately known as Gina, was a woman of extraordinary kindness and caring, and left this world at the young age of 95. Her constant commitment to community and family formed the pillars for who she was in life. Gina moved into our community in the winter of 1952 from The Island of Puerto Rico with her husband Eliseo and only son Aureo. The three lived in a rooming house owned by the Rivera family, this is where she came to love the South Bronx and all those who lived there with her, including her beloved ``Bronx Bombers''.

After settling in, Gina continued her dedication to service of others by graduating with honors from the Helena Fuld School of Nursing. She started her career at Hunts Point Hospital as a surgical nurse, then worked at the Hospital for Joint Diseases until her retirement 40 years later. During her years in healthcare, she was instrumental in groundbreaking medical procedures and became a highly respected leader in the industry.

While tirelessly working to improve the health of her fellow community members, she also fought for the Bronx we see today. Her political activism was integral in rebuilding the South Bronx. Gina always found the time and energy to campaign, mobilize, and organize her fellow community members to make lasting, positive changes for the South Bronx. Her passion for service and change was instilled in her family, especially her son and granddaughter who continue her legacy of love and community. She was as proud of her civic engagement as I am inspired by it.

A beacon of strength, Gina was the Matriarch of her beloved family. Like many in her generation, she sent much of her hard-earned money to help her mother and sisters in Puerto Rico. Ultimately, she helped to settle them in the South Bronx. Gina continued to bring her family together by helping to move her aunt and younger cousins to Brooklyn. Gina's commitment to her family is exemplified by these acts of selflessness.

While the Bronx became Gina's new home she never forgot where she came from. She would go back to Puerto Rico annually to see her aunt, uncle, and cousins. She would celebrate Puerto Rican heritage month with her brother and his family every year in Connecticut. She also made sure to teach her family in New York to appreciate and learn their history and culture. She did this through language, tradition, food. music, and celebrations. She embraced and loved her family with her entire heart. She will be sorely missed.

I want to recognize her truly amazing impact on our community and anyone who knew her. Gina was a healer through and through. From saving lives as a nurse to helping rebuild her community to taking care of her family, she always worked to heal those around her. In the words of Gina's only Granddaughter Ralina, she left behind a legacy of family and love, not in words but in her deeds.

Mr. Speaker, Yossi Hershkovitz was a man of extraordinary integrity and kindness. His commitment to family and community, and of course to defending his beloved Israel, formed the cornerstone of his life. He had a serious, steadfast, calm demeanor and a smile that warmed your soul. Resolute and principled, he balanced his strength with a soft-spoken, warm, and generously compassionate nature. Yossi was a deeply feeling and caring person and educator. There seemed to be an endless reservoir of goodness within him. Yossi personified the essence of being a ``mensch'' (a person of integrity). He consistently showed up for others and sought to increase the feelings of unity, light, and positivity in the world. When Israel's innocent were targeted, there was no question that he would rise up to defend them; and, of course, he made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.

Yossi was born in Jerusalem on May 31, 1979. He graduated from the Horeb School and the Birkat Moshe Yeshiva in Ma'ale Adumim and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Near and Middle Eastern Studies at Bar Ilan University and a master's degree in educational administration from Herzog College. In September 2012, he and his wife Hadas, along with their two children, arrived in the Bronx to work at SAR Academy, a Modern Orthodox Yeshiva day school. While this adventure took them away from Israel, its purpose was actually an extension of Yossi's deep commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, as they spent the next four years working with American students to deepen their connection to Israel, and instill a love of Hebrew and Jewish unity. They settled in Riverdale, leaving their family and support system behind in Israel. A young couple with two small children who did not speak English, they quickly found a supportive network within the Bronx and at SAR. Even as they worked to adjust to their new community, the Hershkovitz family generously opened their home to others, becoming an integral part of the community rather than ``visitors.'' During their four year stay, they left an indelible mark on the neighborhood and hundreds of students.

Teachers from SAR Academy remember how Yossi truly saw the good in every single child he met. Central to SAR's mission is the idea that every child has a ``divine spark,'' and it was immediately clear that this came naturally for Yossi, as he effortlessly connected with each child by believing in them fully. As SAR Principal, Rabbi Krauss, shared, ``Yossi's approach to teaching was rooted in compassion and caring for each student as an individual. He was a man of strong ideals and Torah principles, living out his beliefs both in and out of the classroom.'' Yossi's previous work with at-risk youth in Israel gave him a soft spot for connecting with kids in need of extra care, and in his quiet way, he made a tremendous impact in the lives of so many students. His care was felt by all. As one student, Avi, described: ``Moreh Yossi taught me to believe in myself. All of his students looked up to him and sensed he was unique in his courage and heroism.'' This was echoed by another student, Oren, who remembers, ``he taught us discipline and exemplified a focused, serious mindset. At the same time, he laughed with us, and in doing so taught us that completing any task can be enjoyable and meaningful. He taught us important values of living a Godly life.''

Yossi and his wife Hadas were a power couple. They gave 110 percent to everything that they did while at SAR. Yossi was an elegant musician who added depth to any musical performance in school, especially on Israel's Memorial Day. When he played the violin, he did so with his whole soul. His colleague in Israel, Shalom Weil, later wrote of his playing: ``He was a strong, solid fellow, but when he played the violin, his whole soul peaked out from his heart.'' He and Hadas took their mission seriously and were roll-up-your-sleeves, ``can-do'' people who endlessly gave of themselves. Teachers spoke about how when chaperoning a trip, having Yossi around was like having 10 people. No task was beneath him. He was always on board. The entire family would join the students on weekend retreats. Yossi remarkably balanced being a fully engaged teacher and a present father. Students and teachers remember watching him sitting on the floor with the babies to give his wife time to relax and enjoy during the school trips. As their family grew with the arrival of their new baby in 2014, they continued to make the most of their time in America. They regularly took advantage of time off to travel, packing into their car and traveling cross country to see the great American sights.

Upon his return to Israel in August 2016, Yossi and Hadas moved to Gush Etzion's G'vaot. As Rabbi Krauss described, ``This community integrates people with special needs--in and of itself a testament to Yossi's inclusive spirit and commitment to fostering a supportive environment for all.'' He also became the principal of ORT Pelech for Boys in Jerusalem. While the head of school, Yossi was instrumental in introducing the use of an app named `good point' which encourages teachers to spend a few minutes a day writing positive notes about a student into an app which automatically sends the compliment directly to the student and their parents. The app exemplifies Yossi's commitment to seeing and growing the good in people. Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch expressed his deep sorrow, describing Yossi as ``a well-known and beloved educator who inspired his teachers and students . . . a first-rate educator. The entire education system aches and mourns his fall.''

Above all, Yossi's enormous heart and belief in humanity could be seen in his deep commitment and connection to his family. ``Hershkovitz was as devoted to his wife, Hadas, and his children as he was to his students,'' his former principal wrote. ``He truly loved his wife. I learned about how to be a father and how to be a spouse from him.'' Yossi and his wife, Hadas, were true partners in life, making decisions together that exemplified their commitment to each other, their family, and to Israel. His legacy will live on in his five children, Be'eri, Halel, Tal, Shire and Neta, each of whom either spoke or wrote something to be read at his funeral. They spoke of his deep devotion to them, thanking him for studying with them and for being their hero. While they questioned who would now be strong for them, it was also clear that although there is no way to fill the gaping hole that has been left in this world, his family would certainly carry on his legacy.

Yossi's deep commitment to Israel shaped his entire life, and he knew that this war may mean the ultimate sacrifice. When he left to join the war, he shared with Hadas that this would probably be the last time he went into battle. As a member of the 551st brigade, he was killed alongside four of his fellow unit soldiers as they approached what turned out to be a booby-trapped tunnel next to a mosque in Beit Hanoun.

As Zvika Peleg, CEO of the ORT network put it, ``Yossi's fall in the war of light against the dark, unjustly, is a symbol of the extraordinary man and educator he was.'' Yossi's students will need to adjust to entering school without being greeted by his warmth and deep belief in them. Yossi's children will need to

learn how to be strong in his name and live without their hero. Yossi's wife will need to learn to make her way through life without her partner, her rock, her anchor. Medinat Yisrael will have to learn to forge on without one of their champions, a man molded by the nation's values and who gave his life protecting them. And, the world will need to learn how to go on without Yossi's light, and must make a promise to do whatever it can to make sure that all he stood for is never extinguished.

May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 643, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 644, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 645.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 578, I voted ``nay'' when I intended to vote ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Oct. 7th is a day that will live in infamy as the most gruesome terrorist attack in the history of the Jewish State.

Thousands of Israelis were murdered, raped, tortured, and abducted as hostages. Ten percent of the members of an Israeli kibbutz, Kfar Asar, were massacred.

About 260 young Israelis partying at a music festival were gunned down. Babies were butchered, burned and beheaded.

The ONLY morally acceptable response to such incomprehensible terror is overwhelming outrage at the boundless barbarism of Hamas.

While most of the civilized world, led by President Biden, rightly recoiled in horror at Hamas and condemned its terrorism immediately and unequivocally, Israel's ideological enemies here in the US found cause for celebration at the sight of dead Jews.

Imagine, for a moment, the inconsolable grief of a Jewish mother whose baby has been butchered to death. Could you imagine anything more callous and cruel than telling that grieving mother: You had it coming. You and your people brought the terror upon yourselves.

Those were the shocking sentiments of the New York City-Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA), which wasted no time in holding a hate rally romanticizing the terrorism of Hamas as ``resistance.''

The DSA was hardly alone in blaming the victims of terrorism rather than the terrorists themselves.

Something is rotten in the state of America. When the institutional leaders in our country cannot condemn the cold-blooded murder of Israeli children and civilians with moral clarity, one must ask: what kind of society are we becoming?

What does the silence and indifference and cowardice--from these so- called leaders--tell us about the depth of anti-Semitism in America and the reckoning required?

The time has come to confront not only the symptoms but the disease: a Democratic Socialist industrial complex that indoctrinates young Americans with an anti-Israel hatred so virulent that it renders them indifferent to the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

Anti-Israel extremism, which has been given a veneer of mainstream respectability in law schools and legislatures, is aided and abetted by the sheer spinelessness of so-called ``leaders''--from public officials to the presidents of colleges and universities.

Days of silence were often followed by words of cowardice, if there were any words at all.

Northwestern University, for example, said it had no plans to ``put out a statement officially stating a University position.'' Imagine that: a university that cannot be bothered to take a position on a pogrom against Jews. Have we learned nothing from the long and ugly history of Anti-Semitism?

There is nothing accidental about the disregard for Israeli life that revealed itself in the wake of Oct. 7. The dehumanization of Israeli victims follows inevitably from the hyperbolic and systematic demonization of Israel itself.

Anti-Israel hate and hysteria have been allowed to fester freely in academia, social media, the political arena, and elsewhere. It has been propagated by Astroturf activists and academics, amplified by their enablers in elected office, and subsidized by government and civil society.

When people are made to believe the most dangerous lies about Israel--that Israel is the root of all evil on earth; that it is a ``75-year occupation'' that must be wiped off the map from the ``river to the sea''; that Israelis are not civilians but settlers who can be fairly targeted for ``resistance''; that Israelis are committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians and harvesting their organs and using the blood of their children; that Israel is always the aggressor and Hamas always the resister: when you tell so many lies and incite so much hate, what do you think will happen?

How do you think the believers internalizing these lies will respond to the savage slaughter of Israelis? This is a moral monstrosity made in America, and one that America must unmake.

The anti-Israel hate increasingly possessing the American mind is a demon that must be exorcised from our body politic. For America cannot long remain a decent society if the next generation of Americans are made to be indifferent to the barbaric butchering of Israeli civilians and children.

I, for one, stand with Israel as it seeks to defend itself. Despite the profound pain of the present, Israel will emerge from it all better and stronger than ever before.

It will outlive the pernicious lies and the dangerous demagogues who tell them. It will outlive the extremism of the DSA and BDS. It will outlive the terrorism of Iran and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Israel will live on--for the next 75 years and beyond. Resilience is the DNA and destiny of the Jewish people and the Jewish State. It always has been and always will be. I am as certain of that as I am of anything. The Jewish Nation lives on (Am Yisrael Chai).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Dr. Clarence Jones' work on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Sixty years ago, those words were spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King but written by Dr. Clarence Jones, who lived in the Bronx, and in Riverdale, in the fateful year of 1963. The members of the Bronx family have gathered here today to celebrate not only a great American, but one of the greatest. We're here to celebrate a man who labored and loitered behind the scenes and behind the dream for the greatest cause in American history. The cause of equal rights, equal justice, and equal protection under the law.

As a lawyer, Clarence Jones not only practiced law, he transformed it. As a civil rights leader, Clarence Jones not only had a dream, he realized it and by the grace of God, he has lived to see it.

We are in a room full of people of every color and every creed. Black and white, Latino and Asian, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. We are collectively the realization of Dr. Jones' dream. Our unity is the culmination of his life's work. The legacy of Dr. King and Dr. Jones achieved nothing less than the liberation of the people and the reconstruction of a Nation. America has lived through two reconstructions and its history. Whereas the first reconstruction largely failed in the hands of Jim Crow. The second reconstruction, I believe, has largely succeeded on the strength of the civil rights movement. In spite of all the challenges confronting America, despite the racism that persists even in our own time, there can be no denying how far we have come as a country. How much we have overcome as a people and how high Dr. Jones and Dr. King have lifted us all.

And if anyone has any doubts about the moral magnitude of what has been achieved in these past 60 years, look no further than our own city. For the first time in history, the Speaker of the New York City Council, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, and the future Speaker of the United States House of Representatives are all African American. For the first time in history, the mayors of America's four largest cities, including New York, are all African American. There are 1000s of elected officials, like myself, of all races and religions who stand firmly on the shoulders of moral giants like Dr. King and Dr. Jones. We owe these giants a debt that we can never repay, but it is a debt that we must never forget. Dr. Clarence Jones was a counsel and close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King. When Dr. King was jailed in Birmingham, Alabama for protesting segregation, it was Clarence Jones who visited Dr. King in jail twice a day. And it was Clarence Jones who smuggled out Dr. King's famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail. As a Riverdale resident, Dr. Jones played a pivotal role in co-organizing America's greatest March and in co-writing America's greatest speech. Not only did he reside in Riverdale in 1963, he arranged for Dr. King to move into his Riverdale home in the lead up to the March on Washington and the I Have a Dream speech. The Riverdale home of Dr. Jones came to be known as Dr. King's quote, ``Command Post North.'' Dr. Martin Luther King and Dr. Clarence Jones were both American revolutionaries in 1963. The most powerful revolutions in history are not only those that change the nature of an economy or the nature of technology. The revolutions that ultimately matter most are those that changed the hearts and minds of a people.

Dr. King and Dr. Jones inspired a revolution where it mattered most in the very soul of America. That revolution of the American soul remains with us 60 years later. Clarence Jones remains with us 60 years later. And as one of the few living members of Dr. King's innermost circle, Clarence Jones has been described as the last of the lions. At age 92, Dr. Jones shows no signs of retiring from his lifelong struggle for social justice. He presently serves as the chair of a non-for- profit, known as Spill the Honey, which is dedicated to building bridges between the black community and the Jewish community. Dr. Jones is the product of the civil rights movement that inspired powerful moments of black Jewish solidarity. The image of Dr. Martin Luther King, and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, marching for voting rights all the way from Selma to Montgomery. These two men of faith in the words of Rabbi Heschel ``were praying with their feet.'' There were Jewish Americans and African Americans who not only fought together, but also died together for the cause of civil rights. Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, James Cheney, all were murdered in the Mississippi Burning. The least we can do is honor their memory with unity in our own time. The moral lesson of history is that we are all in this together. What matters more than the particulars of our race and religion. What matters more than the details of our color and creed is something universal, our common humanity. Upholding that common humanity has been the life work of Clarence Jones.

Dr. King famously said, ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere''. Bearing those words in mind, a decade ago, I went to Yad Vashem the Holocaust memorial in Israel. I came across an unforgettable quote that has remained with me ever since. Quote, ``First the Nazis came from the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came to the trade unions, and l did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. And then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I was not a Jew. And then they came from me, and there was no one left to speak for me.'' Let us never forget that we are all in this together. That we are all bound together by shared humanity. That we are all equal creations in the image of God. There is no one in America who knows the self-evident truth more deeply in his mind, feels it more deeply in the soul, and who has lived it more faithfully in his life for nearly a century than Clarence Jones. So on behalf of the people of the Bronx, I have the district pleasure of honoring Dr. Jones' roots in Riverdale, his role in America's greatest March, America's greatest speech, and America's greatest moral revolution and reconstruction.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 388, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 389, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 390, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 391.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 386 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 387.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 383, ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 384, and ``yea'' on Rollcall No. 385.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the historic ``I Have a Dream'' speech delivered by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I rise to honor not only the transformative impact of this iconic address but also to recognize the significant contribution of Dr. Clarence B. Jones to its creation. Furthermore, it is imperative that we acknowledge the instrumental role that the vibrant Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale played in the enduring legacy of this momentous event.

The ``I Have a Dream'' speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington, stands as an indelible marker of American history. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eloquence and vision, as expressed in that speech, continue to inspire and challenge us to this day. His words called for unity, justice, and equality, transcending the barriers of time and space to resonate with generations that followed.

Yet, we must not forget the individuals who labored behind the scenes to shape Dr. King's words into a powerful message that moved hearts and ignited change. Among them, Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a brilliant and dedicated speechwriter, lawyer, and trusted advisor, played a pivotal role in crafting the speech's content. His intellect, passion, and commitment to justice were integral to capturing the essence of the civil rights movement and encapsulating the dreams and aspirations of millions.

Moreover, as we reflect on the ``I Have a Dream'' speech, we must recognize the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale's important connection to this historic moment. Riverdale, known for its diverse community and rich cultural tapestry, served as an inspirational backdrop for discussions and dialogues that fueled the civil rights movement. It was a place where individuals from various walks of life gathered, exchanged ideas, and organized actions that contributed to the momentum for change.

Riverdale's commitment to social justice and equality is a testament to the enduring values that continue to shape our Nation. As we commemorate this 60th anniversary, let us not only celebrate the progress we have made but also recommit ourselves to the unfulfilled aspects of the dream. Let us strive for a society where justice prevails, where all individuals are judged by the content of their character, and where the legacy of the ``I Have a Dream'' speech lives on in our actions.

It is a great privilege to honor Dr. Clarence B. Jones' contribution to the crafting of the ``I Have a Dream'' speech and in recognizing the vital role that the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale played in shaping the ideals and aspirations that continue to guide our Nation toward a more just and equitable future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Israel Nitzan for successfully completing his distinguished tenure as the Acting Consul General of Israel in New York, a role he has admirably held from 2018 to 2023.

The Office of the Consul General, or the Lishka, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong ties between the State of Israel and influential organizations and agencies in the New York Metro area. Throughout his tenure, Consul General Nitzan has been instrumental in bolstering Israel's positive image in the media, while keeping the local community abreast of significant developments within the Israeli community and political landscape. He has effectively rallied support for Israel, inspiring both members and young leaders to take proactive and supportive measures for the nation. Additionally, his initiatives in organizing missions to Israel and fostering enduring relationships with local, state, and national elected officials have proven invaluable in enhancing understanding and cooperation between our Nations.

Beyond his tenure in New York, Consul General Nitzan's illustrious career has spanned the globe. He notably served as the Spokesperson in the Israeli Embassy in Egypt from 2002 to 2005, followed by his role as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2009 to 2011. In his subsequent role as Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, Consul General Nitzan represented Israel's interests before the UN Security Council, effectively monitoring and advancing Israeli political engagement and policies within the UN system.

Israel Nitzan's dedication and tireless efforts have undeniably advanced America's relationship with 1 of our closest and strongest allies As he concludes this chapter in his career, I extend my sincere gratitude for his invaluable contributions. May he be commended for his outstanding service, and may his future endeavors continue to be marked by success and dedication to the cause of international diplomacy.

Mr. Speaker, Venancio ``Benny'' Catala, Jr., known affectionately as ``Big Ben'' and ``Benny from the Block,'' was a pillar of the Bronx community, touching thousands of lives through his political activism and outreach.

A proud Puerto Rican, Mr. Catala immigrated from San Juan to New York City at just 4 years old. He attended New York City public schools throughout his childhood and later enrolled and graduated from Monroe College.

By age 16, he was already serving his community via his numerous jobs through the Summer Youth Employment Program. At 18, he began his career in public service as a Constituent Services Representative for the office of the Honorable Aurelia Greene, connecting constituents to resources such as education programs, housing, and state social services. He was promoted to the Constituent Services Director and later District office Liaison to the Albany Legislative Office. From 2002 to 2006, he served as Director of Constituent Services for the Office of Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr., helping residents reach city agencies and services.

During the construction of the new Yankee Stadium, a beloved Bronx landmark, Mr. Catala oversaw community engagement, arranging local hiring provisions, contracts with minority and women owned businesses, and small business partnerships. In 2012, he became Director of Diversity Initiatives for the Yankees, building relationships between the Yankees and local community leaders, schools, nonprofits, and cultural organizations.

In a return to politics, Mr. Catala was appointed researcher for the State Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee in 2016 as well as serving as the Vice Chair and Sergeant at Arms of the Bronx Democratic County Committee, working with members of the Bronx Democratic party and New York State assemblymembers. He was also the Male District Leader of the 77th Assembly District serving Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner and the president of the Rev. Jerome A. Greene Democratic Club, running voter registration drives, and supporting district leaders.

Mr. Catala's lasting impact on his community is truly immeasurable. We will never forget his tireless dedication to the Bronx; may he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Meeks for his friendship and mentoring, and I thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for setting the gold standard of bipartisanship here in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler) for his legislative partnership and leadership.

If there is one cause that should transcend partnership, it is the cause of peace in the Middle East.

Building a bridge between Israel and the Arab world is neither a Democratic value nor a Republican value. It is an American value.

The Abraham Accords is both an affirmation of Arab-Israeli peace and a rejection of BDS as a relic of the past.

Indeed, the three noes of the Khartoum Resolution have been replaced by the three yeses of the Abraham Accords: yes to recognition of Israel, yes to negotiations with Israel, and yes to peace with Israel.

The Abraham Accords is an achievement so monumental that it demands and deserves its own special envoy whose sole and singular mission is to build on the inexorable progress of peace in the Middle East.

Today, we in the United States Congress are bending the long arc of the Middle East exactly where it belongs, toward peace and prosperity for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The children of Abraham are finally standing together as one, divided no longer.