Floor Statements

I thank my friend.

Madam Speaker, last week I met with a constituent from Huntington Station on Long Island, and she said to me, ``Mr. Israel, war is never the answer.''

I would agree with that view that war is never the answer if I believed that ISIL agreed with that view, but they do not. I have thought a lot about my constituent's comments and I have thought a lot about this resolution. There are four things that we do know.

First, ISIL is not just a threat; it is a savage threat. And what message do we send to potential beheaders around the world if we bury our head in the sand?

Secondly, ISIL has filled a vacuum, and if we do not check that vacuum, it will spread, and instability and beheadings and savagery will spread across the Middle East and beyond.

Number three, we cannot, nor should we, do this alone. I believe that the President has helped to organize an important international coalition to ensure that this is not on our shoulders and that we do not have boots on the ground.

Finally, there should be no blank checks. We did that. We gave those blank checks from 2000 to 2008. No more blank checks.

This resolution ensures accountability; it ensures transparency; it ensures reporting. Taken all together, Madam Speaker, this resolution is a restrained, responsible and appropriate response to the spread of ISIL, to beheading, to savagery in the Middle East and potentially around the world, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Harry Wurth, an esteemed citizen of my congressional district who committed his life to his country and to his fellow veterans. Mr. Wurth, a longtime resident of Albertson, NY, passed away on June 14, 2014 at the age of 87. A veteran of World War II and a leader of the United States Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New York, Mr. Wurth's life was an example of what it means to serve one's nation.

After graduating high school in 1945, Mr. Wurth enlisted in the Navy and was deployed to the Pacific Theatre toward the end of the war. Aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Belleau, he served as deck crew and later as a baker. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war.

Mr. Wurth committed the remainder of his life to serving New York veterans. In 1964 he joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3211 in Hicksville, New York, and rose to Post Commander in 1969 and All State Commander. A frequent visitor to VA hospitals in Northport and St. Albans, New York, in 1972 he was elected Chaplin to the Nassau County VFW Council.

Mr. Wurth continued his dedication to the VFW in various positions on the Nassau County and State level. He was elected Chaplin and Commander of VFW District 1 in 1978, and in 1981 he transferred to the Albertson VFW Post 5253. Rising to New York State VFW Chief of Staff in 1993, Mr. Wurth led the effort to establish 19 new Veterans' Posts in New York.

From 1994 to 1996 he continued to move up the ranks in the State Council, rising to VFW State Commander. At the time of his passing Mr. Wurth was the Quartermaster for the Albertson VFW post and Quartermaster of the Nassau County VFW Council.

Mr. Wurth passed away while attending this year's NY State VFW Convention. Until his death, Mr. Wurth never ceased serving our country and veterans alike. I am honored to have had the pleasure to serve as Mr. Wurth's representative. His life will forever be remembered as one of service and commitment to his fellow countrymen.

Mr. Speaker, on July 20th, the people of Cyprus will mark the 40th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of that island nation, an invasion which resulted in the division of the island which still scars the landscape to this very day. As we mark this anniversary, I call for the end of the Turkish military occupation and the peaceful reunification of the island under its internationally recognized government.

For forty years, Cypriots have suffered not only from the division of their beloved nation, but also from the confiscation of their homes, expulsion from their lands, and the uprooting of centuries old communities. It is time for this to end.

I am pleased the Cyprus Government is committed to the U.N.-sponsored process to reach a sustainable and enduring settlement that would reunify Cyprus based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation in accordance with relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and we should recognize the importance of the Joint Statement agreed to on February 11, 2014.

As Cyprus is not only a close friend and democratic ally of the United States, but also a partner for regional stability, be it in cooperation with the State of Israel in harnessing the natural gas reserves of the eastern Mediterranean, or playing a constructive role in the European Union, we owe it to the Cypriots, to stand by them as they move forward in finding a peaceful resolution and reunification of the island.

Mr. Speaker, just a few moments ago, this House passed legislation introduced by me and the gentleman from Oklahoma, Tom Cole--the Israel-Cole resolution--supporting Israel's right to defend itself, condemning Hamas for sending rockets over the border, supporting the Iron Dome program, and reminding the American people of the role that Iran has in supplying these terrorists.

Mr. Speaker, I am a big believer in what would we do when crisis occurs? What would we do if we had terrorists on our border, sending rockets into our communities?

If the Gaza Strip were in Dover, Delaware, this Capitol, where I am speaking, would be hit by rockets. Baltimore would be hit by rockets. Philadelphia, where tourists gathered during July Fourth to celebrate our independence, would be hit by rockets. New York would be hit by rockets. Long Island would be hit by rockets.

What would we do? Exactly what Israel is doing--we would protect our citizens. We would seek to spare civilian casualties. We would try and negotiate as best we could a peace, but do it through strength. Every nation in the world has the right and the obligation to protect its citizens; so does Israel.

Mr. Speaker, once again, as so many times before, the people of Israel are under missile attack from the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, with 300 rocket attacks since June--150 just over the past few days--forcing children into shelters, with the promise of more violence rained on Israel. This is the same Hamas that has formed a unity government with the Palestinian Authority.

Mr. Speaker, some things are clear. When rockets are fired on Israel, Israel will defend its people. When Hamas chooses violence, Israel will protect its people. When Hamas commits itself to the eradication and extermination of Israel, Israel will do what it must to ensure its survival.

Today, I will be introducing bipartisan legislation reaffirming this country's support for the people of Israel as it defends itself.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy with Ranking Member Visclosky and Chairman Frelinghuysen. But first I would like to commend the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership on this bill.

I am here today to address the importance of delivering the utmost care to our brave servicemen and -women who suffer from mental health disorders, and the benefits that public-private partnerships between the Department of Defense and teaching hospitals can provide, specifically to members of the National Guard and Reserve components who return from tours of duty and transition into civilian life far from a military base and without easy access to the care that they need.

I am pleased that the Department recognizes the benefits of these public-private partnerships and created a pilot program to improve efforts to treat members of the National Guard and Reserve components and their families who suffer from mental health disorders. But we must not stop there.

It is heartbreaking that preliminary readouts of suicide data for 2013 show that the Active component rate has come down about 18 percent, but the Reserve rates rose slightly. This problem is not going away.

That is why I am so pleased that the defense bill included language in the bill's report, recommended by the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) and me, that encourages the Secretary of Defense to expand this initial pilot to include additional community partners through a competitive and merit-based process.

There are a number of teaching and clinical hospitals around the country that specialize in mental health treatment and can make a real difference in addressing the soaring demand for mental health treatment.

I would like to work with the chairman and the ranking member to ensure that the Department has the necessary funding to expand this vital pilot program so more of our Nation's brave servicemembers are able to receive the best care possible.

Mr. Chairman, at this time I am honored to yield to Chairman Frelinghuysen.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Tyler Fazzari. Tyler is 10 years old. He lives in Port Washington, and he is giving back to our community in a major way.

Last week, I visited Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism, and I literally ran into Tyler in a corridor. I learned that he gave that school $800 donated by his friends for his own birthday. He has a friend with autism, and he wanted to do something about it.

Tyler told me that he formed an organization called BirthdayBack. It inspires other kids to raise money for their birthdays in lieu of gifts and give to charity.

Tyler is an entrepreneur, but he is also a philanthropist. And at age 10, he gives me great hope for the future of our country and great hope that if enough of us are inspired by Tyler we will find a cure for autism.

Thank you, Tyler.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Israel's 66th Independence Day, which was celebrated this week. Since its founding on May 14, 1948, Israel has experienced many challenges and adversity, but has always overcome. Today, the United States and Israel are working more closely together than ever before and I look forward to building upon this steadfast partnership.

Against impossible odds, Israel has become a vibrant democracy, with an active and free press, freedom for all religions, and a leader in the protection and promotion of gay rights. In its 66 years, Israel has produced remarkable inventions that have improved our lives and its contributions to environmental protection, energy independence, medicine, and agriculture technology have spanned the globe.

Israel's accomplishments are incredible and inspiring. It is with great honor that I extend my deepest congratulations to Israel, our greatest ally, on 66 years of independence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Teacher Appreciation Week to honor a top teacher in the Third Congressional District of New York, John Motchkavitz, or ``Motch'' as he is called by his students.

John is the head of the business technology department at Great Neck South High School. He was named as a top five finalist on Live! with Kelly and Michael's top teachers search contest, and he will appear on the morning show next week when the winner will be announced.

In the 12 years that he has taught in Great Neck, he has helped lead the school's robotics team to the national competition. He coaches lacrosse; he builds sets for school plays; and four times a year, Mr. Speaker, he brings students to New York City to distribute food and supplies to the homeless. He also lives the lessons he teaches inside the classroom in his life outside the school. As a volunteer with the Great Neck Alert Fire Company, he was one of the first to respond to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

I am so proud of the contributions that John has made to Great Neck, to my congressional district, to Long Island, and to the Nation. I congratulate him. He is an example for teachers everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, an esteemed resident of my congressional district. Not only is she an active and vocal member of her community in Port Washington, she is also the Director of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, a valuable and necessary organization on Long Island.

The Center for Science Teaching and Learning exists to promote science education and literacy in children and adults. They accomplish this by holding workshops that engage our youth and challenge them to pursue their education inside and outside of the classroom.

Dr. Havasy, along with CSTL, has made an effort to promote S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning through local competitions that challenge participants to think critically about their studies and allow them to sharpen their knowledge in an applicable manner. The efforts of CSTL represent the type of innovative, out-of-the-box thinking we need to ensure that our children's academic competence remains that of a global leader.

Dr. Havasy and the Center for Science Teaching and Learning represent a positive institution in our community and I applaud their work. I am honored to be able to represent them here in Congress.

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

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very simple. It would direct the CBO to analyze the impact of our major bills here in Congress on some of the Nation's most critical institutions, our State and local governments, and State and local taxpayers.

The State Budget Crisis Task Force is cochaired by former Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York Richard Ravitch and the former Federal Reserve Board Chair Paul Volcker. They spent a great deal of time analyzing the impacts of what we do here on State and local governments and taxpayers.

What did they find? They found that fiscal stress runs downhill, and very often, local taxpayers are the recipient of that stress. Everything we do here in Congress, Mr. Chairman, or everything that we don't do has significant implications on broader levels of government and local taxpayers.

But no mechanism exists at all to assess the fiscal impact of Federal actions on those taxpayers. I am offering this amendment today because if we are going to analyze how our fiscal actions affect the economy, we need to make sure we are not just pushing off the hard decisions to local taxpayers.

Let me give you an example. The Republican budget, offered by my good friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin, cuts over $50 billion from road repair and infrastructure investments.

And so the implication of that budget is that the Federal Government does less but local taxpayers have to pay the bill to fill in the potholes. That is just fundamentally wrong. That is a wrong priority. We have to stop staying in this position where we are cutting taxes and spending here only to increase taxes and spending in our local communities. We can't keep pushing off these costs and the accompanying uncertainty surrounding this funding. That is why my amendment is so important, Mr. Chairman. It would tell us if we are actually being fiscally responsible at all levels, or are we simply moving costs from one level of government to the other?

I hope my friends will support this amendment. We all represent not just Federal taxpayers but local taxpayers, and we should protect the interests of both.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, two responses to my friend from Georgia:

Number one, the law that he cites does not analyze the impact of budget and tax decisions that we engage in here in Washington, D.C. So the gentleman's response, with all due respect, in the world, is wrong.

Secondly, I do find it ironic that this entire debate has focused on the critical need for more information. I have heard my friends talk about the need for a complete picture; except when it comes to local taxpayers, we don't want that information, we don't need to see that picture, and we will continue to pass legislation and pass the bill to those local taxpayers.

So, for all the high-minded speeches that we hear from my friends about needing to protect the taxpayer, opposing this amendment essentially says to the taxpayer you foot the bill for the decisions we make here.

So we talk about cutting taxes and we put out our press releases and we pat ourselves on the back for cutting Federal taxes and cutting spending when what we are really doing is stabbing local taxpayers in the back with those decisions.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Nicholas P. DiNapoli, an esteemed citizen of my congressional district who holds the distinction of being a lifelong resident of the Town of North Hempstead. Mr. DiNapoli was born on April 6, 1924, to Pete and Jeanette DiNapoli in Roslyn Heights, New York, and has resided in Albertson, New York since 1953. He is a New Yorker, born and bred.

After graduating from Roslyn public schools, Nicholas served our country in World War II as a member of the Army Air Force. I thank him for his service during this historic time and for his contribution to a United States victory.

When he returned home, he built a model life for himself and his family. He married Adeline, his late wife of 43 years, and raised two sons, Thomas and James. As the years passed, he has also been able to enjoy spending time with his two grandchildren, Victoria and Nicholas. Mr. DiNapoli served a forty year career at the New York Telephone Company, where his hard work enabled him to rise all the way from a splicer's helper to foreman.

What is truly inspirational is Mr. DiNapoli's devotion to his community. Over the years, he has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Roslyn Highlands Fire Department, and has been involved with the American Legion, Albertson Little League, Boy Scouts of America Troop 481 and St. Aidan's Parish.

Mr. DiNapoli will turn 90 on April 6, 2014, and his positivity, independence and generosity has cemented his legacy as a devoted and loving family man, and as a strong role model for his children and grandchildren. I am honored to be able to represent him here in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because of a preventable tragedy that occurred in my congressional district this past weekend. On Saturday, at a local shopping mall, carbon monoxide leaked from a faulty basement pipe and tragically killed Steve Nelson, who managed the Legal Sea Foods there. 27 people were also sickened in moments by this colorless, odorless gas.

Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning; more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized. Just one preventable death is too many.

This gas is so toxic because it is both odorless and colorless. In a house, for example, everyday items such as kerosene and gas space heaters, gas water heaters, fireplaces, and gas stoves are sources of carbon monoxide. A leak or improper use of these appliances can be fatal.

However, carbon monoxide detectors are an incredible weapon in our fight against carbon monoxide poisoning. These detectors, which cost as low as $15, are designed to alert people before potentially life- threatening levels of CO are reached.

In fact, reports of carbon monoxide incidents that aren't related to fire almost doubled from 2003 to 2010. This is actually good news because it means these detectors are doing their job to alert people before it's too late.

I usually talk about carbon monoxide poisoning during natural disasters, as I did during Superstorm Sandy when many of my constituents lost power for weeks and resorted to gas generators in order to stay in their homes.

But as we learned from this past weekend, we must always be aware and we also must make sure that not only homes, but also businesses and other public areas are adequately protected.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as National Marfan Awareness Month on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Americans affected by Marfan syndrome and related heritable connective tissue disorders across the country.

It is important to raise awareness of Marfan syndrome and related heritable disorders, which are rare genetic conditions. The signs of these conditions include long arms and legs, curved spine, a concave or convex chest, flexible joints, and flat feet. Some patients may display the features of these conditions from birth while others may develop them later in life.

Knowing the signs and features are important and can save lives. The heart is often affected too, which can lead to aortic enlargement and dissection, and sudden death. An early and accurate diagnosis, regular monitoring, and, in some cases, therapies or medical interventions are necessary to prevent cardiac events.

I am proud to represent the Port Washington, NY-based Marfan Foundation, which leads the effort to improve the lives of individuals affected by heritable connective tissue disorders. This year marks Carolyn Levering's 20th anniversary as President and CEO of the Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation has grown into an effective and compassionate organization. As a result of her dedication and the hard work of the Foundation, medical research has been advanced, treatments and diagnostic tools have been discovered, patient care has improved and, most importantly, lives have been saved.

I understand Carolyn recently announced plans to step down from her executive role at the Marfan Foundation next year. When the Foundation's Founder, Priscilla Ciccariello, first tapped Carolyn to lead the organization into the next century, there is no way she could've known just how far the heritable connective tissue disorder community could come in just two decades.

During this Marfan Awareness Month, I call on my colleagues to reflect on the progress that Carolyn, Priscilla, and the Marfan Foundation have made, and to ask themselves what they can do on behalf of their Marfan-affected constituents to ensure that the next twenty years are just as encouraging as the previous two decades.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to draw your attention to a speech given by one of my young constituents, Jonathan Serota of Brookville, NY. Jonathan ran for President of Yale Model Congress and spoke about the need for compromise and commitment to our country. His words are wise beyond his years and all of the members of this chamber would do well to hear them. I'd like to share them with you now and hereby insert Jonathan's speech as follows in the Congressional Record:

For 408 hours, the government of the United States of

America shut down its facilities and closed its doors. Over

the course of that tumultuous time, national parks, museums,

and public grounds were barred to visitors. 800,000 Federal

workers were sent home from their jobs, and many more were

forced to work with delayed pay. Veterans, and active duty

military personnel and their families were kept in a constant

state of fear, worried about making ends meet. This period of

panic was not caused by some foreign aggressor, some

archenemy of state, or some ruthless tyrant. No, the crisis

that shook the very faith that the American people had in

their government, was caused by that very body itself. So who

is to blame for the government shutdown? Shall we point

fingers at Republicans? How about the Democrats? It must be

someone's fault right? That IS what our political system has

taught us isn't it? Well, it appears that recently, that is

just what it has done. As the ominous clouds descended upon

the capital in the early hours of October the 1st, the

government shutdown that took place in the District of

Columbia, and all across the country, had effects that will

continue to be impactful for years to come.

Model Congress. The word `model' implies a want or desire

to replicate, to recreate and imitate. For years now,

thousands of students have come to Yale and other conferences

alike, and taken pride in acting as Senators,

Representatives, Cabinet Members, and Presidents. We have

touted our accomplishments on our resumes, shined our gavels

and framed our certificates. My question to you tonight is:

Do we really, want to model Congress? The body which we have

all gathered here tonight to replicate has, over the past

several years, produced a stalemate and inefficiency that has

rarely been seen in the long and arduous history of both man

and this nation. Complete ideological division, refusal to

compromise, and the inability to put national interest above

self interest has weakened our country, as well as its image

both at home and abroad. Why is it as teenagers, we are able

to sit down, talk, work out our problems, and come to

productive agreements, but as adults, we put our fingers in

our ears and stomp our feet on the ground until we get what

we want? The roles seem to be backwards if you ask me.

People would like to have you believe that we are naive, we

are inexperienced, and we know too little about the world to

make decisions on our own. Well I argue the contrary. I think

that they are too rigid, they are too closed minded, and they

are too pleased with pushing the blame onto others, that they

fail to see that the problem is caused by no one else but

themselves.

Is this what America is about? Surely the land of the free

and the home of the brave is not just some idealistic

nonsense that we were told about in second grade, and then by

the cruel hand of fate, forced to rule out as anything but

true. The American ideal that we all hold dear to our hearts,

the feeling of honor that sweeps over our senses and rushes

down our spine when we publicly declare, ``I am proud to be

an American!'' is only true because our government is about

us, the people. We, the people, in order to form a more

perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the

general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to

ourselves and our posterity. We are that posterity.

We have come to this conference to argue for things which

we are passionate about, and argue against those which we are

passionately not about. We have come to this conference to

test each other, and our ability to work together to shape

both foreign and domestic policy. We have come to this

conference to gain experience, to gain knowledge, and to make

progress not only for ourselves, but also for those who feel

that their opinion doesn't matter. While most of us came here

tonight with distinct political agendas, we have always been

able to open our minds, challenge our beliefs, and move

together in the hope that we may one day truly create what

Ronald Reagan famously described as, ``that shining city on a

hill.''

I love what we do here at Model Congress. If you ask me, I

don't think we imitate Congress, we act better than it. We

don't aspire to be like them, we aspire to be better than

them. Here, at this conference, we have come together to act

like the body of government that the founders intended. There

are no special interest groups, no superpacs, no shady

campaign deals, and no political parties. There is only the

work we have set out to do, and the goals which we wish to

achieve.

As I sat to write this speech, I decided that I wanted to

talk about something that really mattered to us, the youth of

America. Now, I could have simply gotten up here, shouted a

couple of phrases like ``legalize marijuana,'' ``Make the

playing field fairer,'' ``lower taxes,'' ``feed the hungry''

and ``help the poor.'' And while I'm sure that I would have

gotten a couple of apathetic rounds of applause, I thought

that it would be more prudent to get up here, and as I have,

talk about something that we, both as citizens and as young

adults, are frustrated with in the hopes of bringing about

change.

If elected I vow to each and every one of you, that I will

help us take those first frightening steps into the obscure

and unsure future. I will do my best to lead this conference

in a way so that Congressmen, Senators, Governors, and

Presidents alike know that we won't accept anything less than

that second grade idealistic dream, so that our peers both

here and at home know that we mean business, and so that we

may all realize that we must join hands and look into the

unknown abyss that is our future, and conquer it with the

fearless determination that is so quintessentially American.

With hope and faith, we move forward together. With

knowledge and determination, we strive, to make a better

tomorrow. May God Bless each and every one of you, and may

God Bless the United States of America.