Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, several weeks ago, my friend from New York, Congressman Hanna, and I sent a bipartisan letter to the International Olympic Committee, asking them to hold a moment of silence during the opening ceremonies of this year's Olympic Games in commemoration of the victims of the 1972 Munich massacre.

On September 5, 1972, 2 weeks after the start of the Olympic games in Munich, members of a Palestinian terrorist group, Black September, broke into the Olympic Village. Eleven Israelis were killed in that massacre. Now, 40 years later, in London, we are convening another Olympic ceremony. We asked the International Olympic Committee to recognize this 40-year anniversary, and the response we got was, No.

That is the wrong response, Madam Speaker. We, again, on a bipartisan basis, appealed to the International Olympic Committee in London, when these Olympics begin, to commemorate those Israelis who were massacred, which fits the ideals of the Olympics and, that is, international friendship and fraternity.

Eleven lives were lost. We should remember them in London when the Olympics convene.

Mr. Chair, I rise to oppose attempts to weaken energy efficiency standards for lighting that were included in the bipartisan Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Plain and simple--these attempts to do away with energy efficiency standards will hurt our competitive advantage against China.

America's lighting industry has invested millions of dollars to manufacture new energy efficient incandescent light bulbs here in the United States. These bulbs produce the same type of light as the former bulbs but use 28 percent to 33 percent less energy. An amendment to prohibit enforcement of the energy efficiency standards is an attack on our domestic lighting industry. Denying the Department of Energy the power to enforce an existing law opens the door to the importation of non-compliant products from foreign manufacturers that will not only harm the investments made by American manufacturers but put American jobs at risk.

The current lighting efficiency standards are creating American jobs because the manufacturing of these light bulbs is done in the United States. Most of the operations producing less efficient lighting were moved offshore years ago. We are creating American jobs making better light bulbs that meet the new standards. The energy-efficient lighting industry currently employs more than 14,000 American workers. I do not want to send those jobs to China!

The light bulb has been a symbol of American ingenuity since the late 1800s. When Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, it revolutionized our economy and electricity around the world. If America wants to lead, we need to become more efficient. That is the way of the future.

Supporting America's energy-efficient lighting industry is about more than jobs. It's about saving money, saving each American household $100 per year in the form of lower electric bills. I know my constituents want that $100 in their pockets.

That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing any amendment that would prohibit the Department of Energy from utilizing energy efficiency standards for lighting to help save money and energy while supporting U.S. manufacturing.

Madam Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to section 517 of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. That is because it would prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related construction agencies from using project labor agreements (PLA) when they determine that they would benefit from doing so. If an agency decides that it is in their best interest to enter into a PLA, they should be given the ability to make that call.

Project labor agreements increase efficiency and quality of construction projects and are an effective tool for ensuring that large and complex projects are completed on time. They provide construction contractors with access to a highly skilled and well trained workforce and ensure that contractors comply with equal employment rules and environmental standards. And, workers have found that it protects their safety and wages. For these reasons, PLAs have been used in all 50 states and the District of Columbia; on the local, state, and federal level; and in the public and private sector.

You might have even heard of the Tappan Zee Bridge, Fort Drum, Walt Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center--all were built with project labor agreements. And any attempt to restrict even the consideration of project labor agreements where they would promote economic efficiency is simply the height of anti-union tactics getting in the way of good government.

There is an Executive Order that encourages agencies to use project labor agreements if it finds that an agreement would promote economic efficiency. During this time of fiscal restraint when the government must tighten its belt, it does not make sense to prohibit use of a proven business model that increases efficiency and keeps costs down. That is why I support the use of project labor agreements and am opposed to this anti-labor provision.

Mr. Speaker, I have often said that I'm truly partisan about one thing, not Democrats versus Republicans, but Mets fans versus everyone else in the country.

Last Friday, Mr. Speaker, the Mets had something worth saluting. Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in the history of my beloved New York Mets. Now, more important than a no-hitter is the lessons it teaches all Americans.

Johan Santana had surgery that they thought would end his career. He didn't give up on himself; he didn't give up on New York. He's never given up on his roots in Venezuela, didn't give up on the children of Venezuela that he supports through his foundation. He hasn't given up on the children of 9/11 that he supports through Tuesday's Children.

It's not the no-hitter that counts, Mr. Speaker. It is the spirit and the determination and the dedication of Johan Santana. That is what makes me a baseball fan. That is what makes baseball America's pastime, and I am very pleased and proud to salute Johan Santana and Mets fans everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, let's go Mets.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Giordano's 5th Grade Class at Timber Point Elementary School of East Islip, NY. Recently, the class was recognized as the Disney Planet Challenge's 2011 2012 New York State winners. They also placed 5th overall in the entire country. I am honored to have this school, Jennifer Giordano and all these students in the 2nd Congressional District of New York.

The Disney Planet Challenge is a competition designed to encourage American youth to play a key role in impacting the environment classroom by classroom. By learning the merits of conservation and innovative energy solutions, students become aware of the importance of protecting our environment. The challenge's interdisciplinary approach involves math, science, and English in order to motivate students to compete for a common goal. This is being applied on Long Island and across the nation.

Ms. Giordano's 5th Grade Class at Timber Point Elementary School embodies the spirit of thinking globally while acting locally. This all started with the film WALL-E, which inspired the students to launch a project focused on keeping non-biodegradable trash and dangerous chemicals out of local landfills. They met this goal by holding themselves and their community accountable. This included urging local restaurants to use biodegradable materials, setting up compost sites, initiating a battery collection program, and starting recycling programs. These 5th graders have successfully made their community more aware of how their habits impact our environment. Their hard work shows that when we all work together to do our part, we can make a big difference.

I commend these students for their dedication to their community and our planet. I would also like to honor their teacher, Jennifer Giordano, and their parents for instilling in these children the importance of protecting our environment for future generations. As the New York State winners of the Disney Planet Challenge, I would like to formally submit all of these students' names in recognition of their achievements:

Zaina Abdelbaky, Brittney Amaru, Nicolette Banville, Charlie Curran, Kyle DeLisi, Nickolas Dimitriou, Ryan Engblom, Lauren Florenz, Steven Geisler, Nicole Graziano, Tom Hazell, Shannon Hubany, Dylan Lopez, Natalia Lozinski, Owen Meddis, Julia Ryan, Kerri Smith, Katelyn Spina, Natalie Stergakos, Ryann Tracy, Cassidy Triolo Matthew Pinz.

I thank my friend from California.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have worked on both sides of the aisle in the leadership of advancing U.S.-Israeli relations; proud of what I have done on a bipartisan basis to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge; proud of taking a tough line on Iran; proud of the meeting that I convened with the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida just several weeks ago with United Against a Nuclear Iran, a bipartisan meeting with the group United Against Nuclear Iran to make sure that we're taking the toughest actions possible with all the tools in our toolbox against a nuclear Iran; proud to have called publicly for the arrest of the madman Ahmadinejad on charges of inciting genocide; proud yesterday to have joined with the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch) in calling for an investigation of whether U.S. taxpayer dollars have been used towards the Palestinian Investment Fund; and today I'm very proud to rise in support of the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act.

Mr. Speaker, sometimes certain fundamentals get lost in the shuffle. Here are the fundamentals:

Israel is the most important ally that we have in the world. Israel is the most important ally that we have in the world in the most dangerous region of the world. The bonds between Israel and the United States are unshakeable, can never be minimized, and will never be weakened for as long as both sides of the aisle continue to work side by side to advance that partnership.

Of all the things we do here, one of the things I'm most proud of is our bipartisan support for Israel. And we will continue in that spirit--not only because a strong Israel is critical, but because a strong Israel means a more secure America.

Mr. Speaker, this week Israel celebrated its 64th Independence Day. Since its founding on May 14, 1948, Israel has become America's greatest ally in the Middle East and our commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship remains, today, stronger than ever.

Despite years of intermittent war and overwhelming odds, Israel has developed into a thriving democracy representing many of the same democratic principles that we enjoy in the United States today. Israel's vibrant democracy includes a very active free press representing a diverse set of opinions throughout society and a robust and fair legal system guaranteeing citizens' civil rights. Israel respects the freedom of religion for all of those who worship within her state and is a leader in the protection and promotion of gay rights in the Middle East region.

Israel has also become a leader in the fields of agriculture technology and high-tech, developing a drip irrigation system used all over the world and tech devices used in many households and businesses with the same reach. Israel's medical technologies and military advancements have also protected U.S. soldiers on the battlefield and saved many lives.

Israel's many accomplishments are truly inspiring and I am honored to recognize our greatest ally's 64th Independence Day.

I thank my friend. Mr. Speaker, we keep hearing that this is a small business tax cut. It is not. It is a bait and switch. One- half of this so-called ``small business tax cut'' will go to millionaires. So you call it a small business tax cut, and they give away the store to millionaires, Mr. Speaker.

They are saying that we have to dismantle Medicare because they say we can't afford it on the one hand, and on the other hand they are lavishing millionaires with a $46 billion tax cut. If you're one of 125,000 millionaires in America, you get $58,000 from this bill. If you're a senior on Medicare, it costs you an additional $6,000 for your medicine. I oppose this bill.

I thank the distinguished gentleman and my friend from Maryland.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Democratic substitute because the House Republican budget harms middle class families throughout our country.

Mr. Chairman, under the House Republican budget, Medicare is turned from a guaranteed benefit program into a bait-and-switch scheme where millionaires get more and seniors have to pay more.

Under the House Republican budget, if you're a millionaire, you get an additional $394,000 tax cut. If you're an oil company, you get a bigger tax break. If you're a company that outsources jobs, you get a deeper tax break. But if you're a senior, you get as much as a $6,000 increase in your medical costs. You get a bill from the Federal Government for your additional Medicare costs. If you're the child of a middle class family trying to go to college, you get an additional $2,800 tuition increase.

The middle class has always been the backbone of the American economy, Mr. Chairman, and the House Republican budget kicks the middle class in the stomach.

The Democratic budget invests in education; the House Republican budget divests from education. The Democratic budget invests in our children; the Republican budget divests from our children. The Democratic budget invests in America's future; the House Republican budget divests from America's future.

And that is why we should pass this Democratic substitute, which invests and grows and strengthens the middle class, and quit investing in and growing and strengthening tax cuts for Big Oil companies and corporations that offshore our jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Farmingdale State College's 100th year anniversary.

Based in Farmingdale on Long Island and part of the world-class State University of New York system, Farmingdale State College has served an integral role on Long Island since its opening in 1912. Beginning as a school of applied agriculture, it has always been committed to providing students with the skills needed to succeed in the economy of the time paired with a solid academic education.

In fact, I was supportive of Farmingdale State College's successful effort to create a Green Building Institute to make Long Island a hub of innovation, job creation, and manufacturing, and its work to deploy buildings that reduce or eliminate those structures' impact on the environment. The program is just one of the initiatives putting Farmingdale State at the forefront of developing technology and practices to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. As co-founder and co-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), I work to advance policies that promote clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing, and I am proud that Farmingdale State is working to advance those priorities as well. I look forward to seeing what students and professors at the college will develop next.

Farmingdale State College is a highly ranked and affordable public institution and will continue to play a pivotal role in Long Island's higher education and economy for years to come. Applicants and enrollees grow every year and include returning veterans, and I am honored to have such a distinguished institution in my district cultivating tomorrow's leaders and problem solvers. I am excited to see what successes will come in the next 100 years.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition to the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act.

The Protecting Access to Healthcare Act is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Unfortunately, this bill is a blatant attempt to protect the profits of special interests and restrict the rights of patients. The facts are right on the pages in black and white. H.R. 5 reduces access to courts for individuals injured by medical negligence like removing the wrong leg, faulty medical devices or dangerous drugs. It imposes a one size fits all approach on the damages in medical negligence cases and goes further than any state law in place today.

In fact, H.R. 5 includes provisions that violate States' rights by mandating a federal cap on all fifty states for medical liability. By including this poison pill, the House Republicans have prevented consensus in the House on changes to the Independent Payment Advisory Board. The American people want Congress to focus on commonsense, bipartisan legislation, but the House Republicans refuse. It appears some Members on the other side of the aisle won't stop until they abolish healthcare for all people, and especially low-income individuals, women and seniors. They can try to hide behind any piece of legislation they want, but they can't hide from the facts: their goal is to end the Medicare guarantee and increase costs for seniors.

I will continue to urge my Republican colleagues to stop their war on women and seniors, I will continue to protect quality healthcare for Americans and I will continue to push for compromise in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Thomas H. Watkins, an American veteran from Long Island. He passed away on January 31, 2012. Now, the entire community is mourning this tremendous loss.

Before becoming a fixture in the Long Island community, Thomas played a key role in World War II honorably serving the U.S. Army. In late 1942, he was drafted and assigned to the 92nd Infantry Division part of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers. Of the 909,000 African Americans selected for duty in the Army during World War II, the men of the 92nd division were among the only African Americans to see combat in Europe, putting their lives on the line in battle against the German troops in Italy. Despite the harsh reality of racial segregation, Thomas and the Buffalo Soldiers fought valiantly to defend the country they loved. It was their courage and bravery that earned the respect of their fellow servicemen and country. For the next 4 years Thomas went on to serve in Italy and Germany before being honorably discharged.

After serving on the battlefields, Thomas continued his commitment to his country at the Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center. He went on to work on behalf of Long Island veterans for over 20 years before finishing his career with the Town of Huntington. Not only was Thomas a great resource for Long Island veterans, he was a deeply engaged civic leader and public servant in his community.

A member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Huntington, Thomas worked tirelessly for the congregation he loved as Trustee Emeritus. Also, aware of the vital need for racial equality in America, Thomas held a lifetime membership to the NAACP. His devotion to his community, faith and family should be commended.

There is no question that his fellow veterans, his family and Long Islanders will miss Thomas. In the wake of his passing, we should all remember the sacrifice our veterans make to keep us safe here at home. I am forever grateful for Thomas's contributions as a serviceman and leader on Long Island. I offer my sincerest thoughts and prayers to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 58 Long Island high school seniors named as semifinalists in the National Intel Science competition. With 300 semifinalists nationwide, the Intel Science Talent Search gives high school seniors the opportunity to engage in ambitious science based research projects. I am especially proud of the constituents from my Congressional District on Long Island who were selected as semifinalists in this prestigious competition.

This next generation is continuing Long Island's strong legacy of pushing new innovations and scientific breakthroughs. Using math and science as a foundation, the seniors approached their respective projects from a variety of angles. By gaining access to professional laboratories at local universities, participants were given the opportunity to bring their creative aspirations to fruition. In doing so, they have begun to tackle some of our nation's most difficult challenges.

From working on a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease to creating a flame resistant plastic, our Long Island contestants embody the true American spirit of innovation and problem solving. Their sacrifice, patience and determination are instrumental in keeping America's competitive edge in a global economy.

Coupled with the effort of exceptional students, our Long Island science teachers played a pivotal role in this accomplishment. By pushing the boundaries and setting high expectations, these excellent teachers have helped their students succeed. Long Island's strong placement in the Intel Science competition semifinals reflects their dedication and commitment to their students' success. Moving forward, it is critical that our schools have the resources they need to cultivate robust math and science programs.

At the end of this month, forty finalists will be selected and invited to Washington, D.C. to meet leading scientists and researchers in a variety of fields. I am optimistic that some of our Long Island seniors have the privilege to attend. For all of the Intel Science Talent semifinalists, I wish them continued success as they pursue their college educations and future careers. I would now like to formally submit their names to the Congressional Record: Rebecca Alford, Austin Lee and Savina Kim of Commack High School; Juliana Coraor of Huntington High School; Malini Desai of Half Hollow Hills High School West; Jill Dolowich, Neil Mehta, Anuja Shah, Anirudh Chandrashekar, April Pun, Sagar Rambhia and Christine Kim of Jericho High School; Parsa Erfani, Samantha Fradkin, Sherilyn Gould and Mariam Makram of Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School; Samantha Garvey of Brentwood High School; Hannah Kenagy of Half Hollow Hills High School East; Amelia Morales, Shannon Wetzler and Eric Parigoris of Kings Park High School; Garima Yadav of Sachem North High School.

I thank my very good friend, the distinguished gentleman from New York.

Mr. Speaker, with all due respect in the world, the Speaker of the House said, We shouldn't kick the can. What they are doing, Mr. Speaker, is they are kicking the middle class in the stomach.

This is a partisan middle class mugging. The only part of the middle class tax cut that the Republicans don't like is the ``middle class'' part, which is why they are trying every obfuscation, every flip-flop, every flim-flam, every excuse they can come up with.

The latest excuse is, We ought to go through regular order. I cannot imagine a single American opening up their paychecks in January, seeing that there's $100 or $200 less and saying, If only they had gone through regular order. If only they had gone to a House-Senate conference. A House-Senate conference?

I'm sure that my Tea Party Republican colleagues campaigned on coming to Congress to support regular order and going to conference for the American people. No. They came here saying they wanted tax cuts. But when it comes time to give tax cuts, suddenly they're saying, No, we don't need tax cuts. We need a House-Senate conference to debate the tax cuts. Give me a break.

The American people want two things from this Congress, Mr. Speaker: they want tax relief for the middle class. They want a Congress that can compromise. House Democrats gave both. House Republicans said ``no'' to both. House Democrats wanted a full 1-year extension of the middle class tax cuts. All we said is, Let the people who are making over $1 million pay a small surcharge on the dollars over $1 million. House Republicans said, No, we want to take it out of Medicare cuts. House Democrats said, Our partisan differences should not cost middle class taxpayers. House Republicans said ``no.'' The more you say ``no,'' the more it costs the middle class.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the most critical global challenge that we face, and that is the threat of a nuclear- armed Iran. A nuclear-armed Iran is not only an existential threat to our closest ally, the State of Israel; but it also poses grave danger to our own Nation and allies around the globe.

The U.S. must use all available options to show the world that we have a clear, concise, and muscular policy to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Let me be clear here. Containment is not an option. Prevention is the best option.

This week, Congress passed additional sanctions measures. It is imperative that the administration use all of the tools at our disposal to keep pressure on the Iranian regime. We need to make it clear to the Iranians and others around the globe that when we say it is unacceptable for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, we mean it. We must make clear that when we say that all options are on the table, we mean it. We should not be sending signals that suggest otherwise.

Our commitment to prevention is critical. There should be no misunderstanding, no ambiguity about the United States' resolve to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.