Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank Representative Hayes for her leadership in hosting this Special Order hour.

This past November, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an incredible milestone that serves as a reminder of the promise we make to our Nation's children that every student, no matter who they are or how they learn, deserves equal access to a quality education.

Yet, this anniversary comes at a time when the Trump administration

continues its systematic efforts to eliminate the Department of Education, gut the Office of Special Education Programs, and undermine IDEA, a landmark law that fundamentally changed how we educate children with disabilities.

Since 1975, IDEA has provided immeasurable support to children with disabilities, particularly for those in their earliest and most formative years. IDEA part C, a Federal program closely intertwined the Medicaid, provides early intervention from birth to age 3, oftentimes the difference between a child meeting developmental milestones or falling behind.

These Federal dollars change millions of lives across the country every single year. However, Trump and congressional Republicans have told American families that these investments don't matter, that their child's future does not count, and that Federal dollars are better spent elsewhere.

I am here to remind the American people that the President's shameless assault on early intervention and Medicaid paints a grim picture for the future of special education and for the future of millions of children.

As an occupational therapist myself, I have worked with children with developmental disabilities in their earliest years, and I have seen what happens when we make good on our promise to invest in special education and early intervention. Early intervention care alters the course of a child's life for the better, dramatically improves health and educational outcomes, and gives working families the support they desperately need.

Republicans in this body need to remember the sacred promise made to children with disabilities 50 years ago and stand by it rather than turn a blind eye. Democrats will not sit idly by as this administration jeopardizes our children's futures and undermines the fundamental right to an education.

These aren't budget cuts. These are broken promises to children with disabilities. We cannot build a stronger nation by cutting off critical support for those who need it most. We must fully fund and support the essential mission and fulfill the commitment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Mr. Speaker, with just 24 days left before open enrollment closes in New York State and with millions of New Yorkers facing massive premium hikes, I rise today in outrage.

As an occupational therapist, I spent more than a decade working on the front lines of our healthcare system, helping patients and their families when an unexpected illness, injury, or disability turned their world upside down.

I have seen the devastation that happens when people delay care because they can't afford it. Patients ration medications, skip follow- up visits, delay essential care, and choose between putting food on the table or seeing a doctor.

When healthcare is out of reach, outcomes get worse, costs go up, and working families pay the price. That is exactly what is happening right now because Republicans have allowed the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to expire.

When the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2014, it made health insurance more affordable and expanded access to care, putting healthcare within reach for millions of Americans.

In 2021, Democrats built on that progress by expanding those credits through the American Rescue Plan, closing coverage gaps that left middle-class families paying far too much for far too long.

In 2022, Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act to extend these essential enhancements through 2025.

As Democrats, our priorities are clear. When we lead, we fight for working people. We fight to expand access to care. We fight to make sure every American can afford the care that they need. It is a very different story under failed Republican leadership.

After years of trying to undermine the Affordable Care Act, congressional Republicans chose on December 31 to let these lifesaving premium tax credits expire, even over the objections from Members of their own party.

For families already struggling to make ends meet, the consequences are immediate and devastating. Marketplace premiums have skyrocketed by an average of 114 percent, and these plans cost more and cover less. Enrollment will plummet, and millions of Americans will lose or forego coverage entirely.

In New York, thousands will lose their health insurance purchased through the marketplace, with hundreds of thousands more facing staggeringly high costs. Young people in communities of color will be hardest hit, reversing years of progress and 4 consecutive years of Affordable Care Act enrollment, a record high.

As this is happening at a moment when the cost-of-living crisis is already crushing working families, the people of this country are saying enough is enough.

This crisis did not happen by accident. Donald Trump and congressional Republicans chose tax breaks for the wealthy over affordable healthcare for everyday Americans. They pushed through the largest healthcare cuts in U.S. history, gutting Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act by more than $1 trillion.

Now, instead of fixing the damage, Republican leadership is once again choosing to turn its back on families by letting these premium tax credits expire, a lifeline millions of Americans rely on to stay insured.

When people lose coverage, they don't stop getting sick. They just stop getting care. We all pay the price through worse outcomes, higher costs, and deeper inequities.

Over the past year, many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle reminded us that elections have consequences. I am here to remind them that this fight transcends politics.

Ripping away healthcare from hardworking Americans has life-or-death consequences. That is why Democrats have forced a vote to extend these credits this week, and that is why I intend to vote ``yes.''

Healthcare should not depend on your ZIP Code, your job title, or the size of your paycheck. This fight is

about priorities. It is about choosing care, dignity, and security for families, instead of policies that push healthcare out of reach.

Mr. Speaker, let's get this done. Let's take care of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, first, I will recognize the CBC and Chairwoman Clarke and Representatives Clyburn and Hoyer for hosting this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, five years ago, our Nation watched in horror as the President of the United States incited a violent attack on this Capitol to overturn an election that he lost.

At least 140 officers were viciously assaulted and injured, beaten with flagpoles and fire extinguishers, sprayed with chemicals and tased, all in defense of our democracy.

In the days and weeks following the attack, we lost five of those police officers, those brave heroes. We mourn their loss.

The Department of Justice convicted more than 1,000 rioters and had hundreds of cases pending. With a stroke of a pen on his first day in office, President Trump pardoned every single one, putting violent offenders back on our streets.

Since their release, what have some of those pardoned rioters done? They have been charged with assaulting police officers, making terrorist threats, and preying on children. That is who this President set free: violent individuals and child predators.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle ought to recognize the darkness this day represents for our country. The Republican majority must restore checks and balances and finally hold this President accountable before it is too late.

Mr. Speaker, at this moment two families of Brown University students and 15 families in Sydney, Australia, are experiencing an anguish and heartbreak that is immeasurable, yet far too familiar.

Once again, we have seen hatred rear its ugly head in the form of gun violence, this time with 2 students murdered and 9 more injured at Brown, and 15 murdered and dozens injured in Sydney.

This comes on the heels of the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting that took 26 victims, including 20 children.

Last year, those 20 beautiful children who were violently taken from their families should have been graduating from high school. This year, they should have been coming home for the December break, seeing their childhood friends, and telling their parents about all that they learned and experienced in college. Those are experiences that their families have been robbed of.

We, as a society, have been robbed of all that they may have accomplished throughout their lives: families that will never be formed, careers that will never be, memories that will never happen. The families of the victims of those two horrific shootings will experience that same agony year after year and decade after decade.

My own community of Buffalo knows it all too well. On May 14, 2022, a racist, white supremacist, terrorist gunman drove nearly 3 hours to our community, the City of Good Neighbors, and opened fire at the only full-service grocery store in a prominently Black neighborhood.

Mr. Speaker, 10 lives were callously and heartlessly stolen from us with three more, including the son of a dear friend of mine, critically injured. Our city will never be the same again.

It doesn't have to be this way. We can choose another path.

In New York State, we did just that. We ensured that military-grade body armor stays only in the hands of law enforcement and our Armed Forces. We implemented enhanced red flag laws and universal background checks. We raised the age to own firearms from 18 to 21, and we banned assault rifles.

We know these laws work in New York, and we know they work everywhere else, but they are severely weakened by the flow of guns across State borders due to the lack of Federal regulation.

In the United States, for far too long, some have treated gun violence as a part of life. My Democratic colleagues and I reject that. We refuse to accept a reality in which our schools, our houses of worship, our movie theaters, our grocery stores, our government offices, our workplaces, our parades, our malls, and our nightclubs are treated as if they haven't been the scenes of horrific, deadly attacks.

The time for action is now. I implore this body to join me in supporting the assault weapons ban; universal background checks; stronger red flag laws; ending gun trafficking across State lines; and, among others, my bill, the Lieutenant Aaron Salter, Jr., Responsible Body Armor Possession Act.

I beg my colleagues not to accept the status quo and to fight for a safer Nation. We can and should do so much better for our children and future generations.

I pray for the lives of those who were lost this past weekend. I pray that our country sees the light and enacts real, substantive change that will end the scourge of gun violence across our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride to celebrate a dear friend and pillar of our community upon her election to the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Allison Brashear, dean of the University of Buffalo's Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

This prestigious honor is reserved for those who have truly advanced the field of medicine, which is exactly what Dr. Brashear has done for over three decades as a neurologist, researcher, professor, and a leader shaping the next generation of medical professionals.

Her journey started at the Indiana University School of Medicine where she completed medical school and her residency before joining the faculty in 1991.

She later became an endowed professor and chair of neurology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, served as dean at the UC Davis School of Medicine, and now in western New York, she is the dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo.

Over her distinguished career, she has received numerous awards and accolades, led more than 40 clinical trials, and earned continuous NIH funding since 2008.

Her early breakthrough, using botulinum toxin to treat spasticity in stroke survivors, opened the door to multiple FDA-approved therapies that patients across the country now rely on.

She also identified rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism, advancing our understanding of rare neurological diseases, and she remains one of the Nation's leading experts on neurological disorders.

However, what truly sets Dr. Brashear apart is her commitment to connecting healthcare to the communities that need it most.

As dean of the Jacobs School, she serves on boards of the Western New York Women's Foundation, the Great Lakes Health System, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, strengthening the links between cutting-edge research, accessible care, and the everyday health needs of families in western New York and beyond.

Dr. Brashear's life's work reminds us of a simple truth: Our healthcare system is only as strong as the people who choose to serve in it. Dr. Brashear shows us what is possible when we invest in talent and when we open doors for smart, compassionate people to pursue careers in medicine. Her success is a testament to what happens when opportunity meets dedication.

Mr. Speaker, may we honor Dr. Brashear's extraordinary career by ensuring the next generation of healthcare practitioners have the chance to follow in her footsteps. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Allison Brashear. Western New York and our entire Nation are stronger because of her, her leadership, and her commitment to our Nation and to future generations in healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Councilmember Jacqualine Berger, a woman whose influence can be seen and felt throughout the Western New York community by colleagues and community members of Amherst, New York.

In 1978, Councilmember Berger earned her bachelor's degree from Lesley University, followed by a master's degree from Tulane University in 1983. For more than two decades, she has dedicated her career to education, guiding and mentoring students at every level and helping them build bright, successful futures.

Councilmember Berger is a lifelong public servant and champion for her community. She has led at both the local and national levels through her work with the New York State United Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers. A dedicated advocate for individuals with special needs, she also runs a local Challenger Baseball program that empowers children and adults with disabilities to play and thrive. In 2017, she was elected to the Amherst Town Board and has dutifully served for nearly a decade. During her tenure, Councilmember Berger was appointed Deputy Supervisor, playing a vital role in the town's operations and acting as a liaison between the Town and Amherst residents.

As we acknowledge the incredible service of Councilmember Jacqualine Berger, let us recognize her dedicated career as a public servant and her service to the Town of Amherst, providing a safe space for all to be seen and heard. Councilmember Berger's leadership is a masterclass, and her service will be seen, felt, and heard for generations to come, and we are all the better for it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 125th anniversary of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 17. For over a century, these skilled workers have ensured the safe and efficient operation of the machinery that powers our region's progress. Their expertise keeps Western New York's vital projects running-- projects that our communities rely on every single day.

As the very embodiment of American blue-collar grit and skill, Local 17 represents the best of who we are. With over two thousand members, Local 17 continues to strengthen our workforce through apprenticeship programs, training programs, and a focus on continuous education. The renaissance of Western New York wouldn't be possible without Local 17's hard work.

Local 17 is led by President Josh Williams and Business Manager William Fekete. The union also operates a training school located in Lake View, New York, under the direction of Vice President James Smolinski, Jr., helping to educate the next generation of operating engineers in the safe usage of their equipment and allowing members to hone their skills.

Mr. Speaker, as we mark the 125th anniversary of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 17, we celebrate its lasting impact on Western New York. Local 17 exemplifies the best of organized labor and demonstrates that when we invest in our workers, we invest in the success of our entire region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable leadership and service of Pastor Craig Pridgen as we honor his 15th Pastoral Anniversary at True Bethel Baptist Church. Pastor Pridgen's influence extends far beyond the walls of the church, making a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.

As a proud Western New York native, Pastor Pridgen was raised with the strong support of his family from the very beginning, helping to shape him into a natural leader in all aspects of his life. He excelled academically, graduating from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts before earning his Associate's degree in Business Administration from Medaille University; and later furthering his education, obtaining his Bachelor's degree in Leadership Studies from Regent University.

More than two decades ago with a unanimous decision amongst his peers, Pastor Pridgen was granted his license to preach. In 2010, Pastor Pridgen was chosen to be the spiritual leader of True Bethel Baptist Church's Niagara Falls, New York congregation, guided by the teachings and carrying the voice and

vision of his father, Pastor Darius Pridgen. As a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel, Pastor Pridgen embodies the belief that we are all called to be servants of the Lord. His passion for service resonates throughout the Western New York, and his leadership inspires parishioners and visitors of True Bethel Baptist Church to grow in faith and unity.

Pastor Pridgen is supported by his beloved wife, the Honorable Judge JaHarr Pridgen. Together, they have formed a family grounded in faith with the addition of their two blessed children: Jordin and Journey. Their marriage exemplifies the strength found in a family that prays and worships together. Pastor Pridgen has made a priority of reaching out to his community, serving as a mentor and advocate for youth, adults, and our most vulnerable community members through his role as a Senior Community Advisor and Chaplain at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

As we celebrate a decade and a half of Pastor Pridgen's unwavering dedication, let us recognize the countless lives he has touched and the profound impact he has made at True Bethel Baptist Church and beyond. I congratulate Pastor Pridgen on this significant milestone. His service is a blessing, and we look forward to many more years of his inspired leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Honorable Brian Kulpa, Supervisor of the Town of Amherst, and a man whose influence can be seen and felt throughout the Western New York community by colleagues and community members alike.

As a Western New York native, Supervisor Kulpa graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute and later obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning from SUNY Buffalo. Supervisor Kulpa has more than a quarter-century of experience as an architect and urban planner, previously serving as a senior associate, architect, and planner at a local Western New York firm. Supervisor Kulpa later established his own company, Waves Architecture and Engineering, of which he serves as Principal Architect.

Supervisor Kulpa's career has been a testament to his love for our community. Supervisor Kulpa served as Mayor of the Village of Williamsville from 2012 through the end of 2017, and played a vital role in the village's day-to-day operations, acting as a liaison between the Village of Williamsville and residents. Due to Kulpa's tenacity and vision, the Village of Williamsville was awarded $11 million in state and federal funding to focus on enhancements of the Main Street Corridor. This investment led to community and infrastructure projects that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors for decades to come.

In 2017, Kulpa was elected Amherst Town Supervisor, where he has helped transform the Town of Amherst into a center of economic prosperity. Supervisor Kulpa has prioritized investments in neighborhood revitalization projects, economic development, parks and recreation, and transportation and infrastructure. With a focus on leveraging existing spaces within the town, Supervisor Kulpa has worked to make the town a vibrant community with a thriving economy.

As we acknowledge the incredible service of the Honorable Brian Kulpa, let us recognize his dedicated career as a public servant to the Village of Williamsville and the Town of Amherst. Supervisor Kulpa's leadership is truly exemplary, and the impact of his service will be seen, felt, and heard for generations to come, leaving our community stronger and better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Mr. Marcus Plowden, a beloved husband, father, and friend whose legacy of love, compassion, and devotion to his family, the Western New York community, and our Nation inspired all who knew him.

Born on August 29, 1950, in Buffalo, New York to Mr. Robert Fortson and Mrs. Dorothy Plowden, Mr. Plowden was surrounded by love from the very beginning. He married the love of his life Brenda, and shortly after their union, the couple became parents to Anthony Plowden. He is survived by numerous loved ones, including a host of relatives and friends. His love for his family and his desire to be there for his Nation and local community, left a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.

Before beginning his career at General Motors, Mr. Plowden graduated from Emerson High School and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His service was marked by extraordinary dedication, earning him the National Defense Service Medal. The discipline, leadership, and resilience he developed during his time in the military, would go on to shape his professional approach and contribute significantly to his success in the automotive industry.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Marcus Plowden lived a life of devotion to his family, community, and Nation. His unwavering commitment to those he loved and his compassion for others made a profound impact on all who knew him. Mr. Plowden was a man who believed in the importance of family above all else and worked tirelessly to support those around him. His kindness, loyalty, and the warmth in his heart will forever be remembered and deeply missed. Let us continue to honor his legacy by carrying forward the values he lived by: integrity, respect, and above all, love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Mrs. Adriane Z. Williams, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, whose love, compassion, and devotion to her family and faith inspired all who knew her. Mrs. Williams passed away at the age of 66, having lived a fulfilling and rewarding life.

Mrs. Williams was born on October 16, 1958, in Buffalo, New York to Mr. David Ross and Mrs. Geraldine Ross. Mrs. Williams cherished every moment spent with her family--a life filled with love and partnership until her passing. Her greatest joy was spent as a devoted wife to her husband, Mr. Harold Williams, and mother to Corey Ross, Chandler Williams, Christopher Williams, Collin Williams, and Ashley Oweazim; later she was blessed to become a grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren, nurturing them with the same kindness and care she gave to everyone in her life.

As a proud Western New York native, Mrs. Williams was raised with the strong support of her family from the very beginning, helping to shape her into a natural leader in all aspects of her life. She excelled academically, graduating from Daemen University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree with a major in Humanities, and a minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies. She later obtained a Master's degree from SUNY Buffalo State in Student Personnel Administration.

Mrs. Williams had great love and compassion for all people, working nearly three decades at Daemen University, culminating with her role as the Assistant Director of Academic Advisement. She worked closely with students addressing their immediate needs, including helping to establish the Daemen University pantry, which was later named the `Adriane Z. Williams Campus Care Cupboard' in her honor in 2019. In her time of leisure, Mrs. Williams was a faithful member of CrossNation Church. Perhaps one of the most treasured memories for those who knew her was active participation in Bible Study Academy, and her visits to senior living homes where she ministered and prayed with the residents.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Adriane Z. Williams lived a life of devotion to her family, community, and faith. Her unwavering commitment to those she loved and her compassion towards others made a profound impact on all who knew her. Mrs. Williams was a woman who believed in the importance of family above all else and worked tirelessly to support those around her. Her kindness, loyalty, and warmth will forever be remembered. Let us continue to honor her legacy by carrying forward the values she lived by: faith, respect, and above all, love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, a beacon of light and service in Niagara Falls, New York. As we honor this momentous occasion, may we reflect on its incredible history, its unwavering commitment to supportive community services, and the transformative impact it has had on the lives of countless individuals.

Founded a century ago, Community Missions of Niagara Frontier has lived up to its mission to provide ``integrated human services that meet people where they are and help them find and elevate their place in the world.'' Community Missions of Niagara Frontier has continuously shown its unwavering commitment to community members throughout Niagara County, providing a unique blend of services to address their needs; including faith, family, youth, mental health, and community services.

To date, Community Missions of Niagara Frontier serves as the largest private provider of mental health and human services. It has offered nearly two hundred thousand meals, more than eight thousand care days of youth services, and twelve thousand nights of shelter for those in need.

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, let us acknowledge its ongoing success and advocacy for community members throughout Western New York. The organization's leadership is a shining example of service that will be seen, felt, and heard for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mrs. Emily Mondschein, the Executive Director of Gigi's Playhouse. Emily is a woman whose compassion and advocacy can be seen throughout Western New York, through parents and children of all ages, and far beyond the walls of GiGi's Playhouse.

As the proud mother of two sons, Samuel and Paul, Mrs. Mondschein, alongside her husband, Mr. Will Mondschein, set out on a mission to ensure that individuals with Down syndrome are treated with equality and respect in all areas of society. Inspired by her son, Paul, Mrs. Mondschein wanted to establish an organization for families and community members throughout Western New York to empower individuals with Down syndrome and increase positive awareness through educational programs.

After visiting GiGi's Playhouse in Syracuse, Mrs. Mondschein was more inspired than ever and determined to open her own location in Western New York. Through GiGi's Playhouse, community members are offered one- on-one literacy tutoring, discovery arts and science, and group music therapy. Each program is dedicated to helping community members with Down Syndrome reach their full potential.

As we recognize the incredible service of Mrs. Emily Mondschein, let us not only acknowledge her dedicated career as an educational leader and her steadfast commitment to children in need, but also her unwavering advocacy for accessible and inclusive community programming where every individual is celebrated for who they are, providing a safe space for all to be heard. Mrs. Mondschein's service is a blessing, and we look forward to many more years of her inspired leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Native American Community Services, a not-for- profit organization in Western New York. For half a century, Native American Community Services has provided high-quality health and social services to the Native American community throughout Western New York.

Guided by its mission of a ``Tradition of Caring,'' Native American Community Services has built a lasting legacy of service through four essential programs: Economic Self-Sufficiency, Family Services, Health and Wellness, and Community and Cultural Services. These initiatives strengthen families, empower individuals, and enrich the fabric of the Buffalo-Niagara region. Through decades of dedicated work, Native American Community Services has shown a tireless commitment to compassion, inclusion, and community well-being across Western New York.

As we celebrate a half century of Native American Community Services contributions to our region, let us acknowledge its ongoing success and advocacy for Native American community members throughout Western New York. The impact of the organization's work will be seen, felt, and heard for generations to come, enriching the lives of all who call this region home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable leadership and service of Pastor Paul Jackson as we honor his spiritual guidance at Jefferson Avenue Community Church. Pastor Jackson's influence extends far beyond the walls of the church, making a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.

As a proud Western New York native, Pastor Jackson was raised with the strong support of his family from the very beginning, helping to shape him into a natural leader in all aspects of his life. After graduating from Emerson High School, where he excelled academically, Pastor Jackson answered the call to begin his spiritual journey at Moody Bible Institute, Pentecostal Temple Bible Institute, and later earned his Bachelor's degree in Ministry from Antioch Bible College.

Pastor Jackson is supported by his beloved wife, First Lady Vivian Ann Jackson. Together, they have formed a family grounded in faith with the addition of the `'second love of their lives'', Bridgette Nicole Jackson. Their marriage exemplifies the strength found in a family that prays and worships together. Pastor Jackson has made a priority of reaching out to his community, serving as the Spiritual Advisor for the Canisius High School football team for nearly two decades.

As we celebrate Pastor Jackson's unwavering dedication, let us recognize the countless lives he has touched and the profound impact he has made at Jefferson Avenue Community Church and beyond. Pastor Jackson's service is a blessing, and we look forward to many more years of his inspired leadership.