Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I speak today in grateful appreciation for the strong gesture of generosity and humanity by the people and government of the Republic of China, Taiwan, for their donation of $1.3 million for the Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts. The Taiwanese donation will be received by the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as Habitat for Humanity and United Way International.

Although a small amount compared to the damage from the storm, it is a symbol of the true friendship and solidarity between the Taiwanese and American people. My sincere thanks and appreciation to the people and government of the Republic of China, Taiwan for this aid in our time of need.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Randolph High School Cardinals on their victory in the New York State Class D title game on November 23, 2012, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Led by Head Coach Pat Slater and the game's Most Valuable Player, Cody Oldro, the Cardinals won 28-7. It is with no small amount of pride that we recognize all of the players, cheerleaders, coaches, advisers, administrators, and, most importantly, the parents and the kids for their achievements and congratulate them on their third State championship since 2005.

The 2012 New York State Class D title game was also Coach Slater's final game as head coach of the Cardinals, capping a 33-year career at the helm. His teams earned three State titles, eight Section Six championships, and a career record of 213 wins and 99 losses. Today, we honor Coach Slater for the positive impact he has had on the young people at Randolph for so many years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a Korean War soldier whose remains were returned home to Seneca Falls in New York's Finger Lakes Region.

Army Cpl. Elmer Kidd was 26 years old when he died in 1950 at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.

Cpl. Kidd's 80-year-old sister welcomed home her brother's remains at Hancock Airport in Syracuse, New York last week for a funeral and military burial at Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Romulus. We are thankful that his remains are home and we maintain hope that all of our soldiers who die in war are also returned home to their final resting place.

We owe a world of gratitude to the men and women who have stepped forward and offered themselves for our nation. From Lexington and Concord to the present day, hundreds of thousands of men and women died in the defense of human rights both here and in foreign lands. We are here today in an open society because of brave individuals like Cpl. Kidd. He represents the best of the Finger Lakes and of the United States. He paid the highest price so that the idea of freedom for all people will continue to move forward.

May we humbly honor and remember Elmer Kidd's sacrifice for our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor Spc. Ryan Jayne and express my sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Spc. Ryan Jayne, a 2008 graduate of Corning-Painted Post East High School, joined the Army in 2010 and was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2012. Jayne was killed in Afghanistan November 3, 2012 at the age of 22. His service to our country led to the ultimate sacrifice and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Jayne was one of three upstate New York servicemen who were identified by the Department of Defense as those killed when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle. The other two were identified as Spc. Brett E. Gornewicz and Staff Sgt. Dain Venne.

We are here today in an open society because of Ryan Jayne. He represents the best of the Southern Tier and the United States. While we are all poorer for the loss of Ryan, he has given something to all of us. Ryan paid the highest price so that the idea of freedom for all people will continue to move forward.

We must always remember Ryan and all those who have fallen in defense of freedom. We keep Ryan's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding time to me today.

I rise, Madam Speaker, in support of the proposed legislation to repeal Jackson-Vanik.

To me, what this represents is an opportunity for American manufacturers and American farmers to have access to the Russian market so that we can go about the number one priority of this Congress and the next Congress--getting people back to work. This represents an opportunity to potentially increase U.S. exports by doubling or even tripling those export levels over the next 5 years with PNTR status in place for Russia.

I strongly support the proposed legislation, and I take a point of disagreement with my good friend from Oregon, who was referencing his comments in opposition to the proposed legislation.

The fact is that Russia is now part of the WTO. They are a member after 18 years of negotiation, some of the negotiations being led by the United States in the most aggressive manner to hold them accountable to the rules of the WTO. By not supporting this legislation, we are handcuffing American manufacturers and farmers by not allowing them to take advantage of this opportunity that is there.

So I urge all of my colleagues to support the proposed legislation, and I urge our moving forward with expanding job opportunities for generations of Americans to come.

Mr. Speaker, October 10th of this year marks 101 years of the Republic of China (ROC). In those 101 years, the United States has had the support of few better friends or allies in any part of the world--let alone in the ever-increasingly strategically important Asia Pacific region--than the ROC. Inspired by the American ideals of individual liberty and freedom, the ROC and United States have stood beside each other in some of our two lands' darkest hours and most challenging times.

Our two governments have stood side by side during the most trying times of the 20th century. Armed international conflicts have tested our relations, but we have emerged as two thriving nations. Our democracies are a shining example for which emerging nations aspire to become just as the ROC was one hundred and one years ago.

On this monumental occasion, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing this milestone achievement in the history of the ROC. As one our closest allies in the Asia-Pacific region, we must continuously strive to strengthen the relationship between our countries. Let us continue to promote the fine democratic examples which the ROC has set for the world to see. We look forward to maintaining our strong relationship with the ROC for years to come, and we wish their country continued prosperity throughout its second century.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you the concerns of farmers from New York's 29th congressional district. On Monday, September 17th, 2012 I had the opportunity to host an open discussion with my Agricultural Advisory Council which is comprised of farmers ranging from dairy and specialty crop growers to wine makers and beef. The members of this Council represent all eight counties of the district and based on their extensive experience and contributions to New York Agriculture, I greatly value their opinions.

With Agriculture being the largest industry in New York State, any legislation which impacts our farmers also has a direct impact on our local economy as well as our communities. While all members of this Council said that they would prefer a long term Farm Bill over any extension, I heard an additional sentiment from the audience. That sentiment is a need for stability. This year's setbacks have reminded us just how extremely volatile the agricultural industry is and without stability today, our farmers cannot accurately plan for tomorrow and years to come.

Western New York dairy farmers are currently dealing with the growing Greek yogurt industry in New York State. Without Congressional action, provisions critical to the dairy industry will expire, and dairy farmers across New York will be faced with skyrocketing feed prices. For many of the small family farms in New York this could mean the end of their livelihood. While many provisions in the current farm bill would remain intact through the end of the year, inaction by Congress before September 30th will leave dairy farmers in New York out in the cold.

Other farmers in my district are anxious about the Estate Tax, which is set to return to 55 percent in 2013. Mr Speaker, with the value of equipment and property, even the smallest farms in New York can be appraised at over one million dollars, making them eligible to be taxed. Our farmers again need the stability of knowing they can build for their family's future and be able to pass down the fruits of their labor for their children and grandchildren. We cannot return to the days when family farms had to be sold off just to pay the estate taxes.

Mr. Speaker, our farmers are the backbone of our nation. We need to help them stabilize their production costs, stabilize their workforce and stabilize their confidence. With a stable agricultural sector we can create jobs, and continue to work to improve our economy and provide badly-needed career opportunities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in strong support of the proposed legislation before us this afternoon. The reason why is we have to stop with the rhetoric down here in Washington, D.C.

Hardworking taxpayers across America demand that we get this right and we get the business of the people done. We need to listen to our fellow Americans that our Tax Code that we both, on each side of this aisle, have argued for the last hour, have agreed is broken. It's time to set a path forward.

I have a picture here, Mr. Speaker, that I would like to display for all of us in this Chamber and across America. There's a clear path forward that we need to go down. And it is a path to go forward on a Republican plan that sets forth comprehensive tax reform in an open and honest fashion and makes sure that we get the comprehensive tax reform done in the upcoming year and do it in a way that brings the American people into the debate and we listen to the American people.

We no longer can pick winners and losers in our Tax Code. We need to focus on a Tax Code that is simple, that is fair, and that is competitive because, like it or not, we live in a world economy in which our hardworking Americans have to compete. Our Tax Code needs to be updated to make sure that we put our individuals and our corporations in the most competitive position possible so that when they go out on the world economic stage that they can compete and win, and that we stand with them rather than engage in the bitter rhetoric and partisan divide that is on display, in my opinion, today.

So, Mr. Speaker, with that, I ask support for the underlying legislation, and I ask my colleagues to join us and join hands and engage in a substantive spirited debate, but at the end of the day come up with a comprehensive tax reform package that is going to protect Americans and preserve America for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reaffirm my support for sanctions to be placed upon Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ali Khamenei are once again stressing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles within Iran's borders and we must take swift and strong actions against these measures.

Iran is not just a threat to the United States, but to all free countries around the globe. As a country that harbors terrorists, foreign leaders must stay vigilant and recognize Iran's practices as a national security concern.

Lastly, we must stand up against the human rights abuses the Iranian regime is supporting. Its citizens have continually been sheltered from outside information and ideas due to strict governmental control. We need to inform the regime that the Iranian citizens deserve the basic human rights as laid out by the United Nations. I am proud to support H.R. 1905 and I encourage the President to sign this into law promptly.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the proposed legislation to make sure that we do not increase taxes on any Americans come the end of this year. I think it's prudent, it's responsible, and it's the right message to send to America, that we are going to stand with every American and every small business owner across the country and say, end of the year, no tax increases.

And I appreciate my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and their passion and their commitment to raising taxes. They get to choose which threshold, 200, $250,000 or more. But it's clear to me that there's a clear distinction that the American people will have an opportunity to decide come this November between my Democratic colleagues across the aisle and this side of the aisle.

My Democratic colleagues across the aisle raise taxes as part of the solution going forward. This side of the aisle, I'm proud to stand, Mr. Speaker, to say ``no'' to raising taxes on any American moving forward.

Now, the gentleman had recognized and said that some of these tax increases that we're talking about in regards to businesses are not the mom-and-pop shop.

Well, I'll tell you something. I just had a conversation with Dick Clark from my district, an owner of Villager Construction. That's a mom-and-pop shop. Sterilator Company out of Cuba, New York, in my district. That's a mom-and-pop shop. Those are people that have told me that one of their greatest concerns as small business owners is the tax burden that they're going to face next year.

Let's not stand for rhetoric. Let's do the responsible, prudent thing and say ``no'' to tax increases. And I leave it up to the American people who I believe are hardworking taxpayers who are not stupid. They know what the distinction will be by the end of this year and next year when they come to the voting booth in November, that we stand for no tax increases, and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are going down the path of let's raise taxes.

Now is not the time to raise taxes in an economic climate when people are struggling and we're trying to have the job creators have the capital so that they can put people back to work for today and tomorrow.

I thank the chairman for yielding.

I rise in opposition to the substitute amendment that we're debating here, Mr. Speaker. The reason why is, it's clear the Democratic substitute amendment that we're discussing is a further expansion of tax increases that the Senate passed recently. I'm opposed to those tax increases.

We're dealing with a situation where the proposed amendment will raise the estate tax and take 55 percent of our hardworking Americans' assets when they pass away. They are raising taxes on dividends and capital gains at a time when senior citizens rely on those most in these dire economic times. They also seek to raise taxes on those making $200,000 to $250,000 and above. Raising taxes on those individuals goes right to the heart of our small businesses across America, coast to coast, North to South.

In this dire economic time, I actually agree with President Obama when he signed the tax rates in December 2010, when he said, In dire economic times, we don't raise taxes on Americans.

I just ask my colleagues to join me and say, Reject this substitute, freeze the Tax Code, and deal with the issue of comprehensive tax reform over the next 12 months, and put no Americans in harm in having their tax bill increased at the end of this year.

I thank the gentleman, my former chairman on Judiciary, for yielding the time to me.

I rise today in support of H.R. 4078, Mr. Chairman, and I am standing behind 2-weeks' worth of regulatory material produced in the Federal Register, which is the official record keeper of regulations here in Washington, D.C.

This represents the issue that we are talking about, Mr. Chairman. We need to stop sending this regulatory burden to our job creators back in the districts, back on the frontline that are creating the jobs of today and tomorrow.

I believe there is a clear distinction between the two philosophies that are on display this afternoon in this Chamber. The other side is standing up for regulation, standing up for Big Government. I've come here as a firm believer in the private sector and small business America. We will stand for them day in and day out. Mr. Chairman, this pile of material, this pile of regulations is not good for our job creators. We can do better. We must do better for our children and grandchildren.

With that, I ask support for H.R. 4078 and the corresponding long- term fix, the REINS Act, which will go a long way to taking care of this problem in perpetuity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Joseph Thomas Felsen on his ``retirement'' as he transitions to a new adventure. Commonly referred to as Dr. Joe, he dedicated over 35 years to serving my district. Between raising funds for Jones Memorial Hospital, joining various health committees in the district, and working to bring more physicians to the rural areas of his county, Dr. Joe's unselfish concern for others improved the well-being of his patients and community.

Dr. Joe has been an outstanding member of this district for his entire life. He was born at Jones Memorial Hospital and later worked there as an attending physician in Internal Medicine from 1979 until his retirement. Practicing for over 30 years in the same building as his father, Dr. Irwin Felsen, the two combined for 73 years of patient centered care in the 29th district.

I am extremely grateful for Dr. Felsen's invaluable contributions to our community and wish him the best of luck when he and his wife, Florence Anne, leave for the Peace Corps this September.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate seven remarkable athletes who are competing in the Summer Olympic Games in London later this month. Of the 530 Americans participating in the Olympics, these 7 will proudly represent my district. I wish them the best of luck in each of their respective sports.

Through dedication and determination, Ryan Lochte from Canandaigua, Abby Wombach, Iris Zimmermann, and Jason Turner from Rochester, Meghan Musnicki from Naples, Molly Huddle from Elmira, and Henrik Rummel from Pittsford achieved their goal of competing for the U.S. Olympic team. Lochte, Zimmermann, and Turner head to London as veteran Olympians in swimming, fencing, and shooting, respectively, while the other four will compete for the first time in various events including soccer, rowing, and track and field.

Qualifying for the Olympic Games is one of the highest athletic honors the world has to offer. The countless hours these seven athletes sacrificed practicing and perfecting their skill set exemplifies the true American spirit. I will proudly watch these seven Olympians compete for a Gold Medal in London and I hope they attain the success they deserve.

I thank the gentleman, and I rise today in strong support to join my friend from California. As he knows, we've been supportive of free trade from the moment we got here, and I was so pleased to see Colombia, Panama, and South Korea be passed.