Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Ithaca Young Men's Christian Association for 150 years of service to the community.

On November 23, 1868, a group of young men in Ithaca held a meeting in the Cornell Library. The basement of that library would become the first home of the Ithaca YMCA, consisting of a gymnasium, baths, parlor, reading room, and offices.

Since that day 150 years ago, the Ithaca YMCA has remained dedicated to their mission to foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Ithaca YMCA has a record of inclusivity, serving all young people in its community. In earlier years when other parts of the country lacked diversity, the Ithaca YMCA was able to boast that one out of every five members was a girl as compared to the national average of one in 15.

Their engagement in the Ithaca community has been stalwart in developing character in local youths. The YMCA has been faced with adversity over its record of 150 years, confronted with low membership during war time and not one, but two devastating fires. Each time the YMCA has rebuilt and regrown membership, bringing the community of Ithaca and Tompkins County together.

We applaud the longevity of the Ithaca YMCA and wish them future success as they continue to serve our local youth.

Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me in celebrating the YMCA for 150 years of dedicated service to the City of Ithaca and Tompkins County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Falconer Volunteer Fire Company.

In 1893, the taxpayers of the village of Falconer agreed upon the necessity of fire protection for their community and voted to appropriate one thousand dollars for the purchase of fire equipment. The Falconer Fire Company originated with the creation of the Hose Company and a hand-drawn hose cart that was stored in a barn for the modest price of one dollar per month.

From these humble beginnings, the Falconer Fire Company has grown over the years in order to continue to meet the safety needs of its community. Established in 1970, the Volunteer Rescue Squad provides essential Emergency Medical Technician services to the Falconer area. In 2010, the Fire Company expanded to include a Junior Firefighter program, providing youths in the community an opportunity to learn from current volunteers.

Today, the Fire Company is made up of 60 volunteer firefighters. They work to keep their community safe, responding to nearly four hundred calls each year. We commend their dedication to their community and their volunteer service.

One hundred and twenty-five years of service to the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Falconer Volunteer Fire Company for their impressive record of hard work and look forward to many more years of them keeping our community safe.

Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the Falconer Volunteer Fire Company's 125 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rural Hospital Week and in support of the critical role rural hospitals, and the health care professionals that choose to serve rural communities, play in our health care system. Roughly 1 in 5 Americans live in rural areas, and often, hospitals are one of the main economic drivers of their communities. In fact, hospitals account for 14 percent of total rural employment nationwide. In this way, rural hospitals keep not just their patients healthy, but the economies of their local communities as well.

Despite the important role that hospitals play in rural America, a disturbing trend of closures threatens the availability of care for millions of rural Americans. According to a study published by the GAO in August of this year, 64 rural hospitals closed between 2013 and 2017. This rate of closure is more than double that of the previous 5- year period, and accounts for roughly 3 percent of all rural hospitals.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that you and the rest of our colleagues will join me in celebrating Rural Hospital Week, as well as the talented health care professionals and hospitals that make high quality care possible. I hope you will also join me in seeking solutions that maintain the availability of this high-quality care for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the Lakewood Fire Department.

In 1893, citizens of Lakewood joined together to form the Lakewood Bucket Brigade. Neighbors and friends intent on preserving the safety of their community set the foundation for more than a century of service to come.

Dedicated to protecting its citizens, the village of Lakewood was covered by not one, but two fire companies for nearly forty years. Lakewood Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, later known as Lakewood Hose Co. No. 1, was formed in 1899. Through generous donations from J.W. Packard, the Lakewood firefighters received land for a new fire hall and 1915 Model T Ford Chemical Fire engine. In 1924, Lakewood's second fire company, known as the Lakewood Chemical Co. Inc., was formed. In 1964 the Lakewood Hose Co. No. 1 and the Lakewood Chemical Co. merged to become the present day Lakewood Fire Co. Inc.

Over the years, the Lakewood Fire Department has grown in size and expanded in their capabilities. By adding marine rescue units, heavy rescue vehicles, ambulances, and ladder trucks, the Lakewood Fire Department has adapted to meet the safety needs of their community. Construction and later renovation of a training center has ensured Lakewood firefighters are well prepared for the dangers they may face in the line of duty.

One hundred twenty-five years of service to the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Lakewood Fire Department for their impressive record of hard work and look forward to many more years of them keeping our community safe.

Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the Lakewood Fire Department's one hundred twenty-five years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of the Tuskegee Airmen.

As Veteran's Day approaches and America remembers the sacrifices of our military men and women, it is important that we recognize the trailblazers that paved the way for our armed forces as we know them today.

By the beginning of World War II, air combat had become an essential strategic asset in modern warfare. In a segregated military, African- Americans had been rejected from training as military aviators until Congress passed Appropriations Bill Public Law 18, providing funding for the training of African-American pilots. The brave men who answered their country's call to service would form the first all-black flying unit, commonly called the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Tuskegee Airmen served in the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the United States Air Force, their unit consisting of forty-seven officers and four hundred twenty-nine enlisted men. Later they were joined by more combat-ready graduates, the all-black 332nd Fighter Group. These pioneers led the way to desegregation in the military and their exemplary combat record helped lead America to victory in Europe.

We honor and celebrate these men for their invaluable service to their country, not only in the military, but also in our communities.

Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me in remembering the heroic Tuskegee Airmen that served our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the pending legislation before our body.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to thank the gentleman from West Virginia as well as my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for their support and their articulation of the legislation and the need for this legislation. I would, in particular, like to thank my good colleague Paul Tonko from New York, on the other side of the aisle, for working with us in a bipartisan way to get this legislation to reauthorize the West Valley Nuclear Site Reauthorization Act into law.

Madam Speaker, this legislation will provide clarity, additional steps that we can take, and give clarity to our area of New York that is impacted by this nuclear waste site, the folks who are working there on a day-in, day-out basis.

I have been to this site, Madam Speaker, multiple times. I have met with the managers of this site; I have met with the employees of this site; and they have worked tirelessly over the years to clean up this nuclear waste and this threat to our environment and to our communities, and I applaud their efforts.

Madam Speaker, I can attest to, firsthand, seeing the fruits of the work that have been done over the years that they have tended to West Valley and the surrounding community in order to address the threat from nuclear waste that exists there.

As we go forward, many years are still ahead of us in regard to the efforts to clean up that nuclear waste legacy that is located in our district in West Valley, New York. This legislation will give us clarity as to a future path that will be followed in order for us to continue the successful work there.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to join us in supporting this legislation that will do great work to make sure that our environment is protected and that the legacy obligations of us as a government are attended to for a local community that is dealing with this issue.

Madam Speaker, to the Department of Energy and all the folks who work there, we say thank you.

I would like to thank, in particular, not only the Energy and Commerce Committee members, their staffs, but also the folks in our local community, such as Town of Ashford Supervisor Charles Davis and the local citizens task force that spent hours, upon days, upon years attending to this issue in their unwavering support in standing with us as we move forward on this legislation.

Madam Speaker, to West Valley Deputy General Manager Scott Anderson: Keep up the good work, and together we will clean up this site once and for all.

Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for recognizing me and for the opportunity to speak, and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for the efforts that they have put into the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, because hospice and palliative care is an underutilized piece of medical treatment in America. This bill is designed to promote not only the care that is provided under palliative and hospice care, but also to empower the workforce of today and tomorrow to provide these critical healthcare delivery systems to our aging population, to our family members, and to our dear fellow citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I am strongly in support of this legislation, because this is something that is personal, as I lost my mom 9 months to the day she was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed in my arms. The woman who taught me how to live, and my 11 older brothers and sisters, also taught me how to die.

We in America need to have a conversation across this entire Nation about how important it is to recognize that we are all mortal and that, at the end of our life, we need to face that critical question of what type of healthcare we want to receive to make sure that our quality of life is preserved and the quantity of life is extended as much as possible in order to enjoy that life.

Under this act, Mr. Speaker, one of the key components of it is to provide the professionalism that is necessary to have that conversation with families, with children like myself in that situation. I hope that we will have this conversation with our loved ones much sooner rather than at that end of times.

By engaging in this legislation, Mr. Speaker, we will promote palliative and hospice care, and make sure that all Americans know that this care is available to them. Not only will it allow them to enjoy peace in their final days, but it will provide a quality of life that no other care that I know of does. That is palliative and hospice care to make you comfortable and enjoy your loved ones as we end our time on this Earth.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and join us in this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McClintock for yielding me such time as I may consume to address the subject matter of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, for once on this floor, this is a laughing matter. The purpose of this bill is to officially designate the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, as the National Comedy Center for the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, our country doesn't currently have a national center to recognize comedy and the important role it plays in American culture. I can think of no better place for such a center than in our district in the city of Jamestown, the birthplace of Lucille Ball.

Across the country and all over the world, people recognize Lucille Ball and ``I love Lucy'' as one of the most

popular television shows of all time. The National Comedy Center will celebrate her impact and many others in the world of comedy when it hosts this August the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival for the grand opening of the National Comedy Center.

All jokes aside, Mr. Speaker, this museum is much bigger than one person in Lucille Ball. This is about comedians who have practiced their art and have celebrated the healing aspects of humor in our society. With more than 50 exhibits that engage and excite, this museum is the first of its kind dedicated to celebrating comedy in all its forms and the people who share the laughter it brings.

It is the Cooperstown of baseball, the Dayton of pro football, and the Cleveland of Rock and Roll.

I would like to thank the men and women whose hard work and dedication to the National Comedy Center have gotten us here. In particular, I would like to thank all those who made the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, possible; including Journey Gunderson, Tom Benson, and the rest of the National Comedy Center board for their tireless work; as well as former County Executive Vince Horrigan, and present Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello, as well as the mayor of Jamestown, Sam Teresi, for their unwavering support in this bipartisan endeavor.

I thank Greg Edwards of the Gebbie Foundation as well as all the other foundations and contributors that helped make this a reality. Most of all, we want to recognize the comedians and artists who have shared their talents for years with Jamestown to make this possible.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I ask my friends and colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Trooper Nicholas Clark.

A star athlete, Nick Clark made his mark at both Canisteo-Greenwood Central Schools and Alfred University. At Canisteo-Greenwood Central Schools, Nick became a two-time state champion in wrestling and excelled on the football field. While he pursued a BA in Environmental Studies at our shared Alma Mater of Alfred University, Nick was a star on the football field. He was named to the Empire 8 all-conference First Team and the conference Defensive Player of the Year for three straight seasons, breaking the Alfred University record for tackles. These accomplishments highlighted Nick's hard work and dedication that led the Buffalo Bills to offer him an invitation for a professional tryout. Following his football career, Nick directed his leadership skills and dedication towards his passion of serving others.

Nick Clark honorably served his community and the State of New York as a New York State Trooper. He graduated from the 203rd session of the Basic School in 2015 and was originally assigned to Troop C/SP Ithaca and Troop E/SP Auburn. In August 2017, Trooper Clark transferred to Troop E/SP Bath. As a lifelong resident of Steuben County, Trooper Clark spent his days at work serving the citizens that he called his friends and neighbors.

In the early morning of Monday July 2, 2018, Trooper Clark responded to a call in the town of Erwin, where he was shot and killed. He bravely answered the call to duty and lost his life while trying to selflessly protect others.

While my thoughts and prayers go out every time a member of law enforcement is killed in the line of duty, this tragedy strikes especially close to not only my home but heart. Trooper Clark bravely put his life on the line to protect his community and he should be recognized as a hero for his actions.

Trooper Clark will be missed by the communities that he served and the lives that he touched. Together, we stand with his family and friends as they mourn. I thank him for his service and pray he will rest in peace.

Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to remember the life of Trooper Nicholas Clark.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of New York State Trooper Nicholas Clark. A lifelong resident of Steuben County and a star football player from my alma mater, Alfred University, Nick Clark honorably served his community and the State of New York as a New York State trooper. Since 2015, he has protected the people that he called his friends and neighbors.

Trooper Clark put his life on the line every day to serve his community. In the early morning of Monday, July 2, 2018, Trooper Clark responded to a call in the town of Erwin and was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, he is truly a hero for his actions and the sacrifices he made for all of us. Trooper Clark will be missed by the communities that he served and the lives that he touched. Together we stand with his family and friends as they mourn.

I thank him for his service to our community and for his bravery. I pray he rests in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I ask this legislative body to pause its deliberations and join me in remembering and honoring the 29-year life of Trooper Nicholas Clark.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Vietnam War veterans from the Corning Painted Post East and West High School Class of 1968. Nine million Americans, approximately 7.2 million living today, served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the United States involvement in Vietnam between November 1, 1955 and May 7, 1975. When they returned home, our soldiers faced a hostile political climate and received less than a welcome home. These men and women deserve the recognition due for being among the 1.3% of veterans who have served their country honorably in time of war.

Between Painted Post East High School and Painted Post West High School, more than sixty brave men from the graduating class of 1968 served in our military during the Vietnam War. These men answered the call to duty and served their country honorably, yet when they returned home they received little for a welcome home. As the Corning Painted Post East and West High School Class of 1968 gathers after more than forty-five years to officially welcome these men home, I would like to recognize them for their service to our nation.

Serving in the Army: Robert Brooder, Kent DeCamp, Bill Kane, Francis Killigrew, Michael Wilcox, Patrick Boland, Tom Bosket, Nicholas Cavallaro, Larry Cleveland, Herman DeMonstoy, Ron Faulisi, Joseph Ferratella, Mark Howell, Joseph Kosty, Joseph Maglioca, Fred Panyard, Philip Spart, Joseph Stamilio, Charles Stebbins, Lew Tyler, and Alan Van Etten.

Serving in the Navy: Donald Twist, Walter Delap, Robert Kent, Larry Ketchum, Alan Lambert, Gary Moshier, David Scott, and Preston Perry.

Serving in the Air Force: George Audinwood, Ford Butler, Craig Burrell, Ray Copp, Jessie Glosser, Daniel Henyan, and Bobby Preset.

Serving in the Marines: Dana Eckel, Michael Horvat, and Kent Rawcliffe.

Serving the Department of Defense: Douglas Taft.

Also serving in our military: Gerald Cleveland, Dale French, Michael Hoyt, Randy Little, David Pierce, Gary Rosa, Bobby Winslow, Mike Wray, Ken Byington, Melvin Calkins, Steven Duvall, Martin Geyer, Bill Hager, Steven Kenyon, Alan Mullikan, David Peris, James Pierson, John Poland, Lon Reid, Teny Snyder, and Donald Wead.

We thank you for your sacrifice and service. Welcome home.

Given the above, I ask that this legislative body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor these men who bravely served our country.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday June 22, 2018, I was unable to vote on ``Roll Call No. 287: Motion to Reconsider H.R. 6 ``SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``no''. In addition, I was also unable to vote on Roll Call No. 288: Final Passage of H.R. 6 ``SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 254.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Ronald L. Rehner, Sr. Ronald Rehner was a family man and known to many as a school teacher, who taught in the New York communities of Rochester and Elmira, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and even as far away as Moshi, Tanzania, teaching geography at Mawenzi Secondary School. Ever concerned with current affairs, Ron would bring real world issues to the classroom to give context to his lessons. Beyond his work in the classroom, during his time in Tanzania, Ron was an active member of the United States Peace Corps. After applying his gifts abroad, Ron returned to the United States to teach history at Thomas Edison High School in Elmira, New York.

After retiring from being a school teacher, Ron worked at Chemung County RSVP and in the garden department at Chase Pitkin. During his free time Ron enjoyed going camping, hiking, cooking, and gardening.

Ron's interest in politics was put to good use as the legislative chair of AARP Chapter 276. Ron and his entourage of red shirted colleagues were familiar faces in my office and were frequent attendees at my town hall meetings. Ron was an effective communicator and a tireless advocate. He was never shy about standing up for what he felt was right.

When Ron was not working, he would volunteer his time to give back and improve the community. Ron volunteered with many organizations in his community. Ron shared his time with Senior Notebook, the Department of Aging Advocacy, Age Friendly Coalition, Creating Healthy Schools and Communities, Poverty Coalition, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Health Priorities Squared, and First Presbyterian Church. No matter where he went or what he was doing he always had a smile to give and welcomed all.

Throughout his life, Ron earned many accolades for his hard work and dedication to his community. Ron was recognized with the Mildred Parfitt Award, the Jefferson Award, and named the Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care's Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. He was also nominated for the coveted AARP Andrus Award.

Ron will be missed by the many communities and countless individuals he made an impact on over a lifetime of good will and service to his fellow man. I will certainly miss his presence.

I ask that this legislative body join me to remember the life of Ronald L. Rehnner, Sr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the fortieth anniversary of The Arc of Schuyler.

The Arc of Schuyler is a private, not for profit organization providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. The Arc of Schuyler is a Chapter of the Arc of New York,

which is the largest not for profit organization working with and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York State and is a member of The Arc of the United States.

A courageous group of family members and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities founded The Arc of Schuyler on May seventh, in the year nineteen hundred and seventy-eight. From modest beginnings it has become the most comprehensive provider of support in Schuyler County to hundreds of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Arc of Schuyler is an advocacy agency that believes all people have the fundamental moral, civic, and constitutional rights to live, learn, and work in safe and respectful communities of their choosing without prejudice. A volunteer Board of Directors including relatives of persons with a developmental disability and dedicated community leaders continue to provide their experience and insight to ensure the rights of people with developmental disabilities.

The Arc of Schuyler urges all citizens to give full support to the efforts empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so that they may live full and productive lives of inclusion in our communities.

Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to commend The Arc of Schuyler upon the occasion of its fortieth anniversary in the year two thousand eighteen.