Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Inter- Church Council of Greater New Bedford as this organization celebrates its 75th anniversary this month.

For three quarters of a century, the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford has united religious organizations throughout our community in service to the surrounding area. Comprised of 47 member congregations stretching from Westport to Wareham, and supported by a volunteer force of more than 150 leaders, the Council has since its founding served as a strong faith collaborative committed to social justice and spiritual renewal for all its members.

The Council serves our community in many important ways. Its housing programs serve

more than 400 low-income elderly and disabled residents, its chaplains assist patients in St. Luke's Hospital, and its members participate in various community service initiatives, such as Peace Marches, gun exchanges for food, and hands-on ministries in the local neighborhoods. Clergy and lay members alike tackle the tough issues faced in our region each and every day, and for this reason our community is a better place as a result of their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Inter-Church Council of Greater New Bedford upon its 75th anniversary. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking this organization for everything it has given to our community, and in wishing it well for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Falmouth in celebrating its 60th Veterans' Day Parade.

Since 1954, when President Eisenhower proclaimed November 11th as Veterans' Day, Falmouth has honored its veterans in a procession from the Town Green to Memorial Lane on Library Lawn. Police escorts, the parade marshal, selectmen, the Coast Guard, and others come together on this day to recognize those who have been invaluable to our country's strength and security. A rifle salute, including sirens in memory of Armistice Day in 1918, followed by a memorial address and an open house for the public conclude the celebrations.

Between 1927 and 1953 the town's celebration entailed a moment of silence, a placing of a wreath at the World War I Memorial, and a procession beginning at the American Legion. Following the procession, the American Legion attended services at various local churches and participated in parades in Hyannis and Plymouth, and sometimes the celebration came to an end with a display of fireworks. In the early 1950s, the placing of a wreath, a moment of silence, and the playing of the Star Spangled Banner have been added to honor the fallen servicemen of the Second World War.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to congratulate Falmouth for hosting its 60th Veterans Day Parade. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the importance of this day, and to recognize the honorable service that veterans provide to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Dedication of Cpl. Vincent Mannion-Brodeur Patient Room at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

This newly-dedicated patient room, located in one of the leading rehabilitation hospitals in the country, recognizes Cpl. Mannion- Brodeur and his valiant service in the United States Army. While serving in Iraq in 2007 with the 82nd Airborne, Cpl. Mannion-Brodeur was critically injured by an insurgent trap. After surviving forty operations and a year-long coma, Cpl. Mannion-Brodeur became an inspiration for people throughout the country and an example of what it means to serve one's country. His noble actions and enduring strength have deemed him a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Recipient and have earned him the gratitude of an entire nation. With the assistance of his parents, Cpl. Mannion-Brodeur is now at the point in his recovery where he is able to motivate and speak to Walter Reed patients as well as work with other injured soldiers throughout their own recovery process.

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pride to honor and thank Cpl. Vincent Mannion-Brodeur for his invaluable service in the United States Army and to recognize the dedication of the Cpl. Vincent Mannion-Brodeur Patient Room at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognition of Cpl. Mannion-Brodeur and his distinguished service in our Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the deep-sea research submersible Alvin and in celebration of the critical role the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has played in supporting ocean exploration for generations.

Commissioned on June 5, 1964, Alvin epitomizes American innovation and has allowed our nation to secure its position as a global leader in oceanography and marine sciences. Throughout over 4,760 dives, Alvin has shed light on countless discoveries, including the first observation of the deep-sea mid-ocean ridge during the French-American Mid-Ocean Undersea Survey known as Project FAMOUS, exploration of wreck of the RMS Titanic, and emergency recovery of a hydrogen bomb from the Mediterranean Sea in 1966. Recently, Alvin served at the front lines of the response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster and investigated impacts to the deep-sea habitats in the Gulf of Mexico.

Today, Alvin continues to inspire scientists and engineers in developing a new generation of deep-submergence technology, which is vital to our national security and United States Naval operations, as well as marine commerce and maritime industries. Further, Alvin is a working example of the critical need for continued federal investments in research and development that will ensure that our understanding of this remaining frontier for discovery continues on trend.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemoration of Alvin and the irreplaceable advances in scientific research that it has helped to achieve. I am proud to represent Massachusetts, where Alvin and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution call home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, the largest Portuguese feast in the world and one of the largest festivals in New England.

Founded in 1915, the Feast recreates the traditional religious festivals of Portugal and celebrates the safe passage onto American shores. The Feast is often referred to as ``the Madeira Feast'' because its roots lie in the tiny mountain and shoreside villages of the island

of Madeira, the ``Pearl of the Atlantic.'' For the last 100 years, New Bedford has hosted the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, featuring authentic Portuguese food, wine, and music, along with lessons on Portuguese history and folklore.

Today, this historic feast continues to maintain its cultural significance to those who wish to honor the Medeira customs. Additionally, it is known to provide endless entertainment to the entire New Bedford community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the town of New Bedford and the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc., who sponsor the feast, for the celebration of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament's 100th anniversary. May this magnificent cultural event continue to flourish for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate eight young Americans for their outstanding performance in the German Bundestag this summer as fellows in the prestigious International Parliamentary Scholarship.

Nathan Crist, Gaelen Strnat, Sheila Casserly, Cristina Burack, Betsy Crowder, Josef Nothmann, Joe Verbovszky, and Ian van Son have been fantastic representatives of the United States during their last five months working with a member of the Bundestag. They have learned about the German system of government and contributed to our strong bilateral ties. This experience promises to turbo-charge their future. IPS participants have gone on to serve as leaders in the public and private sectors around the world while maintaining close ties to Germany.

This prestigious program is a demonstration of the deep friendship the United States enjoys with the German people. I thank the Bundestag for hosting the fellows and I hope to see exchanges between our two countries, such as this one or the equally prestigious Congress- Bundestag Youth Exchange, continue for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Craig Conway for his service to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats as a Pearson Fellow.

The Pearson Fellowship was established as a way for Foreign Service officers to encounter and take part in the legislative process. This highly selective and prestigious position is reserved for those who would secure the strong and enduring relationship between the State Department and Congress. Over the past year Mr. Conway has exemplified these attributes during a particularly active period in transatlantic relations and went above and beyond in his role as a Pearson Fellow. His service to Congress will no doubt be missed by his many friends and colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Craig Conway prepares to head back to the State Department at the end of this month, it brings me great pleasure to honor him for his service, knowledge, and invaluable experience. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mr. Conway for his work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Robert McCarthy upon his retirement as the Register of Probate of Plymouth, Massachusetts after over four decades of public service.

During his long and noteworthy career, Mr. McCarthy served in a number of positions in Massachusetts, including East Bridgewater

Selectman, Chairman on Taxation, State Representative, and State Senator. In the 1970s, Mr. McCarthy worked alongside Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, quickly becoming a widely beloved and trusted leader in the community. Mr. McCarthy became the Plymouth County Register of Probate in 2000, where his many accomplishments have been invaluable to the people he has served. His colleagues and friends who have worked with him throughout the years agree that he will be sorely missed as he steps down from this position.

Mr. Speaker, it brings me great pride to honor Mr. Robert McCarthy upon his retirement. I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mr. McCarthy for his many years of public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate our friends in Germany on an incredible victory in the World Cup final on Sunday. As Co-Chair of the German-American Caucus, I watched the game with great interest. It was a truly deserved victory for the Germany team in what has been an excellent tournament.

I am certain that many Americans were as thrilled as I was by Germany's outstanding performance in Brazil. Our two countries share important political, economic, and cultural links, with roughly 50 million Americans reporting some level of German ancestry. Hundreds of Americans have worked in the German Bundestag through the International Parliamentary Scholarship, and thousands of Germans and Americans have forged closer relationships through the Congress-Bundestag exchange program. No matter what challenges we have in the transatlantic relationship, important connections such as these will ensure that our great relationship continues for years to come.

So, congratulations Germany! (``herzlichen Gluckwunsch Deutschland!''). And I look forward to the day when the United States and Germany meet in the World Cup finals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Catherine Christopher, a resident of Middleborough, Massachusetts, who today celebrates her 100th birthday.

Catherine was born on July 11, 1914 to Mary and Michael Vergos in Lowell, Massachusetts. The second oldest of her six siblings, Catherine, or Kay as her family and friends know her, left her junior high school to work at Giant Store to help support her family. Kay later married Harry Christopher at the Holy Trinity Church in Lowell on October 22, 1939, and they went on to raise three children together: Sandra, William, and Chris. In the early 1950's, the Christopher family opened a grocery store on Locust Street in the early 1950's, which they operated for thirty years.

Kay has been an active member of the local Greek Orthodox Church and she, along with her husband, belonged to a number of clubs and organizations within their community for many years.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Catherine Christopher on this joyous occasion of her 100th birthday. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing her continued health and happiness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the two hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the Town of Wareham.

Wareham was first settled in 1678 by a group of brave men and women who embodied the true American spirit that is still celebrated today. Wareham was officially incorporated in 1739 and became known for its local expertise in shipbuilding and other industries supporting the shipping trade. The town's beauty was quickly realized as it soon became a place where many came to enjoy its scenic beaches on Buzzard's Bay and other waterways, including Buttermilk Bay.

The people of Wareham were emblematic of the American spirit and resolve during the War of 1812. At that time, Wareham was an enticing target for the British due to its shipbuilding expertise and ironworking abilities. In 1814, when the British warship HMS Nimrod was anchored in Buzzard's Bay off the coast of Wareham, the townspeople refused to pay tribute to the British in exchange for the cessation of gunfire from the mighty eighteen-gun ship. However, the residents of Wareham fought courageously and succeeded in repelling the British despite the large amount of damage done to the town.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 275th anniversary of Wareham. May this beautiful Massachusetts town flourish for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of Estonia who from July 4 to 6 completed their remarkable Song and Dance Festival in the capital of Tallinn. The festival, which takes place once every five years and attracts roughly 100,000 visitors and participants, is a cornerstone of Estonian cultural tradition and has been named one of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage events. It is something the Estonian people, and indeed the entire Baltic region, should be rightly proud of.

Such celebrations of independence are particularly important during this time. We continue to support our friends in Estonia, and indeed our friends and allies in all of Europe, as they face the threat of increased Russian aggression. Now is as important a time as any for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitment to Estonia and the Baltic states.

Mr. Speaker, the American people have a long and proud history of supporting Estonians as they rejected authoritarianism, gained their independence and built the vibrant, modern country they have today. Estonia has likewise been a great friend to the United States. I am certain that this relationship will continue far into the future. Once more, congratulations to all of Estonia on such a successful festival.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Plymouth's four fallen soldiers who died during the Vietnam War, and to recognize the Vietnam Fallen Soldier Uniform Ceremony being held next week.

During the Vietnam War, Plymouth lost four of its own citizens who answered the call of duty. These selfless individuals will be memorialized by family, friends, and neighbors in their hometown at Plymouth's Vietnam Fallen Soldier Uniform Ceremony on July 3, 2014. Today, I would like to express my gratitude for their service by presenting the names of the fallen:

Staff Sergeant Frederick T. Garside, U.S. Air Force--killed in action in Laos

Specialist Five Robert B. Hedge, U.S. Army--killed in action in Bien Hoa

Lance Corporal Wayne Moore, U.S. Army--killed in action in Quang Tri

HM3 Paul Rezendes, U.S. Navy--killed in action in Quang Tri

These courageous, distinguished men embodied the best ideals of our country and dedicated their lives to its security. I know I speak for many when I say that the memory of these four men will live on as an inspiration to us all and will serve as a reminder of what it means to serve one's country.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor to recognize the outstanding sacrifice that these veterans made for their country. I ask that my colleagues join me in this remembrance, and in thanking all of our service members deployed across the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the return of the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship to New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The Morgan is the last American whaling ship in a fleet that had at one time numbered over 2,700 vessels. Built and launched in 1841, she is the oldest American commercial ship that is still afloat. Known as a ``lucky ship'', the Morgan successfully navigated dangerous storms, Arctic ice, and the roundings of Cape Horn during her 80-year whaling career. The ship embarked on 37 voyages between 1841 and 1921, covering every corner of the globe.

The Morgan was designated a National Historic Landmark by order of the Secretary of the Interior in 1966, and she was also a recipient of the coveted World Ship Trust Award. Since her arrival at Mystic Seaport, more than 20 million visitors have walked her decks. Next week will be a homecoming for the Morgan as she returns to New Bedford, Massachusetts, the site of her initial launch on July 21, 1841 from the yard of Jethro and Zachariah.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate the Charles W. Morgan on this joyous occasion of her homecoming to New Bedford. I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating her long and storied career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of Harwich Middle School's environmental group, Harwich Cares.

The forty members of Harwich Cares have spent the past year educating their peers and the Harwich community about ways to reduce their energy consumption. Their efforts have included a community cleanup, an energy-efficient light bulb sale and giveaway, and visits

to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Covanta SEMASS to learn more about renewable energy. Most recently, these kids presented two day- long energy carnivals for students of the Harwich and Chatham Elementary Schools.

This year, Harwich Cares won first place in Massachusetts and second place in the U.S. in the National Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement. As such, they attended the National Energy Education Development Project's awards program in Washington, DC this past weekend.

It is truly inspiring to see a group of passionate young people educating their community and working towards a greener future. Finding cleaner sources of energy should be a national priority, and I am proud that such important strides are being made on Cape Cod.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the educators and students of Harwich Middle School on their community education and leadership on environmental issues.