Timothy Bishop

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Bertram James Askwith, who celebrated his 102nd birthday on March 2, 2013. Bert was married for almost 60 years to Miriam Teidor, who passed away in 2001; they had four children, one of whom, Patti Askwith Kenner, is a constituent who lives in East Hampton, New York. Mr. Askwith is a remarkable man who still works nine hours a day at the company he founded while he was a college student at the University of Michigan. Still very active, he travels to work each day by train from his home in Harrison, New York. Mr. Askwith was born in 1911 at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan, where his father Herbert worked as the public relations director for the doctor who delivered him, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, who was later portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in the film, The Road to Wellville. While he was a student at the University of Michigan in 1928, Mr. Askwith objected to the high train fare of $100 for students who needed to travel home from Ann Arbor to New York. He chartered a bus from a local company, put a sign on it saying ``Campus Coach Lines,'' started a sign-up sheet in the Student Union, and paid for four years of college by transporting students at a more reasonable rate. After graduating from college in 1931, Mr. Askwith moved to New York City and purchased his first bus. Now, 82 years later, he remains the Chief Operating Officer of Campus Coach Lines providing charter service to private groups in New York City and as well as college groups, public and private schools, baseball and football teams, leading American corporations, and for family events. At age 102, he still enjoys his daily routine but he has never forgotten his years at the University of Michigan. He built ``Bert's Cafe'' in the undergraduate Shapiro Library and celebrated his 100th birthday with 600 students and the University of Michigan band playing ``Happy Birthday'' as he cut the ribbon for ``Bert's Study & Campus Center.'' When asked what was his favorite birthday, Mr. Askwith always replies, ``the next.'' Mr. Askwith is active in many philanthropic causes and served as chairman of his local United Way, where he remains on the Board of Directors. He is involved in the Museum of Jewish Heritage, a living memorial to the Holocaust in Battery Park and the Askwith Forum at Harvard University in memory of his parents who were students there. On behalf of myself, and the first congressional district of New York, I congratulate Mr. Askwith for an inspirational 82 years of hard work and dedication to his business, Campus Coach Lines and to wish him the very best 102nd birthday.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1120. What we are doing here this morning is simply more of the same. For the past 28 months, House Republicans have used their majority to engage in a relentless campaign to tear at the fabric of organized labor by voting to defund, abolish, or greatly curtail the powers of the NLRB more than 40 times. Let me repeat that: more than 40 times. None of the attempts to crush the authority of the NLRB have become law; nor will they ever become law. And yet House Republicans keep trying. At the same time, more than 22 million people remain unemployed or underemployed in this country, sequestration cuts continue to devastate middle class families, and the most severe cuts are yet to come. Total payroll compensation as a share of gross domestic product is at its lowest point since the 1950s. House Democrats seek solutions to these problems, and yet House Republicans continue to waste our time on a bill that will never see the light of day in the United States Senate. And if this bill were to ever pass into law, its impact would be to hurt workers, not help them. How many more times do we need to waste taxpayer dollars on political messaging bills like this, rather than pursue legislation that will actually help the middle class? Ten more times, 20 more times? Is this all we can expect to accomplish over the next year and a half? Americans want Democrats and Republicans to work together. Let's end the political posturing. Let's get America back to work.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding resident of New York's 1st Congressional District, Sandy Feinberg. In 1971, Sandy began her career at the Middle Country Public Library as a children's librarian. This position would lead to a forty-two year career as one of the most innovative and influential librarians on Long Island. She was named the Library Director in 1991 in recognition of her hard work and vision, a position she would hold for the next 22 years. As Library Director, Sandy oversaw the expansion and renovation of two library locations. In 1999, she oversaw the transformation of the library's Centereach location into the largest public library on Long Island. Today, through innovative programs and extraordinary effort, it is not only the largest, but the busiest public library on Long Island. As a pioneer in library-community interaction, she founded the Family Place Libraries initiative. This comprehensive library-based early childhood and family support program has been replicated in more than 350 libraries in 24 states. Sandy continued the library's advancement by overseeing the opening of the Miller Business Resource Center, a regional resource to promote economic development through small businesses, entrepreneurs, and not- for-profit organizations. She also founded the Museum Corner, an interactive exhibit space with rotating hands-on educational exhibits for children. Finally, she created the Nature Explorium, a first-in- the-nation library-based outdoor learning space where children can learn about nature. Sandy has also focused her attention on those in need outside of the library. She established the Community Resource Database, a collection of not-for-profit and government agencies available to assist residents in need. Eventually, the database would become Long Island 211, a telephone service center to connect those in need with available resources. She served as President of the Middle Country Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Middle Country Coalition for Smart Growth. She served on the boards of the Child Care Council of Suffolk County and the Long Island Museum of Art, and is currently the Chairwoman of the Board of the Early Years Institute. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of New York's 1st Congressional District, I thank Sandy Feinberg for her years of dedicated service to our community. Her passion and enthusiasm for nurturing young minds has had a positive impact on countless families. Her willingness to initiate new tasks and challenges is an inspiration to us all. While her phenomenal leadership and ingenuity will surely be missed, her imprint on the community will endure for years to come.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to this country's future and posterity. Educating a STEM workforce has become increasingly central to U.S. economic competitiveness and growth and requires the collaborative efforts of government, private industry and non-profits to succeed. STEM fields are more important than ever to the development and maintenance of a high standard of life than ever. However, over the past several decades the performance of American students in STEM subjects has lagged behind their international peers. And at the same time that students are spending less time studying science in the classroom than they did a decade ago, only one out of every five households has access to STEM extracurricular activities. Employers are increasingly frustrated when searching for qualified applicants for high-paying STEM jobs. Job growth in STEM fields offers great potential, estimated to grow at the rate of 17 percent by 2018-- nearly double the rate of non-STEM related careers. Given these figures, it is difficult to understate the importance of STEM education, both in and outside of school, for our nation's collective economic future and the future our nation's students. Federal, state, and local governments must partner with the private sector to provide American students with the resources necessary to compete in an increasingly competitive global market. One private sector campaign aimed at addressing this issue is Time Warner Cable's Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) program. CAMM is designed to inspire the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of STEM outside of the classroom. Introduced in November 2009 in conjunction with President Obama's ``Educate to Innovate'' effort, CAMM has answered the President's call-to action for cross-sector partnerships to address the STEM crisis. In downstate New York, CAMM connects parents and students with dozens of local STEM resources that would otherwise remain untapped, including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the National Park Service at Hamilton Grange, and the New York Transit Museum. I want to congratulate Time Warner Cable for this important initiative and urge my colleague to recognize how essential such programs are to all of our communities.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the 2012 Stony Brook University Baseball team on a record- setting season with its ``Shock the World'' rallying cry. The Seawolves finished the regular season with a 43-11 record and won their second straight conference regular season title. The team also swept the major conference awards, bringing home Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, and Pitcher of the Year. Twelve players were named all-conference. But the team's success did not end there. After winning its conference, Stony Brook went on to win the America East Championship for the second time in three seasons. The Seawolves then competed in the Coral Gables Regional of the NCAA tournament. The tournament, attended by four teams, was statistically the toughest regional tournament in the country. The team was able to prevail over the three other competitors and advance to the Super Regional in Baton Rouge. In the Super Regional, the Seawolves faced the LSU Tigers in a best- of-three tournament. After falling behind in Game 1, the Seawolves won Game 2 to force a winner-take-all Game 3. Although the Tigers took an early lead, the Seawolves won the game to become the first Northeast region school to advance to the College World Series since the end of geographic regional tournaments in 1987. The Seawolves went to Omaha as the team that had captured the attention and the hearts of observers throughout the country. The team embraced the rallying cry ``Shock the World'' as a mission; it set out to leave a mark on the national stage and make Stony Brook a household name. Unfortunately, the Seawolves were eliminated from the College World Series after a loss to Florida State, but they were successful in their mission to raise the profile of the Stony Brook University athletic program. The question, ``What's a sea wolf?'' is now able to be answered by people who have never set foot on the Stony Brook campus. By the end of the post-season, Stony Brook had compiled an NCAA-best 52 wins. For the 2011 and 2012 seasons combined, the team has a winning percentage of .777, the best in the nation. In addition to its playoff run, the team reached a number of milestones for its program. Coach Matt Senk became the third coach in the history of the conference to win 6,000 games. The program also had a record seven players drafted in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, including its first player to be drafted in the first round. All seven players have signed with major league organizations. Stony Brook's remarkable season of triumphs was recognized by the local news media as among the top sports moments of 2012, and the coaches and members of the team were named People of the Year in Sports by a local newspaper. These are a few among the many ways the team has been honored by organizations across Long Island, and I am so very proud to represent this outstanding baseball team and Stony Brook University as their representative in Congress. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of New York's first congressional district, I again congratulate the 2012 Stony Brook University Baseball team on its record-breaking season and wish the program continued success. Go Seawolves!

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, colleague and fellow New Yorker for yielding time. I'd also like to thank Representatives Lowey and King for their leadership; and I commend my colleagues in the New York and New Jersey delegations on both sides of the aisle for working so well together to advance the interests of our states at this critical time. I rise to support the rule and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 152, and the Frelinghuysen Amendment, and to oppose the Mulvaney Amendment. It has been two-and-a-half months since Superstorm Sandy hit communities in New York, New Jersey, and neighboring states which continue to face the almost insurmountable task of cleaning up and rebuilding homes, businesses, and lives. I'm grateful we finally have the opportunity to consider a relief package to help those who are most in need. On the eastern half of Long Island, businesses, farms, and homes fell victim to intense flooding; ferocious winds caused substantial damage to property, vehicles, and businesses; and along the coast, Sandy created breaches in the coastline and severely eroded other beaches. In New York and New Jersey, at least 651,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and approximately 463,000 businesses were impacted. I must observe this has been a painfully protracted process; it is a fact that what we've tried to accomplish for the last two-and-a-half months had once been considered a common-sense, bipartisan response to natural disasters. And the calls for offsets and a slower pace of funding in the wake of natural disasters are a recent phenomenon, even though previous Congresses quickly supported measures that provided relief to affected states. For example, within two weeks of Hurricane Katrina, Congress provided $70 billion in disaster funding to the Gulf Coast with great bipartisan support, and with virtually no discussion about how to pay for it. Congress recognized this was a major disaster, people were hurting, and it had to act to alleviate the suffering. Congress, with bipartisan support, continued to appropriate emergency funds for various Katrina projects and activities totaling $120 billion, all without payfors. For example, Congress funded $1 billion to build a retractable seawall to protect New Orleans from rising storm surge. And it approved $14 billion to rebuild and upgrade critical flood prevention infrastructure to minimize, or mitigate, the risk of such devastation occurring again. Why do New York and New Jersey deserve less urgency? And why are mitigation projects for New Orleans considered prudent, and mitigation projects for New York and New Jersey characterized as pork? Mr. Speaker, our states are not asking for anything more than help to get back on their feet and rebuild. We are asking for nothing more than to respond to this disaster as we have for Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters that have wrought damage upon fellow Americans. I urge my colleagues to support this package without any damaging amendments.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Slaughter, for yielding me this time. I would also like to thank Representatives Lowey and King for their leadership on this issue, and I commend my colleagues in the New York and New Jersey and Connecticut delegations on both sides of the aisle for working so well together to advance the interests of our States at this critical time. And I would also like to thank my friend, Mr. Cole, for his support. I rise to support the rule and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 152 and the Frelinghuysen amendment and to oppose the Mulvaney amendment. It has been 2\1/2\ months since Superstorm Sandy hit communities in New York, New Jersey, and neighboring States which continue to face the almost insurmountable task of cleaning up and rebuilding homes, businesses, and lives. I'm grateful we've finally had the opportunity to consider a relief package to those who are most in need. In my district on the eastern half of Long Island, businesses, farms, and homes fell victim to intense flooding. Ferocious winds caused substantial damage to property, vehicles, and businesses; and along the coast, Sandy created breaches in the coastline and severely eroded other parts of the beach. In New York and New Jersey, at least 651,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and approximately 463,000 were impacted. Mr. Speaker, our States are not asking for anything more than for help to get back on their feet and rebuild. We are asking for nothing more than to respond to this disaster as we have for Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters that have brought damage upon our fellow Americans. I urge my colleagues to support this package without any damaging amendments.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle against the House Republican leadership's outrageous decision to refuse emergency assistance for our States to recover from the strongest storm to ravage our region in generations. It's simply unconscionable that this Chamber would walk away from a region desperate for assistance in its greatest hour of need. We cannot accept this shockingly callous indifference of the leadership to the human suffering that our constituents and their fellow citizens continue to endure. The leadership's decision stands in stark contrast to the immediate decisions to provide relief in the wake of every disaster that has befallen this Nation over the past many years. It comes in stark contrast to our Nation's call to provide well over $100 billion to Louisiana and the Gulf States following that tragedy, the first $62 billion of which was on its way to the Gulf States within 2 weeks of the storm. More than 2 months after our region was struck, our constituents are still waiting for help. Our States are overextended and our constituents have reached the limits of their tolerance. They deserve more than the Federal Government's refusal to help, particularly after the Senate's strong bipartisan approval of the aid we need. Our leadership has decided to pass up an important investment against future losses. Many of our districts remain exposed to future damage. My own district, for example, experienced two relatively routine storms in late December, but, nonetheless, those storms compounded the massive erosion along the south shore of Long Island. We simply cannot afford any further breaches, flooding, overwashing, or storm damage without incurring significant losses to our infrastructure and to our economy. Mr. Speaker, let me close with this: What do I say when I go home to my constituents in Mastic Beach, a working class community on Moriches Bay with a little over 5,000 homes, about a thousand of which sustained damage, a great many of which are unrepairable? Do I tell them that the Republican leadership of the House considers it entirely appropriate for their tax dollars to be used for recovery and repair in New Orleans, in Tuscaloosa, in Joplin, or anywhere else in this country where a natural disaster has occurred? Or do I tell them that when it's in their hour of need, the Republican leadership has decided to simply walk away? That's precisely the message that the Republican leadership is sending to my constituents. They deserve better. The residents of all of the States that were ravaged by this storm deserve better. We must bring this bill to a vote immediately.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, as the Ranking Democratic Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I rise to address S. 3687, which reauthorizes appropriations for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program for fiscal years 2012 through 2017, among other purposes. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program was authorized by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-456). This Act established a new program office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide administrative and technical assistance to the local management conference, convened under section 320 of the Clean Water Act, for the restoration and protection of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, as well as provide Federal grant assistance for restoration projects, studies, and public education projects, recommended by the conference for the benefit of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. The initial authorization of the Lake Pontchartrain, Basin Restoration Program was $20 million, annually, for fiscal years 2001 through 2005. This $20 million annual authorization was extended through fiscal year 2011 in Pub. L. 109-392. Section 1 of S. 3687 extends the authorization of appropriations for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program through FY 2017, however, at reduced levels. S authorizes ``. . . the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2009 for each of the fiscal years 2013 through 2017.'' According to information provided by EPA, the fiscal year 2009 appropriation for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program was $978,000. Accordingly, section 1 of S. 3687 reduces the authorization of appropriations for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Program from $20 million, annually, to $978,000, annually, for each of FY 2013 through FY 2017. In addition, section 1 of S. 3687 would establish a maximum 75 percent Federal share grant assistance authorized under the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program. Under current law, there is no statutory cap on the percentage of Federal assistance that can be provided by grants under the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program. Acording to information provided by EPA, the EPA Region 6 office typically required a 5 percent local match for grants provided under this Program--resulting in a Federal share of 95 percent for grants provided under this authority. Under section 1 of S. 3687, the maximum Federal share of future grants provided under this authority would be reduced to 75 percent, with the remaining share to be provided by local interests, such as local parishes or municipalities. I am encouraged by the House Republican Leadership's willingness to schedule this bill and allow it to pass by Unanimous Consent. I am hopeful that the Leadership's willingness to move this legislation will enable the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to move forward quickly in the 113th Congress on a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill. Currently, there are 22 Army Corps of Engineers Chief's Reports awaiting authorization throu the WRDA process. These and other critical flood control, navigation safety, shoreline protection, and environmental restoration projects must move forward to ensure the safety of our communities, strengthen our National, regional, and local economies, protect our natural resources, and create jobs.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise to recognize a departing member of my original district staff, Lisa Wieber Santeramo. Since I opened my first district office in Coram, New York, Lisa has distinguished herself as among the most competent and hard working members of my staff. Over the course of this past decade, I watched her develop and rise from a staff assistant answering the telephones at my reception desk to her ultimate position as the highest ranking member of my district staff, District Office Director. Lisa was born and raised in Holbrook. She attended Sachem High School, the largest high school in the township, where she first developed her talent for public affairs as a leader in student government. She brought her enthusiasm and passion for leadership to my first campaign and to my congressional office after graduating from Stony Brook University where she was also involved in student leadership. While an undergraduate at Stony Brook, Lisa spent a semester interning with Minority Leader Gephardt. Having skillfully proved her ability to manage casework and the many important responsibilities of my constituent services operation, Lisa was promoted to manage special projects and coordinate intergovernmental affairs. She excelled in these areas and built a reputation for solving problems and delivering outstanding service to my constituents. Thus, her promotion to District Office Director in January of 2012 was well earned and richly deserved. Lisa has proven time and again that she is self-motivated and is constantly striving to assume ever greater responsibility. I have such tremendous confidence in Lisa that I asked her to take an official leave of absence to manage my campaign for re-election in 2008. Lisa has since managed my past two campaigns in 2010 and 2012, which were the two most challenging races in my congressional career. Lisa presided over each of these three consecutive campaigns with skill, determination and an unparalleled work ethic. Lisa has indeed proven invaluable and achieved all of this success by the age of only 30. She became a mother earlier this year and now moves on to become the Assistant Deputy County Executive for Intergovernmental Affairs for the County of Suffolk on Long Island. Lisa will be missed very much, but my staff and I are comforted in knowing that she will remain nearby and continue to serve a mutual constituency in her new capacity. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of New York's first congressional district, I thank Lisa Santeramo for her many years of outstanding service and wish her continued success in serving the residents of Suffolk County in the years ahead.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank Mr. Clay for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of an American Revolutionary War hero, Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull, and I urge my colleagues to support my legislation to name the post office in Mastic Beach, New York, the Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull Post Office Building. I thank all of my colleagues in the New York delegation for cosponsoring this bill and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for reporting it to the full House. I also wish to thank the community of Mastic, an area of my district that was hit very hard by Hurricane Sandy and has since demonstrated tremendous strength and resiliency. This bill is a tribute to a favorite son of Mastic and to a community that deserves recognition. Born in 1722 to a prominent farming family in Mastic, New York, Nathaniel Woodhull entered the British military in 1758 and quickly achieved the rank of major. After experiencing battlefield success as an officer in the French and Indian War, Woodhull rejected the Crown's repressive colonial policies. Entering politics, Woodhull was elected to represent Suffolk County in the Province of New York Assembly in 1769. Six years later, he was selected to lead the rebellious New York Provincial Congress in its attempt to break free from British colonialism and establish New York as an independent State. In 1775, Woodhull was named brigadier general of the militia of Suffolk and Queens Counties due to his vast experience as a former British officer. General Woodhull was ordered to undertake the tactical role of removing imperative American materiel from Jamaica, Queens, during the Battle of Long Island by General George Washington. Overwhelmingly outmanned and outmaneuvered, the Continental Army was issued a calamitous defeat by the British at the Battle of Long Island, leaving General Woodhull and his troops vulnerable to capture by the advancing British army. General Woodhull was captured by the 17th British Regiment on August 28, 1776. Woodhull peacefully tendered his sword to the British and accepted his detainment. Though the details surrounding Woodhull's capture remain imprecise, legend purports that the British were unwilling to accept Woodhull's diplomatic surrender and ordered him to exclaim ``God save the King'' as punishment for his loyalty to the colonies. Woodhull refused, instead uttering ``God save us all'' when pressed by his captors. Furiously, one British officer lashed out at General Woodhull and slashed him across the head and arm with his saber. The wounds to General Woodhull were debilitating. General Woodhull was incarcerated aboard a prison ship docked in New York Harbor, where he was neglected and contracted gangrene due to his untreated wounds. Woodhull's agonizing demise and the apparent refusal of the British to allow medical care galvanized the colonists, reinforcing the stigma of brutality surrounding their enemies. Nathaniel Woodhull died on September 20, 1776, the first high-ranking colonial officer killed in action during the American Revolutionary War. Mr. Speaker, Nathaniel Woodhull embodied the patriotism and sacrifice of the early revolutionaries in the struggle for American independence. I hope you agree that naming the post office in Mastic is an appropriate honor given General Woodhull's service and ultimate sacrifice to the United States. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Professor Lei Zuo of Stony Brook University and his students, Teng Lin and John Wang, for their tremendous achievement as their project was recently named Best Application of Energy Harvesting at the Energy Harvesting and Storage USA 2012 conference. There has been a significant progress over the last couple of decades to find new and innovative ways to generate, store, and harness energy in an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly manner. This is exactly what Professor Zuo and his team have done. The project, entitled ``Mechanical Motion Rectifier (MMR) based Railroad Energy Harvester,'' has the potential to revolutionize the way in which railroad equipment is powered. Professor Zuo and his team have been studying various uses for MMR technology. They first created a device that can be retrofitted to automobiles and use vibrational energy captured as the car travels to recharge the battery and power other electronic components. They then turned their attention to other industries in which the technology might be useful. The railroad industry presented the type of challenge the team was looking for. In order to operate the over one hundred thousand miles of track throughout the United States efficiently and with as few train accidents as possible, the industry utilizes a system of signal lights, crossing gates, and track switches. Each of these systems requires electricity to operate, which often means having to find a way to install and maintain power sources in remote or hard-to-access locations. The device created by the team at Stony Brook University can be installed on train tracks without much difficulty. It collects the unusable up-and-down vibrational energy created by train cars passing over the tracks; this type of energy is generally wasted. The collected energy is then converted into unidirectional energy that can be used to power the safety components needed to operate the rail system. The creation of electricity at the location where it is needed will save time and money that would otherwise be required to install, maintain, and repair electrical lines connected to the components. Over the long run, this technology will help increase the efficiency of rail systems and, hopefully, cut down on costly service disruptions. I thank Professor Zuo and his team for their important work on energy harvesting. It is critical that we find new and innovative ways to increase energy efficiency. Projects such as this, which find ways to capture energy that would otherwise be lost, are the key to unlocking new avenues of green technology. I also wish to congratulate Stony Brook University, which I am very proud to represent in Congress, for its continuing support for innovative breakthroughs in science and technology. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of New York's first congressional district, I again congratulate Professor Zuo and his team on the well-deserved recognition they have received and wish them success in their future research endeavors.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the tragic passing of Neil Godleski, nephew of my friend and constituent Suzanne Murphy of Southampton, New York. Neil, a rising senior at Catholic University, was fatally shot on August 22, 2010 while riding his bicycle home from a restaurant where he worked as a waiter. He was 31 years old and had returned to college with plans to pursue a career in science. His assailant was a 16-year-old boy who shot him six times with a .38 caliber handgun and then robbed him. Suzanne's family has been wrenched with grief over the sudden end of this young man's life. More than 200 people attended his funeral in his hometown of Norwalk, Connecticut, and many others gathered at a candlelight vigil for him in his Washington, DC neighborhood of Petworth. While no vigil or memorial could ever begin to take away the pain of this loss, Suzanne has found a way to channel her grief and focus her energy. She has become an advocate for gun control, becoming part of a movement declaring the need to seek a new path emphasizing gun safety at a time when one in three Americans knows someone who has been shot In an average year, around 100,000 Americans are killed or wounded with guns. Columbine, Virginia Tech, Trayvon Martin, and the recent episode in Aurora, Colorado are senseless tragedies still fresh in our minds that point to the need for responsible policies that protect all Americans from gun violence but also preserve the right afforded citizens by the Second Amendment. Reasonable people can agree that we can achieve even- handed protections that do not infringe on any American's right to possess a firearm. Efforts to curb the influx of dangerous weapons into our communities, restrictions on assault-type weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, and policies on handguns are the types of actions Congress can take to protect our communities from gun violence. We must also equip local law enforcement officers with the tools needed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others who wish to do our sons and daughters harm. Unfortunately, Suzanne Murphy and her family have experienced first- hand the tragic pain and loss that comes to a family in a shooting death. At Catholic University, Neil was a teaching assistant to his biology professor. The professor told Suzanne that one of Neil's jobs was to keep an eye out for other students having trouble mastering the material. Neil especially liked tutoring and helping his fellow classmates. After his death, Catholic University awarded Neil his diploma with his class of 2011. His parents, Dan and Heidi Godleski, gratefully accepted it on his behalf Mr. Speaker, I applaud Suzanne's efforts to reach out and bring awareness to the problem of gun safety. We must not let her nephew become just another chilling statistic in the battle to make our communities safer--leaving another family struggling to get past the pain and loss.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the tragic passing of Neil Godleski, nephew of my friend and constituent, Suzanne Murphy of Southampton, New York. Neil was a rising senior at Catholic University. He was fatally shot on August 22, 2010, while riding his bicycle home from a restaurant where he worked as a waiter. He was 31 years old and had returned to college with plans to pursue a career in science. His assailant was a 16-year-old boy who shot him six times with a .38 caliber handgun and then robbed him. Suzanne's family has been wrenched with grief over the sudden end of this young man's life. While no vigil or memorial could ever begin to take away the pain of this loss, Suzanne has found a way to channel her grief and focus her energy. She has become an advocate for gun control. When roughly 100,000 Americans are killed or wounded each year, reasonable people can agree that we can achieve evenhanded policies that protect Americans from senseless gun violence that do not infringe on any American's right to possess a firearm. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Suzanne's efforts to reach out and bring awareness to the problem of gun safety. We must not let her nephew become just another chilling statistic in the battle to make our community safer, leaving another family struggling to get past the pain and the loss.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, it is with great appreciation for his service to the people of my district that I thank and recognize Colonel John R. Boule II, commander of the New York district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I have known Colonel Boule since he assumed command of the New York District in 2009 and have been proud to work with him on Long Island to improve navigation and protect our shores, which have a direct effect on the local economy. Covering not only Long Island, the New York district is responsible for the Corps' water resource development, navigation and regulatory activities in northeastern New Jersey, eastern and south-central New York State, and parts of Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The district is also responsible for design and construction at Army and Air Force installations in New Jersey, New York and overseas in Greenland. Colonel Boule also holds the title of Supervisor of New York Harbor. Under Colonel Boule's leadership, my district has directly benefited from maintenance dredging of Shinnecock Inlet, Lake Montauk Harbor and the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway. We have also benefited from the completion of the Orient Harbor (Route 25) emergency shoreline stabilization and the execution of the feasibility cost share agreement with the Town of Brookhaven for the Forge River ecosystem restoration study. Furthermore, we successfully completed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Interior on a tentative federally supported plan for the Fire Island to Montauk Point reformulation study. Colonel Boule is originally from Plattsburgh, New York and graduated in 1986 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering. After earning two masters of science degrees from Stanford University and his professional engineer certification, he taught hydrology in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the United States Military Academy. Colonel Boule served in a variety of operational, command and staff assignments in the U.S. and overseas. His most recent assignment was Assistant Director of Civil Works at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he performed numerous duties until attending senior service college at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) where he earned a masters of science in national resource strategy as a distinguished graduate in June, 2009. Colonel Boule's previous assignments include serving with the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division in Furth, Germany. As a captain, he volunteered for service in Operation Desert Storm with the 27th Engineer Battalion. He then served as a staff officer and company commander with the 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, deploying his unit to south Florida and Somalia in support of Operation Hurricane Andrew Relief and Operation Restore Hope. After company command, Colonel Boule performed duties as a division plans officer. As a major, he served as the battalion executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment. Upon graduating with distinction from the Naval Command and Staff College, Colonel Boule relocated to Korea, serving as a battalion executive officer for the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. Following this tour, he was assigned to the Pentagon on Army staff, serving in the G-8, with specific duties managing current force modernization and setting the force operations. In June, 2004, Colonel Boule assumed command of the 62nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas. Beginning in December, 2005, Colonel Boule led the battalion on a one-year deployment to Iraq in support of the 4th Infantry Division. Colonel Boule's decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, six awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Ranger Tab, and the Combat Action Badge. Mr. Speaker, it is evident from his long list of accomplishments and accolades that Colonel Boule has dedicated his life to serving our great nation. I am honored to have worked with him to improve our nation's coastal waterways and the lives of Long Island residents. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors and thank him again on behalf of the First Congressional District of New York.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my good friend and distinguished colleague from Illinois, Congressman Jerry Costello. It is an honor for me to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to commend and thank him for his outstanding leadership and long record of service to this nation. As this session's adjournment and his retirement approaches, I also wish to take this opportunity to thank Jerry for his friendship and guidance as my senior colleague on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, on which I have had the honor of serving with him since I was first elected in 2002. When I first met Jerry, he was already a veteran member of this body with a broad knowledge and understanding of the many important and complicated issues under our committee's jurisdiction. Jerry's guidance and counsel in those early years were invaluable to me as a new Member. I have continued to look toward Jerry in this Congress as the standard-bearer for our committee with an unrivaled insight, institutional knowledge, and vision of the many complex issues facing our nation. As the former chairman and now ranking member of the aviation subcommittee, Jerry has performed a critical service in shaping federal aviation policies to ensure our system remains unrivaled and the safest in the world. As a senior member of the Science, Space & Technology Committee, Jerry has proven there is no stronger advocate or more successful champion for our nation's space program or national STEM initiatives to better prepare students for a 21st Century economy. Indeed, Jerry has achieved tremendous success and distinguished himself with an impeccable record of accomplishments in public service and leaves an indelible mark on the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I wish Congressman Jerry Costello the best of luck in his future endeavors and bid the gentleman from Illinois a fond farewell.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, today's opening prayer was delivered by Nayyar Imam from Mt. Sinai, New York--in my district on Long Island. I am honored to welcome Nayyar to the House as a distinguished representative of Long Island's Muslim-American community. I also welcome his wife of 24 years, Rizwana, and their son, Ahmer, who attends Baruch College, City University of New York, who are joining us from the gallery. I am especially pleased that Nayyar was able to make the trip during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal. I have known him for ten years--as a trustee of his mosque in Selden, New York and as a leading authority of Islamic culture across Long Island. He also serves the Islamic Association of Long Island and the Suffolk County Commission on Human Rights. As the first Muslim-American chaplain of the Suffolk County Police Department, Nayyar has delivered the benedictions at its memorial services. He has also delivered opening prayers of the Suffolk County legislature. I commend him for his service to my district and Long Island, as well as for the spiritual leadership he provides my constituents. I thank Nayyar Imam and his family for joining us to open the chamber with today's prayer.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. In its current form, I am.

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to H.R. 6169. It will not kill the bill nor will it send it back to committee. If adopted, H.R. 6169 will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. My amendment is simple and straightforward and is a reasonable, additional parameter to a bill, the purpose of which is to set the parameters for tax reform during the 113th Congress. Mr. Speaker, my amendment simply preserves two of the most important, popular, and widely supported deductions in a future tax reform package to be considered under expedited procedures in the House: the mortgage interest tax deduction and the charitable contribution tax deduction. The mortgage interest tax deduction helps millions of American families achieve that most celebrated and sought-after part of the American Dream: homeownership. Nearly every Member of this body benefited from this deduction and nearly every homeowner in our districts has utilized this critical tax deduction to buy a home for their family and become part of the larger community. In fact, 199 Members, including 114 Republicans, are cosponsors of H. Res. 25, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the mortgage interest tax deduction should not be restricted in any way. I will submit for the Record a list of the cosponsors of H. Res. 25. As we head home for the August work period, I urge every Member who votes against this amendment, especially those Members who are cosponsors of H. Res. 25, to return to their districts and tell their constituents, many of whom still struggle to pay their bills or to put a child through college, why they oppose protecting the mortgage interest tax deduction. As Chairman Camp recently suggested, it is critical that we do nothing to undermine the housing market as our economy marches toward recovery. Because the value of the mortgage interest deduction is capitalized into the price of housing, curtailing or eliminating it would reduce the value of housing across the United States, put more homeowners underwater, and take the wind out of recovery. Simply put, this Congress should not be throwing up obstacles to the American Dream. Mr. Speaker, my amendment also seeks to preserve the charitable contribution deduction that is essential to the economic viability of thousands of organizations, both large and small, national and local, to advance important causes or provide critically needed services to our most vulnerable constituents. From the neighborhood church to the local food pantry to international organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, these organizations play a crucial role in the lives of millions of Americans as well as the international community. We've heard many times from our Republican colleagues how charitable organizations can and should relieve the Federal Government of some of its responsibilities, especially those responsibilities of assisting the most vulnerable Americans. With thousands of families slowly regaining their footing after the housing crisis, now is not the time for Congress to make it more difficult for charitable organizations to provide meals, clothing, job training, temporary shelter, and other vital aid to our struggling neighbors. Repealing the charitable tax contribution could result in a loss of as much as $150 billion, or 69 percent, of annual charitable giving. By one report, private giving must already multiply more than tenfold by 2016 just to keep up with the proposed House Republican budget cuts. If a Member votes against my amendment, I would urge that Member to go home to his or her district and visit a local food pantry or place of worship and tell their volunteers why they will need to slash their programs and reduce their outreach to the community. Our Republican colleagues have proposed deep cuts to SNAP, to childhood nutrition programs, affordable housing, and job training. Will they now vote to create another obstacle for organizations that, by their own reckoning, should fill the void of reduced Federal investment for social programs? My Republican colleagues can't have it both ways. The Republican budget claims that it will lower everyone's taxes in a revenue-neutral fashion by closing loopholes and capping or eliminating deductions. However, when pressed for details about which deductions they plan to cap or eliminate, they refuse to give specifics. Now is the time for specifics. The underlying bill establishes the parameters of the upcoming tax reform debate. Will my Republican colleagues protect homeowners and the Nation's most vulnerable, or will the richest Americans enjoy another tax cut at the expense of the middle class? There is one way to find out. A vote for my amendment is a vote for protecting the middle class. I yield back the balance of my time. Bill Summary and Status H. Res. 25 Latest Title: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the current Federal income tax deduction for interest paid on debt secured by a first or second home should not be further restricted. Sponsor: Rep Miller, Gary G. [R-CA-42] (introduced 1/6/2011) Cosponsors: 199 Committees: House Ways and Means Latest Major Action: 1/6/2011 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Cosponsors, By Party [* = original cosponsor]: Cosponsor Statistics: 199 current (includes 5 original) Rep Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1]--4/6/2011; Rep Baca, Joe [D-CA-4-3]--1/6/2011*; Rep Barrow, John [D-GA-12]--6/23/2011; Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]--1/18/2011; Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU]--4/4/2011; Rep Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3]--7/6/2011; Rep Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1]--3/31/ 2011; Rep Brown, Corrine [D-FL-3]--2/10/2011; Rep Capps, Lois [D-CA-23]--4/1/2011; Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. [D-CA-18]--2/10/ 2011; Rep Carnahan, Russ [D-MO-3]--3/3/2011; Rep Chandler, Ben [D-KY-6]--5/12/2011; Rep Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI]--5/ 2/2011; Rep Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]--2/13/2012; Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [D-MO-1]--7/18/2012; Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [D- MO-5]--5/3/2011; Rep Connolly, Gerald E. ``Gerry'' [D-VA- 11]--3/29/2011; Rep Costa, Jim [D-CA-20]--2/14/2011; Rep Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]--5/23/2011. Rep Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]--5/23/2011; Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7]--2/14/2011; Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR- 4]--2/10/2011; Rep Donnelly, Joe [D-IN-2]--5/16/2012; Rep Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-17]--5/25/2011; Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [D- CA-14]--3/31/2011; Rep Farr, Sam [D-CA-17]--2/10/2011; Rep Filner, Bob [D-CA-51]--2/10/2011; Rep Green, Al [D-TX-9]--1/ 12/2011; Rep Green, Gene [D-TX-29]--3/3/2011; Rep Hahn, Janice [D-CA-36]--2/28/2012; Rep Hanabusa, Colleen W. [D- HI-1]--4/6/2011; Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-23]--5/23/ 2011; Rep Heinrich, Martin [D-NM-1]--5/10/2011; Rep Higgins, Brian [D-NY-27]--4/4/2011; Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]--5/12/2011; Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15]--1/ 6/2011 *; Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI-2]--5/10/2011; Rep Hochul, Kathleen C. [D-NY-26]--6/20/2012; Rep Holden, Tim [D-PA-17]--6/14/2011. Rep Holt, Rush D. [D-NJ-12]--5/2/2011; Rep Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-15]--3/29/2011; Rep Inslee, Jay [D-WA-1]--5/31/2011; Rep Israel, Steve [D-NY-2]--5/23/2011; Rep Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]--2/10/2011; Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D- TX-30]--5/23/2011; Rep Johnson, Henry C. ``Hank,'' Jr. [D-GA- 4]--3/3/2011; Rep Keating, William R. [D-MA-10]--5/23/2011; Rep Kildee, Dale E. [D-MI-5]--5/12/2011; Rep Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]--1/24/2012; Rep Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]--5/10/2011; Rep Lewis, John [D-GA-5]--3/29/2011; Rep Loebsack, David [D- IA-2]--3/20/2012; Rep Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16]--5/12/2011; Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3]--2/2/2012; Rep Matheson, Jim [D-UT- 2]--5/16/2012; Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [D-NY-4]--5/3/2011; Rep McGovern, James P. [D-MA-3]--6/14/2011; Rep McIntyre, Mike [D-NC-7]--3/3/2011; Rep McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-11]--2/18/2011. Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-6]--1/6/2011 *; Rep Miller, Brad [D-NC-13]--5/23/2011; Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA- 38]--2/14/2011; Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC]--5/2/2011; Rep Owens, William L. [D-NY-23]--12/6/2011; Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr., [D-NJ-6]--3/11/2011; Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr., [D- NJ-8]--2/29/2012; Rep Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10]--5/2/2011; Rep Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7]--5/25/2011; Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3]--3/31/2011; Rep Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16]--5/23/ 2011; Rep Richardson, Laura [D-CA-37]--2/10/2011; Rep Ross, Mike [D-AR-4]--2/14/2011; Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA- 34]--5/12/2011; Rep Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1]--5/23/2011; Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-39]--3/7/2012; Rep Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-47]--1/31/2012; Rep Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA- 29]--5/10/2011; Rep Scott, David [D-GA-13]--2/10/2011; Rep Sherman, Brad [D-CA-27]--2/10/2011. Rep Sires, Albio [D-NJ-13]--3/3/2011; Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-28]--5/23/2011; Rep Tonko, Paul [D-NY-21]--3/ 11/2011; Rep Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]--5/23/2011; Rep Waters, Maxine [D-CA-35]--3/3/2011; Rep Wu, David [D-OR-1]-- 4/8/2011; Rep Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2]--5/2/2011; Rep Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]--12/5/2011; Rep Austria, Steve [R-OH-7]--2/ 14/2011; Rep Barletta, Lou [R-PA-11]--3/3/2011; Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [R-MD-6]--2/10/2011; Rep Barton, Joe [R-TX-6]--4/8/ 2011; Rep Biggert, Judy [R-IL-13]--7/8/2011; Rep Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50]--1/18/2011; Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-9]--9/13/2011; Rep Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1]--5/3/2011; Rep Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN-7]--4/4/2011; Rep Brooks, Mo [R-AL-5]--5/3/2011; Rep Brown, Paul C. [R-GA- 10]--11/14/2011; Rep Burgess, Michael C. [R-TX-26]--8/1/2011. Rep Burton, Dan [R-IN-5]--3/16/2011; Rep Calvert, Ken [R- CA-44]--1/6/2011*; Rep Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV-2]--5/23/ 2011; Rep Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]--7/8/2011; Rep Chaffetz, Jason [R-UT-3]--2/10/2011; Rep Coble, Howard [R-NC-6]--4/8/ 2011; Rep Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6]--3/29/2011; Rep Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-1]--2/18/2011; Rep Crawford, Eric A. ``Rick'' [R-AR-1]--6/14/2011; Rep Crenshaw, Ander [R-FL-4]--6/23/2011; Rep Culberson, John Abney [R-TX-7]--5/12/2011; Rep Denham, Jeff [R-CA-19]--3/31/2011; Rep Dent, Charles W. [R-PA-15]--3/ 31/2011; Rep Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]--11/2/2011; Rep Fincher, Stephen Lee [R-TN-8]--5/23/2011; Rep Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [R-PA-8]--3/16/2011; Rep Fleischmann, Charles J. ``Chuck'' [R-TN-3]--5/10/2011; Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [R-NJ-11]-- 7/6/2011; Rep Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-24]--1/12/2011; Rep Gardner, Cory [R-CO-4]--5/31/2011. Gerlach, Jim [R-PA-6]--5/23/2011; Rep Gibbs, Bob [R-OH- 18]--7/28/2011; Rep Gibson, Christopher P. [R-NY-20]--5/23/ 2011; Rep Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11]--3/3/2011; Rep Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]--6/22/2011; Rep Granger, Kay [R-TX-12]--4/6/ 2011; Rep Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]--5/10/2011; Rep Graves, Tom [R-GA-9]--9/8/2011; Rep Griffin Tim [R-AR-2]--2/14/2011; Rep Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY-13]--3/16/2011; Rep Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]--5/10/2011; Rep Hall, Ralph M. [R-TX-4]--5/23/2011; Rep Heck, Joseph J. [R-NV-3]--2/18/2011; Rep Herrera Beutler, Jaime [R-WA-3]--4/15/2011; Rep Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-2]--5/12/ 2011; Rep Hultgren, Randy [R-IL-14]--4/15/2011; Rep Hunter, Duncan D. [R-CA-52]--2/10/2011; Rep Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6]-- 5/23/2011; Rep Johnson, Timothy V. [R-IL-15]--11/14/2011; Rep King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]--4/25/2012. Rep Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-11]--5/23/2011; Rep Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7]--5/23/2011; Rep Latham, Tom [R-IA-4]--8/9/ 2011; Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [R-OH-14]--3/3/2011; Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [R-NJ-2]--2/10/2011; Rep Long, Billy [R- MO-7]--2/14/2011; Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-9]--2/10/ 2011; Rep Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16]--1/6/2011*; Rep Marino, Tom [R-PA-10]--5/12/2011; Rep McClintock, Tom [R-CA- 4]--6/21/2011; Rep McKeon, Howard P. ``Buck'' [R-CA-25]--3/7/ 2012; Rep McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]--1/12/2011; Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]--5/23/2011; Rep Meehan, Patrick [R-PA-7]--5/23/2011; Rep Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1]--1/20/ 2011; Rep Murphy, Tim [R-PA-18]--4/8/2011; Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9]--4/1/2011; Rep Noem, Kristi L. [R-SD]--3/31/ 2011; Rep Nugent, Richard [R-FL-5]--1/19/2011; Rep Nunnelee, Alan [R-MS-1]--5/23/2011. Rep Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS-4]--5/23/2011; Rep Paul, Ron [R-TX-14]--3/31/2011; Rep Pearce, Stevan [R-NM-2]--7/11/2011; Rep Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6]--5/31/2011; Rep Poe, Ted [R-TX- 2]--5/10/2011; Rep Posey, Bill [R-FL-15]--1/18/2011; Rep Rehberg, Denny [R-MT]--5/12/2011; Rep Rivera, David [R-FL- 25]--5/17/2012; Rep Roe, David P. [R-TN-1]--5/12/2011; Rep Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3J--4/6/2011; Rep Rogers, Mike J. [R-MI-8]--3/7/2012; Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]--5/ 23/2011; Rep Ross, Dennis [R-FL-12]--2/10/2011; Rep Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-40]--9/8/2011; Rep Runyan, Jon [R-NJ-3]-- 3/16/2011; Rep Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1]--5/10/2011; Rep Schilling, Robert T. [R-IL-17]--5/31/2011; Rep Schmidt, Jean [R-OH-2]--7/6/2011; Rep Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]--3/16/ 2011; Rep Scott, Tim [R-SC-1]--3/29/20110. Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James. Jr. [R-W1-5]--4/6/2011; Rep Sessions, Pete [R-TX-32]--5/23/2011; Rep Shuster, Bill [R-PA- 9]--5/2/2011; Rep Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]--3/29/2011; Rep Southerland, Steve [R-FL-2]--6/14/2011; Rep Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15]--3/3/2011; Rep Terry, Lee [R-NE-2]--2/14/ 2011; Rep Tipton, Scott [R-CO-3]--5/10/2011; Rep Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-3]--3/3/2011; Rep Upton, Fred [R-MI-6]--5/2/ 2011; Rep Walberg, Tim [R-MI-7]--6/2/2011; Rep Walden, Greg [R-OR-2]--5/2/2011; Rep Walsh, Joe [R-IL-8]--5/3/2011; Rep West, Allen B. [R-FL-22]--4/6/2011; Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [R-GA-3]--4/15/2011; Rep Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1]--5/23/2011; Rep Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]--1/25/2011; Rep Wittman, Robert J. R-VA-1]--5/31/2011; Rep Young, C.W. Bill [R-FL-10]--1/25/ 2011; Rep Young, Don [R-AK]--3/11/2011.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House chamber on Thursday, July 19 to vote on rollcalls 487 through 498. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 489, 490, 494, 495,497 and 498. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcalls 487, 488, 491, 492, 493 and 496.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Shirley E. Coverdale, First Lady of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, New York, who is being honored on July 21st for thirty years of service to her church and community. In her tireless work on behalf of others, Mrs. Coverdale has come to embody the mission of the church where her husband, Charles Coverdale, serves as pastor. As a faith community, First Baptist seeks to offer hope and service to both its members and the community at large. Mrs. Coverdale's hand and heart have been instrumental in almost every aspect of the church's work. Specifically, Mrs. Coverdale has served as Sunday school superintendent; director of an after-school mentoring program in collaboration with the Riverhead School District; developer of a computerized membership and financial management database for the church; project manager for C.A.R.E, which established a volunteer corps of senior citizens; grant writer; fundraiser; and catalyst for legislation that improves the quality of life for ordinary people. Furthermore, Mrs. Coverdale is committed to social justice, care for the elderly and infirm, education, and leadership development. She is a powerful voice for people in need, and an advocate for the less fortunate among us. In her current work as Executive Director of the Family Community Life Center in Riverhead, New York, she is spearheading the development of a Community Benefit District that includes housing for working families, a recreation complex, an early childhood development center and an adult day health program. In typical fashion, Mrs. Coverdale also finds time to do the important hands-on work of the church and is presently the caregiver and guardian for the oldest widow in the church. I am proud to know Shirley Coverdale and to represent her as a constituent in New York's First Congressional District. I know that her husband, two children, eight grandchildren and great-grandchild are also proud of her. Mr. Speaker, Shirley E. Coverdale has indeed earned the title of First Lady of her church in a multitude of ways, perhaps most importantly through being a living example of the ideals she espouses.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber on Thursday, June 21 to vote on rollcalls 392 through 411. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcalls 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 400, 403, 405, 406, 407, 408 and 409. I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcalls 392, 399, 401, 402, 410 and 411.

Mr. BISHOP of New York

Mr. BISHOP of New York. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Madam Speaker, the U.S. Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act, H.R. 3596, is a bipartisan bill. It has 128 Democratic sponsors. It has seven Republican sponsors. And the bill is very straightforward. It would do four things. It would require companies that plan to move a call center overseas to notify the Secretary of Labor no less than 120 days before the relocation occurs. If a company does move a call center overseas, that company would be ineligible for any Federal grants, contracts, or loans during the time that the call center workers are overseas. It would require the Secretary of Labor to maintain a publicly available list of all employers that relocate a call center overseas. And it would allow customers who are calling customer service communications at the beginning of the call to request that the call be transferred to a U.S.-based call center, if they so chose. There are two dimensions to this bill: one is about jobs, and the other is about the security of consumer data. They are both very important. But let me start with the more important, which is jobs. Now we talk a great deal in this Congress about how the number one priority has to be the creation of jobs. It does. And we have to move beyond the lip service that I think the Republican majority has given to the creation of jobs and actually put policies in place that will create jobs. But we also have to protect the jobs that we have. And one of the scourges of our economy right now is the outsourcing of jobs. Just in call centers alone, in the last 5 years, we have lost over 500,000 call center jobs. These are good, solid middle class jobs. To add insult to injury, the companies that are offshoring the jobs have taken millions of dollars of incentives from local taxpayers to open call centers in the U.S., only to offshore those jobs a short time later and leave local communities devastated and still paying the bill. And the U.S. consumers are getting it. U.S. consumers have become more and more skeptical of the toll that outsourcing plays on the American economy. A paper by the Council on Foreign Relations noted that over two-thirds of Americans think companies sending jobs overseas is a major reason why the economy is ailing. In a paper done by a Harvard economist, more recent polling data suggests that these feelings have increased, where now over half of all Americans are ``resentful of businesses that send jobs overseas,'' and over 80 percent have ``concern for their family future'' due to outsourcing. So this job creation and job protection dimension of the bill that I have filed--as I say, with bipartisan support--would address these issues at least in one piece of our economy, and that is call centers. Let me move to the issue of the protection and security of consumer data. Outsourcing call center work exposes the confidential and vulnerable personal information of American consumers to foreign workers. Foreign call centers are not subject to the same rigorous oversight as American call centers. As American companies look to less developed countries for offshoring their jobs, call center companies are actually subsourcing call center work without their American customers' knowledge. It's expensive and difficult to conduct proper background checks on foreign call center workers, and up to one-quarter of all foreign call center applicants provide false or incorrect information. Foreign call center workers have been caught offering to sell personal consumer data to undercover journalists, threatening to release Americans' medical records and employment disputes, misleading American bank customers in schemes to bolster sales, and attempting to sell trade secrets to their employers' competitors. A March 18, 2012, article published in The Times of London cited that undercover journalists were offered data such as credit card numbers, medical records, and loan data for hundreds of clients for just pennies. So clearly, from both dimensions here--from a job protection dimension and from a consumer data security dimension--this bill addresses both of these issues; and we simply must put in place these kinds of protections. States have already done this. State legislatures in Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey have all passed bills that are very similar to the bill that we have before us. This is a commonsense proposal that enjoys bipartisan support. Let's vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we may consider this job-saving bill.