Lou Barletta

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1174, as amended.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues for their work on bringing this bill to the floor today. H.R. 1174 is a straightforward bill that would make nursing rooms available to new mothers in public buildings. The bill would apply to buildings already open to the public and which already have nursing rooms for employees. The requirements would not apply if existing space cannot feasibly be repurposed. This is a good bill that will make the lives of nursing mothers easier and will improve the accessibility of public buildings. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock).

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford).

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 58, as amended.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 58) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a study on the circumstances which may impact the effectiveness and availability of first responders before, during, or after a terrorist threat or event, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I welcome the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson) to the committee. I look forward to working together to do good work for the American people. Mr. Speaker, firefighters, police, EMS, and other first responders are critical to our Nation's emergency management system. First responders leave their own families, even during disasters, to protect you and me. As recently as this past August, we saw devastating flooding in Baton Rouge and southeast Louisiana. The flooding touched every home, including the homes of firefighters, police, hospital workers, and other first responders. First responders focused on rescuing flood victims, while they knew their own homes were flooded and their own families were homeless. This legislation would require a report on the State and local programs and policies in place to prepare and protect first responders and their families in times of disaster. Taking care of first responders and their families gives our firefighters, police, and other critical emergency personnel the peace of mind to focus on the task at hand, rather than worrying whether their family is safe and taken care of. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 58, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. King of New York for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, the Fusion Center Enhancement Act of 2017. I thank Mr. King of New York and Chairman McCaul for working with me to introduce this legislation. The purpose of my bill is to clarify and enhance the partnership between the Department of Homeland Security and the National Network of Fusion Centers. The bill amends the existing statute to update the Department's responsibilities for sharing information with State and local law enforcement and other emergency personnel within the National Network of Fusion Centers. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, State and local governments created fusion centers as a way to communicate Federal homeland security information to State and local law enforcement officials, as well as fuse State and locally collected information with Federal intelligence. Congress supported this partnership by mandating that the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within the Department of Homeland Security coordinate and share information with fusion centers. There are now 78 State and locally owned fusion centers across the country. I would especially like to recognize the work of the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center, PaCIC, which is run by the Pennsylvania State Police. In 2015, our fusion center received the Fusion Center of the Year Award from the National Fusion Center Association. I want to congratulate the men and women working at PaCIC for their commitment to security and public safety. They share vital information with police departments that keep officers and our citizens safe. PaCIC provides intelligence and information products to over 1,200 local, State, and Federal criminal justice agencies, while also working with over 6,000 private and public center partners to also share information to help protect critical infrastructure and key resources. Our center has been nationally recognized for their training and compliance with issues of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. They produce documents that highlight threats and scams that target Pennsylvanians, and help make sure that local police departments have information on public events, ranging from the Little League World Series to the visit of Pope Francis. A significant amount of progress has been made by States and fusion centers within the national network to improve information sharing and analytic support. Many centers, including PaCIC, provide all crime, all hazard support. They also maintain a focus on our homeland security missions, including protecting critical information and sharing suspicious activity reporting. H.R. 642 recognizes the progress and focuses on enhancing the Department of Homeland Security's responsibility to support, share information, and coordinate with fusion centers. This includes improving coordination with other Federal departments that provide better operational intelligence, reduce inefficiencies, and coordinate nationwide suspicious activity reporting. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and a former mayor, I have heard concerns raised by law enforcement in my district and elsewhere about the lack of information and coordination from several DHS component agencies, including ICE and CBP. To address this issue, I included language in this bill to direct the Department to ensure that each component is providing information and personnel to work with fusion centers. To address the need for better accountability, language is included throughout the bill requiring DHS to coordinate with fusion centers and State Homeland Security Advisers in carrying out the assigned responsibilities. Additionally, there is a requirement for the Department to submit a report to Congress on their efforts, including the components to support fusion centers, and specifically report on how they are meeting the requirements that are set forth in this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill so that we can add important requirements and accountability in how the Department of Homeland Security interacts and shares information with key State and local stakeholders.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. George Hayden as he celebrated his 80th birthday on December 11, 2016. George's commitment to his family, employees, and neighbors has been nothing short of inspiring, and his lasting impact in my hometown of Hazleton will be felt for generations to come. Countless Hazleton residents call George Hayden a personal friend, and I am certainly among them. People at home know that I am a big fan of the New York Yankees, and that George is a fan of their arch-rival Boston Red Sox. Despite this, George and I remain friends to this day, and enjoy claiming bragging rights based on which team won the last game they played against each other. George graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in electrical technology in 1960 and later put that expertise to use as an electrician with the Coast Guard and Navy Reserves. Later, while working as a plant engineer, George and his wife, Florence, began to realize a lifelong dream of owning their own business. While Florence managed the finances, George assembled a small crew of electricians and started Hayden Electric, which eventually grew to include a team of sixty professionals that work both across the country and internationally. When his family was young, George developed a habit of taking them to Wendy's restaurants, which they enjoyed tremendously. So in 1987, he opened a new Wendy's near Laurel Mall in Hazleton, later expanding to three additional Wendy's in downtown Hazleton, Drums, and Mt. Pocono. After seeing the positive impact on his business and the community, George and Florence started Citiscape, Inc. in 2004 with the goal of revitalizing downtown Hazleton by buying and restoring office and retail spaces for new and expanding businesses. George is most known for his unwavering commitment to his family and the community at large. He has been active throughout the years with the American Cancer Society, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, the Hazleton Rotary Club, and the Holy Trinity Church. George has also served on the boards of Security Savings, First Federal Bank, and Penn State Hazleton, among many others. To support their strong belief in the value of education, he and his wife established The Pennsylvania State University Florence L. and George J. Hayden Scholarship Fund, so that the next generation of aspiring students can achieve their dreams of receiving a college degree. Mr. Speaker, with so many successful undertakings throughout his life, it is my honor to recognize Mr. George Hayden as he celebrates his 80th birthday with his wife, Florence, five children, George, Marybeth, Theresa, James, and Alicia, and his 17 grandchildren. On behalf of my constituents, I wish him and his family all the best as they continue to hold such a special place in our Northeastern Pennsylvania community.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 2971, as amended.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking Chairman Shuster for his tremendous support and leadership on this issue. For over 8 years, the bipartisan leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has been the driving force behind trying to get these reforms through Congress, and, today, we are closer than ever. I also want to thank Ranking Member DeFazio and Ranking Member Carson for their bipartisan support. The House unanimously passed a nearly identical measure earlier this year as part of the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act, H.R. 1471. Today, when members of the search and rescue teams are federalized and sent across State lines, they don't know who, if anyone, will pay for their injuries, disabilities, or death. So S. 2971 addresses that issue and clarifies that longstanding concern which has hindered the deployment of critical search and rescue teams between States. Currently, there are 28 USAR teams across the Nation. Members of these teams are cross-trained in areas such as search, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, and logistics. The teams include firefighters, physicians, structural engineers, and first responders, and they are trained and equipped with help from FEMA. While the members of these teams are not Federal, they do not hesitate to respond to disasters in other States. These teams have been deployed over the years to numerous disasters, including the Pentagon and World Trade Center on 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and, most recently, Hurricane Matthew. The challenge has been that when these team members are federalized, they do not have clarity on who would be responsible if they were injured or even killed while performing their jobs. It is amazing that we ask these men and women to go into collapsed structures to search for trapped survivors, risking life and limb, without providing them with clarity when it comes to liability and injuries. The stories of the selfless heroism of these men and women are numerous and humbling. Their work is tireless, physically and emotionally demanding, and nerve-racking. In Hurricane Matthew, one team helped make more than 100 rescues in North Carolina alone, including the rescue of a 98-year-old hospice patient, when they had to go into areas where the water was 5 to 7 feet above street level, and they could only see the tops of the street signs. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, a single task force rescued more than 850 individuals in 17 hours from a flooded area overwhelmed by a tidal surge. And there are hundreds more such as these accounts. These heroes play an essential role in the Federal response to national disasters and catastrophes. In addition, the National USAR system benefits our State, local, and regional emergency managers and first responders through training, equipment, and preparedness. The local government and other entities that sponsor the members of the teams should not have to worry about being left vulnerable or exposed by allowing their employees to participate in such a critical national asset. After 8 years, it is time to give men and women who put their lives at risk the liability protections they and their families need and deserve. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I again urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 2971. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2971) to authorize the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System, as amended.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor Mr. John Nesgoda for receiving the American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 1 of Pennsylvania's Veteran of the Year Award. AMVETS' mission is to enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American veterans that have served honorably. Through leadership, advocacy, and engagement, AMVETS work to improve the quality of life for our veterans, their families, and their communities, and John's years of dedication to these principles have earned him this important award. During the height of the Vietnam War, John answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force. From 1963 to 1967, John served overseas providing communications support to troops on the front lines. His service to others did not stop after leaving active duty. As 3rd Vice Commander, and a lifetime member of AMVETS Post 1, John leads by example and works every day to ensure that all Pennsylvania veterans are taken care of. He is a lifetime member in the McAdoo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and a member of the Quakake American Legion. John has also spearheaded fundraising efforts that support veterans' programs like PTSD Working Dogs for PA Veterans, Hazleton Cold Weather Shelters for local veterans, coordinated numerous military funerals, and assists with cemetery maintenance. Mr. Speaker, I wish to congratulate Mr. John Nesgoda for receiving the American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 1 of Pennsylvania's Veteran of the Year Award. His years of service, during both active duty and as a veteran, have exemplified his commitment to his country and the military veterans in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On behalf of my constituents, I thank John for his dedication and wish him and his wife Carol all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Shippensburg University field hockey team as the 2016 NCAA Division II National Champions. Shippensburg, which is a university in my district, has always been about serving the educational, social and cultural needs of their students, both in the classroom and beyond. The Red Raiders defeated Long Island University Post by a score of 2 to 1 on Sunday, November 20, 2016, capping a 20 win season that was dedicated to former student-athlete and coach, Amanda Strous. All season long, a number 22 jersey hung in the Robb Sports Complex in honor of Amanda Strous, a former student-athlete and coach at Shippensburg who tragically passed away before the start of the 2016 season. The mantra ``Live, Laugh, Love'' and hashtag ``FlyHigh22'' served as inspiration for the team as they sought to ``Leave a Legacy'' in honor of Amanda. Shippensburg's emotional season concluded on a cold, fall day at the W.B. Mason Stadium at Stonehill College in Easton, MA. Winning three consecutive games as the lower seed, the No. 3 seeded Red Raiders were lifted to victory by goals from junior forward Emily Barnard and senior forward Katelyn Grazan. Finishing the year as the national leader in goals against average (0.46), save percentage (.899) and shutouts (14), Shippensburg is only the second team in tournament history to emerge from their region as a No. 3 seed and win a national championship. Mr. Speaker, it is with admiration and respect that I congratulate the Shippensburg University field hockey team for winning the 2016 NCAA Division II National Championship. Such an emotional season could not have a better ending, and I am confident that they will continue to achieve great things both on the field and in the classroom. On behalf of my constituents, I wish the Red Raiders all the best as they enjoy this accomplishment and look forward to next season.

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Kenn Tuckey as the Central Penn Business Journal's 2016 Hall of Fame Inductee. Each year, the Central Penn Business Journal honors top companies and individual leaders for their outstanding contributions to Central Pennsylvania's business community. Kenn's businesses have been in my district for almost five decades, and his commitment to customer service and community engagement have been essential to his continued success. The Tuckey Companies include Tuckey Metal Fabricators, Tuckey Mechanical Services, and Tuckey Restoration. Established in 1968 as Frank Black Mechanical Services and with a focus on residential services, Kenn's father, Denver, purchased the company in 1981 and renamed it Tuckey Mechanical Services. Kenn founded Tuckey Metal Fabricators in 1978, and after purchasing the mechanical services business from his father in 1984, he was approached by local community leaders who identified a need for an emergency repair company that would specialize in fire and water damaged property. With the creation of Tuckey Restoration in 1992, Kenn used his years of experience to meet this need, and eventually brought all three companies under one umbrella. He has grown the companies into leaders in the industrial and commercial sectors, and has been recognized with the prestigious Chrysalis Award for Remodeling Excellence and an ``Impeccable Workmanship'' citation from the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Although three generations of Tuckeys still work within the organization, Kenn has always understood the value in engaging the community at large. Giving back to the community has always been a top priority for Kenn. He and his employees have volunteered for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Carlisle YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and Hospice of Central PA. Kenn's reputation in Carlisle is nothing short of exceptional, and this has allowed him to engage in various other ventures that benefit the region. The Tuckeys have made a commitment to spurring growth in Central Pennsylvania by purchasing old, rundown buildings, such as St. Paul Lutheran Church in Newville, and renovating them into state of the art housing communities. Hard work and quality service do not go unnoticed, and Kenn's impact on the region has afforded him a reputation that will inspire business leaders across the Commonwealth for generations. Mr. Speaker, with decades of success in my district and a commitment to giving back to the broader community, it's my honor to recognize Kenn Tuckey as the Central Penn Business Journal's 2016 Hall of Fame Inductee. Kenn's work, through the Tuckey Companies, has created countless jobs for my constituents and spurred economic growth in the region. On behalf of my constituents, I congratulate Kenn for this induction and wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors

Mr. BARLETTA

Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. With the mission of promoting self-sufficiency among low- income and vulnerable populations by confronting the causes and reducing the effects of poverty, CEO has consistently advanced the wellbeing of my constituents and our community in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Commission on Economic Opportunity was established in 1966 as a multi-service, nonprofit organization. With its central office in Wilkes-Barre, CEO has expanded to include offices throughout my district in Hazleton, Tunkhannock, and Kingston. CEO operates more than 20 community development programs, and, with over 150 full and part- time employees, their work serves over 32,000 individuals in Northeastern Pennsylvania each year. CEO's ability to adapt to the changing nature of poverty has been a key part of their success, and this allows them to use flexible and local solutions to promote self- sufficiency in our region. When I was mayor, I worked with Gene Brady and CEO to develop the Pine Street neighborhood in Hazleton. This area was in need of renovation, and after a four block section of land was donated, Gene and I brought the community together to build single-family homes. Staying true to their mission, CEO helped these families take control of their mortgages and become self-sufficient homeowners. Over ten years later, the Pine Street neighborhood is still thriving thanks to the work of Gene and all of the employees and volunteers at CEO, and this truly exemplifies their ability to increase the standard of living for all. As a father of four and grandfather of four, I recognize the importance of providing our children with every opportunity to succeed. That's why I am grateful that an organization like CEO has taken a leading role in creating child and family-centered services in my district to ensure that the challenges of poverty do not limit anyone's potential. The Commission on Economic Opportunity also understands the need for strategic partnerships to address the root causes of poverty. Their efforts to provide funding and leadership for groups such as Luzerne County Head Start, the Child Development Council of NEPA, Rural Health Corporation of NEPA, and Maternal and Family Services of NEPA, have allowed them to reach the community at large, while efficiently using their resources to establish more low-income organizations in the region. The Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Center for Healthy Living exemplifies their strategic partnerships, as they utilize their own Weinberg Food Bank to store and distribute food to a network of regional agencies, with the intent of helping people go ``from hungry to healthy.'' Mr. Speaker, with 50 years of successful service in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Commission on Economic Opportunity has consistently set an example of what can be achieved when a private organization engages with their community. On behalf of my constituents, I want to thank the board of directors, staff, and volunteers that have worked tirelessly to make their goal of ``People Helping People'' possible, and I look forward to their continued success in Northeastern Pennsylvania.