Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, further parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. CROWLEY. Will the Chair rule as to whether or not the House could consider this motion immediately?

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am asking on the underlying resolution before you, is it a privileged resolution?

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and in memory of a wonderful former Chairwoman from Western New York, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter who blazed new trails and touched many lives. I would like this poem penned in her honor by Albert Carey Caswell be included in the Record. Her Golden Years (By Albert Carey Caswell) Her Golden Years As all through here, 'oh how she persevered As a public servant, serving her Nation and District here Walking the Halls of Congress in her Golden Years While, most people would have been content To rest and relax and enjoy their remaining days upon this earth as spent But, that was not her intent While, into her Golden Years she spent working ever harder here As she was just reaching her stride so clear As to new heights she'd climb without fear As The First Chairwoman of The Rules Committee, becoming a pioneer Geez Louise as it all seems clear How you gave your heart and soul my dear For Woman's Rights and all that you held dear As you came into Congress in 1986 with John Lewis that great Civil Rights pioneer And for America as Frank would say, ``it was a very good year'' Like Henry, Abraham, and Muhammad Ali, you were born of that Kentucky clay And as them too, to greatness you made your way While, onto that Empire State you'd stay Falling in love with a great man named Bob, and three beautiful daughters, Robin, Amy, Megan together you made And one day in the Halls of Congress, everyone knew you were a Who's Who Because, of the way you carried yourself for all to view A kind warm woman of character and class, who stood by her principles steadfast And when fighting for your legislation you could be as tough as could be, maybe because you came from that Hatfield's and McCoy's battle between families As you left behind a lot of gold in your legacy In her Golden Years for all to see Your lessons about life and what we can be That you're never too old to make a difference, and give back to all of humanity Or to embark upon a journey to make history There are Rules to learn about her life, work long and hard and giving back and you will burn bright Rise up to heaven my child, where your husband Robert awaits with open arms for you and smiles And now we lay your fine body down to rest the while Her Golden years.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, John DeSimone, for his exemplary Military service during the Korean war, and his steadfast commitment to his family and his community. Born in New York City on June 3, 1931, John DeSimone lived in lower Manhattan until he moved to Astoria in 1969 with his wife, Mary Ellen Sapanaro DeSimone. They were married for 45 years until her passing in 2015. They share a daughter, Maria, who lives with her husband in a separate apartment of the same home. On November 15, 1951, John DeSimone was drafted and entered the U.S. Army. He completed Army Basic Training at Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, now known as Fort Dix, and served in the Transportation Corps of the U.S. Army in the 13th Field Artillery Regiment, Ordnance Transportation Company. Private First Class DeSimone served with honor and conducted assigned tasks above the call of duty in combat conditions. PFC DeSimone was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Merit Unit Commendation. He was awarded three Bronze Stars with his Korean Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service in support during the most hostile period of the Korean war. PFC DeSimone's outstanding performance, expertise, and unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment in a hostile environment were vital to successful combat operations. His contributions and dedication to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on November 4, 1953 after serving 1 year, 11 months, and 20 days. Prior to his service, John DeSimone had worked as a runner for the New York Stock Exchange and later returned to the NYSE following his honorable discharge. He worked as a runner for the NYSE for forty more years. After retiring, Mr. DeSimone continued to serve others as a school crossing guard for fifteen years and an Elder in Steinway Reformed Church, where he was involved with the Ministry as a devout Protestant. When he later developed Alzheimer's, Mr. DeSimone began attending day programs at Sunnyside Community Service and NYU Horticultural program, where he was actively involved. Mr. Speaker, John DeSimone's service to his family, his community, and his country is an inspiration to all of us. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring my constituent, John DeSimone, and thank him for his service.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House. The form of the resolution is as follows: Whereas, Father Patrick Conroy has served honorably as House Chaplain since May 25 of 2011 when he was then appointed by Speaker John Boehner in consultation with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi; Whereas, Father Conroy had been re-appointed and approved by the House of Representatives on three separate occasions, most recently January 3 of 2017; Whereas, on April 16, 2018, the Nation's first Jesuit, and only the second Catholic, Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives submitted his resignation before the full House; Whereas, this resignation was forced by Paul D. Ryan, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Members of the House Republican Conference; Whereas, the Speaker's team said ``. . . the decision to remove the Chaplain was his, Speaker Ryan's;'' Whereas, the lack of notification of his forced resignation or adequate explanation provided by Speaker Paul D. Ryan is not reflective of the integrity of the House of Representatives; Whereas, on November 6, 2017, during debate on the GOP tax scam, the Chaplain led an opening prayer asking God to bless Congress and for Congress to guarantee that there are not winners and losers under the new tax laws, but benefits balanced and shared by all Americans; Whereas, this prayer reflects the core values of many Americans, in particular people of the Catholic faith, including care and concern for the poor and the marginalized; Whereas, on April 9, 2018, Pope Francis published his third apostolic exhortation entitled ``Gaudete et Exsultate'' or rejoice and be heard which states that Christians must care for the poor, the sick, and the immigrant; Whereas, under the GOP tax bill, more than 80 percent of its benefits flow to the richest 1 percent and the corporate special interests, ignoring the needs for struggling men and women and children; Whereas, this prayer has been reported to be the chief reason for Father Conroy's forced resignation by the Republican Congress; Whereas, the dismissal of Father Conroy following this prayer shows Republicans' true refusal to embody the values of faith and charity in their legislative work; Whereas, Father Conroy's forced resignation is concerning to a number of Members of both sides of the aisle; Whereas, the House of Representatives would benefit from being guided by a Chaplain with a commitment to caring about those most in need; Whereas, the rights of Members of the House of Representatives were undermined when the leader of one party made a unilateral decision to dismiss the Chaplain; Whereas, this forced resignation has compromised the dignity of the House of Representatives by politicizing the Office of the House Chaplain; Whereas, the circumstances behind his resignation compromised the integrity and dignity of the House of Representatives: Resolved, that there is hereby established a select committee to investigate the actions and motivations behind the resignation of the House Chaplain. The select committee shall be comprised of six Members, of which three shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Ethics and three by the ranking member of the Committee on Ethics; The select committee shall investigate the motivations and actions of the Speaker behind the resignation of the Chaplain.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I offer the resolution just noticed.

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

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from New York (Mr. Nadler) for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte, Ranking Member Nadler, Congressman Doug Collins, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and all of my friends on the Judiciary Committee for working in such a bipartisan fashion to get this important bill to the floor. We all remember the iconic tune from the 1970s, ``I Write the Songs.'' First performed by Captain and Tennille and made popular by David Cassidy and, of course, Barry Manilow, the song encapsulates the universality of music. While we rightly celebrate the artists and singers behind these hits and these great songs, there often are a number of individuals who work just as hard to make that song a hit. Because to make a great song, you need not just the writers and the singers, but also engineers, technicians, and producers, people like my friend Mike Clink, as well as Darrell Brown. They may not be as famous as Guns N' Roses or LeAnn Rimes, the folks they helped produce, but they are equally important when it comes to the process of making that music. But they are not often given the credit or compensation they so rightly deserve. With this bill, that will finally change. We are making important updates to music copyright law to make sure that everyone with a role in making hits that get stuck in our heads gets paid for their fair share. I am especially glad that my bill, the Allocation for Music Producers, or AMP Act, is included in this package. I thank my colleague across the aisle, Tom Rooney, for working with me to help the many people who work so hard to make perfect the iconic recordings we hear every day. This bill will, for the first time, make mention of engineers and producers in copyright law and provide a system for them to be directly paid for the hard work that they do. As a musician and songwriter myself, I am so glad to see bipartisan agreement around these important issues. I am proud to see all of the various folks in the recording industry coalesce around these critical fixes, and I am proud to vote today in support of fair compensation for creators in the music industry.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from the Bronx, New York (Mr. Engel). He has been a true friend for many, many, many years. I thank him for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support today of S. 447, the Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today Act. This important measure has already unanimously passed the Senate. Senator Tammy Baldwin had worked hard on this issue, on a bipartisan basis, and I am proud to have introduced the House version, as has been mentioned, along with my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). I appreciate the efforts of the chairman and the ranking member here in bringing the bill to the floor. I was first approached about the lack of justice still facing Holocaust survivors by a gentleman from Queens, New York, Jehuda Evron. I am sorry that he cannot be here today to watch this debate, as he has spent a lifetime helping those who endured and escaped horrific atrocities during the Holocaust. Jehuda has been an incredible campaigner for Holocaust survivors, along with his wife, Leah, who lived in the ghetto under a false identity and joined others in hiding with resistance fighters. It was Jehuda and the World Jewish Restitution Organization who shared with me an ongoing indignity Holocaust survivors still face to this very day: the inability to reclaim property unlawfully seized during the Holocaust. This is property that, if restored, could have a significant impact for the far too many Holocaust survivors living in poverty today. It may shock some to hear that, here in the United States, one-third of the Holocaust survivors live at or under the poverty line. That is despicable. Some survivors are so poor, they sometimes have to choose between food and medicine. Their stories put in stark relief the lifelong impact the Holocaust had on an entire generation of families and survivors. That is why it is so important that in 2009, the United States, Israel, and 45 other countries signed the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues. In that important measure, countries pledged to take steps to return assets looted by the Nazi government and others. Nine years later, there is still work to be done. The JUST Act urges countries to keep their commitments to restitute wrongly taken Holocaust Era Assets, and it will continue to shine a light on the ongoing struggle of survivors to reclaim the property that is rightfully theirs. If you walk out the front door of this building and head down the street, you will find yourself at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is a powerful institution and one that reminds us of not only the heroic role played by the United States in World War II, but the tremendous suffering faced by the Jewish people and all victims of the Holocaust. For me, it is also a reminder that if we can take steps to right more of the wrongs committed during the Holocaust, we should take the opportunity to do so. I believe that this bill is an opportunity to do that. Mr. Speaker, I have the utmost respect for the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen). She knows my affection for her. We have been friends for over 20 years. I respect her opposition to this because I know that she does want justice for the victims. That is her goal. But I just want to say, for the record, that this bill is supported by the World Jewish Restitution Organization, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Federations of North America, B'nai B'rith International, HIAS Refugee Assistance Organization, the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and the Orthodox Union. I think, Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize those organizations that are in full support of this legislation, with all due respect to a woman I have tremendous respect for.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April 17, 2018 as World Hemophilia Day. This is a day when the international community comes together to raise awareness about hemophilia and other bleeding disorders It is a day when we also reaffirm our commitment to the individuals across the globe who are living with this dangerous chronic disease. Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder that prevents blood from clotting normally, leading to uncontrolled bleeding in different parts of the body. Left untreated, the deep internal bleeding associated with hemophilia can lead to permanent damage of organs and tissues as well as potentially fatal outcomes. Additionally, people with hemophilia are at increased risk of developing heart disease, HIV infection, and kidney bleeding as time passes. Hemophilia is considered a rare disease, but it impacts 20,000 people in the United States and more than 400,000 people worldwide. There is no cure for hemophilia, and three-fourths of patients have inadequate access to treatment. When treatment is accessible, it is expensive, leading to costs as high as $250,000 per year. As the founder of the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus, I know that much progress has been made in improving access to research funding for rare diseases like hemophilia. However, there is more that must be done to help those struggling with hemophilia obtain needed therapies. With today's recognition of World Hemophilia Day, it is my hope that we renew our commitment toward achieving accessible, affordable treatment for the hundreds of thousands of hemophilia patients across the world.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5446, and I thank Mr. Ferguson for working with our office to bring this bill to committee and here to the floor as well. And I thank the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins) for managing the time on this bill. This may be one of the last things she gets to do here on the House floor, and I just want to thank her for her friendship throughout the years, as well, and working in a bipartisan way with us on occasion. Mr. Speaker, as my colleague mentioned, this is a targeted bill to address the overzealous enforcement of existing law. These changes are needed because, as Mr. Ferguson will point out as well, we have found ourselves in an environment where small-business owners have seen their property and products taken and sold within 24 hours. Take, for example, as was mentioned by Ms. Jenkins, the 2015 IRS raid of Mii's Bridal and Tuxedo shop in Garland, Texas. Claiming the owners owed back taxes, the IRS agents seized $17,000 in cash and $650,000 in wedding dresses and equipment, like sewing machines. The agents then immediately auctioned off those items, even though their tax dispute was not settled and has not been contested. The agency argued the expedited procedures were needed because they said the dresses, as was mentioned, were perishable goods. These were not oranges or grapefruits, they were not apples or eggs, they were dresses. By invoking the word ``perishable,'' the IRS didn't have to post advance public notice of the auction or wait at least 10 days for sunlight to come in before selling the goods, as is normally required. To say this is wrong is an understatement. Clothing, as we all know, is not really perishable. It will decay over time and when it is worn, but left to its own, it doesn't decay. It is not perishable. And destroying an immigrant-owned business--an immigrant-owned business--within hours, that took decades to build, should never have happened in the first place. How the IRS used civil asset forfeiture in this case goes against a bedrock principle of our country, of the United States--the principle of due process. In this case, the IRS acted without proper notice and outside the intent of the law. They seized property and sold it without knowing its true cost or its value. Civil asset forfeiture is a tool that the IRS and other law enforcement agencies use to go after ill-gotten funds from human traffickers, terrorists, and other serious criminal activity. Sometimes it is a necessary mechanism. I think we all recognize that. But only when used correctly and fairly. Seizing the goods of a small immigrant-owned business and selling them immediately at auction under the false premise that they were perishable goods is a clear example of how the law should not be used. Passage of this measure will ensure that abuses like this never happen again. I urge swift passage of this bill to help us take at least some steps to address the abusive flaws in the civil asset forfeiture procedure and give at least this one company some modicum of justice. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, once again, let me thank Mr. Ferguson, as well as Ms. Jenkins, for bringing this bill to the floor. I don't want anyone who may be watching this on C-SPAN and may be just waking up, turning on the television, and looking at the incredible bipartisanship that is happening here today to think they died and have gone to bipartisan heaven. Although much of the work that we are doing today is bipartisan in nature, it really is drastically different than the way in which the Committee on Ways and Means has conducted business in the most recent past in connection with the passage of the Republican tax bill. Democrats have called that a tax scam bill. It had absolutely no input from the Democratic side of the aisle, certainly here in the House of Representatives, in the committee, or here on the floor. Not reflective of any of the Democratic principles or values in that bill and its passage. And as much as we are working in a very bipartisan way, this is not a reflection of my good friend Ms. Jenkins, but more a reflection, I think, of the leadership of the Republican Conference in ramming a bill through the committee without proper hearings. Not having a single Democratic amendment in that process spoke very ill of the process itself. Nobody cares about how sausage gets made. We know that. Nobody cares how legislation gets made. Nobod cares about how sausage gets made until they taste it and it doesn't taste good. And I think that is what is happening right now with the American people. This tax bill is falling flat on its face. This tax scam bill is falling flat on its face because it is not helping the people it was purported to be helping in the first place. The greatest bait-and- switch probably in the history of our country went on in terms of what the President talked about, the people he was going to help, the middle class and hardworking people, and instead it all basically went to the wealthiest 1 percent and the wealthiest multinational corporations in the history of mankind. They got permanent tax relief, and the middle class and working men and women in this country got bupkis. All right? And the reality is they know what happened here. They know that 83 percent of that bill went to the wealthiest 1 percent and 17 percent to working men and women and working poor people. That is just obscene. That is not reflective of who we are as a nation or as a country or as a people, yet that is what happened, and in no small part because it was done in such a partisan way. The bill had not a single hearing within the committee and was brought to the floor all to meet a deadline of passing it before the Christmas and Hanukkah break. That was the only goal, so that my Republican colleagues could say they had achieved something, even if it was ill conceived and passed with rushed judgment. And now we know about all the problems with the bill and all the fixes that have to take place; things that maybe could have been worked out had there been a more open process and more deliberative process and the inclusion of Democrats in that process. Just maybe. So I don't want anyone, again, to be watching C-SPAN or maybe turning on the news tonight and learning about all the bipartisanship that is happening here on the House floor--and it is good; these are good bills that we are working on together--and say: Did I die and something happened? Has the world been righted? Am I missing something? I want them to know: No. You are not missing anything. That tax scam bill did pass, and it did go toward helping the wealthiest 1 percent and the richest multinational corporations in the history of the world, and the little guy is not getting very much at all. That is still the case. That hasn't changed. And it is sad, but it is true. I, once again, want to thank the gentlewoman for her efforts in bringing this bipartisan bill to the floor. But let it be known that this is more of an aberration and not the norm in terms of how the committee has been conducting business, nor has the House of Representatives been conducting business in the most recent past. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to remember my colleague from New York, the former dean of our delegation and the first woman to chair the House Rules Committee, Louise McIntosh Slaughter. Louise was a wonderful soul whose love of public service, the institution of Congress, and her home of western New York each and every day. Louise grew up in a coal mining community in Kentucky as one of 5 children. Inspired by the loss of her sister to pneumonia as a child, Louise chose to study microbiology and pursue a master's degree in public health. Her passion for health care inspired her work throughout her career as she championed numerous bills and efforts to help the American people gain real access to care. After obtaining her degrees, Louise met her husband, Robert, and the couple moved to New York. While living near Rochester, Louise became involved in local community groups and eventually sought to get involved in electoral politics. Her long career in public service took Louise from the county legislature to Gov. Mario Cuomo's staff, the New York State Assembly, and eventually the Congress. I had the honor of serving alongside Louise in the Assembly before eventually joining her in Congress. She had a perfect blend of southern charm and New York hustle, and was a steadfast champion for the people of western New York and Americans across the country. I will miss her relentless passion, her wit, and above all, her friendship. I know Monroe County and the city of Rochester will miss their longtime champion.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I have been hearing a lot from my friends on the other side of the aisle about soul-searching. Now that they have passed a $2 trillion-plus tax plan, my Republican colleagues say they are doing some soul-searching, particularly some of my friends on the Ways and Means Committee. When you are searching your soul, you may think you have done a moral wrong. So today, they are making an attempt at repentance. They have spent hours rallying against the dangers of our country's debt, casting a pretty dim picture, if truth be told. But what they forget to say, or perhaps are choosing not to remember, is their out-of-control spending that got us to where we are now in the first place. It was just, I will remind my colleagues, 112 days ago that they passed a $2 trillion tax scam, the tax scam that we know is bankrupting America and our middle class. I say ``bankrupting'' because, now, 3 months later, their real target is coming into focus. If Republicans really cared about our Nation's debt and our deficits, they wouldn't have spent $2 trillion on a massive giveaway to corporations and the wealthiest 1 percent. No, the Republican tax scam was just the opening salvo to undo the critical programs Americans have worked hard to earn: Social Security and Medicare. That is what today's vote is actually all about. They want to enshrine in our Constitution their long-sought goal to gut the benefits working people have earned, under the guise of balancing our budget. Mr. Speaker, the American people have seen this ruse before. They didn't fall for it then, and they won't fall for it now. If this so-called balanced budget amendment passed, Social Security and Medicare would be restricted from paying out benefits to those who have earned them--not because they wouldn't have the money to do so, but simply because it would be unconstitutional if this were to become law. But I will tell you this: We won't stand for the misdirection. This isn't about soul-searching. This isn't about deficits. This is about cutting Social Security. This is about cutting Medicaid. This is about cutting Medicare. This is about balancing our books at the expense of seniors, children, and working Americans, when they just gave out lavish gifts to the wealthiest corporations in the history of mankind and the megarich, and it is shameful. These programs have worked well for decades. These programs are the reason that the majority of seniors today don't die in poverty, that sick kids can see a doctor, and that families stay healthy so parents can work. Now, don't get me wrong, we should be cautious about what the government is spending, but the Republican soul-searching that is happening across the aisle is just a little too much for me. It is not as if Republicans didn't know how much their tax scam would cost the American people. They knew. They simply didn't care.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, or what has come to be known as the Good Friday Agreement. Twenty years ago today, leaders in the North of Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in one of the world's most important diplomatic achievements--securing an agreement that would lead to the end of centuries of armed conflict. The agreement required courage and fortitude by all those who sought an end to violence and a better way forward. It was unique in that it laid out commitments for the future as well as a path to achieving those goals. It allowed differing traditions to pursue their beliefs through politics rather than violence, and permitted those long excluded from the system to take up their cause in an open and transparent way. The Good Friday Agreement was an achievement by and for those in the Republic, the UK, and the North, but the support it enjoyed from the United States pushed it over the line. While it never would have happened without the courage of leaders like Gerry Adams and Tony Blair, I also believe progress would have stalled absent the courage and tenacity of the Irish-American community, the Clinton Administration, and bipartisan support from Congress. Today is a day to celebrate and recognize all that has been achieved: Belfast is no longer an active war zone, rural areas live in relative peace, and a centuries-long system of repression has in many ways been put to rest. The agreement has succeeded in so many ways that for many it is increasingly difficult for new generations to remember the severity of the conflict. In fact, many aspects of the peace-building process in the North have been studied and duplicated elsewhere throughout the world. But this is also a moment to acknowledge the challenges ahead that we must tackle in order to sustain peace and prosperity. Many aspects of the agreement have made important progress including the devolution of justice and reforms to policing. But key provisions of the agreement related to the Irish language remain unfulfilled. There is still no Bill of Rights for the North. And the serious reality of Brexit threatens an unnecessary return to a border that would re-divide the North from the Republic. All these challenges mean the United States cannot afford to take its eye off the ball. It means the Trump Administration should respond to bipartisan calls to move forward with the appointment of a special envoy to the North. It means the United States needs to engage diplomatically. And it means that commitments should be kept to ensure an ongoing peace. In the end, the Good Friday Agreement was an incredible achievement. But it was a process, not an end in itself. We must continue to do all that we can to sustain the hope it created for a peaceful future not just for those in the North but for those who believe in human rights and human dignity throughout the world.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 13, I was absent for recorded votes No. 102 and No. 103. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: on Roll Call No. 102 I would have voted NO; and on Roll Call No. 103 I would have voted YES.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 165th anniversary of a Queens treasure, and one of the world's most iconic brands--Steinway & Sons. Steinway makes world-renowned pianos, distinguished for their grandness and masterful craftsmanship. Each piano consists of more than 12,000 individual parts, and is said to have its own musical character as unique as the individual who plays it. These magnificent works of art, I am proud to say, are made in my district. The Steinway legacy dates back to 1853, when Heinrich Engelhard Steinway founded Steinway & Sons in New York, a few years after emigrating from Germany. The high quality and meticulous craftsmanship of Steinway's pianos led to rapid growth for the business and the opening of a factory in Queens. Along with the factory, the Steinway family established a company town, Steinway Village, which spurred development in the neighborhoods that are today known as Astoria and Long Island City in Queens, and they spread their family values of investing in community. The philanthropic work of the Steinway family endures today throughout Queens and New York City. That same factory, which first opened in the early 1870s, continues to operate today. The historic factory has been producing the world's finest pianos, virtually uninterrupted, for more than 145 years. Today, the factory employs over 300 union craftspeople, and many more people in management, administrative and sales roles in New York and throughout America. Steinway & Sons is an American success story, integral not only to the history of the borough of Queens and New York City, but also to the cultural story of the United States of America. It is a jewel that elevates American craftsmanship and innovation throughout the world. As a lifelong musician and a son of Queens, it is with great pride that I celebrate the 165th anniversary of the world's number one piano, New York's very own Steinway & Sons.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and service of Lynda Catherine McDougald, Lynda passed on December 25, 2017 at the age of 67, after a lifetime of dedication to the East Elmhurst and Corona communities of Queens. Lynda's dutiful efforts in Queens through her leadership positions at civic organizations of all kinds made her a role model and an inspiration to those around her, as well as a model citizen who represents the very best of what it means to be a member of our community. Lynda's experiences as an activist began in 1963 when her parents took her to the March on Washington, and soon after she participated in the first New York City Board of Education Sit-in. Thus, Lynda understood early in her life the power of community organization as an effective tool for bringing about real and righteous change. In 1978 Lynda became one of the very first members of the Curtis Street Block Association, where she would eventually serve multiple terms as the association's president. Lynda also served several terms as president of both the East Elmhurst-Corona Civic Association and the Frederick Douglass Democratic Association. In addition to leading these influential groups during her life, Lynda was also an executive board member on the Community Planning Board #3 as well as the Jerome Hardeman Sr. Child Care Center board. Lynda was a participant of the 115th Precinct Council, a member of the Corona-East Elmhurst N.A.A.C.P. chapter, and a member of the Valley Brook Community Church Married Couples Ministry. Lynda was well known for her work within the Couples Ministry at the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona along with her husband of 40 years, Thomas McDougald. Lynda grew up on 104th Street between Northern Boulevard and 32nd Avenue and began working at the age of 18 at the Equitable. She continued to work tirelessly in addition to her community involvements and finally retired in late 2016 from her position of Parent Coordinator at Thurgood Marshall High School. Lynda was perfectly suited for the position of Parent Coordinator, a job she performed with great care and love. With her abundant warmth and kindness, it is no surprise that she collected lifelong friends everywhere she went. When Lynda and Thomas physically left the Queens community in 2016, moving to Laurel, Maryland to be closer to their children, there can be no doubt that our community lost an immense force for positive civic engagement. Unsurprisingly, within a year of living in Laurel Lynda was already attending local political and civic events and looking for ways to move forward in her commitment to public service, although accolades never factored into the reasons Lynda worked on behalf of those around her. Lynda is survived by her husband, Thomas; daughters Alicia and Jennifer; son, Ruxton; granddaughter Aria; Son-in-law, Kenton; sisters Adrienne and Vivienne; nieces Larinda and Janeene; nephews Evan, Conrad, Marlon, Coby, and Keemen. Lynda was a woman of elegance, grace, joy, hope, charity, love, and action. Mr. Speaker, Lynda's lifelong commitment to serving her community and loving her family and so many friends was, and should continue to be, an inspiration to all of us. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Lynda C. McDougald. May she rest in peace.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Objection.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and service of Mary Audrey Gallagher. An educator, advocate, and proud mother, Audrey passed away peacefully on January 4, 2018, after enjoying time with her loved ones during the holidays. Audrey's life truly embodied the spirit of a hard-working, loving Irish American, as she nurtured strong bonds in her communities while fighting for the rights of the disenfranchised. Born on September 6, 1932, Audrey's honesty and integrity were formally recognized when she graduated from The Mary Louis Academy in Queens, New York, with the Character, Loyalty, and Spirit of Study Award, one of the academy's highest honors. Upon graduating high school, Audrey attended and graduated from St. John's University, where she was captain of the school's Cheerleading Squad. After leaving a lasting mark on her campus community as a promising prospective instructor, she became a public school teacher. Some years later, Audrey married Warren Dromm. Her son, my dear friend and now-New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, was born soon after. She was also mother to Lori, Marybeth, John, and Joseph. Her exemplary record of service continued, and after opening a nursery school, Audrey went on to become the director of multiple day care centers in New York City. She was instrumental in unionizing workers and she helped secure much-needed pay raises for paraprofessionals. Her courage and dedication changed lives . Audrey's support of her son, an openly-gay man, greatly advanced the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community through his advocacy and by founding the Queens chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), of which Audrey was an active participant. Audrey, along with Daniel and PFLAG-founder Jeanne Manford, worked to use their voices to fight the good fight against bigotry and intolerance in Queens and throughout New York City. But her support did not stop there--Audrey became a venerable presence in the Queens LGBT community, attending parades, advising the parents of LGBT youth, and wholeheartedly supporting her son in his own endeavors to improve Queens. Having served as PFLAG's Queens Hospitality Chairperson, Audrey believed in the special role that parents of LGBT children play. It is evident that her love for her son helped make him the strong advocate he is today for the people of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. Mary Audrey Gallagher's energy and light is forever memorialized in the LGBT parents and children that can find support in her community today, and in children of her own. She is survived by Daniel, Marybeth, John, and Joseph. Audrey served as a remarkable example that love can, and should, triumph, and that there are few undertakings more rewarding than devotion to family and civic service. A Queens heroine, equal- rights crusader, and loving Irish-American mom, Audrey will be missed. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Mary Audrey Gallagher. May she rest in peace.