Joe Courtney

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to honor the life of a great journalist and public servant from the state of Connecticut, and life-long friend, Kathleen P. Devine, who passed away in Groton, Connecticut after a brief illness last week. Kathleen was known to all who had the privilege of meeting her as a deeply principled, hardworking, and positive public servant with a distinguished career in both finance and journalism. Kathleen served as the Treasurer of the City of Hartford, Connecticut from 1998 to 2011, during which time she advocated fiercely for the city's employees and pensioners. Her tireless work ethic and grasp of financial markets translated into positive results for the City and its workforce. When she left office she left behind a distinguished career in public service which began with her role as Deputy Treasurer to Denise Nappier and staff member for State Treasurer Frank Borges. Before her many years in office, Kathleen was a well-respected journalist and member of the Editorial Board of the Hartford Courant. There, she spoke up for underrepresented voices, particularly women and minorities, to ensure that their stories were told. She was a trailblazing woman in a field that at the time was mostly dominated by men. Her poise, determination, and grit left a decades-long impact on her colleagues. One Courant colleague, Susan Campbell, recently recalled Kathleen's role as a mentor during her first months as a journalist, noting her humor and down-to-earth personality. Kathleen always made a point to recognize people for the good work that they did, even when most in the newsroom would keep their head down in self- interest. Kathleen was an incredible mentor, public servant, writer, advocate and friend. Her tenacity and sense of justice will certainly be missed in Connecticut and in the lives of her many friends and family. As I said, Kathleen was a lifelong friend as a result of the closeness of my family and the Palm family that went back to the 1950s. She never failed to remind me, and anyone else I was with at social and political gatherings, that she babysat for me, and as a result I better shape up as a state legislator and Congressman or she would embarrass me with stories of early years. I never doubted for a moment that she would and did my best to live up to her high standards. Kathleen's passing is a real loss to the world--she was a bright spirit who could light up a room and make you laugh and think at the same time. What a rare gift it was to have known her. I ask all my colleagues to please join me in sending my sincere condolences to those who will feel this loss most deeply: her daughter, step-son, sister, brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 44 on January 13, 2016, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Mr. Chuck Seeman, President and CEO of United Children and Family Services (UCFS) in Norwich, Connecticut for his 20 years of transformative leadership in eastern Connecticut. While Chuck has held command of UCFS, he has strengthened the organization's financial stability and has expanded services to make UCFS an exemplary community health organization serving the Norwich region and beyond. This year, to celebrate National Health Center Week, UCFS displayed a flag on the Norwich town green for every client they have served in the past year. The green was covered with 17,000 flags--a visual reminder of the impact that this organization has on our community, and a testament to Chuck's leadership. That same day, I was pleased to announce that after years of hard work on the part of Chuck and his staff, UCFS had received ``federally qualified status'' that will allow them to expand and enhance the excellent medical, dental, behavioral, and eldercare services to their patients. This announcement was the culmination of nearly five years of advocacy, and will mean that UCFS will thrive and grow for decades to come. As Chuck retires from his position as CEO this month, I can confidently say that his innovative leadership style, dedication, and drive have made a world of difference for families in eastern Connecticut. I am honored to have worked with Chuck to advocate for improved access to healthcare for our neighbors and I thank him for his steadfast commitment and vision. Beyond his laudable contributions to his community's health and wellness, Chuck has been an approachable and friendly leader, beloved by the many hundreds of UCFS employees. Although I anticipate that Chuck will continue to contribute to his Connecticut community after leaving his current position, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing him a restful retirement, and offering a big thank you for his decades of work advocating for community health in eastern Connecticut.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Carl Lahti, United States Navy, as he concludes his service as the 50th Commanding Officer of Naval Submarine Base New London. On behalf of southeastern Connecticut, I thank Captain Lahti for his service, his leadership and his friendship to our region. A native of Buffalo, New York, Captain Lahti graduated from the Naval Academy in 1989 and went on to serve in a number of capacities throughout the Submarine Force at sea and on shore. It was during his tour as Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London, however, that I got the chance to work closely with Captain Lahti. In a region that follows developments on the base like a box score, Captain Lahti's two and a half-year tour at the base was distinguished by a focus on the fundamentals of supporting the submarine force, a focus on the vitality and viability of the base, and deepening the connections between the base and its host community and state. Under Captain Lahti's leadership the base undertook over $36 million in major infrastructure projects and capital investment to improve the base's operational infrastructure and the quality of life for sailors and their families. Most notably, Captain Lahti led the preparations to return a new flag officer to SUBASE with the establishment of the new Undersea Warfighting Development Center. And, working closely with the State of Connecticut, Captain Lahti deepened the innovative relationship between the base and its host state through collaborative investment in new projects to improve the operations, training and security at the base. Beyond the nuts and bolts of base infrastructure, Captain Lahti prioritized efforts to deepen the connection between the installations and the surrounding community. Under his watch, the base community contributed thousands of community service volunteer hours in the region in local schools and organizations. And Captain Lahti was instrumental in broader regional events such as the highly successful Coast Guard Birthday Salute event in August 2015. Captain Lahti was a fixture in the southeastern Connecticut community during his tenure at SUBASE New London, and the base was rightfully honored under his leadership. It is no wonder then that SUBASE New London was selected by the Mystic Chamber of Commerce as Southeastern Connecticut's ``Employer of the Year.'' In addition, Captain Lahti's leadership led SUBASE New London to earn the SECNAV Energy Gold Award, Galley 5-star Award, and the CNO Environmental Restoration Award. As you might imagine, a close working relationship with the Commanding Officer of the base is a prerequisite for anyone representing eastern Connecticut in Congress. However, I consider myself privileged to have worked so closely with Captain Lahti not just in his capacity as a Navy officer, but as a friend. He and his team have never been more than a phone call or email away, and the connection between his office and mine has been nothing short of a two- way street. I am grateful for his time, his advice, his counsel and most of all, his unflagging commitment to Connecticut's base and the sailors and submarines stationed at it. Leading a major installation like SUBASE is a team effort, and no one was a more important part of Captain Lahti's team than his wife Lisa. She was actively involved in the surrounding community, attending a wide range of events for non-profit organizations, promoting charitable activities of all different stripes. Both Carl and Lisa are devoted parents to Benjamin, Nathaniel, Samuel, Abraham, Rebehka, and Katheryn, who also have been frequent guests at community events. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in thanking Captain Lahti for his service to SUBASE New London and our nation, and in wishing him and his family, ``fair winds and following seas'' as they move on to new challenges.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to salute Maureen Nicholson's more than thirty years of service to the Town of Pomfret, Connecticut. Maureen has served in all corners of local leadership since she moved to Pomfret in 1988, most recently as the town's First Selectman. From her start in Pomfret, Maureen was involved in the Parent Teacher Organization, Recreation Commission, Democratic Town Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Finance, and Tree Warden, among many more town and regional organizations. In 2009, she was elected to the Board of Selectmen, and in 2012 was elected First Selectman. During her years as First Selectman, Maureen secured almost half a million dollars in grants for the Town of Pomfret. She secured the town's emergency shelter and began work to bring large-scale solar power to the town. Maureen saw the potential cost-savings in collaborating with neighboring towns to share accounting and auditing services, and launched an innovative initiative with the Town of Brooklyn. It is this enterprising spirit that delivered forward thinking policies to Pomfret, and the town and region have benefitted. Maureen also worked to increase awareness for residents of Pomfret by founding and editing the Pomfret Times, and redesigning the town's website to promote and inform residents of the town's resources and news. Her other non-governmental achievements include service on the Day Kimball Hospital Women's Board, founding of the Pomfret Gardeners, membership on the Community Regional YMCA Board, and serving as Director of the Performing Arts of Northeastern Connecticut. I ask my colleagues to please rise to thank Maureen for her years of steadfast dedication. Although her leadership as First Selectman will surely be missed, I am confident that her commitment to Pomfret will continue in the years to come.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chairman of the House Coast Guard Caucus and the Representative from southeastern Connecticut with a deep connection to the Coast Guard, I rise in strong support of the Coast Guard authorization bill and the hard work of Chairman Hunter and Ranking Member Garamendi. Every single day, the men and women of our Coast Guard are operating around the country and around the world to enforce our laws and protect our country. This bill provides them the tools and support they need to do this important work. In particular, I want to highlight a specific provision in this bill, section 219, that I was pleased to work with my colleague from Connecticut, Senator Blumenthal, and committee staff to bolster the National Coast Guard Museum. Despite a history that reaches back to the founding of our Nation, the Coast Guard is the only armed service without a national museum to highlight its heritage. Indeed, the Coast Guard this year is celebrating its 225th anniversary, and it is actually older than the U.S. Navy. Thankfully, efforts are underway to change this. The nonprofit National Coast Guard Museum Association is building national support and funding for a new museum in New London, Connecticut. When completed, Mr. Speaker, this facility will be a tribute to all who have served and those who serve today in the Coast Guard, and I am proud to support their efforts. Section 219 ensures that the Coast Guard can provide support to preserve and display its historical artifacts that will be a key part of the museum. This language opens the vault of the Coast Guard's rich treasure of maritime artifacts from America's oldest maritime fleet to be displayed for learning and understanding by the American public and the world. This is a huge boost to the effort to create a long-overdue museum and sends a powerful signal that this effort has the backing of Congress, the Federal Government, and the Coast Guard. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Commandant Admiral Zukunft; former Commandant Papp, who is his predecessor; Joann Burdian; Brittany Panetta; and Kent Reinhold in the Coast Guard legislative office for the work that they have done with my office on this and other critical Coast Guard issues and, above all else, for their service to our Nation. I congratulate Chairman Hunter and Ranking Member Garamendi for their strong advocacy for our Coast Guard and our Nation's maritime industry. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. It has been 13 long years since ESEA was rewritten. As we have heard from prior speakers, there are many problems that have been identified with No Child Left Behind, which we have heard from across the board in terms of parents, educators, administrators, and in terms of the need to update and revise this legislation. What we also know is that the American economy has changed over the last 13 years and so has the world economy. One of the biggest problems that employers have today is the lack of individuals with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math, STEM technology. The good news is that this bill upgrades the K-12 system to give kids the tools that they are going to need to succeed with these jobs, which now are growing three times as fast as non-STEM jobs. The good news is it provides incomes twice as large as non-STEM jobs. So what the bill does is it creates a STEM master teacher core, provides professional development training to STEM educators, greater access for thousands of school districts to Federal funding to support STEM programs, including partnerships with nonprofits. It encourages alternative certification programs to allow more STEM teachers to come from industry and will retain and provide promising STEM teachers with differential pay. This is what our school systems need and this is what our kids need to have the tools to succeed in the future. It is a great achievement that the chairman and the ranking member defied all the conventional wisdom to get this bill to move forward. It is almost like Pope Francis created some aura that you capitalized on. I mean that sincerely. This is an incredible achievement to break through the barriers that have prevented us from coming together as an institution to really fix what in many respects is the most important issue, which is creating a future for the kids and our grandchildren. I urge strong support of this legislation.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mansfield, Connecticut's 16-year mayor, Betsy Paterson upon her retirement. For nearly two decades, Betsy has provided rock-solid leadership for her town and her community, serving the residents of Mansfield with her know-how and forward-thinking initiatives. Starting in 2007, Betsy led her town through a landmark reinvestment campaign. Working with the Mansfield Downtown Partnership to secure millions in state and federal funding. Betsy and the town embarked on an historic downtown improvement project that delivered to Mansfield residents and to the flagship University of Connecticut located in Storrs, additional open space, economic development and improved transportation. Betsy's leadership leveraged federal infrastructure investment with outstanding private sector development to leave a long- lasting impact on the town's business development and livability and a huge enhancement to UConn's ability to draw the ``best and brightest'' to its mission. Today, Storrs Center serves as an important transportation and economic hub that fuels a lively community and reflects Betsy's vision and determination. In addition to her Mayoral duties, Betsy has served on the board of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, as a member of the Presidential Search Committee at the University of Connecticut, and on the Mansfield Democratic Town Committee and the Mansfield Historical Society. Betsy has been a terrific friend and colleague during her time as Mayor. Although her leadership will be missed in the Mayor's office, I am confident that her deep involvement in the future of Mansfield will not end with her retirement. I ask my colleagues to please join me in thanking Betsy for her lifetime of service to Mansfield and eastern Connecticut.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the revised defense bill, which restores the strong, bipartisan tradition of the House Armed Services Committee. In particular, the Seapower portion expands shipbuilding to ensure that today our Nation is building the ships we need tomorrow. The bill authorizes over $17 billion for construction of nine new ships, including two attack subs, two destroyers, three littoral ships, a new oiler, and completion of an LPD amphib. In addition, it continues work on a new carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, and overhaul of one of our current carriers. In this bill, we are providing the resources to keep our Navy on track to build a force of over 300 ships. This progress stands in stark contrast to where we were nearly a decade ago, building only four or five ships a year, a critical mistake which decimated the size of our fleet. The bill also includes the National Sea Based Deterrence Fund to allow the Navy to build new ballistic subs without suffocating the rest of Navy shipbuilding. To be clear, this program is not about building one submarine class. It is about making sure that the Navy and our Nation have the full range of ships and submarines needed in the future. Building on our work to start the fund last year, the bill today adds to the range of authorities the Navy can use to design and build ballistic subs in the most cost-effective way. Just last week, the nonpartisan CBO looked at the Seapower Subcommittee initiative and found that, if we ``funded the purchase of the Ohio replacement submarines through the National Sea Based Deterrence Fund . . . the Navy could potentially save several hundred million dollars per submarine.'' That is the kind of thoughtful, bipartisan work that this bill represents. I urge support of the revised NDAA.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Dr. Stephen W. Larcen, President of the Hartford Healthcare Behavioral Health Network, for 25 years of devotion to improving the continuum of mental health services in Connecticut. With more than 40 years of experience in behavioral health and healthcare management, Steve has been an invaluable resource to Hartford Healthcare and the community at large. He has accompanied the organization through many periods of growth and change, including Hartford Healthcare's acquisition of Natchaug Hospital and their expansion to reach even more of Connecticut's residents by opening nine satellite hospitals throughout the state. Under his watch, the Behavioral Health Network expanded to offer more services than ever before, including in-home psychiatric services and a treatment program for adolescent girls involved in court proceedings. During his career, Steve's work stretched all across eastern Connecticut, a very diverse population with many mental health needs. Steve demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity to this diversity, which as the Congressman for that region I admire greatly. In particular, Steve successfully spearheaded an effort to give Medicaid patients from Windham County opportunity to receive care for mental illness at Windham Hospital and Natchaug Hospital, rather than New Haven or Hartford. This was a very competitive national process that Steve successfully navigated. A testament to his achievement and vision, Steve was appointed by the Governor to the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council. He is a corporator of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and serves on the East Lyme Board of Finance and received the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems' 2010 Grassroots Leadership Award for his work in elevating the importance of grassroots advocacy within the association. He has advocated tirelessly for increased coverage and funding for quality mental health services on a federal, state and local level. Adding to his many awards and recognitions, Steve received the 2015 American Hospital Association Connecticut Grassroots Champion Award. Although Steve will be retiring at the end of this year, the effect of his decades of devotion to the mental health horizon in Connecticut will be felt for years to come. I ask my colleagues to please join me in wishing Dr. Stephen Larcen a restful and enjoyable retirement.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Dennis G. Babcock, a loyal veteran and resident of Enfield, Connecticut who passed away last month. Born in Albany, New York in 1940, Dennis served in the U.S. Navy's submarine force from 1958 to 1960. After his service in the Navy, Dennis moved to Connecticut in 1960 where he would launch a 37 year career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. A self-identified ``post-Korea, pre-Vietnam'' veteran, Dennis served as a stalwart advocate for the Connecticut veterans. He served veterans across my district as a driver and advocate for the Disabled American Veterans group. After joining the Enfield Chapter in 1995, Dennis was appointed commander, remaining in that post until 2015. Dennis was exceptionally devoted to his fellow veterans, pouring his heart out to those who gave their lives for this country. He was a firm believer that ``vets help vets,'' and he would regularly clock in more than 250 miles per day shuttling veterans across the state to their medical appointments. In addition to serving as the Commander for the State of Connecticut Disabled American Veterans group, Dennis also was a member of the Veterans Council of Enfield, the Amvets Post 18 of Enfield, the American Legion Post 0114 of Ravena, NY, and an honorary member of Veterans Who Care. He received the Patriot Award in Enfield in 2012. In addition to these accomplishments, Dennis served as an active member of the Enfield Fire Department from 1972 to 1981, and he was elected as a Fire Commissioner for the last 18 years. Dennis was a beloved member of the Enfield community, and he will be missed greatly by all of those who benefited from his loyalty and service to helping those in need, especially Connecticut veterans. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diane, as well as his two daughters and their husbands, and four grandchildren. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest sorrow to Dennis's family for their loss, and to the eastern Connecticut region who lost a loyal community member.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding member of the Connecticut National Guard, Sergeant First Class Debra Newton. Debbie's service has transcended her title and encompassed a range of National Guard responsibilities and volunteer positions throughout her more than 35 years of National Guard service. Although she has served in multiple capacities as a Public Affairs Officer, ultimately as the Chief Public Affairs NCO, Debbie has always strived to go beyond her responsibilities and further serve the Guard community in Connecticut and beyond. Debbie is an accomplished member of the Guard, whose work has been recognized by the Department of the Army and the National Guard Bureau. Debbie has acted as editor of the national award winning newspaper Connecticut Guardian since she created it in 2000. She has served as the Federal Women's Program manager and on the Joint Force Headquarters of Connecticut Common Task Testing Committee, and the 169th Leadership Regiment as the regimental Public Affairs Officer. Debbie has been a member of the National Guard Association of Connecticut since 1980 and has served on the executive board for 13 of the past 15 years as President and Secretary. She is also an active and lifetime member of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). In both capacities, she provided a regular and effective presence in Washington to educate members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation on the priorities of her members in Connecticut and around the country. Debbie provided critical support to advance the priorities of Connecticut's National Guard in Washington and back home in Connecticut. Over the years, she was knee-deep with us in the critical fights that would determine the future of the Guard in Connecticut, including working to oppose the BRAC 2005 recommendation that removed A-10s from Connecticut, years of work towards securing a permanent flying mission for the 103rd Flying Yankees, advocating for the recognition of members of the National Guard as veterans, and promoting fairness for dual status military technicians. Debbie's experience, commitment, and energy are unmatched. The Connecticut National Guard, and all those who serve in the uniform of our state and nation, is stronger thanks to her efforts. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Debbie for her decades of service and wish her well in her retirement.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and the underlying bill. I do so as somebody who comes from a State which, unlike maybe the gentleman from Georgia, actually embraced this law. The Governor set up an exchange right away, and we have had what Forbes Magazine has described as the highest functioning exchange in the country. Our uninsured rate went from 8 percent down to 4 percent. We have more insurers in the marketplace today than we did before the ACA was passed. On Labor Day, I was at a picnic with some friends, and there was a gentleman there who was the head of HR for the second largest employer in this community that I was at. It was about a 300-employee firm, a trash hauler, who was actually quite concerned about the ACA's definition of part-time and full-time in terms of raising his rates. For the last 2 years, his rates have gone down. He yelled from the pool where he was playing with his kids, splashing around in the water, saying: Tell President Obama thank you for the Affordable Care Act because our rates have gone down for the 275 people that worked there. So, Mr. Speaker, then the question is: What does this bill do? The fact of the matter is, by eliminating the individual mandate, by basically destroying the financing of tax subsidies, which is precisely the way that you broaden the insurance market so that you can implement an elimination of preexisting conditions, you, in fact, are totally capsizing the market. I know that because the State of Connecticut insurance department and the exchange have looked at what this bill is going to do to the individual mandate, and that is precisely what they said the outcome would be, that it would send rates through the roof and basically shatter the success that our State has accomplished. What is so ironic about this is that the design of this bill with an individual mandate and tax subsidies for insurance came from the Heritage Foundation. Stuart Butler was the mastermind of this back in the 1990s. I was chairman of the Public Health Committee back then, and I remember vividly that that was the Heritage Foundation, the conservative alternative to healthcare reform, to the Clinton healthcare plan. But, obviously, for political reasons, that is not mentioned very much by the majority as we again debate this ad nauseam. What is sad is that 2 weeks ago we passed a bill, H.R. 1624, sponsored by my good friend, Mr. Guthrie from Kentucky, which amended the Affordable Care Act. It changed the definition of ``small employer,'' and it was done on a bipartisan basis, completely unanimous. It sailed through the House, and President Obama signed it. Why did that work? Because they did it surgically, because Brett was smart enough to understand that if you want to get people to come together, you don't load it up with a bunch of poison pills, that you actually present an idea with focus and with logic behind it. Guess what will happen. You will actually get bipartisan support, the complete opposite of the bill that we have before us here today. Now, I want to point out, though, that there are some signs of intelligent life in this reconciliation bill.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, section 305 does, as the gentleman from Georgia points out, eliminate the excise tax on high-class plans. It is interesting to note that 5 years ago it was the House Members who pushed hard against that proposal with the administration, and we delayed that tax for 5 years. H.R. 2050, which I am the lead sponsor of, I am proud to say we have 166 bipartisan cosponsors. It is verbatim the language that was incorporated into the reconciliation bill. So I point that out because I do think that it, in fact, will basically sharply increase people's out-of-pocket deductibles because that is what actuaries tell us is the only way you can respond to that kind of tax. It is true that 83 organizations, including organized labor, business groups, and small-business groups have said this is not a workable plan. I mention that here because there is an opportunity here to do what Congressman Guthrie did, which is to take an individual component, an idea, and not load it up with a lot of other baggage which is going to capsize the insurance market, which we know is going to happen if other provisions of the reconciliation bill are passed, that we can actually get it done. You are giving the White House a perfect excuse to veto this bill and robbing us of the ability to actually address this real problem, which section 305 does recognize, and H.R. 2050 is out there and is on standby for us to move forward on. So let's get rid of the blunt instruments, the baseball bats, and the butchering of this law, and let's focus on bipartisan surgical fixes to real problems.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank an outstanding public servant from the State of Connecticut on the occasion of her retirement. Sharon Palmer has served for the past three years as Commissioner of the Department of Labor and as a lifelong advocate for our state's workers. During her time as Commissioner, Sharon has left a lasting mark on the state's economy by improving workforce training programs, strengthening jobs initiatives and working relentlessly to remove fraud from state programs. Sharon has simultaneously worked to advance opportunity for Connecticut's workers, to preserve the state's valuable resources, and to advocate for federal grants that have allowed innovation to flourish in our home state. Sharon's involvement with workforce issues dates far before her time as Commissioner. She worked as the former Vice President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, and president of the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, serving as an ally and liaison for workers. Her previous experience as an educator instilled in her a deep understanding of the connection between education, opportunity, and a workforce prepared to power a growing economy. Sharon never shies from speaking her mind or sticking up for policies that Connecticut workers need and deserve. If you are at odds with Sharon, you can expect a firm, but fair discussion. She would never back down when the well-being of Connecticut families is at stake. Sharon hails from Waterford, CT, in the southeastern part of the state. Somehow she always found time to participate at the local level of town government and was an active member of the Democratic Town Committee. Sharon was and is a staunch supporter of mine who helped me win a victory to Congress in 2006 in a hard fought race that was decided by the smallest of margins--83 votes. Sharon also was a devoted wife to her departed husband George and the mother of four children, Kerry, Cory, Greg, and Chris. Although her advice, hard work, and experience will surely be missed by the State of Connecticut, I ask my colleagues to please join in wishing my friend Sharon Palmer a restful and enjoyable retirement.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Mr. Arthur Wheelock of Vernon, Connecticut on his outstanding four decades of teaching and coaching at Rockville High School. A lifelong Ram, Art graduated from Rockville High School in 1968. After attending college at West Virginia Wesleyan, he returned to Rockville to teach physical education, a position he would hold for the next 42 years. Shortly after launching his teaching career, Art began coaching baseball, followed by football and basketball. His skills as a coach quickly gained notice in Vernon, and soon spread both across Connecticut and the nation. Scholastic sports in Vernon have a rich tradition, with numerous state titles and a passionate fan base. At the state level, Art was recognized as the Connecticut High School Baseball Coaches Association's ``Coach of the Year'' in 2006, and nationally, received the ``Take Pride in America'' award for his work in starting Pee Wee Sports with the Vernon Junior Women's Club. And in 2003, Art won the American Baseball Coaches Association's Regional Coach-of-the- Year Award. Art has devoted his life to working with the community, leaving a significant and positive impact on thousands of Connecticut students. He has coached 758 baseball games, winning 433, including 11 conference championships. In his over 41 years at Rockville High School, Art has coached more games than any other individual in the school's history. Under his leadership, his students also reached three state championship games, and captured the 2000 Class ``L'' title. A tireless teacher, coach, and mentor to Connecticut students, Art has demonstrated a passion for helping youth through sports that is unmatched. Without exaggeration, Art touched the lives of thousands of youngsters, transforming their lives as a positive role model. The Vernon community is very fortunate to have benefited from his experience and dedication for so many years. Please join me in congratulating Art on a lifetime of service to his community, and wishing him a rewarding, and well-deserved, retirement.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the entire Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek on their 100th year of providing a place for spiritual growth and gathering to the Jewish community in Chester and the surrounding area. This Congregation has grown from two small groups of farmers who more than a century ago sought a place to gather and worship, to a thriving community and religious center that is a cornerstone of my Congressional district. In the 1800s, Jews in Connecticut primarily worshiped in small minyans in their homes. But as the Jewish community in our region grew, leaders sought larger, public places to worship. In the mid-1990s, Temple Beth Shalom and Congregation Rodfe Zedek merged to become the community that exists today. The building in which they hold services is also a testament to their creativity and collaboration. The new, permanent home for the congregation is the result of work by artist Sol LeWitt and local architect Stephen Lloyd. The synagogue pays homage to tradition, made with wooden beams in the style of old eastern European synagogues--many of which were destroyed in the Holocaust. It is this commitment to history--and an eye towards the future--that will continue to sustain this congregation for years to come. I now ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek on 100 years of community and congregation, and wish them all the best for the next century of Jewish life in eastern Connecticut.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Matthew Shafner, who recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Matt was a beloved native son of the Groton-New London community, and a legendary attorney who never wavered as a champion of the underdog. Born in New London in 1935, Matt attended the Bulkeley School and graduated from New London High School in 1953. Growing up, Matt worked for his family's renowned furniture business headed by his father, who also served as a state representative in the Connecticut General Assembly. Matt earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and was awarded a law degree from UConn Law School in 1959. Shortly thereafter, Matt opened and built a workers' compensation practice with John O'Brien in New London, representing the region's shipyard workers. These deep roots in the southeastern Connecticut community indelibly connected Matt with the citizens--his neighbors-- whom he would represent in the courtroom. In the early seventies, Matt took the case of a shipyard worker who died of lung cancer and then took on asbestos companies. The lawsuits started with one asbestos case and one lung cancer case and quickly grew to 12 cases and then 50 cases including asbestos, lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer and GI cancer. By the end of the decade, the first 50 asbestos cases settled for $6.5 million--winning surviving families justice and compensation for their losses. Matt continued to handle many other cases, including 90 aerospace workers who had developed brain tumors after working in the same factory. Another powerful case for Matt arose out of a fabricated glove and aprons manufacturer in northeastern Connecticut using chrysotile asbestos cloth and gas masks with crocidolite asbestos filters. The plant manager's son, who worked during school vacations and was a biking champion of Connecticut, developed pleural mesothelioma at age 41. He died soon after, leaving a young wife and two infant children. Matt won the case for this family in court. In the New London Day, Senior Superior Court Judge Robert Martin described Matt as a ``unanimous first ballot hall-of-fame lawyer. He had no peer in the personal injury field. We have a lot of good lawyers in New London County, but Matt really set the bar and I think everybody played off him. I don't know any lawyer who cared about justice more than Matt Shafner.'' Matt served his community as faithfully he served individuals in need, as the attorney for the City of Groton for 20 years. Matt was named among the Super Lawyers of Connecticut every year from 2007 to 2012, as well as in New England and Metropolitan New York Matt served as President of the New London County Bar Association, on the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and as State Delegate to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. His lectures included a 1981 address to the XI Triennial World Congress of Pathology in Jerusalem on the legal aspects of asbestos disease. Matt was awarded the first Paul Tremont Award for Advocacy recognizing the first asbestos litigation in the Northeast filed in 1975. In addition to his prolific professional career, Matt was a stalwart, grassroots activist in local, state, and national politics. A member of the Groton Democratic Town Committee, Matt faithfully worked at party headquarters, attended conventions as a delegate, and shared his compassionate perspective on issues of the day in the press and with public officials and candidates. I benefited greatly from Matt's strong support during my two campaigns for Congress as a challenger. In 2006, when my race was decided by 83 votes out of 242,000 cast, Matt volunteered to help with the recount process--a very tense and challenging task. His training and experience as a lawyer and his passion for democracy were a perfect blend, from which I feel honored to have benefited. For someone so accomplished, Matt was known equally for his extraordinary humility. His gentleness belied a tenacity in the courtroom that was unparalleled for his clients and achieved major victories for them. Matt is survived by his wife Denise, four children, three step- children, nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest sorrow for their loss and to the southeastern Connecticut community who lost a humble legal legend, who never stopped fighting for the underdog.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember the life of John Lescoe, Jr. of Willimantic, Connecticut who passed away on September 14, 2015. John was a lifelong resident of Willimantic, where he lived with his wife Pauline ``Bunny'' Lescoe. He served as a State Representative for the 49th District in the Connecticut General Assembly for 12 years and First Selectman for the Town of Windham for two and a half years. John graduated from Windham High School in 1956. Following his two year service in the Marine Corps, John worked at Pratt & Whitney for eight years as a machinist. John then entered another phase of his life by enrolling in Eastern Connecticut State University in 1966, and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. John put his new degree to work by teaching physical education, social studies, and language arts for 30 years at Horace Porter Elementary School in Columbia, CT. In 1986, John won election to serve as State Representative of the 49th District in the Connecticut General Assembly. After representing the 49th District in Hartford from 1987 to 1999, John shifted to serve two and a half years as First Selectman for the Town of Windham. John also served the town as Alderman, Selectman, and was the last mayor of Willimantic and the first mayor of Windham. Among John's signature accomplishments, were helping to secure funding for the town to install lights and a playground at Recreation Park, the Textile Museum, and the iconic ``Frog Bridge'' downtown. Beyond his 32 years of service as a public servant, John's reputation for civic engagement was legendary. He was passionate about recreation, and not only played on a softball team himself for over 50 years, but also ran the Elk's ``Hoop Shoot'' and the Knights of Columbus Free Throw contest for over 40 years, was a member of the Town Recreation Commission, and was involved with Little Pal basketball, Little League baseball, WYO and the intermediate junior high basketball travel team. No sporting event did John care about more than his children's athletic events--he even created a shortcut on his computer to track his daughter's statistics for the Springfield College basketball and rugby teams. John's hard work to promote civic engagement and youth recreation was recognized when he was honored as the P.O.B.E. Elks Club Elk of the Year in 2003-2004, as president of the Polish Club, and an honorary member of the Franco-American Citizens Club. The Windham community will miss John deeply. I ask my colleagues to join me in offering our condolences to his wife, Pauline, and his family as they mourn the passing of a good man.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember the life of Richard Duda of Griswold, Connecticut who passed away late last week. Dick was a fixture in Griswold, where he lived all his life with his wife Barbara and their two children. He was the quintessential ``citizen'' who believed giving back to the community was his duty. He served five terms in the Connecticut State Legislature representing the 58th district and as the Town Attorney for Griswold for many years. Dick was a lifelong Democrat, and served as the Chairman of the Griswold Democratic Town Committee for over 30 years. Outside of government, he was a board member at the local library, a member of St. Mary's Church, and a member of the board of directors for Jewett City Savings Bank. His involvement in local government and advocacy was extensive, and his capacity to help was boundless. Dick saw his local law practice as a way to give back to the Griswold community. He embodied the ideal of the profession, serving as a resource and advocate for his neighbors--often taking cases that others would have passed over or accepting rates far lower than average for the time. His goal was to serve as a resource and as a true community lawyer. The law was his calling, and his passion. In politics and law, fields that can turn acrimonious, Dick was a true gentleman. He stayed above any bitterness, and his friends recall how he remained polite and deferential. His amiable manner, dedication to his community, and upbeat attitude will be sorely missed in Griswold. I ask my colleagues to please join me in offering our condolences to his wife Barbara, his son Christopher, and grandchildren Cameron, Caitlyn and Gavin.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate a friend and stalwart in the town of East Haddam, Connecticut, Mary Ellen Klinck. This week she will be honored with the Frank Davis Award from the East Haddam Democratic Town Committee for her lifelong commitment to fairness and justice. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mary Ellen for her lifetime of service. Mary Ellen's involvement in local government, state government and Democratic politics spans decades and has left a huge footprint of people she has helped and public officials she has helped elect. She has served as the Commissioner of the State Department on Aging, on the Connecticut State Environmental Committee, as an East Haddam Selectwoman, a member of the East Haddam Economic Revitalization Committee, the East Haddam DTC Chair and executive board member, as a member of the Democratic Women's Club, as a volunteer for countless Democratic campaigns, and of course, as a candidate herself. The first time I met Mary Ellen she was a freshman state representative in 1987, when she worked with the new Democratic majority to permanently enact a state prescription drug program for seniors--known as the CONNPACE program. At the time, Medicare provided no coverage for outpatient prescription drugs and under Governor William O'Neill, and Commissioner Klinck, Connecticut became one of a handful of states to step up and provide affordable lifesaving medications. It took over 15 long years before Congress created Medicare Part D and followed Mary Ellen's vision for strengthening the health care of America's elderly. After her historic term as Commissioner of the State Department on Aging, Mary Ellen continued to be a force of nature in public life, advocating for small business, the environment, and helping aspiring candidates for public office, such as yours truly who will be eternally grateful for all her help in my election to Congress in 2006 by the slender margin of 83 votes. A tireless advocate for seniors, the environment, local small businesses and the history and culture of East Haddam, Mary Ellen's energy and dedication is unmatched. The East Haddam community is fortunate to have her experience and enthusiasm as a constant force for good. Few know East Haddam as well as Mary Ellen, and even fewer have devoted as many hours of their time working tirelessly to improve community life for its residents. I once again ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mary Ellen for this well-deserved honor.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, in a few short hours, we are going to be voting in this Chamber on a rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which is long overdue. It has been 13 years since the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, and many educators and probably all Members have heard a lot of the clumsy and unworkable provisions that need a rewrite. More importantly, there are other reasons why it is time for a new law for our K-12 system. Educating our children is a dynamic process, and everything from technology in the classroom, as well as the workforce needs of our national economy, have drastically changed in the last 13 years. Clearly, as a nation, we need to use this rewrite of Federal education law as an opportunity to equip our Nation, and particularly our children and grandchildren, with the tools they need to succeed. One area which we all know needs updating and strengthening is the area of STEM education--science, technology, engineering, and math. Employers all across the country are desperate to try and find incoming young people into our workforce who have these skills to succeed. The good news is, in the last 13 years, STEM occupations have grown three times faster than non-STEM occupations. In addition, the average income is two times higher in terms of the wages of STEM-educated workers compared to non-STEM. That is the good news. The bad news is that only 16 percent of graduating high school seniors are interested in STEM. If you drill down deeper, young girls and young minorities are woefully underrepresented in the single digits. Clearly, we need to move stronger as a nation in the area of STEM. If you look globally, China is producing 23 percent of the world's STEM degree graduates--the U.S., only 10 percent. Mr. Speaker, if you go back 58 years ago, our 34th President, Dwight Eisenhower, confronted a similar moment of crisis in terms of our education system. In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik satellite, which shocked our Nation. We realized we were falling behind and that we needed to step up our game in terms of our educational and research system. This Republican President led the charge to pass the National Defense Education Act in 1958, which boosted and set a national goal, a national priority, for science and research across our country. At the time that he signed the bill in 1958, he said that, in both education and research, we needed to redouble our exertions, which will be necessary on the part of all Americans if we are to rise to the demands of our times. He also noted that this bill, the National Defense Education Act, back in 1958, would ``do much to strengthen our American system of education so it can meet the broad and increasing demands imposed upon it by considerations of basic national security.'' Fast forward 57 years, we now have a national STEM education coalition made up of employers like Microsoft, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the American Farm Bureau, who have come together with a core set of principles on how we can today, in 2015, boost teachers with these hard science degrees in our elementary and high schools, how we can drill down and encourage, again, underrepresented groups such as young girls and minorities to get involved and engaged in education. We came forward on the Education and the Workforce Committee with an amendment supported by the STEM coalition, and it was rejected on a party-line vote by the Republican majority, who said that the national government had no business being involved in local and State education policy. That is totally unacceptable in terms of the challenges that our Nation faces today. Unfortunately, the Rules Committee rejected our amendment from even being voted on today as part of the update of the No Child Left Behind bill. Again, it is the ultimate measuring stick of the failure of this bill to address the needs our Nation faces in terms of K-12 education policy. We should follow the example of this gentleman. He understood that at times, we have to rise up as a full nation. We can't rely on one local wealthy school district to invest in science and technology and engineering and math and leave behind other populations in this country because, as a nation, we need to come together to address and succeed and face this challenge. It will bring good things in terms of higher income and more growth for our country if we embrace these types of policies. The good news is that the Republican chairman of the Senate Education Committee did embrace the STEM education coalition provisions, and they have put it in their bill. Today, unfortunately, we are going to go do this exercise, this theater of passing a bill which woefully fails the test in terms of what our Nation faces today, but hopefully, later in the process, a conference committee will come together, and we will follow the example of Dwight Eisenhower and our bipartisan coalition of the 1950s to allow this Nation to have the tools to succeed. We need to pass strong STEM education policy for our young children.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with deep sadness to remember my friend and a pillar of the Windham region, Mary Lou DeVivo, who passed away last week. Mary Lou was an incredible woman, abound with endless energy and optimism and an unwavering commitment to the Windham community. Mary Lou was the owner and President of the Willimantic Waste Paper Company, a local business her late beloved husband James ran with her for many years. After James's death in 1996, Mary Lou took the helm and grew the company further into a regional cornerstone, providing employment to many local residents and needed services to area businesses and households. Mary Lou worked for many years as a preschool and kindergarten teacher and believed fervently in the power of education to combat poverty. She graduated in 1960 from Willimantic State Teachers College with a degree in Education, and she later earned a degree in Religion from Holy Apostles College in Cromwell. Among her many accomplishments, Mary Lou will be remembered for launching the Windham Reads Program and serving as an unrelenting advocate for improving Windham Schools. She was well known for her deep and wide commitment to local community organizations, including the Covenant Soup Kitchen, the Windham Library Board, Willimantic Co-Op, Willimantic Irish Club, Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, the Victorian Neighborhood Association, Windham Garden Club, and the Board for Saint Mary Saint Joseph School, among others. She was uniquely attuned to the needs of her community, and she never hesitated to get involved when her contributions would make a difference. She was a woman of deep faith, and was heavily involved in St. Joseph's Parish in Windham, where she once served as Director of Religious Studies. She was a generous patron of that church, as well as St. Mary's and Sagrado Corazon De Jesus. Above all, Mary Lou will be remembered as an outgoing, friendly, feisty and strong-willed member of our community, and I will deeply miss her friendship. Windham will feel this loss greatly. My heart goes out to her family and friends, especially her children Tom, Tim, Bridget, John, and Gina and her 14 grandchildren. I ask that my colleagues please rise to remember Mary Lou, a remarkable woman who will be missed profoundly by all who knew her.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank and honor an advocate, employee, veteran, and community leader from my district, Mr. Wayne Burgess, upon his retirement. Wayne has been a fixture of the Groton community for nearly 50 years, as the longest serving Principal Officer of MDA-UAW Local 571, as the President of the Southeastern Connecticut Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and as a leader in countless other local service organizations. His energy and commitment are boundless, as evidenced by his impressive accomplishments, beginning with his service in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Wayne served three deployments aboard the USS Taylor from 1967-1969 before returning home to work at Electric Boat, where he has remained involved ever since. At EB, he worked as a technical/test writer before being elected MDA-UAW Financial Secretary in 1988. In the years that followed, Wayne constantly saw new opportunities for EB and its employees. He began the EB School to Work program in the City of Groton that allows high school juniors the opportunity to work at EB during the summers. Wayne also devotes his time to the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, serving on the Food Advisory Board for the Gemma E. Moran United Way Center in New London and serves as the volunteer Chairman of the Charter Oak Credit Union Supervisory Committee. He is a devoted advocate for labor, for good jobs, for opportunity, and for the hardworking members of our community. Please join me in thanking Wayne Burgess for the monumental impact he has made on the Groton community, and wishing him a peaceful and productive retirement.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I was detained with business in my district and missed the following votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``No'' on roll call no. 379, on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 33, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2822) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016 and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2042) Ratepayer Protection Act; and, ``No'' on roll call no. 380, On Agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 333, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2822) making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016 and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2042) Ratepayer Protection Act.