Joe Courtney

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a small-town hero. After 20 years of exceptional service, Theodore Day has earned his Life Membership to the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company. Ted became a volunteer fire fighter with the department in 1994. Since then he has logged in 21,000 hours serving the residents of the village of Gales Ferry and the town of Ledyard, Connecticut. Ted has responded to over 1,700 emergencies, including fires, motor vehicle crashes and hazardous materials releases. His skills and sharp instincts have been an asset to the department, enabling Ted to save lives and minimize damage to property. His courage and dedication earned him the title of Fire Fighter of the Year for 2002 and 2003. In 2007, Ted was named Deputy Fire Chief. A strong advocate for the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, Ted has applied for grants and relentlessly pursued all avenues to save the department money. In tight budget years, Ted was able to keep the fire company running smoothly without sacrificing public safety. In addition to his work with the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company, Ted Day is a dedicated husband to this wife Tiffany and father to their children, Mason and Lia. I ask that my colleagues join with me in honoring Theodore Day for his dedication and outstanding service to the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company and the community it serves.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, the State of Connecticut is bursting with Huskie pride this morning as the UConn men and the UConn women basketball teams did what was, I think, almost unimaginable: they both won a national championship. It would be great to stand here today and talk about how the women accomplished a perfect season and beat a team that was undefeated until last night, or the men, who defied every pundit, every odds-maker, every NCAA know-it-all and again won the national championship against all odds. But I want to really focus for a second on the fact that Geno Auriemma, his women's program over the years has almost a perfect graduation rate in terms of the women who have played in that program. And Kevin Ollie has three dean's list players on the starting five. His all-star, Shabazz Napier, is going to graduate with a full degree. He is an amazing person, and I am glad the country got a chance to see him. I want to conclude by reading his final comment that he said to the press the other night: Basketball is second to me. I want them to be better people once they leave Storrs campus. If I did that, forget about the wins and losses, national championships, all that stuff, I think I've done my job. Coach Ollie, Coach Auriemma, you have done your job. We are so proud of you. Go, Huskies.

Mr. COURTNEY

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

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, these are heady days in the State of Connecticut where both the UConn men and women are in the Final Four, shocking the world. Mr. Speaker, there has also been another team working hard in the State of Connecticut. That is the assisters, navigators, insurance agents, community health centers, faith-based groups, and call center employees who have been enrolling Connecticut citizens in the Affordable Care Act at a frantic pace. As of Monday night, they had enrolled 197,000 Connecticut citizens. Even though the target that HHS gave last summer was only 100,000, they doubled the target that was given to the State of Connecticut. Why? Because these assisters, like Marianne Martinez, said: I heard a lot of stories from people who hadn't had insurance or seen a doctor in years. Some people came in expecting insurance would cost them $500 a month, and it turned out to be only $40 or $100. It was a breath of fresh air. Congratulations to all those individuals who are helping, helping people in this country get access to health care. And go, Huskies.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to follow up on a point that Leader Pelosi just made regarding the OCO account, the Overseas Contingency Operations account, which, at Armed Services, we are dealing with actually right now. The President came over with his OCO request for this year of $80 billion. This funds the troops over in Afghanistan, the 34,000 that are still fighting courageously to defend our country. At the end of this year, the projection is that that troop level will be brought down to, at the highest level of 10,000, possibly even lower, and combat missions, for all intents and purposes, are going to come to an end. As the Congressional Budget Office has demonstrated over and over again, they will score savings with the OCO drawdown that is going to happen at the end of this year. Indeed, the Ryan budget has used those OCO savings to help balance its own priorities, so this is not funny money. This is not hypothetical. Anyone who has been on a CODEL over to Afghanistan knows we are spending money over there, and starting next year, we are going to spend a lot less money because of the change in our deployments over in Afghanistan. The cost of the permanent fix to SGR is $135 billion over the next 10 years. You only need a portion of the OCO account to permanently fix SGR, and everybody who has even come close to discussing this issue knows that in this building. Hopefully, the Senate, when they take this up next week, are going to move forward with a permanent fix using totally valid, verified savings by the Congressional Budget Office in the OCO account. It is a peace dividend, in terms of drawing down from Afghanistan, that we can finally stabilize the Medicare system by making sure that fees are not going to be subjected to this annual cliff that, again, denies access in far too many cases in doctors' offices all across the country. So, again, I just want to emphasize the point that it is not like we are powerless here to come up with an SGR fix for which there is bipartisan support, using verifiable, valid savings by the Congressional Budget Office in the OCO account. Our brave soldiers are going to be drawing down closer to the end of this year to zero. We can use those savings to fix America's health care system.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 13 and 14, 2014 I joined Admiral Mike Connor, Commander of US Submarine Forces, on a visit to the USS Missouri to see firsthand the operations of a Virginia Class Submarine and missed several recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 129, on the motion to recommit H.R. 3973 with instructions; ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 130, on agreeing to the Polis of Colorado Part A Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 3973; ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 131, on the motion to recommit H.R. 3189 with instructions; ``No'' on rollcall No. 132, on passage of H.R. 3189; ``No'' on rollcall No. 133, on the motion to table H. Res. 517; ``Yes'' on rollcall No. 134, on the motion to recommit H.R. 4015 with instructions; ``No'' on rollcall No. 135, on passage of H.R. 4015.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I cannot be present for today's session, as I am joining Admiral Mike Connor, Commander of our nation's submarine forces, on a visit to an in-service Virginia class submarine to see firsthand the skill of our submariners and the vital role they play in our nation's defense. It will also give me a chance to review and discuss the Navy's FY 15 request for Virginia class submarine construction and the Ohio Class Replacement Program, critical issues for the Second District of Connecticut. Had I been present, however, I would have voted ``no'' on the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act (H.R. 4015). For too long, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula has created a weight of uncertainty not only for Medicare beneficiaries and veterans, but more broadly throughout our health care system. For the past decade, health care providers from around the country have had to leave their practices to travel to Washington and ask for relief from SGR's automatic rescission. This is not right. It is counterproductive and wasteful. And, a permanent fix--which I strongly support and have worked on a bipartisan basis to achieve--is long overdue. Committee efforts in the House and Senate to repeal the SGR formula permanently have been a bipartisan, bicameral bright spot in the 113th Congress. Unfortunately, the injection of a partisan fiscal offset into H.R. 4015 has decimated previous, widespread endorsements of the proposal, now generating opposition from the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Association of Retired People (AARP). The White House has also announced that if President Obama were presented with this measure, he would veto it. As amended, I too cannot support H.R. 4015 and had I been present for the vote on the legislation, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3633.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 2014 I joined President Obama on a trip to Connecticut to discuss the importance of raising the federal minimum wage and missed several recorded votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``no'' on rollcall No. 93, on ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 497; ``no'' on rollcall No. 94, on passage of H. Res. 97; ``yes'' on rollcall No. 95, on passage of H.R. 938, the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013; ``yes'' on rollcall No. 96, on motion to recommit H.R. 4118 with instructions; ``no'' on rollcall No. 97, on passage of H.R. 4118, the SIMPLE Fairness Act; ``yes'' on rollcall No. 98, on passage of H.R. 2126, the Better Buildings Act of 2014.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, in addition to protecting workers, the inspector general's office also makes recommendations which call for new and better regulations to protect America's taxpayers. The Department of Education provides more than $150 billion every year in aid to more than 15 million college students with grants and low-cost loans. An alarming audit issued just this past week by the Department of Education's IG found that we need to crack down on shysters and fraud rings related to long-distance education. Despite the Department of Education's recent efforts to curb this fraud, the audit found that sophisticated criminals are able to scam Federal programs through false identities and phony attendance records. The IG urged the Department to quickly create new rules to ensure that billions of dollars it offers in financial aid are not wasted on people who take advantage of our distance education programs and siphon off precious resources that students and families desperately need. This bill would cripple and hamper that necessary work. The legislation before us would also hamper the DOE from moving forward with other inspector general recommendations to reduce student loan defaults, root out wasteful spending that would save taxpayers $1 billion, and strengthen the overall accountability of our Nation's higher education programs. The bill's lengthy list of at least 60 additional procedures would add years to the rulemaking process and would significantly hamstring the Education Department's ability to adopt regulations that protect taxpayers and students in a timely manner. This amendment would ensure that this bill does not compromise the ability of agencies to follow up on IG recommendations and would protect taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse. All who patted themselves on the back about the student loan bill last summer, you are crippling the ability of this country to help students and families pay for college, which we need as a Nation. Let's adopt the Miller amendment in order to protect the inspector general's integrity and independence to get good reforms to protect the taxpayers and students of America.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great solemnity to share with you the recent death of the Honorable Elaine O'Brien. Elaine O'Brien was a respected lawmaker and long-term resident of Suffield, Connecticut, where she served for the last 20 years as a community volunteer and a member of local government. Originally from Medford, Massachusetts, Elaine's focus and tenacity saw her become the youngest female graduate from the Beverly Airport flight school in 1972 before going on to be a pilot and instructor. Moving with her family of three sons to Suffield, Connecticut, Elaine became an active part of the town in posts including President of the Parent Teacher Association; a 13-year elected member of the School Committee; and President of the Suffield Rotary Club. Recognized as a respected advocate for local issues, Elaine was elected to the Planning and Zoning Commission in 1991 followed by the Board of Education in 1993. Serving for 12 years on the Board of Education, Elaine led infrastructure projects as chairman of the Facilities and Transportation Committee and played an important role in school program development as representative to the Capitol Region Education Council. Widely supported by her local constituents in Suffield, East Granby, and Windsor, Elaine was elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 2010 as the Representative for the 61st District. Elaine served on the House Appropriations, Commerce, and Transportation Committees. Garnering bipartisan support to form a manufacturing caucus in the Commerce Committee, Elaine has been credited by her colleagues for her promotion of job growth in Connecticut manufacturing. Working tirelessly to improve local infrastructure, Elaine won key grants for projects such as the extension of utilities near Bradley International Airport in Suffield, and the construction of an education and conference center for the New England Air Museum. Re-elected to the District in 2012, Elaine continued as on as a passionate legislator for issues including worker safety, health care and gun control despite her diagnosis of cancer. Elaine also remained on as Suffield Town Clerk, a position she had held since 1998. On February 21, 2014, Elaine lost her courageous battle with brain cancer at the age of 58, and will be sorely missed by her family and Connecticut community. Elaine is succeeded by her husband, three sons, and seven stepchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and extraordinary service of Elaine O'Brien, and offering our condolences to the family and friends she leaves behind.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr, Robert Warner for his service to the people of Connecticut and our nation. A long term resident of Vernon, Connecticut, Robert has dedicated his life to making a difference in his community, both at the local level and in service to our country. Having known Robert personally for many years as a fellow Vernon resident, one of his greatest attributes is the generosity with which he gives his time. As a 14-year volunteer for the Meals on Wheels service, a respected coach for girls softball, the founder of the Vernon Toastmasters Club and a deacon and active member of the Vernon First Congregational Church, Robert has always been there for those in need. Bob also wore the uniform of our nation as a Marine during World War II. Bob saw some of the conflict's heaviest combat in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Guam. As so many others from ``The Greatest Generation,'' Bob has been modest about his military service--focusing instead on his fellow Marines who did not return. His quiet, strong patriotism is the ultimate manifestation of the Marine Corps motto-- Semper Fidelis. Another great attribute of Robert is the long standing commitment he holds to improving his local community. As a Republican Town Committee member, Robert has advocated for improvements to the town of Rockville and Vernon schools. His strong work ethic and willingness to work together is testament to the bipartisan respect Robert won during his time on the Town Council. Passing his passion for people and civic duty onto the next generation, Robert's son, the Hon. Mark Warner, who is a graduate of Rockville High School Connecticut, is today the current U.S. Senator for Virginia and was the State's 69th Governor. Mark's outstanding record as governor followed his dad's pragmatic, results-oriented approach. Lastly Mr. Speaker, Bob Warner is devoted to his family in a way that is an example to us all. He was married to his late wife Margery for decades, and cared for her with help from his son Mark and daughter Lisa for many years. I had the privilege to get a glimpse of Bob's devotion and strength during this difficult time, and he never wavered in his care for his beloved Margery. Congratulations to the Vernon Republican Town Committee for taking the time to honor Bob and put the spot light of a great American. Robert Warner is a credit to his community and his country, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the lifetime dedication of Mr. Warner.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, for decades the United States has worked closely with Australia on issues of great importance to our two nations. Australia has stood stalwartly as a friend of the United States and remains one of our closest allies today. Last year I worked with the Department of Commerce to organize a trade mission of Connecticut companies to Australia. As part of the trip planning, I was pleased to work closely with Australia's Ambassador to the United States, Kim Beazley, who joined me on a visit to Connecticut last spring. As Australia and the United States increase export and defense collaboration in the coming years, we must continue to strengthen our bilateral relationship with Australia. Fifteen years ago, a program launched to place Australian students in offices in our Nation's Capital. Since that time, the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program has delivered to the United States some of Australia's best and brightest to serve as interns in a variety of federal agencies, congressional offices, and committees. During my first term in Congress, I was privileged to welcome Anthony Bremmer to my office, and since then my office has hosted Jehane Sharah and Niall O'Shea. When the opportunity arose again to participate in the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program, I immediately agreed to welcome another Australian ``ambassador.'' Once again, my office and I have been pleased with the positive contributions of Hannah Blyth, who was placed in our office. She has attended meetings and briefings, assisted my staff with various research initiatives, and helped serve my constituents of the Second District of Connecticut. Prior to coming to the United States, Hannah worked for the Parliament of New South Wales as a Policy and Project Officer. With an avid interest in American politics and international relations, Hannah hopes to grow her experience and knowledge of the American political landscape during her time in my office. Hannah is truly an exceptional ambassador for the people of Australia. Hannah's participation in this program has provided her with new opportunities and experiences that only the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program could provide. While in the program Hannah has attended events at the Australian Embassy, met with State Department and USAID officials, and toured the United Nations headquarters in New York with the Australian Mission to the U.N. A well-rounded graduate student, Hannah will be receiving a Master's degree in U.S. Studies from the University of Sydney's United States Studies Centre when she graduates later this year. Many of my colleagues have also been privileged to welcome students like Hannah to their offices. This year, 14 students from 10 Australian universities all across Australia are serving in offices in Washington, helping foster a new generation of understanding and shared experiences between our two nations. Launched by former Congressional staffer Eric Federing, the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship program has now delivered 156 Australian student interns over the past 15 years. Mr. Speaker, I would encourage all of my colleagues to open their doors to students from around the world so that they can share in our great democracy. Similarly, I would encourage American university students to seek established and creative ways to connect with their counterparts around the globe. I ask my colleagues to join with me in recognizing the contributions of the Uni-Capitol Internship Program and to once more thank Hannah Blyth for her dedication and hard work.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Let's pass this flood insurance measure. In southeastern Connecticut, coastal properties, again, if you talk to the Realtors, you talk to the bankers, these properties are locking up because of the increase in flood insurance premiums. We can change that today, right now. Get this bill to the President for signature. Let's get this recovery moving. Let's listen to the American people who want to see bipartisan action that is focused on the number one issue facing this country, which is getting a strong economic recovery.

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, anyone watching this debate, I think, understands why the American public is so turned off by this Congress. This is a bill which was brought to the floor in a hyperpartisan process, bypassing the committee, hyperdivisive, and it is going absolutely nowhere. In the meantime, we have an economy which needs this Congress to act. A few days ago, the Senate did act on a bipartisan basis to pass the Menendez-Isakson Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will help coastal properties that are now locking up because of skyrocketing flood insurance premiums which the Senate bill will fix. Again, 182 cosponsors in the House, bipartisan. We have the support of the Bankers Association, Realtors, housing advocates, a broad consensus, broad bipartisan support. It will help the real estate market, which will drive this recovery in a positive direction. Let's act on that, amend the rule. Let's bring up the flood insurance relief program and put this underlying bill back to committee where it belongs, where many of these thorny issues can be worked out by Members on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the State of California. Pass the flood insurance.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize George Zlotnick as he reaches his 90th birthday. A member of our ``greatest generation,'' George is a respected Connecticut veteran who participated in the last airborne deployment of World War II in Operation Varsity before embarking on a successful career in the construction industry. As a young 19-year-old from Willimantic, Connecticut, George enlisted in the Army in 1943. Beginning as an infantryman before joining the Army Air Corps, George's dream of flying a plane became a reality when he was sent to the Pre-Flight Training at Teacher's College in Pennsylvania. After completing his training, George was sent to Germany on March. 24, 1945, to participate in one of the largest airborne military assaults in America's history. Praised as a key tactical success for the Allies in the fight against Nazi Germany, Operation Varsity dropped Allied troops behind enemy lines to secure the Rhine River in Wesel, Germany. As a paratrooper with the 464th Field Artillery Battalion of the 17th Airborne Division, George was tasked with carrying the barrel of a cannon weighing more than 200 pounds through enemy fire to deliver ammunition to Allied troops. Completing his mission with courage, George was honorably discharged from service in February 1946. After serving his country, George started his own construction company in Ashford, Connecticut in 1948. Like many great American success stores, George began his business from humble beginnings; assembling small buildings, chicken coops and barns for local farmers. Sixty-five years later, Zlotnick Contruction Incorporated remains a respected organization in Mansfield, Connecticut and has won contracts with key multinational firms. George and his wife Zenia have also remained an unwavering part of the business and Orthodox Church communities of Connecticut. As George prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday on March 9, 2014, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this great American veteran and businessman and thanking him for his contribution to our Nation.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the North Thompsonville Fire Department. The NTFD is led by Chief Earl Provencher and Deputy Chiefs Douglas Maxellon and David Lapponese who are all prepared to lead a group of firefighters, or the entire department if necessary, into any situation. Chairman Ralph Jensen heads the board of five fire commissioners. Since its first meeting in the Manning Barn on February 16, 1914, the fire department has grown steadily. Today, the station serves as a second home to the 46 men and women who proudly serve the 10,000 people of their district. Through the years, the North Thompsonville Fire Department has expanded to better meet the needs of the community. By 1929, they had moved out of the Thompsonville Water Company Pumping Station and into their first fire station. In 1969, with more than 50 active members, the department hired the first part-time employees and named its first Fire Fighter of the Year, Ernest W. Deford. A generous donation from the John Maciolek Post of the American Legion in 1973 revolutionized the way the department responded to motor vehicle accidents. Believed to have the second set of Jaws of Life in the State of Connecticut, the department's use of this life-saving tool made critical rescues safer and more effective. In 2009, the department proudly honored Deputy Chief Ken ``Pops'' Provencher for his 50 years of service. In 2012, they also gave this distinguished honor to Captain Patrick Griffin just before he passed away. The following year, department again had the privilege of honoring Captain Ralph Jensen, Sr. These men started as cadets and worked through the ranks from firefighter all the way up their respective ranks at retirement. All three continued their careers by becoming Fire Commissioners. The district, the members, and the citizens of the North Thompsonville Fire District thanked these men for their combined 150 years of service. In 2012, the North Thompsonville Fire Department responded to 502 calls including structure, vehicle, brush and incidental fires, hazardous material incidents, mutual aid assignments, and medical emergencies. The department spent over 2,900 hours responding to emergencies and an additional 4,100 hours in training. I ask that my colleagues join with me in congratulating the North Thompsonville Fire Department on the 100th anniversary and commend them for the work they do each day to keep their community safe.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great solemnity to share with you the recent death of Mr. Lester Baum. Lester Baum dedicated his life to working in the community. As a local fixture of Vernon, Connecticut, Lester was involved in politics, education, sports and the business community, working as a mentor, leader and friend to many. Lester was also passionate about his country, which he loved, and as a Korean war veteran believed deeply in participation with the democratic process that makes America the great country it is today. During a long distinguished carrier in politics, Lester was one of Senator Christopher Dodd's earliest and consistent supporters during is campaigns for Connecticut's second district and the U.S. Senate, and served as 2nd Congressional District Coordinator for President Carter. Lester also sat as the Vernon Democratic Town Chairman for 10 years during the 1970s and 1980s. On a personal note, from my first campaign for state representative from the town of Vernon to my most recent race for Congress, Lester was an incisive and consistent supporter of my efforts. I will never forget his simple but powerful advice, ``there is no such thing as a shutout in politics,'' which was a strong source of support during my 2006 campaign for Congress, which I won by only 83 votes out of 242,000 ballots cast. As a graduate of the University of Connecticut in 1948, Lester showed an unwavering dedication to the university which spanned several decades. As a familiar sight at most UConn basketball and soccer matches, Lester served as member of the UConn President's Athletic Task Force and the Athletic Advisory Committee. A two-term president of the UConn Club and a recipient of the UConn Alumni Association Jorgensen Award and the UConn Outstanding Contribution Award, Lester played an integral role in inspiring future generations of the university's graduates. As a zealous participant in Connecticut civic life, Lester served in board member capacities for a number of local organizations including the Vernon Board of Tax Review, Hockanum Valley Community Council, Rockville Redevelopment Commission, the Advisory Board of South Windsor Bank and Trust and the Planning and Growth Committee at Rockville General Hospital. Also the owner and President of the local business Farm Car Care Center Inc., Lester was an upstanding member of his local Connecticut community. Lester is succeeded by his his wife; two children and eight grandchildren, and will be sorely missed by his family along with a vast community of friends. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and service of Lester Baum, and sharing our condolences with the family and friends he leaves behind.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Michael Price and to celebrate his distinguished career leading the Goodspeed Opera House. As a fixture of the celebrated Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut since its opening in 1963, Michael has devoted his career to the dramatic arts. Filling the role of Executive Director at Goodspeed for the past 46 years, Michael has preserved the legacy of the Victorian theatre building which was originally built in 1876. With an unwavering flair and talent for the theatre, Michael graduated from the Yale School of Drama and became involved in Goodspeed from its very first season. Taking up the Executive Director position at the theatre five years later, Michael has built Goodspeed to become not only a local treasure for Connecticut, but also a national icon for the arts community. With highlights including the birth of successful musicals such as ``Annie,'' ``Shenandoah,'' and ``Man of La Mancha,'' Goodspeed under Michael's leadership has made a significant contribution to the American dramatic arts, launching some of our nation's most beloved music and theater. Goodspeed Opera House is the first regional theater to receive over 12 Tony Awards and two Special Tony Awards, for outstanding Contributions to the American musical in 1980 and for outstanding achievement for regional theater in 1995. Goodspeed continues to produce three musicals a year, with nineteen Goodspeed productions moving on to Broadway. In the 50 years since they opened their doors, the Goodspeed Opera House remains committed to their original mission of restoring and revitalizing the heritage of the American musical theater through premiering new musicals and rethinking old favorites. Balancing his devotion to the Goodspeed Opera House and its smaller counterpart the Norma Terris Theatre in neighboring Chester, Michael has also remained an active advocate for Connecticut's arts and tourism industries. Serving as Chairman of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts and Connecticut Culture and Tourism Advisory Committee, I was honored to get to know Michael during a 2010 trade mission to Israel. On that occasion, I observed firsthand the passion with which he encouraged Israelis to choose Connecticut as a vacation destination and to promote Goodspeed productions in Jerusalem During his long career, Michael has become an irreplaceable part of the Connecticut arts community, as well as an inspiration to American theatre. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career of Mr. Michael Price.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on December 31, the tax exclusion for mortgage forgiveness expired. What does that mean? It means if someone sells their house for less than they owe, they have to pay tax on the difference. The failure of the House Republican leadership to extend this forgiveness provision, which has been on the books since 2009, means that underwater properties all across the country--6 million of them-- now basically face paying taxes in terms of trying to do the right thing and get these properties to move. In Connecticut today, there are 772 pending short sale closings that, again, the owners are going to be taxed because of the failure of the Republican leadership to move. Mr. Camp said the other day that there is nothing to worry about; we have all year to deal with this. Well, the housing market can't wait. We need to move. H.R. 2994 will extend that mortgage forgiveness tax relief. It is time for this Chamber to take this measure up and vote on it. Ask a realtor; ask a home builder; ask a mortgage broker. They all know. This market needs to get the overhang of distressed properties cleared out if we are going to have a healthy housing market and a strong recovery. This Chamber needs to act. The Republican leadership needs to listen to people who are in the front trenches of the economy.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great solemnity to share with you the recent death of Tom D'Amore. Tom D'Amore was a vibrant fixture in Connecticut politics for over 40 years. Serving as the State Chairman for the Republican Party Connecticut from 1983 to 1987, Tom went on to run a number of successful campaigns for former Connecticut Senator Lowell P. Weicker. Most notably, Tom steered the former Republican Senator to victory as an independent candidate for the Connecticut Governorship in 1990. Serving as Chief of Staff to Governor Weicker, Tom played a central role in helping the Governor pass the state's first broad-based income tax in 1991. Tom also worked with the Governor during his term to implement legislation for school desegregation, stronger gun laws, and health care reform. With a vision for the nation and a passion for politics, Tom remained influential in state and federal politics after Governor Weicker left office. Starting a successful consulting business with former Speaker of the Connecticut House Richard Balducci and former colleague John Doyle, Tom advised on a range of candidate campaigns over his 30-year tenure. As a family man from New Hartford, Connecticut, Tom is survived by his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and service of Tom D'Amore, and sharing our condolences with the family and friends he leaves behind.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. I thank you, Mr. Cohen. I want to thank you for organizing this event. The group that is here tonight, the class of '06, was a very tight-knit group. Every Wednesday we would meet in the morning. Gabby was one of the leaders of that group. She was an outstanding Congresswoman. She sat with me on the Armed Services Committee. She had an Air Force base in Arizona, and she was tenacious in terms of the Defense authorization bill markups ever year in terms of making sure that that base was fully protected and represented to the maximum extent. She also was a huge advocate for the post-9/11 GI Bill. Some of us remember that struggle to expand the GI Bill and to restore the benefit for soldiers and veterans and their families that had deteriorated over time, giving again the full tuition benefit for a 4-year college within the State in which the servicemember resides, and to extend that benefit to spouses and children. Just a few days ago actually, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the 1 millionth enrollee in that program. Again, Gabby was at the absolute beginning of that struggle which again had to overcome active resistance from the then-Bush administration. There were negotiations that finally got that measure passed and through. Again, a million families of servicemembers have benefited from it. By the way, an interesting parenthetical observation was that when that program went online, it had a huge technological computer malfunction. Secretary Shinseki and the VA had to manually cut checks so that tuition payments were made. Obviously, there are echoes of problems that we are struggling with here today. But again, Gabby's record in terms of restoring that GI Bill benefit and in fact expanding it is one of the great accomplishments of her time in Congress. As my friend from Colorado said, her record since her injury is really amazing. I remember standing in the back of the Chamber when she cast her final vote as a Member of Congress. It was the budget package that again kept the country from defaulting. When she walked through that door, limping up those steps, it was almost a miraculous moment. Only a small group of people knew she had flown out here to cast that ballot. Again, it showed her patriotism that she felt that her country was in trouble and her country needed her; and despite all of her difficulties and disabilities, she wanted to be here to cast that ballot. Again, it was a capstone to just an extraordinary record of service for her district. As Mr. Cohen mentioned, I come from the State of Connecticut, which is obviously the State where the Sandy Hook shooting took place slightly over a year ago. Again, a traumatic event. Connecticut is a very small State. Newtown High School, where President Obama came and spoke to the families and the first responders a couple of days after the incident, is about 50 minutes from my house, and I live in the furthest district from the Fifth Congressional District where Newtown, Connecticut, is located. So again, it had reverberations all across the State. We had family members who live in the Second Congressional District who lost loved ones in that horrendous incident. And, frankly, just before the break, a lot of those families came and visited Washington, D.C. It had been a year since that incident. And as Mr. Yarmuth indicated, the frustration about the fact that this city did not respond to that just absolutely horrific event where 6-year- olds and 7-year-olds lost their lives to an individual who should never have been in possession of high-powered weapons, or weapons of any kind, again has not resulted in any legislative change. I do think it is important to give the administration credit that a few weeks ago they did issue new rules so that mental health collection of data for the Brady system is going to be strengthened. If you look again at the series of events that have occurred in communities since Sandy Hook, even just down the road here at the D.C. naval yard, again it was another individual, deranged individual, again who should never have been in a position to possess weapons. And the rules that were issued a few days ago will expand the scope of court findings, whether it is a worker's compensation case or whether it is a probate court case where an individual has been found to be mentally ill to the point where they can't support themselves and should get Social Security disability benefits. That commonsense change is now going to feed into the Brady system so that record checks will at least administratively be strengthened. But clearly, the gun-shop loophole, the patchwork reporting needs to be strengthened by an act of Congress, and that certainly is what Gabby is calling upon all of us to have the courage to be able to look these families in the eye who came to Washington a few weeks ago and said we understand that that never should have happened and that we are prepared to make changes, commonsense changes, constitutional changes, to the system. You know, I think it is important to note, as Mr. Perlmutter said, if you read the D.C. v. Heller case, which is the hallmark case of an individual right to bear arms, and you read Justice Scalia's decision, he made it crystal clear that the right to own firearms does not extend to criminals, to the mentally ill, and certain classes and categories of weapons, whether it is fully automatic machine guns or other weapons that are not in common need or use, are not protected by the D.C. v. Heller decision. Like any portion of the Bill of Rights, there are balanced restrictions which the courts recognize and give us the latitude to do our job and to make commonsense changes. So, again, Gabby's injuries, which again took place 3 years ago, it is hard to believe that that much time has gone by. We still have to hold on to that and make sure that her amazing service in the Congress, and also her record of advocacy, is something we live up to to that example, that inspiring example, and do what is right for the American people. I yield back to my friend, Mr. Cohen.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, 10 days ago, 1.3 million Americans lost their emergency extension of unemployment benefits. Today, this afternoon at the White House, one of those individuals, Ms. Katherine Hackett from Moosup, Connecticut, shared her story with our country. She has two sons serving in the military. She was laid off through no fault of her own. She has been actively seeking employment, and yet she still needs help. Yet this House left before Christmas without taking up an unemployment extension, which in every past recession, any unemployment rate above 5 percent required and resulted in automatic extensions. Yet this House went home. Curt Edwards, from Norwich, Connecticut, who I spoke to yesterday, 20 years in the U.S. Army, Army Ranger, was laid off last April and is looking for work. His unemployment was cut off on December 28. The majority leader issued his agenda for the month of January. There was not a word in that agenda about extending unemployment for 1.3 million Americans. Every economist tells us that's a mistake. These individuals need help. It is time for this House to focus on the immediate needs of the American people and extend unemployment insurance for 1.3 million Americans.

Mr. COURTNEY

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lieutenant Nancy Thurnauer who is set to retire from the Coventry Police Department at the end of December 2013. Affectionately known as Officer Nancy, she has spent the last thirty-two years serving the Town of Coventry. Lieutenant Nancy Thurnauer began her career with the Coventry Police Department on September 14, 1981 as a dispatcher. She became a sworn officer in August 1985 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in February of 1998. She often worked with children, and spent a number of years teaching D.A.R.E. in the Coventry School system. Frequently praised for her compassion for others, Officer Nancy was beloved by many in Coventry. She received numerous commendations and heartfelt letters of gratitude from those she had helped. In 2008, Lieutenant Thurnauer played a crucial role in negotiating the surrender and apprehension of an armed assailant who had just committed a murder and was holding a child, refusing to surrender. Her courage and skill earned her the Department's Police Service Cross. I ask that my colleagues join with me in honoring the career of Lieutenant Nancy Thurnauer. I wish her the best of luck with all her future endeavors. I have no doubt that she will remain an active member of her community in Coventry.