Mark Critz

Mr. CRITZ

Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1153, recognizing the heroic efforts of the West Virginia National Guard and local responders for their work rescuing 17 people from a downed military helicopter on a rocky, snow-covered mountain on the Pocahontas-Randolph county line. I would like to thank my colleague from West Virginia, Mr. Rahall, for putting this resolution together. Mr. Speaker, I would like to spend this time recognizing the individuals and organizations involved in the execution of this tremendous rescue. On February 18, 2010, a West Virginia Army National Guard HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, skillfully piloted by a native of Bluefield, West Virginia, Major Kevin Hazuka, located the downed aircraft in extremely difficult circumstances. The snow and ice of the Pocahontas-Randolph county line at the time was treacherous, and the valor of Major Kevin Hazuka should be commended by all. I would like to commend Staff Sergeant Nicole Hopkins and Specialist Casey Dunfee, two West Virginia Army National Guard flight medics. Sergeant Hopkins and Specialist Dunfee were lowered to the site in order to provide medical care throughout the night as rescue workers labored their way to the survivors. Thanks are also deserved to the pilot of the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia National Guard who assisted by orbiting the crash site in a C-130 Hercules aircraft in order to facilitate vital communication. Volunteers, civilians, service men and women alike all gave a hand to help rescue the survivors. The Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort assisted by providing invaluable machinery and staff to help evacuate the injured. Local West Virginians helped by donating snowmobiles that enabled first responders to reach the site. The Shavers Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue Unit was instrumental in using special equipment and snowmobiles to clear a path to the location of the crash. The Valley Head Fire Department, Northern Greenbrier EMS, Greenbrier County Ambulance, White Sulphur Springs EMS, Cass Rescue, and Greenbank National Radio Astronomy Observatory staff all provided extremely vital support for the effort. In addition, the Pocahontas County Emergency Management, West Virginia State Police, Pocahontas County Sheriff's Department, Pocahontas County 911, and the U.S. Forest Service also lent a hand in order to help assist the victims of the crash. The coordination and support they provided was also invaluable. Finally, the Bartow-Frank-Durbin Volunteer Fire and Rescue made a valiant attempt to approach the crash site from the north side with support from the State of West Virginia Departments of Natural Resources and Highways, neighboring Randolph and Tucker County Sheriff Departments and EMS units, Elkins, Harmon, and Huttonsville-Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Departments, and the American Red Cross. Mr. Speaker, this resolution acknowledges and thanks the West Virginia National Guard, local first responders, and volunteers around the area for their successful efforts to rescue the 17 individuals. House Resolution 1153 recognizes the courage, ability, and determination of West Virginians. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend and colleague and the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall).

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

Mr. CRITZ

Mr. CRITZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Becky Piscitella, an outstanding teacher who was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) by President Barack Obama earlier this month Ms. Piscitella teaches eleventh grade mathematics at Richland High School, located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is the only teacher in Pennsylvania to receive this prestigious award this year. The PAEMST award is given annually to the country's top pre-college level science and mathematics teachers. Ms. Piscitella's award is well deserved as her work promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The opportunity for students to receive STEM education is crucial for our nation's competitiveness and future economic welfare. I am delighted that students in the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania are able to become the next generation of innovators and leaders because of educators like Ms. Piscitella. Madam Speaker, I conclude my remarks by congratulating her on this exceptional recognition of her talents, her dedication, and her passion for helping our students succeed. I wish her well as she continues to inspire our young scholars.

Mr. CRITZ

Mr. CRITZ. Mr. Speaker, getting our economy back on track and creating new jobs is the priority of my constituents and a top priority of my own. The Democratic Congress has already taken significant steps to create jobs and jump-start the economy, resulting in the lowest tax rates in over 50 years and the creation of over 500,000 new jobs so far this year. The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act continues these efforts. Current tax law allows companies here in the United States to be rewarded for shipping American jobs overseas. This is unconscionable, and American workers deserve better. This legislation includes provisions that close these tax loopholes and protects jobs here at home. This legislation will also continue to provide hard-working American families with the relief they deserve, relief on property taxes, sales taxes, and college tuition. Mr. Speaker, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act is another important step to creating new jobs and jump-starting our economy.

Mr. CRITZ

Mr. CRITZ. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also would like to thank my wife, Nancy, my two beautiful children, Sadie and Joe, my entire family and Mrs. Murtha for their support. I also want to thank the people of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, who I am honored to represent. Today I begin your work. This moment is bittersweet for me because I wouldn't be here right now if Jack Murtha hadn't left us too soon. I have thought about the many lessons Congressman Murtha taught me. He always said to me, ``It's always about the work.'' It is. And I'm going to work tirelessly every day in Congress for the families of western Pennsylvania. The people of western Pennsylvania, just like so many across the country, are struggling right now. The challenges we are facing are unprecedented. My priority is to put western Pennsylvanians and families across the country back to work, and I am going to fight every day, moving forward to do my part to help create good-paying American jobs. I know all of us share this commitment to getting our country back to work, and I'm optimistic that we can all come together to make this a reality on behalf of all of our constituents. Jack Murtha spent his life working to bring jobs and opportunity to our communities. That was his fight for 36 years, and our communities are far better because of it. While nobody can fill his shoes, I now have the extraordinary honor of continuing his fight for jobs and following in his footsteps to Congress. I am honored to be here, and I pledge to my constituents that no one will work harder for them than I will. Thank you very much.