David Cicilline

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman from Connecticut. And on behalf of all the residents of my home State of Rhode Island, I extend our profound sympathies to our neighbors in Newtown, Connecticut. As we stand here this evening, mourning the innocent victims of this horrific massacre, our hearts ache for the parents and families who have endured an indescribable loss. We stand united as members of one community who share in the vital and solemn responsibility to protect our children, our families, and our neighborhoods. As the men, women, and children of Newtown join together to comfort one another, to overcome the anguish and sorrow that has broken their hearts, they should know that an entire country is by their side, extending our prayers and love and are committed to action. The senseless cruelty and unspeakable violence that was inflicted upon the people of Newtown and took the lives of these precious angels have changed our Nation forever. We honor the acts of bravery, we celebrate the lives, even those cruelly short, of those we lost; and we now must embrace our solemn duty and moral responsibility to take action in honor of the memory of the lost angels. They deserve nothing less.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, our country faces a critical financial deadline in just 19 days. While Democrats are offering solutions to raise revenue and cut government spending, the House Republican leadership still refuses to take action on something we all agree on-- extending middle class tax cuts. We need to give middle class families in my home State of Rhode Island and across our Nation the certainty that they will not see a tax increase at a time when they can least afford it. I've heard from hundreds of Rhode Islanders who want to know why we don't have a deal already. I've heard from seniors who want us to protect Social Security, working parents who want us to extend tax cuts for the middle class, and those still struggling to find work who rely on unemployment insurance to make ends meet. It's time for the Republican leadership to work across the aisle to reach a deal that strengthens the middle class and responsibly addresses our debt.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, Democrats and Republicans agree that we should preserve tax cuts for all Americans on the first $250,000 of family income. This will protect 98 percent of Americans from a tax increase and 97 percent of small businesses. We have different ideas on the best and fairest way to set rates for the top 2 percent, the wealthiest Americans. Let's have that debate in the coming weeks, but let's act on the overwhelming areas of agreement today. This is not about a Democratic or Republican victory in this Chamber. It's about a victory for the American people. Instead of moving forward with middle class tax cuts, our friends on the other side of the aisle are trying again to put forth a plan that gives tax breaks to the richest Americans at the expense of our seniors, veterans, the disabled, and the middle class. It's time for the partisan games to end. Let's prove to the American people that this is the people's House. Pass the middle class tax cuts today.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, last month, the American people went to the polls and delivered Congress a resounding message--that Republicans and Democrats should be working together to solve our Nation's problems. Although our constituents have made it clear that the time for partisan games is over and despite overwhelming support for the idea, the House Republican leaders are refusing to hold a vote on extending tax cuts for middle class families. Instead, they plan to keep holding them hostage to tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. So, today, we have filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Middle Class Tax Cut Act so that 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses don't have to worry about their taxes going up at the end of this year. It will ensure that 100 percent of Americans will see a tax cut for the first $250,000 of family income. The Senate has already passed an equivalent bill, but today the House is still standing in the way of tax relief for middle class families. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the right thing for working families: force the House Republican leadership to hold a vote on the middle class tax cut bill by signing this discharge petition and by forcing the bill to the floor so that we can do right by the American people.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, this Saturday is World AIDS Day, which is an opportunity for us to recognize the significant progress that we have made over the last three decades in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Yet, while we have made significant strides during this time, we also have to recognize that substantial work remains to be done. Although the number of new infections is steadily decreasing every year, 34 million people, including 1 million people in the United States and more than 2,000 in my home State of Rhode Island, live with HIV or AIDS today. In the weeks ahead, as we discuss how we are going to reduce the size of our Federal deficit, it is critical that we move forward in a way that allows our country to continue to play a leadership role in the global fight against this disease. As a member of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, I applaud the progress that we have made as a Nation since the scientific community first identified this disease, and I urge my colleagues to continue to support advances in its treatment and prevention until we can live in a world without HIV and AIDS.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, earlier this week, our Nation observed Veterans Day. As we honor all the brave men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces, we're especially mindful of all those who have laid down their lives in defense of our freedoms. In just the past year, Rhode Island families were forced to say goodbye to two loved ones taken from us while serving our country in Afghanistan. Sergeant Dennis Weichel and Lance Corporal Abraham Tarwoe are American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for a country they loved. So now it falls to those of us privileged to serve in this Chamber to keep the commitments and promises that have been made to our veterans. For all the bravery and dedication that they have shown us, our veterans deserve to know that they will be able to support their families, send their children to college, and retire with economic security. As we continue discussing ways to reduce the size of our Federal deficit, it is absolutely critical that we maintain programs important to veterans and their families.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the hardworking men and women at Alexion's biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Smithfield in my home state of Rhode Island. Co-founded by Steven Squinto and Leonard Bell, Alexion was recognized earlier this month by Forbes Magazine as the second most innovative company in America for its work to develop life-saving treatments for ultra-rare genetic diseases. One hundred hardworking men and women are employed at Alexion's Smithfield manufacturing facility, and they are helping to show the region and the country how to make it in America. They provide a model to be followed as we work to strengthen research and development, and reinvigorate American manufacturing, particularly advanced manufacturing, and put our country back to work in well-paying positions. I applaud their achievements and recognition, and I wish Alexion continued success.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, later today, the House is scheduled to adjourn for 6 weeks with no plans to come back into session until November. On behalf of the hardworking Rhode Islanders whom I serve, I rise to express my deep disappointment that the House Republican leadership is choosing to adjourn and to abandon the middle class when so much work is left to be done. In my home State, nearly 60,000 men and women cannot find work. More than 50,000 homes have mortgages that are under water, but instead of working to pass a comprehensive jobs plan, provide relief to homeowners, or strengthen families by passing the middle class tax cuts, House Republicans want to take the next 6 weeks off. Today's action by the Republican leadership is a failure of their responsibility to lead, and I urge them to reconsider and agree to remain here and commit to working together in a bipartisan way to address the urgent issues facing our country.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to implore my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to put aside politics and get to work on behalf of the American people. Just 61 bills have been signed into law this year, the fewest in more than 60 years. There have been two noted congressional historians, Norm Ornstein and Thomas Mann, who have said: We have no choice but to acknowledge that the core of the problem lies with the Republican Party. They go on to say: Today, thanks to the GOP, compromise has gone out the window in Washington. Despite this reality, we have to get some important work done for those who sent us here. Republicans continue to choose politics over policy, ignoring critical legislation which requires our attention. After returning from a 5-week recess, the House Republican leadership has scheduled only 5 days in session in September, despite this growing list of important challenges facing our country. While we voted 33 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act and passed a budget that ends the guarantee of Medicare, much work remains, including extending tax cuts for the middle class, comprehensive jobs legislation like the Make It In America agenda, reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, postal reform, and a big, balanced plan to reduce the deficit. I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, let's get to work.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the responsibility that this institution has to the American people to finish the work they sent us here to do. Partisan gridlock may make 2012 one of the Congress' least productive years in decades. That's why this institution has seen some of the lowest public approval ratings in history. The American people expect better from their elected officials. They know that Members of Congress should be acting like adults and working with Members on the other side of the aisle to get things done. Each of us should remember the people we serve: the seniors who worked for years to secure a successful retirement, the students who took out loans to help pay for college, the middle class families who are concerned about their long-term economic security. Rather than meeting for only 8 days this month, as Republicans propose, let's remain here, pass the American Jobs Act that the President proposed over a year ago, put aside partisanship, roll up our sleeves, and get back to work for the people we serve.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of September 10, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence, a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have casted the following votes: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 6122, To revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes (Roll No. 557)--I vote ``Yes''; On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 2139, Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act (Roll No. 558)--I vote ``Yes''; On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 6186, To require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program (Roll No. 559)-- I vote ``Yes.'' On the Legislative Day of September 11, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence, a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have casted the following votes: On Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 773, Providing for consideration of H.R. 5544, to authorize and expedite a land exchange involving National Forest System land in the State of Minnesota for the public school system, and for consideration of H.R. 5949, to extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for 5 years (Roll No. 560)--I vote ``No''; On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 773, Providing for consideration of H.R. 5544, to authorize and expedite a land exchange involving National Forest System land in the State of Minnesota for the public school system, and for consideration of H.R. 5949, to extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for 5 years (Roll No. 561)--I vote ``No''; and On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act (Roll No. 562)--I vote ``Yes.''

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, since 1788, Gray's General Store has served customers in Rhode Island. For seven generations the Waite family has owned what is considered the oldest general store in the Nation. Gray's General Store closed its doors for the final time last Sunday. This store has been a cultural cornerstone for more than two centuries in Little Compton, a town in my district which itself was established in 1682. Since 1879, the Waite family has owned and operated Gray's General Store allowing generations of Rhode Islanders to have a place to share an ice cream and a laugh. Despite the tremendous loss the community will face, I extend my well wishes to the present owner, Jonah Waite, as he transitions into a new chapter of his life. I Honor Gray's General Store for its place in the history of Little Compton.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, the death of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry is a great loss for our nation. Congress has the responsibility to complete a full investigation into the events related to his death. That is why I supported Mr. Dingell's motion on June 28, 2012, to ensure a comprehensive, bipartisan and complete investigation into Operation Fast and Furious--including a public hearing, with witnesses previously prevented from testifying by the Majority party on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Unfortunately, however, House Republicans voted unanimously against this motion, in order to proceed instead with unprecedented, baseless and politically motived measures to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in civil and criminal contempt. I declined to participate in these partisan political games, and joined with my colleagues in vacating the House Floor in protest of the abuse of power and process demonstrated by the Majority Party's decision to bring H. Res. 711 and H. Res. 706 to the full House of Representatives, before undertaking a serious effort to resolve the disagreement between Congress and the Department of Justice regarding the disclosure of materials related to Operation Fast and Furious. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on roll call votes 441 and 442.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, the American people expect Congress to work to get our economy back on track, to promote economic growth, and to provide families and small businesses with some certainty when it comes to their taxes. The Senate passed legislation to ensure that middle class families do not see a tax increase at the end of the year. Yesterday, House Democrats offered the identical bill, one that the President would sign, yet our Republican friends passed a plan that will raise taxes on 25 million middle class families by preserving tax breaks for the wealthiest among us. We need to end this kind of political gamesmanship that has held our economy back. Against this backdrop, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have decided to leave town for almost 40 days with a long list of unfinished business: postal reform, the Violence Against Women reauthorization, the farm bill, comprehensive jobs legislation, the Make It in America agenda, a balanced and big plan to solve our deficit, and tax cuts for the middle class. We should remain here and do the work the American people sent us to do.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, now is the time for Congress to stand up for middle class families. I urge my Republican colleagues to abandon their plans to hold middle class tax cuts hostage to their demands for another tax cut for millionaires and billionaires and to pass a balanced tax plan, such as that contained in H.R. 15 that extends tax cuts for 98 percent of all Americans and 97 percent of small businesses. If Congress fails to act, an estimated 400,000 families in Rhode Island could face an average tax increase of $1,600. The Republican tax proposal will end the expanded earned income tax credit and expanded child tax credit and eliminate the American opportunity tax credit. In my State of Rhode Island, it's estimated that more than 100,000 families would lose an average of $1,000 in 2013 if the child tax credit expansion is allowed to expire. The Republicans' misguided plan would protect tax cuts for the wealthiest, while effectively raising taxes on 25 million lower- and middle-income Americans. I urge my colleagues to support a balanced plan that protects the middle class, strengthens our small businesses, and strengthens our economy.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a superb public servant, Dr. Donna Ottaviano, who has served as the Superintendent of Schools for the Town of North Providence since 1981. Families in North Providence have benefited greatly from Dr. Ottaviano's experience, dedication and, leadership. The entire school district, including faculty, staff, students, and parents, are sad to see her leave. Access to a quality public education is a cornerstone of ensuring that our country and my home State of Rhode Island will succeed in the years ahead. Making sure our young people have access to the best education possible is critical. I know that Dr. Ottaviano's vast experience, extraordinary dedication, and professionalism will serve her well in her new position with the East Bay Educational Collaborative and benefit Rhode Island schools from Newport to Woonsocket. I congratulate Dr. Ottaviano on her new appointment, wish her well, and thank her for her dedicated service.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, last week the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5856, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act. While I strongly oppose some provisions of H.R. 5856, I voted in favor of this legislation in order to support our troops, military families, and veterans, and to advance other important priorities for our national defense. I applaud the leadership of Chairmen Rogers and Young and Ranking Member Dicks in crafting a bill that provides an increase to service members' pay, strengthens health care services, and advances critical research for cancer, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other conditions. H.R. 5856 supports a continued investment in small businesses through the Rapid Innovation Program, provides for the production of two Virginia- class attack submarines, advances the Iron Dome program, and seeks to hold Pakistan accountable by ensuring they are cooperating with the United States in counterterrorism efforts, including dismantling and disrupting the manufacture of improvised explosive devices--an issue that I specifically addressed through two successful amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act offered earlier this year. However, I must also note my strong disappointment that this legislation breaches the Budget Control Act of 2011--the bipartisan, bicameral agreement enacted into law last year, which was designed to help rein in spending and stabilize our nation's finances. Despite the fact that over $1 billion in spending was reduced through the successful adoption of an amendment offered by Representative Mulvaney and Representative Frank, effectively freezing defense spending in the bill at current levels, H.R. 5856 still exceeds the budgetary cap set by last year's Budget Control Act by several billion dollars. An additional amendment was offered by Representatives Lee, Van Hollen, and Smith that would have brought the bill's spending in line with the levels set by last year's Budget Control Act. Unfortunately, while I voted in favor of this amendment, it was not adopted by the full House. Moreover, I offered an amendment to H.R. 5856 to strike funding for the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund (AIF). As originally presented in the full House of Representatives, H.R. 5856 proposed $375 million in spending over the next fiscal year for large-scale water, power, transportation and other projects in Afghanistan through the AIF while our national infrastructure is crumbling here in America and in my home state of Rhode Island. While my amendment did not pass, I did vote in favor of a successful amendment offered by Representative Cohen to reduced AIF funding by $175 million. With President Obama's announcement of the U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement in May 2012, our nation took another step toward the end of combat operations in Afghanistan and the transition of military and security operations to the Afghans by 2014--a timeline that had not yet been identified in 2011 during consideration of the FY 2012 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. I, and many of my colleagues in Congress, would prefer an accelerated drawdown of U.S. combat troops--one that allows for the safe, orderly, and expedited withdrawal of our combat forces. During consideration of H.R. 5856, I voted in favor of amendments offered by Representative Lee and Representative Garamendi that would have helped bring our troops home from Afghanistan sooner. Unfortunately, these amendments did not pass. As the White House has affirmed in reference to the Partnership Agreement, the decisions regarding future troop levels and funding will need to be made in consultation with Congress. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate in a bipartisan fashion to reach an agreement in the coming weeks that advances the important priorities I have identified while also fulfilling our commitment under the Budget Control Act, ending the War in Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible, and recognizing the urgent need to reinvest in our own economy and our own infrastructure right here at home.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of June 8, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence after 11:00 a.m., a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have casted the following votes: On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment (Roll No. 372)--I vote ``No''; On agreeing to the Scalise amendment (Roll No. 373)--I vote ``No''; On agreeing to the Moran amendment (Roll No. 374)--I vote ``Yes''; On agreeing to the Flake amendment (Roll No. 375)--I vote ``No''; On motion to recommit with instructions (Roll No. 376)--I vote ``Yes''; On passage (Roll No. 377)--I vote ``No''; and On motion that the House instruct conferees (Roll No. 378)--I vote ``No.''

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the continued appropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Afghanistan infrastructure fund while our national infrastructure is crumbling here in America. President Obama has laid out a broad vision for completing our work in Afghanistan, turning security responsibilities over to the Afghan people, and bringing our troops home. Now is the time to focus our resources here in the United States, on our own roads, bridges, schools, and infrastructure. We have already spent billions of dollars toward rebuilding the infrastructure of Afghanistan. As we begin drawing down combat operations in Afghanistan, it's the responsibility of the Afghan people to build, operate, and maintain their own civilian and military institutions, and their own infrastructure. My amendment, which I offer along with the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda), the gentlelady from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez), and the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch), would strike the funding of the Afghanistan infrastructure fund and apply the savings to the spending reduction account. Established by Congress in the fiscal year 2011 National Defense Authorization, in its first year, the Afghanistan infrastructure fund received an appropriation of $400 million. These funds have been dedicated to projects that are jointly approved by the Department of State and the Department of Defense, and the projects include power generation and transmission, roads, and construction of other large infrastructure projects. According to the April 2012 report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, from fiscal year 2002 to the end of March, fiscal year 2012, the United States appropriated approximately $89.4 billion for relief and reconstruction in Afghanistan. Approximately $800 million has been provided thus far for the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund. As the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service indicates from 2012 to 2010, the U.S. Agency for International Development allocated more than $2 billion towards road construction and more than $1.2 billion towards electric power in Afghanistan. While we've spent billions of dollars on infrastructure in Afghanistan, we have also seen reports from the Government Accountability Office and others that have highlighted the challenges in accounting for how reconstruction funds are spent and the overall impact that these are having on the society there. Yet according to a 2011 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the cost of our crumbling infrastructure right here in America is real. By the year 2020, our Nation's crumbling surface transportation infrastructure is slated to cost the United States economy more than 876,000 jobs and suppress the country's growth of gross domestic product by $897 billion. These costs are only going to increase more and more if we don't take the action to make the much-needed and long-deferred investments in our own transportation systems and our own infrastructure. When we look at the bigger picture, including water and wastewater, energy, schools, ports and more, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimated that over the next 5 years we would need an investment of $2.2 trillion just to bring our Nation's infrastructure to a condition they describe as ``good.'' Every year that we wait to take meaningful steps to do this, the cost to taxpayers and to our economy keeps growing and growing and growing. Over the past 18 months, constituents have expressed to me tremendous frustration that we're devoting so many of our resources and so much of our energy to rebuilding the infrastructure in Afghanistan. They ask why we are dedicating so much to nation-building halfway around the world when there are so many families right here in our own country who are struggling to find work and make ends meet. We need to do nation-building right here at home in America. This amendment is a strong step in support of reinvesting in our own economy and our own infrastructure right here at home. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the International AIDS Conference that will bring 25,000 men and women to Washington, D.C., next week. As a country, we've made incredible strides in the three decades since the first cases of HIV/AIDS were identified in the United States. In the 1980s, after Ryan White, a teenager living in Indiana, acquired the disease through a blood transfusion, his family had to fight their local school board that feared he might infect his classmates simply by showing up for school. Today, men, women, and children with HIV are living longer, more fulfilling lives due to advances in treatment and a better understanding of the disease. And just this week, the FDA approved the first pill designed to help prevent healthy people from acquiring the virus. But even today, HIV/AIDS is still an epidemic that primarily afflicts our poorest and most vulnerable citizens across the world and even here in the United States. We must continue to work with advocates like those attending next week's conference so that one day we can finally eradicate HIV/AIDS. In Rhode Island, EpiVax, under the leadership of Dr. Annie DeGroot, is working to develop a globally accessible vaccine, and I wish them great success in their important work.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Leadership Alliance. The Leadership Alliance, established by Brown University in 1992, is a national academic consortium of leading research universities and minority-serving institutions with the mission of developing underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business, and the public sector. Through an organized program of research, networking, and mentorship at critical transitions along the entire academic training pathway, the Leadership Alliance prepares young scientists and scholars for graduate training and professional apprenticeships. To date, the consortium has mentored more than 2,600 undergraduates, including 33 Rhode Islanders. Brown University has mentored 386 Leadership Alliance participants, 35 percent of whom have received a graduate-level degree. I am proud to stand in support of this initiative that identifies, trains, and mentors talented underrepresented and underserved students. I congratulate and commend the Leadership Alliance, including Brown University, for 20 years of mentoring a diverse and competitive research and scholarly workforce.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, last week I visited with seniors who live at Wilfred Manor in Central Falls, Rhode Island. They asked me to deliver a message when I returned to Washington: The time for fighting over health care reform has ended. Now our elected officials should work together to make sure this law works effectively for all American families. Instead, Republicans have chosen to once again spend valuable legislative time trying to score political points. What concerns me the most is how their actions would impact my constituents, folks like Rita Manley, a senior who lives in Central Falls. Rita was recently diagnosed with cancer, and if Republicans did succeed in repealing health care reform, millions of men and women like Rita could be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to refrain from starting this debate all over again and instead focus their energy and attention on getting people back to work by taking up critical jobs legislation.

Mr. CICILLINE

Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work being done in my home State of Rhode Island as we host the final leg of the inaugural America's Cup World Series, an incredible boost to our tourism economy and a great moment for our State. Teams of competitors and spectators from around the world have come to Newport for the America's Cup World Series, which according to some estimates is expected to bring in $70 million for our State's economy. Although Newport hosted the America's Cup from 1930 to 1983, this marks the first time in history that America's Cup races are actually being held inside Narragansett Bay. The opportunity to host a leg of this year's America's Cup not only provides a source of real economic benefit for our State, but also an intangible level of pride for all Rhode Islanders. Thank you to the organizers for their hard work. I wish the competitors good luck, and to all those likely to benefit from the enormous economic impact of these events, much success.