Matt Cartwright

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Defense from conducting what is called new A-76 studies. I offer this amendment on behalf of myself, as well as Mr. Cole of Oklahoma, Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Bishop of Utah, Mr. Donovan of New York, Mr. Cook of California, Mr. Ratcliffe of Texas, Mr. Loebsack of Iowa, Mr. Kilmer of Washington, Ms. Shea-Porter of New Hampshire, and Mr. Beyer of Virginia. These flawed A-76 studies are relying on a process that both the GAO and the inspector general of the Department of Defense determined could not demonstrate any savings to the American taxpayer. That is why A-76 studies have been subject to a congressional moratorium since 2010. The amendment I am offering today would continue that moratorium. The fundamental flaw inherent in the A-76 process is the erroneous underlying methodology used to determine whether or not Federal civilian jobs would be outsourced. 2003 was the last time this process was updated. Mr. Chairman, the inspector general's report notes that it simply fails to keep track of costs and savings. It has no anchor in reality, and incorporates an arbitrary 12 percent overhead factor cost for Federal employees as opposed to contractors. The inspector general concluded that: ``. . . multimillion-dollar decisions are based, in part, on a factor not supported by data . . . Unless DOD develops a supportable rate or an alternative method to calculate a fair and reasonable rate, the results of future competitions will be questionable.'' Decisions involving taxpayer money should never be based on such a faulty process, especially when American jobs are at risk as well. We are debating the appropriation of hundreds of billions of dollars, the lion's share of our country's discretionary spending. This is as it should be. We should spare no expense to provide the best care for our veterans. We should not haggle over the national defense, but when we spend this much money, we have a responsibility to do it carefully and based on actual data. As legislators, we should exercise care to ensure that we represent the interests of our constituents as well as possible. A flawed process based on pseudocalculations has no basis, no place in that reputation. Ultimately, the A-76 process uses faulty, antiquated methodology to determine whether Federal civilian jobs should be outsourced, a matter we simply cannot approach so haphazardly. Both the GAO and the inspector general of the DOD concluded the process could not demonstrate any savings for the American taxpayer. This A-76 process is outdated, antiquated, and simply not anchored in reality. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, this body owes a duty to our warfighters, a duty to the taxpayers, and a duty to the civilian workforce. Allowing these flawed A-76 studies to move forward, it really is a breach to all three groups. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment, to maintain the moratorium currently in place on these A-76 studies and protect our military readiness from a process in desperate need of radical revision. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, there is one thing about us Americans that separates us from the rest of the world: we have a Bill of Rights in this country, and it includes the Seventh Amendment, and my colleague, Mr. McEachin, just mentioned it, the Seventh Amendment: the right of trial by jury shall be preserved. It is what makes us Americans. And watch out. When you hear them attacking legal fees and lawyers making money, that means they are attacking your rights. They are trying to take them away. For too long, big banks have gotten away with taking advantage of their customers, from fake accounts to subprime mortgages. American consumers have suffered a great deal of harm at the hands of Wall Street, and now we have a rule that will help consumers fight back. It is a rule from the Consumer Bureau that fixes a flaw in the judicial system that keeps victims from accessing justice by banding together with class actions. Don't let them take your rights away. Let's fight this resolution.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on July 19. For 50 years, the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation has worked with individuals, businesses, and professional advisors to help nonprofit organizations and residents in Schuylkill County. On January 16, 1967, the Schuylkill Community Foundation was established as Ashland Trust by founding members Frederick T. Kull, Wesley T. Fetterolf, Harry Strouse, and Emil R. Ermert. In 1997, Ashland Trusts was renamed the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation as it expanded its operations to include all of Schuylkill County. Its mission is to serve the interests of its philanthropic donors and to be stewards of the financial gifts that support the community in a wide variety of ways. The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation envisions a county that embraces philanthropy to sustain generations today and tomorrow. Today, the Schuylkill Community Foundation develops, manages, and distributes aid to meet the present and coming needs of the county's residents. It currently manages 162 charitable endowment funds that vary in interests and causes. Supporters of all kinds find that working with the Foundation is an ideal way for them to give back to their community. It is an honor to recognize the Schuylkill Community Foundation as it celebrates its 50th year of service to the people of Schuylkill County. May the Foundation continue to assist in the cultivation of a better life in the county for many years to come.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, the Ozone Act, or perhaps more accurately, the ``Smoggy Skies Act,'' will put our communities at risk and dangerously harm public health. The delays and exemptions in this act are unprecedented. They will cut critical portions of the Clean Air Act to the detriment of our Nation and our people's health. This motion to recommit is simple. If the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, which is an independent group of nationally recognized experts, if they believe that this act will increase asthma attacks, increase emergency room visits, increase pre-term births, increase impaired fetal growth, lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, premature death, then the act will not go into effect. Now I ask, what is more important or fundamental as the representatives of the people than to ensure that our actions do not bring harm to the American people? How can we go home to our constituents and look a mother in the eye and say we voted for something that could make her child sick? How can we visit a school if we voted for something that could spike rates of asthma? We originally passed the bipartisan Clean Air Act to protect the health of our people. As we vote to partially dismantle it today, at least we should ensure scientists certify that we are doing no harm to the American people. Some of my colleagues may vote against this motion to recommit because they already know this act will have a devastating impact on the American people's health. Plain and simple, ozone is a pollutant. It is the leading component of smog. It causes chest pain, shortness of breath, respiratory infections, asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, and even premature death. Smog is linked to 16,000 preterm births per year. Exposure to ozone in the womb and in childhood causes permanent lung damage. The new ozone standards could prevent 230,000 childhood asthma attacks per year. Delaying implementation of the new ozone standards will only sentence more and more children to lifelong lung disease. When setting the new ozone standards, the EPA used the best available science and reviewed hundreds of studies on the negative health effects of ozone. One conclusion was clear: the current standards do not protect the American people. My Republican colleagues here recently passed legislation that would have taken healthcare away from 22 million people. Now we are considering a bill that would make our Nation sicker, a bill that would hurt our most vulnerable: babies, infants, schoolchildren, the elderly. For good reasons, this bill is opposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and many, many more. These experts know that this bill is nothing more than a recipe for increased sickness and more suffering. We know that people are being harmed by ozone. We have a duty to our citizens to raise the bar and protect their health. This is the people's House. We are here to protect the people. We are here to fight for the most vulnerable among us and not to represent special interests. We need to be the body to promote health, not take away healthcare. We need to fight for kids, not make them sick. We need to clean our air, not protect polluters. Mr. Speaker, support this amendment and make sure this bill is not the health catastrophe all the experts know that it is. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. I am opposed.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, here we are dealing with some amount of irony with H.R. 1215. The year 1215 was the year the Magna Carta was signed, something that created the seeds of the American right to jury trial, for Heaven's sake. You know, we were pleased to hear Representative Duncan from Tennessee say: ``Conservatives believe strongly in the jury system.'' And I do, too, and Americans do, too. Our Founding Fathers believed in it. Here in America, where we trust juries to decide life and death for criminal defendants, why wouldn't we trust them to set a proper and fair dollar amount on a malpractice case? By definition, these are meritorious cases, cases where there was actual negligence, actual recklessness, actual intentional harm by healthcare providers or nursing homes. But maybe most importantly, none of us, nary a soul in this House would deny that standing up for veterans and our military families is a core value for all of us. This is a bill that prevents accountability for harm done to military and veterans of the VA system.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tom Pellegrini on the occasion of his retirement from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance after forty years of service. NEPA Alliance is a regional community and economic development agency that assists businesses and organizations with financial and non-financial resources and solutions to help them grow and succeed. NEPA Alliance's work in Northeastern Pennsylvania has been invaluable. Tom is a graduate of King's College, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics, and he also completed additional coursework in Business Administration. He has been the driving force behind hundreds of grants during his time at the NEPA Alliance. Tom's work has aided numerous economic development agencies, non-profits, colleges, and universities. Over his stellar career, Tom has been a member of the Luzerne County Business Incubator Center Advisory Board, the Scranton/Lackawanna Labor Management Council Board, and has served as the Campaign Coordinator for the United Way. Tom resides in Exeter with his wife. He has three children and is also a grandfather. Tom is an avid sports fan and has enjoyed coaching in a number of student basketball leagues as well as the Exeter Lions Little League. On behalf of the entire political leadership of Northeastern Pennsylvania, I recognize Tom for his years of service working with government agencies to secure funding for key projects in the region. Tom has been a great resource to the community; he will be missed in a well-deserved retirement, and we all wish him the best.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership and Chairman Upton for bringing this bill up under suspension today, and I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado for yielding me the time. I thank the entire Energy and Commerce Committee, which, once again, voted unanimously in committee in favor of this bill--a bill that has passed the House twice under suspension in each of the past two Congresses. Both times it passed during the final days of the Congress, and the Senate did not have a chance to take the bill up. I am glad the House is considering it now in plenty of time for the Senate to consider it and act. I would also thank Congressman Peter Welch from Vermont for his leadership on the bill. It is no secret that he is one of the great champions in the House on the issue of energy efficiency, and it has been my pleasure to work with him. Mr. Speaker, so many schools across the country are in need of upgrades and improvements to their facilities. In its most recent 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the condition of our Nation's schools a grade of D-plus. As school administrators undertake badly needed improvements, they have an opportunity to substantially improve their facilities' energy efficiency, producing benefits for both the environment and the economy. In reducing their energy bills, schools can put the savings to use on other educational priorities. According to the EPA and the Department of Energy, K-12 school districts nationwide spend approximately $8 billion on their energy bills every year--second only to personnel costs--exceeding the costs of textbooks and supplies. An estimated $2 billion of that cost could be saved by improving energy efficiency, an amount that could pay for, for example, 40 million textbooks. Energy expenses are one of the few costs that can be reduced while at the same time improving classroom instruction. In fact, high- performance schools can lower a school district's operating costs by up to 30 percent. There are numerous Federal initiatives already available to schools to help them become more energy efficient, but these programs are spread across the Federal Government, making it challenging, time consuming, and costly for schools to identify and take full advantage of these programs. In addition, schools can use several different general purpose programs for energy efficiency projects if they know how to locate and apply for them. Introduced in the Senate as S. 383 by Senator Susan Collins, this bipartisan Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act aims to provide a coordinating structure for busy school administrators to help them better navigate available Federal programs and financing options. This legislation does not spend an additional dime and keeps its decisionmaking authority with the States, the school boards, and local officials. This bill establishes a clearinghouse through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which will disseminate information on Federal programs and financing mechanisms that may be used to develop energy efficiency, distributed generation, and energy retrofitting projects for schools. The bill also directs the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to coordinate with Federal agencies and develop an outreach effort to streamline communications and promote available Federal programs. Such outreach may include a single website where school officials can learn more about the relevant programs. Overburdened school administrators should not have to spend hours and hours wading through the Federal bureaucracy as they look for ways to improve energy efficiency. This commonsense legislation will ensure that schools can more easily take advantage of existing energy efficiency programs. It is a strategic and cost-saving investment to relieve the fiscal pressure felt by school districts across the country, supported by overburdened homeowners, while bringing us closer to energy security in America. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, my colleagues have already done a good job of talking in great detail about why this bill is really a festival of bad choices, of wrong choices for America, but I want to focus on one issue in particular: executive pay. This ``Wrong'' CHOICE Act actually takes away provisions that rein in irresponsible pay to executives, the very people who decide decisions that get us into this entire mess in the first place. Number one, this bill eliminates a rule barring incentive-based executive pay that encourages ``inappropriate risks.'' It puts the average American in danger of having to pay for another bank bailout. Giving out bonuses for putting our national financial stability at risk is flat wrong. Number two, it eliminates a requirement for corporations to disclose how their CEO's pay compares to the average employee's salary. This bill eliminates transparency. And number three, if you can believe it, this bill even abolishes a rule requiring companies to disclose whether executives and board directors are allowed to bet against their own stock. This bill takes us back to the days of Enron. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this irresponsible legislation.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael Lombardo. Michael will receive the Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award from Leadership Wilkes-Barre on June 8. Leadership Wilkes-Barre is a local development company that provides future leaders with the resources they need to be successful members of the community. The Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community leadership and service to neighbors. Michael is a graduate of Bucknell University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Master's Degree in School Psychology and Counseling. He currently works at Quad Three Group, Inc., an architectural engineering and environmental science firm, as the Director of Business Development & Marketing. Michael served as the mayor of Pittston from 1998 to 2006. He was later appointed to Pittston's Redevelopment Authority Board. Michael also serves on the boards of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. He has served as the Vice Chair of the Pittston Festival Association for the past 19 years. Michael resides in Pittston with his wife, Susan. They are the proud parents of twin daughters, Catherine and Kristen. They are parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Church, where Michael is a lector. He is also a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. It is an honor to recognize Michael as he receives the Distinguished Leadership Alumni Award from Leadership Wilkes-Barre. May he continue serving as a guiding force in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor as it becomes America's first National Heritage Area to receive a partnership designation from the Smithsonian Institution. The D&L, as we in eastern Pennsylvania call it, preserves the historic canal that carried anthracite and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia. It is one of three National Heritage Areas in my congressional district, and it runs through three of the 17th District's counties. I am proud to support areas like the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor by co-sponsoring the National Heritage Area Authorization Act. A National Heritage Area is a site designated by Congress for the purposes of preserving history and encouraging an appreciation of the site. It is a place where natural, scenic, cultural, and historic resources combine to offer a landscape of stories celebrating our unique journey and status as a region. A National Heritage Area is a lived-in landscape and is administered by a state government, non- profit, or private corporation rather than the National Park Service. It is a place where stewards collaborate with residents to forge a way to make heritage relevant for local interests and needs. This community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development must be preserved and grown. These sites are essential to how we share who we were, who we are, and who we might become with the next generation. The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846 and is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. It has over 216 affiliates. This affiliation partnership for the D&L comes on the heels of its recent merger with the National Canal Museum in Easton, Pennsylvania. The affiliation partnership designation will raise the profile of the D&L and help it better connect to nature, recreation, and our nation's industrial heritage. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the D&L will reap the benefits of co-branding, professional development, and customized client service to facilitate exhibition and artifact borrowing needs. Those who know me well know my passions for preserving history, natural resources, and outdoor recreation opportunities. With the D&L, these passions are one. It is my honor to share with the House the story of a place that so well engenders a love of nature and of history and that now includes its welcome into the Smithsonian family.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Edward W. Stanks, Jr., CPA who will be honored on May 13 by the Wyoming Valley Children's Association. Ed will receive the 2017 ``Making a Difference Award'' for his continued involvement in the Children's Association. Ed has served on the WVCA board as treasurer for over fifteen years. He has shared his knowledge, expertise, and countless hours of his time to help the children of northeastern Pennsylvania. Ed has worked as a Certified Public Accountant for nearly four decades for companies like Coopers and Lybrand (now Price Waterhouse Coopers/PwC) and Baron, Strassmen & Co. (now Kronick, Kalada, Berdy, & Co., P.C.). Today, Ed owns and operates his own accounting office in Kingston, Pennsylvania. In addition to serving the Wyoming Valley Children's Association, Ed is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. He is the former president and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Kingston. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow of the Kingston Rotary Club. Ed also serves as the treasurer of the Exodus Prison & Aftercare Ministry. He belongs to St. Therese's Parish in Shavertown, where he serves on the finance council and helps with the music ministry. It is an honor to recognize Ed Stanks, Jr. for his service to the Wyoming Valley Children Association, an outstanding organization helping to provide the therapeutic support needed to give all of the children in northeastern Pennsylvania a quality early childhood education. I am truly grateful for his efforts.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise because evidently, in the House of Representatives, we will be taking up the possible passage of a revised but, as yet, unseen American Health Care Act. I rise to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote against this. The CBO has not scored it, so we don't know how much it will cost. We don't know how many Americans will be thrown off their health care. I want to quote Dr. Andrew Gurman, who is the president of the American Medical Association, who said this today: ``Not only would the AHCA eliminate health insurance coverage for millions of Americans, the legislation would, in many cases, eliminate the ban against charging those with underlying medical conditions vastly more for their coverage.'' This is a bad bill that has gotten worse with time. We haven't seen it. It hasn't been scored for money or how many patients will be thrown off their health care. It will hurt patients, it will hurt medical providers, it will hurt hospitals, and it will hurt this country. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael J. Eagen, former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court whose life will be commemorated by the Lackawanna County Historical Society with a History Marker. A shrewd legal mind, Eagen was a celebrated force for change in the Pennsylvania justice system before his retirement in 1980. Michael J. Eagen was born on May 9, 1907 and grew up in Jermyn, Pennsylvania. In 1927, Eagen graduated from St. Thomas College, today the University of Scranton. Eagen then enrolled at Harvard Law School. After one semester, he returned to Northeast Pennsylvania following the loss of a family business. Eagen later enrolled in a law course in Philadelphia and passed the bar exam to start practicing law. Eagen then set his sights on elected office and public service, beginning his illustrious judicial career. In 1933, at the age of 26, he was elected the youngest District Attorney in Lackawanna County. After two terms as DA, he became the youngest judge in Lackawanna County history at 34 years old. While on the bench, Eagen was outspoken against corruption, notably criticizing city police and Assistant City Solicitor Joseph V. Phillips in a 1943 case when a defendant claimed he was denied his right to testify. In 1959, Eagen joined the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In 1977, Eagen was named the Court's 38th Chief Justice. In his years on the Supreme Court, Eagen ordered a number of reforms to improve Pennsylvania's judicial system. Under his deft leadership, the Court was expanded, delays in resolving civil lawsuits were rectified and streamlined, and a system of accountability for judges was instituted requiring them to submit a monthly report on the status of their assigned cases. After an impressive 21-year career on Pennsylvania's highest court, Chief Justice Eagen retired from the bench in 1980. Eagen passed away in 1987 at 80 years of age, leaving behind an impressive legacy and a reformed Pennsylvania judicial system. It is an honor to recognize his many contributions to Pennsylvania.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Keith Moss, Mayor of Duryea Borough. On April 18, 2017, Mayor Moss will receive the 2017 Joseph Saporito, Sr. Lifetime of Service Award for his dedication to the people of Duryea. Keith first began serving his community in his youth as a Boy Scout. At the age of 20, Keith joined the Germania Hose Company as a volunteer firefighter. Throughout his membership with the hose company, Keith served as president, vice-president, and trustee. Keith began his political career in 1992, when he was elected to Duryea Borough Council. In 2001, Keith successfully ran for Mayor of Duryea and has since served the borough as its chief administrator. In addition to presiding over the borough's affairs, Mayor Moss has officiated weddings over the years. In September 2011, Mayor Moss' leadership was put to the test when rain from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee flooded areas of Duryea. After being alerted by Luzerne County Emergency Management of possible flooding, Mayor Moss issued a declaration that gave him temporary operational control of Duryea. For 72 hours, he worked non- stop with other government officials to prepare residents for evacuation. After the storm hit, 139 homes in the borough were destroyed. Tasked with clean up from the storm, Mayor Moss was promised federal aid from former Vice President Joe Biden, who personally surveyed flooded sections of Duryea. Today, Mayor Moss continues to serve the Duryea Borough and is focusing on fostering closer relationships in the community. He helped arrange Duryea's involvement in National Night Out, an event that promotes community-police camaraderie, as well as the borough's Halloween party. It is an honor to recognize Mayor Moss as he accepts the 2017 Joseph Saporito, Sr. Lifetime of Service Award. His long history of service to Duryea is significant contribution to the fabric of America. May he continue to fulfill his mayoral duties with honor.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ron Faraday, who will be honored April 18 as the Greater Pittston Person of the Year. Ron is the president of the Greater Pittston Historical Society. Ron's work with the Greater Pittston Historical Society has helped revitalize the organization's involvement in the community. The Greater Pittston Historical Society was founded in 2000 as a repository organization so that members of the community could gather, donate, and preserve items of local history. Ron joined the organization in 2012. After an increase of membership and reorganization in 2013, Ron was elected president of the Society. It is headquartered at the Pittston Memorial Library and has 85 active members. The members diligently work to collect memorabilia and digitize newspapers, photographs, and other historical records. Under Ron's leadership, the Greater Pittston Historical Society has partnered with Misericordia University to provide internships to students. The students have helped with the Society's website design, research, and archiving materials. Ron was also instrumental in pushing for the documentary film ``Our Town: Pittston'' which was released on February 23, 2017 by WVIA-TV. It is an honor to recognize Ron for all the great work he has done with the Greater Pittston Historical Society. I congratulate him being named the Sunday Dispatch Person of the Year.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Camdyn Lewis, Ava Decker, and Molly Dougherty of West Scranton Intermediate School. These three 8th grade students, with the help of their social studies teacher Erin Mangan, came in first place in the middle school division of the 2017 National C-SPAN StudentCam Video Contest. The students' prize-winning entry is entitled ``US Gun Violence--A Complicated Puzzle.'' The seven minute piece covers the victims, legislation, law enforcement, mental health, and socioeconomic aspects of gun violence and included interviews with leaders who work in areas related to firearm policy. Those featured in the film were Nicole Hockley, whose son Dylan Hockey was a victim of the Sandy Hook shooting; U.S. Senator Bob Casey; Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross, Jr.; NRA Spokesperson Catherine Mortensen; and Jeffry W. Swanson, Ph.D., Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Services at Duke University. The video urges Congress and the president to take action to reduce the number of gun-related casualties in the country, but also calls viewers of the piece to action to prevent incidents of gun violence in their communities. It is an honor to recognize these three young women for covering such an important issue with sensitivity and tact. I congratulate them on winning the 2017 National C-SPAN StudentCam Video Contest. I applaud the faculty and staff at West Scranton Intermediate School for helping these students make a successful video project. Camdyn, Ava, and Molly should be proud of the exceptional piece of journalism they produced.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Natalie Gelb, Executive Director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority works to preserve, conserve, and educate the public about the historical, cultural, economic, and natural resources of Lackawanna County. On March 30, Natalie will officially retire from her ED position after twelve years of outstanding service. A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Natalie attended Scranton Central High School and then the University of Maryland, where she graduated magna cum laude with degrees in English and history. Natalie joined the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in 2004. As Executive Director of the Authority, Natalie rehabilitated the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and worked to foster closer relationships with other area organizations and institutions. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is part of a unique, seventy-mile, multi-purpose trail system. The trail begins at the confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna Rivers in Pittston and continues north where it connects with the Delaware & Hudson Rail Trail. When Natalie began her work in 2004, the trail system was underdeveloped. But under her leadership, it was transformed into a highly utilized attraction in Lackawanna County, now drawing over 300,000 visits a year. In addition to serving as Heritage Valley Authority's Executive Director, Natalie has compiled an impressive personal record of service to others and her community. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewish Family Service, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas, and the NEPA Health Care Foundation. She is a member of the President's Advisory Council of Keystone College, Living Independently for Elders (LIFE), the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Steering Committee for Women in Philanthropy. It is an honor to recognize Natalie for all that she has done while leading the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority. I wish her the best in retirement.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Borough of Dupont, Pennsylvania, which will celebrate its Centennial on March 28, 2017. When Judge Garman signed a decree on March 28, 1917 to officially incorporate the Borough of Dupont, he could not have imagined the robust, close-knit, and thriving community that Dupont is today. The citizens of Dupont have always shown resilience and determination. In 1896, when the residents of the Dupont section of Pittston Township were unhappy with their living conditions and the allocation of their tax dollars, they banded together to present a petition for incorporation to Luzerne County. When their petition was denied, the citizens of Dupont did not back down or give up. They spend the next 21 years revising and submitting new petitions until their ultimate success in 1917. In 1917, Dupont was home to 27 saloons, 6 butcher shops, a watch maker, 5 candy stores, and 3 pool rooms, among other fine establishments. Today, Dupont is home to many area favorites, including the Dupont Polish Club and VFW Post 4909, as well as a number of successful businesses and restaurants. These small businesses and gathering spaces truly reflect the community-minded and entrepreneurial spirit of Dupont. Communities like Dupont are what make Northeastern Pennsylvania a unique and vibrant place to live and work. Over the past one hundred years, the Borough has demonstrated a commitment to fellowship and progress, a trend which will no doubt continue and contribute to the prosperity of this treasured community.

Mr. CARTWRIGHT

Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph D. Burke, Esq. Today, Mr. Burke will receive the Swingle Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick during their 103rd annual banquet. Joe is a partner at Burke Vullo Reilly Roberts. He has practiced law for thirty-two years focusing on commercial law and civil litigation. Joe is admitted to practice before the United States and Pennsylvania Supreme Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer four times by Thomson Reuters. He has been recognized by the Martindale Hubbel Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers for the past seventeen years. He is a Fellow of the American and Pennsylvania Bar Foundations, as well as the Litigation Counsel of America. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Professionalism Committee. An alumnus of Scranton Preparatory School and Lehigh University, Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Government. He received his Juris Doctorate from Delaware Law School of Widener University. While at Widener he was a member of the law review, The Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, and received the 1982 Moot Court Competition Best Advocate Award. Joe has a long record of service to the community throughout his professional career. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth. He is the former President of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Scranton Preparatory School and Chair of its Ignatian Identity and Mission Committee. He also served as Co-Chair of the North Penn Legal Services Campaign and for eight years as Lawyers Division Chair of the United Way of Wyoming Valley. He and his wife Kathleen have been blessed with three children, Elizabeth Davis (Christian), Joseph Jr., and Michael, and two grandchildren, Burke Christian Davis and Whitney Elizabeth Davis. Joe and Kathleen actively support the work of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, Coaches vs. Cancer, Endure for the Cure, the Catherine McAuley Center, St. Joseph's Center, and Marley's Mission. It is an honor to recognize Joseph D. Burke, Esq. as the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Swingle Award recipient. He is well deserving of praise for his service to Northeastern Pennsylvania.