Ryan Costello

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on March 29, 2016 we marked the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War to honor and express our gratitude to our Vietnam Veterans. Our Vietnam War veterans served our nation with courage, dignity, and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Deserving particular praise and commendation for his heroism and service during the Vietnam War is Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Jack Deichman of the United States Marine Corps. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jack for over a year now, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to acknowledge Jack's leadership in Dai Do, Vietnam on March 30, 1968. Mr. Speaker, Jack displayed expert leadership in maneuvering his Company through heavy enemy fire and remained steadfast in assisting his wounded Commander to establish their defensive positions. Because of Jack's actions, many lives were saved that day, and many attribute this battle as the deciding factor in winning the war. We as a nation are grateful for Jack's heroic actions that day. His courage and selfless devotion to duty represents the essence of the United States Marine Corps and this great nation. Mr. Speaker, on March 29, 2016, the nation acknowledged Jack's bravery with the presentation of the Bronze Star Medal. I am proud to recognize Jack and all our Vietnam Veterans and we thank you for your service. Welcome home.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam war and take a moment to honor and express our gratitude to our Vietnam Veterans. Our Vietnam war veterans served our nation with courage, dignity, and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Deserving particular praise and commendation for his heroism and service during the Vietnam war is Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Jack Deichman of the United States Marine Corps. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jack for over a year now, and today I am grateful to have the opportunity to acknowledge Jack's leadership in Dai Do, Vietnam on March 30, 1968. Mr. Speaker, Jack displayed expert leadership in maneuvering his Company through heavy enemy fire and remained steadfast in assisting his wounded Commander to establish their defensive positions. Because of Jack's actions, many lives were saved that day, and many attribute this battle as the deciding factor in winning the war. We as a nation are grateful for Jack's heroic actions that day. His courage and selfless devotion to duty represents the essence of the United States Marine Corps and this great nation. Mr. Speaker, today marks the day we acknowledge Jack's bravery and present him the Bronze Star Medal. I am proud to recognize Jack and all our Vietnam Veterans today. We thank you for your service. Welcome home.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as the House continues its work on long-term reauthorization and reform of the Federal Aviation Administration and related programs, I would like to reiterate my support for commonsense provisions included in H.R. 4441, the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act of 2016, which would ensure the safety of our commercial aircraft and passengers. Mr. Speaker, early last year I met with my constituent, Justin Madden, who is the National Secretary/Treasurer for the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents the aircraft maintenance technicians of both Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines. During the course of our conversation, we discussed many issues impacting the aviation industry, including safety. Justin brought to my attention that he and his colleagues are subject to background checks, as well as pre-employment and random drug tests, yet their counterparts at foreign aircraft repair stations are not required to meet the same safety precautions. As the amount of maintenance work performed on U.S. aircraft at foreign repair stations increases, we must do more to ensure that the employees at these stations are also held to the same level of professional standards as their counterparts at U.S repair stations. On October 31st of last year, Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 disintegrated over the Sinai Peninsula. All 224 people on board the flight tragically died that day. On January 29, 2016, Reuters reported that a mechanic had been detained and was suspected of planting a bomb, which he had been given by his cousin, who was a member of ISIS. Two policemen and a baggage handler were also suspected of helping the mechanic. This incident alone should give us pause as we think about the safety of American aircraft and the American flying public. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster for his commitment to safety and for working with me and Representative Dan Lipinski and Representative Lou Barletta to include Section 402 in the Aviation, Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act. This provision marks a bipartisan, commonsense step forward in ensuring that background checks and drug tests are required of employees at foreign repair stations who work on U.S. commercial aircraft, strengthening America's commitment to protecting its citizens and ensuring safe air travel.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4742, the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act. Mr. Speaker, for over the past year, STEM education has been a critical part of many debates we have had here on the House floor. We have discussed it in the context of reauthorization of critical education programs and with respect to how it can drive American innovation in research and technology. The discussion we are having here today--a dialogue as to how we can encourage more women who wish to pursue a course of study in STEM fields to follow through beyond the classroom and build successful careers in science, math, and technology fields--is very important for economic growth in this country and to ensure young women help pioneer new innovation in this country for generations to come. We have heard the statistics, Mr. Speaker. Women make up half of the U.S. workforce and half of the college-educated workforce, yet only 26 percent of women who attain degrees in STEM fields end up working in STEM jobs. Mr. Speaker, that is why I rise today in strong support of this simple, commonsense legislation. By encouraging entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world, we can take a significant step in the right direction. Further, by having this debate and discussion here today and by encouraging all of our best and brightest to pursue the education and career path of their dreams, we are taking a necessary step to include this as part of our ongoing dialogue with respect to the delivery of STEM education in our classrooms and what it will take to develop American innovation for future generations. I would like to commend Representative Esty and Representative Comstock for their efforts on this legislation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1180.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has a long tradition of tackling FEMA and emergency management issues in a bipartisan manner. I would like to acknowledge Chairman Barletta and Ranking Member Carson of the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee for leading efforts in the House to improve our Nation's Emergency Alert System. Public alerts save lives. And their efforts, along with this bill, will save even more. This committee was the first to introduce legislation in 2008, and every Congress since, to modernize the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, also known as IPAWS, because we recognized the critical need to provide timely and effective disaster warnings to our citizens and communities. Modernizing the alert and warning systems will help save lives. At the committee's request, the GAO issued a report in 2009 detailing key problems with FEMA's development of IPAWS. GAO's findings supported the need for legislation to ensure consultation and coordination with key stakeholders, strategic planning, and the timely rollout of the new system. GAO issued a subsequent report in 2013 identifying a continued need for guidance and testing of the system. We also heard from many stakeholders, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and industries like the broadcasters and wireless industry, that FEMA was not giving them a seat at the table as FEMA modernized the system. Involving these stakeholders who are the primary users and owners of the infrastructure is key. Without them, alerts couldn't go out. I am happy to stand here and support the culmination of that work in S. 1180, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015. I commend the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for continuing to advocate for a nationwide integrated and interoperable system. The IPAWS Modernization Act modernizes and integrates the Nation's alert and warning infrastructure to provide public safety officials with an effective way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies. This legislation sets a clear framework to ensure money is not wasted, while making certain key stakeholders are a part of FEMA's modernization of the system. The bill will also ensure that the ongoing development and modernization of our Nation's alert system is done effectively and efficiency. As technologies change, the legislation will ensure that this system adapts and continues to work toward the most effective alert and warning system possible. This system impacts everyone in America, Mr. Speaker. Whether it is a hurricane, tornado, flood or wildfire, unless we can ensure the public can be effectively alerted, lives will be at risk. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1180) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to modernize the integrated public alert and warning system of the United States, and for other purposes.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan).

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last year, Congress took an important step towards improving mental health services for our veterans. The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act was a landmark, bipartisan effort that improved suicide prevention programs and mental health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I was proud to cosponsor and to vote in support of that legislation, but more needs to be done. You do not have to look hard to see the need for critical mental health care and services for our veterans. Among servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, nearly 20% suffer from post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression, and during deployment, 18.5% report experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, only 50% of servicemembers seek treatment. As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am working tirelessly to help those returning from the battlefield who face these mental health challenges. Mr. Speaker, Congress can combat PTSD and TBI through greater awareness, prevention, and research. We can work with the VA and interested stakeholders to take commonsense steps to address staffing shortages, improve family support services, and increase access to services during non-business hours. Likewise, we need to allow our veterans the freedom to receive mental health care at non-VA facilities. We cannot allow bureaucracy to stand in the way of veterans receiving the critical treatment and services they need. H.R. 1604, the Veterans Mental Health Care Access Act, introduced by Congressman MacArthur, would do just that. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation. Congressman Zeldin has introduced H.R. 4513, the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veteran Peer Support Program, to provide 24/7 peer-to-peer mental health services for veterans, reservists, and National Guardsmen. Our men and women in uniform deserve a strong support system, and this is one way we can ensure they have a trusted sense of community whenever they need it.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on Rare Disease Day to raise awareness about this important issue and to advocate for those who are impacted. A medical condition is considered rare if fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. are known to be living with that particular disease. But while each disease affects a relatively small segment of the population, with over 7,000 different diseases that fall into this category, rare diseases are not uncommon. In fact, 1 in 10 Americans is affected. I want to commend our researchers at the NIH and in hospitals and research facilities in my district and across the U.S. who have risen to the distinct challenges posed by rare diseases. These men and women work tirelessly to remain on the cutting edge of medical breakthrough in their search for new treatments and cures, and they deserve our full support. So, too, do the parents, advocates, and those afflicted who spend their time raising awareness and educating policymakers on issues impacting rare diseases. I also want to remind us all that there is much left to be accomplished. In the time it takes for one new drug to be developed, tested, and approved for general use, countless other diseases have been newly discovered, leaving us with more questions than answers. That is why the House has taken a critical step by passing the 21st Century Cures Act. As a member of the Rare Disease Caucus, I urge my colleagues in both Chambers to advance this bipartisan initiative. On this Rare Disease Day and every other day, let us remember that the stakes are high and families are counting on us.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to congratulate my Chief of Staff, Lauryn Schothorst, and her husband, Bret, on the birth of their daughter, Caroline Martin Schothorst. Caroline was born on February 8, 2016 at 1:34 p.m. in Washington, DC. I would also like to congratulate their son, Owen, on becoming a big brother. I have full confidence that Owen will teach his baby sister everything there is to know about dinosaurs and how to cheer for his favorite baseball team, the Washington Nationals. Caroline is welcomed by her grandparents John and Debra Bernier of Strafford, Pennsylvania, and James and Deborah Schothorst of Grand Forks, North Dakota. We're blessed to welcome Caroline to our extended office family, and I extend my most sincere congratulations to Lauryn, Bret, and Owen on this wonderful addition to their family.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 89, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Stated against:

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of efforts to reauthorize child nutrition programs. Last year the House and the Senate worked together in a bipartisan fashion to reauthorize our elementary and secondary education programs. I rise today to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to carry forward that momentum to complete a much-needed review and renewal of Federal child nutrition programs. In doing so, Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to employ similar goals and objectives: simplify, streamline, and empower State and local education agencies when reauthorizing these programs. In particular, this approach can benefit our students and families by finding a path forward to simplify and streamline existing Federal nutrition and meal requirements without sacrificing the beneficial dietary value that school meals bring to students' daily lives. Much like we empowered our teachers to establish the curriculum and standards to best teach students they know so well, we likewise should empower those who know what our students will actually eat: the school professionals who work with the goal of making sure our children are able to enjoy healthy, nutritious meals. Likewise, we can use this opportunity to continue efforts to ensure that our existing Federal nutrition programs are providing adequate and appropriate training to school professionals, as well as the resources necessary to improve and enhance our school meal delivery system. Mr. Speaker, this opportunity will allow us to strengthen existing programs that strive to get nutritious meals to children year-round, and at earlier ages. Existing programs like the Summer Food Service Program can be enhanced and made more efficient to make sure they effectively reach those children who are most in need of quality, healthy meals. We can collaborate with Head Start, afterschool, and early childhood programs to better engage them in existing Federal programs that offer nutritious meals to young children most in need. We have a strong infrastructure in place to provide children and families with quality, healthy meals, and we have an excellent opportunity to improve these programs. I respectfully call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work together to accomplish this effort before another school year comes to a close. Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs Act

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs Act, legislation that I have cosponsored. In the midst of a slow economic recovery, one of the issues plaguing both our workforce and our job creators is a persistent mismatch of employer needs and employee skills. Right now, 10 million unemployed Americans are seeking work, while 4 million jobs remain unfilled. Fortunately, this problem can be solved with a bipartisan commitment to commonsense workforce development initiatives, as demonstrated by the Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs bill. By promoting apprenticeship programs, this legislation creates opportunities for highly motivated workers to earn a salary, while gaining the skills they need to succeed in high-demand fields. I am proud to say that employers in my congressional district in southeastern Pennsylvania have already recognized the value of apprenticeship programs by making hundreds of these opportunities available to those looking to build their job training and skills. I commend Congressman Rodney Davis for his efforts on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it. Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of reauthorizing the Older Americans Act. The Older Americans Act provides social and nutritional support to members of our senior population and their caregivers. Enacted in 1965, this legislation has improved health outcomes, independence, and quality of life by offering meal delivery, respite care, and other essential services to the most vulnerable members of our population. Reauthorization of this legislation gives Congress an opportunity to modernize multipurpose senior centers; improve falls prevention and chronic disease self-management training; strengthen laws to combat abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and support our local Area Agencies on Aging. Mr. Speaker, I offer my support to work with my colleagues to review and advance the legislation passed by the United States Senate last year, as it is an effort that will not only help protect seniors across my district and the U.S., but will ensure that our existing Federal support programs are appropriately tailored to meet the present-day needs of our senior citizens.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2360, the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act, a straightforward solution that will ensure that career education programs set our veterans on the proper path to their desired employment. As a proud member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and a cosponsor of this legislation, H.R. 2360 would ensure that GI Bill- eligible career education programs provide our veterans with the accreditation and credentials they need to build a career in the professional field or specialty of their choosing. This bill requires that career-education programs that accept GI Bill tuition payments must have programmatic accreditation if accreditation is required for employment in the career for which the program is designed to prepare its students. The bill also requires that career-education programs designed to prepare an individual for licensure or certification in a State must meet the curriculum and instructional requirements set by the State for licensure or certification. Mr. Speaker, if our veterans invest their time and effort to learn a skill set, they will have the peace of mind to know they are on the right career-education path and the confidence to know that, if they work hard, they will receive the appropriate certification they need to start their desired employment. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank Mr. Takano for his leadership on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 677, the American Heroes COLA Act. There are a lot of very excellent provisions to this bill, not the least of which is the automatic COLA, but I actually want to speak to part of this bill that deals with the claims processing. The legislation offered by my colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) would set out to improve the claims processing through several steps. I want to highlight them. First, it would require the VA to accept medical evidence from medical professionals in the community to support veterans' disability claims. Second, it would establish a commission to independently evaluate the VA's disability claims and appealed claims backlog. Last, it would develop an alternative program to determine appeals for disability claims more quickly. Each of these steps offers solutions to the current backlog. This bill is a smart, proactive, bipartisan bill that will help reduce the daunting piles of paperwork and delays that many veterans continue to face. I am very proud to be in support of this bill. It is another step in doing our best to reduce the claims backlog, and I thank Mr. Abraham for his leadership on this.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to pay tribute and express my deepest appreciation for the service and sacrifice of the 12 Marines missing off the coast of Hawaii, and especially Marine Captain Brian T. Kennedy of Malvern, PA. Growing up in the Tredyffrin Township, Captain Kennedy attended school at the Tredyffrin/Eastown School District and graduated from Conestoga High School as a member of the National Honors Society and co-captain of the varsity football team. Upon graduation, Captain Kennedy had the noble desire to serve his country and followed that aspiration to the U.S. Naval Academy where he continued his academic excellence and graduated with a major in Oceanography. He was a leader by nature, holding many leadership positions at the Academy: a battalion weapons coach, a company platoon sergeant, a company executive officer, a company conduct officer, and a company squad leader. After joining the Marine Corps as an officer, he was stationed in California where he met his loving and devoted wife, Captain Paige Kennedy. Together, they both served to protect our country and our freedoms. Mr. Speaker, as a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot, Captain Kennedy fought bravely for our freedoms in the Global War on Terror, which is proven by the numerous decorations awarded. Unfortunately, after the helicopter crash in Hawaii and an exhaustive search over 40,000 nautical square miles by the Marines and Coast Guard, Captain Kennedy and his comrades have not been found. We as a nation are truly indebted to those 12 Marines for the ultimate sacrifice they have made in service to this great nation. And it is with great respect and appreciation that I extend my condolences to their friends and families.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 515, and I commend Congressman Smith for his continued leadership efforts to combat human trafficking. It is an issue many of us take very, very seriously. This Congress, the House has passed several commonsense, bipartisan pieces of legislation to end human trafficking, and we remain dedicated to finding solutions to prevent this criminal activity, to protect victims, and to prosecute those individuals who seek to exploit innocent children. One year ago today, I spoke on this critical piece of legislation when it first came to the House floor. I am glad the Senate has finally considered it, and I am proud to be standing here again today as this legislation will finally make its way to the President's desk for his signature following the legislation's passage here in the House. Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is not a distant concept. It exists in communities across America. An estimated 300,000 young Americans are in danger of becoming victims of sex trafficking. The average age, believe it or not, is 12 to 14 years old for girls. Last year alone, my home State of Pennsylvania had a total of 106 reported cases of human trafficking and 514 calls of human trafficking violations. In fact, Pennsylvania has stepped up the fight by enacting stricter human trafficking laws, and it was named one of the top five ``most improved'' States by the Polaris Project. The legislation we have passed here in the House is another step in the right direction. We have made progress, but there is more that we can and must do. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue the fight against human trafficking. Barclay Grounds

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I also rise to highlight the success of a local land preservation effort in West Chester Borough, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The Barclay Grounds, located in West Chester Borough, is a beautiful property. The land has a rich history dating back to William Penn's charter from the King. Over the years, it has served as an orchard and has been utilized for agricultural purposes as well as for passive recreation activities. For over 2 years, local officials and grassroots volunteers have worked on a common mission: to preserve the Barclay Grounds for future generations. I can recall, when I was a county commissioner, when a gentleman by the name of John Cottage, who founded the Barclay Grounds Preservation Alliance, came in to see us, and I and my then-colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners, Terence Farrell and Kathi Cozzone, decided that this was a worthwhile endeavor. We provided the seed funding, if you will, to help kick-start the grant application process for several funding streams to make sure that we would be able to preserve the Barclay Grounds. I am pleased to stand before this country today and say that a group of local officials and local volunteers did something great in a local community that is going to preserve for future generations a really historic, cultural, and environmental gem. I commend the dedicated officials in the West Chester community, including the West Chester Borough Council, a lot of people involved in the preservation movement, including the grant writing teams at the Natural Lands Trust, as well as the Brandywine Conservancy and many others, for their efforts to preserve this passive park.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call on this administration to keep intact all existing sanctions on the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, Iran. Sanctions must remain, and closer scrutiny and more accountability by this administration on Iran's continuing illicit activity must occur. It is imperative for peace, security, and stability in the Middle East and across the globe that we do this. Iran's conduct over the past few months and the lack of clear and exact leadership by this administration in response is cause for serious alarm. Iran has not changed its tone and conduct since the signing of the deal. In fact, they have doubled down on their unwillingness not to comply with international agreements, and they have created more danger and instability in the process. Here is the central point why I am speaking on the House floor here today: Once we lift sanctions, we have even less leverage. So let's look at how Iran has honored their commitments in the past few months and ask ourselves: Do we anticipate Iran will conduct itself in the months and years to come better or worse? On October 10, Iran carried out a precision-guided ballistic missile test. This violates U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929 and 2231. Now that Iran is prohibited from such testing under the deal, what do they do? They send weapons to Bashar al-Assad on Russian cargo planes. This violates U.N. Resolution 1747. They did that in October. On November 21, they carried out a medium-range ballistic missile test with capabilities to carry a nuclear warhead. They can't do that either. Last month, they fired several unguided rockets 1,500 yards from two U.S. vessels. Just a few days ago, they unveiled a new underground missile depot showing precision-guided missiles that have the capability to hold a nuclear warhead. What has been the response of this administration? They notify us they will respond with sanctions against Iranian individuals and businesses linked to Iran's ballistic missile program. What happened since they notified us of that? Nothing. They have walked it back. Here is my fear, Mr. Speaker. We are forecasting to Iran that they have carte blanche to do as they wish. And once we lift the sanctions, we can expect more of that. Iran is not honoring its commitments, so nor should we. We know the State Department classifies the deal not as a treaty, not as an executive agreement. It is not even a signed document. It is merely a political commitment. And it is clear Iran is not acting in good faith to our political commitment. I signed correspondence to the administration requesting that the President ``immediately void the deal and restore and/or continue all relevant sanctions on Iran that have been or will be relaxed under the JCPOA.'' Let's not concern ourselves if Iran voices outrage or condemnation that we voided a political commitment on the basis that they feel they have somehow honored the deal because, number one, they violated U.N. resolutions since the deal was signed, the Iranian Parliament refuses to ratify the deal, and the Ayatollah forbids further negotiations with the U.S. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that Iran's U.N. violations clearly violate the spirit of our political commitment to them. Their conduct threatens our national security, it threatens the security of our allies, and it further erodes an already precarious and unstable environment in the Middle East. Iran isn't honoring its commitments, so nor should we. Let's keep the sanctions in place. Do not lift them.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Delaware Valley Friends School, its staff, students, and their parents on a very prestigious honor. On January 19, the Paoli-based school will be presented with the Apple Distinguished School Award by the technology company Apple. This award is presented to outstanding schools and programs worldwide for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence based on five best practices: visionary leadership, innovative learning in technology, ongoing professional learning, compelling evidence of success, and a flexible learning environment. Schools honored to receive this award must achieve educational excellence in all categories. In fact, Delaware Valley Friends School is one of only two Chester County schools to be presented with this prestigious award. I regret I cannot attend this ceremony, but I wish the school the very best here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives on this historic achievement. Best wishes to the Delaware Valley Friends School as they continue to provide educational excellence to its students.

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania

Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of Viola Wiskoski, a resident of Paoli, Pennsylvania, which is in the Sixth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Recently, Viola retired from the Royer-Greaves School for Blind after 70 years of dedicated service as the school's secretary. The Royer- Greaves School for Blind has been a staple in the Paoli community since 1941, and for nearly a century it has provided quality care and assistance to individuals who are visually impaired. Viola coined her work as an ``experience of a lifetime,'' particularly the privilege of having worked directly with Dr. Royer- Greaves. For 70 years, Viola ensured that the school operated smoothly, enabling it to work toward its mission of ``providing a supportive education and training environment for students with multiple disabilities to help them reach their full potential and enjoy an enhanced quality of life.'' In 2009, her service to the school and community was honored with accolades, including the Jessie Royer-Greaves award. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate and thank Viola for her dedicated service to the Royer-Greaves School for Blind. Her achievements have left a meaningful impact on the school, its students, and the community. She is a great and caring American. We wish her the best in health and happiness in retirement.