Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to extend my warmest congratulations to Local 34 of the Federation of University Employees, UNITE HERE as they celebrate their 30th Anniversary--a remarkable milestone for this wonderful organization! Representing over 3400 clerical and technical employees at Yale University, Local 34 has given a strong voice to its membership over the last three decades. Their members perform a broad spectrum of duties that make Yale University a world-class institution of teaching, research and medical care. Local 34's efforts have ensured fair salaries and guaranteed raises, healthcare benefits, workplace health and safety protections, as well as good pensions and fully paid retiree medical benefits for members and their spouses. Local 34 can be proud of the work they do on behalf of their members and the role the union plays in making Yale a great place to work. The organization of Local 34 holds a special place in my memory--it is hard to believe that 30 years have already passed. As the organization effort grew, my husband and I were glad to support them and our basement housed the phone-bank effort. Our home became a base of operation throughout the creation of Local 34 and it was a proud moment when the day of the vote came and Local 34 became a reality. Over the course of the last three decades, Local 34 has played a unique role in our community, not only representing the interests of their members, but also in strengthening the town-gown relationship between Yale University and the City of New Haven. Understanding the connection between strong communities and healthy employment, in the 1990's Local 34 created the New Haven Resident's Training Program--one of the few job training initiatives in the entire country that led to a commitment to hire locally. Today, as New Haven and the country emerge from challenging economic times, Local 34 has doubled-down on this effort with the creation of a jobs pipeline--New Haven Works--an organization committed to providing employers with a trained and qualified workforce and connecting New Haven residents to good jobs. Last year alone they placed over 300 individuals in new jobs and the effort is only growing. From its origins as a ``pink-collar'' union of secretaries--little sister to the blue-collar Local 35--Local 34 has grown into a labor powerhouse. I am honored to have this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Local 34 President Laurie Kennington, the union's executive leadership, and each of its more than 3400 members as they celebrate this very special anniversary. Happy 30th and best wishes for many more years of success!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I would just make one other point. So many years ago, when we were discussing the Affordable Care Act, the American public said: Read the bill. That is what we are asking to do, very simply, to read the bill before we vote on it.

Ms. DeLAURO. Thank you so much to my colleague from New York and to my colleague from Ohio, Tim Ryan, who is just leaving the floor, and we have got Wisconsin in the House with Mr. Pocan. Mr. Tonko, thank you for taking the lead on this effort. I can't tell you how proud I am to join with men and women in this body who understand what is going on in the lives of working families today. Mr. Speaker, they are struggling. We need to walk in their shoes. That is what our job is--to represent their interests in this body. What do we know? We know that, in fact, they are in jobs today that don't pay them enough money to survive. That is why we are organized and are taking on a process which can do nothing but harm them in the future. All of us who are engaged in this effort have been long supporters of the President's and the administration's, and we believe genuinely that he wants to improve the lives of working Americans; but on the issue of trade, I and all of us will oppose the administration because they are following the exact same trade policy that has failed in the past. The administration claims that the Trans-Pacific Partnership will bring jobs back to the United States, will raise our wages, but experience tells us that far too many trade agreements have done the exact opposite. The TPP is based on the same model as the Korea free trade agreement, negotiated just 2 years ago. Since that time, the United States' trade deficit with South Korea has exploded by 50 percent. That translates into 60,000 lost jobs. This is a familiar picture: Korean products flood in, and American jobs flood out. When adjusted for inflation, our wages continue to slide. Princeton economist Alan Blinder estimates that as many as a quarter of American jobs will be offshored in the foreseeable future, and we know from past experience that the people who are laid off will see a significant drop in their wages--that is, if they are able to find another job. The trade agreements we have signed over the last 25 years have done nothing to ensure fair competition. Let's take one example. The deals have failed to address the problem, which our colleague Congressman Ryan mentioned, of currency manipulation. It is an unfair, artificial practice that has been devastating our automotive industry for a generation. Morgan Stanley estimates that currency manipulation gives each imported Japanese car an effective subsidy of between $1,500 and $5,700. That is neither free nor fair. Leading economist Fred Bergsten of the Peterson Institute wrote in Foreign Affairs just within the last several days: The United States has paid a major economic price for never having established an effective currency manipulation policy. In the last Congress, 230 Members--both Republicans and Democrats-- wrote to the United States Trade Representative to demand the inclusion of a strong and an enforceable currency manipulation chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. So far, we have been ignored and dismissed. Put simply, if the agreement does not address currency manipulation, it will not be worth the paper that it is written on. It will be a green light to those who seek to compete unfairly with American manufacturing, and it will take away American jobs. The administration's arguments about jobs have failed. They know that experience and the numbers are against them. So, instead, as with past trade agreements, we hear the fallback arguments based on foreign policy. If you listened to the Trade Representative today in the Senate Finance Committee, Mr. Froman, he talked about the danger of China, the specter of China. In the State of the Union, the President said that the TPP would help us counter China's growing influence. This is clearly not the case. As the economist and Reagan appointee Clyde Prestowitz pointed out in the Los Angeles Times last week, ``The ever-closing linking of the U.S. economy to those of the TPP countries over the last 35 years has not prevented the rise of Chinese power.'' He continued, ``nor has it deterred U.S. trade partners and allies from developing ever closer ties with China.'' They will not stop doing so just because we sign a trade agreement. In reality, the argument about China is nothing more than an attempt to distract the American public with scare tactics and that we are going to take on China. The administration should be above this kind of fear- mongering. Throughout this process, the administration has chosen not to consult the Congress fully. Members of Congress have been denied access to the full text of the agreement. The American people have been cut out of the negotiation; yet in the State of the Union, the President asked the Congress for fast-track promotion authority. A key part of granting that authority has always been the negotiating guidelines that Congress gives to the administration. That is our job-- to provide the negotiating guidelines--but the Trans-Pacific Partnership has already been under negotiations for years, first under President Bush and now under President Obama. Earlier today, the U.S. Trade Representative told our colleagues in the Senate that he expected a deal ``in the next small number of months.'' How can the Congress give guidance on a deal that we have never seen, a deal that is, for all intents and purposes, already done? Once again, we see fast track for what it really is. It is an attempt to cut the Congress out of the process altogether. We should not stand for this, and when we get that fast-track bill, we should vote it down. Bitter experience tells us that bad trade deals devastate jobs, devastate wages. That is why we should say ``no'' to this deeply flawed Trans-Pacific Partnership. I can't thank you enough for taking on this job of being here at 7 at night, all of us together, to say ``no.'' I think what we want to convey to the American public is that we are committed to work on their behalf and to make sure that they have a decent shot at a decent job with good wages. Thank you so much, Mr. Tonko, for listening.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule and to the underlying bill. This bill is just as unconstitutional as it was when it was introduced in the last Congress. It poses just as serious a risk to the health and civil liberties of American women. And this time around, it comes with an additional slap in the face to women because, if this rule passes, the bill will come to a vote on the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. By attempting to outlaw almost all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, this bill would clearly violate the constitutional principles the Court laid down in that decision a generation ago. Women must be allowed to decide their health care decisions. They need to do it in consultation with their doctors, with their families, and with their clergy and not have those decisions made for them by Washington politicians. The Republican majority always claims to be against government overreach and for science. Well, they should take a look at the legislation they bring to the floor. This bill would extend the Federal Government's reach all the way into the doctor's office. And it denies medical science. It threatens providers with jail for performing a procedure that is constitutionally protected and often medically necessary. It places obstacles in the way of rape victims who seek help. It would put thousands of women at risk. In short, this is another Republican ideological assault on women. We should reject it wholeheartedly. Our priority should be to help American workers with jobs, with increased wages--including women--and not turning the clock back to the 1950s with this kind of unconstitutional posturing. I urge my colleagues to vote against this rule and the underlying bill and truly vote for women in the United States today.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Chair, with this bill, the majority plays a dangerous game with our national security. We all know why they are doing this. They want to tie the President's hands on immigration because they do not agree with him there. But by acting this way, the majority has torn up what should be a fundamental rule of American politics: that we do not play politics with the security of our Nation. The fact that the majority chooses to gamble with Homeland Security, of all budgets, is troubling, to say the least. At a time when we face a higher terrorist threat, these tactics are potentially deadly. Let us recall that the Department of Homeland Security was born out of the searing attacks on this Nation on September 11, 2001. We created it to protect our country against further atrocities. Three thousand people died. We have seen what our enemies are capable of. We saw it in the Boston Marathon bombing last year. We saw it again over the past week in a shocking series of terrorist murders in Paris. Funding for national security programs should be sacrosanct. Republicans and Democrats could so easily have come together to pass a full-year funding bill. Instead, the majority chooses tactics that put the security of American families at risk. They have allowed three nongermane amendments. The American people know about this nongermaneness. They have added that to this bill. That seeks only to make life harder for immigrant families. I remember in 2007 when Chairman Rogers, the chair of the Appropriations Committee, said on this floor: There is no more important chore that the Congress has . . . than to protect the country as best we can from its enemies and from natural disasters. That is what this bill is all about. Well, his party should take his advice now. These games are dangerous. They are disgraceful. They are wrong. I will vote against this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. By cutting full-time workers from 40 hours per week to 39, an employer could escape having to pay for health care. This bill would put millions of workers at risk of losing both wages and health care. It is wrong for our country, wrong for public health, and it is wrong for the middle class. It leaves the American people worse off, with smaller paychecks and with bigger insurance bills. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Thank you so much to the gentleman from Wisconsin. Again, it is reciprocal. It is just such an honor to serve with you. We are simpatico in the views that we hold with regard to this and so many others. I am honored to be able to serve with you and to be tied together on this critically important issue. Earlier today, my colleagues who are on the floor here tonight and others who have spoken, we were all at a press conference. And I think we can say with one voice that it was one of the broadest advocacy coalitions that we have seen come together. It certainly is true for me in my 24 years in the House. The advocacy groups and Members of Congress came together to oppose Fast Track. It included faith groups, human rights groups, labor unions, environmental groups, and consumer protection groups. And the purpose, as I said, was to oppose the policy known as Fast Track for trade deals. Under this Fast Track umbrella, if you will, what happens? Members of Congress are denied the opportunity to debate and vote in detail on the text of these deals. We cannot have a serious debate, nor can we amend the process. Negotiations are going on right now between the United States and 11 other countries. If these negotiations are successful, it will create the largest trade deal in history, something called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Yet the details of this trade agreement remain a secret from the American people, from the Representatives of the American people in this body. The contours of the deal are being sketched out in secret, as I have said, by a Who's Who of Wall Street firms, big pharmaceutical companies, energy companies, and other corporate interests. They want to ram the agreement through the Congress, again, without amendment and with little opportunity for debate. To me, that is the very opposite of what we have been sent here to do. I have always opposed Fast Track, no matter who was in the Oval Office. I will oppose it again. We cannot, and we must not, really just sign away our constitutional duties. We need to retain the ability to scrutinize trade deals page by page, line by line, word by word. We should do that for all legislation, let alone legislation with such far-reaching implications for American workers. Some of us remember the debate on this floor or going back home during the debate on health care when our constituents and our colleagues on the other side of the aisle would say to us, have you read the bill? Have you read the bill? How can you vote on a bill that you have not read? The TPP is 1,000 pages, 1,000 pages. We want to read the bill. That is what we are asking for. Make no mistake: bad trade deals can have grave consequences for our people. And it used to be that the working-class families became middle class by finding work that paid enough to save a little, buy a home in a safe neighborhood, send their kids to college, and leave the next generation better off. But today, the good jobs that used to lift people into the middle class have been shipped overseas to places where labor is cheap. Many of them have gone to countries that get ahead by abusing labor rights, polluting the environment, risking public health, or manipulating their currency. A recent GAO report tells us of unpunished violence against trade unionists in Colombia, of union suppression in Guatemala, of abuses against foreign workers in Oman. These are all countries that we have trade deals with, agreements under which they promised--they promised-- to improve their records. We haven't held them accountable on these promises. I am not against free trade. I am in favor of fair trade on a level playing field. Hardworking Americans will win 9 times out of 10, but the competition must be fair. A recent Gallup Poll showed that in 2014, the issues Americans most often identified as the biggest problem facing our country was ``poor government leadership.'' Today, 80 percent of Americans disapprove of the job that this institution is doing. Why? Because far too often, we are seen as working not for all Americans but for a privileged few: tax breaks for millionaires, benefit cuts for the poorest; unprecedented paydays for those at the top, dwindling paychecks for everyone else. The big economic problem today is that jobs that people have do not pay enough to them so that they can live on it. Fast Tracking this trade agreement will exacerbate that problem. NAFTA-style trade deals are in the same category. For a narrow band of wealthy individuals and big corporations with the means to invest their money beyond our the borders, they do wonders. For the rest of us, they spell disaster. They send our jobs overseas. They erode our ability to protect our workers, consumers, and the environment. Worst of all, they threaten to saw the legs off the ladder of opportunity that leads to the middle class. Fast Tracking these deals would be yet another insult to American workers, yet another sign of how little their political leaders really care about them. Instead of our abdicating our constitutional responsibility, let's send a clear message: enough is enough. No more offshoring. No more NAFTA-style trade deals, no more Fast Track. Let us focus on helping American workers, not throwing their jobs away. I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin for all of his efforts, and it is a privilege to work with you on this issue.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. I want to thank the gentlewoman, first and foremost, for her leadership. This is not an issue for the faint of heart or for people who want to say, ``Oh, my gosh. If we don't see success immediately, then we will wash our hands and go off and do some other thing.'' This has required tenacity and courage and passion and deep concern. We are grateful to you for your leadership in this area, and it has been a pleasure for me to work with you. Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, we are no fans of the Castro regime. This is not about the regime. It is about the Cuban people and what we can do to help our near neighbors realize their aspirations for freedom and prosperity. Judged against that worthy goal, our policy for the last 54 years has been a dismal failure. It has not helped ordinary Cubans one bit. In fact, the sanctions have harmed them and us by holding back Cuba's democratic and economic development. Back in 2007, I had the opportunity to chair the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. At that time, I led a bipartisan group of Members on a trip to Cuba. On that trip, it was so interesting to me that one of the things that one or two of my colleagues--and, again, in a bipartisan way--wanted to do was to go to the port and see the offloading of rice. The fact of the matter is that, instead of getting their rice from the United States, which Cuba could do, they are getting their rice from Malaysia. Imagine if we could make an economic difference for our rice farmers, for our agricultural community, and because of a policy that has been so shortsighted, we are putting our own economic interests aside. I had the honor of taking part in another delegation to the island last year, led by our colleague Barbara Lee. What we saw on the visit was an immense and an untapped potential. It was at that time as well that I accompanied Congresswoman Lee to visit with Alan Gross and to understand his plight. He was arrested and put in prison for 15 years, having served 5 years. What destruction it was doing to him physically and mentally, and unnecessarily so. We were so excited yesterday, when we were sworn in as newly elected or just elected Members of Congress, that Alan Gross and his wife, Judy, were in the audience to see it-- back home, here, in the United States, with family, and enjoying all of the freedom that he deserves. Again, the immense benefits, the untapped potential. We also saw and met--and my colleague Barbara Lee will bear this out--with entrepreneurs. There are many young women who have opened stores; they have opened restaurants; they have opened other small businesses. We spoke with people who are finding innovative ways to improve their lives and the lives of their families; yet, because of a lack of a financial infrastructure or the ability of U.S. banks to participate in Cuba, they are held to a modicum of what they can do. There is palpable hunger for change in Cuba. We need to do our best to support it. Opening the economy will help to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of the Cuban people. We have engaged with the Soviet Union and Communist China, both of which pose potentially severe threats to our country. Cuba poses no such threat. I applaud the President for his historic first step to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. We must stop persevering in a senseless cold war policy. This Congress must act to end this embargo. I thank the gentlewoman for the time. Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues, I am no fan of the Castro regime. But this is not about the regime. It is about the Cuban people, and what we can do to help our near neighbors realize their aspirations for freedom and prosperity. Judged against that worthy goal, our policy of the last fifty-four years has been a dismal failure. It has not helped ordinary Cubans one bit. In fact, the sanctions have harmed them--and us--by holding back Cuba's democratic and economic development. Back in 2007, when I chaired the Agriculture appropriations subcommittee, I led a bipartisan group of members on a trip to Cuba. This year, I took part in another delegation to the island. What we saw on both visits was immense untapped potential. I met entrepreneurs who have opened stores, restaurants, and other small businesses. I spoke with people finding innovative ways to improve their lives and the lives of their families. There is a palpable hunger for change in Cuba. We should do our best to support it. Opening the economy will help unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of the Cuban people. We engaged with the Soviet Union and Communist China, both of which posed potentially severe threats to our country. Cuba poses no such threat. Stonewalling the Cuban government only backs up the regime's claim that the United States is the enemy. By contrast, engaging diplomatically gives us the openings we need to address important issues like democracy and human rights, as we have done with China and many other countries. So I applaud the President for his historic first step to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. This new direction will benefit both nations. The President has done a great deal, within the confines of his available powers, to reestablish diplomatic relations, increase commerce, and advance shared humanitarian interests. There is more he can do: for example, he should do away with a Bush Administration policy that drains Cuban talent by encouraging doctors to defect. But lifting the embargo itself will require Congress to act. I have been arguing for an end to sanctions for many years. The Cuban people have suffered needlessly for too long. We ought to free them to join the international community and participate in the global economy. For our own businesses, lifting the embargo would ensure access to new markets just 90 miles from our shores. I am in favor of re-establishing formal diplomatic relations with Cuba. But our best ambassadors would be the American people themselves. Every American should have the right to travel freely to Cuba. The resulting flood of contact would give Cubans access to America's most valuable export: our nation's ideals and values. That is the surest path to freedom for the Cuban people. We must stop persevering this senseless Cold War policy. Congress must act to end this embargo.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Republican rule package and to the previous question. If we defeat that question, Ms. Slaughter will offer an amendment to end corporate desertion. Over the last decade, we have seen nearly 50 American companies try to avoid taxes by moving their mailboxes overseas, but they leave their operations here, effectively renouncing their U.S. citizenship in order to dodge taxes. These companies benefit from American education, research and development incentives, and infrastructure, all taxpayer supported, but when their own tax bill arrives, they hide overseas and are no longer American corporations. They even have the temerity--and this is legal under the law today, and it shouldn't be--they have the temerity then to apply for Federal contracts, but they deny their U.S. citizenship when it comes to paying their taxes. Mr. Speaker, what this amendment would do is make sure that they pay their fair share. The extra revenue goes to the highway trust fund. That trust fund runs out of money in May if we do not act. Anyone who has driven a car lately knows how badly our roads need investment. Our highways are crumbling beneath our wheels, 65 percent of our major roads are in less than good condition, and one-quarter of our bridges require repair or improvements. The backlog of projects grows longer by the day. At a time when globalization is gathering pace, this state of affairs puts America's competitiveness in jeopardy. According to the World Economic Forum, the United States has slipped from 7th to 18th in the quality of our roadways. Replenishing the highway trust fund will reverse this trend, unleash economic growth, and create thousands of good jobs that cannot be sent overseas. If we want business to invest in this Nation, we must be prepared to do the same. Instead of lining the pockets of corporate deserters, we should be revitalizing our roadways. That is the path to a better, stronger, and more sustainable economy. This amendment puts us back on the right track.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and so I missed rollcall vote No. 6 regarding the ``The Rules Package for the 114th Congress'' (H. Res. 5). Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and a bit of a heavy heart that I rise today to join the many family, friends, and colleagues who have gathered to celebrate the retirement of Connecticut Food Bank President and CEO, Nancy L. Carrington. A dear friend and outstanding advocate, Nancy has spent the last three decades at the Connecticut Food Bank and, put simply, the organization will not be the same without her. Nancy came to the Connecticut Food Bank just two years after it was incorporated. She began her work with the organization as a food solicitor--responsible for seeking the donation of excess and unsalable products from local and regional food companies. When Nancy first came to the Food Bank, the organization was already distributing 1.3 million pounds of food a year to 188 community agencies throughout Connecticut. Just five years after starting at the Connecticut Food Bank, Nancy became the organization's Executive Director; her title later changed to President and CEO. Over the course of the last three decades, Nancy's leadership has guided the organization as it has grown from a grassroots, volunteer organization into the largest centralized source of donated, emergency food in Connecticut. Today the Connecticut Food Bank serves nearly 700 food-assistance programs in Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties and distributes an average of 40 tons of food every business day. And, just this past summer, the Connecticut Food Bank broke ground on what will be an 82,251-square- foot building that will be the organization's new home. While her daily presence at the Connecticut Food Bank will be missed, Nancy has certainly built it a strong foundation on which it can continue to succeed in its mission. Nancy has not only been responsible for the day-to-day operations at the Connecticut Food Bank, but is also one of Connecticut's strongest voices on behalf of the hungry. She has said that ``food should not be a privilege . . . it should be a basic human right.'' Nancy has made it her personal mission to overcome the challenge of feeding the hungry-- her work touching the lives of thousands over the years. She has volunteered to deliver groceries to homebound seniors for an emergency food pantry. She served as a founding director of End Hunger Connecticut!, a statewide anti-hunger and food security organization. Nancy also works closely with other food banks in New England and partners with Feeding America, the national network of food banks. There is no stronger or more dedicated advocate. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Nancy for her many years of friendship. Nancy and I are kindred spirits in so many ways--both having learned the importance of public service from our parents and both passionate about the need to address hunger in our community and across the nation. She is an inspiration to me and so many others and I am proud to call her my friend. And so I stand today to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to Nancy L. Carrington, for all of her good work and many years of dedicated service to the Connecticut Food Bank and wish her all the best for many more years of health and happiness as she enjoys her retirement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the importance of investing in evidence-based programs with proven track records. As we work to invest our tax dollars in the most efficient manner possible, we need to know which government programs work, which do not, and which could be improved. The Appropriations bill provides a set aside of 0.5% for program evaluations for both the Department of Labor and certain Education programs. It has recently been brought to my attention, how the moneyball approach to government could help in our spending decisions. We all have heard about Billy Bean and how he used evidence and data to assemble his winning team. We in Congress can use this same model by examining best practices and evaluating Federal programs. ``Investing in What Works'' is not a partisan issue. This practice dates back to Presidents Clinton and Bush and continues today with President Obama. Many of you have heard me speak about my disdain for these austere budget times and how we are forced to look at every available avenue to do more with less. Conducting program evaluations and investing in what works can help improve outcomes for children, families and communities across this nation.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as ranking member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee, I worked hard on this portion of the legislation, and there are some real bright spots. But our problem is simple. The resources provided in this bill are not adequate to tackle the challenges middle class families face every day. The bill does not keep pace with inflation. It continues to underfund some of our Nation's highest priorities: education, health care, medical research, and job training. However, there are many more troubling aspects of this bill. The Department of Homeland Security is only funded for 9 weeks. Why? Because the majority disagrees with the President on immigration. Holding up full-year funding for national security over an immigration disagreement is a game that poses a serious risk to our border, our Secret Service, and our ability to respond to natural disasters. The bill gambles with our financial system. It would reverse Dodd- Frank safeguards, allow banks to engage in some of Wall Street's riskiest transactions, the same transactions that caused a crisis in which millions of hardworking Americans lost their jobs, their homes, and their savings. Why? Why would we want to put families at risk once again? Public funds should be used to protect our families, not to prop up casino banking. This bill threatens injustice to millions of seniors. It allows pension funds to reduce benefits to current retirees. They worked hard for their retirement. They earned it. Would we want to put their economic security in jeopardy? Finally, the bill seeks to overturn some of the last remaining campaign finance laws, as if they were not generous enough. The American public is angry about a government that responds to the highest bidder. The majority's dangerous games benefit big corporations and the wealthy at the expense of working families and seniors, and I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 554, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 556, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to join the West Haven community in extending my sincere congratulations to the Zuppardi family as they celebrate the 80th Anniversary of their restaurant, and cherished local treasure, Zuppardi's Apizza. As you may know, New Haven and many of its surrounding communities are well known for their Italian cuisine--particularly for our pizza. Zuppardi's Apizza has been a local favorite since its opening eight decades ago. Like so many other businesses in and around New Haven, Zuppardi's speaks to the immigrant experience. Domenico Zuppardi, an immigrant from Maiori, Italy arrived in New Haven in 1921 with little more than a dream and a talent for the family business, bread. He worked as a bread baker with family members before moving to West Haven in 1934, where he opened his own business, Salerno Bakery. His specialty was bread and pizza. Joined by his son, Anthony, upon his return from the Navy in 1946, they opened Zuppardi's Apizza as an extension of the bakery. Though both flourished, in later years Anthony made the decision to keep his focus on the pies and the rest, as they say is history. Zuppardi's Apizza is a family business in every sense of the word. Anthony and his wife, Frances, lived above the restaurant, and their children spent their free time watching, learning, and working there. Now run by those third and fourth generations, Zuppardi's Apizza is the 7th oldest continuously run family pizzeria in the country, and the 2nd oldest existing pizzeria in Connecticut. Just last year, ``The Special,'' a pie made with mozzarella, mushrooms, and their homemade sausage, made the Daily Meal's list of 101 Best Pizzas in the nation, coming in at #50. ``The Special'' was named by Anthony and Frances Zuppardi and has never changed. Zuppardi's also offers not one but two clam pizzas--white, of course--just make sure you specify canned or fresh shucked when ordering. With all of this history, the family has also created a niche by selling hundreds of frozen pizzas to customers around the country each month. Anthony Zuppardi had a simple philosophy ``The last bite has to be as good as the first when people eat our pizza.'' Today, his daughters Lori and Cheryl still hold true to that simple message. Customers are valued and they take pride in putting forth a quality pizza. That is what makes Zuppardi's so special. I am happy to rise today to join the West Haven community in extending my heartfelt congratulations to Lori, Cheryl, and the entire Zuppardi family as they mark this remarkable milestone. Happy 80th Anniversary!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join the New Haven community and all of those gathered this evening in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Beulah Land Development Corporation--a remarkable milestone for this outstanding organization. Dedicated to making a difference in a distressed community, the Beulah Land Development Corporation was founded in 1994 with a simple mission--to improve the quality of life for area residents through providing homeownership opportunities for families, the creation of affordable housing for seniors, and supporting innovative economic development initiatives. BLDC also seeks to empower community residents by providing or acting as a gateway to programs and initiatives that provide education, technical and financial assistance to repair and beautify their homes, improve their economic status, and prepare for a sustainable future. Over the course of the last two decades, BLDC has invested millions in the revitalization of blighted properties. The Orchard Street Townhouses and additional revitalization of several properties along Orchard and Henry Streets have enabled first-time homebuyers to realize their dreams. The Walter S. Brooks Elderly Homes, named in honor of one of the founding members of BLDC, provides safe, affordable rental units for our seniors. Looking to the future, BLDC has recently worked to redevelop a brownfields site where they plan to provide accessible community based health services. Perhaps what is most special about BLDC is that it is a family affair. The Brooks family have been and continue to be dedicated community activists. Bishop Theodore Brooks and his late brother, Walter, seeing a real need, opened the doors of BLDC as a way to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors. Today, BLDC is still led by President and CEO Bishop Theodore Brooks and his son, Darrell, works tirelessly by his side. They understand that a home is not simply a place to rest your head--it is a source of comfort and security for families. By making these investments, they are not only leading by example, they are empowering residents and inspiring a renewed pride in and commitment to their community. For their many invaluable contributions to the Dixwell neighborhood and the New Haven community, I am honored to rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Brooks, his son Darrell, the Brooks family and the staff and supporters of the Beulah Land Development Corporation as they celebrate the organization's platinum anniversary. I have no doubt that even as they celebrate this special occasion, their vision and leadership will continue to make a difference in our community and in the lives of others for many more years to come.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today to wish Raffaela Cicarelli a very happy 100th birthday! Rae, a cousin of my mother Luisa, has been a very special part of my family's life and today she joins my mom as a centenarian! Rae's story is like that of many others of her generation. Born in Amalfi, Italy in November of 1914, her father left Italy for America when she was just a toddler. At the age of five, she, her mother and her uncle traveled to America to join him. Her family settled on Wooster Street in New Haven, Connecticut. Along with my grandparents, her parents ran Canestri's Pastry Shop above which both families lived. Rae received her education at Dante and Columbus Schools in New Haven and when she was old enough to work, she was employed by Strouse Adler located in New Haven, making garment labels for brassieres and corsets. She worked at Strouse Adler for thirty-two years. And, much like my own mother, after working her day job, Rae would come home and work at the pastry shop as a sales person. At just twenty-six years old, Rae married in St. Michael's Church in the heart of Wooster Square. After her wedding, she and her husband settled in a home on Lighthouse Road and lived there for thirty-one years. She raised three children, two sons, Anthony and Albert, and one daughter, Joanne; and today she is the proud grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of another eight. After her husband passed away in 1979, Rae moved to Quinnipiac Avenue to live with her son. When Rae was young, she enjoyed basketball and baseball. At 100 years young, Rae enjoys doing word search puzzles, and watching and listening to her television. She is involved in recreational activities such as exercise groups, special events, entertainment and playing games such as Bingo, Pokeno, trivia, Five-Card Bingo and more. She is very active and recreates independently, praying the rosary, and reading prayers daily. Marking decades of hard work, this occasion reflects an important milestone in Rae's life. Over the years, she has witnessed remarkable changes and extraordinary progress--indeed, she has lived through some of the most exciting times on our nation's history. I am honored to call her family and very proud to stand today to wish Raffaela Cicarelli a very happy 100th birthday! My very best wishes for many more years of health and happiness.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join New Haven SCORE, our local business community, as well as the hundreds of chapters across the country in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of SCORE. Previously known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE is a 501 (c)3 organization with more than 350 chapters across the country through which some 13,000 experienced entrepreneurs offer their advice and council to other small business owners. Over the course of the last half century, SCORE volunteers have provided mentoring and training support to more than 10 million entrepreneurs and small business owners. Small business has always been the backbone of our nation's economy. It is these innovative, creative individuals who create jobs, help to grow our local economies, and more often than not, become a part of the very fabric of our communities. Since its inception SCORE has been an invaluable resource--allowing small business owners to receive advice, council, and education from others who have walked the same path and faced the same challenges and triumphs. Housed at Gateway Community College and led by Professor Rose Bednarz-Luglio, New Haven SCORE has had a remarkable impact on our local business community. Mentors are actively engaged in our community and our small business owners know that a wide range of resources are available to them. Offering sessions on topics from developing a business plan, securing financing, day-to-day business management, and charting business growth to workshops on low cost business planning, marketing and sales, and other business-support, SCORE has provided an environment in which our small business owners can thrive. SCORE has been a remarkable success and continues to leave an indelible mark on the business community. I am proud to stand today to extend my sincere congratulations to SCORE on its 50th Anniversary as well as my very best wishes for its continued success.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to join the company leadership, employees and families that have gathered today to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Sargent Manufacturing Company in New Haven, Connecticut. A reflection of Connecticut's long and proud history of manufacturing tradition, Sargent has and continues to be a pillar of manufacturing in our city and our state--one of the many threads that have woven the fabric of our community. Leaving home at just sixteen years old, Joseph Bradford Sargent, worked tirelessly, starting at the ground level of a dry-goods store in Boston which, soon after, he was managing. He would later move to Georgia to open his own store. He later moved his family to Brooklyn where he, along with his two brothers, George and Edward, operated a wholesale hardware business in New York City where they obtained an interest in one of their suppliers, Peck and Walter Manufacturing. In 1857, the brothers purchased full ownership and in 1864 moved the factory to New Haven along the Harbor, establishing Sargent Manufacturing Company at its original location on Water Street. A series of five-story brick buildings and storage sheds marked the original plant. As the business grew other buildings were added with ``catwalks'' or bridges connecting them, often spanning the busy city streets. 1884 marked the beginning of their manufacturing what would become one of their best known products--locks. By 1914, the Sargent product catalog listed some 60,000 different items, making it one of the largest hardware manufacturing plants in the country. During World Wars I and II, much like factories across the nation, production capacity was converted to production for the war effort and, with the men serving overseas, women began staffing the factory. In fact, at the end of WWII, women made up nearly 40 percent of Sargent's workforce. The post-war era brought a new focus for the company-- solidifying their reputation in the niche production of locks and door- related mechanisms and resulting in many lock-related engineering firsts. In the late 1960's the Sargent family and company stockholders accepted an offer from the Walter Kidde Company which began a period of ownership by various financial groups. In 1996 ASSA ABLOY AB acquired Sargent, along with several sister companies, and today, the company that still bears the Sargent name continues to manufacture some of the best lock products in the world. The Sargent brothers' success is a reflection of what we so often envision as the American Dream and Joseph Sargent ensured that others could share in that same dream. Growing up in New Haven, almost every family had a least one member that worked at Winchester Repeating Arms or Sargent Manufacturing. Sargent's welcomed new immigrants with open arms--offering them a job but more than that, an opportunity to provide a better life for their families. Like so many others, I have a personal connection to Sargent--my grandfather worked at the factory for many years. My mother often tells a story that when she was born my grandfather took one look at her blonde curls and said ``all of the locks at Sargent could not keep her safe,'' quite the testament to the love he had for his new child. Sargent was part of our neighborhood's very soul, shaping the very character of our community. Today, as they celebrate their 150th Anniversary, Sargent can be proud of the indelible mark they have left on the history of our City and the contributions they continue to make to the vitality of the New Haven community. I am proud to stand today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the company leadership and its employees on this remarkable milestone and my very best wishes for many more years of success.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join the community of Guilford, Connecticut as they mark the 375th Anniversary of the town's founding--a remarkable milestone for this quintessential New England town. Founded in May 1639 by a band of puritans seeking religious freedom in the New World, the land that would become the Town of Guilford, Connecticut was purchased from local Native Americans, who were represented by the squaw sachem, or female chief, Shaumpishih. First established as the plantation of Menuncatuck, the town that would later be known as Guilford, like most 17th century New England towns, was organized around a common, or green--the Town Green remains a center of community life today. The first houses were small huts with thatched roofs, wooden walls, and dirt floors. Unlike other villages, Guilford had no protective palisade fence surrounding the community. Instead they built four large stone houses for the leaders of the plantation, strategically located and used for shelter during times of danger. In the later years of the 17th century, Guilford became part of the New Haven Colony and then the Connecticut Colony. In fact, Guilford's William Leete was one of the first governors of these colonies. By the 18th century, the town had become a thriving coastal community with agriculture and the sea supporting the economy. The medieval style huts were replaced by homes of the colonial style, including the Hyland House (1660), the Henry Whitfield House (1639), Thomas Griswold House (1774) and the Dudley Farm (1840) all of which survive today and house museums showcasing Guilford's rich history. In the 19th century, with an expanding shipbuilding and maritime trade and with the coming of the railroad, industries such as foundries, canneries, shoe shops, and carriage makers evolved. Quarries opened and supplied local granite to the world, including blocks for the base of the Statue of Liberty. By the end of the 19th and into the 20th century, Guilford became a summer destination for Victorian vacationers from near and far. Today, Guilford's once-small population has risen to a year-round community of more than 22,000 people. Guilford has a small-town, historic, charming atmosphere which is highlighted by its rustic character and individuality. This beautiful town sits on the waterfront of the Long Island Sound and extends north to include expansive land and offers a public park, two beaches, a historic downtown shopping district that includes restaurants, art galleries, nature trails, and boating. Annual events like the Tree Lighting, Citizens Day Parade, and the Guilford Agricultural Fair strengthen the bonds of this tight-knit community-- Guilford truly has something for everyone. It has been my honor to serve as the U.S. Representative for Guilford for the last twenty-four years and I am so proud to have this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every member of this special community as they celebrate their 375th Anniversary. As the community continues to grow, it will do so while maintaining its unique character and charm--quintessentially New England. Happy Anniversary!

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join the community of Stratford, Connecticut as they mark the 375th Anniversary of the town's founding--a remarkable milestone for this wonderful shoreline community. Founded in 1639, Stratford is a community rich in history and natural beauty. Situated on Long Island Sound, and bounded to the east by the Housatonic River, Stratford is home to some 51,000 residents. The community's colonial history traces to when William Judson, perhaps with a small party ventured into newly opened lands to scout for a new location for Reverend Adam Blackman's congregation. In 1639, a group of about seventeen families set out from Wethersfield, Connecticut, making their way down the Housatonic River to an inlet later named Mac's Harbor. They built their meeting house, the earliest Congregational Church and temporary sod houses. This new place was called Cupheag, an Indian word meaning ``a place enclosed or sheltered.'' According to town records, Cupheag was first called Stratford in April of 1643 and though there is little historical data to determine the exact origin of the name, it is traditionally assumed that Stratford was so named after the great playwright, William Shakespeare's own town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Like so many New England communities, Stratford is home to a number of historical properties. Boothe Memorial Park & Museum sits on 32 acres by the Housatonic River, which was the estate of the Boothe family for many generations and willed to the town in 1949 for the public to enjoy. The museum maintains a collection of buildings including a carriage house, Americana Museum, miniature lighthouse and windmill, a clocktower museum, a trolley station, a chapel and a blacksmith shop. The original Sikorsky Bridge toll booth from the Merritt Parkway is also located on the museum grounds. The Judson House, built circa 1750 by Captain David Judson on the site of his great-grandfather's 1639 stone house, is a fine example of Georgian architecture with its impressive broken scroll pediment entry. It is furnished with period pieces of Stratford origin. The beautiful paneled ``west roome'' contains an early piano which belonged to William Samuel Johnson, framer of the U.S. Constitution, and the second president of Columbia University. Stratford takes great pride in its heritage--from its first settlers to the brave immigrants who followed in later years. It is one of the few communities in the entire nation to own its own forest, the Roosevelt Forest, and it proudly keeps watch over the magnificent ``Great Meadows''--the last great salt marsh left in New England. It is also home to the soon to be renovated, Shakespeare Theater which was once home to the American Shakespeare Theater Company. Stratford became the birthplace of the American helicopter industry, when in 1939, Russian immigrant Igor Sikorsky, successfully flew the first helicopter at his Stratford-based aircraft plant. More than a half-century later, Sikorsky Aircraft is the world's leading helicopter manufacturer, designing and producing state-of-the art helicopters for both military and commercial applications at its sprawling manufacturing facility on town's north side. It has been an honor for me to serve as Stratford's U.S. Representative these last twenty-four years and I am proud to have this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every member of this special community as they celebrate their 375th Anniversary.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, each year the Connecticut Democratic Party recognizes the contributions of a woman whose leadership, vision, and hard work has served to improve the status of women in our state with an award named in honor of former Governor Ella T. Grasso. It is with great pleasure that I rise today to join the many friends and colleagues who have gathered in extending my heartfelt congratulations to this year's honoree, Lori Pelletier, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. Lori began her career as machinist at Pratt & Whitney in the 1990s. Rising through the ranks and recognizing the economic and personal challenges so many of her brothers and sisters in the labor movement faced, she became involved in the Connecticut AFL-CIO organization and served in its number 2 position for 14 years. Just last Fall, with her incomparable passion, drive, and dedication, Lori broke the proverbial glass ceiling becoming the first woman elected to lead Connecticut's largest labor federation--and she was elected to the post unanimously. When I reflect on all of her good work and many contributions to both the labor movement and public discourse Lori has made over the years, it brings to mind a quote that has served as an inspiration to me for many years. In 1933 my mother wrote an article in the 10th Ward Democratic newsletter in which she said, ``It is not my intention to be critical, rather my motive in writing this article is to encourage the female members of this organization to take a more active part in its affairs. We are not living in the middle ages when a woman's part in life was merely to serve her master in her home, but we have gradually taken our place in every phase of human endeavor, and even in the here- to-for stronghold of the male sex: politics. I have noticed that the girls, unlike the men, are timid in asserting themselves, and many a good idea is lost, having been suppressed by its creator. Come on girls, let's make ourselves heard.'' An advocate for the hard-working men and women of Connecticut, a driving force in the public policy debates of our state legislature, and truly one of the hardest working women I have ever had the pleasure of collaborating with, Lori has and continues to make herself heard. She is a powerhouse--a respected voice on issues ranging from workers' compensation and unemployment compensation to corporate accountability and workers' rights. There are few individuals who better reflect the spirit in which the Ella T. Grasso Award is bestowed. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Lori for her many years of friendship. Like so many of those gathered today, I have often sought her advice and counsel and she has always been there. I am honored to again extend my heartfelt congratulations to Lori Pelletier on this very special recognition. My friend--our work is not yet complete and I look forward to standing with you as we continue the fight on behalf of working families for safe workplaces, fair wages, and secure retirements.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join the many family, friends, and community leaders who have gathered to celebrate the 110th Anniversary of the Visiting Nurses Association of South Central Connecticut--a remarkable milestone for this tremendous organization. Founded in 1904, the VNA-SCC began as a non-profit, community-based agency dedicated to providing New Haven's medically underserved with quality homecare. More than a century later, they have grown in many ways, but their mission remains unchanged. With programs and services from maternal child health to home health aides, advanced illness management to behavioral health, and private duty care to skilled nursing services, the VNA-SCC provides services in forty-three communities throughout south central Connecticut. For decades, the VNA-SCC was the only organization of its type serving Connecticut's second-largest city. The VNA/SCC, as it exists today--is the result of the 1989 merger of the original New Haven, Milford and (Naugatuck River) Valley VNAs. Over the course of more than a century, the VNA-SCC's role has evolved to meet the changing and varied needs of the patients in their care. Today, in addition to highly-skilled, hands-on nursing care, the organization offers a wide range of sophisticated treatments and therapies that are on the leading-edge of home health care technologies. We are living in a time with a rapidly changing health care system. The VNA-SCC is on the front lines helping those most in need receive the care they need. Their dedicated staff and nurses are uniquely committed to their clients, their families, and providing quality health care. They have touched the lives of millions, giving comfort and care to clients and their loved ones in their greatest times of need. The VNA-SCC is a trusted and respected leader in health care and has become an invaluable member of our community. Today, as they celebrate their 110th Anniversary, I am proud to extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to President and CEO, John Quinn; Board Chair, Robert Motley; and all of those at the VNA-SCC for all of the good work that they do every day.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to join the community of Milford, Connecticut as they mark the 375th Anniversary of the town's founding--a remarkable milestone for this wonderful shoreline community. The sixth oldest town in Connecticut, Milford is the home of 52,000 residents and proudly showcases its meticulously maintained ``town green'', the second longest in New England, as well as seventeen miles of Long Island Sound coastline which funnel into the Milford Harbor and wind to meet the Wepawaug River in the heart of town. It is a special community full of rich history and community spirit. The area then known as ``Wepawaug'' was purchased from Ansantawae, chief sachem of the Paugusset Tribe on February 1, 1639. Settlers began arriving shortly thereafter and began to build the town known as Milford. Buried treasure is said to exist on a small island the Indians called ``Poquahaug'', just a mile off Silver Sands Beach. It is a recognized fact that Captain Kidd and other pirates sailed and hid along the Connecticut coast so it is no wonder that iron chests filled with ``loot'' are rumored to be buried on the land called Charles Island. Fort Trumbull was built to provide protection in the late 1700s during the Revolutionary War and during the Civil War Milford was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Though agriculture was the community's economic backbone, shipbuilding, oystering, small industry and trade on the open seas from the harbor were also part of the local economy. The early 1900's brought the leather industry along with the making of boots, hats and shoes. Milford was also famous for carriages, which were sold throughout the centuries. After World War II, the population swelled as soldiers returned from the war and bought houses in the suburb of New Haven and Bridgeport called Milford. Industry also developed to support the war effort. Norden, Milford Rivet, U.S. Motors, and Edgecomb Steel were some of the familiar names of the time. Other industry followed most notably the consumer giants of Bic and Schick. Then the completion of I95 in 1960, with its seven exits and entrances brought easy access. The Connecticut Post Shopping Center and other development followed rapidly. Today, Milford is home to more than 2,000 businesses of all types and sizes. With citizens dedicated to preserving and celebrating their rich history, Milford is well-known for its annual community celebrations like the Memorial Day Parade and Oyster Festival. Multiple memorials in honor of those who have served in past conflicts parade down the grassway of the Town Green, a memorial bridge provides a stone passageway of the history of their ancestors, and the Milford Historical Society also plays an important role in the community, managing several historic properties including Wharf Lane, three early houses named for the old street which ran from the Town Dock, scene of Milford's commerce by water, to the Milford Green; the Eells-Stow House which is believed to be the oldest house in Milford; the Clark-Stockade or ``Stockade House'', the first house built outside the stockade or palisades which surrounded the town of Milford against Indians; and the Bryan-Downs House, originally built by Captain Jehiel Bryan and his son on the Post road between Milford and New Haven. Housed at the Bryan- Downs House is the Claude C. Coffin Indian collection which is a collection assembled by Milford native Claude C. Coffin, an archeologist of the 1920-1930 era which contains over 4,000 prehistoric Indian artifacts. Over the course of its history, Milford has certainly reflected its motto ``A Small City with a Big Heart!'' It has been an honor for me to serve as their U.S. Representative these last twenty-four years and I am proud to have this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every member of this special community as they celebrate their 375th Anniversary.