Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, It is my sincere honor to recognize a dear friend, Reverend Dr. Collie Nathan Edwers, who this year celebrates his 30th Pastoral Anniversary at the Friendship Worship Center in Mount Vernon. Nathan, as he is best known, was born in Newark, New Jersey to the union of Bishop Collie Edwers and the late Mother Dorothy Edwers. He is the third child born to this family of seven. He was raised in the quiet suburban community of North Edison, New Jersey. He was educated in the Edison High School system until his parents relocated to Metuchen, New Jersey during his junior year of High School. It was during this time of his adolescent years that Nathan felt and responded to the call of God on his life. At the age of sixteen, Nathan preached his initial sermon at St. Mark U.F.W. Baptist Church, the same church where his father baptized him. Upon High School graduation, Nathan continued his education through the encouragement of his parents. Nathan was directed to pursue his undergraduate education at Northeastern Bible College in Essex Falls, New Jersey. During his senior year of study, Nathan was approached by the officers of Calvary U.F.W. Baptist Church to serve as their next Pastor. In May of 1983, Nathan was elected as their Pastor and assumed that responsibility on the Fifth Sunday. During this time Nathan decided against the advice of his father, to discontinue his education at Northeastern Bible College in order to move full attention to the Church. During his six years tenure as Pastor, Nathan was very fortunate to meet his darling wife, Aro Denise Harper. Out of this union were born two, children, Eric and Sherri. Both of his children are adults and are successful in their life choice career. In January 1989, Nathan answered the call as the First Family of Little Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church. During his ministry at Friendship Church, the Lord added to his family his son, Eric Nathan Edwers. In October of 1997, Pastor Edwers began the process to acquire Temple Emanuel Jewish Center in Mount Vernon, which was up for sale. In January 1998 the church agreed to modify its name by removing the word ``little'' from its former name known as ``Little Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church''. Bishop Edwers led the church into a $1.3 million dollar relocation expansion program, and on August 16, 1998 he marched the ``Friendship Unified Free Will Baptist Church'' and hundreds of friends into their new home, renamed the Friendship Worship Center in September 1998. Madam Speaker, Friendship Worship has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to Nathan and Denise Edwers. On this special occasion, I want to congratulate the pastor on 30 wonderful years, and thank him for all he has done in the community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor a pillar of the community and friend, Mr. William Mayer, who this year is being honored at the J.A.D.E. 35th Annual Scholarship Dinner. William was born on June 4, 1962 to William and Marjorie Zaino Mayer in Mount Vernon, New York. His family was rooted in catering and community affairs, and at a young age William was encouraged to follow in that tradition. While attending Iona Prep and Iona college, he worked feverishly by his father's side at Mayer's Parkway Catering and at The Eastwood Manor, learning and growing with every opportunity. William graduated from Iona in 1984 with a B.A. in Business and went on to own and operate Maestro's Caterers and the Eastwood Manor. Over the years, William has become a very well-respected member of the community, not just for his business acumen, but also for his tireless work and contributions. The list of organizations that have honored William over the years is extensive and varied: The New York City Public School system, The National Council of Negro Women, The Bronx YMCA, R.A.I.N., Williamsbridge NAACP, the Scarsdale PBA, NYPD 47th Precinct Clergy Coalition, North Bronx Little League, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and the Bronx Organization for the Learning Disabled, just to name a few. He has also been recognized by the Bronx Borough President's office, the Transit Workers Union Local 100, and now, by the U.S. House of Representatives. William shares his commitment to community and family involvement with his wife, Kenia, and their children, Dustin and Riley. The family currently resides in Ardsley and during his spare time, William enjoys golfing at the Wykagyl Country Club, where he is an active member. Madam Speaker, William Mayer has helped to grow and build our community in countless ways. As J.A.D.E. is set to honor him, I want to take the opportunity to thank him for his contributions, and congratulate him on receiving this well-deserved recognition.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor a dedicated public servant and good friend, Peter Swiderski. Peter served as Mayor of the Village of Hastings for many years, and his exceptional work will leave a lasting positive impact on the community. Peter has always believed deeply in our democracy and the power of public service. That's why he ran for Mayor of Hastings some 16 years ago. His slogan, ``Hastings Forward!'' spoke to his consistent commitment to progress. Though he took over during difficult financial times for the village, Peter was able to deftly navigate the choppy economic waters. Abandoned buildings from Hastings' industrial past were replaced with storefronts that our now local hot spots. The beautiful waterfront hugging the Hastings coastline has been revitalized. Parks that were once run down have been transformed. All of this happened under Peter's leadership, and all of it happened while the village's finances steadily improved. Peter grew the Hastings' rainy-day fund to $2 million, which has meant investments in infrastructure and funding for first responders can be met. But beyond quality of life and economic development, Peter also managed to focus on growing affordable housing options for residents, encourages local sustainability initiatives, and even started a Deer Immunocontraception Research Program. How many local municipalities can say that? After 16 successful years, Peter chose not to run for reelection as Mayor of Hastings. Though the village is now in the excellent care of new Mayor Nicola Armacost, we will all miss Peter leading the way in Hastings. As a partner in government, Peter was exceptional to work with across the board. I want to congratulate him on the years of hard work and thank him for his ceaseless dedication to the Hastings community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize a dedicated member of the community and a friend, Mr. Richard Naclerio. Richard is an honoree at this year's J.A.D.E. 35th Annual Scholarship Dinner and he is most deserving of the recognition. Born in the Bronx to Elizabeth and Salvatore Naclerio, Richard is one of ten children. He attended Christopher Columbus High School and graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Following school, the United States Army called, and Richard served with the 7th Infantry G2 Section in Korea before receiving an Honorable Discharge. Richard's involvement and dedication to many charities and organizations is well documented, and they have filled his years with many wonderful memories. He has been affiliated with Montefiore Sound Shore Medical Health Systems; he served as Vice President on the Board of Trustees of Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital; and he is a former Trustee of Calvary Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. Richard is also a retired Director of Patriot National Bank. He served on the Board of the Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, is a member of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and is an Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient. Richard is also the creator of the Richard and Barbara Naclerio Faculty Scholars Program. Outside of charity work and his day job as CEO of Maestro's Catering Hall, Richard enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, Barbara, with whom he is celebrating 59 wonderful years of marriage. Together they live in Pelham and are very proud of their family, which includes an astounding 12 grandchildren whom they love dearly. Madam Speaker, few have done more to strengthen New York's 16th Congressional District over the years than Richard Naclerio. As he is honored this year by J.A.D.E. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate him for all his accomplishments and thank him for all he has done to better our community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a wonderful institution in Mount Vernon, the Friendship Worship Center, which this year celebrates its remarkable 75th Anniversary in the community. Friendship Worship empowers people with solid biblical principles, while advocating for justice, fairness, and delivering social services. The story of Friendship Worship begins in 1942, when a group of women from the Mount Vernon Community led by Mother Lillian Davis, an active missionary, began a Freewill Baptist Mission work. For two years these women shared in their homes the message and work of Christ. In 1944, the officials of the Freewill Baptist Conference came and officially organized the St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York. Around the late 1940s the church was renamed Little Friendship United American Freewill Baptist Church. In 1950, Little Friendship became incorporated in the State of New York. During those early stages of the church development many different ministers and layperson held the church together. This was done under the supervision of the late Rev. N.E. Sharp, Moderator of the Northern Annual Conference of the United American Freewill Baptist Church. The first elected pastor of this church was the late Rev. B.T. Johnson who led the church from 1948-1956. During his tenure Little Friendship purchased its church building at 358 South Ninth Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York. The successions of Pastors were Rev. S.H. Wylie 1956-1957, Rev. H. Miller 1957-1958, Rev. O. E. Davis 1958-1959, Rev. Otis Park 1959-1983, Rev. Joe L. Brown 1983-1988, and finally my friend Elder C. Nathan Edwers 1988 to present. In 1997, the church name was changed, and Corporation papers were amended to Friendship Unified Freewill Baptist Church of Mount Vernon, New York. Under the strong leadership of Pastor Edwers many new programs were established. Due to an expansion and betterment of the church, over $200,000 has been done in renovations since 1989. In August 1998 Pastor C. Nathan Edwers was led by the Lord to move Friendship Unified Freewill Baptist Church into $1.3 million edifice located at 261 East Lincoln Avenue in Mount Vernon at present. The church seating capacity is 1,200. In September 1998 the church was renamed Friendship Worship Center, The Family Center. In March 20, 1999 Pastor Edwers was consecrated as a Bishop. Friendship Worship Center is now on the cutting edge of the 21st Century and every day its parishioners are helping to improve the Mount Vernon community and beyond. On this special occasion, I want to congratulate the entire Friendship Worship Center community on 75 amazing years of love and service.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor a woman who has done a tremendous amount to build and strengthen the Scarsdale community in my district, Ms. Jill Spieler, this year's recipient of the prestigious Scarsdale Bowl Award. For over 70 years, the Scarsdale Bowl has been awarded a Scarsdale resident who ``has given unselfishly of time, energy, and effort to the civic welfare of the community.'' Nothing could better describe Jill. She has a long and distinguished record of volunteer services to Scarsdale and well beyond. Jill began her service to Scarsdale in 1981 as a founding member of Kids B.A.S.E. and The Little School. She served as a board member from 1983 to 1988, then became President of the Board where she served two terms. She continued on the board till 1998, and during her tenure she provided outstanding leadership, especially during some difficult times. Jill continued her commitment to the community by serving on the Scarsdale Village Board of Ethics, the Advisory Council on Youth, and the Village Parks and Recreation Council, becoming Chair of the Recreation Committee in 2000. She was also active member of the League of Women Voters and chaired the Voter Service Committee. There are many other examples of Jill's community involvement, but they are too many to mention. She is, without question, a highly respected, trusted, insightful and collaborative community leader who has contributed a great deal to Scarsdale. Jill's selfless contribution of time and energy to community affairs epitomizes the principles symbolized by the Scarsdale Bowl. Madam Speaker, the Bowl Award is considered the highest and most prestigious recognition given for volunteer service in Scarsdale. It is no surprise then that this year that award is going to Jill Spieler. As Member of Congress representing Scarsdale, I want to congratulate Jill on receiving this wonderful honor and thank her for her years of dedicated service to the community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished member of the Edgemont community in my district, Mr. David M.C. Stern, who this year is being honored by the Edgemont Community Council with their Silver Bowl Award for Distinguished Community Service. David served two terms on the school board, from 2010 to 2016, was president in 2015-2016, and made his mark on the curriculum, audit and superintendent search committees, as well as liaison to the Edgemont School Foundation and the Scarsdale Teachers Institute. He has coached over 20 seasons of local youth sports--soccer, lacrosse, basketball and tee-ball--and now serves as president of Edgemont Youth Lacrosse. In the schools, David has taught Great Books and volunteered in the Wiggleworks reading program. He currently sits on the School Board Nominating Committee and is a former director of the ECC. David has been an assistant Cub Scouts den leader, and he has been a long-time member of Greenville Fire District's volunteer fire company, where he has served as a volunteer firefighter. David also currently serves as chairman of the board of Westchester Institute for Human Development, a Valhalla-based organization that works with developmentally disabled men and women, and member of the board of MusicCorps/Renovation in Music Education in Washington D.C., which uses music to help wounded military veterans recover. David has also been a director of the Scarsdale-Edgemont United Way, and a member of the Woodlands Community Temple School Board. Professionally, David runs a consulting firm that provides strategic business advisory services to healthcare organizations and investors. After graduating from Edgemont in 1982, David went on to get a BA and an MBA from Yale. David lives on Old Army Road with his wife Mary Elizabeth and their children Kasey, Gavin and Fiona. As you can see Madam Speaker, David Stern is a very active member of the community who is most deserving of this wonderful recognition from the Edgemont Community Council. I want to congratulate him on this honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on S.J. Res. 7.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 274, I call up the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 7) to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, it is a little surprising that we find ourselves back on the floor debating this resolution. After all, it has already passed both Chambers with bipartisan support. It has passed the Senate twice. Opponents of this measure have used every trick in the book to slow it down, to try and derail it, but we have reached the last page in that book, and I am confident that after we vote today, this resolution will head to the President's desk, and the President will have to face the reality that Congress is no longer going to ignore its constitutional obligations when it comes to foreign policy and when it comes to determining when and where our military is engaged in hostilities. We are taking up this resolution because we see a policy from this administration that has strayed from our values and a crisis that demands moral leadership, which is the war in Yemen. I fully understand America's security concerns in Yemen. I appreciate the complexities of our interests in the region. The Houthis are trouble. They launch missiles and armed UAVs into Saudi territory and international waters, and that is a direct threat to Americans. They are starving the Yemeni people, diverting assistance, and holding civilians hostage to their political demands. The Houthis are one of the groups Iran uses to drive instability and gain influence. We all know what a serious threat Iran poses in the region. The regime is the world's prolific state sponsor of terrorism, so it is important that we push back against Iran and those who depend on Iranian support. But the Saudi-led coalition's response has not grappled with this problem in a responsible way, in a way designed to minimize damage to civilians and the communities where they live, and in a way that could help bring about a political solution to this crisis. Instead, time after time after time, coalition strikes have resulted in the loss of innocent life, and the violence has set off ripple effects that have contributed to the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Madam Speaker, 85,000 children have starved to death and 14 million are on the brink of famine. More than 1 million suffer from cholera, and just last week, the coalition reportedly bombed a hospital run by Save the Children. In the face of this catastrophe, the administration has demanded no accountability from the Saudis and Emiratis. But Congress won't remain silent. This brings us, once again, to the resolution we are now considering. This measure would specifically ban aerial refueling of warplanes carrying out airstrikes. The Defense Department has stopped refueling as a matter of policy. This measure would do so as a matter of law. The Defense Department also says that the United States is not engaged in hostilities when it comes to this war. Well, the Defense Department is entitled to its opinion, but Congress is a coequal branch of government, and only we say when the United States is at war. We don't look to the executive branch to explain the war powers that reside in this body or for permission to exercise that power, the power the Framers gave to Congress. This measure is written very narrowly, so it won't tie the hands of the executive branch or set new precedents or cause unintended consequences when it comes to our other security agreements around the world. It does nothing to expand or modify the authority provided under the Authorization for Use of Military Force this body passed in 2001. Instead, it focuses on this particular tragedy and sends the message that enough is enough, that Congress will no longer abdicate its responsibility when it comes to foreign policy, and that we will push to make sure our values are at the core of how the United States conducts itself around the world. This resolution is rooted in those values: respect for human rights, for human dignity, and for the belief that all people should be able to live free of fear, oppression, and violence. I hope the President understands that; and if he uses his veto pen, I hope he understands just what it is he is vetoing. Let me thank Mr. Khanna for his hard work and leadership on the resolution we are considering today. I also want to thank our ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. McCaul. We have an honest disagreement on this one, but he has consistently and forthrightly made his case on the policy. I am grateful to all my colleagues who have contributed so much to this important debate. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, let me say this. Everyone who knows me knows that I hold Iran guilty to many nefarious things that are happening in that region. This is not really about Iran. Iran is providing dangerous weapons to the Houthis, and the Houthis have starved the Yemeni people, killed civilians, and diverted assistance. I am not here to defend the Houthis. The Saudis do have legitimate concerns about the Houthis, and the Houthis are not my vision of good and righteous. Quite the opposite. But this resolution doesn't empower Iran. Quite the opposite. The longer the conflict goes on, and the longer the United States supports it, the better off Iran is. We are really doing two things here. We are saying to the administration--and I, frankly, would say this, given my experience over the past two decades--to any administration. There is no blank check for war. We have abrogated our responsibility in the years that I have been here--and I am as guilty as anyone--by allowing administration after administration after administration to conduct wars that this body should have voted on. Only Congress can declare war. And if we ignore what is happening with the civilian population in this war with the Houthis, then we do so at our own peril. We then say that, because Saudi Arabia does have legitimate concerns--and they do--we are giving them a blank check to do whatever they want. No blank checks anymore. No blank checks to say the administration can run wars without getting the approval of Congress. And no blank checks to indiscriminately bomb and have innocent civilians and schoolchildren in buses be killed, and people starving in a humanitarian crisis. We can't just sit back and say: ``Well, you know, we have difficulties with Iran, so we are going to look the other way.'' I have lots of difficulties with Iran, but we can't look the other way when people are starving or when people are being killed. That is what we are doing now. So we are doing two things. We are saying no more war in which we are complicit, where a population is wholesale starving. We are also saying that this body is not giving a blank check to every administration. And I would be doing this no matter who the President of the United States was. We need to reclaim our authority. We have fought in war after war after war. As everyone knows, we haven't declared war since before all of us were born, since December 7, 1941, when President Roosevelt stood up right here and declared war. That was the last time. I hope this will be the start of Congress taking back its constitutional power, not for the sake of having a fight with the executive branch, but for the sake of doing what we are supposed to do. Congress has the power to declare war. Congress has the power to say what we do when it comes to war. We are taking that back today. We are saying that America will not be complicit in the wholesale beating down of civilian populations and looking the other way. Let me say that again. Iran has fueled this conflict through its support for the Houthis, but the longer this conflict rages, the better it is for Iran. Iran thrives on every misstep of the Saudi-led coalition. A vote for this resolution is a vote to end the United States' involvement in this war, a war which helps Iran. Let me say again, for Congress, this is an important step in reclaiming our role in foreign policy, by debating where and when the United States military is engaged abroad. With the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, it is critical that we act now. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Before I yield back, I want to, again, tell Mr. McCaul that we don't always agree on things. I think we agree on things more than we don't. But I do appreciate his earnest attempts with me to try to make foreign policy as bipartisan as we can. I think that is what we need to do. We need to show unity in strength. In unity, there is strength. We are all Americans. We may disagree from time to time, but I think we are not going to be disagreeable. So I thank Mr. McCaul. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna), who has been so instrumental in bringing everyone together to make a change in policy that is much needed.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin).

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff).

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved member of the community who is celebrating a remarkable 95th birthday this year, Mr. Robert B. Thomas. Robert's story is, in many ways, a uniquely American one. He was born on March 14, 1924 to Robert and Annie Thomas in Augusta, Georgia and he migrated with his family to New York, where he attended Benjamin Franklin High School. He graduated from New York Vocational High School, where he was introduced to, and excelled in, the trade of plumbing. During World War II, Robert heeded the call to serve his country and on March 15, 1944 he joined the United States Army. He became a gunner in the 394th Anti-Aircraft Unit and after serving our nation, he came back to serve his city with the New York City Public Housing Authority. In 1946, Robert met the woman who he would marry, Doris E. Jones and they had two daughters, Symra and Sandra. He also has three grandchildren, Duane Nichols, Turhan Brandon and Taniya Brandon, and four great grandchildren, Indira Nichols, Sebastian Brandon, Orion Brandon and Dominick Brandon. Robert worked in construction as a member of Laborers International Union of North America, Laborers Local 60 and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 15 and Con Edison, which enabled him to put his daughters through college. He likes to reminisce about the past and enjoy talking about how he was a foreman and helped build the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge. His experience on that project later led to his work on the Throgs Neck Bridge and second deck of the George Washington Bridge. To his family, his friends, and his community, Robert Thomas is known as a kind, generous and loving person, who has helped others achieve their goals. It is my honor to recognize Robert on this special occasion and to thank him for his service to our country and community here in New York.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor two pillars of the Scarsdale community, Miriam and Ari Loren, who this year are being honored by Young Israel of Scarsdale at their 47th Annual Dinner. Miriam was born in Bratislava, Slovakia and came to the U.S. in 1982. Her family moved to Silver Spring, MD where she graduated from the Hebrew Academy of Greater Washington, now known as Melvin J Berman Hebrew Academy. Miriam is a graduate of Barnard College and Columbia University's Teachers College, after which she worked for many years in early childhood special education, running classrooms for developmentally delayed children and their parents. Miriam has also worked as an evaluator, diagnosing, testing and evaluating children for special services. For the past few years, Miriam has worked for Camp Yavneh as their Inclusion Coordinator. This program has grown from two campers participating in only the second month of camp to almost thirty campers across both months. Miriam has volunteered extensively for her children's schools, including serving as their Parent Association President for six years. Miriam was also on the Westchester Jewish Council inclusion initiative for local synagogues. Miriam is currently on a mental health task force for the Ruderman Foundation. Ari was born and raised here in New Rochelle. After graduating from Westchester Hebrew High School, Ari earned his BS from Yeshiva University and MBA from Bar-Ilan University. Professionally, Ari operates a family business and manages some real estate. Outside of work, Ari has spent the last 8 years heavily involved in the local hockey scene. He served as President of New Rochelle Lightning Hockey from 2013 to 2018, growing the program from 52 players in 2013 to well over 200 kids today. Ari loves coaching hockey, and currently helps coach in the New Rochelle Lightning program, as well as at the Frisch School and as a head coach at Westchester Day School. Miriam and Ari have 5 fantastic boys, aged 6 to 16. The Lorens love raising their children in the same warm and loving community in which Ari was raised. Miriam and Ari credit both of their parents in teaching them the importance of community and giving back. Madam Speaker, Miriam and Ari are most deserving of the Community Service Award from YIS. Congratulations to them on this honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor two pillars of the Scarsdale community, Andrei Bezzubikoff, this year's Distinguished Service Award honoree at the Young Israel of Scarsdale 47th Annual Dinner. Andrei studied Theology at the Facultad de Teologia Pontificia y Civil de Lima. He later graduated from the Stated University of New York at Purchase in 2013, and went on to receive his Masters degree from St. John's University. Since 1997, Andrei has worked at Young Israel of Scarsdale. He also serves as adjunct faculty at my alma mater, Lehman College, since 2018. Andrei has become a beloved part of the YIS community and is well known throughout the congregation. Outside of his professional work at YIS, Andrei is also a very accomplished author. In 2008, his short story La Mujer de los Barcos, was awarded first prize at the ``2008 Palabras'' contest in Lima-Peru. In 2010, Asilos de Luz, his short narrative book, was published by Hipocampo Editores. He had read his work at McNally bookstore, at Westchester Community College, Purchase College, and at the Ossining Public Library. Of course, Andrei's true love and passion in life is his family. He has been married to his wife, Shirley, since 2001 and they have two wonderful children, Oleg age 13 and Ilari age 11. Andrei's hobbies also include reading, playing soccer, visiting museums, listening to classical music and traveling. Madam Speaker, no one is more deserving of the Distinguished Service Award than Andrei Bezzubikoff. I want to congratulate him on receiving this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his years of service to the Scarsdale community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, it is my great and distinct privilege to honor one of my dearest friends, the incomparable Sylvia Lask, as she celebrated her 85th birthday this year on February 25th. Born in 1934 to Vera Lask and Max Lask, Sylvia was one of three children in the family, which included her brothers Ronald and Robert. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan and later moved to New York City, where she became certified as a dietician. Sylvia and I first met when we were both living in Co-op City. I had knocked on her door while gathering petition signatures, and she began asking me all kinds of questions pertinent to both our community and the political world. After we had a long chat, I asked if she was a member of the local political club, and suggested she join us at the next meeting. She did, and we became fast friends. Sylvia and I were both heavily involved in the club's work from there on out. She went on to serve as Democratic State Committee Person, was also a delegate at two democratic conventions, for Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Sylvia is a fierce advocate for her community and always a strong voice on the issue of mental health. Her lobbying trips to Albany have become the stuff of legend. Among other things, her efforts led to the passage of the Mental Health in Education Act, which requires Mental Health to be taught in all public schools in New York State. Even at 85, Sylvia still makes those weekly trips to Albany and continues her advocacy work on behalf of the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS). When not saving the world, Sylvia enjoys listening to folk music-- specifically The Weavers, Pete Seeger and Peter Paul and Mary--and taking long strolls. Her spirit is indomitable; she never sits down, never spends too much time celebrating a victory, and is always planning the next steps needed to advance patient rights. Sylvia's drive has always been fueled in large part by her family and friends. She was married to Sam Hershkowitz and has two beautiful children, Vicki and Marc, and one grandchild, Ron. They are the light in Sylvia's life. Madam Speaker, I count myself fortunate every day to know Sylvia Lask, and I'm not alone in feeling that way about such a special individual. Her list of friends, from elected officials to community activists and everyone in between, is too long to list. She has done incredible work to help the people of New York over many decades, and her contributions cannot be overstated. Sylvia is like a family member to me and my entire family. I am so honored to recognize her achievements, and I am so thankful to have her in my life.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor two pillars of the Scarsdale community, Rise and Marc Robbins, who this year are being recognized as the Keter Shem Tov Honorees at this year's Young Israel of Scarsdale Anniversary Dinner. Rise and Marc have been members of the Young Israel of Scarsdale community, together, for nearly 30 years. Rise grew up in New Rochelle and moved to Scarsdale in 1973, when she joined the YIS. She graduated NYU and then attended Touro college where she graduated the Physician Assistant Program. Marc grew up in New Rochelle and graduated Columbia University. He is the president of IM Robbins P.C. an engineering company in New York City. The two met at the Scarsdale volunteer Ambulance Corp, where they were both EMT volunteers for over 20 years. They have been active on committees in their children schools and the shul. The YIS plays a very important part of their lives. It is a warm and welcoming community and they feel very lucky to be a part of it. Together Rise and Marc have raised four children, Jennifer, married to Yakov, Daniel, Amy and Michael and have three grandchildren. Avishai, Shira and Moshe. Madam Speaker, Rise and Marc have together done tremendous work to strengthen the Scarsdale community, both inside and outside of the YIS. They are most deserving of this wonderful recognition, and I want to congratulate them on this special occasion.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 596) to prohibit United States Government recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea, as amended.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank this bill's author, who is a valuable member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Connolly from Virginia. Madam Speaker, I also thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), our ranking member, for working with us on this bipartisan legislation. Madam Speaker, Vladimir Putin has left no doubt about his intentions to expand Russian influence, undermine democracy, and splinter the alliances and agreements that have long kept Russia in check. We have seen these through Russia's direct attacks on our democratic institutions, including our own--remember the Presidential election of 2016--through a pernicious and widespread misinformation campaign designed to distort reality and foment confusion and, in no clearer way, through its illegal occupation of parts of Ukraine and parts of Georgia. It is shocking in the 21st century to see a country trample on a neighbor's sovereignty and seize territory by force. It goes against everything we have worked for since World War II to build a Europe that is whole, free, and in peace. It has been 5 years since Russian forces moved into Crimea and staged a sham election in an attempt to give their occupation a gloss of legitimacy, but there is nothing legitimate about it--absolutely nothing. The United States must never accept Putin's attempts to seize territory by force, and this legislation would enshrine into our laws a nonrecognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea. This bill would prevent our government from taking any action that even implies American recognition of this blatantly illegal land grab. This bill also sends a strong message to our Ukrainian friends that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they continue to resist Russian efforts to fracture their country. This is especially important in light of recent events in which the Russian Navy intercepted Ukrainian patrol boats in Ukrainian waters, capturing the vessels and their crew by force. Vladimir Putin is a bully and a thug. His troops may hold Crimea in a stranglehold, but we need to be clear that Crimea will always be part of Ukraine, not part of Russia. This measure will put that rejection permanently into our laws. I am pleased to support it. Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to do likewise, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.