Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a spiritual leader in the New Rochelle community, Cantor Emerita Helene Reps, who this year is being honored for her 17 years of dedicated service to Temple Israel in New Rochelle at their 110th Anniversary Gala. Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area to a musical family, Cantor Helene Reps entered Carnegie Institute of Technology--now Carnegie Mellon--as a piano major. Encouraged by the faculty to switch to the vocal department, she received a double major in music and education. Her first professional opportunity came in 1956, the Mozart bicentennial year, when William Steinberg, conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony, engaged her as the alto soloist in the Mozart Requiem. Helene called that moment a dream, which was followed by several more roles with the Pittsburgh Opera. Upon graduation from Carnegie, she moved to New York, teaching in a Harlem junior high school. In 1958, Helene returned to Pittsburgh to marry David Reps, and Tamara, Aaron, and twins Steven and Jennifer arrived for the happy couple soon thereafter. When Davis' work moved the family to New York City, the Cantor at JCC persuaded Helene to enter the five-year cantorial program at the Hebrew Union College School of Sacred Music. Helene called the move a perfect fit, and in 1979 she graduated as one of the very first woman cantors to serve a major pulpit. Helene joined the clergy at Temple Israel in New Rochelle in 1980, where she served the growing congregation until 1997. She conducted services with Rabbi Amiel Wohl and prepared, on average, 40 to 50 children each year for their bar and bat mitzvahs. These days, Helene spends her time with her husband, now of almost 60 years, enjoying their four grown children and seven brilliant grandchildren. The mark Helene has left on Temple Israel and indeed the entire New Rochelle community cannot be understated. The Temple has chosen an outstanding honoree for this year's Gala, and I'd like to congratulate Helene on this well-deserved recognition.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, reconstruction and stabilization of a post- ISIS Syria is estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $300 billion. And, by the way, I wish I could say a post-Assad Syria, because he is the one who really should go. The Syrian regime has spent the last 6 years destroying civilian infrastructure and driving people from their homes. It is simply not the role of the United States to support reconstruction in Syria, especially if the Assad regime continues to suppress the Syrian people and there is no accountability for his war crimes. For those who are considering investing in Syrian reconstruction in Assad-controlled territories, just know that Syria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Therefore, it should be expected that reconstruction money would be syphoned off to those who have perpetrated war crimes and those who facilitate terrorism. We must prevent this. Again, we must not forget the plight of the Syrian people. We must continue to stand with the Syrian people. We must demand that there is an end to all chemical weapons and all weapons killing civilians with barrel bombs, with people trying to get out of the way, little children dying with their mothers, in their mother's hands. This cannot continue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the No Assistance for Assad Act. This act, H.R. 4681, was written by me. I am proud to be the lead sponsor in this bill. And I am proud of the bipartisan support that we have gotten from Chairman Royce and others on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, every time we think that the crisis in Syria could not get any worse, the Assad regime manages to plunge the country into even deeper depths. Children living in besieged Madaya could not get food, so they resort to eating leaves. A 7-year-old and her mother tweeted good-bye messages from Aleppo under siege. What has happened recently in eastern Ghouta is just unfathomable. The White Helmets--first responders--rushing to the scene of an aerial attack, have been targeted themselves once they arrived to render aid. And the regime has continued using chemical weapons, which the world swore we would never use again. But no matter how Assad's victims have met their ends--from nerve gas or barrel bombs or at the hands of Assad's Russian or Iranian patrons--the loss of innocent life is staggering. My heart really bleeds for the people of Syria. What they have had to endure should not be endured by anyone. The United States needs to be vocal and we need to take action. As we continue to find some way to end the bloodshed, we also need to start thinking about what will come down the road. This bill says that American assistance for reconstruction in Syria should be available in areas controlled by Assad only if the regime stops indiscriminate use of weapons, ends attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, releases political prisoners, allows human rights organizations access to the prisons, and removes senior officials complicit in human rights abuses. If Bashar al-Assad--the butcher of Syria--wants to destroy his own country and then expects the United States to pick up the pieces, he is sorely mistaken. That simply won't happen. He and Russia and Iran broke Syria, and now they have to buy it. We were careful in crafting this legislation to ensure that these limitations won't affect locally administered projects. And the bill permits humanitarian assistance to all in need. Recovery in Syria will be a slow and painful process. But we cannot allow those responsible for hundreds of thousands of murders to control American dollars meant to help the country rebuild. Who in the Foreign Affairs Committee can forget those horrendous pictures taken of all these dead corpses lying one by one right next to each other? Who could ever forget those atrocities that are being put up with by the people of Syria each and every day? I am grateful for the bipartisan support this bill has already received. I particularly want to thank Congressman Kinzinger, Congressman Boyle, and Chairman Royce for their partnership in crafting this legislation. This legislation sends a message--particularly after the Assad regime again used chemical weapons--that we are closely watching the developments in Syria and that the United States will not assist those who are party to such heinous war crimes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this bill, Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Senator Baldwin and Senator Rubio for their tireless efforts on behalf of Holocaust survivors and their heirs. I would also like to acknowledge the important work of my New York colleague, Congressman Joe Crowley, and Chris Smith, who introduced the House version of this legislation. The Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today, or JUST, Act would shine a light on any country in Europe stalling on the return of or restitution for wrongfully confiscated or transferred Holocaust era assets. Nearly 75 years after the end of World War II, we are still debating property rights for Holocaust victims. That is truly astonishing. According to the Holocaust Immovable Property Restitution Study, a substantial amount of property confiscated from European Jews hasn't been returned to its rightful owners or its owners haven't been compensated at all. We must ensure that the United States is holding governments to their obligations and ensuring their property is properly returned. Holocaust survivors have waited too long for justice. We cannot let them wait any long. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), the chair of the Democratic Caucus. He is also the sponsor of the House version of this bill.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), who is a very well-respected member of our Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This legislation is critical to ensuring that Holocaust survivors and their heirs are compensated. Restitution and return will represent another step moving past this heinous chapter of human history. I want to thank my colleague and good friend, Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, for her powerful remarks this afternoon and for her leadership for so many years in fighting for Holocaust survivors. I have met many of her constituents and many of my own who remain engaged in this prolonged battle for justice. I am a cosponsor of Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen's legislation, and I proudly support her in these efforts. I do hope that her bill will come to the floor as well. I also support Congressmen Crowley and Smith, as well as Senators Baldwin and Rubio, in the effort to ensure that property is restituted and returned through the JUST Act. This legislation has already passed the Senate; so when we pass it here, it will go right to the President's desk for signing. With this vote, we can push it across the finish line. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I do.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the United States and Iran's leaders are at odds on a host of issues. Iran has killed Americans in Iraq. Its proxies seek to harm our citizens and our interests around the world. But let me be clear: the United States has no quarrel with the Iranian people. This legislation seeks to protect the human rights of the Iranian people and Americans who are unfairly detained in Iran. This bill signals our solidarity with the protestors and demonstrators to Iran's rulers that any action that violates the human rights of an American will be met with severe consequences. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) just mentioned the 1988 massacre that was horrendous, and there were many, many more. This brutal regime has blood on its hands, and it is important for the United States to call them out. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure. Let me start by thanking Congressmen Deutch and McCaul, both valued members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for their hard work on this bill. I want to also thank Chairman Ed Royce, who has been a strong bipartisan voice in things that are so important to our country and to the world. We always say that we take pride in having the Committee on Foreign Affairs being the most bipartisan committee in the entire Congress. Iran has isolated itself on the global stage because it refuses to abandon a range of aggressive activities that pose a threat to the region and a threat to the entire international community. On that list is the regime's terrible mistreatment of its own people and its heinous practice of prolonged and politically motivated detentions of American citizens. The bill before us now seeks to put an end to these intolerable practices. It would place sanctions on anyone responsible for politically motivated harassment, abuse, extortion, extended detention, or trial of Americans or Iranians. Earlier this year, we stood on this floor in solidarity with protestors in Iran who sought a better future for their country and for the next generation. They wanted to see their government abandon its support for Iranian proxy forces and terrorist groups, like Hezbollah, in favor of funding healthcare and employment opportunities for average Iranians. This is a country that has suffered so much under the ayatollahs and the economic mismanagement of its leaders. The protests in December and January were a stark reminder of the regime's tight grip on power, as many protesters were killed in the streets and blocked from communicating with the outside world. Today, as we pass this legislation, we think about the Americans who currently sit in Iranian prisons. We think about Robert Levinson, Mr. Deutch's constituent, who has been missing for over 11 years, who has missed the weddings of his children and the births of his grandchildren. The Iranian regime had promised to cooperate with the investigation to locate Mr. Levinson, but to this date, that cooperation has been virtually nonexistent. There is no real clarity in U.S. policy toward Iran. The United States faces a looming deadline on the nuclear deal, and the future remains uncertain. But there is one thing we can all agree on: we cannot let up the pressure on Iran for its human rights violations, particularly against American citizens. So, again, I want to thank Mr. McCaul and Mr. Deutch for doing a great job with this. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation. If you care about the injustices going on in Iran, then it is important to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. First, let me thank Congressman LaHood for authoring this bipartisan resolution and Chairman Royce for bringing it to the floor. With this resolution, we send a strong message of support for the efforts of the United Bid Committee to bring the FIFA World Cup competition to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. We share critical relationships with our neighbors to the north and south, and it is important that we keep those good relationships. So I am pleased that Congress continues to push back on anything that would hurt the relationship. Last year, the House passed my resolution with Congressman McCaul reaffirming the importance of the U.S.-Mexico partnership, as well as a resolution from Congressman Jeff Duncan on the U.S.-Canada alliance. The 2026 FIFA World Cup provides another key opportunity for us to reinforce our strong alliances with both Mexico and Canada. The United States has hosted the World Cup three times: the men's tournament in 1994, and the women's World Cup in both 1999 and 2003. We have the infrastructure. We know how to prepare. We have 25 American cities eligible to host. Bringing the world's most popular tournament back to North America would generate increased tourist revenue for host sites as fans arrive from all over the world. Congress should not only pass this resolution, but Congress should also continue to provide support for the United Bid Committee and its efforts in our own conversations with foreign leaders and other stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), an original cosponsor of this resolution, but even more importantly, co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The ties between the United States, Mexico, and Canada are longstanding and deep; and I am pleased that the United States can continue to come together in partnership with our friends from both of those countries on the United Bid Committee to try to bring the 2026 World Cup to North America. I stand ready to support the North American bid in any way that I can. It would really be terrific to get it, and I know we all feel the same way. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize a dear friend, a dedicated public servant, a tireless advocate, and one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, Ms. Geri Shapiro. Geri is receiving the ``Legacy Award'' at this year's ``Volunteers Spirit Awards'' in Westchester, hosted by Volunteer New York. I cannot think of a more deserving or impressive honoree. A Senior Advisor to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Geri is a longtime Westchester resident who is intimately involved with a wide-array of important issues that impact our community and its residents. She is a staunch advocate for the county, working with leadership from all levels of government, nonprofits and the business community. Geri understands finer details of the ``big picture'' of any issue--seniors, people with disabilities, access to social services, nuclear power, healthcare--but her primary focus is always on the person or family whose life is directly impacted. The story of how Geri got into public service is an inspiring one. Her first career was as a stay-at-home mom who devoted much of her time volunteering at her daughter's school and caring for her aging parents. She was active in the Edgemont PTA and served as PTA president. In 2000, she began volunteering for Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate campaign. Known by her family as the ``expeditor,'' her skills and experiences were quickly recognized and, at age 59, she was asked to serve as Westchester County Regional Director for Senator Clinton. In 2009 she transitioned to Regional Director for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and currently serves as a Senior Advisor. Though Geri is not always in the spotlight, you can be certain she is always working to make Westchester County a better place, all while inspiring and empowering others. Throughout her career, she has mentored staff, volunteers, and members of the community, particularly women. Geri has been honored with the National Association for Female Executives 2012 Women of Excellence Award for Service to New York for her ``vision, courage, compassion, proven success and generosity as demonstrated by how they help other women succeed.'' Volunteering, and a bit of tenacity, opened a new door in Geri's life. I'm certainly glad it did. Geri has done some amazing work on behalf of Westchester County and its residents, and we are all grateful for her advocacy. As Volunteer New York honors her with their Legacy Award, I too would like to send my appreciation to Geri, and my personal thanks. She has been a great partner to me in the community for many years, but more importantly, she has been a wonderful friend. Congratulations to Geri on this great honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate Israel's Memorial Day, Yom Hazikaron, and Israel's Independence Day, Yom Ha'atzmaut. Israel's transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day is a time to reflect about the sacrifices of the people of Israel for their country. And, as the country transitions from sadness to celebration, it is an opportunity to recognize and praise the achievements of Israel. Starting with its very founding, Israel has overcome immense obstacles, including near constant attacks from its neighbors. And yet, over the last 70 years, Israel has grown tremendously. Its economy is one of the most dynamic in the world, drawing investors and innovators from around the globe. Its contributions to technology, medicine, and culture have greatly benefitted the international community. Israel has a longstanding history of aid work, most recently providing aid to Syria and responding to natural disasters in Haiti. And, of course, Israel continues to be a refuge for Jewish people fleeing anti- Semitism. On this 70th anniversary of the modern state of Israel, I celebrate the values that the United States and Israel share: the ideals of freedom and pluralism. Israel is a nation that prides itself on promoting freedom and self-determination. It seeks peace with its neighbors, and the United States must continue to support Israel in its quest for peace. As a strategic partner and friend, the United States stands in solidarity with Israel against its enemies. We will continue to look for ways to strengthen the partnership between our countries. I am proud to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut with our ally, Israel, and look forward to the nation's continued success.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Impact100 Westchester, an international nonprofit women's collective giving organization, on their successful fifth grant cycle, as they have broken an amazing milestone by providing more than one million dollars in grant money to other nonprofits across Westchester County. Impact100 Westchester was established in 2014 with 132 women joining in its first year, and has nearly tripled since its founding. The group is entirely volunteer, run by dedicated constituents striving to make a difference throughout Westchester County. Local organizations who have benefitted from Impact100's grant giving range from those dealing with children's mental health, access to education programs, environmental improvements, work training for the impaired, immigration groups, and support for survivors of abuse. In addition to their philanthropy, Impact100 hosts their own volunteer events across Westchester, continuing to support other nonprofits with their Hands on Impact, with the Day of Service and with educational events which benefits and gives back to their community. During their short tenure, Impact100 Westchester's success has been reliant on its memberships, volunteers, leadership, advisory council and relationship with the community. I am honored to have Impact100 Westchester in my district, and to recognize them on this wonderful occasion of their Fifth Anniversary. Congratulation to everyone involved with Impact100 Westchester, and thank you to all the caring members who have collectively granted over one million dollars to support and better our community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague for yielding to me. I think he really just said it all. I had the pleasure of knowing Louise for almost 40 years. We served together in the New York State Assembly up in Albany, New York, and I was senior to her in the New York State Assembly. She ran for Congress a few years before I did, and she was senior to me here. I never stopped teasing her about that to remind her that she may be senior here, but if you put the length of our terms together, I am senior to her, and we always got a kick out of that and always laughed. One thing about Louise is what you saw is what you got. Louise spoke her mind. She wasn't afraid to stand up to power. She was always thinking of the good for the country and for New York and her congressional district. And there was no other calculation in what she did. It was just feeling good trying to help the people. She was outspoken, and she said what was on her mind, and she knew more things than many of us have forgotten. She knew them, and she remembered them, and she would always have a little quip or a little thing to say that would really make you laugh and would make you feel like you were with a friend. And she kind of gave you the inside scoop on a bunch of things. You know, she was the Member of Congress who was the oldest Member of Congress, and you would never know it. When I first found out how old she was, I thought it was a misprint. She was always young. Until the day she died, she was young, young and having a passion and a belief of helping people and having a belief in government and government was there to do good for people and to be a good tool, not, as some people would say, that government is the enemy. Louise always believed that government should be and could be and would be a friend: a friend to do things for people, for seniors, for poor people, for immigrants. If you needed someone to come and help you work for any cause that was a right cause, all you had to do was ask Louise, and she always said yes. Now, our offices back in the Rayburn building are opposite each other. So you go down the hallway. If you turn left, you are in my office; if you turn right, you are in her office. So I often got to meet her when we were going to votes and got to say things to her about New York politics, and she really had the in, the scoop. She really knew what it was. I am going to miss her. I already miss her. I know we have so many of our colleagues from New York who are here because all of us together have a heartfelt appreciation of what it was to be Louise and to be Louise's friend. You know that twang she had from Kentucky? She always proudly told everyone she was from Kentucky, but her heart was really from New York, and I will miss her dearly. Rest peacefully, my friend. We all love you.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 2, the disgraceful so-called balanced budget amendment. You know, it has been said again and again on this side of the aisle, but I think it warrants saying it even more. The Republicans passed their tax bill for the wealthiest 1 percent, which blew tremendous holes into the deficit. So coming here now a few months later and purporting to be concerned about the rising deficit, I mean, the actions are different than the words, because the Republican tax scam blew a hole in the deficit, made it very difficult. So if you really want to change and you really want to have a balanced budget, the way to do it is to sit down with both sides and try to figure out a way to do it that is equitable, not something that only helps 1 percent and has devastating cuts for the rest of Americans. So the Republican tax cuts will balloon the Federal deficit by nearly $2 million over the next decade. Again, this is not about balancing the budget. This is an attempt to push an extreme agenda that will result in disastrous cuts to vital programs that benefit Americans. Medicare would be cut by $200 billion by 2025, Medicaid and healthcare subsidies by $150 billion, Social Security by $325 billion, and veterans' disability compensation would be cut by up to $30 billion. Not only will this hurt the elderly, our veterans, and the sick, but this dangerous amendment will also tie the hands of the Federal Government and make it impossible for Congress to respond to urgent matters of national security, like natural disasters, like international security crises--we on the Foreign Affairs Committee are always worried about that, obviously--or a dramatic turndown in the economy. We won't be able to react to this. So this amendment makes future increases in the debt limit nearly impossible, threatening the full faith and credit of our country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure and work together to find responsible solutions to create jobs, reduce the deficit, and take care of the American people.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true community servant and friend, District Attorney Anthony Scarpino. This year, Anthony is being honored with the Man of the Year award by MPAC at their Third Annual Gala and I too would like to honor him on the occasion. Tony, as he is better known, was born and raised in the City of Mount Vernon where he attended public school. After graduating, he attended the University of Connecticut and then Syracuse University College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor Degree. After law school, Tony returned to his home where he began his career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Mount Vernon. In 1977, he left local government and joined the FBI as a Special Agent. In 1984, at the age of thirty-two, Tony was appointed Acting Mount Vernon City Court Judge earning him the distinction of being the youngest judge in the city's history. Then in 1988, Tony was elected Westchester County Court Judge. In 1993, Tony was elected to the New York State Supreme Court for the Ninth Judicial District before being elected Westchester County Surrogate in 2000, a post to which he was re-elected to in 2010. In 2015, Tony stepped down to join the private law firm DelBello, Donnellan, Weingarten, Wise & Wiederkehr LLP, leaving the bench for the first time in thirty years. He was then elected Westchester County District Attorney in 2016, where he has since served with great distinction. Tony has dedicated his career to protecting our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice. He has been an inspiration, a dedicated public servant, and I want to congratulate him on receiving this wonderful honor.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor pillars of Pelham community, Kathy and Pete Potocki, who this year are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the organization they founded, The Danny Fund, at the organization's annual 2018 Valentines Ball. The Potocki's were home in Pelham on December 10, 1992 when their 4- 1/2 year-old son, Danny, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. A blood and donation drive was organized with the help of the Pelham Civics and other organizations to help Danny in his fight, and over 100 people donated blood and platelets. Danny successfully fought the disease and today lives a full life with a daughter in 2nd Grade in Pelham. The Pelham community's response to help Danny was tremendous, and laid the groundwork for what was to come. After Danny returned home and began kindergarten at Colonial School, it was learned that other Pelham children were ill and their families needed help. So Kathy and Pete, in association with the Knights of Columbus, started to organize The Danny Fund, a 100 percent volunteer organization that provides financial, emotional, and advocacy support for the families of children suffering from a catastrophic illness or injury. The Danny Fund adopts a family for the long haul and provides ongoing support as it is needed, for as long as it's needed. The Danny Fund has done some amazing work, and this year the organization will be honoring Kathy and Pete at the Valentine's Ball for their incredible dedication and work. I too would like to honor and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition, and thank them for all of their contributions to our community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a symbol of American integrity in our community, William H. Robertson. Mr. Robertson celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, March 10, 2018. Bill Robertson was born to Henry and Mae Robertson on February 29, 1928, in Bronx, New York. He grew up in Edgewater Park in the Bronx, and attended P.S. 72 Elementary School and Evander Childs High School. After graduation from high school in 1946, Bill followed in his father's footsteps and joined the electrician's union, the IBEW, Local 3. He was deeply involved in community service, including social and athletic events sponsored by the Edgewater Athletic Association. Bill was also an organizer of the annual Edgewater Labor Day festivities, a unifying event for the Bronx. Answering a call to duty, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1950. After completing his Basic Training at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, he returned home on leave, and married his long-time sweetheart, Helen. Bill was deployed to serve in the Korean conflict as a member of the 7th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He served proudly in difficult combat engagements, and was wounded in July, 1951, though he returned to the battlefield for the duration of his enlistment. Bill was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. He was given his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army on June 26, 1952. Bill's love of country never wavered, and to this day, he is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1963, the Robertsons moved to Crestwood, Yonkers, where Bill found new ways to contribute He was an active member of the Annunciation Parish and the Hillcrest Lakers Community Club. He taught, coached, and helped run a men's softball league, and was president of a bowling league in the Bronx. In 2009 Bill and Helen moved north to Yorktown Heights, New York. He is now enjoying retirement with his wife of 67 years, and his wonderful family, including his 10 grandchildren. Bill is an inspiration to us all and it is my honor to recognize him. Congratulations to him, and I want to wish him a very happy birthday.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize a key member of the Westchester Jewish Council community, Michael Karnes, who has been instrumental in WJC's growth for the last 26 years. Michael joined the Board of WJC at the urging of a good friend in 1992. He has served as a board member, Secretary and most recently as Treasurer of the Council. Michael is a lifelong member of Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, where he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. Michael has gone on to become the youngest president in the 118 year history of the congregation and has the distinction of being the only person to have had the privilege of serving as president three times. Michael has also served on the Executive Board and Board of Governors of the JCC on the Hudson, now known as the Shames JCC on the Hudson. He continues to serve as a voluntary arbitrator in the New York City Civil Court Small Claims Division. And perhaps most importantly, during his first term as President of Temple Beth Abraham, Michael met Jane Rubin, whom along with her two sons, Alan and Gary, he welcomed into his life. With the addition of Marissa to the family, Jane and Michael have become the proud grandparents of Ellie, Judah, and Sam. His passion for his family is truly his driving force. This year, WJC is honoring Michael at the organization's 42nd Anniversary Gala for all his dedication and hard work to their community. He is a most deserving honoree, and I want to congratulate him of the occasion.