Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue. Rev. Pogue was the Guest Speaker honored at Messiah Baptist Church Men's Ministry, Man of the Year 2018 on Saturday, March 31, 2018. I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge him regarding this honor. Rev. Pogue was born in Roselle, New Jersey where he was a graduate of Cranford High School. He later joined the United States Air Force then graduated from Nyack College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science. After Nyack College, Rev. Pogue graduated from Alliance Theological Seminary where he received the Masters of Divinity Degree, and then later received the Doctor of Ministry Degree in preaching from McCormick Theology Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. Rev. Pogue went on to serve as Pastor of the Greater Hood Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Harlem until September 2006, and later became the Co-Founder of the Hip Hop Church in Harlem. Rev. Pogue also served as the Pastor of The Greater Cooper A.M.E. Zion Church in Oakland, California in addition to being a member of the California Conference. Then, in November 2012, Rev. Pogue was appointed Pastor of The Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church in my district, where he inspires parishioners every day in Mount Vernon. Outside of the church, Rev. Pogue is also quite active in the community. He is a member of the Westchester Human Rights Commission, the Mount Vernon Public Safety Commission, the Trustees Board of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and is the Mount Vernon Police Department Chaplain. Of course, for all his fine works, Rev. Pogue's greatest passion is family. He is married to Iris Pogue and they have three wonderful children, Stephen, Stephany, and Deanna. Rev. Stephen Pogue is a pillar in our and every community in which he has served. His work has been an inspiration and it is my honor to congratulate him on receiving this wonderful recognition.

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.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true community leader, Minister Richard Thompson. Minister Thompson was honored as Messiah Baptist Church Men's Ministry, Man of the Year 2018 on Saturday, March 31, 2018 and I too want to acknowledge him on the occasion here. Minister Thompson was born in South Port, North Carolina, and attended Narrow Way Bible College, which is affiliated with New York Theological. He has been a member of Messiah Baptist Church in Yonkers, NY for over 40 years. At Messiah, Minister Thompson is blessed to serve in a variety of ways, including as Minister, Deacon, Co-Chairman of the Trustee Ministry, Sunday School Teacher, and was responsible for the Operation Bread Basket for needy families for many years. He is also the Spiritual Enrichment Chairperson, always ministering to those in need of a word from God. At a time when the Church was without a Pastor, Minister Thompson planned and conducted worship services, developed sermons, planned the Church's music, gave advice to parishioners and guided the religious interests of the Church, helping it to grow. He also communicated with the congregation through announcements by writing all the bulletins; he did it all. Minister Thompson also visits members in homes, nursing care facilities and hospitals, and he set up an Alcoholics Anonymous Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorder program for those seeking help. In addition, he also held the position as Custodian for the church. Minister Thompson is a very special individual, and it is my honor to recognize him today. Congratulations to him once again on being named Man of the Year 2018 at Messiah Baptist Church.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge a pillar of the Westchester Jewish Council community who has been instrumental in WJC's success now for many years, Betsy Bernstein. Betsy's involvement with WJC began when her husband, Julian, took some time out of his day to get involved in the community. Following Julian's tragic passing in 2005, Betsy joined the WJC Board. Betsy co- chairs and works annually with her sons Michael and David to coordinate the Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Awards, honoring member organizations and their dedicated leaders who have enriched our Westchester community. Betsy is a founding committee member of the Council's Leadership Development Institute, and has served on numerous other Council committees over the years. Betsy and her husband, Keith Satter, are members of both the Jewish Community Center in Harrison and Congregation Beth El in Norwalk, CT. Betsy has served as a JCCH trustee and Keith currently serves as JCCH President. Outside of her WJC commitments, Betsy founded the Bernstein Research Group which provides marketing research and consulting services to help companies identify ways to make products and services better fit users' needs. She earned her MBA from the distinguished Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Goucher College in Towson, MD. This year, WJC is honoring Betsy at their 42nd Anniversary Gala for all of her incredible work to make the WJC community stronger. They could not have picked a more deserving honoree. Congratulations to Betsy on receiving the wonderful recognition, and I thank her for all her hard work.

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 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 pillar of hard-work and integrity in our community, Charles Thomas Blacknall. Charles was honored as Messiah Baptist Church Men's Ministry, Man of the Year 2018 on Saturday, March 31, 2018. I'd like to acknowledge him and his great work on the occasion. Charles was born in Franklinton, North Carolina and attended the Franklinton Public High School. He then moved to Yonkers following the completion of his high school education. At the age of 21, Charles became a member of Local 3 Electrical Union (EBEW) and was employed by Phelps Dodge Copper and Wire Company as a machine operator for more than eight years. As a proud union member, Charles worked a wide array of union jobs. Following his time at Phelps and Dodge, he was assigned to Edison Price Lighting Company as a shipping and receiving clerk for 8 years. His next assignment was with Kliege Brother Electrical and Lighting as a Craftsman Painter for eight years. In 1992 Charles left Local 3 and accepted a position as a Concierge in White Plains, where he worked until retirement in 2004. Outside of work, Charles was very active in the community. He volunteered his time with multiple groups, including as a member of the Yonkers Branch of the NAACP, the National Action Network (NAN), Messiah Baptist Church Bible Study Class, and Messiah Baptist Church Men's Ministry. Charles was also very active in youth sports, and particularly enjoyed being a Volunteer Coach with the Commerce Community Center Youth League Basketball in Yonkers. Of course, Charles' true passion was always his family. He and his wife have four lovely children, Lashanda, Nicholas, Marcus and Thomas, and he was blessed with five grandchildren Arzane, Alexis, Zarius, Lee Lee, and Mariah. Charles Thomas Blacknall is a special member of our community and his life serves as an inspiration to us all. It is my honor to congratulate him on receiving this wonderful honor, and to thank him for all of the tremendous work he has done on behalf of his community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to honor a community leader, Nathaniel ``Nate'' Adams, Jr., a man who has left an indelible mark on both the Bronx and Westchester counties which I represent. Nate has lived a full and active life, one that has taken many interesting turns over the years. Born on November 9th, 1941 Nate was raised and educated in Cleveland, and went on to Purdue University, where he was awarded a full track and field scholarship, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1965. In his professional life, Nate was a teacher-coach at Woodlands High School in Hartsdale, New York and later became the cofounder of RAN Associates in 1970. Then in 1972, Nate began a star-studded entertainment career, first as an associate producer for the movie ``Super Fly'' and then as an actor and clothing designer for the movie ``Classic.'' Nate then worked as a special events organizer for Don King Productions, where he produced a musical concert in Zaire ahead of the Muhammed Ali Vs. George Foreman prize fight. In 1980, he was a producer for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) where he created the UNCF Walkathon, ``Walk a Mile, to Save a Mind''; in 1985 he became Director of Special Events of CARE International; in 1986 he became producer for International Tours for KOOL & the Gang; and in 1990 he became Tour Manager for the Lloyd Price Group, the Four Kings of R&B, and other greats. Nate was also the cofounder of the Black National Sports and Entertainment Foundation. Incredibly, Nate was just as active outside of work, too. He has been a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in New Rochelle since 1978, and became a Deacon himself in 1982. In 2002, Nate became chairman of the Shiloh Community Development Corporation, which led to the construction of a 40-unit senior housing facility in New Rochelle. In 2006, he became chairman of the Deacon Ministry of Shiloh Baptist Church, then just two years later, became President of Tilden Towers II Board of Directors in the Bronx. Of course for all his great accomplishments, Nate would always point to family as his greatest. He and his wife Audrey have been married since 1967, and they have been blessed with 3 children, Nichole, Nathaniel III, and Alisha, and 10 grandchildren. Nate's motto, ``I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'' couldn't be more appropriate for a man who truly has done it all. He is most deserving of this recognition today.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I today say goodbye to a dear friend, Joseph R. ``Joe'' O'Brien, who passed away on February 7th, 2018 at the age of 79. Joe served as my Director of Public Affairs for many years, and in that time, I came to know him as a warm, caring human being with a razor-sharp wit and tremendous sense of humor. I am going to miss him dearly. A longtime resident of the Bronx, Joe was a newsman who later served as Deputy Press Secretary to Mayor Edward Koch from 1979 to 1985. For the next 11 years, he continued directing public relations for city and state government with the Special Services for Children agency of the Human Resources Administration, the city Department of Transportation, and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. He also served as Deputy Press Secretary for Yonkers Mayor Terrance Zaleski for two years before joining my office in May of 1996, where he worked until his retirement in 2013. Later he joined Bronx Community Board 8, where he served until September 2017. Born May 26, 1938, Joe was the youngest of four children of Irish immigrants, Thomas and Margaret O'Brien (nee Coffey), and grew up in the Inwood section of upper Manhattan. He served in the Army Reserve and graduated from New York University in 1966. He worked for several newspapers in New Jersey and upstate New York. In 1967, he joined the United Press International wire service in New York as a reporter on the Local desk, and then as an editor on the International and General desks. Joe married New York Daily News reporter Cass Vanzi in 1975. The couple had two children together whom he is survived by; his daughter, Casey O'Brien Schwarz and son Scott O'Brien. Joe is also survived by his three beautiful grandchildren, Kaleb and Kaia O'Brien, and Leopold (O'Brien) Schwarz, and his brother Kenneth O'Brien of Crestwood, NY. Everyone, who ever met Joe knew he was one of a kind. Though he was a tremendously talented writer and gifted communicator, it was his wonderful personality that really shined brightest. Nobody could light up the room with a joke or quick comment like Joe. My condolences go out to the entire O'Brien family. Joe will be greatly missed.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Illinois for yielding and for the good work she is doing on this and so many other bills. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. In today's world, when technology allows us to constantly be logged into the workplace, it is understandable that Americans often find themselves seeking more convenient meals outside of the home. But dining out should not be about sacrificing nutrition. I believe Americans should have all the tools necessary to make informed choices about what they eat and what they feed their families. Why wouldn't we want that? Why wouldn't we let the consumer decide? Why would we try to rob some tools and take things away from them? Menu labeling gives Americans those tools, and we have been making progress towards more transparent labeling for consumers. It is a good thing. This bill, H.R. 772, would undo that process. It delays much-needed transparency and will cause confusion for both consumers and businesses, many of which have already started implementing existing menu labeling requirements. So let's not turn back the clock. Menu labeling is both a vital public health tool and an important consumer protection. People are smart enough to make their own choices. If you want to make it impossible for them to know everything, then you are not allowing the consumer to make the final choice in an informed way. I don't see why we would want to do that. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the great educational institutions in my district, the Westchester Day School, which this year will be celebrating its incredible 70th anniversary. Founded in 1948 with an enrollment of 54 boys and girls in kindergarten through grade 4, Westchester Day School (WDS) serves as the primary Modern Orthodox co-educational day school for the Westchester community, providing excellence in Judaic and General Studies education in a warm and nurturing environment. The school's mission is to prepare students to live as mensches and lifelong learners and inspires them to impact the world around them by cultivating a commitment to Torah, midot, community and academic rigor. WDS students become lifelong, independent learners who grow from inquiry, discovery, and reflective trial and error. They are problem- solvers who are flexible and adapt to new situations, while identifying and responding to the needs of others with sympathy and empathy. WDS also sets out to instill within its students a love of God and a yearning to find spirituality, fulfillment and joy in Jewish ritual, Torah-learning. They understand that they are a link in a chain of tradition that has flourished for thousands of years. Also instilled within the students is a devotion to the State of Israel, something I as Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee am particularly heartened by and pleased to see. For 70 years now WDS has served as a beacon of educational excellence in Westchester, as the work done by its teachers, students, and faculty has been exemplary. I want to congratulate the entire WDS community on this wonderful milestone. Here's to many more years of great success and learning.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from New York. You know, I have been here a long time now, and I have to say: This is one of the worst pieces of legislation I have ever seen; one of the worst processes I have ever seen. You know, when you were a kid, and you went to high school and college, and you learned how a bill becomes a law, well, take that and throw it out because the Republican leadership here doesn't want to work with Democrats. The reason no Democrats are working with you is you shut us out. You won't let us have any input. You won't do anything with us, and this is not the way to govern, absolutely not. You know, someone near and dear to me once said: The Republican Party is the party of the rich person, and the Democratic Party is the party of the working person. If that was ever true, it certainly is true today. Rich people do really, really well. Middle class and the poor people don't do well at all. In fact, the corporate tax breaks last for years and years and years, and the other tax breaks for the middle class expire in 5 years. This helps the rich; it hurts the poor; it helps the middle class. Even Ronald Reagan tried to be bipartisan and have Democrats work with him. And whatever happened to my friends on the Republican side, lectures about fiscal responsibility? This blows a hole in the budget. It is irresponsible. My State of New York, which is a donor State, is getting screwed. That is all I can say.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I have had the pleasure of knowing many wonderful public servants over the course of my career, individuals who dedicated themselves fully to their communities and neighbors every single day. In Yonkers, there has not been a more dedicated and selfless public servant than my dear friend Liam McLaughlin, who this year is closing out his final term as Yonkers City Council President. I have known Liam for many years. His parents, Bernadette and Pat, are close family friends, and both have a very strong sense of community Liam clearly adopted that spirit, and thus began a lifetime of working to strengthen Yonkers. Liam was raised in Yonkers and has lived there for more than 42 years. His wife, Debbie, is also from Yonkers. Now, the McLaughlin family lives only a few blocks from the house in which he grew up. Liam attended St. John the Baptist School, the same school that his son Ryan now goes to, and coaches his son on the same youth baseball fields that his father coached him on when he was a kid. A small business owner, Liam is a practicing trusts and estates attorney at McLaughlin & Zerafa LLP. Previously, he worked for several small law firms in the New York area, including his own general practice law firm and the Corporation Counsel's Office in the City of Yonkers. Liam was also an adjunct professor at Manhattan College. From 2000 to 2010, Liam served on the Yonkers City Council. He served in leadership roles including Majority Leader and Minority Leader. He also served on every major committee and was Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, as well as the Environmental Policy & Protection Committee. In 2013, he was elected as Council President by the voters of Yonkers, where he served with great distinction and honor. Outside of his duties as an elected official, Liam has also coached youth basketball and soccer with Dunwoodie Youth Association, and currently serves as President of the Lincoln Park Taxpayers Association. Liam is also a member of the Holy Name Society of St. John the Baptist Church, the Kerrymen's P&B Association and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Westchester County. On December 18, 2017 the Yonkers community is coming together to celebrate Liam for all the remarkable work he has done and continues to do on behalf of his fellow Yonkers residents. He is most deserving of the recognition. I want to congratulate Liam on the occasion and offer my personal thanks for all of that tremendous work. He has certainly made Yonkers proud.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. I want to thank Mr. Grothman from Wisconsin for authoring this resolution. I also thank my good friend and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, for his leadership as always. Mr. Speaker, freedom of worship is a basic human right, yet we see religious minorities all over the world subjected to persecution and violence. In Iraq and Syria, ISIS has forced Christians in Mosul to convert to Islam, to pay a protection tax, and to flee or face execution. ISIS has carried out genocide against the Yazidis, the Christians, and the Shias. In Europe, we see synagogues fire-bombed and a surge of anti- Semitism across the continent. In Burma, we see government security forces engaged in ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya. Freedom of religion has been a bedrock principle of open and democratic societies for centuries. It is enshrined in our founding documents, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in charters of democracies all over the world. The freedom to worship as a person chooses or not to worship at all is a broad right that should not be restrained by a government or a fanatical group. Religious persecution holds societies back, undercuts progress, and is usually associated with a much broader assault on basic human rights. Here in the United States, we must make it clear that it is not enough to just guarantee religious liberty to our own people. We must speak out and act when we see this freedom, this liberty, and any other freedom under attack anywhere and hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses. In places like China, we see freedom of speech under attack. In Chechnya, we see LGBT individuals targeted, tortured, and executed by Putin's cronies just for whom they love. We see women's reproductive rights under attack. We must also speak out against attacks on our press, on our right to organize, on equality for LGBT persons, and on women's right to control their own bodies. This legislation helps us send a clear message that protecting all human rights is a priority for the United States. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we all know that America's first immigrants came here because they were fleeing religious persecution in their home countries. It would be hypocritical of us to condemn current-day religious persecution around the world and then to slam our doors shut in the face of those trying to flee such persecution. America must remain a place where those facing persecution or death can find refuge. Mr. Speaker, I support this measure and urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, protecting human rights has been and must remain a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Around the world, we see religious liberties under siege in places like Iraq, Syria, Burma, and certainly in Iran. But we also see threats to free press, rights to organize, persecution for sexual orientation, and even reproductive rights in places like China, Chechnya, and other places as well. So we must send a clear message to the world that the United States does not and will not stand idly by, and helping pass this measure helps us to say just that. I want to thank Chairman Royce, as always, for his cooperation. This is strong, important, bipartisan legislation, and we should pass it unanimously. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me supporting H. Res. 407, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney).

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chairman, Ed Royce, for working with me to bring this measure to the floor, and I thank Congressman McCaul, the lead Republican sponsor of this resolution, as well. I am pleased to be the lead sponsor on this resolution. After more than a decade of good progress in the U.S.-Mexico partnership, this year we have seen some things change course in a troubling way. It is a problem, and it needs to be stopped. That is why I offer this measure reaffirming our strong commitment to our relationship with Mexico. We don't want anyone there to have any kinds of questions. We believe in a strong U.S.-Mexico relationship. Mr. Speaker, I also thank our ranking member on the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Mr. Sires, and Mr. Castro for their efforts on this resolution and their support day in and day out for a robust U.S.- Mexico partnership. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to overstate how important the U.S.-Mexico relationship is and the tremendous impact it has on Americans every single day. Mexico is a friend and ally. Mexico is our third largest trading partner. It is a country with which we share deep person-to- person, family, and cultural ties, and it is a country where we have painstakingly cultivated a vibrant, critical relationship between our two countries. Over the past century, there have been many highs and lows in the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Unfortunately, sometimes, recently, we have had a lot of lows with talk about building walls and other derogatory talk about Mexicans. We don't want that to continue. We want to establish and reaffirm the strong U.S.-Mexico relationship. In 2007, I became chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. That was the same day that the Merida Initiative was announced by Presidents Bush and Calderon, which led to a new level of security cooperation between the United States and Mexico. That effort wasn't perfect then and it isn't today. The civilian toll of Mexico's drug war is still far too high, and human rights violations at the federal, state, and local level in Mexico remain a serious problem. But what we gained from the Merida Initiative was an entirely new way of collaborating with the Mexican Government on a wide range of security issues. Presidents Obama and Pena Nieto built on Merida's foundation, and one of the results was a remarkable achievement in the last hours of the Obama administration, which was the extradition of drug kingpin ``El Chapo'' Guzman to my hometown of New York City to stand trial. Without a strong U.S.-Mexico partnership, that would not have been possible. A decade ago, it probably would not have happened at all. And while we absolutely don't need to waste billions of taxpayer dollars on a 2,000-mile-long wall against our southern border, what we do need is to maintain our partnership on security matters with the Mexican Government. We want the Mexican Government to continue to reach out to us with information regarding suspected terrorists. We want to say that the Mexican Government will cooperate with us and extradite the next drug kingpin to the United States, and it goes on and on. So we cannot overemphasize just how important the U.S.-Mexico partnership is and how it keeps Americans safe on a day-to-day basis. H. Res. 336 underscores the importance of a U.S.-Mexico relationship built on mutual respect. Mutual respect means building bridges, not walls, between our two countries; it means recognizing the vast contributions of Mexican Americans to our country and not classifying an entire population as drug dealers and rapists; it means not singling out an esteemed judge based solely on his race. Congress has an important opportunity today to be the adult in the room and let the Mexican Government and the Mexican people know that our relationship with them is very, very important and will continue to be important. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure. I am pleased that we have support for this on both sides of the aisle. I thank Chairman Royce, as always, for his cooperation and his partnership, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let me close on a positive note. I believe that it is not too late to reverse course on this latest direction of U.S.-Mexico ties. At a difficult moment in our bilateral relationship, I am heartened to stand here on the House floor and listen to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle offer such robust support for the U.S.-Mexico relationship. I again thank Chairman Royce and Mr. McCaul for their help and support of this resolution. What we need is to maintain and even strengthen our cooperation on security and economic matters with the Mexican Government. Passage of H. Res. 336 today is an excellent step. Congress really needs to lead the way. So I thank, again, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this resolution, and I pledge to do everything I can to continue to enhance the very important U.S.-Mexico relationship. I think it is important to state that this relationship is not only important to Mexico, but it is important to the United States for so many different reasons. That is why I think it is important for Congress to reaffirm its support, strong support, for the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres), my good friend and colleague on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and a very valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. So it is appropriate that we are considering this important resolution on the House floor before 2017 comes to a close. As was said by all the other Members, the U.S. and Canada share so much more than just our extensive borders and daily commerce. We share people-to-people ties that run generations deep and continue on a daily basis. Today, by passing H. Res. 357, Congress has an opportunity to show our commitment to and gratitude for the U.S.-Canada relationship. We also have an opportunity to show the world how two nations can get along with miles and miles of continuous borders. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important resolution. I again thank Chairman Royce and the former chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee for their work. Mr. Speaker, 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 support of this measure. Mr. Speaker, I want to, first of all, thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), who, until recently, was the chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. We will have him back on the committee any time he wants to come. I thank him for authorizing this resolution reaffirming the importance of the strategic partnership between the United States and Canada. I also appreciate the efforts of my good friend Mr. Meeks as the lead Democratic sponsor, and again, I thank Chairman Royce for working to bring this measure to the House floor. It is only appropriate, after spending time on the House floor discussing the importance of the U.S. relationship of our neighbor to the South, that we also focus on the strategic partnership between the United States and our neighbor to the North, which, of course, is Canada. Canada is our second largest trading partner. Interesting, Canada is our second largest trading partner--and Mexico is our third largest trading partner--with about $1.7 billion in goods and services and 400,000 citizens in both countries crossing the border on a daily basis. Think about that, 400,000 citizens from both countries cross the U.S.-Canadian border on a daily basis. The preclearance process makes it easy for Americans traveling to Canada to clear U.S. customs while at a number of airports in Canada and arrive back home almost as if they were on a domestic flight. Of course, our relationship goes far beyond commerce and tourism, and I am particularly pleased that H. Res. 357 takes note of the extensive cooperation between the United States and Canada at NATO. Canada has been and remains a key U.S. ally in several international conflicts around the world, including in Afghanistan, where Canada employed 2,800 troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force from 2006 to 2011. I also want to note the crucial role that Canada has played in holding Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his lackeys accountable through both multilateral action at the OAS--Organization of American States--and targeted sanctions. Most recently, I was very pleased that Canadian Foreign Minister Freeland hosted the Lima Group in Toronto in October. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the U.S.-Canada relationship needs to be rejuvenated, needs to not be taken for granted. We have to work at that over time, and I think it is important that we all work at that. As a global entity, the U.S.-Canada relationship should be a relatively even one to manage. We don't want to have jobs at risk by creating a trade war with Canada. Trade disputes between two big neighbors are normal. We should not be escalating manageable disagreements in a way that could hurt workers in both of our countries. So I believe that we should let all the leaders know that the House is leading the way, and we hope that everyone follows Congress' lead today in affirming the importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This dangerous bill is an attack on commonsense gun laws across the country. It will force States like mine in New York, with carefully crafted gun laws, to recognize the concealed carry permits from all other States. This bill doesn't create a national standard. Instead, it lets the States with the weakest laws dictate the safety of everyone else. Thirty-one States require safety training, 35 States prohibit domestic abusers from carrying concealed weapons, 27 States prohibit people convicted of violent misdemeanors from carrying concealed weapons. All of these States' laws will be overridden if H.R. 38 passes. It is unconscionable, in the wake of two of the worse mass shootings in modern American history, Republicans are still trying to dismantle gun laws. It is like ``Alice in Wonderland.'' We must fight on behalf of the safety of all Americans and pass comprehensive gun safety laws, not this dangerous bill.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, We are fortunate in New York's 16th Congressional District to have some of the finest first-responders anywhere in the country. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the Village of Mamaroneck, where the Village Volunteer Fire Department has provided its citizens with courageous fire protection for 129 years. The Village of Mamaroneck Volunteer Fire department is comprised of a highly skilled dedicated team committed to providing the highest level of safety, protection of life, property and the environment to those who live, work or play in our community. The five fire companies that comprise the department: Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1, Mamaro Engine & Hose Co. No. 1, Columbia Engine & Hose Co. No. 2, Volunteers Engine & Hose Co. No. 3, and Halstead Manor Engine & Hose Co. No. 4 operate out of four fire stations with over 200 volunteers. The Mamaroneck Fire Department operates with five Engines, two Aerial Trucks, two Utility Trucks, three Chiefs Vehicles, and one Fire Boat and responds to approximately 800 fire emergencies a year. The Mamaroneck Fire Department has always done an outstanding job keeping its citizens safe, and as a result The New Jewish Home, Sarah Neuman is honoring the department at their 25th Anniversary celebration. They have chosen to acknowledge an incredible partner in the community. I too would like to congratulate the Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department Day in recognition of the significant impact they have made and continue to make in the community, and as a partner with The New Jewish Home, Sarah Neuman in serving the elders of our community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an important event in my district-sponsored by the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees and the Afya Foundation. Last week, these two organizations collected much- needed supplies to benefit those who have suffered from the Syrian civil war. The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees has a powerful story to tell. A coalition of over 90 organizations, it has facilitated a partnership between Israeli and Syrian organizations to help deliver critical humanitarian assistance, including food and medicine, to people inside Syria. Containers of donated assistance arrive at Israeli ports, where the Israeli Defense Forces transport the supplies to the Syrian border for distribution by Syrian organizations inside Syria. Joining the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees is the Afya Foundation, which has a record of collecting supplies for humanitarian crises all over the world. The event in Yonkers, New York will build upon similar events and campaigns which have raised over $66 million of life-saving assistance. I applaud the participants in Yonkers, the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, the Afya Foundation and all those Americans who have made an effort to help those in desperate need in Syria. I recognize that the Syrian crisis will not be resolved by sending humanitarian assistance. For that, we will need a political solution. However, if we can help a family access food and medicine, help them realize that America has not forgotten them, then we can offer them hope for an end to the violence and war.