Elizabeth Esty

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Madam Speaker, last Friday, this House blew right through the statutory deadline to enact a budget resolution. Let's set aside, for a moment, the fact that passing a budget last Friday was required by law. The real injustice to the American people is that Congress has once again failed to fulfill the most basic responsibilities that the American people sent us here to carry out. A budget is supposed to reflect the values of the American people. It should be a roadmap of Congress' plan for supporting working families, creating middle class jobs, and strengthening our education system. It should be a roadmap for lifting barriers to opportunity, supporting our Nation's innovators, and helping startups and small businesses to get off the ground. It should be a roadmap for keeping Americans safe at home and abroad. Now, let's be clear. The proposal that came out of the Budget Committee did none of these things. Dismantling Medicare won't improve our economic security. Abandoning public schools won't lift barriers to opportunity. But the way forward is not to simply throw up our hands and abandon the budget process entirely. A budget is not a political exercise. We don't pass budgets when doing so is easy and walk away from our jobs when it gets hard. Republicans and Democrats need to come together to craft a budget that reflects the priorities of the American people, a bipartisan budget that envisions a smarter, leaner government, one that creates predictability and support for good-paying jobs and increases opportunity for all. We need a budget to rebuild America by investing in our transportation and infrastructure. I worked very hard to successfully pass the 5-year highway bill that was signed into law late last year. But according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the United States needs to invest more than $3.6 trillion by 2020 to bring our infrastructure up to basic standards. Nowhere is this truer than in my home State of Connecticut where we have some of the oldest infrastructure in the country and where we rely on Federal funding to fix crumbling roads, bridges, and transit systems. Our budget should encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. Connecticut has a long, proud manufacturing tradition. We are home to 5,000 manufacturers, many of them small and family owned, and I know they can compete with anyone if they have a level playing field. We need a budget that helps us create one. Supporting innovators means investing not just in infrastructure, but in infostructure, our electrical grid and the physical building blocks of the Internet, which are vital to the success of startups and small businesses throughout the country. Madam Speaker, in Connecticut and around the Nation, we need a budget that invests in STEM education and 21st century jobs, commits to growing our manufacturing sector, and provides the resources we need to fight the opioid epidemic that is tearing apart so many families. The American public wants to see Congress take bold action. Our budget should set us on a path to leadership in today's and tomorrow's global economy. A budget is much more than a statement of principles. It is a roadmap to lifting barriers to opportunity. It is an investment in our infrastructure and in the research and development we need to power 21st century careers. It is an investment in the American people. It is time that we in this House put our responsibility to the American people before partisanship and political games. When the people we represent at home stop doing their jobs, they don't get paid. In Congress, we should work the same way. We should pass the No Budget, No Pay Act because Members of Congress should only get paid when they do their jobs. If we worked under No Budget, No Pay, I guarantee you the House would have passed a budget last Friday. So I call on my colleagues. Let's do the job the American people sent us here to do. Let's do the job we are paid to do. Let's go to the table--Democrats and Republicans--and hammer out a budget that supports good-paying jobs, grows our economy, keeps us safe, and truly reflects the priorities of the American people.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Team 26, some of whom are here in the gallery with us today, for their courageous efforts to continue the call for this House and this body to take responsible action to end the scourge of gun violence in this country. This courageous group of riders, 26 men and women, mothers and fathers, high school students and veterans, rode to Washington to renew the call for all victims of gun violence. This is their fourth year. This year, they bring with them petitions signed by nearly 40,000 Americans demanding that we in Congress do our job by ensuring that all our students are safe and that we allow our college campuses to be gun- free zones. It is my privilege to present this petition to the entire House and to thank Team 26 for their courageous efforts and for their relentless efforts to make sure that we in Congress do our job. Team 26 rides to bring a message of hope and peace and love. It is time for this House to respond to their call for action with action of our own.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 4755, the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers Women Act. This bill calls on the NASA Administrator to support initiatives that encourage girls and young women to study STEM fields and pursue careers in aerospace. Unfortunately, women are still underrepresented in many STEM fields, including aerospace, but NASA is working hard to change that. They have developed a number of innovative programs that aim to inspire and encourage young girls and women to pursue STEM degrees and STEM careers. These include the NASA GIRLS program, the Aspire 2 Inspire program, and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research, or SISTER, program. The NASA GIRLS program is a virtual mentoring program where middle school students are mentored by NASA employees online. The Aspire 2 Inspire program is another online program where girls and young women can watch films of women who have exciting careers at NASA. This program gives young girls a firsthand look at what a STEM career at NASA could actually entail. The Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research, the so-called SISTER program, is an intensive 1-week program where middle school girls can explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields with NASA women researchers. It is almost impossible to overstate the value of exposing young students to STEM role models who look like them. I have seen the impact that a single encounter can have on a young person when I helped arrange a direct link between an astronaut and 3,000 students in my district when he was in the International Space Station. It was electric and exciting and inspired everyone in that room to think about reaching beyond what they had seen and what they knew. Without these sorts of experiences, students, especially young girls, may think careers in STEM fields are not available to them. I am particularly supportive of this bill because it has a focus on middle school girls. Research has shown that this is a crucial time to engage girls in considering pursuing careers in science. I have to say I myself got inspired to pursue more about science when, as a middle schooler, I was at camp and joined my fellow campers staring up at the Moon for the first spacewalk and landing on the Moon. So I know the impact that this can have on a 12- or 13-year-old. H.R. 4755 instructs the NASA Administrator to support these programs and other programs that encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as to pursue careers in aerospace. The bill also calls on NASA to submit a plan to Congress on how it can best facilitate and support current and retired astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators to engage girls studying STEM at the K-12 grade levels. Although retired astronauts, scientists, and engineers can help inspire the next generation of NASA scientists, early career women-- astronauts, scientists, engineers and innovators--are really instrumental to the success of this plan. It is really invaluable for young women to have experiences interacting with role models who are close to their age who are pursuing careers in the STEM fields. I really want to thank my Committee on Science, Space, and Technology colleagues--the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Comstock) for her leadership on this bill; the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark); the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking member; and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman--for joining together in bringing this bill to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bill. Seeing as we have no other speakers on this side, I am prepared to close. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 4742, the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act. This bill would expand the mission of the National Science Foundation to support and strengthen women entrepreneurs. I drafted this legislation because we can and we must do more for women in science, technology, engineering, and math, the so- called STEM fields, to extend their efforts beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world. Women have the potential to be remarkable entrepreneurs, job creators, and innovators. Unfortunately, women remain an underutilized force for starting small businesses that sustain the middle class. Women make up roughly half of the labor force. But according to the Department of Commerce, women only own 30 percent of private businesses in the United States. Why is it that women aren't starting their own businesses more often? The sad truth is that women still face significant barriers to entrepreneurship, including limited access to capital, a lack of women mentors in STEM fields, often difficult or unmanageable expectations for work-life balance, and a subconscious bias against women in STEM. Now, an increasing number of women are earning STEM degrees. However, women are still largely underrepresented in all STEM fields, including significantly the ones that have the highest entrepreneurship rates. For example, in 2012, women earned only one in five Ph.D.'s granted by U.S. institutions in computer science. We must do better at increasing representation of women in all STEM fields. Now, I may be biased, but my own State of Connecticut is a great example of how far women can go with a STEM background. We have women engineers who are designing life-support packs for our astronauts at the International Space Station. We have women scientists conducting cutting-edge research in STEM cell work at Yukon and at Yale. We have women inventors and entrepreneurs making life-changing discoveries and literally altering the course of history. We have wonderful local companies with women entrepreneurs, such as Bedoukian Research and Jonal Labs, who are not only creating quality products, but are fostering the next generation of women leaders in STEM. I think we might have had one in the gallery who was excited about our introduction of this bill. It is not enough to promote women in STEM careers. We must also work to increase the number of women who become entrepreneurs. The benefits of encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs could be tremendous. According to the Department of Commerce, between 1997 and 2007, privately held women-owned businesses added 500,000 jobs. During that same period, other privately held firms lost over 2 million jobs. Women have unique experiences and perspectives to bring to the table. We simply cannot afford in this increasingly global economy to overlook the valuable and talented resource of over half our citizens. We must do more to promote women entrepreneurs and to better support women who are commercializing great ideas, starting small businesses, and creating jobs. I know, when I hear from the women and the men who are part of my STEM advisory committee in Connecticut about the challenges and, yet, the great opportunities that women in the STEM fields have to create the next new exciting business, develop the next new cure to help Americans. H.R. 4742 would help do that by supporting programs focused on helping more women, commercialize great ideas, start businesses, stimulate 21st century careers, and strengthen the middle class. I want to thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Mrs. Comstock, Ranking Member Johnson, and Chairman Smith, for working with us together on this bill. I ask my colleagues to support this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act. Along with Senator Nelson, I proudly introduced the Child Nicotine Prevention Act last year. This year it has been a real pleasure to work with my good friend Susan Brooks. I would like to thank her as well as Representative Schakowsky, Representative Sarbanes, Chairman Upton, Ranking Member Pallone, and all of the staff for their help on this commonsense, important-- literally, lifesaving--legislation that I hope we will pass today and put on the President's desk tonight. As a mom, I can only imagine the pain felt by parents whose children have been poisoned by a substance that, so far, the Federal Government has done nothing from which to protect their children. It is understandable that children are attracted by the liquid nicotine that is being sold right now through e-cigarettes. The packages are brightly colored. They look like candy. They have flavors like strawberry, gummy bears, cotton candy, peppermint, chocolate. Once you open the package, it smells like candy. It is not surprising, particularly at the holidays, that children who are seeing brightly colored food flavorings and who are dyeing cookies and making them bright colors would be curious. They smell it and want to taste it. Just a little over a year ago a 2-year-old died in New York from ingesting this. Even a small bottle of liquid nicotine has enough poison to kill four small children; so, I am grateful to my friends today on both sides of the aisle for having joined us to reduce the risk of these poisonings by adding the simple packaging that we are all familiar with, those plastic wrappings that are on every bottle of eyedrops, on every bottle of contact lens solution, and on all poisons and commonsense household products that we know could endanger an adult. But here we are talking about children, and they deserve our protection. Liquid nicotine, which is just as dangerous, deserves to have that packaging. This bipartisan legislation will require that all liquid nicotine quantities be childproofed. It is a simple, commonsense measure. It will save lives. I ask that all of my colleagues support this legislation today so as to ensure that liquid nicotine packaging in all sizes and shapes and colors and flavors is childproofed. We have worked very hard to ensure that we are working within the FDA's authority, giving them time to develop final rules. But, frankly, we have already waited over a year. We have already had a death in the last year, and there has been a huge increase in the number of calls to poison centers. So it is past time for us to act. Again I thank my colleagues, particularly the chairman and Susan Brooks, for their leadership. I urge my colleagues to join us today. Let's get this on the President's desk for signature. Let's get our children protected from the dangers of liquid nicotine.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the President's actions to address our Nation's epidemic of gun violence. Yesterday at the White House, I joined with families from Newtown, Connecticut, which I am proud to represent, and with families from across this great country as the President outlined four steps within the current law to improve gun violence prevention. First, strengthening background checks. If you are in the business of selling firearms, whether at a gun show or online, your customers should have to go through a background check. Second, improving enforcement of the background check system so that it works better and faster. Third, expanding access to mental health treatment and to tear down barriers to implementing existing law. And, fourth, directing lifesaving new research into innovative technologies to make guns safer. These are small but meaningful steps to address a public health crisis about which this House has been astoundingly silent. It is time for this House to honor the victims of gun violence, not with moments of silence, but with days of action. We can and we must do better to save American lives.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I will therefore stand quietly for the remainder of my time to protest the appalling silence and inaction of this House's refusal to take meaningful action to protect the American people from the ravages of gun violence.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, we are approaching the third anniversary of the day 20 6- and 7-year-old children and 6 brave educators were gunned down at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in my district in Newtown, Connecticut. Many advocates and families from Newtown are here in Washington this week. They are joining with survivors and families of victims all across America. We are holding a vigil tonight--the third, sadly. The third annual national vigil to end gun violence will be held at St. Mark's Church near Capitol Hill. The vigil will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and I encourage all of my colleagues and staff members to join us. Mr. Speaker, the Members of this House should spend more time with the families and victims of gun violence. I say that because, in the 3 years since the shootings at Sandy Hook, the majority of this House hasn't even allowed a single vote--not one vote--on gun safety legislation. It has now become the habit that, after every new, tragic mass shooting that claims the lives of more innocent Americans, this House merely acknowledges a moment of silence and then goes back to business as usual. I am heartsick, and I am outraged. Every time one of these mass shootings happens, people are retraumatized in my communities: the families, the first responders who went into the school, all of us. It is appalling and it is unacceptable that this keeps happening in America, and this Congress, the American Congress, does nothing. Mr. Speaker, the time has passed for moments of silence. It is time for days of action. As vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am working on several commonsense measures, bills that would help prevent gun violence in this country while respecting and protecting the Second Amendment. It is time for congressional leaders to bring these bills to the floor to allow a vote. The cost of the inaction is being paid by American families all across this great Nation. The families of victims and survivors of gun violence deserve a vote. They deserve a vote on a bipartisan bill that will close background check loopholes and save lives. They deserve a vote on legislation to end the prohibition on Federal research funding for public health research on our gun violence epidemic, and they deserve a vote on a bipartisan bill this week to close the loophole that allows suspected terrorists to walk into a gun shop and legally buy a weapon. More than 2,000 suspects on the FBI terrorist watch list have successfully bought guns in the United States in the past 11 years. I am a cosponsor of the Republican bill to fix this. H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, would bar the sale or distribution of firearms to anyone the Attorney General has determined to be engaged in terrorist activities. The time for silence is over. We in Congress have a sworn duty to protect and defend the American people, but that is not what we are doing when we observe a moment of silence and do nothing. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the House bring up H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I raise a point of order against House Resolution 556 because the resolution violates section 426(a) of the Congressional Budget Act. The resolution, in waiving all points of order against consideration of the bill, waives section 425 of the Congressional Budget Act, thereby causing a violation of section 426(a).

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, Americans, understandably, feel a sense of fear and chaos caused by the news of the senseless attacks that have been carried out against civilians in this country and around the world in the past few weeks. We can and we should help reassure the American people that their Representatives in Congress--that we here in this Chamber--are doing everything in our power to prevent such a brutal attack from happening in any one of our communities. If we do not act this week, how can we go home? How can we go home and look our constituents in the eyes and tell them that we are doing everything we can? that we are upholding our sworn duty to protect the American people? But we can act. We can act, and we should act today. We need to close the loophole that allows dangerous people from buying guns. There is no loophole more egregious, more glaring, or more shocking than the one that allows suspected terrorists in this country to walk legally into a gun shop, to go online or to go to a gun show, and purchase a weapon in order to kill American citizens. This astounding loophole has allowed more than 2,000 individuals on the FBI's terrorist watch list to buy weapons legally in this country in the last 11 years. In that time, more than 90 percent of the individuals on the watch list who have tried to buy guns have been given a green light. They have been handed a gun. Those numbers are shocking, and they are disturbing. As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to protect all Americans wherever they live, and one of those areas of protection is from terror in their communities. It is to keep our citizens safe. What is terror? There has been a lot of discussion about what terror is. In its most simple sense, terror is spreading fear and chaos, and that is exactly what the American people are feeling right now--fear and chaos here and around the world. There are no easy answers for mass shootings, and there are no easy answers for combating terrorism; but the fact that the answers are not easy does not absolve us of our responsibility to step up and do what is hard. We are not elected to do what is easy. We are not elected to do what is possible. We are elected and we are sworn to do what is hard and what is necessary to protect and advance the interests of the American people. Now is the time to act. Yesterday, the House voted to strengthen the security screening process for those who travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, and I was proud to cosponsor that bill. We acted together in this body to protect the American people. While reforming the Visa Waiver Program is a good thing, it is not enough. It is insufficient to the task. Keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists in this country, on American soil, is a necessary and an important step for us to take; but until we have the opportunity to vote to close this loophole, suspected terrorists in this country will continue to have and to use the opportunity to buy weapons in our country. The simple truth for the American people to know is that we have been denied even the opportunity to vote to close this loophole, and we have a bipartisan bill right now that we could act on. It is time for us in this House to stand up for the safety of the American people and to stand up to the NRA and others who are sowing fear and misinformation about what is possible to do to protect people. I am a proud cosponsor of the bipartisan bill that would protect the American people. The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act would close this loophole by banning the sale or the distribution of firearms to anyone the Attorney General deems to be engaged in terrorist activities. The U.S. Government already maintains a list of known and suspected terrorists. If there are problems with that list--and I have heard my colleagues raise that question--then let's fix the list. If there are problems with the law, let's fix the bill. We can't afford to remain silent. We can't afford to remain passive. We can't afford to be denied the opportunity to exercise our duty to vote as Members of Congress. That is what we do; and, right now, we are being denied that simple and straightforward right. It is time. It is past time for this Congress to act. Let's keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists. Let's bring up the bill. If you can't fly, you shouldn't be able to buy a gun. Tonight, I will be joining some of my colleagues at the third national vigil to end gun violence. Here on Capitol Hill in a church a few blocks away, we will be meeting with families and survivors of gun violence from across the country, from Newtown, Connecticut, in my district; from Aurora, Colorado; from Chicago; from Harlem; from across this great country. Thousands of Americans are affected every month by our inaction. I am going to have a very hard time looking these folks in the eye today. I ask you to join me, come with me, and look them in the eye and tell them why you are unwilling to take one single vote, one single step to try to protect people in America. We have an opportunity to change that today. We have an opportunity to act together. We have an opportunity to fulfill our duty to protect and defend the American people from the scourge of gun violence. A simple, straightforward, and important way to start is to allow us to vote on this bipartisan bill that will close an absurd loophole in the law that allows terrorists to buy guns to kill Americans. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, some say as my colleague just did, my friend across the aisle, that we shouldn't bring up this issue this week; that this is political and, therefore, inappropriate. Well, I have to disagree and disagree strongly. Politics is about people coming together to solve problems. If we can't come together to help address the crying need of the American citizens to be protected a little bit more from the fear and chaos of terrorists on our soil, armed with guns legally purchased in this country because we have refused to act, I proudly say it is political and that is exactly what we should be doing. We should be coming together as the body politic of the American people. It is precisely the time to take action, and I support the underlying legislation. I support even more us taking steps now in the wake of mass shootings, now in the wake of terrorism, now at the time when many of the world's religions are praying for peace, hope, and light in the dark time of the year. It is a dark time in the soul of the American people and in this country, and we have the opportunity to take action. We have the opportunity to be a beacon of light and hope and responsiveness to the needs of the people. That is our job. I call on my colleagues to join me at the vigil and to join me in allowing us the opportunity to vote, to act, to protect and defend this country. I yield the remaining time to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday this House rose once again to observe a moment of silence for victims of gun violence, this time for the police officer, the veteran, and the mother of two who were gunned down in Colorado Springs nearly 3 years after 20 schoolchildren and 6 brave educators were shot to death at Sandy Hook Elementary School in my district. It is time for moments of silence to end. It is time for action. Gun violence is a public health crisis that deserves this House to take action now. That is why we should establish a select committee on gun violence prevention. We are all understandably concerned about terrorism; yet, this House just yesterday blocked action to prevent terrorists, those on the Terrorist Watchlist, from acquiring deadly weapons to kill Americans. Mr. Speaker, it is time for this House to truly honor victims of gun violence. I invite my colleagues to join us next week for the 3rd Annual National Vigil to Prevent Gun Violence on Wednesday, December 9. The vigil will be held at St. Mark's Church on Capitol Hill. Please come and join me. Stand with the families and the victims of gun violence from my district and across the country.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of the Albanian American Community Center (AACC) in Waterbury, Connecticut and the 103rd anniversary of Albania's independence. Next week, the City of Waterbury will recognize Mr. Xhemal Dani as the 2015 Albanian Mayor of the Day. On that day, the double headed eagle flag will fly over Waterbury City Hall, and we will celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of the Albanian community over the past fifty years. The AACC has been instrumental in bringing our community closer together through religious and non-religious events including festivals, picnics, and charity dinners. Regularly taught Albanian language, culture, and history lessons at the center highlight the rich and vibrant heritage of the Albanian community. The Albanian-American Community Center's mission began fifty years ago when a small committee organized to advance an environment where religious and social activities could thrive. Through strong work ethic and fundraising efforts, the organization, then-known as the Albanian American Moslem Community, was able to build a new mosque and bring an Imam to serve the City of Waterbury and the surrounding region. In 1969, construction began on the current mosque located on Raymond Street, allowing the Albanian-American Community Center to expand its membership and services to the community. Under the leadership of President Visar Tasimi, the AACC has strengthened its Scholarship Program, making college more affordable for youth and their families. Since the fund's establishment in 2012, over $10,000 has been awarded for higher education scholarships. I was pleased to be a part of the scholarship reception this summer and meet the talented recipients. To the members and leadership of the AACC, thank you for your tireless efforts to encourage friendships and unity among all Albanian- Americans and educate the public about your traditions and culture. Your achievements are a true testament to the positive impact diversity can bring to our community. I am proud to represent you in Congress. Congratulations to the Board of Directors, members, volunteers, and all who have helped organize the anniversary celebration. I look forward to many more years of your continued success.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the Avon Chamber of Commerce's 50th anniversary. Today, we recognize the Avon Chamber of Commerce for serving as a tireless advocate for our local businesses and an essential resource for their leaders and employees. Over the past 50 years, the chamber has worked hard to create an environment that allows its members to flourish by providing advice, resources, and networking opportunities. Currently, the Avon Chamber of Commerce represents a diverse group of over 340 businesses--both large and small--from every industry. We here in the State of Connecticut are proud of our highly-skilled workforce, and Avon is an ideal location for companies who want to take advantage of this strength. Organizations like the Avon Chamber of Commerce help businesses continue to grow, so that Connecticut's economy is vibrant and competitive for years to come. The Farmington Valley owes much to the Avon Chamber, and Connecticut is a better state thanks to their advocacy. I look forward to continuing to work with the chamber as they continue to thrive and welcome more businesses into the region. Congratulations to Executive Director Lisa Bohman, Board President John Shea, the Board of Directors, staff and members of the Avon Chamber of Commerce on its 50th anniversary.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and reflect on the life of a great man, John Cushing Esty, Jr., an education leader, a reformer, a man of intellect, wit, and joy, a devoted family man, and my beloved father-in-law of 31 years. John Cushing Esty was the oldest of four boys. He was a ham radio operator and built radios. He learned languages, was a gifted student, a lover of education and words, and he lived a life devoted to excellence in education. He was committed to educational opportunity, although he attended some of the most elite private schools in the country. But as a leader of those schools, he pushed them into the modern era. In the Air Force, during the Korean War era, he taught flight nurses--hundreds at a time--not, as he said, exactly tough duty. As a young dean at Amherst College, I learned about his commitment to equal opportunity for all students from none other than my physician in the 1990s, a man named Marshall Holley, an African American scholarship student in the 1950s, one of three students in his class at Amherst College. He got in trouble for having told off a professor, a professor who he believed to be racist. He risked losing his scholarship when he received a failing grade. He was sent to see my father-in-law. My father-in-law, as a young dean, said: You know, Marshall, you weren't wrong to tell him off. He was wrong to treat you that way, but you were unwise to tell him off before you got your final grade. I will fix your grade, but you have to be wiser in the future. As headmaster of the Taft School in my district, Watertown, Connecticut, in the 1960s--a tumultuous time--John Esty led as an education leader, but he also led in the cause of what at the time was quaintly called coeducation. Much over the objection of many alumni, some of the present students and faculty, he pushed for coeducation, and successfully so. He did it because he knew that educational opportunity and excellence could only happen when opportunities were provided for young women as well as young men. As a trustee of Amherst College, his alma mater, he successfully fought for that institution to become coeducational over the objection of, among others, his own father. As a reformer, as the head of the National Association of Independent Schools, he helped create a program called A Better Chance. That took his commitment to equal opportunity for young men and women of disadvantaged backgrounds to lead to a national effort in scholarship programs around this country. One of those examples of A Better Chance scholar is Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, who credits his time as A Better Chance scholar at Milton Academy having transformed his life from the south side of Chicago to become one of this country's leaders. Similar scholarships also were adopted in other schools around the country, including one Punahou School in Hawaii, whose scholarship student Barack Obama graduated in 1979. My father-in-law devoted his life to excellence in education, but he lived the life as well. Not only did he care about excellent education in private schools, but he fought for it in public schools. He served on the elected board of education in his town of Concord, Massachusetts, and all four of his sons went to public schools. He was a man of merriment and wit and joy. He loved learning. We first met in 1978 and bonded over an argument over the correct pronunciation of a word. In classic John Esty style, he went to the dictionary that was in the dining room, and we looked up the word. I happened to be right. I don't remember the word. He doesn't, either. But I pronounced it correctly, and he knew that we had bonded for life. He loved children, especially his grandchildren. He told them amazing stories often, getting them so worked up they wouldn't go to bed, but they loved his story, especially Jimmy Bond, the young James Bond stories, which would have them in delights. John, you will be loved and missed by Katherine Esty, your wife of 60 years, and all four of your sons: my husband, Dan; my brother-in-law, Paul, and his wife, Vanda; my brother-in-law, Ben, and his wife, Raquel; my brother-in-law, Jed, and his wife, Andrea; the many grandchildren: Sarah, Thomas, Jonathan, Marc, Julie, Victor, Jonah, Maya, Aliya, and Asher. You shared your love of life, of music, of stories, of education, and of making a difference with all of us. You lived a full 87 years, a committed servant of this great country, a believer in educational opportunity, and a gift for joy. You will be greatly missed. Thank you, and Godspeed, John Esty.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 200 years of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Today, we recognize CBIA for serving as an advocate for businesses in Connecticut. For two hundred years, CBIA has tirelessly worked to promote policies and provide services to support businesses--both large and small--in our state. Today, CBIA continues to act as a strong advocate for local businesses in the 5th Congressional District and throughout Connecticut. The State of Connecticut boasts a highly-skilled workforce, a strong tradition of manufacturing, and good old-fashioned Yankee ingenuity. These qualities make Connecticut an ideal place for innovation and entrepreneurship. Joe Brennan began his tenure at CBIA in 1988 as a staff attorney. Since 2014, he has led the organization as its President and CEO. Throughout his time at CBIA, he has maintained his focus on CBIA members, and he continues to strive to promote a sound business environment and improve workforce readiness in Connecticut. Congratulations to Mr. Brennan, the Board of Directors, staff, and members of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association on the organization's 200th anniversary. I look forward to many more years of your continued dedication to our state.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 275th anniversary of Torrington, Connecticut. On Saturday, I had the honor of commemorating the city's 275th anniversary with local public officials and members of the community. Gathered on the steps of City Hall, we marked this historic milestone, honored the city's residents, and showcased the best of Torrington. The event hosts were the City of Torrington, the Warner Theatre, and the Torrington Historical Society. In October 1740, residents established a town government only five years after the first settler, Ebenezer Lyman Jr., came to Torrington. Within a few short years, the first church, meeting house, and main roads were built, and Torrington flourished. In the early 19th century, Torrington industrialized. Several large brass mills opened, making the city a hub of production in the area. Over time, Torrington's population grew to meet these new labor demands. Among these new inhabitants were a diverse group of immigrants, bringing with them cultures that would enrich Torrington's commerce, art, and architecture. When our nation was embroiled in the Second World War, Torrington put its industrial muscle behind the war effort. The city produced vital materials for our troops and contributed to victory. Manufacturing continues to be a substantial industry in Torrington. Many of these companies have called Torrington home for decades, while others have found the city recently and discovered that it is an ideal location. Today, Torrington is a thriving, vibrant community. It has set an example for what a city can do when residents work together with a vision for the future. The city boasts cultural attractions that bring visitors from near and far to see all that Torrington has to offer. I am honored to represent the City of Torrington in the United States Congress. I would like to thank Torrington's Municipal Historian Ken Buckbee and the Torrington 275 Organizing Committee for planning a spectacular celebration to recognize Torrington's 275th anniversary. Congratulations to Torrington.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the National Day of the Republic of China, commonly known as Double Ten Day, on October 10. The United States and Taiwan maintain strong economic and cultural ties as evidenced by the fact that Taiwan is now our 10th largest trading partner. In Connecticut, we are particularly close with the people of Taiwan. Connecticut is the proud home to thousands of people born in Taiwan and countless children and grandchildren of immigrants from Taiwan. I would like to extend my congratulations and best wishes to the people of Taiwan and all Connecticut residents of Taiwanese descent. Happy Double Ten Day.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and in support of the opportunity to vote for commonsense, bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation. Mr. Speaker, I represent Newtown, Connecticut; and on December 14, 2012, almost 3 years ago, 20 precious children and 6 dedicated educators were ripped from us by gun violence. After Newtown, America said ``never again.'' But just 2 days ago, we observed another moment of silence in this House, this time for the community of Roseburg, Oregon. As with every other mass shooting since Newtown, families and first responders in my district are retraumatized. In fact, by my count, we have held 16 moments of silence on the House floor to honor those Americans taken from us by gun violence since the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Sixteen times we in this House have come together and bowed our heads in silence and then refused to do anything substantial to prevent gun violence. Mr. Speaker, we can and we must do better. We must be allowed a vote on the bipartisan bill that will close background check loopholes and save lives. Ninety percent of Americans support background checks. Background checks keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. That is why every gun purchase should be allowed only after a successful background check. We are not dealing with a natural disaster. This is not an earthquake. This crisis is manmade, and it is up to us to take action to save lives. The time has passed for moments of silence. We need hours of action. I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote today to bring the bipartisan background check to the House floor.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Anti-Defamation League and the tireless work of the ADL's Connecticut Regional Office. Now more than ever, the world needs the bravery of League members and allies to confront anti-Semitism and defend the civil rights and humanity of all people. Tonight I will have the privilege of joining friends and neighbors from across Connecticut at the Greater Hartford Torch of Liberty Award Reception. Created to recognize those who epitomize the Anti-Defamation League's values and commitment to community and public service, this year's Torch of Liberty Award honorees include our esteemed Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Nancy Wyman, Mr. John J. Patrick, Jr., and Ms. JoAnn H. Price. The timing could not be more appropriate. Their examples of selfless service are welcome reminders of the need for this House to eschew the dysfunction of rigid ideologies and selfish partisanship. The occasion is also a timely reminder of the broader importance of the values which this year's award winners embody. Founded in 1913, the Anti-Defamation League's stated mission was ``to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.'' From that admirable spirit its members have fashioned a legacy of confronting all forms of bigotry, educating our youth in order to guard against ignorance, and defending the ideals and civil rights that are necessary for people to live in a peaceful, just, and democratic society. Recent and troubling world events now pose a unique and humbling challenge to this cause. We've witnessed a rise in anti-Semitic passions abroad, as in areas throughout Europe, but also sadly at home. Even this House has demonstrated in recent debates that honest and heart-felt differences of opinion can escalate into divisive arguments marked by coded language and insinuations that teach us to fear and dehumanize one another. We are better than that. If we engage one another respectfully, no disagreement need devolve into questioning our shared devotion to our allies. We can come to different decisions while still uniting in our support for Israel and against efforts to impugn the loyalty of fellow citizens with whom we may occasionally disagree. I therefore urge this House to accept responsibility for leading by example. Let us reject the temptation to reinforce our divisions. Instead, let us bind ourselves together with appreciation for our differences and a commitment to defend the dignity and worth of every human being. I urge this House to undertake the work of protecting and expanding the civil, religious, and human rights that are the best evidence that America remains the home of the brave and land of the free.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 375th anniversary of Farmington, Connecticut. During the month of August and September, seven historical organizations planned History Day to display, honor, and celebrate influential Farmington community leaders. This historic milestone recognizes Farmington's deeply rooted history and significance as one of the first settlements in New England. Over the past 375 years, Farmington residents have enjoyed the fruits of the land, scenic views along the Farmington River, and trails through the Farmington Valley greenway. Though closely neighboring the major metropolitan hub of Hartford, the town of Farmington has maintained its unique character through careful land use and historic preservation. On September 13, 2015, the town celebrated History Day, educating community members about the first Tunxis Indians who welcomed new settlers into the area. In 1640, the early settlers purchased the land that would become Farmington. During the mid-1700s, Farmington's rich farmland and access to water made it an attractive destination for homesteaders. As trade opportunities evolved, a booming economy brought with it an era of technological innovation. Manufacturers located their factories in the Unionville section of Farmington to take advantage of its easy access to the Farmington Canal, which was later replaced by a railroad. Through its many periods of growth, Farmington continues to embody the values instilled by its early inhabitants to promote its natural resources. From its wooden lands, to the majestic river and valley, Farmington offers its residents a getaway from the Hartford metropolitan area, while remaining in a central location in the state. I am honored to represent Farmington in Congress. Congratulations to Farmington on its 375th anniversary.

Ms. ESTY

Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 136, the Senate companion to my bill in the House, the Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015. I want to thank Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings for their support of our Gold Star families and for prioritizing this bipartisan bill that would bring equity to the treatment of all Gold Star families, and I want to thank my friends Mr. Walberg and Mr. Lynch for their support today. Mr. Speaker, on Memorial Day last year, I met with Gold Star families in Waterbury, Connecticut, and I heard the stories of how deeply they feel the loss of their loved ones, whether that loss was a year ago, 20 years ago, or 40 years ago. I heard from mothers and I heard from fathers about the difficulty of continuing on without a member of their family that they held so dear. Those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country deserve to know that we will support and care for their loved ones they leave behind. After talking with these families, I knew that we needed to do more for these grieving families and we needed to do more to recognize the sacrifice of their loved ones. That is why I introduced the House bill companion of the Gold Star Fathers Act. Mr. Speaker, our country has long recognized that mothers who have lost a child in military service or are caring for their son or daughter who was permanently disabled in the military deserve a hand when seeking Federal employment. Currently, qualifying mothers of certain disabled or deceased veterans are eligible to receive the veterans hiring preference that will no longer be used by their loved one when applying for certain Federal service jobs. However, mothers are not the only ones who grieve. The loss of a child is felt just as strongly by our veterans' fathers as by their mothers. It is time to ensure equal treatment of and respect for all parents of deceased or disabled veterans. That is why the Gold Star Fathers Act would extend this hiring preference to fathers as well. In many cases, not only have the parents undergone significant trauma emotionally, but they have lost a working-age member of their family; and in the case of a permanently disabled child, they may have mounting medical bills to deal with as well. It is time to establish equality in our Nation's treatment of the parents of deceased and disabled veterans. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Senators Wyden, Collins, and Brown for their leadership on the Gold Star Fathers Act in the Senate, and I want to thank my former colleague Representative Tim Bishop for his past leadership on this issue as well. Mr. Speaker, I call on all of my colleagues to join us in honoring our Gold Star families. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this bipartisan, unanimously supported Gold Star Fathers Act.