Elizabeth Esty

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, which calls for a study on how the Army Corps of Engineers evaluates projects to advance flood control, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and promote water quality. I thank my colleague, Mr. Babin, for his work on this amendment with me, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their hard work and collegiality in bringing this bill forward with us today. The study in my amendment will look at how the Corps currently calculates the benefits of potential projects and how they can improve the calculation so that more worthwhile projects are approved. Specifically, the amendment tasks the National Academy of Sciences to study whether or not the Corps calculates the total benefits of a Corps project and considers them in evaluating the cost benefit of smaller segments or projects within that larger project. At the moment, it is unclear if the Corps can or cannot do this. Can the Corps count the benefits of a larger overall project and apply them to the benefit cost of a smaller segment of that, that is smaller in scope? Can the Corps always measure individual pieces of a project for justification purposes? These are questions that need real answers. Mr. Chairman, I raise this amendment today because this is a problem that affects cities and towns in my State and, frankly, across the country. In Connecticut, we have rivers that crisscross the State, leaving many of our communities subject to flooding. Over the last 150 years, the city of Meriden has experienced 11 100- year floods, and the two most recent in the 1990s caused $26 million of property damage. The good news is that this flooding is preventable by implementing flood prevention and mitigation efforts, which will protect life and property. The city of Meriden has been working for 20 years on trying to get help from the Federal Government. It came to the Corps looking for help. At this point, it has completed many portions of this project. It came to the Corps to ask for help with a feasibility study. They were told they could not. The Corps said, We cannot look at that because we can only look at this segment, we can't look at the benefit of the overall project. This is not serving our community well, and it is, frankly, not serving other communities well either. So we want to ask the National Academy of Sciences to look at the overall benefit. Budgets are tight. Everybody is bringing something to the table. Cities and States and the Federal Government need to do its charge. So we are asking this body to approve this measure to have the National Academy of Sciences look at, in fact, what does the Corps do, how can they do it better, and how can they leverage together the resources to help our cities and towns? I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I think it will be very useful to know what the Corps, in fact, does in each and every district, and then, together, find a better way to move forward. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this worthwhile amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the VA MISSION Act of 2018. I am proud to support the VA MISSION Act of 2018, especially because of its important expansion of support for family caregivers of veterans of all service eras. Since my first days in Congress, I have heard from veterans and their caregivers about the important support provided through the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Family caregivers provide loving and essential care at home for our injured veterans, from bathing and dressing, housework and transportation, to administering physical and medical therapies. Caregivers are true partners in the delivery of healthcare to our veterans, and it is important that we recognize their tremendous service and their worth. In 2010, Congress wisely stepped up to offer the family caregivers of veterans support in performing these vital tasks, but the program was only made available to the family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans. Clearly, those who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and their families are deserving of the same respect and support. That is why, since being elected to Congress, I have authored legislation in every session to expand this assistance for family caregivers to pre-9/11 veterans. Today, this Congress has the opportunity to honor and support veterans of all service eras by voting for this excellent bill. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Ryan Costello for leading with me on these important caregiver issues. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their hard work on including this vital provision in the VA MISSION Act. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we treat our injured veterans of all eras equally by expanding the VA caregivers program to all injured veterans. I do want to note that I share the ranking member's concerns with the long-term sustainability of this program. Congress will have to work closely with the VA as this expanded community care program is implemented to ensure that this program is sustainable without cuts to other veterans or other important domestic programs. The bill we are considering today will ensure that our veterans are getting the care they need when they need it, but in addition to timely care, we must ensure that veterans have access to quality care. As we send veterans outside the VA system to private medical providers, we need to ensure that these doctors and other healthcare professionals are capable of delivering the quality care that each and every one of our veterans deserves. So, while I applaud the expansion of care in this bill, I am concerned about the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse as VA begins to send many more veterans outside the VA system to private medical providers. That is why it is vital that Congress remain engaged with the implementation of this program to make sure that our veterans are receiving high-quality healthcare from qualified providers and that we in Congress are being careful stewards of the taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to serve on this committee with such extraordinary public servants who share a commitment to serving those who have been willing to put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. It has been a pleasure and an honor serving with them. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate everyone on their hard work in bringing this bill, admittedly not perfect but very important, forward for our consideration, and I urge my colleagues to adopt it when we have the opportunity to vote later today.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Colonel Michael Zacchea of Brookfield, Connecticut, for his lifelong commitment to the military and public service. Lt. Col. Zacchea is a highly respected member of our community for his passionate advocacy for his fellow veterans and his tremendous leadership at home and abroad. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize him for his countless contributions that have positively influenced the lives of many. While serving in the United States Marine Corps, Mike participated in operations in Haiti, Somalia, and Iraq. Among his many accomplishments, he helped build, train, and lead the first Iraqi army battalion trained by the United States military. In his book, The Ragged Edge: A US Marine's Account of Leading the Iraqi Army Fifth Battalion, Mike details how he was able to break down cultural barriers to create a united front. His courage, resiliency, and fortitude are an inspiration to not only other service members, but to all Americans across the country. Thanks to his sacrifices and dedication to defend our freedom he has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device, the Purple Heart Medal, and was the first American to be recognized by the Iraqi Government with the Order of the Lion of Babylon. Since retiring from the Armed Forces, Mike has devoted his civilian life to advocating for and supporting veterans. In 2009, he founded the UConn Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, through which he has helped veterans start over 140 businesses, creating more than 350 jobs, and $40 million in economic activity. As Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs for the Small Business Administration, he advises the Administrator on policies and issues that affect more than 2.5 million veteran-owned business. I am very proud to have Mike and his guidance on my Veterans Advisory Board. Mr. Speaker, Lt. Col. Zacchea leads with his heart. He has dedicated his life to honorably serving our great nation and epitomizes the very best traditions of the United States. I thank him for his decades of hard work to ensure the protection and success of others, as well as his dear friendship. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor Mike here today.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my bipartisan amendment to H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which would address the underrepresentation of women in aviation careers. Women make up 50 percent of the national workforce, but are significantly underrepresented in the aviation industry, making up only 2 percent of airline mechanics, 18 percent of flight dispatchers, and 6 percent of pilots. To address these shortfalls, I introduced the Promoting Women in the Aviation Workforce Act with my colleagues, Congresswomen Walorski, Walters, and Bustos, and our bill was recently reported unanimously out of committee. This bipartisan amendment will incorporate our bill into this legislation, directing the FAA to create and facilitate an advisory board to develop strategies that the administration can take to help more women pursue and succeed in aviation careers. We need only look to the extraordinary skill of Southwest pilot and Navy fighter pilot veteran Tammie Jo Shults, who just, 1 week ago, heroically saved the lives of 143 passengers and her crew on Southwest flight 1380, or Ronnie Bradley from my district. Here is Ronnie at age 19, who signed up in 1942 to become one of the first female marines. She served as an airline mechanic; now still only 2 percent. We celebrated her life at 95 2 weeks ago in my district. We need more Tammie Jos and more Ronnies. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation. I commend as well the excellent legislation updating our FEMA rules for disaster resiliency and relief. Mr. Chair, I urge support of this legislation and urge the Senate to adopt it quickly.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Veronica ``Ronnie'' Bradley, a groundbreaking Marine Corps veteran. Ronnie, a longtime resident of New Milford, Connecticut, passed away on February 25 at the age of 95 after a long and inspiring life. As a young woman, Ronnie became one of the first women to join the Marine Corps in 1942 during the Second World War. Following boot camp and training, Ronnie was stationed at an air base in Santa Barbara, California. The Marine Corps was one of the last to welcome women into service, and Ronnie and her compatriots were instrumental in changing the service's culture to recognize the passion and value women brought to the Marines. During the war, Ronnie literally became a poster child of the Marine Corps--her image was used in a recruiting flyer encouraging women to enlist and serve. After the end of World War II, Ronnie left the Marines and began her family, but she remained active in the veteran community throughout her life. She shared her story and passion for service with countless others across Connecticut and our country, and was recognized by the Marine Corps as the 2011 Marine of the Year. Mr. Speaker, Ronnie Bradley not only volunteered to serve her country during a national crisis, but also broke the ground for generations of women to follow her in serving as Marines. Her passion and humility are examples to all of us who pursue public service. My condolences go out to Ronnie's family and all those who will miss her special spirit, and it is right that we celebrate her achievements here today and keep her story and memory alive.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Peter N. Ingvertsen upon his retirement after serving as Chief of Police for the Town of Simsbury, Connecticut for the past 18 years. Chief Ingvertsen is a widely known and respected leader in our community, and his dedication to public service is an inspiration for his fellow law enforcement officers and all of us who pursue a career in the public good. Chief Ingvertsen demonstrated a passion for public service from a young age and began working as a police cadent as a teenager in Farmington. He eventually rose to become Patrol Officer, Corporal, Sargent, Lieutenant, and Captain, and, before joining the Simsbury Police Department in 2000, served as Acting Chief for Farmington and as the Town of Suffield's Chief of Police. Through his long career in law enforcement, Chief Ingvertsen has become a leader not only in Simsbury, but across Connecticut and New England. He has earned certifications from the New England Command Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Academy and holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Public Administration. What's more, Chief Ingvertsen has also shared his time and talents to support a number of civic causes. He has been a leader in various Police Associations, including as Vice President of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, where he advocated for his fellow public servants and worked to strengthen their professional network. Chief Ingvertsen has also supported the Simsbury Lions Club and the Farmington Exchange Club, which do important work in his local towns. Mr. Speaker, Chief Ingvertsen spent his career working to keep our community safe and providing experienced, wise leadership to our communities. It is proper that we honor him here today, and I extend my best wishes for an enjoyable retirement to Chief Ingvertsen and his family.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Smith upon his retirement as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Webster Financial Corporation and Webster Bank after a long and successful career. Jim has dedicated more than four decades to supporting Webster's success in Connecticut and across the northeast. Jim's father, Harold Webster Smith, founded the bank, originally called First Federal Savings of Waterbury in 1935 during the Great Depression. Jim joined First Federal in 1975, and he then became CEO in 1987 and Chairman in 1995. Under his leadership, the bank has expanded beyond its Waterbury roots to be a significant presence across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. In 1995, the institution was renamed Webster in honor of its founder and to reflect the growing regional influence of the bank. Jim's leadership kept Webster stable during the 2008 Financial Crisis and ensuing Great Recession, and he ensured Webster did everything it could to help families in need keep their homes by allowing them to adjust their mortgages. In addition to his work at Webster, Jim has contributed his experience and expertise to many professional and community organizations. He has served as vice chairman of the Midsize Banks Coalition of America and previously served as a member of the Financial Services Roundtable and on Federal Reserve Board of Governors' Federal Advisory Council. Jim is a true business leader who invests his time and talents in his community. Through Jim's strong leadership, Webster consistently excels in employee participation in supporting the local United Way--ensuring that those most in need are taken care of. He is, in a way, our own George Bailey. Jim has also led Webster Bank's support for artistic organizations in our community, including the Waterbury Symphony, and he and his wife Cathy support many other civic groups working in Connecticut, including the Hartford Bishops' Foundation. Mr. Speaker, Jim Smith has dedicated his career to Webster Bank, and under his leadership, the bank has reached new levels of success and maintained its commitment to community care. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today. I am fortunate to count Jim as a friend and a mentor, and I wish him--and Cathy--much success in the next chapter in their lives.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the STOP School Violence Act. Mark Barden and Nicole Hockley each had a child killed in the first grade classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the district where I live 5 years ago. They and other parents took their grief and formed a group called the Sandy Hook Promise. That group has been working tirelessly for over 5 years now, and the bill we address here today is largely a testament to the hard work that they have put in working with mental health professionals, school officials, and law enforcement to come up with real steps that will help save lives. The STOP School Violence Act will not save every life threatened by gun violence, but it will save some, and we need to do what we can. But let me be very clear. This needs to be the first step of many steps we can and should be taking in this House to address the scourge of gun violence. We have enormous support for bipartisan comprehensive background checks, for a Fix NICS bill, and for banning of bump stocks. This needs to be the first of a long line of steps that this Congress owes to the American people and owes to the students gathered on the lawn of the Capitol today and in every classroom throughout America.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend Michael Milone and recognize his longtime service as Cheshire Town Manager. Michael will retire this coming June, and the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is honoring Michael at its awards dinner in my hometown of Cheshire, Connecticut for his service to our community over the past three decades. A longtime Cheshire resident and public servant, Michael joined the town's government finance department thirty years ago, and his expertise in financial management has proven invaluable to our town and its elected leaders. He stepped up to become Town Manager almost twenty years ago, and his long-term vision has supported Cheshire's success and ability to embrace the future. As a Town Councilor myself from 2005 to 2008, I had the pleasure of working closely with Michael, and I can testify to his dedication to the public, commitment to fiscal prudence, and knack for solving problems creatively. Michael's leadership and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed in Cheshire--or outside our town. Money Magazine and Connecticut Magazine regularly laud Cheshire as one of America's best small towns. Although our state has faced its share of economic challenges, under Michael's commitment to fiscal responsibility, Cheshire has maintained a top credit rating from national rating agencies. Michael has also shared his time and expertise with the next generation of leaders as a lecturer at the University of New Haven. Michael's legacy for our town will live on well after his retirement, and his commitment to responsible leadership sets a tremendous example for our town's--not to mention our state's and country's--future leaders. Mr. Speaker, Michael Milone has exemplified the best of what public servants bring to their roles. It is fitting and proper that we honor Michael here today, and I consider myself lucky to count Michael as a friend and mentor.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend Sheldon Dill, who the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce is celebrating upon his retirement at its awards dinner in my hometown of Cheshire, Connecticut. Sheldon has served as President of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce for the past twelve years, and his leadership has proven invaluable through the challenges that our town, state, and nation have faced. Sheldon has led an impressive career in public service. He served on the Cheshire Town Council, in fact, I took over his position on the Council in 2005, and his ability to work with members of both political parties earned him the respect both of his fellow councilmembers and of our entire town. Cheshire residents know Sheldon as a dedicated and creative problem solver who is always willing to advocate for our town. As President of the Chamber of Commerce, Sheldon has been a strong advocate for Cheshire's small businesses and has worked to keep the American Dream a reality for families in our community. The past decade has seen big changes in Connecticut, but Sheldon has made sure Cheshire's businesses have a strong voice. He leaves behind a legacy of service to our town, and his commitment to Cheshire sets a high bar for the rest of us working in public service to meet. I wish him a restful--and much deserved--retirement full of time spent with his loved ones. Mr. Speaker, Sheldon Dill has served the Cheshire community as an elected official, a volunteer, and an advocate for our business community. His leadership as President of the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce for the last twelve years has made our community stronger and better able to lead in the 21st Century. It is proper that we honor him here today.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ned Cullinan upon his retirement from the City of Waterbury, Connecticut's Democratic Town Committee. Ned has been a true leader in the Waterbury community for decades, ranging from his work as a builder of common ground within a wonderfully diverse politically active city to his service with a variety of local civic organizations. A native of Waterbury, Connecticut, Ned took an active role in his community and showed an interest in politics from a young age. He was elected Vice President of his senior class at Sacred Heart High School, and was an avid basketball player. He went on to play at Providence College, where he graduated in 1973. Through his decades of community work, Ned has had a tremendous impact, not only in Waterbury, but throughout Connecticut. Everyone in the city's political community knows Ned for his tireless work to ensure that all of the diverse voices of the city are heard by public officials. He was first elected to the Waterbury Democratic Town Committee in 1988, and then went on to serve as Second Vice Chairman, and finally as Chairman of the DTC for nearly thirteen years. In this role, Ned worked with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure they were accountable to Waterbury's residents and invested in the community's success. Ned has also been a leader in a number of civic organizations in the Brass City. He was Director of the Bunker Hill Sports Association for fifteen years, coaching basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has also served as the President of the Holy Cross Father's Club and the Greater Waterbury Olympian Club. Professionally, Ned worked for United Technologies for many years, retiring recently. I wish him an enjoyable retirement with plenty of time to spend with his wonderful wife Anne Marie and his loving family and many friends. Mr. Speaker, Ned has been an instrumental leader in Waterbury, Connecticut for decades, using his time and talents to advocate for the city and to bring our community together. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor my friend, and a devoted Waterburian and Democrat, Ned Cullinan here today.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sam Beamon, a native of Waterbury, Connecticut. The Waterbury Fellowship of Christian Churches will be recognizing Sam at their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Service for Sam's lifelong commitment to public service and his leadership in Connecticut's African American community. Sam has spent his career in service to others both in the military and as a civilian, and his dedicated work and perpetually friendly demeanor have made him an instrumental and beloved member of the Waterbury community. Sam's interest in serving his country began at a young age, and he joined the Young Marines in 1960. He later served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and earned numerous commendations for his service, including 16 Air Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. Upon returning to Connecticut, Sam joined the Waterbury Police Department in 1970 and rose through the department's ranks to fill a number of important roles, as well as stepping into a vital role as an advocate for African Americans and breaking down institutional racial barriers. During his nearly three-decade career with the Department, Sam worked as an Accident Investigator, a radar operator, and on the SWAT Team. Throughout his career and after his retirement, Sam has also been active in a number of civic organizations and causes. He has been an advocate for veterans in Waterbury and across Connecticut, and, in 2014, Sam became the chairman of the Waterbury Veteran's Memorial Committee. He has also worked to improve the lives of and opportunities for young people, particularly those who face socioeconomic challenges, to pursuing meaningful opportunities to engage with their community. Mr. Speaker, Sam Beamon has spent his life in service to his country and community, and it is proper that we honor him on MLK Day for his countless contributions. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Sam and even luckier to count him among my friends.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Trentacosta upon his retirement as President and CEO of Newtown Savings Bank in Newtown, Connecticut. For the past nineteen years, John has provided experienced and insightful leadership at Newtown Savings Bank, and his contributions have been crucial to guiding the institution through both successful and challenging economies. John is a native of Bronx, New York, and completed his undergraduate degree at Manhattan College before going on to earn his Master of Business Administration at Iona College. He began working in finance in New York before moving with his wife Linda to Connecticut in 1988. Throughout his long and successful career in the financial industry, John has served in a number of leadership roles, such as Chief Financial Officer, for a variety of institutions. Following a decade of working at the Bank of New Haven, John joined Newtown Savings Bank in 1998, and became President in 2003 and CEO in 2009. His experience and leadership have been instrumental in continuing the organization's success for the future. In addition to his successful career, John has shared his time and expertise with a number of community and professional organizations in Connecticut. He currently serves on the Western Connecticut State University Foundation Board, and has previously been Director of Habitat for Humanity of New Haven and Chairperson of the Newtown Rotary Golf Fundraiser Event. John has also served as a board member of the Connecticut Society of CPA's Educational Trust Fund, a member of the Connecticut Community Bankers Association's Executive Committee, and a member of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce board. Mr. Speaker, in his nineteen years of leadership at Newtown Savings Bank, John Trentacosta has been a successful leader in Connecticut's financial services industry, and he has also been a true partner to our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly support the passage of S. 1536, the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act. This bipartisan, bicameral bill is an important step in combating the terrible crime of human trafficking. The Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act will help stem the tide of trafficking by providing training to commercial truck drivers through the Department of Transportation to recognize and report trafficking, further empowering them to prevent this horrendous crime. Specifically, this bill designates a human trafficking prevention coordinator at the U.S. Department of Transportation and increases outreach, education, and reporting efforts at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Mr. Speaker, human trafficking is an appalling and inhumane crime, and it is occurring in communities all over my home State of Connecticut and throughout the entire United States. As I learned when a human trafficking ring was broken up in my small hometown, anyone can become a victim of this crime regardless of race, age, gender, or socioeconomic status. This appalling crime takes many forms, the vast majority of which are sexually exploitative in nature. Shockingly, the average age a teen enters the sex trade in the United States is 12 to 14 years old, and many victims are runaway girls who were sexually abused as children. Truckers and commercial drivers are often the first line of defense against human trafficking in the United States. Their eyes and ears are on the roads, where victims are being moved across borders and from city to city. The Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act is supported by Truckers Against Trafficking, the National District Attorneys Association, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, and ECPAT-USA. I am proud to be the coauthor of the House companion to the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act along with my friend, John Katko of New York. I am also pleased that we will be voting today on another bill that Congressman Katko and I coauthored, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act. Both bills were originally introduced in the Senate by Senators Klobuchar and Thune and passed unanimously. Both bills were also passed unanimously out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge my friends and colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act and the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act today so we can send these very important pieces of legislation to the President's desk for his swift signature. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank my Republican and Democratic colleagues both in the House and the Senate for their work on these two important bills.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Women in Aerospace Education Act. I want to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Knight, for working with me to address critical workforce needs and bridge the gender gap in the aerospace industry. Mr. Speaker, quite simply, we do not have enough skilled aerospace workers in America, and the problem is growing worse. According to a 2015 Aviation Week Workforce Study, nearly one-fifth--one-fifth--of our aerospace engineers are now eligible for retirement. What is more, women only account for about 15 percent of all aerospace engineers. That means that women represent a tremendous opportunity, an untapped resource for a sector vital to our economy and to our national security. Bringing women to the table is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart and necessary thing to do in order to keep America competitive in a 21st century economy. Women provide new and essential perspective in the workplace, driving innovation and strengthening our ability to address new challenges. With an aging workforce, we must do everything in our power to broaden and deepen the pool of skilled workers and provide all Americans with the skills they need to compete in a global economy. Aerospace companies in northwest and central Connecticut, like Ensign-Bickford, Praxair, and United Technologies Corporation, have shared with me for years their concerns about this aging workforce. That is because they are looking down the line, and they know that if they don't diversify their workforce soon, shortages of skilled workers could force these companies to relocate or even leave the United States. Our bill, the Women in Aerospace Education Act, addresses the need to expand and diversify the STEM workforce in two ways. First, our bill supports hands-on experiences for teachers. The Women in Aerospace Education Act does this by encouraging universities applying for Noyce grants to incorporate aerospace working and learning experiences at the national laboratories and NASA centers into their fellowship programs. Second, our bill specifically targets diversifying the aerospace workforce by allowing the National Science Foundation to prioritize women and other underrepresented groups working in aerospace engineering when awarding the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants. Noyce teacher grants play a vital role in placing STEM teachers in rural or lower-income school districts, which all too often do not have access to the resources, to give students robust hands-on science. Our bill will help ensure that more female STEM teachers will enter classrooms with firsthand knowledge of how aerospace technologies are strengthening America's future. This is important. This is important because it is a fact that girls who have women science teachers are more likely to consider a career in the sciences, and teachers who are exposed to hands-on, real-life science are better able to kindle that interest in science among their students. Let me give you an example of what a difference these efforts will make. Kelley Johnson is a member of my STEM Advisory Board. She is a founder and president of Doors to Explore, Incorporated, a startup in my district that provides an online resource for young people to explore STEM careers. Growing up, Kelley had no idea what aerospace engineering was; that is, until a local company donated a Wang computer to her high school, which allowed her to take her first computer science classes. Kelley went on to work at NASA where she designed electronics for two satellites. Her time at NASA was instrumental in developing her critical thinking skills and provided her with an even stronger foundation in STEM that she has used in every job since. Kelley's early exposure to computer science and her work at NASA launched her into a successful career in STEM, and she is now sharing that with a new generation of students. I am committed to making Kelley's experience available to young women and men all across this country who would thrive from mentorship from female science teachers or work experience at NASA or the national labs. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Knight for his leadership on this bill and on this important issue. I urge my colleagues to support the Women in Aerospace Education Act.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Trentacosta upon his retirement as President and CEO of Newtown Savings Bank in Newtown, Connecticut. For two decades, John has provided experienced and insightful leadership at Newtown Savings Bank, and his contributions have been crucial to guiding the institution through both successful and challenging economies. John is a native of Bronx, New York, and completed his undergraduate degree at Manhattan College before going on to earn his Master of Business Administration at Iona College. He began working in finance in New York before moving with his wife Linda to Connecticut in 1988. Throughout his long and successful career in the financial industry, John has served in a number of leadership roles, such as Chief Financial Officer, for a variety of institutions. Following a decade of working at the Bank of New Haven, John joined Newtown Savings Bank as President and CEO in 1998. His experience and leadership have been instrumental in continuing the organization's success for the future. In addition to his successful career, John has shared his time and expertise with a number of community and professional organizations in Connecticut. He currently serves on the Western Connecticut State University Foundation Board, and has previously been Director of Habitat for Humanity of New Haven and Chairperson of the Newtown Rotary Golf Fundraiser Event. John has also served as a board member of the Connecticut Society of CPAs' Educational Trust Fund, a member of the Connecticut Community Bankers Association's Executive Committee, and a member of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce board. Mr. Speaker, in his two decades of leadership at Newtown Savings Bank, John Trentacosta has been a successful leader in Connecticut's financial services industry, and he has also been a true partner to our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, December 14, marks the 5-year anniversary of the horrific school shooting in the home community of Sandy Hook Elementary School. That day shocked the Nation. Twenty schoolchildren and six educators--20 6-year-olds and 7-year-olds--were ripped from the community of Newtown and from the United States. I remember that day. I was a newly elected Member of Congress learning about what it means to serve in this august body. I was with about 40 or 50 of my colleagues learning about our duties when I started to get emails and text messages that something terrible had happened at home. By noon, I learned the worst. Dozens of children had been gunned down, in cold blood, along with their teachers. I threw my things in the back of the car and I drove from Boston. I called my mother, I called my minister, and I prayed for wisdom and I prayed for guidance and the courage to face those families. I arrived in Newtown while families were being notified that their children who they had put on the bus that morning, thinking about Hanukkah or Christmas or thinking about the snow that was already on the ground, would never come home. It is sad. It is sad and it is inexcusable that I stand here 5 years later. In that time, this Chamber, the people's House, has not taken up the people's business. As of this fall, in fact, over 90 percent of Americans still support having universal background checks on all gun sales to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. Over 90 percent of American households that have guns also support that commonsense legislation. Yet, in this House, we have not been given the opportunity to vote on that legislation. In those 5 years, 170,000 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence. Think about that: 170,000. Newtown, like my hometown of Cheshire, is about 30,000 people. That is multiple Newtowns all day, every single one. Every single one of those Americans was a son or a daughter of someone and had friends and neighbors and loved ones. Again, in that time, this body has not acted. Two weeks ago, I was in church in Danbury, Connecticut. I was at services with a congregation I try to get to every 6 months or so. I saw a couple of people I didn't expect to see. I saw the mother of one of the little girls who was killed 5 years ago. I saw the daughter of the principal. They were there for guidance, for wisdom, for courage to fight the battle that the American people are waging for this House to take action on. The American people know the right thing to do. Our law enforcement know the right thing to do. The vast majority of responsible gun owners know the right thing to do. Yet, somehow, this body has failed to act. But it is never too late. Now is the time for us to step up. Now is the time for us to shoulder our responsibilities so that no other community has to go through what Newtown has gone through. Although, in that time, we have now seen Las Vegas, we have seen Charleston, we have seen Orlando. There are killing fields now in America. That is not right. It doesn't need to be. I am joined tonight by several of my colleagues who are passionate advocates for gun sense and gun safety in America. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty).

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the subject of tonight's Special Order.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), my friend and the leader in our effort, who is an expert in guns. He has experienced more than his share of gun violence as a decorated servicemember fighting our Nation's battles, and he has now led us for the last 5 years in our efforts for a safer, better society and a better world as the head of our Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations of the House Judiciary Committee and vice chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, as we have heard so eloquently from my colleagues, everyone agrees that we should keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. But, in fact, this House and this administration have been moving in the opposite direction. Just last week, hundreds of Americans whose loved ones had been killed by guns in the last few years came to Washington for a long- planned memorial vigil, a national vigil, to honor those whose lives had been taken from us from gun violence. On that very day, this House decided to call up an offensive dangerous piece of legislation on concealed carry permits. This bill will make it easier for domestic violence abusers to pursue their victims across State lines carrying loaded concealed weapons into States that do not allow that, overriding the choices of States like mine in Connecticut that have strict laws to protect domestic violence victims, who are five times more likely to be killed if there is a gun in the household. That is why my State has taken action to protect women and children from death by gun from domestic abusers. But now my State--if this law gets passed by the Senate and signed by the President--my State's choices will be overridden. The law enforcement in my State will be at greater risk. That is not protecting the American people. That is putting them at risk. Recently, the administration decided to take the names of all fugitives. One of the categories of those who are not permitted legally to own weapons are people who are fugitives from justice. It seems like a fairly sensible rule, just like it is a sensible rule to not have those who are believed to be terrorists to legally purchase guns. Yet, this administration recently took tens of thousands of names of people who have been on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System as prohibited from purchasing a gun legally. Because of their criminal history, the fact that they are fugitives from justice, tens of thousands of those names have been taken out of the records. They have been sent back to the States, saying they should look at them again. In so doing, how long is it going to be before one of those dangerous people buys a gun because the name is no longer in the system? And who knows if it is going to be your child or your child or your loved one or your neighbor. That is not what we are sent here to do. The families of Newtown have persevered. Despite all odds, they have found the courage to get up every day. Some are pursuing brain research to figure out how to encourage empathy. Some have written beautiful music, composed poetry. Some have started programs in schools to teach children how to be kind to each other. Some have stepped forward as extraordinary citizen activists and come to Washington and pound the halls, the marbled halls of State capitols around the country. They are true American heroes fighting for what they believe in and a better society. And some, in some ways I think the bravest among them, have chosen to bring new children into this world--the sort of optimism and courage that I can't fathom if my child at 6 or 7 years old had been gunned down in those classrooms in the Sandy Hook Elementary School. But if they can have that resolve and that courage and that faith in this country, so can we. A good and a great nation takes care of its citizens. A good and a great nation responds to the cries of the people. A good and a great nation, above all, protects its children. Madam Speaker, we have the opportunity to do that. Thoughts and prayers and moments of silence are not enough. The American people deserve action. When I get on a plane tomorrow to fly back to Connecticut to attend memorial services on the 5-year anniversary of those tragic and shocking murders of children in Sandy Hook Elementary School, I would like to be able to tell them that we are doing our job and our duty in this House by taking action and honoring their memories with truly taking action to protect them. I want to thank my colleagues for joining me here tonight. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the State of Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), my colleague.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut for her stirring words. Abbey Clements is an extraordinary woman, and her daughter, Sarah, is now a college student here in Washington and is helping take up that charge of being one of the citizen activists and one of the citizen leaders who understands that democracies empower and charge us to correct that which is wrong. What is happening in this country is wrong. These are not tragedies from above. These are not natural disasters. These are man-made tragedies and man-made deaths, and it is up to us to do better. Again, I want to thank my colleagues for joining me here this evening. I will take their wishes, their words, their energy, their passion, and their commitment to action back with me to Newtown tomorrow evening. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut

Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Kelly for yielding. Ms. Kelly has been such a stalwart voice for all who are all too often forgotten in what we are seeing happen in this country, a voice for those who are not lost, because sometimes we say ``lost to gun violence.'' These are not lives that are lost. These are lives that are ripped from us, taken from us, brutally ended. In the 5 years since the horrific shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, in my district, 170,000 Americans have been taken from us, sons and daughters of this great country, 170,000 souls. We should just reflect on that, what that means, what each and every one of those people might have done if they had lived. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kelly for being a tireless voice, which we need in these challenging times. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago tonight, it was cold and snowy in Connecticut. The families of Newtown had picked up their children from school. They were getting ready for the holidays. It was already snowy and cold, no one having any thought on December 12 that, in 2 days, their lives--and America's lives--would be changed by the reality of what gun violence has done and is doing to this country. So, tonight, I want to read the names of the 20 children and six educators who were brutally gunned down and murdered in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut: Charlotte Bacon, Daniel Barden, Rachel D'Avino, Olivia Engel, Josephine Gay, Ana Marquez-Greene, Dylan Hockley, Dawn Hochsprung, Madeleine Hsu, Catherine Hubbard, Chase Kowalski, Jesse Lewis, James Mattioli, Grace McDonnell, Anne Marie Murphy, Emilie Parker, Jack Pinto, Noah Pozner, Caroline Previdi, Jessica Rekos, Avielle Richman, Lauren Rousseau, Mary Sherlach, Victoria Soto, Benjamin Wheeler, and Allison Wyatt. Mr. Speaker, we can and we must do better in this great country. We must do better for all those who have been taken from us. We must do better by taking action in this, the people's House. The people are watching, the people are waiting, and they deserve that we do our best--and not to honor only with words and silence and prayers, important as those are, but to honor, even more importantly, by taking action to save future lives. Again, my thanks and my admiration to Representative Kelly for her extraordinary leadership and persistence.