Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart), chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on Appropriations.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate my remarks with the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker) as well as with my colleague from New York (Mrs. Lowey). On our committee, we try to get the work of the Nation done, and at this point in history we have had some incredible tragedies and natural disasters. As a group, as this House, we must act quickly to ensure that the Federal Government fulfills its duty to millions of Americans in need. Whether they are from Texas or whether they are from Florida or whether they are from Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, they are all citizens. Whether they are from the West, who have been fighting these deadly fires, they deserve our support. This will be the second installment of emergency funding. There will be others. I know people are concerned that not every State's needs are met, but this is a good step in the right direction, and I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation so we can get this money out the door as quickly as possible. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday next.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call Number 555 on agreeing to the McClintock Substitute Amendment to H. Con. Res. 71, I am not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted nay.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Caldwell Public Library, located in the Borough of Caldwell, New Jersey, on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary. The forerunner of the present Caldwell Public Library dates back to the post-Revolutionary War era. Pioneers purchased books and founded a library in 1804. The number of books increased relatively few to over five hundred volumes in the ensuing years. As a result of personal or home ownership of books, the interest in the library waned, resulting in its dissolution in 1835. In early 1894, Caldwell High School held a faculty meeting to discuss reading material for students. At that time, nothing was available except books owned by the residents in the community. After several meetings concerning this matter, the committee concluded that a library was needed for the students as well as for the greater public. On December 4, 1894, the library opened its doors and the circulation for that first day was thirty-five books. Patrons paid a very small fee to borrow books. For several years, this was the sole source of library revenue. By 1907, Professor Hedden, Superintendent of Schools, requested the Caldwell Borough Council to submit to the voters a referendum to establish a free library under the State Library Act. The measure was ultimately accepted and approved. On June 8, 1908 a letter from the Carnegie Library Foundation offered a sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars to construct a library. For the next nine years, the library board was confronted with problems, which hindered the construction of a new edifice. Acquiring a suitable location was the principal issue, until Mr. George W. Canfield of West Caldwell, generously donated $2,000.00 toward the purchase of a site for the library. With the contribution, and donations from other interested persons, a total of $3,000.00 was accumulated to purchase a new location. On October 12, 1917 the Caldwell Library was formally dedicated. Mayor Peck, who, at the time, was President of the Library Trustees, was delivered the key of the building. During the First World War, the Council of National Defense made an appeal for magazines and books for soldiers on transport ships. Miss Hasler designated the library as a collection center for books from this area. The public responded enthusiastically by donating more than five hundred volumes. On Armistice Day, November 12, 1919, two bronze tablets, installed on each side of the front entrance of the Caldwell Library, were dedicated and unveiled during auspicious ceremonies. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the James Caldwell Post 185 of the American Legion, and various local veterans organizations conduct joint exercises at this memorial. This event served as a turning point for Caldwell, in that the library became a focal point for the community; generating civic volunteerism. The ``Friends of the Library,'' continue to this day to promote its goals. The purpose and aim of Caldwell library is to meet the cultural and intellectual needs of the people of the area. It is with this goal in mind that the library hopes to continue and expand its services to the community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating the Caldwell Public Library on the occasion of its Centennial Anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Project Self- Sufficiency, based in Newton, New Jersey, serving Sussex and Warren counties, on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary. Project Self-Sufficiency was founded in 1987 with the core mission of improving families' lives by providing childcare, educating and helping single parents find jobs. Since 1987, the organization continues to stay true to its mission by emphasizing the importance of community. Project Self-Sufficiency's staff members live in the community and many, were once themselves, beneficiaries of its services. The first Founding Board President, Michael J. Holub, played a huge role in creating the essence of Project Self-Sufficiency. Michael was a supporter in the early stages and helped nurture the project into an organization that works to enhance the lives of local community members every day. One amazing story that comes to mind is Matthew. Matthew was 17 years old when he found out he had a daughter on the way. He knew this would bring many changes and he needed to, in his words, ``man-up''. He went from being a teenager sitting on his couch to working a wide variety of jobs. Even though he was making money, at 22, he still did not have his high school diploma. When Matthew joined New Jersey Youth Corps of Sussex, which at the time was a new program, he found the missing puzzle piece in his life. Through this program he was able to gain experience at his community internships and earn his GED. He graduated from the Youth Corps and his daughter was able to witness her father get his diploma and understand the power of education. Project Self-Sufficiency has grown tremendously in the past 30 years in both the hearts and homes of residents in Sussex and Warren counties. The organization began with two staff members, who within the first year, were able to help 343 single parents and their children. Project Self-Sufficiency began as a small and passionate organization, which surpassed public expectations. More than 25,000 families have been helped by Project Self- Sufficiency, not including the 30,000 children whose quality of life has improved immensely from this organization. Project Self-Sufficiency has helped 12,000 adults in the surrounding area in career training, and out of that number, 9,000 adults have been granted employment. This organization has conducted over 38,000 home visits and has helped families in need receive services from Project Self-Sufficiency. Project Self-Sufficiency has always put their clients first, which is what makes them continue to be the successful organization it is today. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Project Self-Sufficiency on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Opera at Florham, located in Fairleigh Dickinson University, in the Borough of Madison, New Jersey, on the occasion of their 35th Anniversary. From humble beginnings, this organization's mission is to educate and provide affordable operatic and related musical performances. In 1982 Violetta DuPont co-founded the organization as an extension of Fairleigh Dickinson University's Music Department. Since then Opera at Florham has been providing outstanding operatic and other vocal selections from the American Song Book. Each performance features three outstanding vocalists who have performed across the country. To this day, Opera at Florham is New Jersey's only long running opera recital series. Part of Opera at Florham's mission is to provide stage and role opportunities to young and upcoming artists. The inaugural Violetta DuPont Vocal Competition was held in 1987. This annual competition provides young operatic talent an opportunity to compete for cash prizes in front of judges and a live audience. In 1995, Opera at Florham became a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and continues to be affiliated with Fairleigh Dickinson University. Opera at Florham is most known for its staged opera. Each season four musicales are performed in Lenfell Hall at Fairleigh Dickinson University, in the former residence of the Vanderbilt's and Twombley's. These musicales are priced affordably, yet feature high artistic excellence. These events showcase the drama, passion, music, and story that good opera is known for. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in congratulating Opera at Florham on the occasion of their 35th Anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP as it holds its annual convention in the Township of Parsippany, part of New Jersey's 111th Congressional District. I am honored to have Morris County host the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. The New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP is commended for bringing together advocates in one place under the theme: ``Relating to the Past, Understanding the Present, Preparing for the future.'' The NAACP has more than 500,000 members throughout the world serving as key leaders in civil rights, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization. New Jersey, the nation's most densely populated state, has 41 branches, 9 college chapters, a prison unit, 15 youth councils, and 2 high school chapters devoting its time, through volunteerism, to close the gaps of inequality in the many social issues challenging us today--health, employment, education, justice, media and the environment. New Jerseyans are working hard to ensure the legacies of the great Civil Rights Leaders before us, live on. Richard T. Smith, New Jersey's NAACP Chapter President, was just named one of New Jersey's ``Most Influential African-Americans'' in South Jersey Journal. In Richard's words, ``we will fight for freedom until all people have realized the equal hand of justice.'' With esteemed commendation, I thank Mr. Smith for his leadership and wish the New Jersey State NAACP conference a successful convention and year ahead. By bringing together the state's leaders in education, religion, business, health care, public policy, and social advocacy, the convention fosters the very conversations we need to be having in order to break down racial barriers, move the nation forward and reach equality for Americans once and for all.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Speaker, the appropriations package before us this morning puts the House on the right path to completing its annual appropriations work for the entire Federal Government--on time and on budget.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, as we conclude discussion on our 12- bill package, I rise to urge support of H.R. 3354 and to thank the 12 chairs and ranking members who led the great work on these bills as well as the many Members who offered amendments in this open and free and, I may say, rather civil discussion. This package prioritizes our domestic and national security to keep our people safe, supports our troops, strengthens law enforcement, secures our borders, and helps get our economy moving, and it deserves bipartisan support. Over the past week, the House has debated hundreds of amendments in this appropriations legislation. Combined with the thousands of Member requests included in the base text, these bills are truly representative of our shared American values. I want to thank all my colleagues for their time and consideration of one another throughout this process. Tomorrow the House will vote to finalize all 12 appropriations bills before the fiscal year deadline of September 30. We have not had what is referred to and what is called regular order for a long time--in nearly a decade. And what's more, we have done all 12 bills under a very abbreviated time schedule. From June 12 to July 20--just over 1 month--the Appropriations Committee has held 12 subcommittee markups and 12 full committee markups, putting in hundreds of hours debating hundreds of amendments. The legislation on the floor this afternoon is a result of this hard work. I would like to thank my committee, particularly its leaders, including Chairmen Robert Aderholt from Alabama, John Culberson from Texas, Kay Granger from Texas, Mike Simpson from Idaho, and Tom Graves from Georgia who has done a masterful job this afternoon, Judge Carter from Texas, Ken Calvert from California, Tom Cole from Oklahoma, Kevin Yoder from Kansas, Charlie Dent from Pennsylvania, Hal Rogers from Kentucky, and Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida. On the Democratic side, I want to thank Ranking Members Sanford Bishop from Georgia, Jose Serrano from New York, Pete Visclosky from Indiana, Marcy Kaptur from Ohio, Mike Quigley from Illinois, Lucille Roybal-Allard from California, Betty McCollum from Minnesota, Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, Tim Ryan from Ohio, Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida, and David Price from North Carolina, and their surrogates. Of course, I particularly want to thank the ranking member of the full committee, Mrs. Nita Lowey from New York for her dedication and friendship to getting our work done on time. I must also thank our incredibly hard-working staff, Mr. Chairman, led by Nancy Fox, our staff director; and Maureen Holohan, our new deputy staff director on the Republican side; and by Shalanda Young and Chris Bigelow on the Democratic side. I thank them all. To all the staffs, those assembled here in this room and those who have been here for many hours over the last couple of days, I thank them all for all the work they have done to get these bills to the floor and the tremendous amount of time and dedication to them. Mr. Chairman, this bill makes sure the United States has a strong national defense and that our citizens here at home are protected. This package sets us on the right path to fully fund the entire Federal Government on time and on budget. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 509, I call up the bill (H.R. 601) to enhance the transparency and accelerate the impact of assistance provided under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to promote quality basic education in developing countries, to better enable such countries to achieve universal access to quality basic education and improved learning outcomes, to eliminate duplication and waste, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material during consideration of H.R. 601, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a Senate amendment to H.R. 601. As Texas and Louisiana begin the first steps of recovery from Hurricane Harvey, Congress must ensure that the funding is available to meet the short- and long-term needs of the hundreds of thousands of victims of that terrible storm. As we are all seeing unfold before our eyes, the next hurricanes could cause even more terrible devastation. This legislation is the first step in what will be long and difficult recoveries. As our fellow Americans recover and rebuild their lives, we must come together to support the victims, the volunteers, the first responders on the ground from around the Nation, and Congress must ensure that the Federal Government provides the help they need. With FEMA resources running low and Hurricane Irma on Florida's and the South's door, providing this additional funding is even more critical. As I said before, our committee is ready and willing to address any additional funding needs that may arise as a result of Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and other major disasters. In addition to providing this desperately needed emergency aid, this bill also extends funding for the entire Federal Government operations until December 8 of this year. This continuing resolution will ensure that the Federal Government remains open for business and that important programs and services are maintained beyond the end of the fiscal year on the 30th of this month. While I don't believe that a continuing resolution is the best way to fund our government, it is imperative to give us time to go to conference and complete our 12 full-year appropriations bills with the Senate. It is essential that all of these bills be signed into law and that our Nation avoids the uncertainty caused by a threat of a shutdown. In addition, the bill also contains a short-term increase in the Federal debt limit and a reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program. All of these actions will allow for more certainty and stability for the Nation and for the communities and families suffering from these disasters. I urge my colleagues--and may I say I do that knowing that I have the full support of my ranking member, Mrs. Lowey, who I have had the pleasure of working with. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask for adoption of H.R. 601 to move funds quickly to those in need, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter) who is the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations.

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

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