Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, more high school seniors from the 11th Congressional District trade in varsity jackets for navy pea coats, Air Force flight suits, and Army brass buckles than most other districts in the country. But this is nothing new--our area has repeatedly sent an above average portion of its sons and daughters to the nation's military academies for decades. This fact should not come as a surprise. The educational excellence of area schools is well known and has long been a magnet for families looking for the best environment in which to raise their children. Our graduates are skilled not only in mathematics, science, and social studies, but also have solid backgrounds in sports, debate teams, and other extracurricular activities. This diverse upbringing makes military academy recruiters sit up and take note--indeed, many recruiters know our towns and schools by name. Since the 1830's, Members of Congress have enjoyed meeting, talking with, and nominating these superb young people to our military academies. But how did this process evolve? In 1843, when West Point was the sole academy, Congress ratified the nominating process and became directly involved in the makeup of our military's leadership. This was not an act of an imperial Congress bent on controlling every aspect of Government. Rather, the procedure still used today was, and is, a further check and balance in our democracy. It was originally designed to weaken and divide political coloration in the officer corps, provide geographical balance to our armed services, and to make the officer corps more resilient to unfettered nepotism and handicapped European armies. In 1854, Representative Gerritt Smith of New York added a new component to the academy nomination process--the academy review board. This was the first time a Member of Congress appointed prominent citizens from his district to screen applicants and assist with the serious duty of nominating candidates for academy admission. Today, I am honored to continue this wise tradition in my service to the 11th Congressional District. The Academy Review Board is composed of six local citizens who have shown exemplary service to New Jersey, to their communities, and to the continued excellence of education in our area. Many are veterans and Academy graduates. Though from diverse backgrounds and professions, they all share a common dedication that the best qualified and motivated graduates attend our academies. And, as true for most volunteer panels, their service goes largely unnoticed. I would like to take a moment to recognize these men and women and thank them publicly for participating in this important panel. Being on the board requires hard work and an objective mind. Members have the responsibility of interviewing upwards of 50 outstanding high school seniors every year in the academy review process. The nomination process follows a general timetable. High school seniors submit personal information directly to the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Merchant Marine Academy once they become interested in attending. Information includes academic achievement, college entry test scores, and other activities. At this time, they also inform me of their desire to be nominated. The academies then assess the applicants, rank them based on the data supplied, and return the files to my office with their notations. In late November, our Academy Review Board interviews all of the applicants over the course of two days. They assess a student's qualifications and analyze character, desire to serve, and other talents that may be hidden on paper. This year the board interviewed over 50 applicants. Nominations included 10 to the Naval Academy, 10 to the Military Academy, 8 to the Merchant Marine Academy and 7 to the Air Force Academy--the Coast Guard Academy does not use the Congressional nomination process. The recommendations are then forwarded to the academies by January 31, where recruiters reviewed files and notified applicants and my office of their final decision on admission. As these highly motivated and talented young men and women go through the academy nominating process, never let us forget the sacrifice they are preparing to make: to defend our country and protect our citizens. This holds especially true at a time when our nation is fighting the war against terrorism. Whether it is in Afghanistan or other hot spots around the world, no doubt we are constantly reminded that wars are fought by the young. And, while our military missions are both important and dangerous, it is reassuring to know that we continue to put America's best and brightest in command. Academy Nominees for 2013, 11th District Congressional District Merchant Marine Academy Kyle J Asman, Livingston, Livingston H.S. Duncan J. Brown, Brookside, West Morris Mendham H.S. Justin C. Diesso, Sparta, Pope John VIII H.S. Clay C. Dundas, Sparta, Blair Academy. Aidan R. Groll, Boonton, Boonton H.S. Patrick T. Keyes, Parsippany, Seton Hall Prep. Gabriella S.L. Roselle, West Caldwell, James Caldwell H.S. Ryan F. Wood, Budd Lake, Home Schooled. Air Force Academy Mathieu L. Gaydos, Randolph, Randolph H.S. Louis R. Kete, Morristown, Delbarton School. Yonjun D. Kim, Montville, Osan DOD Dependents H.S. Jennifer E. Lam, Mountain Lakes, Mountain Lakes H.S. Christian S. Longhi, Succasunna, Seton Hall Prep. Liam F. McEnearny, Basking Ridge, Ridge H.S. Philip J. Zurek, Denville, Academy of Math, Science & English. Military Academy Dominique A. Fortes, Parsippany, Parsippany H.S. Michael J. Herbert, Jr., Whippany, Seton Hall Prep. Gregory R. Horne, Denville, Morris Knolls H.S. Adam B. Kratch, Millington, Seton Hall Prep. Jared H. Love, Florham Park, Episcopal H.S. Kirsten V. Mayer, Morris Twp., Morris Catholic H.S. Ryan T. Mellody, Millington, Seton Hall Prep. Michelle E. Miller, Chester, West Morris Mendham H.S. Joseph M. Presti, Kinnelon, Kinnelon H.S. Joshua W. Tomlinson-Aaron, Flanders, Pope John VIII H.S. Richard-Vinh Nguyen-Le, Dover, Morris Knolls H.S. Naval Academy Charlotte K. Asdal, Chester, West Morris Mendham H.S. Cameron M. Ellis, Stanhope, Lenape Valley H.S. Aaron J. Hanko, Montville, Trinity Christian Academy. Benjamin R. Keegan, Flanders, Mt. Olive H.S. Thomas D. Kim, Livingston, Seton Hall Prep. Connor O. Lam, Chester, West Morris Mendham H.S. Thomas P. Mahala, Far Hills, USN Foundation. Michael E. McGlone, Boonton, Seton Hall Prep. Luis N. Rodriguez, Denville, Academy for Math, Science & English. Rahul Singh, Hackettstown, Mt. Olive H.S.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Township of Livingston, Essex County, New Jersey, which is celebrating its bicentennial in 2013. Livingston's history can date back all the way to the year 1699, where settlers from Newark decided they wanted to move west. By 1702, the land that has come to be known as Livingston, as well as over eight currently neighboring municipalities, was officially purchased from the Lenape Native Americans. By 1740, many disputes over land ownership had begun in response to a lack of deed of purchase. William Livingston, a prominent proprietor, defended many victims of eviction and left a powerful mark on the area. His actions on behalf of the residents of the area, gave the eventual town of Livingston its name. Following the Revolutionary War, the addition of permanent settlers to the area gave the people reason to file for incorporation as a township. On February 5th, 1813, Livingston was officially incorporated under the Township Committee system. Much of the original boundaries have been changed through the years, breaking off into towns such as Roseland and Millburn. Major industries of Livingston, during its early years, included lumber and farming. After the Civil War had concluded, Livingston became a chief producer of dairy and a commonplace for shoemakers to make their living. With only one major transportation route in and out of the town, the difficult travel method became a problem as easier accessible towns began to progress. However, the population did eventually grow as the abundance of automobiles increased, providing easier access into the town. As a suburb of Newark, the end of the Second World War provided the town with a remarkable new group of people. By 1970 it had reached over 30,000 residents. When the first schools were officially built 1898, they provided opportunity for children to stay in town to receive an education. This began to attract a great deal of families. During this period of expansion, the town began to take its shape. A volunteer fire department was established in 1922, followed by the creation of a Chief Police position in 1929. Two hospitals were opened in consecutive years between 1959 and 1960 complementing the construction of a library in 1961 and a municipal complex in 1963. Volunteerism has been a cornerstone of Livingston and its citizens. Currently, there are over forty volunteer organizations that help the town function on a daily basis. Some of these organizations include the Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee, Veterans of Foreign War Posts, Holiday Committee, Neighborhood Grievance Committee, a Consumer Affairs Office, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Committee for Diversity. Additionally, as reiterated above, the Fire Department is a completely volunteer-based group of individuals along with Auxiliary Police and the First Aid Squad. Livingston is the notable birthplace of several famous individuals including Governor Chris Christie, actor Jason Alexander, talk show host Chelsea Handler, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, and Super Bowl XLII hero, David Tyree. As of 2013, over 28,000 people currently reside in Livingston. It provides a comfortable atmosphere for New York City commuters to come home to. With exceptional schools, services, and diversity, new residents continually flock to the township in order to take advantage of the benefits. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Township of Livingston as it celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Arts Council of the Morris Area, located in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2013. The Arts Council of the Morris Area is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1973. Their mission has been to ``engage and build community through the arts.'' Taking great pride in the importance of the arts, the organization desired to showcase the work of artists to the area. Their lasting goal has been to inspire positive change in people through the realization and appreciation of different forms of artistry. The Arts Council contains numerous services aimed at making the Morris County area a more vivacious and intellectual place to live through the various programs it puts forth and the support of local artists who donate their work to The Arts Council. The Council also serves as the central resource to help improve artistic learning experiences for children in school and providing general information to the public. The Arts Council has directly assisted more than 4,000 students in understanding and appreciating art through its programs that utilize professional teaching artists. Additionally, the council has funded a program for Middle School students called ``Telling Our Stories,'' with the goal in mind of improving oral and written communication skills. They hope that this program will improve students' self-esteem, conflict resolution abilities, and problem-solving characteristics. The council also awards two scholarships, for artistic excellence, annually to graduating Morris County high school seniors who have chosen to purse an art concentration in college. These scholarships provide these students with the wonderful opportunities they need to succeed. Over the past four decades since its beginnings, the Arts Council has grown each year in its recognition, size, and impact on the community. The council has continuously earned honors for the programs and services it provides. Amazingly, over the past 15 consecutive years, the Arts Council has received the ``Citation of Excellence'' award. This award is given to organizations that demonstrate themselves as a ``Major Service Organization'' towards members of their community and has been handed out annually by the New Jersey State Council of the Arts to The Arts Council for its, ``solid history of service excellence, substantial activity and broad public service.'' Moreover, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in their Arts and Humanities Month Proclamation, identified the Arts Council as, ``a leader in developing, supporting and promoting artists, the arts and experiences that enhance and transform the lives of Morris County citizens.'' Undoubtedly respected amongst the entire community, it is easy to see why this council has gained such notice. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Arts Council of the Morris Area, in Morristown, NJ, as it celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Chair, at the onset I want to thank the leadership for helping to bring this important legislation to the floor. I also want to thank Chairman Hal Rogers and the Appropriations Committee for their assistance. One of the untold chapters of this post-Sandy story has been the hard work of the chairman and his staff in preparing both his amendment and mine, which follows. Most importantly, I want to thank the chairman for his eloquent statement in the Rules Committee last night. His heartfelt recognition of the hardship and misery suffered by our constituents in the Northeast meant a great deal to me personally and to our New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut delegations. I also want to offer some words of appreciation to my colleagues from New Jersey and New York. Their bipartisan diligence and dedication and that of our staffs over the past several weeks should make all of our constituents proud. And then there is Governor Christie, my constituent from Morris County, whose tireless work has helped us get to this day and will help us get this bill across the finish line. As he always does, he put a very human face on the devastation suffered by families and communities in New Jersey and our neighbors in New York and Connecticut. My colleagues, people are hurting this afternoon in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut and other areas of the Northeast. The suffering and damage are real and their needs are great. According to many estimates, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and the rest of the east coast sustained nearly $100 billion worth of damage. The destruction is staggering. 346,000 household units were damaged in New Jersey alone. Tens of thousands of our fellow Americans are still displaced from their homes and their apartments. Municipalities are struggling to provide services. Many are still under emergency declarations, and some municipalities are not habitable. Small businesses are decimated. Many small business men and women are trying to decide whether they can survive and keep their employees on the payroll. Madam Chairman, the area damaged by Hurricane Sandy represents roughly 10 percent of our Nation's economy. It makes good sense, economic and fiscal, to get our region back on its feet as soon as it can. I urge support of the Rogers amendment and the Frelinghuysen amendment. Without these vital measures, our constituents in the Northeast face nothing but more delay, more uncertainty, more unemployment, and more misery.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Young, that is correct. The funds we provide in this legislation in my amendment are funds we believe are required to respond to emergency needs for the Army Corps of Engineers related to Hurricane Sandy. By appropriating these funds for this direct purpose, other prior appropriated emergency funds for the Corps should be and are to remain available for other emergency needs in accordance with the direction provided in those previous acts.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield myself 1 minute. Hurricane Sandy devastated the northeast coast in late October, 78 days ago, leaving misery in its wake, disrupting the lives and businesses of millions of our fellow citizens. The storm caused unprecedented destruction--$100 billion in New York and New Jersey alone. My amendment supplements Mr. Rogers' measure in order to bring the total aid package to $60 billion, which is the amount requested by the President and endorsed by Governors Christie, Cuomo, and Malloy. I want the Members to know that this amendment strips out all provisions in the Senate that were deemed earmarks and all authorizing language. Madam Chairman, I'll close by reminding our colleagues of the proud tradition of Congress' cite in the recent letter that many of us received from the Governors of the States affected. Madam Chair, in late December, the Governors of the affected States wrote to each House Member, and I quote: The congressional delegations of our three States have always been there to provide critical votes to these aid packages, because that is what America is all about--when one of us is in need, we step up to the plate to lend a helping hand. It's time to lend that helping hand, and I urge the support of my amendment. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to my colleague and good friend, Chris Smith, the Representative from New Jersey.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York City and Long Island, Congressman King.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for that courtesy. We highly appreciate it. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. LoBiondo) who probably represents more of New Jersey than any of our other Members.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Serrano).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to Mr. Grimm of Staten Island.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the Representative from New York State, Carolyn Maloney.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Lance).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Runyan).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield 1 minute to another Member of Congress from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I rise to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of the time. Madam Chair, I do have a point of clarification before I yield back my time. The amendment includes $22,220,000 for the Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program. It's our intent that the $100 million cap applies to only the funds in this act, and not to previous emergencies. In closing, Madam Chairman, as I said earlier, I ask all Members to lend the Northeast a hand, help us put lives and families and communities back in good order. Those that have suffered, continue to suffer, have had personal misery and loss, we remember them as we pass this bill today. And I want to thank all the Members for stepping forward to be supportive of this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Flores

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield back the balance of my time.