Rodney Frelinghuysen

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chairman, I'm very pleased to support the gentleman's amendment. I commend him for his effort. This is directly Sandy related. We thank you for your work on this.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I yield as much time as he may consume to Mr. Moran.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chairman, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I'm pleased to yield the balance of my time to Mr. Blumenauer of Oregon.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. In the hundreds of thousands of people that have been displaced in the Northeast are a lot of people who have lost their apartments and houses that don't have the money to hire lawyers. Their conditions are such they've lost everything that they have--their possessions, their apartments, the houses that they've invested in throughout their lives--and many of these people do not have the financial means to protect their interests. I know people have a hate-on for the Legal Services Corporation of America--and they've had their problems, and our Appropriations Committee has dealt with reining them in when they've acted inappropriately--but at a time when people are in such desperate straits and misery, to deny the poorest of the poor recourse when fat people can be taking advantage of them, or they're looking for some sort of food and shelter and they're seeking legal counsel to make sure that they can protect their rights and their families, I'm opposed to this amendment, I think, for good reason.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I want to thank the gentleman and Mr. Campbell, the cosponsor, for this clarification. I'm pleased to accept it. Thank you very much.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Ms. Velazquez, removing mold is critical to restoring the lives and livelihoods of New Yorkers, New Jerseyans, and those in Connecticut living in public housing affected by the storm. We will work to see that in the final bill funding is made available for mold abatement, and we thank you for your focus on this very important issue that often escapes public notice unless you're directly affected. So I want to commend you for that effort.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I want to thank the gentleman from Kansas for putting forward this amendment. I am pleased to accept it. I just want to assure you that in both the Rogers amendment and my amendment we have plenty of transparency, and we have lots of reports, and I think your added protections of the taxpayers' dollars are very much in order.

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

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Madam Chair, let me associate my remarks with those of Mr. Moran. And certainly, we want to commend the gentleman from Michigan for wanting to save money. I think, in many communities, certainly in the Northeast, but I'm sure in your home State, there are certain historical structures that define the very essence of those communities. You refer to the fact that the communities are supportive. In many cases, it's the nonprofits that are supporting them. And I asked the staff--and this is why it's in the bill--when we looked at Katrina relief and all the historic structures that were within that affected area, which was vast, we also provided this window. Of course, in the Northeast we are often essentially focused on our Revolutionary path. But unless we provide to these nonprofits and to communities, in some cases governmental entities, this waiver, a lot of these historical buildings will be lost forever. And I think that time is of the essence. I commend you for what you're trying to do, but I oppose your amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I am very pleased to accept your amendment, and thank you for invoking the words of Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank my colleague from New Jersey for yielding. Madam Speaker, it's been 70 days, and the residents of the Northeast have been--many of them--living in misery and heartache. I'm pleased that we are taking this step to support the National Flood Insurance Program, which has met the needs of Americans across our Nation when there has been flooding crises. We in the Northeast have been facing this crisis now for 70 days. I'm glad that this essential program is going to be supported. There are about 125,000, from what I understand, Sandy-related claims that can be met by raising this cap, and I think it's good that we're about to do that. This, as others have said, is the first step of what we need to do to sort of rebuild lives, to put aside the misery that so many families and businesses have been suffering for this length of time. It's the right step. On January 15, we will be considering a much larger supplemental, a total of $60 billion, which will meet the needs--not all the needs--of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and the region. There are considerable needs. But the National Flood Insurance Program is a good program. It needs supports. This is a good first step. Let's get about it, and let's do it in a bipartisan manner.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey, Rockaway Township, Morris County, New Jersey as they celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 1988 by a small group of volunteers, Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey has grown into a regional network of social, religious and charitable programs. The Center is built around the acceptance of every individual on his or her own level, regardless of background, affiliation, age or financial status. By blending traditional values with modern day techniques, the Center has been able to touch many lives through Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties. At the core of the Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey is their educational program, offered through the Chabad Educational Center. Their mission is based on the driving principle that the Jewish education system should focus on character development, spiritual consciousness and selfless devotion to the betterment of humanity. The Center opened in 2008 to provide innovative educational services and cultural enrichment for all ages. Making up the Chabad Educational Center are the state-of-the-art Early Learning Center, Hebrew School, Hebrew High, Adult Education Institute and the first Community Mikvah established in Northwest New Jersey. Each of these allows the Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey to bring valuable educational and cultural opportunities to all members of their community. The Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey also offers Men's and Women's clubs, giving members of their community the opportunity to socialize and perform acts of philanthropy throughout Northwest New Jersey. Through their educational, philanthropic and community outreach programs, the Center has established itself as a pillar of our local community. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey as they celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I missed two votes on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. While I was unable to cast recorded votes on legislation considered by the House, I ask that the record reflect my intentions. On Tuesday, November 27, the House considered the Senate amendment to H.R. 915, the Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act. On rollcall vote No, 609, final passage of H.R. 915 under suspension of the rules, I would have voted ``yes.'' The House also considered H.R. 5997, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act. On rollcall vote No. 610, final passage of H.R. 5997 under suspension of the rules, I would have voted ``yes.'' Further, on November 30, 2012, the House considered H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act. Unfortunately, I failed to cast a vote on final passage and I would like the record to reflect that I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 613, final passage of H.R. 6429.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County, Morristown, New Jersey as they celebrate their 120th Anniversary this year. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick is a national network of social organizations of men of Irish ancestry and affinity. Each local organization takes an active role in their community preserving the Irish history and heritage of its members while also participating in acts of charity. The purpose of each local Sons of St. Patrick organization is to provide an opportunity for Irish-Americans to meet in a spirit of comradeship for the common purpose of promoting, cultivating, celebrating and preserving interest in Irish arts, literature, history and culture. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County was founded in the spirit of the first truly American St. Patrick's Day celebration which was held at George Washington's camp at Jockey Hollow, Morristown in 1780. Since that day, the Irish have continued to play an important role in Morris County's social, economic and political fabric. Originally founded on March 14, 1892, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County have aimed to create a social group for the large community of Irish-Americans within Morris County while also assisting the county's neediest residents through charitable works. With 300 members today, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County is open to all men of Irish descent, the group is non-political and non-sectarian. The Friendly Sons meet monthly to promote faith, heritage and fellowship, they are noted for their charity work including the annual Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade. Organized by their membership, the parade is attended by over 50,000 people and raises over $10,000 for local charities, including Employment Horizons and Cheshire House. The Friendly Sons have also been integral in the recognition and preservation of several historically important Irish-American buildings and sites throughout New Jersey and New York. The mission and work of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County has made the group an important asset to Morris County. Their continued support of local charities and preservation of Irish-American history and heritage are to be commended. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County as they celebrate their 120th Anniversary.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Madison, Morris County as they begin their 50th Anniversary season this year. The proud tradition of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey began in 1963, when Paul Barry and Phillip Dorian formed the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival in Cape May. Their Festival was met with such success that the group was offered a permanent home on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey in 1972. The Shakespeare Theatre has been dedicated to bringing the classics of Shakespeare and classical playwrights alive for audiences for 50 years. The Theatre's plays and outreach programs have showcased live theater to diverse audiences throughout the state and have also served as the training ground for the newest talents on the stage. To improve the theater experience for all patrons, the Theater has undergone a number of lasting and unique changes over its history. The first of these changes was the construction of the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in 1998. This space arose out of the Shakespeare Theater's desire to create a lasting performing space that could meet the artistic demands of its schedule and provide an intimate setting for patrons to view the performances. This state of the art facility features modern theater lighting, sound and seating as well as complete handicapped accessibility. With just over 300 seats none of which is more than 32 feet from the stage, the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theater provides a truly unique venue to view theater. Debuting in 2002, the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey's Outdoor Amphitheater on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, allows patrons to view the arts from a whole new perspective. The outdoor space takes its inspiration from the Theater of Dionysus in Athens and hopes to transport viewers back in time through a wide range of classical theatrical offerings and is one of the only theatres of its kind in the United States. The Theatre's newest addition is a 49,000 square foot renovated factory in Florham Park that will serve as a training and rehearsal space. The new facility will be filled with office spaces, scene and costume shops as well as multiple rehearsal and classroom spaces, greatly enhancing the educational and outreach capacities of the Theatre. This space will allow the Theatre to enhance current stage offerings and provide a future of unique performance and shows. Through its mission statement and commitment to the arts in New Jersey, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has proven to be a pillar of the local community and a large contributor to the arts in New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, Madison as they celebrate their 50th season and their continuing contributions to New Jersey's vibrant arts community.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church of Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey, which is celebrating 100 years as an important member of the local community. Since St. Joseph's establishment in 1912, it has been contributing to the religious, cultural and social diversity that has come to define New Jersey. The church was initially founded by immigrants fleeing religious persecution in Slovakia. Many of the early members of the congregation worked in the Woolen Mills, Duke Park and along the railroads crisscrossing the area. Beginning with only a handful of families, the parish of the new St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church gathered on October 1, 1912 to form a church society with the goal of raising enough money to build a church where they could practice their faith in their native tongue free from persecution or prejudice. In 1914, the society raised enough money to purchase a piece of property in Raritan for the construction of a church. The church was formally dedicated in 1915 after a year of construction. Adding to their permanent presence in Raritan, the parish added an adjoining school in 1926. The school initially had a class of 234 students and was focused on providing students with a source of education on their Catholic faith and Slovak heritage. St. Joseph's provides an exemplary illustration of the benefits of sharing culture and beliefs with others. Religious and cultural centers such as St. Joseph's, provide religious education, philanthropic assistance for those in need, and a greater sense of cultural awareness to the local community while providing a place for people to gather and worship. The parish of St. Joseph's has been very involved in giving back to the community philanthropically, participating in food bank collections, gathering baby clothing and formula for struggling mothers, and joining other churches in their charitable works. St. Joseph's assistance casts a wide net, helping people from the Raritan area as well as participating in worldwide assistance efforts. Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Joseph's Slovak Catholic Church for 100 years of dedicated work on behalf of the Great State of New Jersey.