Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, today I offer congratulations to Major Kristen Clark Castonguay on her recent promotion as an officer in the United States Air Force. A graduate of Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Bucks County, and Syracuse University, New York, Major Castonguay also holds a master's degree in aerospace engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Kristen's father, David Clark, and her uncle, Terry Clark, an Air Force veteran, inspired her to explore her interest in rockets and space exploration. Major Castonguay believes she was called to serve for the greater good of the country and wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. She was commissioned as an Air Force officer in 2004 and subsequently served on active duty in various Air Force bases in space propulsion and engineering supervisory positions. Major Castonguay currently teaches Rocket Propulsion and Space System Lab in the aerospace engineering department of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I gratefully acknowledge Major Kristen Clark Castonguay's dedication and many contributions to our country. She has set an example of diligence and duty and service for others to follow. Once again, I am pleased to offer my congratulations on her outstanding achievements and wish her continued success.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Nancy Conner's 30 years of committed service to the people of Tullytown Borough. Tullytown lays on the southern edge of Lower Bucks County along the Delaware River, between Falls and Bristol Townships, and includes part of historic Levittown--the embodiment of the American dream for families who returned home after World War II. Levittown--and Tullytown--has an important place in our local history, and one that is only strengthened by the individuals that live and work there. For three decades, Nancy has attended to the needs of her neighbors and community through her service as Council Secretary of Tullytown Borough. Her thoughtful and dedicated work has earned the praise of her peers and added to the success of her hometown. The continued efforts of involved individuals, like Nancy, make my District of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a special one to represent. I thank Nancy for dutifully executing her role as Council Secretary for the last 30 years and wish her all the best in her next 30.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and I am pleased that the House is taking up a number of bipartisan measures this week to help eradicate this disturbing crime and assist its victims. To most Americans, human trafficking is something that happens in faraway lands. Unfortunately, the reality hits much closer to home. Right now, over 300,000 young Americans are in danger of falling victim to this fast-growing criminal enterprise. As both a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force and a representative for anti-trafficking advocates and organizations in my district in Pennsylvania, I am well aware of the devastating impact of this modern-day slavery here in our Nation and in our communities back home. But 2015 can be the year we take significant steps to end this scourge. The work on the ground in Bucks and Montgomery Counties by organizations such as Worthwhile Wear, The Well, Network of Victim Assistance, as well as faith-based groups, law enforcement, and concerned citizens is making an impact and increasing awareness and strengthening our response locally. The legislation under consideration this week on Capitol Hill allows this Congress to work together to ensure that we can support those impacted by this crime and combat and ultimately defeat human trafficking in our Nation and, hopefully, around the world.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend of mine, Pennsylvania State Representative Bob Godshall for the 50 years of service he has given to our community, and the state of Pennsylvania. Representative Godshall has served 32 years in the Pennsylvania Legislature representing the 53rd District in Montgomery County, PA--an area which encompasses the Indian Valley portion of my Congressional District. Prior to his work in the legislature, Bob served 3 years as Montgomery County Controller, and 17 years on the Souderton School Board. He also served 3 years as Montgomery County Open Space Director, where he helped bring Montgomery County's beautiful park system to fruition. Bob was also instrumental in the creation of the United States Constitution Center in Philadelphia--a place where thousands of visitors come to pay tribute to the founding fathers each year. Aside from his many accomplishments, Bob has also been very kind, generous and supportive of me in my work representing the 8th Congressional District. In 2012, when I found out that my district would be taking on a new portion of Montgomery County, Bob was the first person I called. Everyone in the Indian Valley has a story about Representative Godshall, usually involving Bob ``helping them, their family or their neighbor.'' I've never met anyone more dedicated to his community and beloved by the people who live there. Bob--it's been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you over the past few years. Thanks for everything you have done, and continue to do for our area.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, it comes as no surprise that the 2015 theme for Catholic Schools Week is ``Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.'' As a man of faith and a graduate of Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, I can tell you that both my wife Kathy and I have benefitted greatly from our value-centered Catholic upbringing. As have each of our six children--Katie, Maggie, Molly, Jimmy, Mick and Tommy. In the 8th District of Pennsylvania, we have so many proud Catholic institutions to send our children to. The commitment of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to our local community is unmatched. These local institutions have spent years building solid communities of faith and knowledge--all of which give back to the greater community in many ways. The rigorous academic curriculum, coupled with spiritual teachings of passion, kindness and respect, give our children the background they need to be upstanding citizens. In the words of Pope Francis, ``It is important not to turn in on ourselves, burying our own talent, our spiritual, intellectual, and material riches, everything that the Lord has given us, but, rather to open ourselves, to be supportive, to be attentive to others. Set your stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, the ideals of service that make your talents fruitful. Life is not given to us to be jealously guarded for ourselves, but is given to us so that we may give it in turn.'' Our Catholic School upbringing teaches us to be the best that we can be, and in turn, use the skills that we acquire to give back to the community. I truly value everything that our local Catholic Schools bring to our area, and I am honored to celebrate with you this week.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend of mine, Pennsylvania State Representative Bob Godshall for the 50 years of service he has given to our community, and the state of Pennsylvania. Representative Godshall has served 32 years in the Pennsylvania Legislature representing the 53rd District in Montgomery County, PA--an area which encompasses the Indian Valley portion of my Congressional District. Prior to his work in the legislature, Bob served 3 years as Montgomery County Controller, and 17 years on the Souderton School Board. He also served 3 years as Montgomery County Open Space Director, where he helped bring Montgomery County's beautiful park system to fruition. Bob was also instrumental in the creation of the United States Constitution Center in Philadelphia--a place where thousands of visitors come to pay tribute to the founding fathers each year.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, in grateful acknowledgement of his service to our country in World War II, I note the passing of Henry A.J. Apice, of Southampton, Bucks County. A proud member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II, Mr. Apice joined the National Guard in 1938. Later, while serving as a Marine he saw action in the South Pacific and was a survivor of the battle for Iwo Jima. In the post-war years, he continued his activities with various veterans' organizations and was a life member of the Order of Devil Dogs. Most recently, he was a member and Guardian of the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, where he will be buried with full military honors. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, along with six siblings. Mr. Apice will be remembered for his devotion to his family and country and now joins the proud line of veterans from all our nation's wars who, throughout history, have been the guardians of our liberty.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize Bill Mischke, a dedicated Scouter, mentor to countless youth and one of my first merit badge counselors. As the director for Camp Ockanickon, Bill ensured each Boy Scout troop had a fulfilling experience at the camp fires, the mess hall was well stocked and each counselor was prepared for the rigors the summer would bring. Additionally, he oversaw the implementation of the GE Betz Science Center, the first such center in the United States which provides an opportunity for scouts to earn STEM based merit badges. After a successful career with the Bucks County Council, Bill has moved on to spend more time with his family but has continued to impact the lives of our future leaders as the Director of Program Experience with the DelMarVa Council. I want to congratulate him on a successful life committed to the tenants of the Scout Oath and Law and wish him happiness in all his future endeavors. I yield back.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman. It is really hard to believe that a package of bills that comes to the floor which individually passed the House 422-0, another bill passes by voice vote, another bill passes 414-3, have become so controversial--become so controversial why? Because they are about to become law and they should become law. These are smart, technical reforms to an overly burdensome law, Dodd-Frank, that are bipartisan. All of these bills have Democrat and Republican cosponsors, all of them have gained Democrat and Republican support in the committee and on the floor of the House, and these bills should pass. I want to thank Chairman Hensarling for his longstanding leadership in reining in out-of-control Washington regulators that are hurting small business and Main Street lenders. Mr. Speaker, smart regulations allow the private sector to innovate and create jobs while protecting taxpayers and consumers; however, one- size-fits-all regulations hurt the economy by treating small- and medium-sized companies as if they are large multinational corporations. No Main Street small business, manufacturer, farmer, or rancher caused the financial crisis; yet they are subject to thousands of new pages of regulations that were supposedly designed for big Wall Street firms. Mr. Speaker, that is not fair. That is why I have introduced this bill. It is a bipartisan package of commonsense jobs bills that provides regulatory relief to help grow the economy from Main Street up, not from Washington down. This bill is made up of individual measures that previously passed either the House or the Financial Services Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support during the 113th Congress. It is a recognition of the fact that regulations, no matter how well-intentioned, can be made more targeted and can be made more effective. More than 400 new regulations imposed on our Nation's small- and medium-sized companies impedes their ability to access the capital needed to grow, innovate, and create jobs. These regulations may have been targeting Wall Street, but their burden falls heavily on Main Street. That is what this bill seeks to fix. These legislative prescriptions represent serious bipartisan commitments to make our regulatory system more responsive to the needs of the workers and the local businesses that we all represent. The American people want Republicans and Democrats to work together to strengthen our economy and help the private sector create jobs like only it can. Good-paying jobs and greater opportunities are the foundations of real economic growth, growth that is strong and growth that is sustainable, growth that lifts people up from poverty. That kind of growth can't come from Washington, and it won't happen unless small business owners, entrepreneurs, and workers have the freedom and the opportunity to use their God-given talents and creativity to earn their success. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of talk in this town about bipartisanship and finding middle ground here in our Nation's Capitol; yet, at this very moment, groups on both the far left and the far right stand in the way of even incremental progress by pulling Members of both parties to the extremes. I know that if things are going to get done in this body, it will be from strong bipartisan support from principled, yet pragmatic, lawmakers willing to put politics to the side and work together for the common good. As someone who seeks out that course, I would like to recognize those Members willing to look past the demagoguery and misinformation in order to support this bill. I have high hopes that this Congress can restore the faith of our constituents in the legislative process and the role of Congress in strengthening our Main Street economy, and we can start with this bill. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the bill and, in doing so, putting aside bill posturing in favor of bipartisan reforms to get people back to work.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Section 2: ``The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.''

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, last fall, after 34 years of distinguished public service, Pennsylvania State representative Paul Clymer from upper Bucks County announced his retirement. Throughout his career, Representative Clymer has been a strong advocate on many issues ranging from education to economic development. An avid historian, Paul chaired the committee responsible for the renovation on the State capitol building. He took a personal interest in this project, working diligently to ensure the completed renovation would live up to President Theodore Roosevelt's declaration in 1906 when he called it, ``the handsomest building he ever saw.'' More than a century later, thanks in part to Paul's work, the building still strikes visitors with awe. Although he has many accomplishments to his name, it has been Representative Clymer's gentlemanly demeanor for which he was best known. Paul was known in government as a man of conviction who would stand up for his principles, yet also able to listen to those who passionately opposed him. He has been a model public servant and a mentor to many, including to me, and I want to say, ``Well done, Paul, in your retirement.''

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize a career of committed service to our nation and our communities by Raymond Bencivengo of Philadelphia. Mr. Bencivengo's service began as a United States Marine serving in Vietnam and continued for 25 years after as a Philadelphia Police officer, both on the beat and administratively. Even after retiring from the police force in 1984, Mr. Bencivengo continued his commitment to law, order and protection by serving as a Pennsylvania State Parole Agent for 20 years. In the summer of 2014, Mr. Bencivengo officially began his well- deserved retirement. The quiet, selfless service of those like Mr. Bencivengo should never go forgotten or un-thanked. So today, I congratulate Raymond Bencivengo and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our Nation's law enforcement professionals--the first responders, the Capitol Police here in the Nation's Capital who keep us safe here, and those who answer the call of duty to serve and protect, families and friends throughout our great Nation. Just after 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, Baltimore police officer Andrew Groman and his partner made a routine traffic stop outside a west Baltimore gas station. Moments later, three shots were fired from the backseat of the car, one striking Officer Groman in the abdomen, just below his bulletproof vest. As other officers chased the suspect, Officer Groman's partner rushed him to the hospital where he was forced into emergency surgery. His family was called in from Pennsylvania to be by his side. You see, Officer Groman is a Bucks County native. His family still lives in my congressional district. A former Bucks County volunteer firefighter, Officer Groman had moved to Maryland to continue his service, this time in law enforcement. While I am happy to tell you he is recovering well, it is terrible to think that he just as easily might have been killed in the line of duty, attacked while performing his duty, which was his passion to serve and protect, conjuring names from our area like Daniel Faulkner, Brian Gregg, and Brad Fox, who also gave the ultimate sacrifice. While Andrew's Bucks County roots bring the story close to home for many in my district, the sad truth is that we know the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers is a dangerous, and sometimes deadly, job and one that, sadly, often goes underappreciated. Our Nation's blue line, the first responders, local, State, and Federal police and law enforcement professionals, often represent the height of both heroism and humbleness. While I take every opportunity I can to meet with and to hear from those who protect the communities in which we live, I am always left wishing that there is more to be said than a ``thank you.'' This week we are proud to participate in Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, the effort of a number of partnering organizations committed to raising awareness and showing appreciation for the more than 780,000 officers who serve and protect our neighborhoods, friends, and families nationwide. This week, on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, there is opportunity for all of us to show our support for those who wear blue and to recommit ourselves to the ideals and laws of our Nation that they are tasked to uphold. Together we can address the challenges our Nation faces head-on without partisanship, division, or hate.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials for the Record on H.R. 37, currently under consideration.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the time and for the opportunity to again bring this bill before the House as a piece of a larger strategy that will bring greater jobs and more opportunity to the American people and to American families. I am proud to once again sponsor the Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act, a bill which includes the language of pro-growth measures debated and passed last Congress in the Financial Services Committee and in the Agriculture Committee. While these proposals aren't flashy, they represent bipartisan efforts to remove the burdensome weight of one-size-fits-all regulation that has, sadly, become the norm for Washington. While often well- intentioned, many of these top-down regulations hurt small businesses and emerging businesses in critical sectors like biotechnology. As the Representative of one of the Nation's fastest-growing biotech regions just outside Philadelphia, I have experienced firsthand the impact of this vibrant industry in southeastern Pennsylvania. Employing thousands of hardworking men and women, this sector harnesses the best of our STEM community and what it has to offer in our efforts to create treatments and cures for devastating diseases from diabetes and Alzheimer's to cancer and HIV/AIDS. For these businesses, government overregulation often treats the little guy the same as big multinational corporations, tying them in costly red tape at the expense of their ability to research, to develop, to innovate, and to hire. This bill takes a meaningful step toward ensuring smarter, tailored regulations which unleash businesses, like biotech companies in my district, to invest in themselves and in their workers. But biotech workers wouldn't be the only ones to benefit. So would employees at retailers like grocery chain Wegmans. Employing 44,000 people, including 8,200 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Wegmans is constantly ranked among the Nation's best places to work by Fortune magazine, a grade they attribute to their employee ownership opportunities, which allow their workers to have a stake in the business that they work for. However, a little-known piece of regulatory overreach is hamstringing these opportunities, an overreach recognized and adjusted by this legislation. By creating a more realistic regulatory environment, this bill provides relief to businesses looking to retain their best employees, while allowing workers to invest in the company and in their own futures. In lieu of the failed Washington efforts of the past which tried to simply legislate more jobs into existence, the Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act is very much a jobs bill because it addresses these job-creating needs. By reining in government's heavyhanded approach to regulating the economy, we can provide a bipartisan path toward getting people back to work, helping businesses grow, and ensuring hardworking Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. Mr. Speaker, the challenges facing our economy are steep. However, they are no more daunting than the challenges we have overcome in the past in the way that Americans have always approached adversity: head on, with American ingenuity, practicality, and a commitment of leaders on both sides of the aisle to act in the best interests of the working men and women we represent. The ushering in of this new Congress gives us the perfect opportunity for Members of both parties to unite around efforts to put the American worker back in the driver's seat and to establish a bipartisan playbook for advancing common goals. Now is the time, and the Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act is an important part of that process. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture, Washington, DC, January 7, 2015. Hon. Jeb Hensarling, Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Hensarling: I am writing concerning H.R. 37. ``Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act.'' As you know, provisions of H.R. 37 are within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture. In order to expedite floor consideration of the bill, the Committee on Agriculture will forgo action on H.R. 37. Further, the Committee will not oppose the bill's consideration on the suspension calendar. This is also being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 37, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration. Sincerely. K. Michael Conaway, Chairman.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), who is the chairman of the Agriculture Committee.

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

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 37) to make technical corrections to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to enhance the ability of small and emerging growth companies to access capital through public and private markets, to reduce regulatory burdens, and for other purposes.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt), a member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford), a member of the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would just note that the provision that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano) is referring to was heard in committee. The title of the bill passed in the committee with well over 50 votes. It passed unanimously on the floor of the House by voice vote, and not a single Democrat rose to object to the bill, but that was last year. Right now, Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack).

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

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The bill before us today is here on the same procedure the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act reauthorization was here; we just debated that bill on the floor. They are both coming up under a suspension of the rules, and TRIA reauthorization last term, like these bills, were debated either in committee or on the floor in the full House. The distinguished minority whip, in speaking about the TRIA bill, said that it is always the right time to do the right thing. In addition, he decried the process that delayed the reauthorization of TRIA--I agree with him on that--and he said there were well over 250 votes for the last year and a half for the reauthorization of TRIA. I would submit and ask the Record to reflect, Mr. Speaker, the provisions of this bill, and we have heard about the 11 provisions, all of which went through the committee or the full House. Title I amends Dodd-Frank and passed the House 411-12. It was introduced as a bipartisan bill, went through the committee, had a committee hearing, both sides had witnesses, and all the questions were asked. There was a markup. At the markup, there were amendments. The bill passed the committee. It came to the floor of the House and passed 411-12. Title II passed the committee 50-10. Title III passed on the full House after passing the committee 417-4. Title IV passed the House 422- 0. Each one of these provisions were bipartisan, and they passed in a strong fashion on a vote either in the committee or the House. Mr. Speaker, just yesterday, we were sent back here. We took the oath of office, sent by our constituents to do the right thing, to work together where we can, to identify problems, to address those problems, and to get stuff done, especially when it regards the American economy, small businesses, and the ability to get people to work to create jobs. Each one of these titles in this bill identifies a problem in the economy, addresses it in a bipartisan way, and the time is now to pass this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 37, pass the bill and send it to the Senate. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as our nation continues to welcome home a new generation of veterans from the battlefield, it is vital that we address the challenges faced by these men and women. The effects of combat are not always left behind for our soldiers, and the transition into civilian life all too often is not an easy one. Right now, our nation is struggling to combat the impact of PTSD on veterans, and statistics from the VA show that each day 22 American veterans take their own life. This epidemic must be dealt with--the lives of those who protected our freedoms are on the line. This week, the House passed legislation named after Clay Hunt, a Marine veteran who, after working as an activist drawing attention to the struggles of returning veterans, took his life at the age of just 28. The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act will take meaningful steps to ensure veterans like Clay have the resources and treatment they need when they return home. That means increasing access to, boosting accountability for and removing the stigma of potentially- life saving mental health care. I stand in support of this legislation with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I also stand with veterans' advocacy organizations across America--including the Travis Manion Foundation, based in my district--who work daily to engage and empower veterans and their families throughout their individual journeys. This week, the Travis Manion Foundation will recognize veteran Jake Wood with the group's annual `If Not Me, The Who Award' for his work to support military veterans upon their return home. This is not the first time the Travis Manion Foundation has recognized Jake--back in 2010, the group gave a fellowship to `Mission Continues' and `Team Rubicon', organizations Jake was involved with alongside Clay Hunt. Together, Jake and Clay performed over 500 service hours in humanitarian support with other veterans. It is fitting that we recognize Jake at this time as we honor Clay with the passing of this bill. The time is now for Senate and president must act on the `Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act'. Twenty-two lives lost a day are too many. One is too many. Let's work together--Congress, advocacy groups, and veterans--to put an end to the epidemic of veteran suicide.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I also am very pleased to join with my colleagues in both the House and the Senate in advancing legislation which will, we hope, appear on the President's desk to honor the service and sacrifice, the very significant sacrifice, of Corporal Michael Crescenz, whom, as we have heard many times here today, was Philadelphia's sole Medal of Honor winner during the Vietnam war. I want to also thank my friend, Mr. Fattah, for his work in getting the bill to the floor here today. Corporal Crescenz received a Medal of Honor for his actions on November 20, 1968, in Vietnam's Hiep Duc Valley. His citation states-- and I know the citation was already quoted here today, but I think it bears repeating, at least in part--that Corporal Crescenz gave his life when he ``left the relative safety of his own position, seized a nearby machinegun and, with complete disregard for his safety, charged 100 meters up a slope toward the enemy's bunkers, which he effectively silenced. As a direct result of his heroic actions, his company was able to maneuver freely with minimal danger and to complete its mission, defeating the enemy.'' By moving to rename the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, we immortalize the legacy of Corporal Crescenz and remember his sacrifice in the defense of our freedom. Mr. Speaker, the Philadelphia region has a long and proud tradition of selfless sacrifice to our Nation dating back to the Revolution. Generations of military members have called our area home, and they continue to serve today. We must continue to recognize those who sacrifice and those who gave their lives at the altar of freedom. Corporal Crescenz continues to have many friends, led by Joe Griffies and his friends at the Welcome Home Veterans radio program, who have never forgotten Michael Crescenz and have fought tirelessly as well for this legislation. Mr. Fattah's Corporal Michael J. Crescenz's Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center legislation reminds us all that the contributions of our Nation's veterans should never be forgotten.