Michael Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Speaker, regretfully I was out of town due to a family funeral. If I had been present to vote I would have voted ``yea'' on final passage of H.R. 6156--Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Veterans Day, I rise to honor all Veterans and the men and women of The Armed Forces and their families with a poetic tribute ``Thank You'' penned by Albert Carey Caswell. Thank You Thank . . . Thank you . . . Thank you, for all of your hearts so deep! So deep! Thank you, for all of your promises you did so keep! So keep! And all of you, who so bled for you and me! You and me! And to all those Mothers who now so weep! So weep! And all of those Fathers, whose pain now runs so very deep! So deep! And all of those families, who can now not together ever be! Ever be! And all those children, whose mommies and daddies will never again so see! So see! Thank you! And for all of you heroes, for whom the battle does now so rage! Does rage! Who have so seen your Brothers and Sisters In Arms so die, with tears in eyes as all in your arms they now so lay! So lay! And watch them so lose, their fine strong arms and legs! Arms and legs! Teaching us all how heroes are made! Are made! Thank you! Thank you for all you gave! You gave! And all of you who must now so rebuild, where none lies left as all of the angels you so instill! Instill! And all the ones who now must so awake, all in sweats in the middle of the night as do they! Do they! Who far across the shores, must live without loved ones in arms on each new day! New day! Thank You one and all in every way, words can not all you repay! Repay! And all of those, who must now so live with the scars of war! Of war! Who come home with PTSD, and so much more! So much more! Carrying those dreaded dark scars of war! Of war! Who for all of us have so fought for! Fought for! But For The Greater Good, our most blessed freedoms do so insure! So insure! Thank you, one and all the more! For there are not greater Americans, than you and your loved ones all the more! The more! Is that not what heaven is for? Is for! So on this Veteran's day, fall to your knees and pray! And pray! And thank all of those members and families, of The Armed Forces who such magnificence do so display! Display! And remember why you are free this day! This day! And why your children in such a great country can so awake! Awake!. For all they ask, is for you to stand behind them each day! In your hearts, make each day . . . Veterans Day! And remember the cost of freedom, with each step you take! You take! Because the cost of Freedom, is not Free! Not Free! Thank You!

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Gene Dovidio, a U.S Navy Veteran of World War II and last Bucks County survivor of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Mr. Dovidio passed away at the age of 87 on September 22, 2012. He represented the best of Bucks County. A family man, He was the widower of Shirley Thompson Dovidio, father of Sandy Norris, David, Philip, Steven and the late Gerald and Sharon. He was the brother of Margaret De Luca, grandfather of seven, great-grandfather of nine; and also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mr. Dovidio was an Eagle Scout and served honorably as a Boy Scout leader in the community for many years. Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Gene Dovidio, we mourn not just the man, who served his county honorably, but we also mourn the passing of an era. His death reminds of those who have served and those who continue to serve their country in the armed forces and we honor their sacrifices.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of William E. Neis, a resident of Bucks County who passed away on September 22 at the age of 93. Mr. Neis served as the honorable Mayor of Doylestown, PA, retiring after 25 years of volunteer service. He retired at the age of 86 as the longest serving mayor in Doylestown history and was known as ``The Doylestown Cupid'' for the thousands of weddings he performed for local couples. Friends and colleagues remembered him as a soft-spoken, modest man who embodied the characteristics and contributions of the ``greatest generation.'' Mr. Neis enjoyed distinguished careers. First, he served as a master sergeant in chemical warfare for the U.S. Army in World War II. He was the owner and CEO of William Neis & Son, Doylestown's soft drink bottler and beverage distributorship. He also was the state director of the PA Bottlers Association before becoming Mayor of Doylestown. William Neis represented the best of Bucks County. A lifelong resident of Doylestown, he served his community for a majority of his life, maintained a loving family and was respected by all in Doylestown for his humble and selfless nature. His contributions will be missed.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Harry Crohe, a member of the Bucks County Rescue Squad. Mr. Crohe joined the Rescue Squad in 1963 as a volunteer and is presently an Emergency Medical Technician. He has held the following positions, Director of First Aid, Chief, and President of the Board of Directors. He was Chairman of the employee relations, fundraising, ambulance and building committees. During his tenure with the Bucks County Rescue Squad, Mr. Crohe also served as a volunteer fireman and on the Bristol Borough Town Council. Presently, he serves on the Bristol Borough Planning Commission. His wife Cathy also volunteers with the Rescue Squad. Mr. Speaker, Harry Crohe exemplifies all of the best qualities in a Bucks County resident. He has worked tirelessly for 50 years to help members of his community and improve the local quality of life. His efforts should be commended. Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bucks- Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for their service to the local community. For twenty years, this chapter of NAIR has worked tirelessly to educate and grow successful business while improving the homes of families who need it most. Over the last decade the men and women of the Bucks-Mont NAIR have put in over 7,334 volunteer man hours. These volunteers have donated their time, as well as the necessary tools and materials for worthwhile causes such as Habitat for Humanity, the New Beginnings Community Church, and the Vietnam Veteran Project. Throughout its twenty year history, this chapter has showed a continued commitment to serving others who are in need and I am confident that they will continue to do so for years to come.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Lauren Haynes, one of my constituents in Pennsylvania's 8th District. Thanks to Lauren's tireless efforts in pursuing excellence in education, she has been awarded the James. R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Offered to the families of union members, the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship is a highly competitive program which rewards applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to their education. Thomas Jefferson deeply valued a good education, once declaring that ``above all things I hope the education of the people will be attended to; convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty.'' Lauren has carried on this American tradition of academic excellence, and I wish her the best of luck as she continues her work at Drexel University this Fall.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Mandir in my home of Levittown, Pennsylvania for hosting Sadguru Sant Pujya Kothari Swami later this month for a spiritual evening event during his visit to the United States. Pujya Kothari Swami, one of the seven most senior sadhus of BAPS, will be visiting the United States to perform the Opening Ceremony of the Satsang Activity Center in neighboring New Jersey. The work done by Pujya Kothari Swami in his missionary work across the country and around the globe is deeply respected and praised by the entire Swaminarayan community. It is truly an honor for Bucks County to host this important spiritual figure in the Swaminarayan faith. As my constituents gather together for a night of spiritual enlightenment and community, I join them in welcoming Pujya Kothari Swami and wish him all the best during his time in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of the late Reverend Alfred C. Krass, retired pastor of the United Christian Church in Levittown, Pennsylvania, and former missionary to Ghana. This weekend, the Interfaith Community of Lower Bucks County will posthumously present their inaugural Peace Prize to Reverend Krass, who passed away last year at the age of seventy-four. Throughout his life, Reverend Krass was a symbol of unity and peace who called for open communication between those of different faiths and cultures. Reverend Krass was also the founder and first president of the Interfaith Housing Development Corp. of Bucks County and the Lower Bucks Center for Church and Community. Dedicating his life to the service of others, Reverend Krass was a selfless leader who left a lasting impression on his community, and serves as an example to us all.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor the life and memory of Pennsylvania Police Officer Bradley Fox. Brad Fox was a 5-year veteran of the Plymouth Township Police Department in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Having grown up in my home of Bucks County, Officer Fox graduated from William Tennent High School and went on to serve his country for 10 years in the United States Marine Corps. A well-decorated soldier, Officer Fox received, among other accolades, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon returning from his military service, Officer Fox joined his local police force in Montgomery County, where he built a life for himself, his wife, Lynsay, their daughter, and a second child who is on the way. On the night of Thursday, September 13, the family, friends, and fellow officers of Brad Fox received the phone call they hoped would never come. Officer Fox was responding to a report of a hit-and-run in his suburban Philadelphia township. As he was investigating the incident, both Officer Fox and his canine companion were ambushed by the suspect and attacked, which left Officer Fox fatally wounded. Yesterday afternoon, I attended the burial services for Officer Fox at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County. The show of support from the local law enforcement community and the people of southeastern Pennsylvania as a whole was inspiring and it was heartfelt. To see that in such a short lifetime this father, husband, brother, son, veteran, and police officer had touched so many lives was a testament to the kind of person that Brad Fox was. He dedicated his entire life to service to his community and to his country and should serve as an example to every one of us. Every day in Montgomery County and in Bucks County and in communities across this great Nation, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics are working to preserve the public safety. These men and women wake up every morning and head to work not knowing what dangers they may encounter during their shift. The loss of Officer Brad Fox serves as a somber reminder of the risks our police officers face each and every day. Here in our Nation's capital, just a few miles from where I stand at this very moment, is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Etched into this memorial are the names of countless men and women who gave their lives in service to their communities. Sadly, Officer Brad Fox will join that roll of honor. Also carved on the memorial are quotes which capture the spirit of those honored there, including one from former President George H.W. Bush, which reads: Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American Dream. There can be no doubt that Officer Bradley Fox did his part in his quest to preserve the American Dream. Our country owes a debt of gratitude to Officer Fox and to his family for the sacrifice he made and they made to keep his community a safe place to work and to live and to raise a family.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Dr. James J. Linksz on the occasion of his retirement from his post as president of the Bucks County Community College in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As its president for the last 20 years, Dr. Linksz has led the community college through some of its most ambitious expansions, including new investments in technology, the addition of distance- learning courses, and impressive updates to campus buildings and infrastructure. William Arthur Wood once said the mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, and the great teacher inspires. During his time at Bucks County Community College, Dr. Linksz has inspired countless students through his leadership and dedication to providing men and women of all ages from Bucks County with a quality education. On behalf of the people in Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District, I thank Dr. Linksz for his service to the community, and I wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow our Nation will mark the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. At community gatherings across the country, neighbors will come together to honor the memory of those lost in New York, Pennsylvania, and our Nation's capital, including a ceremony in Bucks County at the 9/11 Garden of Reflection, the official Pennsylvania memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks. As I stand before you this evening, I'm reminded of the President's address to the Nation the evening of the attacks. In his remarks to the Nation, the President said that: Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. Eleven years later, our resolve has never been stronger, and we continue to honor the memory of those tragically lost that day.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dublin Borough in my home of Bucks County, Pennsylvania as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary this month. Dublin's history reaches back to before the Revolutionary War and our declaration of independence from Great Britain. The first Scotch-Irish settlers began settling what is now Upper Bucks County as early as 1681, and in 1832, the people of this community began an eighty-year process of petitioning the state of Pennsylvania to become its own municipality. In September 1912, the people of Dublin earned their autonomy and have built a community of which they can be proud. Since the formation of the Borough of Dublin 100 years ago, the population has exploded and a rich diversity of small businesses and families have come to add to its proud history. While they have faced the same trials and challenges each of our communities have faced over the course of the last century, the people of Dublin have persevered and continue to build a welcoming place to live, work and raise their families. I commend Dublin Borough for its perseverance and success in these first 100 years, and wish them the best of luck in the years to come.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th Anniversary of Sines Nickel & Dime Store, a local institution in my home of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For 100 years, Sines has been family owned and operated, offering a chance for its customers to step back in time and find hundreds of antiques, many of which come right from the local community. As part of Sine's commitment to friendly and dependable service, breakfast and lunch are made from scratch and served daily at the Soda Fountain where friends and neighbors gather as they have for generations. Today, Sines continues to sell novelties of the past as they cope with the challenges that many small businesses across our nation face. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by the Sine family in these difficult economic times serves as an example of the American entrepreneurial spirit which drives our economy. Sines Nickel & Dime Store is an example of dedication to serving its customers, I congratulate them on their 100 years of success and wish them many more to come.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fincher).

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, the amendment I'm offering tonight would require the SEC, when reviewing regulations, to consider the burden of applying section 404(b) of Sarbanes Oxley to companies with a public float of less than $250 million. Simply put, this amendment requires regulators to consider the cost of a specific regulation which hinders job creation in my district and across the Nation. Section 404(b) requires audits of a public company's internal controls. While this sounds innocuous, the cost of external audits can be staggering. Those costs are exponentially more burdensome on smaller companies. Currently, the law extends the auditing requirement to any company with a public float of $75 million or more, and that number has been widely criticized as too low and adds an extremely costly burden on small and growing companies. Recognizing that burden on emerging growth companies, the House overwhelmingly passed, as part of the JOBS Act, an exemption from 404(b) for companies with up to $1 billion in revenue for 5 years after their initial public offering. This amendment would merely require the SEC to consider the burden of section 404(b) when reviewing their regulations and would not change current law. This amendment would apply to all companies and would not discriminate based on when a company issued their IPO. Congress and the SEC have appropriately recognized that all companies are not the same, and smaller companies should be exempt from certain regulations. This amendment asks that the SEC consider these costs on smaller companies. If companies are priced out of being able to go public, it restricts capital formation and job creation. For those companies that still choose to go public, resources that could otherwise be used to hire and grow are being sucked away by unproductive compliance costs. Madam Chair, Synergy Pharmaceuticals is a New York-based company that does their entire R&D in Doylestown Borough in my district. They have 10 employees in their Doylestown research facility and 10 employees in New York. These are good-paying jobs, but by most definitions, this is a small company. In fact, their market capitalization exceeds even the increased threshold of $250 million that this bill references, which is why some have advocated exempting companies with a public float as high as $500 million or $1 billion. I reached out to their chief scientific officer and their chief financial officer to discuss this issue with them, and their comments were very instructive. I heard that 404(b) was one of the most significant regulatory burdens they face. In their words, ``It hurts.'' It was not the direct costs of external audits or the person they had to hire internally to deal with these requirements but the time that was spent and the efforts that were wasted. According to them, hours and even days worth of time was spent finding ways to document and justify their procedures for something as menial as where the checkbook was kept. What would they do with the extra money if they didn't have to spend it on compliance? The answer I got was that there is no question it would go directly into research and development. I ask my colleagues, where is this money more productively used: in documenting how the checkbook is stored at night or hiring research assistants in communities like Doylestown and in New York? Madam Chairman, entrepreneurial companies like Synergy are those we are counting on to create wealth and jobs and restore America's vibrant economy. Their story is not unique, particularly in industries like biotechnology. This Congress recognized the importance of decreasing the regulatory burden on small and emerging companies in a strong bipartisan manner just a few months ago with the JOBS Act. This amendment is an extension of that effort, and I encourage my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Pennsylvania State Representative Anthony Melio, who passed away on Thursday afternoon. To his family, friends, and neighbors, he was known simply as ``Tony,'' ``Pop Pop,'' and ``Uncle Tony.'' In the Pennsylvania State capitol, he was known as a hardworking and honorable State representative. Having served his country in the Naval Reserves and working as one of the first employees in the United States Steel Fairless Works in Bucks County, Tony's story is the story of my hometown of Levittown, Pennsylvania, a town of dignified and hardworking people. Tony Melio was a man who built his political career on bringing the community together with his contagious smile and his warm personality. He embodied the spirit of public service during his time in Harrisburg. As the people's representative from Lower Bucks County, Tony carried out his duties with dignity and perseverance. His commitment to his family and his community were the hallmarks of his service. A man of great faith, Bucks County has lost one of its most well- respected and beloved public servants in Tony Melio. I, like so many, had the privilege of calling Tony a friend and a neighbor, and my thoughts and prayers are with the Melio family in this difficult time. I thank the United States House of Representatives for stopping to remember this dignified public servant this morning.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, for generations, brave young men and women from across the United States have answered the call of duty in service of our Nation. Now, as the conflicts on foreign fields continue to wind down, we must ensure that we do not lose sight of the need to care for and provide for our returning veterans. Our Nation has learned from generations of veterans that war does not end when the camps are packed in, the planes are grounded, the ships are docked, and our soldiers set foot on American soil. General Washington once reminded us that the willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. However, during these difficult economic times, our veterans are still faced with challenges as they return to civilian life. In March of this year, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that among veterans who have served in the post 9/11 era, the unemployment rate is 12 percent higher than the national average. Among young male veterans under the age of 24, the unemployment rate is 29 percent--nearly one-third are unemployed. One unemployed veteran is one too many, but these statistics demonstrate an economic reality which is quite unacceptable. It is important to understand that this hardship comes not from a lack of willingness to work by our veterans but rather from a lack of opportunity. Consider that according to the most recent census, over 2.4 million of our Nation's veterans are now small business owners. Veteran-owned companies now make up 9 percent of all U.S. firms. The Small Business Administration now estimates that one in seven veterans is self-employed or is a small business owner. And finally, nearly a quarter of veterans say they're interested in starting or buying their own business. So our veterans continue to do their part. It is clear that our Nation's veterans are ready and willing to invest in our economy if we provide them with the opportunities they seek and, quite frankly, with the opportunities that they deserve. With the President's announcement earlier this year that all of our young men and women will be home from Afghanistan within the next 2 years, we, as a community and as a country, must begin working now to ensure that we are providing our returning servicemen and -women with job opportunities as they seek to reintegrate into civilian life. To address this, I've offered legislation called the Fairness to Veterans Act to provide the same preferences given to other preference groups in Federal contracting. It levels the playing field for veteran- owned businesses to help get our economy moving and our veterans back to work. This amendment furthers the goal of the Fairness to Veterans Act. As our Nation struggles to achieve an economic recovery, we should be looking to utilize the talent and leadership skills of our Nation's veterans. These men and women volunteered to selflessly serve our country and, in order to succeed, must display self-discipline and leadership. It is character traits like these that should be nurtured and fostered to help our economy grow again. Ultimately, all of our efforts in the House must be focused on putting our constituents back to work, and this legislation will do just that by creating new opportunities for our veterans. With the passage of this amendment, we will be one step closer to leveling the playing field for our veterans. The guidelines included in this amendment will provide veteran-owned businesses with the access they need to grow and to create jobs. The skill sets possessed by our highly trained veterans are unmatched across the globe. In fact, our fighting men and women are, unquestionably, the most highly trained, highly skilled workforce in history. It is critical that we fully utilize their expertise to put our economy back on the right track. The men and women of the military have risked their lives in service to us. This amendment is our opportunity to begin to repay that incredible debt. With that, Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment in furtherance of working with staff to institute this policy of fairness to veterans in a way that will benefit our returning veterans and benefit our country.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. I thank the chairman, and I look forward to working with you.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Warrington-Warwick Little League softball team for their victory over Minersville on Saturday in the State championship game in Pennsylvania. Our community can be proud to be represented by this group of young women as they compete for the regional title this week. As the father of three girls who are involved in our community, I understand the dedication required of the players and their families to achieve such a success. The team will head to Bristol, Connecticut, today, where they will compete against State championships from nine other States for the title. Congratulations to Coach Bitting, Coach Corso, and Coach Ruscio, and players Stephanie Andreoli, Madison Bitting, Sophia Boggs, Meghan Bradley, Lauren and Nicole Corso, Lauren Crim, Alexandra DeLeon, Sabrina Dobron, Kaitlyn Hammond, Alexis McConomy, Madeline McShane, Giuliana Ruscio, and Cassie Underkofler. Congratulations once again to everybody who took part in this historic run. We wish all the players and coaches and parents the best. I'm proud and honored to see a local team go so far.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Peddler's Village in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary this month. A community staple in my home of Bucks County, millions of guests from across the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys have visited this center of commerce and culture over the last five decades. Founded in 1962 with the opening of a handful of small shops and a flagship restaurant, Peddler's Village now attracts 1.6 million annual visitors to its 70 independently-owned specialty shops, six restaurants and year-round festivals across its 42 acres of landscaped gardens and colonial-era architecture. The success of this collection of Bucks County small-business men and women in fulfilling the vision of its founder, Earl Jamison, serves as an example to each of us of the creativity and perseverance of the American spirit. Congratulations to Peddler's Village on marking 50 years of tradition, and I wish them the best of luck in the decades to come.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Thank you, Chairman Smith, for your time and your support and your leadership on this significant reform legislation. Your staff has been wonderful to work with. I'd like to give special recognition to Caroline Lynch and Art Baker, both of whom did a fantastic job on this bill. Madam Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support these needed reforms to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program. The Public Safety Officers' Benefit Act created the program in 1976 to provide benefits to the families of those first responders who die or become disabled in the line of duty. For the past 35 years, Congress has affirmed its support for the program and these benefits. Now we have the opportunity, through needed reforms, to make the PSOB program even better. This bill corrects a tragic oversight in current law that unfairly excludes certain first responders. My inspiration for this bill, Madam Speaker, is Daniel McIntosh. ``Danny Mac,'' as he was known to his family and his friends, was a veteran of the Bensalem Emergency Medical Services. Dan served numerous other Bucks County communities both as a paramedic and as a volunteer firefighter since 1993. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Point Pleasant Fire Company and had achieved life member status. He was a member of the Nottingham Fire Department, a newly sworn police officer for the Hulmeville Police Department, and was a TAC Medic for the Bucks County SWAT Team and for the Bucks County Hazardous Materials SWAT Team. As we can see, Dan's life was dedicated to public service, and he gave his life doing what he loved. Danny suffered a fatal heart attack while in the performance of his duties as a member of the Bensalem Rescue Squad. Because the entity that he was working with was a nonprofit emergency medical service provider, his family has been denied the PSOB benefit. This is unfair treatment for those who put themselves in harm's way in service to their communities. This bill would change that and ensure that families like Danny's receive the benefits they deserve. I recognize and I thank the McIntosh family for the sacrifice that they made to our community. I also recognize the legacy of Dale Long, a Vermont EMT, who was killed in an ambulance accident in 2009 and whose life has motivated companion PSOB reform in the Senate. I am proud to sponsor this legislation for them and for the loved ones of first responders all across our great country. Finally, Madam Speaker, this bill includes numerous taxpayer protections and streamlines the delivery of benefits. Many of us came to Congress on the promise to make government more efficient and more effective, and this bill would do just that. Members supporting this legislation will be able to report to their constituents that not only are they being good stewards of the taxpayer dollars but that they are also improving a program that provides widely supported benefits to our Nation's first responders. At this time, Madam Speaker, I note the support of many organizations for the bill, including the American Ambulance Association, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, as well as several rescue squads from across my home State of Pennsylvania. I want to again thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Conyers for their leadership and for their support for this very important piece of reform legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it as well.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 90th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in Bristol, Pennsylvania. St. Thomas Aquinas Church was built in 1922 as a place for working men and women of Southeast Pennsylvania to gather to pray. Funded by the generosity of the local community and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Fr. Nolan founded this parish to unify the communities of Croydon, Bristol, and Bensalem. St. Thomas Aquinas Church was named after the 13th century Sicilian theologian. A prominent member of the Dominican Order, St. Thomas Aquinas revolutionized philosophy, modern political theory, and ethical morality. Many consider his most notable work, Summa Theologica, to be one of the foundations of the Catholic faith and modern theology. His contributions to intellectual thought have allowed him to become the patron saint of academics and Catholic schools. Although St. Thomas Aquinas Church has struggled through some setbacks in the past few years, the current pastor, Fr. Mike Davis, has made it his mission to unify the community. By recommitting his church to its original mission, Fr. Mike has rallied his parishioners to persevere through the recent closing of their elementary school, and unveil a major renovation effort to improve their facilities. Completed solely by the parishioners themselves, the new refurbishments not only update the facility's technology, but also display beautiful religious paintings and depictions from history. As we look back on the past 90 years of commitment and service to the communities of Bristol and Croydon, I only hope that the future continues to bring more prosperity to St. Thomas Aquinas Church. I am proud to stand with Fr. Mike, his parishioners, and the members of my district in celebrating the 90th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church.