John Faso

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I rise today to recognize and celebrate the career of Mrs. Kathleen Jimino on the occasion of her retirement as Rensselaer County executive. Kathy has retired after 16 years of dedicated service to the people of Rensselaer County. Throughout her tenure as county executive, Kathy was a driving force for economic growth and fiscal solvency in Rensselaer County, actively responding to the needs of her constituency in an effective and resourceful manner. In addition to the time as county executive, I am grateful for the many years Kathy spent loyally serving the people of New York State and the city of Troy. Kathy has been an esteemed leader of the community, and I thank her for her commitment to New York's 19th Congressional District. I wish Kathy and her husband, Vince, every happiness as they embark upon this new chapter in their lives.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend the happiest of birthday wishes to Mr. Arthur Koepp of Stephentown, New York who will be celebrating his 100th Birthday on January 15, 2018. Arthur has lived a life characterized by hard work and an unyielding selflessness, making him a pillar of his community. From an early age, Arthur exhibited an outstanding work ethic and a profound concern for others and the environment. As a boy, he worked on his family's 100-acre farm, ran his own farm stand, and was an active member of the local 4-H club. Arthur's curiosity about horticulture and farming led him to attend Cornell University to study agriculture. The active lifestyle of Arthur's youth has not diminished, however. He continues to live a fruitful life, one of passion, excitement, and variety. A man of family, community, and faith, Arthur was a Deacon and a Sunday School teacher for most of his adult life. Alongside his wife, Esther, Arthur was also actively involved with missionary work to help strengthen communities and aid vulnerable populations throughout the country. Arthur's legacy of dedicated service is a source of inspiration, instilling the values of perseverance, confidence, and civility in his community. Arthur's zeal for life has made him a great role model for the people of Upstate New York, and I am proud to be his Representative in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I wish Mr. Arthur Koepp a very happy and healthy 100th birthday.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Mr. Sam Pollak on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Pollak is retiring after 20 years of dedicated service to the Oneonta and Otsego County community as editor of the Oneonta Daily Star. Having worked for decades in newsrooms throughout the Nation, Mr. Pollak brought many years of experience and a proactive leadership to The Daily Star. I thank Mr. Pollak for his commitment to the people of the State of New York, and I wish him and his wife, Julie, every happiness as they embark upon this new chapter in life.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of Mr. Darrell Supak on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Supak is retiring after twenty-five years of exemplary service to Granite Associates, LP in Liberty, New York. I cherish the commitment of those distinct individuals who have tirelessly devoted themselves to their community, and Mr. Supak is no exception. Mr. Supak exemplifies compassion and leadership as a dedicated man of faith, an advocate for the arts, and a fierce defender of health care. A valued member of his community, Mr. Supak's regular involvement with numerous organizations and projects to further the causes he believes in, as well as to safeguard the wellbeing of his friends and neighbors, has set a high standard for others to follow. As a graduate of Texas A&M University's ROTC program and a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Mr. Supak is a fervent patriot, actively committed to supporting his fellow veterans. I am fortunate to have him, a man of great wisdom and experience, as a longtime member of our Congressional District's U.S. service academy panel. A true testament to his steadfast loyalty to country and community, Mr. Supak has received countless civil and military awards and decorations, including the prestigious Walter A. Rhulen Award for Business, Community and Humanity from the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development. Mr. Supak's legacy of hard work and philanthropy is a source of inspiration, instilling the values of determination, confidence, and civility in his community. I am grateful for Mr. Supak's years of dedicated service to the 19th District and to New York state. I wish Mr. Supak continued happiness as he embarks on this new chapter, and I am confident that even in retirement he will continue to be actively involved in service to our nation.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound respect that I rise today to recognize and celebrate Mrs. Juanita Knott for being named a ``New York State Registered Historian''. This designation is reserved for those special few in our state who exemplify ingenuity and have an authentic passion for promoting local history. Mrs. Knott has served the Town of Stuyvesant as its historian for over twenty years. Through actively conserving, interpreting, and presenting the town's history in unique and engaging ways, she has unearthed the wonders, heroes, and stories of Stuyvesant's past. Understanding local history is a key way in which we discover a shared identity and strengthen our democracy. That is why historians like Mrs. Knott play such a vital role in communities throughout New York and nationwide. I am grateful for Mrs. Knott's years of dedicated service to the Stuyvesant community, to the 19th District, and to New York state. I wish her the best as she continues to preserve the historical integrity of Stuyvesant. Her work will be remembered for generations to come.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of Bertha Rogers, the Founding Director of Bright Hill Press & Literary Center of the Catskills, on the occasion of her retirement and the twenty-fifth anniversary of Bright Hill Press. With her husband, Ernest M. Fishman, Bertha co-founded Bright Hill Press in 1992. Since then, through her dedicated work as an educator, mentor and an artist, Bright Hill has become an epicenter of free thinking and creativity, and a haven for writers both young and old. Bertha is gifted with remarkable literary talent. Her work has appeared in hundreds of literary journals and in several collections, and her translation of Beowulf was published in 2000. She has been the recipient several NYSCA and NYFA grants and residency fellowships to the McDowell Colony, the Millay Artists Colony, Jentel, Caldera, Saltonstall, Hedgebrook, and Hawthornden International Writers Residence (Scotland). Using this talent, Bertha has left a permanent mark on the Treadwell community through her work at Bright Hill. What started as weekly poetry readings, Bright Hill has grown to become an established and respected literary organization, attracting authors and poets both locally and worldwide. Largely the result of Bertha's time and efforts, Bright Hill now offers youth and adult writing workshops, reading series, small press publishing, and boasts an impressive literary library. Bertha's excitement for literature and poetry, combined with an authentic passion for teaching, has fostered an increased appreciation for writing and the arts in the Catskills. It is an honor to recognize Bertha and Bright Hill for their distinctive milestones. Leaving behind an organization marked by ingenuity, creativity, and passion, Bertha has given Bright Hill a buildable legacy which will grow in future years. I wish Bertha every happiness as she embarks on this new chapter, and I am confident that even in retirement she will continue to be an advocate for the literary arts. The 19th District and New York State are a better place because of Bertha and Bright Hill Press. I thank them for helping to make the Catskills a cultural center.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to recognize the illustrious career of James ``Jim'' Sacket on the occasion of his retirement. Jim is retiring this December after twenty years of dedicated service to Schoharie County as District Attorney. Originally from Pennsylvania, Jim has resided in Schoharie, New York for over sixty years. From a young age, he exhibited a rare diligence and a community-driven spirit. While attending Schoharie Central School, Jim was an Eagle Scout and an active participant in the National Honor Society as well as in many athletic programs. In 1984, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Suffolk University. He then went on to obtain his Juris Doctor degree in 1987, and later clerked for Attorney Paul Callahan in Duanesburg, New York. In 1990, Jim was admitted to the New York State Bar, and established his own practice shortly thereafter. Jim's legacy of hard work is a source of inspiration, instilling the values of determination, confidence, and civility in his community. In 1997, Jim was elected Schoharie County District Attorney and has proudly served as the county's Chief Law Enforcement Officer since. In this capacity, through his effective prosecuting, Jim has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to preserving the safety and security of Schoharie County. Jim is a man of uncommon judgement with a fierce loyalty to the integrity of our judicial system. As District Attorney, Jim served as a respected leader of the Schoharie community, and I thank him for his commitment to the State of New York. I wish him, his wife Rhonda, and their two children, James and Anne, every happiness as they embark on this new chapter.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Shimkus for his leadership in this regard. I thank the Speaker and my colleagues for the opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act. Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues, my district has numerous former industrial sites that have benefited directly from brownfields grant funding. Shortly after the program was authorized, the EPA selected the City of Oneonta as a recipient of a $200,000 brownfields assessment grant to prepare reuse plans for a 100-acre heavy industrial area. This modest assessment grant helped accelerate ongoing efforts to support site enhancement by providing essential financial support to the city. Similarly, Montgomery County has been able to utilize designations to assist it in the redevelopment of the former Beech-Nut manufacturing facility in the Village of Canajoharie. Mr. Speaker, I offer my full support for this bipartisan legislation because it works to better the lives of families and communities throughout my district and across America. I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this critical legislation.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sorrow that I rise today to announce the passing of our former colleague, Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Mr. Hinchey passed away on November 22, just before Thanksgiving, at the age of 79 in Saugerties, New York, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that was marked by fervent patriotism, political courage, and forward-thinking leadership. During his 20 years of service in the House of Representatives, Maurice Hinchey represented a broad swath of New York State, from the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains, over in the Southern Tier as well. Many of those areas make up what is today's 19th Congressional District, which I currently represent. I also had the honor of working alongside Mr. Hinchey for 6 years in the New York State Assembly. There, he developed and honed his legislative skills as chairman of the assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee. We proudly note the service of Maurice Hinchey to the Nation, and I am glad to be joined here by colleagues from the New York delegation and the dean of the delegation, Ms. Slaughter, to extend our heartfelt condolences to Maurice Hinchey's widow, and to the entire Hinchey family.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Smiley Family of Mohonk Mountain House for being named the recipients of the 2017 Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year by Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. This prestigious award acknowledges multigenerational, family-owned historic hotels that are exemplary in both their operation and preservation efforts. It is true testament to the Smiley Family's continued legacy of historical, environmental, and cultural stewardship. Founded in 1869 by Albert Smiley, the Mohonk Mountain House--a picturesque Victorian castle resort surrounded by vast forests and wildlife--is still owned and operated by the Smiley Family. What makes the Mohonk Mountain House such a prized treasure in the 19th District, and an attraction for travelers worldwide, is the Smiley Family's dedication to conserving the historical integrity of their resort and the land surrounding it. Using their timeless resort as a catalyst for historical, environmental, and cultural preservation, the Smiley Family has redefined the role of hoteliers and has established a higher standard of excellence. For example, in 1963, the Smiley Family founded the Mohonk Preserve, a nature preserve that safeguards more than 8,000 acres. In 1980, the Smiley Family also founded Mohonk Consultations, a non-profit think tank focused on environmental issues throughout the Hudson Valley. On behalf of New York's 19th District, I want to congratulate and celebrate the Smiley Family on their much-deserved award. We are grateful for the Smiley Family's dedication to the values we in the 19th District hold dear: environmental conservancy and a profound appreciation for history and culture.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Donald and Sharon Campbell, who have actively volunteered for more than a dozen years at the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry, a ministry of the Ichabod Crane Clergy Association in Columbia County. With Don serving as chairman from 2006 to 2017, the leadership of these two honorable individuals has enabled the food pantry to serve hundreds of families in northern Columbia County. Utilizing grants, community donations, local farms and markets, the Campbells have truly supported their less-fortunate neighbors, enabling those folks to better support their families and loved ones. Don and Sharon's efforts extend beyond the food pantry, aiding many other charitable pursuits in our community. We thank them as well as the volunteers of the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry for their gracious service to our Columbia County community.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to recognize the 250th anniversary of the Reformed Dutch Church in Claverack. Reverend John Gabriel Gebhard dedicated this historic sanctuary on November 8, 1767, adorning the church with the text, ``Stand in the gate of the Lord's House, and proclaim there His Word . . . enter in at these gates to worship the Lord.'' Reverend Gebhard headed the church for the next fifty years until his death, laying the foundation for what would be two more centuries of continued worship and community in central Columbia County. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Claverack's Reformed Dutch Church is a historic treasure. During the Revolutionary War, this building served as a refuge for soldiers and officers. Surrounding the church is the Claverack Cemetery, where Claverack residents connect to the community's earliest members. The church continues to serve as a center for religious, educational, and community activities. On November 5, 2017, Claverack will come together to celebrate this incredible milestone. I thank Pastor Linda Miles, Vice President and Senior Elder Louise Bliss, Senior Deacon Donna Lynk Campion, and all members of the local Reformed Dutch Church for their contributions to this special community. I am proud to honor the Reformed Dutch Church in Claverack for fostering 250 years of prayer and kinship.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 598.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Lipinski, my friend from Illinois, for holding this Special Order this evening, to highlight the important work being done by the Climate Solutions Caucus, to develop economically viable solutions to address climate change. Mr. Speaker, changing weather patterns and extreme weather events threaten nearly every aspect of New York State's economy, including our agricultural and outdoor recreational sectors. The recreational economy alone generates $42 billion in consumer spending each year, while supporting over 300,000 Empire State jobs. As we work to address climate change in a bipartisan manner, we must employ a variety of techniques that both mitigate impacts and support economic growth. I am currently working with my Agriculture Committee colleagues on conservation legislation for the next farm bill that will provide important data points on conservation programs and outcomes, allowing legislators and regulators to most efficiently use taxpayer dollars to achieve real conservation results for our farms. These incentive programs support farming practices that, among other benefits, like increasing yield, lowering the amount of fertilizers that are employed, pull carbon from the air and sequester it in the soil. In addition to sequestering carbon in the soil. We can also work to reduce emissions through greater efficiency in the transportation sector. Indeed, the transportation sector is one area where CO2 emissions have risen in the last 20 years, unlike, for instance, the electric generation sector. One easy fix would be to modernize the air traffic control system to fly planes on more direct satellite guided routes because direct routes save fuel. When Canada switched to a modern air traffic control system, the national fleet was able to reduce emissions in that nation by millions of tons per year. These commonsense changes are great steps forward in combating climate change, but our work is far from over. We must address the real impacts of man-made climate change and emphasize the need to develop and create jobs with a goal of protecting our environment. It is critical that we work together to develop smart solutions that will conserve our natural resources and protect our communities and infrastructure for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be a member of the Climate Solutions Caucus, and I look forward to working with my colleagues. I, particularly, want to applaud our distinguished friend from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski, for organizing this Special Order tonight on a bipartisan basis so that we can address this issue and allow the folks at home and all around the United States to better understand the work that is being done here in Congress on a bipartisan basis to address climate change.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 21st Century AIRR Act. This critical FAA reauthorization offers the best possible plan to finally modernize our antiquated air traffic control system. I recently traveled to Ottawa, Canada, with congressional colleagues to learn firsthand how Canada's private air navigation service provider has been efficiently and safely moving 12 million aircraft each year since 1996. This model consistently upgrades and improves air traffic control technology and isn't subject, as it is in the United States, to onerous government procurement rules. It is clear that this system works far better than its U.S. counterpart. These reforms would also benefit the environment, as the updated technology allows for more direct routes. For instance, in Canada, over the last 20 years, this has resulted in 1.4 billion fewer gallons of fuel that have been used just in the last 10 years, and twice that amount in the last 20 years. This needed change has widespread bipartisan support, and it would guarantee consistent funding for modernizing our air traffic safety system.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, today I rise to recognize Unalam, a family-run lumber manufacturing business in Otsego County, New York, which will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year on October 4. Unalam is owned by the Van Cott family, which has established a multigenerational reputation of supporting our upstate farmers and small businesses with quality lumber products and innovations. Unalam's journey began in 1892, when J.W. Van Cott began selling lumber in Unadilla, New York. Since then, each generation has left its mark on the family's business. Unalam has become a renowned firm for its expert production of glulam, or laminated timber barn rafters. Today, Unalam is headed by J.W. Van Cott's great-great-grandson, Craig Van Cott, and his children, Zoe Vandermeulen and Leif Van Cott. I thank and congratulate the Van Cott family as well as the past and present employees of Unalam as they celebrate this incredible milestone.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the commitment and dedication of Wayne Marshfield, who just recently retired after 50 years of hard work with the Delaware County Electric Cooperative. Over the course of his career, Wayne has supported the Cooperative's central mission of providing reliable and affordable energy services to families throughout its entire service area. Wayne's leadership and penchant for innovation have significantly enhanced the Cooperative's operations in our upstate communities. For example, Wayne developed the service location system, which greatly improved his company's service mapping, allowing us to greater respond to emergencies and needs of the community. In addition, he implemented the smart meter to modernize the area's outage alerts. We thank Wayne Marshfield for his indispensable 50 years of service at the Delaware County Electric Cooperative, and also his 20 years-plus service as Hamden's town supervisor. Wayne has always gone above and beyond to ensure affordable and reliable power to our local homes and businesses. Mr. Speaker, I salute Wayne Marshfield. Northern Columbia Lions Club 70th Anniversary

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Northern Columbia Lions Club, which will soon celebrate its 70th anniversary on September 30 of this year. Based in Valatie, New York, this Lions Club International post has a long history of extending a helping hand to neighbors in need. Its members practice charitable leadership, living out the Lions Club motto: ``Where there's a need, there's a Lion.'' This year alone, the Northern Columbia Lions Club has hosted vision screening tests for preschoolers, held a successful eyeglass drive for people in underdeveloped countries, refurbished benches in Chatham's Callan Memorial Park, and awarded scholarships to local college-bound students. I thank our past and present members of the Northern Columbia Lions Club for their 70 years of dedication to a better Columbia County and a better world.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the chairman's yielding of time. As we take this week to somberly remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, it is equally important that we remember the first responders who bravely ran towards the tragedy of 16 years ago, who woke up the next day, on September 12, 2001, still beaten, tired, and bruised but, again, walked towards those tragedies. Still, today, these first responders heroically risk life and limb to run toward tragedies. As Americans, we owe our first responders a great debt. For this reason, I ask my colleagues to support Mr. Collins' bill, H.R. 931, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act, which makes important first steps in lifesaving cancer research and future medical advancements for firefighters, who have disproportionately higher cancer risks. I would like to thank all of our first responders and urge passage of this important legislation, and I thank the bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation as well.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and congratulate Delaware County Sheriff Thomas Mills of Meredith, New York, on the occasion of his retirement from a 54-year career of service to his Nation and local community. A lifelong resident of Delaware County, Sheriff Mills enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps for 3 years after graduating from Franklin High School, and he was also deployed to Santo Domingo during the Dominican Civil War in 1965. Sheriff Mills attained the rank of corporal before returning to upstate New York, where he dedicated himself to protecting his local community through law enforcement at the State and local levels. Sheriff Mills retired on August 28, 2017, after more than 18 years of service as sheriff of Delaware County, during which time he built the new public safety building and jail as well as implemented the countywide 9/11 system. Sheriff Mills is a pillar of our Delaware County community, and I thank him and salute him and his family for their service, sacrifice, and never-ending desire to give back to their neighbors.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the Town of Davenport on the occasion of its bicentennial. On March 31, 1817, Davenport was established as a new town in Delaware County, New York. It is named for its founder, John Davenport, who first settled there less than a decade earlier and laid down the roots for what would become the vibrant community that exists today. For over 200 years, Davenport has participated in the American story, contributing to our great state and nation. On the weekend of July 29, 2017, the residents of Davenport will hold a well-deserved celebration of its history and accomplishments. In the neighborly and hospitable tradition of Davenport, this bicentennial celebration will reflect the values of this beautiful community, bringing families and residents together to commemorate the town they love and share. I formally thank the Town of Davenport and each of its residents of the past two centuries for their contributions to our Catskills community and our Upstate New York home. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record Davenport Town Supervisor Dennis Valente's statement regarding the Town of Davenport's bicentennial: An Anniversary is a time to look back. 200 years seems so long ago. However, a look back over the Town's history brings the present Davenport community closer together with our ancestors. It is with a good deal of enjoyment that we explore the past and realize the value of the old saying: the more things change, the more things stay the same. The first meeting for the Town of Davenport was in April 1817. The town recognized the need for our community to work together between neighbors and the community at large. The delicate balance of open space and individual property rights was addressed first in regard to free ranged animals. Along these past 200 years the Town has found itself involved in many issues including the establishment of local cemeteries, and community sacrifice in times of war. Immigrants from many countries settled here to be our blacksmiths, work our tanneries, and build our railroads. The work of woman suffrage was engaged by `bloomer girls' at Sexsmith Lake in 1911. Rural electrification of the 1930s was a struggle so similar to the rural internet broadband availability struggle today. The acknowledgment of a shared sense of values, with neighbors long ago, adds purpose to present day community engagement. We are a Town that endeavors to settle conflicts with reasoned engagement and a community that offers a helping hand when the need calls.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Sgt. Andrew Brucher Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5499, located in Kauneonga Lake, New York, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary on August 5, 2017. At its anniversary dinner, the Post will honor two very special people: Mrs. Mabel Brucher, a Gold Star Mother, and Mr. Raymond Jankowski, a veteran of the Second World War and founding Charter Member of Post 5499. Post 5499 is named for Sgt. Andrew Carl Brucher, son of Leo and Mabel Brucher of Smallwood, New York. Sgt. Brucher was inducted into the Army on November 8, 1965, arrived in Vietnam on January 6, 1967, and died on April 4, 1967, in Da Nang, Vietnam. Having served honorably, Sgt. Brucher was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Honoring those who serve our nation should be a top priority for all Americans, and the VFW is an essential organization that fosters camaraderie among American veterans and advocates on their behalf. Congratulations to Post 5499 on this milestone anniversary.

Mr. FASO

Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Mr. Ralph P. Avery of Claverack, New York, who will soon be awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal. Mr. Avery served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a crew member of an LCT-571 landing craft built in upstate New York. He bravely stormed Omaha Beach on D-day in defense of our freedoms and in service of European liberation. On that historic day, he courageously manned a 20-millimeter gun, firing upon enemy positions. For his heroic actions in combat and their importance to our French allies, next month Mr. Avery will be formally awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal, France's highest honor. Mr. Avery has been awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle East Campaign Medal with a Campaign Star for the invasion of Normandy, the Navy Combat Action Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal. Mr. Speaker, we thank Ralph P. Avery and his fellow veterans for their outstanding service to America and the cause of liberty.