Brian Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Gasperi family, who will be moving to Kenya in August on a mission to bring clean, fresh water to the schools in the surrounding area. The Gasperi family seeks to provide clean water to schools in the city of Nakuru. Clean water will help the Kenyans avoid waterborne parasites and illnesses that interfere with childhood education. Ashley Gasperi grew up in Kenya, and, with her husband, Chris, started a nonprofit called Ekenywa, which means a new beginning. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for school-aged children in Kenya and to eradicate poverty. Both Chris and Ashley hold their master's degrees in nursing. Chris serves as a nurse manager at St. Mary Medical Center's orthopedic center, and Ashley serves as a clinical instructor at Temple University. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire Eighth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, we are so proud of the Gasperi family. We wish them the best as they work to provide a brighter future and cleaner water for all the children of Kenya.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of the Anti-Defamation League, or ADL. The founder of this uplifting organization, Sigmund Livingston, envisioned an America where we all are created and treated equally. This is an objective that remains ever-relevant in today's America. Through programming in schools, the ADL creates dialogue to educate and prepare students to fight back against hate and confront discrimination wherever it may exist. In addition, the ADL works to bring individuals together to build understanding. I have had the pleasure of meeting a special person, Rabbi Gruenberg, a leader in Congregation Beth El, in my community, as well as the Philadelphia ADL, earlier this year. I am proud to stand with my neighbors, advocates, and elected officials of every stripe to reaffirm that there is no room for hate or discrimination in any of our communities. The work of the Anti-Defamation League must continue and expand, because the only way we can end senseless hate is by building bridges and engaging with people we may perceive as being different from ourselves. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the ADL for the incredibly important work they are doing. I stand with them, as should everyone in this Chamber.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and members of the House Judiciary Committee for their work on this issue. And as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, the issues being debated and voted on this week are an area of critical importance when it comes to keeping our Nation and our people safe. Mr. Speaker, we are a nation of immigrants. I am the grandson of Irish immigrants. We are also a nation of laws. Both must be respected and honored by all of us. Left, right, or center, we can all agree that our immigration system is broken, and given that broken status, it is the responsibility of this body to fix it. This goal cannot be achieved by selectively choosing which laws we enforce and which laws we ignore. As a former FBI agent, I worked each day to keep Americans and keep our Nation safe. And as a Federal prosecutor, I prosecuted cases that resulted in the removal of violent felons who were in our country illegally in order to keep our communities safe. I have seen firsthand the threats our Nation faces from a fragmented and broken immigration system and a porous border. We cannot and must not allow partisanship to prevent sensible fixes from being implemented. Our Nation's security depends on us. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today is one borne of a preventable tragedy. Kate Steinle was a bright, aspiring, 32-year-old woman with a life of possibilities ahead of her. Let this bill be her legacy. Let this bill result in Kate Steinle saving the lives of others. Let us do her that honor. Kate's Law will increase penalties for those who reenter our country following their removal from the U.S., including Federal prison sentences up to 25 years for those previously deported who have criminal records. Moreover, this bill supports our brave women and men in law enforcement as they work to keep violent gangs and criminal cartels, including the likes of MS-13, out of our communities. I am a cosponsor of this legislation, and I am proud to advance it. Mr. Speaker, the time is now for us to step up and protect those who elected us to serve on their behalf, and I urge all of my colleagues to make a bold bipartisan statement to our communities back home today. Join me in support of H.R. 3004. Let's get this done for Kate Steinle and her family.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Network of Victim Assistance, NOVA, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. NOVA seeks to support, counsel, and empower victims of sexual assault and abuse in our region through advocacy and community education. By utilizing individual and group counseling, victims of sexual assault and abuse can regain control of their lives, and through education programs, children and communities learn to be advocates for victims of abuse, as well as prevention and personal safety. Additionally, NOVA Bucks County maintains a 24-hour hotline to be able to support all sexual assault victims to get the assistance that they need, as well as assistance in court and safety programs for those with disabilities. I was pleased to tour their facility earlier this year. I am thankful for the work of Penny Ettinger, Kathy Bennett, Steve Doerner, Keith Kirkner, Mandy Mundy, Bill Hoblin, and so many of the NOVA staff and volunteers serving Bucks County, including generous volunteers such as Tina Greenwood. Through its programs and projects, NOVA empowers victims of sexual assault and abuse, providing them with the resources and security they need to live in spaces free from violence. I am proud to stand with them in their mission to stand with victims in the fight to end sexual assault.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 65th anniversary of my hometown, Levittown, Pennsylvania. On June 23, 1952, the first 20 families moved into Levittown, which is one of the first planned communities built in the U.S. With its partially framed housing, immature landscaping, and muddy streets, Levittown, in 1952, is a frontier outside of the city of Philadelphia. Levittown's first official family, the Doughertys, moved into their home on Stonybrook Drive and embraced the American Dream of homeownership. And as Mrs. Dougherty told reporters in Levittown, she described Levittown as country living with city conveniences. Between 1952 and 1958, Levitt & Sons built 17,311 single-family houses with lawns. There were six models a family could choose from: the Levittowner, the Rancher, the Jubilee, the Pennsylvanian, the Colonial, and the Country Clubber. Levitt & Sons pushed the boundaries of housing construction by perfecting the homebuilding assembly line. Levittown remains a special place in Bucks County. Originally designed as a completed community, Levittown grew into the model middle class community. In fact, it became a popular place for hundreds of returning World War II veterans who wanted to start families of their own. Now Levittown is home to over 50,000 residents with schools, churches, parks, and businesses that foster a sense of community for families to live and work. Residents of Levittown have worked in our steel mills, built our infrastructure, and served in our military--all while raising their children. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Levittown my hometown, and I am grateful to represent this close-knit and hardworking community. Congratulations to all who have called Levittown home for the last 65 years. Happy birthday, Levittown. Recognizing Network of Victim Assistance

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of a tireless public servant in Bucks County. Ms. Lynn Bush, the Executive Director of the Bucks County Planning Commission and Chief Clerk of the County, retired last week after more than eighteen years serving her friends and neighbors. The work Ms. Bush has done throughout her career has helped the businesses of Bucks County to flourish, and oversaw the preservation of Bucks County's 200th farm, as part of her passionate work protecting open space in the county. Her service stands as a reminder that we make a life by what we give others.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Penndel Police Department upon the dedication of their new headquarters building, named in honor of the Department's first Chief, Fred C. Dunkley, who served in the position for more than thirty years. The members of this Department are uniformly loved and respected within the community in which they live and serve. Their mission, to affirmatively promote, preserve, and provide a feeling of security and safety among all persons within their jurisdiction, has brought the community together in a time when many communities grow further apart. They set an example from which all of us can learn, and we thank them for their incredible service. To the members of the Penndel Police Department, past, present, and future, we say thank you.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, these young men have shown us what success can look like on the baseball field, and I am confident that they will succeed in all of their future endeavors, continuing to make all of us in Bucks County proud.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Pennsbury High School baseball team on winning their first State title on June 16, 2017. After withstanding a rain delay of nearly 3\1/2\ hours, the Pennsbury Falcons triumphed over District 3 Dallastown in the PIAA Class 6A final at Penn State University. Thanks to Nick Price's single in the bottom of the seventh, the Falcons avoided extra innings and emerged on top, winning the game 1-0. Pennsbury ended the season on 13 straight wins. Their pitching staff gave up one run in the playoffs, and zero runs in the last 30 innings. Billy Bethel was 4-0 with 0 earned runs in 27 innings in the district and State playoffs. Mr. Speaker, it was Michael Jordan who said: ``Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.'' The Pennsbury Falcons are something special, led by 13 seniors and Head Coach Joe Pesci. They should be extremely proud--not only for their accomplishments on the field, but also the pride that they brought to their families, to their school, and to the entire Eighth Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Congressional Record the individual names of the PIAA 6A Championship Pennsbury High School Falcon baseball team. R.J. Huth, Jake Martell, Christian Buchler, Gary Minnes, Vaughn Ward, Alan Wolf, Josh Tesarck, Max Crawn, Bryan Nagy, Justin Ward, Ryan McCarty, Josh Arruda, Alec Wilson, Nick Price, Tommy Erickson, Shane Ostrowsky, Nate Derry, Ben Spadea, Justin Massielo, Kyle Dear, Dave Murphy, Billy Bethel, Tyrone Hodges Jr, Alex Ritter.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and success of a group of students from my district attending Bucks County Community College. This group, Nik Bertnio, Roshan Thomas, Alex White, and their faculty advisor, Christine Delahanty, were recently named as one of only ten finalists teams in the National Science Foundation's Community College Innovation Challenge. Their project, named Simply Secure, would produce a low-cost, portable device that small businesses and everyday consumers could use to confidently and securely connect to any wireless network, regardless of whether that network has been compromised. The group's hard work, and dedication to bettering their community and the world around them, should make all of us proud.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, the ranking member, and Senator Rubio for their leadership. Mr. Speaker, scandal after scandal has caused heightened distrust between veterans and the VA. For far too long, veterans nationwide have been disrespected by those who are supposed to be advocates for them, sometimes with deadly consequences. Be it in regional offices--like the one in Philadelphia, which my office has worked closely with--or medical centers, from Phoenix to Florida, we have seen the devastating impact of the current culture of mismanagement and distrust, and its impact on backlogged claims and lack of care for those who devoted their lives to serve our country. The legislation before the House today institutes the needed reforms throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs by granting the authority, and the expectation, that the Secretary remove, demote, or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct. Rebuilding this trust between Veterans Affairs and those who had served us must be a priority. The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act is crucial to reforming this trust, and I am proud to support it. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. We must serve our veterans as well as they have served us.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, the motto of the United States Coast Guard is Semper Paratus--``Always Ready''--and throughout its history, the members of our Coast Guard have stood ready to protect our homeland from all threats. I rise today to recognize the important work of our Coast Guard as well as its members throughout history, including those like Edward Plath. Edward, like so many Americans of his day, answered the call to service at the onset of World War II. Despite being turned down by the Army over medical concerns, he soon joined the Coast Guard and served honorably in New Jersey, protecting the region's coastline and its vital ports from the ever-present danger of Nazi attack. But for Edward, the Coast Guard during the war meant more than just duty to country. It was on a blind date with a fellow sailor that he met the woman he said he would marry. A year later, they married, and for over six decades Edward and his wife lived as a loving couple and raised three daughters, including my constituent, Elizabeth Donaldson. Mr. Plath passed away in 2010, just a couple months after his wife. But on May 17 of this year, he was buried at sea with full military honors off the coast where he served in New Jersey. I am grateful for Mr. Plath's service to our Nation, and I am proud our team in Bucks County could assist his daughter in honoring his final wish. Mr. Speaker, we owe a debt of gratitude to Edward Plath and to all those who serve and continue to serve, and we must always be ready to support them in any way we can, consistent with the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, over the last 60 years, the Franciscan Friars shaped the lives of many students and families that have passed through the halls of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in lower Bucks County. It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to announce the departure of the Franciscan community from Conwell-Egan. If you went to Egan like me, then you knew Father Fidelis and Brother Larry. Their service and the service of more than 150 other Friars who have ministered there have brought profound grace and enrichment to the lives of so many young men and women throughout lower Bucks County. The Franciscan Order at Conwell-Egan reinforced the school mission of building character through service, achieving academic excellence, and demonstrating a commitment to a life full of learning. Myself, my family, and the entire lower Bucks County community are forever grateful for their continuous guidance and their continuous support. As we say good-bye to these exemplary individuals, true representatives of St. Francis, we wish them the best as they move on to their next mission.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, over a million Americans, including 200,000 young Americans, are living with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin. This disease is fatal without strict adherence to a regimented schedule of multiple daily insulin injections or continuous pump infusions, along with close monitoring of blood glucose levels. My constituent Aislinn Keenan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 2 years old. She does not remember a day when she did not need to lance her finger multiple times a day to check her blood sugar or receive insulin injections. Despite these challenges, Aislinn and her family serve as an inspiration to all those facing this disease. Through courage and perseverance, they refuse to let type 1 diabetes stand in their way. Aislinn just finished her sophomore year at Villanova University. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation projects that 5 million Americans will have type 1 diabetes by 2050, including 600,000 young people, yet only one-third of the people with type 1 diabetes are achieving safe blood glucose levels. Accordingly, I am urging my colleagues to fully fund the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Presently, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes and no cure for it once diagnosed. Only through robust funding and exhaustive research at the NIH can we continue to drive scientific progress to make the lives of those living with type 1 diabetes safer and healthier.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, while our Nation faces many challenges, perhaps none is more pressing than that of growing our economy. The positive impact of strong, sustained economic growth has the potential not only to help families make ends meet, but it will also address the many other pressures we face. The time is now for Congress and this administration to act on meaningful tax reform. The model is simple and straightforward. We need to simplify the ridiculously complex Internal Revenue Code, eliminate the loopholes that allow corporations and individuals to avoid paying their fair share, lower the rates for middle class families and small businesses, and broaden the tax base. As a certified public accountant, an independent voice for the people of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, I intend to push vehemently to make tax reform a reality in this Congress. Moreover, this can and must be a bipartisan priority. A 1.5 percent growth in GDP is simply unsustainable. If that trend continues, we will not be able to fund priorities such as bolstering our national security, taking care of our veterans, combating the addiction crisis, funding public education, preserving our environment, and a whole host of other priorities. Economic growth has three essential aspects: tax reform, regulatory reform, and a balanced budget. The REINS Act and the upcoming vote on the CHOICE Act will start this process on the regulatory side, which will revive the ability of community banks to support local economies and advance infrastructure investment that puts Americans back to work by rebuilding roads, schools, bridges, as well as our IT infrastructure and the electrical grid. The other critical component is tax reform, and we owe it to the American people to get this done. I call on my good colleagues from both sides to put politics aside and do what we were sent here to do, and that is to stand up for hardworking families and unleash the power of the American economy. Type 1 Diabetes

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, June is National Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, and as a member of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, I am working to address this debilitating disease, its impact on everyday Americans, and its effect on our healthcare system for years to come. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, and it remains the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, afflicting 5 million Americans, a number which could rise to 16 million by the year 2050. While there are drugs to mitigate the effects of Alzheimer's, these medications only help those in the early-to-moderate stages of the illness, which worsens over time. Right now there is no cure. I am committed to funding groundbreaking Alzheimer's research and serving all Americans afflicted and their families suffering from the devastating effects of this disease. The time to act is now.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye to Dr. Amy Reed, a recognized physician, exemplary mother and wife, and dedicated patient advocate. Dr. Reed didn't ask for the situation she found herself in following a procedure in 2013, but it was immediately evident to anyone that met her--and her family--that she was going to be a fighter, not only for herself but for others. Through her loving husband's, Hooman's, campaign to bring awareness to the dangers of power morcellators, there is no doubt that women's lives around this country have been saved and device manufacturers and regulators have been forced to review their safety protocols and standards. This is Amy's gift, and we are eternally grateful. My thoughts and prayers are with her dedicated husband and partner, their six children, and her entire family. Let our community embrace them in their time of sorrow and vow to carry Amy's legacy and mission forward.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the statistics of human trafficking, and they are shocking: an estimated 21 million victims globally, a quarter of them children, and the majority of them women, resulting in a $150 billion criminal industry predicated on the destruction of lives. This criminal conduct may seem a world away, but it is not. It exists right here in our own backyards. Just last year, the human trafficking hotline reported 151 cases of human trafficking in our State of Pennsylvania. This week the House can--and must--act in a bipartisan fashion to support and bolster antihuman trafficking programs, upgrading our Nation's response to this crime. By empowering nonprofits like NOVA and the Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking, and ensuring our local law enforcement's ability to identify and prosecute those cases, these bills will provide services to victims of human trafficking and aid in apprehending the world's worst offenders. Honoring the Life of Sheriff's Deputy Keith Clymer

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bucks County Sheriff's Deputy Keith Clymer of Kintnersville, who our community lost last week when his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle. Deputy Clymer joined the Bucks County Sheriff's Office in 2013, and he was assigned to the domestic relations warrant unit. He also served as a self-defense tactics instructor. As the sheriff's office noted in the announcement of his tragedy, Keith was liked by all who met and worked with him and will be sorely missed by all. Mr. Speaker, the loss of any member of our law enforcement community is heartbreaking, but the loss of Deputy Clymer, as we recognize National Police Week, both here in our Nation's Capital and around my district, draws special focus to those who serve and protect our communities. My thoughts and prayers are with his sons, his family, and all those who Keith impacted, both personally and professionally. He lived his life serving and protecting us. For that, Mr. Speaker, we are eternally grateful.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our Nation's teachers. Teachers change lives every day across our Nation and around the world, shaping our students and our communities. Each of us can remember a teacher who made an impression on our life as an educator, a coach, or a mentor, often beyond the walls of the classroom. Last week, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week 2017, I had the opportunity to travel the Eighth District to see firsthand the amazing work that teachers do across Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to read to preschool students at the Elbow Lane School in Warrington to discuss our national debt with eighth graders in Newtown Middle School, marked the Sanctuary Model accreditation of the Valley Day School in Morrisville, and held a student townhall with the AP government class students at Bensalem High School. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Teacher Appreciation Week, and I call on every American to carry out that appreciation for our teachers all year long. My Constituents Deserve Answers

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because this week marks the 1-year anniversary since the EPA established the health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion to limit the lifetime exposure to perfluorinated compounds like PFOA and PFOS. To some, these acronyms and this anniversary may mean nothing, but to me and my constituents--more than 70,000 Pennsylvanians in Bucks and Montgomery Counties--it has been a year of confusion, concern, and anger sparked by the rightful fear that their health has been endangered by these PFCs. The use of firefighting foam at military bases in and around our district has contaminated dozens of public wells and over 140 private wells with these compounds, leaving many residents scared and municipalities and local governments looking for answers. Mr. Speaker, every American deserves access to clean, safe drinking water. Yet, for too many of my constituents, these elevated levels of PFCs have put them and their families at risk. While work has been done, there is still far more work to do; and I am pleased that the recent government funding measure included directions for the Secretary of Defense to continue addressing these pressing issues, specifically by requiring all military services to establish procedures for prompt and cost-effective remediation of PFC contamination, and also by delivering a report to Congress by the end of the summer assessing the number of military installations across the country impacted and the effect on drinking water in the surrounding communities, as well as departmentwide plans for community notification of contamination and procedures for timely remediation. However, our work cannot stop here. Not only should a health study be executed to know if PFOS and PFOA have compromised my constituents' long-term health, other issues must be addressed, including interacting with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding service-connected condition care for military veterans potentially impacted and finding ways to offset trickle-down costs for those forced to connect to public water in impacted areas. After a year, my constituents deserve more answers, and we will give them to them. They demand action. I will fight for both.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Buck, for his leadership on this important issue, and I rise in strong support. Mr. Speaker, my great-uncle, Phil Fitzpatrick, was a proud patrolman with the NYPD. He was also a poet, often referring to police officers as soldiers of peace. This week, as we recognize Police Week 2017, I find myself thinking of him and a line from one of his poems, where he wrote: ``When he kisses his wife and children goodbye, there's the chance he will see them no more.'' Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, these words were true for my family. This month marks 70 years since my great-uncle was shot while attempting to disarm a robber in a Manhattan bar, a fatal injury he succumbed to days later. Mr. Speaker, for too long, law enforcement across this country has been forgotten or, worse yet, ostracized. At the same time, their vital mission continues, and it continues to grow more dangerous. Just last year, ambush-style killings of law enforcement officers increased by 167 percent, according to the National Association of Police Organizations. Despite all this, each day, tens of thousands of brave women and men continue to put their lives on the line to serve and protect our communities. This week, we recognize Police Week 2017, but the dedication and sacrifice of our blue line deserves to be respected every day. As a former law enforcement officer, I am proud to stand here today in support of those brave women and men. Today, the House has a chance to take decisive action to protect our law enforcement officers by passing the legislation before us. The Thin Blue Line Act sends a clear message to those who intentionally target our police officers. Vicious attacks on law enforcement officers will be met with justice. I urge my colleagues to stand up for law enforcement today, support this rule, and pass H.R. 115, the Thin Blue Line Act. The bipartisan support it deserves must be delivered today.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the law enforcement community, I rise today to recognize the service and the profound commitment of our police officers around our great Nation. The dedication and sacrifice of our blue line deserves to be respected every day. National Police Week gives us all the opportunity to stand together in support for those in blue and to recommit ourselves to the ideals and laws of our Nation that they are tasked to uphold. National Police Week is a special time to unite nationwide to honor those who sacrifice so much to protect our neighborhoods and our loved ones. To those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, we as a nation stand eternally grateful. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize National Police Week 2017 and to join with the millions of proud Americans throughout our country to thank our law enforcement members for their continued service and sacrifice.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Francis R. Ludovici, a beloved member of the Upper Southampton, Pennsylvania community who passed away on Saturday April 29, 2017. Mr. Ludovici--Frankie to his friends--was a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army Reserve, a builder, a business owner, and a family man. When he wasn't renovating and flipping houses, his passion, he was selling pinball machines and poker tables, a business he took over from his father before him. Frankie loved his community in Upper Southampton and they loved him back. His presence will be greatly missed but his contributions will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that small businesses drive the American economy. Across the United States, small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs. Since 1963, every President has designated this week National Small Business Week to celebrate these economic engines and encourage policies that allow them to thrive. When our local small businesses succeed, they create opportunity, invigorate communities, and preserve the district character of our local economy. That is why I have committed to visit 100 small businesses across my district this year and every year, to better appreciate the needs of local small businesses and help them create good-paying jobs in our community. During my visits, I have heard common themes: a Tax Code that is too complex, burdensome one-size-fits-all regulations from Washington, and lawmakers too focused on partisan bickering rather than on working together to grow our economy. As we turn our attention to small businesses this week, let's put these concerns at the forefront and get to work on solutions.