Josh Gottheimer

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 676, to urge support for this bipartisan resolution to help stop terror. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and my good friend Ranking Member Eliot Engel for their leadership on this issue, and I am glad that this bipartisan resolution has proceeded swiftly to a vote on the House floor. Mr. Speaker, the revolution of 1979 marked an enormous step backwards for global security and for the basic rights of the Iranian people, the longest suffering victims of this corrupt terrorist regime. From its very beginnings, the Islamic Republic of Iran, under the control of its Supreme Leaders, has repeatedly violated the fundamental human rights of its own citizens. In August, the U.N. Special Reporter on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran highlighted the Khamenei regime's many ongoing abuses, ``including the arbitrary detention and prosecution of individuals for their legitimate exercise of a broad range of rights; the persecution of human rights defenders, journalists, students, trade union leaders, and artists; a high level of executions, including of juvenile offenders; the use of torture and ill treatment; widespread violations of the right to a fair trial and due process of law, especially before revolutionary courts; and a high level of discrimination against women and religious and ethnic minorities.'' Beginning late last month, protestors across the country have taken to the streets to decry their dismal economic prospects; Iran's costly, aggressive, and destabilizing actions throughout the region; and an antidemocratic regime that stifles their rights and aspirations and supports terror. These brave men and women, engaged in peaceful demonstrations, have every right to demand change from their corrupt and oppressive terrorist government. While Iranians live under a brutal, authoritarian mullahcracy at home, their government insists on bankrolling terror throughout the region. Iran has capitalized on sanctions relief, bolstering its arsenal of conventional arms and its illegal ballistic missile program, and increasing the funding of heinous terrorist organizations and proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as propping up the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. As the world's leading sponsor of terror, Iran provides more than $800 million, annually, to Hezbollah and recently renewed its support for Hamas. Iranian-backed forces are also attempting to gain a foothold in Syria, right up against Israel's border, to threaten our vital ally and the leading democracy in the region. There should be nothing partisan about having the backs of brave men and women anywhere who risk death to speak out for what is right and against a terrorist regime. This bipartisan resolution condemns the regime's censorship, violent crackdowns, and systematic repression. We must send a clear message to Iran that its destructive behavior throughout the Middle East will not be tolerated. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for the people of Iran to enjoy their fundamental right to a peaceful and democratic government. I urge each of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan resolution to help stop terror.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the mayors of North Jersey, who convened last weekend for my Fifth District Mayors Summit. I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these local leaders to help save residents' property tax dollars, improve our schools, and get police and firefighters the tools and resources they need to protect our communities from crime and terror. I am humbled every day to have the opportunity to work with our mayors. This past weekend, I watched first-hand as they put party aside and worked across the aisle to help claw back federal tax dollars in their towns--an urgent need, now more than ever, given the tax hike we are facing. In North Jersey, we are paying far too much in taxes, and not getting enough in return. My District pays some of the highest taxes in the nation; yet, we only get 33 cents back for every dollar that we send to Washington. Compare that to ``Moocher States,'' like Mississippi, which gets $4.38 on the dollar. These states are giving themselves relief and sticking New Jersey with the bill. The Tax Hike Bill passed yesterday is only going make matters worse-- gutting our State and Local Tax deductions, increasing our taxes, and lowering our property values. We must continue working hard at the local level to blunt the impact of this harmful legislation and stop New Jersey from becoming America's piggy bank. In New Jersey, we must be vigilant about clawing back as many federal tax dollars as possible to boost our return on investment for roads and bridges, for firefighters and law enforcement, and the resources they need to help fight crime and lone wolf and homegrown terror. Working closely with my office, and my Director of Return on Investment, these mayors have already seen record successes this year to support our cops, firefighters, and towns. For example, in Paramus, the police department will be hiring five new post-9/11 veterans as police officers, thanks to a $1.875 million federal COPS grant. Harrington Park also brought back nearly $213,000 in AFG grants to help protect firefighters and our families. These are dollars that would be going to Alabama and Mississippi if we didn't fight to claw them back here. Our bipartisan work together is about fighting for North Jersey and helping our residents reduce their property tax burden. I'm leaving no stone unturned and hope that by shining a light on these public servants, our mayors can build on their success and save more money for their towns and taxpayers. Getting this done is all about problem solving, and reaching across the aisle to do what's right for our communities. These are not Democratic or Republican issues; they are about what's best for New Jersey. This holiday season, I am thankful for the twenty-one mayors and leaders who attended our summit, rolled up their sleeves, and put in the weekend hours to help their towns. Countless other mayors, councilmen, and councilwomen across the District have also worked around the clock. Currently, as we head into the new year, I rededicate myself to being their partner in making towns and communities even safer, more prosperous, and more affordable. Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz Dumont Councilman Carl Manna Emerson Mayor Lou Lamatina Fair Lawn Councilwoman Lisa Swain Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer Hackensack Mayor John LaBrosse Harrington Park Mayor Paul Hoeschler Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna Ramsey Mayor Deirdre Dillon River Edge Councilman Thomas Papaleo Rochelle Park Committeeman Michael Warren Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin Westwood Mayor John Birkner Wyckoff Mayor Rudy Boonstra Wyckoff Administrator Bob Shannon

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this bipartisan legislation and to thank my friend, Mr. Luetkemeyer, for working across the aisle with me on this commonsense measure. This bill is a smart, thoughtful effort to perfect and improve our financial safeguards, cut burdensome regulation, and spur economic growth. Developed with Democrats and Republicans on the committee, it addresses our systematic risk in the financial sector. With these changes, we can free up resources at smaller banks to get loans into the hands of New Jersey small businesses, families, and consumers, ultimately growing our American economy. It does so by making practical changes to protect New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan legislation to help constituents in New Jersey's Fifth District.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1164, the bipartisan Taylor Force Act. I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel, who is my friend and colleague and a real leader for our party and for this issue, for all of their hard work and leadership to bring this legislation to the floor. All of us in Congress could learn from and emulate their friendship and bipartisan working relationship, especially when it comes to our foreign policy and support for our vital ally Israel, and in our fight against terror around the world. I commend the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) for introducing this important legislation, and I am proud that Ranking Member Engel and I were the very first Democrats in the House to cosponsor this measure. Mr. Speaker, I serve on the House Financial Services Committee's Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, where, day in and day out, my colleagues and I track the flow of money to terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIS through illicit financial networks. For years, the Palestinian Authority has shamelessly engaged in an equally heinous practice out in the open: the awarding of official payments to terrorists it inspires to go out and kill innocent civilians, including American citizens like U.S. Army veteran Taylor Force. Israeli citizens live under the constant threats of stabbings, suicide bombings, and vicious terrorist attacks. Palestinian leaders, including President Abbas, have not just refused to call for an end to these attacks or to speak out against those who promote hate and violence, rather, they celebrate, defend, and promote terrorism through an elaborate system whereby the Palestinian Authority literally ``pays to slay.'' That is because for decades the PLO and the PA have provided payments in some form or another to terrorists and their families, as well as various other awards and titles and honorifics, but the practice is especially heinous because today it is enshrined into Palestinian law. The deadlier attacks of terrorism will be rewarded with even more money. I know because I have read the laws and seen the accompanying payment charts. There is literally a payment schedule based on the severity of the terrorist attack, which encourages more severe and gratuitous violence and terrorist activity. For instance, a terrorist who slayed three people in 2015, including an 18-year-old American citizen, Ezra Schwartz, who was spending his gap year in Israel and planned to attend business school at Rutgers University in New Jersey, would be rewarded by the PA with a monthly salary--the terrorist--of more than $3,000. In sum, these payments total hundreds of millions of dollars that the PA redirects from its own budget to pay off the murderers of Jews, Israelis, and foreigners. The Taylor Force Act will eliminate U.S. foreign aid to the West Bank and Gaza that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority until the Secretary of State can guarantee that they have ended these payments. This legislation is carefully targeted to achieve maximum leverage over the PA to end the funding of terror. Mr. Speaker, this legislation stands in stark contrast to a partisan, one-sided, offensive, and harmful bill recently introduced in Congress under the guise of promoting human rights that would cut aid to Israel for cracking down on terrorism. Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself and its civilians who have been the targeted victims of brutal attacks and murders while going about their daily lives. The United States ought to stand with them by condemning Palestinian incitement. Members of both parties have been working together to do just that. Since fiscal year 2015, Congress has reduced, dollar for dollar, the amount of money that the PA and PLO pay to terrorists and their families from the Economic Support Fund aid that the U.S. provides. While this has resulted in the reduction of our foreign aid, it has not yet brought an end to this practice. In May, I joined Representatives Claudia Tenney and Tom Suozzi and 33 of our colleagues who demanded that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson address these terror payments directly with Palestinian President Abbas during his visit to Washington, D.C. It has been suggested that the PA may be more receptive to international pressure. I am glad that this bill urges the Secretary of State and the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to highlight this issue with the international community to condemn these horrific acts of violence. But that is simply not enough. The United States must use every tool at our disposal to counter violence and terrorism. The PLO and the PA may well continue down the path of more hatred, violence, and terror without regard for the damage inflicted or for their role in diminishing the prospects for peace. But so long as they pay citizens to murder civilians, then they will do so without benefiting from the support of the United States taxpayer. There is no question that should be asked about that. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in standing in solidarity with the families of the victims of terror to bring an end to this appalling system of paid violence, and I urge support for this bill.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of 32-year-old Darren Drake from New Milford, New Jersey, whose promising life was cut short in last month's tragic and senseless act of ISIS-inspired lone- wolf terror in Manhattan. Darren was one of our best and brightest, and a son of New Jersey through and through. A hardworking project manager at Moody's and a lifelong Jets fan, Darren earned more than three degrees from New Jersey universities. Not only was he driven and accomplished, Darren was also a committed public servant, serving as president of the New Milford School Board. Darren was beloved. It was intensely moving to see so much of the North Jersey community come together at his wake and funeral last week and this week. To his parents, Jimmy and Barbara, and everyone whose life he touched, I want to express my deepest condolences. Darren's death is our profound loss. He packed more into his years than most do in a lifetime. His life enriched our lives beyond measure. No act of terror will ever be able to diminish the bright and burning love he had for his home, my State, and our country. I will spend my days here fighting terrorism at home and abroad in Darren's honor. May God rest his soul.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome to the U.S. House of Representatives my dear friend and my adopted rabbi, David- Seth Kirshner, the leader of Temple Emanu-El in my congressional district in Closter, New Jersey. As a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rabbi Kirshner has dedicated his career to serving his family, community, and our country. Dori and David are proud and loving parents to Eve and Elias, and I am glad they are here. Rabbi Kirshner is a spiritual mentor to many and a man of deep faith, conviction, and conscience. Temple Emanu-El has been a beacon of civic engagement, youth education, and community service in our State, and under Rabbi Kirshner's leadership, Temple Emanu-El has brought a warm and open atmosphere that will endure for generations to come, building on its 85-year history of service to our State. Rabbi Kirshner and Temple Emanu-El call on each of us to do our part to engage in ``repair of the world,'' ``tikkun olam,'' to love your neighbor as yourself, and to fulfill God's commandments with the work of our hands. In addition to his work as rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, Rabbi Kirshner is a leader among his colleagues, serving as the vice president of the New Jersey Board of Rabbis and as a member of the Chancellor's Rabbinic Cabinet at the Jewish Theological Seminary. A strong advocate for the U.S.-Israel relationship, Rabbi Kirshner is on the New Jersey-Israel Commission. He is a believer that Israel is a key strategic ally and a defender of democracy and freedom against the evils of terror. I would like to thank Rabbi Kirshner for praying with us today and representing all faiths of the Fifth Congressional District of New Jersey. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today because I came to Washington to cut taxes for the residents of north Jersey. Our taxes are simply too high. This morning, at The Heritage Foundation, the Speaker claimed that the rest of the country is propping up New Jersey. That is backwards. Currently, New Jersey pays in so that States like Wisconsin can cash out. New Jersey is already a grand subsidizer of other States. We are one of the top 3 percent taxpaying districts in the entire country and at the bottom in what we get back. We need to change that. New Jersey only gets back 33 cents for every dollar we send to Washington. New Jersey residents get $3,076 less, as this shows, than what they pay in. West Virginia, for example, gets $4.23 back for every dollar it sends in. New Jersey is not America's piggybank. Our one saving grace has been the State and local property tax deduction: the ability to deduct those higher State, local, and property taxes before we have to send in our tax checks every April. It allows us to avoid double taxation. Eliminating these State and local tax deductions will cost New Jersey an average of a $3,500 tax increase per resident. Property values will go down more than 10 percent. So I am fighting to remove this tax hike provision from the tax reform bill that can hurt our businesses and our citizens.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a decorated veteran and a true American hero from New Jersey's Fifth District, Lance Corporal Jedh Colby Barker. Corporal Barker grew up in Bergen County in New Jersey, and graduated from Park Ridge High School. In 1967, Corporal Barker was assigned to Fox Company in the Marine Corps, where he heroically defended his comrades in the line of fire during Operation Kingfisher. Corporal Barker's actions on this day earned him the most prestigious military decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. I am including the Congressional Medal of Honor citation to highlight Corporal Barker's actions: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Company F. During a reconnaissance operation L/Cpl. Barker's squad was suddenly hit by enemy sniper fire. The squad immediately deployed to a combat formation and advanced to a strongly fortified enemy position, when it was again struck by small arms and automatic weapons fire, sustaining numerous casualties. Although wounded by the initial burst of fire, L/Cpl. Barker boldly remained in the open, delivering a devastating volume of accurate fire on the numerically superior force. The enemy was intent upon annihilating the small marine force and, realizing that L/Cpl. Barker was a threat to their position, directed the preponderance of their fire on his position. He was again wounded, this time in the right hand, which prevented him from operating his vitally needed machine gun. Suddenly and without warning, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the few surviving marines. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, L/Cpl. Barker threw himself upon the deadly grenade, absorbing with his body the full and tremendous force of the explosion. In a final act of bravery, he crawled to the side of a wounded comrade and administered first aid before succumbing to his grievous wounds. His bold initiative, intrepid fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death and reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. September 21, 2017 will mark the 50th anniversary of Corporal Barker's remarkable patriotism and valor on the battlefield during the Vietnam War. The Marine Corps motto is, ``Semper Fidelis'', meaning, ``always faithful''. Corporal Barker lived and embodied that to the fullest. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lance Corporal Jedh Colby Barker, a true American hero. His family, the Fifth District, and all Americans should be proud of Lance Corporal Jedh Colby Barker. His memory and heroism in the line of duty will never be forgotten.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero from New Jersey's Fifth District, First Lieutenant William C. Ryan, Jr. Lieutenant Ryan served our country as an aviator in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. For his heroism in combat, Lieutenant Ryan was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. Lieutenant Ryan grew up in Bogota, New Jersey, and was an athlete and community leader at St. Cecilia's High School. Nicknamed ``Rhino'' for his toughness and composure, Lieutenant Ryan was a stern fighter and devoted family man. ``Billy,'' as he was known to his friends, attended St. Francis College, where he met Judy, who would become his wife. Upon graduation, Billy answered the call to serve in the United States Marine Corps. His outstanding character, determination, and willingness to serve his country, made him a natural fit for flight school where he trained to become a Marine Aviator. While deployed in Vietnam, Lieutenant Ryan took on enemy fire and was once rescued in the South China Sea. On May 11, 1969, Lieutenant Ryan faced heavy enemy fire and was shot down again. He was pronounced dead on May 13, 1969. On the same day that her husband was downed by heavy fire, Judy packed her bags eagerly awaiting a planned vacation with her husband. Their son Michael was just a few hours shy of his first birthday. For forty-seven years, Lieutenant Ryan, who is a hero, never received the proper burial he deserved. In 1990, investigators recovered Lieutenant Ryan's aircraft seat from the crash landing, and decades later, investigators recovered his remains in January 2016, bringing much- needed peace to his family. With the hero's welcoming that the Ryan family deserved, Billy was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, on May 10, 2017. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the heroism of First Lieutenant William C. Ryan, Jr. and the Ryan family. His sacrifice, patriotism, and valor represent the best of New Jersey and our country.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the retirement of New Jersey Senator Kevin O'Toole. Like me, Senator O'Toole is a proud son of New Jersey. He was born to an Irish-American GI and Korean war refugee in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, where he still lives today with his wife, Beth. They are proud parents of two children, Kevin, Jr., and Ryan Marie. Kevin's parents instilled in him a strong commitment to service that shaped his entire career. At age 25, Kevin was elected to the Cedar Grove Township Council and then mayor. As assemblyman and State senator, Kevin has been a tireless advocate for small businesses, for law enforcement, first responders, our seniors, and our families. Like me, Kevin has been a strong advocate and force for lowering property taxes, supporting our veterans and first responders, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and strengthening domestic violence statutes. Kevin will soon continue his service at the New Jersey Port Authority, advocating for the critical infrastructure needed to drive economic growth. He has been a true leader on business growth and streamlining regulations to attract companies to our State and encourage the ones in New Jersey to stay in New Jersey. I applaud the high value Kevin has importantly placed on constituent service throughout his career as a legislator, a key and essential priority for any public servant. And Kevin has worked across the aisle with Republicans and Democrats alike, a practice that is essential in this time of gridlock. As Kevin departs the Senate, we wish him all the best. I hope he enjoys more time with his family, many more rounds of golf, and I applaud and thank Kevin O'Toole, a true public servant.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bipartisan amendment to reauthorize the Suicide Prevention and Resilience Program to 2019. This is a critical program that provides members of the National Guard and Reserves, as well as their families, with training in suicide prevention, resilience, and community healing resources. We simply cannot allow this critical suicide prevention program to expire, not for the men and women who are or have been on the front lines. Our Nation's veterans deserve the best care after putting their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we hold dear. My bipartisan amendment reauthorizes and extends this program to improve safety and ensure continuity and peace of mind for the men and women who serve. Just one soldier lost to suicide is too many. We should do everything in our power to help as many servicemembers as we can. National Guardsmen and Reservists face unique challenges. They are citizen soldiers who do not live on a base. They often leave their jobs and families on a moment's notice to suit up to protect us. Even a great Guardsman or Reservist may not know when and how to ask for help, yet these men and women still need access to support systems and community networks to help identify potential mental health issues. That is why it is critical that we extend this program to protect the well-being of all of our soldiers. I am proud to offer this amendment in honor of those who serve in the New Jersey Guard and Reserve and across the Nation, as well as for their families. I thank my colleague, Congresswoman McSally, for her leadership on this issue and for her advocacy on behalf of all servicemembers. I also thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith for their important work on this critical legislation. I look forward to coming together as Democrats and Republicans to defend our Nation and protect all of those who serve.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against dark- of-night policymaking and extreme partisanship and turn to where we can work together with civility on our most pressing issues. Instead of focusing on what we do not agree on, we must work together where we can find common ground on cutting taxes for hardworking Americans and businesses of all sizes and investing in the crumbling roads, tunnels, and bridges Americans drive over every day. In New Jersey, our roads are the eighth worst in the country, while our taxes are way too high. As co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I have been working around the clock with both parties since I was sworn in to fix our roads, while lowering taxes and cutting unnecessary regulation and red tape. By doing so, we can increase economic growth in jobs, improve safety, fight terror, ensure clean drinking water, stand by our vets and first responders, and give our country a competitive advantage on the world stage. We simply can't have a first-rate nation with second-class infrastructure and sky-high taxes. There is political will on both sides of the aisle on these issues, but we can't be spending our energy on rehashing the same tired partisan debates and jamming through partisan bills. We must work together to get things done for the American people.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eileen Sevano and her unwavering service as a pillar of the Teaneck Public School system for nearly thirty years. On the occasion of her retirement, I applaud Eileen for an incredible forty years of teaching, spanning from Teaneck and Englewood Cliffs, in New Jersey to Brooklyn and Chinatown in New York. During the course of her career, Eileen touched the lives of many students and helped shaped the minds of the next generation. William Arthur Ward once said, ``The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.'' As a public-school teacher in elementary and middle school, Eileen inspired her students both inside and outside of the classroom. For years, Eileen coached softball in Teaneck, empowering young women on the field. For fourteen years, as Director of Camp Kookooskoos, Eileen inspired young campers through the arts, science, sports, and by exploring and nurturing the environment. Eileen helped our young people create memories that last a lifetime. By focusing on the breadth of learning, even beyond the classroom, Eileen put the best interests of her students first and helped them grow and thrive. Generations of students, who Eileen taught, have had limitless potential. They have and continue to launch new businesses in New Jersey, find cures for diseases like cancer, create the next breakthrough in technology, and much more. With the help of a supportive teacher like Eileen, all of this has been possible. Nobody is surprised to hear that in retirement Eileen will continue her lifetime of service by volunteering with students in her community and babysitting her granddaughters. Encouraging learning and creating a supportive environment for young people is what Eileen enjoys most. I am lucky to know Eileen and am profoundly thankful for her lifetime of service. I commend her for being a wonderful role model to my children and to many students from across the Fifth District. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Eileen's hard work, and wish her, her husband Dennis, her daughters Brenna and Perri, and her granddaughters Maddy and Sydney, all the best as Eileen celebrates this new chapter. In closing, I join countless families across the Fifth District in saying thank you to Eileen for her dedication to children and to her community. The world just would not be the same without her hard work and inspiration.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Police Week and to say ``thank you'' to the men and women in New Jersey and in our country who keep our community safe, and especially to honor those who paid the ultimate price in their efforts to do so. Sadly, this year alone, we have lost 48 police officers in the line of duty across the United States. We cannot repay the debt our communities owe to these heroes and their families, but we can start by expressing appreciation for their bravery, dedication, and service, and making sure law enforcement knows that they have our full support. Our police officers and all first responders can't protect us and themselves without the resources they need to do their job safely and effectively. Not only do police protect us from criminals, but they are on the front lines of the war on terror, especially as we have seen the rise of homegrown and lone-wolf terror after 9/11. To close, I want to reiterate my deep appreciation for the work of local, county, and State police officers in my district in New Jersey and across our country who keep our communities safe.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of Richard J. Naples, Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). Rick has been a key leader to the BD family of more than 40,000 associates in 50 countries. Since 2006, he has worked tirelessly at BD, and over the last 30 years, has helped bring innovative, lifesaving technologies to patients and families. Rick truly embodied BD's commitment to advance the world of health. Rick's work hasn't gone unnoticed. He and his team have led more than three hundred successful FDA regulatory submissions, and driven countless industry-wide initiatives to ensure more timely patient access to safe and innovative technologies. Rick currently serves on the Board of the Medical Device Innovation Consortium (MDIC), the first public-private partnership with FDA to advance regulatory science to speed time to market for new medical technology. For several years, he chaired the AdvaMed Diagnostics Task Force and has been recognized as one of the top regulatory professionals in the industry. Congratulations on this significant milestone, I wish Rick and his wife, Leslie, and their family, the very best in both his retirement and future adventures.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my friend and spiritual mentor, Rabbi Elyse Frishman, for her 22 years of exceptional service to Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. After decades of service to the Jewish community, Rabbi Frishman will be retiring this June. Personally, I am very lucky to call Rabbi Frishman my rabbi. In addition to leading our congregation, she is the editor of the reform prayer book ``Mishkan Tefilah,'' and a national leader in worship and congregational engagement. Rabbi Frishman has stood as a model citizen and faith leader, going the extra mile to bring together the community in times of anxiety and fear. She was recently featured by The Bergen Record for her work to unite the interfaith communities in a common mission, forming dialogues, understanding, and building friendships where they didn't exist before. In doing so, she has long set an example for the families of our congregation. As a parent, I am glad my children are growing up knowing and being led and educated by her in our faith community. Rabbi Frishman deserves to be held up as a model for public service. And though our congregation and I will miss her deeply, I congratulate her on her retirement, and I hope everyone enjoys the evening celebrating her years of service to us. America and our community has been very lucky to have Rabbi Elyse Frishman. Thank you, Rabbi Frishman.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and Representative Wenstrup for their work on this important bill. This legislation empowers the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with the authority to hire the best and brightest employees. We can all agree that you can't have a top-notch VA without employing young veterans who want to continue serving their country after they return from the front lines. Each and every day, our brave men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for us, and we owe it to them to ensure that, when they return home, they have the best care at the VA and that they also have the best career opportunities available to them. This legislation is about veterans serving veterans. Young veterans in the Fifth District of New Jersey, where I live, tell me that they face significant challenges when they return home, even though many of them have a desire to help serve other veterans. I was lucky enough to hire one such veteran on my team, Mike DeVilliers, who served in the U.S. Army. Mike is committed to helping other veterans and has, at a local community college, where he ran a program for student veterans. He now serves my constituents, including our veterans and across the four counties in the Fifth District. We should be encouraging talented and qualified young veterans like Mike to put their skills to use and give back to their fellow servicemen and -women. The VA is one place those skills are sorely needed to best serve the 473,000 veterans who live in New Jersey and the many other veterans across our country. Mr. Chairman, approximately 60 percent of VA employees are over the age of 45, and the Department has struggled to develop an adequate pipeline for younger employees and emerging leaders to fill crucial and critical roles. We have seen the negative effects of not having the right team in place to support our veterans. While programs like Pathways at the VA are a step in the right direction, we can do more to improve the process and give a leg up to all veterans who wish to bring their skills to the VA. More than half of the post-9/11 veterans are 34 years of age or younger, and approximately 30 percent have bachelor's or advanced degrees; yet the Department of Labor reported that post-9/11 vets face a higher unemployment rate than other veterans. That is simply unacceptable. The VA should draw from their excellent source of talent to strengthen the care all of our veterans receive by considering more young veterans for excepted service appointments. That is why my amendment would make sure that the VA Secretary includes recipients of the post-9/11 GI Bill and younger veterans who have recently graduated from college as a distinct category qualifying for excepted service appointments to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Chairman, the mission statement of the VA is inscribed outside the Department's headquarters. It reads: ``To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.'' This is President Lincoln's promise to serving and honoring the men and women who are America's heroes, and it should and must be our same commitment today. I know of no one who stands more willing and able to serve fellow veterans and their brothers and sisters in arms than the veterans themselves. There is nothing partisan about serving our veterans. This is a commonsense solution without any new costs, and it is a perfect example of working across party lines to help get the backs of those who have served our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in standing up for our veterans by supporting this win-win solution. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the healthcare bill that is currently making its way through the House. It is an attack on seniors that will raise New Jersey taxes, and I refuse to sit idly by. First, it includes a premium senior tax that would make older Americans pay five times more for their health care. Second, the plan before Congress takes aim at long-term care to support the elderly and disabled and could ultimately throw seniors out of nursing homes. Three out of five nursing home residents in New Jersey rely on Medicaid to access long-term care. Finally, it is not only seniors who would be hurt. This bill is a new tax on all New Jersey residents. It cuts Medicaid and leaves the State holding the bag for other States, and it puts additional costs on New Jersey to confront healthcare challenges like the opioid crisis sweeping our State. We need a bipartisan fix to the Affordable Care Act. This plan does just the opposite. I am ready to sit at the table with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to come up with a real fix.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the rising wave of desecration, threats, and harassment targeting Jewish cemeteries, Jewish community centers, and religious institutions in northern New Jersey and across our country. JCCs and synagogues are bedrocks of religious and civic life for Jewish communities, housing preschools for children and a range of religious, educational, and social programs for families and seniors. Yet the safety and well-being of these communal spaces are the scope of extremism and anti-Semitism. Recently, there have been eight bomb threats targeting six Jewish community centers in New Jersey and more than 100 across our country. Parents are pulling their children from religious schools. Others are afraid to attend religious services. It is unacceptable. In the last 24 hours alone, officials in my district have uncovered multiple swastikas defacing our public spaces. These are not cases of random hatred. They are part of a deeply disturbing national trend that requires immediate and decisive action from law enforcement and community leaders at all levels. As Elie Wiesel said: ``Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger or hatred.'' Leaders must stand up now against the rising trend of hate-driven terrorism against any ethnic or religious group, including Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others. Hate and intolerance have no place in the greatest democracy in the world.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to Frank Lucia, a treasured member of our North Jersey community. Frank recently celebrated his 107th birthday, a tremendous milestone in a very special life. Frank is an outstanding father and a true blessing to our Demarest community. I am sure he and his family had a wonderful time celebrating, dancing, and singing in Italian. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Frank and wishing him many more years of good health and happiness.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on her birthday, to honor the tireless dedication of Senator Loretta Weinberg to the people of New Jersey. Senator Weinberg has been a remarkable advocate for the people of Bergen County for decades, serving first as Assistant Administrator of Bergen County, on the Teaneck Council, then in the New Jersey Assembly and now in the New Jersey State Senate. She is currently the Senate Majority Leader. Majority Leader Weinberg has used every post she's held to fight tenaciously on behalf of the people of New Jersey. She's advocated relentlessly for making the investments in our infrastructure that we need to keep our economy humming and create new jobs, for ethics and transparency in government, for strengthening our communities, and for women, and for all of those left out of the circle of opportunity. I salute Weinberg for her strong and dogged voice, her countless accomplishments, and for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the people of New Jersey. I look forward to working with her to serve our mutual constituents in Bergen County.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the Honorable Lizette Parker--a fearless community leader and a devoted public servant. She is greatly missed by the people of Teaneck, New Jersey, who benefitted immeasurably from her involvement in the community and dedication as their mayor and people across Bergen County and the state whose lives she improved. Mayor Parker was committed to a life of service to those around her. She began her career as a social worker, and she eventually earned seats on the Bergen County Board of Social Services and the Teaneck Town Council. In these roles, she established herself as a force for economic and social justice, tackling issues pertinent to families and youth such as poverty, housing, health care, and respect and appreciation for diversity. In July of 2014, she became the first African-American to serve as Mayor of Teaneck--a watershed accomplishment for the community. As a tenacious advocate for the people of Bergen County, Mayor Parker earned recognition from the Girl Scouts of America, the NAACP, and the Urban League, among other impressive honors. Mayor Parker's passion and leadership inspired residents young and old, and her life left a lasting impact on the Teaneck community. I am grateful that the scholarship program she established will be continued in her name by her family--a fitting testament to her admirable efforts to improve the lives of young people in Bergen County. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Mayor Parker's contributions to our community, and I am optimistic that her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who she served.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule and the underlying bill, H.R. 7. Forty-four years ago this week, before I was even born, the Supreme Court recognized that the government has no business coming between a woman and her doctor when it comes to making personal medical decisions. Yet now, decades later, many in Washington seem determined to turn back the clock on progress on women's health and women's rights. The new administration recently instituted a rule that would limit the ability of women around the world to access accurate information about their bodies and make their own medical decisions. And now the House is considering a radical bill that would not only undermine a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions, but also her ability to even choose her own health insurance plan. On top of that, the bill would actually raise taxes on small businesses who provide their employees with access to comprehensive health coverage and impose unfair burdens on the women of the United States military. These are the facts. I will always fight back against efforts to limit choice in women's health, and that is why I strongly oppose this bill. This past weekend we saw millions of women around the country and around the world, including hundreds in my own hometown of Wyckoff, New Jersey, where I was, rally against these backward and dangerous policies. I urge my colleagues to turn their focus from rolling back women's rights to actually focusing on getting things done for the people of this country--creating jobs and lowering taxes.

Mr. GOTTHEIMER

Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for my first statement from the House floor, honored and humbled to serve as the Representative from New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District. I vow to work tirelessly on their behalf. We are all tired of Washington's partisanship, and I will work across the aisle, whenever possible, to get things done. New Jersey families and businesses are struggling with high taxes and not seeing good return on investment for the hard-earned tax dollars they send to Washington each year. I will work to bring those dollars home to fight domestic terror, deal with opioid abuse, improve our schools, and fix our crumbling roads and bridges. I will work to bring good-paying jobs back to New Jersey and keep them there, to lower our taxes, cut wasteful spending and unnecessary regulations, and ensure every tax dollar is used wisely. I will stand up for New Jersey values, ensuring that women, minorities, and the LGBT community are always treated with respect. I will have the backs of our veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, and all first responders. I will stand with Israel, ensure our children have clean drinking water, and stand up for equal pay and a woman's right to choose. I will work for everyone in the District. Working together, I believe our best days will always be ahead of us.