Andrew Garbarino

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Jean Kirschenheiter, from North Babylon, New York on her 90th birthday. Mrs. Kirschenheiter was born Jean Louise Lara in Brooklyn on June 7, 1933 to Louis and Julia Lara, the eldest daughter of three children. She married Richard Kirschenheiter on January 22, 1955, moved to North Babylon and they had four children Raymond, Kathryn, Richard and Michael. Her family grew when Raymond married Brenda, Kathryn married Thomas, Richard married Patricia, and Michael married Dawn. She is the proud grandmother to Patricia, Kelly & Scott, Eric & Danielle, Brieann, Keith & Laurie and Michelle. She is also a great- grandmother to Charlotte. Mrs. Kirschenheiter was widowed in 2018. Despite losing her husband, she has continued to be active in her church and with her ya-yas. She is also very active with her children and grandchildren. I call on my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jean Kirschenheiter on her 90th birthday and wishes for continued health and happiness with her family.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Chair, I stand here today during National Police Week to urge the passage of H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act of 2023. The crisis at our southern border is a clear public safety and national security threat, but it also puts the lives and safety of our law enforcement officers at risk. It is not just Customs and Border Patrol agents who are affected, like the female Border Patrol agent who was violently attacked by an illegal immigrant while attempting to make an arrest in March. Local police departments have also been placed on the front lines as thousands of migrants are relocated to New York and States across the country. As the border crisis rages on unchecked and violence against law enforcement officers continues to rise, this legislation sends a crystal-clear message that any noncitizen who commits acts of violence against police cannot stay in this country. The POLICE Act codifies something that is common sense, but under current law remains ambiguous. This bill corrects that by providing clear guidelines for the removal of any migrant who engages in violence against a law enforcement officer. This is about improving officer safety and making it easier to remove migrants who have demonstrated flagrant criminal violence while on U.S. soil. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of the POLICE Act to show our brave men and women in law enforcement that we have their backs as they continue to battle the criminal element currently taking advantage of our unsecured southern border. Now, to address my colleague's concern from the other side of the aisle. This is not mandatory. This bill does not mandate immediate deportation. His admitted far-fetched, absurd examples that we just heard will be taken into account. This just says that an assault on a police officer or a firefighter or an EMT makes it a deportable offense. Mr. Chairman, I have to go on further. We heard about this possible amendment coming forward about requiring conviction. If our district attorneys in their roles would actually prosecute crimes against police officers, I would be fine requiring conviction, but what we have seen over the past several years where you have progressive, woke district attorneys like our district attorney in Manhattan, when an NYPD police officer is assaulted or firefighter is assaulted, the criminal, the assailant, is not actually prosecuted. We can't be left to require convictions on something like this when the district attorneys in certain areas are not doing their job. With that said, I understand the idea behind the amendment, but requiring a conviction here would tie a lot of people's hands, especially when district attorneys are not doing their jobs and assaults against law enforcement are not getting prosecuted. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues, again, on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this piece of legislation and show that you support members of law enforcement.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GARBARINO

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

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, every parent has the inherent right and responsibility to decide what is best for their child, how to raise them, how to care for them, and what information to expose them to or to protect them from. My amendment protects the ability of parents to participate in the education of their own child by reaffirming parental choice and ensuring that children are not subject to the censorship of adults who are not their parents. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's words and his support of this. I also appreciate the chairwoman's support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to share my support for H.R. 400, the Investing in Main Street Act of 2023, a bill which I am proud to co-lead with Congresswoman Judy Chu. I also thank the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this up today. We often talk about small businesses being the backbone of the U.S. economy. It is not just a talking point, but a statement of fact. Small businesses are major contributors to our Nation's overall prosperity; and in my district on Long Island, small businesses are what fuels local economic growth. As we face economic uncertainty due to inflation, labor shortages, and other ongoing challenges, we look to our small businesses to be leaders in the private sector and to help revitalize our communities. For over 60 years, the SBIC program has injected capital into small businesses by allowing financial institutions or Federal savings associations to invest in SBICs up to 5 percent. But times change; programs need updating and, now more than ever, small businesses need access to additional capital. The increase from 5 percent to 15 percent stipulated in this bill is a necessary reform that will help small businesses get back on their feet. I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Chu, for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the defeat of the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 6592, the Immigration Transparency and Transit Notification Act of 2022. The crisis at our southern border is a threat to our national security, public safety, and public health. While this administration continues to tell the American people that all is well, fentanyl, the number one killer of young people in America, has flooded across the border at record rates; drug smugglers and human traffickers are thriving; and the migrants themselves are facing dire conditions all because President Biden told them it was okay to come here illegally. Since Joe Biden took office, over 1 million undocumented immigrants have been allowed to resettle here. Long before border State Governors started busing migrants to sanctuary cities so they might share the burden of this crisis, President Biden was putting them on flights and buses in the dead of night and sending them to communities far north of the border without a warning to the people who live there or the officials who would become responsible for them. The New York Post first exposed secret, dead-of-the-night flights of migrants into Westchester, New York, last year. But to date, the administration has refused all requests for transparency and accountability regarding these resettlements, this despite multiple letters from myself and other Members of Congress requesting that they stop these covert flights and provide information to Congress and local officials about who these migrants are and what vetting they received before being dropped off in our communities. H.R. 6592 would require officials to be notified before undocumented immigrants may be placed in their jurisdiction and would provide Governors with the authority to refuse placement. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the border crisis or the strain that these relocations are placing on communities across the country. Madam Speaker, I urge this body to act and immediately consider H.R. 6592 to require transparency and accountability of the administration for the relocation of undocumented immigrants throughout the United States and put the power to oversee these relocations in the hands of people in these communities which are most affected by it.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a poem, The Littlest of Angels, by Albert Carey Caswell. Rise. Rising up to Heaven with tears in their eyes. So very protected the while, held so very tenderly with the Lord at their side. Rise up to heaven now my sweet child. A child, is but such a warm smile. For within them so lies, the very hope of all of Woman and Mankind. Where all our bright futures so lie. A bright light, now with the warm glow of an Angel in flight. The true validation that God so exists, and of which all is so right. Those little ones whose hearts to ours such warm feelings ignite. Where, all of our dreams so begin and so end on this night. With such promise, such bright lights, such high hopes, such smiles, and wonderful laughs bringing us delight. As we gaze at them so very closely in time, surely its there we find our Lord's hand upon them so divine. When, such a wicked dark evil comes in we find. Stealing away these lives so very precious, ones of such promise and light in hearts and in minds. For word's can't express this the world's darkest of all sins. As its here on earth our tragic pain cry begins. Knowing we will never see them again. Oh these dark hearted deeds, foul works all planted by The Devil's henchmen these seeds. Of such wickedness, all in these most nefarious of all acts. Bringing heartache and grief these true sons of Satan heart contracts. `Oh the tears, oh the tears, for all of those lost precious stolen years. As a torrent of heartache and grief upon hearts appears. Forever and a day flows here. A child now forever to be, not to blossom and grow tall like a tree. To give the world a life's journey. With their fruition upon earth to see. Growing old and wise from love's seed. And the great blessing of a family. For all those broken hearts now left behind, try to find some solace to escape your misery. In knowing the darkness is no match for the light. And all your loved ones dwell as Angels from here to eternity in heaven's light. Raining tears, raining tears, as our children cry here. With his arms all around them, as our lord now wipes their tears. ``My children you have nothing to fear''. One day your family will all be here. Come to me and spend the rest of eternity here. Our life is but a short one upon this Mother Earth. And from a distance what now seems but only the worst. Is not, for an eternity up in Heaven with our Lord is that not for what we all search? Amen.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of the recently departed Chairman Michael R. Long, who served his community, his state, and his Nation with pride and distinction for decades. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Chairman Long was a staunch conservative who dedicated his entire life to furthering the support of conservative values across our great sate. After serving his country as a Marine, Chairman Long jumped into action once again, working tirelessly to support various presidential, gubernatorial, and mayoral candidates over the years. From 1981 to 1983, Chairman Long served his community as Brooklyn's at-large City Council member. In this position, Chairman Long was unwavering in his beliefs, fervent in his support of conservative values, and quickly rose to the position of Conservative Party Chairman just a few years later. In addition to his public service and political endeavors, Chairman Long was also an entrepreneur and businessman, having owned a bar and grill, ice cream parlor, and liquor store with his brother, Tom. Chairman Long also served as the president of his local businessman's association, a school board member, and an officer in various other civic groups, including the Committee to Restore Respect, Honor, and Dignity to Policemen. In all that he did, Chairman Long emerged as a steadfast, common- sense leader who was never afraid to speak his mind. While countless New Yorkers mourn his passing, let us take a moment to reflect upon Chairman Michael Long's many contributions to his community and his party. May his efforts inspire countless generations of future public servants, and may we continue to honor his memory for years to come.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, on Roll Call No. 233, I mistakenly voted Yea when I intended to vote Nay.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6868, the Cybersecurity Grants for Schools Act of 2022, would authorize the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to award grants to states, local governments, and educational institutions for cybersecurity curriculum and educational tools. The threat of cyberattacks from Russia and other foreign adversaries is more prevalent than ever. By incorporating cybersecurity into our school's curriculum, alongside core subjects like math and science, we will be able to bring up the next generation with a strong foundation to not only protect themselves individually from cybercrimes, but also to inspire greater participation in the cybersecurity workforce. Cyber attacks are the next frontier in the great power competition with China and Russia and we must act now to mitigate this threat and build resilience throughout our citizenry. I was pleased to work closely with the Cyber Innovation Center and CYBER.ORG to draft this legislation, and to have since received the support of the Center for Excellence in Education and other industry leaders. We all recognize the national security imperative that is cybersecurity literacy. I am hopeful the House will pass this bipartisan legislation with broad support, and the Senate will act quickly to do the same, so we can begin to increase the cyber skills pipeline, recruit new students, and empower the future cyber workforce.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4738, the COVID-19 American History Project Act. I am proud to co-sponsor this bill and stand with my friend, Congresswoman Letlow, who knows better than most the devastation of this pandemic. Two years ago this month, an unknown virus swept across the world, taking lives and changing others forever. Our way of life was brought to an abrupt halt, and even now, we are still trying to claw our way back to normal. Our State was hit hard and early. Nearly 70,000 New Yorkers lost their lives to COVID-19. Too many families are now missing fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Too many friends are lost. Hardly anyone has made it through the last 2 years unscathed. It is unlikely that those of us living through this pandemic will ever forget these years of strife. What about those after us? Only by preserving and remembering times of difficulty can we ensure that future generations are prepared for what may come their way. Mr. Speaker, the memories of our friends and loved ones lost to COVID deserve to live on. The memory of Luke Letlow and that of hundreds of thousands of Americans like him deserve to live on. This bill would ensure that they do and that their loss will serve as a reminder for future generations.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3076, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021. The United States Postal Service is in urgent need of reform. The U.S. Postal Service provides an essential service to the American people, but due to losses in revenue year after year, the long-term viability of that service is in jeopardy. In fact, it is projected that the U.S. Postal Service will run out of money completely by 2024. This bill would institute reforms that would save the Postal Service an estimated $46 billion over 10 years. Among other provisions, the Postal Service Reform Act would require postal employees to enroll in Medicare when they are eligible and to eliminate the unreasonable requirement that the Postal Service prefund its retiree health benefits 75 years into the future. Additionally, this bill would improve service by instituting transparency requirements, promoting compliance with on-time delivery of mail, requiring operation of at least 6 days a week, and expanding nonpostal services. We cannot turn a blind eye to the collapse of our postal system. I urge every one of my colleagues to support this bill to prevent this.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the defeat of the previous question so we can immediately consider H.R. 2729, the Finish the Wall Act. My colleague on the other side of the aisle said that there is no crisis at the southern border. I think the American people would disagree with her. She says the administration has the solution. I wish they wouldn't keep it a secret. The crisis at the southern border has reached a tipping point. Illegal border crossings at record highs, and yet this administration refuses to act. I visited the southern border and saw for myself how bad things are. I also saw piles of building materials already paid for, sitting unused like rubble next to a partially built wall that desperately needs to be finished. The temporary fencing left in place is laughable. I could have walked right through the gaping holes and had myself a nice vacation. Now, imagine you were on the other side of the fence, desperate to get to America where the President has assured you that you could stay, if only you made it to the other side. You would be pretty well motivated, and, thankfully, we have left the door open for them. The wall is paid for; we just have to finish building it. This bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to resume construction of the border wall within 24 hours of enactment using funds Congress has already appropriated for building the wall. The wall is more than just a fence. It includes sensors and technology the Border Patrol needs to effectively hold the line. The agents I spoke with at the border are doing everything they can to stop illegal crossings, but they are overwhelmed and under-equipped. Now drug smugglers, human traffickers, gangs, and terrorists are taking full advantage of this vulnerability. While turning a blind eye to the dangers of our border crisis may serve this administration's agenda, it does not serve the American people, and it certainly doesn't serve my constituents. On Long Island, law enforcement continues to grapple with preventing MS-13 from getting a stronghold in our communities. But MS-13 gang members are emboldened by the policies of this administration and exploiting the crisis at our border to gain access to our country. I urge this body to act and immediately consider H.R. 2729 to finish the border wall construction and help stop the influx of drugs, criminal activity, and gang violence that is brought by MS-13 into this country.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this so-called reconciliation bill. This Build Back Better bill is nothing more than a sham to push far radical progressive policies on America, policies that America doesn't want and doesn't need. This will be the largest spending bill in our Nation's history, the largest tax increase in our Nation's history, and it is going to fall on the backs of middle-income and low-income families. And for what, Madam Speaker? A massive government takeover with 150 new programs when we can't even work the programs we have now well. It would grant amnesty to 7 million illegal immigrants and put billions into the Green New Deal. How do they plan to pay for it, Madam Speaker? By weaponizing the IRS to go after small businesses and families. But that won't be enough because of the price tag of this bill. It will explode our national debt and my grandchildren will have to pay for this. This socialist spending spree is a bad bill. It is bad for Long Island; it is bad for the Nation. I urge all of my colleagues to vote against it.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for giving me the opportunity to support H.R. 4256, the Investing in Main Street Act of 2021. The members of the House Small Business Committee, both Republican and Democrat, often talk about small businesses being the backbone of the U.S. economy. This is not just a talking point but a simple statement of fact. Small businesses are major contributors to our Nation's success and prosperity. As we face economic uncertainty due to the pandemic, we look to our small businesses to be leaders in the private sector and to help revitalize our communities. For 63 years, the SBIC program has injected capital into small businesses by allowing financial institutions or Federal savings associations to invest in SBICs up to 5 percent. But times change, programs need updating, and now, more than ever, small businesses in the SBIC program need access to additional capital. The increase from 5 percent to 15 percent investment stipulated in this bill is a necessary reform that will help small businesses get back on their feet. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague Congresswoman Chu for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman and ranking member for allowing this bill, the Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act, to come to the floor today. I also want to thank the Representatives for their support who are cosponsors: Representatives Evans, Chabot, Houlahan, Phillips, Tenney, Delgado, Rice, and Gottheimer. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and small businesses are increasingly vulnerable. Nearly 50 percent of cyberattacks are directed at small businesses, which can result in devastating financial, intellectual property, and reputational loss. Small businesses are targeted because they often lack the resources or technical knowledge needed to implement and maintain cybersecurity defenses. This bill combats this by helping Small Business Development Centers become better equipped to assist small businesses and their cybersecurity and cyber strategy needs. Combating cyberattacks and putting small businesses in the best position to prevent and respond to cyberattacks has become one of my top priorities as a Member of Congress. As a member of both the Small Business Committee and the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, I have seen how difficult it is for small businesses to arm themselves against these kinds of attacks. This bill provides much-needed resources to help small businesses improve their cyber preparedness in the face of rising threats. I urge my colleagues to support and pass H.R. 4515.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during Suicide Prevention Month, in honor of the American heroes who have lost their battles with PTSD, depression, and other mental illness. While suicide affects Americans from all walks of life, veterans commit suicide at a rate that is 1.5 times higher than those who have not served in the military. According to the VA, nearly 18 veterans take their own life each day, and at least 60,000 veterans died by suicide between 2008 and 2017. This is unimaginable. After surviving the horrors of war, veterans deserve our unwavering commitment to safeguarding their physical and mental health. That is why I introduced H.R. 1123, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, which directs the VA to complete a review of suicides by veterans in the last 5 years and provide recommendations to improve the well- being of veterans. Issues of mental illness can be nuanced and complex, but we owe it to our veterans to put every resource behind understanding what factors lead to veteran suicide so that we can put a stop to it and save veteran lives.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a poetic tribute in memory of the heroes and innocents lost on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at The World Trade Center penned by Albert Carey Caswell. Twenty Years Throughout The Tears (by Albert Carey Caswell) Twenty years throughout the tears It was twenty years ago this day, what happened here upon our hearts which weighs All in our tears which flow each day All in what our prayers have come to say As we stop to ponder all the pain and woe it's made The kind which only seems to grow only Heaven can allay When, we reunite with our loved ones one fine day As on this day that we stop to remember, what all happened here on the darkest of September's When, we lost all of our loved ones as Towers fell down below Watching all of those scenes from hell we'd come to know As their most courageous hearts to new heights so rose What seems like just yesterday, still remains 20 years later all in our pain and woe As we teach our children well about all of those Those innocents and heroes of 9/11 who up to heaven rose The Men and Women up in the Towers The magnificent Fire Fighters and Police who chose to fight in the darkest of hours As it been twenty years of heartbreak and tears for all of us and our's When, all of our loved ones went away On bended knee throughout the years oh how for them we've prayed, wishing but to with them one more day When, something or song reminds us of them as the tears come our way As we give thanks and praise to all of those heroes for what they gave Against such evil wrought on that day God bless those Heroes At Ground Zero heroically fought and stayed Teaching us all about faith and glory, teaching us all about their courage and selflessness as was their story When, from out of all this pain and heartache came such Gotham Glory As we watched Fire Fighters and Police, running up the towers towards sure death in disbelief To save precious lives all because of their selfless belief Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Parents and Grandparents and friends, we so loved in our hearts until the end Watching all those innocents and heroes dying right before our eyes crying And for all those children who had to grow up without moms or dads, and lost the best friends they'll ever have Not to watch them grow up to be everything they hoped to be No one to read them stories at night to sleep No one to explain or nurture them of the meaning of life so very deep Or on Christmas or Hanukkah to share their love all in such joy so sweet Or High School graduations, or walk them down the aisle on wedding days in hearts to keep Witnessing with them the miracle of birth As a new generation comes into this world to ponder their true worth And then now all the ones who are dying from that second wave All because they chose to stay who dug in deep day after day To find all of those precious bodies which lie beneath to place in a grave To have a place to be with them and pray When, all across our Nation came a call to arms As all our fearless men and women of the Armed Forces ventured out into harm Who gave their precious arms and legs, and their lives in That Full Measure they so gave For heaven so holds a place, for all such selflessness souls of the human race. And Hush little baby don't you cry, one day up in heaven you will look into your Mother or Fathers eyes Your parents have become Angels in The Army of Our Lord realize And when you lay your heads down to rest, they watch over you each night as you rest And when you wake you can feel their Angel's breath So have a good life for them and this our world you will bless Sadly, time does not heal all only up in heaven when we hear our loved ones voices call As twenty years have flown on by, as we keep asking that question why? Knowing in our hearts it's the battle of GOOD vrs EVIL therein lies As we watched the new towers up towards the heavens rise To build this great memorial of water falls and reflecting pools Etched upon it all their great names with hearts of love and courage full To build upon the exact footprint of the towers we fought for this sacred jewel So we would NEVER FORGET what happened, on that day when hearts over evil ruled, For a hallowed place to take all our children by the hand, to teach them well all about and make them understand All their precious souls so very bright Goodness . . . Evil. . . Darkness . . . Light Those brave hearts whose evil must fight Who bring the light As we remember that day when they taught us, The Darkness is no match for The Light And standing here this day, we can but not help to feel all of their precious souls telling us to pray For Mankind each day, and NEVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY And to give thanks, and remember what the gift of hope to world and America gave And to try to live a life of courage, faith, hope, and love as they By the grace of God we will join them up in heaven one fine day As long as we carry them in our hearts they're not gone As long as we remember them in our thoughts and prayers they live on Even twenty years later on this morn God Rest Their Souls, and may we try to live lives as caring and selfless as all of those

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a poetic tribute in honor of Thomas Butler and his father, William. I presented to his family on the day of his funeral after his father had given me a piece of glass from the World Trade Center where Thomas died. I include in the Record this poem, penned by Albert Caswell. A Piece of Glass (by Albert Carey Caswell) A Father and a Hero who raised a fine son A man who dedicated his entire life to saving others this one As too his fine son's life journey had just begun His little boy, his pride and joy as one day too he'd follow his father's most courageous footsteps his son And try as he may, this most splendid of all men who so many had saved, could not but save his own most precious of all ones A piece of glass now in my hands As once before stood so very grand Within your two great Twin Towers, gracing this fair city throughout all the hours as high above a majestic skyline you ran With your twin bright beacons of hope, and your islands of ingenuity and determination to all hearts spoke With your Gotham Tributes to all of Womankind and Man which invoked And from that first day begun As a construction worker peering out through you up towards the rising sun Until, that final opening day When, your most magnificent fruition was portrayed, in this your most historic of all runs And with each new succeeding day While, gazing through you and pressing hands all upon you as would they And how many countless hours, throughout all those snow storms, blizzards, thunder storms and rain showers When, upon a bright beautiful spring day, planning their escapes, counting the minutes . . . to the seconds . . . the hours Running down below to their most beloved ones so, as there they would come rushing out of your most majestic of all Towers And how many weddings were so amassed? With, young hearts here so enamored as the time had passed As it was all here along love's path And how about all those most beautiful babies born, from all those true fine loves warmed here so to last Ah yes, as it was in this the most magnificent of all buildings, which held so many hearts at bay with the spells that they'd cast On 9/11, while looking out you on that fine fall day Up towards those jet blue skies as the white clouds drifted on by and far away As so unsuspectingly their own death's they could not for see, unaware of what dreaded dark death and dark evil before them now lay Perhaps, with but thoughts of loved ones beating in their hearts on that day, at what was to be their last and most tragically heroic of all days And `Oh . . . . but did you so see all of those planes coming crashing in and so wince? While, watching in such shock and in horror at all of its most vulgar carnage At the lost of all those fine innocents As down below you witnessed all those brave hearts, magnificent souls gallantly rushing in without regard of consequence Our most fearless firefighters, and most precious police, and brave citizen saviors who stayed armed with but only their beliefs And 'oh how it must have shattered you to see All of those splendid people, women and men Together holding hands, jumping off in such misery and grief As I ask you now, did Tommy in those last final moments While, looking through you think of his most beloved family out too his heart reached. As he came rushing up the stairs on his way to Heaven, passing death's cold stare to our Lord speaks As he stood there, as one of the most courageous of all ones So Magnificently Bill Butler's fine son And from this day of all days what are we all here to so take With all such grief and so much horrendous heartache That still within our beating hearts, within its rhythm something far much more greater now to take And from all of their most tragic deaths of which we are now left Are all those bright lights as Angels names up in Heaven now bless Comes this great consolation in hearts knowing, that all those who heroically died to Heaven surely rose up no less Burying our babies, our daughters and sons for there can be no greatest pain for a parent begun While, there in the darkness all alone, our Lord sees and hear's your most desperate of all moans Up in Heaven our Lord in his love cries, as his tears wash down upon us when there comes a gentle rain from his eyes To ease our pain for all our lost daughters and sons Somehow find the strength until your reunited again A piece of glass as given to me By a wonderful Father, all in the midst of this his families most dark tragedy Forever and a day, as with me this his most precious of all gift's will stay To be ever revered in my family As it's with chills I now stand . . . with quivering hands, remembering the sacred name of a hero named Thomas Butler eternally And from this day on a great lesson as born, to teach my children of Thomas's sacrifice so warm And for the generations to come, I shall plant those seeds of his faith to all of my children and theirs among Of all those like Thomas who died and sacrificed like Christ to Kingdom Come About all their selfless seeds of faith, courage and sacrifice With their greatest gifts but for the greater good to give up ones life To nourish others' souls about Thomas's life Remembering 9/11 and all those fine heroes, and all their sacred gifts who which did not to think twice A piece of glass, was once but just mere sand As it is we who here who are made up of flesh and blood and hands Who here with hearts and souls and courageous acts and in our tears now stand Goodness . . . Evil . . . Darkness . . . Light In the moment of truth will we burn bright? Will we reside in the darkness or choose rise up in the light? And for all those who do, are but our Lord's chosen people in his heart burns bright As we peer back through time looking back upon this the very soul of Woman and Mankind That on this day we fully understand That buildings can rise, and in time may not stand But, in our Lord's heart There are far greater thing's which command Which, leaves him in awe Of the most sacred of all gifts to understand All those who give up one's life for another will rest in God's hands As here I stand, with a sacred piece of glass in my hands Forever and a day, these lessons of sacrifice and Thomas I'll take on my way And a sacred piece of glass given to me by a wonderful man In Memory of Thomas Butler and all the Heroes of 9/11, on Sunday May 26, 2002. I took the families of the Memorial Day Concert on a tour of the Capitol, Thomas Butler's Father Bill Butler presented A Piece of Glass from the World Trade Center to me in the crypt of the United States Capitol building after I had recited 2 poems about the Heroes of 9/11. I went to his son's funeral in Long Island and printed this poem to his family.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in acknowledgment of Long Island's own David Friedman, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel. In a few days, there will be a dedication ceremony to rename a local street in his honor, but I would be remiss if I did not state for the Record Ambassador Friedman's tremendous accomplishments in support of our ally, Israel, during his tenure. Whether it be countering the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel or recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, he has been a leading example on how best to represent our Nation abroad. Most notable, of course, was his leadership in advancing the Abraham Accords, the greatest development in normalized relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors in over 40 years, and the movement of the U.S. embassy to its rightful and lawful place, Jerusalem. I implore my colleagues to stand with me in a commitment to affirming and building upon the advancements that Ambassador Friedman made to strengthen U.S.-Israeli relations, and I congratulate him once again on his achievements.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week, a time to express our enduring gratitude for the incredible bravery and sacrifice of American law enforcement officers across the country. I stand here today to honor our men and women in law enforcement in the well of the U.S. House of Representatives because we must never forget all they do to keep Americans safe. Recently, an NYPD officer from West Islip in my district showed us all what it means to protect and serve. When gunfire rang out in the middle of Times Square, Officer Alyssa Vogel, a neighborhood coordination officer, immediately rushed to the aid of an injured 4- year-old girl. Officer Vogel quickly applied an emergency tourniquet to the young girl's leg, gathered her in her arms, and ran her to safety where the girl's injuries were treated in a nearby ambulance. Officer Vogel is a 4\1/2\-year veteran of the NYPD. She is a wife, a mother, and, as is evident by her bravery and quick thinking, she is a hero that Long Islanders can be proud to call their own. This is just one example of the extraordinary acts that police officers in my district and across the country do every single day in the line of duty. May God bless and watch over them as they serve.

Mr. GARBARINO

Mr. GARBARINO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 490, the Department of Homeland Security MORALE Act of 2021. This legislation, sponsored by Chairman Thompson, will empower the Department's chief human capital officer to improve leadership development, employee engagement, and morale at the Department, which consistently ranks near the bottom of all Federal departments. This bill will support the Department's most important asset, the many dedicated security professionals that work diligently to better protect our Nation. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 490, and I reserve the balance of my time.