Kathleen Hochul

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, as we begin voting on the National Defense Authorization Act later today, I want to remind people that, earlier this year, the Air Force proposed cutting 5,100 Air National Guard positions from our military. Part of this plan eliminates three C 130s and 800 jobs from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in my own district. Transparency in government is important to all of us. Yet in this decision, no information was provided to us as to how these decisions were made to cut that many across the country. It's clear we need to reduce our spending, but we need to do it in a transparent and open way. Last week, I was proud to join Republicans and Democrats on the Armed Services Committee in offering an amendment to restore these positions. When our citizens need help, whether it's fighting terrorism in Afghanistan or being rescued from floods in upstate New York, I say: Who you gonna call? I want to make sure that the Air National Guard is prepared to protect us; and therefore, today, we need to protect them.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Madam Speaker, you had to look at their faces and right into their eyes to see the worry that these young people had. Just yesterday, I convened a roundtable of students at Daemen College in my district and we talked about the biggest concern on their mind. It wasn't their final exams; it was the knowledge that in 3 short months, if this body does not act, these young people will face a doubling of the interest rate on their student loans from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. These young people are afraid; they're concerned. I asked them what it would mean to them. One man who already has $120,000 in debt now said he would probably have to leave in order to start paying back his debt. One woman said she would probably have to take a fourth job on top of her third job. Another junior said he probably would not be back next year. Heartbreaking stories, ladies and gentlemen, but we can stop it from happening. You've got to ask: What's wrong with this picture? Banks are lending to each other at about zero percent. You can get a home mortgage loan for 3.9 percent. Why are our young people, who are doing nothing other than having a shot at the American Dream that each one of us had by getting a good education, why are they going to be strapped with this debt? I ask all of us to join in asking the House of Representatives leadership to allow us to vote on this bill.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. I rise today to honor and recognize a true American patriot, Sergeant William Wilson of Amherst, New York, my district, for giving the ultimate sacrifice and service to his country. On March 26 of this year, Sergeant Wilson lost his life defending us in Afghanistan while serving with NATO forces. Billy, as he was fondly called by his mom and dad and his brothers, served our country for 7 years, and was on his third tour of duty. His commander said: Without question, he was my best, most skilled and talented squad leader. That's who Billy was--selfless, dedicated and always putting his heart and soul into his soldiers. If you ask his family or friends and look into the eyes of his mom and dad, they are overwhelmed with pride of his service. Billy was proud to put on the uniform and to serve our country. His smile would light up a room. Just ask any of the thousands of people who came and paid tribute to him just this past week--a devoted family friend, respected and loved by many. To his brother, he was known as Superman. For his brave efforts, Sergeant Wilson was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. But my message today is for Billy's parents, Bill and Kim, for his brothers Jeremy and Wesley, for his fiancee, for his entire family, for his grandma. I want them to know from a grateful Nation: your boy did not die in vain. He honored our country with his service, and for that we are forever grateful.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, from Buffalo to Rochester, New York, people in my district want to get back to work. They just need the opportunity. That's why during budget hearings yesterday with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, I posed the question: Can our government be doing more to make sure that our limited Federal procurement dollars are being spent on jobs in manufacturing right back here in America? The answer is, yes. They want to work with us, and we need to work together to make more of our limited dollars spent in companies that have a higher percentage of the American workforce right here making our defense systems and our products for the Department of Homeland Security. My policy is to give more preferences to those businesses based on the percentage of workers in America. We need to have a policy that is going to reward those companies and not penalize them. We need to create more opportunities for manufacturing right here in America and in my district in upstate New York. So I look forward to working collaboratively. I'm going to introduce legislation that I expect to be bipartisan in nature. Who could not agree that we could do more to make it in America?

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Madam Speaker, just a minute ago we heard our chaplain beseech us to be open to the hearts and minds of the people we represent. That is exactly why, today, we need to pass the STOCK Act to stop insider trading on congressional knowledge. This has waited too long, Madam Speaker. My colleague from upstate New York, Louise Slaughter, has led the charge for this for 6 years. It is now time for us to take action--and not a watered-down version. We need to stop the insidious practice of insider trading, giving Members of this body an unfair advantage over Americans who sent us here to represent them. This practice must stop. I'm calling on all of my colleagues and calling on the leadership to give us a bill we can support, put an end to this insidious practice, and let us begin the long process of restoring the faith of the American people in this institution.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Three years ago this week, an unspeakable tragedy occurred when a plane full of people, those who were dearly loved by their families, crashed through a home in Clarence Center, in my district. The cause was pilot fatigue and inexperience, and the cruel irony that it occurred over Valentine's Day weekend was lost on no one. Yet, out of those ashes arose an indomitable spirit among these families that united them in their grief and brought their quest right here to the Halls in Washington. They wanted to ensure that no other family had to endure having their hearts ripped out the way they all had. They never took ``no'' for an answer. They never gave up, and they inspired Congress to work in a bipartisan way to pass historic flight safety reform rules. That's why I am joined by my colleagues from western New York to introduce a resolution to honor them, the victims of the crash, to thank the surviving families of Flight 3407, and to call on the administration to finish the work they started to implement these necessary FAA rules. Until the will of Congress and of the families we serve is translated into new rules, we will not give up the fight, because the families are counting on us, and they've never given up the fight.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I stand with my good colleague from western New York, Congressman Brian Higgins, united in opposition to the proposed elimination of the postal processing and distribution center in Buffalo and the 700 jobs of people that are currently employed there. I understand the Postal Service has gone through some tough times. They need to make some hard decisions. Up in our neck of the woods, 700 jobs is a very big deal. That is 700 families making mortgage payments, 700 families making their car payments, and 700 families that haven't been able to make their tuition payments. In addition to these individuals, businesses, seniors, and rural communities we represent would be adversely affected if this were to end. This would end the overnight delivery of first-class mail in the Buffalo region, impacting all the businesses that depend on this service. It would probably slow commerce, delay the delivery of medication to our seniors, and impair communications for rural families who don't have Internet access. At a time when the Postal Service is struggling to retain business, they need to be creative and find new ways to garner more customers.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas: Mortimer Sullivan is a resident of Erie County and is married to Maryanne Calella. They are the proud parents of two children, Mark and Michael; and Whereas: In 1954, Mortimer graduated from the University of Buffalo where he earned a degree in Psychology and completed Western New York's first college-accredited certificate-granting law enforcement training program. He also was the first commander of the University's Air Force ROTC Corps of Cadets; and Whereas: After graduating from College he reported to active duty in the Air Force, and later served in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Mobilization Reserve Program from which he retired in 1987; and Whereas: Colonel Mortimer Sullivan earned the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army and Air Force Commendation medals, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross during his service; and Whereas: Mr. Sullivan was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1964; and Whereas: Rising to the rank of Lieutenant, Mortimer is a founding charter member of the Erie County Sheriffs Scientific Reserve with 40 years of service; and Whereas: For 25 years, Mortimer Sullivan chaired the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York Committee on Constitutions and Cannons and received the Bishop's Award for Ministry of the Laity; and be it further Resolved; That we pause in our deliberations to honor Mortimer Sullivan for his dedication and service to the Erie County Sheriff's Department and our community.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the one hundred year anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, this organization has cultivated courage, confidence, and character in young women and girls across the Nation. It is the largest organization for girls in the world and includes 3.2 million scouts today. Through volunteering, community service, adventures, and, of course, cookie sales, these young women have become the emerging leaders of our world today. Girl Scouts participate in a wide variety of services and projects, from science and technology based activities to programs focused on financial literacy and understanding. Campaigns launched by the Girl Scouts in the past have included action against bullying and awareness of eating disorders. The highest achieving scouts even get the opportunity to apply for a Capitol Hill internship. The organization is undeniably an American institution committed to developing women leaders, and thus the hundred year mark comes with much celebration. In honor of this century of service, 2012 has been designated ``The Year of the Girl,'' and the projects we will see are ambitious, eclectic, and simply inspiring. As a Nation, let us recognize the astounding efforts of the organization and continue to support the Girl Scouts of America.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, exactly 12 hours ago, those of us who sat in this Chamber watched raw courage walk through that door when our colleague, Gabby Giffords, came in here of her own accord. She overcame obstacles both physical and emotional that few of us can ever imagine. In this room, we often find similar challenges. I call on this body in the spirit of Gabby Giffords to put aside our differences and work together and institute the parts of the President's plan we heard last night that we all agree on. I sat over here on the so-called Republican side of the aisle, and I know there were times when my colleagues, all of them, got up and applauded and supported the President and issues, whether it was to bring back jobs from overseas, whether it was fairness in our Tax Code, or infrastructure for our roads and bridges that are crumbling, at least in my district. We have much before us, just as our friend Gabby did. We can overcome it. She did it. We must. The American people are counting on us.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, over the last few weeks, I have traveled constantly throughout my 26th District of New York, meeting business owners and talking to them about the challenges that they are facing in this particular economic climate. Right now, they are frustrated with the various levels of government they have to go through to get an answer out of their Federal Government. It has become so burdensome that there are actually 80 different economic development agencies, four different departments, and in fact, there are 47 different job training programs. These businesses have enough on their minds and have enough challenges before them without having to solve this problem. Fortunately, the President has come up with a plan. Last week, President Obama proposed consolidating six various entities into one, a one-stop shop for businesses, for trade so that they can get their questions answered without having complications. This is something I support, my local Chambers of Commerce support, and that's why I'm calling on this body: Let's take up this plan. Let's give the people in my district--a Republican district, I might add--what they're looking for. Streamline our government, reduce the cost of government, save taxpayer dollars, a one-stop shop for our businesses; and once and for all, let's demonstrate to the American people that we have the capability to work together.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the opportunity to recognize the expansion of the Womens' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Residential Treatment Program at the Batavia VA Medical Center in my district today. This is the first residential PTSD treatment center for women veterans in New York State. The VA is anticipating the treatment of up to 120 women veterans at this facility, and will provide care from 6-8 weeks depending on their needs. The $5.4 million in funding for this project was provided by a women's health initiative by the Department of Veterans Affairs and will help provide vital services to female veterans throughout Western New York. For over two decades women have served on the battlefield, leading to unprecedented trauma that requires focused treatment upon their return to civilian life. And with more women serving in the military than ever before--15 percent of all active military personnel and 20 percent of reservists--we must expand the availability of health facilities and benefits to our women veterans. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, women veterans are four times more likely to have long lasting PTSD than men, which may lead to severe depression, substance abuse, and physical health problems. The VA is taking the proper steps to adapt to the growing number of women veterans; however, there are currently less than a dozen centers in the United States that provide PTSD services. Without the selfless actions of all the brave men and women of the Armed Forces, past and present, our country would not live so freely. For years, our veterans have gone untreated for PTSD, causing perpetual hardships for them and their families after they have returned home from the battlefield. Today, we recognize our female veterans and make progress in providing them with the proper care they need and deserve.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I held a forum for small businesses and teamed them up with experts from the U.S. Government on how to discuss strategies in getting them into the global marketplace. It's also a reminder to me of the vast, untapped potential that lies before us as we address the critical needs for more jobs in this country. With nearly 96 percent of the world's consumers living outside the U.S. and two-thirds of the world's purchasing power in foreign countries, we must help our small businesses learn how to export their products and services to other nations. Small businesses I met on Saturday, like the Kean Wind Turbines and Maram's Dress Shop in Williamsville, are looking for a shot at this marketplace; but they need our help. After all, small businesses that export their goods and services are one-third less likely to fail than companies that do not export. Therefore, I'm urging every Member of Congress to work with their local businesses to help expose them to the amazing opportunities that await them if they are willing to leap into the global marketplace. I put our products and our businesses up against any global competitor anytime, anywhere.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, even though we are approaching the conclusion of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we still live in a dangerous world. But if we look back over the past two decades we can see that considerable progress has been made. In 1991 the Soviet Union disintegrated, according to our late, great Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a victim of ethnic tensions among the various and diverse republics that made up the USSR. Two decades later, much change has taken place in the former Soviet Union. Independent democracies have begun to emerge where once there were just brutal dictatorships. The Cold War is now over and we no longer have the same types of demands on our defense infrastructure prevalent of that era. There is one former Soviet Republic that I would like to single out today and congratulate on the 20th anniversary of its independence, the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has been a good friend of the United States, cooperating with us on the war on terror and the program to prevent former Soviet nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands. Azerbaijan has also provided important logistical support to our forces in Afghanistan and sent over 150 soldiers to assist us in our efforts in that country. As a secular Shiite Muslim country, Azerbaijan has been a role model. Before Azerbaijan was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1918, after the Russian Revolution, the country enjoyed a brief period of independence, and was the very first Muslim country to grant women the right to vote in 1918, two years before the United States did so with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Azerbaijan has also enjoyed strong relations with Israel and the over 12,000 Azeri Jews are treated as full members of that society. Unlike most Muslim countries, Azerbaijan has full diplomatic relations with Israel and has hosted Israeli President Shimon Peres on a state visit in 2009. Israel is also Azerbaijan's 5th largest trading partner, and Azerbaijan provides over one-sixth of Israel's oil supply. As a result of these strong relations, when almost 600 Israeli citizens were stranded in Georgia at the beginning of the Russian invasion of that country and the Tbilisi Airport closed, Azerbaijan sent buses to the Georgian border to help evacuate the Israelis. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to concur with President Obama's statement on October 20, 2011 that ``This 20th anniversary of independence, and Azerbaijan's achievements during this time, demonstrate the extraordinary promise and determination of the Azeri people. The United States is committed to developing greater opportunities to work with the Government and people of Azerbaijan.''

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Madam Speaker, yesterday I spoke with over 8,000 of my constituents during a telephone town hall to talk about the end of the open enrollment period for Medicare, which occurs at midnight tonight. We also talked about the savings they are now receiving as a result of the closing of the legendary prescription drug doughnut hole. More than 2.5 million Medicare recipients across the Nation have saved $1.5 billion on their prescription drugs this year alone. In New York, we had 175,000 Medicare recipients, and they received a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs, totaling over $113 million in savings, an average of $650 per family. Yesterday's call was a reminder, when I was talking about Bill from Williamsville and Joan from Livingston County, that we have to work hard to protect this absolutely critical program that ensures medical care for our seniors and allows them to live their later years in dignity. As my seniors told me: Medicare is not an entitlement; it is a program we spent our entire lives paying into. And I, for one, plan to protect it.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, despite what you might hear in this body, I believe that there are some regulations that we all can support. The National Traffic Safety Board concluded that pilot fatigue contributed to the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 3407, which crashed into a house in my district, killing 50 innocent victims nearly 3 years ago. The legislation passed by this body in response to this crash mandated new pilot fatigue guidelines to be implemented by August 1 of this year. That date came and went. Then we were told November 22. Then we were told November 30. Those days have come and gone. The families of these victims have worked tirelessly for a resolution to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again. The millions of Americans who fly our skies every year are counting on us for regulations to ensure their safety. Let's not let them down.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Madam Speaker, last week, like millions of Americans across this country, my family and I gave thanks for our blessings, our Nation's freedom, and for the food on our table--provided by the hardworking farmers of our country and from my district. Now I ask my colleagues to join me in giving thanks for our farmers who make this great harvest possible. America's farms are the best in the world. Our food is safer, higher in quality, and more efficiently grown than that of any other country. The labor and innovation of America's farmers puts food on the tables of not just families here at home, but for hungry people across the world. As our farmers bring their goods to market in the 21st century economy, they expect to have a 21st century government that will help, not hinder, their business. That's why I call on the Secretary of Labor to allow farmers to submit their H-2A applications for temporary guest workers online. New York farmers are increasingly relying on this program for the legal labor they need to plant and harvest their crops. This summer, I was absolutely shocked to learn that one of my onion farms in Genesee County had to mail almost 20 pounds of paperwork to the Federal Government in order to participate in this program. There must be a better way. An online application program would save money for our farmers and our taxpayers, and I urge the Secretary of Labor to swiftly implement this program.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2838, ``the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011,'' and to salute the brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard for their service to our nation. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Armed Services Committee, I recognize the critical role the Coast Guard plays in combating piracy, interdicting illegal drugs, preventing acts of terrorism, and assisting our coastal communities when they are afflicted by natural disasters. That is why I am saddened that controversial provisions were attached to this bill. I cannot support this legislation because it would strip New York State of its right to protect itself from invasive species introduced through ballast water, putting New Yorkers and New York State waters at risk. My home state is blessed to sit on two Great Lakes: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. These waters are of critical importance to the Western New York economy and support recreation jobs, fishing jobs, tourism jobs, shipping jobs--jobs at our ports, harbors and canals. The people of New York are all too aware of the havoc that invasive species like Asian Carp and Zebra Mussels can wreak on the Great Lakes and the threat they pose to our economy. That is why I oppose this legislation and urge my colleagues to preserve New York's right to protect our citizens, protect our waters and protect our jobs.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, as we approach the impending Veterans Day next week, I think it's important that we pause for a moment as a country and reflect on the contributions that these veterans have done, veterans who served us since the early part of last century, all the way up to those who are waiting to come home with open arms, just a month away, this Christmas. But importantly, we have to give them jobs when they come home. And Mr. Speaker that's why I support the sections of the President's jobs bill that will create small business incentives to hire our veterans, and an even greater incentive to hire our wounded veterans. This is so important because the last thing I want to see in this country is to give thanks to these people on one day and then to find them under a bridge because they're homeless and couldn't get a job. These people deserve better than that, Mr. Speaker, and I call on my Members of Congress, in a bipartisan way, to support incentives to give our veterans what they need when they come home--a warm welcome and the dignity of a job.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. On a cold, snowy night in February 2009, the lives of hundreds of people in my district were shattered. The cruel irony of 50 loved ones killed in a plane crash the Friday before Valentine's Day weekend is lost on no one in my district, near Buffalo, which is exactly where the Colgan Flight 3407 plane crash occurred. The families began a quest for answers--hearings on Capitol Hill and NTSB investigations. Finally, we thought we had the answers. Yet it wasn't until a lawsuit was filed in Federal court in Buffalo and through the perseverance of a Buffalo news reporter that they finally announced that the company never gave critical emails regarding the inability of this pilot to fly this plane. Those emails were never revealed until now. That's why I teamed up with our local delegation--Congresswoman Slaughter, Congressmen Higgins and Reed, and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand--to call for a Federal investigation by the United States Attorney General into what this company knew and when they knew it. Whether they possessed critical emails at the right time, whether they gave them to us, whether there were other emails that would shed light as to what happened on that night, the families deserve to know; western New Yorkers need to know; and America needs to know.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas: The Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo is located in the City of Buffalo in Erie County; and Whereas: The Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo was founded in 1894 by Miss Charlotte Mulligan and other graduates of the Buffalo Seminary to promote cultural pursuits; and Whereas: The Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo is considered to be among the oldest clubs for women in the United States; and Whereas: The Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo played an important role during the Pan American Exposition and serves as an important reminder of the City of Buffalo's outstanding architectural history; and Whereas: The Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo remains a vital and forward thinking club which is consistent with the sophisticated elegance that has defined the club for over a century; and Whereas: The Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo has been designated a National Historic Landmark as a result of the support, energy and steadfast commitment of its members; be it further Resolved; That we pause in our deliberations to honor the Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo on their designation as a National Historic Landmark and their service to the Western New York Community.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I welcome President Obama's announcement that our brave men and women in our Armed Forces serving in Iraq will soon be coming home in time for the holidays. This holiday season, we can expect to see 40,000 people returning to this country, particularly some who are coming back to my Niagara Falls Air Force base, where I look forward to welcoming them warmly. But as we approach Veterans Day and embrace this group of America's newest veterans, I'm troubled that, in a time of 9.1 percent unemployment and an even higher rate of unemployment for our returning veterans, which approaches 12 percent, we have to ensure that these individuals will have jobs; otherwise, it is a national disgrace. That is why it's critical that we pass the American Jobs Act. This would create a $5,600 ``Returning Heroes'' tax credit for employers who hire veterans, and a $9,600 tax credit for ``Wounded Warriors,'' again, for employers who hire our veterans with service-connected disabilities. In a country as grateful as ours for their service, we owe them no less. We owe them better. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the American Jobs Act.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Our Nation is facing a crisis with respect to public safety. Over 1,100 bridges in New York State alone, my State, are considered fracture-critical. Fracture-critical bridges could collapse if a single one of their key support functions fails, and there are 82 such bridges in my district alone. Every day, 21 million cars in my State cross structurally deficient bridges, creating an intolerable situation. As the former county clerk, responsible for putting vehicles and people on the roads, this is personal to me. I feel compelled to fight for money from Washington to fix our bridges and our roads and bring them up to par. There is a solution, Mr. Speaker, and that is the American Jobs Act, which includes money for critically necessary infrastructure to repair these bridges so our driving public can travel safely. Therefore, I urge all my colleagues to support me in supporting the American Jobs Act and in getting our country back to work while making the public safer.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, Whereas: W. Douglas Call is a resident of Genesee County and has been married for 48 years to Donna Hunt; and Whereas: W. Douglas Call and Donna are the proud parents of three children and 10 grandchildren; and Whereas: W. Douglas Call served as a United States Air Force Judge Advocate from 1966 to 1973, a former seminarian, and an attorney; and Whereas: W. Douglas Call was the Genesee County Assistant County Attorney from 1976 to 1980, Genesee County Sheriff from 1981 to 1988, Monroe County Director of Public Safety from 1988 to 1990 and Stafford Town Justice from 1999 to the present; and Whereas: W. Douglas Call was instrumental in developing a unique program along with more than 120 community groups which required community service for non-violent offenders; and Whereas: W. Douglas Call continued in his efforts to protect residents of Genesee County and New York State by initiating the Stop DWI and roadblock program; and Whereas: W. Douglas Call has dedicated his life to serving the residents of Genesee County. Be it further Resolved; That we pause in our deliberations to honor W. Douglas Call for his outstanding commitment and service to the residents of Genesee County.

Ms. HOCHUL

Ms. HOCHUL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize a significant event that is occurring in Western New York next week. Our nation's rich culture, history, art, and architecture are national treasures and help remind us everyday who we are and where we came from. This year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation is holding its 65th annual National Preservation Conference in Buffalo, NY and will feature historic and cultural sites throughout the Buffalo Niagara region. Hundreds of Western New Yorkers have worked for the past four years to plan this conference, researching sites from Medina to Chautauqua and everywhere in between, planning events, and creating art exhibitions. These sites include such regional attractions as the Guaranty Building, Darwin D. Martin House Complex, Roycroft Campus, and the Erie Canal locks in Lockport, among many others. I am proud to show off Western New York's historical icons to the rest of the country. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our vibrant culture and history and I commend all of those who are putting in time and effort to make this happen.