Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Neugebauer for yielding and for all his efforts on this. I also appreciate the fact that he said my efforts were tireless. Chairman Hensarling, at times, thought they were tiresome. I want to thank the chairman for putting a good spin on it, but very seriously, I want to thank him for his efforts. This is a bill where a number of us started off from different positions, from different perspectives. In true legislative form, we came together. This bill that we passed in December was a solid bill. Unfortunately, it was not taken up by the Senate, but it is essential that we pass it today because, as my good friend Mrs. Maloney said, this could have a devastating effect on the construction industry and on the American economy if it is not renewed as quickly as possible. This has to be reauthorized. It is absolutely essential. I want to thank Chairman Hensarling again for his efforts throughout this. Again, it has been a long process, but we stayed at it, and I thank him for that. Obviously, I thank Mrs. Maloney and the ranking member, Ms. Waters. Also, Mr. Capuano has been a fighter on this from the start. Again, we came together. This is a bill that, as I have said a number of times, was absolutely essential after September 11, when terrorism risk insurance could not be obtained. It even became more obvious as time went on how essential it was, how we desperately need it, and we have to preserve it. Also, not one Federal dollar has been expended on it; yet billions of dollars in revenue, construction projects, jobs, and expansion of the economy has resulted because of it. We are voting today, in a way, on a bill which, as Mrs. Maloney said, is going to go on for another 6 years. That gives it permanence and stability. It gives the construction industry, the real estate industry, and the people on the ground who want those construction jobs the ability to go forward. It lets municipalities know there is going to be construction going ahead in their jurisdictions. It is a plus- plus all the way. The changes that were made, the reforms that were made, I didn't believe they had to be done, but the fact is they are done, and they are not going to change the overall impact. They are not going to have any meaningful determinative effect whatsoever. Again, I am proud to support this bill in all its aspects. Mr. Scott from Georgia had a great concern about the insurers. I share that also. I think it is important that be in this bill. I know that was a bit of an obstacle in the Senate, but it shouldn't be. It had overwhelming support in the House. I know the great majority of the Members in the Senate support it. Now, we pass this on suspension today, sending a strong signal how we support this bill in its entirety. From my conversations--and I think Mrs. Maloney has had the same conversations--we feel confident that the Senate is going to pass it. When they do, it will be a victory for the American people, a victory for American business, a victory for American labor, and a victory for the American people to show that we have fought all the way back from the horrors of 9/11, and we are going to make sure that never again are we put in that position as far as the damage it can have on our economy. I would end this by saying that when we saw the attack in Paris today, we realized what can happen with a terrorist attack, how it can happen at any moment, and why it is essential this be reauthorized. Again, I thank the chairman for his efforts and patience over the last several years.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first thank the Chairman and Ranking Democrat of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Rep. John Kline and Rep. George Miller, for their efforts to seek a bipartisan solution for the problems facing the nation's multiemployer pension plans. I am very familiar with those problems, having constituents who are both active workers and retirees who are participants in those multiemployer plans. The legislation being advanced today will allow Plan Trustees of these troubled plans to have additional tools to maintain the solvency of the plans. Specifically, the legislation will allow trustees to better align benefit levels to available resources; it will clarify that the PBGC has the ability to assist plans well before they reach insolvency; and finally, to facilitate plan mergers. Taken together, these initiatives will assist troubled plans in avoiding insolvency. However, I do have a concern regarding the timeline for implementation of the new legislation. Some of these troubled plans need to move on with the needed benefit adjustments, along with the authority to merger and receive financial assistance from the PBGC, sooner rather than later. I would strongly urge the Treasury Department, along with the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, to move quickly on implementation of this legislation. For some plans, time is not on their side.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his mostly kind words. Very seriously Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman. At the outset, let me thank Chairman Hensarling; Chairman Neugebauer; Ranking Member Waters; my good friend, Mrs. Maloney from New York; and also Senator Schumer. As the gentleman from Georgia said, this has been a long and winding road, but we have arrived at a compromise which I believe is worthy of the support of all Members of this body, certainly those of us who strongly support TRIA. I have been a supporter of TRIA going back now 12, 13 years because after 9/11, we realized it was absolutely essential that TRIA be enacted for not just New York to be rebuilt, but also so that construction be allowed to go forward anywhere around the country where there could be a risk of a terrorist attack which is why Major League Baseball, the NFL, NASCAR, and virtually every large university in the country supports TRIA. Now, Mr. Speaker, this is a compromise, and it is a compromise where all of us can find some fault with it, but the bottom line is the essence of TRIA has been sustained, and as we go forward, it is essential, I believe--strongly believe--that it be extended. Let's make it clear there has not been 1 cent of Federal money expended on TRIA, but during the 13 years it has been in effect, we have had billions of dollars in construction, jobs, and revenues coming into the Federal Government. There is also not one Federal employee involved in administering TRIA. Mr. Speaker, we are where we are, and 6 years to have that certitude is absolutely essential. I respect those on the other side who may have objections to added provisions in the bill. I would just say: let us keep our eyes on the prize. For those of us who realize how important TRIA is, we are never going to get all we want. I happen to fully support the provision for end users, but even if I didn't, I would still support this bill because it is so essential. Mr. Speaker, let me just also say in closing that in addition to those I have mentioned, let me also acknowledge Congressman Grimm for the outstanding work that he has done on this from the day he first came to this body. In closing, I urge all Members, both parties and both Houses, to support this bill. It is a solid piece of legislation, and all of us can be proud for voting for it.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the chairman for yielding. I thank him for his effort in putting together this amendment, and, before he leaves the floor, I would like to commend my friend, Mr. Engel from New York, for the very vigorous bipartisan speech that he gave here today because this is what this issue warrants. Chairman McKeon has shown it, and I think all of us have to come together to the extent we can to support the President. Now, Mr. Speaker, I have been critical of the President. I believe that action should have been taken earlier against ISIS, but we can have these debates. That is all in the past. The fact is that ISIS is a real threat to the United States. As someone who comes from a district that lost over 150 people on 9/11, I never, ever want to go through that again. I can say right now that ISIS is more powerful than al Qaeda was on 9/11. They have more financing. They have more weapons. They have more members. They have more of their fighters who have passports that will enable them to come into the United States. And we know that they are committed to destroying Western civilization, so it is essential that we take action against ISIS and take it quickly and take it emphatically. I believe the President has the constitutional and statutory power to act, but I also think it is important for Congress to work with the President. The President has asked for this power to train moderate Syrians, and now I am not certain if that would work. I think it is going to be difficult to vet a sufficient number. It will be difficult to find them, to work with them. Having said that, as Commander in Chief, the President is entitled, I believe. That is his prerogative, and we should stand with him on that, because if we can put together an effective fighting force on the ground, that would make our airpower all that more effective. It is also important that we try to put together a coalition, and I believe Congress standing together as one, by showing strong support for the President, that will encourage other countries to join with us. They will realize we are in this for real, that we are not just making empty gestures. It is important for Congress to come forward at this time. Now, having said that, I also believe that the President should be more open with the American people and say this is going to be tough. And I believe that there are going to be boots on the ground. Now, I don't believe we have to have combat troops, per se. This is not going to be easy.

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, we have to realize that no matter how well a war is planned, no matter how specific our strategy is, the fact is that there are going to be tough days ahead. This is going to be very rough. This is not going to be easy. And we have to condition the American people, prepare them for that and be honest with them. We as Republicans, I believe, have an obligation not just to be critical, but to stand with the President if we believe overall that ISIS has to be stopped, and we have to support our Commander in Chief in doing that. So what happened in the past is in the past. I don't want the past to be prolonged, but we can work constructively and positively and to make sure that the job gets done because too many lives are dependent on it. I am not in this for Iraq. I am not in this for Afghanistan. Yes, that is important. I am in this for the people in the United States, people who never, ever should be attacked again, and our forces overseas who are in harm's way. That is our main obligation, and that is who I am voting for today when I vote for the chairman's amendment. Again, I thank him for the outstanding job he has done; and since this may be my last time, to also commend him for the great job he has done as chairman over the last several years. With that, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, the United States Foreign Terrorist Organization List is widely recognized as a powerful tool in the fight against terrorist networks around the world. Designating a terrorist group as an ``FTO'' makes it clear that organizations that engage in terrorist activity should not be welcome in any civilized society, while the wide-ranging effects of designation can hamper a network's financing and operations. Often, when the United States adds an organization to the FTO List, they are leading the global community in taking on extremist groups willing to murder innocent civilians, and therefore, the value of a credible, potent, and reliable designation process is immense. The Secretary of State's role in managing the FTO List in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality act is complemented by consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury. Each of these cabinet level officials plays a role in enforcing an FTO designation, and their assistance in considering potential additions to the list is absolutely vital. However, since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)--which also has responsibility for many of the enforcement tools of FTO Designations-- the role of the Secretary of Homeland Security in the FTO process has not been codified in statute. As an example, DHS is the only Cabinet-level Department whose first three missions are the prevention of terrorism and enhancement of security; securing and managing borders; and enforcing and administering immigration laws. Each of these is a major component of the FTO List, which is designed to mitigate the terrorist threat and prevent members of designated organizations from entering the United States. Further, DHS already plays a significant role in assisting the Department of State in making FTO designations by providing information gathered by component agencies and DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis. The Immigration and Nationality Act should codify the reality of the responsibility DHS has to assist in these designations. Additionally, DHS personnel have a large presence in foreign countries, and DHS employees interact with individuals attempting to enter the United States thousands of times each day. DHS personnel contribute to screening FTO members who attempt to enter the United States. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an office within U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is the second-largest federal investigative agency in the country. The National Security Investigation Division of HSI ``enhances national security through criminal investigations; prevents acts of terrorism by targeting people, money and materials that support terrorist and criminal activities; and identifies and eliminates vulnerabilities in the nation's border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security.'' This mission is intimately linked to the FTO list. Many recent FTO designations have been issued for groups that have already attacked U.S. interests, U.S. citizens, or the U.S. Homeland. At the same time, many of these organizations engaged in terrorist activity and have been viewed as terrorist networks long before their inclusion in the FTO list. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan, Boko Haram, the Haqqani Network, and al Shabaab are some such examples. Yet the FTO list was intended to proactively respond to the threat of terrorism, and should be utilized as a weapon in the fight against all terrorist entities, not merely a declaration of the obvious and measure of last resort. With this in mind, it is important to balance the diplomatic concerns of the State Department with the law enforcement concerns of the Departments of Justice and Treasury, and the security concerns of the Department of Homeland Security. Terrorist groups, and their members, should be identified as terrorists and barred from the United States according to the threat they pose. Adding the Secretary of Homeland Security to the formal designation processes in statute will help achieve that goal. The FTO Reform Act of 2014 will strengthen the FTO process and ensure all relevant considerations are taken into account when considering potential FTO designations. Lastly, the bill enhances Congressional oversight and creates greater visibility into the impacts of these designations and how they are used.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. Throughout the past 100 years, the Congressional Research Service has been of great importance to members of Congress. It has provided insightful research analysis necessary to effectively legislate. CRS professionals have expertise in a range of matters spanning across foreign and domestic affairs. Their reliable and efficiently prepared analyses provide all members of Congress with a deeper understanding of the important issues that challenge our country every day. As evidence of their fine work, the CRS website holds nearly 10,000 reports that are easily accessible and well organized. I speak now with great gratitude for CRS's dedicated analysts, legislative attorneys and information professionals. I hope that the beneficial relationship between the CRS and Congress only enhances in the future.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters) be removed as cosponsor of H.R. 4615.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the Long Island delegation to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Robert ``Bobby'' Knight, former Chief of the Sayville Fire Department of Suffolk County, New York. Congressmen Bishop, Israel, McCarthy and I had the sincere pleasure Of working with Chief Knight on important fire services issues that directly impacted the safety and wellbeing of our constituents. His tireless service to the firefighter community has been invaluable, and his counsel was always sought by lawmakers. He honorably served with the Sayville Department for 35 years. He was also a former member of the East Hampton Fire Department, 1975-1979, and the North Patchogue Fire Department, 1968-1969. Bobby was loved by everyone who knew him. His selfless commitment to the safety and security of our state was evident in his work as the Legislative Committee Chairman for the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. He passed in the Line of Duty doing what he loved-- advocating for the needs of our first responders. I know myself and many of my delegation colleagues met with him just hours before his unexpected passing. He didn't feel well, but he was more concerned with carrying the message of the Long Island firefighters than he was for his own well being. We have lost a true advocate and friend.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4278, the Ukraine Support Act. One of the many important initiatives included in this legislation is language urging the President to greatly expand the list of Russian officials and others who have been sanctioned for gross human rights violations. Until this past week, only eighteen had been sanctioned. This is unacceptable. After the recent actions of the Russian Federation, we must expand this list beyond those involved in the death of the Russian anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, whose imprisonment and subsequent death was the impetus for the creation of these sanctions. I am glad to hear that the President just sanctioned 20 additional individuals, freezing their assets and barring U.S. travel. However, more must be done. Others who deserve to be held accountable for their human rights abuses include militant anti-Westerner Dmitry Kiselyov--head of the Russian government-owned news agency and called the ``Kremlin's New Chief Propagandist'' by the Moscow Times--who was recently sanctioned by the European Union, and Maxim Martsinkevich, head of Neo-Nazi extremist group ``Occupy Pedophilia'' which has engaged in kidnapping and torture. There are others who are allies and friends of Vladimir Putin whom the Administration seems to have avoided placing on the list to avoid Russian retaliation--but it is clear a policy of appeasement has done nothing to deter Putin's government. Last month, the State Department released its 2013 county report on human rights practices in Russia, which documented widespread human rights abuses under the Russian government. The report found that ``[t]he government continued its crackdown on dissent that began after Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency,'' seeking ``to harass, pressure, discredit, and/or prosecute individuals and entities that had voiced criticism of the government.'' It depicted a suppressive environment where ``law enforcement personnel engaged in torture, abuse, and violence to coerce confessions from suspects,'' politically motivated disappearances continued to occur, and conditions in prisons could be harsh or life-threatening. The State Department noted that Russia had adopted several laws discriminating against LGBT individuals, continued to prosecute some religious minorities, and found some authorities ``discriminated against ethnic minorities, arbitrarily detaining thousands of migrant workers amid a wave of anti- immigrant sentiment. Laws, actions, and official rhetoric restricting the rights of the LGBT community, migrants, and other minorities coincided with a marked increase in violent attacks against these groups.'' This scathing report makes clear there are more Russian individuals who belong on the sanctioned list. I strongly urge the President to hold these human rights abusers accountable for their crimes.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3370. At the outset, let me thank Congressman Grimm, Congressman LoBiondo, and Ranking Member Waters for the work that they have done in bringing together a true, bipartisan bill to this floor. The Biggert-Waters bill was well-intended, but there were unintended consequences, and some of those consequences would be absolutely devastating to hundreds, if not thousands, of constituents in my district who were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. I would just state for the record that these people are not millionaires. They complied with the law, with all the building codes, all the ordinances. They never had any flood damage in their 50, 60 years prior to this--but their homes are devastated. To add to that the incredible increase they will get in premiums for flood insurance would be even the ultimate devastation. So this bill is absolutely essential. Ironically, it will actually decrease Federal spending over the next 5 years, but it is important that we stand together to help those in need, people who complied with the laws, hardworking, blue-collar Americans who are proud of their homes, proud of their families, and want the opportunity to get back on their feet. They were devastated once. Let's not allow Congress to devastate them again.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for full funding of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The largest source of funding for medical research in the world, the NIH has supported more than 130 Nobel Prize winners. Medical breakthroughs funded through the NIH include new treatments for cancer and chronic conditions. Clinical trials hosted at the NIH award patients newfound hope that they will be able to overcome debilitating diseases or conditions. While the significance of NIH funding can be measured through patients reached and treatments developed, it can also be gauged through economic impact. For every dollar of NIH funding spent in New York State, more than twice as much is generated in economic output. In 2011, NIH grants and contracts created and supported more than 33,193 jobs in the state alone and more than 500,000 jobs nationwide. Due to budget cuts, the NIH funded approximately 700 fewer research grants in 2013 than 2012 and admitted 750 fewer patients to the NIH Clinical Center. Almost immediately, these cuts affected patients hoping to be admitted to clinical trials and research jobs at universities nationwide. In the long term, these cuts will almost certainly delay progress in medical breakthroughs. We must not allow the significant legacy of the National Institutes of Health be diminished by the harmful effects of funding cuts.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1846, to amend the Act establishing the Lower East Side Tenement National Historic Site. This piece of legislation would extend the boundaries of the Lower East Side Tenement National Historic Site in New York City to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum's 103 Orchard Street location. This bill would at no additional cost to taxpayers ensure the preservation of a site that embodies the struggles and resilience of immigrant families and the essence of who we are as Americans. I urge my colleagues to ensure that this important chapter in the American story will remain for future generations by supporting H.R. 1846.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to reflect on the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall one year ago. Super Storm Sandy was the second largest natural disaster in our nation's history and the second costliest. New York State alone incurred $32.8 billion in damage, $8.4 billion of which was on Long Island. 305,000 homes and 265,300 businesses in the state were damaged or destroyed. While these numbers are shocking, they don't begin to tell the story of the suffering my constituents experienced. This devastation was exacerbated by the failure of Congress to provide immediate aid to the affected communities. The Northeast was forced to wait more than three months for a federal aid package, thereby delaying the region's recovery. Fortunately, this assistance is beginning to flow and communities are in the process of rebuilding. While we have made progress, the road to recovery remains long and difficult. Thousands of New York and New Jersey residents are still displaced and others are living in partially repaired homes. Infrastructure throughout the region awaits repair and needs to be hardened. I am confident that with the continued commitment of state and federal partners, our communities will rebound and come out stronger than ever.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Shetal Shah and his efforts to promote the well-being of our nation's most vulnerable population, our children. As a neonatologist and researcher, Dr. Shah has made many meaningful contributions to the medical field, notably in the area of vaccination rates. As legislative chairman of District II of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Shah has been tireless in his advocacy efforts in pursuit of increased access to health care for children and greater funding for pediatric research. His breadth of knowledge has helped to inform policy decisions on both the state and federal level. I offer my gratitude to Dr. Shah on behalf of myself and on behalf of those who are undoubtedly better off due to his efforts.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act. As the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran looms over the security of the international community, it is essential that the U.S. prevent Iran from realizing its dangerous ambitions. This legislation will broaden economic sanctions, target human rights violators and increase pressure on the Iranian regime to abandon its dangerous pursuits. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation. Despite existing sanctions, Iran continues to advance its nuclear program with determination. Since 2011, Iran's number of installed centrifuges has doubled and it continues to obstruct international inspectors. The country continues to evade sanctions to profit from its oil production, which in turn funds its nuclear program and state- sponsored terrorism organizations like Hezbollah. In fact, Iran remains the number one state-sponsor of terrorism around the world. If Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons goes unchecked, the security of our crucial allies like Israel, the United States and the global community will be in grave danger. With this bill, Congress is sending a clear message to Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons program, or face the economic consequences. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Scleroderma Awareness Month. On behalf of the thousands of patients impacted by this disease in my district and throughout the State of New York, I am honored to join Congresswoman Capps as the lead co-sponsor of H.R. 1429, the Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act. Research supported by the National Institutes of Health has led to groundbreaking discoveries in possible treatments and has enhanced the medical community's understanding of the progression of this disease. As physicians and medical researchers have yet to find a cure or a disease-specific treatment, physicians are left offering treatments that minimize the impact of the disease's progression and alleviate patient symptoms. This legislation provides for continued federal investment at the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin diseases in basic and clinical research related to scleroderma. I rise today to encourage my colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 1429 and to participate in the many scleroderma awareness activities organized by patient and community groups in their communities. Please join me in supporting the efforts of the 300,000 patients and their families to bring awareness to this disease and hopefully, one day a cure.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank my good friend, the chairman, for yielding, and I rise in opposition to the Smith-Gibson amendment. Let me express my deepest respect for the ranking member, Mr. Smith, and for my colleague from New York, Mr. Gibson, who has served his Nation long and well and who certainly acts with the very best of intentions. I certainly admire his patriotism and dedication. Having said that, I strongly identify with the remarks of Chairman McCaul and of Congressman Cotton. I think the ultimate fact here is that we would be giving terrorists more rights if they come to the United States than if they'd been captured overseas. To say that everyone captured in the United States is entitled to the full rights of a citizen or of a person lawfully in this country takes away from the fact that if a Nazi soldier had attacked the United States during World War II, would he have been entitled to all the rights of a citizen? In fact, the Supreme Court ruled on that. We had Nazi saboteurs land in New York during World War II. They were arrested, tried before a military commission, and executed with the approval of the United States Supreme Court. In the Hamdi decision several years ago, the plurality of the Court said: There is no bar to this Nation's holding one of its own citizens as an enemy combatant. A citizen, no less than an alien, can be part of supporting forces hostile to the United States or coalition partners and engage in an armed conflict against the United States. The fact is we should not be saying there's an incentive for a terrorist to come from Afghanistan and come to the United States to fight because if he's captured here, he gets more rights than if he was captured in Afghanistan. This goes against, to me, common sense, and it in no way is what is happening under the AUMF and in any way a violation of the Constitution. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and members of the New York delegation, Mr. Bishop, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Collins, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Engel, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Grimm, Mr. Hanna, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Israel, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Lowey, Mr. Maffei, Ms. Maloney, Mr. Maloney, Ms. McCarthy, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Meng, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Owens, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Reed, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Tonko, and Ms. Velazquez, I would like to recognize Daniel Sisto of The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) for his many years of outstanding service to the cause of advancing health care delivery and improving the health of all New Yorkers. Mr. Sisto is one of the nation's leading experts on health care public policy. Over the course of his nearly three decades as President of HANYS he has worked tirelessly to advance positive change in health care and achieve fairness and balance in resolving essential health policy issues. Because of his leadership, Mr. Sisto has helped establish HANYS as a valued, trusted voice on health policy matters in Washington, D.C., and in New York State. Mr. Sisto has never been satisfied with the status quo. Recognizing the need to improve the health care delivery system to ensure efficient, high-quality care for all New Yorkers, he embraced patient- centered delivery system reform, worked to expand coverage, and has positioned HANYS as a leader in guiding quality improvement initiatives at hospitals and health systems across the state. Under Mr. Sisto's guidance, HANYS has worked with hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care provider organizations in collaboratives, including the New York State Partnership for Patients, sharing best practices and facilitating the widespread adoption of proven clinical protocols to improve care delivery for all New Yorkers. Mr. Sisto began his career in health care advocacy on Long Island, New York, as the Executive Vice President of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council and former Deputy Director of the Nassau-Suffolk Health Systems Agency. Mr. Sisto holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing from St. John's University. During his nearly three decades of distinguished work in health care, Mr. Sisto has repeatedly proven himself to be one of New York State's most respected advocates and health care leaders and we, as New York's Delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, wish him health and happiness in his retirement.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the passing of Mary Judith Honisek of Connellsville, Pennsylvania who died on April 30th at the age of 97. Mrs. Honisek was definitely a woman before her time. A graduate of Seton Hill College, she was a World War II veteran, serving as a Captain in the United States Medical Corps in England and France. Mrs. Honisek was the mother of two daughters, Judith and Jane, and the grandmother of David and Gregory. She was active in her parish, Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, and was an endless source of knowledge and advice for friends and family members including my wife Rosemary who was her niece. Mary Judith Honisek was beloved by all who were privileged to know her. May she rest in peace.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and let me at the outset commend Congressman Frelinghuysen for the outstanding job he has done on this amendment and throughout this entire crisis. I am proud to stand with Governor Cuomo, Governor Christie, Mayor Bloomberg, all the members of the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut delegations. Madam Chair, there has been no disaster which Governors of the States have documented the need for more than Sandy. Everything is there. Every earmark is out. Every dollar is accounted for. This is a real disaster. I walk through my neighborhood. I see the people who have lost their homes. I know how tragic it is. All of us know it. This is not make- believe. I'm proud to stand for this bill. It's absolutely essential that the Frelinghuysen amendment be adopted. I was there for every supplemental appropriation bill. I was proud to do it. I am even prouder to stand with Congressman Frelinghuysen today.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and equally strong support of the underlying legislation, particularly the Frelinghuysen amendment, which is so vital to the people of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and especially my area on Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County. To put this in perspective, there were 305,000 homes in New York damaged, 2.2 million people lost their power. That's more than the population of 15 States. That's 2.2 million people that lost their power. In Nassau County and Suffolk County, 95,000 buildings were damaged. More than 38,000 had more than 50 percent damage. In Nassau County--and the county executive, Ed Mangano, is here today--they had more than $6 billion in recovery costs. That's $6.1 billion for one county. In Suffolk County, under County Executive Steve Bellone, there were $1.8 billion in recovery costs. These are two adjoining suburban counties with almost $8 billion in recovery costs. I was here in 2005 for Katrina. In fact, I had become chairman of the Homeland Security Committee just several weeks after Katrina. Within days of being chairman, I went to Louisiana with Ranking Member Thompson and to Mississippi. Congressman Reichert was with me, as well. That was less than 3 weeks after Katrina. Ten days before that, the House of Representatives had passed two appropriations bills totaling $63 billion. The first appropriations bill was introduced, passed on a voice vote, passed unanimously by the Senate, and signed by the President all in one day. Four days after that, another bill came up for the balance of the $63 billion, which passed the House by a vote of 410-11, was passed unanimously by the Senate and was signed by the President in one day. Now, 11 weeks have gone by. There's a lot of reasons for that. For one thing, Governor Cuomo, Governor Christie, and Mayor Bloomberg, they submitted the most detailed summaries ever, the most detailed accounting ever. It took them about 30 days to get that in. Then the White House held it for several weeks. They went through it. That was their prerogative. The Senate finally voted on it just before Christmas. And, as you know, I wish that this had passed our House 2 weeks ago on New Year's Day. The fact is it didn't, and that's behind us.

Mr. KING of New York. Right now we are standing together as one in a bipartisan show of support. The time for recriminations is over. Let's stand together as Americans, and let's get the aid to the people who need it because in my district alone, in my community, people are homeless, people are cold, people are without food. This is a serious matter we have to address, that we have to do as quickly as possible. I'm proud to stand here today with all of us united. There may be divisions in the vote, but all of us are committed to getting this done. I want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma, I thank the chairman of the Rules Committee, Mr. Sessions, and the great job that they've done in bringing it here with a fair rule and allowing for an up-and-down vote. Again, I urge support of the Rogers bill and the underlying, and the accompanying Frelinghuysen amendment--absolutely essential to the people of our region, and most importantly, essential to the people of our country.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation. This legislation is the first necessary step that's needed to provide the assistance and relief and aid that the people of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut require after the most devastating storm in the history of our region, in many ways, one of the top two or three, unfortunately, most severe storms in the history of our Nation. This legislation is essential because people are suffering, and the suffering increases each day. And as I said, this is the first major step that we're taking. Hopefully, this process will be completed on January 15. I want to thank the leadership of both parties for coming together on this. I want to emphasize that this legislation is vital. This is not a handout. This is not something we're looking for as a favor. What we're asking for is to be treated the same as victims in all other storms, all other natural disasters have been treated. Also, I think it's important to lay out, because this is part of a process, that, in the legislation that was originally going to be introduced in this House, there was never an earmark in the bill; there was never any extraneous spending the bill. I think it's important for the Members in both parties to realize that. The House of Representatives' bill was always targeted toward victims of Hurricane Sandy. It does not go beyond that. It's important to lay that out. It's also important to realize that, again, as we are talking here today and as the vote goes forward and as we go forward toward January 15, the real suffering is out there. My own neighborhood in Seaford, homes are devastated. There's a woman who lost two sons in 9/11. She lost her home now. This is a crisis of unimaginable proportions unless you're there. The national media is not following it, but if you went to these homes, if you saw the suffering that's going on, if you saw the people who don't have food and shelter, you would realize how horrible this is. So it's important we act. It's important we put past recriminations behind us. Let's all stand together as one, all as Americans, Democrats and Republicans. I think Governor Christie and Governor Cuomo have set that model and that tone in New York and New Jersey. So let's follow their example here. Let's go forward standing as one. Again, I urge my colleagues to strongly support this legislation today and also as we go forward on January 15.

Mr. KING of New York. Will the gentleman yield?