Nicholas Langworthy

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. This legislation reaffirms our commitment to serving those who have served us so bravely, our military veterans. I recently had the privilege of visiting the Bath, New York, VA hospital in my district, in Steuben County, where I witnessed firsthand the incredible dedication of the VA staff and the challenges they face daily in providing the best possible care for our Nation's heroes. There are clinics across my district that act as lifelines for our veterans, offering crucial services that range from mental health care to cancer treatment and beyond. These facilities are responsible for serving thousands of veterans and empowering them to heal, recover, and rebuild their lives. They deserve our unwavering support, especially in their darkest hours. Mr. Speaker, we can agree that caring for our veterans is not a partisan issue, and I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and secure the funds needed to uphold and strengthen our VA healthcare programs. By investing in these programs, we invest in the well-being of our veterans and their families and ensure they receive the highest standard of care that they rightfully deserve.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, we must never forget the debt of gratitude we owe to our Nation's heroes. This year's Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill does just that. First and foremost, this bill ensures that veterans' healthcare programs receive full funding. We have an obligation to provide them with the best medical care and support they deserve without compromise. This initiative also aims to make the VA more efficient, which will give our veterans improved access to the care and resources they need to lead fulfilling lives after their service. Beyond funding, we recognize the need to address the challenges our veterans face as they transition back to civilian life. Our focus remains on preserving and strengthening programs that assist veterans in finding meaningful employment, educational opportunities, and mental health support. In conclusion, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to show our veterans the same unwavering dedication that they have shown to us.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, this week, in this great House, we are set to consider this year's agriculture appropriations bill, a piece of legislation that will impact not only our farmers but every American across this great Nation. This legislation put forward by my colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee represents a critical step forward in safeguarding our Nation's food and drug supply, supporting our farmers, and ensuring that all Americans, including those in rural communities and low-income families, have access to essential nutrition programs. If we learned anything from the pandemic, it is that we should have a strong domestic supply chain so that we aren't relying on foreign countries for things like food and medication. This bill demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our national security and food supply by making strategic allocations for agricultural research, rural broadband, and programs focused on animal and plant health. These are not just budgetary allocations. They are investments in the future of our Nation. By providing sufficient funds for a strong supply chain and for safe food, drugs, and medical devices, we reaffirm our dedication to the well-being of every American. This legislation further protects our national security by ensuring that agricultural land remains out of the hands of foreign adversaries, such as Communist China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran, safeguarding our national interests. Our efforts to rein in wasteful spending and bureaucracy are paramount. This bill would redirect funds from partisan bills, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, and utilize them to support our producers in our rural communities. I personally met with dairy farmers, grape growers, and other agricultural producers in my district to understand the unique challenges faced by our farmers in our rural communities. I am proud to support this year's agricultural appropriations legislation and to demonstrate our commitment to our hardworking farmers, rural communities, and all Americans who rely on a safe and secure food and drug supply. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand together in support of this critical legislation.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4368, the agricultural appropriations bill, which includes funding to combat the spotted lanternfly invasion in the Northeastern United States of America. This provision invests $19 million to protect our farmers, safeguard our crops, and preserve the future of our agricultural communities from the devastating effects of this pest. The spotted lanternfly, native of Asia, has proven to be an aggressive and destructive pest that threatens our specialty crops, including grapes and apples, in areas like western New York and the Southern Tier of New York that I represent. This invasive species also puts thousands of agricultural jobs at risk. We owe it to our farmers to ensure that their hard work, their dedication, their blood, their sweat, their tears is not in vain due to a destructive pest. By investing in research and development of creative solutions, we can find effective strategies to combat the spotted lanternfly and save our agricultural economy from a potential disaster. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in addressing this pest, and encourage the rest of my colleagues to support the fiscal year 2023 agricultural appropriations bill to help protect our farms, our crops, and our agricultural heritage.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the community in recognizing the honor, service, and achievement of U.S. Navy Veteran Gary J. Preston. New York's Southern Tier has a proud tradition of service; home to many veterans and veteran families who know firsthand of the patriotism and sacrifice of our men and women in the United States Military. Today I am proud to join the Allegany County Legislature in thanking Mr. Preston for his patriotism, dedication, and exemplary service to the United States. Born and raised in Belmont, New York, Petty Officer 3rd Class Gary J. Preston entered into service on April 5, 2006, during which he served across the globe in Iraq, 2 tours in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Croatia and Spain. As an Advanced Builder, Designated Marksman, Convoy Gunner and Forward Operations Base Officer in Charge--Gary Preston demonstrated courage in the face of great danger. He served with distinction--and was awarded a series of awards and medals including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal just to name a few. The freedom and opportunity that Americans enjoy exists because of the men and women who defend our nation in our Military. Safe at home in our warm beds, it is too easy to forget that around the world a special few have stood up to defend our democracy, our values, and our freedom. I am honored to join in the celebration of Mr. Preston's service and achievement here from the Halls of Congress.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brenda Rigby Riehle for her over 31 years of service to the residents of Allegany County. Back in my district, Allegany County is holding its 178th County Fair, and keeping with tradition, the County Legislature has moved its meeting to the Fair's main stage to recognize members of the community for their good work. I am proud to join them from the Halls of Congress to recognize Allegany County Legislative Clerk Brenda Rigby Riehle for her many years of dedicated service and continued work on behalf of the good people of this community. Ms. Riehle is an example of good public service, and for over 3 decades she has helped keep the trains running on time in Allegany County. She is well respected by her colleagues, and as a testament to her longevity and success has served through the tenure of 6 Board Chairmen to date. She has gone beyond the normal duty of her station to represent interests of Allegany County by serving as both a Delegate and Resolutions Committee Co-Chair of the Inter-County Association of Western New York for 18 years. Ms. Riehle is a current member and former President and Treasurer of the New York State Association of Clerks and County Legislative Boards. For the last 6 years, she has served on the New York State Association of Counties Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs. Active in the community, Ms. Riehle is a proud member of the Wellsville Area Professional Businesswomen: a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to local graduates and support to local county organizations. A mother to 6, and grandmother to 10, she is an active, 15-year member of the Genesis Bible Church. I am pleased to join the Allegany County Legislature and community in recognizing Brenda Rigby Riehle for her years of service and dedication to the community.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today and recognize Mr. Jeffrey Arno Marks of Friendship, New York for his longstanding commitment to the community. The Southern Tier of New York is an incredible place to live because of the close and caring community that we all cherish. Volunteerism, community minded business, and an attitude of service sets him apart and has earned him the respect of his community. Today the Allegany County Legislature is honoring Mr. Marks at the County Fair Grounds Legislative Meeting, and I am proud to join them today from the Halls of Congress. Mr. Marks is a father, an active civic leader, and a community pharmacist who has served the community for over 3 decades. His interest began in his youth watching his mother work at the same pharmacy, where he saw how important the community pharmacy service was to rural Allegany County. Just 1 year after graduating from Farris State University, Mr. Marks bought Friendship Pharmacy where he has continued to own and operate it for the last 30 years. Mr. Marks is a civic leader--he is an Eagle Scout, a Friendship Rotary five-time Club President and a multi-Paul Harris Fellow awardee. He is an active 3rd Degree Mason in the Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post No. 1168 Squadron, and member of the United Methodist Church of Friendship. He is a proud father of 3 daughters, Amanda, Emily and Olivia. His eldest daughter is an optometrist, another generation dedicated to healthcare--and together they have provided 300 pairs of glasses to people in need in Uganda. I am pleased to join the Allegany County Legislature and the community in recognizing Mr. Jeffrey Arno Marks for his years of service and dedication to the community.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, today is a great day for public safety. I thank my colleagues for passing my amendment in this year's FAA reauthorization package. Fourteen years ago, we tragically lost 49 lives when Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed near Buffalo in Clarence, New York, due to pilot inexperience. This prompted Congress then to strengthen requirements for pilots to ensure that something like this never happens again--and it has worked. Since then, there has not been a single commercial airline crash in the United States of America. One of those enhanced safety measures required 1,500 hours of in-air training for pilots. The rigorous training and practice gained during those hours ensure that pilots are well-prepared to handle emergencies, adverse weather conditions, and any unforeseen challenges that might arise during flight. Our amendment protected the integrity of the 1,500-hour flight requirement to maintain the safety standards that passengers and crews have come to expect. I am grateful for the support of Representatives Higgins and Tenney, and all of my colleagues who stood behind the 1500-hour rule and this year's FAA reauthorization package. More importantly, I am proud to honor the memory of those tragically lost on Flight 3407 and the families that have fought for these standards.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join in the celebration of Depew Founders' Day by recognizing the Depew Fire Department and the many volunteer firefighters who keep this community safe. It takes bravery, courage, and skill to run toward a fire while others are moving to safety. It is because of these brave men and women that Depew families can sleep at night assured that a strong, capable, and well- trained force is at the ready to help in their time of need. Since 1894, the volunteer corps of the Depew Fire Department has grown to become the largest volunteer fire department in Erie County and 1 of the largest in New York State, with over 115 active members serving 5 Hose Companies and 1 Hook and Ladder Company spread across the village: Hose Company No. 1 Aetna Hose Company Cayuga Hose Company No. 3 Central Hose Company No. 4 West End Hose Company No. 6 Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 This is a close-knit community with deep ties to Depew, and with generations of firefighters stretching back over a century of service. I thank Chief John Gauthier, for his leadership, and to the many generations of Depew Fire Department volunteers present and represented at the 2023 Depew Founders Day Celebration. Their service and sacrifice are greatly appreciated, and I wish them all safety and success as they continue to serve this great community. I am honored to join in the celebration of Depew Founders' Day, and to recognize the dedication and courage of the Depew Fire Department here from the Halls of Congress.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, tonight we passed H.R. 3941, the Schools Not Shelters Act, sponsored by my friend and colleague from New York, Representative Marc Molinaro. Unfortunately, this legislation is a necessary response to President Biden's border crisis, which has been made worse by the sanctuary city policies of New York Democrats. We are seeing illegal immigration spill into communities across the State, including in my district in western New York. When Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul announced their plan to take over campuses across the State and turn them into migrant housing, it struck many parents, including me, as an insult. Our investment of billions of taxpayer dollars for award-winning schools like our SUNY campuses is thrown away to become migrant camps. The Schools Not Shelters Act sends a clear message that our Nation values the education and well-being of our children above all else. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support this measure to put our children first.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Chair, we put our lives in the hands of our airline pilots, and we should apply the same standard of safety and training that Americans have come to trust and to expect. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Higgins), my friend and colleague.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman), one of only two commercial airline pilots in Congress with more than 20,000 flight hours.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence, New York, a community in my district in western New York, killing 49 passengers and 1 person on the ground. As a congressional staffer at the time, I was there on the ground at the crash site. I saw firsthand the sights and the sounds and the grief of the victims' families as they grappled with the reality that their loved ones were gone. The crash was ruled a result of pilot error. A year later, those families successfully fought to implement a set of enhanced safety standards, including requiring pilots to obtain 1,500 hours of training. The results are indisputable. Since its enactment, domestic airline fatalities have dropped 99.8 percent. Simply put, they are working, and our skies are the safest they have ever been. My amendment protects the integrity of the 1,500-hour flight training requirement in the face of efforts to lower pilot training standards and jeopardize the safety of passengers and crew alike. As Captain Sully Sullenberger, the miracle on the Hudson pilot, has said, while simulators have their place for experienced pilots, they are not a replacement for in-the-sky training, and this requirement must be protected. Our job as elected leaders is to protect public safety and to help ensure that no other family suffers the heartbreak of losing a loved one to an avoidable air tragedy. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment here today to maintain high-quality training standards for our commercial pilots, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for yielding time today. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the rule and protecting our communities and our public schools from paying the price for the Biden administration's broken border policies. Five counties in my district have declared a state of emergency in responding to the overwhelming influx of illegal immigration that Democrats in Washington and in my own State of New York refuse to address. Many of the communities in my district already struggle to provide essential services, but thanks to President Biden, Governor Hochul, and Mayor Adams, they are now forced to shoulder the heavy burden of housing illegal migrants. For anyone who wants to call those supportive of this effort today as lacking compassion, cruel, callous, whatever they want to come up with, I have this to say: My constituents, who are struggling to accommodate an influx of people who broke the law to enter this country, do not lack compassion. They are simply trying to survive in the face of an administration that refuses to protect this country's sovereignty and to secure our borders. Families like those in my district who have seen their loved ones die from the fentanyl flooding into our communities, they are not callous. They are desperate to see something done to stop the flow of lethal substances and save as many lives as possible. Communities across America who see what New York City is attempting to do by co-opting their public schools at the expense of their children are not cruel for wanting to stop this. They are worried about the safety and the well-being of our children. I strongly support the rule before us today and appreciate the leadership of my good friend and fellow New Yorker, Congressman Marc Molinaro, in bringing forward H.R. 3941, the Schools Not Shelters Act. The Biden administration has already demonstrated its callousness, cruelty, and lack of compassion by refusing to secure our borders and uphold our immigration laws. I urge my colleagues to join me in saying enough, and to support this rule before us today.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, the House Oversight Committee will hear testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who claim that the President and his son received special treatment during criminal investigations. I remind my colleagues that it is our constitutional duty in this body to hold the President of the United States accountable. These recent allegations of influence peddling and foreign bribery have cast a dark shadow over the integrity of this administration. The American people must ask themselves: Can we trust a President to represent our best interests if he is compromised by foreign businesses or governments? We must bring the truth to light, not out of personal vendetta or partisan motivation, but out of the genuine commitment to preserving our democratic institutions. The Framers of our Constitution designed our government with a system of checks and balances to prevent abuses of power. We cannot shy away from this responsibility when it matters the most. I implore every one of my colleagues to set aside personal interests and come together to seek the truth and to honor our constitutional duty.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, as the Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has stated, our investigation into the Biden family's business dealings has uncovered a web of complex financial transactions, shell companies, and attempts to conceal payments. It is our duty to determine whether these activities compromise our national security and impact the President's policy decisions. Thanks to the hard work of Chairman Jason Smith in the Ways and Means Committee, IRS whistleblowers have come forward with troubling information. These courageous individuals shed light on the politicization and misconduct within the Department of Justice and the IRS regarding the Hunter Biden investigation. The American people deserve answers. They deserve to know if Federal law enforcement was compromised, if Joe Biden was shielded from evidence, and if Hunter Biden was given preferential treatment leading to a sweetheart plea deal he received last month. Transparency and accountability are the foundations of our democracy, and as Members of this body, we must deliver on these principles. It is our responsibility to ensure that no one is above the law and that justice is served. I urge all my colleagues to demand the truth and to stand with the American people. Together, we can restore faith in our institutions and safeguard the integrity of our democracy.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, we have had a lot of debate on this year's NDAA. Our goal is simple: To strengthen and modernize our military so they can be prepared to meet any national security challenge that this great Nation might face. Our House majority authored and passed a strong NDAA that prevents the radical Green New Deal policies from weakening our fighting forces. It blocks burdensome requirements on defense contractors, allowing them to focus on delivering critical capabilities to our military. This legislation also ensures that military ranges in the Gulf of Mexico remain open for necessary training programs, enhancing our troops' readiness. Additionally, it cuts funding for questionable combat vehicle electrification research programs and prohibits funds for DOD advisory committees dealing with environmental justice. I am proud that we put forward a bill that focuses on the right priorities, safeguarding our national security and guaranteeing the continued defense of our great Nation instead of woke politics.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, the Chinese Communist Party's actions and ambitions directly challenge the values, interests, and security of the United States. As we consider this year's National Defense Authorization Act, it is crucial that we address the threat posed by the CCP head-on. First, this year's NDAA counters the Biden administration's efforts to reduce the size of our Navy and instead allocates adequate funding to build protection forces. It also prohibits the Department of Defense from contracting with companies that do business with China, and it accelerates the deployment of advanced radars to track threats to our homeland, like the Chinese spy balloon. The threat posed by the CCP is real and demands our immediate attention. The provisions outlined in the NDAA will strengthen our military, protect our economic interests, and safeguard our national security. We cannot afford to be complacent or underestimate the gravity of the situation. The future of our great Nation depends on it.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying that the constitutional right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is a right solely afforded to our citizens. It is a basic concept, but the D.C. Council needs to be reminded of this. The District of Columbia holds a unique status as a Federal district, and the Constitution outlines that Congress is responsible for its governance. Without the proper oversight of Congress, it has spiraled into crisis. Crime rates are soaring. Our public schools have suffered significant setbacks due to the prolonged closures and numerous buildings that stand vacant, casting a shadow of neglect over our city. In the face of these issues, it is disheartening to witness the D.C. Council prioritize a bill that aims to grant voting rights to individuals who are not citizens of the United States of America. This effort undermines the very foundation of our democracy. Consider the potential consequences of such a law. Washington, D.C., is a hub for various foreign organizations and embassies, some of which hold interests that run very counter to those of the United States and are not invested in the long-term well-being of our country. By providing voting rights to noncitizens, we open the door for foreign agents and adversaries to influence local elections held in our Nation's capital. Imagine that, the D.C. Council is trying to extend the right to vote to employees of Vladimir Putin and to employees of President Xi and the CCP. This is a legitimate threat to the integrity of our democratic institutions. Granting noncitizens the right to vote in local elections sets a dangerous precedent, especially put into context with President Biden's illegal immigration crisis. Allowing this law to stand would open the flood gates to noncitizens to influence elections across the Nation. We have already seen this policy from Democrats in New York, and I was proud to lead the fight to successfully stop that in court. We must do the same with this policy in D.C. For those reasons, I was proud to support H.R. 192 in the House Oversight Committee hearing yesterday to reverse the D.C. Council's disastrous policy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in sending a clear message back to them that citizens' voices matter and that we are committed to safeguarding the integrity of our democratic process for generations to come.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation before us today makes historic progress to reinforce the strength of our military and to protect our national security in the face of an aggressive, ambitious Chinese Communist Party. First, this year's NDAA counters the Biden administration's dangerous efforts to reduce the size of our Navy and focuses resources on rebuilding our Armed Forces and procuring munitions. The bill also puts a firm ban on our military from contracting with companies that do business with the CCP, ensuring the security of our military cannot be internally compromised by our most dangerous adversary. It accelerates the deployment of advanced radars to track threats to our homeland--like the Chinese spy balloon that this administration was so incapable of taking down. The NDAA before us today protects our military from the Biden administration's efforts to reduce its strength and to lull our country into complacency while our adversaries pose a direct threat to our national security. We cannot afford to underestimate the gravity of the situation in the world today. We cannot have peace through strength without staying alert and ensuring that our men and women in uniform, who make up the strongest and most mighty military on the face of the Earth, have the resources and support that they deserve. I strongly support the rule before us today, and I urge my colleagues to come together once again for the security of our great Nation.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Madam Speaker, it feels like every week, the House Oversight Committee uncovers more evidence of wrongdoing by the President and his family. I have seen thousands of pages of suspicious activity reports at the Treasury, the FD-1023 form from the FBI, and piles of evidence that suggest bribery and influence peddling. All of this is hidden from the American people by a brazenly corrupt two-tiered justice system and a complete media blackout on the subject. Bribery and foreign influence peddling strike at the heart of our democratic principles. It corrodes the very foundations of our Nation and fosters an environment where personal gain takes precedence over our duty to the American people. It is a responsibility of each and every one of us to demand answers and to hold the President accountable. It is outrageous that just last month, the DOJ announced a sweetheart plea deal for Hunter Biden that would absolve him of any future charges with the foreign bribery and influence peddling schemes that we have just started to unravel in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. On the very same day this plea deal was announced, Biden's DOJ went after President Trump. It is a joke. This is something you would expect to see in a tinpot, third-world dictatorship. What is even worse is the complete media blackout on any of the evidence that we have uncovered here. We used to hail the free press in America as the fourth estate. Journalists used to pride themselves on uncovering corruption. The American people have a right to know about potential wrongdoing by their elected leaders and their associates and their families. They deserve a media that fearlessly investigates and reports on matters that impact the foundations of our democracy. These allegations that are not taken seriously by the DOJ or the media have a very real impact on the work we do here in this Chamber every single day. This week, we are considering the NDAA. House Republicans have included strong language to combat the threat of the Chinese Communist Party. Meanwhile, our President and his family have alleged business ties to that same Chinese Communist Party. How can we expect a President to appropriately represent the interests of the United States if there is a vested interest in seeing our adversaries succeed for their own personal gain? If not for the work of the House Oversight Committee, the American people would be left in the dark, and this is unacceptable. We need every American citizen to speak up and say that it is ``We, the people'' that run this government; not Joe Biden, not the bureaucrats, and certainly not the Department of Justice, or those in the corrupt legacy media who have put a complete media blackout on this corruption story. We are not going to let this stand.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Town of Newstead in Erie County, New York. I want to thank Supervisor Dawn D. Izydorczak and the celebration committee for putting together a fantastic week celebrating this flourishing community. On March 27, 1823, the New York Stage Legislature officially voted to form the Town of Erie: a 55-square mile area of land that would be renamed as Newstead in 1831. The source of the name change is fascinating: following intense debate among Newstead's officials over a new name, it was reportedly Abigail Fillmore, wife of future 13th President Millard Fillmore, who suggested that the town be called Newstead. Newstead's convenient location in between Buffalo and Rochester resulted in the town becoming a prominent location for trade and travel. Everyone from tourists to businessmen to soldiers visited Newstead while on their journeys to shape Western New York and the United States at-large. The centralization of shops, mills, and storage depots during Newstead's earlier decades eventually resulted in the 1918 establishment of the Village of Akron, now of regional acclaim for being home of Perry's Ice Cream. Residents of Newstead can both recognize and be proud of their town's historical significance within Western New York. I am honored to share in this rich history by representing Newstead as their Member of Congress and look forward to watching Newstead continue to welcome new visitors, families, and neighbors. I ask that this Legislative Body join me to celebrate the Town of Newstead's 200th anniversary.