George Latimer

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 20th anniversary of MyRye.com under the editorship of Jay Sears, for its service as an online chronicler of the life and the times of the Rye community. In addition to an active business career and family obligations, Jay Sears somehow finds the time and energy to attend and report on community comings and goings of the people and the organizations in Rye. The high school sports scene, boys' and girls' sports, are well documented with photos and stories of the athletes, as well as scores of games. MyRye has regular features, such as Rye GPT People of Note--the celebrities who live here or have a connection to Rye; a platform to feature the nonprofits of Rye, the Rye YMCA, The Rye Arts Center, the Rye Nature Center, the Historical Society, and the Rye Free Reading Room, amongst so many others. He also highlights the inevitably sad news when a longtime Rye neighbor passes away for a final salute. Mr. Speaker, from the floor of the House of Representatives, I thank Jay Sears and MyRye.com. Ardsley Environmentalists

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, permit me a shout-out to the many volunteer environmental activists in the village of Ardsley who work tirelessly to advance good environmental policy. Two groups meet monthly to plan and implement efforts to make Ardsley greener and cleaner in air, water, and land resources: The Ardsley Green Task Force and the Ardsley Pollinator Pathway Committee. In attending Zoom meetings, I have seen the energy and dedication of these volunteers. With the strong voice of Dr. Carol Sommerfield, they are making a difference in their community of 4,500 residents. Mr. Speaker, from the floor of the House of Representatives, I thank them for backing up their commitment to the environment with hard work. Saluting Toba LaCrown

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to salute the work of Dr. Olo-run- toba Ah-du-yem'-ee LaCrown, who is president of the African American Association of Co-Op City, and the members of that organization as they prepare to celebrate The Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this coming Monday, January 19, at the Church of New Vision, Einstein Loop North of Co-op City in the Bronx. We all know him as ``Toba,'' and he and his organization have sponsored important cultural events that unite the African-American population in shared moments of pride. Aside from honoring the legacy of Dr. King this weekend, the organization held a recent December celebration of Kwanzaa that drew a crowd to the Bartow meeting hall. Toba's leadership has been on display in many forms: as a United States Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan and, later, headed The American Legion Post in Co-op City; as a former NYPD police officer and, later, as leader of the 47th Precinct Community Council; active in Bronx Community Board 12 and the Wakefield Taxpayers Alliance. The legacy of Dr. King is carried down to this day by Toba and all those who gather this weekend who, in the words of Dr. King, are judged and appreciated not merely by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Mr. Speaker, from the floor of the House of Representatives, I salute Toba LaCrown and the African American Association of Co-op City.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, this past December, the Department of Veterans Affairs released a proposal to cut 25,000 openings nationwide for much-needed nurses and medical staff. In the New York City area, this would mean a loss of approximately 380 positions. While the VA claims these are unneeded openings left from the pandemic, its own inspector general reported last August that 94 percent of VA facilities reported severe staffing shortages for medical officer occupations, and 79 percent of facilities reported severe shortages for nurses. It is baffling, but 250 years on, this Nation still struggles to reconcile the way that it treats the men and women who fought for our country after they have traded their swords for plowshares. The same can be said for the caregivers who tend to their wounds, both physical and psychological, in the years after their service. Scrimping on veterans' medical care or diverting its availability is un-American, and it sends the message to our citizens that this government will not keep its part of the bargain. I demand that this government invest in the VA system rather than seek its demise. The brave men and women who sacrificed to defend our country deserve better.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, in the Holy Bible's Book of Exodus, a book which is sacred to both Christians and Jews, it is written that Almighty God hands down, through Moses, Ten Commandments that represent the bedrock of ethical behavior and rules that govern human conduct. My colleagues in Texas and Louisiana have State laws that post them inside public facilities. In one form or another, secular laws are written with these commandments in mind to provide civil sanctions against those who would commit murder or lie in a court proceeding under oath. Such laws govern against stealing what others legitimately own, their property and possessions. We now face one of the most important tests of our democracy in over 150 years: Whether the Federal Government will blatantly steal the assets of an independent sovereign nation, who is our ally, for no legitimate reason other than lust for land. In the rhetoric of coveting thy neighbor's goods, the President of the United States is fixed on coveting the sovereign land of the kingdom of Denmark, the island of Greenland. The President has spoken about it in his frequent public ruminations, and we have learned he has tasked our military to plan how he might take Greenland by force without the consent of Denmark. This would open a shameful chapter, as we celebrate the 250th year of our own independence, that we would turn our backs on the principles established by the Founding Fathers and act as if we are one of the thug nations of the world ourselves. Saddam Hussein's Iraq seized Kuwait. Vladimir Putin's Russia launched war to take over Ukraine. Adolf Hitler grabbed Poland and Czechoslovakia and, for a while, all of continental Europe. Mussolini took Ethiopia, and Chairman Xi has long coveted Taiwan. Each presented their flimsy reasons for their actions, justifications that fooled no one. Is this who America wants to emulate? Putin, Hitler, Hussein? The flimsy reason offered by the President and his minions, notably Stephen Miller, references our ability to protect America from an Arctic region threat. With that very thought in mind, in 1951, we signed an agreement with Denmark that allows us to place military assets in Greenland that we feel we need with the support and agreement of Denmark. They have not reneged on that deal or thrown up roadblocks to American defense needs. We are trying to burst into a room by force when the door is set wide open and the welcome mat is displayed. Denmark, a NATO ally, owns Greenland legally. If it doesn't choose to sell it, it remains legally theirs. Thy neighbor's ox and house, not ours. Any U.S. military action against Greenland breaks the NATO rule and puts us at odds with our allies, allies that in the post-World War II era have helped us restrain Russian aggression for nearly a century. Denmark, as an ally, responded to our action in Afghanistan. They lost 43 men there simply because they honored their NATO commitment and stood by their friend, the United States of America. Perhaps this President hates NATO so much that he has rallied against elements of it before, and in that he supports the wishes of Vladimir Putin that sees NATO as an impediment to his empire building, the desire for retaking Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Ukraine. We have, as of late, decided that it is okay to insult European leaders at the U.N., threaten the countries of Latin America, disrespect our closest friend, Canada, and generally act with an arrogant swagger. We have the world's greatest military, but it is not a toy to be used to glorify any one man's lust for an expanded control of land. It is not the Department of War. It is the Department of Defense. That is how Americans view our role in the world, to defend ourselves and to defend freedom in a world with dictators and thugs who would subjugate us all if they could. God stop us if we become the thug, if we become the dictatorship that uses our economic and military strength to bully this world. The power of any President is not about what one man thinks is moral. It is guided by constitutional limitations, including three branches of government, not a dominant dictator and a subservient politburo and judiciary. Harry Truman understood this. Dwight Eisenhower understood this. John F. Kennedy understood this, and so did Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. These men, whether you deem their Presidencies good or bad, understood what it is to have allies across the globe and how to keep America as the shining light to guide this planet. Attacking Greenland for no strategic benefit that they don't already have puts us in a league with Russia and China. We will regret such a decision every day that we live thereafter. Let this Congress make a strong, unambiguous statement that America does not take land for some trumped up reason. We stand for the rule of law and for freedom and respect for others. That is what sets our Nation apart. If we snatch Greenland as a show of power, we give no reason for the people of the world to side with us when some other nation confronts us in a future year.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn Secretary Kennedy's recent assault on children's health. Last week, against universally recommended guidelines, the Department of Health and Human Services slashed the childhood immunization schedule from 17 vaccines to 11. Among those removed are vaccines to protect against RSV, COVID-19, and hepatitis B. Americans deserve accurate information that is based on established science to make decisions about our children's health. I am perplexed by this latest ambush on the lives and future of our children. What is the crisis that requires us to challenge settled science? The universally recommended vaccine schedule that families have relied on and trusted for years to protect their children has saved countless lives. I shudder to think about the children who could die from preventable diseases at the hands of this administration's so- called guidance. We are simply pandering to skeptics who want to impose ideology in place of intelligent research. Since taking office, this administration has made every effort to dismantle public health. These unacceptable and baseless challenges only deepen the growing cracks in our health system.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of the exceptional life of John Cunningham, a resident of Rye for nearly 60 years, who passed away last week at the age of 93. He was not only a familiar face around our community, but he was a familiar face on Broadway, on TV screens, and in movie theaters. John's acting career included roles too numerous to mention, but many are memorable to those anywhere in the Nation. He was the father in ``Mystic Pizza,'' Mr. Anderson in ``Dead Poets Society,'' and the character Sylvester Rheinback in the Christmastime movie ``Silver Bells.'' He was on the Broadway stage as Captain E.J. Smith of the ship in ``Titanic'' and as John Adams in ``1776.'' He had TV roles on ``30 Rock,'' ``Miami Vice,'' ``Law and Order,'' and ``The Good Wife,'' among many others. His success as an actor notwithstanding, his role in the community was warm and friendly to all. Despite his status as a celebrity, he was approachable. He used his talents to help raise funds for local organizations, including dramatic readings with other actors, such as Frances Sternhagen, a New Rochelle resident, in the well-loved ``Players and Playwrights'' series at the Rye High School Performing Arts Center. John and his wife, Carolyn, who served as a member of the Rye City Council, raised three children, all Rye High School graduates, with six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. John served in the U.S. Army and achieved a master's degree from Yale School of Drama. He was an active congregant of Rye Presbyterian Church, where a memorial service will be held this weekend. From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute this neighbor and friend who made a career in the arts and, in so doing, brought honor to his profession and to his home community.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the charitable work and the great generosity of those in the Pelham community that are the leaders and volunteers for The Danny Fund. The Danny Fund was formed over 30 years ago initially to raise needed funds to help a young boy, Danny Potocki, suffering from a rare form of leukemia that was at the time considered fatal. Danny's family could not manage the mounting medical bills, the need for donated blood, and so much more to protect the young life of their son. Pelham came together on an ad hoc basis to help Danny with fundraisers and emotional support. Years later, that young boy survived and grew up as a man to have a family of his own. The spirit that saved Danny was channeled into a nonprofit organization that raises funds for many other such children who face similar issues today. On this day, The Danny Fund kids come from all walks of life as young as day-old infants who are diagnosed with severe conditions that require assistance, as did Danny all those years ago. In early February, on February 7, The Danny Fund will celebrate at their annual gala at the Surf Club On The Sound in New Rochelle, raising funds to continue to help those in severe need. From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute The Danny Fund and the people who work with it and express our appreciation and gratitude for their charitable work.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Blood Donor Month, which takes place each January, and to thank our fellow Americans who voluntarily donate blood. As a proud blood donor myself, I commend the New York Blood Center and all the community blood centers across the United States that provide a lifeline to people and patients in our hospitals. This week the center declared a blood emergency. A single blood donation can save up to three lives, making the work of our community blood centers and the generosity of the employees and the volunteer blood donors who contribute their work extremely important. NYBC has been serving New Yorkers with lifesaving blood products since 1964. Today, as part of the New York Blood Center Enterprises, that mission extends far beyond New York. Together, they serve 75 million people and provide 1 million blood products annually to over 400 hospitals. From newborns and their mothers to cancer patients and trauma victims, community blood centers provide patients with the blood that keeps them alive. This month and always, I thank them. Saluting the Work of Port Chester Historical Society

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to salute the work of those who are leaders and members of the Port Chester Historical Society. Their volunteer efforts have kept alive the memories and stories of the years past that represent the foundation of the village of Port Chester today. Led by president Jordan Allen, the society has maintained the historic Bush-Lyon Homestead and has been able to follow through with a host of different items for this building that was built in 1760, involving the community and activities at that site: celebration of historic dates, fairs and festivals, and important seminars. This month, in concert with the Village of Port Chester and Westchester's Revolution 250, the society cosponsors An Evening With Benjamin Franklin. The society cosponsors that evening, and he will visit us in the 21st century to tell us a little bit about the 18th century. Also this month, the historical society holds a workshop on research and genealogy for interested adults who want to do their own family research. The energy and resources activated by those in the society, Kikki Short, Toni Sacco, Carolee Brakewood, Mike DeVittorio, Lou Russo, Joanne Bellantoni, and others, is one more example of everyday Americans doing their part to advance the story of America. From the floor of the House of Representatives, I salute the Port Chester Historical Society. Protecting Drivers From Dangerous Electric Vehicle Battery Fires

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because this week I am proud to introduce new legislation to protect drivers from dangerous electric vehicle battery fires with my colleague Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. This bill called the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Safety Act of 2026, H.R. 6948, comes in response to several fatal EV accidents which occurred in my district. The accidents involved extremely hot and difficult-to-fight chemical battery blazes and have led to loss of multiple lives. I became aware of the lack of standards governing EV battery design and heightened risks to passengers in EV accidents, including electrical door releases becoming disabled and lack of information on EV firefighting techniques and exposure to chemical toxins from those fires. This bipartisan bill addresses all of those issues, requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation standards for battery safety, mandates for mechanical door releases, disseminating best practices for firefighters to tackle these runaway blazes, and requiring a study by HHS on the health risks to firefighters. These new standards will help assure Americans that they are not taking unnecessary risks every time they get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and ensure our firefighters have the most current knowledge and protection to handle the latest in automotive technology.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, this year the Westchester Jewish Council is celebrating their 50-year anniversary, advancing a vision to serve the Jewish community of Westchester County: 130,000 people and 126 member organizations. Led by president Michael Mittelman, the board of directors, and the talented professional staff headed by CEO Elliot Forchheimer, the WJC has sponsored and organized public programs from Holocaust remembrance to Passover celebrations and gatherings. They have ensured greater synagogue security, programs to combat hatred and anti-Semitism, and the connection to Israel. At the upcoming 50th Anniversary Gala, two outstanding individuals will be honored: board member Stu Seltzer and Pam Goldstein. Pam is the chief operating officer of WJC. Stu, a Mamaroneck resident, is a professional in brand licensing and partnership marketing, president of a firm dominant in that field. Along with serving as a NYU adjunct professor, he is active in his local community and of the Westchester Jewish Center. Pam has a long record of activism and volunteerism as a member of Temple Israel Center, active PTO leader and parent at what is now the Leffell School, and important nonprofits such as the Breast Cancer Foundation and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Friends and colleagues of Stu and Pam will join in the celebration of their accomplishments and the 50-year accomplishments of the WJC. From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute the Westchester Jewish Council.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and salute the dynamic faith community of Bethesda Baptist Church in New Rochelle as they welcome their new pastor, Reverend Horace Sanders, Jr., and his wife, Lady Katrina Sanders, to the pulpit. Bethesda Baptist will be celebrating this month over installation weekend, highlighted by a congregational celebration gala on Friday night, January 16. The faithful of Bethesda have given God the glory for over 138 years, since 1888, with weekly Sunday services, Friday morning prayer line, Wednesday Bible study, programs for seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a food pantry for the needy and hungry, and programs targeted to the youth of the community. Pastor-elect Sanders served for over a decade at Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church in Schenectady and previously in Peekskill. His energetic leadership was on display last week when Bethesda hosted Watch Night services, joined by two other New Rochelle congregations. Reverend Sanders' sermon ``Leave the Baggage Behind'' was a perfect theme to start the new year and his new responsibilities at Bethesda. Mr. Speaker, I welcome him and Lady Katrina to New Rochelle from the floor of the House of Representatives, and I look forward to his many contributions in the days to come. Honoring the Birthday of C. Nathan Edwers

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Archbishop C. Nathan Edwers, spiritual leader and senior pastor at Friendship Worship Center in Mount Vernon as he celebrates his 65th birthday this month. His congregates, friends, and admirers will gather that weekend for a festive event in his honor, and we join in that recognition for a man of God who has been a leader in the community inside and outside of his church. Bishop Edwers holds a number of academic degrees, including a doctorate from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He began his ministry in 1983 and came from Brooklyn to Mount Vernon in 1989 to lead the Friendship Worship community. He has grown the church dynamically with outreach to embrace a large presence in the Mount Veteran community with the religious vision for worship, prayer, Bible study, and a community vision for services to the youth, seniors, and those in need with food delivery, after-school and summer programs, a warming center for the homeless, foster family services, and more. Bishop Edwers has held numerous positions in the church organization, also in the Masons, Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and as a founder and leader of the United Black Clergy of Westchester County. He has done all of this with his wife, Aro Denise Edwers, as his life partner, and all of this was done in a mere 65 years. Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy birthday to Bishop Edwers from the floor of the House of Representatives. Recognizing Shoreline Publishing

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, in a world where local newspapers and radio stations are disappearing, it is valuable to recognize and salute those organizations that are continuing to provide information about our local communities' life and times. In Westchester County we owe a public debt of gratitude to Shoreline Publishing, which serves the people of southern Westchester with five community newspapers; a countywide Jewish monthly newspaper; and a full-color quarterly magazine, Westchester Women. Under the leadership of president and publisher Edward Shapiro, Shoreline provides an information lifeline across our towns with the Pelham Post, the Bronxville Bulletin, the Harrison Herald, the Larchmont Ledger--as you can see, alliteration still has its appeal-- and the New Rochelle Review. Editors Cynthia Pena and Joyce Farrell ensure timely local news reaches the readers in each community, as well as the readers of Westchester Jewish Life, which is always available in the local synagogues and temples. Other key Shoreline executives round out the local team, including Lauren Levine and Mary DeYoung. I thank Shoreline Publishing from the floor of the House of Representatives for continuing to keep local news at the forefront of our hometowns.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, in a world where local news services-- newspapers and radio stations--are disappearing on a frightening level, it is important to recognize and salute those organizations that are continuing to provide information about our localities, the lives and times of the individuals of our communities. In the Bronx--specifically, in Co-op City--we have a public debt of gratitude that we owe to the Co-op City Times, which is serving the 40,000-plus people who reside there. Owned and operated by the Riverbay Corporation, the Co-op City Times, led by Rozaan Boone, editor-in-chief, and her team of reporters, covers the work of the Co-op Board of Directors and the many organizations of Co-op City, from the NAACP branch to The American Legion post and every other group in between. The Co-op City Times provides weekly news, free of charge, that covers the events and information of the individual building organizations, local arts and performances, and the churches and houses of worship and all of their events, and they spotlight the persons and the personalities that move Co-op City every day. I thank Co-op City Times from the floor of the House of Representatives for showing that local news can still be vocal news.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the insurrection that took place here in this Capitol Building, in this very room, at this very podium, on January 6, 2021. Five years ago today, I watched with the American people the events that took place as an attempt to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election took place, all incited by the President. I was not in Congress that day, but today, as I stand on the House floor, everything has a different feel. It has a personal connection to that day. I think of the violence visited upon the Capitol Police, the same ones that I greet every morning as I walk into the building. I think of staff and Members crouching under these very chairs in this Chamber. Everyone who works here for the people of this country does so because they believe in our democracy, and they believe in upholding our democracy. On this day, 5 years ago, this institution was tested. Lives were lost in the days and months that followed. I am disgusted by the attempts to whitewash what happened that day, to deny and lie about what is true. The truth will be told yet.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to hold Republican leadership accountable for their unwillingness to extend the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. I am a proud cosponsor of the Healthcare Affordability Act and Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act. Both permanently extend these credits. My colleagues in the Democratic Caucus have fought tirelessly to extend these subsidies. What has Republican leadership done? They put out a 111-page healthcare bill that doesn't contain a single word about ACA credits. What the bill does do is cause 100,000 more people to become uninsured. Without extending these credits, a 60-year-old couple in my district will see their premiums increase by $13,000 and an average family of 4 by $17,000. My Republican colleagues can pull all the stunts they want to make it look like they are working on healthcare costs, but Americans are not buying it. Mr. Speaker, as we barrel towards the December 31 expiration date, the people of Westchester and the Bronx need to know that I, along with my colleagues, will fight for their access to affordable healthcare. That is something every American deserves.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, any day now, the Supreme Court will issue a ruling on whether the President can impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. President Trump's tariff policies have hurt America's small businesses, who often cannot absorb the cost of higher duties. Now, the economy is showing warning signs. Unemployment has risen to 4.6 percent, and small businesses shed 120,000 jobs in November alone. That is why I recently joined 20 of my colleagues in sending a letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Noem urging both Departments to dedicate resources to planning for the Supreme Court's decision. Proper planning is needed around an information campaign for small businesses on how to navigate the tariff protest process, ensuring that eligible tariff refunds are provided on an expedited basis. Without a plan, the complexity and time needed to pursue a refund will further burden small businesses. I urge the Trump administration to work quickly to guarantee that small businesses, the lifeline of our economy, are not left behind because of this erratic policy.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to a remarkable man, a pillar of the community, and a devoted family man. Richard Joseph Barber, Jr., Esq., affectionately known as Dick, passed away on December 11. Dick's journey was one marked by dedication, service, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of those around him. A graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School, Dick went on to further his education at St. Michael's College in Vermont, followed by St. John's Law School, which launched his career in the law. Beyond the courtroom, Dick was a successful businessman, owning establishments such as the Coachman and Harbor Marine, which served as testaments to his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. Dick's contributions went beyond law and business. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, exhibiting a profound sense of duty. His dedication to duty and service was further exemplified through his attainment of numerous degrees and certifications in the New York State firefighting and hazmat world, ensuring that his community remained a safer place for all for over 60 years. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Marilyn; his son, Richard III, and wife, Elaine, and their son, Richard IV; as well as his daughter, Deborah Rees, and her children, Nicole and Kimberly. Dick also leaves behind his siblings, Patricia Spacavento, Marylou Harvey, and Joan Syp. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Barber. He was the son of the late Richard Barber, Sr., and the late Frances Magnus Barber. His legacy will be felt not only by his family but by the countless lives he touched. At this hour, there is a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, New York. Interment will follow at Greenwood Union in Rye. May Dick rest in peace. Remembering Karen V. Hill

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life and times of Karen V. Hill, who passed away in November. Her accomplishments and achievements in her 72 years cannot be properly summarized in a minute or two. She lived a life of leadership and service for 30-plus years, serving the underserved in equity, housing, and much more. She was appointed by the Federal court to implement the desegregation of housing and was president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home to preserve that historical legacy. She was appointed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. She served as program director for the National Urban League, chief executive of the American Homeowner Education and Counseling Institute, and chair of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. Through her sorority memberships, her faith in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and the love of her large family and extended friendships, Karen Hill left her mark. Her visitation this past weekend at Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in Mount Vernon was a time for celebration of her life and acknowledgment that she now rests with the Lord. Remembering Sydney, Australia

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, in the season where Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, our Hispanic friends await the Three Kings Day celebration, our friends in the Jewish community commemorate Hanukkah and the historic celebration of light, the oil that lasted for eight nights, providing the menorah with light and warmth and survival. With the horror of Sydney fresh at hand, a father and son using their weapons to systematically kill Jews celebrating Hanukkah at a beach event, it is a bittersweet month. Once again, we mourn unnecessary death motivated by intense hatred, fueled by the availability of weapons of death. Over thousands of years of world history, Jews have been targeted in every land for death and for genocide, and this is just the latest such outrage. As a Christian myself, I must let love rule, not hatred. We must end the manifestation of that hatred and violence. We must embrace our Jewish brothers and sisters, alongside those of every religion, that peace and tolerance are the only way to go, and it is a two-way street. All must commit themselves to tolerance and coexistence, and Almighty God will sort out the rest. We mourn with the loss of the families in Sydney and all who suffer violence from anti-Semitism and hatred of any sort.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the Trump administration's decision to eliminate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from its list of free entrance days for our national parks. This is a continuation of this administration's efforts to undermine and erase Black history. Already this year, the administration has ordered several National Park Service sites to remove materials related to slavery. We must make our national parks more accessible, and there is no better way to do that than increasing free admission days in celebration of national holidays that include and recognize the legacy of Dr. King and to commemorate the story of emancipation. If eliminating these days was not enough, the President took the unprecedented step to add his own birthday to the list of free admission days to our national parks. His disrespect for some of the most important stories in American history has no bounds and speaks volumes to the content of his character. Our country's national parks are commonly referred to as America's best idea, and this is a very bad idea.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, the Jewish Business Network, JBM, will be recognizing a group of outstanding business leaders at their breakfast in Tarrytown tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16. The individuals saluted have made a positive impact on the business community in the region of Westchester County and surrounding counties. Those to be honored include: The Gabelli Leadership Awards will be given to Paul Adler, chief strategy officer of Rand Commercial; Adam Hammerman, vice president and CEO of New York Medical College; and Brad Schwartz, a partner at Zarin & Steinmetz law firm. The Friedland Young Leadership Awards will be given to Samuel Adler of Rand Commercial and Lee Lefkowitz, partner for Zarin & Steinmetz. Mr. Speaker, I salute these talented and committed professionals.

Mr. LATIMER

Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Lois Washington as she celebrates her 100th birthday. It is my pleasure to join her family and friends in honoring the remarkable life she has led. Born on December 12, 1925, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Ms. Washington moved with her family to New York City at the age of five and she never looked back. Since then, she has proudly called our great city home. She grew up here, married here, started her family here, and has lived an extraordinary life in the greatest city in the world. Lois also worked for the New York Telephone company and retired after 25 years of hard work and service. As a resident of Co-op City, she is an active member of her community and a longtime member of the Co-op City Methodist Church. Although she is retired, that has not slowed her down, she watches the news, keeps up with current events, calls family and friends each day, and sometimes doesn't go to sleep until midnight, almost reverting back to her teenage self. She loves her shows and loves her family and the Bronx more. After many incredible years, Lois's contagious positivity and kindness is truly deserving of this body's recognition. Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in wishing Lois Washington another year of good health and happiness as she celebrates the milestone of her 100th Birthday.