Grace Meng

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great passion and urgency to talk about our need, as Members of Congress, to strengthen our Nation's gun violence prevention laws. Last night at the State of the Union, President Obama said it best--gun violence victims deserve a vote. From Newtown to Aurora, Oak Creek to Tucson and Blacksburg--these victims deserve a vote. Every day in this country, men, women and children die from gun violence. It doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to live in fear when we send our children to school. I'm proud to be a member of the House Democratic Task Force on Reducing and Preventing Gun Violence. Last week, we issued a series of commonsense priorities that could make the difference in preventing future gun violence. One of the most basic priorities is implementing universal background checks. It is the only way to ensure that people who are legally barred from owning a gun are prevented from buying a gun. Right now, the law is voluntary--someone who fears failing a background check can simply avoid it by acquiring a gun from a private seller. Another commonsense measure is a bill I introduced, the Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act, that prevents gun dealers whose licenses were revoked from reclassifying their inventory as personal and then selling the same guns as a private seller. We have to close these loopholes. These practices of getting around the law need to stop. I urge my colleagues to bring these commonsense gun safety laws to the floor for a vote because President Obama was right--our victims deserve a vote.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and service of Emanuel Gold, known to his friends as Manny. After a long fight with cancer, Manny passed away at 77. Manny Gold began his distinguished career in Albany, New York as Counsel to the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate in 1965. At 35 years old, he was elected to the Assembly, and a year later to the New York State Senate where he would serve for 27 years. Manny had a great sense of humor and was well regarded on both sides of the aisle. His tireless work throughout his career permanently bettered New York State, New York City and the Borough of Queens. One of Manny's greatest legislative accomplishments was the ``Son of Sam'' law, which prohibited criminals from profiting from their crimes. This landmark legislation helped lay the foundation for similar laws around the country. Manny was an avid photographer and could often be seen taking pictures of the State Capitol and Executive Office Building in Albany. In his earlier days Manny was a boxer, but he quickly made a transition to the less physically demanding sport of golf which he played over the course of his long life. His love for music was as strong as it was for sports and politics, exemplified by the symphony orchestras he conducted. Mr. Speaker, Manny was a tireless public servant for the citizens of New York and always made it a priority to put his constituents first. Even with the loss of his beloved sons Adam and Jeffery he continued to be a strong leading voice for the people of New York. With work that spanned over three decades he exemplified the meaning of courage and strength by sponsoring legislation that touched the lives of many who lived and worked in Queens. These bills included a measure to mandate that New York City hospitals provide Emergency Room treatment and to make public buildings more accessible for the disabled. The legacy that he leaves reflects the love for his New York family, but more importantly the love he had for wife Judith, his surviving children Sue and Steve, his daughter Bonnie and his granddaughters Emily and Jackie. Mr. Speaker, for his service to New York State, advocacy for Queens, and devotion to his family and friends, I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring Emanuel Gold.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the H.R. 152, made in order by this rule. But the rule itself is flawed. It allows amendments that would negatively impact the middle class. We should not offset disaster aid by cutting funding for veterans, food safety and education. I am also disappointed that the Committee did not make in order an amendment I proposed, or a similar amendment offered by my new Colleague Chris Smith, that would help churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship recover from the destruction left by Hurricane Sandy. These amendments would have given houses of worship the same chance for aid that other private nonprofit facilities receive. Superstorm Sandy was an exceptionally rare event with immense destructive force, and these establishments provided extraordinary service to the community during the hurricane. It would be unfair not to give them FEMA support and an opportunity to rebuild. Because of the severe crisis experienced by Queens and the rest of New York, houses of worship should be able to receive the same consideration for aid that other private nonprofits do. I am grateful that the Committee is allowing us to consider the Frelinghuysen amendment, which would provide thirty-three billion dollars in much needed aid to the states devastated by Sandy. I urge the my colleagues to support the Frelinghuysen amendment and to support H.R. 152 on final passage.