Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the accomplishments of Rear Admiral Dana Thomas as she retires from the United States Coast Guard this year. I applaud RADM Thomas for her dedication and service and congratulate her on this milestone. Promoted to Rear Admiral (Upper Half) in March 2019, RADM Thomas has had an exemplary military career, previously serving seven years in the U.S. Coast Guard and seven years in the U.S. Army. She received her Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from George Washington University School of Medicine and Public Health, and her Bachelor of Science in Honors Biology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She completed Command and General Staff College in 2005. She served her Internship in General Surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center and her residency at the Naval Aerospace Medicine Institute. From her work with the Centers for Disease Control and service on the Physician's Professional Advisory Committee to the U.S. Surgeon General, to her current role as Director of Health, Safety, and Work- life for the U.S. Coast Guard, RADM Thomas has continued her commitment to service and public health. Her experience, knowledge, and steadfast initiative have distinguished RADM Thomas as an outstanding leader who has exemplified honor, integrity, and professionalism throughout her career. Mr. Speaker, please join me in leading this body in acknowledgement of the extraordinary contributions of Rear Admiral Dana Thomas. She has tirelessly devoted her time and expertise to the advancement of public health and I thank her for her honorable service to our great Nation.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the vote was closed before 92 members could vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 283.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I use today to congratulate Donna M. Chiera on her retirement as President of the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ). Ms. Chiera has dedicated over 40 years of service to the education field and her contributions and accomplishments are truly deserving of this body's recognition. As President of AFTNJ, Donna Chiera brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. She worked as a special education teacher and resource room teacher for the Perth Amboy Public School District for more than 30 years until her retirement from teaching in 2011. Furthermore, Ms. Chiera also served as president of the local union, Perth Amboy Federation of Teachers, from 1991 until 2013, as well as AFTNJ executive vice president for grades pre-K through 12. Her long- standing involvement with AFT and her tenure as an educator exemplify Ms. Chiera's commitment to serve and advance New Jersey's teachers and students. Representing the interests of 30,000 members of AFTNJ, Ms. Chiera has been an active member of AFT national, chairing the Teachers program and policy council, serving on subcommittees, and participating in both the National and New Jersey Teacher of the Year selection In addition to her leadership of AFTNJ, Ms. Chiera is Vice President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Executive Board and previously served as Vice President of the Middlesex-Somerset County Central Labor Council, Education Chair of Perth Amboy's Strategic Planning Task Force, and Education Co-Chair for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's transition committee. Mr. Speaker, please Join me in leading this body in acknowledgement of the contributions of Donna Chiera. She has tirelessly devoted her time to New Jersey's education and labor communities, and I am honored to recognize her today.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert Broege, Hope Jones, and Ross Millhiser as they are honored by the Monmouth County Historical Association at its 49th Annual Garden Party. Mr. Broege, Ms. Jones, and Mr. Millhiser are the members of the Association's recently formed Advisory Council and it is a fitting tribute for the Association to recognize their dedication on its 125th anniversary. Robert Broege is a long-time supporter of the Monmouth County Historical Association. He has served on the Association's Board of Trustees since 1992 and has lent his time and expertise to various committees, including the ethics committee. He and his wife Marilyn are also repeat hosts of the Garden Party. In addition to his work with the Monmouth County Historical Association, Mr. Broege is a trustee of Elberon Memorial Church, Chairman of the Oceanport Environmental Commission, and previously served on several hospital foundation boards. Mr. Broege remains an active and charitable member of the community and his involvement reflects his passion to help others and improve our communities. The granddaughter of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell who restored and later donated Marlpit Hall to the Monmouth County Historical Association, Hope Jones is dedicated to preserving the history of Monmouth County. Continuing her family's charitable legacy, Hope Jones joined the Monmouth County Historical Association's Board of Trustees in 1976. She was an exemplary leader of the board for many years, serving as secretary and president. Despite no longer residing in New Jersey full- time, Ms. Jones maintains her Monmouth County roots and has continued to support the mission of the Association. Ms. Jones was recognized for her long-time commitment to the Monmouth County Historical Association as the honoree of the 2008 Garden Party. Returning to his childhood community of Rumson in 2002, Ross Millhiser and his wife Diane reside in the same home that has been in his family for 65 years. In 2008, he joined the Monmouth County Historical Association Board of Trustees in 2008, combining his love of history with service to the community. Over the years, he served as trustee, first vice president, and vice president emeritus, and as a member of several committees. His active involvement and knowledge has been valuable to the Monmouth County Historical Association and the greater community. For 125 years, the Monmouth County Historical Association has provided Monmouth County residents and visitors with a vast collection of our local history and heritage. Through its programs, exhibits, and resources, the Association continues to educate and enlighten our communities with both a historical and humanities perspective. Its efforts to preserve and promote the region's rich history help to ensure that this important knowledge is available for future generations. Mr. Speaker, on the 125th anniversary of the Monmouth County Historical Association, please join me in thanking Robert Broege, Hope Jones, and Ross Millhiser for their leadership and contributions to our community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Monmouth County Historical Association. This milestone will be celebrated by its leadership, members, and the greater community at its 49th Annual Garden Party on June 7, 2024. I would also like to join the Monmouth County Historical Association in honoring the members of its newly formed Advisory Council: Robert Broege, Hope Jones, and Ross Millhiser. Organized by a group of Monmouth County residents with the intention of preserving and celebrating the county's rich history, the Monmouth County Historical Association has grown immensely since 1898. In less than 25 years, the group had expanded to several hundred members and procured an extensive collection. Today, the Association boasts a collection of over 30,000 artifacts, a headquarters, library, archives, and five historic houses. The Association is a renowned historical organization that continues to fulfill its mission to discover, preserve, and promote the history, genealogy, and biography of Monmouth County. Through its work, the Association provides an anthology of our heritage for future generations. Its exhibitions explore various topics from the American Revolution to the County's resort towns. It has received Giles R. Wright Award twice for its recent work to share the stories and experiences of the enslaved in Monmouth County. In its 125th year, the Monmouth County Historical Association is led by Executive Director Shannon Eadon and a knowledgeable staff as well as its Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and its new Advisory Council. The Monmouth County Historical Association continues to play a vital role in the preservation and promotion of the County's rich history. As it marks its 125th anniversary, I sincerely hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the contributions and efforts of the Monmouth County Historical Association.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, again, this is an important bill in terms of protecting our clean water. I urge everyone to support it on a bipartisan basis. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 2964, the WIPPES Act. The improper disposal of nonflushable wipes can damage critical plumbing and wastewater infrastructure and lead to environmental contamination and pollution. A 2020 analysis by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies found that wipes result in approximately $441 million a year in additional operating costs for our clean water utilities. Stakeholders across the country have expressed the need for manufacturers to clearly label their wet wipe products so consumers know how to properly dispose of them. H.R. 2964, the WIPPES Act, ensures that wipe manufacturers and other covered entities clearly and conspicuously label nonflushable wipes as such. Requiring ``Do Not Flush'' labels on the packaging of nonflushable wipes sold in the United States will empower consumers to help protect our plumbing and wastewater infrastructure and reduce pollution and environmental contamination. Mr. Speaker, I commend Representatives Peltola and McClain for their leadership on this issue, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 6543, the No Hidden FEES Act. Far too often, when consumers go to check out of their hotel rooms, they are hit with surprise fees. Hotels and online travel agencies have many names for these types of fees, such as resort fees, amenities fees, facilities fees, to name just a few. Regardless of what they are called, surprise fees that consumers do not expect make it impossible to comparison shop and impose undue burdens on household finances. That is why I am proud that President Biden and House Democrats are working to prevent junk fees like these. H.R. 6543, the No Hidden FEES Act, is a bipartisan bill that will ensure that companies make available all mandatory fee information when they advertise a hotel room or other place of short-term lodging. The bill would also require hotels and other providers of short-term lodging to provide the total cost of a room to any internet website or other third party that the provider has allowed to advertise, market, display, or otherwise offer the short-term lodging for sale. By ensuring everyone in the short-term lodging ecosystem displays the full price of a stay, we will protect consumers from being caught paying extra when they go to check out. I commend my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Castor and Representative Kim, for their leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), who is the ranking member of our Oversight and investigations Subcommittee and the Democratic sponsor of the bill.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. It is important that we get at junk fees, and this is one of those bills that comes out of our committee that will accomplish that goal. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Garden State Equality. Since its inception, Garden State Equality has provided support and advocacy to LGBTQ+ communities across New Jersey and its work is truly deserving of this body's recognition. Organized in 2004 with the mission to institute marriage equality in New Jersey, Garden State Equality has not only succeeded in that goal but has continued to champion equal rights and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Throughout its 20-year history, Garden State Equality has seen major accomplishments in New Jersey, including the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, LGBTQ Older Adults Bill of Rights, Transgender Equality Taskforce, gender identity recognition, and LGBTQ-inclusive school curriculum. It is a leading voice on LGBTQ+ issues and priorities and is an effective advocate on behalf of New Jersey's activist community. In addition to its advocacy, Garden State Equality's training and education programs are invaluable resources to the community, cultivating a more inclusive environment through better understanding of the issues and needs the LGBTQ+ community faces. It also provides resources and assistance to LGBTQ+ individuals--identifying LGBTQ- friendly healthcare providers, providing legal name and gender change instruction, and explaining LGBTQ+ rights and protections, among others. Founded by Steven Goldstein, today Garden State Equality is led by Executive Director Christian Fuscarino. Its success, outreach, and relevancy are evident in its growth as the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in New Jersey with over 150,000 members. Mr. Speaker, on its 20th anniversary, it is my honor and privilege to recognize the outstanding efforts and dedication of Garden State Equality on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Robert (Bob) M. Iamello whose dedication to the Amerigo Vespucci Society and his Italian heritage will be recognized by the organization with its ``Man of the Year'' award on June 8, 2024. Robert Iamello maintains his Italian heritage through his family and his involvement with the Amergio Vespucci Society (AVS). Raised in West Long Branch, New Jersey, Mr. Iamello grew up in a household that embraced its Calabrian lineage. His parents and grandparents often conversed with each other in Italian, introducing Mr. Iamello to the language. In college, he studied abroad in Venice, and has visited Italy many times since. Together with Diane, his wife of nearly 45 years, he has two children and three grandchildren. He takes great pride in his family and heritage, sharing his experiences with other members of the AVS. Mr. Iamello received his Associate Degree in Engineering for Architectural Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology and his Bachelor in Architecture from the University of Kentucky. Throughout his 47-year career, he was employed by architectural firms in New York and New Jersey before opening Ocean Township-based Iamello Architectural Studio LLC with his daughter in 2014. Mr. Iamello is a member of several architectural organizations and has been recognized for his work. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Robert Iamello as the recipient of the Amerigo Vespucci Society ``Man of the Year'' award. This honor is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and service to family and community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join Hackensack Meridian Health in commemorating the 50th anniversary of Behavioral Health Services at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center. The hospitals' vision and commitment to supporting the well-being of Monmouth and Ocean County's communities is truly deserving of this body's recognition. Since 1974, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center have offered a range of inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, including psychiatry, crisis and emergency services, hospitalization, consultation, and education. Over the years, services have expanded to include addiction and children's programs. Additionally, in 1979, Jersey Shore Medical Center began mobile services in Asbury Park under a grant from the State of New Jersey. To better meet the needs of its clients, the program, coined Park Place, moved to a facility, first operating out of the local United Methodist Church, then to a home on Sewall Avenue, and later to a property on Bond Street. The Park Place program continued to expand and adapt, integrating services and other programs until 2019 when it was merged with the Riverview Medical Center Behavioral Health Acute Partial Program. For 50 years, Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center have been providing services, education, outreach, and support to individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders Their efforts to improve the quality and availability of support services are important for the health and well-being of individuals and their families. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center for 50 years of providing comprehensive behavioral health services and thanking its staff and members for their extraordinary service to the community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Mrs. Trahan), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 4310, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act. This legislation is necessary because, sadly, online forums are providing detailed instructions and real-time guidance on how to die by suicide by consuming just a small amount of sodium nitrite. As a result, over the past few years, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown a sharp increase in the rise of self-poisoning using sodium nitrite. H.R. 4310 would ban the sale of highly concentrated sodium nitrite to consumers in order to help prevent it for this use. Experts have made it clear that there is no good reason for consumers to purchase this product at such high concentration. This bill is an important step in ensuring that lethal levels of sodium nitrite stay out of the hands of those who will use it to harm themselves. I commend the sponsor of this bill, Representative Trahan, from our committee for her leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support this bill. I think it is pretty obvious why this bill is so important. I want to thank the sponsor again, Mrs. Trahan, for bringing this up because it will save lives. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this is a very important bill for mothers' safety to prevent stillborn infants. I urge all my colleagues to support this on a bipartisan basis, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the United States continues to face a devastating crisis in maternal health, and this includes an ongoing crisis of stillbirths. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 21,000 stillbirth infants born every year in the United States. That is about 58 stillbirths every day. According to the March of Dimes, the annual number of stillbirths far exceeds the number of deaths among children from preterm birth, SIDS, accidents, drownings, fire, and flu combined. Women who experience a stillbirth are also more likely to experience complications or even death after the delivery. According to the March of Dimes, severe morbidity is nearly five times more common than in women who experience a healthy pregnancy and delivery. These women are also justifiably more likely to suffer from depression. H.R. 4581, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, is bipartisan legislation which clarifies that States can use title V funding for evidence-based programs, activities, and outcome research to reduce the incidence of stillbirth. These activities could include community-based programs that provide home visits or other types of support and research or evidence-based programming to prevent stillbirths. This bill is supported by more than 30 women's health and research organizations across our healthcare spectrum. This bill will provide better certainty for States to enhance the safety of women throughout their pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum experiences. The hope is that States would focus their efforts on communities with large health disparities in birth outcomes. I thank Representative Adams for her leadership on this legislation. I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6960, the Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act sponsored by Representatives Castor and Carter. The Emergency Medical Services for Children program works in communities across the country to improve the quality of pediatric medical care. We know that children have unique needs in emergency situations and that treating children requires specialized skills, training, and equipment. The Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act will reauthorize this important program. This bill will allow the program to continue supporting improvements such as adding child-appropriate equipment in ambulances and emergency departments, providing training to paramedics and first responders, and improving the systems that allow for efficient and effective pediatric emergency medical care. The program also funds research to set the standards for pediatric emergency care and to assess the current capabilities of healthcare systems. Now, this program has been a success. It has helped to reduce pediatric injury-related death rates by more than 40 percent since it began four decades ago. This bill will ensure that the program can continue building on this work for another 5 years, so I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort to strengthen and expand emergency medical services for children in each State. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6960, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), the Democratic sponsor of the bill and ranking member of our O&I Subcommittee.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, we need to reauthorize this program. It is successful in reducing pediatric injury-related deaths, so it should be reauthorized for another 5 years. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1797, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act. This bill will protect Americans from fires from lithium-ion batteries. It requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create a safety standard for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in micromobility devices, like electric bicycles and scooters. Fires caused by faulty or misused batteries are increasing throughout our Nation. As just one example, between 2019 and 2023, the Fire Department of the City of New York reported more than 400 fires, 300 injuries, and 12 deaths from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City alone. Just a few weeks ago, two people and a cat had to be rescued from a Bridgewater, New Jersey, apartment, not far from my district, because of a fire caused by an electric bicycle battery. After all of these accidents, right now, there is no Federal standard to ensure the products on the market are safe. As electric bikes and scooters grow in popularity, we must act to guarantee a strong Federal safety standard for lithium-ion batteries. Consumers deserve to feel confident that the products that they see for sale are thoroughly tested and safe, and this legislation would do just that. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres), the main sponsor of this bill, for his leadership on this issue. I also thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke) for championing this bill in our committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.