Tom Reed

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, on Thursday, September 19, 2019, I was unable to vote on Roll Call No. 538: Passage of H.R. 4378, ``Making Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020, and for other purposes.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' On Friday, September 20, 2019, I was unable to vote on Roll Call No. 540: Passage of H.R. 1423, ``Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act.'' Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize New York Chiropractic College for the one hundredth anniversary of its founding. In 1919, Columbia Institute of Chiropractic was founded by Dr. Frank Dean. The institute later became New York Chiropractic College in the 1970s. In 1991, a two-hundred and eighty-six acre campus was purchased in Seneca Falls, New York, and the college moved to this expanded location. Clinics were added throughout the region, including in Seneca Falls, Depew and Levittown, New York. The college has also partnered with the Veterans Administration and others throughout the years. This college has been educating Chiropractic students for one hundred years and I wish them success in the next one hundred years of educating students. New York Chiropractic College has provided outstanding programming that is both meaningful and valuable to its students and the patients they go on to help. I applaud their efforts and hope to see many more great things from them in the future. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to recognize New York Chiropractic College for the one hundredth Anniversary of its founding.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor Kirk- Casey American Legion Post 366 in Seneca Falls, New York for its one hundredth Anniversary. A charter was put in place by New York State for Kirk-Casey American Legion Post 366 in Seneca Falls on September 8, 1919. The post was named in honor of local citizens, Frederick Kirk and Maynard Casey, two military members killed in action during World War I. The first meeting of Kirk-Casey American Legion Post 366 was held on September 19, 1919 where the name was chosen. Six days later, Fata Martin was the first woman enrolled in the post. Fata Martin served as a nurse in France after training at Willard State Hospital in Romulus. On February 22, 1921, a women's auxiliary was organized and a charter was received on May 23, 1923. Property was purchased on April 2, 1924, known as the Casey Property, which was located at 48 State Street, Seneca Falls, New York. This property was used to build the post home, which is still in use. The post home was dedicated on May 18, 1929. The rich and varied history of this post is a long-lasting legacy that I wish to share with my colleagues here, the constituents in my district and the American people. Kirk-Casey American Legion Post 366 is the first chartered post in Seneca County and is one of the longest chartered posts in the American Legion's seventh district. I applaud the efforts of this post on behalf and for veterans over the years and wish them continued success in the future. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to recognize Kirk-Casey American Legion Post 366 in Seneca Falls, New York for its one hundredth Anniversary.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New York Commander, Thomas Todaro. Thomas was elected to this prestigious and well-deserved post in June 2019. He has served both his country and his fellow Veterans for many years. During the Vietnam War, Thomas served in the United States Army as part of the 9th Infantry Division and was stationed at Mei Kong Delta. There, he earned the rank of Sergeant E-5. In 1972, Thomas joined the John W. Tiffany VFW Post 53 in Jamestown, New York. He became a life member in 1997 and is now a Gold Legacy Life Member. He has held various positions within the VFW over the years, including Senior Vice Commander, Chautauqua County Commander and Sixth District Commander. He also served on a variety of state committees during his tenure. In 2015, he was appointed as the Patriotic Instructor at the 2015 State Convention, Chief of Staff at the 2016 State Convention and Junior Vice Commander at the 2017 State Convention. Thomas has also served as a Service Officer in the VFW Department of New York and the Director of Veterans Service for the state. He continues to hold a staff position as a mentor for the Buffalo Veterans Court. Thomas has clearly given much of himself for our country and our Veterans. Congratulations to you, Thomas, for this new position--and I thank you for all that you have done and will do in the future. I know that Veterans in New York State have gained a wise leader and a genuinely honorable man with you as their Commander. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor VFW Department of New York Commander, Thomas Todaro.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor National Commander-in- Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, William ``Doc'' Schmitz. Doc was elected to this prestigious and well-deserved post on July 24, 2019. Helping and advocating for Veterans is not an uncommon practice for Doc, but rather a continuation of the work he does each and every day. His unwavering dedication to his country and the Veterans he serves is one of the many traits I admire most about him. While Doc currently serves Veterans, he has also served his country well over the years. Doc was in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970, during the Vietnam War. During that time, he served as a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marine Corp in Vietnam. In recognition of his efforts, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Doc does not allow politics to get in the way of serving Veterans, which is another thing I admire. He doesn't look at their qualifiers or whether they fit a certain criteria, but rather helps people simply and solely to help them. Previously, he worked for a Democratic Congressman, but decided to stay on in my office because of his commitment to the cause. Doc is my resource for all things Veteran related and he contacts me personally with any information on local, state and national Veterans' issues. He is a venerable source of information and experience that I rely on and trust deeply. I cannot think of a better National Commander-in-Chief than the one we are honoring today. We can all be assured that the man leading this national organization has Veterans' needs as a first priority and he will fight to make sure they are well taken care of. Congratulations to you, Doc, for this new position--and I thank you for all that you have done and will do in the future. I know that Veterans everywhere have just gained a staunch defender, a wise leader and a genuinely honorable and good man with you as their Commander-in-Chief. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, William ``Doc'' Schmitz.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of Cummins Inc. In 1919, Clessie Cummins and his business partner, William G. Irwin, joined together to form the Cummins Engine Company, developing diesel engines. From these humble beginnings, the Cummins Engine Company has grown to become Cummins Inc., a leader among independent engine manufacturers producing a wide variety of engines and engine system components. Today Cummins is listed as a Fortune 150 company, employing more than 62,000 people worldwide. While their headquarters may be located in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins Inc. has a long history with Jamestown, New York. In 1974, Cummins acquired a more than one million square foot facility in Jamestown to manufacture engine components. Since the Jamestown Engine Plant produced its first engine in 1981 it has built more than two million engines. The engines made in Jamestown serve customers around the world and the plant serves an important role in the company by serving a wide variety of markets. The Jamestown Engine Plant is also dedicated to improving the community around them, annually contributing one million dollars through charitable donations. It is a pleasure to recognize the success of Cummins and celebrate the contributions that the Jamestown Engine Plant has made to our communities over the last forty-five years. One hundred years of successful business and forty-five years of serving the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate Cummins Inc. on this impressive milestone and look forward to their continued success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of Cummins Inc.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of John Rudd to the Cayuga Medical Center and congratulate him on his retirement. For the last six years, John Rudd has served as the President and CEO of Cayuga Medical Center. Upon its creation in 2014, John was also named President and CEO of Cayuga Health System. Before that, John served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Cayuga Medical Center for seventeen years. His dedicated service and wealth of experience has ensured the highest of quality service, that Cayuga Medical Center is known for, to people in the Finger Lakes Region. Under John's leadership, Cayuga Medical Center has grown and experienced a major expansion of their services. He oversaw the opening of the Cayuga Wellness Center as well as the opening of the hospital's first cath lab. John is responsible for forging partnerships and collaboration with organizations such as Mayo Laboratories, University of Rochester Medical Center, and Roswell Park. He was also instrumental in the efforts to join Cayuga Medical Center and Schuyler Hospital as Cayuga Health System, producing a successful system with both hospitals performing well. John's dedication to the well-being of his community extends far beyond his place of work, as he has served on numerous community boards. He has worked with organizations such as Franziska Racker Centers, OAR, United Way Tompkins County, Tompkins County Area Development, Central New York Area Health Education Center, Challenge Industries, Kendall at Ithaca, Reconstruction Home Inc., and Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. As John moves forward with the next chapter of his life, we applaud his tireless efforts to improve healthcare in our communities and we wish him all the best in his retirement. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate John Rudd and his extraordinary career.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the seventy- fifth annual Gerry Rodeo. The village of Gerry in western New York is the proud home of the oldest consecutive rodeo east of the Mississippi. Each year approximately seven thousand fans, and two hundred and fifty cowboys and cowgirls travel to Gerry, NY to enjoy the competition. For four days the quiet village of Gerry becomes ``The Rodeo Capital of the East''. The Gerry Rodeo began in 1945, when a former working cowboy named Jack Cox moved from the West to Gerry and suggested a rodeo as a way of fundraising for the newly formed fire department. In seventy days fire department members and volunteers transformed four acres of swampland into an arena and parking lot, borrowing bleachers from local schools and renting portable lights. From the very beginning, the Gerry Fire Department wanted to ensure their rodeo was a top-notch competition and for that reason, they have always ensured their rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys' Association. Today, the competition consists of the same competitive events as the first Rodeo seventy-five years ago: bareback bronc riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and cowgirls' barrel racing. Seventy-five years of community tradition is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Gerry Rodeo on this impressive milestone and look forward to many more rodeos in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the seventy-fifth annual Gerry Rodeo.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jerry Zremski, The Buffalo News' Washington Bureau Chief, for winning the National Press Club's Washington Regional Reporting Award for 2018. Zremski was recognized for this award due to his hard work and diligence in the reporting field. He has produced thorough, well- written work that gives the people of Buffalo and beyond the information they need from a trusted voice they know and love. He has reported on breaking news regarding federal issues, several presidential elections and political conventions. Zremski was embedded as a correspondent during the Iraq War, has reported on events in France, and also spent time in Asia as part of his ``From Burma to Buffalo'' series. Zremski has been with The Buffalo News, starting out as a business reporter, since 1984. In 1989, he began his work in Washington on behalf of the beloved Buffalo paper, and has served as the Washington Bureau Chief since 2007. Previously, Zremski was a National Press Club president and the Nieman fellow at Harvard University. He is not a stranger to awards such as this, as he won the 2016 Professional Journalists award and last year received the Washington Press Club Foundation's David Lynch Memorial Reporting Award. Reporters are often present in places the general public cannot be, due either to restrictions or because they simply are not able to be. Jerry Zremski has done a wonderful job conveying the facts and figures of any given story to allow his readers a glimpse into what has happened. We salute and honor your work here today, Mr. Zremski. We know we can plan to see even more great things from you in the future. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor Jerry Zremski for receiving this award and his body of work.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the seventy- fifth anniversary of LeChase Construction. Established in 1944 by Raymond F. LeChase, LeChase Construction is a full-service construction management and general construction firm. With humble beginnings, LeChase Construction began as a small family operation to fill the local demand for construction work during World War II. Today LeChase employs more than seven hundred and fifty employees and ranks among the nation's top contractors. LeChase prides itself of offering the capabilities of a large firm while maintaining the personalized service of a small firm. For the last twenty years, LeChase's Southern Tier operations, headquartered in Corning, New York, has provided people from the region with the expertise and high quality of service that LeChase is known for. From Chautauqua to Elmira and down to central Pennsylvania, LeChase has earned the respect of repeat clients, who account for nearly ninety percent of the region's work. Vice President Fred Thompson credits that earned respect to their track record of delivering successful projects and the hardworking, down-to-earth people of the Southern Tier. Seventy-five years of serving the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate LeChase on this impressive milestone and look forward to their continued success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of LeChase Construction.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, first, I rise to thank my colleague, Ms. Chu, on the other side of the aisle for her efforts on this legislation. As we are proposing this legislation, Madam Speaker, we recognize that discrimination in any form is never acceptable and that also the PRIDE Act would remove that gender language in our Tax Code of ``husband and wife,'' consistent with that of the U.S. Supreme Court and now as recognized as the law of the land. As we have expressed previously in some of our hearings on this matter, there are some administrative concerns that we still hold on our side of the aisle in regard to this legislation, in regard to the audit function, the look-back opportunities that are there in regard to the removal of IRS tax records after 6 years, and some issues technical in nature that deal with compliance with this legislation. We hope that those concerns can be dealt with administratively, but at its heart, I personally stand here and join with my colleague from California in support of this legislation and look forward to the adoption of it, as I anticipate the passage of it here on the floor. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), one of the members of the Ways and Means Committee, who does great work.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to recognize my colleague from Michigan, Mr. Levin, and his efforts on this matter, as well to recognize the service of our fellow member of the Ways and Means Committee, his father, Sandy Levin. Sandy Levin was an individual who, even though we passionately disagreed ideologically and philosophically often, was a gentleman I enjoyed getting to know. I appreciate his commitment to this issue, as well as now his son carrying on that legacy. That, to me, is a shining example of this institution, where people can believe passionately in their ideology and still work together in order to deal in a positive way for the American people. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would just echo as we started. I thank my colleague from California (Ms. Judy Chu) for her efforts on this issue. I thank our chairman, Mr. Neal, who has artfully indicated his words on the Record in regard to this issue. Madam Speaker, what I would encourage Members to do is to consider passage of this legislation--I know I personally will be supporting this legislation--to make sure that our Tax Code is reflective of the law of the land as it has been declared by the Supreme Court. We recognize the administrative problems that have been raised through the hearing process and the colloquy with the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and we hope that those issues can be administratively resolved. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Manufacturing USA Programs, the Manufacturing Institutes and their role in advancing U.S. Manufacturing. These programs are the only ones of their kind in this country designed to bring business partners together in full collaboration, built to foster communities of innovators and entrepreneurs, and equipped to move specific new technologies into the manufacturing mainstream. We need these types of communities to propel advanced manufacturing out of the research labs and into the marketplace. The United States is a global leader in scientific and engineering research, but we are lagging in taking that research into the marketplace. The Manufacturing USA program has shown that the time to market can be greatly reduced in the right environment. In the four short years of their existence, 14 Manufacturing Institutes have entered separate technology areas key to our future competitiveness. The partners in these institutes contribute matching funds equal to or greater than the government share. At the end of 2017, the matching funds were already being invested at $1.50 for every $1 investment from the federal government, speaking to the enthusiasm of the industry participation. More importantly, 844 manufacturing firms and 297 educational institutions were participating in the collective institutes along with 150 other entities, such as state and local governments. In the years since that report, the Manufacturing USA program has reached a spending match of $2 for every $1 of federal funding, with 1,300 member organizations across the institutes, supporting 270 major collaborative industry-led R&D projects, and offered training opportunities for more than 200,000 people. As a result, global competition in the manufacturing sector is growing tremendously. Several of our international competitors have focused government-supported efforts to develop their industrial sectors and commercialization strategies. The European Union's Horizon 2020 program invested 80 billion Euros in funding over 7 years and a follow-on program is in development. Germany's Fraunhofer Society, established in 1949, currently includes 72 institutes focused on applied research and development across various technology domains relevant to manufacturing. In 2017, the Fraunhofer Society budget totaled about $2.6 billion, with about $2.25 billion in contract research. 30 percent of this budget comes from government funds, and 70 percent from private. China has set advancing manufacturing as one of their six top priorities and is on the path to opening 40 manufacturing institutes by 2025. The country is following the plan set by the Manufacturing USA program. Korea (a country less than 1/6 the size of the USA) is spending $291M on the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), established in 1989 to strengthen their small and mid-sized manufacturing base. The list goes on: Japan, Singapore, the UK, and others are all heavily investing in manufacturing. This is why The Manufacturing USA program is so important--because it is our best effort to respond strategically as a nation to this mounting competition. The program allows the United States to focus its resources on high-value industries and ensure future leadership around the globe. In December 2017, the White House published a National Security Strategy of the United States which states, ``Economic security is national security'' and calls out the need to lead in research, technology, invention, and innovation. In response, the National Institute of Standards and Technology reached out to our countrymen and women and reported on how we can better come together as a country and make use of our government investments. They reported 5 strategies to transfer the results of Federal research and development investments to the benefit of our country's commercial, economic, and national security interests. This report is the most extensive of its kind to explore the value of Federal US research investments. Furthermore, the Manufacturing USA program is uniquely positioned to address and is addressing the following 4 strategies: Private sector engagement, Entrepreneurial workforce, Tools and services for technology transfer, and Understanding of global science and technology trends and benchmarks. The groundwork for this program has been laid. The strategy for supporting our industrial base and securing our economic future has been thought through. We must continue our support for this program to safeguard our continued prosperity. I urge you all to support this bill to extend the term of federal funding for the Manufacturing USA program and to expand on the government-private partnerships operating under the program.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the one hundred seventy-fifth anniversary of the Allegany County Fair. We are proud of our farmers in Allegany County and the hard work they do. The Allegany County Fair is a celebration of that hard work and an opportunity for friends and neighbors to come together to join in the festivities. The very first Allegany County Fair was held on October 4, 1844. In its humble beginnings, the first exhibits were limited to livestock, crops, canned goods, and sewing crafts. Until 1855 all exhibits were displayed under one tent. Over time, the fair has grown at a steady rate, acquiring land and building facilities for the fairgrounds. Not even a natural disaster could stand in the way of the fair's success. In the late 1880's a cyclone destroyed and damaged multiple fairground buildings, but the fair continued on, re-constructing what was broken and adding new amenities to the growing attraction. As the Fair has grown in size, it has also grown in popularity, making it a vital part of our communities and their economies. Every year the Allegany County Fair is dedicated to someone who goes above and beyond to ensure the success of the fair. This year the fair is recognizing all the volunteers, past and present, who have made the fair a success. Many volunteers involved with the fair use their vacation days to make sure the fair is ready each year. That is why the one hundred seventy-fifth Allegany County Fair is dedicated to ``the face in the mirror''. One hundred and seventy-five years of community tradition is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Allegany County Fair on this impressive milestone and look forward to many more fairs in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the one hundred seventy-fifth anniversary of the Allegany County Fair.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Waverly Rotary Club. In 1919, the Waverly Rotary Club was established under the sponsorship of the club in Elmira, New York. As they elected their first President, Hart Seeley, this newly founded branch of Rotary International made a commitment to service in their community. The Rotary International motto is ``Service Above Self,'' and Waverly Rotary has embodied that principle over one hundred years of supporting community service projects. The Waverly Rotary Club is a proud sponsor of a strong Student Exchange Program that was established in 1951. For decades they have fostered positive international relationships for young people in the community. Waverly Rotary was also one of the first in New York State to adopt a highway when the program began in the 1990's. Their beautification program has ensured the maintenance of Exit 61 and provided welcome signs to greet those entering the Town of Waverly. Waverly Rotary has helped to ensure that the spirit of service is alive and well in the city of Waverly. Rotarians are active volunteers and serve as leaders in the community. One hundred years of service in the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Waverly Rotary Club on this impressive milestone and look forward to their continued success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the Waverly Rotary Club.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Town of North Harmony. The original town of Harmony was the largest town in Chautauqua County, comprised of approximately eighty-six square miles. In order to ensure the efficient administration of the town's affairs, the County saw fit to create a new town. On December 19, 1918, the Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors passed an act to establish the Town of North Harmony. The Town became official on January 1, 2019, dividing the original town of Harmony in two. Whether they are lifelong residents or new in town, the citizens of North Harmony love their town. When asked for their favorite memories of the town, they provided a variety of answers. Some recalled fun times spent on Lake Chautauqua, while others recounted community celebrations like Asheville Days. For some, growing up in North Harmony brought back fond memories spent with family and tractor rides with a grandparent. One hundred years as a community and a town is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Town of North Harmony for withstanding the tests of time and look forward to many more years of North Harmony providing a community for our friends and neighbors. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the Town of North Harmony's one hundredth anniversary.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of Dr. Edward J. Lukomski to Pathways, Inc. and congratulate him on his retirement. For the last sixteen years, Dr. Ed Lukomski has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathways, Inc. which provides services to two thousand people in fifteen counties. Pathways, Inc. is a not-for-profit human service organization offering in-home, community, and foster care services to youth with serious emotional disturbances, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and chronic medical conditions. Under Ed's leadership, Pathways has grown exponentially, not only in services and programs offered, but also geographically in their area of service coverage. Ed's dedication and hard work has ensured the expansion of opportunities for youths in need of aid, and for that we must commend him. To recognize his outstanding service, Pathways will be dedicating their Broad Street facility in Horseheads, New York, in his honor. The newly renamed ``Lukomski Center'' will stand as a fitting tribute to Ed's legacy as Pathways continues his work to expand services to youths in need. As Ed moves forward with the next chapter of his life, we applaud his tireless efforts to help youth in our communities and we wish him all the best in his retirement. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate Ed Lukomski and his extraordinary career.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of Martin Teller to the Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency and congratulate him on his retirement. For the last thirty-three years, Marty Teller has served as the Executive Director of Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency (FLACRA). His dedicated service and wealth of experience has ensured the highest of quality service, that FLACRA is known for, to people struggling with substance abuse. FLACRA offers a unique Continuum of Care for their clients, providing services such as addictions crisis counseling, outpatient services, community residences, supportive living, housing, and care management. In addition to his thirty-three years as the Executive Director of FLACRA, Marty had previously worked for fifteen years in chemical dependency agency management. His extensive experience in aiding those struggling with substance abuse has made him a leader on the issue in the community and statewide. Matty serves on the Boards of the New York Association of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers, Common Ground Health, and the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System. He has also served in leadership roles in the Finger Lakes Housing Consortium, the Region II Consortium of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, and Recovery Net. As Matty moves forward with the next chapter of his life, we applaud his tireless efforts to help those struggling with substance abuse in our communities and we wish him all the best in his retirement. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate Marty Teller and his extraordinary career.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Happiness House in Geneva, New York. Fifty years ago, a collection of parents of children with Cerebral Palsy united to found Happiness House in Geneva, NY. Using funds raised by the New York State Elks Club and the Women's Club of Geneva, Happiness House opened their first childcare program, serving five children with disabilities. From these humble beginnings, Happiness House has grown throughout the years to provide a comprehensive array of programs and services to more than 1,150 children, adults and their families in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates Counties. We care about ensuring people have a fair chance to reach their full potential and Happiness House gives folks this exact opportunity. The vision of Happiness House is that every community be ready to welcome and utilize the talents and abilities of all individuals. Every day they work to make that vision a reality by providing the highest quality, innovative and cost-effective services to children and adults with and without disabilities. Happiness House cooperates with families and partners throughout the Finger Lakes community to achieve this goal. Fifty years of serving the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Happiness House on this impressive milestone and look forward to their continued success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Happiness House.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of Jeannette Frank to The Arc of Schuyler and congratulate her on her retirement. Jeannette Frank has dedicated her career to The Arc of Schuyler, beginning nearly forty years ago as an Outreach Worker. Jeannette joined The Arc shortly after its formation in 1978, and has dedicated her career to aid families and their loved ones with disabilities. Her commitment to those supported by The Arc of Schuyler and their families has been an inspiration, both to her team at The Arc and the community as a whole. For the last eight years, Jeannette has served as the Executive Director of The Arc of Schuyler. Her dedication and hard work have ensured the high quality of services that The Arc provides to people with disabilities. She has not only advanced community-based services such the Schuyler County Transit and Transportation Link-Line, but also social enterprises operated by The Arc such as Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop and Glen Copack. As Jeannette moves forward with the next chapter of her life, we applaud her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for people in Schuyler County and we wish her all the best in her retirement. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate Jeannette Frank and her extraordinary career.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning, New York. 171 Cedar Arts Center is an Associate Institutional Member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. As a non-profit multi- arts community center, they present performances in dance and music as well as exhibitions of fine arts and crafts in the community. The Center offers educational programs for people of all ages and skill levels, providing the community opportunities to share in the joy of the arts. 171 Cedar Arts Center gets its name from 171 Cedar Street in Corning, New York, the address of the old Knights of Columbus house where the Center was founded. Community members consisting of arts advocates, artists, and business entrepreneurs came together to form an organization to provide a place for artists and community members to come together, fostering artistic growth. From this foundation the Center has grown into the award-winning cultural hub that it is today. While 171 Cedar Arts Center is a staple of the Corning area and community, it also holds a special place in my heart. My daughter, Autumn, took dance lessons at 171 Cedar Arts Center from the time she was four years old until she graduated from high school. Her time spent learning ballet, tap, and modern dance with her exquisite instructors, Miss Melanie, Beth Landin, and Patty Ozer, gave her lifelong memories with immeasurable value. For that I am truly grateful. At a young age my son, Will, along with my wife, Jean, participated in music classes. Both Autumn and Will learned valuable lessons and seeds were planted which have now bloomed and witnessed by their daily appreciation for the arts. Fifty years of cultivating the arts in our community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate 171 Cedar Arts Center on this impressive milestone and look forward to their continued success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of 171 Cedar Arts Center in Corning, New York.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the fiftieth annual Freedom Fund Awards presented by the Elmira-Corning Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). On Friday, June 7, 2019, the Elmira-Corning Branch of the NAACP held their fiftieth annual Freedom Fund Awards Dinner. The Freedom Fund Awards are presented by the branch to recognize those who have contributed to the success of the organization and the community as a whole. The branch also awarded scholarships to high school students and presented community service awards. Since its inception in 1909, the NAACP has strived to better the lives of African Americans across the country. In addition to ensuring the civil rights of African Americans, the NAACP also provides programs to address drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, illiteracy, joblessness, violent crime, and the portrayal of minorities in the media. Their role in creating a more equal and fair America is essential and important. Fifty years of recognizing charity and supporting scholarships in the community is certainly a cause for celebration. I congratulate the Elmira-Corning branch of the NAACP on this impressive milestone and look forward to their continued success in the years to come. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to recognize the fiftieth annual Freedom Fund Awards presented by the Elmira-Corning Branch of the NAACP.