Max Rose

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember all those who we have lost to the coronavirus, and one man in particular who is close to my heart and the hearts of thousands of people in my district. Joe Joyce may best be known for his bar in Bay Ridge, J.J. Bubbles, but the truth is he served our community much more than cold beer. His generous spirit touched countless lives on both sides of the Verrazzano. Joe was an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, and after he returned home his service continued. He worked as a phys ed teacher for disabled students on Staten Island, supported the Special Olympics, and would offer up his bar to host fundraisers for any organization who asked. That was one thing that never changed over the 42 years Joe was in business. As soon as you walked into J.J. Bubbles you were family. Today, we remember and think of Joe's family: his wife, Jane; his children, Eddie, Kristin, Kevin; and his six grandchildren. Joe's loss can be felt all throughout my district, but his gift to all of us was his unique ability to bring people of all stripes together, and that is a gift we need now more than ever.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for his leadership and thank him for working with me on this effort. I also thank Congressman Pascrell for his extraordinary leadership in this regard. I stand in strong support of our bill, the Public Safety Officer Pandemic Response Act, because when this pandemic came to the United States, one thing that was never, ever in doubt was that our first responders would put on their uniforms and they would risk their lives to keep us safe. It was never in doubt because whenever there has been a crisis, whether it came to my city or to our country, they have always rushed to be our first line of defense. On 9/11, they rushed into the towers. During Hurricane Sandy, they braved a superstorm. And now, during the pandemic, they are on the front lines against an invisible enemy that has claimed more than 100,000 lives nationwide. Think of the toll this pandemic has taken on our Nation's heroes. Think of all those who have gone months without seeing their kids, their spouses, their own parents. Think of those who have gotten sick. Think of those who have lost their lives. The very least that Congress can do right now is give our police officers, our EMTs, our corrections officers, our firefighters, our public safety officers the peace of mind that, if the worst shall happen, we will be there for them and their families. When this bill becomes law--and it will become law--the family of an officer who was catastrophically injured or lost their life will not have to jump through hoops or prove that it was because of the coronavirus. They won't have to spend 10 years litigating, trying to convince the government that their sacrifice actually meant something. Today, we are not cutting red tape; we are stopping the red tape from happening in the first place. This effort has bipartisan support. And, nonetheless--and only in Washington, D.C., is this possible--it has yet to cross the finish line. Our officers cannot afford to wait, cannot afford to wait for politics. We can't use our cops and our firefighters as political pawns. My city has lost nearly a dozen FDNY heroes, over 40 NYPD officers, and so many more of our brave officers across the United States of America. Every Member of Congress loves to take pictures with our first responders. We love to thank them. We love to rely on them. They protect our families when we go to Washington, D.C. Well, today is the day we see who is willing to do more than offer them pretty words on Facebook. Who is willing to do more than take a selfie? Today, we see who is willing to help our first responders, like they wouldn't hesitate to be there for us. God bless you and God bless the United States of America. Let's be there for our first responders.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today because I agree with my colleagues across the aisle. We should have been here weeks ago: weeks ago to get more money for our hospitals, weeks ago to protect testing, weeks ago to improve this program for small businesses. But, alas, only in Washington, D.C., would we wait weeks when we all agree. But let's move forward because our frontline workers right now cannot afford for us to stand by for politics. Leader McConnell said to our cities and States, to our cops and firemen and teachers, he told them to drop dead. Well, why don't we put politics aside, rise up, and tell him that we put the country first.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill because each and every day new workers, people in my own community, are dying. I rise today in support of this bill because our front line soldiers of this war--our nurses and our doctors--need masks. I rise today because days from now, weeks from now, New Yorkers will need thousands of more ventilators. I rise today because hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have been laid off. And I rise today in support of this bill because this virus doesn't see party affiliation. Today, we rise as Americans, not Democrats or Republicans. Mr. Speaker, lastly, I rise today in support of this bill because this is just the beginning. More work will need to be done. New York needs more help, but we are Americans, and we can get the job done.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and the legacy of Gloria Melnick, one of Bay Ridge's most beloved and respected community leaders. As a New York City public school teacher and president of the Bay Ridge Community Council, she worked for decades to bring positive change to her community. When Gloria took on a project, whether it was the community council's Halloween art contest, the Ragamuffin Children's Parade, or her work with the Bay Ridge Women's Club, she gave it her all, even if that meant she had to work with people she disagreed with. Gloria's tireless and heartfelt service for her community didn't come from a place of selfishness. She didn't care if she got any credit. She didn't care who got the credit or attention. She was more than happy to keep a low profile and work behind the scenes, so long as it was making people's lives better. At a time when productive dialogue and selfless leadership often seem to be in short supply, people like Gloria are a source of hope and inspiration for us all. We owe our teachers, our public servants, and our community leaders a huge debt of gratitude, and we all send Gloria's family and the entire Bay Ridge community our condolences for their loss.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to continue protecting our Nation from terrorism, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Before I begin, I would like to thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor today. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. On 9/11, we all watched in horror as the events of that day played out in real time. As a native New Yorker growing up in the shadows of the World Trade Center, I saw firsthand the impact that terrorism can have. Since that fateful day, we have seen our Nation take many important steps to prevent terrorist attacks from happening. For example, Congress created the Transportation Security Administration and passed several laws strengthening our Nation's transportation systems. While I applaud these efforts and those of others, we must continue to remain vigilant in light of current world events. My amendment, in this light, is simple. It reaffirms our Nation's commitment to prevent terrorism and ensures our national security agencies can continue to prosecute and prevent terrorist activities from occurring in our homeland. Mr. Chair, I say to my colleagues, let us all take a simple but important step to reaffirm our commitment to prevent terrorism. I urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chair, this measure improves the underlying bill by requiring GAO to study differences between pay rates for TSA employees working in Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories and those working in the contiguous 48 States. We know that pay satisfaction is very low within TSA. In fact, in a recent governmentwide survey, TSA's workforce reported being the least satisfied with pay than Federal workers at 414 other Federal agencies. I commend Miss Gonzalez-Colon for recognizing that, under the current system, there are disparities in pay within TSA that have implications for workers outside the contiguous 48 States. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sally Kabel, a young girl from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, who, despite battling leukemia for most of her life, did so bravely and with a love of life that earned her the nickname ``Sweet Sally Sunshine.'' Sally was adored, not just by her family, but by the entire Bay Ridge community, which rallied behind her. Everyone came together to support her family, whether it was bringing meals, raising money, or just giving them hugs on the street. With that support, Sally was able to beat cancer, but the treatments so weakened her body that she passed away in September 2018, just a week after her sixth birthday. Although her time with us was far too short, she filled those 6 years with a lifetime of joy. Now, her parents, Matthew and Nicole, are helping other families undergoing the same struggle. They are advocating for childhood cancer awareness, with the hope that more research will lead to more humane and effective treatments for children. Sally was truly the peacemaker of Bay Ridge, bringing out the best in all of us. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring her memory.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent, Dr. Mohammad Khalid, a man who truly embodies the American Dream. Dr. Khalid came here from Pakistan and settled on Staten Island in 1975 where he opened his dental practice and worked hard to provide for his children, both of whom are now successful attorneys. Dr. Khalid says he considers it his moral and ethical duty to help, and he shows that every single day, not just in his professional life, but in all of his extraordinary community service. Dr. Khalid is a cultural ambassador on Staten Island, serving as the president of the Iron Hills Civic Association and the Pakistani Civic Association. After the tragic events of 9/11, Dr. Khalid and the Pakistani Civic Association worked to bring Staten Islanders together. Now doing this for 15 years, they have served meals and shared their culture all for the betterment of our community. I am proud to represent such a diverse and inclusive community full of leaders like Dr. Khalid, who exemplify the hard work, grit, and determination that make this country so great.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Takano for his extraordinary leadership and this opportunity, and I thank the gentleman from Tennessee, Ranking Member Roe, for always putting veterans first. I rise today in support of H.R. 4613, the VA Reporting Transparency Act. As my fellow veterans know, the VA is unparalleled in its commitment to serving our veterans, and that goes from our nurses to our physician assistants, our doctors, our VA police officers, and many other folks, veterans, themselves, who spend each and every day working at the VA. That certainly holds true for the VA in my district, New York's 11th Congressional District. But for the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States and for an agency that holds the lives of our Nation's heroes in their hands, we must ensure accountability. Let's be very clear: There is no accountability without transparency. When Congress mandates that the VA produce reports on the staffing levels of their nurses or how the VA prevents fraud, waste, and abuse or how the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection truly keeps our VA employees safe, this information is useless if it is not made available to the general public in an accessible manner. It is valuable to the nearly 9 million veterans enrolled in VA healthcare, and it is valuable to every American who wants to make sure that their tax dollars are being used for the best possible care that our veterans deserve. That is exactly why I introduced this bill, the VA Reporting Transparency Act, which requires that the VA have public access to the legislatively requested reports that they produce. This access must be free, without any registration or limitations required, and the report must be posted no later than 45 days after it is submitted. This is a no-brainer. It is common sense. It is an opportunity for the VA to set a precedent that other Federal departments will follow. We made a promise to our soldiers that, when they came home, we would be there for them. This bill is a perfect case in point for how we can do just that. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Congressman Gil Cisneros from California and Congressman Greg Steube, a fellow Army vet, for their support of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to celebrate a remarkable woman and a fierce advocate for Staten Island's African American community, Ms. Margie Garvin. Sadly, Margie's unyielding commitment to increasing voter awareness was spurred by her own experience with racism after she moved to Staten Island's Park Hill Houses in 1979. When Margie went to borough hall to try to update her voter registration a man there mockingly told Margie: ``You people don't vote.'' ``Well, if my people don't vote,'' she said, ``where can I go get some voter registration forms?'' Ever since, she has been an unstoppable force on Staten Island, registering voters and getting people out to the polls. In between election days, she is out there in the community, demanding better playgrounds for kids, holding her elected officials accountable, cooking meals for seniors, and so much more. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Ms. Margie Garvin, who is on the ground in the community, putting in the hard work to make New York City's Staten Island and the United States of America a better place.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the PRO Act to protect workers against an unprecedented tide of attacks on hardworking Americans. Unions are the backbone of our economy, and, for too long, Congress has watched as unions are trampled on in the name of shareholder value. Well, no more. For far too long, the Democratic Party has treated unions as if they were fully owned subsidiaries, talking to them only during times of elections. Well, with this Congress, we say that those days are no more. For too long, the Democratic Party stood on the sidelines and watched nonunion members go to war with union members, all in the working class and the middle class, and we had forgotten that, when the union movement works well, when the union movement grows, the entire middle class prospers. Well, that ends today. With this bill, we reaffirm workers' rights to organize a union and to negotiate higher wages and better benefits. By passing this bill, we uphold the bedrock values of this country.

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record letters of support for the PRO Act from the TWU, ATU, and AFSCME. Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO, Washington, DC, February 3, 2020. Dear Representative: On behalf of more than 151,000 members of the Transport Workers Union (TWU), I am writing to urge you to support the passage of Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 2474), as well as to oppose any weakening amendments or motion to recommit. As written, his bill directly addresses the needs of the middle-class in the 21st century and will help ensure that our next generation economy is one that puts working families first. Our labor laws are designed to provide access to the time- tested process of collective bargaining. Under the National Labor Relations Act, certain workers, through their elected representatives, negotiate directly with their employer over the terms of their labor. How often will they work? How much will they be paid? What benefits will they receive beyond their salary? Through collective bargaining, these questions are answered in a unique way for each work group and at each company. This is an incredibly flexible process that has allowed TWU to successfully negotiate contracts for everyone from flight attendants to mechancis to railroad inspectors to bus operators to bikeshare workers. In the nearly 75 years since Congress last took action to substantially reform our labor laws, our economy has undergone significant changes. However, the central role that workers play in generating wealth for our nation has not changed. While Facebook bikeshare workers (TWU members since 2019) may be employed at a company and in a job that did not exist in 1947, they still deserve the right to collectively bargain to improve their compensation and benefits. The reforms in the PRO Act will ensure that gSains in the 21st century economy include working families. The proportion of unionized workers in the U.S. is at a 90- year low because of structural hurdles which make joining a new union very difficult. Companies misclassify workers as independent contractors, engage shell companies to hire employees, and ignore our labor laws on a daily basis in order to deny their workers the right to organize and collectively bargain. Tactics like these have driven down the percent of unionized workers in the U.S. along with salaries and benefits for the middle class. Our era of historic income inequality can only be fixed by reforming our outdated labor laws and empowering working families. The PRO Act would directly address these issues and give workers across the entire economy equal access to the collective bargaining process. In order ensure workers' rights keep pace with the new economy, the Transport Workers Union strongly urges you to to vote for final passage of H.R. 2474 and oppose any weakening amendments. Sincerely, John Samuelsen, International President.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Lawrence for that kind introduction, and the gentlewoman is an honorary fellow New Yorker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support my bill, H.R. 4794, to rename the post office in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn as the Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office. Mother Cabrini was a great New Yorker and a great American who devoted her life to helping the poor and underserved to include immigrants throughout New York City. Mother Cabrini is famous across the United States for her work providing education in underserved communities. She began her work organizing classes for Italian immigrants and orphans through the city. She helped found Columbus Hospital in New York City's Lower East Side, which is now a part of the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After her success in New York, she was called upon to open up schools all around the world; not only across the United States, but also in Europe, and Central and South America. Mother Cabrini is not just a New York icon, although she is that. Her name is affixed to buildings in Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, Denver, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Cabrini was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1909 and canonized as Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini on July 7, 1946 by Pope Pius XII as the patron saint of immigrants. I am proud to have the support of my colleagues from the New York delegation, both Democrats and Republicans, who have come together in recognition that the time has come to give Mother Cabrini her due recognition. Mother Cabrini will always be a shining example of our country's commitment to the less fortunate, particularly immigrants in our country. She also serves as a testament for the power of education, the power of education to relieve poverty and empower communities, regardless of their background. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mark and David Carles, two brothers with an unbreakable bond. Ever since they were kids growing up on Staten Island, Mark and his older brother, David, have been absolutely inseparable. When Mark was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer in October of 2018, David postponed his baseball career to take care of his brother. While Mark was using a breathing tube and unable to speak, the brothers communicated using sign language. After a life-threatening surgery, the first thing Mark did was sign David's name. Mark is a talented runner who, with David's support, refused to let chemotherapy get in the way of his training, whether it was doing laps down hospital corridors or running around the dining room table. The brothers have even encouraged their father, Sandy, to run with them as well. All three train for road races together. Mark recently finished the Staten Island Athletic Club 5K in under 24 minutes. Mark and David, your deep commitment to one another is an inspiration to Staten Island, all of New York City, and all of America. Mark, you are a fighter. You inspire your family, your friends, and all those who you fight for as well.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rabbi Romi Cohn, a leader on Staten Island and a dear, dear friend. Rabbi Cohn has dedicated his life to Jewish culture and heritage and built a renowned career as a mohel in New York City for over 25 years. I am especially honored to welcome Rabbi Cohn this week as we remember the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Rabbi Cohn's career is merely a continuation of a lifetime of fighting for the Jewish faith. His early life was uprooted by the rise of the Nazi Party, their invasion of Czechoslovakia, and the outbreak of World War II. Under Nazi rule, he saw the Hitler Youth attack his father in the street. When war broke out, he joined the partisans fighting Nazi tyranny. At 15 years old, Romi was the youngest member of the Czechoslovakian partisan forces. Among other feats, he helped save 56 Jewish families escape the horrors of the Holocaust. He fought with the partisans until the end of the war and then went in search of his own family. Of his parents and six siblings, only his father and two sisters had survived. Rabbi Cohn saw how a democracy can be corrupted into a fascist dictatorship and what happens when anti-Semitism is allowed to fester. Sadly, across this country, we see an alarming rise in anti-Semitism and hatred. Rabbi Cohn's legacy reminds us never to accept bigotry, not when we see it in the street, not when we saw it in the Halls of Congress, not when we see it anywhere. Our freedoms are not free. We must fight for them or risk losing them. Rabbi Cohn is a model and example for all of us to follow, and I thank him for his extraordinary life of service.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay respect and honor to my great teacher, Liane Dougherty. Mrs. Dougherty passed away on December 5, 2019. She taught me in history class more than 20 years ago at Poly Prep, where she was a mentor. She is survived by her husband, Francis, and her children, Max and Sophie. Her students recall--myself included--that, each and every day, she would approach the classroom with grace, compassion, incredible wisdom and intellect. I can say without a doubt, I would not be a Congressman today without Mrs. Dougherty. There is only one person in all of America being honored on the floor of the United States House of Representatives today, and that is Liane Dougherty. She is deserving of that, the best teacher I could ever ask for. Madam Speaker, may she rest in peace. We will always honor her incredible legacy.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Lou Maiello's 100th birthday. Born in 1920 to his Italian immigrant parents Elena and Benjamin, Lou is the fourth of seven siblings. He attended PS 78 and Benjamin Franklin High School, then moved out to Idaho as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Eventually Lou moved back to New York City to work for a series of construction companies. At the Rockefeller Construction Company, he met the love of his life, Nancy. Nancy and Lou will celebrate their 64th anniversary in June. Although Lou retired in 1990, he has kept himself busy. An avid golfer, Lou won the Staten Island Senior League Club Championship against a man 43 years his junior. He followed up his victory a week later with the first hole in one of his golfing career. During his retirement, Lou learned to paint while watching Bob Ross on PBS. His artwork now hangs in the homes of his friends and family. Lou is also known for his gardening skills, often sharing his harvest with the neighbors. Lou and Nancy moved to Staten Island in 1960 from the Bronx. They raised their four children, Anne Marie, Barbara, Robert and Rick, in Westerleigh. Lou's children are all proud of their father and thrilled to be celebrating this huge milestone together, and I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in celebrating with them. I wish Lou a very happy 100th birthday surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in solemn memory of Ms. Mimi Cusick, a public servant, devoted mother, and larger-than-life figure in Staten Island politics for the past five decades. Ms. Cusick passed away on January 5, but she leaves behind a powerful legacy in my community. Ms. Cusick encouraged women to get involved in politics. A lifelong Staten Islander, she expressed a passion for politics at a young age and worked her way up as a behind-the-scenes force in the Staten Island Democratic Party. And even though she was a legend among Democrats on Staten Island, Ms. Cusick never hesitated to invite friends and neighbors of all political stripes into her home after great events like the island's St. Patrick's Day Parade. After her children left for college, she just couldn't give up serving her community. No, Ms. Cusick worked as a school safety officer at P.S. 30 and P.S. 22 for 20 years. Staten Island and all of New York City are going to miss Ms. Cusick's generosity of spirit, her devotion to public service, and her passion for civic engagement. Madam Speaker, may Ms. Cusick rest in peace. She will be incredibly, incredibly missed, but we will honor her legacy for all time to come.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the epidemic of anti-Jewish hatred taking place in New York City and across the country. Since December 23, there have been over a dozen attacks on Jews across New York City; this, after a terror attack in Jersey City that claimed three innocent lives and a horrific terrorist attack in Monsey, New York. In this city, where Jews have come for 366 years to freely practice their religion, enough is enough. Tweets and words of support are not enough at a time of crisis like this. We must have action. It is for that reason that on January 15, the Homeland Security subcommittee that I chair will hold a hearing on the rise of anti- Semitism. We have got to explore increased funding for mosques, synagogues, and churches; increase focus on a domestic terrorism charge; and increase focus on the rise of the neo-Nazi movement, both nationally and globally. Once again, tweets, thoughts, and prayers are not enough right now. We need action.

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Chair, before I came to Congress, my job was to make sure that those without healthcare and those who could barely afford it, could have access. Every day, we would see doctors and nurses do the impossible in the worst system. And without fail, we all would wonder why no one would do anything to change it. Well, today we are. This bill does not cater to a base. This bill does not cater to Big Pharma, but this bill does cater to that family tonight who is going to have to choose between paying for prescription drugs or putting food on the table. This bill caters to the American people. Today, Big Pharma loses, and the American people win. Because what we are doing today is giving Medicare the power to negotiate skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. This historic legislation also creates new out-of-pocket limits on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. It reinvests savings so that we can create new breakthrough treatments and cures at NIH, and it provides $10 billion in funding to combat the opioid epidemic. For decades, Big Pharma and corporate PACs could count on their lobbyists and politicians to keep them safe at the expense of the American people. Not anymore. Today, the American people win. I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. ROSE of New York

Mr. ROSE of New York. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.