Elise Stefanik

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. I reserve the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close. Madam Speaker, more than 70 years ago, people around the world pledged to never again stand by in silence as an oppressed people were annihilated. As years continue to pass since the horrors and atrocities of the Holocaust, it is clear that we must do more to honor the victims and carry them on in our memories. In fact, a recent survey found that two-thirds of millennials cannot identify what Auschwitz was or name a single concentration camp, and over one-third of all Americans surveyed believe that fewer than 2 million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. Today, on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we have the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to remembrance, that we remember. H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act, will give States and schools the resources to incorporate Holocaust education into their classrooms, ensuring that all students of the next generation understand the evils and poison of the Holocaust. In doing so, this bill helps honor the legacy of Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. By shining a light on the horrors of the Holocaust and educating our youth about the dangers of anti-Semitism, we further our commitment to Wiesel's call for ``never again.'' I thank Mrs. Maloney for her decades of leadership on this bill and for working on the improvements that we are voting on today, and I thank all of those who have worked on this important issue. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Firefighter Lawrence LaValley for his fifty years of active service with the Bangor Volunteer Fire Department. Since he joined, Mr. LaValley has proven to be an instrumental member of the Bangor Volunteer Fire Department. He has served in numerous roles for the department, including membership on the board of directors, safety officer, and multiple assistant chief positions. Lawrence is the current vice-president of the department; his son, Larry, is the current Chief; and his grandson, Justin, is the Third Assistant Chief. Throughout his 50 years of service, Lawrence has demonstrated a superb work ethic and a commitment to being an outstanding firefighter. Lawrence has been among the top five responders in the department for several years running. He has also demonstrated a commitment to his community outside the department serving as Town Justice and on the Bangor Republican Committee. Lawrence LaValley devoted 50 years of his life to fire protection, and is an exemplary member of his community. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank Firefighter LaValley for a lifetime of service and dedication to keeping Bangor and the surrounding communities safe.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Anthony Keating for his 24 years of service to our community as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the Northern New York region. The Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army is an unpaid volunteer who advises and supports the Secretary of the Army on issues affecting his or her region. For the past 24 years, Anthony Keating has been advising Army Secretaries on the local issues affecting Fort Drum and the surrounding active service and veteran communities in the North Country. Mr. Keating combines his local knowledge with his nine years of active duty service to the Army when advising the secretary on policy decisions. Although he is retiring from the position specifically covering Northern New York, Mr. Keating is not finished serving the region, as he will remain on as Civilian Aide Emeritus for all of New York State. His deep knowledge of the community, which includes Fort Drum, and his decades of experience have made him an invaluable asset to Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy and his predecessors. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank Mr. Keating for his service and wish him well in this new chapter in his life.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Watertown Mayor Joseph Butler, Jr. for his appointment as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army. Joseph Butler, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Watertown, New York, a pillar of the community, business leader, and public servant. He served as a member of the Watertown City Council for eight years and as Mayor for four years. Mr. Butler is currently the president of the Watertown Local Development Corporation, a lector for St. Patrick's Church, a volunteer and Special Olympics coach, and a board member of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. He has also held positions with the Sacred Heart Foundation, Jefferson Community College, and the American Red Cross. His deep knowledge of the community, which includes Fort Drum, and his decades of experience will make him an invaluable asset to Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank Mr. Butler for his service and congratulate him on this appointment. I look forward to his success in this new role.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chair, in my district, older Americans are staying in the workforce longer than previous generations, making significant contributions to our growing economy; yet these later years of a worker's career are becoming increasingly unstable. Over half of the workers over the age of 50 are pushed out of longtime jobs before they are ready to retire. The consequences of age discrimination are particularly harmful because, once older workers are removed from the workforce, they are more likely to remain unemployed. The economic strain that this can cause for them and their families is significant. But losing a career is bigger than just financial security. Separating adults from the dignity of work has a broader impact on the well-being of communities like my district, where I serve one of the largest constituencies of older Americans in the entire country. This bill strengthens the ADEA by reaffirming the pre-2009 standard, simply, that age discrimination cannot be a motivating factor in employment decisions. I am proud to support H.R. 1230 on behalf of the many constituents of the 21st District who have advocated for this bill for over a decade.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Kelly's Angels on their 10-year anniversary. This charitable organization has been serving the children of the Capital Region of New York for the past decade. After Kelly Mulholland, a local teacher and mother of two from my district, tragically lost her battle with cancer in 2007 at the age of 37, her husband, Mark, founded Kelly's Angels in her honor. Their mission is to provide grants for children in upstate New York who have lost parents or siblings to cancer or other illnesses. Children receive fund grants to use for whatever the child can dream up. The goal of these grants is to bring a smile to a child's face, create positive new memories, and help with the healing process. Kelly's Angels has worked with countless families in our local communities over the past decade, and their work continues to have a positive impact on so many lives. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to congratulate and thank Mark, his children, McKenna and Connor, and the entire Kelly's Angels team for achieving this milestone. I thank them for their amazing work. We are so proud of them.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the residents of the Town of Beekmantown, New York as they celebrate the Bicentennial anniversary of the town's formation. The land that would become Beekmantown was first settled around 1783 and is located five miles north of the City of Plattsburgh, in Clinton County. The town was officially formed in 1820 and was named after one of the original landowners. In 1814, just prior to its formation, the area was the scene of skirmishes between American and British forces at the battle of Culver Hill during the War of 1812. Beekmantown's oldest monument is the Point au Roche Lighthouse which was built in 1858 as commerce through Lake Champlain expanded. Many other historic sites fill this picturesque community, highlighting the rich historical legacy of the North Country. To this day, Beekmantown remains a vibrant and beautiful community that exemplifies the best qualities of the North Country and our Nation as a whole. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to congratulate the residents of Beekmantown on this momentous occasion. It has been an honor to represent this community and I know that its future looks bright.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of West Stockholm Chief Robert White, Jr. On the evening of Thursday, December 5th, Chief White saw flames engulfing the home of one of his neighbors just a few houses away. He responded to the fire and was coordinating the response when he suffered a medical emergency at the scene and passed away that evening. Robert White had been a dedicated public servant, serving the West Stockholm Fire Department for more than 33 years. In addition to being the chief of West Stockholm, he was also the Saint Lawrence County fire coordinator and trainer, playing a crucial role regionally. Outside of his roles in the fire department, Robert ran a local youth sports league and was very involved in the community. To his wife Trudy, the rest of his family and the West Stockholm community, I offer my sincerest condolences during this difficult time.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Paul Antonik for being recognized in the 2019 cohort of the Presidential Rank Awards. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 established the Presidential Rank Awards Program to recognize a select group of career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) for exceptional performance over an extended period of time. Dr. Paul Antonik has been recognized among the handful of individuals for the meritorious senior professional award for his work in the Department of the Air force. These individuals are recognized for a sustained record of exceptional professional, technical, and/or scientific achievement. It is truly an honor to represent such talented, dedicated individuals in Congress. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to thank him for his exceptional work and wish him the best throughout the rest of your career.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michael David Spadaro's 25 years of dedicated service to the New York State Police. Michael David Spadaro joined the State Police in 1994 and since then has served the State of New York with honor and distinction. Throughout our community, professionals in law enforcement, like Trooper Spadaro, dedicate their careers and risk their lives each day to keep us safe. Whether it be patrolling the highways connecting our towns, supporting local law enforcement, preventing terrorism, or responding to natural disasters, the New York State Police get it done. That is in no small part due to the dedication of Troopers like Michael David Spadaro. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I would like to thank him for his dedicated and unwavering commitment to public service. As Trooper Spadaro closes this chapter of his life, I have the utmost confidence that he will continue to admirably serve the community and I wish him the very best in all future endeavors.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan bill and the accompanying conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities, I am proud of our oversight and legislative activities this year. The bill before the House incorporates four broad subcommittee themes. First, it recharges our national security innovation base to confront emerging threats and advance our science and technology ecosystem, while also making it easier for small businesses to engage with DOD. We authorize the establishment of new partnerships in the field of hypersonics and quantum sciences. We extend unique hiring authorities to the Joint AI Center and to DARPA to ensure that the best talent available is made available to solve our hardest national security problems. This bill also establishes a White House working group to protect Federal research and intellectual property from foreign interference, espionage, and theft. Second, this bill recognizes the urgency and importance of U.S. leadership in 5G technology and mandates the development of a DOD 5G strategy. Third, this NDAA strengthens congressional oversight of cyber operations and enhances the Department's cybersecurity strategy and cyber warfare capabilities. It builds upon the work of previous NDAAs to ensure cyber is a fully integrated warfighting function across the Department. It increases congressional notification requirements for military cyber operations and improves cybersecurity cooperation with the Defense industrial base. Finally, this bill contains important authorities for sensitive military operations and activities, including cyber, counterterrorism, and intelligence. These authorities are vital to meet the threats identified in the National Defense Strategy. Before I conclude, I would like to thank Ranking Member Thornberry, Chairman Smith, Senator Inhofe, and Senator Reed for their leadership through this conference process. I particularly want to thank my partner and the subcommittee chair, Congressman Jim Langevin from Rhode Island, for his strong partnership and what we have delivered from this subcommittee. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor The Adirondack Daily Enterprise on their 125th year in operation. Charles W. Lansing of Plattsburgh and Carl D. Smith of Malone established the Adirondack Enterprise in 1895 and on February 21st of that year, the first issue of the paper was published. Through mergers with other papers and continual improvement, they soon became one of the preeminent newspapers in northern New York. They have seen highs and lows over the years notably, when the Harrietstown Town Hall, which housed the paper, burned to the ground. Despite this setback, the paper continued to publish uninterrupted. In 1926, from their historic headquarters at the Old Enterprise Building, the Adirondack Enterprise ramped up to daily publication and became the institution we know today. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise remains a historic institution in the North Country. It is the only daily paper to serve the Adirondack Region, delivering important local news so that residents can stay informed about their community. On behalf on New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to congratulate the Adirondack Daily Enterprise team for reaching this historic milestone. Local news outlets are an important component of the long-term health of a community and I look forward to them continuing to serve in that role into the future.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Evans Mills Primary School 1st and 2nd Grade Veterans Day Concert. For the past five years, the Evans Mills Primary School Veterans Day Committee and its chair, Mrs. Lewis, have organized this wonderful concert in honor of our veterans. Beyond the concert itself, the committee has led a food drive for veterans with all donations going to ``Feed Our Vets,'' a local program in Watertown. In addition, the committee arranged for veterans to come to the school and speak directly with students about their experiences. Students have created art projects around the theme of honoring our veterans and those pieces will be displayed during the concert alongside real uniforms and gear. The committee has partnered with Fort Drum's 1st Brigade Combat Team, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel MacDonald, to organize this and other veteran's events at the school. Events like this highlight the community spirit in the North Country. Veterans and active duty service members make up a large part of our community and it is important for individuals of all ages to recognize and celebrate their service to our nation. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to thank the Evans Mills Primary School Veterans Day Committee and everyone who donated or helped organize this event for their work honoring our veterans.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor The Galway Public Library on the opening of its new facility. Over the past decade, the entire community of Galway has been contributing to the effort to construct the new library. This new facility is more than three times the size of the old one, which was founded in 1997, and will act as a holistic community center. It will offer venue space and technology resources for all the residents of Galway to use and benefit from in addition to the collection of books and other media. The library has been supported not only by tax dollars but also by private donations, grants and bonds approved by the voters. Further, the move from the old library was supported by over one hundred volunteers who worked hundreds of hours ensure that the transition was successful. This level of civic involvement highlights everything that makes the North Country so vibrant and makes me proud to be its representative in Congress. On Behalf on New York's 21st Congressional District, I want to congratulate the residents of the Town of Galway on this amazing accomplishment. I look forward to the success of the new Galway Public Library as a centerpiece of the community long into the future.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As the Representative of a district that has one of the largest constituencies of older Americans, I am proud to rise as a coauthor of H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act, bipartisan legislation that reauthorizes the Older Americans Act, which will directly benefit the seniors in my district and the seniors across the country. Since 1965, this statute has provided a wide range of social and nutrition services for Americans aged 60 years or older. In addition to well-known programs like Meals on Wheels, the Older Americans Act supports services that include nutrition programs providing meals at senior centers, schools, and churches; care to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors; family caregiver support systems; and community service employment opportunities for older Americans. This legislation is full of bipartisan agreements and priorities, and during times of stark political divide, it is encouraging to be here today with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak in support of the Dignity in Aging Act, which is the product of a diligent, congenial effort that embodies the good that can come from working across the aisle. The bill before us today provides States the flexibility to spend funds on the issues impacting their senior communities, which include support for older Americans who have become caregivers of younger relatives due to the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic on our communities. It enhances the cost effectiveness of critical programs and ensures program accountability and integrity by prohibiting the renewal of grants that do not demonstrate effectiveness. It assists formerly incarcerated, older individuals in reentering the workforce rather than re-offend and ensures that funded programs are evidence based and effectively serving seniors. Additionally, this bill includes long-overdue updates from the Younger Onset Alzheimer's Act that I co-led with my friend and colleague from New York, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice. Those under 60 with this heartbreaking disease face unique hardships, for themselves and for their families. The current support structures for individuals with Alzheimer's are focused almost exclusively on seniors, leaving the 200,000 Americans living with younger onset Alzheimer's without access to these critical services. This bill ensures individuals of any age living with Alzheimer's receive full access to the services and support provided by the Older Americans Act. I am also very proud to say that included in this bill is language from another bipartisan legislative proposal that I coauthored encouraging the use of caregiver assessments to identify the needs of family caregivers. This individualized approach to care will ensure that both caregivers and those who require assistance are provided tailored support to achieve the best possible health outcomes. There is another group of older Americans in this country we must not forget: the nearly 80,000 Holocaust survivors who live among us. As victims of the very worst of humanity, Holocaust survivors deserve devoted care and support to address the unimaginable, horrific trauma they experienced. Sadly, one-third of our country's Holocaust survivors live in poverty. During the markup process in the House Committee on Education and Labor, I was honored to work with my friend and colleague, Representative Bonamici, on a provision that works to address the needs of aging Holocaust survivors. Institutional placement can present a unique challenge to those who have suffered the trauma of the Holocaust, so it is critical that these individuals are identified for the services necessary to support independent living. Our provision will ensure local outreach efforts place a special emphasis on Holocaust survivors and others at risk for institutional placement. Additionally, the bill recognizes the specific needs of this community by ensuring that nutrition programs should meet the religious, cultural, or ethnic dietary requirements of all older Americans. These men and women have survived unconscionable suffering, yet many continue to live with physical and emotional scars from the horror they faced. Together, we acknowledge their resilience and seek to offer opportunities that allow them to live healthy, dignified, and independent lives through their elder years. Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the bipartisan effort from the Education and Labor Committee that has resulted in the meaningful legislation before us today. I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4334, the Dignity in Aging Act. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to our Nation's older generation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the Republican leader of the Committee on Education and Labor.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, I would like to again thank my good friend, the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), and our colleagues and our staff on the Education and Labor Committee for all of their work on this bipartisan bill that will help improve the lives of millions of seniors across the country. As I said at the beginning of this debate, my district is home to one of the largest constituencies of older Americans, so I could not be prouder to have led the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which will directly and tangibly benefit the seniors in New York's 21st District and seniors across the country. Our Nation's seniors deserve to age with health, dignity, and independence in the communities of their choosing. Again, I urge a ``yes'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentlewoman from Missouri, for yielding her time. The first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848, marking the official debut of the women's suffrage movement, which would extend over the course of the next 72 years. During this tumultuous time, generations of brave suffragists dedicated their lives, refusing to give up in their fight for a better and more equitable future. It wasn't until August of 1920, 140 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, that this fight culminated with the adoption of the 19th Amendment. Ratification of the 19th Amendment marked the single largest expansion of voting rights in United States history, enfranchising over 27 million American women. Mr. Speaker, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, and I was proud to introduce legislation with my colleague and friend from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence) and my friend, Senator Blackburn from Tennessee, to celebrate this historic and monumental movement. The Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act is bipartisan, bicameral legislation that authorizes the Department of the Treasury to mint $1 silver coins in 2020 to commemorate the tremendous work of women suffrage activists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This bill ensures that, on the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, the suffragists who dedicated their lives fighting to extend this fundamental right to women are commemorated and celebrated throughout the United States. I am looking forward to celebrating the 100th anniversary next year in my district, where one of the most vocal advocates for women's suffrage, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was born and raised in Johnstown, New York. I would not have the opportunity to serve in this body today were it not for the bravery and determination of generations of suffragists. Mr. Speaker, this is a unique opportunity to commemorate a milestone of democracy, and it is my hope that this bipartisan bill will encourage women across our country to continue to be active participants in civic life. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill.