Elise Stefanik

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, in my district, industries ranging from manufacturing to renewable energy production to mineral production regularly tell me about the need for a trained and qualified workforce. When I visit with students and families across my district, I hear about how eager workers are for these advanced opportunities. Over the past 2 years, I have visited many of the BOCES, CV-TEC, and P-Tech programs throughout my district and know how critical the training they provide is to preparing our students to compete in a 21st century economy. This is why I was proud to work with my colleagues on the Education and the Workforce Committee to pass the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This bipartisan bill will help equip students with the skills and experience they need to find jobs that will lead to long, fruitful careers by encouraging more local control and flexibility. I am pleased that the House overwhelmingly passed this important legislation, and I urge the Senate to pass it and send it to the President's desk.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Ms. Chandler Ralph, the Chief Executive Officer of Adirondack Health. Ms. Ralph has dedicated 21 years of public service to the Adirondack community by expanding vital medical services across the Tri-Lakes Region. She first took the reins of Adirondack Medical Center as President and Chief Executive Officer in 1995. Since then, Ms. Ralph has worked tirelessly to provide access to quality patient care and has shown a firm commitment to improving the lives of those her organization has served. Throughout her career, Ms. Ralph has served as the Vice President for Operations and Planning at Columbia Memorial Hospital, Senior Manager with the Health Care Operations Consulting Group for Ernst & Young, and President and CEO for Mercy Center for Health Services at Mercy Hospital in Watertown, New York, before arriving at Adirondack Medical Center. In her community, she has been actively involved in organizations such as St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center, the Saranac Lake Rotary Club, the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, and the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. Professionally, Ms. Ralph is a member of the American Hospital Association, the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE), the ACHE's Regent's Advisory Committee, the Northeastern New York Healthcare Association, the Federation of American Health Systems, the Adirondack Health Institute, the New York State Medicaid Redesign Task Force, and the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. In addition, she is the founding chair of the Helena Ptochia Foundation, which strives to raise capital and operational funds to build and operate a hospital for women injured during childbirth in Ghana, West Africa. These accomplishments have earned Ms. Ralph the Adirondack Health Foundation's Dr. Edward L. Trudeau Award, the Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, the New York State Woman of Distinction Award, the Friends of Mercy Award, the Health Care Association of New York State's Innovation Award for establishing the North Country Uninsured Task Force, the American College of Healthcare Executives' Regent's Award, and the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award. On this day, I want to take a moment to thank Ms. Chandler Ralph for her years of service to our district. Chandler, congratulations on your retirement, you are a true leader and the North Country community thanks you for making this your home. Your humble leadership and key knowledge will be missed by many.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the late Mr. Smith Brett Lawrence of Keene, New York, who was extremely dedicated to his family, his community, and his country. Mr. Lawrence, known as Brett to most, served during the Vietnam War as a United States Marine. He was an Adirondack Guide and lived the majority of his life in Keene, New York, located in New York's 21st Congressional District. Brett will be remembered by his family and friends as a loyal and dedicated man, with a wonderful sense of charity and a deep faith. Brett devoted many years to organizations in his community including the Keene Valley Rod and Gun Club, the American Legion Post 1312, and the Keene Valley Congregational Church. Brett also drove sleds at the Lake Placid Bobsled-Run for 18 years, served with the Keene Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, and also served as the chair of the Town of Keene Republican Committee. However, what may have been Brett's greatest service to his community was his role as Keene's Santa Claus for the past 40 years. Dressed as Santa Claus, Brett would visit the neighborhood houses, area hospitals, St. Agnes School, and often made house calls upon request. His role as Santa eventually earned him important recognition by Keene Central School's Honor Society, which honored him as ``a graduate who has made outstanding contributions to our town, state, and nation.'' Brett will be missed by many for his dedication to civics through his involvement in many local organizations in Upstate New York and beyond. I thank Brett's family for sharing him with the community and send them my most heartfelt condolences on his loss.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, despite the Internet being an integral part of modern American life, there are still many rural farmers across our Nation who do not have access to this essential tool. The Internet has the power to revolutionize the agriculture sector, and North Country farmers have shared with me various ways that increased broadband access could provide them with opportunities for innovation and improved agribusiness. For instance, a dairy farmer from Potsdam who spoke with my office uses broadband to automate feeding plans for his cows. To support our North Country farmers, I will be introducing the Precision Farming Act of 2016. This legislation will encourage the construction of rural broadband connections to farms by allowing providers to receive reimbursements for the costs related to construction. Furthermore, this legislation would put our Nation's farmers first by prioritizing their loan applications for additional construction. To compete in a 21st century economy, our farmers must have access to broadband technology. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Brant Lake Camp in Warren County, New York. Located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, the Brant Lake Camp has served as a summer retreat for boys looking to enjoy their vacations while learning the core values that accompany individual and team sports. In 1916, three young teachers traveled to Brant Lake from New York City searching for a spot to establish a summer camp. Bob Gerstenzang, Jack Malloy and Joseph ``Unc'' Eberly decided to buy a plot of local farm land, and had the camp up and running by the summer of 1917. For the next 100 years, Brant Lake Camp has stayed in the hands of the Gerstenzang family. The family's legacy continues thanks to the current camp directors Robert Gersten (Emeritus), Karen Gerstenzang Metzler (Emeritus), Richard Gersten (Executive Director), and Max Gersten, all of whom are descendants of founder Bob Gerstenzang. The camp has grown from the original thirty-two campers during that first summer to the 330 campers now annually hosted. As the camp has grown, directors Dave Cramoy and Andy Berlin, both long-time Brant Lakers, have joined the leadership team. Brant Lake Camp has four core sports programs along with secondary sport instruction and waterfront activities. The camp fosters the idea of ``appropriate competitiveness'' in order to instill the benefits of competition while still encouraging a friendly environment. The focus of the camp is not necessarily sporting itself, but the values that come with competing and learning in a safe arena. All of the activities offered are aimed at fostering the feeling that Brant Lake Boys are a family. For a century now, the tight knit community of Brant Lake Camp has been helping campers to expand their horizons and challenge themselves to push beyond that which they first thought possible. Congratulations to the Brant Lake Camp on the 100th anniversary of its founding. I want to wish the camp, its campers, and its alumni continued success heading into its next hundred years.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 125th Anniversary of the Saranac Lake Fire Department in Franklin County, New York. The Saranac Lake Fire Department prides itself on saving the lives and property of those who it has served since 1891. Before 1891, two competing hose companies fought the fires of Saranac Lake separately. However, realizing that the community would benefit more from joining forces, the Woodruff and Miller Hose Companies combined to form the Woodruff-Miller Hose Company and formally establish the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Since that day, the Department has worked together with the community to combat fires in both Franklin and Essex counties. This includes community outreach events to raise awareness for fire safety, a dive rescue and recovery team for lake accidents, and the actual volunteer fire fighters who form the base of the department. Their mascot, Smokey the Dalmatian, has served as the symbol for all that the company does for their Adirondack community. Congratulations to the Saranac Lake Fire Department on the 125th anniversary of your formation. I want to wish the department and the Village of Saranac Lake continued safety and success in the future.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 150th Anniversary of the Cornwall Brothers Store in Jefferson County, New York. The Cornwall Brothers Store is the only surviving historic waterfront building in Alexandria Bay. Built in 1866, The Cornwall Brothers Store has served the community of Alexandria Bay in many ways. This building originally opened as a store that sold everything from dry goods to fine clothing but was forced to close during the Great Depression. Since that time, the building served first as a customs house, then a United States Coast Guard station and a United States Post Office, before officially becoming the store and museum that it is today. The restoration of the store and the development of a museum sprang from an order to demolish the building in 1973. Knowing the significance of the Cornwall Brothers Store, a band of citizens came together to form the Alexandria Township Historical Society, a group whose first priority was to protect the Cornwall Brothers Store. After launching an intense campaign to save the building, the Alexandria Historical Society was able to save the building and have it registered in both the National Registry of Historic Places in 1975 and then the New York Registry of Historic Places in 1991. The museum now holds a variety of exhibits showcasing the lifestyles of residents of the Saint Lawrence River from the 19th and 20th centuries. Congratulations to the Cornwall Brothers Store on the 150th anniversary of your formation. I wish this business and museum continued success in the future.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support our military families. Beside our Nation's brave servicemembers are strong families that remain resilient through countless relocations and deployments. Military spouses wear their own patches of service and share a true sense of duty to our country. They sacrifice a great deal throughout the constant moves and the unknown, all while supporting their husband or wife in uniform. These spouses are often employed in professions that require new licensing for each new location, such as teachers and nurses--vital occupations in a military community. These dedicated spouses must be allowed to maintain their hard-earned professional licenses and certifications as they relocate. That is why this week I am introducing the Lift the Relocation Burden for Military Spouses Act. Military spouses serve, too, and my bill will help maintain employment continuity and greater predictability for them and their families. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial of the Farm Credit System. One hundred years ago the Farm Credit System began its mission to provide American agriculture with a steady hand and dependability, which they needed to provide for our nation. Throughout its history the Farm Credit System has helped our farmers through the Great Depression, the agriculture crisis of the 1980's, and even the market collapse of 2008. This deep rooted understanding of our nation's complex agribusiness industry--and the people that work tirelessly to send products to market--is what makes the Farm Credit System so critical to our producers and their future success. And this dedication, to my district in Upstate New York and to American agriculture across this great nation, is why I am proud to stand on the House Floor today and honor the Farm Credit System on its centennial.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, my district is home to many ecological wonders, from the mighty Adirondacks to the Saint Lawrence River. The environment is truly our lifeblood in the North Country. Sadly, invasive species threaten the health and beauty of these natural ecosystems. Given our unique position as both the gateway to the Great Lakes and as the center of international shipping trade, our State has the unfortunate distinction of being a principal point of entry for many invasive species. Today I am introducing two pieces of bipartisan legislation to help combat and raise awareness about the threat that invasive species pose to our ecosystems. Nationwide, an estimated 50,000 nonnative invasive animal and plant species have been introduced, resulting in more than $100 billion in economic losses annually. Every State and U.S. territory has at least some form of invasive species. Therefore, I hope my colleagues will cosponsor these vital bills so we may prevent the spread and introduction of these harmful invasive species.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding H.R. 3989, the Support Our Military Caregivers Act. After working with a constituent who was having trouble with the bureaucratic Military Caregiver system at the VA, I was proud to introduce this legislation last November. Military caregivers are loved ones who selflessly care for our Nation's heroes behind the scenes to enhance their everyday lives. Thankfully, the Family Caregiver Program, implemented in 2011, was designed to ensure caregivers were not forgotten. My bill would guarantee that those who dedicate their lives as caregivers receive the support they so desperately need and they so desperately deserve. My district has the largest veteran population of any district in New York State. This has provided me with a greater understanding of the selfless sacrifice our veterans and their families provide to our community and our Nation. Over the last 15 years of war, our servicemembers have served bravely and their families have sacrificed an immeasurable amount. So it is vital that we ensure they receive the best possible care available. Unfortunately, the VA has had a difficult time managing the high demand of Family Caregiver enrollees, which is much larger than originally accounted for. VA medical centers lack sufficient caregiver support coordinators and the necessary clinical staff to carry out medical assessments for eligibility. Application deadlines are not being met by their own internal standards, and the staff is still shorthanded. This bill would ensure that military caregivers have access to an objective third party to conduct clinical reviews in the event of an appeal. It also ensures that the process is transparent so that our veterans and caregivers are never left with an unanswered question. Military caregivers are truly silent heroes in our communities and deserve the respect and benefits proportionate to their significant contributions. Mr. Speaker, I am truly humbled to represent the veterans in my district and will continue to work to improve their lives. I want to thank Chairman Benishek of the Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee for working with me on this legislation as well as Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Brown for their leadership and bipartisan support of this bill. I urge all my colleagues to support this important bill to improve the lives of our veterans and their caregivers.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chair, I stand today opposed to this amendment, as the representative of Fort Drum, an Army post that is 100 percent energy-independent and self-sustainable, relying solely on biomass energy. Unfortunately, this amendment would impede military facilities, like Drum, from continuing to pursue energy solutions that enhance national security, training capabilities, and operational flexibility. Fort Drum and the north country serve as models for operating government facilities more efficiently, where ReEnergy, our alternative partner, positively affects the Army and has created 300-plus jobs throughout our community. Providing our military with resilient energy ensures our servicemembers remain able to respond to any threats at any time. DOD's use of alternative energy strengthens their ability to conduct combative operations, humanitarian response, and protects our national security. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment which would have a detrimental effect on alternative energy technologies that make our troops safer, increases combat effectiveness, and severely undercuts programs like those at Fort Drum.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chair, I am proud of the bipartisan work of the House Committee on Armed Services on the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation takes important steps to strengthen our defense capabilities, and it gives our Armed Forces the resources they need to keep us safe. Importantly, this bill works to stop the funding gaps that are harming our military's readiness, and it includes a much- deserved pay raise for our troops. This bill contains an important initiative to ensure our land forces will not be depleted as well as including some of my own initiatives-- the creation of a DOD social media cell to counter radical online recruitment and maintain the edge in a 21st century battlefield. It also includes the development of joint directed energy capabilities between the United States and Israel. I am proud to support this legislation, which passed in committee by a bipartisan vote of 60-2, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this vital bill on the floor.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, in my district in the North Country of New York, brave law enforcement officers dedicate their careers and risk their lives each and every day to keep our communities safe. We are grateful for the outstanding service from men and women like Sergeant Jay Cook of the New York State Police, whose courageous actions put an end to the manhunt for the killers who escaped Clinton Correctional Facility last year. Sadly, far too many of these brave men and women have lost their lives in the line of duty. Each year communities across our Nation gather to honor in recognition of these heroes and tens of thousands of law enforcement officers descend on our Nation's capital to honor the fallen. Mr. Speaker, in commemoration of National Police Week, I rise today to thank our law enforcement officers for their service and to honor the brave men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. I thank Ms. Clark. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to take a moment to thank my colleagues Mr. Guinta, Ms. Kuster, and Ms. Clark for their work and tireless efforts to combat the heroin epidemic that is sweeping across our Nation. Over the last 15 years, heroin-related deaths have quadrupled, leaving families and communities across this country shattered. This crisis has been felt acutely in my district where the region is a major pipeline for illicit drug trafficking. Last November, law enforcement in Washington County, New York, made 11 arrests in one morning of individuals who were illegally selling heroin, cocaine, and prescription drugs. In New York's North Country, I have seen and heard from those in recovery and from those still struggling that heroin addiction and prescription drug abuse is a lifelong challenge. In my district, heroin addiction tragedies have caused parents to bury their children and have left spouses widowed and young children parentless. These drugs reach out and impact even the strongest members of our communities. Addiction is a disease that does not discriminate. The support offered by treatment centers like St. Joseph's Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center in Saranac Lake is critical to those who suffer from this disease. Several veterans whom I had the opportunity to visit with at St. Joseph's have seen the harsh reality of war and are now fighting battles at home--one against heroin and opioid addiction and another against posttraumatic stress disorder. Heroin abuse touches our communities, our homes, and our families in ways that have grave effects on everyday people and everyday lives. As heroin use has increased, police departments across this Nation have seen a rapid rise in related crimes, such as sex trafficking, domestic disputes, larceny, burglary, and prostitution--all tied to heroin use. This week, I am honored to stand with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to advance legislative solutions to this widespread and insidious crisis. As a member of Representatives Guinta's and Kuster's bipartisan task force to combat heroin abuse and assist law enforcement efforts, we have worked tirelessly to find solutions. The legislation we present this week provides critical tools to medical personnel and law enforcement for stemming the flow of drugs and enhancing treatment options and availability. These are real problems that need to be addressed through innovation, cooperation, and thoughtful action. I am confident that we can secure a better heroin-free future for our Nation. These efforts are not the end of the House's work on this issue. We will continue to seek solutions to this crisis that has touched families across my district and across our Nation. On behalf of the families, communities, and veterans in New York's 21st Congressional District and across the country, I urge my colleagues to join those of us here tonight as we work to eliminate the heroin epidemic facing this country.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 175th Anniversary of the town of Croghan in Lewis County, New York. The town of Croghan was named after the famous war hero from the War of 1812, Colonel George Croghan. One of the major shapers of Croghan was Theodore Basselin. Mr. Basselin had interests in the businesses of timber, railroad, paper manufacturing, furniture, banking, and electric power generation. He was elected to be the first President of the Village of Croghan. Upon his death in 1914, Mr. Basselin left $25,000 for the creation of a parochial school named Father Leo Memorial School in Croghan. The Basselin mansion and family cemetery still exist in Croghan today and are considered significant landmarks. The town of Croghan is home to the American Maple Museum and Hall of Fame, the Oswegatchie Educational Center, and the Railway Historical Society of Northern New York Museum. One of the unique businesses in the town is the Croghan Meat Market that was founded in 1888 and is still going strong. The major businesses that are seen throughout the town are logging, farming, and the production of maple syrup. These businesses are vital to Upstate New York communities. Their products reach residents throughout New York and beyond, and will continue to be a strong asset to the state for years to come. Congratulations to the town of Croghan on the 175th anniversary of your formation. I want to wish the people and businesses of Croghan continued success in the future.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an extraordinary hero from Tupper Lake in my district. First Lieutenant Elmer Jebo was drafted into the Army in 1940 where he would participate in military campaigns across Italy. On February 21, 1944, during the Anzio invasion, his position was attacked by six enemy tanks. For his bravery under siege and his courageous conduct to repel these attacks, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart by the U.S. Army. Unfortunately, because of significant wounds sustained in combat, Lieutenant Jebo spent many months recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center and never received his medal. He has since passed. After his family reached out to our office, I am honored that we were able to play a small part in preserving the legacy of this north country hero. This Thursday my office will host his family at a ceremony in Washington to present them with Lieutenant Jebo's much-deserved Silver Star. Today I am honored to recognize Lieutenant Jebo's heroic service on the House floor.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate a tremendous milestone for a school in my district, the State University of New York at Potsdam. On March 25, 1816, the document that would establish what is now known as SUNY Potsdam was signed, making it one of our Nation's first 50 colleges and the oldest institution in the SUNY system. Since that time, this school has developed a well-deserved reputation for providing a topflight education, especially in the liberal arts and science fields, and is the proud home of the world-renowned Crane School of Music, which I toured last year. As the cochair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, I am proud that SUNY Potsdam is leading the way in incorporating the arts into the traditional science, technology, engineering, and math curriculum. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand on the House floor today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of SUNY Potsdam.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, in celebration of Women's History Month, I rise to honor a pioneer for women's suffrage from my district. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born in Johnstown, New York, where she attended Johnstown Academy until the age of 16. As Members of this House and people across our country know, Elizabeth would go on to be one of the true trailblazers of the women's suffrage movement for our Nation. She helped organize the Seneca Falls Convention, where she presented a Declaration of Sentiments, a call for women's rights, proclaiming that men and women are equal, which was a revolutionary concept in 1848. As the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, I certainly would not be here today on the House floor without the passion, activism, and dedication of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. And so it is my honor to celebrate her legacy today for Women's History Month.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, in my district in northern New York, Canada is more than just a bordering nation. They are our neighbors and our friends. Canadians and upstate New Yorkers enjoy their summers together fishing along the St. Lawrence River, golfing on Wellesley Island, visiting the Thousand Islands National Park, and exploring Boldt Castle. Plattsburgh, a city in my district, has even branded itself as Montreal's U.S. suburb, hosting more than 100 U.S. subsidiaries of Canadian companies, with 15 percent of its area workforce working for a Canadian or border-related employer. That is why I helped lead the efforts and support the Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act, a necessary step to solidify the preclearance agreement between the U.S. and Canada, which was reached nearly a year ago. This significant, bipartisan legislation is great news for U.S.- Canadian relations, and I strongly encourage my colleagues to cosponsor this vital piece of legislation to maintain a secure northern border and facilitate travel and commerce between the U.S. and Canada and benefit our upstate New York economy.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the late Mr. Charles E. Crowningshield of Port Kent, New York, who was extremely dedicated to community service. Charlie spent 44 years of his life as the dock master for the Lake Champlain Transportation Company and lived his entire life in Port Kent, New York, located in New York's 21st Congressional District. Charlie will be remembered by the family and friends that surrounded him as a loyal and dedicated man, with a wonderful sense of humor and a deep faith. Charlie devoted many years to organizations in his community including the Au Sable River Masonic Lodge #149, Keeseville Kiwanis, Town of Chesterfield Zoning Board of Appeals, the North Star Underground Railroad Museum and the Keeseville Elks Lodge. Charlie also served as the chair of the Town of Chesterfield Republican Committee and was a member of the Essex County Republican Committee. Charlie often spoke of his two true loves, his wife Sue and politics. Charlie will be missed by many for his dedication to civics through his involvement in many local organizations in Upstate New York and beyond. I thank Charlie's family for sharing him with the community and send them my most heartfelt condolences on his loss.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 46, I was speaking with constituents and unintentionally missed the vote on roll call No. 46, H.R. 2187, the Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea.''

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial of the Farm Credit System. One hundred years ago, the Farm Credit System began its mission to provide American agriculture with a steady hand and dependability, which they needed to provide for our Nation. Throughout its history, the Farm Credit System has helped our farmers through the Great Depression, the agriculture crisis of the 1980s, and even the market collapse of 2008. This deep-rooted understanding of our Nation's complex agribusiness industry and the people who work tirelessly to send products to market is what makes the Farm Credit System so critical to our producers and their future success. This dedication to my district in upstate New York and to American agriculture across this great Nation is why I am proud to stand on the House floor today and honor the Farm Credit System on its centennial.

Ms. STEFANIK

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

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