Elise Stefanik

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend from across the lake, Peter Welch. This is truly a bipartisan issue, as Mr. Welch identified. This is important to our local ecosystem. It is important to our recreation. It is important to our tourism. But it is also a job creator, bringing in new people to our region. I love the views as I look across the lake to Vermont, and I know that we are really a joint economy around Lake Champlain. I also want to thank Chairman Calvert and the Appropriations Committee for their support of this important initiative in the Northeast. As I said, this is truly bipartisan, and it fully funds this important program. So I thank Mr. Calvert again and his staff, and I thank Mr. Welch for being a true partner on this issue, which is locally driven and such a success story for our districts.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Keith Tyo on retiring from his role as Chief of Staff to the President of State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Keith Tyo began his career at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1995 as Director of Public Relations, where his outstanding work led to his promotion to Executive Assistant to President John Ettling in 2004. As Executive Assistant, Keith was responsible for government relations and special projects for the President. His understanding of the campus community and government relations was evident, and in 2015 President Ettling made him his Chief of Staff. During his tenure as Chief of Staff, Keith used his knowledge and experience to leave a positive impact on campus. In honor of his retirement, SUNY Plattsburgh's Student Association approved a Resolution saluting Keith's 22 years of dedicated service to the college. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to congratulate Keith Tyo on his retirement from SUNY Plattsburgh. He has been instrumental to the college's growth and development over the past 22 years, and I wish him all the best for the years to come.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Clinton County Fair's 70th celebration. Since its debut in 1948, what was then the Clinton County Agricultural and Industrial Fair has been known for showcasing Clinton County's agricultural industry. For 70 years, the Clinton County Fair has provided the surrounding community with a family-friendly environment filled with attractions while exposing all of its attendees to the world of agriculture. Each summer, the fair welcomes community members to a variety of exciting exhibits and showcases all that the county's farmers and manufacturers have to offer. Attendees can experience livestock shows and demonstrations, a demolition derby, wildlife exhibits and more throughout the six-day celebration of the county's agricultural and industrial achievements. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to congratulate the Clinton County Fair and its board on 70 years of honoring Clinton County agriculture, and join the residents of Clinton County in celebrating the important role that agriculture plays in their daily lives.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate retired Forest Ranger Gary Lee on winning the Adirondack Council's Special Recognition Award. The Adirondack Council's Special Recognition Award acknowledges an individual for contributions to the Council's mission of ensuring ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. This year's winner, Gary Lee, has dedicated over 30 years of his life to wildlife conservation in the North Country. As a New York State Forest Ranger, Gary worked at the West Canada Lakes Wilderness and Moose River Plains Wild Forest. His achievements include producing the New York State Breeding Bird Atlas and banding birds on Four Brothers Island in Lake Champlain as well as at the Crown Point Bird Banding Station. Through his passion for birdwatching, photography, and writing, as well as his extensive knowledge of Adirondack wildlife, Gary has been instrumental in preserving our natural places and natural species of the Adirondacks. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to congratulate Gary on his well-deserved award, and thank him for his continued commitment to protecting the Adirondack Park, its natural resources, and its native species.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Daniel Josephson on winning the 2018 Conservationist of the Year award. The Adirondack Council's Conservationist of the Year award recognizes an individual for contributions to the Council's mission of ensuring ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. This year, Daniel Josephson is recognized for his dedication to research and advocacy on behalf of lakes, ponds, and the Honnedaga brook trout in the Adirondack Park. For more than 30 years, Daniel has advocated for conservation efforts in the Adirondacks by working with Cornell University's Adirondack Fishery Research Team. He used his strong research and knowledge on the impacts of acid rain on lakes and ponds to aid advocates in influencing Congress, resulting in legislation that would increase cuts to air pollution. Through his passion for communicating scientific knowledge to help conservationists promote policy change, Daniel played an instrumental role in conserving the beauty and ecological value of the Adirondacks. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to congratulate Daniel on his well-deserved award, and thank him for his continued commitment to protecting the Adirondack Park, its natural resources, and its native species.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the Proud Patriot on its grand opening. Vanessa and Niklas Herring, co-owners of the Proud Patriot, are passionate about honoring those who serve their country. The Proud Patriot is an all-American restaurant in Rouses Point, New York, that offers a 10 percent discount to veterans, law enforcement and peace officers. Serving up classic American food, the restaurant has its slogan, ``Land of the free because of the brave,'' proudly written on its ``veterans wall,'' decorated with photos of local veterans. Vanessa and Niklas both have military lineage in their families, and Niklas is a proud Army veteran himself. Their dedication giving back to those who sacrificed so much for our country is truly admirable. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to thank Vanessa and Niklas Herring for their honorable commitment to our veterans. I wish the Proud Patriot nothing but success as it opens its doors to the community.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Agent Gerhardt Perry on his retirement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For the past 20 years, Agent Perry has served our country as an Air Interdiction Agent in the Plattsburgh Air Unit, where his duties included patrolling the northern border from above and supporting officers on the ground. He has participated in countless successful missions, including the manhunt for the Dannemora prison escapees in 2015. In addition to his patrol duties, Agent Perry gave back to his unit by serving as an instructor pilot, passing on his skills and expertise to the next generation of pilots. A true public servant, Agent Perry served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years before his career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has given so much to this country, and his lifelong service is truly admirable. On behalf of New York's 21st district, I would like to thank Agent Perry for his years of hard work. He has shown true dedication to his community and country, and I wish him all the best in the years ahead.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Agent Brad Chambers on his retirement after 20 years of service in U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Agent Chambers began his career by serving his country as a Helicopter Instructor Pilot in the U.S. Army. After serving in the military, he continued his passion for protecting Americans by working tirelessly for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, occupying positions of instructor training pilot, Air-Marine Operator, and Air Interdiction Pilot. Agent Chambers also was the Founder and one of the Chief Advisers for Law Enforcement Explorers Post 2100, a group that mentors high school and college students considering a career in law enforcement or the military, which highlights Agent Chambers' lifelong commitment to educating and protecting Americans. On behalf of New York's 21st district, I would like to thank Agent Brad Chambers for his years of hard work and service to the public, and wish him all the best in the years ahead.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, my district and communities across our Nation are being ravaged by the heroin and opioid epidemic. This crisis touches our homes, our friends, and our families in ways that have grave effects on everyday people and everyday lives. Over the last 15 years, heroin-related deaths have quadrupled across our country. In 2016, over 3,600 New Yorkers died of an opioid overdose, with fatalities in some counties in my district doubling and tripling. This is why, since arriving in Congress, I have worked with my colleagues on the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the 21st Century Cures Act, and to provide over $4 billion in funding to fight this epidemic. But we must continue to attack this epidemic head-on, which is why we are passing a package of bills this week to prevent addiction, encourage treatment and recovery, and improve law enforcement to keep our communities safe. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue this incredibly important bipartisan work so that the families we represent can get the relief they need.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an exceptional patriot and military leader, Major General Jeffrey Bannister, who recently passed away. General Bannister served as the 10th Mountain Division commander and senior commander at Fort Drum in my district. I am proud to have gotten to know General Bannister and his family during my first term in office, when we worked closely together to successfully prevent devastating personnel cuts from taking place at Fort Drum. Whenever I visited Fort Drum, Major General Bannister was always a wonderful host. It was clear he commanded the greatest respect from the men and women stationed on post, and I know his greatest interest was their well-being. I remember running into Jeff with his family at the Cream Cheese Festival in Lowville after he returned from a recent deployment. He was casually wearing his baseball cap and eating at a picnic table with his wife, and they both gave me a warm hug. He was truly dedicated to our country and our community. The hearts of our entire Fort Drum community go out to the family of Major General Bannister, his wife Trese and his daughter Lindsey during this difficult time.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize SUNY Canton for celebrating 50 years at its campus on the hill. SUNY Canton was originally chartered in 1906 as a school of agriculture at St. Lawrence University. As the school grew, it developed its own identity as the Canton Agricultural and Technical College and sought to move onto its own campus. Location ideas varied from Ogdensburg to Watertown, but due to a gracious land donation by Edson Martin, the college was able to stay in Canton. In 1968, SUNY Canton opened its current campus and took over ``the hill,'' where its students and faculty have prospered ever since. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to congratulate SUNY Canton for 50 years on the hill and commend the College on its commitment to education in the North Country.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize South Jefferson VFW Post 5344 on its 50th Anniversary. For the past 50 years, members of South Jefferson VFW Post 5344 have successfully advocated on behalf of fellow veterans and their families. The imperative work this post carries out in support of our military families is incredible. VFW Post 5344 has hosted barbecues and fundraisers to benefit community members, and has hosted wreath laying events and ceremonies in honor of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. For its 50 years of dedication to veterans and to the community, Post 5344 will proudly receive its Golden Anniversary Award Citation. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to thank all of the members of South Jefferson VFW Post 5344 for their selfless service to our Nation and to the local community, and wish this Post all the best in the years to come.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Farney's Home and Building Center on its 60th anniversary. Gladyce and Vincent Farney established Farney's Home and Building Center in 1958, and the business has played an essential role in providing home tools and appliances to the community since. The Farneys built their business from the ground up and includes a lumber yard, building supplies, a hardware store and kitchen, and a bathroom and countertop design showroom. Now in its second generation, the family company is run by the couple's son, Reg Farney, but Gladyce and Vincent remain quite active in the business. In recognition of their many years in the hardware business, Gladyce and Vincent were awarded the Estwing's Golden Hammer Award in 2015. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to congratulate Farney's Home and Building Center on its 60th anniversary. The Farney family sets a wonderful example for developing a prosperous small business in the North Country.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the historic Town of Lyme on its bicentennial anniversary. The Town of Lyme was formed in 1818 from lands once part of the Town of Brownville, and was named by a former resident of Lyme, Connecticut. Over the past two centuries, the Lyme has given up parts of its land to form other towns, like the Town of Clayton, just as Brownville did for Lyme. Due to its location near the water ways of Lake Ontario, the town became a prime location for industry, settlement, and expansion. The waterways near the town continue to have a positive impact on the town's economy today. In addition to Lyme's impressive economic development, Lyme's residents are known for their patriotism and service in the military. Some of the town's earliest settlers were veterans of the American Revolution and War of 1812, and since then residents have fought in the Patriot's War, the Civil War, both World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to congratulate the Town of Lyme on its 200th anniversary. I wish all the residents the best as they celebrate this important milestone.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Plattsburgh State University Police Department on its 50th anniversary. The Plattsburgh State University Police Department is responsible for keeping the largest university in New York's 21st district a safe place for students to learn. The officers are exceptionally trained to respond to physical and mental health crises, campus safety concerns, and other emergencies. They are dedicated to keeping the campus community and surrounding city of Plattsburgh safe and secure. The Department is an integral part of the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. It demonstrates a commitment to crime prevention and campus policing, as well as successfully aligns with the university's educational mission and prides itself on its student-centered approach. On behalf of New York's 21st district, I would like to congratulate the Plattsburgh State University Police Department on an exceptional 50 years and thank the officers for their dedicated service and commitment to keeping SUNY Plattsburgh safe and secure.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Barkeater Chocolates on its 10th anniversary. In 2008, Debbie Morris decided to turn her passion for chocolate into a business. With the help of her husband, Jim, she set out to provide the Adirondacks with artisanal chocolate. The Morris's renovated an old home into a chocolate factory and retail store in the North Creek area, and have not stopped making chocolate since. Unsatisfied with the lack of variety and quality of chocolates available in their community, the Morris's set out to provide the North Country the delicious sweets it deserves. Barkeater Chocolates proudly offers dozens of flavors of truffles, caramels, bars, bark, peanut butter cups, and cocoa. Now a thriving business, Barkeater Chocolates serves as a wonderful example of successful entrepreneurship in the North Country. On behalf of New York's 21st district, I want to congratulate Barkeater Chocolates on its 10th anniversary. Barkeater Chocolates plays an important role in North Creek community life, and I look forward to watching Barkeater Chocolates continue to flourish in the years to come.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express support for my amendment to create an independent national security commission on artificial intelligence. Mr. Chairman, this bill that I have introduced will direct a comprehensive and national-level review of advances in AI and machine learning and ensure these align with our national security needs. It will provide actionable recommendations to the President and the Congress to more effectively organize the Federal Government when it comes to AI. Artificial intelligence is a constantly developing technology that will touch every aspect of our lives. The investments we make and policies we establish will provide the foundation of our national security and technological military advantage, but every day we run the risk of that edge being eroded. In order to preserve this, we must increase our research in public, private, and academic institutions, build and educate a talented workforce, embrace the technological advances that AI will provide, and lead the international community in establishing the laws and norms associated with implementing AI. This amendment makes advances in all of these areas. Mr. Chairman, I thank my ranking member, Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, for cosponsoring this amendment.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Lee Willbanks as he leaves his role as Executive Director of Save the River and Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper. Since he joined Save the River in 2012, Lee has been instrumental to the organization's efforts to preserve and protect the St. Lawrence River. His achievements include overseeing the enactment of Plan 2014, creating the Bass Catch and Release program, and expanding the Save the River In the Schools program. Lee's strong knowledge and passion for conservation issues has made him an invaluable leader of Save the River. In recognition of Lee's persistent and passionate advocacy of the St. Lawrence River, Freshwater Future named Lee a 2016 Freshwater Hero and Citizen Advocate of the Year. I am thankful that I have had the privilege of working with Lee during his tenure at Save the River. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to thank Lee for his commitment to protecting the St. Lawrence River, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the 200th anniversary of the Town of Hope. While formally founded in 1818, the Town of Hope traces its roots back to the 1700s. The Town of Hope was originally part of the Town of Wells, which formed from a 1772 purchase of land in the central Adirondack region from a Native American tribe. It was not until 1818 that Hope seceded from the Town of Wells and formally became a town. Hope quickly grew into a booming center for agriculture and the lumber market. Over time, Hope's population dropped, and the area was overtaken by the glistening lakes and streams, rolling hills, and peaceful valleys surrounding it. This natural sanctuary appealed to outdoorsmen, fishermen, hunters, hikers, and those seeking a tranquil, friendly place to live, much as it did in the 1700's. Today, the town stands as a proud and cordial community of good neighbors. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to congratulate the Town of Hope on its 200th anniversary. I wish all its residents the best as they celebrate this important milestone.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment to strike section 1225, which is an important and necessary provision in the fiscal year 2019 NDAA. Iran is a significant threat not only to Israel but to the stability of the entire region, and this provision provides an effective plan to counter their destabilizing efforts. Iran has supported militias in Syria, provided weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and helped the Houthi militia to overthrow the government in Yemen. They continue to pose a threat to Israel by building up forces near Israel's northern border and to U.S. forces in the region as well. This provision not only emphasizes the importance of multilateral cooperation, but it encourages the Secretary of Defense to establish a framework for critical mutual investments in ISR assets, ballistic missile defense, and cybersecurity and cyber defense. At its core, section 1225 supports the National Defense Strategy by highlighting the importance of partnerships and the responsibility of all affected nations to contribute in order to achieve shared objectives. It is only through this level of shared responsibility that the United States can expect to manage the threat from Iran, as well as those from Asia and Europe. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger).

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition.

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan bill that will help ensure our technological superiority over the next decade. As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, I am proud of our portion of the bill which energizes our science and technology enterprise, strengthens our cyber warfare capabilities, enables our Special Operations Forces around the globe, provides resources and authorities to counter terrorism and unconventional warfare threats, and advances programs and activities that counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction. I am especially pleased with the subcommittee's work to review and understand our adversarial threats, most notably, from China and Russia. We have maintained our focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, directed energy, hypersonics, synthetic biology, and robotics. The bill before the House incorporates four broad subcommittee themes. First, the bill better organizes the DOD to oversee, accelerate, and integrate AI and machine learning across the defense enterprise by including H.R. 5365, a bill I introduced with subcommittee ranking member, Jim Langevin. This will establish a national security commission on artificial intelligence to conduct a thorough review of the wide ranging military applications of this decisive technology. Second, we build upon previous NDAAs and advance prototyping and testing of directed energy weapons and hypersonic vehicles and accelerate these technologies by authorizing an additional $100 million. This bill also demonstrates our resolve to protect our servicemembers from the threat posed by our adversaries' deliberate efforts to develop and field new technologies, ranging from unmanned aerial systems to quantum sciences. Third, the bill strengthens our whole of government cybersecurity posture by establishing a pilot program that improves coordination and partnering between the DOD and Homeland Security to prevent and respond to cyber attacks against our critical infrastructure. It also reinforces international partnerships in cyber warfare to counter aggressive adversaries, such as Russia, China, and North Korea, and it also includes support for our NATO partners to enhance cooperative cyber and information warfare capabilities. And finally, the bill authorizes U.S. Special Operations Command's programs and activities, including ongoing efforts in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Eastern Europe. The bill will also strengthen congressional oversight of ongoing counterterrorism and sensitive activities and streamline DOD's oversight of countering weapons of mass destruction. Before I conclude, I want to thank Chairman Mac Thornberry for his leadership, as well as my subcommittee ranking member Jim Langevin of Rhode Island for his leadership. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway).

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