Claudia Tenney

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Too many precious American souls have sacrificed life and limb to protect our sacred right to vote. Now is the time to choose self-governance by, of, and for the people, not a takeover and surrender to partisan bureaucrats.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials.

Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, today is a very special day. I want to thank my good friend and colleague, Congressman Burgess Owens. Burgess Owens and I are leading the charge here in Congress to tell the courageous stories of America's abolitionist heroes, particularly those from upstate New York. It was an honor for me to welcome Burgess recently, in October, to upstate New York to tour our region's sacred abolitionist sites, including the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark and the National Abolition Hall of Fame in Peterboro, as well as the home of abolitionist, suffragette, and true American heroine Harriet Tubman. Opposite me, there is a photo here of Gerrit Smith. This is a picture of Gerrit Smith from Peterboro. Peterboro is named after his father, a guy named Peter Smith, and I just wanted to tell a little bit about how this all happened in Peterboro, New York. I am sure a lot of people don't know the history. It all kind of started with an abolitionist named Reverend Henry Highland, who told his good friend Frederick Douglass, when describing Peterboro, New York--which, by the way, I am honored to represent here in Congress. Many people don't even realize this little hamlet of Peterboro, up in bucolic Madison County, which happens to be my mother's home county, played a vitally important role during the abolitionist movement. This was in large part due to one of its most famous residents, Gerrit Smith. As I said, the little hamlet of Peterboro was named in honor of his father. Mr. Smith was a successful businessman and a committed philanthropist. He previously served this body, actually, as a Representative from New York's 22nd Congressional District, the same district that I currently represent. He was also a three-time Presidential candidate. Gerrit Smith always opposed slavery, but he firmly joined the political cause of abolitionism in 1835. He was at a meeting of about 600 abolitionists in a church in the nearby city of Utica, which is in Oneida County. Upon learning of the meeting, a violent mob stormed the church and disrupted the proceedings, forcing the abolitionists to flee. Smith realized then that he could put his wealth and property to use. He invited the abolitionists to his home in Peterboro. A year later, he was elected president of the New York State Anti-Slavery Society. The rest, as they say, is history. We are going to tell you a little bit about that today with Congressman Owens. In Smith's view, slavery was completely incompatible not only with our founding documents but also with the natural laws of God. We were born free, and no law or institution could take away another man or woman's innate right to freedom. From 1835 until his death in 1874, Gerrit Smith dedicated his whole heart to the abolitionist cause, and Peterboro was his base of operation. Giants like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Elizabeth Cady--eventually Stanton, whose husband, Henry Stanton, was actually a cousin of Smith's--spent considerable time there, strategizing and mobilizing support. Gerrit Smith played a key role in funding abolitionist causes across our country. Smith maintained a lifelong friendship with Frederick Douglass and provided funding and other support to The North Star, which was Douglass' abolitionist newspaper. In today's terms, Gerrit Smith would be considered a billionaire, and he gave what then was $100 a month to Frederick Douglass' cause to pay for his newspaper, which in today's dollars, with inflation, would be about $7,000 per month to make sure that this newspaper was able to continue to thrive and flourish and inform people. In a letter from Douglass following Smith's death in 1874, Douglas credited Smith's generous support as the financial engine that kept his abolitionist movement going. Smith's estate in Peterboro was also a stop along the Underground Railroad. As enslaved people made their way north to Canada, Smith would offer them shelter, food, and support. Exact numbers are hard to come by, but it is safe to say Smith bought and helped secure the freedom of hundreds of enslaved people from around the country. This is why Reverend Henry Highland said: ``There are yet two places where slaveholders cannot come, Heaven and Peterboro.'' Peterboro was synonymous with freedom. Just a short drive from Gerrit Smith's estate in upstate New York is the home of another titan of the abolitionist movement, the great Harriet Tubman. Like Congressman Owens, this was my first visit to Harriet Tubman's home in Auburn. I want to show you a little picture of mighty Harriet Tubman, who is an amazing figure. I may have to go back to some of these. This is a great photo of Congressman Owens and me at Harriet Tubman's home in Auburn, New York, where we were able to tour and see where she lived and where she operated her Underground Railroad, right in our own communities. This was an amazing experience. I was in awe of Harriet Tubman, her accomplishments, and her tenacity. She had every reason to be in despair. She was strong; she was compassionate; she was generous; and she was only 4'11``, which is amazing. The home we visited was where Harriet spent her later years, after she escaped slavery in Maryland, served as a conductor of the Underground Railroad, and then a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. Harriet lived for almost a century. She was 91, almost 92 years old. She was an indomitable force. She was the first Black woman to lead a combat assault, organizing about 150 Black Union troops on a raid in South Carolina. She later freed 750 enslaved people as part of that operation. She suffered from narcolepsy her adult life after being hit by a metal weight when she was a teenager. Despite this, she persevered. She brought at least 70 slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad and never lost a single passenger. At her core, Harriet was a woman of compassion. In her later years she helped so many who came through her home in Auburn providing them shelter, medical attention, and love. Despite the obstacles she faced, Harriet Tubman never gave up, nor was she ever consumed by anger or cynicism. She led with integrity and was incredibly resilient, and she is certainly an amazing role model for all of us. It was important to tell Gerrit Smith's story and Harriet Tubman's stories, and now more than ever we must understand our shared history and learn from those who came before us. Our great Nation was founded on the promise that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No other republic before ours guaranteed such rights to its citizens. In fact, before America, there were no citizens at all, only subjects. Yet in the earliest days of our Nation's founding, it is clear we failed to live up to our ideals. We failed to end the slave trade or to free those who were tied down in bondage. While this grave mistake will forever be part of our history, so, too, will be the courageous stories of Gerrit Smith, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and so many more Americans of different races, creeds, and religions who fought for a better America. Gerrit Smith and Harriet Tubman personify the spirit of America, and their stories should be a lesson to all of us. Their tenacity, their relentlessness, and their pursuit of ideals are everything that we strive to be as Americans. As Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently said, While we as Americans have failed to live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence time and again, there is no time in our history when those ideals themselves have actually failed us. The Declaration and its principles endure because they articulate a fundamental truth that all people are born free and equal. Like Gerrit and Harriet did as citizens of this country we must commit ourselves to the great American project of making sure we live up to our ideals. These ideals are sacred, and the abolitionists who gathered in Peterboro changed the world and they were the authors of our future, and we must thank God that we have the freedom to fight every day to strengthen our institutions and make this a much more perfect Union. Madam Speaker, I want to end by thanking those who made our recent visit possible and welcomed Congressman Owens and I on that cold day in October before I yield to him, but I just want to recognize these great people who spend and devote their life to this history. First is Norman Dann. He was one of our tour guides at Peterboro and the author of ``Practical Dreamer, Gerrit Smith and the Crusade for Social Reform.'' Alden Max Smith, another one of our guides, as well as the cabinet member of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, which is also in Peterboro. Dorothy Willsey, another fantastic tour guide and president of the National Abolition Hall of Fame. John Becker, chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors for meeting us there and also for making this all possible. Cliff Moses, vice-chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. Mary Cavanaugh, city of Oneida, wards 1, 2, 3 supervisor, who also greeted us there and toured with us. Yvonne Nirelli, the former supervisor of the Town of Lincoln, who also greeted us and toured with us. Matt Roberts, city of Oneida supervisor for wards 1, 2, and 3, another person who came to tour with us and was fascinated again by this amazing little hamlet in upstate New York. Matthew Urtz, our Madison County historian, who was completely intrigued and so excited to welcome the great Burgess Owens, who is going to be talking a little more on this today. Karol Kucinski, trustee at the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum. And Nell Ziegler, the President of the Smithfield Community Association and owner and manager of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark. For more information about the Gerrit Smith Estate and the beautiful hamlet of Peterboro, I encourage you to visit www.gerritsmith.org. I also want to thank Karen V. Hill, president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, as well as our fantastic tour guides who shared their knowledge and passion with us again on this beautiful cold day. There it is again, this photo of our tour of Peterboro. It was wonderful to have Burgess Owens there, a really special moment for all of us. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), who I think this was a great experience for him. I think he never realized what existed up in upstate New York. And that is why we want everyone in the world to know just how important it is that we learn our history and we celebrate everyone who had a path and who had courage and who had the tenacity and the boldness to stand up for what was right against the grain at a very difficult time in our country. I have one little thing for you, too. I have a special Harriet Tubman pad for you I grabbed.

Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for those great words and for bringing up so many people. And, again, our community was so honored to have you there. To have you at Peterboro and to have more people discover and have this audience around our country and the world watching know that there are great people out there that did care about the cause of freedom. You brought up Martin Luther King, and I always remember studying him when I was a college student, and just discovering his great relationship with Gandhi and talking about peace and peaceful protests and how important it was. And how that is a founding principle of our country. Just to have you there in Peterboro meant so much. Everyone in Peterboro was so excited to have you there. People are recognizing that there are people that are not on everyone's radar, on the national radar, but there are people that have done great things, that are doing it quietly but they are doing it for a great cause. And those little acts, like you just mentioned, the administrator that let your dad into Ohio State, you will never know who it was, but that person enabled us to have the great Burgess Owens here today.

Ms. TENNEY. I agree. I think we have to focus on the people who are helping us, not the people who aren't. And I think that this is what we wanted to do today, and we are grateful to you to be able to focus on people who actually help, not the people tearing us down, the people trying to bring our country to its knees, but people trying to make us rise up and be better, and be a better America than we are today. And that is our striving for our future. That is what we want our children to be. We want America to be better for our children and our grandchildren. And I think by recognizing that there were great people in our past who have done amazing things who never got the recognition, but often those people go unnoticed. And I think that is why it meant so much for us to have you there. Madam Speaker, I urge anyone if you want to come up on a beautiful fall day, or you can come in the warm summer days, it is a little warmer--it is a little snowy right now--to come to visit Peterboro and meet with some our great docents, who I mentioned in my remarks, who are studying and uncovering documents and trying to show the true history so we understand it and so we can learn from it. Even though I had been to Peterboro when I was younger--I knew about it when I was a kid because it was my mom's home county--I never knew the depth of it, or I learned so much more just by that experience. And I am sure if I go again to the Abolitionist Hall of Fame, I think I would learn even more there. But just learning about Harriet Tubman and going to her house and being in the same room where you know that she was providing so much aid and comfort and love to people she didn't know but people she believed in and knew needed to understand and feel that taste of freedom, just standing there with you and the people that worked there and how much it meant to them, they conveyed that sort of, you know, that wonderful feeling to us as well. So I feel like I just would love to have everyone come and have that experience. And anywhere else in the country, we would love to encourage our colleagues to come out and tell us about great experiences and great Americans that are out there that might not get the recognition. They might not be getting the clicks on twitter or Facebook or social media, but there are people out there doing great works and uncovering great heroism.

Ms. TENNEY. We can't wait to have you back. And also, I just think about that last moment when we were in Gerrit Smith Estate, in the barn. We went back in the barn and we saw these conditions where horses and mules were put, and that they actually had to hide people in there. We came out of the barn, and there was this gleaming sunlight on us on that cold day. And I looked above, and there was a sign that said ``Heaven in Peterboro,'' the two places where the slaves were safe and symbolized freedom. So it was just an honor for me to represent the community. And then to have you standing there with that gleaming sunlight on us and knowing that so many people in our past, that was their gateway to freedom and gateway to finding a new life, I think it was a tremendous experience. We hope maybe you can come again and we can invite our colleagues and others to come and experience Peterboro.

Ms. TENNEY. And Harriet Tubman's home, of course.

Ms. TENNEY. Yes, thank you. And what a great discovery it was, just sitting on the floor of the House Chamber, Burgess and I. And I said, you have never been to Peterboro? How about this? Who would think that I would be hosting a famous person like Burgess Owens, a hero in our communities, in my own little community, and that we would have that common bond with Harriet Tubman. But we are grateful. We are just grateful for you and your service and everyone here. And I just hope that my colleagues and anyone who wants to join Peterboro--again, I hate to do too much of a pitch--but go to www.gerritsmith.org. It is an amazing place. It is humble, but it is just majestic and the accomplishments that were made in that wonderful place. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Burgess, for joining us, and thank him for everything he has done, for standing courageously and boldly for our communities and for our country, and standing up for our Constitution and freedom. Because that is really what is going to unite us. Let's talk about what unites us, not what divides us. We have a lot of great history that can really bring us together in the future. And so I thank you.

Ms. TENNEY. Thank you so much. The honor is all mine. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, in life there are names that once spoken give rise to great emotion. The name ``Randy Potter'' is one of those names in our community. Today, I recognize the life of one of Upstate New York's most colorful and original characters, Randy Potter. Simply mentioning Randy's name puts smiles on the faces of all who knew him. Seeing his crazy hair and fun attire always covered in campaign slogans and buttons put a smile on the faces of people who didn't know him. Randy was a music aficionado and a diehard Grateful Dead fan who attended hundreds of concerts, and he will always be fondly remembered for his love of music. He also enjoyed sports, and it didn't matter which team was playing; as long as it was a New York team, Randy was always their biggest fan. Perhaps most importantly to Randy, he was someone who cared a lot about our community and about politics and the importance of government, and our community depended on him to get the message out. Sadly, Mr. Potter passed away quietly on the evening of December 23. A treasure trove of stories, jokes, and the smiles of many, many residents across Upstate and Central New York will be remembered by our loss of Randy Potter. Today, we remember his life and the many moments of joy he shared throughout our community. May we all learn a lesson from his life and zest for sparking joy and laughter in those around him. Recognizing the Life of Joe Fusco, Jr.

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tragic passing of one of my district's great public servants, the Honorable Joseph Fusco, Jr., the former mayor of Rome, New York. Mayor Fusco was a dedicated public servant, who led an incredible life. He first served as Rome City councilman and then as the 42nd mayor of Rome from 2011 to 2015, a job he performed with integrity, passion, and determination. Joe led by example. He was always a smiling face and a helping hand. He oversaw the completion of the Mohawk River Trail, and in what little spare time he had, would participate in volunteer work across the community. He also hosted a terrific charity motorcycle ride across our beautiful region, an event I always looked forward to participating in each year. His dedication to public service carries on through his son, Joseph, III, who became a Rome firefighter in 2007. I have no doubt that Rome, New York, is a better place because of the legacy of Mayor Fusco and the legacy that he leaves behind. I also extend my deepest condolences to Mayor Fusco's family, as they are grieving deeply at this time. This includes his beloved wife and dear friend, Laurie, his son, Joe, and many grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by many. Again, his legacy will not be forgotten. Recognizing Priscilla ``Peep'' Williams for her Athletic and Academic Achievements

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Priscilla, also known as Peep, Williams, a standout athlete and student from New York's 22nd District. As an 8th grader in 2017, Peep was named to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Lacrosse Girls National Middle School Team. From there, the honors just keep pouring in. As a freshman in the spring of 2019, Peep stormed into the Seton Academy lacrosse scene, breaking the school's individual scoring record that was previously held by Seton's first Naval Academy appointee, who also happened to be her big sister, Maddie, who I had the distinguished honor of recommending an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Peep is a 2021 USA Lacrosse Academic All-American and a member of the U-18 National Team. In this year's off season, Peep also won the New York State Sectional Tennis Championship. Ms. Williams recently signed her letter of intent to travel nearly 3,000 miles from home where she will play for an institution with a standard of excellence in both athletics and academics, the Stanford Cardinals. Please join me in congratulating Peep and wishing her all the best in her future endeavors and know she will continue to represent our community with grace and determination. I wish the best to her parents, wonderful members of our community as well.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Estes for holding this Special Order. We really appreciate his remembrances and so many Members remembering Senator Robert Dole as his body lies in state at our Nation's Capitol. This is an honor we reserve for only the most deserving Americans who have rendered such great service to our country. Senator Dole has rightfully earned this honor. Bob Dole's life displayed courage of the highest order. As a young man, he fought in World War II and was wounded in northern Italy. He carried his wounds for the rest of his life with grace, dignity, and great compassion. Bob Dole became a champion for veterans and those living with disabilities. The shadow of Senator Dole's political career looms large. His tremendous influence on American political life over the last half century does not need to be restated. For now, I will say this: That from Presidential campaigns to the Senate floor, Bob Dole was an unyielding opponent, a steadfast ally, a fearless leader, and also a person with a tremendous sense of humor. Even in that generation we call the Greatest Generation, Bob Dole stood above the rest. He was a paragon of courage, class, and patriotism. As a stalwart conservative, he was able to work with both Democrats and Republicans to enact positive legislation that improved life for all Americans. Senator Dole's compass was never swayed by popular opinion or political expedience. He stayed the course and kept his focus on the eternal principles our Founders set forth, principles of liberty, integrity, and dignity. His unwavering commitment to these principles propelled him to great heights on the national and world stages, but this humble Kansan never allowed himself to grow haughty or self- absorbed. If anything, his historic career only made him even more modest. This week, we lost Senator Dole at the age of 98. His body lies in the Capitol rotunda, and it is fitting for us to honor him in this way. His death is a reminder that each of us in this body must do what we can to carry on his work of protecting and defending the United States with integrity, compassion, courage, and honor. Bob Dole was a patriot, a public servant, and a gentleman, and this Nation will always be grateful for the incredible life he led. World War II veterans are also special in my heart, particularly in my community where I had the privilege of being involved with bringing veterans to the World War II Memorial in many trips that we had in the 2000s when President Bush was in office. We took them to the World War II Memorial, where I know that Bob Dole greeted them. We also took them on a nice dinner cruise on the Potomac, which they enjoyed, and also visits to the White House. Like all of these wonderful World War II veterans, they were much like Senator Dole, really, truly of the Greatest Generation. I just want to say to Senator Dole: We salute you. May God rest your soul. May God bless your family and this great Nation.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize three New York State Section Four high school teams. This past weekend, for the first time since 2019, hundreds of players, coaches, parents, and fans from across the great State of New York returned to Syracuse University's Carrier Dome to compete for a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Football Championship. This past Friday, the Class D, 12-win, undefeated Tioga Tigers, led by Head Coach Nick Aiello, roared to victory with a 27-0 victory over the Moriah Vikings, winning their second State championship in school history. Saturday's games would bring more fun to New York State's 22nd District. First, the fourth-seeded Class C, 12-and-1 Blue Devils of Chenango Forks, led by Head Coach David Hogan, played a rematch of their 2019 championship game, and again beat the Schuylerville Horses, this time with a convincing 21-0 shutout victory. And last, but certainly not least, the 13-and-1, Class B, Maine- Endwell Spartans, led by Head Coach Matt Gallagher, came back from a 12-7 halftime deficit, to outscore the Pleasantville Panthers 14-0 in the second half, winning their first State championship since 2014. One State, 27 congressional representatives, five championship divisions, and New York State's 22nd district took home the trophies in three of four divisions we competed in. Congratulations to all teams from the 22nd District.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, once again, I rise to call for immediate action on H.R. 3733, the Essential Caregivers Act. It is our sacred duty to protect and serve the American people, and this bill is an opportunity for this body to fulfill that duty. Over the course of this pandemic, thousands of our fellow Americans were left isolated in long-term care facilities. They were denied access to their friends and families. Alone and often confused, many suffered from depression and didn't receive the medical care they so desperately needed. Family members were forced to watch from behind plexiglass and webcams as their loved one's physical and mental health declined. Some even died frightened and alone because of the lack of care. In one California facility, Nancy Klein's son, who had suffered from a massive brain hemorrhage 6 years ago and has been bedridden ever since, contracted pneumonia three times while in isolation. Later, he contracted COVID. His mother asked: After all he has been through, don't you think he has done his time? Yes. I think he has done his time. Nancy's story and many others like hers are documented in the book ``Protecting Them to Death,'' which was written by one of my great constituents, Karla Abraham-Conley, who lost her mother in a long-term nursing facility. I have shared some of the gut-wrenching stories from this book before, and I will continue to do so until the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act is passed. It is imperative that we, the elected Representatives of the American people, stick up for the American people. The Essential Caregivers Act would ensure the senseless, counterproductive policies that were put in place during the pandemic are never repeated. The fearmongering led to situations where, as Veronica Myers put it, ``fear of COVID-19 has put staff safety ahead of resident health, well- being, and safety.'' Veronica's 70-year-old father lives in a nursing home in Arkansas but was not allowed to see his family because of the antiscientific procedures of the facility. Veronica added that lack of continuity and communication play a major role in the isolation of residents because basic care and best practices are less important now than COVID-19 mitigation. Mr. Speaker, this is not how Americans care for their fellow citizens. All across the country, from my home State of New York all the way to California, families were cut off from their loved ones living in long- term care facilities. These decisions to isolate long-term care facility residents were fatal and will have long-lasting impacts. Think of the damage that has been caused to people like Melody Stark of California, whose husband had been living in a nursing home for 5 years prior to the pandemic. In March 2020, Melody was on her way to the nursing home for their usual Friday night dinner date when she got a phone call informing her that nonessential visitors were no longer allowed due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Who could be more essential than one's lifelong partner and spouse? Melody recounted that ``what we thought would be a couple of weeks turned into months and months. There were no virtual or window visits facilitated, and it felt as if everyone except families were wholly unaware of the impact of isolation, depression, and lack of psychosocial support.'' Melody continued by saying: ``My usually optimistic husband sounded increasingly sad and said things like: `This is no way to live,' and he would cry. Over time, this led to drastic decline that affected his physical health as well as his mental health. By November 22, 2020, his health had declined to the point that he was hospitalized and passed away. He did not die from COVID but from failure to thrive due to isolation in long-term care. The last time I hugged my husband was when I carried his ashes from the car to the church.'' Mr. Speaker, Melody Stark's husband might still be with us today if he had been allowed access to an essential caregiver. That is why we must take action on H.R. 3733. I am urging all of my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to join me because this is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of compassion and doing the right thing for our fellow Americans who so desperately need our help. Again, I am grateful to my cosponsor, Representative Larson, who has so graciously come on board, and so many other Members, in a bipartisan way. Mr. Speaker, you have heard me share these stories before, and I will continue to share them until the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act is passed.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the colead of H.R. 3733, the Essential Caregivers Act, to tell the stories of Americans across the country who are desperately calling on Congress to immediately act on this bill. I also thank Representative Larson, who is my colead, for helping me sponsor this bill. I am grateful to him for his leadership and his compassion. I have shared many heartbreaking and tragic stories before in this Chamber, and I will continue to do so until there is action on my bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act. Just as so many families who were forced to helplessly watch as their loved ones rapidly declined physically and mentally in long-term care facilities, I am not going to give up this fight. I am just getting started. First and foremost, the Essential Caregivers Act is a critically important bill that would ensure the policies that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic never happen again. In my home State of New York, and many States across the Nation, families were literally shut out from their loved ones living in long-term care facilities, neglecting the basic needs of their loved ones at these facilities. These decisions to isolate long-term care facility residents were fatal and will have long-lasting impacts. Today, I am here to share stories that go beyond my home State of New York. I will begin by sharing a story from Alaska. This is an excerpt from the book entitled ``Protecting Them to Death.'' This is a book that was compiled and written by my great constituent, Karla Abraham- Conley, who lost her mother in a long-term care facility. This is an excerpt from the book compiled using COVID-19 isolation stories. The first one is a story from Denise Brown: ``Ohana'' means ``family'' in Hawaiian and that no one is left behind. This word means a lot to us. My mother's skilled nursing facility was an hour away from her home and ours, so they became her pseudo ohana. She was moved there by the State of Alaska when an employee brought COVID-19 into her extended care facility. She was able to see us through a window once or twice a week because she was on the ground floor at that time. We talked every day on the phone, except for those days when she was too weak to answer my call. Last year on her birthday, when she was in the final skilled nursing facility that the State had moved her to, we cooked her dinner outside her window, we sent it in to her via a CNA. My boys built her rock towers, and we sang ``Happy Birthday'' through the window. But the moment they moved my mother to the second floor, I think she gave up hope of getting stronger, of seeing the faces she loved through the window. It was her one connection to us that still seemed real and wasn't through a virtual visit. We lost her on January 12, 2021. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Brown could still be here with us today if she had had access to an essential caregiver. The next two stories come to us from Arizona. The first story is from Linda Thompson, also featured in the book ``Protecting Them to Death'': My husband is in a memory care facility. He no longer speaks as a direct result of the isolation during the pandemic. He uses a walker. Because he was confined to his room, he was unable to exercise his legs. All his physical abilities have declined significantly. Change of any kind takes a toll on dementia residents. Knowing that he spent 17 days in a sterile room in the COVID-19 ward of his facility is heartbreaking. He had very few symptoms but lost 20 pounds. I am still praying this never happens again. If he had access to his loved ones, Mrs. Thompson's husband might still be speaking today. But the moment he was shut off from his essential caregivers, his health took a devastating toll. Also from Arizona, here is the story from Anne Martinez, who lost her mother in the pandemic, also from the book ``Protecting Them to Death'': Every time I visited my mother, she looked like a zoo animal behind the patio door. She would mouth that she was hungry or motion for what I had brought to drink. The blueberries I left got moldy, the almond milk grew stale, and the canned organic soups gathered dust. Nobody was giving them to her. My dad gestured at the closed patio window how much he missed her, and she avoided eye contact so as not to cry. Some days I was allowed to bring home-cooked meals and other days I was not allowed to feed her. On the day she was transferred to a hospice care facility, I was with her to say goodbye and could see the particles in her dentures that had not been cleaned in weeks and blackened food underneath her fingernails from trying to eat with her bare hands. I was actually relieved when they told me she had contracted COVID shortly after being vaccinated. Nobody deserves to spend their last years, months, weeks, or even days, alone in a facility without their loved ones at their side. Anne's story is just one of thousands that are occurring across this Nation. I will continue sharing these stories and urging immediate passage of the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act. Denise, Linda, Anne, and their families, friends, and loved ones are depending on it.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed so many vulnerabilities in our communities, our economy, and our healthcare system. None of us were prepared for the endless virtual meetings, school closings, and weeks spent in quarantine. Nor could we have been ready for the tragic loss of our neighbors and loved ones who were living in long-term care facilities across the Nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today about the grave impact the negligent policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic had on the most vulnerable in our communities. Over the past nearly 2 years, we watched our grandparents in nursing homes and our family and friends in group homes struggling to maintain their health, dignity, and will to go on as they were left without the care and attention they deserved over long periods of isolation. When I was sworn in to serve in the 117th Congress, one of the first bills I introduced was the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act. This bill is a critical step to ensure that residents of long-term care facilities are not left to suffer in isolation during this or any future public health emergency. While shut out from their family and loved ones in isolation, many long-term care residents began suffering from depression, extreme loneliness, and a major decline in mental and physical health. It is the injustice of this century that this is going unaddressed by Congress. Since introducing the Essential Caregivers Act, we have started a coalition of passionate and tenacious fighters across the country. It is the Essential Caregivers Movement. With me today, I have a book authored by Karla Abraham-Conley, an amazing constituent of mine who also was prohibited from providing the needed care for her mother because of negligent policies in place by our former Governor. This is her great book. It is absolutely beautiful. ``Protecting Them to Death'' is the title. Folded into each page of Karla's book are harrowing stories from individuals who either lost a loved one in a long-term care facility or witnessed from a distance as their loved ones suffered from serious declines in their mental and physical health. These are not just the stories of New Yorkers. These are accounts from all across the Nation as you go through each part of this book. I could flip every page of this book and tell you a story from every single State. They are heartbreaking. They are cruel. Most importantly, they motivate those with the power and responsibility to make a meaningful change for our future. When I see this book, I see the ways our laws have failed our constituents. I see the pain, but I also see the opportunity on every page, a chance for this Congress to stand up on behalf of these hurting Americans and boldly say: I will act. I will defend your rights as an essential caregiver. Before I close, I would like to share an excerpt from Karla's personal story. ``I was my mother's essential caregiver every single day prior to the lockdown. Suddenly, I wasn't there anymore, and she was incapable of understanding why.'' Karla continues by saying her mother ``was left to die alone in her bed, and not from COVID-19. She said to me via a virtual visit, `Get me outta here. They're going to kill me,' which is exactly what happened.'' When Karla was shut off from her mother, her mother's state of health rapidly declined. Karla's mother developed sepsis, renal failure, high sodium levels, swelling of the brain, and other symptoms that went unnoticed. After Karla fought tooth and nail to admit her mother to the emergency room, her mother passed away a week later. Mr. Speaker, what you have heard is unacceptable by all standards, but it is just one of thousands of stories I wanted to share. I thank Karla and so many essential caregivers, including our own VoicesForSeniors, another advocacy group in New York State, for sharing this dark chapter in their lives. Not many people can turn grief into action and start a nationwide movement. Yet, in a time of incredible sadness and loss, so many strong men and women chose to stand up and do just that. I applaud their courage, their bravery, and their tenacity in this fight. I introduced the Essential Caregivers Act for each of them and their loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to lead this fight in Congress, but I am not leading it alone. I am joined by our colleagues from both sides of the aisle, including the bill's cosponsor and co-lead, Congressman John Larson of Connecticut. We are so grateful for his advocacy as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge more of my colleagues to join us to pass this bill, to make it a reality and help these people who are advocating across the Nation to protect those who could be in this jeopardy in the future. I will remain committed to this fight for so many families who were forced to comply with the careless policies that prevented them from caring for their loved ones.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mohawk Valley Community College on its historic 75th anniversary this year. MVCC first opened its doors to students in October of 1946. Back then it was known as New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Science. Since those early days, MVCC has grown tremendously and today boasts more than 6,000 full- or part-time students. MVCC was founded on the principle of adapting its programs to fit the needs of our region, and, boy, they have done that. It has played an important role in developing our workforce and empowering students to achieve their goals and be of service to our community. MVCC molds students into leaders and continues to be an incredible institution for our community. It is one of the great 11 colleges and universities in New York's 22nd District. I want to personally thank President Randy VanWagoner for his leadership and wish MVCC the greatest successes over the next 75 years. I am grateful to MVCC for all they have done, and for being a college near my neighborhood. Congratulating Canastota Girls Field Hockey Team

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Canastota Girls Field Hockey team, for becoming the New York State section III class C champions after a win this weekend. Way to go girls. The Canastota Raiders prevailed 3 to 1 against Vernon-Verona-Sherrill in a dramatic battle for the class C championship. Chance Jaquin, Kory Matteson, and MacKenzie Snyder all scored goals for the Raiders, sealing the victory. The Raiders have now won 11 straight games and will face off against Little Falls for the State playoffs this week. I am wishing them all the best as they prepare for the championship game this week. I also want to congratulate Vernon-Verona-Sherrill on what I know was a hard-fought season. I wish the best of luck to the girls. Honoring the Life of Majeedah Razzaq

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize a Binghamton woman who was a larger than life, a fixture at community events, a staple in the very communities that needed her most, and the adopted grandma of kids who looked up to her for advice through adolescence and well into adulthood. As a life skills coach, Majeedah Razzaq used her own mix of street psychology with a strong dose of rule enforcement, consistency, and most of all, accountability. In her work with Greater Opportunities for Broome, Ms. Razzaq was a fighter for local issues, someone who encouraged and worked for new investments in local communities, investments in the children who needed it most. As a staple at the city of Binghamton's Community Development Advisory Committee, Ms. Razzaq had a unique ability to sort through the fluff, then address the real issues. Ms. Razzaq lived an amazing life which, unfortunately, was cut short this past winter by COVID-19. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me and the citizens of Broome County, New York, in remembering and honoring Majeedah Razzaq for her years of community service. Binghamton and the Southern Tier were lucky to have such a beautiful person advocating on their behalf. May God bless her soul.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask where is the administration? It is certainly not at our southern border. The crisis at the border continues to go unaddressed. In September, more than 192,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended by our Border Patrol agents. That is a 233 percent increase over last September, and DHS has warned this month we could see as many as 400,000. Mr. Speaker, I ask: Where are my Democrat colleagues on this crisis? Under the leadership of the other side of the aisle, this House has not considered a single piece of meaningful legislation to address the issue. The strategy appears to be pretend as if the problem doesn't exist. Meanwhile, a record 1.2 million people have been caught trying to cross the border illegally this year. Imagine how many tens of thousands have evaded capture--who might be dangerous to our local communities--and made it into this country. Rather than solving this crisis, this body is instead considering legislation that will pave the way for mass amnesty. It is irresponsible. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to step up, come to the table, hold real bipartisan discussions and focus on this crisis.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer, as well as Representative Phillips and Representative Meuser, the cosponsors of H.R. 4481, the Small Business 7(a) Loan Agent Transparency Act, for their work on this bill. The Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program leverages the private sector and community banks to expand capital to small businesses at affordable rates. Throughout my district, this program has provided countless small businesses the resources they need to expand their operations and hire additional employees. Small businesses still dominate in my district. Today, these loans have taken on even more importance, allowing employers to stay solvent through the pandemic. Overwhelming bipartisan majorities in Congress have voted to increase the size and loan limit of the program because of its vital importance. These past 2 years have also shown us there is still room for improvement. While the SBA can currently track loans originating from lenders, it cannot do the same for loans originating from loan brokers or agents. That lack of transparency must be addressed. That is why I support H.R. 4481, the 7(a) Loan Agent Transparency Act. The bill will correct this shortcoming and protect the 7(a) loan program and taxpayer funds. As an outspoken advocate for transparency and New York taxpayers, I am pleased to see this legislation move forward. This bill will allow SBA to evaluate the performance of loan agents, permitting businesses and policymakers to see who is most effective in helping employers secure financing. It will also make it easier for SBA to spot fraud and track bad actors who abuse taxpayer resources. I urge my colleagues to stand with small business owners and taxpayers today and pass the bipartisan 7(a) Loan Agent Transparency Act.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, for the past several months, my colleagues across the aisle have struggled to advance their budget reconciliation bill. The reason is simple: It is a disastrous piece of legislation that the American people simply don't want now that they are starting to find out what is actually in it. When I served in Albany, we called these bloated budget bills, and ones just like this the ``Big Ugly,'' and ugly this is. I rise today to urge my colleagues to oppose our national ``Big Ugly,'' which will raise corporation taxes, and that includes small businesses and family farms, to 26.5 percent, one of the highest rates in the world, and higher than the Communist Party of China charges their corporations. Despite assurances from the administration, low- and middle-income taxpayers--and that includes, again, our small businesses and family farms, which are the heart of our communities which drive our economy-- they will bear the brunt of this bill's $2 trillion-plus increase in taxes. Meanwhile, elite universities, left-leaning media outlets, and families earning more than $800,000 per year will receive major tax benefits or breaks. This bill also allocates billions of dollars to Green New Deal policies while raising taxes on America's domestic energy producers. As we approach winter in upstate New York--and it is cold, trust me-- my constituents are facing some of the highest heating costs in recent memory. This bill's tax hikes on American energy producers are an insult to New York families who will be left struggling to pay their energy bills, especially those who are seniors on fixed incomes. The point is simple: The Build Back Better plan is an endless list of progressive priorities that will add trillions of dollars to our national debt and worsen skyrocketing inflation, which is nothing more than a tax on the people who can least afford it: people on fixed incomes, people struggling to make a living. Dictators from Russia to China, Putin to Xi, are counting on us to support our national ``Big Ugly,'' the Democrats' Build Back Better plan, the budget reconciliation plan, that will secure Putin and Xi's economic and energy dominance for decades to come. This will irreparably hurt Americans across the board. I urge my colleagues to vote against this. Come up with a better plan that actually empowers American businesses, and especially the small businesses who create most of the jobs and drive our economy, and again, our family farms which are the tradition and heart of our communities, especially in upstate New York.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, in the words of Saint Teresa, ``Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.'' I rise today with great honor to recognize the extraordinary life of Attorney Donald Snyder of West Winfield, New York, who passed away last month. Don was a gem of a man and a wonderful servant to our community. Don was also admired by his peers. I remember Don being a very close friend of my father, the late Honorable Justice John R. Tenney, who always spoke so highly of Don as a person to model your career and your gift of service on. Don served our Nation in the Army, and he returned home to start a country law practice in little West Winfield, New York, in Herkimer County. Don was a wonderful servant who served on the board of Herkimer College for over 22 years and the chair for 12. Don was involved with so many organizations and schools and church organizations, but he was also a very dedicated husband to his wife, Mary Theresa Higgins, and a dedicated father of four and grandfather of 12. Nine people in Don's family are attorneys. They were all sworn in on the very same day by the U.S. Supreme Court, which made the front page news in our little town. Don was very proud of this. Don was a man who devoted his life to service, to happiness, and he couldn't have been a kinder person to me and a better friend and mentor for me as an attorney when I first started out many years ago. I can't express enough my deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and our community. This is truly the loss of a great man. I wish them all the best, and it was an honor to call Don Snyder my friend.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Thomas Strayer Nelson of Ilion, New York, who turns 100 years old today. Mr. Nelson is one of the last living survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Navy right out of high school and was assigned to the USS Wasmuth, a Clemson-class destroyer that was docked in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He left the Navy as a first class electrician's mate. On that fateful day 80 years ago, 19-year-old Thomas Strayer Nelson was lying in his bunk aboard the ship docked in Pearl Harbor when the alarms sounded. Sensing trouble, Tom made it topside where he saw several Japanese planes bombing American ships. He quickly assessed that this was not a drill. Tom quickly jumped on his .50 caliber machine gun and successfully helped defend the Wasmuth and its crew on that fateful day. The wreckage was devastating. Nearly 20 U.S. ships were damaged or sank at sea, and more than 2,400 Americans, including civilians, were killed. Tom remembers crying that day during the aftermath, but Tom's heroism did not stop there. Nearly 1 year later, in December 1942, the Wasmuth was escorting a convoy when it was knocked off its tracks and two mines exploded below the ship. The Wasmuth sank, but 134 crew, including Tom, were rescued due in large part to Tom's efforts. Tom came back home and was an electrical inspector for over 27 years in his hometown of Ilion, New York, where he has resided for nearly his entire life. I had the great honor of meeting Tom this past weekend. At the age of 99, now 100 today, he was full of life and very engaging, and he also had a wonderful sense of humor. I also had the pleasure of meeting his daughter, Janice, with whom he has been living the past 2 years and who provides great care for him, and his son, John, who is also providing loving care to Tom. John is a former State trooper who has now taken on the mantle of also being an electrician in his father's legacy. I just want to say also about the wonderful family from this small community, Tom's late wife, Gladys Cooley, passed away in 2015. He also had a daughter who passed away and a son, Tom, who died very young from rheumatoid arthritis. I just wanted to take this special time to recognize and thank someone who is part of our Greatest Generation from my community, one of the last survivors of Pearl Harbor who actually was there when this occurred. I want to thank his family and everyone for hosting me, greeting me, and giving me the real unique opportunity to meet with this great hero of our country. I want to say thank you again to Tom for his heroism, his service, and his bravery. I wish him another 100 years of good health and good cheer. I look forward to seeing him again when I return to my hometown. Here's to many years ahead.