Claudia Tenney

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to state my strong support of the Transitional Housing for Recovery in Viable Environments Act, or the THRIVE Act. In my district and across the Nation, the opioid epidemic has ravaged communities, torn apart families, and destroyed the lives of everyday Americans. Opioid abuse and drug-related deaths are rising at alarming rates. In my rural New York district, drug-related deaths rose over 350 percent in the short period between 2012 and 2016. Each day, I continue to hear from families across the 22nd District affected by this epidemic. They share their stories of loss and triumph and always urge me that more needs to be done. It is very difficult to find anyone in our communities who hasn't been affected by addiction, with either a family member or a friend. This week, we are delivering on the promises we have made to those struggling with the pain of addiction. During a recent opioid roundtable that I hosted in Binghamton, New York, a young woman named Jessica shared her story of opioid addiction and recovery. Jessica's story is a story of loss, recovery, resilience, and survival. At the end, Jessica stressed the importance of post- treatment programs to help those who are addicted to remain in recovery programs and to avoid potential relapses. The THRIVE Act begins the process of delivering on this important element of addiction recovery by expanding transitional housing options to those most in need. Furthermore, the THRIVE Act focuses on evidence-based programs, ensuring that those in recovery are given access to proven, high- quality transitional housing options. I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr), for his hard work in crafting this legislation to provide a better future for those suffering from addiction. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 5735 fills a critical void and will empower countless individuals in my district to break free from the grips of drug addiction. I thank the chairman for providing me an opportunity to speak in support of this important legislation.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the teaching brewery at Morrisville State College, which, despite opening just last fall, has won the title as Grand National Champion brewing school in North America at the 2018 U.S. Open College Beer Championship. The contest, open to any college or university offering brewing courses, is held to determine the best future brewers in North America. Morrisville State College currently offers the courses as electives but hopes to have a full curriculum for the fall of 2019, making Morrisville the first State university of New York with a 4-year brewing program. Morrisville's program fits right in with upstate New York, which has several well-known breweries that bring jobs, creativity, and originality to the region, including the F.X. Matt Brewing Company, the fourth oldest family brewery in the United States; the Empire Brewing Factory in Cazenovia; and also the Cortland Farm Distillery and Brewery in Cortland, New York. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Morrisville State College on becoming the number one brewing school in North America their first time out. It took a lot of dedication from the students from Morrisville. I look forward to tasting some of their products as we move into the next semester.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, it is vitally important to remember the sacrifices of America's fallen servicemembers and their families every day. Today I rise to recognize a special tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. This weekend, the New York Run for the Fallen will travel across the 22nd District to pay homage to our Nation's fallen heroes. The run seeks to honor the families and the sacrifices of those who answered the call to serve our great Nation. Leading the charge in our community is Kristi Mangine, an advocate for our veterans and member of the Colgate University community. She is also a core runner for the New York chapter and has recruited a number of members of our community to participate in this great tribute. The event is a 175-mile run across the State of New York, each mile representing one hero killed who served during the war on terror, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. I would like to thank Kristi Mangine and those involved in this year's run for inviting me to participate in this important event to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in our Nation's longest running overseas conflict. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to also join us, as well as any community members who have a moment to pick up a time slot for one of our fallen heroes and give them a special tribute to their sacrifice.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Chairman, once again, I stand on the floor of this great body to urge my colleagues to support American manufacturing and American workers. The first shovel was struck into the ground in Rome, New York, to build the Erie Canal, which started the Industrial Revolution in America on July 4, 1817. We were booming. Paul Revere started his company there. Remington Arms was founded just down the road in Ilion, New York, which supplied our military with firearms. These two iconic companies remain, but many more have left. Throughout our Nation and the region that I represent, factories that once boomed with activity and production are now shuttered and empty. Meanwhile, an entire segment of the population has been pushed out of the workforce. President Trump described the America we know in central New York in his first inaugural speech: Our manufacturing plants are now ``rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape.'' In the 22nd District, the Rust Belt of New York, and in many other regions across this Nation, economic activity has been on a consistent downturn. Well-paying manufacturing jobs have become increasingly hard to come by, leaving former industrial communities like ours empty as families and businesses flee in droves. In my home State of New York, we have lost 1 million residents since 2010 alone. Here in Washington and in State capitals across the country, special interests have been placed before the American worker. It is time to put our citizens and our workforce first. Mr. Chairman, the amendment that I have introduced will level the playing field for American companies, and it will show our American workforce that they have not been forgotten. And importantly, it will reduce our military's dependence on foreign goods. For 30 years, the Berry amendment included a domestic sourcing for stainless steel flatware. However, in 2006, the provision was removed when Oneida Limited, once in our region, the sole Berry-compliant manufacturer in the U.S., closed its U.S.-based factories and moved its operations to China, where almost all flatware is now manufactured. In a true American comeback story worthy of a Hollywood Cinderella story, two former Oneida Limited employees opened a new company, Sherrill Manufacturing. Greg Owens and Matt Roberts purchased Oneida's closed factory and old equipment. They refurbished the old equipment and opened Sherrill Manufacturing. They hired many former Oneida Limited employees and now have a workforce of nearly 80. The product line Sherrill employees create is appropriately known as Liberty Tabletop. This former factory ``tombstone'' on our landscape is now a symbol of American ingenuity, craftsmanship, hard work, and freedom. The story of rebirth has given hope to my district. Sherrill Manufacturing has a strong and proven record of selling high-quality products at market prices. Since 2008, Sherrill has been among the top providers of flatware to the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration, fulfilling more than $6.8 million in Federal contracts over the subsequent 8 years. While I understand that there may be some concerns that this domestic sourcing provision will increase costs, GSA has already found Sherrill's flatware to be offered at ``fair and reasonable'' prices, which is a major reason why the agency already purchases flatware from Sherrill. Most importantly, my amendment retains all existing waivers under the Berry amendment, unlike some other Berry amendments. In the case of negative changes to price or quality, the Department of Defense can use other sources of flatware, including in other countries. Under this amendment, it doesn't cost the Department of Defense anything to use Sherrill. Mr. Chairman, at this time, it is true that the only current Berry- compliant flatware manufacturer is located in my district. It is Sherrill. However, that does not mean that others who support domestic manufacturing cannot begin production and comply with this amendment. Opening a door for American manufacturers can encourage entrepreneurs across the country to start an operation of their own. My amendment encourages the American, free market principles of competition and ingenuity. Again, this amendment does not cost the Department of Defense. Passing this amendment will prove to American entrepreneurs and visionaries that Congress' stated support for American jobs and American manufacturing is not merely just lip service. It shows Congress is committed to putting our Nation back on the path to prosperity. I would like to thank my colleagues who had cosponsored this bipartisan amendment: My fellow New Yorker, Representative John Katko, who has 15 businesses in the neighboring New York district he represents that are a part of the Sherrill Manufacturing supply chain; Representatives Poliquin and Lipinski, both great supporters of domestic sourcing and Buy America; Representative Walter B. Jones, a dedicated member of the House Armed Services Committee; and Representative Tim Ryan, an outspoken advocate for American manufacturing.

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Chairman, again, I want to emphasize that this amendment supports American manufacturing, helps a domestic supply chain that spans 40 congressional districts from New York to California, and decreases the Department of Defense's dependence on foreign producers and goods. Removing the variability and uncertainty that comes with foreign sourcing of necessary materials for our military is the smart thing to do, considering almost all our goods of this type are now made in China. Mr. Chairman, today we have the opportunity to give American manufacturing the boost it deserves, while adding a measure of certainty to DOD procurement, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the bipartisan Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. This groundbreaking legislation is vital to rural communities like mine, where my constituents are actually struggling every day to make ends meet. This bill allows greater access to capital for consumers and small businesses that will unleash more opportunities for Main Street to flourish, finally. However, in order for Main Street to truly produce, we must ensure our community financial institutions are healthy, safe, and not overburdened to the point of closure. In my district in New York, small banks and credit unions are the lifeline for consumers who seek access to capital. Whether it is a family buying their first home or a young adult purchasing a new car, consumers in New York rely heavily on our Nation's community financial institutions. I am grateful to have two pieces of bipartisan legislation that promote relationship banking and regulatory relief that are included in this bill package today. Two of my bipartisan bills included in this package are the Small Bank Exam Cycle Improvement Act and the Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act which offer small, local communities and financial institutions a little much-needed assistance to help better serve their communities. I am proud of the hard work my colleagues have done to craft this important, bipartisan legislation, and I am very thankful to Chairman Hensarling for making sure that this bill becomes a reality for Americans. Mr. Speaker, S. 2155 will help families in my district achieve financial independence, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this, including my cosponsors, Mr. Sherman and Mr. Crist, who I hope will be joining us in support of this bill.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my bipartisan bill, the Expanding Oversight of Opioid Prescribing and Payment Act of 2018, which passed unanimously in the House Ways and Means Committee last week. As a member of the bipartisan Heroin Task Force, I am committed to finding a comprehensive and compassionate solution to reverse the tide of the growing opioid addiction plaguing our communities and families. With 115 people dying each day--and 635 in my own district in 2016 alone--from an opioid overdose, we must find ways to prevent this abuse from happening in the first place. My bipartisan bill requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to evaluate and report on adverse incentives that lead to the overprescription of opioids and underutilization of nonopioid alternatives for postsurgery recovery and the treatment of chronic pain. This is commonsense legislation that will enable Congress to identify and eliminate perverse incentives that are fueling the opioid epidemic, the epidemic that is destroying our families and our communities. I have personally known individuals in the 22nd District whose lives were taken too early because of this scourge. This bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction to helping our families and communities combat this crisis that is tearing families apart. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my bipartisan cosponsors, Representative Suzan DelBene and Representative David McKinley, for joining me in this important legislation.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rick Mansfield, an airman in the U.S. Air Force and Vietnam veteran from the town of Vienna in Oneida County. He recently gave me a World War II artifact belonging to Sergeant Joseph J. Benenati. It is called a Heart Shield Bible, and I have it in my hand. These are now fading from use, and this particular one is very faded. It has a gold-leaf steel cover with the words ``God's Weapon'' engraved on the front. Sergeant Benenati was a New York State police officer and U.S. marine who served in the Pacific theater, and he was the Chenango County sheriff in my district for 21 years. Sadly, in 2011, at the age of 97, Sergeant Benenati passed away. Sergeant Benenati's Heart Shield Bible is one that was given to World War II soldiers by their loved ones to protect them in battle. These Bibles were designed to fit securely in the chest pocket of a soldier's uniform. The metal plates were securely attached to the front cover of the Bible to stop a bullet from reaching the soldier's heart. I would like to thank Rick Mansfield for giving me this truly invaluable piece of history. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to former airman Rick Mansfield as well as Sergeant Joseph Benenati for their honorable service to our great Nation.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, this week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers inspire millions every day by instilling knowledge, evoking creativity, and motivating students of all ages in the quest for lifelong learning. Those who have answered this special call to serve in this wonderful profession are among the hardest working and most innovative in our communities. Teachers are special people who lay the foundation for developing critical thinking skills in our children that will serve them throughout their lifetime. Many of us remember well the teachers who made a big difference in our lives and even encouraged us to take our chosen career path. I am forever grateful to the teachers who have changed my life, from my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. LePage, to my third grade teacher, Mrs. Huerling. These people have inspired me every day as I think about those wonderful days in elementary school. Interesting, my son is also a graduate of the same high school and elementary and junior high as I, the New Hartford High School, and graduated some 30 years after I did. During this week, let's take time to remember teachers and their selfless work and dedication. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and honoring the thousands of teachers across the 22nd District and the Nation for their love and dedication to this noble profession and this calling that will never be forgotten.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Hensarling for yielding, and a special thank you to my colleague from New York, Lee Zeldin, for his support of S.J. Res. 57. Mr. Speaker, it has been 5 years since the Consumer Financial Protection Board circumvented the formal rulemaking process by unfairly denying consumers and small businesses the right to comment on guidance that will directly affect them. By executing this wrongful end run around the proper rulemaking process, the CFPB created much uncertainty in the $1.1 trillion auto lending market. In fact, in testimony before our committee, the former Director, Mr. Richard Cordray, admitted to me in testimony that he had to circumvent the rules to target auto lenders. More than half of car buyers finance their purchases when acquiring an automobile. These consumers have the ability to obtain great auto rates through their dealer-assisted finance, otherwise known as indirect lending. I have personally met many highly credible auto dealers in my district who are strongly committed to their communities and the consumers who they serve. In fact, one auto dealer that I met with specifically does not even take any form of picture ID when determining lending just to avoid any kind of scrutiny that would actually suggest that they were doing any kind of discrimination. These auto dealers--and they are mostly small businesses--comply with fair lending policies and practices while meeting the needs of their consumers who desperately need to buy a car and often finance through their auto dealer. However, this flawed, unstudied guidance, through the statistics we have heard from the other side, threatens to eliminate the flexibility these small businesses, these small auto dealers need to offer discounted interest rates to consumers who need to purchase a car on credit with a very limited budget, especially in my community. Last Congress, multiple bipartisan letters and bills called for the CFPB to correct and reissue their guidance, which would bring clarity to the market, and study the impact this digression would have on lower income consumers. However, the CFPB refused to provide help on multiple occasions. It is indeed ironic that the very agency which is supposed to protect consumers is, in fact, harming them with its flawed guidance rules. Congress created the Consumer Financial Protection Board to protect consumers, not hurt them.

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I just want to emphasize that these small businesses should be protected by the Consumer Financial Protection Board, not targeted by them. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues and everyone join us in supporting S.J. Res. 57 and finally rescind this flawed guidance by the CFPB.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent from the 22nd District of New York, Cooper Busch, better known as Super Cooper. Cooper Busch of Chenango Bridge, a spunky, fearless, and loving 4- year-old, an incredible fighter, born with Down syndrome, Cooper was diagnosed in November of 2016 with acute myeloid leukemia. On Sunday, May 6, sadly, sweet Cooper passed away. Cooper is survived by his parents, Tara and Steve; his brother, Cole; and his sister, Hope. In Cooper's last month, he received a surprise total bedroom makeover, he threw out the first pitch for the Rumble Ponies, and he dropped the puck for the Binghamton Devils. Volunteers organized fundraisers, sent in meals for the Busch family, and sold Super Cooper t-shirts. A local artist even wrote and illustrated a special book called, ``Super Cooper Saves the Day.'' Our condolences are with the entire Busch family during this very difficult time. Cooper's enduring spirit and bravery are an inspiration to all of us. Super Cooper's smile, lovable personality, and his zeal to live each day to the fullest, no matter how challenging, no matter how much time we may be allotted on this very dear Earth, will be his eternal legacy to all of us. May Super Cooper rest in peace.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jessie Patrick, who currently resides in South Carolina but spent most of her very long life in Oneida County, New York, in the 22nd District. On May 12, Jessie will turn 100 years old. Jessie grew up in nearby Yorkville with her sister, Bertha, and her two brothers, Matthew and Edward, both of whom served in World War II. She then moved to Whitesboro, New York, where she worked for General Electric, which was once located in Utica, New York, for nearly 30 years. Jessie became an active leader in the Whitesboro community, joining the Whitesboro Fire Department's Women Auxiliary, St. Paul's Church, and even owned a restaurant in nearby Marcy, New York, with her husband. Jessie has one daughter, Judy; two granddaughters; three great- grandchildren, with whom she loves to spend time. Her family loves to travel and used to spend many weekends traveling to Boston to go deep- sea fishing. When Jessie isn't deep-sea fishing, she enjoys cooking, cross-stitching, and gardening. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Jessie a wonderful, happy, and healthy 100 years, and many, many more years to come.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable public servant and close friend in New York's 22nd District, Mr. James Zecca, of Utica, New York. At the end of May, Jim will retire from his position as the director of the Madison County Department of Solid Waste and Sanitation, a position he started and created in 1988. A few years ago, a colleague of Jim's said that his ``forward thinking attitude and determination has made Madison County a leader in recycling in New York State.'' He ensured the county was open and transparent to everyone, always including the community as a whole in every process. Even though he works in Madison County during the day, Jim has served his community, his own community in Utica, the city of Utica, for many years. He served as a city councilman representing the Second District, and also a councilman-at-large during his time on the Utica Common Council. Jim has always been a champion of the little guy, the small-business owner, and the citizens who have been hurt by government incompetence, overreach, and yes, even corruption. It is my honor to congratulate Jim on 30 years of exceptional service to Madison County and our entire community. His hard work, courage, and compassion will be missed by all. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in congratulating Jim on his retirement, and best wishes for the future, and also, for his tireless effort in making America great again. Congratulations, Jim.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize, along with my colleague Congressman John Faso, an outstanding group of young women from Delaware Academy in Delhi, New York. The Delaware Academy Girls' Varsity Basketball team won this year's New York State Class D Basketball Championship. It was an intense game with a last 3-point shot from Logan Bruce that carried the team into overtime. The game finally ended in the first overtime with Delaware defeating Franklinville with a score of 54-51. This is Delaware Academy's first basketball State title and the first State title in any of the women's and girls' sports. The Delaware team, known as the Bulldogs, has 14 superior talented athletes: First, the three-point shot, which was made by Logan Bruce, Olivia Wakin, Kaitlyn Finch, Brenna Gioffe, Julia Burns, Aileen Nealis, Hannah Baxter, Anna Post, Reagan Bracchy, Meredith Mable, Caroline Grace, Cella Schnabel, Sophia Wakin, and eighth grader Sylvia Liddle. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to have my colleagues join me in congratulating this outstanding, talented group of women and their coaches: Todd Bruce, A.J. Mucciaro, and Tom Gliddon, on becoming New York State champions for the first time. As a former starting center for my high school girls' basketball team, I am just so proud to say: Go, Bulldogs.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 125th anniversary of the incredible Masonic Care Community of New York, located in the city of Utica. The Masonic Care Community of New York opened its doors on May 1, 1893, as the Masonic Home, started by the Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. Their goal was to provide high-quality care to elderly masons and families living in the Mohawk Valley region. Within 30 years, the location expanded to include a building for 360 adults, a hospital, several dormitories for children, and a 200-acre working farm that supplied food for those living on the campus. Today, the Masonic Care Community of New York offers top-of-the-line healthcare options to all. It also offers high-quality senior care, rehabilitation services, and child care, while also making house calls for those patients who are unable to leave their home. Masonic Care Community of New York has supported, nurtured, and educated the community by providing exceptional care and services with compassion and pride guided by the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, truth, and integrity. Currently, more than 500 seniors call the Masonic Care Community of New York and their independent living center home. I want to extend my congratulations to the staff at the Masonic Care Community of New York for their hard work in continuing to make the Masonic Care Community of New York a first-class facility. I wish them 125 more years of exceptional service.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Ann Wagner for yielding. She is a wonderful inspiration to me as a new Member. I also want to thank Congressman McGovern for his comments. This is really important that she is hosting tonight's Special Order on genocide awareness and prevention. During the month of April, we joined together to honor victims and survivors to educate the public about genocide--it is hard to believe it is happening in our time--and to advocate for the prevention of future atrocities. In the past 150 years, tens of millions of men, women, and children have lost their lives during brutal genocides and mass atrocities. Millions have been tortured, raped, and forced from their homes. Some of the darkest moments in world history have occurred, oddly enough, in the month of April. In April 1933, the Nazi Party began its boycott of Jewish-owned businesses. This marked the beginning of a campaign of hatred that led to the murder of 6 million Jews. My district is home to thousands of refugees from the former Yugoslavia. I have a long history with Yugoslavia. I began my study of the country of Yugoslavia in 1981 when I first participated as a student, a college student from Colgate University, in a semester abroad, and we traveled throughout the entire Yugoslavia and all the different principalities and republics. It was a spectacular and beautiful country, and it sparked a lifelong interest for me in this region. I completely fell in love with the country and was fascinated by the people who were there who survived conquests, whether it was from the Ottoman Empire to being part of so many other parts of human history. They were also victims during the Nazi invasion, as well, during World War II. I had the lucky opportunity to graduate from college and work as a foreign correspondent in the Press and Cultural Office of the former Yugoslav Consulate in New York. I also worked, at that time, alongside with ABC Sports during the Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo in 1984. The war in Yugoslavia was a tragic saga in the history of human experience, especially for me, with my long history and love of the country and the people who inhabited this part of world. I worked with people from the consulate, from all the republics and autonomous provinces from the former Yugoslavia. It just seemed unthinkable to me that this human genocide could occur in a region of the world which had experienced many occupying forces due to its very unique, very important geopolitical, strategic location in the world. Yugoslavia was always known as the gateway between East and West, the place where you could get from Europe through Yugoslavia to, eventually, the Middle East along the Mediterranean. This region had diverse culture, religion, and people from all parts of Europe and the Middle East, and the world all united together for centuries, actually, living alongside each other with different values. Certainly, they had their differences. But sadly, unfortunately, after all this history of unrest, the war in Yugoslavia eventually elicited the worst in humankind and was witness to one of the most horrific genocides in our generation against Bosnian citizens. To the Bosnian community, April, again, marks 26 years since the beginning of the siege in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The horrific period of violence lasted for over 3\1/2\ years and was the longest siege in modern warfare. All told, over 10,000 people, including 1,500 children, were killed in Sarajevo during the siege. In 1995, the worst massacre within Europe since World War II took place. The Srebrenica massacre killed more than 8,000 Bosnian boys and men during the Bosnian War. In addition to these horrific killings, more than 20,000 civilians were expelled from the area. Many of these Bosnian refugees immigrated to my region. We are thrilled to have them. It is just worth noting that my son was actually a student in the afterschool program at the Jewish Community Center in my area. The Jewish Community Center was actually instrumental in helping to find safe refuge in our community for these Bosnian Muslims who were suffering from this unconscionable genocide and atrocities against them. I think it was the solidarity and the sympathy and the understanding, the true understanding of genocide that our Jewish citizens recognized in our region, and we are grateful to them. And we are also grateful to the Bosnian community for the decision to have so many wonderful Bosnian families visit our city and now remain as citizens. They provided the same ingenuity and the entrepreneurship and the vibrancy and the creativity that I remembered during my days of studying this very special part of the world. I am especially grateful to them for enabling me to sustain the bond that developed between me, my family, who have all traveled to that part of the world, and this amazing group of people for the past 37 years of my life. It has become almost a vocation for me, just my study of Serbo-Croatian and my study of this region. As we mark these tragedies of the past, we must not overlook what is taking place in the present. I just want to mention a little bit about my city, Utica, New York. It has been recognized as one of the friendly cities to refugees. The Utica City School District now has over 42 languages spoken, and so we have a number of people coming from war-torn areas where, very graciously and also very generously, our communities have accepted them and provided them a home. I want to just highlight one of the communities that is in our region as well, and those are the people from Myanmar, where over 700,000 Rohingya people have fled the Rakhine State in the face of expulsions and violent persecution at the hands of government forces. In Syria, Bashar al-Assad's military butchers its own citizens and uses chemical weapons without regard for international law. Under this dark cloud of atrocities and massive human rights violations, both present and past, I just want to join with my colleagues today in remembering these and remembering to ensure that these lessons are never forgotten, but more important, if we could only make sure they are never repeated. I sincerely thank my colleague, Congresswoman Ann Wagner, for her great leadership on this issue, her tenacity and her courage and her continued fight to try to help these people who are the most needy, who have just been victimized in our society and across our country and our world. I thank her for including me tonight. It is very special for me to especially recognize the Bosnians. It has been such a long part of my history, and my heart and my sympathy go to these wonderful people who suffered unfairly. I just want to say thank you again to Mrs. Wagner for her great leadership on this issue.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dear friend, Jennifer O'Brien, of Binghamton, New York. She was recently designated as the 2018 New York Mother of the Year. Jennifer has dedicated her life to helping others and especially those who have been less fortunate. Jennifer is the mother of two beautiful children, both of whom have cerebral palsy. Along with her full-time job at Health Processes, Jennifer serves as the executive director of Life Is Washable and as the executive director of the American Special Hockey Association. Through Life is Washable, Jennifer has implemented innovative programs which have allowed children with special needs to play sports and participate in community events with their families. In addition to serving over 50,000 people with these programs, Jennifer serves over 3,000 members of the American Special Hockey Association. She is also responsible for the construction of the largest accessible playground in New York State, known as OurSpace at Rec Park in Binghamton, New York. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Jennifer O'Brien's outstanding accomplishments as a wife, a mother, and an advocate. Jennifer is one of those rare individuals who possesses endless energy, integrity, courage, tenacity, and compassion.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members from the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate, otherwise known as Rome Lab. Rome Lab has been recognized by the Federal Laboratory Consortium for its superiority in technology transfer work. Technology transfer work is a process by which existing knowledge or capabilities developed under Federal funding are used to fulfill public and private needs. The winners of this year's FLC high-profile award are Ralph Kohler, Frank Hoke, Sean Patten, Joseph Mancini, David Canestrare, Daniel Carpenter, Joshua Sterling, Richard Newkirk, Sam Davis, and Mark Linderman. This group of brilliant minds created the Android Team Awareness Kit, or ATAK. This is a profoundly useful software collaboration that runs on an android mobile operating system. It can connect multiple people on the go, giving them a common operation picture right on their handheld phone. It currently has 40,000 Department of Defense users and 32,000 non-Federal users. The winners from Rome Lab created an easy access portal that allows the government to provide ATAK to citizens, enabling better communication and information sharing. This technology transfer benefits Rome Lab, its mission, the government, and all users. A great example of how ATAK was extraordinarily beneficial was during the 2017 hurricanes. Because of Rome Lab's work, civilian, State, and military teams were able to communicate to rescue people and save lives. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate this group of brilliant young people and thank them for continuing to make the Air Force Research Lab, otherwise known as Rome Lab, a world leader in advanced technology.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the legacy of Harold ``Hal'' Snopek of Binghamton, New York. Mr. Hal Snopek was the beloved Chenango town supervisor and, sadly, passed away last month. Hal graduated from Chenango Forks High School, where he was a multiyear letterman, setting several school records, one which still stands today. He was inducted into the New York State Public High School Hall of Fame Athletic Association in 1991. Hal was also a devoted car salesman at JW Greene for over 25 years. He was appointed to the Chenango town board in 2004, and served as the town's current supervisor. Hal was deeply devoted to his family, leaving behind his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Donna, his daughters, Tami and Tina, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Along with being a dedicated public servant, Hal was a loving husband, dad, grandfather, and ``Pop Pop.'' He was a parishioner at the former St. Christopher's Church, where he and Donna were married 57 years ago, and he was currently active at Most Holy Rosary. In his later years, Hal enjoyed driving all over town with his wife, Donna, in his 1932 Chevy. He was known as a Mr. Fix-It and loved to work on cars. Hal was also known for his warm heart and great sense of humor. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Hal's contributions to the town of Chenango over the past two decades. Our deepest condolences to Hal's family on the loss of an honored and beloved member of our community.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Joe Wilson. He has been a terrific mentor for me, and I am grateful for his allowing me to recognize this really important experience. As we are remembering, there is a really important person in my life who has inspired me in many of the things that I do, and her name was Helen Sperling. She was born in 1920. She is a Holocaust survivor. She survived a Nazi death camp. She was actually liberated on April 18, 1945--just a couple of days away from that anniversary date. She had to be hospitalized in Germany for 3 years before she was finally able to immigrate to the United States with, eventually, her husband, who was also a Nazi survivor. But Helen was a special person, and she was someone whom I got to know. As Congressman Gohmert just mentioned, as a student in New Hartford, New York, she was a resident of our town, and a very tiny woman, wonderfully positive and very excitable and really just a warm person. I was a seventh grade student, and she came and spoke to our class about the Holocaust and explained to us the horrors of what happened to her and her family in Nazi Germany, and it was just so impactful. Helen basically spent her life telling this story. As Congressman Gohmert alluded to a moment ago, this wonderful person--one day, my son, 30 years later, came back from seventh grade and said: Mom, I met this incredible woman. She spoke in my class, and she told us all about the Holocaust and the horrors that occurred there, where the Jewish people were annihilated and killed and murdered in millions, and she told us her story. And at the end of the story, I asked her if I could hug her, and she said of course. He said he was so moved by her as well. And I just turned to him, and I said: Oh, my God, Helen Sperling is back. She is still talking about it. Helen, sadly, died a couple of years ago, and we gave honor and tribute to her as my constituent when I was a member of the New York State Assembly. But also, I got to meet Helen on a number of occasions afterwards. She was wonderful in speaking to Boys State, you know, the American Legion's hosted events. I just want to read a little bit from Helen's obituary, because I think it is really important to understand this woman who survived this and really devoted her entire life to educating children and people. I just want to read a little bit from this, and here is where it started from her obituary from 2 years ago. ``The anguish of the Holocaust scarred Helen for life, and she tried to turn her pain into a positive instrument for education. In March 1967, the Annual Holocaust Lecture series was begun, and it was later named for Helen and Leon,'' her late husband. ``This annual program, endowed by the Sperlings, will continue to provide Holocaust education for many generations to come.'' That was a dream of Helen's. ``From 1968 until her death, Helen had shared her life and her Holocaust experiences with tens of thousands of people, lecturing tirelessly at schools, colleges, churches, prisons, and clubs, in the fervent hope that both young people and adults would remember, learn, and build a better, more peaceful world. She will always be remembered by her challenge to `Never Be A Bystander.' ``Helen believed that the worst part of being in the concentration camps was the feeling of being powerless. She tried to teach people never to abuse power and to protect those who could not protect themselves. ``As a result of the mutual love and respect between Helen and the generations of audiences that have heard her, Clinton and New Hartford Senior High Schools,'' in my district--and New Hartford Senior High School, which is my alma mater--``have each developed scholarship awards in her name to honor those seniors who exhibit the character that Helen believed would help make a better, more humane, and peaceful world. ``These scholarships, as well as the many other tangible gifts given by `her schools,' in her honor, touched Helen deeply. She was moved and grateful for the hundreds of lilacs planted by her friends and students in memory of her father.'' The lilacs were her symbol. But I also want to mention something really important about Helen. I got to meet her, and actually one of the last times I got to speak with her was we were speaking together at Boys State in my district in 2012 and she got a little modern. One of the things she was handing out to the young men who were at Boys State learning how to potentially be serving our Nation as members of our military or in government, she handed out these lovely little, as you can see, one of these wristbands that are so common today. And on this wristband--this is the very wristband that was handed to me by Helen back in 2012. It says: ``Thou shall not be a bystander.'' Helen handed these out to everyone she spoke with, to remember, and to remember to stand up and not let these horrors of events like the Holocaust happen again in our time. I just wanted to pay tribute to her tonight. I thank Congressman Wilson for this great honor to be able to speak and to mention an outstanding member of my district and what she stood for, and that we shall not be bystanders and that we shall always remember and not let this very horrific part of human history be forgotten and make sure that it never gets repeated again. I just want to say thank you, and may God rest her soul, Helen Sperling, an amazing inspiration to me and so many thousands of others in my community. I just want to thank you for giving me a moment to recognize the great Helen Sperling from New Hartford, New York.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Whitesboro Police Officer Kevin Crossley. Officer Crossley tragically lost his life on Wednesday night in a car accident while on patrol in his hometown in the village of Whitesboro in Oneida County, New York. He was a 7-year member of the Whitesboro Police Department, after being hired full time in 2011, while first serving there as an intern. He also worked part time as an officer for the Whitestown Police Department, and previously served in the Whitestown Fire Department. Growing up in Whitesboro, Officer Crossley knew almost everyone in the village. The community loved and trusted him. His whole life's dream was to protect and serve the community and its residents. He arrived at work every day with a smile on his face and a positive attitude. Through numerous local and county police salutes, community processions, and testimonials from friends and family, it is clear how much Officer Crossley was beloved by his colleagues and our entire community. Officer Crossley's service, dedication, and love for our community was unparalleled, and we cannot thank him enough for his honorable service. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to ensure the safety of our families and our communities. We are eternally grateful for their dedication and service to our Nation. Officer Kevin Crossley is a hero, and the village of Whitesboro and all of us were blessed by his honorable service to us. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends and colleagues on the loss of a dear friend and a wonderful community servant.

Ms. TENNEY

Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) for hosting tonight's really important Special Order. I might just add, as a side note, that Mr. Zeldin and I are very aware of corruption firsthand; I, as a former member of the Assembly, and him as a former member of the New York State Senate. Today is actually the day of former speaker Sheldon Silver's second trial. He is being tried for corruption in New York, so we know what it is like to fight the good fight on that. But I want to just highlight why it is so important and why I agreed to sign on to Mr. Zeldin's letter appointing a second special counsel. Recent evidence has emerged raising serious concerns about decisions and activities at the Department of Justice, the DOJ, and the FBI regarding FISA abuse. I keep saying FISA, but for everyone, so they should know, it is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and it is why the Clinton probe ended and why the Trump Russia probe began. It appears that, for political gain, key Federal employees at the FBI and the Department of Justice deliberately misled our FISA courts and pursued a partisan political agenda. The FISA memo detailing these abuses of power stated: ``Top Obama administration officials knowingly used unverified information paid for by the Hillary Clinton campaign, some of which came from Russian intelligence, in a secret court document to justify a counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign during the 2016 Presidential election. This corrupt process was later the basis for a campaign to sabotage the incoming Trump administration and to fuel a witch hunt against the President.'' The American people deserve to know if our government is misusing powerful surveillance methods to exact political revenge, especially if it is before a FISA court. This behavior by those entrusted to impartially serve the public threatens to the core the integrity and vibrancy of our constitutional republic. The American people are starting to get it. A recent Harvard CAPS- Harris Poll survey concluded that 67 percent of Americans support a second special counsel; 75 percent of those are Republicans, 60 percent are Democrats, and 69 percent are independents. This is a significant majority of Americans ranging from all sides of the political spectrum. Tonight, Mr. Speaker, I stand alongside my distinguished colleagues to encourage Attorney General Jeff Sessions to appoint a second special counsel. Simply appointing Attorney John Huber to lead an internal Justice Department review of Special Counsel Robert Mueller is a step in the right direction, but I don't believe it is far enough. The American people deserve nothing less than full transparency. Working alongside congressional leaders, I will continue to fight to ensure these serious matters are investigated, and encourage investigations where necessary to restore the public trust. We must demand accountability across the board. It is the only way we are going to restore public trust in our institutions of government and to restore the rule of law and order in our communities. I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this issue as a member of the Financial Services Committee, but also, importantly, as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and also serving honorably as a distinguished member of our Armed Forces in the Army.