Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, after Hurricane Maria, Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, including the Republican leadership, went to Puerto Rico. They looked the Puerto Rican people in the eye and promised to help. This bill betrays that promise. It treats Puerto Rico as a foreign jurisdiction, levying new taxes on companies operating there, creating incentives for them to leave the island. All told, these provisions will cost Puerto Rico more than 200,000 jobs. That is how they help Puerto Rico? This bill is morally bankrupt. It harms American citizens everywhere, especially the 3.5 American citizens in Puerto Rico. Vote ``no.''

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this tax scam bill. Not only will it harm working families across the Nation, but it will visit another hurricane on Puerto Rico: an economic hurricane. Today, Puerto Rico is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. More than 235,000 of its people have already fled the island for the mainland. After Maria, many of my colleagues--from Speaker Ryan to Leader McCarthy--went to Puerto Rico and promised they would assist the island and help them recover. Instead, what they are doing is finding a way to further drive Puerto Rico's economy into the ground. Even though it is part of the United States--remember, since 1898, when military forces invaded Puerto Rico--this bill treats Puerto Rico as a foreign jurisdiction, levying new taxes on corporations operating there, creating incentives for them to leave the island and take jobs with them. Let's be clear. Puerto Ricans are American citizens. They fight in our wars, many of them laying down their lives for our freedoms, yet this bill continues treating Puerto Rico differently than the rest of the United States. For decades, decisions made right here in this body hollowed out, weakened, and undermined Puerto Rico's economy. This tax bill continues that awful tradition, undercutting Puerto Rico's economy once more. All told, these tax provisions will cost Puerto Rico more than 200,000 jobs, at exactly the time when the island needs all the help it can get. While this tax scam would hurt Puerto Rico, it also does nothing to help. While they had talked of it, there is nothing to expand the child tax credit for Puerto Rico. They eliminated the meager extensions of section 199 and rum cover-over provisions contained in the House version. The Speaker of the House and the Republican leader went to Puerto Rico. They looked the people of Puerto Rico in the eye and made promises to help them. That is how you help Puerto Rico? What we are seeing is that their tax bill would serve simply to crush Puerto Rico's economy. Mr. Speaker, this bill is morally bankrupt. It harms American citizens everywhere. It kicks Puerto Rico when it is down. It must be rejected. Vote ``no.''

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank Ranking Member Waters for her extraordinary leadership on these issues. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2396, the Privacy Notification Technical Clarification Act. This bill claims to amend the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt vehicle finance companies from providing customers with annual privacy statements if the company hasn't released recently changed its policies and practices and the company makes its policy available online. But this bill goes far beyond providing a small exemption and tailored flexibility to captives and vehicle finance companies, as the proponents of this bill will have you believe, and something I am really ready to support. This bill will exempt all financial institutions from providing customers with annual privacy notices. As currently drafted, under the bill, financial institutions such as payday lenders, check cash servicers, and large institutions like Wells Fargo are exempted from providing annual privacy notices and are unconstrained on who they can share their customers' personal information with. This goes far beyond the original intent of the bill. As we have seen in the growing number of data breaches at companies like Equifax, the protection of consumers' personal information is something Congress must consider carefully. While I continue to think that it makes sense for captive auto finance companies to have some degree of flexibility, to the extent they only share customers' personal information with the dealership, this legislation is far too broad. Mr. Speaker, to that end, I ask my colleagues to oppose this measure.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a man whose heroic legacy must never be forgotten. At a time when the stakes could not have been higher, Rabbi Weissmandl risked everything to save the Jewish people of Slovakia from the horrors of the Nazi regime. Forming an underground organization called the Working Group, Weissmandl led an effort to bribe German officials, ultimately succeeding to delay mass deportations. We cannot emphasize enough the great personal risk Rabbi Weissmandl took on. Had he bribed the wrong official or approached a Hitler supporter, he would have been killed. Yet, despite that real danger, he persevered and demonstrated an unyielding determination to stop the slaughter of the innocent. In 1945, Weissmandl reached the shores of America, ultimately settling in New York. Even after the war, he worked to improve Holocaust survivors' lives by establishing the first Yeshiva campus in America. Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Weissmandl is truly a hero. At great personal risk during the darkest of times, he helped those who were desperate. It is only appropriate we honor him with the highest civilian honor, a Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Weissmandl's legacy by cosponsoring H.R. 2740.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding leadership and achievements of Mr. Christopher Kui, Executive Director of Asian American for Equality (AAFE) on the occasion of his retirement after 31 years of public service. AAFE is a non-profit organization dedicated to social justice and community development. It was founded in 1974 in New York City's Chinatown community in response to a local developer's refusal to hire Asian-American workers for the federally financed towering apartment complex known today as Confucius Plaza. Chris immigrated to New York from Hong Kong at the young age of 10. As a newcomer, he witnessed early in life the injustice and discrimination faced by the Asian immigrant community in the areas of housing, education, employment practices and more. This experience helped shaped his life and career path. In 1986, he joined AAFE where he helped strengthen the organization's approach to advocacy and community development. In 1991, he assumed the position of Executive Director where he has served for the last twenty-five years. His vision, leadership and comprehensive approach to community planning has been extraordinary and has served as a model for other organizations. In this capacity, Chris successfully raised more than $100 million to build more than 800 housing units for low-income and homeless families and individuals. In his efforts to promote homeownership opportunities, he secured $378 million in mortgage financing. In addition to his leadership role at AAFE, Chris is also the founder and board chair of Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (REDC). REDC is an AAFE-affiliate that provides counseling to small businesses and has loaned more than $44 million to over one-thousand businesses during the past ten years. During Hurricane Sandy, it assisted 200 small businesses and awarded a citywide total of $3.5 million dollars in loans and grants. There is no doubt that Chris has been responsible for AAFE's growth and success. His breadth of knowledge, understanding of social policy, small business and housing have greatly contributed to the public and private partnerships that have fueled job creation and community development in Manhattan's Chinatown community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Christopher Kui for his 31 years of exemplary service and dedication to the Asian-American and diverse immigrant communities of New York City. My district is enriched by his vision and lasting legacy. I wish him a healthy and enjoyable retirement.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here today, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will tell you that this tax scam bill will help ordinary people. As we New Yorkers say: ``If you buy that one, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.'' This bill takes a wrecking ball to our middle class. It erases deductions that ordinary, working families count on to stay afloat. It raises taxes on 36 million middle class families. By eliminating the medical expense deduction, this scam will force nearly half a million New Yorkers who already struggle with serious illnesses to dig into overstretched bank accounts just to pay their healthcare bills. By gutting the student loan interest deduction, higher education will become even more expensive for 800,000 New York students. Graduate students will be taxed on tuition waivers. I heard from one woman in my district, a recent Ph.D., who said she would have paid $2,700 in income out of her pretax income of $13,000. The choice is clear. Vote ``no.'' Reject this scam.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2874. This bill makes flood insurance more expensive, less available, and less fair for millions of working families. This bill all but abandons Hurricane Sandy victims. Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New York and New Jersey 5 years ago, causing approximately $60 billion in damage. More than 50 people lost their lives. Today--half a decade later--more than 1,000 homeowners still have not obtained proper resolution of their flood insurance claim. That is why I have worked for almost 1\1/2\ years on legislation to improve FEMA's claims processing system and to bring proper oversight and management to the write-your-own program. While some of my recommended changes were included in this bill, language was also included that blows a direct hole in these reforms. This bill requires policyholders to exhaust all administrative remedies on any disputed claim before having their day in court. However, we have already seen that FEMA's administrative system is broken--and this bill will enable dishonest insurance providers to continue hiding behind an unreachable threshold--meaning policyholders will never be made whole. After more than 5 years, with more than 1,000 families still awaiting resolution of their Hurricane Sandy claim, we must seek to meaningfully reform the claims process, not make it harder for families to return to their home. A vote for this bill is a vote to abandon Hurricane Sandy victims. Vote ``no.''

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize All Saints' Episcopal Church of Woodhaven, Queens on their 120th Anniversary. This longstanding place of worship has a rich history as a congregation that embraces diversity and community service. All Saints held its first service and Sunday school at a store-front in Richmond Hill, Queens on November 26, 1897. Initial offerings collected by the service totaled $22.00, which became the initial contribution towards the purchase of a permanent church. A few years later, the church laid its first cornerstone on Lefferts Blvd., where it served for more than a century. The Church has a long history of providing guidance and comfort to new arrivals and families faced with hardship. For decades, All Saints enjoyed the leadership of Rectors dedicated to its parishioners and the greater community. Later on, the former St. Matthew's Church, a beautiful gothic revival building became its new home. Today, All Saints is a bedrock of the Woodhaven community. The Church continues to provide spiritual and physical comfort by offering social and community services. Initiatives like the senior lunch program, youth projects, the St. Hilda's Guild women's outreach program, and the Community Cemetery Project all promote fellowship. Mr. Speaker, our churches, temples, and mosques are the cornerstones of our communities, the bedrock on which our faith, values, and sense of purpose rest. On this special occasion of its 120th year anniversary, I congratulate the All Saints Episcopal Church congregation and wish them many more years of service.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, there are a litany of reasons to oppose this bill, but let's make it clear: one of them is that it will not do enough for the people of Puerto Rico. These are U.S. citizens. They have fought, shed blood, and died in every major conflict. Now they need our help, and this bill does not supply it. Reject this bill. Vote ``no.''

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as Puerto Rico struggles to recover from the historic damage of Hurricane Maria, this legislation shortchanges the island's long-struggling healthcare system at exactly the time that Puerto Rico most needs our help. This legislation provides a measly sum of Puerto Rico's Medicaid system. Even before Hurricane Maria made landfall, Speaker Ryan had committed to help resolve Puerto Rico's looming Medicaid crisis, yet this bill provides just $1 billion. We have no assurance or guarantee that the next emergency supplemental will provide appropriate funds to address this problem. The fact is that our fellow citizens have been shortchanged by the disparity in Medicaid funding. This forced the government of Puerto Rico to borrow money to provide healthcare. So if you wonder where Puerto Rico's financial crisis stems from, you can look right here at the U.S. Congress. Yet the amount included in this bill is far from sufficient to address even this year's shortfall. For the Puerto Rican people who have already suffered so much, this funding level amounts to an insult. If ever there were a time to channel aid to the island's healthcare system and fix the systemic problems that we sought in the system underfunding, this is it.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of ``Mother'' Rosa McKie, who for the past 50 years has shown tremendous dedication to the community of the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ on Williams Avenue in Brooklyn. Known as a source of pure kindness, inspiration and fortitude, Ms. McKie's longstanding service to the Church earned her the title of ``Church Mother''. Ms. McKie migrated to New York in 1943 and has since called Brooklyn her home. A World War II Navy Bride, she married the late Charles McKie as he was on active duty. This summer, on July 17th, she turned 100 years old, proving that age has not slowed her from counseling, nurturing and investing in her community. Present at nearly every worship service that takes place at the Church, Ms. McKie has fulfilled roles as diverse as usher, Choir Director, and outreach missionary. It is this spirit of willingness to meet every need that has earned her such a warm legacy among congregants. It is my great honor to wish Mother McKie a joyful birthday and lifetime celebration as she leaves her daily role with the Church to relocate and live with her daughter. For someone who has been a living inspiration for so many, it is my deep hope that this service is a chance for her community to return the love.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Puerto Rican Bar Association of New York (PRBA) on the occasion of its 60th Year Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. Founded in 1957, PRBA was created to connect lawyers and judges who shared common goals, ideas and concerns relating to the practice of law, the courts and the community. PRBA is credited with mentoring and helping generations of attorneys develop their careers while staying true to its core mission of empowering and giving back to the Puerto Rican and Latino communities. Through the Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Fund, the Association promotes opportunities for educational and professional advancement for underserved young professionals. Throughout its rich 60-year history, PRBA has benefited from the leadership of some of the brightest and best Board members and Presidents. This year's PRBA President, Carmen Pacheco, is an inspiring example of what can be accomplished with support and vision. In 1992, Carmen and her business partner Betty Lugo, established Pacheco & Lugo, the first Hispanic women-owned law firm in New York. PRBA's members have ascended to the highest levels of the legal community within private practice, non-profit and all levels of government including the U. S. Supreme Court by Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting this year's extraordinary individuals and institutions: Ambassador Mari Carmen Aponte, Elisa D. Garcia, Chief Legal Officer, Macy's Inc., Robert L. Haig, Esq. Partner, Kelley, Drye & Warren LLP, the CUNY Board of Trustees and the New York State Court of Appeals. I also would like to recognize the Mistress of Ceremonies, Jeanine Ramirez, Brooklyn's own NY1 News outstanding reporter and journalist.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. There is going to need to be much more assistance in the future. Puerto Rico will need help rebuilding its energy grid, repairing telecommunications networks, and putting its ports, bridges, and roads back together, and we cannot forget shoring up the island's Medicaid system, something that was critical before Maria, but is even more important now. This problem is of Congress' making, and we must fix it. Make no mistake. Those priorities will require more money, and we will need to come back and address them in a few weeks. The people of Puerto Rico are American citizens. And, you know, what? Even when so many of my brothers and sisters are suffering in Puerto Rico, are facing a humanitarian crisis, at last, 50 percent of the people in this country who didn't know that Puerto Ricans are American citizens are learning that fact. Yes, American citizens, when, in 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded and taken over by the U.S. Government. So now it is our responsibility to make Puerto Rico whole.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both the gentleman from New Jersey, the chairman, and the ranking member from New York for their work. Mr. Speaker, the people of Puerto Rico, 3.5 million of our fellow citizens, are suffering. The mayor of my home town, Yabucoa, where Maria made landfall, is predicting that as many as 5,000 residents are potentially facing starvation. More than 85 percent of the island is without electricity. One-third of Puerto Ricans lack access to drinkable water, which will surge the number of bacterial infections and mosquito-borne illnesses. As Puerto Rico faces this humanitarian crisis, the President of the United States is tweeting out threats to withdraw assistance. That is an outrage. It is an insult. It is an abdication of the President's solemn duty to protect the safety and security of the American people. American citizens everywhere deserve better. Where the President is failing to lead, Congress must act, and act now. The legislation we are debating today is far from sufficient. It is not enough, but it is a start. It is a downpayment in helping the response process. It will keep FEMA operating, removing debris and distributing food and water. It also helps Puerto Rico's Government address a looming cash shortfall. With the government running out of money by November 1, vital services could be suspended when residents can least afford it. This bill would provide a short-term cash infusion for the government to keep going. The way this assistance is structured under the law, these funds will likely not be paid back, which is reasonable, given the challenges Puerto Rico faces. Some of those challenges have been created by the lack of action of the Congress when it comes to Medicaid.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate the Tai Look Merchants' Association on their Centennial Anniversary Gala. I thank you for your commitment to bettering the community of Chinatown and the community of New York City as a whole. The Tai Look Merchants' Association was established on 1917 in Hong Kong but expanded to New York less than a decade later, and has been a part of our community ever since. For a century the Tai Look Merchants' Association has contributed to the community through the mission, ``for the love of the Country and Motherland.'' Under the leadership of Teddy Mui and representing over a hundred members and small businesses, Tai Look Merchants' Association has shown the good that can be done when people work together, from raising money for victims of the Sichuan Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina to holding local Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations for Chinatown's seniors. As they celebrate 100 years of tremendous work, I am confident the Tai Look Merchants' Association will continue to build on its history of service and find many more years of success.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Detective Paul Grudzinski, 76th Precinct Community Affairs Officer who is retiring after 30 years of service to the people of New York City. A model of successful police and community relations, Detective Grudzinski has always put the needs and safety of New Yorkers above all else. A fixture in the Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Red Hook and Gowanus communities, he is known and valued by many. First appointed to the New York City Transit Police Department on April 28, 1987, Detective Grudzinski joined the NYPD shortly after in 1989. Throughout his career, Detective Grudzinski has reached many milestones. Since 2001, he has served as the Precinct Community Affairs Officer, and was promoted to Detective Specialist in 2007 and Detective 2nd Grade in 2016. It was always the mission of Detective Grudzinski to get to know the neighborhoods and residents that he served. An expert local problem solver, he has always been aware of the often too common gap between police and residents, and he has worked tirelessly to close it. I send my best wishes to Detective Grudzinski and his family, as he's recognized at his last 76th Precinct Community Council meeting on October 4, 2017. A life of dedication and honor, I wish Detective Grudzinski a happy retirement and thank him for his service.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding. For over 40 years, the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, has stood as a bulwark protection for women's reproductive rights and healthcare rights. Now, in 2017, House Republicans are leading yet another unconstitutional, dangerous, and outright assault on women's health and privacy. This extreme bill not only takes aim at Roe v. Wade by lowering the ban on abortion to 20 weeks, it goes even further by promising to throw doctors in jail. This is a cynical, repugnant effort by Republicans to pander to a far-right base while jeopardizing women's health--all for a political payoff. At the same time this House is considering a measure restricting a woman's right to choose, we have not found time to assist 3.5 million American citizens who are suffering and dying in Puerto Rico. You call that pro-life? I urge Republicans: listen to the majority of Americans who support a woman's right to privacy and a safe abortion. Reject this shameful bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Chinese American Medical Society as they host their 54th Annual Scientific Symposium and Annual Red Lantern Gala. This year, CAMA is focusing on advancing women's health. Throughout its history as one of the most successful national Chinese American Medical Societies, CAMA has sought to eliminate health disparities for Chinese Americans and other underserved minority populations. Each year, the Symposium is an opportunity for many of medicine's most foremost experts to gather, collaborate and ultimately impact lives. Their annual Red Lantern Gala is a chance to celebrate the ground breaking work of all those who have dedicated their lives to advancing health and well being for Chinese Americans. I'd especially like to salute this year's honorees: Dr. Anna Suk-Fong Lok with the 2017 CAMS Scientific Award, and Mr. Michael J. Dowling, Mr. Peter Lau and Dr. Wai Lap Leung with the Community Service Award. I applaud CAMA for their unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes for Chinese Americans both in New York City and around the country.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I really appreciate those kind words. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the bill. As we all know, many people are hurting in the areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Sadly, the response by the administration has been bumbling, inexcusably weak, and inadequate. While some of the proposals in the bill are needed, these measures are necessary, but far from sufficient to help Puerto Rico recover. If anything, these half steps are an insult to the American citizens living in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is hurting. They do not need legislative lip service passed just so that the majority can claim they are helping. Instead of taking real and meaningful steps to provide much-needed relief for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, this bill ignores the challenges they face. Providing personal casualty assistance and penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts is commendable, but not for Puerto Rico. Just under half the island is living in poverty, and the average median income is under $20,000. In fact, 67 percent of workers have no money left to save for retirement after paying bills, and only one in five workers is contributing to retirement savings. So I ask you, what savings will they pull from, and how and when will this happen? American citizens in Puerto Rico cannot even get cash out of an ATM without waiting hours in line. Providing funds based on the assessed value of those provisions for Puerto Rico is insufficient. It is a fig leaf offered by Republicans so that they can check it off their list. In order to truly help the many victims affected by the hurricanes, Congress needs to start by providing the economic support required to recover.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this bill is unworkable for Puerto Rico as it stands now. I applaud the effort and speed with which this was drafted, but it must be strengthened to truly address the needs of Americans in these disaster areas. Even today, I got a call from the most important medical institution, and they are running out of antibiotics. The veterans hospital that treats 200,000 soldiers who have participated in every war, they do not have access to healthcare. This is how we honor their service? No, Mr. Speaker. Vote down this legislation.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Brooklyn Chinese-American Association's Eighth Avenue Senior Center on over two decades of service to Brooklyn's seniors. For seniors living in the Sunset Park, Borough Park and Bay Ridge neighborhoods, the Eighth Avenue Senior Center has provided life changing support and services. From daily meals and medical screenings, to a variety of social events and activities, the Center undoubtedly enhances the quality of life for so many of our seniors. During the celebration, the Annual Millennial Roundtables will gather seniors aged 84 and above for an opportunity to socialize with each other. Together, the seniors who take part in this cherished tradition have a combined age of over 1,000 years. I would like to send my deepest gratitude to all those who support and work with BCA's Eighth Avenue Senior Center. Thanks to your hard work, we can all take pride in the many accomplishments this community hub has achieved over the last two decades. My best wishes for a successful event.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jonathan Williams Plaza, a New York City Public Housing Authority (NYCHA) development located in my district in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This complex is home to more than 1,340 residents. Built at the height of the Civil Rights movement, and three decades after the New Deal and the 1934 Federal Housing Act, Williams Plaza's towering buildings have long symbolized innovation and hope. Williams Plaza has provided a sound foundation and pathway to self- sufficiency for thousands of its residents. The stability it provides families is what helped launch the educational achievement and careers of former public housing residents like U.S. Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor. Williams Plaza provides meaningful support and services for its residents. Under NYCHA's Family Partnerships initiative, residents are able to connect to critical resources that help support family stability and tenancy. It offers job training opportunities, on-site afterschool partnership and accessible childcare in addition to NYCHA's city-wide network of social services. On this special 50th year celebration, I also would like to recognize the Jonathan Williams Plaza Tenant Association for their volunteerism. The community service they provide improves the quality of life for their neighbors and surrounding community. They are a valuable asset to NYCHA and the resident stakeholders. I also want to recognize Mr. Juan Bello, Housing Manager and his team for their unwavering dedication to residents. I salute the following: Mr. Joel Gross--Tenant Association President Ben Zion Weiss--Vice-President Abraham Frankel--Treasurer Joanne Sanchez--Corresponding Secretary Joel Schwartz--Secretary Louise Sanon--Sergeant At Arms Housing Manager--Mr. Juan Bello Superintendent--Marian Polowcyk Housing Assistant--Nina Dinkevich Maintenance Staffer--Efrain Quintana Caretaker--Andrew Adams Resident Volunteer--Abraham Frankel Resident Volunteer--Pedro Roman

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Moy Family Association U.S.A. National Convention on their 27th Annual event and to recognize past and present members. I commend their community service and civic engagement that benefit not only the local Asian community in New York City but also the national and international community. The Association is a charitable organization with a focus on community, education, civic engagement and social welfare. Since its inception over 125 years ago, the Moy Family Association has played a key role in community building efforts, particularly in the vibrant Chinatown communities I represent. In particular, I congratulate Mr. Robin Mui for his public service. His accomplishments and contributions to the Asian community I represent is immeasurable. Mr. Mui has been instrumental in increasing awareness and dialogue about issues and concerns that impact Asian American communities. Through their leadership, the Moy Family Association has championed numerous community causes and relief efforts for families impacted by tragedy. This includes raising millions of dollars for the American Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina and for the families of slain NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Officer Rafael RaInos in 2014. As a nation, we must embrace the diverse cultures and organizations that have worked to advance the needs of all citizens and have helped to define what it means to be American. I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating the Moy's Family Association U.S.A. National Convention on this special occasion. I commend their public service and shared goal of enriching the lives of the constituents of my district. My best wishes for a successful event.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gouverneur Health and its dedicated professional staff and volunteers for the critical work they are doing for patients and families in New York City. Gouverneur Health is a Medicare and Medicaid certified center. It is one of the largest institutions in Lower Manhattan, and the largest freestanding ambulatory care center in New York State. Gouverneur Health has taken care of the ever-changing population of the Lower East Side for more than a century. Gouverneur's dedicated and professional staff removes barriers caused by language, culture and income, enabling patients to make informed decisions vital to their physical, mental and social well-being. With Gouverneur's help, our neighbors receive important disease prevention information and screenings to ensure a healthy future for children and hard-working families. These important services have grown and evolved over the past century, proving that the hospital is responsive to the needs of the community. As they celebrate 132 years of tremendous work, I am confident that NYC Health + Hospitals Gouverneur will continue to build on its history of service and find many more years of success.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this week, the President of the United States turned his back on our Nation's immigrant heritage. With the repeal of DACA, he is creating havoc in the lives of 800,000 young Americans. Yes, Mr. President, these are Americans. The average DREAMer came here at age 6. Some of them were so young when they arrived that they do not remember the journey. Many of them only speak English. And now you are going to deport them? That is how you make America great again? The President of the United States told DREAMers that they ``did not have reason to worry'' because he has a ``big heart.'' This decision belies that claim. It shows the heartless, small- minded, and fear-driven politics driving this administration's policies. Where the President has failed to show leadership, Members of Congress, from both parties, must step up. Mr. Speaker, bring to the floor today legislation to codify DACA. Let's have an up-or-down vote on the Dream Act and protect these young people. They are the face of America.