Lee Zeldin

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, this is National Police Week and National EMS Week, which is when we pause to reflect and honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty while serving to protect us. We also pay our respects to all who continue to serve us today. All lives matter. These men and women risk their lives for the safety and security of communities all throughout our country. With the terrorist acts in Paris, Belgium, and around the world, we are constantly reminded of how dangerous this world can be. When these attacks occur, they are the ones who run head-on into the mayhem and chaos without fear to do everything in their power to save as many people as they can. Unfortunately, today we are witnessing the shameful targeting of our first responders and police officers. Their authority is constantly being questioned, making an already difficult job even more dangerous. It seems we cannot go a day without hearing on the news that police officers have been shot or even killed in trying to do their jobs. We must unite around our police officers and first responders and support them just as they support us each and every day.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a special tribute to nineteen exemplary young men and women who have chosen to serve their country in various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States. These courageous individuals will be dedicating themselves to the cause of protecting the security and welfare of their fellow citizens. I admire their strong sense of patriotism, as well as their desire to protect our values and make certain we remain the great nation we are today. Each of the following students has my deepest appreciation for their service to this country. These students will be honored by Our Community Salutes, a local community group, on May 19, 2016 at the Our Community Salutes Brookhaven Town Enlistee Recognition Ceremony at Sunset Harbor in Patchogue, NY. Of the nineteen from my district, three have joined the U.S. Army; their names are the following: Jacob Bernocco of Patchogue-Medford High School; Janneth Guambana of Center Moriches High School; and Alexis Wallace of William Floyd High School. Twelve have joined the U.S. Marines; their names are the following: Scott Amato of William Floyd High School; Deny Amaya of Center Moriches High School; Tyler Baudier of William Floyd High School; Alexander Cruz-Perez of William Floyd High School; Dion Kennedy of Center Moriches High School; William Ladolcetta of William Floyd High School; Jonas Marrello of Center Moriches High School; Camron McLeod of Longwood High School; Michael Murphy of William Floyd High School; Shaun O'Mara of Patchogue-Medford High School; Caleb Richters of Longwood High School; and Terrell Sinclair of William Floyd High School. One has joined the U.S. Navy; his name is Adam Erkan of Bellport High School. One has joined the U.S. Air Force; her name is Jilian McCabe of Patchogue-Medford High School. One has joined the U.S. Coast Guard; his name is James Giarraputo of Center Moriches High School. One has joined the Air National Guard; his name is Jakob Klaus of Center Moriches High School. Mr. Speaker, we should be extremely grateful to each and every one of these nineteen individuals. Their call to duty cannot be underscored or admired enough and it is my distinct honor and privilege to represent them and their families in the First Congressional District of New York. I wish them the best of luck in their respective branches and in all of their future endeavors.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ratcliffe) and Mr. Thompson as well for both speaking in favor of this legislation, H.R. 1887. Plum Island is not for sale. The whole purpose of this legislation is to prevent the sale of Plum Island by the Federal Government to the highest bidder. Situated at the gateway of the Long Island Sound, Plum Island is treasured by my local community. As a critical resource for research, approximately 90 percent of the land on Plum Island has been sheltered from development, offering Long Island a diverse wildlife and ecosystem and a critical habitat for migratory birds, marine mammals, and rare plants. With recorded history dating back to the 1700s, Plum Island is also an essential cultural and historical resource as well. Since World War II, Plum Island has been utilized as a research laboratory. The facility, which has been under Federal jurisdiction since 1899, has since grown to become what is known today as the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security, which currently has jurisdiction over the island, announced that the Animal Disease Center research would be moved to a new Federal facility: the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas. To offset the cost of the relocation, a law was enacted that called for the private sale of Plum Island to the highest bidder. However, due to costs associated with the cleanup and closure of Plum Island and because of local zoning restrictions, the Federal Government would receive little compensation for the sale of Plum Island. Allowing for continued research, public access, and permanent preservation of the island, H.R. 1887 will reverse a 2008 law that mandated the sale of Plum Island. The bill, as amended, will commission the Government Accountability Office, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, which currently owns the island, to formulate a comprehensive plan for the future of the island. This plan will include possible alternative uses, which can include transfer of ownership to another Federal agency, the State or local government, nonprofit, or combination thereof, for the purpose of education, research, and conservation. Just less than 3 weeks ago, on April 28, 2016, H.R. 1887 was marked up with an amendment and passed out of the House Homeland Security Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. Currently, 24 Republicans and Democrats in this Chamber have signed on as cosponsors of this bill. I see the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) is here. He has long been championing this issue since before I got here. I would especially like to thank House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul for both taking such a direct, personal interest in helping with this effort in the House. Their leadership is very much appreciated. I would also like to thank all the locally elected officials, groups, and concerned residents on Long Island and elsewhere who have moved heaven and Earth to raise awareness of this cause and help recruit cosponsors. I encourage all my colleagues to vote in support of this critical bill. Hopefully, the Senate also passes this long-awaited legislation in earnest so that the President can sign this proposal into law this year. I have had the opportunity to visit Plum Island. It is a place where you feel as if you are thousands of miles away from Long Island. You have the history of Fort Terry, the coastline, the dunes, the waterways, the water hitting the rocks, and the seals. You literally feel as if you are nowhere near the Northeastern United States. It is a treasure, and it is one that should be protected. Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful for this Chamber's considering this legislation and hopefully passing it unanimously.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, the growing heroin and opioid crisis has especially hit home in my district in Suffolk County, New York. There was a 2015 report issued in New York State that showed that, out of all 62 counties in New York, it was my home county that was hit the hardest by the rise of heroin and opioid abuse. We had the highest number of heroin-related overdose deaths of any county in New York. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I have spoken with affected families directly. Addiction is a truly devastating disease that shatters lives, families, and communities. It is a disease that only continues to spread at rapid rates, and more can and must be done to counteract the damage it has done and prevent its rapid advancement. Working closely with my local community, I have been pursuing a more localized solution to address this crisis. Hosting multiple drug task force roundtables in Suffolk County, I have been able to bring together local elected officials, law enforcement, health professionals, community groups, parents, concerned residents, and those in recovery to discuss various ways that we can work together to combat this epidemic. Over the past year, working with both local residents and my colleagues in Congress, I have been pushing to advance legislation in the House that would help provide us with the resources we need to end the growing epidemic crisis on Long Island. Just last week, joined by my local community, I was proud to announce that there has been progress made to pass several important bills this week aimed at improving and increasing access to treatment, enforcement, and education. The House is now passing many of these critically important measures over the course of the next few days. While I have been dedicating the most amount of my time advocating for the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, CARA, H.R. 593, many other important proposals are also moving forward. One other bill that I cosponsor is H.R. 4641, which will be passing today, which would improve the guidelines for prescribing opioids and pain medication by creating a Federal interagency and stakeholder task force that would review, modify, and update best practices for pain management in prescribing pain medication. While there are many legitimate reasons and needs for some to be treated with pain medication, those highly addictive pills pose a serious risk. This critical bill would help ensure that all parties, from prescribers to patients, have access to the most up-to-date information so that lawful prescription use does not become addicting. Just a few of the other bills include the Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act of 2016, H.R. 4982, which would require Congress receive a report on substance abuse treatment availability and infrastructure needs in the U.S., and legislation that would task a Federal agency to create a plan on how to deal with the opioid and heroin epidemic, H.R. 4976. Legislation is passing to help stop the flow of illegal narcotics into our country, to keep drugs out of our communities and off our streets, such as legislation to help law enforcement officials identify and target drug traffickers, H.R. 3380, and to allow for easier prosecution of these criminals, H.R. 4985. There is not one piece of legislation that will completely solve this overwhelming crisis, but finally Congress is taking a big step forward in the fight against drug abuse. We must always do everything in our power to provide our local communities with the resources necessary to help stop and prevent drug abuse through treatment, enforcement, and education, which is why I will continue pushing these efforts in the House. I have spoken to parents of those recovering, parents of those who are unfortunately lost. It is impacting lives. It is devastating families. Have a conversation in each of our districts, all 435 congressional districts, and we all hear the story all too often. It is not any race, gender, or socioeconomic status. It is not one particular school district. It is impacting all of our children. As the father of two 9-year-old girls, I visited their class last week. I think of their generation, and it is important that this generation in Congress today does everything in our power this week and beyond to combat this epidemic.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a special tribute to the incredible life of Mr. Joseph Parisi. Joseph was born in 1916 to Francesco Parisi and Rosaria Cacciola. He attended James Monroe High School in Manhattan until he had to leave and help with the family business. Joseph worked tirelessly to ensure that his family came first--a testament to the type of person he is. Joseph returned to his studies and attended Harlem High School for two years, managing to complete his education. In June of 1943, Mr. Parisi answered the call of duty and joined the war effort to ensure we remained the free nation we are today. After Basic Training, he attended Group School on repair and maintenance of telephones and equipment and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1159th Combat Engineers Group, as a Technician 4th Grade, or Tec4. Joseph narrowly escaped death in 1945 when he crossed over a bridge east of the Rhine River. The 1159th Combat Engineers Group, led by Lt. Col. Kenneth Fields, took over command of the engineering units at Remagen, Germany and shortly after crossing the bridge, the east end collapsed into the Rhine resulting in the death of 28 and several hundred injuries. Joseph served in the Army until February of 1946, when he was released from active service. During his time in the service, he received numerous decorations including: the American Theater Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars; Good Conduct Medal; Victory Ribbon; Service Stripe; Overseas Service Bar; and Sharpshooter-carbine. Joseph will be turning 100 years old on September 30, 2016; but today I would like to thank him for his years of dedication and service to our country and community. What he has managed to accomplish during his lifetime and give back to the country cannot be summarized in a few words; however it is important we honor these individuals as best we can. It is my hope that many will follow in his footsteps and give back to their country as graciously as he did. People like him are a rare breed and they help make not only our country, but our world a much safer and better place.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, the rapid rise in drug abuse across America, specifically the sharp increase in heroin and prescription opioid abuse, has severely impacted our local communities and has become a major issue across our country. Tragically, 78 people each day will lose their battle with addiction and their life as a result of an opioid or heroin overdose. Sadly, with the trends moving the way they are, this number will only continue to increase. According to the CDC, in 2014, over 28,000 people lost their lives due to prescription opioid pain relievers or heroin. This was the highest recorded number of overdose deaths of any year. Newsday on Long Island just reported an increase in overdose deaths in our region, stating that 442 people died of a heroin or opiate overdose in 2014, a number that has increased from 403 overdose deaths the prior year. Addiction is a devastating disease that takes hold of our loved ones and impacts everyone around that person. This is a lonely and heartbreaking disease that is taking lives, tearing families apart, and destroying our communities. It must be stopped. In a report that highlights the growing drug abuse epidemic sweeping across our Nation, the CDC found that over the past decade, heroin use has doubled among young adults ages 18 to 25, and heroin-related overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled, with every 6 out of 10 drug overdoses linked to opioids or heroin. The CDC also found that almost half of the people who use heroin are also struggling with a prescription opioid addiction. As drug abuse continues to rise, claiming lives and grabbing hold of our youth, it is clear that we must come together to address this crisis. Throughout my time in the New York State Senate, and now in the United States Congress, one of my top priorities has been to support legislation to help those coping with drug addiction by increasing treatment and recovery services. One piece of legislation I am proud to support and cosponsor is H.R. 953, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, also known as CARA. CARA would prevent and treat addiction on a local level through community-based education, prevention, treatment, and recovery services. The grants made available through this bill would also provide the necessary funding to expand prescription drug monitoring in States all throughout our country. Additionally, CARA provides funding to supply our police force and emergency medical responders with higher quantities of Naloxone, a medication that is proven to reverse an opioid overdose. Since this bill was introduced at the beginning of last year, I have been pushing for a vote on CARA in the House. Just last month, the United States Senate passed this bill with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 94-1. Now it is time to bring this bill to the House floor. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, passage in the House of CARA is a top priority of mine, and I will keep fighting so that we can pass this essential piece of legislation and send it to the President's desk for his signature. There are many other bills, other than CARA, such as the Stop Overdose Stat Act, H.R. 2850. There are bills like the Examining Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Act of 2016, which would require the Comptroller General to issue a report to Congress on substance abuse treatment availability and infrastructure needs across the country, as well as legislation that would task the FDA to create a plan on how to deal with the opioid and heroin epidemic, H.R. 4976. Fighting drug abuse must be an effort at all levels of government, but it also must be a community effort as well. That is why I have hosted press conferences and panel discussions, including a community summit and drug task force roundtable on Long Island to bring together local elected officials, law enforcement, health professionals, community groups, parents, concerned residents, and recovering substance abusers so that we can all develop and pursue necessary solutions. The House is also expected to take up legislation to stop the flow of illegal substances into our country, such as H.R. 3380, which would help law enforcement officials identify and target drug traffickers; and H.R. 4985, which makes it easier to prosecute drug traffickers. We must all continue to support legislation that addresses the rise in heroin and opioid abuse to stop this tragic loss of life, family, and community as a result of addiction. It is impacting our districts all across America. It is our duty while we are here, as Members of Congress, to do everything in our power to address this now, to turn the tide, to fight back, and to save families that are being torn apart. That is why I support all of these great bills that are moving through the process here in the House.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a special tribute to honor the Riverhead Free Library's 120 years of service to the community. Whether it is the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, or the community libraries in our home districts, it is important we recognize the tremendous value provided, even in today's technology-driven society. Since the earliest human civilizations, libraries have served as locations where information has been safe-guarded and preserved, in the hopes that future generations are able to read and learn about the events of that time period. Today, our libraries' services to local communities are invaluable, providing important information to our constituents, and serving as meeting locations where people gather or relax and unwind. Libraries are also crucial to ensuring younger generations have access to information for school assignments and otherwise expand their knowledge base. The Riverhead Free Library was organized and founded on April 4, 1896. The word ``free'' holds special significance, as it meant that all community residents of the time could borrow books without charge. The Library helped to grow and develop the diverse and bountiful community that Riverhead has become today. This service continues into the present, where members of the community go to utilize the wealth of information the library contains, and learn about the great ideas of both past and present. Today, the Library is chartered to serve over 32,000 residents of the Riverhead Central School District, and more than a dozen towns on the East End of Long Island. It is my distinct honor to represent the Riverhead Free Library in the First Congressional District of New York, and I am grateful for all of the services it provides to my constituents. 120 years of service to the public is no simple feat. It is only through the hard-work and dedication of its employees, and the tireless hours spent overseeing its maintenance and preservation, that have made the library the great center of learning and knowledge it is today. I would like to thank the employees of the Riverhead Free Library and the community of Riverhead for helping to preserve such a significant and special place in my district.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, as Mrs. Brooks departs, I think of Cathy McMorris Rodgers' words in that this has been an inspiring hour. I just think of these three women who are standing before me and what they have accomplished. Gosh. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black). I thank her for being here and for making this an important hour and important message on so many different levels.

Mr. ZELDIN. I thank Mrs. Black for her important words and again for all her service. One of the things that I will forever be inspired by with regard to Mrs. Black's service here in this Chamber is how much she values family and the strength of a strong family and the need for champions at all levels of government to fight on their behalf. I mentioned earlier my two daughters, Mikayla and Arianna, identical girls. They are 9\1/2\. They are finishing fourth grade. When they were born, they were less than a pound and a half. They were born 14\1/2\ weeks early. I was actually in Iraq in 2006, and a Red Cross message came out and said that my wife, Diana, went into labor and the babies weren't going to make it. It was a sad time. It was the 22nd week. The doctors at Georgetown University Hospital were amazing. Somehow they managed to keep my daughters alive for 3 more weeks. They were born in the 25th week. These girls went through more in their 3\1/2\ months in the hospital than I would ever wish upon anyone to have to experience. You learn a lot about prayer. I hope this is okay. We probably accepted prayers in about 16 different religions during that experience. We would see these twins on one side of our girls, and the twins might be growing faster than ours. We might say to ourselves why aren't our girls growing as quickly as those two. But then on the other side there might be triplets, and you are watching parents mourn the loss of one of their triplets. You learn to count your blessings, understanding that it is not about you. It is about them. Thanks to the miracle of prayer and modern medicine, they were able to come home. They were on about a dozen medications each and heart monitors. It wasn't easy. They didn't hit 8 pounds until they were about 13 months old. But these girls were so strong. What they experienced during their time in the hospital was absolutely amazing to me and my wife. They had multiple surgeries while they were there. There was a time where one of my daughters went into what is call septic shock, which has a 80, 90 percent mortality rate. While she was in septic shock, she had a stroke. The doctors actually recommended that my wife and I discontinue treatment. Mikayla wasn't getting any better, but she wasn't getting any worse for about 24 hours, up to this point where the doctors were recommending that we discontinue treatment and let her go. We decided that, if she was going to keep fighting, we would keep fighting with her. We elected to do this really risky brain surgery. My wife and I went to her and said goodbye. We went to the waiting room expecting the worst and hoping for the best. The doctors came to us when surgery was done and said that Mikayla is not out of the woods yet, but things went better than expected. With a whole lot of fight, strength, prayer, and a lot of amazing medicine and expertise at that hospital, they are doing great. They are doing great. Now, Mikayla ended up getting some early intervention when she was younger. My two daughters are equals with their peers. They have caught up to them. Just think of how many opportunities were provided to these girls from the moment they went into the hospital to today to be able to survive and to succeed. Now, there are a lot of decisions that get made here in this Chamber that impact women, future women leaders of our country, young girls and boys who aren't old enough to vote. Yet, some of the most important consequences of the decisions made in this Chamber impact not just the women of today, but those of tomorrow who don't even have a vote. There are women in this Chamber now. I have a few freshman colleagues who come to mind. And there are several women who were elected. Elise Stefanik is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. She just turned 31 years old. Martha McSally is the first female fighter pilot in American military history. She is serving here now as a freshman. I believe a happy birthday is in order to her. I would say maybe happy 27th birthday, if you are listening. I don't want to get myself into trouble, but happy birthday to Martha. Mia Love is the first Black Republican woman, but she is Mormon and Haitian. She is all sorts of firsts and is inspiring so many. All of the three women I have just mentioned--and there are more that I could mention--are inspiring my daughters' generation to aim high because you may be a veteran, you might become a teacher, you might some day be an elected official or an artist or a businessowner. It is good to have role models. That is why I speak about Anna Strong, an American patriot, who is part of that story of how our Nation was founded. Or, as I mentioned, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who was born in the First Congressional District of New York. The decisions that we make here in this Chamber impact that next generation not even old enough to vote. So when we talk about the economy and budgets and debts and deficits, do you know what? I am not as concerned about the person who is part of making that decision or has a voice as much as a strong passion and emotion for that young girl who is going to be inheriting the consequences of passing the buck off to people who aren't even old enough to vote. I spoke of my daughters, I talk about health, I talk about prayer, I talk about education, and the decisions that are made in this Chamber, in State houses, and local governments that provide opportunities for the business owners and the teachers while we pause on Women's History Month to honor those who have come before us. It is every day while we serve, every day that we serve, that we should pursue those opportunities in any way possible for anyone around now or that future generation. I am proud to say that the highest ranking Republican woman in the United States of America is standing right next to me. We all deeply admire Cathy McMorris Rodgers on so many levels for her outstanding leadership in this Chamber. I know that some of the women's names I just mentioned who now serve here, or my daughters who are looking for role models in life, that so many look up to you as they do Mrs. Black, who spoke just before you. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers).

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. McMorris Rodgers for being a strong leader, a trailblazer, and a role model to many women who serve here in this Chamber and to, I am sure, countless women inside of her district and all around this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), who was referenced by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, for her role taking on incredible responsibility inside of our Justice Department ensuring that America and her community was safe. She continues her service here today as an important leader and voice in this Chamber.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, in 1981, we started a national celebration in the United States honoring women. Congress passed legislation which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of March 7, 1928, as Women's History Week. Throughout the next 5 years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress passed a new statute which designated the entire month of March, 1987, as Women's History Month. Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month. Since 1985, Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as Women's History Month. We have so many women all throughout our country and each one of our congressional districts who have gone above and beyond and have etched their place into history through their outstanding service to their community and their country. We have women who serve in our military, who are teachers in our classrooms, women who are first responders, artists, and businessowners. I certainly wouldn't be able to be where I am today, standing here in this Chamber, if not for all the women in my life, especially my two daughters, Mikayla and Arianna. There are two women who have strong New York-1 roots. One is from Setauket. Anna Strong was an American patriot and a member of the Culper Spy Ring, George Washington's military intelligence unit. As part of George Washington's network of spies, she literally put it all on the line for liberty during the American Revolution, hanging different garments on her clothesline as a signal to other patriots on the movements of the British forces throughout Long Island. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the First Lady to our 35th President, John F. Kennedy. Jackie O was born on the east end of Long Island in Southampton. In addition to her role as First Lady, she is also remembered for her contributions to the arts and historic preservation. In each one of our districts, we can personalize what Women's History Month means to our individual districts because etched in the history going back in generations there is so much sacrifice to be able to not only take care of their families, but to advance their communities and their country. The freedom and liberty that we cherish here in this Chamber would not be possible without the sacrifices of so many whom we honor throughout the year at different times, but it is the month of March in particular that we take an extra special pause to say thank you. Before I served in Congress, I served in the New York State Senate. During my time there, there were countless measures to be supported ensuring that women are protected and given access to opportunity, security, and prosperity. As one of our colleagues, Virginia Foxx, recently pointed out, every issue is a woman's issue. In 2012 and 2013, while serving in the State senate, I had the opportunity to vote in favor of the New York State Senate's Women's Equality Agenda, which passed the senate in both years. It was a robust package of legislation to help with various protections, including what I am supportive of: equal pay for equal work. I also voted to create a workforce training program within the Department of Labor. I fought for this program because, with the current state of the economy, many women and their families are struggling. This program would help women to obtain higher paying jobs and give them access to better opportunities to provide for themselves and their families. In State houses all across this country and local governments as well, there are opportunities to provide more of a chance for that woman and her family to be able to achieve truly the American Dream. But sometimes government, regulations, and laws can block and prevent that access, access to educational opportunities, the ability to maybe own your own small business and grow it into something greater. It is our duty, whether you are serving as a village mayor or a local town supervisor or if you are a Member of the United States Congress, to seek out opportunities to best represent those for whom we are elected to be their voice and ensure that they are given maximum opportunity to succeed. I am pleased to be joined this afternoon by Mrs. Diane Black, who is an amazing, exceptional woman in her own right. I am sure that, at some point, there will be a Women's History Month Special Order in this Chamber a couple of generations from now where they will be talking about all of your outstanding service. You have not only served your district well, but have served our entire country well. I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black).

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Brooks for being here. Hopefully, for all of those young girls who come home from school and, as part of their routine, they are watching C-SPAN right now, looking for inspiration on what to do with their life--high school, college-- you try to figure out what the right path is for you and you search around for role models. I can only imagine how many women have asked the gentlewoman: How? What is the path? Tell me. There really isn't one path to get to this Chamber or to be that teacher or that veteran; but the gentlewoman has pursued a path that, I am sure, inspires so many in her home district, and I greatly thank her for her service to our country.

Mr. ZELDIN. I would also venture to guess, during the gentlewoman's time as a prosecutor in our judicial system, that there have been countless women whom she has seen firsthand who have searched for that advice on how to go through that really tough challenge in their lives and their feeling vulnerable or trapped but with that strength of character of knowing there is someone around to help them out of tough times. The gentlewoman's experiences throughout that path must give her an incredible perspective for those women who might, right now, be in abusive relationships or who have suffered something traumatic in their lives and don't know where to go. They feel trapped.

Mr. ZELDIN. I am witnessing, firsthand, the gentlewoman's giving back many times over. I thank her for participating in honor of Women's History Month and for all she does in creating her own legacy and trailblazing herself, which I am sure will be spoken about for many years to come.

Mr. ZELDIN. I can only imagine how many stories the gentlewoman might have along the way of the people with whom she came in contact. Mr. Speaker, for me, my parents were divorced and remarried, so I grew up with four parents. I went through a few divorces with them. Now, my grandparents were married for over 71 years. If they lost everything--if they didn't have a home, if they didn't have any money, if they didn't have any friends--and if they only had each other, they would have been happy. They found success in life as soon as they had found each other. Before the gentlewoman leaves, I just want to let her know how much so many Members of this Chamber appreciate everything she does. Whatever it is that she has experienced or encountered in life in her path to get here today, she makes the most of every minute of being in this Chamber on behalf of keeping our families strong, and I value that very much.

Mr. ZELDIN. After this hour is over, at another time, maybe the gentlewoman can give me advice, since I have two 9-year-old girls at home, as to what is in store for me in 2 or 3 years. I hear these vicious rumors that things might change.

Mr. ZELDIN. If they ever give me a hard time, I will say that Diane Black told me that this was only going to be temporary.

Mr. ZELDIN. All right. Hopefully, I won't be doing that as a last resort. I might make that plan A.

Mr. ZELDIN. I thank the gentlewoman. In all seriousness, she really does provide inspiration for so many in how much she values a strong family. Mr. Speaker, I yield to Mr. Ted Poe, who is well respected in this Chamber for not just his straight talk and his intellect, but as someone who is a fierce champion of American security and of our Constitution. It is obvious that he also has a soft spot in his heart for the importance of honoring those in our lives and in our country who have come before us and who serve today to make this place extra special.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas. I would imagine anyone who was wondering what Women's History Month was all about should just listen to your remarks as you pay exceptional tribute to some amazing women from your home State of Texas who all left a mark not only in your life, but in others' lives as well. These are women who, I am sure, are getting celebrated all throughout your State and this country not just by you, but by others as well. In my home State of New York, it is tough. They give us a month and here tonight they give us an hour. There really are so many different women who gave us this opportunity to take us to today where the two of us can stand here on this particular House floor and speak to each other about such an important topic that apparently 25 years ago didn't even happen. It wasn't even until the early 1980s that we even started recognizing a women's history week. So here we are, and I am glad that you are part of it. I can see that there is a lot of inspiration from women in your life. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of people here in this Chamber who all find different issues that interest them that they focus heavily on and move the ball forward in a very positive way. The one thing that I have experienced during my time serving here-- and I am in my first term and serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee--is that, as the subcommittee chairman of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, what I have experienced is that you do a lot to keep America safe, to keep the women and men of your district and this country safe. So I really do appreciate your service. Because this is not just about reflecting on service in the past, but challenging ourselves to do even more and to provide more opportunity forward. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), who has a very special guest here she would like to recognize. Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, as we come toward the end of our hour remembering and celebrating the women who have come before us and who serve today, trying their hardest to create more opportunities going forward, I would like to mention eight young ladies from the First Congressional District of New York who I was proud to nominate to service academies this year: Taya Coniglio, Skylar Grathwohl, and Gabriella Franco were nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Ally McFayden and Dana Fasano were nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Chelsea Chamberlin, Isabella Cortes, and Emma Fasolino were nominated to the U.S. Military Academy. These eight young ladies have stepped up wanting to raise their hand to defend our country. Going off to a service academy comes with an obligation to wear that uniform and serve on Active Duty afterwards. For anyone who signs up post-9/11, you understand what it is that you are signing up for. To just think that these young ladies were 2, 3 years old on September 11, 2001, all that they know is the post-9/11 America and world. Yet, they are signing up to want to serve our country as officers. There are over 2 million women veterans. So as we consider legislation in this House, I cosponsored H.R. 1356, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act, which assists our women veterans. While we try to provide more access to health care for our women veterans, there are many opportunities available to us that still have not yet been achieved and pursued to victory. Women make up 15 percent of the U.S. military's Active-Duty personnel and 18 percent of the National Guard and Reserve forces. H.R. 1356 will improve VA facilities for women veterans, hold VA medical facility directors accountable for performance measures, ensure the availability of OB/GYN services in VA medical centers, and calls for a GAO study on the VA's ability to meet the needs of women veterans. Whether it is the eight young ladies I mentioned who wanted to go to U.S. service academies or those who are currently, as we stand here, over in harm's way in the Middle East and elsewhere, away from their families and who have sons and daughters here at home--and they may not just be on their first deployment. They may be on their fourth or fifth or sixth deployment. When they come home, whether they come home in one piece, whether they come home with the physical or mental wounds of war, whether they need assistance pursuing educational or vocational opportunities, I want to thank our women veterans for their service to our Nation. We honor all women during this hour, but I wanted to close by paying an extra special tribute and thank you to our women veterans and, once again, to all of the women in my life. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.