Lee Zeldin

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise today recognizing Rabbi Dr. Steven Moss of B'nai Israel Reform Temple, who is retiring after serving his community for over 47 years. Rabbi Moss became the first ordained rabbi for B'nai Israel in June of 1974 and has honorably served his community ever since. Rabbi Moss' service to his community and his accomplishments are nothing less than extraordinary. He has been the chair of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission since 1992 and has served as the chaplain to the Suffolk County Police Department, with the rank of deputy chief of chaplains, since 1986. Additionally, Rabbi Moss is the co-chair of the Suffolk County Anti- Bias Task Force; chair of the Islip Town Anti-Bias Task Force in the battle against anti-Semitism and other bias crimes; director and founder of STOP/BIAS, an educational program for people who have committed hate and bias crimes; former president of the Suffolk County Board of Rabbis; board member on the New York Board of Rabbis and the Center for the Holocaust, Diversity and Human Understanding at the Selden campus of Suffolk Community College; founder of the Jewish Hospital Referral Service; pastoral care coordinator of the Suffolk Partners in Dignity; hospital chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, and Southside Hospital; and is the longest sitting member of the Islip Town Board of Ethics. I have known Rabbi Moss since I was a little kid. Nearly 27 years ago, he was the rabbi who presided over the bar mitzvah service for me and, this November, will be the rabbi for my daughter's b'not mitzvah. He has left a lasting impact on so many lives, including my own. One of the things I love the most about Rabbi Moss is how he visits people in hospitals, nursing homes, and elsewhere all the time, every day. If you think you have lost touch with Rabbi Moss and it has been 20 years since you have last spoken to him, even if you weren't really that close with him back in the day, if he finds out that you are at a local hospital, he will come and visit you and pray for you. His family services during the High Holy Days are amazing for the kids. He involves everyone. It is not easy to get every single kid in a temple totally engaged, all in, without much effort, but Rabbi Moss has charisma that is second to none. Most importantly, he is simply a very kind, warm, and decent human being who loves everyone. Rabbi Moss is now en route to Poland, where he will bike 60 miles from the gates of Auschwitz to the Jewish Community Center in Krakow, which is also known as the ``Ride for the Living,'' in honor of the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust. Rabbi Moss and about 300 other bikers will be biking the entire 60 miles in one day to raise money for the Jewish Community Center in Krakow, which supports the growing Jewish population there and in the surrounding areas. When asked about his upcoming experience, Rabbi Moss stated he believes the experience will be overwhelming but that he is excited to witness the growth of the Jewish diaspora. On Sunday, B'Nai Israel held a going-away party for Rabbi Moss, where they gifted him with a bronze plaque signifying that the sanctuary within the synagogue will be named after him. Rabbi Moss deserves nothing less after having served over 47 years at the synagogue. He has been an incredible role model and mentor to both my family and me, and he has continued to be a remarkable role model for thousands of others. I look to him as a community leader, an inspiration, and a teacher, one with an amazing ability to connect with anyone. I would like to thank Rabbi Moss for all he has done for our community, and I wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lou Alvarez, an incredible patriot, Long Islander, and 9/11 first responder who inspired so many just last week in front of the House Judiciary Committee in support of the Never Forget the Heroes Act, which will reauthorize and fully fund the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. After his appearance in D.C., Lou rushed home for his 69th round of chemo. Let me repeat that: After coming all the way down to Washington to beg for the benefits that he and so many others were promised, Lou Alvarez had to rush home for his 69th round of chemo. Unfortunately, when he got home, things did not go as expected. This morning, I am sad to report, Lou is in hospice, watching us here on the House floor. Lou is one of the many first responders who raced to Ground Zero on September 11 without a second thought, who, in the weeks following, worked 12-hour shifts on the pile, aiding in the rescue and cleanup efforts. Lou, like so many of his fellow first responders, was diagnosed with one of the thousands of cancers attributed to the inhalation of toxic air and debris at Ground Zero. We have lost more 9/11 first responders since 9/11 than we lost people on 9/11 itself. We must fully fund and reauthorize the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Last Tuesday, like so many times before, Lou once again made the trip to Washington to testify in front of the committee, begging Congress to fully fund the compensation fund. It wasn't his first time to D.C., not by a long shot. It wasn't his second or third time. Unfortunately, it may have been his last. The wait has been a disgrace to these first responders, to their families, and to our Nation. This isn't just a New York issue, and I thank Bill Huizenga for staying around for Lou. This isn't a Democratic or Republican Party platform or a political football. This is a responsibility that we all shoulder as Americans, first and foremost. This is the spirit of our country. It is who we are as a people. Last Wednesday, following Lou's testimony, the Never Forget the Heroes Act passed committee unanimously. This floor and the Senate need to pass it to make this bill law right away. I would like to sign off today the way Lou signs off nearly everything he writes, the way he lives his life each and every day, until his very last. Lou Alvarez says, ``Still here, still breathing, still fighting.''

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of a distinguished New Yorker and proud World War II Veteran, Corporal David Wolman of the 412th Air Service Group. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Wolman began his life of service to our nation in 1942, when he elected to pursue a job in air traffic operations with the U.S. military. He served as an Air Traffic Controller, assisting with operations during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Corporal Wolman began his service by training across the United States, starting on Long Island at Camp Upton. After months of specialized training he was stationed on the Thorpe Abbots Airfield in England, where he would communicate with pilots of the 8th Army Air Force, 100th Bomb Group. Corporal Wohnan communicated with pilots before, during, and after missions, directing them during takeoff and landing, and getting returning planes any desperately needed emergency services upon landing. In addition to serving his country, Corporal Wolman was a servant of his faith, helping conduct Jewish services on Friday evenings. Corporal Wolman was with the 100th Bomb Group through some of their most difficult operations, like the October 10, 1943, mission to Munster, Germany. Corporal Wolman's proudest and most memorable experience during his time at Thorpe Abbots came on June 6, 1944--D- Day. He worked tirelessly for three days to ensure air traffic operations during that crucial turning point in history went smoothly. Returning home, Corporal Wolman continued to pursue his passion, serving several years as an Air Traffic Control Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration. Corporal Wohnan remained a loyal friend, always keeping in touch with his former Lieutenant, James Pound. He was also a loyal husband and father, married to his wife Gladys for 66 years. Corporal David Wolman is a distinguished American hero, dedicated to his family, his faith, and his country. For his service to our nation, we will be forever grateful.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of my constituent Kathleen Pierce-Ryan, who as an active member of her community, passionate about giving back through her gift of song. Kathleen Pierce-Ryan was born on April 7, 1931, to Irish immigrants in the Bronx. Her talent for singing became evident early in life, and she developed her voice with her music teacher Sister Gabriel at St. Gabriel's Parish School. Going on to win local singing competitions and receive awards for her performances, Kathleen auditioned at the Metropolitan Opera where she was awarded a scholarship and even performed at a concert in Manhattan Town Hall. It was her brother who invited Kathleen to perform at the inaugural ceremony at Calverton National Cemetery, and she volunteered there, singing the National Anthem and God Bless America every Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremony, for the next 39 years. Having had the honor of attending many of these services, I can attest that her songs touched the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of listening and provided solace to those who grieved. It was during some of the hardest moments in the lives of these veteran families that Kathleen's voice comforted them, her patriotic melodies evoking an everlasting sense of pride. There is no doubt her passing pains the hearts of each and every family she touched throughout her 39 years singing at Calverton. Her voice is now sorely missed across Calverton National Cemetery and our entire community. This Memorial Day, as we honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have fought for the freedoms and liberties that make this country the greatest in the world and the families that have stood by their side, let us also remember the so many Americans like Kathleen who have done their part to serve and inspire throughout our great nation.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, during this National Police Week, I encourage all my colleagues to cosponsor Never Forget the Heroes Act, H.R. 1327, introduced by Congress Members Maloney, King, and Nadler, which would fully fund and extend the Victim Compensation Fund authorization through 2090. There are currently 279 cosponsors, but we need more, and we need action on this important legislation. This should not be a partisan issue. It is not a partisan issue. This needs to be an American issue. September 11th first responders came from at least 433 out of 435 congressional districts. We lost thousands of Americans on 9/11. We have lost more Americans since 9/11 due to toxic exposure than we did on 9/11 itself. Any colleagues out there who haven't cosponsored yet, I encourage you to look at H.R. 1327. Chairman Nadler has scheduled it for a hearing on July 11. Please do what you can to get this passed and signed into law.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, this Chamber is going in the wrong direction in the effort to combat the BDS movement, to combat anti- Israel hate, to combat anti-Semitism. I went through kindergarten through 12th grade, college, law school, 4 years of Active Duty. I never once experienced anti-Semitism. But now I hear countless stories all across our country and college campuses today. It is infiltrating American politics, college campuses, and the Halls of Congress. We need to do something about it, not just send a strong message, which is important, but actually pass something with teeth to do something about it. One of my colleagues from Michigan gave a talk last Friday, gave an interview. She was asked about her support for a one-state solution that would remove Jews from power in their own country, in Israel. Her response was that the Holocaust gives her a calming feeling because of the safe haven that the Palestinians provided to Jews. Now, that happens to be the opposite of factually accurate. But then, if you have any problem with those words, that makes you automatically an Islamophobe and a racist idiot, according to the person who had said that. Then the Speaker of the House is calling for us to come to the floor and apologize to Ms. Tlaib. Well, here I am. My apology is for everyone who is insulted across America that we passed a watered-down, spineless resolution, after countless acts of anti-Semitism by another Member, that does not name names. I apologize to everyone across this country expecting this House to act. We failed them. The students at the University of California who had to read the posting: ``Gas them, burn them, and dismantle their power structure. Humanity cannot progress with the parasitic Jew.'' The founder of BDS was blatantly anti-Semitic. Take his own words: ``No Palestinian--rational Palestinian, not a sellout Palestinian--will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.'' Or this other quote: ``We are witnessing the rapid demise of Zionism, and nothing can be done to save it, for Zionism is intent on killing itself. I, for one, support euthanasia.'' Or we could take this quote: ``Many of the methods of collective and individual `punishment' meted out to Palestinian civilians at the hands of young, racist, often sadistic and ever impervious Israeli soldiers . . . are reminiscent of common Nazi practices against the Jews.'' This is the founder of the BDS movement. You want an apology, Madam Speaker? Well, how about the students at Berkeley who sit in the classroom and the maps that go up on the board? Where it is supposed to say Israel, it says Palestine. Or the students in Michigan whose professor refused to sign off on a letter of recommendation because the student wanted to study abroad in Israel. This past Thursday, we had an imam give the opening prayer here before this Chamber. This imam--a simple Google search, by the way, in the vetting would have come up with the background, and it is a long list--is not just a supporter of the BDS movement but has compared the Israelis to the Nazis, called the Israelis a terrorist regime, called for a third Palestinian intifada, and posted in support of the Muslim Brotherhood. I mentioned earlier one of my colleagues who had multiple anti- Semitic postings. One started with: ``Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel''; or saying that if you support Israel, then you must have been bought off by Jews; or when she said if you support the U.S-Israel relationship, then you must have pledged your allegiance to a foreign power. You want an apology, Madam Speaker? How about the students at Warren Wilson College who had a speaker tell them Jews are doing the same thing to the Palestinians as the Nazis did to the Jews? Students from coast to coast all across this entire country are expecting, demanding, this House to act. Now, you could go to the Twitter account of Ms. Tlaib. You will see over the course of the last few days postings from Tamika Mallory and fellow organizer Linda Sarsour. Tamika Mallory says that Louis Farrakhan is the ``greatest of all time,'' Louis Farrakhan, the same guy who said: ``So when they talk about Farrakhan, call me a hater, you do what they do, call me an anti- Semite. Stop it, I'm anti-Termite''; or, ``Satanic Jews have infected the whole world with poison and deceit''; or what he said about Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany, who was responsible for murdering 6 million Jewish people and millions of others, ``He was a very great man.'' We have Members of this Chamber who have associated themselves with Farrakhan, not just Tamika Mallory. I mentioned Linda Sarsour. She said: ``Only Jews . . . are the ones that condone violence against Arabs and are cool with mosques being attacked.'' We have an issue in this Chamber, and we need to do something about it, not mask it, not empower it, not elevate it. It must be identified and crushed. And no, Madam Speaker, I am not coming to this floor and apologizing to my colleagues who push it. I will apologize to everyone across this country offended by the lack of action by the Speaker. Madam Speaker, your House is not in order.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to include in the Record the following piece authored by U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David M. Friedman in honor of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. embassy opening in Jerusalem: A Year After Opening the Jerusalem Embassy: On the Right Side of History On May 14, 2018, the United States finally opened its embassy in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem. In making the courageous decision to take this historic step, President Donald Trump not only fulfilled a 23-year-old mandate from the United States Congress but he also recognized a 3,000- year-old truth that Israel's enemies have long sought to erase. America has been fascinated by Jerusalem since the early days of our republic. In 1844, Warder Cresson, the first consul general, announced after his appointment by the secretary of state that the United States was thereby extending its protection to the Jews of Jerusalem. The first permanent consular presence opened just inside the Jaffa Gate in 1857, and diplomatic presence has remained constant in and around the Old City ever since. President Abraham Lincoln, just before his death, told his wife how he longed to visit Jerusalem. And President Ulysses Grant and Mark Twain both visited Jerusalem in the mid-19th century and wrote extensively about their experiences. Neither Grant nor Twain were all that impressed with Jerusalem in those days. It was poor, inhospitable and undeveloped. The Old City of Jerusalem remained that way well into the 20th century, whether under the rule of the Ottoman Empire until 1917, the British Mandate until 1948, or the Kingdom of Jordan until 1967. In 1967, Jerusalem was reunified as a single city under Israeli rule. Almost immediately, Jerusalem began to bloom, to flourish and to become, for the first time in its history, a free city open to the worshipers of all three Abrahamic faiths. Many in the United States took notice and, in 1995, Congress, by overwhelming majority votes, passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and requiring the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all found reasons to avoid the implementation of this law. All in all, more than 40 presidential waivers were signed delaying the move of the Embassy. And then came President Trump. Trump recognized the truth--that Jerusalem was, is and will always be the capital of Israel. He saw the dishonest and shameful efforts of UNESCO and the United Nations Security Council to deny Israel's biblical, historical and practical connection to Jerusalem. And he refused to pursue a foreign policy based upon anything short of the truth. President Trump, like other Republican and Democratic candidates before him, had promised during his campaign to move the Embassy. Unlike his predecessors, Trump kept his promise. The United States Embassy in Jerusalem has now been open a full year. We have a beautiful campus in the Arnona suburb and magnificent facilities on Agron Street in downtown Jerusalem. Well more than 100 American diplomats come to work every day, working hand in hand with Israelis and Palestinians, and American and foreign tourists visit every day just to take a picture or say a prayer. Contrary to all the negative predictions, the Jerusalem embassy has been an extraordinary success, advancing peaceful coexistence, bilateral cooperation and cultural exchange between and among Israelis, Palestinians and Americans. Most of all, the United States Embassy in Jerusalem stands for the truth--the bedrock of all successful policies. Moving our embassy places the United States firmly on the right side of history.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, and I thank the chairman for bringing this bill to the entire committee in a bipartisan fashion again. This is the second time that the House has taken action to pass this legislation. It is incredibly important for the Senate to do their part to help make this actually become law. I am looking forward to that bill signing, and it is decades overdue. I rise today in support of H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor. This bill expands treatment coverage for those affected by Agent Orange from not only those who served on the ground, but to those servicemembers who are known as blue water Navy vets who were affected while serving our Nation at sea. I live in a county called Suffolk in the State of New York. We have the largest veterans population of any county in the entire State. Thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families would now be able to receive benefits that they have earned. These brave servicemembers have put their lives on the line for our great Nation, and they have earned nothing less than the highest quality care. Additionally, this legislation includes my bill, the Flexible VA Loan Guarantee Act, which expands veterans' opportunity for homeownership by eliminating the loan limit the VA can guarantee. This is especially critical in districts like mine. I thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe for bringing this bill to the floor, and I urge all my colleagues in the Chamber to vote for it. As I mentioned, this is the second time this legislation is passing the House. It is incredibly important that all those in the Capitol on the other side in the Senate do the same. I urge them to immediately take up the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act and care for all of our Nation's servicemembers.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a growing number of Americans in celebrating National Decency Day, a call to action to engage in civil discussion in the midst of bitter divisiveness. As Americans, we cherish our freedom to dissent, but we must always bear in mind that these debates should be productive and substantive. Lisa Cholnoky, a part-time resident of my district, has championed this belief in founding her Campaign for Decency. This campaign, which began on Shelter Island in my district, has now spread as far as Hawaii and Alaska. This campaign sets an example for all of us to abide by across our country and here in Congress as we strive to reach across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Cholnoky for championing this issue and empowering so many Americans to do the same.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. To start off tonight, I just want to recognize that today is the 1- year anniversary of the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. I was honored to be there in person last year for this very special moment. Jerusalem should be recognized as the undivided, unquestionable capital of the Jewish state. This was a bold move by this President not just to fulfill promises of Presidents past and to fulfill U.S. law; most importantly, it was the right thing to do. In addition to its religious importance, Jerusalem is also the capital, the home, the location of the Israeli Knesset and offices and residences of the Israeli Prime Minister and President. Moving our Embassy set an important precedent for other nations to follow as well. I commend the President. I thank him for following through on his support and commitment. I thought it was important tonight to highlight that today is the 1-year anniversary of that important opening of the Embassy in Jerusalem.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to forty-three exemplary young men and women from the First Congressional District of New York who have chosen to serve their country in the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States. These courageous individuals will put their lives on hold to ensure the security and welfare of their fellow Americans. Their unwavering patriotism, dedication to our nation's values and sacrifice in defense of our great nation is inspiring. Each of the following students has my deepest appreciation for their service to our country, and I ask my colleagues to join me in personally recognizing: Army, Gabriel Bernal, Bellport; Army, Ayden De Grijze, Bellport; Army, Trinity Gilkey, William Floyd; Army, Justin Guimarra, Longwood; Army, Brian Kavanaugh, Bellport; Army, Evan Marchese, William Floyd; Army, Ryan Murphy, Patchogue-Medford; Army, Johnathan Patterson, Bellport; Army, Jose Rincon, Longwood; Army, Sean Rodriguez, Bellport; Army, Maria Sanabria, Sayville; Army, Derek Smith, William Floyd; Army, Devin Stinsman, William Floyd; Army, Jahdeba Williams, William Floyd; Marines, Danyel Anderson, William Floyd; Marines, Amy Barbecho, William Floyd; Marines, Evan Berkemeyer, William Floyd; Marines, Brandon Bratchie, William Floyd; Marines, Anthony Cespedes, Patchogue- Medford; Marines, Matthew Dugan, Patchogue-Medford; Marines, Jefferson Guerra, William Floyd; Marines, Christopher Hlavaty, Sayville; Marines, Dylan Lauer, Patchogue-Medford; Marines, Maximus Maizus, Sayville; Marines, Patrick Malone, Patchogue-Medford; Marines, Salaahaddeen Poulos, William Floyd; Marines, Tristan Soto, William Floyd; Marines, Aaron Speeding, Longwood; Marines, Serina Wong, Longwood; Navy, Anthony DeCarlo, Patchogue-Medford; Navy, Ryan Havel, Patchogue-Medford; Navy, Pedro Hernandez, William Floyd; Navy, Deyby Lituma Pucha, William Floyd; Navy, Ivan Lopez, Bellport; Navy, Jeffrey McFarland, Longwood; Navy, Anthony Musorofiti, Sayville; Navy, Dominic O'Brien, Bayport Blue Point; Navy, Wayne Snyder, Longwood; Air Force, Lynda Carman, Longwood; Air Force, Joseph Cortes, William Floyd; Air Force, Richard Downes, Longwood; Eastport South Manor; Air National Guard, Carson Nagle, Bellport; Air National Guard, Ashley Raino, Longwood. These enlistees will be recognized on May 15, 2019, at the 5th Annual ``Our Community Salutes Brookhaven Town Enlistee Ceremony'' at Sunset Harbor in Patchogue, N.Y. Madam Speaker, we, as a nation, are extraordinarily grateful to each and every one of these forty-three individuals for answering the call of duty. Each of these young Americans has our eternal gratitude and we will never be able to adequately repay them for their service to our nation. 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. Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish a very happy 70th birthday to Billy Joel, a resident of the greatest congressional district in America, the First Congressional District of New York. He has sung about Allentown; he has sung about Vienna; but he never forgot where he came from. It is important, whether you are in politics, music, or business, to never forget where you come from. He would sing songs about our bays, our beaches, our boaters, our fishermen, our restaurants, our media. He is someone who, to this very day, looks at Long Island as his home. He has a concert tonight celebrating his 70th birthday with so many fans. From everyone who lives in the First Congressional District, for all of Long Island, a very happy 70th birthday to a very special person. Happy birthday to Billy Joel.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Suffolk County Police Officer Thomas Wilson. In responding to a 911 hang up call, Officer Wilson came upon a female victim with severe stab wounds and an armed assailant who refused to surrender. Thanks to his quick and measured thinking, while assuming clear risk to his own life, Officer Wilson was able to subdue and arrest the armed assailant and provide lifesaving first aid to the female victim. His courageous actions have earned him the Silver Shield Award from Suffolk County PBA, and he will soon receive the Combat Medal from Suffolk County PD. While this is an extraordinary act of heroism, those who know Officer Wilson are not surprised. This is the same man who worked on the pile in the aftermath of 9/11 for 350 hours and who has traveled to D.C. dozens of times to fight for the Zadroga Act and to fully fund the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. On behalf of our entire community and Nation, I thank Officer Wilson for his continued service.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Major Christopher Vincent Petrancosta of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication to duty and service to our nation. Major Petrancosta will soon transition from his current assignment as an Army Congressional Liaison to the House of Representatives to attend Army Intermediate Level Education with follow on assignment at Fort Drum. A native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Chris is a third generation Army Soldier, continuing a proud family tradition of service to this nation. Chris attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2007. He has held numerous leadership and staff assignments in a variety of units, highlighted by operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Afghanistan, Iraq, Djibouti, and Niger during service with the 82nd Airborne Division and First Infantry Division. During his time in Washington, Chris earned a Masters in Policy Management from Georgetown University and worked as a Political Military Planner within the Joint Staff's Transregional Threats Coordination Cell. In 2018, Major Petrancosta was selected to serve as a Congressional Liaison in the United States Army House Liaison Division. As the primary liaison between Members of the House of Representatives, their staffs, committees, and the Army, he provided insight and understanding of Army policies, actions, operations, and requirements. His first-hand knowledge of the military, its culture, and traditions has been a tremendous benefit to Congressional offices. This previous Christmas, I traveled with Chris to the Middle East to visit our servicemembers and better understand the region. Chris' extensive experience in the region enabled a productive visit for myself and other Members of Congress. I found him to be a thoughtful, intelligent, and dedicated Soldier in the best traditions of America's Armed Forces. Madam Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work with Chris during his time as an Army Congressional Liaison Officer in the House of Representatives. On behalf of a grateful nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of Major Christopher Petrancosta, his wife, Stacia, and their children, Tatum and Maryn. I wish them the very best as they continue their journey in the United States Army, and continue to dedicate their lives to the service of our nation.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. McCaul for his statements, and I agree with everything that was just stated. I have great respect for Chairman Engel and the bill's sponsor, Ms. Castor, and for their intentions and their advocacy. I look forward to working with them on this issue and many others because this is a very important issue for us to be working on, on both sides of the aisle in both the House and the Senate. We all have constituents who want access to clean air and clean water. It is something that, whether you are representing a district in Flint, Michigan, or you are in Tampa, Florida, or the east end of Long Island, we all want to advocate for that for our constituents. I was concerned with the negotiation of the Paris climate deal, that there wasn't more discussion. There wasn't any discussion in Congress. There weren't hearings and votes. There wasn't enough of an analysis done of the impact on the economy. There is a debate now over numbers. I wish it was fleshed out. What will be the impact on GDP? What will be the impact on jobs? What will be the impact on energy costs for my constituents? There are a lot of numbers that are going around that are very concerning to my constituents. Other countries were having debates, and they were having votes publicly. In this case, this was not submitted to the United States Senate for ratification, and there was some discussion earlier about what happened at the House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on this topic. What I asked of the witnesses was: ``Do any of the witnesses disagree with the statement that President Obama should have submitted it to the Senate for ratification?'' That was the exact wording of my question. If you look at the video of the response, no one disagreed. I asked: ``Does anyone disagree?'' No one disagreed. There was one person, Admiral McGinn, who specified that his role was military, not political.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. He said his role was military, not political, but nobody disagreed with that statement. I believe it should have been submitted. I also think it is outrageous that China and India are not doing more. They are emitters. China, in fact, won't even comply to reduce its carbon emissions until 2030. Many other countries that made commitments aren't fulfilling their commitments. We needed a better deal for the world and other countries to step up and do more, more transparency and debates, and a vote here in Congress. That is in the best interests of all our constituents. Hopefully, we can agree on the numbers and a process going forward, and we can work together on a bipartisan basis.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 828, my legislation to honor the life and legacy of former Congressman William Carney by renaming the post office in Smithtown, New York, in his honor. Congressman Carney was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, but for our community, for New York's First Congressional District, for our Nation, and for the ideals in which he believed, he was a fighter until the very end. Even before his life in politics, his commitment to serving his country and community never wavered. After attending Florida State University, Congressman Carney joined the United States Army Medical Corps, where he served from 1961 to 1964. After leaving the Army and working in the private sector, Congressman Carney was elected to the Suffolk County legislature for 3 years before being elected to the United States House of Representatives to represent the First Congressional District of New York from 1979 to 1987. He was the first registered Conservative Party member to ever be elected to Congress. He was a relentless fighter for his constituents and the ideals in which he believed, and he had a long list of accomplishments to show for it. Legislation he introduced and ushered into law designated areas of the Fire Island Seashore as wilderness, ensuring its conservation and protection for generations to come. To this day, Fire Island remains one of Long Island's most iconic landmarks thanks, in part, to his legislation. Always so very proud of America's servicemembers and having served in the Army himself, Representative Carney was a proud cosponsor of the Korean War Memorial Act, as well as the resolution to recognize the vital role played by members of the National Guard and Reserves in the defense of our Nation. Mr. Carney will be remembered for his strength, integrity, and commitment to his district and Nation. There is no place he loved more than Long Island, no people he more admired, and there is no doubt there is no place he would rather have his legacy enshrined than in the community that he called home. Nearly 2 years ago, Congressman Carney lost his final battle. He was suffering from prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Barbara Haverlin; his two daughters, Jackie and Julie; and his four grandchildren. Thank you to each and every one of them for allowing their husband, father, and grandfather to dedicate his life to serving our community. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 829, my legislation to honor the life and legacy of Army Specialist Thomas J. Wilwerth by renaming, in his name, the post office in his hometown of Mastic, New York. Specialist Thomas Wilwerth always possessed a strong sense of duty to his country, having participated in the Junior ROTC program at William Floyd High School, where I once graduated as well. But it was in our Nation's darkest hour that 17-year-old Specialist Wilwerth was driven to enlist. During his junior year of high school, Specialist Wilwerth bore witness to the unimaginable horror of September 11, with Ground Zero just under 100 miles from his high school. Instead of cowering in the face of terror, he shipped off to basic training that summer and actually finished high school while serving in the Army Reserve. As a member of 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division based out of Fort Carson, Colorado, Wilwerth was deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was only 3 months into his deployment on February 22, 2006, that 21-year-old Specialist Wilwerth and two of his fellow soldiers were killed in action when an explosive device detonated near has Bradley Fighting Vehicle while on a routine morning patrol near Balad, Iraq. Mr. Speaker, I wish there were more people who possessed such a strong sense of patriotism. Even fewer answer the call at just the age of 17 and sacrifice their entire lives and their entire future to serve in the U.S. military. Specialist Wilwerth was the best of who we are. He is the embodiment of what makes this country the greatest in the world: the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice serving this most exceptional Nation, and the willingness to lay down one's life for his neighbors, for his community, but most courageously, for those Americans he never knew. Before serving in Congress, I was in the New York Senate, and I introduced a bill that also became law, the Specialist Thomas J. Wilwerth Military Dignity Act, to ban protests at military burials in my home State. It is my greatest honor to stand here on the House floor today to speak about this new legislation in honor of Thomas. Specialist Wilwerth is survived by his loving parents, Elaine and Terry Wilwerth, and his sister, Kerry. There are no words to describe the emptiness this loss left in their hearts and in the heart of our entire community. Before I close, I would like to read a few words from the Wilwerth family that really drive home why this straightforward legislation will have such a profound impact. The Wilwerth family said: ``Tommy died so that his fellow Americans could live a better life. His deep-rooted sense of patriotism drove him to enlist in the aftermath of September 11, and he would have been so proud of his sacrifice on behalf of our entire Nation. ``To have his name and legacy displayed in the heart of the community he loved--the community he laid his life down for--will never bring him home, but it will ensure his memory and sacrifice live on in the hearts of those who call Long Island home.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I thank both Members who have spoken in its favor today.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, tax day is approaching on April 15, and I again rise to state my support for the State and local tax deduction. There were many positive aspects to the tax bill that I voted against. I support reducing the corporate tax rate, but it should not have been done by increasing personal taxes on any hardworking middle-income Long Islander in my district. The $10,000 cap that was made to the SALT deduction was a punch in the gut to middle-class taxpayers in my district. There were positive aspects, as I said, of the tax bill: expanding the medical expense deduction, preserving education and student deductions, doubling the child tax credit, the AMT changes. And as I stated, changing the corporate tax rate helps make the United States more competitive globally, to improve our business climate, to help create more jobs, but it should not be done by raising taxes on the personal income side. I have been working closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address this issue. I have been working with Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey. I cosponsor legislation between Peter King, a Republican, and Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, H.R. 257. Nita Lowey introduced a bill that I cosponsor, H.R. 188. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues in this Chamber to work together to address this important issue, because it is important to deliver tax relief to all Americans. Now, I do have an important message, though, to the Governor of New York, the mayor of New York City, those who are running State and local governments in States like mine. The reason why our State and local tax deduction was as high as it was is because our State and local taxes are as high as they are. So everybody needs to look in the mirror and figure out what we can do to do our part, because all levels of government need to deliver tax relief. My home State of New York has some of the highest taxes in the entire country. It is ranked as the second worst State in the entire Nation to do business. You couple that with the loss of the SALT deduction, and it has only sped up the amount of businesses and individuals who are choosing to leave our State. It was very upsetting to see an effort by elected officials, some here in Congress, others in the State legislature to push away 25,000 good-paying Amazon jobs that would have been coming to Long Island City. Now, we all must do our part. The State and local tax deduction has been around in some way since, you could say, Abraham Lincoln's administration. He used the State and local tax deduction to help keep this union together and fight the Civil War. It was a tough debate a little over a year ago now when the tax law was passed through both Chambers and signed by the President, but next month, as April 15 approaches and people have to pay their taxes, they are going to be seeing less in their return, many will be seeing less in their return where I am from. Some will be getting more, and that is great. I didn't oppose this bill because all of my constituents were going to see a tax increase. It was that too many were going to see a tax increase. Now, all, when they are getting their tax return need to understand that throughout the year, money was added to their paycheck because of a change in the way that taxes were calculated with withholdings through the year. So that is something else to factor in when trying to figure out the impact of the tax bill. Again, some people will be seeing less that they owe, others will be seeing more. In this Chamber, in the halls of the New York State capitol, in the halls of State capitols everywhere, in city halls, in county and town governments all throughout America, we all need to do our part to deliver tax relief. Because at all levels of government, really, it is not a revenue issue that has been leading to the situation that we face as a country and in our local governments. It has been an expenditure issue. Whether you could save a dollar, a million dollars, a billion dollars, wherever you can find money to save, we need to get better at how we tax and spend the people's money. We need to spend it as if it is our own. Mr. Speaker, there is a message here to my colleagues in this Chamber. I ask for their support of this legislation, multiple bills that have been introduced. I make that plea to the Senate, to the administration, and also to all those representatives of State and local governments responsible for the fact that the reason our deduction was as high as it was, was because our State and local taxes were as high as they were. But we need to do our part here in this Chamber.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Adam David Nuszen who lost his battle with mental illness and addiction a little over 3 years ago. With an insatiable curiosity and unparalleled connectivity to the world around him, Adam's bright future was as limitless as the night sky he so admired. As a gifted musician, poet, writer, philosopher and inventor, Adam enlightened everyone who had the honor of meeting him, and as the oldest of three siblings, he was the protector of his family with a fierce loyalty that was only surpassed by his quiet quest for justice. At the age of 22, Adam was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which sent him in and out of hospitals in an attempt to balance his mental illness with some semblance of an everyday life, but he succumbed to the dangerous and devastating world of opioid addiction. Even in his darkest days, Adam always encouraged his loved ones to ``look up'' so they didn't miss the beauty he saw in the world around them. In November 2015, Adam lost his battle with addiction, but only after leaving an indelible mark on his family, friends and community. During his last conversation with his mother Linda, Adam carried this same positive sentiment and tone, which has stayed with Linda to this day and inspired the creation of the nonprofit foundation Look Up for Adam. The rise of the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic has affected so many families across Long Island and our entire nation, and Look Up for Adam provides support for these families as they embark on ``the difficult journey of loving a person who is addicted to drugs.'' Even in the darkest of days, Look Up for Adam reminds these families to look up just as Adam did, and in honor of his enduring spirit and character, I'd like to support his mother's request in declaring March 12th, Adam's birthday, as National Look Up Day. There are so many families across our entire nation who are battling the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic, who when down in the trenches sometimes forget to look up at the world around them. National Look Up Day serves as a reminder for these families to keep a positive outlook, but also for us as Members of Congress to never stop fighting to combat the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic and never waver in our support for the families affected by it.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, let's all be honest with each other. We are here today, right now, because of anti-Semitic rhetoric from one Member of this Chamber said again and again and again. We would not be on this floor right now otherwise to discuss this topic. If that Member were a Republican, that Member's name would be in this resolution, and this resolution would be all about condemning anti- Semitism, and it would be done so forcefully. That Member in January had to apologize for talking about a hypnosis of Israel that they had over the entire world. That Member had to apologize in February for saying: If you support Israel, it must be because you are bought off by Jews. That Member called it an unequivocal apology even though she filled it with equivocation. Now we are back again this time by the Member saying that, if you support the U.S.-Israel relationship, that you must have pledged allegiance to a foreign government--except this time that Member is refusing to apologize. Even if you gave that Member every benefit of the doubt that she had no idea what she was doing, why now wouldn't she be apologizing? Why would she be more emboldened to refuse an apology altogether? I, apparently, am giving Representative Omar more credit than the Speaker is because I don't believe she is naive. I believe that she knows exactly what she is doing. It is an American value, by the way, to have reasonable, legitimate criticism of a government, whether it be the U.S. Government, Israel, or any other government. It is not an American value, though, to be hurling anti-Semitic rhetoric. Anti-Semitism must be condemned, unequivocally and emphatically. We have Members of this Chamber who associate with Louis Farrakhan, who says: ``Hitler was a very great man.'' Let's talk about a double standard. In January, we all came to this Chamber. We condemned white supremacy. We named a Republican Member. We kicked that Member off of his committees; he can't serve on the Small Business Committee. But this Member will continue to serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. But, no, now we can't come here and just emphatically, solely, forcefully condemn anti-Semitism and name names. But if it was a Republican, we would. It is time to call out these statements for what they are: pointed, bigoted, unreasonable, illegitimate, anti-Semitic. I commend my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have been speaking out about all this anti-Semitism. A few Members come to mind: Chairman Engel, Congressman Deutch, Congressman Nadler, Congresswoman Lowey, Congressman Gottheimer. Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I believe, to their core know how very wrong this is. There are many other Members to name as well, and I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every one of them, because support of Israel, support of Jews, standing against anti-Semitism has been bipartisan in the past. It should be bipartisan today, and it should be bipartisan for every moment in the future.

Mr. ZELDIN

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

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today alongside Mr. Rose, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Nadler, Mr. King of New York, and others, to urge the immediate passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act, introduced by Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Nadler, and King, which would fully fund and extend the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund authorization through 2090. Representatives Maloney, Nadler, and Peter King have been stalwart advocates of this effort fighting on behalf of 9/11 victims and their families since the beginning, and it is thanks to their leadership that we passed the Zadroga Act, creating the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and why we are still here fighting today. I can't thank enough and praise enough the leadership of Representatives Maloney, Nadler, and King on this very important issue on behalf of the victims of September 11. James Zadroga was one of those fearless leaders who rose up on 9/11. He was also the first NYPD officer whose death in 2006 was connected to toxic exposure at the World Trade Center site. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was later signed into law in 2011 to help our 9/11 first responders. Madam Speaker, 5 years later, the Zadroga Act was permanently reauthorized and included $4.6 billion for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund over 5 years, which was established to provide compensation for the victims of 9/11 and their families, and it continues to provide compensation for those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses decades later and their loved ones. First responders who worked on the pile day and night aiding in the search, rescue, and cleanup efforts were breathing toxic debris and ash that are now known to have caused over 50 different types of cancer. However, last month, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund issued an alarming report, which stated its funding was insufficient to compensate all claims, and the fund would have to make severe cuts to awards across the board. This is unacceptable. And regardless of party affiliation, regardless of which district or State you come from, it is imperative that this legislation is passed and sent to the President immediately to become law so we can ensure these victims receive the compensation they deserve. This isn't a one-off issue. This isn't just a New York issue. This isn't a Democratic or Republican Party platform or political football. This is a responsibility we all shoulder as Americans, first and foremost. It is the spirit of our Nation, and it is who we are as a people. It is important to remember that 9/11 first responders live not only in New York, but in 433 out of 435 congressional districts across this country. These were the very men and women who, in the face of evil, were willing to put it all on the line to help save their fellow Americans, who ran into the towers as everyone else ran out. It is unconscionable that time and again they have been forced to plead their case as to why they are worthy of our support. People who came down when the Zadroga Act was first getting authorized--sick--weren't there to fight in 2015 when it was permanently reauthorized because they had passed away due to their injuries. People who were here in 2015 when that fight was made for the Zadroga Act to be permanently reauthorized are not here today to fight for the Victim Compensation Fund because they passed away and succumbed to their injuries. We should not make them take dozens of trips down here to Washington, D.C., begging for support. Let them stay where they are and take care of their health. That is most important. It is so important that we immediately passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, which will ensure these heroes receive the support they have more than earned. This past September 11, 17 years since the attacks, we came together, as we always do, to remember those who were taken from us that day. But this year marked an especially harrowing occasion. By the end of 2018, more people had died from 9/11-related illnesses than were killed on September 11. Tonight, we are going to hear from the authors of the Never Forget the Heroes Act, Representatives Carolyn Maloney, Peter King, and Jerry Nadler, and so many others from both sides of the aisle, on why this legislation is important for the victims of 9/11, for their communities, and for our Nation. In addition to those who are joining us this evening, there are also so many activists and outside organizations fighting on behalf of 9/11 victims and working to ensure they receive full compensation: Jon Stewart, who has traveled to Washington countless times to fight for them and was just here last week; John Feal, from my district, and the FealGood Foundation; and so many more, including the great advocates from organized labor, especially law enforcement and first responders in New York and nationwide. From everyday men and women in my district to us on the floor of the House of Representatives, it is up to each and every one of us to never forget the men and women whom we lost that day, those whom we have lost since, those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, and their families. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), a fellow New Yorker who has been a stalwart champion of this legislation going all the way back to the passage of the Zadroga Act. I know our 9/11 first responders, their families, those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, and all those affected by this dark moment in our Nation's history are so grateful to Mrs. Maloney for her tireless work on behalf of them.

Mr. ZELDIN. Mrs. Maloney really inspires us all. And when she said that these 9/11 victims, their families are counting on us, they certainly know that they can count on her. So I thank Congresswoman Maloney for leading this effort for so many years. She has been a great champion in this cause, and it is great to assist her however I can. That is why Congressman Rose and I wanted to be here coleading this Special Order on a bipartisan basis to support Congresswoman Maloney, Congressman Nadler, and Congressman King, who have been the champions of this effort.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.