Lee Zeldin

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments. Madam Speaker, next, I am going to yield to my friend from New Jersey (Josh Gottheimer), who is really a leader in so many different forms. He co-chairs the Problem Solvers Caucus. If I had to make a pitch for the bill that should be at the top of the list for every caucus--there are many caucuses here in this Chamber--this should be an important priority, if not number one on the list, but I would put a pitch in for number one. He is a great Member, and I have a lot of respect for him. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer).

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Gottheimer for his words and his leadership with what is a bipartisan caucus here in the House of Representatives where people from all across the entire country come together. As the name of the caucus says, you just want to solve problems. You want to make your time here in Congress worthwhile. You want to be able to go back to the voters 2 years later and say this is what I did during my term, and have something positive, productive, and constructive to show for it. The fact that the gentleman dedicates so much of his energy toward solving problems, building bridges, and bipartisanship is to be commended. I thank the gentleman for who he is, and for his efforts here on the floor tonight.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, next, I get to introduce an amazing colleague who was here in the Chamber, a Member of Congress, during the attacks on September 11. He was here in the days afterward, the years when the Zadroga Act was still getting passed and reauthorized, and here now during this fight for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. He has been there every single step of the way since day one, and he is really an amazing Member of Congress and leader, really on the global stage. I just got back from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and he is leaving his mark on human trafficking and other issues around the globe. At this time, on this really important issue tonight, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Smith for his words tonight and pointing out that special master's report that just came out, which really stresses the urgency to get this done immediately. That is tough and unacceptable news for all those victims to read that report, and for the advocates, so I thank the gentleman for his leadership. Congressman Smith from New Jersey is fighting hard on behalf of his constituents on this issue and for all 9/11 families. Tonight's Special Order, I just asked Kevin from my team here to see--it might be a fun fact as to when was the last time that there was a bipartisan Special Order in the Chamber. I don't know, is this even a first? I am leading tonight's event with Congressman Max Rose of Staten Island, who is our next speaker. Congressman Rose is a freshman who was elected to represent a great congressional district in New York. I represent the greatest congressional district in New York. Staten Island, I know, is a pretty special place as well, and Congressman Max Rose is a military veteran. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, for his military service. Right after World War II, almost 100 percent of the House was made up of military veterans. Right after Vietnam, it was a little over 75 percent. I think it was about 77 percent right after Vietnam. Now the number is less than 1 in 5. We have to get that number up. Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, liberals, anywhere you are in the 50 States, it is good to have more vets here in Congress. I thank the gentleman for running, for serving, and for co-leading tonight's Special Order. The gentleman contacted me as soon as he was elected after the November election to talk about different ways that we can work together, and it is great that our bipartisan Special Order here tonight is for this particular cause. It is an honor to lead tonight with him. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rose), the freshman Congressman from Staten Island.

Mr. ZELDIN. I didn't realize Congressman Rose is a Purple Heart too.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his service in the military and for his new service he just started here in the House. I had to throw in the Army, too, knowing that we do have another speaker here who is a Navy helicopter pilot, if I understand correctly. We have got a couple of Army folks in the House. I thank the gentleman for his service to our country going back many years, even though he just started here in the House 2 years ago.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, our next speaker tonight also had a distinguished career serving in government before joining Congress. He rose up the ranks at the FBI. He is a very well-respected member of the FBI who believes in law enforcement and the rule of law. He also loves our military so much that over the course of years, every single year for Christmas we have been able to travel to Iraq or Afghanistan, going to the Middle East, to visit the troops as we did this past Christmas, all over Kuwait on Christmas Day. The FBI was impacted greatly on 9/11. They went into the towers as well while many people were running out. So I thank Brian, not only for his service with the FBI, but for his continued fight for all of those first responders, as we should remember those FDNY and the NYPD who went in to the towers. There were many other types of law enforcement who ran in as well, including many FBI agents. On behalf of all those FBI agents, I thank the gentleman for continuing the fight. It is great to have another State Representative from Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for setting his goals with cosponsorship not just high but also appropriately. Every Member of this Chamber should be cosponsoring this bill so, hopefully, we will get those numbers up a lot, but much credit to Congresswoman Maloney, to Congressman Nadler, and to Congressman King, for the advocates from the outside, especially across the New York City metropolitan area, we are already starting strong with 150 cosponsors. The next speaker is a United States Naval Academy graduate. She was a helicopter pilot. She is a new Representative from New Jersey's 11th District, and she is hitting the ground running with important leadership on this issue fighting for her constituents. There is a story to be told to Members of Congress who maybe weren't here in 2015 or even 5 years before that when Congressman Nadler, whom we will be hearing from next, was getting the Zadroga Act first passed, a lot of Members were new in 2015 when we were permanently reauthorizing the Zadroga Act. Now, if you look back to 2015, we have a lot of new Members who weren't here in 2015. The education, as we talk to people who live far away from where we live in New York and New Jersey, they might not even know what the Zadroga Act is. They might not know what the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is. That is why it is great to see Congressman Rose and Congresswoman Sherrill leading the fight to educate their fellow freshman and others to make sure that they cosponsor this effort. I thank the gentlewoman for her service. I kind of apologize for my Go Army joke before. I won't mention the three-game winning streak that Max and I have going. Hopefully that didn't bring the gentlewoman down too much before we hear her great remarks tonight. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill).

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I will get back to the gentlewoman in December on that one. We will see if we keep the winning streak going. I thank the gentlewoman again for her service, for her remarks tonight, and for running for office. I look forward to working with the gentlewoman on this. The next speaker certainly needs no introduction. He is last but certainly not least, someone who has been a rock solid presence, a voice, a leader, a fierce advocate for all 9/11 victims and their families, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and someone who is not just one of the main three who have been leading this effort with Congresswoman Maloney and Congressman King, but really right back to the very beginning, since September 11, 2001, so personally on behalf of my constituents back home on the east end of Long Island, for all 9/ 11 victims, their families, thank you to Chairman Nadler for his leadership. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), who is the chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for his remarks tonight and for his leadership through the years. It is a very important voice from New York City, from Ground Zero, and something that couldn't have possibly impacted the heart of his district any more than what was the largest attack on our soil on September 11, 2001. Yet the silver lining of that attack was seeing the spirit, the fight, the grit of his constituents, of my constituents, of constituents from 433 out of 435 districts in our entire country who responded after September 11, 2001. A lot of Members of this Chamber don't realize that 9/11 first responders came from almost every single congressional district represented here. But it was all throughout Chairman Nadler's district on September 11, 2001, that we saw people going into danger while everyone else was running out, and it reminded us of the strength of New Yorkers, the pride and strength and courage of Americans. There has certainly been great sacrifice since but, most importantly, sacrifice from those who have been victims because of September 11, 2001, either due to the attack that day or service in our military. As we are here tonight, there are 9/11 first responders who are very sick, and I just want to, right before we close, share one quick story. This is a constituent of mine from East Hampton. This is a single mother, a sole provider of her 12-year-old son, who lived and worked within blocks of the World Trade Center on 9/11 and during the aftermath. She said: ``My colleagues and I saw it as our patriotic duty to show the terrorists that they could not destroy our neighborhood and way of life.'' I think, many times, people forget that, in the aftermath of 9/11, we were not only tending to Ground Zero, but we were rebuilding the spirit of our Nation. It is thanks to Americans like this constituent of mine and her coworkers and all those who faced the unconscionable horror, who did not cower in fear, that our Nation rose stronger than ever. In late 2017, she was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer, which has never occurred on either side of her family. Her coworker at the time of 9/11 developed prostate cancer, and three of her coworkers now have an extremely rare skin condition. In response to learning that the fund is running out of money and would cut claims by 70 percent, she said: ``I don't think I can properly express in writing how devastated I feel. Even worse, I feel extremely distraught over the others who are in the same situation as me or who are about to find they are . . . as they will, too, receive a devastating diagnosis like mine.'' The one other story is Kevin from Smithtown. I represent a district that is just over 50 miles from Ground Zero, and fighting for my constituents who were affected by September 11 is my job, but it is also very personal. Kevin is a former NYPD officer who said he ``picked up human remains for 2 days, without any hesitation, because at the time that is what had to be done.'' He continued to work on and around the pile for close to 12 months. In January of 2018, Kevin was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and underwent 6 months of chemotherapy, which left him with devastating symptoms that will stay with him the rest of his life. He wrote to me about how he missed many important moments and family functions with his children and loved ones. He said: ``To give out awards reduced by 70 percent is a slap in my face and all others that are now suffering,'' and he is right. When he was working the pile day and night for months on end, he wasn't thinking about himself or what this might mean for his future. He was thinking about our Nation. He was committed to getting the remains of victims of 9/11 home to those who survived them. Kevin was there for us, and it is important for all of us to step up to the plate for him. Lastly, I thank Congresswoman Maloney, Congressman King, and Chairman Nadler for taking the lead on this legislation yet again. I thank Congressman Rose for coleading tonight's Special Order. Hopefully, it is the start of something new and that we will see more often: bipartisan Special Orders on the floor of the House of Representatives. I think our constituents back home all across America want to see more of us working together to get good things done. It makes them feel good that their government is working for them. But I will tell you, with regards to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, it is not until this Chamber, the Senate, and the President signs it that this is done, fully funded, that we are going to be able to take credit for anything good and right, because this needs to actually get over the finish line. Tonight is just another positive step. Everyone signing on as cosponsors is a positive step. And I hope that everyone who is watching, whether you are a Member of this Chamber, you are a staffer of a Member of this Chamber, or you are an advocate, that you get involved, cosponsor, to get our numbers up. I thank Madam Speaker for her leadership tonight with this effort, for presiding over the Chamber during this very important hour, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, there is no room for anti-Semitism anywhere in this Chamber. This past January, the House voted nearly unanimously to condemn white supremacy, and it named a Republican Member as we did that. I voted for that. Back in January, around the same exact time, we had a Member apologize for remarks about how Israel had hypnotized the world, an anti-Semitic trope; a month later, apologizing for an allegation that if you support Israel, then you have been bought off by Jews; and now, claiming that if you support Israel, then that means that you have allegiance to a foreign government. But this time there will be no apology. I commend my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have spoken out against it. This Chamber today should be taking action to condemn anti-Semitism, to be naming names; and where that Member in January was removed from his committees, including the Small Business Committee, the Member who has been putting out all those anti-Semitic tropes should not be serving on her committees, especially the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for many reasons. I encourage a vote today and to remove Congresswoman Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of Mr. Cole's amendment so that the House may take up H.R. 336. The House should immediately bring this legislation up, which is a bipartisan legislative package that would help others fight back against the BDS movement, protect U.S. security in the Middle East by strengthening our alliances with Israel and Jordan, and sanction bad actors like Assad. The Senate version of this bill, S. 1, passed with strong bipartisan support, 77-23. The major point of contention for some, regarding this package, is the Combating BDS Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill with over 100 cosponsors last Congress, that would help stop the BDS movement. It is okay to have a reasonable, legitimate concern with any government, including Israel, as well as our own, but, keep in mind, the founder of BDS was blatantly anti-Semitic, and, on college campuses all across our entire country, we have college students who are being targeted by blatant anti-Semitism in the name of BDS. The founder of the BDS movement was a raging anti-Semite, who once said: ``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.'' That is not all he has said. This bill would simply allow State and local governments to have the right to counter the BDS movement by ending contracts with companies that boycott Israel. This bill does not impede the right of any American to boycott or criticize Israel. Instead, this bill protects States' rights to divest from countries that boycott Israel and from lawsuits driven by the ACLU. The BDS movement is designed to hurt Israel by encouraging companies to boycott Israeli goods. The BDS movement is consumed by efforts to delegitimize and demonize Israel. Numerous incidents are highlighted in my resolution, H. Res. 72, condemning this behavior. For example, at NYU, after the student government passed a resolution supporting BDS, they had to close the Center for Jewish Life in response to threatening Twitter posts by a student who expressed ``a desire for Zionists to die.'' There are so many other examples on college campuses all across our country. Where the BDS grows, anti-Semitism follows. Yet some Members in the House openly support this movement. House Democrats are holding up this major bipartisan legislation. This bill would provide $3.3 billion in security assistance to Israel and authorize the 2016 MOU to guarantee Israel's security for the next 10 years by providing advanced capabilities to protect our greatest ally. This bill strengthens Jordan's ability to promote regional security and stability by enhancing Jordan's military capacity in the sale of defense articles. This bill also sanctions those who provide financial assistance or support to prop up the Assad regime, which is responsible for chemical weapon attacks in Syria. Madam Speaker, I thank, again, Mr. Cole for bringing this amendment, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman McCaul for yielding. I have great respect for him, as well as our committee chair, Eliot Engel. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 37, directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Yemen. One of the reasons why is because we aren't even engaged in hostilities in Yemen. The United States is not involved in any direct live fire exchanges. Last November, the U.S. stopped aerial refueling of Saudi jets. According to the Department of Defense, U.S. support to the coalition is for defensive purposes only. It focuses only on helping minimize civilian casualties, which means that this resolution, if passed and implemented, will actually result in less food and medicine getting into Yemen and more civilians dying, and the war will not end. If anyone wants to propose a bill and pass one cutting off or conditioning specified U.S. security assistance to Saudi Arabia, they have the ability to do so. That is not this bill. What is also important is that there are a lot of freshman Members here in this Chamber, and the fact that we are rushing this to the floor so quickly without having a classified briefing for all of those Members is also deeply unfortunate. That should take place before passing this resolution. Congress has many other ways to engage in oversight efforts for U.S. security assistance with Saudi Arabia, including approving arms sales and through appropriations. Our assistance for Saudi Arabia started in 2015, when the Houthis overthrew a legitimate government, backed by Iran. The Houthis fired missiles against Saudi Arabia with support from Iran, and the U.S. provided intelligence and logistical support in compliance with the law of armed conflict. Iran poses a massive geostrategic threat to Yemen and to the United States and many of our allies. Iran is providing training and support to the Houthi rebels, including supplying ballistic missiles that have been fired into Saudi Arabia. In 2016, missiles were fired by Iranian- backed Houthi rebels at a U.S. Navy warship near the Bab el-Mandeb. If Iran has the ability to cut off global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and el-Mandeb, it would have disastrous consequences. If this resolution passes, we are emboldening Iran to continue their nefarious ambitions in the region without restraint. Mr. Chairman, I oppose H.J. Res. 37. I think Iran would endorse it.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Walker for his leadership in our conference and his great representation of his district. It is an honor to be joining the gentleman tonight for this important time on the House floor. I come here to appeal to all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Republicans and Democrats, to reject the anti-Israel and anti- Semitic hatred that we are starting to see infiltrate American politics and even the Halls of Congress. It is important that we all come together, that we work together to not empower, not embrace, not associate with individuals and rhetoric and policy that promotes this anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hatred, but that we reject it. It was just a couple weeks ago that this Chamber came together nearly unanimously to reject white supremacy. What is taking so long for House Democratic leadership to schedule a vote on H. Res. 72 that I introduced with Congressman Budd, Congresswoman Stefanik, Congressman Walker as a cosponsor, and others as well? Why can't we come together as forcefully and urgently to reject that anti-Semitism and that anti- Israel hatred? We have House Democrats who have associated with, taken pictures with, embraced Louis Farrakhan. He 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.'' Louis Farrakhan said that last year. He also said: ``Satanic Jews have infected the whole world with poison and deceit.'' This is offensive to me, as someone who is Jewish. But I am talking to colleagues who aren't Jewish, and they are offended as well by Farrakhan and the fact that there are Members of this Chamber who associate with this person. In 1984, Farrakhan said about Adolph Hitler: ``He was a very great man.'' Activist Tamika Mallory called Louis Farrakhan ``the greatest of all time.'' Her fellow organizer, Linda Sarsour, said: ``Only Jews . . . are ones that condone violence against Arabs and are cool with mosques being attacked.'' I have no problem standing here in the well of this Chamber rejecting it. I don't know what is taking so long for House Democratic leadership to schedule a vote on H. Res. 72, so they can join us in condemning it as well. There is a freshman Representative from Michigan, Representative Rashida Tlaib, who supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. She invited Abbas Hamideh to attend her swearing-in events this month. Abbas said, in 2016: ``Israel does not have a right to exist. The terrorist entity is illegal and has no basis to exist, other than a delusional, ISIS-like ideology.'' Also this month, that person said: ``I'm willing to go back to my country Palestine, if the Zionist terrorists go back to Poland. Deal? Let's get that ball rolling ASAP. Get off Twitter, and let's make that happen.'' This same Representative said of those who support Israel: ``They forgot what country they represent.'' Well, as someone who has been in the United States Army for over 15 years, has deployed into combat in defense of this country, a former Army paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, never once in my life have I forgotten what country I represent. It is kind of ironic that someone who, on their victory night, wraps themselves in the Palestinian flag is trying to lecture us, especially for supporting our Nation's greatest ally in Israel. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is one that is founded by someone named Omar Barghouti, who said: ``We are witnessing the rapid demise of Zionism, and nothing can be done save it, for Zionism is intent on killing itself. I, for one, support euthanasia.'' He also said: ``Many of the methods of collective and individual `punishment' meted out to Palestinian civilians at the hands of young, racist, often sadistic and every impervious Israeli soldiers . . . are reminiscent of common Nazi practices against the Jews.'' So when you are embracing BDS, know that this is what the founder of BDS says. This goes beyond anti-Israeli hatred. It is anti-Semitic hatred. What is taking so long? This Chamber that had no problem rushing to this well and nearly unanimously rejecting white supremacy has a problem rejecting this? Meanwhile, our students, in the name of the BDS movement, on college campuses all across this entire country, are being subjected to blatant anti-Semitism. For example, at New York University, the student government passed a resolution supporting BDS. The Bronfman Center for Jewish Life was temporarily closed in response to threatening Twitter posts by a student who expressed ``a desire for Zionists to die.'' Other college campuses include a University of Michigan professor who refused to write a letter of recommendation for a qualified student to study abroad solely because she was seeking to study abroad in Israel. A Students for Justice in Palestine cofounder and University of California, Berkeley, professor spoke at a national conference and shared an anti-Semitic meme of an Orthodox Jewish person in his presentation. At Warren Wilson College, an invited speaker said: ``Jews are doing the same thing to the Palestinians as the Nazis did to the Jews.'' The examples go on, whether it was Charlottesville, where the leadership said that Jews must die, that he wanted all Jews to die, or whether it was the shooting that took place in Pittsburgh. We are motivated, my colleagues and I, to this Chamber to stand against anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hatred. Everyone in this Chamber should join us. I went kindergarten through 12th grade, college, law school, 4 years of Active Duty, and I never once experienced anti-Semitism. It has no business infiltrating American politics; it has no business infiltrating the campuses of United States universities and colleges; and it has no business infiltrating the Halls of Congress. I encourage an immediate vote on H. Res. 72.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my objection and disappointment with the decision that was made to disinvite the President of the United States to address this Chamber for the State of the Union. I would like to commend Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who, just yesterday, said he would welcome the President here to the Chamber this upcoming Tuesday. This decision that was made is not one to bring this House together. That is a decision that is not one to move our country forward. I object. And many others in this Chamber do as well, and I believe many Democrats do. Then I hear that we are about to leave again? I say we stay here. We should all be in one room. No phones, no pay, no one is leaving the room until we have a deal and there is white smoke. That is how to lead, not to set us backward, as we are seeing again by the Speaker's decision today.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of hometown hero and Medal of Honor recipient PFC Garfield M. Langhorn, from Riverhead, New York, who, 50 years ago today, saved the lives of his platoon members at just 20 years old, by throwing himself on a live grenade in Pleiku Province in Vietnam on January 15, 1969. PFC Langhorn served as a radio operator with Troop C, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, when his unit attempted to rescue the crews of a downed American helicopter. Finding no surviving crew, PFC Langhorn and his unit were returning the fallen aviators when they came under heavy fire from North Vietnamese forces. Under the cover of darkness, the North Vietnamese began to advance, throwing a hand grenade in front of PFC Langhorn who was just a few feet from his injured comrades. It was in that moment, PFC Langhorn selflessly chose the courageous act President Lincoln once referred to as ``the last full measure of devotion''--to his brothers, his fellow soldiers and his country. In that moment, he ``unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast,'' according to his Medal of Honor Citation and the first-hand accounts of his fellow soldiers he saved. For his extraordinary act of bravery, PFC Langhorn received a series of awards, including the highest, most prestigious personal military decoration--the Medal of Honor, and, most recently, the Riverhead Post Office was dedicated in his name. There is no doubt, PFC Langhorn has earned these commendations, but they mean little if we forget to look beyond the decorations and forever remember and honor the actions of the 20-year-old young man who earned them. In saving his fellow soldiers, PFC Langhorn's life was extinguished too soon, but as President Lincoln continued, ``we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.'' Today, we must challenge ourselves as Americans to pick up that torch, to embody the bravery, selflessness and commitment to our great country. There is no memorial, no medal and no post office that can bring back PFC Langhorn, but he can live eternally in all of us, in our actions and in our hearts

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of hometown hero and Medal of Honor recipient PFC Garfield M. Langhorn from Riverhead, New York, who, 50 years ago today, saved the lives of his platoon members, at just 20 years old, by throwing himself on a live grenade in Pleiku province in Vietnam on January 15, 1969. PFC Langhorn served as a radio operator with Troop C, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, when his unit attempted to rescue the crew of a downed American helicopter. Finding no surviving crew, PFC Langhorn and his unit were returning the fallen aviators when they came under heavy fire from North Vietnamese forces. Under the cover of darkness, the North Vietnamese began to advance, throwing a hand grenade in front of PFC Langhorn, who threw himself on the grenade. The grenade was just a few feet from a few of his injured comrades. It was in that moment, PFC Langhorn was so selfless, he chose a courageous act that President Lincoln once referred to as ``the last full measure of devotion.'' It was an act for his brothers, his fellow soldiers, and his country. In that moment, he ``unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast,'' according to the Medal of Honor Citation and the firsthand accounts of his fellow soldiers he saved. For his extraordinary act of bravery, PFC Langhorn received a series of awards, including the highest, most prestigious personal military declaration, the Medal of Honor. Most recently, the Riverhead Post Office was named in his honor. There is no doubt PFC Langhorn has earned these commendations, but they mean little if we forget to look beyond the declarations and forever remember and honor the actions of the 20-year-old man who earned them. In saving his fellow soldiers, PFC Langhorn's life was extinguished too soon, but as President Lincoln continued, ``we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.'' Today, we must challenge ourselves as Americans to pick up that torch, to embody the bravery, selflessness, and commitment to our great country. There is no memorial, no medal, and no post office that can bring back PFC Langhorn, but he can live eternally in all of us, in our actions and in our hearts.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the service and sacrifice of Gennaro (Jerry) Cianciotta who was born on January 13, 1919, grew up in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn and now resides in Ronkonkoma, New York. Jerry enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during the summer of 1940 and was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia where he was assigned to the Fifteenth Air Corps Group--68th Materiel. Upon completion of Basic Training, Jerry was transferred to Africa where he encountered enemy fire and bombings by the German military. Tasked with the treacherous job of refueling aircrafts, he achieved the rank of Corporal and was awarded multiple awards for his service, including a Good Conduct medal. Jerry was then sent to England, where the enemy aggression continued. ``I was really lucky,'' Jerry stated in reference to surviving the bombs and fire he encountered. After serving in England for a year, Jerry, who was fluent in Italian, was sent to Italy, where he remained until just prior to the end of World War II. Having returned home on leave to get married at the conclusion of the war, Jerry returned to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he was honorably discharged. For his service and sacrifice, our Nation will always be indebted to Buck Sergeant Gennaro (Jerry) Cianciotta, and his bravery and selflessness, then and now, continues to inspire us all.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of our 9/11 first responders and their families, urging all Members of Congress to support passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act, H.R. 7062, which would permanently fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund and extend its authorization to 2090. Regardless of party affiliation and regardless of which district or State you come from, it is imperative that right out of the gate of the next Congress, starting next month, that this legislation is immediately passed and sent to the President to become law. First responders who worked on the pile day and night, aiding in the search, rescue, and cleanup efforts, were breathing in toxic debris and ash that are now known to have caused over 50 different types of cancer. James Zadroga was one of those fearless leaders. 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. Mr. Speaker, 5 years later, the Zadroga Act was permanently reauthorized and included $4.6 million for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund over 5 years, which was established to provide compensation for the victims of 9/11 and their families. However, we are hearing from the special master of the fund that this funding ``may be insufficient to compensate all claims.'' Representing a district just over 50 miles from Ground Zero, fighting for the Americans affected on September 11 isn't just my job--it is personal. Whether it is losing a loved one or knowing someone who volunteered on the pile, each and every one of my constituents, including myself, has been affected. Before Congress passed the permanent reauthorization of the Zadroga Act, I vividly recall so many first responders who had fallen ill were forced to come to our Nation's Capitol and beg for the benefits they rightfully earned. These 9/11 first responders lived not only in New York, but in 433 of the 435 congressional districts across this country. 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. 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 while everyone else was running out. It is unconscionable that time and again they have been forced to come crawling to Washington, D.C., to plead their case as to why they are worthy of our support. It was heartbreaking and sickening, and I hope we have learned our lesson. We must pass this legislation at the beginning of the 116th Congress so these first responders don't have to go through all of this again, so they can focus on their health and not be forced to travel to Washington, D.C., on their own dime dozens of times for the benefits 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 on that day. But this year marked an especially harrowing occasion. By the end of this year, it is anticipated that more people will have died from 9/11- related illnesses than were killed on 9/11, and over 175 of those deaths occurred just this year. Jimmy Martinez was one of those 175. Diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, he went into remission in 2016, a year after the Zadroga Act's permanent reauthorization. He responded to the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center, again on 9/11, and came to the aid of so many in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. This August, he died a 26-year veteran of the FDNY. Just as there were so many who fought for the Zadroga Act who were not here to fight for its reauthorization in 2015, Jimmy is just one of the so many who are unable to continue this fight today. That is why it is up to us--to fight for others like Jimmy, for those who risked so much for us but they need our help. Congress must take action to ensure every family receives the compensation they are entitled to as soon as possible. They have earned nothing less. On that horrific day, in the face of the worst of humanity, these men and women were the best of it. In honor of them and their families who carry on their memory, Congress must do its job and permanently fund the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. In the aftermath of 9/11, we vowed we would never forget, and I am going to make sure of it.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Barton for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak in support of language that was added to the IMPROVE Act that would protect access to critical equipment for individuals with disabilities. In November of 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a rule stating that accessories used on complex rehabilitative wheelchairs would no longer be part of the fixed fee schedule and would be subject to competitive bidding pricing, decreasing access to customized wheelchairs and accessories relied on by adults and children with disabilities. My language included in this legislation will include a commonsense clarification to ensure those in the Medicare Program do not have to go through the difficulty of adjusting to the new rules and pricing arbitrarily set by CMS. This will ensure that they have reliable and consistent access to the equipment they need. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to protect those with disabilities and their access to the resources they rely on.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for supporting my proposal to require the FAA to reassess the North Shore helicopter route and address the noise impact on affected communities, improve altitude enforcement, and consider alternative routes, including an all-water route over the Atlantic Ocean. The FAA will be required to hold a public hearing on the North Shore route in impacted communities and open a public comment period, both of which the FAA has refused to do while renewing the route without consulting the public. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge passage of my bill, H.R. 6737, the Protect Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act, which is bipartisan legislation that passed the committee with a unanimous vote of 49-0. This legislation would provide a technical fix so that recently issued loans refinanced by the Department of Veterans Affairs can remain eligible for the secondary market. This fix is essential to prevent a liquidity crisis in the veterans home loan market and ensure that the brave men and women who have served our Nation in uniform have access to affordable mortgages. Through passage of this bill, we can ensure that VA home loans are not adversely impacted by issues in the veterans mortgage market created by the unintended consequences of S. 2155. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, S. 2155, contained some very important bipartisan reforms to protect veterans from predatory lending and deceptive marketing. These provisions of S. 2155 are now the law of the land and essential to protect the VA home market. But unclear timelines laid out in the legislation and the way the Government National Mortgage Association, also known as Ginnie Mae, chose to implement the requirements of the new law have left an estimated 2,500 or more VA home loans boxed out of the secondary market. These mortgages are now considered orphan loans, because they are no longer eligible for Ginnie Mae securitization, even though they met all Federal requirements and are backed by the VA. My bill would prevent a government-triggered liquidity crisis in the VA mortgage market by fixing this problem and restoring eligibility for these orphan loans. Addressing this ensures that veteran homeowners or prospective home buyers who have earned access to the VA home loan program through their military service aren't harmed by a fluke in S. 2155. Without this bill, potential damage to the overall VA home loan market is likely because VA lenders may have to sell or finance these orphan mortgages at a loss. This would have a negative impact on the brave men and women who have served our country and deserve a path to homeownership and the American Dream. If lenders aren't able to securitize VA home loans through Ginnie Mae, closing costs and borrowing costs could go up and opportunities to borrow or refinance could go down. Mr. Speaker, veterans have some of the lowest default and foreclosure rates in the Nation, and they have earned access to VA home loans through their selfless service to our country. As I mentioned earlier, it is estimated that 2,500 or more VA home loans that were issued earlier in May or June of this year may now be boxed out of the market due to a minuscule legislative error. Even one VA home loan negatively impacted by a minor mistake is one too many when it comes to giving our veterans access to homeownership. That is why we must pass this bipartisan bill. I thank my lead bipartisan cosponsors, Claudia Tenney of New York and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. I also thank Chairman Hensarling, Ranking Member Waters, and Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Chairman Sean Duffy for supporting this important bipartisan reform. I also thank the great staff of the House Financial Services Committee for all their help throughout this process. They certainly have shown a tremendous amount of care and compassion for our Nation's veterans with this bill and so many others. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Senator Tillis and Senator Warren expressing the need to address the issue of these orphan VA loans. I urge adoption of this important bipartisan bill. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC, June 11, 2018. J. Paul Compton, Jr., General Counsel, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Compton: As you know, S. 2304--the Protecting Veterans from Predatory Lending Act of 2018 (Act)--was introduced and subsequently included in S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which President Trump signed into law on May 24, 2018. The Act was introduced to protect veterans from targeted predatory home loan practices by requiring lenders to demonstrate a material benefit to consumers when refinancing their mortgage. As such, the legislation included: (1) a fee recoupment requirement; (2) a net tangible benefit test; and (3) a loan seasoning requirement. The aforementioned actions and subsequent signature of the president were taken after witnessing some bad actors in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan space engage in the practice of ``churning''--the refinancing of a home loan over and over again to generate fees and profits for lenders at the expense of the consumer and taxpayers. Upon enactment of the legislation, questions arose surrounding whether Ginnie Mae (Ginnie) is statutorily authorized to continue to accept previously guaranteed Ginnie Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) as eligible multiclass securities collateral under its multiclass securities programs, given the requirements of the legislation--i.e. the MBS are backed by a refinanced loan that is guaranteed by the VA benefit program and do not meet the conditions required by the Act. Specifically, the Act requires that to be included as eligible collateral for a Ginnie guaranteed MBS, a VA refinance loan must be refinanced after the later of: (1) the date that is 210 days after the date on which the first monthly payment is made on the mortgage being refinanced, and (2) the date on which six full monthly payments have been made on the mortgage being refinanced. To implement the Act, Ginnie revised its MBS pooling eligibility requirements and amended its MBS Guide to specify how Ginnie MBS are affected by this Act. Ginnie delineated that securities with an issuance date of May 1, 2018 or earlier are unaffected even if they do not meet the conditions of the Act, and that Ginnie securities with an issuance dated June 1, 2018 or later will comply with the new pooling requirements and conditions of the Act. Ginnie also determined that given the above-mentioned congressional reasons for enacting S. 2155, there was never an intent by Congress to impact Ginnie's ability to continue to guaranty multiclass securities that are collateralized by Ginnie MBS guaranteed prior to the enactment of the Act that may contain VA guaranteed refinanced loans that do not meet the requirements of the Act. We recognize that there are a small number of loans that do not conform with the Act's requirements that were either originated or in the process of being originated before the May 31st date of Ginnie's APM regarding new seasoning requirements. It was not our intention to ``orphan'' those loans, and we urge Ginnie and the VA to work with lenders and other federal agencies to attempt to ensure that those loans are not adversely affected by the enactment of the Act. We support the steps that Ginnie has taken, and look forward to working with Ginnie and the VA to further protect veterans from loan ``churning.'' Sincerely, Thom Tillis, United States Senate. Elizabeth Warren, United States Senate.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6846, which would create a new, unique ZIP Code for the hamlets of Flanders, Northampton, and Riverside, located in Suffolk County, New York, in my district. These three hamlets currently share the same ZIP Code with the nearby town of Riverhead, where there are at least 18 identical street names and 32 similar street names. This causes a number of issues, including the delay of mail and packages, which can hold important goods like medications. Shared street names can also delay the response for emergency and medical personnel in situations where every second counts. This could all be avoided by assigning a new and unique ZIP Code to Flanders, Northampton, and Riverside, which is why I have been working closely with committee and House leadership to ensure this important issue does not go unresolved. Last Congress, I brought then-Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz to my district to hear from my constituents firsthand regarding how important this issue is to us. I then worked with Chairman Chaffetz to secure House passage last Congress, but, unfortunately, the Senate failed to act. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bill tonight, and I implore the Senate to take this bill up immediately. This legislation will have an immediate, on-the-ground, positive impact on the lives of so many of my constituents. I would like to thank, especially, Ron Fisher, chairman of the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Citizens Advisory Council and president of the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Community Association. I would also like to thank Vince Taldone and Vicki Farruggia from the Flanders, Riverside, Northampton Community Association. I thank the chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and his great staff. I appreciate their support and urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service and legacy of Master Sergeant Michael Aloysius Ryan. Born on May 15, 1946, Master Sergeant Ryan dedicated his life to his country through his service with the Armed Forces. Earning his High School GED through the United States Armed Forces Institute, he went on to serve two tours in Vietnam and one in the Persian Gulf. Throughout his service, Master Sergeant Ryan earned many decorations, medals and commendations, including two Air Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and Army Rifle MIG Expert Badge. Returning home to transition into the Air Force Reserve, Master Sergeant Ryan continued to serve his nation as a member of the 106th Rescue Wing of Westhampton Beach, New York. Once again answering the call of duty, Master Sergeant Ryan stepped up in the immediate aftermath of September 11th as a part of the search and recovery mission at the World Trade Center. Within one week of working the pile at Ground Zero, Master Sergeant Ryan contracted an incurable lung disease, one he would succumb to nearly seventeen years later. Master Sergeant Ryan was kind, loving, dedicated, funny, intelligent and a passionate sportsman. He was a loving husband, loyal brother, amazing father and caring grandfather, but most of all he was an American hero. Having dedicated centuries of his life to serving his fellow Americans, he did not hesitate to step up even in our nation's darkest moment. For his bravery and heroism, and the sacrifice of his family, our country will be eternally grateful. Let his memory serve as a promise to always care for our nation's veterans, first responders and all those who stepped up in the aftermath of September 11th.

Mr. ZELDIN

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the service of Alonna K. Rubin, President and Founder of Families In Arms, a non-profit dedicated to help children with autism and their families. Mrs. Rubin received her B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication in 1995. She went on to get her M.S. in Education in 1997. Married to David in 2000, they welcomed their first son, Jack in 2001. When Jack was diagnosed with Autism at age two, Alonna resigned from her teaching position and became a full-time advocate for her son. She immersed herself in Jack's therapies, and worked alongside specialists to ensure effectiveness of therapies and strategies. In 2005, David and Alonna were blessed with another little boy, Carter. Since 2008, Alonna has been Co-President of her local school district's Special Education PTA and was an instructor with The Long Island Institute of Professional Studies, teaching ``Assisting Students With Autism in the Classroom'' for several years. Alonna has been a guest lecturer for Touro College, ``Identifying and developing Programs for Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities'', as well as giving presentations for Superintendent's Conference days for various school districts on Special Education and Autism. Alonna is the founder of Families in Arms, Inc., along with her father and co-founder Ric Mango. The mission of Families in Arms is to give families of children with Autism, the opportunity to create memories that go far beyond the walls of therapy. 1 in 59 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism. Early intervention is the key to helping children with Autism begin to make the greatest strides. Children with Autism typically begin therapy at or around the age of two, often times between 25-40 hours per week. Families In Arms works to help these very special children and their families step out beyond the walls. Studies show that declarative memory in children with Autism is unharmed, untouched and often stronger than your average person. Children with Autism will always remember the hard work they put in every day for their entire lives. They will never forget the special moments they create with the people that love them the most. Families In Arms assists families to alleviate financial strain and provide relief so that they are free to create memories that last a life-time.