On the recordJune 5, 2013
I'd like to thank Chairman Carter and Ranking Member Price on behalf of the residents of our region: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the east coast. Mention was made of disasters, and I want to thank the chair and all the committee members, and certainly the big chair, Chairman Rogers, but particularly the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee for their working with us on behalf of our residents who continue to suffer. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you and show our appreciation. There were some tough decisions that had to be made, and we are especially grateful to the staff of both sides of the aisle that worked with us to make life a little more bearable for our residents. And since this is the first appropriations bill since Hurricane Sandy, I just want to express my appreciation. Also, Madam Chairman, I come from a 9/11 State. This committee is very important to urban areas. In this bill are greater protections for the residents of major cities and metropolitan areas. I'd also like to express my appreciation to Chairman Carter and Mr. Price for making sure that different grants are there for first responders. If there are manmade disasters or any type of disasters, the funds are there. I appreciate this opportunity, and I yield back the balance of my time.
