The Public Record
over the weekend I joined with hundreds of Marines in my congressional district as they prepared to deploy to the Middle East. Many of their families asked me whether the American people will support them. They asked whether the polls that…
I remember their faces; I remember their families' faces. Our Nation owes them the legislation before us today, but we owe them much more than that. We must stand with them. We need to protect their jobs, protect their incomes, protect…
two summers ago before deciding whether to run for Congress, I sat down with my two daughters. They were, at the time, 13 and 10. They asked how much time I would spend in Washington and how frequently I would be away from Long Island. I…
I strongly support H. Con. Res. 301, which recognizes the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., and Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., for their sacrifices and patriotic support of the United States. I join my colleagues in urging the…
Mr. Chairman, we also share the desire to see that something like September 11 never happens again. As a Member would whose district lies about 40 miles from what we now call ``Ground Zero,'' the consideration of the Homeland Security Act…
as a New Yorker I know that on the hottest ticket on Broadway has been a comedy, The Producers. The tragedy with recent financial scandals is that we are running the plot line of The Producers in real life. In The Producers, the…
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to manage time on the Keep Monticello on the Nickel Act, legislation that preserves the portrait of Monticello on the nickel. All Americans are familiar with the role that Thomas Jefferson played in our Nation's…
Mr. Speaker, there are times when we can make a difference and sometimes it is the difference between life and death, and today is one of those days. We are considering a resolution that could begin a process that will save the lives of…
as a freshman Member of the House Financial Services Committee, I'm still new enough to hope that both sides of the aisle truly want to accomplish meaningful corporate reform. But I'm not naive. A few months ago, in the wake of Enron, many…
I represent a middle-class, middle-income district on Long Island, New York. The people I represent play by the rules. They pay their taxes. They pay their dues. They raise their kids with the values of hard work and fairness. They know…
I am so proud to be a member of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog Coalition and to be fighting with the gentleman, along with my other Blue Dog colleagues, for simple common sense in budgeting. A lot of people think there is a lot of…
I appreciate and respect his passion, but let me tell the Members what our plan is: It is the same plan that every American family and every small business has to abide by every day. That plan says we make sure that the budgets are…
I rise against this substitute. I am one of those Members who has been working on a bipartisan basis to strengthen Medicare and provide affordable prescription drugs to seniors. I know that this fall as sure as the leaves turn, I will turn…
Mr. Clyne and I have just met with special master Ken Feinberg to work towards a victim's compensation fund that is fair and just, and I just wanted to share with my colleagues Mr. Clyne's comments and recollections and remembrances about…
Mr. Speaker, at Raymond Downey's memorial service, his daughter Kathy recited a poem I would like to share. It is entitled Our Angel. ``On that dreadful day we huddled in prayer, hearts joined in sorrow, pain difficult to bear. Our angels…
I rise today not simply to honor a constituent but, rather, to honor a national treasure, Raymond Downey. Heroes are known not only for their deeds but also for their rarity. New York lost many heroes on September 11, Ray Downey epitomized…
today I will vote for The No Child Left Behind Act, H.R. 1. While I support this legislation it is not without some reservations, particularly the inadequate federal support that the bill provides for the Individuals with Disabilities…
New York's economy is in deep trouble. We lead dozens of States in economic decline. Jobs are being lost. Small businesses are going under. Municipal governments are going back into debt. Fire and police budgets are strained. I do not…
this weekend we will commemorate veterans, honoring those who have served in America's armed services in times of peace and times of war. Tragically, this same weekend will mark the 2-month anniversary of September 11, 2 months since…
Mr. Speaker, we know that this bill is not the silver bullet in our war against terrorism, but it is a vital tool for our law enforcement community. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for getting this good strong bill to…
recently I attended a candlelight vigil at the Deer Park High School on Long Island on behalf of those missing and lost on the attack on the World Trade Center. Following that ceremony, I have had the privilege of meeting with the Szewczuk…
Mr. Speaker, today I also join the President of the United States and Democrats and Republicans from this House in a place of war and a place of hope. In the wreckage of the World Trade Center, we saw the signs of war, twisted steel…
Yesterday many of the people of my district in New York were struck by tragedy. We lost family and friends, firefighters and police, loved ones and heroes. One of those heroes is Ray Downey of Deer Park, the New York City Fire Department's…
As a new Member of this body, let me extend my condolences to the majority leader on the loss that he has suffered. Madam Speaker, during the August recess, I joined the United States Coast Guard Fire Island Station for a tour of erosion…
Mr. Chairman, I have only been here in Congress for months, but I have already learned some interesting lessons. Only in Congress can we weaken patient protections, and call it stronger; only in Congress can we protect the HMOs, and call…
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