[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 188 (Wednesday, December 18, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H7325-H7326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONCLUDING MY SERVICE IN CONGRESS WITH GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Molinaro) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with gratitude and humility 
as I conclude my service to New York's 19th Congressional District. 
Representing the people of upstate New York in this historic Chamber 
has truly been the honor of a lifetime.
  This journey has been guided by the values, aspirations, and 
resilience of the families, farmers, and small businesses that are the 
backbone of our district, from the Massachusetts-New York border, 
across the Hudson River Valley, through the Catskill Mountains, to 
central New York, and into the Southern Tier.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the people of this amazing upstate New York 
District for their trust, their support, and their unwavering belief in 
me. Representing them was never just a job; it was a deeply personal 
mission.
  Their faith in me inspired every decision we made, every vote cast, 
every moment spent advocating for our shared future.
  Together, we focused on what truly matters: delivering results for 
the people and places that make our district extraordinary, and we met 
challenges head-on.
  Together, we tackled the fentanyl and mental health crisis, securing 
Federal funding to expand stabilization centers in Broome and Sullivan 
Counties. These efforts remind us that no one should have to face their 
struggles alone. We championed the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative on the 
national stage, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for 
individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities 
and creating new opportunities for employment, education, and social 
services.
  We worked to safeguard the Hudson River, preserve farmland, and 
protected our most precious natural resources for generations to come. 
Amid inflation and border crises, we sought solutions that would make a 
tangible difference for everyday Americans. Through tireless bipartisan 
collaboration, we passed over 40 pieces of legislation, earning 
recognition as New York's most bipartisan lawmaker.
  This work was only possible because of the extraordinary team we 
assembled, individuals whose dedication and heart I will not soon 
forget.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my chief of staff, Jeff Bishop; deputy chief of 
staff, Dan Kranz; district director, Caitlin Daly; legislative 
director, Connor Torossian; scheduler, Maddie Bruno; legislative 
assistants, Kaitlyn Mullen and Doug Gordon; legislative correspondent, 
Nick Urbin; field representatives, Nicole Leonard and Alex Horton; 
constituent caseworkers, Michelle Speach and Sean Lisk; press 
assistant, Hannah Benfield; outreach coordinator, Ciano Briga; 
constituent services representative, Ben Straebler; staff assistant, 
Noelle Dana; and other members of team Molinaro: Jessica Akshar, 
Caroline Doxsee, Tyler Gutchess, Alex Holderith, Kate McKan, Maddy 
Minahan, and Rick Yackel for their hard work and selfless dedication. 
It has been the cornerstone of all of our achievements.
  Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues and friends who serve and 
represent the State of New York, Republicans and Democrats alike, their 
friendship and support has been so gratifying, and it has been a 
pleasure these last 30 years to work with most of them.
  Finally, let me thank my family. My wife, Corinne, is a superhero, 
filled with strength, love, and patience, and I am grateful to her and 
my children: Abigail, Jack, Elias, and Theo, each amazing and accepting 
and wonderful in their own special way. I am thankful to my mother, 
Dona, who instilled in us a desire to pursue truth, work hard, and 
serve others.
  They are all my foundation, my heart, my greatest source of strength. 
They stood side by side with me every step of the way, and this journey 
was ours together. I am endlessly grateful for their love and 
sacrifice.

[[Page H7326]]

  As my time in Congress comes to an end, let me be very clear: Public 
service is not just something I do; it is who I am. From America's 
youngest mayor to Congressman serving upstate New York, this for me is 
not a good-bye. It is the start of a new chapter. I will continue to 
fight for the values we share, advocate for the communities we love, 
and work tirelessly to make our country better, stronger, and more 
united.
  Perhaps I will be blessed with the opportunity to again serve here in 
this most fundamentally American deliberative House.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by thanking the people of New York's 
19th Congressional District, upstate New York, for the privilege of 
serving them. May God continue to bless them, upstate New York, and the 
United States of America.

                          ____________________