[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H1129-H1130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING THE SCARSDALE FORUM

  (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the civic commitment of 
an organization of active and concerned citizens in Scarsdale who labor 
to involve everyday residents in the important issues of the day, the 
Scarsdale Forum.
  The organization traces its roots back over 120 years to 1904, with a 
charitable and educational mission at its core. The forum sponsors 
events and seminars addressing the issues, choices, and solutions that 
directly impact the community. The floor committees study substantive 
issues, produce reports for discussion, and interact directly with 
elected officials.
  The leadership team, President Jill Spielberg, Vice President Karen 
Brew, along with Elaine Weir, Madelaine Eppenstein, and a large cadre 
of talented neighbors in key roles, provide a strong base of abilities 
all committed to the benefit of Scarsdale.
  From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute the men and 
women of the Scarsdale Forum who have made the level of voluntary, 
active citizenship envisioned by our Founding Fathers come to life in 
the village of Scarsdale.


               Trump Administration's Attacks on Families

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the Trump 
administration's recent attack on childcare and family assistance. This 
administration has decided to freeze funding for three critical 
programs in New York and four other Democratic States. As usual, they 
are putting their politically motivated agenda on full display.
  The targeted programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy 
Families, the Child Care and Development Fund, and the Social Services 
Block Grant program. This move threatens over $3.4 billion in annual 
funds that New York depends upon to provide critical resources, 
including childcare, public assistance, domestic violence services, 
homeless shelters, and emergency payments for families and children.
  This action only serves to intensify the massive affordability crisis 
that New York and the rest of the country continue to face. Playing 
politics with people's lives, let alone vulnerable children and 
families, is unacceptable.
  While this administration continues its cruel and vengeful behavior, 
my Democratic colleagues and I remain committed to protecting 
vulnerable children and families.


                      Polio Resurgence and Rotary

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I address this Chamber today as a longtime 
member of Rotary International. Rotary's top priority is eradication of 
the deadly disease, polio. Its members have invested billions of 
dollars and countless volunteer hours in polio vaccination campaigns in 
countries around the world.
  In 1988, Rotary helped to create the Global Polio Eradication 
Initiative, a partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Gates 
Foundation, and the vaccine alliance, Gavi, with additional critical 
funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which no 
longer exists. Yet the entire effort is threatened by the 
administration's plan to defund key GPEI partners.
  Just at the time when this disease is closer than ever to being 
eradicated, the risk of outbreaks is greatly increased. We must do all 
in our power to protect the gains already made, and finish the job, 
including appropriating the funds required.
  People from my generation remember the terrible consequences of 
polio, often paralysis and even death for those with this highly 
contagious disease. Many Americans still live with long-term post-polio 
syndrome.
  Still, outbreaks continue around the world and other countries that 
are just a plane ride away. Complete eradication depends on continued 
vaccination of children everywhere and constant surveillance.

[[Page H1130]]

  Founded in Chicago in 1905 with the motto of Service Above Self, 
Rotary International is the headquarters organization for a vast number 
of Rotary Clubs. It is one of the largest nonreligious and nonpolitical 
civil society membership organizations. It provides people-to-people 
assistance reaching the community level with vital programs.
  Rotarians have a wide range of political and partisan leanings, but 
they are united in their commitment to serve their communities and they 
share a common determination to end polio. We must hear their voices, 
and we must not let them down.

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