[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 118 (Monday, July 20, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4673-H4675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF LONG ISLAND ASSOCIATION
(Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. LaLota
of New York was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the
majority leader. )
General Leave
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I am honored to host a Special
Order in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Long Island
Association.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an institution that has helped
shape Long Island's economy, strengthened its communities, and
championed its future for the past century.
For 100 years, the Long Island Association has served as the leading
voice of Long Island's business community, bringing together employers,
entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, educators, labor leaders, and
public officials around a shared mission: ensuring Long Island remains
one of the best places in America to live, work, raise a family, and
build a business.
Founded in 1926 as the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, the
organization emerged during a period of tremendous growth with an
ambitious mission: to promote Long Island's unique strengths and expand
economic opportunity throughout the region.
That mission has endured, even as Long Island has evolved from a
collection of agricultural communities and seasonal destinations into
one of the Nation's most dynamic regional economies.
Today, Long Island is home to world-class manufacturers, innovative
life science companies, internationally recognized research
institutions, thriving small businesses, and vibrant downtowns.
Throughout that transformation, the Long Island Association has been
a steadfast advocate for policies that encourage investment,
innovation, and job creation.
Whether advancing critical infrastructure projects, strengthening
workforce development, or helping businesses navigate extraordinary
challenges--from the aftermath of September 11 to Superstorm Sandy to
the COVID-19 pandemic--the LIA has consistently demonstrated thoughtful
leadership and an unwavering commitment to our region.
Its work continues today as Long Island confronts many of the
challenges that will define our next century, including affordability,
housing, infrastructure, energy reliability, and maintaining a business
climate that allows employers of every size to succeed. New York's
exceptionally high tax burden only makes those challenges more
difficult.
Meeting those challenges is essential, not only for today's economy
but for ensuring that future generations can continue to build
successful careers and rewarding lives on Long Island.
Mr. Speaker, I will also recognize the outstanding leadership of the
Long Island Association, who are joining us in the gallery this
evening:
Chairman Lawrence J. Waldman; Acting President and Chief Executive
Officer Stacey Sikes; and members of the board of directors, including
Billy Haugland, Katherine Heaviside, and Luis Vazquez.
Their leadership and the dedication of countless other board members,
[[Page H4674]]
staff, volunteers, and business leaders over the past century have
positioned the Long Island Association for continued success in the
years ahead.
{time} 1930
As someone privileged to represent New York's First Congressional
District, I know that Long Island's greatest asset has always been its
people--the entrepreneurs, workers, educators, researchers, veterans,
community leaders, and innovators whose talent and determination make
our region exceptional.
For a century, the Long Island Association has brought those voices
together in pursuit of a stronger regional economy and a brighter
future.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Long Island
Association on this extraordinary centennial anniversary.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the
people of New York's First Congressional District, I thank the
association, its leadership, its members, and everyone who has
contributed to this remarkable legacy. May its second century be as
successful as its first.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Gillen).
Ms. GILLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the Long Island Association. For a century, it has been
an institution at the heart of Long Island's economy and business
community.
I thank Chairman Waldman, Acting President Sikes, and the
association's board members who traveled to Washington this week. It is
a privilege to reaffirm our shared commitment to prosperity and
opportunity for every Long Islander.
Long Island's businesses and industries contribute more than $200
billion to our Nation's economy each year. We are an economic
powerhouse, driving innovation and discoveries in national security,
medicine, and next-generation technologies.
Giving Long Island's businesses a strong base with no limits on their
success is how we bolster our local economy and our way of life.
Core to its mission, the Long Island Association has been a crucial
bridge between businesses and local and Federal government leaders.
That partnership is foundational to the success of every entrepreneur,
industry, and family-owned business that built Long Island.
Our work here in Washington is first and foremost to deliver for our
communities through bipartisanship and common sense. Doing so through
pro-business and pro-worker policies gives our region the room to grow
and stay competitive.
The Long Island Association partnership has been instrumental in
helping meet the challenges that we face. We must make Long Island more
affordable to keep attracting world-class talent and give companies the
chance to invest in themselves.
That starts with lowering the high cost and taxes our families and
businesses pay, including fully and permanently eliminating the SALT
cap and undoing harmful tariffs. It means making housing more
affordable and ensuring every young professional and hardworking family
has a place to call home.
We must meet our energy needs with an all-of-the-above strategy and
guarantee our infrastructure can support a growing economy. We must cut
Federal red tape and invest in our industries to fuel greater
opportunity across our region.
I am proud to have worked with the association and with my Long
Island colleagues across the aisle to tackle these challenges head on.
I remain committed to being a trusted voice in Washington for Long
Island's businesses and workers.
As we celebrate the Long Island Association's 100 years of
excellence, I look forward to our continued partnership.
Congratulations on this historic milestone and the beginning of another
remarkable century of service.
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Suozzi).
Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to be joining with my
colleagues in the spirit of bipartisanship to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of the Long Island Association.
It has been a long journey, where over 100 years, a few name changes,
under different leadership, and over a transition from farmland to
suburbia to one of the densest, most productive regions in the Nation,
the Long Island Association has brought together the best minds in
business, labor, education, government, and the not-for-profit
community to lay out a vision to move our community forward.
The Long Island Association has helped lead the way to make Long
Island one of the most powerful regional economies in the United States
of America.
Now, the Long Island Association has not done everything right. In
preparing for this speech, I learned that the Long Island Association,
along with none other than Robert Moses, proposed a bridge from
Connecticut to Long Island. It might have been a good idea for business
and traffic, but it would have ruined my beaches.
I have been in public life for over 30 years, first elected as mayor
in 1993. As a result, I had the opportunity to be friendly with each
leader of the Long Island Association during that time, from Jim
Larocca to Matt Crosson to Kevin Law to Matt Cohen, and now the
extraordinary Stacey Sikes.
I worked together with Stacey when I was Nassau County Executive. I
saw firsthand her intelligence, work ethic, integrity, and her ability
to bring people together. She, together with our chairman, Larry
Waldman, and so many other good people on the board, we realize the
Long Island Association is in very good hands.
For a century, the Long Island Association has been in the room for
nearly every major conversation about our region's future. It helped
advocate for the creation of Jones Beach State Park. It advocated for
the Long Island Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway.
It was there for the growth of Levittown and the merger of North
Shore University Hospital and the Glen Cove Hospital, which laid the
foundation for what is now Northwell Health.
The Long Island Association has supported the growth of research and
innovation and has brought together leaders to address the workforce
development, housing, clean water, energy, and the stewardship of our
natural resources like the Long Island Sound.
The association knows what businesses and workers need. It knows
where Long Island commerce is pulling ahead and where it is falling
behind. It understands the challenges we are facing when it comes to
housing, transportation, workforce shortages, and energy reliability.
It knows who needs to be in the room to ensure Long Island stays
competitive in a rapidly changing economy.
We need the Long Island Association now more than ever. In our
contemporary world, with the division between Democrats and Republicans
and a fractured media environment, it is hard to know who to trust. We
need the Long Island Association to continue to bring us together in
search of a common vision to make Long Island the best place to live,
work, and enjoy our lives.
The challenges we face today are different than they were 100 years
ago, but the need for people to work together to cross party lines, to
cross from business to labor, from elected officials to the not-for-
profit community and education is the same need we have always had.
We must work together to build upon the progress that has been made
to increase the SALT deduction and make life more affordable for Long
Islanders.
We must work together to build more housing in downtowns so that we
can expand the tax base and create an environment that is attractive
and affordable to young people, and thereby expand our workforce and
create cool downtowns.
We must work together to ensure that our energy is sustainable,
reliable, and affordable. We must work together to improve our
infrastructure, reduce traffic, and hasten our commutes.
We must work together to protect the environment and to keep our
communities safe so that we can maintain one of the greatest qualities
of life of any region in the Nation.
Working together, Democrats and Republicans, in league with our
partners represented by the Long Island Association, we know that Long
Island's best days are ahead.
Congratulations on an extraordinary first century, and here is to the
next 100 years.
[[Page H4675]]
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues and I have described during
this Special Order, Long Island's success has never happened by
accident. Rather, it has always been driven by gritty, proud,
hardworking people willing to invest in their communities and build a
stronger future.
For the last 100 years, the Long Island Association has helped lead
that effort, and I have no doubt it will continue to do so for
generations to come.
I once again congratulate the Long Island Association on its
centennial anniversary, thank its leadership and members for their
enduring service to our region and wish them continued success ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messmer).
{time} 1940
Recognizing Ken Eppler, Outstanding Hoosier
Mr. MESSMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding Hoosier
whose dedication to our country did not end when he took off the
uniform.
This week, I will have the honor of welcoming Evansville Army veteran
Ken Eppler and his lovely wife, Cathy, to my congressional office here
at the United States Capitol.
Following his service to our Nation, Ken found great happiness in his
incredible talent as a painter. He graciously lent me one of his
beautiful paintings, The Enduring Spirit to display here in the Halls
of Congress in honor of America's 250th anniversary.
Ken served our Nation with honor in the United States Army, earning
both Airborne and Air Assault qualifications before serving with the
101st Airborne Division during the Gulf war.
He later continued his service in the Indiana National Guard and has
made us all proud as a defender of our country and a wonderful member
of our community. His commitment to our Nation is reflected not only in
his military service, but also in the remarkable artwork he continues
to create.
The Enduring Spirit depicts three colonial children standing together
playing the fife and drum while proudly holding an American 250 flag.
To me, this patriotic painting is a powerful reminder that the ideals
of freedom and love of country are passed from one generation down to
the next. It is a privilege to display his incredible artwork for my
colleagues and all who visit Washington, especially those Hoosiers
coming to our Nation's Capital.
Ken has said that he hopes his artwork inspires students to love our
country and encourages young people to learn more about our Nation's
great history. I cannot think of a better message to share with the
myriads of people who travel to Washington and visit our country's
Capital.
Indiana's Eighth District is proud to call Ken Eppler one of our own,
and I am honored to display his beautiful artwork which I think
reflects the very best of Hoosier and American patriotism.
Congratulating Evansville Mater Dei Wildcats Baseball Victory
Mr. MESSMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mater Dei
Wildcats for winning the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association
Class 2-A baseball State championship.
In a thrilling 6-3 victory in the final game, the Wildcats captured
their second baseball State championship in school history, the last
one being back in 1991.
I also want to recognize first-year Head Coach Adam Wildeman whose
leadership led the Wildcats to 15 consecutive victories, delivering
another championship back to Evansville. This victory is a proud moment
for Evansville, Vanderburgh County, and all of Indiana's Eighth
Congressional District.
Congratulations, once again, to the Mater Dei Wildcats.
Congratulating the Barr-Reeve Vikings Softball Victory
Mr. MESSMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Barr-Reeve
Vikings softball team on winning the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic
Association Class 1-A State softball championship, their first State
softball championship in school history.
With a dominant 6-0 victory in their final game, the Vikings had an
outstanding season with 32 wins and only one loss, cementing their
names in the Hoosier athletic history books.
This championship is the result of years of hard work and great
perseverance. A great job was done by Head Coach Josh Huff, whose
leadership inspired the discipline these athletes put forth to bring
home this victory.
Congratulations to the Barr-Reeve Vikings for making all of us proud
in Daviess County and throughout the Eighth District, and may they
enjoy their well-deserved summer vacation.
Congratulating Tecumseh Braves Softball Victory
Mr. MESSMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Tecumseh
Braves softball team on bringing home the 2026 Indiana High School
Athletic Association Class 2-A softball State championship.
This marks the fourth State championship title the Braves have
captured in the last 5 years and the seventh in the program's history.
What an extraordinary achievement, reflecting incredible amounts of
hard work, discipline, and a great commitment to their teammates and
their sport.
Year after year, the Tecumseh Braves have set the standard for
excellence, as their many big wins show.
Thanks to Head Coach Gordon Wood, whose outstanding leadership has
helped establish Tecumseh as one of Indiana's premier softball
programs.
Way to make all of us in Warrick County proud. I congratulate them
all.
Congratulations to the Jasper Wildcats Girls' Tennis Victory
Mr. MESSMER. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the
Jasper Wildcats girls' tennis doubles team of Adaysha Smiley and Stella
Knies for winning the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association
girls' tennis doubles State championship.
In a hard-fought straight-set victory, the doubles team captured the
State title, capping off an outstanding season. Hats off to these two
athletes for their prowess and sportsmanship throughout the year, which
makes this big win all the more sweet for the Wildcats and the fans.
I also want to give a shout-out to Head Coach Scott Yarbrough, whose
outstanding leadership has, once again, guided the Wildcats to another
State championship. All of Dubois County is proud of this tennis team
and these special young ladies for their impressive victory.
I congratulate, once again, the Jasper Wildcats girls' tennis team.
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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