[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18873]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF SERVING 18 YEARS IN CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, since 1997, I have had the 
privilege to serve New York's 4th congressional district in the U.S. 
House of Representatives. Earlier this year, I announced that I would 
not be seeking reelection; in January of 2015, I will step down from 
the post that has brought me so much professional and personal 
happiness and enabled me to serve the District to the best of my 
ability.
  Who can say that life follows the script we imagine for ourselves 
when we are young? I was a nurse from Mineola living the life I wanted. 
But fate intervened: I went to Washington as an advocate against the 
scourge of gun violence, and I fought for legislation including the 
2007 National Instant Background Check System Improvements Act (NICS). 
I worked tirelessly during this chapter of my life, but I remained in 
so many ways, a nurse from Mineola. I never forgot where I came from or 
the people I grew up with. I have treasured those relationships. I 
became a Representative to better their lives through legislation. As I 
look back now, I know that together we have done this and laid the 
groundwork for a brighter future.
  Through my work with gun violence legislation, I acquired a 
reputation as a ``one-issue'' candidate. But, as I like to say, what 
woman has just one issue? I've authored three pieces of legislation 
written into law: The Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009, which 
helped preserve historical artifacts from the Civil Rights era; the 
Serve America Act of 2009, which greatly expanded vital service 
programs such as AmeriCorps; and the aforementioned NICS act. In 
addition, I've worked on various legislative efforts, including acts 
that bolstered our science and math education. Working on the Dodd-
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, I championed the 
creation of an entity within the Consumer Financial Bureau that focused 
on financial empowerment by giving consumers the tools to be 
financially literate. While I went to Washington as a crusader against 
gun violence, I grew over the years into a candidate for all issues.
  Most elected officials accomplish what they do thanks to the people 
who supported them along the journey. I am no different, and I am 
forever grateful. My staff and I worked to provide programs and enact 
legislation that benefited Long Island. We led the Small Business 
Relief Forum in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, held numerous job 
fairs to help Long Islanders manage the difficult economy, and ran 
blood drives and Medicare prescription drug seminars. We've closed over 
30,000 constituent cases--ranging from social security and IRS issues, 
to veterans affairs and USCIS concerns. In these initiatives, the chief 
goal was always the same: better the lives of the 4th Congressional 
District.
  No one reaches this point in life without accumulating a long list of 
people to thank. I am indebted to the entire 4th District for allowing 
me to represent them in Congress, and to my staff, volunteers and 
supporters who have been by my side on this journey. I owe a thank you 
to my colleagues in the House of Representatives; their compassion for 
the job has continuously inspired me. And, of course, I am forever 
grateful for the support of my family, particularly my son Kevin, whose 
attitude and toughness is a towering display of bravery.
  As I enter my last few weeks in office, I feel confident that all 
we've accomplished has prepared us for what is ahead. However, while my 
role as a U.S. Representative is ending, my job is not yet done. 
Although I no longer have a voice in Congress, I will always have a 
voice for the community. To everyone who has supported me, I'd like to 
say thank you. But I am not saying goodbye. I remain, as a wonderful 
chapter of my life comes to an end, very excited to see where we will 
go together next.

                          ____________________