Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-01-21

RECOGNIZING THE SCARSDALE FORUM

HealthcareTradeHousing

Context

On 2026-01-21, Representative George Latimer (D-NY-16) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE SCARSDALE FORUM" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered trade policy, housing.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE SCARSDALE FORUM

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026) [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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RECOGNIZING THE SCARSDALE FORUM Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 14 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026) [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. ____________________