url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406292,"<span class =""kicker"">Holmdel-Colts Neck TapInto News Article</span>'Injured Marine First in NJ to Receive New Smart Home From Tunnel To Towers Foundation'",2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) joined representatives from the Stephen Siller Tunnelto Towers Foundation, local elected officials, members of law enforcement and local veterans, in honoring United States Marine Corporal Scott Nokes. Nokes was chosen by Tunnelto Towers Foundation to be a recipient of a brand new smart home, mortgage free.
Scott A. Nokes, is a hero to so many. Nokeshas twice saved someone's life. As a volunteer firefighter, he once rescued a boy from a fire. In a second incidence, Nokessaved a fellow student while attending a ROTC camp. As a Corporal and rifleman in the Marines, assigned to 1/8 Charlie Company, Nokes was twice deployed to Afghanistan. While on his second deployment, Scott developed dysentery, which led to unresolved GI issues, sepsis and the eventual amputation of both of his legs below the knee. Nokes also suffered theloss of his vision.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation chose to honor and to support Nokes and this new chapter in his life with a custom-designedsmart home. These homes enableseverely injured heroes live more comfortable and independent lives.
Nokes just in time for the Christmas holidayreceived the keys from the foundation to a new smart home which was built specifically for him and his needs as a blind double amputee resulting from an infection he received during hisservice to the U.S. while in Afghanistan.
The 2,800 square foot home is located in Howell, NJ. It hasthree bedrooms,three bathrooms, andsmart amenities such asa fully automatic toilet that has a seat that lifts as someone approaches it. Theseat is also heated, hasauto flushing and cleaning features.
The kitchen is equipped for easier cooking when in a wheelchair and has various built in smart technology conveniences. Both the front door and the door to the garage are automatic. The lighting in each room is designed to shine a different color as Nokes can partially see different color hues.
It took six months and 700 people to complete the project.
In 2003, Smith authored theVeterans Benefit Act(PL 108-183) that increased government funding to $50,000 for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) programs for severely disabled service members.The SAH government program helps veterans like Cpl. Nokes live independently but doesn't cover the entire cost of home ownership. Nokes home is reported to have cost around $500,000. That's where the Tunnels to Towers Foundations stepped in. Through a strong and committed network of donors and corporate partners, theTunnels to Towers Foundationconveyed the home to Cpl. Nokes free of mortgage.An avid hiker and camper Nokes is currently working to complete his college degree majoring in history, homeland security and becoming literate in Braille and hopes to develop a career in peer mentorship.  

No one deserves this more than Corporal Nokes, Smith said. He is a courageous marine with an indomitable spirit. 
Every great foundation has a story behind it. So who is Stephen Siller of the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation? Firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller was the youngest of seven children born to Mae and George Siller. At the age of eight, Stephen lost his father, and a year and a half later his mother passed away, leaving him an orphan to be raised by his older siblings. For a while Stephen went through a period of struggle, but thanks to the love of his siblings, and the values instilled in him by his parents, he grew up to be an extraordinary individual and dedicated firefighter. More than most, he knew that time was precious and accomplished much in his 34 years.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn's Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.
Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others.
Stephen had everything to live for; a great wife, five wonderful children, a devoted extended family, and friends. Stephen's parents were lay Franciscans and he grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, whose encouraging and inspirational phrase while we have time, let us do good were words that Stephen lived by. Stephen's life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good  this is his legacy.
Author and family friend Jay Price wrote: Every momentous event, even a tragedy, has its symbolic figures. September 11th was no different; it just had a few more of them. Rudy Giuliani, Father Mychal Judge, the four guys on United Flight 9  a hundred more  a thousand. None bigger than Stephen Siller, whose stature only grows with time as New Yorkers and people from around the world follow his footsteps.
To learn more about the Tunnels to Towers Foundation or to make a donation,click here.
This article was originally published on December 29, 2019 and can be found online at:
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/holmdel-and-colts-neck/sections/military-and-veterans/articles/injured-marine-first-in-nj-to-receive-new-smart-home-from-tunnel-to-towers-foundation",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406293,"<span class =""kicker"">Coast Star Article:'Feds to target Lyme disease with $150M legislation'</span>'Diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive effort hailed in NJ by co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Smith'",2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY SANNE YOUNG THE COAST STAR   After decades of effort, a new national strategy for fighting Lyme disease finally has been signed into law.   After 21 years, I'm ecstatic. We finally got it, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey, who joined fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, in sponsoring the measure to fight tick-borne diseases.    Lawmakers, instead of letting the bill go through the usual committee process, did a workaround, Rep. Smith said. The bill was attached to a massive end-of-year spending package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on Friday, Dec. 20.    Mr. Smith, who represents New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District, said the legislation authorizes $150 million in federal funding over five years for the federal Centers of Excellence to create a new whole-of-government national strategy to combat Lyme, as well as for local Lyme initiatives, he said. The new law will open doors to innovative therapies, treatments, better diagnosis and more accurate information for doctors and their patients with Lyme.    New Jersey is a hot spot for the disease, the second highest state in the nation in thenumber of cases reported, 40,000 in 2018, said Wall Township resident Patricia V. Smith [no relation to the congressman], president of the National Lyme Disease Association.    We're certainly thrilled to see more distribution of funds for tick-borne diseases and for providing development of a national strategy, said Ms. Smith, who first began a campaign for Lyme awareness in the 1980s when a number of Wall school teachers and students contracted the disease.    The legislation, formerly the TICK Act, now is named for Sen. Kay Hagan [D-NC] who died in October of encephalitis, caused by the tick-borne Powassan virus.    Rep. Smith said the new national strategy will be key.    Now, you will have every agency working on the same page to combat the explosion of this terrible disease, he said, from the federal Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense. He noted that soldiers from around the nation have contracted Lyme while bivouacking at Fort Dix. Congress passes long-awaited Lyme-disease legislation
  

    
        
            
        
    

  
Patricia V. Smith, president of the National Lyme Disease Association, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, [no relation] listen during a Lyme disease forum held at the Wall Township Municipal Complex on May 29. (FILE PHOTO THE COAST STAR)

  
HORRIFIC DISEASE'   I've introduced over a dozen bills in Congress beginning with the Lyme Disease Initiative Act of 1998 to get here, Rep. Smith said. This marks a major victory for hundreds of thousands  especially and including children  who suffer from this horrific disease.    He said it took decades to get the medical profession to recognize the seriousness of Lyme disease. In the past, it was called hard to catch and easy to cure. Nothing could be further from the truth, he said. Lyme doctors were ostracized. That's all gone. Now they are recognizing it's one of the most devastating diseases.    Ms. Smith said the legislation now has to go through the 2020 appropriation process, and she is concerned over some language changes that were made, striking the word Lyme, and referring to a wider variety vector-borne diseases, as the bill moved from the House through the Senate.    Unfortunately, when it came out of the Senate it was changed so that we don't know how much money Lyme will get. But I have been given some assurances from the federal agencies that a good portion will go toward Lyme, she said.    I would like to thank Congressman Smith and Sen. Collins and other co-sponsors for getting this passed, she added. Rep. Smith said he is confident most of the funding will go toward Lyme, which accounts for 80 percent of tick-borne diseases in the nation.   Ms. Smith said she is glad a portion of the funding will be directed through the state health department toward local county initiatives for fighting Lyme, including correctly identifying local cases and responding to outbreaks. In 2018, she noted, Monmouth County had the highest number of cases, 5,060, reported in the state.  TOWN HALL TALK    On Dec. 18, Ms. Smith gave a presentation to residents at town hall on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.    One bite from one deer tick can transmit several devastating diseases, including Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ms. Smith said.    Laboratory tests for Lyme still are only about 50 percent accurate, with many infected patients testing negative, she said. It's frequently misdiagnosed, with only 50 percent getting a rash, she said.    Patients often get chronic diseases from Lyme because resistor cells remain after traditional treatments. As for proper tick removal, she said: Don't put anything on a tick. Don't burn it. Don't touch it. Don't squeeze it. Don't twist it. If you annoy that tick, any disease it has can be injected into you, so you are increasing your risk of infection. What should you do? Pull it straight out. Clean the area with antiseptic afterward, and save the tick for identification, she said.  CATS, DOGS, MOOSE INFECTED    This problem is extremely important across our country, she said, noting that Lyme disease can be found in 80 countries worldwide, and even has been found in penguins in Antarctica.   Of 189,000 pet dogs tested in New Jersey last year, one out of 11 tested positive for Lyme, which can destroy their kidneys and kill them, Ms. Smith said.    Cats also can be infected, she said, and cowboys at the nation's southern border are working to combat ticks and Lyme disease in cattle and horses, she said. In addition, she said, a study in New England has found that the moose population is being decimated by ticks.  Sanne Young can be reached at syoung@thecoaststar.com or 732- 223-0076 Ext 17. This article ran on page one of the Dec. 26, 2019 print edition of he Coast Star and the original story can be found online at:
https://starnewsgroup.com/2019/12/30/congress-passes-150m-lyme-disease-legislation/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406291,"Bipartisan Task Force Condemns Anti-Semitic Attack in Monsey, NY",2019-12-29,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Kay Granger (R-TX), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), the Co-Chairs of the House of Representatives Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, condemn last night's stabbing in Monsey, NY, during a Hanukkah celebration: 
 The House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism strongly condemns last night's anti-Semitic attack in a rabbi's home in Monsey, NY. This comes on the heels of numerous attacks against Jews in Brooklyn and Manhattan and the shooting at a kosher deli in Jersey City earlier this month. We are keeping the victims of last night's attack and their families in our prayers. As the Jewish community concludes the holiday of Hanukkah this week, it is more important than ever that all Jews are able to safely celebrate their faith. 
 The trend of increasing Anti-Semitic violence and incidents in recent years cannot continue. In the coming weeks, the Task Force will reach out to law enforcement officials, community organizations, and experts in combating hate crimes to seek answers for the best ways to fight this scourge. The Task Force stands united with the Jewish community and is committed to ending these hateful crimes once and for all.
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406296,"<span class =""kicker"">Tri-Town news article on new Smith autism law</span>'Congressmans Autism CARES Act of 2019 signed into law'",2019-12-28,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Major autism legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to authorize $1.8 billion over five years to help children and adults with autism by funding research, early detection and treatment has been signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Smith said the comprehensive new law, cosponsored by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) will fund critical biomedical autism research as well as the development of best practices to enhance the lives of persons with autism. We need answers now and treatment options and interventions that work.



According to a press release, the Autism CARES Act of 2019:  



 Authorizes $1.8 billion, including annual funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $296 million, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $23.1 million, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at $50 million. The act also reauthorizes and expands the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC);
 Adds new members of IACC from the separtments of labor, justice, veterans affairs and Housing and Urban Development;
 Uncreases from two to three IACC members who are self-advocates, parents or legal guardians and advocacy/service organizations;
 Empowers the Health and Human Services secretary to prioritize grants to rural and underserved areas and
 Requires that not later than two years after enactment, a comprehensive report on the demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with ASD, recommendations on establishing best practices to ensure interdisciplinary coordination, improvements for health outcomes, community based behavioral support and interventions, nutrition and recreational and social activities, personal safety and more.
Smith said Autism CARES expands government programs to include older persons with autism who were, and are, often misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and overlooked.
According to Drexel University's A.J. Drexel Autism Center, about 70,700 to 111,600 children age out into adulthood each year creating challenges for education, housing, employment and access to health care.
Aging out of services is a hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces, Smith said. Children grow up and become adults, and then lose their education and support services. But autism is a lifetime neurological disorder and young adults with autism continue to need their services.
The Autism CARES Act recognizes the problem of aging out and ensures the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of young adults with autism and their parents by funding research and support programs, he said.
Smith stepped up his involvement on autism issues in September 1997 when two constituents, Bobbie and Billy Gallagher of Brick Township, the parents of two young autistic children, walked into his Ocean County office looking for help. The Gallaghers continue to work with Smith on autism advocacy issues, including the aging out issue, according to the press release.
This article ran in the Dec. 18, 2019 print edition of the Tri-Town News on Page 8A and can be read online here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406286,"<span class =""kicker""></span>Smith, Local Officials, Vets & Law Enforcement Honor Marine Vet Presented w Keys to Smart Home",2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Smith, Local Officials, Vets &amp; Law Enforcement Honor Marine Vet Presented w Keys to Smart Home' 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        HOWELL. NJ ,
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      HOWELL, NJ -- Congressman Chris Smith today joined representatives from the Stephen Siller Tunnels to Towers Foundation, local elected officials, members of law enforcement and local veterans in honoring United States Marine Corporal Scott Nokes.Nokes received the keys from the foundation to a new smart home which was built specifically for him and his needs as a blind double amputee resulting from his service in Afghanistan.  In 2003, Smith authored the Veterans Benefit Act (PL 108-183) that increased government funding to $50,000 for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) programs for severely disabled service members.The SAH government program helps veterans like Cpl. Nokes live independently but doesn't cover the entire cost of home ownership. That's where the Tunnels to Towers Foundations stepped in. Through a strong and committed network of donors and corporate partners, the Tunnels to Towers Foundation conveyed the home to Cpl. Nokes free of mortgage.
 No one deserves this more than Corporal Nokes, Smith said. He is a courageous marine with an indomitable spirit.
PICTURED: Rep. Chris Smith addresses a crowd of more than 200 people who turned out to honor former Marine Clp. Scott Nokes as he was presented with keys to his new home that was built to accommodate his service injuries.  

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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406287,Statement of Rep. Smith on Liberias Worsening Political Situation,2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Africa and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement of concern regarding worsening political conditions in Liberia:  

 Human rights advocates are increasingly alarmed by the deterioration of civil and political rights and the corruption that is occurring in Liberia under President George Weah. I am especially concerned by allegations surrounding Monrovia Mayor Jefferson Koijee and the thuggish behavior of the Congress for Democratic ChangeSecurity Force he heads.  

 Credible allegations of serious human and civil rights violationsincluding attempted murder,rape, unlawful arrest, detentionand torturehave been attributed to Mayor Koijee by the International Justice Group,a US-based non-government organization.
 Especially in light of our historic ties to Liberia, the United States Congress will be closely monitoring the mass public demonstration that is scheduled to occur on December 30 in Monrovia, and I call upon the government of Liberia to respect the free speech and assembly rights of Liberian citizens. Anyone who suppresses these fundamental rights, or engages in ongoing corrupt acts, may very well become subject to targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions.
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406285,Rep. Smith Warns on Religious Freedom Violations,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) today released the following statement in response to the US State Department's designation of the world's worst violators of religious freedom:
 I welcome the State Department's designation of Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), given their systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.
 Congress has spoken out in particular with respect to Xi Jinping's all-out effort to Sinicize all religion in China, advancing legislation to protect Uyghur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists and other believers. I further hope that the Executive Office for Immigration Review pays special attention to the designation of Eritrea as a CPC, and withholds removal of those fleeing persecution from that country.
 Additionally, I welcome the inclusion of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Nigeria and Sudan on the Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom, joining prior designees Comoros, Russia and Uzbekistan. However, the jury is still out as to whether Sudan deserves its upgrade from CPC status. 
 We will pay particular attention to Nigeria and the deteriorating situation under the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in the year ahead. President Buhari must address the murderous attacks conducted by Fulani extremists on Christians in the Middle Belt and the oppression of Shia Muslims in Kaduna State.I also call upon the State Department to monitor the actions of Miyetti Allah with regard to its complicity in attacks by Fulani extremists.
 Finally, I question the absence of India and Turkey on the Special Watch List. 
 India's government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become especially intolerant toward religious minorities, notwithstanding the promise of India's secular constitution which guaranties equality of all its citizens, regardless of their faith tradition.
 Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continues to impose unjustifiable restrictions on the internal practices of the Greek Orthodox Church, particularly by controlling who can participate in the Church's Holy Synod to elect the Patriarch and in failing to reopen the Halki Seminary, despite pledges to do so. According to the United Nations Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights, Turkey has engaged in wholesale destruction and looting of the religious and cultural patrimony of occupied Cyprus, and its decision to convert the Church of St. Savior of Chora into as mosque  which signals an intent to do the same with the Hagia Sophia, a world treasure  merits its inclusion on the Special Watch List.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406284,"<span class =""kicker"">Married couples see SALT relief in 2019; added tax relief for 1st responders & teachers</span>Smith Votes to Remove SALT Cap for 20 & 21",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation to eliminate the State and Local Tax deduction (SALT) cap for tax year 2020 and 2021 was passed today by the House of Representatives. The bill also raises the cap for married joint filers for 2019.
I have cosponsored legislation to get rid of the arbitrary, unfair SALT caps and the unacceptable added burden on NJ taxpayers, said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has long opposed SALT caps and who voted for today's bill to eliminate them.  

Smith, who voted in 2017 against the legislation that created the SALT cap, added, Compared to what we get back, NJ already pays more than our fair share to the federal government.I am pleased to vote for the bill today and I will continue to fight to abolish this unjust tax on residents in my district and across the state.  

The 2017 tax law placed an across-the-board cap on SALT deductions of $10,000 per return, meaning even joint (married) filers are only able to deduct the same amount as a single filer. Today's bill, HR 5377, will remove this SALT marriage penalty for tax year 2019, and will completely eliminate the cap for tax years 2020 and 2021 so filers can deduct all of their state and local taxes.  

According to 2016 IRS data, before the 2017 tax law, 42 percent of New Jersey tax filers claimed the SALT deductiontying New Jersey and Connecticut as the states with the second most SALT deduction claimants after Maryland's 46 percent.  

Additionally, this bill doubles the existing teacher tax credit from $250 to $500 for educators spending their own money on classroom supplies, and creates a new $500 deduction for first responders spending their own money on professional training and uniforms.  

These public servants give of themselves for the betterment of our communities, and allowing them to deduct these expenses is the least we can do, Smith said.  

Smith represents large sections of Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties. Each county's board of chosen freeholders passed resolutions opposing the 2017 elimination of SALT deductionsin effect supporting Smith's vote.  


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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406282,"<span class =""kicker""></span>On Impeachment",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Impeachment 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Rep. Chris Smith released the following statement on his votes against the impeachment of President Trump today in the House of Representatives:
The U.S. Constitution is clear and unambiguousimpeachment of any president is permitted only for treason, bribery, high crimes and misdemeanors.  

Undoing the will of the people expressed in a free and fair election with the proposed articles of impeachment, totally fails to meet the legal standard prescribed by the U. S. Constitution. Despite hearings and a process that were egregiously flawed and unfair, there is still no direct evidence whatsoever of any crime. 
Disagreement with or intense dislike for this or any other president of the United States is not nownor should it ever begrounds for impeachment.
    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406278,Chris Smiths TICK Act and End Neglected Diseases Act to become law,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Two major health bills authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) were attached to an end-of-year, must-pass spending package today and will become law by the end of the week.
The first billthe TICK Actcreates a new whole-of-government national strategy to combat Lyme and other tick borne diseases. It authorizes $150 million in federal funding for Centers of Excellence and important Lyme initiatives at the local level.  

It's taken 21 yearsand over a dozen bills I've introduced in Congress beginning with the Lyme Disease Initiative Act of 1998 to get here. Smith said.This marks a major victory for hundreds of thousandsespecially and including childrenwho suffer from this horrific disease.  

Smith introduced the TICK Act earlier this year joined by Rep. Colin Peterson (D-MN) in the House and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (R-MN) in the Senate.As included in the end-of-year bill, the legislation is now named for former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) who tragically passed away from a tick-borne disease in October.  


The national strategy provision coupled with $150 million for research, prevention and treatment programs will enable additional federal agencies to step up and coordinated their efforts in the fight against Lyme, said Smith, the co-chair of the House Lyme Disease Caucus. The new law will open doors to innovative therapies, treatments, better diagnosis and more accurate information for doctors, and their patients with Lyme. 
With a whole-of-government approach, all patients, including those suffering with chronic Lyme will get more answers and hopefully relief from this debilitating disease.  

According to the Department of Health and Human Services 2018 Report to Congress, there are approximately 300,000 new cases of tick borne disease each yearwith an estimated 40,000 new cases annually in New Jersey alone.
Smith's second bill to become law this week, the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act (HR 3460), supports the treatment, control, and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). It ensures that that United States Agency for International Development's (USAID's) programs effectively integrate NTD treatment, control and elimination efforts with other development issues, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, water and sanitation and education.
More than 10 million Americans living in extreme povertyand 1.4 billion people worldwideare currently infected with at least one of these awful, but preventable diseases which blind, disable, disfigure and sometime kill victims Smith said. My bill breaks down silos and integrates critical therapies USAID is already doing to help those suffering from NTDs such as West Nile Virus, Zika, dengue or severe dengue fever, leprosy, scabies and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) (roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm).  

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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406281,"<span class =""kicker""></span>Rep. Chris Smiths End Neglected Diseases Act to Become Law",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Two major health bills authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) were attached to an end-of-year, must-pass spending package Tuesday and will become law by the end of the week.
Smith's first bill to become law this week, the End Neglected Tropical Diseases Act (HR 3460), supports the treatment, control, and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). It ensures that that United States Agency for International Development's (USAID's) programs effectively integrate NTD treatment, control and elimination efforts with other development issues, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, water and sanitation and education.  

More than 10 million Americans living in extreme povertyand 1.4 billion people worldwideare currently infected with at least one of these awful, but preventable diseases which blind, disable, disfigure and sometime kill victims Smith said. My bill breaks down silos and integrates critical therapies USAID is already doing to help those suffering from NTDs such as West Nile Virus, Zika, dengue or severe dengue fever, leprosy, scabies and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) (roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm).  

 Smith, a Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of its Global Human Rights Subcommittee, navigated the bill through debate on Dec. 3 and onto House passage.
PICTURED: Rep. Chris Smith on the House floor Dec. 3, 2019 managing debate of the bill, which included in the 2020 appropriations bill passed in the House Dec. 17 and expected to be passed into law.  

The bill directs the US Government to advocate for increased efforts to address NTDs among international institutions such as the United Nations, World Health Organization and World Bank, said Smith, who noted the benefits of the deworming, particularly with children.  

The benefits of deworming are immediate and enduring, Smith said. Children whose intestinal systems are infested with worms fail to get proper nutrition, and thus suffer from stunting and developmental issues. They are also more susceptible to coinfection from diseases such as tuberculosis. The treatment for worms is simple and cost-effective: drugs can be administered over 1-3 days, and are cheap, costing pennies a treatment. Yet, more than one billion people continue to suffer while cost effective solutions are in sight.
What we need to doand what my bill doesis integrate our USAID deworming programs with our Water, Sanitation and Health (WaSH) programs, coupled with our nutrition interventions, he said.  

The second billthe TICK Actcreates a new whole-of-government national strategy to combat Lyme and other tick borne diseases. It authorizes $150 million in federal funding for Centers of Excellence and important Lyme initiatives at the local level.  

It's taken 21 yearsand over a dozen bills I've introduced in Congress beginning with the Lyme Disease Initiative Act of 1998 to get here. Smith said.This marks a major victory for hundreds of thousandsespecially and including childrenwho suffer from this horrific disease.  

Smith introduced the TICK Act earlier this year joined by Rep. Colin Peterson (D-MN) in the House and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (R-MN) in the Senate.As included in the end-of-year bill, the legislation is now named for former Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) who tragically passed away from a tick-borne disease in October.  

The national strategy provision coupled with $150 million for research, prevention and treatment programs will enable additional federal agencies to step up and coordinated their efforts in the fight against Lyme, said Smith, the co-chair of the House Lyme Disease Caucus. The new law will open doors to innovative therapies, treatments, better diagnosis and more accurate information for doctors, and their patients with Lyme.  

With a whole-of-government approach, all patients, including those suffering with chronic Lyme will get more answers and hopefully relief from this debilitating disease.  

According to the Department of Health and Human Services 2018 Report to Congress, there are approximately 300,000 new cases of tick borne disease each yearwith an estimated 40,000 new cases annually in New Jersey alone.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406276,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith bill would recognize American & Allied GIs</span>Rep. Smith Introduces Bill to Mark 75th Anniversary of World War IIs Pivotal Battle of the Bulge",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, on the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a bipartisan resolution, H.J.Res. 81, to commend the veterans who fought in one of the most pivotal battles in World War II, which lasted from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945.
 The Battle of the Bulge was a critical turning point in the war, and today we honor the men and women who served in the fight and endured or succumbed in this horrific attack, said Smith, former chairman of the House Veteran's Committee and author of 14 laws to help veterans. It was a terrible battle, in bitter cold against superior numbers, with 19,000 Americans killed, 45,000 wounded and 23,000 captured or missing.  

 The Battle of the Bulge, which took place in Belgium and Luxembourg, was a surprise attack on the Allied troops and the Germans last major offensive against the Allied forces. Some 600,000 American troops, joined by 55,000 British, Belgian, Canadian and other Allied forces, fought a protracted bloody battle against Germany.  

 We must never forget those Americans who left their schools, farms, and factoriesto fight and sometime die to make the world a safer place for democracy and freedom. My dad was a combat veteran in World War II, and sometimes I think of him leaving his home in New Jersey as a young man and heading out overseas to fight terrible battles to defend democracy and freedom for themselves and future generations. They're not called the Greatest Generation' for nothing, said Smith.  

 Smith is also the author of similar legislation introduced on August 5, 1999. Signed into law (PL 106-142) on Dec 7, 1999, H.J.Res.65commended the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In the 107th Congress he introduced H.R. 5055 to authorize the placement of a memorial honoring the World War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Arlington National Cemetery. This bill was included in section 204 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 (38 USC 2409) and was signed into law on Dec 6, 2002.  

 H.J.Res.81 is co-led in the House by Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ) and is endorsed by Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406274,"<span class =""kicker"">Rep. Smith:</span>Zero tolerance for anti-Semitic and police hatred",2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Our hearts break for the four victimsincluding brave Jersey City Det. Joseph Sealsmurdered in Jersey City, and their families in yet another act of vicious anti-Semitic and police hatred.  

Early evidence in the investigation suggests that the perpetrators of this appalling crime had at least sympathy for the hate group Black Hebrew Israelitesand is yet another wake-up call like the anti-Semitic slaughter in Pittsburgh that demands we redouble efforts to combat anti-Semitism.
Even though Jewish people comprise approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population, the disproportionate number of hate crimes against Jews is absolutely appalling. According to the 2018 FBI Hate Crimes Report, of all hate crimes motivated by religious bias, 57.8 percent were anti-Jewish.
We must be far more robust in respecting and supporting law enforcement. They are the line of demarcationthe wallthat separates our communities and families from criminal activity, all forms of violence and even anarchy.
Each of us must demand zero-tolerance for anti-Semitic and police hatred.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406273,"<span class =""kicker"">Helps Service Members Transition to Civilian Life</span>Smith Veterans Amendment Approved in National Defense Authorization Act",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) voted forand the House passedthe 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA; S. 1790) which authorizes $738 billion for defense programs to continue to rebuild readiness, advance modernization, develop emerging technologies, enhance missile defense and confront our adversaries.The defense package also assures a 3.1 percent pay raise for our troopsthe highest pay hike for members of the Armed Services in a decade.  

Smith Veterans Amendment Adopted  

 Included in the bipartisan conference package, which passed in 377-to 48 vote, is an amendment authored by Smith to modernize the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and help more than 20,000 of service members each year who transition to veteran status and return to civilian life.  

 I have seen how vital TAP is in preparing all eligible members of the armed forces for transition to civilian life, Smith, said. Yet, this program designed to help more than 20,000 transitioning to veteran/civilian life has proven a bit out dated and limited because of the multiple websites used to shared needed information.  

 My amendment aims to provide servicemembers with a single-source, comprehensive, online application accessible through smart technology and a mobile app to assist vets with their transition and needs after separation.  

 The former chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee said under the current mandatory TAP program, servicemembers undergo four hours of pre-separation counseling, five days of classroom-based instruction, and an optional two-day Transition Goals, Plans, Success program.  

 It's all good and helpfulbut abundantinformation provided in multiple sessions that can become an organizational challenge especially for servicemembers who are relocating and starting new lives, Smith said.  

 Additionally, there is currently no avenue for TAP officials to follow servicemembers' progress in completing their TAP requirements and ensure that all support systems are being used.My amendment enables the sharing of information and tracking progress with immediate and accurate reports, he said.  

 Smith offered his amendment to the defense authorization bill when it was originally considered by the full House in July.Because the Senate companion bill had no similar provision, keeping the Smith amendment in the final package marks a great success.  

 Now section 570G of S. 1790, Smith's slightly modified amendment, authorizes the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Labor to work collaboratively on a three-year pilot program develop an online app that would address the current shortfalls in the TAP program and streamline online resources given to them upon separation.  

 Our goal is to create a one-stop source for online applications to assist servicemembers and veterans participating in the TAP and enable and ensure the valuable information provided by TAP is always at veterans' fingertips.  

 Other critical provisions include in the overall bipartisan package:  

 
    Smith's proposal to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an investigation by the Comptroller General of the United States to study the contracting practices of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in order to address independent contractor misclassification on federal projects.
    
    A $75 million authorization for the Office of Economic Adjustment's Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which could provide grants, conclude cooperative agreements, and supplemental funds available under other federal programs to assist states and local governments in addressing deficiencies in community infrastructure projects or facilities that are located outside of military installations but that support military installations like JB-MDL. Smith cosponsored an amendment and cosigned letters supporting DCIP.
    A three-year phased repeal of the Widow's Tax
    Up to 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for the Defense Department, Intelligence Community, and across the federal government 
    Increasing the reimbursement amount for professional state licensure expenses incurred by military spouses as they move their families around the country, and also authorizes a cooperative agreement with the Council of State Governors to assist with funding the development of interstate compacts to improve spouse professional license portability, which has been an issue at JB-MDL.
 
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406268,"<span class =""kicker"">Record number of applicants fuels an increase in awards</span>Rep. Chris Smith Announces Winners of 2019 Congressional App Challenge",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) announced the winners of this year's New Jersey Fourth Congressional District Congressional App Challenge, part of a nationwide competition for middle and high school students to showcase their software app-developing skills and teamwork.  

 I am pleased to congratulate Communications High School students Vaughn Battista of Tinton Falls, Michael Cielecki of Spring Lake Heights, Jack Hester of Oceanport and Colin Martin of Red Bank for their first place-winning app, Commuitas,' said Rep. Smith. They developed a unique task-sharing' mobile application which allows users to barter their skills and abilities with other users to share tasks in exchange for a virtual points system. The judges thought it was very unique and well devised.
 Timed to coincide with Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), December 9-15, 2019, Smith said this year's contest drew a record number of entries from Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer Counties.
PICTURED: Colin Martin, teacher Laura Gesin, Jack Hester and Michael Cielecki of Communications High (missing is Vaughn Battista).
 Sixty-one students participated in teams and as individuals to design 20 apps. The ideas and the execution of their apps was just phenomenal.Given the talent and good competition, we expanded the number of winning apps this year from two to three, he added, and this year, Communications High School, a Monmouth County Vocational School District career academy, took all three top spots. Previously, only the top finisher and the runner up were acknowledged.
 The second-place app is Spike's Underwater Adventure, designed by students Bella Matuch of Spring Lake, Desiree Negrin of Fair Haven and Jill Tracy of Belmar, and the third-place finisher is GreenScreen, designed by students Nicolas Chunn of Tinton Falls, Matthew Emery of Howell and Neil Estrada of Red Bank.
 Rep. Smith recognized the panel of expert judges who scored the apps saying, I want to thank the highly specialized judges for their contribution to this competition.  

 The three-member panel of high-tech professionals from the district who volunteered as judges were: Roy LaManna, of Freehold, President and CEO of Vydia; Christopher Kelly, of Hamilton, UE/UI Designer at Vonage; and Debrah Smith (no relation to Rep. Smith), of Jackson, Director of IT for a large law office.  

About the Winning Apps:

Communitas is a task-sharing app that allows users to exchange helpful tasks with members of their community in exchange for virtual points. Communitas allows users to do tasks for others and earn a digital currency, Communicoin, which they can spend to have other people do tasks for them. Communicoin are gained and lost through completing tasks for others and getting others to complete tasks for you; no actual currency is involved in the exchange. The designers said that they were inspired to create Communitas by currency exchange apps like Venmo, but with a focus on goodwill and an incentivization of community service.  

Spike's Underwater Adventure is a set of games intended to help children improve fine motor skills. The games are designed to practice hand-eye coordination, response time, and finger dexterity in a way that is engaging and fun. The app aims to offer a solution for parents and educators to help their children or students develop fine motor skills in a casual and enjoyable manner. The designers said that they wanted to create an app that was truly beneficial to children in a market that is undersaturatedmotor skill development is overlooked in the digital market, and they sought to fill that niche. 
GreenScreen is intended to lead Americans to be more climate-conscious by helping them track and reduce their carbon footprint. Recognizing the extreme danger that climate change poses to the global community, the designers were inspired to create the app to help people who want to reduce their carbon impact but don't know how. 
Click here to read about the 2018 winners. 
About Congressional App Challenge:
 This is Congressman Smith's fourth year participating in the Congressional App Challenge. Created in 2014, the Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a nationwide competition for middle and high school students to work with their peers to develop computer coding and software application skills. The challenge was created to foster STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) among young students and emphasize their importance for the future especially in areas of the economy like cybersecurity, intellectual property, and the app economy.
 The highest scoring app from each Congressional District is eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives' website, www.house.gov. The winning students are invited to #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington D.C. in the spring, and the winning app receives $250 in Amazon Web Services credits.
 Since its inception, the CAC has seen a 164 percent increase in student participation, demonstrating the importance and value of technology today. The contest is sponsored nationally by the Internet Education Foundation, and 303 members of Congress made the Challenge available in their districts this year.
 Middle and high school students from Smith's Fourth Congressional District interested in participating in next year's contest may contact Rep. Smith's Freehold office at 732-780-3035. Information is also available at www.congressionalappchallenge.us.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406267,"<span class =""kicker"">Rep. Smith Guest on Fox News Pushing for Sami's Law</span>Smith Speaks on 'Sami's Law,' Rideshare Safety",2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Smith Guest on Fox News Pushing for Sami's LawSmith Speaks on 'Sami's Law,' Rideshare Safety 
   
    
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      Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) joined Fox News Channel anchor Ed Henry, host of America's News HQ, on set in New York regarding bipartisan legislation named in honor of Samantha Sami Josephsona senior at the University of South Carolina who was kidnapped and brutally murdered earlier this year by a predator pretending to be her Uber driver.  Sami's Law, which would establish needed protections for ride-share customers across the country, is authored by Smith (NJ-04) with lead Democratic cosponsor, Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) in the House, HR 4686.In the Senate prime sponsor Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced a companion bill as S. 1871.
 Sami's Law will require enhanced vehicle identification procedures to create a safer environment for ride-share drivers and customers and to make it harder for those with ill intent from impersonating drivers.

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
 Smith said the idea for the legislation came directly from Sami's greiving parentsSeymour and Marci Josephsonwho began advocating for federal and state legislation to better ensure that no one else loses their life or gets assaulted by a rideshare driver or a predator who pretends to be one.

    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406259,Rep. Smith Welcomes Release of NJ Man Held Hostage by Iranian Govt,2019-12-07,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today enthusiastically welcomed today's release of Xiyue Wang, a Princeton, NJ graduate student who was taken hostage by the Iranian government while working on an Iranian government-approved research project.

In April of 2018, I met Hua Qu, wife of Princeton University grad student Xiyue Wangwho until this week was unjustly incarcerated in Iran's infamous Evin prison, said Smith. Anyone who heard her appeal for her husband's releaseand witnessed her remarkable love for her husbandcould remain silent.
She has been a tenacious and effective advocate for Xiyue, Smith said. In a May 11, 2018 letter to President Trump that I conveyed to the White House, Hua Qu said: without your help, Mr. President, I am afraid that nothing will happenOnly you can bring him homemake our family whole again Please, Mr. President, you are our hope and we are counting on you.' 
Against serious odds, President Trumpand his teamsecured Xiyue's freedom, Smith said.
Amidst the joy of this news, we must continue to press hard for the release of the other hostages in Iran including falsely imprisoned father and son Baquer and Siamak Namazi, Smith said. Earlier this week I met a group of relatives including Babak Namazi who is pushing for the release of his dad and brother.
PICTURED ABOVE: Rep. Smith meets with Hua Qu in Smith's Hamilton office. The Congressman spoke with Hua today to discuss the news of her husband's release.

Smith met with Wang's wife at his Hamilton office. Smith spoke at a Princeton University rally for Wang on May 11, 2018, and later meetings in Washington DC.
At a congressional hearing on May 23, 2019, Smith directly asked U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help secure Wang's release. Click here or on CSPAN video link above. He also sent Pompeo a letter in May 2018.


  
Smith thanked all who helped secure Wang's release, including President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, Brian Hook and Robert O'Brien at the State Dept., the Swiss government and others who advocated tirelessly on Wang' s behalf.
Smith was asked to get involved by friends of Hua in the Mercer County area.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406261,"<span class =""kicker"">Fox News Channel: 'Iran releases American student in prisoner swap; Rep. Chris Smith weighs in.'</span>'Iranian prisoner exchange frees American student'",2019-12-07,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) discussed the return of Princeton University graduate student Xiyue Wang today after Wang's imprisonment at the hands of the Iranian government.  Smith was on the set of Fox News Channel in New York with anchor Ed Henry to discuss Wang's release.  Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, worked with Wang's wife, Hua Qu, pressed the State Department to keep working to bring Wang home. Smith had appealed directly to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help in Wang's case.   
  
 Smith met with Wang's wife at his Hamilton office. Smith also spoke at a Princeton University rally for Wang in May 11, 2018, and later held meetings in Washington DC on Wang's case.
At a congressional hearing on May 23, 2019, Smith directly asked U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to help secure Wang's release. Click here or on CSPAN video link above. He also sent Pompeo a letter in May 2018.
Smith thanked all who helped secure Wang's release, including President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, Brian Hook and  Robert O'Brien at the State Dept., the Swiss government and others who advocated tirelessly on Wang' s behalf.
  

Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
  
 Fox News reported that Brian Hook, the U.S. special representative for Iran, accompanied the Iranian scientist to Switzerland to make the exchange and will return with Wang, a U.S. official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The swap took place in Zurich and Hook and Wang are now en route to Landstuhl in Germany where Wang will be examined by doctors, the official said. Hook is expected to return to the U.S. from Germany alone, as Wang is expected to be evaluated for several days.
In his opening remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday night, National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien announced that Wang will be coming home from a U.S. military hospital in Germany in the next day or two.
 https://www.foxnews.com/world/american-graduate-held-in-iran-on-spy-charges-since-2016-to-be-released
 https://video.foxnews.com/v/6113926193001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406263,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith Interview on News12NJ</span>'Princeton scholar held in Iranian prison released in prisoner swap'",2019-12-07,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Dec 07, 2019 5:28 PM EST
A Princeton University graduate student held in an Iranian prison for more than three years was released after a prisoner swap Saturday.
Xiyue Wang is a Chinese-born naturalized American citizen and doctoral student of history at Princeton. He was arrested and convicted of espionage in 2016 while doing research in Iran for his Ph.D.
Rep. Chris Smith says Wang had all the proper clearances to travel and he was detained in Tehran unjustly.
The swap took place in Surich, Switzerland. It involved Wang and Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani, who was imprisoned in the U.S. for violating sanctions. Click here to watch News12 New Jersey's segment on a May 2018 rally for Xiyue Wang.


Sen. Cory Booker says this was a big win for the state and the country. He says, ""This is the outcome that New Jerseyans and those around the globe who followed this unjust and politically motivated ordeal had hoped forI'm grateful for the efforts of those who worked tirelessly and quietly behind the scenes to help bring Xiyue Wang home.""
In a statement, Princeton University President Chris Eisgruber writes, ""The entire Princeton University community is overjoyed that Xiyue Wang can finally return home to his wife and young son, and we look forward to welcoming him back to campus...We are grateful to everyone, at Princeton and beyond, who has supported Xiyue and his family throughout his unjust imprisonment, and for all the efforts that have led to his release.
Wang's wife, Hua Qu, released a statement saying, Our family is complete once again. Wang's son was 3 years old when he went to Iran.
President Donald Trump thanked Iran for the fair negotiation. Wang was flown to Germany to be evaluated by doctors. Western detainees from the U.S. and elsewhere remain held by Tehran.
AP Wire Services were used in this report.
This article was posted at:
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/41421261/princeton-scholar-held-in-iranian-prison-released-in-prisoner-swap",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406264,"<span class =""kicker"">NJ.com story on Princeton Student's release</span>'How the U.S. was able to win Princeton University students freedom from Iran'",2019-12-07,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON The release ofPrinceton University doctoral studentXiyue Wang after more than three years of captivity in Iran was the product of months of negotiations facilitated by the Swiss government, a senior administration official said Saturday.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he hoped the release would lead to other U.S captives being freed from Iran.
Wang was released Saturday in exchange forIranian scientist Massoud Soleimani, who had been arrested by U.S. authorities on charges that he violated sanctions against Tehran. Those charges were dropped.
We're very happy to have our hostage back,"" President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday, according to pool reports. ""The whole Princeton University community is very thrilled. And there was a one-on-one hostage swap.
I think it's a great thing for Iran,"" he said. ""It might have been a precursor to what could be done.
The swap ended an ordeal that lastedmore than three yearsafter Wang, who had traveled to Iran to conduct academic research, instead was arrested and convicted as a spy.
He is now in Germany, where he will undergo a medical examination before returning to the U.S., the official said.
Wang's wife, Hua Qu of Princeton, had fought for years for her husband's release. They have a son, Shaofan, who has lived more than half his life without his father.
Our family is complete once again,"" Qu said on Saturday. ""Our son Shaofan and I have waited three long years for this day and it's hard to express in words how excited we are to be reunited with Xiyue. We are thankful to everyone who helped make this happen.
Trump in an earlier statement thanked the Swiss government for helping to achieve Wang's release.
The highest priority of the United States is the safety and well-being of its citizens, Trump said. Freeing Americans held captive is of vital importance to my administration, and we will continue to work hard to bring home all our citizens wrongfully held captive overseas.
Later,he tweeted: Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together!
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also thanked the Swiss.






The Trump administration worked very aggressively to get him out,"" said Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who spoke with Qu on Saturday after her husband's release. It didn't just fall out of the sky. It was negotiated.
Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, earlier had delivered a note from Qu to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to give to Trump.
Wang was studying the Qajar dynasty, rulers from 1785-1925, and learning Farsi in order to access archival material. Though he had traveled to Iran with the government's permission, he was arrested in 2016 and then convicted of espionage and sentenced to 10 years in Evin Prison, where the regime holds political prisoners.
For more than three years Iranian authorities have let him languish and kept his family, including his wife and young son, in anguish over his well-being and eventual return, said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Qu on Saturday spoke with Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Smith earlier delivered a letter from Qu to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to give to Trump.

This has been a horrific ordeal, Smith said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406248,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith leads debate on bill aimed at Chinese Gov't abuse of Muslims</span>Debate on the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019",2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)during debate in the U.S. House of Representativeson the Uyghur Human RightsPolicy Act of 2019December 3, 2019
Special thanks to the 128 bipartisan cosponsors of my bill, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019, HR 649comprehensive human rights legislation I introduced earlier this year with lead Democratic cosponsor Tom Suozzi of New York to address the massive crimes against humanity committed by the Chinese government against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Autonomous Region.  

HR 649, which is nearly identical to legislation, HR 7123, I introduced in the previous congress, would require the Administration to categorize and report on the human rights abuses being committed by the Chinese Communist government, take specific steps to sanction Chinese officials for these abuses, and stop to the greatest extent possible the Chinese government's efforts to create a high-tech police and surveillance state.  

Despite an endorsement of our bill twelve months ago by the Washington Post, which said: This has become one of the world's most urgent human rights crises. Congress should pass the Uighur Human Rights Policy Act, the Senate version is now before us today and I encourage my colleagues and the cosponsors of HR 649 to vote for it.  

At a 2018 congressional hearing Mihrigul Tursun recounted her ordeal with torture, sexual abuse and detention in one of China's mass internment camps in Xinjiang.    

She broke down weeping telling us that she pleaded with God to end her life.Her Chinese jailers restrained her to a table increased the electrical currents coursing through her body and mocked her belief in God.  

She was tortured simply for being an ethnic Uyghur and a Muslim in China.  

There are millions of stories like this waiting to be told about the crimes against humanity being committed by the Chinese government against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Turkic Muslims.  

Given that this year is the 30th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre maybe we should not be surprised by the cruelty and brutality of the Chinese Communist Partybut the size and scale of what is happening to Xinjiang is audaciously repressive, even by China's low standards.  

 
    The mass internment of millions on a scale not seen since the Holocaust.
    Children ripped from the warm embrace of their families to be indoctrinated in Communist ideology and forced to renounce their religion, culture, and language.
    
    Rape, sexual abuse, and forced abortions of women being held in internment camps. 
    Forced labor on a scale that allows Chinese companies to profit from modern-day slavery. 
    
 
That atrocities such as these can exist in the 21st century is astounding and enormously sad. 
We cannot be silent. We must demand an end to these barbaric practices and accountability from the Chinese government. We must say never again to the cultural genocide and the atrocities suffered by Uyghurs and others in China.  

Chinese authorities initially denied the existence of mass internment camps and even now try to portray them as vocational training centers. They employed lies, censorship and economic coercion to stifle discussion of their crimes.  

But documents obtained by the New York Times and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists have exposed the brutality behind Beijing's plans to radically and coercively transform the culture and religion of ethnic Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslims in China.  

The leaked internal papers show detailed plans to intern between 1 million and 3 million Uyghurs in modern-day concentration camps--where they are subjected to severe human-rights abuses and Orwellian indoctrination efforts for those whose thinking has been infected.  

At the same time, Beijing instituted plans to erase the influence of Islam in western China--bulldozing mosques and shrines, severely throttling all religious practice, and forcing camp detainees to renounce their faith.  

The leaked documents also show that Xi Jinping himself directed the crackdown saying that the Communist Party must put the organs of dictatorship to work and show absolutely no mercy in dealing with Uyghurs and other Muslims.  

In one speech President Xi said: The weapons of the people's democratic dictatorship must be wielded without any hesitation or wavering.  

In February 2017, he told thousands of police officers and troops standing at attention in a vast square in Urumqi to prepare for a smashing, obliterating offensive. China Organ  

According to the documents, Communist Party officials who were reluctant to carry out Xi's draconian policies were investigated and expungedand worse. Secret teams of investigators traveled across the region identifying those who were not doing enough. In 2017, the party opened more than 12,000 investigations into party members in Xinjiang.  

Xi Jinping has created one of the world's worst human rights tragedies. He has implicated his government directly in crimes against humanity.  

A reckoning is comingbut only if the international community will stand up to China.  

Notably absent are voices from Muslim countries critical of China, perhaps because they place material gains from Belt and Road Projects above the fate of their fellow Muslims.  

I want to commend the Trump Administration for its actions over the past several years. They have issued strong statements of condemnation, levied travel sanctions on Chinese officials, and blacklisted 28 government agencies and businesses by placing them on the Commerce Department'sEntity List.  

The U.S. Commerce Department announced on October 7: Today, the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce announced that it will add 28 Chinese governmental and commercial organizations to the Entity List for engaging in or enabling activities contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States. This action constricts the export of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to entities that have been implicated in human rights violations and abuses in China's campaign targeting Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR).  

""The U.S. Government and Department of Commerce cannot and will not tolerate the brutal suppression of ethnic minorities within China, said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. This action will ensure that our technologies, fostered in an environment of individual liberty and free enterprise, are not used to repress defenseless minority populations.  

These are important steps. This legislation takes the next step.   

Chinese officials must be held accountable for crimes against humanityincluding through Global Magnitsky and international sanctions and UN investigations.  

Those who tortured Mihrigul Tursun should know that justice is coming for them.  

Also, Chinese companies profiting from forced labor in Xinjiang should be prohibited from exporting goods to the U.S. and other countries.  

The Administration has blacklisted one Chinese company for forced labor manufacturing, but there are many more companies, particularly in the manufacturing of cotton and garments, that are profiting off the slavery of detained Uyghurs. Many more companies need to be barred from entry in to the U.S. market.
Even in taking these steps, the problem goes deeper than mass internment, torture and forced labor. The U.S. has to address the high-tech authoritarianism of the future being auditioned in Xinjiang.
Beijing is using Xinjiang Xinjiang as a proving ground for an all-knowing police and surveillance state. The technology used to construct China's high-tech police state is being exported around the worldto Africa, Central Asia and beyond. Every petty-dictator and aspiring totalitarian can use this technology to crush democratic aspirations, religious freedom, and the rule of law.  

The Congress and the Administration must work to counter this threat to US economic and strategic interests. American companies must not help create China's high-tech authoritarianismthe risk to innocent people everywhere and US national security is just too high.  

Uyghur-Americans like Rebiya Kadeer, Nury Turkel, Rushan Abbas, and Gulchera Hoja have had their families threatened and detained because they dared to speak up.  

So many Uyghur-Americans have experienced the pain of family detentions and disappearances.   

For those watching us today. The message you hear should be clear.This Congress wants to hold the Chinese government and Chinese companies accountable for crimes against humanity and the cruelty they inflicted on your families and loved ones. 
We will not be silent. Justice is coming. We will demand accountabilitynot only because it is the right thing to do, but because U.S. interests are threatened by China's high-tech authoritarianism.  

I want to take this opportunity to commend the exemplary work of Radio Free Asia's Uyghur Service reporters. Despite threats and detentions of their families they kept working and provided us with an extraordinary record of atrocities. Their courage and professionalism are admirable, and they should be thanked.  

Thank you, Chairman Engel, Ranking Member Michael McCaul, Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation Subcommittee Chair Brad Sherman and Ranking Member Ted Yoho for their deep and abiding commitment to the suffering people of Xinjiang.  

I also want to note the contribution of Dr. Scott Flipse to the legislation before us today and to the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. I also want to thank former CECC staff directors Paul Protic and Elyse Anderson and current staff members Jon Stivers, Peter Mattis, Meghan Fluker, and Amy Reger for helping this Congress shine a bright light on the atrocities being committed in Xinjiang.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406245,"<span class =""kicker"">NJ.com/Star Ledger Article</span>Trump signs Hong Kong bill championed for years by Jersey congressman",2019-11-29,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"NJ.com/Star Ledger ArticleTrump signs Hong Kong bill championed for years by Jersey congressman 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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Legislation to support Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters has been signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Trump acted Wednesday evening as he traveled to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The bill had passed Congress with just one dissenting vote.
Beating, torturing and jailing of democracy activists is wrong and this historic legislation lets China know that respecting fundamental human rights is paramount, said Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who led the fight in the House to pass the bill. Under the new law, there will be strong sanctions, other ramifications, for the crackdown and abuse of power.  

The measure requires the U.S. secretary of state to certify annually whether Hong Kong should continue to receive special treatment under U.S. law; ensures that those arrested for participating in peaceful protests are not denied visas to enter the U.S.; requires sanctions against individuals responsible for forcing confessions, torturing protesters or committing other human rights violations; and calls for annual reports on whether Hong Kong is violating U.S. export control laws or United Nations sanctions.
Trump said in a statement that he signed the legislation in the hope that leaders and representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all.  

China protested the move on Thursday, threatening retaliation. Both countries are engaged in trade talks, and have imposed tariffs on each other's exports.
The legislation was the culmination of a years-long effort by Smith, who had championed measures to push back against China's efforts to erode the unique freedoms the country had guaranteed to Hong Kong, a former British territory now under Beijing's rule.
The ongoing protests in Hong Kong gave new impetus for legislation that Smith had introduced in every Congress since 2014. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. D-Calif., joined Smith and several Hong Kong democracy activists at the Capitol in September, and congressional action followed shortly thereafter.
In the Senate, the bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and its former chairman.  

The signing of this legislation into law ensures the United State finally sends a clear and unequivocal message to the people of Hong Kong: We are with you, Menendez said.


    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406247,"<span class =""kicker"">Asbury Park Press Op-Ed by Rep Smith</span>'Sami's Law would protect rideshare passengers from assault'",2019-11-28,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Family and friends gathered Tuesday evening in Robbinsville, NJ to mourn the death of Samantha Josephson who was killed when she got into the wrong car, thinking it was her Uber ride.Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press




In March, University of South Carolina senior Samantha Sami Josephson of Robbinsville, N.J., left a late-night outing with her friends alone because she had to work in the morning. The extraordinarily talented student, who had recently earned a full scholarship to Drexel University Law, ordered an Uber.
In a congested part of town, a predator pretending to be her Uber driver pulled into the rideshare area, and Sami got into the car.After he locked the doors and trapped her in his vehicle, he brutally murdered her.Less than 24 hours later her dead body was found in a field. The murderer was caught, jailed and awaits trial.
Almost immediately and notwithstanding their excruciating agony over the loss of their precious daughter, Sami's parents  Seymour and Marci Josephson  began pushing for federal and state legislation to better ensure that no one else loses their life or gets assaulted by a rideshare driver or a predator who pretends to be.

Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old University of South Carolina student, was found dead in Columbia, S.C.(Photo: Columbia, South Carolina Police Department)

Working with the Josephson's, I introduced Sami's Law legislation (HR 4686) to betterprotect passengers especially women  who utilize rideshare services including, Uber and Lyft, from sexual assault and other forms of violence.
Our bipartisan bill, Tom Suozzi,D-N.Y.,is the Democrat cosponsor, will push states to require front license plates and scannable codes  such as quick response or QR codes  on both back-passenger side windows that riders could scan on a smart device to verify their ride before entering a vehicle.

Hundreds attend memorial service at the West Town Center Lake gazebo in Robbinsville, N.J. for University of South Carolina senior Samantha Josephson. Josephson was killed after she mistakenly got into a car which she thought was the Uber ride she called.(Photo: Peter Ackerman)



The bill also provides a rider with the ability to opt out of using a QR code by using instead a four-digit personal authentication number to be verified before entering the vehicle. The personal number was an excellent idea suggested by the National Federation of the Blind, which has endorsed the bill.It provides a nonvisually accessible alternative and nonvisual ride confirmation.It has the added benefit of helping those who do not use a smart phone or do not make the call for their own ride.










Josephson murder: A community remembers1 of 14







Sami's Lawwill not only ensure vehicle and driver identification for riders, and assist law enforcement in tracking harmful offenders, but protect drivers as well by confirming the passenger.
Another provision in the bill makes it unlawful for anyone other than a transportation network company like Uber or Lyft to sell a ride-hailing sign.
Today, anybody can buy an Uber or Lyft sign on Amazon or elsewhere for as little as 10bucks  giving the fakes and predators the appearance of signage legitimacy.
Additionally, Sami's Law requires the Government Accountability Office to study the incidence of assault and abuse of riders and drivers and the nature and specifics of any background checks of drivers and state laws that may require such background checks.
In April 2018, an investigation by CNN revealed at least 103 Uber drivers had been accused of sexual assault or abuse. The story focuses on a case in which police arrested Uber driver John David Sanchez. When they searched his computer, they found videos of Sanchez raping women and abusing young teenagers. In November 2018, Sanchez was sentenced to 80 years in prison for the rape of the Uber passenger and other counts, including sexual assaults of at least nine other women and children.

Samantha Josephson, 21, a University of South Carolina student from Robbinsville, was last seen getting into a car at 2 a.m. in a restaurant and nightlife area in Columbia, South Carolina(Photo: Columbia Police Department)

What kind of background check and vetting did Uber driver Sanchez get?
The CNN report notes that Uber was made aware of CNN's reporting for this story months ago, but the company failed to make any executives available to speak on the record. It canceled an on-camera interview with an Uber executive earlier this month.
In September, 14 women sued Lyft for mishandling their sexual assault complaints against drivers, failing to cooperate with law enforcement officialsand refusing to inform victims about the status of the predators who committed these egregious crimes.




Sami's law also requires the GAO to study the incidence of assault and abuse inflicted on both riders and drivers and report back to Congress on the nature and specifics of any background checks by the companies including state laws requiring such checks.




Due to the incomparable courage, compassion and advocacy of Sami's parents, a New Jersey state version of Sami's Law  nearly identical to our federal bill  was signed into law by Gov.Murphy on June 20.Out of an abundance of concern for the safety, welfare and well-being of all rideshare customers, every state needs to do the same.

We need the enactment of the federal Sami's Law because no family  in any stateor territory in the U.S.should suffer the agony and loss endured by the Josephson's. 

Rep. Chris Smith(Photo: File photo)

Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican, represents New Jersey's FourthCongressional District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406244,"<span class =""kicker"">President Signs Hong Kong Human Rights & Democracy Act; Smith First Introduced Bill in 2014</span>Remarks of Rep. Chris Smith on Enactment",2019-11-27,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are the remarks of Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) after President Trump's signing of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Smith first introduced in 2014:
The enactment of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Actwhich was expected and greatly welcomedmakes it abundantly clear that the Trump Administration, the United States Congress, and the American people stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.  

Xi Jining should understand that the US is not kidding about human rights.Beating, torturing and jailing of democracy activists is wrong and this historic legislation lets China know that respecting fundamental human rights is paramount.  

Tragically, under President Xi Jinping, human rights abuse throughout China has significantly worsened including the pervasive use of torture, religious persecution , human trafficking and genocide against Muslim Uighurs. We have always believed that every person in China deserves better than the brutality so many endure and the systematic violations of their universally recognized human rights.  

Under the new law, there will be strong sanctions, and other ramifications, for the crackdown and abuse of power.  

China is an export economy.If they lose trading benefits because of their deterioration in respecting autonomy and basic human rights, it will be a catastrophic blow to the economy in China.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406246,"<span class =""kicker"">AP article on Smith Bill</span>'Trump signs bills in support of Hong Kong protesters'",2019-11-27,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed two bills aimed at supporting human rights and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
Trump signed the bills, which were approved by near unanimous consent in the House and Senate, even as he expressed some concerns about complicating the effort to work out a trade deal with China's President Xi Jinping.
""I signed these bills out of respect for President Xi, China, and the people of Hong Kong,"" Trump said in a statement. ""They are being enacted in the hope that Leaders and Representatives of China and Hong Kong will be able to amicably settle their differences leading to long term peace and prosperity for all.""

Congress approved the bills last week following months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Before Wednesday's signing announcement, Trump would only commit to giving the measures a ""hard look.""  


China had threatened to take unspecified, ""strong countermeasures"" if the bills were signed into law.
The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act mandates sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials who carry out human rights abuses and requires an annual review of the favorable trade status that Washington grants Hong Kong.
Another bill prohibits export to Hong Kong police of certain nonlethal munitions, including tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, water cannons, stun guns and tasers.

The munitions bill was passed unanimously, while Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the sole House member to oppose the human rights bill.  


Trump acknowledged last week that he was weighing the ramifications of signing the bill.
""Look, we have to stand with Hong Kong,"" Trump said in an interview on ""Fox &amp; Friends."" He continued: ""But I'm also standing with President Xi. He's a friend of mine. He's an incredible guy.""
Democratic and Republican lawmakers applauded the signing of the bills. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said it ""finally sends a clear and unequivocal message to the people of Hong Kong: We are with you.""
Sen. Jim Risch, an Idaho Republican and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the bills are ""an important step forward in holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable for its erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and its repression of fundamental human rights.""

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who sponsored the House human rights bill, said Xi ""should understand that the U.S. is not kidding about human rights. Beating, torturing and jailing of democracy activists is wrong and this historic legislation lets China know that respecting fundamental human rights is paramount.""  


Activists hailed Trump's action.
""I know that many people in Hong Kong are happy that the U.S. government has passed a new bill,"" said Figo Chan, a 23-year-old Hong Kong protester who was honored with the John McCain Prize for Leadership at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada last weekend.
""No one wants to die and no one wants to be hurt,"" Chan said. ""I hope that citizens of many different countries can in their own way fight for democracy.""
Associated Press writer Rob Gillies contributed to this report from Toronto.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406241,"<span class =""kicker"">NJ.com Article on Smith Hong Kong Human Rights Legislation</span>'Trump gets bill championed by N.J. Republican to stand with Hong Kong protesters'",2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congress took steps Wednesday to support the ongoing protests in Hong Kong against Chinese rule as the U.S. House cleared legislation to penalize a crack down on the demonstrators.
The legislation passed, 417-1, and now goes to President Donald Trump. Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., cast the only no vote.


Congress is making it clear that beating, torturing and jailing democracy activists is wrong. We stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong, said Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist., who led the House debate. There will be strong sanctions, other ramifications, for this crackdown and abuse of power.
The House had approved a similar bill last month, but acquiesced and passed the version approved by the Senate on Tuesday.
Congress has done its job,"" said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. ""As the situation in Hong Kong nears a breaking point, President Trump must not waste any time in signing this critical bill into law.
The measure requires that the U.S. secretary of state certifiy annually whether Hong Kong should continue to receive its special treatment under U.S. law; ensures that those arrested for participating in peaceful protests are not denied visas to enter the U.S.; requires sanctions against individuals responsible for forcing confessions, torturing protesters or committing other human rights violations; and calls for annual reports on whether Hong Kong is violating U.S. export control laws or United Nations sanctions.
Smith has sought to pass similar legislation since 2014 but the ongoing Hong Kong protests and China's efforts to suppress them provided the impetus needed for the legislation. In September, he joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and some of the Hong Kong activists at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol.
He suggested that if Congress had heeded his call five years ago, the current crackdown might not have happened.
It could well have had a chilling effect on what Beijing and the Hong Kong communist leadership is doing because then they would have said, There is a predictable consequence. We could lose that special status,'"" Smith said.
This article originally was published by the Star Ledger/NJ.com on Nov. 20, 2019 and was posted online at:
https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/11/trump-gets-bill-championed-by-nj-republican-to-stand-with-hong-kong-protesters.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406231,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith introduced legislation in 2014</span>Debate on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act",2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) during debate on the Hong Kong Human Rights  and Democracy Act of 2019  in the U.S. House of Representatives on November 20, 2019: 
Since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre thirty years ago, I've had the privilege of working with colleagues on both sides of the aisleincluding and especially Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Frank Wolfon human rights, the rule of law and democracy for the people of China.
 We have always believed that every person in China deserves better than the brutality so many endure and the systematic violations of their universally recognized human rights. China's ruthless dictators do not agree, and they are driven to tighten their control.
 Today, Hong Kong is burning. The status quo is no longerthe brutal government crackdown on democracy activists has escalated.
 Tragically, under President Xi Jinping, human rights abuse throughout China has significantly worsened including the pervasive use of torture, religious persecution , human trafficking and genocide against Muslim Uighurs.
 Last month President Xi ominously warned of even more brutal violence to come in Hong Kong, threatening crushed bodies and shattered bones.
 And the Hong Kong government prefers bullets and batons over peaceful and political dialogue that would address the Hong Kong people's rightful grievances. 
 That is the sad and disgusting reality. And it is what the Chinese Communist government does bestsuppress, repress, torture and censor.
 With passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, the United States Congress is making it clear that beating, torturing and jailing democracy activists is wrong. We stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong. There will be strong sanctions, other ramifications, for this crackdown and abuse of power.
 The people of Hong Kong have feared for their freedom for a long time. In 2014, I met with Martin Lee and Anson Chan, two titans of Hong Kong's democracy movement. Theyand Scott Flipse of the China Commissionmet in my office as we discussed the Chinese Communist Party's growing influence in Hong Kong.
 That is the genesis of this bill and our five-year effort to push back on Beijing's pernicious interference in Hong Kong.
 In the midst of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, I first introducedjoined by Speaker Pelosi, the first Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. My CECC Cochair Senator Sherrod Brown introduced the same bill in the Senate.
 Over the years, in 2015 and 2017, Senator Rubio and I upgraded the bill to reflect the kidnapping of booksellers, the disqualification of elected lawmakers, and the political prosecutions of Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Benny Tai and others.
 However, every time we pushed for passage there was opposition--from diplomats, experts, committee Chairs, and U.S. business interests in Hong Kong.
 Passage of this legislation is long overdue.
 My House bill cosponsored by my good friend Jim McGovern and 46 other bipartisan cosponsors, passed last month on October 15.
 Today we consider a final bill derived from working with our colleagues in the Senate.
 Specifically, the Act:
 
     Directs the Secretary of State to report and certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
     Directs the State Department not to deny entry visas based primarily on the applicants' arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong.
     Requires, for the next seven years, an annual report from the Commerce Department on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws including those goods and services transshipped to North Korea, Iran or other countries relating to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, narcotics trafficking and more.
     Requires an assessment of whether U.S. origin items including software, technology and services have been transferred from Hong Kong to China in violation of U.S. law and have been used by China for mass surveillance, predictive policing, or for the social credit system.
 
 What's the social credit system, you ask? A ubiquitous, panopticon totalitarian brave new world system scheduled for implementation by 2020 that will use public records, online activity and other tools of surveillance to aggregate data on every Chinese citizen and business and use that data to monitor, shape and rate financial, social, religious or political behaviors.  

 Requires the President to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments.  

 Requires the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the extrajudicial rendition and gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.  

 The Chinese Communist government warns us repeatedly not to interfere in China's internal affairs. But the only interference I see is Beijing's meddling in the democratic freedoms of Hong Kong. All I see is Beijing's failures to honor the promises made in the 1984 Sino-British Declaration, an international treaty. All I see is Beijing's failure to honor the promises of Hong Kong's Basic Law.  

 We cannot avert our eyes to what is happening in Hong Kong. We cannot not silence our voices when the rule of law, democracy, human rights, free speech and autonomy are being threatened in Hong Kong. We must remain steadfast in support of the people of Hong Kong.    

 The whole world has a stake in a peaceful and just resolution in Hong Kong. The passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act is an important signal that this Congress considers Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy a critical interest of the United States and the international community.  

 In Hong Kong they encourage each other to keep pressing forward with the phrase Ji yuor step on it.  

 So today, I want to say Ji yu to the Hong Kong people. Your cause is a noble one. You will not be forgotten.   

 This bill is the work of so many who care deeply about freedom and democracy in Hong Kong. I want to thank my House colleagues, Mr. McGovern, Speaker Pelosi, and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mr. Engel and the Ranking Member Mr. McCaul for working to get this bill to the floor today.  

 I also want to mention some of the staff members who were instrumental in working on this legislation over the past five years, they have kept this issue in front of this Congress, and they deserve our thanks. I want to thank the former staff directors of the CECC, Paul Protic and Elyse Anderson for their important work on Hong Kong and China. I also want to thank Piero Tozzi on my staff for his focus on human rights in China and around the world.  

 I want to particularly mention the contribution made to this legislation by Scott Flipse of the CECC. In 2014, Dr. Flipse first convinced me that U.S. policy toward Hong Kong had to change. Beijing had a long-term plan to undermine Hong Kong's autonomy and the U.S. needed to focus its efforts on countering that plan. He has been a stalwart advocate for the people of Hong Kong ever since and I want to thank him again for his critical contributions to this legislation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406235,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith first introduced the bill five years ago</span>House OK's Hong Kong Human Rights & Democracy Act",2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC  Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) helped manage debate and final passage today of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act which he had introduced in every Congress since 2014while on the streets of Hong Kong students demonstrated amid escalating threats by the Chinese Communist government against Hong Kong's residents. On
Today, Hong Kong is burning. The status quo is no longerthe brutal government crackdown on democracy activists has escalated. Tragically, under President Xi Jinping, human rights abuse throughout China has significantly worsened including the pervasive use of torture, religious persecution , human trafficking and genocide against Muslim Uighurs, said Smith, Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC). He is the author of the House companion bill that passed in October.
 The Hong Kong government prefers bullets and batons over peaceful and political dialogue that would address the Hong Kong people's rightful grievances.That is the sad and disgusting reality.And it is what the Chinese Communist government does bestsuppress, repress, torture and censor. Click here to read Congressman Smith's full statement.
 Smith's Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, H.R. 3289, which he first introduced in an earlier version five years ago, passed the House October 15. The final bill that passed today, was drafted in collaboration with colleagues in the Senate, S.1838, introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio.
 With passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, the United States Congress is making it clear that beating, torturing and jailing democracy activists is wrong, Smith said. We stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong. There will be strong sanctions, other ramifications, for this crackdown and abuse of power.
 The final bill has sanctions for those who commit human rights abuses. Although the controversial extradition bill to allow extradition of Hong Kong residents to China was begrudgingly withdrawn months ago, the residents of Hong Kong, especially students, have taken to the streets to assert rights to universal suffrage, investigation of police tactics, and freedom.

 Smith, who noted 2019 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Tiananmen massacrean international, documented historical event the Chinese government has all but erased from the internet and its history booksfirst introduced the Hong Kong bill to allow for more flexible and robust U.S. responses to the steady erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and human rights.
 We cannot avert our eyes to what is happening in Hong Kong.We cannot not silence our voices when the rule of law, democracy, human rights, free speech and autonomy are being threatened in Hong Kong. We must remain steadfast in support of the people of Hong Kong, Smith told his colleagues. The whole world has a stake in a peaceful and just resolution in Hong Kong. The passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act is an important signal that this Congress considers Hong Kong's freedoms and autonomy a critical interest of the United States and the international community.
 Smith is a commissioner on the Congressional Executive Commission on China, which he chaired for two terms.
###
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406227,"<span class =""kicker"">News12NJ Segment on Braeden Bradforth</span>'Rep. Smith: Death of NJ football player was '100% preventable' '",2019-11-18,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"News12NJ Segment on Braeden Bradforth'Rep. Smith: Death of NJ football player was '100% preventable' ' 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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Posted: Nov 16, 2019 10:46 PM EST Updated: Nov 16, 2019 11:26 PM EST 
Rep. Chris Smith held a press conference Saturday regarding the investigation into the death of a New Jersey football player.
Braeden Bradforth, of Neptune, died last August after a football practice at Garden City Community College in Kansas.  
Bradforth's mother hopes that the incident will help save others students.  

""This fight was for Braeden at first but now it's for the rest of the kids,"" said Joanne Atkins-Ingram.His autopsy later revealed he died because of exertional heat stroke.
 Smith says the report shows that Bradforth's death was 100% preventable.
Earlier this year, Smith introduced legislation aimed at reducing this type of heat stroke in high school and college athletes.  



    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406213,"<span class =""kicker""></span>Braeden Bradforths Mother and Rep. Chris Smith React to Independent Report on Football Players Death",2019-11-16,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Joanne Atkins-Ingram, mother of Braeden Bradforth, with U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at her side along with her friend and attorney Jill Greene, spoke at a press conference today about the newly released independent investigation into the death of her sona Neptune, NJ resident and student who died of exertional heat stroke after football practice at Garden City Community College (GCCC) in Kansas in August 2018.
 At some points holding back tears yet always showing a steely resolve, Braeden's mom shared the burden and griefshe carries since Braeden's sudden and tragic death: I'm relieved that the rest of the world now knows what I've known all along. I can't say thank you enough to Congressman Smith and his staff, the Asbury Park Press and every reporter and news outlet who helped keep this story alive and relevant, because Braeden's story needs to be told, said Atkins-Ingram, also noting the Star Ledger, News12 New Jersey and several out-of-state reporters who called into the press conference. The bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Democrat Rep. Josh Gotttheimer, also of New Jersey.  Smith, who introduced H.R. 4145,Braeden's Commission: Protect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Strokeon August 2, said that after several months of aggressively pushing for an independent investigation, the four-person investigative team exposed a striking lack of leadership, as well as failure after failure on the part of the college to prevent Braeden's death from exertional heat strokewhich the report confirmed as a preventable death.  

 The independent investigation found serious failings in both identifying exertional heat stroke and effective, timely interventions, said Smith, who pressed GCCC President Ryan Ruda for the independent investigation into Braeden's death ina March 2019 letter. There was a failure to have and implement an effective Emergency Action Plan. The investigators also said a cause of Braedon Bradforth's death was a poorly-designed and administered conditioning test for an unconditioned, non-acclimated student-athlete.  

 The report identifies, A colossal failure by a number of people to take action to prevent the death of Braeden,' Smith said.


    
        
            
        
    


PHOTO: Braeden's mom, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, is flanked by her attorney Jill Greene and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at the Nov. 16, 2019 press conference.  Jill Greene, who Atkins-Ingram called a friend first and attorney second, often had her hand on Atkins-Ingram's shoulder during the emotional moments today.
 It boggled my mind from the beginning that we knew something was terribly wrong here, and no one would listen to us, said Greene, recalling the long and seemingly hopeless fight it took to get the college to launch an independent investigation.The college stonewalled us again and again and again. If it wasn't for Congressman Smith, there would be no report.He was the catalyst. He was the liaison between all of usthe college, the college president, Joanne and myself, and everyone involvedin making this happen.And we feel justified now because the report supports everything we believed and provided us answers to so many questions We now feel we have justice for Braeden.  

 Smith laid out the next step in his plan to see Braeden's Commission enacted into law.  

 Yesterday, with the report of the Independent Investigation in hand, I met with the chairman of the prime committee of jurisdictionEducation and LaborRep. Bobby Scott and Ranking Member Rep. Virginia Fox, and asked that the bill be marked up and a hearing convened with industry expert Rod Walters and to provide an opportunity for Joanne to testify, Smith said.  

 The legislation was introduced by Smith in the House on Aug. 2, the day after announcing it at a memorial in Braeden's hometown of Neptune, N.J., exactly one year after Braeden's death. H.R. 4145 would establish a commission to conduct a study on exertional heat stroke among student athletes at educational institutions across the country to study best practices for prevention, recognition and treatment of exertional heat stroke, and develop recommendations for the purpose of reducing fatalities from exertional heat stroke among student athletes.  

 The 12-member Commission which will be created by the legislation, would study and promulgate the best practices for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat stroke, Smith said.  

 Bradforth was 19 when he arrived at GCCC in July of 2018 to play football. On Aug. 1, 2018, only his second day on campus, he collapsed after evening football practice and was found unresponsive. After being taken to the hospital in an ambulance some time later, he passed away due to exertional heat stroke, his autopsy later revealed.  

 In March, Smith met with Braeden's mother, Joanne, and Jill Greene, and promised to do everything he could to assist her in her efforts to find out more about her son's death, and what actions could be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.  

 Smith opened today's press conference addressing the deep sorrow he has for the pain Joanne has suffered at the death of her son.  

 On behalf of my wife Marie and Iand my entire stafflet me again convey our deepest condolences to Joanne and her family on the loss of Braeden, he said. All of us can only imagine the emotional pain, and daily agony, which was only exacerbated by Garden City Community College's unwillingness for months to answer basic questions.  

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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406221,"<span class =""kicker"">APP on Press Conf. W Rep. Smith and Mother of Braeden Brandon</span>'Braeden Bradforth: After scathing report, accountability needed in death of Neptune star'",2019-11-15,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Stephen Edelson, Asbury Park Press  
Published 2:13 p.m. ET Nov. 15, 2019 |Updated 7:53 a.m. ET Nov. 16, 2019  
It's not an easy read asthe tragic events of Aug. 1, 2018are laid out in painstaking detail by anindependent investigation into the heatstroke death of former Neptune High School star Braeden Bradforthat Garden City (Kansas) Community College.
Like the events that played out during thebrutal conditioning test the 315-pound Bradforth was trying to complete on a hot evening. How one player told investigators that Braden looked like he was going to pass out, and how former Garden City head coach Jeff Sims, ""cussed out Braden, stating that he was soft  that embarrassed Braeden in front of the whole team and that Braeden kept trying to run to try to prove that he wasn't soft.""
Or the extended timeline in getting help for Bradforth once he was found in distress due to a delay in calling an EMS crew that might have been able to save his life in the aftermath of a test, which involved running 36 50-yard sprints in eight seconds or less.
Read the full report at the bottom of this story.
Now it's time to hold those responsible for Bradforth's death accountable, including the school and Sims, now the head coach at Missouri Southern State University, after leading Garden City to the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship in 2016.

A scathing independent investigation found a series of mistakes at Garden City Community College led to the death of former Neptune High School star Braeden Bradforth.(Photo: Jill Greene)

""All of the facts laid out about how unprepared that athletic program is for what it's trying to do,""said attorney Chris Dove, retained by Bradforth's mother, Joanne Atkins-Ingram. ""Trying to be this big athletic powerhouse on the backs of all these kids, many who are not from Kansas, to promote the school, and for the coaches to, in some cases, move up the career ladder.  



""They're not at all prepared for what they need to do to support those athletes. It's not asmall thing to drag these kids out to Kansas in the middle of summer and put them through their paces like it's a rec league.""
The scathing report did not mince words when it came to the school's culpability, citing a ""striking lack of leadership""from the school president down through the head coach and athletic staff. It noted that once Bradforth was in distress not enough was done to save him, indicating that ""an effective plan likely would have rescued him from what turned out to be his untimely death.""  
Herbert Swender, the school president named in the report, has since left Garden City.
Ex-Neptune football player death:College tells mom video deleted after tragedy

No investigation was ever launched by the Garden City Police Department into Bradforth's death.
Garden City, Missouri Southern, and Sims declined USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey's request to comment on the results of the investigation.
Braeden Bradforth:Emails show chaos before Neptune football player's death
""If the (Garden City) has any sense they are going to reach out to us and say, 'Hey, let's go sit down in a conference room and talk,'""said Dove, a partner at DRZ Law in Leawood, Kansas. ""I don't know how they don't with that kind of report out there. It implicates a lot more than just a single error. It's not like you missed one thing. No, you missed a long chain of events and then, frankly, there is an enhanced legal problem because it clearly demonstrates some reckless behavior.

Neptune native Braeden Bradforth died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Joanne Atkins-Ingram)

``If they don't really want to face up to that responsibility, then I guess we're going to be looking at a lawsuit stretching over a couple of years. This goes beyond Braeden. There are some serious institutional failures there that they need to address.""
'How do I talk about the worst day of my life?':Mother of NJ football player mourning one year after his death
According to thepress release from Garden City, the school has sought to improve its processes in the aftermath of Bradforth's death, including: formation of a sports medicine advisory team; hiring a third athletic trainer; first-aid and CPR training for all coaches; hiring a strength and conditioning coach; protocols for identifying and treating heat related illnesses. 

""I'm very, very happy about this report because it certainly gives Joanne a fuller picture about what happened,""Dove said. ""I think it's also important for public to see it as well.
""Unfortunately, the facts of this case are as bad as I've seen. They're awful in terms of lack of institutional control andlack of institutional oversight, and then down to the individual coaches and their own responsibilities, have some knowledge about how to deal with what was a very preventable death. So all of those facts are horrible. But I would say that this absence of institutionaloversight when it comes to educational institutions is not all that unusual.''

Stephen Edelson is a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist who has been covering athletics in the state and at the Jersey Shore for nearly 35 years. He's passionate about the area's rich sports history, and the history being made today. Contact him at: @SteveEdelsonAPP;sedelson@gannettnj.com.
  


This article was published by USA Today Network, which includes the Asbury Park Press, and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/sports/2019/11/15/after-scathing-report-accountability-needed-braeden-bradforth-death/4203089002/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406230,"<span class =""kicker"">NJ101.5 Story on Neptune's Braeden Bradforth</span>'College blamed for preventable heat-stroke death of NJ athlete'",2019-11-15,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By NJ101.5 Reporter Sergio Bichao|  
An independent investigation has pinned the death last year of a 19-year-old Jersey Shore athlete on a ""striking lack of leadership"" at a Kansas college.
Braeden Bradforth, a Neptune High School graduate, died Aug. 1, 2018, from heat stroke after attending a high-intensity workout at Garden City Community College.
A probe commissioned by the college's Board of Trustees in May concluded last month that Bradforth's death could have been prevented if the school had bothered to properly assess the physical condition of student athletes and if the school had developed an emergency response planforathletes who suffer heat illness.

The 48-page report submitted by sports medicine consultant Rod Walters and Randy J. Aliment of Los Angeles-based law firm Lewis Brisbois, found a ""striking lack of leadership by President Herbert Swender, Athletic Director John Green, Head Football Coach Jeff Sims, and Head Athletic Trainer TJ Horton, during the weeks and months leading up to August 1, 2018.
""There was little to no oversight of the preparation for and execution of the August 1, 2018 conditioning test designed and run by Coach Sims. This lack of oversight set off a series of events that ended with the death of Braeden Bradforth.""
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. 4th District, on Thursday called the report ""heartbreaking."" He and Bradforth's mother, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, have pushed for a federal commission that would develop ways for high schools and colleges to reduceexertional heat stroke in athletes.
We must do all we can to identify the signs and treat this life-threatening medical emergency before it takes another athlete, Smith said in written statement. Since Braeden's death 15 months ago, more athletes have been stricken with exertional heat strokeand many before Braeden, including the June 2018 death of Jordan McNair, a University of Maryland football player.
The report noted that while Bradforth's doctor had him ""cleared without restrictions"" for participation in athletics, the doctor noted that he needed to diet and exercise. The report said that college officials did not realize this note on his medical forms until after his death.
Nevertheless, the report says that Bradforth was an overweight 315 pounds, which ""should have been evident to the athletic trainers and coaches.""
The report also noted that the conditioning test was ""poorly designed and administered"" and did not take into account that the altitude in Garden City resulted in 9% less oxygen than Bradforth was used to at the Jersey Shore.
The report said that after Bradforth became ill, he ""should not have been permitted to wander off alone on an unfamiliar campus.""
Bradforth ended up trying to get to his dorm room ""through a narrow and hot alley with limited airflow. When he could not enter the building through a locked door, he sat down and rested his head against a brick wall that likely continued to radiate heat.""
He was found by teammates almost a half hour later the amount of time that it takes to administer an effective treatment for exertional heat stroke, the report notes.
""From that moment forward, we noted poor implementation of an emergency response,"" the report says. ""Garden City Community College had no training in place for this situation and no Emergency Action Plan. A contributing cause of death was the failure to have and implement an effective Emergency Action Plan.""
In a written statement released on Tuesday, the college said it ""values student health and safety"" and noted actions the school has taken to improve its athletics practices, which included the following:
 Convening a Sports Medicine Advisory Team  
 Hiring a full-time athletic trainer  
 Requiring all coaching staff to complete first aid and CPR training annually  
 Hiring a strength and conditioning coach  
 Implementing immediate follow-up wellness checks with players who leave practice  
 Developing policy to recognize and treat heat-related illness  
 Modified practice times to account for heat  
 Purchased ice tubs  
 Implemented policy for thoroughly reviewing health physicals
This story was published on Nov. 15, 2019 and can be found online at:
https://nj1015.com/college-blamed-for-preventable-heat-stroke-death-of-nj-athlete/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406169,Report of Independent Investigation: Death of Braeden Bradforth,2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Report of Independent Investigation: Death of Braeden Bradforth 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      The independent report on the death of Braeden Bradforth, a 19-year-old student athlete from Neptune, NJ who died after football practice on Aug. 1, 2018 at Garden City Community College (GCCC) in Kansas, was released by GCCC this week. It was completed on Oct. 28, 2019 by Rod Waters, a Consultant in Sports Medicine. To view a copy of the released report, click here.
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406209,"<span class =""kicker"">College Criticized for Striking Lack of Leadership in Investigation into death of Braeden Bradforth</span>Rep. Chris Smith Calls Report 'Utterly Heartbreaking'",2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said today that, the report summarizing the independent investigation into the death of Braeden Bradforth is utterly heartbreaking in that it confirms that Braeden's death was 100 percent preventable.
The investigator found that a striking lack of leadership' by Garden City Community College officials set off a series of events that ended with the death of Braeden Bradforth.'I can only imagine how difficult this is for Braeden's mom, Joanne, to read; yet it is exactly what she and I have long requesteda transparent and independent review of the facts so steps can be taken to prevent another death of a student athlete, Smith said.  

In a very special way Joanne's incredible love and devotion to Braeden, inspired this report precisely so that no other parent has to suffer what she has the loss of a child from something that could have been prevented.Its findings must now serve as the basis for new protocols and protections going forward, Smith said.  

Smith said the report did not hold back in identifying specific gaps in the college's training and care programs for its athletes. He pointed to pages 38 and 39 which concluded:  

 
    A cause of Braedon Bradforth's death was a poorly designed and administered conditioning test for an unconditioned, non-acclimated student-athlete.
    
    A contributing cause of Braedon Bradforth's death was the failure to have and implement an effective Emergency Action Plan.
    
    No pre-existing condition played a role in causing Braeden Bradforth's death.
 

    
        
            
        
    

PHOTO: Braeden's mom, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, is flanked by her attorney Jill Greene and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at an April 5 press conf.  

We must do all we can to identify the signs and treat this life-threatening medical emergency before it takes another athlete, Smith said. Since Braeden's death 15 months ago, more athletes have been stricken with exertional heat strokeand many before Braeden, including the June 2018 death of Jordan McNair, a University of Maryland football player.
Earlier this year Smith introduced the Braeden's Commission: Protect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke, H.R. 4145, bipartisan legislation to establish a federal commission composed of health professionals who will be tasked with providing recommendations on how to reduce exertional heat stroke in high school and collegiate student athletes.  

It is my hope that through the enactment of a Braeden's Commission we will identify best practices for the prevention, recognition, and treatment of exertional heat stroke, and we will establish a comprehensive national strategy so not one more athlete is taken by this totally preventable and avoidable illness, Smith said. The legislation was introduced in the House on Aug. 2, one day after announcing it at a memorial in Braeden's hometown of Neptune, N.J., exactly one year after Braeden's death.  

BACKGROUND:
Braeden Bradforth was 19 when he arrived on the campus of Garden City Community College in Kansas (GCCC) to play football. On Aug. 1, 2018, only his second day on campus, he collapsed after evening football practice and was found unresponsive. After being taken to the hospital in an ambulance some time later, he passed away due to exertional heat stroke, his autopsy later revealed.
In March, Smith met with Braeden's mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram and promised to do everything he could to assist her in her efforts to find out more about her son's death, and what actions could be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. He joined Ms. Atkins-Ingram in pressing the college to conduct an independent investigation after finding that no true investigation of Braeden's death had been performed.  

Some nine months after Braeden's death, GCCC voted to commission the independent investigation. Released to the public today, the report revealed numerous contributing causes of death in this moving case, including the failure to timely identify and treat Braeden's exertional heat illness and that there was no identification of Braeden's escalating symptoms by numerous individuals. It goes on to report that when treatment is administered within 30 minutes of detection, exertional heat stroke death can be averted.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406220,"<span class =""kicker"">NJ.com article on NJ mom of Braeden Bradforth Smith is helping</span>'Report rips Kansas college for N.J. football players heat stroke death on first day of practice'",2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"A law firm hired by the Kansas junior college where a former Neptune High School football player died of heat stroke on his first day of practice last year found a striking lack of leadership by the college officials and coaches leading up to 19-year-old Braeden Bradforth's death 1,500 miles from home.


The Los Angeles-based firm, Lewis Brisbois LLP, which delivered its withering critique in a report made public Thursday by Bradforth's mother, also found that there had been little to no oversight of the conditioning drill designed and run by Garden City Community College's then-head coach  36 wind sprints of 50 yards each with little rest in between  that, combined with the hot, humid weather, Bradforth's health, and other factors, led to the young scholar-athlete's death on Aug. 1, 2018.
Futhermore, the report found, team coaches and trainers, EMTs and even emergency room staff at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas, all failed to recognize and treat Bradforth's symptoms of heat stroke, which need not be fatal when spotted in time and treated by immersing the victim in a tub of cold water.
No Garden City Community College athletic training or coaching staff member and no Emergency Medical Service or Emergency Department personnel identified or treated Braeden Bradforth's escalating symptoms of the exertional heat stroke that caused his death, the report stated.
The 6-foot-3, 300-lb. lineman had been a standout at Neptune High School, described as a gentle giant, well liked by teammates and classmates who deeply mourned his death.
The report said Bradforth, who suffered from asthma, arrived on the GCCC campus out of shape and, at 315 pounds, overweight, and that special recommendations by his New Jersey doctor written on his athletic waiver were not noticed by his coaches in Kansas. In addition, the report noted, the GCCC campus is much higher above sea level than Bradforth's native New Jersey, with 9% less oxygen in the air.
After an evening conditioning session  the team's second practice of the day  in temperatures above 80 degrees with high humidity, the report said Bradforth was allowed to simply skip a team meeting and wander away, alone on an unfamiliar campus, after having shown signs of fatigue during the session.
Unable to enter his dorm, he sat on the ground against a brick wall that was still warm from the day's heat, before being found by teammates, the report and past accounts said. The players then informed an assistant coach, who contacted the team trainer, who then contacted the head coach before calling an ambulance. In all, 73 minutes passed between the time Bradforth left the football stadium, at 9:20 p.m., and the time he arrived at the hospital, 10:33 p.m. He was pronounced dead at 11:06 p.m.
Braeden Bradforth's core temperature was never assessed and no effective method of cooling him was ever implemented by anyone, the report states. A contributing cause of death was the failure to timely identify and treat Braeden Bradforth's exertional heat illness.
When treatment is administered within 30 minutes of heat illness and includes identification of elevated core temperature  greater than 104 degrees F  coupled with rapid cooling of the full body via cold water immersion of 55 degrees F, exertional heat stroke death can be averted, the report states.



The Oct. 28 report, prepared by Louis Brisbois partner Randy Aliment in conjunction with sports medicine consultant Rod Walters, was provided to GCCC after the college's board of trustees voted in May to authorize the firm to conduct an independent investigation of Bradforth's death. The GCCC Board of Trustees voted Tuesday night to release the report to Bradforth's mother, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, who through her lawyer provided a copy to NJ Advance Media.
In an interview Tuesday, Atkins-Ingram said the report supported what she has been saying since her son died.
Now, with the release of this report the whole world knows what we knew all along: that they did not keep my son safe, Atkins-Ingram said. 
Her lawyer, Jill Greene, applauded the investigation and its report as incredibly thorough and detailed.
This report shows a blatant disregard for this child, for his safety, and a lot of adults made some horrible decisions, Greene said. If they had protocols in place, training, perhaps Braeden would still be alive.
After the GCCC board's Tuesday meeting, the chairman, Dr. Blake Wasinger, issued a statement saying the intention of releasing the report to Atkins-Ingram was to, respectfully communicate all of the information that GCCC has about Braeden's unfortunate passing directly to his family and loved ones.
The board had authorized the investigation after Bradforth's congressman, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), led New Jersey's entire House delegation in a letter demanding the probe, sent last March to GCCC's interim president, Ryan Ruda, who had been named to the post following Bradforth's death.
Smith, who has introduced federal legislation to protect scholar-athletes, issued a statement this week saying the college was doing the right thing, and that Atkins-Ingram, is entitled to every detail in the report.
GCCC also issued a statement this week reiterating steps the college had taken following Bradforth's death to better safeguard all of its student-athletes.
They include the formation of a sports medicine advisory team made up of team doctors, trainers, and other staff; first aid training for coaches; the hiring of a new trainer and conditioning coach; a policy for recognizing and treating heat-related illnesses and the purchase of ice-bath tubs; hiring an addition campus police officer to ensure 24/7 staffing; and a policy calling for the review of health physicals for all student-athletes prior to any practice or competition.
Jeff Sims, Bradforth's head coach for his one day as a college football player, has since left Garden City. After last season, when he lead GCCC to an appearance in the 2018 junior college national championship game, Sims moved into the head coaching job at Missouri Southern State University, a four-year college.
Lawyers for Atkins-Ingram in New Jersey and Kansas filed notices soon after Bradforth's death advising GCCC that she may sue the college. No suit has been filed, but she has until August 2020, under Kansas' two-year statute of limitations, said Greene.
Sims told NJ Advance Media earlier this year that he had been advised not to talk about Bradforth's death due to the potential for litigation. And neither Sims nor Missouri Southern Athletic Director Jared Bruggeman responded to requests for comment on Thursday.
Atkins-Ingram said the reforms promised by GCCC were good ones, if they are actually implemented effectively in order to avoid similar fates for other sons and daughters. Meanwhile, the pain of her son's death has not diminished in the 16 months since then.
No it hasn't, Atkins-Ingram said. Just for the simple fact that every day I have to relive what happed to him, because it is still happening to children across the nation.
It will never end for me, she said.


Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media 
Joanne Atkins-Ingram, mother of Braeden Bradforth cries as she speaks about her son during an interview in her Neptune home. Bradforth was a standout football player when he played at Neptune High School. He died last summer on his first day of football practice at Garden City Community College in Kansas. The cause of his death was ``exertion heat stroke according to an autopsy. April 8, 2019 (Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) April 8, 2019 (Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 


Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com
This article originally was published by the Star Ledger/NJ.com on Nov. 14, 2019 and updated Nov. 145, 2019 and can be found at:
https://www.nj.com/monmouth/2019/11/report-rips-kansas-college-for-nj-footall-players-heat-stroke-death-on-first-day-of-practice.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406240,"<span class =""kicker"">'Do we need more laws? Maybe. But more than anything else, we need to further prioritize combatting human trafficking, especially through prosecution.'</span>Protecting the Weakest and Most Vulnerable from the Cruelty of Human Traffi",2019-11-14,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) addressing theCounty Prosecutors Association of New Jersey at its conference at theBorgata Hotel, Atlantic City, N.J. on Sunday Nov. 24:Congratulations to CPANJ's new PresidentAngelo Onofrian effective, aggressive and principled prosecutor whom I have known and deeply respected for over 35 years. Thank you, Assistant AG Annmarie Taggart, Dawne Lomangino-DiMauro, Heather Headley, and Kim Murphy for your extraordinary personal and professional commitments to ending modern-day slaveryin all its horrific manifestations. When I first introduced the Trafficking Victims' Protection Act (TVPA), more than twenty years ago, the legislation was met with a wall of skepticism and oppositiondismissed by many as a solution in search of a problem. Several Members of Congress turned me down when I asked them to cosponsor the bill. For most people at that timeincluding lawmakersthe term trafficking applied almost exclusively to drugs and weapons, not human beings.  
Reports of vulnerable personsespecially women and childrenbeing reduced to commodities for sale were often met with surprise, incredulity or indifference. My legislationthe Trafficking Victims Protection Act signed into law in the year 2000, created a new whole-of-government domestic and international strategy and established numerous new programs to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and to the extent possible prevent it in the first placethe three Ps. (Over the years, I've authored four additional laws to combat human traffickingincluding in 2003, 2005, 2016, and 2019.) Of particular interest to you as prosecutors, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act included a number of sea change criminal code reforms including treating as a victimand not a perpetrator of a crimeanyone exploited by a commercial sex act who had not attained the age of 18 and anyone older where there was an element of force, fraud or coercion. The TVPA radically reformed the US criminal code to authorize asset confiscation and jail sentences of up to life imprisonment.  
Included among the historic reforms:  Section 1590 of the ActTrafficking with respect to peonage, slavery, involuntary servitude or forced laborstipulates that Whoever knowingly recruits, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means, any person for labor or services shall be fined ...or imprisoned not more than 20 years.  
 Section 1591 of the ActSex trafficking of children or by force, fraud or coercionstipulates that Whoever knowingly, in or affecting interstate commerce, recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides, or obtains by any means a person; or benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value shall be liable up 20 years imprisonment, and a fine if the victim has not attained the age of 18 or if 18 or older, if there was an element of force, fraud or coercion. A violation against a child who has not attained the age of 14 carries up to life imprisonment. Thousands of human traffickers have been prosecuted and jailed pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act including all charges brought against Jeffrey Epstein and the infamous convictions involving the Smallville actress Allison Mack and another recent case in Monmouth County. That said, believing that federal law needed parallel state and local statues to effectuate an effective prosecution strategy, my law included new DOJ programs to assist states in crafting laws and authorized the creation of new anti-human trafficking task forcestoday there are 57 task forces throughout the country. In like manner, the TVPA provides law reform and best practices technical assistance to other countries. The Act also included sheltering and a national hotline and on the refugee side, created a new asylum categorythe T visato protect victims and their families. Among its many other provisions, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act also created the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Person's Office and annual TIP report with its tier grading of every nation's record in making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Those relegated to what we call Tier 3egregious violatorsare subject to sanctions. Obviously, you know about Megan's Law, which protects children domestically. In 2008, I first introduced International Megan's Law . It passed the House four times2010, 2014, 2015, 2016and, thankfully, finally passed the United States Senate and was signed into law in 2016. As you may recall, Megan Kanka from my hometown of Hamilton was just 7 years old when she was kidnapped, raped, and brutally murdered in 1994. Her assailant lived across the street. Unbeknownst to her family and other residents in the neighborhood, he was a convicted repeat child sex offender. Megan's heartbroken-to-this day-parentsMaureen and Richard Kankahave been amazingly effective, courageous and heroic in successfully pushing every state in the union including New Jersey to enact Megan's Law.  
Why International Megan's Law? We know from law enforcement, academia and media documentation that Americans on the U.S. sex offender registries are frequently caught sexually abusing children in Asia, Central and South America, Europe, and, frankly, everywhere. A deeply disturbing 2010 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that at least 4,500 U.S. passports were issued to registered sex offenders in fiscal year 2008 alone. Typically, a passport is valid for 10 years, meaning some or many of the tens of thousands of registered sex offenders possessing passports may be on the prowl internationally looking to exploit and abuse. Now, under International Megan's Law, convicted child sex offenders who travel abroad must provide notice to the U.S. Governmentthe Angel Watch Centerprior to departure of all planned destinations. Failure to do so carries a significant jail term. Upon receipt of the travel itinerary, the U.S. government informs the destination country or countries of those plans. Thankfully, the law is working. In just over two years, the U.S. government has notified foreign governments of the planned travel of 10,541 covered sex offenders to their countries. As of July3,681 individuals who were convicted of sex crimes against children were denied entry by these nations. Concerned that some may fail to include their true destination when filingand out of an abundance of caution and concern for kidstheir passports contain the following message that will not likely go unnoticed by border agents: The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212(b). The Act also created a new policy of reciprocityan attempt to get other countries to warn us when a convicted pedophile plans to travel to the United States, empowering us to deny entry. Internationally, I serve as the Special Representative for Combatting Human Trafficking in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe. I've offered 20 resolutions over the years beginning in 1999 in St. Petersburg, Russia which were approvedeach focusing on new and effective strategies including Megan's Law and International Megan's Law- to be merged with each nation's ongoing work. Finally, last January, President Trump signed my fifth anti-human trafficking bill into law The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act. That law provides:  Over $430 million for numerous programs and initiatives;  
 Shelter, interventions, and reintegration for trafficking victims;  
 Facilitation of trafficking-free supply chains in U.S. commerce;  
 Training of U.S. government procurement officials on how to mitigate buying goods and services associated with sex or labor trafficking; and  
 Preference in federal government travel bookings for those airlines that have a viable situational awareness protocol in place to detect and report suspected trafficking occurrences. Of particular importance, the new Frederick Douglass Act also authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor, to award grants to local educational agencies, in partnership with a nonprofit, nongovernmental agency, to establish, expand, and support programs:  
 To educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labor trafficking; and  
 To provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims of sex and labor trafficking. A number of NGOs have developed school courses including the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Project, A21, Just Ask, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Such programs are a critically important way to inform, enlightenand warnour young people, making them situationally aware and hopefully preventing and reducing the number of future victims.  
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) one in four trafficking victims are children and more than 40 million individuals of all ages are living in slavery worldwide. Out of the 24.9 million people trapped in forced labor, 16 million people are exploited in the private sector such as domestic work, construction or agriculture; 4.8 million persons in forced sexual exploitation, and 4 million persons in forced labor imposed by state authorities. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labor, and account for the majority of the victims in the commercial sex industry. However, a 2013 report from ECPAT-USA (formerly End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) titled And boys too, concluded that the scope of the commercial exploitation of boys is vastly underreported.  
IndyStar columnist Tim Swarens, wrote a ten-part series on child trafficking in February of 2018. In part 4 EXPLOITED: Boys  the silent victims he writes about the lack of progress in identifying and providing help for male victims which results in a greater risk for male victims to abuse drugs and alcohol and land in prison. When we talk about trafficking, we can't leave boys out of the conversation, says Geoffrey Rogers, a former vice president at IBM who is the CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking which works to end trafficking and provide homes for boys and men rescued from trafficking. A 2016 study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, found that up to 36 percent of the children forced into the U.S. sex industry were male.  
The study includes interviews with youth and official records data collection in six sites including right here in Atlantic City, and noted that more than two-thirds of the interview participants (70%) were black/African-American. The other participants were white (12%), multi-racial (8%), Hispanic/Latino (7%), or identified with an additional race or ethnic category (3%). The study was overseen by the Center for Court Innovation in collaboration with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. According to the Polaris Project, sex trafficking within residences informally used as brothels typically involves child victims, with boys making up a growing percentage. We know that traffickers exploit children due to their lack of awareness about the threat and a child's vulnerability can be compounded by poverty, a previous history of abuse and neglect, institutionalization, running away from home, being an unaccompanied minor, disability, belonging to a minority group, lacking citizenship or birth registration, being an asylum seeker, refugee or internally displaced persons (IDP). Today as never before, traffickers are using internet communication technologies (ICTs) to lure children into trafficking. According to a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children study the average age of online enticement that can result in being trafficked was 15.  
When I introduced the legislation, Frederick Douglass' great, great, great grandson, Kenneth Morris, spoke at the press conference underscoring the critical need to educate our youth, a main focus of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Organization. Kenneth Morris said, If my great ancestor were here today, I believe that he would be driven to lead the struggle against contemporary forms of slavery. Do we need more laws? Maybe. But more than anything else, we need to further prioritize combatting human trafficking, including and especially through prosecution. More must be done to protect the weakest and most vulnerable from this cruelty. Thank you all here this afternoon for your leadership to end modern-day slavery and free victims from its bondage. May we all fight injustice and exploitation as Frederick Douglass didwith courage, insight, compassion, and tenacity.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406207,"<span class =""kicker"">",2019-11-13,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Following news that an independent investigation called for by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) into the death of Braeden Bradfortha Monmouth County resident and student at Garden City Community College in Kansas (GCCC)would be released by the GCCC Board of Trustees to his family, Smith commended the Board for making the compassionate and respectful decision.

Braeden's mother, Joanne, is entitled to absolutely every detail in the report, and the decision to share all of the information with the family was expected and is appreciated, said Smith, who asked GCCC President Ryan Ruda for the independent investigation into Braeden's death in a March 2019 letter. Braeden's family has suffered tremendously since his death, and we will be scrutinizing the report to see what improvements and protocols can be made in athletic programs around the country so that no more student athletes die from the completely preventable exertional heat stroke (EHS). 
A mother's love for her son moved the college to reverse its bunker mentality and conduct an independent investigation of the circumstances that led to his death, and the college has appeared to have made some changes, Smith said.  

I stand ready to work with Joanne to move not just GCCC, but the nation, to establish minimum standards andbest practices to prevent another senseless loss of a young life pursuing the dream of scholastic sports, said Smith, who introduced H.R. 4145, Protect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke: Braeden's Commission to better protect students and families from EHS with a commission that determines the best ways to make sure that what happened to Braeden does not happen again.  

H.R. 4145 would establish a commission to conduct a study on exertional heat stroke among student athletes at educational institutions across the country to study best practices for prevention, recognition and treatment of exertional heat stroke, and develop recommendations for the purpose of reducing fatalities from exertional heat stroke among student athletes. Smith introduced the legislation Aug. 2 after unveiling it at a memorial on Aug. 1, exactly one year after Braeden's death held in Braeden's home town of Neptune, N.J.

    
        
            
        
    


PHOTO: Braeden's mom, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, flanked by her attorney Jill Greene and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), speaks to the media at an April 5 press conf.

Bradforth was 19 when he received a scholarship in July of 2018 to play football at GCCC. On Aug. 1, 2018, only his second day on campus, he collapsed after evening football practice and was found unresponsive. After being taken to the hospital in an ambulance some time later, he passed away due to EHS, his autopsy later revealed.  

In March, Smith met with Braeden's mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram and promised to do everything he could to assist her in her efforts to find out more about her son's death, and what actions could be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406215,"<span class =""kicker"">Wall Street Journal Opinion Piece: 'Abortion Extremists Hijack the U.N.'</span>'Organizers of the Nairobi Summit attempt to undo the careful consensus forged at Cairo a quarter-century ago.'",2019-11-11,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following opinion piecewas published by the Wall Street Journal on Nov. 11, 2019. By Chris Smith
Nov. 11, 2019 6:43 pm ET
The governments of Kenya and Denmark and the United Nations Population Fund are attempting to hijack the U.N.'s global population and development work to support an extreme pro-abortion agenda. On Tuesday UNFPA opens the three-day Nairobi Summit, 25 years after the International Conference on Population Development in Cairo.  

As a member of Congress I attended the ICPD, where 179 governments and 11,000 participants developed an international consensus. Participants rejected a global right to abortionpushed by the Clinton administration, among othersand agreed that governments should take appropriate steps to help women avoid abortion, which in no case should be promoted as a method of family planning.


    
        
            
        
    


Protesters demonstrate against the International Conference on Population and Development in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 11.
PHOTO:DANIEL IRUNGU/SHUTTERSTOCK They respected national sovereignty, stating that measures or changes related to abortion within the health system can only be determined at the national or local level according to the national legislative process. They urged full respect for the various religious and ethical values, cultural backgrounds and philosophical convictions of diverse countries while respecting universally recognized human rights.
In contrast, conveners of the Nairobi Summit have blocked attendance by conservative organizations and excluded countries and stakeholders that disagree with their agenda from offering input on the substance and planning of the conference. This includes the U.S., which under President Trump has stated its objection at the U.N. to the use of ambiguous terms and expressions, such as sexual health and reproductive rights, on the grounds that such terms promote practices like abortion in circumstances that do not enjoy international consensus and which can be misinterpreted by U.N. agencies.
The Nairobi planners include the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Women Deliver, the U.N. Foundation and the Dutch pro-abortion fund She Decides. They have already drafted a series of commitments intended to generate pledges from governments and civic organizations.
The first commitment is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health as a part of universal health coverage. Defining abortion as health care is a goal of the pro-abortion organizations attending the summit. The nonbinding summit statement, ICPD25: Accelerating the Promise, also includes access to abortion as a component of a comprehensive package of sexual and reproductive health interventions to be recognized as part of universal health coverage.
The UNFPA has little effect on U.S. public opinion and or policy. But in the least developed countries its unrelenting pressure to allow access to abortion has an outsize impact. Any unwillingness to conformeven when it violates local religious and cultural normscould mean the loss or reduction of foreign aid for unrelated humanitarian initiatives especially from the U.K., the Netherlands and Nordic countries, as well as nongovernmental organizations and multilateral organizations.
The Nairobi Summit is supposed to mobilize the political will and financial commitments we urgently need to finally and fully implement the ICPD Programme of Action. But key elements of the Cairo program are missing from the Nairobi Summit agenda. The ICPD recognized the harmful practice of sex-selection abortion, which is often compounded by the increasing use of technologies to determine foetal sex, resulting in abortion of female foetuses and urged governments to take the necessary measures to prevent infanticide [and] prenatal sex selection. It also called on governments to prevent trafficking in girl children and use of girls in prostitution and pornography.
The Nairobi Summit isn't a true reflection of ICPD but a gathering of like-minded individuals and organizations departing from the Cairo consensus as they promote a pro-abortion agenda while attempting to exploit Cairo's name and reputation.
Mr. Smith, a Republican, represents New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District.
This article was originally published by the Wall Street Journal on Nov. 11, 2019 and can be found online at:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/abortion-extremists-hijack-the-u-n-11573515822#comments_sector",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406206,"Smith Statement on 30th Anniversary of Fall of Berlin Wall, & Grim 100-year Mark of Bolshevik Revolution",2019-11-09,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and other members of Congress this week marked the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 7, and the 100-year mark of the birth of the Bolshevik Revolution on Nov. 9.  
When I was elected to Congress, the extremely dark cloud of communism hung over the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and many places in Latin America and Asia,"" said Smith. ""Every communist country was a significant threat to peace and security. Communist governments victimized their own citizens, with tens of millions killed or imprisoned in the gulags and laogai. God is mocked, trivialized and hated by communist governments. Most churches and synagogues were desecrated or destroyed. November 7the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russiais dedicated to the many victims of Communism.""
Smith, Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) andRep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), who together co-chair of the congressional Caucus for the Victims of Communism, introduced a resolution to designate Nov. 7 as ""Victims of Communism Memorial Day."" H.Res. 679, encourages the President to issue an annualproclamation declaring a National Day for the Victims of Communism, commemorating the 100 million victims of communism, and condemning the gross human rights abuses of communist governments, past and present. With the emergence of leaders such as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II in the Westand human rights advocate like Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa behind the Iron Curtainthe pernicious evil of communism was challenged and overcome,"" Smith said. ""November 9 marks the fall of the Berlin Wall, and is a day of liberation for many in Eastern Europe."" In part, the resolution states:  ""the philosophy of Karl Marx, communism has proven incompatible with the ideals of liberty, prosperity, and dignity of human life, and has given rise to such infamous totalitarian dictators as Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Ho Chi Minh, Pol Pot, Nicolae Ceausescu, the Castro brothers, and the Kim dynasty."" It further reads: ""Communist regimes worldwide have killed more than 100 million people and subjected countless others to the worst and widest spread human rights abuses known to history, with victims representing many different ethnicities, creeds, and backgrounds; Whereas through false promises of equality and liberation, Communist regimes have as a matter of government policy robbed their own citizens of the rights of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of association through coercion, brutality, and fear.""
  
Lipinski, the lead sponsor, vividly recalls visiting Berlin 30 years ago right after the gates opened and the Wall began to fall. ""I'll never forget watching Germans from the East experiencing freedom, many for the first time ever. I also remember seeing East Berlin and the incredibly stark contrast between two sides of the same city,"" Lipinski said. ""This experience helped inspire me to create and co-chair the Congressional Victims of Communism Caucus. Unfortunately, the horrors of communism are not over, so we need this day to remind everyone of the past and current victims of communism, and remind Americans of the need to continue the fight for every person's God-given right to freedom. Rep. Duncan said, ""Our nation stands with victims of communism across the globe, remembers those who have died or endured suffering under communist regimes, and supports those that are continuing the fight for freedom under tyrannical rule. The United States will always stand for liberty, and I pray this liberty will continue to spread across the world. While Smith's first humanitarian trip in the 1980s was to the Soviet Union to support the cause of jailed and persecuted Jews in that communist country, some of his more recent humanitarian trips or work on Capitol Hill  involve human rights abuses in China and Hong Kong, and other countries. While we memorialize the many victims of communism and celebrate the collapse of the Berlin Wall this week, we need also to remember those  particularly in China, Cuba, North Korea and Vietnam  who still suffer from Communist oppression."" Smith said. ""We in America must lift high the banner of Freedom which so inspires people in places like Hong Kong, and resist anew the siren call of Socialism, which sadly infects some in the younger generation everywhere who are too-often unaware of the oppressive legacy of socialist extremism.May we never forget. TheVictims of Communism Memorial Foundation(VOC), lauded the introduction of the House resolution.""At a time when ignorance of socialism is growing and communist countries like China, Cuba, and North Korea remain threats, we need to be reminded of the one hundred million victims of communism who perished in the past century and the threat to liberty that communism still poses. Opposition to communism and appreciation of democracy have always been bipartisan and must remain so today,"" said VOC Executive Director Marion Smith. (No relation to Rep. Smith.) The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is an educational and human rights nonprofit organization authorized by a unanimous Act of Congress enacted as Public Law 103-199 by President Bill Clinton on December 17, 1993. President George W. Bush was Honorary Chairman of the Foundation from 2003 to 2009, dedicating the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2007.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406201,"<span class =""kicker"">WOBM Radio Interview on NIH, Smith Bill</span>'Congressman Chris Smith Highlights New Plan to Fight Lyme Disease'",2019-11-06,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Vin Ebenau WOBM Morning Anchor - Jersey Shore Congressman Chris Smith (R - Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean) has introduced a new plan to combat Lyme Disease which affects so many people across the state and country.
The National Institutes of Health's (NIH) new national research multi-partplan includes five pillars: expands knowledge of tickborne diseases, develops rapid diagnostic testing, identifies treatment success and human biomarkers of persistent symptoms, develops new treatments and evaluating prevention approaches such as vaccines and strengthen therapeutic security. Everything that was embedded in our first bill in 1998 (The Lyme Disease Initiative of 1998) and every bill thereafter is captured in the five pillars in the NIH plan, Smith said. NIH appears to be forging ahead for researching Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to better diagnose and treat those suffering from this horrific disease.""


  
The NIH plan mirrors several other bills Smith has introduced over the years which have put pressure on the federal government to establish a responsive, comprehensive, scientific strategy to help those gravely ill from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.  


""This is a chronic and ever expanding disease and it has a lot of other co-infections, not just Lyme disease, but the ticks are carrying a hybrid of sickness and pathogens,"" Smith said.
Representative Smith has had continued conversations with various groups and individuals in Washington pushing for more funding and research.
""The new strategy will lead to a very serious increase in how much we spend for research, currently at about 30-million dollars, but it needs to be tripled if not quadrupled to get to that critical mass of research that will find a cure and a diagnostic that works because right now most people get false negatives and are told they don't have it from the tests being administered by most doctors,"" Smith said. ""The physicians would be better educated under this new initiative.""
The NIH said this Strategic Plan for Tickborne Disease Researchwas inspired in part by the 2018 Report to Congress by the HHS Tickborne Diseases Working Group(TBD Working Group).
Congressman Smith spearheaded the legislation that created the TBD Working Group, which became a provision (Section 2062) of the 21st Century Cures Act.
The Tickborne Disease Working Group met for months and came up with a report that demolished the myths about Lyme disease, like that chronic Lyme disease doesn't exist,"" Smith said. ""The report recognizes that current diagnostics are totally inadequate. In terms of diseases and disabilities, it shows there is no other disease or disability that is as underfunded than Lyme disease.""
The new national plan has a focus on eliminating false negatives people receive on tests for Lyme Disease due to faulty diagnostics.
""There's no uniformity, there's no sense of 'this is what works' so NIH is now going to deploy real and serious funding in prioritization to finding a treatment that will cure the disease,"" Smith said.
He said there needs to be a more uniform way that Lyme Disease is treated.
""Most doctors were told that if you give one month of antibiotics that's the end of Lyme Disease but that is unmitigated nonsense, it is totally false and yet that's been the modus operandi for decades,"" Smith said.
Lyme Disease is easy to catch, Smith says, but difficult to treat if it's not caught in the first few weeks or months, as it becomes more challenging to extract chronic Lyme Disease out of the body the longer it lingers.
Smith, the co-chair of the congressional Lyme Disease Caucus, is also the author of the pending TICK Act (HR 3073), which will develop ways to prevent and treat Lyme and other vector-borne diseases.
""The idea is to havea whole-of-government National Strategy,"" Smith said.
This legislation would create a new Office of Oversight and Coordination for Vector-borne Disease in the Department of Health and Human Services coordinating strategies across the entire federal government, including the NIH, as well as the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency. Filed Under: CDC, Chris Smith, Congressman Chris Smith, disease, grass, Jersey Shore, lyme disease, Monmouth County, Ocean County, skin, ticks, trees, virus",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406204,Rep. Smith Visits Monmouth County School,2019-11-06,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Smith Visits Monmouth County School 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Congressman Chris Smith visited with students at Shrewsbury Borough School on Obre Place in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County. Brent MacConnell, the Superintendent and Principal, hosted Smith for the Nov. 5 event. The congressman met with about 115 students in attendance from the 7th and 8th grades. The students asked thoughtful questions about Congress, and federal government, legislation and other issues.  
    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406198,"<span class =""kicker"">Washington Examiner Focus on Smith Legislation</span>'Chris Smith optimistic about three-decade quest for Lyme disease bill'",2019-11-05,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Cassidy Morrison| November 05, 2019  
After working nearly 30 years to pass major legislation to research treatments for Lyme disease, the tick-borne infection that causes more than 300,000 illnesses each year, Republican Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey is newly optimistic about a breakthrough.
The Senate Health Committee voted Thursday on a bipartisan basis to advance the upper chamber's version of Smith's bill after Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine renamed it to honor the late Sen. Kay Hagan, a North Carolina Democrat who died on Oct. 28 of complications from the tick-borne disease called Powassan virus. The legislation would require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to counter Lyme disease and boost funding for research, including a new $20 million-a-year funding stream to state governments through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
The Kay Hagan Tick Act and Smith's companion bill in the House are the first pieces of legislation to address tick-borne diseases exclusively. 
""I'm very optimistic for the future because so many other diseases have been close to eradicated. And now we have a blueprint at hand that I think will lead to the end of this epidemic,"" Smith told the Washington Examiner. 
Smith began crusading for more federal Lyme disease research in 1992, when he first urged the CDC and National Institutes of Health to look into Lyme prevention and treatment measures. In 1998, he introduced the Lyme Disease Initiative Act to create an affordable Lyme detection test, a case reporting system, and education efforts for doctors to better understand and treat Lyme disease. He introduced the bill in seven subsequent sessions of Congress, but it never passed.

Yet, Smith's battle was only beginning. He became even more dedicated six years ago when his then-35-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Lyme disease, right as he was pushing, successfully, to include a measure setting up a Lyme disease working group between the CDC and NIH within a larger bill meant to modernize the NIH and address the opioid epidemic, the 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law in 2016. 
Smith told the Washington Examiner that seeing his daughter deal with debilitating brain fog and nerve pain spurred him to work even harder. 
Each person reacts to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease differently. Symptoms of Lyme mimic those of the flu, including fatigue, headache, fever, and joint pain. Lyme symptoms become more severe the longer it goes untreated, though. For instance, people often get rashes and nerve pain, as well as cognitive problems, including poor concentration and memory lapses. Few doctors can recognize the symptoms of Lyme, especially in the early stages of the infection, so many people don't know they have Lyme disease until symptoms become debilitating. 
Unlike many patients who are misdiagnosed time and again and given the wrong kind of treatment  often a course of antibiotics  his daughter saw doctors who knew what Lyme looked like and the treatment it requires. Many doctors, Smith said, don't have training in Lyme symptoms and best treatment. 
Although his daughter is now in remission, her illness impelled the congressman to channel energy into drafting legislation to stop Lyme disease and to secure support from as many legislators and administration officials as possible. He believes his work is near paying off. 
With the Senate advancing the bill at the committee level, now he needs to get momentum behind his House version, the Ticks: Identify, Control, and Knockout Act, or TICK Act. 
He introduced it on June 3, and as the Energy and Commerce Committee has yet to take it up, he is looking for other legislative vehicles to advance it. 
We in this office, staff and member alike, are absolutely tenacious. We get told 'no' on everything all the time, Smith said. 
He also credited President Trump and the administration for taking an interest in the issue, a development eased by the availability of the new statistics about the prevalence of Lyme disease cases thanks to the 2016 Cures Act. 
The working group validated with great specificity what we've been saying for 15, 20 years  but that's not worth the paper it's written on if there's not an action following it, and that's where the Trump administration has come in, full-scale, he said.
This article was published on Nov. 5, 2019 and can be found at:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/chris-smith-optimistic-about-three-decade-quest-for-lyme-disease-bill",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406196,HFAC Passes Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Work of Inter-American Foundation,2019-10-30,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday passed a bipartisan resolution, H.Res. 649, introduced by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the committee, and Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade, commending the Inter-American Foundation for its 50-year effort to improve the economic and social development of countries in the Western Hemisphere.  

 IAF prizes community-led projects and small-scale entrepreneurship as a way to give underserved people a stake in their societies, and a hand-up, not a hand-out, said Smith, a member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee and Ranking Member of the Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights Subcommittee. IAF, as well as its sister organization the Africa Development Foundation, leverages and encourages the financial and sweat equity of people in the community and the countries being assisted to maximize value to our taxpayers while incentivizing recipients of assistance to take their future in their own hands. It also understands the role played by churches and faith-based organizations in tight-knit communities and works with them.
 I am pleased to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Inter-American Foundation and recognize its important contributions to improving quality of life in the Western Hemisphere, said Sires. The organization has provided over 5,000 community-led grants over the last five decades to empower marginalized and underserved communities.
 The Inter-American Foundation continues to demonstrate that promoting economic development in the region not only makes for more prosperous and just societies, but also advances American interests, said Sires.
 Smith told the committee that IAF's low overhead, about 14 percent of the money it receives, allows it to maximize its investment in underserved communities. It has pioneered agriculture-led economic development, and coordinates with other such initiatives such as Feed the Future to ensure that its work complements but does not compete with projects of other agencies, Smith said.
The IAF is an independent U.S. Government agency, launched by Congress in 1969 to channel development assistance directly to the poor populations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its uses grant support to grassroots groups and NGOs. It also encourages partnerships among community organizations, businesses and local government directed at improving the quality of life for poor people and strengthening democratic practices
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406193,"<span class=""kicker"">APP Article on Smith Press Conf. on NIH Lyme Plan</span>' 'Finally taking this seriously.' On chronic Lyme disease, a government breakthrough'",2019-10-29,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Jerry Carino of the Asbury Park Press WALL - Brian Dashore was a second-grader attending Little League practice one day when, seemingly out of nowhere, he collapsed. Assuming fatigue, the Marlboro resident went home and slept.
The next day I woke up with severe pain in my hips and legs, he said. I was like that for two years.
At first doctors suspected juvenile arthritis. Then cancer. Finally,after 10 false negatives, he tested positive for Lyme disease. By then, much of the damage was done. He spent nearly two years in a wheelchair, and ittook eight years of treatment to fully turn the corner.
I've had debilitating pain in my legs, brain fog, motor ticks, head shaking, he said. It's like a hiccup that you can't control. I could not concentrate at all.

Marlboro's Jodie Dashore, a chronic Lyme disease survivor and a practitioner who treats others with the condition, speaks at Friday's press conference in Wall. At left are Wall resident Pat Smith, president of the Lyme Disease Association (far left) and Rep. Chris Smith (second from left).(Photo: Jerry Carino)

Now Dashore, a senior at the Academy of Allied Health and Science in Neptune, is an advocate for other teens with chronic Lyme. That's what brought him to Friday's press conference conducted by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith and Wall resident Pat Smith (no relation), president of the national nonprofit Lyme Disease Association. The news: Afterdecades of foot-dragging, the National Institutes of Health has formulateda strategic plan for tick-borne disease research.  


RELATED:Tips to prevent Lyme disease
RELATED:Lyme disease a bioweapon gone awry?
 A breakthrough onchronic Lyme 
For those who pay close attention to the matter: There are three references in the 25-page strategic plan to persistent and long-term symptoms a long-awaited formal acknowledgement from the federal government that sometimes the standard course of treatment for Lyme and related infections (a 2-4 week course of antibiotics) isn't enough, especially when diagnosis isn't prompt. And diagnosis for those who don't present a rash can be elusive because, as the document outlines, the standard blood test for Lyme is spotty at best.






For some TBDs (tick-borne diseases), patients report long-term symptoms following treatment or in the absence of prompt treatment, the report notes. Reported illnesses often include musculoskeletal, rheumatological, cardiovascular, neurological, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, among others. For TBDs, optimal treatment of these symptoms may involve antibiotic and/or other treatment regimens. NIH will support research on the mechanisms leading to these symptoms and on treatments to improve outcomes.  










Raw: Rep. Chris Smith on why Lyme disease legislation fails in CongressJerry Carino, @njhoopshaven



Until now, absent official recognitionbythe medical establishment, chronic Lyme patients have had few places to turn to for treatment. While the NIH's strategic plan isn't an instant game-changer it's more starting point than conclusion it does open the door to normalizing care for what has been a marginalized community of sufferers.
It's disgraceful this wasn't done sooner, said press conference attendee Deborah Scatuccio, a Jackson resident whose family has been tormented by tick-borne diseases. I wish this could have happened a long time ago. It would have saved my children a lot of suffering. It's great that the government is finally taking this seriously.
 'They went through hell' 
Scatuccio was living in Howell in the early 1980s when her two young daughters contracted Lyme disease. Monmouth County is one of the Lyme hotspots in New Jersey, which has the second-most reported cases of any state, behindonly Pennsylvania.
My daughters became very ill and this went all the way up to their college years, Scatuccio said. They went through hell, they were so sick.
Scatuccio herself was diagnosed with Babesiosis, a Lyme co-infection.

Marlboro's Brian Dashore (left) and Jackson's Deborah Scatuccio, both chronic sufferers of tick-borne illness, attend Friday's press conference in Wall.(Photo: Jerry Carino)

It was a horror story, she said. I went blind for three months because it infiltrated my eye.  


More recently, her 5-year-old grandson was diagnosed with Lyme, although he recovered after prompt treatment.
I speak to hundreds of people a week through LDA (the Lyme Disease Association), Scatuccio said. So many people have the same story.
The LDA was formed in the 1980s after Pat Smith's two daughters came down with chronic Lyme. One of them missed four years of school. So poorly understood was Lyme at that time, Smith said, that she could find information only at Naval Weapons Station Earle.
What do we not have after all this time? A definitive test, Smith said Friday. It's less than 50 percent accurate. How's that for something that could determine the rest of your life?
Smith's advocacy got the attention of Chris Smith, who began pushing the issue in Congress. In 2016he helped establish a federal working group bringing together doctors and advocates, including Pat Smith, to chart a course forward. The group's inaugural report, filed last year, laid the groundwork for the NIH's strategic plan.
Our government, like an ostrich really, had its head in the sand, saidChris Smith, a Republican whose 4th District stretches across parts of Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties.
 Long-awaited commitment 
Also speaking at the press conference was Jodie Dashore, Brian's mother, herself a chronic Lyme survivor. Dashore possesses a doctorate in occupational therapy, and her family's experience with Lymepromptedher to dedicate her practice, theBioNexus Health Clinic in Marlboro, totick-borne diseases.
I see patients of all ages, severely debilitated, lives turned upside down, childhoods and livelihoods lost because the disease went unrecognized and became chronic, she said.
Chronic Lyme's lack of recognition by the medical establishment, she said, means insurance companies won't cover most treatmentbeyond the standard 2-4 week course.
The economic burden on families is vast, Dashore said. There's often tragic consequences.
Dashore's own research on the subject includes exploration of Lyme's ability to pass from a mother to a baby in gestation which she believes wasthe case with her son  and a suspected link between tick-borne diseases and autism.
Can you even imagine autism (in some cases) being a symptom and not necessarily a syndrome on its own when someone has severe Lyme disease? Dashore said.
Added Pat Smith: I know individuals who have been diagnosed with autism, and when they were treated for Lyme disease, their autistic manifestations disappeared.
The NIH's report doesn't go there. But it does herald a long-awaited government commitment to unravel Lyme's mysteries. Chris Smith projects a tripling of the NIH's expenditure on related research from the current $28 million budget.
That's music to the ears ofBrian Dashore, who is out the woods but does his part by maintaining a website on the subject,TeenLymeHub.com.
This should make it easier for patients to be treated, he said. Hopefully that will help people get better.
Jerry Carino is news columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore's interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally on page one of the Asbury Press on Oct. 29., 2019 and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/news/health/2019/10/28/chronic-lyme-disease/4061422002/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406194,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith, a co-sponsor of H.Res. 296, manages debate on House floor</span>Affirming the United States record on the Armenian Genocide",2019-10-29,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Republican manager of debate of H.Res. 296 on the Floor of the House of Representatives, on October 29, 2019:
When the term genocide was created in 1944 to describe the systematic destruction of an entire people, its author Raphael Lemkin explained the term by saying, it was the sort of thing Hitler did to the Jews and the Turks did to the Armenians.'' 
On ordering the invasion of Poland in 1939, Adolf Hilter said: [w]ho, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?
In the year 2000 and again in 2015, I chaired two congressional hearings on the Armenian Genocide. 
In 2000, the House was moving to pass a resolution by Congressmen Radanovich and BonierH. Res. 398.
After hearing fact-based eloquent testimonies from Congressmen James Rogan and David Bonier followed by the State Department, history professors, and then witnesses from both the Armenian and Turkish side, my subcommittee successfully marked up H. Res. 398 for consideration by the full committee.  


Ambassador Marc Grossman testified at the hearing that President Bill Clinton was against the Armenian Genocide resolution. That opposition proved to be very significant. As we were moving with the highest expectations towards passage, President Clinton's National Security Advisor Sandy Berger took the extraordinary step of admonishing Speaker Hastert not to bring it to the floor. He caved. The resolution never even got a vote.
In 2007, Chairman Tom Lantos tried again, and successfully reported a resolution out of committee sponsored by Congressmen Schiff and RadanovichH. Res. 106. 
That too never made it to the floor.
That changes today.
The Affirming the United States record on the Armenian GenocideH. Res. 296 is a sense of Congress resolution that:
 
    commemorates the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance. The resolution notes that the United States has officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, through the United States Government's May 28, 1951, written statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, through President Ronald Reagan's Proclamation No. 4838 on April 22, 1981, and by House Joint Resolution 148, adopted on April 8, 1975, and House Joint Resolution 247, adopted on September 10, 1984;
    rejects efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide; and
    encourages education and public understanding of the facts of the Armenian Genocide, including the United States role in the humanitarian relief effort, and the relevance of the Armenian Genocide to modern-day crimes against humanity. 
 
On the issue of humanitarian relief, Anthony Bersanian and Noubar Afeyan of the Armenian Assembly of America wrote an op-ed in The Hill in 2017 and pointed out that: no nation did more than America. The formation of theNear East Relief fund in 1918 occurred at the urging of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Sr., to prevent the complete destruction of the Armenian population. The U.S. government responded, incorporating by an act of Congress in 1919 the Near East Relief (NER), which provided humanitarian relief to the far-flung nation of Armenia.
Between 1915 and 1930, NER administered $117 million assistanceNearly 1,000 men and women served overseas during that time, and thousands more volunteered to help build scores of orphanages, vocational schools, and food distribution centers, saving the lives of over a million Armenian, Greek and Syrian refugees, including 132,000 orphans scattered across the region from Tbilisi to Constantinople. Near East Relief was an act of unprecedented philanthropy, which American historian Howard M. Sachar noted ""quite literally kept an entire nation alive.""
Yet today, the Armenian Genocide is the only genocide of the 20th century where survivors have been subjected to the ongoing outrage of a massive, well-funded aggressive campaign of genocide denial, openly sustained and lavishly funded by a state authoritythe Government of Turkey.
And the Turkish Government underwrites a disgraceful disinformation campaign to confuse the historical record.
My 2015 hearing marked the 100th year since the beginning of the genocide and I appropriately entitled it: A Century of DenialThe Armenian Genocide and the Ongoing Quest for Justice. 
As Pope Francis said at his Mass marking the 100th year since the genocide: Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it.''
The facts of genocide were reported throughout the world as they were happening, corroborated immediately afterward by survivors and even some perpetrators, and have been amply documented by historians and in a book, I've read by the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time Henry Morgenthau. 
In 1915, there were about 2 million Armenians living in what was then the Ottoman Empire. They were living in a region that they had inhabited for 2,500 years. 
By 1923 however, well over 90 percent of these Armenians had disappeared. Most of theman estimated 1.5 millionwere slaughtered. 
Most of them were death-marched into the desert or shot and many women were raped. The remainderthe remnantwas forced into exile.
U.S. Ambassador Morgenthau wrote: When the Turkish authorities gave orders for these deportations, they were merely giving a death warrant to a whole race, they understood this well, and in their conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the fact. 
The Encyclopedia of the Armenian Genocide states: During the march many Armenians were killed indiscriminately by Ottoman forces, which left a trail of corpses along the route of the march. To break the will of the marchers, the killings were performed with swords, resulting in great bloodshed. Marchers who survived these attacks faced starvation, as no provisions for food were made: many elderly and infirm marchers died in this way during the march. The significantly reduced numbers of marchers who finally made it into the Syrian desert were put into concentration camps located between the towns of Jerablus and Deir ez-Zor, and then released into the scorching desert with no food or water to certain death.
At the Center of Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education (Chhange) ) exhibit at Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County, New Jersey, many remembrances and life and death stories are preserved including one survivorArakel Hovanessianwho said: life was a matter of trying to surviveEvery morning a cart would come around and take away the sick and the dead to be dumped into a common graveThey had taken my brother because he was a little sick. My crying and weeping were of no avail; especially because I was sick and petrified of being put on the cart.
Despite having ratified the Genocide Convention in 1950, the Turkish Government has waged a deceitful campaign of denial and has done so over a course of decades using a variety of means to bully, intimidate and punish Turkish citizens who dared to acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman government beginning in 1915.
The definition of the crime of genocide is found in Article II of the Genocide Convention which states is part:
genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: 
(a) Killing members of the group; 
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; 
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part  
Despite Turkish Government threats, 28 countries and 49 U.S. states including my own state of New Jersey have passed a law, resolution or declaration recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
Over the years, several U.S. Presidents have acknowledged the cruelty and carnagebut President Ronald Reagan called it the Armenian Genocide.
President Ronald Reagan said: ""Like the genocide of the Armenians before it, and the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it  and like too many other such persecutions of too many other peoples  the lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten.
Finally, special thanks to the tenacious leaders of the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assemblyand the Armenian diasporafor encouraging Congress to step up and pass this resolution. 
After a century of denial, obfuscation and lies, it's time to affirm and reiterate the truth of the Armenian Genocide and honor the victims, survivors and their families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406187,"<span class =""kicker"">New National Initiative Has Roots at Jersey Shore</span>Smith, Lyme Disease Patient Advocates Praise NIH Launch of Lyme Research",2019-10-25,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Patients who suffer from Lyme disease joined advocacy leaders and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at a press conference Friday to mark the launching of the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) new national research strategy to combat Lyme disease.
Priorities in the NIH multipart plan include the five pillars of: expanding knowledge of tickborne diseases; developing rapid diagnostic testing; identifying treatment success and human biomarkers of persistent symptoms; developing new treatments; and evaluating prevention approaches such as vaccines.
Everything that was embedded in our first bill in 1998and every bill thereafteris captured in the five pillars in the NIH plan, Smith told reporters and a group of Lyme patients and their families. We have waited for this initiative for a long time, but in launching this effort, NIH appears to be forging ahead for researching Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to better diagnose and treat those suffering from this horrific disease,said Smith, who has led federal efforts to combat Lyme disease for more than 27 years. He noted the NIH plan reads like the text of several of the bills he has introduced over the years pushing the federal government to establish a responsive, comprehensive, scientific strategy to help those gravely ill from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
Smith, the co-chair of the congressional Lyme Disease Caucus, is also the author of the pending TICK Act (HR 3073), which will develop a whole-of-government National Strategy to prevent and treat Lyme and other vector-borne diseases.Smith's legislation would create a new Office of Oversight and Coordination for Vector-borne Disease in the Department of Health and Human Services coordinating strategies across the entire federal governmentincluding the NIH, and also the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency.
We have a bill called The Tick Act which would codify the idea of a national strategy, Smith said. He noted that the fight against Lyme disease is surging administratively, and thanked the Administration for directing federal agencies to see how Lyme disease can be addressed within their own departments.
In releasing its Strategic Plan for Tickborne Disease Research, the NIH said the effort was inspired in part by the 2018 Report to Congress by the HHS Tickborne Diseases Working Group(TBD Working Group). Smith spearheaded the legislation that created the TBD Working Group, which became a provision (Section 2062) of the 21st Century Cures Act.
The Tickborne Disease Working Group met for months and came up with a report that demolished the myths about Lyme disease, like that chronic Lyme disease doesn't exist. The report recognizes that current diagnostics are totally inadequate. In terms of diseases and disabilities, it shows there is no other disease or disability that is as underfunded than Lyme disease. The Working Group Report has become the marching orders in the fight against Lyme disease, Congressman Smith said.
The event was hosted in the courtyard of the Wall Township Municipal Building by Mayor Keven Orender and Comitteeman George Newberry, who are among the many officials from New Jersey towns who have residents with Lyme, like Pat Smith (no relation to Rep. Smith), a Wall resident who is the President of the Lyme Disease Association, and an appointee on the federal TBD Working Group.
I have worked with Congressman Smith for 27 years to get the attention needed for Lyme, Ms. Smith said. Working on our 2018 TBD Working Group Report, we discovered NIH had no national strategy on Lyme and tick borne diseases. The Report to Congress recommended that one be developed. Two weeks ago, NIH released a comprehensive TBD research strategy which outlines what kinds of research needs to be done to help patients and to stop the spread of the disease.
She called the NIH action a good first step, and added we also need passage of the TICK Act to bring all tickborne disease under one office of government and to generate necessary funds for a comprehensive research plan.
Also addressing the media was Dr. Jodie Dashore, Ph.D., of Marlboro, an expert in integrative medicine specializing in neurology, who cares for Lyme patients from 40 countries. She noted the possibility of a connection between Lyme disease and autism.
New Jersey has a large population of people diagnosed with Lyme disease andhere's the keya large number diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, she said, estimating that 65 percent of her child patients with autism test positive for Lyme disease.
She said more research into Lyme was needed, and was supportive of the NIH announcing its national research plan.
""Clinical research is urgently needed for accurate testing of the multiple genospecies and multiple strains of organisms, along with human genetic and immunologic risk factors associated with tick borne illness, Dashore said. Early diagnosis, reliable testing and effective treatment strategies help contain the immunosuppressive complex biological expression of the disease thus preventing a prolonged and debilitating illness with a large socio-economic impact.""
Also speaking at the event were Lyme patients Debbie Scatuccio of Jackson, a mother of two children with Lyme and grandmother of two with Lyme, and Brian Dashore, son of Dr. Dashore, who contracted Lyme at age six and has struggled with chronic Lyme.
Brian, a senior at Monmouth County Academy of Health and Science, hopes to become an immunologist, in part because of his own battle with Lyme disease. 
I am motivated by my own experience with the disease and because the health care field is so interesting, Brian said. I've mentored kids with Lyme, he said, discussing such issues as bullying, extended days out of school sick, and his own experiences including pain, brain fog and fatigue.
Scatuccio said the NIH research plan was a long time in coming, and was happy the TICK Act was sponsored by her own member of Congress from New Jersey, Rep. Smith (R-NJ), with the lead cosponsor a member from her former state of residence Minnesota, Rep. Colin Peterson (D-MN). Smith and Peterson co-chair the Lyme Disease Caucus on Capitol Hill.
It was very important it was bipartisan, Scatuccio said. I am proud that the two Members of Congress from the two states which are dearest to my heart, are helping our country. The people of the United States deserve to get the right care.
Dr. Robert C. Bransfield, M.D, Clinical Associate Professor at Robert Wood Johnson UMDNJ Medical School, President of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Educational Foundation who has worked with Smith on Lyme issues in the past, said that the main cause of death from Lyme disease is suicide and a major cause of disability from Lyme disease are mental and cognitive impairments.
Many who see themselves as authorities on Lyme disease have little training in psychiatry and are unable to comprehend how a tick bite can result in mental illnesses, Bransfield said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406185,Rep. Smith Statement on Extradition of Judge Neringa Venckiene,2019-10-23,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Smith Statement on Extradition of Judge Neringa Venckiene 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      The following is a statement by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on the extradition of Judge Neringa Venckiene:
I strongly object to the extradition notice issued last week against Lithuanian anti-human trafficking and anti-corruption hero, Judge Neringa Venckiene, said Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) after the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal on her challenge to an extradition request from the Lithuanian government.She exposed a trafficking ring involving government officials in Lithuania, and for this suffered political persecution in her native country. She fled to the United States and sought asylum, yet is being extradited while her asylum petition is pending  her trial was adjourned unilaterally by the court to 2022, effectively denying her the ability to demonstrate the merits of her asylum claim. An injustice is being committed, and I not only fear that she will be again railroaded by a corrupt justice' system in Lithuania, but that her life may be in danger. I call upon the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois to stay extradition so as to allow Judge Venckiene her day in court. 
Click here to read text of H.R. 1107, a private bill regarding Judge Venckiene introduced by Rep. Smith.  

To read testimony or watch a congressional hearing of the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe entitled The Extradition Case of Judge Venckiene, click on the link.  

    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406200,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith a co-sponsor of bill</span>Passage of Bipartisan PACT Act, Protecting Animals From Cruelty in Key Utilization of New House Rules",2019-10-21,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, October 21, 2019, the Problem Solvers Caucus praised the passage of H.R. 724, the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act of 2019, which utilized the new House Consensus Calendar to help get a debate and vote on the House floor. This legislation creates a federal animal cruelty statute prohibiting the most heinous acts of abuse which can occur beyond the reach of state cruelty laws. 
The initiative received priority consideration on the House floor by having more than 290 bipartisan cosponsors  a key new house rule the Problem Solvers Caucus fought for early this Congress. The bill had 301 bipartisan co-sponsors when it reached the floor today.  

H.R. 724 would make some of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty (specifically crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or sexual exploitation) in or affecting interstate commerce or within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States a federal crime. The current federal law prohibiting the creation and distribution of crush videos does not cover the underlying acts of animal abuse. The PACT Act extends federal jurisdiction to these specific and unspeakable acts of animal abuse, thereby closing the loophole. Though animal fighting and the distribution of so-called crush videos are illegal under federal law, the vast majority of animal cruelty laws are at the state level.  Under the new House Rules, once a bill reaches 290 co-sponsors, a 25 legislative day clock will begin. If the primary committee of jurisdiction does not report the bill out of committee by the end of the 25 legislative days, the legislation will be placed on the new Consensus Calendar, where it will remain until the bill is considered. For every in-session week, after February 28th of the First Session and before September 30th of the Second Session, majority leadership will be required to bring at least one bill on the Consensus Calendar to the House floor for a vote. Rep. Ted Deutch, the lead sponsor of H.R.724, filed a motion to place the bill on the House's Consensus Calendar on October 16th, not even requiring the full 25 days to be taken off the calendar for a vote. 
The PACT Act will strengthen federal penalties for those who promote and engage in torture and abuse of animals, said Congressman Chris Smith, a member of the Caucus. I have long believed that the federal government has a critical role to play in fostering animal protection policies and the PACT Act is an important step in establishing tough federal animal protection standards.  

Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Reed said, My dogs  Babbs, Trooper and Jovie  are part of the family. I can't imagine the anger I would have if someone abused these loving animals, and escaped prosecution because the act occurred outside of New York State jurisdiction. This is a commonsense bill to protect the animals we care so much about. I am glad the Problem Solvers Caucus is able to utilize the new House rules we implemented last January to push this bipartisan legislation across the finish line. The PACT Act is long-overdue legislation that will ensure animals are treated fairly and humanely, by creating consequences to those who abuse them,"" said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer, ""I am proud that the Problem Solvers have helped pave the way, with the new Consensus Calendar, for bipartisan legislation that closes loopholes in the law and strengthens protections against animal cruelty to be passed out of the House.""
Cruelty to animals is unacceptable, and it is important Congress do everything in its power to punish those who purposely harm animals, Congresswoman Elaine Luria said. As a strong advocate for animal rights and a pet owner myself, I will continue supporting legislation to protect all animals.  

As a former FBI agent, I know about the agency's profiling studies showing how violence against animals escalates to human violence. That's why tamping down egregious animal cruelty on federal property or in interstate commerce now is critical. The PACT Act, with 301 bipartisan cosponsors makes these horrible crimes illegal. These acts serve no purpose other than to inflict useless pain on innocent and defenseless animals, said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. I am proud of the wide-ranging and bipartisan support the PACT Act has received in the House and I am proud that Senator Toomey is leading the charge on this issue in the other chamber. Together, we will end this and all types of animal cruelty and torture. Congressman Tom Suozzi said, Any form of animal abuse is detestable and Congress must do everything in its power to prevent animal cruelty! I want to thank my colleagues for working across the aisle to pass this commonsense, bipartisan legislation and I will continue to advocate vigorously for animal protection throughout my time in Congress. Cracking down on animal abuse is an issue that unites Democrats and Republicans. As a parent of a rescue dog myself, I know how important animals are to families and we need to give law enforcement the tools they need to hold abusers accountable. I am a proud cosponsor of the PACT Act and I hope we can see this bipartisan, common-sense bill become law, said Congressman Anthony Brindisi.  Those who knowingly commit acts of animal cruelty must be subject to criminal penalty, said Congressman Jimmy Panetta. The bipartisan Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act is common-sense policy that provides law enforcement additional authorities to combat animal cruelty. No person should ever intentionally inflict painon a living creature, said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. Animal cruelty should be a federal crime and we have a moral obligation to report abuse if we witness it. I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation and thank my colleagues who have joined me in support of this cause to be a powerful voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Congressman Brad Schneider said, I am a proud co-sponsor of the PACT Act to strengthen the laws preventing cruel abuse of animals. Congress previously took action to crack down on disturbing animal abuse videos, and the PACT Act builds on that progress by making the acts of cruelty themselves illegal. I welcome the bipartisan support of the Problem Solvers Caucus on this legislation to improve animal welfare.  I'm proud to see another commonsense, bipartisan bill reach the House floor thanks to a new rule the Problem Solvers Caucus fought for earlier this year, Congressman Fred Upton said. Protecting small, innocent animals from torture is an important priority for folks across the nation. I'm glad to see this animal welfare legislation advance, and I'd like to commend my colleagues for all their work.  I'm a proud co-sponsor of the PACT ACT because it is commonsense legislation that criminalizes certain acts of animal cruelty, said Congressman Dan Lipinski. Anyone who participates in animal cruelty of any kind or profits off it in any fashion must be held criminally liable. I appreciate the work of the Problem Solvers Caucus to get bipartisan bills as overwhelmingly popular as this one to the floor for a vote. Animal cruelty is abhorrent and there should be legal consequences for someone who purposely tortures animals. This legislation is one way Republicans and Democrats are working together to try to prevent such a terrible act, said Congressman Ben McAdams. Congressman Tom O'Halleran said, Animals deserve to be treated humanely in both wild and domestic habitats. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of animal welfare organizations across the country, animals are often mistreated. The PACT Act is a good first step in correcting the shameful practice of animal abuse.  As a pet owner who considers our golden retriever to be a member of our family and as a member of the Animal Protection Caucus,I am a proud cosponsor of the PACT Act, said Congressman Dave Joyce. Any form of animal abuse or ill-treatment has absolutely no place in our society. I applaud my colleagues in the House for their support of this federal animal cruelty legislation and look forward to seeing it get signed into law as soon as possible. ""There is no justification for abusing animals, and I'm proud to stand with my colleagues to pass the PACT Act. This is something everyone should be able to support, and I'm proud of this bipartisan legislation. The PACT Act is a step toward ending heinous cruelty once and for all,"" said Congressman Salud Carbajal.  As a member of the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus, I care deeply about the welfare and protection of animals in Central Virginia and across the country. In cases of extreme animal cruelty, we have a responsibility to identify potential issues, stop egregious acts against animals, and prevent future cases of abuse, said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. Today, I'm proud to be a part of a strong bipartisan majority working to pass the PACT Act, which I cosponsored. Those who intentionally crush animals should be brought to justice, and I hope our colleagues in the Senate will quickly bring this bill up for a vote.
The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group in Congress comprising of 48 members  equally divided between Democrats and Republicans  who are committed to forging bipartisan cooperation on key issues. It is co-chaired by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY).
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406182,"<span class =""kicker"">News Article by NJ Globe</span>Smith bill to protect ride-share users considered by House panel",2019-10-17,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By David Wildstein, NJ Globe -  
Uber and Lyft were no-shows at a congressional hearing today on legislation sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) to protect ride-share users from sexual assault and other crimes
Smith's bill comes seven months after Sami Josephson, a Robbinsville resident, was murdered by a predator pretending to be an Uber driver.

The parents of the woman, Seymour and Marci Josephson, worked with Smith to create Sami's Law, which would push for all states to have front license plates and scannable codes so that a raider could verify their ride before entering a vehicle.
These measures would not only ensure vehicle and driver identification for riders, assist law enforcement in tracking harmful offenders but protects drivers as well by confirming the passenger, Smith said. Sami's Law requires the GAO to study the incidence of assault and abuse of riders and drivers and the nature and specifics of any background checks of drivers and state laws that may require such background checks.
 
Rep. Christopher Smith (R-Hamilton) testifies in support of ""Sami's Law,"" before the House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on October 16, 2019.  
Smith praised Gov.Phil Murphyand Senate President Steve Sweeney for a new law that is nearly identical to his federal legislation.
The Josephson's and Smith met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, committee and subcommittee chairs and ranking members.


This article was originally publiched online on Oct. 16, 2019 and can be found online at:
https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/smith-bill-to-protect-ride-share-users-considered-by-house-panel/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406177,"<span class =""kicker"">Legislation Would Improve Ride-Share Safety</span>Reps. Smith, Suozzi Testify on Proposed Samis Law",2019-10-16,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation named in honor of Samantha Sami Josephsona senior at the University of South Carolina who was kidnapped and brutally murdered earlier this year by a predator pretending to be her Uber driverwas taken up Wednesday by the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit hearing entitled Examining the Future of Transportation Network Companies: Challenges and Opportunities.
Sami's Law, which would establish needed protections for ride-share customers across the country, is authored by Republican Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) with lead Democratic cosponsor, Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) in the House, H.R. 4686.In the Senate prime sponsor Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced a companion bill as S. 1871.  

Sami's Law will require enhanced vehicle identification procedures to create a safer environment for ride-share drivers and customers and to make it harder for those with ill intent from impersonating drivers.
The idea for the legislation came directly from the grieving parents of a young woman brutally murdered by a fake Uber driver. Now we know there are significant personal safety concerns associated with actual Uber and Lyft drivers as wellnot just the fakesthat are not well appreciated or publicized, testified Rep. Smith, who represents Robbinsville, N.J. where Sami grew up and the Josephsons live. Almost immediately and notwithstanding their excruciating agony over the loss of their precious daughter, Sami's parentsSeymour and Marci Josephsonbegan pushing for federal and state legislation to better ensure that no one else loses their life or gets assaulted by a rideshare driver or a predator who pretends to be. Working with the Josephson's, we've crafted a bipartisan bill that would push states to require front license plates and scannable codessuch as QR codeson both back-passenger side windows that riders could scan on a smart device to verify their ride beforeI say again beforeentering a vehicle.Click here to read Smith's testimony. Click here to watch videoof his testimony.
Rep. Suozzi told the subcommittee he was disappointed that Uber and Lyft turned down invitations to testify.

Earlier this year, Sami Josephson called for an Uber, entered the wrong car, and was murdered. Our Smith/Suozzi bill works to provide consumers with a level of safety before entering a vehicle. The Josephson Family is not alone. It is shocking that Uber and Lyft have not taken this seriously and refused to attend today's hearing. We need common sense bipartisan solutions to these safety and other issues hitting this new industry, said Congressman Suozzi (D- Long Island, Queens).Click here to read Rep. Suozzi's statement.
PHOTO: Reps. Smith, at left, and Suozzi, on right, testify at the Oct. 16, 2019 hearing.
The legislation would require all ride-share vehicles to have a scannable Quick Response (QR) bar code on both back-passenger side windows that riders could scan on a smart device to verify their ride before entering a vehicle.The newly reintroduced Sami's Law HR 4686 additionally provides a rider with the option to opt-out of using a QR code by instead using a four-digit personal authentication number to be verified before entering the vehicle. The personal number was an idea suggested by the National Federation of the Blindwhich has endorsed the bill.  

Sami's Law also would mandate state issued front license plates for ride-share vehicles and illuminated windshield signs visible in the day and at night from a distance of 50 feet. To address reports of sexual assault, the bill also requires the GAO to conduct a study on the prevalence of assault and abuse perpetrated on riders by drivers of ride-hailing vehicles, and on drivers by ride-hailing passengers. The study will also assess the frequency and effectiveness of background checks conducted by ride-sharing companies on potential drivers and the state laws on background checks for drivers.  

Smith and Suozzi addressed members of the Subcommittee, part of the House Committee of Transportation. At one point, Smith testified Today, anybody can buy an Uber or Lyft sign on Amazon or elsewhere for as little as ten bucksenabling the fakes and predators with the appearance of signage legitimacy, prompting the full Committee Chairman, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), to go online during the hearing and find signs for as little $8.99. I had no idea about the signs. I just went on Amazon and I see a very wide selection of Uber and Lyft signs . So anybody can buy one. I had no idea. Thank you for that. That is mind-boggling, DeFazio said, thanking Smith for bringing the issue it to the attention of the Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Sami's Law legislation.  

States that do not implement the legislation's regulations will lose one percent of their federal highway fundinga provision that is similar to the federal incentive used to motivate states to raise the drinking age to 21 and to prohibit open alcohol beverage containers in motor vehicles.  

The Josephsons are also seeking to educate ride-share passengers on the best safety practices, using the acronym S-A-M-I (Stop, Ask, Match, Inform) to teach riders to be alert to their surroundings, ensure the car they are entering is the correct ride-share vehicle, ask the driver to identify them by name, and tell friends to track their ride.  

In May and again in September, the Josephsons met with Members of Congress and staff, and Administration officials to advocate for laws and policies that would protect ride-share passengers from predators posing as drivers.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406197,"<span class =""kicker"">101.5 Story on Smith Ride Share Safety Bill</span>After homicide, NJs ride-share safety bill closer to becoming national law",2019-10-16,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"ByDan Alexander, 101.5 Staff -

Sami's Law  a bill named after a Robbinsville student police say was killed by a man she mistook for her Uber driver  could nationalize protectionsthat ride-share usersin New Jersey already have under state law.
Columbia, South Carolina police said Samantha Josephson got into a black Chevrolet Impala on March 29 after leaving the Bird Dog bar in the city's Five Points area. The body of the USC senior was found several hours later off a country road 65 miles away in New Zion, South Carolina.

Samantha's death prompted her parents, Seymour and Marci Josephson, to become advocates for laws that would require ride share drivers to better identify themselves. Gov. Phil Murphy signed such a measure into law in June that requires Uber, Lyft and all ride-share companies to issue two identifying markers to each of their drivers to be displayed on the front and rear windows.
It also mandates that companies must provide every driver with two copies of a two-dimensional barcode, or another type of readable code that passengers are able to scan in order to confirm the identity of the vehicle before they get into it.
The law also requires ride-share companies to provide two credential placards to be displayed on the driver and passenger side rear windows that show the driver's name, photo and the license plate number.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. 4th District, who represents Robbinsville, is co-sponsoring legislation that would create a similar federal law dubbed ""Sami's Law,"" which was formally introduced to the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on Wednesday.
The idea for the legislation came directly from the grieving parents of a young woman brutally murdered by a fake Uber driver. Now we know there are significant personal safety concerns associated with actual Uber and Lyft drivers as wellnot just the fakesthat are not well appreciated or publicized, Smithsaid during a committee hearing on Wednesday.
""Working with the Josephsons, we've crafted a bipartisan bill that would push states to require front license plates and scannable codessuch as QR codeson both back-passenger side windows that riders could scan on a smart device to verify their ride beforeI say again beforeentering a vehicle,"" Smith said.
U.S. Rep. Suozzi, D-N.Y., a co-sponsor of the bill, told the subcommittee he was disappointed that Uber and Lyft turned down invitations to testify.
""It is shocking that Uber and Lyft have not taken this seriously and refused to attend today's hearing. We need common sense bipartisan solutions to these safety and other issues hitting this new industry, Suozzi said.
Smith's bill would penalize states that do not implement the legislation's regulations by cutting1%of their federal highway funding, a provision Smith said is similar to the federal incentive used to motivate states to raise the drinking age to 21 and to prohibit open alcohol beverage containers in motor vehicles.
The bill remains in committee for further discussion.

Samantha suffered ""numerous wounds"" to her head, neck, face, upper body, leg and foot, according to a warrant for the arrest ofNathaniel David Rowland.He is charged with kidnapping and murder.
Police have not said what was used to cause the wounds but The Clarendon County Coroner said the cause of death was multiple sharp force injuries.""
Rowland is still incarcerated at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in South Carolina awaiting trial, according to Kelly Melron, a spokeswoman for Columbia police.



Candlelight vigil for Samantha Josephson of Robbinsville (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media NJ)


  
This story was originally posted at:https://nj1015.com/after-homicide-njs-ride-share-safety-bill-closer-to-becoming-national-law/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406171,"Floor Remarks by Rep. Smith, the Prime Sponsor of H.R. 3289the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019",2019-10-15,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), prime sponsor of H.R. 3289the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019,during Floor Debate in the U.S. of Representatives on October 15, 2019:
 Since the 1989 Tiananmen massacre thirty years ago, I've had the privilege of working with colleagues on both sides of the aisleincluding Speaker Pelosion human rights, the rule of law and democracy for the people of China.
     We have always believed that every person in China deserves better than the brutality so many endure and the systematic violations of their universally recognized human rights.  

     Tragically, under President Xi Jinping, human rights abuse throughout China has significantly worsened including the pervasive use of torture, religious persecution and human trafficking.  

     Solemn promises made by Beijing are rarely kept and far too many leaders of the free world are far too eager to blindly accept fiction over fact.
 Broken promises are the rule not the exception under Xi Jinping and the people of Hong Kong are suffering because of it.
  During the 2014 Umbrella Movement the world saw the courageous people of Hong Kong demanding that Beijing not renege on promises made to ensure universal suffrage, basic rights and authentic elections in 2017.
  Despite President Xi's brutal crackdown on peaceful protestorsthen and especially now, triggered this time by an outrageous proposed policy to facilitate extraditionthe resolve, courage, tenacity and clarity of purpose of the people of Hong Kong shines through the darkness like the sun.
 Two days ago, Reuters reported that President Xi told leaders in Nepal: Anyone attempting to split China in any part of the country will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones.
 Xi's government excels in crushing bodies, shattering bones, torturing dissidents and filling concentration campsmassive crimes against humanity for which there has been little or no accountability or sanction.
 But today we're simply urging the Chinese President and the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, to faithfully honor the government's promises.
 Honor the promises made in 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that facilitated the conveyance of Hong Kong from the UK to the China beginning July 1, 1997 that autonomy, human rights including press, assembly, association and religion would be exactly the same as before the handover for at least 50 years.
     Honor the promises made in the Basic Law of Hong Kong adopted by China's National People's Congress in 1990before the givebackthat autonomy and rights would be protected.
     Even before the latest round of protests, the U.S. State Department reported that rights and liberties in Hong Kong had diminished. 
     The great young leader Joshua Wong reminded us that a fourth of the population of Hong Kongabout 2 million peopleturned out for one of the peaceful protests. Where has that ever happened?
     Five years agoin 2014joined by Mrs. Pelosi, I introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. We did it again in 2015 , in 2017 and again this year.
     Our new bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019cosponsored by Mr. McGovernis a blueprint for meaningful action.
     Specifically, the Act:  
 
    Directs the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
 
 
    Encourages the State Department not to deny entry visas based on the applicants' arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong.
 
 
    Requires an annual report from the Commerce Department on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws including those goods and services transshipped to North Korea, Iran or other countries relating to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, violations of human rights and narcotics trafficking and more.
 
 
    Requires an assessment of whether U.S. origin items including software, technology and services have been transferred from Hong Kong to China in violation of U.S. law and have been used by China for mass surveillance, predictive policing, or for the social credit system.
 
     What's the social credit system, you ask? A ubiquitous totalitarian brave new world system scheduled for implementation by 2020 that will use public records, online activity and other tools of surveillance to aggregate data on every Chinese citizen and business and use that data to monitor, shape and rate financial, social, religious or political behaviors.
 
    Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments.
 
 
    Requires the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland Chinawith visa denial responsible for the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and serious abuses of human rights.
 
 
    And it contains a waiver provision that helps ensure that our actions protect the great people of Hong Kong and enhance Hong Kong's autonomy rather than inadvertently harming it.
 
     I've heard it said that the business of Hong Kong is business, but it is clear to me now that the business of Hong Kong is freedom and democracy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406173,"<span class =""kicker"">*** Congressional Hearing Set for Weds., Oct. 16 ***</span>Reps. Smith, Suozzi to Testify on Proposed Samis Law",2019-10-15,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation named to honor Samantha Sami Josephsona senior at the University of South Carolina from Robbinsville, N.J. who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by a man pretending to be her Uber driver earlier this yearwill be taken up Wednesday by the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit at a hearing entitled Examining the Future of Transportation Network Companies: Challenges and Opportunities.  

Sami's Law, which would establish needed protections for ride-share customers across the country, is authored by Republican Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with lead Democratic cosponsor, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) in the House. Smith and Suozzi will address members of the Subcommittee as the lead witnesses on a panel. The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).  

Sami's Law will require enhanced vehicle identification procedures to create a safer environment for ride-share drivers and customers and to make it harder for those with ill intent from impersonating drivers.  


WHAT:  Congressional hearing on Sami's Law held by the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, part of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
WHO:  Reps. Smith and Suozzi, members of the subcommittee, and witnesses.  

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m.  

WHERE: Room 2167 in the Rayburn House Office Building.  

      The hearing can be watched live here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406168,"Monmouth Co. Freeholders, Sheriffs Office Get $1.2 Million Fed Grant to Fight Opioid Addictions",2019-10-10,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) today announced a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) to boost county programs that provide treatment, recovery support systems and relapse prevention for opioid addicts already in the corrections system.
Smith praised Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders Director Thomas A. Arnone for submitting a solid proposal and winning the federal funds in a competitive grant program. 
The County was awarded a Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program, or COAP, in the amount of $1,199,993 over a three-year period, to expand services to low-level, non-violent drug offenders in county jail. According to the National Institutes for Health, in 2017 there were nearly 2,000 overdose deaths in New Jerseyincluding 172 in Monmouth Countya rate about 50 percent higher than the national average.  

The opioid crisis needs to be fought at many levels: in Washington, in every state and at the local level, said Rep. Smith (NJ-04). This grant will bring federal dollars to the fight at the county level. Monmouth County Freeholder Director Arnone and the Board of Freeholders gave the go-ahead for this initiative, and Sheriff Golden has run with it. Sheriff Golden and his workers at the county jail are on the front lines in the opioid crisis. Inmates and especially those who are entering the system are vulnerable to relapse, overdosing and death when they are released or make bail. Opioids have ruined many lives and families, but this measure is an attempt to avoid tragedy and reduce deaths.  

Specifically, the Monmouth County Correctional institution (MCCI), run by Sheriff Golden, will use the grant to expand an existing in-custody medication assisted treatment (MAT) program and provide behavioral treatment. The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) was developed as part of the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation Congress passed in 2016. Smith voted for the bill.  

This grant will enhance Monmouth County's efforts in the ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic as funds will be used towards the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals and promote successful re-entry intervention. Inmates with substance use disorder will receive the highest standard of treatment by the correctional facility's medical staff, prior to release from jail and help ensure that after release proper treatment will be provided, said Sheriff Golden. We are pleased Monmouth County was awarded the federal grant and commend Rep. Chris Smith for his strong support in battling drug abuse, as well as the hard work of the correctional staff, who assisted in the grant application process.  

Freeholder Director Arnone said the grant help continue the county's fight against the opioid epidemic.  

Monmouth County is thrilled to receive grant funding for our Correctional Institution, which will be used to help County inmates recover from their respective addictions, said Freeholder Director Arnone. ""The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor's Office will continue to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic in New Jersey and we are grateful for the federal support to aid our efforts.  

COAP's purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to state and local government to plan, develop, and implement efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by the opioid epidemic. COAP seeks to reduce opioid abuse and the number of overdose fatalities, as well as to mitigate the impacts on crime victims by supporting comprehensive, collaborative initiatives. The program also supports the implementation, enhancement, and proactive use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) to support clinical decision making and prevent the abuse and diversion of controlled substances.  

The Monmouth County jail is one of the largest county jails in the country, with a capacity of 1,328 inmates. The jails' Substance Abuse Unit will work with the medical unit to provide inmates who currently have MATs as well as new inmates who do not have a MAT with individualized plans for drug treatment and monitoring. The State of New Jersey Department of Health estimates over 70 percent inmates have a substance use disorder, of which 80 percent were under the influence when they committed their crime. Furthermore, 75 percent of inmates relapse into addiction within three months of their release.  

The objective of the grant is to encourage and support the development of comprehensive, locally driven responses to the opioid epidemic that expand access to supervision, treatment, and recovery support services across the criminal justice system; support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for non-violent drug offenders; promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by the opioid epidemic. Projects involve multiple agencies and partners.  


###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406170,Smith: NIH 'All In' on Lyme Disease Research,2019-10-10,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), the founder and co-chair of the congressional Lyme Disease Caucus today welcomed the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) announcement of a new, expansive research strategy to combat Lyme disease.Priorities in the NIH multipart plan include: expanding knowledge of tickborne diseases; developing rapid diagnostic testing; identifying treatment success and human biomarkers of persistent symptoms; developing new treatments; and evaluating prevention approaches such as vaccines.
 After lagging for decades, NIH is all in for researching Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to better diagnose and treat those suffering from this horrific disease,said Smith, who has been on the forefront of federal Lyme disease efforts for more than 27 years. 
 This is great news for patients and Lyme-literate doctors who will now have serious, federal partners working aggressively to improve strategies for the detection, treatment, and one day, prevention of Lyme.
 Smith said the NIH plan reads like the text of several of the bills he has introduced over the years pushing the federal government to establish a responsive, comprehensive, scientific strategy to help those gravely ill from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. He said he will continue to fight for a larger coordinated effort across several agencies but added that the NIH is among the most important federal agencies for fighting Lyme and this is a giant step in the right direction.
 Smith is the author of the pending TICK Act (HR 3073), which will develop a whole-of-government National Strategy to prevent and treat Lyme and other vector-borne diseases.Smith's legislation would create a new Office of Oversight and Coordination for Vector-borne Disease in the Department of Health and Human Services coordinating strategies across the entire federal governmentincluding the NIH, and also the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security and the Environmental Protection Agency.
 In releasing its Strategic Plan for Tickborne Disease Research, the NIH said the effort was inspired in part by the 2018 Report to Congress by the HHS Tickborne Diseases Working Group. Smith spearheaded the legislation that created the Working Group, which became a provision (Section 2062) of the 21st Century Cures Act.
 We had very high expectations that once we could establish a federal advisory commission or working group made up of Lyme-literate physicians, researchers and patientswe would have the data to move the federal agencies in the right direction.This NIH Strategic Plan is the most serious response to date and the Working Group gave them the road map, Congressman Smith said.  

 We are greatly encouraged that the NIH has taken a key recommendation of the 2018 Working Group Report to develop a plan, said Pat Smith (no relation), the President of the Lyme Disease Association, and an appointee on the federal Working Group.The plan incorporates what Lyme Disease patients and advocates have been pushing for years.It will make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients who have been greatly debilitated by this disease.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406165,"<span class =""kicker"">Tap Into Belmar/Lake Como News Article</span>'Rep. Smiths Autism Cares Act Becomes Law, Providing $1.8 Billion in Research Funding'",2019-10-07,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By TAPINTO BELMAR/LAKE COMO STAFF AND OFFICE OF U.S. REP. CHRIS SMITH, FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
October 6, 2019 at 9:15 PM  
Nearly $2 billion in research funding to help children and adults with autism  legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th District)  has been signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The Autism Cares Act of 2019 will fund critical biomedical autism research, as well as the development of best practices to enhance the lives of persons with autism, said Smith, who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) We need answers now and treatment options and interventions that work.
Smith said that the new law expands government programs to include older persons with autism who were  and are  often misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and overlooked.
Specifically, aging out of services is a hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces, Smith said. Children grow up and become adults, and then lose their education and support services. But autism is a lifetime neurological disorder, and young adults with autism continue to need their services, he explained.
Between 70,700 and 111,600 children age out' into adulthood each year, creating challenges for education, housing, employment and access to health care, according to the AJ Drexel Autism Center at Drexel University, Philadelphia.



The Autism Cares Act recognizes the problem of aging out and ensures that the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of young adults with autism and their parents by funding research and support programs, said Smith, whose district represents Belmar and Lake Como.



Specifically, the Autism Cares Act of 2019:
 
    Authorizes $1.8 billion, including annual funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $296 million, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $23.1 million, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at $50 million.
    Reauthorizes and expands the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC).
    Adds new members of IACC from the Departments of Labor, Justice, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.
    Increases from two to three IACC members who are self-advocates, parents or legal guardians and advocacy/service organizations.
    Empowers the Health and Human Services secretary to prioritize grants to rural and underserved areas.
    Requires that not later than two years after enactment, a comprehensive report on the demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), recommendations on establishing best practices to ensure interdisciplinary coordination, improvements for health outcomes, community based behavioral support and interventions, nutrition and recreational and social activities, personal safety and more.
 
New Jersey remains the nation's leader in having the highest percentage of children with autism spectrum disorders, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  
In its latest study, the percentage of children with ASD increased in the state from about 2.5 percent in 2012 to about 3 percent in 2014. That translates into one of every 34 children in New Jersey has some form of autism, with boys 4 percent of boys identified with ASD, compared to 1 percent of girls.  

TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como is Belmar and Lake Como's only free daily newspaper. Accredited by the New Jersey Press Association, it is the official electronic newspaper of both municipalities. As a locally owned news organization, TAPinto through its advertisers is able to publish online, objective news 24/7 at no charge. Sign up for its free daily e-News, and follow it on Facebook and Twitter.

This article was published online at:
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/belmar-slash-lake-como/sections/washington-watch/articles/rep-smith-s-autism-cares-act-becomes-law-providing-1-8-billion-in-research-funding",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406166,Smith Speaks at NJ State Association of Pipe Trades Convention in Atlantic City,2019-10-07,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) addressed leaders and members of the New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades at the opening day of the association's 2019 convention today in Atlantic City. He was introduced by NJSAPT President Michael Maloney and received a warm welcome by the more than 100 attendees. The following are excerpts of his remarks: Special thanks to President Mike Maloney for his extraordinary leadership, effectiveness and tenacity.
No one works harder or more effectively for Local 9and for all the journeymen and apprentices throughout the statethan Mike.  

For me, the cause of working familiesand the critical importance of unions in the never-ending fight for fair wages and benefits, workplace protections and other important terms of employment achieved through collective bargainingis a core conviction.  

My father was a teamster and instilled in me the strong belief that without unions working families would be marginalized, divided and exploited.  

Unions even the playing field and make both the workplace and America itself more just and fairer   

In March, the House passed legislation authored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro which I co-sponsoredthe Paycheck Fairness Actwhich is designed to provide aid to victims of wage discrimination based on sex; to enhance civil penalties for those who violate equal pay provisions for women; and to combat retaliation.  

As the economy grows and more jobs are created and retained, the fruits of that expansion must be better pay and benefits.
Paid family leave is both humane and right.
Like you I am concerned that workplace injury and death are rising including a spike in violence against women. At a minimum, we need more OSHA inspectors.
As you know, I strongly support Davis-Bacon; project labor agreements and best value contracting. 
 For over 25 years, I've repeatedly asked federal contracting authorities including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to explain why labor unions have been systematically excluded from contract awardsespecially at military installations like the Joint Base in New Jersey.
Over the years, everyone we've met in meeting after meeting on the federal side have always been polite and courteous, but the bottom linethe highly trained unionized women and men don't get the jobs.    
Most recently, I, Mike Maloney and others met for hours at the Jacob Javits Center in New York with the top brass from the Army Corps of Engineersthe decision makers for who gets the contracts at Joint Base NJ and other federal projects. 
We raised serious concerns that some nonunion contractors appear to be purposely misclassifying workers in order to low bid, which if true would be a serious violation of federal law and contrary to Davis Bacon.
We pressed best value contracting and deep concern that deceitful contractors and subcontractors may be engaging in two types of misclassification:
craft misclassification which as you know is the misclassification of higher-skilled workers as general laborers or lower wage classifications in order to avoid paying the higher prevailing wage;
 and Independent contractor misclassification, the deceitful practice some independent contractors use to both avoid paying prevailing wage and state and federal taxes.                                                      To expose and combat these egregious practices of misclassification, Ijoined by my friend and colleague Donald Norcrossintroduced legislation and successfully offered it as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).                                                                                                                                                                 
The House-passed Smith-Norcross amendmentwhich is now under review by the Senaterequires the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the contracting practices of the Army Corps of Engineers, with a specific focus on how the Corps complies with and enforces Davis-Bacon on federally financed construction jobs like the Joint Base.  

If a company is found to violate Davis-Bacon, are they ever disbarred?  

The House-passed Smith-Norcross amendment not only requires the watchdog agency GAO to investigate issues like misclassification and then report its findings to Congress, but tasks GAO to make recommendations for legislative and/or regulatory action.  

In recent days, there is some evidence that our appeal for fairness in contracting may be getting through as it seems clear that some of the work on the multimillion dollar two-bay hanger for the KC-46A tanker refueling jets will likely be awarded to union labor.  

This is a start. The good news is that we have some indicators that they heard us and we're going to continue pressing on.  

Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406162,"<span class =""kicker"">Trentonian article on Smith's new autism law</span>'President Trump signs Rep. Chris Smiths Autism CARES Act into law'",2019-10-02,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman, Trentonian Staff Writer - President Donald Trump advanced bipartisan legislation this week even as the tweeter-in-chief accused the Biden family of being corrupt and hammered congressional Democrats for launching an impeachment inquiry following his controversial phone call with Ukraine's leader.
Today, I was proud to sign the Autism CARES Bill! Trump said Monday in a tweet. We support research for Americans with Autism and their families. You are not forgotten, we are fighting for you!
Sponsored by GOP Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, the Autism CARES Act of 2019 amends the Public Health Service Act to enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder and bolsters programs relating to autism.
The new law, also known as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019, received total support from Republicans and Democrats in both legislative chambers, including U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), a fierce Trump administration critic.


    
        
            
        
    


PHOTO - President Trump holds up Rep. Chris Smith's autism legislation, House 
of Representatives 1058 (HR 1058),after he signed it into law on Sept. 30, 2019. The signing of this important legislation into law, Menendez said Tuesday in a press statement, ensures the federal government will continue to fund and drive critical research into what causes autism spectrum disorder and the development of innovative treatment and supports to help individuals with ASD reach their full, God-given potential. Smith, as the primary sponsor and author of the original Autism CARES Act in 2014, recently described the 2019 rendition as a comprehensive reauthorization and strengthening of America's whole-of-government autism spectrum disorder initiative.
In a July 24 U.S. House speech, Smith said: This bipartisan legislation powerfully supports and pursues durable remedies and effective interventions for the approximately 1.5 million children with ASD. That is an estimated one in 59 children in the U.S. In my home state of New Jersey, that is one in 34. We do have the highest rate, according to the CDC. This bill also helps adults with autism who were and are today often misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and overlooked. Language throughout the bill emphasizes that causes, diagnosis, detection, prevention and treatment of autism spectrum disorder must be throughout the lifespan of that person.
The Autism CARES Act of 2019 authorizes more than $1.8 billion of appropriations over a five-year period from Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2024. The money would bolster America's autism research efforts.



The bill, also known as H.R. 1058, received Trump's blessing on Monday, a day in which he delivered numerous Twitter firebombs against his adversaries.  




In a Monday tweet storm, Trump called 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden corrupt, alleged the Fake News Media wants to stay as far away as possible from the Ukraine and China deals made by the Bidens, bashed a Washington whistleblower and suggested he did nothing wrong in his July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump declassified a transcript of the telephone conversation. It confirms he had invited Zelenskyy to look into the Bidens, but the Ukrainian president later told reporters that no one can pressure me, and no one will pressure me.
This story was printed on page 8 of the Oct. 2, 2019 edition of the Trentonian newspaper, and can be found online at:
https://www.trentonian.com/news/embattled-president-trump-signs-rep-chris-smith-s-autism-cares/article_5eb394b4-e4b1-11e9-a2b7-d71c58d0a5a1.html#disqus_thread",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406144,Asbury Park Press Article on Smith's Autism Law Signed by the President,2019-10-01,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"ByKeldy Ortiz, Asbury Park Press - TheAutism CARES Act, a bill which was co-sponsored by a New Jersey lawmaker, was signed into law Monday by President Donald Trump.
The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act (CARES) provides $1.8 billion in funding for autism programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and Health Resources and Services Administration.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, R-Mercer, and Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa.
The Autism CARES Act recognizes the problem of aging out and ensures that the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of young adults with autism and their parents by funding research and support programs, Smithsaid in a statement.""Aging out of services is a hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces.
In New Jersey, one in every 34 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the CDC reported. 
Smith has worked on issues related toautism since 1997, when parents Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brickspoke with him about whether the government was addressing the issue.
Individuals with autism and their families are a federal priority, and the Autism CARES Act is a smart investment that will help individuals with autism today and for generations to come, said Suzanne Buchanan, executive director of Autism New Jersey. Their work across the aisle and tireless efforts to retain critical components of the legislation remind us what is right and good about our federal government.  


Keldy Ortiz is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com.
This story can be found online in the Gannettt newspapers Asbury Park Press, North Jersey Record and other papers' websites.:

https://www.app.com/story/news/new-jersey/2019/09/30/autism-cares-act-signed-into-law/3825728002/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406159,Congressman Smith Congratulates Communications High for National Blue Ribbon School Honor,2019-10-01,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) congratulated Monmouth County Communications High School in Wall, NJ on being recognized as one of the top-performing schools in the country with a National Blue Ribbon School designation issued by the U.S. Department of Education.
I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Principal Gleason, the students and staff of Communications High School for being named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education, said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) in response to the announcement by the Dept. of Education on Thursday. They are one of only nine schools in New Jersey to receive the coveted Blue Ribbon designation this year. There are few investments we can make in our society that pay higher dividends than the education of our children, and it is an extraordinary distinction that Communications High School was selected for overall academic excellence and progress in demonstrating that all students can achieve at high levels.
Across the country, 362 public and private schools have been honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2019 representing U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and military bases. Since 1982, more than 9,000 schools around the country have received the award.
Dept. of Education recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates. Exemplary High Performing Schools are chosen from among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Also, Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are selected among their state's highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school's student groups and all students.
In its 37th year, The National Blue Ribbon School award highlights the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating successful schools where students master a challenging curriculum. The National Blue Ribbon School flag displayed at a school is a widely-recognized symbol of quality teaching and learning.
Representatives from each school will be invited to be formally recognized on November 14-15 at a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC.when each school will be presented with an award plaque and a flag as symbols of being named a Blue Ribbon School. The list of all 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools is available on the Dept. of Education's website. More information about the program can be found here.
The Dept. of Education invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406160,Statement by Rep. Chris Smith Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China,2019-10-01,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"On this day, we honor all those who have sacrificed to advance human rights in China, including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo and all those who died 30 years ago during the violent suppression of the 1989 Tiananmen protests.This is not a day for celebration, but remembrance of the Chinese Communist's Party brutality, its authoritarianism and its efforts to undermine the American economy and society, aided and abetted by some all too eager to makea fast dollar in China. The Communist Party takes credit for China's astonishing economic rise. But the Chinese people could have produced the same results without the Party's leadership and without the bloodshed and tragic loss of millions of lives.  

On this anniversary, we remember rights defenders and human rights lawyers who face torture, discrimination and detention.We remember the millions of Uyghurs and others forcibly detained in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, actions which may constitute crimes against humanity. We remember all the women in China who were forcibly sterilized or forced to abort their child to further the horrific and misguided One-Child Policy. We remember those who have been punished for simply seeking to practice their religion without fear or restrictionsProtestants, Catholics, Tibetan Buddhists, Uyghur Muslims and Falun Gongall have faced unspeakable repression.  

The increasingly authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party has undermined U.S.-China relations.It has threatened Hong Kong's autonomy as well as labor rights and media freedoms. The deterioration of human rights under Chairman Xi Jinping is a global concern that requires vocal and persistent U.S. leadership.While I believe that freedom is the desire of every human heart, the arc of history does not bend toward justice unless all freedom-loving people take steps to recognize the threat and actively seek to address it.   

During the 1990s, I presided over a series of hearings about human rights and China's WTO membership.I remember the sage advise of so many Chinese dissidents, but the words of Wei Jingsheng still resonate twenty years later. At one hearing he said  

If the United States will not fight the world's largest tyranny politically, then inevitably, it will have to fight it economically, and eventually, militarily. Therefore, the only way to preserve peace and freedom begins by comprehending democracy's greatest enemy, and countering it effectively.  

The world slumbered while Communist China amassed great wealth, influence and power. We should not be surprised that they are now using that power to advance an ideology that is starkly opposed to democratic values and the system of alliances and rules that have benefited the world since the end of WWII. It is not too late to avoid economic or military fights, but U.S. foreign policy must be reworked and reimagined to meet the China challenge.  

We must start to see U.S.-China relations through the lens of competition.We must draw hard lines of reciprocity and adherence to international standards before we sign any trade deals.We must strengthen our military and diplomatic resources to meet any emerging threats emanating from Beijing. And recognize that human rights improvements cannot be separated from our other national interests.  

The health of the U.S. economy and environment, the safety of our food and drug supplies, the security of our investments and personal information in cyberspace and the stability of the Pacific region will depend on China complying with international law, allowing the free flow of news and information, and the developing an independent judiciary and civil society.  

We must also remember always that it is the Chinese Communist Party, not the Chinese people, with whom we are competing. It is the Communist Party in China that needs to be relegated to the ash heap of history.  

I believe that someday China will be free. Someday, the people of China will be able to enjoy all of their God-given rights. And a nation of free Chinese men and women will honor and celebrate the heroes who have sacrificed so much, and so long, for freedom.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406163,"<span class =""kicker"">Patch News Article</span>'Major Autism Legislation From Rep. Smith Signed Into Law'",2019-10-01,2019,2019-10,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"This past Monday, major autism legislation initially inspired by a Brick family and co-authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) was signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The bill, called the Autism CARES Act of 2019, authorizes the federal government to spend $1.8 billion over the next five years to help children and adults with autism by funding research, early detection and treatment.
Smith, a Republican, co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Mike Doyle, a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania.
Smith has represented New Jersey's sixth congressional district for decades, and he recalls he first got involved in autism work in September of 1997, when two constituents, Bobbie and Billy Gallagher of Brick, walked into his Ocean County office. The Gallaghers were parents of two young children with autism and they were looking for help.
To this day, the couple continues to work with Smith on autism advocacy issues, including the ""aging out"" problem.  

A big part of the bill will go to expanding government programs for adults with autism, as an increasing number of people with autism are entering their late 20s and 30s, and phasing out of public schools and other programs. According to Drexel University's AJ Drexel Autism Center, anywhere from 70,000 to 111,000 autistic young adults ""age out"" into adulthood each year, creating challenges for education, housing, employment and access to health care. It's as simple as its put by Mai Clearly, a Middletown mom who runs a farm for adults with autism, as she told Patch: ""Children with autism grow up.""
The 2014 photo above shows Rep. Smith with Bobbie and Billy Gallagher at the SEARCH Day Program, a school for kids with autism in Ocean Township.
""Aging out of services is a hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces,"" said Rep. Smith. ""Children grow up and become adults, and then lose their education and support services. But autism is a lifetime neurological disorder, and young adults with autism continue to need their services. The Autism CARES Act recognizes the problem of aging out and ensures that the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of young adults with autism and their parents by funding research and support programs.""
Specifically, the Autism CARES Act will give the National Institutes of Health (NIH) $296 million, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) $23.1 million and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) $50 million. The money will be spent to do the following:
 
    reauthorizes and expands the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
    adds new members of IACC from the Departments of Labor, Justice, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development; 
    increases from two to three IACC members who are self-advocates, parents or legal guardians and advocacy/service organizations; 
    empowers the Health and Human Services Secretary to prioritize grants to ""rural and underserved areas"" and
    requires that not later than two years after enactment, a comprehensive report on the demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with ASD, recommendations on establishing best practices to ensure interdisciplinary coordination, improvements for health outcomes, community based behavioral support and interventions, nutrition and recreational and social activities, personal safety and more.
 
 ""The Autism CARES Act is yet another hard-won victory borne out of Congressman Smith's and his colleagues' dedication to the autism community and bipartisan collaboration,"" said Suzanne Buchanan, Executive Director of Autism New Jersey. ""Their work across the aisle and tireless efforts to retain critical components of the legislation remind us what is right and good about our federal government. Individuals with autism and their families are a federal priority, and the Autism CARES Act is a smart investment that will help individuals with autism today and for generations to come.""  

Smith has also authored three other autism laws: HR 4631, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research and Education (CARES) Act (PL 113-157) in 2014; HR 2005, the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act (CARA)(PL 112-32), in 2011; and HR 274, Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research, and Epidemiology Act (ASSURE) of 2000 (PL 106-310) included as part of the Children's Health Act in 2000.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406156,Autism CARES Act of 2019 Signed into Law,2019-09-30,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Major autism legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to authorize $1.8 billion over five years to help children and adults with autism by funding research, early detection and treatment was signed into law today by President Trump.
Smith said the comprehensive new law, cosponsored by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) will fund critical biomedical autism research as well as the development of best practices to enhance the lives of persons with autism. We need answers now and treatment options and interventions that work, he said.  

Specifically the Autism CARES Act of 2019:
 authorizes $1.8 billionincluding annual funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $296 million, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $23.1 million, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at $50 million.
 reauthorizes and expands the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC);
 adds new members of IACC from the Departments of Labor, Justice, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development;
 increases from two to three IACC members who are self-advocates, parents or legal guardians and advocacy/service organizations;
 empowers the Health and Human Services Secretary to prioritize grants to rural and underserved areas and;
 requires that not later than two years after enactment, a comprehensive report on the demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with ASD, recommendations on establishing best practices to ensure interdisciplinary coordination, improvements for health outcomes, community based behavioral support and interventions, nutrition and recreational and social activities, personal safety and more. 
Smith said that Autism CARES expands government programs to include older persons with autism who wereand areoften misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and overlooked.  

According to Drexel University's AJ Drexel Autism Center, about 70,700 to 111,600 children age out into adulthood each year creating challenges for education, housing, employment and access to health care.
Aging out of services is a hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces, Smith said. Children grow up and become adults, and then lose their education and support services. But autism is a lifetime neurological disorder, and young adults with autism continue to need their services. The Autism CARES Act recognizes the problem of aging out and ensures that the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of young adults with autism and their parents by funding research and support programs.
Smith stepped up his involvement on autism issues in September of 1997, when two constituents, Bobbie and Billy Gallagher of Brick, N.J., parents of two young small autistic childrenwalked into his Ocean County office looking for help. The Gallagher's continue to this day to work with Smith on autism advocacy issues, including the aging out problem.  

The Autism CARES Act is yet another hard-won victory borne out of Congressman Smith's and his colleagues' dedication to the autism community and bipartisan collaboration, said Suzanne Buchanan, Executive Director of Autism New Jersey. Their work across the aisle and tireless efforts to retain critical components of the legislation remind us what is right and good about our federal government. Individuals with autism and their families are a federal priority, and the Autism CARES Act is a smart investment that will help individuals with autism today and for generations to come. 
Smith is grateful to the more than 35 non-governmental organizations that have endorsed his legislation, including the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Autism New Jersey, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Children's Hospital Association, the National Council on Severe Autism, Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.  

Smith has also authored three other autism laws: HR 4631, theAutism Collaboration, Accountability, Research and Education (CARES) Act(PL 113-157)in 2014; HR 2005, theCombating Autism Reauthorization Act (CARA)(PL 112-32), in 2011; and HR 274, Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research, and Epidemiology Act (ASSURE)of 2000(PL 106-310) included as part of the Children's Health Act in 2000.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406146,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith Tells Volunteers at Walk to Fight Alzheimer's</span>Research Funding at an All-Time High to Find a Cure, or a Disease-Modifying Therapy by 2025",2019-09-28,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) joined more than 900 people gathered today at Point Pleasant Beach for the 2019 Alzheimer's New Jersey Walk to Fight Alzheimer's.  

The event is expected to raise an estimated $200,000 to fight Alzheimer's disease.  

Smith, a leader in Congress in the fight against Alzheimer's which afflicts millions of Americans, addressed marchers, family, friends and supporters of loved ones who suffer or have passed away from Alzheimer's.  

The following are excerpts of Congressman Smith's remarks:  

 Special thanks to President and CEO Kenneth Zaentz, and all the leaders of Alzheimer's New Jersey.  

 Every minute, someone, somewhere in the country is newly afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease.
 Today there are an estimated 5.8 million people in America coping with Alzheimer's.  

 Unless we research our way to a breakthrough, nearly 14 million will suffer from Alzheimer's disease by 2050.  

 Over twenty years ago (1998) I along with Congressman Ed Markey created the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease to aggressively promote policies to more effectively combat Alzheimer's including robustly fund promising research.  

 I continue to serve as chairman and there are 161 Members of the House are part of the Task Force.  

 After years of legislative struggle, the big breakthrough came in 2011, when we passed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA)a law I coauthored. NAPA created a new, frequently updated and expanded national strategy with the goal of finding a cure, or a disease-modifying therapy by 2025.  

 The impact has been profound. Alzheimer's research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was $600 million in 2015. We've quadrupled it to $2.3 billion this year. And within a matter of weeks, we expect to increase it yet again in 2020.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406120,"Reps. Smith, Doggett Introduce Resolution to Recognize September as Hydrocephalus Month",2019-09-27,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation recognizing September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month was introduced in the House of Representatives today.  

Congressman Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus, along with fellow Co-Chair Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), authored the resolution in support of the nearly one million Americans living everyday with hydrocephalusa life-threatening accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that currently has no cure.  

Each year 1 in 770 babies develops hydrocephalus, said Smith. Because there is no cure, children with hydrocephalus grow up' inside of a hospital and undergo multiple brain surgeries as a result failing shunts.We are working together to raise awareness and fight for an increase in federal research and resources so that the medical community can find a solution for these children and their families, Smith said.  

During Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, we can rededicate ourselves promoting dialogue on hydrocephalus, supporting those pushing forward on research for a cure, and addressing the need to make treatment available and affordable to all patients, said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus, I will continue to use this as a constructive forum to raise awareness of and work to solve the needs of those affected by this condition.  

The resolution is supported by the two leading associations dedicated to helping families overcome the challenges inherent in hydrocephalus: The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation and the Hydrocephalus Association.  

In support of the over one million people living with hydrocephalus in the U.S., we are deeply grateful to Representatives Doggett and Smith for their support of Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Their leadership both in introducing this resolution and in serving as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus demonstrate their commitment to raising awareness about this condition in Washington DC and beyond. We at the Hydrocephalus Association appreciate their willingness to embrace the needs of patients and families around the country as we seek to find better treatments and possibly a cure. They are essential partners in these efforts. Diana Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydrocephalus Association  

We at the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation applaud the leadership shown by Representatives Smith and Doggett. In introducing H. Res. 605, they've shown their strong commitment to improving the lives of children with hydrocephalus and their family, Michael B. Illions, VP and Chief of Staff, Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.  

Resolutions similar to Smith-Doggett have been introduced in states and municipalities across the country and cited at rallies and walks organized to boost hydrocephalus awareness and research. The federal resolution is designed to complement and enhance these efforts in the years ahead.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406143,"<span class =""kicker"">Remarks by Rep. Smith at Seton Hall Human Trafficking Event</span>1 in 4 Trafficking Victims Are Children;The Compelling Need to Educate the Children",2019-09-27,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"This morning Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) provided opening remarks via video at Seton Hall University's 2019 Forum on Modern Slavery: 21st Century Solutions. Smith, the prime author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, thanked the participants for their commitment to end this modern day slavery and urged them to continue their good work on behalf of victimswho are mostly women and children. His remarks today can be watched in video below or by clicking here. The following are the text of his remarks:
Special thanks to Dean Andrea Bartoli for your tireless work and dedication to eradicating the scourge of human trafficking.
Deep thanks as well to all the assembled leadersfor your amazing commitment and effectiveness in this human rights and humanitarian cause.
And words are inadequate to thank Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Muradfor her courage, tenacity, resiliency and witness against genocide.  

She not only heroically overcame unthinkable personal trauma, but she focused world attention and galvanized world opinion on slavery and slaughter by ISIS against the Yazidis.  

As the prime author of the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018, which provides humanitarian, stabilization, and recovery assistance to victims of genocideespecially Christians and YazidisI truly thank Nadia for her extraordinary work.  

Twenty years ago at the 1999 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia, I sponsored the first human trafficking resolution designed to encourage over 300 members of congress and parliamentarians from 57 countries to develop policies to prevent trafficking in all of its ugly manifestations; rescue and protect victims; and prosecute, convict and jail the traffickers.
A year later the U.S. Congress approved and the President signed legislation that I authoredthe Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000a comprehensive whole-of-government policy to combat these barbaric crimes in the United States and around the world.
Pursuant to that law, on June 20th, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo released the 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Reporta global analysis and ranking of every country including the United States. 
Combatting human trafficking isand will always bea team effort, requiring cooperation at every leveland across borders.  

As the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly's Special Representative on Human Trafficking, I've offered 20 resolutions over the years which the PA approvedeach focusing on new and effective strategies to be merged with each nation's ongoing work.
At the July OSCEPA in Luxembourg I sponsored a special resolution designed to encourage lawmakers to educate their schoolchildren on how to avoid human trafficking. After a great debate, it passed.  

As you may know, this past January, I authored legislation that was signed into lawmy fifth major law on human trafficking The Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act. The new law honors the extraordinary legacy of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.  

Working with Frederick Douglass' great-great-great grandson, Kenneth Morris, we crafted a new initiative designed to better ensure that school-aged children are educated in the classroom to recognize, resist and report any attempt to recruit or coerce them into the cruel world of human trafficking.  

Title I of the Frederick Douglass Act authorizes the U.S. governmentled by HHS and the Department of Educationto provide grants to local education agencies in partnership with NGOs to establish, expand and support programs:
 to provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims of sex and labor trafficking;  

 to educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labor trafficking.
Of course, you know all too well that the need for educating the children and training school officials is absolutely compellingand breakout panel one today will focus on this.  

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) one in four trafficking victims are children.
Women and girls are disproportionately affectedby forced labor and account for most of the victims in the commercial sex industry.
Traffickers exploit children due to their lack of awareness about the threatand a child's vulnerability can be compounded by poverty, a previous history of abuse and neglect, institutionalization, running away from home, being an unaccompanied minor, having a physical and/or mental disability, belonging to a minority group, lacking citizenship or birth registration, being an asylum seeker, refugee or internally displaced person (IDP). 
Today as never before, traffickers are using internet communication technologies (ICTs) to lure children into trafficking.
According to a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children study the average age of online enticement that can result in being trafficked was 15. 
A number of NGOs have developed school courses. Those 21s Century solutions need to be aggressively implemented. 
Like you, I believe that we don't have a moment to lose in getting prevention education to our children and their teachers. 
Finally, allow me a brief word about International Megan's Lawa law designed to significantly thwart child sexual exploitation in the United States and abroad through a comprehensive and efficient system that warns law enforcement of traveling sex offenders. 
I first introduced International Megan's Law back in 2008. It passed the House four times2010, 2014, 2015, 2016and, thankfully, finally passed the United States Senate and was signed into law.  

Megan Kanka of Hamilton was just 7 years old when she was kidnapped, raped, and brutally murdered in 1994. Her assailant lived across the street. Unbeknownst to her family and other residents in the neighborhood, he was a convicted repeat sex offender sexual predator.  

We know from law enforcement and media documentation that Americans on the U.S. sex offender registries are caught sexually abusing children in Asia, Central and South America, Europe, and, frankly, everywhere.
A deeply disturbing 2010 report by the GAO found that at least 4,500 U.S. passports were issued to registered sex offenders in fiscal year 2008 alone. Typically, a passport is valid for 10 years, meaning some or many of the tens of thousands of registered sex offenders possessing passports may be on the prowl internationally looking to exploit and abuse.  

International Megan's Law requires the passport of convicted child sex offenders to carry this endorsement: The Bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212 (C) (I). 
The law is working. In just about two years, 10,541 covered sex offenders had been noticed by the U.S. government to foreign countriesand 3,681 individuals as of July who were convicted of sex crimes against children were denied entry into those nations.  

We are encouraging other governments around the world to establish their own national and international Megan's Law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406140,Full Committee Passes Smith-McGovern Hong Kong Human Rights & Democracy Act,2019-09-25,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith's (R-NJ) bipartisan bill, HR 3289, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, was unanimously passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee today sending a unified message to the governments of China and Hong Kong that the peaceful protesters of that long-autonomous city have the full support and backing of American lawmakers.Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) along with more than three dozen other cosponsors joined Smith on the bill.
   At its core, the Smith-McGovern bill directs the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law. House leadership has promised to bring Smith's bill to the House Floor for a vote as soon as possible. (PHOTO: Rep. Smith details his Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act at a bipartisan press conference held in the Capitol Building Sept. 19, 2019 with Hong Kong human rights leaders.)
   Here are excerpts of Smith's remarks at the markup:
The 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that facilitated the conveyance of Hong Kong from the UK to the PRC beginning July 1, 1997 was absolutely clear that autonomy, human rights including press, assembly, association and religion would be exactly the same as before the handover for at least 50 years.
The Basic Law of Hong Kong adopted by China's National People's Congress in 1990 was also clear that autonomy and rights would be protected.
i.e. Article 5: The Socialist systems and police shall not be practiced in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the previous Capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.
Today those promises solemnly undertaken by Beijing have eroded and as stated in the most recent State Department report diminished.
As members will recall, the US Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 requires that reportthe last one only covered from May of 2018 to March of 2019. Since that report the situation has gotten demonstrably worse.
On a daily basis we are reminded of the desire of the brave people of Hong Kong to be free, and how the totalitarian regime of Xi Jinping is working to dismantle the rights and liberties of the people of Hong Kong piecemeal. 
Five years ago, I first introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act with my then-China Commission Cochair Senator Sherrod Brown. The bill allowed for more flexible and robust U.S. responses to the steady erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and human rights.
Over the years, Senator Rubio and I upgraded the bill to reflect the kidnapping of booksellers, the disqualification of elected lawmakers, and the political prosecutions of Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Benny Tai and others.
However, every time we pushed for passage there was opposition from diplomats, experts, committee Chairs, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. 
This time, however, is different. The situation on the ground in Hong Kong is different, and there is a growing realization that for a free and autonomous Hong Kong, the hour is very late. Thus lead Democratic co-sponsor Jim McGovern and I introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act with a renewed sense of urgency.
I also thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their leadership in moving this bill with the objective of quickly bringing it to the floor, with the full support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 
Specifically, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act would: 
 Direct the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
 Underscore the need for the State Department not to deny entry visas based on the applicants' arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong. 
 Require an annual report on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws
 Require the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments
 Require the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and serious abuses of human rights. 
This particular Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute that I offer here in committee further directs the State Department to provide greater analysis of the threats to Hong Kong's autonomy and extends the period of reporting. By requiring certification by the Secretary of State, it helps ensure an honest evaluation of the situation as it really is on the ground, much as our annual trafficking in persons tier rankings are intended to do. And it contains a waiver provision that helps ensure that our actions enhance the autonomy of Hong Kong, rather than inadvertently harming it. 
   On Sept. 19, Smith-McGovern, HR 3289, was the focus of a press conference held by Speaker Nancy Pelosi that included Smith, Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX), of House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressional-Executive Commission (CECC) on China Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA); Joshua Wong, Secretary-General of Demosist and Umbrella Movement Leader; Nathan Law, Founding Chairman and Standing Committee Member, Demosist; Denise Ho, Pro-democracy Activist and Cantopop Singer and Actress, and pro-democracy activists.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406142,Statement by Rep. Smith,2019-09-25,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Statement by Rep. Smith 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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        Washington,
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      Today Rep. Chris Smith released the following statement:   ""Today I voted for legislation urging that the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community immediately transmit the August 12, 2019 whistleblower complaint to Congress, with the intent that Congress be given the opportunity to fairly evaluate the complaint in a bipartisan mannerconsistent with statutes and processes to guard classified and sensitive information. The original Democrat resolution was partisan and counterproductive. We must have only one objective: providing the American people the truth.""
    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406134,Rep. Smith Guest on NJ 101.5 to Talk about Passage of Autism Bill Smith-Doyle,2019-09-23,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith was a guest on the Bill Spadea morning drive radio show on Sept. 23, 2019 to talk about Senate passage of his bipartisan 'Smith-Doyle' bill on federal autism programs: Congressman Chris Smith, one of the strongest champions of the little guy' in Washington DC, joined me Monday to share his latest victory on your behalf.
Since joining the House of Representatives in 1981, Chris Smith has been an advocate for families dealing with Autism. Forty years ago, the numbers in Jersey were approximately 1-3 children diagnosed out of every ten thousand. Today, that number is1 out of every 34.
Congressman Smith recently lead the way to passing the fourth bill, which will direct resources to the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to directly help families and professionals combat the epidemic. As he explained to me on the show, so much can be accomplished with early detection and diagnoses.
You can read the billHERE.
President Trump is expected to sign the bill this week. Thanks again to Congressman Smith's leadership. He is my go-to example of why term limits area a bad idea. Term limits are already in place, they're called elections. If you want to limit something in Trenton and DC, vote.
Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talkin' Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015. Tweet him@NJ1015or@BillSpadea.The opinions expressed here are solely those of Bill Spadea.
 Read More:NJ is number one again and it's really bad news| https://nj1015.com/nj-is-number-one-again-and-its-really-bad-news-opinion/?utm_source=tsmclip&amp;utm_medium=referral
The above article can be found online at:
https://nj1015.com/nj-is-number-one-again-and-its-really-bad-news-opinion/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406130,"<span class=""kicker"">Asbury Park Press Article on Smith-Doyle Passage:'Congress passes $1.8 billion autism bill; seed was planted by Brick parents in 1990s'</span>'As the Autism CARES Act goes to President Trump's desk, sponsor Rep. Chris Smith recalled t",2019-09-20,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"One day in 1997, two parents from Brick met with Rep. Chris Smith for three hours to discuss a growing but poorly understood health issue.
Bobbie and Billy Gallagher were raising two toddlers with autism, and their concerns prompted Smith to examine how the federal government was addressing the disorder. 
Nothing was being done for autism $287,000 was being spent, recalled Smith, whose Congressional district covers part of Monmouth,Ocean and Mercer counties. That doesn't even buy a desk with a person behind it.

In 2014, Bobbie Gallagher of Brick speaks about raising two children with autism. Rep. Chris Smith is in the background.(Photo: Tanya Breen)

Times have changed. On Thursday the U.S. Senate unanimously approvedthe Autism CARES Act, sending the $1.8 billion package to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.

RELATED:Millstone teen's autism guide went viral
RELATED:Why is autism exploding, and what can be done?
Smith was the prime sponsor ofthe House of Representatives' version of the bill, his fourth autism-related measure to pass through Congress since that meeting with the Gallaghers. Fellow New Jerseyan Robert Menendez sponsored the Senate version.
The bill will authorize funding for programs at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control,and the Health Resources and Services Administrationover five years, reauthorizing a similar bill from 2014. It willfund a combination of research, detection and intervention programs, and cover the expansion of autism-related activities.




Tim Rohrer, a Millstone teen with autism who has become a sought-after speaker after he published a guide on how to treat people with disabilities.Thomas P. Costello and Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press



We're ecstatic, Smith said. What a difference this is going to make.
One stated aim of the legislation is to address the needs of those who have aged out of most available autism services after turning 21. It amends existing lawto reflect the need for research, surveillance, education, detection, and intervention for individuals withautismspectrum disorder of all ages not just children.
Every year 50,000 young people who become adults are on the spectrum, and they're going to need jobs, education, housing, Smith said. We're going to try to make sure nobody is left behind.
Menendez said the legislation marks a leap forward in federal autism policy by recognizing the needs to invest in research to address an individual's evolving needs across a lifespan.

The Gallagher family of Brick in 2006: Left to right are Alana, father Bill Gallagher, Chelsea, mother Bobbie Gallagher, and Austin.(Photo: Peter Ackerman)

There are an estimated 1.5 million American children with autism,a population that exploded in recent years. New Jersey has the nation's highest rate, with one in every 34 children identified with autism spectrum disorder, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released last year.

On Thursday, as Congress sent the Autism CARES Act to Trump, Smith thought of the Gallaghers, whose two toddlers Alana and Austin are now adults in their 20s. The family'spush back in 1997 helped lead to the enactment of Smith's first bill on the issue the Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research and Epidemiology Act of 2000, which opened the door for comprehensive federal funding.
There was very little research going on and the Gallaghers were desperate for help, Smith said. The CDC didn't want my first bill. Now they're more than happy to talk about it.
Jerry Carino is news columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore's interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues.  This article was originally published by the Asbury Park Press and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/news/health/2019/09/20/autism-cares-act-congress/2383557001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406136,<span class = kicker>WOBM Radio News</span>'The Autism CARES Act of 2019 gets unanimous approval in the Senate',2019-09-20,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Dan Alexander NJ101.5 Staff - 
The House of Representatives hasapproved a request byNew Jersey U.S. Rep. Chris Smith directing the Department of Defense's Inspector General todetermine whetherthe military experimented with ticks and insects as possible biological weapons between 1950 and 1975.
The4thCongressional District representative said he wants to know if such experimentation is connected with the growth of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases in the United States.
""With Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases exploding in the United States, with an estimated 300,000 to 427,000 new cases each year and 10 to 20% of all patients suffering from chronic Lyme disease, I believe Americans have a right to know whether any of this is true,"" Smith said on the House floor last week.
 
If true, what were the parameters of the program? Who ordered it? Was there any accidental release anywhere or at any time of any of the diseased ticks? Were any ticks released by design?
In the book, there is some talk of that happening at or near Richmond, Virginia. Can any of this information
help current-day researchersand this is most important of allhelp current day researchers find a way to mitigate and maybe even cure these diseases?
It should be noted for the record that it was President Richard Nixon in 1969 who ordered the end to all bioweapons research, but we know that there were tick farms at Plum Island and Fort Detrick, like I said earlier, and other places where this research was done.
 
Lyme disease got its name in the 1970s after research of cases near Lyme, Connecticut, but the symptoms related to the illness have been known as far back as colonial times.
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics but some people say they continue to suffer long after the disease has been treated. There's disagreement over the diagnosis of ""chronic Lyme disease,"" whichmany in the medical community do not support.
The Republican said he was inspired by a number of books and articles suggesting that significant research had been done at U.S. government facilities including Fort Detrick, Maryland, and Plum Island, New York, to turn ticks and other insects into bioweapons.
One book that got his attention was ""Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,""which includes interviews with Willy Burgdorfer, the researcher who is credited with discovering Lyme disease.


The resolution directs the inspector general to find out the scope of experiments and whether any ticks or insects that were used were released either by accident or by ""experiment design.""
Smith has introduced the Ticks Identify, Control, Knockout Act (TICK), which authorizes an additional $180 million to boost funding for Lyme research, prevention and treatment programs.
Lyme disease is an illness caused by bacteria that is carried by ticks and can cause a variety of symptoms that, if left untreated, can be severe. It is spread by the bite of an infected tick and is not spread from person to person.
Symptoms of lyme disease may include a rash that looks like a bull's-eye, tiredness, fever, headache, stiff neck, muscle aches and joint pain. If left untreated, infected persons may develop arthritis, nervous system problems, and heart problems.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander atDan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.comor viaTwitter @DanAlexanderNJ This news originally aired on July 17, 2019, and can be found online at:
https://nj1015.com/did-government-spread-lyme-disease-nj-lawmaker-seeks-answers/

Read More:Did government spread Lyme disease? NJ lawmaker seeks answers| https://nj1015.com/did-government-spread-lyme-disease-nj-lawmaker-seeks-answers/?utm_source=tsmclip&amp;utm_medium=referral",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406126,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith-Doyle Provides $1.8B for NIH, CDC & HRSA autism programs</span>Landmark Autism CARES Act Passes Senate; Heads to White House",2019-09-19,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Smith-Doyle Autism CARES Act of 2019, (HR 1058), was approved unanimously by the Senate late this afternoon, following July passage by U.S. House of Representatives.
This $1.8 billion, five-year package will fund a whole-of-government approach to helping children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, Smith said.When enacted the law will authorize autism-related programs at National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $296 million, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $23.1 million, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at $50.6 million annually, he said.  

Rep. Smith, the prime sponsor of HR 1058, along with chief Democrat co-sponsor, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), singled out Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Ranking Member Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for praise.  

I would like to thank Chairman Alexander, Ranking Member Murray, and Leader McConnell, for pushing HR 1058 to where we are today: Senate passage, Smith said. The bill now moves on to the White House for the President's signature. Read excerpts from Rep. Smith's floor remarks on House passage here.  

The Smith-Doyle bill also helps adults with autism who are often misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and overlooked and emphasizes that causes, diagnosis, detection, prevention and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) must be available throughout the lifespan of a person with autism. According to Drexel University's AJ Drexel Autism Center, about 70,700 to 111,600 children age out into adulthood each year creating challenges for education, housing, employment and access to health care.  

The problem of aging out' of services is a real hurdle every parent or caretaker of a child with autism inevitably faces, Smith said. All children grow up and become adults, and children with autism then lose their education services. But autism is a lifetime neurological disorder, and adults with autism continue to need their services. The Autism CARES Act recognizes that and ensures that the federal government continues to help hundreds of thousands of parents by funding research and support programs and sharing best practices.  

The bill:  

 
    authorizes $1.8 billion for National Institutes of Health (NIH); the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reauthorizes and expands the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC);
    
    adds new members of IACC from the Departments of Labor, Justice, Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development;
    increases from two to three IACC members who are self-advocates, parents or legal guardians and advocacy/service organizations;
    empowers the Health and Human Services Secretary to prioritize grants to rural and underserved areas and;
    requires not later than two years after enactment, a comprehensive report on the demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with ASD, recommendations on establishing best practices to ensure interdisciplinary coordination, improvements for health outcomes, community based behavioral support and interventions, nutrition and recreational and social activities, personal safety and more. 
 
Smith also thanked the more than 35 non-governmental organizations that have endorsed his legislation, including the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, Autism New Jersey, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Children's Hospital Association, the National Council on Severe Autism, Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.  

There are an estimated 1.5 million children with autism.  

Smith has also authored three other autism laws: HR 4631, theAutism Collaboration, Accountability, Research and Education (CARES) Act(PL 113-157)in 2014; HR 2005, theCombating Autism Reauthorization Act (CARA)(PL 112-32), in 2011; and HR 274, Autism Statistics, Surveillance, Research, and Epidemiology Act (ASSURE)of 2000(PL 106-310) in 2000.  


###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406121,"<span class =""kicker"">Speaker Pelosi Vows to Move Smith's Hong Kong Human Rights Bill</span>Smith Bill Focus of Bipartisan Press Conference",2019-09-18,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) joined Speaker Pelosi at a bipartisan press conference called today to announce that the House of Representatives will take up Smith's bill, HR 3289, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 to send a clear and unified message to the protesters in Hong Kong that they have the full support and backing of the United States in their quest for justice and freedom. 
The Speaker promised to bring Smith's bill to the floor for a vote as soon as possible. The bill must first move out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, then on to a full House vote. Foreign Affairs Committee leaders attended the press conference, and said they expected to take up HR 3289 next week.
Smith gave the following statement:
 Since the 1989 Tiananmen massacre thirty years ago, I've had the privilege of working in a bipartisan way with Speaker Pelosi on human rights, the rule of law and democracy for the people of China.  

 We have always believed that every person in China deserves better.  

 And have always understood that solemn promises made by Beijingwere seldom keptand that far too many leaders of the free world were far too eager to blindly accept fiction over fact.  

 Under President Xi Jinping, human rights abuse throughout China including the pervasive use of torture, religious persecution and human trafficking have significantly worsened.  

 During the 2014 Umbrella Movement the world saw the courageous people of Hong Kong demanding that Beijing not renege on promises made to ensure universal suffrage and authentic elections in 2017.  

 Despite Mr. Xi's brutal crackdown on peaceful protestors thenand especially nowthe resolve, courage, tenacity and clarity of purpose of the people of Hong Kong shines through the darkness like the sun.  

 The great young leader Joshua Wong reminded us at yesterday's hearing that a fourth of the population of Hong Kongabout 2 million peopleturned out for one of the peaceful protests. Where has that ever happened?  

 Five years agoin 2014joined by Mrs. Pelosi, I introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. We did it again in 2015 , in 2017 and again this year.  

 My new bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019cosponsored by Mr. McGovernis a blueprint for meaningful action.  

 Specifically, the Act:
 
    Directs the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
    
    Directs the State Department not to deny entry visas based on the applicants' arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong.
    
    Requires an annual report from the Commerce Department on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws.
    Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments.
    Requires the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and serious abuses of human rights. 
 
 I've heard it said that the business of Hong Kong is business, but it is clear to me now that the business of Hong Kong is freedom.
 The people of Hong Kong are working to protect the rights and rule of law that are the foundation of the city's prosperity and unique vitality.  

 We must stand united with the people of Hong Kong.  


 The press conference included Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX), of House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressional-Executive Commission on China Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA); Joshua Wong, Secretary-General of Demosist and Umbrella Movement Leader; Nathan Law, Founding Chairman and Standing Committee Member, Demosist; Denise Ho, Pro-democracy Activist and Cantopop Singer and Actress, and pro-democracy activists.
 Smith is a commissioner on the CECC and past two-time chairman, as well as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.  

 At a CECC hearing Tuesday, Smith, CECC chair Rep. McGovern, co-chair Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and other members of the commission, held a hearing entitled Hong Kong's Summer of Discontent and U.S. Policy Responses. The hearing focused on developments in Hong Kong and the future of U.S.-Hong Kong relations in light of the ongoing demonstrations and the escalating tensions caused by police violence and threats by the Chinese government against Hong Kong's autonomy. Wong and Ho were among the witnesses who testified. The CSPAN hearing video can be watched here.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406122,"<span class =""kicker"">Associated Press article on Smith Bill, Hearing</span>'Hong Kong activists appeal to US lawmakers to help movement'",2019-09-18,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Tami Abdollah | AP - September 17 at 4:23 PM -
WASHINGTON  Activists involved in the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong appealed to U.S. lawmakers Tuesday to support their fight by banning the export of American police equipment that is used against demonstrators and by more closely monitoring Chinese efforts to undermine civil liberties in the city.  

The activists, including several young people who have emerged as prominent figures in a leaderless movement, testified before a U.S. government commission set up by Congress to monitor human rights in China.  

Republicans and Democrats on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China expressed their support Tuesday for protests that began in June with a since-withdrawn bill to extradite people arrested in the semiautonomous Chinese territory to China for prosecution.  

The heart of the discontent is that Hong Kong's political leaders do not represent and are not accountable to the people. Instead, Hong Kong's leaders are beholden to the Chinese government, said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass.  

The former British colony has been allowed certain autonomy and freedoms since it was returned to China in 1997 as a territory, with a one country, two systems policy that was supposed to ensure a smooth political transition.
Under U.S. law, the territory of Hong Kong receives special treatment in matters of trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation and more. China has benefited from this, and lawmakers believe, used it to evade U.S. export controls and sanctions.  

Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., has authored legislation that places Beijing on annual notice that they will lose Hong Kong's special economic and trade status if its autonomy continues to erode.  

Smith's bill would also allow qualified Hong Kong residents to work or study in the U.S. even if they have been arrested for participating in nonviolent protests.  

Earlier this month, Smith, McGovern and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., put forward legislation that would block U.S. company exports of police weapons and equipment to Hong Kong.  

Joshua Wong, a Hong Kong activist who has been jailed multiple times, told lawmakers that Hong Kong is a police state, where every demonstration is automatically an illegal assembly that results in violent police arrest and where protesters gather amid a mounting Chinese military troop present across the border.  

The present state of affairs reveals Beijing's utter inability to understand, let alone govern, a free society, Wong said.  

Activist Sunny Cheung told lawmakers that young protesters face riot police carrying letters with their last will.  

They believe the only limits to their freedom are their deaths, Cheung said. We fight for freedom from a sense of duty and dignity.  

Denise Ho, a Hong Kong-based pop artist who has testified on the issue before the United Nations, told lawmakers that more than 1,500 people in Hong Kong, including a 12-year-old child, have been arrested. Many more have been injured by police tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons and batons.  

Ho said many artists in Hong Kong, companies, as well as institutions in nations like Australia and Canada have backed down from supporting the Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters because of China's intimidation.  

China has also used social media campaigns, cyberattacks and technology to target increasingly paranoid protesters, and present them as the problem to the West.  

Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, ascribed the violence in Hong Kong to the protesters at a Tuesday briefing in Beijing. She derided Western politicians meeting with Hong Kong separatists at cocktail parties and now in the United States.  

Hong Kong is China's internal affair, she said. No foreign government, organization or individual can interfere. We advise them to have a clear understanding of the situation and pull out their dirty hands from Hong Kong.  


Denise Ho, a Hong Kong-based pop artist who has testified on the issue before the United Nations, told lawmakers that more than 1,500 people in Hong Kong, including a 12-year-old child, have been arrested. Many more have been injured by police tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons and batons.
Ho said many artists in Hong Kong, companies, as well as institutions in nations like Australia and Canada have backed down from supporting the Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters because of China's intimidation.
China has also used social media campaigns, cyberattacks and technology to target increasingly paranoid protesters, and present them as the problem to the West.
Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, ascribed the violence in Hong Kong to the protesters at a Tuesday briefing in Beijing. She derided Western politicians meeting with Hong Kong separatists at cocktail parties and now in the United States.
Hong Kong is China's internal affair, she said. No foreign government, organization or individual can interfere. We advise them to have a clear understanding of the situation and pull out their dirty hands from Hong Kong.
-AP news assistant Liu Zheng in Beijing contributed to this report.  


This article appeared in the the Washington Post and ther news outlets on Sept. 18, 2019, and published online at:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress/hong-kong-activists-appeal-to-us-lawmakers-to-help-movement/2019/09/17/350042c8-d973-11e9-a1a5-162b8a9c9ca2_story.html?noredirect=on",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406107,"<span class=""kicker"">Smith, China Commission, Witnesses Speak Out on Hong Kong Crisis at Congressional Hearing</span>Hong Kongs Struggle to Stay Free",2019-09-17,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The inspiring protests in Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the stark differences between free and authoritarian societies, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), at a bipartisan hearing held today by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) on Hong Kong's Summer of Discontent and U.S. Policy Responses carried live on CSPAN. Smith is a CECC Commissioner as well as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
 The people of Hong Kong have shown us again that a free people will not easily accept the boot of repression without protest, said Smith, author of the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,. The millions of Hong Kong protestors have also done the world a great service. They have exposed Beijing's plans to erode freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong by international treaty. They have exposed Beijing's pernicious and repressive behavior. And make no doubt about it, the Chinese Communist government is both uniquely repressive and incredibly paranoid about maintaining its grip on power. Click here to read Congressman Smith's opening remarks.
 Smith, as well as CECC chair Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), co-chair Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and other members of the commission, focused on developments in Hong Kong and the future of U.S.-Hong Kong relations in light of the ongoing demonstrations and the escalating tensions caused by police violence and threats by the Chinese government against Hong Kong's autonomy. 
 Testifying in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Hong Kong's political crisis were: Joshua Wong:Secretary-General, Demosist and Umbrella Movement leader; Denise Ho,Pro-democracy Activist and Cantopop singer and actress; Sunny Cheung, spokesperson of the Hong Kong Higher Education International Affairs Delegation (HKIAD); Sharon Hom, the Executive Director of the Human Rights in China and Professor of Law Emerita, City University of New York, and Dr. Dan Garrett,author of Counter-hegemonic Resistance in China's Hong Kong: Visualizing Protest in the City (2014).
 Wong testified, The ongoing demonstrations began on June 9 when one million Hong Kongers took to the streets in protest of proposed legislation that would've allowed criminal suspects to be extradited from Hong Kong to China, where there are no guarantees of the rule of law. Noting that the pepper spray, pepper balls, rubber bullets, sponge bullets, bean bag rounds, and water cannons used repeatedly by police against peaceful protestors were almost entirely imported from Western democracies, Wong said, I applaud Chairman McGovern and Congressman Smith for introducing the PROTECT Hong Kong Act last week in the House of Representatives. American companies mustn't profit from the violent crackdown of freedom-loving Hong Kongers .
 Ho testified, What started out as a million people march against an extradition bill, morphed into a determined fight for a fundamental political reform in Hong Kong. Misjudgments and arrogance on behalf of Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong, resulted in a total clampdown of the Beijing government over Hong Kong affairs. She said Lam hides behind the police force, refusing to resolve political issues. She has given police full authority to suppress the protests at all costs. Since June, the Hong Kong police has shown excessive brutality in their use of force, arresting and beating up peaceful protesters heavily at uncountable occasions. More than 1400 people have been arrested up to date, with even more (including journalists, first aiders and social workers) severely injured by tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, and the police's indiscriminate use of batons .
Cheung testified, Hong Kong's extradition law protests began as a protest against amendments to the city's extradition legislation which could have marked the end of Hong Kong's autonomy. The Hong Kong government was trying to change the legislation so that it would become legal to extradite people to mainland China. China's courts have no independence, and this move would have permanently compromised Hong Kong's rule of law and autonomy which are protected under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the one-country, two-systems principle. He said that the protests are driven by the ongoing violent actions of the police. Beijing has given the Hong Kong Police Force complete free rein, and their actions have horrified the Hong Kong public. Their actions include randomly firing tear gas to the general public and journalists, firing tear gas inside train stations, shooting rubber bullets to the heads, as well as the mistreatment and torture of detainees .
 Hom testified, I want to thank the Commission members for their critical support for the Hong Kong people and leadership on the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the Protect Hong Kong Act. Over the past three months, the whole world has witnessed a historic David and Goliath standoff. Against all odds, the Hong Kong people are standing up to the powerful, authoritarian regime in Beijing. In this historic battle, they are not only fighting for the democratic future of 7.4 million Hong Kong people, but they also [are]holding the regional and global frontline on preserving human dignity and rights for all people... .
 Garrett testified, Congress and the Executive Branch should strongly warn Chinese authorities that use of the People's Armed Police or People's Liberation Army to quell the anti-extradition protests would unequivocally result in an immediate, unsuspendable 90-day (or longer) suspension of the Special Administrative Region's special customs status and commensurate closures of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office's offices in the United States. He further said Recognizing that Hong Kong's fight for its liberal freedoms and democracy is also the Free World's fight, Congress should fund and promote the development of Hong Kong and One Country, Two Systems studies to better understand and respond to Chinese Communist Party efforts .
 Shortly after the hearing, the witnesses' testimonies will be posted here. The CSPAN hearing video can be watched here.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406108,"<span class =""kicker"">Statement by Rep. Chris Smith @ Hong Kong Freedom Hearing</span>Hong Kongs Summer of  Discontent and U.S. Policy",2019-09-17,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) gave opening remarks at a hearing of theCongressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)Tuesday at the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The following are excerpts of remarks from Rep. Smith, a commissioner on the CECC:
 It's been a long, hot, summer in Hong Kong.
 The inspiring protests there are a daily reminder of the stark differences between free and authoritarian societies. The people of Hong Kong have shown us again that a free people will not easily accept the boot of repression without protest.  
 The millions of Hong Kong protestors have also done the world a great service.
 They have exposed Beijing's plans to erode freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong by international treaty. They have exposed Beijing's pernicious and repressive behavior.
 And make no doubt about it, the Chinese Communist government is both uniquely repressive and incredibly paranoid about maintaining its grip on power.
  There are over a million Uyghurs interned in Orwellian political education camps. Human rights lawyers have disappeared and been horribly tortured in detention. Christians, Tibetans, labor activists, and journalists face egregious abuse and the most intrusive system of surveillance operating the world today.
  Why would anyone want their political fate determined by Beijing? If given a choice, no one would.
 As inspiring as the protests have been, they have also raised serious concerns about the actions of the Hong Kong and Chinese Communist governments.
 The violence and use of force perpetrated against the protestors by thugs and police is extremely alarming.  Representative McGovern (D-MA) and I were the first members of Congress to call on the Trump Administration to suspend the sale of tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray and other crowd control equipment to the Hong Kong Police. Its time to quickly pass the PROTECT Hong Kong Act the Chairman McGovern and I introduced last week.
 Also alarmingare the repeated and irresponsible threats of intervention made by Chinese officials, particularly so, given that this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre.
 The Hong Kong and Chinese Communist governments alone responsible for the grievances expressed by the protestors and they alone can peacefully end the protests by addressing demands for universal suffrage and investigation of police tactics.
 Blaming the U.S. governmentand this Congressfor the protests is cowardly propaganda and not befitting a nation such as China with aspirations of global leadership.
 It is time for U.S. policy to respond to Beijing's long-term ambitions in Hong Kong and pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. 
 Five years ago, I introduced the bipartisan Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act with my CECC Cochair Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). The bill allows for more flexible and robust U.S. responses to the steady erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and human rights.
 Over the years, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and I upgraded the bill to reflect the kidnapping of booksellers, the disqualification of elected lawmakers, and the political prosecutions of Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Benny Tai and others.
 However, every time we pushed for passage there was opposition from diplomats, experts, committee Chairs, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. 
 We were told not to upset the status quo. We were told that upgrading US policy would undermine their efforts with Beijing and its hand-selected political leaders in Hong Kong. We were told our bill would cost U.S. businesses.  
 It is the same advice that we have been hearing on China since the 1990s. China experts have failed the American people and their advice helped gut parts of our economy. Their advice this time will fail the people of Hong Kong as well.
 Specifically, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act would
 
    Direct the Secretary of State to certify to Congress annually whether Hong Kong continues to deserve special treatment under U.S. law different from mainland China in such matters as trade, customs, sanctions enforcement, law enforcement cooperation, and protection of human rights and the rule of law.
    Direct the State Department not to deny entry visas based on the applicants' arrest or detention for participating in nonviolent protest activities in Hong Kong. 
    Require an annual report from the Commerce Department on whether the Hong Kong government adequately enforces U.S. export controls and sanctions laws.
    Require the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress to protect U.S. citizens and businesses in Hong Kong from the erosion of autonomy and the rule of law because of actions taken by the Chinese Communist governments.
    Require the President to identify and sanction persons in Hong Kong or in mainland China responsible for the erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and serious abuses of human rights. 
 
 We have wide agreement for passage of this bipartisan and bicameral legislation. 
 I've heard it said that the business of Hong Kong is business, but it is clear to me now that the business of Hong Kong is freedom. The people of Hong Kong are working to protect the rights and rule of law that are the foundation of the city's prosperity and unique vitality.
 Let's be absolutely clear, we stand united with the people of Hong Kong and will not be silent in the face of threats to their guaranteed liberties and way of life.
 The U.S. and the international community also cannot be silent. The whole world has a stake in a peaceful and just resolution in Hong Kong and the survival of the One Country, Two Systems model.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406137,"<span class =""kicker"">APP Editorial on Anti-Semitism, Spec. Envoy Post Created by Smith law</span>'Anti-Semitism: Shame those who need to be shamed'",2019-09-15,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY RANDY BERGMANN - APP Editor &amp; Columnist   
In what was a particularly timely appearance, Elan Carr, special U.S. envoy for monitoring and combating anti-Semitism,came to Lakewood Tuesday to talk about growing anti-Semitism and how to combat itin the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.
While he talked mostly in broad strokes about the rise ofanti-Semitism throughout the world, locally he singled out the Rise Up Ocean County Facebook page as a scourge and noted with disgusthow some local politicians had used anti-Semitism to advance their election prospects.
Carr'stalk, sponsored by Lakewood Neighbors and attended by about 80 people, mostly Orthodox Jews, came close on the heels of an incident in which the car tires of more than 100Lakewood residents wereslashed and a news story about an Orthodox Jewish advocacy group askinga judge to stop Jacksonfrom enforcing ordinances it claims are anti-Semitic.
As the head of the Asbury Park Press' Unity Project, which is aimed at improving relations and understanding between the Orthodox Jewish and non-Orthodox communities, I was anxiousto hear Carr's suggestions for dealing with anti-Semitism. Not surprisingly, educating people about the Jewish religion, culture and history, and the imperative of combating the ""poison of evil and anti-Semitism"" in all its forms wereat the top of Carr'slist. But he also underscoredthe need for people to condemn hateful rhetoric and actions. 

People give a standing ovation to US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism, Elan Carr, after his presentation at the Lakewood Township. Municipal Building on Sept. 9, 2019.(Photo: Gustavo Martnez Contreras)



He spoke ofthe power of resounding consequence for those engaged in hate.We must be unequivocal in communicating that there is no place foritin a civil society. If enough people condemn hateful acts, behavior is likely tochange. Hateful behavior can't allowed to be normalized, he said.  

Carralso discussed the importance of dealing with the small stuff, such as hateful posts on social media, before behaviormorphs intoacts of violence. He cited RudyGiuliani's success in dramatically reducing crime in New York City in the 1980s by cracking downon graffiti, aggressive panhandling and other minor offenses. If you deal with the small stuff, the bad stuff is less likely to happen.
RELATED:
I am your Orthodox neighbor and want your understanding
Unity Project in Lakewood and beyond: What you need to know
Want to help combat hate? Here's how to get involved
Carr, an Iraqi-born attorney, was alegal adviser to Israel's Ministry of Justice in the 1990s anddeputy district attorney in Los Angeles County prior to his recent appointment. He made anunsuccessful bidfor Congress as a Republican in 2014,He has been in the U.S.Army Reserve for 20 years, andwasdeployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he prosecuted terrorists who attacked U.S. troops.
Carr's special envoy position was created under legislation drafted by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., in 2004. He was appointed to the job in February, after thepost was left unfilled for nearly two years under President Trump, much to the dismay of the Jewish community and many members of Congress.
In January, the House of Representatives passed a bill setting a deadline for the appointment of an anti-Semitism envoy and elevating the position to an ambassadorship. The bill is pending in the Senate.
In a teleconference with Carr later on Tuesday, I asked him how he was able to reconcile his missionwith some of the hateful rhetoric and attacks against minorities that havecome from Trump, who Carr praisedfor his strong defense of Israel during his talk. ""I take exception to the way you have characterized him,"" hesaid. ""He has talked about condemning hatred. Hehas been very strong about that.""
Be that as it may,Carr's speechwas timely andimportant. But he was largely preaching to the choir. His words, and those of people with similar messages,needto be shared more widely,in the Orthodox and non-Orthodox communities. Moremustbe done in Lakewood and surrounding townsto bring the Orthodox and non-Orthodox together, to meet face to face, to come to know each other as individuals, and to help shatter the stereotypes.
That, along with education andshaming those who need to be shamed, will remain central to our Unity Project's mission.

Randy Bergmann(Photo: Staff)
Randy Bergmann, a Westfieldnative and lifelongresident of New Jersey, has been covering the state as a reporter, editor and opinion page editor for four decades. Contact Bergmannat rbergmann@app.com or 732-643-4034.

This editorial originally ran on page 3 of the Sunday print edition of the Asbury Park Press ws published online at:
https://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2019/09/12/anti-semitism-lakewood-orthodox-elan-carr/2281015001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406101,"<span class =""kicker"">At Annual Alzheimer's Awareness Walk Rep. Smith Tells Marchers:</span> Alzheimers Research Funding at an All-Time High to Find a Cure, or a Disease-Modifying Therapy by 2025",2019-09-14,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks made by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at the 2019 Bradley Beach Alzheimer's Walk on Saturday, September 13, 2019:  

Every 65 seconds someone, somewhere in the country is newly afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease.
Today there are an estimated 5.8 million people in America180,000 in New Jersey alonecoping with Alzheimer's. 
Unless we research our way to a breakthrough, nearly 14 million will suffer from Alzheimer's disease by 2050. 
This morning, you are not only raising critical funds for Alzheimer's disease research, but you also bring visibility, you mobilize, and you prioritize efforts to mitigate, and someday cure, this catastrophic disease. 
You also bring hope and a strong sense of solidarity with patients, family, and friends.
Over twenty years ago (1998) I along with Congressman Ed Markey created the bipartisan Congressional Alzheimer's Caucus to aggressively promote policies to more effectively combat Alzheimer's including robustly fund promising research. 
181 Members of Congress are part of the caucus.
After years of legislative struggle, the big breakthrough came in 2011, when we passed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA)a law I coauthored. NAPA created a new, frequently updated and expanded national strategy with the goal of finding a cure, or a disease-modifying therapy by 2025. NAPA also created an advisory committee for a whole-of-government response to the Alzheimer's crisis.
The impact has been profound. Alzheimer's research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was $600 million in 2015. We've quadrupled it to $2.3 billion this year.
Last December the President signed a top priority of the Alzheimer's Association into lawthe BOLDS Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act to establish Alzheimer's Centers of Excellence for more effective interventions and to assist state and local public health departments.
One of my bills that passed the HouseKevin and Avonte's Lawto prevent wandering was signed into law as part of the FY 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act. 
As you know, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden runs an excellent programProject Lifesaverto track, find and rescue a wandering Alzheimer's patient or person with autism wearing a tracking bracelet within 30 minutes.
I urge everyone from Monmouth County to look into this program if you have not yet done so.
It is my hope that new avenues will soon be discovered to prevent the long goodbye endured by so many families impacted by Alzheimer's today.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406106,"<span class =""kicker"">***Congressional Hearing Set for Tues., Sept. 17 ***</span>Hearing on Hong Kongs Struggle to Stay Free",2019-09-14,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"""Hong Kong's Summer of Discontent and U.S. Policy Responses, is the title of a congressional hearing of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China to be held Tuesday, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a member of the commission.
 The hearing will examine recent developments in Hong Kong and the future of U.S.-Hong Kong relations in light of the ongoing demonstrations and the escalating tensions caused by police violence and threats by the Chinese government against Hong Kong's autonomy. Witnesses will provide first-hand testimony about current events in Hong Kong, discuss the Chinese government's role in Hong Kong's political crisis, and offer recommendations for the U.S. Administration and Congress.
 Smith is also Ranking Member of the House Global Human Rights Subcommittee.  

WHAT:  Congressional hearing of the China Commission
WHO:  Smith, other members of the commission, and witnesses:
 
    Joshua Wong:Secretary-General, Demosist and Umbrella Movement Leader
    Denise Ho:Pro-democracy Activist and Cantopop Singer and Actress
    Sunny Cheung:Spokesperson,Hong Kong Higher Education International Affairs Delegation (HKIAD)
    Sharon Hom:Executive Director,Human Rights in China and Professor of Law Emerita, City University of New York
    Dan Garrett, PhD:Author,Counter-hegemonic Resistance in China's Hong Kong: Visualizing Protest in the City (2014)
 

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept 17, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Room 419 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.  


###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406095,Remembering the Victims of 9/11,2019-09-11,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Excerpts from Congressman Smith's remarks from the Special Order commemorating 9/11:

Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doingI was here in Washington chairing a Veterans' Affairs Committee hearingwhen a group of cowards hijacked 4 airliners in order to perpetrate the worst act of terrorism in American history.
Nearly 700 New Jerseyans lost their lives that day.  

No-one remembers the shock, horror and numbing sorrow more, however, than the families and close friends of the victims.   
Because it was a surprise attack, there was no chance to fight back that day although when Todd Beamer and other passengers learned what happened to the Twin Towers, Todd famously said let's roll and they attacked the terrorists on board the flight that crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
Who can forget the courageous first responders running up the stairs of the burning buildingswith total disregard for their own safetysaving some at the expense of their own lives.
On the morning of 9/11, I got a mere glimpseI say again, a mere glimpseinto the sense of horror suffered by the victim's families when I couldn't reach my own brother Toman American Airlines 757 Captain who often piloted Flight 11 from Logan to LA, the flight that crashed into the North Tower. 
Evacuated from the Capitol and stuck in traffic within sight of the burning Pentagon, cell phones were all but gridlocked. About noon I got through. He and his flight attendant wife Sandy were safe but were in anguish because they knew the pilots and crew on board Flight 11.
For 18 years, the families and friends of those who died that day and since have had to endure their loss and a broken heart.     
Both thenand now eighteen years laterwords are inadequate to convey our empathy for those who died and for the victims' families.
For many, their faith in God has helped them survive and overcome.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406096,"<span class =""kicker"">Smith bill would provide veterans more recreational opportunities on federal lands</span>Rep. Smith Addresses the Urgent Need to Boost Therapy, Treatments for Veterans",2019-09-11,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Supporters of Rep. Chris Smith's (R-NJ) bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2435, the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act, converged on Capitol Hill this week to advocate for the bill, which will provide increased access to federal lands for the purposes of veterans' medical therapy.  

 H.R. 2435 would empower a newly created task force to identify barriers veterans face when accessing public lands for treatment, and provide within one year recommendations to Congress on ways to eliminate those barriers.The legislation would help expose barriers to be overcome and new opportunities to be pursued so that public lands are more available for recreational activities, such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, and biking, which have proven to advance recuperation and healing. Ultimately HR 2435 will supplement the VA's major medical care programs with outdoor recreational therapy for military veterans.
 Research has increasingly shown that outdoor recreation can be an effective form of treatment, rehabilitation, and healing for veterans, said Smith, former two-time Veterans Committee Chairman and author of the Veterans Health Programs Improvement Act (P.L. 108-422). While many nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations and private companies have used the outdoors to help heroes heal, providing greater coordination among key agencies will provide new opportunities on public lands and other outdoor spaces.  

 Veterans in attendance at the Washington event hosted by the Sierra Club at the House Rayburn Building, expressed how the outdoors has personally brought healing and how this legislation is key to expanding programs that will save more veterans' lives.  

 According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD, between 11 and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and 12 percent of those who served in Desert Storm have PTSD in a given year, and 30 percent of those who served in Vietnam will have had PTSD in their lifetime.  

 As the former chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I have been a long-time supporter of providing veterans with the quality healthcare they deserve, and I believe this bill builds upon holistic medical care and acknowledges the added benefits of outdoor recreation therapy.  

 H.R. 2435 has been endorsed by more than 75 veteran service organizations, outdoor recreation groups, and conservation organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and Minority Veterans of America. It is also supported by the Sierra Club, Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Research, and the National Parks Conservation Association.  

 The bill has broad bipartisan support in the House, with over 65 cosponsors. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) is lead Democratic cosponsor of the legislation.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406087,Smith Holds Community Meeting w Point Pleasant  Beach Businesses Hurt by Dune Project,2019-09-10,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Smith Holds Community Meeting w Point Pleasant  Beach Businesses Hurt by Dune Project 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Congressman Chris Smith held a community meeting in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ on Monday to discuss the impact of the 22-foot dunes recently built by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) along the commercial areas directly contiguous to the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk.  
 The adjacent boardwalk commercial areas all have a new, lower 18-foot dune built by the Corps.  
PHOTO SLIDES AT LEFT  
 The Sept. 9 meeting was held at the Arugula Oceanview restaurant on Ocean Avenue, which has seen a 40 percent drop off in business after the USACE project was completed, and it was hosted by the nearby White Sands Hotel, which has also seen a decrease in customers. Attending the meeting were several officials from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (including the NJDEP Assistant Commissioner David Rosenblatt) which is the non-federal partner in the project and which opposes the businesses' requests to lower the dunes to 18 feet. Also in attendance and supportive of the lower beach were NJ State Assemblyman Dave Wolf, representatives of Bradshaw Beach, a commercial company, the Point Pleasant Beach and Surf Club, Mayor Steve Reid, Councilman Paul Kanitra, and other members of the community.  
 The businesses all wanted the same 18-foot dunes the adjacent boardwalk businesses enjoy, and felt they are unfairly disadvantaged by the Corps' higher dunes which obscure the ocean.  
 The Corps brought a contingent from its New York and Philadelphia offices, led by Lt. Col. David C. Park, Commander of the Philadelphia District which includes Ocean County, NJ, and his superior officer, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Milhorn,Commander and Division Engineer for the USACE's North Atlantic Division. The Corps gave a presentation and took questions, but told Smith and the attendees it could not deviate from the authorized level of 22 feet for the area in question, and noted the NJDEP opposed any lowering of dunes. Milhorn agreed the Corps was willing to meet in the future on the matter.  
 
    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406094,"<span class =""kicker"">Reps. McGovern, Smith, Khanna Introduce the bipartisan PROTECT Hong Kong Act</span>Bill Would Prohibit Commercial Export of Tear Gas and Other Nonlethal Crowd Control Items to the Hong Kong Police Force.",2019-09-10,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, along with Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), introduced H.R. 4270, the PROTECT Hong Kong Act  a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives to prohibit commercial exports of certain nonlethal crowd control items and defense articles and services to the Hong Kong Police Force.
I am deeply concerned that American-made police equipment is being used to violently crack down on peaceful protesters in Hong Kong, said Representative McGovern. America ought to recognize the human rights and dignity of all people, and that means we ought not to allow American companies to sell this equipment to foreign governments when we see evidence that it is being used for immoral and unjust purposes.
 Hong Kong police are targeting their own citizens who are guilty of nothing more than peacefully protesting government threats to their freedoms and liberties, Representative Smith said. Peaceful demonstrations are not riots; it is unacceptable to use violence against non-violent protestors. Until such a time when it becomes clear that American products are not being used to repress the free people of Hong Kong, Congress must stop the flow of these exports to the government of Hong Kong. This legislation does that.
 America stands for democracy, human rights, and peace everywhere, said Representative Khanna. If American companies are supplying the very weapons being used against pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, the United States Congress is obliged to step in and act. No American company should be profiting off of anti-democratic, violent tactics abroad.
 Journalists and Hong Kong citizens have provided credible evidence showing that the Hong Kong Police Force has used tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, batons, and other crowd control equipment against peaceful protesters in violation of manufacturer guidelines and international standards. In at least some instances, U.S.-made crowd control equipment was involved.
 McGovern and Smith have called for an independent investigation so that Hong Kong authorities may be held accountable for their conduct and their use of violence against pro-democracy protesters. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and human rights organizations have also called for an investigation into whether crowd control tactics in Hong Kong fall short of international standards, including the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms for Law Enforcement Officials.
 On August 2, 2019, McGovern and Smith sent a letter to the Trump Administration calling for the suspension of future sales of munitions and crowd control equipment to the Hong Kong Police Force and increased scrutiny of any direct commercial sale of defense articles to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
 McGovern is also a lead cosponsor of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HR 3289) that would require an annual certification as to whether Hong Kong continues to be sufficiently autonomous to deserve special treatment different from that of mainland China for bilateral agreements and programs, and would direct the denial of entry visas and the imposition of sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong.
###  

Rep. McGovern serves as a Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and the Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. 

Rep. Smith serves as a Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and is the highest ranking House Republican Member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. 

Rep. Khanna serves on the House Budget, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform committees and is first vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406086,Chinas Aggression toward Hong Kong Shows Its Time to Pass the Hong Kong Democracy Act,2019-09-05,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Representative Chris Smith, Co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) and the prime sponsor of the bipartisan and bicameral Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, issued the following statement about the demonstrations in Hong Kong and the escalating threats by the Chinese Communist government against Hong Kong:
   If the Hong Kong government is truly backing off its confrontational extradition effortsand we hope this is for realthen we might be at the start of lasting relief. But that one decision is not enough. Hong Kong needs to do more to secure free elections, democratic institutions and autonomy.  

  My legislation, the bipartisanHong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (HR 3289),with its reinforcing mechanisms, including sanctions for those who commit human rights abuses and work to gut Hong Kong's autonomy, sends a strong message of support to the freedom loving people of Hong Kong who are threatened by Beijing's crackdown, said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the House bill.  

  This summer's inspiring protests in Hong Kong are a daily reminder of the stark differences between free and authoritarian societies. Congress must pass the bill as soon as we return in September and show the world that we stand united with the people of Hong Kong who are rightly seeking to maintain the autonomy and fundamental freedoms promised them by the Chinese Communist Party.  

  It is unclear whether Carrie Lam and her government will be trusted by the Hong Kong people to address the root causes of the demonstrations. Over the last 13 weeks, the demonstrations have become about the future of Hong Kong's freedoms &amp; autonomy. Addressing these grievances will take more than a withdrawn extradition bill. The root of the Hong Kong people's dissatisfaction is the shrinking of its open society and political breathing space. These are the things that must be recognized and addressed for trust and the One Country, Two Systems model to be restored.  

  The violence and use of force perpetrated against the protestors by thugs and police is extremely alarming. I was the first member of Congress to call on the Trump Administration to suspend the sale of tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray and other crowd control equipment to the Hong Kong Policeaction that is all the more urgent now after watching the tactics used by police over the past weekend.  

  Also alarmingare the repeated threats of intervention made by Chinese officials, particularly so given that this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre. The Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese governments are alone responsible for the legitimate grievances expressed by the protestors and they alone can end the protests by addressing their demands for universal suffrage, investigation of police tactics, and a complete withdrawal of the extradition bill. Blaming the U.S. government for the protests is simply cowardly propaganda and not befitting a nation such as China with aspirations of global leadership.  

  Five years ago, I introduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to allow for more flexible and robust U.S. responses to the steady erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy and human rights. It is time to pass this legislation. When the Congress reconvenes next week, I will push for passage of this bipartisan and bicameral legislation and for the suspension of the sale of munitions and crowd control equipment to the Hong Kong Police.  

  The Administration must also articulate clearly to Beijing the cost of intervention and their continued erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy, rule of law, and democratic freedoms.  

  The whole world has a stake in a peaceful and just resolution in Hong Kong. Beijing's actions therejust like its repressive actions against Uyghurs, Tibetans, human rights lawyers, Christians and other religious communitiesis an indicator of how China's Communist rulers will act globally and whether they can be trusted to uphold trade and other international agreements.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406084,"<span class =""kicker"">Asbury Park Press article on local pioneer honored by Smith law</span>'Belmar post office renamed after Walter McAfee, who helped get us to the moon'",2019-09-02,2019,2019-09,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY SUSANNE CERVENKA, APP STAFF WRITER -Walter S. McAfeedreamed of getting his doctorate, but hisphysics department chairman suggested he take industrial arts instead.
After all, that would be more beneficial considering it was likelyMcAfee would teach in a black college in the South, McAfee told the Asbury Park Press in a 1982interview, recalling the conversation he had had when he was pursuing his master's degree at Ohio State University in the 1930s.

Walter S. McAfee(Photo: U.S. Army)

McAfee did teach, but never let go of his dreams. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from Cornell Universityin 1949three years after his mathematical calculations helpeda team of scientists at Camp Evans in Wall bounce the first radio signalsoff the moon's surface.
That effort, known as Project Diana, marked the start of the Space Age and was a precursor to space exploration, satellite communications and missile guidance systems.
His perseverance and successes over a four-decade long career as a U.S. Army astrophysicist and mathematicianwere lauded once again as the U.S. Postal Office at 1300 Main St. in Belmar was renamed in his honor:Dr. Walter S. McAfee Post Office Building.
The latest accolades for the renowned scientist and educator comes just days before what would have been his 105th birthday on Labor Day. McAfee, who lived in Lake Como, then named South Belmar, died in 1995.

Walter S. McAfee unveils a sign with the then-commander of Fort Monmouth.(Photo: US Army)

McAfee's youngest daughter, Marsha McAfee Bera-Morris, said it was a special honor to have her father's name on the post office, a central public location, in the community where he raised his family and practiced the science that advanced space exploration.
""This moment provides a singular pride and satisfaction for so many of his family and friends and colleagues,"" she said in her speech at the renaming ceremony. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., pushed for the federal legislation to honor McAfee, which Congress approved in August 2017.  

More:Bell Works v. Fort Monmouth: Is there room for both at the Shore?
More:InfoAge honors Fort Monmouth's 'Hidden Figures heroes'
Smith said sought the honor after several meetings with the staffatInfoAge Science History Learning Center and Museum, the nonprofit organization that promotes Camp Evans' legacy.


Impressed by the technological advances achieved at the Army installation and the people who made it happen, Smith said he sought for recommendations from InfoAge staff about which former Camp Evans employees they thought deserved to be the honored.  



They immediately suggested McAfee.

""He made an enormous contribution that continues to this day,"" Smith said.
  
This article originally ran in the Sept. 2, 2019 edition of the Asbury Park Press and can be read online at:
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/people/2019/09/02/walter-mcafee-helped-us-reach-moon-belmar-post-office-renamed-him/2163733001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406076,"<span class=""kicker"">***Includes slide show*** Rep. Chris Smith, USPS, Dignitaries Honor Life of Local Scientist</span>Belmar Post Office Renamed to Honor Brilliant, Local Scientist Dr. Walter McAfee",2019-08-31,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"More than 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Post Office located on Main Street in Belmar Friday at a ceremony to rename the building in honor of Dr. Walter S. McAfee, a brilliant mathematician who spent several decades working at Camp Evans and Fort Monmouth on critical scientific and national security projects.
 Dr. McAfee's breakthrough research and mathematical theories led to bouncing radio signals off the moon's surface.His unique work served as the forerunner for satellite communications, entry into the space age, moonshots and moonwalks; his many innovations included high-tech sensors that helped the military keep tabs on aggressive actors and thus save the lives of many Americans and our allies, said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who wrote the legislation(Public Law 115-151) to rename the facility in honor of Dr. McAfee and his inspirational story. The late Dr. McAfeewould have turned 105 on Monday, Sept. 2.
 As an African-American, Dr. McAfee overcame adversity and prejudice with courage, tenacity and faith. His amazing life inspires. He challenges us to strive for excellence. He is truly a role model, Smith told the crowd.Click here to read excerpts of Congressman Smith's remarks.
 Attending the event were many family members, friends and coworkers of Dr. McAfee's, including his sister, Velma McAfee-Williams, who turned 90 last week and his daughters Marsha McAfee Bera-Morris and Diane Mercedes McAfee. Bera-Morris shared her own perspective of her father's love of astrophysics with the gathering.
 I can remember him waking me up, along with my sister Dianeat our request (a request that he probably encouraged)to see meteor showers or lunar eclipses. Space physics was one of his true loves, she said. Bera-Morris also spoke of her father's tenacious drive to overcome racial challenges, pursue higher education and master subject matter before him, as well as the honor she and her family felt regarding the renaming of the Belmar post office. To have his name here in this Post Office, a central public building, in the place he called home, raised his family, honed his scientific skills and contributed to major space explorationthis moment provides a singular pride and satisfaction for so many of his family and friends and colleagues. Click here to read Bera-Morris's insights
 Other officials speaking at the eventwhich was accentuated with a color guard from Naval Weapons Station Earle and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by USPS Letter Carrier Zal Walfon IIwere Belmar Mayor Mark Walsifer, Belmar Postmaster John Mutchler III, USPS South Jersey Regional Manager James G. Drummer, InfoAge Science &amp; History Museum CEO Mike Raune and U.S. Army Brigadier General Christopher L. Eubank. Speaking for the family were Bera-McAfee and Dr. Leo Cecil McAfee Jr. The Rev. Yvonne Williams Boyd and the Rev. James A. Jackson Jr. offered invocation and benediction, respectively.
Smith, who represents Belmar and surrounding towns serviced by the post office on Main Street, called on Congress to honor Dr. McAfee in a speech on the House floor in December 2017. Smith's bill was enacted a few months later enabling the Post Office to implement the official name change.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406058,"<span class=""kicker"">'A battle he can't give up' - APP article on NJ 'Left Behind dad Smith is trying to help...</span>'Manalapan dad fighting to get abducted son back from India'",2019-08-20,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY APP WRITER JERRY CARINO - Reyansh Parmar's favorite things are stacked in a corner of his bedroom. There's his Finn McMissile pillow from the movie Cars 2. There's a big red teddy bear. There is the plastic kitchenette he played withevery day, cooking daddy invisible meals.
But Reyansh isn't there anymore. He hasn't been home in seven years, since his mother took him to India and refused to come back. He's 10 now, and father Ravi Parmar has been fighting a lonely, desperate battle to reunite with his son.
I would not wish it on anybody, including my son's mother, who did this, the 41-year-oldsaid last weekat his Manalapan home. You feel helpless, but I can't give up on my son. I have to keep fighting for him, because nobody else is.

Ravi Parmar holds a poster showing his son Reyansh after a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019, where the 5th anniversary of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act was marked. His son Reyansh was taken by his mother to India.(Photo: Thomas P. Costello)

International child abduction remains an unchecked problem five years after the passage of the Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Act. Named after the Monmouth County son and father who were reunited in 2009 after the child was taken to Brazil by his mother and kept there  staying with her family after she subsequently diedthe law authorizes the U.S. State Department to sanction nations that harbor abducting parents.

  
India is one of those nations. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who played a central role in reuniting the Goldmans, said there are seven documented cases involving New Jersey kids being abducted to India by a parent. But as Smith and others have lamented, the federal law is not being vigorously enforced.
So Ravi Parmar is fighting alone, even though he, ex-wife Dimple Parmar and young Reyansh are U.S. citizens. Even though a New Jersey court granted Ravi full custody and ordered the child to be returned home. Even though a family court in India just issued a scathing opinion of Dimple Parmar's conduct, noting that she deliberately abandoned the country of her citizenship and domicile, to come to India, against the laws of her country, which amounted to parental kidnapping, to avoid adverse orders against her.
More: NJ unauthorized immigrant mom got kids back from Brazil, and US helped
Opinion: SMITH: Use Goldman Act to bring abducted children home

Ravi Parmar holds his son Reyansh's favorite pillow in the boy's bedroom in Manalapan.(Photo: Jerry Carino)

Ravi Parmar has seen Reyansh a handful of times on visits to India, but lately even those have ceased. There is a school bus stop right outside Ravi'shome, and soon backpack-toting kids will be gathering there, a painful reminder that Reyansh should be among them.

I haven't seen him grow up, Ravi said. I've missed out on almost everything the last seven years.
Want to keep up with news like this, affecting the lives of real people in our community? Be sure to buy a digital subscription to APP.com today.
 Do the math 
The scene at the airport replays over and over in Ravi Parmar's mind. He dropped off Reyansh and Dimple in March 2012; they were heading to a month's stay in India culminating in a relative's wedding. As Ravi recalls it, the 3-year-old didn't want to leave his dad and go through the security checkpoint.

Ravi Parmar holding his son Reyansh in 2010(Photo: Courtesy of Ravi Parmar)

He kept running back and hugging me, Ravi said. I never thought that he wouldn't be coming back.

Ravi eventually flew to India for the wedding. Afterward, Dimple informed him that she wanted a divorce and would not be returning to the U.S. and neither would Reyansh.
We had some marital issues, Ravi said.Still,he flew home figuring they would work out some sort of child custody arrangement.

It didn't happen. Dimple obtained the divorce and full custody from an India court, alleging child abuse by Ravi. He contested the custody ruling, and it took seven years, but in April India's Family Court No. 5 in Pune determined the abuse allegation to be unfounded. The Pune court's 270-page opinion which was obtained by the Asbury Park Presssharply criticized Dimple but declined to enforce the U.S. court's custody ruling in Ravi's favor, citingjurisdictional conflicts.

Ravi Parmar with his son Reyansh during a visit to India in 2017.(Photo: Ravi Parmar)

It was deflating but offered a glimmer of hope. In 2015, Parmar said, the FBI recommended his case for prosecution by New Jersey'sU.S. Attorney, whodeclined to follow up. Parmar believes the abuse allegation played a role in that decision and would like to see the new U.S. Attorney, Craig Carpenito, take a fresh look at prosecution in light of the Pune court's opinion.
If we don't prosecute these cases, anybody who wants to abduct kids in the future can do the math and say, Hey, they're not going to do anything to me,' Parmar said.
Chris Smith agrees, which is why invited Ravi to testify before a House of Representatives committee on the subject, and why the Congressman asked him to participate in a press conference last week commemorating the Goldman Act's fifth anniversary. (See video from that atop this story).
The law provides a framework so no parent has to become their own secretary of state, suddenly trying to negotiate a resolution between countries, Patricia Apy, the Goldmans' attorney, said during the press conference. This is something that's going to require more than the individual resources of a parent.
To that end, Parmar is hoping Phil Murphy raises the issue on the governor's scheduled visit to India next month.
I would ask him to bring this up at the highest levels, Parmar said. These are New Jersey children we're talking about.

Ravi Parmar (right) joins Sean &amp; David Goldman and Congressman Chris Smith (left) for a photo after a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019, where the 5th anniversary of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act was marked. Parmar's son Reyansh was taken by his mother to India.(Photo: Thomas P. Costello)


 'I haven't given up on him' 
In the meantime Parmar co-foundedBring Our Kids Home, a network of parents affected by international child abduction. He gets two or three calls per month from parents concerned that they could be in his shoes next.
His advice: Reach out to the State Department and enroll their children in the Passport Issuance Alert Program. Before a passport is issued, the parent gets notified. Only if they approve will the child get the passport.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can enroll children on a no-fly list. But that takes more time and must be affirmed by a judge.
I don't want other families to go through this pain, Parmarsaid.

Ravi Parmar holds a poster showing his son Reyansh after a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019, where the 5th anniversary of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act was marked. His son Reyansh was taken by his mother to India.(Photo: Thomas P. Costello)

His uncle, Lawrence resident Devidas Parmar, says Ravi is always talking about his son and sends boxes of toys over to India, only to have them returned or unacknowledged.

He'll come to my home and cry and talk about how he can't see his son, Devidas said. It's very hurting to all of us.
If Reyansh ever does comehome, Ravisaid, he'll do everything he can to ensure his mother remains in his life.
No child should be deprived of one parent or the other, he said.
Standing in Reyansh's old bedroom, amid the teddy bears and the kitchenette, Ravi said he's been calling his son twice a week but getting no response.
I know he knows I'm there for him, because I keep calling, Ravi said. Whatever they're telling him about me, I haven't given up on him. That's the best I can do right now.

  







On the 5th Anniversary of its signing, David Goldman is joined by his son Sean as he holds a copy of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act during a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Thomas P. Costello)
  







For more information on ""Bring Our Kids Home,"" visitwww.bringourkidshome.org, email ravi@bringourkidshome.org or call 973-878-1701.
Jerry Carino is news columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore's interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues.
  
This story was originally published on page one of the Aug. 19, 2019 edition of the Asbury Park Press and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/families-children/2019/08/19/international-child-abduction-goldman-act/1985368001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406057,"<span class=""kicker"">APP news article cites Smith's Lyme disease effort</span>'Lyme disease as war weapon? Inside New Jersey representative's push for probe'",2019-08-15,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Susanne Cervenka,USA TODAYAugust 14, 2019

Peoplesuffering fromLyme disease could be closerto knowing whether the chronic illness impacting an estimated 300,000 or more peoplestarted off as a U.S. biological weapon.
U.S Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey hopes that knowledge could lead not only to accountability, but also a potential cure and greater recognition of thedisease.
""My hope is, this jump-starts a very aggressive effort to find a cure and see how this (Lyme disease) is growing. It's pushing out into the Great Lakes area. It's exploding everywhere,"" said Smith, a longtime advocate for Lyme disease research. His district is one of the hotbeds for the disease.
The House of Representatives added a Smith amendment to a federal defense spending bill that would require the Department of Defense's Inspector General to investigate whether the military, between 1950 and 1975, experimented with ticks and other insects to be used as biological weapons.


US Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) opens a panel discussion about Lyme disease research held at the Wall Township Municipal building Wednesday, May 29, 2019.
Investigators will report back to the House and Senate Armed Services committees with the scope of any experiment it finds, including whetherany ticks or insects were released into the environment, either by accident or on purpose.
The amendment was approved by voice vote. Now the House bill has to be reconciled with a Senate bill that does not include Smith's amendment. Smith is working with senators to ensure the investigation survives the process.
Lyme disease on the rise:What to do if you get a tick bite
More in tick:Ever have a tick? This Kentucky man got one in his eye
Smith's push for the federal investigation began after reading ""Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,"" by Stanford University-based science writer Kris Newby.
A longstanding theory is that Lyme disease was a Soviet-era biological weapon created in a U.S. government research center on Plum Island and released, either accidentally or intentionally.


A book about the history of Lyme disease was referenced by US Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) before a panel discussion about Lyme disease research held at the Wall Township Municipal building Wednesday, May 29, 2019.


Newby's book, however, advances the theory with an interview with late researcher Willy Burgdorfer, who claimed to have infected the ticks during U.S. military experiments.  

""There needs to be significant accountability,"" Smith said. ""This should not be mired in secrecy.""
A federal probe could prove or disprove the theory. If the theory is proven correct, it would also give ammunition to individuals with chronic Lyme disease, who often face significant battles in getting treatment because it is not widely recognized by the medical community.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has declined to recognize chronic Lyme disease in its clinical practice guidelines, leaving sufferers to find ""Lyme-friendly""doctors, which is not easy.
Smith said knowing the truth about any experimentation would also help researchers reverse-engineer a cure for the tick-borne illness, which can often be misdiagnosed first as fibromyalgia or other conditions before patients learn they have Lyme disease.
Smithunsuccessfully attempted to add a second amendment to the bill that would have created a Lyme disease ""national strategy,"" a holistic approach for federal agencies to combat the disease.
The national strategy is a part of Smith's TICK Act, federal legislation he has proposed for more than 20 years that would provide $180 million over six years for research.
Follow Susanne Cervenka on Twitter:@scervenka.
This article originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press:Lyme disease a bioweapon? New Jersey rep's call for U.S. probe
(It was also re-published on Aug. 14, 2019 by other news organizations, including:   
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/07/17/lyme-disease-bioweapon-new-jersey-rep-chris-smith-probe-advances/1758411001/   
https://news.yahoo.com/lyme-disease-war-weapon-inside-184904486.html)",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406054,"<span class =""kicker"">**Includes Slide show**NJTV segment on Goldman Act</span>'Reunited father and son help congressman mark anniversary of anti-abduction law'",2019-08-13,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY NJTV REPORTER LEAH MISHKIN   
David Goldman remembers driving his then wife and 4-year-old son, Sean, to the airport for a what she said would be a vacation in Brazil. It was five years before he saw him again.
The story of how hard it was for David to get authorities to force his former partner to allow him to reunite with Sean was the inspiration for the Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, signed into law five years ago today.
Father and son were on hand Thursday to mark the milestone at a press conference in the office of Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, an early champion who introduced the legislation giving families tools to fight their cases internationally, allowing the United States to impose sanctions on countries with a proven pattern of non-compliance.

They retold their story  a first for Sean, now 19  making the case for how important the law is and how it needs to rigorously enforced.
Three days after that trip to the airport, on Father's Day, David found out what was really happening.
I received a phone call from my then wife that our love affair was over, he recalled. And she decided to remain in Brazil with Sean and if I ever wanted to see him again I couldn't go to the law to say there was a kidnapping or go to the judge or do anything type of legal proceeding against her except fly to Brazil, sign 10 pages of legal documents, essentially meeting all demands and giving 100 percent of my rights as his father away. Otherwise I would never see him again.
Sean talked about the impact of the separation on him.
When a child is brought over to another country and they're very young, the other parent is going to be telling the child a lot of bad things about the parent they're not in contact with that's going to skew their perception, he said.
David said he sought help every way possible to finally get a Brazilian court order to return Sean in 2009  with an attorney in Brazil, from the government, Congress, the media and with rallies.
I took this picture just a couple of hours after they were reunited, Smith said, displaying a photo of the event.
It became clear to me that little or nothing was ever done by the United States government, said the Republican, who represents New Jersey's 4th Congressional District, of what motivated him to seek enactment of the law.
According to the Department of State, there has been a continuing decrease in the number of such abductions, from 1,512 in 2008 to 698 in 2018. But more remains to be done. The problem is the executive branch has to recommend the use of sanctions if a country is not complying with the law  and that has not happened yet with countries like India.
Ravi Parmar has been seeking the return of his New Jersey-born son for seven years, when his mother took him at the age of 3. India doesn't even recognize that a parent can abduct a child, he said.
I've met with Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, face to face, Smith said. Brought a mother from Cranbury whose two children were abducted.
Smith said that India should be more compliant, saying sanctions can be imposed under the Goldman Act to show we're not kidding.
Gov. Phil Murphy is scheduled to go to India next month. The people who gathered with Smith on Thursday are hoping he will address child-abduction cases.
Meanwhile, Sean Goldman spends time speaking with other children who have been in similar situations to help them through the process. This news story originally ran in August 2019 and was posed on this website on August 13, 2019. It can be found online at:
https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/reunited-father-and-son-help-congressman-mark-anniversary-of-anti-abduction-law/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406056,"<span class=""kicker"">Philadelphia News Article on House passage of Smith's Lyme disease amendment</span>'New Jersey congressman wants to know if military used Lyme disease-ridden ticks as 'bioweapons''",2019-08-13,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY BAILEY KING, PHILLY VOICE STAFF  
Did the U.S. military unleash Lyme disease on the American people throughbiological weaponexperiments?
A New Jersey congressman wants to know, claiming evidence linksthe disease tobioweapons researchresearch, according to Military.comreport.
Medical and military experts are skeptical ofU.S. Rep. Chris Smith's concerns, playing it off as a conspiracy theory. Smith, a congressmen in the Fourth District of New Jersey,has asked the Pentagon to investigate the possibility.
""Ticks and Lyme Disease would be a very strange choice as a deliberate bioweapon because ticks are difficult to work with, don't have wings, and Lyme would hardly be a force reducer,"" entomology professor at Montana State University, Robert Peterson, explains to Military.com.
  
RELATED READ:The top 3 methods for removing ticks from skin
  
An amendment to the House version of the Fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act written by Smith requires theInspector General of the Department ofDefenseto investigate whether military experiments used ticks and other insects as biological weapons between 1950 and 1975. In congressional testimony, Smith said:

 
""With Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases exploding in theUnited States, with an estimated 300,000 to 427,000 new cases each yearand 10 to 20 percent of all patients suffering from chronic Lymedisease, I believe Americans have a right to know whether any of thisis true.
""If true, what were the parameters of the program?Who ordered it?Was there any accidental release anywhere or at any time of any ofthe diseased ticks?Were any ticks released by design?""
 



    
        
             
            Credits/Tick: Scott Bauer via Wikimedia; book: HarperCollins
             A New Jersey congressman has asked the Pentagon to investigate whether the U.S. military used infected ticks as part of biological weapons experiments, citing evidence contained in a book titled, ""Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,"" by author Kris Newby.
            
        
    

  


Smith reportedly calls upon purported evidence from the book""Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,"" by author Kris Newby, who explores the military's role in the spread of tick-borne Lyme disease and its desire to cover it up.
  
&lt;img class=""richtext-image full-width"" src=""https://media.phillyvoice.com/media/images/08132019_Chris_Smith_USH.width-704.jpg"" width=""704"" height=""522"" alt=""Chris Smith US House 08132019""&gt;Source/U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey.

The Army did explore whether or not ticks could be used to spread tularemia, relapsing fever, and Colorado fever during the Cold War, according to the Military.com report, but it is generally regarded as unlikely that they used ticks to transmit Lyme disease. Other tick-borne illness hit humans a lot harder and it's fairly slow acting for use as a bioweapon. 
The primary symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
""On the other hand  quite frankly  U.S. military weapons development hasn't always made a whole lot of sense, Jeffrey Lockwood, a natural sciences and humanities teacher at the University of Wyoming, who doesn't buy into the theory, told Military.com.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406055,"<span class=""kicker"">WOBM article focuses on 5th Anniversary of Smith's Goldman Act</span>'Fight against international child abductions grows stronger'",2019-08-12,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"BY WOBM REPORTER VIN EBENAU - Jersey Shore Republican Congressman Chris Smith (Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer) continues to affect direct change in the battle against international child abductions.
Thursday marks the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act(P.L. 113-150).
CongressmanSmith was joined by David and Sean Goldman of Monmouth County, the father and son who were reunited after a five-year abduction to Brazil, their attorney Patricia Apy, an international family law attorney at Paras, Apy and Reiss and Ravi Parmar, of Manalapan, the father of a child abducted to India in 2012 and founder of Bring Our Kids Home (BOK Home).


Today, we mark and recognize the significant progress achieved over the five years since passageall inspired by Sean and Davidincluding a dramatic decline in the number of new cases of parental child abduction and the resolution of many others, Smith said.


He authored the Goldman Act to help brokenhearted left behind parents like David and Ravi, who along with their abducted children are victims of the cruel act of international parental child abduction, by pressuring foreign nations to facilitate the return of American children.
According to the U.S. Department of State, there has been a continuing, consistent decrease in the number of abductions from a high of 1,512 in 2008 to 698 abductions in 2018,""Smith said.
The Annual Report coupled with the Action Report on International Child Abduction required by the Goldman Act also provides American judges with accurate user-friendly information in country-specific charts allowing judges to assess country risks in the cases they adjudicate.
Much progress has been made, Smith said. However, much remains to be doneutilizing all the tools including serious sanctions against offending countries that are embedded into the Goldman Act need to be robustly applied. Countries with egregious records of noncompliance including Japan need to be held accountable.
David has remained active in the fight against international child abductions, including testifying at four of Smith's congressional hearings, helping pass and implement the Goldman Act, and supporting desperate left behind parents. There is an urgent need to help the victimsboth left behind victim parents and the abducted victim children.""
We need to help them. It's through our voice and you [in the media] showing the rest of the country and hopefully the world that these families need help like we got, David said, who also discussedthe daunting task of trying to obtain court-ordered returns in such countries like Japan, India and Brazil and other countries where an estimated 12,000 American children have been held over the past 10 years.

As far as I know Brazil still hasn't returned an American child under court order back to our country, aside from Sean.
Hopefully with our law and the punitive measures that we can place on these countries we will get results, and it will be swiftly, and the children won't suffer from being torn apart from the only life they' had once known, and then they're in another country, and we need to get them back as quickly as possible. We have the law in place. It has good measures to expedite these returns and that's what we hope will continue to happen.
David said of the Goldman Act, This law has teeth, through the threat of punitive measures to enforce the international treaty that governs child abductions, known as the Hauge Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.""
Seansaid thatafter he returned to the United States, he was able to better understand what happened to him as a child.
He said it took a week and a half before he could ever call David Dad.
Sean said he took the situation one step and time, but he's happy and settled into life back in America.
I have no complaints. I really like my job. I really like my friends. I really like my life. I really like my dad, Sean said.
He has spoken to other abducted kids who have made it back to the U.S. after enduring the trauma of an international child abduction.

It's just a real confusing time for a kid. Your whole world just gets flipped upside down, Sean said. You're told one thing for all your life. Then it's all a lie. You feel betrayed.
Ravi Parmar's son Reyansh, now 10, was born in New Brunswick, and was adbucted seven years ago.
My situation is not unique, Parmar said.This is one of those few crimes where the victims are required to solver their own case.
In July, Smith chaired a hearing called The Goldman Act at Five Years, held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.
Smith authored the Goldman Act, which was passed by Congress on July 25, 2014.
It has been nearly 10 years since Smith's constituent David Goldman of New Jersey was reunited with his son Sean in 2009, after a five-year parental abduction to Brazil.
Over the last decade more than 11,400 American children were abducted internationally by a parent.
The State Department estimates only one-third of the children abducted since 2015 were returned to the United States within two years.
Apy's advice was for a parent who feels they could be a victim of an international child abduct was to contact the State Department, contact their member of Congress and get legal advice.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406051,"<span class =""kicker"">APP Article on 5th Anniversary of Smith's Goldman Act</span>'Sean Goldman, 10 years after reunion with dad, fights for other abducted kids'",2019-08-09,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Asbury Park Press Writer Jerry Carino -

Sean Goldman likes to go fishing and paddleboarding with his dad, and they go out for sushi together regularly. The 19-year-old Holmdel resident isheading into his sophomore year at Brookdale Community College and holds a job as a dock hand at Sandy Hook Bay Marina.
Sean is living a typical teenagelife, with anotable exception: He's become an advocate for victims of international child abduction an ordeal he endured and one that sparked a law bearing his name. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Sean's return to his father, David, a high-profile reunion followingfive years of legal wrangling after he waskidnapped by his mother and sequestered with her family in Brazil. This week marks the fifth anniversary of thesigning of the Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Act, which gives the U.S. state department authority to pressure nations, like Brazil, that harbor abducted kids.

On the 5th Anniversary of the signing of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, Sean Goldman looks to his father David during a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Photo: Thomas P. Costello)







  






On the 5th Anniversary of its signing, David Goldman is joined by his son Sean as he holds a copy of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act during a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Photo: Thomas P. Costello)



To mark the law's anniversary, Sean spoke publicly for the first time Thursday. His father was by his side as were two others instrumental in resolving his case: Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.,and Red Bank-based attorney Patricia Apy, whose firm Paras Apy &amp; Reiss hosted the news conference.  





I'm thinking about a political science major,"" Sean said, ""because, well, I guess you guys can guess why.""
More: NJ unauthorized immigrant mom got kids back from Brazil, and US helped
More:America's lost children, kidnapped abroad

David Goldman is shown with his son Sean in photographs displayed at their Tinton Falls home in 2008. Four years before his wife went to Brazil with their son and then married another man there. She later died and he had to fight to regain custody of his son. (10/10/08 Photo: THOMAS P. COSTELLO / ASBURY PARK)

The faces of an issue


The Goldmans' backstory story is well-documented. In 2004 Sean's mother, Brazil-born Bruna Bianchi, told then-husband David she was taking Sean on a two-week vacation to visit family in her native country.
Upon arriving she called David, informing them their marriage was over and that Sean would not be returning to the United States. After Bianchidied in childbirth in 2008, her family refused to give the boy to his father.


But David's relentless pursuit of custody and a combination of diplomatic and media pressure the latter led by late Asbury Park Press columnist Bill Handleman, whom Smith acknowledged in his remarks Thursday led to Sean's return homeon Christmas Eve of 2009.  



We talk about child abduction now and most Americans, because of this case, understand what that means, Apy said. They understand this is not a custody case gone bad. This is not merely a family dispute or bad matrimonial case. This is an act which has been identified as an aspect of child abuse.
Now we look at child abuse completely differently. Sean and David put a human face on something that was very difficult for most Americans to grasp.
It took timeeven for Seanto grasp it. At first, he a bewildered kid who'd been through an international tug of war. And he'd heardnegative things about his dad from the family in Brazil most notably that his father had no interest in him for five years.


It took me a week-and-a-half after coming home to call him Dad,' Sean said. It was hard. You're told one thing for a lot of your life, and then you see it's just lies. As a kid, you feel betrayed.  



The breakthrough, calling David Dad,' happened by accident. I did it out of panic, Sean said. It was winter and I was falling into a river. But it felt natural. One step at a time, I just felt more and more at home.  

Now he's trying to help others take those steps.

Photographs show David and Bruna Goldman along with their son Sean as a family in 2008.(Photo: THOMAS P. COSTELLO / ASBURY PARK)

'Sensible thing to do'


The bad stuff Sean Goldman heard about his dad has a legal name parental alienation and as a survivor, he views counseling others as a calling. He recently met with siblings who were returned home after being abducted to Argentina, and he'll be testifying on the subject at the House of Representatives next month.
To me, (advocacy) seems like the only sensible thing to do, Seansaid. I've been through it, so I understand what it's like. It's a very confusing time for a kid. It's like your whole world gets flipped upside down. To at least have someone they're saying, Yeah I've been through it, too,' I can only imagine that's been helpful.
In the 10 years since Sean's return, David Goldman has remained at the front line of the issue as well. He regularly speaks with parents coping with international child abduction.

On the 5th Anniversary of its signing, David Goldman is joined by his son Sean as he holds a copy of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act during a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019. It was spearheaded by US Congressman Chris Smith shown at left.(Photo: Thomas P. Costello)

I try just to let them know that they're not alone, Davidsaid. Don't give up hope. Look for distractions throughout your day because it's painful to go through every moment. The little things will tug at your heartstrings, just even watching TV and seeing a child on there. Things like missing Sean losing his first tooth.  


He gets to tell parents something he never heard during Sean's ordeal.
We're in your corner, he said. We have a law.
 'Much remains to be done' 
Since the enactment of the Goldman Act in 2014, reported cases of children being abducted from the United States have fallen by nearly 20 percent. Still, Smith estimates, nearly 450 American kids become victims each year.
Much progress has been made, Smithsaid. However, much remains to be done.
The sanctions made allowable by the law need to be robustly applied, Smithsaid. To date, they have not been either by the Obama administration or the Trump administration.
To drive home the point, Smith invited Manalapan resident Ravi Parmar to the news conference. In 2012, Parmar's ex-wife took their 3-year-old son, Reynash, to India, and he hasn't seen the boy since.

On the 5th Anniversary of the signing of the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, Sean Goldman appeared with his father David during a news conference in Red Bank Thursday, August 8, 2019. (Photo: Thomas P. Costello)

The experiences that David and Sean shared and that Mr. Smith has been championing, we need to spread awareness, but it's also time for the U.S. government to play a more robust role in securing their return, Parmar said. I called the FBI for three months every week before somebody actually responded to my request.  


FBI officials, he said, told him, Your child is not abducted; he's with his mother.
Smith said India, Japan and Brazil are three of the most recalcitrant countries when dealing with international child abduction, and said seven New Jersey children have been removed to India in the past year alone. Apy said she hopes Gov. Phil Murphy will raise the issue during a scheduled visit to India this fall.
This is of the few crimes where the victims are held responsible to solve the crime, Parmar said.
The reason the Goldmans are making the media rounds is to remind everyone that the tools to address such situations are there now, provided by the law that bears their name. They just need to be applied.
David's been front and center saying this for years. Now Sean is old enough to join him, doubling the message's power.
These families need help like we got, David Goldman said. With our law and the punitive measures we can place on these countries, hopefully we can get these cases resolved and children won't suffer.
Jerry Carino is news columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore's interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com. This article ran on Aug. 9, 2019 and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/values/2019/08/08/david-goldman-sean-goldman-international-child-abduction/1941551001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406047,"<span class =""kicker"">The fight to bring home American children unlawfully held abroad goes on with the Goldman Act</span>Goldman Act to Combat Intl Child Abduction Hits Five-Year Milestone",2019-08-08,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"At a press conference marking the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act(P.L. 113-150), U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) was joined by David and Sean Goldman of Monmouth County, the father and son reunited after a five-year abduction to Brazil; their attorney Patricia Apy, an international family law attorney at Paras, Apy and Reiss, and; Ravi Parmar, of Manalapan, NJ, father of a child abducted to India in 2012 and founder of Bring Abducted Children Home (BACHome).
 Today, we mark and recognize the significant progress achieved over the five years since passageall inspired by Sean and Davidincluding a dramatic decline in the number of new cases of parental child abduction and the resolution of many others, said Smith, who authored the Goldman Act to help brokenhearted left behind parents like David and Raviwho along with their abducted children are victims of the cruel act of international parental child abductionby pressuring foreign nations to facilitate the return of American children. According to the U.S. Department of State, there has been a continuing, consistent decrease in the number of abductions from a high of 1,512 in 2008 to 698 abductions in 2018.  

 Smith said the Annual Report coupled with the Action Report on International Child Abduction required by the Goldman Act also provides American judges with accurate user-friendly information in country-specific charts allowing judges to assess country risks in the cases they adjudicate.
 Much progress has been made, Smith said. However, much remains to be doneutilizing all the tools including serious sanctions against offending countries that are embedded into the Goldman Act need to be robustly applied. Countries with egregious records of noncompliance including Japan need to be held accountable. Click here to read his opening remarks.
David has remained active in the fight against international child abductions, including testifying at four of Smith's congressional hearings, helping pass and implement the Goldman Act, and supporting desperate left behind parents. There is an urgent need to help the victimsboth left behind victim parents and the abducted victim children, he said.
 We need to help them. It's through our voice and you [in the media] showing the rest of the country and hopefully the world that these families need help like we got, David said, noting the daunting task of trying to obtain court-ordered returns in such countries like Japan, India and Brazil and other countries where an estimated 12,000 American children have been held over the past 10 years As far as I know Brazil still hasn't returned an American child under court order back to our country, aside from Sean.
 Hopefully with our law and the punitive measures that we can place on these countries we will get results, and it will be swiftly, and the children won't suffer from being torn apart from the only life they' had once known, and then they're in another country, and we need to get them back as quickly as possible. We have the law in place. It has good measures to expedite these returns and that's what we hope will continue to happen.
 He said of the Goldman Act, This law has teeth, through the threat of punitive measures to enforce the international treaty that governs child abductions, known as the Hauge Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.  

 Sean told reporters after he returned to the United States it was as he got older that he understood more of what happened to him. He said it took a week and a half before he could ever call David Dad. He said he took the situation one step and time, but he's happy and settled into life back in America.
 I have no complaints. I really like my job. I really like my friends. I really like my life. I really like my dad, Sean said. For his part, he has spoken to other abducted kids who have made it back to the U.S. after enduring the trauma of an international child abduction.
 It's just a real confusing time for a kid. Your whole world just gets flipped upside down, he said. You're told one thing for all your life. Then it's all a lie. You feel betrayed.
 Ravi Parmar's son Reyansh, now 10, was born in New Brunswick, NJ, was adbucted seven years ago. My situation is not unique, he told reporters. This is one of those few crimes where the victims are required to solver their own case.
 In July, Smith chaired a hearing called The Goldman Act at Five Years, held by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Smith authored the Goldman Act, which was passed by Congress five years ago on July 25th. Tomorrow, Aug. 8, will mark exactly five years since it was signed into law. It has been nearly 10 years since Smith's constituent David Goldman of New Jersey was reunited with his son Sean in 2009, after a five-year parental abduction to Brazil.
 Over the last decade more than 11,400 American children were abducted internationally by a parent. The State Department estimates only one-third of the children abducted since 2015 were returned to the United States within two years.
 Apy's advice was for a parent who feels they could be a victim of an international child abduct was to contact the State Department, contact their member of Congress and get legal advice.
 The event was held at Apy's office The Galleria, on Bridge Avenue in Red Bank.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406052,"<span class =""kicker"">ABC- 7 NY Story on Smith's Goldman Act</span>'Sean Goldman marks anniversary of law to help fight international child abductions'",2019-08-08,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"NEW YORK (WABC) -- Sean Goldman was just a boy when he captured the nation's attention.His mother took him from New Jersey to Brazil and said they were never coming home. It took years and multiple court rulings for his father to finally get Sean back.  
 
Sean is now in college and on Thursday he marked the anniversary of a law in his name that helps fight international child abductions.""It took me a week and a half after coming home to call him Dad,"" said Goldman, recalling the time when he was reunited with his father after five years apart. His mother had kidnapped him to Brazil and when she died, Brazil allowed his stepfather to raise him. ""It's just a very confusing time for a kid coming through borders from different countries, completely different cultures,"" said Sean. ""It's like your whole world gets flipped upside down."" But Sean's father David Goldman, who is from Tinton Falls, fought for years to get him back. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) was instrumental in that reunion.  

  
""This picture, I took it, was just a couple of hours, maybe not even an hour and a half, after they were reunited,"" said Smith. The congressman introduced the Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act. The law helps American parents get their abducted children back, sometimes through the threat of sanctions or flight restrictions. That law is five years old now, and making an impact. ""There has been a continuing, consistent decrease in the number of abductions from a high of 1,512 in 2008 to 698 abductions in 2018, still far too many,"" said Smith. Ravi Parmar of Manalapan is fighting to bring his 10-year-old home from India.  
 
""A lot of times these things are treated as domestic issues and these are truly not domestic in the sense that once the child has even crossed the state borders, forget about national borders but even state borders, there is very little you can do to bring the child back,"" said Parmar.Meanwhile, the Goldmans continue to fight for people like him, while they enjoy their time together. ""I really like my job, my life and all my friends and my Dad,"" said Sean. Sean is also considering majoring in political science, for very personal reasons.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406043,Rep. Chris Smith on El Paso and Dayton,2019-08-04,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Chris Smith on El Paso and Dayton 
   
    
       
      
  
    
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      Words are inadequate to convey my profound sadness and empathy to the grieving families and friends over the loss of their loved ones in El Paso and Daytonand deep gratitude to law enforcement for their selfless heroism. Comprehensive background checks and an assault weapons ban are likely to make people safer and ought to be enacted by Congress. But regrettably, something is radically broken in the hearts, minds, and souls of these mass murderers. And they are not alone. The culture of violence and its glorification is consuming our society and begs a major correction and serious intervention by everyone of good willincluding families, schools, public officials at every level, community leaders, the media, Hollywood, and religious leaders of every faith and creed.
  
    
  
  
  
    
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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406053,"<span class =""kicker"">APP Article on Bill Named after Braeden</span>'How do I talk about the worst day of my life?' Mother of NJ football player mourning one year after his death",2019-08-04,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"By Stephen Edelman APP Writer -

I never knew Braeden Bradforth, but I wish I had.
And as I stood on Pop Warner field where his football career began, exactly one year after his life tragically ended nearly 2,000 miles away, I felt an incredibly strong connection to the gentle giant, having chronicled this relentless crusade for answers and accountability locally, and the inexplicable inaction by a Kansas junior college.
I couldn't help but wonder what Braeden would have thought about the scene late Thursday afternoon. Family and friends, coaches and teammates, gathered to both celebrate his legacy on the anniversary of hispassing due to exertional heatstroke at Garden City Community College, and insure this never happens to another community.


  


Joanne Atkins-Inram (mother) and Adara Davis (cousin) speak at Braeden Bradforth's memorial service. Braeden died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Brian Johnston)



His mom, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, surrounded by hundreds of supporters who have followed her in the quest for justice, cried for the 366th straight day. Her tenacious lawyer, Jill Greene, made it clear that the fight continues in his name.Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said he is proposing a new lawthat seeks to protect athletes from heatstroke as a way of honoring Braeden'smemory. And Tarig Holman, his old coach at Neptune High School, spoke passionately about a kid with a big appetite, and an even bigger dream.
More:'My whole community lost my son': Mother wants answers for NJ football player death
More:NJ football player death: House delegation in Washington demands independent investigation

Joanne Atkins-Inram's son, Braeden Bradforth, died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Brian Johnston)



""It's so bittersweet,""Atkins-Ingram told me. ""Exactly one year ago I was in the same building sitting at the same desk looking at the same phone that I received the phone call I would never, ever imagine getting. So in a year a lot happens for people, but for me time has stood still. Because I was in the very same place I was exactly one year ago today, For me, the world went dark, and my heart was ripped out of my body. It is just unbearable, because the pain is just indescribable.""

Neptune native Braeden Bradforth died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Joanne Atkins-Ingram)

These are strong people, whose actions over the past 12 months in the face of a senseless tragedy have rekindled my faith in the power of the human spirit, while showing everyone that action locally can resonate nationally.
I still find it incomprehensible what they've had to overcome.
Garden City failed to protect a 6-4, 315-pound young man in its care before exhibiting a stunning lack of transparency in the months that followed, fromfailing to preserve campus security videofrom that evening torefusing to release the results of an internal investigationinto Braeden's death. In between, the Kansas Attorney General's office refused to look into the matter, while the school president reneged on an offer to sit down with the family and share information on the case.

A banner hangs at Braeden Bradforth's memorial service. Braeden died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Brian Johnston)



More:Kansas college withholds security video
More:Outrage sparks community's quest for justice
More:Grieving NJ mom on football player Braeden Bradforth death: College told me go kick rocks'
Yet in May, they finally got the school to blink when itagreed to spend $100,000 on an independent investigation, to be conducted by Dr. Rod Walters, who handed the case of Jordan McNair, who died of heatstroke at the University of Maryland last year. The report he produced led to changes at the school to protect athletes, and ultimately the ouster of head coach DJ Durkin.


""I understand the greater picture at this point,""Atkins-Ingram said. ""We still need justice for Braeden and everybody else. But it's hard for me to do this. How do I stand in front of everyone for the second time and talk about the worst day of my life? But this is so important.""  



And then there's Jeff Sims, the Garden City head coach last season who has since moved on to become the leader at Missouri Southern. In the aftermath of Braeden's death he said publicly he was told it was the result of a blood clot the autopsy debunked that and an act of God.

Rep. Chris Smith speaks at a memorial service for Neptune native Braeden Bradforth, who died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Brian Johnston)



'It's unfortunate what happened, but God has a plan,"" Sims said last week when pressed by television station KCUR during the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football media day in Kansas City. ""We've had two investigations, and everybody knows what happened that day. It didn't happen at football practice; it happened after football practice.
Some fact-checking so we're crystal clear on all this:
There's only been one investigation completed, with the school exonerating itself from any wrongdoing.Sims is one of the few who knows what actually happened. And had Braeden been at the library that night, not running50-yard sprints 36 times, with several of his former teammates confirming they were denied access to water, he would not have died of heatstroke later that evening.

Tariq Holman, Neptune High School's head football coach is a guest speaker at Braeden Bradforth's memorial service.(Photo: Brian Johnston)



""When I talk about him I still get that sinking feeling in my stomach,""Holman said. ""I'm still fighting back tears, and since I found out the cause of Braeden's untimely death, some of those tears have turned to anger and frustration because I know that heatstroke can be prevented. It can be prevented by adults that are caring for children who care enough to just pay attention. It's our responsibility as parents, coaches and community members to care enough to pay attention. And we lost a great one, and it hurts.""
There will be litigation, which could be the only way to get answers at this point, although they're waiting to see what the school's latest attempt to uncover what really happened that night turns up. The results of that investigation are expected sometime in October.

A crowd fills the stands at a memorial service to honor Braeden Bradforth, who died of heat stroke following a football practice at Garden City (Kan.) Community College on Aug. 1, 2018.(Photo: Brian Johnston)



Journalists are often simply bystanders, detached from the everyday realities of stories they cover. But I've felt an emotional connection to this one, having learned more than I ever could have imagined. Lessons about how strong this community is, and how an issue involving one of their own can unite, energize and mobilize.
The resiliency, character and courage everyone involved has shown has been nothing short of inspiring.


And I have to think Braeden would be proud of the family, friends and complete strangers who have sought to honor his memory. I know I am.  



Stephen Edelson is a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist who has been coveringathletics in the state and at the Jersey Shore for nearly 35 years. He's passionate about the area's rich sports history, and the history being made today.

This story ran on page one of the Aug. 5 2019 edition of the Asbury Park Press and can be found online at:
https://www.app.com/story/sports/2019/08/05/nj-football-player-death-braden-bradforth-one-year-anniversary/1864856001/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406040,"<span class =""kicker"">Bill would create a commission to review heat stroke exertion risk to student athletes</span>Smith Introduces Legislation Named after NJ's Braeden Bradforth",2019-08-02,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Friday, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a bill named in honor Braeden Bradforth, a college football player from Smith's district who died a year ago this week from exertional heat stroke after a football practice. The legislation, Braeden's CommissionProtect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke, HR 4145, would establish a commission to conduct a study on exertional heat stroke among student athletes at educational institutions across the country to study best practices for prevention, recognition and treatment of exertional heat stroke, and develop recommendations for the purpose of reducing fatalities from exertional heat stroke among student athletes.
Death from exertional heat stroke is preventable, Smith said. When any athlete suffers from it, well-researched protocols exist that require prompt action to mitigate its impact, including death.  

Click here to read a copy of the bill. PICTURED:Congressman Smith meets with some of the 200 friends, family members and supporters of Braeden's mother, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, who all came out for the Aug. 1 2019 memorial in Neptune, NJ. At left is Robert Ingram, Braeden's step-father, and Jill Greene, Joanne's attorney.  

Braeden had the highest hopes of advancing his football career at Garden City Community College and ultimately, playing in the NFL, said Smith at a memorial held last night in Braeden's home town in Neptune, NJ, noting that exertional heat stroke ended that dream. For months Braeden's momJoannewas left to speculate as to how and why her beloved son lost his life. Bryce lost his brother, Sean lost a son, and Robert lost his step-son. What was done and whenor notduring this crisis remains unknown to this day.  

Bradforth, a 19 year-old from Neptune, NJ, received a scholarship in July of 2018 to play football at GCCC. On August 1, 2018, his second day on campus, he collapsed after evening football practice and was found unresponsive. After being taken to the hospital in an ambulance, he passed away just hours later due to exertional heat stroke, his autopsy later revealed.  

In March Smith called for an independent investigation into Bradforth's death, and met with Braeden's mother Joanne Atkins-Ingram and promised to do everything he could to assist her in her efforts to find out more about her son's death, and what actions could be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.   

To read a copy of Smith's letter to GCCC President Ryan Ruda requesting an independent investigation into the death President Ruda, click here.  

###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406041,Smith Named as Human Trafficking Lead for Int'l Parliament Organization,2019-08-02,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE-PA) has again named Congressman Smith as the OSCE-PA Special Representative on Human Trafficking. 
 In July, Smith's resolution Educating Schoolchildren to Avoid Human Trafficking was unanimously adopted by the OSCE-PA. He has authored five major trafficking laws in the U.S., including the law that created a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to combating human trafficking in the U.S. and around the world. The law, which also mandates the State Department to rate every country in the world's efforts to fight trafficking, has been successfully used to prosecute thousands of trafficking cases in the United States, including Jeff Epstein. Smith was first appointed to the post in 2004. Smith is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and is Ranking Member of its Global Human Rights and International Organization Subcommittee.  

 Following are excerpts of his remarks during debate in the Third General Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Luxembourg, July 2019:  

      Twenty years ago at the 1999 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia, I sponsored the first human trafficking supplementary resolution designed to encourage all participating states to develop policies to prevent trafficking in all of its ugly manifestations; rescue and protect victims; and prosecute, convict and jail the traffickers.
 A year later the US Congress approved and the President signed legislation that I authoredthe Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000a comprehensive whole-of-government policy to combat these barbaric crimes in the United States and around the world.
 Pursuant to that law, on June 20th, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo released the 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Reporta global analysis and ranking of every country including my own.
 As the Parliamentary Assembly's Special Representative on Human Trafficking, I've offered 20 resolutions over the years which the PA approvedeach focusing on new and effective strategies to be merged with each nation's ongoing work.
 Today, I am respectfully asking you to consider creating another programif you haven't alreadyto educate schoolchildren to avoid human trafficking.
      This past January, I authored legislation that was signed into lawThe Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act. The new law honors the extraordinary legacy of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. 
      Born a slave in 1818, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery when he was 20 and dedicated his entire life to abolishing slavery and after emancipation, to ending Jim Crow laws, all the while struggling for full equality. A gifted orator, author, editor, statesman and Republican, he died in 1895.
  America celebrated the 200th anniversary of his birth last year.
 Working with Frederick Douglass' great, great, great grandson Kenneth Morriswho is here with us and will be speaking at luncheon event on July 6th at 12:30-2:30 pm, room E, European Convention Centerwe crafted a comprehensive new initiative designed to ensure that school-aged children are educated in the classroom to recognize, resist and report any attempt to recruit or coerce them into the cruel world of human trafficking.
 Title I of the Frederick Douglass Act authorizes the U.S. government to provide grants to local education agencies in partnership with NGOs to establish, expand and support programs:
 
    to provide age-appropriate information to students on how to avoid becoming victims of sex and labor trafficking;
    to educate school staff to recognize and respond to signs of sex and labor trafficking.
 
      The need for educating the children and training school officials in each of our countries is compelling.
      According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) one in four trafficking victims are children.  

      Out of the24.9 millionpeople trappedin forced labor,16 millionpeople are exploitedin the private sectorsuch as domestic work, construction or agriculture;4.8 million persons in forced sexual exploitation, and4 millionpersonsinforced labor imposed by stateauthorities.
      Women and girls are disproportionately affectedby forced labor, account for 99 percent of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58 percent in other sectors.
       Traffickers exploit children due to their lack of awareness about the threat and a child's vulnerability can be compounded by poverty, a previous history of abuse and neglect, institutionalization, running away from home, being an unaccompanied minor, disability, belonging to a minority group, lacking citizenship or birth registration, being an asylum seeker, refugee or IDP.
       Today as never before, traffickers are using internet communication technologies (ICTs) to lure children into trafficking.  

       According to a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children study the average age of online enticement that can result in being trafficked was 15.  

       A number of NGOs have developed school courses including the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives Project, A21, Just Ask, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  

      If your country has a program to educate children, we'd like to know about it so it can be shared.  

     The requested action paragraphs of the resolution asks you to:  

 
    initiate prevention education for children and teachers and where feasible integrate courses of instruction into other courses;
    
    collaborate with school districts, law enforcement, child and family welfare agencies, faith communities, shelters for runaway and homeless youth and anti-human trafficking NGOs;
    develop a protocol for responding to child victims;
    pay particular attention to preventing traffickers' abuse of internet communication technologies (ITCs) by offering comprehensive and ongoing education to children to avoid high-risk behaviors online.
 
      Again, 1 in 4 trafficking victims are children. Each of us, I believe, can and must do a better job protecting the weakest and most vulnerable from exploitation. The need to educate the children on human trafficking and how to avoid it is absolutely compelling.
###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406038,"<span class =""kicker"">Remarks by Rep. Smith, legislation unveiled</span>Honoring Braeden Bradforth",2019-08-01,2019,2019-08,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) at thePop Warner Football Field, in Neptune, N.J. on August. 1, 2019 marking one year since the death of Braeden Bradforth:
 As we all know, Braeden had the highest hopes of advancing his football career at Garden City Community College and ultimately, playing in the NFL.
 But one year ago today exertional heat stroke ended that beautiful dream.
 For months Braeden's momJoannewas left to speculate as to how and why her beloved son lost his life. Bryce lost his brother, Sean lost a son, and Robert lost his step-son.
 What was done and whenor notduring this crisis remains unknown to this day.
 For months, college officials provided almost no meaningful answers. It was absurdand wrong. PICTURED PHOTOS ABOVE: File photos, including from Braeden's mother's attorney office in April 2019 and news reports.
 Joanne, however, and her good friend and tenacious lawyer Jill Greene of Avonand all of uspressed hard for an external, thorough and independent investigation. 
 More than nine months later, in mid-May, college officials finally agreed. A couple of weeks later, Dr. Rod Walters was named to lead the investigation. 
 Dr. Walter's brings extensive experience both in sports medicine and in conducting investigations to this taskincluding the investigation of football player Jordan McNair's 2018 death at the University of Maryland.
 Death from exertional heat stroke is preventable.
 When any athlete suffers from it, well-researched protocols exist that require prompt action to mitigate its impact, including death.  



    
        
            
        
    


PICTURED: Congressman Smith meets with some of the 200 friends, family members and supporters of Braeden's mother, Joanne Atkins-Ingram, who came out at the Aug. 1 memorial in Neptune.
  
 Yet according to the 2018 National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury, since 1995 there have been 64 exertional heat stroke deaths in the sport of football alone underscoring the compelling need to ensure that best practices are understood and utilized every time and everywhere.
 So, to prevent exertional heat stroke deaths and to honor Braeden, tomorrow, I will introduce legislation called the Braeden CommissionProtect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke.
 This initiative to protect is inspired by Braeden and in a very special way by Joanne's incredible love and devotion to her son.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=406021,"<span class =""kicker"">Statement by Lantos Commission Co-Chairman Chris Smith</span>The Goldman Act at Five Years",2019-07-25,2019,2019-07,Republican,House,NJ,Christopher Smith,S000522,chrissmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"The following are excerpts of opening remarks by Rep. Chris Smith, co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at the hearing ""The Goldman Act at Five Years,"" convened onJuly 25, 2019:
The commission will come to order.  

I want to thank all of youespecially all of the left- behind parents I see in the audience, such as Ravi Parmar from Bring Our Kids Homefor joining us this afternoon. 
Today's hearing will examine the efficacy of the Sean and David Goldman Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act at the five year mark  today is actually five years to the day when Congress passed this landmark bill.
It also is quite fitting that this hearing is held at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, as the very first hearing on international parental child abduction was held by the Commission back in December 2009. My colleague and Commission co-chairman Jim McGovern was there, as was one of our witnesses, Patricia Apy.  

Every year, approximately 450 American children are unlawfully removed from their homes by one of their parents and taken across international borders. The victims of international parental child abduction include not only children denied the love and attention of one of their parents, but also parents cut off from the children they love. 
If there is good news to be had, it is that when we had our first hearing on implementation of the Goldman Act in March of 2015, some 1000 American children a year were being victimized. We have seen since then what appears to be a consistent downward reduction in the number of children being kidnapped each year, at least to some parts of the world.
One reason I think that we have seen a reduction is because of the annual report which the State Department files on parental child abduction. 
One of the objectives of the report is to alert family court judges about which countries are high risk in terms of failure to return abducted children, notwithstanding the fact that a country may have ratified the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The report now is much more accurate and user friendly than it has been in the past, including both Convention and non-Convention countries, identifying recent developments and warning of enhanced obstacles to recovery of children.
For this, I really do want to commend our witness, Assistant Secretary Risch, and his team. It is impossible to tell how many kidnappings have been averted, yet one would think that credit should be due, at least in part, to the annual report which the State Department puts out.
However, for many left-behind parents in the audience today, that is scant consolation. These parents have not seen their children in years. These parents know all too well the financial, legal, cultural, and linguistic barriers to bringing their children home from a foreign country. These parents are well-acquainted with the heartbreak, agony and pain.
And that pain is compounded by knowing the suffering caused to your child by the separation. Child abduction is child abuse. 
As the State Department itself has noted, in its 2010 Report on Compliance with The Hague Convention: Abducted children are at risk of serious emotional and psychological problems. Research shows that recovered children often experience a range of problems, including anxiety, eating problems, nightmares, mood swings, sleep disturbances, aggressive behavior, resentment, guilt, and fearfulness. As adults, individuals who were abducted as children may struggle with identity issues, personal relationships, and possibly experience problems in parenting their own children.
These young victims, like their left-behind parents, are American citizens who need the help of their government when normal legal processes are unavailable or have failed.
To that end, in 1988, the United States ratified the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction to try to address abduction and access. 
The Hague Convention creates a civil framework for the quick return of abducted children and for rights of access for left-behind parents. Absent extenuating circumstances, the child is to be returned within 6 weeks to his or her country of habitual residence for the courts there to decide on custody, or to enforce any previous custody determinations.
The Convention has helped some left behind parents be reunited with their children. But there are many who are still left behind.
Some Hague Convention parties are simply not enforcing legitimate return orders. These include Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru  countries which have ratified the Convention but which fail to live up to their commitments. 
There are also other non-Hague countries that are listed in the 2019 Report as demonstrating a pattern of non-compliancein other words, countries that habitually fail to enforce return orderswhich include Egypt, India, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. 
In short, abducted American children are not coming home from these countries and other countries where the Convention operates weakly, or with which the U.S. has no bilateral agreement of any kind. 
One country which had previously been listed as non-compliant but was de-listed in the 2019 report is Japan, ostensibly because it has legislation advancing in its National Diet, or parliament, which would address returns in Hague cases and enforcement of return orders. While that may be a positive development  though how positive remains to be seen  it does nothing to address the reported 18 open pre-Hague ratification cases where there has been no progress at all, even in cases where parents are simply seeking access to their children under the Convention.
Why is Japan a problem? As a practical matter, many of the victimized parents are member of our armed services stationed in Japan, who marry Japanese nationals. Given the sacrifice our soldiers, sailors and Marines and airman, we should be especially solicitous of their struggles. We should go the extra mile, given the fact that they are there, deployed there to protect the people of Japan, and that region. 
We have fathers like Navy Captain Paul Toland whose daughter Erika was abducted and who now is the sole surviving parent, yet still cannot get access to his daughter, who remains with her grandmother in Japan. Or Michael Elias, a Marine stationed in Okinawa whose two children were abducted after he was deployed in Iraq, where he suffered a terrible wound from an IED. His wife, who worked in the Japanese consulate, used her influence to obtain Japanese passports illegally and kidnap their children. Michael has not seen his children, Jade and Michael Jr., since 2008. 
 This is absolutely unacceptable, and it also inexplicable why no progress has been made in crafting a supplemental bilateral agreement with Japan to address both pre-Hague return and access cases. 
India is another country with a deplorable record when it comes to returning abducted children. While many Indian government officials and judges have encouraged Hague accession, attorneys and lobbyists involved in domestic relations matters oppose accession and returns due to a cultural preference for keeping children with their mothers and a purported concern that ratifying the Hague Convention would disadvantage Indian mothers who have fled abusive marriages abroad. Such claims are belied, however, by the testimony of one of our witnesses today, Ruchika Abbi, the mother of a child abducted to India, as well as a previous witness who has testified before Congress, Bindhu Phillips, whose children were also abducted to India by her husband. 
Part of the intent of the Goldman Act was not simply to reform the system, but to bring about a fundamental sea change in U.S. diplomacy so that State Department officials would see themselves as advocates for the return of abducted American children. 
The Act also provides the State Department with tools to use in their advocacy. 
The Goldman Act specifically lists increasingly escalating actions, from a demarche  or a protest through diplomatic channels  to a public condemnation to a delay or cancellation of one or more bilateral visits and even the withdrawal, limitation, or suspension of foreign assistance to the central government of a country.
Extradition is another tool.
Yet these tools, beyond demarches, seem to be seldom if ever used by the State Department. I would ask Assistant Secretary Risch to answer why that is.
And I really do want to call upon the members of our State Department to see themselves as advocates for heartbroken American parents and their children. And to remind them, a tough approach works.
We saw that in the case of Sean and David Goldman, when the U.S. Congress held up Brazil's Generalized System of Preferences renewal because Brazil had refused to return Sean Goldman. More recently we saw it when Congressman Bill Posey threatened sanctions against Lebanon in June of this year, resulting in the resolution of two longstanding abduction cases. 
To sum up the message I have for the State Department, standing up for Americans is the duty for everyone who works at State. Sanctioning bad actors works, so please use the tools Congress gave you!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z