Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the incredible work being done by Recycle My Battery, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase sustainable battery disposal helping preserve the environment and fight climate change. Since their founding, Recycle My Battery has collected and recycled more than 150,000 used batteries as well as educated more than 1.5 million people on how they can properly recycle batteries, and why that process is so crucial to our communities and the long-term health of our planet.

They have been able to do this by educating our community on the correct and sustainable ways to recycle and dispose of batteries as well as placing battery recycling bins in easy to access places like schools, libraries, and local businesses. Shyam Suhas Kandala, a twelve-year-old from Chesterfield, New Jersey leads the New Jersey chapter of Recycle My Battery. I applaud Shyam and the more than thirty other New Jersey youth who, even at such a young age, have identified an imperative issue and have answered the call to serve.

I commend Shyam and the rest of Recycle My Battery on the work they are doing to better our planet's health, and I encourage more of us to get directly involved in trying to make the world a better, safer, cleaner place. With climate change being one of the most pressing challenges of our time I encourage each of us to follow their example in being better caretakers of our planet.

Madam Speaker, I stand today to recognize Christopher Chew, Chief of Police for Evesham, New Jersey, for his 25 years of service to his community and our state.

Eight months after graduating from Rowan University with a degree in criminal justice, Chief Chew began his career with the Evesham Township Police Department's (ETPD) patrol bureau in February of 1997. He soon transferred to the investigative bureau, where he conducted investigations into the distribution of illegal narcotics alongside the Burlington County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Task Force.

In April of 2010, he was selected to command the newly created Office of Professional Standards, overseeing areas such as internal affairs, policy management, and accreditations. In 2011 thanks to his leadership, ETPD became a nationally accredited law enforcement agency through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and has been further accredited throughout the years. This merit, often described as the ``gold standard in public safety'', places ETPD in the top one percent of agencies across the country. This distinction is shared with only seven other municipal law enforcement agencies in New Jersey.

In August of 2013, he was promoted to Chief of Evesham Police and over the course of his eight and a half years, Chief Chew sought to strengthen ties between his department and our community. I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Chew in my first term as Congressman and came to know him and his commitment to tackling challenges in our community. Seeing an unprecedented increase in opioid overdoses and deaths, he worked with local drug counselors to provide immediate assistance to anyone suffering from addiction through the ``Straight to Treatment'' program. In addition, officers and educators worked together under the #NotEvenOnce program at Cherokee High School to inform students about the dangers of opioid addiction. This interactive experience showed students the connection between the opioid epidemic at large and its connection to our community.

Chief Chew was recently asked about his proudest accomplishment. He described new wellness and safety programs for the members of his department which have yielded a healthier, more vibrant, collaborative, and productive workforce. Outside organizations have described it as the ``first of its kind'' and has since become a model for other departments across the country.

Chief Chew represents the best New Jersey has to offer--exemplifying service and being a positive example for others in our community. Despite his upcoming retirement next week, Chief Chew plans to remain active in the force and committed to passing on his knowledge to the department's next generation of leadership. I wish him the best of luck with his retirement as he spends his time teaching yoga and writing, taking time to be with his wife, Nicole, and two children, Michael and Natalie. May retirement bring him the happiness and comfort his service gave us for 25 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the upcoming 200th birthday of Clara Barton and the efforts of the Bordentown Historical Society to have the City of Bordentown, New Jersey officially proclaim December 4, Clara Barton Day.

Clara Barton was a trailblazer throughout her life, with a commitment and passion for

humanitarian work and uplifting others. She became one of the first women ever to work in the United States federal government, working as a recording clerk in the United States Patent Office. She would go on to become an advocate for public education and in 1853 became involved in helping the City of Bordentown establish the first ever public school in New Jersey. Perhaps, though, she remains best known for her work as a nurse during the Civil War; learning from those experiences to found the American Red Cross in 1881.

I am incredibly proud of the work the Bordentown Historical Society is doing to preserve the original Clara Barton schoolhouse, that remains standing in downtown Bordentown, and her legacy as an American pioneer.

As the Bordentown Historical Society prepares to celebrate the official proclamation of Clara Barton Day this December 4, I extend my best wishes to the members of the society and my neighbors in Bordentown.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Patricia Thompson and wish her well in her retirement after 43 years of dedicated service to the township of Willingboro, New Jersey.

Patricia first joined the Willingboro Police Department in 1978 as a traffic guard and since day one, she has been a comforting presence to Willingboro students and residents. Having lived in the town for most of her life, I was not surprised to hear that throughout her tenure, Patricia was eager to take on additional responsibilities like overseeing the bicycle auction. Her commitment to Willingboro earned her a promotion to Crossing Guard Supervisor in 2011, where she has been a vital addition to training the next generation of crossing guards.

On behalf of our entire district, I want to thank Patricia for her tireless commitment to the township of Willingboro, New Jersey. I wish Patricia every enjoyment in retirement with her husband and children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Carli Lloyd on her retirement from a sixteen-year international career in professional soccer as a member of the United States Women's National Team.

Carli grew up in Delran, New Jersey, and while she participated in numerous sports, she always gravitated towards soccer. She began playing at 5 years old and quickly excelled as a youth player. Later she even recalled some of her fondest memories were when she played on the Medford Strikers. From the moment she returned home from school, Carli could be found on any patch of grass big enough to kick a ball. Whether she was playing against men in pickup games or with

younger siblings in her family's upstairs hallway, Carli's competitive nature and ambition to be the best player on the field was always on display.

After playing on Rutgers University's team, Carli's removal from the Under 21 Women's National Soccer Team forced her to re-examine her approach to achieving her ultimate dream of being on the Women's National Team. As we all know, for Carli simply being on the team wasn't enough. She has gone on to compete in 312 international games, the second highest tally in U.S. soccer history. She played in 25 World Cup matches and 22 Olympic matches. She is the highest scoring midfielder in U.S. history and just a few months ago scored after playing for just 23 seconds, the second fastest goal scorer at the start of a match in Women's National Team History. A team general manager described Carli as, ``the embodiment of the DNA of a U.S. Women's National Team player.''

For those of us watching in stadiums or on television, we only see a fraction of what is truly required to compete at the highest level--the hard work, perseverance, self-taught-confidence that each player must have. While Carli leaves behind a legendary record, truly a legacy, her adherence to self-improvement and love for the sport is perhaps what she will forever be remembered.

Madam Speaker, Carli is an inspiration to all of us in New Jersey, particularly our daughters, and represents the best of us. Her integrity, humility and dedication to her teammates inspires us to become the best version of ourselves, and I wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Erin Murphey of Island Heights, New Jersey for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Erin is the first young woman to become an Eagle Scout in Ocean County, New Jersey, and among the Boy Scouts of America's inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts.

Erin's passion for Scouting started when she first heard her father's stories about his own time as a Boy Scout. Being able to participate in the organization's program was always something Erin wanted to do; however, it wasn't until February of 2019 when changes in membership policies allowed her and thousands of young girls to join. Once she joined Troop 570, she committed herself to making the most of her time. In addition to going camping and learning traditional scout skills, Erin worked to expand her council's high adventure and sailing programs, attended a leadership conference in New Mexico, and was elected by her peers into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. Erin also worked for four summers at the Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation, a local Boy Scout camp in New Jersey, starting as a counselor and ultimately serving as the Resident Program Director. Erin credits her outgoing personality, comfort with public speaking, and leadership to her experiences at camp having interacted with thousands of scouts.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Erin worked to complete 41 merit badges that ranged in subjects from railroading to engineering to personal finance as well as complete an Eagle Project that benefits the community. For her project, Erin Jed a team of 20 volunteers for three days, amounting to 55 volunteer hours, in cleaning and repainting half of the stone street signs in her town.

Anyone involved in Scouts BSA will say that achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is not an easy process. In 2019, only 8 percent of all Scouts BSA earned the Eagle Scout rank. When you consider the barriers that Erin and other young women had to overcome on top of the traditional requirements, achieving this award makes this occasion much more historic. Because of pioneers like Erin, the path to the Eagle summit will be easier for young women in the future who aspire to a similar goal. Erin herself said it best, when asked what piece of advice she could give to female scouts, she said ``enjoy the journey and don't let anything stop you''.

Madam Speaker, the example set by this young woman and her supportive family demonstrates the rewards of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Erin is now a part of a select group of women who have earned both their Eagle and Gold Award, the highest rank in Girl Scouts. I know that I speak for all of New Jersey's Third Congressional District when I say congratulations and good luck to Erin on her next steps.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ocean of Love on their 23rd Annual Billboard Radiothon. As September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, it is imperative that we rededicate ourselves to finding a cure for childhood cancers that impact thousands of families across my district.

During this three day event, Ocean of Love for Children with Cancer has a goal of raising $109,000 so they can continue their mission of providing excellent support to families facing unimaginable challenges.

Founded in 1988, Ocean of Love has helped over 500 families by providing varying levels of support including grocery gift cards, household expense assistance, scholarships, and caretaker support. Ocean of Love is there to share in the celebration of winning the battle and provides invaluable support for families facing life's hardest tragedy--the loss of a child. Through their bereavement group both for parents and siblings, Ocean of Love is there to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ocean County families.

I commit to them and to families across my district that I will continue supporting efforts to increase research into childhood disease and continue fighting for environmental protections to protect children's health for generations to come. I would like to commend Ocean of Love for their tireless efforts on behalf of these families and wish them all the best with their Radiothon. Thank you for being there to let the families here in Ocean County know that they will never be in this fight alone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Julie and Peter Bender, who will be recognized as the 2021 Moorestown Citizens of the Year.

Julie and Peter Bender have owned Moorestown Hardware for 20 years. Operated by these two Moorestown natives, the hardware store offers something for everyone with a wide selection of materials and tools, plus puzzles and popcorn. However, residents of Moorestown will know that their business is much more than a store--it's an extension of Julie and Peter's commitment to community service.

Throughout the year, you can find Julie and Peter working to support a wide array of community efforts that range from fundraising on behalf of scout groups and local organizations to supporting institutions such as the Moorestown Community House. Their business is routinely staffed by local high school students and is a part of a local program that hires special needs students, each of them amplifying the themes of kindness and hard work.

The Benders' support and dedication to their community have made a lasting impact on Moorestown, whether it's by donating 10 percent of their Small Business Saturday profits to local institutions or by donating a grand piano that has been used to teach thousands of children how to play.

Coretta Scott King once said, ``The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.'' The Benders live and breathe their store and the town that supports them. Julie and Peter Bender are shining examples of service, and I commend them for receiving this award and their continued involvement in strengthening Moorestown.

Madam Speaker, l rise today to congratulate Medford Leas on their 50th anniversary. Medford Leas is a retirement community with the mission of creating and advancing individual and community well-being for people aged 55 years and older.

For the past five decades, Medford Leas has provided valued high quality residential and healthcare services to older adults. While the community began in 1971, Medford Leas can trace its roots back to 1911 when local members of the Religious Society of Friends created a low- cost boarding house for elderly women.

Today, Medford Leas is a thriving community with an arboretum, a fitness and low vision center, and provides residents with access to adult college courses. While the community has expanded over the last five decades, Medford Leas continues to be guided by the teachings and beliefs of its founders; qualities of peace and nonviolence, equality, and stewardship. These values are not only best personified by the daily interactions between staff and residents, but also when the community took in twenty-one Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II.

Since I was elected to Congress in 2018, I have had the privilege of getting to know many of the residents of Medford Leas and have participated in numerous events in their community--both in person and virtually. They are always willing to go above and beyond to be good neighbors and truly care about their own community and others less fortunate. It is truly an honor to be their Representative in Congress.

On Medford Leas' 50th anniversary, I extend my best wishes to every staff member and resident of the Medford Leas community.

Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my amendment that will help countless struggling small businesses and communities access new opportunities and unlock the local economic potential of military bases across the country.

My amendment would incentivize the use of local small businesses for military construction projects by asking the Secretary of Defense to provide preference for businesses that will use workers from within the same State or within a 60-mile radius from where the work will occur.

My amendment would also strengthen a provision in the underlying bill to finally provide some transparency in the military construction project award process, helping small businesses at least be aware of when possible contracts and subcontract opportunities become available.

I represent Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, which for decades has been an economic engine in my community and in my State with thousands of jobs tied to operations on the base.

However, too often contracts at bases like mine go unseen by small, local businesses who are qualified and ready and sometimes more cost effective than contractors from out of State.

Since coming into Congress, I have met with business owners from around the Joint Base who have stressed to me that not only are they not considered for military construction contracts, but in many cases the Department of Defense does not even make local businesses aware of the contracts that are available.

I introduced the Put Our Neighbors to Work Act and offer it as an amendment here for the construction workers in my district who are looking for their next opportunity and to provide some fairness to the award process for small and local businesses who have been passed over for far too long.

This is a good amendment that would help to expand opportunities for small and local businesses in the construction industry at a time when so many across the country are struggling.

I would like to thank Congressman Norcross, Congressman Garamendi, and Congressman Pfluger for helping push this bipartisan effort forward.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up for small and local businesses by voting to pass this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am glad that we are able to have this debate and talk about what it is that we are trying to prioritize here. When we are talking about the workers here, this bill, this amendment, is not something that would force the Secretary of Defense to hire unqualified workers to be able to work on our bases. That is absolutely not the case here.

It is talking about, in the circumstances where there are qualified workers, wouldn't we want to prioritize the local workers that are part of that community?

We are proud in my district to host a military base. We are proud in New Jersey to have multiple different military installations, and I am sure other States are very proud of the military installations that they host as well.

I hope that the Department of Defense is proud of that partnership with our States. That is exactly what this is. It is a partnership. This can be a win-win. In the same way that we are looking out for our joint military base in our community, we would like the joint military base to think of itself as part of that community.

I believe in the workforce of my State and other States, and I believe that the workforce across America is strong. I believe that we have the skilled labor all over this country to be able to do this.

That is why we have been able to get this bipartisan bill. That is why I have been able to get the support of Congressman Pfluger and to be able to continue to move forward in the way that we need to do this for our small businesses, for our workers, to be able to help build strong national security.

Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge support for my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Keith Pinto, a lifeguard who tragically lost his life on Monday, August 30, 2021.

To all of those who knew Keith, he was the perfect kid. To some, he was the exceptional crosscountry athlete at Toms River High School North and an individual who would make anyone feel welcomed. To others, he was a familiar face at the Jersey Shore where he served for four summers as a lifeguard.

Keith's commitment to protecting our community didn't stop there; he had higher aspirations. Once he completed his criminal justice degree, he planned on serving his country as a United States Marine. It is with that same heart to serve and protect that Keith gave his life protecting his beach community.

During moments of tragedy, our communities rally together under around the theme of ``Jersey Strong.'' This moment is no exception. The day after his passing, hundreds of people--some friends, some fellow lifeguards, others complete strangers--gathered to pay their final respects at the 21st Avenue Beach, in South Seaside Park. This speaks volumes not only to the heart of the community, but more so to Keith's character.

Our hearts go out to Keith's family and friends, and we wish them strength and comfort during this extremely difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the voice, heart and soul of Toms River High School South--P. David Correll. For over 50 years, Mr. Correll has had an indelible impact on the students, faculty and families of those lucky enough to call High School South their alma mater.

After first arriving to the high school in 1964, Mr. Correll formed the Pep Club in 1966 and remained at the center of the school's spirit, pride, and inspiration. Even after formally retiring in 2007, Mr. Correll remained on as the school's publicity coordinator and remained ``Voice of the Indians'' by calling the Friday football games from the school's press box.

Beyond his contribution to the school's spirit, Mr. Correll was an inspiration in the classroom as an instructor of U.S. History, including students in the Advanced Placement program. He not only cared about the history of America, but about the history in his own backyard. In 2016, Mr. Correll spearheaded the effort to rename the entrance to High School South ``Gaiter Way'' to honor the legacy of an immigrant African-American family that attended school there between the 1920s to 1940s, with one of the children becoming a Tuskegee Airman.

Never a shrinking violet, Mr. Correll was actively involved with the high school band, team athletics and student government. He was honored to march in both Inaugural parades of President Jimmy Carter and President Ronald Reagan.

As he prepares to hang up his megaphone, this weekend Mr. Correll will be honored with a Pep Rally to celebrate a legacy that will live on in the community of Toms River. I wish to express my deep gratitude and well-wishes to an educator who inspired many to do as much good as you can, for as long as you can. May the proud traditions at Toms River High School South continue with him in our hearts forever.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ell Edward ``Eddie'' Ash. He was a beloved member of the New Jersey

community who passed away on August 10th, 2021 at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, his five children, Ell Jr., Kimelle, Joshua, Maurice, LaMiyah and Daviyon, and his grandchildren, Ariell Jr. and Ell Edward Ash III.

A man of large stature and spirit, Ell's presence was one that welcomed you and that could not be ignored. You could often find Ell behind his grill at community events preparing his famous barbeque or energizing the congregation at Mt. Zion AME Church by playing Gospel Jazz or R&B on his saxophone. He was an individual that enjoyed challenging the younger men in his life to keep up with him; especially when it came to football, swimming, and bike riding.

Anyone who knows Ell will speak to his passion for service and this is shown no clearer than in his commitment toward youth mentoring. From his days at the University of Houston, he was an active leader in the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's ``Guide Right'' program, a hands-on curriculum that empowers youth in the Black community to harness their potential to address local issues. For 25 years, Ell served as a Senior Corrections Officer at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility. Throughout any week, you could find Ell coaching football, baseball, and basketball teams throughout the Willingboro Public Schools system where he would always conclude each game and practice with a team huddle to laugh and reflect.

My heart goes out to Ell's entire family. For those that knew him, even in the briefest of life's moments, he will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the Gold Star Mothers Family Monument Extension Act of 2021.

Since our country's entrance into World War I, the Gold Star tradition has remained a simple, yet powerful reminder of all the sacrifices made by our servicemembers and their families. The qualities that our Gold Star Families possess are the qualities that we all seek in America: courage, perseverance, strength, and above all, an unflagging determination to see the right prevail.

The passage of this bill and the ultimate completion of the Gold Star Mothers Family National Monument would be the clearest display of gratitude from the American people. The monument would embody the spirit of national service, highlight the ongoing contributions Gold Star Families contribute to our communities, and provide visitors with a space to reflect and remember loss.

This bill would not have been possible without the tireless advocacy of Judith Young, a constituent of mine from Moorestown, New Jersey. I thank Judith for her work for the commemoration of Gold Star Families through the monument and thank the House for passing this meaningful legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the bipartisan work that was undertaken in the last Congress to get to this moment and the same work that was done to bring this bill to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas A. Harper.

Mr. Harper proudly served his country during the Korea War and embodies the resilience and fortitude of the great men and women who serve in our Nation's military. During his time in the U.S. Army, Mr. Harper gained the role of Sergeant First Class, served in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and was awarded two Purple Hearts. For Mr. Harper's valor and service in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, Gregory Peck, an actor in the movie, Pork Chip Hill, met with Mr. Harper to conduct research for his role.

I would like to formally thank Mr. Harper for his service to the United States of America.