Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Walter Radcliffe's 100th birthday.

Mr. Radcliffe embodies the resilience, fortitude, and can-do-spirit of the ``Greatest Generation.'' In a time of crisis, he courageously volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II, despite having a civilian job exemption. Mr. Radcliffe fought in the Pacific Theatre aboard the U.S.S. Isherwood. We owe him a debt of gratitude for his combat record in the Battles of Leyte Gulf and serving at Subic Bay, as well as for the valor he demonstrated during the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf and the Battle of Okinawa.

Mr. Radcliffe is beloved by his family, including his wife Dorothy of more than 38 years, his children, and grandchildren, and by his community where he's still an active member of VFW Post 10092. It is clear to everyone who knows Mr. Radcliffe that he has made the most of each of his one-hundred years.

I wish him the best on achieving this milestone and hope he enjoys a wonderful celebration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor former Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Jared Maples on his retirement.

Director Maples retirement from public service is much deserved. Prior to working at New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Director Maples served his country for over a decade at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the U.S. Department of Defense.

As Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security, Jared Maples committed himself to making life safer for all residents of New Jersey. He led New Jersey's counterterrorism efforts, and cybersecurity efforts and served as a critical link in New Jersey's COVID-19 response. Director Maples was a staunch advocate for the interfaith community and worked hard to ensure that they remained safe from bias crimes. I was honored to participate on numerous events with Director Maples and found him to be an individual who truly cares about the safety and well-being of all residents in my district and throughout New Jersey.

I commend Director Maples for his work, and I know I speak on behalf of my constituents when I say congratulations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Walter Radcliffe's 100th birthday.

Mr. Radcliffe is a proud veteran who is beloved by his community. It is clear to everyone that knows Mr. Radcliffe, that he has made the most of each of his one-hundred years.

I wish him the best at achieving this milestone and hope he enjoys a wonderful celebration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Toms River Fire Department No. 1 on its one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary.

Beginning in 1896, the Toms River Fire Department was founded with no budget or fire hydrant. Within two years, the town's running water became operational and the Fire Department was granted a $500 budget. Soon, when there was a fire, the firefighters were able to hook their hoses to Toms River's one hydrant and push a hose cart across town to fight a fire. Through the Toms River Fire Department's work, they protected the residents of Toms River and saved countless lives.

While the technology and tools available to the Toms River Fire Department have changed drastically in the past century and firetrucks have thankfully replaced fire carts, the mission and the work ethic of the Toms River Fire Department have not. For the past

one hundred and twenty-five years, the volunteer fire service has protected the grateful residents of Toms River. Hopefully, in one hundred years from today, another member of Congress representing Toms River will stand here on the floor of the House of Representatives, honoring the Toms River Fire Department No. 1's noble work on their two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary.

On Toms River Fire Department No. 1's anniversary, I extend my best wishes to all the firefighters, former firefighters and their families of the Toms River community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Mary Magdalene Whitehead's 106th birthday. Mrs. Whitehead is a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.

Mrs. Whitehead is beloved by her community, where she is known as ``Big Mom'' for her warmth, kindness, and wisdom that she offers children and parents alike. Mrs. Whitehead has babysat generations of children and served as a sounding board for scores of overwhelmed and grateful parents. It is clear to everyone that knows Mrs. Whitehead, that she has made the most of each of her one-hundred and six years.

I wish her the best at achieving this milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Medford Leas on their fiftieth anniversary. Medford Leas is a continuing 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. From the conversations I have had with Medford Leas residents, I know Medford Leas lives up to its mission.

On Medford Leas fiftieth anniversary, I extend my best wishes to staff and residents of the Medford Leas community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Eddie Hill's 100th birthday. Mr. Hill is a loving father, grandfather, great- grandfather and great-great-grandfather. Mr. Hill proudly served his country in World War II as part of the 1695th Engineer Combat Battalion in an all-black combat unit. After serving in dangerous combat duty across Europe, Mr. Hill returned home, went to technical school, and went on to become an auto repair specialist. He even owned his own business, a true testament to his contributions to his community.

For his contributions, his community loved him back. For his pre- birthday celebrations, his neighbors, friends, and family came together to honor Mr. Hill in a large drive-by parade. It is clear to everyone that knows Mr. Hill, that he has made the most of each of his one- hundred years. I wish him many more pursuing his passions of following baseball and gardening.

On behalf of my community and our neighbors across Burlington and Ocean Counties, I wish him a happy birthday and thank him for his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief John M. Colucci of the Mount Laurel Fire Department on his twenty-five years of service to Mount Laurel and to congratulate Chief Colucci on his much-deserved retirement.

A beloved son of New Jersey, Chief Colucci returned to New Jersey to begin his career in the fire service in 1994, after serving in the Navy. While in the Navy, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Joint Expeditionary Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Battle ``E'' Award and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Throughout his twenty-five years as a firefighter in New Jersey, Chief Colucci contributed greatly to the town of Mount Laurel and New Jersey. During his time as Chief of Department, Chief Colucci was dedicated to improving safety and quality of life for firefighters and the residents of Mount Laurel Township. Among his many achievements, Chief Colucci improved the department's ISO rating from a Class 4 to a Class 3, fully implemented a 24-hour staffing plan to increase fire safety and oversaw upgrades in technology, firefighting equipment and the firefighter bailout system. Chief Colucci also founded the Mount Laurel Firefighters Foundation, 501c3, served as Scholarship Chair of the Burlington County Fire Chiefs Associations, and served as President of the New Jersey Career Fire Chiefs Association from 2018 to 2020.

I commend Chief Colucci for his work, and I know I speak on behalf of my constituents when I say Chief Colucci will be missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rose Cordasco's 100th birthday. Rose is a loving, kind mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is beloved by her family and from how her family has described her, it is clear that she has made the most of each of her one-hundred years.

I wish her the best on achieving this milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Floyd L. White, III on his retirement. During his over twenty years of service, Reverend White has been a stalwart of the community, always putting other's needs before his own.

Since 1988, in his private capacity, Reverend White has served as a Pastor for the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church, providing spiritual leadership to church members. In his public capacity, since 1988, Reverend White has served America's servicemen and woman. Beginning as Battalion Chaplain, Reverend White administered to the spiritual and moral needs of approximately 150 soldiers and their families. Eventually, from 2012 to 2019, Reverend White served as the Director of Camden County Veteran Affairs where he worked to better the lives of veterans and their families. After twenty years of service, Reverend Floyd L. White, III more than deserves a peaceful retirement and I wish him the best.

I commend Reverend Floyd L. White, III for his dedication to serving the people of New Jersey and I know the Woodland Avenue Presbyterian Church will be sad to see him go.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor U.S. Army Brigadier General Jonathan C. Moyer. A beloved son of Burlington County, Jonathan C. Moyer was recently promoted to Brigadier General and took command of the 335th Theater Signal Command. I, and the town of Pemberton, cannot be prouder of him.

Brigadier General Jonathan C. Moyer's promotion is much deserved. He has served his country in the armed forces for over two decades and has been awarded a Bronze Star Medal, and numerous citations of the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal for his service. In addition, Brigadier General Moyer is dedicated to community service and uplifting veterans and students.

Brigadier General Moyer is a co-founder of Tip of the Arrow Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that assists mobilized National Guard and Reserve Veterans returning from military service overseas to translate their military skillset to find gainful civilian employment. Brigadier General Moyer also served as Director of Coaching for Tip of the Arrow Foundation, where he managed 30 volunteer coaches to assist our Veterans with resume writing, job interviews, and salary negotiation. Additionally, Moyer has been involved with several organizations from AFCEA, AOC, to AUSA, serving as a senior mentor for local high schools and colleges STEM programs.

I commend Brigadier General Jonathan C. Moyer for his work, and I know I speak on behalf of my constituents when I say congratulations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thespian Troupe 6803 at Bordentown High School for their exceptional service to New Jersey and their community.

Amid a global crisis, the students of Thespian Troupe 6803 at Bordentown High School revitalized the discontinued Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat program and became true leaders. In response to the hunger they witnessed in their community, Thespian Troupe 6803 raised over 615 pounds of food for the St. Mary's Food Pantry as part of the Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat Program.

In this time, where a growing number of New Jersey residents are going to bed hungry, we should be doing all we can to ensure that we feed those in need. Thespian Troupe 6803's work exemplifies the best of New Jersey and New Jersey's compassion for all of its citizens.

I could not be prouder of the students in this troupe, and I thank them for their service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Carolyn Little for her exceptional service to New Jersey and to announce that Ms. Little was selected as the 2021-2021 Outstanding Educator of the Year by New Jersey Thespians.

Amid a global crisis, while leading a state-wide organization and serving as teacher for her students and two young daughters, Ms. Little continuously put the needs of her students and the less fortunate ahead of herself. While serving as a mentor to her students during this tough time, Ms. Little helped lead Toms River Thespian Troupe 7455 in their Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat Program. With the help of Ms. Little, Toms River Thespian Troupe 7455 at Toms River High School North raised over 547 pounds of food for the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

I could not be prouder of Ms. Little and I thank her for her service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thespian Troupe 1555 at Rancocas Valley Regional High School for their exceptional service to New Jersey and their community.

Amid a global crisis, the students of Thespian Troupe 1555 at Rancocas Valley Regional High School revitalized the discontinued Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat program and became true leaders. In response to the hunger they witnessed in their community, Thespian Troupe 1555 raised over 90 pounds of food for the RVRHS Food Pantry as part of the Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat program.

In this time, where a growing number of New Jersey residents are going to bed hungry, we should be doing all we can to ensure that we feed those in need. Thespian Troupe 1555's work exemplifies the best of New Jersey and New Jersey's compassion for all of its citizens.

I could not be prouder of the students in this troupe, and I thank them for their service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Doris Terrett. She was a beloved member of the New Jersey community who passed away on February 4, 2021 at the age of eighty-eight. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Kim and David Keosian and her dear grandson Christopher Michael Keosian.

Doris lived a full life and leaves behind a legacy of service that has touched many. I know I speak for the entire 3rd Congressional District when I say we are grateful for Doris' contributions to our community.

My heart goes out to Doris' entire family. They will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time when too many New Jersey families are grieving.