Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kim Emes, one of the winners of the 24th annual Personal Achievement Award from the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona. This award is given to encourage and recognize those who have made an outstanding effort to deal with or overcome a disability. This year, Kim has earned that distinction.

Kim was diagnosed in January 2017 with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves causing weakness and temporary paralysis throughout the body. Kim was completely dependent as she began rehabilitation therapy with very little functional movement. But she showed determination, hard work and a desire to be challenged during each treatment visit and continued to make excellent progress. By discharge, Kim had totally regained her strength, balance and mobility, and was able to walk without braces or a rolling walker.

I am honored to help celebrate Kim's impressive efforts and recovery, as I believe her dedicated and positive attitude is something many of us can learn from as we attempt to overcome the hardships in our lives. Furthermore, I am happy to recognize Kim for her perseverance, and I wish her the best as she returns to a life of full health.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ron Clawson, one of the winners of the 24th annual Personal Achievement Award from the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona. This award is given to encourage and recognize those who have made an outstanding effort to deal with or overcome a disability. This year, Ron has earned that distinction.

Ron was at work atop a tanker car when it exploded in January 2017. He sustained significant trauma and multiple injuries including nine rib fractures, multiple spinal fractures and burns all over his body. The accident dramatically changed his life, causing him to endure many trips for medical treatment including outpatient therapy three times a week, follow-up appointments with multiple doctors and a surgical procedure on his right shoulder. Yet, through all of these troubles, Ron, with the boundless support of his wife Diane and their four children, has approached his situation with strength and calm determination.

I am humbled to recognize the truly impressive recovery Ron has made. His steadfast perseverance in the face of such adversity is remarkable. As such, it is my pleasure to wish Ron the best as he continues to reclaim his health and life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jessica Stellabotte, one of the winners of the 24th annual Personal Achievement Award from the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona. This award is given to encourage and recognize those who have made an outstanding effort to deal with or overcome a disability. This year, Jessica has earned that distinction.

Jessica was diagnosed in April 2017 with Acute Demyelinating Encephalopathy, an inflammation of the body's central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. At

the time, Jessica was just a typical young woman pursuing her Master's Degree in Grief Counseling.

She faced many obstacles being unable to speak, sit without support or simply wheel her wheelchair. However, through her hard work, motivation and family support, Jessica has made tremendous gains in speech and occupational therapy and now even walks with a walker. She is completing a graduate program to become a grief counselor, and is an inspiration to many.

I am honored to help celebrate Jessica's impressive efforts and promising recovery, as I believe that her dedicated and positive attitude is something many of us can learn from as we attempt to overcome the hardships in our lives. Furthermore, I am happy to recognize Jessica for her perseverance, and I wish her the best as she continues to reclaim her health and life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dan Mathews and thank him for his years of dedicated service to Congress and the American taxpayers. Dan has worked on the Hill for over 20 years, and, he has been a fixture on the staff of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as the Republican Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management for the last 14 years. The Subcommittee has a wide area of jurisdiction covering federal buildings and courthouses, the General Services Administration, and GSA leases and capital projects, the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery of Art, and numerous other federal facilities. In addition, Dan also staffed the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparedness for and the Response to Hurricane Katrina in 2006. He was one of the primary authors of the Committee's investigative report, ``A Failure of Initiative,'' which led to the successful enactment of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, and later the establishment of the National Preparedness System and the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act.

In his time with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Dan has had a leading role in the enactment of major pieces of legislation related to public buildings and emergency management. Most notably, during his tenure, he has overseen the passage and the initial implementation of the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act (FASTA), which will shrink the size of government and help ensure savings by selling or redeveloping high value properties, consolidating federal space, and streamlining the disposal of unneeded assets; the Post- Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, which gave FEMA clear guidance on its mission and priorities, and provided the legislative authorities needed to better partner with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments before, during, and after disasters; and the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, which was the most significant legislative change to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) substantive authorities since the enactment of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974.

Dan has also worked tirelessly to save taxpayer money by reducing the cost of federal real estate, reducing waste in the federal courthouse construction program, coordinating efforts by agencies to reduce leasing costs through space reductions and consolidations, and pushing GSA to negotiate the best lease deals for the taxpayer. It comes as no surprise given his experience and efforts, that the Administration has appointed him Commissioner of GSA's Public Buildings Service. I am confident in that role, Dan will continue the important work of ensuring GSA and other federal agencies continue to reduce costs and make smarter decisions in federal real estate to benefit the taxpayer.

In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, his wife Lara and their two daughters, traveling, doing yoga, and rock climbing. Mr. Speaker, please join me in acknowledging Dan's achievements during his tenure here in the House of Representatives and in wishing Dan the best of luck with new endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the dedicated service of Colonel Deacon Maddox, commander of Letterkenny Army Depot.

Since his arrival in August of 2015, Colonel Maddox has brought the finest elements of the U.S. Army Warrior Ethos to bear on the task of revitalizing operations at Letterkenny Army Depot. Through his innovative leadership, Colonel Maddox has brought about substantial and lasting changes that have cemented Letterkenny's place as the premier defense industrial facility in the nation for decades to come.

Throughout his career as an Army officer, Colonel Maddox has exemplified the finest traditions of this nation's armed forces. His tenure at the helm of Letterkenny has been marked by an unshakeable commitment to the men and women under his command, and his work to improve the efficacy and production at the depot has made this nation safer and more secure.

Let no one make the mistake of underestimating the role of America's organic industrial base. Our depots and arsenals work tirelessly to put the weapons and equipment in the hands of the warfighter, and the labor being done in the heart of Pennsylvania saves lives in lands far from home. That would not be possible without the steadfast guidance of leaders like Colonel Deacon Maddox.

In his time at Letterkenny Army Depot, Colonel Maddox has done more than simply steer the installation towards greater success--he has also become a welcome part of the Franklin County community. From his engagement with local officials to his collaboration with Team Letterkenny, Colonel Maddox has been a valued member of the 9th District. It has been an honor to work with him, and his presence will be missed in Franklin County.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 9th District, I want to thank Colonel Deacon Maddox for his selfless service, and for working so hard to protect both the American warfighter and the dedicated workforce at Letterkenny Army Depot. Though Colonel Maddox's time at Letterkenny Army Depot may be over, the impact he has made to improve the installation and the lives of its employees will be felt for decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2825, and I want to commend and congratulate my two good friends, Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson, and the members of the Homeland Security Committee and their staff for their work on this important bill.

This Congress, eight committee chairmen agreed to work together on the Department of Homeland Security reauthorization. I did so because securing our Nation's homeland is extremely important to the American people. I also believe it is our duty to work together to support fellow chairmen on their priorities, especially large reauthorizations like this.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up two authorizations in our jurisdiction that are included in this bill: the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Coast Guard authorization supports service missions to enforce all Federal laws on the high seas and in U.S. waters. It does so by providing a variety of acquisition authorities to help lower costs, requiring a land-based unmanned aircraft system program, eliminating redundant training requirements, and providing the Coast Guard parity with other armed services in matters related to healthcare and retirement.

On FEMA, the bill provides the first ever reauthorization of the agency to ensure accountability and strong congressional oversight. It includes a number of provisions to help address 21st century challenges to disaster preparedness and response and to support energy response personnel.

Both of our reauthorizations were bipartisan efforts and approved with bipartisan support. Again, I thought it was important to move these measures through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to support Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Thompson and their legislative priorities. I want to thank them both again for their work. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the great honor of welcoming Reverend Terry Sanders and his wife, Rhonda.

Reverend Sanders traveled here from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he is the founder, CEO, and director of Genesis House Ministry, a ministry created to help men leaving the prison system move through a recovery process within a supportive environment, enabling them to transition back to society. His ministry has been helpful in battling the fight against the opioid crisis we face in America today.

The Genesis House, at its core, is a resident house where clients receive far more than a warm bed. Rather than sending former inmates aimlessly into the streets, the ministry provides counseling, mentoring, job skill development, substance abuse programming, job placement services, and family integration assistance.

Reverend Sanders has been working as the chaplain of the Fayette County Prison for more than 10 years and knows firsthand prison release qualifications and what it takes to make a difference in the lives of men.

The ministry opened its doors in 2014 and is a result of Reverend Sanders' desire to make a difference in the community.

I am grateful that Reverend Sanders is able to join us here today, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep and sincere appreciation for the great work he and his team are doing in western Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of the Meyersdale Area High School Varsity Baseball team of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. The Red Raiders baseball team brought home the long awaited PIAA Class A State Championship on Thursday, June 15. This is a monumental moment for the school; it is the first state championship the school has won in any sport since its opening in the late 1940's. In fact, this was the first PIAA crown earned by any team in the Somerset County school district. The Red Raiders defeated the Clarion Bobcats 2-0, finishing their season with a record of 21-6.

Baseball is a team sport, Mr. Speaker, and this championship is a team championship. The Red Raiders were led to victory against the Bobcats by their five seniors and captains, Riley Christner, Zach Hotchkiss, Max Caton, Cody Welker, and David Swank, and head coach Wayne Miller. This headlining win gave Wayne Miller an overall record of 183-44 during his ten years of coaching the Red Raiders.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate the players, coaches, and families of the Meyersdale Area High School Varsity Baseball team on their state championship. The passion, commitment, and teamwork shown by these young men will surely follow them in their future endeavors as well as inspire the Meyersdale community for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Young, Oakes, Brown, & Company, P.C.

Young, Oakes, Brown, & Company, P.C. is the oldest professional firm in Blair County and one of the largest independently owned accounting and consulting firms based in Central Pennsylvania. Founded in Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1917, the firm has grown to employ 30 individuals that maintain the company's reputation of Excellency in the accounting, tax preparation, and auditing profession. Throughout their 100 years, Young, Oakes, Brown, & Company, P.C. has continuously been an active community partner supporting charities, service and fraternal clubs and contributing to the 9th District of Pennsylvania.

Young, Oakes, Brown, & Company, P.C.'s current stakeholders are an outstanding example of integrity and professionalism in the workforce, and I know their founder, Robert E. Young, would be proud of the legacy they have continued.

I ask that all of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Young, Oakes, Brown, & Company, P.C. on this historic milestone, and wishing this business nothing but continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the New Meadow Run Community in Farmington, Pennsylvania, and submit the following Proclamation:

Whereas, in July of 1957 members of the Bruderhof purchased Gorley's Lake Hotel in Farmington, Pennsylvania calling it first Oak Lake and subsequently New Meadow Run.

Whereas, this Assembled Body is justly proud to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the New Meadow Run Community in Farmington, Pennsylvania; and

Whereas, the Bruderhof was founded in 1920 in Germany by Dr. Eberhard Arnold, and since then, has grown into an international Christian communal movement, inspired by the first century Christian church in Jerusalem; and

Whereas, the Bruderhof has been a living example of the sanctity of family life, peace, racial equality and brotherhood and has been an advocate for religious freedoms, education and welfare of children and care of the elderly and downtrodden; and

Whereas, Bruderhof members are involved in a wide range of social services on a volunteer and charitable basis which include visiting those in prison, providing food, shelter, and medical care to those in need--locally and internationally, serving as police chaplains, and volunteering on local ambulance and fire departments; and

Whereas, the Bruderhof is known for publishing quality books and a quarterly magazine through the Plough Publishing House, and working for peace and reconciliation through ``Breaking the Cycle,'' a conflict resolution program for schools that reaches thousands of students each year; and

Whereas, since its arrival in the United States, the Bruderhof has become well-known for its businesses: Community Playthings, which manufactures quality wooden toys and durable nursery furniture; and Rifton Equipment, which produces Innovative equipment for people with motor disabilities; and

Whereas, since 1954, the Bruderhof movement has expanded to include sixteen communities in the United States, including three in Pennsylvania and ten in New York State. Internationally there are three communities in England, two in Germany and three in Australia, one in Paraguay; and

Whereas, Bruderhof members appreciate the freedoms the United States has afforded them and have participated in the political process, supporting the leadership of their representatives; and

Whereas, the Bruderhof's distinguished record of valuable, practical, economic, and spiritual contributions to Pennsylvania and the United States merit the recognition and respectful tribute of this Assembled Body; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the New Meadow Run Community in Farmington, Pennsylvania and look forward to a continuing association with the Bruderhof as it works to improve the quality of life of every person and serve the common good; and be it further.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with House Report 115-193, I include in the Record the following Congressional Budget Cost Estimate for H.R. 1684.

U.S. Congress,

Congressional Budget Office,

Washington, DC, June 27, 2017.

Hon. Bill Shuster,

Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has

prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1684, the

Disaster Assistance Support for Communities and Homeowners

Act of 2017.

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be

pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Robert

Reese.

Sincerely,

Mark P. Hadley

(For Keith Hall, Director).

Enclosure.

H.R. 1684--Disaster Assistance Support for Communities and Homeowners

Act of 2017

As passed by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2017

H.R. 1684 would require the Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA) to provide technical assistance to community,

homeowner, and similar associations. FEMA would be required

to help such associations take actions after a disaster that

would make them eligible to receive reimbursement from

entities that receive FEMA grants. This legislation also

would require FEMA to submit a report to the Congress on

expanding the areas of condominiums and housing cooperatives

that are eligible for federal disaster relief.

Based on information provided by FEMA, about the cost to

collect information necessary to complete the report, CBO

estimates that implementing H.R. 1684 would cost $1 million

in 2018; such spending would be subject to the availability

of appropriated funds.

Enacting H.R. 1684 would not affect direct spending or

revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.

CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 1684 would not increase net

direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four

consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.

H.R. 1684 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector

mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and

would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.

The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Meghan

Shewsbury and Robert Reese. The estimate was approved by

Theresa Gullo, Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of the Central High School Varsity Baseball team of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. The countless hours of commitment required by the players and coaches was rewarded by their PIAA, 3A State Championship win on Thursday, June 15th. The Scarlet Dragons defeated Holy Redeemer High School with a final score of 8-3 in the team's first-ever state championship. The Dragons finished the season with a record of 24-3.

The team represented Pennsylvania's Blair County at Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The town of Martinsburg, PA is small but mighty, much like that of the 40 player team led by their head coach AJ Hoenstine. Coach Hoenstine has led the Dragons as a head coach for 10 years, and is a Central High School Baseball alum himself.

The 2017 varsity team was home to 11 seniors with a solidly backed line up of underclassmen. The game's star pitcher was a junior named Preston Karstetter. Karstetter took over for the team's ace Jarret Imler after the Dragons made it to the final game of the playoffs. The rest of the starting line-up from the Championship Game included Alex Hoenstine, Chase Smith, Josh McKnight, Michael Speck, Noah Muthler, Hunter Liebal, Larry Corle, Jacob Muthler, Brady Nicewonger, and Brice Brumbaugh.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to congratulate the players and coaches of the Central High School's Varsity Baseball team on their championship win. The type of dedication and hard work required to achieve this level of victory will surely follow these young men throughout the rest of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mike Christopher, a devoted public servant in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Mike is retiring after 40 years of dedicated public service as supervisor of Washington Township.

Mike was born March 18, 1952 and graduated from Penn State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environment Resource Management. He married his wife Andrea on May 15, 1976, and began working for Washington Township the next year as Supervisor. In 1993, Mike began serving as the Township Treasurer as well as Supervisor.

Mike is one of those outstanding individuals who is a true public servant, Mr. Speaker, and he didn't stop with working for his local community full time. He's served on numerous boards and committees in the Waynesboro area and Franklin County including the YMCA Board of Directors and Building Committee, as President of the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce, and as Secretary for the Waynesboro Area Drug Education Consortium. He is also the founder of the Franklin County Crime Solvers Board.

I am certainly not the first to recognize Mike for his outstanding service. In addition to much recognition throughout his career, just this year he was awarded the Chairman's Distinguished Service Award at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors 95th Annual Conference in Hershey.

Mr. Speaker, Mike's willingness to serve his community and Pennsylvania sets him apart as an outstanding individual and I am honored to represent him in the United States Congress. I ask that all of my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Mike on his retirement and wishing him nothing but continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate four talented young Pennsylvania students who volunteered their time and artistic abilities to the beautification of the Altoona Mail Processing Center.

Portage Area High School students Makayla Klein, Christopher Hartline, Kaylee Koval, and Alexis Miller were selected by their instructor to design and paint a mural in the lobby of the postal center. They submitted several designs for consideration, and, upon selection, collaborated to carry out the chosen design. The design that was selected by the postal center was a striking image of a bald eagle with wings spread and talons out. On the left wing is the emblem of the United States Postal Service, and on the right wing an American flag.

On April 7th and 8th, 2017, Makayla, Christopher, Kaylee, and Alexis volunteered their time to complete the mural on the lobby wall of the postal center. The mural was dedicated to the hardworking men and women of the Altoona Mail Processing Center, and their commitment to ensuring the efficient and accurate handling of our mail and postage. The students who carried out this tremendous project deserve nothing but our gratitude and admiration.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to thank Makayla, Christopher, Kaylee, and Alexis for their hand in the improvement of the Altoona Mail Processing Center. Congratulations on a job well done and for your beautiful contribution which will be enjoyed by thousands in the community for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the service of Lieutenant Colonel Trenton J. Conner, who has served his nation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania admirably as Commander of the Letterkenny Munitions Center (LEMC) in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant Colonel Conner was installed as commander of LEMC in 2015, and has since led a dynamic effort to modernize both the facilities and logistical technology that allow Letterkenny to operate as one of our nation's most efficient and effectual munitions centers. His leadership has helped turn LEMC into the Army's premier munitions center, orchestrating the distribution, maintenance, and demilitarization of munitions from around the globe.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 9th District, I want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Conner for his selfless service, and moreover highlight the sense of purpose with which he has handled every project managed in his time at Letterkenny Munitions Center. His leadership and the progressive changes he has made will live on, and it is with the utmost appreciation with which I wish him the best as he continues to serve his nation in new capacities.

As he passes the guidon, I take great pleasure in congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Conner on his prodigious accomplishments. I thank him for his tireless devotion to duty and continued service to the state and to the nation.