Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent of my district, Solebury Police Chief Dominick P. Bellizzie who is retiring on July 1, 2024 after 48 years of dedicated and faithful service to the citizens of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

After high school, Dominick joined the United States Navy where he served prior to his law enforcement career. He found his lifelong career on May 17, 1975 when he started as a police officer at the City of Philadelphia Police Department, working in patrol, investigations, administration, and narcotics.

Dominick has had extensive police training, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Chief Bellizzie was also selected by the International Association of Chiefs of Police to travel abroad to Ukraine to provide training in police methods.

In 2002, Chief Bellizzie became the Chief of Police for the City of Coatesville Police Department in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He left Coatesville Police Department in 2006 to lead the Solebury Township Police Department. Under the leadership of Chief Dominick Bellizzie, the Solebury Township Police Department was transformed from a pre-21st century department to an innovative community-based police department. The principles of leadership, service, honesty, integrity, humility, purpose, and trust were part of Dominick's devotion to law enforcement and his officers.

I wish to congratulate Dominick on his almost five decades of service to the citizens of Bucks, Chester, and Philadelphia Counties, and on his well-deserved retirement from the Solebury Township Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary constituent from my district, Sergeant Raymond Branden of Lower Southampton Township. His distinguished career as a law enforcement officer spans an impressive 37 years and now culminates in his well- merited retirement.

Raymond was born in Philadelphia and currently resides in Holland. He started his career in 1987 working part-time for Chalfont Borough, Newtown Borough, and Yardley Borough. Raymond secured a full-time position as an officer in 1988 and by April 1989, he joined the Lower Southampton Township Police Department.

Over the course of 15 years, Raymond was a member of the South- Central Bucks County SWAT team, serving as a valuable and esteemed team leader. Concurrently, he was a member of the Lower Southampton Township Police Honor Guard, exhibiting unwavering reliability as an accident investigator and reconstructionist.

During his tenure with Lower Southampton Township, Raymond's ascent within the police department was marked by commendable rapidity. Elevated to the rank of Corporal in 2004 and further to Sergeant in 2006, his trajectory underscored his exceptional leadership and dedication to duty. Noteworthy among his myriad achievements are instances where he displayed promptness and efficacy in responding to medical crises, deftly averted threats posed to fellow officers, and apprehended perpetrators of burglary.

Along with this patrol sergeant duties, Raymond was also the traffic safety coordinator for the police department. Tasked with scheduling traffic and DUI enforcement details, he led numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the force and community as a whole.

Sergeant Branden plans to enjoy his retirement by spending quality time with his wife Tami, daughters Nichole and Morgan, and grandchildren Luna and Rory. I express profound gratitude to Sergeant Branden for the life of dedicated service he has given to our community, district, and country. His noble character is an example of civic stewardship for new generations of law enforcement to embody.

Raymond's devotion to the force will be greatly missed, but I wish to congratulate him on his 37 years of service to the citizens of Bucks County and his deserved retirement from the Lower Southampton Township Police Department. I am looking forward to seeing him embark on this new journey and I sincerely hope that all his future endeavors are met with great success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Sergeant Michael Wojnar of Lower Southampton Township Police Department who is retiring after 27 years of dedicated service as a law enforcement officer.

He started his career in 1996 working for Jenkintown Borough and Rockledge Borough Police. He attended Bucks County Community College for his Associates of Art Degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from 1992 to 1995 and enrolled in the Police Academy at Montgomery County Community College in 1995. By June 1997, he joined the Lower Southampton Township Police Department.

For 18 years, Michael served as a valuable asset within the South- Central Bucks County SWAT team, fulfilling pivotal roles in HAZMAT SWAT operations and crisis negotiator. Additionally, he was a member of the Lower Southampton Township Police Honor Guard, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to excellence in law enforcement.

During his tenure with Lower Southampton Township, Michael quickly rose through the ranks of the police department, promoted to Corporal in 2014 and Sergeant in 2018. Michael Wojnar has an array of worthy achievements, exemplified by his courageous rescue efforts at the Ridgecrest Nursing Home amidst perilous conditions of heat and smoke, and his adeptness in providing key information leading to the arrest of a serial bank robber.

Along with his patrol sergeant duties, he was extremely involved in accident investigation and reconstruction. While performing these responsibilities, he was also at Peirce College getting a Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration in 2021, and earning a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections from the University of Arizona Global Campus from 2022 to 2023.

I express profound gratitude to Sergeant Wojnar for the life of dedicated service he has given to our community, district, and country. His exemplary character serves as a model of civic stewardship and sets a precedent for future generations of law enforcement to emulate. Michael's devotion will be greatly missed, but thankfully he has continued to serve for the Bucks County Sheriff's Department as Deputy Sheriff. I wish to congratulate his service to the citizens of Bucks County, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable actions of a constituent in my district, Becky Arbaugh. Becky is a dedicated manager at a Taco Bell in Richboro where on the afternoon of April 13th this year she demonstrated unparalleled courage and quick thinking, saving the life of an eleven-week-old baby in a moment of crisis.

It was an ordinary day at 4:45 PM, at the Taco Bell where Becky works, until an extraordinary event unfolded. A frantic scene emerged as screams were heard outside of the drive through window from mother, Natasha. Baby Myles Long suddenly stopped breathing. Without hesitation, Becky sprang into action upon realizing how dire the situation was. In those crucial moments, Becky's actions proved to be the difference between life and death. Becky began performing CPR on Myles, working tirelessly to revive the infant. Becky's own daughter had faced a similar life-threatening situation in the past. Drawing from the lessons learned during her daughter's ordeal, Becky approached the situation with a unique blend of empathy, experience, and unwavering determination.

As the ambulance arrived and whisked the baby away to receive further medical attention, Becky's actions stood as a testament to the power of compassion and selflessness. Her bravery serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the impact that one individual can make in the lives of others.

Becky Arbaugh's actions that day are a beacon of hope, embodying the true spirit of heroism. Today, we honor Becky and extend our heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a notable constituent from my district, Mr. Darren Corson of Newtown, Pennsylvania who is retiring after over 40 years of dedicated service as a Public Servant.

Darren graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in accounting. After graduation, Darren made the decision to devote his career to public service and joined the Department of Treasury's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) where he remained for over 40 years.

During his career, Darren spent time working in many parts of the IRS, including Criminal Investigations Division, Exam, and Problem Resolution. In 2000, Darren joined the Taxpayer Advocate Service after Congress ordered the creation of a Taxpayer Advocate as an independent organization within the IRS.

Since then, he has worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights of taxpayers facing individual and systemic issues. However, after forty years of dedicated government service and leadership, Darren is retiring.

Today, I am proud to recognize Darren Corson as an individual who has devoted his career to public service in an organization that impacts all Americans across the country. We are incredibly grateful for the impact Darren Corson has made throughout his long career at the Internal Revenue Service. As an avid sports fan, he will enjoy spending more time rooting for the Phillies.

We are all incredibly grateful for the positive impact Darren has had through his long career, and we wish him countless blessings during his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding accomplishment and good deed from a constituent from my district, Layla Leuthy-Peck.

Layla Leuthy-Peck is a 7-year-old first grade student at Saint Andrew's School in Newtown. After listening to Monsignor Michael Picard, pastor at St. Andrew's parish, telling the children about the importance of finding a way to serve others, she immediately thought of her best friend WW2 veteran Joe Gagliardi who was about to turn 100.

She remembered Joe telling her how much he misses visiting schools to tell the students about his service and the importance of service. He especially misses receiving all the wonderful handmade thank you cards from them afterwards.

With the help of her entire first grade classmates, Layla was able to get 100 handmade birthday cards for Joe's 100th birthday. To make it a day he will remember, Layla delivered the sack of cards to Joe riding in a Newtown firetruck which was escorted by the township police and many other emergency service vehicles in a parade of lights and sirens.

Mr. Gagliardi served in the United States Navy during WW2 on a Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boat that escorted General Douglas MacArthur and remembers seeing President John F. Kennedy on his PT Boat duty near him. Layla's father Sean Peck is an also a Veteran who served in Afghanistan and is currently a police officer in Penndel. Her great-grandfather, Ray Leuthy, a Corporal in the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Division, parachuted into the Battle of the Bulge and was an escort driver for General George S. Patton, Jr.

The news story about Layla's special card delivery for her best friend has spread internationally along with her wish for more children to do a good deed for a veteran.

Layla's commitment to figuring out a creative and meaningful way to serve a WW2 veteran in a truly collaborative manner is to be commended. It is my hope that Layla will continue to find ways to serve veterans and be an example for other very young children to realize they too can make a difference. I would like to wish Layla the best in her future endeavors and once again congratulate her on fulfilling her mission to brighten the day for her best friend, Joe on his 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marie Silvestri, a remarkable person who is about to celebrate her 100th birthday. Marie was born on May 17, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Maria and Leonardo Restivo, immigrants from Sicily, Italy.

Marie met her husband, Maurice, who was best friends with her brother, in her mother's kitchen. Maurice served in Europe during World War II, and he joined the NYPD upon his return. Marie and Maurice were married in 1949 until he passed away in 2009, just short of their 60th anniversary. They had 3 daughters.

In 1962, Marie and Maurice moved their family from Brooklyn to Mahopac, New York, where, together, they opened a successful real estate and insurance brokerage firm, Fawn Agency, serving Putnam and Westchester counties in New York. She went on to serve as a sales director for Robert Martin Corporation, a large land and housing developer, in White Plains, New York. After retirement in the 1970s, they resided in New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Englewood, Florida.

In addition to her 3 daughters, Marie is the proud grandmother of 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They are the light of her life, and they adore her. Marie also likes to read and play cards, and she lives an independent lifestyle despite her age. She is an inspiration to all who know her.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations, sincere well-wishes, and all of God's Blessings to Marie Silvestri on the celebration of her 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, several months ago, a bipartisan group of my colleagues and I introduced a bill, the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, and that is exactly what we will be voting on today.

First, as far as defending our border from cartels, there are 200 kids today dying in this country from fentanyl that we can trace directly back to that southern border. That is the equivalent of a Boeing 747 aircraft crashing every single day and nobody caring about it. We have to fix our southern border.

Second, we are also going to defend the borders of our democratic allies, Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine--Taiwan and Ukraine from being invaded by communist dictators, and Israel from being invaded by terrorists.

I would hope we could all agree on those two concepts in this Chamber. We have to defend borders and defend democracies.

Mr. Speaker, you can't pick and choose which one of those you are going to support. That is hypocritical and intellectually inconsistent.

We need to defend our border and the borders of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, all of the above. I am proudly going to vote for all three.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable achievements of Semper Fi & America's Fund as it celebrates 20 years of unwavering service to our Nation's critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families.

For two decades, Semper Fi & America's Fund has stood as a pillar of hope and support, providing critical assistance, resources, and care to those who have bravely served our country. Through their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, they have made an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals, empowering them to navigate the challenges they face and to recover, transition, and thrive with independence and grace.

Their comprehensive programs and services, including the Service Member and Family Support, Integrative Wellness, and Transition programs have been instrumental in addressing the unique needs of our veterans and their families, offering them hope, healing, and renewed purpose.

I am deeply grateful for the invaluable contributions Semper Fi & America's Fund has made to our communities and our country. Their selfless commitment to our service members, veterans, and military families embodies the very essence of patriotism and compassion, and it serves as an example for us all.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Semper Fi & America's Fund, its dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters on this significant milestone. May they continue to inspire hope, foster healing, and honor the sacrifices of our veterans for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the outstanding work of the Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), as it commemorates its 50th year of service to the residents of Bucks County. NOVA stands as a beacon of hope and support for victims of serious crimes and their families. NOVA's mission of providing support, counsel, and empowerment of victims of sexual assault and abuse in our region manifests itself through its tireless advocacy and community education.

NOVA directly assists over 3,000 victims annually, providing them with crucial support and resources during their time of need. Additionally, their team of educators conducts personal safety training for approximately 30,000 individuals each year, spanning across different age groups from children to adults By utilizing individual and group counseling, victims of sexual assault and abuse can regain control of their lives, and through education programs, children and communities learn to be advocates for victims of abuse, as well as prevention and personal safety.

By empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves, NOVA plays a vital role in fostering safer communities. The organization's reputation for delivering exemplary services and programs is well-deserved and wide recognized both statewide and beyond.

In conclusion, as NOVA celebrates its 50th anniversary, let us commend and express our gratitude to all the staff, volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to its success over the years. I am thankful to work with their President, Sarah Larson, Executive Director, Penny Ettinger, and the many other NOVA staff and volunteers serving Bucks County. I am proud to support them in their mission to stand for victims in the fight to end sexual assault.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pauline Biedka, a remarkable constituent from my district, and to pay tribute to her on the celebration of her 100th Birthday on April 13, 2024.

The daughter of Philomena and Luke Della Vella, Pauline was born on April 13, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--one of nine children Pauline married her husband Peter, a World War II Veteran in 1942. They moved to Bristol, Bucks County and built their forever home. They had a daughter and two sons.

Pauline was a ``Rosie the Riveter'' during World War II and the Korean War. During that time, she worked at Fleetwings and Kaiser Metal in Bristol, Pennsylvania. In addition, Pauline was a Neshaminy School District crossing guard for twenty-five years.

Pauline was and still is a devoted wife, remains an amazing mother, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of twelve.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations, sincere well-wishes, and all of God's Blessings to Pauline Biedka on the celebration of her 100th Birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dumack Engineering, an exceptional and longstanding member of Bucks County's business community. Dumack Engineering was founded in 1964 by Mr. Ralph Dumack, emerging from Ralph's vision to provide superior structural design services

throughout Bucks County. Dumack Engineering has since served as a pillar of innovation in our community, and is now in its 60th year of operation. Currently in its second generation of family ownership, Ralph's son Heath Dumack has expanded the company's services into fields including architectural planning, structural engineering, site planning, code compliance reviews, and inspection services.

In addition to providing excellent civil engineering and land surveying services, Dumack Engineering is committed to community engagement and public assistance. The company's involvement in various local nonprofit boards and committees, including Habitat for Humanity, St. Mary's Hospital & Foundation, and the Washington Crossing Council BSA, underscores its unwavering dedication to improving the lives of Bucks County residents. Their contributions to local nonprofits have been invaluable to our community.

I am confident that Dumack Engineering's legacy of professional excellence and community service will forever serve as a shining example for businesses within our community and beyond. As we recognize their 60 years of outstanding contributions to Bucks County, let us celebrate Dumack Engineering's unwavering commitment to innovation, integrity, and service. May their continued success serve as an inspiration to other businesses to strive for professional excellence and civic responsibility.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a very special woman from Bakersfield, California, Roberta ``Bert'' McCarthy, who recently passed away at the age of 83 years old.

Bert left this world peacefully on March 3 while surrounded by her loving family, including her proud son, Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Bert resided in Kern County since she was 6 years old. While attending East Bakersfield High School, she fell in love and eventually married her high school sweetheart, Owen McCarthy, who passed away in 2000.

Outside of being the matriarch to the McCarthy family, Bert devoted her energy to many charitable organizations. She concentrated on alleviating the financial burdens of families paying for cancer treatments. Bert also sponsored Kern County's Anti-Graffiti Program, which helped keep her hometown of Bakersfield clean from vandalism and preserved the city's historic charm.

Mr. Speaker, there was no such thing as a stranger to Bert. When people entered her life, she forged profound connections and created lasting friendships.

Bert's passing strikes a chord in the hearts of all who understand the pain of losing someone close to them, especially a mother. She is survived by her three children, including Speaker Kevin McCarthy, her four grandchildren, and a great number of other family members who carry on her spirit and cherish the loving memories that they had with her.

Mr. Speaker, I wish the McCarthy family nothing but love, friendship, and support as they grieve this terrible loss.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a remarkable constituent from my hometown and also a great friend, Stephen Aldrich.

Steve is the business manager and financial secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 269 and is renowned in our labor community as an outstanding leader.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to his role within Local 269, Steve has been a strong supporter and constant advocate of the Bucks County St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and the Bucks County St. Patrick's Day Parade itself for many years. In fact, I have been walking right alongside him in the parade for quite some time now.

With his advocacy, he has helped grow the committee, and he has worked to make the parade grow each and every year, which it has. Because of Steve's outstanding work, he was selected to lead the parade this year as our grand marshal of the 35th Annual Bucks County St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Mr. Speaker, I am truly grateful for Steve, for his family, and all he has done over the years, not just as a Local 269 leader, but for all the work he has done for the parade and for his friends, as well, both professionally and personally.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Steve great success in this year's parade. I won't be walking alongside him this year; I will be walking behind him. That is the way it should be.

I thank Steve for all his work for the Bucks County community and the parade committee, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an outstanding young woman from my district, Susan Suber, who was recently named the District 1 Young Marine of the Year for a second year in a row. Young Marines District 1 is a region that encompasses 9 Northeastern U.S. states. Susan is a member of the Spartan Young Marines located in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, is a resident of Pipersville, Pennsylvania, and is currently a junior at Central Bucks East High School. Suber will proudly represent Division 1

in competition with five other division winners for the title of National Young Marine of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the Young Marines organization nationally.

The Young Marines is a national non-profit youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Suber joined the Young Marines at age nine and she currently holds the rank of Young Marine Sergeant Major. Over her eight years in the program, Suber has attended all three leadership schools available from Young Marines, and went on to teach leadership at some of these schools as an alumna.

Outside of Young Marines, Suber is busy with many hours spent as a Toys for Tots Mentor and Youth Ambassador. In this position she helped to inspire and teach fellow Youth Ambassador's not only about the program but how they can get more involved in the campaign and grow as leaders. This past year she was named one of the Youth Ambassador Mentors of the year on behalf of the Toys for Tots organization. In addition to her Toys for Tots national leadership, she is also a leader in her high school's vocational education program, assisting the school with teaching plans and curriculum development.

After high school, Suber plans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps in the field of aviation. I wish her the best of luck in her endeavors, and I know that she will serve her community and country well.