Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a faith community in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, that truly embodies the virtues of kindness and charity. Grace Bible Church in Souderton, will be hosting its sixth annual Easter dinner, where all members of our community are welcome.

Like last year, Grace Bible Church will be offering transportation to residents of Grundy Manor in Telford and Valley Vista in Souderton so that they are able to participate in an evening of food and fellowship.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to all of the congregants of Grace Bible Church for opening their doors to our neighbors and for living out their Christian faith in their actions.

I would like to particularly thank and recognize one of the event's organizers, Carol Doyle, for her work, along with Pastor Dave Dunbar for his vision and for his leadership.

Recognizing Alan Hartl in His Retirement

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of a true professional and advocate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, after his nearly 40 years of providing mental health counseling and recovery services to members of our community.

Alan Hartl will be stepping down as the chief executive officer of the Lenape Valley Foundation after a long and distinguished career. A psychologist, Alan has, for decades, been a strong advocate for those with behavioral health needs.

Widely respected throughout Bucks County and among his peers, Alan is a member of the board of directors of both the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association.

Alan's dedication to improving the lives of our neighbors and his delivering hope to those most in need are truly admirable. I wish him all the best in his new chapter, and I wish his successor, Sharon Curran, all of the best in her new role.

Recognizing Carolann Begley for Her Work to Prevent Hunger

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding school administrator in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who was recently recognized by a national nonprofit organization for her work to prevent hunger amongst our community students.

Carolann Begley, nutrition services area supervisor at North Penn High School, was named a Breakfast Hero by the organization, No Kid Hungry.

Carolann's work has been instrumental in making breakfast more accessible to students, notably through her work to implement a breakfast cart for the 2018-2019 school year.

Mr. Speaker, our community school administrators and educators work tirelessly to give our students the resources they need to pursue their goals. I applaud Carolann for her service, and I would also like to thank North Penn High School Principal Pete Nicholson and the No Kid Hungry network, an organization, for all of the work that they do for our community.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize several outstanding young citizens in Bucks and Montgomery counties on their attainment of the rank of the Girl Scout Gold Award: Jessica E. Aniloff, Langhorne; India C. Bickley, Lansdale; Aurora J. Budson, Doylestown; Maia J. Costanzo, Quakertown; Audrey M. Dansberry, Morrisville; Nicole DeCicco, Quakertown; Nicole L. Didenko, Perkasie; Natalie S. Douglass, Doylestown; Evelyn P. Howarth, Doylestown; Jacqueline Johnson, Langhorne; Stephanie M. Krauss, Holland; Marie U. Larounis, Newtown.

Katherine M. Loftus, Churchville; Nicole A. Middleton, Yardley; Laura L. Nagg, Doylestown; Kareena Rogers, Yardley; Danielle E. Samalonis, Quakertown; Kelly A. Sassaman, Levittown; Jasmine L. Scavo-Treiber, Yardley; Alaina G. Tarallo, Yardley; Alesandra Temerte, Jamison; Katharine Trojak, Churchville; Hope E. Walsh, Yardley; Lauren E. Wolfe, Lansdale.

As we celebrate the 107th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, let us honor the thoughtful young women who contribute immensely to our country. I appreciate their service to the community and wish them all of the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, our local businesses in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, help make our community vibrant and prosperous. Today, I am proud to recognize one such business, McCaffrey's Food Markets, which was recently named Business of the Year by the Newtown Business Association. Each year, the Newtown Business Association recognizes a business that contributes to our regional economy and contributes substantially to the community at large.

The McCaffreys opened their first supermarket in 1986 in Lower Makefield and over the past three decades has expanded throughout Pennsylvania and

New Jersey while maintaining its headquarters in Middletown Township.

McCaffrey's Food Markets and the McCaffrey family are both noted for their generosity to our community and are noted supporters of the American Red Cross, St. Mary's Medical Center, the American Cancer Society, and the 9/11 Garden of Reflection, among many other organizations and memorials.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud McCaffrey's Food Markets, the McCaffrey family, and all their amazing employees for their investment in our community and their entrepreneurship.

I also thank Bill Sheffer and Beverly Dimler of the Newtown Business Association for all their leadership in our community.

Recognizing Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually

Impaired

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a nonprofit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that is seeking to assist college students as they enter the workforce. The Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, based in Newtown, recently teamed up with Bucks County Community College to collect attire for college students.

Mr. Speaker, a critical component to ensuring the success of recent college graduates, and those who will be graduating in the future, is making sure that they are equipped with the resources they need to succeed. I applaud the work of the Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, especially the organization's executive director, Anne Marie Hyer, for her service.

I also thank Bucks County Community College for its collaboration with this dynamic organization and so many others in our community.

Honoring John Poprik

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and memory of a very, very special member of the Bucks County community, John Poprik, whom we recently lost.

Born in Philadelphia, John attended Father Judge High School and Drexel University, where he graduated in 1970 with a degree in accounting. He was a respected business executive, having served as the CFO of Better Material Corp. before becoming the CFO of Sommer Maid Creamery.

John was truly dedicated to making our community a better place through public service. He served on the Northampton Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority, the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and Pennsylvania's Office of Unemployment Compensation Board of Review.

More than anything, John was a dedicated family man. He spent some of his most treasured moments with his five grandchildren, his wife, Pat, and his children.

I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife of 50 years, my dear friend Pat Poprik, and their sons, Brad and Matt. May John, a good and decent and honorable man, enjoy his eternal reward for a life well- lived.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and the memory of a very special member of our Bucks County community, John Poprik, who our community recently lost.

Born in Philadelphia, John attended Father Judge High School and Drexel University, where he graduated in 1970 with a degree in accounting. He was a respected business executive, having served as the CFO of Better Material Corp. before becoming the CFO of Sommer Maid Creamery.

John was truly a dedicated man, dedicated to making our community a better place through public service. He served on the Water and Sewer Authority, the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Board of Review.

More than anything, however, John was a dedicated family man. He spent some of his most treasured moments with his five grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife of 50 years, my dear friend, Pat Poprik, and their sons, Brad and Matt.

May John, a good, decent, and honorable man, enjoy the eternal reward for a life he spent serving others.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and memory of an amazing Bucks County resident, Maura Duggan, whom we recently lost after a courageous battle with cancer.

Maura was a longtime resident of Newtown, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She married her husband, Thomas Duggan, in 1991, and, together, they raised three amazing children: Patrick, Collin, and Carlie.

Maura was beloved by her family and her friends and was known for her adventurous spirit, her unwavering kindness, and her ability to appreciate the small things and to find joy in everyday life.

Mr. Speaker, we, as a House, send our deepest condolences to the Duggan family. I am grateful to them for sharing Maura's life with all of us in Bucks County.

Maura touched so many lives and helped so many people. She is now enjoying her eternal reward for living her life serving others.

Honoring Marion Slack

Mr. Speaker, just under 1 year ago, I stood in this very spot to recognize the outstanding work of Mary's Cupboard, a food pantry in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to mourn the passing of one of the founders of Mary's Cupboard, Marion Slack, who passed away at the age of 96.

Marion, a longtime resident of Middletown Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, lived a life of devotion to her family, to her community, and to her Catholic faith. Marion truly embodied what it meant to live out one's faith each and every day.

Inspired after meeting Mother Teresa, she established Mary's Cupboard more than 40 years ago in Levittown, an emergency food center. A parishioner at Queen of the Universe Parish, Marion was previously recognized as Catholic Woman of the Year by the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Speaker, our entire community stands by her children: Mary Ellen, Maureen, Eileen, and Ann Marie, along with the entire Mary's Cupboard family.

Marion is now enjoying her eternal reward for a life of service, and her legacy of service to Bucks County will last for generations.

Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of meeting with advocates from the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance here in Washington, D.C., last week. It was great speaking with them to express my strong support for the continuation of funding for the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program in the fiscal year 2020 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, or TSC, is a genetic disorder that can cause tumor growth in vital organs in the human body. It occurs in approximately 1 in 6,000 births.

I am proud to share the story of the Miller family, constituents of mine from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Nearly 5 years ago, Lindsey and her husband, Dave, welcomed their daughter, Ellie, into the world. While Ellie was born with TSC, she has not let it stop her from being just like every other kid. She is developmentally on track, she enjoys preschool with her friends, and she sees her doctors regularly at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

However, there is no way to currently gauge how TSC will affect Ellie in the years to come. That is why funding for the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program is so vitally important.

This program has my full support, and I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it as well. I thank my colleagues, Mr. Mullin from Oklahoma and Mr. Loebsack from Iowa, for their leadership on this issue.

Again, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in this very worthy cause on behalf of all dealing with this across our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues from New York, Lee Zeldin, Mr. Rose, Mr. King, Mrs. Maloney, and Mr. Nadler, for holding this Special Order tonight. I am proud to join my colleagues in this fight to reauthorize the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund to ensure that our 9/11 survivors and their families have the resources and the support to which they are owed.

As my colleagues can attest, we lost some amazing human beings on that day: firefighters, police officers, EMTs, medics, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters.

Victor Saracini, a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a constituent in my district, was the captain and pilot of United Airlines Flight 175 which our entire country and the entire world witnessed fly into the south tower.

While 9/11 shattered many preconceived notions we have had, it strengthened our collective American identity. Our Nation emerged from that day stronger because of the bravery and selflessness of the heroes who risked and, in many cases, lost their lives to save people they didn't know and had never met.

Their sacrifice has come at a tremendous cost. In over 17 years since that fateful day, nearly 10,000 people have suffered from cancers induced by breathing in toxic dust at Ground Zero, dust that included thousands of contaminants, including lead and mercury.

Madam Speaker, in just one statistic on how this problem is still prevalent, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial reported that 15 police officers died in 2018 from 9/11-related illnesses, 15 just last year alone. This problem is pervasive, and this problem is persistent. It is incumbent upon the Federal Government to stand up and defend those who defended us. The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund must be reauthorized immediately. It is a moral obligation of this body. It simply cannot wait.

Again, I want to thank the members of the New York delegation for holding this Special Order and for giving me the opportunity to express my gratitude for the heroes and their families and the need to reauthorize this fund. I second my colleagues' sentiment tonight. This is a moral obligation of this House. We must get this done, and we must get it done immediately.

I want to thank Mr. Zeldin for representing the Problem Solvers Caucus tonight. In recognizing Josh Gottheimer, I wanted to say to my colleague, Max Rose and I are going to be testing a new rule that we put into place, and we are going to get to 290 cosponsors come hell or high water. We will get there which will force that matter on to this floor. It will pass. It will pass overwhelmingly, and we will get this done for the 9/11 victims and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Americans affected by Marfan syndrome and related connective tissue conditions to recognize February as Marfan Awareness Month.

Marfan syndrome is a rare genetic condition. About 1 in 5,000 Americans carries a mutation in gene called fibrillin which results in an overproduction of a protein called transforming growth factor beta or TGFB. The increased TGFB impacts connective tissue and since connective tissue is found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome features can manifest throughout the body. Patients often have disproportionately long limbs, a protruding or indented chest bone, curved spine, and loose joints. However, it is not the outward signs that concern Marfan syndrome patients, but the effects the condition has on internal systems. Most notably, in Marfan patients the large artery, known as the aorta, which carries blood away from the heart is weakened and prone to enlargement and rupture, which can be fatal. It is for this reason that increased awareness of Marfan syndrome can save lives.

While there is currently no cure for Marfan syndrome, efforts are underway to enhance our understanding of the condition and improve patient care. I applaud the National Institutes of Health, particularly the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases for their research efforts in this regard. I encourage NIH to expand research efforts in this area.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment are the keys to managing Marfan syndrome and living a full life. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting a Marfan education and awareness program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We can facilitate proper treatment by raising awareness leading to early diagnosis. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing February as Marfan Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a family from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who is dedicated to making our world a better and safer world.

Ashley and Chris Gasperi, ER nurses, were residents of Feasterville and worked at Temple University Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center. Despite dedicating their careers to caring for others, they both craved more and later decided to move to Kenya to establish a nonprofit organization that seeks to break the vicious cycle of poverty in rural communities.

Together, they established Ekenywa. Ekenywa works to dig wells, sometimes hundreds of feet deep, to establish a reliable water source to communities and schools in rural Kenya. The creation of these wells allows for solar-powered irrigation systems, enabling communities to farm year-round, even in the presence of a drought.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work of the Gasperi family and Ekenywa. They are truly making a difference in the lives of countless people across the world.

I speak on behalf of our entire Bucks County community when we tell them how much we appreciate their service and their sacrifice.

Recognizing Walker Anderson for His National Science Competition

Achievements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young citizen in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who recently was recognized in a national science competition.

Walker Anderson, a Doylestown resident and a senior at Central Bucks West High School, recently won $2,000 as a semifinalist for the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition. This recognition was received by only 300 students nationwide and only four in the State of Pennsylvania.

As impressive as this may be on its own, this is only one academic achievement of Walker's. Walker previously placed first in the under-18 category at the World Puzzle Championship in Prague, competing on the U.S. team, and was recently accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure we will hear of Walker well into the future, as his STEM research and grasp of complex mathematical and scientific concepts is truly remarkable.

I wish Walker and his parents, Susan and Ken Anderson, all of the best. I also thank Mark Hayden, Walker's STEM Research Club adviser, for his guidance and his vision.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a nonprofit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that is celebrating its 20th year of service helping immigrants settle in the United States.

Welcoming the Stranger, based in Langhorne, was founded in 1999 by the late Reverend Sturgis Poorman.

Welcoming the Stranger has provided countless opportunities for immigrants in southeastern Pennsylvania from over 100 countries.

Welcoming the Stranger offers English language classes and courses in citizenship preparation and computer science. Their programs have been so popular that they often expand to 300 attendees, packing houses of worship and community centers across Bucks County.

Madam Speaker, I applaud the work of Welcoming the Stranger, and I wish the organization all the best as it enters its 20th year of service to our community.

I would also like to extend my appreciation to Meg Eubank, the executive director of Welcoming the Stranger, for her work and her vision.

Honoring Friends of Five Mile Woods

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor a group of conscientious citizens in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who were recently recognized for their environmental stewardship.

Earlier this month, the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors and the Lower Makefield Environmental Advisory Council awarded Friends of Five Mile Woods with its annual Environmental Stewardship Award. Friends of Five Mile Woods, which has been a presence in Bucks County since the 1980s, seeks to protect the landscape of Five Mile Woods Preserve.

One of the most successful programs the organization has implemented is its volunteer cleanup efforts on the second Saturday of the months of March through November. During these Saturdays, dedicated volunteers pick up trash, maintain trails, and repair infrastructure in the 285- acre preserve.

Madam Speaker, Friends of Five Mile Woods helps provide amazing nature experiences and educational opportunities for our community in Bucks County. I congratulate them on this award and applaud the work of John Lloyd, chairman of the organization, and the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors.

Recognizing Meghan Schulz for Her Win on ``Jeopardy''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who recently made us all proud from her successful appearance on ``Jeopardy.''

Meghan Schulz, a resident of Bristol and an environmental engineer for SEPTA, appeared on the hit television show last month. Going into the final round, Meghan was in second place with $14,000. She was able to clinch her victory, however, when she successfully answered that Mariah Carey was the New York native who, in the 1990s, had eight of her first 10 Billboard Top 40 hits reach number one.

Her closest competitor, whom she trailed by $400 going into Final Jeopardy, incorrectly guessed Whitney Houston, putting Meghan over the top.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Meghan on this major accomplishment. It is a major feat to be selected to participate on this famous show to begin with, but to win against other highly intelligent competitors is something truly noteworthy.

I wish Meghan and her family all the best, and we congratulate her on this achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Natural Resources Management Act. I am especially proud this bill will permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

This vital piece of legislation will benefit millions of Americans in innumerable ways, from promoting recreational activity to contributing to our Nation's robust economy, along with furthering environmental protection and wildlife conservation.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund benefits 98 percent of counties across the United States and contributes to an economy that encompasses 1 out of 15 American jobs.

Since its establishment over 50 years ago, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has greatly benefited my home district in Bucks and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania.

Treasured public lands, such as Nockamixon State Park and Tyler State Park, and cherished community venues, such as Hatfield Community Park, are all just a few of the examples of the beneficiaries of this valuable fund.

Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the strong bipartisan support the Natural Resources Management Act has received, and I compliment my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for advancing this. It is long overdue, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is home to some of the most thoughtful and compassionate people in the Nation. This was on full display earlier this month when parents and students from the Howard Hersch Religious School at Congregation Brothers of Israel held a reception for first responders, called Hearts for Our Heroes.

Held at the Newtown Township Building, first responders in attendance received letters of appreciation and cookies for their service and their sacrifice. Students also sang a song of gratitude to the heroes in our community.

I would like to honor several people, Mr. Speaker, who played a pivotal role in ensuring that our community's first responders received the recognition they deserve: Joan Hersch, Congregation Brothers of Israel Religious School director; and Janet Barudin and Amy Stinson, who co-chair the congregation's Caring Committee; as well as Rabbi Aaron Gaber.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to all first responders in Newtown Township and throughout Bucks County for all they do to keep us safe.

Recognizing Judge Rea B. Boylan

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable career of a public servant in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who will be retiring at the end of her term.

Judge Rea Boylan, a resident of Hilltown, has spent 20 years on the bench and is the most tenured member of the Bucks County court of common pleas.

In her years of service, Judge Boylan has worked in the public defender's office, the office of the district attorney, and also was Bucks County controller before her judgeship.

Throughout Judge Boylan's tenure, she has been known as a fair judge who is not afraid to hold people accountable and always seeks to rehabilitate those in need.

Notably, her work with juveniles and those struggling with addiction truly embodies her dedication to both justice and fairness.

I wish Judge Boylan all of the best in her retirement, and I speak on behalf of all of Bucks County when we thank her wholeheartedly for her service.

Congratulating North Penn High School Swimming Coach Jeff Faikish

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate North Penn High School swimming coach Jeff Faikish for being named Pennsylvania Coach of the Year for girls swimming and diving during the 2017-2018 school year.

The National Federation of State High School Associations awards coaches who exemplify the high standards of sportsmanship, ethical and moral character, and have received the endorsement of their State high school association.

Last fall, the North Penn High School swim team won the State championship and, under John's leadership, has competed in seven State championship meets.

Mr. Speaker, we congratulate John for receiving this honor and all the athletes of the North Penn girls swim team for their outstanding achievements. We wish them all continued success in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a law enforcement official who was recently named Police Chief of Newtown Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Earlier this month, Newtown Township's Board of Supervisors unanimously supported Philadelphia Police Department Captain John Hearn to become the next police chief. John, a Northampton Township resident, is a 29-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department. He previously served as a lieutenant in that department's highway patrol, helping to escort dignitaries such as Pope Francis and former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

Throughout his esteemed career, John distinguished himself as an innovative leader. He represented Philadelphia when five neighboring counties established protocol and a coordinated response to terrorist threats, and he served as a volunteer with fire companies in Montgomery County.

Mr. Speaker, we congratulate John on his new role, and I look forward to working closely with him to keep our Bucks County families safe.

Recognizing Officers Megan Klosterman and Gina Ferzetti

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize members of our law enforcement community who recently joined our Bucks County family as members of the Solebury Township Police Department.

Earlier this month, Officers Megan Klosterman and Gina Ferzetti were sworn in by Magisterial District Judge Maggie Snow as the department's first full-time female officers.

Officer Klosterman is a graduate of Upper Dublin High School and Pennsylvania State University. Officer Ferzetti is a graduate of Ridley High School and previously served with the Temple University Police Department. Both of these dedicated public servants served as part-time members of Solebury Township Police Department prior to their full instatement.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Officers Klosterman and Ferzetti on their promotions and their dedication to keeping all of our families safe in our community. Their hiring is truly an inspiring moment for Solebury Township and for Bucks County.

I would also like to thank Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie and Township Manager Dennis Carney for their leadership.

Recognizing Julie Uchitel

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a student from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who was recently awarded a coveted scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.

Julie Uchitel, a resident of Upper Southampton, was selected to receive a Marshall Scholarship, one of only 40 recipients out of over 1,000 applicants. Julie is a senior at Duke University where she is a neuroscience and French double major. She is the president of the Neuroscience Majors' Union at Duke and has conducted clinical and basic pediatric research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Duke Children's Hospital. She is the author of two published articles and has volunteered in Paris and in Honduras to offer medical assistance to those in need.

Mr. Speaker, Julie's resume is too voluminous to summarize. We are so proud to have her as part of our community, and we wish her all the best as she pursues her studies at Cambridge and King's College in London. I look forward to seeing all of her accomplishments in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday we recognize Martin Luther King Day and we celebrate his legacy of civil rights and his promotion of opportunity for all.

Today, I am proud to recognize an individual from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who has spent his life and career dedicated to the advancement of equality.

Norval Reece of Yardley remembers witnessing Dr. King's ``I Have a Dream'' speech and marching with him on the third march from Selma to Montgomery. He worked closely with Dr. King to enact change and in 1967 spent several hours with Dr. King in Philadelphia.

Norval credits his devotion to civil rights activism to his Quaker faith. He served in India with the American Friends Service Committee, and later continued to work on their behalf upon his return home. He later became a successful businessman, building his own media company that helped bring cable television to then-Communist Poland.

Mr. Speaker, Norval's life and dedication to the service of others is truly inspiring, and we thank him, his wife, and their sons, Tim and Stockton, for their service to their community and our country.

Recognizing the Food Center at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a faith community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that is going the extra mile to minimize the negative impact felt by Federal workers and their families during this prolonged government shutdown.

Last Friday, an estimated 800,000 Federal employees missed their paychecks. Understanding the undue hardship these Federal employees are facing, the Food Center at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church stepped up to the plate, opening their door to furloughed Federal workers and their families with the opportunity to receive food.

Mr. Speaker, I am truly blessed to represent such thoughtful and compassionate constituents.

As I did in this same exact spot yesterday, I urge my colleagues to put aside their differences and reopen our government. Our inaction is putting Federal workers in an untenable position.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to the Reverend Rachel Rhodes and all the staff and volunteers at the Food Center at Morrisville Presbyterian Church for their work. Each and every one of them makes our community a special place.

Stalking Awareness Month

Mr. Speaker, January is Stalking Awareness Month, and I rise today to bring attention to the critical need for action to empower survivors and protect victims of this crime.

Yesterday, I proudly joined my friend and colleague Representative Stephanie Murphy from Florida along with Pennsylvania Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey to reintroduce the Combat Online Predators Act.

This bill would increase criminal penalties for the stalking of children and help ensure law enforcement officials evaluate and update practices to combat online stalking of children.

Mr. Speaker, there are few things more sinister than preying on innocent children. Millions of Americans, including the most vulnerable among us, are harmed each year by stalkers. Here in Congress, we must work in a bipartisan manner to eliminate the digital footprint of predators to protect the kids in our communities and in our Nation.

I am deeply grateful for the support and advocacy of the Zezzo family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who serve as an inspiration for this piece of legislation, the Combat Online Predators Act, and for survivors everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I pledge to work with all of my colleagues, Democrat and Republican alike, to advance this legislation and other solutions to stop stalking in all of its forms.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, I was proud to stand with our community and join Homes For Our Troops as a new house for an American hero was unveiled. On Saturday morning, Kevin McCloskey and his wife, Bridget, received the keys to their new home in Upper South Hampton in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

On June 8, 2008, Corporal McCloskey was severely injured in Afghanistan after his vehicle struck an IED. He suffered critical injuries to both his legs and vision in his right eye, and he suffered severe burns and traumatic brain injury.

While Kevin has made significant progress in his recovery, everyday activities can still be challenging. The McCloskeys' new home is retrofitted to make these tasks easier and more accessible for Kevin and Bridget.

Mr. Speaker, Kevin is a true patriot and an American hero. We thank him for his service, and we wish him and Bridget all the best in their new home. We are so proud to have them join our Bucks County family.

I would also like to thank Homes For Our Troops and their entire board for honoring those who sacrifice for our freedom.

Recognizing Pineville Tavern

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a small business in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that has gone out of their way to help Federal employees who are not being paid due to this prolonged government shutdown.

For the duration of the government shutdown, Pineville Tavern has offered furloughed workers and their immediate family their popular pickle-brined chicken at no cost. At this time of so much unneeded uncertainty for our Federal workers, the charity of Pineville Tavern is deeply appreciated by our community.

Pineville Tavern chef Drew Abruzzese says it best when he calls the current impasse ``a political game of chicken.''

Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to put aside our differences, fund our government, and get our Federal employees back to work.

I am grateful for Drew's generosity and leadership, along with his father and the owner of Pineville Tavern, Andrew Abruzzese. Their dedication to our community is deeply appreciated.

Honoring Ed Burns

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of a Bucks County icon who passed away on January 10 at the age of 87. Ed Burns embodied public service throughout his entire life and his storied career.

A Navy veteran, Ed became a teacher after graduating from La Salle College and Temple University. He later served as the head of the Bensalem Recreation Department and served on the school board.

In 1972, Ed entered State government, serving as a State representative for the 18th District for nearly 20 years. Notably, Ed later became the first mayor of Bensalem, serving honorably from 1990 to 1994.

We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Ed's wife, Joan; his son, Joseph F. Burns; and his two beautiful grandchildren.

Ed's legacy of public service to Bensalem and to Bucks County has left an indelible mark on our community, one that will last for generations.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation recognized National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and I am proud to stand here today with my colleagues to express our gratitude to the brave women and men who sacrifice for our safety each and every day.

I would like to recognize the memory and legacy of one law enforcement officer who left an indelible mark on families in Bucks County and beyond. Bill Sample, a Chalfont resident who passed away in 2014, was a Philadelphia police officer who founded the Sunshine Foundation in 1976.

Based in Southampton, the Sunshine Foundation, which seeks to help chronically ill, physically challenged, and abused children from underserved families, was inspired by Bill working protective duty at St. Christopher's Children's Hospital. To date, the Sunshine Foundation has answered over 40,000 dreams of deserving children.

Mr. Speaker, I speak on behalf of our entire community when I say that I am thankful and we are all thankful for our law enforcement community and for officers like Bill Sample. We want to thank him and all law enforcement officers for their service and applaud the work of the Sunshine Foundation.

Recognizing Caleb Byelich

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding young citizen in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who at only 8 years old is already making a substantial impact in the lives of the underserved in our community.

Caleb Byelich, a student at Neidig Elementary School in Quakertown, held a hot cocoa stand last month with the goal of raising $100 for the Upper Bucks Code Blue Shelter, a program that advocates for the homeless in upper Bucks County.

To say that Caleb's stand was a success, Mr. Speaker, would be an understatement. Through selling hot cocoa and with the help of additional donations that came in days later, Caleb was able to raise $1,715 for the Upper Bucks Code Blue Shelter.

We applaud Caleb for his remarkable work, and I look forward to seeing his accomplishments in the years to come. We would also like to thank his parents, Loren and Alicia, for instilling in him the values of service and compassion.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Pastor David Heckler of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church for his coordination of the Upper Bucks Code Blue Shelter.

Recognizing Vincent Kabaso

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an individual in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who recently accomplished a major feat in his industry.

Vincent Kabaso of Ambler has become the first Professional Golf Association member from his home nation of Zambia, a country of 17 million people. Vinny currently works as a golf professional at Talamore Country Club in Ambler.

Vinny's love of golf came at a very young age. After graduating from high school in 2004, he studied in England and Scotland before becoming a coach on the Zambia national golf team. He later came to the United States where he served as a golf professional in Connecticut before moving to Pennsylvania.

In addition to his golf talent, Vinny has also founded a nonprofit organization and he is also an author. He established the Raised by the World Foundation, which assists students at the University of Zambia and provides used equipment for young golfers.

Mr. Speaker, we applaud this major professional achievement of Vincent Kabaso, and wish his wife, Hannah, and daughter, JoAnna, all the best. Our community appreciates their service and their accomplishments.