Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, since July 3, 2023, Robert R. Newlen has faithfully served as Interim Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Today, I want to recognize Newlen for his exemplary service and leadership during this time. Newlen has been an excellent partner to Congress and a laudable leader of CRS.

Newlen has had a long career of public service and as a servant to Congress. Newlen served at the Library of Congress for 42 years, including serving as the Deputy Librarian of Congress. Newlen served within CRS from 1975 until 2010, starting as a temporary clerk and rising to multiple senior leadership positions including Assistant Director of Knowledge Services Group. In 2017, Newlen left the Library of Congress as the Deputy Librarian of Congress. Before agreeing to serve as Interim Director, Newlen was the Executive Director and Director of Strategic Initiatives of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona.

CRS serves as an essential resource that strengthens our capacity to legislate every day. Yet CRS is beset by many of the challenges that have risen in today's diverse and complex media and information environment.

As Interim Director, Newlen acted as a perceptive leader who was quick to identify the challenges that the agency faces and was responsive in his immediate work to address them. From day one, Newlen recognized the need for robust leadership and effective communication throughout the agency. To that end, we have witnessed Newlen's efforts to empower CRS experts and incorporate the feedback and perspectives of every employee of the agency. Newlen recognized the information technology challenges that CRS faces and has diligently partnered with key stakeholders to effectively address these challenges.

Newlen's leadership during this time has been essential to turn the agency to face the modern needs and challenges of Congress. He has been a transparent and collaborative partner to me, Congresswoman Bice, the Committee, and to Congress.

I want to express my gratitude that Newlen has agreed to temporarily continue his service to this institution as an advisor to the new Director, Karen Donfried to support and assist her in her new role.

While more work remains to improve and modernize the Congressional Research Service, we are appreciative of Interim Director Newlen's efforts.

On behalf of the Committee on House Administration: Robert Newlen, we thank him for his service to improving Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 127 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7764) to establish a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous material on bill H.R. 7746.

Mr. Speaker, pervasive anti-Israel bias has infected our country. Anti-Semitism is on the rise and threatens the safety of all communities and institutions.

Let me be clear. Anti-Semitism has no place in America.

Israel is in a fight for its very existence from the terrorist threat of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. I strongly support our ally Israel and our Jewish friends.

In the Middle East, our friends in Israel need our support. The Anti- Defamation League has cited nearly 8,900 anti-Semitic incidents in the United States that occurred last year.

Now more than ever, we must ensure that as many Americans as possible are informed about the many contributions of Jewish Americans and their history.

Today, the House must pass H.R. 7764, the commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution.

The legislation creates a commission to study the transferring of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution.

This legislation establishes logistical details to make this transfer a reality, including a fundraising plan. The bill could not be more important than right now.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7764, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank my colleague, the ranking member, for his work on the bill, as well as the sponsors of this legislation.

This is an opportunity for us to come together to address the rise that we have seen in anti-Semitism and to stand with the Jewish people in this particular period of time of peril that we see in the country of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which will protect retirement savings from political interference by activists and their proxy adviser allies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for including my legislation in this comprehensive package. My bill, the Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings from Politics Act, reins in proxy advisers and puts a stop to the political takeover of retirement investments.

Names like ISS and Glass Lewis may not make the headlines every day, but these two firms constitute a powerful proxy adviser duopoly. They are fueling a movement to weaponize Americans' retirement funds to push their political agenda. This hurts workers, our economy, and the returns on Americans' hard-earned retirement savings.

Under Chairman Gensler, the Biden SEC gutted safeguards that were meant to provide proxy advisers with accountability and transparency. The SEC has also given a green light to activists to inject politics into the boardroom by changing the rules and empowering unaccountable SEC staff. This has predictably led to a huge spike in politically motivated shareholder proposals.

ISS and Glass Lewis control 97 percent of the proxy adviser market, advising virtually all professional investors. ISS offers companies consulting services to address the same activist proposals they make recommendations on, which is an obvious conflict of interest.

My bill prevents this conflict and enforces the disclosure of other potential conflicts of interest.

On top of that, the proxy adviser firms don't bear any costs or responsibility or accountability for their misguided recommendations. Some of these proposals clearly harm shareholders' value. In some cases, they have even directed companies to do things that are against the law.

Hardworking Americans saving for retirement shouldn't bear these costs. Many, I think, would be shocked to learn that their investments aren't always being maximized to provide a secure retirement. Instead, they are being hijacked for political impact.

Congress needs to rein that in and prevent that abuse. My bill addresses this in several key ways.

First, it reforms the proxy process to reduce the number of duplicative, repetitive, and politically motivated shareholder proposals. Second, it establishes a registration process for proxy advisory firms, requiring them to disclose their conflicts of interest and methodologies, and restricting their ability to offer consulting services.

It also reimposes liability on proxy advisers for getting things wrong. It ends robovoting, the process that autofills proxy advisers' recommendations. This practice can magnify proxy advisers' errors and biases.

Third, the bill places requirements on institutional investors to ensure they are voting with Americans' best economic interests in mind. They can't just outsource judgment to conflicted proxy advisers. Retirement security is far too important.

The Protecting Americans' Retirement Savings from Politics Act is an essential part of this comprehensive and commonsense legislation. We need to step up to empower investors, restore transparency and accountability, and enhance competition.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7592) to direct the Librarian of Congress to promote the more cost-effective, efficient, and expanded availability of the Annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements by replacing the hardbound versions with digital versions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 7592.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7592. Today, Congress will save taxpayers $5 million. Yes, you heard me correctly: Congress will save taxpayer dollars today.

While our Nation is running $32 trillion in debt, and we have a long way to go to get our country back on track, this is a good policy. It will save taxpayers money.

We do this by getting rid of the statutory requirement to print hardbound copies of the Constitution Annotated, or CONAN, as it is better known today.

An easily accessible and up-to-date online version of it already exists and is already used by millions of Americans. Continuing to print hardbound copies not only wastes taxpayer dollars, but it also wastes the time of CRS staff, who could better support the more pressing work of Congress.

It is a positive step in modernizing Congress. At the beginning of the 118th Congress, the Committee on House Administration took the important step of working to modernize how Congress works. The Modernization Subcommittee is led by Chairwoman Stephanie Bice and Ranking Member Derek Kilmer. The subcommittee is bringing good ideas to life by focusing on what we can do to make Congress a more effective and efficient institution.

I have argued that the work of modernizing Congress extends to Congress' support agencies. They need to work in a way that reflects how today's Congress works.

The CONAN print requirement reflects how Congress worked 50 years ago, before the internet even existed. Today, the rules don't make much sense.

We do ourselves a disservice when we require CRS to do work that is no longer necessary, no longer meets our needs. The more Congress can do to optimize tremendous resources like CRS, the better off Congress is, and H.R. 7592 moves us toward that goal.

I recognize Modernization Subcommittee Chairwoman Stephanie Bice, who, along with subcommittee Ranking Member Derek Kilmer, Representative Carey, and Representative Morelle, introduced this measure and worked on a bipartisan basis to bring it to the floor today.

I also recognize Chairwoman Bice for demonstrating that subcommittees have an important role to play in the legislative process. This was the first time in 31 years that a subcommittee of the House Administration Committee held a markup.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the hard work that went into this important measure, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 7592. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice) to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice), the Modernization Subcommittee chairwoman, for her leadership on this measure that will save taxpayer dollars.

I also recognize, once again, the subcommittee ranking member Mr. Kilmer as well as Mr. Carey and Mr. Morelle. I urge all of my colleagues who want to save taxpayers $5 million to vote in support of H.R. 7592. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7593) to enhance the authority of the Director of the Congressional Research Service to obtain information directly from agencies of the Federal government.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7593, the Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7593, the Modernizing the Congressional Research Service's Access to Data Act.

Congress is a dynamic institution. The way it operates today is different from how it operated 50 years ago. It is probably safe to say that 50 years from now, Congress will look quite different than it does once again today.

The Committee on House Administration is working to modernize Congress. The Subcommittee on Modernization's mandate is to improve and update how Congress works on behalf of the American people. There is no expiration date on this work. Because society evolves, Congress must do the same.

Congress must be capable of continually adapting to address both the issues of the day and Americans' needs. As Congress evolves, its support agencies must do the same. They must be capable of working in a way that reflects how Congress works.

It has been over 50 years since Congress updated CRS' authorizing statute, and much has changed since then in terms of how Congress operates. The Federal policy landscape has grown more and more complex, and back home Americans are confronting a vast range of challenges and are increasingly seeking our help.

As a result, Members are relying on CRS more than ever for supporting their legislative and representational duties. In order for CRS to meet the growing demand, it needs quick access to current and reliable data and information.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7593 fulfills this need. It updates CRS' statute to ensure that the agency can request data and information from Federal agencies to support its work on behalf of Congress. To be clear, we are talking about information and data that Congress and its support agencies have an established right to access.

This change to the statute reflects how Congress has changed over the past five decades and will greatly improve CRS' ability to support how we work today. I have advocated for a more modern CRS, and this measure fits into those efforts.

I thank the Modernization Subcommittee chairwoman Stephanie Bice for her leadership in bringing H.R. 7593 forward and more generally for her efforts to improve and modernize CRS. I also thank the Modernization Subcommittee ranking member, Derek Kilmer, as well as Representatives Carey and Morelle for their bipartisan support of this measure.

I urge my colleagues to join me in strengthening CRS by supporting H.R. 7593, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice) to speak on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank the Modernization Subcommittee chairwoman, Stephanie Bice, for her leadership on this measure. I also thank Ranking Member Kilmer, as well as Representatives Carey and Morelle.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7593, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6513) to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to confirm the requirement that States allow access to designated congressional election observers to observe the election administration procedures in congressional elections.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6513, the COCOA Act of 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6513, the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access Act, or the COCOA Act. Ensuring the fairness and accuracy of our elections is of utmost importance for me as chairman of the Committee on House Administration.

The Election Observer Program is one of the key ways my committee has worked to strengthen election administration practices.

Since 1933, there have been 110 contested election cases considered in the House. This averages to over two contests per Congress.

During the 2020 election cycle, House election observers were deployed to Iowa's Second District to oversee the administration of the election of our now-colleague, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

She went on to win that contested race by only six votes, and trained House election observers were instrumental in collecting on-the-ground, factual information for Congress.

The Constitution grants Congress the authority to be the ``judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own Members.'' It is under this constitutional authority that the House established the nonpartisan Election Observer Program.

In the 2022 election cycle, observers were deployed to roughly 25 sites across the country. This long-running program has deployed trained congressional staff as election observers to sites nationwide with close congressional contests.

Deploying election observers is much needed. Strong election integrity increases confidence and participation in our elections, which is a good thing.

Providing a statutory citation for these election observers to monitor election administration practices will achieve this goal.

Elections are partisan, but the administration of elections should never be partisan.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Carey) to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I further encourage the strong support of H.R. 6513, the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access Act.

I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 120, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of William Kennedy. When Bill Kennedy passed away on June 28th at the age of 74, Janesville lost one of its true leaders. Bill drove our community forward as a successful business leader, philanthropist, and coach.

Bill and his two brothers, Steve and Bob, owned and operated Rock Road Companies, a family-owned road-building construction company that has been active in the Wisconsin transportation industry since 1912. Bill put his time, talents, and experience to the benefit of organizations including the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, the Wisconsin Transportation Development Association, and Forward Janesville.

Bill was also a philanthropist who served in numerous leadership positions. He helped support the Boys and Girls Club of Janesville, serving most recently as the Chair of the Capital and Endowment Campaign. Bill also helped support the Ronald McDonald charities as well as numerous other charitable causes through the Kennedy Family Foundation, established by Bill and his brothers in 2013.

An avid golfer, Bill's love of sports also led him to become a founding partner of the Janesville Jets hockey team and support youth sports as a coach and fundraiser.

Bill is survived by his wife Diane, his mother Delores, his siblings Connie, Colleen, Steve, Bob, and Carrie, five children, and 16 grandchildren. Bill leaves a lasting legacy as a devoted father, grandfather, husband, mentor, and community leader. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Jonathan Delagrave. Jonathan served as the County Executive of Racine County from April 2015 until his sudden passing on June 28th.

Jonathan, a lifelong resident of Racine County, was a beloved figure in his community. He served Racine County both as an elected official and a civil servant. He began as the Town Chairman and later Village President of Caledonia. Jonathan then worked in the Racine County Human Services Department, becoming Director in 2010. He was first elected as Racine County Executive in 2015. His popularity was reflected in his reelections as County Executive in 2019 and 2023, a testament to his leadership and the community's trust in him.

Jonathan constantly worked to make Racine County the best it could be. He focused on spurring economic growth and workforce development by forging partnerships between local, state, and private entities to benefit all residents. He championed mental health and fought to expand access to these critical services in Racine County. Jonathan's dedication to improving the lives of people in Racine County was evident. I was honored to work together with Jonathan on efforts to preserve our Great Lakes community harbors.

As many of us in Racine County know, Jonathan was a true Wisconsinite at heart. He was an avid fan of Wisconsin Badgers football and encouraged those who attended his funeral to wear their favorite Badgers attire. He also established a scholarship in his memory to provide student-athletes with mental health care.

Most importantly, Jonathan was deeply devoted to his family, and a great friend to me and many others. Jonathan is survived by his son Maguire and daughter Makenzy. I offer my condolences to his family during this difficult time. Jonathan will be missed.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1341, I call up the bill (H.R. 8281) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE Act, introduced by my colleague, Representative Chip Roy of Texas.

As chairman of the Committee on House Administration, I have been focused on improving election integrity and increasing confidence in our elections. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of jurisdictions across the country that allow noncitizens to vote in their elections.

Right here in our Nation's Capital, noncitizens are eligible to vote in municipal elections. In Washington, D.C., a noncitizen only has to reside in the District for 30 days in order to vote.

Last month, 143 Democrats voted to approve noncitizen voting in our Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. We cannot allow this to spread across the United States.

Let me be clear: Noncitizen voting reduces confidence in our elections. American elections are for American citizens, and we intend to keep it that way.

Today, we consider the SAVE Act, and we will see if my Democratic colleagues are once again in support of noncitizen voting. The SAVE Act will strengthen our election administration and restore Americans' confidence in our elections.

The SAVE Act contains critical reforms to update the National Voter Registration Act, an act that requires States to give voter registration forms to everyone who receives a driver's license, regardless of citizenship status.

The bill before us will help States prevent noncitizens from voting in Federal elections by requiring States to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identify in person when registering an individual to vote in Federal elections.

You are sure to hear my colleagues today on the other side say that noncitizen voting doesn't exist, or that it rarely happens, so we don't need to do anything about it.

First, I point you to a 1996 congressional race in California where an investigation by this body revealed that 624 noncitizens voted in that congressional election. I also point you to a race less than 4 years ago where our colleague from Iowa won by six votes.

Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a legal American citizen. Illegal voting risks swaying elections.

Ensuring our laws are being enforced to prevent noncitizen voting is critical. Some will say that illegal voting is already illegal for noncitizens, but it is also illegal to evade the Border Patrol and enter our country illegally. Yet, that hasn't stopped almost anyone.

In the last 3 years, Border Patrol has encountered 7 million illegal migrants at our southern border. We must strengthen our election laws to make sure that they are being properly enforced.

On top of the previously mentioned examples of noncitizen voting, we also have seen examples of noncitizens on the voter rolls in different States across our country.

Just a few years ago, Illinois removed almost 600 noncitizens from its voter rolls. A Georgia audit recently determined that more than 1,600 noncitizens had attempted to register. In Pennsylvania, almost 10,000 noncitizens were removed from their rolls.

Every State needs access to the tools necessary to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls. A crucial element of the SAVE Act would provide States with cost-free access to existing Federal and State databases so they can perform this important voter list maintenance.

Today, we see the Biden administration has weaponized our border, and they are weaponizing Federal agencies to conduct a partisan voter registration scheme using taxpayer dollars under an executive order.

I have subpoenaed each agency's strategic plan. So far, no agency has produced its strategic, secretive scheme to get out the vote, and the left continues to register folks to vote.

By passing the SAVE Act, we can ensure only eligible Americans are registering to vote. Americans deserve confidence in their elections. We must pass the SAVE Act to prevent noncitizens from voting.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee), who are not is the chair of the Subcommittee on Elections.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), who is the bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, the right to vote is sacrosanct, and that is why we need to protect it for U.S. citizens.

In New York City, a law was passed to allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections. Here in our Nation's Capital, 143 Democrats voted to allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections here in our Nation's Capital.

In the State of New York, there is no photo ID requirement. If there was, it should be noted that the State of New York provides drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants. It is the reason that the SAVE Act is necessary, to make sure that we are protecting U.S. elections for U.S. citizens only.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito), a great State.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self).

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hunt).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Malliotakis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Tenney).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

This is our opportunity to safeguard American elections for American citizens. We have heard time and again from those on the other side of the aisle that this problem doesn't exist; yet, in our committee hearings, we have shown where noncitizens have voted in U.S. elections, whether it is the 1996 election in California, fully investigated by this House, or Fairfax, Virginia, which in 2011 found 278 noncitizens were on the voter rolls and determined 117 of those individuals had voted illegally, or counties across the country. Chicago, Illinois; San Diego County, California; and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, all found noncitizens had participated in Federal elections.

This is our opportunity to make sure that U.S. elections are for U.S. citizens.

We have also heard that it is already illegal in Federal elections for individuals who are not citizens to vote. That is true, but it is also illegal to cross the border into the United States illegally. That hasn't stopped millions of individuals.

This is our opportunity to safeguard our elections, to make sure that U.S. elections are for U.S. citizens only.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the SAVE Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise, along with my fellow members of the Architect of the Capitol Congressional Commission--Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle, former Chairwoman Kay Granger and incumbent Chairman Tom Cole of the Committee on Appropriations, and Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, as well as my Senate colleagues, the Senate Majority and Minority leaders, the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations--to congratulate Thomas Austin on his appointment to the role of Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol plays a vital role in welcoming millions of visitors to our Capitol and ensuring it is a functional workplace. Thomas Austin has managed construction projects and facilities of all sizes, maintained one of our nation's most hallowed landmarks, and served our country in the military. We are confident that with his extensive experience, Thomas Austin will be an adept and capable Architect of the Capitol.

The Commission also wants to thank Chief Engineer Chere Rexroat and Chief of Operations Joe DiPietro for their service as successive acting Architects of the Capitol over the past year. Their leadership over the past year provided stability for the AOC and reassured us all that the AOC could continue to fulfill its important mission to serve Congress and the public. They have the appreciation of a grateful congressional community.

Mr. Speaker, to celebrate his retirement, I rise to thank Mr. Tom Coyne for 33 years of outstanding service to the U.S. House of Representatives. Tom has served this great institution as a valuable employee of the House Chief Administrative Office, both in the Office of Logistics & Support, and the Office of Finance. His journey was not without its challenges, but his resilience and dedication have been unwavering, and we are all the better for it.

Before embarking on his 33-year journey with the U.S. House of Representatives, Tom Coyne dedicated four years of his life to the U S. Army, serving with honor in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, ``The Old Guard'' Unit. His military service concluded in 1984, and he then pursued his passion for numbers, earning a degree in Accounting from George Mason University.

Tom began his career at the House in February 1991 as an equipment counselor in the Office Equipment Services, and due to his excellent service, he was promoted through many positions, leading up to his role as Chief Logistics Officer. Tom assisted with multiple computer system implementations, which include the fixed asset and inventory management system (FAIMS), work ticketing, point of sale, finance, and online flag ordering systems. Additionally, Tom was instrumental in initiating and managing the first Office Services department, allowing offices to request CAO support and services more quickly.

For 33 years, Tom's logistical, technical, analytical, communication, and financial skills have not just served the House, they have enriched it. His commitment and dedication have provided a wealth of institutional knowledge, resulting in numerous successful initiatives and programs. He has been a pillar of support during all significant events over the past three decades, such as 9/11, Anthrax, the pandemic, 17 Congressional transitions, five Inaugurations, and nine House leadership changes. His professionalism, solid presence, and unwavering confidence has been a source of reassurance for his team, the Chief Administrative Office, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

While Tom's physical presence will be missed in the halls, his legacy will continue to guide us. The Logistics & Support employees will continue to rely on his example, asking themselves daily, ``What would Tom do?'' This commitment ensures that the House Members will continue to receive the best service, a testament to Tom's lasting impact.

In retirement, Tom looks forward to embarking on new adventures. He plans to spend more time exploring the world with his wife, Susan, and cherishing family moments with his sons, Tom and wife Amanda, Joe, James, and daughter Jennifer. The most recent addition to the family is his grandson, Henry, who will undoubtedly bring joy and laughter to their lives. Tom is excited about the opportunities and future endeavors that retirement will bring, and we wish him all the best in his new chapter.

On behalf of the entire House community, we extend our warmest congratulations to Tom Coyne. We celebrate his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish Tom many wonderful years in fulfilling his retirement dreams. May this new chapter be filled with joy, adventure, and fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7199 to designate the post office on Janesville Road in Muskego, Wisconsin, as the Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office.

Colonel Heg had deep roots in both the Fifth District and the First District of Wisconsin. The Muskego settlement straddles the line between Waukesha County and Racine County.

As we know, Colonel Hans Christian Heg would ultimately lose his life in the Battle of Chickamauga.

Colonel Hans Christian Heg was an immigrant who moved to the United States and signed up to serve the Union in the Civil War. He was a devout abolitionist and was opposed to slavery. Ultimately, he gave his life in defense of our Nation.

Two statues were built to honor Colonel Hans Christian Heg. One was located in the town of Norway in Racine County and the other in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol.

In the summer of 2020, a group of rioters would tear down that statue outside the Wisconsin State Capitol. They would take the head off the statue, and

they would carry it into the lake. The ignorance of those rioters should not be lost on us today. They tore down the statue of an abolitionist who gave his life preserving the Union and fighting against slavery.

Naming the post office in Muskego, Wisconsin, after Colonel Hans Christian Heg is a statement against the vandalism we saw in the summer of 2020, but it is also a way to recognize and remember the heroic bravery of Colonel Hans Christian Heg.

This bill will serve his legacy, and it will serve to remind all of us in Wisconsin of the sacrifice that he made on behalf of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7199.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Will Neitzel, a member of my staff for the last five and a half years. Will joined my team as I opened a new office and started my first term, serving Wisconsin's First Congressional District. Will has been an integral member of my team.

While serving in my personal office, Will's candor, hard work, and humor have been tremendous assets to my office. When first starting my office, Will was essential in getting my mail program up and running, working tirelessly to produce dozens of letters each week. As a policy staffer Will helped Wisconsin families and small businesses better understand and navigate federal programs.

After serving as one of my lead staffers in my personal office, Will then moved to the Committee on House Administration when I became Chairman in January of 2022. Will quickly became my Wisconsin advocate with the Committee, always thinking of ways House Administration can benefit the people of Wisconsin's First District. Will also jumped right in and helped lead the Committee's widely successful ``Running an Effective Committee in the Majority Series'', ``Level Up: GOP Staff Development Course'', and the ``Intern Lecture Series'', among many others.

With Will as a part of my Member Services team, the Committee has held briefings and education trainings for over 2,000 Members of Congress and their staff. This team has also successfully completed over 600 Member-related requests. Will also spearheaded the planting of the Sugar Maple tree on the U.S. Capitol Grounds commemorating the 175th anniversary of the State of Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt in my mind that the great people of Wisconsin are better off because of Will's service here in the U.S.

House of Representatives. I'm so appreciative to have had him in my personal and committee offices. On behalf of my personal office and the Committee on House Administration, we want to thank Will for his great services and friendship. We wish the very best of success to Will, Steph, Jack, and Ada as they start a new chapter back home in Wisconsin.