Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Richard Ramsay who is retiring from the Colona Fire Department after 20 years of service.

Captain Ramsay joined the Colona Fire Department two decades ago with a passion for keeping his neighbors safe. He served many roles throughout his tenure with the department, including Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Hazardous Material Technician, Safety Officer, and Special Teams Leader. His experience and reliability helped the department soar to new heights. He was a consummate professional with impeccable character, unafraid to tackle danger head on, no matter the circumstance. Captain Ramsay's impact on the Colona Fire Department and the surrounding Quad Cities region is unquestionable. I wish him and his family well as he transitions into this next chapter of life.

It is because of valiant and selfless leaders such as Captain Richard Ramsay that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to, again, formally congratulate Colona Fire Department Captain Richard Ramsay on his retirement and thank him for his 20 years of service to the Colona community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell, who is retiring from the Peoria County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) after 27 years of dignified service.

Sheriff Asbell has devoted his entire life to protecting and serving his neighbors and defending our great nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. His first experience in public service was in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer in the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, a post he held from 1990 through 1993. He transitioned to the Army National Guard (ANG) as a Combat Engineer, where he remained until 1996. In the last year of his service to ANG, he joined PCSO as a Correctional Officer. Though he now had two obligations to his immediate community, his commitment and dedication to PCSO flourished and in January 1997, Sheriff Asbell was promoted to Correctional Sergeant. His unrelenting work ethic continued as he was elevated to Patrol Deputy in December 2000, then Detective in January 2005. In this capacity, he strived to reduce crime and solve some of the most difficult cases in every corner of the county. After four years in this capacity, he accepted a new role as Undersheriff and Jail Superintendent, in which he excelled for seven years. He was appointed the 56th Peoria County Sheriff in August 2017 and was elected in November 2018. Not only did Sheriff Asbell carry on the honorable legacy of his predecessors, he helped to modernize PCSO and reshape its relationship with residents.

It is because of exceptional and valorous leaders such as Sheriff Brian Asbell that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again, formally congratulate Peoria County Sheriff Brian Johnson on his retirement and thank him for his 27 years of service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Deputy Chief Brian Johnson, who is retiring from the Moline Police Department after 22 years of service.

Deputy Chief Johnson's career in law enforcement began in January 2000 when he joined the nearby Silvis Police Department, where he stayed for two years. His father, a former Sergeant in the East Moline Police Department, helped steer him toward a career in public safety. He became an officer in the Moline Police Department in February 2002. Always looking to rise above the call of duty in protecting and serving his neighbors, Deputy Chief Johnson worked his way through the ranks. He served as Patrol Officer, Street Crimes Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Juvenile Investigations Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Accreditation and Standards Lieutenant and Operations Captain, before being promoted to Deputy Chief in 2021. He is a graduate of Kewanee High School in Kewanee, Illinois, Western Illinois University, and Northwestern Illinois University's School of Police Staff and Command. Deputy Chief Johnson's contributions to the Quad Cities community will never be forgotten.

It is because of noble and fearless leaders such as Deputy Chief Brian Johnson that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again, formally congratulate Moline Police Department Deputy Chief Brian Johnson on his retirement and thank him for his 22 years of service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Leslie Haynes on her retirement from her position as Dispatcher for Galesburg/ Knox County 9-1-1.

Leslie is from the Galesburg area and began her career as a 9-1-1 dispatcher at Galesburg/Knox County 9-1-1 on October 9, 2000. During the first half of her career, she worked second shift, and later transitioned to first shift. Leslie is described as a wonderful and caring coworker. Her colleagues also described her as dedicated and hardworking. When life throws her difficult circumstances, Leslie maintains a positive attitude and continues to serve her community, which shows a great amount of strength. She leads by example, and she served the citizens of Knox County with compassion and unwavering dedication. Leslie is also a mother of two and grandmother of five.

It is because of community leaders like Leslie Haynes that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Leslie Haynes on her retirement from the Galesburg/Knox County 9-1-1 as a Dispatcher.

Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen scheduling circumstances, I was unable to vote on H.R. 6493, the Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2022, as amended, when it was put before the House of Representatives today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 292.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Allred (Gomez)

Boebert (Bishop (NC))

Bonamici (Manning)

Bourdeaux (Correa)

Bowman (Chu)

Bush (Williams (GA))

Carter (LA) (Williams (GA))

Carter (TX) (Weber (TX))

Cherfilus-McCormick (Williams (GA))

Cohen (Beyer)

Connolly (Beyer)

Costa (Correa)

Crist (Wasserman Schultz)

Davis, Danny K. (Gomez)

DeSaulnier (Beyer)

Dingell (Stevens)

Doyle, Michael F. (Pallone)

Fletcher (Pallone)

Frankel, Lois (Kuster)

Garcia (IL) (Beyer)

Gosar (Gohmert)

Guest (Fleischmann)

Hartzler (Bacon)

Hayes (Neguse)

Huffman (Gomez)

Jacobs (NY) (Smucker)

Jayapal (Gomez)

Jeffries (Neguse)

Johnson (GA) (Manning)

Johnson (TX) (Stevens)

Katko (Meijer)

Keating (Neguse)

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

Krishnamoorthi (Neguse)

LaMalfa (Rouzer)

Lawson (FL) (Wasserman Schultz)

Moore (WI) (Beyer)

Moulton (Stevens)

Newman (Beyer)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Pascrell (Pallone)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Neguse)

Rice (SC) (Meijer)

Rogers (KY)

(Reschenthaler)

Rush (Neguse)

Salazar (Diaz-Balart)

Sires (Pallone)

Stansbury (Stevens)

Strickland (Neguse)

Suozzi (Neguse)

Swalwell (Correa)

Takano (Chu)

Tlaib (Gomez)

Walorski (Baird)

Watson Coleman (Pallone)

Wilson (FL) (Williams (GA))

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Living Land & Waters for cleaning America's rivers for 25 years. Based in East Moline, they are the only industrial strength river clean-up organization in the world.

Living Lands & Waters was founded in 1998 by Chad Pregracke, with the mission of helping to protect, preserve and restore the natural environment of America's major rivers and their watersheds. By expanding awareness of environmental issues and creating a desire and opportunity for citizens to take an active role, they are helping to make a cleaner river environment for all of us. The Living Lands & Waters crew lives up to nine months a year on their barge and hosts river cleanups, watershed conservation initiative workshops, tree plantings and other key conservation efforts. Impressively, they have removed over 10 million pounds of trash from rivers around the country.

It is because of community organizations such as Living Lands & Waters that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Living Lands & Waters on its 25th Anniversary of cleaning up our country's rivers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize senior Owen Lightfoot, sophomore Supreme Muhammad, sophomore Eden Trotter-Krahn and senior Michael Cunningham of Winnebago High School, who won both the Illinois High School Athletic Association Class 1A State 4x100 meter relay and 4x200 meter relay.

Owen, Supreme, Eden and Michael together won the 4x100 relay with a time of 42.92 seconds and the 4x200 relay with a time of 1 minute and 28.48 seconds. As a former athlete, I commend them for their determination and attitude. They are an example of the importance of dedication and a strong work ethic. I am proud to see them represent Winnebago so well throughout the state and the country with their talent and passion.

It is because of student leaders such as Owen, Supreme, Eden and Michael that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Owen Lightfoot, Supreme Muhammad, Eden Trotter-Krahn and Michael Cunningham for their state title in the 4x100 meter relay and 4x200 meter relay.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Illini Bluffs High School Softball Team as Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A State Champions.

The Illini Bluffs Softball team is no stranger to excelling when it comes to competition. The team has continued the legacy of competing in and winning the Class 1A State Championship for the second year in a row. The team now has two titles in Class 1A and are only one of two teams to do so since 2010. They are also the only team to have had a no-hitter finish in a State Title game since 1999. As a former student athlete, I commend them for their hard work and dedication.

I am incredibly proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District and the student athletes of Illini Bluffs High School. Madam Speaker, I would like to formally congratulate Illini Bluffs again on winning the Illinois High School Association Class 1A State Championships for Softball.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nicholas Patrick, a freshman from Alleman Catholic High School, who won the Illinois High School Athletic Association Class 1A State tennis title.

Nicholas won the 1A state tennis title in singles, becoming the first Quad Cities area IHSA boys state tennis champion since 1996. As a former athlete, I commend him for his determination and attitude. Nicholas is an example of the importance of dedication and a strong work ethic. I am proud to see him represent Rock Island so well throughout the state and the country with his talent and passion.

It is because of student leaders such as Nicholas that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Nicholas Patrick on his Class 1A State title in tennis.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rockridge High School Girls Softball team for their win at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Championships.

The unbeaten Rockridge Rockets won 64 games before competing in IHSA State Championship game. The ladies took a chance on their winning streak and came back from a 4-0 deficit with grit and determination. The Rockridge Rockets are the first team in IHSA history to finish as undefeated State Champions in back-to-back seasons. The team never gave up and accomplished a goal they set out for themselves at the beginning of the season. As a former athlete, I commend their hard work and dedication to their team.

The Rockets athletic success is remarkable. I am incredibly proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District and student-athletes. Madam Speaker, I would like to formally congratulate the Rockridge Rockets again on winning the Illinois High School Association 2A State Championships for Softball.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Annie Wirth, a junior from Geneseo High School, who won first place at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Championship in Long Jump.

Annie's win at the IHSA Girls Track and Field State Championship can be summed up by shattered records and a team trophy. With the bar set at 5 feet, 10 inches, Annie began her attempt with a slight jump before sprinting at the bar and bending around it nearly six feet in the air. She knew that jump would set a new record, and the height of the jump was the tallest out of any of the three classes. Annie medaled again after a 17-foot, 7\3/4\ leap, placing third in that competition. She also placed fifth in the 300m hurdles, running 45.35 in the rain. As a former athlete, I commend Annie for her dedication to her team and to her sport and am proud of how far that has taken her.

Annie's athletic success is remarkable. I am incredibly proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District and student-athletes like Annie Wirth. Madam Speaker, I would like to formally congratulate Annie Wirth again, the Illinois High School Association State Champion in Long Jump.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alice Sotelo, a junior from Sterling High School who won the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 2A State Triple Jump title.

Alice won the 2A State Title in the triple jump with a final clearance distance of 11.36 meters, setting a new school record. It was also her fourth time setting a new school record in the last month. As a former athlete, I commend her for her determination and attitude. Alice is an example of the importance of dedication and a strong work ethic. I am proud to see her represent Sterling so well throughout the state and the country with her talent and passion.

It is because of student leaders such as Alice that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Alice Sotelo on her Class 2A State Title in the triple jump.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matthew Marcum, a Senior from Rock Falls Township High School, who won the Illinois High School Association's Class 2A State Champion in the 300-meter hurdles, running a 39.59 at the state final.

Although Matthew began the race for the championship on the wrong foot, he managed to finish his final year at Rock Falls as a State Champion. He posted the fastest time in IHSA's Class 2A State Boys Track & Field prelims at 39.73 seconds for the 300-meter hurdles. Matthew had qualified for state finals in the 300 hurdles last year as well, placing sixth in a very tight race. After reaching the state final again as a senior, he was determined to go out on top. In this year's 2A State Championship, he ran even faster, running a 39.59 on his way to a state championship. As a former athlete, I appreciate the fortitude Matthew displayed to achieve his dream of being a state champion and commend him for his determination and attitude. Matthew is an example of the importance of dedication and a strong work ethic. I am proud there is such young talent in our community, and to see him represent Rock Falls so well throughout the state.

It is because of student leaders such as Matthew that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Matthew Marcum a 2A State Champion in the 300-meter hurdles.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Andrew Lister, a teacher from Orion High School, for receiving the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Golden Apple Foundation.

The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes and honors our most outstanding teachers for the positive and lasting impact they have on our students' lives and our community as a whole. Mr. Lister is one of 10 award recipients in Illinois--selected out of 400 nominations of 9 through 12 grade teachers. I'm so glad to see Mr. Lister recognized for inspiring students at Orion High School and his overall contributions to the Orion community.

It is because of committed and honorable educators such as Mr. Lister that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Andrew Lister for receiving the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chad Schmidt of Nutrien Ag Solutions, an agricultural business that was honored by achieving a national certification from the ResponsibleAg Certification Program.

ResponsibleAg is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 to promote public welfare. It is a successful voluntary initiative that provides a comprehensive assessment of agricultural facilities that store and handle farm input supplies such as fertilizer, crop protection products, seed, and fuel. Certification requires that a facility meet stringent regulatory-based criteria, implement industry leading safety and security measures, and uphold facility safety as one of its highest priorities.

Nutrien Ag Solutions provides full-acre solutions through a network of trusted crop consultants at more than 1,700 global locations. They help growers achieve the highest yields with the most sustainable solutions possible, offering a wide selection of crop seed, protection and nutrition that help farmers across the world.

It is because of industry leaders such as Chad that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Chad Schmidt and Nutrien Ag Solutions on receiving national certification from the ResponsibleAg Certification Program.