Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ian Kuehl, a senior from Lena-Winslow High School, for earning the 285 pound Class IA title for the Illinois State Championship in Wrestling.

Ian Kuehl pinned his last opponent of the season in 3 minutes and 25 seconds to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Ian for his tremendous accomplishment. Ian's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold and cap off his season of 47 wins and only 1 loss. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Ian 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 Stockton throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Ian Kuehl on his state title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Danielle Taets, a freshman from Orion High School, for earning the Class 1A title for the Illinois State Championship in triple jump and the 100 meter hurdles for track and field.

Danielle Taets completed her 38 foot qualifying leap in triple jump and ran the 100 meter hurdles to claim her title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Danielle for her tremendous accomplishment. Danielle's dedication and passion for her sport meant that she was determined to win gold. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Danielle 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 her represent Orion throughout the state.

Mr Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Danielle Taets on her title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing her every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Nick Swartzendruber, a senior from Geneseo High School, for earning the Class 2A title for the Illinois State Championship in the 400 meter dash for track and field.

Nick Swartzendruber ran 48.49 seconds in the 400 meter dash to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Nick for his tremendous accomplishment. Nick's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold. As a

former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Nick 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 Geneseo throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Nick Swartzendruber on his title, and I Join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Easton Bianchi, a senior from Newman Central Catholic High School, for

earning the Class IA title for the Illinois State Championship in the 100 and 200 meter dash for track and field.

Easton Bianchi ran 10.83 seconds in the 100 meter dash and 21.93 seconds in the 200 meter dash to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Easton for his tremendous accomplishment. Easton's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Easton 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 Sterling throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Easton Bianchi on his title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Peyton Sopiars, a sophomore from Galva High School, for earning the Class 1A title for the Illinois State Championship in triple jump for track and field.

Peyton Sopiars won triple jump gold with a leap of 45-0 3/4 to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Peyton for his tremendous accomplishment. Peyton's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Peyton 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 Galva throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Peyton Sopiars on his title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate sophomores Nick Allen, Nathan Mickley, Keegan Anderson, and Koby Brackemeyer from Morrison High School, for earning the Class 1A title for the Illinois State Championship in the 4x800 relay.

Nick Allen, Nathan Mickley, Keegan Anderson, and Koby Brackemeyer took first in finals with a time of 8:00.59 clocking to claim their title as state champions, and I would like to recognize them for their tremendous accomplishment. Their dedication and passion for their sport meant that they were determined to win gold. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. They are 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 them represent Morrison throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Nick Allen, Nathan Mickley, Keegan Anderson, and Koby Brackemeyer on their title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing them every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kyle Kruthoff, a junior from Erie High School, for earning the Class 1A title for the Illinois State Championship in pole vaulting.

Kyle Kruthoff cleared 15 feet, 6 inches to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Kyle for his tremendous accomplishment. Kyle's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Kyle 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 Erie throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Kyle Kruthoff on his title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, the opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of too many across our Nation. Although no corner of our country has remained unscathed, the crisis is worse in rural America, where drug- related deaths are 45 percent higher.

When I travel around my district, a vast district--7,000 square miles, 14 counties--I am told time and time again that access to treatment remains one of the largest barriers to recovery in many of the small towns and rural communities that I serve. We don't have enough doctors. We don't have enough treatment centers. If we don't have those things, too many people don't have a chance.

That is why I worked with my colleague from Georgia, Congressman Buddy Carter, who also happens to be a pharmacist, to introduce the Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act, with Democrats and Republicans working together in this endeavor.

This bill is a commonsense measure that cuts through the red tape to provide more treatment options to underserved communities through the use of telemedicine. Saving our sons, our daughters, our brothers, our sisters, our nieces, and our nephews from this epidemic is a priority for Democrats and for Republicans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eva Geiringer Schloss, who lives such an inspiring life as a Holocaust survivor of Auschwitz. Ms. Schloss is the stepsister and good friend of Anne Frank, who perished in the Holocaust.

Ms. Eva Geiringer Schloss was born in 1929. She studied art history at the University of Amsterdam and went on to become an accomplished author detailing the experiences of her family. Mrs. Schloss is also the co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, and recorded virtual reality answers to numerous questions for museums everywhere in the world ensuring we never forget those tragic events. Mrs. Schloss is an inspiration to all of us in remembering the Holocaust and honoring the lives of those lost.

It is because of dedicated women such as Ms. Eva Schloss that I am especially proud to serve in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally honor Ms. Eva Schloss today as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eva Geiringer Schloss, who lives such an inspiring life as a Holocaust survivor of Auschwitz. Ms. Schloss is the stepsister and good friend of Anne Frank.

Ms. Eva Geiringer Schloss was born in 1938 shortly after the annexation of Austria by Germany. She studied art history at the University of Amsterdam and went on to become an accomplished author detailing the experiences of her family. Mrs. Schloss is also the co- founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, and recorded virtual reality answers to numerous questions for museums everywhere in the world ensuring we never forget those tragic events. Ms. Schloss is an inspiration to all of us in remembering the Holocaust and honoring the lives of those lost.

It is because of dedicated women such as Ms. Eva Schloss that I am especially proud to serve in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally honor Ms. Eva Schloss today as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ian Kuehl, a senior from Stockton High School, for earning the 285 pound Class IA title for the Illinois State Championship in Wrestling.

Ian Kuehl pinned his last opponent of the season in 3 minutes and 25 seconds to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Ian for his tremendous accomplishment. Ian's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold and cap off his season of 47 wins and only 1 loss. As a former athlete, I understand the amount of hard work and commitment to be awarded such a title. Ian 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 Stockton throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Ian Kuehl on his state title, and I join the rest of the community in wishing him every success in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Elsie Heidenreich, who lived an inspiring life as one of the first women to serve as a Red Cross nurse in World War I.

Ms. Heidenreich was born into a family of nine in Woodbine Township in 1893. She put herself through nursing school, and at age 25 completed the nursing program at the Presbyterian School of Nursing in Chicago. After enlisting in the military, she sailed overseas on assignment to France and worked tirelessly with the sick and wounded. Ms. Heidenreich returned to the United States after the Armistice was signed and served as a Red Cross nurse until 1921, when she left the service to become a missionary in China.

It is because of dedicated women such as Ms. Elsie Heidenreich that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally honor Ms. Elsie Heidenreich's life and her service to this great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Luella Williams Elliott, who lived an inspiring life serving in the United States Army from 1943-1945 during World War II.

Ms . Elliott was born in 1908 in rural Stockton, Illinois. She enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was stationed with the Women's Army

Corps (WAC) in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Ms. Elliott drove an Army ambulance and was assigned to Nichols General Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. She achieved the rank of Sergeant by 1945, when she left the Army. While Ms. Elliott was in the service, she received the WAC Service Medal and the WAC Good Conduct Medal.

It is because of dedicated women such as Ms. Luella Williams Elliott that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally honor Ms. Luella Williams Elliott's life and her service to this great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rita Baumgartner Francomb, who lived an inspiring life as the first women to enlist in any of the women's military organizations during World War II from Elizabeth, Illinois.

Ms. Francomb trained at Hunter College in New York City and was sworn into the Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) for the Navy in Chicago, Illinois in 1943. She was a chief secretary of correspondence at the Naval Supply Depot in Oakland, California, attaining the rank of Yeoman First Class. After her Naval career, she resumed her position as assistant cashier at Elizabeth Bank.

It is because of dedicated women such as Ms. Rita Baumgartner Francomb that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally honor Ms. Rita Baumgartner Francomb's life and her service to this great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the town of Cambridge, Illinois on its 175th Anniversary. The community was named by Judge Joseph Tillson in 1843, and has been thriving ever since.

Cambridge, Illinois has a rich history and is an integral part of Henry County. After its founding in 1843, it was incorporated a decade later when J.S. Hinman served as the first village president. Cambridge is an unusual county seat built around two public squares instead of one, which includes Court Square and College Square Park. The first house in the village was built by blacksmith Lord John Russell near the southeast corner of College Square and the courthouse was the heart of the community.

It is because of villages like Cambridge, Illinois that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate the village of Cambridge, Illinois on its 175th Anniversary.