Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maverick McPeek, a senior from Lena-Winslow High School, for earning the 220 pound Class 1A title for the Illinois State Championship in Wrestling.

Maverick McPeek defeated his opponent 3-2 to claim his title as state champion, and I would like to recognize Maverick for his tremendous accomplishment. Maverick's dedication and passion for his sport meant that he was determined to win gold and cap off his season of 40 wins and 2 losses. 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 Dakota, Illinois throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Maverick McPeek 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 recognize Ms. JoAnna Dye, who is retiring from Black Hawk College. Ms. Dye has become a pillar of the Black Hawk community, and she will be greatly missed.

Ms. Dye has worked at Black Hawk College for 34 years, serving as the Financial Aid Director for the last 12 years. She has always gone above and beyond, and received the 2010 Sustained Service Award from the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) in recognition of her notable contributions to Black Hawk College. Additionally, Ms. Dye has worked to deliver professional development, leadership and educational opportunities to colleagues and students throughout Illinois by serving as the Executive Vice President and later the President of the ILASFAA. Her dedication to ensuring all our children have the opportunity to succeed has undoubtedly enriched our community and the lives of those she has touched.

It is because of dedicated and selfless leaders such as Ms. JoAnna Dye that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Ms. JoAnna Dye on her well-earned retirement and thank her for all of her contributions and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Paul Olsen, who is retiring from Augustana College. Dr. Olsen has become a pillar in the Rock Island community, and he will be greatly missed.

Dr. Olsen has spent 50 plus years coaching cross country and track and field at Augustana College. He has coached a total of 234 NCAA Division III All-American runners and, 26 times, these athletes have been crowned national champions. Dr. Olsen was inducted into the Illinois Track and Field Coaches Association ``Hall of Fame'' in 2004 and went into the Augustana ``Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame'' in 2006. Dr. Olsen is a professor in the English Department at Augustana, and is one of the most popular teachers in the entire school.

It is because of dedicated and selfless leaders such as Dr. Paul Olsen that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Dr. Paul Olsen on his well-earned retirement and thank him for all of his contributions and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate the time.

Mr. Speaker, hardworking families across the heartland know firsthand what the negative impacts of trade can look like. They have lived through it in places like Galesburg, Illinois, when the Maytag plant padlocked its gates and sent every last one of those jobs to Mexico.

They lived through it in Freeport, Illinois, when venture capitalists bought out the Sensata factory and sent every last one of those jobs over to China.

And today, at the end of planting season, corn growers and soybean farmers and pork producers all across the heartland are getting hit in their wallet by the Trump trade war.

Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago I rode in a John Deere tractor with a young soybean farmer named Jared Kunkle while he was planting his soybeans.

You see, right now as planting season is wrapping up, our farmers are making a lot of tough decisions. That is because in Illinois and many of our neighboring States, our soybean farmers sell about a quarter of their crops to China. In fact, in Illinois, if our State was its own country, we would be the fourth largest producer of soybeans in the world.

So when President Trump's thumbs got the better of him and started tweeting us into a trade war with China, there were very real consequences for the families that I serve. To be clear, those consequences and the harm and uncertainty that they are generating is being felt right now.

In fact, just this morning, there was a headline in Bloomberg News that I want to read to you, I want to show to you: ``China Buys Record Amount of Russian Soy as it Shuns U.S. Growers.''

That is this morning.

The fact is, our farmers have been struggling in a tightening market with low profit margins. So in 2016, when President Trump stood at a podium in Iowa and proudly declared that he would ``end this war on the American farmer,'' they took him at his word. Midwesterners do that; we believe people when they say something, and we also believe that promises ought to be kept.

For farmers like Jared Kunkle of Cameron, Illinois, and thousands of farmers like him, that promise has been broken.

It has been broken by this President, and now, if you do not support this amendment, it will also be broken by this Congress.

So I urge you, please keep your word. Support this measure to protect our hardworking farmers and ranchers from this Trump trade war. Let's work together. And as the President says, let's ``end this war on the American farmer.''

Mr. Speaker, due to flight cancellations and bad weather, I was unable to vote on the Legislative Day of May 15, 2018. Had I been present for these roll call votes, I would have cast the following votes: Roll Call 181: Yea; Roll Call 182: Yea; and Roll Call 183: Yea

Mr. Chairman, passing a farm bill that delivers a better deal to our growers could have and should have been a bipartisan process. But when Democrats arrived ready to work, the doors were shackled shut. Instead of coming together to help our producers struggling with a downturn in the agricultural economy, this hyperpartisan bill hurts everyone from pasture to plate.

It cuts $23 billion from a program that feeds children, seniors, and veterans in addition to eliminating mandatory funding for rural development programs which are proven job creators in rural America. This bill also strips farmers, who are facing tightening market conditions, of crop insurance options.

This ``harm'' bill is another step in the wrong direction for rural America. At a time when farmers are already feeling the pain of President Trump's impulsive trade war and Secretary Pruitt's attack on ethanol, I urge my colleagues: abandon this ``harm'' bill and work together on a farm bill that will strengthen rural America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. JoAnna Dye, who is retiring from Blackhawk College. Ms. Dye has become a pillar of the Blackhawk community, and she will be greatly missed.

Ms. Dye has worked at Blackhawk College for 34 years, serving as the Financial Aid Director for the last 12 years. She has always gone above and beyond, and received the 2010 Sustained Service Award from the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (ILASFAA) in recognition of her notable contributions to Blackhawk College. Additionally, Ms. Dye has worked to deliver professional development, leadership and educational opportunities to colleagues and students throughout Illinois by serving as the Executive Vice President and later the President of the ILASFAA. Her dedication to ensuring all our children have the opportunity to succeed has undoubtedly enriched our community and the lives of those she has touched.

It is because of dedicated and selfless leaders such as Ms. JoAnna Dye that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Ms. JoAnna Dye on her well-earned retirement and thank her for all of her contributions and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Galena DeSoto House Hotel on their 163rd anniversary. The hotel was recently recognized by the Galena Chamber of Commerce with a Gold Ribbon cutting for welcoming guests with hospitality, charm and rich history since 1855.

The DeSoto House Hotel, which was named after the great European explorer Hernando de Soto; is an Illinois landmark. The DeSoto House Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in the state and has hosted many great American figures such as President Abraham Lincoln, President Ulysses S. Grant, Senator Stephen A. Douglas and many others. I have had the pleasure of visiting the DeSoto House Hotel myself, and I can personally speak to the fact that it is a treasure for not only our Congressional District, but the state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again congratulate the Galena DeSoto House Hotel on their 163rd anniversary and for their commitment to preserving its rich history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rockford Auburn High School Quiz Bowl Team for being ranked 16th on the list of the top 100 quiz bowl teams in the world. The Rockford Auburn High School team is advised by Coach Elizabeth Zorn and comprised of students Ethan Strombeck, Morad Suliman, Lily Chavez, Leif Verace and Kodai Speich.

Quiz bowl is a challenging academic competition, where high school students are quizzed on a variety of subjects ranging from science and literature to history and mathematics. I would like to commend the Rockford Auburn High School students on all of their hard work this year, and recognize the strong leadership of Coach Elizabeth Zorn.

Mr. Speaker, once again I would like to congratulate the Rockford Auburn High School Quiz Bowl Team for being ranked one of the top 100 quiz bowl teams in the world. Their dedication to academic excellence makes me especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District, and I wish them the best of luck in future competitions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Galena Public Library on their 124th anniversary. The library was recently recognized by the Galena Chamber of Commerce with a Gold Ribbon cutting for their outstanding efforts to promote free education for all.

The Galena Public Library has grown tremendously over the years and become a pillar in the community. The library has gone above and beyond in serving the community and now welcomes great lecturers on a wide range of topics. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Galena library myself, and I am proud to recognize them as they celebrate this milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again congratulate the Galena Public Library on their 124th anniversary and for their commitment to the residents of Galena. I wish them the best of luck as they continue to serve our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Paul Olsen, who is retiring from Augustana College. Dr. Olsen has become a pillar in the Rock Island community, and he will be greatly missed.

Dr. Olsen has spent 50 plus years coaching cross country and track and field at Augustana College. He has coached a total of 234 NCAA Division III All-American runners and, 26 times, these athletes have been crowned national champions. Dr. Olsen was inducted into the Illinois Track and Field Coaches Association ``Hall of Fame'' in 2004 and went into the Augustana ``Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame'' in 2006. Dr. Olsen is a professor in the English Department at Augustana, and is one of the most popular teachers in the entire school.

It is because of dedicated and selfless leaders such as Dr. Paul Olsen that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Dr. Paul Olsen on his well-earned retirement, and thank him for all of his contributions and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, for too many hardworking families, job opportunities are down, medical bills are up, and wages are flat--and people are sick and tired of getting a raw deal from Washington.

Let me tell you what a raw deal looks like.

I met a homecare nurse who lives near me. She works full time. Her husband works full time, too. All they want to do is give their two kids the best childhood they possibly can. But they can't even afford to take their kids to the movies because tickets and popcorn and soda are just a little too much. When I asked what they do for fun, she said they have cable television.

So how are we supposed to explain to a family like this, who can only give their kids the Disney Channel instead of Disney World, that the majority in Congress just gave $3.5 billion in taxpayer funds to the six largest banks on Wall Street?

That is a raw deal, and it is wrong. Instead, we should fight every single day to give a better deal, built on a foundation of better jobs, better pay, and a better future for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dean Donald Eldred who is celebrating his 90th birthday. Dean Eldred has become a pillar in the Jacksonville community through his years of service to Illinois College.

Donald R. Eldred earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dubuque and a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University before coming to Illinois College in 1961. He retired from the College in 1993 with the emeritus titles of Dean of Students and Professor of English/Communications. Following his retirement, he taught one or two classes at IC on a part-time basis for 12 years.

Eldred's achievements at Illinois College also include the founding of the Sturtevant Leadership awards for outstanding seniors; founding of the silver cup for outstanding literary work by the men's literary societies; enrolling in coursework at Oxford University; being the first to design and direct a BreakAway for students throughout the British Isles, England, Scotland and Ireland; and serving in director roles for the College's 150th and 160th anniversary celebrations. During Eldred's affiliation with the Hilltop campus, he has worked in some capacity with eight generations of students.

In 2004 Illinois College conferred upon Eldred the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. He was recognized as a Friend of the College by the Illinois College Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2013.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally celebrate Dean Donald R. Eldred on his 90th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Garry Moore, who is retiring from 25 News Today. Mr. Moore is a pillar of the Peoria community and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Moore has greatly enriched cultural arts within Peoria through his years of leadership. Mr. Moore first moved to Peoria to attend Bradley University where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Liberal Studies and Broadcast Production and Management. Since then, he has become an anchor and producer for 25 News Today, which is Central Illinois' longest running morning news program, in addition to serving as President of the Peoria Local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Furthermore, he has worked to educate our community through his role as an adjunct professor at Illinois State University and by holding drumming classes throughout the area. Mr. Moore has also developed and championed several youth empowerment programs throughout Rockford.

It is because of dedicated leaders such as Mr. Garry Moore that I am especially proud to serve Illinois 17th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Mr. Garry Moore on his well-earned retirement and thank him for all of his contributions and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I am especially proud to rise today, on National Ag Day, to congratulate Chad and Deb Bremmer of Pearl City, Illinois on receiving the National Outstanding Young Farmers Award.

Chad and Deb are being recognized for their great contributions to our agricultural community, and for their efforts to foster a deeper understanding of the role farmer's play in our region's economy. In addition to operating their family farm, Chad has gone above and beyond by serving on the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Board for twelve years, the Pearl City School Board for eight years and the State Young Leader Committee for four years. In addition, Deb also serves as a nurse. Their work has without a doubt invested in the future of our region, and the lives of our family farmers.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chad and Deb for their service to better our communities. It is because of hardworking families like the Bremmers, that I am especially proud to serve Illinois' 17th Congressional District. I congratulate them again on their well-earned achievement and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.