Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Representative Marjorie Smith, who has represented Durham, Lee, and Madbury in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for 14 terms. Marjorie's distinguished career in public service encourages us all to be strong advocates for our local communities and for the bedrock values we cherish as Americans.

After graduating from Syracuse University with a master's degree in public administration, Marjorie worked in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, serving her country as a member of the President's Appalachian Regional Commission and the newly-formed Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As a State Representative, she was an essential voice for economic and social justice, leading efforts to raise wages, expand opportunity, defend reproductive freedom, and realize marriage equality. Marjorie was also the first appointed chair of the Durham Public Library, chair of the board of the New Hampshire Women's Policy Institute, and Treasurer of the Durham Historic Association, inspiring countless Granite Staters with her generous and passionate advocacy.

After more than three decades of public service and a tireless pursuit of the greater good, Marjorie has become one of New Hampshire's most respected leaders. Whether through her work at the federal, state, or local level, Marjorie's leadership and resolve have made an immeasurable difference in people's lives. I am forever grateful for her compassion and commitment to improving her community.

On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I commend my friend Representative Smith for her service. My well wishes are with Marjorie, her children, and her grandchildren as she begins her next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Marcia ``Marty'' Sink, who has spent the last 38 years as a dedicated child advocate, during which time she has left a profound and lasting impact on children in the foster and court systems in New Hampshire.

Marty began her journey in child advocacy in her thirties when she and her husband, Russ, became foster parents. After witnessing the realities of the court system for minors in foster care and similar situations, Marty reached out to CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children. She learned there was no chapter of the program in New Hampshire and took on the challenge of founding the New Hampshire chapter of CASA in 1988. For 38 years, she has remained a dedicated advocate of children suffering from abuse and neglect across the state of New Hampshire.

CASA in New Hampshire started with just ten volunteers but has since grown into an organization of over 3,000 individuals. These advocates have supported over 13,000 children since the founding of the NH chapter. In addition to serving as the President of CASA, Marty has sat on numerous committees, including the New Hampshire Citizens' Commission on State Courts, the New Hampshire Commission on Adoption, and the New Hampshire Attorney General's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Throughout her nearly 40 years of service, she has received awards, including the National CASA Association Kappa

Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year in 1997, the New Hampshire Bar Association's Frank Rowe Kenison Award in 2001, the University of New Hampshire's Granite State Award in 2004, and the Keene State College's Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Award in 2014.

Those who know Marty best admire her leadership skills, patience, and diplomacy. Colleagues from the courtroom describe her as a force of nature who is gentle but persistent in securing advocacy for children. Her work with CASA has created lasting change in New Hampshire's courts.

Marty will retire in July, leaving New Hampshire's CASA program in the hands of her trusted and experienced colleagues. Now 70, she looks forward to spending time with her husband and family. In honor of her retirement, CASA is creating the Marty Sink Legacy Fund for Advocates, a fund dedicated to supporting and investing in this year's 600 advocates.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I thank Marty Sink for her commitment and dedication to supporting the children of New Hampshire for the past 38 years. I would also like to thank Marty for her selfless service and for her leadership in the state. I wish her and her family all the best in her retirement and future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in recognition of Mr. Lloyd Freese, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 9th. Lloyd is a lifelong resident of New Hampshire and a proud veteran of the United States Army who served our country honorably in the European Theatre during World War II.

Lloyd grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, the son of Albert C. Freese and Gladys Freese, and graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1943, a varsity letterman in both Track and Hockey. As someone who grew up in the Great Depression, he learned early in his life the value of hard work and resilience. He carried that with him as a student, studying the Practical Arts so he could practice an essential trade.

He was only 17 years old when he joined the Army in 1943, and he served in the U.S. Infantry, Fifth Army Division during the Liberation of Italy from 1944 to 1945. After returning stateside at the end of that year, he narrowly avoided deployment to the Pacific, the war coming to end just before he was set to leave. That bit of good fortune earned him the nickname ``Lucky Lloyd'' and from there he built his life, family, and career over the ensuing decades.

He graduated from Hesser College in 1949 and launched a career of distinguished work and leadership, working first for Universal C.I.T. Credit Corporation, then as Vice President of Bankers Service Inc., Assistant Vice President of Indian Head Bank Inc., Vice President of Indian Head Properties, and eventually Senior Vice President of Indian Head National Bank of Nashua, New Hampshire. He also served on the Board of Directors of several organizations, including the First Federal Reserve District for Consumer Credit, New England Bank Card Associates, the New Hamphshire Motor Vehicle Industry Board, and the Hundred Club of New Hampshire, for whom he also served four years as President.

Even with all his career accomplishments, those who know Lloyd best understand that his family and friends have always been most important to him. He married his wife, Alice in 1947, and together they raised two children, Gary Freese and Karen Freese Wilson. He has also been a consistently active member of his community, an avid golfer for much of his life and a dedicated skier until he was 89 years old. He is also one of the longest active members of the Manchester Country Club, where he has been a member for over 62 years.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Lloyd on his 100th birthday. Today. we join his loved ones in celebrating this exciting milestone and his life of service, leadership, family, and community. His life of service is an inspiring model for all of us to follow. I wish him a very happy birthday and all the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I thank the chairman for his leadership and his endorsement of this commonsense legislation, the Veterans' Transition to Trucking Act, which is a bipartisan bill I introduced last year.

I have met too many veterans who struggle to find careers that are aligned with their goals and their skills when their military service ends.

We know that we all owe it to our heroes to do everything we can to support their transition to civilian life, including helping them find rewarding jobs and financial security.

Trucking is an essential sector of our economy, and they continue to hire more drivers.

Through the apprenticeship programs offered by motor carriers, veterans can use GI Bill education benefits to launch a career in trucking.

Right now, a patchwork of State laws make it difficult for the VA to approve certain trucking apprenticeships.

Some companies opt out of offering apprenticeships due to the bureaucratic hurdles of obtaining approval from more than 20 different State approving agencies.

This legislation would allow interstate commercial carriers to obtain a single VA approval for all of their apprenticeships, simplifying program administration for motor carriers and increasing the number of opportunities that are available to veterans.

Cutting red tape so trucking companies can employ veterans and help our economy is just common sense.

This legislation is bipartisan and also has the support of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Trucking Association.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the American Friends of the Blind in Greece, an organization based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

Sharing a deep concern for the poor living conditions experienced by the blind in Greece, a group of Greek-Americans in New England founded the AFBG in 1946. The organization began by initiating smaller projects, including procuring funding for five Greek students to train in the United States. They aimed to expand opportunities for the blind and to prepare them with the necessary skills to earn a living despite their impairment.

Their mission grew over the years. Throughout the twentieth century, the American Friends of the Blind in Greece helped to fund and design numerous programs to teach essential skills, including weaving, sewing, and reading braille, while also funding projects to teach agricultural and manufacturing trades. Their work culminated in the opening of the Lighthouse for the Blind in 1975, a centralized location for employing blind people in skilled manufacturing jobs. The AFBG also funded the opening of a metals workshop and a Tactual Museum to expand access to museum-quality art to the sightless.

Like all organizations, the American Friends of the Blind in Greece has faced setbacks. The 1999 Athens earthquake caused costly damages to the Lighthouse for the Blind and the Tactual Museum. The diligent fundraising of organization members and the generous contributions of Americans across the country helped to rebuild and repair the damaged buildings to ensure the continued support of the blind community.

Even in an era of greater awareness in the twenty-first century, the work of the American Friends of the Blind in Greece remains critical. Both the Greek Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the stability .and prospects for countless blind people in Greece. Confronting public and private funding cuts, job losses, and reduced services, the AFBG again answered the call, raising historic funds to preserve support for sightless communities.

Today, on behalf of New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I am honored to congratulate the American Friends of the Blind in Greece for 80 years of exceptional service. I commend its members for their compassion and thank them for their caring, diligent work. It is inspiring to see a local organization make a global impact, and I encourage all of us to learn from its history. From small towns in New Hampshire to big cities across the globe, there is so much we can achieve by serving others. I thank the American Friends of the Blind in Greece for showing us the impact we can make when we stand up for our values, and I wish them all the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark National Police Week and express my thanks and support for the law enforcement officers in New Hampshire and across the country.

Our police answer the call every day, regardless of the danger they might face. They do indispensable work to fight crime, keep the peace, and provide assistance to those in need.

This week, we honor those tragically lost in the line of duty, and we can never forget their sacrifice. We must give support and respect to everyone who wears the uniform, as well as their families.

I have had the privilege to work with the New Hampshire law enforcement community, and I am grateful for their professionalism and leadership. They deserve the resources to do their jobs.

We should be passing legislation to increase funding for our local departments to modernize public safety infrastructure, provide new technology and equipment, and hire and train more officers.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in thanking the men and women who swear an oath to protect and serve and keep us safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. David Paul Bonner, who recently passed away at the age of 73. Dave was a beloved member of the Concord, New Hampshire community, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Dave was born and raised in Concord, where he chose to live his entire life alongside his wife and closest friend, Paula. Countless individuals in the community came to know him over the years, and he was known by many as the ``unofficial mayor'' of Concord. He carried himself with an infectious personality and a genuine love and care for others, paired with a witty spirit and a remarkable gift for storytelling.

Dave was a proud veteran of the United States Army and spent time stationed in Germany. He was also a beloved mail carrier for the USPS in Concord and worked as a taxi driver, a Hampton Beach nightclub bouncer, and a corrections officer over the years. His hard work and resilience came from a passionate commitment to serve his community and provide for his family.

Aside from his work, Dave was always passionate about sports and proved to be a versatile, multi-sport athlete, trying his hand at skiing, football, hockey, and much more. He was a fixture at the Green Street Community Center in Concord every Sunday, and was an avid basketball player and referee for much of his adulthood. When not playing or officiating, he was often in the stands watching games ranging from the youth to the collegiate level.

He also had a genuine passion for the arts, especially theatre and music. He frequented the Ogunquit Playhouse for productions in the summer and would often listen to music by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Tom Rush. Much like his strong work ethic and tender compassion, his diverse interests endeared him to his many friends and loved ones.

Dave leaves behind his wife, Paula, and their three children, Matt, Becky, and Luke. His children shared his passion for sports and were incredible athletes and students, earning college scholarships for basketball. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren. Those who knew Dave understood that he was immensely proud of his family and cherished them every day of his life. They shared that same love and affection for him.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I send my deepest condolences to the Bonner family and all of Dave's loved ones. As they grieve their loss, we know that Dave's abounding love, passion for sports and the arts, hard work, and service to his country and community are an inspiring example for all of us to follow. Although he will be dearly missed, his memory lives on in our communities through all the people whose lives he touched over the years. The stories he told and the memories he shared with those around him will endure for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lori Ford, who has spent the last 36 years as a dedicated ski coach, during which time she has left a profound and lasting impact on students and young athletes in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Lori began her coaching journey in 1990 at Okemo Mountain in Vermont, where she worked as a coach and instructor for 13 years. In 2003, she joined the coaching staff at the Holderness School, which partners with the Franconia Ski Club, and quickly established herself as a widely respected mentor to young athletes and a reliable colleague to her peers. After 23 years, she remains a dedicated coach at Holderness School, doing the honorable work of developing young minds and helping students discover their passions, both on the slopes and beyond.

Lori's passion for skiing and coaching runs through her blood. Before she became a coach, she was a competitive ski racer for Middlebury College, where she excelled. She also shares her passions with her family. Her husband, Duane, has also dedicated his career to guiding the next generation, working as a teacher and coach at Holderness School. Her daughter, Julia Ford, shares her mother's love for skiing and proudly represented the United States on the Olympic Ski Team at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Those who know Lori best laud her for having an unparalleled commitment to helping young athletes become better people, with a love for skiing that is exceeded only by her desire to help young people grow and develop. The Holderness School, Franconia Ski Club, and the states of Vermont and New Hampshire all owe Lori a debt of gratitude. On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I thank Lori for her incredible work to support young Granite Staters as they pursue their dreams. I wish her all the best in her continued coaching and in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, everyone in New Hampshire is talking about the cost of living and skyrocketing gas prices as a result of the war in Iran.

Higher gas prices are forcing families and small businesses to make difficult decisions. The average cost of a gallon of gas in America is now $3.98, a 35 percent price jump in just under 30 days.

That is simply unsustainable for the people of my district who are already

facing record-high grocery costs due to President Trump's tariffs and the doubling and tripling of health insurance premiums because of the failure to extend ACA premium tax credits.

Granite Staters are taking it on the chin, and it is time to get something done to help.

That is why I introduced the Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 with Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona to suspend the Federal gas tax through September and provide Americans with lower costs at the pump.

This bill maintains funding for our roads and bridges and holds the oil and gas companies accountable if they fail to pass along the savings to consumers.

These soaring prices mean that every school drop-off, every trip to the doctor or drive to work takes a bigger bite out of a family's budget.

I urge Congress to take up this legislation and provide Americans with the lower costs they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mrs. Lillie Mae Bynum, who is celebrating her 100th birthday on April 7, 2026. Lillie moved to Goffstown, New Hampshire, in 1961, and ever since has been an active and beloved member of her community.

Lillie was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 96th birthday of Mrs. Renee Goins. Born on February 2, 1930, in Liverpool, England, Renee is a cherished community member of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Renee first moved to the U.S. in 1966, where she settled down with her first husband, Edward, and their three boys in a house on Coakley Road in Portsmouth. Renee instantly became an active member of the Portsmouth community, working many different jobs and advocating for youth and civil rights.

She started and managed her own business for about three years, then moved on to work at the local IRS office in town, then the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for twenty years, and finally as a housing inspector at Pease Air Force Base until its closing in 1991. After retiring at age 61, Renee worked part time for the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and as an usher at the Music Hall in Portsmouth.

As an active member of the Portsmouth community, Renee established the NAACP library in the former Portsmouth library and helped organize fundraising dances to raise money for NAACP college scholarships for local high school students. The NAACP still gives out these scholarships every year.

Renee was also a close friend of the late Mrs. Vernis M. Jackson, a teacher and local Portsmouth hero, together they helped bring Kwanzaa celebrations to Portsmouth through the Seacoast African American Cultural Center (SAACC). The SAACC, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, has been a hub for showcasing the contributions of Black organizations and individuals in the Seacoast community.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I wish Mrs. Renee Goins a happy 96th birthday and thank her for her leadership and dedicated work to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans of New Hampshire. I hope that she had a wonderful celebration with her family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, in celebration of Black History Month.

Originally founded in 1994, the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, which has since grown into the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, has fought to uncover and honor the often-overlooked Black history in the Granite State and southern Maine for more than 30 years.

The mission of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is to promote awareness and appreciation of African American history and life in order to build more inclusive communities today. The Trail shares stories of prominent African American figures from New Hampshire and southern Maine, and since becoming a statewide organization in 2016, has expanded its outreach efforts through tours, educational public programs, partnerships with schools, and markers in more than seventeen cities and towns. More recently, the Trail has begun enhancing its efforts to foster more inclusive and informed communities through augmented experiences, the first of which was unveiled at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park in Portsmouth in 2025. This information will soon turn sites across the state into a veritable outdoor museum of African American history.

Through events, discussions, conferences, publications, tours, and an ever-growing network of historical markers, the Trail provides opportunities for everyone in our state to learn these stories of encouragement and achievement. These experiences create a lasting impact as they highlight the critical role that African Americans have had in shaping our country. They help all of us to understand, confront, and overcome the challenges that we still face today in realizing the promise of our founding documents.

As we recognize the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, I also want to highlight the organization's Executive Director, JerriAnne Boggis. Taking up the mantle of Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail founder Valerie Cunningham, Ms. Boggis has worked not only to preserve NH's African American history but has relentlessly advocated for its central place in American history. In doing so, she is helping to shape a better future for all of us.

The Black Heritage Trail helps confront the systemic racism, bias, and injustice that have festered in our country for too long. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I thank Ms. JerriAnne Boggis, her staff, and the tour guides, volunteers, board members, sponsors, and supporters of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire for their commitment to bringing Black history to light and ensuring that these stories are never forgotten. I thank the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire for helping us learn about our history and working to create a stronger future for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of William ``Bill'' Cass, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), and his retirement after 40 years of service to our state. As Commissioner of NHDOT, Bill has fostered a supportive work environment and spearheaded multiple major transportation projects to help improve Granite State roads, bridges, and infrastructure.

A lifelong Granite Stater, Bill grew up in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire. He began working at NHDOT early in his career in 1986 and has risen through the ranks of the department throughout his tenure. Before his role as NHDOT Commissioner, he served as the Final Design Supervisor, Preliminary Design Section Head, Chief Project Manager, Assistant Director of Project Development, and Director of Project Development at NHDOT.

As a distinguished leader, Bill has implemented large-scale transportation projects that have made a lasting impact in New Hampshire. Projects include: the Interstate 93 expansion from Salem to Manchester, the largest undertaken by the NHDOT; the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge project; the Memorial Bridge Project; and many other projects that have and will continue to improve transportation in New Hampshire. Bill's service extends beyond his commissioner title, with him actively involved on committees for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO), bringing him to Washington, D.C. annually to advocate for nationwide transportation policy and solutions.

Bill is known as a leader who is an avid listener, a bipartisan solution finder, patient, diplomatic, and an individual from whom you could learn countless leadership skills. Through Bill's leadership and decades of service, New Hampshire's transportation system has greatly improved and has a clear plan for future success.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I thank Bill Cass for his commitment and dedication to helping improve New Hampshire's transportation for the past 35 years and his 40 years of public service dedicated to New Hampshire. I would also like to thank Bill for his selfless service and for his leadership in the state. I wish him and his wife, Colleen, all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today because the House has a critical opportunity to support families and small businesses who are struggling to afford healthcare for 2026.

I am thinking of the parents I have talked to who will drop coverage for their families because their premiums are doubling and tripling, the nonprofits who won't be able to cover employees anymore, the manufacturer that is now paying more for health insurance than most of their raw materials.

The impacts of this healthcare debate are real and they are immediate.

This week Congress can solve the problem and actually make people's lives better.

Everywhere I go across New Hampshire, I hear the same thing: Money is tight, and people are worried about their futures.

The millions of families who rely on the Affordable Care Act tax credits for health insurance have waited long enough for Congress to do the right thing.

I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation to ensure that hardworking Americans can maintain their coverage and have the health and financial security that they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the retirement of George Copadis, the Commissioner of New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES). George's longstanding career in public service encourages us all to serve as strong advocates for our local communities and state. George will be retiring after decades as a public servant.

As the NHES Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Commissioners on the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority, George consistently demonstrated his commitment to his colleagues and his community. George's steady leadership guided the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring Granite Staters received efficient and reliable services. Also serving as the President of the Board of Directors at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, George's generous and cooperative spirit knows no bounds.

A lifelong resident of Manchester, George represents the very best of our community. George's compassion and kindness provided immense support to individuals experiencing challenging situations. His dedication to his work had a significantly positive impact on countless Granite Staters who benefitted from George's knowledge and support. But perhaps most of all, George will be remembered for the delicious baklava that he brought to special meetings.

On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I commend George for his dedication to Granite Staters. My well wishes are with George and his family as he enjoys retirement.