Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Hope Makris, a pioneering businesswoman and community leader from Laconia, New Hampshire.

The matriarch of the NASWA Resort, Hope helped run one of the Lakes Region's most iconic establishments for more than 80 years as it grew from a few cabins to one of the region's major destinations. Countless visitors experienced her hospitality and generosity firsthand over the years, and they likely tried some of her signature baked goods, too.

Along with her late husband, Peter, Hope made her mark on the community by supporting veterans, helping the fire department acquire new equipment, and being a leader in New Hampshire's tourist economy.

New Hampshire owes Hope and the entire Makris family a debt of gratitude for the ways they have bettered our communities, particularly in the Lakes Region. Hope leaves a profound legacy after a century of life and hard work. I know that others will continue to be inspired by her dedication and compassion to all of those around her.

Mr. Speaker, may her memory be eternal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Gibson Center for Senior Services for serving their two millionth meal to seniors in the Mount Washington Valley.

Founded in 1973, the Gibson Center for Senior Services provides a wide range of programs for residents of the Mount Washington Valley, including meal delivery, transportation. social programs, exercise classes, home repair, and even a thrift store that provides affordable adult clothing and housewares for persons in need. With the help of over one hundred dedicated volunteers, the Gibson Center serves 47,000 meals a year to seniors in the Mount Washington Valley. For many of these residents, these meals also provide an opportunity to interact with members of the community and give them the peace of mind that someone will be checking in on them regularly.

The Gibson Center showcases exceptional care for the senior residents of the Mount Washington Valley. Every day, they provide invaluable services to those in need and make our Granite State communities better and stronger.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to congratulate the Gibson Center for Senior Services for achieving this incredible milestone. Granite staters are grateful for organizations such as the Gibson Center, and I wish them continued success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Patricia Ann Miller's outstanding service as a Surviving Spouse Liaison at the Military Officers Association of America. Pat has approached her work as a liaison with immense passion and commitment, exemplifying the virtues of service to her community and Nation.

Pat has continuously shown the highest standard of care to veterans' surviving spouses, advocating for legislation that supports them, helping them access healthcare benefits, and reaching out on a routine basis to encourage them in their daily life. Pat has represented the MOAA on numerous occasions and spearheaded events to honor surviving spouses. In one case, Pat established a memorial fund that donated to family charities identified by each surviving spouse in memory of their loved one.

Pat showcases exceptional personal care for the people she helps, immediately contacting newly surviving spouses to support them in their time of grief and inform them of available resources. Every holiday, Pat contacts each surviving spouse personally with well-wishes and comfort.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I thank Pat for her thoughtfulness and dedication to the surviving spouses she has supported. Granite staters are grateful that the spouses of our brave veterans may receive attentive care from professionals like Pat, and I wish her only the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of David Caron as he retires after over eight years of service as Town Administrator of Derry. Throughout his tenure, Dave has been a tremendous public servant in his role, overseeing all the day-to-day operations of Derry Town Departments.

Dave has managed numerous projects to improve the lives of Derry citizens, including renovating and constructing long-awaited roads, conserving land, and expanding police and fire stations. Throughout his 43 years of working in local government, David consistently ensured Granite Staters received the support they deserved, greatly helping residents across the state in Jaffrey, Londonderry, North Hampton, Belmont, and Gilford.

Dave is not only a diligent public servant but a man of outstanding character and passion. His own family full of hockey players, Dave spearheaded the Belmont-Gilford cooperative hockey team, cultivating the 16-year-old program that put numerous players on the ice.

In all, Dave Caron represents the very best of America's public servants--dedicated, attentive, and unwaveringly committed to the service of others. On behalf of a grateful district, I want to congratulate Dave on a well-deserved and replenishing retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight because healthcare is on the line and so is the well-being and the dignity of the people I serve in New Hampshire.

The phones in my office won't stop ringing because people I represent are beyond angry about the proposal to slash Medicaid.

Last week, I sat down with a constituent of Laconia, Donka Facciolo, who lives with a disability. Thanks to Medicaid, she receives skilled nursing, transportation, and employment support. Because of that help she can live on her own.

Another constituent whom I met, Kevin Brett, told me the same. Without Medicaid, he is not sure where he would go.

Parents of individuals with disabilities have told me that they could lose in-home care for their kids, and in doing so, they would be forced to quit their jobs.

What kind of choice is that for these parents?

Slashing Medicaid is cruel. It would take away Granite Staters' ability to receive care and their chance to work, and it would rob them of their independence.

We know it is all being ripped away in order to give big tax breaks to billionaires and the biggest corporations.

I am a ``no'' on this reckless scheme, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of David McCormack as he retires after 34 years of service to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency. Over the course of his tenure, David has been a tremendous public servant in his role as a district congressional lead.

David has hosted numerous congressional outreach meetings to bring together staffers and federal agency representatives, to keep our government engaged at the local level with trends in immigration cases. Throughout the course of his career, David consistently ensured Granite Staters received the support

they deserved and was able to help with any inquiries that came his way.

David is not only a diligent public servant, but a man of outstanding character. For instance, when congressional liaison tragically passed in 2023, it was David who compassionately stepped in to coordinate communications to congressional staff and provide details regarding funeral arrangements.

In all, David McCormack represents the very best of America's public servants--dedicated, thoughtful, and unwavering in his commitment in service to others. On behalf of a grateful district, I want to congratulate David on a well deserved and restful retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because healthcare through Medicaid, covering more than 10 percent of residents and more than 30 percent of all kids in New Hampshire, is on the line.

Their access to lifesaving preventative care, long-term care, and mental health and addiction treatment will be put at risk by the cruel and fiscally reckless budget being proposed by Republicans in the House.

In addition, New Hampshire's Medicaid expansion, established on a bipartisan basis, would end with any decrease in Federal funds, leaving 68,000 Granite Staters uninsured and devastating our hospitals and community health centers.

I have heard from literally thousands of Granite Staters on this issue, including a woman who contacted my office and shared her fears that cuts to Medicaid would leave her family homeless. She is a caretaker to two family members and worries they won't be able to survive on one income if they lose their health coverage.

I will continue to do everything I can to stop a budget that places the burden of cuts on New Hampshire families like hers to finance massive tax breaks to the superrich. I urge my colleagues to stand up against this betrayal of working families and instead focus on how we can work together to make life safer, healthier, and more affordable for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of APRN Janette Gibb of the Manchester VA Medical Center. Her commitment to going the extra mile and providing the highest standard of healthcare to veterans in Manchester exemplifies the virtue of service to community and country.

One story in particular highlights Janette's positive impact. In August, 2021, a veteran was at the Manchester VA for routine cardiac tests, administered by Janette. During the tests, the veteran entered sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed in the hallway. A MERT team was called, but Janette immediately took action. She understood what the veteran was experiencing and administered CPR until the veteran started responding and the MERT team arrived. This veteran credits Janette with saving their life.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I thank Janette Gibb for her selflessness and dedication to the veterans she has cared for. By giving so much to those who served our Nation, she has made her community a better place. Granite staters are grateful that our brave veterans may receive care from professionals like Janette, and I wish her all the best in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dinah Whipple of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in celebration of Black History Month Dinah Whipple was a monumental figure for educational equality in the State of New Hampshire.

Dinah was enslaved until her emancipation at the age of 21. On February 12, 1781, Dinah married Prince Whipple, who for many years was enslaved by William Whipple, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Dinah Whipple conducted the Ladies African Charitable School for several decades, providing education for formerly enslaved people and their children.

Over two centuries later, her legacy still lives on in New Hampshire with the Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy at the University of New Hampshire. This program offers underrepresented young teens of color the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and black history in America for no cost. In addition, the location of Dinah Whipple's trail blazing school is now a stop on the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I recognize Dinah Whipple for her selflessness to New Hampshire's community and history. Now more than ever, it is important to honor and celebrate the lives of individuals who gave back to our communities, and Dinah Whipple's legacy and memory must be honored.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Northeast Delta Dental and their achievement in receiving the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Northeast Delta Dental was founded in 1961 as a not-for-profit dental company administering care in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, Northeast Delta Dental plays a crucial role in providing dental insurance to over half of insured Granite Staters. Additionally, through their Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, the organization supports various oral health initiatives, contributing over 1.3 million dollars in 2023 to programs that enhance community wellbeing.

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality award is a recognition that honors businesses and organizations that have the highest standards of excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Northeast Delta Dental was recently recognized as a 2024 recipient, one of only five companies in the United States to receive the award and the first ever from New Hampshire.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to congratulate Northeast Delta Dental for their remarkable achievement. This well-deserved recognition highlights their commitment to high standards of care and community involvement in the Granite State.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and career of Somersworth Police Chief Timothy J. McLin.

After 33 years in law enforcement Chief McLin is embarking on a well- earned retirement. For more than three decades, he has served as a member of Somersworth Police department, rising from patrol officer to Chief of Police in 2022. Throughout his career Chief McLin has played a crucial role in supporting Granite Staters through the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT) and Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP).

In addition to his decades in law enforcement service, Chief McLin is a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1984 to 1990 in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Upon his completion of military service, he returned to Somersworth where he began his 33 years of public service to his hometown.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I wish Chief McLin well in his retirement, thank him for his commitment to the people of Somersworth, and congratulate him on a job very well done.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Kentucky for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Medal of Honor Act.

The Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest military decoration. It recognizes the extraordinary valor that distinguished men and women of our military demonstrated in critical moments during their service to our great Nation.

There are 63 living Medal of Honor recipients, including heroes like Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Pitts of New Hampshire, who served two tours in Afghanistan. During his second deployment, hundreds of insurgents attacked the Army base where he was stationed. Sergeant Pitts was badly wounded by a grenade but continued to fight with a tourniquet on his leg, singlehandedly holding his outpost for 2 hours.

That battle is now known as the Battle of Wanat, one of the bloodiest battles of the war in Afghanistan. Thanks to the bravery of Sergeant Pitts, Americans were able to turn the tide in that battle and hold their position, leading Taliban fighters to withdraw from the area.

As ranking member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am focused, with my colleagues, on how we can make good on our promises to our veterans and be worthy of their sacrifice.

It is our responsibility as Americans to ensure that all of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families have the support that they earned and deserve. One way we can do that is by ensuring that veterans are financially secure when their military service is over.

Medal of Honor awardees receive a monthly pension that has not been raised in 23 years. It is well past time to do the right thing and increase the pension for these distinguished American warriors. This bill ensures their extraordinary acts of bravery are not forgotten and that their sacrifices are valued by a grateful Nation.

I have been really glad to partner with Congressman Nehls on this bill to introduce this legislation and get it to the floor today. I thank him for his determined leadership on this issue and hope that we can get all of our colleagues on board later today with a strong vote in passing this legislation over to the Senate and seeing it signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, this is the right thing to do by our veterans and by our Medal of Honor recipients, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Floyd B. Severance of Concord, New Hampshire, on the occasion of his 101st birthday. A World War II Army veteran, loving husband and father, and lifelong New Hampshire resident, Floyd has exemplified the virtue of service to family, community, and country throughout his life.

Drafted into the Army at 18 years old, Floyd was deployed to Europe in 1944 as scores of Americans bravely fought to protect our freedoms during World War II. Floyd saw action in the battles of Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland, some of the defining conflicts in the eventual triumph of the Allied forces. His courage and selflessness in defending his country speak to the strength of his character. He was honorably discharged in 1945 as a Private, First Class. His service during one of the darkest times in world history is a model of the power of sacrifice and devotion for future generations.

Upon completing his service, he met his wife Judith Girard at the bowling alleys of Pembroke, New Hampshire. They settled in Allenstown, where they raised their seven children. He continued to demonstrate his dedication to public service in a distinguished career with the United States Postal Service. After retiring from the Postal Service in 1986, he renovated his childhood home in Pembroke, where he lived with Judith until 2014.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I thank Floyd B. Severance for his service to his community and Nation, and wish him a very happy

101st birthday. Granite staters will be forever grateful to Floyd for the impact he has made for our state, the country, and the world. I look forward to seeing what his next chapter holds, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor University of New Hampshire Police Chief Paul Dean and to wish him well as he retires from an impressive career in law enforcement.

As a law enforcement officer for nearly 40 years, including the last 35 as a member of the University of New Hampshire Police Department, Chief Dean has worked tirelessly to make UNH and the State of New Hampshire safer and stronger. A testament to his commitment to the UNH community, Chief Dean was named the department's chief in 2011, continuing his excellent and important work. As Police Chief and Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Risk Management, Chief Dean guided UNH through the COVID-19 pandemic as the campus remained open for students, faculty, and staff and ensured UNH returned to normal activities as safely and as quickly as possible.

A nationally recognized leader in campus law enforcement and public safety, Chief Dean is the Immediate Past President of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Throughout his tenure at UNH, Chief Dean has been a champion of mental health training and accessibility for his officers and staff. Under his leadership, the UNH Police Department has remained fully accredited by CALEA and IACLEA during Chief Dean's tenure. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I extend my gratitude to Chief Paul Dean for his exceptional service as the University of New Hampshire's Chief of Police. I join all Granite Staters in thanking Chief Dean for his leadership, professionalism, and contributions to making the community safer. I wish him and his family all the best as he embarks on the next chapter in his career.

I Congratulate Chief Dean on a job very well done.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank the chair and ranking member for bringing my bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 609 Portsmouth Avenue in Greenland, New Hampshire, as the Chief Michael Maloney Post Office Building.

Chief Maloney was a dedicated public servant, community leader, and law enforcement professional who served his country in the Army Reserves and served his State as a police officer, rising to the rank of chief of the Greenland Police Department in the year 2000.

Tragically, on April 12, 2012, Chief Maloney was killed in the line of duty, just 8 days before his retirement, while participating in a drug raid operation with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force. He was just 48 years old.

Michael Maloney grew up in North Hampton, New Hampshire. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, graduated from the New Hampshire Police Academy, and began a 26-year career in law enforcement.

Chief Maloney is remembered as someone who was bigger than life, who was always quick to crack a joke, and who always had a smile on his face, even on the worst of days.

He is remembered as someone who cared deeply about his community and worked with purpose and passion each and every day to make it safer and stronger.

When thinking about the impact he left on those he knew and worked with, one story, shared on the 10-year anniversary of his death, underscores his leadership and dedication carried by all those in law enforcement. After a long day that stretched late into the morning, responding to the death of their leader, mentor, and friend, the remaining members of the Greenland Police Department were told to stay home the

next day. It is a credit to their commitment and resolve that by 8 a.m., they all returned to work.

Twelve years have passed since the death of Chief Maloney, but his legacy lives on. It is a small token of our thanks and appreciation that we can name this post office in Chief Michael Maloney's honor to remind future generations of that legacy, his tremendous service, and the sacrifice he gave on behalf of the community that he loved.

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