Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 906, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act. At the end of last year, we learned that Salt Typhoon, a cyber espionage operation backed by the Chinese Communist Party, infiltrated several American telecommunications networks to gain access to detailed information on former Vice President Harris and other political figures, as well as access American surveillance information.

This is extremely disturbing and a stark reminder of the lengths to which foreign adversary countries will go to use our media and communications networks to disrupt and divide us, weakening our economy for their own benefit. Whether it is through communications equipment, the networks themselves, or social media, we have seen these operations time and time again, which is why we must stay vigilant to minimize these risks or avoid them altogether.

Fortunately, today, we are taking additional action to address these and future threats. H.R. 906 would require the Federal Communications Commission to publish a list within 4 months indicating any entities with ties to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran that hold wireless and undersea cable licenses that power our country's mobile and fixed communications networks.

The bill would also require the FCC to issue rules in 18 months to help it attain foreign ownership information for the remaining authorizations, licenses, and grants that the agency issues. The FCC would then publish on its list any additional entities with ties to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran no later than 1 year after the new rules are adopted. The FCC would also

need to update this entity list annually.

This bill is particularly important since we know our communications networks carry Americans' most sensitive personal and government data on a daily basis, so we must have a clear understanding if any foreign adversary countries or the companies operating within those countries are investors in our networks.

With this bill, we continue to secure our communications networks, protect Americans and their personal data, and help better protect our allies as they, too, rely on our global undersea cable network for broadband services.

I thank Representatives Castor, Khanna, Wittman, and Kean for their bipartisan work and leadership on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 906, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), a great leader on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I strongly urge that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle support H.R. 906, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act for the security of our Nation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 859, the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act.

Mr. Speaker, the Internet of Things has ushered in a new age of convenience and efficiency for Americans. Smart thermostats save consumers money by tracking and reporting home energy use and making recommendations about adjusting temperatures to meet consumers' needs. Smart refrigerators provide recipe suggestions based on the content of the refrigerators. Smart ovens scan food to automatically optimize the cooking process.

Every year, American consumers have more and more interconnected devices. Unfortunately, the convenience sometimes comes at a cost. Troubling reports have uncovered that some interconnected devices record images or audio without the users' awareness. Quite frankly, this happens more often than not. Sharing of that information with the device manufacturer or third parties is a real and serious threat to people's privacy.

To combat those threats, the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act will require manufacturers of internet-connected devices to alert consumers when a device includes a camera or a microphone if a consumer would not reasonably expect it to do so. I think most consumers don't recognize or understand this.

While this bill addresses significant privacy concerns, it is also important that we recommit to adopting a bipartisan, comprehensive privacy framework that starts with data minimization and protects all Americans and provides heightened protections for our children nationwide.

I thank Representative Moulton for his leadership on this issue and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly recommend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle support H.R. 859, the Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act, and protect Americans' privacy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Washtenaw County's Rural Education Days (Project RED) on the occasion of its 35th year educating Washtenaw County's youth. In its 35 years, Project RED has taught 80,522 students, teachers, and chaperones about the importance of agriculture and natural resources.

In 1990, an enthusiastic group of members of the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee saw a need to educate the county's children about the value of farming and the protection of Michigan's natural resources. Since its inaugural year, Project RED has grown to a 3-day annual event held in April for students, teachers, and chaperones. The event is sponsored and coordinated by passionate volunteers at Washtenaw County Farm Bureau, Michigan State University Extension, the Washtenaw County Conservation District, and the Washtenaw Farm Council.

Project RED provides fun, interactive opportunities for students to develop a better understanding of and appreciation for the many ways that farmers grow and produce safe food, care for their animals, and protect the environment. Students have the opportunity to engage with informative displays and hands-on learning stations that highlight Michigan's agrarian diversity.

Washtenaw County's Project RED has become a model for similar programs and events across the state of Michigan as a way to educate youth about agriculture and celebrate the contribution of local farmers and agribusiness.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Washtenaw County Rural Education Days for providing over 3 decades of invaluable agricultural education. I sincerely thank the project's sponsors and organizers for their many years of service to this community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the career of Mr. Nathaniel (Nate) Lampman, Director of Bands at Saline Community Schools, on the occasion of his retirement. For nearly three decades, Mr. Lampman has proudly served the Saline School District in this position and his efforts are worthy of commendation.

During his career as Director of Bands, Mr, Lampman directly touched the lives of over 3,000 students and impacted the lives of many others. Under his encouragement and care, Mr. Lampman led many of Saline's student musicians to great personal successes, including prestigious membership in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association's ``All State Bands.'' Due in no small part to Mr. Lampman's leadership, the Saline Bands have achieved consistent musical excellence, as evidenced by the 1st division ratings that the Saline High School Marching Band routinely receives at marching band competitions.

Mr. Lampman has been recognized on multiple occasions for his demonstrated talent as an educator. In 2017, he received the Michigan Association of Teacher Educators' Teacher of the Year Award for the State of Michigan. In association with Mr. Lampman's consistent leadership in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, he was voted as District Teacher of the Year in both 2007 and 2015.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Nate Lampman for his decades of dedication to this school district. I sincerely thank Nate for his many years of service to his community, and join with his family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to him in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege and honor to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Congressman Raul Grijalva--an advocate, a leader, and a true champion for our environment, especially the protection of the most endangered species.

From the very beginning of his tenure in public service, Congressman Grijalva has been a tireless advocate for the preservation of our planet's most vulnerable creatures. Whether it's a rare desert butterfly, sea turtle, or a small fish, Congressman Grijalva has dedicated his career to ensuring that these species--and the ecosystems they inhabit--are protected for generations to come.

In a time when climate change, habitat destruction, and human encroachment threaten biodiversity at unprecedented levels, Congressman Grijalva has consistently fought for policies that safeguard endangered species. As Chairman and Ranking Member, he has been a leading voice on the House Natural Resources Committee, pushing for stronger protections under the Endangered Species Act and advocating for increased funding to support conservation efforts.

One of his most significant accomplishments has been his leadership in securing critical protections for species in the Southwestern United States, where his home state of Arizona sits at the intersection of diverse and fragile ecosystems. Congressman Grijalva has worked tirelessly to preserve the habitats of species like the Mexican gray wolf and the jaguar, whose survival has been threatened by deforestation, poaching, and illegal hunting. His efforts are a testament to his deep commitment to preserving not just the species themselves but also the delicate balance of nature.

In addition to his work on endangered species, Congressman Grijalva has shown an unwavering commitment to environmental justice. He understands that the fight to protect our wildlife goes hand in hand with the fight to protect our communities--particularly those that are most vulnerable to environmental degradation. He has worked to ensure that conservation efforts don't just benefit the wildlife we cherish but also the people who rely on healthy ecosystems for their livelihoods and well-being.

Congressman Grijalva's advocacy has also extended to the legislative arena, where he has played a crucial role in shaping and passing key pieces of legislation aimed at combating the extinction crisis. His work in advancing the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, a bill that seeks to fund state-led conservation efforts for atrisk species, has the potential to change the landscape of wildlife conservation in this country. His vision was clear: we must act now to preserve biodiversity, before more species are lost.

Through his leadership, passion, and vision, Congressman Grijalva has not only safeguarded the lives of endangered species but has also inspired a new generation of environmental advocates to continue the fight for the planet's most precious resources.

As we honor Congressman Grijalva, let us reflect on the profound impact his work has had on the world around us. Let us also renew our own commitment to protecting endangered species, preserving their habitats, and ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to marvel at the beauty and wonder of our planet's incredible biodiversity.

I thank Congressman Grijalva, for his tireless dedication to our environment, for our lands, waters, and wildlife, and for making our country a cleaner, safer, better place for all Americans. We worked closely together for many years on Natural Resources on many important issues, and I will always be thankful for his leadership, partnership, and friendship. He was a fighter until the end, and his work will always be remembered by the countless people it has impacted.

Above all, he was my friend. He always had my back and could always find a way to make me smile when I was down. He inspired hope in all of us. He fought the good fight. He will be truly missed.

We are deeply grateful for his service and inspired by his example. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the opening of the new Salvation Army location in Novi, Michigan, on February 7, 2025. The charity and service the Salvation Army has provided to people in Southeastern Michigan and around the world is worthy of commendation.

The Salvation Army began its work in Detroit in 1883, opening the Southeastern Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center (SEMI ARC) there in 1895. SEMI ARC is an independently funded, 180-day residential work therapy program that aids adults in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. SEMI ARC moved to its current Detroit location in 1972 and is currently able to house up to 300 beneficiaries of its services at a time. The center is fully funded by people who shop and donate at the 29 Southeastern Michigan locations of Salvation Army Thrift Stores.

In addition to its rehabilitation facilities for substance abuse, the Salvation Army also provides disaster response services, social service programs, support for veterans, shelters for domestic violence victims and the unhoused, senior centers, and many other services as part of its worldwide movement. The organization assisted over 27 million people in the United States last year and currently has 1.8 million members serving in 134 countries.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the Salvation Army Thrift Store opening its third location in Michigan's 6th District, and its thirtieth location in Southeastern Michigan. For over 150 years, this organization has bettered the lives of people in the region, and we welcome them to the City of Novi as they expand their work in the area. We thank them for their philanthropy, both here and across the world, and are excited to see what they can accomplish with this new store.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 9th Community Wide Lunar New Year Celebration with the Detroit Pistons in association with the Michigan Alliance of Chinese American Organizations. This event is one of the most prominent Lunar New Year celebrations in the state and is a reminder of the immense contributions of members of the Asian-American community to our incredibly multicultural environment. As the celebration of prosperity and new beginnings, Lunar New Year serves as a time to recognize the positive cultural and economic impact Asian-Americans have had on the state of Michigan, making it an event worthy of commendation.

Home to one of the largest Asian-American communities in the Midwest, the celebration of Lunar New Year with the Detroit Pistons is a testament to the intercultural relations fostered by the Asian-American community over the decades. Their dedication to economic and social growth, prosperity, generosity, and service, is both admirable and deserving of recognition. 2025 is known as Year of the Wood Snake. In the Chinese Zodiac, The Snake symbolizes wisdom and knowledge, coupled with the element of Wood, synonymous with growth and innovation. This symbolism is a great representation of the contributions Asian- Americans have made to our communities throughout the state of Michigan.

I would also like to thank the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) for their continued support of cultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion of the AAPI communities in the greater American society. From their Annual Legislative Advocacy Day in Lansing to the plethora of webinars, trainings, and roundtables that they host throughout the state, they are committed to promoting and advancing the issues that are most pressing to the AAPI community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 9th annual Community Wide Lunar New Year Celebration with the Detroit Pistons. These celebrations serve as excellent occasions to honor achievements, share traditions, and bring people together in the spirit of the Lunar New Year. I thank the Michigan Alliance of Chinese American Organizations and the extended community for their dedication to hosting this annual celebration, and we are thrilled to see the continued impact this celebration has on the state of Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captain Kimberlee Raglin of the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on the occasion of her retirement.

Kim joined the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department in 1996. She was promoted to Lieutenant in June 2016 and promoted to Captain in December 2023, the first woman in the history of the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department to hold either position. Members of her crew praised her for her depth of knowledge about firefighting techniques and dedication to educating new and young firefighters. Kim has also been devoted to providing fire safety education to the children of the area's public schools, teaching kids ``stop, drop, and roll'' and ``Fire is a Tool, Not a Toy'' programs. Kim has personally saved the lives of her community members while on the front lines, rescuing people from burning buildings and offering life-saving emergency medical attention in her role as an EMT. Over the course of her career, she has shown herself to be a dedicated, committed, and brave protector of her community. Kim demonstrates the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department's diligence in all aspects of fire safety. Public servants everywhere could learn from Kim's enthusiasm and steadfastness in her job, and I am proud to have had such an admirable individual leading the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Captain Kimberlee Raglin for almost 30 years of exemplary service. She has selflessly worked for the benefit of Ypsilanti Township in her role as a Captain of the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department, and her heroic legacy will continue to inspire our community for decades to come. I sincerely thank Captain Raglin for 29 years of dedication to the safety of her community, and join with her family, friends, and colleagues in extending my best wishes to her in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Catherine McClary, former Treasurer of Washtenaw County, Michigan, who passed away in December before the end of her term. Her decades of public service for the residents of Washtenaw County as a member of the Board of Commissioners and Treasurer are worthy of commendation.

Catherine began her 40-year career in public service in 1974, when she became the youngest ever Washtenaw County Commissioner at 22 years old. She held this position for 14 years before being elected Washtenaw County Treasurer in 1988.

As Commissioner, Catherine led Washtenaw County's first Affirmative Action committee, which fought for equal pay and promotions for women and people of color. She continued fighting for equity as Treasurer, working toward a more fair and just economy through initiatives like the Bridge Loans for Affordability Program, Homes for Generations Program, and Fine and Fee Justice cohort project. She was active in the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), including serving on its Treasury Investment Management Committee. She was honored with the organization's Hero Award in 2021 for her work toward recovery and renewal of Washtenaw County during the Covid-19 pandemic. She also received GFOA's 2022 Award for Excellence in Government Finance for helping implement innovative robotic process automation through the ``Robots Record Revenue'' project.

Outside of her work as Treasurer, Catherine was a champion for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, the rights of women and people of color, and protection from home foreclosures. She served as Director of the Domestic Violence Project/SAFE House Center Domestic Violence Project Board of Trustees. She also spent time as a counselor and trainer at a women's crisis center and co-wrote the ``Freedom from Rape'' publication.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor Catherine McClary's remarkable life and years of public service. Her dedication to her community and many contributions to Washtenaw County have impacted countless others and leaves behind an important legacy. We thank her for her service, and wish her friends and family all the comfort and solace as they mourn her passing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Osama Siblani of Dearborn, Michigan, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. As founder and publisher of The Arab American News since 1984, his publication has been a crucial addition to the national conversation for over forty years, and his efforts are worthy of commendation.

Osama was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1955, and came to the United States in 1976 on a one-way ticket and $185 in his pocket to further his education. Working odd jobs, sometimes three at a time, Osama saved up enough to attend the University of Detroit Mercy and graduated with an engineering degree in 1979. In the aftermath of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, he realized that the Arab American voice was missing from how major media covered events in the Middle East. Motivated by this and having settled in Dearborn, the Nation's largest Arab American community, Osama founded The Arab American News in 1984.

The Arab American News quickly became a local favorite due to it being published in both Arabic and English, though this did mean that he needed to bring staff and typesetting equipment in from the Middle East and was essentially publishing two newspapers in one. Osama's political wisdom combined with his ability to bridge the knowledge gaps of American audiences meant that The Arab American News rapidly became the national media's most popular resource for Arab and Arab American opinions and analyses. In 2003, he addressed the American Society of Newspaper Editors at their annual convention. Osama is also a Frequent lecturer on U.S.-Arab relations and the role of minority media in America at several institutions, including the Columbia University School of Journalism, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Central Michigan University and Wayne State University, among others. In 2011, he hosted the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) convention in Detroit with a grand opening reception in Dearborn, Michigan.

Osama has always been a staunch supporter of Arab rights, even when the newspaper offices got vandalized and his life was threatened. Whether it was supporting the Palestinians, opposing the 1991 Gulf War, or trying to avert the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Osama didn't quiet down and kept publishing. As a major voice for the Arab American community, he also helped found the Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO) as well as the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC). In support of his community, Osama is the Chairman of the Board of the Garden City Hospital and is also a member of the BRIDGES Program (Building Respect in Diverse Groups to Enhance Sensitivity), a partnership between federal law enforcement agencies and leaders in the Arab American and Middle Eastern communities in the metro-Detroit region to encourage and facilitate dialogue. He has received many awards for his journalistic work, including the ``Spirit of Diversity in Journalism'' award from Wayne State University as well as being inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Osama Siblani for his contributions to journalism on the occasion of his 70th birthday. For the last 41 years, his voice has rung loud and clear as an advocate for Arab lives around the world and has become a crucial piece of our national discourse. We thank him for his decades of hard work and wish him the happiest of birthdays. I thank Osama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Brian Davenport and Sergeant Daniel Garnick of the Riverview Fire Department for their vigilance and bravery in responding to a resident who had fallen through the ice and saving their life. The contribution that they have made to the safety and well-being of the residents of Riverview and the surrounding area is worthy of commendation.

On December 8, 2024, Riverview emergency services acted quickly to save a local resident who had fallen through the ice of Riverview's beloved Reflection Pond. Sergeants Davenport and Garnick showed tremendous courage saving this resident, but their success was also a direct result of preparation and training. Sgt. Davenport has been with the Riverview Fire Department since 2008 and has his ICE Water Rescue Certification as well as being a Registered Nurse. Sgt. Garnick has been with the Riverview Fire Department since being hired in 2000. Many of the firefighters at the Riverview Fire Department are members of various rescue teams, including the Downriver Mutual Aid Dive Team, HAZMAT, and logistics, to name a few.

I also want to recognize our partners with Downriver Mutual Aid for providing training and resources to regional fire departments. This incident underscores the importance of strengthening our mutual aid organizations so we can provide the requisite gear and training for local departments that may otherwise struggle for resources.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Sergeant Davenport and Sergeant Garnick. Our communities are safer because of selfless actions that our front-line workers take every day to protect their fellow community members. We thank them for their dedication and bravery in their dangerous line of work. I thank Brian and Daniel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend the outstanding work done by Nancy Lynn Caza during her tenure with the Department of Treasury--Internal Revenue Service. After 46 years of tireless service, she retired at the end of 2024. Nancy's unwavering commitment to serving the people of Michigan deserves recognition as she concludes her distinguished career.

Throughout her career, Nancy always fought for the people of Michigan, helping many with the tedious and complex issues regarding their taxes. She has been an ardent advocate for the greater Detroit metro area and has been compassionate and empathetic in her work with the IRS. A tremendous example of a true public servant, she has always been committed to fairness and protecting the rights of the taxpayer in all circumstances.

Nancy worked within the Taxpayer Advocate Service within the IRS since its inception 20 years ago. Her work within the agency led to more timely case resolutions and relief for American taxpayers. Throughout her career, Nancy has been at the forefront of creating relationships with congressional offices across the state of Michigan, including members in both the House of Representatives and Senate. Her direct advocacy toward elected officials on behalf of the IRS has led to the improvement of the tax administration process for all Americans.

Now as she moves on to the next part of her journey, she hopes to spend more time in beautiful Northern Michigan, where she can continue to be a great mother and grandmother to her lovely family.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the incredible service done by Nancy Lynn Caza over the past 46 years for the American people. Her compassionate and dedication for advocating for the right of taxpayers has truly been remarkable and should be celebrated.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ken Schwartz of Superior Township, Michigan, on the occasion of his retirement from the position of Township Supervisor.

Ken was born in Michigan in 1952. Raised and educated in suburban Detroit, he graduated from Cherry Hill High School in Inkster, Michigan in 1970. In 1971, Ken joined the United States Air Force and was stationed with the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. He served as a member of the hospital squadron for over three years until being honorably discharged in 1975.

After his service, Ken attended Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn before transferring to the University of Michigan in 1976 where he studied philosophy, history, and political science. After graduating, he began a new mission in life as a law student at the Cooley Law School in Lansing. Once he passed the bar exam in 1985, Ken embarked

on a long and successful law practice in Ypsilanti.

Along the way to being elected Superior Township Supervisor, Ken also was elected and appointed to many offices including the Washtenaw County Road Commission, Washtenaw County Commissioner, and is currently serving as a Superior Township Trustee. In keeping with his concern for the health and welfare of our veterans, Ken was a founding member of the Washtenaw County Veterans Affairs Commission and was elected as its Chairman in 2012.

In his position as Superior Township Supervisor, Ken set a framework by encouraging and managing selected land for development and growth, keeping the local debt reasonable, and preserving the financial assets of Superior Township. His leadership saw an improvement to township services like safer drinking water, good quality roads, and more responsive fire and police services.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Ken Schwartz. Though he will be stepping down as Supervisor, he will remain on the Board of Trustees and will continue serving his residents. I thank him for his service and wish him the best as he enters this next chapter of his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate George Leland on the occasion of his 100th birthday. His dedication to his family, community and Nation is worthy of commendation.

George's service in the war began when he hitchhiked from his home in Detroit to Selfridge Air National Guard Base on his 18th birthday and enlisted. Having lost an uncle in the First World War, he was well aware of the danger of serving in the armed forces. He was placed with the U.S. Army Air Force, 12th Air Force, 460th Bomb Group who were stationed in Spinazzola, Italy from 1943 to 1945. George was the nose gunner in a B-24 bomber named ``The Yugo Kid'' because they would almost always fly over Yugoslavia on their bombing runs. As the nose gunner, George was responsible for spotting the enemy fighters and shooting them down before they shot you. George was quite good at his job, and his team flew 28 missions over Europe without being shot down. The constant stress and lack of consistent rations wore on him, as he enlisted at 168 pounds and was discharged at 128 pounds.

After the war, George married his wife, Delores, in 1947 and took a job at The Detroit News. They moved to Garden City in 1953 ``when everyone on the block was a WWII veteran'' and he still lives in the same home. Together they had 5 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren. Delores sadly passed in 2019 after 72 years of marriage. George has stayed well involved with the veteran's community as a part of his local VFW, American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans. In retirement, George is a champion maker of homemade pickles. Every year he grows his own cucumbers and makes his own pickles using ``Mrs. Wages'' spices.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the incredible life of George Leland, a man who served our country during its darkest hours and who has continued to bring joy to others. A dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, he faithfully served his family and Nation with a sense of duty, respect, and integrity. We thank him for his service and wish him the happiest of birthdays. I thank George.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Lloyd Rice, a resident of Michigan, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. His dedication to his family, community, and Nation is worthy of commendation.

Lloyd was born in Green County, Indiana, and moved to Jackson, Michigan, at the age of 16. The following year, he was leaving a movie theatre when he heard the news that America had been attacked at Pearl Harbor. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1943 and received his draft notice in the mail the day of his graduation.

Lloyd joined the Navy and became a diesel mechanic for a destroyer escort that patrolled the Atlantic for German submarines. Many of their missions included escorting ships carrying troops and supplies across the ocean, deterring the enemy submarines that prowled the area. These efforts were part of a continuous 18-month patrol in the Atlantic. After the deployment, Lloyd returned on leave to the United States, and then deployed on a ship headed for the Pacific when they received word that the Japanese had surrendered.

After the war, Lloyd became a carpenter and played a major role in the post-war manufacturing boom of his community, taking part in the building of 15 schools and being the foreman on 3 of them. He married his first love, Dorothy, in 1947, and had two children. Sadly she succumbed to her battle with cancer in 1962. A couple years later, Lloyd met his last love, Evelyn, and they married in 1965, and had 2 children. They were married 67 years until Evelyn passed in 2022. After recovering from heart surgery in his early 70s, Lloyd started working again at his local Home Depot for 19 years, before retiring again at the well-seasoned age of 96.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the lifetime of service that Lloyd Rice has been so kind to share with us. After serving his country as a young man, he spent the rest of his life building schools, churches, and houses in order to make his communities more welcoming and prosperous for all. We thank him for his service and wish him the happiest birthdays. I thank Lloyd.