Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Virginia Basler, a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan and veteran of WWII, and to mourn her passing. Her dedication to her country and local community over a long and exceptional life is worthy of commendation.

Virginia was born in Alpena, Michigan, on a family farm as the middle of three children. During WWII, while her older brother enlisted in the Air Force, Virginia and a friend moved down to Ypsilanti to work at the Willow Run Bomber Plant. For almost two years, she worked on the production line, drilling rivet holes for B-24 Liberator bombers.

As soon as she met the age requirement, Virginia enlisted in the Coast Guard Women's Reserves (SPARS) to serve her country in another way. She attended Boot Camp at Sheepshead Bay, New York, where she was trained as a baker, and she was assigned to the Coast Guard Station in Washington, D.C. where she would remain for the duration of the war. After her service was finished, Virginia came back to Ypsilanti where she again worked at the Willow Run Plant, now a Kaiser-Frazer car factory.

In the decades after, Virginia lived a full life. She married Leonard, a WWII veteran himself, and raised a family of three children. She continued her life of service, cooking for the Ypsilanti Public Schools and Eastern Michigan University. Following her retirement in 1990, Virginia was active in the community, volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the local charity Thrift Shop. She was also very active with the American Rosie the Riveter Association, attending events with other Rosies and WWII vets. We were overjoyed to host Virginia and other Rosies in the Capitol during the Honor Flight event in 2023.

Getting to know Virginia over the years meant a lot to me. As a Rosie, she and her colleagues were not only vital members of our Nation's efforts during the Second World War, but they opened doors and have been inspirations for the generations of women that followed. Her wisdom and strength inspired many, including myself, to reach for achievements that in past generations would have been unthinkable.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today celebrating the life of Virginia Basler. Virginia was an incredible representation of answering our Nation's highest calling. She served her country with honor in WWII and afterward throughout her local community, bringing joy, enthusiasm, and love to everyone she met along the way. We mourn with her loved ones and thank them for sharing Virginia with us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Relay for Life event of Canton and Plymouth on the 25th anniversary of their efforts in the fight against cancer. The contributions that it has made to the Canton and Plymouth communities and in support of cancer research are worthy of commendation.

Relay for Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt decided to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS) by walking around a track for 24 hours. Since then, Relay for Life has grown to over 5,000 annual events across the globe, raising over $5 billion in support of the ACS and cancer research, including in Canton and Plymouth, Michigan. Relay for Life brings together survivors, caregivers, and other community members to celebrate survivors, honor those who have lost the battle against cancer, and fight back against cancer as a united community. Today, Relay for Life is the largest annual not-for-profit fundraising event in the world, thanks in part to the efforts of the Canton and Plymouth Relay for Life.

Since 1999, the Canton and Plymouth communities have been participating in the ACS Relay for Life event, and they have helped the ACS fund over $80.52 million in cancer research in Michigan and support more than 3.2 million cancer patients and their families. The success of Relay for Life would not be possible without the many community members and organizations that support it. The Relay for Life hosts numerous fundraising events a year at community institutions, and many community businesses support the Relay for Life of Plymouth and Canton. Along with dozens of fundraising teams and hundreds of participants, the Relay for Life of Plymouth and Canton has become a staple of support and service for the community.

Dedicated to ending cancer as we know it and fighting for all who have been touched by cancer, Relay for Life of Canton and Plymouth has shown its commitment to supporting the community throughout the past 25 years. By funding 147 cancer researchers, aiding in resources for patients and caregivers, and bringing together a community of those touched by cancer, this event has commendably united and served the community. Relay for Life knows that everyone deserves to live a life without cancer and fights daily to make this possible.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Relay for Life of Canton and Plymouth and the contributions it has made to the fight against cancer. For the last 25 years, the event has brought together the Canton and Plymouth communities in support of the common goal to end cancer. Thanks to the efforts of all participants and volunteers, millions of dollars have been raised to fund cancer research in Michigan and support countless patients and families during their battles with cancer. We thank Relay for Life of Canton and Plymouth for its service to Michigan and are excited to see how the event continues serving the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bernie Ricke, President of UAW Local 600 in Dearborn, Michigan, on the occasion of his retirement. His dedication to the UAW over the last 51 years, and his leadership of Local 600 for the past 15 years, is worthy of commendation.

UAW Local 600 currently has over 30,000 active and retired members, representing a diverse membership from the Ford Rouge Complex, AK Steel, truck drivers, independent part suppliers, as well as healthcare and technical office professionals. They currently have over 47 autonomous bargaining units throughout Southeastern Michigan.

Bernie was born into the auto industry as the son of an engineer who worked at Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. At the age of 18, Bernie took a job in a Ford warehouse and shortly thereafter joined the UAW as a member of Local 600 in November of 1973. He quickly took on more roles within the union, holding positions of Financial Secretary, District Committee-person, Bargaining Committee-person, and Vice President of the Parts Depot Unit. From 1997 he served as the Second and First Vice President of Local 600 before being elected President in 2009. His leadership over the last 15 years has earned him the respect of not only local leaders but national leaders as well. UAW VP Chuck Browning said about Bernie ``He's unselfish, He's humble. And he's a really powerful presence in our union.'' Rory Gamble, the former president of the UAW, said ``Bernie's leadership legacy will fare well over the years as historians look back at his impact on the UAW and Ford. He was steady, fair, and successful for members in the worst of times. If the measure of a man is the dignity he brings to others, he will always be a giant in our union.''

Bernie and I got to know each other through the many community projects that he has dedicated himself to. Outside of his work with the UAW, Bernie and his wife, Sue, are pillars of the Detroit community. Together they run the Bernie Ricke Charity Fund out of Trenton, MI. Bernie is a lifetime member of the NAACP, member of the Labor Advisory Board for Health Alliance Plan, and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Bridging Communities Incorporated. Bridging Communities is a non-profit organization that serves the community of Southwest Detroit by providing a variety of services to the homebound elderly including meals on wheels, minor home repairs, transportation for doctors' appointments and medical care. In 1999 and again in 2004, Bernie was given the ``Spirit of Detroit'' award by the Detroit City Council.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bernie Ricke for all that he has done for the people of Southeastern Michigan. Together we have been through the thick and thin of life, surviving the tough times by breaking bread at his famous garage parties. We wish him all best in retirement, though we know he will still be working hard to support the UAW and his Detroit community in whatever ways he can. I thank Bernie.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the life of David Steinbach and to grieve his passing. A dedicated member of Ducks Unlimited and a lover of the great outdoors, the roles and responsibilities Dave filled during his lifetime in Washtenaw County, Michigan are worthy of commendation.

Dave dedicated his life to serving others. After attending Northern Michigan University, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Nuclear Reactor Operator on the U.S.S. Omaha based out of Pearl Harbor. Once returning to Michigan, Dave began to work at the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, where he supported classroom technology for over 34 years.

Outside of his career, Dave also left a lasting mark on the communities he was a part of. One such organization was the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club, where he was an active member and served in a number of positions, including as president. A testament to his service can also be seen in his work with youth members in the community. In 2002, Dave was one of the founders of the youth shooting group and was an active instructor. In this role, he was a model for safety while encouraging youth to enjoy nature.

Another organization where Dave made a considerable difference is Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving waterfowl habitats in North America. Here, he served in many different roles at the local, state, and national chapters. Among these roles, he served as the Ducks Unlimited Michigan Chairman. His dedication was immeasurable, and his passing is a great loss to the conservation community throughout Michigan. Dave's contributions and service with Western Washtenaw Ducks Unlimited will continue to serve the community for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating and remembering the lifetime of work that David Steinbach has accomplished. His dedication to his country, communities, family, and the wildlife that he worked so hard to conserve is inspirational and will not soon be forgotten. His passion for the great outdoors drove so much of his work and impacted so many. His impact should be celebrated and remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bishop Robert Delano Taylor Sr. on the occasion of his appointment to Bishop of the Southwest Michigan Agape Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ. His significant service to his congregation, ministry, and community is worthy of commendation.

Bishop Robert D. Taylor has served as the pastor for Glad Tidings Church in Detroit, Michigan since 1987. In this role he has been a beacon for the community, epitomizing the values of life-long service and dedication. Bishop Taylor has touched so many lives during his time at the Glad Tidings Church and beyond. During his career, he established the Robert D. Taylor Ministries, where personal growth and transformation is emphasized. The mission here is focused on creating lasting change, not only in the community but also on the global scale. This noble work has a positive, lasting influence on its members and the greater community, and is truly inspiring. Under Bishop Taylor's leadership, the Glad Tidings Church has served as a pillar in the Detroit community. Their message reaches so many, especially considering the church has a live-stream option, allowing those who cannot be physically present to join in the mass. This church serves the wider community as well, including providing free clothing for those who are in need.

Notably, on November 17, 2023, Bishop Taylor was elevated and appointed to Bishop for the Southwest Michigan Agape Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ. This tremendous accomplishment is well deserved and serves as a testament to Bishop Taylor's distinguished career of service. This appointment reinforces how influential Bishop Taylor's faithful career has been and elevates him to a position where he will be able to serve with even greater range. In this office, Bishop Taylor will continue to serve Glad Tidings Church as well as the wider ministry.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop Taylor for his lifetime of public service. His commitment to his faith, community, and mission is truly inspiring. I join Bishop Taylor's family, friends, and congregation in extending my best wishes to him during his transition in his service, where I am sure he will continue to serve his community faithfully well into the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Educational Foundation of Dexter on the 40th anniversary of their founding. The support they have provided for Dexter's students and educators over the last 40 years is worthy of commendation.

The Educational Foundation of Dexter (EFD) was founded in 1984 to enhance the educational experience for those enrolled in the Dexter Community School District. Through teacher written grants, the EFD provides financial support for new and innovative educational projects. The EFD has awarded over $1 million since 1984 for programs such as FLEX Robotics Kits for Creekside Middle School, a field trip to the Charles H. Wright Museum for the entire 5th grade, adaptive music for students with special needs, and equipment to support the Iron Dread program at Dexter High School. In 2023, the EFD's Spring Auction raised over $24,000 for Dexter students.

In 2015, Excellence 4 Dexter Students (E4DS) was formed in response to multiple years of annual budget cuts at the state level. This led to some notable changes within the district, including larger class sizes and reduced staffing. Since their founding, E4DS has donated over $182,000 to the Dexter Community Schools for additional programming. Their donations have supported additional math and science programming for grades 3-6, mental wellness programs for both staff and students, and an experience at Eastern Michigan University for many 6th grade classes. In 2020, E4DS and the Educational Foundation of Dexter joined forces to better support and respond to the needs of the Dexter Community School District.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the work of the Educational Foundation of Dexter over the last four decades. Both the teachers and students of the Dexter community have had a more fulfilling educational experience due to the hard work of the EFD. We are excited to see what they can accomplish over the next 40 years. I thank the EFD.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Timothy Wadhams, the former Chair of the Wolfpack environmental association and a community leader in Ann Arbor. His consistent philanthropy and his tireless efforts in supporting our community's conservation efforts are worthy of commendation.

Tim is a native Ann Arborite who attended Pioneer High School, where he is in their Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a member of both the football and basketball teams. To this day, Tim is an active booster of the Pioneer Football Program and started the Pioneer Academic Athletic Fund. His own athletic talents on the field earned him a position on the University of Michigan Football Team, a premier educational institution which he would graduate from with a bachelor's degree in economics and a Master of Business Administration degree.

Tim is not only a former Chief Executive Officer, board member for major business organizations, and longtime supporter of our community's educational institutions, but has also contributed significantly to our state's natural resources conservation. As Chair of the conservation group, ``The Wolfpack'', Tim was instrumental in leading various conservation and environmental groups to accomplish the organization's goals. The Wolfpack is composed of some of our state's leading organizations in environmental work, but Wolfpack's impact has also extended past local efforts to advocate that Congress take action to protect our land and waterways from contaminants, to support wildlife, and to preserve our Great Lakes. As Chair, Tim was responsible for leading this coalition that continues to do invaluable work for our natural at areas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Timothy Wadhams for his dedication to conservation, philanthropy, and community development in the Ann Arbor regional area. I thank Tim.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to these partisan energy appliance bills.

Time and time again in this Congress, Republicans have brought and continue to bring partisan messaging bills to the floor that are just meant to rile up people and get their base upset while continuing to put off the work that the American people sent us here to do: to work together to really solve some of America's problems.

H.R. 6192 isn't the first anti-efficiency bill we have seen on the House floor. My Republican colleagues are obstructing the work that we have been sent here to do. We have a lot of serious problems, like reducing the cost of prescription drugs and helping everybody have access to healthcare.

The Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act, along with the other anti- efficiency bills out there, like very serious bills--Liberty in Laundry Act, Refrigerator Freedom Act, Clothes Dryers Reliability Act--are just bills with

names to get your attention, but all they do is delay and weaken popular energy efficiency programs, courting favors with polluters.

Unfortunately, they show that I have colleagues who don't want to save American consumers money on their energy bills. They keep peddling these blatant lies that the Biden administration is going after Americans' household appliances. They are not, nor did they try to take away our gas stoves last year. There is a lot of drama out there not based in truth.

I have a brand-new gas stove. Actually, it is a year old, and I have yet to use it. That is how often we get to cook. Nobody is going to take it away from me, and I bought it in the midst of that whole debate. Secretary Granholm has said that she owns a gas stove and that nobody is going to take it away from her.

The fear-mongering is nothing more than political--I don't know what word I want to use because I love my friends--but it is designed to scare consumers and is not based on facts.

The American people sent us here to work together in a bipartisan manner to find commonsense solutions, like working together to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program that expires this month and helps millions of Americans have access to and afford broadband. We saw what happened during COVID when so many people didn't have access to the internet.

Instead of doing something that will help everyday working Americans, we are focused on partisan messaging bills. Instead of working on the real issues facing the American people, we are choosing, yet again, to waste our time debating appliances.

Mr. Chair, we need to stop playing games, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Michigan's Debate Team, on the occasion of winning their first national title. The tenacity and dedication this team has shown throughout their season is worthy of commendation.

The University of Michigan Debate Team in Ann Arbor was founded in 1903 and is one of the oldest debate programs in the United States. Prior to their national championship victory this year, the team finished as runner-up 3 times in the past 3 years. The perseverance the team has shown is evident in this, and their victory is so deserving. The skills and values that this team and all other teams have gained throughout this season are impressive, and no doubt carry them into successful futures. This accomplishment is also an indicator as to why organizations such as debate in universities and colleges are so worthwhile.

The 78th annual tournament was held at Emory University, with 47 universities and colleges represented by 78 different teams. This esteemed tournament is highly competitive, and the University of Michigan rose to the occasion. The topic of debate was concerning U.S. nuclear weapons policy. This weighty topic is no easy thing to discuss, let alone debate, and the University of Michigan Debate Team should be proud of their accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Debate Team at the University of Michigan. Their victory signifies the second national championship title for the University of Michigan this academic year, following the Michigan Football Team's College Football Playoff win. I want to congratulate the Debate Team for their accomplishments, and I have no doubt that they will continue to make their university proud.

Mr. Speaker, I am a proud member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. In fact, I am a past co-chair. I am dedicated to protecting and expanding access to hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the United States.

Sportsmen and -women are some of the country's leading conservationists, and I applaud their work to protect lands and wildlife for current and future generations. However, this bill before us today is not a conservation bill. In fact, it drives a wedge in the deep partnerships between sportsmen and -women and Federal land managers who have worked together for decades to identify strategies to allow hunting and fishing in ethical ways that help fish and wildlife populations thrive.

Federal land managers have the authority and the mission to manage their lands in a way that contributes to the conservation of wildlife, and they must ensure that any actions that occur on the lands that they manage do not cause jeopardy to endangered or threatened species.

This bill conflicts with the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, and other land management laws by prohibiting any regulation of lead ammunition or tackle, even when scientific analysis conducted under those laws determines that lead is causing a decline in a population of animals or is not compatible with the uses of the wildlife refuge.

Particularly for the national wildlife refuges, this bill is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how hunting and fishing are managed on wildlife refuges. Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, the refuges are closed to hunting and fishing until they are opened by the annual hunt-fish regulations the Fish and Wildlife Service publishes. In those regulations, the Fish and Wildlife Service identifies the places; the types of hunting and fishing available; the restrictions, such as no hunting or fishing at night, no motorized boats, et cetera; and the times those opportunities are available.

This regulation is published after careful analysis of whether such actions are compatible with the goals and the purposes of each refuge. The Fish and Wildlife Service also assesses if the regulation has any impacts under the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other laws.

If we play out this bill before us today, one can easily imagine scenarios

where the best-available science under the Endangered Species Act shows that hunting or fishing with lead ammunition or tackle will lead to a decline in the listed species. At that point, the Fish and Wildlife Service has a choice to make: Do they allow hunting or fishing with lead ammunition or tackle in violation of the Endangered Species Act, or do they close off that area to hunting and fishing?

They have already been sued for allowing the use of lead in violation of the ESA. They would simply avoid lawsuits by keeping that area closed to future hunting and fishing.

This bill is going to be counterproductive to the goals of the sponsors. It is likely that it will result in less lands available for hunting and fishing, limiting access to sportsmen and -women.

Mr. Speaker, for this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House Rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. This amendment would ensure that sportsmen and -women won't be harmed by reduced access to hunting and fishing if this bill is enacted by tasking the Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners with analyzing the likely outcomes of this legislation and assessing whether they would have to close areas to hunting and fishing to comply with this bill and other laws, such as the Endangered Species Act and the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act.

It is common sense to assess the possible outcomes of legislation before it takes effect. In this case, Democrats have been asking these difficult questions with little response from the Republicans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels on the occasion of their 50 years of service to the community. The care and service that they provide to older members of the Ypsilanti community is worthy of commendation.

Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels began at the suggestion of the Ypsilanti's Mayor's Council on Aging in 1973. This program began with 16 homebound neighbors receiving home-delivered meals, and has since expanded into a reliable and strong force in Washtenaw County. The organization now includes pet food delivery through a partnership with the Huron Valley Humane Society, home repairs, and a program that helps seniors live more safely while remaining in the comfort of their own homes. The level of care and dedication to recipients of this organization is shown as it offers vegetarian meals, produce delivery, as well as medically friendly and culturally sensitive options. Additionally, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels delivers all seven days of the week, ensuring that all senior clients get fresh meals each day.

The success of Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels would not be possible without the numerous partnerships they have. The support of these community organizations enables the program to run and deliver food to homes every day. The First Baptist Church of Ypsilanti was their first partner when the program started, their original home, and still plays a huge role in supporting them today. YMOW also works with staff and students from the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University to help with the initial intake process of community members and partners with Michigan Medicine's Patient Food and Nutrition Services to produce the meals. These partnerships also allow for YMOW's other services to the community, including the Pets Assisting the Lives of Seniors (P.A.L.S.) program that is run with the support of the Humane Society. All of these partnerships demonstrate how integrated the program is throughout the community and the extent of its aid throughout Southeastern Michigan.

Dedicated to serving older adults, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels has demonstrated its commitment to the community throughout these last five decades. By providing nutritious meals, social interaction with community members, and other services, this organization allows the homebound residents in Washtenaw County the opportunity to maintain independence and comfort by living in their own homes. Every member of a community deserves to feel safe and happy, and this organization ensures that some of our most vulnerable members are able to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. For the last half- century, the program has been diligently serving the older adults of the community when they need it most. We thank Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels and its team members for its service to the Sixth District and are excited to see how the program keeps serving the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor George W. Waddles, Jr., on the occasion of his 10 years of service to the Second Baptist Church of Ypsilanti, Michigan. His significant service to his congregation and community is worthy of commendation.

Pastor Waddles received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Truman State University, a Master of Theology with a concentration in Pastoral Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Master of Educational Administration from Texas A&M. In 1984, he was licensed to preach at the Ninth Street Baptist Church in Lawrence, Kansas and was also ordained at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church on December 1, 1995. After serving Sunset Missionary Baptist Church of Texarkana in Texas for over ten years, Pastor Waddles began his service as Pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in March 2014. Under his leadership, the Second Baptist Church has become a pillar of Ypsilanti, and continues its important mission of serving the community.

Pastor Waddles has led by example and embodies the mission of the church: Connection, Commitment, and Community. During his decade of service, Pastor Waddles has been deeply involved with ministry teams to better serve his community, and the church continues to make a positive impact by promoting the Making Strides Cancer Walk, participating in the Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade, and collecting backpacks and school supplies to help students. Pastor Waddles has also been a lecturer and instructor in the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education and the Wolverine State Convention and Huron Valley District Association. He has served as Dean, and currently is the President of the Huron Valley District Congress of Christian Education. Across all these roles, Pastor Waddle has remained committed to serving his community and uplifting all those within it.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pastor Waddles for his decade of public service in Ypsilanti. His commitment to his faith, community, and mission is truly inspiring. I join Pastor Waddle's family, friends, and congregation in extending my best wishes to him during this time, and I am sure he will continue to serve his community far into the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital

at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for serving the community for over 70 years. Touching countless lives over their storied history, their dedication and impact on the greater Michigan community is worthy of commendation.

Established as the University of Michigan Women's Hospital in 1950, the University of Michigan sought to provide world-class maternity and obstetrics services while opening a facility to teach nurses and medical students and support research dedicated to transforming care for all women. With their program philosophy based on multispecialty team care, the hospital provides well-rounded care for women, including midwifery, a family planning clinic, fetal diagnosis and therapy, and minimally invasive surgery. The hospital also conducts advanced research and treatment on comprehensive infertility services, BRCA gene mutations, and cervical, ovarian, and other women's cancers.

With nearly 90 expert physicians and over 133,000 patient visits per year, Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital delivers over 5,400 children and performs nearly 4,000 procedures each year. The hospital provides comprehensive and specialized treatment for women's health. Women face specific health challenges and the Von Voigtlander Hospital ensure that they have the best healthcare possible for their needs. One specific area of work is on endometriosis, a condition that impacts women only and is a chronic condition that can significantly reduce a woman's quality of life. The Hospital's commitment to excellence has helped Michigan Medicine achieve exceptional rankings among national medical programs each year and helped Michigan Medicine achieve the number one overall rank for hospitals in Michigan. Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital has been recognized as the No. 3 gynecology program in the Nation, the No. 1 gynecology department in the State of Michigan, and was awarded Magnet Status Designation in 2017. Only 6 percent of U.S. hospitals received the Magnet status Designation, which required organizations to meet rigorous standards for patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. The hospital has also been recognized as a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health.

Providing world class medical care requires world class facilities. In 2011 , the University of Michigan Women's Hospital became the Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital following a $15 million gift from the Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation. The program moved into a new state-of-the-art 12-story facility on the University of Michigan Medical Campus that is now home to both Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. The new facility is the length of two football fields, and at 1.1 million square feet, it has all the resources needed for the hospital to continue providing the best care for women possible.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital at the University of Michigan. For more than 70 years, the hospital has demonstrated all exceptional dedication to furthering the study and treatments for women's health while providing incredible care for women across the State of Michigan. We thank the physicians, nurses, and staff of Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital for their commitment and service to their community. We need more hospitals dedicated to women's health research and treatment, and I am excited to see all that is accomplished at Michigan Medicine over the next 70 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, a premier youth fiddling show band from Saline, Michigan, on their 30th anniversary. Comprised of students from Saline High School the fiddlers present an energetic and polished show that features a diverse range of music from American folk, fiddle, bluegrass, jazz, western swing, and Celtic traditions. Their 30 years of unforgettable performances are remarkable, and their commitment and skill are worthy of commendation.

The Fiddlers began in 1994 with the simple idea of introducing an alternative style of musical education to public school students to maintain and expand their interest in musical performance. Since 1994, these remarkable students have set the standard for extracurricular music programs in the United States and have become a model for instruction and motivation that other schools across the nation have added to their own programs.

With over 1,500 performances in the majority of the states in our nation, the Fiddlers have a storied history that includes three performances at the White House, two performances on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and a performance at the State of Michigan's Presidential Inaugural Ball. The Fiddlers have also traveled to Canada and Europe for performances and have made multiple trips to Saline's sister cities of Brecon, Wales and Lindenberg, Germany. Each year, the group performs 50-60 times, with around a third of their annual schedule being donated to community service events. I still fondly remember their performance at the Saline Celtic Festival this past summer.

Working alongside the artistic team, the Saline Fiddlers help plan each aspect of their shows by crafting arrangements and making diverse organizational decisions that helps teach the students collaborative ownership while giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity and showcase their enthusiasm throughout the show making process. These accomplished members of the Fiddlers are selected through competitive auditions that assess their musical talent and personal maturity. They balance academics, school organizations, jobs, and other extracurricular activities. Teaching students not just about music but about maintaining a balanced schedule and workload is a true testament to how the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic has helped 30 years of students prepare for their futures through music.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic on their 30th anniversary. Their commitment to music and community is an incredible accomplishment and has helped preserve music and tradition for future generations. I cannot wait to see all they accomplish in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Courtney S. Lim, on the occasion of her 10 years of practicing medicine. Her continued dedication and service to her patients in Ann Arbor, Michigan is worthy of commendation.

Dr. Courtney Lim attended the University of Michigan Medical School in 2008, then went on to complete her residency at the McGaw Medical Center at Northwestern University in 2012, earning a board certification for obstetrics and gynecology. Afterwards, she returned to Ann Arbor, where she continued her education through a fellowship, achieving a Focused Practice designation in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in 2014 from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Now practicing as Service Chief of Gynecology at the University of Michigan's Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Dr. Lim is serving patients with extreme care and compassion.

Dr. Lim is committed to caring for those afflicted with complex gynecologic disorders. She is open about her approach to health care and continuously strives to determine what the best course of action is for each individual. Dr. Lim truly listens to her patients and recommends a treatment plan that is best aligned with that patient's values and wishes. Dr. Lim offers both medical and surgical treatment options and strives to be as minimally invasive as possible when it comes to surgery. In her work, Dr. Lim is conscientious, knowledgeable, and addresses even the smallest of concerns from her patients. She exemplifies the values of what it means to be an excellent caretaker and serves as a leader in her field of work.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Courtney S. Lim for her continued service to her patients. Dr. Lim conducts herself in a way that our future doctors should aspire to: thoughtfully listening to each and every patient, and serving as a steady, compassionate force for patients to find comfort with. I have no doubt she will continue to exhibit her dedication and genuine care in treatment for many years to come.