Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Timothy Schwartz, Chairman of Republican Legislative District 26. This district includes the Central West Phoenix area of Maricopa County.

As Chairman, Timothy has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. His efforts to ensure Republicans are elected have been instrumental to the success of Legislative District 26 and beyond.

I am thankful for Timothy's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate his service to the legislative district and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my

honor to recognize Arizona State Representative Joseph Chaplik from Legislative District 3, covering the northeast valley in the Phoenix- metro area.

For almost three decades, Joseph has been a successful business executive. He is the founder of Joseph Bernard Investment Real Estate, handling more than one billion dollars of sales volume. The Portland Business Journal recognized him as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders, and he has won awards including Business Ethics Finalist and Top Corporate Philanthropy.

As a member of the Arizona Legislature, Representative Chaplik has sponsored many bills that reflect the values of our great state, including proposals to enhance our border security, election integrity, and economic freedom.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is thankful for Representative Chaplik's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and achievements in the State Legislature.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize the mayor of Glendale, Arizona, Jerry Weiers.

Originally born in South Dakota, Mayor Weiers moved to Phoenix as a child where he went on to serve in the Arizona House of Representatives before becoming mayor of Glendale in 2012. Outside of public service, Mayor Weiers was also a proud small-business owner and family man.

During his time in both the state legislature and as mayor of Glendale, Mayor Weiers has been a strong advocate for the military and veterans, reduced bureaucratic red tape, and created conditions for small businesses to thrive. As mayor, he has created a thriving business-sector through public-private partnerships, increased public safety, worked toward reducing homelessness, and been a strong advocate for Luke Air Force Base and Glendale's veterans.

His successes in public service have left a lasting impact on both the Glendale community and the state of Arizona as a whole. I thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize someone who has been an important part of the Phoenix West Valley for many years, Jan Martinson.

As former President of the Sun City West Republican Club and a longtime political activist, Jan has been instrumental to the success of the West Valley.

As a leader, Jan has been an advocate for educating community members on their civic duties and supporting Republicans and their beliefs. Jan's efforts have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and the State of Arizona.

I am thankful for Jan's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to Congressional District 8 and the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, as my time in the U.S. House of Representatives is coming to an end, I want to recognize my grandchildren. After six years in Congress, I have decided to return home to Arizona to spend more time with my husband, my 95-year-old mother, my sister, my brother, my three children, and my five grandchildren. I am very blessed that they all live within a 20-minute drive from my home.

My oldest grandchild, Jeremiah Stelp, age 14, loves to play football. He now plays on the high school football team. Jeremiah excels in school and helps his mom around the house.

Malachi Stelp, age 11, loves Anime and driving off-road on his quad. He also helps his mom with chores around the house.

Ellie Lesko, age 5, is so cute. She has blonde hair and rosy cheeks and loves everything about Spiderman, including toys, backpacks, shoes, and clothes.

Brandon Stelp, Jr., age 4, comes running up to me and hugs me with a big smile that melts my heart. He loves his mud trucks and has a great imagination.

Grace Stelp, age 2, loves wearing dresses, changes her clothes multiple times a day, has curly long locks of hair and has a feisty attitude.

After my son, Joey Lesko, marries Cherie Arel in October 2024, I will have an additional official granddaughter, Scarlett, who is Cherie's daughter. Scarlett is full of energy and life and I'm looking forward to her officially joining our family.

I have been blessed with a wonderful family. May God continue to bless each and every one of us for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Arizona State Representative Alexander Kolodin from Legislative District 3, covering the north and east valley in the Phoenix-metro area.

Alexander is a phenomenal attorney and a staunch conservative. Since joining the Arizona Legislature in January 2023, Representative Kolodin has worked to influence and pass policies that benefit his constituents, while remaining absolutely true to his conservative values. He was extremely instrumental in helping the Rio Verde Foothills community regain a critical water supply in 2023, laboring across both sides of the aisle to find a successful solution.

Representative Kolodin has also sought to work on proposals to strengthen the state's election laws to help restore trust in our systems. He is a member of the Arizona Freedom Caucus, helping to ensure that conservative policies and processes are prioritized.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is thankful for Representative Kolodin's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Gina Maloney, Chairwoman of Republican Legislative District 5. District 5 includes the eastern most part of the 8th Congressional District and a population of over 239,000.

Gina has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. Her efforts to work collaboratively with other leaders have been instrumental to the success of Republican elected officials and candidates in the state legislature and beyond.

I am thankful for her leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the legislative district and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Frank Steele, Chairman of Republican Legislative District 24. This district is in the southeastern portion of the 8th Congressional District, encompassing areas of Peoria, Glendale, and Phoenix. The district has a population of over 234,000.

As Chairman, Frank is a leader willing to work tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. His role is critical to the success of Republican elected officials and candidates in the state legislature and beyond.

I am thankful for his leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate his service to the legislative district and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Arizona State Senator Frank Carroll from Legislative District 28, covering the northwest valley in the Phoenix-metro area.

Before his service in the Arizona Legislature, Frank was a hardworking grassroots advocate for the west valley, ensuring that likeminded elected officials received support and that men and women on the ground had ample opportunity to petition their government.

Since entering office in 2019, Senator Carroll has fought for conservative values and common-sense solutions for his constituents. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Transportation, Technology and Missing Children Committee, and a member of the Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee.

Senator Carroll is a strong proponent of economic prosperity, border security, election integrity, consumer choice, the Second Amendment, and life.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is thankful for Senator Carroll's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Candace Czarny. Candace is a leader in the Republican Legislative District 3, which includes the northern most areas of the 8th Congressional District and a population of over 236,000.

Candace has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. Her efforts to work collaboratively with other leaders have been instrumental to the success of Republican elected officials and candidates in the state legislature and beyond.

I am thankful for her leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the legislative district and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Bob Gomez. Bob is a leader in Republican Legislative District 3, which includes the northern most areas of the 8th Congressional District and a population of over 236,000.

Bob has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. His efforts to work collaboratively with other leaders have been instrumental to the success of Republican elected officials and candidates in the state legislature and beyond.

I am thankful for his leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate his service to the legislative district and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize someone who has been a force in the North Phoenix area, Basil Fernimos. Basil is a founding member of the North Valley Constitutional Republican Club.

As a passionate constitutionalist, Basil has been responsible for organizing and leading conservative efforts in the northern parts of our congressional district.

I am thankful for Basil's efforts and dedication to bring awareness and educate the public. I sincerely appreciate his service to the 8th Congressional District and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Arizona State Senator Anthony Kern from Legislative District 27, covering the northwest valley in the Phoenix-metro area.

Senator Kern is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and a Member of the chamber's Appropriations and Transportation, Technology and Missing Children Committees. He has won awards for his strong conservative principles in the Arizona Legislature, including the Hero of the Taxpayer and the Friend of the Family. Senator Kern also enjoys a 100 rating from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club.

He has worked hard in the State Legislature to help secure the border, protect life and family values, defend the Second Amendment, safeguard school choice, increase economic prosperity for individuals, families, and business owners, and stand with law enforcement.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is thankful for Senator Kern's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my son Joseph D. Lesko.

Joey is my oldest son. I can't believe he is 30 years old already. It seems like it wasn't that long ago when Joey was born.

I have a great photo of my husband changing Joey's diaper in the hospital after he was born. My husband was so happy to have his first son. After a number of diaper changes, I don't think he had that smile on his face anymore.

Then came years of birthday parties, parties with families and friends, swimming, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, camping, and baseball. We have had a lot of fun throughout the years.

I am proud of my son Joey. He is a great son. He is successful in his job in IT. He bought a really nice home, and it is close to where I live, which I obviously love.

He is getting married in October of this year. I am so thankful that Joey is in my life. As I end my term in Congress, I am so happy to recognize him.

May God continue to bless him for years to come.

In Recognition of the Upcoming Wedding of Joseph Lesko and Cherie Arel

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my son Joseph Lesko, also known as Joey, and his fiancee, Cherie Arel, on their upcoming wedding.

After dating for 5 years, Joey and Cherie are getting married on October 26 of this year, 2024, in my hometown, Peoria, Arizona.

My husband, Joe, and I, wish them as much happiness as we have had in our marriage of over 30 years.

I congratulate Joey and Cherie. May God continue to bless you now and forevermore.

In Recognition of Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell for her impact on our State and Nation throughout her accomplished 30-year legal career.

A native of Arizona, Rachel has been a leader for decades, including leading teams of prosecutors at the Sex Crimes Bureau, where she successfully prosecuted hundreds of complex cases involving crimes against children, adults, and sex trafficking.

As a nationally recognized voice on sexual assault and child abuse prosecution, Rachel's impact has not only been in the cases she has prosecuted, but the way she has changed the way prosecuting these cases is done, including advocating for reforms to ensure victims are more comfortable in the courtroom.

Rachel Mitchell's impact is felt in my community of Maricopa County, across Arizona, and beyond. I am thankful for her commitment to both protecting families and the integrity of our legal system.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize Robert Randle, president of the Sun City West Republican Club.

Throughout his tenure as president, Robert has distinguished himself by providing exceptional service to the residents of Sun City West, Arizona. As president of the club, Robert has been an advocate for educating members on the civic engagement process and how to interact with elected officials. The efforts of Robert and the Sun City West Republican Club have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and candidates in the Phoenix West Valley.

I am thankful for Robert's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate his service to the 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona.