Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Honorable Judge M. Allan Vogelson of Cherry Hill, Camden County, located in the First Congressional District of the Great State of New Jersey, for his decades of public service.

The Honorable Judge Vogelson served as the Camden County Presiding Judge for the Camden County Superior Court, for more than twelve years. For eight years, he served as Presiding Judge, for the Camden County Superior Court, Civil Division and subsequently appointed to preside over the Camden County Superior Court, Chancery Division.

Prior to serving as Presiding Judge for the Camden County Superior Court, Judge Vogelson served as the Assistant Prosecutor for Camden County and in 1971 elected as a freeholder to the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, with tenure as the Freeholder Director.

In the community he both loved and called home, Judge Vogelson served with distinction: on the New Jersey State Legislature Reappointment Committee, as a member of the Camden County College Board of Trustees, and on the Board of Trustees of the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County, New Jersey.

Judge Vogelson was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, forerunner, role model and exceptional public servant who was a tireless advocate for others, and is deeply missed. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me in mourning the loss and honoring the legacy of the late Honorable Judge M. Allan Vogelson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Petty Officer Veronica Aillim Alcazar of Winslow Township, in New Jersey's First Congressional District.

Petty Officer Alcazar was a graduate of Camden County Technical Schools at Pennsauken, NJ Campus and graduated with the Class of 2010. She proudly served in the United States Navy since her enlistment in 2012.

Petty Officer Alcazar was the loving daughter of Consuelo ``Connie'' Alcazar and Jessie Lopez, beloved sister of Elizette Peralta, Dean Alcazar and Rosemary Alcazar, cherished granddaughter of William and Emerita Alcazar and Ernestina Lopez, adored niece of Alexander and Vianey Alcazar and William and Lucie Alcazar, loving cousin of Ethan and William III, and fiance of Aamir Awad Muhammad.

Petty Officer Alcazar is by all accounts an American hero who selflessly served her country. Her service to the Unites States Armed Forces, sacrifice on behalf of the freedom of the United States of America and noble legacy will always be remembered. I ask you to join me in honoring the memory of this great American.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment.

We have an opportunity that doesn't come around all that often, thank God. Apparently, there are people who think this isn't important to our national defense.

I went up to an electric boat just 2 months ago. This is the most complicated machine ever designed, ever built in the history of the world. You don't turn this on and off like a spigot of water.

This is about saving our country. You heard the chairman talk about how we are falling behind as a country. How can we sit by and let this go? We must come together. We have to build this now or we are putting our country at risk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Edward ``Bud'' Donahue, for his dedicated service to the United States Army. He is a resident of Deptford Township located in the New Jersey's First Congressional District.

Mr. Donahue enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965, and trained as a Voice and Morse Code Radio Operator in Fort Jackson South Carolina. Upon graduating Radio school in 1965, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, in Vietnam as a Radio Operator. While assigned to the 1st Cavalry, Mr. Donahue received many honors; the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Mr. Donahue was reassigned in 1966 to the 7th Army, 4th Battalion 44th Artillery in Germany, and a mobile Pershing Missile unit. He was promoted to Platoon Sergeant of the Communications Platoon. Mr. Donahue was a Sergeant (E5) in a Master Sergeant (E8) slot; Radio Teletype, Long Range Voice Radio, Message Center, and Crypto Programming. He was later tested and received a high proficiency rating.

On May 20, 1968, Mr. Donahue was separated from active duty at Fort Dix New Jersey, placed on inactive reserves, and received an Honorable Discharge on May 31, 1971.

Mr. Donahue returned to Philadelphia to marry his childhood sweetheart on September 6, 1969. He and his wife moved to Deptford in 1970 and have been here ever since. They now have 3 sons, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Edward `Bud' Donahue is an exceptional member of the community. I ask you to join me in honoring the service of Mr. Edward Donahue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Marine Corps Combat veteran, Mr. John T. Margie of Deptford Township in New Jersey's First Congressional District.

Mr. Margie was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In September 1948, he trained for three months at the MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing his training, he then entered an infantry exercise on the USS Worcester in the Mediterranean Sea.

In June of 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, Mr. Margie, along with his fellow soldiers, shipped abroad to the Suez Canal, South China Sea, Japan and Korea; contributing to the decisive battle of the Korean War, the ``Battle of Chosin Reservoir''.

After serving overseas, Corporal Margie became a Marine Recruiter in Defiance, Ohio, receiving the title of ``Outstanding Recruiter of the Year''. While transporting new recruits to Parris Island, he contracted Polio; however, with support from the U.S. Navy doctors, nurses and his family, he remarkably regained the ability to move.

Upon retirement, Mr. Margie received numerous awards including, the Legion of Honor, the New Jersey Volunteer of the Year Award, National Shipmate of the Year, Fleet Reserve Association award, the Human Goals award, the Commanders Naval Sea System Command award, and the Deptford Citizen of the Year award.

Following his formal service to the United States Armed Forces, Mr. Margie's contributions continued. He served as Co-Founder of the Semper Fidelis Detachment, Marine Corps League, Wenonah American Legion, VFW, Disabled American Veterans, the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Chosin Few; an organizations former for survivors of the Chosin Reservoir Battle of 1950.

Mr. John T. Margie is an honorable American, having served our great nation in a time of war, and merits our collective appreciation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saluting John T. Margie for his heroism, his sacrifice in the Korean War, and his service to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to welcome our guest chaplain, Rabbi Aaron Krupnick of Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, New Jersey.

The congregation has been part of our South Jersey community since 1920, when it was originally founded in Camden City.

Now it offers a spiritual home for hundreds of Jewish families in South Jersey.

Rabbi Krupnick came to our community in 1994 from Montgomery, Alabama. There, he helped lead interfaith services with leaders like Martin Luther King, III, and Rosa Parks.

As you heard in his prayer, he often discusses patience, understanding, kindness, compassion.

In a world where religion too often creates so much conflict, Rabbi Krupnick focuses on togetherness. He knows there is more that connects us than divides us.

I have been fortunate enough to attend services and seder at Beth El. I have witnessed firsthand how the community is welcoming, loving, and supportive of all.

Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to welcome Rabbi Krupnick to the House of Representatives and I thank him for his offering of this morning's prayer.

His compassion, his teachings, his strong leadership have helped foster a vibrant Jewish community in our region, and I know it will stay that way for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of the late Ambassador Faith Whittlesey, a distinguished public servant and a native of New Jersey. I have also been asked to express the condolences of my colleagues Congressmen Don Beyer, Joaquin Castro, Charlie Crist, Bill Huizenga and Alex Mooney as well as Senator Barrasso, whose lives have all been touched by the work of Ambassador Whittlesey.

Ambassador Whittlesey was the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland for nearly five years during both 1981-1983 and 1985-1988, and during the Reagan Administration she served as the Director of the Office of Public Liaison.

Her many roles in public life included time as the Chairwoman and President of the American Swiss Foundation in New York, and her service as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

During her influential career, Ambassador Whittlesey was a pivotal figure in building and developing Swiss and American relations, both domestically and abroad.

Ambassador Whittlesey was a graduate of Wells College and received her Law Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, earned a Ford Foundation Grant to attend the Academy of International Law in The Hague, The Netherlands.

During her career, she received honors such as the Reagan Revolution Medal of Honor, the Congress of Racial Equality Public Service Award, the Christian Freedom International Freedom Award, the Stratton Prize, and the William Tell Award. A book written by Thomas Carty centered on her career, entitled ``Backwards, in High Heels: Faith Whittlesey, Ronald Reagan's `Madam Ambassador' in Switzerland and the West Wing''. Lastly, the Ambassador had the ``Faith Whittlesey rose'' named in her legacy.

These awards are a mere testament to Ambassador Whittlesey's commendable dedication and leadership on behalf of our nation and the Swiss-United States relationship.

Mr. Speaker, we have lost an extraordinary, devoted person in Ambassador Faith Whittlesey. I invite you to join me in thanking her for many contributions to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor forty-six high school seniors in Camden County for their commendable decision to enlist in the United Sates Armed Forces. Of these forty-six, eight have joined the Navy: Joshua Fitzgerald, Samuel Keppel, Niemai Smith, Ryan Hutchinson, Preston Solla, Nicholas Yourkonis, Noah Berrios, and Nasir Crews. Nineteen have joined the Marine Corps: Giovanni Pasquarelli, Jesse Harryman, William Jamieson, Ethan Moncrief, William Sayers, Jack Percak, Brian Romerogranadeno, Anthony Vitkunas, Trshaun Kelly, Delious Bullock, Luke Hurey, Jeserica Santos, Marvin Sewell, Remy Martinez, Andre Castro, Adrian Vargas, Cristian Reyes-Nunez, Kenneth Cortez, and Jeffery Nolasco. Two have joined the Air Force: Alexis Tapia, and Dominique Perez. Eight have joined the New Jersey Army National Guard: Kianna Smith, Savannah Janiszewski, Christopher Berrios, Chanese Gibson, Kiaziah Walker, Alesi Villeda-Gomes, Breinna Edwards, and Aleksey Kilvington. And nine have joined the New Jersey Air National Guard: Jose Sanchez, Jamilette Cotts-Martinez, Nyree Scott, Paul Brown, Alex Frazier, Angel Burgos, Emma Super, Mason Nicini, Michael Rinehart. All forty-six were recognized on May 15th at ``Our Community Salutes of South Jersey.''

Later this month, these young men and women will join their classmates in celebration of graduation. At a time when many of their peers are looking forward to pursuing vocational training or college degrees, they instead have chosen to dedicate themselves to military service in defense of our country. They should rest assured that the full support and resources of this chamber, and of the American people, are with them in whatever challenges may lie ahead.

It is thanks to the dedication of untold numbers of patriots like these forty-six that we are able to meet here today, in the House of Representatives, and openly debate the best solutions to the many and diverse problems that confront our country. It is thanks to their sacrifices that the United States of America remains a beacon of hope and freedom in a fractious world.

Mr. Speaker, their decision to serve our country will not go unrecognized. I want to personally thank these forty-six graduating seniors for the selflessness and courage that they have shown by volunteering to risk their lives in defense of others. We owe them, along with all those who serve our country, a deep debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Helene Reed of Williamstown, Gloucester County, located in the First Congressional District of the Great State of New Jersey, for her decades of public service to local and county government.

At the time of her passing on April 28, 2018, Helene Reed was serving as the Gloucester County Surrogate, a position to which she was first elected in 2008, becoming the first woman to ever hold that title.

Prior to the role of Gloucester County Surrogate, Helene Reed served as Gloucester County Freeholder for nine years, and as the first female Monroe Township Councilmember, holding that post for nine years, with some of her tenure including service as Council President.

Preceding her public service, Helene Reed attended Rutgers University where she was certified in Hospital Access Manager, which led to a career as Director of Admissions at Kennedy Hospital, Washington Township Division, now known as Jefferson Hospital.

In the community she both loved and called home, Helene Reed served with distinction on: the Rowan University Board of Trustees, President of the New Jersey Association of Counties & the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey, chairperson of the Monroe Township Welfare Board, member of the: Monroe Township Planning Board, Monroe Township Zoning Board, Monroe Township Administrative Committee, and as commissioner to the Tri-County Joint Insurance Fund.

Helene Reed was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, trailblazer, pioneer, role model, and exceptional public servant who was a tireless advocate for others, and will be deeply missed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join with me in mourning the loss and honoring the legacy of the late Helene Reed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 3395, a bill originally introduced by Representative Meehan of Pennsylvania, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Sandra Love, a constituent of New Jersey's First Congressional District and distinguished public servant.

Mrs. Love served as a New Jersey General Assemblywoman, representing the State's Fourth Legislative District. Prior to ``Sandi's'' tenure in the Legislature, she was the long time mayor of Gloucester Township, New Jersey, serving three terms from 1994 to 2006.

Among Mrs. Love's Mayoral accomplishments: the establishment of an Economic Development Advisory Committee, forming the Gloucester Township Human Relations Committee, creating a welfare-to-work program, developing the Gloucester Township Ministerial, and assisting in an effort that raised a substantial amount of relief funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In addition, Sandi Love was a board member for the Council on Affordable Housing, served on the Gloucester Township Housing Authority, was a member of the Gloucester Township Scholarship Committee, and was a trustee for Camden County Health Services.

Despite her many public constituents and busy schedule, Sandi Love actively volunteered in the community she loved, contributing her time to the Special Olympics and serving as a trustee for the Mainstage Center for the Performing Arts.

For her dedicated civic engagement and commitment to help others in her advocacy, Mrs. Love was honored with the Women Who Make a Difference Award, a Blackwood Rotary Club Paul Harris fellowship, the Camden County Martin Luther King, Jr. award, and a YWCA Award.

Mrs. Love was the wife of Al, mother to Jason (Sara) and Jeffrey (Jen), and grandmother to Cordelia, Sophia, Ian, and August. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, neighbors, community members, and colleagues in public service.

Mr. Speaker, Sandi Love was an exceptional community leader. Mrs. Love's service, sacrifice, and compassion will forever endure in South Jersey. I ask you to join me in honoring the memory of The Honorable Sandra Love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William R. Hosey, a constituent of Haddon Heights, Camden County, located in New Jersey's First Congressional District, on the occasion of his retirement as assistant business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local Union 351.

Mr. Hosey has been a member of IBEW for 37 years, serving as president, business agent, and assistant business manager. In his roles and responsibilities, Mr. Hosey has represented more than 2,300 IBEW members and distinguished himself as an influential labor advocate for fair, equal, and safe working conditions for the hardworking men and women of Southern New Jersey.

Brother Hosey is a 1978 graduate of Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey, and graduated in 1986 from an electrical apprenticeship.

Throughout his career, Brother Hosey has been a valued member of IBEW Local 351 & 439's Pension, Annuity and Health and Welfare Funds.

Mr. Hosey has also served on the Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee, Camden County Planning Board, Camden Economic Recovery Board, Union Building Trades Credit Union Advisory Board, and as Chairman of the Camden County Improvement Authority. Mr. Hosey will continue his passionate advocacy for the hardworking men and women of the region, in his capacity as President of IBEW Local Union 351.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in celebrating William R. Hosey for his devotion to the South Jersey International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the primary sponsor of H.R. 138, a bill originally introduced by Representative Conyers of Michigan, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, March 5, the President's self-imposed deadline, has come and gone, and there is still no solution for Dreamers.

We know them as Dreamers. The President knows them as human bargaining chips. They make up the fabric of our country. They sit next to our children in classes. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our families.

I am here to tell a story about my family, one you may not know.

My son joined the Army and was stationed in South Korea, where he met a lovely young lady. He finally and she finally got together, and they were married and stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, together, where my granddaughter was born. It was a very proud day.

Later that same year, I got a call in the middle of the night from my son, who was crying, saying that his wife was going to be deported. I said: Deported where?

Apparently, some misfiled paperwork had shown up. My daughter-in-law is a Dreamer. She served our country and would give her life up.

Pass the Dream Act now so the current generation of Dreamers can obtain the same thing as my daughter-in-law did.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of the late Russell N. Collins, Jr., of Palmyra, New Jersey, for his service to our nation.

Russell N. Collins Jr. was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1925. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School where he was a gifted drum player in the school band. Upon learning of the surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Mr. Collins enlisted into the United States Navy and proudly served his country during World War II as an original crew member of the USS New Jersey (BB-62), from 1943 to 1946.

After the war, Mr. Collins returned home to New Jersey and married his high school sweetheart, Helen S. Collins. They were married more than fifty years until Mrs. Collins' passing in 2004.

Later in life, Mr. Collins would return to the Battleship New Jersey, where he served as a volunteer and valued member of the floating Museum and Memorial along the Camden, New Jersey waterfront.

Mr. Collins is remembered by those close to him as having a hearty laugh, a gentle grin and was adept at storytelling. He was a Mason, a Shriner and an Odd Fellow, and was never seen without his USS New Jersey hat.

On December 21, 2017, Mr. Collins passed away at the age of 92. He was the last museum volunteer who served as a U.S. Navy sailor on the Battleship during World War II. Mr. Collin's life was a rich collection of love, friendship, loyalty, bravery, and heroism.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Russell N. Collins, Jr. was a true American hero. I ask you to join me in celebrating this patriot and his selfless sacrifices on behalf of our grateful nation.