Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Edward Viner, MD on his Retirement.

Dr. Edward Viner, a graduate of Harvard College, earned cum laude status before continuing his education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. During his time at the University, he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. For two years following the completion of his residency, Dr. Viner completed a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology with his alma mater at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Edward Viner is a trailblazer and leader. Through his own personal experience as a critically ill-patient a few years prior, Dr. Edward Viner roughly 50 years ago decided to begin the first hospice program in the entire Philadelphia region. A major step toward his mission of improving end of life care throughout the nation. Through his expertise and hard work, Dr. Viner was invited to testify before the House of Representatives Select Committee on Aging only 10 years after starting the program.

Dr. Edward Viner stepped into the role of Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Hospital in 1987 and remained in the position for another twenty years. During his tenure, he led the development of an academic Department of Medicine and created Cooper's Suburban Practice Network. Under his guidance, Cooper University Hospital adopted a hospitalist system to care for patients and is recognized as the first in the Philadelphia region to do so.

Today, he is recognized for his unrelenting effort toward the creation of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, the 135th allopathic medical school in the United States. For his efforts, he was honorarily named the first Dean of the school in 2009. He is a board member of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and is the recipient of several awards dating back to 1984 when he received the Philadelphia Caring Award for his work to provide hospice care to the region.

Dr. Edward Viner has been listed in Who's Who in America and has been acknowledged several times as one of the nation's best doctors. Dr. Viner received Laureateship from the American College of Physicians in 2003 before achieving Mastership within the college as well. He has been recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanism in Medicine from the school he fought so hard to create as well as, the prestigious Strittmatter Award from the Philadelphia County Medical Society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Dr. Edward Viner of Cooper University Hospital, a practitioner dedicated to his community and who has thoroughly served his patients to the best of his ability.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to welcome guest chaplain, Head Granthi Giani Jaswinder Singh, who made history today as the first Sikh to serve as guest chaplain in the United States House of Representatives.

Giani Singh proudly serves the people of South Jersey at the Gurdwara in Pine Hill in my district. His spiritual leadership has helped foster a vibrant Sikh community.

The history made today by Giani Singh is a reminder that the United States welcomes and values all and will remain committed to free expression of religion.

Giani Singh has made South Jersey proud today, and it is an honor to be a part of this moment with him. I thank him for leading the prayer and for the work he does in our community each and every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the nearly 150,000 United Auto Workers who are fighting for fair pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions.

These workers have built $250 billion in profit for the Big Three automakers over the past decade, but they have been left behind. The Big Three CEOs, the big bosses, have increased by an estimated 40 percent in their compensation over the last 4 years, but workers over the last 4 years, 6 percent--a measly 6 percent.

To put that in perspective, Big Three corporate bosses, $12,000 an hour. Those starting wages for the autoworkers, 18 bucks an hour.

This says it all. It should be fair, but this is unjust and unacceptable. Workers deserve a fair wage and benefits that reflect their hard work.

Mr. Speaker, we urge them to be supported.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James Prochaska. James (Jim) O. Prochaska was an internationally renowned expert on behavior change and co-developer of the transtheoretical (stages of change) model that revolutionized our prevention and treatment of health problems. He died on July 9, 2023, after a special week with family and friends on Star Island.

Born on August 6, 1942, into modest surroundings, Dr. Prochaska achieved the American Dream of education, excellence, and service. He earned his baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate in clinical psychology from Wayne State University. He was a Professor of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island from 1969 and founding Director of the Cancer Prevention Research Consortium there. Dr. Prochaska had over 50 years of psychotherapy experience in a variety of settings and consulted to a host of clinical and research organizations. He was the principal investigator on grants from the National. Institutes of Health totaling over $90 mill ion and was recognized by the Association of Psychological Science as one of the most cited authors in psychology.

His 50 book chapters and 300+ scholarly articles focused on self- change, health promotion, and psychotherapy from a transtheoretical perspective, the subject of his professional book, The Transtheoretical Approach, and his 2 popular self-help books, Changing for Good and Changing to Thrive. An accomplished speaker, he offered workshops and keynote addresses throughout the world.

Among his numerous awards were the Rosalie Weiss Award from the American Psychological Association, Innovators Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Beckham Award for Excellence in Education and Inspirational Leadership from Columbia University, and the Fries Health Education Award from the Society for Public Health Education.

He was the first psychologist to win a Medal of Honor for Clinical Research from the American Cancer Society and he was recognized as one of the top 3 preeminent clinical psychologists of the modern era in the Archives of Scientific Psychology.

Dr. Prochaska's ultimate accomplishments, however, were helping millions of people effectively change their behavior and establishing his loving family. For decades, Jim made his home in Rhode Island before retiring to California with his wife, Jan, so that they could be closer to their 2 children (Jason, Judith/Jodi) and their 5 grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Dr. James Prochaska.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Eloise Good for her 100th birthday celebration.

On July 16, 2023, family and friends gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Mrs. Eloise Good at Lucien's Manor in Berlin, New Jersey. Eloise Good was born on July 14, 1923, in Virginia. She moved to Glassboro, New Jersey, as a teenager where she later met her husband Pearly L. Good and continued to raise her family there.

Mrs. Eloise Good has been a hardworking and active community member and citizen. As a teenager, she organized a Christmas Savings Club for her neighborhood to enable them to save money during the holiday season, eventually recruiting members from all over her community. Mrs. Good is a longtime active member of the Democratic party. She served as a poll worker for a decade and worked on Governor James Florio's campaign for both New Jersey State Assembly and Governor.

In 1980, the Good family moved to Camden where she continued her efforts to support her community by successfully organizing a petition against the St. Lawrence Cement Plant in Camden, New Jersey, in opposition to the environmental threats the plant posed to her South Camden neighborhood. Furthermore, Mrs. Good is a committed and active member of the NAACP.

Eloise Good comes from a devoted military family. Her father, Henry Lee-Finney, fought in WWI and her husband served in WWII. Her grandson, Malcolm Sykes, served in the United States Marine Corps from 1989 to 1991, in the Army National Guard from 1998 to 2005, and in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005. Another grandson, Jefferey Ferren, honorably gave his life in defense of this country on April 2, 2012, while on duty in the United States Navy. His widow, Gabrielle Kubinyi, is a member of the Gold Star Family.

Eloise and Pearly Good were married for 72 years until his passing in 2014. Today, she is a mother of 7 adult children, 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Eloise Good is a shining example of what it means to lead a life filled with purpose and compassion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and celebrating the 100th birthday of Mrs. Eloise Good of the City of Camden, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to her community and who has thoroughly served them to the best of her ability.

Be it known to all, that I hereby honor Eloise Good, and extend great appreciation for outstanding service to our community.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, prohibiting funds for electric vehicles, electric chargers, and photovoltaic technology?

Over the past 4 years, every Army and every Marine Corps uniformed officer who testified before our Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee has been crystal clear: electrification of combat and tactical vehicles has tremendous operating promise and value. That is what they, the experts, tell us.

This capability is needed sooner rather than later.

In every meeting I have had with military leaders on electrification, they talk about electric vehicle operational value, that this is a proven tactical capability that will make our ground forces more mobile, lethal, and survivable.

This is about fighting and winning. This is not a climate issue. This is about giving our warfighters the best equipment.

Mr. Chair, when you walk down the street, do you hear those electric cars? No, you don't. That is exactly why they want this. It is because they are quiet. They don't put out the heat signature of combustion engines.

This isn't made up accidentally. This is the testimony from military leaders over the last 4 years, starting with the Trump administration and now continuing with the Biden administration.

This is important. Our military leaders say they support electrification. It is not for climate change. It is about operational value for our warfighters.

It is insane that we want to take away from our warfighters a vehicle that can be safe to sneak up on somebody, not to say: Hey, I am here, folks.

By the way, they charge. That is great. Mr. Chair, do you know what happens to vehicles? They run out of gas. The very first prisoner of war during the Iraqi invasion was from a fuel truck that made a wrong turn.

We understand those challenges, but this is about giving our warfighters what they need, the operational need, the equipment. Not to mention that by pulling down photovoltaic, we are shutting down any satellite in the future because, do you know what, Mr. Chair? They don't have extension cords in space. They need solar panels, and you are trying to shut it down. It is unbelievable.

Mr. Chair, I urge so strongly the opposition to this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I would just remind everybody that we used to ride horses into battle. It doesn't make them wrong, but I don't think they work too well today. There are certainly plenty.

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of the committee.

Mr. Chair, I remind everybody that we do not allow Chinese-made solar panels on our satellites, and that facts do count.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the ranking member of the committee.

Mr. Chairman, I would just remind everybody, this is an operational need that came from the experts, those who testified before our committee over the last 4 years, that they want this, they need this, and they understand.

It is a proven technology to give our warfighters that tactical equipment that they need, and I strongly urge opposition to this amendment.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Roland Traynor, Riverfront Stage Dedication.

Roland Traynor served as the architect of Camden County's free summer concert series where he began as a laborer for the Camden County Parks Department in 1972. As the architect, Mr. Traynor has provided Camden County with decades of access to world-class artists across all genres of music.

For the last 35 years, music has played a huge role in Roland's life. Although he retired in 2011, he is brought back each year as a consultant to help the county successfully carry-out the summer concert series. The series has been held at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey and at Haddon Lake Park in Haddon Heights, New Jersey.

The Camden County Board of Commissioners dedicates the River Stage at Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden, New Jersey in his

name to honor Mr. Traynor's commitment to making entertainment accessible to all residents of Camden County. His efforts as the architect of the summer concert series are fueled by his beliefs that music and entertainment should be the means to drive people to visit Camden, New Jersey; keeping him both active and work focused even in his time of retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Mr. Roland Traynor of Winslow Township, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his community and who has thoroughly served them to the best of his ability.

Be it known to all, that I hereby honor Roland Traynor, and extend great appreciation for outstanding service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Colonel Kirby Gross on his retirement.

Colonel Kirby Gross has served in the United States Army as a trauma surgeon for a span of 21 years. He has been deployed 10 times totaling over 5 years of combat service. Colonel Gross has served for 5 years of combat service, after being deployed a total of 10 times. Throughout Colonel Gross's career, he served in many positions that increased his positive influence on the lives of others.

During his 21 years of service, Colonel Gross served twice as the Joint Theater Trauma System Director, and the Theater Medical Director for Operation Inherent Resolve. Here, he was able to develop medical assets which provided care to injured soldiers within the theater, therefore improving battlefield care. Throughout his many positions, he was able to demonstrate empathy towards warriors, aiding many in their return to good health.

Colonel Gross served the country in many important and influential roles. He worked as the Commander of the 772nd Forward Surgical Team (FST) to Iraq, which is where he assumed the role of Chief of Surgery of the 10th Combat Support Hospital Directors of the Joint Trauma System (JTS), Chief of Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute (DMRTI), and Chief of Surgery of the Army Trauma Training Detachment (ATTD). He has been able to use his roles to improve care for wounded warriors, positively impacting their families and our Nation.

Today, Colonel Gross works diligently as an Army Trauma Surgeon in the Division of Trauma within the Section of Military, Diplomatic, and Field Surgical Affairs at Cooper University Health Care as part of the Army Medical Department, Military-Civilian Trauma Team Training Program. Colonel Gross's work has affected the lives of many, as he improved the survivability of soldiers throughout the Global War on Terrorism. His actions have influenced and encouraged an environment of achievement that will assuredly increase the survivability rate of military campaigns for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Colonel Kirby Gross, on behalf of a grateful nation for his dedication to our country and those who have bravely served and defended the United States of America to the best of his ability.

Be it known to all, that I hereby honor Colonel Kirby Gross, and extend great appreciation for outstanding service to our community.

Mr. Chairman, this bill continues the long, proud tradition of bipartisan work by the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, and it is the result of our commitment to work through and share responsibility on these tough decisions necessary to manage our Nation's military risk.

I especially want to thank my chairman, Chairman Rob Wittman, and his staff for their support in building this strong bipartisan bill.

Mr. Chairman, this bill carefully addresses affordability and achievability of the current and future modernization needs of our force. At the same time, this bill continues the oversight necessary to ensure accountability and responsible execution of DOD programs, including:

Tactical strike-fighter and rotary-wing aircraft programs to improve program management, reduce operational risk, remedy deficiencies, and support sufficient capability and capacity to meet current and future requirements;

The Department's manned and unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft and how we are meeting global requirements for these systems that we have invested in; and

Careful watch over the Army's ambitious modernization strategy and the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030 with its supporting modernization priorities.

Critically important for the United States, as well as for our friends and allies around the world, this bill continues what we started 4 years ago--before the beginning of the Ukrainian war--to identify and buy down modernization and safety risks in our munitions industrial base.

Mr. Chairman, this bill also includes language from the Military Industrial National Defense Supply Act, the MINDS Act, a bill that I introduced earlier this year, that talks about, once again, making sure that we collectively are working together. Additionally, this year, along with our most trusted allies and international partners, we are ensuring the security of our supply chain.

The world has changed, Mr. Chairman, and now the United States and its allies are truly an arsenal of democracies. This legislation, therefore, will help stabilize America's defense industrial base production and increase the security of both America and our allies' critical supply chains.

Finally, I thank the subcommittee's professional staff: Jay, Dave, Heath, Michael, and Max, and certainly the personal staff of my office who helped put this together to make this bill truly a functional, bipartisan bill. I urge its support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco, Hometown Hero.

Born and raised in Camden, New Jersey, longtime resident, Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco enlisted to serve in the United States Navy at the age of sixteen years old. From November of 1964 to November of 1968, Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco bravely served on active duty in the United States Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, California and saw three tours of duty in Vietnam. During his time in the service he exemplified commitment and exemplary conduct which earned him several accolades including the Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Champion Medal. His dedication was recognized, and he was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class Gun Fire Control.

After four years of active-duty service, Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco was honorably discharged from the United States Navy. When he returned home, he began his career with Lockheed Martin and his prior training allowed him to work on televisions. His commitment to making a positive impact on his community pushed him to pour his heart into mentoring athletes and teaching them the true value of teamwork, discipline, and determination. Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco's coaching left a lasting impact on his players as he instilled in them a sense of pride and camaraderie.

As a civilian, Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco continued to care for the fellow men and women who served, becoming an active member of the American Legion Post 473. The American Legion is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families which provided him a platform to continue his service beyond the Navy. His commitment to his fellow veterans and guidance from his brother, Robert, a Korean War veteran, led him to become Commander of Post 473, which he remains to this day. Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco works tirelessly to ensure that the veterans in his community receive the care, recognition, and support that they deserve. He has been able to assist both friends and other veteran communities through programs such as Home of the Brave. He has exemplified the qualities of a true leader, devoted patriot, and compassionate community member with an unwavering dedication to serving his country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Petty Officer 3rd Class Harry Glasco of Camden, New Jersey, as a resident dedicated to his community, country, and those who have bravely served and defended the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, family, friends, the community, police officers, and leaders from across the Nation, gathered inside Pfleeger Concert Hall at Rowan University on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 to celebrate the life, legacy and bravery of Officer Robert ``Bobby'' J. Shisler.

Officer Robert J. Shisler proudly served as a Police Officer for the Deptford Township Police Department. Born on October 22, 1995, Robert grew up in South Jersey. He graduated from Deptford High School in 2014, where he was an exceptional athlete, playing both varsity football and baseball.

Officer Robert J. Shisler continued his education and athletic career when he committed to play Division One baseball at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. He was also very passionate about hunting and weightlifting, taking first place in a bodybuilding competition in 2021.

Officer Robert J. Shisler will forever be remembered as a dedicated officer and a hero who gave his life to protect and serve his community, state, and country. His heroic actions and service, putting others safety above his own, will be etched in history for all to honor and remember.

Officer Robert J. Shisler was not only an exemplary officer, but he was also an excellent son, grandson, and brother. He came from a family committed to public service, working alongside his brother who currently serves as a Deptford Township Police Officer. He is survived by his parents Robert and Tracy, grandparents Marion, Robert, and Ethel, and his siblings Ashley and Tyler.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Officer Robert J. Shisler, for his outstanding service and his selfless dedication to the Deptford Township Police Department and community, the Great State of New Jersey and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend General President of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), Terry O'Sullivan, who is retiring after nearly 24 years of service.

Once one of the youngest union leaders in the nation, Terry dedicated his life to serving the members of LIUNA, fighting for middle class and working families, and advancing the broader labor movement in the United States.

As General President, Terry inspired workers and grew LIUNA's membership to one of the largest and most active unions in the nation. LIUNA built a reputation as a premiere energy and infrastructure union under his leadership, and more than half a million LIUNA members continue to power our economy.

After more than two decades of fighting for the working people of this country, Terry's impact on the labor movement will last for generations. The working men and women of the United States are lucky to have had Terry in their corner for 24 years, and we cannot thank him enough for his service.

Please join me in honoring and commending Terry O'Sullivan as we celebrate his extraordinary career and wish him happiness and success as he begins this new chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend General President of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Joseph Sellers, Jr., who is retiring after nearly 3 decades in SMART local and national leadership.

The son of a SMART sheet metal worker and local union officer, Sellers followed in his father's footsteps and began an apprenticeship in 1980 at Local 19 in Philadelphia before becoming a journeyman four years later. In 1994, he was elected to the Local's executive board and become its president and business manager in 2002.

After being elected to international leadership in 2009 and serving as the union's general secretary since 2011, Sellers became SMART's general president in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.

Under Sellers' leadership, SMART improved outreach and visibility to key stakeholders and policymakers on important issues to union members such as pensions, healthcare, and apprenticeships. His advocacy advanced diversity and inclusion in the union, and he established strong working relationships with members of Congress and the Biden Administration, where he helped champion the passage of the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act among many others.

The United States, SMART, and the working men and women of our country are better off because of the steadfast and visionary leadership of Joseph Sellers, Jr. He advanced the ideals of working people and fought to improve the quality of life for the American people. We are grateful for his decades of service to SMART, and his commitment to the working people and families of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Joseph Sellers, Jr., of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers as we celebrate his retirement and dedication to serving the organization and their many working families throughout his career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of New Jersey's finest, Deptford Township Officer Robert ``Bobby'' Shisler, who died last week after being shot in the line of duty in March. He was just 27 years old.

Born and raised in Deptford, Officer Shisler dedicated his life to serving and protecting his community. He served Deptford with honor and integrity and made south Jersey a better, safer place for all of us.

We must never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by the officer and all those who wear the uniform who protect us. We will always remember Officer Shisler for the hero that he is.

I am keeping his family, his friends, his fellow law enforcement officers, and the entire Deptford community in my thoughts and prayers.

May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Petty Officer Walter G. Eife.

Born and raised in Haddon Township, New Jersey, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife served in the United States Navy as a Radar Technician and Radio Operator. From 1955 to 1962, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife served on active duty in the United States Navy. He attended bootcamp in Bainbridge, Maryland before attending Radar/Electronics school in Norfolk, Virginia. First assigned to submarine duty on the U.S.S. Redfin, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife was transferred to U.S.S. DuPont where he helped to patrol the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine patrols.

During the Berlin Crisis, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife was again called to serve our Nation on active duty, stationed on the U.S.S. McNair. There he helped to patrol the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea on U.S.S. Wasp CVS 19, as a member of Hunter Killer Group Bravo. Their responsibility was to track and find Soviet submarines. Following his time on the west coast at Radar/Electronics school, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife was assigned to serve on the U.S.S. Basilone where he continued to assist in the efforts of tracking and locating Soviet submarines until 1965, when he was honorably discharged on St. Patrick's Day in Newport, Rhode Island. Following his active duty service, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife valiantly served our Nation for another two decades in the United States Naval Air Reserves.

As a civilian, Petty Officer Walter G. Eife utilized the knowledge gained in the military in his career where he dedicated thirty-five years to the telecommunications industry. Employed by Bell Telephone for twenty years prior to twelve years with AT&T, as well as another three years with Lucent Technologies. While working in the telecommunications industry, Petty Officer Eife served his fellow colleagues as President of Federation of Telephone Workers of Philadelphia, Local 12, which is recognized today as the Communications Workers of America.

Petty Officer Walter Eife has been a resident of South Jersey for the last 48 years. He is the husband of fifty-five years to Marge Eife, father of four Haddon Township High School graduates, and grandfather of fifteen. Petty Officer Walter G. Eife is a lifelong fervent volunteer across several local little leagues and high school sports. He has been a committed coach, umpire, writer for the local Retrospect newspaper, and served as Treasurer. He is also a dedicated member of the local VFW, American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association and Knights of Columbus, and is the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and more for his service overseas.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring and commending Petty Officer Walter G.

Eife of Haddon Township, New Jersey, a resident dedicated to his community, country, and those who have bravely served and defended the United States of America.