Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rachel Elizabeth Cargle as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week. This recognition honors her work as an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and public academic whose career sits at the intersection of truth-telling and care, and whose influence has reshaped conversations about race, feminism, and healing far beyond Akron's borders.

She first built a national audience through her essays, pushing the feminist movement to confront the ways it has sidelined and ignored Black women. That writing caught the attention of major outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time Magazine, and it positioned her as one of the sharpest public voices of her generation on questions of race and equity. In the years since, she has expanded into lecturing and teaching, but the thread connecting all of it has stayed the same: telling the truth is itself an act of care.

In 2019, she turned that principle into something concrete by launching The Loveland Foundation, which pays for therapy for Black women and girls. It started small, a birthday fundraiser powered by her own community, and has since become a genuine national resource: over 210,000 hours of culturally competent therapy provided, and more than $10 million put toward the healing of a community that is too often expected to give everything and receive care from no one. Few grassroots mental-health efforts in the country have grown this far on the premise that a person's ability to pay should never gate their access to support.

That same instinct showed up in her writing. Her debut book, A Renaissance of Our Own, is part memoir and part cultural critique, and it makes the case that people, Black women especially, deserve to build their lives by their own design rather than one inherited from someone else.

Even with a national platform, Cargle has stayed rooted in Akron. She owns Elizabeth's Bookshop and Writing Center, a home for literature and storytelling in the city that raised her, and she runs Ninth House, a consultancy that helps authors and thought leaders build lasting careers in publishing. Both are, at their core, about building something that outlasts her--infrastructure for the writers who come next.

I congratulate Rachel Elizabeth Cargle on her continued impact and thank her for the work she does in the spirit of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, proudly known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Airwoman Jayuana Tyler as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week. This recognition honors her remarkable accomplishments, her dedicated service to our country, and her many contributions to her community, and celebrates her outstanding service in the United States Air Force.

After her three-year deployment, Jayuana Tyler returned to Akron in September 2026. Appearing as a ``guest speaker'' at her sister's school, she surprised her sister and the rest of her family, a moment they had long awaited. The reunion was a joyful homecoming for a family who had missed her presence at every holiday, birthday, and milestone while she was away.

Airwoman Jayuana Tyler's excellence and impact started at a young age. After graduating from McKinley High School in 2019 with a 3.9 GPA, Tyler enlisted in the Airforce. In 2021, Tyler was named the 75th Air Base Wing Airman of the Year. This selection is reserved for those who demonstrate exceptional leadership, work ethic, and dedication to mission readiness. She was selected by leadership out of a highly competitive field of military and civilian personnel at Hill Air Force Base.

After graduating from Airman Leadership School, Jayuana Tyler went on to win the Levitow Award, the highest honor in Air Force Professional Military Education, celebrating her placement in the top 1 percent of her class upon graduation in 2022. The award highlights Tyler's academic excellence, hard work, and determination.

More recently, Jayuana Tyler was coined and personally recognized by Air Force Chief of Staff General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, the highest- ranking member of the Air Force, a distinction given only to those who exemplify outstanding service and commitment. As an aviation resource manager, she is responsible for critical squadron functions that keep aircrews qualified and mission-ready, work that directly supports our national defense.

I congratulate Jayuana Tyler. Her accomplishments and service to our Nation are a reflection of strength of Ohio's 13th District, and they exemplify why I am proud to call it the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charlie Landers as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week. This recognition honors his dedication to our district, his remarkable accomplishments, and his ongoing contributions to the community.

Charlie Landers is a 16-year-old high school student at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. After reading Plato's ``Republic,'' he was inspired to dive deeper into the realm of human ethics and technology. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Landers seeks to educate those around him about cyber safety, especially seniors. As part of his initiative, Landers has created and hosted his own workshops across the district.

During his series of workshops, he creates an environment that is open, friendly, personable, and welcoming, while simultaneously educational and informative. Landers believes it is important to take care of each other, as well as stay informed and share our knowledge in order to crack down on scams.

It was reported that last year, seniors in the United States lost more than $4.8 billion from more than 147,000 complaints. Nearly 25,000 occurred in Ohio, according to the FBI. At only 16, Charlie Landers took action to combat these issues by teaching people around him how to spot scams, fighting against the misuses of A.I., and saving community members from losing money.

This recognition honors his commitment to education, helping those around him, and his character. Landers thanks his educators, family, and friends for being his support system and encouraging him to create his workshop.

I congratulate Charlie Landers. His accomplishments and commitment to our district are a reflection of the strength of Ohio's 13th District, and they exemplify why I am proud to call it the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Dragon Dream Team, Ohio's first and only breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

Based in Akron and founded in 2007, the Dragon Dream Team was created to show that an active, fulfilling life is possible after a breast cancer diagnosis. Through teamwork, perseverance, and a shared commitment to supporting one another, these athletes have built a community that extends far beyond the water.

Recently, the team represented Northeast Ohio on the international stage at the 2026 International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in France. Competing alongside approximately 4,500 breast cancer survivor paddlers from 25 countries, the team finished second overall in the world in the 1,000-meter race, and first place among United States teams.

Beyond their athletic achievements, these remarkable women support breast cancer survivors throughout Northeast Ohio through community outreach, education, and service.

Their accomplishments demonstrate the power of resilience, camaraderie, and the human spirit. The team is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I am proud to recognize the Dragon Dream Team for representing our community with distinction and inspiring survivors everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to today recognize the crew at River Reach Construction in Barberton as Ohio's 13 District's Champion of the Week.

This summer, workers heard cries coming from inside one of the company's excavators. Operating supervisor Chase Guello followed the sound and freed a tiny kitten trapped at the bottom of the machine.

Unable to locate the kitten's mother, the crew turned to a local foster family to help nurse her back to health. They named their newest coworker Komatsu, or ``Sue'' for short, after the brand of excavator where she was found. After about two weeks in foster care, Sue returned to the crew that rescued her. Sue now has a permanent home with the company's shop mechanic, Jared, and his family. Once she is old enough, she will return to River Reach as the crew's resident shop cat, already outfitted with her own tiny safety vest and hard hat.

It is because of community members like the crew at River Reach Construction that I call my district the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dianna Warren as Ohio's 13th Congressional District champion of the week.

Dianna is a Canton native and proud graduate of Canton McKinley High School. She was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 6 and has dedicated over 40 years of advocating for and educating others about people with disabilities and promoting greater understanding and inclusion.

She has served as Ms. Wheelchair USA Ambassador and has won Ms. Wheelchair USA Ohio seven times. This year, she competed for Ms. Wheelchair USA All-Star, representing Ohio for its 30th anniversary.

Dianna has accomplished many milestones. Among them, she was the first disabled person to bowl in the Canton City Women's Tournament, and she was inducted into the Canton Women's Hall of Fame.

Dianna recently shared: ``It means a lot to me that I can open up so many more opportunities and continue to educate people about disabilities.''

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to judge the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant when it was held in the district, and I can tell you that these contestants from all over the country were inspiring, impressive, and the very best of American exceptionalism.

I congratulate Dianna on her many accomplishments, representing our community with such pride and helping to show why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proudly known as the Birthplace of Champions.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for bringing us together to highlight what we saw while we were home.

I also thank my colleague and neighbor to the north for sharing some of what she heard in Cleveland. It didn't change too much a little further down Route 77, and what we saw in Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

I am here to highlight those issues, about what we heard during our district work period. Just one word: affordability. Gas, groceries, housing, and healthcare all just cost too much, and wages aren't keeping up with the sharp increases that we have seen in these everyday essentials. Ohio's households are paying an average of $2,200 more per year in basic living expenses. They just don't have it.

Meanwhile, at home, young people stopped me to share that they are worried about the steep increases in gas prices. For example, the average price of a gallon of gas in Ohio has increased 37 percent since last year. That is $1.13 a gallon. That might not seem like that much to my colleagues who are in

California or New York, but if you are in Ohio and you are paying an extra $1.13, almost paying $5 per gallon, that is a little bit more than what we can handle.

Parents stopped me in the grocery stores because they are worried about keeping food on their tables with the price of meat, bread, and milk all rising this year, not to mention the continuous and ongoing recalls and the power outages that are making people throw all their food away that they already couldn't buy in the first place. Families are expected to spend hundreds of dollars more on their grocery bill than they did last year. That is on top of the fact that there are aggressive, aggressive cuts to SNAP benefits, making it all even worse.

During the work period, my office and I hosted several housing roundtables--several. I repeatedly heard from seniors who are worried about staying in their homes. Whether it is the cost of property taxes that are pricing them out, or whether they can't pay for improvements like ramps and railings to help them get around, they are concerned about whether or not they will be able to age in place.

Also, don't get them started on their children, who they just can't seem to get out of their basements. They are concerned that they will never be able to get their kids out of their homes because they simply cannot afford another place to live.

According to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the average rent in Ohio's 13th District has increased 16 percent since 2019, making housing less affordable for renters who are on a fixed income, but that is not even the half of it.

The cost of healthcare continues to rise, and harmful cuts to Medicaid and Medicare enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act began taking effect this year. That means that 37,000 residents in our area are seeing higher healthcare costs tied to the end of the enhanced ACA tax credits, while nearly 30,000 people are losing healthcare coverage due to changes in Medicaid and marketplace eligibility rules.

The State of Ohio saw the second highest number of people unenrolled--that means uninsured--because of the cuts to the ACA tax credits. For us in Ohio's 13th District, it is even worse because our largest employers are hospital systems, so not only are we talking about access to care, but we are talking about the people who work in these jobs. It is not just the doctors, the nurses, and the folks who provide direct care. The accountants, those in the supply chain, the people supplying toilet paper--all of this is going to impact my community. It is not only their health and well-being, but the economic backbone and our economic engine are suffering.

When I was elected to Congress, I promised to bring my constituents' voices with me to Washington. That is why I am here, even though the room is empty, standing here before you, Mr. Speaker, to raise awareness about rising costs and to offer some solutions. Maybe somebody will play the tape back since no one seems to want to be here for this important discussion, but I am going to go ahead and provide some solutions.

First of all, gas prices have skyrocketed. Why? It is because of Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran. The military actions have resulted in the loss of life for 18 servicemembers, with hundreds more injured. We don't even know some numbers because they are hiding them.

The costs to Americans are in the billions--billions of dollars. We cannot afford this reckless war. It is one of the reasons why gas prices are high, as well as the cost of goods.

I voted five times--five--one, two, three, four, five times to end this reckless war. Yet, here we are: new strikes on Iran with no end in sight.

As the co-leader in the Housing Affordability Working Group, I am leading legislation that lowers housing costs for renters and homeowners alike. I introduced the HOMES Act, which ends tax breaks for private equity firms buying up houses in Ohio and across the country, making it more difficult for people to find a place to live.

To bring down the cost of healthcare, I am fighting to reinstate the enhanced ACA tax credits and to repeal cuts to Medicaid and Medicare that will throw people off of their healthcare and put our hospitals at risk of closure. Visiting a doctor when you are sick shouldn't be a privilege reserved for just those who can afford it.

That is why I am also working to keep more money in people's pockets. My Lower Your Taxes Act expands the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit, and my No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act-- underline ``all''--will help you keep more of what you earn. That includes all workers and not just the few who are in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

I also supported the TIPS Act to end Federal income tax on tipped wages. I also voted for the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which has been signed into law, thankfully, because of our previous administration, ensuring that teachers, firefighters, and other public employees receive their full Social Security benefits.

Mr. Speaker, we have an affordability crisis here, and there are solutions available. The Democratic Caucus, as well as the CBC, is fighting for an affordable America, but Congress is doing nothing to solve the problem. My constituents can't wait. If we are being honest, Mr. Speaker, yours cannot wait either.

If we are not doing the will of the people, what are we even doing here? We are wasting time, energy, and more money than we already have. We must pass commonsense legislation to lower costs now before we head back home, because how dare we go campaign for our seats when we aren't making the lives of people in the United States of America better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Reeves family and Reeves Cake Shop as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week on August 7. This recognition honors their remarkable 50-year legacy of serving the Akron community and preserving a family baking tradition that spans more than a century.

Dolores and her late husband, Robert Reeves opened Reeves Cake Shop in 1976, and it has been a cherished part of countless celebrations across Summit County for the past five decades. Working alongside her son, Rick Reeves, and supported by members of the Reeves family, Dolores built not just a successful small business, but an institution in Akron's Kenmore neighborhood.

Dolores' love for baking began at home, watching her parents, Ada and William Bachtel, operate Bachtel's Bakery beginning in 1916. When she opened Reeves Cake Shop 60 years later, she carried that same passion forward, bringing those traditions to generations of Akron families.

For decades, the Reeves family has helped support life's biggest moments, from weddings and birthdays to graduations and holidays. Their dedication to making each order with care and attention to detail helped Reeves Cake Shop become a trusted part of the community.

After 50 years of service, Dolores and the Reeves family are retiring and closing Reeves Cake Shop on Christmas Eve. Their commitment to service reflects the spirit of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, proudly known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Congratulations to Dolores, Rick, and the entire Reeves family on an incredible 50 years of Reeves Cake Shop, and I wish them a well- deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Abby LaPole of Massillon as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week for July 27th after being awarded Stark County Girls Athlete of the Year.

Abby earned this honor following a historic career at Jackson High School. At this year's Ohio High School Athletic Association's Track and Field Championships, Abby captured her third consecutive state title in girls' seated shot put with a final-attempt throw of 21 feet, 7.5 inches. She leaves high school as a three-time state champion and the all-time Stark County record holder in the event, with her top throw of 23 feet, 5.75 inches this season cementing her place among the best athletes in Stark County history.

A dedicated student-athlete, Abby has spent years putting in the work to excel in competition while representing Jackson, Massillon, Stark County, and Ohio's 13th Congressional District with pride. Through her achievements, Abby has shown the strength of adaptive athletics and the opportunities available to athletes who pursue their goals at the highest levels of competition.

She embodies why our district is proudly known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

I congratulate Abby on this well-deserved recognition and celebrate all she has accomplished.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Dragon Dream Team as the Ohio 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

The Dragon Dream Team is Ohio's first group of breast cancer survivors participating in the team sport of dragon boating.

I am incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements as they prepare to represent Northeast Ohio next month at the 2026 International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission Participatory Festival in France.

Based in Akron, this team has spent 20 years showing that a breast cancer diagnosis does not define a person's future.

As board member Talie Schroeder shared, every woman in their boat has heard the words, ``You have breast cancer,'' yet every time they push off from the dock, they remind us that a diagnosis is not the end of their story.

I congratulate the Dragon Dream Team on 20 remarkable years and helping show why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proudly known as the Birthplace of Champions.

I wish them the best in France.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Marcus Christopher as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week after capturing the gold medal in BMX Park at the X Games in Chiba, Japan.

After previously recognizing Marcus for representing the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, I am proud to once again celebrate his achievements and the pride that he brings to our community.

Marcus earned his second career X Games gold medal and seventh X Games medal overall with a remarkable performance that showcased why he is one of the world's best BMX riders.

Marcus is a proud product of Stark County and a graduate of Lake High School.

After turning professional at just 13 years old, Marcus has continued to push the limits of BMX, or bicycle motocross, on the world's biggest stages.

I congratulate Marcus on this incredible achievement. His talent, determination, and dedication to his craft are exactly why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proudly known as the Birthplace of Champions.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Patience Kenimond as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

Patience represents the very best of our community. Her perseverance, dedication, and commitment to helping others are truly inspiring. She was recently recognized as this year's USA TODAY North Ohio Star Student, and I am proud to highlight her incredible achievements.

Throughout high school at Ellet Community Learning Center in Akron, Patience overcame extraordinary challenges while continuing to pursue excellence. Despite experiencing homelessness and facing significant transportation barriers, she found a way to get to school each day, sometimes riding her bike 22 miles and waking up as early as 5 a.m. Through her determination and hard work, Patience graduated second in her class.

Patience's accomplishments extend far beyond the classroom. For two and a half years, she conducted research alongside a University of Akron chemistry professor while also giving back through volunteer work, including making blankets for Akron Children's Hospital and participating in neighborhood cleanups.

This fall, Patience will continue her academic journey at the University of Toledo through a five-year program that will earn her degrees in pharmaceutical science and medicinal chemistry. Her goal is to become a pharmacologist and help develop treatments for epilepsy.

Patience's story inspired local readers to step forward and provide support toward her college expenses. She hopes to one day pay that generosity forward by creating a scholarship for students facing the same transportation challenges she overcame.

Patience Kenimond's resilience and commitment to helping others represent the very best of our district and serve as a reminder that Ohio's 13th Congressional District truly is the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Habitat for Humanity of Summit County as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

This recognition honors its 40th anniversary of creating affordable housing in the community.

Under the longstanding leadership of CEO Rochelle Sibbio, Habitat for Humanity of Summit County has devoted four decades to advocating for affordable housing and supporting sustainable development for families across the community.

Driven by a commitment to long-term solutions, Habitat has completed nearly 250 new homes and 400 home repairs and community projects.

Habitat homes are built on 30-year, zero-interest mortgages for each partner family and require the families to complete 250 ``sweat equity'' hours per adult before moving into their new home.

Families partner with Habitat to achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build a better future. This anniversary is a testament to the dedicated people in our community.

Organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Summit County are what make our district the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize six extraordinary high school athletes as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champions of the Week.

Last month, these young women demonstrated excellence, determination, and perseverance on Ohio's biggest high school track and field stage.

Jackson High School junior Gabby Whalen soared to a Division I state championship in the girls pole vault, showcasing the hard work and dedication that have made her one of Ohio's premier athletes.

The Buchtel High School girls 800-meter relay team of Jada Davis, Joslynne Bushner, Devonnah Smith, and Miniya Mitchell captured a state championship through teamwork, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to one another.

Their victory is a testament to the proud tradition of excellence at Buchtel and was just 0.2 seconds shy of the state record.

Finally, Tallmadge High School senior Allison Hay closed out her remarkable high school career by winning the Division II state championship in the 800 meters, an accomplishment that reflects years of dedication and perseverance.

These young women have represented their schools, families, and communities with distinction. Their achievements remind us why Ohio's 13th Congressional District continues to be the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

I congratulate Gabby, Jada, Joslynne, Devonnah, Miniya, and Allison on their outstanding accomplishments and proudly recognize them as the Champions of the Week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize six extraordinary high school athletes as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champions of the Week.

Last month, these young men demonstrated excellence, determination, and perseverance on Ohio's biggest high school track and field stage.

The Jackson High School boys 4x100-meter relay team, made up of Micah Regimbal, Preston Young, Jackson Baker, and Corey Jacobs, earned the title of state champion in the event and became their school's first boys track and field state champions.

Woodridge High School senior Ben LeBay earned an individual state title in the 1,600-meter run with a personal record of 4:13.5. Finally, Tallmadge High School senior Anthony Bontempo jumped to the top of the podium in the Division II high jump competition.

These young men have represented their schools, families, and communities with distinction. Their achievements remind us why Ohio's 13th Congressional District continues to be the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

I congratulate Micah, Preston, Jackson, Corey, Ben, and Anthony on their outstanding accomplishments and proudly recognize them as the Champions of the Week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.