Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024.

Before I start my remarks, I echo my colleagues' thanks and gratitude to Grace Napolitano. I personally thank her for tapping me to be the vice ranking member of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee where she has served us so honorably. While I know that the title ``Queen of Water'' is taken, perhaps princess is up for grabs.

Mr. Speaker, I thank, again, Congresswoman Napolitano for her service and for all she has done for her constituents and the entire country.

This bipartisan legislation authorizes projects for water and wastewater infrastructure that are critical to the strengthening of the flood protection resiliency of our communities and to complete ecosystem restoration that maintains America's vital natural resources.

WRDA authorizes $49 million in new authorities in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, which I represent, to allow the United States Army Corps of Engineers to contribute their expertise to the development of new and existing environmental infrastructure projects that not only improve water and sewer infrastructure for our local communities but bolster our economic competitiveness.

I am proud to have advocated for these resources, and now to vote for their authorization, so that communities in my district have access to the infrastructure they need to flourish.

For example, in Summit County, $25 million has been authorized to fund projects such as Akron's water main and lead service line replacement, Fairlawn's West Market Street waterline replacement and Rosemont Preserve project, New Franklin's South Main Street stormwater replacement, and Barberton's Stratford Street waterline project.

In Stark County, $24 million has been authorized to fund projects such as the Canton's Cromer water storage reservoir replacement project and North Lawrence's sanitary sewer project.

With these projects, residents of Ohio's 13th District will benefit from clean water and improved infrastructure, but these projects will also help lay the foundation for vibrant, thriving communities full of opportunity.

I ask my colleagues in Congress to support this life-sustaining and economic-growth-yielding legislation.

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

Last month, while on the job, pizza delivery driver Kendra Santiago saved a man's life in Fairlawn, Ohio. While she was taking his order over the phone, Kendra became concerned about his speech patterns. As a former nurse's aide who is also pursuing a career as an EMT, Kendra volunteered to make the delivery.

When she arrived at the man's house in Fairlawn, his wife told Kendra that he was no longer breathing. Kendra sprang into action and helped stabilize the man until paramedics arrived. Kendra visited the man several times in the hospital during his recovery, extending her care and concern to her neighbor.

She says she hopes that this will inspire others in our community to learn how to identify the common signs of a stroke, seizure, and other potential health risks. Ohio's 13th Congressional District is home to many champions just like Kendra who work hard every day and don't hesitate to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need.

Kendra's selfless act is a shining example of why our district is known as the birthplace of champions.

We thank Kendra and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors, especially her endeavor in becoming an EMT. I hope she continues to inspire our community just as she has inspired me and the entire country.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Boardmember Michelle Newman for her service on the Ohio State Board of Education, and my sincere gratitude for all that she has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated her partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

Her drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that she has bettered countless lives as a result of her steadfast service. Throughout her time in office, she proved to be a true public servant and leader. She has led by example through her perseverance, compassion, and dedication to her role in the community.

As she goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank her for her commitment to the people of Northeast Ohio and our entire state.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Judge Dixie Park for her service as a Stalk County Probate Judge, and my sincere gratitude for all that she has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated her partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

Her drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that she has bettered countless lives as a result of her steadfast service. Throughout her 21 years in the position, she has proven to be a true public servant and leader. Since taking the bench, she has been a champion for seniors and the disabled, and led by example through her perseverance, compassion, and dedication in her role in the community and those she served.

As the first woman to serve as a Stark County Probate Judge, she has undoubtedly inspired the coming generation of young women to stand strong for what they believe in and strive for positions of leadership.

For her outstanding devotion, she has earned the respect and esteem of many, and in the wake of her departure, I know her numerous contributions will not be forgotten. I am confident that her fine character and decisive leadership will be solely missed.

As she goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Again, on behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I would like to thank Judge Dixie Park for her commitment to the people of Stark County and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Reggie Stoltzfus for his service in the Ohio General Assembly, and my sincere gratitude for all that he has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated his partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

His drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that he has bettered countless lives as a result of his steadfast service. Throughout his time in office, he has proven to be a true public servant and leader. He led by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As he goes on to continue serving his community in new ways, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his commitment to the people of Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Sheriff George Maier for his service as the Stark County Sheriff, and my sincere gratitude for all that he has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated his partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

His drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that he has bettered countless lives as a result of his steadfast service. Throughout his time in office, he proved to be a true public servant and leader. He led by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As he goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his commitment to the people of Stark County and Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Judge John Wise for his service on the 5th District Court of Appeals, and my sincere gratitude for all that he has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated his partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

His drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that he has bettered countless lives as a result of his steadfast service. Throughout his time in office, he has proved to be a true public servant and leader. He led by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As he goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his commitment to the people of Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Councilwoman Gloria Rodgers for her service on Summit County Council, and my sincere gratitude for all that she has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated her partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

Her drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that she has bettered countless lives as a result of her steadfast service. Throughout her time in office, she proved to be a true public servant and leader. She led by example through her perseverance, compassion, and dedication to her role in the community.

As she goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank her for her commitment to the people of Summit County and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Judge Scott Gwin for his service on the 5th District Court of Appeals, and my sincere gratitude for all that he has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated his partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

His drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that he has bettered countless lives as a result of his steadfast service. Throughout his time in office, he proved to be a true public servant and leader. He led by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As he goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his commitment to the people of Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Commissioner Janet Weir Creighton for her service as a Stark County Commissioner, and my sincere gratitude for all that she has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated her partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

Her drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that she has bettered countless lives as a result of her steadfast service. Throughout her 40 years in public service, she has proven to be a true advocate and leader. She led by example through her perseverance, compassion, and dedication in her role in the community and those she served.

As a woman in a position of influence, and sometimes the first woman in her various roles throughout her career, she has undoubtedly inspired the coming generation of young women to stand strong for what they believe in and strive for positions of leadership.

For her outstanding devotion, she has earned the respect and esteem of many, and in the wake of her departure, I know her numerous contributions will not be forgotten I am confident that her fine character and decisive leadership will be sorely missed.

As she goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. Again, on behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I would like to thank Commissioner Janet Weir Creighton for her commitment to the people of Stark County and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Judge Patricia Delaney for her service on the 5th District Court of Appeals, and my sincere gratitude for all that she has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated her partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

Her drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that she has bettered countless lives as a result of her steadfast service. Throughout her time in office, she proved to be a true public servant and leader. She led by example through her perseverance, compassion, and dedication to her role in the community.

As she goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank her for her commitment to the people of Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Judge Jim James for his service on the Stark County Court of Common Pleas, and my sincere gratitude for all that he has done for the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' I have appreciated his partnership as we worked together to expand opportunity and deliver results for our shared constituents.

His drive to lead is commendable, and I have no doubt that he has bettered countless lives as a result of his steadfast service. Throughout his time in office, he proved to be a true public servant and leader. He led by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As he goes on to continue serving our community in new ways, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his commitment to the people of Stark County and Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and mourn the loss of Ohio State Senator Kirk Schuring, a true advocate and champion for the people of Stark County, Ohio.

Senator Schuring was a dedicated public servant who took great pride in serving Stark County for over three decades in the Ohio General Assembly as both a member of the house of representatives and the senate.

Senator Schuring held multiple leadership positions during his time in the general assembly, including as senate president speaker pro tempore, and acting as speaker of the house.

Among his advocacy was his tireless work to provide the freedom for communities to create their own joint economic development districts and the creation of the Akron-Canton Metroplex to generate additional job opportunities and economic growth in the region.

I had the honor of working alongside Senator Schuring in the Ohio House of Representatives, where I witnessed firsthand his commitment to the people of northeast Ohio. Serving with Senator Schuring was a pleasure, and he was known as a reliable leader who found a way to work across the aisle and in support of his constituents every day.

As a first-term legislator, Kirk took me under his wing, a Democrat, because he was so deeply concerned about the work and did not allow partisan politics to get in the way of protecting our communities.

Notably, Senator Schuring was monumental in helping me pass House Bill 1, a bill to protect victims of dating violence. Surely, without his leadership, this bill would not have become law.

Without a doubt, Senator Schuring left a mark on Stark County and the State of Ohio. For his outstanding devotion to our community, he earned the respect and esteem of many. In the wake of his passing, his numerous contributions will not be forgotten.

Though his presence will be truly missed, his memory will live on through those he advocated for and his family, including his wife, Darlene; their son, J. Derrick; daughter-in-law, Allison; daughter, Kristen; and their six grandchildren, Preston, Parker, Quinn, Owen, Everett, and Lucy, whom he loved deeply. Thus, with deepest sympathy, I pay tribute to a truly phenomenal individual, Senator Kirk Schuring.

Congratulating Senator Vernon Sykes on His Retirement

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of a truly dedicated and true public servant, Ohio State Senator Vernon Sykes, the ultimate statesman, who is retiring from the Ohio General Assembly.

As the Member of Congress representing Ohio's 13th Congressional District, but most importantly as his daughter, it is my privilege to congratulate Senator Sykes on a distinguished career and extend my sincere gratitude for all that he has done for the people of Akron and the State of Ohio for his nearly 50 years in public service.

Senator Sykes' career as a legislator began in 1980 when he was appointed as the Ward 3 Councilmember in the city of Akron. In 1983, he was then appointed to the Ohio State House, becoming the first Black person to represent Summit County in the Ohio General Assembly. He would eventually serve as the chair of the Ohio House Finance & Appropriations Committee, in the Ohio State Senate as the co-chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, and as a professor emeritus of political science and former director of the Columbus Program in State Issues at Kent State University.

Go Flashes.

In the legislature, he became a champion for early education, criminal justice reform, economic development, and so much more. Notably, Senator Sykes passed the toughest fair housing law in the country, the State of Ohio's first legislation to compensate the wrongfully imprisoned, and was the lead sponsor of two constitutional amendments to end the scourge of gerrymandering in Ohio that were approved by over 70 percent of the voters.

During his time in public office, Senator Sykes championed the people of our community, and he is the example of true selfless public service. He has always put the people of our community first, and his deep desire to serve his community is an inspiration to all who have had the opportunity to experience his passion for people and for public service.

For his advocacy, Senator Sykes has earned numerous awards and accolades, including the Public Elected Official of the Year Award; the Champion for Working Families from Ohio AFL-CIO; alumni awards from his alma maters, the University of Akron, as well as Ohio University.

My father is one of the main reasons I am standing here on the House floor today. He and my mother, who is also a public servant, taught me the value of hard work from a young age and equipped me with constant support and encouragement.

Mr. Speaker, today Senator Sykes is giving his farewell speech in the Ohio Senate, and I can't be there because of scheduled votes today, so I am doing the next best thing and giving him his flowers on the floor of the United States House of Representatives as a symbol of his legacy to the city of Akron, Summit and Portage Counties, the State of Ohio, the United States of America, and the entire global community.

It is not often elected leaders can brag about such impactful and prominent careers. Senator Sykes can, but he won't because he is simply too humble to do so. Thus, I am doing it for him.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate and thank Senator Vernon Sykes, my dad, on a storied career as a legislator at the State and local level and for over 40 years of outstanding service and devotion to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9322 to designate the United States Post Office located at 675 Wolf Ledges Parkway in Akron, Ohio, as the Judge James R. Williams Post Office Building.

This bill has earned unanimous bipartisan support from every member of the Ohio delegation, and I thank my colleagues from the Ohio delegation for lending their names to this bill.

Judge James R. Williams lived an impressive and meaningful life that continues to impact Ohio's 13th Congressional District through his life's work as a civil rights leader, city councilman, civic leader, judge, scholar, and veteran.

Born in Columbus, Mississippi, Judge Williams moved to Ohio following Active-Duty service in the United States Army. He attended the University of Akron and was one of the first Black students to graduate from the university's school of law, blazing a trail for a more inclusive and diverse legal field.

After law school, Mr. Williams went into private practice until 1978, when he was appointed as the United States attorney for the Northern District of Ohio by President Jimmy Carter. Six years later, he was appointed as judge for the Akron Municipal Court and elected to that court in 1985 and 1987.

Judge Williams became the first Black judge to serve on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas when he was appointed to the bench in 1989. He was elected three more times, serving the people of Summit County, including presiding over several high-profile cases of national importance.

Mr. Speaker, if I may, I had the opportunity to work with Judge Williams when I was a summer law clerk at the Akron Municipal Court, and he was a tough but fair jurist. He reminded me that coming to the court, you will see people who are experiencing perhaps the worst day of their life, and you have to remember that your job is to provide justice and kindness to those before you.

Judge Williams' distinguished service continued in his private life as a civil rights activist and leader for many civic organizations, including as secretary of the Akron NAACP and vice-president of the Ohio NAACP.

Mr. Speaker, on a special note, Judge Williams was elected as the 25th general president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the oldest intercollegiate fraternity for Black men, where he was the principal founder of the Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Incorporated, a visionary nonprofit responsible for building 1,600 housing units in northeast Ohio, including low-income and senior housing units in 10 northeast Ohio communities.

Today is Alpha Phi Alpha's 118th celebration. I can't think of a more fitting way to recognize the fraternity and its 25th general president than with the naming of this post office.

Judge Williams was a legal luminary whose unwavering dedication to justice paved the way for future generations of leaders in Akron and across the country. I am proud to lead the effort to rename the Wolf Ledges Post Office in Akron to honor his memory and to serve as a reminder of the ongoing impact of his legacy on our community.

Sadly, Judge Williams passed away in 2020. Upon his passing, his wife, Jewell, offered these words from an old hymn that summed up his character which said: May the work I have done speak for me. May the service I give speak for me.

Mr. Speaker, I hope you and all of my colleagues will join me in honoring Judge James Williams' lifetime of accomplishments and legacy of service by voting in favor of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable achievements of the Archbishop Hoban Knights varsity golf team and, in particular, the outstanding senior member, Chris Pollack, as the Ohio 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

At the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships held at the NCR Golf Course in Kettering, Ohio, the Knights secured their second Division I State title in school history, a true testament to their hard work.

The team triumphed with an impressive 17-stroke victory, finishing with a total score of 595. Their closest competitor led on the first day, but ultimately, the Knights prevailed to win their second championship. This victory is especially commendable given the challenging conditions on the second day, where rain and cold temperatures significantly impacted the field.

Senior Chris Pollack captured the individual State championship with a remarkable score of 142. He edged out his competitor by just two strokes, maintaining his composure to shoot a consistent 71 for both days of the competition, ultimately finishing as the tournament medalist.

Chris will continue his impressive golf career at Florida Southern College, an NCAA Division I institution in the State of Florida. This senior certainly has a bright future ahead of him.

Again, I congratulate the Archbishop Hoban Knights varsity golf team, Coach Quinn Parker, senior Chris Pollack, and the entire Archbishop Hoban High School for their remarkable State championship in the Division I golf finals. They are truly what skill and dedication mean and what makes Ohio's 13th Congressional District the birthplace of champions.