Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Ohio's 13th Congressional District in our quest to become a leader in polymer innovation.

Ohio's 13th Congressional District made its mark as the rubber city capital of the world, building our middle class, growing our population, and literally supporting the movement of people all across the world.

Our community has proudly continued this legacy by becoming a trailblazer in polymer science and polymer engineering.

Last year, thanks to the combined efforts from a variety of local partners led by the Greater Akron Chamber, the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub was named as 1 of only 31 tech hub finalists across the country.

This designation was a significant achievement for our region and made our project eligible for tens of millions of dollars in additional funding through the Chips and Science Act. Now, the sustainable polymer tech hub is, once again, being considered for additional investment.

It is clear Ohio's 13th Congressional District is the perfect home for a tech hub devoted to developing the future of sustainable polymers.

Polymers touch every industrial sector, and this tech hub will help ensure

that northeast Ohio remains a global leader in innovation, while also boosting our local economy and creating good-paying jobs right here at home.

As a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, which is the committee that oversees the implementation of the Chips and Science Act which created the regional tech hub, I will continue to bring this to our district and specifically northeastern Ohio and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh who is retiring from the Summit County Prosecutor's Office as the longest serving prosecutor in the history of the county.

She was first elected 24 years ago and has served our community with diligence, professionalism, and dedication. Her final day is tomorrow, Friday, February 16.

Throughout her time as prosecutor, she has always advocated for victims and our community safety, ensuring that everyone was treated with dignity and proper care in our justice system.

In line with her championing of the most vulnerable in our community, Prosecutor Walsh led the State as the first prosecutor's office in Ohio to have a service dog named Avery as a companion to assist children who are victims and witnesses of crime.

She also created the Take Me Home Program to assist those with mental health conditions if they may wander from their home, Safety Kids Calendar, self-defense classes, and the Start By Believing, a program to support victims of sexual violence.

Her incredible and distinguished career also serves as an example to young women in Ohio's 13th Congressional District and beyond by inspiring our next generation of young women leaders.

Among her many career accolades include 59 State, national, and local awards including the Ohio Crime Victims Justice Center Models of Justice, Prosecutor of the Year, Elected Official of the Year, as a community leader who constantly and consistently champions causes for people with developmental disabilities, and Prosecutor of the Year from the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

On behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I thank Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh for her years of service, and I wish her all the best in the future.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise today to recognize Lawrence Allen Swoope II as the Champion of the Week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Swoope, as he is widely known, is a Christian hip-hop and gospel artist who was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and he is a shining example as to why our community is the birthplace of champions.

Swoope released his first extended play record, or EP, in 2010 called ``Applause Volume 1'' and has since released multiple studio albums that have made an impact on the Christian and gospel music charts, including his 2014 album ``Sinema,'' which peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Gospel Chart and was number 55 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Last week, Swoope won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song as a producer on the song ``Your Power.''

The son of Lawrence Allen Swoope I and the late Pastor Diana Lynn Swoope of Arlington Church of God in Akron, Swoope has continued the mission of the church and dedicated his life's work to spreading the Lord's message and bringing people together through his music and faith.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Swoope for this incredible accomplishment. Ohio's 13th Congressional District is proud of him, and we all wish him many more years of success in his endeavors.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Akron Police Detective Larry Rhodaback as the Champion of the Week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Detective Rhodaback has worked for the Akron Police Department for 22 years and was working a secondary job in an apartment building when a 23-month-old girl went unconscious.

Detective Rhodaback immediately jumped into action and instructed the child's father to put the toddler on the table so he could perform CPR while the child's father called 911 for help. His lifesaving rescue efforts continued until emergency medical services crews arrived at the scene and the young girl was able to be transported to Akron Children's Hospital.

Detective Rhodaback reacted without hesitation to provide the necessary care the child needed to stay alive until more help could arrive. I thank Detective Larry Rhodaback for his heroic service to our community and his dedication to keeping members of our community safe.

Mr. Speaker, from day one, I promised the people of Ohio's 13th Congressional District that I would do everything I could to lower everyday costs.

Due to high costs, too many families in Ohio's 13th District and across the country are lying awake at night trying to figure out how to pay their bills, put food on the table, and provide for their children. Hardworking Ohioans need relief, and they need it now.

I am proud to have supported the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. This progrowth, profamily, bipartisan bill delivers lower costs for families and small businesses in Ohio's 13th District. I am especially excited that this bipartisan bill expands the child tax credit, a policy I have consistently championed throughout my time in public service, including my time here in Congress, where last year I introduced my Lower Your Taxes Act, which also includes expansions to the child tax credit.

While the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act does not go as far as to fully restore the American Rescue Plan's child tax credit expansion like my legislation, this bipartisan bill will still make a significant difference for 37,000 children in Ohio's 13th Congressional District whose families are struggling to pay for medicine, school supplies, and other childcare expenses.

This is only the start of what Congress should pass to support our families. I will keep fighting for additional policies like my Lower Your Taxes Act, which will expand the child tax credit even more and expand the earned income tax credit.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Amanda Archer from Canton as the Ohio-13 Champion of the Week. Amanda is the first woman to lead Canton City Public Health as Health Commissioner in its 175- year history. In addition to working for the health department since 2014, she also worked as an epidemiologist in the Stark County Coroner's Office as an epidemiologist to inform decisions and policies to help prevent disease in the community.

This experience made her an easy fit as the lead epidemiologist for Canton's COVID-19 response in 2020, helping Canton residents understand critical information about the virus. Amanda has dedicated herself to the health and wellbeing of her community, and I am excited to see how she leads Canton City Public Health in her new role.

Congratulations once more to the Ohio-13 Champion of the Week, Amanda Archer.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Aarit Koul (Air-it Cool) from Jackson Memorial Middle School in Massillon as the Ohio-13 Champion of the Week. Aarit is the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Ohio's 13th Congressional District. As part of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge, Aarit designed an app called ``CareCivic,'' which is designed to encourage young people to become civically engaged.a

CareCivic includes information about our government and important events in United States history, as well as games like ping pong and trivia so you can learn while playing. Aarit's app is an impressive combination of technical skill and passion for civics rolled into one. Aarit's app helps teach younger generations just how precious our democracy is and why it's important they make their voices heard to create change on the issues they care about.

Congratulations once more to the Ohio-13 Champion of the Week, Aarit Koul.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1633, a bill originally introduced by Representative Johnson of Ohio, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Kathy Catazaro-Perry on her service as the Mayor of Massillon, 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.

Ms. Catazaro-Perry's 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 leads by example through her perseverance, compassion, and dedication to her role in the community.

As Ms. Catazaro-Perry 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 Ms. Catazaro-Perry for her commitment to the people of Massillon and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Bill Goncy on his service as the Mayor of Boston Heights, 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.

Mr. Goncy's 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 leads by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As Mr. Goncy 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 Mr. Goncy for his commitment to the people of Boston Heights and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Bernie Hovey on his service as the Mayor of Silver Lake, 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.

Mr. Hovey's 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 leads by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As Mr. Hovey 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 Mr. Hovey for his commitment to the people of Silver Lake and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Dan Horrigan on his service as the Mayor of Akron, 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.

Mr. Horrigan's 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 leads by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As Mr. Horrigan 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 Mr. Horrigan for his commitment to the people of Akron and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Richard Cole, Jr., on his service as the Mayor of Lakemore, 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.

Mr. Cole's 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 leads by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As Mr. Cole 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 Mr. Cole for his commitment to the people of Lakemore and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to David Kline on his service as the Mayor of Tallmadge, 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.

Mr. Kline's 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 leads by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As Mr. Kline 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 Mr. Kline for his commitment to the people of Tallmadge and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Gerard Neugebauer on his service as the Mayor of Green, 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.

Mr. Neugebauer's 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 leads by example through his perseverance, compassion, and dedication to his role in the community.

As Mr. Neugebauer 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 Mr. Neugebauer for his commitment to the people of Green and to Northeast Ohio.