Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Thomas Bernabei on his service as the Mayor of Canton, 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. Bernabei'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. Bernabei 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. Bernabei for his commitment to the people of Canton and to Northeast Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Kyle Cunningham from the Akron Police Department as the champion of the week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Officer Cunningham heroically saved a man's life who was attempting to jump over the side of the bridge. However, Officer Cunningham held on until he and another officer were able to pull the man over the railing.

Officer Cunningham represents the very best of our dedicated law enforcement officers who answer the call to serve and dedicate themselves to protect members in our community.

Through swift action and incredible bravery, Officer Cunningham was able to save a life and give this person a chance to receive the care and resources they need.

We are grateful for Officer Cunningham's act of heroism and his continued service with the Akron Police Department and look to him as a leader in the birthplace of champions.

Once again, on behalf of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, I offer congratulations and thanks to our champion of the week, Officer Kyle Cunningham.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the Walsh Jesuit High School girls soccer team as Ohio 13's Congressional District Champion of the Week.

Last month, the Walsh Jesuit Warriors girls soccer team won their first Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I State championship since 2016.

After a hard-fought game, the Warriors overcame Olentangy Liberty 2- 1. This win cements Walsh Jesuit's status as a soccer powerhouse with their 11th State title win since the year 2000.

The program holds the record for the most girls soccer State titles in Ohio, and their win is just more proof as to why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is the birthplace of champions.

This victory is not only a major accomplishment for these hardworking student athletes but also for their coaches, parents, and entire community that supported them along the way.

Congratulations again to the incredible Walsh Jesuit girls soccer team. I can't wait to see how you dominate on and off the pitch.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the Massillon Tigers high school football team as Ohio's 13th Congressional District champion of the week.

With a record-breaking season of 16-0, the Tigers won their first- ever Ohio High School Athletic Association Division 2 championship last week.

In a repeat of the Massillon versus Archbishop Hoban High School, another Ohio 13th District high school, playoff rivalry for the fifth time in 6 years, the Tigers edged out their opponents with a hard- fought 7-2 victory.

More than 14,000 fans filled the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium to cheer on the best of Ohio's 13th Congressional District, demonstrating just how much this team and this championship mean to the entire district.

This victory is a testament to the hard work and determination of these exceptional student athletes both on the field and in the classroom.

Once again, our phenomenal student athletes in Ohio's 13th Congressional District are reaffirming our district's legacy as the Birthplace of Champions and the City of Champions, which is the motto of Massillon.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Massillon Tigers for their hard work, and I hope they continue to dominate the world of sports one play at a time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bill Theiss from Jackson Township in Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Bill was recently named Stark County 2023 Military Veteran of the Year by the Greater Canton Veterans Council.

As we head into Veterans Day, I am honored to celebrate Bill as one of our community's selfless, brave heroes who has served our Nation.

For Bill, service to our Nation and protecting democracy is a family tradition. Two of his brothers and his father also served our Nation.

Fifty-seven years ago, Bill received his military draft notice, going on to serve two tours overseas in the Vietnam war as an officer in the United States Army from 1966 to 1970.

Now, Bill is a leader in the Stark County veteran community, where he volunteers to plan social events and works to assist homeless veterans.

Serving our Nation is an enormous sacrifice, but for Bill, his service didn't end with his military career.

Madam Speaker, I thank Bill for his lifetime of service to our country and for protecting our freedoms, and I congratulate him on being Stark County Military Veteran of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend yesterday's vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 514, and YEA on Roll Call No. 515.

Mr. Speaker, while extremists threaten to shut down the government if they don't receive reckless cuts to vital programs that families in Ohio's 13th Congressional District rely on, like Social Security, K-12 education, and nutrition assistance, I am committed to funding the government and keeping these critical services running.

My constituents are worried about how they will pay their bills or put food on the table if the government shuts down. That is why I introduced two bills last week, the Pay Our Military Act and the Feed Our Families Act. Both put people over politics to protect Americans' livelihoods in the case of a government shutdown.

The bipartisan Pay Our Military Act would ensure our servicemembers, people who sacrifice every day to keep our country safe, aren't forced to serve without pay.

The Feed Our Families Act would ensure no family who relies on SNAP benefits goes hungry throughout the shutdown.

House Republicans can easily prevent a government shutdown by simply upholding their end of the bipartisan budget agreement, but if they won't, I remain committed to Ohio's 13th Congressional District and our country.

It is time to stop the political games. Put the American people first and fund our government. In the event that extremists won't--which it seems like they won't, based on the shenanigans and utter foolishness of today--I encourage my colleagues to support and bring to the floor the Pay Our Military Act and the Feed Our Families Act.

Mr. Speaker, we have just 16 days to pass a budget and avoid a government shutdown; just 16 days to prevent a completely unnecessary shutdown and manufactured crisis that will be devastating for the people, families, and communities of Ohio's 13th Congressional District and Americans.

These disruptions would interrupt critical government services, hurting small businesses, and even forcing our troops to go without pay and benefits.

Thousands of Federal workers and contractors who do vital work throughout the country would not be able to do their jobs, creating a lose-lose scenario where the public misses out on essential government services and a lower quality of life.

Instead of governing, what has the majority decided to do? Focus on partisan games meant to distract and divide our country. It is reckless, irresponsible, and a complete failure of leadership.

People in Ohio's 13th District are tired of partisan politics. They sent me to Congress to put people over politics, to lower costs, grow the middle class, keep our community safe, and protect our fundamental freedoms. I am committed to passing a budget that invests in the people and communities of Ohio's 13th District, not extreme politics.

It is time to stop the political games, honor the bipartisan budget agreement Congress already passed, and avoid a government shutdown. The American people are counting on us to get this done. We cannot let them down.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Larry Terkel from Hudson as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week.

Larry recently competed at the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh, bringing home an impressive seven gold medals. Held every 2 years, the National Senior Games brings athletes over the age of 50 from around the country to compete in all sports.

At the age of 76, Mr. Terkel won individual gold medals in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke, and the 50- yard butterfly. He also won two gold medals in the 4-by-50 mixed medley relay and the 4-by-50 mixed freestyle relay.

While expanding our community's longstanding legacy as the birthplace of champions this year, he also continues to hold the nationwide records for the 50- and 100-yard freestyle at the Senior Games and is a U.S. Masters Swimming national champion.

When he is not in the pool, Mr. Terkel is a professor at Kent State University and a YouTube yoga sensation. Mr. Terkel is proof that no matter your age, your physical condition can be optimal, and you should never count anyone out.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Larry Terkel on earning seven gold medals and representing Ohio's 13th Congressional District. He has made us all proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the historic labor deal reached between the Teamsters and UPS. This is a monumental achievement for organized labor, underscoring the power of unions that make up the backbone of our economy and our democracy.

I would especially like to recognize Teamsters Local 348, which represents UPS workers in Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

These hardworking, dedicated union members were on the front lines throughout the entire pandemic, keeping our country running by consistently delivering essential supplies, food, and medicine to communities

across our district, as well as throughout the country.

This historic contract acknowledges their hard work and sacrifices and raises the bar for all workers in all industries.

I was proud to join my Labor Caucus colleagues last week in sending a bipartisan letter reaffirming my constituents' right to collectively bargain, and I will always stand with workers to support higher wages, safer working conditions, and better benefits.

Congratulations, again, to the 340,000 Teamsters at UPS, and I thank them for their dedication to setting a new standard for workers across the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jayla Atkinson, a junior from Stow-Munroe Falls City High School as the champion of the week for Ohio's 13th Congressional District.

Jayla recently won the Division I State title in the 800-meter race with a winning time of 2 minutes 10.74 seconds.

Jayla's win highlights the importance of perseverance and the will to win because last year, Jayla finished second in the 800-meter State meet, but she did not quit.

After a year of training, hard work, and dedication, Jayla came back stronger than ever, bringing the Division I State title back to Ohio's 13th District.

Jayla is truly an exceptional athlete, and her achievements made her family, teammates, coaches, and community proud.

Madam Speaker, once again, I congratulate Jayla Atkinson on her Division I State title and wish her the best of luck in her future competitions. I thank her for making the birthplace of champions proud.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, more commonly known as the FAA authorization.

My home State of Ohio, the Birthplace of Aviation, and H.R. 3935 will ensure Ohio's 13th Congressional District continues to be a pioneer in the aviation and aerospace industry.

H.R. 3935 invests billions into airports large and small, including Akron-Canton Airport in my district and the Kent State University Airport in my district, to keep our skies safe and to make our aviation infrastructure cleaner and greener.

Notably, this bill includes important provisions that I supported for advancement of a remote tower program in Ohio. The remote tower program will improve traffic control for aircraft that utilize smaller airports, generating economic development and safer air spaces.

Not only that, but the Ohio remote tower program will also support the research and development of Advanced Air Mobility applications, cutting-edge technology which has the potential to change how people travel from small communities, how healthcare services can be delivered to critical areas of need, and to offer a more sustainable mode of transportation.

Finally, this legislation supports the hiring of 15 additional rail investigators. That is important to northeast Ohio. As we all know, the train derailment in East Palestine has devastated our community, but train derailments have devastated communities across the country. This amendment allows for more timely and more thoughtful accident reports being reported to Congress so that we can act accordingly.

H.R. 3935 improves the health, safety, and well-being standards of aviation, both on the ground and in the air. The bill also protects consumer rights and improves accessibility so all people in Ohio's 13th District can travel with safety and dignity.

Once again, Mr. Chair, I am proud to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Ella LeJoyce Sojourner Fowler, a devoted mother, loving wife, community leader, and an inspiring mentor. Mrs. Fowler sadly passed away on July 5 at the age of 83.

Born in Mississippi, Mrs. Fowler moved to Akron as a child. She attended Akron Public Schools and eventually graduated from John R. Buchtel High School.

Mrs. Fowler shared a passion for improving the health of our communities that was expressed through an illustrious nursing career, caring for northeast Ohioans at Barberton Citizens Hospital and City Hospital.

In 1961, Mrs. Fowler married Pastor Dr. Ronald J. Fowler, and together, they built up the Arlington Church of God. Mrs. Fowler was actively engaged in the life and work of the church, serving over the years as a member of the choir, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the medical board and diaconate board, as well as first lady for 39 years.

Mrs. Fowler's faithfulness, grace, and kindness were an inspiration to many, including myself.

I extend my deepest condolences and prayers to Dr. Ronald J. Fowler, Mrs. Fowler's loving husband, as well as her children, Cynthia, Christine, Ron, and Florence.

Mrs. Fowler has certainly left a mark on the Akron community, and her memory will continue to be lifted up in prayer.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent for votes so that I could attend the funeral of the late Congressman Tom Sawyer of Ohio. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 292, NAY on Roll Call No. 293, and NAY on Roll Call No. 294.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the hardworking volunteers of the North Canton Meals on Wheels as the Ohio 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

For the past 50 years, North Canton Meals on Wheels volunteers have served seniors and families in northeast Ohio, consistently providing hundreds of cold and hot cooked meals to those in need.

Currently led by the program director, Lucy Keenan, and the board director, Trudy Jones, this crucial organization goes beyond just providing seniors and families with healthy and nutritious meals. The approximately 60 volunteers serve our community by becoming friendly faces to older Ohioans who may feel isolated and lonely.

Combating the harmful effects of food insecurity is a priority near and dear to my heart, so I am grateful for the North Canton Meals on Wheels and what they do to ensure vulnerable seniors and families in Ohio's 13th District never have to worry about going hungry.

As inflation and rising costs continue to make food more expensive for those on fixed incomes, the service of the North Canton Meals on Wheels is more important than ever.

Once again, congratulations to North Canton Meals on Wheels on their 50th anniversary, and I thank them for all that they do to ensure our seniors and families in Ohio's 13th District can live with dignity.