Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor Kaxten McGrew, Bastian Nowak, and Luke Hinkelman as the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for our district and name them as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's champions of the week.

Their app, Eagle Express, is an innovative system that allows students and teachers to better track and complete transactions within their school's token-based incentive program. The app will help teachers better manage students and students better manage their finances.

Named after STEM High School's mascot, Beak Bucks allow teachers to award points to students for positive behavior in the form of paper money that they can redeem for prizes, but Kaxten, Bastian, and Luke felt this was inconsistent and susceptible to forgery and fraud.

Their app, Eagle Express, establishes online wallets for students to virtually track their Beak Bucks balances and redeem them for prize rewards. Eagle Express also streamlines the process for teachers, creating more efficient ways to track and allocate Beak Bucks.

Mr. Speaker, stories of innovation like these raise my spirits and make me more optimistic for the future of our district and the rest of the country.

Kaxten, Bastian, and Luke are impressive examples of what our children can do when we invest in their futures and set them free to explore their interests.

Mr. Speaker, I, once again, extend to them my congratulations for being named 2025 App Challenge winners for Ohio's 13th Congressional District. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for these three young people.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of my proposed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.

Ohio's 13th Congressional District has long been known as the Rubber Capital of the World, and both of my amendments uphold that legacy by investing in American manufacturing to ensure this vital industry remains globally competitive in the United States.

Drawing from the Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act of 2025, this amendment would ensure that the U.S. Government uses retreaded tires wherever possible rather than using cheap foreign imported tires.

This amendment would support more than just my neighbors in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, as retreaded tires make up the largest remanufacturing sector in the United States while employing over 51,000 American workers. This commonsense amendment is good for both the economy, the environment, and the United States Government while protecting good-paying manufacturing jobs right here in the United States.

Ohio's 13th Congressional District has long been a trailblazer in polymer science and polymer engineering. Akron's polymer manufacturing ecosystem provides a local pipeline from education and training to the workforce.

To build on Akron's generations of success, my second amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to establish an initiative to accelerate the research and development of innovative and sustainable polymer processing and manufacturing to support next generation technologies built on a resilient polymer supply chain.

This amendment will support the incredible work of partners like the Akron Sustainable Polymer Tech Hub that is performing groundbreaking research and development that can revolutionize industries across the country and around the world.

Further, it will ensure northeast Ohio remains a global leader in polymer science and polymer engineering, reaffirming our district's legacy as the Rubber Capital of the World. From sustainable tires to sustainable polymers, the next generation of rubber and plastics production will proudly be made in Ohio in our 13th Congressional District.

Additionally, I have submitted three additional amendments to create jobs, lower costs, and protect our national

security in American innovation and manufacturing.

Madam Speaker, today I rise with profound pride and gratitude as we honor the bicentennial of my hometown, Akron, Ohio. For 200 years, Akron has stood as a place where ordinary people dare to do extraordinary things. It is a place shaped not only by industry or geography, but by courage, resiliency, and an unshakable belief in what a community can be.

Long before 1825, the land that would become Akron was home to native indigenous peoples who understood its beauty and its promise. Two centuries ago this week, Simon Perkins and Paul Williams laid out a new town on a watershed divide. They named it after the Greek word ``akros,'' which means summit or high point. In that single word, they captured both our geography and our destiny.

Akron quickly grew into a city of builders and innovators. It became known as the Rubber Capital of the World and served as the home of Goodyear, Firestone, and Goodrich. Workers in Akron shaped an industry that moved a nation forward. When those workers demanded dignity, fairness, and safety, Akron became the birthplace of the modern sit- down strike and a proving ground for the strength of solidarity.

It is also a city of justice seekers. John Brown once walked our streets and lived in a house on the same street where I grew up, a rabid abolitionist who ultimately died for the freedoms of enslaved people. Sojourner Truth delivered her famous ``Ain't I A Woman'' speech in Akron as well, spurring the foundation of understanding intersectionality. Generations of Akronites stood together to affirm that equality is not an aspiration, but it is a right, a right we continue to collectively fight for.

Akron is a city of world changers. It has given this country legendary athletes, such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Butch Reynolds, earning its title, ``The Birthplace of Champions.'' It has given us musicians who redefined genres, including Devo, The

Black Keys, Chrissie Hynde, and Howard Hewett. It has given us actors and storytellers who brought our experience to big and small screens. It has also given us Judith Resnik, the first Jewish woman astronaut who reached for the stars and inspired the Nation. It has also given us Rita Dove, a Pulitzer Prize award winner and the first African-American Poet Laureate of the United States.

The Birthplace of Champions isn't just a tagline or a motto, it is who we are. It is the people whose names you won't ever see in lights but built an industry, led innovation, and continued to fight for fairness and opportunity.

Perhaps Akron's greatest legacy is its people. Families come from every corner of the world to work hard, build homes, raise children, start businesses, and lift up one another. Akron is filled with people who don't quit when times are tough, and its residents understand that a community rises by lifting others.

Madam Speaker, as someone who grew up in Akron and was shaped by its values, I stand here because of that community.

Akron taught me compassion and resilience. It taught me that public service means fighting for working people, fairness, and opportunity. These are values that Akron has carried for two centuries, and I carry these same values with me in the Halls of Congress.

H. Res. 918 honors our past, but it also looks ahead to our future. Akron continues to lead in sustainable polymers, research, entrepreneurship, healthcare, the arts, and innovation. It continues to stand up to injustice. It continues to carry forward the spirit of the people who built this city.

Madam Speaker, I am deeply humbled to introduce H. Res. 918, celebrating 200 years of the city of Akron. I encourage its swift passage. May the next 200 years of the city of Akron be even brighter.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize several North Canton first responders as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's champions of the week.

In the early hours of October 9, Sergeant Cody Dollinger, Officer Adam

Knam, Officer Michael Foltz, and firefighter-paramedic Eli Bosler of the North Canton Police and Fire Departments responded to reports of gunfire and injuries at a local apartment complex.

In a remarkable act of bravery, Sergeant Dollinger and his team successfully rescued a wounded woman from the window of her apartment and brought her to the safety of medical professionals, all while the alleged assailant continued to fire shots from inside the apartment building.

In the end, without discharging their firearms, the Canton Regional SWAT Team successfully apprehended the suspected shooter.

Mr. Speaker, on October 9, before many of us had left the comfort of our homes or checked our emails or even had a cup of coffee, Sergeant Dollinger, Officer Knam, Officer Foltz, and firefighter-paramedic Bosler accomplished an incredible feat of bravery and heroism, reminding us how important they are for the safety and security of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, extend my sincere gratitude to Sergeant Dollinger and his entire team, as well as our North Canton and Canton First Responders who risk their lives every day to stop and battle evils only they can stop.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the rule and H.R. 4312, the SCORE Act.

This legislation fails to address the rights of students to advocate for themselves, and that is why I introduced an amendment to allow for students to collectively bargain.

As a former gymnast and athlete, my allegiance will always be with athletes and with the underdog. It is undeniable that student athletes are not receiving equitable compensation for their labor, especially those in high-revenue sports. A student athlete constantly endangers themselves and risks great harm to their bodies for the entertainment of the masses, all while juggling classes, practice, and potentially a part-time job just to survive.

Their natural talents allow for universities to recruit on and off the field and raise money all while the actual revenue generators are left in the cold.

This issue was already addressed in the courts, and one thing that remains clear is the NCAA has been profiting off college students' labor and the students have not. For decades, students have not been paid for their participation in what is clearly a billion-dollar industry. This is not right.

Currently, the SCORE Act has not laid out an equitable revenue sharing model and leaves it wholly up to the interpretation of the school. Further, passing the SCORE Act as it stands would only eliminate students' ability to collectively bargain. That is why I introduced an amendment in the Rules Committee to strike the language from the bill and allow students to be properly compensated for their labor.

I thank my colleagues on the Democratic side for offering the amendment, but, unfortunately, the amendment failed on a party-line vote and was rejected by the Republicans.

Without my amendment, players at schools in my district, basketball players specifically, would not have the means of recourse to negotiate compensation and would be forced to simply shut up and dribble.

I understand that the needs of a Big 10 school are different from those in the MAC or the SWAC, and without the ability to collectively bargain, these athletes cannot negotiate with the university for their specific needs no matter the size of the program.

For those reasons and more, I am in opposition to the rule and the bill, and I encourage my colleagues to get back to the drawing board and do something that actually works for student athletes and allows them to be paid equitably and fairly and collectively bargain.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the City of Green's 2025 Volunteer of the Year, John Piersol as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

For the last 30 years, as president of the Green Soccer Association, John helped create opportunities for more than 600 youth players. Here, his inspiring dedication to his community shines through his heartfelt service and purposeful leadership.

John also led the GOAL soccer program, creating inclusive athletic opportunities for disabled individuals ages 6 to 21.

Youth athletics are an essential environment for developing future leaders, building resilience, and instilling the values of teamwork and community. I would like to express my gratitude to John for bringing these valuable opportunities to children in his community.

Unseen hours of sacrifice and countless hours behind the scenes are what distinguishes service from other kinds of work. John's story is a shining example of everyday people rolling up their sleeves and answering the quiet call of community service. I'm pleased today to praise one of these unsung heroes.

Embodying the spirit of self-sacrifice and dedication, John continues to enrich his community through the powerful forces of inclusion and friendly competition. He is a shining example of why our community is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

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

Reese is a senior at Archbishop Hoban High School, and she was named

the Girls' Division III Player of the Year by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

Reese has been described as an aggressive and ferocious player and is heralded as the most prolific goal scorer in the Akron area.

This season, Reese scored an impressive 44 goals and 15 assists, leading the Hoban Knights to the State semifinals.

This is Reese's fourth year on the varsity team, and over her impressive soccer career, she has been recognized as a Division II all- Ohioan and an all-American. Not only is she a first-class athlete, she is also a stellar and star student, carrying a 4.1 GPA.

Next year, she will represent us proudly on the women's soccer team at the University of Dayton.

Go Flyers.

Mr. Speaker, Reese is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the birthplace of champions. I look forward to seeing all that Reese accomplishes in her future.

Mr. Speaker, as families in Ohio's 13th Congressional District get ready for the holiday season, I will talk about something that is weighing on many of them.

The cost of everyday life keeps going up and people feel it every time they shop for groceries, pay their utility bills, fill up their gas tanks, or try to plan for the weeks ahead.

Across Ohio's 13th District, people are telling me the same thing: Their paychecks are not stretching the way they used to and they are working harder and getting less in return.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food costs have increased nearly 3 percent over the past year and the cost of meat, poultry, fish, and coffee grew more than 5 percent.

The Department of Agriculture expects grocery prices to rise again this year. These cost increases amount to grocery bills that are hundreds of dollars higher for less food. This is compounded by the SNAP cuts in the one big, ugly bill and cuts to food banks all across this country.

However, it is not just food and groceries. Families are feeling the squeeze in multiple ways. Healthcare premiums, copays, and prescription costs have climbed, leaving families with difficult choices about their care. Energy bills from heating homes in winter to cooling them in summer are also rising, stretching budgets even further.

These are not small inconveniences. They shape every decision families make about what they can afford. As people question whether they can cover the basics, it affects how they plan their days, care for one another, and participate in their communities. Something as simple as sitting down together for a meal or planning a gathering can become harder to manage.

These costs do not rise in a vacuum. The decisions made here in Washington shape the choices people face at home. When policies put pressure on working families instead of supporting them, the impact shows up in higher bills and tighter budgets. A strong economy is one that gives families the confidence to meet their needs and build toward the future. It starts with people who feel secure enough to gather, share a meal, and look ahead with some peace of mind.

That is why I continue to fight for policies that put people first. I am working to lower healthcare costs. I am working to bring down everyday expenses, including energy, utilities, and food costs. I am committed to supporting the creation of good-paying jobs so families in Ohio's 13th District and all across the country can worry a little less and hope a lot more.

As we enter this holiday season, we should remember what keeps our communities strong: fairness, opportunity, and support for one another. Let us, as Members of Congress, make choices that help families meet their needs and stay connected.

Champion of the Week: Aarit Koul

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

Aarit, a freshman at Jackson High School, recently won the 2025 National Civics Bee. He competed against finalists from 38 other States in five rounds, including one in which he presented a societal problem and offered his suggestions for solving it.

Aarit discussed the healthcare system in the United States, timely and appropriate, especially considering our current state of affairs.

With this win comes a $100,000 college fund, which will go a long way to help him attend his dream school, Yale University. Aarit aspires to become a lawyer and ultimately land an appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time I have come to the floor to recognize Aarit's talents, nor is it the second. This is actually the third time Aarit has been recognized before this body.

In 2023, he was the Congressional App Challenge Winner for Ohio's 13th District when he was in middle school. His app, Care Civics, was designed to encourage young people to become civically engaged. He was inspired by his time studying for the Ohio Civics Bee, which he went on to win in 2024. Now, just a high school freshman, he has come out on top at the national level, and I could not be more proud.

Mr. Speaker, I also had the honor of first meeting Aarit at Jackson Memorial Middle School when he served as the Speaker of the Little Congress. Aarit is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the birthplace of champions.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to all that he accomplishes in the future, and I thank Aarit for his dedication to civics in the United States of America.

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

This year during the Akron Marathon, Dan, a local nurse practitioner, was cheering his fiancee on when a runner collapsed due to experiencing cardiac arrest. Dan hurdled a barricade, and joined other medical personnel to help.

He immediately began CPR on the runner for roughly five minutes. His quick response helped the runner regain a pulse, ultimately saving his life.

During the emotional ordeal, Dan missed seeing his fiancee cross the finish line, but he told a local news outlet that if he had to do it all over again, he would still jump in to help.

For his heroic actions, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Dan and members of the Akron Fire Department for answering the call to help a neighbor in need. Dan is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.''

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

Vince recently earned the State Lead Ambassador of the Year Award from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. This award recognizes his efforts to help make cancer a national priority.

After losing his wife, Betsy, to metastatic cervical cancer, Vince became dedicated to supporting families affected by cancer and fighting for a cure. As an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer for the past six years, Vince has worked tirelessly alongside some of the most dedicated and passionate advocates to ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

Specifically, he has worked to advocate for better screening to prevent late-stage diagnosis, improving access to health care and treatment, clinical trials, and funding for research for those battling cancer. He is passionate about ensuring all Americans have access to the medical care that could save their lives.

With this award, and all the hard work that came before it, Vince is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' He has certainly made our community proud.

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

Tim was recently named the Veteran of the Year by the Veterans Service Commission of Summit County. He is a Gulf War veteran and founder of the Veterans Assurance Network, which provides advocacy, support, education, services, and resources to veterans and their families.

In 1982, Tim joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. There, he was exposed to toxic burn pits and oil well fires purposely set by Iraqi forces.

The Department of Defense estimates 3.5 million service members were exposed to toxic burn pits during their time serving abroad. Exposure to burn pits and other toxic airborne substances has been linked to serious health effects, including certain cancers.

Tim worked closely with federal lawmakers to help get the PACT Act signed into law. This landmark law expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Tim is also passionate about veteran suicide prevention, and even helped advocate for September 22 to be recognized as Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention Day in Ohio.

With this award, and all the hard work that came before it, Tim is a shining example of why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' He has certainly made our community proud.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Jackson High School Automotive Teacher Joseph Drury as Ohio's 13th Congressional District Champion of the Week.

Joseph was recently awarded a $50,000 prize for his school's skilled trades program as a winner of the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. He is 1 of just 25 teachers around the country to be honored with this award--a true testament to his determination to better the lives of his students.

This annual award was created to recognize excellence among high school skilled trades teachers, a group of educators that is frequently overlooked and underappreciated, yet so important to ensure that students have the tools to excel in a career in the trades.

Inspired by his own experiences as a high school student, he told his automotive instructor on graduation day that he wanted to be a teacher one day, too. He has 15 years of industry experience in dealerships and six years as a bus mechanic for Jackson Local Schools. Joseph is most passionate about sharing his love for automobiles with students, seeing them grow more confident as they acquire the knowledge and skills to become self-sufficient with automotive operation and upkeep.

By using real-world scenarios and hands-on projects, students gain practical experience with modern repair technologies, preparing them for future careers in the automotive industry. The Automotive Technology Program at Jackson High School prepares students to be high- tech automotive technicians, move into advanced training within the industry, or earn an associate degree in the automotive technology field.

Joseph's students have a 95 percent job placement rate within six months of graduation, with many students employed at local auto shops, dealerships, or starting their own businesses. In the last 3 years, 100% of students enrolled in Joseph's automotive technology classes have graduated, and 85% of them have done so after earning one or more industry certifications. Thank you Joseph for doing this work to inspire the next generation of skilled mechanics.

With this award, and all the hard work that came before it, Joseph is a shining example why Ohio's 13th Congressional District is known as the ``Birthplace of Champions.'' He has certainly made Jackson High School and our greater community proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize local business leader and the recipient of the 2025 National Small Business Association's Small Business Advocate of the Year award, Dwayne Groll, as Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champion of the Week.

Last week, Dwayne was in town for the National Small Business Association's Washington presentation, where he was recognized for this award and his passion for uplifting small businesses.

From mentoring local entrepreneurs to advocating for supportive policies and connecting small businesses with essential resources, Dwayne ties his success to the success of others.

As an accomplished executive with over three decades of leadership and civil engineering experience, Dwayne is the current CEO and chairman of the board at Environmental Design Group. He also sits on the board of directors for the Greater Akron Chamber and serves as the inaugural chair of the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance.

Dwayne understands that small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and our economies and that, by empowering local business leaders, we can shape more vibrant and resilient local economies.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my thanks to Dwayne for reminding us that the birthplace of champions, Ohio's 13th District, is stronger when we succeed together.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to speak out on an important issue impacting this Nation and my community in Ohio.

As you may know, September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to pause and recognize mental health and the tragedy of taking one's own life.

Today, I rise with both a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit, because while my community has felt the devastating toll of suicide, I also believe in the power of advocacy and awareness in order to save lives.

Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity for us to reflect and discuss stigmas around mental health and affirm, once again, that mental health care is healthcare.

Today, I will specifically address the sacrifices of our police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders. These are the women and men running toward danger while others flee for safety.

At the end of the day, after news stories publish details of their heroism, the weight of the trauma may linger long after sirens fade.

In 2021, the CDC acknowledged that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

Jared Kneale is one such story from northeast Ohio. Born on October 5, 1981, in Euclid, Ohio, Jared graduated from Wadsworth High School in the year 2000. After working for the city of Wadsworth as a fireman and paramedic for 15 years, Jared transferred to the nearby city of Canton, Ohio, in Ohio's 13th Congressional District where he would serve his community for 8 years.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, northeast Ohio and Ohio's 13th District lost a dutiful public servant and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

The Canton Fire Department would later announce in a post on social media that Kneale's death was the result of a suicide due to a post- traumatic stress-related illness and that in his final moments, Jared signaled to us his wishes to use his death to help bring awareness to firefighter mental health. That is why I stand today before you, Mr. Speaker, to do exactly that and carry out Jared's last wishes.

Mr. Speaker, far too many suffer in silence, afraid of judgment or showing signs of weakness, but it is time we stand up for those who run toward danger, that we acknowledge our collective strength far surpasses the individual, and that asking for help is truly the greatest form of strength.

Rarely have I seen a better example of this than in the immediate aftermath of Jared's passing. Upon hearing about the tragedy, over 70 firefighters descended upon the local hospital to pay their respects.

As my community continues to grieve, cases like Jared's cannot be ignored because when we invest in mental health, we invest in all of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I will take a moment to talk a little bit about Jared and his life and the person that he was.

Jared, who worked with the 2nd Battalion and was assigned to ladder truck one, was loved by his colleagues. During his tenure with the city of Canton, he earned two Medals of Commendation and two meritorious citations for heroic actions on the job.

He was the head chef at station one

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor May Chen and Mary Ann Freedman for their induction into the Ohio Department of Aging Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and for being named Ohio's 13th Congressional District's Champions of the Week.

As a native of Hong Kong, May Chen developed profound empathy for immigrants after witnessing the struggles of Chinese refugees in her home country. After emigrating herself to the United States in 1995, May helped found Asia Services in Action, also known as ASIA Inc., an organization dedicated to serving the needs of immigrant communities. She turned obstacles into opportunities.

Today, with about 80 full-time staffers, ASIA, Inc., provides family and adult health services, legal services, small business assistance, and so much more to the over 58,000 people who are looking to build a life in northeast Ohio communities.

I am also proud to recognize Mary Ann Freedman. Mary Ann lives her life mission based on the Hebrew phrase ``repair of the world''; ``tikkun olam.'' She chose to use her life and her talents to found Adult Guardianship Services. She worked to expand and transform this program into Adult Guardianship Services of Summit County.

As executive director, Mary Ann worked with guardians and caregivers to ensure the most vulnerable members of our communities are cared for and respected and not forgotten as they age.

Mr. Speaker, both of these women dedicated their years to serving the most underserved. Both demonstrate the incredible power of concerned citizens, serving their communities. I extend to them my sincere gratitude and appreciation and recognize that people of any age can continue to make meaningful contributions to their communities.