Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Amy S. Johannsen of Morrison, Illinois, to mark the conclusion of an exceptional 40-year career in the United States Air Force. As Commander of the 934th Maintenance Group. Minneapolis Joint Air Reserve Station in Minnesota, Colonel Johannsen has led 288 AGR, Reserve, and civilian personnel across 17 Air Force Specialty Codes, overseeing critical maintenance operations on eight C-130H aircraft on combat airlift missions.

Colonel Johannsen's service reflects the Air Force's ``Aim High. . . Fly-Fight-Win'' motto. She supported Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and multiple deployments throughout Southwest Asia, including operations in Qatar in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Freedom's Sentry, and Freedom's Sentinel. Her selection to the TFI AMC-led Tanker Task Force under Brigadier General Fountaine further underscores her exceptional expertise and trust within the service.

Colonel Johannsen's distinguished decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Air and Space Commendation Medal, the Air and Space Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters.

Mr. Speaker, Colonel Amy Johannsen's career reflects the highest ideals of service, leadership, and commitment to our country. I join her family, colleagues, and grateful Nation in congratulating her on her well-earned retirement and thanking her for four decades of selfless service to the United States.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the Grothman amendment.

I am proud to live in an Army town and represent the historic Rock Island Arsenal in the House of Representatives. Every single one of my neighbors works to support our troops and make sure that our readiness and logistics keep our country safe.

I find it outrageous that this Commander in Chief and his loyalists think it is okay to possibly kick these true Americans out of the civilian workforce, 200,000 patriots. These are combat veterans. These are experts.

Back home, the Rock Island Arsenal cannot deal with this. Mr. Chair, I will not remain silent when this amendment is dropped at the eleventh hour to decimate our institution. Mr. Chair, I also can't understand how anyone can call themselves America First when they offer plans to possibly throw men and women in uniform out just as casually as taking out the trash. These are patriots.

Mr. Chair, allowing this to move forward wouldn't just eliminate the jobs of 200,000 Americans, it would put our troops at risk, as well. I urge Republicans and Democrats to please honor them with a ``no'' vote on amendment No. 316.

Madam Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to Representative Boebert's amendment.

I am proud to live in an Army town, and I am the only LGBTQ person to serve on the House Committee on Armed Services.

I find it outrageous that this Commander in Chief and his loyalists want to kick true Americans out of the military for a reason that does not pertain to a person's capability as an effective soldier, sailor, airman, or marine--all because they think there is something inferior or less than if you are trans.

We know what happens in our country when we lose the most qualified members. We saw it during Don't Ask Don't Tell. LGBTQ servicemembers are critical and essential to our Armed Forces.

When any American is called to serve our country, there should be no requirements other than can you do the job and exceed the expectation.

I really don't understand how you can justify this. On one side, hiring should only be by merit, but then on the other side of your mouth, you only want harmful restrictions on those who are highly qualified for the work.

One of the greatest things about being American is being one of many.

In 250 years, we know the value of our country is marked by the service and the sacrifices of those who came before.

Playing politics isn't just cruel because it discriminates. It is cruel because it puts other servicemembers at risk.

I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment because all Americans who serve should be able to serve with dignity, respect, and our Nation's thanks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today

Mr. Speaker, I missed one vote on June 30, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 232 on the adoption of H. Con. Res. 108, Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria who is retiring from the City of Peoria Police Department. Chief Echevarria is a pillar of the Peoria community and will be truly missed.

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria oversees and directs all activities of the Peoria Police Department, which has almost 250 employees, the majority of them police officers. His work focuses on reducing serious crime, fostering community partnerships, improving traffic safety and promoting employee development. His achievements have been significant--driving violent gun crime down, improving the quality of life in Peoria's neighborhoods, expanding community policing, establishing a social services unit co-responder program, increasing the number of sworn personnel in the department, expanding the department's use of technology, and significantly increasing grant funding.

Chief Echevarria's goal when he arrived in Peoria five years ago was simple: to leave the department and community better than he found it. He certainly has done that. It is because of selfless leaders such as Chief Echevarria that I am especially proud to serve the Illinois 17th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally congratulate Chief Echevarria on his well-earned retirement and thank him for all of his contributions and service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I missed three votes on April 27, 2026 due to travel issues. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 138, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act; and a YEA on Roll Call No. 139, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, Clergy Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of a hero, Roald Zvonik, a proud American, for 99 years of life.

At 17, he stepped up to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. When he came home, he never stopped serving our Nation. He would meet with anybody to share a story, and he always had a knack for making people happy. Every time we met, he made me feel like I had purpose.

One of the greatest joys of my life was helping him receive the victory medals that he spent almost his entire life waiting for. I will never forget pinning them on his lapel and the emotion that we felt in the moment. That testament has inspired other veterans to reach out. My team gets to work, and we find more Medals of Honor, deserved honor.

The truth is, we are almost out of living World War II veterans, heroes. Please, take time to listen to them and to care for them because when that happens, you may hear the same words that I heard when Roald told me: I am one lucky dude.

May his legacy never be forgotten. I will never forget Mr. Roald Zvonik.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeff Kirwan, a trusted voice and a guide for farmers, both as the president of the Mercer County Farm Bureau and a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, for many years.

When I was a new Member of Congress, Jeff brought me to his farm and offered his help to guide me on my way. We talked about the state of agriculture and what a fighter for our farm families should look like right here.

Guided by his education in agronomy and many years at GROWMARK, Jeff became one of the first in our region to use precision agriculture in the early 1990s.

This month, after a decade at the Illinois Farm Bureau table, Jeff is retiring.

I thank Jeff for his kindness, for his wisdom, and for inviting me on his tractor. Jeff should enjoy his retirement. I look forward to seeing what life has ahead for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2466, which will redesignate the Rockford post office on Harrison Avenue in honor of Jay Larson.

I thank the chair and ranking member for their support, and my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Darin LaHood, for partnering with me in this effort.

Jay Larson was born and raised in the same hometown as me. We are proud to have been from Rockford, Illinois. In fact, Jay was also proud to share the same high school as myself, Boylan Central Catholic High School.

Jay served in our community as a letter carrier for 25 years, but here is the thing: He never took a sick day because delivering the mail was more than a job for Jay. Everyone who knew him told me of a man who was proud to take care of his neighbors, whether it be caring smiles or conversation, thoughtful gestures, and the occasional treat for his furry friends along the route.

To his fellow letter carriers, Jay was well known for his willingness to lend a hand, often helping others with their routes after he finished his own. As one of those colleagues summed it up: ``He made everyone feel like you were the most important person in the world at that time.''

Jay is the definition of an exemplary public servant and a good neighbor.

His last mail route was March 27, 2024. Jay was killed in a senseless and violent attack while on the job.

As we approach the 2-year anniversary of this tragedy, it is my hope that renaming the main Rockford post office in Jay's honor will offer a testament to his service while giving our city something else to be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, Jay Larson is worthy of this honor and worthy of our memory. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor the life of Jordan Ball, a Galesburg seventh grade history teacher and basketball coach, a former Monmouth-Roseville High School teacher, and a proud graduate of Monmouth College.

On Monday, he was involved in a bad car accident, and he lost his life at just 26 years old. Jordan leaves a loving wife, Alex, and young son, Atticus. His wife is also pregnant with their next child, who will be born with a guardian angel for a father.

I know how hard this has been for everyone in the tight-knit communities of Wataga, Galesburg, and Monmouth. His students revered him as a leader, and we should all move forward today with his legacy of working together as a team to achieve great things.

Western Illinois is better off today because Jordan Ball was there. May his memory live on with his students, his family, his community, and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Chuck Collins, a broadcaster who has kept our district safe from storms for nearly a half century.

Next week, 25News Chief Meteorologist Chuck Collins, will be walking away from the green screen. Chuck is a legend in the heart of Illinois, offering a calm voice that is trusted in the best weather and the worst storms.

He grew up in Central Illinois and, I may know something about doing weather in your hometown, there's almost nothing more rewarding. Chuck's recognition will now live in the official Congressional Record for inspiring weather watchers, storm chasers, and other meteorologists. We will all be watching his final broadcast on October 15, 2025.

Today, I thank Chuck Collins for his decades of commitment to Central Illinois, and I extend my best wishes to him in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a friend and a public servant in the Quad Cities, Porter McNeil.

Porter served as a leader in Rock Island County for decades, most recently on our county board, but also as a leader and lover of democratic values.

Porter was an incredible communicator, family man, and friend to all of us. He was in a class all his own. He was a steadfast Democrat, but just this week, a GOP member back home called him ``a good man, with class.''

Porter loved the Quad Cities and believed in making our home a better place.

In his passing, I am thinking of his wife, Mary, the McNeil family, and his friends. To have so many people remember you so fondly is a testimony of being a great man.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Porter McNeil for being there for us. We will miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jeff Nelson, CEO and Managing Director of MetroLINK, on the occasion of his retirement in September 2025 after more than 35 years of dedicated service to the Quad Cities.

Mr. Nelson has transformed public transportation in our region. Under his leadership, MetroLINK became a model of innovation--connecting people to Jobs, education, and opportunity while advancing economic growth, clean energy, and smart technology.

He introduced the Channel Cat water taxi service, which has provided over one million rides, giving residents and visitors a unique way to travel the Mississippi River. He also led the adoption of electric buses, placing the Quad Cities at the forefront of sustainable transit solutions.

His vision and dedication have earned national recognition, including the American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Public Transportation System Award. Beyond these honors, Mr. Nelson built a system that strengthens the community every day.

I thank Jeff Nelson for his decades of leadership, creativity, and commitment to the Quad Cities, and I extend my best wishes to him in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge one of the most cherished organizations in my district and the efforts to continue their storied mission of serving with the greatest care and love. As we know, September is childhood cancer awareness month, so please join me in recognizing OSF HealthCare and their newly named OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute.

This is an incredible milestone for pediatric healthcare in downstate Illinois. Located in Peoria, the institute cares for children with both cancer and blood disorders through world-class, family-centered care.

The OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois is the sole children's hospital in the downstate area that offers the full spectrum of pediatric oncology and hematology care under one roof for children and their families. These services include one of approximately 45 proton beam therapy centers in the United States and the only one serving downstate Illinois families. This allows for highly targeted radiation treatments which reduce side effects and improve long term outcomes for children.

In addition to treating childhood cancers, the hospital is a regional leader in the care of serious blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and aplastic anemia. Their comprehensive programs cover major steps for care, including diagnosis, treatment, lifelong management, and transition to adult care, thus ensuring every patient receives the treatment they need at every stage of life.

Every year, approximately 15,000 children in the United States, 700 in Illinois, are diagnosed with cancer, and countless others live with chronic or life-threatening blood disorders. This includes children as young as only a few months. While we are thankful that survival rates for many pediatric cancers have improved to over 85 percent, cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children, and hematologic conditions continue to require complex, coordinated, and long-term care.

To unite our community in this fight, OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois has also recently launched Paint the Town Gold, an annual community-wide awareness initiative that will

take place every September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Now an annual downstate tradition, Paint the Town Gold brings together businesses, schools, local governments, and citizens to honor children, inspire hope, and advocate for continued progress in both cancer and blood disorder care.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge the chamber to join me in congratulating OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute on their new name, while applauding their leadership in pediatric cancer and blood disorder care. Likewise, I am happy to recognize Paint the Town Gold as an enduring community tradition in the fight for every child's health.