Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the Prince William County Fire and Rescue Department Valor Award recipients, recognizing the extraordinary bravery and selfless service demonstrated by its firefighters, paramedics, and rescue personnel. These awards reflect the courageous actions of the department's dedicated men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect and serve the community in its most critical moments.

Each recipient exemplifies true valor, facing danger without hesitation, providing life-saving aid, and prioritizing the safety of others in the most challenging emergencies. Their courage and compassion strengthen the bonds within our community, fostering trust, resilience, and a shared sense of security. Today, we honor their collective bravery and unwavering commitment to public service.

Whether responding to fires, medical emergencies, or natural disasters, these individuals demonstrate an unyielding commitment to preserving life and property. Their professionalism and readiness in the face of uncertainty set an example for us all and serve as a reminder of the impact that first responders have on the lives of those they protect.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Prince William County Fire and Rescue team for their remarkable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the Prince William County

Sheriff's Office and to recognize one of its distinguished members who has received a Valor Award: Deputy Mackenzie Miller. While today we recognize Deputy Miller, this award reflects the commitment to duty, professionalism, and public safety that defines the entire Sheriff's Office.

This honored deputy exemplifies what it means to act with valor-- responding with courage in the face of danger, demonstrating sound judgment under pressure, and placing the well-being of others above self. Whether in the courtroom, on transport duty, or assisting during critical incidents, members of the Sheriff's Office play a vital and often underappreciated role in maintaining the safety and order of our community.

Today, we recognize the extraordinary actions of Deputy Miller, whose bravery and dedication serve as a powerful example of the values upheld by the Prince William County Sheriff's Office. Her service reminds us that heroism is not measured by numbers, but by the impact one person can have through a single courageous act.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Prince William County Sheriff's Office for their remarkable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the Prince William County Police Department Valor Award recipients, recognizing the exceptional bravery and selfless service demonstrated by its officers. These awards reflect the courageous efforts of many dedicated men and women across the department including officers, detectives, sergeants, and specialists alike, who put their lives on the line to protect our community.

Each recipient represents a powerful example of valor and commitment, embodying the highest ideals of public service. Whether responding to immediate threats, conducting investigations, or supporting victims in moments of crisis, these individuals demonstrate unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of the people they serve.

Their heroic actions strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and the community, building trust, security, and resilience. Today, we recognize and celebrate the collective courage and sacrifice of these officers, whose service uplifts us all and sets a powerful standard of integrity and compassion.

We are grateful for their bravery and proud to honor the Prince William County Police Department for their outstanding commitment to justice and public safety.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Prince William County Police Department for their remarkable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the Prince William County Department of Public Safety Communications Valor Award recipients, recognizing the extraordinary dedication of who serve as the critical first link in emergency response. These awards reflect the calm, skilled, and courageous actions of these professionals, often the

unseen first responders, who ensure help is dispatched swiftly and accurately in our community's most urgent moments.

Each recipient exemplifies what it means to act with valor, remaining composed under pressure, coordinating life-saving responses in real time, and providing reassurance and guidance to those facing crisis. These individuals demonstrate extraordinary focus, compassion, and professionalism.

Their efforts strengthen public trust and ensure that every emergency begins with clarity, care, and swift action--fostering a safer community. Today, we recognize and celebrate their critical role and exceptional commitment to public service, often carried out behind the scenes but never without impact.

We are deeply grateful for their service and proud to honor the Prince William County Department of Public Safety Communications for their unwavering dedication to the safety and well-being of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Prince William County Department of Public Safety Communications for their remarkable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the Prince William County Fire Department Valor Award recipients, recognizing the extraordinary bravery and selfless service demonstrated by its firefighters, paramedics, and rescue personnel. These awards reflect the courageous actions of the department's dedicated men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect and serve the community in its most critical moments.

Each recipient exemplifies what it means to act with valor--facing danger without hesitation, responding swiftly in times of crisis, and placing the safety of others above their own. Whether battling intense fires, delivering life-saving medical aid, or navigating complex emergency situations, these professionals demonstrate unwavering resolve and deep compassion for those they serve.

Their heroism builds trust and deepens the connections that hold our community together, fostering a shared sense of safety, resilience, and unity across neighborhoods, schools, and families. Today, we recognize and celebrate the collective courage and commitment of these individuals, whose actions inspire us all and uphold the highest ideals of public service.

We are deeply grateful for their bravery, and proud to honor the Prince William County Fire Department for their outstanding dedication to the safety and well-being of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Prince William County Fire Department for their remarkable contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the extreme cuts to Medicaid and SNAP being pushed by extreme Washington Republicans.

Last month, I spoke with Shannon, a mother whose son relies on Medicaid for lifesaving care. I also spoke with Eugene, a fifth- generation farmer in Culpeper who grows produce that goes straight to food banks, schools, and churches. Both Shannon and Eugene are facing uncertain futures because of these cuts.

More than 56,000 kids in Virginia's Seventh Congressional District rely on Medicaid or SNAP. These cuts would take food away from children as young as 8 years old. I guess we will just have to give our 8-year- old kids little, tiny boots with little, tiny bootstraps so they can pull themselves up.

These aren't just budget choices. They are moral ones. They are the wrong ones. We should support families and the farmers who feed them, not punish them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject these cruel cuts and stand with families and farmers like Shannon and Eugene.

Mr. Speaker, today during National Police Week, I rise to commend the bravery of law enforcement officers across Virginia's Seventh Congressional District.

In early April, tragedy struck Spotsylvania County when a mass shooting left three people sadly deceased and three others injured. Law enforcement officers from Spotsylvania County and the city of Fredericksburg swiftly answered the call and put their lives on the line to protect their neighbors.

As a former prosecutor and Army veteran, I understand the mission that our men and women in uniform take on every day. They serve knowing that their work is bigger than any one person. It is about protecting our communities and upholding the law for our families and loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, today, I thank the brave law enforcement officers of Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg and all officers serving across the 11 counties of Virginia's Seventh Congressional District. Their service and sacrifice is deeply valued.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Marine Corporal Joseph Donald for his incredible service to our country and to recognize his recent approval to receive the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most revered military decorations. It is awarded to those who have been wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It represents not just injury, but sacrifice--the physical cost of defending our freedoms.

Corporal Donald served honorably for over six years, including deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq. His time in uniform coincided with some of the most dangerous years of conflict, ending in 2011. During that period, he witnessed the loss of many fellow Marines-- brothers and sisters in arms who gave their lives in service.

In 2011, while deployed in Afghanistan, Corporal Donald was severely injured in an explosion. Despite the severity of his injuries, Corporal Donald's resiliency is a true testament of his character and to the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.

Today, as we recognize Corporal Donald's receipt of the Purple Heart, we also reflect on the sacrifices made by so many service members like him. His story is one of bravery, dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Corporal Donald formally on the honor of receiving the Purple Heart award. I join the rest of the community in thanking Corporal Donald for his courage and bravery in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, we have all seen the recent news on Ukraine: Zelenskyy is set to meet Putin. Putin must immediately agree to a 30-day cease-fire. To force that, the United States and President Trump must increase the pressure on Putin.

This is not a regional fight. Ukraine's sovereignty is a U.S. national security issue. It is also a humanitarian crisis. As of 2023, the U.S. State Department had documented the abduction of approximately 20,000 Ukrainian children. That number has only increased. The program that was keeping track of those children has recently been cut.

These Russian abductions represent a deliberate effort to eliminate Ukrainian national identity, destroy family ties, and are a specific element of a genocide crime under international criminal law. The Russians claim, further, that 700,000 children have been seized. None of this can stand.

As someone who has traveled over a dozen times to Ukraine in order to investigate war crimes, I know how important it is that we make a stand now, not later. We must uphold our American values by seeking peace in the region and demanding the immediate return of Ukraine's missing children.

We will see this week whether Mr. Putin shows up for peace talks with Ukraine in Turkiye or remains an international pariah and coward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and service of Diane Raulston, a devoted public servant, community leader, and advocate for education in Prince William County, Virginia.

Diane Raulston served the residents of the Neabsco District with distinction on the Prince William County School Board from 2015 to 2023. Throughout her years of service, she was a passionate and determined advocate for public education, promoting efforts to raise teacher pay, close opportunity gaps, and create a more equitable, student-centered school system.

Under Diane Raulston's leadership. the school division made meaningful strides: graduation rates rose, access to pre-kindergarten expanded, and Career and Technical Education programs grew significantly. Her steady support helped guide the opening of nine new schools to meet the demands of a growing student population, ensuring that every child had a safe and welcoming place to learn.

Beyond her official role, Diane was known for her kindness, determination, and unwavering belief in the power of public education to uplift communities. She listened, she acted, and she made a difference in countless lives. Her legacy is not only visible in the buildings and programs she helped establish, but also in the spirit of service she inspired in others.

As we remember Diane Raulston, we celebrate a life lived in service to others, a life marked by integrity, compassion, and impact. Her passing is a profound loss for our community, but her contributions will endure for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Diane Raulston's remarkable life. May her legacy of service and her devotion to educational equity continue to inspire and guide our efforts.

Madam Speaker, during this Small Business Week, it is my honor to recognize Joe Clontz on his receipt of the John L. Stanley Award from the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

This award is given to those who are committed to going above and beyond to support Orange County's business community.

Through Joe's business of providing critical electrical services to the residents of Orange, he has built a legacy of hard work. What makes him so deserving of this award is not just what he does at work. It is the time and energy he devotes to strengthening our community. He has helped grow local businesses and create new opportunities for the people of Orange County.

During Small Business Week, I am honored to congratulate him on this well-earned award and recognize him as this week's Constituent of the Week.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate Joe and offer my best wishes to him on continued success.

Mr. Speaker, today, on National Teacher Day, I rise to recognize Fredericksburg Mayor Kerry Devine as this week's Constituent of the Week.

Mayor Devine also spends her time as a history teacher in Stafford County. She is a role model in civic leadership, both for the city of Fredericksburg and for her students in Stafford.

Whether in city hall or in the classroom, she has made community a cornerstone of her tenure as a public servant and educator. She has also tirelessly worked to increase reading comprehension, counter the harmful impacts of social media on young people, and she supports phone-free schools.

Her work reminds us that educators don't just teach; they shape the future. As a dad of two kids who have attended Virginia schools, I am grateful.

Mr. Speaker, today, I thank Mayor Devine and all the teachers across Virginia's Seventh Congressional District who go above and beyond to make sure every student feels seen, valued, and empowered. Their work is incredibly important.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize May 2 as Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia Awareness Day.

NKH is a rare genetic disorder, and there are only 500 kids in the world living with it, four of them calling the Commonwealth of Virginia home.

Today, I am proud to be joined by one of these incredible kids, my constituent Luka, and his family.

Jackie and her dad, Eddy, are also important advocates in Virginia dealing with this disease.

At one of my townhalls, Luka's mom, Shannon, shared their story with me. It was a story where Medicaid was at the center.

Without reliable Medicaid, Luka would not receive his 18 daily medications, at-home care, and other resources he needs. His mom and dad, Shannon and Chris, work full-time jobs, and Medicaid is backup insurance.

By establishing May 2 as NKH Awareness Day, we raise awareness for this devastating disease and recommit to fighting for a reliable Medicaid. That is because every family should be focused on spending time with their loved ones and not worrying about healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, today, I join my colleagues in commemorating a somber moment, the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and Black April.

Today is a moment to recognize and reflect on the courage of the Vietnamese people and their fight against a Communist dictatorship.

As a refugee whose family fled Soviet Ukraine with under 800 bucks, I connect deeply with that experience.

My family came to America in search of an opportunity to succeed, to achieve the American Dream. We worked hard, we served our country in the military, and now I serve my constituents in Congress. I will fight to keep the American Dream alive for anyone who wants to work for it.

Mr. Speaker, today, my thoughts are with my Vietnamese neighbors commemorating Black April.

As a 25-year Army veteran, I reaffirm my commitment to upholding the ideals that the Vietnamese refugee community risked everything to find: liberty, freedom, and opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate someone truly special, a person whose presence has touched so many lives at the University of Mary Washington.

After 30 years of dedicated service to the dining team, Dora Whiting is retiring.

I want to take a moment to recognize her immense impact on our community by naming her my ``Constituent of the Week.''

From her iconic ``It's Friday!'' moments to the joy she brings when students walk by Woodard Hall, her positive energy has made a lasting impression on all she meets.

Her compassion and unwavering support for students and faculty alike have helped create a welcoming environment that will be remembered for years to come.

I know the students at Mary Washington will certainly miss her constant presence, and I join them in celebrating her retirement and her legacy.