Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I take this time to congratulate Mr. Michael Schrage as he celebrates his 50th anniversary at Centier Bank. Under his outstanding leadership, Centier continues to thrive and has been recognized as the largest private, family-owned bank in the state of Indiana.

Michael Schrage, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for Centier Bank, is a truly innovative business leader. Mr. Schrage is the fourth generation of his family to own and operate the bank, which opened its first branch in 1895 as Bank of Whiting. Centier Bank has sustained immense growth throughout the years, and today the organization operates over 60 locations across Indiana.

During Mr. Schrage's tenure, Centier Bank has reached many goals and enjoyed great success, including the development of an award-winning lender division, the creation of a financial literacy program, and a significant investment in the regional economy through the establishment of banking centers in 32 northern Indiana counties. The company was named a top-ranked bank in the state of Indiana by Forbes from 2019 to 2022. Since 2007, Centier Bank has annually been named one of Indiana's best places to work, which is due to Michael's value-based work ethic that fosters a supportive and thoughtful work environment.

In the community, Michael Schrage has also proven himself to be a pillar of the community and a selfless humanitarian. He gives much of his time and efforts to numerous charity organizations including Saint Jude House, the American Red Cross, the YMCA, and the Boy Scouts of America, to name a few. For his dedication to philanthropic endeavors throughout the community of Northwest Indiana and beyond, he is to be highly commended.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Michael Schrage on his 50 years at Centier Bank. For his lifetime of remarkable leadership and his commitment to helping those in need, Michael Schrage is worthy of our gratitude and admiration.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise to congratulate Michael Schrage, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Centier Bank as he celebrates his 50th work anniversary.

Under his outstanding leadership, Centier Bank has been recognized as the largest private, family-owned bank in the State of Indiana and, since 2007, has annually been named one of Indiana's best places to work. I believe that this is due to Michael's value-based work ethic that fosters a supportive and thoughtful work environment.

I also appreciate that Michael has proven himself to be a pillar in the community, volunteering his time and efforts to countless charity organizations.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Michael Schrage on this incredible accomplishment and his commitment to our region and helping those in need.

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I take this time to recognize the recipients of the 2022 Distinguished Citizen Award, presented annually by the Boy Scouts of America, Pathway to Adventure Council. To commemorate this special occasion, the organization is hosting a celebratory event on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, Indiana.

Since 1992, the Boy Scouts of America has bestowed the Distinguished Citizen Award upon individuals whose efforts have made a significant positive impact on the community of Northwest Indiana and beyond. This year, the Boy Scouts of America, Pathway to Adventure Council is honoring the Halpern family.

Fred, Donna, Joshua, and Ashley Halpern are the owners of Albert's Diamond Jewelers in Schererville, Indiana. Established in East Chicago, Indiana, in 1905, Fred Halpern acquired Albert's in 1960. Throughout the years, Fred and his wife, Donna, handled much of the business operations. In 2010, Joshua, Fred and Donna's son, was named president of the company, becoming the fourth generation in his family to run the business. That same year, Joshua wed Ashley, who had been part of the Albert's team since 2003. Throughout the years, the company has flourished, and Albert's Diamond Jewelers continues to be one of the largest independent and family-owned jewelry stores in the country.

The Halpern family dedicates much of their time and support to charitable endeavors throughout the region including the Foodbank of Northwest Indiana, NWI Parkinson's, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Humane Society, South Shore Arts, and TradeWinds, among many others. In addition, the family hosts an annual auction for Multiple Sclerosis, which has raised over $2.6 million. The Halpern family is to be commended for their passionate and lifelong commitment to philanthropic efforts.

Madam Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the Boy Scouts of America, Pathway to Adventure Council and its 2022 Distinguished Citizen Award recipients, Fred, Donna, Joshua, and Ashley Halpern. For their compassionate devotion to numerous charitable organizations, the Halpern family is to be admired, and they are worthy of the highest praise.

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I take this time to honor Mike Brennan and to wish him well upon his retirement from the board of Unity Foundation of La Porte County. Mike is the founder and former Co-Chairman of this outstanding organization, and his lifetime commitment to charitable efforts is to be commended. Mr. Brennan will be honored at the foundation's 30th anniversary celebration taking place at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana, on Saturday, October 1, 2022.

Mike Brennan is a developer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. His successful career and lifetime of service is truly impressive and noteworthy. Among his many accomplishments, Mike is the founder and developer of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets mall, which was built in 1987 in Michigan City, Indiana. In 1997, Mike was an investor of the former site of Joy Manufacturing which he helped develop into the Michigan City Enterprise Center, a facility that housed numerous companies and created many jobs throughout Northwest Indiana. In addition, he was a co-owner of Sager Metal Strip Company in Michigan City, a company that engineered and designed conveyor systems for organizations worldwide.

In the early 1990s, Mr. Brennan responded to the Lilly Endowment Inc. GIFT Initiative (Give Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) and began organizing ideas that would eventually culminate in the creation of Unity Foundation of La Porte County. Mike sought to establish an organization focused on giving back to the community. Since the beginning, he worked to unite local companies and partnered with remarkable leaders from La Porte, Michigan City, and throughout the region to help create Unity Foundation of La Porte County. Under Mike's outstanding leadership, the foundation has been immensely successful and continues to grow and expand. Today, the organization's assets have grown to more than forty million dollars while awarding over one million dollars in grants and scholarships each year. In addition, Unity Foundation has successfully reached all seven of Lilly Endowment Inc.'s fundraising challenges and has funded many projects, grants, and services including the Unity Park project, Save the Mill Pond, The Home Team, Trail Creek Watershed Planning & Partnership, The Discovery Alliance, Vibrant Communities of La Porte County and numerous COVID disaster relief and recovery efforts, to name a few. For his devotion to improving communities in La Porte County and throughout Northwest Indiana, Mr. Brennan is worthy of the highest praise.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing Unity Foundation of La Porte County as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary and in honoring Mike Brennan for his inspirational leadership and in wishing him well upon his retirement from the board. Mr. Brennan's remarkable contributions to the foundation and to the community will have a positive impact for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on his legacy, we are reminded of the challenges that democracy poses to us, and the delicate nature of our civil liberties and human rights. Dr. King's peaceful protests for change remind us that we must continually work to secure and protect our freedom. In his courage to act, his humble yet strong leadership, and his ability to achieve, Dr. King embodied all that is good and true in the battle for justice and liberty.

The spirit of Dr. King lives on in the citizens of communities throughout our nation. It lives on in the people whose actions reflect the spirit of determination and perseverance that will help move our country into the future. I am honored to rise today to commend the individuals who will be recognized during the 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Chateau Banquets in Merrillville, Indiana.

Attorney Clorius Lay is serving as Event Chair for this celebration, following a two-year hiatus from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Memorial Breakfast, for which Attorney Lay had served as Chairman for fifteen years. The Gary Frontiers Service Club officers and members, as well as many other community members and leaders, assisted with this remarkable tribute to Dr. King each year at the Genesis Convention Center in Gary, Indiana, and I am truly grateful that the event will endure.

At this year's banquet, Pastor Reverend Charles L. Emery of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, located in Gary, Indiana, will be honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award for his lifetime of service to the people of his church and to the community. The Honorable Jerome Prince, Mayor of Gary, will present Pastor Emery with a ``Key to the City'' and will declare October 9, 2022, as Charles L. Emery Day in the city of Gary. President William Godwin and Vice President Tai Adkins of the Gary Common Council will also induct Pastor Emery into the Gary City Council as an honorary member. In addition, the guest speaker for the celebration is Reverend Dr. A.R. Boyd, Pastor of LeClaire Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois.

Madam Speaker, I invite you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in commending the honorees, as well as the Gary Frontiers Service Club officers: President Oliver Gilliam, Vice President Charles Jackson, Secretary Linnal Ford, Financial Secretary Melvin Ward, and Treasurer Floyd Donaldson, and all members of the service club for their initiative, determination, and dedication to serving the people of Northwest Indiana.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my profound support for the work of the House Appropriations Committee and highlight the inclusion of the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding requests for Indiana's First Congressional District.

I am grateful for the ability to collaborate with local units of government, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education to effectively advocate in a transparent fashion for their eligible projects.

Notably, the House-approved legislation includes funding for vital economic and transportation assets in Northwest Indiana, including the Gary/Chicago International Airport, the Burns Waterway Small Boat Harbor in Portage, and shoreline restoration efforts for Mount Baldy within the Indiana Dunes National Park.

I look forward to continuing to work with all my colleagues to complete our constitutional work to fund government and advance the needs of our districts.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration that I recognize Sojourner Truth House as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary. In honor of this momentous occasion, Sojourner Truth House will celebrate with a special event taking place on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, Indiana.

Sojourner Truth House, located in Gary, Indiana, is a ministry organization sponsored by Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ which provides shelter, support, and hope for homeless and at-risk women and children. The compassionate employees and volunteers at Sojourner Truth House assist and encourage their clients to regain their dignity and sense of purpose for themselves, their children, and their communities. The organization is dedicated to its mission which includes an emphasis on dignity and respect for all, strength in diversity and inclusion, and fostering a safe environment for its clients to identify and overcome the barriers in their lives. In addition, the organization is proud to provide numerous programs that have been immensely successful and provide clients with access to resources, classes, counseling, and various activities aimed at healing the mind, body, and spirit. For its noteworthy and lifelong positive impact on the community of Gary and the entirety of Northwest Indiana, Sojourner Truth House is worthy of the highest praise.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize some of the inspiring leaders in Northwest Indiana who have worked with Sojourner Truth House to bring about impactful change and to inspire the community. They include Sister Joan Fisher, PHJC, Sister Peg Spindler, CSA, Executive Director Angela Paul, Chairperson Scott Yahne, Vice-Chairperson Michael Gluszewski, Treasurer Sharon Morales, Secretary Greg Lee and other current members of the Board of Directors: Tai Adkins, Jodi Allen, Leo Barron, LaToya DuBose, Sister Annemarie Kampwerth, PHJC, Rozanne Morton, Margaret Tarchala, and Candace Williams.

I am also grateful for the sponsorship of Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, and for the grant partnerships, organizations, friends, and community groups who work tirelessly to support this incredible organization.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring and congratulating Sojourner Truth House on its 25th anniversary. For the past 25 years, the staff and leadership have touched the lives of countless individuals through their unwavering commitment to those in need. The ministry is a beacon of hope for so many and serves as an inspiration to us all.

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect that I rise to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and its 2022 theme, Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. The theme inspires us to ensure that all people are welcomed to help build stronger communities and a united country. From September 15, 2022, through October 15, 2022, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the people of the United States will once again celebrate the cultures, traditions, and the many remarkable contributions Hispanic Americans have made throughout our country's history.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins each year on September 15, recognizes the anniversaries of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile observe their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Since its inception as National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, which later became National Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988, Americans have taken this time to reflect on the many noteworthy and outstanding efforts of generations of Hispanic Americans which has helped to establish a more successful and honorable nation.

America's success is reliant upon the rich heritage and cultural diversity of its people. Hispanic Heritage Month commends the many Hispanic leaders and members of our communities who have added to the prosperity of the United States in every facet of our society.

Madam Speaker, at this time, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to once again join me in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout America's history, present, and future, the Hispanic community has played and will continue to play a vital role in enriching the quality of life for the people of the United States, and they are worthy of our deepest admiration and gratitude.

Madam Speaker, it is with pride and sincere respect that I take this time

to recognize Westminster Presbyterian Church, of Munster, Indiana, as its members and leaders join in celebration of the church's 60th anniversary. The congregation will be commemorating this momentous occasion with a special service and celebratory brunch on Sunday, September 18, 2022.

In 1961, twenty-nine families met to discuss the establishment of a new Presbyterian church in Munster, Indiana. After obtaining its validation, the church, which would later come to be known as Westminster Presbyterian Church, held its first service on February 4, 1962, at the Independence Park Community Building. Eighty individuals were in attendance while thirty-three children met at the town hall for Sunday School. The congregation then began holding services at Munster Christian Reformed Church under the leadership and guidance of its first pastor, Reverend Gerald Gregg. During its early years, Westminster's membership continued to grow, and the congregation soon purchased five acres of land on the corner of Elliott Drive and Columbia Avenue, the location that would become its permanent home. Westminster's first service at the new building took place on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965.

Westminster's second pastor, Reverend Richard Rogers, arrived in January of 1979 and would remain in this capacity for nearly thirty years. During his extraordinary tenure, the membership experienced immense growth, additional Sunday worship services, and began to televise services. Eventually, in the mid-1990s, Westminster would make the decision to replace its building, while keeping its original sanctuary, in order to accommodate its growing needs.

A beacon of hope in the community, Westminster Presbyterian Church has been dedicated to charitable efforts within Northwest Indiana and beyond. Throughout the years, the church has graciously supported local organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Greater Hammond Community Services, the Samaritan Center, Sojourner Truth House, and Northwest Indiana Veterans Village, among others. Westminster's members have also selflessly dedicated their time and efforts to feeding the homeless in their communities and providing blankets and winter clothing items for schools and relief organizations. Globally, the church's mission has directly improved the lives of countless individuals through its support of organizations including Heart for Africa, Living Waters, and Malawi Matters, as well through its commitment to aiding those impacted by the devastating Haitian earthquakes of 2010.

Despite the challenges in recent years caused by the COVID pandemic, Westminster Presbyterian Church has continued to thrive and is currently led by Reverend Angela Ryo. The church's outstanding musical programs have been a source of pride for the community, and its Christian educational programs, which are offered for children, teens, and adults, have been essential to its members. Westminster Presbyterian Church is truly a congregation worthy of emulation.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring and congratulating Westminster Presbyterian Church, of Munster, Indiana, on its special milestone. For the past sixty years, it has served as an exceptional partner in the Northwest Indiana community. The members and church leaders have dedicated themselves to serving others, especially those most in need, and they are an inspiration to us all.

Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I take this time to honor Carolyn Saxton and to wish her well upon her retirement from her position as President and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Foundation. For her lifetime commitment to philanthropic efforts throughout the region, she is to be highly commended. Carolyn will be honored at a retirement celebration taking place at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center in Merrillville, Indiana, on Friday, August 19, 2022.

Throughout her career, Carolyn has served in numerous capacities in the not-for-profit arena and has been a certified fundraising executive since 1992. Among her many noteworthy leadership roles, she served as executive director for Community Hospice in Ashland, Kentucky, the Oak Park--River Forest Community Foundation and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City.

In 2014, Ms. Saxton became President and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Foundation, Lake County's community foundation. Throughout her tenure, she led multiple fundraising initiatives and secured millions of dollars for several important philanthropic projects and grants throughout Northwest Indiana. The foundation has been responsible for more than $30 million in grant disbursements across the region and manages nearly $50 million in assets in Lake County. Under Carolyn's leadership, Legacy Foundation has received numerous prestigious awards including the Secretary's Award by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Foundation of the Year Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northwest Indiana Chapter, to name a few. Those who have worked with Carolyn can attest to her unwavering commitment to the foundation's standard of excellence, as well as her enthusiasm for community investment and improvement.

Carolyn's dedication to the community of Northwest Indiana and her career is exceeded only by her devotion to her beloved husband, Bill, her children and her grandchildren. I am sure she will be enjoying quality time with her family in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Carolyn Saxton for her outstanding leadership and in wishing her well upon her retirement. For her remarkable contributions to the community of Northwest Indiana and beyond, Carolyn is worthy of our gratitude and praise.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Inflation Reduction Act, the historic measure that takes action to lower costs for individuals and families in northwest Indiana and throughout our Nation.

Of particular importance to me are the provisions that finally address the unfair disadvantage our seniors face when deciding between missing a meal or missing a prescription drug.

As a local elected official, I sat at the table with individuals making those choices, and we were able to find solutions. I appreciate more than anything that, under this legislation, Medicare will negotiate certain prescription drug prices, limit out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 per month, and, for the first time ever, cap Medicare part D out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000. It is to the seniors' advantage to have this passed.

This is real progress that provides real relief to seniors, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support and appreciation that the House is considering the CHIPS and Science Act.

Indiana's First Congressional District is home to an incredible manufacturing, steel, and industrial workforce. This legislation takes historic action to shorten supply chains, increase the production of American-made semiconductors, and protect our national security.

I thank my Senate colleague from Indiana, Senator Todd Young, for his steadfast leadership on this initiative.

Today is a good day for northwest Indiana and the State of Indiana. This bipartisan legislation is an investment in research, technology, and STEM. It allows us to be in enhanced global competitiveness. It makes us less reliant on other countries for chips and semiconductors. It invests in the American worker and ingenuity. It allows for our autoworkers to complete production without stoppages. It allows for continuity for our steel industry and steelworkers and productivity, and it strengthens our Nation's security.

It creates an opportunity for Indiana in a bipartisan congressional manner and the delegation to come together to compete for a tech hub, and it creates a future for the next generation of workers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this agreement, and I thank the chair, again, for my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for research activities to prevent child sexual abuse under the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Throughout my career, it has been a top priority of mine to protect the most vulnerable populations in our communities, including children impacted from sexual abuse.

For the second year in a row, I was proud to lead a letter to the House Appropriations Committee in support of these research activities. Thank you to all 30 Members who joined me in this initiative as well as the leaders of the Appropriations Committee for the increase in funding.

I appreciate the report language that recognizes the severe and often lifelong physical, cognitive, and emotional impact of child sexual abuse and the value of this research to increase the understanding of risk and factors that can improve prevention efforts.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure that all children can thrive in a safe and healthy environment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the final version of the Honoring our PACT Act, which will uphold our obligation to ensure that veterans receive the world-class healthcare they deserve.

As a Member of Congress and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, we have a responsibility to support all veterans when they return home from protecting our freedoms and defending our democracy.

As I walked the parade routes of the Fourth of July and visited the veterans service organizations, it is not enough to simply say ``thank you for your service'' to our veterans. It is through our actions that we provide proof we have our veterans' backs and value their service.

Ultimately, veterans living with toxic exposures must not be denied the care and benefits they have earned.

I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure. Again, I thank Chairman Takano, all the Members, and all of my colleagues on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their leadership to finalize this critical legislation to have our veterans' backs.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which will aim to ensure our communities, schools, and daycares can provide healthy meals to children this summer.

At a time when parents are struggling to put food on the table and prices at the grocery store are at an all-time high, I am grateful for this bicameral, bipartisan effort to address food insecurity.

Throughout my career, I have focused on making sure to stay in touch. I had the opportunity to sit with over 60 nutritionists for the school lunch programs, who had a sense of urgency and concern not about their jobs, but about the rising costs and their ability to make sure that young people, K-12, are able to have the meals in a dignified matter, to be able to be educated and overcome obstacles, and to make sure that they were fed and ready for class.

That being said, today, I thank Chairman Scott and all my colleagues for their example to solve this immediate and pressing challenge, and I look forward to continuing to work with all of my colleagues to ensure that we create the ideal environments that allow all students to learn and thrive.