Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise to honor Ms. Sara Schaller from Hammond, Indiana, who was a recent recipient of the Carnegie Medal.

Northwest Indiana is home to over 40 miles of incredible shoreline on Lake Michigan, which is a tremendous attraction for tourism and our economy, but also can at times pose great dangers with its currents and riptides.

In 2023, Ms. Schaller observed a 14-year-old girl who had been caught in a dangerous current, and without hesitation, she courageously swam over 300 feet to rescue her. Where many hesitated, Sara stepped up and took lifesaving action.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded to civilians who enter extreme danger, risk death or serious injury while saving or attempting to save the lives of others, and it was recently my honor to present Sara with this prestigious award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all my colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Sara Schaller for her quick and courageous action and congratulate her on her deserved recognition.

Mr. Speaker, recently I was privileged to join members of the United Steelworkers Local 1010 in Hammond, Indiana, to commemorate Workers Memorial Day.

During the proceedings, I shared how when the steel and manufacturing industries of northwest Indiana were beginning more than a century ago, the workers labored in long hours and extremely dangerous conditions and were regretfully considered expendable.

Today, through the power of collective bargaining, our workforce has the ability to negotiate with management and enact workplace protections that say we value labor and we value safety.

As a Federal legislator, I am committed to building on the progress and am very concerned about proposals to cut back the ability of the Department of Labor to implement Federal workplace protections. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will make every effort to ensure that OSHA and the National Labor Relations Board have the resources and direction they need to ensure that all

workers make it back home to their families and loved ones at the end of the day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Court-Appointed Special Advocates program, also known as the CASA program, through the Department of Justice.

As a prior township trustee in northwest Indiana, I was involved in a program that went into the schools to assist children who experienced abuse and sexual harm. For survivors, having someone with CASA in their corner became their lifeline through that painful experience.

A family friend became a survivor at just 4 years old. Today, as a college student, she volunteers for CASA, driven by the advocates who once stood by her. She is proof that hope creates change. She asked me to fight.

It is a painful truth that the administration has moved to eliminate funding for this critical program. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice, I believe that our Nation's values and policies are shown by how we direct funds. Turning our backs on children survivors in order to justify massive tax cuts for the wealthy is both shameful and bad policy.

Madam Speaker, I stand ready to work with all of my colleagues to ensure that children and survivors in northwest Indiana and across our Nation have access to resources and trusted advocates they need to lead their best lives.

Mr. Speaker, as we recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week, I rise today to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to every teacher in northwest Indiana and across our Nation who shows up every day with enthusiasm and positivity to prepare our next generation of leaders.

As a Member of the House Committee on Appropriations, I will do my very best to stand with teachers and support their selfless efforts by providing appropriate direction, oversight, and funds through the Federal programs.

While we are here in the beginning days of May, we should have a full budget proposal from the administration and be holding hearings in our respective subcommittees from agency leaders and defend the details of their budget requests.

Instead, we find ourselves today with a four-page skinny budget and an executive order that proposes to dismantle the Department of Education.

This is more than a budget cut. This is a direct hit on our classrooms, our children, and our future. Eliminating title I funding would mean over 600 teachers gone in northwest Indiana and critical support needs and programs hanging by a thread.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, let's be clear. Appreciation isn't just a thank-you. It is action.

Mr. Speaker, I will fight with everything I have to ensure that our educators get the respect, resources, and support that they deserve to keep doing the life-changing work that they do every single day.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise to honor a true hero from Indiana's First Congressional District, Sara Schaller from Hammond, Indiana. Sara was recently awarded the Carnegie Medal for her courageous acts that saved a fourteen-year-old girl from drowning in Lake Michigan.

On June 20, 2023, Sara Schaller and her four-year-old daughter made a trip to the beach at the Indiana Dunes National Park. Suddenly, a rip current swept two swimmers out into Lake Michigan about 300 feet from shore. Sara did not hesitate to act, and after asking a woman to watch her daughter, she ran into the lake and swam out to reach the drowning girl. Sara grabbed the girl under both arms and swam with her 150 feet back to safety where bystanders helped to pull her out of the water. Paramedics were able to treat the girl at the scene of the incident, and she later recovered at the hospital. For her swift and valiant efforts that saved a young girl's life, Sara Schaller is to be commended.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards the Carnegie Medal to civilians who enter extreme danger, risk death or serious injury to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others throughout the United States and Canada. It was my honor to invite Sara to my office to present her with the Carnegie Medal on April 22, 2025. On that day, Sara's family shared their praises for her heroic feat. Sara was raised by a family of first responders who were not surprised at her ability and willingness to act at a moment's notice to help someone in need. Truly a ``hometown hero'', Sara Schaller is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Sara Schaller for her courageous deeds and in congratulating her on being presented with the prestigious Carnegie Medal. Sara's story serves as an inspiration to us all, and we as a community are grateful for her determination and bravery.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today to congratulate Reverend Father Theodore ``Ted'' Poteres, Proistamenos of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, on his retirement. For his twenty-eight years of leadership and unwavering devotion to the parish and to his community, Father Ted will be honored at a retirement celebration on May 18, 2025, at Saints Constantine and Helen Banquet Center.

Reverend Father Ted Poteres was ordained in 1984 and began his career as parish priest of Saints Constantine and Helen in Rockford, Illinois, where he served for more than ten years. In 1997, he became the priest at Saints Constantine and Helen in Merrillville, Indiana. For his outstanding career in the priesthood spanning a remarkable forty-one years, Father Ted is worthy of the highest praise.

Throughout his noteworthy career, Father Ted has worked tirelessly to support those most in need throughout the region. Under his direction at the cathedral in Merrillville, the church's ministries have continued to grow and expand. These programs include the Angel Tree program, the Harvest for Hungry program, winter clothing drives, back- to-school supply drives, hosting the Ross Township food pantry, and supporting the AHEPA low-income senior housing residents. In addition to his ministry efforts, providing his parishioners and the community with spiritual guidance has always been of the utmost importance to Father Ted, and he has done so with absolute integrity and grace. He has worked diligently to counsel his parishioners and the surrounding community on issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, suicide, cancer, HIV and AIDS, grief, marriage counseling, and youth concerns.

Outside of his tireless work at the cathedral, Father Ted gives of his time and effort to numerous charitable endeavors within the community. He also serves on boards and committees for several organizations including the Chicago Metropolis for Jewish-Christian Dialogue, the Chicago Metropolis Youth Retreat Camps, the Northwest Indiana Orthodox Clergy Association, and the Merrillville Clergy Association, among others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Reverend Father Ted Poteres for his extraordinary leadership at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana, and to wish him well upon his retirement. For his lifetime of service to others and dedication to providing spiritual guidance and support to those most in need, Father Ted serves as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound opposition and disappointment in the recent executive order that strips away collective bargaining rights for Federal workers.

The foundation of the economic strength of Indiana's First Congressional District is our labor workforce. It is only because of the ability to collectively bargain and form unions that workers in our Nation were able to make progress and have fair wages, safe working environments, access to affordable healthcare plans, and secure retirements.

I have spent my entire career as an elected official believing that every worker should have the ability to form and join a union.

As a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, I was proud to join my colleagues in signing a letter to the administration on this matter which states that this is the single most antiworker and anti-union Presidential action since the firing of the striking air traffic controllers in 1981.

I am committed to stand shoulder to shoulder with my colleagues to swiftly reverse this unjust action and defend the fundamental rights of every worker to bargain for an equitable future.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I rise to celebrate Women's History Month and its 2025 theme ``Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.''

I would like to honor Ms. Janice Jordan, a lifelong educator who shaped the lives of countless students as a teacher and administrator at the School City of East Chicago for 33 years.

Since 2023, Ms. Jordan has taught preschoolers at St. Mark Early Learning Academy, a Head Start facility in Gary, Indiana.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Jordan is an active member of the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, a sister of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a volunteer with the Gary Literacy Coalition, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to community service and education.

Her philosophy in life is ``Set the atmosphere, engage the community, and get to work!''

As we celebrate Women's History Month, let us follow Ms. Jordan's philosophy and recognize the service of so many extraordinary women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise to celebrate Women's History Month and its 2025 theme--Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations. This year's theme celebrates the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Through their efforts, they have served as an inspiration for all generations--both past and present.

As we celebrate the women who have devoted their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership, I would like to take this time to honor a lifelong educator in Northwest Indiana, Ms. Janice Jordan. Ms. Jordan was born and raised in Hurtsboro, Alabama and earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Auburn University. In 1982, she moved to Gary, Indiana to continue her education at Indiana University Northwest, where she earned a master's degree in education. Ms. Jordan went on to serve the School City of East Chicago as a teacher and administrator for 33 years, where she shaped the lives of countless students. Throughout her career, Ms. Jordan demonstrated a deep commitment to her students by creating enriching learning experiences and ensuring they had the support to grow and thrive.

Although she retired in 2016, Ms. Jordan's passion for teaching led her to return to the classroom. Since 2023, Ms. Jordan has taught preschoolers at St. Mark Early Learning Academy, a Head Start facility in Gary. Ms. Jordan loves engaging her students through the curriculum, which promotes language development, literacy, and individualized instruction tailored to each child's needs. Her favorite part of the day is when children explore different learning centers to create, build, use their imagination, and share new discoveries with their peers. Her philosophy in life is, ``Set the atmosphere, engage the community, and get to work!''

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Jordan is also an active member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, a sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a volunteer with the Gary Literacy Coalition, Inc., demonstrating her unwavering commitment to education and community service. For her dedicated contributions to students, families, and communities throughout Northwest Indiana, Ms. Jordan is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating Women's History Month and recognizing the lifelong service of Ms. Janice Jordan and so many other extraordinary women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to state that should now the House-approved full-year continuing resolution become law, it will be a legislative tragedy for northwest Indiana that will strip away specific funding for public safety and economic development.

By not including community project funding requests approved by this institution in the House Appropriations Committee just last year, Indiana's First Congressional District loses $4 million in approved funds to support equipment and resources for law enforcement agencies and $7 million in approved economic development projects. It reduces health benefits for veterans and puts at risk healthcare for seniors and children with complex medical conditions.

The House majority has made northwest Indiana less safe, jeopardized our potential for economic growth and the ability to create more work and wealth, and put veteran healthcare and those veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange, and radiation at risk.

It is shameful that we have misled our local law enforcement agencies, local units of government, veterans, and seniors. I encourage my Senate colleagues to reject this harmful measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my profound disappointment in the House budget resolution and the severe potential harm it will cause to those who rely on Medicaid benefits in northwest Indiana.

In Indiana's First Congressional District alone, it is a fact that the overwhelming majority of Medicaid funding goes directly to senior healthcare, individuals with disabilities, children, and senior long- term care.

Indiana is also one of the few trigger States in our Nation, which means that Medicaid benefits will immediately cease for a large percentage of our residents should the Federal proportion of assistance fall below 90 percent.

I am a staunch supporter of creating efficiencies and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. However, Mr. Speaker, make no mistake: Should this legislative initiative be finalized, not only will benefits be denied to those in need, but private health insurance costs will skyrocket as hospitals seek to recoup that increased uncompensated care from emergency room visits.

I will continue to speak out against and oppose all legislation that takes real benefits from our seniors, the disabled, and our children to pay for corporate welfare programs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Black History Month and its 2025 theme, African Americans and Labor.

The economic foundation of northwest Indiana and our Nation is reliant upon the advancement of a strong workforce, and I would like to recognize two dedicated African-American leaders from Indiana's First Congressional District who diligently work to support economic opportunities for everyone.

First, Arvella Greenlaw is a member of the United Steelworkers local 6787 in Portage and serves as the Women of Steel District 7 Coordinator where she consistently organizes community service projects and leads volunteer efforts to support individuals throughout our region.

Secondly, Joree Richards is an IBEW representative and leads efforts through the Indiana Plan, which is a pre-apprenticeship program which provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the construction and building trades.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Black History Month and recognizing the invaluable contributions of Arvella Greenlaw, Joree Richards, and countless others who selflessly fight for our labor workforce, safe working conditions, living wages, and economic opportunities for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise to recognize the La Porte Little Theater and its 100th Anniversary as community members gather to celebrate this weekend on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the La Porte Little Theater in the City of La Porte, Indiana.

The La Porte Little Theater began with an advertisement in the local LaPorte Herald Argus newspaper to gauge interest in a community theater club. The La Porte Little Theater was founded on November 11, 1925, when twenty-five community members convened the first official meeting at the local YMCA, which was considered home base for the theater for many years that followed. Early on, the club presented one-act plays in the La Porte High School Auditorium before purchasing the St. John's Lutheran Church building at the corner of 3rd Street and A Street in 1954, where it remains today. Getting the theater ready for showtime was truly a community effort, with Mr. Roy Kaber performing all the electrical wiring, Mrs. Haskell Rosenthal donating the main stage, and Ms. Julie Blankschein Hilbish's family donating the velvet curtains.

Today, the La Porte Little Theater is a 200-seat community theater that aims to provide quality theatrical experiences to Northwest Indiana audiences and actors. Over the last century, the La Porte Little Theater has presented plays, musicals, mysteries, dramas, and comedies, in efforts to bring our region together through art, dance, song, and expression. It is because of the generations of dedicated volunteers who contributed their time, efforts, and talents that the La Porte Little Theater continues to serve as a beacon of creative expression for all in LaPorte County and Northwest Indiana. Through the years, the committed Board Members and volunteers of the La Porte Little Theater have selflessly dedicated their time and efforts to provide opportunities to youth and adults on stage and behind the scenes. From sidesplitting comedy to thoughtful commentary on modern society, hundreds of volunteers have contributed their skills and talents to bring stones to life on stage. Through hundreds of thousands of hours of rehearsal, tens of thousands of costumes, thousands of handmade sets, hundreds of stories brought to the stage, and one

hundred years, the volunteers of the La Porte Little Theater are worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring the La Porte Little Theater as volunteers gather to celebrate its 100th Anniversary and the magic of storytelling this Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and sincere admiration that I rise to celebrate Black History Month and its 2025 theme--African Americans and Labor. This year's theme reflects on the struggles and triumphs of the Afncan American community in the workforce who have fought and continue

to fight for equal and fair labor opportunities, practices, and legislation.

Throughout the history of the United States, African Americans have endured extremely disparaging and harsh labor conditions including slavery, economic inequality, and discnmination. In the fight to create change in the labor system, many courageous people have worked tirelessly to protect, advance, and empower the African American workforce through activism, community building, and labor unions. Due to these efforts, America has seen significant positive change to its values and belief systems, and the effort continues today. The foundation of our great nation is reliant upon the advancement of a strong workforce, one that provides opportunities and economic stability for all people.

I would like to take this time to honor a couple of the many dedicated leaders in Northwest Indiana who work diligently to support economic equality and labor opportunity for the African American community and for all people throughout the region and beyond. Arvella Greenlaw is a member of the United Steelworkers Local Union 6787 and the Women of Steel District 7 Coordinator. Throughout her career, Arvella has organized and developed community service projects and led volunteer efforts with the Women of Steel and numerous other organizations. For her dedication to union members in the fight for employment opportunity and equality, Arvella Greenlaw is to be highly commended. Joree Richards is an IBEW International Representative for the Sixth Distnct. Throughout his career, Joree has held many noteworthy positions and leadership roles. Through his work with the Indiana Plan, a pre-apprenticeship program endorsed by the Indiana State Building Trades, he leads efforts to support workers by providing them the skills and knowledge needed to prosper in the construction and building trades. Among the many great initiatives of the Indiana Plan, the organization works to promote the recruitment of women and minorities to the trades and to place candidates in construction jobs at a training rate. For his outstanding leadership and unwavenng commitment to providing workers with pathways to stable and rewarding careers, he is worthy of the highest praise.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating Black History Month and recognizing the dedication and contributions of Arvella Greenlaw, Joree Richards, and so many other extraordinary members of the Afncan American community who continue to fight for safe working conditions, living wages, and growth opportunities in the workforce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the abject frustration constituents of northwest Indiana have expressed due to the administration's incoherent and overreaching executive orders that create unnecessary confusion in their failed attempts to improve government efficiencies.

Is it efficient when individuals, small businesses, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations that provide benefits to seniors, veterans, and children are frozen without guidance?

Is it efficient when a Federal employee hired for 20 years, living in my district, is told to report back to an office in D.C. that never existed?

Is it efficient when officials immediately end public transit services that seniors rely upon and when community health centers that provide essential services to vulnerable populations can't access government websites? These actions are creating inefficiencies and wasting taxpayer dollars.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I encourage the administration to look forward and put their proposals in their upcoming budget requests. Let's begin the constitutional process and real negotiations with checks and balances to benefit the American people.