Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the Penn State Lion Caucus to Capitol Hill.

Lion Caucus is a university-affiliated student organization connected to the Office of Government and Community Relations. Lion Caucus promotes the official message and positive impact of Penn State University to local, State, and Federal elected officials. It also educates students about legislation and policies that impact the university and students. Each year, Lion Caucus organizes and executes Capital Day, Penn State's annual State advocacy event.

The organization also hosts seminars for students across campus, holds meetings in Harrisburg with legislators and lobbyists, and welcomes elected officials to University Park.

Lion Caucus is made up of a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students from any background or major.

As a graduate of Penn State, I am proud of these students for devoting their time and resources to educating and advocating for their fellow students, promoting civic engagement, and showcasing the Penn State community--We Are.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stan LaFuria as he retires from Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership.

For 43 years, Stan has dedicated his career to championing community and economic development throughout Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District.

After receiving a master's degree in public administration from Penn State in the summer of 1982, Stan began his career in Titusville, Pennsylvania, where he worked as the assistant director of the administration of the Titusville Redevelopment Authority.

For 5 years, he was responsible for creating and managing multimillion-dollar neighborhood revitalization and housing rehabilitation programs, as well as recreation improvement projects.

In 1988, Stan took a position as the assistant director of the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, where he assisted in the management of three industrial parks, a new incubator facility, and a revolving loan fund program.

In 1990, Stan was named the executive director of the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership, a role he has held ever since.

For 35 years, Stan has been a driving force behind major economic initiatives to enhance the communities and economy of the Moshannon Valley and Philipsburg region.

Under Stan's leadership, the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership has developed two business parks, two multitenant buildings, a revolving loan fund program, $2.9 million in housing rehabilitation programs, and the Philipsburg Main Street Program.

In 1997, the organization was named Agency of the Year by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association, in recognition of its outstanding accomplishments for the region.

Madam Speaker, Stan's commitment and leadership have shaped Moshannon Valley for the better, and his legacy will be felt for generations.

Madam Speaker, I wish Stan the best as he enters retirement and starts this new chapter of life.

Mr. Speaker, last month was National Family Caregiver Month. Every day, more than 48 million family caregivers provide essential care to loved ones who are aging, ill, or disabled.

As a former healthcare professional, I have seen these caregivers often go above and beyond for their families, sacrificing their own time, energy, and well-being to ensure that those they care for receive the support and love that they need.

Family caregivers are often the unsung heroes in our communities. Many balance caregiving with full-time jobs, raising children, and managing their own health.

They deserve our support and recognition, which is why I am proud to support legislation like the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act to help ensure these caregivers have the financial resources to continue providing care for their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, let this month be a reminder of our shared responsibility to support these caregivers who give so much to others. By showing our appreciation and lending a hand where we can, we honor the work that they do every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my constituent, Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel, for recently testifying before the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

His testimony highlighted how the U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and services are vital to rural America and how USDA Rural Development is uniquely positioned to serve our rural communities.

As a county commissioner for 18 years, Paul has prioritized criminal justice reform, arts and culture, community development, rural advocacy, veterans services, and environmental stewardship.

Just this year he received the Public Leadership in the Arts Award at the 2025 National Association of Counties' Annual Conference, recognizing his community-driven approach to addressing rural population decline through strategic arts and culture investment.

The national award, presented by NACo and Americans for the Arts, celebrates county-elected officials who utilize the creative economy for community development.

Before serving as county commissioner, he worked as a newspaper reporter, an editor, corporate public relations manager, and as a freelance writer and historian.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Commissioner Heimel for his dedication to Potter County and rural America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jim Decker as he retires from the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry.

Jim's professional life is deeply intertwined with the economic vitality of Warren County, Pennsylvania. Since 1989, he has served in some capacity with the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry.

Since 1997, he has led the WCCBI as president and CEO. He also serves as executive director of the Warren County Development Association.

Jim is a native son of Warren County and a 1975 graduate of Warren Area High School. He proudly raised his family in Warren. He and his wife, Kathryn, have three adult children and many grandchildren.

Jim's dedication to Warren County is second to none. His community involvement is extensive, and he is a board member of numerous regional and State organizations, including but not limited to the Northwest Commission, the Northwest PA Job Connect, and the Leadership Warren County Steering Committee.

Jim has been a driving force behind major economic and recreational initiatives in the county, including the facilitation of the Warren County Industrial Complex, which is a business incubator that supports a dozen small to large midsized manufacturing tenants and is the financial anchor of the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry.

Jim also oversaw the development of the 300 2nd Avenue Bank Building project, a key venture that now houses the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College and is a multimillion-dollar economic development rehabilitation project in the heart of downtown Warren.

A strong advocate for expanded outdoor opportunities, Jim has worked to make Warren County a prime destination. He was instrumental in expanding the Trails at Jakes Rocks mountain bike system, which features 35.2 miles of premier hiking and biking trails in the Allegheny National Forest. This is a significant regional asset that has an economic impact of more than $10 million annually.

Through Jim's efforts, Warren County has hosted major events, including the United States Canoe Association's national championships, Cabela's 3D Archery and Walleye championships, and the International Bowhunters Organization tournament.

This year, the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals gave Jim the Keystone Award. Established in 1963, it is the highest honor for the PACP awards. It recognizes outstanding service in and contributions to the profession of Chamber management in Pennsylvania. It is not awarded annually but only when an individual has demonstrated outstanding achievements.

Mr. Speaker, Jim's longstanding dedication and leadership have shaped Warren County for the better. He is the kind of leader who brings his vision to life through hard work but makes it look easy.

Warren County has become a dynamic community and recreational hub thanks to Jim's leadership. Jim is a steadfast pillar of the northwestern Pennsylvania region, and his legacy will be felt for generations.

While it is bittersweet to see Jim retire, I know that we will still see him around Warren, probably on his mountain bike, enjoying the outdoors. I wish him the best as he starts this new chapter of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Bernie Adams, a World War II veteran from Coudersport, Pennsylvania, who will turn 102 years old on Saturday.

Bernie served in the U.S. Navy and was a seaman third class gunner on a supply tanker ship at Normandy. He also saw service in the Philippines.

Bernie was born in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. He married the former Barbara Fetzer in 1946, and they had a beautiful union of 75 years before her passing in 2020.

Bernie and Barbara settled in Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania, where they raised five children: Pamela, Larry, Bernie Jr., Amy, and Jeffrey.

Family was important to them, and the family has grown over the years. Bernie has 9 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great- great-grandchildren.

Bernie worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and was later employed as a pipe fitter in Olean, New York. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he loves watching baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs.

Bernie now resides at Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, where he will have a birthday celebration on Saturday.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Bernie Adams the very best as he turns 102, and I thank him for his service to this great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ellie Sheehan, drum major of the Penn State Blue Band this season.

This is a historic milestone because Ellie is the first woman to hold the position in the Blue Band's 126-year history.

Ellie hails from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and is pursuing a degree in marketing with a minor in digital media trends and analytics. She brings years of experience within the Blue Band, most recently as a leader of the piccolos. The Blue Band's drum major leads the band through warm-ups and performances.

Since 1977, it has been a tradition for the drum major to do a front flip as the band enters the field at home football games. Ellie continues this tradition.

As any visitor to Beaver Stadium can attest, the Blue Band plays a central role in Penn State's game day and represents the highest level of tradition, excellence, and pride.

Mr. Speaker, as a graduate of Penn State, I am proud to congratulate Ellie Sheehan for being a fantastic Blue Band drum major.

Mr. Speaker, Thursday marks National Rural Health Day.

Nearly 60 million Americans live in rural areas, and they too often encounter limited access to primary care specialists and health services. These gaps are worsened by transportation barriers, doctor shortages, and hospital closures. These challenges don't just affect individuals; they affect entire families and communities.

Before coming to Congress, I spent nearly 30 years in the nonprofit healthcare field, assisting those with life-changing diseases and disabilities.

Most of my congressional district is rural, and many constituents must drive long distances to get the care that they need. Some do not have broadband access. Some have limited transportation options. Thankfully, telehealth has added tremendous reach and value to communities across the country.

That is why I reintroduced the bipartisan Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth Act, or the HEALTH Act, which cuts red tape and allows community health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services to their patients. Telehealth makes life simpler for rural and underserved communities, especially for our seniors. Telehealth is an essential part of healthcare that expands access to care for all Americans, regardless of location.

Mr. Speaker, today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, a day to remember the brave men and women who served their country and have not returned home.

Currently, there are more than 80,000 American servicemembers who are still missing and remain unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf wars.

Our servicemembers answered the call to protect and defend our country in times of war and in times of peace. We have a sacred compact with the men and women who serve, and we will never stop searching for the ones who remain missing and unaccounted for until they are returned to their loved ones.

That is why today I reintroduced a resolution that urges our trading partners to aid in the search and recovery efforts of our Nation's missing servicemembers.

Mr. Speaker, we will never stop searching until all our servicemembers are brought home. They and their loved ones deserve no less.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Teach Ag Day.

National Teach Ag Day celebrates school-based agricultural education. Today we share the importance and effectiveness of ag education in the United States and encourage students to consider careers as agricultural educators.

Mr. Speaker, our ag educators are responsible for cultivating and inspiring the next generation of agricultural leaders. They prepare students to be problem solvers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and more. This happens in

the classroom with extension programs or with groups like FFA or 4-H.

By recognizing our agricultural educators, we can ensure our students have knowledge and exposure to all the opportunities the agriculture sector has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all the ag teachers and volunteers across the country who help propel students into meaningful careers that support our Nation's farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers.

Mr. Speaker, as the co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud to be an advocate for CTE and the work we do to support job training, apprenticeships, and CTE programs.

Skills-based education provides learners of all ages with career- ready skills, giving individuals the tools to succeed and restoring the rungs on the ladder of opportunity.

From agriculture to the arts and from marketing to manufacturing,

CTE programs work to develop America's most valuable resource: its people. A highly skilled workforce is important to the success of our American economy.

That is why, together with the CTE Caucus co-chair, Congresswoman Bonamici, I introduced two bills that increase career counseling for students and adult learners.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act would expand K-12 career counseling services and provide more resources focused on financial literacy, registered apprenticeships, dual enrollment programs, internships, and even financing for college or other postsecondary education.

Career counseling gives students the tools that they need to make well-informed decisions about their futures. When we equip school counselors with the resources necessary, we can help close our Nation's skills gap and let students find the pathway to fulfilling careers.

The Counseling for Career Choice Act ensures that middle and high school students are made fully aware of their career and educational options prior to graduation so that they are aware of all the opportunities before them.

CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving students choose in pursuit of industry certifications and hands-on skills that they can use right out of high school in skills-based education programs or college.

For adult learners, we introduced the Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act, or COTA Act for short, to help spread the word about career counseling through public outreach.

COTA amends title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, to bolster career guidance for adults.

For the first time, this bill would allow for public outreach such as public service announcements, social media campaigns, job fairs, and other means to educate the public on workforce development programs.

Mr. Speaker, we must be able to tell the public about the resources available to them. Increasing access to career opportunities is a good investment, and the COTA Act will give individuals the resources they need to take the next step in their careers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support both bills and to join the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Constitution Day.

Today, in 1787, our brave Founding Fathers gathered in Pennsylvania to

sign the United States Constitution, one of the most significant documents in history.

For 238 years, this document has laid the groundwork for our Nation's principles and has served as a beacon of freedom worldwide.

Our Constitution guarantees our freedoms, from the right to free speech to the right to practice our faith. The Constitution is a promise that we the people are at the forefront of our government.

Today, the Constitution remains as relevant as ever. As we face new challenges, we must remember that our Constitution has provided us the framework to debate, disagree, and, most importantly, unite.

I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting a resolution recognizing today, September 17, as Constitution Day, highlighting our Nation's beginnings as we approach our 250th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, let us celebrate the principles that make our Nation great on this Constitution Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, which marks its centennial celebration on Sunday.

While Port Matilda was formally incorporated as a borough in 1925, its roots go back to 1850, when Squire Clement Beckwith laid out a town plot and named it after his eldest daughter Matilda.

Historians believe that the addition of ``port'' was hopeful on Beckwith's

part, thinking the borough would eventually be connected to the Bald Eagle and Spring Creek branch of the Pennsylvania Canal, though it was never realized.

Nestled in the Bald Eagle Valley between Tyrone and State College, the borough is a glimpse into small town America. Its most famous landmark from the 1800s, the Port Matilda Hotel & Tavern, is still in business today.

In the late 19th century, Port Matilda was a working village of mills and shops. In the 20th century, the borough's industrial base was anchored by the McFeely Brick Company, a major employer until its closure in 1959. Across nearly two centuries, Port Matilda has flourished as a crossroads town with a rich history.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Port Matilda on this milestone occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Celebrate Community Week.

As co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Service Organization Caucus, Congressman Jimmy Panetta and I introduced a resolution to designate the week of September 14 through September 20 as Celebrate Community Week, where we honor the efforts of local service organizations across the country.

The resolution recognizes the role of service organizations in promoting humanitarian assistance, while also showing our youth the value of giving back.

We specifically applaud Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International for encouraging and promoting community service and humanitarian assistance through their local chapters.

The Celebrate Community Week resolution highlights the critical work of our community service organizations.

Mr. Speaker, volunteer service is the cornerstone of a successful, strong, and healthy community, and it is an important staple of American life.

Mr. Speaker, I commend our community service organizations for everything they do to help our communities flourish.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, to remember the innocent lives we lost.

At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 flew into Tower One of the World Trade Center. Not long after, Flight 175 struck Tower Two.

While Americans around the country were grappling with the news, a third plane, Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon.

In southwest Pennsylvania, the fourth flight, United 93, was hijacked and made an abrupt turn toward Washington, D.C., but because of the brave passengers and crewmembers, it crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In the days, weeks, months, and now more than two decades that followed September 11, our country joined together to face the very evil that tried to take us down. While today's world has grown no less dangerous and we continue to grapple with evil, Americans are resilient.

May God continue to watch over our first responders, our men and women in uniform, and all those who keep us safe.