Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, during President Biden's politically charged, factually inaccurate, and often confusing State of the Union speech, we heard a lot of excuses about the problems American families are facing.

One line from the President's speech stood out to me: Because of my investments, family farms are better able to stay in the family.

Well, this rosy picture painted by our President doesn't tell the whole story, and his own Department of Agriculture's data proves it.

Under President Biden, rural America and our family farms are in crisis. We are in the middle of the largest agricultural trade deficit on record. Farm input costs from fuel to fertilizer have skyrocketed. Interest rates are sky high. Grocery prices are up 21 percent since Biden took office.

The state of the Union is expensive. Rural America is struggling. Our family farms are in dire straits.

As the New York Post recently said: ``Shrinkflation and many other problems are the bitter harvest of Bidenomics.''

Thankfully, we have the opportunity to course correct, to revitalize rural America, and truly get our family farms back on track. We will do this

through the farm bill, one of the few remaining exercises in good governance left in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me and truly uplift our family farms.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the annual DuBois Area YMCA Polar Plunge, which takes place in Clearfield County.

The event, which occurred on Saturday, February 3, has taken place for the last 13 years and has raised thousands of dollars for the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign. With their help, children are able to participate in YMCA activities at a much lower cost.

Despite the cold weather, 58 brave participants dove into Treasure Lake. The ages of the participants ranged from 12 to 82 years old.

The plunge initially began in 2011, when it was founded by DuBois YMCA executive director Dan Dowling.

I take this time to continue to show my support for all those who participated, as well as the DuBois YMCA for their gracious efforts. Without these fundraising events, those who are less fortunate would not be able to access these very important youth programs.

Keep up the great work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Samuel Hunsberger of Licking Township, Pennsylvania. Samuel recently accepted a fully qualified appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Samuel is the son of Melissa and Larry Hunsberger, and he is the grandson of Jane Hunsberger and the late Ronald Hunsberger of Licking Township, Pennsylvania, the late Audrey Woodkirk of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the late Burdette Woodkirk of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania.

As a student at Keystone Junior/Senior High School, Samuel is active in the classroom, on the athletic field, and on the stage. He is a member of the student government, a 3-year varsity football player, and a member of the marching band.

Outside of school, Samuel is a volunteer firefighter for Knox and Callensburg-Licking Township companies.

I congratulate Samuel for his commitment to service and wish him the very best of luck as he embarks on this exciting new phase of life at West Point.

Congratulating Eric Clark

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Eric Clark of Howard, Pennsylvania. Eric recently accepted a fully qualified appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Eric is the son of Amy and Benjamin Clark. He is the grandson of Uleta and Eric Clark of Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania, and Ann and William Welsh of Rixford, Pennsylvania.

Eric is a senior at Bald Eagle Area High School, where he has excelled in and out of the classroom. As a captain of the varsity football and wrestling teams, Eric is a strong leader. He also serves as senior class president and is a member of the National Honor Society. Eric has a clear passion for service and is a great example of what leadership looks like.

Best wishes in Annapolis, Eric. I look forward to seeing all that you achieve.

Congratulating Jude Sterling

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Jude Sterling of Millmont, Pennsylvania. Jude accepted a fully qualified appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Jude is a senior at the Meadowbrook Christian School. He is the son of Jason and Ann Rishel and the grandson of Shirley O'Brien and Harry Vansickle of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and Kathy and Carl Baskin of Sugar Hill, Georgia.

Jude is an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, where he has served in a variety of leadership positions. He is also a student pilot and a member of the cross-country and track and field teams. His commitment to service is an inspiration to us all.

I am confident that Jude's experience in and out of the classroom will serve him well as he looks forward to this exciting new phase of life.

Jude, thank you for your commitment to our Nation, and best of luck in Colorado Springs.

Mr. Speaker, it was an honor to nominate these young men. Their dedication to serving our country is inspirational, and I look forward to seeing their successes in the years to come. Again, I thank all of them for their commitment to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pennsylvania 4-H members who received the Diamond Clover Award at the recent 4-H State Leadership Conference.

4-H is a youth development program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program's main goal is to educate our Nation's youth on pivotal skills and responsibilities to develop them into outstanding citizens.

As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I am enlightened to see the work of USDA's programs paving the way for youth.

In total, there were 24 Diamond Clover Award winners from 13 counties across Pennsylvania. I am especially proud to say that out of those 13 counties, 3 of them are from my district, Pennsylvania 15.

Special congratulations to Hannah Trigg from Centre County, Phaedra Bower from Clinton County, and Crystal Clark from Potter Country.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all of them on their hard work and this recognition. I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank, and express my sincere gratitude for, an incredible group of students at Penn State University.

This group of students has spent the last year dedicating countless hours to support a fantastic cause benefiting pediatric cancer patients.

THON is a yearlong fundraising effort that culminates in an annual 46-hour dance marathon to support, financially and emotionally, more than 4,500 families with children who are battling cancer.

On February 16, Penn State students, staff, families, friends, volunteers, and spectators filled the Bryce Jordan Center for the 52nd annual THON to raise money for the Four Diamonds foundation.

THON was founded in 1973 by Penn State fraternities and sororities. What began as a small fundraiser, bringing in $2,000 in its inaugural year, flourished into a campus-wide effort with more than 16,000 student volunteers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In 1977, THON partnered with the Four Diamonds foundation. Since then, not a single Four Diamonds family has received a medical bill, thanks to the tireless work and dedication of Penn State students.

The Four Diamonds foundation was founded by Charles and Irma Millard in 1972 after their son, Christopher, lost his battle with cancer at 11 years old.

Before Christopher passed away, he wrote a story about a great knight who sought four diamonds of courage, wisdom, honesty, and strength to be saved from an evil sorceress. His parents realized these four qualities were all necessary to overcome cancer. They created the Four Diamonds foundation in his memory.

Over the past 50 years, THON has grown into the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Students stood from 6 p.m. on Friday, February 16, until 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 18. It was an impressive feat to behold.

What is even more incredible is the drive, fortitude, and flexibility these students showed in their commitment to this cause.

This year, Penn State students raised a record-breaking $16,955,683.63. This surpasses THON's 2023 record-breaking total by nearly $2 million. To date, students have shattered records and raised more than $200 million.

Of course, their dedication is to be applauded, but ask any Penn State student, and they will agree: THON isn't about them. It is about the children and families fighting cancer.

THON is for the kids, and it is for families to focus on celebrating more birthdays, piano recitals, science fairs, graduations, and every other milestone a child should celebrate without fear. THON exists so one day, parents don't have to hear the words: ``Your child has cancer.''

Madam Speaker, I am proud of these students, but more importantly, I am proud of the children and families who have the courage to fight back against pediatric cancer.

Once again, I congratulate everyone involved in this year's THON. We Are.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Robert David Laughlin of Boalsburg in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

A lifelong central Pennsylvanian, Robert was born on March 9, 1924, in Altoona, and will be celebrating his 100th birthday this coming Saturday.

At 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was selected for officer training. He received his commission at the U.S. Naval Academy under an accelerated program for wartime midshipmen. At that time, he was one of the youngest commissioned officers in the fleet.

He served during World War II in the Pacific region as radar officer aboard the USS Pittsburgh and later aboard the USS Pasadena.

A Penn State graduate, Robert spent his career as a physicist studying electro-optical research for early airborne reconnaissance platforms and holds several U.S. patents. He later served as science adviser to the Governor of Pennsylvania under three administrations.

Most notably, he helped coordinate the initial State government response to the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.

Today, Robert is actively working on computer repairs, studying quantum physics, and spending time with his 8 grandkids and 10 great- grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Robert a happy birthday.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate a week honoring one of our Nation's most significant youth organizations, the FFA.

National FFA Week, celebrated February 17 to 22, recognizes the far- reaching impact of this organization. FFA has chapters in all 50 States, and today, there are more than 900,000 active FFA members.

Because of the incredible investment FFA has made and continues to make in agricultural education, more of our Nation's young people have the skills, knowledge, and opportunity to pursue careers in agriculture and related fields.

Access to agricultural education is vital to our country's future, not just our rural communities. Agriculture is the food on our table, the clothes on our backs, and, increasingly, the fuel in our cars. It is also science, technology, and innovation.

Madam Speaker, agriculture is nothing without the next generation, which is why I am so proud to celebrate the FFA.

The blue FFA jackets symbolize hard work, competent leadership, and a commitment to serving one's community.

FFA members are some of the premier leaders in this country. It is an honor to celebrate the past successes of FFA, while looking forward to how future FFA leaders will enact positive change.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a Pennsylvania 15th District native, Command Sergeant Cory M. Bell for his service to the United States of America.

Command Sergeant Bell is retiring as a master sergeant after 24 years of serving in the United States Army. He was raised in Eldred, McKean County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Army on August 24, 2000.

After completing his One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he became a 12B combat engineer. Over the next 24 years, Command Sergeant Bell's service took him around the United States and the world in a variety of posts and positions. He is currently serving in the 3-393rd Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Cavazos, Texas.

Regardless of location, Command Sergeant Bell consistently provided leadership and guidance to his fellow soldiers.

Following his retirement, he will return to Kane, Pennsylvania, with his loving wife, Kristen, and three daughters.

Mr. Speaker, we owe Command Sergeant Bell a sincere debt of gratitude for his sacrifice, dedication, and courage to our country. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we thank him for his service to the United States of America. His dedication to our country is admirable. Enjoy retirement, you deserve it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisa Foradori's service to the United States House of Representatives.

This month, Lisa will be retiring from the Office of Official Reporters, which is within the Office of the Clerk of the House.

Lisa has been one of the House's elite court reporters providing expert stenographic support to committees and the House floor.

Lisa was born in DuBois, Pennsylvania. That is in the 15th Congressional District, and I am very proud of that. She grew up in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, which also was in my Congressional District for a while.

In 1982, she obtained her court reporting degree from Central Pennsylvania Business School in Summerdale, Pennsylvania.

Following graduation, Lisa worked as an official court reporter in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and Pasco and Hernando Counties in Florida. In 1992, Lisa started her own court reporting firm in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

During this time, Lisa also worked as a contract reporter for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

In 2007, Lisa moved to Washington, D.C., to serve as a court reporter for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, where she worked until joining the House.

Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends, and two beautiful granddaughters, Vivian and Chloe. Once retired, Lisa plans to travel, play golf and tennis, and go kayaking.

Mr. Speaker, the court reporters who support the House floor are the best in their profession, and Lisa is no exception.

On behalf of the whole House, I wish to express my gratitude for Lisa's dedicated service to the House and her country.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Lisa and wish her all the best in her next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the CBYX program and to thank Linus Wullner, a current participant and intern in my office.

As the chair of the bipartisan German-American Caucus and a Congressman for the 15th District for Pennsylvania, a State with a history of German heritage, I have supported the CBYX program for many years.

Established in 1983, the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program celebrates its 40th exchange cohort this year and is jointly funded by the U.S. Congress and the German Congress.

Every year, this unique program offers 75 young Germans and 75 young Americans the opportunity to study, work, and volunteer in Germany and the United States.

Participants fully immerse themselves into the other culture, attending university, interning, and living with host families all across the USA and Germany.

Linus was first placed with the welcoming host family of Patricia Vazquez in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked in the hospitality industry while studying political science at Southern Nevada University.

Now he is living with a host family in Burke, Virginia, and experiences everyday working life within my office.

Mr. Speaker, I emphasize the importance of cultural exchange programs. The American-German friendships don't stop after participants like Linus return to Germany and his hometown of Hinnenkamp.

The cultural exchange continues. American friends will visit Germany, Linus will visit the United States, and he will continue to share his experiences in the United States with his family, neighbors, and coworkers in Germany.

It is through citizen diplomacy that we expand cultural knowledge across the globe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Rich Kelley of Centre County.

Rich was a tireless advocate for emergency services in Centre County, and he never wavered on his dedication to helping others. Rich joined Mount Nittany Health System in 1991, working his way up to EMS manager and is responsible for the significant development and growth of the department and EMS in the region.

Over the years, he also served as Centre County coroner, executive director of Bellefonte EMS, assistant manager of Centre LifeLink EMS, and was a flight paramedic for Geisinger Life Flight.

He was active in fire service, having served as a volunteer for the Undine, my own home department of Howard, and the Logan Fire Departments, where our paths crossed. I consider Rich and his wife, Teresa, dear friends, and his passing is a tragic loss.

His contagious personality and cheerful sense of humor will be missed across Centre County for years to come. Scripture in 1 Thessalonians instructs us with these words:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed

about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve

like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

Rich Kelley lived his life dedicated to service and caring for others in a way that brought hope to so many. Let us find peace having known Rich Kelley.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the 114th anniversary of the Boys Scouts of America, the Nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

On February 8, 1910, Chicago businessman William D. Boyce, who grew up in western Pennsylvania, incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. It later went on to be chartered by the U.S. Congress.

Since then, millions of young men and women have joined the Scouts and learned the values of patriotism, courage, and self-reliance.

I have been involved in Scouting for more than 50 years, including serving as a Scoutmaster and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 1977. Scouting helped me discover my life purpose: helping others.

I take the lessons learned throughout my own Scouting career and apply them in every aspect of my life today, including in my job as a U.S. Congressman.

As co-chair of the Congressional Scouting Caucus, I am proud to introduce a resolution, alongside my fellow Eagle Scout from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), designating tomorrow, February 8, as Boy Scouts of America Day, to honor the tireless service of Scout volunteers and participants in our communities.

In challenging times like now, I think we could all learn a lesson from the Scout slogan: ``Do a Good Turn Daily.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dani Kugler of Kersey, Pennsylvania, Elk County.

Dani currently serves as the city of St. Mary's Parks and Recreation director. She was recently recognized by Parks and Recreation magazine with the National Recreation and Parks Association's ``30 under 30'' award for young professionals leading the way in 2024.

This award is given to young professionals who raise the bar for the parks and recreation profession. Dani was selected from a pool of over 100 applicants and scored on the impact on the agency's community and service population; contributions to the professional development of the field of parks and recreation; and for innovative ideas, programs, or research in the field of parks and recreation.

Dani was hired as the first year-round and full-time director in June 2019. In her 5 years serving the St. Mary's area, she has established a strong social media presence and increased membership and program participation by 40 percent. She has also successfully increased the city's 15 summer-only program events to 45 year-round programs and events.

This is the first time in St. Mary's history that its park director has been recognized for this award.

I congratulate Dani on this much-deserved recognition. I look forward to seeing continued growth and development of the St. Mary's Parks and Recreation Department.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Young Women's Christian Association of Oil City, in Venango County, or more widely known as the YWCA, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary.

In 1922, Olive Bailey Shaffer proposed the idea of establishing a YWCA in Oil City. Two years later, on June 24, 1924, with 450 charter members enrolled, the Oil City YWCA was founded.

To sustain the organization and their mission, members of the YWCA raised more than $10,000 in their first year. Following these efforts, the Oil City YWCA received their national charter on December 24, 1924.

Over the years, the YWCA continued to grow and establish strong roots in the community. What started as humble beginnings led the chapter to the Samuel L. Maxwell Home at 109 Central Avenue, which remains the current home.

This location continued to grow with the chapter with multiple renovations and additions over the 100 years. The group now uses this location to host programming and advocacy to generate institutional change in three key areas--racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement, and health and safety of women and girls.

Today, the YWCA stands true to their mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the women of the Young Women's Christian Association of Oil City on this monumental anniversary. May they continue their good work for the next 100 years.