Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor today as National Hire a Veteran Day.

This day is crucial to the spirit and health of both America's veterans and our communities. Set aside to raise awareness to the unique skills and useful abilities of servicemembers after military service, we must use this day to recognize the sacrifice and the strength of our veterans.

In America's private and public sectors, qualities like dedication, determination, and tenacity are highly valuable. These are features fostered during military service and can be even more useful in nonmilitary employment. As 200,000 military members retire and become veterans each year, more and more qualified potential employees are eligible to join the greater American workforce.

Madam Speaker, as employers look to hire, they must value the talent present amongst our American troops. Each and every servicemember deserves the opportunities to create unique and positive impact after they have made sacrifices to defend our great Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize July 20 as National Pennsylvania Day.

Pennsylvania gained the nickname the ``Keystone State'' because Thomas Jefferson referred to the Commonwealth as a keystone of the Federal union for our role in the establishment and the success of the United States.

Our Commonwealth is where the Declaration of Independence was signed, our Constitution was written, and our flag was born. It also served as the first capital back in the early days of our union.

Pennsylvania is the site of famous battles, such as the battle of Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War and the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. In Pennsylvania, we are proud to be home to the first hospital, superhighway, and commercial oil well, the Drake Well in my district. We are also proud to have invented the slinky, little league baseball, the steam engine, and bubble gum.

All throughout history from our steel and coal mines to our farms and forests, Pennsylvania has led the way with an inspiring work ethic.

As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, I am proud of all we have done and look forward to our future. I am proud to represent nearly one-third of the land mass of our great Commonwealth.

Madam Speaker, to all Pennsylvanians, happy Pennsylvania day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of July as National Ice Cream Month and celebrate America's favorite frozen dairy treat.

As the weather gets hotter and the days get longer, there truly is nothing like a bowl of sweet, smooth ice cream to help turn down the heat. Dedicated in the United States by the late President Ronald Reagan, National Ice Cream Month serves to boost spirits and cool temperatures, especially on a day as warm as this one.

Not just a staple of the American diet, American ice cream also boosts local communities. Keep an eye out for the more than half of ice cream shops in the United States that are family owned and have been in operation for more than 50 years.

Madam Speaker, you can support local scoop shops the entire month throughout the summer. Enjoy the sweetest month of the year by supporting local businesses and industry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a growing injustice against millions of students throughout the country.

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the largest source of Federal assistance for schools and students in poverty. These targeted formula grants are intended to combat the effects of poverty upon student achievement.

Unfortunately, the current formula has the perverse effect of diverting funds from the higher poverty school districts to more populous school districts that, in many instances, do not have high levels of poverty. This runs counter to congressional intent and negates the fact that poverty is poverty regardless of where it occurs.

To right this wrong, I have introduced H.R. 4565, the All Children are Equal Act, to ensure that all title I funds are distributed based on actual need and levels of poverty in a given school district.

No kid should be discriminated against based on their ZIP Code, and it is time for Congress to act and ensure no student gets left behind. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this commonsense measure to ensure all children are truly treated equally.

Mr. Speaker, I take personal privilege as chair of the Congressional Scouting Caucus to wish all those Scouts attending the 2023 National Jamboree a great experience.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the passionate team of problem solvers at Common Threads, including its executive officer and cofounder, Linda Novick O'Keefe.

Common Threads operates across the Nation, providing children, educators, caregivers, and healthcare professionals with the resources, curriculum, and training needed to champion healthy cooking and nutrition education. Since its inception, Common Threads has reached more than 550,000 students and 103,000 adults with more than 4.3 million snacks and meals served.

Common Threads recognizes nutrition education is the cornerstone to healthier communities. Their programs give families the tools to make better nutritional choices by focusing on nutrition basics, meal affordability, and healthy substitutions.

There is a lot of talk about how food is medicine, but food is also prevention. With effective and evidence-based nutrition education, we can continue to curb the disastrous instances and impacts of diet- related chronic diseases.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I had two special visitors, Seth and Bronson.

Seth and Bronson participated in the career shadow day with Tuesday's Children.

Tuesday's Children formed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. They meet individuals and families of servicemembers where they are on their grief journey following a loss due to military service, mass violence, or acts of terrorism.

This is the fifth year Seth has joined me and the first year Bronson has joined me. Tuesday's Children uses its experience and expertise to help our military families work through their own losses.

Mr. Speaker, I hope Seth and Bronson enjoyed being my shadow. I sure enjoyed their visit. I can't wait to see all that they accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bellefonte Red Raiders varsity baseball team for the extraordinary achievement as the 2023 PIAA quad A State champions.

On June 17, at Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the Red Raiders defeated Dallas High School 7-1 to claim the championship title. The Raiders were led on the mound by senior Dom Capparella who pitched a complete game while striking out five batters and only allowing one run.

At the plate, junior Trevor Johnson led the way hitting a pair of doubles and scoring two runs. Junior Levi Purnell added a pair of hits and three RBIs.

Mr. Speaker, Bellefonte finished their season with a 20-5 record. Bellefonte joins Bald Eagle, another Centre County school, in winning their class's State championship. This is the first time that the two Centre County schools won a State championship in baseball in the same year.

This is the first time Bellefonte has won a class 4A title, but this is their eighth State championship and the first since 2015.

We congratulate Red Raiders again on their victory.

Congratulating Clarion High School Baseball Team

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Clarion High School Baseball Team on their 2023 State Championship victory.

On June 15, at Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Clarion High School Bobcats beat DuBois Central Catholic for the PIAA Single A 2023 Baseball State Championship. This was an incredibly rare meeting of two teams from the same district. The Bobcats were victorious with a 4-1 win.

Devin Lauer went four shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out five before giving way to Derek Smail, who allowed just one run in three innings.

Mr. Speaker, this is an historic win for the Bobcats as it is their first State Championship victory in program history. This team was fueled by determination, perseverance, and commitment as they continued to move toward the championship game.

Congratulations to the Clarion High School Bobcats on this impressive victory.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride to recognize the extraordinary achievement of the Bald Eagle Area High School baseball team.

On June 17 at Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, this team ascended to the PIAA AA throne after defeating Mount Union 11-0. BEA completed a 3-game sweep of Mount Union

this season, finishing with a 22-4 record.

Senior Tyler Serb threw a 2-hit shutout and went 3-for-3, while the Eagles pounded out 10 hits in 4 at-bats.

Mr. Speaker, as an alum of Bald Eagle, I congratulate my alma mater team and the coaching staff on their hard work and impressive season. The team showed true grit and determination throughout the season as they worked their way to the State championship.

Congratulations again on this very impressive victory. Go Eagles.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the kind actions of Vayda Bell of Bradford, Pennsylvania. After fires in her local town left five households in her community destroyed and the families in them displaced, 6-year-old Vayda decided to act.

Vayda Bell set out to help her community by setting up a lemonade and snack stand on her street. Hoping to raise $100, she exchanged refreshing treats for donations a few dollars at a time. By the end of the day, she raised more than $800 to help her neighbors in need, which was matched by a generous member of the community.

After setting out with the goal of helping five families in need with the support of her family and community, she earned more than $1,600 to be donated.

Thank you, Vayda, for stepping up in such an impactful way. Your actions serve to inspire and instill your generosity in ourselves and those around us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District 2023 Congressional Art Competition winner, Alma Swartzentruber.

The annual art competition, organized by the Congressional Institute, showcases the artwork of high school students from across every congressional district in the country. Alma is a recent graduate from the Keystone High School in Clarion County. Her winning artwork is titled, ``Great Horned Owl.'' She created this piece with charcoal and graphite.

Alma's work was selected by an independent panel of judges from 73 entries, with a record number of participants in the 15th District's Congressional Art Competition.

I would also like to congratulate Alma's teacher, Ms. Janet Hockman, and her parents for the role that they played in Alma's success.

All of the winning pieces will be displayed for the year in the Cannon tunnel, where they will be viewed by Members of Congress, staff, and many visitors to the Capitol each and every day.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Alma on her great work. I am proud to have her artwork representing the 15th District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the smallest city in the United States of America: the city of Parker in Armstrong County. Nestled in the beautiful Allegheny River Valley, Parker City is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

What started as a village with nearly 1,000 people grew almost overnight to become a booming oil metropolis with a population of more than 20,000 in the late 1800s.

For the next 10 years, Parker became a place of great activity with more than 1,000 oil wells, saloons, stores, hotels, and machine shops.

While the oil boom was short-lived, the spirit of Parker was strong. By the 1890s, the population of Parker was back to nearly 1,000.

Madam Speaker, today Parker is a great retreat for those wanting to enjoy the quiet river setting as a peaceful escape from urban life. The population stands at about 900 people, making it the smallest city in the USA.

Parker is celebrating 150 years as a city on July 15. They will have fireworks, parades, local vendors, and a river float.

Madam Speaker, if you ever find yourself in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains along the banks of the Allegheny River, I encourage you to visit Parker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, June 20 of 2023, to recognize National Bald Eagle Day.

Each year, this day honors the iconic national symbol of freedom and American spirit. Chosen by our forefathers to represent the enduring strength and pride of the American people, the bald eagle is both our national animal and a symbol of free spirit.

In recognizing the symbolism of the eagle, we must also address the history of its near extinction and booming recovery.

In the 1970s, America's bald eagles were nearly extinct due to the destruction of habitats, harmful pesticides, and illegal hunting practices. After the implementation of congressional action that protected eagles, the population soared to the numbers that we see today.

Representing the endurance, adaptability, and tenacity of the American people, the bald eagle stands for the morals that guide this great country. If you are lucky enough to see a bald eagle in flight, think of its history, think of its success, and think of American pride.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication and determination of the Pennsylvania Grange as they celebrate 150 years of service.

Their story began in 1871 with the organization of the Eagle Grange No. 1 near Williamsport in Lycoming County. It eventually became statewide in 1873. The PA Grange was founded with the intent to heal a wounded Nation following the Civil War.

Today, the PA Grange has members of all ages and represents more than 5,440 Pennsylvanians.

The PA Grange is honoring their 150 years with 150 acts of service. Each chapter is tasked with completing a service project, and as of Wednesday, June 13, they have completed 194 projects.

It is with full confidence I stand here honored to represent a State with people dedicated to helping members grow as individuals, unifying their communities, and fostering opportunities through legislation and community service.

Mr. Speaker, every year I have the privilege of attending the Grange Fair in Centre County, my home county. While attending the fair, I am able to witness their mission firsthand. The

mission of this organization continues to withstand the test of time.

I congratulate the Pennsylvania Grange on 150 years of service, education, legislation, and fellowship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Flag Day and the birthday of the United States Army.

On this day, 246 years ago, the symbol of our Nation was born: the American flag.

Flag Day honors the adoption of our stars and stripes by the Second Continental Congress. From the time of its adoption until now, the flag serves as representation of freedom and liberty both at home and abroad.

Not only is our flag a symbol of our values, but it is also a reminder of what we can be as a Nation.

As Americans, we should be especially thankful today and every day to those who fought to protect and defend our flag. So how special it is that today we also honor the 248th birthday of the United States Army.

Since their founding, the Army has played a major role in supporting and defending our country, our flag, and our ideals. As an Army dad, today is very special to me.

Mr. Speaker, let us all take an extra moment to reflect on the importance of our flag and the Army for making America the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Mr. Speaker, as someone who comes from a long line of dairy farmers, it is my honor to rise and recognize National Dairy Month.

I am proud to come from the State with the second most dairy farms and to represent more than 1,000 dairy farms in my district.

In Pennsylvania, the dairy industry is a major driver of economic growth, supporting more than 47,000 jobs and bringing in more than $11 billion in revenue, but Pennsylvania dairy producers are struggling.

The total number of dairy farms and the dairy cows in Pennsylvania are decreasing. One way to revitalize the dairy industry across the country is by passing my bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

This bill will allow whole milk to once again be served in school cafeterias, giving children access to vital nutrients they often do not consume enough of. Not only is this bill a win for children and parents across the country who have been begging for more options in school cafeterias, it is a win for dairy farms.

I believe there is no better way to celebrate National Dairy Month than by passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.