Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize World Autism Month and the efforts of north central Pennsylvanians in supporting those with autism.

In America today, 1 in 36 children will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder beginning in their first years of life. Although several factors may influence the development of autism, each person with an autism diagnosis requires unique support.

In Clarion and Venango Counties, Autism Tough Foundation works to raise awareness and support for autism through numerous sensory-free events each year. This month, more than 100 students at Keystone High School joined Autism Tough Foundation to raise awareness in their first Walk for Autism.

Meanwhile, neighboring Potter County is one of the first in Pennsylvania to equip county agencies with sensory kits to aid in communication and expressive language. Potter County is also home to Jasmine Floof, a service dog who specializes in assisting those with autism focus their attention and manage anxiety when accessing county services.

This World Autism Month, I commend Potter County and Autism Tough Foundation for leading the State in supporting people with autism in their everyday lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize members of the Lions Clubs, the Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the Optimist organizations who are on Capitol Hill today.

Volunteer service is the cornerstone of a successful, strong, and healthy community. It is also an important staple of American life.

I have been a member of my hometown organization, the Howard Area Lions Club, so I know firsthand the good this club does around the world.

To share the impactful work of service clubs and their volunteers, I founded the Congressional Service Organization Caucus in 2019 with Congressman Jimmy Panetta of California, a past Rotarian.

Earlier today, the Congressional Service Organization Caucus hosted a Member and staff briefing. Speakers from Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Optimist clubs shared how their members strive to make the world a better place one community at a time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join the Congressional Service Organization Caucus to ensure service to others remains a viable part of American life for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the world-class agriculture science program and FFA at the Otto-Eldred High School in McKean County, Pennsylvania.

Last week, I had the honor of visiting the amazing students and faculty at Otto-Eldred High School where agriculture is a staple of their home economics program. Founded just 3 years ago, the new agriculture program features a greenhouse, engine lab, life science lab, welding booth, woodshop, and even an agribusiness lab.

At Otto-Eldred, agricultural education goes beyond the classroom. In addition to the astonishing 75 percent of the students enrolled in agriculture science, the school's Future Farmers of America chapter membership compromises almost 70 percent of the entire student body. This fantastic success is a testament to the excellence and the commitment of the school administrators and faculty at Otto-Eldred.

As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and a senior member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I know just how important agricultural education is to the success of our Nation.

I commend the students, faculty, and administrators that make this outstanding agricultural education possible, and thank them for the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Penn State Wrestling, the 2023 NCAA Division I National Champions and recognize their two individual champions, Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks.

Continuing their dominance of NCAA wrestling, the Nittany Lions brought their 11th national title to Happy Valley and concluded their seventh perfect dual meet season.

Led by Coach Cael Sanderson, Penn State Wrestling reflects a culture of excellence in their athletic preparation and competition.

Penn State's two individual champions are a testament to not only the strength of their program, but to their personal strength, talent, and determination.

Aaron Brooks took on the number one wrestler from northern Iowa to secure his third straight national title at 184 pounds, while Carter Starocci defended his number one ranking to win his third national title at 174 pounds. Their teammates, Roman Bravo-Young, Levi Haines, and Greg Kerkvliet joined them in the competition at the finals.

As a graduate of Penn State, I am proud to congratulate Penn State Wrestling on winning the 2023 National Championship and their continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the veterans of Potter, McKean, and Warren Counties who flew to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 15 as part of the Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight.

The Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight is part of the National Honor Flight Network, which ``recognizes United States veterans for their sacrifices and their achievements by flying them to Washington to see the memorials at no cost to the veteran.''

Honor Flights prioritize World War II veterans, Korean war, and Vietnam veterans, and veterans with medical issues requiring special attention. Honor Flight guardians fly with each veteran on every flight helping them have a safe, memorable, and rewarding experience.

In patriotic spirit, Bradford Area High School welcomed participating veterans for lunch, a celebration, and community escort on Friday before the flight.

This month, the following veterans from Potter, McKean, and Warren Counties made the flight: Ronald Bosworth, Richard Dugan, Robert Langfitt, and Donald Shinn, all of whom served bravely in the Vietnam war.

We honor and thank these brave men and women for their service to our country and the communities they call home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Del Spafford of DuBois, Pennsylvania, for receiving the 2023 James M. Roche Spirit of Volunteerism award.

The Roche award is the highest volunteer award given by the Department of Defense's office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award calls attention to significant achievements made by volunteers in contributing to and accomplishing the ESGR mission of promoting cooperation between civilian employers and servicemembers of the National Guard and Reserve.

Since retiring as Battalion Commander from the famous 28th Division of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Spafford has demonstrated the spirit of patriotism and service.

For more than 34 years, Spafford has served the ESGR in many capacities and has the distinguished honor of being the longest continuing serving committee member in Pennsylvania.

Most notably, he has accumulated an astonishing 1,285 volunteer hours with the ESGR in the past 8 years alone while serving in a variety of overlapping roles.

I commend Del Spafford for earning the James M. Roche Spirit of Volunteerism Award for his commitment to our citizen soldiers and for his dedication to supporting military-civilian relations in north- central Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to fully celebrate the life of a true Pennsylvania icon. Ira Brahm Born, known as Bob by all who knew and cared about him, recently passed away at the age of 98.

While most of you probably didn't know Bob personally, I know you are familiar with his sweet work as the head of Just Born, Inc. The Bethlehem candymaker is the force behind many beloved favorites, but they are best known for Peeps, the colorful marshmallow chicks that, for three-quarters of a century, have brightened our Easter celebrations and our every day.

Bob was a veteran of World War II, an engineer, a talented musician, an innovator in his industry, and a family man whose son, Ross Born, along with a cousin, David Shaffer, carry on Bob's legacy at Just Born.

Madam Speaker, while we mourn the passing of Bob, his legacy will live on for generations to come.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

Let me be clear, a vote for H.R. 1 is a vote for food security. Let me repeat that. A vote for H.R. 1 is a vote for food security.

Let me explain. As chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, and proud Representative from Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, I am no stranger to the challenges facing America's energy industry and its direct impact on farming communities.

In fact, the Commonwealth showcases the nexus between energy and agriculture production each and every day.

Pennsylvania is home to abundant natural resources from Marcellus shale natural gas play to America's first commercial oil well. These are responsibly developed resources that have provided energy affordability to our Nation for generations and transformed the U.S. into a global economic powerhouse.

These resources have also helped spur our State's largest industry-- agriculture. And just like any other region of the country, the viability of our ag sector is relying upon access to abundant and affordable energy.

By gambling away American energy independence and domestic oil and gas production in the name of climate change, the Biden administration has harmed the very industry--U.S. agriculture--that contributes to 13 percent of our annual greenhouse gas sequestration.

The hardworking men and women who feed and fuel our Nation in the world are, in reality, climate heroes.

Even still, this administration has continued to take irrational regulatory and policy actions that foster uncertainty and limit our ability to meet the food, fiber, and energy demands of our Nation and the world.

This legislation provides a reprieve for America's families, including our farmers, ranchers, and foresters, who have struggled with fractured supply chains, skyrocketing input costs, and historic levels of inflation, all of which are exacerbated by excessive spending and regulatory overreach from Washington.

American agriculture, if given the right tools and regulatory certainty, can serve a vital role in alleviating global food instability and mitigating costs for consumers.

H.R. 1 provides this certainty and will deliver long-lasting relief for nearly every sector of the U.S. economy.

As I have always said, food security is national security. We need dependable local power generation, adequate infrastructure, a strong workforce, and lower energy costs for farm operations to remain viable. It is time we return to embracing American energy, not abandon it, and in doing so, enable America's agriculture sector to thrive.

House Republicans made a commitment to an economy that is strong. Through H.R. 1, we are upholding that promise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. George Duke, the chairman and sole owner of Zippo Manufacturing Company.

Started by George's grandfather in 1932, Zippo has become an American icon. From earning the nickname ``the GI's friend'' to becoming an international pop culture symbol, this famous windproof lighter transcends generations.

Since its invention, every Zippo windproof lighter has been proudly manufactured in Bradford, Pennsylvania. George knows Zippo's success would not be possible without the local community, and he continually gives back to the place he calls home.

Zippo's most recent investment in Bradford's future is through a generous gift to the University of Pittsburgh's Bradford Campus. Last fall, the campus opened a new engineering and information technologies building, and thanks to Zippo's investment, students are learning in state-of-the-art engineering labs.

This investment provides a hands-on, cutting-edge experience for students, ultimately helping them pursue successful engineering careers in the region and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, this investment goes beyond the walls of Pitt-Bradford. It is an investment in our community and in our future.

On behalf of a grateful community, I thank George Duke for his tremendous dedication to building a thriving workforce in Pennsylvania's northern tier.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Marys Area Middle School Team Renaissance Club whose Mini-THON event raised a record $18,281 for the fight against childhood cancer in March.

Inspired by Penn State's THON, the daylong event took place during the school day and included hourly themes such as beach, carnival, and glow hours.

The event included numerous events for students and staff, including cornhole, bingo, karaoke, a photo booth, and the student favorite, ``Silly String Your Principal Challenge.''

Although students at St. Marys Area Middle School have demonstrated their dedication and generosity through the Mini-THON for many years now, this year's event was even more special since local toddler Reggie Housley is currently battling leukemia.

Proceeds from the Mini-THON will benefit Four Diamonds, a Hershey- based organization that pays 100 percent of noncovered medical expenses for childhood cancer patients at Penn State Health Children's Hospital.

I commend the St. Marys Area Middle School Team Renaissance Club for the extraordinary success of their Mini-THON and the entire St. Marys community for their kindness and generosity in the fight against childhood cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Agriculture Week, which kicked off March 21, also known as National Ag Day.

For 50 years, this week has marked a time to honor American farm families and the essential and often unsung role that agriculture plays in all our lives.

The safe and abundant food and fiber supply that Americans rely on on a daily basis comes from hardworking farming communities across this country.

With rising input costs, market uncertainty, increasing regulations, and global supply chain disruptions, producers are facing increased hardship.

Only 2 percent of Americans are employed in the agriculture sector, yet they successfully feed our entire Nation and the world, despite the odds being stacked against them.

During this week of education and appreciation, I want to emphasize rural America, or what I like to call essential America, as the backbone of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, this year, we are reauthorizing the farm bill.

This farm bill will put producers first and aims to revitalize rural America by restoring the farm safety net, expanding market access, and much more.

National Agriculture Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight the hardworking Americans who have dedicated their lives to providing a safe and abundant food supply.

I honor their contributions to society and commend farmers and ranchers who add so much to our national culture.

Mr. Speaker, this is a week where I call on everyone to celebrate National Agriculture Week.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This legislation is just one of many promises we intend to keep in our ``Commitment to America.''

As a recovering school board member, I know firsthand the importance of hearing from parents and encouraging them to be engaged in their child's education.

The Parents Bill of Rights Act provides parents an expanded opportunity to engage with their children and the teachers who educate them. This bill implements clear, commonsense protections allowing parents to easily review curriculum information, academic standards, and see how schools are spending our tax dollars.

Parents deserve the right to be heard and should be able to raise concerns and address their school board without fear of harassment or retribution.

This bill includes simple protections to keep our children safe, from protecting their privacy to requiring parents to be notified of violent activity in the school.

As a graduate of the public school system and having raised three sons in the very same school district, I know parental involvement is critical to fostering a successful educational environment.

Mr. Chair, quite simply, this bill is common sense. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that ensures parents are at the center of their child's educational experience.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the thousands of Pennsylvania youth who participate in 4-H and celebrate Pennsylvania 4-H Week, March 12 through March 18.

Last week, counties across the Commonwealth, including McKean and Jefferson in Pennsylvania 15, celebrated the youth development program and the important role that it plays in our communities.

4-H is the well-known educational youth development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension. It is the largest youth organization in the State, with over 77,000 members from each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.

In celebration of local 4-H clubs, Jefferson County youth were invited to Brookville's Penn State Extension office for 4-H-related goodies and program information.

McKean County youth promoted their 4-H clubs by decorating window displays in local storefronts, and they also held their annual 4-H benefit dinner and auction.

4-H provides a continuing service to Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, the Commonwealth, and the Nation, and I commend the thousands of youth and adult volunteers who comprise this outstanding program for their club, community, country, and world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carl and Betsy Long of Coudersport, Pennsylvania, in Potter County for receiving the 2023 National Outstanding Young Farmers award. The National Outstanding Young Farmers award recognizes that: ``Today's farmer has become an active citizen, participating in everything from local and State government to civic groups and charitable organizations.''

Beginning in 2007, the Longs began farming sweet corn on rented land in central Pennsylvania. With hard work, dedication, and help from their three children, the Longs have built a successful farm for green beans, wheat, oats, and potatoes across several thousand acres.

Though the Long Farm is just 15 years old, it now cultivates 10 million pounds of chipping potatoes each year, helping to supply 11 of Pennsylvania's renowned snack companies.

The Longs' love for agriculture extends beyond their family farm. Carl and Betsy are active on several agricultural advisory boards in Pennsylvania and participate in Ag Literacy Week and Farm Fridays in local schools.

The Long family is a model for hardworking Americans with a love for agriculture and community. I commend them on this outstanding achievement.