Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on International Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the memory of those who were murdered during the Holocaust.

The Holocaust was the systematic, government-sponsored persecution and murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

We honor the resilience of survivors, and we rededicate ourselves to uphold the sacred promise of ``Never Again.''

The events and results of the Holocaust were so devastating and so extreme that we can barely imagine how such a horrendous event could even take place. But we remember because it is an unthinkable scar on humanity. We not only remember but, more importantly, we say ``Never Again.''

Today, we mourn the lives of those we lost, and we celebrate those who saved them, and we honor those who survived.

We must eradicate hatred and never become indifferent to the suffering of

others. On the day of remembrance, the most important thing to remember is the humanity that exists in all of us.

May we always remember and always pledge ``Never Again.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to join the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, the Congressional Service Caucus, the German-American Caucus, and the Congressional Scouting Caucus.

As the proud co-chair of all four of these bipartisan caucuses, these organizations are a great way for members to get involved and share interests. As a senior member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I have always supported and will continue to support career and technical education programs that provide learners of all ages with career-ready skills, restoring rungs on the ladder of opportunity.

Along with my co-chair, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, the bipartisan CTE Caucus highlights the importance of preparing a well- educated and skilled workforce.

Through this caucus, we have made tremendous strides in providing learners of all ages the skills necessary to obtain high-quality, family-sustaining jobs. One of those successes includes the passing and enactment of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education 21st Century Act.

Through these programs, we give individuals the ability to restore the rungs on the ladder of opportunity. CTE programs exist in every State and congressional district; therefore, I cordially invite you to join the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus. Together, we can improve America's competitiveness and help facilitate job opportunities for our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join the bipartisan Congressional Service Caucus, co-chaired by my colleague, Congressman Jim Panetta of California.

This caucus recognizes the many nonprofit service organizations across the country and their long history of promoting community service and humanitarian assistance.

These volunteer service organizations have extensive member clubs in towns across America and in nearly every country around the world, and notable examples include the distinguished organizations such as Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary Clubs International.

The caucus will serve as a platform for educating Members, staff, and the public on policy issues relating to our service organizations. It will also share positive stories from clubs across the country in hopes of fostering the future viability and continued growth of local service clubs and the work of their volunteers.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join the bipartisan German-American Caucus. I co-chair the German-American caucus with my colleague, Congressman Bill Keating of Massachusetts.

Today, there are more than 40 million Americans of German descent living in the United States, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania boasts one of the largest German populations in the country.

Our caucus seeks to bring together members dedicated to strengthening the German-American friendship and economic partnership, discuss joint priorities, and work through differences in opinion, as well as maintain the historical and cultural connection between our two nations.

The partnership between Germany and the United States is central to the transatlantic alliance and the US-EU relations. Through networking, supporting educational and exchange programs, and discussing recent updates and events around global foreign affairs, the caucus will focus on advancing the German-American partnership to better support security, safety, and prosperity within our own countries and on a global stage.

Madam Speaker, lastly, I encourage my colleagues to join the bipartisan Scouting Caucus. I co-chair this caucus alongside my colleague, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., from Georgia. The Congressional Scouting Caucus is a bipartisan group that aims to promote the values of scouting and support it in all forms at the highest levels of our government.

As a caucus, we will serve as an informal group of members dedicated to issues related to scouting and educating other members on this subject.

Scouting has been an important part of each of our lives and gives us the tools at an early age to develop personal and leadership skills that have helped make us successful.

As adults, we have been involved in promoting scouting and believe strongly in its ability to positively impact millions of American youths. I would encourage any member interested in supporting scouting of any kind to join the caucus.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to consider joining these caucuses as we start the 118th Congress.

Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to represent Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District.

The 15th Congressional District encompasses 18 counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, nearly one-third of the land mass.

It includes all of Armstrong, Cameron, Centre--including my hometown of Howard--Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union, and Warren Counties. It also includes parts of Indiana, Lycoming, and Venango Counties.

Madam Speaker, I take great pride in my service to the people of the 15th Congressional District, and I work hard to earn their trust, help solve their problems, and be a diligent Representative.

When I am not here in Washington, I spend my days on the road in the district, traveling to meetings and events, and I work to connect with my constituents and truly be a voice for each community I serve.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak here as I gave 144 1-minute speeches in the 117th Congress and to be a strong voice for the citizens of the 15th District.

The challenges before us remain great. It is my hope that we will tackle these challenges head on. It is the American way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Religious Freedom Day, which was celebrated last week on January 16.

Religious Freedom Day commemorates the Virginia General Assembly's adoption of Thomas Jefferson's landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. The statute became the basis for the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and led to freedom of religion for all Americans.

We are blessed to live in a country where a person is able to practice whatever religion they so choose without fear of persecution from government.

The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, along with the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. This assurance of freedom gives us all the opportunity to openly practice and speak our beliefs and allows me to speak on the House floor right now.

The United States is a place where all faiths can be peacefully practiced, free from fear of persecution. The very foundation of our Nation, a place of freedom and liberty for all, was conceived by individuals in search of religious freedom.

Mr. Speaker, the United States of America will always be a beacon of light in the world, and we will always protect our fundamental, unified commitment of religious freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota for her leadership with this incredibly important Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight during this Special Order to reaffirm my commitment to protect and defend the sanctity of life.

From the moment I stepped foot into this Chamber in 2009, I cemented my promise to protect our most vulnerable, the unborn.

Our Founders enshrined in the Declaration of Independence three inalienable rights. The first is the right to life.

Tonight, we celebrate the right to life. Last year, the Supreme Court made it clear, determining the right to an abortion is the responsibility of the State, through the people and their elected officials.

Mr. Speaker, life matters. Friday marked the first March for Life since the end of Roe v. Wade. Tens of thousands convened in Washington to celebrate the change from a national culture of death to one of life.

The evidence that life matters goes well beyond the Supreme Court, however, and the Supreme Court ruling that was finally delivered in 2022, shifting the defense of the innocent unborn to 50 State capitols.

Here is the evidence of why we should also celebrate, in addition to that ruling. In the United States, there are 2,500 pregnancy resource centers that support unborn babies and their parents. There are only 800 abortion clinics in this Nation. That is an amazing shift in numbers. Of the practicing OB/GYN doctors, 90 percent do not perform abortions.

God bless the pregnancy resource center staff that educate, encourage, and empower men and women to make informed life choices based on Christian principles and values, their trained client advocates and medical personnel, including registered nurses, certified phlebotomy technicians, and registered diagnostic medical sonographers.

Mr. Speaker, my position on life has always been clear. You can't be a champion for the future of this great country if you are going to limit its potential. It is my strong belief that every child, every human life, is sacred and has a purpose in this world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 in Potter County on its 100th anniversary.

This Friday, January 13, will be 100 years since its charter was enacted.

In celebration of this monumental anniversary, Shinglehouse is hosting a weeklong open house for the public. Events include special meals, activities for all ages, and lots of prizes.

In the early years of the Shinglehouse American Legion, members gathered at the drycleaning shop of ``Shorty'' Klinger. As time went on and membership grew, the post reached its top membership in 1999 when it had 284 members and 271 social members.

Today, it remains a traditional-style legion, with community engagement and a focus on projects that support the legions four pillars: Veterans affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and children and youth.

The post continues to support community projects like Adopt-a- Highway, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and the Wounded Warriors.

Mr. Speaker, the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 continues to serve as a community pillar. From supporting local charities, to providing a meeting house for veterans of all ages, they remain an important part of the community.

Congratulations to all Shinglehouse American Legion members on their centennial anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania kicked off one of my favorite events: the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

For more than a century, 170 years, farmers have gathered each January at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This week-long event is the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the Nation, showcasing more than 6,000 animals, nearly 12,000 exhibits, and more than half a million visitors.

Each year, I host a listening session at the farm show, and we cover a range of topics during the public forum, from raising awareness about agriculture education to hearing very real concerns from our farmers, ranchers, producers, processors, and many more key rural stakeholders. This year, the listening session will take place on Friday, January 13.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show brings together so many different agriculture advocates from all different corners of the industry. It is an event like no other. I am very proud that this takes place in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show provides an atmosphere for everyone to walk through, observe, and educate

themselves about different areas of agriculture, the Commonwealth's largest industry, which brings nearly $6.9 billion annually in agricultural cash receipts. Almost half a million jobs are tied to the industry, which positively impacts all Pennsylvanians.

Undoubtedly, one of the most popular attractions of the Pennsylvania Farm Show is the food court. Located in the Expo Hall and Main Hall of the complex, the food court offers visitors a variety of Pennsylvania products, which generates income to support the nonprofit Pennsylvania Agricultural Commodity Organizations.

Mr. Speaker, more than a century ago, the first Pennsylvania Farm Show was a 3-day exhibit. Today, the event is a week-long celebration of how the agriculture industry touches our lives every day. Proudly, this event draws visitors from across the country to highlight everything our State has to offer when it comes to agriculture.

I have been hosting this listening session as a Representative of Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District for 13 years. Like every year, I am looking forward to hearing directly from the backbone of our Nation, the hardworking men and women of American agriculture.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show goes through this Saturday, January 14. Like I said, we look forward to 3 o'clock in the banquet hall to be hosting this year's listening session on Friday, January 13. I certainly invite and encourage my colleagues and actually anyone that would like to join us for this event.

It is 24 acres under roof, almost a million square feet. It represents not just Pennsylvania's number one industry, but agriculture is the industry that touches the lives of American families more times a day than any other.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Milk Day.

Today is a great day to raise a glass of milk in honor of our dairy farmers, who work 24/7 to bring fresh, nutritious, and delicious milk to our tables every single day.

We celebrate National Milk Day on January 11 because on this day in 1878 milk was delivered in sterilized glass bottles for the first time.

I am proud to come from a long line of dairy farmers. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania has 500,000 cows producing more than 10.2 billion pounds of milk annually.

The Keystone State ranks seventh in milk production in the country, and Pennsylvania is also second nationally in the number of dairy farms, with 6,200 farms across the Commonwealth.

Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, with the Pennsylvania dairy industry providing 52,000 jobs and generating $14.7 billion in annual revenue.

Madam Speaker, please join me in celebrating National Milk Day and thanking our dairy farm families for their continued efforts to provide us with such a delicious and nutritious treat.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to give thanks to the men and women who keep us safe.

Yesterday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a day to be grateful for the officers who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities.

Created in 2015, this day allows us to voice our appreciation to law enforcement officers for their service.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day has become increasingly more important in light of the growing negativity towards officers.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund there are more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers serving in the United States. Law enforcement officers don't enter this career because of the recognition that they may receive, they choose this career because of their passion for public service.

These officers knowingly put their lives on the line every day because they know protecting and preventing crime creates a safer world.

A simple way to show our law enforcement we care is to thank a police officer. So, if you see a police officer, please thank a police officer.

Mr. Speaker, I want to give my most sincere thanks to the men and women of law enforcement for the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to the rule of law they display every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an individual who serves as a voice for Pennsylvania agriculture.

Dave Williams of Honesdale, Pennsylvania, has been a key voice in agriculture for more than 20 years. A farmer himself, Mr. Williams never expected to air on nearly 30 radio stations, three networks, and weekly on PCN-TV.

This weekend, Dave will kick off his 25th year broadcasting from the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural expo in the country.

Dave got his start on Wayne County's oldest AM station reaching just 10,000 listeners. Today, he reaches nearly 6 million people a week on both radio and television.

Mr. Speaker, Dave continues to be an important voice for Pennsylvania's number one industry and uses his platform to advocate for agriculture. His role allows him to highlight the important work of our farmers, ranchers, and producers who supply this Nation and the world with our food and our fiber.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dave for being the voice of Pennsylvania agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very special tradition taking place this Saturday, December 17.

Every year, thousands of volunteers set out across the country and the world in a coordinated wreath-laying ceremony. This ceremony is known as National Wreaths Across America Day.

In 1992, Morrill Worcester, from Harrington, Maine, noticed that he had an abundance of holiday wreaths and decided to take the opportunity to honor our country's veterans. After contacting his Senator, arrangements were made for wreaths to be placed at Arlington in an older section of the cemetery.

This tradition would quietly continue until 2005 when a photo of the tombstones decorated with wreaths and covered with snow went viral. From there, this quiet annual tribute to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice turned into a mission to remember, honor, and teach.

Since the viral photo, Wreaths Across America has continued to grow. This Saturday, volunteers will lay wreaths at more than 2,500 locations in the United States, abroad, and at sea. This simple gesture is a way for all of us to express our appreciation during the holiday season.

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Indiana Area High School math team, which recently attended the 36th Annual Benjamin Freed High School Mathematics Competition at PennWest University Clarion on November 3.

Out of the 213 students who attended, Indiana High School won first place overall in the team category, and five students from Indiana High School individually placed in the statewide competition: Chloe Williams, Luca Cosentino, Gabe Kenning, Ethan Coleman, and James Mill.

The math team is coached by Dr. Scott Layden and consists of advanced math students from the Indiana junior and senior high schools.

The team plans to continue training and attend future competitions at universities across the State and across the country.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating these fine young students on their outstanding accomplishment and their commitment to science and mathematics.

As a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee and a longtime advocate for young people in STEM, I take pride in seeing our students adopt a love of math that will take them far in their careers and their lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a good friend and a great leader for American agriculture, Mr. L.G. Raun.

L.G. and his lovely bride, Linda, are rice farmers from El Campo, Texas, a third-generation family farm. Both have very capably and faithfully served the U.S. rice industry all their lives in varying degrees of leadership within USA Rice.

L.G. recently completed his term as president of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, a highly respected consortium of farm and ranch organizations, agricultural lenders, and allied businesses serving Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado.

Although L.G.'s term as president of the Southwest Council is concluding, I am confident that he and Linda's role in service to American agriculture will carry on, and all of agriculture will be better for it.

I often say, agricultural policy doesn't just impact farm families like the Rauns, but it impacts every American and everyone who eats. These are critical matters, and the Rauns deserve a lot of credit for helping us get it right.

Thank you, L.G., for your strong leadership and your friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Shari Campbell of Clarion, who was inducted into the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for 2022.

Coach Campbell has a distinguished career of leading women's volleyball teams to victory as coach of both the Clarion Area Bobcats and the Clarion Limestone Lions volleyball teams.

Coach Campbell has also had a uniquely impressive coaching record, earning 437 wins for her team out of 507 games. Additionally, Shari Campbell's teams have won three PIAA state championships in 2012, 2020, and 2021.

Shari Campbell got her start in 1990 as a junior coach at Juniata College in Huntington, Pennsylvania. She later became an assistant coach at St. Bonaventure University in Allegheny, New York.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Coach Shari Campbell on her outstanding achievement. Most importantly, I thank her for being a coach and mentor for the young women of Clarion. Her commitment to her students is not just demonstrated by her record of wins, but also by her dedication and commitment to seeing her players succeed on and off the court.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 81st anniversary of National Bible Week.

In 1941, weeks before the United States entered into World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the week of Thanksgiving as National Bible Week. This celebration recognizes the spiritual and historical significance of the Bible. It is a week where we can come together and celebrate this holy book. The Bible shaped our Nation's history and continues to provide guidance to the lives of so many.

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to live in a country where we can freely read Scripture and worship the Lord without fear of persecution. The Bible is timeless and continues to provide us with words of wisdom, comfort, and guidance as we navigate unprecedented times.

Madam Speaker, I leave you with this verse from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, one that I keep close to my heart: ``All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.''

May God continue to bless the United States of America.