Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Winkler Gallery and congratulate them on their 20th anniversary.

Since its creation in 2003, the Winkler Gallery and Art Education Center has provided a place for artists in DuBois, Pennsylvania, to create art in many different forms.

The Winkler Gallery originally began as a fine art collaborative named after the famed watercolor artist Perry Winkler. Today, the Winkler Gallery features more than 20 different artists in their collection and serves as a place for locals to come learn about the different types of art available at the gallery.

The Winkler Gallery remains a staple in our community and currently serves as the host to Pennsylvania-15 high school art students who participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. The gallery is also home to a notable exhibit, the Children's Carousel. The exhibit was originally built in London in 1896 and is the world's most complete and original English carousel.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Winkler Gallery on 20 years of being a home to the fine art and culture available in northern Pennsylvania. Their art brings even more beauty to a naturally beautiful place in our region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated efforts of a great champion in service of wildlife preservation and nature conservation. Janet Nyce of Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania, is a leading advocate for conservation and women in the outdoors, both locally and nationally.

Since 1990, Janet has held leadership roles in conservation organizations such as the Safari Club, the National Rifle Association, and the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation. In addition to being a charter member of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation since 2004, Janet served as secretary and president during her tenure. Most recently, Janet was elected by her fellow members to serve on the board of directors of the NRA.

Most notably, Janet has dedicated her time to teaching classes about the outdoors and self-defense for women. She has frequently been an instructor for hunting and firearms safety courses throughout the United States.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Janet Nyce for her many years of dedication to the cause of conservation and outdoor sportsmanship. Thanks to her work, future generations will be able to carry on in the outdoor traditions that we now enjoy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and the legacy of Dr. Glenn Blodgett, known to most as Doc Blodgett. Doc Blodgett passed away at the age of 73 on November 21, surrounded by loved ones.

Doc Blodgett spent more than 40 years managing the horse division at the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. Blodgett led the ranch's team of veterinary staff. He oversaw all veterinary practices and reproductive services, including horse breeding. Nearly 1,500 mares were bred from the ranch each year.

Outside of his work at the Four Sixes Ranch, Doc served on the board of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and in 2019 was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Earlier this year, I had the great privilege of traveling to the Four Sixes Ranch and interacting with Doc Blodgett and the legendary horse program at the ranch. One thing was clear during the visit, Doc Blodgett was incredibly passionate about his work. He was a master of his practice and someone who left an irreplaceable mark on the equine industry.

Doc Blodgett is survived by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Karen Wright, his two daughters, four granddaughters, and one grandson.

Madam Speaker, please join me in keeping Karen, the Blodgett family, and Doc Blodgett's friends in your prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Jason Maree of Northern Cambria, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Maree had his Pass in Review for the United States Navy, an important step in passing basic training and becoming a sailor.

To his family and those who know him well, Jason is a driven and dedicated person. When he graduated from Northern Cambria High School this spring, he knew military service was the best avenue for his life.

Coming from a family where his mother is retired from the Army, and his grandfather served in the Marine Corps, Jason naturally felt a call to serve after high school.

Prior to serving in the United States Navy, Jason was an active member of his community and served on the Northern Cambria Volunteer Recreation Board.

We are thankful, both as a community, and as a Nation, for Jason Maree and for all those who are serving in our military.

Congratulations on becoming a sailor in the United States Navy, Jason.

Congratulating Amy Shields

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Amy Shields of the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, or AHUG, on being named to the Pennsylvania top 100 in agriculture list.

The hardwood forest products industry represents a major part of Pennsylvania's economy. Pennsylvania's Allegheny Plateau region alone produces 80 percent of the cherry hardwood supply of the entire world.

This is a critical ingredient for producing furniture and home goods for customers at home and abroad. This industry is fortunate to have their interests represented by Amy Shields, who is the current Executive Director of AHUG and the voice of the timber industry in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Shields is a longtime veteran of the timber industry and has been a tireless advocate for business across 14 counties in Northern Pennsylvania.

Because of her efforts, loggers, sawmills, and hardwood manufacturers can continue to provide the highest-quality forest products to the world.

Congratulations, Amy, on this great accomplishment.

Congratulating the Pennsylvania 4-H Dairy Judging Team

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Pennsylvania 4-H Dairy Judging Team on their top honors at the 100th National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the World Dairy Expo.

In October, the Pennsylvania team traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, to compete in the dairy cattle judging contest. The Pennsylvania team was made up of four members, with Ellie Curtis of Warren County representing the Pennsylvania 15th Congressional District.

Their hard work paid off. Ellie Curtis placed fourth overall with the Ayrshires. As a team, Pennsylvania was first for overall placing for Jerseys. They ranked second in oral reasons, Brown Swiss and Guernseys, third for Ayrshires, and fifth for Holsteins.

As a result of their victory, the team has qualified to represent the United States this summer at the International Dairy Judging Contest in Glasgow, Scotland.

Congratulations to Ellie and the entire Pennsylvania 4-H Dairy Judging Team.

Congratulating the Indiana County Conservation District

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Indiana County Conservation District on their 75th anniversary celebration.

Since 1947, the Indiana County Conservation District, or ICCD, has been protecting the natural resources of Indiana County and working to improve

the quality of life for current and future generations.

The ICCD and its dedicated employees and volunteers use education, technical assistance, and partnerships with local businesses to work toward a prosperous sustainable future.

Today, the ICCD implements a wide variety of projects dealing with agricultural land preservation, environmental education, and wildlife management. All these efforts have helped to teach the importance of conservation to residents of all ages in Indiana County.

The ICCD formally celebrated their 75th anniversary on October 7 with an open house at their headquarters in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Indiana County Conservation District on 75 years of protecting the environment and ensuring that Indiana County continues to be a great place to live.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize November as National Career Development Month.

As co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus, I was proud to introduce the National Career Development Month resolution last week with my CTE Caucus co-chair and good friend, Congressman Jim Langevin.

National Career Development Month raises awareness of future career opportunities and development programs for all individuals. A highly skilled workforce is a business's number one asset and provides a competitive edge.

National Career Development Month also is a time to recognize the professionals who guide learners to become leaders of tomorrow.

Throughout the month, schools and businesses will have the chance to showcase different career paths that align with various interests and skills. These opportunities will better prepare students as they begin to enter the workforce.

As we continue through National Career Development Month, I encourage employers, students, and workers of all ages to take advantage of career development, putting them in the driver's seat of their careers.

Mr. Speaker, every few weeks, we read headlines of another crisis: baby formula; fertilizer; and now another important input, diesel fuel.

This administration not only continues to turn a blind eye but perpetuates harmful policies that worsen these crises.

From day one, President Biden has launched a war on American energy, and now it must end. Through executive actions, the Biden administration paused domestic production of oil while limiting and disincentivizing investments in American energy infrastructure and refining capacity.

On his very first day in office, President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, thus declaring war on our domestic energy production. Seven days later, he paused new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters. Then, in November 2021, the EPA proposed new source performance methane standards on the oil and natural gas industry, tying the hands of smaller producers.

Just last week, at COP 27, President Biden doubled down on this proposal and announced even more burdensome requirements on U.S. oil and gas sources. Meanwhile, Americans were pumping away their paychecks as prices for gas and home heating skyrocketed.

This administration needs to refocus its priorities by increasing domestic energy production, expediting pipeline permitting, and abandoning burdensome rulemakings that are harming American agriculture.

Let's face facts. America's farm families and consumers have struggled with fractured supply chains, skyrocketing input costs, and historic levels of inflation, economic woes exacerbated by congressional Democrats' excessive spending and the Biden administration's burdensome regulatory agenda. Under this administration, farm production expenses are up nearly $80 billion, led by an 84 percent, or $21 billion, increase in fertilizer expenses and a 65 percent increase in fuel expenses.

As the Biden administration's self-inflicted energy crisis surges into a diesel shortage, they continually pass the buck by blaming domestic energy producers.

Further, Biden's regulatory assault destroys any incentive for domestic energy producers to invest in energy infrastructure, which worsens energy market volatility and increases costs for vital farm inputs such as diesel fuel and fertilizer.

In October 2022, EIA reported the distillate fuel oil inventory at 106 million. This is the lowest stock since 2008; the lowest stock for this time of the year since 1982; and, in some regions, the lowest inventory since 1950.

Diesel fuel is used every day to power farm and ranch equipment and deliver goods to the marketplace. This Biden-inflicted diesel crisis further exacerbates record inflation, skyrocketing farm input costs, and consumer prices. The national average price for diesel fuel per gallon is $5.36 a gallon, an increase of $1.71, or 50 percent, from this time just last year.

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

Just this past summer, President Biden went to the Saudis and begged OPEC+ to increase production. Instead of relying on our adversaries and asking them to produce more, we should be focused on the responsible development of America's own abundant natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans have solutions focused on reversing industry-crushing regulations and market signals, unleashing production of crude oil, streamlining permitting and environmental review processes, and restoring refining capacity.

We must reverse this self-inflected crisis and unleash our domestic energy production.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Clarion, Pennsylvania, on their 100th anniversary.

Since the club's founding on December 16, 1922, the members of the Kiwanis Club have been a crucial part of the community in Clarion.

The Kiwanis Club is an international organization of volunteers that strives to serve the needs of children. The Kiwanis Club has over 550,000 members internationally and seeks to help children by fighting hunger, improving literacy rates, and improving children's health and educational outcomes.

Across the world, Kiwanis Club members have taken part in over 150,000 service projects to benefit communities and to help make them better places to live.

Today, the Clarion Kiwanis continue to carry out the club's mission of giving back to the community by hosting regular fundraisers to benefit children and providing an annual scholarship for students in Clarion County.

Please join me in congratulating the Clarion Kiwanis Club on 100 years of service and thanking them for their many years of giving back to Clarion County.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Laun R. Hallstrom of Woodland, Pennsylvania, in Clearfield County, for his distinguished military service.

Colonel Hallstrom is retiring from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard after 36 years of service to our Nation and Pennsylvania.

Colonel Hallstrom has served in the Air National Guard since 1985, and today, he is the commander of the 193rd Special Operations Medical Group.

Colonel Hallstrom served this country in several missions, including Operations Desert Storm, Continuing Hope, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.

Colonel Hallstrom also achieved the rank of chief flight surgeon by logging more than 173 combat hours.

In addition to being a commanding officer in the Air National Guard, Colonel Hallstrom is also a physician in DuBois, Pennsylvania, where he practices physical medicine, rehabilitation, and pain medicine.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Colonel Hallstrom on his many years of service to our country. We understand that freedom is not free. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we thank him for his service and his commitment to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Veterans Day, a day in which we remember all those who have served our Nation in uniform.

This day was originally commemorated by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 as Armistice Day to remember all those who served in World War I.

In 1954, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in a proclamation by President Dwight Eisenhower to honor those who had served in uniform. In 1968, Congress officially designated Veterans Day as a Federal holiday.

We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to all those who have served and are currently serving in our military. Your sacrifice, dedication, and courage to our country is the reason we are able to live our lives in safety and freedom today.

In my home State of Pennsylvania alone, there are almost 800,000 veterans, with 300,000 being wartime veterans, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking all of our veterans for their service to our country. May we always remember those who have made sacrifices to preserve our freedoms and our way of life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Lieutenant Commander Michael D'Angelo on his retirement from an incredibly distinguished career with the United States Navy.

For more than 40 years, Lieutenant Commander D'Angelo has served our country with incredible dedication and honor.

Upon graduation from Morris Catholic High School in New Jersey, he pursued a history degree at Penn State University. Enlisting after his graduation from Penn State, he began his career in the Navy as a Persian-Farsi cryptologic linguist, eventually rising to rank of senior chief petty officer in 2001.

After years of hard work as a naval cryptologic officer, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School. Following graduation, he was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then returned to central Pennsylvania and set up roots in Ebensburg with his wife and seven children, where he commanded the Navy Operational Support Center for 3 years.

Lieutenant Commander D'Angelo had the unique experience of serving alongside his son, Chief Petty Officer David D'Angelo, in Afghanistan. These men risked everything in the service of our great Nation, and we are forever grateful to the D'Angelo family.

Congratulations on your successful career and best wishes to you and your family in your next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Straub Brewery in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Straub Brewery is celebrating 150 years of homemade brews.

Founded in 1872 by Peter Straub, a German immigrant, they have been brewing beverages independently for more than five generations. This achievement represents the passion and dedication of a single family who successfully managed, expanded, and often protected a way of life that the brewery represented.

Their history is an extensive one, spanning generations, starting from immigrant roots, surviving Prohibition, and now Straub is a staple in the community and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For generations, Straub Brewery has continued to preserve and safeguard those qualities that make the brewery unique. Straub's longevity can be attributed to the craft, skills, and professionalism of the men and women who keep the brewery running.

To celebrate 150 years, Straub is hosting various Oktoberfest events, and they have brewed a special 150th anniversary pilsner.

Mr. Speaker, if you ever find yourself in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, I encourage you to check out Straub Brewery and enjoy a cold one from their eternal tap, which has been flowing since 1872.

Cheers to Straub Brewery, William Brock, and the entire Straub family on this monumental anniversary.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 446.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of agriculture education.

Last week, we celebrated National Teach Ag Day. This recognition of agriculture education is more important than ever.

The average age of the American farmer is around 57 years old. It is critical for our food security to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders, and this starts in the classroom.

I have had the privilege of spending time with agriculture educators in Pennsylvania and throughout our country. Programs like the Future Farmers of America and 4-H are strong advocates for advancing agriculture education and exposing our youth to the agriculture industry.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to witness these agriculture programs firsthand. I visited fourth graders at Glendale Elementary School in Cambria County who were working closely with seniors from the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology to bring textbooks to life. The lesson I participated in focused on science, soil, and agricultural operations. I had the opportunity to work directly with the students, where we discussed a plant's journey from seed to full growth. We examined soil, and students made observations of plant growth.

We interact with agriculture at least three times a day, and it is critical that students have the opportunity to really learn about the industry and the career opportunities that it offers.

In July, I joined CenClear and the YMCA of Centre County at the ribbon cutting of the antihunger program at Morgan Run Farm. This initiative will serve as a hands-on, community-centered educational tool to further families' understanding of agriculture processes, farming, nutrition, and community development.

Right now, more than ever, we understand food security is national security, and a country that cannot feed itself often finds itself in turmoil. Programs like the antihunger program at Morgan Run and the science lesson at Glendale Elementary are the first steps in educating our youth about our food sources.

As I mentioned earlier, we are at a critical point in our agricultural future, with the average age of our farmers hovering around 57 years old. It is important that we develop the next generation of farmers. That is why, in August, I held a listening session focused on the next generation of farmers.

We discussed how we can engage and support our next generation of farmers and encourage youth to get involved in the agriculture industry. We had remarkable panelists who were incredibly accomplished in their fields. Together, we highlighted their work to promote innovative technologies that inspire and engage the next generation of agriculturists.

As a senior member of the Education and Labor Committee, co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, co-chair of the 4-H Caucus, and proud member of the FFA Caucus, I am passionate about advancing agricultural education in schools.

I take this moment to thank all of our agricultural educators across the country, the Commonwealth, and in the 15th Congressional District. Their work invests in our agriculture education and helps prepare the next generation of farmers, producers, and ranchers.

I always enjoy my meetings with FFA and 4-H students, as they are clearly our future, and our conversations give me great hope in the direction of our agricultural community.

Mr. Speaker, I, once again, thank all those involved in agricultural education and empowering our next generation of farmers.

Celebrating AccuWeather's 60th Anniversary

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate AccuWeather on its 60th anniversary.

Since 1962, AccuWeather has provided trusted and accurate weather forecasts for individuals, businesses, and communities.

AccuWeather is repeatedly recognized as the most accurate weather forecast. Their warnings have saved thousands of lives and have protected people from harm and property from damage. Most notably, Congress cited AccuWeather during Hurricane Katrina for saving 10,000 people, thanks to their accurate forecasts.

Today, more than 1.5 billion people rely on AccuWeather to stay safe and plan their day.

AccuWeather currently has the largest collection of data at its Global Weather Center, which receives more information than any other facility on Earth.

Most importantly, AccuWeather is a proud Pennsylvania 15th Congressional District business with more than 500 employees and is headquartered in Ferguson Township in Centre County.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating AccuWeather; their founder and CEO, Dr. Joel Myers; and their entire team on 60 years of service to our communities and excellence in forecasting the weather.

Madam Speaker, in June, I was honored to kick off the fifth annual Brew Across America competition hosted by Anheuser-Busch.

Brew Across America brings together Members from both sides of the aisle through a friendly competition to brew their own varieties in partnership with a bipartisan buddy.

My partner and I, fellow Agriculture Committee member, Congressman Salud Carbajal, may not see eye to eye on every policy issue, but we can both agree to set aside our differences over a good beer.

I invite all of my colleagues to join us, our competitors, and the Anheuser-Busch team tonight at Nationals Stadium to sample each of the bipartisan brews and help us crown a winner.

One of the awards is a People's Choice award. To participate, individuals can text the name of their favorite beer to 202-980-4023 until 7 p.m. eastern time tonight.

The smooth functioning of democracy so often relies on finding common ground to solve the toughest challenges, and we all know the process of finding common ground demands mutual respect.

Beer and agriculture--since it is a great agro product--go hand in hand, and as Republican leader of the House Agriculture Committee, I remind us all to thank a farmer the next time you crack open a cold one.

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

Last week, Congressman Jimmy Panetta from California and I introduced a resolution to designate the week of September 11 through September 17 as Celebrate Community Week and commemorate the efforts of local service organizations across the country.

Mr. Panetta and I are co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Service Organization Caucus. The resolution recognizes the role of service organizations in promoting community humanitarian assistance while also instilling the value of giving back in our youth. We specifically applauded the 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. Volunteer service is the cornerstone of a successful, strong, and healthy community, and is an important staple of American life.

I commend our community service organizations like the Lions Club International, Rotary International, Kiwanis International, and Optimist International for everything they do to help our communities flourish.

Celebrating Constitution Day

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because over the weekend, we celebrated Constitution Day. On September 17, we commemorate the signing and adoption of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This day, where we celebrate our Constitution, originated in 1953 when the Senate passed a resolution designating September 17 to 23 as Constitution Week.

In 2004, Congress officially made Constitution Day and Citizenship Day a Federal holiday. Congress also required all publicly funded agencies and schools to provide information on the Constitution on this day.

In 2017, President Trump proclaimed September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. Constitution Day serves as a celebration of our American system as well as a reminder that our government exists to serve the people and their freedom.

For 235 years, Congress has been given the responsibility by the people to represent their interests. We should behave like every day is Constitution Day and remember Congress should always serve the people as outlined in the preamble.

POW/MIA Recognition Day

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 16 as POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Last Friday, we remembered the men and women our Armed Forces who served honorably and have not returned home.

At this time, almost 82,000 servicemen and -women have not returned home from the battlefield. This includes those who served in World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the Cold War, and both wars in Iraq.

Those who serve in uniform have sacrificed greatly to give us the opportunity to live our lives in freedom and in peace. We thank those who served and returned home, but most importantly we remember those who served and never returned.

Last May, I introduced the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Trade Agreement Resolution. This resolution would urge our mutually beneficial trade agreements to include a commitment from our trade partners to continue to search for and recover our missing servicemembers.

Mr. Speaker, on this POW/MIA Recognition Day, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and honor our commitment to bring our servicemen and -women home.

Remembering September 11

Mr. Speaker, Sunday marked the 21st anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks. I rise today to remember the innocent lives we lost.

At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 flew into Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. Not long after, Flight 175 roared over Lower Manhattan into Tower 2.

While Americans around the country were grappling with the events that just transpired, a third plane, Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon.

In southwest Pennsylvania, the fourth flight, United 93, was hijacked and made the abrupt turn toward Washington, D.C. But because of the brave passengers and crew members, 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 which attempted to take us down.

We will forever be indebted to our servicemen and -women who joined the fight to protect our freedoms.

While today's world has grown no less dangerous, we, as Americans, are resilient. We will never forget, not 21 years later, not ever.

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