Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast my votes on

April 27, 2022, and September 14, 2022. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 428, YEA on Roll Call No. 429, and YEA on Roll Call No. 127.

Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize the passing of Pastor Walt Marr, of Elderton, Pennsylvania.

Pastor Walt was a cherished leader in his community who embodied the values of fellowship and neighborly love. He considered the Cornerstone Church in Indiana, PA his home, but Pastor Walt was always happy to help other ministries in need of his wisdom.

Pastor Walt's ministry of first-person reenactment was cherished throughout his community. He had the unique skill of combining historical and biblical lessons with engaging reenactments. His most notable reenactment of President Lincoln was a favorite of his, as it allowed him to combine his love of our country's history with teachings of faith that were influential to President Lincoln.

Pastor Walt was an example of what it means to truly live for others. His congeniality and humor will be dearly missed by many. The teachings he shared, and the examples he set by living them, are more relevant today than ever before.

He will be remembered as a man who possessed a profound sense of faith and community. He leaves behind a family and community that will sincerely miss him and his reenactments. His positive contributions to his community will be remembered for years to come.

May God bless Pastor Walt and his family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Clearfield Wholesale Paper Company on their 100th anniversary.

Since 1922, CWP has provided top notch janitorial and paper supplies to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and local businesses across Clearfield County and the Commonwealth.

As fourth generation businesses owners, Joel and Cindy Peterson know the key to success is customer satisfaction.

They pride themselves on strong customer relations, some of which dates back 95 years.

For generations, CWP has served not just their community, but the larger area as a key employer to the community.

CWP recognizes the importance of great employees and are thankful for their everyday commitment and hard work.

Congratulations to Clearfield Wholesale Paper on this impressive anniversary. May they continue to serve the community for another 100 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Intern Day. Today is a day dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the future leaders of the world: interns.

National Intern Day has served as an opportunity for thousands of employers to commemorate and thank their hardworking interns.

I will take this time to recognize and thank our three current interns who join me this summer: Adiya, Ben, and Sam. All three have been instrumental in helping serve both the people of Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District and the House Agriculture Committee.

From conducting research to drafting speeches and statements, to guiding tours and responding to constituents, Adiya, Ben, and Sam were fantastic additions to my D.C. office.

Madam Speaker, our interns today are truly the leaders of tomorrow, and they deserve recognition for their outstanding work.

Thank you to our interns, again, for joining us this summer.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this issue. If there is anyone that should be leading this discussion, it should be somebody whose career was as a professionally trained forester who actually knows this topic.

I rise in opposition to this legislation. Wildfire is a national crisis that we must confront immediately. Tens of millions of acres are overgrown and unhealthy, but this bill won't meet those challenges or provide the Forest Service with the tools that they need to combat this threat.

The Forest Service has already announced a strategy to treat 50 million acres. Mandating a new plan is duplicative, removes flexibility, creates restrictions, and limits projects.

This bill authorizes billions for recreation, wilderness programs, and old growth, which have nothing to do with protecting communities and mitigating wildfire. Because this is only authorizing legislation, the Forest Service will be directed to carry out the provisions without being provided the necessary funding.

Additionally, there are none of the much-needed regulatory reforms that would allow the Forest Service to increase the pace and scale of restoration and wildfire mitigation.

There have been no committee hearings, markups, stakeholder feedback, or technical assistance. The majority also blocked nearly every amendment filed from even being debated today.

The provisions within the Committee on Agriculture's jurisdiction are largely unvetted but are being crammed into this 558-page bill, which we only first saw last week.

Madam Chair, let me just say, on the issue of firefighting, I served as a state-certified firefighter, so, on behalf of my brothers and sisters, I appreciate what they do, those that are fighting wildfires or structure fires.

But I agree with the ranking member here that the Forest Service's own words said that they were going to have to lay off more than 610 wildland firefighters because of this bill.

What my brothers and sisters who are wildland firefighters need more than anything else are other firefighters. They are the primary tool when it comes to battling these conflagrations.

This bill is an insult to them, an authorizing bill that provides no additional funds. Quite frankly, Madam Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Bellefonte Little House. This celebration has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the community is finally able to gather and celebrate 60 years of a Girl Scout meeting house as well as a space for the community to gather.

The Bellefonte Little House is one of the last remaining Girl Scout Little Houses in the Nation. At one point in time, Little Houses existed around the country, in cities and towns, serving as a physical meeting place and a home for Scouting.

The Bellefonte Little House provides a gathering place for troops in the Bellefonte area, and the local organization supports approximately 20 troops in the school districts of Bellefonte area, Bald Eagle area, and Penns Valley.

In addition to celebrating 60 years of the Little House, the local Girl Scout organization is celebrating and honoring volunteer efforts of many who mentor and guide girls in kindergarten through grade 12 in their Girl Scout journey.

Madam Speaker, as someone who is actively involved in Scouting, I recognize the importance of gathering places like the Bellefonte Little House to our communities.

Congratulations to the Bellefonte Little House and all those who continue to volunteer in the Girl Scout community on this remarkable anniversary. May this continue to be a place for Scouts to gather for years to come.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, we celebrated National Hire a Veteran Day. In 2017, the nonprofit Hire Our Heroes established the day to highlight the many talented men and women who served our country who are now seeking civilian employment.

Hire Our Heroes serves as a resource bank for veterans to seek professional advice, discover new training resources, and search for new job opportunities.

Veterans are an important part of our community. They sacrifice a great deal to ensure that we live in a Nation that is free and safe. While we may never be able to fully repay them for their sacrifice, the very least we can do is help ease the transition back into civilian life.

A big part of that transition is ensuring there are well-paying, family-sustaining jobs available for our men and women in uniform when they return home.

Our veterans are highly trained and highly skilled. They deserve our support while deployed and when they return home. One of the best ways to do that is to prepare them for the workforce outside of the military.

Madam Speaker, the best way to thank a veteran is to hire a veteran. The skills obtained during service are invaluable.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maureen L. Mulvihill who was awarded the 2022 International Chief Science Officer Mentor of the Year Award.

Maureen is the president and CEO of Actuated Medical in Bellefonte and has served her community as a leader and role model for over 15 years. She earned her master's and Ph.D. in materials science from Penn State University before cofounding Actuated Medical.

While navigating the growth of her company, Maureen has continually dedicated time to supporting students in her community. She invited students studying science, technology, engineering, and math to shadow employees at Actuated Medical and provided them with the opportunity to learn about engineering professions.

Maureen's career is a testament to the success and importance of small businesses in our local communities.

Mr. Speaker, the Chief Science Officer Mentor of the Year Award recognizes Maureen's continued dedication to supporting local students as they prepare for STEM education and professions.

Congratulations, Maureen, on your successful career.

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

Since the inception of our Nation, Pennsylvania has played a transformative role in United States history. Pennsylvania's nickname, the Keystone State, represents the central role we played in shaping our Nation.

Pennsylvania was the site of many important battles and military milestones, like the Battle of Valley Forge in the Revolutionary War and the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War.

Pennsylvania is the home to a lot of firsts, including our Nation's first capital, Philadelphia; the first American flag sewn by Betsy Ross; and the first commercial oil well in my district, giving birth to the modern petroleum industry.

Pennsylvania has a proud history of American craftsmanship and work ethic, from our steel mills and coal mines to our farmland and forests.

Madam Speaker, as a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, I am encouraged each and every day by the industrious spirit of our residents as we continue to build a bright path forward for our Commonwealth and our country.

Happy Pennsylvania Day. I am proud to be from the great Keystone State.

Late-Term Abortion Should Be Illegal

Madam Speaker, Democrats are advancing an agenda of abortion on demand. Last week, House Democrats passed their radical abortion on demand until birth act, falsely named as the Women's Health Protection Act, and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act.

Both bills go much further than codifying Roe v. Wade and would legalize abortion for all 9 months of pregnancy across the country, while undermining the health and safety of women. In advancing this legislation that would continue the murder of innocent unborn, Speaker Pelosi has confirmed Democrats' radical agenda by saying abortion is `` . . . core to who we are. It is about freedom.''

Madam Speaker, 80 percent of Americans believe that late-term abortion should be illegal.

Impact of the National Defense Authorization Act on our Military

Servicemembers

Madam Speaker, last week, in a bipartisan way, this body stood up and served those who serve in uniform, those who sacrificed for this great Nation in the United States Armed Forces.

I was proud, on Thursday, to join the majority of folks in this Chamber in passing H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act. I was proud to support this legislation, and I contributed significant legislative language, too.

The bill extends a prohibition preventing dishonorable discharge for servicemembers refusing COVID vaccines, while also extending a prohibition on COVID vaccine mandates for Department of Defense contractors.

The NDAA authorizes annual funding for the Department of Defense and defense-related programs at other Federal agencies. The NDAA authorized earned pay raises for our American troops. Included in the NDAA was my legislation from H.R. 7144, the Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act, that directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a centralized military housing feedback tool for members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. This will allow these families to identify, rate, and compare housing options. Our military families have earned the right to safe housing conditions.

Additionally, it included provisions requiring the Department of Defense to report the dollar amount spent on foreign fuel that is used; report on the impact on low recruitment and retention, and the impact on servicemembers' mental health as a result of that; and finally, to report the impact of inflation, which is impacting every American family today.

This report specifically is asking the question: What is the impact of inflation--which is out of control, a record high--on our military families?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 40 years of the Jefferson-Clarion Head Start program.

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, Head Start has improved the lives of more than 32 million children and their families. Head Start gives every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, a chance to succeed in school and in life.

When Head Start was first launched in 1965, the idea of providing comprehensive health, nutrition, and education services to children living in poverty was groundbreaking.

Jefferson-Clarion Head Start is no exception. For 40 years they have provided families and children of all ages with comprehensive education and health services to income-eligible children to ensure that they will be healthier and better prepared for success in school and life.

Currently Jefferson and Clarion County serves approximately 300 children each year across 10 towns and two counties.

Mr. Speaker, Head Start takes a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of young children. They focus on the whole child and the whole family.

Congratulations to all who work and participate with Jefferson- Clarion Head Start. Your work is vital to our community. Thank you for going above and beyond every day to make sure our children get the education they need to prepare for their futures.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, for 100 years of service to their community.

The Ruth M. Smith Center has been supporting the community of Sheffield since 1922 when the Smith family gave their home to the Women's Society of Christian Service. Since then, the home has served as an orphanage, a daycare preschool, and as a personal care home for adults with intellectual and physical impairments as well as older adults.

The center is a staple of the Sheffield community as it continues to provide support and assistance to those who need care beyond the basic necessities of food and shelter.

As a nonprofit association, the Ruth M. Smith Center is able to support those who cannot afford the costs of care through donations by individuals, churches, and State grants.

Madam Speaker, the Ruth M. Smith Center is a testament to the power of community groups to uplift those most in need of support. It is a privilege to congratulate them on their continued service to Sheffield, Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Smith family ahead of their 400th anniversary of arriving to the United States.

In 1622, William Smith traveled across the ocean from England and made landfall just north of Plymouth. Mr. Smith, like so many of the original Pilgrims, left England in search of a new life as a result of religious persecution. Being Methodist in a mostly Puritan colony meant he and his family were considered strangers and outsiders in their English community.

The Smith family eventually made their way to Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, in 1816, which they have now called home for more than 200 years.

Madam Speaker, this weekend, the Smith family will gather in Clarion, Pennsylvania, to mark 400 years in the United States in the form of a family reunion. Their uniquely American story deserves to be celebrated, and I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to the Smith family for their longstanding history in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an incredible American hero from the small town of Freeport, Pennsylvania.

Corporal Joseph Rodney Chapman was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, and he fought with the 80th Infantry Division in World War II. He fought across France, was wounded twice in the process, and earned a Bronze Star for his heroic actions to destroy a German machine gun and its crew.

In the spring of 1944, as the Allies continued to drive the enemy into retreat, Corporal Chapman found himself under enemy fire and was taken as a prisoner of war.

After returning home to Pennsylvania, he worked for the post office in Freeport for 35 years as a mail carrier and clerk. He was married to his late wife, Mary, for 69 years, and he just celebrated a very happy 100th birthday this past October.

Mr. Speaker, Corporal Chapman is the epitome of the American spirit. Therefore, I am incredibly proud to introduce legislation today that would rename the very post office Mr. Chapman worked at in his honor. He has devoted his life to his country and his community, and for that we owe him a great debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Service Organization Caucus, which highlights the great work of service organizations across our country, I rise to recognize and honor the Kiwanis Club of Warren, Pennsylvania.

This month, the Kiwanis Club of Warren is celebrating 100 years of service. Since July 12, 1922, Kiwanis of Warren have worked toward fulfilling the mission of Kiwanis International ``to improve the world one child and one community at a time.''

Their work not only in Warren, but internationally, has made a positive impact for children and families everywhere.

The Kiwanis Club of Warren has raised funds for a joint effort between UNICEF and Kiwanis International to eliminate iodine dependency disorder and maternal neonatal tetanus worldwide.

In addition to the club's global impact, the Warren Kiwanis Club also makes a difference at home. In efforts to engage the next generation of service-minded leaders, the Kiwanis Club sponsors three service leadership programs where participants focus on leadership and character building.

The Kiwanis Club of Warren also sponsors a variety of community building events, like the Salvation Army bell ringing and annual blood screenings.

I congratulate the Kiwanis Club of Warren for 100 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, today I welcome Liera Bertolsio and her family to Washington, D.C. to celebrate her great accomplishment.

Liera is the 2022 winner of Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District Congressional Art Contest.

The annual art competition, organized by the Congressional Institute, showcases the creative talents of high school students from across every congressional district in the country.

Liera has just finished her sophomore year at Forest Hills High School located in Sidman, Pennsylvania. Her work ``Girl with Pearl Earring'' is an acrylic painting on canvas.

This year, 81 students entered Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District art competition. Liera's work was selected by a panel of independent judges. The 2022 competition had our largest number of entries to date.

All the winning pieces from around the country will be displayed for the year in the Cannon tunnel where they will be viewed by Members of Congress, staff, and those who visit the Capitol every day.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate Liera on her remarkable achievement.