Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Susan Williams, the president and CEO of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. Susan will retire at the end of the month after 20 years of dedicated service.

Susan first started working for the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce in 2006 as the assistant executive director. She became the president and CEO 1 year later.

During her first year with the chamber, Susan operated with a team of just two full-time staff and a summer intern. However, she quickly expanded the team and the programming offered by the chamber.

Susan was instrumental in the launch of FLEX, Venango County's young professionals organization. This initiative helps young people in the county collaborate and develop leadership skills.

In addition to FLEX, Susan helped launch Leadership Venango. This is a 9-month program designed to educate and motivate individuals in the community who aspire to be leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Susan for her selflessness and serving Venango County so well.

I congratulate Susan on her retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize American Red Cross Month, which has been celebrated every March since 1943. The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton in 1881 with the noble mission of serving people in need.

The American Red Cross is one of the largest organizations in the country, with approximately 230 chapters in the United States and close to 300,000 volunteers.

American Red Cross Month was first recognized during World War II when Franklin D. Roosevelt urged individuals to assist with the Nation's growing humanitarian needs. What initially

started out as a humanitarian call to action has grown into a larger mission. Communities across the country now come together to help those in need.

The bond between the American Red Cross and the United States Government is defined by more than a century of service. Since the organization's formal chartering in the early 1900s, the American Red Cross has had a hand in providing aid to our military personnel and their families.

The organization was pivotal in assisting servicemembers and families during World War I and World War II. During both wars, the American Red Cross recruited thousands of registered nurses and prepared millions of aid packages for the United States military and our Allies.

Today, the American Red Cross still provides support for military members and their families. However, their reach has also extended to serve communities that have been impacted by natural disasters. This organization assists in recovery efforts by providing emergency assistance, food, shelter, and emotional support to those in need.

Many people know the American Red Cross because of their commitment to blood donations. On average, they collect nearly 4.5 million blood donations and provide almost 40 percent of our Nation's blood.

In addition to humanitarian relief and blood donations, the American Red Cross has been training and educating people for over a century. The organization provides training in first aid, CPR, water safety, lifeguarding, and other emergency response areas.

Today, communities across the United States are safer because of the large number of people who have become certified by the American Red Cross. With training, these people can identify an emergency and step in to provide care.

Madam Speaker, I thank all the American Red Cross volunteers who work tirelessly to serve others and care for those in need.

Recognizing Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, which marks its bicentennial celebration on March 15.

Jersey Shore was founded in 1826, although the borough's rich history dates to the 1700s, when families settled in the area after the Revolutionary War. Many families chose this location because of the availability of farmland.

Before the borough's adoption of the name ``Jersey Shore,'' the settlement was first called Waynesburg, named after Anthony Wayne, a famous Revolutionary War general who served under General George Washington. However, Jersey Shore quickly became the namesake due to the high number of settlers from New Jersey and the borough's proximity to the Susquehanna River.

Established along the banks of the Susquehanna and near numerous State parks, Jersey Shore, also known as the Gateway to the Pine Creek Valley, offers visitors the chance to hike, bike, fish, and kayak.

Jersey Shore is a true reflection of Main Street charm and American values. It is an area many people from the Commonwealth are proud to call home. We congratulate the Jersey Shore borough on this momentous milestone.

Recognizing Agriculture Committee Members and Staff

Madam Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to thank the members and staff of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Early this morning, we finished up 20 hours of markup and ultimately passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. It is a strong bipartisan bill. It passed 2-1 out of committee. I appreciate all the members on the committee who contributed and helped to refine this bill.

This legislation really serves America's number one industry, agriculture, all of those farm families, ranch families, and communities of rural America. We look forward to bringing this legislation to the floor and, ultimately, to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize

the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program and our current CBYX intern, Max Groene.

For more than 40 years, thousands of young Germans and Americans have had the opportunity to live, learn, and work in the program's respective countries.

As co-chair of the German-American Caucus, I am proud to support the CBYX program and will continue working to strengthen the relationship between our two great nations.

The CBYX program is a great opportunity for participants to gain a new perspective on global affairs and politics and immerse themselves in new cultures.

Max, a native of Berlin, Germany, began interning on Capitol Hill earlier this year. Before moving to Washington, D.C., he spent a semester at Snow College in Utah.

Max has spent this month helping our office with everyday operations. Following his time in D.C., he will complete an internship in Oregon with an energy company.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Max for joining our office this month. He has represented Germany well, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Career and Technical Education Month, celebrated every February. This month allows us to highlight the value of CTE programs, which help prepare students for the workforce. These are programs that are about learning to earn.

During this month, we can look at the immense impact of CTE programs on learners and the support that CTE provides to different industries. CTE does more than support students. It supports our economy and our workforce.

It is an honor to be co-chair of the bipartisan House Career and Technical Education Caucus and a senior member of the Committee on Education and Workforce. I have supported and will always continue to support CTE programs, and I thank my colleagues for supporting these causes.

Career and technical education does not adhere to one industry. It spans across all industries--all of them. It is a reflection of the many careers available to young Americans.

I truly believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to education is not valuable to our students and does not prepare them for the workforce. The traditional college experience is not always valuable for all high school graduates, and we must remember that.

Many high-achieving and ambitious students choose to pursue an industry certification and gain experience in hands-on skills that they can use after graduating high school. These students enter the workforce prepared, and they contribute to our communities.

So far in the 119th Congress, I introduced a bill to strengthen career counseling in middle schools and high schools, introduced the GO Ag Act, and introduced the Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act, all of which are important ways for students to explore different careers.

While all this is a huge accomplishment, there is still much left to do. This is why I will continue to advance legislation that promotes workforce development.

In my home State of Pennsylvania, there are over 80 career technical colleges and 145 high schools offering CTE courses. I am proud to be an advocate for these institutions and courses and to see the positive impact these students have within their communities.

Madam Speaker, when these students graduate, they graduate with a diploma and multiple certifications in one hand and a tremendous number of job offers in the other. It is a pathway to opportunity and prosperity.

Madam Speaker, CTE students are the backbone of our workforce and invaluable to our communities. It is important that we continue to provide them with the resources that they need. I urge my colleagues to join the Career and Technical Education Caucus and work to provide learning opportunities for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a friend and dairy advocate, Arden Tewksbury, who peacefully passed away on January 30 at the age of 93.

Arden graduated from Meshoppen High School in 1950. He was an avid baseball and basketball player, despite losing his arm above the elbow in an accident at a young age. He served as a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association basketball official as well as a member of the PIAA Board of Directors.

Additionally, Arden was the longest serving volunteer school board member of the Elk Lake School District with 64 years of service.

Arden operated a dairy farm in northeastern Pennsylvania and retired in 2003. He was a well-known advocate for dairy farms across the Commonwealth and worked with many farmers for more than five decades.

Arden served on committees of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania Farmers Union. He also served on the board of the Eastern Milk Producers Cooperative as well as being their president for 5 years.

Arden was a lifetime member and former grange master of South Auburn Grange 1188. The Pennsylvania State Grange honored him in 1987 as the Pennsylvania State Granger of the Year.

In 1991, Arden founded the Progressive Agriculture Organization, where he advocated for fair milk prices for small, family-owned dairy farmers. Arden was well-known around Pennsylvania's capital in Harrisburg and in our Nation's Capital.

While I was yet to serve in this Chamber, Arden worked closely with former Senator Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania's longest serving Senator, to introduce S. 1722, the Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2007. This bill would have required the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the price of all milk used for manufactured purposes, classified as Class II milk, by using the national average cost of production.

More recently, he helped to get whole milk back in schools. The passage of the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 was a great win, and I am glad Arden was able to see this legislation signed into law.

Mr. Speaker, Arden was loved by many people across the Commonwealth and will be dearly missed. He is a role model for so many. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an incredible group of students at Penn State University who have helped raise money for pediatric cancer patients.

THON is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world and will help to financially support almost 5,000 families with children who are battling cancer.

This weekend, students, staff, and volunteers filled the Bryce Jordan Center to raise awareness and money for the Four Diamonds Foundation. Over 700 THON participants danced for 46 hours straight.

THON was first originated in 1973 by Bill Lear as a proposed dance marathon to raise money for a good cause. Mr. Speaker, 78 students participated, and over $2,000 was raised. Over 40 years later, more than $236 million has been donated, and not a single Four Diamonds family has received a medical bill. This year, THON raised over $18 million.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the legacy that THON has established, and I am proud of the children and families who fight every day against pediatric cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced a bill this week to designate the Mahaffey Post Office in Mahaffey, Pennsylvania, as the Robert Allen Bishop, Sr. Post Office.

Bob was a Marine Corps veteran, a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, and an outstanding member of the community. Born in 1936, Bob graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 1954. At age 22, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed an overseas tour in Japan and obtained the rank of corporal.

Following his military service, Bob returned to Pennsylvania and opened the Lightner and Bishop General Store with his wife, Jean. Today, the building that housed the general store is home to the Mahaffey Post Office.

Bob was a letter carrier for 36 years and received the Million Mile Award, which recognizes workers who drive over 1 million miles. He also served with the Mahaffey Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT.

Bob passed away on June 15, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, Bob dedicated his life to service, to his country and his community, and I look forward to renaming the Mahaffey Post Office in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Bailey Little, a 2023 Bellefonte High School graduate.

Bailey recently received an American degree from the Future Farmers of America. Bailey is the first Bellefonte FFA member in nearly two decades to receive an American degree. She has been an active FFA member since her freshman year.

The American degree is the highest FFA honor and is given to members for their dedication to their chapter, leadership, and community involvement.

To receive an American degree, members must receive their State FFA degree, be an active member of their chapter for at least 3 years, and take part in various agricultural education programs.

Bailey's FFA projects included raising beef cattle, dairy cows, goats, poultry, and rabbits. Along with raising livestock, Bailey is a small business owner, selling Western jewelry and clothing. Additionally, Bailey and her fiance raise beef cattle in Centre County.

Mr. Speaker, Bailey should be proud of her accomplishments, and it is a great example for FFA members in our community. I congratulate Bailey on receiving the American degree.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in north central Pennsylvania. The UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers in Coudersport, Wellsboro, and Williamsport earned national recognition for their high-quality patient care.

The Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, also known as the QOPI Certification, is a 3-year certificate program that recognizes hospitals for their quality care and patient safety. This prestigious certificate is awarded to less than 300 outpatient oncology practices across the Nation.

To meet the high standards of the certificate, the hospital's patient care process and chemotherapy standards are evaluated.

The certification program was launched in 2010 and reinforces hospitals' dedication to quality cancer care, including treatment planning and patient monitoring.

UPMC Hillman is the only nationally recognized cancer center in western Pennsylvania. The three north central Pennsylvania cancer centers see almost 40,000 patients a year and serve communities in Potter, Lycoming, and Tioga Counties.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the doctors, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to ensure that every patient receives the best care possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an organization that is near and dear to my heart, Scouting America.

February 8 is National Scouting America Day, which recognizes the legacy of the organization and the young Americans who have gone from Scouts to leaders in their communities.

On May 17, 1977, I became an Eagle Scout myself, as a member of Scout Troop 52 in Walker Township, Pennsylvania. Over the years, I proudly held various leadership roles with Scout troops in Pennsylvania, including two separate stints as Scoutmaster for Troop 353 in Howard.

During my time as a Scoutmaster, I was honored to see many young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Since the rank's inception, close to 3 million Scouts have earned Eagle Scout status.

Scouting America--formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, and actually that is still the name of the movement as chartered by Congress--was established in 1910 by William D. Boyce. The mission of the organization is to prepare children for lives of impact and purpose. Since it was founded, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in Scouting America's programs.

Mr. Speaker, at its core, Scouting encourages its members to leave our country and the world a little better than they found it. Scouting America has helped build future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. Scouting founder, Lord Baden- Powell of England, defined Scouting as a game with a purpose. Through over a century of experience, we know that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

I am proud to co-chair the Congressional Scouting Caucus. This past summer, we welcomed dozens of Scouts from across the country to Camp Capitol Hill and Eagles on the Hill. This was an opportunity for Scouts to meet with Representatives and showcase what they have learned or built as a Scout. It was an honor to see the various projects Scouts have completed. All of them demonstrated the important values of service, community, and character.

Scouting demands physicality, innovation, curiosity, and for participants to enjoy the outdoors. It gives Scouts the opportunity to try new recreational activities like mountain biking, kayaking, and camping. All of these activities are an ode to the beautiful landscapes across our Nation and experiences that a Scout will never forget.

Scouts explore their interests and improve their skills while working toward Scouting's highest rank, Eagle. By first imagining, planning, then doing their own service projects, Scouts learn the value of hard work and experience the thrill of seeing it pay off.

Scouts are known as leaders within their communities, and approximately 15 percent of all military academy cadets and midshipmen across the United States' service academies are Eagle Scouts.

I am grateful for the longstanding partnership between Scouting America and the Department of War. I can think of no better recruitment tool for our military than the lessons learned through Scouting.

Mr. Speaker, Scouting has touched the lives of so many. I am proud of the way it has shaped our youth. I wish a happy 116th birthday to Scouting America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize American Heart Month, observed every February, to raise awareness about cardiovascular health.

The first CPR training occurred in the early 1960s. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed February American Heart Month to make heart disease and cardiac arrest prevention a national priority.

Since its formation, the American Heart Association has been helping

people recognize the signs of cardiac arrest and how to effectively respond to these critical signals.

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests happen each year away from medical facilities. The American Heart Association's goal is to ensure those lives are saved. Heart disease causes one in four deaths in the United States.

The American Heart Association provides resources on the many ways we can minimize our risk of a heart attack or cardiovascular disease.

Mr. Speaker, as a former healthcare professional, it is important for Americans to know that they are the first responders in the case of an emergency. Americans who learn CPR can be ready to help save a life.

Happy American Heart Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Susquehanna Regional Emergency Medical Service, which recently received the 2025 Dick Ferneau Career EMS Service of the Year Award.

This is one of the top national awards in emergency medical services and highlights organizations that exemplify outstanding care, innovation, and commitment to the people who they serve.

The Susquehanna Regional EMS covers a 3,000-square-mile region covering townships across four counties. Their EMS has a team of over 170 EMTs and responds to over 20,000 calls annually.

Susquehanna Regional EMS is dedicated to serving the community and has worked to ensure that patients beyond the hospital are protected. The service has donated over 100 AEDs to various counties and has helped to train residents in critical lifesaving skills.

Representatives from Susquehanna Regional EMS will accept the award on stage at the EMS World Exposition in Indianapolis, Indiana, later this year.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the care that the Susquehanna Regional EMS provides for the community and for all of the workers who are committed to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate two families that were awarded Century Farm status at the Pennsylvania Farm Show last week.

Agriculture has a long history in the Commonwealth and has been one of the State's first industries. For the prosperity of the State, it is important to preserve these farms and pass them to the next generation.

Pennsylvania leads the Nation in the number of preserved farms, and the Century and Bicentennial Farm programs recognize the commitment and hard work that these families have endured to keep their farms in production.

This year, two families from Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District were presented with the Century Farm status.

Jeremiah Keck is a resident of DuBois, and the Keck Family Farm dates back to 1860. Their farm and barn were built in 1931 and are still used. Some historical photos of their farm are preserved in the Library of Congress. Their farm is one of the 40 Century Farms in Clearfield County.

Scott and Cheryl Kinter, from Smicksburg, have farmed almost 100 acres of land since 1867. Indiana County has 56 Century Farms.

Mr. Speaker, I thank these families for their hard work and their dedication to the agriculture industry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruce Dart, who closed his photography studio after more than 40 years.

Bruce is a native of Mansfield, Pennsylvania, earned a bachelor of arts degree from Mansfield State College, and later served in the Navy.

During his time in the Navy, Bruce was trained as a journalist and took courses focused on broadcast journalism and photography, sparking his interest in the industry.

Following his tenure in the Navy, Bruce worked for a newspaper in Connecticut and later returned to Pennsylvania and worked for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette as a photographer. In 1973, Bruce accepted a position as assistant director of public relations at Mansfield State University and left after 6 years to fully pursue a career as a freelance photographer.

Bruce studied for more than 10 years at the Triangle Institute of Professional Photography in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended New York State's photography workshop, crediting this to his extensive experience.

Bruce is a member of various photography associations and has won multiple awards over his 40-year career. In 1986, Bruce earned the Certified Professional Photographer competency and has held this achievement for more than 30 years, a testament to Bruce's expertise and technical proficiency within the industry.

Bruce served on the board of directors of the Northeast Pennsylvania Professional Photographers Association, and he is the only photographer to be awarded the organization's Photographer of the Year Award five times. Additionally, some of Bruce's photographs have been published by the Associated Press.

Aside from photography, Bruce has been an active member of the community. He was president of the Greater Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce and served on the Mansfield Borough Council for over 20 years. Bruce is also an active member of the Austin Cox American Legion Post and VFW Post 6757.

Bruce has been pivotal in capturing key moments throughout the Mansfield area but also moments in people's lives.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Bruce for his service to the community, capturing important moments throughout the years. Bruce has been a great leader in the photography community, but also a great mentor to many aspiring photographers. I wish Bruce all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the success of the Warren Area High School robotics team, who have earned numerous awards this season.

Earlier this month, the team competed in the Pennsylvania State qualifier and were undefeated. The team earned three top awards: Tournament Champions, Skills Champions, and the Excellence Award.

This season, the team won three awards at their first three competitions, a historic achievement for the group.

The students have qualified for the State tournament in March and have been invited to an additional national tournament, which will be held in Iowa.

The team is working towards qualifying for the VEX Robotics World Championship, which is hosted in St. Louis this year. The team has qualified for the world championships for two consecutive years. At the world championship, participants are given the same materials to build a robot and must answer questions from a panel of judges.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the team on this historic achievement, and I wish them the best as they prepare for more tournaments this year.