Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

I applaud my colleague Congresswoman Ann Wagner for reintroducing this bill, and I am proud to be a cosponsor.

This bill penalizes the intentional killing of a child who is born alive. To be clear, I cannot believe I even have to state those words.

Mr. Speaker, we have seen horrific actions in New York and Virginia to allow late-term abortion. This is essentially the execution of a defenseless child after birth. It is unconscionable.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would require a child who is born after an attempted abortion to receive treatment and be transferred to a hospital.

Mr. Speaker, this is a sad day in America when we have to discuss such a reprehensible act.

Any doctor who would leave a child to die should face the full extent of the law. This bill would ensure that.

We must protect the most vulnerable, and I urge the House to take action on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, one of the finest American traditions took place this morning, the National Prayer Breakfast.

Penny and I were honored and inspired to join Members of Congress and leaders from across the globe gathered here in Washington, D.C., for what has become an international forum.

Since 1953, the National Prayer Breakfast has united people, nations, religions, and even politicians who come together to celebrate faith, fellowship, and prayer. It is a time where we reflect on faith and focus on the year ahead. It is a time where we put aside differences and unite to pray for our leaders, our friends, and our families.

Every President since President Eisenhower has attended the National Prayer Breakfast, and President Trump delivered excellent remarks this morning, urging the Nation to build a culture that cherishes the dignity and sanctity of life.

President Trump said: ``Let us always give thanks for the miracle of life, creation, and the grace of God.''

Mr. Speaker, I agree. It is my hope the unity and fellowship we felt this morning stays with us always in our work and in our lives.

Mr. Speaker, last night we heard a tremendous State of the Union Address from President Trump that expressed confidence and hope for the future of this great Nation.

Our economy is growing. Thanks in part to historic tax reform, there are currently more than 7 million job openings. This truly is the land of opportunity. We must continue to support smart policies that will expand opportunities for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with President Trump: Together, we can break decades of political stalemate and choose greatness over gridlock. We can work together for the common good to improve our outdated infrastructure; to protect American workers; to provide a check against the high cost of healthcare, prescription drugs; to secure our borders; and, yes, to fix our broken immigration system.

As a nation, we have a right to secure our borders. As President Trump stated, tolerance for illegal immigration is not compassionate; it is cruel. Smugglers use migrant women and children to exploit our laws and to gain access to our country.

Congress must act to address these issues that have plagued our country for far too long because it is clear that America is stronger when we work together.

We saw incredible moments of unity last night. One that stands out for me is when Republicans and Democrats in this Chamber sang ``Happy Birthday'' to Holocaust survivor, Judah Samet. Mr. Samet narrowly avoided the mass killing at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Last night, he turned 81 years old. Mr. Speaker, I have witnessed many State of the Union Addresses, but that is a moment I will truly never forget.

The President and First Lady had many distinguished guests in addition to Mr. Samet, including another Pennsylvania resident, Pittsburgh Police Officer Timothy Matson.

Officer Matson raced into the Tree of Life synagogue and was shot seven times as he chased down the shooter. Officer Matson has undergone 12 surgeries. I understand he has more in the future, but he made the trip to Washington to be in the gallery last night.

We are proud of the bravery and heroism of both Officer Matson and Mr. Samet. It was an honor to have them in the Chamber last night.

The President and First Lady also welcomed a World War II and D-day veteran; the first man to step on the Moon; a childhood cancer survivor; former prisoners who, thanks to criminal justice reform, have their lives back; and many other special guests.

The State of the Union is both a time to reflect and look to the future, and this administration has achieved record-setting accomplishments. The policies being put forth truly are lifting up all Americans and setting a foundation to build a safe, strong, and proud America:

We have worked to combat the opioid crisis; we have provided relief from burdensome regulations; we have given our military the resources it needs to be successful; and we can continue to work towards solving the very serious problems facing this Nation.

Now, I thank President Trump for outlining his vision for the path forward, and I look forward to working together to overcome some of our greatest challenges. I know we can do it because it is the American way.

Madam Speaker, for more than 50 years, we have observed February as American Heart Month.

Heart disease is the Nation's number-one killer, and during this month we reaffirm our commitment to combating heart disease and educating all people about the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Madam Speaker, before I came to Congress, I worked for nearly 30 years as a rehabilitation therapist and a licensed nursing home administrator. I understand the unique challenges facing individuals who have suffered a

stroke or other life-changing injuries. Often, it is a long road to recovery.

An active lifestyle can help lower blood pressure, boost levels of good cholesterol, improve blood flow, and more. Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remain the leading cause of death globally; but, by making healthy choices, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, individuals can lower their risk for cardiovascular disease by as much as 80 percent.

I hope that Heart Month 2019 inspires more Americans to take control of their cardiovascular health and to begin a healthy lifestyle journey.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today just hours before our 45th President, Donald Trump, will deliver the State of the Union Address.

Members of Congress and guests will fill the Chamber tonight to hear the President speak about a host of issues impacting America: from economic growth to trade deals, and infrastructure investments to immigration reform.

I look forward to hearing about the administration's successes and the plans for the future. I know that we all want to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to the challenges before us.

Mr. Speaker, many distinguished guests will be here tonight, each with a story to tell and each representing the very best of America.

I will host Mr. Bill Jones, president of Penn United Technologies. Headquartered in Cabot, Pennsylvania in Butler County, Penn United Technologies provides high-quality, high-precision manufacturing solutions in various markets and employs more than 500 individuals.

Since 1971, Penn United Technologies has provided quality products and has established itself as an industry leader. It is an honor to have Mr. Jones here this evening, and I look forward to the President's address.

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday, the world joined together in honoring the memory of those who were murdered during the Holocaust.

In 2005, the United Nations designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The systematic, government-sponsored persecution and murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators will always be a scar on humanity.

We promise to always remember those who lost their lives, those who survived, and those who saved them, those who stood in the face of such evil and refused to turn a blind eye. We make this promise to ensure such blight on humanity will never happen again.

By remembering the events of the Holocaust, we can understand how important it is to defend those who are defenseless. We must eradicate hatred and never become indifferent to the suffering of others.

Mr. Speaker, on the international day of remembrance, the most important thing to reflect upon is the humanity that exists in all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a tremendous business in Armstrong County, Bergad Specialty Foams.

Bergad Specialty Foams is a leading producer of polyurethane foams. It recently celebrated the completion of a 50,000-square-foot building expansion.

This is phase 1 of a long-range facility expansion, which will increase production capacity to meet customer demand for its growing line of specialty foams. It will also allow the company to accommodate the production of several new product lines.

The expansion includes state-of-the-art CNC cutting equipment and streamlined fulfillment and shipping areas, in addition to a secure manufacturing area to accommodate the requirements of the consumer technology industry.

Mr. Speaker, Bergad Foams makes specialty cushioning materials that span several markets, including medical, cosmetic, oil and gas production, high-end consumer electronics, and transportation and aircraft.

I congratulate Paul Bergad, president of Bergad Incorporated, on the outstanding business he has built in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

When they broke ground on this project, he refused the ceremonial golden shovel and, instead, fired up his excavator to take out the first bucket of dirt. Clearly, Mr. Bergad is a man who isn't afraid to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

With this new addition, the manufacturing area totals more than three acres under one roof, making it one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the county.

Phase 2 of the expansion is expected to begin in about 18 months and will add an additional 35,000 square feet to the facility. With these expansions, Bergad Incorporated said they expect to hire an additional 30 employees.

Mr. Speaker, this is very welcome news in Armstrong County, where Bergad Specialty Foams has its laboratory, manufacturing, fabrication, tooling, warehousing, and sales division, all located at its Kittanning facility.

Since Bergad Specialty Foams opened operations there in 1999, the mission has been to ``exceed, not meet'' the standards of the industry and the expectations of its clients. Mr. Speaker, the ever-expanding product lines and expansion surely note that Bergad Specialty Foams is not only living up to its lofty goals, but surpassing them.

I wholeheartedly congratulate Mr. Bergad on this outstanding achievement, and I wish him the best as his company continues to flourish in Armstrong County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible role mentors play in the lives of young people.

January is National Mentoring Month, which brings national attention to the need for mentors. Individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities, and nonprofits can all engage their constituents to become mentors for the next generation of leaders.

When children have strong role models in their lives, they grow up to be good neighbors and good citizens. As a co-chairman of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I know firsthand how essential mentors are for students seeking a career in technical education.

From agriculture to the arts, from marketing to manufacturing, CTE programs work to develop America's most valuable resources: its people. CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving students choose in pursuit of industry certification and hands-on skills that they can use right out of high school, in skills-based education programs or in our colleges.

Many CTE instructors are mentors who inspire students to reach their full potential and follow their dreams wherever they may lead.

Mr. Speaker, I thank every mentor in America for providing students the guidance and confidence that they need to find success.

Mr. Speaker, 33 years ago today, we lost the Space Shuttle Challenger.

I rise to remember and honor the seven crew members whose passion for exploration has inspired generations of Americans.

On January 28, 1986, the 25th mission of the United States space shuttle program was set to transport cargo and crew into orbit. Tragically, the mission was cut short over the skies of Cape Canaveral.

More than three decades later, we remember the sacrifice of each crew member: Dick Scobee, Michael Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. Their legacy is forever enshrined in our Nation's Capital with the Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

As President Reagan said in his address to the Nation: ``The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.''

Mr. Speaker, may our American curiosity for space exploration never fade, and as we continue to seek farther horizons, it is my hope that we fuel the interest of future generations.

Today, we honor and remember the brave crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I was honored to be at Mount Aloysius College to participate in its Martin Luther King Jr. Day prayer service.

Located in Cresson, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, Mount Aloysius College planned events throughout this week to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The activities include community service projects, diversity talks, art exhibits, and more.

Mr. Speaker, it was a privilege to join the students, faculty, and staff on Monday during a truly moving prayer service in Cosgrave Lobby. The service featured several readers who shared Dr. King's powerful words, and everyone in attendance sang hymns.

Yesterday, the college hosted a multicultural food day. Today, at 3:30 p.m., a special guest speaker from Carlow University will be featured at Alumni Hall. Friday concludes Martin Luther King Week at Mount Aloysius College with an exhibit in the Cosgrave Lobby and a poetry night for all the regional college students at a location in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to be able to meet so many wonderful Mount Aloysius students, and I thank them for hosting me.

Madam Speaker, northwest Pennsylvania has a rich history and a vibrant, diverse economy. Its winding trails, beautiful landscapes, recreational experiences, and thriving communities make Venango and Crawford Counties especially captivating places to live, to work, and to visit. Many of these attractions are centered around the same central common theme: the world's first commercial oil well.

Colonel Drake successfully drilled this well in 1859, triggering the first oil boom and establishing the Oil Region as ``the valley that changed the world.'' His efforts not only made northwest Pennsylvania the energy powerhouse that it is today, but also sparked a cultural revolution that came as a result of a booming economy.

We are tremendously proud of our history and heritage in northwest Pennsylvania. We still celebrate these historic communities that bloomed from Colonel Drake's innovative idea, and Drake Well continues to have a tangible impact on the area's economy.

In 2004, Congress designated the region as a national heritage area. There are only 49 of these areas across the country that are designated as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive nationally important landscape.

The Oil Region national heritage area was the Nation's 25th national heritage area, and it celebrates the birth of the petroleum industry. The region is honored to have this important designation, but without action, it will sunset next year. That is why I have introduced H.R. 642, the Oil Region National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act.

The heritage area's coordinating entity, the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry, and Tourism, has taken a grassroots, community- driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. Through public-private partnerships, national heritage area entities support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects. These partnerships foster pride of place and an enduring stewardship ethic.

The Oil Region Alliance focuses on heritage development, economic development, and tourism destination marketing. All three of these areas have been successful, and from 2005 to 2015, ORA has been able to invest more than $6.8 million in heritage development projects, invest more than $6.7 million in economic development activities, and attract nearly 240,000 visitors, annually. They have done an excellent job using innovative methods to stimulate the local economy, using a mixture of both Federal and private funds.

Last year, Congressman Mike Kelly and I visited the home of the legendary investigative journalist Ida Tarbell. Born in Pennsylvania at the onset of the oil boom, Tarbell is best known for her 1904 book, ``The History of the Standard Oil Company.''

The ORA had recently completed a full restoration of Ms. Tarbell's home, ensuring that it would be preserved for generations to come. This restoration was just one of many projects the ORA is working on, and my bill will allow these projects to continue through 2026.

Extending this funding is crucial for the ORA to continue its mission of preserving the Oil Region's history, stimulating the local economy, and allowing others to appreciate the beauty and culture of Venango and Crawford Counties.

The ORA's efforts give us the ability to appreciate the rich history of northwestern Pennsylvania and understand the impact that our community has had on American culture today. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation, which will directly impact northwestern Pennsylvanians and preserve a rich heritage for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, more than 100,000 Americans came to Washington for the 46th annual March for Life. This year's theme was ``Unique from Day One.''

Those who march envision a world where the beauty, dignity, and uniqueness of every human life are valued and protected.

Thanks to the pro-life movement, abortion rates across the country are at the lowest since 2013. Proudly, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania remains one of the top protective States in the Nation to provide legal protections for human life from conception to natural death, according to the Americans United for Life.

Many of my colleagues have introduced legislation in this Congress to advance the pro-life cause and to protect the unborn. I am proud to cosponsor many of these bills, including the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, the Sanctity of Human Life Act, the Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act, and the Life at Conception Act.

Mr. Speaker, we must always be a voice for the voiceless, and we must continue to build a culture that values

life and respects mothers and their children, both born and yet to be born.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

I share the chairman's passion for FFA and in the leadership that emerges from that experience for our youth. And I know that, being someone who represents a very rural district, we think of the FFA as a rural enterprise; but, Mr. Speaker, the largest FFA chapter we have in Pennsylvania--and we have a lot--it is a robust program in the city of Philadelphia. This is a program that has tremendous impact in rural America and has tremendous ability to impact in urban America today.

So I rise in support of H.R. 439, the National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act. I am honored to work with my good friend, Mr. Langevin, on this piece of legislation.

This bipartisan bill makes updates to allow the national FFA to be a self-governing organization, while maintaining its long-held relationship with the U.S. Department of Education.

FFA, formally called the Future Farmers of America, was organized in

1928. Congress recognized the importance of FFA as an integral part of vocational agriculture, and in 1950 granted it a Federal charter.

This charter provides Federal authority to create an interagency working agreement that is focused on strengthening FFA and school-based agriculture education.

However, the role of education in securing a skilled, sustainable workforce in agriculture is underscored through the required involvement of the U.S. Department of Education on the National FFA board of directors.

It is important to note that only about 100 organizations have charters with Federal agencies. Only six organizations require the respective government agencies to select one member for their board of directors. FFA is the only organization that requires a majority of its board of directors be chosen by its partner government agency.

Mr. Speaker, while we can all appreciate the integrated relationship between the Department of Education and the FFA, it must be our prerogative to determine the best path forward for both this Federal charter and the students it serves.

FFA functions through a network of local chapters that may be chartered in any public school with an agricultural education program.

Local chapters are run with student leadership. Students are elected each year by the chapter's members, with the agriculture teacher serving as adviser for the chapter.

Local chapters then make up State FFA associations, which operate within the bounds of the National FFA Organization but have the ability to create other individual leadership arrangements, competitions, awards, and programs.

In Pennsylvania alone, our State FFA association includes over 12,900 members, 210 agriculture science teachers, and they have raised $179,000 to support the future of agriculture education and student leader growth.

It is important to understand this bill will allow the Secretary of Education to continue to serve on the National FFA board of directors but would no longer have the Department of Education's employees constituting the majority of the board.

Additionally, this bill will also shift the organization's purpose towards providing comprehensive career and technical education to strengthen the Nation's agriculture workforce.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation brings FFA, a great cornerstone of rural America--and, quite frankly, having a tremendous impact, today, on urban America--into the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ridgway Area High School for being named a National Blue Ribbon School.

Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has identified and celebrated excellence in education through the Blue Ribbon Award.

Ridgway Area High School's tradition of academic excellence is a testament to this rural community's dedication to the importance of education. Like many small communities, the high school serves as a central hub in Ridgway. Faculty and staff work diligently to help each student reach their fullest potential.

Ridgway Area High School knows that families and community stakeholders are vital to the educational mission. They strongly value the idea that students who are involved in teams, groups, and community service

initiatives are those who grow habits of engagement that lead to productive citizenship. All graduating seniors are required to have completed 50 hours of community service in local nonprofit organizations in the Ridgway community in an effort to instill in all students a sense of service above self.

Madam Speaker, I wholeheartedly congratulate Ridgway Area High School on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a Franklin High School graduate from Venango County on earning a prestigious fellowship.

Michael Wisner, who graduated from Franklin High School in 2015 and is expected to graduate from Princeton University in June, has been awarded the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a nationwide contest.

The fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University right here in Washington.

The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service, where they can help formulate, represent, and implement U.S. foreign policy.

The Rangel program selects outstanding fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through 2 years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities.

Michael is completing certificates at Princeton in African studies, history and the practice of diplomacy, and Latin American studies.

He spent a summer abroad in Greece and a semester abroad in Argentina, where he worked as an English as a second language instructor. Since 2016, he has taught English as a second language at the resource center of Catholic Charities in New Jersey.

Impressively, he also worked with Engineers Without Borders to design and install a water system in Peru. As part of the project, he co-led a 12-person team to author a Spanish language water system manual for community use.

During his time at Franklin High School, Michael was committed to academics, sports, and community activities. He was named salutatorian of his class. He played football and was captain of the team. He was also a wrestler and attained the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America.

Michael is the son of Tom and Nancy Wisner of Polk, Pennsylvania, in Venango County.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for American men and women who are committed to serving this country at home and abroad. I have no doubt that Michael will excel in his fellowship and help promote positive change globally. I congratulate Michael Wisner on this outstanding achievement, and I wish him the best as he pursues this opportunity