Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Schrack Farm Resources of Loganton, Pennsylvania, for being named the 2018 Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year.

The national award celebrates U.S. dairy producers that apply creativity, excellence, and forward thinking to achieve greater on-farm productivity and improved milk marketing. The award is presented annually by the International Dairy Foods Association and Dairy Herd Management magazine.

Mr. Speaker, Schrack Farm Resources has a rich history in Clinton County. Located in the heart of farm country, Schrack Farms is operated by Jim and Lisa Harbach and Kevin Schrack. Lisa and Kevin are siblings. They run the farm with the help of their children and grandchildren, who now represent the 11th-generation farmers of the land. Yes, that is right; Schrack Farm Resources has been in operation since 1773, 3 years before the Declaration of Independence was even issued. They have 22 full-time employees and some part-time help as well. The owners said it is teamwork that makes it possible for them to receive this award.

It is especially meaningful to see a Pennsylvania farm with such a long history of good stewardship being named the leading innovator, nationwide, for dairy farming. Today, Schrack Farms is managing an 1,100-head dairy herd while advocating for no-till farming and maintaining soil health and promoting awareness of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Its farming practices truly focus on conservation. Schrack Farms also was an early adopter of renewable energy technology and installed one of the first methane digesters in Pennsylvania. Now the farm generates revenue by selling power back to the grid and reduces electricity costs for the farm.

Schrack Farms is a model operation that is at the forefront of modern-day farming practices. Their operation effectively demonstrates that investment in environmentally friendly practices can lower costs, provide new revenue streams, and offer greater efficiencies on the farm.

They also educate local legislators and the general public about their operation's positive economic and environmental benefits. Jim Harbach said the farm's practices and beliefs go well beyond the borders of farming. Family members and farm staff are involved in associations and organizations that promote dairy farming and its environmental impacts. He has traveled across the country speaking about the practices that they use right there in Loganton, Pennsylvania.

Schrack Farms accepted the award earlier this year at Dairy Forum 2018 in Palm Desert, California. Pennsylvania's Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding nominated the farm for the award, and I was pleased to add supporting comments to the nomination.

Mr. Speaker, I am most proud of Schrack Farms and the entire family for being a leader in dairy farming not only in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but nationwide. I wholeheartedly congratulate Jim, Lisa, Kevin, and their families and employees on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I will meet with leaders from the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania, commonly known as SNAPa, which is a statewide organization of school nutrition professionals.

SNAPa works to advance quality child nutrition programs through education and advocacy. Organized in 1955, SNAPa is an all-volunteer board of directors elected by its membership, which currently stands at more than 2,300 individuals. As chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and a senior member on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I know the essential services that SNAPa works to provide. Students throughout the Commonwealth receive high- quality, low-cost meals thanks to SNAPa.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to remember that, for some students, the only meal they may receive may be at school. This organization works to keep our children healthy and ensure that they have healthy food options through the school meal programs.

I look forward to speaking with Travis Folmar, a food services director from State College. I sincerely thank SNAPa for advancing the availability, quality, and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an essential part of education in Pennsylvania for more than 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Haili Marie Frank from Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, who has been named Clinton County's Miss Teen United States Agriculture.

Haili is 16 years old and is the daughter of Eric and Clinta Frank.

She is a 10th grader at the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and an officer in the school's FFA chapter.

In 2017, Haili competed in the FFA Creed Speaking competition, placing first in the county and second in the region, which qualified her for the State competition, where she came in 10th.

Haili loves animals and is a member of two 4-H groups. Over the past 7 years, Haili has exhibited pigs, goats, lambs, chickens, and rabbits.

Haili is also an accomplished archer and shoots with one of her 4-H groups. Last August, she competed in the archery competition at State Days in Rock Run, Pennsylvania, and placed second in her age division.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly congratulate Haili on being an outstanding role model for her peers and a representative for agriculture in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the privilege of addressing more than 1,200 advocates who were in Washington this week for the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference.

As chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, I am grateful for the work these groups do to alleviate hunger and ensure that people have access to nutritious food.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other Federal nutrition programs are vital to ensuring that all Americans have healthy foods within reach, whether low-income populations, the elderly, or those living in areas with strained access to nutritious food.

SNAP, as well as the USDA's commodity distribution programs, support agriculture and lessen the effects of poverty on our most vulnerable citizens.

In advance of the next farm bill, we will continue to identify ways to work alongside State and local organizations to help provide safe and nutritious food for those who need it most.

Mr. Speaker, a healthy diet for many Americans may have nothing to do with commitment, but rather accessibility. Limited access to supermarkets and grocery stores with fresh, nutritious food can be a challenge in both rural and urban communities. These are called ``food deserts.''

This is a particular concern for SNAP, which intends to provide nutrition to millions of Americans.

According to the USDA, to qualify as a low-access community, at least 500 people, or at least 33 percent of the population, must reside more than 1 mile from a supermarket or a large grocery store. For rural areas, the distance is more than 10 miles.

It is difficult to eat healthy when the easiest store to get to primarily provides packaged and processed food. SNAP recipients may find a local market convenient, but it offers high-calorie foods with minimal nutrition value. These foods can often be a staple for families with limited resources.

It is my hope that we can redouble our efforts to increase access to fresh foods for communities throughout the country.

No one in America, Mr. Speaker, should go hungry, and everyone deserves a full shot at living a full, healthy, and productive life.

Through strong policy and the advocacy of our Nation's antihunger and antipoverty groups, we truly can work to end hunger once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, the American Legion convenes in Washington this week for its annual policy conference to meet with Federal lawmakers.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the Nation's largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to servicemembers and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the Nation one community at a time. Whether it is connecting veterans through sporting programs, honoring fallen heroes through Legion Riders or advocating for homeless veterans, the American Legion plays a priceless role in creating a sense of community among veterans of all ages and service periods.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the American Legion. The Legionnaires have a tremendous sense of obligation to their community, their State, and their Nation. They advocate honestly for veterans in Washington, and I look forward to meeting with my local Legionnaires later today.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I was at the Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation in Duncansville to speak about my work on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

The Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation Charter School offers a customizable cyber education for students throughout Pennsylvania. Its learning experience connects, engages, and empowers every student to be successful in reaching their academic and personal goals for today and tomorrow.

This school was developed from the ground up by the area superintendents in collaboration with Intermediate Unit 8. The IU8 was created to furnish a broad range of educational services to the 35 public schools, 5 area vocational-technical schools, 2 charter schools, and approximately 81 non public schools in west central and southwestern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, we must understand that there are numerous educational environments, and many students thrive in a cyber school-style setup. The IU8 is doing tremendous work to ensure that students who choose a cyber school education are receiving the same quality education as their peers who attend brick-and-mortar schools. I am proud of the work they are doing.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks one of the finest traditions on Penn State's campus, a 46-hour dance marathon called THON. THON is the grand finale of a year-long fundraising campaign that Penn State students undertake for the kids. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, more than 700 recognized dancers will put their stamina to the test and dance for 46 hours, without sleep, at the Bryce Jordan Center.

But it is much more than that. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and it raises money to fight pediatric cancer. The proceeds raised go directly to Four Diamonds, which benefits the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey. Four Diamonds ensures that families who are battling pediatric cancer are not faced with any costs, allowing them to fully focus on the needs of their child. THON 2017 raised more than $10 million. Since its inception, THON has raised more than $146 million.

Mr. Speaker, I am always in awe of the power of our Penn State students and their care and concern for others. I wish everyone participating the best of luck.

We are.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to attend part of Fulton Bank's 39th annual Agriculture Seminar, which is a day-long informational event that draws individuals from all over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The event is free and

featured numerous speakers, including agriculture economist Andrew Frankenfield and other industry experts.

Mr. Speaker, as the House Committee on Agriculture prepares the next farm bill, there has been universal agreement that the dairy industry's Margin Protection Program needs to be reformed in advance. To address this, we were able to make much-needed changes in last week's bipartisan budget deal.

The final agreement took a number of actions that will revamp the program to better serve participating dairy farmers. To help the program to be more accurate and responsive during difficult months, monthly margined calculations have been changed to bimonthly. To help the program better reflect the growth in dairy herd sizes, the new law expands the first tier from 4 million to 5 million pounds. The new law raises the catastrophic coverage level from $4 per hundred weight to $5 per hundred weight for the first tier of covered production.

It also reduces premiums for the first 5 million pounds of production, making higher levels of coverage more affordable to provide more protection against low margins. Finally, the new law allows for the development of insurance policies for livestock producers, including for dairy farmers. This change encourages further adequate risk management tools are available the next time they are faced with disaster.

Mr. Speaker, the state of the dairy industry is much different today than it was when the last farm bill was written. Today we see low milk prices that have impacted the dairy industry across the country. The House Committee on Agriculture is not only aware of the challenges facing the industry, but we are working to help bring relief.

Another factor negatively impacting the dairy industry is declining milk consumption. This not only negatively affects dairy farms and farm families across the country but also students and their overall nutrition. Despite the fact that public school enrollment was growing, schools served 213 million fewer half-pints of milk between 2014 and 2016. Children over 4 years old are not meeting the recommended daily servings of dairy in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

We know that milk is a nutritional powerhouse. Given the nutritional value of milk and because students need to be nourished to be at their best, this is a cause for concern. Steadily decreasing participation in the School Lunch Program, coupled with the fact that flavored milk, the most popular variety in schools, must be fat free under the current law, has led to an alarming decline in overall milk consumption.

We have lost an entire generation of milk drinkers, and they have lost out, that generation, on the nourishment and nutrition that comes from milk. Providing students the option to consume milk with flavor has the potential to positively affect milk consumption trends among children and adults, while supporting the local dairy farmers.

This is why I introduced H.R. 4101, the School Milk Nutrition Act. This bill provides the schools the option of offering low-fat, 1 percent, flavored milk instead of only fat free.

On November 29, 2017, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a new USDA rule that expands options for milk in school lunches.

Similar to my legislation, this rule gives schools the option to serve low-fat, 1 percent, flavored milk. Thankfully, this rule will be in effect for fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019.

I look forward to continuing to craft a farm bill that puts forth the very best policy for our farmers, our families, and all Americans. I know Secretary Perdue supports the legislation, H.R. 4101, moving ahead to codify what he has been able to do with what flexibility he has and to get that done for our kids and for the dairy industry.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, I had the privilege of visiting Central Mountain High School's Career and Technology Education Center. It is a state-of-the-art 235,000-square- foot academic career technical education complex.

The Keystone Central School District has introduced and implemented a CTE curriculum that offers a totally integrated academic, career, and technical education for all 9th through 12th graders.

The integration model allows all students to explore and attain high academic and technical skills in their chosen profession. This system is designed to provide all students with an educational exploration opportunity that is both rigorous and relevant for career and post- secondary success.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus and author of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, I am thrilled to see this kind of educational complex in my community.

Offering CTE programs to students in high school truly gives them an opportunity to explore career options. There is an enormous skills gap that exists today in America. There are good-paying, family-sustaining jobs out there,

but people need the right skills to obtain those jobs. CTE programs are the pathway to success.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, before I came to Congress, I worked for nearly 30 years as a therapist rehab manager and 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. But 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, remains the leading cause of death globally with more than 17.9 million deaths each year. 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 2018 inspires more Americans to take control of their cardiovascular health and begin a healthy lifestyle journey.

Mr. Speaker, earlier today, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced $17.5 million in emergency funding to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The spotted lanternfly is beautiful, with its distinctive and colorful wings, but it is an invasive and threatening pest and its spread must be stopped.

The spotted lanternfly is originally native to parts of China, India, Vietnam, and Eastern Asia. It was first discovered in Berks County, Pennsylvania, but now has spread to 13 counties. It is a threat to apples and grapes and peaches, stone fruits, and various tree species throughout Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania's Agriculture Secretary Russell Reading has been working to combat its spread, and this Federal funding will only increase the Commonwealth's ability to fight this pest.

As vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee, I have been working with Congressman Ryan Costello and Congressman Lloyd Smucker and all members of the Pennsylvania delegation to ensure that we have the resources necessary to eradicate the spotted lanternfly.

I applaud Secretary Perdue's swift prevention efforts before the planthopper starts to reemerge this spring.

Mr. Speaker, February is Career and Technical Education Month. As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus and a senior member of the Committee on the Education and the Workforce, I have long been aware of the importance of career and technical education programs that provide learners of all ages career-ready skills.

From agriculture to the arts, from marketing to manufacturing, CTE programs work to develop America's most valuable resources: its people. Together, with Representative Jim Langevin, my CTE Caucus co-chair, we will introduce a resolution officially designating February as CTE Month.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to sign on as cosponsors because CTE truly benefits all Americans.

CTE is taught in a range of settings, from high schools and area technical centers to technical and 2-year community colleges. In total, 12.5 million high school and college students are enrolled in CTE programs across the Nation.

Just last week, President Trump expressed his commitment to CTE during his first State of the Union Address. President Trump said: ``Let us invest in workforce development and job training. Let us open great vocational schools so our future workers can learn a craft and realize their full potential.''

Fortunately, the House unanimously passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act last June. I authored this bill with Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi. It aims to close the skills gap by modernizing Federal investment in CTE programs and connecting educators with industry stakeholders.

This is the first major overhaul to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act since 2006. We are currently working with our colleagues in the Senate to bring up this bipartisan bill for consideration so we can get this important reauthorize signed into law.

The Perkins Act is important for educational institutions as well as businesses. Small-business owners rely upon Perkins programs to increase the number of skilled candidates in emerging sectors. Future workers in fields such as manufacturing, information technology, healthcare, and agriculture also rely on career and technical education to obtain the skills necessary for high-skill, high-wage, family- sustaining careers. Essentially, Mr. Speaker, we are providing the education tools to equip a 21st century workforce.

CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving students choose in pursuit of industry certifications and hands-on skills that they can use right out of high school in skills-based education programs or in college. By modernizing the Federal investment in CTE programs, we will be able to connect more educators with industry stakeholders and close the skills gap that exists in this country. There are good jobs out there, but people need to be qualified to get them.

Mr. Speaker, we have all met young people who haven't been inspired in a traditional classroom setting. We all know people who have lost jobs or are underemployed and are looking for good-paying, family- sustaining jobs.

We all know people who are aspiring for a promotion but keep falling short year after year. We all know people who are living in poverty. Maybe their families have been living in poverty for generations, for so long they can't even remember what put them there in the first place. A career in technical education is a pathway forward for each and every one of these people. CTE gives people from all walks of life an opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Washington, D.C., firefighter for his more than three decades of exceptional service.

Captain Peter Dupree has served more than 31 years with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He started his firefighting career in 1977 as a volunteer with his hometown fire company in Avis, Pennsylvania, in Clinton County. Pete rose through the ranks and eventually became fire chief.

In 1986, Pete moved to Maryland and joined the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department, Station 14, in Prince George's County. That same month, Pete was appointed as a probationer for the District of Columbia Fire Department. After passing required courses, he was assigned to Truck 12 in Northwest D.C.

In December of 2000, Pete achieved the rank of sergeant. Three years later, he would be promoted to lieutenant at Engine 18 on Capitol Hill. Then, in 2008, Pete became a captain in Northwest D.C. at Truck 9. He retired from the station in January after more than 31 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to thank Captain Peter Dupree, a native son of Clinton County, and wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true public servant, State representative Flo Fabrizio.

Representative Fabrizio has served the Erie region for nearly 45 years. He announced last week that he would not seek reelection to a ninth term representing the State's second legislative district.

Mr. Speaker, there are probably few issues that Representative Fabrizio and I agree on politically, but he has always been a gentleman and someone who truly represents his constituents.

Representative Fabrizio began his service in 2002 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Prior to that election, he served for 20 years as Erie County clerk.

He is a lifelong resident of Erie and has been active in the community serving as a charter member for the Erie Museum Authority, board member for Pleasant Ridge Manor, and as a member of many other philanthropic and charitable organizations.

Mr. Speaker, Representative Fabrizio has been diligent and dedicated, and he has served his hometown and the Commonwealth with distinction. I wish him the best in his retirement, and I hope he will enjoy spending time with his wife, Victoria, and his children.

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

Members of Congress and guests will fill this 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 the President speak about the administration's successes to date and the plans for the future.

The President and the First Lady, Melania Trump, have invited 15 guests to attend the speech tonight, including veterans, law enforcement officers, first responders, and families who have lost loved ones in the fight against the MS-13 street gang. All the guests in this Chamber tonight, invited by Members of both parties, represent a wide cross section of America, and I know that all have hope that our greatest days truly do lie ahead.

Just weeks ago, the House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for the American people to get our economy moving again. In February, Americans will see and are beginning to see, today, more money in their paychecks. We delivered a fairer, simpler, pro-family Tax Code to give more money back to taxpayers and spur economic growth.

As the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is implemented, we are hearing story after story about how this is already making a difference in millions of people's lives across the country. We have already seen positive results, and we look forward to hearing more from President Trump tonight on his vision for a safe, strong, and proud America.

Hundreds of companies across the Nation are sharing the benefit of the GOP tax reform with their workers. They are raising wages, awarding bonuses, and increasing 401(k) matching contributions. I want to highlight just some of the companies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that are investing in their employees:

1st Summit Bank in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, provided a $1,000 bonus to all full-time employees on top of their 2017 year-end bonuses, raised its salary ranges, and increased its charitable giving budget by 10 percent.

AccuWeather of State College in my Fifth Congressional District provided special year-end bonuses to all employees over and above other compensation benefits and year-end bonuses to which employees may be entitled. Company leaders said: ``The bonuses are possible due to the company's robust financial performance in 2017 and strong confidence in the growing U.S. and global economy now that the tax bill has passed.''

Fulton Financial in Lancaster raised its base wage to $12 per hour, awarded bonuses for its 3,700 employees, and is increasing charitable contributions by $2 million.

Kish Bancorp in Belleville awarded $500 bonuses to part-time employees, $1,000 bonuses to full-time employees, is adding $10 million to capital expenditures over the next 3 years, and will raise their base wage.

This is just a fraction of what is happening in the Commonwealth and in States across the Nation. The benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are just beginning to be seen, and I have great faith that the benefits will just continue to grow for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, tonight I know the President will be talking about his record-setting accomplishments in his first year, how the policies of his administration are lifting all Americans and setting a foundation for building a safe, strong, and proud America. From jobs and the economy to his $1 trillion plan for rebuilding our depleted infrastructure, to important immigration reforms, I know that he will cover a lot of ground tonight and will speak from the heart.

I also hope to hear about our national security, from rebuilding our military to the ongoing efforts to defeat terrorists around the world who try to harm America and Americans.

I know the President's State of the Union Address will resonate with our American values and unite us with patriotism and greater opportunities. I welcome the President tonight to this Chamber, as well as the First Lady and all the guests, and I look forward to hearing his important message for the future of our country.