Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a great agribusiness, a successful part of our number one industry in Pennsylvania, which is agriculture.

One out of every seven Pennsylvanians owe their job directly or indirectly to agriculture, and today I rise to congratulate one of those agribusinesses, the Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery, for winning a Best of Category award at this year's Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association competition. Mount Nittany Vineyards and Winery took home one gold, six silver, and two bronze awards in the mid-Atlantic competition.

Located just 6 miles from State College and Penn State University, Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery is located above the historic village of Linden Hall. It boasts breathtaking views across Penns Valley to the Tussey Mountain range.

Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery won Best of Category for its 2016 Geisenheim wine. Joe and Betty Carroll founded the winery, and it opened for business i 1990. Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery now produces 16,000 gallons of wine each year and harvests anywhere from 12 to 15 tons of grapes annually.

It is now owned and managed by Joe and Betty's daughter and son-in- law, Linda and Steve Weaver. Linda and Steve continue to produce award- winning wines, including fruit wines out of locally sourced cherries, apples, blueberries, and raspberries.

Mr. Speaker, proudly, Linda and Steve Weaver will be on Capitol Hill tomorrow for the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association awards ceremony. I wholeheartedly congratulate the Weavers on this outstanding recognition. I wish them the best as they continue to grow, make, and produce their fine wines in Centre County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional achievement of Contine Corporation in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Contine Corporation is a manufacturer of mechanical and

electromechanical assemblies built to customer specifications. In its more than three decades in operation, it has expanded the facility three times, acquired a plastic injection molding business, and developed quality employees and suppliers to serve its customers.

Recently, Contine Corporation received approval from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, as a SHARP participant. SHARP stands for Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. This is one of the highest honors OSHA awards to a worksite.

Since 1995, OSHA has been recognizing small business worksites that have shown a continuous commitment to improving the safety and health of their workplace through the OSHA Consultation Program. Fewer than 1,600 worksites across the country currently share the honor of SHARP recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Constance Ellrich, owner of the Contine Corporation; safety manager, Randall Groves; and the entire Contine workforce for its dedication to workforce safety.

Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment protects a business' viability, and, most importantly, it protects American workers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Farmers of Tomorrow Act, a bill that Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and I recently introduced. Our bill was designed to make it easier for young farmers and veterans to purchase new land to begin a farming career.

New and beginning farmers can obtain ownership loans through USDA to buy land, but too many experience difficulty due to outdated experience requirements that do not take into account the variety of paths future farmers can take to prepare to run their operations.

The Farmers of Tomorrow Act allows new, beginning, or veteran farmers to count various experience toward the current 3-year experience requirement to make it easier to access USDA financing. This includes an honorable discharge from the United States military, successful completion of a farm management curriculum, at least 1 year as hired farm labor with management responsibilities, and more.

Access to land is essential for supporting the next generation of farmers. This legislation will help get more Americans involved in agriculture, while strengthening rural communities. I encourage all my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Nation observed National Miners Day, which was designated by Congress to honor the contributions and sacrifices of miners both past and present.

Mr. Speaker, I am the proud grandson of a Pennsylvania coal miner. National Miners Day does mark the anniversary of the worst mining accident in history on December 6, 1907, in Monongah, West Virginia. The disaster resulted in the death of 362 miners.

While technology in mining has continued to improve, mining remains difficult work. Every day, our Nation's miners work so hard excavating minerals for energy production and raw materials for many forms of manufacturing. In particular--my family heritage--I am very proud of our Pennsylvania coal miners who really dug the coal that fueled the industrial revolution and provided the energy for fueling our preparations to win World War I and World War II.

From coal to copper, and from gold to granite, miners work to provide materials that play an important role in our everyday lives. American miners today deliver the same commitment to the industry that they historically have. But thanks to advancements in technology, we are seeing the industry operate smarter, faster, and, most importantly, safer.

Americans benefit from the energy, metals, and minerals made available to us thanks to mining. It is as fundamental today as it was centuries ago.

Mr. Speaker, to all of our miners, I say: Thank you for all you have given to this important industry.

Congratulating the Titusville Area Hospital

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Titusville Area Hospital on a national recognition for overall excellence in patient perspective.

The award, which is presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, was announced on National Rural Health Day. Titusville Area Hospital CEO Lee Clinton called the award a true honor and added that he is very proud of the care provided and the level of expertise offered to the citizens served at the Titusville Area Hospital.

He said: ``All of our staff strives to provide each patient with the best possible experience every time. This award demonstrates our ability to exceed as a small, rural community hospital.''

Mr. Speaker, our rural hospitals face complex challenges that range from financial concerns to a shortage of healthcare professionals. Thankfully, the Titusville Area Hospital is being recognized as a top performer that is increasing patient satisfaction, and I am proud that it sets the standard for other rural hospitals.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly congratulate CEO Lee Clinton and all of the staff of the Titusville Area Hospital on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, 76 years ago today, our Nation witnessed a devastating attack at a naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. That event hastened our entry into World War II.

The surprise attack by the Japanese on the morning of December 7, 1941, left 2,403 people dead. Among them were members of the U.S. Navy, Army, Marines, and also civilians. It was one of the deadliest attacks in American history. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it as ``a date which will live in infamy.''

On this solemn day of commemoration, we remember and we reflect. Flags throughout our country are flown at halfstaff in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Mr. Speaker, let us remember and honor the lives of those brave Americans who perished on this day 76 years ago. As President Roosevelt said: ``No matter how long it will take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.'' And we did.

God bless all of our Pearl Harbor victims and survivors, and God bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as one of the senior members on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus to note that this week is Computer Science Education Week.

Computer science drives job growth and innovation throughout our economy and throughout our society. Computing occupations are the number one source of all new wages in the U.S. and make up two-thirds of all projected new jobs in STEM fields, making computer science one of the most in-demand college degrees.

Computing is used all around us in virtually every field, but fewer than half of the United States' schools offer any computer science courses, and only 8 percent of STEM graduates study it; 93 percent of parents want their child's school to teach computer science, but only 40 percent of schools teach it; 67 percent of parents and 56 percent of teachers believe students should be required to learn computer science; 50 percent of Americans rank computer science as one of the two most important subjects of study after reading and writing.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are currently 16,976 open computing jobs. The average salary for a computing occupation in Pennsylvania is $85,654, which is significantly higher than the average salary in the State of $47,540. Mr. Speaker, only 169 schools in Pennsylvania offered the advanced placement computer science course in 2015-2016, and there are fewer AP exams taken in computer science than in any other STEM subject area.

But technology connects the world in ways like never before. From everyday conveniences at our fingertips to improved communications, technology plays an ever-increasing role in our lives. We are becoming more dependent on applications or apps, and the students of today will become the leaders of tomorrow by developing such technology.

Proudly, the House of Representatives has encouraged America's students to focus on computer science and STEM subjects through the annual Congressional App Challenge. This competition allows K-12 students from across the country to practice their code writing skills by developing an app. Winning apps will be displayed in the Capitol Building later this year.

This year's winner from Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District is Lachlan Campbell. He redesigned the Hack Club website to make it more user friendly. Hack Club is a nonprofit network of coding clubs run by high school students around the world. Lachlan started a Hack Club this past spring at his very own State College Area High School, and taught more than 40 students how to code and create a website.

His project for the Congressional App Challenge was to redesign hackclub.com, and his overhaul has been welcomed by the club.

I congratulate Lachlan on winning the Congressional App Challenge for Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District. He is a two-time winner, having come in first place in 2015 as well. He has got a promising career ahead of him.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of all of the students who participate in the App Challenge. The competition inspires students from every corner of the country to explore STEM, coding, and computer science through hands-on practice, and that is something we can all support.

Happy Computer Science Education Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor Alfred Earnest Pellow, a resident of Franklin, Pennsylvania, who passed away last week at his home.

Ernie, as he was called by family and friends, was involved in founding the Veterans Coalition and the VETS Honor Guard in Franklin. He was also deeply instrumental in bringing the Veterans Administration clinic to Franklin to care for our military men and women.

The 79-year-old was a U.S. Army peacetime veteran who served 37 months in Germany. In 1960, he married his wife, Joyce, with whom he spent 57 years of wedded bliss. He was a family man: a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather.

Ernie was a self-employed building contractor. He received the Pennsylvania Builders of the Year Award in 1996 and Pennsylvania Builders Distinguished Achievement Award in 2014.

A member of Masonic Blue Lodge and the York Rite, Ernie received his Masonic 50 year pin in 2015.

Mr. Speaker, Ernie Pellow lived a life of service: service to his country, service to his community, and service to his family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the work of a student at Penn State DuBois.

Alec Baker, a native of Clarion, Pennsylvania, is a student in the wildlife technology degree program at Penn State DuBois. He was recently awarded an Erickson Discovery Grant from Penn State's Office of Undergraduate Education for an independent research project.

Alec's area of study focused on black bears and the impact the bears have on agriculture and farmers in Pennsylvania, particularly, the Commonwealth's corn crop. Alec conducted the project this summer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and gathered information in the field through October. He is processing his findings this fall.

Alec has conducted his research primarily using Clarion County as his study area. He has obtained nuisance bear reports for crop damage from the area dating back to the year 2000. He plans to chart trends in the data through these years and monitor sites for continued activity using cameras.

In total, 219 students applied to receive an Erickson Discovery Grant this year, and Alec was one of 83 students from all Penn State locations and campuses who received a grant. The Erickson Discovery Grant allows students to immerse themselves in original research under the direct supervision of a faculty member in order to obtain hands-on experience in their chosen field.

Alec has just completed his sophomore year in the wildlife technology associate degree program and will go on to earn a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fishery science.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Alec Baker for undertaking this important area of study. I have no doubt that his research will help farmers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania better protect their crops from bear- related damage. Pennsylvania has one of the largest populations of black bears in North America, and thanks to studies like Alec's, the Commonwealth will be better able to understand how bears influence agriculture and how farmers can implement better management tactics to protect their crops.

I congratulate Alec for his achievement and all those who received the Erickson Discovery Award, and I look forward to the results.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on World Soil Day to highlight the importance of soil quality for our food security, healthy ecosystems, and overall well-being.

As vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee and chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I know firsthand the importance of good management practices to keep this essential resource healthy.

This year's theme is ``caring for the planet starts from the ground.'' Globally, 815 million people are food insecure and 2 billion people are nutritionally insecure, but we can mitigate this through soil health.

Mr. Speaker, 95 percent of our food comes from soil. Soil is a finite resource, and on a human scale, it is nonrenewable. However, despite the essential role that soil plays in human livelihood, there is a worldwide increase in the degradation of soil resources due to inappropriate management practices, population pressure driving unsustainable intensification, and inadequate governance over this essential resource.

World Soil Day 2017 aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the increasing challenges in soil management. Today we encourage people around the world to engage in proactively improving soil health.

Happy World Soil Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an instructor at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology for being named the national technical education teacher of the year.

CPI's horticulture and landscaping instructor, Joe Luther, will be given the Carl J. Schaefer Memorial Award, which is presented annually to recognize career technical education teachers for their outstanding service. Mr. Luther will accept the award this Thursday at a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

The award is presented by NOCTI, which is the largest provider of industry-based credentials and partner industry certifications for career and technical education programs across the Nation. It was named for Dr. Carl J. Schaefer, who was a lifelong champion of CTE. He gained national recognition as a CTE educator and author and was one of NOCTI's founding fathers.

This is the second time an instructor at CPI has received the award. In 2015, dental assistant instructor Mindi Tobias was selected as a top CTE teacher in the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the House Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am most proud of CPI and Mr. Luther for this outstanding recognition.

Mr. Speaker, this week I had the opportunity to meet with a number of organic farmers to discuss the upcoming farm bill and its impact on organic production.

In recent years, organic production has continued to grow in Pennsylvania,

Pennsylvania being the second largest State for organic production, and in many other States.

There are a number of programs authorized in the farm bill, including Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, that help provide financial assistance and planning assistance for new farmers and farms. Access to programs such as these is essential for supporting the next generation of farmers and growing American agriculture.

As it relates to organic, the farm bill contains numerous provisions and programs tailored to organic producers. This includes conservation assistance through EQIP Organic Initiative, the Market Access Program, Organic Agriculture Research and Extension, and competitive grants.

The Horticulture title also includes the National Organic Certification Cost Share, marketing and data collection, the Organic Program, and the Organic Check-Off Program.

Mr. Speaker, supporting agriculture of all forms through the farm bill is critically important for the industry, rural communities, and, quite frankly, all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit a true gem in Centre County, Pennsylvania: Rhoneymeade.

Rhoneymeade is a sculpture garden and arboretum farm, a historical site located between the Nittany and Tussey Mountains. The Rhone family owned this property for four generations, from 1794 to 1937. The land was settled in 1794 when Michael Rhone purchased the farmland from the Straub family, who received a grant of the land from the Penn family.

Third-generation Leonard Rhone was an important leader in the Grange movement in Pennsylvania. Many of the ideas for the movement were developed in the historic 1853 farmhouse that still sits on the property today.

Leonard Rhone founded the Grange Fair in 1874, the annual fair and camping event that remains a staple in the region. The fair is a proud Centre County tradition, much like Rhoneymeade. Rhoneymeade's slogan is: ``Where art and nature meet.''

That rings true, thanks to the works of Dr. Richard Morgan, a retired Penn State professor who purchased the property in 1984. Over several years, he transformed the grounds into an arboretum and sculpture garden. Dr. Morgan fell in love with Rhoneymeade: its historic home, views of Penns Valley, some of the oldest trees in central Pennsylvania. He restored the house on the property and landscaped the six surrounding acres. In 1985, the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1989, Dr. Morgan established Rhoneymeade as a private foundation with a mission to ``preserve our farm, fields, and forest; to create an oasis of beauty, both natural and man-made; and to share this with all who wish to come.''

Rhoneymeade has shared with the community and was shared with the community. In 1992, Dr. Morgan opened the property to visitors on select weekends. Since Dr. Morgan's death in 2015, Rhoneymeade is working towards becoming a public nonprofit organization.

Mr. Speaker, the property has thoroughly been cared for for more than 200 years, the 150 acres of breathtaking

land and its history that has been kept alive by the families who have owned it and, now, by all those who visit it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Grand Canyon FFA for bringing home the gold at a recent national competition.

The Wellsboro High School team of 10th graders recently traveled to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The team competed in the Conduct of Meeting event that is focused on parliamentary procedure.

As part of the competition, the team performs a meeting demonstration that includes an opening ceremony and a surprise issue to debate. They make motions and resolve the issue within 13 minutes. Each team member has to answer oral questions and take a knowledge exam.

Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly proud of the Grand Canyon FFA team for advancing to the Gold Level Round and placing sixth overall in the Nation.

It is clear that the FFA is making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their leadership skills, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the members of the Grand Canyon FFA team on a job well done: Kylie Butler, Nina Coolidge, Rayann Pierce, Austin Richards, McKenzie Sweigart, Katarina Swendrowski, and Taylor Wetherbee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bucktail Medical Center CEO Timothy Reeves for receiving a Community Star from the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

Community Stars recognize men and women nationwide who work to improve, protect, and advance health and wellness for those living in rural America.

Timothy Reeves is the chief executive officer at Bucktail Medical Center, which is a critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, community clinic, and BLS ambulance service in Renovo, Pennsylvania, in Clinton County. It is the only medical facility for more than 30 miles in any direction. Bucktail Medical Center is believed to be the most remote hospital in Pennsylvania.

When Timothy came to Bucktail, the small hospital was on life support. The organization had significant financial issues, but it had a dedicated, strong-willed staff and supporting board. Through a carefully planned financial restructuring process, Timothy has helped bring the facility back to life. It is growing, modernizing, and acquiring the equipment, technology, and provisions needed to advance healthcare for the community.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to Timothy and his team, Bucktail is looking towards the future, and the community is grateful for it.

Congratulating Dr. Lorraine Rosamilia

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a Centre County dermatologist for being named one of Pennsylvania's Top Physicians Under 40 by the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Dr. Lorraine Rosamilia, a native of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, treats skin conditions and skin cancers in patients of all ages at Geisinger Health System in State College.

In 2018, she will serve as the president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. She attended medical school and residency training in dermatology at Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Geisinger Health System recently honored Dr. Rosamilia at its annual Top Patient Experience Clinicians Awards Dinner for ranking in the top 10 percent in patient experience nationally.

Dr. Rosamilia currently serves on the editorial and review boards of several medical journals. She is certified by the American Board of Dermatology. In addition to practicing, she teaches dermatology residents and primary care practitioners and delivers lectures on dermatology locally, nationally, and internationally.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly congratulate Dr. Rosamilia on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, tonight, one of the biggest Christmas events will take place in New York City: the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

This historic event has ushered in the holiday season since the first official tree lighting in 1933. Tonight's event is the 85th tree lighting, and

while it will be a star-studded event with various entertainers performing on the plaza, the biggest star of all is from State College, Pennsylvania: the Christmas tree.

The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce was chosen as the yuletide centerpiece. The 12-ton tree was trucked into Midtown Manhattan earlier this month from State College. Rockefeller Center's head gardener was visiting State College a few years ago for a high school football game. He saw the tree from the road and knocked on the homeowner Jason Perrin's door to ask about the spruce.

Mr. Perrin is a Penn State graduate who worked for the State College Area School District for 17 years. He believes the tree is about 80 years old.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to State College's tree playing a starring role in tonight's festivities. Merry Christmas.