Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I recently visited the Innovation Commons at Penn State Behrend in Erie County, which is an idea lab that offers support for entrepreneurs and startup companies.

It opened in January of 2016 to innovators, including those at the student level, who sought a place to organize, collaborate, compose, and construct their ideas.

The Innovation Commons is a part of the Innovation Beehive, which is housed at, and managed by, Penn State Behrend. It is in partnership with three additional Erie County universities: Mercyhurst, Gannon, and Edinboro. It was the first of its kind in 2016, and its success established a business network across Erie County--or, in other words, the beehive.

The beehive sites will operate as both individual service providers and as part of a larger, connected network, with multiple points of entry for entrepreneurs. All services will be available to the public and to businesses seeking to develop new products or enter new markets.

Each lab will specialize in different aspects of product or business development:

Edinboro University will provide advertising, marketing, and public relations strategies for business startups. Both current students and those entrepreneurs in the community can all seek assistance with all of these universities. The lab, which will be equipped with high-end printers, art supplies, drafting tables, and other multimedia support, will be located in the Baron-Forness Library;

Gannon University will focus on business development, including business analysis. The Gannon beehive, which will be located in the Center for Business Ingenuity, will offer access to the Small Business Development Center and the Erie Technology Incubator;

Mercyhurst University will provide business intelligence services and solutions to help developers commercialize their ideas. Blended faculty-student teams will use high-end computers, plotters, and other tools to develop custom intelligence products from within the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies.

Madam Speaker, this northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive network is working to serve the region. It will enable innovators to access universities' resources and applied research

capabilities for new business development or expansion at little to no cost.

I recently participated in a roundtable discussion with the university presidents, and I am very excited to see this collaborative effort take root in Erie County. This network was made possible thanks to the Ignite Erie Industry and Business Acceleration Collaborative, the Erie County Gaming Authority, and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

This truly is a collaborative effort, and it is my hope that the beehive will soon be abuzz with good ideas throughout Erie County. This is an excellent partnership that will give innovators and students hands-on, real-world experience to test their ideas and make their dreams become reality.

Madam Speaker, I am glad to see Erie County leveraging the strengths of these four universities for the betterment of its community. It is an exciting time in Erie County. I look forward to seeing what this brings to the region.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pastor Kenneth Codner to the House of Representatives as today's guest chaplain.

Pastor Codner is a native of Owego, New York, and he graduated from Alfred Agricultural and Technical College in 1973.

A couple of years later, through the help of a coworker, he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior. And he had a desire to make his life count for God.

In 1976, he enrolled in the Bible program at Tennessee Temple University. Two years later, he transferred to North Star Bible Institute in Rochester, New York, graduating in 1983, with a degree in theology.

In June 1983, he moved to Kansas to be the pastor of the Gove Bible Baptist Church, serving there for 17 years.

He is married to Eileen Garrison, and God blessed their union with five wonderful children.

In September of 2000, they moved to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. In 2002, he founded the Grace Baptist Church, where he has served as pastor ever since.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to have Pastor Codner and his family here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dan Glotz on receiving the 2017 Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry's Community Service Award.

The chamber presents the award annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the community.

Dan was raised in Warren County and graduated from Warren Area High School, and he currently serves as the Warren County planning director.

He has given his time to numerous community organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, where he has served in many roles over the years, including Scoutmaster and council commissioner.

Dan is an excellent role model and mentor for scores of young Scouts, and he is involved in many more organizations.

He is a founding partner of Walkable Warren, which is a local initiative to promote healthy lifestyles for people of all ages through established walking and bicycling trails.

Dan is also the games competition coordinator for the Warren County Special Olympics, as well as a cantor at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

These are just some of Dan's community activities.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dan and I thank him for his outstanding service to Warren County.

Mr. Speaker, last week, I congratulated St. Marys Area High School student Michelle Bauer on winning first place in the 34th annual Pennsylvania Municipal League high school essay contest.

Participants were asked to reflect on the theme ``Civics and You'' by writing about opportunities in their community that allow for civic engagement and encourage citizens to volunteer to help with local challenges.

Today, I would like to share a portion of Michelle's essay:

``When I hear the word `civic,' I think of governmental duties. I understand my duty as an American citizen to vote, obey laws, pay taxes, and serve on juries. These activities all involve one person: yourself. In reality, our civic engagement as Americans expands beyond a single individual and encompasses entire communities. The definition of a civic engagement is an activity that includes both paid and unpaid forms of political activism, environmentalism, and service. As I look at my community, it is apparent that we have a lot of civic engagements.

``As with most towns, mine has a city council that holds meetings and elections for positions on the council. These elections are open to every member of the city and are an excellent way for citizens to have a say in the politics of the town. Just as the elections are open to all citizens so are the weekly meetings. A unique feature about my town's council meetings is that they are televised on a local channel. For individuals who are unable to physically be present at the meeting or have commitments that require attention, this televised version provides a perfect solution to keep abreast of the issues affecting our citizens.

``Along with a local city council, it is also a civic duty of individuals in my community to vote and participate in elections and meetings at the school district level. Anyone is able to run for a position on the school board as well as attend the meetings. For me, our school board is a great way of civic involvement because the board is interested in new opportunities that can be incorporated into the education of our youth. Just recently, I attended a board meeting where the topic of robots was discussed. As a member of a small competition group, we were able to present our success and the benefit of curriculum that includes new technology. One month later, it was announced that a robotics class will be offered in the upcoming school year. This will allow even more students to enhance their education and perhaps encourage new career choices.

``In my community, the civic engagements do not stop on the political level. One of the most prominent forms of civic engagement I see in my community that is not related to politics is the placing of wreaths on the gravestones of fallen soldiers for Memorial Day. Citizens from all over town come together the weekend before Memorial Day and walk through the entire cemetery adorning and honoring the heroes of our country. This event is not for publicity or money but instead is for respecting our veterans. Additionally, it is for the betterment of our community by presenting a beautiful scene to those passing by.''

Michelle goes on to write:

``Onlookers can also be mesmerized by the beauty of the mountainous rural area. Unfortunately, garbage and litter on the side of roads and highways is so commonplace that most individuals do not even do a double-take when they see it. The highway through my town is an area where individuals think it is acceptable to throw garbage out of their vehicles or litter the sides of the road with cigarette butts and wrappers. For the past 7 years, I have been a part of the National Honor Society highway cleanup. Every spring and fall, the society walks the sides of the roads picking up trash and making our town look beautiful.''

Mr. Speaker, this is just a portion of Michelle's essay, and I include in the Record the full essay.

34th Annual Pennsylvania Municipal League High School Essay Contest

Winner

1st Place High School Essay Winner: Michelle Bauer--St. Marys Area High

School

When I hear the word civic, I think of governmental duties.

I understand my duty as an American citizen to vote, obey

laws, pay taxes, and serve on juries. These activities all

involve one person: yourself. In reality, our civic

engagement as Americans expands beyond a single individual

and encompasses entire communities. The definition of a civic

engagement is an activity that includes both paid and unpaid

forms of political activism, environmentalism, and service.

As I look at my community, it is apparent that we have a lot

of civic engagements.

As with most towns, mine has a city council that holds

meetings and elections for positions on the council. These

elections are open to every member of the city and are an

excellent way for citizens to have a say in the politics of

the town. Just as the elections are open to all citizens so

are the weekly meetings. A unique feature about my town's

council meetings is that they are televised on a local

channel. For individuals who are unable to physically be

present at the meeting or have commitments that require

attention, this televised version provides a perfect solution

to keep abreast of the issues affecting our citizens.

Along with a local city council, it is also a civic duty of

individuals in my community to vote and participate in

elections and meetings at the school district level. Anyone

is able to run for a position on the school board as well as

attend the meetings. For me, our school board is a great way

for civic involvement because the board is interested in new

opportunities that can be incorporated into the education of

our youth. Just recently, I attended a board meeting where

the topic of robots was discussed. As a member of a small

competition group, we were able to present our success and

the benefit of curriculum that includes new technology. One

month later, it was announced that a robotics class will be

offered in the upcoming school year. This will allow even

more students to enhance their education and perhaps

encourage new career choices.

In my community, the civic engagements do not stop on the

political level. One of the most prominent forms of civic

engagement I see in my community that is not related to

politics is the placing of wreaths on the gravestones of

fallen soldiers for Memorial Day. Citizens from all over town

come together the weekend before Memorial Day and walk

through the entire cemetery adorning and honoring the heroes

of our country. This event is not for publicity or money but

instead is for respecting our veterans. Additionally, it is

for the betterment of our community by presenting a beautiful

scene to those passing by.

Onlookers can also be mesmerized by the beauty of the

mountainous rural area. Unfortunately, garbage and litter on

the side of roads and highways is so commonplace that most

individuals do not even do a double-take when they see it.

The highway through my town is an area where individuals

think it is acceptable to throw garbage out of their vehicles

or litter the sides of the road with cigarette butts and

wrappers. For the past seven years, I have been a part of the

National Honor Society highway cleanup. Every spring and

fall, the society walks the sides of the roads picking up

trash and making our town look beautiful.

Volunteering to pick up the litter is not the only way to

carry out civic responsibility. Everybody has either

witnessed or directly experienced an accident or fire that

required the assistance of a fire department. The fire

department is a critical part of a city keeping fires at bay

and lending a hand wherever needed. In my community, these

people work tirelessly day in and day out for the good of the

community. Much of their assistance is not what would be

depicted as heroic but rather, responding to flooding issues,

weather related emergencies, traffic control, helicopter

landing zones, and searching for missing hunters in addition

to the rescue and fire calls. They are all volunteers that

give up their precious time as a civic duty to their

community without expecting recognition. We, the rest of the

community, have a duty to help support these people. One of

the best ways to do this is to attend their pancake

breakfasts that are used as a fundraiser. I am not a huge fan

of pancakes and sausage so instead of helping the

firefighters out by purchasing a meal, I volunteer to serve

the meals to customers. It is the civic duty of individuals

in my city to attend this pancake breakfast and show support

to the members of this department who tirelessly serve and

assist us.

Reporting for standby at a yearly event in July is another

aspect of service that our firefighters join their community

for. There are loud BOOMS echoing across the city and

suddenly bright orbs of colorful lights bursting in the sky.

This grand spectacle entrances onlookers for half an hour

with its bright lights and fun designs. A Fourth of July

fireworks display like this costs money. Every year, our city

struggles to come up with the funds needed to purchase

fireworks. Businesses around the town make it their civic

duty to help by setting out donation cans in their

businesses. The local Dairy Queen even has a day where 30% of

the profits from every blizzard purchased go to the city

fireworks fund. As citizens in the community, it is our duty

to go to Dairy Queen on this day and purchase a blizzard as

well as make donations in the cans set up at local

businesses. Eating ice cream is certainly an enjoyable way to

carry out a civic duty. The July show has been an important

part of our community for many years thanks to the numerous

supporters.

We have many such events traced back in our records. Local

history is like the heart of the human body. It shapes us,

powers our being, and makes us unique. Without history,

individuals would not even be alive. A great example would be

the Forty-Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment (Bucktails)

who were part of the Civil War. These rugged woodsmen were

skilled marksmen and ideally suited to the challenges of

battle. Stories say that this group was so influential in

fighting the war at Gettysburg that the entire outcome could

have been different without them. The grit and determination

of our local ancestors remains in current day lineage within

our community. By knowing local history, members of the

community have a sense of pride and can even feel at ease

understanding that future generations will uphold the same

virtues. My town has a Historical Society that is free to

enter and accepts donations of local artifacts and history.

As a member of the community, it is my civic engagement to

donate any pieces of history I have so that others may

benefit from it as well. It is also the duty of our community

to visit the Historical Society and learn about our heritage

and how we can use the skills of our people to better our

society just like the Bucktails did in the Civil War.

Civic engagements are abundant in our community. From the

local fireman's pancake breakfast to the city council

meetings, civic activities are occurring all around us. It is

the obligation of the citizens to engage in these activities

to assist with local challenges and create a better community

for all of its members.

Mr. Speaker, I will close with her final paragraph:

``Civic engagements are abundant in our community. From the local fireman's pancake breakfast to the city council meetings, civic activities are occurring all around us. It is the obligation of the citizens to engage in these activities to assist with local challenges and create a better community for all of its members.''

Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2936, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, that was introduced by Congressman Westerman.

The House will consider this bill today, which will improve forest management and cut the bureaucratic red tape that has been preventing sound management practices for the Forest Service.

Mr. Speaker, devastating wildfires have resulted in the loss of property, loss of pristine landscapes, and, most importantly, the loss of life. 2017 has been the costliest wildfire season on record, with the Forest Service spending over $2 billion. While not the only issue, the greatest cause for this increase in wildfire is a severe lack of forest management.

This bill provides Federal land management agencies the immediate tools to expedite and increase the scale and efficiency of forest management projects without sacrificing environmental protections.

Mr. Speaker, we must do everything in our power to stop these catastrophic wildfires and encourage better land management of our forests.

Today's bill is one step in the right direction and I encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 2936.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2936, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017.

As I stated last Congress, our national forests are facing an epidemic of declining health, which is a direct result of policies which have led to a dramatic decrease in managed acres creating catastrophic wildfires that have increased in size and frequency.

The past two fire seasons have been some of the most expensive on record, and this year appears to be no exception. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced that wildland fire suppression costs for this fiscal year have exceeded $2 billion, making 2017 the most expensive year on record.

While the suppression costs are staggering, these fires come at a greater cost to local communities, private property, and pristine landscapes. Most importantly, they also result in the loss of life.

For too long, our good folks at the Forest Service have been unable to do the work needed to manage our forest fuel loads. Over the years, the problem has compounded with more severe fires. Furthermore, these fires have consumed more and more of the Forest Service budget that was intended for management. This cycle has gone on for far too long.

In the 2014 farm bill, we took meaningful steps to empower the Forest Service to carry out its mission. With passage of this bill, we will provide the Forest Service another tool to carry out their duties.

This bill builds on the success of the farm bill to allow the Forest Service and their partners to manage our forests using sound science and environmental protections without fear of frivolous litigation. Further, it promotes good stewardship through restoration projects that protect our watersheds after catastrophic fire.

As fuel loads increase in our national forests, the cost of inaction increases every day. This legislation allows the Forest Service to account for the environmental consequences of inaction, hopefully expediting treatments where needed.

Finally, this issue extends beyond just fire. While they have not yet gone up in smoke, some of our national forests continue to deteriorate as a result of insect and disease infestations, leaving what was pristine and productive habitat so many in this Congress seek to protect.

Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Committee on Education and the Workforce, House of

Representatives,

Washington, DC, October 25, 2017.

Hon. K. Michael Conaway,

Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I write to confirm our mutual

understanding with respect to H.R. 2936, the Resilient

Federal Forests Act of 2017. Thank you for consulting with

the Committee on Education and the Workforce with regard to

H.R. 2936 on those matters within my committee's

jurisdiction.

The Committee on Education and the Workforce will not delay

further consideration of this bill. However, I do so only

with the understanding this procedural route will not be

construed to prejudice my committee's jurisdictional interest

and prerogatives on this bill or any other similar

legislation and will not be considered as precedent for

consideration of matters of jurisdictional interest to my

committee in the future.

I respectfully request your support for the appointment of

outside conferees from the Committee on Education and the

Workforce should this bill or a similar bill be considered in

a conference with the Senate. I also request you include our

exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional

Record during consideration of this bill on the House Floor.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Sincerely,

Virginia Foxx,

Chairwoman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Denham).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte).

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Labrador).

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Idaho.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee for his support, and also Mr. Westerman from Arkansas, the author of this bill.

The Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 is a bipartisan solution to address the growing economic and environmental threats from catastrophic wildfires.

As we have heard already, 2017 has had the costliest wildfires on record, with the Forest Service spending over $2 billion. We have had the loss of communities and lives lost. The greatest cause of this uptick in wildfires is the severe lack of forest management.

This legislation pairs a responsible budget fix with forest management reforms, improves the health and resiliency of our Nation's forests and rangelands, and provides Federal Land Management agency tools to increase the pay scale and cost efficiency of forest management projects without sacrificing environmental protections.

The bill permanently solves the wildfire borrowing problem by allowing FEMA to transfer limited funds to the Forest Service or BLM when the rest of their wildfire suppression funding has been exhausted.

It prevents wildfires by authorizing the tools for the Forest Service, tools that they are looking for in the Bureau of Land Management that they can implement immediately to mitigate insect and disease infestation, prevent damage to municipal watersheds and critical infrastructure quickly, harvest wildfire, kill trees to pay for the reforestation, and the bill encourages quick reforestation that accelerates habitat improvement.

This bill does incentivize collaboration, supports local government, and modernizes the Secure Rural Schools Act.

Mr. Chairman, I would just ask my colleagues for their support of H.R. 2936, the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 2936, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jefferson County Development Council for being named Partner of the Year by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association.

The Jefferson County Development Council has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and, over the past year, has gone above and beyond in carrying out its mission to serve existing and new businesses in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. Led by Brad Lashinsky, director of economic development and planning, the Jefferson County Development Council works to help new businesses start up, relocate, or expand.

The Jefferson County Development Council was named Partner of the Year for effectively utilizing various funding sources to complete a number of community and economic development projects. It also facilitated the formation of the Jefferson County Resource Partnership, which is a collection of professionals who make up the economic development delivery system in the county and who focus on providing assistance to businesses in all stages of business development and growth.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the Jefferson County Development Council for the work it does, and I wholeheartedly congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the Day of the Deployed to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces who are serving overseas.

Today we salute them for their service on behalf of the United States of America. We also acknowledge the sacrifice of their families, who are separated from their loved ones during deployment.

Mr. Speaker, serving one's country is a noble and selfless act. These men and women have answered the call of duty, and today we honor their dedication, service, and courage.

In 2016, there were nearly 1.3 million Active Duty military personnel. Nearly 200,000 of those Active Duty members are deployed overseas. From Japan to Germany, and from South Korea to Afghanistan, our American men and women serve with distinction.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, more than 50 airmen from the 193rd Special Operations Wing are scheduled to return home this week following an overseas deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Mr. Speaker, I would like all of our deployed troops to know that we are proud of their efforts and are grateful for their service.

Mr. Speaker, 35 years ago, President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed October as Head Start Awareness Month, and, proudly, we continue to raise awareness about Head Start and the benefits it brings to America's children.

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

When Head Start was first launched in 1965, the idea of providing comprehensive health, nutrition, and education services to children in poverty was groundbreaking. The Head Start model, developed over the decades, has become one that has been built now on evidence-based practices and is constantly evolving, using the best available science and teaching techniques to meet the needs of local communities.

Head Start takes a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of young children across four major areas of development, including education. Head Start provides a variety of learning experiences to help children grow intellectually, socially, developmentally, and emotionally.

Health: Head Start offers health services such as immunizations, dental, medical, and mental health and nutritional services and early identification of health problems.

Parent involvement: Head Start involves parents in the planning and implementation of activities. Parents serve on policy councils and committees that make administrative decisions, participate in classes and workshops and child development, and volunteer in the program.

Social services: Head Start also provides outreach to families to determine what services they need.

Mr. Speaker, Head Start focuses on the whole child and the whole family. Research has suggested that educating children in their earliest years plays an important role in inspiring lifelong learning, school readiness, and preparing students before they begin kindergarten as an essential part of Head Start, and it is especially important for some of the most vulnerable among us to ensure access to quality education and the outcomes that can be derived from it.

Head Start and the Early Head Start programs are in small towns and big cities alike. They bring together parents, teachers, volunteers, and community leaders to create a quality program that truly does give lower income children a head start in life.

Studies have shown that students who have had access to Head Start were more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. They are less likely to commit a crime or become a teen parent. Head Start gives children equal footing from the start and allows them every opportunity to be successful, thanks to an early education.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Head Start programs in the Fifth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and throughout the Nation for helping to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. So many Americans from all walks of life were offered a fair start in life thanks to Head Start.

Mr. Speaker, October is German-American Heritage Month. I am co-chair of the Congressional German-American Caucus with Congressman Bill Keating, and our caucus highlights German contributions to our country.

It is estimated that 50 million Americans have German ancestry, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Germans are the largest single ethnic group in the United States.

The caucus works to emphasize the friendship and alliance between the United States and Germany. We do so through an Oktoberfest networking event and through our support for programs like the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange internship program. The caucus also discusses timely topics such as trade, security, and foreign affairs and how they relate to our German counterparts.

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we have a proud German heritage. Frederick Muhlenberg, a German immigrant and Lutheran pastor from Pennsylvania, whose family also founded Muhlenberg College, was the first Speaker of the House following the signing of the new Constitution.

The caucus has more than 100 members, and I urge all those who are interested in joining to do so today during German-American Heritage Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bat Week, which is an annual, week-long event highlighting the important ecological and economic benefits of bats.

With more than 1,300 different species worldwide, bats are both diverse in appearance and how they keep ecosystems balanced. Bats play an essential role with insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal. One bat can eat 2,000 to 6,000 insects each night, including moths, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, and more.

Because of their incredible appetites, farmers can use fewer pesticides to control insects. This helps our Nation's farmers and saves billions of dollars each year.

Mr. Speaker, bats also play other roles outside of our ecosystems, including in medical research. Scientists studying vampire bats have created anticlotting medication to help stroke victims.

These are just a small portion of the ways bats positively impact our daily lives, and I am pleased to see these wonderful creatures recognized during Bat Week.

I appreciate the great work being performed by private conservation organizations, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and many other State partners, such as the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Bat Week 2017.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a St. Marys Area High School student for winning first place in the Pennsylvania Municipal League's annual essay contest.

Michelle Bauer, a senior at St. Marys Area High School, is the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship for taking home the top prize at the Pennsylvania Municipal League's 118th annual summit, which took place earlier this month at Erie's Bayfront Convention Center.

This year's essay theme was: Civics and you.

Contest participants were asked to elaborate on this theme by writing about opportunities in their community that allows for civic engagement and encourage citizens to volunteer locally.

Mr. Speaker, I know that civic involvement is something that we can all agree is important to the quality of life in all of our communities.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Municipal League is to strengthen, empower, and advocate for effective local government. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that was established in 1900 to advocate for Pennsylvania's third class cities.

I congratulate Michelle Bauer on her first place finish and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today is National Farmers Day. From farm to fork, our farmers work hard to put food on dinner tables across this country and around the world.

Today has traditionally been a day to recognize farmers and thank them for all their endless hard work. Records of National Farmers Day events date back to the 1800s.

Mr. Speaker, our farmers are the cornerstone of our rural communities. They face tough odds by the very nature of the business, and food security is national security.

Right now, there is a critical shortfall of skilled young and beginning farmers and ranchers. That is why, together with Congressman Joe Courtney from Connecticut and Congressman John Faso from New York, we introduced the Young Farmer Success Act.

This legislation provides incentives for those who would like to pursue a future in the agriculture industry by adding farmers to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which currently offers loan payback assistance for professions such as government service, teaching, and nursing.

Under the program, eligible public service professionals who make 10 years of income-driven student loan payments can have the balance of their loans forgiven.

On Monday, I heard from a number of young farmers in upstate New York in Congressman Faso's district. The House Agriculture Committee hosted a farm bill listening session at SUNY Cobleskill, and we covered topics from dairy to specialty crops to nutrition assistance programs, and we heard a lot of excellent feedback from those who shared their stories with us.

As the House Agriculture Committee works to craft the next farm bill, these listening sessions have allowed us to hear firsthand from those who are directly impacted by the farm bill. They provide us with real world examples of what is working and what isn't working.

With farmers in every region of this country, we heard from many different perspectives. This feedback will help us write the best farm bill possible.

Mr. Speaker, food security is national security, and it aids the long-term sustainability of our country. They provide fresh produce and products to communities throughout the country, and there is no better food than something grown locally.

Today, we celebrate our food producers on National Farmers Day, but we should also celebrate them every day for putting food on our tables and in our grocery stores. Let's face it, farming is a tough business. Long hours, unpredictable commodity prices, and, even more, unpredictable weather conditions, but it is also exciting, rewarding, and full of opportunities.

Generations of farmers have worked every patch of American soil caring for the Earth, their animals, and their neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, as vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I want to wholeheartedly thank America's farmers for providing our country with safe, sustainable, healthy, and nutritious food every day. Happy Farmers Day.

Mr. Speaker, 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. That is why my office is proud again to participate in the 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.

The 2015 winner from my office, Lachlan Campbell, created an app to store recipes and discover new dishes. I am proud that this State College student was able to show off his talents in our Nation's Capitol.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that students from across Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District will put their skills to work, create an app, and submit it to the Congressional App Challenge.

Submissions will close on November 1, and I can't wait to see what our students create.