Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Kevin Sprague for his 30 years of service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Over the last three decades, Kevin's steadfast devotion to the Soo Locks and the Upper Peninsula has ensured the economic and operational success of the locks and made him an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

A graduate of South Lyon High School and Lawrence Technological University, Kevin worked as a mechanical engineer in the private sector before joining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in June 1992. Throughout his 30-year career with USACE, he served as surveyor, Assistant Chief of the St. Mary's River Section, Chief of Soo Lock Operations, Chief of Facility Maintenance Branch, Assistant Soo Area Engineer, and Soo Area Engineer--a position he has held for 12 years.

Kevin's efforts have played a crucial role in the success of the Soo Locks, which is a vital infrastructure system for not only the Great Lakes region, but the entire country. His leadership overseeing the operations and ongoing expansion of the Soo Locks have greatly benefited the region.

In addition to this project, Kevin worked diligently to improve the Soo Area Office to benefit his coworkers and community. This included reorganizing the local office to provide more opportunities in professional development, improving budgetary capabilities, and addressing safety concerns for workers. Over the pandemic, he also assisted in converting three storage containers into intensive care units (ICUs) for those affected by COVID-19. These efforts brought needed relief and assistance to the local community, and USACE's collaboration with local medical exports helped this project become a huge success.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Kevin Sprague for his 30 years of service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a dedicated and selfless citizen. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Mr. Sprague all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the positive accomplishments and ongoing challenges facing healthcare providers in rural and remote parts of our country, especially in places like Michigan's First District, my home.

Last week marked the 30th anniversary of the 340B Federal drug pricing program, which provides discounted pharmaceutical products to providers that care for a disproportionate share of uninsured and at- risk patients.

In my district alone, we have 20 340B hospitals providing care for our most vulnerable patient populations and ensuring our rural and remote communities receive the best possible care available.

This program has been a critical component of healthcare for so many

Michiganders, and I hope to work with my colleagues to ensure its continued success, especially as it faces new challenges that could threaten its efficacy in the future.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us, reliable access to care, along with the availability of prescription drugs and specialist medical treatments, is more important than ever.

Our rural and remote providers will continue to do everything in their power to provide top-of-the-line care to our patients. In turn, Congress must continue to address those rural health priorities.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the 140th Anniversary of Sleder's Family Tavern of Traverse City, Michigan. Through almost a century and a half of service and steadfast devotion to their community, Sleder's Family Tavern has become a local landmark and an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Established in 1882, Sleder's Family Tavern's continuous dedication to the local community has landed the business the title of the oldest active restaurant in Michigan. The tavern was started by local wheelwright, Vencil Sleder, who came to the United States as a Bohemian immigrant and built the tavern with the help of his fellow neighbors. The original construction of the tavern was made up of wooden slabs from sawmills and took approximately three years to build since many of the builders were only available on weekends.

Sleder's Family Tavern was owned and operated by the Sleder family for three generations, until it was sold to Bob and Sylvia Classens around the business's 100th anniversary in 1975. The Tavern was then sold to Deb and Brian Cairns in May 1992, who eventually transferred ownership to their son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Megan Cox, on December 31, 2019. Throughout the years, the business has only had minor renovations and additions, and much of the original building has been preserved with the help of the community. Today, the Sleder's Family Tavern is located in the heart of downtown Traverse City, and continues to serve locals for their food and beverage needs.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Sleder's Family Tavern for nearly a century and a half of success and service to Northern Michigan. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Justin Leland Perry and Jason Hadfield for being awarded the Carnegie Medal by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for saving a young girl from drowning. Their heroic actions cannot be overstated, and our community is indebted to their laudable efforts.

Originally created by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was implemented to recognize selfless and heroic acts from citizens across the U.S. and Canada. The medal's inspiration dates back to 1904 during the Harwick Mine tragedy where 181 lives were lost. Two victims of the disaster sacrificed themselves to save others which inspired Carnegie to create the fund. Since then, more than 10,000 awardees have been honored, with more than $40 million given in grants, scholarships, death benefits, and other assistance. There is no doubt that Justin and Jason are deserving of this honor.

On July 25, 2020, in Honor, Michigan, a young girl was swimming on a floatie in Lake Michigan when suddenly the tether slipped off of her mother's wrist. Instantly, the high winds and strong current pulled the floatie away from shore eventually tipping the girl over in the water. Justin Leland Perry and Jason Hadfield, who were with different groups, sprang into action using a child's life ring and kayak to help bring the victim to shore. Justin and Jason's valiant efforts saved a young life and prevented significant and tragic hardship for a family and community.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Justin Leland Perry and Jason Hadfield for being awarded the Carnegie Medal by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such selfless and heroic citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Michael A. Ascione, who passed away unexpectedly in 2020, for his lifetime of service and for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from Traverse Connect. Through his extreme dedication to the public good, Michael became an indispensable part of the State of Michigan.

A longtime resident of Northern Michigan and Grand Traverse County, Michael Ascione was a graduate of Kalkaska High School and attended Northwestern Michigan College. Early in his career, Michael joined Northern A-1--an industrial environmental services and waste disposal company founded by his father, Edward Ascione, Sr. Michael and his brother, Edward, Jr., went on to found American Waste, an affiliate to Northern A-1 he helped run for nearly 20 years.

Along with running his family businesses, Michael was heavily involved in his community and served in many local groups including Traverse Connect, Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce, Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority, Northern Michigan DeColores Ministries, Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources, The Father Fred Foundation, Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation, and the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation. He also served in various committee positions with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Michigan and received the ``Big Defender'' award in 2019 with his wife, Jeanne. Since 1929, the Distinguished Service Award has been given to leaders who have had a tremendously positive impact on the Traverse City area. Through his decades of service to his community, Michael has shown himself to be more than deserving of this honor.

Michael passed away unexpectedly in November 2020. His steadfast care and friendly nature towards all members of his community will surely leave a lasting mark on those who had the opportunity to know him. He is missed dearly by his family and friends, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations to come. Michael's tireless dedication to public service touched the lives of countless Michiganders, and the impact of his work cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I ask you to join me in honoring the life and service of Michael Ascione. His legacy will forever live on in his family and in the many lives he bettered through his service.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the 100th Anniversary of F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. of Boyne City, Michigan. Through its century of service and steadfast devotion to their community, F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. has become a local landmark and an indispensable part of Michigan's First District.

Frank Orin Barden was born on a farm in Nunica, Michigan, on February 3, 1876. Frank cultivated a passion for hard work from his upbringing on the family farm, leading him to start working at a young age with local lumber camps on Lake Michigan. For his education, he attended Davenport Institute in Grand Rapids to receive business training and began working in the lumber industry in several positions--eventually becoming manager in different mills across the state. After working for several Michigan companies, such as the Michigan Trust Company, the Boyne City Railroad, and Boyne Lumber, Frank created F.O. Barden & Sons Lumber Company in 1922 in Boyne City, MI, with his son Russel, and then later his son Al.

F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. continues to serve communities across Northern Michigan and remains headquartered in Boyne City. This centennial milestone denotes the years of service that the Barden family has dedicated to the economic wellbeing of the area and the lives of countless residents. Today, F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. is still owned and operated by the family, and Frank Orin Barden's

son, Paul, serves as President of the company.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize F.O. Barden and Son, Inc. for a century of success and service to Northern Michigan. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Paul Neumeier for his career and service to his community. Through a lifetime of work for his family and the public good, Michael has become an indispensable part of the Upper Peninsula.

Paul was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 4, 1947, and later moved to the City of Escanaba where he was raised. In 1965, he graduated from Escanaba High and was a star player on their successful football team. He then attended Michigan State University and graduated as a double major in Political Science and History in 1969. Following his education, he began working at his family business, Independent Roofing & Siding Co. Working for the company for over a decade, Paul was inspired to carry on the family business. He purchased his uncle's part of the company in 1972 to become partners with his father. Paul later became President in 1982, ensuring lasting success for the 105-year-old company. Under Paul's direction, Independent Roofing continued their accomplishments through the years, with the company recently receiving a national award from Firestone as being in the top 1 percent in the United States. Paul is also heavily involved in local politics and has served as the Delta County Republican Party Chairman for 22 years. Today, he continues to remain a strong advocate for his community.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Paul Neumeier for his career and service to his community. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a selfless citizen. On behalf of my constituents, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Michael Ralph Thibault for his induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. Through a lifetime of service and devotion to the public good, Michael has become an indispensable part of the Upper Peninsula and the state of Michigan.

The U.P. Labor Hall of Fame was established in 1993 to recognize unionists who have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of worker dignity and workplace fairness. With a lifetime of service to his community and state, Michael is very deserving of this honor.

Michael was born in Escanaba, Michigan, on November 12, 1949, and was raised in the Village of Garden. He spent many summers working for local farmers and loggers until he graduated from Garden High School in 1967. In the spring of 1968, he traveled to Detroit with a Garden Peninsula ironworker to find work, eventually becoming a permit ironworker for a construction site.

In 1969, Michael decided to return to the U.P. and was accepted for an apprenticeship with International Association of Iron Workers Local 783. Over the next two decades, he served as an on-site steward representing Local 783 and Local 8 while working on many industrial projects. During that time, he joined the Joint Apprenticeship Committee for Local 783 and eventually the Executive Board as a Recording Secretary. Michael went on to serve in several other supporting roles, including as an Ironworker Business Representative, a delegate to the Marquette County Labor Council, and the founding president of the Upper Peninsula Regional Labor Federation.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Michael Ralph Thibault for his induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. This great honor reflects a lifetime of service towards the rights and wellbeing of fellow workers. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a dedicated leader. On behalf of my constituents, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Kathleen Ann Carlson for her induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. Through a lifetime of service and devotion to the public good, Kathleen has become an indispensable part of the Upper Peninsula and the state of Michigan.

The U.P. Labor Hall of Fame was established in 1993 to recognize unionists who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of worker dignity and workplace fairness. With a lifetime of service to her community in healthcare and local labor groups, Kathleen is very deserving of this honor.

Kathleen was born in Iron River, Michigan, on September 19, 1960, and was the youngest of four children. After starting a family, she returned to work in 1985 and was hired by the Marquette County Health Department in the Accounting Department of Administrative Services. Her experience there inspired her to join her American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local as a steward, then Treasurer, and eventually the first female President.

During her involvement with AFSCME, Kathleen successfully advocated for and helped give a voice to workers across the Upper Peninsula. Over the years, she went on to serve in multiple positions in different local union organizations such as U.P. Labor Management Council delegate, AFSCME Staff Representative, a transition team member for the Marquette County Labor Council, and many more.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Kathleen Ann Carlson for her induction into the Upper Peninsula Labor Hall of Fame. This great honor reflects a lifetime of service towards the rights and well-being of fellow workers. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a dedicated leader. On behalf of my constituents, I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my fellow marine and fellow guardsman, Mr. Palazzo, for his dedication to being one of the co- chairs of the Guard and Reserve Caucus.

It reminds me of continued service that members of the Guard and Reserve do every day in communicating to the general public the value of what it means to have a ready Guard and Reserve, but also here in Congress, the continuing education for all of our Members so that they understand in their States the importance of maintaining a ready Guard and Reserve.

May is National Military Appreciation Month. So is June. So is July. So is August. So is September. I would suggest to you, we should be thankful continually for the men and women who always are standing by at the ready when our country needs them.

Whether it is a humanitarian assistance mission, a disaster relief mission, a border security mission, a mobilized go-to-the-fight kind of mission anywhere in the world, our Guard and Reserve stand ready.

But in that readiness comes the requirement to properly fund the Guard and Reserve, and in the military, it is always a competition for resources. I believe the combination of States, because the Governor of every State is the commander in chief of their Guard units--Reserve units, different story. They are under the command of the different services.

But the readiness and the support that is offered by each State and its Governor to ensure that their Guard units are ready to go, whether they are Army Guard, whether they are Air Guard, no matter what it is, is essential to not only the State readiness but the overall readiness we need as a country in the very complex world in which we live.

A special thanks tonight to the families of those guardsmen and reservists because those guardsmen and reservists work a Monday through Friday job, let's say. On Friday night, when a lot of their peers leave their jobs and go home to go play golf or go fishing or whatever, they are packing their kits and going to drill weekends or a 2-week annual training or whatever it is.

The sacrifice of time that the guardsmen and reservists make at the expense of their family time is something, again, we should never, ever take lightly and always remember because it is those young children who wonder why Mom and Dad are not around on Saturday and Sunday. Then they see the picture of them wearing the uniform and doing the kind of duty that we need in the United States of America. We cannot thank the family enough.

Having said that, in thanking the family, the commanders of the units know very well that good training time means that you are busy, you are doing good things, and if there is nothing to do, secure and go home and spend time with your families because it is the family that keeps everybody together.

Speaking of keeping things together, employers a lot of times don't understand the sacrifices that their men and women are making on the weekends. They just see them as good employees Monday through Friday. I thank the employers.

There is a group called the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. They have done a great job across the country to ensure that the relations between the Guard and Reserve and the employers are such that there is no misunderstanding of why a person may ask for an extra day or 2 to leave for extra Guard duty to do a longer drill weekend. My thanks to the employers as well.

On a little personal note, when it comes to Michigan, in fact, today I met with the Adjutant General of the Michigan Guard. As a State, Michigan has some very unique and productive training areas. We are a State with a lot of water around us. We have a lot of woods. Camp Grayling, in kind of the central part of lower Michigan, really is an example of what a National Guard training base could and should look like around the country.

We have multinational exercises every year, Exercise Northern Strike, and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center. We are one of the few areas where the fighters have unfettered access to unrestricted training areas to do live ordnance.

We need to have our pilots and our aircrews and all our shooters ready to go. I am proud to represent that part of Michigan that houses Camp Grayling.

Of course, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, down kind of closer toward Detroit, it is a base with a future because it is one of the few bases that is not a joint base where you have military and civil aviation going together. The ability of the Air Guard, of the Air Force Reserve, of any of the Reserve components that fly to put capabilities at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a win-win for not only our defense posture but, quite honestly, for the State of Michigan when it comes to providing bang for the buck in the defense dollar.

I could tell you a lot of stories over a long time. In my command, my last command, as the commanding general of the Marine Corps Reserve, whether they are a marine, a sailor, an airman, a soldier, a soon-to-be space guardian in a Reserve component, Coast Guard, the men and women who serve, the missions that they are ready to do give me confidence in our ability as the United States military to not only go to the fight but to do the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. We are in good hands because of the commitment of the men and women who wear the uniform.

My friend, Congressman Palazzo, thank you for leading this. Thank you for calling attention to the fact that without our Guard and Reserve, we are less ready as a country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 100 years of stellar performance of an exemplary company in Michigan's First District, F.O. Barden & Son Lumber.

Since its founding in 1922 by Frank Barden, the company has become a vital component in helping Boyne City and northern Michigan grow and adapt to needs in all aspects of daily life.

This centennial milestone represents the years of service that Barden Lumber has dedicated to contributing to the economic well-being of the area and the lives of countless residents.

In reflecting on the company's 100-year history, it is clear that they have continually chosen to not only make decisions for the good of the company in the wake of a changing marketplace, but they have also proven capable of looking beyond the balance sheet to include the ideas and the ideals of its people and community.

Even as our cyclical Michigan economy has presented obstacles to its growth, F.O. Barden & Son Lumber has sustained itself through dedication and innovation.

We are grateful for the company's contributions to Boyne City and to all of Michigan. Thank you, F.O. Barden & Son.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the William G. Mather School for their 100th anniversary celebration on May 4, 2022. Through their longtime devotion to their students and community, William G. Mather School has inspired countless students and become an indispensable part of the state of Michigan.

Named after the industrialist and Upper Peninsula iron magnate, the William G. Mather School first opened in 1922. Originally a high school teaching grades 9 through 12, Mather was built as a state-of-the-art facility. Its gymnasium, known as The Pit, is famous throughout the Upper Peninsula for hosting many sporting and social events over the last century, and seats hundreds of local spectators and students. During this historic centennial celebration, we honor the generations of dedicated faculty of William G. Mather and their devotion to educating our local youth. Today, Mather Elementary School continues that legacy of excellence, giving students in the U.P. the best possible opportunity to learn and succeed.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the William G. Mather School for their tireless work educating our youth and their drive to bring positive change to their community. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Craig Salo for his service as the Marquette County Veterans Service Officer and the Head of Marquette County Department of Veteran Affairs. Through his tireless work and steadfast devotion to our Veterans and local communities, Craig has become an indispensable part of the State of Michigan and the United States of America.

Craig Salo was born in Republic, Michigan, and graduated from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. In December 1991, he was commissioned by the U.S. Army as a Distinguished Military Graduate and attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in Fort Benning, Georgia. Following the end of his training, he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in the 4th Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment in Sandhofen, Germany. In addition to being deployed in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Craig went on to serve 22 years in the U.S. Army and retired as the U.S. Army Africa G2-X Division Chief in 2014.

Following his retirement from the military, Craig was hired as the first-ever Marquette County Veterans Service Officer and Head of the local Department of Veteran Affairs. Under his outstanding leadership, the Marquette County Department of Veteran Affairs has proudly served many of our Michigan Veterans, and his work has led to the establishment of many local Veteran programs including the creation of the Marquette County Phone App and a transportation network for retired servicemembers. His efforts have greatly benefited the local Veteran community and will certainly inspire future successors of the position.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Craig Salo for his years of service to our country and his diligent work for our Veterans and community. Michiganders can take great

pride in knowing the First District is home to such a dedicated citizen. On behalf of my constituents, I wish him all the best in his new position and his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Rebecca Reynolds for being awarded the Gold Award by the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. Through her devotion to her community, Rebecca successfully secured multiple grants to help provide funding for modernized technology and resources for her peers.

The Gold Award is a highly prestigious honor given out to only a small fraction of Girl Scouts each year. Since 1916, the Girl Scout's Gold Award has been the highest possible achievement of scouts, typically taking between 1-2 years of work to obtain. Rebecca Reynolds of Gaylord, Michigan, is one of the honorees that will be receiving the Gold Award through her efforts to create a Makerspace at the Otsego County Library. She achieved this goal by securing three grants to help modernize resources available to her peers and the public. As a result of Rebecca's work, two 3D printers, a CNC Machine, Sphero Robots, and many other materials are now available for public use. I commend her selfless work on behalf of her fellow Michiganders, which will surely inspire many to take up interests in STEM education.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Rebecca Reynolds for being awarded the Gold Award by the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such dedicated citizens. On behalf of my constituents, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague from Louisiana, who I rely on. If you are going to be worth anything as a military commander, you rely on the folks who work for you. And I can tell you, I spent a lot of time with lawyers, and the gentleman is the best when it comes to constitutional law. So I am proud to be here with him today to talk about kind of a certain level of, you could say, lawlessness.

President Biden's favorite policy, public policy shop, also known as the CDC, announced that it would lift title 42, which has been used nearly 2 million times since March of 2020, to remove illegal immigrants.

When title 42 is lifted this May, even more illegal immigrants will be incentivized to cross our southern border. This will spark an unprecedented surge, considering that we have already experienced record-high illegal border crossings under President Biden in his first year plus.

As border violations rise, so does the number of violent criminals allowed into our communities. I regret these circumstances forced upon our Nation by President Biden's careless policies. Because of this, we must be prepared for more illegal immigrant crime.

For this reason, I will be introducing legislation next week called the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Restoration Act, or the VOICE Restoration Act.

VOICE was an office set up by President Trump to connect victims of illegal immigrant crimes; connect them to their legal representatives, to any witnesses, with supportive resources like a hotline to answer questions, local contacts, Social Services referrals, and information about the custody status of detained illegal immigrants.

In 2021, President Biden dismantled VOICE--I repeat, dismantled