Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I share an inspiring tale of dedication and unity surrounding the construction of a magnificent Hindu temple in central New Jersey, embodying the values of seva and bhakti. This temple, now celebrated as the largest Hindu temple outside India in the modern era, stands as a tribute to these enduring values. Crafted from marble and limestone, it required about 4.7 million hours of meticulous hand-carving by artisans and volunteers. These stones, originating from Italy and Bulgaria, traveled 8,000 miles to find their place in New Jersey. The Robbinsville temple is one of many built by the BAPS, a worldwide religious and civic organization within the Swaminarayan sect. This project exemplifies volunteerism, personal growth, and universal values that transcend religious boundaries. It symbolizes unity, service, and devotion, reflecting the core principles shared by people worldwide. May it serve as a reminder of the common values that bind humanity together, inspiring us to embrace unity, service, and devotion in our own lives.

Mr. Speaker, this month, I had the honor of attending the New Jersey Dogs of Honor Graduation ceremony. The New Jersey Dogs of Honor is a nonprofit program founded in 2018 with a noble mission: to provide rescue service dogs, who faced the prospect of euthanasia, to military veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving Maurice River Township Firefighters, Ted's Pet Country Club, Veterans Affairs, local businesses, and individuals who hold a deep appreciation for the courageous men and women who have served our nation. During the recent graduation ceremony on October 14th, we had the honor of witnessing the bond between these veterans and their loyal canine companions. On this day, we celebrated Roger Asher with his dog Gunny, Diana Pitman with Finn, Thomas Huck with Sasha, David Clemenko with Milo, William Hannum with Bailey, and Mario Bellasci with Tucker. These veterans and their dogs represent the spirit of resilience, hope, and companionship. As we commemorate this occasion, let us recognize the significance of such initiatives in supporting our veterans as they navigate the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress. God Bless the Dogs of Honor and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Chair, I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on this very important issue.

Mr. Chairman, it would be hard to find a district that has been more of a petri dish for the experiments of the Office of Renewable Energy Programs at BOEM than mine. I live it every single day.

Before I go on and talk about this, just from the heart, the projects that are coming up--fortunately, one of them, Orsted, some of you may have heard of it, has now left--have received billions of dollars of funding from the State and Federal Government. They, themselves, admit it would reduce our tourism industry, but they minimized it. The company itself said it would reduce it by approximately $1.1 billion only. It would kill our fishing industry.

It would really create very serious situations in our national defense and our national security. It would increase utility rates, again, according to the company itself, so it is probably much worse than the amount I previously stated; two to three to four times as much as we currently pay. It is a plan that would rely upon foreign countries to supply our energy. How stupid is that.

It has been a painful process. Thank God we won the first step when this huge, multinational, Danish company decided they couldn't take it anymore. We had a movement in south Jersey at our shore. Our shore counts. We have a beautiful, clean, pristine environment. It was an organic movement. It was the people. We had rallies. I myself produced 5,000 signs saying: Stop wind turbines. Renew and keep our beautiful shore.

This is from the heart. This was a bad plan that would industrialize the areas that they are focused upon and would cost a great deal of money.

Mr. Chair, it would be hard to find a district that has been more of a petri dish for the experiments of the Office of Renewable Energy at BOEM than mine.

In South Jersey, the industrialization of our shorelines at the hands of foreign offshore wind companies has been a top priority for BOEM and the Biden Administration.

Lies, lack of accurate information, and poor community engagement were rampant as offshore wind companies and their friends in the federal government tried to force these projects forward.

Well, I am happy to say that as of this week, much of the South Jersey coastline has been liberated from this threat.

But the Office of Renewable Energy's goals are clear: they want to force this President's Green New Deal agenda forward by any means necessary.

So, in a time of exceedingly high fuel prices and inflation, it is unconscionable to continue to send tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to an office whose priorities will only exacerbate these problems.

We must direct our resources towards tangible priorities, not partisan ideologies.

I hope all of my colleagues will join us in voting for this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding.

Peace through strength. This is the principle that is called upon us today. If we are truly the beacon of democracy for all the world, we must help our greatest ally, Israel. We must help them from the threats to its very existence.

It is a message to the world that we stand with our allies; that we will help shield Israel from the rockets of Hamas; that we will help shield Israel from the death, the torture, the rape of babies and children and mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers.

We have seen the face of evil. We will take a resolute stand against terrorism wherever it is and whenever it is. It is an unwavering commitment to Israel's absolute right to defend itself, its absolute right to do whatever is necessary.

I implore all my colleagues, let us stand with Israel. This is a simple yes-or-no vote. Vote ``yes'' to stand with Israel. It is right. It is necessary.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, last month, I had the pleasure of attending Charles Palermo's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Charles began scouting in the first grade and eventually worked his way through the ranks to become an Eagle Scout. He is currently a sophomore at Ocean City High School and for his Eagle Scout project, he built a rock garden for the whole community to enjoy. He enlisted members of the local Facebook group, Ocean City Rocks, along with residents of the neighborhood to come together and paint rocks for this garden. In this garden, people can choose to bring a painted rock of their own and leave it for others or they can take a rock for themselves to enjoy. Through his efforts, he has brought the community closer together and added joy and beauty to Ocean City. Charles has loved every part of his experience in Eagle Scouts, especially the outdoor and camping aspects. Last summer, he had the opportunity to travel to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he took part in a ten-day backpacking trip. Charles should be proud of his accomplishments in scouting, and it was my honor to attend his Eagle Scout ceremony. God Bless Charles, and God Bless our United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, this month, it was my absolute honor to attend the retirement party of Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael Schenck. Born a South Jersey native, Schenck embarked on his remarkable Marine Corps journey in 1995. From early days at Parris Island, he rose through the ranks with fierce dedication. While deployed to Okinawa as his first duty station, he quickly excelled and earned promotions. After transferring to Camp Lejeune, he became Corporal and served in the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit across Europe and Africa. His journey continued as he joined G Battery, achieved Staff Sergeant, and served as a Civil Affairs Team Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He further contributed to logistics planning and earned Gunnery Sergeant rank in 2006. His roles expanded, leading as the military-to- military chief for operations across Europe and Africa. Mastering logistics, he became Master Sergeant in 2011 and was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant in 2015. His awards, including the Legion of Merit and Navy Commendation Medal, testify to his exceptional service and commitment. Michael Schenck's journey epitomizes Marine Corps values and excellence and I hope he enjoys his retirement with his wife and two daughters. God Bless Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael Schenck and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today I want to honor Chief Petty Officer Phillip Fong Jr., a remarkable individual who has led an impressive life and career. Chief Fong's career in the Navy began in 2002 where he immediately excelled in his training. His first assignment was on the USS Reuben James where he advanced all the way from the rank of E-2 to Second-Class Petty Officer. Shortly after, he was transferred to Italy where continued to rise through the ranks. His unit completed important work, directly supporting Presidential Missions, Joint Task Force, and much more. In 2008, he contracted Cerebral Malaria and encephalitis during a deployment to Monrovia, Liberia, leading to a long hospitalization and rehabilitation. After battling the long rehab, Chief Fong pushed on and continued his impressive career. In 2009, Chief Fong was selected for orders at the Naval Special Warfare schoolhouse where he achieved remarkable milestones, including being selected as the Command Sailor of the Year and promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 2012. Chief Fong's dedication continued as he served in various roles, including as Operations and Training Chief at the Navy Operational Support Center in Tampa, where he managed over 600 Navy Reservists' travel and orders. His final tour of duty saw him handpicked to work for the United States Special Operations Command, Warrior Care Program, where he made significant contributions. Chief Fong has also proven himself to be an incredible athlete as he had the opportunity to represent Team USA for the 2018 Invictus Games in Australia and 2022 Invictus Games in the Netherlands earning gold and bronze medals for rugby and rowing. In addition to his outstanding career, Chief Fong is a devoted husband to Sylvia and a proud father of three sons, Phill, Will, and Dill. I applaud Chief Fong for his dedication, resilience, and remarkable accomplishments throughout his career and I thank him for his service. God Bless Chief Fong, and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today, I want to honor the mission and dedication of the Last Salute. Last Salute, a nonprofit veteran's organization, is dedicated to providing profound and dignified funeral ceremonies that pay homage to the honor and dedication of military service. Their services adhere to the high standards expected by both families and deserving service members. These ceremonies encompass various elements, including the dignified transfer of remains through military transport, a Civil War cannon artillery salute, the solemn tolling of a memorial bell three times, a three-volley rifle salute, the rendition of Taps, and the meticulous folding and presentation of a memorial flag. Furthermore, Last Salute commemorates fallen individuals by placing their prayer card or image into their Memorial Prayer Box, signifying their enduring membership within the honor guard. Last Salute provides its services at no cost and relies solely on donations to sustain its vital mission of honoring the fallen and upholding the values of military service. Their services help honor the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers in the most commendable way, and I thank them for their dedication to their mission. God Bless Last Salute and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today, I want to shine a spotlight on an issue that tugs at our hearts and demands our attention--Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It's a time when we unite to acknowledge the brave young souls and their families who face an unimaginable battle against this devastating disease. But in the face of adversity, we witness incredible courage, strength, and resilience. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month serves as a call to action. It reminds us that while we cannot control the occurrence of this disease, we have the power to change its outcome. We can support research to find new treatments, increase awareness to foster early detection, and provide emotional and financial support to families in need. In this battle, I want to particularly commend South Jersey natives Carey Italiano and June Sieber for their tireless efforts and dedication for this cause. It is because of good people like them that we stand a chance in this fight. It is important we shift our focus to this important cause, and together, let's stand up for the brave children fighting this battle and strive for a brighter, cancer-free future for all our children. God Bless those fighting to bring awareness to this disease and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, this month, I had the opportunity to attend Connor Harvey's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Connor has been scouting for ten years, beginning as a cub scout, and then crossing over as a boy scout in 2017, quickly rising through the ranks. He has earned over thirty merit badges and has held several leadership positions in the troop including Historian, Patrol Leader, and Quartermaster. For Connor's

Eagle Scout project, he made enhancements to Veterans Memorial Park in Egg Harbor Township. The project involved the installation of additional pavers to expand the standing room for ceremonies conducted at the park. He is a junior at Atlantic County Institute of Technology specializing in the Computer-Aided Design and Drafting program and is a member of the school's rowing team. Connor should be proud of his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts, and it was a pleasure to attend his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. God Bless Connor, and God Bless our United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, this past August, it was my honor to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony for Daniel Cohen. The trail to Eagle Scout is marked by milestones and achievements, each one a testament to Daniel's unwavering determination. From those early days as a Cub Scout to rising through the ranks, to earning merit badges and honing skills, he has demonstrated a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to embrace challenges. Daniel makes giving back to his community a priority and that is evident through his Eagle Scout Project. In an effort to help retire flags in a respectful way, Daniel built a flag retirement box for his local VFW. I know Daniel has a bright future ahead of him and I wish him all the best. God Bless Daniel Cohen and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, last month, it was my privilege to attend Benjamin Young's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Ben began scouting at the age of eight years old and has since earned thirty merit badges. Throughout his time with the Scouts, he has held several leadership positions such as patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader. For his Eagle Scout project, Benjamin constructed and installed purple martin houses, a type of birdhouse that purple martin birds prefer, at Kennedy Park in South Jersey for the Somers Point Green Team. These birdhouses will help control the bug population allowing South Jersey residents to enjoy the park without worrying about biting insects. This fall, Benjamin will be a senior at Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, South Jersey. He is an involved member of the school, holding membership in both the National Honor Society and the National French Honor Society. He will be taking everything he has learned in the scouts and in high school and apply this knowledge to his future studies of political science and urban planning. I am extremely proud of Benjamin, and I know he will do big things. God Bless Ben Young and God Bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, it is my honor to mark the special occasion of the 10-year celebration of the AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute in the AtlantiCare Health Park in Cape May Court House, South Jersey. AtlantiCare has cared for patients with cancer since they opened as Atlantic City Hospital, now AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, nearly 125 years ago. They opened their regional cancer center in 1989, their Egg Harbor Township location in 2009, and the Cancer Care Institute in Cape May Court House in 2013. Through this journey, AtlantiCare has evolved how it approaches cancer and invested in the most advanced technology to predict, detect and treat the disease. By offering a full spectrum of care that includes CyberK.nife, Varian TrueBeam linear accelerators and advances in immunotherapy treatments, genetics and oral chemotherapy, AtlantiCare is able to target specific cancers efficiently and with maximum comfort. Paired with a comprehensive suite of support services--including in-house pharmacy and lab, social services, genetics counseling, and lung nodule, surgical oncology, cardio oncology and palliative care clinics-- AtlantiCare has spent the last decade ensuring that patients in Cape May County are able to obtain the treatment they need right in their own community. The cancer care team at AtlantiCare is led by some of the most experienced medical and radiation oncologists in the region, known as much for their compassionate care as their skill in taking on even the most complex cancers. The residents of Cape May County deserve cancer care that is as exceptional as the county itself. The comprehensive and state-of-the-art oncological services provided by the Cancer Care Institute in Cape May Court House are commendable and deserve to be recognized. Thank you to all the staff at AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute for the crucial work they do for our community, and it is

my honor to celebrate the institute's 10th anniversary. God Bless AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute, and God Bless our United States of America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, as the Congressman from South Jersey, I am proud to celebrate Italian Heritage Month. This month is a time to honor the rich contributions of Italian Americans to our nation's culture, history, and progress. Italian Americans have left an indelible mark on our Nation, from the arts and sciences to public service and community building. Their dedication and resilience have strethened the fabric of America. In New Jersey, we are fortunate to have a vibrant Italian American community that has enhanced our state's identity and unity. Italian Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the enduring spirit of the Italian American community and of the many heritages that make up our great country. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Italian American community in South Jersey and across the United States. Their enduring legacy of hard work, creativity, and resilience serves as a testament to the limitless opportunities that America offers to those who seek a better life. May Italian Heritage Month inspire us to appreciate the diverse tapestry of our Nation and remind us that, together, we can continue to make America a beacon of hope and opportunity for all. God bless America.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today, I highlight the exceptional achievements of John Ruga, the CEO of Northeast Precast, one of the leading precast fabricators in the United States. Mr. Ruga's journey in construction began in 1998 when he founded J. Ruga Contractors in Vineland. He later expanded into precast manufacturing in 2003, leading to the renaming of the company as Northeast Precast in 2008, marking a pivotal moment in its diversification and growth. Headquartered in Cumberland County, NEP is a leader in precast manufacturing with over two decades of experience. They handle a range of construction projects, from residential to public infrastructure, and have received accolades such as the PCI Design Award in 2010 and 2013. Furthermore, NEP contributes significantly to our local economy, providing over 400 jobs in Cumberland County and contributing to South Jersey's prosperity. Mr. Ruga is also recognized for his partnership with sports figures Mike Trout and Tiger Woods to develop Trout National--The Reserve, a significant golf course project in Vineland set to be completed by 2025. Mr. John Ruga's leadership and Northeast Precast's contributions to the construction industry are commendable and I thank him for this dedication to our South Jersey community. God Bless John Ruga and Northeast Precast and God Bless the United States of America.