Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, Doctor Eric Thomas and his team at Sunshine Dentistry have been serving the residents of Cape May County with cutting edge dentistry for a long time. They consistently provide quality and expert care for the residents of Cape May County. As a dentist, a visit to the dentist is not necessarily fun. However, Doctor Thomas and his team have mastered the formula for providing a pleasant and comfortable experience for their patients. Their passion for their profession and dedication to their patients have not gone unnoticed. Congratulations to Eric on the new location, and best of luck always. God bless Sunshine Dentistry, and God bless America.

Madam Speaker, October is Italian Heritage month, a time to celebrate the wonderful culture and contributions of the Italian community. I had the honor and pleasure of attending the long- standing Italian Festival tradition in Wildwood, New Jersey. Wildwood's Italian Festival is a time-honored tradition where music, food, fun and culture of the Italian heritage collide for an experience unlike any other. I thank them again for inviting me to the festival, and I look forward to being there next year. God bless Sons of Italy, and God bless America.

Madam Speaker, in 1946, the South Millville Gun Club was founded in South Jersey. For the past 75 years, the club has served as a place for its members and their families to gather, hunt, celebrate, and enjoy the outdoors. The South Millville Gun Club has been a member of the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs since 1959 and an esteemed NRA member since 1969. This club has been a significant part of the South Jersey community for almost four decades. The club hosts various events like their Super Bowl Wing and Rib Sale and their famous Ham and Oyster Dinner. Congratulations to the South Millville Gun Club on their recent proclamation, which recognizes the past 75 years, and the next 75 years to come. God Bless the South Millville Gun Club, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, last month, I had the pleasure of presenting Nick Cripps with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Nick was born and raised in Wildwood, South Jersey with his parents and two siblings. While playing youth sports, he became a Webelos at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School. Once Nick became of eligible age, he joined Boy Scout Troop 75 and eventually obtained his Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, he sand blasted and power washed the 4,200 square foot ceiling of the fire house engine room of the Wildwood Fire Department Headquarters. For this project, Nick demonstrated leadership by serving as the project manager. His project made the fire engine room safer for everyone who walks through the fire house. This young man should be proud of his accomplishments and it was my honor to have had the opportunity to recognize him for his service to the South Jersey community. God Bless Nick, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, the Miss America Pageant began in Atlantic City and was held there until 2018. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the pageant, and once

again South Jersey will be represented. Alyssa Sullivan, the current Miss New Jersey, will be competing in the Miss America 2021 competition. Alyssa is a lifelong resident of Cape May County Court House and graduated from Rowan University in 2021. Alyssa currently works in the news industry at PHL17. Her social impact initiative, Peer Challenge Commit 2 Character, educates teenagers on the dangers of risk-taking behaviors and their ability to derail their futures. She speaks to young people about how to lead a healthy lifestyle surrounded by positivity and people who raise them higher. Alyssa should be incredibly proud of her hard work and accomplishments. I wish her the best of luck in December. God Bless Alyssa, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, in August, I had the pleasure of attending the Fisherman Memorial ceremony in Gardner's Basin in Atlantic City. The Fisherman Memorial memorializes local South Jersey individuals who have been lost at sea, including veterans and Coastguardsman. This ceremony started the year after three men, Ed ``Hacksaw'' Peterson, Steve Hayes and Jeff Giannini, were lost at sea while traveling on a boat in August of 1999. Now, the ceremony is held every August on or near the anniversary of when the Hacksaw Crew went missing. May all the individuals that have been honored at the ceremony rest in peace. God Bless those lost at sea, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Minnie Callender. Minnie was raised in South Carolina with her eleven siblings. She later moved to New York to pursue her college education and earned two Master's degrees in education and school administration. While also raising four children, she worked as an excellent English teacher and school principal. Minnie now volunteers in Middle Township as the Chair of the Township's Senior Citizen Advisory Council, where she spearheaded a plan for voter education seminars to assist seniors and other residents. She also stays active in the local chapter of the AARP and her congregation, Christ Gospel Church, where she leads a weekly bible study. God Bless Minnie and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, this month, I had the pleasure of presenting Andrew Martucci with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. After Andrew noticed that the sign in front of his local church was eroding and in danger of damage, he decided to build a retaining wall for the soil as his Eagle Scout Project. In addition to the wall, Andrew constructed a garden around the perimeter of the sign to help retain the soil. Andrew's Eagle Scout Project makes both his church and his community proud. This young man should be proud of his accomplishments and it was my honor to have had the opportunity to recognize him for his service to the South Jersey community. God Bless Andrew and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, last week, I had the pleasure of attending Jacob Schaad, Jr.'s 100th birthday party. Jacob started his career in journalism as a copy boy while in the US Army Air Corps in 1939 and during World War II. After his time in the military, he became a newspaperman for the Cape May County Gazette. Over the years, Jacob's writing has appeared in many publications, including the Philadelphia Bulletin, The Inquirer, The Press of Atlantic City, and The Gazette. As well as being a veteran journalist, Jacob also wrote and published books, and is currently working on another book, which will be a tribute to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Jacob now lives with his son, Mark, in the Del Haven section of Middle Township. God Bless Jacob and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, since their charter, the American Legion Post 352 at Somers Point has been supporting Veterans from all branches of the armed forces throughout South Jersey. One of the fastest-growing programs offered by the American Legion is the Legion Riders. The Legion Riders' mission is to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by their devotion to mutual helpfulness. This group rides their bikes to raise money for organizations such as VA hospitals, Veterans Relief, military funerals, and other veteran events. The Legion Riders honor the veterans of South Jersey and pay their respect for all past military sacrifices through these bike rides. God Bless the Legion Riders and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize a small congregation in Galloway, South Jersey--Church by the Bay. Church-by- the-Bay is led by Pastor Lou Strugala and what this small congregation has accomplished in a short period of time is extraordinary. Pastor Lou, you have not only been a leader at the church community--Pastor Lou has been a leader for the entire community. The Church-by-the-Bay congregation

and Pastor Lou exemplify the meaning of servant leadership, and stewardship. Pastor Lou adheres to his church's mission of, ``taking God's love outside the walls and into the community.'' Pastor Lou and his congregation worships God by serving the most vulnerable in the community. God bless Pastor Lou, God bless the congregation, and God bless America.

Madam Speaker, this month, I had the pleasure of presenting Sidney Patterson with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. For his Eagle Scout Project, Sidney constructed a dual compost bin and garden area that will provide vegetables to Veterans who utilize Enphront's services. As well as providing vegetables to Veterans, this garden area will also donate the extra produce to the local Food Bank. This young man should be proud of his accomplishments and it was my honor to have the opportunity to recognize his dedication to the South Jersey community. God Bless Sidney and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, this month, I had the pleasure of presenting Nate Costantino with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Nate had noticed the Gilda's Club organization in Northfield lacked a recreational area for the youth who utilized the building. For his Eagle Scout Project, Nate addressed this issue and constructed a playground area in the back of the Gilda's Club building. This playground will be enjoyed by Northfield residents for years to come. This young man should be proud of his accomplishments and it was my honor to have had the opportunity to recognize him for his service to the South Jersey community. God Bless Nate and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, our small business community in South Jersey was heavily impacted by the global pandemic, just as many other small businesses were across the nation. However, one local business serving Cape May County made it through the pandemic and has recently expanded with a second location. Jeff and Courtney Wallace, owners of Box-It Fitness, continue to spread health and wellness across Cape May County. Box-It Fitness offers a diverse selection of boxing and fitness classes every day. Congratulations to Jeff and Courtney on the grand opening of the second Box-It Fitness location. God bless Jeff and Courtney and God bless America.

Madam Speaker, this month, I had the pleasure of presenting Zachary Whiteley with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. One day, Zachary noticed that the

entry way to Christ Episcopal Church's community meeting room was crowded with books and other items. So, with this in mind, for his Eagle Scout Project he decided to organize and renovate the entryway. Zachary made the entryway more welcoming by discarding of all the clutter, removing the bookshelves, and painting the area. This young man should be proud of his accomplishments and it was my honor to have the opportunity to recognize him for his service to both his church community and the entire South Jersey community. God Bless Zachary and God Bless America.