Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Matthew Paulson who recently passed his Eagle Board of Review to become an Eagle Scout. Matthew graduated from Cumberland Christian School in Vineland, South Jersey where he was a four-sport starting senior for basketball, baseball, soccer, and track. He was also a National Honor Society member and plans to attend Rowan University in the business management program. He is also very involved in his church where he volunteers as the leader of the church's technology crew. For Matthew's Eagle Scout project, he completed a playground restoration for Cumberland Christian School. He recruited and supervised 34 workers for over 265 hours to complete the project. Students at the school have had the opportunity to enjoy the playground renovation because of Matthew's willingness to make a difference for his community. Matthew is a born leader, as he served as his troop's patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, chaplain's aide, quartermaster, and troop guide. God Bless Matthew and all he has done for his community and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to be able to recognize Isabella Freund who was announced Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen. A South Jersey native, Isabella will go on to represent our state in the

national competition this summer. She attended Ocean City High School and held multiple leadership positions and was heavily involved in community service. She raised over $25,000 for Make-A-Wish and raised over $2,000 for Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Isabella was inspired to give back to her community because of her brother, Antonio. Antonio was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and qualified to receive a wish from Make-a-Wish. After Isabella witnessed what Make-a- Wish did for her brother, she wanted to become a volunteer and actively fundraise to help other children like Antonio. Isabella says that our voices have the power to change the world, and she is absolutely right. Our young generation will be our future leaders, and I am honored to be able to recognize Isabella for all of her accomplishments. God Bless Isabella and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Liam Millar for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Liam graduated from Ocean City High School and has entered the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and is a Marine Engineering major. While Liam was in high school, he participated on his school's crew team and was also in the academic team club. For his Eagle Scout project, he put up a sign and shrubbery at his neighborhood playground, North Street playground. Before Liam stepped in to create this sign, there was no indication that the playground was there for people to enjoy. He worked directly with the mayor's office to put up the sign and shrubbery to add a scenic view of the playground. I am so proud of Liam's accomplishments and I wish him luck as he enters his sophomore year as a 3/C cadet. God Bless Liam and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, last month, I had the pleasure of attending Thomas van der Molen's Eagle Court of Honor. For his Eagle Scout Project, Thomas designed and installed a paved walk path to connect the entrance to the gazebo with the community gardens. The red bricks that compose the walk path were all hand laid and will be enjoyed for years to come. This new walk path will greatly impact the accessibility of the community gardens for those who have mobility impairments and our elderly. Thomas was able to complete this project with the help of his troop, sponsorships from Home Depot and Atlantic Masonry, and his family. Thomas' dedication to this project will give more people the ability to access the gardens and he should be proud of his accomplishments. God Bless Thomas and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, last month, I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret Fauerbach who turned 100 years old on June 17th. Margret was raised in Portland with her five brothers. While two of her brothers were serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, Margaret met a sailor whom she married after a year of dating. Margaret and her husband, Rudy, had a son, Rudy Jr., and moved to Millville soon after. After Rudy was honorably discharged from the Navy, the two had their second son, Donald. Margaret was involved in cub scouts, serving as a cub scout leader, and she was also a Sunday School teacher, a Babe Ruth league volunteer, and served as a sorority leader. For years, Margaret and Rudy traveled in an RV to seashore campgrounds over the summer months. Margaret and Rudy were blessed with four grandchildren and five great grandchildren, who they could not be more proud of. They were married for 72 years before Rudy's passing, and she now enjoys cruises on the riverfront in her golf cart and taking care of her home. God Bless Margaret and her wonderful family and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, last month, I had the honor of attending Thomas McGowan's send-off party celebrating his acceptance to West Point. I nominated Thomas because of his strong commitment to his community and his academics. He graduated from Mainland Regional High School where he took a total of 13 advanced placement classes and was also a member of the National Honor Society. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and held positions in his troop as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, senior patrol leader, instructor, and order of the arrow representative. In addition to Thomas' academic successes, he also played on his school's baseball team and also volunteered at numerous organizations. He was an American Legion volunteer since he was in 6th grade, and assisted his local veterans by participating in over 300 hours of giving back to those who served their country. His Eagle Scout project took over 40 hours to complete and he also did over 225 hours of other community service projects. I know Thomas will go on to achieve great things and will represent South Jersey with pride. God Bless Thomas and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, this summer, I had the honor of attending the Veterans Horse Show, hosted by NJ American Veterans

(AMVETS). NJ AMVETS is a non-profit organization committed to assisting our Veterans. Their organization is currently in the process of establishing a place where Veterans can receive Equine Therapeutic Assistance. These men and women should be recognized for their efforts to better the lives of South Jersey veterans and veteran families. God Bless NJ AMVETS and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, on July 14, 2021, Teresa Callaway and her husband David, were traveling eastbound on the Atlantic City side of Route 30, and came across an overturned vehicle. The couple stopped to lend aid, but suddenly, as they were in the process of carrying her to safety, another car entered the path. Tragically, Teresa was struck and killed. Ms. Callaway's last act in this life was to put a stranger's life ahead of her own, and she truly died a Hero. Let us please remember the courage and humanity that Teresa Callaway demonstrated during the last few moments of her life, when no one was watching her actions. God Bless Teresa, David, and their family, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Daniel Millar for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Daniel graduated from Ocean City High School and currently attends Rowan University majoring in electrical and computer engineering. While in high school, Daniel participated on his school's crew team all four years, and also was a member of the National Honor Society and Latin club. For his Eagle Scout project, Daniel put together a public book library exchange located at the entrance of Seaspray Beach in Ocean City. He worked with the local mayor's office and the Ocean City Public Library to help this come to fruition. Daniel thought of the idea because he worked as an Ocean City Patrol lifeguard and thought that people going to the beach would enjoy having the opportunity to read a book by the water. Daniel's innovation will help him go on to accomplish anything he sets his mind to. God Bless Daniel and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this shameful legislation.

This single vote encompasses seven unrelated spending bills. This is a broken legislative process.

The bill includes poison pills that make it impossible for me and for my colleagues to support this in good conscience. This is exactly as the majority intended. Today's vote is simply an attempt to strategically inflict political pain.

Our country is tired, tired of political gamesmanship, tired of partisan maneuvering, tired of this selfish dysfunction.

On behalf of the American people, I ask the majority to stop. I must ask the majority to stop. There is an ability to work together. This is not it.

If this were an earnest attempt at legislating, I could lend my support where appropriate. Unfortunately, I must oppose this rule and this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Seamus Riley for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Seamus completed his Eagle Scout project December of last year. His project consisted of pouring ten 3 x 5 concrete slabs for entryways through a fenced in area that leads to a community recreational area where sporting events take place. Seamus coordinated the entire project and solicited the funds and material. He learned how to utilize his leadership skills in order to apply engineering and math skills to his project. Seamus will be pursuing a college degree in Colorado majoring in engineering. I wish Seamus the best of luck in his future endeavors and I know he will go on to achieve great things. God Bless Seamus and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I am here today to speak about a wonderful non-profit, the Islamic Academy of South Jersey. The Islamic Academy of South Jersey first opened in 2014 and is the first and only full-time Islamic school in southern New Jersey. Their goal is to mold students into future leaders through the practice of good manners and the understanding of leadership. The Academy constantly updates their academic curriculum and ensures that the students receive quality education. The Islamic Academy of South Jersey's vision is to teach students to be constructive, helpful, and beneficial in every aspect of their lives so it can be passed along to future generations. I wish the Islamic Academy of South Jersey nothing but success and it is my pleasure to be able to recognize them for their accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Kyle Francis Leahy who has been a scout since he was six years old, and recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Kyle demonstrated his leadership skills when he designed and created an outdoor classroom for the Friends School in Mullica Hill, South Jersey. Because of the pandemic, Kyle had minimal assistance while he cleared an 800 foot wooded trail ending in an amphitheater sized classroom. This will allow future generations of students to learn in a natural outdoor environment. Kyle is currently a senior at Tower Hill School in Delaware and plans on attending the University of South Carolina in their Capstone Leadership Program. Kyle wants to study economics and political science and has the hope to attend law school once he graduates from college. I am proud of Kyle and his dedication to his community, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes in the future. God Bless Kyle and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, this past May, I had the pleasure of presenting Benjamin Taylor and Zachary Asselta their Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Both Benjamin and Zachary graduated from Millville High School last year. They completed their scout projects prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and were unable to receive their Court of Honor until this year. Benjamin's project consisted of painting the outdoor stage at Corson Park in Millville, South Jersey. Zachary's project was to put up street signs in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Millville, South Jersey. These young men should be proud of their accomplishments, and it was my honor to have the opportunity to recognize them for their service to the South Jersey community. God Bless Benjamin and Zachary and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I want to recognize Riley Quirk who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Riley's Eagle Scout project was the replacement of a 140' long timber bridge path through a swampy area located on Camp Edge. Riley was in charge of coordinating donations, design, materials, tools,

work crew, and food. Riley is also a young farmer who manages a flock of 100 sheep, 300 laying hens, broiler chickens, and a small market garden. Riley has aspirations to attend college and go on to expand his agriculture enterprises on his family farm. It is amazing to see our young people in South Jersey serving their community and I know Riley will achieve great things. God Bless Riley and God Bless America.