Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4350, the

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. George Buhler of Berne, Indiana.

Our Nation owes George a tremendous debt of gratitude for his dedicated service to our country in the United States Army during World War II. Serving in a military police unit in the European Theatre, his sacrifices were critical to the defense of our homeland and to the security and prosperity for millions of people.

As a sergeant in the 8th Infantry Division, George landed in Normandy, France, just days after the initial Allied invasion in June 1944. In July, George's platoon moved forward into Germany. There, he encountered General George S. Patton who ordered George to help procure the equipment and maps necessary for American troops to advance over the Siegfried Line. The Allied advance into Germany continued into autumn and winter, during which George's unit fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. In 1945, George returned to France, wherein he saw the end of the war in Europe.

George returned to civilian life and, like most in the Greatest Generation, was modest in recalling his service in the years thenceforth. That's why I'm proud to honor George, the oldest veteran in Adams County, by entering into the Congressional Record these regards. George, on behalf of Congress, let me say: we hope your heart is filled with joy in knowing you have experienced our country's greatest blessings, including the affection of family, friends, and a grateful nation, over a long and well-lived life.

George's legacy of service is a proud part of the American story. This is a testament to his commitment to our people, and the ideals, to which we strive.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sgt. Joseph A. Cox, Jr. of Fort Wayne. Indiana.

Four-plus years ago, tragedy struck when, on Sunday, February 12, 2017, Joe died unexpectedly while on duty. Prior to joining law enforcement, Joe was a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Upon returning 10 civilian life, Cox joined the Allen County Sheriffs Department. where he would serve for 19 years.

As a sergeant. Joe served in the Confinement Division, Communications-Dispatch Center. Civil, Warrants, and Patrol Divisions. He was also a member of the Honor Guard, SWAT Team and was handler to his beloved K-9 partner, ``Gunny.''

In addition to his work in law enforcement, Joe was an active member of his community, the consummate family man and a devout Christian. He was a member of Blackhawk Ministries, where he participated in programs Double Exposure and Marriage Matters. He also volunteered with Juvenile Justice Ministry of Youth For Christ.

Today. we honor Joe's memory by way of the Sgt. Joseph A. Cox, Jr. Memorial Parkway, a roadway serving an area which Joe patrolled for nearly twenty years. This is a testament to Joe and his peerless devotion to his family, community, and country. He is missed dearly, and though he is no longer with us, his legacy of service and selflessness endures.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Carla Doles. Carla just retired after 44 years of service as a public-school teacher and show choir director. All 44 years of her career as an educator were in northeast Indiana.

She was a beloved figure of her community, wielding a profound and lasting influence upon students across two school districts for more than two generations. 27 years of her career were spent at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne; the other 17 at Norwell High School in Ossian.

Carla's love for her vocation and devotion to her students' future was evident every single day. That love and devotion inspired the confidence of many of her students to compete in choral and other national competitions across the country.

It was also evident in her desire to create new opportunities for students. Carla helped found the small mixed (men & women) division of show choirs.

I wish Carla the best for all that she has done after a long and distinguished career. This is a testament to her service and selflessness for which Fort Wayne, Ossian and the entirety of our region is grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Gene Heckman of Columbia City, Indiana. Gene was a beloved member of his community whose work shaped the lives of generations who call northeast Indiana home.

Gene entered the U.S. Air Force upon graduating high school in 1957, marking the beginning of a life of service. Upon being honorably discharged in 1963, Gene returned to civilian life. He married his sweetheart, Karen Rose, and together made the Tri-Lakes community their home.

In 1971, Gene was elected a trustee of Thorncreek Township. Additionally, Gene oversaw the township's public services; served on the Whitley County School Board; helped found the Tri-Lakes Baptist Church; was a member of Gideons International; served as president of the National Solid Waste Association Council and was a member of the Columbia City Rotary Club.

Gene's dedication to his community earned him the opportunity to meet several notable public figures, including President George W. Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle, Senator Richard Lugar, and Governor Otis Bowen. Separately, Gene operated his own sanitation business before selling it in 1991.

This is a testament to Gene's peerless devotion to service for which his community, and our country, is grateful. Though he is no longer with us, Gene's spirit endures in the hearts and minds of all those he touched.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Huntington's American Legion Post 7 as they prepare to celebrate their 100th anniversary.

American Legion Post 7 is one of the oldest posts in Indiana. Over the last century, their work has been invaluable in providing life- changing assistance and guidance for veterans, military personnel and their families.

Founded in June 1921, the post's mission became only more important with time.

Since Post 7's inception, Americans fought in World War 11, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Each time liberty's defense required the service and sacrifice of American patriots, our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines were there to answer the call. Post 7--and other posts like it--have answered the equally important call to serve those who served us upon their returning home.

From selling poppies in May of each year in honor of America's fallen to taking part in local Veterans Day's parades, to hosting golf tournaments to raise proceeds for veterans to holding commemorations on days like September 11, and more, Hoosiers thank American Legion Post 7 for their selfless work.

This is a testament to the Post's longevity and achievement, for which Huntington, and northeast Indiana, is grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Mr. John C. Duffey of Fort Wayne.

As a lawyer who has practiced for nearly 35 years, John has been essential to the success of the railroad industry in Indiana and across the Midwest.

Having worked for the Lafayette-based firm of Stuart & Branigin LLC for three-plus decades, John's practice has included accident, employment, product liability, and real estate litigation, with special focus on representing national and regional railroads.

This representation in resolving matters of law related to railroad companies has allowed the industry to prosper and serve those across the Midwest. From 2007 through 2017, John was named to the Indiana list of Super Lawyers. He was selected to the list of ``Best Lawyers in America'' for 11 consecutive years and named Lawyer of the Year for Railroad Law in 2018.

In addition to his work with the railroad industry, John has handled accident and injury claims for trucking companies and represented industrial manufacturers in numerous states. He has also resolved disputes for large nonprofit organizations, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette.

As John prepares to retire, I wish him the best for all that he has done after a long and distinguished career. This record is testament to his service for which northeast Indiana is grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Mr. John Sampson of Fort Wayne.

As the President and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, John has been indispensable in making possible the economic growth and general welfare that Hoosiers in northeast Indiana have enjoyed the last 15 years and will continue to enjoy for a long time to come.

John led the partnership since its founding in 2006. Prior to the partnership's creation, cities and counties in the region competed, more than did they cooperate, for investment. The region was experiencing a declining per-capita income and change was needed.

Thanks to John's leadership and his vision to make northeast Indiana a globally competitive economy, investment started corning in and the region began a transfonnation.

In his own words, ``Working together, our region has overcome challenges and achieved major milestones many thought not possible. In collaboration with our partners from the private and public sectors throughout the 11 counties, we have built a foundation of regional strength and momentum that will serve the residents of Northeast Indiana for years to come.''

John has been described as having ``Unabashed passion for all things Northeast Indiana,'' Anyone who has met him agrees.

As John retires, I wish him the best for all that he has done after a long and distinguished career. This record is testament to his service for which northeast Indiana is grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the distinguished career of Mr. Matthew M. Fogarty of Fort Wayne.

As a law enforcement officer of 40-plus years, Matthew has been essential to the success and safety of the railroad industry in Indiana and across the Midwest.

A graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Class 231, Matthew dedicated his career to law enforcement by way of the Norfolk Southern Railway Police Department.

Matthew serves as the Northern Region Superintendent of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police. The upper Midwest is his jurisdiction, which includes northeast Indiana.

The United States has the largest rail transport network size of any country in the world, and without Fogarty--and other agents like him-- it's security would be jeopardized. He has oversight over crimes committed against the railroad, which include trespassing on railroad rights of way, theft of railroad property, threats of terrorism, derailments and more.

As Matthew prepares to retire, I wish him the best for all that he has done after a long and distinguished career. This record is testament to his service for which northeast Indiana is grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the VA Northern Indiana Women's Veteran Health Clinic for their service to women veterans in our community.

The VA Northern Indiana Health Care System is committed to providing high-quality services in a sensitive and safe environment. In the clinic, each woman veteran is assigned a Women's Health Primary Care Provider; each provider is trained to deliver comprehensive primary care in any number of programs.

With 3,383 women veterans currently enrolled in the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, the clinic provides maternity care programs, general health and wellness programs, baby shower preparation, sexual trauma services and more.

As a veteran myself and member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in Congress, I am honored to have served in uniform and to serve the people of northeast Indiana in Congress. One of my top priorities has been, and always will be, ensuring those who served the United States receive the honor, opportunity and care they deserve.

This is a testament to the honor and sacrifice of those heroes who have served our country, and to those who serve them.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Mr. Don Theurer of Fort Wayne.

Mr. Theurer just celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday, April 26. Congratulations on this wonderful occasion. I hope his heart is filled with joy knowing he has experienced our country's greatest blessings, including the affection of family and friends over a long, well-lived life.

Our Nation owes Mr. Theurer a debt of gratitude for his dedicated service to our country. Serving in the United States Army during World War II, he landed at Normandy less than 20 days after D-Day, saw combat in Holland and took part in the Allied liberation of Western Europe and occupation of Germany.

After the war, Theurer returned home to northeast Indiana, where he attended college, married his sweetheart Thelma, and began work at Magnavox, for whom he would work the entirety of his career. A longtime, active member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Theurer today remains in good health, as he reads daily and drives frequently.

As one of the oldest veterans in Indiana, I, and the entirety of Congress, send to him best wishes as he celebrates this historic milestone.

The story of Don Theurer is the story of American greatness. As a patriot who served his country in war and community in peace, this record is a testament to his commitment to the American people and ideals to which our Nation strive.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Angola's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7205 as they prepare to celebrate their 75th anniversary.

Founded in the wake of the Second World War on May 26, 1946, the Angola VFW post was named after George Anspaugh, a Steuben County native who was killed in the war while serving in the U.S. Navy.

The post, which boasts 178 members and 200 auxiliary members, earned ``All American Post'' status in 2019 for its community contributions, participation in VFW events and ability to recruit and retain members.

I am inspired by the mission of Angola's VFW, and VFW posts nationwide, to not only help veterans recover from the wounds of war but also to ensure that the national memory of those who served is never forgotten.

From holding a Poppy Drive every year on November 7 to commemorate the end of the First World War to hosting Veterans Suicide Awareness Day to raise proceeds for the Veterans Suicide Crisis Hotline, and more, Hoosiers thank Angola's VFW Post for their work.

This record is testament to VFW Post No. 7205's longevity and achievement, for which Angola, and northeast Indiana, is grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate northeast Indiana-based automotive and industrial paint supplier and distributor Automotive Color & Supply Corporation for 70 years of business.

Richard Byers Sr. acquired part ownership of the company and began to operate the business shortly after its founding in 1951. Richard attained full ownership of the company in 1970, and the Byers family has owned and operated Automotive Color as a family business since.

Automotive Color has established itself as one of the leading automotive and industrial paint and supply distributors not just in the Midwest but throughout the United States. Paint from Automotive Color is used on race cars, commercial and private aircraft, spacecraft, ocean vessels, movies and TV show sets, and more.

At a time when American industry is in convalescence from the coronavirus pandemic, this historic milestone is even more extraordinary.

Hoosiers are thankful for and proud of Automotive Colors' contributions to northeast Indiana and the country. This record is testament to the exceptional service and quality they have provided, and will continue to provide, for generations.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Bob Egolf of Churubusco, Indiana.

For 65 years, Egolf worked in the grocery business. He started his career at John Shelton's IGA, located on North Main Street in Churubusco in 1956 when he was 14 years old. Seven years later, he purchased the grocery from Shelton in 1967, and in 1982 built a new store south of Churubusco on US 33.

Egolf's IGA is known throughout the area for its freshly cut meats and daily baked bakery items. Egolf opened the store early and closed late, operating from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. He made it a point to talk with his customers and would take special orders of items that people wanted.

Egolf was one of the longest continuous business owners in Churubusco's history. In addition to running his business, he frequently gave his time and money to local causes. But for Egolf's partnership with the Churubusco News, the newspaper would not exist today. He also contributed to the community through various organizations, such as with the Churubusco Area Jaycees, Churubusco Chamber of Commerce and as a longtime Smith Township trustee.

The story of Mr. Egolf is one that is uniquely American: defined by hard work, sacrifice, and service to others. Though Bob is no longer with us, his spirit of good will and generosity to those in Churubusco and beyond endures.

Madam Speaker, if we adopt the motion to recommit, we will instruct the Committee on Education and Labor to consider an amendment to prohibit labor organizations from encouraging illegal immigrants to join their ranks.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and onerous government restrictions, the last year has been among the toughest for working Americans in our Nation's history. Congress' foremost duty today is to help the millions of hurting American workers recover their lost jobs and wages.

Madam Speaker, this bill prevents us from fulfilling that duty and, instead, prioritizes the interests of illegal immigrants and union bosses.

Madam Speaker, I am the grandson and son of proud union members, and my brother works at the same factory in northeast Indiana and belongs to the same union that my dad and grandfather and uncles and cousins, and many others, have as well.

So let me tell you, it is a travesty that Democrats think that people who broke our Nation's laws deserve the same labor rights as they do. This bill, as written, would lessen American citizens' union voting power and hand it to people who aren't even legally employed. It goes against the very purpose of unions: providing a forum where American workers can have a voice.

Madam Speaker, this bill would disempower American workers by drowning out their voices to the benefit of illegal immigrants.

The amendment I propose is simple: Individuals who are not eligible to work in our country should not be contacted or courted by labor leadership. If my Democratic colleagues insist on moving forward with this bill without my amendment, they wouldn't be protecting Americans' right to organize. They would be prohibiting American workers from organizing as a distinct group.

Madam Speaker, the Democratic Party claims to have the best interest of American workers at heart so, please, prove it.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the motion to recommit.