Floor Statements

I appreciate this opportunity to join you here today.

Mr. Speaker, I'm joining my colleagues from Pennsylvania in recognizing Coach Joe Paterno and the legacy he forged during more than 60 years at Penn State University.

Most major college football programs measure success solely on what happens on a hundred-yard patch of grass on Saturday afternoons in the fall. If you measured a career only in wins and losses, what Coach Paterno achieved is historic: 409 times he walked off the field victorious, the most wins of any coach in Division I college football.

However, what set Coach Paterno apart was that he demanded excellence from his players every day of the week. Success with honor was what Coach Paterno expected, whether his players were performing in front of a hundred thousand fans in Beaver Stadium or taking an exam in a classroom.

As someone who played football through youth league all the way through college, I fully appreciate the special role that a football coach can play in the lives of his players. A coach is, above all, a teacher, and one who can build his players' character and instill the values of hard work, persistence, and teamwork--lessons that last a lifetime. Coach Paterno did just that.

Football was the means by which he molded players into leaders and forever transformed a university. He prepared his players to be winners in life, not just on Saturday afternoons.

That is why when Joe Paterno passed away on January 22, Pennsylvania lost a legendary football coach who graciously used the spotlight that he was given to help his players, Penn State University, and our great Commonwealth.

May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, on Monday December 12, 2011, I missed four recorded votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on Rollcall 913, ``aye'' on Rollcall 914, ``aye'' on Rollcall 915, and ``nay'' on Rollcall 916.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The Brandywine Health Foundation of Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.

Over the last ten years, the Brandywine Health Foundation has made over $10 million in grants and scholarships to improve health and encourage youth development in the greater Coatesville area. Its efforts have resulted in bringing ChesPenn Health Services, the only Federally Qualified Health Center in Chester County, to Coatesville. This helps to provide over 8,000 patient visits to low income County residents. Additionally, the Foundation has assisted in the development of a new Dental Center, Chester County Community Dental, and has partnered with the Chester County Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, as well as the Coatesville Area School District, to bring behavioral health services to child guidance research centers.

The Brandywine Health Foundation is also responsible for the construction of the four-story Brandywine Center, which opened in April 2008 and houses the non-profit organizations such as ChesPenn Health Services, Chester County Community Dental, Child Guidance Resource Centers, and Human Services, Inc., as well as offering 24 units of affordable senior housing.

Mr. Speaker, in light of its years of exemplary service to the community and outstanding accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing The Brandywine Health Foundation in celebration of its 10 year anniversary.

I thank the chairman. I also want to thank Congressman Davis of Kentucky for his great leadership on this important legislation.

While our small business owners are focused on meeting payroll, and their employees are working hard making products and delivering for customers, unelected bureaucrats in Washington are putting in overtime coming up with new rules and regulations.

In 2010 alone, the Federal Government issued 3,200 new regulations and rules. That's roughly nine rules per day. Complying with all these regulations costs small business owners, as was mentioned, an estimated $10,500 per employee each year. At a time when we are trying to create jobs, we need to have better accountability and transparency in Congress for the regulatory burdens the Federal Government places on businesses as we try to rejuvenate our economy.

The REINS Act is a commonsense measure that would do just that, giving workers and small business owners and others a voice in the process of approving regulations that will ultimately affect their jobs, their families, and their communities. This legislation would make sure that job creators don't have to worry about unelected bureaucrats imposing regulations on them without the approval of their elected Representatives.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The Lukens Band of Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary.

Founded in 1911 by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lukens Huston, the first meeting of the Lukens Mission Band brought together fifteen youngsters with little or no musical ability. Today, they number in excess of 40 musicians. The Band performs about 60 times per year and has four subgroups known as the Lukens Marching Band, Lukens Concert Band, Lukens German Band and Lukens Small Ensemble. In its many forms, the Band plays for a wide variety of venues such as community concerts, the Coatesville VA Hospital, senior centers, retirement communities, corporate events and community celebrations.

In 1994, the Band incorporated as The Lukens Band, to reflect a broader scope as a non-profit public organization, the end of support by the Lukens Steel Company, and the start of support from The Huston Foundation and The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust.

Mr. Speaker, in light of its years of service to the community and outstanding entertainment and musical accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing The Lukens Band in celebration of its 100 year anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Schuylkill Township, Chester County on the occasion of the 185th anniversary of its founding.

The first settlers to move into Schuylkill Township were Dutch, Swedish, and Welsh; many of whom were Quakers. They arrived in 1713 with James Anderson being the first European settler with his family to arrive. He had immigrated from the Isle of Skye in Scotland in 1707. His home and farmstead, ``Anderson Place,'' still stands. Son Patrick was the first child born in the township. He was to serve as a captain in the Revolutionary War and later was promoted to Major. The Anderson family is buried in Anderson Cemetery on Valley Park Road. The last Anderson to reside at the farmstead was in 1955. William Moore arrived and built Moore Hall, which is a National Register home, as well as the Bull Tavern visited by General Washington.

The Friends Quaker Meeting is historic and was active in the abolitionist movement with the Underground Railroad. Corner Stores at the intersection of White Horse and Valley Forge Roads was the first and major commercial center in this area and continues today. Valley Forge Road was the major route between the western forges and the City of Philadelphia and continues as the Valley Forge Historic Corridor through Schuylkill Township.

Once a farm community, Schuylkill Township today seeks to preserve its agricultural landscape. The Open Space Commission is working to preserve open space with the Pickering Preserve and the purchase of Valley Park where meadow lands are being preserved. Preservation efforts are also underway for the Ticket Pavilion of the old Valley Park Trolley Park, which once operated to the delight of its residents.

Mr. Speaker, in light of the 185th anniversary of the founding of Schuylkill Township, I ask that my colleagues join me today in celebrating this momentous occasion and recognizing the Township's rich history and economic and social contributions to the quality of life enjoyed by its outstanding citizens and all of Chester County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Norman Vutz on the occasion of being honored as Schuylkill Township's 2011 Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

A longtime Township resident, Norman moved to Schuylkill Township in 1978 and served 28 years as a member of its Board of Supervisors. One of Norman's greatest accomplishments was helping to facilitate the Township's transition from utilizing an independent contractor for roads to establishing its own Roads Department. With an excellent and dedicated Roadmaster, the Township is saving money, is better managed, and is providing more efficient service to its residents.

One of his favorite aspects of serving on the Board of Supervisors is working with the talented and dedicated Township staff and helping area citizens. These are the folks that have provided Norman such great satisfaction during his long years of public service.

Mr. Speaker, in light of his exemplary years of service to Schuylkill Township, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Norman Vutz on the occasion of his being honored as 2011 Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and members of the Pennsylvania delegation (Mr. Brady, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Altmire, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Shuster, Mr. Marino, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Critz, Ms. Schwartz, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Dent, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Holden, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Platts), I would like the following statement submitted for the Record.

I rise today to recognize the many years of outstanding service by James M. Redmond of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Redmond has worked for The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania for 36 years, serving the last 20 years as the Senior Vice President for Legislative Services. During his tenure, he has used his extensive knowledge about, and expertise in, the state legislative process to achieve balance and compromise in resolving essential health care policy issues.

Mr. Redmond's successes as an advocate for hospitals and health systems have been attributable to his hard work, persistence, and steadfast commitment and adherence to integrity and ethics. He has been a key participant in numerous initiatives that strengthened Pennsylvania's hospitals and greatly improved patient care, including the development of Pennsylvania's trauma system.

Mr. Redmond began his career in health care administration at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of Pennsylvania State University. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, with a degree in pharmacy, and a graduate of the University of Florida with a Master of Business Administration. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Mr. Redmond is also the author of numerous articles and reports on health care policy, and he has served on several state and national advisory groups.

During his distinguished 36 years with the Association, Mr. Redmond has repeatedly proven himself to be one of the Commonwealth's most respected advocates and health care leaders and we, as the Commonwealth's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, wish him health and happiness in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed one recorded vote on the House floor today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 819.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Adele K. Schaeffer on the occasion of being honored with The Wistar Award for her compassion, integrity, generosity, commitment and vision in service to The Wistar Institute and the community at large.

Because of her selfless dedication of time and energy to a myriad of boards and committees, Adele Schaeffer has been called the consummate civic leader. She has been an active Trustee of The Wistar Institute Board for more than 20 years, currently serving as Chair of the Development Committee and as a member of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee. Adele served as Chair of the first Wistar Gala in 1994 and has continued in this role for each Wistar Gala since. She has helped raise over $1 million for Wistar's life-saving research.

In addition to her commitment to The Wistar Institute, Adele is also a Trustee of the Moore College of Art and Design, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and a Trustee Emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania. She is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, serves on the Orchestra's Academy of Music Committee, and is past-President and current board member of the National Liberty Museum.

Mr. Speaker, in light of her years of service to The Wistar Institute and a litany of outstanding accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Adele K. Schaeffer on the occasion of her being honored with The Wistar Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Trappe Fire Company on its 100th anniversary of selfless dedication and commitment to its community.

This is a great milestone and a considerable accomplishment and I take great pleasure in being able to help honor the men and women of the Trappe Fire Company for their dedication and outstanding service.

For 100 years, the officers, firefighters, fire police and ambulance corps of Trappe Fire Company have proudly and capably served and protected the thousands of citizens of Montgomery County, including Trappe and Collegeville Boroughs and the Townships of Upper Providence, Perkiomen, Skippack, and Limerick. They have always answered the call to help their neighbors in distress, whether it is putting out a fire, aiding those whose homes have flooded, or rescuing animals.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Trappe Fire Company on its 100th anniversary and to honor this exemplary organization for its commitment, dedication, and outstanding history of service to its community.

I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I rise this evening in support of the Colombia free trade agreement, and, indeed, all three free trade agreements, the most significant trade package for our country in more than a decade. These trade pacts with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama are significant. They will unlock new opportunities and markets for Pennsylvania companies to sell their products overseas, and that means more jobs.

By leveling the playing field and eliminating burdensome tariffs, these agreements will improve our ability to sell American-made products overseas. Specifically, in Pennsylvania, these agreements will be a boon for the Commonwealth's farmers and provide new opportunities in other key export sectors of Pennsylvania, including primary metal producers. Tariffs on more than 90 percent of primary metals, such as steel, titanium, aluminum, and zinc will be eliminated immediately.

Once the free trade agreement with South Korea is fully implemented, more than 70 percent of all Pennsylvania exports will be duty-free. And similar trade opportunities exist in the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements as well.

As we continue to lose market share in these regions, Pennsylvanians, and indeed all Americans, simply cannot afford another delay in these agreements. Pass them now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Francis Hall Insurance Services of Chester County, Pennsylvania on its 65th anniversary as a continuously family-owned and operated business.

The history of Francis Hall Insurance Services is a long and storied one, extending back to 1946 when Francis A. Hall founded the agency on South High Street in West Chester Borough. In 1947, Francis became licensed to sell real estate and, by 1960, the agency was a prosperous insurance and real estate firm with the top Chester County realtor, Mrs. M.L. Hughes, who had the highest sales record in the County for five straight years.

Over the years, Francis' sons Richard and Robert would join the agency. Upon Francis' retirement in 1962, his sons took up his mantle and maintained a proudly family-owned and operated Chester County business. Today, Francis Hall Insurance Services offers personal, commercial, and financial insurance coverages and custom risk management programs. Through its subsidiaries, it is the leading insurer of fire/EMS services in Southeast Pennsylvania, the second largest writer for municipalities in the Brandywine Valley, and the risk management provider to dozens of municipalities, businesses and manufacturers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating Francis Hall Insurance Services on the occasion of its 65th anniversary and to extend best wishes for the agency's continuing work to meet the needs of the community throughout the 21st century and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Arnold Mann of Collegeville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania for receiving the Collegeville Rotary Club's Citizen of the Year award.

A Collegeville resident since 1968, Arnold Mann has been a member of Collegeville Borough Council since 1992, serving as its President from 1994-1996, 1998-2000, and 2010 to present day. Currently, Arnold serves on the Finance Committee and as Chairman of the Streets and Roads Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the Planning Commission, the Collegeville-Trappe Sewer Authority and serves as Joint-Chair of the Collegeville-Trappe Public Works Committee.

Further, Arnold Mann is a U.S. Navy veteran and a graduate of Drexel University. Arnold is an active member of Trinity Reformed Church of Christ and, during his tenure on church council, served as President and Building Committee Chairman. Arnold and his wife Marty organized a youth group at Trinity and served as youth ministers for seven years.

Mr. Speaker, in light of his years of outstanding service to the community and litany of exemplary accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Arnold Mann on the occasion of being awarded the Citizen of the Year Award by the Collegeville Rotary Club.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Albert E. Trexler of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants for his 42 years of service to that organization, including his 35 years as secretary, executive director, and CEO.

Under Albert's leadership, PICPA membership has grown by 184% and its membership base expanded to include future CPAs through accounting affiliate and student membership categories. He also provided more local networking and leadership opportunities as the PICPA grew from nine to eleven chapters.

Additionally, Albert has championed advocacy efforts to include a full-time presence in Harrisburg to support implementation of CPA law changes. Included in this effort was mandatory continuing professional education to bring the Commonwealth in compliance with substantial equivalency and permit interstate mobility for PICPA members.

Further, Albert Trexler has supported industry-specific conferences and robust professional education course offerings and delivery methods to respond to the growing demands for specialized knowledge, changing membership demographics, and technical advancements.

Mr. Speaker, in light of his years of service to PICPA and a litany of outstanding accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Albert E. Trexler on the occasion of his retirement as executive director and CEO and also on the conference upon him with the lifetime designation of PICPA Executive Director Emeritus.