Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Garde Arts Center in New London, Connecticut, and to honor the citizens, leaders, volunteers, donors, and community partners whose vision and dedication preserved one of southeastern Connecticut's most treasured cultural landmarks.

Originally opened as the Garde Theatre on September 22, 1926, the theater emerged during the golden age of American movie palaces, becoming a gathering place where generations experienced film, performance, and shared community life. For decades, the Garde stood as a prominent symbol of downtown New London's civic and cultural identity.

Like many historic theaters across America, the Garde faced significant challenges as patterns of entertainment, commerce, and urban development changed during the twentieth century. By the 1980s, its future was uncertain and demolition appeared a real possibility.

Rather than allow a cherished landmark to be lost, the people of New London came together to save it. Beginning in 1985, community leaders and citizens launched an extraordinary preservation effort that transformed the historic theater into a nonprofit regional arts center dedicated to serving future generations.

The story of the Garde is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community commits itself to preservation, renewal, and public purpose. Through sustained investment, stewardship, and vision, the Garde became a catalyst for downtown revitalization and a center for arts, education, entertainment, and civic engagement throughout southeastern Connecticut.

Today, the Garde Arts Center welcomes audiences from across Connecticut and beyond. From world-class music, theater, dance, film, and comedy to educational programs, community celebrations, and cultural partnerships, the Garde continues to enrich the lives of residents and visitors while strengthening the economic and cultural vitality of the region.

The Garde's accomplishments have earned national recognition. In 2022, the League of Historic American Theatres presented the Garde with its Outstanding Historic Theatre Award, recognizing the institution as an exemplary model of historic preservation and community stewardship.

As the Garde Arts Center celebrates its Centennial Season, we recognize not only a remarkable building, but also the countless individuals whose commitment ensured that this historic theater remained a living institution rather than a relic of the past. We honor the artists who took its stage, the audiences who filled its seats, and the volunteers, trustees, staff members, donors, businesses, and public officials whose efforts sustained it through challenges and opportunities alike.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Garde Arts Center and the City of New London on the occasion of this historic milestone and in recognizing the Garde's enduring contributions to the cultural, educational, and economic life of Connecticut.

As the Garde begins its second century, may it continue to inspire creativity, strengthen community, preserve our shared heritage, and serve as a beacon for the arts for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, on September 4, President Trump was asked about the future of the Qatari Air Force One plane, which, after a messy rollout in July, he flew on to Ireland this past weekend and said: ``I haven't made a decision, but it will probably go to the museum. It is scheduled to go to the museum.''

Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Air Force executive airlift programs, I will remind the House that this aircraft is not the property of any one person, including the President of the United States. That plane is the property of the U.S. Government and U.S. taxpayers, and it is under the control of the U.S. Air Force.

It is a plane the U.S. taxpayers spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last years to retrofit prior to its maiden flight to Turkiye for the NATO Summit.

After it was discovered by the Secret Service that the plane had serious vulnerabilities and the President flew home on one of the older Air Force Ones, the Qatari plane went into another overhaul and received maxed out upgrades, as the President said, which cost even more taxpayer funds. Just a few days ago, it was announced that the Air Force had contracted a new pilot simulator training program for the Qatari plane to the tune of $45.3 million.

Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the U.S. taxpayer has huge skin in the game regarding the future of this plane. It is also clear that this plane has ample long-term service life left in it. At the time it was gifted to the Air Force, it had only 800 hours of flight time, which is a fraction of the normal full-service life of a comparable Boeing 747 jet. Given its low mileage and all the expenditure of government money and training, the notion that this plane should be mothballed in a couple years and donated to a Trump museum is an insult to the intelligence of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, some may point to the example of the Air Force One plane at the Reagan Library as justification for President Trump's claim that he has the right to abscond with this plane after he leaves office.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, the Reagan Library plane was in Air Force service for 13 years after he left office in 1988 and served President George Herbert Walker Bush, President Clinton, and President George W. Bush until it was decommissioned in 2001.

The plane then went through a well-established legal process for transfer of excess Federal property that President Reagan had no control over, which is designed to protect the interests of the taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, everything about this Qatari gifted plane has been problematic: the unanswered questions of a foreign emolument, the lack of transparency on the cost of the initial retrofit, the rocky maiden voyage to Turkiye, and the President's repeated claims of ownership and control of the plane, which by law he does not have. It is clear Congress needs to intervene to prohibit any unlawful attempt to send it ``to the museum.''

Today, Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith and I will be introducing the Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act, which will very simply prohibit the transfer of the Qatari Air

Force One, known as VC-25B bridge aircraft, from the possession of the U.S. Air Force.

As I have made clear today, after all the money and work invested in the retrofit of this practically brand-new Boeing 747, as well as the new $45 million pilot training contract that the Air Force just announced, the country and the American taxpayer deserve to get its money's worth from this plane. At a time when so many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, that is not too much to ask.

Its service life will last for years. Just as the Air Force One plane that flew for over a decade after Ronald Reagan left office, this Air Force One should be used to benefit the Nation and not be used as a vanity project.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is about exercising congressional stewardship of property that belongs to the U.S. taxpayer, and it should be easy for every Member of this Chamber to support. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, it asserts what is both legally the right thing to do, but also morally the right thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me and Ranking Member Smith to cosponsor this commonsense measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Mr. Matthew Sermon, who is retiring today, Thursday, September 3, 2026, after nearly 30 years of stellar federal service.

Mr. Sermon began his extraordinary career as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. After graduation from Annapolis, he was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer and nuclear engineering officer. During his time at sea, he was deployed to the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, accumulating an impeccable record in uniform.

After discharging from active duty, Matt continued his public service with the Navy as a civilian in 2005, focused on revitalizing America's shipbuilding industrial base. He passionately understood that, for the sake of our maritime Nation, the decline of our shipbuilding workforce, infrastructure, and supply chain, which occurred in the wake of the end of the Cold War, needed to be reversed.

In that cause, he has made critical contributions to build and support ships, amphibs, destroyers, and most specially submarines. Specifically, these contributions were made while holding various program manager and leadership roles in the Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Programs the International Fleet Support office, for the Zumwalt Class Destroyer, and for the Columbia Class Submarine program. Within these positions, Mr. Sermon managed billions of dollars in funding and hundreds of personnel, all of which was guided by his commitment to the technological advancement and unilateral preeminence of our Nation's Navy.

Mr. Speaker, Matt Sermon is a household name within Eastern Connecticut's substantial submarine industrial base. Starting in 2019, as Congress increased funding for the undersea fleet, he managed investment in our submarine suppliers, workforce, and shipyards.

Year in and year out, over my 12 years as Chairman and/or Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, Matt has been a most trusted partner--and leader--in executing Congress' constitutional duty to ``provide and maintain a Navy''.

Mr. Sermon completes his more than two decades of civil service as the Executive Director for the Director Reporting Portfolio Manager, Submarines, or DRPMI Subs. His work, alongside Vice Admiral Gaucher, is focused on taking the production of submarine tonnage to record high levels. His dedication and service are admirable and deserving of special recognition. As his time in public service draws to a close, I want to personally attest to the fact that tens of thousands of new, young, energetic metal trades workers, designers, and engineers are today enjoying life-changing careers because of Matt's devoted, talented leadership.

I ask that the House join me in celebrating the career of Mr. Matthew Sermon, and in wishing all the best to his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with the House the sad news of the loss of one of the State of Connecticut's finest public servants, former Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, of Tolland, Connecticut.

The news of her sudden passing on August 12 was met with universal sorrow from all corners of her beloved State, from the political leaders on both sides of the aisle and from people of all walks of life with whom she worked, always trying to help, particularly those in need and those whose problems she fixed over and over again.

Nancy's epic journey of public service began as a PTA mom in Tolland, advocating for high-quality public education at a time when her own kids were enrolled in Tolland's public schools. She was so effective that she was encouraged to run for a seat on the school board, which she did and won. That began an extraordinary string of political success that eventually took her to the highest levels of State government.

In 1986, she ran for a vacant seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives in a district next door to where I live, and at the same time, coincidentally, I was also running as a first-time candidate. We both prevailed and the following January were assigned our desks in the Connecticut House Chamber next to each other, which began a long and fruitful friendship, both politically and personally.

She shortly became chair of the Education Committee and presided over one of the most difficult, contested issues in the State, namely allocating public school funding. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, it is an issue where you cannot please all the people all the time.

Nancy never shrank from this task, and because of her patience and basic decency in her interactions with all her colleagues, the final result of her tenacious effort always earned respect and support.

She carried that trademark skill in her campaigns for statewide office, with her election as State comptroller in 1998 and her election as Lieutenant Governor in 2010. The office of comptroller is not always well understood by Connecticut voters, but it carries great responsibilities, including administering the largest health and pension plans in the State for active and retired State employees and their dependents.

She, once again, bore down into the nitty-gritty of price negotiation with private vendors, promoting wellness programs for State workers and acquiring valuable knowledge of the private health insurance market.

That experience came into good use when, as Lieutenant Governor, she was assigned the task of implementing the Affordable Care Act as it was rolled out in 2014. This was no easy lift. As many will painfully recall, the Federal ACA exchange, healthcare.gov, in 2014 was completely overwhelmed and took over a year before millions of Americans were finally connected to affordable health coverage.

Connecticut, however, opted under the law to operate its own exchange and, under Nancy's experienced hands, designed and initiated a data system that was completely functional on day one.

I remember well in 2014 going to enrollment fairs around the Second Congressional District and witnessing the successful completion of healthcare coverage for constituents who, in many cases because of preexisting medical conditions, had not been insured for most of their adult lives. For them, it was an emotional, life-changing event. Although Nancy was not physically present at all those fairs, there is no question that her handiwork created joy, and the impact and spirit of her service were in that room.

Mr. Speaker, Nancy's successful stewardship of the ACA rollout was not her only achievement as Lieutenant Governor. She was truly a partner, not an acolyte, to Governor Dan Malloy. Their passage of the Connecticut State budget in 2017, with fiscal guardrails, established the pathway to budget stability that reversed decades of chronic deficits into a string of surpluses and has completely transformed Connecticut's public finances into positive territory.

Her record in public service, though, was not only defined by good administration and policy but also by the way she carried herself in high position, showing respect and empathy to all that she ever came into contact with.

It didn't matter whether a person was a constituent or not, or what political party they belonged to, she was warm and polite and found ways to build connections and, in most cases, friendships.

It goes without saying, her example is a powerful one, in 2026, when polarization and political tribalism is far too prevalent.

She did, however, show favoritism, and that was to her beautiful family: her husband, Michael, of 59 years; her two daughters, Stacey Papa and Meryl Baldwin, and their husbands, Steve and Bill; their five grandchildren; and many more relations who are carrying a heavy burden of grief because of her passing.

They did have great support on August 16th when hundreds and hundreds of her admirers and friends showed up at her wake, expressing their love and appreciation for the contributions Nancy's family made to her impactful life.

I particularly thank the town manager of Tolland, Brian Foley, who showed so much care and compassion to help Nancy's family.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in a similar recognition and express our condolences to Nancy's family for their loss.

Mr. Chairman, as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I yield myself 2\1/4\ minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to endorse many provisions of the Seapower and Projections Forces mark of the 2027 NDAA, which our subcommittee crafted under the able leadership of my good friend, Chairman Trent Kelly.

A whole range of much-needed Navy warships and auxiliary platforms are authorized in this bill using multiyear contracting, which will save money for the taxpayer and provide certainty to our shipbuilding industrial base to invest and grow.

The bill authorizes $15 billion for the Pentagon's number one acquisition priority, the Columbia-class ballistic submarine program. It also provides $12.5 billion for Virginia-class attack submarines and full funding for shipyard wage improvements and workforce pipelines which are vital to hiring and retention.

Adding more Virginia subs will grow our undersea fleet and keep our commitment to Pillar One of the AUKUS security agreement to sell three in-service subs to the Australian Navy in the 2030s.

Multiyear contracts for destroyers and oilers are also included, as well as investments in missiles and hypersonics from unmanned surface vessels.

Ukraine has demonstrated how effective unmanned systems are in their defense against Russia's Black Sea invasion, and we must embrace that trend and expand our unmanned capabilities.

There are areas of disagreement in this bill. Particularly, its approval of the administration's request for $1 billion for obsolete battleships without a detailed design.

I would note, last month the Senate Armed Services Committee wisely voted to reject this wasteful request. That money should, instead, be spent for the Marine Corps' request for new landing ships, which is missing from both this bill and the new reconciliation bill.

Mr. Chair, the NDAA has passed for 65 consecutive years because of disciplined avoidance of irrelevant hyperpartisan amendments. Unfortunately, the NDAA rule passed earlier today merging the NDAA with a completely nongermane voter suppression bill, the SAVE America Act, violates that long tradition.

If Republican leadership is serious about passing a 66th NDAA with bipartisan support, the SAVE America Act merger should be stripped from the bill or later in conference.

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to achieving that outcome, if not today, then later in the NDAA negotiations with the Senate.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Education Committee, I represent a military district with about 7,000 sailors and officers. Many of those children use local schools which the Federal Government partially reimburses through the Impact Aid Program.

The notion that we are going to start a new program--and really this program is about who pays. It is about funding vouchers. It is not really whether or not military families have a choice in terms of whether they themselves want to go to a parochial school or to a private school. That is not the point. The point that we are talking about here is, again, that this is going to put a stress on the Pentagon's budget, who already, as I said, underfunds Impact Aid and DoDEA schools. If you look at the President's budget that came over, Mr. Chair, there was actually a cut to Impact Aid in terms of what was sent over.

We are going to be in a fight over at the Appropriations Committee to restore funding. Again, as someone who represents a district with public schools that are proudly in the business of offering education for K-12 students, this, again, is just going to be another pressure, external pressure, in terms of reducing what, in fact, these communities really deserve, which is to have the military fully compensate an item that families really depend on in terms of making sure whether they are deployed or whether when they are on base they are getting education and that the local community is not taking an unfair hit in terms of paying for those services.

Again, this amendment would generate a new cost to the Pentagon's budget in terms of DoDEA funding and Impact Aid funding who, again, today are not actually up to the levels that fully paid for those services. For that purpose, I oppose the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, this is a voucher program, and vouchers cost money. That is really the issue that I think the proponent really didn't, in my opinion, adequately address.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).

Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time is remaining.

Mr. Chair, I think Congresswoman Tokuda did a very nice job in terms of laying out the reality of what is actually going on in communities where military installations and military bases exist. Those are tax exempt properties where the communities are, again, more than glad to educate the children of military servicemembers. They have to find a way to finance the cost of that education. Unfortunately, the existing programs in place today, DoDEA and Impact Aid, fall short in terms of making sure that those communities are fairly reimbursed.

Mr. Chair, we are not in a place where there should even be a discussion about starting new funding programs for education paid for by the taxpayer until we keep the promise to those communities that we are going to reimburse the cost of educating military schoolchildren.

For that reason, Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote from all our colleagues, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Mr. Michael DeVito during his outstanding service as an engineer at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut.

Mr. DeVito began his time at Electric Boat in 1989 as an Engineering Associate and now, on July 17, 2026, he will retire as a Manager of Engineering. Throughout the 36 years that Mr. DeVito worked for Electric Boat, he provided his expertise and care to several important projects. He began by working on the Seawolf-class program--the world's most powerful fast-attack submarine--and eventually transferred to the Virginia-class program when it began in 2000. Engineering and construction of Virginia-class submarines enable the United States to maintain its asymmetric advantage in the undersea domain and Mr. DeVito continued throughout his career in helping lead waterfront construction for these boats. He finishes his career as a manager to another new generation of submarines: the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. Across his time with Electric Boat, Mr. DeVito took part in working on the most advanced and pivotal Navy programs in not only the United States, but the world.

Mr. DeVito's dedication to his craft and to this country are seen clearly in his nearly four decades of work as an engineer. He chose to deploy his skills in service to our Nation's security, and for that, I commend and thank him. Electric Boat is a pillar of southeastern Connecticut's economy and community. As he was rapidly promoted into managerial positions, Mr. DeVito was given the well-earned opportunity to act as a leader for both those he worked with, and for his Connecticut community at large.

I ask that the House join me in celebrating the impressive career of Michael DeVito, and in wishing all the best to his wife Elissa, and their children Samantha, Emily, and Alexa.

Mr. Speaker, 5 days from now, on July Fourth, our country will be celebrating its 250th birthday.

All over the Nation, there will be enthusiastic events in big cities and small towns to recognize the publication, 250 years ago, of the Declaration of Independence, which, as historian Jill Lepore recently wrote, is ``arguably the most important piece of prose in modern history.''

Its author, Thomas Jefferson, laid out a vision of an independent America built around the individual's rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which still inspire not only our own people but people all over the world.

Unfortunately, it is also the 1-year anniversary of arguably one of the worst pieces of legislation in the modern era, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Trump signed into law on July Fourth, 2025.

As the Congressional Budget Office documented, this bill will add 3.4 trillion new dollars to our national debt, provide permanent $1 trillion tax breaks to the top 1 percent of income earners, cut nutrition programs by at least $187 billion, and, worst of all, cut $1 trillion from America's largest healthcare program, Medicaid, starting on January 1.

At the time the bill was debated, an overwhelming coalition of hospitals, nursing homes, physician groups, nurses, and patient groups tried to warn the Republican majority and the White House that millions of Americans will be denied healthcare from this draconian butchery of the healthcare system. To be exact, 10 million Americans will lose their coverage, according to CBO.

The majority dismissed those concerns and jammed this measure through, accusing Democrats of scaremongering. According to them, the new work requirements in the law for vulnerable populations would have exemptions for the ``medically frail,'' and there was nothing to worry about.

A couple of weeks ago, however, these warnings sadly came true when RFK Jr.'s health department released the actual rule that State Medicaid directors will have to follow starting in January.

The hope was that a medical diagnosis for cancer, HIV, or other serious, chronic conditions would qualify for protection. Instead, the rule makes clear that a cancer diagnosis will not automatically qualify for an exemption. Instead, the patient will have to document that the disease actually impairs the ability to work.

A patient suffering from pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, or lymphoma will have to demonstrate, with job searches and employer paperwork, that the disease and the debilitating therapies are an impairment, a hopelessly vague standard that will rob desperately ill patients of care.

To put it in a nutshell, the definition of ``medical frailty'' is no longer a medical diagnosis by a doctor but a subjective employability standard that makes no sense.

There is a word for this, Mr. Speaker. It is ``inhumane.''

Don't take my word for it. On this poster is a list of 48 patient groups vehemently denouncing this vicious rule, which Secretary Kennedy and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should withdraw immediately.

As you can see, the most credible patient groups--American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, National MS Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Lupus Foundation of America, March of Dimes, The ALS Association, and The AIDS Institute, to name just a few--have all warned Kennedy and his followers in Congress that this rule will create chaos and dramatically increase the number of desperately ill people who will lose their health coverage.

There is no better way to honor the principles of our treasured Declaration of Independence--to guarantee the right to life and the pursuit of happiness--than to block this grotesque rule, which will condemn the sickest and most vulnerable of our society to degradation and pain.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend the service of a lifelong educator, Dr. Joseph Macary. He has served as the Superintendent of Vernon Public Schools for eleven years, where he successfully fostered an environment where students from preschool to 12th grade can succeed. This June, Dr. Macary's tenure will come to an end as he prepares to take on a new role as superintendent of Middletown Public Schools. His talented, energetic leadership, and commitment to community deserves the attention of the house in the permanent Congressional Record which I am pleased to share.

Dr. Macary was born in Waterbury, Connecticut to Lebanese-American parents who encouraged him to value and pursue the highest levels of educational excellence. Dr. Macary graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's in political science and a minor in economics. He later earned a master's in teaching from Quinnipiac College, a sixth-year degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Macary began his career in the classroom at Crosby High School in Waterbury teaching social studies, serving as department chair, and as well as Athletic Director. He was recognized as Educator of the Year in 2014 by the Greater Waterbury Boys & Girls Club. He later transitioned to the administrative team at Wolcott Public Schools where he rose in the ranks to the position of Assistant Superintendent.

In 2015, Dr. Macary brought his talents to the Second Congressional District and stepped into the role of Superintendent of Vernon Public Schools. Under Dr. Macary's leadership, Vernon Public Schools reached new heights. He ushered innovations into educational material and Vernon students responded by scoring standardized exam results well above state averages. During the pandemic, Dr. Macary ensured that the town's $4 million share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was directed to keep schools open and ensure learning goals for students were met. On his watch, in 2020 Vernon's Northeast School was named National Blue Ribbon School, as was the Skinner Road School in 2023. In 2025, Vernon ranked first of 36 Alliance Districts in Connecticut and furthermore was the only Connecticut school system honored as a DALI (District Administration Leadership Institute) District of Distinction.

Dr. Macary has earned much recognition for his professional accomplishments while leading Vernon Public Schools. He was named Outstanding Superintendent in 2023 by the University of Connecticut's NEAG School Alumni Board and Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools Superintendents. Dr. Macary has also served as Co-President of the Hartford Area Superintendent's Association and as mentor for the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Executive Leadership Program. He was recently appointed by Governor Lamont to the Blue-Ribbon Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member serving the Second District of Connecticut, and a member of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee, and as a resident of Vernon, I have had the pleasure to visit all the town's schools with Dr. Macary, and seeing first hand his benign influence on the children of my neighbors and constituents who attend Vernon Public Schools. His personal interaction with students was joyful and authentic, which they clearly appreciated. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people, I ask my colleagues to express our deep admiration and gratitude for Dr. Macary's advocacy for successful strong public education. It is a bittersweet moment to see him leave my hometown, but I wish him well and look forward to witnessing his future success in his new position as he leads Middletown Public Schools. I join Dr. Macary's family, friends, and colleagues in wishing him all the best in his next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the commendable career of Mr. Robert Testa as he retires this month after 11 years of dedicated service as Assistant Superintendent of Vernon Public Schools. Vernon Public Schools is an outstanding public education system benefiting from the tireless work

of teachers, staff, and leadership. Thanks to Mr. Testa's contributions, Vernon Public Schools have been able to provide students with the support and opportunities needed to nourish academically.

Mr. Testa has led an impressive career reflecting a deep commitment to Vernon. He began his time with Vernon Public Schools serving as Assistant Principal at Center Road School. Later, he worked as Principal of Lake Street School for eight years. He also acted as the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Coordinator for the entire district. Mr. Testa's final role as a dedicated public servant to Vernon Public Schools was as Assistant Superintendent. With an impressive history of leadership already under his belt, Mr. Testa sought further education in executive leadership at the University of Connecticut to foster innovation in Vernon public Schools.

As a leader in education nationwide, Connecticut public schools rely on committed staff and leadership who deeply value and prioritize student success. As an integral part of the administrative team, Mr. Testa has undertaken a pivotal role to ensure teachers have the training and resources necessary to ensure student success. The hard work of Vernon Public Schools administrators has earned them national recognition, including being honored as a DALI (District Administration Leadership Institute) District of Distinction in December 2025.

Vernon Public Schools is no stranger to being acknowledged for its achievements--such as the Northeast and Skinner Road Schools being named a Blue-Ribbon honoree in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Moreover, Vernon is home to several ``Schools of Distinction'': Maple Street School, Northeast School, Lake Street School and Skinner Road School.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member serving the 2nd District of Connecticut, I laud Mr. Testa's deep dedication to the Vernon community, especially to educators and students. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people, I express deep gratitude for Mr. Testa's service to bolstering public education and advocating for students. I join Mr. Testa's family, friends, and colleagues in wishing him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the chamber during the vote on H.R. 8464. Had I recorded my vote, I would have voted ``Nay'' on Roll Call No. 220, passage of H.R. 8464, the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mourn the passing of a lifelong public servant, Mrs. Natalie ``Nikki'' (Damon) O'Neill. Mrs. O'Neill passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026, at age 90, surrounded by her close friends. She will be sincerely missed and long remembered for her humility, down-to-earth demeanor, decades of service as an elementary school teacher, and commitment as First Lady to former Governor of Connecticut William O'Neill.

Born in Leominster, Massachusetts to Alice and George Damon, Mrs. O'Neill was raised alongside her brother, George, Jr., and graduated from Leominster High School in 1954. She pursued higher education, graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science, and continuing graduate studies at Worcester State Teacher's College, Boston University, University of Hanford, and the University of Connecticut. She met her husband, Korean War Air Force Veteran William ``Bill'' O'Neill, at a party in East Hampton. They married on December 1, 1962, in her hometown.

Mrs. O'Neill dedicated herself to public service, beginning her teaching career in Ashby, Massachusetts and East Hartford, Connecticut for two additional years. She continued her passion for teaching schoolchildren as a fifth-grade teacher at East Hampton Center School for 21 years. Over the years, East Hampton became their hometown. Her beloved husband, William, served as a state representative in 1966 and later became lieutenant governor to Governor Ella T. Grasso. When Governor Grasso resigned due to ill health, Bill took over to finish out her term and Nikki wholeheartedly committed herself to serve as First Lady alongside him. Although she left her years of formal teaching behind, in this new role she visited schools across the state, encouraging children to read, and attended career days, school plays, and concerts.

Her decade and a day of service as First Lady of Connecticut were marked by her consistent leadership in civic, cultural, and charitable efforts. She served on the advisory board of the Special Olympics and the Connecticut College Children's Cancer Fund, among her many other positions of leadership. She also utilized the Executive residence to patron the arts, displaying over 500 books authored by 200 Connecticut writers, displaying local artists' works, and allowing 118 charities and organizations to host events in her home.

Mrs. O'Neill's role in the success of her husband's tenure as Governor of Connecticut was irreplaceable. She believed in true loyalty and gave her full allegiance to her husband throughout and beyond his career as Governor. Her work and dedication allowed Governor O'Neill to flourish in his role. O'Neill's ten years of service as governor were characterized by protecting and expanding the rights of his constituents; he made indelible impact on the towns comprising the 2nd Congressional District. He provided additional resources for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, began the Governor's Care and Share program which involved state employees in collecting food during the holidays for those in need, and advocated for the Veteran's cemetery in Middletown. Additionally, he championed investments in Connecticut infrastructure, securing a 10-year, $5.5 billion plan to upgrade Connecticut roads and bridges. He never forgot teachers, like his wife, and oversaw the passing of the Educational Enhancement Act, raising teacher salaries and educational standards in the state. That generational uplift of Connecticut's teaching profession has paid massive dividends over the forty years, as Connecticut school children consistently rank in the highest echelon in national reading and mathematics test scores. Governor O'Neill's administration also created one of the first, pioneering prescription drug programs in the country called ConnPACE, that provided lifesaving medicines to seniors at a time when Medicare did not cover outpatient prescription drug coverage. I had the honor of being a newly elected state representative in 1989 when that groundbreaking measure passed.

After a decade in the governor's residence, Mrs. O'Neill and her husband moved back to their home in East Hampton. Governor O'Neill passed in 2007 and was buried with military honors at the Veterans Center in Middletown. Mrs. O'Neill always said she relied on her many friends to make life worth living.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. O'Neill's loss is felt by her friends and colleagues across Connecticut and beyond. Her sharp intelligence, humility, wit, and thoughtfulness will be deeply missed by all those who she impacted through her service. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Nikki's life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Bret Jacobson, who selflessly served our country and retires today from his position as Director of the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center at CT State Community College Three Rivers. The Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center has innovated various streamlined paths for individuals to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing and possesses a key role in workforce development in Eastern Connecticut.

Mr. Jacobson has been a steadfast champion of the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI), a nationally recognized manufacturing- focused workforce training program managed by the Manufacturing Apprenticeship Center. Mr. Jacobson utilized a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor awarded to Three Rivers in 2016 to create and develop MPI. Now, a decade later, MPI comprises 150 instructors who have taught over 250 classes and prepared more than 2,500 students. Thanks to Mr. Jacobson's leadership and dedication to the program, MPI stands as a national model for workforce development programs.

Before joining CT State, Mr. Jacobson led a 30-year career serving in the Coast Guard as a mechanic-by-trade at duty stations in Hawaii, Michigan, and Key West. His final five years of service were spent at the Coast Guard Academy, serving as a Lead Laboratory Technician where he supported Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture students in operating equipment needed for their capstone projects.

Mr. Jacobson is a resident of Waterford, Connecticut, and a native of northern Minnesota.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member serving the 2nd District of Connecticut, I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jacobson to build the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative in Eastern Connecticut. The program's award-winning success has been recognized both locally and nationally at a time when the demand for skilled metal trades workers is at an historic high level. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people, I express deep gratitude for Mr. Jacobson's contributions during his service with Three Rivers. I join Mr. Jacobson's family, friends, and colleagues in wishing him all the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary constituent and pay special tribute to Lois Bruinooge, who retires from The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) this month after 20 years of dedicated service to the organization. TLGV is a non-profit organization connecting residents to the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, a landscape of farmland and forest spanning 35 towns across Eastern Connecticut and South-central Massachusetts. As TLGV transitions to new leadership under Ms. Francesca Kefalas, I would like to recognize Ms. Lois Bruinooge for her dedication to protecting the Last Green Valley.

Ms. Bruinooge began her career serving as an environmental lawyer protecting waters and woods with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. She later joined TLGV as a deputy director in 2006 and was promoted to executive director in 2014. Her command of environmental law and leadership drove her to success in spearheading efforts to care for the last stretch of dark night sky between Boston and Washington, D.C.

Ms. Bruinooge has led impressive initiatives to educate people about the environment. In 2009, she led the effort to paddle the entire Thames as a part of the TLGV Source to Sea Program. She also expanded TLGV's water quality monitoring, created a trail assessment program, and bald eagle monitoring. Moreover, she encouraged resident and youth participation in TLGV's programming. One of her most impressive accomplishments was organizing the annual Walktober event, attracting up to 120,000 visitors to participate in over 250 hikes, bikes, and paddles each year.

Ms. Bruinooge's time at TLGV was one of transformational, positive change for the organization. She forged ties between TLGV and agricultural, land trust, historical, and cultural organizations to build stronger conservation and sustainability efforts. In 2016, TLGV received over $6 million from USDA and millions more from regional programs to preserve their forests. In turn, TLVG has provided over $4 million in grants to local partners. Her collaboration with financial partners has increased revenue, created endowment funds, and heightened investments into environmental conservation. Her passion for outreach, financial expertise, and creativity have set TLGV on a path of undeniable success.

Ms. Bruinooge is a graduate of Boston College Law School and a resident of Waterford, Connecticut.

Mr. Speaker, as the Member serving the 2nd District of Connecticut, I have had the pleasure of seeing the impact of TLGV on the environment of Eastern Connecticut. On behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the American people, I express deep gratitude for Ms. Bruinooge's contributions during her two decades of service with The Last Green Valley. I join Ms. Bruinooge's family, friends, and colleagues in wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to draw the attention of the House to another milestone in the extraordinary history of the Submarine Capital of the World, Groton, Connecticut, where this Saturday, USS Idaho (SSN-799) will be commissioned. Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class attack submarine delivered to the U.S. Navy, and the seventh such vessel built by the U.S. submarine industrial base in the last 4 years.

It is a technological marvel, weighing 7,800 tons, and the product of a workforce at the Electric Boat shipyard that has 26,000 hardworking, talented people.

Building a submarine is an extremely complex enterprise. Submarines operate in an environment that does not support human life, with a crew of 135 sailors. The boat is powered by a nuclear reactor and is armed with an arsenal to carry out its mission of deterrence. This is so important to our national security. Needless to say, there is no margin of error in its construction.

The good news is as the output of the Virginia-class program has grown, the proficiency of a new generation of shipyard workers has accelerated over the last 10 years, and the submarine quality scores by the Navy during submarine sea trials have steadily improved. In the case of USS Idaho, the Navy recorded the highest test scores in the history of the Virginia program.

Mr. Speaker, this successful commissioning is happening at a time when the volume of production is also hitting historic highs and hiring has been growing over the last 10 years.

This poster, produced by the U.S. Navy, depicts the volume of submarine construction tonnage in the U.S. starting in 1952, to my far right, through the present and into the future of 2054.

The orange bar represents tonnage in 2026, which is on par with the peak of high-rate production in the midst of the Cold War. There is no question, Mr. Speaker, that Groton, Connecticut, is the Submarine Capital of the World, full stop, period. It is not, as some are trying to say, trying to reclaim its title.

Indeed, after Idaho's commissioning on Saturday, EB and its teaming partner, Huntington Ingalls Industries, are hard at work delivering USS Arkansas (SSN-800), which is now in the water performing sea trials, and USS Utah (SSN-801), which I visited in Groton with Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle a few days ago, and soon to be floated off to join Arkansas for at-sea testing. They will be the 27th and the 28th Virginia-class submarines to be delivered to the fleet as soon as the end of this calendar year.

At the same time, Mr. Speaker, Groton is the yard where the first Columbia-class SSBNs, the USS District of Columbia, is in the final stage of production and assembly. Columbia submarines weigh 21,000 tons, 2\1/2\ times the size of a Virginia. Once again, the EB workforce defied the skeptics and naysayers when the Navy announced that delivery of that boat is being moved up to calendar year 2028 from 2029, which was the Navy's prior plan.

As ranking member of the Seapower Subcommittee on the House Committee on House Armed Services, I cannot overstate how extraordinary it is to have a first-in-class of a program's delivery date moved forward rather than back.

The strong momentum at the Groton yard and its sister shipyard at Quonset Point, Rhode Island, received another round of good news when EB recently announced its hiring goal for 2026. The overall goal is 8,000 new workers in 2026: 3,400 in Rhode Island and 4,600 in Groton. The plan will take the workforce from 26,000 to over 30,000 for the first time since the 1980s.

Once again, the skeptics and naysayers are scoffing at this goal, but as someone who has been directly involved in the adult job training programs and helping equip career and technical schools, as well as regular comprehensive high schools, with apparatus to run metal trades curricula, I have no doubt that Groton will meet its goal.

Indeed, 1 week ago, EB held a job fair in Waterford, Connecticut, expecting perhaps a few hundred visits. Instead, 1,800 people showed up. They had to cut off the line a few hours into the event because the H.R. staff was so overwhelmed.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday at the USS Idaho commissioning, the head of Naval Reactors Admiral Bill Houston, the successor to the Father of the Nuclear Navy, Hyman Rickover, will deliver keynote remarks, and it will be a proud moment for the ship's commanding officer, Commander Chad Guillerault, his crew, and their families.

It will also be a strong reaffirmation at the Groton Submarine Base, America's oldest submarine base, that the men and women who work at Electric Boat have, once again, demonstrated to our Nation and the world that Groton is still and always will be the Submarine Capital of the World.