Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Murphy Montler upon his posthumous induction into the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Business Hall of Fame, which recognizes leaders who have contributed to the area's economic development and community enrichment.

Born in Ashville and raised in Altoona, Mr. Montler was rooted in our region. He graduated from St. Francis University and began his 41-year career with FirstEnergy as a coal handler. Mr. Montler was quickly promoted and later retired as an executive in the government affairs office for Ohio and West Virginia. He was deeply involved in our community, and his love of the Greater Johnstown area was evident throughout his service.

During his time in our region, Mr. Montler served on a number of community boards, including the Cambria Regional Chamber, Junior Achievement, JARI, United Way of Laurel Highlands, Johnstown Regional Partnership, Somerset County Economic Development Council, Enterprise Venture Capital Corp of PA, Johnstown Free Medical Clinic, Victim Services, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and Johnstown Area Heritage Association.

Mr. Montler also served on the 1st Summit Bank Regional Advisory Board, the Johnstown Industrial Development Corporation Review Committee, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Advisory Board, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce CEO Committee. He was a member of the Rotary Club, and previously served as Cambria County Business Hall of Fame chairman.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, it is my privilege to honor Murphy Montler for his contributions to our region. This recognition by the Cambria Regional Chamber and Junior Achievement of Western PA is a well-deserved honor, and I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr. Montler's family and loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Samuel Worley as he celebrates his 100th birthday on June 13, 2021. For nearly a century, Sam has dedicated his life to public service. It is my privilege to recognize his life and achievements ahead of this milestone.

Born near Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania, Sam Worley proudly served as a member of the U.S. Army 8th Air Corps. During World War II, he worked in intelligence while stationed in England.

Upon returning home, Sam Worley married his wife, June, and they raised two children, In Franklin County, Sam continued to serve our community. During his career in banking, Sam also was an active volunteer with the YMCA, Kiwanis Club, American Legion, Masonic fraternity, and the Chambersburg Borough Council. Sam was elected to serve as Franklin County Commissioner from 1988 to 1996, and then continued to serve our community as the Mayor of Chambersburg for eight years.

As he marks this great milestone, I am grateful to Sam Worley for his continued dedication to our Nation and to Franklin County. On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, it is my privilege to honor Sam for his many contributions and wish him continued health and happiness.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank the Mapleton Fire Department in Huntingdon County for its 100 years of service to our community.

Organized on May 13, 1921, the original fire company was comprised of 36 volunteers. Since then, the Mapleton Volunteer Fire Department and its iconic green fire trucks have been a staple in the Huntingdon County community.

Firefighters' commitment and service to our community are invaluable. Volunteer firefighters often are called on to respond to calls ranging from structure fires to medical emergencies. These brave men and women show their commitment to our community through their diverse and often- difficult work.

For the past century, volunteer firefighters in Mapleton have worked tirelessly to protect life and property. As they mark this incredible achievement, I am grateful to the Mapleton firefighters for their steadfast service to our community and I wish them continued safety and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Lieutenant Colonel Dennis K. Williams II for this extraordinary command of the Letterkenny Munitions Center at Letterkenny Army Depot from June 6, 2019 to June 10, 2021.

LTC Dennis K. Williams II is a native of Grants Pass, Oregon. He enlisted in the Army in 1991, and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 2001. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in history and earned a graduate degree in management. Prior to serving as commander of Letterkenny Munitions Center, LTC Dennis K. Williams II was the Director of the Virtual Experimentation Team in the U.S. Army Futures Command Sustainment Battle Lab in Fort Lee Virginia.

His previous assignments includes serving as the Brigade Combat Team S4 Trainer, Brigade Support Battalion Executive Officer and later Support Operations Officer Trainer at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; Battalion Executive Officer, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, New York; Deputy Division 04, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York; Deputy CJ-4, CJTF-10, Bagram, Afghanistan; Division Maintenance Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; Brigade S3, 171st Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Battalion Executive Officer, 187th Ordnance Battalion, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Company Commander, B. Co, 187th Ordnance Battalion, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Bomb Disposal Advisor Military Transition Team, 2nd Iraqi Army, Mosul, Iraq; Depot and Ammunition Supply Point Officer-in-Charge, 83rd Ordnance Battalion, Okinawa, Japan. He was deployed to Somalia and Haiti in 1994. In 2008, LTC Dennis K. Williams II was deployed to Mosul, Iraq; and to Bagram, Afghanistan, in 2014.

LTC Dennis K. Williams II received a Bronze Star (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters) Army Commendation Medal (Valor Device), Army Commendation Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan

Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

I am grateful for LTC Dennis K. Williams Il's service to protect our Nation and defend democracy. On behalf of Pennsylvania 13th Congressional District, I thank LTC Williams for his leadership at Letterkenny Munitions Center and I wish him every continued success in the chapters to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ward Transport & Logistics for its longstanding dedication to our central Pennsylvania community as it celebrates 90 years of service. For decades, this nationally recognized trucking company has been instrumental in supplying and sustaining our local economy.

Since W. W. Ward founded the company in 1931, Ward Transport & Logistics has grown substantially and now operates 20 locations across the northeastern United States. This success is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Ward family. Ninety years later, Ward Transport & Logistics is now led by the fourth generation of the Ward family and it employs more than 1,400 workers in Pennsylvania and beyond.

As the company has expanded, its community outreach also has grown. Ward Hearts & Hands is a volunteer program overseen by employees with a heart for service. Their work to support critical community projects includes setting up charity events, serving meals and partnering with local food banks, delivering supplies to elderly members of the Blair County community, and fostering a children's mentoring program to grow the next generation of talent in our community.

Throughout their work to provide essential services, Ward Transport & Logistics has gone above and beyond in support of the Blair County community. As the Ward family and their entire team celebrate 90 years of service, I congratulate Ward Transport & Logistics on this outstanding legacy and wish them continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my District Manager Patrick G. Himes, Sr., for his service to Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. An Altoona native, Pat has worked alongside me since the beginning of my service in Congress.

During his tenure, Pat has been an integral member of my team as he worked with Pennsylvanians on the ground and led our district operations. Under his leadership, our team has delivered substantial results for the people of Pennsylvania--from leading outreach to constituents and supporting our local communities to cutting through red tape with federal agencies. During the uncertain days of 2020, Pat ensured that our district team continued to safely provide uninterrupted services.

Every day, Pat's work is marked by his commitment and dedication to the people of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.

Pat has spent a lifetime in service to our community. Before joining my office, Pat served as a law enforcement officer in Blair County for 27 years, including as Blair County Parole Officer, Altoona Police Officer, and Altoona School District Police Officer. He attended Bishop Guilfoyle High School and holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Dayton.

It is my privilege to recognize Patrick G. Himes, Sr., for his outstanding service to our region, and to thank him for his tireless work. I wish Pat and his family all the best as they embark on a new chapter.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Janyce Collier for her work as the Director of the Franklin County Career and Technology Center Practical Nursing Program.

For the past 14 years, Janyce has selflessly served the people of Franklin County by ensuring quality education for the nurses and technicians that staff our hospitals and treat our patients. Her extensive career experience includes her dedicated work as a medical surgical nurse, time spent treating patients in the Intensive Care Unit, as well as work with home health care.

Before coming to Franklin County, Janyce Collier served our nation with the United States Army Nurse Corp from 1980 to 1995. During her service, she was deployed to Nurnberg, Germany, and later served with the Army Reserves in the 99th Combat Support Hospital located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Previously, Janyce received her pre- clinical nursing accreditation at California State University- Sacramento, and then earned her BSN in Nursing from the University of Portland. She furthered her education with a master's degree from the Oklahoma City University, and a MSN in Nursing Education from Saint Joseph's College of Maine, as well as a Vocational II Certificate from Penn State.

Janyce Collier's dedication to teaching the next generation of nurses is truly remarkable. I am incredibly grateful for her service to our Nation and to our community. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank her for her years of service and wish her every continued success as she begins a new chapter.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gary and Marie Kline as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

Gary is a native and lifelong resident of Chambersburg, and Marie moved to the area from Edison, New Jersey. They met during a football game at Chambersburg Area High School. Mr. and Mrs. Kline were married on June 5, 1971, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg by Father Clemmons. Together they raised a beautiful family, welcoming a son, Gary, and daughter in-law, Jessica.

For decades, they have worked together to serve the Chambersburg community and are active members of the Corpus Christi Church. Gary is a Fourth Degree Member of the Chambersburg Knights of Columbus Council 1426, where he served as Grand Knight from 2000 to 2002. Marie's community involvement extends from her volunteer work with the local Red Cross organizing blood drives across the region and to her service to local children at the Fourth Street Nursery School.

Gary and Marie Kline have shared a wonderful 50 years of marriage. Their enduring commitment to one another has held them together for better and for worse, and their strong and lasting marriage is one of life's greatest blessings. As Mr. and Mrs. Kline celebrate this remarkable achievement, I wish them every continued health and happiness in the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Debby Cunningham as she becomes the newest Executive Director of Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce. As a native of Greencastle, Debby is returning to the community to lead the Chamber of Commerce, support small businesses, and help revitalize our local economy.

A graduate of the Hagerstown Business College, Debby served as the business manager at the University of Maryland Extension. In this role, she managed the fiscal and human relations processes that kept the institution running smoothly across Maryland, while also supporting community relations.

Debby Cunningham's experience and passion for public service will be incredible assets as she leads the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce. It is my honor to congratulate Debby on this new role, and I look forward to our continued work together to serve the people of Franklin County.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cori Seilhamer for her dedication and drive to establish and lead the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) in Franklin County. Her work to train Law Enforcement Officers and members of the community to respond to mental health emergencies has made our community safer.

The Crisis Intervention Team's success has led to the development and implementation of the CoResponder/Community Liaison program, which pairs mental health professionals with Law Enforcement Officers and their agencies to respond directly to mental health emergencies.

As of April 2021, there have been 1,150 unique individuals who have been referred for mental health treatment and services as a result of the team's lifesaving work. The two co-responders and their law enforcement partners have been able to divert numerous arrests and court sanctions during the tenure of the co-responders. The team has linked numerous individuals with community resources and support which have helped to reduce recidivism and the need for contact with law enforcement.

The South-Central Pennsylvania CIT team has trained 225 individuals with experience ranging from law enforcement and emergency medicine to community organizers, mental health professionals, and veterans affairs employees. Cori Seilhamer's extensive experience and guidance has paved the way for other agencies and counties to start their own Crisis Intervention Teams as a response to her outstanding successes in Franklin County.

Cori's commitment and selfless service to our community has had a phenomenal impact for the residents of Franklin County. On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I thank her for her service to our community and wish her every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Carl Blubaugh for his 55 years of service with the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Firefighters' commitment and service to our community are invaluable. Volunteer firefighters often are called on to respond to emergencies of all types. From battling structure fires to conducting search and rescue operations, volunteer firefighters respond immediately whenever disaster strikes. These heroes often go above and beyond--they teach first aid, educate students about fire and other dangerous hazards, and even install car safety seats for children. Through their diverse and often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters provide lifesaving services and are a staple of our local community.

Firefighter Blubaugh has worked throughout his career to serve the people of Somerset County. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his work to protect life and property in our community and wish him continued health, safety, and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Carl Shuck, Sr. for his 50 years of service with the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Firefighters' commitment and service to our community are invaluable. Volunteer firefighters often are called on to respond to emergencies of all types. From battling structure fires to conducting search and rescue operations, volunteer firefighters respond immediately whenever disaster strikes. These heroes often go above and beyond--they teach first aid, educate students about fire and other dangerous hazards, and even install car safety seats for children. Through their diverse and often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters provide lifesaving services and are a staple of our local community.

Firefighter Shuck has worked throughout his career to serve the people of Somerset County. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his work to protect life and property in our community and wish him continued health, safety, and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Dave Lauver for his 45 years of service with the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Firefighters' commitment and service to our community are invaluable. Volunteer firefighters often are called on to respond to emergencies of all types. From battling structure fires to conducting search and rescue operations, volunteer firefighters respond immediately whenever disaster strikes. These heroes often go above and beyond--they teach first aid, educate students about fire and other dangerous hazards, and even install car safety seats for children. Through their diverse and often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters provide lifesaving services and are a staple of our local community.

Firefighter Lauver has worked throughout his career to serve the people of Somerset County. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank him for his work to protect life and property in our community and wish him continued health, safety, and success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Amber Homa for her 15 years of service with the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Firefighters' commitment and service to our community are invaluable. Volunteer firefighters often are called on to respond to emergencies of all types. From battling structure fires to conducting search and rescue operations, volunteer firefighters respond immediately whenever disaster strikes. These heroes often go above and beyond--they teach first aid, educate students about fire and other dangerous hazards, and even install car safety seats for children. Through their diverse and often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters provide lifesaving services and are a staple of our local community.

Firefighter Homa has worked throughout her career to serve the people of Somerset County. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank her for her work to protect life and property in our community and wish her continued health, safety, and success.

Madam Speaker, l rise today to recognize Firefighter Brandy Ringler for her 5 years of service with the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Firefighters' commitment and service to our community are invaluable. Volunteer firefighters often are called on to respond to emergencies of all types. From battling structure fires to conducting search and rescue operations, volunteer firefighters respond immediately whenever disaster strikes. These heroes often go above and beyond--they teach first aid, educate students about fire and other dangerous hazards, and even install car safety seats for children. Through their diverse and often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters provide lifesaving services and are a staple of our local community.

Firefighter Ringler has worked throughout her career to serve the people of Somerset County. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank her for her work to protect life and property in our community and wish her continued health, safety, and success.