Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Justin Blubaugh for his 16 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 Rick Sanner for his 26 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 Sanner 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 Randy Dirienzo for his 36 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 Dirienzo 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 Craig Nolte for his 36 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 Nolte 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 Christopher Albright for his 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 Albright 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.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness to remember the life of my friend, Dr. Sam Magee, who unexpectedly passed away this past weekend.

An exemplary surgeon, Dr. Magee dedicated his life to serving his patients and our Blair County community.

Sam, as the son of an Altoona surgeon, proudly carried forth his family tradition. Most recently, Dr. Magee cared for American veterans as the chief of staff of the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center. In this new role, Dr. Magee was an instrumental partner in the launch of my Homegrown Health Care initiative, which aims to reverse the doctor shortage in rural communities.

Dr. Sam Magee was a champion for solutions to tough problems. Together, we shared a mission to improve Pennsylvanians' access to quality healthcare, regardless of ZIP Code.

In addition to his work at the VA, Dr. Magee spent more than 35 years practicing in Altoona, Pennsylvania, saving lives and improving our local healthcare. My family and I personally came to experience his great skills.

As both a fellow Altoona native, and Penn State and Temple Medical School graduates, Dr. Magee and I shared so much in common. More than a colleague, I considered him a very dear friend.

As we remember his life and his legacy, I also give thanks for his meaningful contributions to his patients, to our community, and to our medical profession. Even in sorrow, we celebrate Dr. Magee's life and his indelible contributions to the world.

I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife, Bunny; their children, Rich and Katie, along with their spouses, Desiree and Michael; their beloved grandchildren; and their extended family.

Additionally, I extend my condolences to Dr. Magee's many patients and to the veteran community that he served with such dedication. This is a profound loss for our medical community, our veteran community, and our community at large.

Mr. Speaker, right now, our Nation is facing a growing workforce crisis.

For anyone who is paying attention, the most recent jobs report was incredibly disappointing, but it wasn't a surprise. Nearly everywhere I go across my district in Pennsylvania, I see ``help wanted'' signs.

Every day, I hear from small businesses that are struggling to hire and struggling to keep staff. Despite the progress that we are making in our fight against the COVID-19 virus, Democrats are continuing their Big Government, socialist plans. This alarming workforce trend is rooted in the Democrat's scheme to keep paying people to stay at home, and it must end now.

Thanks to American innovation and the success of Operation Warp Speed, our Nation is winning the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Safe vaccines are the key to restoring our personal liberties, eradicating this virus, getting our kids back to school full time, and, yes, getting the American people back to work.

Just like every previous challenge in our history, I know that our Nation has the potential to recover from this pandemic and to recover stronger than ever before. This truly is the American way.

To succeed, we cannot allow President Biden and the Democrats to sabotage our forward momentum. From day one in office, the President has promised Big Government interference that comes with higher taxes and more regulation for American businesses.

Now, in the name of so-called infrastructure reforms, the Biden administration is flaunting job-killing plans that would crush America's and Pennsylvania's robust manufacturing and energy industries.

Mr. Speaker, job-killing schemes and higher taxes are not the answer to the problem that lies in front of us. The dignity of work is a core tenet of our national fabric. This belief has motivated the generations of courageous Americans who built and forged our Nation.

Now it is once again time to get America safely back to work. Alongside President Trump, I worked hard to advance a pro-growth agenda to support the workforce and create American jobs for American workers. We need to return to these solutions today to secure our success for tomorrow.

American workers are the key to our recovery. They are truly essential. For centuries, hard work has been the key to uplifting families and achieving the American Dream. We cannot allow this longstanding tradition to be lost.

For the sake of our workforce and for our communities, we must uphold the dignity of work. We must support the workforce, and we must get our Nation back on the road to recovery.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. for his service as the 20th President of Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Since commencing in this leadership role in January of 2020, Dr. Fugate has overcome challenges stemming from the pandemic. His strategic planning process has resulted in the implementation of six new undergraduate majors, along with a new degree completion program, a graduate program, and a new endorsement and certification program. These offerings have provided a strategic boost to the academic offerings at Wilson College, and his hard work is paving the way for continued advancement.

Prior to his work at Wilson College, Dr. Fugate served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Vice President and Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Interim Vice President for Employment Management at Randolph College. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning and Education Policy to the Governor of Kentucky. As a community leader, Dr. Fugate has demonstrated great dedication and participation in local civic organizations. In our region, he has served on a number of leadership boards, including the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Fugate earned his doctorate in higher education from the University of Georgia's Institute of Higher Education. He received his master's degree from Vanderbilt University and his bachelor's degree from Centre College. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Dr. Fugate has received many awards, including the Alice L. Beeman Research Award in Communications and Marketing for Educational Advancement for an Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

As a leader, Dr. Fugate is propelling a forward-looking vision for Wilson College. It is my privilege to serve the students and academic community of Franklin County alongside him. I thank Dr. Fugate for his work in our community, and I wish him every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for its outstanding leadership and service to our local community and beyond.

Like many Pennsylvania businesses, Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, Martin's continued its essential work to feed the American people and protect their workers' livelihoods.

Now led by President James ``Jim'' Martin, this family-owned company was first established as a small bakery in 1968. Since then, it has expanded broadly in both market reach and workforce. Today, Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe employs hardworking Americans in Franklin County and around the country.

Throughout its decades of service, Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe has maintained a clear focus on community outreach and support. Starting with founders Lloyd and Lois Martin, the organization has prioritized community focus. Each year, this company gives back to our Chambersburg community and supports charities in Pennsylvania and around the world.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I am honored to recognize Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe for its incredible work

and legacy. It is my privilege to work alongside Jim Martin and his team in our shared service to Franklin County, and I wish them continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stuckey Automotive in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania for its commitment to the United States flag and our community.

Since 1985, Stuckey Ford has proudly flown a 50-foot American flag. This patriotic display has become a hallmark of the Hollidaysburg landscape.

This week, a flag-raising ceremony will mark the replacement of the original flagpole. I am proud to join the Stuckey Family and members of our community for this cherished event to witness the initial flag- raising.

As we commemorate this transition, I thank Matt Stuckey, President of Stuckey Automotive, and his team for their unwavering commitment to the flag. This longstanding tradition is an important part of our community fabric, and it showcases Blair County's great respect for our Nation's flag.

A leader in Blair County, Stuckey Automotive is a key part of our community and local economy. First founded as Replogle Motor Company, its history began before World War II. Will and Barbara Stuckey bought the business, which was incorporated as Will Stuckey Ford in 1959. For decades, Stuckey Automotive has grown in both size and workforce. Today, with nearly 300 employees, this family-owned business remains committed to its mission of delivering exemplary service to Pennsylvanians.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I am honored to recognize Stuckey Automotive for its incredible commitment to our community and our nation, and I look forward to the continuation of this patriotic display.

Mr. Speaker, equal justice under the law is a cornerstone of our American democracy. At home in Pennsylvania and around our country, our communities are blessed with dedicated law enforcement officers who work daily to protect and to serve. During National Police Week, the American people honor and thank the law enforcement officers who keep us safe each and every day.

While no organization is perfect, our local police work hard to uphold the law and maintain peace in our communities. As Chambersburg Police Chief Ron Camacho told me just this week, good police forces are centered on protecting and learning how to protect better. He said that good police forces are constantly evolving and improving.

I wholeheartedly agree with my friend, the chief of police in Chambersburg, and Congress must do our part to support these heroes. Instead of talking about defunding the police, we should be working to better train and equip law enforcement officers to do the job that we have entrusted them to do.

As we move forward, the American people know that Republicans are leading commonsense, bipartisan solutions. For over a year, Senator Tim Scott and Congressman Pete Stauber have led our efforts to improve transparency, accountability, and training. Rather than defund or dismantle the police, the Justice Act will enact bipartisan reforms to better equip these brave Americans who serve our communities. I was proud to cosponsor that legislation, and I encourage my colleagues on all sides of the political spectrum to join us in this commonsense approach.

Democrats say that they want to work together on police reform. Now is the chance. Getting this right today is critical for the future of policing in our Nation. We cannot allow the radical left to erode trust in the justice system and degrade the good name of the public servants for the sake of their own woke agenda. Right now, our law enforcement community is facing unprecedented attacks. Every day, the left threatens to abandon these heroes who protect us.

Chief Camacho leads an exemplary police force in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He and the vast majority of the law enforcement community go above and beyond to protect our communities.

As a nation, we must never turn our backs on the police. We must never defund the police. During National Police Week and throughout this year, it is my privilege to stand with the thin blue line, and I will always back the blue.

Madam Speaker, during National Police Week, it is my honor to pay tribute to all of the men and women who put their lives on the line to serve and protect all of our communities.

In Pennsylvania and around the country, including here in Congress, dedicated law enforcement officers show up for work every day and quietly do the job that we have entrusted to them. They uphold the law, they promote safety, and, most importantly, they preserve human life.

Far too often these officers, unfortunately, do not come home. Today I ask that the American people join me in remembering our Nation's fallen police officers and honoring their service and their sacrifice.

More than a profession, law enforcement is truly a calling. Whether on the streets of Pennsylvania, on our borders, or across our great Nation, I thank our law enforcement officers for answering the call to serve the American people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the military spouses of Cambria and Somerset Counties and to commemorate the 12th Annual Military Spouse Appreciation Day Ceremony in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan established that the Friday before Mother's Day would be Military Spouses Appreciation Day, which honors the service and sacrifice of military spouses.

Like their partners in uniform, military spouses also answer the call to serve our nation. Their unwavering commitment to our servicemembers and families is a key part of America's story and success.

As the husband of a Naval officer, I understand firsthand the challenges that many military spouses face, and I am incredibly grateful for their role in supporting our Armed Forces and the defense of our Nation.

Today's ceremony, made possible by the Johnstown Veteran Community Initiatives, Wessel & Company, and the American Red Cross, is a well- deserved opportunity to recognize these outstanding Pennsylvanians who have sacrificed so much.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, it is my privilege to honor the military spouses of Cambria and Somerset Counties and to thank them for their service and sacrifice for our Nation. On Military Spouse Appreciation Day and every day of the year, I ask that Pennsylvanians join me in praying for the wellbeing and perseverance of our local military families--as well as for the peace and safety of our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Richard ``Dick'' Starliper for his outstanding service to the Waynesboro community.

For decades, Mayor Starliper has demonstrated his dedication to the people of Waynesboro. Currently, he is serving in his 16th year in office. Prior to his tenure as mayor, he served as a Waynesboro Borough Councilman for 14 years. During this time, worked to promote small businesses, expand Waynesboro's historic downtown, cut taxes, and ensure the safety of Waynesboro residents.

In addition to his official duties, Mayor Starliper is an active participant in the

Waynesboro community and other civic organizations. He is a member of the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce, the Waynesboro Beneficial Fund, the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association, and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, as well as the president of the Bums Hill Cemetery Association. Mayor Starliper also founded the Franklin County Mayor's Association, which encourages communication between county leaders.

Mayor Starliper is an incredible asset to the Waynesboro community. His steadfast dedication to our community has made Waynesboro a better place to live, work, and raise a family. It is my privilege to serve the people of Waynesboro alongside Mayor Starliper, and I wish him continued success in this vital work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Dave Peoples for his

decades of service to the Huntingdon County community as he retires from the Juniata Valley Emergency Medical Service.

After volunteering for the fire department, Dave began his tenure as an EMT in 1979. During his time as a first responder, he has witnessed remarkable advancements in his profession. While the role of EMTs has changed over the years, the need for compassionate and capable providers has not.

Throughout his career, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Dave has remained a vital and consistent presence in the Huntingdon County EMS community, mentoring new EMTs and providing outstanding patient care.

For more than four decades, Dave Peoples' steadfast service has saved lives and benefitted the people of Huntingdon County. As this local hero retires following 42 years of service with the Juniata Valley and Huntingdon Emergency Medical Services, it is my honor to recognize his leadership, dedication, and grace under pressure. I thank Dave and his family for his many contributions to our community, and I wish him and the Peoples family every continued happiness in the chapters to come.