Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. Bruce Waldholtz for receiving the American Cancer Society's National Volunteer Leadership Award.

For 20 years, Dr. Waldholtz has generously devoted his time and energy as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society. Together with the American Cancer Society, Dr. Waldholtz is working to raise awareness of issues surrounding colorectal cancer, including screening methods and the importance of early detection. He has worked in his local community and has been an advocate for important legislation that would help to prevent and treat colorectal cancer. Recently, Dr. Waldholtz partnered with police chiefs in his

area to launch a social media awareness campaign encouraging members of their community to follow current guidance on cancer screenings and prevention.

Congratulations to my friend Dr. Bruce Waldholtz on receiving this well-deserved award. I am grateful for his work to protect American patients, and I wish him continued success in this lifesaving advocacy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School girls basketball team on winning the PIAA Class 1A Championship.

The 2020-2021 Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic's team consists of 16 players, including: Aurielle Brunner, Sarah Geishauser, Sophia Warner, Claire Cammarata, Bella Adams, Jasen Quinn, Lainey Farabaugh, Ally Bagley, Lah Homan, Alyssa Franks, Reagan McClurkin, Finley Steinbugl, Daniela Scipioni, Teresa Haigh, Aley Beauchamp, and Tessa Klock.

This victory marks Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic's seventh PIAA championship in girls basketball and first state championship since 2010. The team won a decisive 62-47 victory over Jenkins High School. The team was led by Teresa Haigh who scored 16 points and added 10 rebounds. Lah Homan collected her 1000th career point during the game by scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

The students were coached by Kristi Kaack and Adam Kaack.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate these students and their coaches on their tremendous season and wish them every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Julia Strine on winning a state championship in the 2021 PIAA Class 3A swimming contest.

Julia is a senior at Shippensburg High School. She won the girls 100- yard Breaststroke with a time of 1:02.33 winning by just .29 seconds. Julia showed true determination and grit to win the gold medal. Prior to winning this prestigious award, she placed seventh at the PIAA swimming championships her freshman year. Her desire to win a gold medal was spurred by this experience. Continued determination has led her to be named Female Athlete of the Winter in the Waynesboro Record Herald.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate Julia Strine on a successful season and wish her every continued success as she pursues her education and athletic goals.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Leah Shackley, a freshman at Bedford High School, on earning two medals at the 2021 PIAA Class 2A Swimming Championship.

Leah won a silver medal in the girls 100-yard Backstroke with a time of 55.65 seconds. She also collected a sixth-place finish in the girls 100-yard Freestyle with a time of 52.79 seconds. Leading up to the state championship, Leah collected first place finishes in both events at the District 6 Championship. She is a member of the Blair Regional YMCA Tigersharks Swim Team. In addition to these two state medals, she has won four medals in the Western Pennsylvania District Championships and a USA Eastern Zones championship award.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate Leah Shackley on a successful season and wish her every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mason Gibson of Bishop McCort High School for achieving second place in the PIAA Class 2A Wresting Championship.

Gibson had a remarkable freshman season competing in the 120-pound championship match against state champion Brett Ungar. Mason, the top- seeded freshman, had previously won the Super 32 title last year as an Eighth grader.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate Mason on a successful season and wish him every continued success as he pursues his education and athletic goals.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Levi Haines of Biglerville High School for winning the PIAA Class 2A Wrestling Championship.

As a standout wrestler, Haines earned a gold medal in the 145-pound championship match against rival Nathan Higley of Sullivan County. In the past two years, he captured back-to-back silver medals in the PIAA Championship match. Haines finished this season undefeated winning thirty matches. As a junior, he has collected a career record of 100-5. He is coached by his father, Ken Haines, who also won a state championship in 1995 for Gettysburg. He has become the fourth student at Biglerville to earn this prestigious title.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate Levi Haines on a successful season and wish him every continued success as he pursues his education and athletic goals.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the students of Johnstown Christian School in Hollsopple, Pennsylvania, for their compassion, work ethic, and community service.

During the school's second annual ``Feed the Need'' packing party, students labeled, filled, and sealed more than 10,000 packages of nutritious meals to feed children both in Haiti and in the Greater Johnstown region. In total, 8,500 of the meals will reach children in Haiti who are struggling with food insecurity, and the remaining 1,500 will be sent to local organizations that provide services in the Johnstown community. Acts of service like this are invaluable to our Johnstown community both in teaching compassion to our students and in providing help to those in need. I am grateful for the Johnstown Christian School, and it is my hope they continue to be a model for success.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank the students of Johnstown Christian School for their work to help those in need both in their community and in Haiti.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Berlin Brothersvalley High School boys basketball team on finishing second in the PIAA Class IA Championship.

This was the first time in school history that the Berlin Brothersvalley team advanced to the PIAA state title round. The 51-47 point game against Nativity BVM was decided in overtime. The team was led by Elijah Sechler, who scored 20 points and collected 11 rebounds. Pace Prosser scored 15 points while Abe Countryman grabbed 13 rebounds.

The 2020-2021 players for the Berlin Brothersvalley Mountaineers were: Ryan Blubaugh, Isaac Etris, Will Spochart, Preston Foor, Tyler Miller, Elijah Sechler, Caden Montgomery, Lukas Coughenour, Tuck Hillegass, Craig Jarvis, Pace Prosser, Abe Countryman, Caleb Rohrs, Brayden Deeter, and Jalen Melton. The students were led by head coach Tanner Prosser.

On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate these students and their coaches on a successful season and wish them every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vicky Brechbiel on receiving the Client Impact Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Vicky is a Certified Nursing Assistant at Menno Haven. She has spent 20 years as a CNA caring for her patients. She is dedicated to her patients and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure they receive their favorite foods, wake up at their preferred times, and begin their mornings well. The Client Impact Award is awarded to a person that demonstrates extraordinary efforts to positively impact the lives of their patients. Vicky treats every patient with love and respect, as well as an individualized treatment plan.

Vicky exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the residents of Menno Haven. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Vicky on this achievement and thank her for her service to our community.

Madam Speaker, l rise today to congratulate Dr. Raghavendra Tirupathi on receiving the Outstanding COVID Resource Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Tirupathi is an Infectious Disease Physician and Medical Director at Keystone Health. His institutional knowledge on infectious diseases has been an invaluable resource to the hospital. While offering sound medical advice on patient's treatment plans, he has also worked to make improvements to the health system amid the pandemic. His attention to detail and medical advice will continue to be a great asset to the Chambersburg community.

Dr. Tirupathi exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the patients at Keystone Health. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Dr. Tirupathi on this achievement and thank him for his service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lisa Keefer on receiving the Above and Beyond Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa is a Certified Nursing Assistant and an On-call Specialist at Myers Home Health Care. Despite incredible challenges during the COVID- 19 pandemic, Lisa stayed the course and provided excellent care to her patients. Every day, Lisa continues to go beyond the call of duty.

Lisa exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the patients at Myers Home Health Care. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I am grateful for all of Lisa's work and dedication to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stephanie Strickler on receiving the Health Care Heroes Leadership Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Stephanie is the Director of Purchasing at Keystone Health and is responsible for overseeing all supplies for the hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was successful in obtaining the necessary Personal Protective Equipment to ensure the safety and health of all staff and patients. Additionally, she has been essential in securing COVID-19 vaccines for Keystone Health providers and patients.

In addition to working long hours at the hospital, Stephanie is active in the community and often serves with Leadership Franklin.

Stephanie exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the team at Keystone Health. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Stephanie on this award and thank her for her work in our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Rachel Sanders on receiving the Outstanding COVID-19 Care Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Rachel is a Physician Assistant in the Critical Care Unit at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel has worked tirelessly to care for some of the sickest patients in the hospital. Her dedication to the patients and their families is evidence of her compassion and dedication. Going above and beyond, Rachel has often used her personal technology to help patients communicate with their families that are unable visit due to COVID-19 protocols.

Rachel exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the patients of

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Rachel on this achievement and thank her for her service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Monica Diehl on receiving the Health Care Worker of the Year Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Monica is the Director of Patient Education and Development at Keystone Health. Prior to the pandemic, her primary duties were administrative, but she did not hesitate to tap into her clinical skills to help the patients amid the crisis. She led a staff outreach and education program to ensure the team was following safe protocols for treating patients during the pandemic. Monica also volunteered to lead a COVID-19 testing site and later spearheaded the vaccine operation at the hospital. Under her leadership and diligence, Keystone Health has not wasted a single COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Monica exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the patients at Keystone Health. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Monica on this incredible work and thank her for her service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tammy Maclay on receiving the Exceptional Dedication Award from the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, where she has selflessly served patients for more than 33 years. Though her specialty was teaching hospital staff safe practices, she never hesitated transition into work in the Critical Care Unit with COVID-positive patients during the pandemic.

Tammy exhibits true dedication, compassion, and professionalism to the patients at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th District, I congratulate Tammy on this achievement and thank her for her service to our community.