John W. Mannion

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Senior Master Sergeant Jameson J. Stitt, a distinguished airman from Syracuse, New York. Sergeant Stitt has served our country for nearly four decades from September 24, 1986, to July 17, 2026, in the United States Air Force and the New York Air National Guard. During his tenure, he earned numerous medals and awards. As Logistics Plans Superintendent at the 174th Attack Wing, he has played a vital role in organizing and supporting deployment operations.

Sergeant Stitt's career began in 1986, with assignments ranging from aircraft maintenance to logistics and deployment planning. He served in Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, NORTHERN WATCH, and NOBLE EAGLE, adapting to new aircraft and mission challenges. He has managed major deployments, coordinated logistics for worldwide missions, and supported New York State operations, including COVID-19 response. As a member of the Base Honor Guard, Sergeant Stitt has participated in over 300 military funerals and many community events. His dedication extends beyond his service, training more than 50 guardsmen and honoring fallen first responders after 9/11.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Stitt has demonstrated integrity, commitment, and exceptional service. His decorations include the Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, the Air and Space Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Valor ``V'' device and four oakleaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one service star; the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three campaign stars, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one campaign star. He has also received several New York State military honors. Sergeant Stitt is a valued member of professional associations and has contributed to various committees over the years.

Mr. Speaker, Senior Master Sergeant Stitt has served our Nation with pride and loyalty. I congratulate him on his retirement and thank him for his dedication. I wish him, his wife Shari, and daughters, Julisan and Kira, all the best in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. I commend my colleagues for their months-long negotiation to get this done.

In central New York and the Mohawk Valley, we are ready for growth in the years to come, but we must meet the housing challenge.

Our community leaders need resources and more flexibility from our housing programs to make that happen.

Developers and builders want to be a part of the solution, but we need to remove the needless hurdles that keep projects from getting off the ground.

This bill incentivizes housing production, streamlines construction processes, and improves access to financing. It also helps repair aging homes and invests in community infrastructure. It finally prohibits large investors from purchasing single-family homes so that they remain affordable for families.

I was proud to vote in support of this legislation, and I urge the President to promptly sign this bipartisan bill into law and stop playing politics with affordable housing.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor Hamilton College student Mele K. Kaneali`i, who was selected as a 2026 Truman Scholar, one of the Nation's highest honors for students committed to fostering public service and leadership.

Established by Congress in 1975 as the living memorial to President Harry S. Truman, the Truman Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, academic excellence, and deep commitment to careers in public service. Mele was chosen from a highly competitive national pool and is among 55 American undergraduates selected this year to receive this prestigious honor. This is only the fourth Truman scholar in Hamilton College's history.

It comes as no surprise that Mele has earned this distinction given her passion for, and commitment to, advancing meaningful policy to address the housing crisis. Specifically, Mele has dedicated significant time and energy toward researching Hawaii's housing challenges and working to advance policy solutions to reduce housing disparities in her community.

I commend Mele K. Kaneali`i for this remarkable accomplishment and for exemplifying the leadership and public service values at the core of the Truman Scholarship, and I extend my sincere congratulations on this outstanding recognition.