Lloyd Smucker

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Arconic for 80 years of manufacturing and economic impact in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Arconic Lancaster Operations began in 1946 with New Holland Metals Co., a small aluminum producer that, after acquisitions and name changes, became a part of what is now Arconic.

Arconic's 1.3 million-square-foot facility is a cornerstone of the county's manufacturing economy, employing over 875 people and serving 400 customers in North America across various markets and sectors. The 7,000 active products produced in Lancaster are incorporated into vehicles, household appliances, architectural building systems, and many other products used across the continent.

Beyond its economic contributions, Arconic has had a demonstrable, positive impact on the Lancaster community. Through the Arconic Foundation, it has invested millions of dollars into local nonprofits and schools to support basic needs, education, and manufacturing workforce development.

The success of Arconic Lancaster Operations has made Arconic a leading aluminum producer across the world and a standard-bearer for Pennsylvania manufacturing. I am grateful for Arconic Lancaster Operations and its place in our community over the past 80 years. I thank the employees who have made these accomplishments possible, and I wish the company continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize VisionCorps on a century of service.

VisionCorps was founded in 1926 as the Lancaster County Branch of the Pennsylvania Association of the Blind. Located in downtown Lancaster, the agency's mission was to help blind veterans from World War I, and others who were blind, learn a trade. In the following years, the agency grew in its manufacturing capabilities, ranging from leather work and basket weaving to subcontracts for toy manufacturing.

What has defined VisionCorps throughout the past century is its collaboration with other organizations. It had an early partnership with the Lancaster Lions Club, which promoted fundraising and educational efforts. For the first fifty years, every president of its Board of Directors was a member of the Lions. Through its partnership with local hospitals, VisionCorps held free vision clinics for children who lived in low-income households. In 1980, the organization began a partnership with the military through the National Industries for the Blind to make military products, and in 2009, it began providing contract closeout support for military bases.

After numerous name changes over its history, the agency became VisionCorps in 2017. Since then, the organization began its signature rappel fundraiser, the Eye Drop, and in 2023 expanded its footprint to include a dry foods packaging facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. Today, VisionCorps serves more than 2,000 individuals across five Pennsylvania counties through rehabilitation services and screens more than 11,000 children for vision loss annually.

I thank VisionCorps for its tremendous impact on Lancaster County and Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. Through its advocacy and partnership with the community, VisionCorps has changed the lives of thousands and made independence and autonomy for people who are blind possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Paul R. Hollinger of West Lampeter Township, who passed away on August 29, 2026, at the age of 91.

Paul was a pioneer in the Christian radio industry. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute and trained in broadcast sales, Paul began his career at a station in Chicago and then in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania until radio evangelist Percy Crawford hired him as general manager of WDAC in southern Lancaster County in 1961.

Paul took on the role of general manager at the first FM station in the Lancaster area at a time when there were only a hundred Christian broadcasting stations in the country. He oversaw the transformation of WDAC into one of the largest stations in the region and one of the largest Christian radio stations in the country. From 1981 to 2014, he was co-owner of WDAC and retired as chief operating officer at the end of 2006, having spent a total of 53 years in Christian radio.

Paul's legacy extends beyond his contributions to radio. He had an enormous impact on the churches he attended, particularly Calvary Church in Manheim Township, where he served as a teacher, elder, member of the choir for 40 years, and church historian. He served as a director on many organizational boards, including the National Religious Broadcasters and Willow Valley Retirement Communities. Most importantly, he was a husband to Sylvia, a father to Kerin and Timothy, a grandfather to six, and great-grandfather to nine.

Paul R. Hollinger leaves behind an enormous legacy that has reached all parts of the community. As we recognize and celebrate his life, we offer our prayers of comfort to his family during this time.