Floor Statements

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.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and congratulate Brian Wiczkowski on his retirement as Police Chief for West Lampeter Township after 36 years in law enforcement.

After graduating from Millersville University with a degree in secondary education, Brian Wiczkowski joined the Lancaster City Police Department in 1990. In his time with Lancaster City, he served in the Patrol Division, the Criminal Investigation Division, and was an original member of the Community Policing Program, and he led those efforts when the city established its own Community Policing Department in 1999. He also worked closely with the county's Behavioral Health/ Disabilities Service to assign a Crisis Intervention employee to the department.

After advancing through the ranks, Brian was promoted to Captain of the Patrol Division in 2008 before accepting the position of Chief of Police in West Lampeter in 2014. As chief, he led the West Lampeter Township Police Department to become fully accredited through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program helped implement the School Resource Officer position in Lampeter-Strasburg School District, and established a co-responder program to assist those suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues.

After 36 years in law enforcement, Chief Wiczkowski ends a storied career of positive impact and service to the local community. I thank Chief Wiczkowski for his service and wish him the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize James Hensel, store manager of Oregon Dairy in Lititz, Pennsylvania, as a 2026 FMI Store Manager Awards Grand Prize Winner.

The FMI Store Manager Awards, given by FMI, The Food Industry Association, recognize outstanding grocery store managers who generate sales growth, communicate effectively, lead strong teams, provide exceptional customer service, and contribute to their communities.

James Hensel was one of three American small retail managers chosen for this prestigious award. James has worked for the family-owned Oregon Dairy store for 35 years, beginning as produce manager and perishable manager before being promoted to store manager three years ago.

During his time with Oregon Dairy, James created a full-scale lawn and garden department, expanded Oregon Dairy's private brand program, helped launch their highly profitable sushi station, and implemented its loyalty program. With the knowledge and contributions that he provides, James is an integral member of the Oregon Dairy staff and is seen as a mentor by the rest of the team.

Having dedicated 35 years to making Oregon Dairy one of the premier retailers in the region, James is a fitting recipient of the 2026 FMI Store Manager Award. I am pleased that both the store and James are receiving nationwide recognition, and I look forward to his continued impact on our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and congratulate Vivian Salerno on being crowned an AAU Junior Olympic Champion and setting a new 800-meter record.

Vivian ran a time of 2:06:54 at the Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 5, 2026, which earned her first place in the 800-

meter race in the 17- and 18-year-old girls division. She also set a Junior Olympic record, beating the previous record by 0.7 seconds. Her personal record of 2:06.33 is three seconds faster than any competitor in Lancaster-Lebanon League history. She is the first individual national champion from the Lancaster City Track and Field Club.

Vivian, who is a junior at McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has won many other titles. She was a gold medalist at the Pennsylvania State Championships in May and placed first at both the Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships and District 3 Championships. In June 2026, she competed at the Outdoor Nationals in Philadelphia and placed fifth.

Vivian is a well-decorated and talented athlete whose work ethic makes Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District proud. I congratulate her on her tremendous accomplishments at both the state, and national levels, and I wish her many more years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate the Elizabethtown Area High School Esports team on securing its second consecutive Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association state championship. The outstanding team of Peter Dunbar, Madalyn Guerrisi, Jackson Langlois, Anthony Lazzari Jaymian Ortiz, and Liam Shriner earned first place competing in Marvel Rivals, a superhero shooter game inspired by the Marvel Comics franchise. I also commend their coach, Mr. Austin Henderson, whose leadership and guidance were instrumental in achieving this remarkable victory.

In addition to its impressive performance, the Elizabethtown Area High School Esports Team received an $80,000 state grant. This funding will allow the team to purchase gaming computers, consoles and furniture to establish a dedicated esports arena within the high school, providing a permanent space for practices and tournaments.

I commend the Elizabethtown Area High School Esports Team for this exceptional achievement and the dedication its members have demonstrated. Programs like this foster teamwork, technical skills, and innovation among students, while strengthening educational opportunities across our District. I applaud the team's championship victory and wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 264, I mistakenly voted YES when I intended to vote NO.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Sight & Sound Theaters for a milestone 50 years in business.

Known across the world for its Biblical epics on stage and screen, Sight & Sound began with Glenn Eshelman, a Lancaster County dairy farmer, and his passion for art, photography, and sharing his faith.

In 1976, the popularity of Mr. Eshelman's multimedia shows led him and his wife, Shirley, to establish their first theater in Ronks. Over time, they added live theatrical elements and debuted their first full- length Biblical production in 1987.

After their theater burned down in 1997, they built a state-of-the- art facility that would allow for the large-scale productions they are known for today. Since then, they have added a second location in Branson, Missouri, and developed a streaming platform to produce their own movies for the silver screen.

The name, Sight & Sound, is inspired by Matthew 13:13 where Jesus explains his use of parables saying, ``Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear. . . . ''

What began as a humble production company has since exploded into one of the top theater destinations in the U.S. with almost a million attendees each year. Today, Sight & Sound continues to be run by the Eshelman family and has a committed team of over 800 employees.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Sight & Sound for their strong message and the positive impact they have had across the entire world.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for yielding and all of his work on this, what I call, commonsense resolution, a simple resolution, really, addressing three priorities that the American people support, three priorities that are core functions of government and that are very, very important.

Number one is election security, ensuring that our elections are conducted fairly, securely, and that only American citizens are voting. Voter ID, the American people support that.

Mr. Chair, 80 to 90 percent of the American people support the idea of showing voter ID when you show up to vote.

Number two, this is instruction to the committees. It begins the process

of providing our servicemembers with the resources they need to meet growing threats around the world and keeping the American people safe.

These individuals who are serving us are putting their lives in harm's way every day. The least we can do is ensure they have the tools and equipment they need to do their jobs and to keep us safe.

Finally, the third point in this resolution is ensuring our food supply is secure. Our American farmers work very, very hard every single day to feed America--really, feed the world. They have had some tough times, and this provides the help they need at this time to ensure that they can continue to feed America.

Unfortunately, every Democrat on the House Budget Committee voted against these commonsense provisions in this resolution. The American people sent us here to deliver.

They sent us here to deliver on these priorities. It is a great resolution.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the SAVE America Act as it moves through the House.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Nate Huber, who was recently installed as the 2026 to 2027 Vice President for the Pennsylvania FFA.

Having emerged from a rigorous nomination and election process, Nate Huber was one of seven officers chosen to lead the Pennsylvania FFA in 2026 to 2027. Nate is a recent graduate of Manheim Central High School and held leadership positions in the Manheim FFA.

Nate Huber's commitment to agriculture is evident from his experience at a local poultry company to his introduction of agricultural education programs at his school. Beyond his leadership roles with the FFA, he also holds positions with the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Manheim Community Farm Show.

Agriculture is a cornerstone of Lancaster County's economy, and Nate Huber has proven to be an ardent support of this legacy. I congratulate Nate Huber on his well-earned title as Vice President of the Pennsylvania FFA. As he settles into his new role and prepares for a bright future ahead, I wish him continued success in all his endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Chris Leppler on his retirement as Lancaster County Sheriff after three decades of service with the department.

Chris Leppler, a lifelong resident of Lancaster County and graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School, joined the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office in November 1994. Starting with the department as a Deputy Sheriff, Chris Leppler ascended through the ranks and became Sergeant in 2005. He was elected Sheriff by the voters of Lancaster County in 2017 and has served in that position since.

Notable during Sheriff Leppler's tenure was his collaboration with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. His office worked with the Lancaster County District Attorney to form the Human Trafficking Task Force in 2022 and collaborated with local partners on the County Special Emergency Task Force and Joining Forces, an initiative to combat the opioid epidemic. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office also coordinated with federal ]aw enforcement agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and United States Secret Service.

Sheriff Chris Leppler retires with nearly 32 years of service to the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office, including almost 9 years as Sheriff. I thank Sheriff Leppler for his three decades of service to the residents of Lancaster County and for helping to keep Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District safe. I wish him well in his hard-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize Audrey Whisman for being named Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer 2026.

Audrey Whisman, a graduate of Manheim Township in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a student at Gettysburg College, was named Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer 2026. In June, she represented our Commonwealth in the Miss Volunteer America Pageant, a nationwide pageant program oriented toward community service and volunteerism.

In line with the selfless spirit that the pageant promotes, Audrey is an advocate for those affected by selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that she herself has, helping children and educating teachers and parents on the disorder, Audrey has also raised over $100,000 for a local nonprofit daycare that serves low-income and homeless families and has assisted in the facilitation of hurricane relief.

Since her crowning as Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer last October, Audrey has made 174 appearances across Pennsylvania to promote her selective mutism initiative and has partnered with organizations such as the Salvation Army. All of this took place during her time at Gettysburg College, where she maintained a 4.0 GPA.

I congratulate Audrey Whisman on being named Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer. Having met with her last year, I am continually impressed by her passion and dedication to the community, and I look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize Coach Dan Graybill on his retirement after 40 years of dedication to the Manheim Township High School Blue Streaks swimming team.

Coach Dan Graybill led the Blue Streaks boys' program for 40 years and guided the girls' program for 39 years. Under his leadership as head coach, the girls team secured 15 Lancaster-Lebanon League team titles, while the boys team earned 11 titles. Together, the Blue Streaks amassed a total of 31 section crowns during his tenure.

Beyond his work at Manheim Township High School, Coach Graybill also contributed to the sport through coaching positions at the Lancaster YMCA and Overlook, a team in the Lancaster County Summer Swim League.

Coach Graybill has left a profound impact on the Manheim Township swimming community. I congratulate Dan Graybill on his well-deserved retirement, and I wish him the best wherever the future may lead him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize the J.P. McCaskey High School girls track and field team on securing first place in the 2026 PIAA Class 3A Track and Field Championship.

The Red Tornados made history on May 22 and May 23 at the PIAA Class 3A Track and Field Championship, earning their third girls team state title in school history and their first since 1993. McCaskey's gold medals in the 400-meter relay and 800-meter relay propelled them to first place. The relay team of Damani Crossen, Ella Petrosky, Alonda Grover, and Corrine Miller nabbed gold with a time of 47.20 seconds, while Vivian Salerno capped off her historic season with an 800-meter time of 2:08.61. A silver medal in the 100-meter and fourth-place finish in the 200-meter cemented an accolade-heavy weekend for Ella Petrosky. Team success in the javelin and 3,200-relay also contributed to McCaskey's first-place finish at the PIAA Championship. With a total of 42 points, the Red Tornados eclipsed the second-place finishers by 15 points.

The McCaskey girls track and field team has made the school district and Lancaster County proud with its incredible performance at the 2026 PIAA Track and Field Championship. I congratulate coach Derek Jennings, his staff, and the athletes on their well-earned success. I look forward to seeing what these student-athletes accomplish next, and I wish them all the best of luck.