Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 16-20, 2024, as Medical Research Week.

It is by no accident that America leads the world in medical innovation. America's free enterprise system alongside strong federal support of medical research has led to new cures, treatments, and hope for tomorrow that more therapies are on the horizon. I am proud that Pennsylvania institutions and companies play leading roles in developing these new technologies.

In 2023, over $2 billion in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was made available to researchers in Pennsylvania. This funding supported nearly 22,000 jobs and resulted in over $5 billion in total economic activity across the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania is also home to a vibrant and growing biopharmaceutical industry, which employs over 56,000 individuals through direct employment creating billions of dollars economic impact.

In Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District, Franklin and Marshall College as well as Millersville University, are recipients of grant funding from NIH.

As we recognize Medical Research Week, may we all give thanks for the medical breakthroughs that have improved our lives and the individuals whose dogged determination and pursuit of progress made them possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give thanks and to congratulate Bob Houser on his well-earned retirement.

2024 marks the 60th and final year that Mr. Houser is adding something sweet to the community through his Bob's Sno Balls business. The 76-year-old York County resident has been running Bob's Sno Balls since he was just 16. In his six decades running the business, Mr. Houser has become a staple in the York County community. His classic white truck and ringing bell have attracted patrons from all over the York area during the summer months.

While the summers are spent selling snow cones, Mr. Houser spends the rest of the year as an accountant. Mr. Houser remarked ``I've got two professions . . . People aren't usually smiling when they come to the tax office. Sno ball truck's a whole different operation. People are happy. Kids are happy.''

It has been the smiles and happiness that has brought Mr. Houser back for the past six decades. He stated that being able to make people, especially the children, happy has been his biggest joy in all his years of business.

Mr Houser's six decades of business in York County have made a lasting impact on the communities and individuals that he has served. Generations of people have been fortunate enough to have someone like Mr. Houser in their community, not only as a business owner but as a friendly face.

It is with great pride that I congratulate Mr. Houser on his 60th year in business, and I wish him continued success and joy in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith) for yielding and his work on this very important piece of legislation. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, as well as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9076, the Supporting America's Children and Families Act.

One pillar of this bill reauthorizes the title IV-B program, which underpins much of the child welfare system and provides funding to States for community-based and prevention-oriented programs and services. At the time we are reauthorizing, we take that opportunity to learn how we can improve. The improvements that are included today in that reauthorization will make a difference in the lives of many children and families throughout the country.

I am very pleased that included in this package are four bills that I introduced after receiving input from providers and others in my community and district. After hearing from individuals and witnesses in hearings about this package, it will include policies to allow IV-B dollars to support kinship families, reduce the administrative burden on State and Tribal child welfare agencies, support caseworkers, and gather data on the effectiveness of post-adoptive services.

The other pillar of this bill would ensure that States can utilize contractors to support their child welfare programs, which is a vital flexibility that the two counties that I represent, Lancaster and York Counties in Pennsylvania, take advantage of to ensure steady child support payments.

H.R. 9076 aims to provide vital resources to families in need with the goal of preventing them from needing the foster care system in the first place and helping to maintain healthy families, which are the cornerstone of our society.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Steve Massini, who is retiring as Chief Executive Officer of Penn State Health, a position he has served in since 2019.

Mr. Massini first joined Penn State Health in 2015 as chief financial officer for Milton S. Hershey Medical Center before being promoted to executive vice president, chief financial officer, and chief administrative officer for Penn State Health.

Throughout his tenure at Penn State Health, the system has grown significantly, 11 developed strategic partnerships, and made investments in expanding the system's reach across South Central Pennsylvania. These investments included the development of a hospital in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District, the Lancaster Medical Center, which opened in October 2022. I appreciated the opportunity to visit this and other Penn State Health facilities in our district to learn about the great work they are doing to serve patients.

I have appreciated Mr. Massini's feedback and perspective on federal policies and the impact they have on residents of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Steve the best in all his future endeavors and thank him for all he has done to make a positive impact in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Mr. Randy Alan Walker of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, who passed away last month after a 10-year battle with ALS. Randy had an exceptional impact on the lives that he touched.

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet with Randy and his wife Lisa earlier this year, just days before Randy's passing. Randy shared with me his story in a letter he wrote.

ALS is a devastating disease that takes a tremendous toll on those living with the disease, as well as their families and caregivers. Despite this disease, Randy continued to live life to the fullest. Following his diagnosis, he created a bucket list of all the things he wished to accomplish and managed to complete every item on it. In his own words, Randy told me his most exhilarating experience was skydiving with his daughter, and his fondest memory was watching his son graduate high school and college.

Mr. Speaker, Randy shared with me what his life was like with ALS. In his letter, he said: ``You can be me for just one hour. Get comfy on your couch. Put your phone and remote out of reach. Standing for any reason is against the rules. I can't stand, so neither can you. Now for the hard part . . . when you get an itch--and you will . . . THERE IS NO SCRATCHING. If you survive the hour, kudos to you. Imagine that 24/ 7. Welcome to my world.''

I was touched by Randy's letter. And I wrote him a note following our meeting, reflecting on

our meeting and sharing this--I will do all I can to help provide the resources necessary to fight this terrible disease.

Randy and his wife, Lisa, were tireless champions for individuals affected by ALS, traveling to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. to share their story and advocate for a cure. Their efforts extended beyond legislative halls as they supported ALS research initiatives, raised public awareness, and provided unwavering emotional and practical support to families affected by the disease. Through their dedicated activism, Randy and Lisa have profoundly impacted the ALS community.

Randy graduated from Ephrata High School in 1982, where he played football, baseball, and was on the diving team. Following graduation, Randy joined the Marine Corps and served until 1985. We extend our gratitude to Randy for his service and dedication to our country. He was a loving husband to Lisa, a father to Calvin and Victoria, a grandfather to two, and a friend to all. Randy will be deeply missed.

We wish those who are grieving comfort and give thanks for the opportunity to know Randy who positively impacted so many people during his 60 years.

Madam Speaker, thank my friend for yielding a few minutes of the Special Order.

I rise today, Madam Speaker, to honor the life and memory of Mr. Randy Alan Walker of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, who passed away last month after a 10-year battle with ALS. Randy had an exceptional impact on the lives that he touched.

Madam Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet with Randy and his wife, Lisa, earlier this year just days before Randy's passing. Randy shared with me his story in a letter that he wrote.

ALS is a devastating disease that takes a tremendous toll on those living with the disease as well as their families and caregivers. Despite this disease, Randy continued to live life to the fullest.

Following his diagnosis, he created a bucket list of all of the things he wished to accomplish, and he managed to complete every item on it.

In his own words, Randy told me his most exhilarating experience was skydiving with his daughter and his fondest memory was watching his son graduate high school and college.

Madam Speaker, Randy shared with me what his life was like with ALS. In his letter, he said: You can be me for just 1 hour. Get comfy on your couch. Put your phone down and remote out of reach. Standing for any reason is against the rules. I can't stand. Neither can you. Now, for the hard part, when you get an itch, and you will, there is no scratching. If you survive the hour, kudos to you. Imagine that 24/7. Welcome to my world.

Randy and his wife, Lisa, were tireless champions for individuals affected by ALS, traveling to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., to share their story and advocate for a cure.

Their efforts extended beyond legislative halls as they supported ALS research initiatives, raised public awareness, and provided unwavering emotional and practical support to families affected by the disease. Through their dedicated activism, Randy and Lisa have profoundly impacted the ALS community.

Randy graduated from Ephrata High School in 1982 where he played football, baseball, and was on the diving team. Following graduation, Randy joined the Marine Corps and served until 1985.

We extend our gratitude to Randy for his service and dedication to our country. He was a loving husband to Lisa, a father to Calvin and Victoria, a grandfather to two, and a friend to all. Randy will be deeply missed.

We wish those who are grieving comfort and give thanks for the opportunity to know Randy who positively impacted so many people during his 60 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Willow Street Fire Company in Willow Street, Pennsylvania on 100 years of service to the community.

The Willow Street Fire Company was founded in June 1924 by volunteers that recognized the need to provide fire and emergency services to their community. Today, the company's 40-person membership remains 100 percent volunteer-based, a reflection of their dedication to the well- being of the community.

You never know when you might need emergency services, but you are always thankful they are there when you need them. These heroes risk their lives in dangerous situations for people they likely do not know. This kind of selflessness is beyond admirable.

Willow Street Fire Company responds to almost 500 calls every year and services West Lampeter Township and Providence Township. They also provide mutual aid to surrounding townships.

For 100 years, Willow Street Fire Company emergency and rescue service volunteers have demonstrated what it means to be a good neighbor. I thank them for the heroism and bravery they demonstrate daily.

Congratulations to Willow Street Fire Company. I wish them a happy 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Air Force Sergeant Norman ''Norm'' Crone for his devotion and service to our Nation.

Norm enlisted in the Air Force as a young man, inspired by his father's passion for model airplanes. After undergoing basic training and aircraft and engine school to become a mechanic, Norm's role changed when he was instead asked to be a flight engineer due to a shortage. He serviced the C54 Globe Master aircraft mostly out of Wiesbaden, Germany, often flying over the Iron Curtain.

Norm had the unique honor of flying with ``the Candy Bomber'' himself, Colonel Gail Halverson, during the Berlin Airlift. Norm helped package and attach the parachutes to the Hershey's chocolate bars being dropped to the children. He reflected, ``It was a heartwarming experience to see the children eagerly waiting below . . . knew we were making their day a little brighter.''

Norm was discharged at the beginning of the Korean War, prompting him to reenlist and serve his country again. He was stationed in Kadena Okinawa, Japan, with a team carrying out bombing missions near the Manchurian border.

During his service, Norm suffered an injury in a plane crash. In Korea, he also had to bail out during a bombing mission, in which many servicemen did not survive. In honor of his remarkable service, he has received numerous awards, including the WWII Victory Medal. the United Nations Service with the Air Force, and the Purple Heart.

Mr. Speaker, it takes someone of extraordinary character to risk their life, time after time, for the sake of this country. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, I want to thank Norm for his exemplary service to our Nation. We are forever indebted to his heroism and bravery in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Weiss of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, for his 35 years of service in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Marc enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1988. He began his career of military leadership at Foxtrot Battery, 109th Field Artillery Regiment, where he eventually became First Sergeant.

For the last two and a half years, Marc led the 213th Regional Support Group. Marc's colleagues speak highly of his dedication to understanding units within his command, which he did to better prepare and lead the formations.

Throughout his career, Marc was involved in overseas missions to Bosnia, Kosovo, England, and Iraq, as well as multiple state and drug interdiction missions.

Upon his retirement, Marc was presented with the Legion of Merit award for his devoted service and career.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Sgt. Maj. Weiss for his commitment to our Nation and his selfless service. We are indebted to the 35 years of sacrifice he has given. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate WGAL News 8 for 75 years on the air.

For more than seven decades, the WGAL News 8 team has dedicated themselves to covering the news and providing entertainment to millions of people across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

WGAL has proven itself a staple in the homes of Pennsylvanians. They have provided coverage on a variety of topics from the most endearing segments like the old Percy the Platypus, to Pennsylvanian traditions like the Farm Show, and keeping residents informed on breaking news,

WGAL has paved the way for news coverage in the modern age. They were the first station in the Susquehanna Valley to provide live news coverage via a mobile news truck, allowing them to begin broadcasting from anywhere in the region.

Over the last 75 years, the news industry and the world have drastically changed, but the devotion of WGAL to provide essential news coverage and local entertainment has not. The news delivered by the WGAL team marks the beginning and end of the day for many people, and their impact on the community cannot be understated.

The team at WGAL News 8 has been there through moments of jubilation and national tragedy. Through it all, the community could count on receiving the news from this trusted source.

Congratulations to WGAL News 8 as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. I wish them all the best in their next 75 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Elizabethtown High School Bowling Team on winning the Pennsylvania State High School Bowling Championship.

The nail biting, back and forth matchup was a hard-fought battle of skill, technique, and determination. The final few frames ended in a series of splits that drove up the anticipation in the alley. Finally, the Elizabethtown Bears were able to seal the deal by five pins.

Bowling requires a unique set of athletic capabilities and teamwork to strike your way to a victory.

The Elizabethtown Bowling Team should be extraordinarily proud of this success and all their accomplishments throughout the season.

I congratulate them on their State Championship victory and wish them all the best of luck in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Karl Kreiser on his retirement after serving as a coach to Columbia High School Basketball for 28 years.

Karl served a total of seventeen years as the Girls Varsity Head Coach, while also coaching the varsity boys' team for four years and acting as the skipper for the boys' junior high team for an additional seven years.

Karl followed in the footsteps of his father, Elmer Kreiser, the Columbia Boys Basketball Coaching legend who established the program's legacy across the Commonwealth.

Respected on and off the court, Karl's coaching was defined by his mentorship. The focal point of his leadership was ensuring his players knew the importance of giving back to the people in the community.

The legacy of Coach Karl Kreiser is displayed all around the Crimson Tide gymnasium in the form of banners and trophies adorning the walls. Over his nearly three decades of coaching, Karl won 431 games. In his last four seasons with the Girls Varsity Team, Columbia won three section crowns, a league title, while making it to four district championships, and three state playoffs.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Coach Karl Kreiser on a remarkable career and wish him well as he begins his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

I was very pleased to see this move out of the Education and the Workforce Committee in a bipartisan manner. I congratulate Ranking Member Scott and Chairwoman Foxx for putting this bill on the floor today.

This bill is a big priority not only of mine, but for the district that I represent, for employers in the district there, and will help many workers achieve a better life through connection with a great job and a great career.

Mr. Speaker, I mention several things in the bill that are important to my constituents. One, reducing red tape to help qualified training providers have access to the Eligible Training Provider List, through which they can receive WIOA funding.

Additionally, this bill includes significant portions of my bipartisan bill to codify and strengthen the reentry program, which helps those exiting the justice system find stable employment and reintegrate into their communities.

The bill before us today also includes a piece of legislation that I co-led with Mr. Moran of Texas, which allows in-school youth to access individualized training accounts, through which they can participate in training programs and get a jump start on their careers.

Finally, H.R. 6655 clarifies that online training providers are eligible to participate in WIOA, as long as they meet rigorous outcome requirements.

The A Stronger Workforce for America Act includes meaningful reforms that will make the WIOA system more impactful and would develop a new generation of workers who can meet the economic needs of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Guthrie for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill, the Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act, which I am proud to be an original cosponsor of.

Now, we have heard of the many benefits of direct primary care. Certainly, I have seen that in my community, where we have many patients accessing their care through doctors providing direct primary care, which is receiving primary care services for a simple, flat monthly fee. We have seen that it keeps patients out of emergency rooms, improves health outcomes, and it yields savings. I also believe it will yield savings to the Medicaid program in this case.

This bill clarifies that State Medicaid programs may include direct primary care arrangements and, as I said, will help vulnerable beneficiaries access low-cost and high-quality healthcare services.

I think giving States that flexibility is a great step in the right direction as well. When State Medicaid programs innovate on behalf of their patients, especially with something like this--leveraging value- based care delivery models like direct primary care--I think patients and taxpayers will be the winners.

I would also mention a bill that I have introduced, the Primary Care Enhancement Act, which would allow patients or individuals with health savings accounts to access primary care and have that cost be included as a qualified expense in the HSA. This will be another way to expand access to primary care.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Guthrie for yielding time, and I thank Mr. Crenshaw for his important work on this bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Warwick Middle School Future City Team on their recent success at the Future City Competition in Washington, D.C.

The Future City Competition invites students from across the country to showcase their innovative research and design. Students have the opportunity to develop engineering projects that address the critical, complex, and real world needs of communities across the globe.

This year's Warwick Middle School team placed third in the national competition with their model of Sydney, Australia. Additionally, the team won the special award for ``Most Sustainable Food Production System.'' A fitting recognition considering their familiarity with the rich agricultural heritage of Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

It fills me with great hope when I see the innovation and creativity displayed by the next generation. These Warwick Middle School students demonstrate the hard work and determination needed to become the leaders of tomorrow.

They have made all of us in the 11th District extraordinarily proud. Congratulations to the Warwick Middle School Future City Team on their success, and I wish them all the best in the future.