Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Friday was International Women's Day and, today, I rise to recognize the service of a remarkable woman in my district: Ms. Patricia Sincavage of Lititz, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Sincavage has served as an occupational therapist at the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center since 1978. She joined the VA after graduating from Elizabethtown College. The Lebanon VA serves about 80 percent of the veterans who reside in my district.

She has spent the entirety of her professional career giving back to our veterans. Occupational therapy can assist veterans in continuing to take care of their health needs while still doing the activities they enjoy simply by adapting or doing things differently.

Ms. Sincavage is retiring from the VA after 43 years of service. She has four children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She has served our Nation's veterans well, and it is an honor to recognize her today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about our economy and the state of the American workforce.

With reforms enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as well as needed regulatory relief, nearly every economic indicator is pointing up. The latest U.S. jobs report shows our economy is at its strongest rate in 13 years. Unemployment is at a record low across the board. Wages are growing at the fastest level in over a decade. Business investment is strong. Best of all, American families are keeping more money in their pockets. But new success brings a new set of challenges.

The number of job openings in the U.S. hit a record high last month of 7.3 million. We have gone from, ``Where are the jobs?'' to, ``Where are the workers?'' While it may seem positive that there are more jobs open than workers to fill them, I fear that, without addressing the needs of our workforce, we will stifle our incredible economic growth.

According to a study conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business, 22 percent of business owners cite the difficulty in finding workers as their single most important business problem. I hear this from every employer I meet with in my district. The number of job openings is staggering and must be addressed.

In fact, every few months I meet with a group of staffing companies. These individuals operate companies that fill positions ranging from temporary to permanent work in various industries. Between these staffing companies, they would be able to fill thousands of jobs today if they could find the necessary workers. Every day, these positions go unfilled and opportunities are lost.

To help alleviate this situation, I plan on introducing legislation to help build a workforce pipeline.

One bill, the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, which I will be introducing next week, encourages charitable donations for community- based apprenticeship initiatives, career and technical education, workforce development, and K-12 educational preparedness.

Enacting this proposed legislation will help meet the urgent need to ensure the preparation of current and future workers for the changing needs of the U.S. economy. Job creation and job preparation must go hand in hand.

Another area we must evaluate to help fill out workforce shortages is our Nation's visa system. Our current system spans the spectrum of foreign work visas, but does not address a main driver of illegal immigration.

My bill, the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act, would help address the gap in the spectrum. This legislation will create a market- driven immigration visa program targeted to workers in occupations that do not require a college degree, otherwise defined as ``less skilled'' to do year-round, non-farm work, creating a new ``H-2D visa.'' This H- 2D visa would only go into effect if the unemployment rate is 5 percent or lower in the metropolitan area where an employer is seeking employees.

Moreover, this bill would implement a two-track system in which employers and potential immigrant laborers are both required to receive a permit to work in the U.S.

Much like our other visa programs, employers will have to prove they are unable to hire a U.S. worker after undergoing the required market tests. Employees are only allowed to work for an approved employer, at the approved location, in the specific job that was approved, and all employers will be required to use E-Verify.

While just a start, Mr. Speaker, I believe these bills will help strengthen our workforce and help meet the needs of employers to continue supporting our economic growth. I urge my colleagues to support them and to help continue our country's track record of success and keep us on the right economic path.

Madam Speaker, March is Women's History Month, and I am proud to honor some remarkable women in my district.

Today, I would like to recognize Ms. Joan Espenshade, a woman from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who gave back to our community by creating an extraordinary program to feed those in need.

In 2005, Joan learned that some local children were food insecure on weekends when the school's free lunch program was not available to them, so she decided to step in and help parents make better use of their limited food dollars.

She founded the Power Packs Project to provide food and nutritional information to low-income families. Not only did she help those families, but Power Packs now extends to 45 schools in 13 districts with 350 volunteers.

Joan stepped down as president of Power Packs after 9 years in 2014, but her vision and impact can still be seen as the program continues today.

We are thankful for people like Joan who remind us of the importance of caring for those in need. It is an honor to recognize her today.

Mr. Chairman, Democrats have been marketing H.R. 1 as a necessary election reform measure, but the ugly truth is that this bill is not for the people. It is for the Democratic Party.

The ugly truth is that this bill is a massive Federal overreach. The ugly truth is that this bill won't make our elections safer or more democratic. The ugly truth is that this bill would fundamentally change the principles of our election system, all at a cost to the average American taxpayer.

And this bill would infringe on the rights of our colleges and universities, where so many students go to learn and grow, outside of the influence of politics.

Instead of promoting the freedom of ideas, this bill limits the right to free speech. The ugly truth is this bill violates the U.S. Constitution, the document which makes our country so great.

Instead of calling this bill the For the People Act, it should be called the ``Democrat Politician Protection Act.''

This bill is nothing but a top-down power grab to take our election system, reverse it, and send it completely off course. Beyond that, this bill contains numerous provisions attempting to weaponize our institutions of higher learning, where people go to learn.

H.R. 1 forces our colleges and universities to divert resources to election-related tasks, including provisions for colleges and universities to automatically register students to vote.

Students could also establish a second residency, which is, essentially, another way of weakening the voting system and giving them, potentially, the right to vote not once, but twice. You heard that right. There are no other people in our country who get to be registered to vote in two locations. Under H.R. 1, this could be allowed.

Article I, section 4 of our Constitution gives States the right to determine their own registration and voting practices, not our Federal Government.

This bill blatantly violates our own constitutional rights as well as the rights of our higher education institutions.

As the Republican leader on the House Education and Labor, Higher Education and Workforce Investment Committee, we should be focusing on making colleges more affordable and helping more students complete their degrees, not subjecting them to electioneering efforts.

I cannot support a Federal overreach into places where students should be free to learn without the influence of politics. We must reject this overreach. We must speak now and stand up against this power grab before it is too late.

I will be voting against this measure, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, today, during Black History Month, I rise to celebrate Rita Smith-Wade-El, a leader in my community of Lancaster. Rita passed away last month, but her impact will be felt in our community forever.

She was a fierce leader on social justice issues and racial equality in our community. Her life can best be described as a life of service and a life of compassion. She served as a lector, eucharistic minister, and social justice

committee member. She was always trying to lighten the load for others and lend a helping hand.

Rita saw those in need and recognized that if she had the power to give, she would, and even if it wasn't in her power, she would try anyway.

Rita was a longtime Millersville University professor of psychology and African American studies and founded the school's African American studies minor.

I am very happy to celebrate her life today. We will miss her in our community, and we will miss her contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to honor an Olympic champion and truly one of the greatest athletes my district has ever produced: Mr. Henry Norwood, otherwise known as ``Barney,'' Ewell.

Mr. Ewell was born into poverty and grew up in Lancaster. He attended McCaskey High School and later went on to attend Penn State. He served his country for 4 years, from 1941 to 1945, during World War II.

He became known as the fastest man in the world after he broke the world record for the 50-yard dash in 1940. He went on to win one gold and two silver medals at the 1948 Olympics in London.

I know people who still recall cheering on the streets in Lancaster City after Barney Ewell returned from London, having won the medals for our country and for our community.

Mr. Ewell was an inspiration to Lancaster City, and it is an honor to highlight his story today.

Madam Speaker, as you know, this month is Black History Month, and I am taking some time to remember African Americans who have made a difference in the community where I live.

I rise today to honor one of my community's civil rights and community leaders, Mr. Nelson Polite, Sr., of Lancaster. Mr. Polite was one of the early leaders in the civil rights movement in Lancaster in the 1960s. He was a fierce advocate who worked hard to change the unjust policies of segregation.

Mr. Polite devoted his life to the ideals of fairness and justice for everyone, regardless of their skin color. He organized protests against Whites-only admittance at Rocky Springs pool and followed in the footsteps of his father, who helped found the Lancaster NAACP.

Mr. Polite led by example and represented the goodness of our community. He was active in his church and worked to ensure that residents had job opportunities, housing, and overall quality of life.

He served as a Lancaster councilman for 12 years. This month, Black History Month, marks 3 years since he passed away, but the evidence of the change that he fought for is evident in our community. I was proud to count him as a personal friend, and it is my honor to remember him today and, this month, highlight the work that he did.

Madam Speaker, due to illness I missed Roll Call vote No. 59. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 59.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor one of Lancaster County's most honored public servants and a true hero, former Denver Fire Company Chief, John Weaver, who passed away on January 26.

John served our community for 50 years. He became a junior fireman when he was just 14 years old. He later joined the Denver Fire Company when he was 18, in 1969.

He held every officer position, including fire chief. He became a fire instructor, and most recently, he was one of the primary drivers for the fire department. He was a brave man who helped make the fire department what it is today.

John was also an entrepreneur who founded a manufacturing company, Weaver Industries. Beyond working for the fire company and saving lives there, John was also involved in our community. He believed in giving back and serving others.

He served on the Cocalico School Board for 12 years, and coached golf and bowling. John found great joy in helping people and set a wonderful example for all of us.

He leaves behind a wife, three sons, and four grandchildren. May we remember his giving spirit and may he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Dick Shellenberger, a wonderful man who dedicated his life to serving Lancaster County.

Dick recently passed away and left an enormous legacy in our community. I attended a memorial in his honor on Friday, and you could tell how well-loved he was in the community by so many people who showed up to pay their respects.

Dick first ran a dairy farm with his father. He was a graduate of Lancaster Mennonite High School. He worked for Kreider Farms and established the farm's ice cream business, operating its four family restaurants, two dairy stores, and wholesale milk business. He then was a restaurateur, but he eventually became Lancaster County Commissioner.

He was a strong proponent of farmland preservation because he knew the importance of agriculture and farming in our community. He served on many community boards and on his church boards and was always looking for ways to give back.

He is survived by his wife, Pam; a son, Richie; a daughter, Missy; and his six grandchildren.

Dick's legacy will undoubtedly live on in our community. We are grateful for his service to Lancaster County. We also know that he is in a better place, but we will certainly miss him here. It is humbling to be able to honor his life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the accomplishments of residents from my district, who recently competed in the 103rd Annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, which is the nation's largest indoor agricultural exposition.

For one week each January, residents from across the Commonwealth come to view and interact with the best of Pennsylvania's farming community.

Lancaster and York Counties in the district I represent, proudly boast the most fertile soil of anywhere in the world. In our communities, our agricultural traditions and heritage run deep.

We have award winners from all across the district: Steve Topper from Hanover won numerous 1st place awards for his chicken entries; the Espenshades--Evan, Alan and Charlene of Bainbridge won numerous awards for their dairy cattle entries; the Manheim Central FFA Chapter won the ``Best of Show Award'' for Antique Tractor Restoration; a mother and daughter team, Dorothy Martin and her daughter Debra Berkoski of Conestoga, won awards for baked goods while competing against one another.

Alpine Heritage Creamery in Paradise had award-winning cheese; Kermit Miller of Felton and Charles Hess of Pequea have award winning soybeans; and Madam Speaker, breweries and vineyards from across the district were remarkably successful--St. Boniface, Aldus Brewing, Swashbuckler Brewing, Stoudt Brewing, Mount Hope Winery, Nissley, Levengood's and Wynridge all took awards home this year.

I'd also like to congratulate all the members of the Future Farmers of America from my district who received their Keystone Degrees this year and who entered exhibits.

Their dedication of learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live and living to serve--the FFA motto--will provide them lessons that they will use all of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a constituent and a friend of mine, Mr. Ken Schwebel, of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, who faithfully served as the chairman of the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors in 2018. Ken also currently serves as the president of the Witmer Group, a leading regional masonry company.

Ken led the Keystone ABC Chapter through many milestones during his time as chair. Under his leadership, the chapter chartered its first- ever college student chapter from Millersville University, and also taught middle-school children more about construction through two Construction War programs.

The chapter also had a record number of participants in networking events, and had the largest enrollment in its apprenticeship program under Ken's leadership.

I would like to congratulate and thank Ken for his service to the construction industry and to our community.

Madam Speaker, I regret I was unable to vote due to a death in the family. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 6; YEA on Roll Call No. 5; NAY on Roll Call No. 4; and NAY on Roll Call No. 3.

Madam Speaker, I regret I was unable to vote due to a death in the family.

Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 11; YEA on Roll Call No. 10; NAY on Roll Call No. 9; YEA on Roll Call No. 8; and NAY on Roll Call No. 7.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and to honor the young women of the Donegal Indians field hockey team, who won the PIAA State championship this year, their second in 3 years.

The Donegal Indians held an impressive 28-1 season record, with 235 points scored and only 19 points scored against them. They can be described in one word: dominating.

They finally met their match in the State championship game, where they were scoreless through regulation. When the team needed to score, they turned to one player, Captain Mackenzie Allessie, who holds the national record for scoring in girls high school field hockey.

Mackenzie racked up an impressive 351 goals during her tenure at Donegal. The last goal that Mackenzie scored lifted the Indians to their second championship.

The team members' drive is a trait that will serve them well in the future. I congratulate them, their coaches, and the community for their victory. I wish them all continued success.

Recognizing Casey Kaufhold

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the amazing accomplishments of Ms. Casey Kaufhold, a 14-year-old freshman at Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Casey is a winner and a world record holder. Last month, she competed with Olympic-class archers from around the world at the World Archery Indoor Series GT Open in Luxembourg. She earned 589 out of 600 possible points to win the gold medal for this event and set a world record for the highest score earned by an archer under the age of 17 during competition.

We are all incredibly proud of Casey's achievements, and we are looking forward to all that is in store for her in the future, which I believe will be as a future Olympian. And if she does so, she will represent our Nation well. We wish her continued success in all of her endeavors.

Recognizing Linn Moedinger

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a man synonymous with railroading in Lancaster County: Mr. Linn Moedinger.

After 51 years--51 years--working for the Strasburg Rail Road, Linn is retiring as president of the Strasburg Rail Road Company.

Strasburg Rail Road was founded in 1832. It is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the Western Hemisphere. After 125 years of declining revenue, 24 individuals, including Linn's parents, decided to buy the railroad.

Today, it is a top tourist destination in the district that I represent. They brought new life to Strasburg Rail Road, turning it into a tourist railroad and helping educate and entertain thousands of visitors in our community each year.

Linn took his first paying job at the Strasburg Rail Road when he was 17. He cleaned the restrooms. Year after year, his responsibilities increased and so did his love for the railroad.

Linn was named president in 2000 and has overseen great expansion of the Strasburg Rail Road, and it is a historical marker in the State of Pennsylvania.

Thank you to Linn for his many years of service, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.