Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Mushna Subba, Ben Thomas, and Wyatt Clare from Penn Manor High School for achieving two first-place finishes in the Sea Air and Land Challenge (SEAL) at Millersville University.

SEAL is a STEM competition sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Millersville University is one of the many schools in the Nation that host this program, bringing in teams of high school students from across the region. The competition requires that students design and build robotic systems to use in challenges mimicking military-inspired missions.

Entering their drone into two challenges designed by the United States' finest special operations forces, Ms. Subba, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Clare secured two first-place wins. Their hard work as a team and application of their classroom lessons gartered them their victory. This achievement marked the second year in a row a Penn Manor High School team placed in the top two positions.

Mr. Speaker, these brilliant young individuals represent our Nation's next generation of STEM innovators. They serve as inspirations for those around them to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Their success helps provide recognition for the important role STEM plays in keeping our country safe. I thank them for their ambition and drive to participate in such a program. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Reist Popcorn Company on their milestone 100th anniversary.

In 1925, a Lancaster County farmer named Alvin Reist founded what would become Reist Popcorn Company. The business grew and then moved to its current, iconic location in Mount Joy Borough in 1937. Through four generations and a century of hard work, Reist Popcorn Company remains the easternmost popcorn processor in the United States. They supply manufacturers, distributors, and concessionaires. Their product can be found in movie theaters and on store shelves. In the past two decades, Reist Popcorn has expanded their business into transporting grain and meals along the nearby railway and by tapping into the international market. They have also partnered with growers across the country and boosted production in their Mount Joy facility.

Very few businesses can say they have lasted one hundred years, but Reist Popcorn's business has been popping ever since their founding in 1925. I am proud to say that I represent such a hard-working and resilient company such as Reist Popcorn, and I wish them another century of success.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Mr. David Groff for his 50 years of service with Garden Spot Fire Rescue (GSFR).

Mr. Groff began his service as a firefighter, joining the then-called Liberty Fire Company at his friends' invitation when he was 17 years old. From his early days with the department, he demonstrated a heartfelt dedication to bettering his community, saving countless victims from fires, and of all kinds of danger, particularly vehicular incidents. Having entered prior to the implantation of modern rescue technology, such as the Hurst Power Rescue Tool, Mr. Groff rescued victims by hand and demonstrated an undeterred spirit for service.

For 19 years, he served as a career emergency medical technician, or EMT, with Brickerville Fire & EMS Company. He went on to become GSFR's EMS sergeant, where he played a key role in securing a Quick Response Service certification from the Pennsylvania State Department of Health. Throughout his time with Garden Spot Fire Rescue, he has helped further the department's reputation for safety, excellence, and efficiency.

Despite battling cancer, Mr. Groff remains committed to serving his community. His unwavering stamina toward making a difference deserves recognition. I am grateful for his selfless years of service to his community and for all he has done for Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Tammy Tome, recipient of Visiting Angels' 2025 National Caregiver of the Year award.

Visiting Angels is a national organization that provides in-home care to seniors. Each year, they recognize one of their caregivers whose work exemplifies the mission of the organization. With over 600 franchises across the country, the Caregiver of the Year award is both highly competitive and prestigious.

While Ms. Tome joined Visiting Angels in 2023, she has served as a caregiver for twenty-five years. In this short time, she has made a profound impact on those she serves, consistently showing clients the compassion and dignity they deserve. She visits clients in their homes, providing everything from assistance with daily needs to care for those facing terminal illnesses.

Tammy's clients and their families have noted the immense impact she has had on their quality of life. One client's wife remarked, ``Tammy has given our family a sense of peace, stability, and a sense of hope.'' She is widely respected for her professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to those in her care.

I thank Tammy for her remarkable work and steadfast commitment to caring for seniors in our community. Her compassion and service set an example for all, and I wish her continued success in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and recognize Lighthouse Vocational Services on their 50th anniversary.

Lighthouse Vocational Services, a faith-based nonprofit, provides vocational services and training to adults with developmental disabilities. Starting as a humble organization in 1975 where they served three participants in a firehouse, Lighthouse quickly transformed into a service that has helped individuals across Lancaster and the surrounding counties. Moving to their current New Holland facility in 2000, Lighthouse Vocational Services helps over 200 individuals today.

Lighthouse Vocational Services provides vocational skills training, employment services, and volunteer opportunities which help individuals with disabilities develop confidence, fulfillment, economic freedom, and connections with the local community. Lighthouse also provides daily activities and art programs for the individuals they serve.

In the 50 years since its opening, Lighthouse Vocational Services has continued in its faith-focused mission to uplift individuals with disabilities. I have seen their work firsthand and am proud to say that their selflessness and hospitality represents what makes Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District so great.

I thank the entire team at Lighthouse Vocational Services for all that they do, and I wish them another 50 years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the life of Mr. Samuel Bigler of Millersville Borough, who passed away on July 1, 2025, at the age of 78.

Mr. Samuel Bigler, known as Sam, was a father to Evan and a husband to Cindy. He was a strong presence in the Lancaster community as a veteran, an Olympic weightlifter, a teacher, a business owner, a volunteer, and much more.

A 1965 graduate of Co]umbia High School, Sam enlisted in the U.S. Army and served between 1966 and 1969. Having lifted weights since a young age, Sam continued this passion and won numerous national and international titles and awards, culminating in a spot on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Weightlifting team in Montreal, Canada and a tenth-place finish.

Sam attended Millersville State College and received a bachelor's and master's degree in education. He then served as a reading specialist at Thaddeus Stevens College for 33 years. During this time, Sam began a rental property business with his wife, Cindy.

Sam was also impactful in his volunteer capacity. He served on the Millersville Zoning Board, the local Republican committee, and was a mentor to individuals participating in the Lancaster County Veteran's Court program.

Sam's impact on the community cannot be understated, and I am glad to have known him. As we celebrate the life of Sam Bigler, we offer our prayers of comfort to his family during this time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Master Sergeant Steven Williams for his appointment as the 41st Drum Major of ``The President's Own'' Marine Band.

Master Sergeant Williams, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, graduated from Lampeter-Strasburg High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002, where he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Beaufort, South Carolina. He later attended Marine Combat Training and the basic course at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia, as a trumpet player. From January to September 2005, he was deployed to the Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

Prior to joining ``The President's Own'', he was stationed with the 2D Marine Division Band at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He became Assistant Drum Major for ``The President's Own'' in April 2013, where he assisted in leading the band in ceremonial duties and oversaw unit training. As Drum Major, Master Sergeant Williams directs ``The President's Own'' in its duties, which include performing at ceremonies such as the inaugural parade, and reviews for the President, heads of State, and dignitaries.

I want to thank and congratulate Master Sergeant Williams for his invaluable service to our country at home and abroad, and for his appointment as 41st Drum Major of ``The President's Own.'' I wish him continued success in his military service and further pursuits.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Mr. Ethan Albright of Hempfield High School for his achievement of third place in the `Material Science' category at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, a competition including 1,700 students and representing over 60 countries.

Mr. Albright, a rising senior at Hempfield High School in Lancaster County, was also the Division Champion at the 2025 North Museum Science and Engineering Fair. Mr. Albright is the first North Museum Science & Engineering champion to win an award in international competition since 2017.

In both competitions, his project centered on experimenting with and designing fully biodegradable fishing lures as an eco-friendly, cost- effective replacement for plastic lures. The worm-shaped lure, made from a biopolymer recipe, could substitute for traditional soft plastic lures which can break off hooks and sink to the bottom of waterways. Mr. Albright cites his early memories of swimming and fishing on the Susquehanna River with his father as the driving motivation for his desire to keep our community's waterways clean and plastic-free.

I want to congratulate Mr. Albright on his achievement at the local and international level, and to recognize the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit that went into his project. As a fisherman myself, I am grateful for Mr. Albright's contributions to solving the pollution issue. I wish him continued success in his studies and pursuits.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize Cheyenne Peckne, a 911 operator whose instructions helped coach a wife to give CPR to her husband who had suffered a heart attack.

An often-overlooked role in the first responder community is that of our 911 operators. While not as visible as other first responders, they are the first line of contact and convene the proper authorities during an emergency. They receive calls from distressed individuals and have to act fast with limited information.

Cheyenne is an 18-year-old from York, PA, who started her role as a 911 operator only a few weeks ago. On May 8, 2025, the Red Lion Area Ambulance Association and Laurel Fire Company received a call for a health emergency. Cheyenne picked up the call, and on the other end, a woman whose husband had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Over the next few minutes, Cheyenne comforted the women and assured her that help was on the way. Cheyenne then began to instruct the women on how to give CPR to her husband. This would continue until first responders were able to reach the home and transport the man to the hospital. While this interaction only took a few minutes, it was crucial to saving the man's life.

In a reception a few weeks after the incident, Cheyenne had the opportunity to meet the family and be recognized for her actions. She stated, ``The wife did an amazing job. . . she is the one who saved her husband.''

I thank Cheyenne for her remarkable work and commitment to serving the public in this role. We can take comfort in knowing that she will continue to help members of our community in times of crisis.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the Manheim Central High School boys' volleyball team on winning the PIAA Class 2A State championship on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

The Manheim Central Barons cruised through the regular season, the District Three championship, and state playoffs to end up exactly where they had been the previous year: in the PIAA Class 2A championship match against the same opponent. Manheim Central came up just short with a silver medal in last year's championship match against Meadville but avenged their past loss this season. The Barons played with determination and delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over their previously undefeated rivals on June 14 to capture the gold.

Contributing to the Barons' state championship was their cast of talent, which included six District Three 2A all-stars. This included senior setter and leader Dylan Musser, who was named as the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association's ``Mr. Volleyball of Pennsylvania''--among other accolades--and was instrumental in their championship with 43 assists. Also integral to their success was veteran coach Craig Dietrich, who was awarded District Three coach of the year.

I include in the Record the following individuals contributed to the Manheim Central Barons' 2025 boys' volleyball championship:

Players: Reagan Miller, Cole Arter, Dylan Musser, William

Meyers, Daniel Becker, Colin Rohrer, Weston Longenecker,

Christopher Neiles, Caleb Groff, Gavin Longenecker, Wyatt

Buckwalter, Ryder Buckwalter, Bryan Fahnestock, Asher Ulrich,

Landon Mattiace, Jay Hollinger

Coaches: Craig Dietrich, Katrina Thomas, Brandon Musser,

Kevin Groff

As Manheim Central boys' volleyball team crowns a fantastic season with a gold medal, I sincerely congratulate each player and coach that made their success possible. The Barons have earned their place as state champions, and I look forward to seeing what these players accomplish next.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor and congratulate Dr. Beth Haldeman on her retirement after 25 years with Cocalico School District.

Dr. Beth Haldeman's history with Cocalico School District, located in northern Lancaster County, began in 2000 as the reading specialist and principal at the former Schoeneck Elementary School. She served in a similar capacity when she became principal of Denver Elementary in 2002 and then principal at Reamstown Elementary in 2008. In 2019, Dr. Haldeman joined the district administration as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. In this crucial and wide-ranging role, she oversaw state and local assessments, library services, professional development, special services, and academic supports.

Though she will be greatly missed by the Cocalico School District, Dr. Haldeman's experience and contributions to education will be utilized in her new role as the director of professional development for the Pennsylvania Principals Association, where she will be training future principals across Pennsylvania.

Dr. Beth Haldeman's contributions to the Cocalico School District have left a lasting impact on both the school district and Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District, which has no shortage of selfless educators.

I thank Dr. Haldeman for her service and wish her all the best in her new career.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor and congratulate Mr. Larry Richardson on his retirement as President and CEO of YMCA of the Roses.

Prior to his time with the YMCA, Mr. Larry Richardson was an educator and football coach. He joined the York YMCA in 1994 during a difficult time for the organization, which has since seen tremendous positive change under his leadership. During his tenure, the York YMCA expanded to include a technology center, the Graham Aquatic Center near Kiwanis Lake, a branch in Shrewsbury, and much more. He also strengthened the York YMCA's impact on housing insecurity and homelessness--a mission exemplified by the affordable housing programs and homeless shelter they operate.

What was formerly known as the York County YMCA merged with the Lancaster County YMCA in 2021 to become YMCA of the Roses. Mr. Richardson was instrumental in this merger. At a time when the Lancaster YMCA was financially struggling, his leadership saved the organization from closure. Since then, the YMCA of the Roses has continued to focus on housing, social responsibility, and healthy living in both York and Lancaster County.

As President and CEO for the YMCA of the Roses, Mr. Larry Richardson has provided an invaluable service to the community. The YMCA of the Roses has transformed lives under his leadership, and I am proud and thankful to have such a strong community-minded organization in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. I wish the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, this bill represents a tiny fraction of the total we are spending annually. It is a tiny fraction, 0.2 percent, one-fifth of a percent of what President Biden added to the debt over the last 4 years. Yet, Democrats are saying that these savings are cruel. They literally said this will destroy America as we know it. No one outside of the beltway will take them seriously.

Have my Democratic colleagues even looked at what is in this bill before attacking? Is it cruel to suggest that American taxpayers shouldn't have to pay $60,000 to celebrate DEI in the Netherlands or $30,000 to foster ``queer-feminist discourse'' in Albania?

Is it cruel to cut a program spending $700,000 to expand fruit and jam sales in Honduras?

By the way, speaking of jam, my last name is Smucker, but even I know that is a bad deal.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you what will destroy America as we know it, and that is this unsustainable debt that we are passing on to our kids and grandkids. I urge my colleagues to support this rescission package.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Cooper Lehman and Braylen Garcia of Hempfield High School on winning the 2025 PIAA Class 3A boys' Tennis Doubles championship on May 24.

Senior Cooper Lehman and freshman Braylen Garcia dominated the 2025 tennis season. Their doubles team was instrumental in Hempfield's 15- win start and claiming the Section One title, second place finish in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, and fourth place finish in the district 3A team tournaments. Ending with a 16-4 record, the Hempfield Black Knights advanced to states. On May 24, Lehman and Garcia defeated their opponents from Dallastown after climbing back from a large deficit.

Lehman and Garcia crowned an excellent season with their state title. The duo also won the Lancaster-Lebanon League title and the District Three title weeks prior. This run wraps up a prolific high school career for Cooper Lehman, who will be continuing to play tennis at the University of Mary Washington, and it shows great promise for Braylen Garcia who is just beginning his high school playing career.

Winning the Class 3A boys' tennis doubles championship is an exceptional achievement for Hempfield's Cooper Lehman and Braylen Garcia, and I congratulate them on their victory. May they hoist their medals high with great pride in their efforts. I look forward to seeing what these students accomplish next.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor and congratulate Mr. Leon Ressler on his retirement after 37 years with Penn State Extension in Lancaster County.

Across nearly four decades, Leon Ressler has served Penn State Extension, a Pennsylvania-wide educational organization and network focusing on science, agriculture, and the environment, in many roles. Leon's tenure with Penn State Extension began in 1988. Ultimately, he became Lancaster County Extension Director in 2001. Though his titles and duties changed over the years with the reorganization of Penn State Extension, he managed finances, developed budgets, and coordinated with local counties on development and grants. He took a step back from his role in 2017 to become an Extension Educator, where he served on the agronomy team and assisted farms with his expertise in nutrient management, water quality, and sustainable agriculture--just a few of his areas of his vast knowledge of agriculture.

Beyond his time with Penn State Extension, Leon Ressler is a frequent contributor to Lancaster Farming, a churchgoer, a political volunteer, and is himself a farmer in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania. He holds bachelor's degrees in agronomy and plant science, and has a master's degree in environmental pollution control, all of which are from Penn State.

As he transitions his focus from Penn State Extension back to his farm, I thank Leon Ressler for his service to the agricultural community. His expertise and commitment have positively impacted not just the farmers in Lancaster County, but the health of the people and environment across Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. I wish him continued success in all that he does.