Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the Manheim Township Unified Track and Field team on their first-place victory at the PIAA Unified Track and Field championship on May 23 and 24.

The Manheim Township Blue Streaks excelled at the meet, collecting 59 points and earning the gold medal. Malakai Minguez nabbed gold in the 400-meter race with 58.01 seconds. Bronze medals in the 800-meter race, earned by Cole Richards with a time of 2:23.08, and in the 400-meter relay helped to spur the Blue Streaks to victory.

Manheim Township's championship in 2025 is their third consecutive team title since Unified Track and Field's introduction in 2023.

The Unified Track and Field program is organized by the Special Olympics. Each team has a proportional number of athletes who are eligible to participate in the Special Olympics and includes boys and girls from grades 9 to 12.

As Manheim Township celebrates another Unified Track and Field team championship, I sincerely congratulate the athletes and coaches that have made this accomplishment possible, and I look forward to seeing what these students accomplish next.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Adam Kingston of Manheim Township on winning a gold medal in the Class 3A 3,200-meter run at the PIAA track and field championship on May 24.

The 2025 PIAA Class 3A track and field championship saw students from across Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District excel, but it was Manheim Township senior Adam Kingston who took home the gold. Kingston maintained the lead for the entire 3,200-meter race and crossed the finish line with a time of 8:51:25, a Lancaster-Lebanon League record.

Kingston's state title finishes a storied career at Manheim Township. He was also a part of Manheim Township's 4x800 relay team, alongside Andrew Kemper, Ethan Peffley, and Cole Stevens, which won fourth place later that day.

With his gold medal in the Class 3A 3,200-meter run, Kingston solidified himself as one of Pennsylvania's best track and field athletes. I sincerely congratulate Adam on his success this year and wish him well in his athletic and academic endeavors at Penn State University.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Sophia Rivera of Ephrata High School on winning gold medals in both girls' shot put and girls' discus at the 2025 PIAA Class 3A Track and Field Championship, held on May 23 and 24.

The 2025 PIAA Class 3A track and field championship took place on May 23 and 24,

during which Ephrata junior Sophia Rivera excelled in shot put and discus. On the first day, Rivera captured the state title in girls' shot put with a distance of 43 feet, 3 inches. Her domination continued into girls' discus the following day, where a throw of 143 feet, 3 inches nabbed the gold medal.

Sophia Rivera's two state titles crown a spectacular season and a complete sweep in the postseason, as Rivera won gold medals in both events during the Lancaster-Lebanon League championship and the District Three championship weeks prior.

With two state titles and a total of 6 gold medals during the track and field postseason, Sophia Rivera has firmly established herself as one of Pennsylvania's best in shot put and discus. I offer my sincere congratulations to Sophia on her success this year and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, we are charting a bold new course today for American prosperity. This bill not only builds on the progrowth legacy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it prevents the largest tax hike in American history.

Across the country, years of inflation have taken a bite out of everyone's paycheck. Groceries, gas, and housing all cost more. Americans feel left behind, and this bill is the solution. It delivers immediate relief for working families. It locks in permanent tax cuts, unleashes economic growth, and puts American workers first.

We are talking about saving 6 million jobs, cutting red tape, securing our borders, and supercharging Made in America manufacturing. We do all of this while achieving historic Federal savings. It is possible to reduce spending, provide tax relief, and protect core services for Americans all at once.

This is real, responsible leadership.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is bold, immediately effective, and above all, it is common sense. It is time to pass this act and get America back on the path to prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Rutt Insurance for their 90th anniversary.

Founded in May 1935 by B. Titus Rutt, an orchard manager-turned- insurance salesman. Rutt Insurance is a family-run independent insurance company located on Main Street in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Since Jamie Rutt, Titus's grandson, joined the business in 1991, the company has nearly doubled in size and expanded its reach by acquiring other small agencies.

Rutt Insurance continues to serve the people of Lancaster County with integrity, helping individuals and businesses find the right coverage for their homes, vehicles, and livelihoods. As proud members of the Keystone Insurers Group and the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce, their contributions extend beyond business--they are active participants in building a stronger, more resilient community.

As Rutt Insurance celebrates a milestone anniversary and prepares the next generation of Rutt family leadership, I commend Rutt Insurance for 90 years of hard work, service, and positive community impact. The American Dream is alive in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District, and Rutt Insurance demonstrates that. May their success continue for many more years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize and commend the emergency service personnel who responded to the March 9 plane crash in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

On March 9, 2025, a small plane carrying five people crashed just outside of Lancaster Airport and into the parking lot of Brethren Village, a nearby retirement community in Manheim Township. Within minutes, four EMS agencies arrived and provided lifesaving care to the victims of the airplane crash. The rapid and courageous actions of these first responders proved critical and ultimately contributed to more positive outcomes for the victims involved.

I include in the Record, the following individuals that responded to the scene and deserve our deepest appreciation and recognition for their heroism:

Manheim Township Ambulance Association: David Mortimer, Leanne Yake, Kayla Farkas, Ashlyn Eder, Collin Stritch, and Connor Kriston

Rothsville Ambulance: James Hoover and Lester Martin

Warwick Community Ambulance: Scott Strippel, Karly Emmert, Makayla Arnold, Gabriel Mitchell, and Rosene Ringler

Penn Medicine Lancaster General: Tyler McCardell

I am grateful for the heroism and commitment demonstrated by these individuals and their respective EMS agencies. First responders safeguard our wellbeing, and I am proud to stand here today and recognize their service in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Ecore International for being named Exporter of the Year by the Export- Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).

Beginning as a small cork manufacturer in 1871, Lancaster-based Ecore International is a global leader in circular rubber flooring. Ecore has covered projects from local gyms, turf fields, and playgrounds to NFL locker rooms and Churchill Downs. What makes Ecore truly special is their dedication to sustainability and innovation. Ecore uses recycled rubber and ensures it can be reused continuously, transforming 430 million pounds of rubber waste annually into 1,500 different products.

Ecore International operates in 76 different countries and has 13 facilities across the United States, including 2 in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District. Their recognition as EXIM's Exporter of the Year compliments their noteworthy pedigree of awards and accomplishments.

It is with great pride that I can consider Ecore International among my constituents. I thank the company for helping to solidify Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District as a center for manufacturing and innovation, and once again I congratulate them for being EXIM's Exporter of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor and congratulate Mr. Bill Kepner on his retirement as CEO of United Disabilities Services.

Bill Kepner has a storied history with United Disabilities Services, a nonprofit that helps disabled individuals, veterans, and seniors live more independent and fulfilling lives. He first served as a board member and board president for ten years in two separate stints and joined the organization as their Chief Operating Officer in 2008. Following the departure of Gerry Meck, Bill became CEO in 2010 and has marked his tenure as a vocal advocate for people with disabilities.

Before his position with UDS, Bill was the Chief Operating Officer for the Inglis Foundation, a Philadelphia housing and community services organization for disabled individuals, and he was Regional Vice President for Apria Healthcare and CEO for the Kairos Foundation. Additionally, he served as president of the Pennsylvania Providers Coalition Association and developed Non-Profit Management Solutions, a nonprofit LLC that assists other nonprofits with management services.

As he settles into his new role as Senior Consultant, I thank Bill Kepner for his invaluable and selfless work at United Disabilities Services. UDS has transformed the lives of people with disabilities across Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District and beyond, and I am proud to represent both their CEO and their foundation in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize United Disabilities Services for their 60th anniversary.

Founded in 1965, United Disabilities Services is one of the leading disability services providers in Pennsylvania helping older adults, individuals with disabilities, and veterans lead more independent and fulfilling lives. What began as United Cerebral Palsy of Lancaster County in 1965, has since expanded its scope to include personal care and care management services, adult enrichment programs, and the modification of homes and mobility equipment such as wheelchairs. Additionally, their advocacy for the inclusion of people with disabilities, their training and placement of service dogs across our communities and schools, and--on a lighter note--their popular puppy calendars have all extended their reach beyond the individuals and families they directly serve.

Today, United Disabilities Services employs hundreds of individuals and touches the lives of 20,000 people each year. Though headquartered in Lancaster County, UDS serves over 50 counties in Pennsylvania as well as nearby states.

As UDS celebrates 60 years of service, I would like to thank the organization and its employees for everything that they do. Their selfless efforts have made Pennsylvania's 11th District a better place for all.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate George Perry on his 103rd birthday and for his longstanding service to his country and the York County community.

You would be hard pressed to find a better representative of York County than Mr. George Perry. He has served his country, his community, and is still active in the running of his family's business. George Perry was born on his family's dairy farm in York, Pennsylvania in 1922. Since then, Perry has become an icon in the community as the head of his family's thriving business, Perrydell Farms. Perrydell Farms produces fresh milk and ice cream made, all of which is made on site.

Not only is Perry a veteran of the dairy industry but also World War II. He left college in 1943 to join the Army and fight in the Pacific. After the war, Mr. Perry took over Perrydell Farms in 1949 with his brother. Together, they helped to establish Perrydell as a local one- stop-shop for fresh, high-quality milk and ice cream. In his 103 years, Mr. Perry has seen a great deal of change in agriculture in York County. One constant throughout that time has been Perrydell Farms, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.

Perrydell's long and storied history in York County is due in large part to the work of George Perry, who over his more than a century of life has pursued a mission of providing quality products to his community. Perrydell Farms is now run by Mr. Perry's three sons, Tom, Greg, and Chip. Despite no longer running the farm, George is regarded as the farm's patriarch, an invaluable member of the farm and family's history in the dairy industry.

It is with great enthusiasm that I congratulate Mr. Perry on his 103rd birthday, his service to our country, and his success as a business owner. His stewardship of Perrydell Farms has allowed it to remain a staple of the community, and I hope for their continued success for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for their 50th anniversary.

Originally created by an act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Railroad Museum opened its doors 50 years ago in April 1975. The first structure in North America specifically built as a railroad museum, the Railroad Museum has since added building restorations, an education center, a museum store, and many new exhibits. The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, and has received generous community support from an aptly named nonprofit, the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Today, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's world-class collection includes over 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars, a vast library with half a million photographs and documents, a working restoration shop, and 20,000 smaller items relating to Pennsylvania railroads.

As the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania celebrates their golden anniversary year, I would like to thank the museum for the educational opportunities they provide and for their work in keeping not just our community's history, but Pennsylvania's history, alive.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate Lititz Borough Police Chief Kerry Nye on his retirement after 45 years in law enforcement.

Kerry Nye began his career with the Lititz Borough Police Department in 1980 and has remained there since, becoming a sergeant in 1994 and the Chief of Police in 2016. A staple of Chief Nye's leadership was his geniality and his visibility in the community. He planned emergency services events, such as cancer treatment fundraisers, and was a central figure in special occasions throughout Lititz Borough.

His dedication to serving the community extends beyond the Lititz Borough Police Department, as he served with the Boy Scouts for more than 30 years.

Once again, I want to thank Chief Nye for his selfless efforts serving and protecting Lititz Borough. I wish him the best in his well- deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

I would first say it has been a great pleasure of mine to work with the chairman over the past few months. He has done an incredible job leading the Budget Committee and leading our Conference to a resolution passed out of the House that not only extended the tax cuts but secured the border. It unleashes American energy. It funds our military. All the priorities, all the mandates that the American people have given us and have given the President in this past election, it makes good on.

I will say first that it is, I think, important to every Member of the Republican Conference in the House and, I believe, every Republican Member in the Senate, as well, to extend those tax cuts, drive an economy that is working for Americans, and drive additional growth in the economy.

That is what came out of the House, and so I was very disappointed to see very different instructions to the Senate that I think are not serious.

I believe that we have to do these tax cuts. What I think is also important to every Member of the House--we know the fiscal trajectory that we are on, and we know this won't end well if we don't restrain our runaway spending. I think this is our opportunity to do it.

The $4 billion floor in spending savings in that Senate resolution just simply is not acceptable. There are those who argue that we will be working on this and will still come up with a good resolution, but to me, it is important we have the guardrails in the initial resolution.

I think there is a reason for the initial resolution. It is to set up the framework for what this reconciliation will look like.

Unfortunately, today--unusual for me--I will not be able to support this resolution on the floor. I will be voting ``no'' on this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, again, with what I started with, it is very important we get this resolution done. There is a better path forward. We have an amendment that could be passed in this resolution that would satisfy where the Senate is, where the House is. As I said, I can't vote for this resolution as it is, but there is a pathway forward here that is very important.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize the Linville Hill Christian School boys' basketball team on winning the Class 2A PIAA Championship on March 28, 2025.

A small Christian school at the rural eastern edge of the 11th Congressional District, Linville Hill Christian School has defied expectations. After cruising through the regular season and the playoffs, the boys' basketball team made their way to the Class 2A PIAA Championship game.

Though they trailed with four minutes to go in the fourth quarter, late game heroism cut the deficit to a single point. Senior captain and Linville Hill's all-time leading scorer, Stephen Smucker, then sank the go-ahead basket with under thirty seconds to go. A spectacular defense from Linville Hill Christian sealed a 55-54 victory. Their state title, the first in the program's history, crowned a historic 29-3 season. Coach Mike Schatzmann and the players of Linville Hill Christian School should be proud of this extraordinary accomplishment.

I congratulate them on their Class 2A PIAA Basketball Championship and wish them the best in their future endeavors. I am certain that the lessons that each of these students learned on the court will continue to serve them well throughout their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum for their 100th anniversary.

In 1925, brothers Henry and George Landis combined their collection of Pennsylvania German objects and antiques to found what would eventually become the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. The museum was formally incorporated in 1941. In 1953, the brothers donated the museum and property, the Landis' family farm, to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

As the largest Pennsylvania German museum in the country, Landis Valley holds over 100,000 historic artifacts, such as furniture, fraktur art, pottery and quilts, which date back to the early days of Pennsylvania German settlement. Over the years the museum has transformed into a living history exhibition, adding onto its collection many relocated and constructed historical buildings, historical breeds of animals and plants, and interactive presentations of traditional, Pennsylvania German life.

In what was originally a collection between two brothers, the passing century has transformed Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum into an educational community center for the surrounding area. As they celebrate one hundred years in serving the public, I am thankful that Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District has such a wonderful organization keeping our community's heritage alive.