Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Chasen Bullock, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

Chasen worked in my Indiana office for nearly a year, serving as the head of our political operations. Chasen is a rock star and was a tremendous leader and asset to our team. He brought a wealth of experience and knowledge and was someone who became a trusted adviser, but more importantly, a great friend.

On a personal note, Chasen is one of the rarest beasts you can find in Washington--a talented leader with humility and integrity. I wish Chasen continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family. I have no doubt Chasen's biggest impact on our nation are yet to come. I look forward to cheering Chasen on in those efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Craig Kunkle, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

I've known Craig for more than two decades and during that time, he has become a close friend and trusted adviser. Craig has proven himself to be one of our state's top political minds. There's no doubt that I wouldn't be where I am today without Craig's counsel and help every step of the way.

On a personal note, Craig is a talented leader and loyal friend. He has already impacted our state in extraordinary ways. But, I am certain that his biggest impact is yet to come. I want to thank Craig for his friendship and dedication to our work. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a longtime member of my staff, John Hatter, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

John has been on our team from the very beginning, serving as our Director of Constituent Services. In this role, John is responsible for managing our constituent services program, coordinating the 6th Congressional District Veterans Advisory Committee, and leading the 6th Congressional District Military Service Academy Nomination Board, which nominates young Hoosiers to serve at the United States Military Service Academies.

On a personal note, I admire John's loyalty, intellect and work ethic. He has been a valuable member of our team, and I have no doubt John's future is very bright. I want to thank John for his friendship and his hard work in our office. I wish him, Katia, and the kids continued success in all that God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Debbie Berry, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Debbie worked in our Richmond office for over a year during my first term in Congress, serving as a Constituent Services Representative. Debbie has helped thousands of individuals navigate the complex federal bureaucracy and receive the help they need. Debbie has had a long career serving the people of Indiana's 6th Congressional District, as she previously worked for my predecessor and our current Vice President, Mike Pence. Since leaving our office, she has served with honor and distinction as the Wayne County Clerk of Courts.

On a personal note, I have known Debbie for more than two decades. I admire Debbie's commitment to her faith and family. I want to thank Debbie for her friendship and her hard work in our office. I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her and her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a longtime member of my staff, Karrie Pardieck, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Karrie has been on our team from the very beginning, serving as a Constituent Services Representative in our Muncie office. Karrie has helped thousands of individuals navigate the complex federal bureaucracy and receive the help they need, specifically relating to Social Security and Medicare benefits. Karrie has had a long career serving the people of Indiana's 6th Congressional District, as she previously worked for my predecessor and our current Vice President, Mike Pence.

On a personal note, Karrie is a positive spirit and kind soul with a big smile. Literally, every day, Karrie made our office a better place to work, and she is a valuable member of our team.

I want to thank Karrie for her friendship and her hard work in our office. I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her and her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Katie Murphy, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Katie worked on our team for over a year in several capacities in our Washington, D.C. office. She started as our staff assistant where she was responsible for helping with our constituent mail program, managing our internship program, and processing constituent tour requests. She has been promoted twice and served as a Legislative Assistant, where she is responsible for advising me on a variety of policy issues, including health care, energy, natural resources, judiciary issues, small business, science, space and technology.

On a personal note, Katie is a positive spirit and kind soul with a big smile. Literally, every day, Katie made our office a better place to work, and she was a valuable member of our team.

I want to thank Katie for her friendship and her hard work in our office. I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her and her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Brian Gamache, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

Brian worked in my Indiana office for nearly a year, serving as a member of our political operations team. Brian has an incredible work ethic and was a tremendous asset to our team.

On a personal note, Brian is a positive, no excuses, nose to the grind stone kind of leader that makes every team stronger. I enjoyed our many trips and long talks traveling the state of Indiana. I want to thank Brian for his friendship and his hard work in our office. I wish Brian continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Dominique Yantko, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Dom served as a Legislative Assistant in our Washington, D.C. office for more than a year. She handled the armed services, veterans' affairs, healthcare, budget, energy and commerce, and foreign affairs legislative portfolios. Dom brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise, specifically on issues relating to the military and our veterans.

On a personal note, I admire Dom's loyalty, intellect and work ethic. She has been a valuable member of our team, and I have no doubt Dom's future is very bright. I want to thank Dom for her friendship and her hard work in our office. I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her and her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a longtime member of my staff, Amy Burke, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Amy has been on our team from the very beginning, working as our office manager and scheduler in my Washington, D.C. office. Amy is a rock star and has been making sure the trains run on time for years. She is an invaluable part of our team and her service and hard work have been unparalleled.

On a personal note, words cannot express the appreciation my family has for Amy's extraordinary commitment to us over the past six years. We literally could not have made this journey without her.

I want to thank Amy for her friendship and dedication to our work. I wish her and Sean continued success in all that God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Jenna Knepper, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Jenna worked in my Indiana office for nearly a year, serving as our political director. Jenna has an incredible work ethic and was a tremendous asset to our organization. She brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team and was someone I could rely on for on the ground political advice.

On a personal note, Jenna is one of the most positive people I have ever met. She is the kind of leader that makes every team better. And, I have no doubt that her biggest achievements lie ahead.

I want to thank Jenna for her friendship and her hard work in our office. I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a dedicated member of my staff, Jake Vreeburg, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

Jake has been a part of our team for the past four years, first as our Legislative Director and then as the Staff Director for the House Republican Policy Committee. Jake writes, reviews, and edits the Legislative Digest, a daily summary of legislation considered by the House of Representatives and distributed to 2,500 staff and Members. As Legislative Director, he led efforts to build support for programs, bills, and events that advanced my legislative agenda. Jake has been a close confidant and trusted adviser throughout my time in Congress.

On a personal note, Jake is a gifted leader who was far more than an advisor to me. He is my friend. I admire Jake's integrity, persistence and loyalty. I wish Jake continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family. I have no doubt Jake's biggest impact on our nation are yet to come. I look forward to cheering Jake on in those efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a longtime member of my staff, John Moton, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

John has been on our team for over two years now, serving as our District Coordinator in our Shelbyville office. In this role, John is responsible for helping coordinate district events, serving as a constituent liaison, and helping individuals navigate the federal bureaucracy. John also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Ripley County Republican Party.

On a personal note, I admire John's loyalty, intellect and work ethic. He has been a valuable member of our team, and I have no doubt John's future is very bright. I want to thank John for his friendship and his hard work in our office. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Indianapolis Star columnist Matthew Tully, who recently passed away at the age of 49 following a two-year battle with cancer.

My heart broke to learn of Matt's passing. To me, Matt was Indiana's most prominent political writer. We didn't always agree, but I never questioned that Matt was doing his best to get the facts and communicate the truth as he saw it. Most importantly, he was an even better person and I considered him a great friend.

Matt is survived by his wife, Valerie, and their 7-year-old son, Reid. The Messer family will continue praying for his family as they mourn his passing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former longtime member of my staff, Mary O'Keeffe, for her work in my office and her service to our state.

Mary started on our team during my first term in Congress, serving as my foreign affairs Legislative Assistant. During her time in our office, she advised me on a variety of policy issues, served as our lead staffer with the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and helped develop numerous pieces of legislation. After leaving our office, Mary went on to work for Rep. Andy Harris and now serves as the Chief of Staff for the Maryland Transportation Authority.

On a personal note, I admire Mary's loyalty, intellect and work ethic. She has been a valuable member of our team, and I have no doubt Mary's future is very bright. I want to thank Mary for her friendship and her hard work in our office. I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her and her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a former member of my staff, Kyle Pierce, for his work in my office and his service to our state.

Kyle worked in several of my Indiana offices during my first and second terms in Congress, serving as an intern and later as a staff assistant. Kyle is a self-starter and always delivered on whatever was asked of him. He was integral to the success of many of the events we put on around the District. Since leaving our office, Kyle has gone on to work for the Indiana Attorney General, and now works at Hathaway Strategies as an Associate Project Manager. He is also currently pursuing a law degree at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis.

On a personal note, I admire Kyle's loyalty, intellect and work ethic. He was a valuable member of our team, and I have no doubt Kyle's future is very bright. I want to thank Kyle for his friendship and his hard work in our office. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.