Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Mayor Damon Welch for his contribution to our state and the City of Madison.

Over the years, Damon has been a loyal friend and wise adviser to me. He has also served the City of Madison, as mayor, with honor and integrity. Damon has made improving the quality of life in the community his main priority for years. Several economic development initiatives, including being designated as a Stellar Community in 2017, have been the result of Damon's hard work and commitment to the historic City of Madison. Our state is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Damon is a brother in Christ. I have truly appreciated his prayers and encouragement over the years. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize J.R. and Carol Showers for their contribution to our state and their community.

The Showers have made a positive and lasting impact in Shelbyville and embody exactly what ``Hoosier hospitality'' is meant to be. When J.R. served as County Chairman, we worked extensively together to support Republican candidates and principles. Our state is

better off today because of the Showers' extraordinary leadership and service in their community.

On a personal note, I have known J.R. and Carol for the past two decades. They hosted my first event as a state legislator in Shelby County. And, they have supported our efforts every step of the way since. J.R. and Carol are loyal friends and wise advisers. Jennifer and I cherish our friendship with the Showers and I will always be grateful for their support of my work in Congress. We wish them continued success in all that God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Mayor Mike Bettice for his contribution to our state and the City of Batesville.

Throughout his career, Mike has served the City of Batesville with honor and integrity. As mayor, Mike has done an incredible job of engaging the Batesville community and working to ensure its success. Our state is better off today because of his leadership and service.

On a personal note, we are both proud alums of Wabash College. Mike is a loyal confidant and among my closest friends in politics. I want to thank him for his support of my work in Congress and wish Mike continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Jeff and Danae Sponsel for their contribution to our state and country.

Over the years, Jeff and Danae have served the City of Shelbyville and Shelby County in a variety of roles with honor and distinction. Jeff is always quick with a joke, yet has a fiery passion for serving his fellow Hoosiers. He has spent years serving in various positions in the community, including on the City Council and as the Shelby County Election Deputy. Danae is a rock star and has dedicated herself toward advancing Republican principles with the local party. It has been an honor to work with them and our state is better off today because of their extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Jeff and Danae were among my earliest supporters of my first run for the state legislature. Jennifer and I cherish our friendship with both Jeff and Danae and I would like to thank them for their support of my work in Congress. We wish them continued success in all that God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Bill and Kaye Whitehead for their contribution to our state and their community.

The Whiteheads have spent their lives serving the Delaware County community. They are full-time farmers but Bill and Kaye spend much of their time serving their community in numerous capacities. Their embodiment of ``Hoosier hospitality'' has truly made a difference in Delaware County and our state is better off today because of their extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, I've known the Whiteheads for 18 years. Jennifer and I cherish their friendship. Bill, like me, overachieved

in marriage. The Whiteheads were also among my earliest and most vocal supporters.

I am forever grateful to Bill and Kaye for their friendship and support of my work in Congress. I wish them continued success in all that God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Dr. David Welsh for his contribution to our state and his community.

This year, Dr. Welsh was honored for Excellence in State Advocacy for his lifelong commitment to advocating on behalf of patients in

Indiana and his encouragement of other surgeons to engage in advocacy. Our state is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, the Doc is among my closest friends in politics and was one of my earliest and most vocal supporters. I want to thank him for his friendship and incredible support of my work in Congress. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Barb Hackman for her contribution to our state and Bartholomew County.

As Chair of the Bartholomew County Republican Party, Barb has given countless hours toward advancing our shared conservative principles. Barb's positive spirit and quick smile have made an incredible difference in Columbus. Our state is better off today because of her extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Barb is among my closest friends in politics. She is a loyal friend and a wise adviser. I want to thank Barb for her incredible support of my work in Congress. And, I wish her continued success in all that God has planned for her family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Victor Whitehead for his contribution to Delaware County, and our state.

Victor is a hard worker and a great advocate as County Chair in Delaware County. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly to advance Republican values and to improve the quality of life for Hoosiers living in the City of Muncie. It has been an honor to work with him. Our state and Delaware County is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Victor has been a loyal friend and wise adviser during my entire tenure in Congress. I would like to thank him for his friendship and support of my work. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Mayor Mike Ochs for his contribution to our state and the City of North Vernon.

Throughout his career, Mike has served Jennings County and the City of North Vernon with honor and integrity. From his time as a sheriff's deputy to his service as mayor, Mike has made improving the quality of life in North Vernon and the surrounding area his main priority. Our state is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Mike has been a loyal friend and wise adviser during my entire tenure in Congress. I want to thank him for his friendship and support of my work. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Scott and Tara Smalstig for their contribution to our state and their community.

The Smalstigs are an institution in Delaware County and have spent their lives devoted to improving their community. I have known Scott and Tara for over 20 years, as they set Jennifer and me up on a blind date in Muncie. Scott is an executive at Meridian Health Services and spends his free time giving back to the community and coaching youth sports. Tara is an attorney at a law firm in Muncie and is continually recognized for excellence in the legal profession. She has also spent years serving on local boards and volunteering for community organizations. Without a doubt, Delaware County is better off today because of their extraordinary leadership and service.

This may go without saying, but the Smalstigs were among my earliest and most vocal supporters. I would like to thank them for their friendship and support of my work in Congress. The Messer family cherishes the time we get to spend with them, and we wish them all the best in whatever God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize State Senator Doug Eckerty for his contribution to our state.

For nearly a decade, Doug has represented Delaware, Henry and Madison counties with honor and integrity in the Indiana General Assembly. He continues to be a strong advocate on a wide variety of important issues, including education, workforce, and environmental policy. Our state is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Doug has been a loyal friend and wise adviser during my entire tenure in Congress. I want to thank him for his friendship and suppmt of my work. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Sam and Cathy Harvey for their contribution to our state and their community.

The Harveys have made a positive and lasting impact in Connersville and Fayette County through their extraordinary public service. They continue to embody exactly what ``Hoosier hospitality'' is meant to be. As the former County Chairman, Sam spent years helping promote and advance Republican principles in Fayette County. I could always count on Sam and Cathy for honest feedback and advice. Our state is better off today because of their extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, the Harveys were among my earliest and most vocal supporters. I would like to thank them for their friendship and support of my work in Congress. I wish them continued success in all that God has planned for their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Rick Reuss for his contribution to our state and country.

Rick is a true patriot, and is someone I could always rely on to shoot straight and hold me accountable to our shared guiding conservative principles. Over the years, I have spent time with Rick at hundreds of events all across the state and I've even appeared on his radio show. It has been an honor to work with him. Our state is better off today because of Rick's extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Rick is among my favorite people that I met on this journey in Congress. He is smart, strong, honest, and loyal. Although we sometimes disagree, with Rick, you always know where you stand.

I want to thank Rick for his friendship and support of my work in Congress. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize Michael Dora for his contribution to our state and Rush County.

As the former County Chairman, Michael spent years promoting and advancing Republican principles in Rush County. He has also served his community in a variety of other capacities, including as a volunteer EMT, firefighter, and youth sports coach. In 2017, Michael was appointed by President Trump to serve as State Director for the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development in Indiana. The impact Michael continues to make on Rush County cannot be overstated, and our state is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Michael has been a loyal friend and wise adviser during my entire tenure in Congress. I want to thank him for his friendship and support of my work. I wish him continued success in all that God has planned for him and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of the entire 6th Congressional District of Indiana, to recognize State Representative Bob Cherry for his contribution to our state.

For 20 years, Bob has represented Hancock and Madison counties with honor and integrity in the Indiana General Assembly. He continues to be a strong advocate for balanced budgets and lower taxes. I had the pleasure of serving alongside Bob during my time in the Indiana General Assembly. Our state is better off today because of his extraordinary leadership and service.

On a personal note, Bob has been a loyal friend and wise adviser during my entire tenure in Congress. He and Deb were among my earliest and most vocal supporters. Jennifer and I cherish our friendship with Bob and Deb. We want to thank them for their prayers and support of my work in Congress. I wish them continued success in all that God has planned for their family.