Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievement of Westview senior Noah Bontrager for becoming the first high school student to run a sub 4-minute mile in Indiana history.

This past Sunday, Noah competed at the New Balance Nationals race where the country's highest performing high school athletes compete in track events.

Hailing from Shipshewana, Indiana, Noah made Indiana's Third Congressional District proud as he clinched first place in the 1-mile race.

Not only did Noah set a new record for Hoosiers, but also made his mark by claiming the seventh fastest indoor mile time for high school students in U.S. history.

Noah has demonstrated incredible talent, and his achievements indicate his level of dedication to his sport. He has done what no other Hoosier student has been able to do.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Noah on this huge accomplishment. I know he will continue to set new records as he continues his running career at Notre Dame University this fall.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of legendary college football coach Lou Holtz, who passed away this week at the age of 89.

Over a truly remarkable 33-year coaching career, Coach Holtz won 249 games at football programs across the country.

Most of all, Coach Holtz is best remembered for restoring Notre Dame football to greatness. In 1988, he guided the Fighting Irish to a perfect 12-0 season and a national championship, cementing his place among the greatest leaders in the history of college football.

Coach Holtz's legacy goes far beyond wins and championships. He was known for his faith, his commitment to protecting life, and his ability to inspire young men to strive for excellence on and off the field. He was also an honorary trustee at Trine University in my district.

From humble beginnings in West Virginia to the College Football Hall of Fame, Lou Holtz embodied perseverance, discipline, and leadership.

Today, we remember a legendary coach who shaped the game of college football and the lives of countless players. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate President Trump for his successful State of the Union Address last night.

With Republicans' help here in Congress, we have worked nonstop to bring down costs and empower everyday Americans.

For instance, President Trump has negotiated countless trade deals to bring manufacturing back to America. Tariffs have led to massive investments, particularly in Indiana, including investments from John Deere and General Motors and many small to midsized companies.

President Trump is also helping Americans by lowering prices on gas and food. Along with Republicans, he has worked to implement Trump accounts to ensure financial resources for future generations.

Above all, President Trump has built off the work of the late Charlie Kirk to put God at the center of American exceptionalism.

Our country has rebounded with safer streets, peace through strength, and tremendous tax cuts.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, I just thank him and support the work that Republicans and President Trump are doing to make sure that America wins in the future and that God may bless America to continue to be the great Nation that we are blessed with.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my parents, Albert and Sarah Stutzman.

They are celebrating their 50th anniversary this Saturday, one day after Valentine's Day. I just want to acknowledge them in all that they have done for me and for my siblings.

They have really been an example of what hard work and what faith can do in a great country like America.

My dad dropped out of high school. They were married when they were very young, and they worked tremendously hard. They went through a lot of challenges in their own lives as they worked to build a better future for not only themselves but for my siblings and myself and others.

They were foster parents. They went on mission trips. They helped people in the community. They would take people into our home whenever they needed help. They were always willing to help those who were in need. They were always active in church. They were active in our schools.

I just can't say enough about how proud I am of my parents, Albert and Sarah. I just want to wish them a happy anniversary this weekend.

I love you, and I am looking forward to years ahead together.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Haridopolos, for organizing this evening's event.

I am proud to say that this body just passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act in a strong bipartisan manner. Owning a home is the American Dream. It is one of the best investments any person can possibly make here in America.

At a time when too many American families are struggling to afford a

home, House Republicans are taking meaningful action to address one of the most pressing challenges facing our country.

Indiana remains one of the most affordable States for homeownership in the country, but I know the dream of owning a home is still out of reach for many Hoosiers. Every day, I hear from families that work hard, save their money, and still cannot find a place to call their own. Unfortunately, this is true not just for families in my district, but for the families across the country, as well.

House Republicans have heard these concerns and responded with legislation that will directly help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership.

Instead of throwing more taxpayer dollars at ineffective government programs, we are restoring housing affordability by getting government out of the way.

Included in this package are many commonsense, bipartisan reforms. Among them is my Streamlining Rural Housing Act. I thank Chairman Hill for including it in this package.

Today, rural housing projects in Indiana and across the country that rely on both HUD and USDA programs must undergo two separate environmental reviews. This duplicative process drives up costs for developers, delays construction, and discourages the very investment we need to expand affordable rural housing.

My bill requires HUD and USDA to establish a joint environmental review process so that these projects no longer face redundant oversight. The result is simple: fewer delays, lower costs, and more homes built for working families across the country.

This package also delivers several other important housing reforms. One such reform led by my colleague on the Committee on Financial Services from Tennessee, Mr. Rose, removes the permanent chassis requirement for manufactured homes. This simple fix will reduce unnecessary costs and help families move into new homes more quickly on day one.

The package further modernizes longstanding programs so that Federal housing tools better match our current market realities. It provides local communities with greater flexibility to invest in housing solutions tailored to meet their needs and encourages private investments to expand supply where it is needed the most.

Mr. Speaker, this is what a Republican Congress and President Trump were elected to do, and we are delivering results for the American people. We are cutting red tape, and we are restoring the American Dream of homeownership.

I am proud to have supported the Housing for the 21st Century Act, and I look forward to its swift consideration in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Congressional App Challenge winners for Indiana's Third District: Ishan Ramrakhiani and Rikhin Kavuru.

Together, these two students identified a gap in AI services and decided to provide a solution. Using their technical knowledge, they programmed an innovative app that offers AI assistance for professional video editing called Auter.

This app allows users to employ editing tools specific to their needs using plain language and AI. This app showcases both students' outstanding knowledge and experience in computer coding.

Creating an app from scratch truly speaks to their initiative and desire to make an impact. Throughout the process, both students maintained determination despite technical hurdles.

Their creativity and determination for success are truly inspiring. I know both Ishan and Rikhin have bright futures ahead. I wish them continued success as they pursue their academic and professional goals.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 49 and No. 50, I am not recorded because I was absent due to delayed travel. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 49 and YEA on Roll Call No. 50.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize nine students from Indiana's Third District that I have nominated to attend our Nation's military academies: Christian Touzard from Spencerville; Samantha Aselage from Huntertown; Oliver Werling from New Haven; Luke Wonderham from Monroeville; and Allison Heine, Jacob Levitt, Jacob Farrell, Jonah Haines, and Hayden Oberlin, all from Fort Wayne.

Our service academies breed the best of the best, where strong leadership and impeccable fortitude are forged in service to our Nation.

Throughout our Nation's history, America has been a shining example to the world for our commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.

As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary this year, I commend these students for choosing to defend these values foundational to our national identity.

I am truly grateful to see that such patriotism and dedication to service thrives in the next generation.

These nine individuals have already demonstrated excellence, and I know

they will continue to make our country and State proud.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the life of Donald ``Chip'' Stuckey from my hometown of Howe, Indiana. Chip was a beloved member of our community, who was known for his warm, outgoing, and generous nature.

Chip worked at the Howe Military School and Bobilya Ford in LaGrange, Indiana. I will always remember him as one of the salesmen who sold me my first new truck.

In his later years, he owned Happiness is Ice Cream, a summertime favorite of many families in our hometown.

In all that he did, his commitment to excellence and his care for others left a lasting impact on everyone that he met.

Chip was a dear friend and the first person to get me involved in politics back in 2001. He led a life dedicated to what is truly important: family, community, and finding joy in the simple things. He never met a stranger and was the kind of friend you could always rely on for an encouraging word.

Chip's legacy is one of compassion for his fellow man, which inspired all who were fortunate enough to know him. We will miss Chip dearly. Rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the courageous men and women from the Indiana National Guard who are here to serve in Washington, D.C.

On December 6, about 300 servicemembers from Indiana deployed to our Nation's Capital. They have already started their mission in D.C. to keep our streets safe and free from violent criminals. I am especially thankful to these men and women for serving during the holidays.

These Hoosiers will miss cherished times celebrating Christmas and New Year's with family and friends to restore order in D.C.

While these Hoosiers just begin their mission here, this deployment is just another one of the ways on a long list that Indiana troops have supported our country.

In 2024, Indiana National Guardsmen deployed to Texas to secure our border. Earlier this year, 400 National Guardsmen returned from their mission in the Middle East. Indiana National Guardsmen continue to pour out their time and talents to serve our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, the Indiana National Guard's dedication to serving our country continues to make all of us in Indiana very proud.

Mr. Speaker, in recent years, the number of publicly listed companies in this country has declined, particularly among small and midsized businesses. A key reason for this is that traditional public offerings have become too expensive.

Compliance costs and government red tape have made a traditional IPO out of reach for many American businesses. That is why I have introduced my Regulation A+ Improvement Act.

This bill will update our regulations so more small and midsized companies can raise capital from a wider range of investors and with less government red tape and compliance costs.

This is a commonsense step to make our public markets more accessible, more dynamic, and more competitive. Our capital markets are the envy of the world, but we must continue to modernize outdated regulations that have not kept up with the times.

I am committed to ensuring businesses of all sizes--in northeast Indiana and across the country--have the tools that they need to grow, create jobs, and keep our economy strong.

Mr. Speaker, while I am happy to say that Indiana is one of the most affordable States for homeownership in the country, I know the dream of owning a home is still far off for many Hoosiers.

We have a serious housing shortage in this country. A key reason for this is outdated and obstructive government regulations that prevent and delay new construction. That is why I introduced the bipartisan Streamlining Rural Housing Act.

This bill would require HUD and USDA to develop a joint environmental review process for rural housing projects, cutting red tape and making rural housing easier to build.

If we are to help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership, we must make it easier to build new homes. That means getting government out of the way and allowing developers to build faster and at a lower cost.

I look forward to continuing my work to make homes affordable for Hoosiers and remain committed to addressing the housing shortage in this country.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call Nos. 306 and 307, I am not recorded because I was absent due to official business. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 306 and YEA on Roll Call No. 307.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the work of Mr. Jeff Mittman and congratulate him on his appointment by President Trump to serve as a member of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission.

Mr. Mittman served 22 years in the U.S. Army until an IED ended his service and caused him to lose his vision. Despite this sacrifice, Mr. Mittman made it a mission to move forward and overcome the challenges his life presented.

As one of many accomplishments, in 2019, Mr. Mittman became the first legally blind president and CEO of Bosma Enterprises, the largest employer for people who are blind in Indiana.

Beyond that, Mr. Mittman also serves as the president of the National Association for the Employment of People Who Are Blind.

Even after losing so much, Mr. Mittman considers himself the luckiest man alive. His responses to adversity serves as an inspiring lesson to all of us.

Indiana is fortunate to have benefited from his unwavering sense of hope and leadership in our community. No one is more deserving than Mr. Mittman for this appointment, and I am truly excited to see such an inspiring Hoosier serve on the AbilityOne Commission.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 272.