Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Phyllis Gallagher and her late husband John Gallagher of Frackville, Pennsylvania who have served as courageous advocates for Alzheimer's patients and their families. John passed away on April 18, 2018 after a 6 year struggle with the disease.

John was a native of Ashland in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. He was a career civil servant who worked as a clerk for the Bipartisan Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg. John was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2012, leading to his retirement at the age of 49. John chose not to let his service to others end with his diagnosis. With the help of his wife Phyllis, John spent his time involved with the local Alzheimer's Association chapter. He took part in the Walk to End Alzheimer's and participated in several research projects at Johns Hopkins University. He also decided upon his death, his brain would be donated to research being conducted at the Boston University School of Medicine.

After John's condition deteriorated, Phyllis continued their work to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease research and the desperate need for support programs for Alzheimer's patients and caregivers. Her mission took her to Capitol Hill last year to testify before the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging and to participate in the Alzheimer's Advocacy Forum to speak on behalf of the 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease.

On the day she testified before the Senate, Phyllis observed: ``this disease has ravaged our family, but that doesn't mean that we have to give up hope. Something positive has to come out of this.''

It is an honor to recognize John and Phyllis Gallagher for the tireless work they have done to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease. I am grateful to John and Phyllis for contributing to the advancement of treatment and cure while facing their own tremendous struggle with the disease. It is my hope that Phyllis continues her work as an advocate for the individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruce and Nancy Weinstock, who will be receiving the Making A Difference Award from the Wyoming Valley Children's Association. The award is given to individuals who ``go above and beyond'' in their commitment and service to the WVCA.

The Wyoming Valley Children's Association has been helping children with disabilities since its founding in 1923 by the Rotary Club of Wilkes-Barre and the Community Chest. Today, the WVCA is dedicated to nurturing the potential of all children. Their staff works tirelessly to implement the latest educational strategies and therapy techniques. The WVCA serves typically developed children, as well as children with a variety of conditions and diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy.

Bruce and Nancy have supported the WVCA for over 30 years. In the early 1980s, the two got involved with the WVCA's ``Sweet Treat'' candy bar drive. Together, they distributed boxes of candy to local businesses on behalf of the WVCA families. Bruce has served as a member of the WVCA Board of Directors for 18 years and is a former board president.

It is an honor to recognize Bruce and Nancy Weinstock for their support of the Wyoming Valley Children's Association. I am grateful for all they do for the youth of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment, the Banks/Gosar amendment, as a clear threat to a bedrock protection of the American people of the Clean Water Rule. The Clean Water Rule guarantees clean drinking water for 117 million Americans. My constituents rely on the Clean Water Rule, which protects critical waterways like the Chesapeake Bay.

By eliminating this rule, we jeopardize the streams, headwaters, wetlands, and other bodies of water supporting critical wildlife ecosystems that naturally filter out pollution and provide essential, clean drinking water to a third of our Nation.

Mr. Chairman, the farm bill should be a tool for protecting Americans. It must not be used to poison their water. A vote for this amendment is a vote against clean water, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member, and I would like to thank the committee also for including the PREPARE Act in the en bloc package. I would also like to thank Congressman Lance for being my partner on the PREPARE Act for the past two Congresses and Congressmen Webster, Sanford, and Meadows for being cosponsors and supporters of my amendment, the PREPARE Act. I would also like to thank the over 50 outside organizations, companies, and think tanks that have supported the PREPARE Act. Finally, I thank Chairman Shuster and Congressman Gowdy for passing the PREPARE Act out of the T&I and OGR committees, respectively.

Extreme weather is expensive. Last year the public and private sector saw a combined $300 billion in damages from major extreme weather events. Congress had to spend an extra $120 billion in disaster supplemental appropriations so we could get our disaster-ravaged communities back on their feet. And from our infrastructure to our defense, our public buildings to our supply chains, the Federal Government itself has an enormous amount of assets that are vulnerable to extreme weather events.

I have been working for 5 years to build upon commonsense GAO recommendations to help our Federal Government and our Nation better prepare for extreme weather events. This amendment will save lives and will save money by helping get our government coordinated, improve planning, and facilitate a better working relationship with State and local officials.

We know extreme weather events are happening more frequently, and they are causing more damage. We owe our citizens better planning, better engagement, and a better response. In passing the PREPARE Act, the House of Representatives is taking a responsible, important step in that direction.

I thank the gentleman again for including this amendment in the en bloc package.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, on June 1, 2011, Sal and Helen Sparich were sitting in traffic in Tamaqua in northeastern Pennsylvania when, suddenly, without warning, a loaded tractor-trailer rammed into them from behind, cutting their car in half, killing Helen instantly and debilitating and giving horrible, severe, grievous injuries to Sal Sparich. He ended up spending the next 15 months in the hospital, and then he died. He left $1 million in medical bills, which Medicare had to pay for.

What we know about this accident is that the driver of the tractor- trailer had a horrible driving record. The company, the fly-by-night independent contractor trucking company that he worked for, had an insanely bad safety record, and it was one that anybody could have discovered by going on the safety website because there were flashing yellow icons next to the name of that company.

But the broker and the shipper in this case didn't care, Mr. Chair. They didn't check. They can't care about the safety record, about the driving record. The only thing they checked was who had the lowest price. The only thing they cared about was who had the lowest price.

Mr. Chair, we Americans care about personal responsibility and accountability. It is something we teach our children.

This is an amendment that would take away accountability and responsibility for the brokers and shippers.

This is a longstanding, time-honored part of American law that brokers and shippers are responsible and accountable for picking safe companies and safe drivers.

This amendment would take that away, it would make American roadways much more dangerous because of this exact type of situation.

Mr. Chair, I oppose the amendment. I urge a ``no'' vote on it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bob Price, who was named the Greater Pittston Sunday Dispatch's Person of the Year for 2018. The Sunday Dispatch Person of the Year award recognizes the person who has had the greatest impact on life in the Greater Pittston area. Bob will be honored by the Sunday Dispatch and his community on May 8, 2018.

Bob resides in Dupont, Pennsylvania with his wife of 28 years, Ellen. He is a 1979 graduate of Wyoming Area High School. After high school, Bob attended Penn State University and received degrees in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications Technology. He currently works as the Regional Fleet Manager for Johnson Controls in Allentown.

Bob is well known throughout the Greater Pittston Area for the active role he takes in his community. He currently serves as the president of the Dupont Borough Crime Watch and is a member of the Lions Club. Along with fifteen other volunteers, Bob formed the Progress Committee in 2014 to schedule events throughout Dupont's centennial year. In 2017, Bob was a central figure in the actual planning of the Borough's 100th anniversary celebration. Bob is also involved with other local organizations such as Paint Pittston Pink, the Greater Pittston Cultural Coalition, Pittston Arts Council, and NEPA Inclusive. Bob is an accomplished photographer, and he can often be found at these events taking pictures.

It is an honor to recognize Bob Price as he accepts the Person of the Year from the Greater Pittston Sunday Dispatch. I am grateful for all the work he has done on behalf of Dupont Borough and the Greater Pittston area. I wish him all the best and hope that he continues to inspire others with his charitable service to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Gilligan, who will receive the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons' ``Man of the Year'' Award. Mr. Gilligan will be honored on March 17, 2018, during the Friendly Sons' annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

John was born in Wyoming, Pennsylvania to Bernard J. and Rosari Gilligan. He is a graduate of Wyoming High School. He enlisted in the Air Force after graduation, serving one year in Da Nang, Vietnam. After four years in the Air Force, John joined the Wyoming Borough Police Department. He served on the force for thirty-two years and retired in 2004 as Chief of Police. He worked in the private sector until his appointment by Governor Edward Rendell to the post of Luzerne County Sheriff. His appointment was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Gilligan is a Fourth Degree Knight of the John F. Kennedy Council No. 372 Knights of Columbus and a past Grand Knight of the Wyoming Area Council No. 8598. He is a past president of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

John has been married to Karen Zofcin Gilligan for thirty-two years, and they are the proud parents of seven children. They also have eighteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Gilligan's three sons, grandsons, and great-grandson are members of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a long-standing family tradition.

It is an honor to recognize John Gilligan as he accepts the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons' ``Man of the Year'' Award. I am grateful to him for his service to our country and for protecting the people of Wyoming Borough and Luzerne County. I wish him all the best this St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Honorable Michael T. Vough, who will receive the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick's Achievement Award. He will be honored by the Friendly Sons during their annual Saint Patrick's Day celebration on March 17, 2018.

Judge Vough is the only son of the late Henry and Mary Noci-Vough. He is a graduate of Pittston Area High School and the University of Scranton. In May 1989, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law.

In 1991, Judge Vough founded the Law Office of Vough & Associates, which served over three thousand clients throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and employed a staff of ten.

From 1992 to 2012, Judge Vough worked as an Assistant District Attorney for Luzerne County. As Assistant DA, he prepared, evaluated, and prosecuted all criminal cases from commission of the crime through sentencing. He prosecuted over 1,500 cases resulting in plea or trial; represented the Commonwealth in over 150 jury trials; and had a 100 percent conviction rate in seventy homicide cases. Of these seventy homicide cases, nine resulted in first degree murder convictions. He participated in three death penalty jury selection cases and had an overall 99.8 percent conviction rate in his twenty years of service with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office.

On January 3, 2012, Judge Vough was sworn in as judge of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Since 2012, he has presided over thousands of criminal and civil cases. He currently serves as the Criminal Court Division Administrator and has previously served as the Co-Civil Court Division Administrator.

He is married to Cindy Forlenza Vough, and they have four children, Michael, Matthew, Nicholas and Jessica.

It is an honor to recognize Judge Michael T. Vough as he accepts the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons' Achievement Award. I am grateful to him for his service to the people of Pennsylvania. I wish him all the best this Saint Patrick's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Greg Collins, who will receive the ``Man of the Year'' Award from the Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons. He will be honored during the Friendly Sons annual Saint Patrick's Day celebration on Friday, March 16, 2018. Greg has forty years of finance experience and is the former senior vice president and area president of Wells Fargo Bank.

Greg is a native of Kingston, Pennsylvania. After graduating from West Side Central Catholic, he began his career as a teller at Wyoming National Bank. While working as a teller, Greg attended night classes at Misericordia University, majoring in business administration. While working for Wyoming National Bank and its successors, Greg took on more responsibility, taking management positions and eventually advancing to senior leadership roles. From 2009 until his retirement in September 2017, Greg served as Wells Fargo's community bank area president for Northeastern Pennsylvania. He led more than three hundred team members and oversaw the operations of thirty-seven Wells Fargo branch banking offices across nine counties.

Greg remains an active member of the community in his retirement. He is a member of the board of trustees at Misericordia University, a board member of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, Leadership Wilkes-Barre, the Wilkes-Barre YMCA, the Wilkes- Barre General Hospital, and the United Way of Wyoming Valley. In 2015, he chaired the American Heart Association Gala for Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was the recipient of the 2015 North Star Award from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council Boy Scouts of America, the 2015 Distinguished Leadership Award from Leadership Wilkes-Barre, and the 2015 Community Service Award from the Salvation Army. Greg is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Wilkes-Barre's Executive Leadership Program and a 4th-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

It is an honor to recognize Greg Collins as he accepts the ``Man of the Year'' Award from the Wilkes-Barre Friendly Sons. I am grateful to him for his forty years of service to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and I thank him for his continued leadership in his community. I wish him all the best on this Saint Patrick's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of Carbon County as that county celebrates its 175th Anniversary of incorporation. On March 13, 1843, Carbon County was created by combining parts of Northampton and Monroe Counties. The County was named for the vast abundance of anthracite coal found in the region.

Carbon County consists of land originally obtained from the Delaware Tribe during the Walking Purchase of 1737. The first settlement established in the area was Gnadenhutten. Set up by twelve German monks of the Moravian order in 1745, today, the town of Lehighton stands in its place. During the Industrial Revolution, Carbon County was the home of the first railroad in America that was built on any large scale, known as ``The Switchback.'' Carbon County is also the location of the trials and executions of the infamous Molly Maguires, a secret organization whose members were accused of targeting mine company representatives with violence during early struggles over the treatment of miners.

Carbon County spans over 500 square miles in the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania. Over two-thirds of the county is state game and park land. Because of its strategic location in the Poconos, its natural beauty, and its rich history, the county attracts many hikers, cyclists, history buffs, and people seeking adventure. With its seat located in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County has twenty-three municipalities, several unincorporated communities, and close to 64,000 residents. The county is generally considered a bellwether county for statewide elections.

It is an honor to recognize Carbon County as its residents observe the 175th Anniversary of incorporation. I take great joy in joining celebration of such an important milestone. I wish everyone in the county all the best as they continue to make history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize James Jay Delaney, who will receive the W. Francis Swingle Award from the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Jay will be honored formally during the Friendly Sons' 104th annual celebration on March 17, 2018. He has been part of the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department since 1981 and has served as the city's fire chief for the past 13 years.

Chief Delaney is a longtime resident of Avoca, Pennsylvania and a graduate of St. John the Evangelist High School. He attended Luzerne County Community College to study Fire Science Technology. He has completed advanced course work at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland and at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama. He is also a certified paramedic.

In addition to his role as chief, Delaney serves as Wilkes-Barre's Emergency Management Coordinator. Under Chief Delaney's leadership, the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department's ISO Public Protection Classification was elevated to Class 2, which put Wilkes-Barre in the top 1 percent of fire departments in Pennsylvania. He has been responsible for securing a substantial amount of federal support and has made multiple upgrades to the city's emergency response operations and equipment.

Chief Delaney has earned appointments by Governor Ed Rendell to the Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners and by Governor Tom Wolf to the Governor's Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation.

He resides in the Miners Mills section of Wilkes-Barre with his wife, the former Valerie Sakaduski. They have three children, Sarah, Jamie and Megan and seven grandchildren.

It is an honor to recognize Chief Delaney as he accepts the W. Francis Swingle Award. I am grateful to him for having spent his entire career in service to the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. His 37 years as a firefighter is an outstanding contribution to the community. I wish him all the best this St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michael George, who will be receiving the Avoca West Side Social Club's ``Man of the Year'' Award. He will be honored on March 17, 2018 during the Club's inaugural St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

The son of the late David and Mildred George, Mike was born and raised in Avoca, Pennsylvania. He is a graduating member of Avoca High School Class of 1959. He opened his first car repair business in Avoca on South Main Street in 1961. In 1969, Mike relocated his business to 935 Main Street and expanded his operation to include a gas station. It was the only service station in Avoca Borough for over three decades. Mike remained in business for almost fifty years until he retired. Mike also shared his professional knowledge by serving as an automobile repair instructor to those looking to enter the field.

In addition to operating his business, Mike has been actively involved with local community organizations. He is a founding member of the Avoca Jolly Boys, a group that sponsors community events like children's basketball leagues and other recreational activities. He is the past president of the Avoca Lions Club and initiated the annual Lions Club Christmas Light Project along Main Street and McAlpine Street in the borough. Mike is also a regular member of the Avoca West Side Club and Rainbow Rod and Gun Club. He currently belongs to Queen of the Apostles Church in Avoca.

Today, Mike resides in Avoca with his wife of fifty-six years, Kay Sroka George. They have been blessed with three children, Janice, Christine, and the late Michael Jr.

It is an honor to recognize Mike as he accepts the Avoca West Side Social Club's ``Man of the Year Award.'' I am grateful for his lifetime of service to people of Avoca. I wish him the best this St. Patrick's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 188, the Eliminating Government-funded Oil-painting Act, an acronym for the EGO Act.

S. 188 is the Senate companion to H.R. 1401, legislation that I introduced along with Representatives Jim Bridenstine, Cheri Bustos, Walter Jones, Leonard Lance, David McKinley, Pete Olson, and Tom Rice.

My friend and former House colleague, Senator Bill Cassidy, is the lead sponsor of S. 188 which passed the Senate unanimously on September 18, 2017.

The EGO Act would prohibit Federal funds from being used to pay for the costs of painting portraits of officers and employees of the Federal Government. Federal agencies have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on portraits that are displayed within agency buildings, often in secure locations that are not open to the public. Although this money is only a fraction of a percentage of the federal budget, it represents a failure to exercise fiscal restraint. Every dollar the government spends on vanity projects for federal officials is a dollar that is not spent improving the lives of everyday Americans.

Congress has the responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively. For these reasons, I am proud to sponsor the EGO Act, and urge the House to pass S. 188, sending it to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kevin Shaughnessy, who will be honored as Man of the Year by the Ancient Order Hibernians Division 4, the Paul ``Hook'' O'Malley chapter, on Thursday, March 1. Kevin is a charter member of the AOH chapter named in memory of the late boxing trainer known for his charitable nature. The Man of the Year award is given to an individual who has worked to enrich the well-being of the community in the spirit of ``Hook'' O'Malley.

Kevin is the son of Jack and Rose Shaughnessy. He is a graduate of West Scranton High School, class of 1988. Kevin currently serves as the Lackawanna County Director of Building and Grounds. In addition to his government position, he has served two three-year terms as an executive board member of the IBEW Local 81 and is a past delegate to the Scranton Central Labor Union. Along with his leadership roles in organized labor, Kevin is a member of the John Mitchell Man of the Year Committee.

It is an honor to recognize Kevin as he receives the Man of the Year award from The Ancient Order of Hibernians. I am grateful for his efforts on behalf of the citizens of Lackawanna County and his colleagues within the labor community. I wish Kevin all the best as he continues to serve his neighbors with the generosity of ``Hook'' O'Malley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jeff Sears, who was named Man of the Year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 2 of Lackawanna County, ``Monsignor Farrell Chapter.'' Jeff accepted the award during the chapter's annual banquet on Saturday, February 24. He is the current Vice President of the Monsignor Farrell Chapter and serves the branch as acting president for the late William Pryle.

Jeff is a graduate of Saint Rose High School in Carbondale, class of 1971. After graduation, Jeff went straight to work for RCA/Thomson Consumer Electronics, where he remained for 30 years. He went on to work for Auto Parts International after RCA/ Thomson. He currently resides in Moosic, Pennsylvania with his wife, Mary Kay. They have been married for 46 years and have three children--Cathy, Kelly, and Jeff-- and two grandchildren, Julian and Ella. Jeff enjoys golfing in his free time and is an avid New York Yankees fan and a Cincinnati Bengals fan.

Jeff has been a very active member of the community. In the Boy Scouts of America, he was an Assistant Scout Leader for Troop 8 and Cub Pack 307. While Jeff was with the Scouts, he attained the Wood Badge, the highest award given to adults. He is a past president of the Mitchell Hose Company in Carbondale. Jeff has served as the Carbondale Pioneer Days Parade Chairman for five years. He is also a life-long member of St. Rose Parrish Church and serves his community of faith as a Eucharistic minister.

It is an honor to recognize Jeff as he accepts the Man of the Year Award. I congratulate him for being honored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and I wish him all the best as he continues to serve Lackawanna County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Knights of Lithuania Council 143 as they celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Lithuania's independence. The Knights of Lithuania is an organization of Roman Catholic men and women of Lithuanian ancestry located in Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Organized on April 27, 1913, the Knights of Lithuania was originally established as a youth organization. Its mission was to unite young Lithuanians living in the United States, preserve Lithuanian culture, and restore freedom to Lithuania, which, at the time, was divided between Russia and Germany.

In more recent times, it has become a family organization. St. Casimir, patron saint of Lithuania's youth, is honored as the organization's patron. ``For God and Country,'' is the motto of Knights of Lithuania, and its members keep an appreciation of the Lithuanian language and culture alive, while also stressing the importance of Roman Catholic beliefs.

It is an honor to recognize the Knights of Lithuania as they celebrate 100 years of Lithuanian independence. I am grateful for their work preserving Lithuanian traditions for the citizens of the Greater Pittston. I wish their membership all the best as they continue their important mission.