Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on January 15, 2025, I was unable to vote as I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 13; YEA on Roll Call No. 14; and YEA on Roll Call No. 15.

Mr. Speaker, I want to honor the life and service of Roy Colbrunn, known affectionately by his friends and family as ``Tank,'' who suddenly passed away at the age of 68. He was a close friend and an outstanding public servant, who will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Tank was raised in Vienna, Ohio and attended Youngstown State University. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. During his enlistment, he was selected to serve as one of two USMC representatives on the honor detail, and as a pallbearer of an unknown Revolutionary War soldier.

Tank began his lifelong career as a firefighter as a volunteer with the Vienna Township Fire Department. He accepted a full-time firefighting position at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1985 and quickly rose through the tanks to Captain. He was elected and served several terms as president of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local F-88.

Beginning in 1997, Tank took his mission of public service beyond the walls of the fire station by serving his community of Xenia Township in multiple roles as a volunteer and part-time firefighter, and as a member of the local zoning board. Tank retired from Wright Patterson in 2013, and from the Xenia Township Fire Department in 2016.

Tank served many roles as an IAFF leader: president of Local F-88, 16th District Field Service Representative to the District Vice President, Air Force Materiel Command IAFF Union Liaison, and Federal Joint Council Vice President.

As a union leader, Tank negotiated six Command Labor Agreement Contracts, numerous local union contracts across the country, and fought for the Interests of Department of Defense firefighters. He was instrumental in moving IAFF Local F-88 to a 48-72-hour schedule, significantly improving the quality of life for firefighters.

Tank was a driving force behind the requirement to staff aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles with three personnel, prioritizing not only the safety of firefighters but also our Nation's air crews. His vast knowledge, leadership, dedication, charismatic personality and unwavering care for those he met earned him much deserved admiration and love from those who are his ``Brothers and Sisters.''

Tank was a big man, with an even bigger heart, known for his kind and gentle nature,

and his wonderful sense of humor. These attributes served him well as a labor mediator. He had an unwavering love for his family, his friends, and his community.

I had the pleasure and opportunity to meet and work with Tank on important fire services issues. I admired his dedication to his profession and to his fellow firefighters, and his tireless work on their behalf. He will be greatly missed, but certainly not forgotten.

I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, LuAnn, daughter Kaleena, and their entire family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Tim Bete, an outstanding community leader and close friend from my Congressional district, who is stepping down as president of St. Mary Development Corporation. St. Mary Development is a faith-based, nonprofit organization in Dayton, Ohio that provides affordable housing for low-income seniors and families.

As president, Tim Bete has successfully carried the torch lit by Sister Rose Helene Wildenhaus and Dayton businessman Dick McBride, who formed St. Mary Development Corporation in 1989. Tim had worked closely with them for seven years, until they retired in 2013 and turned the management of the organization over to him. Under Tim's leadership, St. Mary has continued its focus on creating affordable housing and connecting residents to the services they need.

Since its founding, St. Mary Development Corporation has created 70 affordable apartment communities with nearly 5,000 housing units, including low-income senior apartments, single-family homes and emergency housing, and $580 million in real estate investment.

From my time as mayor of Dayton, and throughout my service in Congress, I have strongly supported St. Mary's efforts to revitalize the community by creating affordable housing for the poor and elderly. I was proud to collaborate with Tim to secure resources for a pair of senior housing facilities, with priority placement for veterans, on the grounds of the Dayton VA Medical Center. These facilities provide safe, secure, and affordable housing for veterans, and easy access to the medical care they need.

Tim has dedicated his entire career to making affordable housing available to people who need it. He has served on the boards of housing and homelessness organizations and a nursing home, and currently serves on LeadingAge Ohio's housing subcommittee. Tim is a graduate of the Achieving Excellence in Community Development at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and has an MBA from Indiana University.

Tim Bete has worked tirelessly to make his community a better place to call home. I wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking this truly outstanding citizen for his lifetime of service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable man. Dave Hobson was a beloved friend and leader. His life was marked by service, commitment, and an unyielding dedication to his country.

I saw firsthand how much Dave loved Ohio and the Miami Valley during our time together in the House of Representatives. Whether he was advocating for veterans or working to strengthen our national defense, Dave's efforts were always driven by a love for his country and a commitment to improve the lives of others.

The impact of Dave's legacy is felt across Ohio's 10th Congressional District, particularly at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where the street Hobson Way is named in his honor and at Clark State College, which named its Beaver Creek Center, Dave Hobson Hall.

Dave believed that public office was a sacred trust, and he upheld that trust with every action he took. Beyond his remarkable political career, Dave was a devoted family man, a mentor, and a friend.

Dave was grateful, and we are grateful for his life, the life he lived, and the legacy that he left behind. He will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I now recognize my friend and colleague, the dean of the Ohio delegation, Ms. Kaptur.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague from Ohio, (Mr. Latta), who is also my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama, (Mr. Aderholt), who is also my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Aderholt and all of our colleagues who joined together to remember our dear friend and former Member of this body, Congressman Dave Hobson.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 15 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Rep. Wasserman- Schultz, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Boyle for their leadership on this bill.

H.R. 7764 authorizes a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish history to the Smithsonian Institution. Just last week, the House Committee on Administration unanimously passed this legislation out of their committee.

The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions that Jewish Americans have made to the fabric of the United States.

The Weitzman Museum was established in 1976 as the only museum in the Nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience.

This bill is the first step in bringing the Weitzman into the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex.

By bringing this museum and its collections into the Smithsonian, Congress will ensure that the story of Jewish Americans is shared with the widest possible audience.

I am proud to be one of the lead Members on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate a husband and wife from my Congressional district in Dayton, Ohio, who have reached a rare milestone, celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary.

Berman Layer and his wife Violet Layer are both 101 years old. They were married on Berman's 21st birthday, on September 16, 1944. At the time, Berman served in Europe as an aerial photographer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After serving three years in both France and Germany, Berman retired from the military and returned home to the United States. He used the GI Bill to attend Ohio State University, and graduated in 1950.

During their eight decades of marriage, Berman and Violet have served as business and civic leaders in their community. They owned and managed a small business called Layer Repair Solutions in Dayton. Berman was elected to the Miami Township Board of Trustees in Montgomery County and served from 1978 through 1997. He helped establish the Miami Township Park Board, was a member of the Ohio Township Association, and served as an officer for that organization for 15 years.

Berman and Violet have been faithful members of the Parkview Methodist Church in Miamisburg for the past 70 years. They served as nature tour guide volunteers for school children at Cox Arboretum for over 40 years. They have visited all 50 states and toured 23 foreign countries. The couple have one son, two daughters, and eleven grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Berman and Violet's love for each other has kept them together for more years than many people live. Together, they have shared the joys and challenges of marriage, and set a fine example for many young husbands and wives.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Berman and Violet Layer as they each celebrate 101 years of a life well-lived, and 80 years of love and treasured memories. I wish them more years of good health and happiness together.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate TAC (The Abilities Connection) Industries, a nonprofit organization located in my Congressional district, that provides job opportunities to people with disabilities through its participation in the AbilityOne Program. AbilityOne is a federal program that provides employment opportunities to approximately 40,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities, including more than 2,500 veterans.

TAC Industries recently received the 2024 Innovation Award at Source America's annual X-Force conference in Orlando, Florida. This award honors a nonprofit that developed ``innovative work methods, products or services.'' TAC Industries partnered with Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio, which is also in my district, to create the Fresh Abilities restaurant, a farm-to-table quick service restaurant on the campus, which functions simultaneously as an employment center and a training program for workers with disabilities.

Through their partnership, TAC developed a curriculum that included over 100 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on skill building. They utilized the college's classroom facilities for their employees' food safety training. In the restaurant, the employees were then trained in how to prepare meals, how to make sales, and develop customer service skills.

Employees at Fresh Abilities gained the unique experience of working in a safe, inclusive environment while getting the training and support they need to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Clark State students, faculty and employees gained access to healthy food, and the college's administration was able to divert funds previously spent on food service to other student-focused areas.

For individuals with disabilities, the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling, meaningful career of one's own choosing with a path for advancement is important to their quality of life. I appreciate the work TAC Industries undertakes to provide these employment and vocational opportunities, and congratulate them on receiving this prestigious award.

Mr. Speaker, on July 24, 2024, I was unable to vote due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 393.

Mr. Speaker, on July 25, 2024, I was unable to vote due to illness. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 400.

Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Bob Ross Auto Group, located in my congressional district in Centerville, Ohio, as they celebrate a half-century of service to its customers and the Greater Dayton community.

The Bob Ross Auto Group, which consists of three franchises, Buick, GMC and Mercedes-Benz, commemorated its 50th anniversary on February 22, 2024. Over the past five decades, this family-owned dealership has become a pillar of the community and earned the trust of thousands of customers for their automotive and service needs.

The dealership contributes to a variety of charitable causes and community events, and to the Nation as a whole, through its support of the American Cancer Society's efforts to raise awareness and find a cure for breast cancer.

Mr. Chair, I thank Congressman Grothman, my friend and colleague, for his leadership on this issue.

I ask for strong support for this amendment which prohibits funding to be used for the parole program titled: ``Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.''

More than 10,000 Haitian migrants have settled in my congressional district in Springfield, Ohio, sent there by the Biden administration's unlawful use of the immigration parole program. I am going to say that again. More than 10,000 Haitians have settled in my congressional district in Springfield, Ohio.

America is a Nation of immigrants, and Ohio has undoubtedly been enriched by those seeking the tremendous opportunities that our country has to offer. However, Biden's administration policies incentivize migrants to locate in the United States rapidly and in large numbers, moving to small and rural communities like in my district.

You cannot find a city in this country that would be able to sufficiently handle this kind of surge. The city of Springfield is strained with infrastructure, housing, and schools all pushed to the limit.

Last year, the community of Springfield formed an immigration accountability response team to address this unprecedented population explosion. These Biden policies are wrong and put these people and the city of Springfield in impossible circumstances.

Mr. Chair, I urge strong support of this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Kaptur for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the newest member of the Ohio delegation, Congressman Mike Rulli.

In addition to his dedication to public service at the local, State, and now Federal levels, Congressman Rulli brings to this Chamber first- hand knowledge and practical experience as a successful family-run small business owner.

Mike and his family know the challenges that come with running a small business. They realize that small businesses are the job creators, an economic life blood of communities in Ohio and across the country.

It is that real-world experience that will greatly benefit this institution as we debate key policies that affect every American household and business.

Following in his predecessor's footsteps, Mike's business acumen and heart for service will represent Ohio's Sixth District well.

On behalf of the growing Mike caucus and the entire Ohio delegation, I welcome Congressman Rulli; his wife, Kelly; and their family to the 118th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) Commander, Colonel Ariel Batungbacal, farewell and thank you as she departs command, after serving at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for the past four years--first as a NASIC Group Commander and then as the NASIC Wing Commander.

Colonel Batungbacal commissioned in 2001, quickly rising through the ranks to Colonel and, most recently, confirmed to the rank of Brigadier General. In other words, through 23 years of dedicated service to her Nation, Colonel Batungbacal has earned a spot in the top two percent of all eligible members who achieve the General Officer rank. An outstanding achievement.

Colonel Batungbacal distinguished herself through her dedicated service to the Department of Defense and her visionary leadership of NASIC, the U.S. Air Force's Service Intelligence Center. During her command, Colonel Batungbacal led the Center through an unprecedented organizational change, adopting an A-staff structure and realigning squadrons to better support mission execution for the high-end fight.

Colonel Batungbacal elevated NASIC's analytic ecosystem by accelerating a multi-year digital transformation effort, prioritizing systems and processes that serve to increase information sharing and remove barriers to collaboration. By weaving these transformation efforts into the Center's near and long-term strategies, she provided the organization with an integrated, measurable path to success. The entire Center has leveraged this effort to accelerate 20 analytic modernization projects, with 245 efforts pending future Center action.

Under her leadership, NASIC led a joint DoD and FBI project concerning a high visibility national effort, enabling critical analysis and dissemination to policy makers. While in command, she also hosted two U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence retreats, effectively showcasing NASIC's efforts aligned to the National Defense Strategy. This unprecedented, bipartisan committee retreat was also attended by 10 senior leaders of the intelligence community. I brought two Speakers of the House to witness the NASIC magic themselves and experience first-hand the tremendous impact these ``MacGyvers'' of the Air Force have on our national defense posture.

During her tenure as the NASIC Wing Commander, Colonel Batungbacal oversaw the completion of a $155 million military construction project--one of the largest in Wright-Patterson's history. Most impressive, this project finished ahead of schedule and under budget. The world-class, purpose-built addition increased NASIC's footprint by 255,000 sq. feet, providing an additional 980 seats and cutting-edge lab space to the U.S. Air Force's largest Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility.

With an intentional focus on workforce development, Colonel Batungbacal repurposed an existing facility to provide internal training opportunities to grow and enhance the careers of her nearly 3,800-member force. Since the building's reopening in 2023, NASIC has hosted nearly 150 classes, training an excess of approximately 1920 individuals. Instructors are often in-house NASIC employees and specialists in their field, offering unique learning opportunities to enhance their colleagues' skillsets.

In addition to her impressive accomplishments as Commander, Colonel Batungbacal's creativity and innovation has shaped the way NASIC is perceived across the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, and the state of Ohio. Colonel Batungbacal has left a lasting impression with her creative vision, unifying the mission across the Center and pioneering a recognizable NASIC brand. She will be missed, but I appreciate the lasting efforts she made upon NASIC, Wright- Patterson, and the Dayton community. We wish her the best of luck in her next endeavors at A2/6.

Mr. Chair, I, too, thank Mr. Biggs for bringing this amendment to the floor. It is incredibly important that we have this debate. It is important because our European allies need to be listening to it.

However, this amendment is misguided in its effect, and it is misguided because this is the National Defense Authorization Act. Any amendment to restrict our options and our operations is to our detriment.

Now, the 2 percent target was advocated by the United States at the Wales NATO Summit in 2014. At that time, only three countries met the requirement.

This year, in 2024, 22 nations will be meeting the target, and two nations that just joined us in entering NATO, Finland and Sweden, came in already meeting that target.

Now, I served as the head of the U.S. delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and had an opportunity as past president to address the Warsaw Summit in NATO in 2016, and I made the exact point that Mr. Biggs is making--Europe must step up to the plate and hit its 2 percent.

We should not restrict our ability to have our operations with NATO. Currently, the Supreme Allied Commander is American. NATO doesn't do anything without the Americans leading. If there is a military exercise, it is the NATO U.S. commander who has decided that that operation will occur.

To restrict our ability to operate under NATO is misguided and would affect our national defense. It would affect NATO intelligence operations and also all of our interoperability.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.