Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career and service of retiring Houdini Elementary School crossing guard, Ms. Cheryl Latza.

For 44 years, Cheryl has dedicated her time and efforts to protecting children throughout the Appleton School District at Houdini Elementary School. Given Cheryl's kindness and sincere care, she became more than just a crossing guard for many students; she also became a friend.

Cheryl was the first hello in the morning and the last goodbye to students on their way home, something that families throughout the Appleton area are surely thankful for. Cheryl exhibits the qualities of a true community leader, and I thank her for her continued service. Her actions will be remembered for many years to come throughout the Appleton community.

Cheryl has dedicated decades of unwavering service to the Appleton community, and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing her. Goodbyes can be difficult, but I wish Cheryl the best in her well- deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable career of Mrs. Nancy Quirk and to celebrate her retirement from the Green Bay Water Utility in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Nancy began her career in civil engineering with her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. A Wisconsin-certified Professional Engineer, she worked at the Madison Water Utility before accepting the position of Technical Engineering Service Manager at Waukesha Water Utility. For the past ten years, Nancy's career brought her to Green Bay as General Manager of Green Bay Water Utility, the third largest drinking water utility in the state.

Nancy's vision, commitment, and perseverance has elevated the Utility as an industry leader that prioritizes the health and welfare of its customers. Thanks to her leadership, Green Bay Water Utility became one of the first in the nation to voluntarily remove all known public and private lead service lines.

The removal of lead service lines was no small task. Nancy facilitated her team's efforts to research records from the 19th and early 20th centuries to find potential lead lines, locate current property owners, knock on 3,000 doors to check pipes, and use specialized cameras and vacuums to scan lines for lead. At the time, utilities were prohibited from replacing privately owned lines, but the Utility worked with Wisconsin legislators to allow the Utility to replace 247 privately owned lead lines at no cost to homeowners. Nancy pooled funding sources for the five-year, $8 million lead pipe removal project and led her team to replace nearly 2,000 public and private lines in total.

Removing lead service lines was a remarkable example of how Nancy's work benefitted the citizens of Green Bay, but her vision for the future of safe water in Green Bay didn't stop there. In 2018, the utility took the forward-thinking step of proactively testing for PFAS. This allowed the Utility's water quality team to continue to closely monitor any PFAS as research evolves. Additionally, Nancy oversaw the implementation of unidirectional flushing for the entire distribution system, scouring of raw water lines, combining pressure zones, and instituting the Utilis Satellite Leak Detection System. At half the cost of the previous system, the Utilis system found potential leaks in more than 10 percent of the City's water pipes in the first year alone. The repairs to those leaks saved the City an estimated 30 million gallons of water.

An astute manager, Nancy's list of improvements to internal operations is impressive. As General Manager, Nancy oversaw the business of wholesale service to customers, adding a neighboring town and three villages. Nancy restructured the Utility and streamlined employee operations through improved communications, staff additions, and cross training. She instituted employee benefits, appreciation programs, and events. She also sought upgrades for technologies, equipment, distribution lines and the facility itself.

Nancy's passion for providing safe drinking water extends beyond the borders of the Green Bay Water Utility and its service area. A member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) since 1987, Nancy chaired the Wisconsin Section of AWWA and is a past National Director representing Wisconsin. She served six years on the Water Utility Council for AWWA where she was the regulatory chairperson of the technical advisory groups. She was a trustee for Municipal Environmental Group-Water in Wisconsin and the Regulatory Committee for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). Today, she concludes her term as one of 15 representatives appointed nationwide to EPA's National Drinking Water Advisory Council.

Nancy's achievements have not gone unnoticed. She was awarded as a Distinguished Alumni in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville. She received the Leon Smith Award from the Wisconsin Section of the AWWA and was awarded the George Warren Fuller Award for Distinguished Service to the Water Supply Field by the American Water Works Association. Most recently, Nancy was named a NEW Watershed Champion for her work in improving area waters.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mrs. Nancy Quirk for her exceptional leadership and commitment in embracing the core values of the Green Bay Water Utility. She has made our communities a better and safer place. Upon her retirement, she leaves the legacy of providing safe drinking water for thousands of people in Northeast Wisconsin. We are grateful to her for granting us the security of knowing the water that flows from the Green Bay Water Utility to our tap is safe to drink.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Northeast Wisconsin's 2023 Veteran of the Year, John Gillespie.

The Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year is chosen annually by a selection committee of veteran and civilian community members. It recognizes veterans in Northeast Wisconsin who continue to demonstrate service, excellence, and dedication in all they do.

John's service began in 1955 at the University of Wisconsin, where he first signed up as an ROTC student with the Army Corp of Engineers. His career of service would see him honorably discharged from the United States Army and rise to the rank of Captain in the United States Army Reserve. His service extended far beyond his time in uniform, however, as he was appointed to Gov. Tommy Thompson's Juvenile Justice Commission in 1991 and in 1992 to the National Child Labor Committee.

A longtime resident of Northeast Wisconsin, John's service to our country and community went far beyond his time in uniform. In 1965, John and his wife Jan began the Rawhide Boys Ranch with the fundraising help and support of a quarterback some may know, Bart Starr. This support allowed John and Jan to help turn around the lives of numerous at-risk youth throughout Wisconsin. The ranch was more than just housing and mentor assistance for these youth. It became an integral part of the community, establishing a firefighting service that served the nearby municipalities at no charge. Today, through their car donation program, residential services, and youth counseling programs, they serve over 750 at-risk youth across Wisconsin. They operate several family services centers, three equine therapy centers, and over 40 full-time therapists stationed at public high schools serving at- risk youth.

But John's commitment to our community went beyond the ranch. He dedicated much time and effort to projects like establishing Plamann Park, spent countless hours volunteering with American Legion Post 38 in Appleton, where he is a 30-year member, and also spent years advocating for a local veteran whom he kept in contact with after his two years at Rawhide as a youth, Jerry Monson. He worked tirelessly to ensure Jerry received the VA benefits he deserved and went so far as to compile donations from local builders to get Jerry back on his feet after he found himself homeless. John enlisted the help of 45 local builders and suppliers to build Jerry a home free of charge.

In every walk of his life, John and his family have led a life of selfless service and sacrifice. The lives he has changed through his work in our community can never be quantified. John continues to demonstrate the highest degree of service, dedication, and excellence in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I once again congratulate John Gillespie for his service to Northeast Wisconsin and the veteran's community and for being the 2023 Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year. Northeast Wisconsin can be proud of the many great veterans who call Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional District home. I urge all colleagues to join me in recognizing these outstanding men and women.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to recognize Captain Bridget Greene of the United States Marine Corps, for her service to Wisconsin's Eighth Congressional District and my national security team as my 2023 Defense Fellow.

Captain Greene started in our office as a First Lieutenant, this year's youngest defense fellow in Congress. From leading her Marines as a logistician for Marine Aircraft Group 24 stationed at Kaneohe Bay, to serving as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff of U.S. Indo- Pacific Command, she has made immeasurable contributions to the Marine Corps and to the Joint Force prior to joining our office as a part of the Department of Defense Legislative Fellowship Program. She brought her operational experience--especially her expertise of the Indo- Pacific area of responsibility--to our office and Armed Services Committee work, sharpening the tactical effectiveness of our National Defense Authorization Act policies focused on strengthening the American military's advantage in deterring aggression vis-a-vis China.

Like Peeps in the microwave, her influence was ever expanding. As duty called, Captain Greene not only crafted brilliant legislation to support in-theater logistics and streamline our military partnership with allies and partners, she also worked day-in and day-out with Wisconsin's veterans, and provided unconventional and matchless counsel on bill designations to guarantee awareness of my policy priorities, notably the Deterring Attempts at Dirty Deals by Youngsters Act. While she is a native New Yorker, she quickly adopted the Northeast Wisconsin ethos by embracing a love of cheese curds, dairy animals, and Al Johnson's rooftop goats.

Through her responsibilities, she exemplified the Marine Corps motto ``Semper Fidelis''--Always Faithful. This eternal and collective commitment to the progress of our nation and steadfast loyalty to the Corps is evident in every moment of her service to my office. From recruiting future Marines in our intern cohorts simply by being an example of what a Marine is and could be, to being a trustworthy and honest adviser on the most pressing issues of national security, and all the while demonstrating the highest class and unwavering kindness to my constituents and my staff, during her time here, she is a truehearted patriot and I am proud to call her a fellow Marine.

I wish Bridget the best of luck as she continues her Marine Corps career. She will no doubt excel and impress in her future endeavors, to the benefit of this country. I thank her for her service to the military and the people of Wisconsin, over the course of this year.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill.

As we look across the world, deterrence is collapsing, and we in this body need to do everything possible to restore it.

As chairman of the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee, I am proud of many of the provisions that we got into the bill that will spark innovation across the Pentagon, strengthen offensive and defensive cybersecurity, and ensure our warfighters are equipped with the cutting-edge technology that they need today.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for working with the select committee on the CCP to include a lot of our recommendations, from enhanced cyber cooperation with and prioritization of aid to Taiwan to detailed analyses of China's defense spending.

At the end of this process, the chairman and the ranking member can proudly say that we will have done our work on the Armed Services Committee. We have authorized what we needed to authorize. That is a testament to their leadership and the spirit of the bipartisanship they have set.

However, we also need to appropriate money to the Defense Department. We have not done that. We are having a debate about a supplemental, which begs the question: What are we supplementing?

If we don't appropriate, we will lose $37 billion.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Luxemburg- Casco football team for their runner-up finish at the 2023 WIAA Division 4 State Football Championship.

For the first time in school history, the Luxemburg-Casco football team traveled to Madison for the Division 4 state football championship game. After an impressive season and playoff run, they would be in for a matchup with the talented Lodi team at Camp Randall. With a record of 12-2, the entire team and coaching staff displayed great determination and hard work to make it to the 2023 state championship for the first time in their school's history.

Even though the Spartans did not come out on top in the championship, the Luxemburg-Casco community is incredibly proud of these young men for their hard work throughout the season. Making it to the state football championship is an outstanding achievement and one which will be remembered for generations to come. To head coach Neil Seering and the entire team, I congratulate you on this outstanding milestone and applaud your tireless commitment and dedication throughout the season. I also want to give special congratulations to the graduating seniors: Sawyer Dorn, Chris Vanderwielen, Trace Schoenebeck, Braeden Schley, Ezra Waege, Max Thayse, Ryland Day, and Cole DeJardin.

Once again, I extend my sincere congratulations to head coach Neil Seering and the entire Luxemburg-Casco football team on this historic accomplishment and wish them many seasons of continued success. I urge my colleagues to join me in applauding the Luxemburg-Casco football team for their runner-up finish at the 2023 WIAA Division 4 State Football Championship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable man, Mr. Donald ``Toby'' Peterson.

Born in 1933, Toby spent his childhood growing up in rural Oconto County in the Oconto Falls area, known as ``Swedetown.'' Toby attended Oconto Falls High School and while in school, met Shirley Jean Elbe who he affectionally called his, ``Lovely Lady''. Following their marriage in 1956, Toby and Shirley started a family that would grow to six children: Lynette, Mike, Kathryn, Mari Jo, Jan, and Beth, who were the center of their world.

Throughout his life, Toby's strong work ethic resulted in his professional success as he and his father owned and operated two gas stations in Oconto Falls that serviced and sold cars and trucks. In 1973, Toby and Shirley purchased the local Ford dealership, which was operated by the family for the next 48 years. Toby and his family built a lasting business that provided many individuals throughout Northeast Wisconsin with stable jobs. Throughout the years, the dealership provided exceptional service and support for the entire Oconto Falls community. I commend Toby and Shirley for their unwavering commitment and dedication to their business and community throughout the years.

As his business grew and nourished, so did his efforts to give back to his community. Toby cherished and devoted much of his time and efforts to his hometown. Toby was a member of the River Island Golf Course, served on the Oconto Falls Fire Department, and on the Community Bank Board. Toby undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the entire Oconto Falls community and built a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. I thank Toby for his years of dedication to our community and offer my sincere condolences to his family during this time.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Northeast Wisconsin thank Donald ``Toby'' Peterson for his extraordinary commitment and dedication to the Oconto County community and Northeast Wisconsin. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and to all of the lives he touched.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Wrightstown Tigers Football Team for their runner-up finish at the 2023 WIAA Division 5 State Boys Football Championship.

Following an impressive season and playoff run, the Wrightstown football team traveled to Camp Randall in Madison to compete in the 2023 WIAA State Football Championship Game. With a record of 11-3 during the season, the Wrightstown team worked together all season to become a dominant force in the conference. I commend head coach Steve Klister, the coaching staff, and the entire team for their unwavering commitment and dedication to an incredibly impressive season.

This being their first trip to the state championship since 2011, the entire team and community have much for which they should be proud. Although they lost a tough battle to a talented La Crosse Aquinas team, the team displayed great skill and determination throughout the season. Congratulations to the entire team for this remarkable achievement, and a special congratulations to the senior players on the team: Riley Verbeten, Quade Thompson, Payton Vande Hey, Kevin Biese, Riley Sundin, Landon Helphrey, Elijah Lemke, Ben Zemple, Sam Keuler, Charlie Garvey, Trent Vande Hey, Garrett Hitner, Brendan Gustafson, Carter Lamers, Everett Lamers, and Gavin Ducat.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my sincere congratulations to head coach Steve Klister and the entire Wrightstown Football Team for his outstanding accomplishment. It is my honor to recognize this team and I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding their remarkable season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tenth anniversary of the Lower Fox Demonstration Farms (Fox Demo Farms) Network and to celebrate its success in expanding the adoption and implementation of conservation farming practices throughout the Lower Fox River Basin.

Fox Demo Farms was the first of its kind in the Great Lakes region. It was created through a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Brown County, and four producers in the Lower Fox River Watershed of Northeast Wisconsin and funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Fox Demo Farms set out to demonstrate the effectiveness and adaptability of conservation practices to reduce erosion and sedimentation. control phosphorus runoff. and address other nonpoint source pollution issues.

To appreciate the significance of the Fox Demo Farms' success, it is helpful to understand the challenges of the region. Surrounded by a rural landscape of forests and farms, the Lower Fox River basin, like many in the Great Lakes region, encompasses varied weather, geology, topography, and soil types that pose challenges in preventing eroded sediment and nutrients from entering the Lower Fox River, the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

The Lower Green Bay and Fox River region was designated an Area of Concern (AOC) under the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. High phosphorus levels fuel hypoxia in the bay, resulting in dead zones and fish kills. Reducing the amount of phosphorus and sediment leaving agricultural lands plays an important role in efforts to delist the Lower Fox as an AOC. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was the catalyst for NRCS and Brown County leaders to partner with farmers to adopt, maintain, and expand leading-edge conservation strategies that improve soil health and reduce erosion.

Since its founding in 2013, Fox Demo Farms has stayed true to its mission, ensuring growers have the opportunity and resources for peer- to-peer education about experimental and innovative conservation farming practices.

Even more notable is Fox Demo Farms's success in fulfilling its vision to create a culture that encourages collaborative efforts to restore soil health, reduce runoff pollution, improve water quality, and support a strong regional economy.

During the past ten years, through its field days, roundtables, promotions, and social media platforms, Fox Demo Farms generated enthusiasm for new conservation farming practices. The Fox Demo Farms partnership with NRCS grew from four producers and Brown County Land and Water Conservation Department to eight producers, their crop consultants, land and water conservation departments at both Brown and Outagamie counties, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District (NEW Water), and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Moreover, the collaborative work and success of Fox Demo Farms inspired the expansion of demo farms networks across Wisconsin to seven networks with more than 30 farms spanning 17 counties. Demonstration farms networks are also active in New York and Ohio, with one gearing up to launch in Indiana next year.

The Fox Demo Farms has created opportunities for farmers to meet and build relationships with other farmers, which helped transfer knowledge throughout the watershed. The work by Fox Demo Farms has been pivotal in transitioning farmers from being on the cutting edge of innovative practices and working in silos, to community conservation where farmers and organizations work together toward solutions.

Mr. Speaker, join me in thanking the farmers and partners of Fox Demo Farms for their leadership and perseverance in elevating the value of conservation farming practices and congratulating them on their remarkable achievements. I am enthusiastic about their continued leadership and success in engaging more farmers across the Great Lakes Region to adopt conservation farming practices.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Bruce A. Wilber, who has dedicated his life to serving both his country and his community. Mr. Wilber's journey is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to those he serves.

Born in June 1957 on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshana, Wisconsin, Mr. Wilber emerged as a beacon of leadership, being the oldest of seven children. His father's legacy as a Korean War veteran instilled in him a profound sense of duty to his country and eventually inspired him to join the military. After answering the call to serve, Bruce Wilber became a motor transport operator stationed in Caserma Ederle, a base in Livorno, Italy.

Upon concluding his military service, Mr. Wilber transitioned to the civilian sector, where he contributed to the logging industry and later served in law enforcement. Unfortunately, his law enforcement career was cut short due to an injury. However, this setback did not deter him. Mr. Wilber's tenacity shone through as he pursued an associate degree in alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) counseling from the College of Menominee Nation.

His journey took a significant turn as he assumed the role of an AODA counselor at the Maehnowesekiyah Wellness Center, the treatment facility for the Menominee Nation. In this capacity, he was instrumental in establishing and maintaining mental and physical wellness programs for veterans and members of the Menominee Tribe for a decade. At each stop in his career, he continued to serve a greater purpose and those around him.

In August 2016, Mr. Wilber became the Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO) and a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) for the Menominee Nation and Menominee County, respectively. He extended his service by joining the Wisconsin County Veterans Service Officers Association (CVSOA), a vital organization that represents all 11 recognized tribes and 72 counties in Wisconsin.

After several years as a CVSO, it is with great pride that we acknowledge Mr. Wilber's election as the first Native American president of the State County Veterans Service Officer Association (CVSOA). I am sure that with his experience and unwavering dedication to the veteran's community, Mr. Wilber will excel in this new role.

Mr. Wilber's dedication also extends to his family, having celebrated 30 years of marriage and having raised seven children. The Wilber family's sacrifices have been profound, including the loss of a son who served with the Marines in Iraq and tragically passing away in an

accident at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Mr. Wilber carries the memory of his son in his heart and draws inspiration from his son's legacy to continue being a positive role model for others.

I am proud that my office has been able to work with Bruce in his role as TVSO and CVSO. It is an incredible honor to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Bruce as he continues to make a profound impact on the lives of our veterans, the Menominee tribe, Northeast Wisconsin, and our country.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Hill Top Bakery in Kaukauna.

For the past 100 years, the Hill Top Bakery in Kaukauna has provided exceptional customer service and delicious, daily made, old-fashioned baked goods for people throughout Wisconsin. Originally a horse stable, their building on 7th and Main in Kaukauna was repurposed into a bakery and opened in 1923, where it still remains to this day. To say baking runs in the family is an understatement. Mark and Lynn Engel have owned and operated the location for nearly 30 years after they took it over from Lynn's parents, Harry and Diane Wirth, who ran the Bakery for the previous 26 years. The family's commitment to outstanding service and quality products for more than 50 years has made Hill Top Bakery a staple in Northeast Wisconsin.

In addition to offering delicious baked goods for people throughout Northeast Wisconsin, Hill Top Bakery is known for its unwavering support of Kaukauna and the greater Fox Valley community. The Bakery has donated goods to organizations like Project Purpose, a collaborative mural experience that centers around students in Special Education at Appleton East High School. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Bakery donates a portion of its proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I commend the dedication and unwavering support that the Hill Top Bakery team has shown to our community.

100 years in operation is no small feat and at Hill Top Bakery they have the perfect recipe for success, incredible people, a Northeast Wisconsin work ethic, and generations of family recipes that have been acquired over the last century. From their famous peanut squares to their cherry chip cookies, Hill Top Bakery provides top-notch baked goods to the people of Wisconsin. It is evident due to their continued success that the Hill Top Bakery is committed to providing homemade, authentic, and old-fashioned bakery items for people throughout Northeast Wisconsin, all the while making our community a better place.

I invite all members of this body to join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Hill Top Bakery. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Mark and Lynn Engel and the entire Hill Top Bakery team on this remarkable milestone and wish them continued success for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Sarah (Meyer) Gard as she is inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Hall of Fame.

A graduate of Lena High School, Sarah started four years for the Lena Varsity Girls Basketball Team. During her career at Lena High School, she surpassed the 2,000-point milestone and ended her career with a total of 2,176 points. The team made appearances at the Wisconsin Girls State Tournament twice and Sarah was named First Team All-State. Sarah's career at Lena High School is one that will be remembered for generations.

After Sarah's very successful high school career, she continued her education and athletics at UW-Green Bay, where she joined the Women's Basketball Team. During her seasons at UW-Green Bay, Sarah excelled and was named to the Mid-Continent Conference Second Team in 1995. The UW- Green Bay record books reflect Sarah's hard work and commitment as she remains in the top 10 for Field Goals Attempted, Scoring Average, and Three-Point Field Goals Made. It is quite evident through these many records that Sarah's talent and dedication to the game never wavered.

Since graduating from UW-Green Bay, Sarah has remained in Northeast Wisconsin and has been teaching in the Peshtigo School District for 18 years, where she is currently a second-grade teacher. I extend my sincere congratulations to Sarah as she receives this outstanding honor and for her years of dedication and commitment to our community.

I once again congratulate Sarah Gard for being inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Hall of Fame and wish her, her husband Peter Gard and sons, Simon and Sam, nothing but the best for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the distinguished career of retiring Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners Principal, Mrs. Tammy Van Dyke.

Mrs. Van Dyke has held several leadership roles throughout the education system in Northeast Wisconsin. Prior to assuming the role of Principal at Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners, Mrs. Van Dyke was the Principal at Nicolet Elementary School in Green Bay. During her time at Nicolet, she played an instrumental role in improving leadership skills in students and developed the LIONS (Leaders in Our Neighborhood and School) Club, which provided opportunities for students to interact with guest speakers, learn, and organize events for the school.

Throughout her impressive career, Mrs. Van Dyke has been committed to bettering the lives of her students and their families. Her knowledge and leadership led to the growing enrollment rate at Green Bay Area Public Schools, which played a significant role in the recruitment and retainment of both gifted teachers and students at Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners. Mrs. Van Dyke's expertise and knowledge will surely be missed by her students, peers, and the entire Green Bay community.

While Mrs. Van Dyke is leaving behind a notable legacy that will be admired by educators for years to come, I am confident that she will continue to be a valuable member of the Northeast Wisconsin community. Her dedication to Northeast Wisconsin has been truly remarkable, and I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Van Dyke for her years of service. Mrs. Van Dyke's distinguished career is deserving of the highest degree of recognition, and I wish her all the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th birthday of Leona Yost, an incredible mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and Wisconsinite from Oconto.

Leona Yost was born on July 28, 1923. She was the daughter of Herbert and Mary Whiting, and she grew up on their family farm. Leona graduated from Lena High School in the year 1941 and after her graduation, she worked at the egg factory in Oconto and later the Grant Store in Green Bay.

In 1943, Leona married George Yost and they proceeded to work together on the George's family farm in Lena. Leona and George welcomed five beautiful children who went on to bless them with seven grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. Leona is noted for having an amazing memory and a deep interest in coin collecting and coin history--she loves to share these passions with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Potentially of most importance, she is known throughout Oconto for her delicious potato salad.

Leona has always been an active member of the community. She was an Oconto County 4-H leader for 37 years working for the Meadow Brook 4-H club. She also worked for several years for the town of Stiles as an election poll worker. Leona is a truly selfless woman who has worked hard her entire life to give back to others. She has lived an incredible life and has now reached a very rare milestone.

I would like to ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing Leona Yost happy 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tom Sigmund for his service and accomplishments as the executive director of NEW Water and president of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

Mr. Sigmund has committed his career to improving water quality throughout Wisconsin, as well as promoting a national water policy to create a more equitable water future. On July 13, 2023, Mr. Sigmund completed his service as president of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. I stand today to recognize Mr. Sigmund's impressive leadership at NACWA as well as his service to the clean water industry.

Since 2007, Mr. Sigmund has led NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, as its executive director, facilitating the delivery of the utility's wholesale conveyance and treatment services to 238,000 people throughout 15 municipalities in Northeast Wisconsin. Under Mr. Sigmund's leadership, NEW Water has achieved 100 percent permit compliance and ushered in a new era for the utility in recognizing that material sent to the facilities is a valuable resource to be recovered and reused. He orchestrated the Resource Recovery and Electrical Energy, or R2E2, project, which recovers valuable resources from the wastewater stream to produce electricity and recovers heat for processes that run the facility.

Mr. Sigmund aided in creating a circular reclaimed water system that was developed with a national paper mill, boosting economic development for the region, and providing a sustainable solution for the industry. Mr. Sigmund launched an adaptive management approach to achieve water quality improvements more cost effectively by working collaboratively across rural landscapes in the Green Bay watershed. These efforts target a reduction of sediment and excess nutrient run-off into impaired waterways, an improved ecosystem, and a pathway for continued success.

Under his leadership, NEW Water entered a partnership with NASA to advance scientific knowledge of harmful algal blooms and their impact on public health. This initiative is housed under NEW Water's Aquatic Monitoring Program, which was established in 1986 and is one of the longest running water quality monitoring programs on the Great Lakes. Mr. Sigmund also supports his community by creating an educational STEAM Superheroes Camp with the local Boys & Girls Club to build critical skillsets, inspire water stewardship, and establish a talent pipeline for future employees.

During the early stages of the pandemic, NEW Water joined the Wisconsin Wastewater Surveillance Program to advance public health efforts to understand COVID-19 in the community. Mr. Sigmund received his Bachelor and Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. A licensed professional engineer in Wisconsin and Ohio, he has served and continues to serve on board and leadership positions at various organizations. He chaired the Water Resources Utility of the Future Task Force, which developed the Water Resources Utility of the Future Blueprint for Action. He served as a member of the Utility Advisory Group, where he helped develop publications on Effective Utility Management related to water and wastewater utilities, as well as other sustainability efforts. A recipient of the NACWA President's Award, Mr. Sigmund is also a Water Environment Federation, or WEF, fellow. He has received the WEF William D. Hatfield Award and the WEF Schroepfer Innovative Facility Design Medal.

These accolades and awards attest to Mr. Sigmund's dedication to the clean water industry. His strong character and visionary leadership have been instrumental in charting a course for improved water quality, particularly in Lake Michigan's Green Bay. I thank Mr. Sigmund for his commitment to Northeast Wisconsin, and I congratulate him on completing his service as NACWA president.