Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Bob Miller as the 2023 Recipient of the Luxemburg Casco Distinguished Alumni Award.

Born and raised on his family's farm in the Village of Luxemburg, WI, Bob grew up knowing the true meaning of hard work and developed an interest in agriculture at a young age. While attending Luxemburg High School, Bob was involved in many extracurricular activities such as football, basketball, National Honor Society and served as the President on the Student Council. Following his graduation from Luxemburg High School, Bob traveled to De Pere to attend St. Norbert College. In 1969, Bob celebrated two outstanding milestones, graduating from college, and marrying the love of his life, Linda. Bob and Linda have two sons, Steve and Jeffrey and four grandchildren: Caleb, Rylee, Evelyn, and Isaac.

Following their marriage and throughout the years, Bob and Linda took over their family farm operation. For more than half a century, Bob and his family continued to run their family farm and became leaders in the northeastern Wisconsin agricultural community. In addition to his family, Bob has also led a life of faith. Bob was ordained as a deacon by the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay in 2005 and served at the St. Mary Luxemburg Parish for years following.

It is quite evident that through these many examples, Bob has committed himself to making the world around him a better place. Bob is a true asset to our community and to Northeast Wisconsin. Luxemburg Casco and all of Northeast Wisconsin is proud that Bob calls our community home.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Bob Miller for receiving the 2023 Luxemburg Casco Distinguished Alumni Award. Bob's dedication and commitment to the Luxemburg Casco community and Northeast Wisconsin is deserving of the highest degree of recognition.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Lena American Legion Post 342 on its 100th Anniversary.

Post 342 was founded on February 1, 1922, when the founding members came together to sign the Legion constitution forming the Lena American Legion Post. For 100 years, the Lena American Legion Post 342 has upheld the vision of legions across the country to the highest degree. Post 342 proudly carries the names of Lena natives and World War One veterans, Corporal Everett Doney and Private Desire DeGrave.

Corporal Doney was born on October 3, 1893. He enlisted in the armed forces in 1917, serving with the Company M, 127th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Division of the U.S. Army in France. Corporal Doney was killed in action on August 4, 1918. He is laid to rest in the soldier's section of Evergreen cemetery in Oconto, Wisconsin.

Private DeGrave was born on April 8, 1896. He enlisted in the armed forces in 1917 and served with the 150th Machine Gun Battalion of the 42nd Division, American Expeditionary Force in France. Private DeGrave was killed in action on July 27, 1918. He is laid to rest at St. Charles Catholic cemetery in Lena. The legion carries on the memory, service, and sacrifice of Corporal Doney and Private DeGrave through their vision of strengthening America by improving the lives of veterans, the military, and their families.

Post 342 has continued to grow from their beginnings 100 years ago. Post 342 now has over 42 members located across the United States, who work together to teach future generations about the importance of service. The members of Post 342 are a true inspiration and example for all Americans. The continued service and dedication that the members of Post 342 have shown to not only the Lena community, but to the United States of America is deserving of the highest degree of recognition.

As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Post 342, we must recognize the outstanding service that they continue to provide to Lena and the entire Oconto County community. Post 342 takes great pride in supporting the local Lena High School and other organizations via numerous community events. Post 342 continues to be a voice for the men and women who have served our country. At Post 342 every day they put country before self, just as they did the day they joined the service. American Legion Post 342 Doney-DeGrave is a true credit to Northeast Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the Lena American Legion Post 342 Doney-DeGrave as they come together to celebrate their 100th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Notre Dame Academy Girls Basketball Team for winning the 2023 WIAA Division 2 State Championship.

Achieving the title of State Champion is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work that the coaches and players display every day throughout the season. After beating No. 3 ranked McFarland in the semi-finals the Tritons advanced to the finals where they faced No. 1 ranked Pewaukee who handed them their only defeat of the season. The Notre Dame Girls Basketball Team dominated with their strong offense capturing the state title over Pewaukee in the Championship game with a 64-49 win at the Resch Center.

I applaud Coach Sara Rhode and the entire Lady Triton team for their outstanding performance during the 2023 Girls basketball season. Winning one golden ball much less three in a row is a feat that you and the entire Notre Dame community should be incredibly proud of.

Following years of hard work, the Notre Dame Girls Basketball Team has left a remarkable legacy that will be remembered by the Green Bay community for years to come. The team won their third consecutive Division 2 state title while also setting a WIAA record for the most points scored in the State Tournament. It is quite evident that the Notre Dame Girls Basketball Team has become a powerhouse in Division 2 throughout the years securing titles in 2000, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my sincerest congratulations to the entire Lady Triton coaching staff and team for their outstanding display at the 2023 Division 2 State Girls Basketball Tournament. It is my honor to recognize these young women and I wish them nothing but the best for seasons to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the De Pere Boys Basketball Team for winning the WIAA Division 1 State Boys Basketball Championship.

After an impressive undefeated season, the De Pere Boys Basketball Team traveled to the Kohl Center in Madison to compete in the 2022 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament. After quickly securing a 55-44 win in the semifinals over Kettle Moraine, the team advanced to the finals where they faced No. 2 ranked Arrowhead in the State Championship. The boys' strong defense led them to an impressive 69-49 win over Arrowhead in the State Finals, bringing a state championship back to De Pere.

Congratulations to Coach Winchester on a perfect season and the coveted state title. A special congratulations to the senior boys on the team, Johnny Kinzinger, Hogan Demovsky, Gabe Herman, Caleb Dietsche, Trey Plos, Ethan Ramos and Zack Kane. l wish them all the best in the next steps of their careers.

A state title is an outstanding achievement and the pinnacle of high school sports. Achieving this goal is a testament to the tireless efforts and commitment displayed by every member of the team throughout the season. By finishing with an undefeated season, the Redbirds also set a record with the first-ever 30-0 season in WIAA history. This is a season that will be remembered by the De Pere community for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my sincere congratulations to Head Coach Brian Winchester and the entire De Pere Boys Basketball team for this remarkable accomplishment. It is my honor to recognize the De Pere Boys Basketball Team and I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding their outstanding season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud Mater Dei graduate, a proud Mater Dei Monarch, and I rise to honor a Rollinson, but probably not the one you are thinking of.

Laurie Rollinson was my AP U.S. history teacher and imbued in me a love of United States history, a fascination with our country's history and values. The more I think about it and look back on it, it set me on a path to not only further exploring those issues in college and graduate school but to serving my country in the United States Marine Corps and, ultimately, serving my country in the United States Congress.

Among Coach Rollinson's many accolades, perhaps none is higher than he out-kicked his coverage in terms of the woman he married, and she had a profound impact on my life. Thank you to Laurie Rollinson, though we are here today to recognize Coach Bruce Rollinson.

The other reason--I just want to mention the true power in the Rollinson house because--and this is a bit of a shameful confession--I was a nerd in high school. I spent more time studying for Mrs. Rollinson's class than I did pursuing athletic excellence. I was not a member of the Mater Dei football team. I went to many a game and cheered on from afar.

In fact, I actually played flag football with the other Heisman trophy winner that Coach Rollinson coached, Matt Leinart, in junior high. I was so bad, I dropped every pass that Matt Leinart threw to me. I was intimidated to play--too intimidated to play for Rollo.

Even if you weren't on the team, any student at Mater Dei was profoundly impacted by Coach Rollinson. There was nothing better at Mater Dei than a pep rally before a big game in which Coach Rollinson would come out there with his raspy voice and fire up the entire student body.

I have been to 8th & I ceremonies in the Marine Corps. I have been to all sorts of fancy State visits. There is nothing with more energy and more excitement than a Mater Dei pep rally where Coach Rollinson is talking to the student body.

The thing that Coach Rollinson did was not talk about the Xs and Os of football, that would have gone way over my head. I would have immediately stuffed myself back into a locker if that was the topic of conversation. He connected the playing of football to the pursuit of excellence and what we were all there to do, which was to honor God.

Part of the Mater Dei mission--I have always felt since I started to learn a bit more about the combination of athletic excellence, academic excellence and leadership, I found that there are a lot of similarities between Mater Dei's core values and the core values of the United States Marine Corps.

We say: Honor, courage, commitment in the United States Marine Corps. They say: Honor, glory, and love at Mater Dei. I found myself thinking a lot about those core values.

Honor: What does it mean to pursue honor on a football field?

I would argue that there is honor in simply doing your job well, regardless of what position you play.

As Coach Rollinson famously said: ``You create the effort, God controls the outcome.'' There is honor in putting in the effort on the field in order to do your absolute best. That culture of honor and excellence permeated Mater Dei, and it was a direct result of Coach Rollinson's leadership.

We honor God simply by doing our job well: whether you are a coach, whether you are a player, whether you are a United States Congressman, whether you are a President, whether you are anybody pursuing honorable work.

In the Marine Corps we talk about this as ``ductus exemplo,'' ``lead by example.'' Do your job well and you can inspire others.

Glory: Glory is obvious on a football field. I have colleagues who are national champions. Coach is a four-time national champion. You have had your share of glory on the football field. You have also probably had your share of setbacks and heartbreak, but ultimately you are not there to glorify yourself, you are not there to glorify even the program, per se. It is all about glorifying God, glorifying that pursuit of excellence, and glorifying the community that you are an integral part of building at Mater Dei High School.

Glory on the football field translated to a sense that we are all part of something greater than ourselves at Mater Dei. It was as palpable as a student. That is a direct result of your leadership, Coach Rollinson.

Finally, love: I don't want to get all, you know--we don't do a lot of trust falls and hugging here in the House Republican Caucus. I think the reason that football is so compelling, even more so than any of the other sports, is this sense of sacrifice and genuine love for your teammates, more so than any other sport. I think it is a pure team sport. That willingness to sacrifice for your teammates is the ultimate expression of love and leadership, I would argue.

Coach Rollinson, your ability to instill those values--those core values of honor, glory, and love--into everything that you did in leading the Mater Dei football team had a profound impact not only on the lives of the players that played their hearts out for you, but on the lives of every single student that walked through the doors of Mater Dei High School.

I still think about it to this day. Though, I regret not being able to call myself a former player of yours, I feel that I owe you a significant debt of gratitude for setting that example of leadership that I got to witness at a very early age.

We can list all your titles, we can list your wins, we can list your national championships, we can list all the great players that you coached, but it is impossible to quantify the impact that you have had on tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of lives because of what you meant to Mater Dei High School.

Thank you, Coach Rollinson, not only for everything you accomplished on the field, but for everything that you accomplished off the field. I stand in awe of it.

I am reminded of the quote--let me paraphrase it a little bit: Some men have to spend their whole lives wondering if they made a difference. You do not have to wonder about that, Coach Rollinson. You have made a profound difference on the lives of thousands of young men and women who attended Mater Dei High School.

Thank you for your leadership. It is an honor to be here today. You have even inspired colleagues from other parts of the country to come here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to honor your accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of ERC: Counselors and Consultants. Founded in 1992, this thriving Employee Assistance Program based in Green Bay partners with organizations throughout Wisconsin and the Nation with the goal of enhancing the mental health of employees, improving business performance, and strengthening communities. While ERC remains focused on the Midwest, the company has a national footprint through their network of counselors.

Steve and Allyson Baue purchased ERC in 2014. Their strong leadership and passion for helping others led ERC to experience record growth in 2022 as companies sought better benefits for their employees. Today, ERC has more than 100,000 employees covered by their Employee Assistance Program, and they have more than 400 partnerships with customers throughout Wisconsin and the United States. ERC has an outstanding reputation for helping lift the mental health burdens that hold employees back. I commend Steve and Allyson for the hard work and dedication they have displayed towards helping companies improve employee mental health.

ERC is positively changing the workplace by embodying Northeast Wisconsin values in all that they do. It is exciting to hear of ERC's plans to continue promoting quality mental health benefits while expanding their footprint in underserved areas. They are a true benefit to the Green Bay area and all of Northeast Wisconsin. I am grateful to Steve and Allyson, ERC's counselors, and the entire ERC team for their continued support and dedication to helping individuals address mental health challenges with easy access to quality counseling services.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate ERC: Counselors and Consultants on its 30th year in advancing the mental health of employees. I wish this company many more years of continued growth and success.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the career of retiring Calumet County Sheriff Mark Wiegert. Throughout Sheriff Wiegert's 31 years in law enforcement, he has proven to be a remarkable leader and mentor to those in his department. Beginning as a part-time officer in Brillion and Valders, Sheriff Wiegert has obtained immense knowledge while serving in different capacities and departments in law enforcement, including as a sergeant in the investigative division and a lieutenant managing the jail and investigations. The many positions he held along the way surely played a role in obtaining his most recent leadership position, Sheriff of Calumet County. I commend Sheriff Wiegert's unwavering service for the past 31 years to the people of Calumet County and Northeast Wisconsin.

During his time leading the Calumet County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Wiegert was committed to ensuring that the department expand while also identifying ways to better serve the community. While in office, Sheriff Wiegert oversaw the $35 million project to build the new sheriffs office and jail. In addition to the building expansion, the department added new positions, a swearing-in ceremony for officers. and a wellness committee that assists officers in navigating mental health challenges. In recognition of Sheriff Wiegert's efforts, he has received several awards, including the Wisconsin Officer of the Year Award and the Outstanding Victim Advocate Award from the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators. It is evident through these many accolades that Sheriff Wiegert has committed himself to serving the people of Calumet County with a sense of duty and integrity.

Mr. Speaker, today the people of Northeast Wisconsin thank Sheriff Wiegert for his extraordinary service and commitment to his community. Sheriff Wiegert will surely be missed, but I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the life and legacy of a remarkable woman, Mrs. Carol Bush. Carol was born in 1926 in Milwaukee, and her family moved to the Green Bay area in 1942. Carol began her notable legacy of volunteerism while she attended East Green Bay High School, where she would read to other local school students. Following her graduation from Beloit College and after years as an instructor at Wayland Academy, Carol married the love of her life, Robert Bush. While Carol and Robert dedicated numerous hours to making Northeast Wisconsin a great place to raise a family, they raised a family of their own welcoming Tracy, Terry, Thomas, and Toni into the world.

Given Carol's eagerness to help others throughout her community, she utilized her strengths in leadership and communication skills and became the first female president of Curative Workshop and the first woman to serve on the YMCA Board of Directors. Throughout her decades of service, Carol led and was involved with several initiatives that supported individuals and families in Northeast Wisconsin. Among the many notable organizations, Carol was an active member of the St. Norbert Board of Trustees, a member of the Heritage Hill Foundation, and founder of the

Unity Hospice Development Council. I commend Carol for her decades of service and commitment to bettering the world around her with her infectious smile and care for others.

While Carol's efforts included hours of hard work and commitment, she always found time to make a personal connection with everyone she met. Specifically, Carol and her family became season ticket holders for the UW Green Bay Women's Basketball Team. As a committed fan and patron, the team dedicated the women's court as ``Carol's Court.'' It is quite evident through these many initiatives that Carol truly was committed to serving those in her community. Given her tireless efforts, Carol received many notable accolades along the way including the United Way DeTocqueville Award, Saint Norbert College President's Medal, U-W Green Bay Chancellor's Award, the Key to the City of Green Bay and the Seal of the City of Green Bay, just to name a few.

Carol's dedication to our community, to making Northeast Wisconsin the best place to work, play, live and raise a family will truly be missed. However, her legacy and the difference she made in our community will live on for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to thank Carol Bush for her years of service and extraordinary dedication to the people of Northeast Wisconsin. My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Carol's family during this time and to all of the lives she touched along the way.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Dianne Reese for receiving the New Holstein Chamber of Commerce's 2022 Distinguished Person of the Year Award.

Dianne was born and raised in Marytown, WI, and was 1 of 9 children born to August and Isabella Sippel. Having been raised on the family farm, Dianne grew up knowing the true meaning of hard work as she would help bale hay and pick up stones. From an early age, Dianne began volunteering and working to serve others in her community. For many years to come, Dianne would build a lengthy resume consisting of public service and volunteerism that is truly remarkable.

Throughout her decades of service, Dianne held several positions, including leadership in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Mayor of New Holstein, and member of both the Legion Auxiliary and the New Holstein Kiwanis Club. During Dianne's tenure as Mayor of New Holstein, she worked to streamline government to increase efficiency and worked diligently to improve awareness of the prairie area in Kiwanis Park. I commend Dianne's 12 years of service as the Mayor of New Holstein and thank her for her outstanding leadership.

It is clear that wherever Dianne turns she leaves a lasting positive impact on those around her. She is a true asset to our community and all of Northeast Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mrs. Dianne Reese for receiving the New Holstein Chamber of Commerce's 2022 Distinguished Person of the Year Award. Dianne's service and commitment to New Holstein and Northeast Wisconsin is deserving of the highest degree of recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and service of retiring Marinette County Sheriff, Jerry Sauve.

Throughout his nearly 40 years in law enforcement, Sheriff Sauve has committed his

career to serving and protecting the people of Marinette County and Northeast Wisconsin. In 1984, Sheriff Sauve began his career as a Deputy at the Marinette County Sheriff's Office and gained numerous experiences that helped him throughout his 12 years as Sheriff. Over the years, Sheriff Sauve was able to witness the incredible evolution and growth in the Sheriff's Office, specifically in DNA matching technology that resulted in the resolution of a 40-year-old unsolved double homicide case. I commend Sheriff Sauve for his years of selfless service and commitment to Marinette County.

During his nearly 40 years in law enforcement, Sheriff Sauve has proven himself to be a true leader in the County. Sheriff Sauve has taken part in the law enforcement response to many of the most remembered cases that Marinette County has witnessed. Sheriff Sauve is leaving behind a notable legacy that will be admired by generations of officers for years to come. After retirement, Sheriff Sauve plans to spend time with his grandchildren and will enjoy hunting and fishing at his cabin, and I am confident that he will continue to benefit the Northeast Wisconsin community.

Mr. Speaker, today the people of Northeast Wisconsin thank Sheriff Jerry Sauve for his extraordinary devotion to his community. Sheriff Sauve's dedication and selfless service to Marinette County is deserving of the highest degree of recognition and honor. I wish Sheriff Sauve and his family all the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the career and service of retiring Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber.

After 14 years in law enforcement, Sheriff Bieber began his tenure as Shawano County Sheriff in 2015. Throughout his career, Sheriff Bieber has been committed to serving the people of Shawano County and has worked to expand the Sheriff's Department and their services. I commend Sheriff Bieber for his unwavering dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety of Shawano County and Northeast Wisconsin.

During Sheriff Bieber's career with the Shawano County Sheriff's Department, transparency was one of his top priorities. Sheriff Bieber led and focused on elevating communication with the public by offering CPR/Heimlich Training, Concealed Carry Classes,

and a Citizens Academy. The Sheriffs Department also worked closely with schools throughout Shawano County to provide ALICE training. It is evident through his years of dedicated service that Sheriff Bieber's commitment to his community and Northeast Wisconsin never wavered.

I wish Sheriff Bieber all the best after his decades of service and dedication to the law enforcement community. While a true asset to our community will be missed, I am confident that he will make a difference in whatever his future holds.

Mr. Speaker, today the people of Northeast Wisconsin thank Sheriff Adam Bieber for his extraordinary service to the Shawano community. Sheriff Bieber's distinguished career is deserving of the highest degree of recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 11, establishing a bipartisan Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

In 1946, a great Wisconsinite, George Kennan, argued that dealing with the Soviet threat was the greatest task our diplomacy has ever faced and probably the greatest it will ever have to face.

Today, due to its aggression and its economic strength and our unique economic entanglement with it, the Chinese Communist Party represents an even greater test for American diplomacy.

As Secretary of State Anthony Blinken put it last year: China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and increasingly the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to do it.

The threat posed by the CCP is not abstract. The CCP's aggression is not limited to Taiwan, the South China Sea, Hong Kong, or even Xinjiang, where two successive administrations, Republican and Democratic alike, have determined that the CCP is engaging in genocide.

We see this aggression here at home where the party has stolen American intellectual property, technology, and industrial capacity undermining our economy and good-paying American jobs. It is here at home where the party's extraterritorial totalitarianism

terrorizes Chinese students studying at our universities and targets Americans of Chinese descent. And it is here at home where thousands of Americans are poisoned each year by fentanyl precursors manufactured in China and distributed thanks to a complex Chinese money laundering network.

It is time to understand the urgency of the threat. It is time to reclaim our economic independence in key areas.

The select committee will expose the CCP's coordinated whole-of- society strategy to undermine American leadership and American sovereignty while working on a bipartisan basis and with the committees of jurisdiction to identify long overdue, commonsense approaches to counter CCP aggression.

I stress working on a bipartisan basis because that is the only way we are going to be successful over the long term. The CCP doesn't pose a danger to just Republicans or Democrats. It is a threat to all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for his work on the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. That is one of the most consequential and significant pieces of legislation that we passed on a bipartisan basis in recent years. It is up to us to ensure that it is fully implemented, and there is much work to be done on that front.

We need to have a united front here in Congress to counter the Chinese Communist Party, and in so doing, at every step along the way, we must make sure that we are drawing a distinction between the party and the Chinese people with whom we have no quarrel and who are often the primary victims of CCP aggression and repression.

In sum, there is no more critical challenge facing our Nation today.

I am grateful to Speaker McCarthy for his leadership and establishing this select committee, for giving me the mission of ensuring this stays bipartisan. We heard his sincerity in wanting this to be an area where Republicans and Democrats can work together.

I would also like to thank Chairman Mike McCaul who chaired the China task force and did a phenomenal job. We are building upon the foundation that he laid with the China task force. I look forward to working with him as this effort moves forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation. I look forward to working with my Democratic colleagues. I see many friends sitting on the other side of the Chamber.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable man, Kenneth Charles (K.C.) Stock.

Born in 1938 in Oconto, WI, K.C. was the oldest of three children. He graduated from Oconto High School in 1956, and at the age of 19, K.C. began building houses and running a farm with Holstein cows which he raised for beef. Following two years at St. Norbert College in De Pere, K.C. left to begin working at Scanlan and Stock, after which he started his own pallet business in Oconto. K.C. was the bookkeeper, truck driver, purchasing agent, and had two employees at his small business. In the midst of starting his own company, K.C. met and married the love of his life, Ms. Georgia Soulek.

While K.C.'s family expanded, so did his business. K.C. continued to grow his business operations and in 1971 he bought his first contractor yard, ScanIan and Stock, the same yard where he started his career years earlier. K.C. renamed the company Stock Lumber and would grow the company across the Midwest, opening locations in Green Bay, Appleton, Princeton, Fond Du Lac, Stevens Point, Sussex, Delavan, Windsor, La Crosse, Eagan, and Rochester. K.C.'s entrepreneurial spirit was evident in all that he did from Stock Lumber to his ownership of Cruiser Yachts in Oconto, Wisconsin. He built lasting businesses that granted many members of Northeast Wisconsin stable, family-supporting jobs.

As his business grew, so did his efforts to give back to his community. In 1991, he founded the K.C. Stock Foundation which played an instrumental role in funding the Children's Hospital in Northeast Wisconsin at St. Vincent Hospital to ensure that many families would not need to travel across the state for treatment. In recognition of his leadership in the community, K.C. was awarded the 1999 Free Enterprise Award presented by the Rotary Club of Green Bay. It is evident through his numerous accolades that KC left a lasting impact and influence on his family, friends, employees, and our entire community. I wish to thank K.C. for his lifelong dedication to our community and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends during this time.

Madam Speaker, the people of Northeast Wisconsin thank K.C. Stock for his immeasurable dedication and commitment to his community. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Georgia, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and to all of the lives he touched throughout our country.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Northeast Wisconsin's 2022 Veteran of the Year, Michael Weaver. His service on and off the battlefield in Vietnam, his dedication to fellow veterans back home, and his devotion to Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District make him well-deserving of this recognition.

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

A longtime resident of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Michael served in the Army as a medic during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in 1966 and served for 3 years before receiving an Honorable discharge. During Michael's crucial service he received numerous medals and achievements, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Inspired by his father's service as a Combat Engineer in World War II, he enlisted as a Medical Corpsman in the Army after graduating high school. Once deployed to Vietnam in 1968, he started in a prisoner of war medical facility where he was charged with keeping enemy troops alive. He then returned to California to the Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco where he provided care to the wounded service members who had made it back home until his discharge in 1969.

While Michael's service to Vietnam will never be forgotten, his commitment to serving the men and women of Northeast Wisconsin after he hung up his uniform is just as impressive. After leaving Vietnam he has dedicated his life to giving back and he has done that every day since his discharge. Some key examples of his dedication to our community include: Past President and Lt. Governor for Wisconsin Kiwanis Club, Chairman of the Board for the Heart of the Valley Chamber, Special Olympics Fox Valley coach, Emergency Medical Technician, rifle team member for Kaukauna VFW, a mentor for the Outagamie County Veterans Treatment Court, and chaplain of the Disabled American Veterans Appleton Post. Since his retirement from his civilian career, he has placed wreaths on nearly 1,200 grave markers for veterans, served as Senior Captain of the Patriot Guard, and also managed American flag poles for numerous organizations throughout the Fox Cities.

One impressive feat noted by one of Michael's nominators was that he recently helped honor two of Kaukauna's oldest veterans by reuniting them after 75 years through the VFW's Golf with a Vet event. He has clearly demonstrated a commitment to excellence, service, and dedication throughout all that he does in his life.

Most notably, Michael dedicates a substantial amount of time to St. Paul Elder Services in Kaukauna. Michael has spent the last decade dedicating time with veterans who are on hospice or end of life care with St. Paul Elder Services. As an Army medic veteran, he often connects with other veterans in a way that civilians simply cannot. From Vietnam to Kaukauna Michael continues to walk with veterans through an extremely challenging time.

Madam Speaker, I once again congratulate Michael Weaver for his service to Northeast Wisconsin, the veteran community, and on being the 2022 Northeast Wisconsin Veteran of the Year. Northeast Wisconsin can be proud of the many great veterans who call the 8th Congressional District home, and I urge all colleagues to join me in recognizing these outstanding men and women.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to underscore the crucial importance of the religious liberty provisions in the Respect for Marriage Act and to ensure the legislative intent behind these provisions is crystal clear.

As you know, the United States Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges from 2015 established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. When Obergefell was argued, then-Solicitor General Verrilli was asked whether recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage would lead to churches, religious organizations and other not- for-profits potentially having their tax-exempt status reconsidered, in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Bob Jones University v. U.S. Solicitor General Verrilli responded that ``it's certainly going to be an issue.'' In recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage in 2015, the United States Supreme Court did not reconsider the Bob Jones University precedent, leaving this ``issue'' unresolved.

The Senate Amendment to the Respect for Marriage Act that we are voting on today, answers this question, and a number of others, providing strong protections for religious liberty, especially when combined with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

It is my understanding that section 2 of the Respect for Marriage Act, in light of the Supreme Court's Bob Jones v. United States decision in 1983, would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from successfully arguing that the United States now ``national policy'' favoring same-sex marriage use this national policy to deny tax-exempt status to religious organizations.

Section 2 of the bill states that a variety of reasonable views on the role of gender in marriage exist today, based on both decent and honorable religious and philosophical beliefs. The bill states that all views are due proper respect by the Federal Government.

Furthermore, Section 2 of this bill states that the Federal Government recognizes religious liberty as an integral component of our national policy regarding marriage. Section 2 of this bill was explicitly included to ensure that the provisions of the Bob Jones case relating to the tax-exempt status of organizations are not applicable to this bill.

Bob Jones University v. U.S., decided in 1983 before Congress enacted the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, upheld the IRS' decision to rescind Bob Jones University's tax exemption on the basis of a ``firm and unyielding'' national policy against racial discrimination. Section 2 affirms that diverse beliefs about the role of gender in marriage are held by reasonable and sincere people based on decent and honorable religious or philosophical premises. This finding preempts an analogy between the Court's analysis in the Bob Jones University case about race and beliefs about marriage, and is a statement of policy respecting diverse views about the role of gender in marriage.

I'd like to discuss another provision which is central this bill-- section 4, which grants ``full faith and credit'' under Article IV, Section 1 of the United States Constitution to marriages performed in each of our states, strengthening federalism and making our constitutional structure work.

Section 4 of the bill states that no person ``acting under color of State law'' may deny full faith and credit to any ``public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other State pertaining to a marriage between 2 individuals, on the basis of the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals.'' The phrase ``acting under color of State law'' is also used in our civil rights statutes to refer to the actions of state and local government officers and employees with respect to rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and Federal law.

It is my understanding that use of this phrase in section 4 of the bill is intended to incorporate the United States Supreme Court's interpretation of this term, including but not limited to the Rendell- Baker v. Kohn and NCAA v. Tarkanian cases.

I'd like to now turn to section 6 of the bill, which provides that no church or religious non-profit will be forced to solemnize or conduct a marriage ceremony under this bill.

It is my understanding that section 6(b) bars any civil claim or cause of action relating to a nonprofit religious organization's refusal under that section to solemnize or celebrate a marriage and that such a refusal cannot create a civil claim or cause of action.

The text of section 7 also makes no reference to ``compelling governmental interests.'' Section 7 provides that nothing in this bill should be construed to deny or alter the benefit, status or right of an otherwise eligible individual or legal entity in relation to tax-exempt status, tax treatment, contracts, loans, scholarships, licenses and other agreements not arising from a marriage.

It is my understanding that, in conjunction with section 2, which eliminates a successful analogy to the Bob Jones case, section 7 would prevent the Internal Revenue Service from using the Respect for Marriage Act to

alter or remove the tax-exempt status of an entity for expressing beliefs in opposition or support of same-sex marriage. This bill is intended to enshrine a national policy of respect for all views surrounding marriage, and to enact some of the strongest religious liberty protections since the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993. This legislation also ensures that religious liberty will have more of a central role in future debates in our courts and in the halls of Congress.