Mike Quigley

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Saturday, October 10, 2026, as the inaugural National Independent Costume Store Day. Created by the National Costumers Association to celebrate independent costume stores across the country, this day recognizes the pivotal role these stores play in our communities.

Independent costume stores across the Nation will create their own celebrations, including customer appreciation events, costume showcases, behind-the-scenes tours, cosplay gatherings, theater partnerships, educational programs, charity fundraisers, and other activities that highlight what makes their businesses special.

This day celebrates independent costume stores' support for schools, theaters, performers, community events, local traditions, and creative expression. These neighborhood businesses are filled with creativity, expertise, history, and passion for making our communities stronger. Our own local family business, Chicago Costume Company, serves Chicagoland and beyond, helping bring local productions, celebrations, educational programs, and public events to life.

Small businesses like Chicago Costume Company are a pillar of our creative community, most recently supplying the ``Pope Hats'' for the Chicago White Sox. Not only do these endeavors keep manufacturing and design jobs local; they showcase our community to the world--Pope Leo XIV received his own Pope Hat from the Chicago Costume Company at the Vatican.

Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone to join me in recognizing National Independent Costume Store Day and thanking Chicago Costume Company for their commitment and service to the Chicago community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in his 70th year and honor his 45 years of humanitarian and spiritual service through the Art of Living Foundation to communities around the world.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was born on May 13, 1956, in Papanasam, Tamil Nadu. Before becoming a spiritual leader, Shankar studied physics at St. Joseph's College in Bangalore. He has been a tireless advocate for peace across conflict zones, eventually earning recognition as the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor.

The Art of Living Foundation, founded in 1981, proudly commemorates 45 years of promoting mental wellbeing, stress relief, conflict resolution, and meditation programs. A globally revered humanitarian, spiritual leader, and ambassador of peace, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar expanded the Art of Living Foundation through more than 180 countries and reached over 800 million people.

Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation achieved international success for pioneering the SKY Breath Meditation, also known as the Sudarshan Kriya. Researchers and leading institutions worldwide recognize it as an effective measure in reducing stress, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and depression.

The Art of Living Foundation has contributed to a number of humanitarian causes, including providing educational support in India and improving water pollution in India. The Foundation champions youth and women's empowerment, rural development programs, and educational outreach initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone to join me in recognizing Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation on their 70th and 45th years, respectively, for their service to the international community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C., on September 23, 2026, with Honor Flight Chicago, a program that provides WWII, Vietnam, and Korean War veterans the opportunity to visit their memorials on The National Mall in Washington, D.C. These memorials were built to honor their courage and service to their country.

The American Veteran is one of our greatest treasures. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who traveled here on September 23 answered our Nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the Pacific Asian Theatre to the Korean Theater, these brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service, and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them more gratitude than can ever be expressed.

I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorials. I am proud to submit the names of these men and women for all to see, hear, and recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing gratitude. I include in the Record their names:

Kenneth C. A11ison, Dennis J. Archer, Robert C. Arthurs,

Michael B. Bagby, Stephen H. Bailey, Dale T. Beeson, Gerald

G. Bernatski, Craig Boss. Verne L. Brace, Henry F. Brill,

Turhan P. Brown, Kenneth C. Butler, Richard Cadena, Glenn

Cekus, Michael J. Celeski, Gary W. Clausen, Leonard M. Corso,

Cloys I. Darnall, Alfred P. Davidson, Dick DeForte, Dan H.

DeMass, Richard Doughty, Anthony Drobut, John R. Farrell,

Larry D. Fikes, Edward Fisher, Gerald A. Frank, Joseph

Gandurski, Gerald Gende, Leroy C. Gesbeck, III, Vanessa

Gibbs, Michael Giera, Charles F. Gilbert, Paul E. Glombowski,

John Gorby, Richard M. Graham, Hiram Grau, Robert Groth,

Robert J. Harrison, Lavern E. Hein, Richard J. Hejna, William

G. Hendry, Terry Hillard, Thomas J. Hoover, Daniel W. Horton,

William A. Jackson, Joseph Jedlovec, Jr., Rudolph Jennings,

Laurence J. Jones, Burton L. Kline, Edward T. Knutsen, James

D. Kunitzer, James M. Kush, Dennis J. Lake, Richard Lebeter,

William Leider, Robert J. Lenhart, Jr., Steven Lesher, Harry

Lopez, Henry Mazik, Walter H. McBride, III, Thomas

McGladdery, David W. McNaughton. Michael J. Meyers, William

H. Miller, Randall L. Mitchell, Louis Molina, Martin T.

Montano, Jimmy Mote, James Mukoyama, Jr., James A. Murphy,

Sr., John Myers, Ernest R. Neely, Chris Orozco, Jack Dean

Parr, Gerald H. Patterson, Gerald M. Pawlus, Arthur D.

Pinelli, Jon G. Platakis, Eugene A. Potter, Michael T. Ray,

Donald W. Reutzel, Jr., Barry E. Roberts, Dennis H, Robison,

Lawrence W. Rogers, Jose A. Rosales, Roy D. Schickedanz,

Anthony S. Risichella, Allen Sellers, Stephen E. Sellers,

Richard Shronts, Raymond E. Siebert, Richard Sollinger,

Richard I. Surma, Thomas N. Svestka, John ter Horst,

Guadalupe Trevino, Robert Van Tholen, Louis M. Vidales,

Donald R. Voris, Robert M. Wagner, Jacob Walker, Jr., Charles

T. Wesley, Robert H. Wolf, Douglas M. Woods, Ronald L. York,

Robert L. Young, Robert A. Zanella, and James W. Zita.