Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the 40th anniversary of the Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Rail Corporation, better known as Metra.

In 1984--during the first Board meeting of the newly formed Commuter Rail Division--Metra was adopted as a unifying name for all the disparate parts that make up the regional commuter rail system. Forty years later, Metra is the fourth-busiest commuter rail system in the country and the largest outside of the New York City area. By unifying the historic rail lines that make up today's system, Metra has established itself as a lifeline to residents of Chicagoland who depend on it to get to work, school, health and other critical appointments, gather with friends and family, and access the wide range of activities our great city has to offer.

Earlier this year, I was pleased to assist Metra in securing federal funding for its Edgebrook Station Renovation project. Renovations include updating digital signage and

upgrading to a larger shelter for its riders. I was also proud to secure funding for the Metra O'Hare Pedestrian Pathway Design Project, to investigate and outline significant steps toward making the O'Hare Transfer Station more comfortable and accessible. This will help to position Metra's North Central Service line as an alternative for getting to and from the airport.

As the Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, I would be remiss if I did not mention today's challenges facing the railroad. Capital funding has always fallen short of meeting the various needs tied to managing a legacy system. We must ensure funding levels meet the growing needs of our transit systems and fund improvements that will boost ridership and enhance efficiency.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments and service Metra has provided over the past 40 years. I would also like to thank Metra's CEO and Executive Director, Jim Derwinski, for his work and leadership during his tenure at Metra. I look forward to continuing to work with Metra to ensure a lifetime of safe and reliable commuter rail service in Chicagoland.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who will travel to Washington, D.C, on October 23, 2024. 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 will travel here on October 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

include in the Record 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:

Robert H. Baron, John E. Barry, Bradley R. Beall, James C. Boland, Kenneth R. Burmeister, Charles L. Cassady, Patrick J. Clayton, Dean R. Clough, Michael P. Collins, Philip J. Collins, Danny L. Crull, Allan G. Dalgleish, Ronnie L. Dandurand, Dennis W. Desmond, Michael A. Desmond, Larry R. Dodgers, Robert J. Donat, Rocco Esposito, Robert J. Falkman, Stephen R. Farrar, Ambrose A. Fayard, Ronald F. Feltz, Richard K. Finn, Edward B. Fitzpatrick, Dennis A. Fronek, William Frye, Wayne F. Gade, Ralph W. Gault Jr., Robert J. Gault, Roger A. Gault, James A. Germany, Frank E. Gillie Jr., Javier Gonzalez, Jack Gonzalez, Peter D. Gravante, Edward B. Gut, Durwood N. Hafenrichter, William E. Haggerty, James R. Hanson, Spiro S. Hayes, John R. Heckman Jr., David G. Hill, Gregory T. Hill, David O. Howe, Robert D. Jackson, Ronald J. Jerzyk, Everett L. Johnson, Joe W. Johnson, Kenneth J. Johnson, Glenn M. Jones. Herbert B. Joseph, Benjamin Kahn. Terry E. Kaiser, Dale A. Kats, Thaddeus J. Kolke Sr., Louis R. Kollwitz, Alice A. Kowalski, Kenneth W. Krochmal, Robert F. Lewis, Ronald J. Matonovich, James H, McCollum, John A. McCollum, Nathaniel McCoy, Richard M. McGathey, Gordon W. Mlillerin, John R. Mitchell, Thomas Moritz, John L. Mroz, James T, Mundt, George G. Munley, William J. Nieckula, Howard F. Noey Jr., Edward P. O'Connor, James P. O'Connor, Virgil D. Oostendorp, Thomas R. Osborne Jr., Bernard J. Passananti Jr., Joseph J. Perry Jr., Terry G. Piper, Martin S. Pogvara, Peter P. Pogvara, Alan Potkin, Richard C. Raish, Timothy M. Rehmer, Jaime D. Rivera, Lonnie Satterlee, Neil G. Schilling, Joseph J. Schneider Jr., Edward J. Serafino, Edward W. Seykowski, Terry L. Short, Philip C. Sirotzke, James H. Smalley Jr., Robert C. Smith, Robert L. Smith, John B. Spoor Sr., Michael R. Stark, Rudolf E. Starr, Larry R. Stegall, Martin R. Sterrett, Richard A. Strong, Wayne L. Szara Sr., Gary L. Tate, Daniel N. Thomas, Roger L. Thompson, Linzy Waters II, Thomas J. Weidemann, Steven W. Westerlund, Evan L. Wilson, Paul L. Windish, Michael P. Witte, Donald E. Young, James M. Yunker, Adam W. Yurkiw, Robert R. Zaborowski, and Richard R. Zawislak.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and join the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation in celebrating the unveiling of the BIG hope sculpture by Chicago artist Matthew Hoffman.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer present in women in the United States. Over the course of 2024, it is expected that about 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, and about 42,250 women will die from breast cancer. These numbers are far too high.

Since 1985, the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation has led the fight against breast cancer, raising funds for breast cancer research and doctors in the Chicagoland area. This organization is named for Lynn Sage who died at only 39 years old as a result of her breast cancer. The Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation provides funding for research grants and fellowships. The organization also holds the annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium which assembles breast cancer research leaders from across the world. The BIG hope sculpture is yet another example of their dedication to raising awareness of the fight against breast cancer. This sculpture serves as a symbol of hope for those impacted by the disease, and it will raise funds which will support the Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium.

Mr. Speaker, please join me and all our colleagues in the House of Representatives in recognizing the work of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation and congratulating them on the unveiling of this artwork.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. on September 25, 2024, 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 25 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 include in the Record 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:

Michael Ahasic, William Scott Allison, John W. Banbury,

Rolland Beaudry, Joseph Blackwell, Ronald C. Bliss, Ernest

Boone, Michael P. Bracken, William L. Brzostowski, Gary L.

Buehre, Charlie H. Burley, Michael M. Clemente, Frank

Cogswell, Philip J. Collins, William Cousins, Dennis R.

Cowger, David Thomas Crocker, George J. Curtin, Kenneth R.

Dearing, Thomas Dilley, Edward Duglow, Dennis Duszynski,

Conrad Dybala, Ronald E. Eddings, Donald Ehrhart, James

Erwin, James Farley, Harvey Ferguson, Jr., James J.

Fitzgerald, Wade Fleming, Carl W. Fredrickson, Raymond Frigo,

Thomas J. Frigo, Francis Garrett, Donald Girouard, Michael

Grant, Cornell Gray, Michael H. Green, Scott Russell

Gustafson, Larry M. Hakes, Ricky Hanaway, Catherine Hannon,

William C. Harper, Jack Phillip Harris, Donald Hawver,

Richard Hayman, Edward M. Heery, Donald Hendrick, John

Horwath, Ronald Hudson, Dennis Ray Humphrey, Ronald L.

Hunter, Adolf Janke, James A. Johnsen, William E. Johnson,

III, William Josma, Richard J. Kappel, Charles P. Keenon,

Bruce Klein, Francis Kleine, Edward Kopeshke, Ronald D.

Lehman, Jerome Lewicki, Alvin Lively, Sonny W. London,

William Lord, Paul Lyczak, Raymond J. Machowski, Jr., Louis

Marohn, Thomas O. Mason, Dennis C. Maxwell, Charles Mayton,

Robert McMahon, John R. Mercado, Freddie Moffett, James C.

Morrison, David Andrew Neff, Gust Nudi, Thomas P. O'Neill,

Ronald L. Olson, David Joseph Prawdzik, Daniel G. Prezembel,

John Prochaska, Johnston F. Rehling, James C. Roberts, Robert

Cruz Rodarte, Adam Rose, Richard Sachs, Bernadette Sinner,

Anthony J. Santerelli, Craig Alan Schilling, Laurel

Schilling, James Schlegel, Stephen E. Schmidt, John J.

Schoeps, Marvin Schufeldt, Dennis L. Schultz, George

Seaberry, Robert Frank Shervino, Roy Slowinski, Michael

Steurer, John K. Stoeckert, Joseph Sullivan, Donald Taylor,

Robert Thompson, Henry Trenkle, Michael Valdez, Douglas

Voight, George Walker, Ronald G. Walton, Gene Allen

Weisbecker, Arthur Wettergren, Ivan White, Dennis Wiecek,

James M. Wiedemann, and Dennis J. Wilhelm.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day and honor those who were held captive and were returned, as well as those who remain missing.

Established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is held yearly on the third Friday of September. This day is marked by ceremonies at the Pentagon and at military installations across the Nation. More than 81,000 American service personnel are missing from previous conflicts and approximately 38,000 are believed to be recoverable. I commend the work of the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency in searching for our missing Americans and ensuring that no service member is left behind.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I work hard each year to ensure that the POW/MIA Accounting Agency has the necessary funding to continue their essential work. We have a duty to these service members that have endured unspeakable indignities to protect and preserve our freedoms. The United States cannot and will not abandon the search for those who gave their last full measure of devotion in overseas wars.

I cannot express the depth of my gratitude for every patriot who have served our Nation. I will continue to use my role in Congress to bring every imprisoned or missing servicemember home. Mr. Speaker, please join me and all of our colleagues in the House of Representatives in commemorating National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Madam Speaker, it is not surprising, but I disagree with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on a myriad of issues, but that is okay. At times, disagreement is important.

Only speaking with those who agree with us insulates us from ideas that may challenge our views, instead reaffirming our own biases and avoiding new ideas. A two-party system is important.

Hearing different perspectives and different stories is valuable, especially in a body tasked with making decisions for a diverse set of people. Despite our various policy or personal disagreements, we should agree on this: It is dangerous to repeat Kremlin talking points. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, we have only seen this disturbing trend grow.

An indictment filed this month alleges that Russian state media employees funneled $10 million to a Tennessee-based media company, Tenant, for Russian friendly content. Tenant's media influencers have a collective 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 7 million followers on X.

While we are no stranger to Russian misinformation campaigns, they are clearly adapting and evolving in their efforts. This month, intelligence officials said that Russia's activities are more sophisticated than in previous cycles. They are using authentic U.S. voices to launder Russian Government propaganda and spread socially divisive narratives through major social media.

Their goal is simple: to convince millions of people that Russia's war against Ukraine is justified and influence them to support politicians who agree. It is simple, and, in today's online obsessed world, it is dangerously effective.

Once this type of content takes off, it is impossible to reverse its course. Russia's ability to penetrate American minds goes beyond social media. Yes, we have seen it take hold in this very body. When some across the aisle vocally opposed aid to Ukraine, Russia celebrated. The host of a Kremlin-run show said: ``Well done, Republicans. That is good for us.''

Earlier this year, a prominent Republican in leadership acknowledged this trend saying: ``We see directly coming from Russia . . . communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor.''

Another Republican admitted Russian propaganda has ``infected a good chunk'' of this party's base.

Despite our differences, the quoted Members and I clearly see how alarming this is. As public servants, it is our duty to obtain information from reliable sources and speak on behalf of our constituents, not the Russian Federation. When American leaders parrot Russian talking points, we give Putin the upper hand, we undermine our national security, and we fail the American people.

Now, as Russia's tactics evolve, we have to be more vigilant than ever. Despite what some might suggest, Vladimir Putin is a vicious tyrant, and American voices repeating his lies is an affront to our values as a nation and a threat to global democracy.

I encourage commonsense leaders, especially those across the aisle, to choose truth. We may not have control of the misinformation that appears online or the influencers who knowingly serve as Russia's ``useful idiots,'' but we do have control over our own words.

When Members are spouting blatant lies from the Kremlin, my colleagues have a responsibility to this country to place the truth above all else. Members have a responsibility to tell the American people why we support Ukraine and not Russia, and why democracy must win against autocracy. To those afraid of name-calling or condemnation, I say this: Criticism is a small price to pay for the preservation of truth. Years from now, my colleagues and our country will thank us for our courage to stand up for the truth in the face of tyranny.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2024, 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 August 28 answered our Nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the Pacific Asian Theater 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.

Rudolph Aguina Jr., Stephen Arango, Mariano A. Arena, Robert H. Baron, John H. Bennett, William L. Berge, Gregory A. Borland, Roy L. Britton, Daniel L. Burch, Leo Castellano, Ricardo Chiarella, Donald Clarke, Dennis O. Claus, Michael P. Connolly, Ronald R. Conroy, Nicholas J. Darien, Allen D. DeNormandie, Richard W. Diver, Robert T. Ecker, William R. Edwards Jr., Michael T. Embrey, Thomas R. Faubel, William J. Feit, Thomas J. Finn, Bernard J. Fletcher, James R. Fox, John Garcia, Joseph P. Gardina, Dennis T. Goc, Alexander A. Goloff Jr., William J. Greenenwald, Jesse J. Griffin, Melvin D. Griffin, Raymond M. Grimm, Guy D. Habiak, Melvin D. Halffield, John M. Hanley, John T. Harris, Zachary Harris, John W. Hoffman, Melvin M. Hogge, Michael L. Irwin, Joseph Jancik, David J. Jedlink, Alfred R. Jenkins, Charles E. Johnson, Richard A. Johnson, Denise O'Leary Kennedy, Thomas J. Kledzik, Michael Klick, George R. Knell Jr., Timothy J. Kornas, Emery F. Krick, Edward Kristak, James M. Kruse, Gary S. Krzemkowski, Carl B. Lagger, Stephen E. Lagger Sr., Harold W. Larson, Donald P. Latham, Matthew R. Latham, Thomas L. Latham, Richard J. Lee, Joseph L Lezon, Douglas A. Lindt, Robert Lofrano, Frank C. Mackovitch, Joseph E. Magiera Jr., Robert Roland Mallo, Donald L. Manley, Ronald Martin, Leonard J. Matela, Harry M. McCabe, Robert J. McKenzie, John P. McManus, Joseph W. Meny, James J. Miller, James A. Milobowski, Richard W. Morales, John J. Morrissey, Antonio Muscarello, Richard C. Neufeldt, John T. Nickelson, Roland G. Paton, Clarence L. Perry, Danny N. Petersen, Oreste C. Piattoni Jr., James R. Porter, Stuart M. Poticha, James T. Redwine, John L. Reeb, Otto G. Reimann, Larry D. Ricci, John F. Richmann, Timothy A. Robieson, Thomas E. Rodak, Dennis P. Rollinger, Ralph C. Rosenbrock, James J. Sadowski, Donald Segvich, Ronald Segvich, Carl F. Shaffer, Larry O. Simpson, Gerald Sola, Butler R. Stapleton Sr., Norbert E. Staszak, Peter G. Stathakis, John J. Sternisha, Robert S. Tapia, Robert A. Tinson Sr., Wayne H. Truetner, Francisco L. Vasquez, John Wagner, Virgil O. Wendt, Ronald D Wills, James M. Wisniowicz, Jerry Zabel.

Mr Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. on July 24, 2024, 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 July 24 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 include in the Record 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.

Anthony C. Adams, Preston C. Allen, Jimmy H. Ashbaugh, Dale W. Banot, James H. Black, Richard N. Boots, George E. Bryar, Thomas W. Burgholzer, Lloyd L. Busse, Julio Caez, Patrick T. Camden, Carlos D. Compian, William A. Cooper, Don E. Costello, Alex Czajka, Billy F. Davis, Anthony J. DeBella, Robert A. DeFalkenberg, James P. DeNardo, Andrew C. Elbert, Jr., Oscar L. Farlow, Patrick L. Flannigan, James E Forbes, Dennis F. Fuhr, Raymond Garivay, William J. Geegan, William G. Geist, David G. Gilles, Thomas E. Goetz, Robert L. Grajek, Nicholas E. Grevan, William C. Haizlip, Fred P. Hall, William A. Hamm, Raymond J. Healy, Lennart H. Henriksson, Thomas W. Huggins, Anthony Iacuzzi, Robert A. Janecek, Rita M. Jaworski, William A. Jaworski, Walter Johnson, Jr., John A. Kay, Thomas J. Kelly, William C. Koc, Gerald E. Kowalewski, Charles W. Krezwick, Michael J. Lasowski, Thomas J. Licar, John E. Luczak, William P. Lyman, Gary L. Martincic, Robert L. Maus, Donald W. McCollough, Ronald R. McFalls, Kenneth J. McGuire, Raymond W. Meyer, Arthur R. Miller, Charles V. Miller, Thomas S. Miller, Curt L. Miller, Robin A. Miller, Robert S. Minetz, John R. Miniutti, Joseph Miraglia, Jr., Thomas Mitchell, Edgar G. Morrison, Lee L. Moses, Angel M. Nieves, Eugene E. Pace, Henry W. Peddle, Norman F. Peterson, Mark F. Pope, James O. Portis, Jean-Pierre Radovanovitch, Donald W. Ramsbottom, Tighe A. Reardon, Frank P. Reichenberger, William J. Renje, Sr., Victor A. Reynolds, William D. Ritze, Sr., George H. Robinson, Marvin E. Roehlke, Joseph W. Rose, Douglas A. Rudisuhle, David E. Salvino, Ralph J. Salvino III, Joseph A. Schrafel, Louis Schubrych, Dennis J. Shea, David R. Shebish, Norbert P. Shebish, Edward F. Skerrett, Stanley A. Silva, Jim Solsberry, William M. Stach, Arthur Stoudemire, Jr., Gregory R. Szafranski, Richard Thurman, Thomas A. Tinkler, James J. Treacy, James C. Truby, Gary W. Verseput, Michael Vold, Edward E. Walls, Karl F. Walter, John Wander, Cyril J. Watson, Richard L. Waxman, Louis J. Weathers, Gregory Will, Charles G. Williams, John H. Williams, Ronald L. Williams, and Jerome M. Zdancewicz.

Mr. Chair, I cannot in good faith support this legislation without the inclusion of funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.

My amendment would protect funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative that has been included in this Defense appropriations bill since 2016.

USAI is a major reason why the Ukrainian army is a much different, much better army than it was when the Russians took Crimea a decade ago. This program is central to the strategy to help Ukraine fight Russian aggression and, therefore, central to our own efforts to protect democracy across the globe.

Ukraine's battle for its independence has not ended. Our support for them must not end, either. Many people in

this room voted to provide $61 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine, but it is important to remember that $13 billion went to replenish U.S. equipment, $7 billion went to strengthen our industrial base and to increase weapons production, and $7 billion went to bolster U.S. forces in Europe and the Middle East. It is still not enough.

As recently as March, Russia was firing around 10,000 shells a day compared to just 2,000 from the Ukrainian side. Putin has, indeed, doubled down, dramatically increasing his military production to the point of 29 percent of his budget.

USAI allows Ukraine to purchase weapons and equipment directly from U.S. manufacturers. An investment in this initiative is an investment in our own economy, not a handout. The program has been used to integrate the Ukraine military with Western militaries, increasing their capabilities and training their soldiers, but it is critical to understand that the Department of Defense has committed $8.2 billion of the approximately $13.8 billion in USAI funding appropriated through the Ukraine supplemental and anticipates committing the remainder of the funds by the end of calendar year 2024.

At the end of the debate, I will insert into the Record the text of this amendment, and I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

If we fail to continue this funding, we would effectively signal to authoritarian leaders with expansionist ambition around the world that the U.S. will allow them to act with impunity.

Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of the amendment.

Mr. Quigley moves to recommit the bill H.R. 8774 to the

Committee on Appropriations with the following amendment:

Page 128, line 4, after the dollar amount insert

``(increased by $300,000,000)''.

At the end of the bill, before the short title, insert

following:

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who will be traveling to Washington, D.C. on June 19, 2024, 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 June 19 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 include in the Record 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:

Michael J. Acosta, Richard Altosino, Arthur L. Andersen, Bruce J. Andersen, Danny E. Anderson, Jose L. Araoz, Ronald J. Baratono, Edward Bickham, Gregory A. Blomberg, Eric J. Blount Jr., James E. Bradley, Theodore S. Bragen, John E. Brey, Richard E. Brueckmann, Paul M. Bruzas, John K. Bulatek, Edward C. Bunting, Wayne H. Button, Paul A. Carlson, Robert A. Carpenter, John R. Carr, Frank C. Clarke, James K. Claydon, Richaid P. Corcoran, Jerome M. Corcoran, John R. Czerniak, Vincent J. Davi, Billye L. Davila, Warren R. DeJong, Frank Demke, Charles R. Denby, Louise A. Derifield, Paul L. Dillinger, James R. Doyle, Joseph R. Duffy, Clarence E. Dust, Frank E. Edelmann, John T. Ferriter, Dewaine E. Haag, Richard E. Hanson, Thomas C. Hill, Lloyd C. Howard, Paul Q. Ison, Juan P. Jacinto, Sandalo Jackson, Gregory S. Jacobs, James J. Jazo, Terence R. Jordan, Evaldas Kacinskas, Dennis Kleusner, Kenneth J. Kouba, Jerome W. Koutny, Leonard Kozlowski, Raymond J. Kraig, Kenneth G. Krupowicz, Jon N. Lacey, William Langle, Randy L. Larson, Carl W. Leep, Robert P. Legel, Dennis C. Lukaysky, Dennis J. Massar, Carl S. Mazur, Philip M. McCollum, Dennis W. McCusket, John M. McGeoghegan, Charles S. McGrady, Donald L. McNurlin, Timothy J. Mercer, Fred W. Meyer III, Richard Michiels, Kenneth J. Milowski, Donald J. Murphy, Gary R. Nelson, Richard C. O'Connor, Kenneth J. Operzedek, Nick Paglia, Frederick J. Parsons, Jorge M. Perez, Lawrence Peterson, Renzo D. Piccoli, Richard E. Podemski, Jimmy C. Reed, Harold C. Rhea, Daniel L. Rittenhouse, Theodore Rosemann, John A. Roske, Ronald A. Ruttkay, Richard P. Schab, Robert C. Scofield, Leonard W. Seltzer, Monty L. Shannon, Michael E. Shelbert, Wayne W. Sherman, James D. Sienzant, Gerald T. Simon, Larry G. Smith, Richard D. Snyder, Daniel F. Sowonik, Richard J. Stankus, Stanley W. Stec, Gary H. Stieg, Thomas Stoll, David W. Stone, Daniel M. Synair, Gordon Tozier, Robert F. Vardell, Raymond F. Vicari, Robert W. Walker, Clarkson C. Wormer, IV, Raymond W. Wyban, John T. Zajac, and Frank Zanocco.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ryne Sandberg and join the Chicago Cubs in celebrating the dedication of his new statue outside of historic Wrigley Field.

A Hall of Fame second baseman, Mr. Sandberg played 15 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, starting in 1982. By the time Mr. Sandberg retired in 1997, he held the record for most Gold Glove Awards by a second baseman, the most consecutive errorless games by a second baseman and the most home runs by a second baseman. In 2005, Mr. Sandberg was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and had his number, 23, retired by the Cubs.

Mr. Sandberg is a living legend and as a Cubs fan I could not be happier that he is receiving a statue here in Illinois' 5th District. Mr. Speaker, please join me and all our colleagues in the House of Representatives in recognizing Mr. Sandberg's legacy and congratulating him on the unveiling of his statue.

Mr Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. on May 15, 2024, 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 May 15 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 include in the Record 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:

Vincent M. Alcala, John J. Alongi, Richard G. Barberio, Michael I. Barbour, Francis J. Bomher, Robert L. Booker, William J. Campbell, Robert Carnagey, Louis A. Cella, George R. Clifton, Frank R. Coleman, Jerome P. Cooney, Larry Cowherd, Billy M. Crowe, Thomas J. Cushing, Thomas W. Davidson, Willie J. Davis, Robert P. Dean, Donald A. DeFrance, John DeMarte, Gregory J. Dittemore, Lawrence R. Dittoe, Michael F. Donovan, David A. Downey, Robert R. Doyle, James R. Duhig, Glenn J. Dunkel, Jack L. Gallaway, Edward W.P. Garner, Robert W. Gatenby, Rodney R. Gatenby, Joseph Hanek, Steven F. Hardenbergh, Ronald R. Hartman, John A. Heatley, John W. Hodgson, William J. Holic, Jr., Joseph M. Hook, Richard A. Howes, James J. Ervin, Edward S. Janka, John E. Janssen, Robert C. Jensen, Gregory L. Johns, Terrance L. Kauffman, James H. Kelley, Paul E. Kincaid, Paul J. Kraskiewicz, Donald F. Kraus, Frank S. Kresica, Lawrence S. Kuzlik, Francis J. Labayen, Alex J. Labelle, Martin L. Labelle, Gilberto Lassus, Bobby Ray Lathan, Sr., Joseph L. Legenza, David R. LeVally, Robert J. Lindsay, Stephen W. MacCabe, Charles A. Major, Thomas M. Malec, Timothy K. McNulty, Robert A. Mika, Dennis J. Mitzner, Roger D. Morrison, Richard B. Narug, William I. Naughton, Donald Neri, Thomas P. O'Keefe, Jose E. Olvera, Candelaro G. Olvera, Donald L. Packard, John V. Palmisano, Diana L. Payne, Vincenzo Picciola, Lawrence E. Pike, Thomas E. Pinner, Adam R. Plunge, Joseph D. Porcelli, Lynn R. Powell, Robert L. Pryde, Robert W. Reichert, Richard J. Rickey, John R. Ryan, Jr., James W. Sandstrom, Thomas M. Santoro, James R. Schafer, Bradley A. Schroeder, David W. Senneke, Richard J. Shannon, Thomas R. Sieloff, John T. Sillitti, Paul W. Soukup, Harold D. Stacy, Kenneth H. Stahl, Dennis K. Sullivan, Dwayne A. Sullivan, Arthur C. Talbot, Donald R. Tenclinger, Mark D. Teune, Charles E. Toberman, Robert T. Toth, Stephen A. Triplett, Sr., Kenneth A. Tucker, James J. Vertucci, Ronald E. Vlcek, Andrew J. Vlietstra, Terry L. Vogt, Jeffery A. Waldrop, Michael D. Washington, Joseph D. West, David R. Wilson III, Richard S. Zidrich, Thomas J. Zito.

Mr. Chair, I am just back from a third trip to Ukraine during the war, and, yes, we saw evidence of Putin's war crimes--the mass graves and evidence of torture, religious persecution, and kidnapping of children. It reminds us that throughout our history in moments like this our country has been called to act, and it did.

We are called to stand up in the fight for freedom and in the face of tyranny and to be the arsenal of democracy, but in recent months, we have not met this challenge.

It has been said it is never too late to do the right thing. Well, we are coming really close, as we have been handcuffed by extremists and appeasers, and now the pipeline to Ukraine is almost empty.

Should we now fail to send additional aid, Ukraine will lose this war, and in Putin's eyes it will be just the beginning of his efforts to reconstitute the Soviet Union. Inaction risks not just the fate of democracy, but the possibility of drawing our own country directly into war.

Today, it is particularly important that we heed the voices from the past: From President Ronald Reagan, as he espoused the Reagan Doctrine that we will always defend our friends and allies against Soviet aggression.

From President Kennedy: ``We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.''

Finally, in his last inaugural address, FDR reminded us: ``We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away. . . . ''

We can and we must act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Vietnam and Korean War veterans who traveled to Washington, D.C. on April 10, 2024, with Honor Flight Chicago, a program that provides WWll, 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 April 10 answered our nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the Pacific-Asian Theater 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 that can ever be expressed.

I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorials. I am proud to include in the Record 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:

Robert M. Adame, James W. Andrulewicz, John L. Ashford, James M. Barr, Jr., Mary Ann E. Bell, James E. Blaney, Ralph H. Boase, Robert L. Booker, Thomas P. Cantwell, Edward J. Chuchla, Alan L. Clutter, Robert J. Colbert, John A. Conley, Donna Rae Cooley, Robert J. Crimmins, Thomas F. Dailey, Henry Davis, Jr., Joseph N. Degand, Michael Di Benedetto, Balentin Diaz, Manuel Diesman, Raymond A. Dubiel, James W. Edmonds, Jr., Raymond P. Eenigenburg, Darrell E. Ellett, Robert J. Feliszak, Ramon J. Flores, David Flowers, Francis A. Gagnon, Ronald F. Galvin, Albert P. Gangolf, Ronald E. Garner, Edward N. Garvey, Harold C. Goebbert, Richard D. Goode, Kenneth R. Goodwin, Craig S. Greenhill, Leland A. Groharing, Robert Gutierrez, Rufus G. Hall, Leon F. Hamm, Lynwood A. Harris, William F. Hayes, Chris L. Holden, Clarence R. Izydorski, William G. Jarchow, Leon Jeffries, Joseph D. Johnston, Michael O. Jones, Maurice E. Kaufman, Sr., Daryl B. Keene, Lawrence J. Killmer. Bruce O. Knudson, Andrew C. Koning, Sr., Andrew R. Koning, Walter L. Kubicki, Jr., Cornelius A. Kuiper, Chester R. Lacey, Robert A. Laude, James T. Laughead, Thomas A. Legg, Ralph Leyba, Charles H. Lucas, Donald L. Lyon, Charles W. Martin, Reginald C. Mattingly, Craig R. McCloud, Robert T. McDonald, James T. McElroy, Robert J. Mietus, Manuel S. Milllman, Miguel R. Mireles, Daniel H. Mitchell, Herbert M. Moll, Kenneth J. Molnaire, WIlliam W. Morgan, Charles J. Murach, Wallace A. Nelson, John Tyrone Newman, Lawrence Niemczyk, Jr., Donald D. Niestrom, Timothy S. Olson, Anthony J. Parrino, Lawrence R. Pillsbury, Russell Plugge, Edward J. Pruim, Ronald Pyter, Dwayne A. Robinson, Donald G. Rollensen, Ronald M. Ruzecki, Michael J. Ryan, Walter V. Sanders, Jr., Samuel J. Scardino, Harold Schmidt, Carole A. Schoeck, Frederick R. Schrum, Brian R. Seehausen, Dean R. Seehausen, Paul L. Simsic, Bernard P. Siwek, Richard C. Skocz, Raymond P. Spencer, Thomas E. Stasiak, Charles A. Stratton, Jr., James D. Sullivan, Richard Sykora, Dennis J. Trina, Edward J. Trznadel, John P. Vath, Andrew J. Vlietstra, Wade W. Walder, Michael F. Warren, Clifford N. Westphal, William F. White, John O. Wilkerson, Richard R. Zaborski, and Leonard J. Zimka.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and legacy of Daniel L. Goodwin, a figure of much acclaim in the real estate industry.

In 1968, during his time as a science teacher Dan formed an alliance with two fellow teachers to create what would become the Inland Real Estate Group of Companies. Since then, the Inland Real Estate Group of Companies has helped develop hundreds of millions of real estate square footage, closed over $80 billion in commercial real estate transactions, and established ties with countless partners and investors. For his work as Chairman and CEO, Dan received numerous local and national awards and recognitions, including the Ethics in Business Award from the Better Business Bureau in 2009, 2014, and 2019.

Throughout all this, Dan's passion for education remained unyielding. His alma mater, the Illinois Teachers' College--Chicago North was renamed to Northeastern Illinois University. He served on the Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, his alma mater. In honor of his decade of service. Northeastern Illinois University renamed its College of Education in his honor. Additionally, Dan served as the vice chairman of Benedictine University for over 30 years. The Center for Values-Driven Leadership is housed in the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Business at Benedictine University, which is named for Dan. This center teaches students a values-driven approach to business, like Dan's own philosophy with the Inland Real Estate Group.

In Congress, I am proud to serve as the ranking member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee on ApproprIations. Given this, I am particularly appreciative of Dan's work on affordable housing for Illinois families. In 1994, Dan founded the New Directions Housing Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation that builds and renovates affordable housing for low-income residents across Illinois. He also served on the board of the Illinois Housing Development Authority Trust Fund for 10 years, helping to raise billions of dollars for affordable housing, first-time family housing, and senior housing throughout Illinois.

I am forever grateful to Dan for the work that he did to make our state a better place for all lllinoisans. He is certainly missed, but his legacy of service and leadership will live on through the many people he touched.