Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and service of Decatur Township Supervisor Lisa Stanley who passed away this weekend after a long health battle.

Lisa Stanley was a dedicated public servant, a lifelong member of the Decatur community, and a fierce advocate for equality and justice.

Whether it was helping women with high-risk pregnancies, working with members of the Boys and Girls Club, or serving Illinois and the citizens of Decatur, Lisa spent her entire career fighting to make a difference.

As we mourn her loss, let us remember her contributions to our community and send our thoughts and prayers to her loved ones and everyone who has been touched and inspired by her life of service.

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

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

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4368, which has been weaponized to further limit Americans' access to reproductive healthcare. Hidden in this bill is an attempt to reinstate medically unnecessary and outdated FDA policies that restrict access to mifepristone, a safe, effective drug used in medication abortion and miscarriage management care.

From the courts to Congress, my colleagues in the majority are continuing their efforts to force burdensome restrictions that attack our fundamental freedoms to make our own decisions about our own bodies.

This funding bill is yet another example of political interference into the scientific review process entrusted to the FDA by Congress. It is a draconian attempt to strip away people's fundamental freedom to make their own decisions, make their own medical decisions, rejecting years of scientific and medical expertise and an extensive evidence- based review that showed mifepristone to be incredibly safe.

Mifepristone is safe and effective, and it is not the business of Congress to substitute political judgments for the judgments of the scientific and medical experts who determine FDA policy governing this medication.

What is even more unfortunate is that this is just one of many problematic aspects of this bill. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I could spend hours walking my colleagues through how cutting funding to 2003 levels leaves our farmers and working families behind.

I know my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who sit on the Agriculture Committee with me do not view this to be a serious proposal. I challenge them to think long and hard about how they will communicate this to farmers back home before voting ``yes'' on this bill.

For these reasons, 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 strike the provisions rolling back FDA's guidance.

Mr. Chair, I include in the Record the text of my amendment, and I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Ms. Budzinski moves to recommit the bill H.R. 4368 to the

Committee on Appropriations with the following amendment:

Page 109, beginning on line 1, strike section 761.

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Kraft Foods Group plant in Champaign, Illinois, and its dedicated employees, including my dad, who once worked the third shift. These are the people who have helped produce the foods we all have known and loved for generations.

The Kraft Heinz Champaign plant opened operations in 1963, making margarine and salad dressings. Madam Speaker, 60 years later, it has added production of their most famous Mac & Cheese, Velveeta, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, and A.1. Steak Sauce and grown to fill an 88-acre site that produces more than 1.2 billion pounds of food each year.

The strong output of this plant has made it a key driver for our local economy and is an important part of the Champaign-Urbana community.

Many boxes of Mac & Cheese and Velveeta later, please join me in celebrating this exciting milestone and honoring the hardworking men and women at Kraft Heinz Champaign. Congratulations to them on their 60th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Evelyn Brandt Thomas of Springfield, on her 100th Birthday.

In 1953, Evelyn, along with her younger brother Glen Brandt, founded Brandt Fertilizer, a venture that later evolved into BRANDT Consolidated, Inc. However, Evelyn's contributions to Central Illinois extend far beyond her business success. Her philanthropic efforts have touched numerous institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Illinois Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College. Evelyn's generosity has also benefited nonprofits, including the Education Center for the Visually Impaired.

Evelyn's dedication to ensuring access to education for women in the Springfield area serves as an inspiration to our community. She has particularly focused on empowering women in the fields of business and agriculture. Her commitment to fostering young talent in these fields has helped to strengthen the next generation's passion for agriculture, business, and service to Central Illinois.

Evelyn is the embodiment of selflessness and community service. Her tireless work over seven decades has not only transformed the lives of those she has worked with but also transformed the lives of countless residents of downstate Illinois.

I know I join countless others offering the very best birthday wishes to Evelyn on this special day and I thank her for her contributions to Central Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you with a heavy heart to remember a young woman whose passion and dedication touched the lives of many in the Springfield community and beyond.

Emma Shafer was a remarkable activist who sought to create positive change in the world around her. From an early age, she understood the power of her voice and the importance of creating good trouble.

Her commitment to social justice and equality was unwavering, and she inspired people of all ages to join her in the pursuit of a better world. Whether she was serving as a board member for the Resistor Sisterhood organization or volunteering to deliver groceries for the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network, the list of Emma's involvement in the community was endless.

Not only was Emma an outspoken advocate, she was also an avid reader and lover of theater and passionate supporter of the arts.

As we mourn her loss, we celebrate her life by continuing the work she started by carrying the torch of activism and by striving to create a world she dreamed of: one filled with love, equality, and opportunity for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Susannah Scaroni, a graduate from the University of Illinois, for winning the 127th Boston Marathon and a successful World Marathon Majors season.

Susannah was born on May 16, 1991, in Burns, Oregon. Growing up Tekoa, Washington, a car crash would leave her paralyzed at the age of five. Susannah would persevere with the support of her community, eventually graduating from Tekoa High School in 2009 and coming to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. Susannah would graduate from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) with a bachelors degree in food science and human Nutrition in 2014 and earn a master's degree in Nutritional Sciences in 2022.

Throughout her education, Susannah would represent the United States in international competition and race in major marathons. Susannah has competed in the last three Paralympic games, earning a gold medal in the 5,000-meter race and a bronze in the 800-meter race in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Susannah would win the Los Angeles Marathon early in her career, however, coming short of winning a world major until recently.

After battling through a career-threatening back injury six months prior, Susannah would win the 2022 Chicago Marathon in October and the New York City Marathon in November. Her streak of wins would only end in Tokyo due to missing the marathon after contracting strep throat, but she would bounce back in April. After competing in the Boston Marathon eight times, with several bronzes being her best accomplishment in years prior, favor would shine her light on Susannah. She would win with a time of 1 hour 45 minutes 45 seconds, holding a lead of five minutes on the previous winner.

With the six recent World Marathon Majors now passed, Susannah has won three out of the six, and medaled in four. I am both proud and honored to recognize my fellow Fighting Illini graduate on today.

Madam Speaker, more than a century ago, the Black community in Springfield, Illinois, came under attack by a violent mob, resulting in the loss of lives and livelihoods.

While the 1908 Springfield race riot demonstrates our Nation's deep history of racial violence, it also gave rise to the NAACP, an organization that would lead the charge in securing civil rights for millions of Black Americans in the decades to come.

Today, I am honored to introduce bipartisan legislation with Congressman Darin LaHood to make the site of this historic event a national monument, providing long overdue recognition for our local history and its impact on our Nation.

I am grateful to Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth for their work on this bill in the Senate, and I look forward to working together to make this vision a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of a beloved member of the Springfield Police Department who recently passed, K9 Thor.

Thor worked second watch for 8 years as a dual-purpose police K9 until his retirement in 2019. Trained in apprehending criminals and searching for evidence and narcotics, he played an important role in keeping our community safe.

During his career, Thor won numerous awards at the United States Police Canine Association region 16 trials, including four perfect scores in suspect search and evidence search, distinctions that my little, 20-pound Lulu just might not have cut it.

When Thor wasn't fighting crime, his favorite activity was chasing tennis balls at home and spending time with his family.

As we reflect on Thor's service to the Springfield community, we are reminded of the sacrifices that our law enforcement officers and their K9 partners make every day to keep us safe.

Thank you, Thor, and thank you to all of the first responders in the Illinois 13th Congressional District for your dedication to service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my first bill as a Member of Congress, the LEAP Act.

This bipartisan piece of legislation aims to create new opportunities for American workers by supporting apprenticeships and pre- apprenticeship programs. These training programs are a proven way to address the job skills gap and to get folks ready for careers in growing industries.

By providing tax credits to small businesses, this bill will both address the need for more qualified workers and cut educational costs, a win-win for employers and working people.

I thank former Congressman Rodney Davis, who was the first to introduce this legislation back in 2013, and I thank Congressman Mike Carey for

partnering with me to build on this proposal by eliminating age limits and emphasizing pre-apprenticeship eligibility.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting career pathways and a chance for everyone to succeed in our changing economy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, at the close of Black History Month and the beginning of Women's History Month, to recognize an incredible athlete and role model from Illinois' 13th Congressional District, Jackie Joyner-Kersee. I also wish her a happy birthday today.

Born and raised in East St. Louis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee is one of the best track athletes of all time, winning six Olympic medals and four World Championship track titles.

Over the course of her 12-year Olympic career, Jackie broke countless records, including the world record in the heptathlon that still stands today. She was also the first African-American woman to win gold medals in long jump and the heptathlon.

Jackie's legacy extends far beyond her athletic achievements. Just last week, I visited the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, which provides educational and athletic opportunities for young people in East St. Louis. I was truly inspired by what I saw in Jackie's commitment and work. Throughout her life, she has used her platform to be a tireless advocate for children's education, racial equity, and women's rights.

As we celebrate Black history and women's history, let's recognize incredible folks like Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert ``Bob'' W. Vose, of Springfield, Illinois, who passed away on Monday, January 20, 2023. He was 94 years old.

The son of John and Hedwig Vose, Bob was born on January 29, 1929. He was raised in Springfield alongside his five brothers and six sisters, where he attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Lanphier High School until he chose to serve our country in the United States Army.

Bob was a proud and active citizen, humbly serving his country and community. Bob would marry Virginia in 1953 and raise his six children in the city he loved. He would work for the Illinois Ice Company before becoming a City Water Light and Power meter reader and, eventually, a stationary engineer for the State of Illinois. He was a proud member of IBEW union, organizing with Local 193 for 65 years.

Bob would become the first city alderman elected to represent Ward 5 and continued to be an advocate for his ward and its' residents long after his term of service expired. He was a very generous man, donating his time and talents to a great many local causes throughout his entire life. He loved playing the role of Santa Claus at the city recreation department and was a referee and umpire of high school sports for several years. He sponsored the annual Goodwill client Halloween and Christmas parties for 34 years. He was a member of the Oak Ridge Cemetery Foundation and was very active in fundraising for the cemetery and responsible for Monument Avenue Beautification improvements.

Bob's statewide claim to fame were his corndogs. Based on his grandmother's recipe that he safeguarded, ``The Korndog King'' would start selling his famous Vose Corn Dogs at the Illinois State Fair in 1967 with his brothers. Eventually, Bob and Virginia would continue Vose Fine Food on the fairgrounds for 50 years and become a fourth- generation family business. The Vose Family Corn Dog stand is a staple of the fair and continues to be an annual tradition.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife Virginia; four brothers; and six sisters. He is survived by his 6 children, Robert Vose, Jr., Virginia (Mike) Geiger, Ronald (Marybeth) Vose, Kenneth (Roxann) Vose, Debra Vose and Sandra (Robert) Orr; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; last brother, Harold (Jean) Vose; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert was an icon of Springfield; one not built from a desire for fame, but one established from his years of service and dedication to the betterment of his community. His absence will leave a large hole within Springfield, and he will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Lerleane Payne Chavis, of Madison, Illinois, for 60 years of dedicated service to the Treasurer's office in Madison County.

Lerleane was born on June 17, 1942, in Madison, lllinois. Continuing to be raised in the city, she would graduate from Madison High School in 1960.

Not long after, Lerleane would make history in Madison County. On January 7, 1963, eager to break the color barrier, County Treasurer, George Musso, would hire Lerleane into her office. Lerleane would be the first African American office worker employed in Madison County and the first African American woman to work for Madison County government. At 20 years old, Lerleane proved herself to be a diligent worker and create a welcoming space for her fellow employees.

Her diligence to her craft would lead to numerous promotions, eventually being promoted to Deputy Treasurer for the county. Lerleane would retire from her full-time employment in 1998, but continues to serve on a part-time basis.

January 7, 2023 marked Lerleane's 60th year of service in the Madison County's Treasurer's Office, making her the longest serving employee in Madison County Government history. During her time, she has served under nine county treasurers, making her the unofficial matriarch of the Treasurer's Office.

Throughout her service, Lerleane maintained being a pillar in her community. She would marry LeRoy Chavis in 1968 and spend 49 years together until his passing in 2017. She is the mother of four children, grandmother to nine, and great-grandmother to five. She is a longtime member of Mt. Joy Baptist Church, and volunteers her time taking care of several elderly friends in the area.

Lerleane is a unsung hero who deserves her flowers and appreciation. She is a trailblazer in the fight for equality and it is an honor to recognize her today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the first time as the proud Representative of Illinois' 13th Congressional District. For those of you who don't know me yet, Mr. Speaker, I am Nikki Budzinski, and I am honored to serve the people of central and southern Illinois.

I am a trade unionist who came to Congress because too many Americans work hard every day and still find themselves struggling to make ends meet.

I am here to work across the aisle on commonsense solutions for working families in the heartland. This week, I was appointed to serve on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs--two places where bipartisanship is still very much alive.

I am ready to get to work on the farm bill that supports Illinois agriculture and the family farmers who

keep our communities fed and our cars fueled.

I am eager to advocate for the heroes who put their lives on the line to protect our families and our future. I look forward to bringing voices from all of our communities to Congress as we tackle the most important issues facing our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank them for trusting me to represent them.