Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Jacqueline R. Erwin, a Classification Specialist for the United States Postal Service, an ordained minister, and a life coach from Delaware County, Pennsylvania. On April 13th, she will be presented with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Award for outstanding work in her community and career by the Philadelphia/South Jersey Chapter of the African American Postal League United for Success (A-PLUS).

Jackie began her career as a postal worker in 1986 and worked her way up to her current appointment as a Classification Specialist. Her dedication to her job has gone beyond her individual duties. She is the National Vice-Chairperson of NETWORK, a nonprofit organization within the Postal Service dedicated to African-American women who serve at the USPS. In addition to her leadership in her professional life, she is an author, minister, mother, grandmother, and wife.

I join A-PLUS in commending Jackie for her extraordinary work advocating for African-American female postal workers, her commitment to her family, and for making her community a better place. I wish her success as she continues to enthusiastically serve and advocate for those around her.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Dr. Joy Gates Black, President of Delaware County Community College (DCCC)--the first female, as well as the first African-American, President to lead the institution in its 50 year history.

Dr. Gates Black has worked tirelessly to promote students' success, ensuring they have a clear path to graduation and are equipped with the skills a modern workforce demands. Her efforts have made her an exceptionally well respected higher education administrator.

In addition to her experience leading colleges across the country, Dr. Gates Black served our nation honorably in the U.S. Air Force where she developed leadership abilities that now help her lead institutions like DCCC.

Dr. Gates Black is being presented with the Woman of Achievement Award from the Delaware County Women's Commission, an honor she much deserves. I join in recognizing her as a distinguished leader in higher education in Pennsylvania and across the country. I wish Dr. Joy Gates Black many years of continued success at the helm of DCCC.

Mr. Speaker, today I posthumously recognize Linda Houldin of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Linda was a longtime resident of Delaware County and a pillar of her community.

She served as the Executive Director of the Delaware County Historical Society and co-founded the Delaware County Veterans Memorial. Linda's countless hours spent helping others left a profound and undeniable impact on everyone around her and the community she loved. She was a strong, passionate, and dedicated woman who touched many lives--particularly veterans, children, and society's most vulnerable.

Linda is to be inducted into the Delaware County Women's Commission Hall of Fame, and rightfully so. She showed us how an individual with energy and commitment to community can enrich the lives of friends and strangers alike.

Her absence will be felt by those who knew her and the many she helped through her generosity and service.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mrs. Cheryl Colleluori of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Cheryl is the President of HEADstrong Foundation, which provides services and resources for cancer patients and their families nationwide.

HEADstrong was founded by Cheryl's son, Nick, after he was diagnosed with a blood cancer. Nick realized that cancer patients and their families were struggling with a lack of resources. From his hospital bed, Nick started to raise money and awareness for cancer patients by empowering young athletes to support his mission. His final wish was for others to benefit from his life and efforts and Cheryl promised to see her son's mission through. Thanks to Cheryl's leadership and Nick's spirit, HEADstrong has helped nearly 15,000 patients and raised more than $11 million to support their fight against cancer.

HEADstrong will continue to change countless lives for years to come with its message of kindness, support, and compassion. None of this would be possible without Cheryl's embodiment of her son's spirit. She is an exceptional choice for the Woman of Achievement Award, and I thank her for all her tremendous work.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mares Stellfox, a Springfield High School graduate who relentlessly pursued her dreams to become a professional Open-Wheel race car driver.

From an early age Mares dreamed of proving herself in the male- dominated world of race car driving. It was no easy path to get there. She experienced barriers and setbacks. But Mares pushed forward, helping change auto-racing culture and becoming a model for other aspiring women.

When Mares first entered open-wheel auto racing, she set ambitious goals--to finish in the top ten in points her first year and the top five her second. She accomplished both and returned a third year to capture first place. She would go on to join The Outlaws racing club as the only woman among nearly 100 members, earning herself the nickname the ``Lady Outlaw.'' She continued to break stereotypes as she earned numerous honors and awards during her tenure, even landing on the cover of Open Wheel Magazine, a first for a woman.

I applaud Mares for her successful career and everything she has done to be a trailblazer for women. She has well-earned the Woman of Achievement Award.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for rollcall votes 27 through 30 because I was traveling to Pennsylvania with President Trump. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 27, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 28, ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 29, and ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 30.

Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the memory of Philadelphia firefighter Lieutenant Matt LeTourneau, who is also a long-time member of the Springfield Fire Company in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Lieutenant LeTourneau tragically died Saturday evening, giving his life protecting his community while battling a row house fire in subfreezing temperatures in the city of Philadelphia.

Matt graduated from Cardinal O'Hara High School in 1993 in Delaware County, and he served 11 years as a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department. He joined the Springfield Fire Company in 1991 at the age of 16, and he served and continued to serve as an instructor at the Delaware County Emergency Services Training Center, where he was praised by his colleagues for his skill and the knowledge that he passed on to them about how to keep themselves safe.

He served his community with dedication, commitment, and courage, his colleagues said. ``We took a big loss in the fire service,'' J.J. Bonsall, one of his closest friends said. ``He was one of the greatest firefighters we know.''

He was also a participant in something called Redpaw Emergency Relief Team, making sure that animals that are harmed in fires have a safe place.

Madam Speaker, I thank Lieutenant Matt LeTourneau for his service and sacrifice for the community that he loved. The condolences and gratitude of an entire region are with his mother, with his extended family, his friends, and the firefighters from Springfield and Philadelphia fire companies.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on my colleagues on both

sides of the aisle to work together to pass the long-term extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program.

178,000 Pennsylvania children rely on CHIP to get their healthcare, thousands of them in my own district. It is a bipartisan program, and for decades it has continued to earn bipartisan support.

The House did its job last month, passing a 5-year extension of the program, and I am grateful for Chairman Walden and his leadership and support for CHIP. But just a few minutes ago, the House passed an extension through March, and that is good, but it is not good enough.

Unless the House and Senate can reach a real agreement, Pennsylvanians and their children will again face the prospect of losing their care, and it isn't right to jeopardize kids in the name of partisan bickering.

We have done a lot on the agenda this week: tax reform for the middle class, keeping the government open, important tasks. But CHIP is important, too, and I say to my friends on both sides of the aisle: Don't let this become a bargaining chip. Get it done.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Paul Pfitzenmeyer of West Caln Township, Pennsylvania. Mr. Pfitzenmeyer served honorably in the U.S. Army, was a dedicated employee of Acme Markets, and has committed himself to his community by serving his township's police office, as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and as Chairman of West Caln Township's Board of Supervisors.

While in the military Mr. Pfitzenmeyer received the Good Conduct and Marksman medals. After finishing his military service in 1964, he returned home to continue serving the public.

Paul began a career with Acme Markets where he remained for 38 years. While working full-time he also spent 25 of those years working at the West Caln Township Police Office. Paul didn't stop there. He also became a volunteer firefighter and EMT then was elected to the Township's Board of Supervisors in 1991. Quickly thereafter he was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and continues to hold the position today. But after serving with distinction for over a quarter century, Paul is stepping down.

I commend Mr. Paul E. Pfitzenmeyer for his tireless dedication to our country and his local community. His work has made him a pillar for the public to depend on. I know West Caln Township will be forever grateful for Paul's steadfast and loyal service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to take advantage of this historic opportunity that we have before us.

As I travel across my district, I hear from families that are struggling to get ahead. I hear from families that can't make ends meet most months. They don't have a whole lot left over. In fact, 63 percent of American families don't have $500 to handle an emergency. I hear from businesses that say they would love to be able to hire, expand, or buy that new piece of equipment, but they just don't have the cash to do it.

Our Tax Code is taking too many dollars from Pennsylvania and sending it to Washington. It is sending good-paying, middle class jobs overseas and it is holding our economy back, making it harder for so many to get ahead.

This is our chance to change the status quo. We have an opportunity to jump-start our economy and let more hardworking families keep what they earn.

We rewrite the Tax Code for American job creators, taking away the incentives to send jobs overseas and dollars offshore. Putting those dollars to

work will put more Americans to work as businesses expand and invest here at home--American tax cuts for American workers with American jobs.

We give these small businesses a break--the mom-and-pop shops that employ Pennsylvanians. We give entrepreneurs, who have so much innovation and creativity, a wider cushion to take a risk. We are putting more money in the pockets of hardworking families. We are doubling the standard deduction, which means that 94 percent of taxpayers won't need to itemize at all. Let me say that again: 94 percent of taxpayers won't even need to itemize at all.

By expanding the child tax credit and creating a new $300 credit for parents and nondependent children, we put an additional $1,800 back in the pockets of every family of four. That is money that they can use as they see fit. We have streamlined the maze of education tax credits, and included in my bipartisan bill are apprenticeship programs that can now be made affordable.

The taxpayers I hear from say they want to pay less in taxes, not more. If limiting some deductions and lowering your rates means your tax bill is lower at the end of the year, that is a good deal for taxpayers.

We owe it to the hardworking, taxpaying families we represent to deliver that.

I urge my colleagues to support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Alfred ``Ray'' Coe of Chester County, Pennsylvania, for his life dedicated to serving his community and our country. Mr. Coe honorably served the United States Army during Vietnam in three Calvary units in addition to serving his community of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania as a volunteer Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Coe has also worked with his local government in various positions.

Mr. Coe received three promotions during his tour in Vietnam. He was injured when his vehicle was blown up by a mine, but courageously returned and rescued his Sergeant from the vehicle. For these and other efforts he earned numerous awards for his honorable service. Among the honors were the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation for Valor, of which he is most proud. Upon returning home, Mr. Coe began volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America, eventually becoming Scoutmaster. Mr. Coe continued his service to his community through the Scouts working as his district's Unit, Training, and Roundtable Commissioner. Mr. Coe's years of service to his country and neighbors are invaluable. There is no doubt he has saved and improved the lives of many through that service.

I commend Mr. Alfred Coe for his passionate dedication to community and country. He has earned the respect of his friends, family, and colleagues, as well as the public he has served. I thank him for all he has done and continues to do

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Colonel George C. Cressman, Jr., of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Colonel Cressman served the United States honorably for 33 years as an Army Reservist. In that time, the Colonel deployed to Haiti, Iraq, and Kuwait. Though he recently retired from the Army Reserves, Colonel Cressman remains an active former president of the Society of American Military Engineers, and continues to serve his community of North Wales, Pennsylvania.

The Colonel devotes much of his free time to helping others. Often, his efforts focus on the community's youth. He's organized scholarship fundraisers for students in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, mentors military college cadets, and even lectures at local universities. This guidance and philanthropy has helped open the door to opportunities for many.

But Colonel Cressman devotion to his community goes beyond helping students. He regularly participates in fundraisers to raise money in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis and to help his fellow Pennsylvania veterans.

Colonel Cressman's actions speak louder than any letter. He is a proven servant to his community and country. Both are much better off having Colonel George C. Cressman, Jr. be a part of them. I thank him for all his service.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mr. William J. Gaul, Jr. of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gaul served his country during the Vietnam War and continued his selfless work upon arriving home to Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

While in Vietnam, Mr. Gaul went above and beyond his duties through his volunteer work. In his free time he taught English in a local school and brought food, clothing, and medical supplies to an orphanage. Mr. Gaul exemplified the true mission of America in Vietnam by working to improve the lives of the local community.

Upon returning to Upper Darby, Mr. Gaul remained active in his own community. He has served as Emergency Management Coordinator since 1980, is a member of the Upper Darby School Board, and also serves on the Upper Darby Township Square Club. Mr. Gaul even led a fundraiser to provide bullet-proof vests for his local police department.

As seen during his time in Vietnam, Mr. Gaul's good works go further than his local community. In 2005, he spent 8 weeks in New Orleans, providing help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. William J. Gaul has shown throughout his life that he is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to provide for others. I thank him for honorably serving our country and the public with passion and commitment

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Stephanie Farmer of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, for her service to the United States and her local community.

Ms. Farmer honorably served our country in the U.S. Air Force. Following her service, she returned home to Delaware County to teach. She brought enthusiasm to the classroom that had a tremendous impact on the students she taught. After years of teaching Ms. Farmer was asked to accept the Assistant Principal position at Tinicum School in Essington. In this capacity, she has become known as a devoted, caring educator who pushes her students to be their best.

One particular area in which Ms. Farmer challenges her students is reading. She intensified the focus on her school's Summer Reading Program--which challenges grade schools to read the most books over their summer break. Thanks to her devotion, her students consistently lead other elementary schools in this competition.

Her passion for learning and the energy she brings to school has proven infectious. Her efforts have helped her students gain more from their education than what they otherwise would have.

I commend Ms. Stephanie Farmer for her life of service to her students, community, and country. I wish her and her students much continued success

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Sergeant Edward Daniel Maginn of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, for his service in the United States Marine Corps and for his work as a federal law enforcement official.

Sgt. Maginn served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. After his service abroad, the Sergeant served as Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division for two years. During his time in the military, Sgt. Maginn received numerous awards. These honors included the National Defense Ribbon, Parachute Wings, and the Vietnam Service Ribbon.

After his time in the military, Sgt. Maginn wished to continue his career of service. In 1988, he began working as a federal police officer. On September 11th, 2001, after witnessing the World Trade Center Towers collapse, his commanding officer asked for volunteers to rescue victims of the tragedy. Sgt. Maginn volunteered without hesitation. His humanitarian spirit also took him to New Orleans in 2005 to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

After the Department of Homeland Security was created in the wake of the September 11th attacks, Sgt. Maginn joined the Department as a Hazmat Tech Officer, an integral part of the Special Response Team.

Sgt. Maginn's selfless acts prove his lifelong devotion to serving others. I thank Sergeant Edward Maginn for his continued service and I commend his tireless dedication to community and country