Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, this year Globe Engineering in Wichita is celebrating 80 years of manufacturing excellence in the Air Capital of the World.

Globe got its start in 1946 in the garage of Albert Nelson, Jr., a mechanical engineer who worked at Boeing Wichita during World War II. Before long, he won his first aircraft contract building drop tank frames. More aviation work followed, and he renamed the company Globe Engineering.

Eight decades later, that garage operation has grown into an aerospace supplier with a main campus of more than 400,000 square feet. The men and women of Globe build exhaust systems, tube assemblies, fuel and hydraulic lines, bulkheads, and propeller spinners for commercial, general aviation, and military aircraft. Globe plays an important role in supporting our national defense as well, supporting programs like the C-130 Hercules, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, CH-47 Chinook, and AH-64 Apache.

Kansans have designed and manufactured components and complex assemblies here for more than a century, and suppliers like Globe Engineering are why Wichita remains the Air Capital today. Their skilled workforce makes the parts and components that keep our skies safe and our military at the leading edge.

While this milestone for Globe Engineering is impressive, it is even more meaningful that it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Aviation has been an important part of our nation's story throughout the last century, thanks to Kansas businesses like Globe. As we celebrate 250 years and look toward the next 250 years, I have full confidence that Globe Engineering will remain a critical part of our Nation's story.

I am grateful that Globe Engineering has called Wichita home for 80 years and continues to invest in the people of south central Kansas. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Kansas, congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Yea on Roll Call No. 296, on motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4219, the National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act of 2025; and

Yea on Roll Call No 297, on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026.

Mr. Speaker, in November, INTRUST Bank will celebrate 150 years of serving the Wichita community, during the same year our Nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.

INTRUST Bank was founded in 1876 in Wichita, when our Nation was celebrating its first 100 years, and Wichita was a small town on the Chisholm Trail. Since then, INTRUST Bank has been led by five generations, maintained a strong community presence, and expanded into neighboring states.

This institution, rooted in the patriotism of our country and the pride of the Kansas plains, has not only watched changes and growth of the past 150 years but has accelerated it. Throughout its history, INTRUST Bank has built trust through a commitment to its employees and customers.

While this milestone for INTRUST Bank is impressive, it is even more meaningful that it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate 250 years and look toward the next 250 years, I have full confidence that INTRUST Bank will continue to be a critical piece of our nation's story.

I'm grateful that INTRUST Bank has been part of this community and continues to invest in the people of south central Kansas and our region. I look forward to seeing the growth of INTRUST Bank for many more years to come. On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Kansas, I congratulate them on their sesquicentennial.

Mr. Speaker, on July 11, just a week after our Nation celebrated Independence Day, GE Aerospace, Strother Field in Cowley County celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Our region has a rich aviation history, with pioneers of flight finding our flat plains the perfect place to reach new heights. It was here in the Sunflower State that a budding aviation industry grew, making us the Air Capital of the World. That title does not just represent who we were in the early 1900s, but it remains who we are today. The men and women of GE Aerospace, Strother Field continue the legacy of those early innovators, and they've been advancing aviation for three-quarters of a century.

GE's presence at Strother Field is an incredible investment and testament to the skilled manufacturing workforce we have here in south central Kansas. It reflects a new element of innovation in our area that specializes in maintenance, repair, and overhaul for GE Aerospace and their military customers. Strother Field and the men and women that have devoted their careers here have brought a more complete manufacturing base to the Air Capital of the World.

While this milestone for Strother Field's impact on aviation manufacturing is impressive by itself, it is even more meaningful that it also coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Aviation has been an important part of our Nation's history throughout the last century, and GE Aerospace and Strother Field have played significant roles in our past. As we celebrate 250 years and look toward the next 250 years, I have full confidence that GE Aerospace, Strother Field will continue to be a critical piece of our Nation's story.

I look forward to seeing the contributions and growth of GE Aerospace, Strother Field for many years to come. I encourage all Kansans to celebrate its 75th anniversary as we continue celebrating America's semiquincentennial.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on the 1-year anniversary of the tragic murder of my intern, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

His family endured a devastating loss that no family should ever have to go through. Last summer, Eric was horrifically murdered in the Nation's Capital when he was shot while walking on the street. He was only 21 years old.

My staff and I feel the loss of Eric every day. We remember the time we spent with him at the Congressional Baseball Game last year when he remarked that he loved working on Capitol Hill. We remember when he sat in our front office and was always happy to greet visitors with a smile. We remember how he helped with the daily press briefings every single morning. Also, we mostly remember his dedication to serving others, which is why he came to Washington to intern in a congressional office.

We will never forget Eric for the rest of our lives, and we will never forget the evil that took him from the world.

The hearts of his family; his friends; my staff; my wife, Susan; and I are still impacted by the loss of a bright young man whose life was tragically cut short by senseless violence.

However, Eric did not die in vain. Eric's murder was a catalyst for criminal reform in Washington, D.C. Due to his death, President Trump brought in the National Guard to protect other innocent people like him, the millions of Americans who come to D.C. because of their love of country and public service. We can say that because of Eric, many people's lives were saved from the violence he fell victim to.

Through this tragedy, we find comfort in knowing that Eric is now in the hands of Jesus Christ, our loving Savior. I pray God will continue to provide peace and strength for Eric's family and everyone who knew him on this sad anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to observe a moment of silence to remember Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

Mr. Speaker, on July 3, 2026, just one day before our Nation celebrates Independence Day, the City of Haysville will celebrate its 75th anniversary.

Established in 1951, this thriving community sits just south of Wichita and is home to restaurants, shops, neighborhoods and more than 11,000 Kansans. The city has continued to value quality of life, making improvements in services, parks, and infrastructure over the last decade.

Haysville has become a place of gathering, where south central Kansas residents choose to make their homes and build their lives. And as they celebrate their incorporation, they also honor the men and women who have led Haysville over the past three-quarters of a century.

Haysville is also a place of strength and grit. Being in the heartland, Haysviile has seen its share of severe weather. In 1991, a tornado impacted Haysville before moving on with greater intensity. And then in 1999, Haysville was the epicenter of the F-4 tornado that would claim lives and cause massive damage. The people of Haysville's compassion and resilience were on full display, and that strength continues to shape the community to this day.

As Haysville celebrates its 75th anniversary, our Nation is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A lot has changed over the past quarter of a millennium, but I imagine that our Founding Fathers would be pleased to see the patriotism and community pride that is taking place in Haysville.

While this year is sure to be exciting, I look forward to seeing Haysville grow and flourish for many years to come. I encourage all Kansans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Haysville as we prepare for America's semiquincentennial.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 15th anniversary of the Derby Smoke on the Plains BBQ and Music Festival. This weekend, the residents of Derby, in my home district of Kansas, will be celebrating their 15th annual Smoke on the Plains BBQ and Music Festival.

This event is more than just good food and good music, though that would be reason enough to celebrate. It is an event that brings together the local community and BBQ masters from across the region, with families and friends of all ages finding various ways to enjoy life together.

Located in High Park, the festival also showcases a premier gathering place for Kansas families. It truly represents an active city with amenities that improve the quality of life for its residents.

I am honored to have this exciting festival in Kansas, and celebrating their 15th year in 2026 is extra special. As Derby celebrates the 15th annual Smoke on the Plains, our Nation is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A lot has changed over the past quarter of a millennium, but I imagine that our Founding Fathers would be pleased to see the patriotism and community pride that is taking place in Derby.

While this year is sure to be exciting, I look forward to seeing this festival grow for many years to come. I encourage all Kansans to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Derby Smoke on the Plains as we prepare for America's semiquincentennial in less than a month.

Mr. Speaker, on June 6, the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, Kansas Tent No. 6, dedicated a bench at the Dole VA Center in Wichita. I'm pleased today to recognize their efforts to honor the men and women who served our country and celebrate the United States' milestone on July 4 of this year.

In less than a month, our nation will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we near this special occasion, it's fitting to remember that throughout our country's history, men and women have answered the call to serve-- to defend the very liberties that our Founding Fathers enshrined on that document 250 years ago.

When the signers of the Declaration of Independence dipped their quill pens in ink and applied their signatures to parchment, they knew that it was not the ink that would bind our nation together for years to come, but the blood of patriots who would fight to gain independence from a foreign monarchy and who would continue to fight to maintain our freedoms for generations to come.

The blessings of liberty we share today are only possible because of the men and women who donned the uniform for the past 250 years. We can celebrate our semiquincentennial because of the countless soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and guardians who are the reason our country still stands today.

Kansas has long been at the forefront of defending the United States in the air, on land and at sea. We are proud to be home to notable heroes such as President Dwight Eisenhower, medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Erwin Bleckley, and Senator Bob Dole, the namesake of the medical center that will be home to this new bench.

Kansas sends our best to serve, and for their sacrifices today and over the last 250 years, we are eternally grateful.

I want to thank the Kansans who have worked to establish a bench that honors our heroes and celebrates our Nation's 250th anniversary. This will not only serve as a great reminder of our Nation's history, but also encourage us to continue advancing the values we share as Americans, and to honor the men and women who make our 250 years possible.

Madam Chair, I was not present for the following Roll Call vote. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call vote No. 148, on the Luna Amendment Number 28, had I been present I would have voted ``NO''.

Amendment No. 36 Offered by Mr. Moore of West Virginia

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call vote. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA on Roll Call No. 138, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended of H.R. 7959, IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act, and YEA on Roll Call vote No. 139, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended of H.R. 227, Clergy Act.

Mr. Speaker, today, we celebrate the remarkable career of a true pillar of Kansas dentistry, Dr. Lucynda Raben.

For over 40 years, Lucynda has been more than a dentist. She has been a pioneer and a dedicated advocate for dentistry. From the very beginning, when she formed the first father-daughter practice in Kansas history, she has set a standard for excellence that has become a benchmark for our community.

As the founder of Raben Dentistry, she provided world-class care to Wichita families, but her impact reached far beyond the walls of her clinic. Whether serving as chair of the Delta Dental of Kansas, being named KDA Dentist of the Year, or testifying before the State legislature, Lucynda has been a tireless advocate for us all.

Through her work with the KIND program and her years of dedicated outreach, she has secured a clear path for the next generation of dentists.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Dr. Raben's career of leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to Wichita. I thank her for her decades of service and the lasting mark she has made on our community. I congratulate her on a remarkable legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 67 lives that we lost on January 29, 2025. After months of investigative work, the NTSB uncovered systemic failures that culminated in the fateful midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger aircraft.

The flight originated from my hometown of Wichita, Kansas. Our community was shocked by the tragedy, and I am heartbroken that several Kansans were among the victims. No family should ever have to endure that heartbreak.

It is imperative that we work in Congress to ensure tragedies like this never happen again and that our skies are the safest in the world. We must build back the layers of safety that failed that night.

I am grateful for the work of the NTSB and the Senate, and I realize there is always more that can and should be done to enhance aviation safety. I look forward to continuing this important work that honors their lives and makes our skies safer. Flying in the United States is the safest of anywhere in the world, but we must continue to identify and implement ways to make it safer.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for yielding time to me on this important topic.

It is important to be here today to express my support for S. 269, the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. It is commonsense legislation that taxpayers should not be footing the bill for people who are deceased.

The purpose of this legislation is to permanently authorize the Social Security Administration to share its full Death Master File with the Treasury's Do Not Pay service. The Death Master File that is generated by Social Security is the best, if not the only national file that identifies the death of individuals throughout the country. This access will allow Federal agencies to have the updated, complete death data necessary to verify benefit eligibility and prevent erroneous overpayments.

We are well aware that the Federal Government has a major spending problem, and we face a massive problem continuing to pay people for all sorts of Federal programs, including Social Security, who have passed away. In FY 2024 alone, Federal agencies reported over $162 billion in improper payments. By making this data exchange permanent, the Bureau of Fiscal Service projects that we will save $330 million across the Federal Government by December of 2026.

As the chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee, I am committed to enforcing this legislation and protecting the integrity of our programs for the American taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA on Roll Call No. 335, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 284, the Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act, and YEA on Roll Call No. 336, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 3187, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Aerospace Week that just concluded.

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright completed the first successful flight, igniting a spark for aviation innovation in the United States. More than a century later, America has continued to be at the forefront of aerospace development, in technology, defense, manufacturing, transportation, and exploration. At the conclusion of National Aerospace Week, we recognize the important contributions of aviation companies, workers and organizations to the aerospace and defense industry in our country.

In fact, the aerospace and defense industry generated more than $955 billion in sales in 2024, creating jobs and boosting the economy. In 2024, the aerospace and defense industry accounted for 1.5 percent of the nominal GDP. More than two million Americans contribute to this industry, crafting the machinery and equipment that power the industry. Many of these Americans in the aerospace and defense industry call Kansas home.

It is my honor to represent the Air Capital of the World--Wichita, Kansas--where hardworking men and women manufacture and design airplanes that are used around the world. When I travel throughout the district, I see firsthand and the passion for aerospace. In Kansas, we are fortunate to educate and train the future pilots, designers, and manufacturers of the aerospace industry.

Aerospace innovation is intertwined with our U.S. Military and defense industrial base. The men and women who serve our Nation are equipped with the most advanced aerospace technologies to keep our Nation safe and secure and allow us to defend ourselves against our adversaries.

Furthermore, America's preeminence in aviation is a model and inspiration for other nations around the world. Our fast, safe, and efficient jets, and our new technologies remain the gold standard around the globe.

Aerospace is integral to our economy and defense, and it is a major part of many states throughout the country, including the Sunflower State.

During National Aerospace Week, we recognized all those in this country who continue to push the limits of aviation, from the Wright Brothers in 1903 to the innovators of today.