Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Sergeant (SGT) Harold Pressel, U.S. Army Air Corps, on the auspicious occasion of his 101st Birthday on February 3, 2025.

SGT Pressel honorably served alongside the ``Greatest Generation'' in WWII as a machine gunner on the B-24 Liberator, during which he earned--among myriad awards and decorations--the Purple Heart for his actions and wounds in combat. His aircraft was hit by flak after turning around for a second bomb run, which pierced the fuel tank. After bailing from the plummeting aircraft, SGT Pressel told himself not to panic even when overcoming his parachute malfunction that caused him to barrel 120 MPH towards the ground.

After landing safely, he was surrounded by the enemy. Five German soldiers took him to a nearby farmhouse, where a German officer was waiting. While being interrogated with the rest of his crew, SGT Pressel and his crewmates remained steadfast by answering every enemy question with only ``name, rank, and serial number''--and was thrown in a boxcar headed to a German Prisoner of War camp. After suffering horrors from starvation to bug infestations, SGT Pressel and his crew were liberated by General George Patton's Army on April 29, 1945.

SGT Pressel returned to the United States a hero. After a brief time at the air base in Middletown, he began his civilian career at the Motter Electrical Shop in York, Pennsylvania--where he helped build numerous nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania.

SGT Pressel shared two sons--Jim and Gary--with his beloved wife, Grace, before her passing, as well as four grandchildren, six great- grandchiidren, and one great-great grandchild.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored, humbled, and privileged to recognize Sergeant Harold Pressel on his 101st Birthday. I wish him the blessings of great health, happiness, and prosperity in his future adventures. ``Thank you'' will never be enough for his service and sacrifices in the name of our great Nation. His life and legacy set the standard by which we all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to recognize the Camp Hill Fire Company Assistant Fire Chief, Bob Clemm, on 65 years of tireless and dedicated service to our communities and the Fire Services at large.

Mr. Clemm, an educator and lifelong Firefighter, initially graduated with a degree in education, and went on to earn not one, but three Masters Degrees. He was hired in 1963 as an Industrial Arts teacher at Big Spring School District, and then served as Industrial Media Coordinator, where he ultimately was responsible for the purchase, maintenance, and coordination of all audio-visual, computer, and IT infrastructure for the district. His dedication, performance, and efforts not only were highly respected by the students, but earned him the award of 1992 Educator of the Year by the Phi Delta Kappa chapter of Shippensburg University.

Mr. Clemm became a State Certified Fire Instructor with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, and taught extensively in Cumberland County. He was an innovator in firefighting methods and taught specialty classes like vehicle rescue, aerial operations, and the use of rural water supply. Due to his skill, reputation, and knowledge, he also became a frequent guest instructor at the State Fire Academy.

Assistant Chief Clemm selflessly devoted countless time volunteering at the Academy when it was crippled with State budget deficits, and served as Assistant Fire Chief throughout most of his career. After ``retiring'' from active firefighting duties, he continued to serve in fire police operations.

As of June 2024, Assistant Fire Chief Bob Clemm's service to our communities has spanned an incredible 65 years. His contributions and legacy to the Fire Services throughout Pennsylvania are, simply put: innumerable and immeasurable. His tireless and limitless knowledge, leadership, skill, performance, care and dedication--all executed with quiet humility--set the standard by which we all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and proud to commemorate Assistant Fire Chief Bob Clemm on his career spanning over 65 years. ``Thank you'' will never be enough, and I wish him continued good health, happiness, and Godspeed on his future adventures.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Colonel (COL) Harold Pressel, U.S. Army Air Corps, on the auspicious occasion of his 101st Birthday on February 3, 2025.

COL Pressel honorably served alongside the ``Greatest Generation'' in WWII as a machine gunner on the B-24 Liberator, during which he earned--among myriad awards and decorations--the Purple Heart for his actions and wounds in combat. His aircraft was hit by flak after turning around for a second bomb run, which pierced the fuel tank. After bailing from the plummeting aircraft, COL Pressel told himself not to panic even when overcoming his parachute malfunction that caused him to barrel 120 MPH towards the ground.

After landing safely, he was surrounded by the enemy. Five German soldiers took him to a nearby farmhouse, where a German officer was waiting. While being interrogated with the rest of his crew, COL Pressel and his crewmates remained steadfast by answering every enemy question with only ``name, rank, and serial number''--and was thrown in a boxcar headed to a German Prisoner of War camp. After suffering horrors from starvation to bug infestations, COL Pressel and his crew were liberated by General George Patton's Army on April 29, 1945.

COL Pressel returned to the United States a hero. After a brief time at the air base in Middletown, he was honorably discharged from military service. He began his civilian career at the Motter Electrical Shop in York, Pennsylvania--where he helped build numerous nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania.

COL Pressel shared two sons--Jim and Gary--with his beloved wife, Grace, before her passing, as well as four grandchildren, six great- grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored, humbled, and privileged to recognize Colonel Harold Pressel on his 101st Birthday. I wish him the blessings of great health, happiness, and prosperity in his future adventures. ``Thank you'' will never be enough for his service and sacrifices in the name of our great Nation. His life and legacy set the standard by which we all should be judged.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friend, the chairman of the committee, for his hard work to try to save one of our country's greatest assets that we see burning to the ground on an annual basis.

We are always shocked, like we are surprised that it happens. It seems like my good friend, the chairman, continues to work on this issue. I don't know if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would be included in this statement, but certainly, some in the State and local governments don't seem to get that policies produce these outcomes. Now, we have a great chairman who is prioritizing the solutions here and managing the risks so that we do better.

This amendment, which I think the chairman agrees with, strikes the prioritization of carbon sequestration and ecosystem services in the biochar demonstration projects in this bill.

It is by prioritizing projects based on their impact on carbon sequestration and the impact on ecosystems rather than the impact on forest health and forest fire reduction that we risk throwing more money at the problem while failing to improve the situation on the ground.

Mr. Chairman, I think that is what we all want to focus on today. That is our priority. The chairman's priority is focusing on finding a solution to the problems that we see today occurring in our country.

As the most recent wildfires in California have demonstrated, the continued prioritization of other things at the expense of risk reduction--that is what we are talking about here is risk reduction, not only to property but to lives that are lost--creates deadly disasters that kill Americans and destroy their property over and over again.

The underlying bill makes important changes to improve how our forests are managed to the maximum extent possible. It is not like Mr. Westerman is just some guy here who is trying to do the right thing because he believes it is the right thing. He is the guy in Congress who actually knows how to do this stuff, so it is great that he is the chairman and that he is leading this effort.

This amendment furthers this intent by making sure we are focused on demonstration projects which maximize forest health and resiliency.

Let's remember, Mr. Chairman, we are $36 trillion in debt. Every 100 days, another trillion dollars go by. We have to really make sure that the resources we are spending get to fixing the problem. We would like to do other things. We would sure like to do a lot of other things, but there are needs and there are wants. The chairman is focused on the needs, and so am I.

Moreover, this amendment ensures that these projects are not hijacked by those who would use them to implement the U.N.'s natural capital accounting to block the actual productive use of land and undermine one of the fundamental values of America, which is personal property rights.

Mr. Chairman, I certainly appreciate Chairman Westerman's support for this commonsense amendment to improve this bill, and I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, let's not mislead anybody here. We have amendments. This is one, and I think there is another one coming very shortly from the other side of the aisle, which is awesome. We want to have these debates.

This is not ideological. Maybe it is great. Maybe the biochar demonstration needs to happen. The question really is, does the Federal Government need to pay for it? If it is so valuable, then the private sector, private industry, should do this work. Private industry should make this investment because we are out of money.

The American people, this government, is out of money. I don't know how many times we have to tell everybody here.

Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding.

I am happy to join him, and I am happy to join him in what I think he is saying, which is what I am saying. I am saying yes to fulfilling the President's agenda and mandate to secure the border, yes to the President's agenda and mandate to strengthen our military, and yes to the President's agenda and mandate to reduce the cost-of-living and inflationary pressures that printing--creating out of whole cloth, out of nothing--money floating around in the economy making every single good, service, and purchase more expensive.

I say yes to fixing all that. As one of the people who, like Chip, is often maligned and people characterize us as part of the no caucus, we are here saying yes. Yes, we want to fix it.

We don't want to increase the debt limit, but we understand that we have to pay the Nation's bills. So, all we are saying is that as long as there is a plan to stop increasing the ever-increasing debt, then we can be on board, and we have a plan.

We have offered a plan, and we can be onboard with that to not let Chuck Schumer decide what the cost of increasing the debt ceiling is going to be and not force the American people to keep on paying for things that this government shouldn't be buying and can't afford, that taxpayers can't afford.

We want to do this. We are here to say yes and here to save our country, but we are not signing up for fake savings and spending: If you raise the debt ceiling, then we will make sure we grow our way out of it by projecting 3.5 or 4 percent growth for the next 10 years.

Let's quit fooling ourselves. That is not going to happen. We absolutely want to say yes to making sure that the American people continue to enjoy the tax cuts that we gave them, that we got, that we secured, and that we fought for during the first Trump administration. We want to continue that. We want to secure that.

We wish we could have done that then, but since that time, the Biden administration has increased spending by $6 trillion. Somehow, something has to give.

Mr. Speaker, look at the recent bond market sales. Interest rates are going up. My good friend from Texas already mentioned the fact that every time it goes up 100 basis points, it increases the cost of the debt that we have to

pay for. We pay for it here by creating money that doesn't exist digitally. We can't even print it fast enough.

We get nothing for it. All we are paying for is interest on the debt. We don't get any new government programs, and we don't get any new and better military programs. We don't get anything for it. It is just debt and interest payments that we are paying for things that we bought in the past.

All that we are saying is, look, if you have a better plan than we do, God bless it. Let's see it, and let's see the real cuts.

Like I said, I am with Chip. We want to pay for the border and our military, and we want to use things like EV mandates to pay for that stuff.

As far as student loan giveaways that aren't constitutional, which the Biden administration is offering, we are saying, look, let's repurpose that money for things that we do need to pay for, like the border and the military.

Let's have some reasonable cuts. Let's increase the debt ceiling as necessary, but only as necessary. We are not even asking for dollar for dollar on the debt ceiling.

If you have something better and more reasonable, I am standing here, so let's see it.

The clock is ticking. The President is inaugurated in a couple of days here. We are supposed to be after this, and here we stand.

As far as I know, with all due respect to everybody in the Chamber, the only plan I have seen is the one we have offered.

We stand ready to save our country in any way that we can, but the clock is ticking, Mr. Speaker.

Right now, while we are talking about it, there are criminal aliens convicted of murder in their country, some more than one time, walking around our country. They are going to stay here until we can deport them, and we are not offering the money to the incoming administration to do that work.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the gentleman from Texas. We don't have much time to do this. While we talk and talk, we have also been given a mandate for transformational change.

To my good friend from Texas, transformational change doesn't include doing the same thing we always do around here, which is cram a bunch of garbage into one big bill, put one thing in that somebody has to have, that we have to have it, which is border security, and say: Suck down all that garbage for the one thing that you need and force the American people to do it, too.

We don't have to accept bad choices for the one thing that we need. We can have all good choices.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders on their incredible State Football Championship victory on December 6, 2024.

The Crusaders prevailed in hard-fought overtime against the Roman Catholic Cahillites at Cumberland Valley's Chapman Field. Crusaders' head coach Jeff Weachter and Quarterback Stone Saunders--bolstered by the Team's incredible endurance, discipline, focus, and skill--led the Team to their monumental victory.

After the Crusaders were leading 14-3 at halftime, the Cahillites rallied to take the lead by 31-28 with just under 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Crusaders then tied the game with a field goal before making a critical defensive stop and sending the game into overtime. After halting the Cahillites' offense one last time, the Crusaders found their way again into field goal position, where Kicker Aidan Grella solidified the Crusaders' championship--their second in only three years.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to recognize the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders Football Team on yet another State Championship victory, and wish them Godspeed in their individual and Team aspirations.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to recognize the Chambers Hill Fire Company on its 70th Anniversary.

The Chambers Hill Fire Company in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, was founded in 1954. Its charter, espousing that the ``terms of its existence is perpetual,'' speaks clearly and loudly with regard to its tireless commitment to service. The Company initially bought a 1923 Hahn pumper from Goodwill Fire Company of Enhaut, and a 1942 Mercury ambulance from Steelton to provide the best possible fire protection and emergency medical services to Township residents. The Company's founding members then built a station on Chambers Hill Road, which the Company has occupied ever since, over time expanding and modernizing the historic building.

From its humble beginnings, the Chambers Hill Fire Company has earned the American Red Cross award for ``Top Shelter in Dauphin County,'' and the Pennsylvania Department of State Keystone Democracy Award for ``5th Precinct of 9,000'' for being an excellent voting site. In addition to myriad awards and recognitions, the Company performs numerous and varied community services, including--but not limited to--the Bethesda Mission Women's Shelter, Chambers Hill United Methodist Church, Princess Club for disadvantaged girls, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Paxton Street Home, and the Hershey Medical Center.

The Chambers Hill Fire Company is run by volunteers who selflessly give of their personal time, energy, and treasure while risking their personal safety for the community they love; a long-lasting tradition in America and one that the Company intends to continue. The Company honors the legacy of many exceptional members they've lost over the years, to include, but not limited to: former Fire Chief Bill Metka; Jiggs Landvater; Earl Caton; former Treasurer Harry ``Bo'' Speelman; former Steward Rick Moyer; and longtime Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and Chief Jack Wolfersberger. Saving lives and performing countless hours of unpaid service, their mantra that ``Nothing is as strong as the heart of a Volunteer'' is heard strongly and loudly.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to recognize the Chambers Hill Fire Company on the auspicious occasion of their 70th Anniversary. On behalf of a grateful 10th District of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America, their service sets the standard by which we all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Lacey McCuean on her retirement from the United States Air Force.

TSgt McCuean enlisted into the Air National Guard on March 15, 2023, with the 171st Air Refueling Wing with a Personnel AFSC. She quickly distinguished herself through exceptional dedication and service, taking it upon herself to initiate and revamp ten Squadron file plans and earning an outstanding score during staff-assisted visits. TSgt McCuean completed 30 promotion packages--no mean feat, and true commitment to developing her peers.

Then transitioning to the 193rd Special Operations Wing, TSgt McCuean played a pivotal role in enhancing mission readiness by enlisting 55 new Airmen, briefing over 1,000 individuals on Air National Guard opportunities, and mentoring future leaders through the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. She was a key figure during Operation Allies Welcome, serving in a senior leadership role, and streamlining in- processing operations that reduced reception time by 25 percent for three lodging compounds for over 16,500 refugees, and chaired the Commander's support staff for a 200-member squadron.

In addition to exemplary service, TSgt McCuean volunteered at local food banks aiding over 1,000 at-risk families, while balancing her academics, maintaining a 3.5 GPA, and earning a dual Bachelor's degree in business and non-profit leadership. TSgt McCuean is known by her peers for her remarkable energy, demeanor, confidence, leadership skills, and contagious morale.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to congratulate Technical Sergeant Lacey McCuean on her well-earned retirement. Her tireless and faithful service to our Commonwealth and Nation sets the standard by which we all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Corporal (Army, Retired) Richard Deppen on the auspicious occasion of his 100th birthday on October 21, 2024.

Richard Deppen born on October 21, 1924, was a part of the ``Greatest Generation'', serving honorably in the Second World War. Corporal Deppen served from April 1943 through the end of the war in 1945-- serving with the 182nd Ordnance Depot Company attached to the Third Army under General Patton in the European campaign. His sacrifice and the others, enables our Freedom as a Nation today--and we owe them all a debt that cannot be repaid.

After his honorable military career, Corporal Deppen graduated from Pennsylvania State in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy. Then being called back to service, Mr. Deppen earned a position at The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture--which he served in for

over 30 years--retiring in 1990 as Chief of the Seed Division. Mr. Deppen astoundingly still maintains his independence in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and is a blessing to his family and all those that have the privilege of sharing his company.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored, privileged, and humbled to recognize Corporal (Army, Retired) Richard Deppen on his 100th birthday. His tireless, faithful, and selfless service to the Nation and our Commonwealth sets the standard by which we all should be judged. I wish him continued Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and humbled to posthumously honor Fire Lieutenant (Lt.) Brian Peek, who tragically passed away in the Line of Duty while serving as a member of the Goldsboro Fire Company.

Lt. Peek was a gift and blessing to our community throughout his more than 50 years of service as a Firefighter, who was dedicated to mentoring new members, and was tirelessly committed to the Station and to the Citizens it serves. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him or were blessed to share his life even in a small way.

Lt. Peek served as Fire Lt. 68-3, Fire Police Lt. 68, and Fire Police 28-4 in his myriad years of service. Lt. Peek leaves behind his beloved family--two sons, two stepsons, his brother, and 18 grandchildren--who will carry his legacy.

Mr. Speaker I'm saddened, honored, and humbled to recognize Fire Lieutenant Brian Peek on his tireless, selfless, and unwavering service to our communities, Commonwealth, and United States of America. He set the standard by which all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and humbled to recognize the distinguished career and tireless service of Colonel (Col.) Timothy Earl Book, United States Air Force, upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement after 30 years of selfless and loyal service to our Nation.

Col. Book's legacy--most recently as Assistant Professor and Director of Strategic Management Systems at the United States Army War College-- is a testament to his unwavering commitment and dedication in myriad ways.

Col. Book's service began in 1989, when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He initially served as an F-16 crew chief in Misawa, Japan and Spangdahlem, Germany. He separated briefly to pursue higher education, while working in aviation maintenance, and was commissioned in 2000 through Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. On the horrific day of September 11, 2001, then-Second Lieutenant Book was in pilot training. He served in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle, Inherent Resolve, and Enduring Freedom--where his exceptional performance earned him numerous awards and commendations, to include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, six Air Medals, and an Aerial Achievement Award. His talents were further used as Branch Chief at United States Strategic Command, where he successfully integrated the Joint All-Domain Command and Control with the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications Branch, streamlining operations and eliminating redundancies.

Col. Books military career concludes as a command pilot with 4,152 flight hours--1,376 in combat--a flight instructor and evaluator pilot in the RC-135 and E-3 AWAVS aircrafts, and having served in theaters around the globe. He has served in key positions across Squadron Wing, Headquarters Air Staff, and Combatant command levels, and notably deployed to U.S. Central Command as Director of Operations for the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron--leading over 1,000 Airmen in the operation and maintenance of a $712 million aircraft fleet, finally executing 645 critical missions. He went on to lead the 55th Operations Support Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, commanding 234 personnel while providing operational support to twelve active component and two Air National Guard squadrons across five worldwide locations--further demonstrating his leadership and excellence at all levels.

In addition to his exceptional service, Colonel Book is fiercely dedicated to education; he's earned three Masters Degrees, and currently is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Command, Leadership, and Management at the United States Army War College. His instruction of graduate-level Joint Professional Military Education for Joint and Coalition Officers and select civilian members of the U.S. Government, and his contributions to the design, execution, and evaluation of care and elective curricula and research projects, underscore his commitment to our Nation and his critical role in shaping future leaders of America.

Colonel Book is fiercely dedicated to his wife, Julia, with him tirelessly on their lifetime of service, and his sons, John and Colin. Their sacrifices and unwavering support were pivotal to Colonel Book's successes and legacy, as were the sacrifices of the Veterans upon whose shoulders he stood throughout his career.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I commend and render heartfelt thanks to Colonel Timothy Book for his unwavering dedication, tireless service, and faithful duty to the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize the Mechanicsburg Lions Club on their 75th Anniversary.

Chartered in 1949, the Mechanicsburg Lions Club has provided continuous service to our local community and the Lions International organization--fostering a spirit of understanding among people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation. In some of their recent work, the Mechanicsburg Lions Club supported the Operation Wildcat Project Clothing initiative, volunteered at One80 Ministries preparing their new transitional living space, and volunteered for Pink Hands of Hope during a last-minute emergency cleanup. The organization also supports Boys Little League Baseball and Girls Softball leagues, Red Cross Blood Drives, Meals on Wheels, subsidizes eyeglasses and hearing aids for needy adults and children, supported the Silver Spring Township Veterans Memorial, and myriad other worthy causes.

In recent years, with more than 50 members, the Mechanicsburg Lions Club has raised and distributed approximately $40,000 to help local and worldwide charities--proving an indispensable Godsend to our community. Every penny the Club collects is distributed to those in need, and the administration of the Club and international organization is provided for through modest annual dues, which provides maximum charitable impact. Their work focuses on alleviating humanitarian crises, hunger, childhood cancer, and support of many other critical needs truly makes our communities, Commonwealth, the United States, and the world a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I'm privileged to recognize the Mechanicsburg Lions Club on their 75th Anniversary. Their work is the standard by which we should all be judged, and I wish their organization and selfless members Godspeed on their future missions.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize Mrs. Esmeralda Hetrick for her continuous, tireless and dedicated service to the community--and for earning the Estamos Unidos Lifetime Achievement Award.

Esmeralda Hetrick was born in Texas as one of six children--where they lived on welfare and government assistance--but fortunately had an amazing mother that instilled integrity, values, hard-work and a strong belief in God in her children. She was the first in her family to graduate post-secondary education earning a bachelor's degree and an MBA. Esmeralda married in her twenties but her late husband, Max's tragic death left her a widow and single mother with a five-year old to raise. She then moved to Pennsylvania in 1988, where she's found her home.

Esmeralda worked as a Health Equity Consultant for an insurance company where she influenced corporate strategy, product development, and healthcare disparity issues, while leading the community outreach and small business minority procurement of the company. Her expertise enabled the insurance company, to tailor effective messages and ad campaigns to inform the community of their healthcare options. Perhaps most importantly, she mentored disadvantaged Pennsylvanian students to help create future leaders. Mrs. Hetrick also owns an English and Spanish newspaper, La Voz Latina Central of PA, and is the personal talent manager for her husband Graham S. Hetrick, a Dauphin County Coroner who has a TV show ``The Coroner--I Speak For the Dead.''

Her continuous community efforts garnered media attention and positioned her as a go-to spokeswoman in Pennsylvania--earning her selection in the 2005 YWCA ``Women of Excellence'', her selection in the 2006 Harrisburg Magazine's ``Movers and Shapers'', a feature story in 2009 in the first Issue of ``Women Connect--Connecting Women All Over the World'', and the Jefferson Award Medal for Public Service in 2006, 2007, and 2009. She is also just the third person to receive the Estamos Unidos Lifetime Achievement Award--an award serving for serving the Latino Hispanic community for at least 15 years--it's certainly well-earned.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged recognize Mrs. Esmeralda Hetrick for her tireless service to Central Pennsylvania in her myriad roles, and her earning of the Estamos Unidos Lifetime Achievement Award. Her dedicatIon to family, community, and country is the standard by which we should all be judged--and I wish her contInued success in all her endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize the historic Friendship Hose Company No. 1 on its 150th Anniversary.

The Friendship Hose Company No. 1 has provided fire protection dating back to the 1830s--with the purchase of a fire engine called ``Juno''-- originating in Newville Pennsylvania. Formally established on January 14, 1874, the then-Newville Fire Company officially formed and elected its first officers. Facing the continuous challenges of staffing and funding, the Friendship Hose Company No. 1 endured and prevailed when other fire companies fell short.

Over the past 150 years, the Friendship Hose Company No. 1 has operated out of three locations in our community, has had hundreds of members, and currently operates with approximately 20-25 active volunteers. Under the current leadership of President Trent Wagner and Fire Chief David Bobb, the Company continues to serve our community through tireless service and heroic work in fire protection.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored and privileged to recognize the Friendship Hose Company No. 1 on their 150th Anniversary. Their selfless and tireless service to the community, Commonwealth, and Nation is the standard by which we should all be judged. I wish them Godspeed in their continued endeavors and pray for their safety and security for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize the Keystone Christian Education Association (KCEA) on the auspicious occasion of its 50th Anniversary.

The KCEA was founded on September 17, 1974, in a restaurant meeting room. Since that time, KCEA's mission statement--``To Protect and Promote Christian Education''--has been active and well, to say the least. Access to statewide events while promoting and protecting Christian education, KCEA has provided tremendous value to its students and families.

With the continued, increased, and overreaching influence of the federal government in public education, now more than ever is the time to support families that choose Christian schooling over traditional education; the KCEA embodies that sentiment. The spirit and mission of KCEA is exactly what our Founders had in mind when drafting our Constitution, to guarantee religious freedom against any suppressive federal government.

Mr. Speaker, I'm honored to recognize the Keystone Christian Education Association on its 50th Anniversary. On behalf of the Citizens of the 10th Congressional District, I wish them continued success in providing optimal education resources for students, and maintaining excellence.