Susie Lee

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 711, and to honor all Purple Heart recipients in southern Nevada as we observe Purple Heart Day.

Purple Heart Day provides our nation with an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of the men and women who were wounded or killed while serving in defense of the United States. The Purple Heart is one of our nation's oldest and most revered military decorations, representing a legacy of selfless service, resilience, and unwavering devotion to duty.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 711, has long served as a steadfast advocate for combat-wounded veterans and their families throughout southern Nevada. Through its commitment to veterans' outreach, mentorship, community service, and support for fellow Purple Heart recipients, the chapter continues to uphold the values of honor, patriotism, and service that define our nation's military.

The members of Chapter 711 not only carry the visible and invisible wounds of war with dignity, but they also dedicate themselves to ensuring that no veteran is forgotten. Their leadership strengthens our community, inspires future generations, and reminds us of the tremendous cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day.

On Purple Heart Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to every recipient of this distinguished medal. Their sacrifices have safeguarded our nation and preserved the liberties we cherish. We remain forever indebted to these brave Americans and to the families who have stood beside them through every challenge.

It is my distinct honor to recognize the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 711, for its continued service to our veterans and our community. On behalf of Nevada's 3rd Congressional District and a grateful nation, I thank them for their sacrifice, their leadership, and their enduring commitment to those who have borne the battle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tami Hance-Lehr, a pillar in Nevada's nonprofit and education community and a dear friend of mine, on her well-earned retirement.

Tami has over three decades of leadership and the last 9 years as president of Communities in Schools, an organization that is near and dear to me. Communities in Schools of Nevada serves more than 100,000 students in 117 high-needs schools across our State, providing students with a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult to remove barriers and help students stay in school.

Under Tami's leadership, Communities in Schools experienced unprecedented growth. She expanded the reach of CIS and made a lifelong impact on thousands of students across the State.

Throughout her career, Tami has helped prove that when young people have the support they need, they can achieve anything. I thank Tami for her dedication and belief in students. As she steps into retirement, I know that her passion for serving others will remain.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and my colleague from Colorado for their leadership in this package.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a rare issue that is uniting Americans from the right, the left, and the center: geothermal energy. Particularly during a time when it too often can feel like Congress can't agree on anything, today's package is a standout in the best way.

As the United States continues to face increasing energy demand here at home and rising energy costs from abroad, fully harnessing our domestic

geothermal resources is more important than ever.

My home State of Nevada has been a pioneer of both conventional and next-generation geothermal energy, including as the site of the country's first enhanced geothermal plant.

With exciting and ongoing developments in the geothermal technology, the Department of Energy has estimated that America will be able to affordably capture enough of our abundant geothermal resources nationwide to power more than 65 million homes over the next 25 years.

Let me be clear: This is baseload, 24/7 clean energy, and that is why I am proud to co-lead the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act with Congressman Hurd.

Our bipartisan package is the most significant geothermal legislation in more than a half a century since the foundational Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. I am thrilled that the package includes my STEAM Act, which I am proud to co-lead with Representative Celeste Maloy and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. The STEAM Act will ensure that the geothermal industry has the same flexibility to explore and develop on previously disturbed or studied public lands that the oil and gas industry has had for upwards of two decades. At long last, we will be leveling the playing field for this promising and proven 24/7 clean energy source.

Mr. Speaker, there is a reason that the STEAM Act and all six bills in the package unanimously passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee: It is because Members from all corners of the ideological spectrum know that geothermal can make a real difference.

The U.S. contains more than five terawatts of geothermal resources, enough to meet the electricity needs of the entire world. With energy costs going up, I have long said that we need to embrace an all-of-the- above approach to bring down these costs for hardworking Americans. This geothermal package and the homegrown energy that it supports will do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our bipartisan, commonsense, and cost-saving legislation.