Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jimmie ``JW'' Aleshire, age 73, who passed away on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Jimmie was a proud veteran, serving his country in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Infantry. He was also a devout man of faith and was a member of St. Mary's Church in Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Prior to retirement in 2011, Jimmie worked as a steel worker for RMI for 38 years, and was a former 6S coordinator and continuous improvement facilitator at RTI International Metals, Inc.

Jimmie was also a fighter in more ways than one. He was a 36-year melanoma cancer survivor, volunteered his time with the Niles' Relay for Life, and served on the Board of Directors of Yellow Brick Place. He was also a great union man, a part of Local No. 2155, and served on school committees for both St. Rose and John F. Kennedy Warren Schools.

A family man, Jimmie was a beloved grandfather and coach. He was a track coach at St. Rose and a softball coach for JFK and Seaborn Elementary, while being instrumental in developing the ball fields at JFK Warren.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Joyce (Veltre) Aleshire, whom he married October 22, 1966; his children, Alise (Jason) Kent of Warren, Christian M. Aleshire of Alliance, and Justin (Crystal) Aleshire of Mineral Ridge; his grandchildren, Isabella and Michael Kent, Ryan, Noah, and Lucas Aleshire; his granddog, Furious, and many nieces.

Jimmie was a great friend of mine and was a one of my earliest supporters. He knew better than most the power of collective action to improve the lives of working-class people. Jimmie will be missed.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding. I thank Congressman Lamb for his leadership on this bill. I thank Congressman Roe for his leadership on this. I want to also thank Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on our appropriations bill. We continue to invest into the whole veteran.

I think it has been articulated here that we want the VA system to be the most innovative system that we have, and I believe that the Whole Veteran Act is a step in that direction.

I have been researching and writing about some of these integrative health techniques around meditation, around yoga, around nutrition, around having health coaches, and to watch these vets transform after years and years and years of suffering is the most touching, the most inspirational thing we can do.

I have been in yoga classes where the teacher is a vet who, just years before, was kicking down doors in Iraq. Double amputee, and he is teaching yoga to veterans, and they are healing from post-traumatic stress.

This, to me, is what the government is all about. How do we get these government programs, these government facilities on the cutting edge, not just in healthcare, but all across the board? That is what this act is doing. It is going to save us money.

The default position for vets should not be how many prescription drugs can we get them on.

This is going to save us money. This is getting these vets their lives back. This is reconnecting them to their families, to their kids, to their spouses, to their communities. This is the most inspirational thing happening in government today.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Tracy Gaudet, who is leading patient- centered care in the VA. She has been plugging away at this for years. This is a step in the right direction.

Madam Speaker, I can't thank the chairman enough. I hope we continue to go down this road.

Madam Speaker, I know the Secretary of the VA. We have disagreements with him, but he, himself, has testified before our committee talking about these programs and about the importance of these programs.

If you want to be inspired, go sit in a meditation class with a Vietnam vet who has been traumatized for years and listen to them tell you about how these practices have healed them and have fixed their problems and reconnected them back to their families.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank everybody for their leadership on this, and we will continue to try to support it from the appropriations side.

Madam Speaker, I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. John K. Vadas, age 69, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

John's son Matt is one of my longest serving staff members. I very much depend on him to help me fulfill my duties and I am very proud of his service.

John was born on January 19, 1950, in Warren, Ohio to John and Margaret. He was a 1968 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. I too am a graduate of JFK.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972, where he was the radar operator on the USS Wasp. Upon his honorable discharge, John took a position working for Packard Electric. He retired from Delphi in 2001.

On April 11, 1970, John married the former Sandra Allen.

John loved the outdoors and found peace in the woods by carving out time to go hunting and camping. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians and NASCAR, cheering on driver Kevin Harvick. He stayed in touch with his shipmates as a member of the USS Wasp Association. Most importantly, John was a patriot who loved his family and was a devoted husband and father.

After 49 years of marriage, John is survived by his wife Sandra, and also survived by his sons, (Jon) Kristopher, Jason and Matthew Vadas; his brother, Michael (Judy) Vadas; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Vadas; his parents; and his brother, William Poppal.

I extend my deepest sympathies to Matt and all the family and friends whose lives were blessed by John Vadas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Beverly Warren, who has announced her retirement as Kent State University's 12th president.

Beverly Warren, Ph.D., Ed.D., began her tenure at Kent State on July 1, 2014. As the university's chief executive officer, President Warren oversaw one of the nation's largest university systems. Under her leadership, the university embarked upon a systemwide, inclusive process to consider a bold and distinctive future for Kent State University. The six-year plan, A Strategic Roadmap to a Distinctive Kent State, is the result of this effort. With Students First named Priority One, the plan identified strategies that distinguished Kent State as an exemplar among the nation's best public research universities, with a distinctive blend of teaching, research and creative excellence.

Under Dr. Warren's leadership, the university enrolled its most academically advanced freshman class ever and has achieved record enrollment in its Honor's College program.

With a background in physical education, President Warren also has led the charge to turn Kent State into one of the healthiest campuses in the nation. She launched a series of wellness initiatives, including prohibiting smoking and tobacco use on campus as of July 2017.

Dr. Warren also leveraged her leadership throughout the Northeast Ohio community. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Cleveland Orchestra and served on the boards of directors for Team

NEO, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (NOCHE) and Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio Inc. (NETO).

President Warren distinguished herself as a warm and friendly face amongst the students and staff of Kent State. Whether she's championing academics in the board room or cheering on the Golden Flashes on the field, her energy, presence, and compassion can be felt campus-wide.

I was proud to work with Dr. Warren to help secure funding to advance research efforts at Kent State. With Dr. Warren's leadership, the research being done at Kent State will go a long way to help solve real-world issues.

I thank President Warren for her service to the students and community and wish her the best of luck in her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, the workers of the United States of America are tired of being pawns in this big corporate game.

President Trump came to my community and said: Don't sell your house. Don't sell your house. We are going to get these house prices back up.

And, since that time, we lost the second shift at our General Motors plant; and General Motors, on that same day that the workers were walking out, announced they are building a new factory in Mexico.

President Trump said: Don't sell your house.

A few months later, General Motors lays off the first shift. They tell the workers 2 days after Thanksgiving.

And, just a couple of days ago, a trucking company, Falcon Transport, just outside of Youngstown, Ohio, their workers get a text message--600 workers get a text message at 8:00 on a Saturday night: You lost your job.

We got bailout money for every bank that wants one. Every savings and loan, every corporation gets a tax cut to the tune of $2.3 trillion, and no one gives a damn about the workers.

If we can bail out the corporations that have done everything wrong, we can start helping the workers who have done everything right.

Mr. Speaker, due to a conflict on Thursday, April 4, 2019, I was not present to cast my vote on the Republican Motion to Recommit on H.R. 1585 and Final Passage of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.

As a cosponsor of H.R. 1585, I wholeheartedly support reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Had I been present my vote would have been NAY on Roll Call 155 and YEA on Roll Call 156.

Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances on Thursday, March 28, 2019, I was not present to cast my vote on the question of Agreeing to H. Res. 124, a resolution expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals. I agree in the strongest terms with the resolution's denunciation of the ban, and had I been present my vote would have been yea on rollcall 135.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the Khojaly Massacre, and to honor the victims of this horrendous act.

The appalling massacre perpetrated on the innocent people of Khojaly in February 1992 is no less shocking 27 years later. One of the worst atrocities ever committed in the South Caucasus, justice has still not been delivered and 150 civilians are still missing.

As we demand respect for human rights and democratic accountability within the international community, it is important that we continue to remember what happened in Khojaly and bring those responsible to account.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert J. Tucci, who passed away peacefully on Monday, January 14, 2019 at the age of ninety-two years old.

Bob Tucci, of Fairlawn and formerly of Canton, was born to the late Paul and Rose (Marino) Tucci on August 31, 1926. Robert graduated from Canton McKinley High School where he was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball and baseball. Bob played on two McKinley Bulldog state championship football teams and served as captain his senior year. He played in the first North-South All-Star football game and was later inducted into the Canton McKinley Football Hall of Fame.

After high school, Bob went to the University of Cincinnati to play football , however, his career there was cut short while he served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After the war, Robert became a Bricklayer for Local No. 6, from which he retired at the age of 59. He and his wife, Jo, enjoyed their retirement by traveling to all 50 states and numerous countries.

In addition to his parents; Robert was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Josephine on November 5, 2018; brother, August Tucci; sister, Antoinette Caster; and granddaughter, Andrea Rose Teodosio. He is survived by his children, Linda (Thomas) Teodosio of Munroe Falls, Paul (Laura) Tucci of Canal Fulton, and Robert, Jr. (Elizabeth) Tucci of Akron. He is also survived by grandchildren, Christopher (Katherine) Teodosio, and Bradford, Angela, Nicholas, and Alexander Tucci; and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Ava Teodosio.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff at the Village of St. Edward's, Cleveland Clinic Hospice and Senior Helpers for their loving care of Robert and Josephine over the last year.

I am very proud to be a friend of his daughter, Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio, and his son-in-law, Judge Thomas Teodosio. I extend my deepest sympathies to all the family and friends whose lives were blessed by Robert Tucci.

Madam Speaker, due to family illness on Wednesday, February 13th, I was not present to cast my vote on the Motion to Recommit on H.J. Res. 37 which contained a provision denouncing anti-Semitism in all its forms. I strongly agree with the motion's denunciation of anti- Semitism, and had I been present my vote would have been ``YEA'' on Roll Call No. 82. I also would have voted ``YEA'' on Roll Call No. 83

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sandra Ella Lee, age 71, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Sandra Ella Lee, one of four daughters born to Ralph W. Lee and Flossie A. Lee, arrived unexpectedly early on the morning of April 1, 1947, on the way to Gallinger Hospital in Washington, D.C. She was a tiny baby with a pair of lungs so powerful that only her father's deep bass voice could coax her to quiet down.

She attended Washington, D.C. Public Schools where she was a good student known for crisp wise cracks and phenomenal dancing. She was raised as a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church, where she was baptized at age 9. Sandra graduated in Eastern Senior High School's Class of 1965 and later attended Federal City College, now known as the University of the District of Columbia.

During a 40-year career, Sandra held positions with both federal and city governments, including assignments at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the D.C. Mayor's Office on Aging, and the D.C. City Council. She worked with the staff of City Council member Vincent Gray until her death. And, she was a volunteer who helped serve meals to homeless city residents on Thanksgiving Day every year.

Among her many accomplishments, Sandra was nominated by Ward 7 Council member Vincent Gray to receive the 2018 Ward 7 Women of Excellence Award. This award was presented to her on March 27, 2018.

Sandra was also an active, longtime, and devoted member of New Bethel Baptist Church, where she attended Bible Study and Prayer Services. She was also active in the Women's Ministry and participated in many community outreach projects.

Sandra is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ralph W. Lee, Jr; grandchild, Troy Jackson, Jr.; and great grandchild, Kayla Rose Taylor. She is survived by her children, Troy Jackson (Moana) and Terri Christene Phillips (Mark); grandchildren: Janay Jackson, Andre Taylor, Taylor Jackson, Darrell West, II, DeOndre Wright, Deyares Jackson, Diamond Jackson, and Ayanna Jackson; two great grandchildren: Kennedy Rose Taylor and Antonio Kingwood, three sisters: Jessica Lee Lalanne (Joseph), Donna Lee Frederick (Keith), and Dianne Lee; three nieces: Dawn Bragg, Dana Queen, and Nakeya Proctor; one aunt, Greta L. Dunn; and a host of other family and friends.

I am very proud to be a friend of her son, Troy Jackson. I extend my deepest sympathies to all the family and friends whose lives were blessed by Sandra Ella Lee.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Anthony John York, age 35, who passed away on Friday, December 7, 2018.

Anthony was born on August 3, 1983 in Youngstown, Ohio to Denise DeBartolo York and John York. After graduating from Cardinal Mooney High School, he attended Tulane University. Tony resided in Sausalito, California where he founded the company Koda. The company focuses on preparing young people for their first jobs after college. His passion was philanthropy, and he always looked for ways to serve those around him.

He is survived by his parents, brother Jed, sisters Jenna and Mara, and nephews Jaxon and Brixton.

I extend my deepest condolences to Tony's family and friends

Madam Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of Craig M. Stephens, age 74, who passed away peacefully at his home on August 28, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Craig was born in Columbus, Kansas in 1944, the son of two teachers. After moving to Ohio in 1956, he attended Kent State University High School before graduating from Kent State University in 1968. Craig was actively involved in student government. He was elected as the first Student Body President at KSU, he revived the Democrat Club, and he was invited to the White House. As an undergraduate, he also managed John Carson's successful campaign for Kent Mayor and at age 22 was named Safety Director for the City of Kent from 1966 to 1968.

After graduation, Craig enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as Special-Agent Military Intelligence for 3 years. Following his honorable discharge, Craig enrolled in Akron University Law School where he began his career in the law offices of Giulitto and Dickinson after graduating in 1973. Soon after, he started his own private practice where he represented the rights of the working class specializing in criminal law. Craig was well respected throughout the region as an intelligent, straight shooting attorney who always told it like it is. Beyond his practice though, Craig volunteered his time and expertise to organizations such as the NAACP, Boys & Girls Club, NEOCAP, Juvenile Detention Center, Portage Country Community Action Council, and Waterloo School District. Until his death, Craig continued to selflessly serve his community as the Chairman of the Portage County Democratic Party and Member and Chairman of the Portage County Board of Elections.

Over 50 years of service, Craig played a critical role in the campaigns of over 60 local, state and national officials turning Portage County into a stronghold for the Democratic Party with his labeled ``green machine'' featuring his candidates' signature green political signs. Labeled the ``King Maker'', Craig was known for challenging the Democratic establishment and introducing new candidates into the party. Over the same time period, Craig took similar pride turning the family property in Randolph from an old farm into a showpiece that held every County Democratic Picnic since the early 1990s, numerous wedding and birthday events and kids camping overnights. He could typically be found working in his barn or out operating equipment, most recently joined by his grandson, Xavier, who liked nothing more than working on equipment with his Grandpa.

Craig was married to the love of his life and his better half, Ruth (Enlow), for 42 years. Together they have two children, Justin Stephens and Samantha (Hank) Stephens/Brooks; and two grandchildren, Xavier and

Simone. Craig is survived by his sisters, Sylvia (Pete) Klas of Minnesota, and Pam Valentine of Ravenna; nephews Matt (Ashley) and Robert Valentine and Paul (Angela) Klas and numerous family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Adalyn Stephens and his brother, Chuck Stephens.

Craig Stephens leaves a lasting impact. I know he is dearly missed by his family and the entire community. I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my cousin Donald F. Guerra, age 73, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at the Hospice of The Valley Hospice House in Poland.

Donnie was the life of our family parties. He was the family member who remembered and told all the best family stories. He captured the love and humor of our Italian immigrant family. He treasured our family and was always there for all of us. He helped on my first campaigns by getting family and friends to ride their motorcycles in local parades wearing my campaign tee shirts. He was a staunch Democrat and a Union man through and through.

He was born February 11, 1945 in Warren, Ohio to Fabian and Rita Bologna Guerra. He graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1964 and following that, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida. Upon completing his university studies, Don was employed as a journeyman pipe fitter at WCI, Thomas Steel and Delphi Packard and retired in 2000. He also owned and operated Guerra's Dental Lab in Youngstown for 10 years and was a flight instructor for 50 years.

Don was a United States Army veteran, serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam for 13 months and then returning to the United States to serve at NORAD in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Niles and a Trumbull County Democratic Precinct Committee Member. Don was an avid Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees fan and enjoyed golfing, riding his motorcycle, spending time with his granddaughters.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Donna Stabile Guerra, whom he married November 23, 1972; his son Donald Guerra and his wife Andria and their children Sophia and Gabriella of Niles; David Guerra and his wife Cathy, and their children Macey and Anna of McDonald; a brother Fabian Guerra, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Pasadena, Maryland; a sister Nina Miller and her husband Jim of Amelia Island, Florida; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

We will miss Cooge. Life just won't be the same without him.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, but I also believe that the House of Representatives should go one step further, and I believe we should institute a censure for Mr. King to signal to this country and to our children that this behavior is unacceptable.

The underlying premise is that we have had leaders at the highest levels down the street from here condone and continue to perpetuate race-baiting and white supremacist language that is not good for this country. We need to come together. We are a weaker country today because we are so divided.

What this is all about is whether the United States is going to move forward saying that we are a united country, that we respect diversity--and not only respect it, but recognize that our diversity in this country is our greatest strength. It is our greatest cultural strength, and it is our greatest economic strength. This House needs to take this resolution one step further.