Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly extraordinary American, Marjorie Ann Smith Curtiss, who is celebrating her 100th birthday today. Born in 1925, Marjorie has spent the past century as a proud Michigander whose life has been defined by strength, service, and resilience.

In 1943, during the Second World War, Marjorie became one of the original ``Rosies,'' embodying the spirit of Rosie the Riveter and stepping up to support her Nation on the home front. Immediately after her high school graduation, Marjorie volunteered at the Chevrolet plant near her home in Flint, Michigan, where she worked on rehabilitating military trucks for the front lines. A few months later, Marjorie became an inspector, where she played a critical role in maintaining records on the Briggs & Stratton airplane engines being rebuilt at the facility until the operation closed in 1945.

Marjorie's legacy, however, goes far beyond the factory floor. After marrying her husband John David Curtiss, she raised four children, put herself through nursing school, and achieved a career in the field. Today, she is the proud matriarch of a growing family that includes seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Her legacy of love, perseverance, and hard work continues to shine through them.

Mr. Speaker, Marjorie Curtiss is an exceptional woman who answered the call to support her Nation in its darkest hour. Her story, which is woven into the fabric of our Nation, is nothing short of remarkable. I urge my colleagues to join me and all of Michigan's Seventh Congressional District in wishing her a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding American and true patriot, Mr. Bobby Brite, who was named Veteran of the Year for 2024 by the American Legion.

Bobby is a 26-year veteran of the United States Army who served our country with integrity, sacrifice, and quiet leadership. He served on active duty from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2003 to 2005, when his work as an infantry platoon leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom II earned him the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Following his retirement in 2023, Bobby rededicated his life to serving his brothers and sisters who also hung up the uniform. Today, he is Post Historian for American Legion Post 141 in Howell, Michigan, where he previously served as Post Commander, 1st Vice Commander, and Finance Officer.

He is also Secretary for the VFW Post 6464, President of the Howell Veterans Society, American Legion Department of Michigan Membership Committee Member, and a Post 141 Past Commanders Committee Member.

To put it simply, Bobby Brite is a pillar in the veteran community-- offering support, building friendships, and fighting to ensure that no veteran is left behind. Whether it's helping a fellow veteran navigate the VA system, organizing community events, or just being someone to lean on, Bobby is always there. His efforts exemplify the very spirit of the American Legion--``For God and Country''--and I could think of no one more deserving of this tremendous honor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating my good friend, Bobby Brite, on this incredible achievement. Our community, the state of Michigan, and the United States of America are grateful for his continued service to our Nation and its heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my very first piece of legislation that I introduced as a Member of Congress, H.R. 1039, the Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act.

This bipartisan bill, which I am proud to lead with Chairman Bost and Representative Budzinski, the ranking member of the subcommittee that I lead on Chairman Bost's committee, will make it easier for veterans to access the care and benefits they have earned by making significant improvements to our overly complicated claims process.

Mr. Speaker, you have already heard from other Members today about issues with veterans filing claims and running into problems with forms, legalese, bureaucratic speak, and things that are not easily understood. I can tell you, I personally have seen this myself in applications and interfacing I have had with the VA and challenges you get when you receive things in the mail. It is hard to determine whether this is an update on the claim that I have filed, a resolution to that claim, or seeking more information, or is it simply a delay saying that they don't have a resolution to the claim yet? It can be very difficult to figure that out, especially if you have multiple claims within the same packet.

When a veteran files a claim, it means they need help, yet too often they receive long, confusing letters full of legal jargon that leaves them with more questions than answers, ultimately leading them to call into a claims center or a helpline, which overburdens that and slows down the overall claims process.

This is unacceptable. Claims letters should be the catalyst to care and benefits and not the obstacle.

That is where my bill comes in. H.R. 1039 requires the VA to make these notices clear, concise, and easy to understand while also streamlining the Department's overall communication with our veterans.

As you heard already, it requires the VA to partner with an outside agency, not the bureaucrats within the VA, to make these communications easier and more streamlined for veterans to understand. Often, when you are working within the industry, it can be very difficult to put yourself in the position of those receiving these letters to understand what would be best absorbed by them.

Our veterans serve the United States military with honor. They shouldn't need a lawyer or specially trained advocate to explain a claims letter to them.

When I was elected to the State legislature in Michigan 10 years ago, I became the only Iraq war veteran in the entire Michigan House of Representatives. I worked closely with my Federal Members of Congress to help veterans obtain their benefits.

I maintained then that if I were ever in a position to make the process more streamlined and easier to understand, I would commit to doing that. This very first bill in Congress makes good on that commitment. I am proud to offer that today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you and the rest of the Chamber for taking up this bill for consideration. It is time to give America's heroes and their families a clear and efficient claims process that actually works for them. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill that would do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the East Lansing Trojans on an incredible achievement, winning the State championship with a hard-fought 66-46 victory just a couple of weeks ago.

While the Michigan State Spartans are making a deep run in the tournament in the men's college basketball tournament this month, they need to look no further than across town at the East Lansing boys' basketball team to see another championship team in East Lansing.

This championship is the result of countless hours of practice and years of hard work, and it serves as a capstone to all of the time spent perfecting their craft, playing as a team, and working under the leadership of head coach Ray Mitchell.

A sincere congratulations to each and every one of them. This is a wonderful achievement, and our city is very proud of them.

Congratulating Fowler Eagles Girls Basketball

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fowler Eagles girls' basketball team, who captured the State championship this past weekend with a commanding 53-29 victory.

I was at the Breslin Center to watch the game with two of my daughters: Eleanora, who just finished her first season of basketball, and Gwen, who is excited to start playing next year. These young ladies on the basketball court really served as a great example for my own daughters and so many others across our State.

What we saw was more than just great basketball. We saw poise, teamwork, and excellence, especially for young girls like my daughters who could watch that in action.

I thank the Fowler Eagles for inspiring the next generation and making our community proud. Gwen, my 7-year-old, wants autographs from each team member, so I hope we can catch up with them sometime for that.

Congratulations to the team on an incredible season. Our city is so proud of them.