Tony Wied

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional teacher in northeastern Wisconsin who retired this summer after decades of dedicated service in education.

Mrs. Carolyn Brown began teaching at my alma mater, Notre Dame Academy, in Green Bay, in 1996, following nearly three decades in education. She taught English and journalism and was notably Notre Dame Academy's first International Baccalaureate-trained teacher.

Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Brown was known as the school's biggest cheerleader. She could be found at games, plays, musical performances, and just about every other school event, always showing up to support her students.

She also started the school's annual Fall Fest Week and the Academy Awards talent show, giving students a chance to share their school spirit and talents while, of course, being there to cheer them along the way.

Mr. Speaker, we are so blessed to have educators such as Mrs. Carolyn Brown in northeast Wisconsin. I thank her for her many years of service to the youth of Green Bay, and I wish her the very best as she begins her much-deserved retirement.

Recognizing Brown County Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brown County Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil as she enters retirement after years of dedicated public service.

For three decades, Deputy District Attorney Lemkuil has served the people of Brown County in the courtroom, doing work that is often difficult, demanding, and unseen by the public.

Throughout her career as a prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Lemkuil has primarily handled drug- and homicide-related cases, successfully prosecuting hundreds of cases in her commitment to protecting our communities and keeping Brown County safe.

Through her service to northeastern Wisconsin, she has made a lasting impact not only on our communities but also on the people with whom she has worked. Those who know her and have learned from her have said that it will be nearly impossible to fill her shoes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil on her retirement and on thanking her for her years of honorable service to Brown County and northeastern Wisconsin.

Recognizing Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz as he enters retirement after serving 16 years as sheriff and a total of 36 years with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff Matz has lived a life defined by service, leadership, and a commitment to helping others. He served in the Wisconsin National Guard for 30 years and worked as a deputy throughout that time. During his service, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and retired as the command sergeant major of Wisconsin's 120th Field Artillery Battalion.

Few people have devoted as much of their lives to their nation and community as Sheriff John Matz.

Through decades in the military and law enforcement, he has shown his dedication and commitment to serving the people of Winnebago County and has made a lasting impact on countless lives across northeastern Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sheriff John Matz on his retirement and thanking him for his decades of honorable service to Winnebago County, northeast Wisconsin, and our Nation.

Recognizing Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski as he enters retirement after more than 33 years of dedicated public service.

Sheriff Joski's career reflects a deep commitment to serving his community, his State, and his country. Before his law enforcement career, Sheriff Joski served for 11 years in the United States Marine Corps. He later continued that life of service as Kewaunee County sheriff and through his dedicated work with the Wisconsin National Guard.

Throughout his career, Sheriff Joski has been known not only for his dedication to public safety, but also for his writing on mental health, physical safety, and community issues, and for his mentorship with first responders and military personnel. The trust he built between law enforcement and the communities across Kewaunee County has made a lasting impact on northeastern Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Sheriff Matt Joski on his retirement and in thanking him for his decades of honorable service to Kewaunee County, northeastern Wisconsin, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Thomas Lemke and Deputy Triston Beauchamp of the Door County Sheriff's Office, along with Gary Robert Rasheed Daughtery, for their actions that helped save a driver's life following a serious crash.

The crash occurred after the driver experienced a medical emergency, causing his vehicle to leave the roadway. Without hesitation, Mr. Daughtery stopped to help and removed the driver from the vehicle so he could receive immediate care.

Sergeant Lemke and Deputy Beauchamp quickly began CPR and used an AED until ambulance crews arrived to begin patient care.

Their decisive response and teamwork played a critical role in giving the driver a chance to survive. Faced with a life-or-death emergency, each of these individuals stepped forward, without hesitation, and did everything within their power to save a life.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending their courage and expressing our profound gratitude for their service to the people of Door County in northeastern Wisconsin.

Recognizing Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy as it celebrates its 80th anniversary.

Founded in 1946 by Carl and Garnet Pagel, Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy began with just eight milking cows on their family homestead in Kewaunee County. What started as a small family farm has grown across generations into one of northeastern Wisconsin's most respected dairy operations.

Over the last 80 years, the Pagel family has helped strengthen Wisconsin's proud dairy tradition. Under their stewardship, Pagel's Ponderosa currently milks thousands of cows, employs more than 150 people, and remains a leader in northeastern Wisconsin's agriculture and dairy industries.

The Pagel family continues to maintain a strong commitment to caring for their animals, land, employees, and their community, reflecting the very best of northeastern Wisconsin agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy on 80 years of hard work and service to the Kewaunee community in northeastern Wisconsin. I wish them continued success for many generations to come.

Honoring Dave Schmidt

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dave Schmidt, a dedicated servant of the Clintonville community.

Dave sadly passed away on June 8 after a courageous battle with cancer. For many years, he gave his time and energy to the Clintonville Area Food Pantry, helping make sure local families had food, support, and someone willing to answer the call when they needed help.

Dave was not someone who served for praise or recognition. He simply saw a need, and he stepped forward. In recognition of that legacy, the Clintonville Area Food Pantry will now be known as Dave's Pantry.

This name is a fitting tribute to a man whose kindness touched countless lives across northeastern Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join the people of northeastern Wisconsin and me in thanking Dave Schmidt for his life of service. My prayers are with his family, his friends, and those who knew and loved him.

Congratulating Deacon Mike Vander Bloomen

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Deacon Mike Vander Bloomen on his retirement from the parish staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and for his 25 years of faithful service.

Deacon Vander Bloomen began serving in Our Lady of Lourdes in 2001 and was ordained in 2003. Since then, whether visiting the elderly, offering guidance through troubling times, or using personal stories to connect with parishioners, he has supported countless people and helped strengthen their faith.

Although he is retiring from the parish staff, Deacon Vander Bloomen will continue preaching and lending a hand at Our Lady of Lourdes where he can. His willingness to continue serving speaks to his love for his faith and his dedication to the community that he has served for 25 years.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Deacon Mike Vander Bloomen on his many years of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the last day of National Dairy Month to ask my colleagues to support my newest bill, the Recognizing Engineered Alternatives as Lab-Created Butter Act, or the REAL Butter Act.

It is unbelievable that legislation like this is even necessary, but unfortunately, that is the reality we face today.

Billionaire food experiments are no longer hypothetical. Bill Gates is funding a lab-grown butter project made from carbon dioxide instead of milk from a cow right in Illinois, right in the backyard of America's Dairyland.

This creation is an attack on American farmers, the dairy industry, and the Trump administration, which recently recognized butter as a healthy food under its newly announced dietary guidelines.

The REAL Butter Act would simply require that this fake butter be clearly labeled as ``lab-created butter'' directly on the product.

America's dairy farmers put in the work every day to keep our families fed, our rural communities strong, and our agricultural heritage alive. They should not have to compete with products that hide behind vague or misleading labels.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in standing with America's dairy farmers and supporting this commonsense legislation.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Elmer W. Ragen

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of a true pillar of our community in Wisconsin's Eighth District and one of my inspirations for getting involved in public service, Elmer W. Ragen.

Born in Oconto County in 1929, he enlisted in the United States Navy after high school and served from 1950 to 1954 in the Korean war, during which he rose to the rank of petty officer first class.

In addition to his military service, he volunteered with the Pulaski and Little Suamico Fire Departments; was a member of the Knights of Columbus, The American Legion, and the VFW; and served as an Oconto County veterans service officer, helping his fellow veterans.

If that wasn't enough, Elmer served on the Chase Town Board and the Little Suamico Town Board and as an Oconto County Board supervisor.

Mr. Speaker, Elmer Ragen's life is a testament to public service. From serving our country in uniform to serving in northeast Wisconsin as a volunteer, veteran advocate, and local elected official, his legacy will never be forgotten by me and so many others. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Congratulating Kaukauna High School Baseball Team

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate northeast Wisconsin's very own Kaukauna High School baseball team on winning the WIAA Division 1 State baseball championship.

The Galloping Ghosts defeated Madison Memorial 11-5, earning Kaukauna's first State baseball title since 1953. This historic win was the result of an incredible team effort, with Kaukauna recording 13 hits and eight different players contributing at the plate.

This championship title did not come easily. After falling behind early, the Galloping Ghosts refused to let the moment get away from them. The team battled back, took control of the game, and delivered a performance worthy of a State champion.

Mr. Speaker, this victory is a proud moment for the entire Kaukauna community. After more than 70 years, the Galloping Ghosts are, once again, State champions.

I extend my congratulations to Head Coach Mike Jenkins, the entire coaching staff, and the team on this incredible accomplishment.

Congratulating Fox Valley Lutheran High School Softball Team

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Fox Valley Lutheran High School Foxes on winning the WIAA Division 2 State softball championship.

After ending an undefeated season in a heartbreaking loss at the sectional finals last year, the Foxes came back this season determined and with something to prove. That determination led them all the way to the finals, where they delivered a decisive 9-1 victory over Pewaukee to claim the first WIAA softball State title in school history.

This achievement is a proud moment for the players, Fox Valley Lutheran High School, and the entire Fox Cities community. Through their hard work and dedication, the team has made school history and has given northeast Wisconsin another championship team to celebrate.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my sincere congratulations to Head Coach Gunner Pfrang, the entire coaching staff, and the team on this incredible accomplishment.