Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nelly Korda of Bradenton, Florida, one of the greatest golfers in the world, whose achievements have filled our hometown with pride.

Nelly was born in Bradenton on July 28, 1998, into a family that loves sports. Her father, Petr, was a champion tennis player who won the Australian Open, and her mother, Regina, played tennis at the Olympic Games. Her older sister, Jessica, is also a winner on the LPGA Tour, and her younger brother, Sebastian, is a professional tennis player. The Kordas could have lived anywhere in the world, but they chose Bradenton as their home, and our community has cheered for Nelly every step of the way.

Nelly turned professional in 2016 as a teenager and quickly showed the world what Bradenton already knew. In 2021, she won her first major championship and, that same summer, stood atop the podium at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with a gold medal for the United States. In 2024, she put together one of the most impressive seasons the sport has ever seen, winning seven tournaments and being named the LPGA Tour's Player of the Year.

Her bond with Bradenton was on full display in January 2024, when a professional tournament came to Bradenton Country Club, just down the road from the hospital where she was born. Friends, family, and neighbors lined the course to cheer her on. Late on the final day, it looked as though the title might slip away, but Nelly fought back with two brilliant shots on the closing holes and went on to win in a dramatic finish. Afterward, she thanked the hometown crowd for staying positive and carrying her to victory. For one unforgettable week, the golf world turned its attention to our city, and Bradenton's own daughter delivered.

Like every great athlete, Nelly has faced setbacks. In 2025, she went the entire season without a win. Rather than be discouraged, she went back to work, and in 2026 she came back stronger than ever. She won the very first tournament of the year and finished first or second in each of her first six events, something only one other woman in history had ever done. She went on to win the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women's Open, two of the most important events in women's golf, and returned to her place as the number one player in the world. In September, she once again wore the colors of the United States at the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands, where she and her teammate made history as the first pair ever to win five matches in a row together.

Yet Nelly's greatest gift to Bradenton may be the example she sets. Across Manatee County, young girls now pick up a golf club believing they, too, can become champions, because someone from their own hometown has shown them the way. Parents point to her as a model of hard work and perseverance, and whenever Nelly's name appears in headlines around the world, the name of Bradenton travels right alongside it.

This tribute is personal for me as well. My own granddaughter is a golfer, and a very good one. Like so many young players in our community, she considers Nelly a true inspiration. She watches how Nelly competes, how she handles both victory and disappointment, and how she carries herself on and off the course. I have seen firsthand how much it means to a young athlete to watch someone from her own backyard rise to the very top of the game.

Through it all, Nelly has remained humble and gracious. She is quick to credit her family, her team, and the people who have supported her since she was a little girl. She represents the very best of our community: talent matched with determination, success matched with kindness, and a deep love for the place she calls home.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Nelly Korda on her extraordinary achievements, in thanking her for the honor she has brotlght to the City of Bradenton and to our Nation, and in wishing her many more years of success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christine Olson of Bradenton, Florida, as she retires from TIFF, To Inform Families First, and to remember her beloved daughter, Tiffiany Marie Olson.

On December 7, 2005, Tiffiany, just 22, was killed by a drunk driver on United States 19 in Manatee County, only 15 minutes from her mother's home. Yet it took more than six hours for Christine to be told, because law enforcement had no way of knowing whom to call.

Most people would have been broken by that. Christine turned it into a mission. In October 2006, she founded TIFF so no other family would endure those same agonizing hours. Working with local and state leaders, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, she helped create the Nation's first voluntary Emergency Contact Information program, letting drivers register a loved one's contact information for law enforcement to use in a crisis. Christine was the first to register.

As of August 2025, more than 21.6 million Floridians were enrolled. Eighteen states have adopted similar programs, and Harvard's Ash Institute recognized the effort as one of the top 50 government innovations.

For nearly two decades, Christine carried this cause from Manatee County to statehouses and city councils nationwide, sharing Tiffiany's story again and again so other families would be spared. Her work inspired me to introduce the To Inform Families First Act, H.R. 6051, in November 2025, to help state motor vehicle agencies everywhere establish voluntary emergency contact programs.

As Christine steps away from TIFF, her legacy is secure. A flag has been flown in her honor and in Tiffiany's memory, a symbol of a mother's love and the courage to turn grief into help for strangers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Christine Olson for her strength, compassion, and lifelong dedication to families across America, and in remembering Tiffiany Marie Olson, whose memory lives on in every family reached in time. I wish Christine a well- earned and joyful retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor former State Senator H. Lee Moffitt and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Moffitt Cancer Center, an institution born from one man's vision.

I congratulate former State Senator Lee Moffitt for bringing this vision to life and hope he has a good 85th birthday in November.

Moffitt Cancer Center began with the belief that one person can make a difference. More than four decades ago, H. Lee Moffitt envisioned a place where patients could access world class cancer care and research without leaving Tampa Bay or the state of Florida. After losing two friends to cancer and surviving cancer himself, he understood firsthand the fear of a diagnosis and was struck that those he knew had to seek care outside the state. He made it his mission to change that.

Entering the Florida Legislature, he developed a reputation for being issue-oriented and persistent, qualities that would define his effort to bring a cancer center to Tampa.

What began as one person's vision has grown into a nationally recognized cancer center where oncologists, researchers, and team members work together to advance the prevention and cure of cancer.

Because of Lee's vision, countless patients now have access to exceptional care and the latest research, closer to home.

As Moffitt looks toward its next 40 years, the foundation Lee built remains at its center. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring H. Lee Moffitt's legacy and wishing him a happy 85th birthday this November.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent and finally end the biannual clock switch.

Twice a year, Americans are forced to change their clocks. These changes disrupt their schedule for no good reason. The outdated practice is frustrating for families, workers, schools, and small businesses across the country.

Let me just tell you, as someone who has been in business for 30 years, this is gigantic, especially for the small business person. That additional hour a day, at least in Florida but across the country, makes a big difference in terms of doing business. Ideally, it helps not just small businesses, but small businesses create most of the jobs in Florida, as well. It is key to both.

Polling shows that two-thirds of Americans want to unlock the clock. My bill is simply a solution to make daylight saving time permanent. Allowing an extra hour of sunlight in the evening gives families more time for outside sports, activities, and school. It stimulates small business and, as I said, job creation; retail tourism; and provides more time for youth sports and outside recreation.

Let me just tell you: You see a lot of kids today. The number is 20 percent of children who are obese. They need to be out more. This will make a difference for them.

There are also significant health benefits associated with DST that would prevent over 200,000 cases of stroke per year. It would make a big difference, as well, for nearly 2 million people in terms of obesity.

Importantly, this bill allows States to opt out in favor of standard time if that is important to them. Nineteen States have passed the deadline for this.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his incredible leadership over the years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, the Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act, which helps minimize burdens on value-based care organizations.

We must move away from fee-for-service. As someone who has been in business for a long time, the incentives are wrong. That is part of the problem. The more you do, the more you make. The sicker you are, the more you make, and I just don't like it. Not to say that doctors take advantage of it, but the incentives are wrong, and we need to fix that.

That is why I am in strong support of accountable care organizations. Americans are served better, and the focus needs to be on quality of care, not quantity. As our health system continues shifting toward value-based care, we need to do everything we can to make healthcare more supportive, especially in ACOs.

ACOs and Medicare share a portion of it in terms of the program. They save approximately $2 billion annually. My bill ensures a smooth transition to digital reporting so physicians can be more focused on their patients themselves.

I thank Mr. Panetta for his bipartisan leadership and for helping me, working together on this. I thank Leader Scalise and the whip for letting me bring this to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding school employees in Florida's 16th Congressional District.

School employees work tirelessly because they understand that their efforts are not just about fulfilling a job description, but about shaping the future.

They deserve recognition because they are the architects of knowledge, the mentors of tomorrow's leaders, and the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Twelve years ago, I established the Congressional Education Awards program with the aim of providing special acknowledgment to administrators, educators, and support staff within Florida's 16th Congressional District for their outstanding achievements in both teaching and inspiring students.

I include in the Record the names of the school employees who were nominated and selected to receive Florida's 16th District's 2026 Congressional Education Award for their accomplishments:

Barbara Harvey K-8 at North River Ranch: Lisa Peterson;

Braden River High School: Toni Garrett;

Braden River Middle School: Jane Beach, Christopher Brown,

Andre Bryant, Kiera Gallon, Erin Lamaitis, Michele McClellan,

and Kathleen Stewart-Arande;

Buffalo Creek Middle School: Ken Huston, Michael Kawalya,

Mandy Kersey, and Courtney O'Leary;

Daughtrey Elementary School: Albana Balatoni, Evelyn

Collado, and Ashley Roberts;

Dorothy C York Innovation Academy: Jerry Turner and

Kimberly Wheeler;

Dr. Mona Jain Middle School: David Moore;

Electa Lee Middle School: Elizabeth Ballate, Larry Benton,

Melissa Causey, Joannie Cruz, Rebecca Farrell, Jacob Grimes,

Luisa Jimenez, Ann McDonald, Tammila Smith, Sheree Thomas,

and Rodney Thompson;

Gene Witt Elementary School: Jennifer Alcantara, Charity

Applegate, Brenda Arnold, Debra Barnard, Karen Barrett, Keary

Bartless, Rina Becker, Brian Beverly, Cheryl Rice, Lisa

Blakemore, Jennie Boone, Lisa Boyer, Beth Brack, Josiah

Brooks, Megan Brown, Tom Brugos, Cheryl Bulfin, Catherine

Burke, Amanda Cannon, Angela Cannon, Darren Carnes, Lauren

Collins, Dawn Contes, Bill Culbreath, Olivia Danko, Cynthia

Deras, Michelle Figueroa, Maddie Flinkman, Cindy Fosbenner,

Tracylyn Frisch, Sharon Gagne, Susan Gallagher, Genda Garner,

Amie Golden, Mary Green, Danielle Guida, Sarah Hammond, Erica

Harris, Jenna Holden, Amy Holland, Amanda Houston, Kim

Roberson Hoy, Ana Ibarra, Colleen Inners, Beverly Jackson,

Susan Johnson, Peggy Linder, Amy Lindsey, Eileen McCourt,

Lauren McDaniel, TayLor McLaughlin, Kristen Nunn, April

Pellegrino, Lliana Perez, Debra Pope, Ali Pumphrey, Aniris

Rivera, Jill Rubin, Laura Schuneman, Karrin Scully, Tracy

Seller, Machelle Sharp, Danielle Shaw, Michelle Shilling,

NicoLe Smith, Natasha Smith, Joanne Sollazzo, Cami Tabor,

Brooke Tovar, Palak Trivedi, Stacey Vedder, Kelly Walker,

Dave Walker, Susan Wheeler, Susan Whiddon, Lisa Wilkes, Katie

Wilson, Nancy Wittner, and Allison Wykes;

Haile Middle School: Amie Poole and Anthony Vasile;

Hillsborough County Schools: Johan Von Ancken;

Johnson K-8 School: Karen Gardiner;

Lakewood Ranch High School: Joseph Tommy Cuervo, Rennie

Fink, Kristen Martin, Yesika Salcido, Meghan Sugalski, Donna

Thomas, Bryan Thomas, and Julie Young;

Lennard High School: Denise Savino;

Lincoln Middle School: Lisandra Tayloe;

Manatee High School: Aaron Bokelman and Jennifer Reynolds;

McNeal Elementary School: Andrea Berninger, Jorge Cabrera

Espinosa, Michelle Dubendorf, Martha Ferra, Kathryn Flesche,

Sarah Ford, Jeanine Germer, Amy Jendro, Vyacheslav

Kolomiychenko, Dr. Shawn Mandel, Lillian Matazinski, Donna

McCrane, Emma Mileham, Alex Padgett, Tina Peters, Adrienne

Robotham, Beatrix Schaeffar, and Catherine Sykes;

Miller Elementary School: Cynthia Bigelow, Debbie Brady,

Sandra Hoffman, Amy Morris, Jennifer Pettas, Katelyn Potter,

and Michelle Westendorf;

Mills Elementary School: Trisha Roth;

Morgan High School: Rebecca Dougherty, Adria Reyes, Ebony

Robinson and Brittney Wilhelm;

Mulrennan Middle School: Jennifer Stout-Ihland;

Myakka City E]ementary School: Angelica Guerra-Guerra,

Leslie Jones, Debbie Veldkamp, and Karen Washington;

Newsome High School: Brittany Avery, Katie Best, John

Feely, Carin Galimore, Aaron Haygood, Erich Herrmann, Jessica

Lincoln, Lisa Maiello, April McGinley, Sardis Mercado,

Vernessa Neu, Nancy Ohme, Nikki Pennington, Amanda Ryan,

Carolyn Sims, Kimberly Tyll, and Richard Unis;

Palm View K-8 School: Cindy Hutchinson and Brenda Van Horn;

Palmetto Elementary School: Kelly Howard;

Palmetto High School: Kathleen Brown;

Parrish Community High School: Amanda Hedman;

Manatee County Schools: Erin Chapman and Sheri Goodwin;

Reddick Elementary School: Analiese Cook, Kimberly Cooke,

and Julie Holubetz;

Riverview High School: Brian Adams, Taquanda Carlton,

Ashley Clark, Ann Cruz, Lisa Feroben, Wancarlie Garnier,

Carol Huftalen, Jeremy Murrell, Suzie Ratliff, Jessica

Rodrigues, Pamela Smith, Rachal Stewart, and Danielle

Weigand;

Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School: Christine Averitt,

Rebecca Britto, Amy Cosens, Cassie D'Addeo, Michael Escorcia,

Derek Hernandez, Julia Huffman, Albina Lopez, Barbara

Marinaro, and Jamie Rozek-Potter;

Samoset Elementary School: Rosaih Alvarez, Nicole Candelora

Baker, Jennifer Bue, Hailey Cosby, Susan Crowley, Nuris

Fanning, Katie Fleck, Yalimary Gonzalez, Rachel Griggs,

Michelle Halbman, Sabra HatLey, Dottie Hodges, Teairra Horne,

Rebecca Humphrey, Deelah Jackson, Rosa Johnson, Krista Keats,

Keala Keiper, Yumi Kondo, Jamie Lavigne, Blue Lovell, Tawanda

Means, Pattie Mike, Lorraine Miller, Ariana Morales, Lakieffa

Nickens, Peggy O'Connor, Stephanie O'Kelly, Andrea Padron,

Andrea Perez, Tricia Pez, Tess Priest, Bonnie Raad, Donna

Stoddart, Randy Taylor, Brittany Thigpen, Judith Vierra,

Maddy Walter, Kelly Smith Williams, and Lisa Wood;

School District: of Manatee Transportation: Titinysha

Holmes, Charlene Love, Carlos Lux Montano, and Blanca Riojas;

Sea Breeze Elementary School: Jeff Bailey;

South County Career Acceleration Academy: Julia Boyett,

Josephine Byers, Thomas Chapman, Emily Johnson-Lerch, and

Jennifer Woods;

Southeast High School: Rochelle Banach;

St. Stephen's Episcopal School: Tyler Cotton;

State College of Florida Collegiate School: Julia Hathaway,

Gulnaz Kalimullina, Ashley MacMunn, and Thomas Shanafelt;

Sugg Middle School: Erin Craig and Dr. Terrance Marshall;

Sumner High School: Catherine Leon Gonzalez, Leah Henson,

Autumn Hernandez, Juan Hernandez, Mike Layfield, Amanda

Morehouse, Amber Pirotta, Jason Talley, and Christine

Wasylkiw;

Tara Elementary School: Linda Haluska;

Williams Elementary School: Kathy Bixler, Ashley Garner and

Karen Haacke;

Willis Elementary School: Kelley Carpenter, Hanna Cuervo,

Jennifer Hubley, Kristin Keclik, and Karl Sidnam.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, I congratulate each of these outstanding educators and offer my sincere appreciation for their service and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a group of veterans for their military and community service.

Our veterans have sacrificed much in the defense of our Nation. Many of them retired their uniforms but continue their service by helping others in their community.

Four years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Veteran Commendation to recognize the heroic wartime sacrifices and admirable peacetime community involvement of my constituents. These are exceptional Americans. I appreciate the opportunity to honor them for their service to the Nation and community.

An independent panel reviewed several nominations and chose the following nineteen veterans for their wartime and post-military service. I include in the Record their names:

Nelson Betancourt of Valrico who served in the U.S. Army

outside of war time.

Benny Blackshire of Sun City Center who served in the U.S.

Army during the Vietnam War.

Jeffery Camp of Parrish who served in the U.S. Army and

Army National Guard during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Jack Carter of Lakewood Ranch who served in the U.S. Marine

Corps during the Vietnam and Gulf Wars.

Charles Conover, Jr. of Sun City Center who served in the

U.S. Army outside of war time.

Ronald Cousineau of Sun City Center who served in the U.S.

Air Force outside of war time.

Emily Farkas of Brandon who served in the U.S. Air Force

during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Ferris Garrett, Jr. of Sun City Center who served in the

U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

William Greer of Wimauma who served in the U.S. Air Force

outside of war time.

Brian Hammer of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Army

during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Nathaniel Hawthorne of Sun City Center who served in the

U.S. Navy during the Iraq War.

Roberta Jordan of Riverview who served in the U.S. Army

outside of war time.

Robert Lucas, II of Sun City Center who served in the U.S.

Army outside of war time.

Danny Melton of Riverview who served in the U.S. Marine

Corps outside of war time.

MaryAnn Rowe of Sun City Center who served in the Michigan

Army National Guard during the Iraq War.

Richard Steinestel of Valrico who served in the U.S. Navy

during the Vietnam War.

Roland Tiso, Jr. of Valrico who served in the U.S. Army

durIng the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

Paul Wheat, Jr. of Sun City Center who served in the U.S.

Army during the Vietnam War.

Edward Wudarsky, Jr. of Sun City Center who served in the

U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fire, rescue and EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service to the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District.

First responders, fire departments and emergency medical service teams are summoned on short notice to serve their respective communities. Often, they arrive at scenes of great adversity and trauma, to which they reliably bring strength and composure. These brave men and women spend hundreds of hours in training so that they are prepared when they get ``the call.''

Thirteen years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Fire and Rescue and EMS Awards to honor officers, departments, and units for outstanding achievement.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, it is my privilege to congratulate and include in the Record the following honorees, who were selected this year by an independent committee comprised of a cross section of current and retired fire and rescue personnel living in the district:

Associate Service Award: Adam Nover of Manatee County

Department of Public Safety.

Dedication and Professionalism Award: Firefighter Rob Day

of East Manatee Fire Rescue, Firefighter/Paramedic--Company

Fire Captain Ralph Mascaro of Hillsborough County Fire

Rescue, and the Sun City Center Emergency Squad.

Preservation of Life Award: Firefighter/Paramedic Jacob

Campbell, Fire Captain Clifford Davis, Firefighter/Paramedic

Anna Inman, and Firefighter Maurice Swan of Hillsborough

County Fire Rescue, Charge Paramedic Peterson Gustave,

District Chief William Thayer, and District Chief Beth

Tucciarone of Manatee County EMS.

Unit Citation Award: Engineer Joshua Eriksen, Engineer

Zachary Gilbert, Firefighter Bo Gurskis, Lieutenant Jared

Manning, Engineer Louis Chiocchio, Firefighter George Norris,

Captain Jonathan Turpin, Battalion Chief Barry Cornelison,

Lieutenant Matthew McCabe, Engineer Brandon Beals,

Firefighter Ricardo Rivera, Firefighter Luke Marvin,

Lieutenant Scott Viehman, Lieutenant Thomas Ferrett,

Lieutenant Robert Hinton, Firefighter Shawn Heinlein,

Engineer Michael King, Firefighter Christopher Mundell,

Firefighter Isaiah Cress, Lieutenant Lionel Harrison,

Firefighter Jordan DeSear, Firefighter Brendan Lewellen, and

Firefighter Aaron Wright of the Bradenton Fire Department,

Firefighter Jacob Dillard (2), Lieutenant Daniel Dunkum (2),

Battalion Chief Craig Madsen, Captain Steven Baker, Engineer

Ben Stasurak, Engineer Bret Kanapaux, Firefighter Chad

Strauser (2), Firefighter Maciej Borawski, Deputy Chief Paul

Wren, Battalion Chief Casey Lambert, Lieutenant Mike

Hamilton, Engineer Derek Parker, Firefighter Jared

Hoopingarner, Lieutenant Timothy Bedell, Firefighter Tony

Mroz, Firefighter Nicholas Miller, Lieutenant Steve Ryckman,

Firefighter Kyle Lamson (2), Firefighter Jason Burnside, and

Engineer Jesse Reasoner of East Manatee Fire Rescue, District

Chief Beth Tucciarone, Paramedic James Bryant, EMT Rachel

Swim (2), Charge Paramedic Michael Gorman, EMT Zachary Tocco,

District Chief William Thayer, Specialty Charge Paramedic

Sasha DeAngelis, Charge Paramedic Caitlyn Roskovich, EMT

Simon Klimov, Specialty Charge Paramedic Kevin Guido, Charge

Paramedic Anthony Tino, EMT Germaine Bolanos, EMT Robert

Anderson, District Chief Troy Dufrane, and District Chief

Keith Lock of Manatee County EMS, Lieutenant Casey Schue,

Engineer Wade Hoopingarner, Engineer Joe Jago, and

Firefighter Anzzonni Hause of Parrish Fire Rescue, Captain

Andrew Clark, Firefighter Charlie Childress, and Engineer

Justin White of North River Fire District, Telecommunicator

Derek Turner, Telecommunicator Adam Bruner, ECC Supervisor

Tracey Haas, and Telecommunicator Brady Trott of Manatee

County Emergency Communication Center, Pilot Stu O'Shannon,

Flight Nurse Alisha Burnett, Flight Paramedic Chuck Nelson,

Flight Paramedic Orientee Luis Vazquez, Pilot Mark Boudreau,

Flight Nurse Rob Freas and Flight Paramedic Kelly Curren of

Tampa General Hospital Aeromed, Firefighter Jerrod Apple,

Firefighter Tyler Snyder, Captain James Leigh, Firefighter

Dane Miller, Firefighter Christopher O'Kelly, Fire Marshall

Rodney Kwiatkowski, Training Chief Mark Tuttle, Battalion

Chief Ryan Moore, Battalion Chief Derek Bill, Captain Tyler

MacDonald, Firefighter William Bowen, Firefighter Clayton

Lease, Firefighter David Miller, Firefighter Zack Misiura,

Firefighter Aaron Reese, Lieutenant Inspector Keith Miller,

Inspector Josh Adkins, Inspector Lisa Brooks, and Inspector

Nicholas Riffe of West Manatee Fire Rescue District, Captain

Marshall Greene, Lieutenant David Snyder, Lieutenant Luke

Hitchins, Lieutenant JC Rapier, Lieutenant Jose Garcia

Santos, Lieutenant Michael Patterson, Lifeguard Jack

Bratcher, Lifeguard Josh McCarthy, Lifeguard Nate Hilbrands,

Lifeguard Shannon Cielinski, Lifeguard Marek Drastich,

Lifeguard Mark Mol, Lifeguard Patrick Curran, Lifeguard

Kaylin Weiskopf, Lifeguard Allie Updike, Lifeguard Owen

Munday, Lifeguard AJ Nelson, and Lifeguard Isabelle Pellegrin

of Manatee County Beach Patrol.

Career Service Award: Battalion Chief Jeff Martin of

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership on this topic. It has been key to what we have accomplished today.

I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act, which would allow hospitals to treat Medicare patients safely at home.

During the pandemic, CMS established the hospital at home waiver to provide hospitals with the flexibility to care for patients from the comfort and convenience of their homes.

The hospital at home program has been very successful, being treated in many homes across the country. It has also made a big difference in reducing the risk of infections and falls.

I am thrilled to say that my bill extends the successful hospital at home program for an additional 5 years. I know a lot of people being in Florida where their parents will talk about the importance of if they could stay at home, and I know this is critical.

An extension of this program would ensure more than 200 hospitals across 34 States--including 20 hospitals in Florida--can continue to provide quality care to patients at home. More than 140 leading healthcare organizations, including hospitals, healthcare providers, and patients support this legislation.

I thank Mr. Smucker, Mr. Evans, and Ms. Moore for their friendship and bipartisanship on this bill. I thank Leader Scalise and Whip Emmer for bringing this to the floor tonight. I urge my colleagues to support the hospital at home program extension for hospitals, providers, and patients.

Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Jan Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC. Ms. Setnor will soon complete her year as national president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). I am proud that Ms. Setnor was elected as the 2024 to 2025 president of this prestigious healthcare organization.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses who administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year. They work in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered including hospital surgical suites, obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, and the offices of dentists, podiatrists, and specialty surgeons. They also provide acute and chronic pain management services to patients in need of such care. CRNAs provide anesthesia for all types of surgical cases and are the sole anesthesia providers in many rural hospitals. CRNAs have full practice authority in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and are the predominant provider of anesthesia on forward surgical teams and in combat support hospitals.

As an AANA member since 1996, Ms. Setnor has contributed greatly to the healthcare community nationwide. She has held numerous state and national nurse anesthesiology leadership positions, including previous service on the AANA Board of Directors as President-Elect, Vice- President and, Director (as well as two terms as president of the Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists (VANA)). Her extensive involvement with the AANA includes roles as the Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists AANA Liaison, Professional Development Chair, and participation in various committees, including Political Action and Communications.

She served in the United States Air Force Reserve, retiring with 26 years of honorable service. Setnor's roles included Flight Nurse Instructor/Evaluator, CRNA, and senior staff member for the Air Force Surgeon General. Notably, she served in Afghanistan as both the Anesthesia Team Lead in the largest in-country medical facility and as the sole anesthesia provider at a Special Forces Forward Operating Base.

In addition to her work with the AANA and VANA, Setnor has contributed to the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care as a member of the Governance Unit-Standards Development Committee and served as the CRNA Advisor to the Virginia Board of Nursing's Committee of the Joint Board of Medicine and Nursing.

Ms. Setnor earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

During her AANA presidency, Ms, Setnor has been a prominent advocate for the patients and practice of nurse anesthesia before federal agencies and members of Congress. She has worked tirelessly to promote anesthesia patient safety and the value of CRNAs to our healthcare system. Ms. Setnor has advocated to eliminate burdensome regulations for CRNAs, to have CRNAs recognized as full practice providers in the Veterans Health Administration, and to address underlying causes of surprise billing such as provider discrimination.

I extend my sincere congratulations to Ms. Setnor today on a job well done. Her service to AANA and her commitment to safe, quality anesthesia care nationwide, are highly commendable. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Setnor's notable career and outstanding achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to law enforcement men and women who have provided distinguished service to the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District.

Law enforcement is a demanding profession that requires sacrifice, courage, and dedication to serve others. Every day, brave men and women put themselves in harm's way to enforce the laws of our society and protect public safety. They deserve our gratitude and respect.

Fifteen years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Law Enforcement Awards to give special recognition to law enforcement officers, departments, or units for exceptional achievement.

This year, I will present Congressional law enforcement awards and include in the Record the following recipients chosen by an independent panel comprised of current and retired law enforcement personnel representing a cross-section of the district's law enforcement community:

Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award: Special Agent

Matthew Murray of ATF, Deputy John Howes III of the

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Officer Chris Bennett

of the Holmes Beach Police Department, Deputy Leonel Barboza,

Deputy Stephen Cook, Deputy Michael Davis, Deputy Jackson

Dugmore, Deputy Robert Pereyra, Jr., and Detective Randall

Walker of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office;

Dedication and Professionalism Award: Deputy Jeffery Merry

of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Captain Mark

Morie of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Corporal Quinn

Moriarty of the Palmetto Police Department;

Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award: Chief Melanie Bevan and

Sergeant Michael Kriebel of the Bradenton Police Department,

Captain Araseli Stanley of the Manatee County Sheriff's

Office;

Preservation of Life Award: Deputy Judd Beckwith, Deputy

Lashonda Bowden, Deputy Colin Caldwell, Deputy Brian

Fullbright, Deputy Adrian Harrison, Deputy Micah Osornio,

Deputy Erika Perez-Ramos, Deputy Luis Rivera-Lopez, Deputy

James Workman, and Deputy Javier Zuniga-Mejia of the Manatee

County Sheriff's Office;

Unit Citation Award: Bradenton Police Department Crime

Reduction Team: Sergeant Todd Freed, K-9 Officer Michael

Wall, Officer Steven Bembry, Officer Jordan Miller, Officer

Aaron Smith, Officer Connor Horsley, Acting Sergeant Jeff

Beckley, K-9 Officer Nicolas Leeman, Officer Enzo Rovira,

Officer Brett Heagney-Sciamatore, Officer Marisol Valente,

and Officer Maddie Johnson, Bradenton Police Department Elder

Fraud Unit: Detective James Curulla and Officer Deana McNeal,

Manatee County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit: Major Anthony

Williams, Captain Darin Bankert, Sergeant Salvatore Levita,

Detective Charles Butler, Detective Darryl Davis, Detective

Mark Pearson, Detective Garrick Plonczynski, Detective

Michael Smith, Detective Justin Warren and Sergeant Jeremy

Liddell, Manatee County Sheriff's Office Resource Assistance

Program (RAP Unit).

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Dr. John Cross, who just delivered this morning's opening prayer.

John is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Sarasota and has been the pastor for many, many years. John committed his life to Christ in his childhood and ultimately decided to pursue a career in the ministry.

He is a proud graduate of Mercy University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his master of divinity degree and his doctor of ministry.

His leadership has extended beyond the local church, having served as the president of the Florida Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference and president of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

John is married to Dawn, and together they have been blessed with 5 children, 3 sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and 10 grandkids.

I deeply value his faith leadership in my life, my family's life, and our community. I am grateful for his presence here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of outstanding school employees in Florida's 16th Congressional District.

School employees work tirelessly because they understand that their efforts are not just about fulfilling a job description, but about shaping the future.

They deserve recognition because they are the architects of knowledge, the mentors of tomorrow's leaders, and the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Eleven years ago, I established the Congressional Education Awards program with the aim of providing special acknowledgment to administrators, educators, and support staff within Florida's 16th Congressional District for their outstanding achievements in both teaching and inspiring students.

The following school employees were nominated and selected to receive Florida's 16th District's 2025 Congressional Education Award for their accomplishments:

Leadership Award: Joseph Hougland, Stewart Elementary

School.

Hurricane Shelter Award: Laura Roark, Sylvia Sorto and

Andrea Keezer, Williams Elementary School; Joanne Gushue and

Hayley Rio, Harvey Elementary School; Angelia Thompson,

Lillian Parsons and Deanna Fisher, Shields Middle School;

Miriam Jordan, Scott Samsoe and Bradley Scarbrough, Buffalo

Creek Middle School; Kimberly Coulson, George Coulson and

Rebecca Sargable, Collins PK-8 School; Tiffany Staton, Flor

Pardo and Melissa McCullough, Daugherty Elementary School;

Maricely Mendez, Olga Castillo and Aliya Norman, Reddick

Elementary School; Ginger Thomas, Ana Miranda and Kate

Barlaug, Mona Jain Middle School; Brenda Rau, Charles Parsons

and Gary Graham, Durant High School; Kristen Bowden, Anissa

McDuffy and Kimone Cooper, Lee Middle School; Sara Walker,

Patti Heffner, Juliette Gjini, Michelle Liemann and Carol

Pope, Freedom Elementary School; Carmen Palacios, Lenny

Draper and Connie Dixon, Gene Witt Elementary School; Kevin

Harrington, Tracey Shank and Sheila Waid, McNeal Elementary

School; Leslie Bothke, Mike Brabrandt and Todd Richardson,

Gullett Elementary School; Annie Mousseau, Jennifer Pettas,

Cristal Garcia and Debra Riley, Miller Elementary School;

Crystal Pagan, Joshua Fuentes and Christine Wasylkiw, Sumner

High School; Premdai Hansraj, Mohammad Hammad and Tamara

Brooks, Mulrennan

Middle School; Michelle Bailey, Lisa McLeod and Carol Ricks,

Myakka City Elementary School; Mary Cardarelle-Hermans,

Robert Greer and Carl Auckerman, Nolan Middle School; Aaron

Depaola, Antonio Da Silva and Kathy Price, Willis Elementary

School; Tania Vidal, Laura Sanchez and Greg Sander, Prine

Elementary School; Roxie Blackwelder and Richard Greene, Sugg

Middle School; Deanna Sabatino, German Pena-Garcia and James

Mennes, Mills Elementary School.

Relief After the Storm Award: Hillsborough Education

Foundation; Manatee Education Foundation.

Support Staff Award: Eric Cooke, Williams Elementary

School; Emanuel Harris, Braden River Middle School; Kelly

Taillefer, Braden River Middle School; Steven Vance, Braden

River Middle School; Brooke Whalen, Dorothy C. York

Innovation Academy; Fay Pollack Servoss, Rogers Garden-

Bullock Elementary School; Angela Nowakowski, Gene Witt

Elementary School; Sherriann Johnson, Gibsonton Elementary

School; Lora Sevarino, McNeal Elementary School; Nicole

Yancey, Myakka City Elementary School; Kimberly Thomas,

Willis Elementary School; Suzanne Theiss, Southeast High

School; Dilcia Navarro, State College of Florida Collegiate

school.

Teacher Award: Laura Redeker, Anna Maria Elementary School;

Susan Nova, Harvey Elementary School; Katharine Kimbrell,

Braden River Middle School; Jessica Mynatt, Braden River

Middle School; Tasheta Riley, Braden River Middle School;

Joseph Gibson, Haile Middle School; Kim Wilder, Gene Witt

Elementary School; Stacy Freeman, McNeal Elementary School;

Julie Read, McNeal Elementary School; Sarah Tateosian, McNeal

Elementary School; Stephanie Tretolo, McNeal Elementary

School; Natalie Hutchings, Newsome High School; Christiana

Miller, Newsome High School; Montine Vona-Pergola, Newsome

High School; Kathleen Yates, Newsome High School; Leslie

Windheuser, Sumner High School; Felicia Chasey, Lakewood

Ranch High School; McKenzie Gorskey, Lakewood Ranch High

School; Jennifer Grant, Lakewood Ranch High School; John

Wilkerson, Lakewood Ranch High School; Linda Chamberlain,

Manatee Technical College; Hannah Hunter, Willis Elementary

School; Noelle Kourakos, Willis Elementary School; Kathleen

Bayliss, Sea Breeze Elementary School; Andrew Angelo, St.

Stephen's Episcopal School; Geoff Revard, St. Stephen's

Episcopal School; Emily Vargas, State College of Florida

Collegiate School.

Administrator Award: Rudy Keezer, Ballard Elementary

School; Marcos Rodriguez, Bloomingdale High School;

Kimberlain Zenon, Braden River Middle School; Samantha Webb,

Able Elementary School; Sheila Waid, McNeal Elementary

School; Marla Massi-Blackmore, Tillman Elementary School;

Jeannie Galindo, Lakewood Ranch High School; Jennifer Canady,

Riverview High School; Craig Page, Southeast High School.

On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, I congratulate each of these outstanding educators and offer my sincere appreciation for their service and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership, as well. I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act.

This important legislation will expand treatment options for Americans living with chronic diseases provided through their employer's healthcare coverage. My bill allows employers to offer predeductibility on 14 different chronic diseases, especially for those who are on high deductible health plans.

With 6 in 10 Americans living with at least one chronic disease, it is clear to me that we need to have many more options. The cost for chronic diseases in the American economy is enormous, accounting for over $1 trillion a year, if you can imagine that. Chronic disease also accounts for the overwhelming percentages of preventable deaths in the United States. I believe this initiative will improve patients' health, also reducing costly hospitalizations.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Congressman Panetta, for his leadership and friendship. I really appreciate his working with me on this. I also thank Leader Scalise and Whip Emmer for bringing this to the floor today.

I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to help give Americans the tools they need for a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a group of veterans for their military and community service.

Our veterans have sacrificed much in the defense of our Nation. Many of them retired their uniforms but continue their service by helping others in their community.

Three years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Veteran Commendation to recognize the heroic wartime sacrifices and admirable peacetime community involvement of my constituents. These are exceptional Americans. I appreciate the opportunity to honor them for their service to the Nation and community.

An independent panel reviewed several nominations and chose the following thirty veterans for their wartime and post-military service:

Angel Alvarez of Riverview who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam and Gulf Wars

Angelo Barnello Sr. of Riverview who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II

Stephen Browning of Apollo Beach who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War

Delford Connell of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II

Geoffrey Cordes of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War

Angel Davila Lopez of Lithia who served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War

Harry Demeza of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Army during World War II

Jerry Estes of Wimauma who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War

Brenda Gaines of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Army outside of war times

Jeffrey Gaines of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Army during the Gulf War

Lloyd Grable of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Army during World War II

Dwain Hannah of Brandon who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War

William Hodges of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Air Force outside of war times

Carl Hunsinger of Palmetto who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Gulf War

Bruce Johnson of Valrico who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War

William Kirkpatrick of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam and Gulf Wars

Jim Klocke of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War

Maurice Lanouette of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Army during World War II

Robert Marasco of Valrico who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Gulf War

Thomas Moncrief of Apollo Beach who served in the U.S. Air Force outside of war times

Joseph Muhlberger of Valrico who served in the U.S. Air Force outside of war times

Jerry Neff of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Army outside of war times

Sean Powers of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Marine Corps outside of war times

Robert Putnam of Sun City Center who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War

Thomas Reichard of Valrico who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Gulf War and outside of war times

Gill Ruderman of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War

Milton Shattuck of Bradenton who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars

Vincent Spanicciati of Lakewood Ranch who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War

George Tamburello of Wimauma who served in the U.S. Army during World War II

Lonnie Vona of Valrico who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam and Gulf Wars and outside of war times