Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and remember the life of service of Captain Thomas Edwards Davis. Born in Arkansas, he attended Mississippi College, Tulane University, and Southwestern at Memphis, and entered the United States Navy in July of 1945. As an Aviation Midshipman, Captain Davis underwent flight training at the Naval Air Station, Ottawa, Iowa; Corpus Christi, Texas; Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida; and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1949. He served in Fighter Squadron 173 from August 1948 until released to inactive duty in January 1950. He was recalled to active duty in June 1950 with Reserve Fighter Squadron 791 and deployed to Korea on the USS Boxer. He later served with the Fleet Gunner Unit at El Centro, California as a gunnery instructor from January 1953 to August 1954. He was also a gunnery instructor at the Naval Air Station Barin Field, Alabama, from August 1954 to March 1956. Captain Davis attended the Air Launched Missile School at the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Jacksonville, FL, after which he served with Fighter Squadron 101 at the Naval Air Station Cecil Field and Key West, FL, until June 1960. He was a student at the United State Naval Postgraduate School from August 1960 to August 1962. In September 1962, he was transferred to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operation. From September 1964 to August 1965, he was attached to the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, United States Atlantic Fleet, as Armament Officer, after which he served as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of Training Squadron 9 at the Naval Air Station, Meridian, Mississippi until January 1967. He served as the Carrier Air Traffic Control and Strike Operations Officer while on the USS Intrepid deployed in the Tonkin Gulf. Leaving the Intrepid in August 1968 to become a student at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Earning his Master of Science degree in International Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He returned to the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, United State Atlantic Fleet in July 1969. Captain Davis reported to CF-1 in June 1972 as Commanding Officer and served there until transferred to Naval Air Maintenance Training Group, NAS Memphis, in August 1975. Captain Davis was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, four awards of the Air Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order and the Navy Commendation Medal. He has also earned the Korean Service Medal, the China Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. Our Nation is forever in the debt of Captain Davis and his family for his many years of service to our country. He leaves behind a legacy of service to others that has inspired future generations. May his memory be everlasting,

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I must take the floor in frustration regarding the continued delay of floor action on the Major Richard Star Act. H.R. 1282 would expand eligibility to certain military retirees for concurrent receipt of veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation. In the past, military servicemembers found to have endured a service- connected disability could not collect their pension and disability pay in unison. This was unfair. To receive VA disability compensation, veterans had to forfeit their retirement benefits and pay back dollar-for-dollar the amount that would have been owed to them if they had received both benefits. In the fiscal year 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress created the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay program. In doing so, veterans who are 100 percent disabled were authorized to receive both earned benefits--which is right--known as concurrent receipt, for the first time ever. Since then, the law has expanded the eligibility to receive military retirement pay and their VA disability pay concurrently to military retirees with 20 or more years of service and a 50 percent or higher disability rating. Under current law, concurrent receipt for military retirees who have a disability rating of 50 percent or higher was phased in through 2014. While that certainly marked tremendous progress, medically retired veterans with less than 20 years of service who were wounded in combat must still offset their DOD retirement pay by their VA disability compensation. So unfair. So unjust. Many of these veterans had the full intention of serving 20 or more years and gain full retirement benefits, but through no fault of their own, were unable to due to their service and sacrifice in the line of duty. They were injured. This group of retired veterans, also known as Chapter 61 retirees, are arguably the most at-risk because of their complex combat injuries and are just as deserving as those who served greater than 20 years of service. By creating the CRDP, I firmly believe that Congress admitted that the offset required of disabled veterans was wrong. Approximately 550,000 military retirees are eligible to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation but are prohibited under the current guidelines of this program. We must change that. In my view, I see these veterans as essentially being taxed for their service and sacrifice because they were deemed service-connected disabled. What an injustice that we must correct. This is a very popular and desired policy fix, Mr. Speaker. The Richard Star Act has 335 cosponsors in the House and 66, and growing, in the United States Senate. Most veteran service organizations, including the American Legion, the VFW, DAV, VVA, which is the Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, Military Officers Association of America, Fleet Reserve Association, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and the Association of the Navy, strongly support this bill. Given this support, why hasn't there been any action on this bill? The Richard Star Act got the required cosponsors necessary to get added to the Consensus Calendar back in September, but why has there been no action on this bill? These are not just questions I have--it is not just me--but the cosponsors of the bill as well, and questions that many in the public have, including our heroes and their families that were affected. Let's ask the Democratic leadership in the House and the Senate to consider the overwhelming public and congressional support for the Richard Star Act. Do not let this injustice continue. Please do not let this injustice continue. We have a real opportunity, Mr. Speaker. Do right by these national heroes and include the Major Richard Star Act in the end-of-year omnibus. I can't think of a more worthy cause than honoring our commitment to our Nation's heroes.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4275, the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act, which was unanimously reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The FCC currently administers two subsidy programs to help low-income Americans get connected, the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program. The FCC uses criteria such as household income or participation in other Federal subsidy programs to determine eligibility. The FCC's inspector general identifies fraud and risk in certain qualifying programs, highlighting the importance of congressional oversight. H.R. 4275 will help provide Congress with important information regarding how low-income Americans qualify for these programs as we continue our oversight duties. Specifically, this bill will require the FCC to report to Congress on which eligibility criteria Americans use to qualify for the lifeline of affordable connectivity programs. In carrying out this report, the FCC will be limited to using existing data they currently can access to verify eligibility. It also requires the FCC to report on the outreach and publicity efforts to promote enrollment in these programs. This legislation is an important first step toward oversight of the FCC and its administration of these programs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the staff for doing an outstanding job on this bill. It was not easy to find consensus, but we persevered. We did not give up. We didn't give up, and guess what? The American people are going to be benefiting from this. That is the most important thing. Our constituents will benefit from this bill. Again, my subcommittee staffer, Tim Kurth, has done an outstanding job, along with the other members of the staff and Jan's staff, as well. Mr. Speaker, I hope we pass this bill unanimously, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5502, the INFORM Consumers Act. This is a big deal, Mr. Speaker. It really is. We worked really hard to get consensus on this particular bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee. I commend the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee; the ranking member, Cathy McMorris Rodgers; and the chair of the subcommittee, my colleague, Jan Schakowsky. She is the lead sponsor of the bill, and I am the Republican sponsor of the bill. It is a great accomplishment. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical storefronts were unable to open their doors, many consumers turned to online marketplaces for all of their goods. However, with such a rise in online purchases, criminals saw a new way to prey upon innocent consumers. These storefronts were now bombarded with thousands of similar products with little to no information about the background of the goods. Some of the goods available were originally stolen from retail stores, counterfeited--and this happens in all our congressional districts--counterfeited from a foreign nation, or even made with dangerous components or forced labor. That is why this bipartisan, bicameral legislation is necessary to increase transparency and safety online, and I am proud to help co-lead this bill with the chairwoman of the subcommittee, Ms. Schakowsky. If H.R. 5502 is signed into law--and I think it will be--consumers and storefronts will be armed with information to understand where these products come from and whether they are real or not. That is not much to ask for. It also provides protections to our small sellers and local mom-and- pop stores whose privacy is protected while also being able to operate with clear guidelines and one set of rules for doing business in all 50 States. The INFORM Consumers Act establishes a uniform national standard to protect consumers from bad actors and online marketplaces by requiring certain large sellers of new and used consumer goods to verify their contact information, such as email, phone number, and business tax ID, within days of being listed as a high-volume seller on an online platform. I thank, again, Chairwoman Schakowsky, for working with me in good faith to make this a strong product with broad consensus from Congress--it takes both parties to get these things done--and from a diverse set of stakeholders like Etsy, Poshmark, eBay, Amazon, but also retail industry leaders such as Home Depot, Walgreens, and Walmart. The support around this legislation demonstrates what happens when Congress works together to move important legislation that will protect all Americans. That was our goal. I am glad to see that this bill will move forward in regular order, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation out of the House today. Let's get this signed into law as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3630, the Lymphedema Treatment Act, introduced by my friend and fellow Committee on Energy and Commerce member Jan Schakowsky, as well as the Subcommittee on Health member Buddy Carter, along with myself and more than 350 Members on both sides of the aisle. This legislation would create a new Medicare benefit category, lymphedema compression treatment items, including standard and custom- fitted garments, and other items determined by HHS, for treatment of lymphedema. As many of us know, thanks to a passionate and committed group of patient stakeholders, lymphedema is a chronic condition that may cause significant swelling and discomfort. It is often located in the arms and legs but can also occur in other parts of the body. Unfortunately, there is no cure today for this condition, but patients are able to receive care that can mitigate some of the symptoms caused by lymphedema. One of the most basic elements of care is the application of compression garments to swollen body parts. As it stands today, fee-for-service Medicare covers various forms of treatment for lymphedema but does not cover the basic compression supplies typically used in the regular treatment for this condition. This is a result of the outdated structure of traditional fee-for- service Medicare, which does not have an existing benefit category that works for lymphedema compression garments. This legislation is yet another reminder that the fee-for-service Medicare as structured today under part B simply cannot keep pace with medical innovation. Private payers, including Medicare Advantage plans, have more flexibility to provide coverage for these products, especially if they add value to the care patients need. As the popularity of Medicare Advantage demonstrates, there is a built-in incentive to provide better value for patients, meaning better outcomes and lower costs. It has been proven. It has been discouraging to see an ever-growing number of situations where a particular drug--for instance, an entire class of Alzheimer's drugs recently restricted by CMS--or other medical products are not covered for seniors in Medicare fee-for-service when other patients in the private market, or even in Medicare Advantage, may have them covered. I am hopeful that bills like the one that we are here to discuss today, where Congress continues to patch the inefficiencies in the Medicare program, not only benefit seniors but also help all of us recognize that seniors deserve greater Medicare reforms. Those reforms should empower patients with greater control over their healthcare decisions and more ability to tailor their health benefits to their personal needs, all with the goal of no senior being denied or having to lobby Congress to get the medical products they need. It makes sense. Finally, I am encouraged to see that the new mandatory spending in this legislation will be fully offset, and I encourage my colleagues to continue to insist that we fully offset mandatory spending now and into the future. This is responsible. It is responsible legislating. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors for this bill, H.R. 3630, and the chairman, of course, and the ranking member of the full committee. I fully support this legislation and recommend a ``yes'' vote on final passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this is a real good bill, a bipartisan bill. We worked very hard on it, and we have a great sponsor here and a Republican sponsor in Representative Buddy Carter, and I urge that we pass this as soon as possible. I assume the Senate will get to work and get this done, as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose), the great State of Tennessee.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5441, the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2021, or the PAST Act. Soring is the practice of using chemicals, sadly inflicting pain on the front feet of a horse when they touch the ground, with the intent to cause the horse to quickly raise its feet high off the ground. This legislation will require the Secretary of Agriculture to issue rules for licensing, training, assigning, and overseeing persons to be qualified to detect and diagnose a sore horse and will prohibit the use of certain devices on horse breeds that have a history of being sored. This legislation will also increase capabilities for the USDA to enforce soring violations under the Horse Protection Act. Americans throughout the country hold horses in high regard, myself included, including constituents, of course, in my district, who care deeply for the humane treatment of these beautiful animals. I thank Representative Cohen and the 263 cosponsors of this legislation for their work to protect horses, and I urge my colleagues to support this. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish this bill would pass in a bipartisan fashion, so that we can get it to the Senate. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I encourage us to pass this bill as soon as possible in a bipartisan fashion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again, I rise today in support of H.R. 6290, the Manufacturing.gov Act. H.R. 6290 will require the Department of Commerce to designate a portion of the Manufacturing.gov website to serve as a source for businesses to have access to information relating to Federal manufacturing programs. As part of the website, the Department of Commerce must make available contact information for relevant program offices carrying out manufacturing programs, web pages that focus on topics such as trade, workforce development, and small and medium manufacturers, as well as provide an avenue for public input and feedback related to Federal manufacturing programs. Our country faced many challenges, as our chairman said, during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially our manufacturing businesses. I thank Representative Tonko, Representative Axne, and Representative Upton, former chairman of the full committee, for their work on this legislation to provide such businesses with resources to help them get back on their feet. This is so vitally needed, Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to pass this particular piece of legislation, and let's get it to the Senate as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary Greek American--Aris Melissartos. Aris was born to Greek parents in Galatz, Romania, on December 3, 1943. The following year the Soviet Union occupied Romania and implemented a process of Sovietization. In 1950 the Melissaratos family fled to Greece as refugees. In 1956 they emigrated to the U.S., settling in Baltimore where Aris worked in, and later ran, a bakery with his father. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering at the Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Science in Contents Early life and education engineering management at George Washington University and completed the Graduate Program for Management Development at Harvard University and graduate research in international relations at Catholic University of America. In 1966, Aris joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation and soon began work as its chief operating officer for defense electronics and aerospace. He left Westinghouse as its vice president of science and technology after 32 years with the company. In 1998, he became Thermo Electron Corporation's vice president of research and development. He also worked as CEO of Coleman Research Corporation, Thermo Coleman Corporation and Thermo Information Solutions. In 2001, Aris founded ArMel Scientifics, a technology incubation venture capital entity investing in more than 30 technology ventures. He also chairs the ArMel Scientifics Center for Technology and Public Policy and wrote ``Innovation: The Key to Prosperty--Technology and America's Role in the 21st Century,'' which he considers a great accomplishment. On top of all of his successes in the private sector, Aris found great success in Government service. In 2003 Aris, a lifelong Democrat, was appointed Business and Economic Development Secretary of Maryland in the administration of Republican Robert Leroy ``Bob'' Ehrlich, Jr., who became Maryland's Governor in January that year after defeating Democratic candidate Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. Ehrlich said Aris' department would be the cornerstone of his administration. Explaining his willingness to work in a Republican Cabinet, Aris said he saw himself as ``a bridge-builder''. He said the basis of his economic policy would be a focus on Maryland's universities, which he regarded as potential economic powerhouses because of their research innovation capabilities. Aris was popular in the business community and when Ehrlich was defeated in his bid for gubernatorial re-election, his successor, Democrat Martin O'Malley, came under pressure to retain Aris in his Cabinet. The Baltimore Sun newspaper reported that at a conference in the boardroom of First Mariner Bank, ``business leader after business leader'' urged O'Malley to reappoint Aris, who was described as ``the best marketing manager the state has had in recent memory'' and as a ``visionary''. Aris has lived a life of great success and service. Even with all of his own personal success, Aris says that it's his work mentoring and developing employees under his various leadership roles that has brought him the most career satisfaction. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Affairs, I am pleased to honor this great Greek-American, Aris Melissartos, and offer my sincere gratitude for his many years of service to his community. Axios.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cooper Burden. Cooper joined Pac 7 Cub Scouts in 2016 and immediately set his eyes on earning Scouting's highest rank that of Eagle Scout. At first it was playing in the woods with friends that he enjoyed but as Cooper advanced to Webelos camping, fishing and BB guns became more the attraction. Cooper earned countless service and volunteer hours over the years. Summer Camps at Camp Soule, Bourne and Sand Hill fostered friendships he will carry for a lifetime. As Cooper advanced to Arrow of Light and self-discipline leadership became a focus and a skill he embraced. This Leadership became evident in his schoolwork in Junior National Honor Society, in Scouting as he held leadership roles as Assistant Quarter Master, Quarter Master, and Patrol Leader. During his time in Troop 77 Cooper set goals for himself that included earning over 70 individual merit badges, spending over 120 nights Camping, completing BSA's First ever Virtual Camp-in during COVID lockdown and fundraising to earn his way to each summer camp he has attended. Cooper identified and completed his Eagle project in March 2022. The project came about during a conversation with his lifelong Pastor. The project consisted of pressure washing, prepping, and painting the day school at the Burden family's church; Good Shepard Lutheran Church located in Tampa, FL. Cooper organized over 25 volunteers, exceeded his fundraising goal, and completed the project days before his 14th birthday. Cooper did all this while maintaining academically all A's and the occasional B through his entire Scouting journey Elementary, Middle and High School. Cooper also has been active in intramural flag football, spent the last 11 years as a Karate Student and volunteer teaching the 3- to 6-year-old classes at Ingrams Okinawan Karate where he has studied Isshinryu karate and holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt. Cooper as a freshman at Mitchell High School is a member of the U.S. Navy JROTC, a member of the Wrestling Team. Cooper hopes to attend a Military Academy or State University, join the Armed Forces, and pursue a career in mechanical engineering focusing on automotive industries.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast. Their tireless work is being recognized this week when they will be named the Highest Performing Board Team of the Year. Board Chair Jeff Tanzer, Vice Chair Kyle Barr, Vice Chair Rolfe Duggar, Esq., Vice Chair Christie Sullivan, Esq., Vice Chair Beth Homer, Esq., Treasurer Danielle Cartier Wendt, CPA, Secretary Elizabeth Constantine, Esq., Immediate Past Chair Angela Wright, and Past Chair Doug Lewis have all excelled to make our local Boys and Girls Club worthy of this designation. The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast is to provide high quality, out of school time Club experiences that proven to ensure our young people are on track to graduate from high school with a plan, demonstrate good character and citizenship, and live a healthy lifestyle. With over 21,000 kids and teens served and a 96 percent graduation rate among High School Seniors that are club members, the Club supports the next generation of community members that can make a positive impact. I have been proud to support their tremendous efforts during my time in Congress and look forward to their continued success.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from the great State of Kentucky as well. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the inflation, recession, IRS army act. As the American people struggle to put food on their tables and gas in their cars, Democrats bring us here today to raise Americans' taxes and destabilize our prescription drug market. My colleagues across the aisle want everyone to believe that this bill will drive down the cost of drugs, but they fail to mention that this policy will severely stifle innovation, unfortunately. As a proud advocate for individuals suffering with cancer, rare diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, I am committed to seeing cures come to market. But policies like this one will heartlessly jeopardize the likelihood of these breakthroughs. I would like to see my Democratic colleagues work with us on the productive policy solutions found in the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, which would drive down the cost of drugs for the American people but would not destroy the innovative research and development that is uniquely American. Sadly, it seems more thought was put into targeting average Americans with an IRS army and over 1 million new audits than in helping them find cures for their life-threatening ailments, unfortunately. Floridians deserve better. And the American people deserve better than this bogus piece of legislation that will raise taxes and reduce the number of cures and treatments coming to market.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great work that 3rd Armored Division's Gregory Hagen, Gerald Euchler, Craig Carlson, David Evans, Donald Wood, Thomas Lykens, Denis McMahon, Jesse Weiss, Joan Mercier, and Sharon Mack did to protect our strategic naval assets during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In March of 1991 these soldiers, who belonged to 3rd Armored Division's Counterintelligence section, identified three Iraqi naval sites that had yet to be exploited. In coordination with U.S. Naval Intelligence, the sites were investigated properly, and revealed the official Iraqi naval minefield locations, which were unknown to U.S. forces. These plans led to the demining and safe passage of both civilian and military ships in Iraqi waters. Due to the decisive action of these soldiers, untold lives were saved as well as the prevention of loss of naval assets. Their actions exemplify the honor and courage of our service members. We should applaud their efforts.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great work that the U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Intelligence, Human Intelligence section's Lieutenant Rick Schaefer did to protect our strategic naval assets during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In March of 1991, Lieutenant Schaefer, who after receiving a tip from the 3rd Armored Division's Counter-Intelligence section, personally investigated three Iraqi naval sites that had yet to be exploited and were to be ignored. Due to his initiative and sound judgment, the sites were investigated properly and revealed the official Iraqi naval minefield locations, which were unknown to U.S. forces. These plans led to the demining and safe passage of both civilian and military ships in Iraqi waters. Due to the decisive action of this sailor, untold lives were saved as well as the prevention of the potential loss of naval assets. His actions exemplify the honor and courage of our service members. We should applaud their efforts.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the American Humane Association, the country's first national humane organization, is saving, sheltering, feeding, and protecting more than 1 billion animals around the world each year. In honor of noted conservationist Wolfgang Kiessling, the American Humane Association created the Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation, recognizing and supporting the work of those who achieve significant positive change in the field of conservation practice, theory, and research. After considering the achievements of extraordinary candidates from 16 countries, Dr. Paul Rodriguez, chairman of the International Union of the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission, was selected as the inaugural honoree of the Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation. I recognize and commend the efforts of the American Humane Association, Wolfgang Kiessling, and the 2022 award winner, Dr. Jon Paul Rodriguez, for their outstanding work on behalf of the endangered animals which enrich our world.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of St. Petersburg legend, Joe Lettelleir, who was a giant in Pinellas County and left his indelible mark on everything he did whether a military veteran, business entrepreneur, respected banker, or prominent developer. Joe moved to St. Petersburg in 1948 and attended Northeast High School where he met the love of his life, Becky. He attended Indiana University for college and served in the U.S. Army after graduation. A man of many careers, he served as Senior Executive Vice President of Florida Federal Savings and Loan, Founder of Bay Development and Bayside Savings and Loan, and owner/operator of Paradise Lakes Resort. Most recently, Joe served as President and CEO of Contemporary Housing Alternatives of Florida (CHAF), a non-profit focused on providing affordable housing solutions in the region. Joe was a well-known leader in St. Pete and proudly led countless boards and committees, including the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Shorecrest Preparatory School Board of Trustees, AMIKids, Quarterback Club, St. Pete Dragons, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, and Concerned Citizens (STOP the Lens). Through his advocacy efforts, especially on banking and housing issues, Joe befriended countless elected officials and public servants including my dear friend, the late Congressmen C.W. Bill Young and Freddy St. Germain. While the body of his professional and charitable work was a source of pride, Joe's most meaningful work is the beautiful family he created with his wonderful wife of 56 years, Becky. Joe and Becky have three loving children, Mark, Amy and Matt; and precious grandchildren, Ryan, Riley and Reece Lettelleir, and Megan and Jake Freedman to whom he was known as ``Pa.'' He was a fixture at nearly every football, basketball, and baseball game, dance recital, cheerleading competition, and any opportunity to show his love and support for his children and grandchildren. He was also respected and cherished as a father figure to many of his children's friends, who always sought out his wisdom and guidance. Joe, with Becky by his side, travelled the world, including all 50 states. Most visited during long road trips on America's backroads that he loved so much. A huge sports fan, he was a die-hard Hoosier and an original season ticket holder for the Bucs and Rays. He was also a student of history and his insatiable curiosity inspired him to constantly seek knowledge. As a great patriot of this Nation, he fittingly departed from this world on July 4th at the age of 77. He will be remembered as a man of principle and faith, the life of the party, ready with a joke or story for any occasion, and as a fiercely loyal friend who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Joe Lettelleir had a life you can hang your hat on. May his memory be everlasting.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, inspired by the story of my constituent Lauren Price, I first filed comprehensive burn pit legislation with my colleague, Congressman Ruiz, in 2018. Lauren developed a terminal illness due to her exposure to burn pit toxins in Iraq. Despite her illness, she was passionate about making sure her brothers and sisters in arms would finally be able to access the medical care and benefits they have earned. Lauren worked tirelessly to help me craft legislation and testified at multiple congressional hearings. Since 2018, I have continued to work with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to push this critical issue forward. While Lauren tragically passed before she was able to get help, today, finally, we will pass the PACT Act to make sure no other veterans have to go through what Lauren went through.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and the chairman for this very important bill. I rise in strong support of H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, which reauthorizes and improves key SAMHSA block grant programs for mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services. These are all targeted toward helping our constituents who have struggled with anxiety, stress, and isolation. Sadly, our Nation is experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis, particularly among our children and teens. It has only gotten worse during the COVID pandemic, Mr. Speaker. We have seen a disturbing spike in rates of depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and death among teens. Teen depression, in particular, has risen by 60 percent. We cannot afford to wait any longer to address this mental health and addiction crisis, and this package presents much-needed solutions that will enact meaningful changes to help combat the trends we have seen. Specifically, I am very glad to see in the manager's amendment a provision I have long advocated for that will require HHS to conduct research on smartphone and social media use by adolescents and the effects of such use on emotional and behavioral health. All of us agree on the need to better protect our children and their mental health from social media, and this is an excellent start. We are also going to consider an amendment I am proud to support with my good friend Rodney Davis that will contain H.R. 2355, the Opioid Prescription Verification Act, to help prevent opioid abuse through e- prescribing. In closing, this is a strong, bipartisan package, and I urge my colleagues to fully support it.