Susan Brooks

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don S. Havens on his retirement from the office of Mayor of Tipton, Indiana. A well-respected public official for many decades, Don's career has been defined by his faithful service to his fellow citizens. Don's record of electoral victories is a testament to his ability to connect with constituents and to deliver results. Throughout his 12 years on the Tipton City Council and 8 years as Mayor, Don has led the City of Tipton into the new millennium, helping to bring new ideas to fruition by directing projects aimed at building a better community for all of Tipton's citizens. Growing up in Tipton, Don graduated from Tipton High School in 1963, and furthered his education at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In 1965, Don became a reporter and editor for the Kokomo Morning Times, a position he would hold until 1967. It was in 1967 that Don was called into service for the United States Army and deployed to Vietnam, where he served until 1968. His military service overseas as a Private First Class garnered Don the Vietnam Service Medal. His training and experiences in the military also helped prepare Don for the next four decades of leadership roles he held in both the public and private sectors. After his time in the United States Army, Don reentered the workforce as a Manager with Anixter Brothers, a wire manufacturing company in Tipton. In 1975, Don started Havens Realty, where he has been at the helm for over 45 years, continuing to grow the business and further strengthen the local economy. Don became a founding member of the Tipton Economic Development Corporation, a group created to help strengthen and develop the Tipton County business community. Ever the man on a mission, Don continued to be heavily involved in the public sphere of the Tipton community. Spending 12 years on the Tipton Utility Service Board, Don helped to lead this municipally-owned group in its effort to deliver affordable electric power, water and wastewater collection and treatment to the citizens of Tipton. Throughout his career in public office Don has been an innovative force helping to move Tipton forward, opening new economic opportunities to the citizens of the community. He spent a total of 20 years in elected office, never losing an election, including the post-Watergate election during which Don was the only Republican to win his local race. His service record over his 12 years as a member of the Tipton City Council solidified his sterling reputation as an outstanding civic leader. Later in his career Don was elected to two consecutive 4-year terms as Mayor of Tipton, first in 2011 and then again in 2015. Taking office at a time of economic tumult for cities throughout the country, Don's experience and leadership were integral to the continued success of the local Tipton economy. While many municipalities were struggling to attract new business and limiting civic programs, the city of Tipton was able to grow the local economy and embark on bold public initiatives as a result of the tireless work of Mayor Havens. Working together with fellow city and state leaders, Mayor Havens was able to attract Chrysler FCA to move operations and massive investment to Tipton. When Tipton was impacted by extreme flooding in April 2013, Mayor Havens and fellow city leaders worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to acquire grants that allowed for homes to be rebuilt and renovated for multiple Tipton residents. Furthering his pride in the city, Don was integral in the creation of the Tipton Main Street Association, a volunteer organization with a mission of helping to build a better Tipton. Recent projects have focused on the beautification of the downtown area, with landscaping and flower planting transforming downtown Tipton into a vibrant and exciting center for public gatherings. The Alley project revamped an empty downtown alley into an engaging gathering place for the residents and visitors to come and enjoy the heart of the city. Mayor Havens has also overseen efforts to undertake demolition projects of dilapidated properties throughout the city, as well as a $3 million investment in parks and recreations infrastructure. Over his last 8 years in office, Mayor Havens and fellow Tipton municipal officials have led a city initiative to invest $2.5 million into construction projects aimed at fixing and replacing the city's streets, sidewalks, and drainage infrastructure, furthering the efforts to improve the city of Tipton and better serve citizens. For over four decades, Mayor Don Havens has consistently served the best interests of the City of Tipton, as a member of the Utility Service Board, the City Council and as Mayor. His career record in government has shown Don to be an honest, ethical, and transformative public servant who has had an immensely positive impact on the citizens of Tipton. On behalf of all Hoosiers I thank my friend, Mayor Don Havens for his decades of exemplary service to the citizens of Tipton and wish him, his wife and fellow leader in the Tipton community Tami, and his family all the best in a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding school in my district that is being honored for the second time as a National Blue Ribbon School. It is a pleasure to congratulate Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis, Indiana, in celebration of this special occasion. The National Blue Ribbon designation, given by the United States Department of Education, is awarded to both public and private schools across our great nation. Started by President Reagan and given annually since 1982, the award celebrates great American schools that achieve very high learning standards or are making significant improvements in the academic achievements of their students. In my district and across the country, the award recognizes the great educators, students, and parents who have worked so hard to ensure our children reach their full potential and achieve academic success. For all of these reasons and many more, I am very proud that Immaculate Heart of Mary School is receiving this prestigious designation. It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the school's commitment to providing young Hoosiers an exceptional education. While hundreds of schools nationwide were nominated, only 362 schools were designated as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Of the 362 schools, Immaculate Heart was one of 12 Indiana schools to receive recognition, making this recognition all the more impressive. Furthermore, this is the second time the Warriors of Immaculate Heart have been named a prestigious Blue Ribbon school, achieving this designation also in 2005. Under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the leadership of Principal Ronda Swartz, Immaculate Heart has become a beacon of educational excellence. Immaculate Heart of Mary School is committed to providing a nurturing environment for the intellectual, physical, and social development of each child. As a Catholic institution it has been the mission of the Immaculate Heart of Mary School to provide an exceptional academic experience grounded in making God known, loved and served. This commitment to the well-being and development of the student body is led by a dynamic staff of teachers, working to shape the future through the lives they are positively influencing in their classrooms daily. The dedicated staff at Immaculate Heart engages students in meaningful educational tasks that promote thinking and reasoning and it is because of their hard work that Immaculate Heart of Mary School has been deservedly honored with this Blue Ribbon Award. As an advocate for education and youth, I want to acknowledge how important it is to our nation's future to encourage and raise a new generation of Americans who have the skills and knowledge to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Students like those at Immaculate Heart give me hope that we will accomplish this vital mission. Their outstanding work is an inspiration to students, educators, and parents across the nation. Once again, congratulations to Immaculate Heart of Mary School. I am very proud of them.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding school in my district that is being honored as a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School. It is a pleasure to congratulate Mohawk Trails Elementary School of Carmel, Indiana, in celebration of this special occasion. The National Blue Ribbon designation, given by the United States Department of Education, is awarded to both public and private schools across our great nation. Started by President Reagan and given annually since 1982, the award celebrates great American schools that achieve very high learning standards or are making significant improvements in the academic achievements of their students. In my district and across the country, the award recognizes the great educators, students, and parents who have worked so hard to ensure our children reach their full potential and achieve academic success. For all of these reasons and many more, I am very proud that Mohawk Trails Elementary School is receiving this prestigious designation. It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the school's commitment to providing young Hoosiers an exceptional education. While hundreds of schools nationwide were nominated, only 362 schools were designated as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Of the 362 schools, Mohawk Trails Elementary School was one of only 12 Indiana schools to receive recognition, making this recognition all the more impressive. Under the guidance of a dedicated staff and dynamic Principal Jennifer Greene, the Mohawk Trails Turtles have become a beacon for success in youth education. Mohawk Trails Elementary School is committed to providing a nurturing environment for the intellectual, physical, and social development of each child. This commitment to the well-being and development of the student body is led by a dynamic staff of teachers, working to shape the future through the lives they are positively influencing in their classrooms daily. The dedicated staff at Mohawk Trails engages students in meaningful educational tasks that promote thinking and reasoning and it is because of their hard work that Mohawk Trails Elementary School has been deservedly honored with this Blue Ribbon Award. As an advocate for education and youth, I want to acknowledge how important it is to our nation's future to encourage and raise a new generation of Americans who have the skills and knowledge to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Students like those at Mohawk Trails give me hope that we will accomplish this vital mission. Their outstanding work is an inspiration to students, educators, and parents across the nation. Once again, congratulations to Mohawk Trails Elementary School. I am very proud of them.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, l rise today to congratulate an outstanding school in my district that is being honored as a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School. I am delighted to congratulate Saint Maria Goretti School in Westfield, Indiana, for the second time since I've been in Congress, in celebration of this special occasion. Started by President Reagan in 1982, the United States Department of Education awards the National Blue Ribbon designation to both public and private schools across our great nation. The award celebrates great American schools like Saint Maria Goretti that achieve very high learning standards or are making significant improvements in the academic achievements of their students. Throughout the country this award is given to recognize the upper echelon of educational institutions, that through the dedication and passion of their amazing educators, students, and parents have strived to ensure that every student reaches their full potential and maximizes their academic success. Having previously received this prestigious award in 2013, the Fighting Angels of Saint Maria Goretti School have shown just how deep the commitment to excellence is ingrained in their staff, faculty, parents and student body. This honor is a wonderful acknowledgement of the school's commitment to providing its students with an exceptional education. While hundreds of schools nationwide were nominated, only 362 schools were designated as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Of the 362 schools, Saint Maria Goretti School was one of 12 Indiana schools to receive recognition, making this achievement all the more impressive. Under the guidance of the Archdiocese of Lafayette and the leadership of Principal Vince Barnes, Saint Maria Goretti School has become a beacon of educational excellence. Saint Maria Goretti School is committed to providing a nurturing environment for the intellectual, physical, and social development of each child. As a Catholic institution the clergy and staff work diligently with students to provide an excellent education, focusing on the spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical well-being of each child. This commitment to the well-being and development of the student body is led by a dynamic staff of teachers, working to shape the future by the lives they are positively influencing in their classrooms daily. The dedicated staff at Saint Maria Goretti School engages students in meaningful educational tasks that promote thinking and reasoning and it is because of their hard work that Saint Maria Goretti School has been deservedly honored with this Blue Ribbon Award. As an advocate for education and youth, I have great respect and admiration for our nation's educators and their mission to provide the students of this great nation with the strong academic foundation critical to future success. Schools like Saint Maria Goretti School are an example of how we accomplish this vital mission. The outstanding educational techniques developed at Saint Maria Goretti School should stand as a model for school districts throughout the nation. The commitment to excellence from the students, parents and educators at Saint Maria Goretti School has transformed the school into a beacon of educational achievement. Once again, congratulations to Saint Maria Goretti School. I am very proud of them.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: On Roll Call 625, H.R. 3702--Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 --YEA; On Roll Call 626, H.R. 4634--Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019--YEA; and On Roll Call 627, H.R. 4344--To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to allow the Securities and Exchange Commission to seek and Federal courts to grant disgorgement of unjust enrichment, and for other purposes--YEA.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor of the life of a beloved and iconic member of the Hoosier state, Pershing Edwin (P.E.) MacAllister. A pillar of the Indianapolis community, P.E. passed away at the age of 101 on October 23, 2019. P.E. was an industrious, enthusiastic and generous individual whose life's work touched and benefitted so many Hoosiers. A longtime leader in Indiana politics, P.E. was a guiding force in not only my career but also the political careers of legendary Republican Hoosier lawmakers, the late Senator Richard Lugar and the late Indianapolis Mayor William Hudnut, among others. In 1945, P.E. co-founded the MacAllister Machinery Company with his father. His 74 years at the helm of the company are a telling reminder of his unequaled business acumen and leadership capabilities. Throughout his life he helped lead and develop both the public and private sector successes of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for P .E.'s contributions to our Hoosier community, and it is my privilege to honor him today. P.E. was born August 30, 1918, in Oconto, Wisconsin to Edwin W. (E.W.) and Hilda MacAllister. As a recent veteran of World War I, Edwin named his son Pershing after General John Joseph ``Black Jack'' Pershing. Growing up during the Great Depression, P.E. was taught the frugality and self-sufficient nature required to survive and flourish in the America of the time. With a strong Scottish Presbyterian upbringing and close familial bond, P.E. advanced in his academic career, graduating high school and then enrolling at Carroll College. After graduation from Carroll College in 1940, P.E. joined the United States Army Air Force. On October 25, 1941, he was shipped off to basic training, and his service to his country began. As an armament officer, P.E. was stationed initially in the United States, but also served in England, North Africa, and finally in Italy where he earned the rank of Captain. After 5 years in the Army Air Force, P.E. finished his service having earned four Overseas Service Bars and a Presidential Unit Citation. Upon returning from service overseas, P.E. and his father E.W. co- founded the MacAllister Machinery Company in June of 1945. After his father's medical complications in 1951, P.E. and his brother Dave took the helm of the company. Over the next 74 years, P.E. led the company as it grew to cover two states with over 2,500 employees. Starting in 1986, he began to co-publish and write the lead articles for 170 issues of the company's newsletter, ``Mac Today''. Outside of the office, P.E. maintained strong ties with his faith as a devoted member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. As a leader in the church's governing body, P.E. served two terms as its moderator. In 1972, he was the moderator of the Synod of Indiana, and in 1975 he was named the moderator of the Synod of Lincoln Trials. P.E. also served on the board of trustees at the Christian Theological Seminary, where along with friend Dick Petticrew, he created ``The MacAllister-Petticrew Chair'' of the Old Testament Studies. At his alma mater of Carroll College, P.E. endowed a ``Chair in Old Testament Studies''. Later in his career, P.E. began his entrance into the Indiana political arena. Along with close friends Harold Ransburg, John Burkhart and Keith Bulen, P.E. helped to bring about a political revolution within Indiana. He helped to foster the early careers of many Republican candidates such as former Mayor William Hudnut, former Governor Mitch Daniels, former Senator Richard Lugar, and former Governor and Vice-President Michael Pence. P.E. was also an integral part of the creation of the Indianapolis Parks Foundation and served as the chairman of the Foundation for many years, helping to transform many of the city's various parks and public lands. His time as a member and then chairman of the Capital Improvements Board helped to see the city commit to the building of the RCA Dome and Convention Center which were important steps to eventually enticing the Colts of the National Football League to relocate to Indianapolis. These partnerships helped change Indianapolis from a sleepy stop on the highways of middle America to a premiere emerging city in the heartland of America. P.E. leaves behind a larger than life legacy that is fitting for the impact he had on the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. During his life, he was one of the most impactful local leaders in the city's public and private sectors, leaving a legacy unmatched by his peers. He dedicated his life to the service of his clients, employees, and fellow Hoosiers, fundamentally changing the lives of those he served for the better. His unparalleled love for Indiana and the city of Indianapolis led to massive changes that impacted not only the lives of Hoosiers, but also the skyline of Indianapolis. P.E. will be remembered for his amazing compassion, charismatic and warm personality, as well civic involvement. Awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest public honor, by three separate Governors is a testament the influence P.E. had on our state. I feel fortunate to have known him, and I know that his legacy lives on through the great contributions he made to Indianapolis, to Indiana, and to the country. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth District, I offer my condolences to the entire MacAllister family and all who mourn his loss and cherish his memory.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Indiana State Trooper Peter R. Stephan, or ``Bo,'' of Lafayette, Indiana, who paid the ultimate price and sacrificed his life while protecting his community. He served with the Indiana State Police Department for 4 years and, tragically, will never return home to his wife, Jessica, or his 5- month-old daughter. Two weeks ago, this 27-year-old trooper was on his way to assist another trooper who had called for assistance. On his way, Trooper Stephan's car hit a curve and, for unknown reasons, went off the road. The car rolled at least once and hit a utility pole, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Trooper Stephan is the 44th Indiana State Police trooper to die in the line of duty. A coworker of his said: ``He did what was right. He wasn't pushed around by public opinion. If there were 100 people doing the wrong thing, he would be the one guy doing it right.'' I offer my deepest condolences to his family, the Indiana State Police Department, all Hoosiers, and all of those officers around our country who mourn his loss and will forever cherish his memory. We will never forget.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Courtney Cox Cole. An accomplished athlete, Ms. Cole was known throughout the state of Indiana as both a successful businesswoman and a dedicated member of her community. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for her contributions to the City of Noblesville, the Hamilton County Community, and the State of Indiana. Growing up in Hamilton County, Indiana, Courtney first displayed her immense athletic talents on both the basketball court and the golf course. While attending Noblesville High School, Courtney's excellence in both sports helped push her teams to multiple state championships. On the golf course, Courtney was not only a dynamic team leader for the Noblesville High School Girls Golf team, she was also an integral part of back to back championship teams; leading them to the state championships in both 1987 and 1988. On the basketball court Courtney amassed a school record 1,896 points, the 4th highest point total in women's high school basketball for the State of Indiana. With three straight trips to the state finals from 1987 to 1989 and a state championship in 1987, Courtney and her fellow Noblesville Millers teammates cemented their place as legends of Hoosier Hysteria. State and National honors such as being named a 1989 Indiana All- Star, a USA Today & Parade Magazine 1st Team All-American, the Gatorade Player of the Year, and the Dial Award for National High School Scholar Athlete of the Year solidified Courtney's place as an Indiana high school basketball legend. Her incredible high school academic and athletic career set a solid example to many young women for generations. Together, these accolades led to Courtney being added to Seventeen Magazine's list of ``Most Likely to Succeed''. Courtney continued her outstanding academic and athletic achievement while attending Indiana University. As a member of the Indiana's Women's Golf team, she twice qualified for the N.C.A.A. Tournament, was a three-time All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten performer. Courtney was also honored as a two-time National Golf Coaches Association Scholar Athlete. On the Indiana University basketball court, Courtney was a valued leader on the Indiana Women's Basketball team, helping to lead them to a runner-up finish in the 1991 National Invitational Tournament. Upon completion of her athletic and academic careers at Indiana University, Courtney was honored with Indiana University's Leanne Grotke Award for her outstanding contributions to Women's Athletics. This is one of the highest awards of its kind given by the institution to trailblazers in women's athletics. In addition to her amateur athletic pursuits after college, Courtney joined the family business at Hare Chevrolet in Noblesville, Indiana. Working for their father Dave Cox, Courtney and her sister Monica Peck. continued the family legacy. Courtney and Monica learned the dedication to customer-service that built Hare Chevrolet's footprint in Central Indiana. In 2008, Courtney and her sister Monica purchased the family business from their parents. The sisters were sixth-generation owners of the 172-year-old company which was founded in 1847 as a buggy and wagon maker business. Under their leadership, Hare Chevrolet quickly became the number one volume General Motors dealership in Indiana. Throughout the community Courtney and Monica were well known for their successful business acumen, philanthropic and community involvement, and their famous ``Sisters of Savings'' radio advertisements. Courtney will be forever missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Indiana community. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Courtney's children Cayla and Blake Cole, parents Dave and Jackie Cox, her fiance Tom New, sister Monica Peck and her family and to Courtney's entire family and friends who mourn her loss.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Lloyd Wright, the President and CEO of WFYI in Indianapolis, Indiana, on his retirement. For the last three decades, Lloyd has led WFYI to become one of the premier radio stations in the State of Indiana. Under the stewardship of Lloyd, WFYI made unprecedented strides forward in the quality of programming and the number of daily listeners. Lloyd, a native of Beech Grove, Indiana who upon graduation from Indiana University began his nearly four decade long career in public broadcasting. He began with a position as Director of Instructional Broadcasting with the Indiana Department of Education. Later Lloyd served for six years as Broadcast Operations Manager at WTTW (Chicago Public Television), and then moved on to become a Producer, Director, and Writer for the Indiana University News Bureau. Lloyd joined WFYI in 1988 as Director of Program Production. The following year, Lloyd was appointed WFYI's President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held for a remarkable 30 years. Under Lloyd's leadership, WFYI's annual operating budget grew from $2.5 million in 1988 to more than $11 million today. In his time at the helm of WFYI Public Media, the group flourished as a multi-media content provider, with its three distinct public television services, two HD public radio channels, interactive website and a growing array of social media assets. Program lineup changes made to satisfy audience demand for National Public Radio programs such as ``Morning Edition'' and ``All Things Considered'' helped to increase the footprint of WFYI throughout Central Indiana. Nationally loved children's television programs such as ``Sesame Street'' and ``Mr. Roger's Neighborhood'' help to anchor a strong daily program lineup that built large audiences. Lloyd's leadership also saw the creation of Indiana-related content and shows such as ``Indiana Week in Review'' and ``Across Indiana''. These steps forward in programming led to a 450 percent increase to the station's operating budget and a station membership of 25,000 listeners. In 2008, under the stewardship of Lloyd, WFYI successfully completed a $20 million capital campaign, and was awarded a $900,000 Kresge Foundation Capital Grant. As a result of this massively successful fundraising campaign, WFYI was honored with multiple PBS Development Awards, including the ``Award of Excellence for Overall Membership''. Lloyd himself was recognized with Emmy Awards for Technical Achievement and Station of Excellence, as well as two Sagamore of the Wabash honors, the highest award given by Indiana Governors to recognize distinguished service to the State of Indiana. The station also earned distinctions from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Society of Professional Journalists, the Public Media Journalists Association, Associated Press and the Indiana Broadcasters Association during Lloyd's time at the helm. In October of 2013, Lloyd received the distinguished honor of being inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters Association Pioneers Hall of Fame. In addition to his work with WFYI, Lloyd served multiple terms on the PBS Board of Directors, including the PBS Executive Committee, lending his expertise to those also in the public broadcasting arena. Lloyd has also generously given back to the City of Indianapolis, participating in many community organizations. Lloyd serves on the boards of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, The Economic Club of Indiana, among others. Additionally, Lloyd also serves as a member ofthe Board of Trustees for Central Christian Church in downtown Indianapolis. The positive impact of Lloyd's work with WFYI has benefited generations of Hoosiers. His dedication to public service and public broadcasting have been invaluable to the citizens of Central Indiana and the country. On behalf of all Hoosiers I would like to thank Lloyd for his decades of service to public media consumers throughout Central Indiana, and wish him and his family all the best in a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my alma mater, Indiana University, as we recognize and celebrate the Bicentennial Anniversary of this hallowed institution. As a beacon of world-class academic excellence, Indiana University has given the world a multitude of dynamic and impactful leaders in a vast array of disciplines. Both the United States and the international community have benefited from the influence of the legions of Indiana University alumni spanning the globe. Shortly after gaining statehood, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation mandating the creation of a state seminary institution in 1820. By 1822 construction on the earliest Indiana State Seminary buildings was underway in Bloomington, Indiana. In 1828, the State Seminary would be renamed Indiana College. Under the early leadership of inaugural President Andrew Wylie, whose term lasted from 1829 to 1851, the institution in Bloomington expanded its educational curriculum and transformed from Indiana College to Indiana University in 1829. Under the leadership of President David Starr Jordan, who served from 1884 to 1891, Indiana University saw major increases in enrollment, with the institution of the elective system. This multiplied the education offerings and solidified Indiana University's reputation as one of the premiere educational institutions in the United States. As Indiana University closed out the 19th century, it became a leader in making higher education more accessible. As early as 1867, it became one of the earliest public universities in the country to admit women on an equal basis with men. Throughout the 20th century, Indiana University experienced massive changes under the direction of legendary President Herman B. Wells whose term lasted from 1938 to 1962. Total enrollment surpassed the 30,000 student threshold. Much of this increase coincided with the new opportunities available to military veterans as a result of the G.I. Bill. Guided by the leadership of President Wells, the university pursued an effort to become one of the foremost internationally recognized centers for research and scholarship. This expansion based a greater emphasis on academic research in many different areas of study leading to further advancements in the understanding of both our natural world and the human condition. Through these past 200 years, Hoosier students have displayed their excellence in the academic, athletic and cultural arenas, amassing numerous Rhodes Scholar, Marshall Scholar, and MacArthur Fellow honors in the classroom, as well as multiple Big Ten Conference and NCAA Championships in Men's and Women's sports. Over the last 200 years many notable Hoosiers have left their mark on our society. The university has produced world political leaders, cabinet members, titans of industry and commerce, cutting-edge scientific researchers, artists, Olympians, musicians, and entertainers. In addition to the world-renowned undergraduate opportunities available at Indiana University, there are also over 400 graduate degrees and certificates that Indiana University offers students. Many of Indiana University's graduate schools have become industry leaders in the areas of medicine, law, business, music, media, education, politics, and the arts. The alumni of the graduate schools have also had a long and integral hand in the development of Indiana's well respected public and private sectors. The impact of research conducted by post-graduate students and faculty at Indiana University has been felt throughout the world, benefiting untold millions. Now well into the 21st century, Indiana University, under the direction of the 18th President Michael McRobbie, has continued its steadfast charge to be a national leader in public education. Guided by President McRobbie, the university has undergone the largest academic restructuring in its history, leading to the creation of 10 new schools. Indiana University has also been dutifully supported by the many Indiana Governors and Indiana General Assembly Members over the past two centuries. Hoosier lawmakers continue to further the Indiana University commitment of providing students a world-class education. Over 690,000 students and alumni of the 9 campuses throughout the State of Indiana have been well served by forward-thinking university administration officials. The Board of Trustees, Chancellors, Administration, Faculty, and Alumni Association members have been integral to the immense academic and educational footprint that Indiana University has developed and maintained. This leadership has allowed Indiana University to develop over 16 schools and 550 individual degree programs, keeping Indiana University on the cutting edge of student development and academic excellence. I join all current and former Hoosiers in wishing our beloved alma mater a happy Bicentennial Anniversary. Hail to Old I.U.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 550, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019. I want to thank the chairwoman and the ranking member for bringing this bill to the floor, but I very much want to thank the fine gentleman from California, Representative Garamendi, for leading the effort this Congress. Many Members of Congress have been involved in this, including one of our former colleagues, Representative Janice Hahn, whom I worked with closely several Congresses ago, and we have continued to try to bring this effort before the American people and before this House. Merchant mariners, today, are Federal Government employees who pursue a civil service career in the Navy while assigned aboard U.S. Government-owned ships that support the Navy's warfighters and warfighting platforms around the world. But, Madam Speaker, as you have already heard, often forgotten, merchant mariners are an integral part of our armed services today and in our Nation's history, especially during World War II. They took part in every invasion during World War II, from Normandy to Okinawa. They provided the greatest sealift in history, and they became the difference between victory and defeat. With an estimated 9,300 casualties, they bore a higher per capita casualty rate than any other branch of the military during World War II. Even so, they were not recognized as veterans until 1988, and they never received the benefits that other World War II veterans received under the GI Bill. While I was at home many years ago in Indianapolis, I met with a group of family members of merchant mariners and some who served actually during World War II. So it was because of that meeting that I learned so much about their service and decided to take up the mantle in trying to work with Representative Hahn at that time to get the recognition that they deserved. These loyal, brave men put their lives on the line for the cause of freedom and selflessly answered their Nation's call to duty. So now is the time, working in a bipartisan way, to get it across the finish line, to formally pay our respect to all of these deserving men and recognize the countless sacrifices and contributions of merchant mariners in our history.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Indiana based nonprofit, Women & Hi Tech. Founded in 1999, the organization seeks to promote the participation of women in science and technology fields, and to ensure that opportunities in STEM jobs are equally inclusive for all. The organization has demonstrated consistent leadership in our community and helped open doors for many women. The people of the Fifth Congressional District are grateful for Women & Hi Tech, and it is my pleasure to congratulate the organization in celebration of this special occasion. In 1999, two women leaders in our community, Joyce Gustafson, a scientist working for Eli Lilly, and Georgia Miller, an academic at Indiana University, discovered that there were few women like themselves working in high tech jobs in Indiana. Together, they sought to create an organization that would fill the gaps they saw in women leaders in the Indianapolis area. Their initial launch saw much support from the community, including many professionals in a wide variety of industries. The first Board of Directors of Women & Hi Tech included Jennifer Sander, Donna Gastevich, Jamie Eicher, Lisa Robertson, Jennifer Scheerer, Sue Ream, Suzanne Nutter, Cindy Royer, and Julie Nahvi. Other significant contributions to Women & Hi Tech in its infancy were provided by Susan E. Ziel, Esq., a female attorney who drafted and filed the organization's incorporation documents, and other women and men who have served on the organization's all-volunteer Board of Directors over the years. With a mission to make careers in STEM equally inclusive to all, Women & Hi Tech has grown its membership to nearly 2,000 professionals and students. Their focus is broad. Some programs support girls as young as kindergarten, while others support women in academic careers and on to their professional lives. Programs like Passport to Hi-Tech and Ignite Your Superpower (IYS) teach young girls about the wide variety of opportunities available to them in science and technology fields, while simultaneously connecting them with leaders already working in those fields. Other programs including OperationAll, Executive Women's Forums and the Leading Light Awards focus on working professionals, educating and empowering them to achieve higher in their careers. They also hold seasonal networking events, which are held at notable locations around Indiana like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and serve to reinforce their already robust series of education and empowerment programs. Women & Hi Tech continues to invest into the future of our community through their efforts to build lasting partnerships with local businesses. These partnerships give the organization a unique ability to support women in a wide variety of industries, and for a wide variety of purposes. For example, as part of their #WHT20for20 campaign, Women & Hi Tech will be donating over $30,000 in scholarships and grants to Indiana women and girls pursuing STEM. Directed primarily at women pursuing academic goals, these funds open doors and provide opportunities that are of immense value. It is programs like this that allow the organization to attract a large number of professionals and students, from across many sectors of our economy, to its ranks. Women & Hi Tech has done, and continues to do, great things for the people of Indiana. Under the leadership of President Angela Freeman, I am confident that the organization will continue growing and succeeding. Many of the most influential leaders in our community give their time to help this organization succeed, and it is my great pleasure to congratulate Women & Hi Tech on 20 years of service. I commend them on their continuing mission of empowerment of women leaders in our community, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, we have all gotten robocalls. They are annoying, disrupting, and actually can be dangerous. Oftentimes, robocalls prey on our communities' most vulnerable populations in hopes of capitalizing on their personal and private information. Unfortunately, this problem is growing. H.R. 3375, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, is a bipartisan solution, ensuring that calls consumers receive are verified as legitimate. I am also pleased that the legislation includes a bill that I was an original cosponsor of called the Locking Up Robocallers Act. It requires the Federal Communications Commission to report particularly malicious robocall schemes to the Justice Department so that Federal resources may continue to be properly leveraged to stop these schemes. As a former U.S. attorney, I am really proud that the Justice Department, working with the FTC and local law enforcement, has already taken enforcement actions in over 94 cases, which has yielded blocking of more than 1 billion robocalls so far. Madam Speaker, I am reassured that with this bill, they will be able to more efficiently and consistently pursue robocaller abusers. For these reasons and many more, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lou Moneymaker on the occasion of his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bosma Enterprises. Throughout his impressive career, Lou proved to be an innovative leader in the Indianapolis nonprofit community. Over the past 17 years, Lou served as the President and CEO of Bosma Enterprises, working tirelessly to improve the quality of life of blind and visually impaired Hoosiers. The people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Lou's dedication to transforming lives in Indiana. A lifelong Hoosier, Lou graduated from George Washington High School in Indianapolis before joining the U.S. Army in 1967. After completing his service in the Army in 1973, Lou attended Indiana University where he earned a bachelor's degree in education. Following that, Lou earned a master's degree in school administration from Butler University. Lou transitioned these achievements into an extraordinary 32-year career with the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI), one of the largest PreK-12 schools for visually impaired students in the country. ISBVI has earned an excellent national reputation for its commitment to the Indianapolis community, in part, because of Lou's strong leadership and charisma. As a track and field and wrestling coach, Lou inspired many students to succeed. This coaching, combined with his work as the Dean of Students at ISBVI, helped the institution gain national recognition for its innovative educational opportunities. After leaving the ISBVI and joining Bosma Enterprises in 2001, Lou immediately set about driving the nonprofit to a new level of exceptional growth and success. Under his guidance as President and CEO, Bosma's revenues grew from two million dollars to over seventy million dollars per year. This growth allowed Bosma Enterprises to expand its training and employment facilities to serve nearly 800 blind or visually impaired individuals per year, helping to drive down the nearly 70 percent unemployment rate among such individuals. Bosma Enterprises employs more than 100 blind and visually impaired Hoosiers, making them the largest such employer in the state. Today, Bosma offers programs to help those living with blindness and visual impairment maintain a positive lifestyle, especially by giving them tools to live independently. Through their new Center for Visionary Solutions for the Blind, Bosma provides programs to help people of all ages succeed in higher education and find work. Their innovative BosmaForce program utilizes modern education tools to give students around the country access to high skilled job training, in particular, computer and technical jobs. Bosma's Orientation and Mobility Trail gives visually impaired individuals an opportunity to practice navigation in a real-world environment on a variety of surfaces and around many types of obstacles. Together, programs of this type serve to benefit many of the 160,000 Hoosiers who are blind or visually impaired. These programs would not have been able to reach such a level of success without Lou's guidance and the commitment of Bosma's team of more than 220 employees, along with hundreds of volunteers, to fulfill his plan for the future. Lou's passion for helping Indiana's visually impaired community extends far beyond his role at Bosma. A leading founder of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), Lou helped to transform the lives of many athletes all around the world. His involvement with both Ability Indiana and the Association for the Employment of People who are Blind demonstrates his commitment to the mission to empower visually impaired athletes. Additionally, his work on the 1996 Paralympic Organizing Committee helped to expand the reach of Paralympic organizations throughout the United States. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I congratulate Lou on his extraordinary career of leadership and service. I extend my gratitude for all the contributions he has made to our community. While I know Lou will be missed at Bosma Enterprises, I wish the very best to him and his family as he enjoys a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 431--``yea''; Roll Call 432--``yea''; and Roll Call 433--``yea''.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate with 84 votes, and could be sent to the President's desk for his signature today. We must show the American people that bipartisanship is about solving these children's problems.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Chair, on roll call no. 372, I mistakenly voted ``no'' when I intended to vote ``yes.'' Stated against:

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam chair, on roll call no. 380, I mistakenly voted ``no'' when I intended to vote ``yes.''

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Burgess-Brooks-DeGette-Kuster am- endment that would increase funding for the Keep Young Athletes Safe grant program. Every young athlete who dreams of the Olympic stage should be able to compete and train in an environment that does not sacrifice their personal safety for athletic excellence. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. In 2016, my home newspaper, The Indianapolis Star, published an investigative piece that exposed extremely troubling allegations of sexual abuse at USA Gymnastics programs across the country by a medical provider, a trainer of our young, Olympic gymnasts. The U.S. Center for SafeSport, although created in 2011, was finally federally recognized in 2017. It provides services to sports entities on abuse prevention techniques, policies, and programs. It also offers a safe, professional, and confidential place for individuals to report allegations of sexual abuse with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements. Our amendment today would increase funding for the grant program that works to, as quickly and efficiently as possible, address the more than, right now, over 800 claims of alleged abuse currently before the U.S. Center for SafeSport. It would also allow more investigators to be hired for expanded outreach and education efforts with athletes, coaches, and parents across the country. Protecting our young athletes from abuse is critically important. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the amendment.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Indiana Fever basketball team. Founded only four years after the founding of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the Fever have demonstrated a consistent commitment to providing excellent sports entertainment and to giving back to their community. The people of the Fifth Congressional District are grateful for the Indiana Fever and it is my pleasure to congratulate the Indiana Fever and the entire Pacers Sports & Entertainment organization in Indianapolis, Indiana, in celebration of this special occasion. Arriving in Indianapolis in 1999 while I was Deputy Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, the team became an immediate mainstay of Hoosier sports. Former President and General Manager of the team, Kelly Krauskopf, formed the first Indiana Fever Community Advisory Board, which I was proud to be a part of. With the generous support of owners Herb Simon and the late Mel Simon, the team quickly climbed the ladder of success. Today, the team has secured a league-record 13 playoff appearances--reaching the WNBA Finals three times and claiming the league title in 2012 to bring the first professional basketball championship to Indianapolis since the Indiana Pacers' ABA title in 1973. Under the leadership of star player Tamika Catchings, the Fever's 12 consecutive playoff appearances from 2005 to 2012 represented, at the time, the second-longest active playoff streak in American professional sports. The incredible success of the Indiana Fever would not have been possible without the dedication made by the players who have devoted their lives to the game of basketball. Among the best athletes in the world, many Fever players and coaches have gone on to compete in the Olympics. Nikki McCray, Natalie Williams, Kara Wolters and Tamika Catchings have played for the United States Olympic Team, while Nell Fortner has the remarkable distinction of having been appointed as the first head coach of the Fever while she was still coaching the United States Olympic Team. During this time, Coach Fortner led the U.S. Olympic Team to a perfect 8-0 record, claiming the Olympic Gold medal and claiming the record for the most wins of any coach in Women's USA Basketball history. Former Fever head coach and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Coach Lin Dunn, led the team to their 2012 WNBA title after serving as an Assistant Coach for the U.S. Women's Olympic Team in 1990. During her time as President and General Manager of the team, Kelly Krauskopf led them to the WNBA playoffs 13 times and helped further many of their outreach programs. In 2018, Ms. Krauskopf moved to the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first female assistant general manager in the history of the NBA. The remarkable success of the Indiana Fever both on and off the court can be attributed to this strong legacy of dedication and achievement exhibited by players and coaches alike. Through their record of success, the Indiana Fever remind us of the importance of women in all levels of sport. Under the leadership of the Simon family, and through their consistent dedication to women's basketball, the Fever seeks to promote increased participation of women and girls in sports. With a stated mission to ``promote the development and well-being of youth and families within our community,'' the team has done a great deal to make Indiana a better place for families to live and grow. The team regularly invites members of our community, including participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club and Girl Scouts, to attend season games at no cost. The Choices for Champions program combats bullying in schools by educating young people and hosting them at a pre-season game where they can learn about the impacts of bullying. The team's Hoops For Troops program seeks to honor active duty and retired military heroes through military base visits, in-arena nights and meet-and-greets with Wounded Warriors, while the Hoops For A Cure Auction has raised over $200,000 in total for breast cancer patients. The Indiana Fever has, and continues to do, great things for the people of Indiana. Players on the team have been honored nineteen separate times with the WNBA Community Assist Award, with eight of these going to long-time player Tamika Catchings alone. Ms. Catchings has also been honored twice with the Dawn Staley Leadership Award, one of the highest community service awards in the WNBA. Under the new leadership of Dr. Allison Barber, President, and Tamika Catchings, Vice President, the Fever are working to continue to build the premiere WNBA franchise in the country. During their 20-year tenure in Indianapolis, the team has transformed and improved the lives of countless young people and their families. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I would like to thank them for their continued dedication to our communities and wish them success in the future.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Pandemic and All- Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019, or PAHPA. I am proud to have worked with my dear friend and colleague from California, Representative Eshoo, who was one of the original authors and a leader in the 2006 PAHPA bill and the lead author of the last reauthorization in 2013. Along with Representative Eshoo, this work would not have been done without Chairman Pallone, Ranking Member Walden, and Representative Dr. Burgess. We have worked closely with Senators Burr, Alexander, Casey, and Murray to craft this reauthorization of PAHPA. PAHPA is a bipartisan public health and national security effort to ensure our Nation is better prepared to respond to public health emergencies resulting from chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attacks, whether it be from a terrorist group or nation-state, a natural disaster or emerging infectious diseases. I was the United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana during the 2001 anthrax attacks. In September of `01, shortly after 9/ 11, the anthrax attacks infected more than 17 people and killed 5. Not only was Congress a target, with letters containing anthrax spores sent to Senators Daschle and Leahy, but even my own U.S. attorney's office in Indiana dealt with a hoax when we received a letter with powder inside. It was a scary time because those types of letters were sent all across the country. It was a very scary time for our Nation, the hoaxes that I and others received, but it helped illustrate the importance of having accurate diagnostics. In the 18 years since then, these types of threats--the actual threats of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear--continue to grow. In fact, every day, our adversaries are looking for more effective and faster ways to produce a threat. It is not a question of if we will face a threat; it is a question of when. People may not realize, but a single gallon of concentrated anthrax can contain enough spores to kill every individual on the planet. According to a 2017 report from the Harvard Kennedy School, the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, in 2015, the North Korean State media released a series of photographs of the Pyongyang Biotechnical Institute. The photos revealed that North Korea could produce military-sized batches of biological weapons--specifically, anthrax--at this facility. North Korea is believed to have started a biological weapons program in the sixties and is now assumed to have several pathogens in possession. Smallpox is highly contagious, and individuals remain contagious until that last smallpox scab falls off. Untreated smallpox is twice as contagious as the flu and more than three times as deadly, potentially killing every third person infected. But, thanks to PAHPA and the work of the Energy and Commerce Committee with the 21st Century Cures Act, we are more prepared for biological threats and attacks. Last year, the FDA approved the first drug ever to treat smallpox and approved an autoinjector which provides that one-time dose of an antidote to block the effects of nerve agents. The approval of TPOXX and Seizalam will help protect Americans from biological attacks. But the threats we are facing are not hypothetical. The ongoing Ebola outbreak--and it is ongoing--is now the second largest outbreak in history. Since August of 2018, more than 1,000 people in the DRC, Democratic Republic of the Congo, have died from Ebola. More than 2,000 cases have been reported, with 14 new, confirmed cases just within the last week. We also know that Zika virus continues to be a threat. The majority of people infected with Zika don't develop symptoms, but the Zika infection during pregnancy can cause horrible congenital abnormalities. Eighty-six countries have reported evidence of mosquito-transmitted Zika. I share this because of the threats like Ebola and Zika. Reauthorizing and increasing funding for the BioShield Special Reserve Fund and BARDA, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, are critically important. PAHPA increases funding for BARDA from $2.8 billion to $7.1 billion over 10 years because BARDA's work over the last decade has resulted in FDA approvals of more than 42 different medical countermeasures. Development of medical countermeasures is lengthy. It is a risky endeavor. It is why sending a clear signal that BARDA remains a strong and committed partner with academic institutions and the private sector in these efforts is so important. So, while the investments BARDA is making into innovative research and new treatments are critical, it is also important that we continue to address the threats that have been around for years. In 1918, the pandemic influenza killed about 20 to 50 million people around the globe, including 675,000 people here in the United States. Experts predict we are due for another global pandemic influenza. Research funded by BARDA has already significantly expanded our domestic vaccine production capability, and the bill we are considering today will authorize $250 million more for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, or the ASPR, to address threats like pandemic influenza. Specifically, PAHPA directs the ASPR to work to increase manufacturing capacity and stockpile these medical countermeasures. While the PAHPA bill we are considering today authorizes funding for research into known threats like pan flu, it maintains the flexibility that is the foundation of our medical countermeasure enterprise to deal with the unknown threats for which we may have no defense. PAHPA also improves State and local public health security by reauthorizing the National Disaster Medical System so that we have the needed workforce, the experts in the workforce, when facing a public health emergency like we currently face right now with 981 measle cases across 26 States. The current number of measles cases is the highest number of cases in the United States in nearly three decades, with just 41 new cases reported last week. So this allows the ASPR to reassign and move health professionals during public health emergencies. PAHPA also ensures a coordinated healthcare response to natural disasters. The many hurricanes--Florence, Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria--killed hundreds of Americans and showed us we have to do better to prioritize the needs of every person in our community. PAHPA does that by prioritizing our most vulnerable populations: children, seniors, and people with disabilities. We can't forget about the volunteers who work to save lives in the wake of natural disasters. In addition to Good Samaritan provisions within PAHPA that will provide new liability protections for medical professionals who volunteer after a disaster, this bill also ensures that more healthcare professionals, like nurses and doctors, can be hired and trained when facing a public health crisis by strengthening our National Disaster Medical System. And, very importantly, it ensures we have a robust supply of vaccines; basic equipment like gloves, Hazmat suits, and masks; and more in our strategic national stockpile located all across the country so that these professionals have the equipment and the tools that they need. Finally, PAHPA includes provisions from the Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member Burgess' MISSION ZERO bill. Today will be the fifth time the House has passed these provisions that authorize grants to trauma centers to enable military trauma teams to provide care at our centers. These important provisions will integrate military trauma providers into trainings and drills for public health emergencies to not only allow civilians the chance to learn about the military's best practices, but give our military trauma care providers the opportunity to use their cutting-edge expertise without leaving the military. This public health, national security bill is the result of months of work, and I want to commend the Energy and Commerce staff on both sides of the aisle and, particularly, our staffs--Catherine Knowles and Rachel Fybel--for their tireless work in ensuring that this got through both the House and the Senate. Madam Speaker, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to reauthorize PAHPA. I urge all Members to support this piece of critical legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden), ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He had been chair at one time, when it passed one time out of the House, but now is ranking. I want to thank him so much for his work.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a fellow Energy and Commerce Committee member, the only pharmacist in Congress, who knows more about these issues than most. I appreciate his partnership and work on this important piece of legislation.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleagues for speaking out and their support of this important legislation. The provisions in PAHPA we are reauthorizing today do complement the National Biodefense Strategy the administration released last fall, and it will ensure that our Nation is better prepared. The administration's National Biodefense Strategy is designed to improve the coordination and communication between agencies, so the United States is better protected against naturally-occurring threats, or whether they might be deliberate attacks. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this critical piece of legislation. It would not have been possible but for the incredible partnership of Congresswoman Eshoo and the leadership that she and her office and the Energy and Commerce Committee has demonstrated in this very important piece of public health and national security legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jeffrey McDonald, an enterprising entrepreneur, youth mentor, and community leader. Born in Woodland, California on April 5, 1967, to Alan and Mary McDonald, Jeffrey would come to Indiana and graduate from Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing. Jeffrey was known throughout his community for his selfless leadership in business and his desire to help those in need of guidance to reach their full potential. As longtime lauded business leaders in their community, Jeffrey and his wife Shelli McDonald started their e-commerce pet food and treat supply business, Raw Paws Pet Food, in 2014. Their mission in business was not only to provide a profitable living for themselves and their employees, but to create products that better served the health of pets through proper nutrition and diet. Sourcing their products from responsible and ethical farms they have become leaders in their industry. Beyond his many successes in the business world, Jeffrey's impact was also felt throughout his community through his participation and exemplary leadership in philanthropic organizations. Jeffrey served on the boards of many community groups including The United Way, The Indianapolis Zoo, and The Young Presidents' Organization (YPO). Jeffrey's community engagement allowed him to pursue his passions of animal welfare and the empowerment of women. His remarkable talent for connecting with people ensured that his vital work with these organizations made a lasting impact on Central Indiana, not to be forgotten. His achievements show us the immense influence one person can have within their community and inspire us to aim higher. Jeffrey had the unique ability to see the best in every one of life's situations. His caring and genuine nature put those around him at ease, and his zest for life was infectious to those in his presence. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Jeffrey's wife Shelli, and numerous friends and relatives who mourn his loss.