Jack Bergman

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's my honor to recognize the Michigan State Police as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary. We Michiganders are so grateful for Michigan State Police's century of law enforcement excellence, selfless service, and tireless dedication to communities across Michigan. Originally organized as a temporary, wartime emergency force to provide domestic security during World War I, the force was formally reorganized two years later as the Michigan State Police. In April of 1917, a small band of 300 mounted men became the first Michigan State Police troopers, and over the last 100 years, they have become a world- class, professional law enforcement agency with over 2,900 members. In the First District, we are grateful to have ten Michigan State Police posts serving men and women in every community. From Alpena to Iron Mountain and Traverse City to the Soo, each Michigan State Police trooper takes on the sacred oath to serve and protect our families and homes when he or she puts on the uniform. You do more than protect, you inspire and build relationships in our communities through creative partnerships and programs ranging from direct engagement with Community Service Troopers to Teen Safe Driving programs that keep our most precious resource, our children, safe. It's your commitment to integrity, excellence, and courtesy that has led to real results in Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Michigan State Police for 100 years of service. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing that Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are better and safer places thanks to the work and dedication of the Michigan State Police. On behalf of my constituents and residents across the State of Michigan, congratulations, Michigan State Police, on 100 years of exceptional service.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the freshman class's commitment to civility. Before the Revolutionary War, a 16-year-old George Washington copied 110 rules for civil behavior out of his school book. The last of Washington's rules of civility, as they are now called, is this: ``Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.'' Conscience: That should be our guide in everything we do, both here in Congress and back home--for me, in Michigan's First District. Conscience is why, as a Member of the freshman class of the 115th Congress, I have made a commitment to open and civil debate. We are facing many challenges in our country. And the folks here and back in Michigan, all across the land, on both sides of the aisle, have many different ideas about where we need to be and what we need to do to get there. That is democracy at work. Being civil means that the best and most effective ideas have a real chance to be heard. If we truly desire to move forward as a country, we have to do it together. We must treat each other with dignity and respect. We must be civil. This freshman class has dedicated itself across party lines to setting the example for ourselves and for our colleagues here in Congress and for all of our constituents. Mr. Speaker, I will uphold these standards, and I trust that my colleagues will also do the same.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 512, the WINGMAN Act. I am honored to represent the First District of Michigan, which, as a State, has a higher than average percentage of veterans, and the First District has double the percentage of veterans of the rest of the State. To advocate for these fine men and women who have served so honorably, we have the absolute imperative to make sure that they get the help that they need to cut through the bureaucratic red tape at agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs. I have been serving in Congress for just over a month now, and, already, my office has been flooded with requests from veterans seeking aid in navigating the benefits claims process. Unfortunately, the VA is notoriously plagued by a culture of complacency and inefficiency. Even something as simple as checking the status of a veteran's claim means that congressional staff members have to circle back around numerous times with VA employees before being able to provide the veterans in the First District with an accurate update. As a veteran of the Vietnam war, I know that time is valuable to our veterans. We have to introduce more efficiency and transparency into the benefits claims process. H.R. 512 is designed to cut out the middle step. The WINGMAN Act provides congressional offices with read-only access to veterans' records within the Veterans Benefits Administration. This commonsense bill allows our veterans quicker access to simple status inquiries, provides greater transparency for congressional offices, and allows the VA employees more time to work on completing these claims.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. The premise of this bill is clear: American taxpayer dollars will not be used to fund abortion in this country. I stand here today as a husband, father, grandfather, and, most importantly, as someone who cherishes the God-given right to life. In a country founded on life and liberty, the act of abortion should not be condoned, and it certainly should not be subsidized. It is fitting that the House consider this legislation this week as we prepare for millions of people to come to Washington, D.C., for the annual March for Life rally where they will give a voice to the unborn. We must work together to move the pro-life message and pro-life policies forward to protect those who cannot yet speak for themselves. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and stand up for the principles of life and liberty.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say thank you to the people of Michigan's First Congressional District for giving me the opportunity to represent them in Congress. I would also like to thank my wife, Cindy, and our children and grandchildren for their constant and unwavering support. It is truly an honor and a privilege to be here, and I am so humbled to be doing the people's work in the House of Representatives. I came to Congress not only to restore common sense and fiscal sanity to the Federal Government but, most importantly, to serve the constituents of Michigan's First District and to be their voice in Washington. We have a new opportunity ahead of us to bring industry and prosperity back to the American people, but it is up to us here in Congress to do the work and put in the long hours it will take to get there. My promise today is that I will work tirelessly for my district and do everything I can to make sure we are leaving a better country for our children and grandchildren. Again, thank you to the people of Michigan's First Congressional District for this opportunity.