Brian Fitzpatrick

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chairman, I simply would urge an ``aye'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dorothy Tazik, a remarkable constituent from my district, and to pay tribute to her on the celebration of her 100th Birthday in September of this year. Dorothy was born on September 6, 1923, in Wallington, New Jersey, as the third child and only daughter of Mary and John Pollak. From New Jersey, she and her family relocated to Tullytown and later Bristol in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. On October 19, 1946, she married her husband Wendel J. Tazik, an Army Air Corps veteran from World War II who served faithfully in the Pacific Theater. Dorothy and Wendel settled in Levittown, Pennsylvania, where they raised their five daughters, and she embarked on a lifetime of devotion as a wife, mother, homemaker, and grandmother. Dorothy is further blessed with 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. I am personally honored to have arranged for the flag of the United States of America to be flown over the United States Capitol on her 100th Birthday to commemorate this historic occasion in her life. Moreover, I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to present this flag to her during her Birthday celebration. Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations, sincere well-wishes, and all of God's Blessings to Dorothy Tazik on the celebration of her 100th Birthday.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Patricia Ours. Patricia began serving as Bookkeeper for the Borough of Newtown in 1997. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to support the Borough and its citizens as bookkeeper and as treasurer. Now, after more than 26 years of dedicated public service and professional commitment, Patricia is transitioning from her public position. I am proud to recognize and celebrate Patricia as an exceptional administrator who has provided outstanding financial guidance and general stewardship to the benefit of the residents of Newtown. Patricia finishes her government career as the Borough Treasurer, where she is widely respected for her accurate, strategic, and careful financial advice. She is recognized and respected as deeply knowledgeable in all areas of governmental financial management, whether it be budget planning or perceptive awareness of potential impacts to the Borough. She has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to overcome complex challenges, including those innumerable challenges that have arisen because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patricia's expert guidance and thoughtfully caring leadership have helped the Borough community face challenges and overcome adversity. Her dedicated and diligent work has contributed to keeping our citizens well cared for. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Patricia has had through her long career of public service, and we wish Patricia countless blessings during her new chapter.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Darletta Berry-Johnson--the founding and only Executive Director of the Ivins Outreach Center, headquartered in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. In 2023, Ivins is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in operation. The mission of Ivins ``strives to improve the quality of life for those within our neighboring communities, providing opportunities for them to be healthy, confident, connected, and secure, regardless of age, income, or background.'' Their goal is ``to create a community that is stronger, healthier, more involved, more generous, and more accepting of others.'' Darletta has been the driving force and inspiration of Ivins' far- reaching success in making a significant difference in the lives of tens of thousands of individuals, young and old alike, in, around, and beyond Bucks County--an area I proudly serve and represent. In supervising and leading a small group of dedicated part-time staff members and scores of community volunteers, a sampling of Darletta's efforts has resulted in: Services to senior citizens such as Ivins' Staying Put and Home Share programs that enable folks to remain in their homes despite illness, disabilities, food insecurities, safety concerns, lack of transportation, and a host of other physical and social issues. Services to an annual enrollment of upwards of 3,000 youth through oversight and administration of 21st Community Learning Center Grants that provide after-school social and academic support, and summer employment and enrichment camps for students in the school districts of Morrisville Borough, Bristol Borough, Bensalem Township, Bucks County Technical High School, and the non-public Holy Trinity, St. Marks, and St. Ephrem elementary schools, and Conwell-Egan High School. Covid Relief through Darletta's collaboration with the United Way, Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce, area grocery stores, houses of worship, and local law enforcement agencies in providing meals for families and individuals in addressing grocery shopping, transportation needs, providing holiday experiences for the less fortunate of all ages, and shelter for the young, the homeless, the abused, and senior citizens. Coordinating efforts to support law enforcement agencies by securing a COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant through the United States Department of Justice for the Borough of Morrisville; successful submission of COPS grant applications for Falls Township and Bensalem Township police departments; and a submitted application along with the Bristol Borough Police Department to fund a School Safety Officer. Leadership roles have included, but not limited to: Pennsylvania Department of Education Advisory Board, Bucks County Children & Youth Advisory Board, Established Morrisville Education Foundation, Morrisville Collaborative, Lower Bucks Family YMCA Board of Directors, G.A.G.E. Gang Awareness, Communities That Care Consortium, Academic Oversight Committee for Bristol Borough, Bensalem School District Diversity Committee, Conwell-Egan Catholic High School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Finally, given Darletta Berry-Johnson's record of achievements, she is the recipient of the Women Business Leaders in Bucks County award presented by the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce; and the Women for Women and Women Who Make a Difference awards presented by the Bucks County YWCA. We are incredibly grateful for the impact Darletta Berry-Johnson has had through her long, distinguished career at the Ivins Outreach Center and wish for her continued success as she continues to serve our community.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to acknowledge the annual Safe Schools Week. Safe Schools Week is celebrated every year to raise awareness about the importance of school safety and promote strategies for keeping students, teachers, and staff safe. This year for Safe Schools Week, I am proud to see so many schools in my district in Pennsylvania prioritize advocating for school safety policies. As a member of the Bipartisan School Safety Caucus, I work with my colleagues to advocate for common-sense policies which center on improving the environment where our students learn and grow. We owe it to our students, educators, and school communities to prioritize their safety. Recent tragedies across our nation highlight the need to invest in substantive solutions to make our schools more secure, and I am proud of what is being done on the local, state, and federal level to ensure our schools are places of growth. This week, it is also important to acknowledge the dedicated school officials, such as School Resource Officers, who protect our children. SROs are essential to crime prevention in schools and ensure that schools have a first responder already on campus in the event of an emergency. Beyond law enforcement, many SROs also serve as mentors in fostering relationships and reinforcing positive behaviors with students. Alongside my School Safety Caucus peers, I introduced the Strengthening Our Schools Act of 2023. This legislation would increase funding for SROs and ensure they have the resources required to support and protect students and school staff. I am grateful to the many School Resource Officers across Bucks and Montgomery counties for all they do to support our schools and communities. In Bucks County, we are fortunate to have several school districts that have invested heavily in having SROs in their schools and we have many others that are in the process or laying the groundwork for an SRO program. The Bucks County school districts that have an existing SRO program include the following: Quakertown, Central Bucks, Council Rock, Neshaminy, Bensalem, and Bristol Borough. As we acknowledge School Safety Week across the country, and raise awareness about the importance of strategies for keeping students and educators safe, I urge my colleagues to continue to focus on key policies to ensure schools have the necessary resources.

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania

Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding global interfaith leader, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni Ji. For the last 30 years, Acharya Lokeshji has been an advocate for communal harmony, non-violence, peace, and mutual cooperation. Born in 1961 in northwest India, Acharya Lokeshji studied Jain, Buddhist, and Vedic philosophy from an early age, and left home at the age of 22 to take initiation into Jainism. After receiving the title of Acharya, one of the highest honors in Jainism, Acharya Lokeshji travelled the world and authored dozens of books to reflect on the principles of religious harmony and unity in diversity. He is also outspoken on critical issues such as environmental protection and substance use disorder. Acharya Lokeshji's brave actions back up his doctrine of non- violence. In 2013, while on a tour of London, he rushed back to India to assist victims of a deadly riot between Hindus and Muslims. Prior to that, he resolved a Sikh religious dispute in the Punjab region of India. As a capstone to his initiatives, Acharya Lokeshji also recently dedicated India's first 'World Peace Center' in Gurugram, one of the country's largest cities. These examples all serve as a testament of Acharya Lokeshji's ability to put his principles into practice. We are all grateful for Acharya Lokeshji's dedication to interfaith dialogue and peace. His selfless service is an incredible example of global citizenship, and we wish him success in his continued work.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, from my district, Rev. B. Gomez. We are celebrating 100 years of his life. As a dedicated citizen and voter, of this wonderful country, as he publicly states, Rev. Gomez brings to us an extraordinary plethora of history that he has encountered. Rev. Gomez was born in Puerto Rico on September 3, 1923. He attended the University of Puerto Rico and after his graduation made a decision to dedicate his life to ministry and furthered his education at the Seminary of Puerto Rico. Once graduated he moved to New York City and married his wife, Efigenia Gomez in New York City on August 1, 1954. While his wife continued raising two daughters and furthering her education to achieve her Degree in Education, Rev. Gomez became pastor of The First Reformed Parish in New York City, later was transferred to Chicago and finally settled into a parish in Philadelphia. At this parish, Rev. Gomez along with his wife began a Senior Center, Lady Steppers Marching for Parades, an after school program, and with the assistance of volunteer dentists, a dental facility for the community was added onto the parish. He takes pride in his three grandchildren: Thomas, Ronald & Daniela. After retirement and the passing of his wife, he moved to Bucks County in Fairless Hills, PA. Rev. Gomez has truly achieved much in his 100 years of life, and we are appreciative for the dedication he has given throughout his years to the many lives he has touched with his ministry.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Grace L. Morris. As we celebrate her life, we think of all the memories that she continues to share, as a citizen of our country. Grace was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1923, grew up in upstate Pennsylvania and made her family home in Northeast Philadelphia on Lexington Avenue. Grace attended Saint John's High School and graduated in 1941. She enrolled in Germantown Nursing School, graduated, and went to work as the head nurse for the psychiatric ward. Grace then joined the United States Army. She served on a POW ship that crossed the Atlantic Ocean 5 times--over and back. Grace earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant before World War II ended. Grace attended classes at the University of Scranton for further nursing studies. Her marriage to Bill Morris took place September 6, 1946. While raising 5 children, Grace worked as a Private Duty Nurse at Nazareth Hospital and later as a nursing instructor at the Philadelphia Training Institute. Grace was a devoted wife, remains an amazing mother and grandmother. Her great-grandchildren now number 10. She served as the neighborhood nurse and devoted much time to volunteer efforts through Saint Jerome's Parish, and Winchester Swim Club in Philadelphia. As we celebrate her 100 years of life, we are incredibly grateful for the positive impact she has made on all who know her.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in favor of my amendment to H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. Mr. Chair, 22 years ago this fall, our Nation watched in horror as senseless acts of terror were committed on American soil. That tragic day, our vulnerabilities were exposed when terrorists forcefully took control of passenger airplanes and fatally turned them into guided missiles. We lost 2,977 mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, on that day. Mr. Chair, we also lost one of my constituents, Captain Victor J. Saracini, who was the pilot of United Flight 175, which was hijacked. The entire world watched in horror as that plane flew into the South Tower. We also lost our misguided sense of protection in an increasingly dangerous world, as well. Our Nation and this Congress resolved that after September 11 that we would take every action necessary to remember those we lost and to fulfill our promise and our solemn pledge of ``never again.'' Since coming to Congress, I have fought nonstop for the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial passenger aircraft. Alongside my constituent and friend, Ellen Saracini, and countless Members of Congress from both Chambers and both sides of the aisle, we have raised awareness and advocated for this measure to make our skies and our passengers and flight crews much more safe. In 2018, Congress took one step in the right direction and included a rulemaking requirement for secondary barriers on newly manufactured aircraft. Mr. Chair, my amendment today builds on that effort by directing the FAA to issue a final rule extending the requirement for secondary cockpit barriers to all commercial passenger aircraft. This commonsense, low-cost safety measure will protect the integrity of the flight deck and prevent dangerous and hostile individuals from accessing the cockpit. Mr. Chair, Congress has a solemn obligation not just to the victims and survivors of 9/11 but to our pilots, to our flight crews, and to our passengers and their families to implement this safety measure on all commercial passenger aircraft as soon as possible. I am grateful to my bipartisan colleagues, as well as Chairman Graves, the committee, and the amazing staff that serve on it for their support of this critical national security issue. Mr. Chair, I urge all my House colleagues to adopt my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding company from my district. Derstine's Foodservice Distributor, whose employees' work and dedication has led their company to receive entry into the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) prestigious Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). As an independent, family-owned company hailing from Bucks County. Derstine's Foodservice Distributor has a long history of providing exemplary service to customers and the community alike. Since 1983, Derstine's Foodservice Distributor has played a critical role in delivering quality food and products to local restaurants, community organizations, and food banks. My office values small businesses in our community. I believe that small businesses are integral to supporting the livelihoods and economic prosperity of my constituents. We take pride in businesses like Derstine's Foodservice Distributor that preserve the hardworking, independent spirit of our community. We are honored to have OSHA recognize a local business and urge the company's team to continue their exemplary work, as businesses such as theirs are what make the United States a prominent leader in the business world. The OSHA SHARP program is an extremely exclusive initiative, with fewer than 1,600 worksites in the country that have received SHARP recognition. SHARP recognizes ``small business employers'' that ``operate exemplary safety and health programs.'' Derstine's Foodservice Distributor is the fourth business to achieve SHARP recognition in my district, Pennsylvania's First Congressional District. My office recognizes that this business is a trailblazer for other small businesses, and we hope that it will continue to inspire future businesses to conduct work with the highest quality and care attended to safety and health. OSHA has informed me that the entire workforce at Derstine's Foodservice Distributor made a considerable effort to be considered eligible for this achievement. We commend Brendan Triplett, the Vice President, and his team's hard work in ensuring that Derstine's Foodservice has not only met but exceeded OSHA standards. We are all incredibly proud of the positive impact Derstine's Foodservice Distributor has had on our community, and we wish the company's hardworking team all the best for the future of their business.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of a scholarly article recently published by the Jewish Review of Books, titled ``When Freedom Began to Ring.'' Authored by Paul Finkelman and South-Eastern Pennsylvanian Lance J. Sussman, this article explores how the patriotism of Jews during the American Revolution contributed to political equality and a national policy of religious liberty in the newly formed nation. Religious liberty is a critical component to our identity as Americans and this research highlights the important contributions of Jews in shaping this culture of religious tolerance in our Republic. I include in the Record the full article by Paul Finkelman and Lance J. Sussman. When Freedom Began to Ring (By Paul Finkelman and Lance J. Sussman) In his famous 1790 letter to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island, George Washington wrote that ``the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.'' These words were not the kind of quid pro quo sometimes offered by European Enlightenment leaders of the time to Jews; it was not an implicit warning that they ought to behave themselves if they wanted to be tolerated. President Washington, under whose leadership many Jews had fought during the Revolutionary War, was simply recognizing that America only required of its Jews what it required of all its citizens. At the founding, America was already not a Christian nation, and this was in large part because of its Jews. Everywhere else in the world, prior to the American Revolution, Jews were disfranchised, politically isolated, and vulnerable. Even where they were relatively secure, such as in England, they were not full citizens. In 1775, on the eve of the Revolutionary War, English Jews could not vote, serve on juries, serve in Parliament, be military officers, attend a university, engage in some businesses, become barristers, or practice some other professions. Jewish immigrants had to pay special ``alien'' taxes forever, because they could not naturalize. And as aliens, immigrant Jews were prohibited from owning real estate or seagoing vessels, and from engaging in colonial or foreign trade. Things had been somewhat better in England's North American colonies, where momentum toward full equality built as the Revolution grew nearer, in part because of Jewish support for the patriot cause. In 1765, ten Jewish merchants in New York City, along with nearly two hundred Christian businessmen, signed a non-importation agreement to boycott British goods. Jewish merchants in Philadelphia and Newport, signed similar agreements. Others, most famously Haym Salomon, joined the Sons of Liberty. Gershom Mendes Seixas, the spiritual leader of New York's Shearith Israel--the first synagogue in what became the United States--actively supported Independence. In 1774, Francis Salvador had won a seat in South Carolina's Provincial Congress. He was reelected in 1776, thus becoming the first Jewish elected public official in the new United States. He served until he was killed in battle that August. Most Jews in New York, Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Savannah--where the Revolution was brewing--joined the cause early. In doing so, they staked their claim to political equality as a right, not a set of privileges to be granted. As they did nowhere in Europe, Jews served as officers in the patriot armies. Mordecai Sheftall, a Savannah businessman, was a full colonel, then the third highest rank in the American army. David Salisbury Franks rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, served as a diplomat to France and Morocco during the war, and later became the assistant cashier of the Bank of the United States. Solomon Bush, whose father had signed a non-importation agreement, ended the war as a Lieutenant Colonel and the deputy adjutant-general of the Pennsylvania militia. His younger brother, Captain Lewis Bush, died in combat. There were no Jewish officers in the British army or among the Hessian mercenaries during the Revolutionary War. (However, Alexander Zuntz, a Hessian civilian commissary, served as the Hazzan of Shearith Israel congregation while the British occupied New York City. Impressed with American religious liberty, he stayed in New York after the war, and eventually became president of the synagogue.) In the independent United States, every new state constitution granted Jews the right to vote, though nine of the first eleven of them originally limited office holding to Protestants or Christians. A few states retained established churches or special state benefits for some faiths. Religious tests for office directly denied Jews full political equality. These state establishments did not deny Jews religious liberty or legal rights, but they made them (and members of other non-favored faiths) less than equal citizens. This situation, however, was not destined to last very long. When Pennsylvania's 1776 constitution, for instance, required state legislators to ``acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration,'' the state's Jews protested. Members of Philadelphia's Congregation Mikveh Israel studied and annotated all state constitutions, noting where Jews faced discrimination, and then published letters in newspapers calling attention to the new constitutions' objectionable features. In late 1783, Philadelphia's Jewish leaders petitioned the Pennsylvania government to allow Jews to hold public office. Seven years later, Pennsylvania's new constitution removed the religious test for office holding. In 1787 Congress, operating under the Articles of Confederation, passed the Northwest Ordinance, the forerunner of subsequent laws regulating the settlement of western territories and the creation of new states. The Ordinance provided for ``extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty'' in the national territories. Written before the Constitution, this was the first national guarantee of religious freedom. The Confederation Congress, which included no Jews and only the occasional Catholic, could have easily established some kind of non-denominational Protestantism or Christianity. But it did no such thing. In that same year, on behalf of Congregation Mikveh Israel, Revolutionary War veteran Jonas Phillips wrote to George Washington, who was then serving as the presiding officer of the Constitutional Convention, requesting the Convention protect Jewish political rights. As it turned out, the Convention had already agreed to prohibit religious tests for office holding, but the willingness of Philadelphia Jews to lobby for their rights further illustrates American Jewry's newfound boldness. On July 4, 1788, Philadelphia held a parade to celebrate the ratification of the new constitution. The Grand Federal Procession was led by an interfaith group of clergymen, including a rabbi, their arms interlocked. Later, when George Washington took the first presidential oath of office in New York City, Hazzan Gershom Mendes Seixas joined other clergy from the city as a witness. The First Amendment, ratified in 1791, confirmed the right of religious free exercise for all Americans and guaranteed separation of church and state. Under the Constitution, Jews held federal offices, even where they could not hold offices under existing state constitutions. Thus, in 1801 President Thomas Jefferson appointed Reuben Etting to be the US marshal in Maryland, even though he would not have been allowed to hold any office under that state's constitution until 1826. Joel Hart and Mordecai Manuel Noah served as diplomats under Jefferson and Madison. Noah was later the sheriff of New York City, the ``boss'' of Tammany Hall, and a local judge. The Constitution did not preclude individual states from barring Jews from public office. Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey repealed these rules before the Civil War, while North Carolina did so during Reconstruction. New Hampshire finally abolished the practice in 1877. Nor could the constitutional expansion of Jewish rights end social antisemitism. Antisemitism, rooted in Christian theology, nationalisms, bigotry, private fears and ignorance, and the rantings of demagogues and conspiracy theorists, will, of course, never be abolished by government decree. A political system can regulate behavior and even promote tolerance, but cannot end private intolerance and hatred. In the Old World, however, anti-Jewish prejudice was often encouraged, supported, or even mandated, by governments. In America, from the outset, the law was on the Jews' side. Furthermore, America's unprecedented acceptance of the Jews helped to induce other western nations, including Revolutionary France and mid-nineteenth-century Great Britain, to grant Jews similar rights, although the process in both countries was piecemeal, halting, and incomplete for many years. In Britain, for example, Lionel Rothschild won multiple elections to Parliament starting in 1847 but was unable to take his seat until 1859, after the Jews Relief Act had been passed. Full Jewish political equality in Britain was not achieved until 1871. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, on July 4, 2026, it is important to recall how the patriotism of Jews led to their political equality and a national policy of religious liberty. The United States became the first western nation to prohibit any religious test for national public office, have no national or official faith, have no laws restricting Jewish secular life or religious observance, and allow for freedom of worship and belief on a broad national scale. When George Washington wrote to the Newport Jewish community, this process was not yet complete, but the holdouts were few and relatively insignificant. The Revolutionary era set the stage for the ensuing two and a half centuries of Jewish flourishing in a country where, to return again to the words of Washington's historic letter. minorities enjoy religious freedom not because mere tolerance has been extended to them but because ``all possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.''

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 58th anniversary of the Head Start program and the invaluable services it makes available to children and families in need. The Head Start Project was launched in 1965 as a comprehensive child development program. President Lyndon Johnson commissioned Sargent Shriver with the establishment of a comprehensive program that would assist underserved communities in meeting the needs of preschool aged children. With the help of education, psychology. and child experts, the U.S. government initially launched ``Project Head Start'' as an eight-week summer program that reached 561,000 children. Finding early success, the program was expanded in the fall of 1965 to provide services throughout the entire school year. In the subsequent decades, Head Start has further grown to include bilingual and bicultural programs, as well as services for disadvantaged infants, toddlers, and pregnant women through Early Head Start grants. Over the last six decades, the Head Start Program has provided a window of opportunity to more than 37 million vulnerable children and their families. Now serving nearly 1 million children and their families annually in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories. Head Start's exceptional dedication to our children is truly remarkable, and this year, as it celebrates its 58th anniversary, we express our appreciation for the impact that Head Start has had on communities across the country and especially in Bucks and Montgomery counties.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Earl R. Sonnie. As we celebrate his 100 years of life, we think of all the memories and stories that he continues to share, as a citizen of this great country. Earl was born in Philadelphia on June 5, 1923, grew up in the Port Richmond neighborhood, and made his family home on Delwhit Drive in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Earl attended Dobbins Technical School where he landed a technical internship with The Franklin Institute Research and Development Laboratories and Museum in 1940, working part time until his graduation in 1941. He was immediately hired by The Institute and was fortunate to work with engineers on a night navigation project with the Norden Bomb Site/Sperry Gyroscope Instrumentation. At the time, the Sperry gyroscope was used on the B-24 Liberator heavy bombers. Given his exposure to flight instrumentation, Earl continued his education at the University of Illinois in flight instrumentation and mechanical engineering and enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in 1943. During WWII, Earl earned the rank of Sergeant and instructed pilots, co-pilots, navigators and bombardiers on instrument flying and precision bombing while he was stationed at Tonopah Army Air Field, Nevada and McChord Field, Washington. Also, Earl was proud to earn the Army Sharpshooter Weapons Qualification Badge. In 1946, Earl returned to Philadelphia to work for the next 42 years with The Franklin Institute Research and Development Laboratories, as a Research Engineer. During his career, Earl worked on many challenging and exciting projects. As a younger man, he provided maintenance on many science museum exhibits including the Foucault Pendulum and the Fels Planetarium. Given his mechanical expertise, Earl was assigned to several classified projects with teams from the U.S. Navy Base Norfolk, Virginia and with NASA at Moffett Federal Airfield, California. Earl was the devoted husband of 61 years to his wife Margaret (O'Neill); together they raised nine children in their Bucks County home. He enjoyed various little league and scouting activities with his children, many of which at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Earl has 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and is a member of the Feasterville Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church. He has enjoyed participation in the Knights of Columbus, has spent countless hours restoring his 1959 Triumph TR-3, and is a long-time member of the U.S. Chess Federation. Earl was an accomplished woodworker--making and gifting regulation chess boards. As we celebrate his 100 years of life, we are incredibly grateful for the many positive impacts he has made, and we heartily wish Earl continued joy and blessings.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district Chief Daniel J. Doyle who is retiring after 25 years of dedicated and faithful service to the citizens of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dan has been a lifelong Bucks County resident growing up in the Croydon section of Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. He began his career in public service in 1988 at the age of 16 when he joined the Croydon Fire Company as a junior firefighter. During his time with the fire company Dan held various leadership positions as a Trustee, Treasurer, President, and Captain. Dan's passion for public service eventually led him to attend the Montgomery County Police Academy to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. In 1995, Dan graduated from the police academy and was hired as a Police Officer in Tullytown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Dan quickly rose through the ranks of the police department holding the rank of Sergeant, Chief of Police and Emergency Manager. As the Chief of Police, his community policing approach was embraced by the citizens, and business owners while hosting events such as Coffee with a Cop, Pizza with the Police, Camping with the Cops, and the food basket program. Dan forged community partnerships for other towns to model. I wish to congratulate Dan on his three decades of service to the citizens of Bucks County and on his well-deserved retirement from the Tullytown Borough Police Department.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Mr. Jim Worthington. Jim is the owner and operator of the Newtown Athletic Club based in Newtown, Pennsylvania. For over 40 years, Jim has been a leader and great friend of our district. Jim is highly regarded in the Health and Sports club industry. He was appointed to serve on the ``President's Council for Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.'' He has also served as President of the International Sports Club and is a strong believer in giving back to those who have served our country in the Armed Forces, both past and present. Jim has taken special attention to the issue of suicide amongst servicemembers and Veterans. After seeking out the expertise of professionals working with the cognitive-physical relationship of Veterans health issues, Jim Worthington partnered with local Veterans advocates to enable the Victor Six Veterans Health and Fitness Organization, resulting in zero suicides amongst its military and veteran graduates. He continues to selflessly give his time, finances, and facilities to Victor Six's participants to ensure that our community's heroes are cared for in both body and mind Jim's pursuit for better health does not stop at the local level. He was instrumental in the push for allowing patients with life- threatening diseases to access experimental treatments through his advocacy for the ``Right to Try'' Act. We are all incredibly grateful for Jim's dedication to mental and physical health. His selfless service to our community is an incredible example of citizenship and we are all fortunate to call him a neighbor and friend.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent and National Hero from my district, Captain David A. Christian, whose service and dedication as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain of the United States Army provides a testimony to selfless service and valor achieved through acts of courage that place the lives of his fellow servicemen before his own, and the security of the United States as his utmost priority. Raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania, David enlisted in the U.S. Army following graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School. Enlisting at 18, he rapidly attained the rank of Captain in only 2 years at 20 years old. David's courage demonstrated through combat is ratified by his prolific award record. He has been nominated for every valor award offered by the U.S. Army, including the Medal of Honor and 7 Purple Hearts. During his tours of combat deployments, David discovered more than 52 enemy camps. It was often said of David and his team that ``they owned the jungle''. While David is exceedingly proud of his accomplishments in combat during his military service, he is also distinguished by his continued dedication to the armed services by authoring the first legislation pertaining to Agent Orange and PTSD. David, throughout his military and civic career has dedicated himself to service of the Military and Veterans, evidenced by his crucial role in raising $9 million in donations to construct and maintain the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. On May 1, 2023, at Fort Benning, Georgia, David will be inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. This honor is truly fitting for a man whose life is fully dedicated to selfless service to our great country and his fellow Veterans. Our entire community is immensely proud of this incredible achievement, and we are fortunate to call him a friend, neighbor, and mentor.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district, Chief Master Sergeant James J. Weller. CMSgt Weller is retiring from the United States Air Force after 42 years of faithful service to our country. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Jim went on to graduate from Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. He began his career of service early as a Civil Air Patrol Cadet and would go on to enlist as an Infantryman in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1983 he transferred to the Air Force and began an illustrious career that saw him serve in locales throughout the world in support of the Cold War and the Global War on Terror. Jim has served in many positions in defense of our great nation to include Military Law Enforcement, Aircraft Armament Technician, Emergency Manager, and various other additional duties. In March of 2003, Jim was part of the Red Tail Express, the first successful Air Force ground convoy into Iraq. On a subsequent deployment to Iraq, he served as the Security Escort Manager to Baghdad Air Base. Jim's professional excellence and dedication to service is exemplified in his support of Operations Desert Storm, Deny Flight, Southern Watch, Southern Focus, Inherent Resolve, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. On the domestic front, Jim leveraged his extensive military experience in disaster management across 20 domestic operations. Notably he supported efforts during Covid-19, Hurricanes Floyd and Irene, Tropical Storm Lee, and Super Storm Sandy. His security expertise has been used in support of G-20 summits, a Papal visit, the 2016 Democratic National Convention and Presidential Inaugurations. Jim has also been instrumental in service to our local community where he serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol as well as volunteer Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. In his private life, Jim and his wife Michelle reside in Warrington, Pennsylvania where they have raised 4 wonderful children. We are all incredibly grateful for the positive impact Jim has had through his long career, and we wish him countless blessings during his retirement.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of a very respected member of our beloved Bucks County, Gail Moore. Born in 1946, Gail grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania and enjoyed a successful career as a Registered Nurse at Lower Bucks Hospital as part of the surgical, IV, and home health care teams. She went on to serve as the Director of Claims at United Healthcare. After her nursing career, Gail continued to be a beacon of light in the healthcare industry, opening her own business providing care for women suffering from cancer. Gail married her high school sweetheart, Zane Edward Moore, while he was serving in the U.S. Army, and they have two sons, Zane Edward Moore, Jr. and Christopher Stephen Moore. She is also survived by her five loving grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, my family, and our entire staff, we send our deepest condolences to Gail's family and all who knew and loved her. Gail will be deeply missed and remembered for her love and devotion to her family, friends, and her community.

Mr. FITZPATRICK

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, I rise today in favor of my amendment, designated as amendment No. 8 to H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act. Madam Chair, we have a responsibility to be mindful of the cost and implementation of this bill on our schools, parents, and communities. My amendment would require the GAO to report on the impact of this legislation and provide peace of mind to taxpayers, educators, and families alike. Our priority must be to set our children up for success. That means giving parents the transparency and voice they deserve in their child's education. It also means making the Federal Government answerable to the potential costs of this bill on State and local educational agencies and individual schools throughout our Nation. We have made a commitment to our constituents to demand more accountability from their government over the use of their taxpayer dollars, as well as to safeguard a better future for the next generation of Americans. My amendment would guarantee that we keep that promise. Madam Chair, I urge the amendment's adoption, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FITZPATRICK. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.