Fred Keller

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1844, introduced by Representative Krishnamoorthi. This bill names the post office located in Elgin, Illinois, in honor of Marine Corporal Alex Martinez. Alex Martinez knew he was destined for public service since he was a little boy. He had a two-phased plan. First, he would join the military, following in his father's footsteps. Then, upon retirement, he would continue in public service as a police officer or firefighter. Shortly after high school, Alex joined the United States Marine Corps, filling step one of his boyhood dream. After boot camp, he was assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Corporal Martinez was deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On April 5, 2012, Corporal Martinez was conducting combat operations in the Helmand province of Afghanistan and was killed after an explosive device detonated. While Corporal Martinez's life of service was tragically cut short, his sacrifice and bravery will not be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3305, introduced by Representative Luria. The bill names a post office located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in honor of Ryan Keith Cox. Ryan Keith Cox served the city of Virginia Beach for 12 years. He worked in the Public Works Department as an account clerk until he was murdered, saving the lives of his friends and coworkers earlier this year. On the morning of May 31, 2019, a city employee resigned from his job at the municipal building where Cox work. That afternoon, the former employee returned with evil intentions. When a coworker ran into the office with news that there was an active shooter, Keith remained calm and thought only of how to keep other coworkers safe. He led them to the safety of a small room and directed them to barricade the door. Then, despite the danger, he continued to look for more of his colleagues. By the time the shooting stopped, Keith was among the 12 innocent victims who were killed. His surviving colleagues remember him as a kind, soft-spoken, and big teddy bear. Madam Speaker, Keith's heroics will not be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon), my friend.

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I think that Representative Gonzalez-Colon articulately pointed out why we should all support H.R. 2325. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize and congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who will take his oath of citizenship today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Nearly 19 years ago, Alex arrived in Selinsgrove for the first time as a 16-year-old high school exchange student from the Ukraine. Upon his arrival, Alexander knew no one, had no family to accompany him but in spirit, and spoke very little English. But as Alex stood at the beginning of a journey that would eventually bring him to raising his right hand today in allegiance to our nation, he held with him what our nation's earliest settlers had established and would take him toward a brighter and better future: the promise of America. Alexander readily adapted to American life by forging new friendships in Central Pennsylvania and joining several groups in his school: the soccer and baseball teams, chess club, and the school band, to name a few. He worked tirelessly to improve his English, studied hard, frequently offered a unique perspective on world events to his classmates, and was always willing to offer a helping hand to a friend in need. To this day, he continues his close friendship with his host father in the United States, George Kinney. Upon his graduation from high school, Alexander attended Susquehanna University and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance and Information Systems in 2005. He worked full-time after college and attended Drexel University's LeBow College of Business at night. In 2011, he received a Master's of Business Administration in Investment Management and International Business. In July 2015, Alex obtained his green card and married his wife, Erin, later that same year in October. They currently reside in Selinsgrove with their three adopted cats and are currently restoring one of the town's historic properties on Market Street. Today, Alexander remains a selfless member of his community. He previously served as a volunteer firefighter, takes part in 5k races and soccer games to raise money for charitable causes, and frequently participates in volunteer opportunities through his employer, Prudential Financial. He is also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies. Madam Speaker, if today we were tasked with finding some living proof that demonstrates how alive and well the promise of America is today, I would respectfully reference this invitation to congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko on becoming a citizen of the United States of America. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate and welcome him, as he is officially guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize and congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who will take his oath of citizenship today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Nearly 19 years ago, Alex arrived in Selinsgrove for the first time as a 16-year-old high school exchange student from the Ukraine. Upon his arrival, Alexander knew no one, had no family to accompany him but in spirit, and spoke very little English. But as Alex stood at the beginning of a journey that would eventually bring him to raising his right hand today in allegiance to our nation, he held with him what our nation's earliest settlers had established and would take him toward a brighter and better future: the promise of America. Alexander readily adapted to American life by forging new friendships in Central Pennsylvania and joining several groups in his school: the soccer and baseball teams, chess club, and the school band, to name a few. He worked tirelessly to improve his English, studied hard, frequently offered a unique perspective on world events to his classmates, and was always willing to offer a helping hand to a friend in need. To this day, he continues his close friendship with his host father in the United States, George Kinney. Upon his graduation from high school, Alexander attended Susquehanna University and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance and Information Systems in 2005. He worked full-time after college and attended Drexel University's LeBow College of Business at night. In 2011, he received a Master's of Business Administration in Investment Management and International Business. In July 2015, Alex obtained his green card and married his wife, Erin, later that same year in October. They currently reside in Selinsgrove with their three adopted cats and are currently restoring one of the town's historic properties on Market Street. Today, Alexander remains a selfless member of his community. He previously served as a volunteer firefighter, takes part in 5k races and soccer games to raise money for charitable causes, and frequently participates in volunteer opportunities through his employer, Prudential Financial. He is also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies. Madam Speaker, if today we were tasked with finding some living proof that demonstrates how alive and well the promise of America is today, I would respectfully reference this invitation to congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko on becoming a citizen of the United States of America. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate and welcome him, as he is officially guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. 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 directly to the President's desk for his signature today.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, today I rise on the day that Congress will compete in the 110th Congressional Baseball Game for charity. I rise to recognize a local sports team from a high school in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District. These young men overcame adversity, injury, and people who just didn't think they were going to win, but they did what we do in the heart of PA-12 and across our great Nation: they rose to the challenge, they overcame the adversity, they worked together as a team, and they won the Pennsylvania Quad A State Championship for baseball, a remarkable group of young men that came together to make their community proud. Madam Speaker, I wish best wishes for this crew of young boys, men, their coach, and the community as we celebrate the hard work and success they have achieved.

Mr. KELLER

Mr. KELLER. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, fellow Members of Congress. Thank you to the folks of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District. Before I begin, I just want to make note of the gentleman whose position I am replacing, and that is Congressman Tom Marino, a dedicated public servant. We want to thank him for that service, and also wish him and his family all the best in the future. I also would like to take a few moments to thank my family who are here with me tonight, my granddaughter, Carson, standing next to me, and up in the gallery, my wife, Kay, of 34 years, our daughter, Jamie, and her husband, Ron, our son, Freddie, and our other granddaughter, Camrie. There are a lot of things that go into public service, but having your family and friends support you, it can't be any better than that. I also would like to thank the outstanding folks of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District who have placed the privilege of representing them in me here in Congress. I also look forward to working with all the Members of the United States House of Representatives under Speaker Pelosi's leadership. I also look forward to working with the United States Senate and our President to positively impact the lives of all Americans. Again, I thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with everybody. May God bless you. May God bless the United States of America.