Patrick Meehan

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the life of Emlen Tunnell, a Radnor High School graduate, World War II hero, and the first African American to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Tunnell grew up in Garrett Hill, PA where he excelled in all athletics but decided to accept a football scholarship to Toledo University. Unfortunately, a broken neck nearly cost him his life and football career. But Tunnell recovered. When World War II broke out he desperately wanted to enlist but was rejected from both the Army and Navy due to his injury. Finally, the Coast Guard accepted Tunnell. Twice while serving, he risked his own life to save a fellow serviceman--extinguishing flames that engulfed a friend after a Japanese torpedo attack, and again when he dove into freezing waters to rescue a shipmate. After serving his country, Tunnell returned to football. He played two years with the University of Iowa before hitchhiking from Lancaster Pike to New York where he tried out to become a Giant. It was a humble start to a stellar career. Tunnell spent 14 years in the league--11 with the Giants and three as a Green Bay Packer. In that time he was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times, played on two championship teams, and held the then NFL record for consecutive games played at 143. In 1967 he became the first African American inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Mr. Tunnell is an American hero. Yet, his name has largely been lost to the history books. That must change. The Sports Legends of Delaware County and Delaware County Veterans Memorial have initiated a campaign to erect a seven-foot bronze statue of Tunnell with that goal in mind. It is an important step to properly honoring this great Pennsylvanian. Through their efforts, Emlen Tunnell's remarkable life and accomplishments will rightly be remembered for decades to come.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joshua Chu of Wissahickon High School, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania on receiving the Congressional Award's Bronze Medal. The Congressional Award is Congress' award for young Americans who dedicate themselves to public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration. It motivates young people to improve themselves, try new things and learn new skills. Joshua served his community through volunteering in a soup kitchen, packing food, sorting donated items and aiding the kitchen's staff. He also broadened his knowledge by traveling to Boston and Hawaii to learn more about their culture and history. I congratulate Joshua on earning this honor and I congratulate his parents on raising such a fine young man.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to raise national awareness of the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi. Next Friday, hundreds of thousands of Sikhs living across the United States will take part in the festival to celebrate these significant elements of their religion: the Sikh New Year, the spring harvest, and the creation of Khalsa, the fellowship of devout Sikhs created in 1699. This year, on April 8, the East Coast Sikh Coordination Committee has organized a National Sikh Day Parade to mark this occasion. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my fellow chairs on the Sikh Congressional Caucus, introduced H. Res. 189, which recognizes Vaisakhi's historic, cultural, and religious significance and its importance to the Sikh communities across the United States. Additionally, it expresses this body's respect for all communities and religions who celebrate the festival. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this measure in honor of Vaisakhi.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of Stephen P. Counihan, and I rise with my colleagues all around the greater Boston area, as we seek to raise the spirits of Stephen, who is currently battling cancer. ``Couhni,'' as he is affectionately known, is currently the tennis coach at Suffolk University, where he has led four championship teams to great renown in the greater Boston area. But it was in the 1970s, as a standout defenseman at Bowdoin College where Counihan got the name ``Couhni-Orr'' because of his remarkable presence on the ice and his cool capacity under pressure. Now, Stephen is facing one of the great challenges of his life, as he deals not only with the chemotherapy, but the potential surgery that we are looking at in the month of April ahead. Couhni, I want you to know that all of your colleagues from Beta Theta Pi, from Bowdoin College hockey team, from the greater Bowdoin community, in fact, the entire Boston area, stand with you today. Win one more championship for us, Couhni, so we can all celebrate together when we have you back collectively.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. George D. Vermeire for his exemplary medical care in Pennsylvania. In recognition of his dedication and involvement in the osteopathic medical profession, Dr. Vermeire was named the 106th President of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association. Dr. Vermeire is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and later achieved his D.O. from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his postgraduate training at Zieger-Botsford Hospitals in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and he has served as a member of the board of trustees. Shortly thereafter, he was elected vice president and president-elect of the Association. He also serves as a delegate of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association and the American Osteopathic Association. He has distinguished himself as a dedicated family physician and leader of the osteopathic profession, and I honor all of the work Dr. Vermeire accomplished in our community. I congratulate him on his installation as the 106th President of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, and wish him the best for a successful and rewarding tenure.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Honorable William F. Adolph, Jr. of Springfield, PA on his retirement and thank him for his decades of service to Delaware County families. Bill is retiring as Representative from the 165th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, where he served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. After more than thirty years of public service, Bill has earned a record as a champion for the middle class, small and growing businesses and fiscal responsibility in Harrisburg. Throughout his career in public service, first as a township commissioner in Springfield, as a lawmaker in Harrisburg and ultimately as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Bill has always fought to ensure the taxpayer got the most out of every dollar government spends. He's fought to lessen the tax burden on job creators and spur economic growth. He's fought to ensure Pennsylvania's most vulnerable have access to the services they need. And he's fought to hold government accountable to the people it serves. As important as his legislative achievements have been to Pennsylvania, perhaps his greatest legacy is the role model he's been to countless young people as a coach and through his decades-long involvement with the Springfield Youth Club. He's taught generations of Springfield's young people how to conduct themselves with integrity and responsibility--both on and off the field. I thank Bill for all he's done for our state and our community, and I wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kitty Jurciukonis for her achievements as a volunteer, professional, and elected official in southeastern Pennsylvania. In recognition of these accomplishments, Mrs. Jurciukonis was posthumously awarded the Women of Achievement Award from the Delaware County Women's Commission. Kitty worked as a tireless advocate for her community, serving as member of the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners for nineteen years, two of which were spent as President. She was also a leader in the Suburban West Realtors Association, the Springfield School District Home and School Association, and Community Education Council. She even volunteered her time and talents to help open the Springfield School District's Parent Resource Center. The current Springfield Township Commissioner says of Kitty: ``I was humbled and honored to follow in her footsteps. . .She worked tirelessly with integrity and enthusiasm for the Township and the people she served.'' I honor all of the work Kitty accomplished in our community and the trail she blazed for the women inspired by her achievements.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Stephanie (Sam) Fleetman for receiving the Women of Achievement Award from the Delaware County Women's Commission. Sam is the CEO of Mustang Expedition, Inc.-- a nationally recognized full-service delivery carrier. She has grown the company from one truck and a few employees to a multi-million dollar company employing over 50 individuals. While reaching success in a male-oriented industry, Sam has also been a leader in her community. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association--only the second woman to do so in eighty-six years--and the Delaware County Historical Society. And she previously held positions as the President of the Bridgewater Park Association and the Sharon Alumnae Association. I thank Sam for all she's done professionally and philanthropically in our community and congratulate her on receiving this important award.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon for receiving the Women of Achievement Award from the Delaware County Women's Commission. The Honorable Christine Fizzano Cannon has been a leader in our community both as a small business owner and a public servant. She ran her own law firm for over ten years and has served as a Delaware County Women's Commissioner, member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee, Ridley Hospital Foundation, and Delaware County Council. In 2012, Judge Fizzano Cannon was elected to the Court of Common Pleas. In this role she handles civil and equity matters, personal injury and property damage cases, real estate, land use and zoning matters, and medical malpractice cases. She is also currently serving on the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania, which reviews, investigates, and prosecutes judicial misconduct. I thank Judge Fizzano Cannon for all of her work in our community, and I congratulate her on receiving this award.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the accomplishments and contributions of Jennifer B. Morgan of Newtown Square, PA. Jennifer Morgan was appointed President of SAP North America in 2014, a position in which she oversees some 20,000 employees with more than 100,000 customers in every sector and industry of the U.S. economy. With Jennifer at the helm, SAP has launched a successful expansion into groundbreaking new cloud computing services and other innovative new business segments. SAP is not only one of the largest employers in Delaware County, PA, it's also a good corporate citizen, sponsoring and supporting non-profits and economic development in our region. Jennifer is a groundbreaking female executive, and one of far too few females at the pinnacle of American business and industry. She's prioritized diversity in the workplace, promoted pay equality and worked to level the playing field for all employees. This National Women's History Month, Jennifer is being honored by the Delaware County Women's Commission with their Woman of Achievement Award. It's a fitting honor to an outstanding leader in our community.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Oreland Boy Scout Troop 1 of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The Boy Scouts of America chartered the troop in 1917, and its members have been active and dedicated contributors to their communities in the century since. Today, Troop 1 hosts scouts from Oreland, Flourtown, Erdenheim, Fort Washington, Maple Glen and other neighboring communities. The Boy Scouts are one of the largest youth development organizations in the country, and I am pleased to have so many active troops in Pennsylvania's 7th District. Oreland Boy Scout Troop 1 is one such troop, among the oldest in Pennsylvania, and it has trained so many of our area's youth to be young men of character, service, and commitment to community and country. Mr. Speaker, Oreland Boy Scout Troop 1 performs an invaluable service to the scouts involved and the communities it serves. I thank the Troop's scouts and leaders over the last century for their service and leadership.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert and Megan Trinkley and the many supporters and volunteers of the Mission First Housing Group, which places homeless veterans in need in safe, affordable, and sustainable housing. Last Friday evening, I had the great pleasure to be present at the third annual Homes for Heroes fundraising event in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. I joined the Trinkleys and iconic radio personality and Vietnam veteran John DeBella and hundreds of community supporters who were all committed to quality housing for our vets. The Homes for Heroes event was founded in 2015 as a way for the Trinkleys to honor the memory of Megan's late father, a United States Air Force veteran. Homes for Heroes raised more than $40,000 last year and surpassed that number this year. Mr. Speaker, on any given night, some 40,000 of our veterans are homeless, and that is too many. But thanks to the work of Robert and Megan Trinkley and all of those who have supported Homes for Heroes, some three dozen veterans right now in our region sleep in safe, affordable housing. I am grateful for their efforts, and I applaud them for their service to the homeless veterans to assure that no hero he is left behind.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 512, the WINGMAN Act. The WINGMAN Act will help Members of Congress and our staff members better assist the constituents that we serve. It cuts bureaucracy out of the casework process, and it makes it easier to connect Pennsylvania families with the services and benefits that they need. Our staff members in our district do tremendous work every day. They help constituents and their families navigate the Federal bureaucracy, whether it is helping veterans obtain care through the VA, seniors access their Medicare or Social Security benefits, or even helping a traveler obtain a passport for an emergency trip overseas. Too often that work goes unsung and the hard work they do goes unrecognized. I am blessed to have a terrific staff in my district office, led by my district chief of staff, Caitlin Ganley. Our team, Bill Dondero, Maureen Quinn, Alaina Sforza, and Brian Gallie have helped literally thousands of individuals as we have worked to cut through the red tape and get the answers they need from the agencies across the Federal Government. The WINGMAN Act will make this difficult job just a little bit easier, and I am proud to support it.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 74.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Officer Dennis McNamara of the Upper Darby Police Department in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Fifteen years ago yesterday, Officer McNamara was brutally gunned down and murdered in the line of duty while he served his community. He was survived by his wife, Diane, and his wonderful children, Spike and Melissa. I was with Diane, Spike, Melissa, and others yesterday as we dedicated a road in Dennis' hometown of Upper Darby as the ``Dennis McNamara Memorial Highway.'' It was a fitting memorial to Dennis' wonderful life and the legacy he has left behind, and it is one of the many ways Dennis' own community will never be forgotten. Madam Speaker, I will soon be presenting Dennis' family with two flags. The first flag flew over the United States Capitol yesterday, which marked the 15th anniversary of his death. The second is a flag of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation, which flew over the law enforcement memorial--just blocks from here in Judiciary Square--during National Police Week. No gesture will bring Dennis back to his family, but it is my hope that these flags will continue to help his community honor his family and the ultimate sacrifice he made.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Madam Speaker, the 21st Century Cures Act is a historic, bipartisan legislation that will eliminate the barriers standing between us and cures for diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes, and cancer. The bill fosters coordination and research related to pediatric diseases and birth defects, and we encourage the NIH and FDA to establish a global pediatric clinical study network with the hope that more collaboration will lead to new treatments, and it will help build our understanding of how treatments geared for adults can help to lead to cures for children. Just 3 years ago, after a fight with Washington bureaucrats, Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old young woman from my district, received an adult lung transplant. She is now a thriving 14-year-old. And through ``Sarah's Heroes,'' we highlight the stories of other children who are courageously working to overcome challenges presented by cystic fibrosis and lung transplant. Schizophrenia and mental illness are among other conditions without a cure. The bill improves access to mental health by increasing the number of healthcare professionals trained to treat patients. It also strengthens the requirement that mental health coverage be on par with coverage for physical ailments; many good reasons to continue to support. I urge my colleagues to do so.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maris Grove on celebrating its 10th anniversary this October. Maris Grove retirement community opened in 2006 to provide an active senior living facility in southeastern Pennsylvania. It's been my privilege to visit the facility and get to know so many of its residents since then. More than 1500 residents live at Maris Grove in independent apartments and enjoy more than 180 resident groups and clubs. This engaged resident community is supported by more than 650 employees who work tirelessly to provide exceptional customer service to all residents. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Maris Grove on its success these past ten years, and I look forward to seeing the community grow in the next decade.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. W. Thomas ``Tom'' Musser on receiving the Chester County Community Foundation's Jordan Award for philanthropic leadership. Mr. Musser dedicated his life to community service. After serving his country in the Korean War, Tom and his brother founded Tri-M to address the need for industrial electrical contracting in southeastern Pennsylvania. As his company grew, Tom took on leadership positions in the industry including serving as National Chairman of the Associated Builders and Contractors and Chairman of the Board of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. He also made sure that his company gave back by encouraging employees to volunteer and sponsoring high school students at the Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week. Tom also continued to serve his country as Vice Chair of the U.S. Naval Institute Foundation Board of Trustees and as a member of the Department of Defense Advisory Board for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Serving the local community was also always a top priority for Tom. He was an active Rotarian and served on the board of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Tom also chaired a number of capital fund drives for the Kennett-Unionville YMCA and the Chester County Hospital Capital Campaign. Mr. Speaker, Tom passed away in July, but his legacy of philanthropic leadership will continue to live on through the lives he touched and the organizations he supported.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Haverford Township Police Department on its 100th anniversary of serving and protecting families in Delaware County. Since 1916, the Haverford Township Police Department has provided critical protection for the residents it serves. The force has grown from a chief and nine officers to the now sixty-nine officers and eighty civilian personnel Chief John Francis Viola leads today. While the force has grown immensely in the last hundred years, its commitment to public safety has remained constant. Mr. Speaker, we are grateful to the fine officers of the Haverford Township Police Department, and I wish them another 100 years of success in serving the community.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 524, I was at an Ethics Committee hearing. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Michael E. Kunz to our federal court system. Mr. Kunz retired this past July after more than forty years of service in the Eastern Judicial District of Pennsylvania, including more than 37 years as its chief clerk. Mr. Kunz was respected and beloved by all who had business before the court--judges, prosecutors, attorneys and others--and he left an indelible mark in the halls of the courthouse in Philadelphia. During Mr. Kunz's tenure as chief clerk--the longest of any clerk in the history of the Eastern District--he oversaw unprecedented growth, expansion and modernization of the court. On the day of Michael's appointment in 1979, there were just 24 judges and some 50 employees within the Clerk's Office. Today, there are nearly twice as many judges and more than 200 employees facilitating the day-to-day operation of the judicial system. I had the privilege of serving with Michael during my own tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District. I was always impressed by his tireless commitment, his ability and his loyalty to the court he served. I'm proud to call him my friend. I wish him the best in his retirement and I commend him for his decades of service.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and memory of Officer Bradley M. Fox of the Plymouth Township of Pennsylvania Police Department. Four years ago today, on the eve of his 35th birthday, Brad was shot and killed in the line of duty. He died protecting the community and the country he served, first as a United States Marine with two tours of combat duty in Iraq, then for 7 years as a Plymouth Township Police Officer. Brad was a cop's cop. He was respected by his colleagues for his professionalism, and he was admired for his love for life, his love of sports, and, particularly, his love for his growing family. Brad leaves behind his wife, Lynsay, and his daughter, Kadence, and a son, Brad, Jr., born just months after his father's tragic death. He left behind friends and family who loved him and cherished his memory, and a community that will be forever grateful for his sacrifice. Semper fi, Brad, and thank you for your life and your service.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cyrus Jones, head coach of Lincoln University's men's and women's track and field from 1974 to 2010, on his retirement. Coach Jones led the track and field team at Lincoln to 15 NCAA Division III championships. The men's team won 11 national titles during his tenure, and the women's team won 4 NCAA championships. He also coached more than 300 All American athletes. Coach Jones has been honored as a six-time recipient of the Division III National Coach of the Year Award, the Mid East Region Track Coach of the Year, the Linback Teaching Award, the Outstanding Men of America Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the top 100 sports figures in the Philadelphia region in the last 100 years by the Philadelphia Tribune and an honorary official during the Penn Relays in 2002. In 2007 Coach Jones was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Jones on an illustrious career at Lincoln University and wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor June Robbins, a life member of the Rosie the Riveter Association for her service during World War II. Ms. Robbins was born into poverty during the Great Depression. She married her husband, Melvin Robbins, of 65 years, on November 27, 1947. Ms. Robbins is the mother of 7 children, grandmother of 18, and great- grandmother of 8. She comes from a family of ``Rosies,'' as her mother and aunts were also part of the Association. During World War II, Ms. Robbins applied for a training position at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the first and only female in her class. There, she gained the skills necessary to work as a draftsman in the Shipyard during the War. In addition to a full time job, Ms. Robbins volunteered for the War effort through the Red Cross and the United Service Organizations (USO). As a volunteer for the USO, she was honored by the Netherlands government for her service as a Rosie in helping save the lives of the Holland people during the War. Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line honored Ms. Robbins for her service as a Rosie the Riveter with a celebration on September 4, 2016. The celebration included a special planting of a Pink Dogwood, which is a symbol of the Riveter movement and of women who served as Rosies. Mr. Speaker, the United States of America owes a great debt of gratitude to Ms. Robbins. It is an honor to represent her in Congress.

Mr. MEEHAN

Mr. MEEHAN. I thank the chairman for his leadership on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, the statistics are staggering. We are losing 120 a people a day to opioid abuse. Earlier this year, southeastern Pennsylvania lost an accomplished young man, John Decker, who succumbed to his battle with addiction. As a teenager, John injured his knee playing basketball. His physician prescribed opioids to manage the pain after surgery. John became addicted to the painkillers and moved on to using heroin. I introduced the John Thomas Decker Act with the goal of preventing injured youth and adolescent athletes from getting addicted to opioids and turning to heroin. But I use John's name because it is not about statistics; it is to demonstrate that we are talking about real people and struggling families here. The legislation, which is included in section 104 of the conference report, directs the United States Department of Health and Human Services to study what information and resources are available to youth athletes and their families regarding the dangers of opioid use and abuse, nonopioid treatment options, and how to seek addiction treatment. The Department must report its findings and work with stakeholders to disseminate resources to students, parents, and those involved in treating sports injuries, and that is how this can work together with things that are already happening in the community. I want to acknowledge what is going on in communities all across the country. Just last week, I visited Adapt Pharma, a constituent company, in Radnor, Pennsylvania. The company makes a Narcan nasal spray and is providing the antidote to high schools. Adapt Pharma and the National Association of School Nurses are working together to ensure that educational materials are available to students and their families about prescription drug abuse as well as treatment and recovery options that will work perfectly in tandem with this particular section. So, whether you are young athletes, pregnant mothers, struggling veterans, or suffering families, so many are going to be helped. I urge my colleagues to stand with the families who have suffered the effects of addiction and support the conference report.