Donald Norcross

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work and commitment to this country's security. Madam Speaker, this bill continues the long, proud tradition of bipartisan work for the Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee; our commitment to securing our Nation and willingness to work through and share responsibility for the tough choices resulting in this bill, a bill that keeps America's land and air forces the best in the world. I particularly want to thank our ranking member, Mrs. Hartzler, for her input, her steadfast support in building this strong, bipartisan bill. Certainly, though we may disagree at times, we put the safety and security of our Nation and servicemen first and work together to pass this vital piece of legislation. I also want to thank our vice chair, Representative Sherrill of New Jersey, for her help. Madam Speaker, this bill equips and modernizes our Armed Forces by carefully and thoughtfully managing resources. At the same time, this bill continues the necessary oversight to ensure responsibility of the execution by the DOD. This bill enacts: Vigorous oversight of our most complex and expensive program, the F-35, certainly an ambitious modernization strategy by the Army and a host of others; and of particular importance to me and Mrs. Hartzler, strong support for risk reduction in our defense industrial base. To this point, this bill also includes my Buy American provision, which brings back jobs to the U.S. and can ensure that we get what we need when we need it, securing our fragile supply chain. I do want to take a moment in closing to thank the subcommittee staff, those who serve on this committee, certainly, led by Bill Sutey, Heath Bope, Carla Zeppieri, Liz Griffin, and Kelly Repair, and the last day of our clerk, Caroline, who has done a wonderful job; and to my personal staff, Katie Lee, Chris Macleish, and Mark Moses. This is a bill that America can support and, certainly, we are encouraging all our Members to support this NDAA for fiscal year `22.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Representative Obernolte's name be withdrawn as a cosponsor of H. Res. 289.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Rollcall No. 185. Stated against:

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Cherry Hill, New Jersey Police Chief William ``Bud'' Monaghan, Cherry Hill Police Department. After 26 years of service, Chief of Police William ``Bud'' Monaghan is set to retire in October 2021. Chief Monaghan joined the police department in 1995 as a patrolman. He has led the police force since January 2014. During his years as Chief of Police, he worked to strengthen the community by creating close ties with the public. Chief Monaghan built relationships with cultural, religious, youth and civic groups to connect the Police Department with its area. Chief Monaghan regularly attended community meetings to participate in the discussions about Cherry Hill's neighborhoods. He is devoted to keeping the area protected and safe. He also focuses on police transparency and up to date technology to continue to provide aid and comfort to the residents. The Cherry Hill Police Department is committed to protecting both life and property. Cherry Hill, New Jersey is home to over seventy- thousand residents and the police department averages one-hundred twenty thousand calls for service per year. Chief Monaghan and his police department provide the highest level of police service while also enhancing the quality of life in the area. Chief Monaghan's dedication to the police department and its 136 full-time sworn officers has resulted in a safe and thankful community that fosters growth and acceptance. Chief Monaghan describes his time and service at the Cherry Hill police department as ``the honor of a lifetime.'' His successor will be chosen in the coming months, but it is evident that Chief Monaghan's impact on the Cherry Hill Police Department will be appreciated for years to come. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Police Chief William Monaghan in his retirement and recognizing his more than two and a half decades of service to the Township of Cherry Hill and their Police Department.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of William ``Billy'' J. Krautwald. Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA but lived out 30 years of his life in Franklinville, NJ before moving to Ellabell, GA. He then made his home in Richmond Hill, where he settled for the next 4 years. My union brother, Billy Krautwald, believed, with his heart and soul, the basic principles and core values of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was a devoted member of the union who will be dearly missed. Billy's career with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers spanned almost five decades holding positions ranging from the executive board to president of the union. When Billy decided to retire, he would go on to train the next generation of union activists and become involved in politics to campaign for Habitat for Humanity. Billy was a devoted father to his two sons, Jeff Krautwald and Billy Krautwald. He was loving husband to Peggy Krautwald of 47 years, and supportive family member and friend to those around him. He is remembered for all the help, guidance, and direction he offered to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, blessing my fellow brothers and sisters with the skills of a master electrician and the heart of a lion to make our union one of the greatest in the country. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the late Mr. William ``Billy'' J. Krautwald of Philadelphia, PA, the ``old guard'' union worker, a leader, a friend, and a celebrated member of the New Jersey community.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, during the vote on final passage of H.R. 1620--the Violence Against Women Act, I was detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 86

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, the ``thugs.'' Are those the friends of the folks who attacked this Capitol? Is that who you are talking about? Those are thugs. Madam Speaker, for 44 years, I have been a member of the IBEW. My brothers went to college. I did the other thing. I went to the other 4- year school, an apprenticeship. My entire life has been about speaking for those voices, those workers who didn't have a voice. Listen to this: Employers shouldn't make the decision, and unions shouldn't make the decision. Employees make the decision whether or not they want to enter into a collective bargaining agreement. That is one of the reasons why I and five others formed the Labor Caucus, because their voices are not being heard. Unlimited money, the total control of the workplace--OSHA injuries are much higher on nonunion jobs than union jobs. Why? Because workers have a voice. They have better health benefits; they have better pensions; they have dignity in retiring. Madam Speaker, I have spent 44 years and have been involved with 30 organizing campaigns. I know what it is like to go out and get those cards signed. I know what it is like to have a fair election, and that is what we need. Fairness in America still counts, and workers have been on the wrong end of that deal for so long. Madam Speaker, I am asking my colleagues to do what is right for America. Pass the PRO Act. We are all in this together.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of the bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act of 2021. First, I would like to thank former Congresswoman Susan Davis for the work that she and Brett Guthrie put in this bill and how important it was. We had traveled the world looking at different models to see how other countries have done it, but the answer was right here in our backyard, the gold standard, what the national building trades have done over the past 100 years. Mr. Speaker, as a child growing up, you hear from teachers and counselors that you have to go to college in order to make it in America. Well, I was one of four boys. My three brothers went to college. I like to say I went to the other 4-year school, a registered IBEW apprenticeship program for electricians. It allowed me to earn while I was going to school, to take what I learned in the books at night and apply it the next day; how important that was to help raise my young family and literally paved the way for me to go from the construction site to the floor of Congress; remarkable. But we know, one size does not fit all. I like to say, some people want to go to college, some people want to build the college, some people want to defend the college. We need everyone to come together, and this registered apprenticeship is the most successful training program in the history of the United States. You heard, 94 percent of the people who complete it go right to work and are fully employed. And the building trades have a graduation rate of approaching 90 percent, something unheard of, and coming out making $70,000, with little or no debt. Little or no debt. That paycheck that goes along with it is that dignity that if you can work with your hands you also work with your heart and your head, and how important that is. Whether you work in a shipyard, medical technology, or you have your Ph.D., we are all the same, adding value to this great country, and we need all of them to succeed. This apprenticeship act builds off of what we have done in the past.

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I just want to make sure, the standards are so important. When there is a hurricane that hits the Gulf Coast, literally, linemen and workers from around the country come together. And why is that important? Because they all train on the same standards. Could you imagine if everybody came in learning a different way? That is how people die. That is why standards are critically important and proven over time. So I encourage everybody to come together to work on and vote for the most impressive and successful program in the history of the United States. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the North America's Building Trades Unions letter of support. North America's Building Trades Unions, Washington, DC, February 3, 2021. Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of the over 3 million skilled craft professionals that comprise North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), I write in support of H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021. I first would like to commend the work of Chairman Scott and the bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation for their diligent efforts to maintain the integrity of the Registered Apprenticeship system, and their continued engagement with us on this bill, which reauthorizes the foundational law on which our apprenticeship programs are built. In the eight decades since the Registered Apprenticeship system was created, our nation, the economy, our industry, and technology have drastically changed. What has not changed is the need to forever protect and enshrine the rights of those individuals who enter an apprenticeship program, and H.R. 447 continues to protect the safety, well being, and economic trajectory of the apprentice. More than two-thirds of all civilian registered apprentices in the United States are trained in the construction industry. Among these construction apprentices, seventy-five percent receive their training at one of the 1,900 privately funded training centers in North America which are jointly administered by construction contractors and building trades unions. Investing almost $2 billion in private capital annually in our Registered Apprenticeship programs, our joint labor-management programs have long been considered the gold standard of the Registered Apprenticeship system. The affiliated unions of NABTU provide a debt-free ladder of opportunity to those who seek a career in the construction industry through Registered Apprenticeship. From day one, apprentices earn while they learn on a progressively increasing wage scale, with the added security of healthcare and retirement benefits, and upon completion of the program earn, on average, $60,000 annually. Furthermore, through our ever-expanding pre-apprenticeship programs, we continue to work with our industry partners to increase the diversity of apprenticeship candidates by recruiting women, people of color and veterans. While there are other avenues one may take to be trained in the construction crafts, for generations, the safest, most highly skilled and productive construction craft workers in the world have received their training through the Registered Apprenticeship system. H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, will ensure the Registered Apprenticeship system not only remains the gold standard in workforce training in the construction industry, but that it is accessible for all industries that seek a productive and highly skilled workforce. I urge swift passage of this bill and look forward to working with you to strengthen economic opportunities in every community, both large and small, across our great nation. Sincerely, Sean McGarvey, President.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today at a time of historical concern: Last week, on this very House floor, an attack on democracy, that symbol. But it was an attack from within on this very floor. Let's be clear. Cause and effect: rally at the White House, march down Pennsylvania Avenue--a parade in reverse--and an attack on this Chamber. A police officer was killed, and what I hear is, ``Time to heal.'' He is not even buried yet. It is clear and present danger. No one is above the law--not the President, if he has 4 years or 4 days. We must do the right thing for all Americans because he must be held accountable.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and certainly for his leadership in bringing this conference report to the floor for the 60th year. And certainly, I take a moment to thank Mac Thornberry, who this conference report is named after, for his leadership, and certainly Mike Rogers. They are the type of Members that we all should look toward in terms of being bipartisan and working toward a goal. Mr. Speaker, this conference report continues the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee's long tradition of bipartisanship to make America's Armed Forces the best in the world. I commend the hard work of our Members, my colleagues, our staff, certainly in these unusual and demanding circumstances brought on by the coronavirus. I also thank Ranking Member Hartzler for her leadership and commitment to working toward a goal of keeping America safe. Our cooperation has kept us focused on what is truly important. We have delivered a defense bill that meets the modernization and readiness needs of our Nation's air and land forces. This bill carefully manages our military resources while increasing the Department of Defense program oversight to make sure that we do our job, particularly in the F-35, our most advanced weapons system and also the most expensive in U.S. history. But we are also looking at manned and unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, and continued oversight of the Army's new modernization strategy with respect to Army aviation, including the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. Also, I take a moment for our national defense and the priorities of keeping America safe and New Jersey safe while ensuring the KC-10 refuelers are not retired prematurely and making sure the KC-46s are being delivered on time. I am grateful this bill includes that 3 percent pay raise, taking care of military families and also providing affordable childcare on bases. Making sure that your children are safe is incredibly important. I am proud of the hard work this committee has done to continue to serve America's national security interests. Mr. Speaker, this bill deserves our support, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the National Apprenticeship Reauthorization Act so we can make sure we put America back to work.

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, why standards are so important is because when storms hit our coast, electricians, linemen, come from around the country to put that system back together. Could you imagine if they all had their own program? This is why standards count, particularly in the building trades, because when there is not work in your hometown, you go to work in another. We all work together, and that is why this is so important. Since 1937, we haven't updated it. But just because it is old doesn't mean it is not good. It is handed down through generations. This is how we have trained and given the next generation a proven, successful model. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the North America's Building Trades Unions that talks about the importance of what we are talking about today. North America's Building Trades Unions, Washington, DC, November 18, 2020. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Republican Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy: On behalf of the over 3 million skilled craft professionals that comprise North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), I write in support of H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020. I first would like to commend the work of the House Committee on Education and Labor for their diligent efforts to maintain the integrity of the Registered Apprenticeship system and for their willingness to engage us on this bill, which reauthorizes the foundational law on which our apprenticeship programs are built. In the eighty-three years since the Registered Apprenticeship system was created, our nation, the economy, our industry and technology have drastically changed. What has not changed is the need to forever protect and enshrine the rights of those individuals who enter an apprenticeship program, and H.R. 8294 continues to protect the safety, well-being, and economic trajectory of the apprentice. More than two-thirds of all civilian registered apprentices in the United States are trained in the construction industry. Among these construction apprentices, seventy-five percent receive their training at one of the 1,600 privately funded training centers which are jointly administered by construction contractors and building trades unions. Investing over $1.6 billion in private capital annually in our Registered Apprenticeship programs, the affiliated unions of NABTU provide a debt-free ladder of opportunity to those who seek a career in the construction industry. Our joint labor-management programs have long been considered the gold standard of the Registered Apprenticeship system. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 protects many of the hallmarks of the current system. This bill protects the progressive wage scale for apprentices, which is often a target of those in our industry who seek to put profits above the well-being and economic security of the people they employ. This bill protects the time-based model of apprenticeship training that our programs have effectively utilized for decades, while providing flexibility for new industries that wish to enter the Registered Apprenticeship system. This bill also protects apprentices by codifying regulations that recognize collective bargaining agreements contain exceptionally strong apprentice-to-journeyworker ratios that not only ensure on-going, targeted instruction, but also the level of supervision apprentices need to guarantee their safety. H.R. 8294 also makes some very important changes to the Registered Apprenticeship program that NABTU has long fought for. For the first time, there will be concrete standards associated with pre-apprenticeship programs, which have exponentially grown over the last several years as we continue to work with our industry partners to increase the diversity of apprenticeship candidates by recruiting women, people of color and veterans. No longer can unscrupulous contractors prop up pre-apprenticeship programs without having clear and defined pathways into a Registered Apprenticeship program. Furthermore, H.R. 8294 codifies the Office of Apprenticeship, with established funding streams to ensure the necessary oversight of the program and expand technical assistance that will grow Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in new sectors. This bill strengthens the National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, ensuring that practitioners of Registered Apprenticeship, both industry and labor, are given a voice to offer recommendations to further strengthen the program. While there are other avenues one may take to be trained in the construction crafts, for generations, the safest, most highly-skilled and productive construction craft workers in the world have received their training through the Registered Apprenticeship system. H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, will ensure the Registered Apprenticeship system not only remains the gold standard in workforce training in the construction industry, but that it is accessible for all industries that seek a productive and highly-skilled workforce. I urge swift passage of this bill, and look forward to working with you to strengthen economic opportunities in every community, both large and small, across our great nation. Sincerely, Sean McGarvey, President.

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the importance of the National Apprenticeship Reauthorization Act. Personally, Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you to Susan Davis and, certainly, Chairman Scott for putting this bill up. I am thankful that so many of the priorities are included in this, ones that I have spoken so highly of. Last week was National Apprenticeship Week. As many may know, registered apprenticeship programs have literally shaped my life. While my three brothers went to college, I went to the other 4-year school. I did an IBEW apprenticeship program to become an electrician. ``Learn while you earn'' was my life. I understood that, that you could take the knowledge that you learn at night at school in the books and take it right to the job. That is the heart of what an apprenticeship program is. I supported my young family. I was able to continue that. I literally went from the construction site to Congress. Education is not one-size-fits-all. We hear that. For many, they don't know if they want to go to college, build the college, or defend the college. We need all of those, and that is how important it is. The registered apprenticeship system is the most successful Federal workforce training program in the history of the United States. Ninety- four percent of those people will have a job, when they complete their apprenticeship, with a starting wage average of $70,000. It works. But it is more than just a paycheck. It is about the dignity of a job, the respect that comes with that. In our country, there are so many ways that you can succeed. Whether you are an apprentice in the shipyard, a medical tech, a Ph.D. from Harvard, they are all the same in terms of value to this great country. We need all of them. The National Apprenticeship Act invests $3.5 billion in a proven, successful system that has created over 1 million new opportunities. But how important the standards are, particularly in the world that I come from.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Glendora, New Jersey resident Kenneth H. Garbowski. My friend, and the late Kenneth H. Garbowski was a lifelong resident of Glendora, New Jersey where he and his family lived. For 30 years Ken worked for the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters as a council representative. Ken was politically active in New Jersey through his position as a council representative. Ken also was a member of the Gloucester Township Municipal Utilities Authority. He later served as a councilman in Gloucester Township. Ken was a kind, loving, and supportive husband and father. When he was not serving his township, Ken loved to golf and was an avid coin collector but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Ken was the beloved husband of Sherri, the devoted father of Samantha and Eric, and the loving brother of Edward, Dennis, and Ronald. Ken also had many loving nephews and one niece. He is predeceased by his parents Edward and Theresa. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the life and legacy of my friend Kenneth H. Garbowski, of Glendora, New Jersey, for his tireless service to his township and peers.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank the Member for yielding and including my two amendments in this package. My first amendment directs OSHA to implement an emergency temporary standard to protect employees, employers, and customers from COVID-19. In these chaotic times, standards will provide that predictability we need. Without these enforceable standards, we can't take that responsibility to reopen in a safe and effective way. My second amendment: Health and Human Services must create comprehensive national testing and tracing for childcare centers. Essential employees are hard at work. Millions want to get back to work. Yet, childcare providers can't do the job they need to do to be safe. A national testing strategy and contact tracing standard will help safely reopen these childcare centers. It is what our economy needs. It is what our kids need and, certainly, what our parents need. I urge my colleagues to support these amendments, and I thank the chairman, once again, for his years of service.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Washington Township, New Jersey resident Joseph W. Devine on his outstanding leadership. Joseph Devine and his wife, Dina Devine, live in Washington Township, New Jersey and are proud parents to their two married daughters. Joseph attended La Salle University where he first obtained his Bachelor of Science and went on to earn his MBA from St. Joseph's University. From 2013-2020, Joe served as President and Chief Experience Officer for Jefferson Health of New Jersey. He also diligently served as Chair of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce of South Jersey, Executive Club Chairman of the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce and as a Commissioner of the South Jersey Transportation Authority where his responsibilities included ensuring safe public transportation and transportation projects to support the economy of Southern New Jersey. Formerly known as Kennedy Health Alliance, Jefferson Health New Jersey's Primary and Specialty Care network of medical practices grew significantly under Joe's leadership to more than 200 care providers based at over 40 South Jersey locations since 2013. As a former ``Heart of Gold'' recipient from the Wigs and Wishes Foundation in 2017, Joe strives to promote safe, high-quality patient care and a strong, caring, working community. During his time as President, Jefferson Health New Jersey was named ``Top Workplace'' by Philly.com five times between 2013 and 2018. Jefferson Health has achieved countless systemwide achievements under Joe's leadership. In 2015, Jefferson received a $1.4 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Health to facilitate a more veteran and military friendly network of integrated care within the state. Under his presidency in 2016, Jefferson Health was the only hospital nationwide to receive the Sepsis Hero National Award from the Sepsis Alliance. To grow and create opportunities for employees and community members, Jefferson Health in New Jersey became the first hospital system in the state to establish an internship-to-employment program, Project SEARCH, for young adults with disabilities. Joe's outstanding leadership was also individually recognized for a wide variety of achievements throughout his career. Some of his many awards include Joe's ``Corporate Diversity Award'' from the Gloucester County NAACP in 2013, the Garden State Council Boy Scouts of America's ``Distinguished Citizens Award'' in 2014, and the ``Signum Fidei Medal'' in 2016 from Joe's alma mater, La Salle University. Joe's character and dedication to his community is well recognized and respected. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Joseph Devine for his unrelenting commitment to bettering his community and using his outstanding influence and leadership skills to make meaningful and lasting change for our community.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Maple Shade, New Jersey resident Engelbert A. Andl. Engelbert A. Andl was born in Bakowjjako, Hungary on October 26, 1935. He immigrated to the United States of America where he has been a lifelong resident of Maple Shade, New Jersey ever since. At the age of 26, Engelbert Andl proudly served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1965. After his service, he became the co-owner of Edsamm Machine Shop in Maple Shade. Bert was very active in his community and served as president of the German Men's Club and was a member of The Hansa Club. In addition, he and his wife were also members of the congregation of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. In his free time, he loved to play cards and enjoyed traveling. Engelbert A. Andl was the devoted husband to the late Mary Andl. He is survived by his two sons Joseph and Steven (MariJean) Andl, and his four grandchildren Michelle, Christyanna, Victoria, and Joshua. He was a beloved brother to Francis (Imre) Markus, Maria (the late Paul) Olshanski, John (Denise) Andl, and Stephen Andl and will be missed as the beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring the late Mr. Engelbert A. Andl, of Maple Shade, New Jersey, a dedicated veteran and celebrated member of the community.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rabbi Isaac Furman. Rabbi Isaac Furman was a pillar of the southern New Jersey Jewish community. Rabbi Furman was the Rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, New Jersey and helped found the Beth El Academy in 1961, now known as the Kellman-Brown Academy. An immigrant to this country, Rabbi Furman's family left Poland in 1939 after the German occupation. His family initially fled east to Siberia before making their way south and then west at the conclusion of the war. It was at the displaced persons camps of Poland that Rabbi Furman met the love of his life, Molly. Southern New Jersey was truly fortunate that Rabbi Isaac and Molly Furman chose our community to settle down. A graduate of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Furman found his true calling as a teacher. Throughout his nearly 60 years as a rabbi in southern New Jersey Rabbi Furman taught tens of thousands of Jewish children. His former students remember him as kind, funny and generous of spirit. Rabbi Furman and Molly raised their daughters, Esther and Phyllis in the community, and took great pride as they began families of their own. Molly Furman was an accomplished teacher who was a fixture of the community and I'm told that their love for one another lived on after her passing in 2016. Through Esther and Phyllis, the Furmans were blessed with six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, I am told that his family was truly much larger than his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Rabbi Furman was beloved by generations of students, his congregation and his community. Though Rabbi Furman passed away earlier this month I know his memory will be a blessing for many years to come.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Browns Mills, New Jersey resident Gordon Charles Lampitt. Gordon Charles Lampitt was a Bronx, New York native, but has called Browns Mills home since 1958. Gordon dedicated his life to his family and his country. Command Sergeant Major Gordon Lampitt retired with 28 years in the United States Army. He was a decorated Army Veteran and served in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He served three tours in the Second World War, three tours in the Korean War, and two tours in the Vietnam War. There were only 171,000 total service men and women who served in all three of those wars, out of the millions of American service members who served in each of them. After Gordon retired from the United States Army his commitment to serving his country did not stop there. Gordon worked for 15 years in property management at Fort Dix. He was a member of St. Ann's Church, Browns Mills, and the Browns Mills Memorial VFW Post 6805. He was also a life member of the Bass Masters and an avid fisherman. Gordon was a loving husband to his late wife Rose Lampitt for 71 years. Gordon was a beloved father of Margaret R. Long and husband William, Charles Lampitt and his wife Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, Susan L. Veres and husband Michael, Elizabeth Stelljes and husband Scott, and Phillip Lampitt and wife Christa. He was also a loving grandfather of ten and a loving great grandfather of six. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Command Sergeant Major Gordon Charles Lampitt, of Browns Mills, New Jersey, for his unwavering commitment to serving our country over the course of his lifetime. His remarkable dedication to this country, exemplified by his service in three wars is the ultimate testament of his patriotism and courage.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Defense Fellow Major Craig Overholt in Celebrating his Dedicated Service to our Country. Major Craig Overholt was born in Muncie, Indiana where he graduated Delta High School in 2002. That very same year, Craig enlisted in the United States Army. In 2011, Craig graduated and received his commission from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. Craig served as a logistician while he was enlisted and as an officer for over seventeen years, and his assignments include: Fort Stewart, Georgia; Camp Casey, South Korea; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Craig also has two combat deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. After Craig's completion of Forward Support Company and Headquarters Battery command in the 75th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Craig reported to the Army Congressional Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. where he works as a Defense Fellow in my office and is currently assigned to the Army's Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison. Craig has not only had extensive combat training and experience, but his military education also includes Quartermaster Basic Officer Leader Course, Sling Load Certification Course, Air Assault, Support Operations Course Phase I and Phase II, Mortuary Affairs Officers Course, and the Logistics Captains Career Course. Furthermore, Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Professional Studies in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University. Craig has earned many awards and decorations that include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, and Combat Action Badge. Craig now resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Amy, and their two children Sophie and Chandler. Craig enjoys reading and running, he loves supporting his kids' sports teams and visiting historical sites across the nation's capital. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring my Defense Fellow Captain Craig Overholt, who became Major Craig Overholt on July 1, and to congratulate him and his family on this momentous occasion.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Browns Mills, New Jersey resident Gordon Charles Lampitt. Gordon Charles Lampitt was a Bronx, New York native, but has called Browns Mills home since 1958. Gordon dedicated his life to his family and his country. Command Sergeant Major Gordon Lampitt retired with 28 years in the United States Army. He was a decorated Army Veteran and served in the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He served three tours in the Second World War, three tours in the Korean War, and two tours in the Vietnam War. There were only 171,000 total service men and women who served in all three of those wars, out of the millions of American service members who served in each of them. After Gordon retired from the United States Army his commitment to serving his country did not stop there. Gordon worked for 15 years in property management at Fort Dix. He was also a life member of the Base Masters and an avid fisherman. Gordon was a loving husband to his wife Rose Lampitt who passed away at the age of 71. Gordon was a beloved father of Margaret R. Long and husband William, Charles Lampitt and his wife Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, Susan L. Veres and husband Michael, Elizabeth Stelljes and husband Scott, and Phillip Lampitt and wife Christa. He was also a loving grandfather of ten and a loving great grandfather of six. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Command Sergeant Major Gordon Charles Lampitt, of Browns Mills, New Jersey, for his unwavering commitment to serving our country over the course of his lifetime. His remarkable dedication to this country, exemplified by his service in three wars is the ultimate testament of his patriotism and courage.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and certainly for his leadership in bringing this bill to the floor and to the ranking member, Mac Thornberry, for his years of service to this country. We certainly appreciate it. This bill continues the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee's long tradition of bipartisan work to make America's land and air forces the best in the world. Despite challenges imposed upon us during this COVID crisis, this bill is the result of the hard work under very unusual and demanding circumstances. I thank the members of our committee, certainly our staffs and all of them for their hard work in these challenging times. I also thank the ranking member, Mrs. Hartzler, for her leadership and her contributions and certainly working as a bipartisan committee. Our cooperation kept us focused on what truly is important. We have delivered a defense bill that meets the modernization readiness needs of our Nation. This bill carefully manages our military resources while increasing needed oversight of DOD programs. The bill specifically includes aggressive oversight of the strike fighter aircraft programs, including the F-35, the most expensive program ever attempted by the Department; the Department's development, sustainment, management of manned and unmanned intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft; and continued oversight of the Army's new modernization strategy with respect to Army aviation, including the Chinook helicopter, combat and tactical vehicles, air and missile defense, the network and soldier lethality. This defense bill also includes what I believe is one of the more important issues: Buy American provisions, which show we are truly serious about building things here in the U.S. and supporting American workers. I also worked to ensure that the executive branch cannot strip the collective bargaining rights of our vital citizen defense workforce. I am proud of the hard work this committee has done to serve America's national security interests in this great bill. It deserves our support, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and commend Camden, New Jersey resident Monsignor Michael Doyle on their retirement from Sacred Heart Parish. Monsignor Michael Doyle came to the United States in 1959 and shortly after being ordained as a priest, he choose the Catholic Diocese of Camden for his priestly vocation in the late 1950's and started serving the City of Camden in 1967. Monsignor Doyle has dedicated his life to the pursuit of helping others whether they are in his parish or not, and he embodies the principals of transformational love. Monsignor Michael Doyle is a celebrated poet, pacifist, and provocateur. In 1971, he was a member of the Camden 28, a group of anti-Vietnam War activists who plotted to raid the Camden draft board office until the plan was revealed to the authorities. Doyle and three other Catholic priests were eventually acquitted of their charges. In addition, Doyle helped plant crosses memorializing Camden City's murder victims in front of Camden City Hall when he felt more could be done to stem rampant violence. Monsignor Michael Doyle is also a champion of education, improved medical care, community beautification, and expanding affordable housing options. Doyle solidified his reputation as an advocate for the City of Camden when he established the housing nonprofit, Heart of Camden in 1984. The charity focuses on restoring dignity and improving the quality of life through programs of housing restoration, economic expansion, and human development. For almost 40 years Heart of Camden has transformed the Waterfront South neighborhood of Camden by building affordable housing, cleaning and greening the neighborhood, building new play spaces, adding community gardens, and created a vibrant art and cultural district. Through putting his heart and soul into transforming the Waterfront South District he has made the neighborhood a beautiful up and coming community for first time homeowners. The retirement of the celebrated Monsignor Michael Doyle from Sacred Heart Parish in Camden, New Jersey after more than forty years of serving the parish community is well deserved. He has made no plans to cease his altruism, as he will continue his fundraising efforts for the pre-K to 8 school in the city. Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Monsignor Michael Doyle, of Camden, New Jersey, a dedicated and selfless religious leader in the City of Camden, New Jersey.

Mr. NORCROSS

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership. We just heard from a daughter of a fitter out of the UA. I spent 37 years in the construction industry as an electrician. We heard just the other day that 40 percent of those who make $40,000 or less are out of work because of the pandemic, yet here we are, in the most deliberative body in the world, where a Member is saying: I want to represent my people by cutting their pay. Unbelievable that we are hearing this. They say we must modernize this system. Just because it is old doesn't make it no good. I think many of us can understand that. They say they can save billions of dollars. Well, let's think about why they want to do it. It is so they can take that billion dollars saved from workers out in the field, who are making pennies an hour, and give it to billionaires like they did 2 years ago. Let's understand this. They come before us to say: I want to hurt my constituents. I want to pay them less. Unbelievable that somebody has the guts here on the House floor to say, ``I want to screw my constituents by paying them less, no health benefits,'' time after time. Unbelievable. This was almost 100 years ago, Senator Davis and Congressman Bacon, signed by a Republican President. I guess that was back when Republicans had a conscience because what we are seeing now is an absolute farce. ``Let's save money so we can build more roads.'' My God, why don't you go back and give them two bucks an hour so they can't even live? ``We will use them as pavement.'' That is what I hear.