Elise Stefanik

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of United States Army Private First Class, Howard Richard ``Dick'' Neahr. Dick was born on July 8, 1924, in Hagedorn Mills, New York. After attending Galway School, he enlisted in the United States Army on April 8, 1943. He attended boot camp at Camp Croft and was soon sent to Liverpool England and Northern Ireland to prepare for the D-Day invasion. Dick proudly served with the 409th Infantry Regiment 103rd Division. After the D-Day invasion was launched, Dick fought valiantly across France and Luxemburg. In January 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge, Dick was shot in the leg and spent eight weeks in the hospital recovering. Despite his wounds, Dick returned to France to continue fighting for democratic values and freedom. Dick served all throughout Europe including in the Ardennes, Central Europe, and the Rhineland. Dick rose to the rank of Private First Class and was then discharged from the United States Army in September 1945. Dick was awarded many medals for his selfless service including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Additionally, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the WWII Victory Medal. After his discharge, Dick worked on his family's farm delivering milk and milling trees. After his military service, Dick continued to dedicate his life to serving the people of New York and worked at the New York State Thruway Authority for 21 years. In addition to serving his community, Dick enjoyed bunting and spending time with his wife, Sylvia Thorton, and their 7 children. Throughout his life, Dick showed exceptional dedication to his country and community. On behalf of the 21st District of New York, I am honored to recognize the incredible life of Howard Richard ``Dick'' Neahr and thank him for his service to the country.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor lifelong Saratoga resident and Town Supervisor, Thomas ``Tom'' Wood. Tom has dedicated his life to making Saratoga an exceptional community, and I am proud to thank him for his service. Tom was raised in Saratoga and attended Schuylerville Central School. He went on to attend Cornell University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Education in 1967. After graduating from Cornell, he dedicated his teaching career to educating the next generation of agricultural leaders. He first taught at Saratoga BOCES and then went on to teach Agriculture and Technology courses at SUNY Delhi and Salem Central School. In 1993, Tom became the Assistant Principal of Salem Central High School and then worked as the Elementary School Principal from 1996 to 2002. In addition to teaching, Tom found many ways to mentor the next generation. He led the Schuylerville Boy Scouts and coached various Little League teams. Tom was incredibly devoted to serving and bettering his community. He was the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Saratoga for over two decades. He also worked hard to preserve and promote the important history of Saratoga as the historian for the Town of Saratoga, the Villages of Victory, and Schuylerville. In 2004, Tom became the Saratoga Town Supervisor and has served in this role ever since. In his role as Town Supervisor, Tom has prioritized open and honest communication between himself and the community to ensure the Saratoga Town government remains transparent and accountable. Thanks to Tom's strong leadership, Saratoga is a community with a deep connection to its important historical significance and deep understanding of its agricultural roots. Tom's commitment to bettering Saratoga for all who call it home is inspirational. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I am honored to recognize Tom's leadership and thank him for his decades of service to the Town of Saratoga.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the incredible life and legacy of Richard A. ``Rich'' Calma. Rich dedicated his life to serving the Plattsburgh community and honoring American history. Rich Calma began working at the Advocacy and Resource Center in Plattsburgh, New York in October of 2000. Rich carried out the mission of the Advocacy and Resource Center by providing job coaching to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. He dedicated his life to this incredible service agency and worked towards supporting all individuals to ensure that everyone was able to fully participate and be accepted in all aspects of life. Rich started his career at the Advocacy and Resource Center as an employment specialist with the Workforce Network, Supported Employment Program. He worked his way up from being a relief job coach to the position of a full time employment specialist. For over twenty-one years, Rich was a beloved employee of the Advocacy and Resource Center, while he dedicated his life to serving the Plattsburgh community. In addition to working at the Advocacy and Resource Center, Rich prioritized celebrating, remembering, and honoring America's military history. Rich actively participated in the annual Battle of Plattsburgh events to ensure the North Country's role in American history continued to be remembered. He also spent a lot of time volunteering at the Air Force Museum and Marine recruitment center. Rich is a glowing example of the devotion to community service that defines the North Country. His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, it is my honor to remember and celebrate the life of Rich Calma.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bob Kovachick for his remarkable career and well-deserved retirement from WNYT. Over his illustrious fifty-year career, Bob had a tremendous impact on all those who watched his meteorology reports across the Capital Region. In 1971, Bob graduated from Lyndon State College in Vermont where he received his degree in meteorology. He then launched his career at the Universal Weather Service in White Plains. After his time in White Plains, he went on to gain valuable experience at WTEN in Albany and WTAE in Pittsburgh. In 1988, Bob joined WNYT's First Warning weather team as the chief meteorologist for NewsChannel 13. This was the beginning of a long and rewarding relationship between Bob, WNYT, and the Capital Region. Over the years, Bob has become a familiar face and voice in the homes of many. His weather reports on the nightly news have helped to keep families informed, prepared, and safe for decades. In addition to serving as WNYT's chief meteorologist, Bob frequently spoke with various organizations on the intricacies of meteorology. Bob prioritized educating and inspiring young students and would spend many days visiting schools in the Capital Region to discuss meteorology. Due to Bob's dedication to producing high quality reports, he received the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval in Television Weathercasting. He is also a professional member of both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. Bob is a shining light in the field of meteorology and serves as an inspiration to others in his field. He will be sorely missed on NewsChannel 13 broadcasts. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am honored to congratulate Bob for his monumental career at WNYT and thank him for making a lasting impact on the Capital Region.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the incredible life of Max Thwaits III. Mr. Thwaits dedicated his entire life to serving his country and the Essex County community. Mr. Thwaits graduated AuSable Valley Senior High School in 2001 and joined the United States Navy following the 9/11 attacks. For over four years, Mr. Thwaits served as a Damage Controlman in Norfolk, Virginia. After leaving the Navy, Thwaits turned his attention towards his community and dedicated his life to working for the Essex County Office of Emergency Services (OES). In 2007, Thwaits joined the Essex County Emergency Services as a public safety dispatcher. He was subsequently promoted to assistant director and 911 coordinator in 2019. Last July, Thwaits was named OES Director in a promotion that was celebrated by first responders all over Essex County. During all his years at OES, Thwaits simultaneously volunteered with fire and ambulance companies in AuSable Forks and Jay. He was assistant chief with the Jay Volunteer Fire Department and named their Firefighter of the Year in 2015. While president of the AuSable Forks Ambulance Service, Thwaits received the regional leadership award for Emergency Medical Services. In addition to his numerous community responsibilities, Thwaits also served as an Intelligence Liaison Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Thwaits served as a mentor and leader to all those he worked with, and he will be dearly missed by his community. His life is a glowing example of everything that is good about selfless service in the North Country. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his partner, Lori Kilburn, his children, his parents, and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, it is my honor to remember and celebrate the life of Max Thwaits III.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert C. Shaw, for his courageous service in the United States Navy. Robert Shaw was born in 1924 in Saratoga County, New York. At the age of 19, Bob joined the United States Navy as a torpedo man's mate on the USS Tigrone. Bob and the USS Tigrone began their war patrol at Pearl Harbor and then set off for Guam for engine repairs. The fleet then made their way to the South China Sea to help identify and intercept Japanese shipping boats. Beginning in April 1945, Bob and his fleet performed lifeguard duties off the coast of Hainan until Japan surrendered in August of 1945. Bob was discharged from the Navy on December 21, 1945 at the rank of Seaman First Class. For his brave and selfless service, he was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. Following his time in the Navy, Bob continued to lead a life full of service to country and community. After being discharged, Bob bought and lived on two farms, where he organized a 4-H Club for local youth to mentor and educate them on proper farm practices. Bob was also an active member of Optimist International, a worldwide volunteer organization, and the Freemasons. In addition to his volunteer work, Bob contributed to the local community in a variety of ways. Bob owned and operated several local businesses including the Stage Coach Inn, the Crossroads, the General Store in Wilton, and Shaw Fuel, which is still in operation today. Throughout his life, Bob showed exceptional dedication to serving his country and his local community. I am proud to honor Bob with the Saratoga County Veterans Association as part of the monthly Honor our Deceased Veterans Ceremony. On behalf of the 21st District of New York, I would like to thank Bob Shaw and his family for their service to the country and community.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Telescope Casual Furniture on their 100th Anniversary in Granville, New York. For over a hundred years, Telescope Casual Furniture has thrived as a family business committed to Made in America manufacturing and community engagement. Henry Joseph William Vanderminden Sr. founded Telescope Cot Bed & Novelty Co. in 1903. Mr. Vanderminden began producing new cots and camp stools with telescoping legs, giving the company its trademark and name. Vanderminden was an incredible innovator and used the same contemporary mass production techniques as Ford Motor Co. to produce his furniture. In the early 20th century, Granville was facing an economic decline as the slate industry was slowing. Granville residents, concerned for the future of their home, founded the Granville Community Association to revitalize Granville's economic viability. The Granville Community Association recruited Vanderminden and persuaded him to move Telescope to Granville in 1921. Today, the partnership between Telescope and Granville remains vibrant. After nearly 120 years in business, Telescope continues to serve as a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Upstate New York and the North Country and is a testimony of an incredible locally- owned and family-owned business. Telescope Casual Furniture is a staple in the Granville community. From the iconic Telescope water tower to the company's decades long involvement with Granville Little League, Telescope Casual Furniture has left an indelible impact on the Granville community. As Granville's largest private employer, Telescope provides hundreds of high-skill jobs in New York's 21st District and produces high-quality products that are in demand across the country. The tremendous economic impact that Telescope Casual Furniture has had on Granville cannot be overstated, and I look forward to witnessing their continued success. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, it is my honor to celebrate the incredible impact Telescope Casual Furniture has had on the Granville community for the last 100 years.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Council of Chapters. The New York State MOAA Council has worked hard to bring New York State's chapters together since its charter in 1972 and is now the only state council to have held fifty consecutive conventions. It is my honor to recognize the dedication of New York State's chapters to MOAA's mission as they celebrate this incredible achievement in New York's 21st District. Since 1972, the New York State MOAA Council has worked hard to promote the ``Never Stop Serving'' motto of MOAA. In 1970, Lt. Col. Leslie Reichardt, United State Air Force (Ret.) led the New York MOAA Chapters in uniting to create a Council of Chapters. The Council was chartered on October 7, 1972 with the goal of promoting camaraderie and selfless service among its members. MOAA works to bring the voices of all military officers to the highest levels of government through leading the charge on fighting for fair compensation and benefits for all members of the military community. The New York State MOAA Council fosters relationships among military officers at every stage of their career, so they can work together to protect the rights and interests of officers and their families. This work has led them to be the top ranked association in advocating for all members of the uniformed services for 15 years. Not only do member chapters work for the military community, they also are active within their communities and support a wide variety of service member organizations. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I want to congratulate the New York State MOAA Chapter of Councils on 50 years of loyal service to our military officers. And I want to thank all of you and your families for selflessly dedicating your lives to our Nation's armed services. I thank them for their service.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic life and service of World War II veteran and United States Army Sergeant Harold McAfee. Harold McAfee was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 9th, 1923. Harold was a star hockey player in high school and was offered a scholarship to Fordham University. Instead, Harold enlisted in the newly formed 10th Mountain Division in 1943, where he trained in mountain combat and utilized his substantial hockey experience to learn skiing and mountaineering skills. He was deployed as a Combat Infantry Squad leader in Italy and held the line against Tito's movements on the Italy-Yugoslav border. During World War II, Harold played an integral role in one of the 10th Mountain Division's most iconic attacks. After two other divisions had previously failed, the 10th Mountain Division was tasked with securing Mount Belvedere in Italy's North Apennines to ensure Allied forces could safely advance into northern Italy. The 10th Mountain Division valiantly overran the Germans, clearing them from the high ground and laying the groundwork for an Allied victory. In 1946, Harold was honorably discharged and was awarded a Bronze Star and two Oak Leaf Clusters. After his time in the military, Harold dedicated more than thirty years of his life working for the United States Postal Service. In 1989, Harold and his wife Loraine relocated from Long Island to Queensbury. They spent a-large amount of their time enjoying the outdoors through hiking, skiing, camping, and golf. Harold prioritized sharing his passion for winter sports with children. For many years, he volunteered as a coach for Adirondack Youth Hockey, where he mentored hundreds of children. In addition, he was a member of several clubs in his community such as the Lions Club and the High Flyers. Harold remained active until he reached the age of 97, when his attention became fully devoted to caring for his wife who developed dementia. On behalf of New York's 21st district, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary life of Harold McAfee. It is my hope that his active spirit and community service will be carried on by those who knew and loved him.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous material.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Republican New York delegation, I rise today in recognition of and to honor our good friend, Mike Long, the longtime chairman of the Conservative Party of New York. Mike passed away this week with his beloved family at his side, leaving behind an extraordinary life and legacy. Mike Long was a man of integrity who lived a life of service above self. He was among the most, if not the most, respected and esteemed political leaders in New York politics by both his allies and his political opponents. Mike Long was proudly born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in southern Queens. In 1959, Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He felt strongly that his duty was to our country, and as we know--and this was Mike--once a marine, always a marine. Mike then served in elected office on the New York City Council and then for decades as chair of the New York Conservative Party, where he got to know nearly every State and Federal Republican and Conservative candidate for public office. His chairmanship continued for more than 30 years, which is a testament to his character, his work ethic, his leadership, and his determination to make a difference. In recognition of his strong defense of the rights of the unborn, Pope St. John Paul II named him a Knight of St. Gregory, one of the highest honors for a Catholic layman. Mike was a champion for hardworking New Yorkers and a lifelong advocate for smaller government, lower taxes, and improving the lives of hardworking New York families. My colleagues and I were all honored to call Mike a true friend. When I first ran for office, I had met Chairman Long at various Conservative Party events, but I set up a formal meeting to seek his advice. It was in his office in Brooklyn. That is a long way for an upstate New York native running in the North Country. I will be honest. I got lost in the city driving and was hours late for that meeting. It is a pet peeve of mine to be late, and, certainly, you never want to be late for a marine. It is a matter of respect to be on time. Mike couldn't have been more gracious--I will never forget it--saying I will probably win my campaign because I know how to drive in upstate New York but clearly not in New York City. I was proud to earn his support and that of the Conservative Party. My family was honored to have Mike and his wife, Eileen, at our wedding years later. He is a true lifelong friend. Now, Mike is in Heaven among the angels, and our hearts are broken for this truly irreplaceable loss. As I honor him for his service and an extraordinary life well lived today, we join together in praying for his beloved family, thousands and thousands of friends, and a vast community of admirers. I am so honored to have my colleagues here today. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko), my colleague from central New York.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin), our colleague from Long Island, who is proudly the Republican and the Conservative Party nominee for Governor of New York State.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Zeldin for his comments. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jacobs), our colleague from western New York.

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Jacobs for his comments. This is fitting because my colleague from Staten Island, who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, was the longtime representative at the State level and in Congress for Mike and Eileen Long. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Malliotakis).

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, as you heard from all the New York Republican Members of Congress, Mike's influence cannot be over emphasized. He has touched tens of thousands of lives over his decades of service and really his lifetime of service. As many of our Members talked about, Mike Long was a man of principle. Mike was a man of faith, of freedom, of family, and he was a proud American. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John W. Seaman, for his brave service in the New York Army National Guard. John Seaman was born in 1937 in Wantagh, New York. When he was young, his family moved to Greenfield and started a farm. In 1959, John entered the New York Army National Guard and was enlisted with the 247th Medical Company. John was deployed twice during his tenure with the National Guard. Both of his deployments were in the Return Forces to Germany Operations in 1990 and 1992 following the fall of the Berlin Wall. During these deployments, John supported active troops with military medical support and delivering aid. For his brave service during the 1990 deployment, John was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. In 1974, John's unit was awarded the National Guard Superior Unit Award for maintaining the Guard's highest standards. John retired from the service in 1997 at the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7 and was awarded the Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal for many years of service in the National Guard. In addition to his time in the National Guard, John loyally served his local community in a variety of different roles. In 1961, John and his wife moved to Corinth, New York, where he worked as the Superintendent of Buildings, Grounds, Maintenance, Custodial Staff, and the Bus Garage for the Corinth School District. He worked for the school district for a total of 37 years. While working for the school, John was actively involved in multiple local organizations. He was a member of the village planning board, president of Rondac Campers Association, and commander of the Horace D. Washburn American Legion Post 533. Throughout his life, John showed exceptional dedication to serving his country and his local community. We are proud to join the Saratoga County Veterans Association as part of the monthly Honor our Deceased Veterans Ceremony to honor John. On behalf of the 21st District of New York, I would like to thank John Seaman and his family for their service to the country and to the Corinth community.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 309, I mistakenly voted yea when I intended to vote nay. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Barragan (Correa) Beatty (Carter (LA)) Bentz (Obernolte) Brown (MD) (Evans) Cardenas (Correa) Castro (TX) (Neguse) Cherfilus-McCormick (Evans) Cohen (Beyer) Crist (Schneider) DeFazio (Pallone) Doggett (Beyer) Fallon (Gonzales, Tony) Hartzler (Bacon) Issa (Garcia (CA)) Jayapal (Neguse) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kahele (Correa) Katko (Meijer) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lawrence (Stevens) Leger Fernandez (Kuster) Lieu (Beyer) Mooney (Miller (WV)) Moore (WI) (Beyer) Moulton (Stevens) Newman (Beyer) Panetta (Beyer) Pappas (Kuster) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Pallone) Peters (Correa) Pingree (Kuster) Porter (Neguse) Reschenthaler (Meuser) Rice (SC) (Mace) Ryan (Beyer) Salazar (Gimenez) Sires (Pallone) Soto (Neguse) Taylor (Babin) Timmons (Armstrong) Trahan (Stevens) Walorski (Baird) Wasserman Schultz (Schneider) Williams (GA) (Carter (LA)) Wilson (SC) (Lamborn) Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Schiff

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Queensbury girls' lacrosse team on their exceptional run to the New York Class B State finals and to recognize their incredible thirty-one game winning streak. The Spartans have dominated over the past two seasons. They went undefeated in the 2021 season and had another flawless record in the 2022 regular season. While the state finals were unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Queensbury was able to compete for the Class B championship this season. Queensbury was the first team from section II to compete for this title in over a decade, and this was the first state finals appearance ever for the school. The road to the championship game for the Spartans was full of adversity, determination, and hard work. The Spartans were pushed to overtime in their semifinal game against Westhampton Beach when eighth grader Kady Duffy delivered the game-winning goal to defeat Westhampton nine to eight. Queensbury then went on to meet Victor for the Class B state championship. In this game, the Spartans got off to a rocky start and went into the half down ten to three. The team showed great resilience by coming back in the second half and holding Victor scoreless for ten minutes. However, the Spartans were ultimately unable to secure the title and eventually fell fourteen to five. Regardless of the outcome of this game, the Queensbury team showed incredible tenacity and foreshadowed what is possible for the program moving forward. On behalf of the 21st District of New York, it is my honor to recognize the Queensbury girls' lacrosse team and congratulate them on their exceptional two-year run. We are very proud of their tremendous work and cannot wait to see all they accomplish in the years to come.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Greenwich High School softball team on an extraordinary season culminating in a win at the state championship game. The Greenwich Witches won the state championship softball game at Moriches Athletic Complex over the Greene Trojans, by a score of four to one. Led by Coach Bill Curley, the Greenwich Witches rose to the challenge during their final game and, after an amazing comeback, the team pushed the game into an extra inning. Trailing by one run in the fourth inning, the Witches responded with a run of their own during the sixth inning and tied the game. In the top of the eighth inning, the Witches scored three more runs and sealed their state championship victory. After a hard-fought semifinal game earlier in the day, the Greenwich Witches' perseverance ultimately allowed them to succeed in the final. They won the state championship thanks to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. Pitcher Lily McCauliffe helped carry the team to victory with nine strikeouts during the championship game and eleven in the previous semifinal game. In the championship game, the Greenwich Witches began their comeback with a critical double hit by Reese Autiello. Additionally, Faith Ingber and Kiley Allen scored significant runs that carried the Witches to victory. Their perseverance and determination are truly inspirational and worthy of celebration. I am confident that the Greenwich High School softball team will continue to be a competitive force for many years to come. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I would like to congratulate the Greenwich Witches on their incredible 2022 season culminating in a state championship win. We are very proud of their hard work and dedication throughout this year.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the incredible life and impact of Bob Rulfs. Mr. Rulfs was the founder of Rulfs Orchard in Peru, New York, a family-owned and operated orchard, bakery, cafe, and roadside farm stand. Mr. Rulfs always dreamed of owning his own dairy farm when he was growing up. This dream was realized in 1952 when he purchased a farm in Peru, New York. The farm's humble beginnings consisted of four milk cows, twelve acres of apple trees, and Mr. Rulfs selling his apples out of a wagon on his front lawn. Over the years, Rulfs Orchard has expanded and now includes over fifty acres of corn, forty acres of apples, a thirty-acre pumpkin patch, and much more. The orchard has become a cornerstone of the Peru community. Mr. Rulfs worked on the orchard for seventy years and was always happy to greet and talk with everyone that stepped into the shop. His positive impact was apparent to everyone who had the pleasure of stepping into Rulfs Orchard, and he will be dearly missed by the North Country community. Mr. Rulfs is a glowing example of everything that is good about farming, family, and the North Country. He loved his community and lovingly referred to the North Country as ``God's Country.'' His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, it is my honor to remember and celebrate the life of Bob Rulfs.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Schuylerville baseball on their excellent season culminating in a New York state championship game. This was the second consecutive state finals appearance by the Dark Horses after the last two seasons were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Schuylerville Dark Horses showed great resilience and determination throughout their state finals run. They started the year with six early losses but turned their season around and won nine consecutive games on their way to the finals. In the semifinals, the Dark Horses found themselves down two to nothing in the second inning. They fought hard and climbed their way back to victory over Maine- Endwell High School. In this game, senior pitcher Ryan Dow gave up only seven hits, struck out five batters, and drove in a run in the fourth inning. In the state championship game against Spackenkill, Schuylerville again found themselves in a position where they needed to fight their way back, trailing four to one in the middle of the game. The Schuylerville team, as they have done all season long, showed great resilience by tying the game up in the fifth and holding on to force extra innings. Carson Patrick, a Schuylerville senior, contributed to this comeback with a triple that drove in two runs. Though they eventually fell six to four in the eighth inning, this Schuylerville team fought to the very end. On behalf of New York's 21st District, it is my honor to recognize the great accomplishments of the Schuylerville baseball team. We are very proud of the Dark Horses for their hard work and dedication, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish in the future.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Alcoa Massena Operations on 120 years of successful operations in Massena. The abundant hydroelectric energy supply in Massena drew Alcoa to the location in 1902 and, since then, the facility has become an integral part of the community. Alcoa Massena Operations is a great example of a facility focused on innovation and modernization. One hundred and twenty years ago in Massena, New York, Alcoa broke ground on what is now the world's oldest continuously operating smelter and has been focused on revolutionizing the aluminum industry by helping their customers develop more sustainable solutions. The Alcoa Massena plant is comprised of 198 pre-brake lines, making it one of the largest and most automated potlines in the industry. Alcoa Massena Operations can produce an incredible 800,000 pounds of aluminum every single day. In addition to smelting, the plant uses the melted aluminum to produce over sixty different alloys and rolling aluminum rods for customer shipment. Alcoa Massena Operations provides over 550 jobs for Massena community members, making an important element of the dynamic North Country economy. The jobs and services provided by this plant are integral to the vitality of Massena and the entirety of the North Country. On behalf of New York's 21st District, it is my honor to congratulate Alcoa Massena Operations on one hundred and twenty years of continuous service. We thank them for all they provide to our community.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Deborah ``Debbie'' Beahan for her years of service to the Hudson Falls community. Debbie spent much of her professional life working for Washington County and volunteering for several community organizations. Her dedication to her work and community has made a profound impact on Hudson Falls. Debbie was born and raised in Ticonderoga, New York and 1974, she moved to Hudson Falls. She worked for Washington County for 32 years. For 20 years, she worked for the Department of Motor Vehicles, which honored her in 1999 for her contributions to the community. After her time at the Department of Motor Vehicles, Debbie worked in the County Clerk office, serving as Deputy Clerk for 8 years and as County Clerk for 4 years. In addition to her career in public service, Debbie has volunteered at the Senior Center of the Kingsbury & Fort Edward Area, Inc. for the past 9 years. She is the president of the board of directors at the center and is a vital part of their daily operations. During the pandemic, Debbie's work was especially critical, as she made sure the members were kept up to date on all pressing matters related to COVID- 19. She also helped to install the ``My Senior Center'' software program that reports membership, personnel, events, meals, and transportation statistics for the center. Debbie got her start as a volunteer with the Special Olympics in the 1980s as a bowling and track and field coach. She also served as treasurer of the Washington County Republican Committee Women's Club, was involved with the heart fund, and participates in the Public Health Committee for employees. Due to all her years of hard work and dedication, it is no surprise that Washington County is honoring Debbie for her incredible service as a part of Older Americans Month. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I thank Debbie for her dedication to the Hudson Falls community and wish her all the best in future endeavors.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dale Grinnell for his years of service to Fort Ann. Dale has spent his entire life selflessly serving his community without ever expecting any thanks in return. Dale was born in Glen Falls, New York and grew up working on his family's two hundred and fifty head farm, Wilbur Grinnell and Sons Dairy Farm. In 1965, he moved to Fort Ann and began working at Finch- Pruyn Paper in Glens Falls. After thirty-five years, Dale retired from the paper mill and continued to focus his attention on serving his community. Dale is a deacon at the Cornerstone Bible Church in Fort Ann. He has also managed the church's food pantry for many years and takes great pride in ensuring food gets to those in need. He coordinates deliveries of this food and will deliver it himself if he is unable to find a volunteer. Dale and his wife worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to keep the food pantry open to ensure that everyone safely received the assistance they needed. In addition to his work with the Cornerstone Bible Church, Dale serves his community in many other roles. Preserving the incredible history of Washington County has consistently been a top priority for Dale. He is the administrator of historical markers at the Washington County Historical Society. In 2007, he contributed to the Fort Ann historical book, ``300 Years of History,'' and he serves as the vice president of the Fort Ann Historical Society. Dale was actively involved in preserving Battle Hill and assisted in obtaining grants for the project. Dale's dedication to preserving and improving the Fort Ann community cannot be understated. As Washington County honored him for his service in his community for Older Americans Month, I am proud to thank Dale for his commitment to serving the Fort Ann community. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am honored to recognize Dale for his incredible life of service.

Ms. STEFANIK

Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Erin Pierone on her retirement for faithfully serving the state of New York for over thirty years. In 1989, Erin graduated from the State University of New York in Plattsburg with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. After she graduated, Erin dedicated her life to serving some of the youngest members of her community. For sixteen years, she worked as a Child Protective Services caseworker in both the Saratoga and Warren County Departments of Social Services. During this time, she worked tirelessly as an advocate for the children of Saratoga and Warren Counties. She conducted numerous investigations into abuse and maltreatment to ensure a better future for every child with which she worked. Following her career as a caseworker, Erin continued to dedicate herself to improving the lives of those in her community by working as a Crime Victim Specialist in the Saratoga County District Attorney's office and for the New York State Police. During this time, Erin worked relentlessly to provide victims emotional support, rights information, help in finding necessary resources and assistance in filling out crime-related forms. Erin also often accompanied victims and their family members throughout the criminal justice proceedings. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Erin was a board member with the Saratoga Center for the Family. For five years, she also served as vice president and president of the New York Crime Victims Assistance Task Force. Erin received many well-deserved accolades throughout her career; including the Betty Martin award for Victim Advocacy through the Albany County District Attorney's office, awards for Victim Advocacy from the Warren County and Saratoga County District Attorney offices, the New York State Police Troop G Special Recognition award, and the New York State Police Superintendent's award. As a Child Protective Services worker and Crime Victim Specialist, Erin has been an invaluable resource to law enforcement and her community. Her dedication and passion will be forever remembered by the countless people that she has helped throughout her 32-year career. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I thank Erin for her incredible service to our community and wish her a happy and blessed retirement.