Pete Stauber

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 199, legislation that rights a historic wrong made against a Tribe in my district, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Right after I took office, Chairman Jackson and other leaders from the Leech Lake Band approached me with a longstanding issue. In the 1950s, the Secretary of Agriculture claimed land owned by Leech Lake under a dubious administrative transfer, ignoring pleas from the Tribe and upending the Tribal tradition of land ownership. Landholdings such as these are the foundation of Tribal sovereignty. Therefore, this wrong had to be righted with an act of Congress that transfers the roughly 11,000 acres back from the Agriculture Department to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. From the first conversation I had with the band, I supported this land exchange. This acreage was taken from Leech Lake and needed to be returned. Unfortunately, the legislation itself was flawed. It lacked any language allowing rural utilities access to longstanding rights of ways and easements to ensure maintenance for power and other services can be performed. It is crucial this transfer is done the right way, meaning electric cooperatives delivering power have the access they need for maintenance. Therefore, I worked with the band and the rural electric cooperatives to achieve a win-win solution. Through a years-long negotiation, I am happy to see a signed memorandum of understanding between Leech Lake and the cooperatives delivering service in the area, which include Beltrami Electric, Lake Country Power, and Crow Wing Power. After receiving and reviewing the memorandum to accompany the bill, I supported its passage through the House Natural Resources Committee. With it now on the House floor, I look forward to its passage and the President signing the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act into law.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I am worried that, once again, we are not rising to the occasion as the American people continue to suffer from both this health crisis and the subsequent economic disaster. As the American people continue to call for justice for their fellow Americans, we are back here in D.C., for the first time in 7 weeks, and not one item on the Speaker's docket is to answer the American's people call or provide them relief. I am disappointed because I know that we can do better. Madam Speaker, 2020 has been a tough year, but we have seen some wonderful moments of bipartisanship. In the early months of this pandemic, Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the CARES Act, which created lifesaving programs for small businesses and helped provide families financial relief. Additionally, in response to calls for nationwide justice reform, I introduced the bipartisan JUSTICE Act, legislation cosponsored by both Republicans and Democrats that will improve our policing and reestablish trust between our law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Unfortunately, despite the JUSTICE Act's bipartisan nature, Democrat leadership does not want to address this issue. Despite the CARES Act's bipartisan nature, Democrat leadership continues to walk away from relief package discussions. Partisanship has once again taken priority over the needs of the American people. Madam Speaker, if the previous question is defeated, we will take up legislation that I introduced that will provide $850 million for better training of police officers; $500 million to increase the number of body cameras; and $1.2 billion in grants to police departments to invest in community policing, which is the philosophy that you don't police your community, you police with your community. Madam Speaker, I said this on the House floor in August, and it is unfortunate that I am saying this here once again in November: It is time for this Congress to get back to work.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, due to commitments back in my district, I had to miss votes on September 30, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 209; YEA on Roll Call No. 210; YEA on Roll Call No. 211; NAY on Roll Call No. 212; and NAY on Roll Call No. 213.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to keep millions of employees on the payroll of America's small businesses.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank my good friend, roommate, and colleague, Congressman John Shimkus, for his 24 years of dedicated service in the United States House of Representatives. John began his life of commitment to our country when he enrolled at the prestigious West Point Academy. Following graduation from West Point, John served 5 years in the Army and then entered the Army Reserves. Much like his time in the military, John's service in Congress has been defined by his steadfast approach to leadership and integrity. When I was elected to Congress almost 2 years ago, I was grateful to have John, not only as my guide but also as a roommate and friend. It has been a great privilege to live in the legendary Shimkus townhouse, where there were only two requirements: that I had to pay the rent on time and that I had to make sure the freezer was stocked with Dairy Queen Dilly Bars. I will always be thankful for the many late-night conversations after a hard day's work, where he and I had the chance to discuss not only policy and legislation but also about our lives and families. Serving in Congress often means spending a lot of time away from family and loved ones, so I want to thank John's wife, Karen, and his three sons, David, Joshua, and Daniel, for allowing their father, John, to serve for 24 long years. I know they will be happy to have him closer to home, and our loss is their gain. Madam Speaker, this entire body will miss John, and I am sure his constituency is thankful for his years of service. I know I am. That is the conclusion of my official remarks, but I want to talk off the cuff for a couple of minutes. I just want to thank you for your faithful leadership, your Bible verses that you give to me every day, and the roommates. That means a lot to me. I want to thank you for mentoring me these past couple of years. I couldn't have had a better mentor. Congressman Shimkus, you are a leader that we all look up to. Thank you.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish happy birthday to Rose Bayuk, who turns 105 on November 2. Rose served as a nurse during World War II and dedicated much of her life to caring for others. She grew up in Buhl, Minnesota. In 1938, Rose graduated from Khaler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. Her diploma was signed and presented to her by the famous Mayo brothers themselves. Upon graduating, she moved to California to begin her career. Shortly after moving, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Rose decided to serve her country by enlisting in the Army Nurse Corps. During the war, Rose made several crossings across the Atlantic on an English ocean liner, bringing home wounded from Italy, France, and North Africa. After her service, Rose continued a life of service by becoming a school nurse, and eventually the head of a nursing home. Rose now lives in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where she stays active by going to the gym and playing bridge. Rose, thank you for your incredible service to our country, and I wish you the happiest of birthdays. Celebrating Lifestone Health Care

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, during National Small Business Week, I rise to honor Dr. Chiamaka Enemuoh, the owner of Lifestone Health Care, a business located in Proctor, Minnesota, that is dedicated to providing compassionate and reliable medical care for clients in a home-like setting. Lifestone opened in 2014 as a 2,000-foot house with five employees. Thanks to the strong leadership of its owner, Dr. Enemuoh, Lifestone staff and capacity doubled by 2016, allowing them to serve more in the community. In addition to her work at Lifestone, Dr. Enemuoh enjoys serving as a mentor to young African-American women in the community and volunteers much of her time at organizations like the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and African Women's Group. Due to the valuable services this business provides to the Northland and the dedication of Dr. Enemuoh, the Small Business Association recently named Lifestone Health Care as the 2020 Minnesota Minority- Owned Small Business of the Year. Thank you to Dr. Enemuoh and the entire staff at Lifestone Health Care for providing excellent healthcare to the residents of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District. Your commitment to our community serves as an inspiration to all. Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs like Dr. Enemuoh are absolutely invaluable to our society. And as we continue to celebrate Small Business Week, we must also reinforce our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs like Dr. Enemuoh who create jobs, provide valuable services, and help drive our economy.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on September 22, 2020 due to a personal matter. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 196; YEA on Roll Call No. 197; and YEA on Roll Call No. 198.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mark Sertich. A hockey legend and leader in the Duluth community, Mark passed away last month at 99 years old. Upon graduation from Duluth's Denfeld High School in 1939, Mark served his country in World War II as a radio operator under General Patton. When he returned home from the war, Mark dedicated his time and efforts into growing the game of hockey in the Duluth community because he knew the true power of hockey was its ability to bring people together. Mark helped build hockey rinks, coached youth teams, and served as the head of the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association--all helping to ensure his passion would pass down to the next generation. Mark's love for the game of hockey lasted his entire life. In fact, he holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest hockey player, and he continued to play with my former colleagues in the Duluth Fire Department for over 30 years. I had the great honor of playing with Mark during some of those games, and I am thankful to everyone at the Fire Department who made those games possible. Mr. Speaker, I know that Mark Sertich is already missed by his family, friends, and all of the Duluth community, but I hope they are comforted in knowing that his life as a hockey legend, community leader, World War II veteran and a member of the greatest generation will be long remembered and celebrated.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, it has been 22 days since the last time this body has met, and in those 22 days that the Speaker has refused to work on real relief packages, people have lost their jobs, small businesses have closed, and Main Streets have suffered. The American people were left with the question: Where are our leaders? I have begged, the President has begged, and the Senate has begged: Please call the House back into session to work on a bill to help suffering Americans. Now we are back in Washington for less than 12 hours. It is embarrassing that, while we could be working on vaccine funding, saving small businesses, and justice reform, the Speaker will gavel us out and Americans will once again be wondering: Where are our leaders? I introduced legislation that will fund better training for police officers, increase the number of body cameras, and fund important grants to police departments that help with community policing, which builds trust and lasting relationships in the communities they serve. It has been 89 days since George Floyd's tragic death, and in those 89 days, Senator Tim Scott and I have put forth legislation to fix and improve our policing. We have begged Democrat leadership to come to the table and address this issue that Americans and our communities have asked for. Yet, what do we get? Twelve hours in Washington, D.C., and no action on vaccine funding, no action on small business relief, and no action on police reform. Madam Speaker, I urge defeat of the previous question so we can consider this important bill and get Congress back to work, because a Congress at work is America at work.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and ranking member for including my amendment in this en bloc amendment. Mr. Speaker, my amendment is simple. It gives the Secretary of the Navy the authority to solicit contracts from non-homeport shipyards for maintenance work to meet surge capacity should the shipyards meet the Navy's requirement for ship repair work. Currently, the Navy has a tremendous maintenance backlog, but under current law, there are certain restrictions that limit where naval vessels can undertake maintenance repair. Unless these restrictions are lifted, the Navy's backlog will only increase exponentially. At the same time, there are qualified shipyards in the rest of the United States, including the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and Alaska, that can perform repair work for certain types of naval vessels. These yards have the capacity and skills to do this work. They just need the chance. Last year, an amendment of mine was adopted into the 2020 NDAA. It requests the Navy report on the feasibility of doing maintenance work on naval vessels at shipyards other than shipyards in the vessel's homeport. The report was produced this spring, and within the report, the Navy concluded that the law could be modified to allow the Navy to use non-homeport shipyards to meet surge capacity. We have done the proper examination. Now it is time to give the Navy the authority it needs to reduce its maintenance backlog. This amendment provides an opportunity for the Navy to diversify their industrial base, create resilience, and improve our military readiness. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Tiffany and Congressman Cox for cosponsoring this amendment.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the opportunity to offer my crucial amendment that will help the five sovereign Chippewa Tribes in my district: The Bois Forte Band, the Fond du Lac, the Grand Portage, the Leech Lake, and the Mille Lacs Band. Northern Minnesota Tribes provide cultural perspective that enrich and inform my policymaking. However, Indian Country has endured a crisis unlike any other. Suicide among American Indian and Alaska Natives is a devastating epidemic impacting the communities in my district and across our Nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of suicide of any ethnic group in the United States, and it has steadily been increasing since 2003. To this day, suicide is the second leading cause of death among native youth between the ages of 15 and 24. Despite this startling trend, funding for Native American suicide prevention programs within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration was level funded from last year. Level funding is not enough. We need these funds to strengthen community-driven and informed approaches to reduce suicide among native populations. Mr. Speaker, my amendment today nearly doubles funding for Native American suicide prevention programs. These crucial resources within SAMHSA will benefit Native American and Alaska Native youth everywhere. For example, the renowned Indian Health Services facility in Bemidji, Minnesota, serves 34 Tribes in the Midwest covering my district and well beyond. With increased funding from this amendment, they would be able to provide more suicide and mental health services and outreach to our communities. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I would like to thank my partner in addressing this issue, the dean of the House, Don Young, from the great State of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for my amendment and, in turn, support for ending the longstanding and devastating epidemic in Indian Country that is suicide.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote on July 27, 2020 because I had the privilege of advocating for American jobs in northern Minnesota and working with the President's task force to find answers for unsolved Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 167.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to express my disappointment, once again, with being denied the opportunity to amend this harmful piece of legislation on the floor. The Interior appropriations bill was introduced by my colleague from St. Paul and produced by the subcommittee she chairs. Having anti- mining riders attached was no surprise, as Twin Cities Democrat politicians have leveled attacks at future mining projects multiple times this Congress. However, section 435 of division C is a new low. It directly attacks three existing iron ore operations: The Minntac mine, the Minorca Mine, and the Northshore mine, along with the Coldspring Mesabi Black quarry. Combined, this places more than 2,000 jobs in my district on the chopping block. These blue-collar jobs support families in my district, jobs we need, especially during this pandemic. Twin Cities anti-job environmentalists continue to level bolder and bolder attacks on our way of life in northern Minnesota by now putting iron mining squarely in the crosshairs. China controls more than half the world's steel market with a cheap, low-quality product built with horrific and zero labor standards and environmental standards. In my district, reclaimed mines provide drinking water for entire communities. Northern Minnesota has the cleanest air and water in the world and much cleaner than the brown water in St. Paul. We all care for our environment, but this legislation is no longer about environmental protections. This is about ideology and our way of life. I will fight for northern Minnesota and our blue-collar jobs with every fiber in my body.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable woman named Rosemary Stratioti, a well-known West Duluth native who recently passed away from COVID-19. Her life serves as an example of what it means to be a friend, a neighbor, and a patriot. As a daughter of a World War I veteran and a spouse of a World War II veteran, Rosemary dedicated her life to honoring those who fought and sacrificed for our country. Rosemary served as the president of the West Duluth American Legion auxiliary for over 50 years. She helped lead and organize the West Duluth Memorial Day parade. Rosemary made a special effort to ensure the children in her community knew the real meaning behind Memorial Day and that it is not just another day off from school. She was known to say: ``If it wasn't for the soldiers who gave their lives for you and me, we wouldn't be here today.'' She held this patriotic spirit year-round, and when vandals knocked down a concrete eagle from a military veteran's monument in Duluth, it was Rosemary who led an effort to restore the monument honoring veterans. Madam Speaker, I know that Rosemary Stratioti is already missed by her family, friends, and our whole community of West Duluth, but I hope they are comforted in knowing that she will be long remembered for her many contributions. Rosemary, rest in peace, faithful servant.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee for including my legislation in the NDAA for 2021. I would also like to thank my good friend from Maine, Congressman Jared Golden, for introducing the legislation with me and championing its amendment during markup. My bill holds Federal agencies accountable for paying businesses for work already performed due to contract modifications made by Federal agency clients. As ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business' Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, I think it is important to speak up for the small businesses that support the Federal Government and procurement marketplace. When small businesses work with the Federal Government, they choose to do so risking their livelihoods on the promise that they will be paid for the work that they have agreed to perform. Access to steady and stable cash flow is the lifeblood of a small business, and they trust that they will be paid timely and fairly each and every time they sign on the dotted line. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has not been holding up their end of that bargain, particularly when it comes to contract modifications or change orders issued unilaterally by an agency on Federal construction projects. These delays in the approval and payment of change orders have a disproportionate impact on small construction contractors. My legislation provides a measure of financial stability to our small contractors by requiring the government to pay for at least half of the work the small business has completed, at the time an invoice is submitted, pursuant to the change order work requested by the agency. This will ensure that our small businesses obtain at least some fair and timely compensation for the work performed, without having to wait for the change order payment approval to work its way through miles of government red tape and bureaucracy. This legislation holds agencies accountable for the changed work they request, which is simply the right thing to do. Again, I thank the chairman and ranking member for including this legislation in the NDAA.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand here today and congratulate Major General Jon Jensen of the Minnesota National Guard on his recent nomination to become the next Director of the Army National Guard. Major General Jensen is a proven leader with an extraordinary record of service to the great State of Minnesota and our Nation. Currently, Major General Jensen serves as the adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, meaning that he is the highest ranking guardsman in our State. Major General Jensen has also held numerous other leadership positions during his 37 years with the National Guard. Throughout his entire career, Major General Jensen has served with the highest level of dedication. His service has earned him the respect of the public; countless government officials; and, most importantly, his fellow guardsmen. On behalf of the entire State of Minnesota, I thank Major General Jon Jensen for his service and congratulate him on this well-deserved nomination. Major General Jensen's rich experience makes him the perfect fit for the position, and I look forward to seeing him confirmed by the United States Senate soon.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about two stories, two parallel stories that are not conflicting but coexist in our world today. The first story is that of a police officer in Anytown, USA, the police officer who swore a solemn oath to serve and protect her community and who every day proudly puts on the badge, gets in her car, and goes to her job knowing full well that she may not come home. She has a family and kids whom she wants to see graduate. She still puts on the badge every day because she cares deeply about making her community a better and safer place. I know this story well from my 23 years as a law enforcement officer. It is a narrative of pride that needs to be known and heard. It is a narrative that deserves admiration and respect. The second story is of a Black teenager also in Anytown, USA, who watched Walter Scott get shot in the back in South Carolina, who saw Ahmaud Arbery go out for a jog and not come back, and who saw George Floyd murdered at the hands of police and who is genuinely afraid and uncertain that, if he leaves his home and goes out to the store for his mother, he may not come back. These communities feel abandoned, they feel left behind by their government, and by sitting in this Chamber today and bringing up a bill that is so partisan that it will go nowhere after its consideration here, the majority is proving them right. The majority is telling that Black teenager and that officer that their concerns can wait until after election day. Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit asks that we consider both stories, both perspectives. My motion to recommit, which is the JUSTICE Act, was the product of Senator Tim Scott's and my sharing two different stories and finding solutions that inspire real change. The JUSTICE Act makes the necessary reforms that should have been made a long time ago. I know, when it comes to hiring an officer, there is no room for mistakes. This JUSTICE Act improves access to prior disciplinary records, ensuring that officers who continuously act outside of their policies, procedures, and training can never move from department to department. It emphasizes community-reflective recruitment, ensuring the makeup of police departments more closely resemble the communities that they serve. It restores investment in community policing. This is a philosophy that you don't police your community; you police with your community. It invests in improved police training, with a focus on de-escalation techniques and the duty to intervene. It increases funding for body camera usage, which helps identify bad officers and exonerate the good ones. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you vote for this motion to recommit. I ask that you vote for real change, for reforming our law enforcement, for implementing community policing best practices, for more body cameras, for de-escalation training, for duty to intervene, and for mental health training. I ask that you vote for that officer who wants to come home to her kids and for that Black teenager who, today, feels left behind. At a time when so many feel divided and our Nation needs healing, let us be the shining city upon the hill. Let us stand together as one Congress and as leaders of this Nation and advance real and much-needed police reform. Mr. Speaker, vote ``yes'' on this motion to recommit. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. STAUBER. I am in its current form.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the House floor to offer words of consolation and support to the Grand Rapids community in Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District as they mourn the loss of two local businesses from a tragic fire. Last Saturday, a fire broke out in the basement at Lakeview Behavioral Health, and quickly spread to the VFW Post 1720 building next door. While we are fortunate that no one was harmed in the fire, both businesses are a total loss. I was deeply saddened by this news, as the VFW Post in Grand Rapids served as a place where combat veterans could gather for support and camaraderie since 1929. It also housed valuable historic memorabilia, much of which is now gone. Mr. Speaker, I thank the brave firefighters and first responders who quickly responded to this emergency and prevented this fire from spreading further. Your dedication to this community is greatly appreciated. Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to the veterans who frequented this VFW post, the patients who attended Lakeview Behavioral Health, and the entire Grand Rapids community as they recover from this loss. Please know that I stand by ready to help in whatever way I can during this rebuilding process. Honoring the Life's Work of Howard Hedstrom

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of Howard Hedstrom of Grand Marais, Minnesota, and the entire Hedstrom family. Last month, at the age of 71, Howard retired as president of Hedstrom Lumber Company, a business that his family built from the ground up and ran for over 100 years. Howard's grandfather, Andrew Hedstrom, was a Swedish immigrant who pieced together a used sawmill to build a company that would employ three generations of Hedstroms. While Hedstrom Lumber Company had humble origins, thanks to determination, leadership, and the foresight of company employees, like Howard, it evolved into one of the largest employers in Cook County, Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, for generations, Minnesotans have worked in our forests, helping to support their families and boost rural economies. The Hedstrom family is a fine example of this great tradition. I am incredibly grateful to Howard and his entire family for their dedication to the Grand Marais community and Minnesota as a whole. Mr. Speaker, I wish Howard a relaxing retirement spent with his wife, Bonnie, and the rest of his loved ones.

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shawn Manke from Cambridge, Minnesota, for his recent promotion to the rank of brigadier general in the Minnesota National Guard. Shawn grew up on the shores of Spectacle Lake in southwestern Isanti County, and spent his summers working at his family's resort. He is a proud graduate of Cambridge-Isanti High School. Upon graduation from the ROTC program at the University of North Dakota, Shawn was commissioned as an Army aviator in 1991. After being released from Active Duty, Shawn knew he was not ready to give up his life of service and enlisted as an officer in the Minnesota National Guard. During his time with the Minnesota National Guard, Shawn has held many leadership positions, including director of Army aviation, commander of the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, and commander of the 2nd Battalion 147th Assault Helicopter. Shawn's exemplary leadership has earned him numerous military awards, such as the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oakleaf clusters. Brigadier General Shawn Manke is an accomplished officer with the knowledge and experience necessary for his new role. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District, I thank him for his years of dedicated service, and congratulate him on his well-deserved promotion. Standing with the Grand Rapids Community

Mr. STAUBER

Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, this week we said good-bye to a brave member of the Greatest Generation. Arleigh Birk, Minnesota's last known survivor of the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor, passed away just 2 days before his 100th birthday. Arleigh Birk was born and raised on a farm in North Dakota and joined the Navy when he was 19 years old. He was a 21-year-old Navy gun director stationed aboard the USS Honolulu when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Sunday, December 7, 1941. As enemy forces dropped bombs, Arleigh courageously returned fire. His ship suffered damage during the attack, and Arleigh was transferred to the USS Denver, where he fought numerous battles throughout the Pacific theater. After that war, he was honorably discharged and married the love of his life, Marion. Together, they had five children. On Minnesota's Iron Range, Arleigh became a local legend, known for his kindness and record of service. Over the years, he kept in touch with many of his fellow veterans through the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and often attended local events to honor the Americans lost on that infamous day. Madam Speaker, Arleigh lived an inspiring life, and I am proud to honor him here today. While he may be gone, Arleigh's legacy of service, sacrifice, and courage will live on in our hearts and our minds forever.