Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne), the subcommittee chairman for the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. Mr. Speaker, for years, Americans have urged Congress to work together and advance policies that promote good-paying jobs. We have heard the voices of those struggling to find the opportunities they need. They have been frustrated that the economy has taken so long to recover. Many feel stuck in a job market that has transformed dramatically due to advances in technology and an increasingly competitive global economy. It is time to deliver the results hardworking men and women desperately need and restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity. That is exactly why we are here today. This legislation is about jobs. I, along with my colleague Representative Krishnamoorthi, introduced H.R. 2353 to help prepare more Americans to succeed in the workforce by improving career and technical education. Today, far too many Americans lack the skills and education they need to build a promising career, and many jobs are going unfilled as employers face a shortage of skilled workers. Paul Tomczuk, president of R. H. Marcon and a constituent of mine, said: ``Workforce development is one of the most pressing challenges facing roofing contractors today.'' This is a problem we cannot afford to ignore. As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I have worked hard to address this challenge by enhancing awareness of how CTE programs can lift people out of poverty and expand opportunity. Too often, it is suggested that, in order to be successful in life, you have to get a bachelor's degree, but that is not the reality of today's diverse economy. In fact, I have met people who have gone into debt from attending a 4-year college or university only to enroll in a CTE program after graduation to get that good-paying job. Attending a more traditional college or university simply isn't the right fit for everyone. There are countless individuals who learn best in innovative, work-based programming where they can acquire hands-on experience aimed at a certain career. CTE programs are preparing students for the jobs of the future, including in technology, engineering, healthcare, agriculture, and more. However, there is more that can be done to ensure these programs are successful. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act will rein in the Federal Government's role in CTE and empower State and local leaders to tailor programs to meet the unique needs of the students in their communities. It will give students and parents the tools they need to hold programs accountable. Most importantly, this legislation encourages local education leaders to collaborate with local employers and improves alignment with CTE programs and in-demand jobs. This legislation is a win for American workers. By working together, we have developed a set of bipartisan reforms that will help address our Nation's skills gap, break the cycle of poverty, and help more individuals climb the ladder of opportunity. I want to thank Representative Krishnamoorthi and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle for all the work that went into moving H.R. 2353 forward, and I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), the chairman of the Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Ferguson), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the distinguished chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, who has had a commitment to skills-based education for many years.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2353) to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, as amended.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen), who is a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2353.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which will be considered on the floor this afternoon. I proudly championed this bill, because I truly believe that passing it will be a win for the American worker and for American families. Mr. Speaker, America is ready for a win. First, I would like to thank the House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Ranking Member Bobby Scott for their support in bringing this bill to the floor. I want to thank the Democratic lead, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi; and my colleague and CTE Caucus co-chair, Jim Langevin. I also want to thank House leadership, including Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Leader Kevin McCarthy, Speaker Paul Ryan, and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who remains in all of our prayers for a full recovery. Mr. Speaker, this legislation aims to restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity, because all Americans deserve a good-paying, family- sustaining job. One of the biggest challenges facing career and technical education is the stigma, or the bias, associated with it. Through the years, we have seen wrong-headed claims that students involved in the trades lacked ambition. These misplaced assumptions are slowly subsiding, but not soon enough. We have also seen students pushed down the college-for-all pathway that just doesn't work for some students. CTE, or skills-based education, has established itself as a path that many high-achieving students choose in pursuit of industry certifications and hands-on skills they can use right out of high school in skills-based education programs or in college. By modernizing the Federal investment in CTE programs, we will be able to connect more educators with industry stakeholders and close the skills gap that exists in this country. There are good jobs out there, but people need to be qualified and trained to be able to get them. Mr. Speaker, we have all met young people who haven't been inspired in a traditional classroom setting. We all know people who have lost jobs or are underemployed and are looking for good-paying, family- sustaining jobs. We all know people who are aspiring for a promotion, but keep falling short year after year. We all know people who are living in poverty. Maybe their families have been living in poverty for generations, for so long, they can't remember what put them there in the first place. This bill is for every one of these people. We have heard the voices of those struggling to find the opportunities that they need to get ahead, the voices of those struggling to make ends meet. We have seen their frustration. Many are stuck in a job market that transformed quickly due to advancements in technology, and they have been left behind. This bill will change that. It puts emphasis on advancing policies that promote good-paying jobs, and I look forward to the House passing it this afternoon. I urge my colleagues to support the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act so everyone from all walks of life can have the opportunity to succeed. It is the American way.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Pollinator Week, and it is a time when we encourage the protection of pollinator species, such as honeybees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies as essential partners of farmers and ranchers in producing food. These pollinators are vital to keeping items like fruits, nuts, and vegetables in our diets. As vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I know that healthy pollinator populations are critical to the continued economic well-being of rural America and our U.S. economy as a whole. It is important to recognize how critical it is to protect the health of pollinators and celebrate the significance that they play in our everyday lives. The number of honeybee hives has declined from 6 million in the 1940s to about 2.5 million today. We need to increase those habitats. American farmers have no better friends than the honeybee. More than one-third of U.S. crops require pollination. As someone who has a beehive in his backyard, I fully support efforts to raise awareness and keep our pollinators buzzing for generations to come.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the professional accomplishments of Paul Lyskava, who has served diligently as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association since 2002. Paul has been instrumental in working closely with members of the forest products industry. Even through a recession, Paul worked to put the Commonwealth in a good position. Today, Pennsylvania is the leading hardwood lumber producing State in the Nation. In 2015, Paul was the recipient of the Joseph T. Rothrock Conservationist of the Year Award, which recognizes actions and service that contribute to the continued conservation of Pennsylvania's forest resources in the spirit of Pennsylvania Forestry Association founder, Joseph T. Rothrock. Never before has the award been presented to an individual that served in a capacity at all similar to Paul's. For the 4 years before he took the helm at the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association, Paul served as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania, I want to recognize Paul for all he has done for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We are deeply grateful for your dedication and knowledge, Paul. Thank you, my friend.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I want to reflect just briefly on the horrific incident that occurred yesterday. It impacted so many friends and colleagues, and I certainly offer prayers for Steve Scalise and all those who were injured in that terrible incident. I offer my appreciation for the bravery of the Capitol Police that prevented many deaths from occurring with their heroic efforts of running to the sounds of the gun, even after the one officer being wounded, pulling herself up to prevent further injury and certainly fatalities. I also want to offer a call to replace, starting within this institution, on this floor, the attacks of hateful personal politics and resistance, and to replace that with respect, to return respect to this Capitol, to this floor, to our Nation, to our communities, and certainly to our families. And I just pray to God that God--the Scripture talks about how God will take acts of evil and use them for good, and I just pray that the evil, the horrific evil that was conducted yesterday, that this be an example that God will use that for good and that we replace the hateful rhetoric and resistance with respect.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, since coming to Congress, I have had the distinct honor to represent the Pennsylvania's oil region and the Allegheny National Forest. Among our many economic drivers in Pennsylvania, energy development played a critical historical role in Pennsylvania and the country and continues to be among our essential legacy industries in the Fifth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. While some of this energy production originally started with mining in the 18th century, the Pennsylvania oil rush in the mid-1800s changed America and has since had profound impacts on the world abroad. In the late 1850s, Edwin Drake, who later adopted the title of ``colonel,'' came to Titusville in search of oil deposits. Unsuccessful at first, he eventually made a breakthrough by drilling vertically through iron piping. In 1859, Drake drilled 70 feet down and finally struck oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania. The result was the world's first commercial oil well and the birth of the modern petroleum industry. Immediately after this innovation, the great oil rush began in Pennsylvania, attracting John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil, among others. Due to this important history, 700 square miles of the region were designated in 2004 as the Oil Region National Heritage Area, as recognized by the U.S. National Park Service. In the following decades, after Drake's well, the oil industry grew throughout northwestern Pennsylvania, along with the production of high-value hardwood timber and forest products. Finally, in 1923, the Allegheny National Forest was established in four nearby counties: Warren, Elk, Forest, and McKean. When the Allegheny was created, the Federal Government only purchased the surface rights, intentionally leaving the mineral rights in private hands due to the then well-established oil industry and its importance to the local economy. Since then, the Allegheny has largely operated harmoniously as a multiple-use forest, providing energy, forest products, good local jobs, recreation, conservation, wildlife habitat, and environmental benefits. However, mineral rights owners and the local industry have had significant challenges in recent years due to efforts by some to force more Federal regulations on oil and gas production in the Allegheny. In 2009, the Forest Service settled out of court with environmental activists to apply, for the first time, the National Energy Policy Act to the leasing and permitting process in the forest. After nearly a decade in the courts, the settlement was correctly overturned when the court opined that the Forest Service lacked the legal authority to require new regulations because the Federal Government does not own the mineral rights. Throughout this process, some tried to justify settlement by pointing to a provision contained in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which directed the Forest Service to write new oil and gas regulations, specifically on the Allegheny because of its split estates. In the years between 1992 and the settlement, this provision was never implemented because of the well-established working relationship between the Forest Service and local mineral owners. In short, there was no reason to move forward with new rules because production was already more than adequately regulated. Since the courts have repeatedly spoken in favor of the mineral rights owners and ruled that the Federal Government has no authority to write such rules, I have introduced H.R. 2316, the Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act, to correct the existing law. This legislation, if implemented, will repeal the requirements contained in the 1992 Energy Policy Act. By removing this language, the bill will help ensure that mineral rights owners and the Allegheny National Forest will be able to continue to access their property and the Forest Service does not write new rules in the forest. This legislation will also help to prevent further litigation, additional economic hardship in the region, and further waste of taxpayer dollars. The bill does not affect existing environmental regulations in any way. In the last Congress, the House passed the previous version with a bipartisan overwhelming vote. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues during the 115th Congress passing this legislation into law. Reflecting on Yesterday's Horrific Incident

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week, I had the opportunity to meet with students interning with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the Commonwealth's largest farm organization, with a volunteer membership of more than 60,000 members. Since 1950, it has provided legislative support, information, and services to Pennsylvania's farmers and rural families. The Farm Bureau provides its members with representation, both in Washington and their State Capitol of Harrisburg concerning legislation and rulemaking. Its grassroots structure allows county farm bureaus and their leaders to develop and implement policies which are then determined at an annual meeting. I am always pleased to meet with our farm leaders of tomorrow. Through this internship, students interested in pursuing a career in the agriculture sector are afforded a firsthand experience to further understand farmland preservation, commodity pricing, property rights, land management, and much more. Mr. Speaker, agriculture is Pennsylvania's number one industry. As vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, it gives me great hope for the future to see our youth engaging in policy issues that impact our farmers. I look forward to them pursuing their own careers in the agriculture sector.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last week, I met with members of the National Young Farmers Coalition. This nonprofit was founded just 8 years ago by three farmers in upstate New York. They gathered around a farmhouse table to talk about the challenges facing them and their peers: difficulty securing loans, access to affordable farmland, and student loan debt. They decided that they and other young farmers needed to step up and fight for the future of farming as a united front. Across the country, other young farmers were also coming to the same realization, and the coalition was born. It works in conjunction with farmers, consumers, organizations, and government to tackle the many challenges that young, independent, and sustainable farmers face in their first years of operating a farm business. Young farmers include all people who are kicking off a career in agriculture. Typically, in their first 10 years of growing, this includes anyone from a first-year farm apprentice to someone pursuing a midlife career change to agriculture. Mr. Speaker, rural America is struggling. But rural areas offer unique contributions to our Nation, often in the form of agriculture, raw materials, and naturally occurring commodities. As more and more young people pursue fast-paced careers in cities and urban centers, the size and composition of populations in rural America is rapidly changing. American agriculture, in particular, is facing a crisis of attrition. Two-thirds of our farmland is on the cusp of transition as farmers grow older and retire, and there are fewer young farmers positioned to manage this resource. Farmers over the age of 65 outnumber farmers under the age of 35 by a margin of 6 to 1. The number of farmers under the age of 35 grew by only 1 percent from 2007 to 2012. In order to fix this problem, we must help incentivize more young people to pursue careers in agriculture. That is why, together with Representatives Joe Courtney of Connecticut and John Faso of New York, I introduced the Young Farmers Success Act, which aims to accomplish this by adding farmers to the existing Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. After making 10 years of income-based student loan payments, a young farmer would see the balance of his or her student loans forgiven, just as other public servants who utilize this program currently do. It is my hope that the enactment of this legislation will lead to the continued enhancement of our Nation's farms. Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, Mr. Speaker, and as such, many of the rural communities in the State depend on agriculture in some form. Unfortunately, USDA released its first farm income forecast for 2017 and predicted that net farm income is expected to decline for the fourth consecutive year. Declining farm income coupled with low commodity prices over the past few years have adversely impacted farmers and rural communities across the Nation. I have met with farmers in and outside my district who are facing tough decisions about the future of their farms. As vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I know our Nation needs a robust agriculture sector so that we can continue to provide our Nation and nations across the world with nutritious food and fiber. In order to do so, we need to find ways to cultivate the next generation of farmers. Now, I believe that the Young Farmers Success Act does just that by taking away one of the barriers that can deter young and beginner farmers from entering into agriculture. Mr. Speaker, our farmers feed this Nation. Farmers are stewards of the land and cornerstones of our rural communities. They provide the country with a safe and affordable food supply. But we need to do more to cultivate the future generation of farmers. They face tough odds by the very nature of the business, and this legislation will provide incentives for those who would like to pursue a future in the agriculture industry, which aids our national security and the long- term sustainability of our country. Investing in our Nation's ability to put food on the table for our neighbors is not a partisan issue. I encourage every Member of this House to cosponsor this important legislation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, June is National Dairy Month, and, personally, I can't think of a better way to start the summer. From calcium to potassium, dairy products, like milk, contain nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage your weight, reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Whether it is a protein to help build and repair the muscle tissue of active bodies or vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy products are a natural nutrient powerhouse. Those are just a few of the reasons that we should celebrate dairy not just in June, but all year long. National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It was initially created to stabilize the dairy demand when production was at a surplus, but has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world. Proudly, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of the largest milk- producing States in the Nation, certainly the largest agriculture commodity in Pennsylvania. As vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I wish everyone a happy National Dairy Month.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last week, Penn State community lost a legend. Mr. Ray Walker passed away Friday at his home. He was 105 and Penn State's oldest living alumnus. Ray told our local newspaper that he saw the university grow a lot over the years from ``just a cow college'' to becoming one of the largest universities in the Nation. Penn State truly shaped Ray Walker's life. Back in 1931, he thought he wanted to be a doctor, but there was a requirement that he needed to take German. After failing twice, he reevaluated his major and decided to pursue business. Around that time, his father told him that he would have to leave Penn State because the family money was lost in the bank crash. But Ray went to work: He started selling potatoes and coal to fraternity houses, and by the time he graduated in 1935, he was sending money home to help his family. He founded Bradford Coal and was the driving force in surface mining all over the world. Penn State and I will miss Ray Walker. He was a friend. He was a distinguished alumnus and loved by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, earlier this morning, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition hosted a hearing to examine SNAP technology and modernization. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, was formerly known as food stamps. The Agriculture Committee has conducted a thorough review of SNAP over the past 30 months. This program is critically important to 42 million Americans who utilize it each month. It is the largest domestic hunger safety net program in the country, and it is imperative that it remains viable so we can continue to serve so many who are struggling. That is why, at today's hearing, we discussed technology and modernization of SNAP, including areas to enhance program integrity, streamline delivery of services, improve the customer experience, and ease administrative burdens. In just 2004, EBT, or electronic benefit transfer, was completed. This is the electronic system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their supplemental benefits to a retailer to pay for products. This was a tremendous step forward toward improving the program. As chairman of the Nutrition Subcommittee, I look forward to continuing to improve the efficiency of SNAP.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Pennsylvania, Representative Smucker--he is doing a great job representing his congressional district and being a strong voice for Pennsylvania--for hosting this important Special Order tonight focused on career and technical education. I appreciate my good friend, Representative Krishnamoorthi, who is with me and is leading the charge with the piece of legislation that I hope we will see on the House floor in the weeks to come. As co-chair of the House Career and Technical Education Caucus, I often say that a high quality career in technical education can help restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity. Now, this statement is one I truly believe in. For many Americans, those rungs have been displaced for different reasons, whether it is training that they have had, access to training, access to quality, effective training; whether it has been poverty; whether it has been unemployment, underemployment, all things that take away rungs on the ladder of opportunity, this career and technical education can truly restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity. It is undeniable that career and technological education has helped many Americans obtain the knowledge and skills they need to break the cycle of poverty and achieve a lifetime of success. The first step to increasing access to CTE programs, as we refer to them, across the United States is modernizing the Federal investment in these programs, and it has been more than a decade since Congress has updated the Federal law governing CTE programs. This is problematic, due to the fact that so much about our society and our Nation's workforce has changed during this time. Since the last time the Perkins Act was reauthorized, we have new skill sets, new jobs, new industry, new opportunities, new technology. So, for example, today, more than 1 million positions remain open in the trade, transportation, utility sectors, and an additional 315,000 manufacturing positions are currently unfilled. If we are to embark on a new era of American manufacturing and improved infrastructure, we need a qualified and well trained workforce to fill these positions. That is the number one asset of any business. It is not the location; it is not the compliance; it is not the marketing. It really is a qualified and trained workforce. With all this in mind, I have worked with my colleagues in introducing the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act once again this Congress. Last Congress, this bill did pass unanimously out of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and was widely supported on the House floor by a vote of 405-5. Unfortunately, things bogged down in the Senate, with a lot of good legislation at the end of the last congressional cycle, and so here we are again, which is okay, because we have taken the opportunity to make this just a little bit better, too. We had some small refinements, but some improvements. We used our time effectively. Now, this robust reauthorization of the Perkins Act will help ensure that Federal policies accurately reflect the challenges and realities facing today's students, workers, and employers. Additionally, the bill supports innovative learning opportunities and stronger engagements with employers. By promoting work-based learning at the Federal level, more employers will build relationships with students through hands-on experience. This type of learning is invaluable to students with a wide range of interests and learning styles. I am proud to see this bill pass out of the committee unanimously once again last month. I am looking forward to its consideration on the House floor and in the Senate in the future. Now, if we are serious about improving our Nation's workforce and providing greater opportunities for all Americans, we will work together to move this bill through the legislative process. After all, this new bill, as I have said before, does restore rungs on the ladder of opportunity. The impact of increasing access and quality of career and technical education is far-reaching. Take, for example, maybe a 15-year-old girl who when in school was uninspired, her head is on her desk. She doesn't learn in the typical way that many of us do, where people talk at you and teach, but if you can put something in her hands, the tools of career and technical education, that could be a welder, a set of wrenches, it could be a paint brush, it could be a stethoscope, farm implements, she is inspired, and she does great, she excels. I just heard about a young boy today, who is a young man now, but as a young boy was on the spectrum scale, he had some issues of autism. I was so inspired to hear this today. This young man went into career and technical education as a welder. And today, he is making a significant amount of money, more than what his teacher was making, right out of high school, as a welder because of what career and technical education did. The young couple facing unemployment and underemployment who is at the kitchen table trying to decide how to make ends meet, and this is an opportunity to get back into the workforce. The middle-aged worker who has been working the line manufacturing who would like a promotion, do a little better by his family, bring more money home, it provides and serves that person. The family who is stuck in poverty maybe for generations, stuck in poverty so long, they don't even remember what was the incident that put them into poverty generations ago, but this is a way to break that cycle of poverty. And certainly the successful business owner, who is doing all the right things, and she is invested in her business and has grown the business and has a great product and a great location and a great marketing plan, great compliance plan, because of regulation issues, but she is closing her business, because, Madam Speaker, she can't find qualified and trained workers to keep that business going, let alone grow it. These are all examples of folks who will benefit from this. I really want to thank my colleagues for their enthusiastic support of career and technical education. On a day when I know there are other places where there are pressures to be this evening, you are right here on the House floor and leading the cause for career and technical education, and I am very thankful for that. Once again, thanks to Representative Smucker for his leadership and tonight's Special Order.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Penn State's own Dean William Easterling on his appointment to head the National Science Foundation's Directorate for Geosciences, or GEO. Dr. Easterling was dean of Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences prior to beginning his 4-year appointment last week. This is an incredible opportunity for Dean Easterling, and Happy Valley is most proud of his achievement. Science was part of Dean Easterling's life from a very young age, as his father was a medical school physician. He told our local newspaper that he was taken at an early age by environmental sciences, geology, and weather, and these interests have always stuck with him. Dr. Easterling has been the dean of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State since 2007. He plans to return to the university after his appointment to the National Science Foundation. I wholeheartedly congratulate Dean Easterling on this momentous achievement. I wish him the best over the next 4 years. And I know that his hunger for learning and his advanced research skills will serve this Nation well. Congratulations, Dean Easterling.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week we observe National EMS Week to celebrate, unify, and inspire the men and women of our Nation's emergency medical services. The theme this year is Always in Service, which recognizes our EMS professionals and their constant service to communities throughout this nation. From a young age, children are taught that, in a moment of crisis, they call 911. From illness to injury, whenever the world seems to be ending, society counts on EMS personnel to be there. They are expected to work hard and be strong, especially in times of trouble. Mr. Speaker, as a volunteer firefighter, EMT, and a rescue technician with more than three decades of experience being on the front lines with these EMS professionals, I can personally attest to their dedication to saving lives. The job of an EMS professional is not easy. It requires just as much compassion as it does courage. These men and women are committed to making the world better, so I say thank you. Thank you to the EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, and supervisors across the country. Thank you for serving. Happy National EMS Week.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, many of us in this House will attend Memorial Day ceremonies over the weekend as we honor those who have died in the service to this great Nation. Certainly, in this office, one of the more difficult but one of the most honored opportunities is to be at the grave site of our fallen heroes as they are laid to rest and that American flag, which flies over our Capitol, is draped over their coffin. On this Memorial Day, I really want to highlight my brother-in-law, Larry Emerman, who in the fall of 1980, in the service of this country as a pilot in the United States Navy as a lieutenant commander, lost his life in the service of our Nation. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is one of America's most solemn occasions. The tradition of Memorial Day dates back to 1864 in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, which is considered to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. Three ladies decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers, and the custom has continued every year since then. It was an early fall day, in 1864, when Emma Hunter and her friend, Sophie Keller, picked flowers and went to the old cemetery to lay them on the grave of Emma's father, Reuben Hunter. Dr. Hunter was a young Boalsburg doctor at the time of the Civil War. When he volunteered to serve with the Army of the North, he was assigned to the hospital in Baltimore. In addition to attending the wounded soldiers, he also cared for the men who had contracted yellow fever while fighting in the southern swamplands. Dr. Hunter became ill. He died of yellow fever, and his body was buried in the Boalsburg Cemetery. On their way that day in that early fall, the two girls met Mrs. Elizabeth Myers, whose young son, Amos, had been killed the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg and was also buried in the old cemetery. Learning where the girls were going, Mrs. Myers asked to join them. They shared the flowers, and they placed them on both graves. It was decided then and there that they would meet the following year with flowers for all who had died in the Civil War. The three young women told their friends of the plans, and when the day came around, most of the villagers joined them. From that simple beginning came the observance of Memorial Day in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. Every year since then, the people have met on the Diamond in Boalsburg Square for the walk to the old cemetery to lay flowers on the graves of all the soldiers dead. They are led by a hometown band. All ages join in the walk and participate in the simple service of remembering. I have been proud to participate in that tradition which has spanned more than 150 years. Boalsburg still puts on a traditional Memorial Day celebration complete with a parade, a community walk to the cemetery, speeches, military reenactments, and much more. On Memorial Day, communities across the country will pay tribute to our fallen veterans who never returned home. Many of us will gather with family members, friends, and neighbors as we keep those we lost in our hearts. Unfortunately, for many of our Nation, Memorial Day has become a day of picnics and family gatherings, which is not a bad thing, but we must always remember truly where Memorial Day came from and its purpose, that we not forget those sacrifices. So as we raise the Stars and Stripes and as we lay wreaths at the monuments, memorials, and cemeteries, let us remember that our freedom is thanks to those who have died in sacrifice. We celebrate Memorial Day in honor of so many who are no longer with us. May God bless them, and certainly God bless the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for his leadership and putting this opportunity today for us to gather on the floor to speak on the topic of not just Memorial Day but the service and the sacrifice that warranted its origination.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an organization that is near and dear to my heart, the Lions Clubs International. I am a member of my hometown organization, the Howard Area Lions Club. I am proud that for many years it has been the largest Lions Club in Pennsylvania, despite being in a very rural area. Last year marked our club's 40th anniversary. The Howard Area Lions Club has consistently earned the recognition as the largest Lions Club in Pennsylvania. There are probably many factors that have led them to this title, but none more significant than their commitment to the Lions Club motto: We serve. The members of this club have served as the chartering organization for the Howard Scout Troop 353. I have been honored to serve as a Scoutmaster of that troop since they first assumed this responsibility. The idea of the Lions Club began 100 years ago in Chicago. A 38-year- old businessman named Melvin Jones told members of the local business club that they should reach beyond their business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world, and they agreed. Three years later, the Lions Club became an international organization. Melvin Jones inspired generations of people to become civic-minded individuals dedicated to using their talents and their ambition to improve their communities without financial reward. Melvin Jones had a personal code: ``You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.'' Well, the Lions Club redoubled its commitment to help others when a young advocate for the disabled spoke at the 1925 Lions Clubs International convention. This woman challenged the Lions to become ``knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.'' Of course, this woman was Helen Keller. Helen Keller developed a fever at 18 months of age that left her blind and deaf. After working with an exceptional teacher, Helen Keller learned sign language and braille, and a few years later she learned to speak. The Lions accepted Helen Keller's challenge and ever since have worked on several projects to prevent blindness, restore eyesight, and improve eye care for folks all around the world. Sight became one of the Lions' defining causes. Many are familiar with its eyeglasses recycling program where individuals can donate reading glasses they no longer need. Mr. Speaker, service to others is what makes Lions Clubs International such a powerful force of good in the world. I am grateful that Lions Clubs around the globe serve millions annually. I am so proud to be a member of an organization that not only lives up to its remarkable ideals but exceeds them time and time again. Congratulations to the Lions Clubs International on their centennial anniversary.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud member of the Foster Youth Caucus, and also as part of a family that was involved in the foster care system. Today I have the opportunity to spend time with Britni Burlingham as part of the Annual Foster Youth Shadow Day. Britni is a social work major at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. She is also a case aide for the Bair Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on foster care and adoption. This profession is rewarding for Britni because she has a firsthand experience. She entered the foster care system when she was just 7 years old. Britni has said that being able to work with children who have had similar experiences to hers is life-changing. She and her husband also provide a loving home to their two foster daughters. I am grateful that I can spend time today with Britni and hear about her positive experience with foster care. Her adoptive family built a strong foundation for her to achieve success in her own life. Mr. Speaker, this is what foster care is all about. I thank Britni for being here today, sharing her story and helping so many children overcome similar obstacles. Congratulations, Britni. We are all very proud of your success.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a truly wonderful business in State College, Pennsylvania: KCF Technologies. I had the honor of visiting KCF yesterday as it hit the milestone of hiring its 50th employee. KCF was founded in November 2000 by three Penn State researchers: Gary Koopmann, Weicheng Chen, and Jeremy Frank. It is a private company and is employee-owned. This rapidly growing technology innovation company focuses on putting inventions to work in the industrial world. Its staff develops and commercializes products and solutions for industry and the military. KCF specializes in wireless sensors, energy harvesting, underwater navigation, and smart material devices. Its goal is to bring the latest technologies to life to make things we work and live with smarter. KCF is not only expanding its workforce, but its revenues have grown at an average annual rate of more than 60 percent and over 500 percent since 2005. It set a lofty goal for this year to save its customers $100 million in 2017, and KCF is passionately working to achieve that goal. Outside of its State College headquarters there is a thermometer sign prominently displayed to track progress. Multiple department walls within the facility are also adorned with thermometer posters. As KCF saves customers money throughout the year, the thermometers reflect that progress by filling up. KCF Technologies not only cares about giving back to its customers, but it gives back to the Centre County community, too. To commemorate a record-breaking sales month in April, employees exchanged their workday to volunteer at CentrePeace. CentrePeace was established in 1994 with the purpose of providing a wholesome working environment for Centre County inmates. It operates the largest used furniture recycling project in the county, which prevents tons of items from ending up in the landfills. Inmates repair and restore electronics and furniture, participate in classes to improve their life skills, and learn how to handle conflict. KCF Technologies is also working to improve the lives of our wounded warriors thanks to research funded by the U.S. Army Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, and the National Science Foundation. It is fully researching and developing energy harvesting, self- powered prosthetic devices and the innovative Kinetic Revolutions Adjustable Pylon for use with leg prostheses. These electromechanical devices make life better for amputees at every age and walk of life. Today, with my colleague, Congressman Mike Thompson of California, we will introduce a bill that will curb Medicare fraud when it comes to unlawful and unlicensed providers of orthotics and prosthetics. Our bill works to ensure that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services stops allowing these unlicensed operations to apply for and collect Federal payments. As a former certified therapist and licensed nursing home administrator, I know firsthand the importance of safe and reliable products for those who are in need. When unlicensed and unaccredited providers deliver prosthetic and orthotic services, both Medicare beneficiaries and the American taxpayer are shortchanged. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2017.