Monday, September 28, 2026

Vol. 172, No. 153 · 119th Congress, 2nd session

Honoring Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church on Its 126th Anniversary

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church of Columbus, Georgia, as its congregation celebrates 126 years of faithful service to God and to the people of the Chattahoochee Valley. A worship service to celebrate this momentous accomplishment was held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 2:00 pm. For me, this is not simply a tribute to a church; it is a tribute to my church home--the place where I sat in the pews for 24 years, where I was fed, corrected, comforted, and sent. Mr. Speaker, every great story has humble beginnings, and Fourth Street's story began under a fig tree. In 1900, a few devoted men and women gathered beneath a fig tree on Third Avenue in Columbus to worship God under the leadership of the Reverends John Bellamy and Willis Carter. They called themselves Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. They had no building. They had no pews. They had no steeple, but what they had was faith. The very next year, in 1901, Reverend Bellamy led fifteen faithful souls to worship beneath a bush arbor on Fifth Street--open sky above, wooden benches below--as the New Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. Later that year, the Reverend Pearson was called as pastor, and under his leadership that littLe band of believers did something remarkable. They bought a tract of land for 50 dollars. 50 dollars, Mr. Speaker. For people only a generation removed from slavery, that was not a small sum. That was a sacrifice. On that land they raised a humble shelter for worship, and that shelter became Fourth Street Baptist Church. The prophet Micah wrote, "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid." Those first saints sat under their fig tree. And for 126 years, Mr. Speaker, no one has been able to make Fourth Street afraid. In 1961, the Lord sent Fourth Street a young preacher from the Pumpkin Bottom community of Phenix City, Alabama--the Reverend Johnny H. Flakes, Jr. He would remain its pastor for 51 years, while also shepherding Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City for fifty-three. Dr. Flakes was a preacher, a teacher, an evangelist, and--as anyone who ever heard him will tell you--a soloist who could sing the Spirit into a room. But he never believed the Gospel stopped at the church door. He was a leader in the NAACP, a pivotal force in establishing the Urban League of Columbus, and a cofounder of One Columbus, which worked to bridge the racial divide in our city. He chaired the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, American Baptist College in Nashville. And when hate tried to make Fourth Street afraid--when the church was firebombed--Dr. Flakes did not flee, and he did not falter. He stood. He stood for Fourth Street, and he stood for every other church that faced the same terror. With his beloved wife, Mother Robena Gaines Flakes, at his side for 58 years, Dr. Flakes led Fourth Street's founding of Fourth Street Towers in 1972, bringing affordable housing to the families surrounding the church. The congregation raised its Christian Education Building in 1977. And in 1992 it opened the Fourth Street Day Care, with Mrs. Flakes as director--the first day care center in the State of Georgia to receive the Center of Distinction Award. Mr. Speaker, I must speak personally now. For 24 years, Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church was my church home, and Dr. Johnny H. Flakes, Jr. was my pastor. Before many people knew my name, Dr. Flakes knew me. Through trouble or triumph, he was always available, and he always gave me wise counsel. And Mrs. Flakes--Mrs. Flakes was like a mother to me. When I think about the man I have tried to become, in public life and in private faith, I cannot separate it from the lessons I learned in those pews on Fifth Street. When Dr. Flakes went home to be with the Lord on November 12, 2012, a part of my own heart went with him. But I have learned, Mr. Speaker, that when God calls a shepherd home, He does not leave the sheep without a shepherd. Dr. Flakes encouraged his children not to be carbon copies of him, but to glean from his wisdom and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. His son has done exactly that. The Reverend Dr. Johnny H. Flakes, III, was once a football standout at Tuskegee University--the school's all-time return specialist and a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, a return specialist, is the one who catches what has been sent to him and carries it forward--through traffic, against opposition, toward the goal. And that is precisely what Pastor Flakes has done with the mantle his father placed in his hands. He earned his Master of Divinity from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center, a master's degree from the University of Iowa, and a Doctor of Ministry from Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology. He pastored Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta and served as co-pastor alongside his father before taking up the pulpit at Fourth Street. Today, with his wife, Jacqueline, beside him, he chairs Fourth Street Towers and the Fourth Street Daycare and Academy, and he serves our community through the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the John Amos Center Advisory Board, Historic Columbus, and so much more. The Word of the Lord declares, "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace." Under Pastor Flakes, the latter house is building on a glorious foundation. Mr. Speaker, 126 years ago, there was a fig tree. Then there was a bush arbor. Then there was a 50-dollar lot and a humble shelter. Today there stands a great church at 222 Fifth Street--with housing for families, a school for children, and a pulpit that has never stopped proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses"--Reverend Bellamy, Reverend Carter, Reverend Pearson, those first fifteen members, Dr. Johnny H. Flakes, Jr., and generations of saints who have gone on before--I believe that cloud of witnesses is looking down on Fourth Street today. And I believe they are well pleased. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and I, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's 2nd Congressional District, in congratulating Pastor J. H. Flakes, III, the officers, and the entire membership of Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church on 126 years of faith, sacrifice, and service. May God continue to bless this house--my house--for generations yet to come.

Recognizing Ostomy Awareness Day

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Terri A. Sewell (D-AL)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ostomy Awareness Day, which will be observed on Saturday, October 3, 2026. An ostomy can be a difficult and deeply personal journey, but for many individuals, it is also a second chance at life. Ostomy surgery can provide a path forward for people facing serious illnesses and conditions, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, traumatic injuries because of domestic abuse or military engagement, and any other number of medical challenges. These procedures can be lifesaving and life-restoring, allowing individuals to return to their families, their workplaces, their communities, and the activities they love. Yet too often, people living with an ostomy face misunderstanding, stigma, and unnecessary barriers. Ostomy Awareness Day provides an important opportunity to educate the public, dispel misconceptions, and remind us that an ostomy does not define a person or diminish the quality of a life. In Alabama, approximately 13,000 people are living with an ostomy. They are our neighbors, friends, family members, coworkers, veterans, caregivers, students, and community leaders. Their experiences demonstrate the strength and resilience of people who have overcome significant medical challenges and continue to live full and meaningful lives. I also want to recognize the families, caregivers, physicians, nurses and certified ostomy nurse specialists, and other health care professionals who provide essential care and support to those living with an ostomy. Their compassion and expertise make an enormous difference in helping patients adjust to life after surgery and thrive. This year's Ostomy Awareness Day theme, "One Community--Stronger Together," is a fitting reminder that no one should have to navigate life with an ostomy alone. Awareness, education, peer support, and access to quality care can help ensure that every person who needs an ostomy has the resources and support necessary to live with confidence and dignity. On Ostomy Awareness Day, we celebrate the resilience of the ostomy community and recognize the medical advances and dedicated professionals that have made these lifesaving surgeries possible. Most importantly, we affirm that an ostomy is not the end of a person's story--it can be the beginning of a healthier and more hopeful chapter. I am proud to stand with the Alabama ostomy community and with ostomy communities across our Nation. I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to join me in raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and celebrating those whose lives have been saved and restored through ostomy surgery. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing October 3, 2026, as Ostomy Awareness Day.

Recognizing Community Leader Andy Nogal on His Retirement

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J. Luis Correa (D-CA)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Andy Nogal, Deputy Director for the Housing & Community Development Department of the City of Anaheim, on his retirement. For the past 24 years, Andy has served as a key member of the City of Anaheim's Housing & Community Development Department, holding responsibility for all aspects of for-sale and rental housing development projects. Andy has extensive experience with housing development financing, including State and Federal Tax Credits, bond financing, and other funding sources. He has a profound passion for affordable housing development and was part of a team that facilitated the development of over 2,879 affordable rental new construction, acquisition/rehabilitation, and for-sale housing units since 2005. Andy also has a strong interest in the built environment, ensuring that Anaheim's affordable housing development projects are designed in a manner that are respectful to neighborhood character, provide quality architectural and landscape design, stand the test of time, and serve as an asset to the community. In times of reduced financial and staff resources, Andy continues to seek and identify internal and external resources to assist in the development of affordable housing. Andy worked with Anaheim City Planners to implement substantial developer incentives/waivers as part of the City's Multifamily Affordable Housing Ordinance/Density Bonus Ordinance to incentivize the development of affordable housing. Andy also assisted in the creation of the City of Anaheim's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan--establishing a five-year goal for the creation of more than 2,812 rental new construction, rental rehabilitation and for-sale affordable housing units. To help achieve these goals, Andy assisted with the implementation of an expedited entitlement process for affordable housing development projects and the prioritization and allocation of City Department resources for affordable housing projects such as energy star rebates, fee deferrals, and fee waivers. Andy is a City Planner by trade and holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona University. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Andy Nogal on his retirement from the City of Anaheim. I thank Andy for his diligent work serving our communities here in Orange County.

Recognizing Dr. Steve M. Tietjen on His Retirement

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Adam Gray (D-CA)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend, Dr. Steve M. Tietjen, who is retiring as Merced County Superintendent of Schools after 45 years of service to students and their families. Dr. Tietjen earned his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from the California State University, Fresno, and his Doctor of Education, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Southern California. In 1980, Dr. Tietjen started his career in education as a history teacher in Visalia. Just 12 years later, he became the Superintendent of Woodlake Public Schools in Tulare County, where he served for 15 years before moving to Los Banos Unified School District to serve as Superintendent from 2009 to 2016. He came to the Merced County Office of Education as the Deputy Superintendent in 2016, and in less than a year, he was elected to serve as the Merced County Superintendent of Schools, where he leads the 1,400 employees of the County Office of Education. During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Tietjen oversaw countywide efforts to keep students learning, a time he calls the "most challenging period of his tenure." He also expanded the Virginia Smith Trust scholarship program to award more than $500,000 annually to Merced County students and acquired two downtown Merced buildings to make services for families, mental-health support, and employment programs more accessible to all. He has always made the needs of students his top priority in all matters and empowered those he worked with to do the same. It is my privilege to thank Dr. Steve M. Tietjen for his support and friendship as well as for his 45 years in education where he has tirelessly worked to educate, elevate, and empower the students and families he served.

Honoring Grupo Guayacan, Inc. on Its 30th Anniversary

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Pablo Jose Hernandez (D-PR)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Grupo Guayacan, Inc. on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. The organization's roots trace back to a 1994 study commissioned by founder Enrique "Ricky" Adsuar Gonzalez, which proved that Puerto Rico lacked a local private capital market to drive economic development. Founded in June 1996 as a private-sector-driven nonprofit, Grupo Guayacan officially marked this milestone on June 13, 2026, and will honor it with a public celebration on October 3, 2026--the event that occasions this submission into the Record. Adsuar Gonzalez established the organization under three guiding principles: it must be a non-governmental effort, have a governance structure led by the private sector, and be structured as a non-profit entity. For three decades, Grupo Guayacan has been a cornerstone of Puerto Rico's economic development, spurring the local private equity market by providing local institutional investors with access to top tier private equity investing through a partnership with Abbott Capital, leading the creation of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering world class education and tools to entrepreneurs at different stages of growth and facilitating access to capital to early-stage entrepreneurs in order to achieve lasting prosperity for the Island. This partnership with Abbott Capital was strategically designed to give Puerto Rican investors access to private equity investments and protect public funds, often referred to by Adsuar Gonzalez as "the people's savings." Puerto Rico's economic future cannot rest solely on federal transfers or public spending. It must be built on new businesses, sustained growth of both SME's and innovation-based companies, the successful transition of legacy family businesses, retained talent, and well-paying jobs that keep Puerto Ricans at home. Grupo Guayacan has understood this from the beginning. Its founding premise--that a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem equals a strong economy, and that a strong ecosystem needs risk capital to grow--has been validated over three decades by over 3,500 entrepreneurs who have built extraordinary companies across the Island, hundreds of instructors and mentors, and dozens of investors who have seen their capital grow and remain in Puerto Rico with Guayacan's support. Grupo Guayacan's portfolio of programs addresses economic development at every stage of a venture's growth. I-Corps Puerto Rico, aligned with the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps initiative and delivered in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, converts research and innovation into viable businesses--a direct investment in Puerto Rico's knowledge economy, now in its 22nd cohort. The EnterPRize Competition, which has been running uninterruptedly since 2005, was the first program in Puerto Rico to provide equity-free seed capital to early stage entrepreneurs. This year, it welcomed 30 startups from nearly 150 applicants across sectors central to Puerto Rico's economic diversification: health, technology, education, agriculture, and retail. The Scale Up Bootcamp program designed in collaboration with Banco Popular, the Island's principal financial institution, just awarded a $50,000 seed capital prize and a $20,000 special prize to two SME's--a direct private-sector investment in the Island's high-growth companies. The Guayacan Venture Accelerator program, now in its 16th year, has served 202 growth companies, each with well over a million dollars in revenue, and 675 participants. Notably, the participating companies in this program only represent 13,000 jobs in Puerto Rico's economy. On October 3, 2026, Grupo Guayacan will host its public anniversary celebration at Liberty Square in San Patricio Plaza, showcasing over 50 alumni entrepreneurs and a full day of performances by program alumni. It will notably launch its first children's book, Enrique y el guayacan, to instill the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur in the next generation and illustrate the lasting impact of three decades of investment in Puerto Rican talent. Mr. Speaker, expanding economic opportunity in Puerto Rico is among my highest priorities in Congress. Grupo Guayacan is one of the most important private-sector partners in this work. I commend Executive Director Laura Cantero and the entire Guayacan team for their extraordinary service to Puerto Rico's economic future, and I congratulate this institution on 30 years of building the entrepreneurial foundation from which our Island's talent can build upon and thrive.

Honoring the Retirement of Afscme President Lee Saunders

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Steven Horsford (D-NV)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleagues, fellow Co-Chairs of the Congressional Labor Caucus, Representative Debbie Dingell, Representative Mark Pocan, and Representative Donald Norcross, to recognize our brother and friend, Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), who retired in August 2026 after five decades in lifetime service to the labor movement. President Saunders is a staunch and unflinching labor leader who has served with distinction and stood up for working people across this country with unparalleled enthusiasm and grit. He has served as the President of AFSCME since 2012. Saunders grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and was the son of a union bus driver and a community organizer. In 1975, he started working for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services and joined the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA). He started his career with AFSCME in 1978 as a labor economist and participated in numerous efforts for the union ranging from research and organizing to community outreach and building worker power. Saunders previously served as administrator of numerous AFSCME councils, including AFSCME District Council 37, and became AFSCME's Secretary-Treasurer in 2010. Saunders has always been laser-focused on grassroots mobilizing and giving a voice to working people. Beyond his work to support workers, he has been deeply involved in political and civil rights as a board member of the NAACP and treasurer of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. His leadership reminds us not only that we have a duty to represent and fight for all workers, but that public services remain vital to every community in this country. Widely known as one of the labor movement's most savvy political strategists, President Saunders presided over a period of unprecedented growth at AFSCME during his 14 years as its first African American president. His dedication to our Nation's public service workers both in his role at ASFCME and at the AFL-CIO have made the labor movement stronger and more united. On behalf of myself and my fellow Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs, Representive Debbie Dingell, Representative Mark Pocan, and Representative Donald Norcross, we thank President Saunders for his tremendous leadership and recognize the difference it has made in the lives of ordinary workers.

Recognizing the Success of the America250 National Birthday Cake

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Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Cake Artist Grace "Grey" Pak and her team for their success in creating the America250 National Birthday Cake this past July. Inspired by the longstanding tradition of marking milestone birthdays with cake, in January 2026, Grace "Grey" Pak, founder of the fine-art cake studio Duchess of Cameron, asked the congressional commission planning the Nation's 250th celebrations whether anyone was planning to make a birthday cake for the milestone. When it was clear a cake was not being prepared, she took on the responsibility to lead a very complex yet rewarding project: to bake a cake for this country's 250th birthday. She envisioned the tribute as a unifying symbol of the Nation's history and future potential. Created over several months with the support of volunteer culinary experts, artisans and partners and contributions from bipartisan, bicameral members of Congress from every state and United States territory, and the District of Columbia, the installation combined American craftsmanship, local customs, and stories from communities across the country, and comprehensive historical research with and inspiration from the Smithsonian Institution, Colonial Williamsburg, and George Washington's Gristmill into a single work of edible art. I was fortunate to be one of those members of Congress and help prepare New Jersey's element of the cake. The beautiful cake was 10.5 feet long, 4 feet wide, and nearly 7 feet tall. All 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia are represented in what can be described as a "sweet gift" to this Nation and a symbol of how all of us can defy partisanship to come together to achieve a remarkable goal. It was unveiled at a ceremony at the Library of Congress on July 4, 2026, and later displayed at the White House Visitor Center through August 3, 2026. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate project lead Grace "Grey" Pak and her team of cake artists for their hard work and high achievement constructing our Nation's birthday cake. Her team included Justin Bell, Edwin Correa Alverca, Samantha Baldamus Paasche, Latrice Williams, and Edwin Vargas. I would also like to recognize the project's operations support team: Lauren Bell, David Leffler, and Susannah Stevens; and the America250 Congressional liaisons Brad Korten and Tom Jensen. Finally, I would like to thank the following members of Congress for their support of and participation in the project: Representative Robert B. Aderholt, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Representative J. French Hill of Arkansas, Senator Mark Kelly, Representative Norma J. Torres of California, Representative Diana DeGette, Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Chris Coons, Representative Gus M. Bilirakis, Representative Anna Paulina Luna, Representative Andrew S. Clyde, Senator Mazie Hirono, Representative Michael K. Simpson, Representative Russ Fulcher, Representative Nikki Budzinski, Represenative Rudy Yakym, III, Representative James R. Baird, Representative Zachary Nunn of Iowa, Representative Tracey Mann, Representative Harold Rogers of Kentucky, Representative Troy A. Carter of Louisiana, Representative Chellie Pingree, Representative Jamie Raskin, Representative Lori Trahan, Representative Jack Bergman, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Representative Wesley Bell, Representative Ryan K. Zinke, Representative Mike Flood, Representative Susie Lee of Nevada, Representative Maggie Goodlander, Representative Gabe Vasquez, Representative Thomas R. Suozzi, Representative Donald G. Davis of North Carolina, Representative Julie Fedorchak, Representative Marcy Kaptur, Representative Stephanie I. Bice, Representative Suzanne Bonamici, Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Representative Gabe Amo, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Representative Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Representative John W. Rose, Representative August Pfluger, Representative Burgess Owens, Senator Peter Welch, Representative Jennifer A. Kiggans of Virginia, Representative Emily Randall, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Representative Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Senator Cynthia Lummis, Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, Representative James C. Moylan, Representative Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Representative Pablo Jose Hernandez, Representative Stacey E. Plaskett, and Senior Advisor to Mayor Bowser Lindsey Parker.

Honoring Lieutenant Ugo "Butch" Arnoldi on 50 Years of Service to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office

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Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lieutenant Ugo "Butch" Arnoldi of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office as he concludes an extraordinary 50-year career dedicated to protecting and serving the people of Santa Barbara County. On August 19, 1974, Lieutenant Arnoldi was sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff. On October 1, 2026, he will officially retire, bringing to a close one of the longest and most distinguished careers in the department's history. Throughout his career, Lieutenant Arnoldi has served in numerous roles, including Countywide Watch Commander, Chief of Police for the City of Carpinteria, Sheriff's Assistant, Commander of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol, Chaplain, Explorer Advisor, and member of the Canine and Mountain Patrols. A proud UCSB graduate, he earned a master's degree in public administration while working full-time and has continued to share his knowledge through guest lectures at local community colleges. Lieutenant Arnoldi has answered the call during some of the Central Coast's most significant moments, including the Painted Cave Fire, the 2014 Isla Vista shooting, the 2016 Santa Barbara Post Office shooting, and the Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flow. His commitment to community extends beyond emergency response. Since 1982, he has organized Santa Barbara's Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, and since 1978, he has coordinated law enforcement support for Old Spanish Days Fiesta. His distinguished career has earned him numerous honors, including the T. Guerry Award for Overall Outstanding Performance, the H. Thomas Gueny Award for Superior Performance, the Special Olympics Community Service Award, and international recognition as a 2021 John Carion Unsung Hero Award recipient. In 2022, he was inducted into the Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame by Special Olympics Southern California. Lieutenant Arnoldi has worked under five different Santa Barbara County Sheriffs and has taken on extraordinary assignments, including overseeing security during the Michael Jackson trial in Santa Maria and leading a motorcade escorting Queen Elizabeth to President Ronald Reagan's ranch. His career is a testament to the trust and respect he has earned throughout the Central Coast. His commitment to service is also a family tradition. He and his wife, Marla, have two children, Giuseppi and Francesca, both of whom followed in their father's footsteps and served with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. Giuseppi is now the third "Deputy Arnoldi" in the department. After five decades of service, Lieutenant Arnoldi leaves an enduring legacy of leadership, professionalism, and dedication to his community. As he retires on October 1, I extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Lieutenant Ugo "Butch" Arnoldi for 50 years of exceptional service. I wish him and his family all the best in this well-earned next chapter.

Honoring the 115th Anniversary of Milford Fire Company

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Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-NJ)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 115th anniversary of the Milford Fire Company in Milford, New Jersey. For more than a century, the Milford Fire Company has dutifully served our community. Its storied legacy of protecting Milford reflects the steadfast emergency services its volunteers continue to provide today. In November 1911, 14 volunteers organized the Milford Hose Company No. 1. William Balliet was elected as its first foreman, a title later changed to chief. The company initially ordered hose and nozzles, transporting its equipment in firefighters' cars until purchasing a hose cart in 1912. Firefighters pulled the cart by hand, running alongside it and holding on tightly to avoid being run over. The cart was last used in February 1940 and can now be seen at local parades and events. Milford was formally incorporated in March 1925. At the time, Borough Clerk Joseph Case, who also served as fire company chief, learned that the borough's election returns had not been filed with the county clerk. After contacting Hunterdon County's state senator, Case secured Milford's official incorporation through the state legislature. This occurred approximately one year after the company was incorporated and renamed "The Milford N.J. Fire Company, Inc." in April 1924. Today, the Milford Fire Company is led by Chief Nathan Fleck. Through their leadership and the tireless dedication of every volunteer who has served over the past 115 years, the company continues its proud legacy and works to ensure the safety of Milford Borough. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 115th anniversary of the Milford Fire Company and in wishing its members continued success for many years to come.

Recognizing Ostomy Awareness Day

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John Joyce (R-PA)

Honoring First Lieutenant James Clayton Flowers

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Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor First Lieutenant James Clayton Flowers, who is the oldest living United States veteran, a retired teacher, and a proud resident of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District. Born on Christmas day in Dendron, Virginia, James was raised by his father, who was a farmer, and his mother, who was a teacher. His father taught him bricklaying before he entered the military in 1942, at 25 years old. James remembers his parents were strongly anti-war, and his decision to join the military was a difficult choice. Shortly after James began his service in the Army Air Corps, he was chosen to become an officer. He completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. During this time, he began pilot training but did not complete the program. Instead, the Army recognized his intelligence and outstanding academic record and appointed him an Academic Instructor with a specialty in Aerodynamics and Mechanics. In this role he taught cadets aviation intelligence, threat analysis, and security, and he became one of the first Black United States military pilots. James served at several key domestic military bases during World War II, including Godman Field, Kentucky, and Freeman Field, Indiana. He departed the military after 5 years of service. James is a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, which are the first Black aviators that served with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. While stationed at Freeman Field, Indiana, he served with the 477th Bombardment Group. This was the first Black bombardment unit in Air Force history and became renowned for fighting against "separate but equal" practices in the military. James remembers being one of the few black officers in the military at the time and once instructing an all-black intelligence squadron that was ecstatic to have him as their superior. Serving during this time was incredibly challenging as black servicemembers faced intense racism and discrimination, but his service tells a story of excellence, courage, and breaking systemic barriers. Following the war, James moved to New York City where he met his wife, Evelyn, and they got married in 1951. He became a middle school science teacher alongside Evelyn, who also taught in public schools. Teaching students and serving as a mentor for the next generation was one of James' greatest joys in life. James and Evelyn taught school and raised their children on the lower east side of Manhattan for 30 years before retiring in New Mexico in 1984. Evelyn passed away in 2008 at 88 years old, and James reminisces on their happy and wonderful marriage. Together they had 3 kids, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. James has lived a remarkable life, and he is most proud of his wonderful family and his work as a teacher. James is a strong man of faith and has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces for over 40 years. During his membership with the church, he has served as the congregation's representative for the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association known as the General Assembly. James and his wife also acted as grandparents for children in the church without any living or nearby grandparents. Additionally, James taught students religious education during his tenure teaching. James is cherished in his community and loved by his neighbors, who appreciate his commitment, steadfastness, and strength. He is also loved by his caregiver, Lidia Macias, Dr. Sierra, and Home Kare Inc. of Dona Ana. He was awarded the New Mexico Medal of Merit from the New Mexico Army Air National Guard for "exceptionally meritorious service for his lifelong commitment to service, sacrifice, and dedication to the continued success of our great Nation." On behalf of the people of New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, I would like to thank First Lieutenant James Clayton Flowers for his courageous service and sacrifice to our Nation, his incredible work as an educator, and for his ongoing dedication to our local communities. He exemplifies the best that New Mexico and our country have to offer, and we are truly grateful for his tireless service.

Recognizing Christine Olson, Founder of to Inform Families First, on Her Retirement

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RECOGNIZING CHRISTINE OLSON, FOUNDER OF TO INFORM FAMILIES FIRST, ON HER RETIREMENT

Vern Buchanan (R-FL)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christine Olson of Bradenton, Florida, as she retires from TIFF, To Inform Families First, and to remember her beloved daughter, Tiffiany Marie Olson. On December 7, 2005, Tiffiany, just 22, was killed by a drunk driver on United States 19 in Manatee County, only 15 minutes from her mother's home. Yet it took more than six hours for Christine to be told, because law enforcement had no way of knowing whom to call. Most people would have been broken by that. Christine turned it into a mission. In October 2006, she founded TIFF so no other family would endure those same agonizing hours. Working with local and state leaders, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, she helped create the Nation's first voluntary Emergency Contact Information program, letting drivers register a loved one's contact information for law enforcement to use in a crisis. Christine was the first to register. As of August 2025, more than 21.6 million Floridians were enrolled. Eighteen states have adopted similar programs, and Harvard's Ash Institute recognized the effort as one of the top 50 government innovations. For nearly two decades, Christine carried this cause from Manatee County to statehouses and city councils nationwide, sharing Tiffiany's story again and again so other families would be spared. Her work inspired me to introduce the To Inform Families First Act, H.R. 6051, in November 2025, to help state motor vehicle agencies everywhere establish voluntary emergency contact programs. As Christine steps away from TIFF, her legacy is secure. A flag has been flown in her honor and in Tiffiany's memory, a symbol of a mother's love and the courage to turn grief into help for strangers. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Christine Olson for her strength, compassion, and lifelong dedication to families across America, and in remembering Tiffiany Marie Olson, whose memory lives on in every family reached in time. I wish Christine a well-earned and joyful retirement.

Recognizing Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day

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Jason Crow (D-CO)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 27 as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day. This day serves to honor the Gold Star Mothers and Families across Colorado and our Nation. Since World War I, families have marked the loss of a loved one in the Armed Forces by displaying a service flag with a gold star in the window of their homes. In 1936, President Roosevelt signed legislation establishing Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, observed on the last Sunday of September to honor mothers and families of our Nation's fallen service members. Colorado has a long history of military service, and the mothers and families of our state's fallen service members have carried the loss with strength and grace. Many continue to support other military and veteran families in their communities, and keep the memory of their loved ones alive through this work. I honor the Gold Star Mothers and Families of Colorado. as well as Gold Star Mothers and Families across our country, for their sacrifice and for the lasting impact of the loved ones they lost in service to our country.

In Memory of Ronnie Winters

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Clay Fuller (R-GA)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Ronnie Winters. Ronnie Winters lived a life of service to his country, his family, and the people of Chattooga County. Ronnie proudly served our Nation as a Sergeant in the United States Army, serving in active combat in Vietnam with the 19th Brigade Combat Engineers from 1966 to 1968. His commitment to his fellow veterans continued long after he returned home through his involvement with VFW Post 6688 and American Legion Post 129. At home, Ronnie was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was a hardworking small business owner who understood what it meant to build something of your own. He used that experience to mentor young entrepreneurs and help others get their start in business. Ronnie also cared deeply about the future of Chattooga County. He worked to strengthen the local economy through his service with the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority and gave back to local young people as a longtime member of the Summerville-Trion Optimist Club. Ronnie Winters represented the very best of Northwest Georgia: faith, family, hard work, service, and love of country. His impact can be seen in the businesses he helped, the young people he encouraged, the veterans he stood beside, and the family he loved. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Ronnie's friendship and for his lifetime of service. His legacy will not be forgotten, and I ask that you join me in keeping the Winters family in your prayers.

Honoring the Food Bank of Delaware

Pages E993–E994 · Official text

Sarah McBride (D-DE)

Mr. Speaker, today, in recognition of Hunger Action Month, I rise to honor the Food Bank of Delaware for the extraordinary work they do every day on behalf of Delawareans. We often call Delaware a state of neighbors. To me, that means more than simply living beside one another. It means recognizing that we have a responsibility to one another--that when a neighbor is struggling, we do not look away. We step up. We lend a hand. We make sure no one has to face a difficult moment alone. Few organizations embody that spirit more fully than the Food Bank of Delaware. Roughly one in seven Delawareans experiences food insecurity. That is an unacceptable statistic, especially in the wealthiest, most developed Nation on Earth. No student should have to learn on an empty stomach. No parent should have to skip a meal so their children can eat. No senior should have to choose between groceries and medicine. Ensuring that our neighbors can meet their most basic needs is not simply a question of charity. It reflects our values. That is why I am so inspired by the work that is done at the Food Bank of Delaware. I have visited the Food Bank several times, and I am always impressed by the dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners who go to great lengths to ensure that someone they may never meet has nutritious food on the table. That is what being a state of neighbors looks like in practice: It is people choosing to take responsibility for one another, not because they have to, but because they understand that the well-being of our neighbors is connected with our own. I have long been proud to support the Food Bank in their work, and I remain committed to working alongside them to confront hunger and strengthen food security across our state. Hunger Action Month is a perfect opportunity to recognize how critical this work is, but our responsibility to one another extends far beyond any single month. Ending hunger will require sustained commitment from all of us--government, community organizations, businesses, volunteers, and neighbors; and a shared refusal to accept hunger as inevitable. So today, I want to thank everyone at the Food Bank of Delaware, including President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky for her leadership, and every Delawarean who supports their mission. They remind us that a state of neighbors is not simply something we call ourselves. It is something we choose to be every time we show up for one another. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Food Bank of Delaware and all those working to end hunger across the First State during Hunger Action Month and beyond.

Senate Committee Meetings

Pages E994–E995 · Official text

Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate of February 4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees, subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place and purpose of the meetings, when scheduled and any cancellations or changes in the meetings as they occur. As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week. Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2026 may be found in the Daily Digest of today's Record.

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SEPTEMBER 30 9:45 a.m. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Business meeting to consider the nominations of Nicole Saphier, of New Jersey, to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service, subject to qualifications therefor as provided by law and regulations, and to be Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, Timothy Westlake, of Wisconsin, to be Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and Mary Lazare, of Florida, to be Assistant Secretary for Aging, all of the Department of Health and Human Services, and Loren E. Sweatt, of Virginia, and Douglas Ralph, of Kentucky, both to be a Member of the National Mediation Board. SD-430 10 a.m. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Business meeting to consider S. 365 and H.R. 1729, bills to amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to allow for additional entities to be eligible to complete the maintenance work on Bolts Ditch and the Bolts Ditch Headgate within the Holy Cross Wilderness, Colorado, S. 462, to provide for economic development and conservation in Washoe County, Nevada, S. 465, to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reform the interconnection queue process for the prioritization and approval of certain projects, S. 730, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of establishing the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center at the African Burial Ground National Monument, S. 764, to provide for the designation of certain wilderness areas, recreation management areas, and conservation areas in the State of Colorado, S. 791, to establish the Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site in the State of Maryland as an affiliated area of the National Park System, S. 888, to designate certain land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service in the State of Oregon as wilderness and national recreation areas, to withdraw certain land located in Curry County and Josephine County, Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws, S. 945, to amend the Smith River National Recreation Area Act to include certain additions to the Smith River National Recreation Area, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain wild rivers in the State of Oregon, S. 1005, to provide for conservation and economic development in the State of Nevada, S. 1088, to provide that the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice and service of the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military during World War II may be located on the National Mall, S. 1195, to promote conservation, improve public land management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada, S. 1254 and H.R. 331, bills to amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes, S. 1341, to amend the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to add certain land to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness, S. 1342, to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to improve the weatherization assistance program, S. 1349, to withdraw the National Forest System land in the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the National Wildlife Refuge System land in Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Elko and White Pine Counties, Nevada, from operation under the mineral leasing laws, S. 1476, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Gila River system in the State of New Mexico as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of New Mexico, S. 1568, to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to modify standards for general service lamps, S. 1737, to designate and expand wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington, and to designate certain rivers in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers, S. 1777, to amend the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 to expand the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, to redesignate the Cottonwood Visitor Center at Joshua Tree National Park as the "Dianne Feinstein Visitor Center", S. 1870, to adjust the boundary of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the Rim of the Valley Corridor, S. 2570, to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to reauthorize the weatherization assistance program, S. 2970, to authorize the use of off-highway vehicles in certain areas of the Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, S. 3371, to designate the Museum of the Blind People's Movement in Baltimore, Maryland, as the "National Museum of the Blind People's Movement", S. 3499 and H.R. 3638, bills to direct the Secretary of Energy to prepare periodic assessments and submit reports on the supply chain for the generation and transmission of electricity, S. 3524 and H.R. 7618, bills to amend title 54, United States Code, to modify certain cost-sharing requirements for grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, S. 3526, to provide for the protection of and investment in certain Federal land in the State of California, S. 3542, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Upper Raritan River Watershed in the State of New Jersey for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, S. 3695, to amend Public Law 96-586 to modernize the authority of the Forest Service to acquire and administer land under that Act, S. 3737, to amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible entities for the conduct of innovative approaches to voluntary water partnership agreements among multiple water users and projects conducted by individual agricultural entities, S. 3785, to authorize direct emergency acquisition flexibilities for the National Park Service and Forest Service for the purpose of retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting contractor approval for the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance, and improvement of areas of the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest damaged by certain wildfires, S. 3925, to establish the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park, S. 4005, to amend the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to extend the authorization of a disposal site in Mesa County, Colorado, until the site is filled to designed capacity, S. 4023, to establish the America's Living Library Project, S. 4103 and H.R. 2709, bills to improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias, S. 4116, to advance next-generation geothermal electricity generation demonstration projects in new regions, S. 4166 and H.R. 7257, bills to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require States to include supporting the physical security, cybersecurity, and resilience of local distribution systems in State energy security plans, S. 4200, to promote conservation, improve public land, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County, Nevada, S. 4252, to amend the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act to ensure that economic assistance payments under that Act continue until the closure of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, S. 4312, to amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to include the installation of mechanical insulation property as an energy or water efficiency measure, S. 4351, to amend the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act with respect to the enforcement of certain provisions, S. 4406, to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities in support of next-generation geothermal systems in various conditions, S. 4595, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate the Mullica River watershed in New Jersey for study for potential designation as a wild and scenic river, S. 4846, to amend the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act to reauthorize the United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program, S. 4870, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, S. 5352, to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and the Water Desalination Act of 1996 to reauthorize certain desalination programs, S. 5359, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Pennington County, South Dakota, certain National Forest System land, S. 5360, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, S. 5374, to facilitate the conveyance of certain land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, platted under section 2387 of the Revised Statutes, S. 5402, to extend authorizations for aquatic ecosystem restoration projects, multi-benefit watershed health projects, and WaterSMART grants, H.R. 249, to redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr, H.R. 677, to establish a process to expedite the review of appeals of certain decisions by the Department of the Interior, H.R. 2306, to reauthorize the Adams Memorial Commission, H.R. 2317, to provide for transfer of ownership of certain Federal lands in northern Nevada, to authorize the disposal of certain Federal lands in northern Nevada for economic development, to promote conservation in northern Nevada, and H.R. 5729, to authorize direct emergency acquisition flexibilities for the National Park Service for the purpose of retaining, vetting, approving, and expediting contractor approval for the clearing, rebuilding, maintenance, and improvement of the Grand Canyon grounds that have been impacted by the Dragon Bravo Fire. SD-366 Committee on Foreign Relations To hold hearings to examine certain pending nominations. SD-419 10:15 a.m. Committee on the Judiciary To hold hearings to examine pending nominations. SH-216 2:30 p.m. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census To hold hearings to examine rogue AI, focusing on securing the homeland against AI agents. SD-342 3 p.m. Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues To hold hearings to examine Nicaragua's political crisis, focusing on Ortega's assault on democracy. SD-419 Select Committee on Intelligence To receive a closed briefing on certain intelligence matters. SH-219 OCTOBER 1 9:30 a.m. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Business meeting to consider the request to direct Senate Legal Counsel to file an application seeking immunity. SD-342 10 a.m. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs To hold hearings to examine the nominations of Jeremy Wiggins, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Matthew Jones, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and David Slade, of Florida, to be First Vice President, and Michael Rigas, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors, both of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. SD-538 10:15 a.m. Committee on the Judiciary Business meeting to consider S.

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5289, to protect the right to the free exercise of religion, and the nominations of Daniel Lewis Ballou, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Richard Wesley Bennett, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Courtney Leigh Coker, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Trevor Scott Pemberton, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Kyle Frederick Reardon, to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska, and Zachary Paul West, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. SH-216 10:30 a.m. Committee on Foreign Relations To receive a closed briefing on an update on Venezuela. SVC-217 SEPTEMBER 30 2:30 p.m. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship To hold oversight hearings to examine small business programs in review, focusing on the U.S. Small Business Administration. SR-428A