Thursday, August 6, 2026

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, I introduced the Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act, which would extend to independent contractors the same federal antidiscrimination protections provided to employees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately seven percent of workers are independent contractors. This bill would extend the following antidiscrimination laws, which apply to employees, to independent contractors: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. Every worker should be protected from discrimination.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Samuel "Sam" Dougherty of East Leroy as the Veteran of the Month for August and honor him for his service on behalf of a grateful Nation. Sam served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a Combat Engineer from 1988 to 1994. Following his service, Sam continued his lifelong commitment to serving others by investing his time and talents in his local community. He joined the Construction Laborers Local 355 and has contributed significantly to the region through his service on the boards of the Leila Arboretum Society and the Kalamazoo Area Labor Management. His compassion extends even further through his involvement with CityLinC Foster Care and Adoption and the Advanced Manufacturing Career Consortium, demonstrating his dedication to creating opportunities and support systems for families and workers across Michigan. Sam also started a pre-apprenticeship program serving veterans and worked as the Director of Southwest Michigan Operations for the Michigan Workforce Development Institute, where he oversaw workforce programs, built strong regional partnerships, and helped job seekers, including veterans, find stable, meaningful employment. His reputation as a collaborative, strategic leader made him an invaluable asset to regional economic development efforts. Since 2024, Sam has served as the Michigan State Representative for Helmets to Hardhats, a national nonprofit organization that connects military service members, veterans, and reservists with quality careers in the building trades. Sam ensures that those who have served our country receive the opportunities, care, and support they deserve as they transition into civilian life. Sam also served as a volunteer for a freedom hunt for disabled veterans at Fort Custer for 20 years and currently volunteers with the Michigan Wounded and Returning Warrior Program, offering steadfast support to those who have borne the heaviest burdens of war. For his volunteer work with veterans, he has been awarded the Marine Corps League Distinguished Citizen Award. Sam Dougherty's faithful service and continued commitment to both our Nation's armed services and Michigan's local communities should serve as an inspiration to us all. May others know of my high regard for Sam, as well as my deep gratitude for his lasting contributions to the country we love.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Martin Joseph "Joe" O'Rourke in celebration of his milestone 100th birthday and his years of dedicated service to his country. Joe was born July 21, 1926, in Marshall, Illinois. As the son of a World War I veteran, when Joe's time for service came, he readily answered the call. He enlisted on May 17, 1945, as a private in the United States Army during World War II. Joe achieved the rank of Technician Fourth Grade and was assigned to the 977th Signal Service Battalion. He was stationed in Italy and Iran, where he helped maintain strategic military communication systems and critical infrastructure. Joe was honorably discharged and awarded the Victory Medal and the Overseas Service Bar, before retuming home to Marshall. Joe married the love of his life, Inez Louise Remlinger, and with her support, went back to school and earned his GED. He and Inez would raise five sons: Bob, Tom, John, Gary, and Brian. God blessed the couple with 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating Martin Joseph "Joe" O'Rourke, a World War II veteran and devoted family man, for 100 years well lived.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, leadership, and enduring contributions of Lars J. Lund, an educator whose steadfast commitment to service strengthened countless students, families, and communities across the San Francisco Bay Area. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Lund exemplified integrity, faith, and a profound dedication to Catholic education. Mr. Lund's work spanned more than three decades, most notably at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, where he served as a Theology Teacher, Associate Principal, and ultimately President. His leadership at Serra shaped generations of young people, guided faculty and staff with compassion, and strengthened the school's mission. As a graduate of Serra's Class of 1988, I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Lund as my teacher. His thoughtful guidance left a lasting impression on me, as it did on so many of my classmates and students who followed. It is often said within our community, "once a Padre, always a Padre," and Mr. Lund embodied that spirit fully and faithfully. His exceptional leadership earned recognition at the national and state levels. He was honored in 2002 by the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership at the University of San Francisco for distinguished service to the Catholic school community, and he received a California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition for outstanding service as Principal. In 2003, Mr. Lund received the National Catholic Educational Association's Secondary Schools Award for his significant contributions to American Catholic secondary education. In 2008, Congresswoman Jackie Speier issued a proclamation acknowledging his exemplary service to Serra as both a teacher and administrator. Mr. Lund's dedication extended beyond Serra. He contributed scholarly work to national publications on Catholic education, served on editorial teams for major assessment initiatives, and authored chapters that helped shape national conversations on religious education. His leadership continued at other mission-driven institutions, including his service as Interim President at Justin-Siena High School and later as Head of School at Mission Dolores Academy in San Francisco. At Mission Dolores Academy, he successfuljy implemented the school's inaugural strategic plan, strengthened operations across key areas, established new governance structures, modernized facilities, and created innovative spaces, such as the Golden State Warriors/Ross Stores Reading Room to support student learning and leadership development. Across all roles, Mr. Lund led with humility, purpose, and an abiding belief in the dignity of every student. His work was characterized by thoughtful stewardship, collaborative leadership, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening school communities. He was admired for his quiet strength, his compassion, and a deep faith that animated every aspect of his service. Mr. Lund's impact cannot be measured solely by titles or accolades, but by the countless lives he touched through kindness, mentorship, and example. His legacy is carried forward in the strong communities he helped build, the institutions he shaped, and the many individuals he inspired, As a former student, I remain personally grateful for the formative role he played in my own education and development. Mr. Lund passed peacefully on July 13, 2026, at the age of 67. He is survived by his wife Mary, his children, Theresa Crockett, Kathleen Lund, Kevin Lund, and his grandchildren, Harrison and Avery Crockett. May his life of service and faith continue to inspire us, and may his memory be a blessing to the community he served with such devotion. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in celebrating and commemorating the life and accomplishments of Lars J. Lund.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dairy Kastle, a beloved Louisville institution, and in celebration of its fiftieth anniversary. From its origins as a modest walk-up counter converted from a gas station, Dairy Kastle has been a fixture of Louisville summers for five decades. Generations of Louisvillians have grown up on its soft serve ice cream and "flurries," and the same kids who lined up around the block for ice cream four decades ago, now bring their own children and grandchildren to enjoy snacks and treats from that same curious little building. Dairy Kastle remains, at heart, a family-owned neighborhood spot. It is exactly the kind of small, independent business that gives a neighborhood its character, a family enterprise that has earned its customers' loyalty one cone and one chili dog at a time. Dairy Kastle has weathered decades of changing times, a pandemic, and the ordinary churn of small business in America without losing what makes it special: it's a place where the line moves quickly, the service is friendly, and the prices stay within reach of a working family's budget. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dairy Kastle's fifty years of service and in wishing its owners, Kevin and Daniela Trice, continued success for many summers to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of Pima Federal Credit Union, a milestone which the organization started celebrating on June 1. Pima Federal has been serving Arizonans since 1951, helping members reach their financial goals and offering support to our communities. From helping members set up their first checking account or credit card, to providing home loans and business solutions, Pima Federal has been a pillar of the Arizona community. My appreciation for the work they have done is personal because my first ever financial institution account was with Pima Federal, and I can truthfully say they were a huge support and source of learning for me. Pima Federal is especially committed to expanding access to homeownership through their innovative home loan programs which help families build stability, achieve their goals, and create generational wealth. This commitment defends and preserves the American Dream, of which homeownership is integral. I thank all the staff and leadership at Pima Federal Credit Union for their service to the communities of Arizona. Their work has impacted generations of Arizonans, helping families and small businesses reach the financial goals they have set for themselves, and the ones they otherwise would have thought impossible. I congratulate them on 75 amazing years. Here's to many more still to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Adams, chief meteorologist at KETK/FOX 51, who is celebrating 50 years in the broadcast meteorology industry. John is a native of East Texas, born and raised in Henderson. He attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, continued his studies at Sam Houston State University, and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in meteorology. From there, John built a career spanning television and radio stations across our state, delivering the forecasts East Texas families have relied on for half a century--through calm mornings and severe storms alike. Today, John is back home, serving the community that raised him. There is something fitting about that: a career that started with a young man from Henderson watching the skies has come full circle, with that same man now giving East Texans the information they need to plan their days and protect their families. Fifty years is a long time to show up, night after night, and earn people's trust. John Adams has done that, and East Texas is better for it. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating John Adams on this milestone, and in thanking him for five decades of faithful service to the people of East Texas. May the years ahead be as blessed as the ones behind him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Tessa Kenyon of Riverton on her selection as a National Officer for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. The FCCLA is one of the Nation's premier career development organizations in the country preparing America's workforce since 1945. FCCLA's National Officers represent the highest level of leadership within this more than 270,000-member organization shaping America's next generation. Members of the FCCLA National Executive Council play a pivotal role in developing programs, implementing initiatives, and modeling good character for kids and teens across the country. I congratulate Tessa on her selection as the National Vice President of Programs. She makes us all proud.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize Mr. Robert Kermett Walker who is retiring after 44 years of distinguished service at several federal agencies including the United States Post Office, United States Coast Guard, Department of the Navy and most recently NOAA under the United States Department of Commerce. I include in the Record the following proclamation:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Council of International Programs on seven decades of service and excellence. Founded in Cleveland in 1956 and still headquartered in Ohio's 11th Congressional District today, the Council of International Programs has spent 70 years building bridges abroad through professional exchanges and cultural connections. By welcoming emerging leaders from around the world and connecting them with communities across Northeast Ohio, the organization has strengthened global partnerships, showcased the best of Northeast Ohio, and served as a template for cultural exchange initiatives across America. On behalf of the people of Ohio's 11th Congressional District, I am proud to recognize the Council of International Programs for its outsized impact and congratulate its leadership, staff, volunteers, and alumni on this remarkable milestone.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Bishop Leonard Scott, an Indianapolis native, pastor, recording artist, entrepreneur, and visionary whose lifetime of service has transformed gospel music and inspired generations of believers. Well-recognized for his extraordinary contributions to gospel music, Bishop Scott's influence extends far beyond the walls of the church and across the Nation. Bishop Scott has faithfully led Tyscot Records, the Nation's oldest continuously operating Black-owned gospel record label, for over five decades. What began in 1976 as a small family endeavor, financed through his work as a practicing dentist, has grown into one of the most influential institutions in gospel music. Under his leadership, Tyscot launched and nurtured the careers of countless artists while preserving the rich tradition of gospel music for future generations. Known to many as "The Hymns Professor," Bishop Scott has dedicated his own musical ministry to keeping the timeless message of traditional hymns alive. He introduced a new generation to the songs of faith through his acclaimed Keep Hymns Alive series. His recordings have reached millions of listeners, while uplifting families and communities through the Gospel with his work as pastor of Rock Community Church in Indianapolis. Bishop Scott's remarkable leadership has earned him numerous honors, including the Dove Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame, and most recently, recognition from the Stellar Gospel Music Awards for his enduring impact on gospel music. His legacy is one of unwavering faith, entrepreneurial vision, and a steadfast commitment to ministry. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Leonard Scott's life is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and service. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing his extraordinary contributions to gospel music, ministry, and our community.

Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and honor the late Reverend Dr. Mack King Carter, a man of God, a community activist and scholar. I include in the Record the following proclamation:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Faith Gomez of Jamestown, Wyoming on her remarkable first-place finish in the Freedom250 National Student Art Contest. This competition held in honor of our country's historic 250th anniversary challenged students across the states and territories to select an American hero who shaped the Nation today. Participants submitted an original artwork accompanied by a written essay supporting their selection. Faith chose to honor America's first native-born Catholic saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, for her grand-prize winning Freedom250 American Heroes Student Art Contest. Faith's first-place finish earned her and her family a trip to Washington D.C. where her artwork and artist statement went on display at the Great American State Fair for spectators from around the world to see. I congratulate Faith and thank her for making Wyoming proud.