Thursday, August 13, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the contributions of Monica Garcia to California's 46th Congressional District. Monica Garcia is a native of the 46th Congressional District and a former team member of our Congressional District Office. Monica attended Valencia High School and graduated from Humboldt State University. Monica began her federal work with the Office of Congressman Lou Correa in February of 2022. She joined as a Congressional Caseworker overseeing and maintaining relationships with the federal agencies including the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Postal Service, Small Business Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Education. Through her diligent work and commitment to constituents she oversaw the return of $20.4 million back to the district and directly to constituents and small businesses. Monica also oversaw the citizenship fair events that provided the opportunity for constituents to receive guidance on filing out the N-400 through the assistance of community volunteers and organizations. She maintained and developed strategic partnerships with community organizations such as Catholic Charities, Public Law Center, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations to make these citizenship fairs a reality in the district. Monica married her college sweetheart Gabriel Viramontes on October 20, 2025 in Las Vegas. Monica is moving on to work with the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. I wish her the best of luck and success on her next venture.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor the outstanding career of my very good friend and colleague, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, who has spent nearly 50 years in service to the great state of Tennessee. Randy graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 1967. He put his degree to good use, returning to Oak Ridge and working as a pharmacist at Methodist Medical Center. Throughout his career in Tennessee politics, he continued to serve at the Medical Center until his retirement in 2010. Elected to the Tennessee State House in 1979, Randy found his calling in financial policy, first as a state representative and then as a state senator. During his 26 years on the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, including a decade as chairman, Randy was instrumental in creating a balanced budget and maintaining Tennessee's "Triple-A" credit rating. Throughout his tenure, Randy has been widely recognized for his outstanding public and community service, earning numerous honors from respected organizations for his leadership and commitment to the community. While Randy has devoted much of his life to serving the people of Tennessee, his greatest source of pride is his family. He and his wife, Janice, have two adult daughters, Melissa and Maggie, and three grandchildren, Haley, Morgan, and Trent. As Randy retires from public service, I join his constituents and all Tennesseans in expressing my sincere gratitude for his decades of dedicated service and wishing him and his family a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Gerard J. "Jerry" Jonas, Jr., of Levittown, Pennsylvania, who passed away on July 11, 2026, at the age of 95. Jerry Jonas was a proud United States Marine Corps veteran who served with distinction during the Korean War, earning a battlefield promotion to Sergeant. Following his military service, he built a remarkable career as a technical writer supporting the early U.S. space program, an advertising executive, sports promoter, and award-winning newspaper columnist whose writing enriched the Bucks County community for more than three decades. A devoted husband, father, parish volunteer, and community leader, Jerry dedicated countless hours to coaching youth sports, supporting his church, and advocating for fellow veterans. Jerry's legacy is one of patriotism, faith, generosity, and unwavering devotion to his family and community. He is survived by his six children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family, who carry forward the values he exemplified throughout his extraordinary life. On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my deepest condolences to the Jonas family and join them in celebrating the life of a man who served his Nation and community with honor and distinction. May his memory continue to inspire all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a dedicated leader in Nebraska banking and consumer protection, Richard Baier, whose efforts led to the recent enactment of financial fraud prevention legislation. As President and CEO of the Nebraska Bankers Association, Richard has worked tirelessly to protect Nebraskans from financial fraud. His leadership helped create Fraud Free Nebraska, a statewide coalition bringing together financial institutions, consumer advocates, government officials, and other stakeholders to combat fraud. Richard's leadership also helped advance state legislation strengthening protections for older and vulnerable adults and requiring social media platforms to verify advertisers, investigate reports of fraudulent advertising, and promptly remove fraudulent ads. Banks have long been on the front lines of the fight against fraud, with Fraud Free Nebraska now bringing partners from across our state together to confront this growing threat. Richard's work and leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished when Nebraskans unite around a common goal. Our state is stronger because of Richard Baier's leadership and commitment to protecting consumers. I thank Richard and the Nebraska Bankers Association, for keeping Nebraskans safe from fraud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lapeer County for its continued preservation of the Lapeer County Historic Courthouse, a treasured landmark that has stood at the heart of the community for more than 180 years. The Lapeer County Historic Courthouse holds the distinction of being Michigan's oldest continuously operating courthouse still serving its original purpose. Most recently, Lapeer County completed a significant restoration project that carefully preserved and enhanced the courthouse's historic architecture while ensuring it remains functional for generations to come. This accomplishment reflects the county's steadfast commitment to preserving one of Michigan's most cherished landmarks and safeguarding an important part of its heritage. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lapeer County for the successful restoration of the Lapeer County Historic Courthouse and for its continued dedication to preserving this historic landmark for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Deputy Ken LaPee of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office as he prepares to retire following more than 35 years of dedicated service to his country, and the people of Northwest Florida. Chief Deputy LaPee's distinguished law enforcement career began with his service as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. During his military service, he served in the Persian Gulf War and later deployed in support of operations during the unrest in Somalia. He also served part-time as a police officer in Alabama before joining the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office in 1994. Over the course of more than three decades with the Sheriff's Office, Chief Deputy LaPee steadily advanced through the ranks and was selected to serve as Chief Deputy in 2021. Throughout his career, he has held numerous specialized assignments, including service with the Special Response Team, Honor Guard, Community Police Unit, Investigations Bureau, and Narcotics Unit. His leadership has been defined by a commitment to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Chief Deputy LaPee has also dedicated himself to preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers. Since 1997, he has served as an adjunct instructor with the Northwest Florida State College Basic Police Recruit Academy. For nearly three decades, he has trained and mentored countless officers in community policing, problem solving, leadership, investigative techniques, and community partnerships. He has placed particular emphasis on the importance of character, ethics, wellness, and resilience in a demanding profession. Beyond his law enforcement duties, Chief Deputy LaPee has been an active member of his church and served for more than 14 years as the director of a faith-based addiction recovery program, further demonstrating his commitment to serving others. Chief Deputy LaPee leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, mentorship, and public service. His dedication has strengthened the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and made a lasting difference in the lives of the officers he trained and the communities he served. I congratulate Chief Deputy LaPee on his well-earned retirement and thank him for more than 35 years of faithful service to our country and our community. His career represents the very best of public service, and Northwest Florida is grateful for his dedication and sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Chief Deputy Ken LaPee and wishing him and his family all the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize and congratulate Dennis Lopata on his retirement as Executive Director of Life Care Center of Wilbraham after nearly two decades of service. Dennis has dedicated his entire career to caring for the most vulnerable in our society. A proud graduate of Minnechaug High School, Dennis graduated with a degree in Healthcare Administration from Worcester State University before receiving his Master's degree from Western New England College. He started his career as the Vice President of Support Services at Holden Hospital and then as Assistant Hospital Administrator for Springfield Municipal Hospital. He transitioned to senior living in 1992 as the Executive Director of Farren Care Center before serving as the Executive Director of LaChance Center in Fitchburg for ten years. I have visited Life Care Center of Wilbraham on numerous occasions. As many of us know, moving a loved one to a long-term care facility can be a very traumatic experience. His compassion and attention to the residents and their families were evident from the moment they met him. One example of his concern for others came in the aftermath of the tornadoes that ravaged the area surrounding his building. Dennis spent the night at the facility, taking admissions by flashlights and reassuring residents and associates alike. It was this type of commitment that earned him the Chairman's Award, the highest honor bestowed on an associate by Life Care. Dennis has been a strong health care leader, and his commitment to service to the community has spanned over 40 years. He serves as the President for the Board of Directors of the Country Club of Wilbraham, the ERC5 Chamber of Commerce, and the Gardner Rotary Club. I thank his children, Nicolas, Nathan, and Abigail, and his wife and high school sweetheart, Sharon Nowak, who passed away in 2002, for sharing Dennis with the thousands of individuals and families whose lives were forever changed by his selflessness and lifelong devotion to caring for others. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Dennis all the best on his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Almanac newspaper on the occasion of its 60th anniversary. It's important to honor those local news sources that have survived the industry's many financial challenges to provide an essential public service to our democracy, particularly in this moment when our First Amendment has come under repeated and serious threat. The Almanac has provided critical community-focused journalism for Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley for six decades. Throughout its history, it has brought news and information to local residents without fear or favor. Its journalists have always believed strong journalism builds better communities. In 1965, three Portola Valley mothers, troubled by the lack of coverage of local issues, and the defeat of a Portola Valley school bond measure, met for lunch among the eucalyptus trees on the Stanford Campus to develop a solution. Soon after, Hedy Boissevain, Betty Fry, and Jean Heflin, got to work at their kitchen tables and family garages and published the first four-page edition of what was then called "The Country Almanac." The paper then found its first real home at the corner of Woodside and Canada roads in Woodside, and the founders' children and friends delivered the papers--a year's subscription cost two dollars. From its modest stall, the paper continued to grow and by 1975, the newspaper could afford its first full-time reporter, Pam Jones, who was often the first to tell residents what was going on in their towns. In the 1980s, local newspaperman Mort Levine and his wife, Elaine, acquired the Almanac and the coverage area expanded to include Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside, and Atherton, In 1993, Embarcadero Publishing Co., founded by Bill Johnson, bought The Almanac and added it to its family of newspapers. Today that family includes newspapers and websites serving Midpeninsula communities including Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Redwood City. Today, as local newsrooms across the country are shrinking or shutting their doors entirely, the Almanac continues to endure and adapt to meet the needs of its communities. Its three dedicated staffers, Editor Andrea Gemmet and staff writers Jennifer Yoshikoshi and Arden Margulis, provide local and accountable journalism that residents trust. In 2026, the California News Publishers Association honored the Almanac with 22 California Journalism Awards, including six first-place honors for Breaking News, Photo Essay, Layout and Design, Housing and Land-Use Coverage, and Coverage of Youth and Education--a testament to a small newsroom doing outsized work. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the founders, staff, and readers of The Almanac on six decades of delivering the news, and in wishing them continued strength as they carry local journalism forward for the Midpeninsula in the decades to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Schooley's Mountain Fire Company in Washington Township, New Jersey as it celebrates its 75th anniversary, an extraordinary milestone honoring many years of service, dedication and community for the people of Washington Township. The Company was established in August 1951, with the purpose of protecting Schooley's Mountain and surrounding areas in the event of a fire. Since that moment 75 years ago, Schooley's Mountain Fire Company's message and credibility as a local public service have never waned. They have remained true to their purpose, at the heart of everything they do: to protect life and property for all in the community. The Company was formally a part of the Washington Township Fire Department in 1984, along with the Long Valley Fire and Fairmount Fire Companies. What started as a small village association for fire protection, has now become an official fire company for more than 17,000 residents Two of the company's defining principles have remained constant throughout its history: the belief that the Washington Township community will always have access to quality fire protection, and the confidence that dedicated residents will continue to volunteer in support of that mission. Their steadfast participation in community fire safety education, fundraising, and 24-hour response proves their continuous devotion to the safety of Washington Township and the surrounding areas. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating Schooley's Mountain Fire Company. We extend our warmest congratulations to its members on this momentous occasion and celebrate the strength and spirit that define this vital community organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the remarkable service of Mr. Marvin Russell. Marvin is the embodiment of bravery, service, and unparalleled devotion to our Nation. On behalf of Virginia's First Congressional District, it is truly a privilege to honor Mr. Russell and his legacy that continues to inspire generations of Americans. As a World War II pilot, Marvin answered the call to serve during a pivotal moment in our nation's history. Like so many members of his generation, he displayed exceptional courage, resilience, and determination in the defense of freedom, placing duty above self and helping secure the liberties that every American enjoys today. His service in the skies during the war reflects the highest ideals of patriotism, sacrifice, and commitment to country. Beyond his military service, Marvin has embraced life with an adventurous spirit that has carried him through a century of remarkable experiences. Throughout his life, Marvin has touched countless people with his kindness, wisdom, generosity, and willingness to share the lessons he has learned along the way. His example reminds us that the pursuit of purpose, perseverance, and adventure does not end with one chapter but continues throughout a lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Marvin Russell for his century of selfless service and achievement that stands as a testament to the enduring strength of the American spirit. May he continue to inspire future generations to serve with honor, live with purpose, and embrace each day with gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Seeburger's Cheeseburgers as New Baltimore's 2026 Business of the Year. This family-owned restaurant has proudly served Macomb County since opening in 2007. Known for its American food and welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, Seeburger's has become a staple in the community. At the head of Seeburger's success are Todd and Jill Seeburger, who, alongside their children, Jacob and Olivia, have built a business grounded in hard work, hospitality, and service. Their commitment reflects the strong values that have shaped both their family and their business. For nearly two decades, Seeburger's has welcomed customers with quality food and friendly service. Its continued success is a testament to the loyalty of its customers and the hard work of the Seeburger family. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Seeburger family and Seeburger's Cheeseburgers for being named New Baltimore's Business of the Year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Four County Career Center in Archbold, Ohio, as it celebrates the ribbon cutting for its new Welding and Electrical Trades Expansion. This new facility marks a significant investment and a renewed dedication to the future workforce of Northwest Ohio. Four County Career Center opened in 1969 as the first career center in Ohio built entirely with local funds. Today, it serves hundreds of students from Defiance, Fulton, Henry, and Williams counties, providing hands-on training across dozens of technical programs. The school's reach extends beyond high schoolers, offering workforce development programs to many adults each year. The new expansion adds state-of-the-art labs for welding, fabrication, and electrical trades, which will help Four County continue to prepare its students for the workforce of tomorrow. Its completion reflects the collaboration of many individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the region. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Four County Career Center's Board of Education and administration on this achievement. Career-technical education plays a vital role in preparing our next generation for the workforce, and this expansion will help ensure that Four County's students have access to the training they need to succeed. On behalf of the 5th Congressional District of Ohio, I wish Four County Career Center all the best in their continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to note the end of a revered Memphis institution devoted to the education and well-being of my community's children. The Jessie Mahan Child Care Center, the first licensed Black child care center in Memphis, closed its doors for the final time on July 31 after serving generations of children and families for 68 years. The Mahan Center served the Memphis community from the Dixie Homes housing development beginning on November 28, 1958, and relocated to its current facility at 70 North Bellevue in 2007, always providing early childhood education and learning experiences for children aged six weeks to 12 years old. It also served as a training site for future teachers and childcare professionals. Through its partnerships with Memphis City Schools and Head Start, the center played an important role in strengthening early childhood education in our community. Named for lifelong Memphian Jessie Hoyt Mahan, a well-known social worker and child advocate who passed in August of 1957 at the age of 62, it has served as a tribute to her memory as the director of the Information Bureau of the Health and Welfare Planning Council of Memphis and Shelby County and its Family and Child Welfare Division and service at Juvenile Court. I commend the leadership of the Jessie Mahan Child Care Center for its dedication to our community's children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dana White, a visionary of American sports, a stalwart patriot, and the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Dana embodies the spirit of the American innovator who turns bold ideas into reality. For over 25 years, his dedicated leadership of the UFC has transformed mixed martial arts from a niche competition into one of the most widely watched and fastest-growing sports in the world. Under his care, UFC has expanded its reach, built a global fan base, and consistently showcased the discipline, athleticism, and competitive spirit that resonate with audiences across our Nation. Accompanying Dana's tremendous success as a businessman is an unwavering loyalty to his friends, his country, and the principles he believes in. From the earliest days of his career, Dana has demonstrated a willingness to stand by those he considers family and to give back to the country that made his success possible. His longtime friendship with President Trump is an important part of that story, beginning with Dana's first UFC cards at the Trump Taj Mahal and continuing through years of mutual support. Dana has consistently used his platform and resources to support the American people, from helping rebuild communities and businesses after the devastating COVID-19 lockdowns to providing financial assistance to victims of the insidious attempt on President Trump's life in Butler, Pennsylvania. Whether in business, philanthropy, or public life, Dana has repeatedly demonstrated that loyalty is not simply something he talks about, it is something he lives. Dana's profound commitment to leveraging the UFC's success for the betterment of our Nation culminated in an unprecedented celebration of America's 250th Anniversary: UFC Freedom 250. Through painstaking effort, Dana with support from the White House executed a historic celebration of American excellence, featuring displays of our military might, live musical performances, and seven extraordinary fights broadcast to more than 34 million people worldwide. More than simply a sporting event, UFC Freedom 250 showcased American strength, ingenuity, and patriotism on a truly global stage. Hosted on the South Lawn of the White House, this landmark event underscored Dana's pivotal role in elevating MMA from a niche sport to a global phenomenon and a staple of American culture. His enduring legacy of patriotism and leadership merits the highest recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Oxford Village Police Department on its 85th anniversary. For 85 years, the Oxford Village Police Department has played an important role in protecting the community and serving the people of Oxford. Throughout its history, the department has remained committed to public safety and to the well-being of Oxford residents. Its service reflects the importance of strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I want to thank the dedicated officers and staff of the Oxford Village Police Department, past and present, for their professionalism, sacrifice, and commitment to the community. Their service and commitment are deserving of our gratitude and recognition. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Oxford Village Police Department on its 85th anniversary and for its outstanding service to the people of Oxford.