Specialty crop research depends on Federal funding. Without this dedicated funding, innovation in specialty crops will lag.

Yesterday Americans observed National Ice Cream Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan made the designation and also named July National Ice Cream Month. Our very own Penn State…

This week the House debated the National Defense Authorization Act, which I believe is one of the most essential responsibilities of Congress, to fund our armed services. This House works to ensure our servicemen and -women have the…

For the past 100 years, people in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, have been producing light for the world. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit the LEDVANCE manufacturing facility and visit with employees. St. Marys is located at the…

Yesterday I introduced a resolution with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to designate July as Parks and Recreation Month. It is a fitting time to celebrate our Federal, State, and local parks and recreation systems as so many start this summer…

Today this House welcomes the winners of the Congressional Art Competition to the Nation's Capital. Students from all over the country have traveled to Washington to proudly display their works of art in the tunnel to the Capitol for the…

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day. Today and during the month of June, we raise awareness for those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. After a trauma or life-threatening event, it is common to have reactions such as upsetting…

June is National Homeownership Month, and it is a time when we celebrate and recognize the many benefits of owning a home. For generations of Americans, owning a home has been an essential element in achieving the American Dream. But since…

Yesterday this House unanimously approved the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, to give Americans who enter the workforce the skills they need to succeed. I was proud to sponsor that bill with…

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it has reached crisis proportions. There is no effective treatment, no means of prevention, and no method for slowing…

This week is National Pollinator Week, and it is a time when we encourage the protection of pollinator species, such as honeybees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies as essential partners of farmers and ranchers in producing food…

Since coming to Congress, I have had the distinct honor to represent the Pennsylvania's oil region and the Allegheny National Forest. Among our many economic drivers in Pennsylvania, energy development played a critical historical role in…

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with students interning with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the Commonwealth's largest farm organization, with a volunteer membership of more than 60,000 members…

I want to reflect just briefly on the horrific incident that occurred yesterday. It impacted so many friends and colleagues, and I certainly offer prayers for Steve Scalise and all those who were injured in that terrible incident. I offer…

If this was health care, it would be a malpractice suit, and we would resolve it.

I think that just calls for more aggressive active management, because the overstory and the understory are growing at rates where we are not harvesting anywhere close to--anywhere I know, within the National Forest System--the sustainable…

I have to tell you my communities are not better off today, economically; they struggle.

Last week, I met with members of the National Young Farmers Coalition. This nonprofit was founded just 8 years ago by three farmers in upstate New York. They gathered around a farmhouse table to talk about the challenges facing them and…

June is National Dairy Month, and, personally, I can't think of a better way to start the summer. From calcium to potassium, dairy products, like milk, contain nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage your weight, reduce…

Last week, Penn State community lost a legend. Mr. Ray Walker passed away Friday at his home. He was 105 and Penn State's oldest living alumnus. Ray told our local newspaper that he saw the university grow a lot over the years from ``just…

Earlier this morning, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition hosted a hearing to examine SNAP technology and modernization. SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, was formerly known as food stamps. The Agriculture…

I thank my good friend from Pennsylvania, Representative Smucker--he is doing a great job representing his congressional district and being a strong voice for Pennsylvania--for hosting this important Special Order tonight focused on career…

This hearing of the Subcommittee on Nutrition entitled, The Next Farm Bill: SNAP Technology and Modernization, will come to order.

This week we observe National EMS Week to celebrate, unify, and inspire the men and women of our Nation's emergency medical services. The theme this year is Always in Service, which recognizes our EMS professionals and their constant…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, many of us in this House will attend Memorial Day ceremonies over the weekend as we honor those who have died in the service to this great Nation. Certainly, in this office, one of the more…