[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 198 (Wednesday, December 11, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H10021-H10022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MATTHEW CLIFFORD NAMED STATE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Pence) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Matthew Clifford on 
being named the 2019 State Middle School

[[Page H10022]]

Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals.
  After being named the District 10 Middle School Principal of the 
Year, Clifford was then nominated by his peers at Greensburg Junior 
High School and across the State to become the State Principal of the 
Year.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Matthew for this tremendous honor 
and thank him for his dedication to improving the lives of Hoosier kids 
and families.


                      First Christian Church Grant

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the grant 
application submitted by the First Christian Church of Columbus. This 
grant will save one of America's treasures in my district.
  The First Christian Church has been a staple in the Columbus 
community for years and is a jewel of architecture and history.
  Since 2001, the First Christian Church has been designated by the 
National Park Service as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, but now it 
needs essential renovations. I pledge my support for this program so 
that this church may be restored to its original beauty.


                     IU Health Community Investment

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for IU 
Health's investment of $1 million into the Muncie community.
  Over the next 3 years, IU Health will give $1 million toward 
revitalization of the Thomas Park-Avondale and South Central 
neighborhoods in southeast Muncie. The investment plans include bike 
lanes, walking trails, access to better food, a new health center, and 
much more.
  I applaud IU Health for investing in our local community and 
promoting healthier Hoosiers.


                      Indiana Broadband Expansion

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to show my support for $1.3 
million in rural broadband expansion in the Sixth District.
  In my time in Congress, I have worked with local groups to address 
broadband in schools and hospitals and supported Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine grants. I have introduced a bill to make sure Federal 
agencies effectively work together in this arena.
  I am glad to see the Governor announce a boost for grants to counties 
like Jennings, Scott, and my home county of Bartholomew.
  I look forward to seeing the State's continued work on this as I 
fight for rural high-speed internet on behalf of the Sixth District.

                              {time}  1030


                Wayne County Veteran Appreciation Dinner

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Hoosier veterans and 
their brave families I met at the Veterans Christmas Appreciation 
Dinner of Wayne County.
  Nearly 600 veterans, including World War II vets, gathered in 
Richmond to enjoy an evening of celebration and holiday cheer. A career 
fair was held before dinner to help those in need to access work 
opportunities, resources, and support.
  It was a privilege to speak at this appreciation dinner, and I stand 
today to wish every veteran across this country and Indiana's Sixth 
District a very merry Christmas.


          Congress Needs to Address Rising Cost of Healthcare

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask, for the American people, 
Congress to do its job and address the rising cost of healthcare, but 
Speaker Pelosi's H.R. 3, is not the answer.
  H.R. 3 will limit choice and innovation. It is a partisan messaging 
bill that will not be considered in the Senate or signed into law. We 
are letting the American people down by not voting on bipartisan 
legislation that will actually address skyrocketing drug prices.
  H.R. 3 would increase premiums while punishing American innovation 
and enabling foreign competitors to flourish.
  H.R. 19, the Republican's alternative drug pricing bill, is filled 
with more than 40 bipartisan, commonsense reforms that reduce 
prescription drug costs and increase access to affordable, high-quality 
and lifesaving care for Americans.
  H.R. 19 expands low-cost options for patients by bringing more 
generic competition to the market.
  It lowers out-of-pocket spending, protects patients' access to new 
medicine and cures, increases transparency, and boosts innovation. The 
American people should be empowered by bipartisan proposals not 
restricted by partisan politics to make the best healthcare choices for 
themselves and their families.

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