[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 166 (Tuesday, November 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5917-H5918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PENN STATE WRESTLERS ENGAGING IN THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT

  The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, throughout American history, 
leaders of various faiths have impactfully tended the needs of 
believers while simultaneously participating in political movements 
relating to significant issues, such as equality, the right to vote, 
and the sanctity of human life.
  The roles of leader and political organizer never have been mutually 
exclusive.
  I was reminded of this duality in roles, by choice of the individual, 
during a recent conversation with a constituent. In short, the 
constituent informed me that the onstage appearance of current and 
former Penn State wrestlers at President Trump's rally at Penn State 
was drawing unneeded criticism. Just as religious leaders can be both 
devoted advocates of their ministry and passionate champions of their 
causes, the Penn State wrestlers are most certainly entitled by our 
Constitution to be both representatives of their athletic program and 
citizens who are actively engaged in the electoral process.
  The Nittany Lion wrestling program is renowned, not only for 
producing national championship teams, but for developing wrestlers who 
have dominated their sport on the collegiate level and then represented 
our country in international competitions as recently as the Olympic 
Games in Paris this past summer.
  Our Nation prides itself on the inclusive nature of our political 
process. It is wrong to advocate for engaged citizenry on one hand 
while selectively choosing citizens who can participate and who cannot 
on the other hand.
  According to recent reports, voter turnouts among people ages 18-29 
was a mere 42 percent overall in the most recent Presidential election. 
That figure, that 42 percent, is at least 10 percent lower than the 
turnout of the same group 4 years prior in the 2020 Presidential 
election.
  Mindful of that decline, the Penn State wrestlers, particularly those 
who are still pursuing their degrees, should be applauded for embracing 
one of our most cherished freedoms: the right to vote.
  Competing as a wrestler does not preclude an individual from 
expressing political viewpoints, despite criticism that might or might 
not be of a partisan nature.
  As a proud Penn State alumnus, I witnessed firsthand the wrestlers 
exercising their First Amendment right to free speech and encouraging 
all Americans to cast their ballot. Our great Nation needs the wisdom, 
enthusiasm, and talents of people across generations to overcome the 
challenges that were the focus of our most recent election. It is fair 
to say that the generation with the most at stake is the youngest 
generation. It is their leadership that should be encouraged. It is 
their perspective that must be considered. It is their voice that must 
be heard.
  For the benefit and for the enrichment of all Americans, I 
congratulate these young wrestlers for exercising their constitutional 
rights, and I personally thank them for their commitment to engaging in 
our political process.


                    The American People Have Spoken

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, for the past 4 years, the 
Biden-Harris administration has failed the American people.
  Under President Biden's watch, our adversaries have been emboldened, 
inflation has skyrocketed, and our borders have been left unsecure.
  With these crises, we have seen Americans be put in danger. We 
recognize that the Biden-Harris administration had no answers. They had 
no solutions on how to keep us safe, and now the American people have 
spoken.
  When voters were asked if they were better off now compared to 4 
years ago, they resoundingly said no. That is why in January, President 
Donald J. Trump will return to the Oval Office.
  Under President Trump's leadership, we will, once again, lower energy 
prices by utilizing the energy sources that are under the feet of my 
constituents in Pennsylvania.
  Under President Trump's leadership, we will secure our southern 
border and put a stop to the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl that 
have taken far too many American lives.
  Under President Donald J. Trump, our Nation will, once again, return 
to a policy of peace through strength that has helped to keep our 
Nation safe and the American people free.

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