[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 8 (Monday, January 12, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H617-H618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TO STRENGTHEN UNITED STATES WARFIGHTERS

  (Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, President Trump issued an 
executive order last week to prioritize the development of the U.S. 
warfighter.
  President Trump has made significant strides toward strengthening the 
United States' military capabilities, and this executive order 
continues to do just that.
  Enhancing the lethality and readiness of our military forces relies 
on the highly skilled practices of defense contracting partners like 
JLG Industries, Volvo Construction Equipment, the Manitowoc Company, 
and firms like Lockheed Martin, Leonardo DRS, Kongsberg Defense 
Corporation, and JWF Defense Systems. These are all examples of 
companies that put our Nation's vital interests first, and these are 
all companies that are in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.
  President Trump's initiative will hold Defense to the highest 
standards by refocusing on our Nation's military readiness, which is 
especially needed in these incredibly dangerous times.
  I thank President Trump for this initiative.


          Recognizing Efforts to Restore Gettysburg Monuments

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
the efforts of the Gettysburg National Military Park to restore several 
monuments. These restoration efforts follow the vandalism of historic 
monuments at Gettysburg.
  These memorials honor the brave soldiers who fought and died in one 
of the most pivotal American battles. Restoring these monuments will 
take months and cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. These are 
resources that should have never been necessary to expend.
  These actions were not simply acts of graffiti. They were acts to 
damage our legacy. These monuments stand as reminders of sacrifice, 
unity, and the ongoing work of perfecting this Union. They deserve our 
utmost respect.
  We owe it to those who fought for these freedoms and to the future 
generations of Americans to ensure that our national parks and 
memorials are preserved.
  Representing Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank 
Superintendent Kris Heister and her staff at Gettysburg National 
Military Park for their dedication to protecting these sacred sites.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all constituents to uphold the highest respect 
for those who died so that we might enjoy the many freedoms that we 
continue to have today.


              Recognizing Huntingdon Area School District

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Huntingdon Area School District on its selection as a Great 
Pennsylvania School.
  Bestowed by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, this 
designation recognizes school districts across Pennsylvania for 
academic excellence. As Superintendent Jennifer Mitchell stated: This 
meaningful designation reflects the shared commitment to high-quality, 
innovative, and community-centered education in Huntingdon.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with constituents throughout Huntingdon in 
congratulating the Huntingdon Area School District, Superintendent 
Mitchell, and the school board directors on the district's designation 
as one of Pennsylvania's great schools.


         Honoring the Life and Community Impact of Tina Pelesky

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and 
community impact of Tina Pelesky, a dedicated advocate for veterans, 
who passed away at the age of 56 this past Christmas Eve.
  Tina devoted her professional life to Veteran Community Initiatives, 
a nonprofit organization in Johnstown that provides numerous services 
for veterans in a 14-county region that includes Cambria, Somerset, and 
Bedford Counties.
  Tina most recently served as VCI's director of finance and 
administration. In her partnership with VCI founder Tom Caulfield, Tina 
was instrumental in supporting numerous aspects of VCI's mission.

[[Page H618]]

  As we pause to remember Tina, we also keep her husband, David, and 
her entire family in our prayers. We also express a nation's gratitude 
for her passionate commitment that advocates like Tina Pelesky and Tom 
Caulfield make each and every day for all of those who served this 
great country.

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