CELEBRATING 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAY ACT OF 1956

  (Mr. Mann of Kansas was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 70th anniversary
of President Dwight D. Eisenhower signing the Federal-Aid Highway Act
of 1956.
  President Eisenhower, a proud son of Abilene, Kansas, understood that
a strong transportation network was essential to America's future. His
vision for the Interstate Highway System helped fuel generations of
America's growth.
  In Kansas, we see that legacy every day. Interstate 70 runs through
the heart of our State, connecting communities like Goodland, Colby,
Quinter, Hays, Russell, Salina, Abilene, Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence,
and Kansas City. It helps farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and first
responders move through the center of America while serving as a
lifeline for Kansas.
  Seventy years later, President Eisenhower's legacy still reminds us
that

commonsense infrastructure strengthens our economy, improves our
national security, and connects America's families. I am proud that the
father of the Interstate Highway System called Abilene, Kansas, home,
and I look forward to getting America back to building again.

                        Honoring Martha Mendoza

  Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Martha Mendoza for
25 years of dedicated service to the people of Kansas.
  In July 2001, Martha began working for Senator Pat Roberts in his
Dodge City office. Over the next two decades, she earned the trust of
Kansans across the region and ultimately served as Senator Roberts'
district director for 8 years.
  When I was elected to Congress in 2021, Senator Roberts personally
recommended I hire Martha because he knew her character, her work
ethic, and the genuine care she brings to every Kansan who asks for
help. I am grateful that she agreed to continue her service as my
constituent services director.
  Today, Martha still works in the same Dodge City office where she
began her public service career 25 years ago. During that time, she has
helped countless Kansans navigate Federal agencies, resolve difficult
casework, and find answers during some of the most stressful moments of
their lives.
  Martha works long hours, follows through, and treats every person who
calls her or walks through the door with dignity and compassion. She
understands that public service is about helping people, and she has
spent her career putting others' lives in front of her own.
  Martha is a trusted colleague, a devoted mother of Joe, Gio, and
Alexyss, and a tireless advocate for the people of the Big First
District.
  I thank Martha for her 25 years of faithful service to Kansans. Our
State is better because of her work and I am honored to have her on our
team.

                              {time}  1015
                           SUPPORTING UKRAINE

  (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established
July 15 as Statehood Day for Ukraine, but we spend another year on this
day wondering when the Ukrainian people will be able to celebrate
without threats from Russia.
  The length of the war in Ukraine has recently surpassed World War I,
and it is an outrage that Ukraine has been forced to incur staggering
casualties and defend its territory against a relentless dictator.
Families are being torn apart, and fear is a part of everyday life for
Ukrainians.
  We have a duty to support nations that are aiming to support life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for their citizens. That is why I
firmly reassert the need to continue funding Ukraine's defense.
  From the floor of the House of Representatives, I extend my regards
to our Ukrainian friends and allies. May they soon honor their
statehood during a time of peace.

                  Addressing Affordable Housing Crisis

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, in New York and across the country, we are
in an affordable housing crisis.
  According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, a household in the
New York City region making the median income would need to spend 65
percent of their income to afford the average home.
  No family should have to spend over one-half of their income on
housing. That is why, this week, I introduced the Home Mortgage
Interest Credit Act and the Senior Accessible Housing Tax Credit Act.
These bills will create new tax credits on mortgage interest and home
modifications to help families better afford homeownership and allow
seniors to age in place.
  As a county executive, I worked to construct affordable housing units
and deliver options for families looking to move to my home county of
Westchester, but more action is needed. We must work toward a
sustained, all-of-government approach through funding, tax policy, and
regulatory reform to fully tackle this affordability problem.
  The bills I introduced today will deliver relief to young families
taking on a mortgage to purchase their first home and to seniors who
need to update the bathroom or install a ramp to allow them to age in
place.
  While the President claims that no one cares about housing, I look
forward to moving these commonsense proposals forward with my
colleagues to make affordable housing available again.

                   Recognizing New York Blood Center

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New York Blood
Center and all community blood centers across the United States that
ensure a stable blood supply for patients in our hospitals.
  Blood can only come from generous donors, and patients in need are
relying on volunteers to roll up their sleeves and give them the gift
of life. But right now, the New York Blood Center is in its second
blood emergency of the summer, signaling critically low levels of blood
supply that exists for the State.
  In the United States, someone needs blood every 2 seconds, and while
more than 60 percent are eligible to donate blood, only about 3 percent
of Americans do. If just 1 percent more volunteers donated blood, we
could alleviate the blood shortages that endanger the blood supply each
season.
  I thank the millions of Americans who already regularly donate blood
and encourage others to join them. Moreover, I commend the work being
done at the New York Blood Center, which has been serving the tristate
area for more than 60 years and today serves more than 200 hospitals
and EMS partners with more than half a million lifesaving blood
products.
  Together, we can work to ensure that no matter when a person needs
it, there will be blood available to them.

            CONGRATULATING PELLA HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING DUTCH

  (Mrs. Miller-Meeks of Iowa was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the
Pella High School Marching Dutch on their trip to our Nation's Capital
for the 250th National Independence Day celebration.
  Led by 21-year band director Dameon Place, the Pella Marching Dutch
includes 225 talented high school students. Participation in the band
gives students the opportunity to develop leadership, discipline,
teamwork, and a commitment to excellence that will serve them well
after graduation. I know this firsthand because my children
participated in band and orchestra.
  While the Independence Day Parade was, unfortunately, canceled
because of the extreme heat, the students made the most of their once-
in-a-lifetime trip. They adapted and played a special popup performance
at the Upper Senate Park, allowing visitors to experience this talented
Iowa band. They also attended the National Symphony Orchestra's Fourth
of July concert and fireworks, visited our Nation's iconic monuments,
and explored the Smithsonian museums.
  Our community in Pella is extremely supportive of its band program.
These students work hard, represent Iowa with pride, and demonstrate
the positive impact school music programs have on our youth.