HONORING THE LIFE OF JOE WADE ELLIS

  (Mr. Miller of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
  Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Joe, if you are watching: I don't have my cell
phone or keys in my pockets, but I rise today to honor the life of Joe
Wade Ellis.
  Born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama, Joe was a mentor, a
friend, a patriot, and he was one hell of a man.
  Joe recently passed away after an accident that occurred while
supporting the United States delegation to the G7 meeting in France.
  Joe, as I sit here in the office you helped me create, mold, and
shape, I can only say how grateful I am to you.
  When you and I first met, you were brought on to be my mentor in 2017
during the first Trump administration. My boss at the time wanted to
let me go, probably not to anyone's surprise, but you saw something in
me. You then told the White House how impressed you were with me, and
then somehow I became the director of that office just 2 years later.
  I have lost many people in my life but very few who cared about me
the way that you did. You were my mentor and closest friend. You were
with me through all the ups and downs. You were my rock like you were
for so many others. You had a contagious personality. Everyone wanted
to be around you, even if you may not have wanted to be around them,
which could be often.
  When I asked you to come out of retirement to be my chief of staff, I
truly did not believe you would accept it, but when I won my race, you
were there and simply responded: I am in. Let's talk tomorrow.
  I knew you didn't want to take this job, but you did it for me. I
knew that then, and I know it now. You said you would only stay for a
year, but you stayed for the full term to make sure I won reelection,
got reelected to steering, and got on Ways and Means.
  That was because of you, Joe Ellis.
  When my daughter was born, I had never seen you so excited for me to
be a dad. You gave me invaluable advice that I will pass on to her as
she grows older, and she will know where it came from.
  I will miss our foreign trips together during the admin where you
taught me everything I know about Advance. I will miss our time
together as colleagues but even more as friends. It hurts when I call
you and you are not on the other line.
  You passed away doing what you loved. I know you are in a better
place and that God has a plan for all of us. I just don't think you
realized the impact you had on so many people during your time here on
this Earth. That time was cut way too short, and I know you are
watching and you are probably, you know, laughing a little bit as I am
crying, but know how much I love you. Know the impact you had on me and
other people, and I miss our time more than you can imagine.

                         RESTORE BACK BAY STUDY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gallagher). The Chair recognizes the
Member from Delaware (Representative McBride) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. McBRIDE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to start by thanking my
colleagues who have spoken earlier in this speaking program for
honoring individuals whose lives were cut tragically short, and I want
to extend my condolences to all those who are mourning those who have
been honored in this Chamber today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my disappointment at the rejection
of my amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
  My amendment supported the continuation of the Back Bay study, a
congressionally authorized effort to help Delaware better address the
vulnerabilities facing our coastal communities.
  Delaware is the lowest-lying State in the Nation. In Sussex County,
farmers, small businesses, and families are already dealing with the
consequences of rising sea levels, coastal flooding, and increasingly
severe weather.
  The Back Bay study, which began in November of 2022, has been
providing valuable research needed to strengthen infrastructure and
plan for the future.
  But earlier this year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers terminated
the study, citing an inability to ``develop a scope and budget that is
compliant.''
  In response, Senator Coons, Senator Blunt Rochester, and I called on
the Army Corps to reinstate the study and provide a real explanation
for walking away from this congressionally authorized effort.
  Given their inaction, I filed my amendment. But the message from the
majority party's leadership that has refused to even allow for a vote
on my amendment is that research that supports the long-term safety of
Delawareans in the face of rising sea levels is of no consequence to
them.
  I will keep working to restore the Back Bay study because Delawareans
cannot afford for this study to simply be abandoned.

                    Farewell to Retiring Legislators

  Ms. McBRIDE. Mr. Speaker, this coming June 30, the Delaware's State

legislature will convene for its final regular session day of the 153rd
general assembly. With it, the State senate and statehouse will bid
farewell to several retiring legislators, leaders with over a century
in combined public service to our State of neighbors.
  Representing constituencies across Delaware, spanning the partisan
and ideological spectrum, I was proud to call these legislators
colleagues during my 4 years in the general assembly. I had the chance
to see their devotion to their constituents, and I will take a moment
in this Chamber to celebrate their service.
  In my old stomping grounds of the Delaware State Senate, my forever
president pro-tempore, Senator David Sakola, is retiring after over 35
years in office. During that time, Dave has been a tireless champion of
public education, environmental sustainability, and equality.
  For the last 6 years as the President pro-tempore of the State
senate, Dave led a caucus that raised the minimum wage, passed paid
family and medical leave, advanced historic gun safety legislation, and
protected vulnerable neighborhoods whose rights and freedoms have been
anything but secure. I am proud to call Dave not only a former
colleague but a friend and mentor.
  Across the aisle, Senator Dave Lawson is retiring after 16 years
representing western Kent County. A Vietnam veteran, retired Delaware
State trooper, former volunteer with his local fire company, and a
businessman, Dave has spent his life serving the Nation that he loves.
He has paid it forward time and time again, fighting for those who put
their lives on the line for all of us from veterans to first
responders.
  In the statehouse, my dear friend Deb Heffernan is retiring after 16
years representing the Sixth District. During her time in Dover, Deb
has been an effective advocate for her neighbors delivering for
teachers, families, caregivers, and people with disabilities. She has
brought her expertise to defending our environment and investing in
next-generation infrastructure in her district and across Delaware.
During my time in the Delaware General Assembly, Deb and I teamed up
often, including to lead the successful effort to pass paid family and
medical leave statewide.
  To my former colleagues who are also turning the page on this chapter
of their service, Representatives Ron Gray, Rich Collins, Charles
Postles, Jeff Hilovsky, and my friend Kevin Hensley, I thank each of
them for their service on behalf of our neighbors across the First
State.
  From supporting small businesses to promoting financial literacy,
protecting people with disabilities to fighting for farmers, they have
worked across the political divide to champion causes on behalf of
their constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, in Delaware, public service is not defined by the title
before your name nor the side of the aisle you sit on. It is defined by
our capacity to deliver for our neighbors, working across difference to
ensure government works for those it is meant to serve.
  I thank my former colleagues and my friends in Leg Hall for their
years of service to the greatest State in the history of the Union, and
best wishes to a happy retirement.