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[Page H853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE BUCKS COALITION AGAINST TRAFFICKING
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bucks
Coalition Against Trafficking, a group working to eradicate human
trafficking in Bucks County and in our entire region. The Bucks
Coalition Against Trafficking is a project created by the Network of
Victim Assistance, working to end this modern-day slavery.
Members of NOVA received recognition recently from the Bucks County
Board of Commissioners for their work to educate our community and to
raise awareness.
The project was established to encourage victim identification,
community education, enhancement of arrests and prosecution of
traffickers, legislative advocacy, and a coordinated response for
survivor services.
Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that 25 million people across the globe
are victims of human trafficking, and approximately 75 percent of these
victims are women and girls. Statistics show that one in seven children
who run away from home end up being trafficked.
Mr. Speaker, one of the first bills I introduced this Congress, the
End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2019, would increase the role
of financial institutions in combating human trafficking, which is an
incredibly important part of this fight.
I call upon the House to bring this commonsense legislation to a
vote, and to continue to work to support the victims of human
trafficking.
{time} 1015
Recognizing 2019 School Psychologist of the Year, Dr. Julia Szarko
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Julia
Szarko, who was recently named the 2019 School Psychologist of the Year
by the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Szarko is in her 23rd year as a school psychologist, currently
working at Cold Spring Elementary in Central Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. A former president of the Association of School
Psychologists of Pennsylvania, Dr. Szarko has worked for years to
expand school-based mental health services in Pennsylvania and to
address the national school psychologist shortages across the country.
Ensuring students have access to mental health resources is vital to
their current and their future success, along with that of their peers
as well. With only 20 percent of America's youth receiving the mental
health services they need, further action must be taken to expand
access to these services in schools, which is legislation that Dr.
Szarko helped us draft.
We need more people like Dr. Szarko working to ensure that children
in Pennsylvania and across our Nation have the resources and support
they need to succeed.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Leslie Kolifrath
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and
legacy of Leslie Kolifrath, who recently passed away after a brave and
courageous fight with breast cancer.
A lifelong resident of Bucks County, Leslie always put the needs of
others ahead of her own. She was very much beloved by her family, her
friends, her pets, and her coworkers.
Mr. Speaker, I got to know Leslie personally through the amazing work
she did throughout Lower Bucks County, particularly Bristol Township,
and helping so many people. The one thing that we all remember about
Leslie is that no issue was too small for her to tackle when it came to
protecting and serving the residents of Bristol Township and Lower
Bucks County.
So we offer our prayers to Leslie's family. We stand by her family in
this very difficult time.
She is now enjoying her eternal reward for a life she lived serving
others in Bucks County and across our region.
Recognizing Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an
organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, changing the lives for
individuals with cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioral, and
psychological needs.
For over 20 years, the Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center in
Hilltown, Bucks County, has created therapeutic programs for people of
all ages and levels of ability utilizing the equine experience.
In addition to equine-assisted activities, Ivy Hill collaborates with
several community partners to provide job training through specialized
programs dedicated to an exponentially-growing special needs population
in our region and across the country. Through these programs, Ivy Hill
serves over 150 program riders with more than a dozen trained therapy
horses, led by nearly 200 staff members and volunteers.
Mr. Speaker, their motto is: ``Horses + Love = Hope'' and, having
heard firsthand the heartwarming testimonials of riders and their
families, it is clear that this equation is holding very true. We are
very thankful for all they do for our special needs population and
everybody in our region.
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