mr. thompson: mr. speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. thompson: mr. speaker, i rise to recognize the importance of uplifting and empowering our skilled workforce. across the country skills gaps are plaguing employers, and barring workers from filling millions of open job opportunities. this is why today i was proud to introduce the bipartisan skills investment act. this commonsense legislation allows workers at any point in their career to contribute to coverdale lifelong learning accounts, which are tax advantage savings opportunities that will allow americans to pursue new job skills and better career prospects. workers of all ages would be eligible to use coverdell lifelong learning accounts to play for skills training, apprenticeships, and other workforce focused programs. as a senior member of the education and workforce committee and co-chai

mr. thompson: i didn't make it. madam speaker, the house is not in order. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. proceed. the gentleman is recognized. mr. thompson: madam speaker, i rise today in celebration of house passage of h.r. 28, the protection of women and girls in sports act. sports have always been more than just a game. they are an opportunity to -- for growth that teaches discipline, teamwork and resilience. involvement in sports opens doors, fosters life-long friendships and inspires confidence in young adults across the country. unfortunately due to radical policies implemented by the biden-harris administration, and other far-left politicians nationwide, women and girls are losing critical protections that were afforded to them when title ix was signed into law more than 50 years ago. we owe it to the millions of young women and girls striving to reach their fullest potential, both on and off the field, who deserve fairness and safety. the protection of women and girls in sports act honors the commitment we made through title ix

mr. thompson: mr. speaker, request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. revise and extend my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized. mr. thompson: mr. speaker, i rise today to recognize and celebrate national law enforcement appreciation day. it is a privilege to honor the more than 800,000 sworn officers serving across the united states for their unwavering dedication to upholding the law and safeguarding our communities. the challenges you face and the importance of your work cannot be overstated. since its establishment in 2015, national law enforcement appreciation day has been observed annually on january 9. this day provides a meaningful opportunity for our nation to express gratitude for the brave men and women who wear the badge with with honor and integrity. thank you to the capitol police, secret service, and the metropolitan police department for their continuous efforts to keep us safe here in our nation's capital. i'm also deeply

mr. thompson: thank you, madam speaker. i rise to recognize penn state women's volleyball team's victory in the national championship. penn state made history which is within its 3-1 win over louisville in the ncaa division i women's volleyball championship in front of a record crowd of 21,860 fans. this was their eighth national title in the program history. this victory didn't happen by chance. it's a result of relentless hard work, discipline, and teamwork. these women showed us what it means to commit fully every practice, every set, every match they gave their all. this success is possible because of the incredible leadership of the coaching staff whose mentorship has shaped this team not only into champions but outstanding young leaders. penn state coach katie schumacker-kawly became the first woman coach to win the ncaa division i volleyball title. the road to the chip wasn't easy for her. in october she announced she was diagnosed with breast cancer. this championship win isn't just about a trophy. it's about a stor

mr. thompson or clients, members of the committee, there will be questions asked but absent evidence i amot concerned about legal consequence. >> you know, i appreciate that. the reality of it is, all of the stuff they can do before you get to the point you just made, there is no evidence, but they can make life very expensive, and they can make life embarrassing from the standpoint, ve got to go through this crap because this man in the oval office is so petty and pathetic, that he wants to come after those who came after his criminality. that was blatant and barefaced. there is a piece of this that can be difficult. >> no question. when i say no ultimate consequence, there is a process to get there, and those questions, she said, a debilitating and distracting and expensive and affect your day-to-day life and reputation. there's no question there could be damage done just by asking the questions. >> all right, tim heaphy, thank you so much. really appreciate you coming on and congrats on the book. >>> how some federal employees are bracing for donald trump's return to the oval office. t

mr. speaker. i rise today to recognize two stalwarts of community service in sarpy county, nebraska. nancy and jim thompson. mr. flood: nancy and jim have dedicated their lives to giving back to nebraska throughout their nearly 5 1/2 decades of marriage. as educators, they played key roles in forming the la vista school foundation, helping it charter nearly 40 years ago. their commitment to public service is equally impressive. nancy and jim were both elected to local and county office. nancy had the distinction of being the first woman elected to the sarpy county board of commissioners and she later served as a state senator in our unicam rally she and i served -- unicameral where she and i served together. they will be honored with the 2025 reflection award from the midlands community foundation. on behalf of nebraska's first district, congratulations to both nancy and jim and thank you for your remarkable service. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from louisiana seek recognition? without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> mr. speaker, today

mr. geezer. up next, pope francis pulling back the curtain on his extraordinary life. it is an unprecedented new autobiography. anne thompson soon as something comes in contact with the power line, it'll turn off so that there's not a risk that it's gonna fall to the ground and start a fire. okay. and i want you to be able to feel the improvements. we've been able to reduce wildfire risk from our equipment by over 90%. that's something i want to believe. [skateboard sounds] >>> we are back at 8:36 on >>> we are back at 8:36 on this tuesday morning with something the world has literally nevever seen. >> today marks the release of the first ever autobiography by a living pope. >> yeah, it's called "hope." pope francis tracing his roots and his rise to the vatican. anne thompson is here with more. >> this is an interesting read. it is a very easy read. it is very much in pope francis' voice, as we know. and it reflects on his papacy, with of course calls for care for immigrants, long passages about the stupidity of war and for the catholic church to welcome all. it describes a man who is a sinner saved by god and loves a good

thompson will both receive the presidential citizen medal. the award will also be given to 18 other recipients, including some who helped set new standards for treating injuries in war. mrthe idea of this rally that trump is holding in washington. now, after he won in 2016, he actually had a series of victory rallies across the country. he has want done that this time around. now he's doing it on the eve of the inauguration. in light of our conversation all morning long, let's talk about security for these events. january 6th, this coming monday, likely security will be necessary because it always is, but certainly not the threat posed there like it was four years ago. we could set that aside. that combination of january 19th and particularly the inauguration, which could draw hundreds of thousands of people to washington, you were tasked with your old post of securing the event -- that very event. how does one do that, in light of the new terror threats? >> the inauguration is designated a national special security event, nsse. january 6th this year has also been designated an nsse to put in the middle of those two events a very guy beganic presidential level rally pre

mr. thompson: i rise to recognize the accomplishments of aaron strob of the school. for 45 years he led the elk county basketball teams beginning as the girls head coach before taking over the boys program in 1983. earlier this year, coach strob made history after celebrating his 1,000th career win. few basketball fans who have witnessed this moment in pennsylvania as strob is believed to be just the third scholastic basketball head coach in state history to achieve this accomplishment. it was only fitting to reach this milestone in the gymnasium that bears his name. that feat is not just about winning basketball games. coach strob helped countless men and women develop nearly half a century to help ensure their athletic, academic, and personal success. i want to congratulate coach strob in his 1,000th career win and wish him and the crusaders good luck the rest of their season. thank you, mr. speaker, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from ohio seek recognition? ms. kaptur: i ask unanimous consent