Recognizing the Bucks Coalition Against Trafficking

Floor Speech

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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. Recognizing 2019 School Psychologist of the Year, Dr. Julia Szarko

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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

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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

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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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