What Mark B. Messmer said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding Hoosier whose dedication to our country did not end when he took off the uniform. This week, I will have the honor of welcoming Evansville Army veteran Ken Eppler and his lovely wife, Cathy, to my congressional office here at the United States Capitol.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Mater Dei Wildcats for winning the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 2-A baseball State championship. In a thrilling 6-3 victory in the final game, the Wildcats captured their second baseball State championship in school history, the last one being back in 1991.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Barr-Reeve Vikings softball team on winning the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 1-A State softball championship, their first State softball championship in school history.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Tecumseh Braves softball team on bringing home the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 2-A softball State championship. This marks the fourth State championship title the Braves have captured in the last 5 years and the seventh in the program's history.”

“Finally, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Jasper Wildcats girls' tennis doubles team of Adaysha Smiley and Stella Knies for winning the 2026 Indiana High School Athletic Association girls' tennis doubles State championship.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Stop Child Care Scams Act, which provides a commonsense path toward preventing the rampant waste, fraud, and abuse in our Federal childcare support programs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act. Hoosier families in southern Indiana and across this great Nation deserve to be in full control of how they guide and raise their most precious gift from God, their beloved children.”

“Mr. Speaker, we all know that farmers are facing high input costs and that commodity prices are too low. Today, I stand here in support of a policy that will bring about a sustainable solution.”

“Mr. Chair, I stand today in strong support of the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act. This bill expands access to nearly 2,000 new demand streams for corn, soy, and farm waste through the BioPreferred Program.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about something very important to me, my family, and the majority of Hoosiers in Indiana's Eighth District: the protection of the unborn and the 2026 March for Life.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue affecting both families and businesses in Indiana and across the United States, which is the expensive, but essential, financial support workers need to provide care for their young children and elderly parents.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Hoosier leader and a man whose service to our community has had a great impact on all of Indiana and the healthcare industry of our country.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary group of young, Eighth District Hoosier artists from Indiana's Rockport Elementary School whose handmade Christmas ornaments are beautifully representing our great State at this year's National Christmas Tree Lighting Festival.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Danielle Chrysler for her distinguished career of service to the State of Indiana, our Nation, and the United States Army National Guard.”

“Company and a deployment with the 38th Infantry Division, where she served as Executive Officer to the Commanding General. Prior to her most recent role, Lieutenant Colonel Chrysler served four years in Joint and Army Congressional Affairs at the National Guard Bureau, strengthening the relationship between Congress and our Citizen- Soldiers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the massive benefits that my constituents in Indiana and all Americans will reap thanks to the passage of the working families tax cuts.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mead Johnson, a global leader in science-backed pediatric nutrition, as they celebrate 120 years of leadership and innovation in the field.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the CLARITY Act. America's innovative ecosystem has made our Nation an investment magnet and development hub, but thus far, our regulatory system has failed the digital assets industry.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to give my personal congratulations to the Jasper Indiana High School Girls' Tennis team for becoming the IHSAA State finals champions. In the stunning final four match, our Wildcats won 4-1, earning the girls' tennis team their first ever State title, and the first State title for any girls' sports team at Jasper High School.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025. For decades, Americans have been waiting for their leadership to deliver on the promise that fiscal responsibility was on its way.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 200th anniversary of the Log Inn, a Gibson County landmark located on the outskirts of Haubstadt, just north of Evansville, Indiana.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Valerie Nelson, who today marks 20 years of selfless service in the United States House of Representatives. Her unwavering commitment to public service has not only benefited this institution, but it has set an example for generations of congressional staff to come.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my constituent Raymond Farabaugh, Co-President of D-Patrick, Inc. in Evansville, Indiana, who was named the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year at the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in New Orleans, Louisiana.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my personal congratulations to the South Knox girls' basketball team for taking the Class 2A State championship. In the stunning 55-33 win, the South Knox Spartans earned the school's first statewide championship victory.”

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the DETERRENT Act. This important legislation will bring vital transparency and accountability to gift reporting requirements for colleges and universities.”

“Americans are also horrified to learn about the injuries women and girls are facing when in competition with a biological male. As a father and a grandfather, I am entirely against forcing anybody's daughter or granddaughter to have to share a women's locker room with anyone other than women and girls.”