Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

SAFE School Act

in committee

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2026

introduced

Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2025

in committee

“Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 100th Birthday of twin brothers Keith and Kenneth Palm on October 11, 2025. Keith and Kenneth are the youngest of 10 children born to Swedish immigrants Alfred and Sigrid Palm. Both are World War II veterans having served in the European Theater with the 103rd Infantry Division. Both Keith and Kenneth are Purple Heart recipients. Following their military service, both Keith and Kenneth enrolled at the University of Illinois, graduating with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Chemistry. Upon their graduation, both remained in Chicago working for Swift and Company in the edible oil refinery inside the Chicago stockyard. In 1974, Keith and his wife, Patricia, relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since arriving in Chattanooga, Keith has been very active with his local church assisting Patricia, his wife of 67 years, teaching Sunday School. Keith has said that one of his deepest joys was the opportunity to teach Sunday School to his grandchildren. Keith has dedicated many years of service to various positions in his church. For many years, he drove kids to a Christian camp in Clemson, South Carolina. Today, Keith and his wife have two children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Keith continues to be the foundation of a strong family unit striving to serve others. I am honored to stand today and congratulate Keith and Kenneth on their 100th birthday. I encourage all to thank them for their service to our country, for being part of the Greatest Generation and to thank Keith for serving tirelessly within our community. ____________________”

2025-12-09 · Veterans

“Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and recognize Mr. Bruce Hartmann on his retirement. Mr. Hartmann began his career with the Baltimore Sun in Maryland, where he spent his first six years in the newspaper business. He also held management positions at the Lowell Sun in Massachusetts and the Nashua Telegraph in New Hampshire. Bruce spent 26 years with the E.W. Scripps Company in several roles. He would become the youngest President and Publisher in Scripps history at the age of 36. While in this role, he oversaw the construction of the news headquarters for the Knoxville News Sentinel, founded the KNS Media Group, and launched numerous community-focused initiatives. For the past eight years, Bruce has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Community Relations Officer for the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He has secured more than $60 million in various grants to expand the facilities and services that the UT Medical Center officers to our community. Bruce played a key role in establishing the Fentress County Emergency Department in 2023 and the Orthopedic Institute at Cherokee Farm in Jamestown, Tennessee, allowing UT Medical Center to expand into communities with health care needs. It was in his role with E.W. Scripps that I met and became friends with Bruce. Bruce [[Page E1131]] has been an outstanding citizen and philanthropist. His infinite kindness and professionalism have been an inspiration to me as a member of Congress. Bruce has been an active volunteer in our community as well. He has served as the Past Chair of the Tennessee Theatre Foundation and has been part of many great organizations, including the East Tennessee Foundation, the United Way Campaign, In Leadership Knoxville, the Knoxville Chamber Partnership, the Board of South College, and Tenn Path. Additionally, he has also served on the boards of Friends of the Smokies and the Bijou Theatre, and currently serves on the boards for South College, the UT School of Nursing, the East Tennessee Foundation, Cherokee Country Club, and Leadership Tennessee. He has left a legacy throughout East Tennessee, and his service to this community will be greatly missed. Bruce has been married to his wife, Tami, for 44 years and has three children and eight grandchildren. Another testament to them both, their entire family remains close-knit, and all live within the same community. I am honored to recognize Bruce for his many years of service and congratulate him on his retirement. ____________________”

2025-12-01 · Government Reform

“Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend a warm welcome to His All-Holiness Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and spiritual leader of Orthodox Christianity. Recognized as ``First Among Equals'' among Orthodox bishops, he is visiting our Nation's Capital to receive the Templeton Prize--the world's most prestigious award honoring contributions to religion and science. As Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All-Holiness leads the world's second-largest Christian church. Since assuming this role in 1991, he has earned global respect for his spiritual leadership and commitment to peace. Guided by his belief that ``war in the name of religion is war against religion,'' Patriarch Bartholomew has built strong relationships with religious and political leaders in every continent to promote unity among faiths. In 1997, Patriarch Bartholomew became the first Ecumenical Patriarch to visit the United States, and it is our great pleasure to welcome him back as he meets with the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. I recognize and celebrate his lifelong dedication of peacemaking and his steadfast efforts to build bridges between East and West, Christian and Muslim, and all people of good will. May his presence here remind us of our commitment to remain ``One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'' I extend my warmest welcome to His All-Holiness and pray that his visit will be blessed with success, fellowship, and hope for the future of our common humanity. ____________________”

2025-09-02 · Foreign Policy