Chris Pappas

To reauthorize the active transportation infrastructure investment program, and for other purposes.

in committee

To protect the jobs of American railroad workers in cross border traffic with Mexico, and for other purposes.

in committee

Rural Child Care Access Act

in committee

“Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the American Friends of the Blind in Greece, an organization based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Sharing a deep concern for the poor living conditions experienced by the blind in Greece, a group of Greek-Americans in New England founded the AFBG in 1946. The organization began by initiating smaller projects, including procuring funding for five Greek students to train in the United States. They aimed to expand opportunities for the blind and to prepare them with the necessary skills to earn a living despite their impairment. Their mission grew over the years. Throughout the twentieth century, the American Friends of the Blind in Greece helped to fund and design numerous programs to teach essential skills, including weaving, sewing, and reading braille, while also funding projects to teach agricultural and manufacturing trades. Their work culminated in the opening of the Lighthouse for the Blind in 1975, a centralized location for employing blind people in skilled manufacturing jobs. The AFBG also funded the opening of a metals workshop and a Tactual Museum to expand access to museum-quality art to the sightless. Like all organizations, the American Friends of the Blind in Greece has faced setbacks. The 1999 Athens earthquake caused costly damages to the Lighthouse for the Blind and the Tactual Museum. The diligent fundraising of organization members and the generous contributions of Americans across the country helped to rebuild and repair the damaged buildings to ensure the continued support of the blind community. Even in an era of greater awareness in the twenty-first century, the work of the American Friends of the Blind in Greece remains critical. Both the Greek Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the stability .and prospects for countless blind people in Greece. Confronting public and private funding cuts, job losses, and reduced services, the AFBG again answered the call, raising historic funds to preserve support for sightless communities. Today, on behalf of New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I am honored to congratulate the American Friends of the Blind in Greece for 80 years of exceptional service. I commend its members for their compassion and thank them for their caring, diligent work. It is inspiring to see a local organization make a global impact, and I encourage all of us to learn from its history. From small towns in New Hampshire to big cities across the globe, there is so much we can achieve by serving others. I thank the American Friends of the Blind in Greece for showing us the impact we can make when we stand up for our values, and I wish them all the best in the years to come. ____________________”

2026-05-15 · Civil Rights

“Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. David Paul Bonner, who recently passed away at the age of 73. Dave was a beloved member of the Concord, New Hampshire community, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Dave was born and raised in Concord, where he chose to live his entire life alongside his wife and closest friend, Paula. Countless individuals in the community came to know him over the years, and he was known by many as the ``unofficial mayor'' of Concord. He carried himself with an infectious personality and a genuine love and care for others, paired with a witty spirit and a remarkable gift for storytelling. Dave was a proud veteran of the United States Army and spent time stationed in Germany. He was also a beloved mail carrier for the USPS in Concord and worked as a taxi driver, a Hampton Beach nightclub bouncer, and a corrections officer over the years. His hard work and resilience came from a passionate commitment to serve his community and provide for his family. Aside from his work, Dave was always passionate about sports and proved to be a versatile, multi-sport athlete, trying his hand at skiing, football, hockey, and much more. He was a fixture at the Green Street Community Center in Concord every Sunday, and was an avid basketball player and referee for much of his adulthood. When not playing or officiating, he was often in the stands watching games ranging from the youth to the collegiate level. He also had a genuine passion for the arts, especially theatre and music. He frequented the Ogunquit Playhouse for productions in the summer and would often listen to music by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Tom Rush. Much like his strong work ethic and tender compassion, his diverse interests endeared him to his many friends and loved ones. Dave leaves behind his wife, Paula, and their three children, Matt, Becky, and Luke. His children shared his passion for sports and were incredible athletes and students, earning college scholarships for basketball. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren. Those who knew Dave understood that he was immensely proud of his family and cherished them every day of his life. They shared that same love and affection for him. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I send my deepest condolences to the Bonner family and all of Dave's loved ones. As they grieve their loss, we know that Dave's abounding love, passion for sports and the arts, hard work, and service to his country and community are an inspiring example for all of us to follow. Although he will be dearly missed, his memory lives on in our communities through all the people whose lives he touched over the years. The stories he told and the memories he shared with those around him will endure for many years to come. ____________________”

2026-05-14 · Veterans

“Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lori Ford, who has spent the last 36 years as a dedicated ski coach, during which time she has left a profound and lasting impact on students and young athletes in New Hampshire and Vermont. Lori began her coaching journey in 1990 at Okemo Mountain in Vermont, where she worked as a coach and instructor for 13 years. In 2003, she joined the coaching staff at the Holderness School, which partners with the Franconia Ski Club, and quickly established herself as a widely respected mentor to young athletes and a reliable colleague to her peers. After 23 years, she remains a dedicated coach at Holderness School, doing the honorable work of developing young minds and helping students discover their passions, both on the slopes and beyond. Lori's passion for skiing and coaching runs through her blood. Before she became a coach, she was a competitive ski racer for Middlebury College, where she excelled. She also shares her passions with her family. Her husband, Duane, has also dedicated his career to guiding the next generation, working as a teacher and coach at Holderness School. Her daughter, Julia Ford, shares her mother's love for skiing and proudly represented the United States on the Olympic Ski Team at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Those who know Lori best laud her for having an unparalleled commitment to helping young athletes become better people, with a love for skiing that is exceeded only by her desire to help young people grow and develop. The Holderness School, Franconia Ski Club, and the states of Vermont and New Hampshire all owe Lori a debt of gratitude. On behalf of the constituents of New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I thank Lori for her incredible work to support young Granite Staters as they pursue their dreams. I wish her all the best in her continued coaching and in all her future endeavors. ____________________”

2026-04-28 · Education