Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-01-13

RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM

TaxesEnvironmentTradeAgriculture

Context

On 2026-01-13, Representative Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, trade policy.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H668-H669] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Indiana, Ms. Houchin, for 5 minutes. =========================== NOTE =========================== On January 13, 2026, page H668, in the third column, the following appeared: (Mrs. HOUCHIN of Indiana was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) The online version has been corrected to read: The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Indiana, Ms. Houchin, for 5 minutes. ========================= END NOTE ========================= Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the 15-0 Indiana University football team for their historic season, winning the Rose Bowl, then the Peach Bowl, and now advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship. This team rose to the occasion when few expected it. Without a roster full of five-star recruits, they were often underestimated, but they responded again and again with discipline and toughness. Week after week, they proved that hard work and preparation still matter. Under the leadership of Coach Curt Cignetti, this team has put Indiana football on the map. A perfect regular season, a Big Ten Championship victory over Ohio State for the program's first conference title since 1967, and Indiana's first Heisman Trophy reflect what can be accomplished when a team fully commits to the standard set before them. On behalf of Indiana's Ninth District, the home of our Indiana University Hoosiers, I commend Coach Cignetti, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and players on the team like Charlie Becker, D'Angelo Ponds, Pat Coogan, Elijah [[Page H669]] Sarratt, and the entire Indiana football program for the achievement that has made our State so proud. I am rooting for the Indiana Hoosiers in the national championship this weekend. I hope they bring it home from Miami, and I have no doubt they will. As Coach Cignetti has said himself: This would make one heck of a movie. Good luck to the Hoosiers on Monday. Congratulating Indiana State Fair Queen Presley Hampton Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Presley Hampton of Jackson County on being named the Indiana State Fair Queen. Presley represents the very best of Indiana. She has shown dedication to agriculture, leadership in her community, and a strong work ethic that reflects the values so many young people across our State are raised with. The Indiana State Fair is more than a tradition. It is a celebration of farming, youth leadership, and the families who work every day to feed our country. Presley's achievements highlight the importance of programs like 4-H and FFA that prepare young leaders for the future. I know Presley will represent Indiana with integrity and pride. I congratulate her family, mentors, and everyone who helped support her along the way. Southern Indiana is immensely proud of Presley, and we wish her all the best as she takes on this role. Recognizing Starlight Distillery Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Starlight Distillery, an outstanding family-owned business in southern Indiana. Operated by the seventh generation of the Huber family, Starlight earned global recognition when its Japanese Mizunara Reserve finished bourbon was named the best overall bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That is right, Kentucky, Indiana's bourbon is the world's best. This prestigious award reflects the family's dedication to hard work and a commitment to quality that has guided their business for generations. Starlight is more than just a distillery. It has put southern Indiana on the map. The Huber family has built a business that supports local agriculture, creates jobs, and showcases what family-run enterprises in rural Indiana can achieve on the world stage. I am proud to represent the Huber family and the many hardworking people behind Starlight Distillery. Their success is a testament to the strength of family businesses and the communities that support them. ____________________

View original source →

RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H668-H669] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Indiana, Ms. Houchin, for 5 minutes. =========================== NOTE =========================== On January 13, 2026, page H668, in the third column, the following appeared: (Mrs. HOUCHIN of Indiana was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) The online version has been corrected to read: The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Indiana, Ms. Houchin, for 5 minutes. ========================= END NOTE ========================= Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of the 15-0 Indiana University football team for their historic season, winning the Rose Bowl, then the Peach Bowl, and now advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship. This team rose to the occasion when few expected it. Without a roster full of five-star recruits, they were often underestimated, but they responded again and again with discipline and toughness. Week after week, they proved that hard work and preparation still matter. Under the leadership of Coach Curt Cignetti, this team has put Indiana football on the map. A perfect regular season, a Big Ten Championship victory over Ohio State for the program's first conference title since 1967, and Indiana's first Heisman Trophy reflect what can be accomplished when a team fully commits to the standard set before them. On behalf of Indiana's Ninth District, the home of our Indiana University Hoosiers, I commend Coach Cignetti, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and players on the team like Charlie Becker, D'Angelo Ponds, Pat Coogan, Elijah [[Page H669]] Sarratt, and the entire Indiana football program for the achievement that has made our State so proud. I am rooting for the Indiana Hoosiers in the national championship this weekend. I hope they bring it home from Miami, and I have no doubt they will. As Coach Cignetti has said himself: This would make one heck of a movie. Good luck to the Hoosiers on Monday. Congratulating Indiana State Fair Queen Presley Hampton Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Presley Hampton of Jackson County on being named the Indiana State Fair Queen. Presley represents the very best of Indiana. She has shown dedication to agriculture, leadership in her community, and a strong work ethic that reflects the values so many young people across our State are raised with. The Indiana State Fair is more than a tradition. It is a celebration of farming, youth leadership, and the families who work every day to feed our country. Presley's achievements highlight the importance of programs like 4-H and FFA that prepare young leaders for the future. I know Presley will represent Indiana with integrity and pride. I congratulate her family, mentors, and everyone who helped support her along the way. Southern Indiana is immensely proud of Presley, and we wish her all the best as she takes on this role. Recognizing Starlight Distillery Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Starlight Distillery, an outstanding family-owned business in southern Indiana. Operated by the seventh generation of the Huber family, Starlight earned global recognition when its Japanese Mizunara Reserve finished bourbon was named the best overall bourbon at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That is right, Kentucky, Indiana's bourbon is the world's best. This prestigious award reflects the family's dedication to hard work and a commitment to quality that has guided their business for generations. Starlight is more than just a distillery. It has put southern Indiana on the map. The Huber family has built a business that supports local agriculture, creates jobs, and showcases what family-run enterprises in rural Indiana can achieve on the world stage. I am proud to represent the Huber family and the many hardworking people behind Starlight Distillery. Their success is a testament to the strength of family businesses and the communities that support them. ____________________