[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 104 (Thursday, June 21, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5365-H5366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING PENNY CELESTE FORREST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Handel). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Penny Celeste 
Forrest of Waco, Texas, who passed away on June 15, 2018.
  Penny was born in 1948 in Dallas, Texas. She was educated at East 
Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M University-Commerce; 
Baylor University; the University of Texas at Arlington; McLennan 
Community College; Texas State Technology College; and Texas Woman's 
University.
  Penny was very active in our Waco community. She served on various 
boards, associations, and commissions, including the following: 
president of the Central Texas Museum District, vice president of the 
Austin Avenue Neighborhood Association, chair of the Boy Scouts Award 
Committee, chair of the Waco-McLennan County Library Commission, the 
McLennan County Historical Commission, the Texas State Technical 
College board of regents, the city of Waco Parks and Recreation 
Advisory Commission, the city of Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau 
Advisory Board, and the city of Waco Buildings and 
Standards Commission.

[[Page H5366]]

  For the past 8 years, Penny has been an integral member of my team 
that serves the 17th Congressional District of Texas. She was one of 
the first three hires I made when I assumed office in 2011.
  Since then, she worked in our Waco office as our office manager and 
our caseworker. She loved her job, and she especially loved being able 
to serve others.
  Penny was also in charge of handling the Military Service Academy 
nominations for our office. Each year, she would compile all of the 
applications and coordinate with our service academy board to interview 
applicants. She took great pride in being able to help young men and 
women get accepted into our Nation's service academies.
  In addition to her official duties, she also served as the matriarch 
of our Waco office team. She befriended and mentored everyone with whom 
she worked. She especially enjoyed working with all of our interns, and 
she would advise them during their time in our office.
  There is no doubt that some of the wisdom that she shared with them 
has helped shape their lives and their careers.
  Penny was an exceptional and devoted person who will be greatly 
missed by all those lives she touched.
  The thing that I know that she loved more than serving others was 
loving her husband, Jerry, and her children. For as long as I can 
remember, Jerry and Penny would have lunch together every day in our 
office. They truly enjoyed each other's company. Their love and 
dedication to each other was remarkable and something to be modeled by 
all of us.
  A little over a year ago, we buried my father-in-law. During the 
graveside service, the pastor said something that I will always 
remember. He said, When we leave this Earth, we should all aspire to 
leave behind three things: a good name, a good family, and a forwarding 
address.
  Penny Forrest left behind all three of those things, and in 
particular, she left a forwarding address. Because of her Christian 
faith and her belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior, she is 
celebrating with him in heaven. Her actions serve as a great example 
for all of us here still on Earth.
  She and Jerry loved to go on cruises, and she is on the ultimate 
cruise right now.
  Madam Speaker, Penny's life was defined by her selfless service to 
those around her. She worked tirelessly to better our community. She 
has certainly left an enduring impression on her central Texas 
community and the 17th Congressional District.
  She will be forever remembered as a selfless servant, a wife, a 
mother, a grandmother, and a dear friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I, along with the entire Texas 17 Congressional 
Team, offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Forrest 
family.
  We also lift up the family and friends of Penny in our prayers.
  I have requested that a United States flag be flown over the Capitol 
to honor the life and legacy of Penny Forrest.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our military men and women who serve us, and for our first 
responders who keep us safe at home.

                          ____________________