[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with 
the people of Hong Kong.
  Last month, I had the opportunity to hear directly from leaders in 
Hong Kong dedicated to both religious tolerance and to democracy, as 
promised in the ``one country, two systems'' agreement.
  The people of Hong Kong wave American flags during their protests as 
a symbol of the freedoms that they desire.
  Now is the time for Congress to support the people of Hong Kong and 
pass Representative Chris Smith's bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and 
Democracy Act. This measure states without question that the United 
States Government supports the people of Hong Kong and their right to 
freedom of expression and democratic governance guaranteed under their 
50-year arrangement agreed to in 1997 by China and the United Kingdom.


                Stop Ignoring Red Lines in Idlib, Syria

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today again to bring 
attention to the travesty happening in Idlib province, Syria.
  Since mid-August, the brutal dictator Assad, his protector Putin, and 
Iranian coconspirators have repeatedly bombed Idlib and the surrounding 
region. Their aerial slaughter and shelling have displaced all but 2 
percent to 3 percent of the population. They have bombed hospitals, 
even killing a former kindergarten student of the Wisdom House School, 
a school supported by constituents in my home of Arkansas, supported 
before the school was closed due to bombing.
  After nearly 10 years of death and destruction, some say this 
conflict is drawing to a close. When we look back on this calamitous 
conflict, we and our allies in Europe will hang our heads in shame for 
ignoring red lines that gave a green light to Assad's slaughter of his 
own civilians by the hundreds of thousands.


                           Honoring Bob Shell

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of my friend Bob Shell, who passed away last month at the age of 
88.
  In 1950, Bob joined The Baldwin Company for a job scheduled to last 9 
months and ended up staying for almost 70 years. Bob started in the 
field as a payroll clerk and worked his way up in the company, 
eventually becoming president, chairman, and chairman emeritus. The 
company's name was changed when Bob became president and CEO to Baldwin 
& Shell Construction Company, the name it holds today.
  Bob is one of the five charter members of the Arkansas Construction 
Hall of Fame. He was named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year in 
1990 and was featured by Arkansas Business as one of 10 business icons 
for our State in 2016.
  During his time with the company, he had been involved in more than 
2,700 projects, including hospitals, offices, schools, churches, and 
industrial plants.
  I admired this good and decent man. He was a role model and a friend 
to many across our State of Arkansas, and I extend my respect, 
affection, and prayers to his friends, family, and loved ones.


                       Honoring Nicholas Burrell

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize an 
amazing young man from my district, Nicholas Burrell from Benton, 
Arkansas.
  Nicholas started as a Cub Scout in third grade and, at age 14, became 
the youngest Eagle Scout in Troop 99 in Benton. He is also a cancer 
survivor.
  Nicholas was diagnosed with cancer of the brain and spine when he was 
11. He has had multiple tumors and underwent 26 rounds of chemotherapy 
but was always back to participating in projects with the Boy Scouts 
just a few months after his last treatment.
  For his Eagle project, he built a free outdoor pantry called the 
Blessing Box at Salem United Methodist Church, where Troop 99 holds its 
meetings.
  Nicholas is currently a ninth-grader at Bryant Junior High School, 
and his cancer has been in remission since 2017.
  Nicholas' strength and perseverance are a testament and witness to us 
all. I wish him much continued success as he grows and makes Arkansas 
proud.

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