[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 15 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E68-E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE CAREER OF BILL FREY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. HIMES

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 24, 2020

  Mr. HIMES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the heroes of 
the fight for decent housing and meaningful opportunity for every 
American--my role model, my former boss, and my friend, Bill Frey. Bill 
will attempt to retire from Enterprise Community Partners at the end of 
January after three decades of shaping that institution, mentoring 
generations of committed leaders and improving the lives of countless 
Americans. I say attempt, because Bill's soul-deep commitment to 
fighting the world's fight and to servant leadership will not fade with 
the passage of time.
  Enterprise's need, and the respect Bill commands in the world of 
community development, may conspire to make Bill's attempt at 
retirement a rare failure for a man who has achieved everything, and 
always for others.
  Bill's deep commitment to selfless service, his unusual humility, and 
his intuitive sense for gentle leadership is leavened by an impish 
humor that makes Bill irresistible to all, from the formerly homeless 
new renter to the senior banking executive, to the faith and community 
leaders that he empowered and supported across a lifetime.
  Madam Speaker, the years in which I worked for Bill Frey were years 
of inspiration, learning and always laughter. I grew immeasurably 
watching Bill's steady hand, his courageous personal fights, and the 
example he set for so many of us.
  I'm not going to say I will miss him, because as I said, I suspect 
he's not really going anywhere. And even if he does manage to spend 
more time with his wonderful family and growing collection of 
grandchildren, his legacy touched so many of us forever. Thank you, 
Bill.

[[Page E69]]

  


  RECOGNIZING ELIZABETH RINK AND MONICA SKEWES OF BOZEMAN AND ADRIANN 
                          RICKER OF FORT PECK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 24, 2020

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Elizabeth Rink 
and Monica Skewes of Bozeman, and Adriann Ricker of Fort Peck for their 
dedication to and pursuit of finding solutions to public health issues 
confronting Montana.
  Rink, Skewes, and Ricker, an enrolled member of the Fort Peck 
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, have spent years working with members and 
leaders of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation community on public health 
issues it faces. Through community-based research, they are helping 
develop trauma-informed policies for reservation agencies. All three 
are working vigorously alongside tribal members to find solutions. 
Montana State University faculty members Rink and Skewes as well as 
Ricker from Fott Peck Community College were recently selected for the 
Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Program, which is supported by the 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The fellowship allows them to continue 
this important work.
  Their goal is to equip Fort Peck's leaders with data that can guide 
their policymaking. Their research supports a more compassionate, 
community-centered approach to address the long-term needs of those 
seeking help. The three researchers say if a person never heals from 
tragic circumstances like substance abuse or addiction then the harmful 
cycles don't end.
  Rink, Skewes, and Ricker empower Fort Peck leaders with data. As a 
result of their work and collaboration, tribal leaders have more 
information to better understand these complex public health issues. 
Their research and work are making a difference: many of members of the 
community are more accepting of and sensitive to these challenges and 
hardships than they were before.
  Madam Speaker, for their community collaboration and tireless work to 
promote positive community change, I recognize Elizabeth Rink and 
Monica Skewes of Bozeman, and Adriann Ricker of Fort Peck for their 
Spirit of Montana.

                          ____________________