[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H7164-H7165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO PHIL ROE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Hill) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my 
friend, Phil Roe, Representative of Tennessee's First District, as he 
chooses to end this chapter in his life and return to being a private 
citizen.
  On television, many Americans are left with the impression that the 
U.S. House of Representatives is a place of constant combat. Naturally, 
over the past two centuries, the House has seen many great debates 
about the future of our Nation.
  Debate at its essence is about passionately arguing for your 
preferred course of action. The beauty of the people's House and the 
reason that former Speaker Longworth described the House as coming 
nearer reflecting at all time the popular will than does any other 
individual or legislative body in this or any other country is that we 
debate in earnest, yet we do so with a premium on civility. But, alas, 
as I say, many Americans are left, based on the evening cable 
entertainment shows, with the opposite impression.
  My experience over the past 6 years is that this Chamber is, in fact, 
a place where the great issues of the day are debated and where, 
through that work and debate, firm friendships are established. Those 
friendships extend across the aisle, across cultures, and across 
generations.
  Over the past 6 years, I have come to have the greatest respect for 
one of my colleagues who, after 12 years, has elected to leave the 
House and return to that most basic title that we all hold with honor, 
that of citizen.
  During the course of these years, I recognize my friend, Phil Roe, 
Representative of Tennessee's First District, as a man of high 
character, immense intellect, and great loyalty. His loyalty to the 
people of the Tri-Cities of east Tennessee is shown in his daily 
spirit.
  His loyalty, passion, and care for his fellow veterans have 
overflowed in his role as chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs 
Committee and currently as ranking member. He has never forgotten his 
service in the U.S. Army in the Medical Corps, where he was stationed 
in Korea.
  He has never forgotten his constituents, who enjoy a livelihood in 
the thriving region in and around Johnson City, Tennessee.

  For three decades, prior to coming to Congress, Phil was an OB/GYN. 
He claims, Madam Speaker, that his terrific record of public service 
and local office, including being mayor of Johnson City, were essential 
to his preparation for and success in earning a seat in Congress. But 
we all know better, Madam Speaker. We know that simply delivering the 
vast majority of your constituents is a surefire way to be successfully 
elected.
  As a Christian, Phil sets a high standard and is a stalwart in the 
annual National Prayer Breakfast preparation and our weekly Thursday 
morning bipartisan fellowship, where he never hesitates to bring his 
guitar and share his musical talents. There must be something in the 
water in Bristol, Tennessee, home of country music.
  It is true that Phil and I bonded over critical national defense 
policy, accountability and excellence in care for our veterans, and his 
solutions for market-based policies that would lead to more affordable 
healthcare for all Americans. But we grew up as Scouts, so our real 
mutual love is for the outdoors. To this day, decades later, we share a 
love of backpacking, camping, and hiking in the mountains.
  In fact, in 2019, both of us were so excited that Congress passed, 
and President Trump signed into law, new national wilderness areas in 
each our districts. For me, I was able to add acreage to Flatside 
Wilderness and commence a formal study of the area. For Phil, it was 
adding nearly 20,000 acres of some of the wildest pockets of Cherokee 
National Forest in east Tennessee to the wilderness system.
  We both share an amazing affection for that long day at high-altitude 
above the treeline. One evening in Maine, after a delicious dinner, we 
agreed, hey, let's get up in the morning and go climb the highest 
mountain on the eastern seaboard and hike the end of the Appalachian 
Trail. We will climb and retrace the steps of Henry David Thoreau's 
attempt to climb Mount Katahdin.
  Sure enough, we were true to our word. We got up at 3 a.m. and drove 
from the coast to the trailhead, arriving at 7 a.m. We spent one of the 
most memorable days on the trail that I can recall. The summit of Mount 
Katahdin was pea soup, but you can tell from our smiles that the long 
trek up and down was worth every step.
  Congressman Roe, you have fought the good fight. You have kept the 
faith. And like every good Scout, you have left your campsite cleaner 
than when you found it. Now it is time for a few less cross fires and a 
few more late-night campfires.

[[Page H7165]]

  Martha and I wish you and Clarinda; your combined families; your 
three kids, Whitney, John, David; and their families many, many happy 
days on the trail in the years to come.
  You will be missed here in the people's House. You will be missed by 
your friends. These Halls will be a little emptier without your smile, 
your voice, and your love expressed daily for the people of east 
Tennessee.

                          ____________________