[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H7165-H7166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FAREWELL TO PHIL ROE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize a friend and colleague who will be retiring from Congress as 
the 116th Congress comes to a close. I have served with Dr. Phil Roe 
since we came into Congress together as classmates in 2009.
  Phil represents the First Congressional District of Tennessee. His 
pathway to Congress includes being an Eagle Scout, veteran, mayor, and 
medical physician, delivering more than 5,000 of his future 
constituents.
  Phil and I have sat next to each other on the House Education and 
Labor Committee for 12 years. We started at the very end of the 
seniority seating and now sit prominently as senior members.

                              {time}  1230

  Congressman Roe has left his mark serving the American people as 
chair and Republican leader of the House Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs. He authored the MISSION Act, which ensures veterans have the 
ability to receive the best possible care now and in the future, and 
the Forever GI Bill, which ensures veterans won't lose access to the 
education benefits that they earned through their service.
  Madam Chair, in his own words, Congressman Phil Roe said it best: 
``I'll leave Congress at the end of the year knowing that our Nation's 
heroes are better served today because of our work.''
  Thank you, Phil. And thank you to his wife, Clarinda, and their 
family for sharing Phil with us. Best wishes for whatever the next 
chapter's adventures bring.


                  Farewell to Congressman Greg Walden

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, in 2018, Congressman 
Greg Walden won his 11th term in Congress to represent Oregon's Second 
Congressional District. When the 116th Congress ends, he will retire 
after 22 years of service to our Nation.
  Greg graduated from the University of Oregon with a journalism degree 
and took over the operations of his father's radio station in Hood 
River--and added another--before winning his congressional seat in 
1998.
  In 2014 and 2016, he successfully chaired the National Republican 
Congressional Committee. Greg served as chairman of the House Committee 
on Energy and Commerce in the 115th Congress and currently serves as 
the Republican leader of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to have worked with Congressman   Greg 
Walden and share passions with him: his passion to improve forest 
management and lead reforms to make our Federal forests healthier, make 
our rural communities more financially solvent, and make our forests 
more resilient to climate change.
  To his wife, Mylene, thank you for sharing this lifelong Oregonian, 
Eagle Scout, and great public servant with us.

[[Page H7166]]

  Best wishes, Greg. I know you will continue to make a difference in 
retirement.


                  Farewell to Congressman   Rob Bishop

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a 
retiring leader and mentor, Congressman   Rob Bishop.
  A public schoolteacher turned public servant,   Rob Bishop represents 
Utah's First Congressional District in the United States Congress. I 
have had the privilege of serving with and under the leadership of 
Congressman Bishop on the Committee on Natural Resources for 8 years.
  First elected in 2003, Rob served as chairman of the powerful House 
Committee on Natural Resources and is now its ranking member. He has 
been a key player on many public land bills.
  Congressman Bishop is committed to helping Congress strike a balance 
for wise management of our public lands and resources. Protecting 
private property rights and State sovereignty and preserving the 
Western heritage are among his chief priorities on the committees that 
guided him. There is no stronger fighter to protect the livelihoods of 
public land users in rural America, while ensuring that we are 
responsible stewards of our natural resources.
  Madam Speaker, Congressman   Rob Bishop negotiated much of the 
legislation included in the Natural Resources Management Act. This 
legislation expanded access to public lands, while also shrinking the 
size of the Federal estate, and provided wins for America's sportsmen, 
hunters, and fishermen.
  Thank you, Rob, for your service, your friendship, and your 
mentoring. Thank you, as well to his wife, Jeralynn, and his children 
and grandchildren for sharing Rob with us.
  Best wishes in the next chapter of life.

                          ____________________