[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H7234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            CONGRATULATING GAIL LANGWORTHY ON HER RETIREMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and 
congratulate Gail Langworthy, an incredibly kind and dedicated employee 
of mine who has served my constituents for 8 years back in the 
district.
  Gail is moving on to an exciting new phase of her life, and she is 
leaving our office to enjoy her retirement.
  When Gail isn't working hard for the people of Pennsylvania's 15th 
Congressional District, she is an active volunteer for the Breedtown 
Cemetery Association in Venango County. She enjoys dancing, visiting 
her three grandchildren in Florida, and exploring local trails while 
riding bikes with her husband, Jeff.
  Gail has also been described as an avid thrift shop and yard sale 
junkie. Gail will be missed by our entire team, but I am happy for her 
as she begins this new adventure.
  Thank you, Gail, for your hard work, dedication, and service, and 
enjoy your retirement.


               Recognizing Dave Bailey on His Retirement

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Mr. Dave Bailey, who has worked for 31 years for the Office of the 
Chief Administrative Officer by supporting Member offices with all 
sorts of technology needs.
  Dave has been a frequent visitor to our office to help me and my 
staff with our computers any time that we had an issue. He also played 
a critical role in ensuring our office was ready to telework as we 
transitioned our lives online at the start of this pandemic.
  Simply put, we would not be able to do our jobs without people like 
Dave Bailey.
  I am disappointed that I will not be able to share my well wishes 
with Dave in person, but I wanted to take this opportunity to thank him 
for his three decades of service and for all the help that he has 
provided me in my office.
  Dave, be well, and enjoy your much-deserved retirement.


                             COVID Vaccine

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week, we reached a 
truly incredible milestone in the fight against coronavirus.
  On Monday, the first COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer was 
administered, and today, the FDA is meeting to approve the Moderna 
vaccine.
  The timeline of vaccine development was made possible by Operation 
Warp Speed, and it is truly a modern medical miracle. In the 1930s, at 
the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Jonas Salk began work on a polio 
vaccine. It wasn't until 1953, 23 years later, that the vaccine was 
successfully tested.
  Operation Warp Speed has helped shrink the vaccine timeline and knock 
down barriers in delays. To develop a safe, effective vaccine in under 
a year is a testament to the incredible scientific progress we have 
seen over the years and the refusal of scientists to surrender to this 
terrible virus.
  The marshaling of the public sector and the private sector together 
by President Trump has really resulted in this vaccine that we have all 
been desperately waiting on. The vaccine is a critical step in saving 
lives, saving jobs, and saving our economy.
  I thank President Trump for his leadership in Operation Warp Speed, 
and I thank all the incredible scientists, doctors, medical 
professionals, and the others who have helped make history.

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