[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H7240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FAREWELL TO CONGRESSMAN PHIL ROE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your friendship and your 
kindness to the 435th most powerful person in Congress--that would be 
me. I really do, brother, and I am going to miss you.
  Mr. Speaker, after six terms representing Tennessee's First 
Congressional District, Dr. Phil Roe is retiring at the end of this 
year. Dr. Roe has focused his career in the House of Representatives on 
fighting for our Nation's veterans and using his medical background to 
tackle those tough healthcare issues.
  As a matter of fact, during one of the State of the Union addresses, 
someone dropped in the back. I turned back to Congressman Roe and I 
said, ``Somebody has dropped,'' and before I could get ``dropped'' out 
of my mouth, he was already out of the row providing medical care to 
him.
  When I arrived in Washington almost 2 years ago, Dr. Roe was the 
first person to reach out and offer advice about serving in this 
Chamber. He was a mentor throughout my first term, and we bonded over 
our faith by attending weekly prayer breakfasts together. His 
mentorship has quickly turned into a friendship over the last 2 years--
and he is an excellent guitar player, Mr. Speaker.
  As a legislator, Dr. Roe has always looked out for America's brave 
servicemen and -women. He served as chairman and lead Republican on the 
Veterans' Affairs Committee, helping pass bipartisan bills to improve 
healthcare benefits for our brave veterans. Armed servicemembers 
deserve the very best for their sacrifices, and Dr. Roe was always in 
their corner.
  Congress will be different next year without Dr. Roe, and I will miss 
working with him on the issues most important to east Tennesseans.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dr. Roe on a strong career in Congress, 
and I wish him the very best in retirement.


                    Congratulating Coach Gary Rankin

  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Coach Gary 
Rankin and the Alcoa High School football team on their sixth 
consecutive State championship title.
  On Saturday, December 4, at the Tennessee Blue Cross Bowl, Alcoa 
defeated Milan High in an impressive 35-0 shutout. This win marks the 
Tornadoes' 19th State championship and Coach Rankin's 16th overall, 
both of which are high school football records in Tennessee. It is 
certainly a proud day to represent this team in the Halls of Congress.
  Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, schools and their sports teams 
had to adjust and readjust. Coach Rankin and his players were faced 
with a season like none other, but they put in the hours, they 
persevered, and they came out on top. This championship is a remarkable 
achievement that I am sure this group of players will remember for the 
rest of their lives.
  I know I speak for many in east Tennessee when I say: 
Congratulations, and go Tornadoes.


                    Recognizing Bishop Richard Stika

  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Bishop 
Richard Stika of the Knoxville Diocese. This week, Bishop Stika is 
celebrating his 35th year as an ordained priest of the Catholic Church, 
a remarkable career milestone.
  Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Stika received a Catholic 
education from elementary school through college. He capped off his 
theological education by earning a master of divinity from Kenrick 
Seminary.
  Bishop Stika was ordained a priest on December 14, 1985, and for 
nearly 24 years he served in several different parishes in the St. 
Louis area. One of his greatest achievements during this time was 
coordinating the visit of Pope John Paul II to St. Louis in 1999, Mr. 
Speaker.
  On March 19, 2009, he became bishop of the Knoxville Diocese, and 
Bishop Stika has been making strong spiritual connections with east 
Tennesseans ever since. At 11 years in the Knoxville Diocese, Bishop 
Stika is the longest serving bishop in our diocese.
  Bishop Stika and I share many values, including a strong belief in 
protecting the lives of the unborn. Bishop Stika has made a positive 
impact on many east Tennesseans throughout his tenure, and, Mr. 
Speaker, I am confident he will continue to be a leader in our 
community.


                     Celebrating A.G. Heins Company

  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, the American entrepreneurial spirit is the 
bedrock of our Nation's economy, creating good-paying jobs, solving 
everyday problems, and providing the goods and services we rely on. I 
rise today to celebrate the A.G. Heins Company, which rode the 
entrepreneurial spirit from humble beginnings to 100 years of success 
in our community.
  Currently in its fourth generation of family ownership, the A.G. 
Heins Company has long provided building materials to the east 
Tennessee region. The company provides necessary resources to complete 
projects of all sizes, from individual household repairs, to 
construction at the University of Tennessee.
  Staying in business for 100 years is no easy accomplishment, and the 
A.G. Heins Company persevered through many challenging economic times, 
such as the Great Depression and the Second World War. The company's 
history is a reminder that small businesses can grow and innovate even 
in the face of adversity, Mr. Speaker.
  I extend my congratulations to the Heins family as they celebrate 
their 100th year in business this month, and I wish them many more 
years of success.

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