[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 18, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING EDDIE McBRIDE

  The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Arrington) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to congratulate my 
friend, Eddie McBride, on 23 outstanding years at the Lubbock Chamber 
of Commerce.
  Eddie has served as the president and CEO of the Lubbock Chamber 
since 1999. Under his leadership, the Lubbock Chamber has received 
countless awards, including the best chamber in the Nation and numerous 
star accreditations.
  Again, my dear friend is an exceptional leader, even though he 
attended Texas A&M University. Then he served his Nation in the United 
States Air Force for 20 years.
  Upon moving to Lubbock in 1976, Eddie immersed himself into our 
community, served on numerous boards, including the Texas Association 
of Business, Workforce Solutions South Plains, and Covenant Health for 
decades. Eddie has served with excellence and integrity, always putting 
our community's interests above his own.
  I congratulate Eddie on an outstanding career, and I thank him from 
the bottom of our hearts for his service and contributions to Lubbock 
and to west Texas.
  We wish the very best for you and your wife, Debbie; your children, 
Chelsea and Patrick; and the entire McBride family.
  God bless you. And go west Texas.


                  RECOGNIZING SERGEANT JERROD BURTNETT

  Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant 
Jerrod Burtnett, a true west Texas hero.
  On December 27, 2019, vast fog surrounded Sergeant Burtnett as he 
investigated a series of crashes due to zero visibility in Lubbock 
County. After checking on a bystander along the side of the road, a 
fast-moving tractor-trailer lost control, hitting a number of vehicles, 
as well as Sergeant Burtnett, causing him serious injury.
  Sergeant Burtnett won the Purple Heart for his actions that day, and 
his experience is a reminder to us all how dangerous the job of being 
in law enforcement is.
  It is an honor to recognize Sergeant Burtnett for his bravery and his 
steadfastness to enter a dangerous situation to help the people of 
Texas.
  On that cold, foggy day, Sergeant Burtnett exerted the valor, 
courage, and selflessness that epitomized the men and women in blue.
  May God bless Sergeant Burtnett and his family, and all those in 
uniform who risk their lives to protect ours.


                     Sanctuary City for the Unborn

  Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I believe life is a gift from God, begins 
at conception, and that unborn children have the same right to life, 
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as you and I do.
  Nothing gives me more joy or sense of purpose than being a champion 
for the unborn. I know the vast majority of west Texans believe, as I 
do, that all life is sacred, God-given, and should be protected at all 
stages.
  The Lubbock community recently stood together against the stain of 
abortion on the fabric of our country by voting to become a sanctuary 
city for the unborn. Now, whether or not this ordinance is upheld in 
the courts, I am immensely proud that my hometown has made a statement, 
not only to Texas, but to the whole country, that as for us, the people 
of west Texas, we stand for life.
  Mr. Speaker, west Texans firmly believe, as I do, that we ought to 
promote a culture of life and that life at every stage is equally 
valuable, equally precious, not only in light of the Constitution, but 
in the eyes of God.
  Like the citizens of Lubbock, I will continue to fight for the 
voiceless, vulnerable, unborn Americans and their constitutionally 
protected right to life.
  God bless America. God bless the unborn. And go west Texas.

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