[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S518-S519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LaTONYA BARTON

 Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the remarkable life of Ms. LaTonya Barton, a military spouse who made 
tremendous contributions to veterans, especially veteran entrepreneurs, 
veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small 
businesses.
  Ms. Barton and her spouse, Mr. Timothy Barton, a U.S. Army veteran, 
founded Kingdomware Technology, Incorporation, in 1993. After several 
unsuccessful responses to requests for proposals issued by the U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs--VA--Ms. Barton suspected that the 
Department was failing to comply with a statutory requirement known as 
the Rule of Two. Under this Federal law, VA contracting officers are 
required to restrict competition to veteran-owned small businesses when 
it is reasonable to expect at least two veteran-owned small business 
interests will compete for a given VA contract award.
  Ms. Barton's legal challenge wove its way through the Federal 
judiciary until it reached the Supreme Court of the United States of 
America as the case Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v. United States. 
Ms. Barton ultimately prevailed in her case, as the Supreme Court 
issued a unanimous 8-0 opinion which held that the Rule of Two is a 
mandatory legal requirement that applies to all VA competitive contract 
awards, including orders on the Federal Supply Schedule.
  Ms. Barton's legal victory was a significant win for the rule of law 
and every veteran-owned small business interest seeking to do business 
with the VA. Throughout her years of conducting research for the 
litigation and testifying before Congress, Ms. Barton always kept faith 
in our justice system and remained steadfast in her determination to 
make sure veteran small business owners who served our Nation in 
uniform would benefit from laws enacted to help them do business with 
the VA. Ms. Barton will be remembered by colleagues as a pioneer 
businesswoman who was unwavering in her commitment to the principle 
that when American tax dollars are expended by the VA, veteran-owned 
small business interests must be empowered to compete with large 
private sector competitors.
  Of course, Ms. Barton was far more than a savvy businesswoman. She 
was also a devoted mother, mentor, friend, and patriot who was loved 
and respected in her community. Despite the significant demands placed 
on her time by the litigation, Ms. Barton invested countless hours 
developing her children's academic and athletic prowess.

[[Page S519]]

The fruits of her labor resulted in developing a successful veteran-
owned small business that has lasted more than 20 years and three 
outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the 
basketball court.
  Ms. Barton passed away unexpectedly on November 3, 2021, leaving 
behind a legacy for veteran entrepreneurs across our Nation. She will 
always be remembered for her tenacity and dedication to doing right by 
our country's veterans. Qualities that are taught and found in our 
servicemembers came naturally to Ms. Barton, who was an outstanding 
leader, refused to accept defeat, possessed a never-quit attitude, and 
never gave up on the mission or her team.
  Ms. Barton leaves behind her husband, Tim, and their three children, 
Timothy, Jr., Carolae, and Johnathan. May her service, legacy and kind 
spirit serve as an inspiration to all.

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