[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 48 (Thursday, March 17, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H3786-H3787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Newhouse) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, today, in recognition of Women's History 
Month, I rise to honor three incredible women from central Washington.
  Shannon Polson of the Methow Valley became one of the first women 
combat pilots in the U.S. military. After graduating from the 
University of Alaska ROTC, she was commissioned as an Army aviator and 
was one of the first women to fly the Apache attack helicopter. She 
served two tours as an Apache platoon leader, and one as a company 
commander, deploying to three continents.
  Kathy Bryson of Richland is the Pacific Northwest disaster response 
coordinator for the United Methodist Church. Kathy has provided the 
overall leadership for recovery from fire disasters in Okanogan and 
Whitman Counties over the last 2 years, as well as for the wildfire 
disasters in Oregon and northern California.
  Kayla Barron of Richland was not only a member of the first class of 
women commissioned into the submarine community for the U.S. Navy as a 
submarine warfare officer, but is currently serving as mission 
specialist of the NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space 
Station. In fact, just yesterday morning, she successfully completed a 
spacewalk. She has accomplished much since graduating from Richland 
High, and you can bet that we are all rooting for her every step of the 
way.

  These women exemplify the very best of central Washington: Service to 
community, determination, integrity, and grit. They have paved the way 
for women in our communities and across the world. Their stories are an 
inspiration for all of us in central Washington, and it is a privilege 
to honor them during Women's History Month.


                      Congratulating Jared Balcom

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate National 
Potato Council's newly elected president, and fellow central 
Washingtonian, Mr. Jared Balcom.
  Jared is the owner of a fourth-generation potato growing and fresh 
packing company, Balcom & Moe, based in Pasco, Washington, so he knows 
firsthand the challenges our central Washington producers face and how 
to best address them.
  I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Jared 
over the years and know that he is well-equipped to advocate for the 
potato farmers who provide so many jobs and boost our local economy.
  Congratulations, Jared, on this new role. I look forward to 
continuing to work together to advance our shared goals of modernizing 
water infrastructure, improving trade agreements, supporting 
agricultural research, and fixing our agricultural labor crisis.


                  Honoring the Service of Clifton Malm

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor one of central 
Washington's veterans, Clifton Malm of Omak.
  Clifton served our country honorably as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam 
and risked his life to protect his fellow servicemembers. His courage 
earned him a Purple Heart which, unfortunately, he never received until 
just now. While it may be just a small piece of metal, it represents 
what I believe is the gratitude of a truly thankful Nation.
  Clifton, thank you for your service and for your continued dedication 
to

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the United States of America. Your story is a reminder to all of us of 
the sacrifices the men and women in our Armed Forces make every single 
day.

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