[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4806-H4807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ROSS BOOKER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Ross Booker, a 20-year-old tow truck operator and volunteer firefighter 
who tragically lost his life on March 6 after being struck by a 
vehicle. He was in the process of assisting Champaign police officers 
in removing debris from an accident scene.
  Ross graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2020, earned his 
FFA American Degree, and attended Parkland College for diesel 
mechanics. He was a volunteer firefighter with the St. Joseph-Stanton 
Fire Protection District and set out to live a life of service, and 
serve he did. Even now, Ross continues to serve through the gift of 
organ donation.
  Ross' firefighter family remembers him as a young man whose passion 
was inspirational to others. Friends describe Ross as an old soul 
filled with compassion, hard work, respect, and love for his family and 
friends.
  To honor Ross' life, please slow down and move over for emergency 
vehicles. In Illinois, it is the law. We call it Scott's Law in honor 
of another firefighter who was tragically struck and killed in 2000.
  My prayers are with Ross' parents, David and Marita; his brother, 
Anthony; and all of his friends and family throughout the communities 
he made better with his service. He will be truly missed.


                Recognizing Blake Roderick's Retirement

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Blake Roderick. There is not a more noble career than one 
devoted to serving others. Blake Roderick did exactly this through his 
time at the Pike-Scott Farm Bureau.

[[Page H4807]]

  Starting in 1981, Blake began a career dedicated to serving and 
guiding farmers in Illinois. Now, after 40 years, Blake announced he 
will be retiring this year.
  Blake served as executive director, and during his tenure, he 
successfully protected farm bureau members' private property, helped 
his members prepare and recover from floods, served as the editor of 
The Farm Post, and oversaw the merging of the Pike and Scott Farm 
Bureaus into the present Pike-Scott Farm Bureau.
  For his work with the farm bureau, he has received multiple Liberty 
Bell awards that recognize farm bureau staffers and leaders for their 
work in serving their members and for their work in policymaking.
  I congratulate Blake on a long and accomplished career. Blake has 
served his members and his community well. His leadership and expertise 
will be missed.
  Blake, it was great to get to know you back in the late 1990s, and I 
wish you a happy retirement. You have truly earned it.


                        Honoring David P. Hauck

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 
long, impactful career of David P. Hauck, the Capitol's first Director 
of Accessibility Services, who, through his determination, kindness, 
and commitment to ensure that the Capitol is open to individuals of all 
capabilities, established and led the joint Office of Congressional 
Accessibility Services for the last 14 years.
  At the end of this month, Dave is retiring after over 27 years of 
public service, but his impact across this campus will last for 
generations to come.
  Over those nearly three decades, Dave and his OCAS team have become 
an institution on the Hill, assisting countless offices and impacting 
exponentially more individuals, including Members of Congress, 
dignitaries, staff, and visitors from every corner of America and all 
over the world.
  Beyond the day-to-day education and guidance that Dave carries out 
with a can-do attitude, during his career, he has been consulted on 
every major event, including 30 joint sessions of Congress, seven 
Presidential inaugurations, and the lying in state or lying in honor of 
numerous great Americans.
  He has approached every request with kindness, commitment, and a 
dedication to truly help in any way he can.
  Originally from Minnesota, Dave began his career on Capitol Hill as a 
part-time elevator operator on the Senate side while finishing up his 
graduate studies at American University. Shortly after, he became the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee's hearing coordinator under the 
leadership and guidance of Mr. Bertie Bowman in a Congress very 
different than what we have today.
  Yet, Dave has never skipped a beat. From advising on post-9/11 
security changes across campus, to witnessing the passage of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, to assisting with the design of the 
Capitol Visitor Center, he has established an office and built a team 
that provides a full slate of accessibility services and education.
  His legacy could not be clearer. He has played a keystone role in 
ensuring that we remain the people's House.
  I wish to share my gratefulness for the many ways Dave has helped my 
team and those of fellow Members and express my sincere congratulations 
to him on his retirement from Congress. He will truly be missed, but he 
has established a strong, capable team that will no doubt carry on the 
essential and impactful work of ensuring that all Capitol campus events 
are accessible to all.

                          ____________________