[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 12, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5970-H5972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           JOYS AND CONCERNS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 2021, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey) is recognized 
for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Mr. ELLZEY. Madam Speaker, the United States is home to the most 
remarkable people in the world. We are the most caring, giving, and 
united country that has ever existed. But that is not the outlook we 
see daily in the news and on social media. Big traditional and social 
media outlets would have you convinced that Americans don't help each 
other. The algorithms used by these companies are designed to show 
controversy and to lead you to believe that there is more divisiveness 
in our society than harmony.
  But that is not true. Since being elected to Congress, I have seen 
firsthand that the Texas Sixth Congressional District is home to many 
remarkable people; so much so that each week my office sends out dozens 
of recognition letters highlighting some of their achievements.
  While in Washington, D.C., I have had the incredible opportunity to 
work with countless individuals, a lot of whom deserve the highest 
praise for their service to the American people. To be clear: These 
individuals I am referencing do not just make up my own party but also 
those across the aisle. Bipartisanship is alive and well up here, and I 
am proud to say that I am surrounded by like-minded individuals on both 
sides of the aisle who have dedicated their lives to public service,

[[Page H5971]]

working tirelessly for the betterment of the American people.
  Growing up back home in Perryton, Texas, my pastor would start off 
every Sunday service with what he called ``Joys and Concerns.'' During 
this time, he would highlight some of the remarkable things that 
members of the church were doing and some prayer requests, to unite us 
as a congregation to pray for our community and those in need.
  I will give my own version of ``Joys and Concerns.'' Let's start with 
the joys. These upstanding constituents deserve to be recognized:
  I start by congratulating the valedictorians and salutatorians for 
the 2021-2022 school year.
  From Mansfield High School: Valedictorian, Kara Bell, and 
Salutatorian, Nicholas Bindel.
  From Mansfield Lake Ridge High School: Valedictorian, Angela Morka, 
and Salutatorian, Hailey Chuong.
  From Mansfield Legacy High School: Valedictorian, Ruth Oyerokun, and 
Salutatorian, Kennedy Ruhland.

                              {time}  1945

  From Mansfield Summit High School: Valedictorian, John Weaver, and 
Salutatorian, Anthony Truong.
  From Mansfield Timberview High School: Valedictorian, Vanessa Bell, 
and Salutatorian, Yousef Ali.
  From Mansfield Early College High School: Valedictorian, Ruby Lima 
Gallegos, and Salutatorian, Mary Oshoba.
  From Corsicana High School: Valedictorian, Libby Green, and 
Salutatorian, Addie Owen.
  From Blooming Grove High School: Valedictorian, Kinley Skaines, and 
Salutatorian, Kamryn Brown.
  From Ennis High School: Valedictorian, Victoria Berry, and 
Salutatorian, Mason Gilb.
  From Ferris High School: Valedictorian, Brianna Brodin, and 
Salutatorian, Hayden Hartman.
  From Italy High School: Valedictorian, Rushton Trees, and 
Salutatorian, Bryant Haake.
  From Waxahachie High School: Valedictorian, Niki Holmberg, and Co-
salutatorians, Lillie Loose and Elena Rojas. I would like to point out 
that Lillie is the daughter of my district director, Julie Loose.
  From Waxahachie Global High School: Valedictorian Preston Hoggard, 
and Salutatorian, Alexis Trojan.
  From Midlothian High School: Valedictorian, Katelynn Zimmerman, and 
Salutatorian, Avalon YungHung Mitchell.
  From Midlothian Heritage High School: Valedictorian, Cooper Lucas, 
and Salutatorian, Sterling Martinez.
  From Red Oak High School: Valedictorian, Saadi El-Saadi, and 
Salutatorian, Elise Davis.
  From Palmer High School: Valedictorian, Alexandria Holmes, and 
Salutatorian, Neyda Perez.
  From Rice High School: Valedictorian, Nadhia Abreu, and Salutatorian, 
Laisha Perez.
  From Avalon High School: Valedictorian, Savanna Bacak, and 
Salutatorian, Ilene Ferman.
  From Kennedale High School: Valedictorian, Brian Flores, and 
Salutatorian, Kenaj Washington.
  From Maypearl High School: Valedictorian, Aaron Jett, and 
Salutatorian, Josey Austin.
  From Mildred High School: Valedictorian, Alejandro Tamez, and 
Salutatorian, Amanda Hawkins.
  From Milford High School: Valedictorian, Lillian Martin, and 
Salutatorian, Joshua Martin.
  From Arlington High School: Valedictorian, Adessa Segura, and 
Salutatorian, Alison Buer.
  From Arlington Bowie High School: Valedictorian, Angelina Nguyen, and 
Salutatorian, Whiton Nguyen.
  From Arlington Lamar High School: Valedictorian, Ashvi Patel, and 
Salutatorian, Haley Wehr.
  From Arlington Martin High School: Co-valedictorians, Jennifer Uyen 
Tho Nguyen and Heather Van Waasbergen, and Salutatorian, Christopher 
Dao.
  From Arlington Seguin High School: Valedictorian, Nhi Dinh, and 
Salutatorian, Linh Vu.
  Again, congratulations on your remarkable achievement. I look forward 
to seeing what each one of you accomplishes in the coming years.
  I also want to acknowledge the 12 outstanding young men and women we 
have from the Sixth Congressional District who have received and 
accepted appointments to our service academies.
  For the United States Naval Academy we have: Ethan Clarke and Jazmin 
Lemus.
  For the United States Air Force Academy: Seth Ramsey, Destiny Speltz, 
Carson Yingling, Lauren St. Clair, Oluwakorede Oylalami, Megan Fellows, 
and Jaiden Lanier.
  For the United States Military Academy at West Point: Vinh Ho and 
Charlotte Patterson.
  For the United States Merchant Marine Academy: Anthony Schmidt.
  Next, I want to recognize members of our community who have gone 
above and beyond.
  Let's start with Officer Rebecca Pevehouse. Madam Speaker, I 
congratulate Rebecca on her recent appointment as a field training 
officer in the Red Oak Police Department. I also recognize Rebecca for 
being awarded Enforcement Hero by MADD North Texas. The hard work 
Rebecca puts forth to keep our community safe has not gone unnoticed. I 
thank Rebecca for all that she does.
  It is an honor to recognize Priscilla Sanchez for more than 16 years 
of public service in the Mansfield community. Her outstanding 
performance as a senior code compliance inspector and then as the 
volunteer coordinator has helped strengthen the relationship between 
the residents and community members.
  I congratulate Connie Hickman on her retirement from Precinct 4 
Justice of the Peace in Navarro County. It is an honor to recognize her 
for her nearly 40 years of public service to her community.
  I welcome Chris Young and congratulate him on his new position as an 
assistant fire chief for the city of Red Oak.
  I congratulate Darrell Hull on his recent new position as the city 
manager for Kennedale. Darrell brings a wealth of experience, and he 
previously served a 25-year career in Kennedale. The city of Kennedale 
is fortunate to have him in this position.
  Michael Watson is a sophomore at Southwestern Assemblies of God 
University in Waxahachie, Texas. He led SAGU's baseball team to a 38-16 
finish and was named this year's NCAA National Pitcher of the Year. 
Congratulations to Michael and the team for their outstanding work and 
achievements.
  Next, let me highlight the Eagle Scouts. To become an Eagle Scout 
takes years of dedication and hard work. To achieve this rank, Scouts 
must complete 18 hours of community service and demonstrate leadership 
within their troop. Only 5 percent of Scouts reach the rank of Eagle 
Scout. This year, Ethan Miller reached that goal. I congratulate him.
  It is an honor to recognize Master Sergeant Roger Hardie for his 15-
plus years of service in education in the Corsicana community. His 
outstanding performance as the Air Force JROTC instructor has helped 
strengthen the relationship between our students and community 
members. I thank him for his service.

  Ashley Perkins has been working as an emergency medical dispatcher in 
Mansfield for several years, and in 2021, she was named Emergency 
Medical Dispatcher of the Year. I thank Ashley for her continued 
service to the Mansfield community.
  I congratulate Fox Luu on his new position as chief of police in 
Richland. Luu has been serving his community as a first responder for 
many years, and I am confident he will do so for many years to come.
  I congratulate Zoey Burt on starting her new position as sergeant in 
the Maypearl ISD Police Department.
  Ron Appleton has been well known in his community since 1966. He 
started out as an ag teacher at Waxahachie ISD and worked his way to 
district administration. I personally congratulate Ron on having the 
Ron Appleton Agriscience Facility in Waxahachie named after him. It is 
a beautiful facility, and the impact Ron has had on his students is 
immeasurable. I thank him for all that he has done.
  Chantell Reiper was awarded Employee of the First Quarter from 
Navarro Regional Hospital for 2022. This award is a tribute to her 
courageous and selfless acts working in healthcare. I truly appreciate 
all the work that Chantell does in physician practice and women's 
services.

[[Page H5972]]

  I personally congratulate Fred Pontley on his retirement from being a 
distinguished lieutenant of the Ennis Police Department. It is an honor 
to recognize him for his 25 years of public service to the people of 
Ennis.
  This year marks the 75th anniversary of Navarro College. What started 
out in 1946 with a group of returning veterans from World War II has 
now become a pillar in the community not only in Corsicana but also in 
Waxahachie. From the first class dubbed as the ``barracks bunch'' to 
the students who graduated this year, Navarro College is dedicated to 
serving our community. Congratulations to Navarro College on 75 years.
  I congratulate Jerry Lozier from Waxahachie Global High School on 
being named the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Region 
X Assistant Principal of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year. I 
thank Jerry for his commitment to Waxahachie ISD.
  Each year Mansfield ISD honors nonteaching staff with the Shining 
Star Award for exceptional service and contributions to their students 
and staff members. This year's recipient was Brenda Stewart. As a 
crossing guard, each morning Brenda gets up to ensure the safety of all 
students going to Mansfield ISD. I thank Brenda for all her hard work 
and her dedication to her community.
  Congratulations to Chrisanna Melick on winning first place in the UIL 
State competition for journalism by leading the Waxahachie fine arts 
program. I pass on my sincerest congratulations to the team of Morgan 
Lenamond, Maven Navarro, Katie Walker, and Owen Bartosh. This entire 
team put on a brilliant performance to take Waxahachie High School to 
the top.
  I congratulate Greg Ellis on being named the new head football coach 
for Southwestern Assemblies of God University. I wish him good luck.
  I congratulate Elizabeth Tull on being awarded the Excellence in 
Community Service Award by the Rebecca Boyce Chapter of the national 
Daughters of the American Revolution and for being crowned the Crape 
Myrtle Queen at the annual Crape Myrtle Festival in Waxahachie.
  I congratulate Nolan Haisler on being recognized for 50 years of 
service as an H-E-B Ennis partner. Yes, that is 50 years at H-E-B. This 
honor recognizes him for his commitment to the city of Ennis that will 
leave a lasting impact for many years to come.
  It is always a big deal when a small-town boy makes it to the big 
leagues. From Navarro College to SMU, and now with the Indianapolis 
Colts, I congratulate Trevor Denbow on his achievement. He showed hard 
work pays off, and I know his family is very proud of him, as is the 
entire city.
  I congratulate Sonia Rivera on being awarded Detention Officer of the 
Year by the Navarro County Sheriff's Office for 2021.
  I want to bring attention to five young women who earned the honor of 
receiving the Girl Scouts Gold Award: Dani DelVecchio, Samantha Aos, 
Julia Daniel, Caelin Whitley, and Camden Woolery. To receive this 
award, they each had to help fix a problem in their community or make a 
lasting change in their world.
  Dani worked with Legacy Oaks, a retirement facility in Midlothian, to 
create garden buckets for the residents. She and her volunteers built 
two garden centers containing eight semi-self-sustaining garden 
buckets. The buckets are housed in a structure that allows easy access, 
regardless of a person's mobility level. Plants chosen for the gardens 
are easy to grow, high yielding, and compatible with each other, 
eliminating the need for pesticides. The new gardens encourage the 
residents to go outside, socialize, and offer an ongoing activity. The 
newly formed Green Thumb Club at the facility will maintain the gardens 
using instructions Dani provided.
  Samantha partnered with the Texas Conservation Alliance and Ducks 
Unlimited to address wood duck habitation loss. After learning that 
north Texas is along the path of the central flyway, the primary flight 
route for migratory birds, Samantha created resting spots and safe 
havens to protect these birds from predators. Together with her 
volunteers, Samantha built and installed 20 wood duck nesting boxes in 
three counties in north Texas. The Texas Conservation Alliance has 
agreed to monitor the boxes, which will provide homes for generations 
of wood ducks to protect the eggs from predators and support population 
growth.
  Julia's project was designed to assist older individuals with the 
difficult task of downsizing. Working with her church, Julia identified 
individuals who needed to organize and declutter their homes. She set 
up consultations with each family and set goals and dates to sort 
through items. With volunteer assistance, each family determined what 
they would donate, throw away, and keep during the process. The 
families were able to declutter in a positive way, even under difficult 
circumstances like a family death. The youth group at her church will 
consider continuing this service with instructions on the process 
provided by Julia.

  Caelin used her love of performing arts to start a local theater 
company to serve youth. Working with an anonymous donor and a local 
dance studio, Caelin was able to offer young artists the opportunity to 
be part of a theater production and work with professional actors at no 
cost. Twenty-three students created a production together, running tech 
or being a part of the cast. With her volunteers, Caelin organized the 
rental of the performing space, the selection of the play, rehearsal 
planning, and all costuming. Using Caelin's framework, The Troupe 
Theater has become a nonprofit organization that will offer low-cost 
theater experiences to local youth.
  Camden's project supported The Outlet Thrift Store, a nonprofit that 
helps fund camps and special projects for at-risk youth. The 
organization historically had difficulty processing donations quickly. 
Recognizing the relationship between inventory on the sales floor and 
potential revenue to benefit children, Camden built shelving units, 
added organizational bins with labels, and established a system to 
streamline the donation receiving process. The new system allowed 
merchandise to be placed on the floor for sale in a much quicker and 
efficient manner. The store will maintain the new organization system 
moving forward and use a similar process when they open new stores.
  These are just a few examples of some outstanding people living in 
Texas' Sixth District. It is my privilege to honor them on the House 
floor.
  Every Sunday, after the ``joys'' would come ``concerns,'' and there 
was never a shortage because everyone knew in Matthew he says: ``Where 
two or three are gathered in my name I am in the midst of them.'' It is 
no different today, and we face a great number of challenges in our 
country.
  So I ask that you keep all Americans in your prayers.
  Pray for our farmers and ranchers, who have faced incredible trials 
and tribulations these past couple of years as they continue to provide 
for all of us.
  Pray for those affected by the war in Ukraine as they face an 
aggressor who cares not for morality and willfully disregards the 
importance of human life.
  Pray for those affected by the fentanyl epidemic, which has 
devastated our communities.
  Pray for the families who have lost loved ones and the innocent human 
life taken by human slavery as a result of the disarray in human 
trafficking at our border.
  Continue to keep the people of Uvalde, especially the families of 
those most affected, in your prayers.
  Keep those struggling with mental health in your prayers, and be a 
voice of light in a time of darkness to those who need help. Keep joy 
in your hearts, hope in man, and faith in God.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________