[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7969-H7970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SEARA BURTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Pence) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor fallen Richmond Police 
Officer Seara Burton.
  Officer Burton was an exceptional law enforcement officer who never 
failed to answer the call with bravery. Our Richmond police officer 
passed away Sunday night, September 18, with her family and loved ones 
close by. Her Richmond community proudly knows her as a fighter and a 
warrior--a title she very much deserved.
  She was well-loved and will be well-remembered by all whose lives she 
touched.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone to pray for her loved ones and fellow 
officers as they grieve during this difficult time.


                   Honoring Corporal Kelsee Lainhart

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Kelsee 
Lainhart. Corporal Lainhart was one of the U.S. servicemembers injured 
by the Kabul Airport bombings a little over 1 year ago in Afghanistan, 
but today, I am here to provide a more hopeful update.
  Though she spent many weeks in the hospital, our brave young marine 
from Dearborn County never lost hope. This August Corporal Lainhart 
participated in the Chicago Paratriathlon and finished fifth.
  So, Madam Speaker, I would like to honor Corporal Kelsee Lainhart 
today for her strength in recovery and her bravery and diligence during 
her difficult times.


                        Honoring Peter McDaniel

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the late 
Peter McDaniel. Peter McDaniel's legacy and the lives that he touched 
will live on in his community.
  After serving his country for 4 years in the Marine Corps, Mr. 
McDaniel served his community in many capacities, including 22 years 
with the Richmond Fire Department. Peter McDaniel was not just a public 
servant but also a son, husband, father, and grandfather. His 
selflessness and dedication will serve as an example and a legacy to 
uphold. We are proud to honor his life today.


                       Little League World Series

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, this summer our pride and excitement rose as 
we beheld the events of this year's Little League World Series.
  Indiana's own Hagerstown in the Indiana Sixth District represented 
the Great Lakes region in this year's games. Indiana has celebrated 
this team from the beginning, and we couldn't be prouder for their 
success.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to simply say thank you to these 
outstanding young Hoosiers who took their Hagerstown team to the 2022 
Little League World Series.


                              Proxy Voting

  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on the Speaker of the 
House to end proxy voting once and for all.
  Just this Sunday, President Joe Biden took to prime-time television 
to declare the COVID-19 pandemic over, thank God.
  In any other job in America, if you don't show up, you get fired. I 
proudly say today that I never once proxy voted. It is not fair to our 
constituents who send us here to be their voice or to the taxpayers 
whose hard-earned dollars we are supposed to be responsible stewards of 
to not show up here.
  We all know why proxy voting keeps getting extended. It is so the 
majority leadership can control its members and limit the effectiveness 
of this people's House.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter stating that it is time 
to end proxy voting, return to regular order, and get back to work on 
behalf of the American people.

[[Page H7970]]

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                               Washington, DC, September 20, 2022.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker of the House, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Speaker Pelosi: I write in support of President 
     Biden's recent declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic has 
     come to an end. In accordance with this important 
     announcement, I formally request the Speaker bring an end to 
     the House proxy voting system and all pandemic related House 
     rules enacted as part of House Resolution 8. It is far past 
     time this legislative body returns in person to fulfill our 
     constitutional duties on behalf of our constituents.
       As you are aware, House Resolution 8 provided unprecedented 
     authority for Members of Congress to designate a colleague as 
     a proxy to cast votes on the House floor on their behalf. For 
     the first time in our nation's history, this body allowed a 
     sitting Member of Congress to defer their constitutional 
     responsibilities to a Representative of another district. 
     Since then, more than six thousand letters designating a 
     proxy voting member have been submitted to the House Office 
     of the Clerk bearing an official statement of a member's 
     inability to physically attend proceedings in the House 
     chamber due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since President Biden 
     rightfully declared an end to the pandemic, it seems fit to 
     end a practice specifically put in place to accommodate the 
     logistical challenges posed by COVID-19.
       The voting card entrusted to us here in Congress belongs to 
     the people we represent. Over the course of one hundred and 
     fifteen sessions of Congress, this body convened in times of 
     war, pandemics, and national crises alike to fulfill our 
     constitutional duties. Since the start of the COVID-19 
     pandemic two and a half years ago, essential workers, blue 
     collar employees, first responders, food and restaurant 
     industries, and many more have shown up to work each and 
     every day to do their job. We in Congress should find the 
     courage to do the same.
       Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Greg Pence,
                                               Member of Congress.

     

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