[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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