[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 21, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8018-H8019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL THOMAS CAUTHEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Brigadier General Thomas 
Cauthen, an American patriot who served 38 years in the Tennessee Air 
National Guard.
  He was inspired as a child by watching his dad's career as a pilot in 
the Tennessee Air National Guard's 134th Fighter-Interceptor Group, 
which later became the 134th Air Refueling Wing.
  In 1984, General Cauthen followed in his dad's footsteps and started 
his commission right after getting his bachelor of science in civil 
engineering from the University of Tennessee.
  After getting his pilot training, he flew combat support missions 
during Operation Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Joint Forge, Allied 
Force, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle. He eventually went to the 
134th Air Refueling Wing and ended up serving as its commander for 7 
years. He then became the director of staff at the Joint Force 
Headquarters Tennessee and then chief of staff for the entire Tennessee 
Air National Guard.
  Mr. Speaker, last month, he retired after 38 long years of faithfully 
serving his country. He plans to spend more time with his wonderful 
wife, Penny, their two kids, and their grandchild. He also plans to get 
more involved with the community by volunteering with the Employer 
Support of the Guard and Reserve and get more involved with the East 
Tennessee Military Affairs Council.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Brigadier General Thomas 
Cauthen as Tennessee's Second District's September 2022 Veteran of the 
Month. I thank him for his incredible service and congratulate him on a 
well-earned retirement.


  Congratulating Ethan and Ari Klasky Powerlifting Champions in East 
                               Tennessee

  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to appreciate some 
powerlifting champions in east Tennessee. That is correct, I said 
powerlifting.
  Last week, I was on the plane back to Knoxville from Washington. This 
fellow sitting next to me talked excitedly about his set of twins, 17-
year-old Ari and Ethan, who go to Webb School of Knoxville. They are 
powerlifting champions.
  Their dad, Scott, used to powerlift as a hobby, and he got his boys 
into the

[[Page H8019]]

sport when they were about 9 years old. They all trained together, and 
as time went on, they ended up loving the sport as much as their dad.
  This year, the boys decided to compete for the first time in the 
Southern Powerlifting Federation championship, and they blew the 
competition out of the water. Both boys won their divisions, and Ari 
set a world record--a world record, Mr. Speaker--for his age and weight 
class by lifting a total of 1,660 pounds between his deadlift, bench, 
and squat.
  It is very cool to me to have a world record holder who goes to 
school in my district, but it is even cooler to hear how the shared 
love of powerlifting bonded this father and his sons in a very unique 
way.
  Ari and Ethan didn't grow up as bickering brothers as most do. They 
grew up as training partners. They supported each other, kept each 
other safe, and pushed each other to keep pursuing their goals.
  Unfortunately, Ari tore his ACL and won't be able to compete in the 
squat or deadlift this year, but he isn't letting that fact get him 
down. He still plans to compete in the bench press competition, and he 
credits his perseverance to his brother's constant inspiration. Ari 
isn't giving up on his dream of competing in the USA Powerlifting 
competition.
  I have a teenage daughter, Isabelle, and she is also an athlete. She 
does horseback riding competitions. She is a barrel racer, and she is 
pretty good at it. I know exactly how awesome it is to be a dad who is 
incredibly proud of their kids' accomplishments.

  We all want our kids to do well in life. To see them push themselves 
and exceed everyone's expectations is a feeling like no other.
  Scott, Ari, and Ethan are prime examples of what we can accomplish 
when we set goals and work hard every day to achieve them.
  Mr. Speaker, I take just a moment to recognize their accomplishments.

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