[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE BEST OF THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF SOUTH 
                                CAROLINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
South Carolina (Ms. Mace) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MACE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of 
Charleston in South Carolina's First Congressional District.
  For the 10th consecutive year, the Holy City has been recognized as 
the best city to visit in the United States by Travel and Leisure 
magazine.
  It is easy to see why. Charleston's tremendous natural beauty, rich 
history, and friendly faces make it a magnet to visitors from across 
the country.
  To quote Travel & Leisure's article: ``The city expresses the perfect 
balance of Southern charm, knockout food and drinks, and walkability.''
  When they say drinks, they mean some of the best cocktails in the 
South.
  I want to commend our tourism and hospitality industry, our mayor, 
and every resident of the city of Charleston for this decades-long 
recognition.


                           Saving Sea Turtles

  Ms. MACE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Hilton Head Island 
Sea Turtle Patrol and their sister group, the Turtle Trackers.
  From the beginning of May until the end of October every single year, 
hundreds of sea turtles return to Hilton Head Island to lay their eggs 
on 14 miles of sandy beaches.
  These turtles are a crucial part of our ocean environment, and each 
nest is critically important for protecting their future as they are 
still endangered.
  For over 15 years, Amber Kuehn, has led the effort to protect the 
island's sea turtle nests. When she began the Turtle Trackers program, 
it was just Amber and about six other women. Today there are over 500 
volunteers across Hilton Head Island who work hard to remove obstacles 
from the beach. They fill holes, and they make it easier for the mother 
turtles to return safely and return to the water every year.
  Her elite corps of 18 expert volunteers forms the Hilton Head 
Island's Sea Turtle Patrol. They travel the whole length of the beach 
every morning in search of sea turtle nests. Since they began their 
work, the number of sea turtle nests on Hilton Head Island has 
increased by over 300 percent. In 2021 they tracked and maintained 
approximately 423 nests.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in commending Amber and her 
team for their incredible conservation efforts.


             Beaufort, South Carolina, and Ostroh, Ukraine

  Ms. MACE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of 
Beaufort on raising three-quarters of a million dollars for their 
sister city, Ostroh, in western Ukraine.
  After the invasion of Ukraine began, Mayor Stephen Murray was looking 
for ways to help so he began looking for a sister city. There are many 
very strong similarities between Beaufort and Ostroh. They are very 
similar in size, both have centuries of rich history, and both have 
some of the oldest universities in their respective regions.
  After connecting with Mayor Yurii Yahodka in Ostroh, which currently 
houses thousands of refugees from the eastern part of the country, 
Mayor Murray and the residents of Beaufort spent the next 4 months 
raising money and raising awareness across the Lowcountry.
  Beaufort's famous Thibault Gallery sold Ukrainian flag pins, and they 
raised over $40,000. Community groups, businesses, and citizens from 
all walks of life raised almost $150,000 through raffles, fundraising 
drives, and several large anonymous donations to represent and assist 
their sister city.
  Mayor Murray did not stop there. He worked tirelessly with members of 
the city council to secure MREs, grits, and cornmeal from local South 
Carolina businesses to bring approximately $600,000 worth of food and 
supplies to the people of Ukraine.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Mayor Murray and all of the residents of 
Beaufort for this incredibly generous effort.


                          Honoring Sara Cathey

  Ms. MACE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sara Cathey, a paramedic 
who lost over 125 pounds to donate her kidney to her niece Natalyn. 
Natalyn had both of her kidneys removed at only 1\1/2\ years of age due 
to a devastating genetic condition.
  As a healthcare professional, Sarah understood the difficulty of 
securing a donor kidney and had herself tested. She was a perfect 
match. But one thing stood in the way. When Sara learned her weight 
could prevent her from saving Natalyn's life, she was more determined 
than ever to get in shape. She got to work changing her habits and her 
lifestyle so that little Natalyn could have a chance at life.
  Through grit and determination, she reached her goal and was cleared 
for surgery. The hard work and effort she put forth shows the love and 
compassion she has for her family and everyone in the Lowcountry whom 
she selflessly serves each and every day.


                Congratulating the Charleston RiverDogs

  Ms. MACE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Charleston 
RiverDogs, our Lowcountry minor league baseball team, on clinching 
their second consecutive league championship finishing the post season 
with a 4-0 record.
  I have twice had the privilege of throwing out the first pitch. The 
RiverDogs is an integral part of the Charleston community and has 
created lasting memories for our community and in the Lowcountry for 
the better part of the last 40 years.
  This year's team also tied the franchise record for the number of 
wins in a season, and I want to congratulate the RiverDogs on a 
terrific season and wish them all the best of luck in the next season.

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