[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING WIND RIVER TRANSFER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Perez) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to be a voice for my rural 
community and celebrate the passage of the Wind River Administrative 
Site Conveyance Act.
  Before being sworn into Congress, I acted with my predecessor, Jaime 
Herrera Beutler, Senator Cantwell, and members of the Skamania County 
Commission to pass the Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act in 
the fiscal year 2023 spending bill.
  As a Skamania County resident, I know that only 1.8 percent of our 
land is fully taxable for generating necessary revenue for community 
services. The Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act transfers 
24 acres back into the county land base and increases opportunity for 
small businesses in our community.
  I thank my predecessor, Jaime Herrera Beutler, and Senator Cantwell 
for leading this effort. I look forward to working with my colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle to pass similarly important legislation.


                    Recognizing Repair Clark County

  Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to be a voice for my community 
and share with you the importance of Repair Clark County.
  Repair Clark County is a nonprofit organization that rejects the 
premise that when things break, we just throw them out, that we are 
helpless consumers reliant on an endless cycle of cheap goods.
  I was lucky to attend one of their events on January 21, and I saw a 
little girl light up when her favorite night-light was fixed instead of 
being thrown away. What an amazing gift to teach this child that we can 
have a relationship of stewardship with our belongings, not just 
consumerism.
  These volunteers uphold our values of stewardship and self-
sufficiency because, in America, DIY is in our DNA.
  I thank Terra Heilman, the head of Repair Clark County, for 
spearheading this effort.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to work on Federal legislation that ensures all consumers have 
the right and the ability to maintain and fix their own stuff.


                        Recognizing iUrban Teen

  Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the iUrban Teen 
organization for creating an incredibly diverse talent pipeline in my 
district.
  IUrban Teen provides skills training for teens and young adults and 
gives them access to career pathways and alternatives that they need to 
be successful and have more opportunities.
  For example, the Future Teachers Pathway program brings together 
Vancouver Public Schools, Washington State University Vancouver, and 
Clark College to mentor students and give them the training they need 
to succeed in their chosen career paths.
  This is so critical for young people who face challenges and gives 
them the support they deserve in their efforts to become critical 
members of our community.
  For the past 13 years, iUrban Teen has hosted a breakfast on Martin 
Luther King Jr. Day. I was honored to attend their event.
  I thank the iUrban Teen team for bridging the gap for students and 
inspiring all of us to keep working for change.


                        Honoring Mikhail Pavenko

  Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mikhail Pavenko, a 
resident of Vancouver, Washington.
  In 1996, Mikhail emigrated from Ukraine to Vancouver, and he has 
proudly worked as a lineman for the Clark County Public Utilities since 
2014, literally keeping the lights on in my district.

  Mr. Pavenko has recently taken on a new role. Since the conflict 
between Ukraine and Russia began, he has returned to Ukraine more than 
a dozen times to serve as a volunteer military chaplain.
  Mikhail is and continues to be a beacon of light for many during 
times of untold suffering. He inspires Ukrainians on the front line to 
keep the faith and keep up the fight, and he simultaneously reminds all 
of us that democracy is worth fighting for.
  I cannot thank Mr. Pavenko enough for his service to the people of 
Ukraine as they stand together against authoritarianism.


     Congratulating the Columbia River Rapids Girls Volleyball Team

  Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give a big shout-out to the 
Columbia River Rapids girls volleyball team. They are doing an 
incredible job. I am so excited to share this on the House floor.
  The Rapids girls volleyball team won the 2A State title in three 
sets, finishing an amazing season for the volleyball team. The entire 
tournament, they only lost one set. What makes this even more notable 
is they were a No. 6 seed, and they defeated three higher seeds to 
attain this title.
  These incredible young women played an impressive season and have 
made me and our whole community very proud.
  Congratulations to the Columbia River Rapids girls volleyball team on 
their amazing accomplishments. I am so excited to see what they will do 
next season.

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