[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF CHARLES VERNON PARKER

  (Mr. GOSAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Charles 
Vernon Parker of Austin, Texas, known as Charlie to his friends and 
family.
  Over the last three decades, Charlie Parker has been a leader in the 
business community, construction, real estate, and many other areas. 
Charlie's companies have completed massive projects across the United 
States, providing jobs and opportunities to dozens of Americans.
  Beyond Charlie's vast accomplishments in the business world, he has 
been one of our Nation's greatest advocates and leaders in the area of 
drug and alcohol addiction recovery.
  As a person in long-term recovery, Charlie has been clean and sober 
since 1984. In the three decades since, he has traveled the world with 
his wife and best friend, Katie, as one of the most sought-after 
addiction recovery motivational speakers.
  To date, thousands of men across the world attribute their freedom 
from addiction to Charlie Parker.
  Charlie Parker served on the board of directors of Austin Recovery 
and was a large benefactor of dozens of charitable organizations and an 
active member of his Christian church.
  Recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, Mr. Parker is spending 
his final chapter still actively working with the men he mentors and 
being a force for God and a force for good every day in our Nation, as 
well as spending time with his loved ones: his daughters, Sadie and 
Grace; his grandchildren; and his loving wife, Katie.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to commemorate the life of 
Charles Vernon Parker.
  Thank you, Charlie, for a life well lived.

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