[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2817-H2818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN MEMORY OF CHIEF LUTHER REYNOLDS OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
South Carolina (Ms. Mace) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MACE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Luther 
Reynolds, the city of Charleston's police chief who died recently to 
cancer. He

[[Page H2818]]

was an exceptional leader and dedicated public servant who served the 
Charleston community and beyond.
  His legacy will leave a testament of courage, service, and love, and 
I offer my deepest condolences to Chief Reynolds' family, his wife, his 
children, his friends, and the Charleston Police Department. We mourn 
his untimely passing and honor his unyielding spirit.
  I have very fond memories of Chief Reynolds. In fact, he was the guy 
that called me when my house got spray-painted at 7:30 in the morning, 
making sure that I was aware and that it was safe and sound and would 
be protected.
  There are so many instances of threats that I have had on my life and 
my family's life where Chief Reynolds was there for us each and every 
day. He was a neighbor, he was a friend, and he was a protector of the 
city of Charleston.
  We remember his dedicated service and his commitment to our 
community.


         Remembering the Victims of Emanuel AME Church Massacre

  Ms. MACE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize some of the comments 
made by my colleagues today.
  Four days from now will be the anniversary of Mother Emanuel, a day 
that was a very dark day in South Carolina's history where nine Black 
church members of Mother Emanuel were murdered in cold blood by a white 
supremacist, by a young man who wanted to commit evil atrocities on our 
State and our Nation.
  I recognize those individuals: Clementa Pinckney, who was a pastor 
and State senator; Cynthia Graham Hurd; Susie Jackson; Ethel Lee Lance; 
DePayne Middleton-Doctor; Tywanza Sanders; Daniel Simmons; Sharonda 
Coleman-Singleton; and Myra Thompson.
  As a State lawmaker, I believe that we need to strengthen our 
background checks, because in the State of South Carolina, the reason 
that the killer was able to purchase that gun, though he was 
ineligible, was because of our weakened background systems. We have 
dozens of databases across the State that don't talk to one other about 
the criminal information of bad guys who are trying to purchase a gun. 
It is an issue that I worked on as a State lawmaker, and it is 
something I am advocating for today in Congress.
  I hope that we can find a way to strengthen our background checks so 
that bad guys who are breaking the law and shouldn't be able to buy a 
gun, don't have the ability to commit such atrocities as those 
committed at Mother Emanuel.
  We stand South Carolina strong and Charleston strong, and I recognize 
our heroes from that day.


         Recognizing Berkeley County Adult Education Graduates

  Ms. MACE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Berkeley 
County Adult Education graduates.
  As a high school dropout, as someone who understands how challenging 
it can be to finish education, I congratulate the adult education 
graduates.
  From my home county and Berkeley County, I offer a heartfelt 
congratulations to this graduating class. They have demonstrated 
exceptional persistence and have overcome so many hurdles that life has 
thrown their way.
  They are an aspiring example of learning at any age and under any 
circumstances. Their perseverance prevails, their determination reaps 
rewards, and their learning is lifelong--something that everyone can 
commend today.
  Madam Speaker, I extend my best wishes for their future endeavors in 
everything that they do.


               South Carolina's Aquarium Turtle Releases

  Ms. MACE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize South Carolina's 
aquarium releases of their turtles. We are celebrating the release of 
two loggerhead turtles, named Bea and Pluto, by South Carolina 
Aquarium's Sea Turtle Care Center in Charleston.
  The turtles were found in distress, each missing a flipper, and 
underwent extensive rehabilitation to recover.
  Despite their physical challenges, the turtles displayed remarkable 
resilience and this is something that the Coast of South Carolina 
certainly is proud of.
  Madam Speaker, I offer gratitude to the Sea Turtle Care Center team 
led by Melissa Ranly.


                       New Summerville Fire Chief

  Ms. MACE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the new Deputy 
Chief Brent Melcher taking over the fire chief for Summerville from 
Richard Waring on June 23.
  We thank Chief Waring for his 30 years of service to Summerville and 
Dorchester County. We also recognize that Chief Melcher wants to 
continue the strong family atmosphere in the department and expansion 
into Nexton.

  Melcher has served Summerville since the year 2000. I recently was 
able to connect and meet with him and was very proud of his 
achievements of Summerville's new fire chief.


     Special Bond Formed at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital

  Ms. MACE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the special bond 
formed at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital.
  A story of resilience and friendship among three young boys: Bennett, 
Jackson, and Marcelino formed a strong bond at Shawn Jenkins Children's 
Hospital as they awaited their heart transplants.
  Despite their medical challenges, they have supported and comforted 
one another. Their friendship demonstrates the power of human 
connection during difficult times.

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