[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 21, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
             CONGRATULATING HARDIN VALLEY ACADEMY AEROHAWKS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Hardin 
Valley Academy AeroHAWKS for their achievements at the American 
Rocketry Challenge.
  AeroHAWKS Team 1 came in first place, and Team 2 came in 10th place. 
Both teams scored high enough that they were invited to participate in 
NASA's Student Launch Initiative, and Team 1 has just headed to Paris, 
France, to represent the United States in the International Rocketry 
Challenge.
  I say ``Paris, France,'' because many of you realize there is a 
Paris, Tennessee, and that is home to the world's largest fish fry. I 
wanted to clarify that.
  This was Hardin Valley's first appearance in this competition, and 
they competed alongside nearly 800 teams from 45 States. The fact they 
did so well demonstrates their intelligence, dedication, and teamwork 
abilities. They rose to the challenge and brought pride to east 
Tennessee.
  My office gave these students a tour of the U.S. Capitol before their 
competition here in Washington, and it is clear these students are 
passionate and bright and will do great things with their future.
  I congratulate everyone from Hardin Valley Academy who competed in 
the American Rocketry Challenge. I wish the best of luck to Team 1 as 
they compete in Paris for the world title. They are making east 
Tennessee and the entire Nation proud.
  Mr. Speaker, on a personal note, from my days of rocketry with my 
Estes rocket, I believe my V2 rocket is still in the tree of my 
neighbor's house. I will state for the record that if any of these 
young people would like to climb up and get it, I would gladly reward 
them.


                  Honoring Corporal Joe Allen Vinyard

  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an American hero 
who has finally been laid to rest in Blount County.
  Corporal Joe Allen Vinyard was part of the 774th Tank Battalion 
during World War II. He tragically lost his life in the Battle of 
Hurtgen Forest, an important battle on the European front right before 
the Battle of the Bulge. Many of the men who sacrificed their lives for 
our freedom that day were not identified, including Corporal Vinyard.
  In 2021, folks working at the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in 
Action Accounting Agency figured out one set of remains could have been 
Corporal Vinyard's. Thanks to DNA testing from samples the family 
provided, scientists were able to identify his remains. By September 
2022, the family had been notified that he would be brought back to 
Blount County.
  Corporal Vinyard was laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery in Maryville 
this past weekend. He is buried beside his parents, just a few miles 
from his home. After almost 80 years, Corporal Joe Allen Vinyard has 
finally come home.


               Honoring Sergeant Daniel Clifford Britton

  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sergeant Daniel Clifford 
Britton, who served our country during the Gulf war.
  Daniel graduated from Temple Baptist Academy in 2006. He went on to 
the University of Tennessee and participated in the Army ROTC program 
and enlisted in the Army on September 3, 2008.
  Sergeant Britton attended his initial Active-Duty training at Fort 
Benning, Georgia. After graduation, he was assigned to the 15th 
Infantry Regiment. He graduated from the air assault course in 
September 2009, and in 2010, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, where he earned his Combat Infantry Badge. During his service, 
he was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars, Army 
Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal twice, and many others. He 
was a patriot and loved this country to its core.
  Sergeant Britton passed away in May and left behind a daughter who he 
loved with his whole being. I offer my condolences to his daughter and 
all his friends and family who knew and loved him.
  It is my honor to recognize Sergeant Daniel Britton as the Tennessee 
Second District's June 2023 Veteran of the Month. His service to this 
country, his community, and his family will never be forgotten.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, as a Christian, I am not a very good 
one, but I owe everything in my life, except for my salvation, to the 
men and women who wore our country's uniform. I thank you for this 
opportunity. I appreciate your testimony here on the floor about that 
man, one of our brave officers, who lost his life. I thank the people 
in the gallery for standing up and showing him that respect.
  This is a great country we have, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, brother, for 
your friendship.

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