[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4035-H4036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REQUIRING ALL VEHICLES TO HAVE AM RADIO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, AM radio has been an integral part of 
American history. From FDR's ``Fireside Chats'' to the Emergency Alert 
System, the importance of this form of media, both culturally and 
functionally, cannot be overstated.

[[Page H4036]]

  Forty-one percent of Arkansans live in rural counties, and of those, 
only 60 percent have access to standard broadband internet. Many of 
these individuals have long and often hazardous commutes to work. Along 
many of the beautiful back roads of my district, cell service is 
oftentimes nonexistent or spotty at best.
  I was glad to cosponsor, along with my friend Representative Josh 
Gottheimer, bipartisan legislation, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act 
of 2023, that will require all new motor vehicles to have access to AM 
radio in an attempt to put the safety of Americans first.
  This access has and will continue to save lives during emergencies, 
improve lives during travel, and support hardworking Americans all over 
the Nation.


                      Remembering Mary Mae Fisher

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my deepest condolences 
to the family and friends of Mrs. Mary Mae Fisher, who passed away on 
Saturday.

  Mary was an active member of the Dardanelle Rotary Club and 
Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce, and she was a dedicated community 
leader in both Dardanelle and Danville, Arkansas.
  For over 50 years, Mary was the editor and publisher of the Yell 
County Record and the Dardanelle Post Dispatch. Mary had a heart for 
community service, and her mark on the Fourth District will not be soon 
forgotten.
  My prayers go out to her husband, David Fisher, and all Arkansans 
mourning this loss.


                    Honoring the Life of Mark Lowery

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I now invite two of my colleagues from 
Arkansas, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Womack, to join me.
  We are here today and rise to honor the life of former State 
legislator and Arkansas Treasurer Mark Lowery. A Maumelle native, Mark 
was a devoted public servant. He served as editor of the Maumelle 
Monitor and the Sherwood Voice and taught communications at the 
University of Central Arkansas and Henderson State University.
  In 2013, Mark began his nearly 10-year career as a State legislator, 
serving Arkansas's 39th District, where I had the pleasure of serving 
alongside him. Although his time as State treasurer was short, he was 
passionate about serving our State.
  On behalf of the Arkansas delegation, I want to express our deepest 
condolences to his family, friends, and staff during this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack).
  Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on 
behalf of an incredible leader and a dedicated public servant, who we 
lost yesterday.
  Mark Lowery committed much of his life to serving Arkansans as an 
elected official, educator, and journalist.
  During his time as State representative for 10 years, he had Arkansas 
youth and families top of mind. He brought significant reforms to the 
education system and fought hard for fairness in elections. Most 
recently, he was elected the Arkansas State treasurer. Although Mark 
will be deeply missed, his legacy lives on.
  My prayers are with Mark's family and friends as they navigate this 
incredibly sad and difficult time. I offer them my sincere condolences.
  My hope is that we can all find solace in knowing Arkansas is better 
off because of Mark Lowery's dedicated work for the people of Arkansas.

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