[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize July as 
National Blueberry Month.
  Georgia might be known as the Peach State, but our top fruit is 
actually blueberries, making it a critical part of our State's economy.
  From May to July, this fruit is harvested, and a 2019 study found 
Georgia blueberries generate an annual economic impact of over $520 
million.
  Being a farmer is difficult. Most of their success depends on things 
outside of their control, such as supply chain issues, worker 
shortages, and, most notably, weather issues.
  In March 2021, Georgia's blueberry farmers lost more than $140 
million worth of crops to freezes, which, contrary to popular belief, 
we do get from time to time down in south Georgia.
  Unfortunately, freezes are not covered losses and do not qualify for 
Federal assistance funds. That is why, in this year's farm bill, I am 
fighting for freezes to qualify for the same protections as other 
natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes.
  This small legislative fix will give security to growers of Georgia's 
number one export. Let's make this National Blueberry Month the last 
one without this commonsense protection for blueberry farmers.


                      Remembering Howard Allan Poe

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of 
Howard Allan Poe.
  Howard was born on January 6, 1961, in Sanford, North Carolina, to 
Allan Augustus Poe and Evelyn Grace H. Poe.
  Mr. Poe was a resident of Brunswick for 22 years, where he was a 
member of Cowboy Church, as well as the owner of American Dock Builders 
and Coastal Marine Center.
  He was the life of the party. He was loved by all who were blessed 
enough to know him. Fondly known as Captain HAP, Howard competed in the 
Southern Kingfish Association trail and SKA Pro Tour for over 25 years. 
He was proud to be the 1996 SKA National Angler of the Year.
  However, Mr. Poe's proudest accomplishment was his children, who he 
watched grow and succeed, both personally and professionally.
  Howard's legacy will live on in the positive impact he had on his 
community, and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.


                  Celebrating Marion Virginia DeLoach

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
90th birthday of Marion Virginia DeLoach, a lifelong educator from 
Chatham County and mother of Eddie DeLoach, the former mayor of 
Savannah, Georgia.
  Throughout her career in education, Marion served as a substitute 
teacher, middle school teacher, Sunday school teacher, curriculum 
specialist, principal, and president of her local parent-teacher 
association.
  There is no doubt that over her decades of service to her community, 
Virginia has impacted thousands of students' lives, helping instill in 
them values of hard work, courage, and dedication.
  In her free time, Virginia enjoyed softball, reading, and camping. As 
she celebrates nine decades of life this September, I wish her good 
health and bountiful enjoyment and pleasure from these hobbies over the 
next decade of life.


                   Celebrating Military Marriage Day

  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of 
the upcoming Military Marriage Day, which is celebrated on August 14 of 
each year.
  My district is particularly blessed to have such a large veteran and 
Active-Duty servicemember population, and Military Marriage Day 
provides an opportunity to honor the sacred bonds these servicemembers 
share with their spouses.
  Strong military marriages are vitally important to the strength and 
well-being of our Armed Forces. When one spouse decides to serve their 
country, both spouses take on that responsibility. They can't do it 
alone, and we are so appreciative of all the sacrifices made by our 
servicemembers and their families to defend our freedoms.
  I congratulate our district's new military marriages on their recent 
unions and vows, and I am continually inspired by the persistence, 
strength, commitment, and love of the many longstanding military 
marriages in our district.

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