[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                    HONORING THE LIFE OF NICK GOMES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Yakym). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
different individuals who made a difference during their lives who are 
no longer with us.
  I first rise to pay tribute to the remarkable life of Steven Nicholas 
Gomes, otherwise known as Nick, a beloved son of Merced County whose 
legacy resonates with kindness, resilience, and an unwavering love.
  Nick left an indelible mark on the hearts of his friends, family, and 
community, and he made a difference during his life, as short as it 
was. His dedication to making positive impacts on the lives of others 
was evident through the many roles that he had in life as a student 
athlete and a person who did so many different things. He was also my 
district representative in Merced County and helped people all the 
time.
  During the pandemic, when folks were frustrated and angry, they would 
call the office. Nick's reassuring voice would always convey to my 
constituents that we were there, and we would help and would see them 
through this. His ability to engage with constituents exemplified his 
commitment to open dialogue and understanding.
  His efforts extended beyond the office walls. His advocacy for 
community projects, such as securing grants for local water 
infrastructure improvements in communities like Dos Palos and Gustine, 
showed his ability to get things done.
  His compassion extended to his family, where he showed his love 
through selfless actions, genuine connections, and a willingness to 
always go that extra mile.
  To his mom and dad, my dear friends, and his sister, Melissa, I 
extend my deepest condolences. They are all missing him every day, but 
all were fortunate to share his journey in life. His parents will be 
celebrating an anniversary this month and will think fondly of Nick. He 
was a giant, literally and figuratively, among men in so many 
incredible ways. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.


                   Honoring the Life of Diana Marcum

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to commemorate the life and 
legacy of Diana Marcum, a beacon of compassion and storytelling 
brilliance whose words touched the hearts and unveiled the essence of 
the human experience.
  Her journey began as a journalist, an editorial assistant, and 
blossomed into a remarkable but, again, short career. Her narrative 
prowess was on full display in a Pulitzer Prize-winning series, 
``Scenes from California's Dust Bowl,'' which chronicled the impact of 
the drought on the people of the San Joaquin Valley. She was a person 
who could, with words, express so many different challenges of life.
  Through her elegant prose, Diana wove together stories of farmers, 
field workers, and others in the California Central Valley that really 
originated with the ``Grapes of Wrath,'' painting a vivid picture of 
their struggles, their hopes, and their triumphs.
  Beyond her writing, her influence extended into her personal 
interactions and relationships. For me, a book that she completed 
called ``The Tenth Island'' chronicled the diaspora of the Azorean 
people who came to settle in the San Joaquin Valley, i.e., the tenth 
island. The fondness for those people and those shared experiences, 
were my experiences, so we bonded over that love and connection to the 
Azores islands.
  Finally, in celebrating Diana's life, we also celebrate the timeless 
power of the narrative bridge that divides and illuminates the shared 
experience of life. She was a writer who could capture the essence of 
that, and her talent and her personality will be missed.


                     Honoring the Life of Ken Hart

  Mr. COSTA. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember and honor Kenneth 
Lee Hart, a friend, a man whose life was marked by dedication, wisdom, 
a passion for history and for politics. He was a history teacher at the 
community college.
  A true patriot, Ken felt a profound sense of duty to his country. He 
volunteered to serve in the Army Signal Corps. He was stationed in 
Saigon, Vietnam, from 1962 to 1964 during that difficult war, but he 
never forgot his commitment to our country.
  His involvement in Robert Kennedy's 1968 Presidential campaign marked 
his unwavering belief in the power of politics to shape a better future 
for America.
  Ken and I shared the understanding that George Santayana once said: 
``Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.'' We 
had many memorable evenings with our friends, Congressman Rick Lehman 
and others talking about sports and the future of America.
  We remember him for his wisdom, his dedication, and justice to an 
unwavering belief in the power of positive change. We will miss Ken.

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