[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 197 (Thursday, November 30, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DR. JAMES WEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Nickel) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. James West, a 
revered Wake County commissioner and a true champion for the people of 
North Carolina. It is with deep sorrow that we mark his passing but 
with immense gratitude that we celebrate his legacy.
  His journey, from protesting segregation in the sixties along with 
Jesse Jackson to serving as a Raleigh City councilman and Wake County 
commissioner, was marked by a relentless commitment to justice and 
equality.
  Dr. West's legacy is not just in the numerous programs he initiated 
or the pivotal policies he championed but in the countless lives that 
he touched, mine included, the community leaders he inspired, and the 
unquantifiable impact of his vision and compassion.
  We remember Dr. West for his Dr. West-isms, his wisdom, and his 
unwavering faith in the power of community.
  As we mourn Dr. James West's passing, we also celebrate his 
extraordinary life, a life dedicated to service, equality, and the 
betterment of Wake County and its people.


                   Celebrating Mr. Ira David Wood III

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate an icon of 
North Carolina's cultural landscape, Mr. Ira David Wood III, as we 
celebrate the 50th anniversary of his legendary portrayal of Ebenezer 
Scrooge in Ira David Wood's ``A Christmas Carol.''
  Mr. Wood's unique and comedic adaptation of this Christmas classic 
has become a beloved holiday tradition for the Raleigh community.
  His visionary leadership in theater, coupled with his remarkable 
talents as an actor, author, singer, and playwright, has left a 
profound impact on the arts in North Carolina.
  As the founder and executive director of Theatre in the Park in 
Raleigh, Mr. Wood has been a cornerstone of Raleigh's vibrant art scene 
since 1972.
  His leadership and vision have earned him prestigious recognitions, 
including two Medal of Arts awards and The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 
the highest civilian honor in North Carolina.
  As we celebrate this milestone, let's applaud Mr. Wood's 
extraordinary contributions not only to the arts but to the heart and 
soul of North Carolina.
  Please join me in congratulating Mr. Wood on this remarkable 
achievement and wishing him continued success.


                             School Safety

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, last week I visited the site of the 2018 
Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Meeting 
the victims' families was a heartbreaking experience that I will never 
forget.
  There is no way to describe what it felt like to see the bullet-
riddled, bloodstained classrooms and hallways that remain frozen in 
time.
  We owe it to each victim and family impacted by this tragedy to stop 
the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our Nation.
  Just this week, another act of senseless violence rocked my district 
when a student was tragically killed and another seriously injured at 
Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School. My thoughts are with the victims' 
families and loved ones affected by this unspeakable tragedy.
  I am sure a lot more details will be released in the coming days, but 
for now our mission remains clear: We can and must do more to keep our 
kids safe in school.
  I remain committed to working with anyone on solutions to protect our 
kids.


                          Standing with Israel

  Mr. NICKEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the No Funds for 
Iranian Terrorism Act.
  For years, the Iranian regime has aided and abetted terrorist 
organizations, including Hamas.
  On October 7, we saw Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists carry out a 
brutal and barbaric assault against the Jewish people and the State of 
Israel.
  Both Iran and Hamas seek to destroy democracy, and we must hold them 
accountable for their actions.
  I am proud to support this bill coming to the floor today that will 
ensure that not a single dollar of this funding, whether directly or 
indirectly, goes to support Hamas or its efforts to destroy Israel.
  We must continue to stand with Israel and ensure they have the 
funding and resources to disarm and dismantle Hamas and every Iranian-
backed terrorist threat.

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