[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H19-H20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MELVIN DANIEL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the late Melvin 
Daniel who will be posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural 
Hall of Fame in March.
  A Bismarck native, Melvin spent 37 years as an agriculture education 
teacher and FFA adviser for the Glenwood, Lake Hamilton, and Foreman 
school districts, including 33 years at Lake Hamilton where he advised 
the school's first FFA State officer, first American FFA Degree 
recipient, and trained 33 State-winning FFA judging teams.
  Melvin was a dedicated agriculturalist known not only for his 
dedication to agricultural education and FFA but also for his passion 
for raising Black Angus and Limousine cattle and for his time spent as 
director of the Master Gardeners program with the Garland County 
Cooperative Extension Service.
  Although I never had Mr. Daniel as my ag teacher, he taught at a 
neighboring high school. I spent much time with him and his students at 
fairs, conventions, and contests. Mr. Daniel had a desire to see all 
students succeed, whether they were his students or not. I was one of 
those who benefited from knowing him.
  I am honored to stand today and recognize my friend, Mr. Melvin 
Daniel, for his lifelong commitment to agriculture. His induction to 
the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame is well deserved, and I know his 
family and the community are still inspired by his service.


                       Honoring the Bragg Family

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my condolences to the 
friends and loved ones of the Bragg family from Monticello. While 
visiting family in Michigan over the holiday, Hope and Don Bragg, their 
son Kenny and their daughter, Elizabeth, lost their lives in a house 
explosion. Their son Stephen and Hope's father, Richard Pruden, made it 
out but are still in recovery.
  Hope was a dedicated Arkansas 4-H instructor, and Don was a renowned 
scientist, who conducted critical research at the University of 
Arkansas at Monticello that will forever impact forestry in Arkansas 
and nationwide.
  In fact, much of the research that Don conducted has impacted the 
work that I have done throughout my career as both a forester and a 
Member of Congress.
  I am thankful for both Hope and Don's contributions to the 
agricultural and forestry sectors, but, furthermore, I am thankful for 
their generous contributions to their community.
  I was devastated to learn about this tragedy, as I know many were. 
Hope and Don's absence will be greatly felt and impact many in Drew 
County and across the country, but they leave behind a lasting legacy 
of love for science and public service.
  My prayers go out to Stephen and Mr. Pruden as they recover from this 
disaster and the Braggs' friends and families as they navigate this 
devastating loss.


                        Recognizing Tom Nichols

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Tom Nichols for his 
distinguished career in broadcast radio. For over 65 years, Tom Nichols 
has been in the radio business in Arkansas. Since 1958, when he got his 
start with the Hot Springs DJs, Tom has impacted the Natural State's 
radio industry beyond measure.
  After years of managing KZNG in Hot Springs, Tom and his wife, Polly, 
became trailblazers in Arkansas radio when they started the first-ever 
radio station in Pike County in Glenwood. What began as a small AM 
radio station became the spot for Arkansans in Pike County to receive 
breaking news and daily entertainment on AM and FM frequencies.
  As KWXI grew in Glenwood, Tom and Polly saw a need for quality radio 
in Hot Springs Village, and, thus, they started KRVE where they still 
are today. The KVRE call letters mean Village Radio Entertainment, 
which is exactly what they are all about.
  One of Arkansas' last family-owned and operated stations, KVRE is 
known as being personable and making its listeners feel like friends 
and family. As

[[Page H20]]

someone who has joined Tom on KVRE for several interviews, I can attest 
to the familiar and personal environment he and his family have curated 
in Hot Springs Village.
  Tom has not only been able to capture and maintain the nostalgia of 
hometown radio with local personalities and local news, but he has 
adapted with the times. You cannot only listen at 92.9 locally, but you 
can also listen worldwide at KVRE.com.
  It is with great honor that I rise today to recognize Tom Nichols and 
his 65 years of service in radio broadcasting.

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