[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H2775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF REBECCA DAWN FOSTER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Rose) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the incredible life of Rebecca 
Dawn Foster.
  Rebecca was many things to many people: a beloved daughter, sister, 
wife, mother, and, most recently, grandmother. Above all else, Rebecca 
was an amazing human being and devoted Christian who did everything to 
serve others and leave this world better than she found it.
  Rebecca was my friend. Rebecca was born on September 30, 1968, to 
Wesley and Faye Neil. A native of Fentress County, Tennessee, she 
graduated from Clarkrange High School, where she competed on the 1983, 
1984, and 1985 girls' basketball State championship teams. If she were 
here, she would tell you that they came that close to winning again in 
1986. Memories of those wins sparked joy throughout her entire life.
  Rebecca earned a bachelor of science in nursing and later a master of 
science in nursing informatics from Tennessee Technological University. 
She had a distinguished 29-year career in healthcare, most recently in 
the role of chief nursing officer for Cumberland Medical Center in 
Crossville. In 2019, she graciously agreed to take on a new occupation 
focused on constituent care rather than patient care as my district 
director for Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District.
  Her dedication to service lives on through her family. Rebecca took 
enormous pride in her husband, Allen, who serves as mayor of Cumberland 
County, Tennessee; her daughter, Brooke, who followed in her footsteps 
in nursing; and her son, Shade, who is a sworn police officer for the 
city of Crossville. She is also survived by her beloved granddaughter, 
Asa Wright, and boy let me tell you, Rebecca took such joy from being 
with Asa. She is also survived by parents, Wesley and Faye Neil; 
sister, Sharon Reagan; mother-in-law, Edna Foster; daughter-in-law, 
Haley Foster; and son-in-law, Trevor Wright.
  Rebecca had a lifelong passion for singing. She served as music 
director at Oak Hill Baptist Church for nearly 15 years. In fact, the 
Sunday before her passing, Rebecca was on stage with her daughter, 
singing her heart out and worshipping the Lord with the help of the 
pulpit to keep her balance.
  There are simply few among us as special as Rebecca Dawn Foster. She 
was first diagnosed with cancer in 2023. During the difficult period 
that followed, many around her were fearful, but she chose to be 
faithful. Despite the intense treatments she underwent and sometimes-
painful side effects that she endured, she continued to work as she was 
able and did so with a smile on her face. In fact, if you had talked to 
Rebecca anytime since last July, you were much more likely to find her 
smiling and showing pictures of her precious little granddaughter, Asa, 
than talking about her health battle. Her optimism lulled many of us 
into believing that there were many years ahead that we would get to 
enjoy our relationships with Rebecca.
  The day before her passing, Rebecca shared a page from her prayer 
devotional on social media. It was titled ``Unafraid,'' and based on 
the book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 5 and 6, which reads in part: 
``I will never leave you; I will always be by your side.'' Rebecca 
never questioned the presence of the Lord. She lived a life as a 
result. She knew God's plan for her was not to live in fear but to live 
in faith and to love others while she was here.
  Rebecca knew each day and the good things in it are blessings from 
the Lord above. She kept cheerful faith throughout her painful health 
struggle. Last week, she went home to Heaven and received her eternal 
reward. Glory be to God for Rebecca Foster, who came into our lives, 
and with her talents and vivacious spirit left us forever changed for 
the better.

                          ____________________