[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3009-H3010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING CHRIS SILVA AND STEPHEN LAMARCA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Ryan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two visionaries of the 
Hudson Valley arts scene upon their retirement.
  Chris Silva and Stephen LaMarca have been life forces for the 
region's live music and theater performances for the past three 
decades, revitalizing the Bardavon Opera House built in 1869 in 
Poughkeepsie and the Ulster Performing Arts Center in my hometown of 
Kingston.
  The two together preserved the Bardavon's record as the oldest 
operating theater in New York State, keeping it afloat through many 
trying times.
  Their ingenuity and savviness brought big name stars from Aretha 
Franklin and Bob Dylan to Jon Stewart to the theaters.
  Chris and Stephen's impact on the community goes beyond the bright 
marquee lights. Their big-time gigs helped fund extensive service to 
our community, from free films for kids to educational programs, and 
igniting economic boons for the surrounding downtown neighborhoods in 
both Poughkeepsie and Kingston.

  Although their retirement won't come until the end of this year, as 
they prepare, I wish them a restful and

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happy retirement, spent with the satisfaction of knowing they are 
responsible for inspiring an estimated 2.5 million audience members 
through the over 2,500 artists and performances they brought to the 
stage in the Hudson Valley.


                      Honoring Dennis DeGroat, Jr.

  Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor World War II veteran 
Dennis DeGroat, Jr., who recently passed in his hometown of Port 
Jervis, New York, only weeks after the entire community came together 
to celebrate his 100th birthday and only hours after finally being 
pinned with a Purple Heart that had been missing and replaced from 
years ago.
  Dennis' life of service to our Nation is incredible and started in 
the Civilian Conservation Corps. He then went on to serve in the Army, 
protecting freedom and democracy for all Americans and the world on the 
front lines in Europe, including on the shores of Normandy and in the 
Battle of the Bulge, and suffering grievous injuries at the Battle of 
Aachen.
  In that battle, he nearly lost both of his legs and was told that he 
would never walk again, but that was no match for Dennis. He relearned 
to walk and never slowed down again.
  He came back to his home community and worked well into his 90s, and 
his incredible legacy of service and positivity lives on through 20 
grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren, 
and countless others that his 100 years of heroism, humility, and 
service inspired.
  Dennis is proof that a century spent in service to others leaves an 
impact that will last many, many more.


                 Congratulating Lieutenant Brandon Rola

  Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lieutenant 
Brandon Rola on being named the new chief of police for the city of 
Newburgh, New York.
  Lieutenant Rola is Newburgh through and through. He decided early on 
in his life to commit fully to serving his community, our community.
  At only 38, he is already a 16-year veteran of the Newburgh Police 
Department, recognized over 30 times for his meritorious and heroic 
acts.
  If you know Brandon, it truly is not about the awards; it is about 
protecting his community and protecting his neighbors.
  It is this sense of duty and selfless service that drove him into a 
cold, snowy Thanksgiving night in 2014 at 2 a.m. in search of two 
missing boys.
  During the search, he found a shovel next to a snowbank, felt a gut 
instinct to dig, and ultimately found the missing boys buried in an 8-
foot tall snowbank. He rightly received national attention after the 
rescue but humbly said: It was a good day.
  Today is a good day for Newburgh, and tomorrow and many more after, 
with the city's safety in the hands of Lieutenant Rola, a tried-and-
true public servant.


                  Congratulating Captain Steven Minard

  Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain Steven 
Minard on his retirement after over four decades of extraordinary and 
selfless public service to the city of Poughkeepsie Police Department 
and all the residents of the city of Poughkeepsie in the Hudson Valley.
  Throughout his incredible career, Captain Minard went above and 
beyond in his call to protect and serve. In addition to his selfless 
service and great risk to himself and his family, he earned a master's 
degree and ultimately a Ph.D., becoming Dr. Minard, expanding the 
impact of his service and training others in our local community 
colleges and surrounding universities. He attended the FBI Academy and 
developed training ultimately for the FBI National Executive Institute.
  He has not only directly uplifted the Poughkeepsie community by 
building trust and delivering peace of mind but made countless 
communities across New York safer through the curriculum he developed 
and taught.
  While his retirement from the force will be felt and he will be 
deeply missed, I am hopeful for the future because of the thousands of 
others he has trained to be champions for their communities just like 
he has been.

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