[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING RICHARD JOHN McDERMOTT II AND ANNAMARIE McDERMOTT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Tenney) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 
lives of Richard John McDermott II and Annamarie Christine McDermott, 
valued and beloved members of the Oswego County community who were 
tragically killed in a car accident last year, on June 10, 2023.
  Nearly 1 year later, our community still feels the gaping hole 
created by the sudden loss of these two wonderful people. Rick and 
Annamarie left an enduring legacy and profound impact on their three 
children and their grandchildren, family, friends, and community, and 
also on me.
  I was fortunate enough to know Rick and to actually become friends 
with him over the past 20 years. He was a bright, engaging, and 
passionate advocate, particularly for the Second Amendment, and also an 
avid sportsman and conservationist. Rick believed in preserving the 
natural resources we are blessed to have in New York State, especially 
in the beautiful region of upstate New York, where he resided for most 
of his life.
  Rick McDermott worked at Novelis for over 23 years as an electrical 
engineer and retired in April 2023, just a few months before his life 
was tragically taken from him.
  As an avid outdoorsman, Rick devoted countless hours to local gun 
clubs and conservation groups. He was a tireless advocate and trusted 
resource for hunting rights and Second Amendment rights across New York 
State.
  In 2012, Rick founded the New York Crossbow Coalition, which was 
critically important to the efforts to legalize the crossbow as hunting 
equipment in New York. I remember meeting with Rick when I was a member 
of the State legislature to organize several rallies in Albany against 
New York's unconstitutional gun law, known as the SAFE Act, passed in 
the dark of night in 2013.
  Earlier today, I had the honor of meeting Tom, Rick's son, at the 
White House. They were touring the White House, a wonderful opportunity 
that we have as American citizens. Tom informed me earlier that he was 
actually an attendee at one of these massive rallies at the capitol in 
Albany.
  Rick was always leading the way on Second Amendment issues and always 
in Oswego. He was passionate, always trying to educate everyone in our 
community so they understood the true value of our Bill of Rights and 
everything that we stood for as Americans and as New Yorkers, 
particularly. Understanding the value of outdoor recreational programs, 
Rick led many youth pheasant hunts and wounded veterans crossbow hunts 
throughout the years, making this his mission.
  Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Rick's lovely wife, 
Annamarie, she exhibited a similar passion and dedication to our 
community.
  The heartwarming tributes by their own hometown to Annamarie and Rick 
are really incredible and touching, and they reveal the depth of 
devotion of these two wonderful people to our community and to their 
families.
  Annamarie McDermott was a devoted teacher's assistant for nearly 20 
years in the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, the APW, school district, as 
we call it. Annamarie was dedicated to supporting young, aspiring 
leaders in our community. She was described by so many who loved and 
admired her as a person who would strive to go above and beyond for her 
students.
  Annamarie created the Breakfast Club and also another club called the 
Rebel Club, which were beloved morning and afternoon programs that 
encouraged students to embrace learning and foster stronger 
relationships with other students.
  They were united in marriage on May 16, 1987. Rick and Annamarie's 
legacy is not only defined by their professional achievements but by 
the love and devotion they poured into their role as parents of Megan 
Burch and her husband, Eric, who now reside in Canandaigua, also in New 
York's 24th District; Valerie Bullock and her husband, Troy, of 
Pulaski; Thomas McDermott and his girlfriend, Allie Hamilton, of West 
Monroe; and also as the grandparents of Brayleigh and Mason Bullock.
  Rick and Annamarie and their unwavering support and presence at every 
milestone event underscored their commitment to this wonderful family 
and community, leaving an indelible mark on all fortunate enough to 
know them. Certainly, it was an honor for me to know Rick. What an 
impression he left on me.
  My deepest condolences to the family and friends of these wonderful 
people taken too early in life. I hope this modest recognition and 
remembrance of Rick and Annamarie McDermott on the House floor will 
provide some comfort to their family, friends, and everyone who knew 
Rick and Annamarie.
  I also hope that all Americans will know that, as they witness on 
this floor, there are wonderful people living wonderful lives of 
courage, compassion, and patriotism in our own communities who are not 
seeking recognition but always seeking to do good for their 
communities, for their families, and for everyone who knows them, and 
who leave a beautiful and indelible impression on so many people they 
met.
  I thank the families and everyone who have suffered through this very 
difficult year and provided so much support, including the communities, 
in all that has happened to the young children, the grandchildren, and 
also to the kids, Valerie, Thomas, and Megan, and all that they have 
done to try to stand strong in the face of this tragedy.
  I thank, again, everyone who supported Annamarie and Rick and who 
supports their family.

                          ____________________