[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3216-H3217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS PUBLIC SCHOOL 2024 EMPLOYEE HALL OF FAME CLASS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Cline) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor an 
extraordinary group of educators and staff whose dedication has 
profoundly impacted the Alleghany Highlands community. This group was 
selected as the seven inaugural inductees into the Alleghany Highlands 
Public Schools Division Employee Hall of Fame.
  This distinguished class, announced on May 9, symbolizes the 
unwavering commitment to excellence that defines our educators in 
Virginia's Sixth District. These individuals: Helen Harris, Brenda 
Holloway, Harold Lambert, the late Katharine Nicely, Donna Vaughn, 
Archie Wells, and Linda Williams, have each dedicated over 20 years of 
their lives fostering a nurturing environment for learning within the 
Alleghany County, Covington City, and Clifton Forge school divisions.
  Their roles range from teachers of English, French, science, and art 
to counselors, coaches, and even a beloved custodian.
  Each, in their unique way, has contributed significantly to the 
educational fabric of our community, guiding countless students toward 
achieving their full potential. Their legacy, now forever enshrined in 
the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division Employee Hall of Fame, 
reminds us all of the transformative power of education.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all of them on this well-deserved honor 
and I thank them for their significant contributions to education in 
the Commonwealth and Alleghany Highlands.


     100th Anniversary of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate an 
incredible milestone, the 100th anniversary of the Shenandoah Valley 
Travel Association, one of the oldest tourism organizations in the 
region.
  Founded in 1924, the SVTA has played a pivotal role in showcasing the 
Shenandoah Valley's unparalleled beauty, cultural richness, and 
historic legacy.
  Through collaboration with local businesses and national parks, the 
SVTA has consistently highlighted what makes the Shenandoah Valley 
special.
  In honoring the SVTA's 100th anniversary, we recognize the profound 
impact that dedicated organizations and individuals can have in 
promoting the unique beauty and history of the Shenandoah Valley. Their 
efforts enrich our Commonwealth and indeed our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations to the Shenandoah Valley 
Travel Association on this significant anniversary and wish them 
another 100 years of success.


            Recognizing Helen Zebarth of Blue Ridge Hospice

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor a remarkable 
individual from Virginia's Sixth District, Helen Zebarth of Winchester, 
and her monumental legacy. She changed the face of end-of-life care in 
our community through the founding of Blue Ridge Hospice.
  In recognition of her incredible impact, the Helen Zebarth Legacy 
Society was established, symbolizing our community's ongoing commitment 
to support the mission of this noble organization.
  Helen was inspired to establish the hospice here in Winchester after 
her experiences in England, demonstrating her foresight and dedication 
to serving others. It is awe-inspiring to witness how her vision of 
providing compassionate care at life's end has grown from serving 30 
patients in 1974 to over 10,000 by 2014, with the numbers continuing to 
increase.
  By acknowledging the substantial impact of Helen Zebarth and Blue 
Ridge Hospice on our community, we are all encouraged to support such 
essential organizations. Their work not only enriches our community, 
but also offers comfort to families during their most difficult times, 
exemplifying the utmost in human kindness and unity.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Helen Zebarth for her many years of success 
and for founding an organization that continues to shine as a beacon of 
hope and care in our cherished community.


     Celebrating Jackson River Technical Center's 50th Anniversary

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hub of 
education and workforce development in the Alleghany Highlands, the 
Jackson River Technical Center, as it celebrates 50 years of 
outstanding service to our community.
  Established in 1974 as the Jackson River Vocational Center, JRTC has 
since flourished into a beacon of opportunity and growth, playing a 
pivotal role in the education landscape of the Alleghany Highlands 
Public Schools.
  Over the years, JRTC has evolved to meet the changing demands of the 
workforce, offering a broad spectrum of programs that include 
automotive, building management, carpentry, culinary arts, drafting and 
design, early childhood education, electricity, marketing, nurse aide/
health assistant, and welding.
  Through these programs, JRTC ensures that our students are not just 
prepared for the jobs of today but are also poised to meet the 
challenges of tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all those educators, staff, and students, past 
and present, for their dedication and hard work. Their efforts have 
made JRTC a symbol of success in our community for 50 years. May they 
continue to inspire, educate, and empower for many more years to come.


                   Honoring America's Police Officers

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, this week marks National Police Week, a time 
dedicated to honoring America's courageous police officers who stand on 
the front lines to ensure our safety.
  While certain voices on the left have demonized our police officers 
these past several years, it is important that we recognize and 
remember the profound sacrifices these men and women make protecting 
our communities every day.

[[Page H3217]]

  In light of this, we must rally behind the bills proposed this week 
aimed at bolstering our local law enforcement and unequivocally 
denounce the left's effort to defund and dismantle our local police 
departments.
  It is alarming that President Biden and many on the left support this 
defund the police movement and the soft-on-crime policies that have 
directly fueled surges in crime across the country, endangering both 
the public and the police.
  Since 1776, over 26,600 police officers have lost their lives in the 
line of duty. In Virginia alone, 550 have made the ultimate sacrifice. 
These represent individual lives, families left heartbroken, and 
communities forever changed.
  Mr. Speaker, as we honor National Police Week, I urge all my 
colleagues to join us in support by passing these bills.

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