[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 122 (Friday, July 26, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            RECOGNIZING CONGRESSWOMAN CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2024

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor a dedicated public servant, loving wife and mother, champion for 
America's Military Families, and a distinguished member of this body, 
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Earlier this year, Congresswoman 
McMorris Rodgers announced that she would not seek re-election to 
return to the House of Representatives and, in turn, would be stepping 
down as the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Military Family 
Caucus.
  Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers cares deeply about our Nation's 
veterans and Military Families because of her background as a military 
spouse and parent. In 2006, she married her husband, Brian Rodgers, a 
U.S. Naval Commander, and her experiences as the spouse of a U.S. 
servicemember empowered her to become a strong champion for America's 
Military Families who often face unique challenges as they live and 
work in and around military installations in the United States and 
across the globe.
  When our servicemembers enlist in the Armed Forces, they must 
relocate to military installations--often with their spouses and young 
children. On base, military spouses and children must quickly navigate 
a new landscape which can pose challenges: new housing, new schools, 
seeking employment, and sometimes even moving abroad.
  After recognizing these same challenges in my district, serving as 
the Member of Congress representing U.S. Army servicemembers and their 
families at Fort Moore, Georgia--Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and I 
joined together in 2009 to form the bipartisan Congressional Military 
Family Caucus. For the past 15 years, I have been honored to serve 
alongside the Congresswoman as her co-chair.
  Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers record of public service is historic 
and worthy of admiration. Growing up, she worked at the family orchard 
and fruit stand in Kettle Falls, Washington. In 1994, she won a special 
election to serve in the Washington House of Representatives, 
faithfully serving her district for 11 years, including 1 year as House 
Minority Leader before successfully running for the United States 
Congress.
  During her third term in Congress, McMorris Rodgers was elected by 
the House Republican Conference as the Vice Chair, and she would hold 
this role for four years before becoming only the second woman to serve 
as Chair of the Republican Conference from 2013 and 2019.
  In January 2021, McMorris Rodgers became the first woman to serve as 
the top Republican on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee 
as Ranking Member, and in 2023 becoming Chair. Chair McMorris Rodgers 
has been a leader on countless issues affecting the American people 
including emerging technologies, strengthening rural communities, 
helping to strengthen American energy resiliency and independence, and 
of course fighting for Military Families and veterans.
  Every year since we founded the Congressional Military Family Caucus, 
Co-chair McMorris Rodgers and I have hosted the Military Family Caucus 
Summit--alternating between Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, 
Washington, and Fort Moore in Georgia in order to give the members of 
America's Armed Forces, their spouses, and their children an 
opportunity to hear from Department of Defense leaders and subject 
matter experts, share their experiences and challenges, and bring 
forward policies that improve the quality of life for our Military 
Families around the world.
  Over the past 15 years, the Caucus has brought to the forefront 
numerous issues that affect our servicemembers and Military Families. 
Together, we have tackled issues such as food insecurity, medical care, 
spousal employment, family relocation challenges, childcare, and so 
much more. But we cannot tackle these issues without community input. 
The Caucus has been very successful in bringing together our Military 
Families and veterans, veteran service organizations, Blue Star 
Families, Chambers of Commerce, community activists, and more so that 
we can have the robust discussions that these important issues deserve.
  On a personal note, I will greatly miss Cathy's partnership and 
friendship on the Congressional Military Family Caucus, and she 
certainly has big shoes to fill as co-chair. During our time together 
in Congress, I have been inspired by her advocacy on behalf of 
individuals with disabilities, her dedication to our veterans and 
Military Families, and her commitment to statesmanship and 
bipartisanship in the United States Congress. And while the 
Congressional Military Family Caucus will continue on after her 
retirement, I look forward to joining her for our last Congressional 
Military Family Caucus Summit together in Spokane this August.
  Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has accomplished so much in her 
life, and this was made possible by the grace of God and the love and 
support of her husband, Brian, as well as their three children--Cole, 
Grace, and Brynn.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me; along with the people of her District, 
her state, and the American people in recognizing and commending 
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her dedicated service to 
people, especially her leadership and advocacy for our Nation's 
Military Families. While her leadership will be greatly missed in the 
halls of Congress, we wish her and her family the best as she embarks 
upon the next chapter of her life.

                          ____________________