[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1130
                       RECOGNIZING SAMANTHA STELP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Mrs. Lesko) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my daughter, 
Samantha Stelp. As many of you know, I will be leaving Congress at the 
end of my term this year, so I would be remiss if I didn't recognize 
people who are very important in my life.
  First, I want to say happy birthday, Samantha, because today is her 
39th birthday.
  Samantha is our oldest child. For those of you who don't know, over 
30 years ago, I left my abusive ex-husband, and my young daughter at 
the time and I struggled. There were times when we had no place to live 
and no money. Samantha and I have been through a lot.
  Then, of course, I happily got remarried. My husband, Joe, raised our 
daughter, Samantha.
  Now, she is a grown woman. She has four kids of her own, my four 
grandkids, and she is absolutely amazing. I am so proud of her. She not 
only works full time, but she takes care of four kids ranging from 2 
years old to 13 years old. She finds time to go to football games and 
school activities and paints things and does projects. I don't even 
know where she gets these talents.
  I just want to say that I am proud of her. I thank her for always 
supporting me and for always being there for me. I love her.


                        Recognizing Jared Lesko

  Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my son, Jared 
Lesko. As you know, I will be retiring from Congress this year, so I 
want to make sure I talk about the people important to me, including my 
son, Jared Lesko.
  Jared is my youngest child. He is 26 years old. My husband, Joe, and 
I are proud of him. He is working in the IT field, has a great job, is 
very successful, and is getting married next March to his high school 
or grade school sweetheart, who he has known since eighth grade.
  I am so excited. We are going to be going on a cruise for his 
wedding, and I will see my youngest son get married then. He is getting 
married to his sweetheart, Audrey, and they are going to have a 
wonderful life. He bought a home last year, and I couldn't be prouder 
of him.
  He has been there supporting me from day one. I remember, years ago, 
he would help me out in the Phoenix heat to register people to vote. We 
sat out at the Peoria Sports Complex, handed out water, and asked 
people if they were registered to vote. I don't know how I convinced 
them, but I convinced my entire family to come help me. He has always 
been there for me.
  I wish my son, Jared, much success now and in the future.

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