[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5658-H5659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
  COMMEMORATING FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MIDDLEBURG'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bean) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Lord says that when two or more 
people gather in prayer, there He will be also. At the First Baptist 
Church of Middleburg this past Sunday, we certainly felt the Lord's 
presence.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a spiritual rock in northeast 
Florida. On September 22, First Baptist Church of Middleburg celebrated 
its 125th anniversary.
  Abby and I had the privilege of attending the commemorative service 
this past Sunday, and when we entered the sanctuary, it was obvious the 
holy spirit was already there. The congregation, the choir, Pastor 
Chris Bonts, and the entire pastoral staff team were celebrating the 
church's long history and its future as a missionary church.
  In 1899, a dozen citizens gathered in the back of a local general 
store to start a church that would honor the Lord and serve Middleburg. 
Mr. Speaker, 125 years later from those humble beginnings, First 
Baptist Middleburg has transformed the lives of thousands through the 
Gospel and community partnerships.
  From youth outreach programs to food pantries to recovery ministries 
for those impacted by addiction and a robust missionary presence around 
the world, First Baptist Middleburg is spreading the good news to 
neighbors and strangers alike.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating First 
Baptist Middleburg's 125 years in service to Him and others. I 
congratulate First Baptist, and let's go get them on the next 125 
years.


                        Honoring Caeleb Dressel

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great 
northeast Florida athlete who made a big splash this summer at the 
Paris Olympics.
  Caeleb Dressel is a Green Cove Springs native who was a Clay High 
Blue Devil who went on to earn--get this--10 NCAA national 
championships at the University of Florida as a Fighting Gator. Caeleb 
is a three-time Olympian, earning a career nine Gold Medals and one 
Silver, placing him in a very elite group of swimmers.

[[Page H5659]]

  Caeleb has the type of resume that can impress almost anyone. In 
addition to holding several current world records in swimming, Caeleb 
was the 2021 Sports Illustrated Male Athlete of the Year.
  Caeleb is a husband and father who takes all his roles seriously.
  In a recent interview, Caeleb talked about the importance of training 
and hard work and the honor of being part of a national team, as well 
as the joy of seeing other people--how about this--reaching their goals 
and dreams. In short, Caeleb Dressel is an inspiration to us all.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me today in recognizing a 
great American athlete who continues to make Clay County proud. We are 
all so glad it went swimmingly.
  Mr. Speaker, we are proud of Caeleb.
  Go get them, Caeleb.


                          Honoring Ryan Murphy

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, northeast Florida has done it 
again. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a mainstay of U.S. swimming 
and a northeast Florida native who absolutely smashed it at the 2024 
Paris Olympics, Ryan Murphy.
  Ryan hails from Jacksonville and first dreamed about the Olympics 
when he was 7. This Bolles Bulldog has quite the resume. In addition to 
an impressive five Olympic Gold Medals, Ryan is a former and current 
world record holder who medaled in the 100-meter backstroke in three 
Olympic Games.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
northeast Floridian who exemplifies American excellence and hard work. 
Ryan Murphy's pool resume is very swim-pressive. Jacksonville and his 
country are proud.
  Whatever his next race is, go get them.

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