[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 182 (Monday, December 9, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H6446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING PENN STATE UNIVERSITY'S FOOTBALL TEAM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Penn 
State University's football team on reaching the first NCAA 12-team 
playoff.
  With both a shutdown defense and an efficient offense that kept the 
ball moving all season long, the Nittany Lions have put themselves in a 
strong position to play for a national championship title next month.
  While these students have done an incredible job on the field to 
reach this position, it is also important to remember their success in 
the classroom.
  Over the past 10 years, Penn State University is one of only eight 
schools that has won at least 10 NCAA championships while concurrently 
achieving at least a 90 percent graduation rate for student athletes. 
Their commitment to excellence both on and off the field are an example 
for the thousands of students across Pennsylvania who look to our 
football team as role models.
  On behalf of the Nittany Lions nation and across Pennsylvania's 13th 
Congressional District, I congratulate the team on reaching the college 
football playoffs.


                      Remembering Gary Washington

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to remember the 
life of a friend, Gary Washington. Gary was a member of the Bedford 
County community who dedicated his life to serving others.
  After graduating from Bedford High School in 1965, Gary's education 
and work took him away from central Pennsylvania until later in life 
when he returned to Bedford to cofound the Extended Family Program, 
which supports students who are having difficulty in school. The 
program, which Gary led for 16 years before his retirement, provides a 
lifeline to students who are struggling academically or at home.
  Today, Gary is remembered by the students that he mentored throughout 
the Extended Family Program and those that he coached on the Bedford 
High School football team.
  Later in life, Gary was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He and 
his wonderful wife, Mable, became strong advocates for both patients 
and patients' caregivers.
  Throughout his life, Coach Washington was committed to helping others 
and ensuring that the students in Bedford County had the tools and the 
support that they needed in order to succeed.
  On behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, 
we mourn the loss of Coach Gary Washington, and we pray for his family 
and for his friends and all of those who helped him throughout this 
journey in life.


                    National Medal of Honor Highway

  Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week, as we commemorate 
both the 83rd anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor and the 80th 
anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, we are reminded of the 
incredible bravery and sacrifice made by our servicemembers.
  The highest decoration that our Nation can bestow upon those who 
served in uniform is the Congressional Medal of Honor for acts of 
bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
  This week, we have the chance to honor the soldiers, the sailors, the 
airmen, the marines, and the coast guardsmen who have received the 
Medal of Honor by designating U.S. State Route 20 as the National Medal 
of Honor Highway.
  Stretching from Massachusetts Bay to the Oregon coastline, historic 
Route 20 is the longest highway in this great country, and it is 
fitting that this road be designated to honor the 3,516 Medal of Honor 
recipients who have fought to keep our Nation safe and our Nation free.

  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this important 
legislation to honor those servicemembers.

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