[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6592-H6596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING KAY GRANGER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Weber) for 30 minutes.
General Leave
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and to submit extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of
gratitude and admiration to honor my dear friend and colleague,
Representative Kay Granger, a true Texas legend whose retirement marks
the end of an extraordinary era in this House.
Kay Granger is not just a trailblazer. She is absolutely a Texas
institution. From her early days as the first woman to serve as the
mayor of Fort Worth, to pave the way as the first Republican woman from
the State of Texas to serve in Congress, to her historic tenure here in
Congress serving Texas' 12th Congressional District, Kay Granger has
embodied the values that Texans hold dear.
{time} 1900
Kay Granger has embodied the values that Texans hold dear. Mr.
Speaker, those values would happen to be faith, fortitude, and an
absolute unwavering commitment to doing what is right.
As chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee where she made
history becoming that, Kay demonstrated unparalleled leadership in
guiding one of the most critical responsibilities for Congress, and
that would be overseeing the power of the purse.
Mr. Speaker, Kay Granger's wisdom and steady hand have ensured that
our appropriations process prioritized the need of the American people
while safeguarding the principles of limited government.
I have had the privilege of serving along with Kay in the Texas
delegation for the past 11 years, Mr. Speaker, and let me tell you, she
has been nothing short of extraordinary. In Texas we say: You done
good.
The Texas row on the House floor will not be the same without her.
Kay has been an absolute cornerstone of our Texas delegation, a voice
we have relied on, a leader we have admired, and a friend we have
cherished.
Kay's leadership on the House Appropriations Committee and her
ability to get things done have moved the needle in a giant Texas way,
and not just for Texas, but for the entire country.
Kay, your dedication to service has truly been a blessing to this
Congress and to every Texan who has had the honor of calling you their
Representative. You have made Texas proud, Kay Granger, and we are all
better for having worked alongside you.
Kay, please know this: as you head into retirement, you are leaving a
legacy that will surely stand the test of time. We hope you get to
enjoy that retirement in the greatest State in the Nation, the one and
only Lone Star State.
Let me reiterate, Kay, thank you for your friendship, for your
leadership, and your unwavering commitment to the values we hold dear.
God bless you, Kay. May He continue to hold you and continue to guide
you in this next chapter.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the eve of her retirement to
honor Chairwoman Kay Granger for her many years of dedicated work on
behalf of Texans everywhere and our entire country.
For nearly three decades, Chairwoman Granger has tirelessly served
the 12th Congressional District of Texas. For many of us, she has been
a valued mentor, and, more importantly, a respected friend. As the most
senior member of the Texas Republican delegation, her experience,
wisdom, and leadership have been a valuable resource. In fact, they
have been invaluable.
Chairwoman Granger has been a true trailblazer, and her legacy will
not be soon forgotten. Her time in public service has been marked by
many firsts. She served as the first female mayor of Fort Worth, the
first Republican Congresswoman from Texas, and the first female
Republican to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Over the years, Chairwoman Granger has left a lasting impact on the
Dallas/Fort Worth area, our great State of Texas, and our Nation as a
whole. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for her constituents and
to advance policies and improve the lives of both Texans and Americans
everywhere.
She has successfully secured funding for many worthy local funding
projects in Fort Worth, increased local and national defense spending
to protect the American people, and kept a close eye on overall Federal
spending. Her contributions to preserving our national security and
supporting economic growth will not soon be forgotten.
Chairwoman Granger, thank you for setting the standard in our mission
to represent the great people of Texas. Your leadership is a testament
to the strength of the Texas spirit, and your work will have a lasting
impact for generations to come. We have truly been blessed by your
leadership, dedication, and service, but, most of all, your friendship.
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Williams).
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
career and accomplishments of my lifelong friend, Kay Granger. We both
shared Fort Worth as our hometown.
Throughout the years, I have watched her lead in the classroom, on
the city council as mayor, as a Congresswoman, and as chairwoman. She
can make a deal, she can close a deal, and she has no problem making a
decision and sticking with it. Her word is her bond, and to her, a
handshake means something. She has truly lived a life worth being
copied.
To my friend and colleague, Kay, thank you for your friendship and
thank you for your leadership.
May God bless you, and in God we trust.
[[Page H6593]]
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Ellzey).
Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor someone who has been a
mentor, a trailblazer, and a dear friend, Congresswoman Kay Granger.
Kay's story is the kind of Texas story all of us Texans admire. She
spent her entire life serving others, and she has done it with the kind
of grit and determination that defines what we like to think about when
thinking about Texas. From her days as a schoolteacher to becoming the
mayor of Fort Worth and now serving right here in this Chamber, Miss
Kay has poured her heart and soul into every role she has taken on. She
has led with strength, wisdom, and a deep love for people she
represents.
As the first Republican woman to chair the Appropriations Committee,
Kay broke barriers and made history. There have only been about 11,000
people who have served in this Chamber, but Miss Kay is one of one.
If you know Kay, then you know she didn't do it for the accolades,
she didn't do it to break barriers, and she didn't do it to break the
grass ceiling. She did it because she believed in getting things done;
and, boy, did she ever. From standing up for our military and veterans
to ensuring that north Texas communities got the resources they needed,
she has left a mark that will be felt for generations.
On a personal level, Kay has been a guidepost for me. From day one
she has been generous with her time and advice, always ready with a
word of encouragement or a little bit of wisdom delivered with that
look that only she could give. That woman would walk into a room very
quietly, and no matter how loud the room was, it got quiet because she
had that presence about her.
She has reminded me that public service is staying true to your word
and putting people first and that what you do here in Congress only
matters if it improves the lives of those back home.
Kay, I think I speak for just about everyone in this room, well,
everybody in Texas, when I say that you cannot be replaced. Your boots
are way too big for anybody to fill. We are all going to miss you.
However, what you have done will echo far beyond these Halls and these
years. Your leadership and heart have touched so many lives, and your
legacy is one of dedication, integrity, and love for Texas and this
great country.
Thank you, Miss Kay, for everything, for paving the way, for showing
us all how it is done, and for being a good friend. I know you will
keep making a difference wherever life takes you next.
200 Years of the City of Dickinson
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 200 years
of the city of Dickinson, Texas, which I am proud to represent in
Texas' 14th Congressional District. Dickinson has a storied history,
and I want to be the first to say: Happy bicentennial.
The city of Dickinson is named after John Dickinson, a landowner
whose name became synonymous with the area. What began as an
agricultural settlement in the mid-1800s would eventually grow into a
thriving community thanks to the arrival of the railroad and the dreams
of those who sought to make Dickinson their home.
From its fertile soil to the efforts of early entrepreneurs who
formed the Dickinson Land and Improvement Association, this city has
long been a beacon of promise on the Gulf Coast. In its early days,
Dickinson became known for its productive farming and later as a
destination for those seeking a peaceful, prosperous life along the
bayous and the prairies.
Over the years, Dickinson has grown alongside the industrial
expansions of nearby Houston and Galveston. The city's strategic
location along major rail lines and highways has allowed it to benefit
from the region's booming oil and shipping, as well as industrial
sectors. When NASA established the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in
1962, it brought a new era of opportunity and development to our
community and to its neighbors.
Today, Dickinson is home to over 20,000 hardworking, admirable
citizens who exemplify the very best of southeast Texas values. This is
a community built on grit, resilience, and a deep sense of pride.
As your Representative, I am grateful every day to stand before you
as the voice of the city of Dickinson in these hallowed Halls of
Congress. It is an honor to represent a city that has made so many
contributions to the progression of our region.
Here is to many more years of Dickinson pride, progress, and the
enduring southeast Texas spirit that defines us. Happy anniversary,
Dickinson, and may your future be as bright as your storied past.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
Honoring Kay Granger
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Weber so very much for yielding.
Tonight, Mr. Speaker, as you well know, we honor a trailblazing
woman, Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger. Without question, history will
record Chairwoman Granger shattered many glass ceilings during her
service in Congress.
She became the first Texas woman to serve in the U.S. House of
Representatives. Think about that alone, just coming out of Texas, the
first woman, starting in 1997.
Kay went on to serve honorably in this Chamber for 28 years. She
became the first Republican woman to receive appointment to the
Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations and then later became its chair.
She rose also as a leader for her party on the committee, including as
chairwoman of the full committee, for the first year of the 118th
Congress.
Kay always found a way to work together in a bipartisan fashion to
pass our Nation's largest budget to bolster our Nation's military,
surely for the advancement of the F-35, as well as funding in another
agency, NASA's, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
Artemis program and other space priorities.
She always had a vision beyond the narrow to embrace the globe.
I have always appreciated her professionalism and her passion, which
she kept under control, especially for her home State of Texas, and her
candor and no-nonsense demeanor. I know that Kay will continue to speak
for the people of Parker and Tarrant Counties and to work for their
betterment even in retirement because that is her nature.
I am virtually and mentally sending her a bouquet of roses as we are
speaking tonight. I thank her for her remarkable and honorable service
to our Nation. We wish her Godspeed on a job exceptionally well-done.
I have heartfelt wishes that the years ahead will be ones of
fulfillment and adventure, as well.
Mr. Speaker, regarding a previous Special Order this evening, I ask
unanimous consent to include in the Record The New York Times article
about the changes in Syria written by Peter Baker and Adam Entous.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
[From The New York Times, Dec. 8, 2024]
Biden Weighs Approach to Rebels in Syria Amid Secret Message Exchange
(By Peter Baker and Adam Entous)
President Biden faces the challenge of deciding how to
engage the main armed group that toppled President Bashar al-
Assad, even though it remains designated a terrorist
organization by the United States.
For President Biden, the fall of Syria's tyrant on Sunday
was a moment to cheer what he called a ``fundamental act of
justice'' and to claim a measure of credit for his own
policy.
But it also presented Mr. Biden with a fundamental
challenge late in his presidency: How does the United States
make friends with the newly emerging forces taking control in
Syria when it has deemed them terrorists? And should it?
The main rebel faction that toppled President Bashar al-
Assad is a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which was once
an affiliate of Al Qaeda and, even though it broke with the
older organization years ago, remains designated a terrorist
group itself by the U.S. government.
The United States has been passing messages through the
Turkish government in recent days to the rebel groups
involved in the lightning blitz that suddenly took down Mr.
al-Assad, mainly warning them against teaming up with
militants from the Islamic State. The groups responded
through the Turks with assurances that they had no intention
of allowing the Islamic State to be part of their movement,
according to U.S. and Turkish officials briefed on the
messages.
[[Page H6594]]
But now Mr. Biden and his top advisers are debating the
extent to which they should engage directly with the rebel
groups going forward, according to the officials, who
described internal deliberations on the condition of
anonymity. U.S. intelligence analysts and administration
policymakers were trying to determine whether the groups had
substantially changed, or were prepared to change, their ways
to address the concerns of the United States and its allies
in the region about terrorist affiliations.
In a televised statement from the White House hailing the
fall of the Assad family's half century of repressive rule in
Syria, Mr. Biden gave voice to the mix of cautious optimism
and wary uncertainty about the new forces taking power in
Syria.
``Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down
Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human
rights abuses,'' he said on Sunday. ``We've taken note of
statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent
days and they're saying the right things now. But as they
take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their
words but their actions.''
The Islamic State, or ISIS, remains a key concern for U.S.
leaders. After destroying the so-called caliphate that the
group carved out of Syria and Iraq for itself, the United
States does not want to give it any opportunity to reassert
itself in the chaos that may follow the fall of the
government in Damascus.
``We're cleareyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take
advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capability, to
create a safe haven,'' Mr. Biden said. ``We will not let that
happen.''
To that end, Mr. Biden authorized U.S. airstrikes on Sunday
against Islamic State camps and operatives inside Syria. A
swarm of B-52, F-15 and A-10 warplanes hit more than 75
targets in central Syria with about 140 munitions, according
to U.S. officials.
``There should be no doubt--we will not allow ISIS to
reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in
Syria,'' said Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, the head of the U.S.
Central Command, which oversees operations in the region.
``All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold
them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any
way.''
The situation for the United States is all the more
complicated by its own transition in Washington. Mr. Biden
has just six weeks left in office before turning over the
White House to President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has taken
pride in his role in defeating the Islamic State in his first
term while otherwise agitating to stay uninvolved in Syria.
In his only comments after Mr. al-Assad's fall on Sunday,
Mr. Trump gave little clue to his thinking about Syria's
future. Instead, he cast the matter entirely in terms of its
implications for Russia, which had propped up Mr. al-Assad
for nearly a decade but essentially left him to his own fate
in recent days while it remains tied down in Ukraine.
``Assad is gone,'' Mr. Trump wrote on his social media
site. ``He has fled his country. His protector, Russia,
Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in
protecting him any longer.''
He added that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia should
now pursue peace talks over Ukraine. ``There should be an
immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin,'' he
wrote. ``Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too
many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn
into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir
well. This is his time to act.''
Mr. Biden left no doubt about American satisfaction over
Mr. al-Assad's ouster. The Syrian president has been a
crushing ruler of his own people, held responsible for the
deaths of more than 500,000 people and the displacement of
millions more during a civil war he waged to hold on to
power. He has used chemical weapons on his own people and
been a source of major instability in the region. As far back
as 2011, President Barack Obama called on Mr. al-Assad to go
and later drew a ``red line'' against the use of chemical
weapons that he did not enforce.
``At long last, the Assad regime has fallen,'' Mr. Biden
said in his televised remarks from the Roosevelt Room. ``This
regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds
of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a
fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic
opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a
better future for their proud county. It's also a moment of
risk and uncertainty.''
Indeed, as U.S. policymakers have learned through painful
experience in other places in the past couple of decades,
places like Libya, Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan, the demise of
a loathsome dictator does not necessarily lead to a
friendlier, more democratic, more stable government in his
place.
The rebel groups have united under the leadership of Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham. Once seen as one of the rebellion's most
powerful extremist factions, the group later tried to play
down its radical aspects and focused on building something
like a civilian government--albeit an authoritarian and
extremist one--in the patch of territory that it has
controlled.
U.S. intelligence agencies and top officials in the Biden
administration are still in the process of evaluating the
group and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who is eager
for legitimacy and has mounted what one senior U.S. official
characterized as a ``charm offensive'' aimed at allaying
concerns about the organization's intentions and past
affiliations.
The way the official put it, ``A charm offensive might mean
that people are turning over a new leaf and they think
differently than they used to, so you should hear them out.
On the other hand, you should be cautious because charm
offensives can sometimes be misleading.''
U.S. officials said that the Biden administration was
allowed to talk to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader even
though they are on the terrorist list, but that it could not
provide them with material support.
While the Biden administration has so far stopped short of
directly talking to the group, it has been working closely
and directly with the U.S. military's main counterterrorism
partner in Syria, a Kurdish-led militia known as the Syrian
Democratic Forces.
According to U.S. officials, the administration encouraged
and provided intelligence support to the Kurds for its
operations to take control of Syrian territory in eastern
Syria, including the cities Deir al-Zour and Abu Kamal.
The officials said the operations were meant to ensure that
the Islamic State could not take advantage of the situation
and seize the areas as Syrian government forces withdrew.
According to a U.S. official, the message that the United
States sent to the Kurds was, ``If the regime vacates
territory, it's going to go to somebody, so you should fill
the vacuum yourself rather than let ISIS fill into that
vacuum.''
Mr. Biden said he was sending officials to the Middle East
and would personally speak with leaders from the region in
the coming days. He expressed commitment to helping Israel,
Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon as they cope with the possible
spillover effects of the turmoil in Syria.
While Mr. al-Assad is reported to have now fled to Moscow,
where he is being given asylum, Mr. Biden said the deposed
Syrian leader should not be allowed impunity after years of
crimes. ``Assad should be held accountable,'' he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Biden mentioned Austin Tice, the
American journalist who has been held in Syria for a dozen
years. Asked by reporters about Mr. Tice's fate after turning
from his microphone, Mr. Biden paused before walking out to
say: ``We believe he's alive. We think we can get him back.''
After years of trying to manage foreign crises that cost
his party in last month's election, won by Mr. Trump, Mr.
Biden sought to take a share of credit for Mr. al-Assad's
downfall.
He said the victory of the rebel forces over Mr. al-Assad's
government was made possible by the collapse of his support
from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, all of which the United
States had a hand in. He noted that U.S. military aid and
diplomatic support for Ukraine and Israel had bogged down
Russian forces in Europe, helped destroy Hezbollah in Lebanon
and thwarted two attacks by Iran on Israel. As a result, none
could help Mr. al-Assad survive.
``Over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of
them, because all three of them are far weaker today than
they were when I took office,'' Mr. Biden said.
``The upshot of this is for the first time ever, neither
Russia nor Iran nor Hezbollah could defend this horrible
regime in Syria,'' he added. ``This is a direct result of the
blows'' inflicted by Ukraine and Israel ``with the support of
the United States.''
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Weber so much for doing this on
Kay's behalf.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio
for her remarks.
Ambassadors Preparatory Academy
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and privilege today
to recognize Ambassadors Preparatory Academy in Galveston, Texas, which
I am proud to represent, for being selected as a National Blue Ribbon
School for 2024 by the U.S. Department of Education.
Mr. Speaker, the National Blue Ribbon School program seeks to honor
schools from around the country that have a vision of excellence and
hold their students and faculty to a high standard. I can't think of a
more worthy school than Ambassadors Preparatory Academy.
Since 2007, this school has pushed each and every student, giving
students from low socio-economic backgrounds a chance of high-quality
education and fostering holistic student development through the
collective efforts of dedicated staff, dedicated parents, and dedicated
community members.
I believe their mission, Mr. Speaker, and their dedication to it have
rightfully earned them this great honor. Their commitment to providing
high-quality education through, student-centered, data-driven
instruction in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment builds a
strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the superintendent, Dr. Rachelle Joseph;
the
[[Page H6595]]
wonderful teachers; the educators; and the staff at Ambassadors
Preparatory Academy, as well as the dedicated students and their
families on this great achievement.
{time} 1915
In Honor of David Andrew Christian
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to
honor a remarkable man, David Andrew Christian, who was called home to
be with our Lord on April 18 at the young, young age of 52.
=========================== NOTE ===========================
On December 10, 2024, page H6595, in the first column, the
following appeared: Mr. Speaker, I rise today with
The online version has been corrected to read Mr. WEBER of
Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a
========================= END NOTE =========================
Andy was a man of many talents, pursuing careers such as underwater
welding and transitioning to a pilot, where he was employed with the
Garrett Flying Service for over three decades.
His attainment of the Pilot of the Year Award from the Texas
Agricultural Aviation Association was a small recognition for how truly
amazing he was.
Andy was a guiding light in his community. He dedicated himself to
serving God through charitable work and actively participating in his
church as a eucharistic minister and a proud member of the Knights of
Columbus.
Andy exemplified the values that make this country great: faith, hard
work, and service to others. May we all follow in Andy's footsteps and
lead with loyalty, kindness, and service.
Mr. Speaker, it was an honor to represent Andy in Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).
Honoring Kay Granger
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for yielding, and
I appreciate his efforts to block this time for the Texas delegation to
honor one of our own, Kay Granger, whom we will miss going forward.
So many of my colleagues have already touched on her biography and on
her history as a teacher, businesswoman, mayor, Congresswoman, and,
probably most importantly, wife and mother.
She is someone who has served Texas so ably and well, rising up to
chair the Appropriations Committee and to do so with grace during a
fairly tumultuous time in our Nation's history--this is not political;
this is about honoring Kay--because of the nature of our disagreements
with the current administration and the current state of things.
She managed the appropriations process and committee with grace and
class. She has been a true joy to work with.
I don't always race to the floor to do these. I feel like you have to
know someone pretty well or have a certain level of understanding and
respect, but Kay was always very gracious and kind to me as a not-
always soft-spoken member of the Conference or the delegation, as my
friend from Texas knows. She was always one who would try to reach out
and offer some advice, but not try to tell me what to do or say, but to
come in and talk to me about what we need to do as Texans and how we
can work together to do it.
She always cared about Texas. She always cared about service, and I
was proud to serve with her. None of us in this body agree on
everything at any given moment, but to work with someone who had such a
fervor for public service from, as I said, the time of being a teacher,
mayor, Congresswoman, and rising up to run the Appropriations
Committee.
I will miss her. We were proud to have her in the Texas delegation as
the chair of Appropriations, but she will be able to be back in Texas,
which is a good thing.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his words.
Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas has 8 minutes
remaining.
Honoring the Life of Robert ``Bob'' Wieners
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to
honor the life of an exceptional public servant, a man who served our
great Nation with unwavering integrity and dedication, and a friend I
was proud to know, Chief Robert Wieners, who went home to be with the
Lord on August 24, 2024.
After graduating from Boston State College in 1978, Bob answered the
call to serve our Nation in the United States Marine Corps. Over the
course of more than 20 years, he rose through the ranks to become a
lieutenant colonel, retiring from Active Duty on September 1, 1998.
His time in the Marines was marked by superior leadership and
operational excellence, a testament to the character of a man we honor
today.
Friendswood was truly blessed beyond measure when Bob and his bride,
Susan, made it their home. For over two decades, Bob led our community
as chief of police, leaving an indelible mark on Friendswood through
his 24 years of dedicated service.
Mr. Speaker, I had the honor of getting to know Bob over the years,
and his tireless work to protect our community along with his deep love
of Friendswood will never be forgotten.
Brenda Gail and I are praying for the entire Wieners family, the
Friendswood Police Department, and everyone who had the privilege of
calling Bob their friend.
Mr. Speaker, may we all strive to uphold the values he so proudly
embodied.
Paying Tribute to Chester A. ``Pete'' Shelton
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to
pay tribute to a great American, Chester A. ``Pete'' Shelton, who was
called home to be with the Lord on July 25, 2024.
Pete was the kind of man who knew what it meant to serve. Following
in his family's footsteps, he became a Beaumont firefighter right after
high school and eventually served as the city's fire chief.
He didn't stop there. Pete answered the call of duty by joining the
United States Army in 1958, proudly serving his country and continuing
in the Reserves until 1966.
Beaumont was blessed to have Pete's dedication. He not only helped
develop the fire chief's code of ethics but also gave over 30 years of
service on the Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners. His impact was
deep, and his commitment to service was unwavering.
Mr. Speaker, Pete Shelton's legacy of kindness, compassion, and
selfless service will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. May we
all strive to live by the values he so faithfully upheld.
Honoring Yvonne Dewey
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to
honor a true patriot and dear friend, the incredible Yvonne Dewey. She
was called home to be with the Lord on September 2 at age 84.
Yvonne was the very definition of honor and loyalty. I knew her
personally. When she moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, back in 1971, she
didn't just plant roots. She left a legacy.
Her impact on our community and the Republican Party is immeasurable.
She didn't just participate. She led, serving on countless boards and
associations, always working to better the lives of our youth.
Mr. Speaker, when she stepped in to chair the Republican Party of
Brazoria County for 21 years, she did a great job. I watched her up
close and personal.
I had the privilege of meeting Yvonne when I was just a precinct
chair. She was someone I could look up to for wisdom and leadership.
Over the years, we developed a lasting friendship.
I saw firsthand her gift for leading the Republican Party and helping
elect the kind of patriots that represent the best of Brazoria County.
Yvonne didn't just talk the talk; she lived it. Her spirit and
passion for conservative principles were undeniable, and her selfless
dedication earned her the respect of so many in our community.
This woman of service led by example, and we can all learn from her
kindness, her dedication, and her selflessness. Her legacy will live on
in Brazoria County, and I am honored to have served her in Congress
and, most of all, to have called her my friend.
Mr. Speaker, let us pray that we continue to see fearless leaders
like Yvonne Dewey rise up for our Nation. Her love for this country and
southeast Texas is and was unmatched.
Brenda Gail and I extend our heartfelt thanks to her husband of 50
years, John Dewey, who was her rock, and we know how deeply she loved
him and the family.
Honoring Ray Holbrook
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible
man and true Texas patriot, Ray Holbrook, who was called home to be
with the Lord on May 1 of this year at the vibrant age of 97.
Ray was a pillar of strength, integrity, and service to Galveston
County
[[Page H6596]]
for many, many years. He served as the longest-standing county judge
from 1967 to 1995, dedicating nearly three decades of his life to
making his community a better place, and he was very successful.
Ray wasn't just a judge. He was a man of action, Mr. Speaker. A proud
Aggie, he is fondly remembered for his tireless work of improving
roads, upgrading parks, and fighting to improve the lives of county
employees by removing them from Social Security and putting them on a
better retirement system.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps his greatest legacy is helping create the
Galveston County Water Authority, which has grown over time into the
Gulf Coast Water Authority, ensuring that future generations will have
access to the water resources they so desperately need.
Ray's impact reaches far beyond his accomplishments in office. He was
a beloved father and friend, a man whose deep faith and unwavering
commitment to his neighbors left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
His life of service, devotion to his community, and deep love for the
Lord will continue to inspire us all.
May God bless Ray Holbrook's family, and may his legacy of
leadership, honor, and faith live on in Galveston County and beyond.
Celebrating Retirement of Texas State Representative Edward Lynn ``Ed''
Thompson
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my good friend
and esteemed successor from the great legislative district of Texas-29
on the occasion of his retirement as State representative.
Since taking office in 2013, he has been a staunch defender of Texas
constitutional rights. His leadership has been pivotal in securing
funding for Texas roads, supporting our public schools, and fighting to
protect our border. His unwavering commitment to our State has been
felt across Texas.
Ed has stood firm against Federal overreach, championed policies that
protect the unborn, and defended our religious liberties.
Ed's legacy of principled leadership and courage will be deeply
missed.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that I thank my
good friend for his leadership. Southeast Texas and the great State of
Texas are better because of him.
Brenda Gail and I wish him and his bride, Freddie, all the best in
his well-deserved retirement.
May God bless him and Freddie in their retirement, and may God
continue to bless Texas.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, everyone knows the saying ``nobody messes with
Texas.'' Well, the same could be said of Chairwoman Kay Granger. She's
as ``Texas Tough'' as it comes, an unwavering force evident in her
nearly three decades of faithful service to our Nation.
As someone who has sat at the leadership table alongside her and
worked hand-in-glove with her on the Appropriations Committee, I can
attest that she is one of the best legislators I have ever had the
honor and privilege of working with. Throughout her career, she has
fiercely fought for the people of Texas' 12th district. She is the
definition of a defense hawk--steadfast in her commitment to ensuring
our Nation remains the number one military power in the world. And she
is a conservative stalwart that masterfully negotiated Republican
priorities in a gridlocked government.
Her trailblazing career was characterized by historic firsts. She was
the first woman mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman to
serve in Congress in the Texas delegation, the first woman to serve on
and chair the Defense Subcommittee, and the first Republican woman to
chair the full Appropriations Committee.
More importantly than her impressive list of accomplishments and
superb leadership abilities, she has been a dear friend to me, who
showed me the ropes and whose invaluable wisdom I will dearly miss here
in Congress. Texas was lucky. America was luckier.
Chairwoman Granger leaves behind a towering legacy of grit and grace
that will continue to inspire this institution for decades to come and
it is a privilege to honor her on the House Floor.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Congressman
Weber, for putting this Special Order together. I know it is probably
odd seeing a Democrat up here, but let it be known:
Kay and I go way back. I've known her since the 1990's, when she made
history as the first woman Mayor of Fort Worth, while also being a
single mom. Even then, she had that Texas grit and determination that's
carried her through a lifetime of breaking barriers.
As the first woman to represent the 12th District of Texas, Kay
showed what it means to lead with heart and conviction. She's fought
for her community every step of the way, never backing down from a
challenge. They say, ''Don't mess with Texas,'' but really, don't mess
with a Texas woman on a mission. Texas--and this Congress--will miss
her.
____________________