    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
    [House]
    [Pages H776-H777]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                         HONORING GEORGE WALTON WELLER

      The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
    Virginia (Mr. Cline) for 5 minutes.
      Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor an
    extraordinary American, a true hero in every sense, George Walton
    Weller.
      For 65 years, Mr. Weller has dedicated his life to the safety and
    well-being of his community through the Verona Volunteer Fire Company.
    Helping to found the fire company in 1959, he remains an active member
    to this day at age 91. His unwavering commitment to service and deep
    sense of duty are nothing short of inspiring.
      Long before he answered the call as a firefighter, Mr. Weller bravely
    served our Nation as a member of the United States Air Force. Serving
    for 4 years during the Vietnam war, he defended the freedoms we hold
    dear.
      Mr. Weller has strengthened his community in the generations of
    firefighters he has mentored and his example of dedication. Few can
    claim such a

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    legacy, and today, I recognize and thank George Walton Weller for his
    extraordinary contributions and selfless acts of service.
      Mr. Speaker, he embodies the very best of America, and we are forever
    indebted to him.

             Celebrating Shenandoah University's 150th Anniversary

      Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th anniversary
    of Shenandoah University, a proud institution in historic Winchester,
    Virginia, that has shaped minds and transformed lives for a century and
    a half.
      Founded on February 12, 1875, in Dayton, Virginia, Shenandoah took a
    bold step back in 1960, relocating 75 miles north to Winchester and
    paving the way for its continued growth and success.
      For 150 years, Shenandoah University has remained steadfast in its
    mission to provide innovative, high-quality, and student-focused
    education, always keeping the community at its heart.
      The university's legacy has been shaped by visionary leaders, from
    A.P. Funkhouser, its founder, to Dr. Forrest Racey, who led its
    relocation, and Dr. James Davis, under whose leadership it became a
    university. Today, that tradition of excellence continues under Dr.
    Tracy Fitzsimmons, Shenandoah's first female president, who has guided
    its remarkable growth.
      Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Shenandoah University
    on this historic milestone and wishing it continued success for
    generations to come.

                          Recognizing Concern Hotline

      Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Concern Hotline, a
    vital organization that has provided compassionate, lifesaving support
    to the residents of the northern Shenandoah Valley for the past 57
    years.
      Founded in 1970 in response to a tragic rise in suicides, Concern
    Hotline has been a constant source of hope, offering 24/7 crisis
    intervention and emotional support. This organization is led by
    Executive Director Rusty Holland, who has dedicated himself to ensuring
    that anyone in crisis has a trained, nonjudgmental listener ready to
    take the call.
      The organization thrives because of its dedicated volunteers and
    community partnerships with first responders, mental health providers,
    and local universities. Their work has saved countless lives, and their
    mission is simple but powerful: to keep people safe for now.
      I commend Concern Hotline for its unwavering commitment to suicide
    prevention and crisis intervention. The northern Shenandoah Valley is
    stronger because of their work, and I wish them continued success in
    their mission.

                           Defending Consumer Choice

      Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand against yet another
    blatant government overreach--this time an attack by the Biden
    administration on the ability of hardworking Americans to choose the
    appliances that best fit their needs.
      In his final days, President Biden's Department of Energy finalized a
    rule that effectively bans certain natural gas water heaters from the
    market. This unnecessary regulation is yet another example of the left
    pushing a radical Green New Deal agenda at the expense of American
    families.
      This rule would drive up costs, limit consumer choice, and hurt
    American families and small businesses. It is the same heavyhanded
    approach we saw time and again from the previous administration,
    forcing Americans to buy expensive, inefficient alternatives instead of
    letting them decide what works best for their homes and businesses.
      The DOE has no business dictating what kind of water heater Americans
    can use, and that is why I strongly support H.J. Res. 20, introduced by
    my colleague Congressman Gary Palmer. This resolution sends a clear
    message: Washington bureaucrats do not get to make these choices for
    the American people.
      House Republicans will continue fighting to protect consumer freedom
    and keep government overreach out of our homes. I urge my colleagues to
    stand with the American people and pass this important resolution.

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