[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1465-H1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRATULATING CHIEF KEITH JOHNSON ON HIS RETIREMENT

  (Mr. Subramanyam of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 
5 minutes.)
  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, as Chief Keith Johnson prepares to 
retire this month, I rise to honor his distinguished career in service 
to Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System.
  Beloved in our Loudoun County community, Chief Johnson is a fourth-
generation firefighter who began his fire service in 1982. His career 
led him to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department where he 
ascended to the rank of deputy chief in 2009.
  After 30 years in Fairfax County, Chief Johnson was appointed as 
chief of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System in 2018. 
During his tenure, he led a department of nearly 500 career personnel 
and more than 1,500 volunteer personnel, oversaw the implementation of 
a collective bargaining ordinance, created a 24-hour operation shift 
commander program, and formed a behavioral health section. To cap off 
his career, Chief Johnson was named Career Fire Chief of the Year in 
2024.
  Congratulations to Chief Johnson on his exceptional career. We thank 
Chief Johnson for all his service to our community, and we wish him a 
happy retirement.


   Celebrating Independence High School Varsity Winter Guard's 2025 
                     Scholastic State Championship

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
Independence High School Varsity Winter Guard's 2025 scholastic State 
championship.
  This year, their hard work and perseverance paid off. Not only did 
they place first in their class but they also received the highest 
overall score out of 60 Virginia high schools that competed.
  They made history as the first Loudoun County public high school to 
ever win a Scholastic A1. I also heard the team's stuffed animal 
mascot, Thleebuss, deserves a little bit of credit.
  We congratulate Coach Harrington, Coach Young, the Winter Guard, and 
the Independence High School community on their championship.


         Honoring Richard Martin on his 700th Platelet Donation

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Martin of 
Sterling, Virginia, who reached a remarkable milestone last month, his 
700th platelet donation. This isn't just a number. It represents lives 
saved and hope restored.
  Richard's journey began in 1982, inspired by his father who donated 
an incredible 17 gallons of whole blood. For over four decades, Richard 
has visited his local blood donation clinic every 2 weeks. He is a 
familiar face to the staff, always bringing his cheerful demeanor and 
unwavering commitment to the cause.
  Today, we celebrate Richard's altruistic spirit and dedication as a 
platelet donor. He is a shining example of what it means to serve one's 
neighbors and community.


             Honoring the Life of Chandrashekar Namagondlu

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
memory of Chandrashekar Namagondlu. A devoted husband, father, son, and 
brother, Chandra was the embodiment of joy and a well-lived life. He 
was a pillar of every community and organization that he was a part of.
  He began his career as a network engineer before transitioning into 
cybersecurity. Over the past 20 years at Visa, he rose to become 
director of cybersecurity, where he not only was a respected leader but 
a beloved manager and colleague known for his generosity, mentorship, 
and unwavering support.
  Most of all, his love for his family was insurmountable and deeply 
felt by all of those he cared for, especially his wife Sreelatha and 
his daughter, Priya. His memory will live on with those that were 
touched by his presence.


                    Protecting Economic Independence

  Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today less than 1 week after the 
administration proclaimed April 2 as Liberation Day, a day filled with 
tariffs that sparked a trade war.
  What sort of liberation have we seen since then? In my district 
alone,

[[Page H1466]]

wineries in Warrenton, Virginia, a rural town just down the road, may 
have to close. A small perfume business, which can only import 
materials from the U.K., is bracing for skyrocketing costs.
  Breweries in my district are being hit. The owner of one small 
Virginia brewery said that because of tariffs on his aluminum, steel, 
and other ingredients, they have to raise the price of a six-pack to 
$19.
  The President proclaimed Liberation Day as a declaration of economic 
independence, but this is doing nothing to protect the right to life, 
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The only thing these tariffs 
will liberate are rent money and mortgage payments from bank accounts, 
kids' college savings from investment accounts, and retirement savings 
from 401k's.
  It is not too late to change course and declare Liberation Day as a 
poorly constructed April Fools' joke.

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