[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 8, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1467-H1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' SWIM TEAM

  (Mr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
achievement of the 2025 Glenvar High School boys' swim team, the VHSL 
Class 1 and 2 combined State champions. The Glenvar Highlanders 
traveled to Richmond on February 27 and captured their second 
consecutive State title, an incredible accomplishment that reflects 
their hard work, talent, and dedication.
  With a squad of just 11 boys, Glenvar scored an impressive 280 
points, outpacing second-place Radford High by 75 points. Of the 11 
swimming events contested, the Highlanders won 5 and were runners-up in 
2 others.
  Congratulations to team members: seniors Avery McClanahan, Alec 
McIlwain, Kees VanGerven, Connor Wilkes, and Zach Adams; juniors Landon 
Cairns, Darren Delby, Grayson Shearer, and Avery Thompson; sophomore 
Cooper Ermel; and freshman Aspen Thompson.
  Special recognition goes to individual champions Connor Wilkes, 
Landon Cairns, and Aspen Thompson, as well as the championship relay 
teams. Connor Wilkes closes his Glenvar career as one of the most 
decorated swimmers in school history and will continue his athletic and 
academic journey at Carson-Newman University.
  The Glenvar Highlanders have made their school and community proud. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these outstanding young 
athletes.


       Honoring the Life of Justice Lawrence Larkins Koontz, Jr.

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and legacy of Justice Lawrence Larkins Koontz, Jr., of Salem, Virginia, 
who passed away at the age of 85.
  Justice Koontz was one of the most consequential judges in the 
Commonwealth's history. Over a judicial career spanning 42 years, he 
served at every level of Virginia's court system, culminating in his 
roles as the founding chief judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals and 
as a justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
  A Roanoke native and graduate of Virginia Tech and the University of 
Richmond School of Law--go Spiders--Justice Koontz was known for his 
clarity of writing, profound sense of fairness, and deep commitment to 
justice. Justice Koontz mentored generations of legal professionals and 
leaves a legacy of wisdom, service, and an unwavering dedication to the 
rule of law.
  We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his 
children, grandchildren, and all who were touched by his wisdom and 
kindness. May his memory be a blessing, and may we all strive to live 
with the same dedication to service that Justice Koontz so fully 
embodied.


           Restoring Accountability in the Federal Workforce

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I joined Senator Mike Lee of Utah 
in introducing the No Union Time on the

[[Page H1468]]

Taxpayer's Dime Act, a critical step toward restoring accountability in 
the Federal workforce. This bill will end the abuse of official time 
which allows Federal employees to engage in union activities while 
being paid by the taxpayers.
  For years, Federal employees have spent millions of taxpayer dollars 
on union-related work instead of performing their official 
responsibilities. Federal employees spent 3.6 million hours performing 
union-related activities in 2016 alone, costing taxpayers $177.2 
million.
  Even after reforms under the Trump administration brought that number 
down to 2.6 million hours and $135 million in 2019, the lack of unified 
reporting means the full scope of the problem remains unknown today. 
This is money that should have gone to serve the American people, not 
to subsidize private union interests.
  Ending ``official time'' is a commonsense step to ensure taxpayer 
dollars are used responsibly and to increase accountability across the 
Federal workforce. Public funds should serve the American people, not 
private union interests.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important 
bill.

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