[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 120 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING HEATHER MILLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHUCK EDWARDS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2025

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Heather 
Millett, who has served with distinction as Legislative Director in 
both my state senate and congressional offices. Heather embodies the 
very best of public service. You will see from her educational 
background that for years she has been preparing for a career dedicated 
to serving the citizens of our great Nation. By earning her Bachelor's 
Degree in Political Science at Campbell University, her Master of 
Public Administration and Policy at American University, and continuing 
her education in law studies at Syracuse University College of Law, it 
becomes evident that Heather's long-term goal has been a passion to 
help improve the lives of others.
  Heather's intelligence, integrity, and tireless work ethic have 
guided our legislative efforts with purpose and precision. Whether 
navigating the complexities of committee work, building coalitions 
across the aisle, or championing the priorities of our constituents, 
Heather has brought both strategic insight and deep compassion to every 
task.
  Perhaps Heather's most important contribution to the people of North 
Carolina's Eleventh Congressional District was after September 27, 
2024, when Hurricane Helene made landfall in the peaceful and serene 
mountains of Western North Carolina. Without ever being asked, Heather 
took the initiative and went into overdrive, working tirelessly for 
several consecutive weeks, night and day, with no days off, to bring 
hope, resources, and lifesaving assistance to tens of thousands of 
victims affected by this once-in-a-millennium weather event. Each day 
for several weeks, Heather authored and distributed vital emails to a 
devastated population to help them find food, water, shelter, locate 
missing loved ones, and understand which roads were open for escape, 
along with countless other pieces of helpful information for those 
seeking rescue. During this time, when I encouraged Heather to take a 
few days away with her family for some planned time months earlier, her 
response was, ``District Eleven needs me now,'' and she continued for 
many weeks to absorb more and more of the recovery workload. She 
persisted for weeks, coordinating the efforts of FEMA, 
telecommunications companies, utility companies, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Federal 
Highway Administration, local governments, our district team, 
individual constituents, and an endless list of others. Heather worked 
quietly behind the scenes out of the public's eye, but was chiefly 
responsible for the praise and accolades that my office received for 
our response to this natural disaster.
  Mr. Speaker, Heather Millett should always be recognized as a 
Hurricane Helene Hero, and I am honored to share these words to honor 
her unforgettable, lasting contribution and to express my deepest 
appreciation for her service to the people of Western North Carolina. 
As Legislative Director, Heather played a key role in shaping my 
office's policy agenda and making sure that the voices of the people we 
serve were heard in Congress. Her expertise has made a meaningful and 
lasting impact on many Americans, especially in areas she cares most 
about, such as infrastructure projects, veterans' benefits and 
healthcare, voter integrity, economic development, and reducing 
regulations. Heather provided the genius behind many essential pieces 
of legislation, like the Equal Representation Act, the Promoting 
Resilient Buildings Act, the Justice for America's Veterans and 
Survivors Act, and many others. In just two and a half years working 
beside me, a new member of Congress, Heather has authored five pieces 
of legislation that have now become law--five phenomenal 
accomplishments, and I expect many other pieces of her work will soon 
become law. Another remarkable achievement of Heather's that leaves a 
lasting mark on history is her skillful and masterful navigation of the 
Congressional appropriations and grants processes to secure tens of 
millions of dollars for essential infrastructure and needs for NC-11. 
While the numerous buildings, dams, equipment, and other projects that 
will improve and save the lives of the people I represent may never 
bear her name, many of us will see them throughout our lives and know 
Heather played a key role in securing them.
  On behalf of all of us, I thank Heather for her leadership, her 
loyalty, the example she has set, her steadfast service, and dedication 
to my district, as well as her lasting impact on the Congress of the 
United States. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and 
hope she takes with her pride in a job extraordinarily well done.

                          ____________________