[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 194 (Tuesday, November 18, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4712-H4713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FOCUSING ON RESULTS

  (Mr. Baumgartner of Washington was recognized to address the House 
for 5 minutes.)
  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, we are nearing 1 week since the end of 
the needless, 43-day-long Democrat government shutdown. That shutdown 
was a monumental waste of time that hurt a lot of people across the 
country.
  I am grateful that the families in eastern Washington can now breathe 
easier knowing their paychecks, benefits, and livelihoods are no longer 
being used as political bargaining chips.

                              {time}  1030

  The House passed three appropriations bills providing full-year 
funding for agriculture, the FDA, military construction, and the 
legislative branch.
  I am especially proud that three priorities I fought for were 
included in the agriculture appropriations bill: $1 million for 
Washington State University's ARS building project, $2 million for NEW 
Health's Chewelah expansion and regional workforce center, and $1 
million for TriState Health's Family Medicine Residency program.
  These are meaningful wins for eastern Washington families and our 
rural economy.
  Our budget also delivered more than $13 million for Fairchild Air 
Force Base, strengthening mission support and fueling operations to 
keep our Nation secure. Had the vote gone differently and the Democrats 
succeeded in pandering to their radical base, we might still be in a 
government shutdown and these critical victories for eastern Washington 
and the Nation might never have happened.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad we are getting back to what matters: 
delivering results for the people we serve.


                  Honoring Vietnam Veteran John Gilman

  Mr. BAUMGARTNER. Mr. Speaker, few moments as a Member of Congress are 
more meaningful than helping a hero receive long-overdue recognition. 
Recently, my office had the privilege of assisting Vietnam veteran John 
Gilman in securing the Silver Star Medal he earned more than 50 years 
ago, an honor long delayed but deeply deserved.
  On Veterans Day, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Gilman at the 
Heroes Awards night in Spokane. The event,

[[Page H4713]]

hosted by Heroes Homestead, was a remarkable celebration of service, 
honoring not only those who wore the uniform but those who continue to 
serve our communities today.
  Surrounded by his family, friends, and fellow veterans, Mr. Gilman 
finally received the medal that reflected his courage and selflessness 
in Vietnam.
  Mr. Gilman of Airway Heights served valiantly in the American 
Division during the 1969 Tet Offensive. Amid intense combat near Phuoc 
Hoa, South Vietnam, his company was ordered to relieve a friendly unit 
under fire. Though wounded in action, Mr. Gilman refused to fall back. 
He steadfastly manned his M60 machine gun and continued providing 
suppressive fire, even while receiving medical treatment. Thanks to his 
courage under fire, his unit closed with and ultimately destroyed the 
insurgent force. For these extraordinary acts, the Army approved Mr. 
Gilman for his Silver Star. Yet despite that honor, he was never 
officially presented the award.
  Earlier this year, Mr. Gilman contacted my office. Through the 
persistent efforts of my staff working hand in hand with Army Personnel 
Command, we confirmed that his Silver Star had been authorized decades 
ago but never delivered.
  Last Tuesday night, more than 50 years after his acts of valor, 
Brigadier General Paul Sellars, Commanding General of the Washington 
Army National Guard, had the honor of presenting the Silver Star to Mr. 
Gilman.
  The Silver Star is the Army's third-highest award for gallantry in 
combat, given only to those who display extraordinary heroism under 
fire.
  Mr. Gilman's story is a powerful reminder of the courage that defines 
our veterans and our Nation's sacred duty to ensure their service is 
never forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate John Gilman and thank him for his 
bravery, his sacrifice, and his continued example to us all. As we 
approach America's 250th birthday, let us honor veterans like John 
Gilman not only with medals but through our daily commitment to live up 
to the freedom they fought to defend.

                          ____________________