[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 197 (Friday, November 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4890-H4891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
            HONORING POTTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER PAUL HEIMEL

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank my 
constituent, Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel, for recently 
testifying before the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on 
Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  His testimony highlighted how the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
programs and services are vital to rural America and how USDA Rural 
Development is uniquely positioned to serve our rural communities.

[[Page H4891]]

  As a county commissioner for 18 years, Paul has prioritized criminal 
justice reform, arts and culture, community development, rural 
advocacy, veterans services, and environmental stewardship.
  Just this year he received the Public Leadership in the Arts Award at 
the 2025 National Association of Counties' Annual Conference, 
recognizing his community-driven approach to addressing rural 
population decline through strategic arts and culture investment.
  The national award, presented by NACo and Americans for the Arts, 
celebrates county-elected officials who utilize the creative economy 
for community development.
  Before serving as county commissioner, he worked as a newspaper 
reporter, an editor, corporate public relations manager, and as a 
freelance writer and historian.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Commissioner Heimel for his dedication to Potter 
County and rural America.

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