[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H5906-H5907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
                    REMEMBERING RICHARD BARBER, JR.

  (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to a remarkable man, a 
pillar of the community, and a devoted family man. Richard Joseph 
Barber, Jr., Esq., affectionately known as Dick, passed away on 
December 11. Dick's journey was one marked by dedication, service, and 
an unwavering commitment to the betterment of those around him.
  A graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School, Dick went on to 
further his education at St. Michael's College in Vermont, followed by 
St. John's Law School, which launched his career in the law.
  Beyond the courtroom, Dick was a successful businessman, owning 
establishments such as the Coachman and Harbor Marine, which served as 
testaments to his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
  Dick's contributions went beyond law and business. He proudly served 
his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, exhibiting a profound 
sense of duty. His dedication to duty and service was further 
exemplified through his attainment of numerous degrees and 
certifications in the New York State firefighting and hazmat world, 
ensuring that his community remained a safer place for all for over 60 
years.
  Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Marilyn; his son, 
Richard III, and wife, Elaine, and their son, Richard IV; as well as 
his daughter, Deborah Rees, and her children, Nicole and Kimberly. Dick 
also leaves behind his siblings, Patricia Spacavento, Marylou Harvey, 
and Joan Syp. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Barber. He was 
the son of the late Richard Barber, Sr., and the late Frances Magnus 
Barber. His legacy will be felt not only by his family but by the 
countless lives he touched.
  At this hour, there is a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at the 
Church of the Resurrection in Rye, New York. Interment will follow at 
Greenwood Union in Rye.
  May Dick rest in peace.


                       Remembering Karen V. Hill

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life and times of 
Karen V. Hill, who passed away in November.
  Her accomplishments and achievements in her 72 years cannot be 
properly summarized in a minute or two. She lived a life of leadership 
and service for 30-plus years, serving the underserved in equity, 
housing, and much more. She was appointed by the Federal court to 
implement the desegregation of housing and was president and CEO of the 
Harriet Tubman Home to preserve that historical legacy. She was 
appointed by Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to the 
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission. She served as program director 
for the National Urban League, chief executive of the American 
Homeowner Education and Counseling Institute, and chair of the National 
Low-Income Housing Coalition.
  Through her sorority memberships, her faith in the African Methodist 
Episcopal Zion Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and the love of her 
large family and extended friendships, Karen Hill left her mark. Her 
visitation this past weekend at Greater Centennial AME Zion Church in 
Mount Vernon was a time for celebration of her life and acknowledgment 
that she now rests with the Lord.


                     Remembering Sydney, Australia

  Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, in the season where Christians celebrate 
the birth of Jesus, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, our Hispanic 
friends await the Three Kings Day celebration, our friends in the 
Jewish community commemorate Hanukkah and the historic celebration of 
light, the oil that lasted for eight nights, providing the menorah with 
light and warmth and survival.
  With the horror of Sydney fresh at hand, a father and son using their 
weapons to systematically kill Jews celebrating Hanukkah at a beach 
event, it is a bittersweet month. Once again, we mourn unnecessary 
death motivated by intense hatred, fueled by the availability of 
weapons of death.
  Over thousands of years of world history, Jews have been targeted in 
every land for death and for genocide, and this is just the latest such 
outrage.
  As a Christian myself, I must let love rule, not hatred. We must end 
the manifestation of that hatred and violence. We must embrace our 
Jewish brothers and sisters, alongside those of every religion, that 
peace and tolerance are the only way to go, and it is a two-way street. 
All must commit themselves to tolerance and coexistence, and Almighty 
God will sort out the rest.
  We mourn with the loss of the families in Sydney and all who suffer 
violence from anti-Semitism and hatred of any sort.

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