[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING KIRK FERNITZ

  (Ms. HOULAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary service of Kirk Fernitz, a dedicated public servant who 
is retiring after decades of service to our Nation, to our veterans, 
and to our community at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in 
Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District.
  Born and raised in Germany, Kirk came to the United States as a 
student and earned his degree from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania 
before becoming an American citizen and commissioned as an Army 
officer.
  Over the course of 30 years in uniform, he served in the Active and 
Reserve Components of the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq twice and 
supporting peacekeeping missions in Africa under Joint Special 
Operations Command.
  Following his military service, Kirk devoted more than three decades 
to the Coatesville VA, culminating in his role as the director of 
community and congressional affairs, where he worked tirelessly to 
strengthen the connection between veterans, the VA, and our community.
  Kirk's career reflects a lifetime of commitment to service, to our 
veterans, and to our community, and they are better for it.
  On behalf of Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District, I thank him 
for his dedication and wish him and his wife, Kristin, and their sons, 
Erik and Haydn, all of the very best in retirement.

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