[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3461-H3462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING GENE COPENHAVER

  (Mr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Gene Copenhaver of 
southwest Virginia on his selection as president of the National 
Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Nation's oldest and largest cattle 
producer organization.
  A fifth-generation cattleman whose family roots in Virginia date back 
to the 1850s, Gene has devoted his life to agriculture, service, and 
leadership. He is the first Virginian in the association's 128-year 
history to serve as its president, assuming this role on February 5.
  As President of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Gene 
Copenhaver represents producers nationwide, including cattlemen and 
women here in Virginia's Sixth Congressional District.
  For over four decades, Gene balanced managing his family's cattle 
operation with a 38-year career as an agricultural loan officer, 
serving cattle producers across five East Coast States. He has held 
numerous leadership roles within NCBA and is past president of the 
Virginia Cattlemen's Association.
  Despite a demanding travel schedule, he remains committed to 
grassroots engagement and local cattlemen's organizations, believing 
that strong agriculture begins at the community level.
  I congratulate Gene, his wife, Jodi, and their family, and I thank 
him for his leadership in strengthening American agriculture and our 
Nation's food security.


                     Honoring National Police Week

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Police Week to pay 
tribute to the heroes who protect and serve our communities every day. 
Our Nation and our streets are safer because police officers put 
themselves in harm's way in the service of others. Their courage, 
professionalism, and unwavering commitment to duty are the foundation 
of safe neighborhoods, strong communities, and the rule of law.
  This week, we recognize the men and women who have made the ultimate

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sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty. We honor their 
memory, and we stand with the families they left behind whose own 
sacrifices are immeasurable. Their loved ones answered the call to 
serve, and we owe them a debt that can never fully be paid.
  We also recognize the law enforcement officers who continue to serve 
with courage and dedication, knowing each day that their calling is the 
safety and protection of others. In the Sixth District and across the 
Commonwealth, our officers exemplify that spirit of service.
  This is a time of reflection, unity, and gratitude as we honor the 
resilience, commitment, and steadfast dedication of those who wear the 
badge.


                  Recognizing Pam Simmons' Retirement

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Pam Simmons for 
her well-deserved retirement as director of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg 
Alcohol Safety Action Program, or ASAP, where she served for 38 years.
  ASAP works to reduce alcohol-related accidents and fatalities through 
education and prevention. During her tenure, she strengthened 
partnerships with law enforcement, providing training and donating 
equipment, such as Alco-Sensors, funded entirely through ASAP fees, not 
through taxpayer dollars.
  She also worked with local colleges, serving on the board of JMU's 
community coalition and established ASAP as a field placement site for 
psychology and health science students, helping prepare the next 
generation of professionals.
  Pam is also proud to have served as president of the Virginia ASAP 
Directors' Association.
  Beyond her official duties, she volunteered on the board and is 
president of Harrisonburg's First Night, a well-loved, family-centered, 
and alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, Pam Simmons is an unsung hero whose career was devoted 
to making our communities safer, and her services undoubtedly saved 
lives and strengthened the Shenandoah Valley. I thank her and wish her 
the very best in her next chapter of life.


                Recognizing Mount Jackson's Bicentennial

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the continued celebration 
of the town of Mount Jackson's bicentennial, as this historic 
Shenandoah Valley community marks 200 years since its incorporation in 
1826. This milestone is not just about celebrating the passage of time, 
but the incredible story of a town that transformed and refuses to 
stand still.
  Mount Jackson is a master class in how to honor the past while 
building for the future. The historic 1939 Triplett School has been 
beautifully reimagined as the Shenandoah County Community Center, now a 
vibrant 30,000-square-foot hub for residents.
  The Nelson Theater, a beacon of Main Street culture, is poised for 
its own massive renovation that will once again make it a centerpiece 
of community life.
  Mayor Donnie Pifer highlights that the town's forward momentum is 
powered by its people and businesses: Holtzman Oil and Propane, Route 
11 Potato Chips, and Bowman Andros Products, each contributing to the 
local economy and carrying Mount Jackson's name across the globe.
  As town manager Olivia Hilton put it, they are the authors of the 
next 200 years, and it is time to make them historic. Let us all 
recognize the town of Mount Jackson as a shining example of Virginia's 
spirit--a town that honors its heritage and investments in its future.

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