[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4685-H4686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE WONDERFUL McCOURT FAMILY

  (Ms. Foxx of North Carolina was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize John McCourt and his 
wonderful wife, Eileen, who are the epitome of the American Dream.
  John began his career in 1970 in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the 
screening equipment business on the factory assembly line for 
Powerscreen International Limited. After building his reputation and 
business acumen across Europe, he and his wife, Eileen, relocated their 
family to the United States, and he soon established his own 
distributorship in Texas.
  Fast-forward to today, and the McCourt family runs a highly 
successful equipment business with a reputation and a track record that 
is steeped

[[Page H4686]]

in high quality and unparalleled commitment. Their business is family 
owned and family operated with over 500 years of experience in the 
industry and over 150 employees.
  I was fortunate to meet members of the McCourt family recently in 
Washington through Associated Equipment Distributors. They are a 
wonderful group of dedicated people.
  The wonderful story of their parents, John and Eileen, as well as the 
story and success of their entire family, is something to marvel at, 
Mr. Speaker.
  We should all take the time to recognize the impeccable, business-
driven and value-driven people in our communities and across the Nation 
like the McCourt family for all they do in supporting our great 
American economy.


                           a modern broadside

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight a very insightful and 
pertinent report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, 
ACTA, titled: ``A Broadside for the Nation, Preparing College Students 
for Informed Citizenship.''
  ACTA is a wonderful, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting 
academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability through the 
trustees at America's colleges and universities as well as informing 
and engaging the general public.
  The broadside is reminiscent of the many broadsides published during 
the revolutionary period that were so important in informing the people 
along with getting their support for the revolution.
  Being an informed citizen isn't passe. It is one of our most sacred 
responsibilities as Americans and one we cannot afford to abandon or 
ignore.
  As the report's authors lay out: ``True patriotism includes a 
commitment to and appreciation of American values and principles. Since 
the founding of our Nation, our greatest leaders have recognized that 
our freedom and our prosperity depend on informed and engaged 
citizens.''
  We just celebrated 250 years of American greatness, Mr. Speaker, and 
we ought to do all that we can to learn of and espouse the values and 
principles that make America the greatest country in the world.
  Michael Poliakoff, the president of ACTA, captured this sentiment 
perfectly in this report: ``The birth of America 250 years ago amazed 
the world, and our founding documents have inspired the search for 
freedom and human rights throughout the world. The colleges and 
universities built and maintained by the vision and generosity of 
generations of Americans owe it to the Nation to ensure that every 
student they graduate understands the precious heritage we share.''
  Let us not forget the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson who once opined on 
this very issue: ``If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a 
state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.''
  I commend ACTA and the many authors who contributed to this report 
for calling attention to this issue. It is one that we all would do 
well to wholeheartedly support.

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