[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4688-H4689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING PAMELA IRVINE
(Mr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5
minutes.)
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary
Virginian whose life has been defined by service to others. After 45
years of leadership, Pam Irvine is retiring as president and CEO of
Feeding Southwest Virginia.
When Ms. Irvine founded the organization in 1981, it began with
little more than a vision--and even the food bank's first truck caught
fire on the road. Undeterred, she persevered, building
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one of the Commonwealth's leading hunger relief organizations.
Under her leadership, Feeding Southwest Virginia has grown from
distributing 1 million pounds of food annually to more than 20 million
pounds, serving 26 counties and 9 cities, and helping more than 127,000
neighbors each month.
Guided by compassion, faith, and an unwavering belief that no one
should go hungry, Pam Irvine has transformed the fight against hunger
throughout southwest Virginia.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Virginia's Sixth Congressional District, I
thank Pamela Irvine for her extraordinary service, congratulate her on
an exceptional career, and wish her every happiness in her well-
deserved retirement.
Recognizing Luray Fire Department
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Luray Fire
Department of Luray, Virginia, as it marks an extraordinary milestone:
125 years of dedicated service to the people of Luray and Page County.
Founded in 1901 and chartered in 1933, the Luray Fire Department has
stood as a proud, all-volunteer, and nonprofit organization with the
goal of protecting the lives and property of so many for over a
century. From its early days when the department attended its first
State Firefighters Convention in Staunton and a year later sent its
first reel team to a State contest in Portsmouth, the department has
remained the cornerstone of community safety and pride.
With a membership of nearly 100 volunteers, the LFD has celebrated
many milestones and accomplishments since then, and it continues to
strengthen community ties through annual traditions such as the concert
and ceremony held on September 11 as well as its raffle and fundraiser
held on September 12.
Today, we honor the men and women, past and present, whose selfless
service reflects the very best of our Commonwealth. Join me in
celebrating the strong and brave Luray Fire Department on 125 years of
steadfast commitment to not only their community but to the Nation.
providing certainty for america
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of the
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027 out of the
Budget Committee last week.
Congress' primary responsibility is to defend the American people and
preserve the strength of our Nation, and this resolution reflects that
duty. It invests in our warfighters; supports our ranchers, farmers,
and producers; and secures the integrity of our voting systems with the
SAVE America Act.
For rural districts like Virginia's Sixth, this resolution delivers
real support and stability for our farmers. It empowers our national
defense, stands behind our warfighters, secures our food supply, and
ensures American elections are decided only by American citizens.
This budget reflects a commitment to responsible governance while
restoring the faith and confidence of voters in our election system.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution reflects a vision of a stronger, safer,
and more prosperous America. It demonstrates our commitment to
defending our Nation, supporting the American people, and governing
with responsibility. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution
this week and join us in advancing policies that strengthen our country
for generations to come.
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