[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF RODNEY EAGLE

  (Mr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Rodney Eagle, 
a true pillar of the Harrisonburg community. Rodney passed away just 
shy of his 90th birthday, leaving a lasting impression on the city he 
loved.
  Rodney served our country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps, 
achieving the rank of corporal. Shortly after his discharge, he married 
Sylvia Liskey. Together, they shared 67 years of devoted marriage.
  While Rodney served Harrisonburg in many official capacities, 
including three terms as mayor, he may be remembered most for the 
countless unofficial ways he stepped up to serve others. He supported 
numerous civic organizations and nonprofits, often quietly lending a 
hand wherever it was needed--from loaning Eagle Carpet tents for 
community events to personally driving and then donating the company 
truck to help Open Doors move from one host church to the next.
  Rodney freely offered his wisdom and advice to everyone, from young, 
aspiring realtors and fellow city councilmembers to the person sitting 
on the barstool beside him.
  Mr. Speaker, let us toast a man who lived a genuinely colorful life, 
whether riding his turquoise Harley-Davidson downtown, wearing purple 
to cheer on the JMU Dukes, or adding a few extra maraschino cherries to 
his glass. Here is to Rodney Eagle, a man who cared for Harrisonburg 
deeply and spent his life making it a better place for all.


           honoring frank shakespeare's lifetime achievements

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary 
individual, Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist, United 
States Navy veteran, and retired public school teacher living in 
Virginia's Sixth Congressional District.
  For almost 70 years, he was united in marriage to the love of his 
life, Shirley. This May, he celebrated his 96th birthday and is the 
oldest living U.S. Olympic champion. As a member of the U.S. Naval 
Academy's rowing team, he and his teammates represented the United 
States at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. They defeated the Soviet Union to 
win gold and were later dubbed by Life Magazine as ``The Great Eight.''
  After 11 years of faithful service in the Navy, he went on to enjoy a 
long career teaching math to students in Baltimore, Maryland.
  To this day, he continues to share his life's lessons with young 
people. If you meet Frank, he will hand you his business card that 
reads: ``Be a Winner.''
  Through failures, challenges, and learning to embrace the talents and 
opportunities that God grants, Frank wants everyone to know that when 
you live by this motto, Be a Winner, all things are possible.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a 
proud American yet humble Christian whose incredible achievements and 
message are something we can all learn from.


                 recognizing spencer suter's retirement

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable public 
servant from Virginia's Sixth Congressional District, Mr. Spencer 
Suter. A native of Rockingham County, Spencer dedicated 30 years to 
local government, including 14 as administrator of my home, Rockbridge 
County, a community he and his family also proudly call home.
  Under Spencer's leadership, Rockbridge County experienced significant 
progress. The county expanded broadband into rural communities and 
worked with neighboring localities to open a joint Department of Social 
Services building. His tenure also saw the creation of the county's 
first strategic economic development plan and millions of dollars in 
investment and expansion at Modine Manufacturing. Spencer also helped 
oversee the transition of Natural Bridge into a Virginia State Park, 
preserving one of Rockbridge County's most treasured landmarks.
  These accomplishments reflect Spencer's calm, practical, and people-
centered approach to public service. He treated county employees like 
family, placed the needs of the community first, and demonstrated that 
no task was beneath him, whether managing a crisis, shoveling snow, or 
picking up trash along the road.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Spencer Suter for his 
distinguished service and lasting impact on Rockbridge County. We wish 
Spencer and his wife, Tina, all the best in his well-deserved 
retirement.


              recognizing walnut springs christian church

  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Walnut Springs 
Christian Church in Strasburg as it celebrates 200 years of faith, 
fellowship, and service.
  The congregation traces its founding to August 26, 1826, when members 
made the Stickley Meeting House their permanent place of worship. In 
1848, David Stickley donated the land where the church stands today.
  Over two centuries, Walnut Springs has endured hardships, such as the 
Civil War and a devastating fire in 1945. Yet, through every challenge, 
its members persevered. Remarkably, when the church burned just 2 days 
before Christmas in 1945, members rushed inside and saved the communion 
table, piano, and pews--pews that remain in use today.
  That spirit of faithfulness continues under Pastor Wendell Shurtz, 
who has served Walnut Springs for an extraordinary 41 years.
  Mr. Speaker, Pastor Shurtz continues a tradition of faith and welcome 
that has defined generations of this church family. I congratulate the 
Walnut Springs congregation. May their simple but powerful message 
continue to guide them. Be faithful.

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