[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13626-13627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CHAPLAIN JENNIFER NIELSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life and work of Chaplain Jennifer Nielson of the 108th Sustainment 
Brigade. I believe it is important that we recognize and value the work 
performed by our country's military chaplains.
  Following an initial deployment as an enlisted soldier, Jennifer 
Nielson became a chaplain while waiting to fulfill a second deployment 
in Kuwait. As a resident of the capital city of Springfield, Illinois--
which I am proud to represent--Jennifer has served as a Wounded Warrior 
chaplain, providing support for our Nation's veterans, and has 
organized yellow ribbon events welcoming home our returning veterans.
  Currently, Chaplain Nielson is working with the National Guard's 
Family Program Division, providing support and counsel in Illinois. 
Because of her unyielding support and compassion, I am proud to 
recognize her service today.
  As we take time this week to recognize the chaplains who have bravely 
provided spiritual guidance to their fellow servicemen and -women 
throughout history, it is important that we also acknowledge those who 
carry on their traditions and thank them for their service.
  Chaplain Nielson has faithfully served her country for the Illinois 
Army National Guard, and I am proud to honor her and the rest of the 
dedicated chaplains supporting our troops across the globe.


                    Honoring Teacher Cynthia Dipert

  Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss today if 
I weren't able to honor a former teacher of mine who made an impact in 
my life that she may never have known.
  When I was 7 years old, my family moved from Des Moines, Iowa, to 
Taylorville, Illinois, and almost a week later, I was sitting in a 
brand-new classroom as a second-grader at South Elementary School in my 
hometown of Taylorville, Illinois.
  A young graduate student teacher who was doing some work in that 
classroom came up to a very shy boy who was determined not to talk to 
anybody in class that day. That was me. When she knelt down beside my 
desk, all the heads of my classmates around me turned and welcomed me 
as one of the new kids in that second grade class.

                              {time}  1130

  That confidence that Mrs. Cynthia Dipert gave me that day was 
confidence that built up throughout my elementary school career, junior 
high, and high school. Frankly, maybe that instance--maybe that gesture 
of compassion that Cynthia gave me that

[[Page 13627]]

day--helped lead me here to this great institution we call the House of 
Representatives.
  Now, Mrs. Dipert went on to teach my daughter. I always enjoyed going 
to parent-teacher conferences when my daughter was in Cynthia's class. 
Then we saddled her with my twin boys in the exact same class, and I 
thought I would enjoy going to parent-teacher conferences then, too. 
However, I walked in one day, along with my wife, and we asked Cynthia, 
Why is a bloody hand hanging from the ceiling? It was fake, of course. 
She said, Oh. Your son sits there, and I am reminding him that he needs 
to raise his hand before he talks.
  I think, Mr. Speaker, we might need to have props like that here in 
the House of Representatives sometimes.
  It is hard for me today to stand here and think about those fun times 
I had and the impact that Cynthia Dipert had on so many kids--my own, 
me, and those of so many people in my hometown of Taylorville--as she 
is not going to be able to have that impact any longer because, just 
under 2 weeks ago, Cynthia passed away.
  I stand here on the floor of this great institution to tell her thank 
you and to tell her thank you for the service that she has provided so 
many people in central Illinois.
  Rest in peace, Cynthia Dipert.
  God bless you all.

                          ____________________