Abigail Davis Spanberger

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of love, light, and peace that Hersh Goldberg-Polin built throughout his 23 years of life.

Hersh was a loving son, devoted brother, and beloved friend to many. He was born on October 3, 2000 to Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, and he was the loving older brother to

sisters Leebie and Orly. Hersh grew up to be a curious and intelligent young man. His family lived in Richmond, Virginia--where they and Hersh were devoted community members, known for their kindness and love of learning--before eventually settling down in Jerusalem, Israel where Hersh spent his formative years.

Hersh was enthusiastic about his love for soccer and especially enjoyed cheering on the Hapoel Jerusalem Football Club. He used his passion for soccer to help his community as a member of the Malha Brigade, the team's official fan club. As a member of the club, he participated in community events and advocated for unity through an initiative to bring Israeli and Palestinian children together through a common love for soccer. His room displayed a sign that reads ``Jerusalem is for everyone'' in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.

At the age of 18, he fulfilled his duty and served as part of the Israel Defense Forces. While he fulfilled different duties during his time of service, he enjoyed being a medic most--helping and healing others. He concluded his service honorably in April 2023.

His love for people and for learning grew as he traveled the world. After a summer trip across Europe, Hersh returned to Israel and attended the Nova desert rave on October 7, 2023, where attendees were attacked by terrorists. Hersh lost his arm during this attack while trying to protect and help others--always a caring and loving friend to all. Hersh was captured, held hostage for nearly a year, and was tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists. Yet throughout the 320 days he was held hostage, it was the image of his joyful eyes and his broad smile that brought continued attention and a global focus to the plight of the hostages and the need for the world to prioritize their return.

As we--here in the halls of Congress and across our country--remember the tragedy of the day that stole Hersh from his family and friends and ultimately took him from this world, we also celebrate the joy and kindness he brought to everyone he touched throughout his 23 years. We honor the young man who became known to the world for his extraordinary compassion, joyful spirit, and ultimately his bravery. We mourn with his family--his beloved parents and sisters--and friends, and we also join them in honoring his extraordinary life. I know each of his loved ones will carry on his legacy by continuing his work--by promoting peace, charity, and love. May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the remarkable life and legacy built by Hersh Goldberg-Polin. To his family, friends, and loved ones--may the memories of love and light that were built with Hersh bring them peace and comfort as they honor his life in years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary work and the extraordinary example of our dear Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.

I first had the experience of seeing Jennifer when she was a State senator at an equal rights amendment event. I was a mom, a former public servant. I had just moved back home to Virginia, and I was at this advocacy day to see what was happening at the general assembly to see the good work of so many people who have become friends of mine.

I saw this woman with this beautiful, long hair and this effusive control of the room. She was talking about Virginia's role, and ultimately the goal that would be achieved, the goal of ensuring that Virginia became one of the States--at that time one of the final three required States--to ratify the equal rights amendment. Ultimately, Virginia became the last, the necessary.

I remember watching her speak full of vibrance and joy and humanity and humility, and I thought she is amazing. Little did I know that not only would she continue to be an example for me but that she would be a friend and someone who I would look up to throughout my time here in Congress.

What I know to be true about Jennifer is she is an extraordinarily witty, sometimes sassy, and devoted colleague. For those who have the pleasure of knowing Jennifer, you better know your facts, your details, your information, and be ready because just when you think you are having a serious-minded conversation about a serious topic she will come right into the conversation with her perspective. She is whip smart, and she is funny.

Even as this disease, this PSP, has taken her voice, for anybody on a text chain or anyone who is next to her and her technological devices, her wit is there, her wit is fierce, and it is extraordinary to see how she continues both to do the work for the people of

Virginia's 10th District but also to be a caring, focused peer and mentor to so many of us.

I am wearing this scarf today because while I met her many years ago when she was in the State senate, where we really became friends was when we were both running for Congress in 2018. This scarf shows so many of us who were on the ballot that year. There is a picture of Jennifer right here with her gorgeous, long hair and bright smile that shows her as I know her to be right focused, thoughtful, and peering straight forward even in this drawing that is on a silk scarf. Her stare and her focus is clear.

Since the first day that we all arrived here, so many in our class didn't come from state legislatures, they came from a variety of backgrounds bringing different expertise, different types of passion to our work in the Halls of Congress, and at times it was Jennifer who chose to kind of herd the cats of the class of 2018, making sure that we were getting some of the procedural language correct, making sure that we were kind of seeing the forest through the trees.

For me as a mother with three young daughters, our friendship grew as I have watched her navigate being a mother to two teenage boys, as we talked about the types of television commercials to do along the way. I saw her, I would say, essential minivan commercial which is like everything you ever want to see or need to see about moms and politics just getting it all done. I have been grateful for her friendship. It has been amazing to see you lead by example.

It has been amazing to see you fight for what you believe in. It has been amazing to see you live every single day full of vim, full of vigor and with deep, deep humility and a focus on serving others.

I want to continue focusing on all of your extraordinary bright spots, but I do think it is important to note that so many other people in your shoes, so many other people were they facing any type of challenge, let alone the health challenge that you face, would have made different decisions, would have stepped away. The fact that while you are in the fight of your life you have continued to fight for others, you have continued to be here day in and day out, you have continued to vote for your constituents, to work for your constituents, and lead by your extraordinary example, it means a lot to all of us. I know it means a lot to your constituents. I think you are teaching us all a lesson every single day that you show up and that you do the good work.

The team you have built and the extraordinary people who spend their days learning from you and learning with you will continue forward to do right hopefully by the Commonwealth of Virginia or in whatever other paths of public service they may pursue.

Jennifer, as a friend, I am grateful for you. As a colleague, I have learned so much from you. As a woman in politics and as a mom you have been an extraordinary example for so many of us. I love you so, so very much. I look forward to continuing to celebrate you into the future, and I hope that by the end of this week we actually get a CR done on time so you can begin enjoying your retirement, my darling friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the people of Virginia's Seventh District. The greatest honor of my life has been to serve them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For these three terms, I have had the privilege of representing a cross-section of what makes this extraordinary country, the United States of America, the greatest in the world.

I have spoken with hardworking families going through their proudest days or their darkest moments. I have met with brilliant entrepreneurs who are not only pursuing their own dreams but making sure their employees can succeed.

I have worked alongside dedicated public servants, law enforcement officers, first responders, and healthcare workers, who put the safety of Virginians first. I have met crop and livestock producers who work sunup to sundown to keep America fueled and fed, and I have represented the men and women who put on the military uniform to protect our shores.

As my time serving them in Congress comes to an end, I am reflecting on what we have achieved together.

When I was first elected to Congress, I promised to work tirelessly for the people I serve. I promised to be effective and responsive.

In response to Virginia's seniors struggling to afford their medication, I voted to lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. In response to the fentanyl crisis, I worked with both parties to strengthen America's investment in prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. Both former President Trump and President Biden have signed into law the bills that I have led to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.

To fix our crumbling infrastructure, I helped negotiate and voted to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law which has already delivered more than $10 billion of investment to Virginia.

In response to the threats from America's adversaries, I led efforts that were signed into law to build a nationwide 5G strategy and hold cybercriminals accountable, and I made clear that I will always stand up for the role of U.S. global leadership.

In response to the threat of climate change, I brought farmers, producers, conservation groups, and Fortune 500 companies to the table. We got bipartisan legislation signed into law that will not only help protect our natural resources but will help protect the bottom line of Virginia's producers.

After we heard from retired police officers struggling to get their benefits, we closed a loophole that was stopping them from getting the retirement they deserved.

For those who have borne the battle, I voted to expand healthcare benefits for thousands of Virginia's veterans who have faced toxic exposures. My bill was signed into law to deliver surplus computers to veterans so they can access new job opportunities, and I led the charge to make sure America's atomic veterans, many of whom are no longer with us, are recognized every year.

For me, being responsive has also meant making responsible investments in our public schools, our law enforcement, and critical infrastructure. My office has secured more than $42 million that went directly to 40 projects across the Seventh District. I thank our local leaders for working with my team to realize these investments.

We have also focused on delivering for individual constituents. Since 2019, my office has returned nearly $50 million to Virginians who have had challenges with a Federal agency. They are seniors who needed help to pay bills. They are veterans who finally secured the VA benefits they had earned. They are Virginia businesses who needed to cut through red tape. Along the way, we have proved that we could do all of this by bringing people together.

I am honored to be ranked the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia. It is not a talking point, but it is because that is how we make sure we achieve progress across the long haul. That is how we get things done, and we can get things done without sacrificing our principles or what makes us who we are.

In office, I have endeavored to be responsive, transparent, and accountable

because that is at the very heart of what I believe is a responsibility of every Member of Congress.

In this role, I believe that trust is earned, and I promise that I have never taken this trust for granted.

Today, I thank those who have also made it possible for me to serve in this role. I thank the love of my life, my husband, Adam, for being my biggest supporter and someone who has made it possible for me to serve the people of Virginia's Seventh District every day. I thank my daughters, Claire, Charlotte, and Catherine, for seeing that every effort I take in the political space is for them, their future, and the future of their peers in Virginia and beyond at the center of all I do.

I thank my parents. I am the daughter of Martin Davis, a retired law enforcement officer, and Eileen Davis, a nurse. They taught me service, and they taught me that a life committed to helping others is one that every person can find value and dignity in.

I thank my sisters, Hilary and Meredith, who are and always have been my best friends, my greatest supporters, and the two who remind me consistently of who I am.

I thank my parents-in-law, my brothers- and sisters-in-law, my nieces, my nephews, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, and my late grandparents, everyone who had a part in making me who I am.

I also thank every single member of Virginia's Seventh District team. They are extraordinary people who have used their time, talents, and tenacity to deliver results for the people of Virginia. I believe in them. They made people believe in what is possible with good governance. I am grateful for them. I am grateful for their service.

I am so grateful for the privilege to have served the people of Virginia's Seventh District.