Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Mr. Thomas Branin, Supervisor for the Three Chopt Magisterial District on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, for his years of service to Henrico.

Mr. Branin, known to everyone in the community as Tommy, has represented thousands of community members--including me--over the last eight years with distinction--and with his beloved dog Newman, by his side. He has been a strong advocate for growing Henrico's economy, increasing pedestrian and cyclist safety, and bringing Henrico together.

After his election to the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, Tommy became the first Henrico Supervisor to place crosswalks throughout the entirety of his district. His focus on safety made it possible to install 14 miles of sidewalk in his communities--making it safer for pedestrians, runners, and bikers alike. His focus on community building made it possible to bring pickleball courts, bike tracks, and cricket games to his district. And his focus on the betterment of Henrico County drove his work to help facilitate the construction of two new high schools, replacing aging structures to provide Henrico students with a strong and healthy learning environment.

Tommy has proven to be a strong collaborator and leader. He has worked hard with regional partners to connect Henrico County and has encouraged partnerships at all levels to provide his constituents with better parks and trails to promote healthy, active lifestyles. Tommy has been a strong, passionate advocate for safety and his work to improve walkability throughout Henrico will continue to have a positive impact in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mr. Thomas Branin, whom I am proud to call a friend--except on days when Tucker plays Freeman--for his service on behalf of the Three Chopt District and the entire Henrico County community and for his contributions to making Henrico a safer place for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate and honor the Rev. Dr. Luke Torian on his 35-year career in ministry. Dr. Torian has dedicated his life to serving and ministering to others through his work in the church, in the community, and in Virginia's House of Delegates.

A strong believer in the power of education, Dr. Torian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winston-Salem State University, followed by a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and finally a Doctor of Ministry degree from the School of Divinity at Howard University.

Throughout his career, Dr. Torian has served in many roles including youth minister, associate pastor, and chaplain. In 1995, he was installed as Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, where he has led a vibrant congregation of more than 4,000 people. He has been a fixture of the community, providing his congregation with support, kindness, and fellowship. Dr. Torian has built a church community that ministers to its congregants through Sunday services, Bible studies, social activities, music and arts, scholarship opportunities, and more.

Dr. Torian's outstanding leadership has been recognized by many over the years. He was awarded the James Floyd Jenkins Pillar of Faith Award by Howard University, a reflection of his dedication to his work and his positive contributions to his community. As a trusted source of knowledge and service, his impact has extended past Prince William County--first with his appointment to the Virginia Board of Counseling by Virginia Governor Mark Warner, and later with his 2009 election to represent the 52nd District in the Virginia House of Delegates.

As a Delegate, Dr. Torian has served his constituents faithfully, advocating to improve education and criminal justice policies in the Commonwealth. In 2020, he was chosen to chair the Virginia House Appropriations Committee--a historic appointment that made him the first African American in Virginia's history to lead the Committee, and a role he will resume in 2024 as he continues his legislative service.

As we look back on his career in the church, Dr. Torian has been a tremendous leader in his community, providing exceptional service and ministry to those in Prince William County and beyond. I am certain that his next chapter will also be guided by his love for service, love for learning, and his faith.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Rev. Dr. Luke Torian, I wish him, his beloved wife Clarice and their daughter Constance, the very best as they prepare for the next step in his career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank the Honorable Mary Katherine Greenlaw for her dedication to public service on behalf of the people of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Mayor Greenlaw has always been a pillar of the Fredericksburg community, and through her leadership, has shepherded an extraordinary period of growth and prosperity for the city. Throughout her life, she has continued her family's legacy of service--Mayor Greenlaw served as a Trustee on the Mary Washington Hospital Board from 1978 to 1994, then as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission. In 2008, she was elected to the Fredericksburg City Council, where she served until being elected as Mayor of the City of Fredericksburg in 2012.

Throughout her tenure as Mayor, she has been an advocate for small businesses, the arts, and families across the city. Her work has focused on creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, improving the infrastructure throughout the city to increase transportation options, and supporting projects that ensure the longevity of local schools. Mayor Greenlaw has delicately balanced her support for the city's growth while working to preserve the historical charm for which Fredericksburg is well-known.

Mayor Greenlaw has earned several accolades throughout her tenure, including Volunteer of the Year by Pratt Mental Health Association, Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council, and the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has also served with distinction as a representative of the city on the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance and as a founding member of the Fredericksburg Festival of the Arts.

Mayor Greenlaw has been a wonderful partner to me as we have worked together on local and federal issues. On a personal note, I thank Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw for the example she has set for women in politics and the young girls and boys across the city who look up to and have learned from her leadership. She has been a true and steady leader for the City of Fredericksburg. Her devotion to public service and her dedication to the betterment of the city have left a legacy that will continue to inspire us all for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw and in wishing her the best as she retires to spend time with her sons, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Mrs. Betsy Jane Flenner for 16 years of dedicated service to our country.

As a Lead Congressional Correspondent and Security Manager in the U.S. Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, Betsy has helped answer thousands of questions from the American people. In the office, she is known for her willingness to take on any question and find an answer, no matter how easy or how complex.

Betsy is admired and respected by her colleagues--her work ethic and heart for service have made her an asset to her team and to the many Virginians who have benefitted from her help. She has built long- lasting relationships with staff in the halls of Congress, an example of her exceptional service and her willingness to go above and beyond her job description.

Throughout the last eight Congresses, Betsy has been a standout team member. Her commitment to providing excellent service has earned her the Superior Civilian Service Award--one of the highest honorary awards under the Department of the Navy Civilian Awards program. Her enthusiasm for providing our Veterans and servicemembers with the answers they need will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Mrs. Betsy Jane Flenner and in wishing her the best in her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Freedom High School of Woodbridge, Virginia, for winning its second straight Virginia Class 6 State football title.

Last Saturday, Freedom defeated Highland Springs in a hard-fought championship game. The Eagles won by a score of 42-34 to claim the title, making them the first Prince William County high school to win back-to-back State titles since 1999.

This win capped off an undefeated season for Freedom, and the Eagles extended their winning streak to an incredible 29 games.

As the Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I officially congratulate Freedom High School's players and coaches, including head coach Darryl Overton. I also congratulate the parents and faculty for supporting these players and student athletes and guiding them through a perfect season.

Today, on the House floor of the United States House of Representatives, I proudly join my colleagues in recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of the Freedom High School Eagles of Woodbridge, Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Patricia O'Bannon, Tuckahoe District Supervisor and member of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors.

Mrs. O'Bannon was first elected in 1995 to represent the Tuckahoe Magisterial District. With her election, she became the first woman to be elected to the Henrico Board of Supervisors, where she became a strong voice for the communities she serves.

A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Mrs. O'Bannon has proven to be a source of knowledge for the Henrico community. Her expertise is informed by her service on the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and as the former Chair of the Capital Region Airport Commission.

Throughout her tenure, she has focused on bettering Henrico County's infrastructure and improving Henrico schools. She has also been an advocate for revamping the sidewalk policy to increase public safety and accessibility to sidewalks for all in Henrico.

Mrs. O'Bannon has been a dedicated public servant on behalf of her constituents for the last 27 years, working with colleagues across the aisle to find solutions for her community. She has been a steady leader--stepping in as Chairwoman for the fifth time in February 2017 after the passing of Brookland Representative Richard Glover. Her unwavering dedication to working on behalf of Tuckahoe and all of Henrico County has left a lasting impression for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking Mrs. Patricia O'Bannon for her outstanding service on behalf of Henrico County as Tuckahoe Supervisor, and in wishing her the best as she retires.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Frank J. Thornton, Fairfield Supervisor and Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors.

Since his election to the Henrico County Board of Supervisors in 1995, Mr. Thornton has worked hard to build bridges and bring the Henrico community together. His historic election is a clear example of his perseverance and hard work.

Throughout his career, Mr. Thornton has worked hard to empower all in Henrico. In the

classroom, he provided guidance and instruction to students as a professor of French literature. As a community leader, he has been a driver for change--challenging the status quo time and again. His poise in leadership and fearless advocacy have been the hallmarks of his career. Mr. Thornton's passion for Henrico County and his dedication to the fight for equity and representation have left a permanent mark on the community.

For many years, Mr. Thornton served as the only Democrat and Black member on the board. That is no longer the case today, thanks in part to Mr. Thornton's tenacity and ability to inspire change. He has become a role model for many and has set a great example for up-and-coming leaders.

Throughout his 27-year tenure as Fairfield Supervisor, he has been elected as Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors multiple times. Through his work, he has embraced change and highlighted Henrico's diversity. He has also been a strong advocate for the development of community resources--such as the Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center and the extension of the bus line to Short Pump. Through his work, he has helped Henrico become more connected, vibrant, and active. A patient and dedicated representative, Mr. Thornton has kept his promise of ``Making Henrico Better for the Future.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking Mr. Frank J. Thornton for his outstanding service on behalf of Henrico County as Fairfield Supervisor, and in wishing him the best as he retires.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Sergeant Major Collin D. Barry for 24 years of dedicated service to our Nation.

Sergeant Major Barry first answered the call to service in 1999 when he enlisted in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Twenty-four years later, he is retiring as the Marine Corps Installations National Capital Region- Marine Corps Base Quantico Command Senior Enlisted Leader.

Sergeant Major Barry has a distinguished record of service, evident by the numerous service awards he has received, including a Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Barry has selflessly served his country, deploying in support of multiple military operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom I, Operation Iraqi Freedom II, and Operation Inherent Resolve. He has served as an instructor and been a role model to students while assigned to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps- University of New Mexico, and as a Basic Reconnaissance Course Platoon Sergeant, Chief Instructor, and Course Chief at the Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West.

Sergeant Major Barry has also committed himself to learning and has been a dedicated student during his time of service. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Global Leadership and Organizational Management from the Indiana Institute of Technology, a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico.

His expertise and leadership led him to participate in two Commandant of the Marine Corps task forces at the Pentagon where he worked to improve culture, force preservation, and human performance optimization within the force. He has made academic and practitioner advancements in military leadership through published research and was recognized by the Marine Corps Association for communication distinction for his articles published in the Marine Corps Gazette.

Sergeant Major Barry has gone above and beyond in the many roles he has fulfilled throughout his career as a mentor, teacher, student, and as a Marine. His legacy of service and leadership will continue through all the servicemembers who have had the honor of serving with him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Sergeant Major Collin D. Barry for 24 years of service to our country, and in wishing him the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Major David Charles Hoffman for 39 years of dedicated service to our country.

Major Hoffman started his career with the U.S. Army after graduating from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 1985, when he received his commission as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army. His Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal are a testament to his exceptional achievements and the magnitude of his contributions through his service.

Major Hoffman's commitment to learning was instrumental in his success. In 1988, he graduated from the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. That same year, he graduated from the Army Logistics Management College, where he was named as a distinguished graduate of the Management of Defense Acquisitions Course.

On October 2, 1998, Major Hoffman joined the U.S. Army Reserves, and on that same date, he joined the U.S. Department of Justice as an attorney with the Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch. While there, he continued to serve the people of Virginia. Since 2005, he has served as the Deputy General Counsel for Audit Policy and Contract Litigation in the Office of General Counsel for the Defense Contract Audit Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In recognition of his esteemed service on behalf of the American people, the Defense Contract Audit Agency bestowed Major Hoffman with the Civilian Meritorious Service Award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Major David Charles Hoffman for 39 years of service to our country and in wishing him the best as he retires to spend time with his wife of 43 years, Cheryl, and their two children, Kristin and Jonathan.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible service of John Shinholser.

Since 2004, John has served as the president and cofounder of The McShin Foundation, a substance use disorder recovery organization that provides lifesaving resources to Virginians who are struggling with substance use disorder. These services range from medical detox to sober living and from providing peer-to-peer mentorship to advocating for more support for reentry services in jails and prisons.

John is a leader in this space, and from the day I first started in politics, he wanted to make sure that helping those with substance use disorder was a priority of mine.

Last year, John marked 40 years in recovery himself. He achieved sobriety while he was serving in the United States Marine Corps in 1982, and he never looked back. For decades, he has used his own story to empower others, to help them and their families to sustain their recoveries.

He has treated substance use disorder as the illness that it is. With his philosophy that substance use disorder is an illness, not a character flaw, he and his wife, Carol McDaid, have reached tens of thousands of Virginians. They have saved lives and saved families.

He might be retiring from leading The McShin Foundation, but I know that he is far from retired when it comes to making a difference in our community.

On behalf of a grateful Commonwealth and on behalf of every person whose life he has impacted, including mine, I stand before the United States House of Representatives in thanking John Shinholser for his lifelong mission of helping others and our Nation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Tonight, I am speaking on behalf of thousands of Virginians who rely every single day on the Metro. They take it to work. They take it to school. They take it to see their families.

This cut would hurt their commutes. This cut would eliminate funding for urgent capital projects, meaning it would impact the safety and reliability of the system. This cut would be a slight to the Federal workers, including those who work right here on Capitol Hill and those who rely on the Metro to get to their jobs so that they can keep our government functioning, our country safe, and our economy running.

Historically, support for Metro's capital funding has not been hyperpartisan, and we should not change course right now. That is why I am proud to stand with members of the Maryland and Virginia delegations and my colleagues from the District of Columbia in pushing back against this senseless proposal.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mrs. Eileen Thrall on being named Dumfries, Virginia's 2023 Living Legend by Mayor Derrick Wood

For years, Eileen has served as an exemplary member of the Dumfries community through her work as a reporter for Potomac News, where she authored the widely enjoyed Dumfries Community Column. Her column provided insight into the community and highlighted the wonderful facets of the town, sharing with her audience what makes Dumfries so remarkable.

Aside from journalism, Eileen has also dedicated her time to advocating for Dumfries and its residents through her various community and public service positions. She selflessly selved on the Prince William County Board of Zoning Appeals for over two decades, working for the betterment of her community.

Eileen serves on the Board of Directors for the Good Shepherd Housing Foundation working to provide housing options to those in need and has been an advocate for good environmental stewardship through her leadership of Friends of Quantico Bay and her involvement with the Friends of Quantico Creek.

Eileen represents seniors within the town of Dumfries, serving as an executive committee member on the Prince William Commission on Aging where she advocates for issues related to aging and caregiving. And as an active

member of the Dumfries United Methodist Church, Eileen has served in various capacities supporting the church and her community.

Eileen's love and dedication for the Town of Dumfries is clear, and the work she does on behalf of her community serves as a pillar of inspiration across Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and thanking Mrs. Eileen Thrall, a Living Legend, for her contributions to the community and the Town of Dumfries.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mrs. Lori Dobratz on more than 37 years of service to our country.

Lori's career with the federal government began in February 1986 with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., where she worked as the Secretary to the Division Chief in the medical unit. In May 1995, Lori joined Capital District Contracting Center, which later became the Fort Belvoir Mission and Installation Contracting Command. Throughout her 28 years there, Lori has played a critical role as a Management Support Assistant.

As part of the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Lori supported efforts to ensure Army readiness at all times. Her hard work and contributions in service to the U.S. Army have not

gone unnoticed--as evidenced by the four performance awards Lori has received over the last five years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mrs. Lori Dobratz for her hard work, dedication, and service to our country, as well as in celebrating her career, accomplishments, and retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the work of the Women Inspiring Women Leaders chapter of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

ABWA's Women Inspiring Women Leaders Chapter held its first meeting on May 22, 2019. Since then, the organization has provided opportunities for local business leaders to network, empower one another, and focus on growing Virginia's economy.

Entrepreneurship is a defining characteristic of the American spirit. That's why I am proud to join them and their sister chapters in celebrating American Business Women's Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Fredericksburg Women Inspiring Women Leaders Chapter for their commitment to service, innovation, and empowering women in the business community. It is an honor to celebrate American Business Women's Day alongside them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Ms. Teresa Alexander for her outstanding service as part of Stafford County Public Schools.

For more than 15 years, Ms. Alexander has served as a Special Education/Autism teacher. In her role, she has nurtured a love for learning in her students and provided them with the tools they need to succeed. Her dedication to her students, their education, and their futures is admirable.

Prior to joining Stafford County Public Schools, Ms. Alexander taught at Fredericksburg City Public Schools. She was nominated for ``Teacher of the Year'' all 8 years she taught there--and she won the award twice.

Her expertise, commitment, and passion for teaching is inspiring. Her contributions as an educator help shape Virginia's future by both empowering students with knowledge and inspiring them to continue to learn. I am honored to recognize Ms. Alexander. Her hard work does not go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Ms. Alexander for her unwavering commitment to education and her continued commitment to educating tomorrow's leaders.