Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Mr. Anthony Edgecomb for his outstanding service as a part of the U.S. Army.

Throughout his 10 years of service in the U.S. Army, Mr. Anthony Edgecomb upheld the important values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. His career included a Classified National Security mission that spanned over 4 years and earned him the Meritorious Service Medal.

The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to servicemembers for ``distinguished service and performance above that normally expected, over a sustained period.'' Typically awarded to senior officers and senior enlisted servicemembers, Mr. Anthony Edgecomb achieved this milestone as an Army Staff Sergeant in 2013.

I am honored to extend my congratulations to Mr. Anthony Edgecomb. His hard work and sacrifice do not go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating and thanking Mr. Anthony Edgecomb for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Little Union Baptist Church in Dumfries, Virginia on their 120th anniversary.

For 120 years, Little Union Baptist Church has served as a space for the community to gather, connect, and worship. Little Union Baptist Church has deep roots in Dumfries, Virginia that can be traced back to Mary Bates--fondly referred to by many as ``Granny Mary.'' Mary was born into slavery, but she had the determination to learn to read and write. After the Emancipation Proclamation, Mary settled in the area with her husband where she proved to be a pillar in the community. She served as a midwife, wrote letters on behalf of those who could not, and helped administer medications. In 1901, Mary convinced her husband John to donate land to build a local church, so people would not have to travel to neighboring communities to attend services. The church built on that land flourished and eventually came to be known to the community as Little Union Baptist Church.

Today, Pastor Michael L. Sessoms continues Little Union Baptist Church's longstanding tradition of building community. Under his guidance, the church continues to grow and provides families in the Dumfries area with a space to gather and celebrate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 120th anniversary of Little Union Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the work of Ms. Rebecca Kinney, who has been an exemplary public servant over the last 37 years.

Ms. Kinney has served as a printing specialist and program manager for the Publishing and Logistics Systems Management Section (ARDE) of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC). Throughout her career, she printed more than 1 million documents for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ms. Kinney has demonstrated hard work, dedication, and a commitment to serving her country. Her efforts have been a great benefit to her team, the U.S. Marine Corps, and our National security. As she prepares for her next steps, please join me in thanking her for more than 37 years of contributions to the HQMC ARDE.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Rebecca Kinney on a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Stafford County NAACP in honor of 67 years of service to the community.

Founded in 1956, the Stafford County NAACP has worked tirelessly ``to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination,'' working to build a better future for everyone in Stafford County.

As the first and longest-serving president of the Stafford County NAACP, Frank White, Sr. laid the groundwork for this branch's long-term commitment to service. His legacy continues through his son, Frank White, Jr.--an active member.

Under the current leadership of President Yolanda Roussell, the Stafford County NAACP continues to be a beacon in the community through its activism, partnerships with local churches, support for Black-owned businesses, voter registration drives, and community forums on African American history, public education, and mental health.

The Stafford County NAACP brings the entire community together for large celebrations--including the Stafford County NAACP Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and the Stafford County NAACP Juneteenth Commemoration and Celebration. These events would not have been possible without the hard work of its members.

The Stafford County NAACP has demonstrated a fervent commitment to our communities and an extraordinary devotion to the strength and prosperity of our Commonwealth. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I am honored to recognize this organization for its tremendous record of service to Stafford County-- and I thank the Stafford County NAACP for building a stronger Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the work of World Harvest United Churches during their 2023 National Holy Gathering in Dumfries, Virginia.

An annual event, the National Holy Gathering brings people together in the spirit of service. This year's theme is ``Ignite 2023,'' and it is guided by Matthew 5:14-16: ``You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.''

Guided by Presiding Prelate Bishop Calvin B. Davis, Sr., and hosted by Virginia State Bishop Kenneth W. Jones, Sr., this gathering provides attendees with activities, classes, and worship events. It culminates with a day of volunteerism and outreach in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Women of Worth, and Project-Mend-A-House.

Finally, ``Ignite 2023'' would not be possible without the hard work of community leaders like Bishop George W. Thigpen, III, Bishop of Outreach, Pastor Kathleen Deane, National Director of Outreach, Elder Daniel M. Deane, Sr., Adjutant General, Bishop Rick Boykin, Co-Adjutor to the State Bishop, and Lady Michelle Thigpen, Director of Women of Worth Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, l ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating World Harvest Churches on 11 years of service to the community through their annual National Holy Gathering. Their outreach and community-oriented mindset is invaluable to Virginia.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here to recognize some of Virginia's many proud veterans and military families. One of my most powerful memories of my late grandfather was when I took him to the World War II Memorial and had the opportunity to stand with him on the side marked Pacific and hear some of his stories from his time in service. These are stories that he, throughout my childhood, never shared, but at that memorial chose to share with me.

As a Representative for Virginia's Seventh District and as a Representative of many military families and veterans, I ensure that I am giving a voice and putting into the Congressional Record some of the extraordinary stories of service that we have throughout our district.

Earlier this year, I reached out to Virginians across the Seventh District asking them to share stories of service to recognize their loved ones who answered the call or share their own experiences. I heard from people across the Seventh District, and I was proud to share some of those stories in May during Military Appreciation Month, and I will continue to do so into the future.

Kenneth J. Schmidt from Prince William County shared the long record of service in his family, writing ``My family is a proud military one. Our father served during World War I. Seven brothers-in-law, two cousins, and my oldest brother served during World War II. My other brother and I served during the Korean war. Army, Navy, Air Force, we were there.''

I thank Mr. Schmidt for his family's sacrifices on behalf of our country.

We received a story from James Willess who lives in Fredericksburg. Mr. Willess wrote, ``My father, Homer Leroy Willess, served in the U.S. Navy from July 1937 to September 1945, mostly in the Pacific theater. Four of his brothers also served in the Navy, and his eldest sister served as an Army nurse during World War II. Three of his younger brothers served in the Navy during the Korean war, and their youngest sister served as a Navy nurse during the Vietnam war. I am extremely proud of my father and siblings for serving their country in uniform during three major wars.''

Neil Hornung from Spotsylvania, a veteran himself, shared with us, ``I served in the Marine Corps from 1982 until 2008. Served in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Uphold Democracy. My last tour was as the Marine Corps lead for critical infrastructure.''

I thank Mr. Hornung for his service.

Mr. Hornung wanted to recognize a member of his family who followed in his footsteps. He wrote, ``My oldest son is First Lieutenant Brandon Hornung, United States Marine Corps, currently stationed on Okinawa.''

I thank Brandon for his service. Please stay safe.

Paul from Spotsylvania shared his father's story of service in the United States Marine Corps. He wrote, ``My dad, Ed Czartosieski, was at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea as a marine pilot flying Corsair aircraft. He flew out of Hagaru and was surrounded by Chinese forces. He assisted in saving many lives with the `advance to the rear' as the Marine Corps. He retired as a test pilot for Grumman Aerospace on Long Island. Dad is doing well in Greenport, New York, and soon to be age 100.'' Paul wrote, ``I hope to get to the United States Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia.''

Harry Dolph from Stafford sent us the story of his mother, a patriot who stepped into service on behalf of our country when it needed her the most. Mr. Dolph wrote, ``My mother, Caroline Alva Bush, was one of the first dozen women to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War I, and served in personnel in Washington, D.C.''

George Wratney from Orange County shared a story highlighting the sacrifices and contributions of military families.

Mr. Wratney shared with us, ``I was a Marine in Vietnam from April 1968 to May 1969, but this is about my bride of 22 months when I left home, and the thousands of military brides like her, who had no one `in their boat' back home to share stories, fears, anxieties. No email then. No social media. Only prayers. We owe them, all of them, much gratitude as they stood by.''

I thank Mr. Wratney for his service and recognizing the service and the sacrifice of military families like his bride.

Veterans, servicemembers, and Virginia's proud military family members are our neighbors, friends, and community members--their stories are woven into the fabric of our Nation and certainly Virginia's Seventh District. We owe them a debt of gratitude, and we must thank every American who answered the call and every American that will do so in the future.

We are undoubtedly freer thanks to the service and sacrifice of Virginians that answered the call.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Abdul Noor, winner of a Black Engineer of the Year Award.

The youngest of four siblings and the son of a single mother, Abdul and his family faced many challenges in his youth. Abdul was born in Pakistan after his mother made the difficult decision to leave her home in search of a better life for her family. At the age of three, Abdul's mom relocated her family to Idaho with the help of a refugee organization. They eventually made their way to Virginia in search of opportunities for their family.

Growing up, Abdul was an active learner--he played baseball, swam, practiced martial arts, and participated in clubs where he learned about computers and robotics. Throughout his high school career, Abdul served as the president of his high school Red Cross chapter, organized toy drives, and was an active volunteer in the community. His love for the medical field stems from his mother's career as a pediatrician, which she sacrificed to give her children a better life. Abdul credits family meal conversations with his mom and sisters for sparking his interest in the biomedical engineering field and helping steer his college career. After graduating from high school, Abdul attended George Mason University where he focused his undergraduate studies on biomedical engineering. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2020, was awarded the Chairman's Award, and was also class speaker.

After graduation, Abdul joined MITRE as an Associate Biomedical Engineer after having interned with them his junior year of college. As a member of the MITRE team, Abdul continued to learn and grow and excelled on projects due to his ability to adapt and learn quickly. In addition to his work at MITRE, Abdul is the CEO of Rune Innovations Inc., a medical device startup he founded with the goal of designing, patenting, and marketing surgical airway management devices for use by medical professionals. Abdul and the Rune team have since developed a patent-pending device called the Sliding Jaw Thrust Device (SJTD) which would allow a medical professional to clear a patient's obstructed airway by mimicking the jaw thrust maneuver. Abdul's leadership was invaluable in navigating the process of creating and applying for a patent for this technology.

Abdul's commitment to biomedical engineering and professional growth is admirable. His strong work ethic has led him to be this year's recipient of a Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA). Specifically, Abdul was named the winner of a Modern-Day Technology Leader Award by a panel of leaders from industry, government, and academia in recognition for his work in shaping the future of engineering, science, and technology.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Abdul Noor, recipient of the Modern-Day Technology Leader Award. I applaud his strong work ethic and dedication to learning and look forward to all that he will accomplish in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Aneira Banwar for her volunteerism, service, and acts of kindness.

Aneira started volunteering at the age of 5. As she began this journey, she realized that there are limited opportunities for children to donate their time. This gap led her to create the ``12K plan''--12 months of kindness. This plan consists of 12 monthly kindness projects that kids can do at home.

Recently, Aneira assembled and donated more than 500 ``boredom buster kits'' for patients at a local children's hospital. She accomplished this project by inspiring others in her community to join her in making the kits.

Now 7 years old, Aneira has logged more than 100 hours of community service. Her hope is to encourage other children to volunteer in their community, because she believes that kids ``hold the power to shape and change the future in a positive way by performing random acts of kindness 1 month at a time.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Aneira Banwar. Her commitment to others is noble and inspiring--and I look forward to all that she will accomplish in the future through her volunteer work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Frank Manuel White, a poet and veteran from Stafford, Virginia.

Frank wrote his first poem at the young age of 12. His love for writing poetry carried over into adulthood and was woven into his life and military career. Frank served in the U.S. Air Force for a total of 26 years, from 1957 to 1983. He served as an officer for 10 of those years. During and after his time in the military, Frank penned poems during his free time, often on weekends and evenings. These poems give us a glimpse into his life, his thoughts, and his surroundings.

Frank's poems were published in 2022 in a book titled ``Frank's Homespun Poems from the Heart: A Country Boy's Poetry.'' Some of the poems included are poems he penned for his now wife, Dorothy, along with her responses to him. The poems exchanged between Dorothy and Frank are a reminder of their long-distance courtship--the poems were sent while Frank was stationed at Ft. Eustis, Virginia and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida and Dorothy lived in North Carolina. These lovely poems served as their main way of correspondence and are lasting evidence of their love and commitment to one another.

In June of 2019, Frank composed a work titled ``TEXAS JUNETEENTH EPIC POEM.'' This poem tells the story of how Juneteenth came to be, and it details history that we must not forget.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Mr. Frank Manuel White for his service to our country and for his contributions to keeping the history of our nation alive through his poetry.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to include in the Record Mr. White's poem, so future generations of Americans can access his poetry for years to come.

Texas Juneteenth Epic Poem

Mr. Thomas Jefferson wrote in Seventeen Seventy-six

Words which have survived for ages, addressing a problem to

fix.

``All men are created equal'' were his words to the British

Crown,

``But the way you are treating us, has caused us to do more

than frown.''

So the colonies fought a war, which General Washington led,

Everyone knows the end results, colonies won, British fled.

But then Thomas Jefferson's words were cast aside put on a

shelf.

They only applied to those men, who looked like Jefferson

himself.

So Slavery kept on keeping on, in this land called the USA,

The issue had to be resolved, another time, another day.

Then in eighteen sixty one, Abe Lincoln was the president,

War broke out between North and South, now guess what that

was all about?

An issue of human control, had once more risen to the top,

ABE Lincoln told his staff and aides, ``This war and slavery

got to stop.''

ABE wrote a famous document, willing to set many slaves free,

The first day of the first month of the year, Eighteen Sixty-

three.

Emancipation Proclamation, was the name of that document,

But some folks did not get the word, until long after it was

sent.

Like all those folks in Southern States, hoping one day to be

free,

Many did not get their freedom, until the surrender of Lee.

Members of the 25th Army Corps, on May 25, 1865,

Boarded Steam Ships at City Point, VA for a long boat ride.

They were headed to that Lone Star State, carrying news for a

minority Race,

The war was over, slaves were free, still they were

encouraged to remain in place.

June 19th, Eighteen Sixty-five, via General Order Number

Three,

Slaves in Galveston got the word, the war over they were

free.

Those enslaved remembered that day, they celebrated far and

wide,

And Juneteenth is what they called it, celebrating that day

with pride.

----Frank M. White

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Jesse H. Black for his remarkable achievement of assuming command of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.

Raised in South Florida, Captain Jesse Black's naval career began in 1990 when he enlisted in the Navy as an Electronics Technician. There, he demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill, graduating from the naval nuclear training pipeline in 1992.

Captain Black's pursuit of knowledge and professional development led him to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, with a focus on hydrodynamic power design and environmental engineering from the University of Idaho in 2000. He continued to excel academically and obtained a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2007, where he published a thesis on solid state power systems.

As an officer, Captain Black's leadership skills and technical expertise flourished during his four years aboard the USS Cape St. George (CG 71). He demonstrated his versatility by fulfilling various engineering roles and serving as the Combat Information Center Officer after earning his Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) designation. Captain Black then transferred to the Engineering Duty Officer community where he served in multiple engineering and project management roles with the Program Executive Office for Aircraft Carriers, Naval Sea Systems Command, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) Program Executive Office, and at both the Portsmouth and Norfolk Naval Shipyards.

Notably, Captain Black's exceptional leadership abilities extend beyond engineering. He was specially selected to serve as a Senior Sustainability Officer in the White House, serving under two presidential administrations. His tireless effort and commitment to sustainability initiatives contributed to the nation's broader goals of environmental stewardship and energy conservation.

On June 25, 2021, Captain Black assumed the role of Executive Officer of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory where he oversaw the laboratory's day-to-day activities, including maintenance and logistics. As he now moves into the role of Commanding Officer, Captain Black's guidance and strategic vision will continue to advance the critical research and development efforts undertaken at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.

Mr. Speaker, Captain Black has selflessly served our Nation and has displayed an unwavering commitment to excellence. His contributions through his service have upheld the Navy's mission. I congratulate Captain Black and his family on this well-deserved honor, and l look forward to his continued success. I thank him for his selfless service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Patti Liski, Dean of Nursing and Health Technologies at Germanna Community College, on a remarkable career as a nurse, educator, and community college advocate.

Nearly 40 years ago, Dr. Lisk started her career at Germanna when she joined as a nursing faculty member in 1983. In 1986, she transitioned to full-time teaching. During her time at Germanna, Dr. Lisk has been credited with revolutionizing the school's nursing program and building a statewide on line nursing program. Her work writing the original grant for the purchase of human patient simulators brought cutting-edge technology to the school and kickstarted Germanna's Virtual Hospital. In 2013, after the passing of Dean Mary Gilkey, Dr. Lisk rose to the occasion after her emergency appointment to Dean of Nursing and Health Technologies, and in that role has helped further expand the mission of Germanna's nursing program.

Dr. Lisk has also served as a fierce advocate for the promise and potential that lies within America's community colleges. She has seized the opportunity to help students, many identifying as firstgeneration students, navigate the college process and become successful nurses. Her personal investment in supporting students through every step of their journey is admirable and has had a profound impact on the quality of nurses graduating from Germanna.

As seen by her numerous professional awards and accolades, Dr. Lisk has had an exceptional career. She has positively impacted the lives of thousands of nurses, creating a ripple effect to be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, as the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I am proud to represent dedicated individuals like Dr. Patti Lisk. I would like to congratulate her on an exceptional career and wish her the best on a well-earned retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. George M. Hampton.

Dr. Hampton passed away late last month at the age of 95, and I was honored to have met this stalwart Virginia leader.

In the days since his passing, I have heard directly from many in the Prince William County community about his outsized role in standing up for fair political representation. I have heard about his service as a mentor to the next generation of leaders, and the community has celebrated what a dedicated man he was in his professional and personal life to the service of others in his community.

Dr. Hampton truly lived his values, one of which was education. He received his bachelor of science degree from North Carolina A&T University, a master of science degree from Virginia State University, and a doctorate of arts in education from the University of Central Arizona.

Dr. Hampton then dedicated himself to educating the next generation as an adjunct professor of psychology at the Far East Division of the University of Maryland, as well as an adjunct professor of human relations at Pepperdine University.

Dr. Hampton also valued service to country. He served for more than two decades in the United States Army, fulfilling various command and staff assignments and spending 4 years as an assistant professor of military science at Virginia State University. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal during his military service. He retired from the Army in 1971 as a lieutenant colonel.

Following his retirement from the military, Dr. Hampton held many positions that allowed him to have a hand in shaping future leaders, both within and outside of military service. One such role was as codirector of the Marine Corps Leadership and Human Relations Institute in San Diego, California, where he helped train leadership instructors for the formal schools at Quantico, in Virginia's Seventh District, and other major installations.

Throughout decades of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Dr. Hampton was appointed by both Democrats and Republicans to hold various notable positions. In 1982, Governor Charles Robb appointed him to the Virginia Parole Board. Reappointed by Governor Gerald Baliles, he served on this board until 1990. In 1995, Governor George Allen appointed him to a 4-year term on the State Board of Elections, where he served as vice chairman until January 1999.

In July 2003, then-Governor Mark Warner appointed him as a member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia State University, where he served until July 2007. He was also a member of the Virginia State University Foundation.

Dr. Hampton was appointed to serve on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Citizens Advisory Council, as well as the Prince William County representative to the Board of Directors of Northern Virginia Community College.

As a 47-year resident of Prince William County, Dr. Hampton played an active role in his community. He was a proud founding member of the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. For 7 years, from 1975 to 1982, Dr. Hampton served as the political adviser to the Prince William County branch of the NAACP.

Dr. Hampton was a member of the Disabled American Veterans organization, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, and the Fellowship Club of Prince William County.

The impact Dr. Hampton had on his community is clear, leading him to become the namesake of the George M. Hampton Foundation. Sponsored by the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter, Inc., and founded on the idea of helping those in need throughout Prince William County and surrounding communities, the foundation provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to local high school students each year.

On top of decades of committed service of his own, one of his greatest attributes was his desire to recognize the service of others. He was one of the originators of the Prince William County Walk of Fame, the permanent granite plaques recognizing the accomplishments of high-profile community servants across the county.

I have been proud to join in celebrating his legacy as a pioneer of remembering Black history and culture in Prince William County and across the Commonwealth.

For years, long before we recognized Juneteenth as a Federal holiday, Dr. Hampton celebrated the holiday in his own backyard, and I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to celebrate Juneteenth with him last year.

Perhaps one of his proudest accomplishments was that he served as a living inspiration and role model to Virginia students attending the school in Dale City named in his honor.

Dr. Hampton met with students of George M. Hampton Middle School regularly. He shared his stories, his memories, and historic moments of his life in Virginia. He offered them encouragement, in addition to raising funds for the school.

Madam Speaker, please join me in remembering Dr. Hampton.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize George Baden, a veteran

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Barbara Wainman and to recognize her 44 years of dedicated public service to our country.

Over the last 44 years, Barbara has served the public through her work in Congress and the U.S. Department of the Interior. She has played a key role in the funding and policies of the Interior Department and has led communication and outreach efforts on a myriad of natural resource issues that had major impacts at the national level.

Barbara graduated in 1974 from T.C. Williams High School, now Alexandria High School. In 1978 she graduated from Smith College with a bachelor's degree in political science and government. She began her career as a reporter with the Easton Bulletin, a local paper in Massachusetts. Soon after, she returned to Virginia and landed her first congressional job with the House Republican Conference by networking while waiting tables in Alexandria. In 1981, she transitioned to the late Congressman Ralph Regula's team, which she credits with teaching her about leadership--lessons that she carried with her throughout her career. While working on the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Barbara worked to help expand the National Heritage Corridors within the National Park System.

In 1997, Barbara left Capitol Hill to continue onto her next role with the Bureau of Land Management as the chief of Congressional and Legislative Affairs. In 1999, she was promoted to assistant director of the Office of Communications at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), becoming a member of the Senior Executive Service. At USGS, she led numerous communications and outreach efforts, including overseeing the communications response to some of the Nation's worst earthquake, volcano, and flooding disasters. In 2017, Barbara made the final move in her Federal career to become the assistant director of the Office of Communications at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), where she has overseen public engagement, congressional affairs and media communications, and partnerships with national organizations. At FWS, Barbara has been responsible for developing and launching FWS's first- ever content management system, a project that spanned nearly 8 years and has improved public engagement and access to information over the internet. She is also responsible for establishing FWS' first-ever internal communications platform that proved to play a key role in successfully communicating with employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more than four decades, Barbara has mentored dozens of public servants and has been a role model for current and future leaders. Her dedication to the career development of her employees will inspire public servants long into the future. Her service and outstanding contributions were recognized in 2022, when she was granted the highest honor of the Interior Department, the Distinguished Service Award.

Throughout her career, Barbara has also been a devoted mother. Her two children have expressed their admiration for her work ethic and for her abiding love. She was their biggest cheerleader at baseball games and swim meets.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in honoring Barbara Wainman. Her commitment and passion for public service and for our country has been immeasurable. I wish her the best as she takes the next step in life to enjoy time with her family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major General Timothy P. Williams.

For the last 9 years, Major General Williams has served as the 28th adjutant general of Virginia, displaying an unparalleled dedication to the men and women of the Virginia National Guard, the Virginia Air National Guard, and the Virginia Defense Force.

He has built a reputation of steady leadership in a time so often marked by turbulence.

His soldiers and airmen were on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, completing more than 1,100 missions in response to the pandemic.

During his tenure, the Virginia National Guard deployed to the U.S. Capitol following the January 6 insurrection. Later that year, his servicemembers helped to evacuate thousands of our Afghan allies to safety.

Under the leadership of Major General Williams, Virginia soldiers have also deployed to Kuwait, the Horn of Africa, Iraq, Syria, Kosovo, and many more places.

While Major General Williams will officially retire on July 1, I am confident that his service is not done, and I am confident that his resiliency, his devotion to duty, and his fervent patriotism will continue to inspire generations of brave Virginians who wish to lead from the front as he continues his service to our Commonwealth and the country.

Madam Speaker, please join me in extending our country's gratitude to Major General Timothy P. Williams for his service.