Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major General Robert D. Carlson, who departed from his role as Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, on July 14, 2017. Major General Carlson has dedicated his life to keeping this nation safe, and I am grateful for not only his outstanding service to our great nation, but also to the citizens of Virginia's 10th Congressional District in his capacity as commander of the Transatlantic Division, located in Winchester, Virginia.

At a young age, Major General Carlson chose to pursue a career of service in defense of the freedoms that we cherish. This led him to attend the United States Military Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in general engineering. Upon graduation, Major General Carlson was commissioned into the Engineer Regiment and later received a Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Missouri and a Master of Arts in strategic studies from the United States Army War College (USAWC) at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Throughout his distinguished career, Major General Carlson has served in numerous command and staff positions from company-to division-level units. Before assuming his current position, some of Major General Carlson's assignments include commanding the 372nd Engineer Brigade and the Contingency Response Unit, 416th Theater Engineer Command, and serving as the Chief of Staff, U.S. Agency for International Development. The colossal amount of prestigious awards and decorations that he has attained are illustrative manifestations of his heroic service and devotion to this nation. These honors, among others, include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, NATO-SFOR (Balkans) Medal, NATO-ISAF (Afghanistan) Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Engineer Regiment Bronze DeFleury Medal.

Under his esteemed leadership as commander of the Transatlantic Division, he oversaw both the USACE Contingency Construction Program and the Associated Foreign Military Sales Construction Programs, which provided vital facilities for U.S. Forces and our allies throughout the Middle East. Additionally, Major General Carlson has also been a proponent of increasing awareness of and expanding opportunities for today's youth in the Science, Engineering and Technical career fields and has been involved in STEM-related events, such as National Engineer Week and TAM-sponsored STEM events in the Winchester area.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire 10th District, I would like to express my gratitude to Major General Carlson for his dedicated career of service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing such a truly commendable figure. I wish him and his wife, Valerie, and their three children, Cody, Chad, and Camie, all the best as he moves on to his next assignment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Sergeant Major Ronald E. Johnson, who departed from his role as Command Sergeant of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transatlantic Division, on July 14, 2017 and will be retiring from the United States Army after over thirty years of honorable service. Sergeant Major Johnson has dedicated his career to keeping this nation safe, and I am grateful for not only his exemplary service to our nation, but also his service to the residents of Virginia's 10th Congressional District in his position as Command Sergeant of the Transatlantic Division, located in Winchester, Virginia.

Sergeant Major Johnson entered the Army in November of 1986 from Terre Haute, Indiana. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has served in a plethora of different capacities, including as a team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, drill sergeant, Equal Opportunity adviser, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Directorate of Public Works, first sergeant and command sergeant major. Additionally, Sergeant Major Johnson has completed a multitude of tours of duty abroad, including in Germany, Honduras, Thailand, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom I and Operation Enduring Freedom IX and XI. His steadfast commitment to defending this nation and courageous service are evident by the immense amount of awards and decorations that have been bestowed upon him. These honors, among others, include two Legions of Merit, three Bronze Stars, three Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, nine Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, three Southwest Asia Service Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, four NCO Professional Development Ribbons, Overseas Service Ribbon, two Meritorious Unit Citations; Combat Action, Drill Sergeant, and Parachutist Badges; Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, and the German Physical Fitness Proficiency (Sportsman) Badge.

Mostly recently, under his guidance as Commander Sergeant of the Transatlantic Division for the past three years, Transatlantic Division organizations have completed more than $1.7 billion in construction projects in the combat regions of Afghanistan. These efforts have included large scale military installations and utility projects, which have been vital to training Afghan security forces and providing the area with a reliable source of power. In addition to his work crucial to enhancing our national security, Sergeant Major Johnson has always been solicitous about the welfare and professional development of his soldiers and established a formal military professional development program and a very active mentoring program.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire 10th District, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Sergeant Major Johnson for his dedicated career of service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a highly venerated figure. I wish him all the best as he moves on to the next phase in his life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my resolution, H.J. Res. 92, which lends congressional approval to an amendment made to the WMATA interstate compact.

As was mentioned, the last iteration of the highway bill, the FAST Act, contained a provision that directed Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. to amend the compact to change appointment authority for the Federal directors on the WMATA board from the administrator of the GSA to the more appropriate Secretary of Transportation.

This was a very commonsense change that was made in light of recent incidents and accidents and the real need to have a top priority for safety.

The Secretary of Transportation, I believe, is in a much better position to appoint directors to the Metro board than the administrator of the GSA. The States of Virginia and Maryland as well as D.C. complied with this directive and amended the compact, and we are all in agreement here.

The previous Secretary of Transportation last year appointed two very well-qualified candidates to serve as the Federal directors on the WMATA board.

The final legal step that we are taking today here in this equation is for Congress to lend its approval to the change, and that is what this resolution does.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Chairman Goodlatte, for his work on this matter and for yielding the time. I appreciate his leadership in bringing this forward.

I rise in support, Mr. Speaker, of this resolution, HJ. Res. 76, offered by the gentleman from Maryland, the minority whip, Mr. Hoyer. We have very much a regional partnership that is essential for Metro, and this resolution today reflects that. It lends congressional approval to the new interstate compact between Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to establish an independent State safety oversight program, in this case known as the Metro Safety Commission.

The previous iteration of the Metro safety oversight body was known as the Tri-State Oversight Commission, and in response to various accidents, inadequacies, and outright failures, the previous Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx, used the authority that we in Congress, together, working with our regional delegation together, gave him to temporarily take over the safety oversight role of Metro through the Federal Transit Administration. But it was only meant to be temporary control. We still need a permanent body to provide this invaluable safety oversight for WMATA, and the passage of this legislation in the House today brings us one important step closer to that goal.

I also would like to mention that, because we had not done this in the timeframe initially allowed, the FTA did give notice to the Metro Safety Commission it had to be in place on or before February 9, and when it wasn't,

they suspended some of our Federal funds.

Now, with this today, we hope this initial withholding, which equated to $8.9 million and is expected could total $15 million, that now that can move forward.

I have a letter that I include in the Record, which is signed by our regional delegation in support of now releasing those funds

Washington, DC, June 30, 2017.

Hon. Elaine Chao,

Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation,

Washington, DC.

Dear Secretary Chao, As representatives of public transit

customers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, we write to

express our concerns regarding the Federal Transit

Administration's (FTA) February 10, 2017 decision to withhold

federal transit grant money in response to incomplete efforts

to establish a new State Safety Oversight Program (SSOP) for

the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

On February 8, 2016, the FTA gave notice that the

Metropolitan Safety Commission (MSC), a new SSOP to succeed

WMATA's Tri-State Oversight Commission, must be in place and

certified by the FTA on or before February 9, 2017. On

February 10, 2017, with no new SSOP certified, the FTA

announced it would exercise its authority to withhold five

percent of federal funds authorized in fiscal year 2017 under

the Urbanized Area Apportionments Program (49 U.S.C. 5307).

The initial withholding equated to $8.9 million, and is

expected to total $15 million if he withholding continues to

the end of the current fiscal year. This withholding will not

just impact funding for WMATA, but for broader infrastructure

maintenance throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington,

Mr. Speaker, we in the region have worked together on these issues and, with this congressional approval and with the help of my colleague, Chairman Goodlatte, took this to the Judiciary Committee, who will now be able to begin the process of improving Metro in connection with our State and regional partners.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to commemorate the life of my constituent Mr. Joseph ``Joey'' Noufal from Leesburg, Virginia, who passed away on May 31, 2017, at the age of 48. Throughout his life, Mr. Noufal was an esteemed entrepreneur in our community and a devoted husband, father, and friend. Revered for his sincerity and beloved for his contagious smile, generosity, and compassion, Mr. Noufal embodied an innovative and zealous character. His legacy endures and he will always be remembered and missed by many.

Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, Mr. Noufal immigrated to Northern Virginia during his childhood. From a young age, he developed the essential entrepreneurial qualities of reliability, creativity, and determination by working in his family's salon. Later on, he earned his Associate's Degree in Graphic Design. As an award-winning hair stylist, he successfully ran Noufal Hair Color Studio for more than a quarter- century. Throughout his career, Mr. Noufal garnered numerous international certifications and made house calls to royal families and foreign dignitaries. Additionally, Mr. Noufal operated various business ventures involving franchising, coffee distribution, and corporate cleaning.

Recently, Mr. Noufal and his wife, Vicky, celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. Together, they have three sons, Alexander, Brandon, and Mason. Mr. Noufal often remarked that his greatest accomplishment in life was being father to his sons and a partner to his wife. He is also survived by his mother, six brothers, and two sisters.

Mr. Noufal leaves behind a remarkable legacy and an extensive entrepreneurial career to the Commonwealth. His unyielding strength and devotion to his work and clients attested to his selfless character and genial demeanor. He will be greatly missed by the countless lives he has touched.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of, and bidding farewell to, Joey Noufal. May he rest in peace, and his family be comforted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Colonel Steven J. Owens on his retirement from the United States Army after 30 years of service to our country. An esteemed and respected member of the Army Medical Service Corps, Colonel Owens most recently served as the Deputy Director for Reserve Affairs at the Office of the Surgeon General. In this capacity, he was instrumental in driving policy to improve the capability of the Army to recruit and retain high quality providers to care for our Nations

Daughters and Sons. He also played an integral role in strengthening the relationship between Army National Guard and the Army Reserve medical communities.

Colonel Owens distinguished career began with the Virginia Army National Guard in 1987, and included time at Ft. Belvoir, VA; Camp Robinson, VA; Ft. Pickett, VA; Ft. A.P. Hill, VA; Joint Force Headquarters, VA; the National Guard Bureau; Fort Sam Houston, TX; and the Office of the Surgeon General. During this time, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his time in Iraq, he served as the I Corps MNCI and USFI liaison to the Iraqi Army Surgeon. In that role, he performed the medical portion of counterinsurgency training for hundreds of America's service members and advised the Iraqi Army Surgeon on methods to increase capabilities to provide care to the Iraqi Soldiers, and to improve recruitment and retention of providers in the Iraqi Army.

As Colonel Owens embarks on a new chapter in life, it is my hope that he may recall, with a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, the outstanding contributions he has made to the Office of the Surgeon General, the Virginia Army National Guard and to the United States Army. I would like to send him my best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1397, which would authorize this Federal land exchange between the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration.

As has been discussed, at issue is the jurisdiction of an access road adjacent to the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, a privately funded living history museum which is part of the National Park Service and in my district in McLean, Virginia.

Claude Moore Farm is a wonderful way to experience what life was like on a small family farm for the average family in the late 1700s, not the plantations that we often see preserved, but a very small, average family farm.

Claude Moore Farm is tucked in right next to the CIA, as has been mentioned, and the jurisdiction of this particular access road off of George Washington Memorial Parkway has not been clear and has resulted in confusion and unnecessary security concerns.

Over the years, general use of this access road has set off security alarms at Langley. And this confusion has not only been difficult for security personnel; it has also cost taxpayer resources.

On September 11, 2002, the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration entered into an agreement under which the transfer of administrative jurisdiction, management, and maintenance of the lands in question were agreed upon. Since then, the two parties have been abiding by these rules.

What this agreement does now is make this permanent in a legislative fix. It is a commonsense, bipartisan bill. We worked on this with Senator Warner also. Last year he was able to get it attached to the energy package, but that did not pass, so we now need this to move forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this straightforward, noncontroversial bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea upon his first visit to the United States.

Rooted in rich history, the United States and the Republic of Korea share a special relationship based on robust bonds of collaboration and camaraderie. The most illustrative manifestations of American and Korean partnership have been the economic and security alliances formed since the early 1950s. Together, we have worked to thwart the spread of territorial and international threats while also engaging in mutually beneficial trade and investment. In the 21st century, our special relationship will only expand as we face new challenges to regional and global security and promote free and fair trade. Our nations must forge ahead to put an end to North Korea's nuclear program. Failure on this front would compromise global peace and state sovereignty. And, ultimately, we must continue to seek an end to the conflict between the North and the South--which has destroyed lives and entire families--by reunifying the Korean Peninsula. As our nations encounter a critical moment in history--a moment simultaneously fraught with peril yet abound with opportunity--this visit provides an opportunity to enhance our established commitment to security and the advancement of strategic interests.

Mr. Speaker, I welcome President Moon and look forward to our continuous and prosperous partnership with the Republic of Korea.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Leesburg Virginia's longest serving Police Chief, James Martin Kidwell, who passed away on June 19, 2017, at the age of seventy-seven. A lifelong resident of Leesburg, Chief Kidwell was renowned for his public service and longstanding community involvement, as he dedicated his career to protecting the people of his hometown. Throughout his life, he was a revered leader in the Leesburg community who brought honor and integrity to his profession and will be remembered as one of the town's finest and most devoted policemen.

Chief Kidwell was born and reared in Leesburg and graduated from Loudoun County High School. After graduation, Chief Kidwell initially intended to follow in the footsteps of his uncle and work as a plumber. However, only after a few days in this occupation, when he came across a nest of snakes, Chief Kidwell realized that he wanted to pursue a

different line of work. Then in 1961, at the age of twenty, he became a police officer in Leesburg, marking the commencement of his thirty-four year career with Leesburg's Police Department. In 1972, he assumed the position of Chief of the Leesburg Police Department and held that post until his retirement in 1995.

Mr. Kidwell's remarkable career spanned multiple decades, and as Chief, he oversaw Leesburg's Police Department during a period of unprecedented development in the town. As the town expanded and confronted new complex challenges, Chief Kidwell ensured that the police department was equipped to handle the city's massive population surge and transformed the department from a meager force of only four police officers, one patrol car, and no radio system into a modem police department. During his tenure, the department burgeoned into a thirty-five person force that was able to effectively combat the increasingly serious crimes stemming from Leesburg's rapid growth. But despite the town's enlargement, Chief Kidwell always remained engaged with Leesburg's residents and maintained a small-town approach to law enforcement.

After retirement, Chief Kidwell spent much of his time playing golf, watching sports, especially his beloved Washington Redskins, and caring for his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Knox Kidwell, his daughters, Kelly Bradley, Kerri Spinks, and Kristi Kidwell, his sisters Catherine Howard and Page Kidwell, his brother Bradley Kidwell, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me and countless others as we recognize the innumerable contributions of Chief Kidwell. Chief Kidwell's steadfast commitment and selfless dedication to keeping the residents of Leesburg safe will be greatly missed, and the services he provided to the Town of Leesburg and Virginia's Tenth Congressional District will never be forgotten. He was an exemplary officer and the true embodiment of a public servant, and today we honor him for his legacy of a lifetime of service.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize a local business in Virginia's 10th Congressional District that will be significantly expanding its already extensive operations. On June 27, 2017, Unanet, a preeminent and innovative organization in the software industry, will open a new headquarters in Loudoun County, in the heart of my district. Unanet plans to make significant financial investment in this new operation as part of their expansion, which will result in a larger facility and will enable the organization to create new local jobs in the next few years.

Founded in 1998, by the present Chief Executive Officer, Fran Craig, Unanet has continued to prosper since its inception, as the organization has increased its revenue by about 20 percent per year over the past decade. Today, Unanet is one of our region's premier software companies and a leading provider of Cloud and On-Premise software for project-based organizations. Unanet currently serves over 1,000 organizations nationwide, including many government contractors located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan region.

While Unanet has been an economic catalyst for the Washington D.C. area as a whole, the organization, headquartered in Loudoun since 2003, has deep roots in Loudoun County and has played an integral role in the development and success of the county's nascent technology industry. In addition to their plethora of economic contributions, the organization has also done extensive philanthropic work in our community and been firmly committed to supporting local charities, including Loudoun Hunger Relief, Loudoun Education Foundation, Loudoun Laurels Foundation, and Loudoun Cares.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Unanet for their entrepreneurial achievements and for their numerous contributions to our local economy. I wish Unanet all the best as they celebrate this major expansion. I look forward to seeing their continued success and am thankful for the plethora of occupations and other opportunities they will provide my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Polaris for hosting the Freedom Happens Now 5K on Saturday June 24, 2017. This important event accentuate the plight of the voiceless victims of human trafficking in an effort to both raise awareness on their behalf and eventually eliminate this modern day slavery.

Polaris was founded in 2002 by two seniors at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Derek Ellerman and Katherine Chon, who were inspired to take action after learning about the horrifying account of six Korean women who were coerced into working at a brothel just a few blocks away from Brown University. This enlightened Ellerman and Chon as to how Ubiquitous human trafficking really is and compelled them to take immediate action. They established Polaris, whose name derives from the North Star, which guided slaves toward freedom along the Underground Railroad. Since its inception, Polaris has remained firmly devoted to ending all forms of human trafficking and has always put an emphasis on directly supporting trafficking victims. Polaris has helped numerous victims escape from exploitation and worked to prevent more people from becoming ensnared by human trafficking. Over the past decade, Polaris has expanded their operations and today has evolved into one of the most preeminent global leaders in the fight against human trafficking.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Polaris for their vigorous dedication and unwavering commitment to bring awareness to the suffering and horrors that confront the countless victims of human trafficking. I truly appreciate all their work and thank them for promoting awareness about this important issue through hosting numerous events, including Saturday's 5K, which not only united our community, but helped us all gain a greater understanding of the realities of human trafficking. I also want to express my sincere gratitude to all those who participated in Saturday's 5K in a collaborative and laudable effort to combat the scourge of human trafficking and provide assistance to its all too often unnoticed victims. I wish Polaris all the best as they continue their valiant crusade to eradicate human trafficking in the United States and worldwide.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary leader of women, Lucy Diggs Stowe, who has recently been honored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an international sorority that she helped establish at Howard University in 1908. The ceremony took place in Berryville, the place of her birth, located in the 10th Congressional District of Virginia.

In the early part of the 20th Century, Lucy Diggs Slowe was an inspirational advocate for greater opportunity for African-American women, whose resourcefulness and resilience is reflective of the dynamic Josephine Street community where she spent her early childhood. The difficult loss of both of her parents in her youth and the obstacle of a segregated education in Virginia and Maryland did not stop Lucy Slowe from blossoming as a student and achieving greatness as an educator. Graduating second in her class from Baltimore Colored School in 1904, she was admitted to Howard University in Washington, D.C. and after graduating from Howard as class valedictorian in 1908, Lucy Diggs Slowe embarked on a stellar career as an educator, overcoming obstacles and breaking down barriers as she went. In chronological order, she taught high school English in Baltimore, studied at Columbia University during the summers and obtained a master's degree in 1915, was invited to create and lead the first junior high school for African-American students in the District of Columbia, was selected by Howard University as its first Dean of Women in 1922, and served in administrative positions at Howard for the next 15 years.

To ensure a prominent role for African-American women at traditionally black colleges, Lucy Diggs Slowe helped organize and served as the first president of the National Association of College Women, an organization dedicated to raising the standards in colleges for African-American women, developing women faculty, and securing scholarships. Slowe's passion for excellence extended beyond education to the sport of tennis, as well. In 1917, she became the first African- American woman to win a national title in any sport, when she claimed the first women's title at the American Tennis Association's national tournament in Baltimore.

While an undergraduate student at Howard, Lucy Diggs Slowe was one of nine founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the nation's first Greek-letter organization for African-American women and served as its first president. More than a century later, the international sorority has grown to more than 290,000 members in 997 chapters in 42 states, the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories and foreign countries. With the purpose of raising the status of African-Americans, particularly girls and women, the sorority's corps of volunteers has championed life-long learning and instituted social action initiatives and social service programs that have transformed communities for the better.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring the extraordinary life and contributions of Lucy Diggs Slowe, a favorite daughter of Berryville, Virginia and recognizing and thanking Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for 109 years, of proudly and successfully working to raise the status of African-American girls and women

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to commemorate the life of Mr. Dennis Patrick ``Pat'' Mullins, who passed away on May 28, 2017, at the age of 79. Throughout his life, Mr. Mullins was an esteemed leader in our community and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Revered for his ability to bring people together and beloved for his vibrant personality, charm, and great sense of humor, Mr. Mullins embodied the essence of a true conservative and a Virginia gentleman. Under his extraordinary leadership, the Republican Party of Virginia experienced a period of expansion and tremendous success, unparalleled in recent years. His legacy endures and he will always be remembered and missed by many.

Originally from St. Albans, West Virginia, Mr. Mullins earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1959, where he served as sports editor of the college daily newspaper, the Spectator. Later, he earned his law degree from George Washington University. In 1963, Mr. Mullins married his wife, Jackie, with whom he raised four children.

Mr. Mullins's illustrious political career spanned multiple decades and commenced with his role as the Fairfax County Republican Committee Chairman from 1990 to 1996. After moving to Central Virginia, he served as the Chairman of Louisa County Republican Committee from 2008 to 2009. Subsequently, he was elected as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia in 2009 and served until his retirement in 2015.

In addition to his political activism, Mr. Mullins was known for his fervent passion for therapeutic horseback riding and his dedication to our community and his family. He served as a member of the American Paint Horse Foundation's Board of Directors and served as a Rotary District Governor. Mr. Mullins also always cherished his family and in his later years often regaled his grandchildren with vivacious stories. Mr. Mullins leaves behind a remarkable legacy and an extensive career of service to our Commonwealth. He will be greatly missed by the countless lives he has touched. He is survived by his four children, six grandchildren, and brother.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of, and bidding farewell to, Pat Mullins. May he rest in peace, and his family be comforted.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present today, June 21, for rollcall votes. I was attending a memorial service in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 311, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 312, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 313, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 314, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 315.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent, Corporal Rick Costello, who will be departing from his role with the Purcellville Police Department after over 15 years of service to our community.

Corporal Costello's commitment to serving others did not start until 1999 when he began volunteering with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. In fact, he served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before starting his career for a building supply company, where he worked for over thirty years. As a volunteer with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Corporal Costello served as a member of the community advisory committee, assisting police officers in Loudoun County, but soon afterwards, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office offered him a position on the force. Despite his age difference with the majority of the other trainees, Corporal Costello passed the six-month, rigorous training and served for three years with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and twelve more years with the Purcellville Police Department.

As an officer, Corporal Costello became well known for his information technology skills, helping advance the Purcellville Police Department's communications systems and managing the department's accreditation process. In fact just last month, The Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission unanimously voted to award the Purcellville Police Department with its second re- accreditation certificate, largely due to the framework that Corporal Costello has set up over the years.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the entire 10th District, I thank Corporal Rick Costello for his dedicated career of service to Loudoun County, and I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a truly commendable public servant. I wish him and his family all of the best in their future endeavors.