Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my chief of staff, Rachel Harris.

With my upcoming retirement, I think it is important to recognize the individuals who have supported me throughout my tenure in Congress, none more important than my staff.

Rachel joined my team as communications director in March of 2020 and has served as my chief of staff since October of 2021. Rachel is a hard worker who could always be relied upon to get things done. No matter the task, large or small, Rachel is ready to tackle it.

Originally from Russellville, Arkansas, Rachel has been committed to public service from an early age including volunteering on local political campaigns and even serving as an intern here in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Throughout her tenure, she has shown tremendous dedication to me, my staff, our constituents, the State of Arizona, and the Nation.

As I leave Congress and she leaves the House, I have no doubt she will do great things in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Rachel for her service. I truly appreciate her.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of my district staff, Ashley Paxton, for her dedication and service to the constituents of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District.

Ashley Paxton, a U.S. Air Force veteran, serves as a Green and Gold Congressional Fellow in my Surprise, Arizona, district office.

In just a short time, Ashley expertly navigated problems for over 200 constituents who had issues with various Federal agencies. As a result, she saved these constituents over $350,000. Ashley also excelled at constituent outreach around the district and coordinating both the Congressional Art Competition and the annual military service academy nomination process.

I thank Ashley for her leadership and service to the Eighth Congressional District. Her dedication and determination were critical to the success of our constituent service programs and improved the lives of those living in our district.

I thank Ashley, and I appreciate her.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Don and Debra Luke for their dedication and commitment to Arizona and their support for organizations and candidates that uphold the principles and values that have made Arizona and our nation great.

The Luke family has deep roots in Arizona. In 1873, Frank Luke moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Frank married Otilia and had 9 children. One of their children, Frank Luke, Jr. was a leading ace in WWI. Luke Air Force Base, just west of Phoenix, is named after him. Frank and Otilia's youngest son, Bill Luke was the founder of Bill Luke Chrysler- Plymouth and was the head of the automobile dealership until he passed away. Don Luke, Bill and Dorothy Luke's son, started working in the family business at the age of 13, progressed up the ladder, and is now President and CEO of Bill Luke Dealerships. Don and Debra have three sons.

Don and Debra Luke are great people. I have found them to be very friendly and sincere. They are so easy to talk with and we share many values together. Don and Debra really care about our community, state, and nation. I wish we had more people like Don and Debra Luke. They are truly great Americans.

May their values and legacy live on for generations.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize the president of the Arrowhead Republican Women, Sue Donahue.

Sue has distinguished herself by providing exceptional service to the members of this organization, with roots in the West Valley dating back to 1993. As president, Sue has been an advocate for educating members on philosophies of smaller government, reduced taxes, and personal freedoms. The efforts of Sue and the Arrowhead Republican Women have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and candidates in the State of Arizona.

As a member of the Arrowhead Republican Women, I am thankful for Sue's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to Congressional District 8 and the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Sue Harrison, the former President of the Pebble Creek Republican Club.

Sue has distinguished herself by providing exceptional service to the residents of the Pebble Creek area of Goodyear, Arizona. Sue has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement.

The efforts of Sue and the Pebble Creek Republican Club have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and candidates in the Phoenix West Valley.

I am thankful for Sue's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Paul Carver, the Chairman of Republican Legislative District 2, which is in the north central area of Phoenix and has a population of over 246,000.

As chairman, Paul has worked tirelessly to educate, train, and inspire the next generation of citizens through civic engagement. His efforts to ensure Republicans are elected in Maricopa County have been instrumental to the success of Legislative District 2 and beyond.

I am thankful for Paul's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate his service to the legislative district and to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Arizona State Representative Steve Montenegro from Legislative District 29, covering the West Valley in the Phoenix-metro area.

Representative Montenegro is the Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, and a member of the Government and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. He has earned the Hero of the Taxpayer and the Friend of the Family awards for his voting record throughout his tenure in the Arizona Legislature.

Representative Montenegro is a strong conservative, who has supported many bills to strengthen the state's economy, defend life, secure the border, and safeguard the Second Amendment.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is thankful for Representative Montenegro's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone whose lifelong service to our Nation has been a blessing to me and countless others, Matthew Simon.

Welcome to the House gallery, Matt. I am so glad you are here.

Through his time teaching in rural classrooms with Teach for America to his years at the Arizona State Legislature as an education policy staffer and his service on my staff as chief of staff, Matt has been a steadfast public servant, committed to advancing policies that empower young people and improve their lives.

Throughout my time in office, Matt has been a reliable counselor and a dedicated member of my team. Even after he left my office to move home to Arizona, he still helped me. I look forward to continuing to work with Matt in the future.

Madam Speaker, the State of Arizona and our Nation are in good hands with thoughtful young leaders like Matt Simon at the helm.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Randy Kendrick for her many years of support and commitment to Arizona and our Nation.

For as long as I have known her, Randy has been a strong advocate and supporter of candidates and organizations that promote the values and principles that have made our Nation great.

In the early 2000s, I met Randy while I served as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers, an organization that fought for low-taxes, opposed wasteful government spending, and supported free-market principles.

Randy not only advocates for common-sense policies like these in Arizona, but she supports conservative candidates, especially women candidates, from across the country. Before I ran for Congress, I attended events at Randy and Ken Kendrick's home, where Randy hosted conservative women candidates running for federal office.

When I ran for Congress, Randy was there to support and encourage me.

As I end my time in Congress, I want to thank Randy Kendrick for her passion, encouragement and support for not only me, but for the countless number of people and projects she has had a positive impact on throughout Arizona and the United States.

I know Randy cares about the future of our state and Nation. I can hear it when I talk to her. She is a true American patriot and for that I am truly grateful.

May God continue to bless Randy and her family now and for evermore.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I want to recognize Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp, whose commitment to service throughout her life has impacted many lives.

Shamp has called Arizona her home for over 30 years, earning degrees from Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University to become a registered nurse.

In 2022, she began her public service career in the State Legislature, where she has served as Vice Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee and as a member of the Finance and Commerce Committee, Government Committee, Military Affairs, Public Safety, and Border Security Committee, Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee, and the Senate Ethics Committee.

Senator Shamp has been a champion for strong border security, conservative values, and free-market health care. In all aspects of life, Senator Shamp has proven herself as a committed, hardworking, and outspoken leader, who will always look out for those in need.

I thank Senator Shamp for her service and dedication to the state of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Jan Shank, 1st Vice President of the Sun City Grand Republican Club.

Jan has distinguished herself through tireless advocacy and dedication to the residents of the West Valley. Jan has been a driving force for educating members on the civic engagement process and bringing programming events to the community that educate the electorate on critical issues.

The efforts of Jan and the Sun City Grand Republican Club have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and candidates in the Phoenix West Valley.

I am thankful for Jan's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize State Representative David Livingston for his dedication to our community and the people of Arizona.

Representative Livingston began to call Arizona his home in 1983 and graduated from Arizona State University in 1988. He then built a successful financial consulting business, where he proudly served the Peoria community for over two decades. In 2012, he started in the State Legislature, representing the northwest valley--first in the House, and then in the Senate, where he was selected as Majority Whip for the Republican Caucus. He later returned to the House where he currently serves.

Throughout his tenure, he has played a critical role in passing many important pieces of legislation, including a balanced budget for the state. He also chaired several committees, including the Finance and Transportation Committees in the Senate, and the Appropriations and Finance Insurance and Banking Committees in the House.

I thank Representative Livingston for his service to Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Bonnie Angster of the Sun City Republican Club.

As Programs Chair, Bonnie has distinguished herself through tireless advocacy and dedication to the residents of the West Valley. Bonnie has been a driving force for educating members on the civic engagement process and bringing programming events that educate the electorate on critical issues.

The efforts of Bonnie and the Sun City Republican Club have been pivotal to the success of elected officials and candidates in the Phoenix West Valley.

I am thankful for Bonnie's leadership and dedication to conservative principles. I sincerely appreciate her service to the 8th Congressional District and the State of Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, I would like to recognize State Representative Austin Smith.

Smith is a fifth-generation Arizonan and began his involvement in political activism in 2016, when he helped to foster a strong conservative network in Arizona. In 2022, he started a career in public service of his own, when he won a seat for Legislative District 29 in the Arizona House of Representatives.

In his first term in the Arizona Legislature, Smith served as Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee and has been outspoken on many issues that are vital for the future of our great state, including water conservation, border security, Second Amendment rights, economic growth, and life.

Representative Smith's commitment to preserving the state he and his family love so much is admirable, and I am thankful for his service to Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Arizona State Representative Kevin Payne from Legislative District 27, covering the northwest valley in the Phoenix-metro area.

Kevin served our nation's military in the U.S. Navy, where he was honorably discharged after eight years. He has an impressive resume in the private sector, working as an Electrical Engineer, Aerospace Technical Consultant, and in Information Technology. Kevin has also been a small business' owner and operator, which gives him unique insight into how government should work for all Arizonans attempting to achieve the American Dream for themselves.

Representative Payne is the Chairman of the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, and he is a member of the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committees. He has worked to defend Arizona's standing as one of the top conservative states in the nation.

Arizona's 8th Congressional District is thankful for Representative Payne's endeavors on behalf of his district and our state.