Gus M. Bilirakis

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to recognize Mr. Virgil Cook, a WH Lineman with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC), for his outstanding service as part of WREC's second mission supporting the Light Up Navajo Project. Through Light Up Navajo, utility professionals volunteer their specialized skills to help extend electricity to Navajo families who have lived without power for generations. Mr. Cook joined his WREC colleagues in taking on this demanding work, demonstrating professionalism, perseverance, and a strong commitment to helping others. The significance of this mission goes far beyond installing electrical infrastructure. Reliable power means children can study after dark, families can safely store food and medicine, and elders can enjoy greater safety and comfort. It helps provide families with opportunities and conveniences that most Americans experience every day.

Mr. Cook's participation in this mission demonstrates the power of service and the difference individuals can make when they choose to put their talents to work for others. His efforts embody the cooperative spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. I commend Mr. Virgil Cook for his dedication, skill, and commitment to improving the lives of families in need. His service reflects great credit upon WREC and our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to recognize Ms. Stephanie Wilson of Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) for her important service as a Multimedia Contact during WREC's second mission supporting the Light Up Navajo Project. The Light Up Navajo initiative brings skilled utility professionals together to help provide electricity to Navajo families who have lived without power for generations. While much of the mission necessarily focuses on the physical work of extending electrical service, documenting and sharing that work is also important. Ms. Wilson helped capture the people, stories, teamwork, and impact behind this extraordinary effort. Through those efforts, others are able to better understand what access to electricity means for families who have gone without it. It means children having light to study after dark, families being able to safely store food and medicine, and elders enjoying greater safety and comfort. Sharing these stories also helps recognize the skilled professionals who volunteer their time and talents to make that progress possible.

The Light Up Navajo Project is ultimately a story about service, human connection, and neighbors helping neighbors. Ms. Wilson helped ensure that story could be seen, shared, and remembered. I commend Ms. Stephanie Wilson for her professionalism, dedication, and contribution to this important mission. Her service reflects great credit upon WREC and our community.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to rise today to recognize Mr. Sam Horner, a CR Lineman with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC), for his outstanding service as part of WREC's second mission supporting the Light Up Navajo Project. Through Light Up Navajo, utility professionals volunteer their skills to help bring electricity to Navajo families who have lived without this basic necessity for generations. Mr. Horner joined his colleagues in undertaking the difficult, hands-on work necessary to extend reliable electrical service to families in need. For many Americans, electricity is so much a part of everyday life that we rarely stop to consider its importance. Yet access to power can mean light for children to study after dark, refrigeration for food and medicine, and greater comfort and security for families and elders.

Mr. Horner's willingness to use his professional skills in service to others reflects the very best of WREC and the cooperative tradition. His hard work helped further a mission that brings not only electricity, but also greater opportunity and hope. I commend Mr. Sam Horner for his craftsmanship, dedication, and commitment to serving others. His contribution to this worthwhile mission reflects great credit upon WREC and our community.