Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States.

My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

Kevin O'Hanlon served in various positions both in my Washington, D.C. office and on my campaign, and has excelled in each capacity during his nearly four-year tenure. Kevin has earned a reputation for being dependable, meticulous and for always being willing to chip in however needed. While outside of his job description, Kevin was also appreciated for his technical expertise, which became invaluable to the office as he solved technical issue after technical issue, keeping our team up and running time and again. Above all, I could always count on Kevin to assist with a helping hand, regardless of the issue or the time of day or night that he was needed. I extend my thanks to his wife, Liz, for her patience for the many times Kevin worked long or irregular hours to keep our congressional office humming along smoothly.

Kevin should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Kevin and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Kevin O'Hanlon for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

Boyce Deitz has served as a member my District staff since I first took office. Boyce's presence in my life has been a blessing for years, beginning first as my high school football coach and mentor and now, more importantly, as a friend and confidant. As the roles reversed and Coach Deitz spent the past six years as a Field Representative in my Congressional District office, I was reminded daily of Coach's dedication and drive to do everything possible to always meet the need and fix the problem of everyone who walked into his office. We have spent many days traveling the rural areas of Western North Carolina knocking on doors, visiting farms, watching football practices, and just enjoying talking with the fine people who call Western North Carolina home. Without the support of people like Boyce the past six years would have never been possible.

Boyce should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Boyce and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Boyce Deitz for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

I recruited Chad Eaton to join my District staff in January of 2009. Having first met Chad through his service to both our families' church as the Associate Pastor at Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina, I was already well familiar with his commitment to personal and professional excellence. In the several years that have passed since we first met in 2005, I continue to be impressed by Chad's devotion to family, faith and public service. Chad's character and moral compass inspire his daily actions both inside and outside of our duties as a Congressional office, earning him my deepest respect and also the respect and appreciation of colleagues and constituents alike.

Not a day goes by without my leaning on Chad in some capacity. Chad is a loyal, honorable and trusted companion and I consider his counsel and friendship a blessing in my life. No matter where the Good Lord's plans take us in the future, I look forward to many more years of our continued friendship.

Chad should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Chad and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Chad Eaton for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States.

My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

Ed Pavia joined my Washington, D.C. office in January 2012, as he was completing his Masters in Appropriate Technology (renewable energy engineering) from Appalachian State University. It became apparent immediately that because of his understanding of energy and agriculture issues he would be a valuable addition to our team. New to Capitol Hill, Ed quickly learned the ropes and has been entrusted to serve in a variety of capacities, including work as a Research Fellow, Legislative Assistant and Executive Assistant. Ed's attention to detail, knowledge of policy issues and disciplined work ethic have proven to be invaluable assets.

Ed should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Ed and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Ed Pavia for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor several of the volunteers who have served in my district office over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide excellent constituent services and these volunteers have assisted my staff in providing the exceptional assistance so many have come to expect in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

These volunteers have always treated our constituents with the utmost respect and always made sure their needs were met in a timely fashion. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

Dennis Berman played a valuable role as a volunteer during my first two terms in office. Dennis offered a calm and reassuring voice to constituents as they would call our District office with concerns and needs. His ability to

quickly diagnose the problem the individual had encountered allowed him to connect constituents with the proper staff member to begin the task of resolving the issue.

Dennis should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with Dennis and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Dennis Berman for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

Dodie Collins has served as a member of my District staff since July of 2011. Dodie came out of retirement from a career with the State of North Carolina to bring added expertise to my District office in an array of areas. Dodie's addition enabled our office to provide increased and expedited assistance by working directly with our State of North Carolina contacts when casework called for a state-directed resolution. Through Dodie's strong grasp of casework management she was able to direct constituents in the appropriate direction, ensuring a more timely and successful outcome for many.

Dodie should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with Dodie and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Dodie and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Dodie Collins for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress.

Erica Edwards has served as a member of my District staff since October of 2008. Erica provided valuable guidance to individuals seeking assistance from the Social Security Administration. Erica's background working with the Department of Social Services at the county level provided our constituents with an additional level of expertise and hands-on experience to effectively serve a broader spectrum of constituents in their greatest time of need.

Erica should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with Erica and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Erica and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Erica Edwards for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States.

My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of service in the Congress.

Blakely Whilden was the Field Director for my first campaign in 2006. Following the campaign she served as a member of my D.C. staff for much of my first term. Blakely helped manage and organize the office, and always with efficiency and friendliness. Having grown up in the 11th Congressional District, Blakely was proud to help represent her hometown District in our nation's Capitol. She was especially passionate about issues surrounding higher education and focused on policies that would help to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality, affordable education.

Blakely should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with her and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Blakely and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Blakely Whilden for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States.

My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of service in the Congress.

Christy Hayek, a senior at American University, joined the D.C. office as an intern in April of this year. Christy proved to be a quick learner and has done an exemplary job in assisting my Washington office fulfill its daily responsibilities. Articulate, intelligent and friendly, Christy is often the first point of contact constituents have with my office when they visit or call in need of assistance, and she handles each request with poise. I am confident that when Christy graduates she will succeed in whatever path she decides to pursue.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Christy Hayek for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor several of the volunteers who have served in my District office over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and these volunteers have assisted my staff in providing the excellent assistance so many have come to expect from our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

These volunteers have always treated our constituents with the utmost respect and always made sure their needs were met in a timely fashion. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown to me during my years of service in Congress.

Billy Woody has served in numerous roles as a volunteer in our District office. As retired military himself, Billy took special interest in making sure our veterans received exceptional representation as they sought needed benefits through the Veterans Administration. I could always count on a warm smile and kind words of affirmation each time I interacted with Billy. I know our local veterans share my sense of gratitude and recognize Billy's dedication for always putting them first and for making their mission his own.

Billy should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Billy and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Billy Woody for his hard work on behalf of all of western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States.

My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of service in the Congress.

Andrew Whalen helped run my very first campaign and played an instrumental role in my election to Congress. Following the campaign, Andrew served as a member of my D.C. staff as Communications Director. With Andrew's talent for grasping the breadth and complexities of the day's leading issues, together we were able to sift through some of the most intricate legislation of the decade. Then, after successfully running my first reelection campaign, Andrew returned to the office to serve as my Senior Advisor for Policy and Communications. Andrew was an exceptional member of my staff in every position that he held, and his political acumen and masterful communication skills continued to be invaluable assets.

Andrew should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Andrew and the team by my side.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Andrew Whalen for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Congressman Costello on his pending retirement and thank him for his service to his country and district.

Serving in the House of Representatives since 1988, Congressman Costello has become a key figure in this body, serving as the dean of the Illinois delegation and working across lines to find sensible solutions to the day's most pressing challenges. Jerry has proven himself to be a gentleman whose dedication and service to his constituents and to the United States of America went above and beyond the Halls of Congress.

I had the pleasure of serving alongside Congressman Costello on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where I was proud to have called the Congressman not only my colleague, but my friend. I observed as he worked to build the transportation infrastructure in Southern Illinois and the country. Over the years, Jerry has built a reputation for not only his hard work, but also his ability to work with Members of the other party. It is these qualities--work ethic and bipartisan spirit--that will be missed most in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Congressman Costello on his retirement. While his mark on the Nation and his district are permanent, his presence in this chamber will be missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of 1st Lt. Todd W. Lambka. On August 1st, 2012, he passed away while serving in the Paktika province of Afghanistan.

1st Lt. Lambka attended Robbinsville High School where he participated in both football and wrestling. He was known for his maturity as well as his work ethic, building a reputation for outworking his teammates and making others around him better. Following high school, 1st Lt. Lambka excelled as a student at the United States Military Academy at West Point,

NY. He was awarded the Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor for receiving high marks and persevering despite the loss of his mother, Donna. After graduation in 2010, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment in the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division based in Fort Riley, Kansas.

1st Lt. Lambka is survived by his wife, Cassie, twin brother Jordan, who is also serving in Afghanistan, and father Brian. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.

In his writings with others, 1st Lt. Lambka frequently referenced a quote from President Teddy Roosevelt, ``There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.'' Mr. Speaker, with the life that 1st Lt. Lambka has lived and the sacrifices he made, his name is not merely worth remembering. Rather, it shall be engrained in our national consciousness with the other fallen servicemembers of this generation--men who sacrificed their lives for our country and freedom. I urge my colleagues today to join me in honoring 1st Lt. Lambka.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Joe Morris, who retires from law enforcement after having completed over 40 years of outstanding service to his community and Western North Carolina.

Joe has shown devotion to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of our mountain communities throughout his career. He began in 1964 as a Highway Patrol Officer, a position in which he excelled until he retired as a Master Trooper in 1985.

He later served as a Captain for Sheriff Homer Holbrooks at the Macon County Sheriffs Department until 2002. Joe once again returned to service the same year, working as the Jail Administrator and as a Captain at the Cherokee County Sheriffs Department. It is from this position that we can celebrate his retirement.

Through literally decades of service, Joe has shown extraordinary dedication to law enforcement in Western North Carolina, and as has had a particularly important impact on Macon and Cherokee Counties. As his nephew, I could not be prouder. Thank you, Uncle Joe, for all of your service to Western North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize today's guest chaplain, Dr. Michael Catt. Dr. Catt is the senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. I'm honored to welcome Dr. Catt, his wife, Terri, and his daughter, Hayley, to the U.S. House of Representatives today.

Dr. Catt has served as senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church since 1989. The church has 3,000 members and has averaged 100 baptisms each year. Thousands have joined the church from Albany and 29 surrounding communities. The church has evolved from a neighborhood church to a regional, multiethnic congregation with members from 11 nations.

Most notably, under Dr. Catt's leadership, Sherwood Baptist developed an out-of-the-box church outreach. Dr. Catt's goal is to change the world from Albany, Georgia. While this may sound and seem like a radical or even ridiculous statement from a pastor in southwest Georgia, it has, in fact, become a reality through Sherwood Pictures. Dr. Catt has served as executive producer of ``Flywheel,'' ``Facing the Giants,'' ``Fireproof,'' and ``Courageous.'' Each of these major motion pictures serves to influence the world for Christ.

I am honored to call Dr. Catt a friend, and I look forward to how God continues to use Dr. Catt in the future. I ask my colleagues to welcome Dr. Catt and his family as he leads us today in opening prayer.