Jeff Miller

Mr. Speaker, due to attending the President's Bill Signing Ceremony of the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, I missed the following rollcall votes: No. 77 and No. 78 on February 12, 2015. If present, I would have voted: rollcall No. 77-- On Ordering the Previous Question, ``aye,'' rollcall vote No. 78--H. Res. 101--The rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 644-- Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2015, and H.R. 636--America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015, ``aye.''

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to recognize the life and legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved Sue Pardue. For decades, Sue was a leader and integral part of the Northwest Florida community, and she will be missed by all who were fortunate to know her.

Sue married her loving husband of more than 42 years, Alvin, in 1972, before moving to Pace, Florida, where they started a family and became an integral part of the Pace community. While raising her five children, Sue also took steps to further her education, receiving bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees from the University of West Florida. Sue used her education and kind-hearted nature serving as a counselor at many institutions in Northwest Florida, including Pace Assembly Ministries, Santa Rosa Correctional Institute, and Pensacola Family Care for Youth, amongst many others.

While raising a family and working as a counselor, Sue also took an active role in many community organizations helping to serve the community that she loved. Sue was deeply devoted to serving the Lord, and she served for many years as head of the Children's Ministries at Pace Assembly of God and the Women's Ministries at Pensacola First Assembly of God, while also holding a position on the church's board. In addition to her service at her church, Sue was deeply involved in many other organizations, including: Concerned Citizens for Gifted Children, Crisis Line Counseling, RSVP Advisory Board, Red Cross, Advisory Board for Children's Home, Advisory Board for Guardian Ad Litem, Pace Water System, Family Promise, Pregnancy Resource Center, and Santa Rosa County Bond Review Board.

To some, Sue will be remembered as a devoted servant of Jesus Christ, working tirelessly to spread His word at her church and throughout Northwest Florida. To others she will be remembered as a highly educated, hard-working, and dedicated counselor. To her family and friends, she will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

On behalf of the United States Congress, my wife Vicki and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to Sue's husband, Alvin; her children, Donna, Deniece, Brian, Edwin, and Calvin; her seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and the entire Pardue family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Northwest Florida's Janis K. Simmons upon the occasion of her retirement from the Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Santa Rosa County Extension Office, after more than thirty-two years of dedicated service.

A lifelong resident of Florida's First Congressional District, Mrs. Simmons was born to Easter and Bennie Harris and was raised in Chumuckla, Florida. After graduating from Chumuckla High School, she attended Pensacola Junior College and began working for her father's business, Harris Masonry. After gaining valuable experience at Harris Masonry, Mrs. Simmons and her husband, Bobby, established Simmons Masonry, which they successfully operated for ten years.

In 1982, the IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension Office welcomed Mrs. Simmons to its team. Mrs. Simmons served as the Jay Office Secretary for nearly thirty-three years and assisted the office in a myriad of ways. Throughout her career, whether it was through her work with the Santa Rosa Pest Management Association, her assistance with local farmers in processing their applications, bookkeeping, providing financial management, or maintaining permit files and regulations, her diligence never wavered, and she proved to be an invaluable asset to the Santa Rosa County Extension Service.

IFAS employees will forever remember Mrs. Simmons for her willingness to help others and her famous spaghetti meals. As she leaves behind a career that has touched the lives of thousands in Northwest Florida, Mrs. Simmons looks forward to continuing to serve her church, Ebenezer Church, in a greater capacity, gardening, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to congratulate Janis K. Simmons on her retirement and thank her for her service to Northwest Florida. My wife Vicki and I wish her and her husband, Bobby; sons, Steven and Dale; and grandchildren, Lela, Brayden, and Makenna all the best.