Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Lou Holtz of Orlando, Florida, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Coach Holtz is a legendary American who is regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time.

Coach Holtz is a native of East Liverpool, Ohio. He attended Kent State University and was a member of Kent State's football team and ROTC program. After graduating in 1959 with a history degree, Coach Holtz commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. In the following year, he began his extensive coaching career while attending graduate school at the University of Iowa. Over the next several decades, Coach Holtz served as the head football coach for numerous colleges, universities, and professional teams nationwide. Most notably, he led Notre Dame's Fighting Irish to record-breaking, back-to-back victories in the 1988 national championship.

For his outstanding accomplishments, Coach Holtz was granted the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement and received honorary doctorates from many academic institutions. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Spots Hall of Fame, the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, and the Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame.

After he retired from football, Coach Holtz became a sports broadcaster and established the Holtz Charitable Foundation to provide scholarships for students to attend trade schools. Moreover, he published several books to inspire young adults to develop winning game plans for life. In 2020, President Donald Trump awarded Coach Holtz the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his important contributions to our nation. I am proud to recognize Coach Holtz's spectacular legacy. The lasting impact he made on our community will be felt for many years to come.

It is an honor to bestow Coach Holtz with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation. May God Bless him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Kathryn ``Kathy'' Puckett of Howe, Texas, and present her with the Congressional Patriot Award. Kathy has dedicated herself to serving and uplifting our community.

Shortly after graduating from high school in 1970, Kathy married her high school sweetheart, Logan. Together, they moved to Tehran, Iran, where Logan worked in the oilfield industry and Kathy taught conversational English at the University of Tehran. After a decade of traveling and living in fifteen countries around the world, Kathy and Logan returned home to start a family.

Since then, she has been actively involved with numerous community and political organizations in North Texas. Kathy helped organize food drives, provide voter registration assistance, and elect local candidates. She also taught financial literacy courses and volunteered with her church's youth department to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness.

Kathy previously served as the President of the Grayson County Republican Women and is the current District Director for the Texas Federation of Republican Women in SD30. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, yoga, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren. I am proud to recognize Kathy today for her outstanding efforts to support those in need. I'm confident she will continue to make a positive impact in our community for many years to come.

It is an honor to bestow Kathy with the Patriot Award for her exceptional service to the people of North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the founding of the Rush Creek Yacht Club of Heath, Texas.

In 1969, a group of visionary entrepreneurs from White Rock Lake conceived the idea of forming a yacht club to bring together sailing enthusiasts across North Texas. This club would be located on the shores of the newly built Lake Ray Hubbard and classified as a nonprofit organization owned by its members. After a steering committee was formed, the board members obtained state approval, including tax- exempt and nonprofit status. The members initially settled on naming it the ``Dallas Olympic Yacht Club'', but it was changed to the ``Rush Creek Yacht Club'' shortly after.

Since its establishment, the Rush Creek Yacht Club has devoted itself to building a family-oriented boating club to serve sailors of all ages and experience levels. On top of providing year-round recreation, the Rush Creek Yacht Club continues to stress the importance of family values. This Founder's Day, I am proud to recognize the Rush Creek Yacht Club's past, present, and future.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of this historic occasion. I wish them continued success and fair winds for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Howard Hanson of Granger, Indiana, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award for a lifetime of service to our Nation.

Col. Hanson was born on June 28, 1940, in Slayton, Minnesota. He spent most of his childhood on a family farm and had a desire to serve and defend his country. In 1963, Col. Hanson commissioned into the United States Air Force and served as a pilot with the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 522nd Tactical Fighter Squadron. During the Vietnam War, he flew 315 combat missions in the F-100 Super Sabre fighter jet. Prior to retiring from military service in 1992, Col. Hanson served as the Commander of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 225 at the University of Notre Dame. He remained at Notre Dame until 2005, where he served as the Assistant Vice President and Director of the Office of Research.

Currently, Col. Hanson works part-time at the Warren Golf Course at Notre Dame. He is married to his wife Nancy, and together, they raised two children and have many more grandchildren. In his free time, Col. Hanson participates in community service projects for Kiwanis International and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to support children in need. He also enjoys playing golf and walking his German Shorthair puppy. I am proud to recognize Col. Hanson today for his important contributions to our community.

It is an honor to bestow Col. Hanson with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Eddie Brown of Sherman, Texas for a lifetime of outstanding service to our community. Mr. Brown served as the President and CEO of the Sherman Chamber of Commerce until his retirement on March 15, 2024.

A native of Dallas, Mr. Brown attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. After graduation, he began his lengthy career with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. In

1986, Mr. Brown moved to Sherman with his family to become Cola-Cola's Sales Center Manager, a position he held for over 24 years. During this time, Mr. Brown's longtime support of the Sherman business community, as well as his many years of community involvement, did not go unnoticed. After he briefly retired in 2010, he was selected the following year by members of the Sherman Chamber to serve as its Interim President. In 2012, Mr. Brown became its President and Chief Executive Officer. Through various initiatives and visionary leadership, he laid the foundation for the Sherman business community's tremendous growth and economic success.

During his 13-year career with the Sherman Chamber, Mr. Brown served on the board of the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives to advocate for the business community and unite business leaders across North Texas. He was also a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Sherman and the Sherman ISD Education Foundation. Moreover, Mr. Brown led efforts to connect Grayson College and the Texas Association of Business to ensure it received newly enacted education funding. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and the outdoors. I am proud of the work Mr. Brown has accomplished for our business and education community.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol to honor Mr. Brown's lifetime of service to the people of North Texas. May God Bless him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Barbara Woodroof of Gunter, Texas, and present her with the Congressional Patriot Award. Barbara has dedicated herself to serving and uplifting our community.

A native of Massachusetts, Barbara lived in the Bay State until 1978. She received a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Duke University. After graduation, Barbara taught science in Massachusetts, Texas, and Okinawa, Japan for many years. She met her wonderful husband George while teaching at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, and they married in 1980. Afterwards, they moved to Texas, where Barbara served as the Director of Religious Education at St. Michaels' Catholic Church in McKinney and the Holy Family Catholic Church in Van Alstyne. In this capacity, she taught confirmation class and worked as a Safe Environment Officer.

In 1997, Barbara became the Precinct Chair of the Grayson County Republican Party after working as an election judge and clerk. She was elected as the County Chair in 2017 and oversaw Grayson County's election procedures and operations for five years. Additionally, Barbara served on the Grayson County College Foundation Board and helped raise money to provide students in our community with scholarships. For her outstanding work and efforts, the GCRP has presented Barbara with the Eisenhower Award and the Chairman's Award. Currently, she volunteers for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Michaels and helps fundraise and campaign for local candidates. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, and traveling. I am proud of the work Barbara has accomplished, and I am sure she will continue to make a positive impact on our community for many years to come.

It is an honor to bestow Barbara with the Patriot Award for her exceptional service to the people of North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Frisco Garden Club's Wildflower Luncheon in Frisco, Texas.

In 2002, the City of Frisco established a memorial composed of wildflowers in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on our Nation. In the following year, Frisco Garden Club member Edna Willits proposed the addition of a native plant garden and monument at the memorial. Through her passionate advocacy and dedication, the Freedom Meadow memorial was constructed. In benefit of Freedom Meadow, the Club held its first ``Wildflower Tea and Silent Auction'' on April 29, 2004. This successful luncheon yielded the Club over $4,500 and allowed Freedom Meadow to expand into the beautiful and moving monument it is today.

Since then, the Club has hosted the Wildflower Luncheon every year to raise funds in support of gardens throughout Frisco and conservation initiatives for Texas bluebirds. Additionally, the Club has annually awarded two high school seniors with scholarships thanks to funds raised from this event. I am proud to recognize the Frisco Garden Club's incredible efforts to support and uplift our community. Their important work represents American strength, hope, and resolve against those who would harm us.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of this historic occasion. I wish the Frisco Garden Club and the Wildflower Luncheon continued success for many more years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Michael Wysocki of Dallas, Texas, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Michael is an experienced jurist and courtroom litigator who has dedicated himself to faithfully serving our community.

Michael is a distinguished graduate of the University of Texas at Tyler and Texas Tech University School of Law. In 2006, he was admitted to the State Bar of Texas and became board-certified in Family Law in 2011. Michael is licensed to practice law in Texas, New Mexico, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He became the Managing Shareholder of O'Neil Wysocki, P.C., with offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston. Over the years, Michael has successfully represented many clients who are experiencing family and domestic legal issues.

For his extensive work and efforts, Michael was named a Texas Rising Star lawyer three times and recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer since 2014, a prestigious title awarded to less than five percent of all lawyers statewide. Additionally, he has been honored by the Annette Stewart Family Law Inns of Court for his professionalism. In his free time, Michael volunteers on political campaigns to elect Republican candidates and helps appoint qualified Judges throughout Texas. Whether he is in the courtroom or on the campaign trail, Michael is a fierce fighter and advocate for American values.

It is an honor to bestow Michael with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas. I wish him continued success for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. William ``Bill'' Douglass of Sherman, Texas, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Bill is a distinguished American who has faithfully served our community and country.

A native of Pennsylvania, Bill graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1958 as a Dean's List Scholar. He later joined the United States Marine Corps and Army, serving as a First Lieutenant specializing in Combat Intelligence. Afterwards, Bill began his career in the oil industry as part of ExxonMobil's Sales team and

quickly worked his way up to become one of their Senior Advisors. It was during this time that his entrepreneurial spirit pushed him to pursue his very own path in the oil distribution business. In the early 1980s, Bill left Exxon and purchased a petroleum distribution company in Sherman, now known as Douglass Distributing. Douglass Distributing employs over 400 individuals across North Texas whose establishments include gas stations, Lone Star convenience stores, and fast-food franchises. If you drive through North Texas. you'll likely stop at one of the many stores owned by Bill.

For his exemplary work, Bill's signature Lone Star brand won Convenience Store of the Year twice. He was also recognized as an Employer of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Workforce Commission. In 2008, Bill was inducted into the Convenience Store Hall of Fame. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Texoma Medical Center's Board of Trustees and is a board member at Austin College, where he received an honorary Ph.D. for his contributions to the Sherman community. I am proud of the work Bill has accomplished to innovate the next generation of convenience stores and improve the world around us.

It is an honor to bestow Bill with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. James Hurley of Stephenville, Texas, and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Since 2019, Dr. Hurley has served as the 16th President of Tarleton State University and dedicated himself to serving and uplifting North Texas students.

As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Hurley understood the financial challenges that students face when it comes to obtaining an education. As such, he partnered with many schools and colleges in Texas to provide qualified students with guaranteed scholarships to Tarleton. Under Dr. Hurley's leadership, Tarleton has transformed into one of the nation's fastest-growing universities that is renowned for excellent academic, enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. It has also been ranked as a high research institution and is among the top 4 percent of universities in the United States to have received this designation.

Moreover, Dr. Hurley launched the President's Excellence in Research Scholars program to provide direct funding for student research initiatives and promote creativity, innovation, and breakthroughs in research. He serves on several governing boards to address costs in higher education, expand economic development, and shape public policy to benefit students. In 2022, the North Texas Commission granted Dr. Hurley the prestigious Education Leadership Award for his work and impact on our community. I am proud of Dr. Hurley's continued efforts to make a difference in students' lives and lead them to success.

It is an honor to bestow Dr. Hurley with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Mr. Jeffrey Donald Jewett of Galena, Ohio, who peacefully passed away on January 10, 2024 with his family by his side.

Mr. Jewett was born on February 24, 1962, in Columbus, Ohio, to Ron and Barbara Jewett. He began his career in the electric power industry and founded Jewett Electric Company in 1996. Jewett Electric has continued to provide the Galena community with outstanding professional electrical contracting services under Mr. Jewett's leadership. From an early age, Mr. Jewett was an avid athlete and participated in numerous sports, including football, volleyball, and soccer. He was a lifelong fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. Mr. Jewett was also fond of classic cars, particularly Corvettes, Chevelles, and Chargers, and he would always stop to admire them.

Those who knew Mr. Jewett could testify to his love for animals. Along with his wonderful wife Debra, he rescued several puppies from the streets and provided them with a warm, loving home. His selfless efforts made a difference in their lives and shows his dedication to helping those in need. In his final years, he frequently visited his second home in Florida, where he planned to retire. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing, and I have no doubt that his life and contributions have made a lasting impact on the world.

I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our nation's Capitol in recognition of Mr. Jewett's compassionate and fulfilling life. He will be dearly missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. BethAnn Telford of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and present her with the Congressional Patriot Award. BethAnn is a true American fighter and fierce advocate for brain cancer survivors.

Since she was young, BethAnn has been involved in numerous sports and other athletic activities. She is most passionate about long-distance running and was inspired to participate in the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent several surgeries that forced her to relearn how to walk and talk. Thankfully, BethAnn made a full recovery and refused to allow cancer to stop her from training and competing. Since then, she has completed numerous Ironman competitions and Boston Marathons, dedicating each mile she runs to a child she knows who has been affected by brain cancer.

Furthermore, BethAnn has dedicated herself to supporting brain cancer awareness initiatives. She founded Team BT, a nonprofit organization that has raised over a million dollars for brain cancer research. Through her efforts, our scientific community has moved one step closer to finding a cure for brain cancer. In 2017, BethAnn successfully completed the World Marathon Challenge, which requires competitors to finish 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, becoming one of few people in the world to undergo this amazing feat. For her sportsmanship and participation in this Challenge, she was granted the Peakside Capital Sportsmanship Award. I am proud of the work BethAnn has done to uplift and inspire our community to overcome the most difficult challenges.

It is an honor to bestow BethAnn with the Patriot Award for her exceptional service to our Nation. She is a truly extraordinary woman, and I'm confident this will not be the end of her accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 89.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Fred Moses of Plano, Texas and present him with the Congressional Patriot Award. Fred is an outstanding leader who has dedicated himself to faithfully serving our community.

As a young man, Fred was passionate about the political process and knew he wanted to play a bigger role in shaping the future of our Nation. Shortly after graduating from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in marketing, he was elected Justice of the Peace in Bridgeport and officiated marriages. Fred later moved to Plano and has remained active in local Republican politics for over 40 years. In 2008, he was elected as the Chairman of the Collin County Republican Party and worked diligently to advance the conservative agenda in North Texas. For his outstanding leadership and service, Fred was awarded the prestigious John McVeigh Award by the Collin County Republican Party.

Furthermore, Fred has launched numerous charitable initiatives to benefit our community. Since 1980, he has worked with the Plano Community Forum to provide scholarships for students in need and established scholarship endowment awards at colleges and universities nationwide. He has also supported charitable programs to help eradicate cancer and heart disease. For his work, Fred was awarded the Living Legend Award by Collin County Community College and inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame in 2019. Fred is a devoted man of faith and serves as an Associate Minister at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plano, where he also teaches Sunday School. In his free time, Fred enjoys golfing and volunteering with local community organizations.

It is an honor to bestow Fred with the Patriot Award for his exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fred and Sue Worley of Emory, Texas, and present them with the Congressional Patriot Award. They have dedicated themselves to serving and uplifting our community.

Fred and Sue have known each other since elementary school, and they married in 1968. Together, they raised five amazing children. Fred's public service career began in 1973 when he became one of the first certified firefighter paramedics in Hunt County. During his time as a first responder, he spearheaded numerous initiatives to streamline ambulance and fire prevention services for North Texas residents. Thanks to Fred's efforts, our community can count on reliable and robust emergency services today.

Furthermore, Fred and Sue have passionately fought for Texas veterans to be honored for their life and service. Through their advocacy, the State of Texas has designated the Staff Sergeant Shawn Henry McNabb Memorial Bridge at Lake Tawakoni. Staff Sergeant McNabb served in the U.S. Army and was tragically killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2009. Fred and Sue were also instrumental in securing the naming of the Mildred McMillan Garrett Memorial Bridge. Mrs. Garrett enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the Second World War and served as a city councilmember and mayor pro tempore in Rains County. I highly commend Fred and Sue for their commitment to improving the world around them. I am proud to represent such wonderful and distinguished Americans.

It is an honor to bestow Fred and Sue with the Patriot Award for their exceptional service to our Nation and the people of North Texas.