Honoring Eric Burmeister (Cong. Rec., Nov. 19, 2020)
Summary
This is page E1056 of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, November 19, 2020, continuing onto E1057. Ms. Bonamici states support for S. 910, a bill to reauthorize and increase funding for the National Sea Grant College Program. In a personal explanation, Mr. Luetkemeyer states that Mr. Luetkemeyer was unable to be present for a recorded vote on November 18, 2020 and would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 222 on H.R. 6395. Under Honoring Eric Burmeister, Mrs. Axne asks the House to join in recognizing the Executive Director of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund and describes a program to help renters avoid eviction funded by $800,000 from Polk County's share of federal CARES Act funding. Other extensions honor Mike Meador, Joan Hardie Munford and Ronald W. Sullivan.
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“Honoring Eric Burmeister (Cong. Rec., Nov. 19, 2020).”
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E1056 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 19, 2020
I thank CDR John Arbuckle for a fantastic nesses including the popular Hardie House The Meador family roots in Montgomery
job. Best of luck to him and may God bless restaurant in the area. She attended County extend back over 100 years, and Mike
him, his family, and all the Sailors he is Blacksburg High School, where she met her has carried on the family legacy with his lead-
charged with leading. eventual husband Thomas William Munford ership and integrity. Mike was born to W.L.
f Jr., and graduated in 1951. She then attended and Poodle Meador in Willis, Texas, and grad-
Radford College, now Radford University, and uated from Willis High School. Staying near
NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE earned a degree in Education. his roots, he went on to earn a degree in Ac-
PROGRAM AMENDMENTS ACT OF Mrs. Munford embarked on a business ca- counting from Sam Houston State University
2020 reer, participating in the founding of a property in Huntsville, Texas.
and nursing home development corporation in Always a dedicated member of his commu-
HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI the early 1970s. She worked as a licensed nity, Mike has served as Montgomery County
OF OREGON nursing home administrator for Heritage Hall in Commissioner of Precinct 1 since January of
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Blacksburg, and it became a chain with seven- 1993. In fact, in December of 2019, Mike was
teen nursing homes across Virginia. She recognized as the longest-serving commis-
Thursday, November 19, 2020
eventually rose to the position of Vice Presi- sioner in the history of the county. After 28
Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair dent of Operations. years in service, Mike announced he will be
of the House Oceans Caucus, I rise in support In 1981, Mrs. Munford was elected to the stepping down from this position in January of
of S. 910, a bill to reauthorize and increase Virginia House of Delegates representing the 2021.
funding for the National Sea Grant College Thirteenth District and become one of the few Mike’s time in public service has been as
Program. women in the General Assembly. In the accomplished as it has been lengthy, and his
The health of our ocean reflects the health House, she served on the Corporations, Insur- exceptional management has helped attract
of our planet. The Sea Grant program’s re- ance, and Banking, Labor and Commerce, commercial and industrial businesses to the
search, extension, and education efforts are and Education Committees. She was an ac- precinct. Under Mike’s leadership, several suc-
essential to improve our understanding, con- complished legislator involved in passing laws cessful developments have been established;
servation, and use of our nation’s coastal re- regarding education, child labor, and work- two community centers, multiple Justice of the
sources. Affiliated with Oregon State Univer- place regulation among other topics. By the Peace and Constable buildings, 17 baseball
sity (OSU) as one of the 33 university-based time she retired from the House of Delegates fields, and the acquisition of a grant to build a
programs, Oregon Sea Grant focuses on the in 1993, she had risen to chair of the Labor recycling center. Mike’s tenure has been de-
ecological, social, and economic effects of and Commerce Committee. fined by honesty, integrity, and humility. He’s
many coastal issues, including evaluating de- Retiring from the House of Delegates did always prided himself on maintaining an open
velopment, adapting to coastal hazards, pro- not end Mrs. Munford’s community service, as line of communication with constituents, and
tecting marine fisheries, and understanding she served on the Board of Directors for First remained constantly engaged with those he
the cultural significance of marine resources. National Bank of Christiansburg and the serves. It’s no wonder he was named ‘‘Elected
Oregon Sea Grant also fosters and in- Carilion New River Valley Medical Center and Official of the Year,’’ by the Lake Conroe Ro-
creases public understanding of ocean and as a member of the first planning committee tary Club.
coastal issues through its management of the for Virginia Tech’s Choices and Challenges Mike’s involvement in our community ex-
Visitor Center at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Forum Series. She was an active member of tends well beyond his role as commissioner—
Science Center in Newport, Oregon. The Cen- Blacksburg Presbyterian Church and loved he is a member of First Baptist Church of
ter is an ocean and coastal learning laboratory music, especially playing the piano, throughout Conroe, a lifetime member of both the Mont-
for all ages. Oregon Sea Grant extension staff her life. gomery County Fair Association and Friends
are based in coastal communities and along Mrs. Munford is survived by her daughter of Conroe, a member of the Montgomery
the Columbia River to engage stakeholders on and son-in-law, Mary and David Harder; her County Historical Society and an active partici-
topics related to ocean health and coastal grandsons, James Harder and Benjamin Hard- pant in the Lake Conroe Chamber of Com-
communities. As Co-Chair of the House er and his wife, Jacquelyn Harder; and great- merce.
Oceans Caucus, I have had the opportunity to grandchildren, Cole and Airlie Harder. I offer Mike’s commitment to his community is
work with the Sea Grant program and witness my condolences to them on the loss of this matched only by his commitment to his family.
the value of their collaborative model to community servant and advocate. He and his wife of 50 years, Janie Houser
crafting meaningful solutions to the most sig- f Meador, have three children and nine wonder-
nificant challenges facing our ocean today, like ful grandchildren. I join them all in thanking
ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, hy- PERSONAL EXPLANATION
him for his exceptional service to Montgomery
poxia, marine debris, and tsunami prepared- County. Our community has been blessed to
ness. HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER have Mike, and I wish him all the best as he
I am grateful to Oregon Sea Grant for their OF MISSOURI embarks on his next endeavor.
many efforts to protect and sustain coastal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
f
communities, and especially their work to Thursday, November 19, 2020
strengthen the resiliency of our ocean and HONORING ERIC BURMEISTER
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I
coastal ecosystems in Northwest Oregon. I was unable to be present for a recorded vote
urge all of my colleagues to support this bill. on November 18, 2020 for Closing Portions of HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
f the Conference for H.R. 6395, the William M. OF IOWA
(Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authoriza- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HONORING JOAN HARDIE
MUNFORD tion Act. Thursday, November 19, 2020
Had I been present, I would have voted
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
YEA on Roll Call No. 222.
HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH f
ask the House of Representatives to join me
OF VIRGINIA in recognizing Mr. Eric Burmeister, Executive
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN HONOR OF PRECINCT 1 COMMIS- Director of the Polk County Housing Trust
SIONER MICHAEL ‘‘MIKE’’ Fund, as this week’s Iowan of the Week for
Thursday, November 19, 2020 the week of September 25, 2020.
MEADOR
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in Iowans have been through a lot recently.
honor of Joan Hardie Munford, who passed HON. KEVIN BRADY Along with the COVID–19 pandemic, we have
away on November 11, 2020. Mrs. Munford OF TEXAS
also experienced extreme drought, a derecho,
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
was a businesswoman and represented parts and some communities are still recovering
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
of the New River Valley in the Virginia House from last year’s floods. One common issue
of Delegates, where she was a legislator of Thursday, November 19, 2020 families are facing as the result of each of
accomplishment. Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to those circumstances is a rise in housing inse-
Joan Hardie was born on October 25, 1933, recognize Michael ‘‘Mike’’ Lloyd Meador for his curity, whether by damage to the home itself
in Blacksburg, Virginia to John D. Hardie and honorable 28 years of public service as Pre- or loss of income to pay for housing. For far
Hester Price Hardie. Her family owned busi- cinct 1 Commissioner in Montgomery County. too many in our state, this basic human need
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November 19, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1057
is at risk. And if a basic need like housing isn’t TRIBUTE TO RONALD W. four siblings. He attended East Los Angeles
met, parents will struggle to maintain steady SULLIVAN College for several years and transferred to
employment and children will not learn as well California State University, Los Angeles,
in school. There is no facet of life untouched HON. KEN CALVERT where he would go on to receive his B.A. in
by this issue. OF CALIFORNIA Journalism and Communications in 1965. His
Eric Burmeister and his team at the Polk IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES passion for journalism led him to work as a
County Housing Trust Fund (PCHTF) have writer and editor for the Belvedere Citizen and
Thursday, November 19, 2020
been fighting tooth and nail to make sure our Eastside Journal for many years after college,
Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today and he would later go on to publish the Mon-
most vulnerable neighbors have somewhere
to pay tribute to and congratulate Director terey Park Journal and the West Valley Jour-
stable to call home. Not only does the organi-
Ronald W. Sullivan for his nearly two decades nal for over 20 years.
zation lead local efforts on planning, advo-
of dedicated service to Eastern Municipal Mr. Barron met his wife at East Los Angeles
cating, and funding for affordable housing in
Water District (EMWD). College and the two married in 1963. They
the state’s most populous county, its team Director Sullivan has been a Board Member
also finds meaningful ways to help individuals moved to Monterey Park in 1966 where he
at EMWD since January 2003, representing began his long career in public service to the
through housing challenges. Division 4, which includes the cities of Menifee community. He served on the Monterey Park
Recently due to the COVID–19 pandemic, and Perris. During his tenure on the Board, Di- Planning Commission for several years before
we’ve seen a dramatic increase in evictions in rector Sullivan has dedicated himself to help- being elected Monterey Park City Clerk in
Polk County and across the state. To combat ing EMWD advance projects that provide a 1988, where I worked alongside him as a
the issue, Burmeister, along with the PCHTF more reliable water supply for future genera- member of the City Council. Among his many
and Iowa Legal Aid, came up with a new pro- tions of customers in western Riverside Coun- accomplishments as City Clerk, Mr. Barron
gram to help renters avoid eviction. Imple- ty. He has helped EMWD secure hundreds of was credited with bringing electronic
mented nearly a month ago, the project is set millions of dollars in local, state and federal touchscreen voting to the city. He retired from
up just outside Polk County’s eviction court to funds that have expanded water, wastewater his long career as City Clerk in 2013 after 25
connect tenants with legal assistance and im- and recycled water infrastructure. He played a years in the role, but was dedicated to con-
mediate rental assistance. Funded by pivotal role in the advancement of EMWD’s tinue his service to the community. He then
$800,000 from Polk County’s share of federal groundwater desalination program, including served for six years on the Board of Trustees
CARES Act funding, the emergency program the Perris II Desalter. Mr. Sullivan was also a for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library
provides low-barrier funding that can cover driving force behind the completion of modern- and was a member of the Monterey Park Li-
rent through the end of September and as far ized sewer systems in the economically dis- brary Foundation.
back as March 15. Burmeister’s goal for the advantaged communities of Quail Valley and Mr. Barron is survived by his beloved wife
program is to provide one more reinforcement Enchanted Heights; both projects were offset Mary Ellen, four children, 10 grandchildren,
in the safety net to help Polk County residents by significant external funding. and two great-grandchildren. He leaves behind
avoid homelessness during the pandemic. Director Sullivan was passionate about ad- an enduring legacy of service to Monterey
Since the program began Sept. 1, it’s already dressing arid west issues. He served as a Park and the San Gabriel Valley, and it is my
helped prevent 61 evictions affecting 149 resi- board member on the National Water Re- distinct honor to commemorate his life.
dents, 77 of them children. sources Association, was a federal affairs liai- f
Eric has been involved in affordable housing son for the Association of California Water
advocacy for decades. He came to the Agencies, and was honored by the Texas CONGRATULATING NED GOLD
PCHTF in 2010 after a thirty-year career in Water Conservation Association for his dedi-
real estate development and finance. A grad- cation to multi-state collaboration on federal HON. TIM RYAN
uate of Drake University Law School, he has issues with Texas. Mr. Sullivan was a tireless OF OHIO
represented developers of notable commercial advocate in Washington, DC, providing testi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
and residential redevelopment projects in the mony before Congress and pushing federal Thursday, November 19, 2020
Des Moines metro area, including the historic agencies to partner with EMWD to address Mr. RYAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
Kirkwood Hotel, Brown Camp Lofts, and the the needs of his constituents. congratulate Ned Gold, of Warren, Ohio, who
Newin Dairy Lofts. Burmeister also has a long Director Sullivan has served as EMWD’s
earlier this year was awarded the Boy Scouts
history of involvement in the Des Moines com- representative to the Santa Ana Watershed
of America’s highest honor, the Silver Buffalo
munity, serving in leadership positions with Project Authority (SAWPA), which manages
Award.
The Polk-Des Moines Taxpayers’ Association, the Inland Empire Brine Line and other re- Mr. Gold, who has been in Scouting for
The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, gional watershed management programs as more than 70 years, was one of 14 to be hon-
and most recently on the Executive Committee well as the Western Riverside Council of Gov- ored nationally this year. The Silver Buffalo
and Board of Trustees of Grand View Univer- ernments. He is a former Riverside County Award is the distinguished service award of
sity where he teaches part-time in the busi- Planning Commissioner, and City of Hemet the Boy Scouts of America. It is awarded for
ness department. He stays active in several Planning Commissioner. extraordinary service to youth on a national
Des Moines neighborhood associations and is Ron is a great American, a true public serv-
level.
currently serving on steering committees as a ant, and a friend. The entire Southern Cali- Ned has spent countless hours contributing
community representative for affordable hous- fornia region, as well as the arid west, thank to the work of Scouting, including helping to
ing issues. Ron for his many years of dedicated service found the Philmont Staff Association, which
Through his tireless dedication to address- and I wish him the best in his next chapter. supports the Philmont Scout Ranch, the larg-
ing this issue and finding countless ways to f est youth camp in the world, located in Cim-
get involved in his community, Eric shows us HONORING THE LIFE OF DAVID M. arron, New Mexico.
what it means to be an Iowan. Since before I BARRON Additionally, Ned is credited with bringing a
took office, I’ve said the best problem solvers 450-piece fine art collection, which includes 65
live right here in Iowa’s third congressional scouting-themed paintings by Norman Rock-
district. Eric’s sensible solution to help his
HON. JUDY CHU well, out of storage and on exhibit at the Med-
OF CALIFORNIA
neighbors avoid homelessness during a global ici Museum of Art in my Congressional Dis-
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
pandemic is one more example of that fact. trict.
I’m forever proud of Iowans like him who have Thursday, November 19, 2020 Outside of Scouting, Mr. Gold has greatly
stepped up to the plate to help address this Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam contributed to the Mahoning Valley commu-
pressing issue. I will continue to promote and Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of David nity. I am unaware of any other lawyer who
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
push for legislation in Congress that enables M. Barron, who passed away this month at the devotes as much pro-bono time in our com-
organizations like the Polk County Housing age of 79. Mr. Barron was a colleague of mine munity as Ned. Through his dedicated work
Trust Fund, Iowa Legal Aid, and advocates in Monterey Park, California, a longtime resi- with Trumbull 100, our primary civic organiza-
like Eric to work towards their goal of afford- dent of California’s 27th Congressional Dis- tion, Mr. Gold has made significant contribu-
able housing and eradication of homeless- trict, and a dedicated public servant. tions to the economic development within our
ness. It is my privilege to recognize Eric Mr. Barron was born in East Los Angeles on community. Ned has also led organized move-
Burmeister as Iowan of the Week. September 29, 1941, and was the youngest of ments in our community to honor our veterans
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