Congressional Record — House, H6910 (December 8, 2020)

Summary

Page H6910 of the House section of the Congressional Record for December 8, 2020, made up of farewell and tribute speeches in interleaved columns. A retiring Member says he brought back over $367 million to his district and that his office helped 419 constituents with Federal issues. Another statement honors Bob, a veteran of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion who received the Purple Heart and worked at the post office in Thermopolis, supporting naming that post office for him. Other speeches praise Chairman Peterson's service and honor Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap.

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“Congressional Record — House, H6910 (December 8, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-08-crec-2020-12-08-pt1-pgh6910-2-358e87ac1b/, SHA-256 02a7a86f1d9199258032153c1f7b38b74cd315183837949efc75b4e8e13273a1.

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H6910 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 8, 2020
engagement, accessibility, and visi- venting Congress and the Federal Gov- a member of the 300th Armored Field
bility I have had with my constituents. ernment from doing its job. Artillery Battalion. Along with a unit
I was able to bring back over $367 mil- What I am most proud of is when this citation, he received a combat infantry
lion to the district for our schools, job House came together to get things badge and the Purple Heart.
creation programs, fire departments, done for the American people. We came After his service, Bob returned to
resources to combat homelessness, and together to pass great bipartisan legis- Thermopolis and began working at the
COVID–19 relief. lation like the blue water Navy bill. At post office. Decades of service to his
Our district office recovered over the beginning of this pandemic, we community, to his State, and to his
$550,000 for constituents through case- came together as a House, a Congress, country mean that it is absolutely fit-
work and helped 419 constituents re- and as a government to pass legislation ting that the Thermopolis Post Office
solve their Federal issues, from Social that was beneficial to the American should bear Bob’s name, and I am
Security to Medicare benefits to immi- people and businesses. That type of col- proud to sponsor this legislation.
gration casework and Veterans Affairs laboration is what the American people f
healthcare. We have responded to over want to see, and it is what they should
ACKNOWLEDGING THE BIRTHDAY
119,000 constituent letters and partici- expect.
OF J. T. JOHNSON
pated in over 250 community events. I We are still in the middle of this pan-
hosted 30 townhalls over the past 2 demic, and families, workers, and busi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
years. nesses are being left behind, and this Chair recognizes the gentleman from
At the start of this pandemic, my legislative body must come together Georgia (Mr. HALL) for 5 minutes.
team swiftly changed their operations again to prevent that from happening. Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
to respond to every concern and ques- In the end, we must remember and to acknowledge the belated birthday of
tion that came through, working tire- never forget that we are here to serve my uncle, civil rights organizer J. T.
lessly day and night to help the 39th the American people. Johnson. He served in civil rights. He
District get through this pandemic. As I conclude, I just want to take was one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s
Their commitment and dedication to this opportunity to say thank you. No lieutenants, hailed from Albany, Geor-
public service knows no limit. We one ever does anything alone, so I want gia, and integrated St. Augustine
raised the bar significantly and set the to thank my wife, Jacki, and my boys, swimming pool accommodations. In
standard of what representation should Alexander and Christopher, for their fact, he had acid poured on him in the
look like for the 39th District. We de- love and support. swimming pool.
livered, because anything less would I want to thank my staff in D.C. and So we are thankful for you, Uncle
have been unacceptable. in the district. I can’t tell you how J.T.
From California to Washington, D.C., many times I was told by so many peo- Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge
I listened to constituents, worked ple how responsive and wonderful they the birthday today of my brother,
across the aisle, and turned problems all were to work with. Colby Hall.
into legislative action. I voted to pro- From the bottom of my heart, I want COVID–19
tect the Affordable Care Act, preserve to thank the people of the 39th District Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
protections for preexisting conditions, for allowing me to serve as their Rep- to discuss the public health pandemic
and lower the price of prescription drug resentative. that ravages our Nation.
costs. Those who know me know that I am As COVID–19 cases and deaths con-
I also helped secure House passage of a big baseball fan and a big Dodger fan. tinue to rise, I believe that our country
H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background One of my favorite baseball players, is at an inflection point in which our
Checks bill, to bring us closer to end- the legendary Jackie Robinson, once actions and ability to provide relief to
ing this gun violence epidemic and said: ‘‘A life is not important except in struggling Americans will define our
keeping our communities safe. For the the impact it has on other lives.’’ commitment to the American people
first time in over 25 years, the CDC re- I do not know what the future holds for generations to come.
ceived funding to research gun safety, for me, but I can assure you this, Mr. As the Member of Congress tasked
a significant step for our country. Speaker: I will continue to work to with looking after the seat that the
As a Navy veteran and member of the have a positive impact on others’ lives late Representative John Lewis held
Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have for both my community and my coun- for over 33 years, I know that he would
worked across party lines to improve try. want me to speak up and speak loudly
access to benefits for our veterans. We f about the need for Congress to pass a
got the blue water Navy bill passed and comprehensive stimulus bill in re-
signed into law to help our veterans, POSTMASTER ROBERT BROWN sponse to this unprecedented pandemic.
like my father, who was exposed to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Having survived COVID–19 myself
Agent Orange during the Vietnam war. Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from after dealing with it for over 3 weeks
Just recently, my bipartisan bill to Wyoming (Ms. CHENEY) for 5 minutes. this summer, I am committed to doing
prevent veteran suicide and substance Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am everything I can to ensure that we
use problems was signed into law with- pleased to rise in support of S. 4684, the crush this virus and provide for the
in a larger landmark veterans’ mental House version of which will be coming American people.
healthcare bill. to the floor today to honor former Like John Lewis once said: ‘‘Govern-
I am proud of the work I was able to Thermopolis, Wyoming, Postmaster ments and corporations do not live.
do on the Armed Services Committee Robert Brown. We will be renaming the They have no power, no capacity in and
to protect our servicemembers and U.S. Post Office located at 440 of themselves. They are given life and
their families. I am proud of the work Arapahoe Street in Thermopolis as the derive all their authority from their
I have done to diversify our officer Robert L. Brown Post Office. ability to assist, benefit, and transform
corps, protect military children from Bob Brown’s career with the Postal the lives of the people they touch.’’
child abuse, and fight sexual harass- Service spanned 44 years, including 18 As the struggle mounts for the people
ment and assault in our military. years as the postmaster. Brown and his in Georgia’s Fifth Congressional Dis-
In the House, we have also passed wife, Jerry, who was Senator MIKE trict, it is clear to me that the Con-
legislation to protect our Dreamers, ENZI’s first Sunday school teacher, are gress of the United States must act,
lift the SALT cap, support small busi- also the parents of Senator JOHN BAR- and act swiftly. The latest report

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nesses, and strengthen voting rights, RASSO’s wife, Bobbi. shows that, by the end of this year,
which is what the American people After graduating from Thermopolis without additional relief from the Fed-
want. But the work must continue to High School, Brown was inducted into eral Government, one in six Americans
help those things become law. the Army in 1944 and served in both the will go hungry, 20 million renters could
There is so much more that needs to European and Pacific theaters. In 1950, face eviction, and small businesses,
be done. It has become abundantly when he was in the National Guard, which are already being disproportion-
clear that partisan gridlock is pre- Brown deployed to Korea, where he was ately impacted, will continue to suffer.

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December 8, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6911
I know that the late Representative Since she was elected DA in 2012, Meg happy to use and share to help other
John Lewis would have taken every op- has fought hard to secure justice, pre- Members of Congress, to serve his con-
portunity to use his voice and speak up vent crimes, and improve our commu- stituents in Minnesota’s 7th Congres-
for those who would not have food on nity. Her lifelong passion for working sional District, and to further our Na-
their table if not for food banks. I with victims of crime and senior citi- tion’s agriculture. One thing that I
know that he would have taken every zens helped pave her way to law school have learned and one thing that Chair-
opportunity to speak up for those at at Mercer University. A Savannah na- man PETERSON will always tell us is
risk of losing the roof over their head, tive, Meg’s career and time as DA was that more needs to be done for our ag-
and I know that he would have taken marked by her love for Chatham Coun- riculture.
every opportunity to speak up for the ty and its people, which is why she Mr. Speaker, now, I first met Chair-
small and minority-owned businesses worked so hard to establish the many man PETERSON as a freshman Member
which cannot survive without help. new programs and innovations to im- on the Agriculture Committee. I will
Just last week, it was reported that prove the district attorney’s office. never forget how he gathered the fresh-
the Atlanta businesses that have man- Some of the many programs she men Democrats, who were all excited
aged to remain open are only making it started include the Youth Intercept for not just to be a part of Congress, but
by the slimmest of margins. Many of at-risk youth and the Pretrial Diver- having the opportunity to formulate
these struggling small and minority- sion for youthful, non-violent first of- the upcoming farm bill. But in his,
owned businesses have never, even be- fenders. Meg also helped establish the let’s just say, charming way, COLLIN
fore the pandemic, had the access to Chatham County Family Justice Cen- quickly cooled that enthusiasm when
the capital they need. ter to assist special victims find the he warned us about the potential for
They need a pivot. The loans from
services they need in just one space. issues on the nutrition title—the larg-
the Paycheck Protection Program
I am thankful for Meg’s many years est section of that bill—in which he
would certainly help them, and addi-
of hard work, as Chatham is truly a said it could prevent us from getting a
tional funds for this program must be
better place because of her. bill.
included in any stimulus plan moving
HONORING THE LIFE OF DANIEL ZEIGLER In fact, in his straightforward way,
forward.
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- he actually said, ‘‘If they screw with
b 1030 er, I rise today to remember and honor SNAP, we are not getting a farm bill.’’
As the pandemic continues to impact Mr. Daniel Zeigler of Savannah, Geor- I have to say, as the 115th went on,
communities in my district and across gia, who, sadly, passed away on Decem- and with the positive hearings we had
the country, I cannot help but urge my ber 4 at the young age of 33. on SNAP, I was incredulous as to that
new colleagues to step up and take Daniel was a graduate of the South warning that Chairman PETERSON had.
meaningful action. We cannot, and University School of Pharmacy and But that ominous warning turned into
must not, leave the American people to worked as a pharmacist at Medicap an accurate prediction, because 2
deal with this virus alone. It is in the Pharmacy. One of his greatest joys was weeks before the farm bill was dropped,
spirit of the Honorable John Lewis, our taking care of his pharmacy patients, we were notified of the majority’s de-
North Star and guiding light, that I and he did it with unmatched kindness sire to add stringent restrictions on
say we must not leave Congress until and intentionality. how one acquires SNAP benefits.
we ensure that help is on the way. Daniel loved the Lord and attended Mr. Speaker, but what I experienced
Mr. Speaker, struggling Americans services at Compassion Christian after that was something I will never
deserve better. Church’s Henderson Campus. Like his forget. The way Chairman PETERSON
f father, he also had a passion for cars not only stood firm in his beliefs about
CONGRATULATING MYRNA and was an avid member of various or- the importance of the benefits to low-
BALLARD ganizations. Daniel was the youngest income families and that the fraud and
member of the Oglethorpe Driving error rate in those programs is among
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the lowest in government, and using
Chair recognizes the gentleman from Club, and cofounded the successful Cars
and Coffee, which was a group for car the passion of Congressman DAVID
Georgia (Mr. CARTER) for 5 minutes. SCOTT, Chairman PETERSON got us all
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- lovers across Savannah.
He dedicated much of his joy and to stand together in opposition.
er, I rise today to congratulate Ms.
much of his time every December to He then worked together with chair-
Myrna Ballard on her retirement from
helping out with the Toys for Tots toy man and ranking member of the Senate
serving as Valdosta-Lowndes County
drive, which benefits kids in need. Agriculture Committee to push to-
Chamber of Commerce president after
Mr. Speaker, my prayers, Amy’s gether, push forward, put together and
23 years.
Myrna has been a pillar to Valdosta prayers, and all of the friends at pass a bipartisan 2018 farm bill.
and Lowndes throughout her time serv- Carter’s Pharmacy’s prayers go out to Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising that
ing in the chamber because of her work all the lives that Daniel touched, in- Chairman PETERSON was able to do so,
in economic development, infrastruc- cluding his patients, his family, his because during his time, he worked on
ture building, and supporting pro-busi- parents, Donna and Jay, his brother, five farm bills, a bill that has 12 titles
ness legislation. Thanks to her diligent Jason, and all of his friends who were and is complex and nuanced. So to lead
and consistent efforts, the chamber has blessed to know him. the Agriculture Committee, to lead
continuously received the 5-star ac- f Congress, and to unify our members on
creditation by the U.S. Chamber of something so diverse, it takes leader-
HONORING REPRESENTATIVE ship, it takes knowledge of the farm
Commerce.
The accreditation program defines COLLIN C. PETERSON policy, but also an understanding and
standards of excellence in chamber The SPEAKER pro tempore. The appreciation of how the farm bill pro-
planning and performance, and shows Chair recognizes the gentleman from tects our food security and the people
chambers how they can reach and California (Mr. PANETTA) for 5 minutes. affected by our foreign policy.
maintain these standards. It also rec- Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise It is also a bill that demonstrates
ognizes folks like Myrna who have today to honor our colleague and my what Chairman PETERSON stands for
helped set high standards for chamber good friend, chairman of the Agricul- and what Chairman PETERSON made
members and staff to contribute to the tural Committee, COLLIN PETERSON. the Agriculture Committee stand for—
good of their communities. Mr. Speaker, Chairman PETERSON has a platform to support farmers, ranch-

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Mr. Speaker, I wish Myrna the best served 30 years as a Member of Con- ers, and families in America. From the
as she begins her retirement. Congratu- gress; so long that there was another row crops and dairy producers in his
lations again. Congressman PANETTA serving in this rural district to the speciality crop and
HONORING MEG HEAP body when COLLIN was elected back in organic farmers and farm workers in
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- 1990. Fortunately, over that long time my district, to the families in every
er, I rise today to honor Chatham came experience and wisdom that district who rely on food assistance
County District Attorney Meg Heap. Chairman PETERSON was more than programs, Chairman PETERSON made

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