War on COVID-19 (Cong. Rec., Dec. 9, 2020)

Summary

Page H7053 of the House section of the Congressional Record for December 9, 2020, in interleaved columns, headed War on COVID-19. Ms. Schakowsky, speaking for 5 minutes, says the deaths of 286,000 people are a staggering toll, argues against a liability shield she calls a get-out-of-jail-free card for companies, and urges continued unemployment insurance benefits, which are her views. She notes 48 million workers put their lives in danger each day. Tributes honor a military officer named Gary who led force readiness policies and served veterans groups in Polk County, and Sheriff Shoar for his awards.

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“War on COVID-19 (Cong. Rec., Dec. 9, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-09-crec-2020-12-09-pt1-pgh7053-7c38a7d2a6/, SHA-256 b7071b1857f68ee1d6656af7ff5e46b1b6bedf27b7ab8f0bfceff27490d08dfa.

Full text

December 9, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7053
way of life. From Vietnam to the So- Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I And then we have to end the idea of
viet invasion of Afghanistan to Desert am Congresswoman JAN SCHAKOWSKY. I some sort of a liability shield. In many
Storm, Gary’s leadership as a com- represent the Ninth Congressional Dis- ways, it is really a get-out-of-jail-free
mander and director played a key role trict of Illinois, and I am here on this card for companies that don’t have to
in our force readiness policies. auspicious day to stand up for the peo- take care of their employees when they
Despite this distinguished career, ple of the Ninth Congressional District get sick.
Gary was just getting started. He who are suffering right now under this Mr. Speaker, 48 million workers put
served on the National Board of Direc- pandemic. their own lives in danger every day and
tors of the Military Officers Associa- Mr. Speaker, we know that already suit up and go out into the world tak-
tion, as vice chair of the Florida Vet- we have seen the deaths of 286,000 peo- ing care of our elderly, working in hos-
erans Foundation, as chair of the Polk ple, rivaling the total number of people pitals, working in grocery stores, load-
County Veterans Council, as chairman who have died in World War II. We are ing our shelves, and taking our money
of the Flight to Honor Polk, and serves at war with this virus. Fifteen-plus when we leave. These people deserve
on the James A. Haley VA Hospital Ad- million Americans have contracted help, and the employer should not be
visory Board, among others. this virus. But it is not only the suf- freed from any kind of liability.
On a personal level, he has also aided fering of people and the families of peo- Mr. Speaker, we need the State and
my office and those of my two prede- ple who have died and the people who local money, and we need help for
cessors with the military service acad- have this terrible disease, but it is also small businesses. We can do that. We
emies nomination process—his deep in- an issue for the rest of Americans who must do that.
sight and knowledge have helped nu- are suffering right now. f
merous students throughout the years Mr. Speaker, like every other Mem-
who also proudly served our country. CONGRATULATING DAVID SHOAR
ber of Congress, I am sure that you are
And just this past September, Gary getting the calls that I am getting; The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
joined the 8th class to enter the Flor- people—adults—who are weeping into Chair recognizes the gentleman from
ida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. the telephone and telling us about Florida (Mr. RUTHERFORD) for 5 min-
Mr. Speaker, it is Americans like their fears, the suffering that their utes.
Gary who have sacrificed their time, Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I
families are facing, the loss of jobs.
their talents, and their treasures for A man called crying, saying, ‘‘I can’t rise today to congratulate David Shoar
both this Nation and their neighbors. pay my rent. I have lost my job. I am on a well-deserved retirement from a
When I see an American flag, I think of 40-year, lifelong career from law en-
so afraid that, along with my family,
Gary, and I am so proud to call him my forcement. David has been with the St.
we are going to be out on the street.’’
friend. A woman called somewhat embar- Johns County Sheriff’s Office since
Mr. Speaker, I thank Gary for his being elected sheriff there in 2004, 2008,
rassed to tell us that she cannot put
service; and to many more years ahead, 2012, and 2016. That is 16 long years of
food on the table for her children. We
I salute him. faithful service to the St. Johns Coun-
directed her to a food bank. Think of
REMEMBERING BISHOP MATTHEW WILLIAMS
that; in the richest country in the ty Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to He has been an outstanding leader for
world, that she had to rely on a food
mourn the passing of Bishop Matthew the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
bank to be able to feed her family.
Williams, a longtime community and and initiated many innovations during
Mr. Speaker, in this country today, 1
faith leader from our district, and a his tenure. Sheriff Shoar actually
out of 4 of our children is considered—
personal inspiration to me. began his law enforcement career with
Bishop Williams was born in March what we say—food insecure.
What does that mean? the St. Augustine Police Department
of 1956, in Lakeland, Florida, the son of
It means that they don’t know where in 1981, serving as a patrol officer be-
the late elder Matthew Williams, Sr.,
their next meal is going to come from. fore being promoted to sergeant in 1991.
and the late Mother Louise Williams.
This is shameful. Because of his leadership, knowledge,
He graduated from my alma mater,
People who are facing—the day after skills, and abilities, in 2000, he was ap-
Brandon High School, in 1974, and at-
Christmas—losing their unemployment pointed as chief of police, following
tended Hillsborough Community Col-
benefits. In Illinois, that is half a mil- successful stints as operations com-
lege. Yet, at the age of 17, and during a
lion people. Around the country, that mander and administrative services
period of national unrest, he accepted
is 16.4 million people who may be with- commander. Just 4 years later, in 2004,
Christ as his personal Savior and, in
out any source of sustenance. he would then begin his career as sher-
1982, became a full-time minister at
Brown Memorial Church of God in Mr. Speaker, this is America. We iff of St. Johns County.
need to save our people. So we need to Mr. Speaker, that is when I really
Christ, forever impacting countless
come to an agreement, and we need to came to know Sheriff Shoar, during the
lives in our community.
Not only was Bishop Williams always come to it soon because people are des- Florida Sheriffs Association’s new
available to help anyone in need, he al- perate right now. sheriffs school. Although we both at-
ways was a source of strength and guid- Mr. Speaker, the things that we need tended an earlier training class in
ance to his peers. Given his dedication to do: Wakulla Springs and really had gotten
to his neighbors and faith, it is no sur- Number one, I believe that we need to be close friends, it was at this new
prise that he was elected to the Church to send a check to every family. They sheriff’s training that I truly began to
of God in Christ’s General Board, the need money in their pockets. appreciate Sheriff Shoar’s intelligence
highest executive and administrative And where is that money going to go? and his insights.
board within his denomination. It is going to go right out into the Sheriff Shoar is also a decorated sol-
Mr. Speaker, our community and my community, helping all the small busi- dier in the Florida National Guard,
family extend our deepest sympathies nesses that we are so concerned about. later retiring as a major after 24 years
to the Williams’ family, especially to That $1,200 check that people got ear- of service to our Nation and our State.
his wife, Gayle, and his daughter, lier in the year was a lifesaver, and we He served in the Gulf War and led
Deniece. Though, he will be missed, we should do something similar right now. North Florida’s recovery efforts fol-
know that he still lives in the presence Mr. Speaker, we need to extend those lowing Hurricanes Andrew and Opal.
of Almighty God and awaits our next unemployment insurance benefits. Our His public service record and leader-
meeting. economy actually was somewhat thriv- ship in northeast Florida is truly sec-
f ing when they were getting $600 a week ond to none.

ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with HOUSE
to keep their families going. I am not Mr. Speaker, all of Sheriff Shoar’s
WAR ON COVID–19 necessarily asking for that amount of awards and accolades are too numerous
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The money, but we should continue the un- to list, but they do include the Amer-
Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from employment insurance benefits. Again, ica’s Most Wanted National First Re-
Illinois (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY) for 5 min- that money goes right out into the sponder Award, the American Legion’s
utes. economy. Top Cop Award, the Catholic Charities

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