COVID Relief (Cong. Rec., Dec. 17, 2020)

Summary

Page H7234 of the Congressional Record, House, for December 17, 2020, carries retirement tributes, including Thompson of Pennsylvania congratulating Gail Langworthy on her retirement after 8 years in his office and a recognition of Dave Bailey on his retirement. Under COVID Relief, Slotkin of Michigan speaks on the eve of a vote on the next COVID relief bill led by the Problem Solvers Caucus, telling the stories of three individuals from her district, including a small business owner who asks what the Federal Government will do. Another tribute recognizes Pamela Day.

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“COVID Relief (Cong. Rec., Dec. 17, 2020).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-12-17-crec-2020-12-17-pt1-pgh7234-2-a42dae1ff1/, SHA-256 8e9e0676a229ae55268ac2690aac19a5e937fdb8fa6e71eb3eab1086c3070967.

Full text

H7234 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 17, 2020
CONGRATULATING GAIL down barriers in delays. To develop a Downtown Development Authority
LANGWORTHY ON HER RETIRE- safe, effective vaccine in under a year Board, which supports the businesses
MENT is a testament to the incredible sci- on Main Street, many of which have
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The entific progress we have seen over the been devastated by the pandemic.
Chair recognizes the gentleman from years and the refusal of scientists to Richard has had a front row seat to
Pennsylvania (Mr. THOMPSON) for 5 surrender to this terrible virus. how critical the situation is, so he
minutes. The marshaling of the public sector wrote me, asking what the Federal
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. and the private sector together by Government is going to do to save
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and President Trump has really resulted in small businesses from bankruptcy.
congratulate Gail Langworthy, an in- this vaccine that we have all been des- I had the chance to talk to Richard
credibly kind and dedicated employee perately waiting on. The vaccine is a over the phone this week, and we
of mine who has served my constitu- critical step in saving lives, saving agreed that small businesses need loans
ents for 8 years back in the district. jobs, and saving our economy. and clarity on whether those loans will
Gail is moving on to an exciting new I thank President Trump for his lead- be forgiven or if they can deduct that
phase of her life, and she is leaving our ership in Operation Warp Speed, and I loan in tax season. This is what we will
office to enjoy her retirement. thank all the incredible scientists, doc- hopefully be voting on in the next 48
When Gail isn’t working hard for the tors, medical professionals, and the hours in the update to the PPP pro-
people of Pennsylvania’s 15th Congres- others who have helped make history. gram.
sional District, she is an active volun- f Richard and I do not see eye to eye
teer for the Breedtown Cemetery Asso- on every issue, but when it comes to
COVID RELIEF our local businesses, we are residents
ciation in Venango County. She enjoys
dancing, visiting her three grand- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The of Holly first. We agree that small
children in Florida, and exploring local Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from businesses need a bridge to get them
trails while riding bikes with her hus- Michigan (Ms. SLOTKIN) for 5 minutes. through the next year when the vac-
band, Jeff. Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today, cine will be widely available. After all,
Gail has also been described as an on the eve of a hopeful vote on the next it is business owners like Richard who
avid thrift shop and yard sale junkie. COVID relief bill that our Problem have shown the grit and resilience
Gail will be missed by our entire team, Solvers Caucus has so ably led the needed to adapt to these challenging
but I am happy for her as she begins charge on, I rise to tell the stories of times. It is only right that we have
this new adventure. three individuals from my district. their backs when they need it most.
Thank you, Gail, for your hard work, Their stories represent just a fraction Mr. Speaker, lastly, I am pushing for
dedication, and service, and enjoy your of the messages I have been receiving this bill because of Karli. She is a serv-
retirement. on COVID relief. er at Mackle’s in Hartland, Michigan—
RECOGNIZING DAVE BAILEY ON HIS RETIREMENT But today, on the floor of the peo- where, by the way, they have the best
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. ple’s House, I rise because they deserve buffalo chicken wing tenders ever—and
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize to be heard. Their stories are the rea- the best part of the job for her is cre-
Mr. Dave Bailey, who has worked for 31 son we refuse to go home for Christmas ating memorable experiences for guests
years for the Office of the Chief Admin- without an agreement. They are why who come to share a meal. But these
istrative Officer by supporting Member we continue to fight until a deal is days, with the kitchen converted fully
offices with all sorts of technology reached. to takeout, she is working half as
needs. First, I would like to talk about Bob, many shifts and taking home half the
Dave has been a frequent visitor to who wrote to me from Brighton, Michi- pay she used to.
our office to help me and my staff with gan. Bob is a pillar of his community. COVID blindsided her and the rest of
our computers any time that we had an After serving his Nation in the Army the service industry, and now she is
issue. He also played a critical role in National Guard for 6 years, he has been worried about the bills that are piling
ensuring our office was ready to giving back to his fellow veterans for up. In between shifts and stretching
telework as we transitioned our lives over 21 years as a district post com- every paycheck, she is going to school
online at the start of this pandemic. mander for The American Legion. to become a nurse, joining the absolute
Simply put, we would not be able to But for the first time in 16 years, Bob front line of America’s latest war. Sim-
do our jobs without people like Dave recently found himself laid off from his ply put, she can’t imagine going into
Bailey. job in construction due to the the new year with no extra help.
I am disappointed that I will not be coronavirus. To cover his expenses, Mr. Speaker, she ends her letter with
able to share my well wishes with Dave like 171,000 others in Michigan, he had these words: ‘‘Please help take care of
in person, but I wanted to take this op- to file a first-time claim for unemploy- us so we can get back to taking care of
portunity to thank him for his three ment insurance. Despite being eligible you as our guests.’’
decades of service and for all the help for the State’s maximum benefit, he Take care of us so we can take care
that he has provided me in my office. cannot make ends meet. of you.
Dave, be well, and enjoy your much- Between medications and health in- Mr. Speaker, think about that for a
deserved retirement. surance, mortgage and car payments, moment. In the middle of a global pan-
COVID VACCINE utilities and food, he is having to turn demic, one that has claimed 300,000
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. to his savings, and he knows that won’t American lives and upended our way of
Mr. Speaker, this week, we reached a last long. life, that is the mantra of folks on the
truly incredible milestone in the fight Bob is responsible, a straight shoot- ground, folks who just want to take
against coronavirus. er, and he has served our country. He is care of their neighbors and their com-
On Monday, the first COVID–19 vac- the kind of Michigander who anyone munities. They are not asking for the
cine developed by Pfizer was adminis- would want in their corner, but right government to solve every problem,
tered, and today, the FDA is meeting now, he is asking for help, not some- but they expect their government to
to approve the Moderna vaccine. time in the future, not after the inau- act.
The timeline of vaccine development guration of a new President. For residents in my district, an
was made possible by Operation Warp He is asking us to pass a bill that agreement is more than just numbers
Speed, and it is truly a modern medical helps the millions of Americans who on a page. It is a ray of hope that
miracle. In the 1930s, at the University are in need. It is our job, and it is our maybe they will spend Christmas a lit-

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of Pittsburgh, Dr. Jonas Salk began duty to rise to that call. tle less worried. It is a new year that
work on a polio vaccine. It wasn’t until they can truly look forward to. It is a
1953, 23 years later, that the vaccine b 1230 sign that, when their backs are up
was successfully tested. I am also pushing for relief for Rich- against the wall and they need help,
Operation Warp Speed has helped ard, who is from my hometown of Congress can get in a room and agree
shrink the vaccine timeline and knock Holly, Michigan. Richard chairs our on a deal.

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December 17, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7235
Mr. Speaker, we are so close to that and a sincere love of country. She has ourselves. Service means listening to
finish line, and so I ask all my col- always been committed to the next and working with others, even when we
leagues to join me in heeding the pleas generation of congressional staff and disagree.
of Bob and Richard and Karli. Let’s do has been a respected mentor to many Service is not about winning at all
the right thing. Let’s pass a bill so we of the staffers, both in my office and costs. It is not about us versus them. It
can help those who need it the most. around Capitol Hill. Her leadership in is about all of us working together.
f my office was invaluable, and she will Service means leaving the world and
be missed by her colleagues as well as our country a better place than we
RECOGNIZING PAMELA DAY found it.
myself.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. Speaker, it has been my great I still believe that we can do that,
Chair recognizes the gentleman from honor to call her my chief of staff and that we must do that, that we must
Alaska (Mr. YOUNG) for 5 minutes. an even greater honor to call her my leave this country better than we
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. Speaker, I rise friend. found it. And, no, it is not easy. It
today to recognize my chief of staff, Pam, I wish you the best in your re- takes work, but it is worth it.
Pamela Day. Next month, after 25 tirement. You have certainly earned it. Mr. Speaker, during the 116th Con-
years of service—17 of them in my of- God bless you, Pam, and thank you for gress, I held 54 townhalls, a record for
fice—Pam will begin her well-earned your service. Oklahoma’s Fifth District. I met with
retirement. f thousand of Oklahomans: individuals,
Pam first arrived on Capitol Hill as a businesses, and organizations. It was
college student and served in my office FAREWELL REMARKS worth it because connecting with con-
with my friend, the late Representative The SPEAKER pro tempore. The stituents and making sure their voices
Ben Gilman of New York. She first Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from are heard is a critical part of this job.
started in my office as a legislative as- Oklahoma (Ms. KENDRA S. HORN) for 5 One of the most frequent questions I
sistant, and her policy knowledge and minutes. had heard time and again—one that
genuine desire to serve my constitu- Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. broke my heart—was when people
ents quickly became apparent. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on would ask me if it was even worth it to
Because of her hard work, determina- what has been the greatest honor of my work across the aisle to try to get
tion, and positive attitude, Pam was life: the opportunity to represent my things done, whether it was even pos-
promoted to legislative director, dep- home State and Oklahoma’s Fifth Con- sible to find compromise and common
uty chief of staff, and, eventually, she gressional District here in the people’s ground in today’s bitter political cli-
became my chief of staff. Her leader- House. mate. My answer was the same every
ship in my office has been invaluable. This is not an honor that I take time: Absolutely.
It is no secret, as dean of the House, lightly, nor is it a responsibility that I We can and we must. We have done it
I have been here for a long time. As a could have carried alone. before. Compromise takes hard work
Member of this institution for nearly First and foremost, I begin by saying because it is always easier to walk
20 years, Pam stuck with me through thank you. away from the table, to point fingers,
thick and thin, and I will always be Thank you to my family, to my par- than it is to find a path forward. But
grateful for her faithful service. ents, grandparents, great-grand- finding common ground is worth it
She is well respected by everyone, parents, my friends, and all of those every time because, when we talk
from alumni of my staff and her col- who have supported me throughout my about service and working on behalf of
leagues on Capitol Hill, to leaders in life, who taught me the lessons about our districts, to me, the best service we
the State of Alaska and advocates far caring for our community, lessons can provide here in Congress is putting
and wide. You simply do not achieve about hard work and determination, politics aside and getting the work
this level of respect unless you set the about living the Golden Rule—the done for the people we represent. It is
gold standard for what a congressional Oklahoma standard. with hard work and commitment to
staffer should be. Pam has gone above Thank you to all my teachers and talking to each other that we can do
and beyond at every turn. guiding voices who showed me, through that, and we have proven it over and
Mr. Speaker, a chief of staff doesn’t words and actions, the value of service, over again here in the 116th Congress.
just assist the Member; they have an the importance of showing up for each Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that,
entire team of employees who, at any other and standing up for what is right. in this Congress, that is what I have
given time, are working on countless Thank you to Oklahomans who have done. I have had 25 bipartisan bills
issues. My staff would agree, Pam is shown up to make their voices heard. signed into law in the midst of a di-
admired, respected, and will be deeply It is because of you we were able to ac- vided government, those that make a
missed. complish everything we did. It is be- real difference for our country and the
Pam’s tenure has seen many of the cause of you that we were able to do people of Oklahoma’s Fifth District,
victories I am proud of. She served in what others said could not be done. legislation like my Military Tenant’s
my office while I served as chairman of Mr. Speaker, I express my gratitude Bill of Rights and the Military HOMES
the Committee on Transportation and for my staff, who worked day and night Act, which work to address sub-
Infrastructure and passed our land- to serve the Fifth District: my legisla- standard and unsafe housing on our
mark highway bill, SAFETEA-LU. She tive team who made sure that, with military bases; bills like the PPP
also helped pass reauthorization of the every vote I took, I did what was right Flexibility Act, which extends finan-
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery and Con- for Oklahoma; my caseworkers, who cial support to small businesses during
servation Management Act. And her were nothing short of lifesavers. Their this pandemic; and legislation like the
commitment to constituents has work to help veterans and seniors, to USMCA trade deal and the CARES Act,
helped secure millions of dollars for or- help workers and small businesses and which all needed bipartisan support to
ganizations that serve Alaskans and struggling families during this pan- pass.
Americans from all walks of life. demic literally saved lives. These things made a difference. They
Aside from legislative victories, Pam Each and every one of my staff were accomplished because we worked
understood the importance of the rela- pushed themselves, not for my personal together. We were able to get them
tionships in Congress. She made sure end, not to make a political point, but signed into law. We have accomplished
that my office was always in good spir- to serve a district and people that they real things over the past 2 years in
its. And as many will attest, she en- care about, to help people who need it, service to our country, but only by

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sured that our annual office Christmas and to make Oklahomans heard in Con- working together.
parties were the best on the Hill. gress. After all, that is why we are And there is so much more left to be
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of Pam, here. done. We have work to do to deliver
and I am saddened to see her go. She Members and staff alike, we are here quality, affordable healthcare to all
served me, our State, and our Nation to serve, and public service means put- Americans. We have to strengthen our
with professionalism, commitment, ting the best interest of others before public education system. We have to

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