Farewell Remarks (Cong. Rec., Dec. 17, 2020)

Summary

A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated December 17, 2020, at page H7235, with farewell and tribute speeches. Mr. Young of Alaska recognizes his chief of staff, Pamela Day, who begins her retirement next month after 25 years of service, 17 of them in his office, and describes her path from legislative assistant to chief of staff. Under the heading Farewell Remarks, Ms. Kendra Horn of Oklahoma reflects on representing Oklahoma's Fifth District, saying she hosted 54 townhalls in the 116th Congress and urging compromise and service. Near the end, another Member discusses peace between Israel and Morocco, says $600 payments are not enough, and honors a soccer coach whose team won a Class 6A state championship in May 2019.

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“Farewell Remarks (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-pgh7235-2-2c728e259c/, SHA-256 7524577fb752d0c350881b5e3334340530e3f775762fb31b4234ee7aef22ed33.

Full text

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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H7236 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE December 17, 2020
work to create economic opportunity the Kingdom of Jordan and more than Nicole’s faith was a cornerstone
for all. And we must face the realities 40 years since the historic Camp David throughout her fight. With her strong
of inequity and injustice and systemic Accords and peace between Egypt and faith in God, she used her illness as an
racism, and the work that has yet to be Israel. opportunity to minister and inspire her
done to build a stronger America. Since those historic agreements, the players and students.
There are no easy answers to these United States’ efforts to further peace Nicole was also an incredible wife
challenges. Simply put, there is no sil- in the Middle East have stumbled and and mother. Her legacy will live on
ver bullet or hashtag that will solve faltered, with little to no significant through her team and her husband,
these deep-seated issues, but there is a progress shown. In fact, the situation Scott, and their four children: Garrett,
right way to work towards a solution: for Israelis has been more dangerous in Ashton, Abbey, and Nathan.
by working together. recent years, with terrorist attacks She will be missed by her commu-
Mr. Speaker, at this moment of fear and rocket bombardments becoming a nity. I offer prayers for comfort to her
and division, we have a choice: to re- near regular occurrence. family and condolences. Thank you for
treat into our corners and find our- Expanding diplomatic relations be- sharing her with our community.
selves pitted against each other, to fall tween Israel and these other nations f
further into this well of darkness, or to will be beneficial to pushing back
against the Iranian mullahs, Hezbollah, CELEBRATING ATLANTA-BASED
come together and find a pathway back
and other extremists in the region. BUSINESSES
to civility, to remember that our
neighbors’ fears and struggles and chal- I look forward to the United States The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
lenges are not that different from our working together with Israel and these Chair recognizes the gentleman from
own. new partners at the table to solve the Georgia (Mr. HALL) for 5 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, this is a choice each of crisis in Syria and to counter the Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
us must make, and we must urge our mullahs in Iran. to celebrate several businesses and
Mr. Speaker, many of us in Congress issues essential to Georgia’s Fifth Con-
Nation’s leaders to make the choice
encourage the incoming Biden adminis- gressional District and to greater
correctly. We need leaders who will
tration to build on these historic posi- metro Atlanta.
solve problems rather than create
tive developments and not fall back As many in this Chamber likely
them, who will remind us of what we
into the failed Middle East policies of know, my district is home to
can accomplish together when we try.
the past. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Inter-
At this moment in time, we need lead-
ers who will renew our commitment to b 1245 national Airport. As many also know,
unity and public service because there HONORING THE LIFE OF THOMAS ALBERT PARRIS
the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged
is so much at stake. Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I air travel, an industry critical to my
Mr. Speaker, we have more in com- rise today to honor the life of a great district.
mon than we have that is different. We American, Thomas Albert Parris. He Which is why this morning I am
have more that unites us than divides was 87 years old. proud to celebrate Delta Airlines and
us. And to make this great experiment After joining the Air Force in 1948, at Hartsfield-Jackson for the inaugural
that is our Nation work, we must rec- age 14, Mr. Parris was stationed in Ger- quarantine-free, COVID-free flight
ognize a fundamental truth: many for 2 years, where he drove an from Atlanta to Rome, Italy.
We are a government of the people, ambulance and became a medic. Mr. As former chair of the international
and that means we have to work for ev- Parris continued to serve in that ca- committee in the Atlanta City Council,
eryone. We are a government by the pacity at various Air Force bases in I challenge the House Foreign Affairs
people—not by a party, not by two sep- the U.S. and abroad. Committee to facilitate measures that
arate peoples, by the people. While stationed in the Azores, Mr. encourage more of this.
Mr. Speaker, to move ourselves for- Parris assisted in delivering 395 babies. My responsibilities attendant to the
ward for the people, to keep our democ- After retiring from military service, Fifth Congressional District prevented
racy strong, we must recognize the hu- Mr. Parris owned several gas stations, me from joining this group on this del-
manity in each other. Our Nation’s fu- worked on nuclear submarines, became egation, but I hope to be on later
ture hangs in the balance. a private pilot, and trained racehorses. flights.
f Most recently, he was recognized by I also rise to raise attention to the
the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and need for renewed support of the former
COMMEMORATING THE ABRAHAM awarded the Cherokee Warrior Medal OPIC-like activities via the DFC, the
ACCORDS of Patriotism by Chief Chuck Hoskin, Development Finance Corporation. At-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Jr., and the Tribal council members. tention to developing nations in Africa,
Chair recognizes the gentleman from I join Arkansans, Oklahomans, and like Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia; the
Arkansas (Mr. HILL) for 5 minutes. all Americans in recognizing Mr. Par- Caribbean; South and Latin American
Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, ris’ years of service and honoring his countries, such as Brazil and Colombia;
as this year draws to a close, I rise to remarkable life. I pray he rests in Central Asia and Asia are in need of
commemorate the historic Abraham peace. support.
Accords. HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NICOLE This morning, I also want to cele-
After years of foreign policy experts INMAN brate Home Depot, the world’s largest
saying it could not be done, President Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, home improvement store, with more
Trump and his team have now brokered today, I rise to recognize Nicole Inman than 2,200 stores, employing 400,000 in-
peace between Israel and the Kingdom and her great memory, who, over the dividuals. Under the vision of Arthur
of Morocco, the fourth such agreement past many months, was recognized by Blank, the Home Depot supports count-
in just 4 months. her friends, family, and colleagues as a less lives and families and continues
Because of these remarkable diplo- warrior of hope. Nicole recently lost their unwavering support of veterans.
matic accomplishments, we will seek her courageous battle with cancer. We know that the COVID pandemic
continued cultural, diplomatic, and Many across Arkansas are mourning has affected many industries, including
economic visits and exchanges between her passing. home improvement. Many employees
Israel and Bahrain, Israel and the Nicole was the Bryant High School in industries all across the country
Emirates, Israel and Sudan, and, now, girls’ soccer coach, who led the pro- have been deeply affected by the eco-
Israel and Morocco. gram to its second Class 6A state nomic toll caused by the pandemic,

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I believe that this represents a his- championship in May 2019, the same which is why the stimulus discussions
toric paradigm shift in the region and year she was awarded Coach of the occurring in the Capitol, if reports are
gives momentum to ultimate peace be- Year by the United Soccer Coaches. to be believed, are still somewhat in-
tween Israel and the Palestinians. She was more than a coach and a sufficient. We simply cannot be con-
Mr. Speaker, it has been more than teacher; she was an inspiration on and tent with $600 payments. $600 per per-
20 years since Israel signed peace with off the field. son is not enough. Frankly, my flights

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