Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, January 6, 2021 — Recognizing Sharon Stark
Summary
Extensions of Remarks page E12 of the Congressional Record dated January 6, 2021. Connolly honors Sharon Stark on her retirement as District Director for the 11th Congressional District of Virginia. González-Colón states opposition to the proposed House Rules for the 117th Congress and says that as the Congresswoman for Puerto Rico, representing 3.2 million Puerto Ricans, González-Colón has no vote on passage of measures. Neguse recognizes Larimer County Commissioner Steve Johnson on his retirement. Kind states that mob rule descended on the Nation's Capitol and defends the right to a free and fair election.
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“Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, January 6, 2021 — Recognizing Sharon Stark.”
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E12 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 6, 2021
coronavirus pandemic . . . featuring exten- treatment that is received in the rest of the na- RECOGNIZING SHARON STARK FOR
sive propaganda and censorship efforts aimed tion. There is strength in the Union, particu- HER SERVICE AS DISTRICT DI-
at mollifying public anger and suppressing larly in moments of collective crisis. RECTOR FOR THE 11TH CON-
criticism against missteps in the govern-
The territorial status is also primarily respon- GRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF VIR-
ment’s initial response.
‘‘In Monday’s trial, Ms. Zhang said she re- sible for the island’s economic underdevelop- GINIA
garded the proceeding, against her as illegit- ment and decline.
imate . . .’’
According to the Census there are 5.4 mil-
HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY
I especially regret the Communist Party re- OF VIRGINIA
lion Puerto Ricans living in the rest of the
pression of the Chinese people because my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
United States as opposed to 3.26 million living
father, First Lieutenant Hugh Wilson, served in Wednesday, January 6, 2021
on the island—a difference of 2.1 million peo-
China during World War II in the Flying Tigers
ple, driven by the lack of opportunity. Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise
where I grew up with his affection for the Chi-
nese people and their extraordinary culture. It’s a pleasure to serve in this House, the today to honor my dear friend and District Di-
In conclusion, God Bless our Troops and we most diverse in its history. However, we are rector, Sharon Stark, on her retirement after
will never forget September 11th in the Global failing to address the pressing issue of Puerto more than a decade of dedicated and faithful
War on Terrorism. Rico’s need for real, not symbolic votes in service to our community.
Congress. Mrs. Stark’s strong work ethic started at a
f
young age when she got her first job selling
ADOPTING THE RULES OF THE The island deserves equality, and my con- shoes at the age of 15. After college, she
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES stituents deserve representation. began her career as a bank teller and worked
FOR THE 117TH CONGRESS her way up to be a Vice President of Oper-
f ations by the time she was 29. She then start-
SPEECH OF ed a second career as Vice President of a
CONGRATULATING LARIMER Top 25 title company for residential and com-
HON. JENNIFFER GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN COUNTY COMMISSIONER STEVE mercial real estate.
OF PUERTO RICO JOHNSON ON HIS RETIREMENT In 2005, Sharon was selected to be a mem-
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ber of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District
Monday, January 4, 2021 Democratic Committee where she served as
Miss GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN. Madam Speaker, HON. JOE NEGUSE the Treasurer for many years with our dear
I express my opposition to the proposed OF COLORADO friend Chairman George Burke. Two years
House Rules governing the 117th Congress. later, in 2007, she was named finance chair
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for George Barker’s campaign for the Senate
As the Congresswoman for Puerto Rico, I
represent 3.2 million Puerto Ricans, American Wednesday, January 6, 2021 of Virginia. The success of the Barker cam-
citizens by birth since 1917. Yet as such I paign flipped control of the Senate and helped
have no vote on passage of measures. Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, today I wish Democrats secure the majority.
While House Resolution 8 will continue to to recognize the incredible work and achieve- Sharon has managed my Congressional dis-
provide the Delegates and the Resident Com- ments of Larimer County Commissioner Steve trict offices since 2009. Under her leadership,
missioner a vote in the Committee of the Johnson. For 24 years, Steve has devoted the office has established a stellar reputation
Whole, the vote will only count if the votes himself to serving his community and the for constituent services and community en-
cast are not deciding votes. State of Colorado, including spending 12 gagement.
If Delegates or the Resident Commissioner, years serving in the Colorado Legislature and It was during the depths of the 2008 finan-
while in the Committee of the Whole, cast de- 12 years serving as a Larimer County Com- cial crisis and the subsequent collapse of the
ciding votes, the measure will receive a re- missioner. housing market that Sharon demonstrated just
vote without any delegate or Resident Com- how hard she was willing to fight for constitu-
Prior to becoming a Larimer County Com- ents. She put her considerable talent and ex-
missioner casting a vote during the second missioner, Mr. Johnson served in the Colorado
vote. pertise to work for our constituents. People
House of Representatives for 6 years, during came to our office at risk of being foreclosed
This is just a reflection of a continued injus-
which time he served as the Majority Caucus upon, having their utilities turned off, not
tice and a step that does little or nothing to
Chairman. He followed that service with an knowing where they would be sleeping the
address it.
equally long 6-year stint in the Colorado Sen- next night, and Sharon took up their cause.
More than a symbolic expression, my con-
stituents need equal standing. ate, serving on the Joint Budget Committee She fought with the banks, gave people hope
This past November, Puerto Ricans exer- and Senate Appropriations Committee. where they saw none, and even went to the
cised their choice by casting 623,053 votes for While serving as Larimer County Commis- courthouse steps to prevent foreclosures. She
statehood, capturing 52-percent of the total sioner, he helped the county’s recovery efforts saved people’s homes and changed their lives
vote. This referendum was a straight yes-no as Larimer County faced some of the largest for the better.
question as to the ultimate will of the Puerto natural disasters in the county’s history. The Since 2011, our offices have kept track of
Rican voters. High Park Fire in 2012, the One Hundred Year the financial assistance we have been able to
Puerto Rico demands equality. My constitu- Flood in 2013, and the Cameron Peak Fire secure for our constituents. This assistance in-
ents voted for equal voting representation in and COVID–19 in 2020 have caused exten- cludes helping constituents receive their re-
the U.S. House of Representatives and the sive damage and posed great challenges to fund from the IRS or benefits from the Vet-
United States Senate, which can only be the county’s leadership. Commissioner John- erans Administration, helping someone resolve
achieved through statehood. son helped steer the community through these their Social Security Disability Insurance claim,
Puerto Rico would have at least four U.S. disasters with level-headed determination and and other efforts that result in constituents re-
Representatives in the House and the Con- a commitment to the people of Larimer Coun- ceiving financial assistance owed to them.
stitutionally mandated two Senators when it ty. Over the past 9 years, Sharon and her team
becomes a state. This would give the island have helped our constituents obtain nearly
He was also instrumental in helping to pass $20 million in one-time or retroactive benefits
six electoral votes during a Presidential elec-
the Behavioral Health Initiative, a measure plus $9 million per year in recurring benefits.
tion cycle.
And still, there are those who still try to sub- which led to Larimer County being a leader in Sharon has organized countless events for
vert the will of the voters who actually live in Colorado for providing mental health services the benefit of our constituents. She has estab-
the island. and substance abuse care and increased lished an Open Season event that brings to-
available resources for his community.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS
All the crises that Puerto Rico has suffered gether various health plan providers and in-
during the past four years, including hurri- After 24 years of public service, Commis- dustry experts to educate thousands of federal
canes, earthquakes, the coronavirus pan- sioner Johnson certainly deserves a happy employees, retirees, survivor annuitants, and
demic, and the fiscal crisis, demonstrate the and restful retirement. On behalf of the people veterans on their health plan options for the
urgency of achieving equality with the states. of Colorado’s 2nd Congressional district, thank coming year. Sharon spearheaded the annual
That is why statehood cannot wait any you Commissioner Johnson for your out- Congressional Art Competition for VA–11 and
longer. The island must receive the same standing dedication to public service. has grown the event into something truly
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January 6, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E13
memorable for the participants and their fami- of the voters and, ultimately, respected and ‘‘I just don’t think we want to endorse the
lies. Students compete for more than $1,000 accepted by the losing candidate and their principle that January 6 is a legitimate forum
in scholarship prizes and have the opportunity supporters. for Congress to overturn the will of the States
to see for the first time their own artwork in a The other side can indulge in all the con- and the people . . . if you’ve endorsed that
professional gallery setting. spiracy theories they want, but when you in- principle, then you’ve already destroyed the
Sharon has also coordinated countless town volve the integrity of our elections in my home idea of American government. At least you’ve
halls, roundtables, fairs and festivals outreach State of Wisconsin, well then I have a prob- destroyed the conservative idea of American
booths, and numerous other community en- lem. government.’’
gagements. The events often grapple with se- In our federal system of government, the What these Republican leaders understand
rious topics such as gun control, the opioid administration of elections are controlled by is this—
epidemic, health care, and she has always our States—not Congress. If Congressional Members vote to reject
striven to ensure that they are meaningful ex- What happens in Wisconsin is up to Wis- valid Presidential electors for invalid reasons,
changes of information and viewpoints for consin—not Washington. There is nothing anyone can do about it.
attendees. Our job in Congress is to count the electoral The ugly truth is that, despite a nationwide
One particular area into which Sharon has college votes, not overturn them. vote, fenced in with legal and technical safe-
thrown herself and her considerable energy is Wisconsin has a long history of open, fair, guards, after 244 years of history, the U.S.
the Military Service Academy nomination proc- and accurate elections because of the laws President is elected on the honor system of
ess for VA–11. She organizes and coordinates that our State has established and executed 535 Members of Congress, each sworn to pre-
the advisory boards from each service acad- by 2,000 state and local officials, and count- serve, protect, and defend our Constitution
emy, sets the interview calendar, supports the less volunteers, all who take their responsi- and our representative democracy enshrined
deliberations, and in the end helps nominate bility seriously with the highest form of hon- in it.
the future military leaders of our nation. Under esty, integrity, fairness, and accuracy. It’s not an oath to any individual or to any
Sharon’s leadership, our district is routinely in What is being attempted here tonight is an party.
the top three nationally for having the most attempt to invalidate 3.3 million valid Wis- Now it’s easy to play war when you think
students accepted into one of the prestigious consin votes merely because their preferred that you’re firing blanks, but these are not
U.S. Military Academies. For Sharon, it is a candidate didn’t win. blanks being fired at our Constitution.
labor of love and service to both our country But if they succeed, democracy dies and This is dangerous today because of the col-
and the promising young students who seek to dictatorship reigns. lateral damage that is being done to the sanc-
serve their nation in uniform. The Trump campaign has filed state and tity of the ballot box.
This past year as we endured the COVID– federal court cases challenging the outcome of It is also dangerous because it now pro-
19 pandemic, Sharon once again stepped into the vote in Wisconsin—all of which have been vides a blueprint for next time.
the breach, deferring her retirement by work- dismissed due to lack of any evidence of President Trump will not be successful this
ing tirelessly to help constituents who have fraud. time, but next time when some authoritarian
faced personal tragedies and financial hard- Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian wannabe takes a run at our Constitution, all
ships. During the pandemic, Sharon has Hagedorn, who was former Republican Gov- bets are off.
helped small businesses secure desperately ernor Scott Walker’s chief legal counsel, wrote We have a tendency in this Country to kick
needed grants and loans, helped families re- in dismissing one of these challenges: our Democracy around like it’s a football—it’s
solve issues with economic impact payments, ‘‘We are invited to invalidate the entire pres- more like an egg, very fragile. You break it,
and made every effort to ensure that our con- idential election in Wisconsin by declaring it good luck putting it back together again.
‘‘null’’—yes, the whole thing . . . this is a dan- Please, do not put Donald Trump ahead of
stituents who were stuck abroad were able to
gerous path we are being asked to tread. The our Constitution, ahead of the rule of law,
make it back to the United States safely. In
loss of public trust in our constitutional order ahead of the sanctity of the ballot box.
2020 alone, Sharon and our staff were able to
resulting from the exercise of this kind of judi- Vote no on this attempt to overturn a valid
help more than 1,800 individuals overcome
cial power would be incalculable.’’ election.
personal crises directly related to the global Vote no on this objection.
pandemic. And he is not alone in that assessment.
The former Republican Speaker of the f
Madam Speaker, Sharon Stark is a model
public servant and I ask my colleagues to join House from Wisconsin, Paul Ryan, said in a ELECTION IRREGULARITIES
me in wishing Sharon Stark health and happi- statement:
ness as she concludes a distinguished career ‘‘Efforts to reject the votes of the electoral HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
in service to her country and community. college and sow doubt about Joe Biden’s vic-
OF NEW JERSEY
There are people who have their health, a roof tory strike at the foundation of our republic.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
over their head, or food on the table thanks to It is difficult to conceive of a more anti-
Sharon. I am proud to have had her lead my democratic and anti-conservative act than a Wednesday, January 6, 2021
district offices for the past 13 years and rep- federal intervention to overturn the results of Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker,
resent me in our community. Our office, con- state-certified elections and disenfranchise mil- after rigorous analysis and much reflection, I
stituents, and district will miss her immensely; lions of Americans. will not oppose the counting of certified elec-
as will I, and I wish her nothing but the best The fact that this effort will fail does not toral votes from any state.
in retirement in which she will be able to mean it will not do significant damage to I share some of the concerns about election
spend more time with her husband Seth, her American democracy.’’ irregularities. Today’s proceedings give Con-
daughter Christine, and her granddaughter He concluded by stating: gress the opportunity to raise concerns about
Jacqueline. Job well done Sharon Stark. ‘‘The Trump campaign had ample oppor- alleged election wrongdoing in several states
f
tunity to challenge election results, and those which I hope will ultimately lead to bipartisan
efforts failed from lack of evidence . . . Joe state investigations and reform to ensure fair
OPPOSITION TO THE ELECTORAL Biden’s victory is entirely legitimate.’’ and free elections.
COLLEGE OBJECTION Or consider the third ranking Republican Today, however, Congress is tasked with
leader in this House, Rep. LIZ CHENEY who counting the electoral votes sent by each
HON. RON KIND described this attempt as ‘‘deeply troubling’’. state. Nullifying the electors of any state re-
OF WISCONSIN She went on to state: quires proof that electors were not ‘‘lawfully
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘‘This is directly at odds with the Constitu- certified’’ according to state laws.
tion’s clear text and our core beliefs as Re- In early December, Attorney General Wil-
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 publicans.’’ liam Barr told the Associated Press that ‘‘U.S.
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, today is sup- ‘‘Doing so’’ she said ‘‘Would be establishing attorneys and FBI agents have been working
posed to be a celebration of our democracy— a tyranny of Congress and stealing power to follow up specific complaints and informa-
the peaceful transfer of power in our Country. from the States and the people in those tion they’ve received, but ‘‘to date, we have
Instead we saw mob rule descend on our Na- States.’’ not seen fraud on a scale that could have ef-
tion’s Capitol. That’s why I rise today in de- Finally consider what my friend and Repub- fected a different outcome in the election.’’
fense of a pillar of our democracy—the right lican colleague from Wisconsin, MIKE GALLA- All elections in the United States must be
for a free and fair election decided by the will GHER, had to say about this: free and fair—any action to subvert, cheat,
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