VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021 (Cong. Rec., May 18, 2021)
Summary
This is E544 of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, May 18, 2021. Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania honors a firefighter for 36 years of service with the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department, and Mrs. Axne honors Professor Robert Stensrud of Drake University as Iowan of the Week during Mental Health Month. Mr. Gallagher recognizes the career of John Carlson, a longtime airport security official in Wisconsin, and the page includes a statement by Mr. Takano supporting Representative Bost's bipartisan legislation, the VA Transparency and Trust Act, with the views attributed to the Members.
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“VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021 (Cong. Rec., May 18, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-05-18-crec-2021-05-18-pt1-pge544-4-0cf4541722/
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E544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 18, 2021
Firefighters’ commitment and service to our ing long-standing legacy farms is no easy career to making the world around him a
community are invaluable. Volunteer fire- task, and the pressures often become too safer, better place. Mr. Carlson’s continued
fighters often are called on to respond to much for farmers. These stressors have been service to both his country and his community
emergencies of all types. From battling struc- a large contributing factor to the increasing is worthy of our highest admiration.
ture fires to conducting search and rescue op- rate of suicide among farmers. Professor f
erations, volunteer firefighters respond imme- Stensrud wants to ensure that farmers in Iowa
diately whenever disaster strikes. These he- feel seen and appreciated while honoring their HONORING FIREFIGHTER CRAIG
roes often go above and beyond—they teach family’s legacy and incredible accomplish- NOLTE
first aid, educate students about fire and other ments.
dangerous hazards, and even install car safety If Professor Stensrud’s had one message to HON. JOHN JOYCE
seats for children. Through their diverse and leave people with, it would be to show kind- OF PENNSYLVANIA
often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters pro- ness and compassion to others. It is essential IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
vide lifesaving services and are a staple of our that we take care of those around us who Tuesday, May 18, 2021
local community. struggle with their mental health or who are in
Firefighter Dirienzo has worked throughout a tough situation. His greatest joy and the mo- Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speak-
his career to serve the people of Somerset tivation he has for being a professor is watch- er, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Craig
County. On behalf of Pennsylvania’s 13th ing his graduates go on to positively impact Nolte for his 36 years of service with the
Congressional District, I thank him for his work others and make the world a better place. As Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in
to protect life and property in our community Professor Stensrud would say, you may not Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
and wish him continued health, safety, and be able to change the world, but you can Firefighters’ commitment and service to our
success. change a life that goes on to save another life, community are invaluable. Volunteer fire-
f and another after that. Making people feel fighters often are called on to respond to
loved and wanted is the first step, and one I emergencies of all types. From battling struc-
HONORING ROBERT STENSRUD AS believe we should all strive to achieve. We ture fires to conducting search and rescue op-
IOWAN OF THE WEEK should not allow people to suffer in silence, erations, volunteer firefighters respond imme-
rather be an ear for them. It is my honor to diately whenever disaster strikes. These he-
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE recognize Professor Robert Stensrud as our roes often go above and beyond—they teach
OF IOWA Iowan of the Week. first aid, educate students about fire and other
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f
dangerous hazards, and even install car safety
seats for children. Through their diverse and
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters pro-
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, as Mental CARLSON’S CAREER IN PUBLIC vide lifesaving services and are a staple of our
Health Month begins, I rise to ask the House SERVICE local community.
of Representatives to join me in honoring Firefighter Nolte has worked throughout his
Drake University Graduate Professor of the HON. MIKE GALLAGHER career to serve the people of Somerset Coun-
School of Education’s Department of Leader- OF WISCONSIN ty. On behalf of Pennsylvania’s 13th Congres-
ship, Counseling and Adult Development, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sional District, I thank him for his work to pro-
Robert Stensrud. tect life and property in our community and
Professor Stensrud has been serving Iowa Tuesday, May 18, 2021 wish him continued health, safety, and suc-
and its residents since he moved from Min- Mr. GALLAGHER. Madam Speaker, today I cess.
nesota in 1970. He has dedicated his career rise in honor of the career and service of Ho- f
to serving those with mental health needs and bart, Wisconsin resident, Mr. John Carlson.
disabilities. He began his post-college career Mr. Carlson’s notable Transportation Secu- VA TRANSPARENCY & TRUST ACT
working with the Iowa Department of Edu- rity Administration (TSA) career began in OF 2021
cation’s Rehabilitation Education and Services 2002, serving as the Assistant Federal Secu-
SPEECH OF
Branch. It was here where he provided voca- rity Director (AFSD) for the Outagamie County
tional rehabilitation at the State Mental Health Regional Airport, where he played a major role HON. MARK TAKANO
Institute serving inpatients experiencing acute in the start-up of several TSA activities and OF CALIFORNIA
psychosis, substance abuse, and related dis- assumed responsibility for day-to-day aviation IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
orders. In this position, he began to under- security. In 2006, he was reassigned as the
stand the importance of having a solid, de- AFSD-Generalist at the Austin Straubel Inter- Monday, May 17, 2021
pendable, and loving community. Most people national Airport (GRB) Hub and Spoke Federal Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to
who were released from his care did not have Security Director (FSD) staff where he han- support Representative BOST’s bipartisan leg-
a community to return to, so they often strug- dled compliance oversight, customer service, islation, the ‘‘VA Transparency and Trust Act,’’
gled to survive in society. property accountability, safety, and model or H.R. 2911, and for which Representative
Professor Stensrud has since dedicated his workplace strategies. PAPPAS, Representative MANN, and I are origi-
career to ensuring that all people feel impor- Given his extensive knowledge and leader- nal co-sponsors. This bill provides additional
tant and seen. Some of his recent research ship skills, Mr. Carlson would go on to assume oversight for the funds Congress made avail-
highlights the childhood to prison pipeline and roles where he was trusted to oversee a ma- able to VA through the Families First
school to prison pipeline, where without a jority of TSA operations in four separate air- Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES
sense of community and belonging, many indi- ports in northern Wisconsin: Austin Straubel Act in 2020, as well as the American Rescue
viduals find themselves in less than ideal cir- International Airport, (GRB), Central Wisconsin Plan which we passed earlier this year.
cumstances to combat their feeling of being Airport (CWA), Rhinelander-Oneida County The purpose of H.R. 2911 is to direct the
an outcast. Professor Stensrud understood Airport (RHI) and Appleton International Air- Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to
that in order to make a difference, it is essen- port (ATW formerly Outagamie County Re- Congress a detailed plan for obligating and
tial to work with students from a young age to gional Airport). expending coronavirus pandemic funding
help combat these issues. Professor Stensrud Before beginning his career of service with made available to the Department of Veterans
has done research through a LAUNCH Grant TSA, Mr. Carlson served the United States Affairs by the Families First Coronavirus Re-
funded by Drake Head Start and the Iowa De- honorably for twenty years in the U.S. Army sponse Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
partment of Public Health on how mental as an infantry and military intelligence officer Economic Security, or CARES Act, or the
health consultation can help improve coordina- until his retirement in 1995 as a Lieutenant American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. H.R. 2911
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
tion services for kids and their families, as well Colonel. Mr. Carlson’s dedication and leader- also requires the VA Office of Inspector Gen-
as how to train teachers and first responders ship in the state of Wisconsin are incredibly eral to report to Congress semi-annually on
to identify signs of trauma in children and act valuable, and the service he provides to VA’s actual expenditures and obligations,
accordingly. Northern Wisconsin and his country is remark- comparing it to their detailed plan, and on
Professor Stensruds next project will center able. other subjects. Finally, H.R. 2911 requires the
around documenting the history and current As we look back on Mr. Carlson’s career, Comptroller General of the United States to
operations of legacy farms in Iowa. Maintain- there is no doubt that he dedicated his life and report to Congress twice—in 2022 and 2024—
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May 18, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E545
on VA’s process for developing its funding re- an untold number of children in need of med- sional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. Rev. Morris al-
quest, among other subjects. ical assistance through the Shriners Hospital. ways greeted them with enthusiasm, kindness,
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pan- Mr. Fraley was a servant leader who believed and appreciation. Upon learning of his pass-
demic in early 2020, Congress has provided in helping others, particularly children. ing, they were heartbroken because he taught
over $36 billion dollars in supplemental fund- Mr. Fraley was married to his late wife them so much and had earned their respect
ing—that is, funds that are in addition to VA’s Becky for 65 years and they had four children. and admiration.
annual budget—to fund various pandemic-re- Through his service to his country and to his Along with my youth leaders, I send our
lated operations and programs at VA. local community, Mr. Fraley certainly left a heartfelt condolences and love to Rev. Morris’
Specifically, Congress provided to VA: positive mark on this world. Mr. Fraley, a great family, the First Baptist Church family, loved
$60 million in the Families First Coronavirus American, passed away on March 19, 2021. I ones, friends, and community.
Response Act in March 2020 to support med- am humbled to honor the memory of Mr. Please join me in honoring Rev. E. Baxter
ical services and medical community care; James Fraley before the United States Con- Morris and his many contributions to First
$19.5695 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Re- gress. Baptist Church, and the community of Mont-
lief, and Economic Security Act in March 2020 f gomery, AL.
to support medical services, community care, f
medical facilities, informational technology sys- HONORING THE LIFE OF
tems, general administration, and other pur- REVEREND E. BAXTER MORRIS HONORING FIREFIGHTER
poses; and $16.694 billion in the American CHRISTOPHER ALBRIGHT
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in January 2021 to HON. BARBARA LEE
support medical care and health needs, supply OF CALIFORNIA HON. JOHN JOYCE
chain modernization, the VA Office of Inspec- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PENNSYLVANIA
tor General, a COVID–19 veteran rapid re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
training assistance program, and other pur-
Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, Tuesday, May 18, 2021
poses.
With these significant investments in VA op- today I rise to pay tribute to Reverend E. Bax- Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speak-
erations and programs, legislation is needed ter Morris, the ninth and longest-serving pastor er, I rise today to recognize Firefighter Chris-
to ensure that VA efficiently and effectively ob- of the iconic First Baptist Church in Mont- topher Albright for his 5 years of service with
ligates and spends these funds to achieve De- gomery, Alabama. the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department in
partment goals. The legislation provides ongo- Rev. Morris was a graduate of Selma Uni- Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
ing oversight opportunities for relevant Con- versity with a Bachelor of Theology Degree. Firefighters’ commitment and service to our
gressional committees until all funds have He studied at Alabama State University, community are invaluable. Volunteer fire-
been expended and provides for the VA Office Samford University Extension Division, and fighters often are called on to respond to
of Inspector General and the Government Ac- the National Baptist Congress of Christian emergencies of all types. From battling struc-
countability Office to provide intermittent re- Education. When he was still in school at ture fires to conducting search and rescue op-
views of VA’s spending and allocation proc- Selma University, Rev. Morris was selected as erations, volunteer firefighters respond imme-
ess, similar to prior reporting. First Baptist Church’s newest pastor in 1972. diately whenever disaster strikes. These he-
H.R. 2911 adds to the existing oversight on The First Baptist Church was founded by roes often go above and beyond—they teach
VA’s spending. It will enable greater trans- 700 newly freed Black citizens after the Eman- first aid, educate students about fire and other
parency for Congress and the public to ensure cipation Proclamation was recognized in Mont- dangerous hazards, and even install car safety
that these funds are spent wisely to support gomery in 1866. Church members completed seats for children. Through their diverse and
critical VA programs and services as we re- the first church in 1867 on Columbus Street. often-difficult work, volunteer firefighters pro-
cover from the COVID–19 pandemic. The Columbus Street Church was destroyed vide lifesaving services and are a staple of our
f by a fire, but was painstakingly rebuilt brick by local community.
brick using any bricks the parishioners could Firefighter Albright has worked throughout
IN MEMORY OF JAMES FRALEY find. Completed in 1915, it became affection- his career to serve the people of Somerset
ately known as the ‘‘Brick A Day’’ Church. County. On behalf of Pennsylvania’s 13th
HON. ANDY BARR The First Baptist Church played a pivotal Congressional District, I thank him for his work
OF KENTUCKY role in the civil rights movement. Under the to protect life and property in our community
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pastorship of Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, it be- and wish him continued health, safety, and
came a meeting place for historic civil rights success.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 leaders. In 1961, it served as refuge for Free- f
Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I would like to dom Riders who were subjected to mob vio-
honor a special Kentuckian, Mr. James Fraley, lence at the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Sta- HONORING ROBERT J. FINE, JR.,
from Bath County, Kentucky. tion and was the target of a Klu Klux Klan at- OF ADMIRAL FARRAGUT ACAD-
Mr. Fraley was born May 7, 1928 in Mid- tack when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other EMY
land, Kentucky to World War I veteran Burns civil rights icons were worshipping inside.
Fraley and Austa Fraley. He graduated from For almost 50 years, Rev. Morris led the HON. CHARLIE CRIST
Salt Lick High School in 1948. After gradua- Brick A Day congregation and made it his mis- OF FLORIDA
tion, he enlisted in the United States Air sion to acknowledge and preserve its rich his- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Force, where he served in Korea, Japan, and tory, while also continuing the church’s legacy
stateside for 4 years. He was honorably dis- of progress and social change. In addition to Tuesday, May 18, 2021
charged in October of 1954. shepherding his own congregation, Rev. Mor- Mr. CRIST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to
Following his military service, Mr. Fraley ris served in various roles at several other reli- honor the outstanding contributions of Robert
worked as one of the early Texas Eastern gious organizations, including the Mont- J. ‘‘Bob’’ Fine, Jr., Headmaster of Admiral Far-
Transmission Pipeline employees in Wyoming gomery-Antioch District Association of Baptist ragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida.
for 35 years. After retiring, he drove a bus for Churches and Missionary for the Alabama Mr. Fine is retiring from Admiral Farragut
Bath County Schools for 20 years, worked at Baptist South East District State Convention. Academy after more than 30 years of service
Keeneland, was a 30-year member of the Uni- He also dedicated more than 20 years of serv- as an educator, administrator, coach, and
versity of Kentucky’s 101 Club, and served on ice to the Montgomery Police Department as leader in our local community. He first joined
the Owingsville City Council. He was a 71- chaplain. the school as a math teacher in 1989 and has
year member of the Free and Accepted Ma- Rev. Morris was a pillar in his community served as Headmaster for more than two dec-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
sons of Kentucky, where he served in several and the true epitome of a servant leader. ades, beginning in 1998.
leadership roles. Mr. Fraley was also a mem- Buoyed by the strength and example of his Mr. Fine is admired and beloved by hun-
ber of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Oleika predecessors, Rev. Morris lived his life to give, dreds of Farragut families and leaves an ex-
Shrine Temple, and the Royal Order of Scot- to support, and to uplift his fellow man. traordinary legacy in the K–12 school’s history.
land. In 2018, Mr. Fraley received the Bath Every year, I bring young people from the Under his exceptional leadership, the unique
County Community Service Award in recogni- Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in Oak- naval preparatory mission of Admiral Farragut
tion for all the help and support he provided to land, CA on the Faith and Politics Congres- Academy has endured since 1933, inspiring
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