Tribute to Eric King (Cong. Rec., June 8, 2021)
Summary
Congressional Record, Senate, page S3982, June 8, 2021. The page opens with the end of remarks urging Congress to help immigrant healthcare heroes and other essential workers become American citizens. A tribute to Eric King says the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities honored King with an award named for Jennifer Poulakidas, and describes King’s work as a legislative assistant, at the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, and at the University of Kentucky. In the Tribute to Eula Hall, McConnell says Southeastern Kentucky lost Eula Hall this May and describes the founder of the Mud Creek Clinic, now known as the Eula Hall Health Center, and the president of the Kentucky Black Lung Association.
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“Tribute to Eric King (Cong. Rec., June 8, 2021).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-06-08-crec-2021-06-08-pt1-pgs3982-2-bbc9907dc4/
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S3982 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 8, 2021
As long as I am a U.S. Senator, I will tention of local leaders and physicians, tions to Kentucky’s students, profes-
continue to come to fight for all immi- bringing much needed resources to her sors, and administrators. In recogni-
grants. We must ensure that the hun- distressed region. tion of that hard work, Eric was hon-
dreds of thousands of immigrant work- She was a local activist from a young ored last month by the Association of
ers in our essential workforce are not age, driven by the struggles and suf- Public and Land-Grant Universities
forced to stop contributing when the fering she saw during her childhood. with the Jennifer Poulakidas Out-
need for their service has never been Motivated by a desire to assist the vul- standing Achievement Award. Today, I,
greater, and we must give them the nerable, Eula gave help to the needy too, would like to recognize Eric for his
chance they deserve to become Amer- and a voice to the voiceless through an strong advocacy on behalf of the Uni-
ican citizens. They have waited long ever-expanding series of projects. With versity of Kentucky community and
enough. an unflappable work ethic, Eula would our State as a whole.
I hope that, even in these divided go on to run the Mud Creek Water Dis- Eric has been making contributions
times, we can come together in Con- trict, piping drinking water to 800 to Kentucky higher education since he
gress to quickly aid our immigrant homes, and served as the president of was an undergrad, serving as the stu-
healthcare heroes and other essential the Kentucky Black Lung Association. dent body president of Murray State
workers. Whether we are witnessing Her tireless, grassroots efforts have University. Since then, he has dedi-
horrific, racially motivated acts of po- left an enduring legacy of community- cated his career to helping Kentuck-
lice brutality on the nightly news or based activism in Southeastern Ken- ians. Fresh out of college, Eric served
reading about bigoted verbal and phys- tucky. as a legislative correspondent in my of-
ical assaults in our hospitals, it is clear Eula’s industriousness permeated fice and was later promoted to a legis-
that the epidemic of racism, which every aspect of her life, even as she en- lative assistant focused on energy, ag-
long predated this pandemic, has not tered old age. Just last year, she was riculture, and environmental policy.
gone anywhere. working on a proposal to found a nurs- He contributed to the passage of the
It is my hope that, someday soon, we ing home in her area as a response to Agricultural Act of 2014, which deliv-
can look at one another and see how the COVID–19 pandemic. In recognition ered major wins for Kentucky farmers
much more unites us than divides us, of her determination and tenacity, and their families.
but for now, let me just offer another Eula received a number of awards, in- Eric also served as the director of
word of thanks to our Nation’s cluding honorary doctorates from government and community affairs at
healthcare workforce: You have all Berea, Midway, and Pikeville colleges the Kentucky Association of Electric
given so much and endured so much. in Kentucky and Trinity College in Cooperatives, KAEC. There, he advo-
We are eternally thankful for all you Connecticut. She was also the subject cated for a statewide association of 24
have done and all you will continue to of a landmark book on healthcare in consumer-owned electric distribution
do. Eastern Kentucky, ‘‘Mud Creek Medi- utilities that collectively serve nearly
f cine,’’ by Kiran Bhatraju. She led a vi- 2 million Kentuckians. I know that
brant family, and is survived by 4 chil- Eric’s work at that organization had a
TRIBUTE TO EULA HALL real and lasting impact on Kentucky
dren, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grand-
Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, children, and 5 great-great-grand- families.
Southeastern Kentucky lost Eula Hall children. Now, Eric has taken his advocacy
this May, a humanitarian titan who I had the opportunity to speak with skills to the University of Kentucky,
blessed her community with gen- Eula just a few weeks before she passed working closely with President Eli
erosity, tenacity, and dedication. Eula and expressed my deep appreciation for Capilouto to promote the well-being of
was a self-described ‘‘hillbilly activist’’ her decades of hard work. During our more than 30,000 students, 12,000 staff,
whose efforts to improve healthcare in numerous conversations and visits, I and 2,000 faculty. When the coronavirus
Kentucky enhanced the lives of her was always struck by her ceaseless de- pandemic threatened to shut down col-
neighbors and friends. As the founder votion to Southeastern Kentuckians. leges and universities across the coun-
of the Mud Creek Clinic, now known as Eula was honored with tributes from try, Eric stepped up and fought to in-
the Eula Hall Health Center, Eula was around the country, including from the clude vital funding for higher edu-
driven by her selfless spirit to deliver U.S. Senate, but she never sought the cation in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
quality care to thousands of Kentuck- spotlight. She preferred to dedicate her and Economic Security, CARES, Act.
ians. Today, I recognize Eula Hall as a entire focus to the needy in her com- Because of advocacy like Eric’s, the
lifelong champion of Floyd County and munity. CARES Act included the Higher Edu-
the entire Southeastern Kentucky re- After her passing, Eula was recog- cation Emergency Relief Fund, pro-
gion. nized by both the Wall Street Journal viding millions of dollars to colleges
Eula founded the Mud Creek Clinic in and the New York Times, dem- and universities to overcome the chal-
1973 with a $1,400 donation and a calling onstrating the nationwide impact of lenges imposed by the pandemic. Thou-
to improve healthcare in her disadvan- her work. She was one of the toughest sands of Kentucky students and grad-
taged community. She served every- women I ever met, and it was an abso- uates benefited from Eric’s leadership.
one, regardless of their ability to pay, lute pleasure to work with her over the Eric has been described by his col-
through a primary care clinic, mental years to deliver much needed help to leagues as a man with ‘‘unmatched in-
health counselor, pharmacy, and food Kentucky communities. I would like to tegrity’’ and a ‘‘can-do attitude’’ who
and clothing pantry. Even after her express my personal gratitude for Eula has made ‘‘incredible contributions’’ to
clinic burned down in 1982, Eula did not Hall’s decades of service to the Com- our Nation’s system of public and land-
miss a day of service, delivering help monwealth and encourage my Senate grant universities. As Eric’s former
directly from her own home. She rede- colleagues to join me in sharing condo- boss, I can confirm that these super-
fined healthcare in Southeastern Ken- lences with her family, colleagues, and latives are correct. His hard work dur-
tucky from the ground up, leaving an neighbors, whose lives were uplifted by ing the coronavirus pandemic provided
indelible impact on the region. this one-of-a-kind Kentuckian. vital protection to our colleges and
Eula was born into extreme poverty, f universities, both in Kentucky and na-
growing up without plumbing or elec- tionwide.
tricity and only receiving an eighth- TRIBUTE TO ERIC KING Kentuckians—and especially Wild-
grade education. In spite of these ob- Mr. MCCONNELL. Madam President, cats—are grateful for Eric’s tireless
stacles, she was driven by a higher call- during a year of unprecedented chal- dedication to our State’s public univer-
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ing to serve her community. When lenges, students, staff, and faculty at sity system. On behalf of the Senate, I
Eula founded the Mud Creek Clinic, she the University of Kentucky have been would like to express my congratula-
did so based on a conviction that all fortunate to have Eric King as their tions to Eric for receiving this award
Kentuckians, regardless of income, de- tireless advocate and supporter. As and my thanks for his service and lead-
served to be cared for by their neigh- UK’s executive director of federal rela- ership amid a time of incredible hard-
bors. Her work quickly caught the at- tions, Eric has made lasting contribu- ship.
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June 8, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S3983
U.S. INNOVATION AND and bravery. Several were commenda- Monday through Thursday and an aver-
COMPETITION ACT tions for his work on narcotics teams age of 1,550 meals on Fridays to cover
Mr. WICKER. Madam President, and with K–9 units. the weekends. Their hard work re-
today, the Senate passed the U.S. Inno- Trooper Harris is survived by his wife sulted in senior citizens in Natrona
vation and Competition Act—USICA— Katie Parker Harris of Madison, his County receiving nearly 207,000 meals
legislation which would establish a new two children Parker and Cooper, and in 2020.
Technology and Innovation Directorate his parents Jean and Jimmy Harris of Serving so many people at once is
at the National Science Foundation. Clarksdale. I send my deepest sym- challenging, especially when many of
Section 2005 of USICA would define 10 pathies to his family and to all who these meals are prepared with special
initial key technology focus areas to knew him. May God grant them com- dietary needs in mind. Meals on Wheels
direct research at the new Directorate fort, grace, and peace in these unspeak- prepares healthy food for community
and the Department of Energy. One of ably difficult times. members requiring specific diets in-
these areas is advanced energy tech- Law enforcement officers across our cluding diabetic, celiac, and vege-
nology. I want to put in the record that Nation face many challenges in their tarian. The volunteers with Meals on
Congress has previously enacted legis- mission to protect and serve. Trooper Wheels also make home visits to check
lation defining advanced energy tech- Harris’s death shows us that our law in with members of the community
nology in 42 USC 18632, and that defini- enforcement officers face tremendous who may not have enough social inter-
tion should apply here. danger to ensure public safety, and I action or are not as mobile. The giving
greatly admire those who remain nature of this organization presents its
f steadfast amiss the dangers of their members with a balanced meal and
VOTE EXPLANATION noble profession. Let us commemorate quality time spent with others. Ensur-
Trooper Harris’s life by redoubling our ing the needs of community members
Ms. SINEMA. Mr. President, I was
commitment to support and advocate allows seniors to preserve their inde-
necessarily absent, but had I been
for those in law enforcement. I will pendence at home.
present would have voted yes on roll-
continue to honor the legacy of Troop- Meals on Wheels continues to find
call vote 215, On the Motion to Table,
er Harris and all of those officers who new ways to enrich our community.
Motion to Table Rubio Amdt. No. 1802.
have lost their life in the line of duty Jamie Loveall has been leading the
I was necessarily absent, but had I
by doing all I can to support our law charge as the Executive Director of
been present would have voted yes on
enforcement officers. Natrona County Meals on Wheels for
rollcall vote 216, on the amendment,
f more than 17 years. She has written
Crapo-Wyden Amdt. No. 1562 as modi-
fied. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE grants, planned community events, and
I was necessarily absent, but had I NATRONA COUNTY MEALS ON helped prepare meals in order to keep
been present would have voted yes on WHEELS clients fed, staff members engaged, and
rollcall vote 217, on the Motion for At- the community aware. A favorite com-
Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I
tendance, Motion to Instruct the Ser- munity event is their Bubbles, Baubles
rise today to recognize a significant
geant at Arms to Request the Attend- ’n Beans fundraiser. It is a chili and
anniversary for the Natrona County
ance of Absentee Senators. soup tasting experience to raise money
Meals on Wheels Program. On Satur-
I was necessarily absent, but had I for annual operating costs.
day, June 19, 2021, this wonderful orga-
been present would have voted yes on nization will celebrate its 50th anniver- The strength of an organization is de-
rollcall vote 218, on Motion to Invoke sary. termined by the dedication of its lead-
Cloture Re: Motion to Proceed to H.R. Meals on Wheels is dedicated to pro- ership, staff, and volunteers. The full-
3233. viding healthy meals, a friendly smile, time staff are responsible for preparing
f and a watchful eye to seniors across the meals, managing the financial as-
the Nation. As a doctor, I understand pects, and writing the delivery routes.
HONORING TROOPER JOHN the importance of balanced nutrition In addition to Executive Director
MARTIN HARRIS but also companionship and care. The Jamie Loveall, staff members are
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam Presi- hard-working employees and volun- Katrina Lorenzen, Foundation Devel-
dent, I rise to pay tribute to Mis- teers deliver all three by offering tai- opment Director, Andrea Trout, Route
sissippi Highway Patrol Trooper John lored meals and home visits. Coordinator/Administrative Assistant,
Martin Harris, who was killed in the In 1971 Casper resident Mabel Marvel Debbie Cardinal, Receptionist/Volun-
line of duty on May 28, 2021. Harris was founded the Casper branch of Meals on teer Coordinator, Ashley Woodward,
conducting a routine traffic stop on Wheels. Mabel was on a trip to Colo- Client Services Coordinator, Mariah
Highway 16 in Madison County when a rado to visit family when she ran Bokhari, Bookkeeper, and Shelley
vehicle struck and killed him. I honor across a similar service. The volunteers Blake, Kitchen Manager.
Trooper Harris’ service, extend my for the Colorado organization were de- Current board members are Jim
deepest condolences to his family, and livering hot meals to elderly residents Browlee, President, Joe Moss, Vice
reiterate my unwavering support for from a church kitchen. Mrs. Marvel re- President, Vickie Ujvary, Treasurer,
our law enforcement personnel. alized that Casper did not have such a Don Smith, Secretary, and members
A Clarksdale native, Harris knew program. Soon after, she formed an of- Wendy Elmer, Bob Thunselle, Ed
from a young age he wanted to serve fice in a Salvation Army coat closet Chase, Jennifer Deurloo, Peggy Porter,
his community as a law enforcement and requested that the Natrona County Kelli Carmichael, Paul Rhodes, CJ
officer. Trooper Harris began his law Memorial Hospital, now Wyoming Med- Lovato, Dane Grace, and Stacia Hill.
enforcement career in 1997 in Webb, ical Center, aid in providing meals. The volunteers deliver the meals,
MS. He earned his first Law Enforce- This was the beginning of the Natrona partake in home visits, and spend qual-
ment Purple Heart while serving on the County Meals on Wheels Program. ity time with clients. Eighty-five per-
police force in Friars Point and earned When Natrona County Meals on cent of the volunteers with the
a second Purple Heart while serving at Wheels began initial operations, they Natrona County service are seniors
the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. were preparing 20 meals a day. By 2001, themselves, using their time to help
Harris then continued his career at the the number of meals delivered in- friends and neighbors. About the volun-
Richland Police Department. In 2018, creased to over 500 per day. When the teers, Jamie Loveall says, ‘‘Without
Harris achieved his lifelong dream of coronavirus pandemic hit, the need for these individuals, our program would
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becoming a Mississippi Highway Pa- home-delivered meals exploded. This not exist.’’
trolman and graduated from Trooper Casper-based organization rose to the It is my great honor to celebrate the
School as part of Cadet Class No. 62. In challenge and served clients who were incredible work of this organization.
addition to the Purple Heart medals, forced to quarantine and unable to Every day, the staff and volunteers of
Harris received dozens of awards, too leave their homes. In Natrona County, Natrona County Meals on Wheels work
numerous to mention here, for valor they delivered over 650 meals each to make our community a better place
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