February 2, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E91 The labor of Black and brown Americans is even as he doubled the size of SEIU, even as that demands the very best among us tackle integral to the history of our Capitol building. he became the consensus choice to lead the monumental challenges in the name of self- When the Capitol was first constructed, only insurgent takeover of the AFL–CIO in its less service to others. Sergeant Meador’s in- enslaved Black laborers were brought in from history, even as he helped transform its poli- credible service to the public will be remem- across the country to build the home of our cies to focus on organizing, support immigrant bered by many in Grapevine and I join them nation’s democracy. Enslaved laborers were workers and much more. John Sweeney never in congratulating him on not only heeding the involved in nearly every step of construction, saw himself as being above any of the work- call to serve, but for doing so with the devo- from quarrying marble and sandstone to ma- ers he came to represent, and he fought for tion and passion he has exhibited for the past sonry to devising the architectural innovations them with unquestioned integrity and an open- three decades. needed to install the Statue of Freedom in ness to innovation and change possible only It is my honor to congratulate Sergeant 1863. with true humility. I ended up spending five Meador on his successful career and retire- Today, our Capitol continues to rely on the years organizing with SEIU, then returning ment. labor of Black and brown Americans. Our years later to help his campaign to take over f Black and brown custodial staff make sure the the AFL–CIO, and then working 11 years RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF entire Capitol complex is pristine and acces- under his leadership there. Throughout that ROSE ROBERTS sible to all that visit, and throughout the time, I trusted President Sweeney completely- COVID–19 pandemic, they have worked to he gave me big assignments and the leeway maintain our community’s health and safety. I to make them my own. He drew the best out HON. see the pride they take in their work each and of me by letting me know he had faith in me. OF MISSISSIPPI every day and thank them for their endless He tolerated mistakes, but not lapsed ethics. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dedication. One story that captures John well is that Tuesday, February 2, 2021 On January 6, 2021, Black and brown cus- when I was creating Union Summer, a pro- Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, todial staff were in attendance as well. While gram to put 1,000 young people onto the front I rise today to recognize the life of Mrs. Rose media coverage has largely focused on the lines of union organizing and bargaining cam- Roberts who passed away at North Mississippi experiences of House Members and Senators, paigns in the summer of 1996, shortly after he Medical Center in Pontotoc on January 8 of custodial and administrative staff throughout became AFL–CIO president, he insisted on this year. the Capitol complex weathered the siege all making the ‘Summeristas’ as we called them Mrs. Roberts was born to Charlie and Rosa the same. Once the Capitol was secured, employees of the AFL–CIO, even though they Nell Smith Dickerson in March of 1930 in these dedicated employees were the first back were essentially doing a three-week summer Tippah County. In 1948, she graduated from to work, scrubbing the stains inflicted on our camp. He knew it would be much more expen- Ripley High School and attended Wood Junior temple of democracy by the same rioters who sive and a lot more work, but he insisted on College before earning her degree in Edu- made them fear for their lives. taking full responsibility for every one of them. cation from Blue Mountain College in 1956. Our colleagues’ work to clean the Capitol is John put the interest of other people and She taught for many years in Dumas, Centre, particularly commendable considering the ap- the labor movement above his own, every Ripley, Hickory Flat and Walnut before becom- palling racial nature of the riots. Former Presi- time. I loved John Sweeney in an uncompli- ing a Social Worker in 1963. Rose went on to dent Trump and his supporters spread base- cated way that feels hard to describe and that earn her Master’s Degree in Social Work from less allegations and lies about the integrity of I hope remains possible in our troubled world. Tulane University. She continued to serve the the 2020 presidential election, including about He was an honest leader, a great soul, doing state of Mississippi as Supervisor of Region II the validity of votes cast in majority Black or his best to keep faith with his God and lift up of the MS Welfare Department and upon her brown cities. When election officials and the his fellow human beings. Godspeed, John retirement she was EEOC for the Mississippi courts refused to overturn the results, a pre- Sweeney. Department of Human Services. dominately white mob, including proud white f Mrs. Rose Roberts was a dedicated servant supremacists, stormed the Capitol. After see- to her community, Throughout her career she ing these white rioters treated more kindly HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF SERGEANT JON MEADOR aided in facilitating both local and overseas than protestors for racial justice often are, the adoptions, also serving as a board member for largely Black and brown custodial staff were the Mississippi Department of Mental Health left to clean up the mess. They cleaned up HON. and the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of the broken glass, blood, empty bottles, and other OF TEXAS American Red Cross. She worked as an asso- items left by the mob. I read that a staff mem- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ciate professor in the Social Work Department ber described the experience of cleaning up Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Ole Miss and worked with B.S.W. students after the insurrection as ‘‘degrading.’’ To that Ms. VAN DUYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise in selecting a career path. She was often seen end, I say we see you and we appreciate your at the schools of her children, serving as efforts. Their work was not made in vain, nor today to thank Sergeant Jon Meador for his service with the Grapevine Police Department homeroom mother, assisting the Girl Scouts, did it go unnoticed. or working in the concession stand at Ripley Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join and to congratulate him on his retirement. His 30 years of law enforcement service is incred- High School football games. me in recognizing these distinguished mem- Mrs. Rose Roberts is survived by her hus- ibly deserving of recognition, and, on behalf of bers of the U.S. Capitol custodial staff for their band, James Roberts Jr.; children, Pat Har- the North Texans he has dedicated his career hard work in the aftermath of January 6, 2021 rison, Ava Jordan, and Kim Harrison; and to serving and protecting, I am proud to ex- and for the professionalism they show each grandchildren, Stacy, Shannon, Trey, Megan, tend my sincere appreciation for his selfless and every day. Gage, Guy, Rob, and Sarah. Left to remember service before the House of Representatives. f her are also five greatgrandchildren. I was impressed to hear of Sergeant Mrs. Rose Roberts lived an admirable life of PASSING OF JOHN J. SWEENEY Meador’s background prior to joining law en- service and embodied dedication to faith and forcement, specifically his experience in the family. My deepest condolences are with her banking industry that he utilized to investigate HON. ANDY LEVIN loved ones. OF financial crimes in conjunction with the FBI, f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ICE, and the Secret Service. The courage and dedication he has displayed during his many IN RECOGNITION OF CHIEF DENNY Tuesday, February 2, 2021 years of service in law enforcement is admi- LINABURG Mr. LEVIN of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rable and the law enforcement community is first met John Sweeney when I was 22 and better for having the benefit of his service and HON. his staff offered me a job helping nursing knowledge. OF VIRGINIA home workers organize with SEIU in my home In these unprecedented times, I know it is a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES state of Michigan. The union was hiring a nov- source of comfort for North Texans to have ice, front-line organizer, but I was ushered into law enforcement officers like Sergeant Meador Tuesday, February 2, 2021 the office of the president of the national union working tirelessly to serve and protect us. It Ms. WEXTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to meet the man himself. He was modest and has always been my view that public service to congratulate Frederick County Fire Res- unassuming that day, and he never changed, is among the most admirable of callings, one cue’s Chief Denny Linaburg on his retirement

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