Extensions of Remarks E1179 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS

December 18, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1179 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HONORING THE LIFE OF OFFICER spired others to join in on the mission, but has she’s made the last several months. All she JASON SHUPING also generated thousands of dollars in dona- wants to do is help whoever she can however tions to the local food bank at a time when she can during this heightened time of need. HON. RICHARD HUDSON families are experiencing greater food insecu- She’s very grateful for all the new people OF NORTH CAROLINA rity. she’s been able to connect with through the After spotting a woman in the Atlanta airport project. This story is a beautiful example of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES holding a tissue to her face because she didn’t the leadership, altruism, and community spirit Friday, December 18, 2020 have a proper mask, Pat decided no one Iowans possess. I can’t thank Pat Rutherford Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today should have to resort to such measures during enough for all she’s done to help the commu- to honor the life of a hero—Concord Police a global pandemic. She returned home and nity of Grimes, and I couldn’t be happier to Department Officer Jason Shuping. stayed busy during her precautionary quar- name her as Iowan of the Week. On the night of December 16, 2020, Officer antine by sewing high-quality fabric face f Shuping was among the first law enforcement masks people could wash and reuse. Pat put officers on the scene to respond to an at- up a public Facebook page where community REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF tempted carjacking. members could place orders for the free BISHOP RANCE LEE ALLEN The suspect opened fire, striking Officer masks, and hundreds of requests came in the Shuping and another first responder—Officer first day. It’s been nine months since then, HON. MARCY KAPTUR Kaleb Robinson. and the orders haven’t slowed. OF OHIO Though wounded, Officer Robinson, aged For months at the beginning of her effort, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 23-years-old, stood guard over his fellow offi- Pat was purchasing all the necessary mask Friday, December 18, 2020 cer as other officers arrived on the scene and supplies and sewing equipment from her own engaged the gunman. Robinson was rushed funds and was doing her best to keep up with Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to the hospital and is expected to make a full orders as a solo volunteer. She’d spend hours to recognize the life of Bishop Rance Lee recovery. sewing in the basement each day and place Allen. Bishop Allen passed unexpectedly from Tragically, Officer Shuping lost his life, suc- completed masks on her front porch, publicly this life on October 31, 2020 leaving a wide- cumbing to the gunshot wound he sustained. urging those without a good face covering to spread legacy. Officer Shuping was just 25-years-old and come to her home and take what they need- Rance Lee Allen was born in Monroe, Michi- had been with the Concord Police Department ed. It was an expensive and time-consuming gan on November 19, 1948, the middle broth- for 18 months. endeavor, but Pat was determined to keep er between Tom and Steve. His was born one Prior to joining the department, Officer going. Demand kept up and her efforts caught of twelve children to Thomas and Emma Shuping graduated from UNC Pembroke and the attention of many, including Verlaine Faber Pearl. At an early age, he showed a passion East Rowan High School. He was an athlete and Pam West, who now spend several days for both music and preaching. By age nine he in both high school and college, as well as a each week in Pat’s basement helping sew and was travelling as a preacher in Michigan, Ohio North Carolina scholar graduate. keep up with new mask orders. and Indiana. After graduating from Monroe Officer Shuping not only leaves behind his As more people learned about Pat’s project, High School, he attended Monroe County loving family, but his entire Concord Police neighbors began donating supplies to help Community College. On December 1, 1970, Department Family led by Chief Gary Gacek— out. People would scour garage sales and de- Rance Allen married Ellen Marie Groves. an exceptional leader and my friend. liver boxes of fabric to Pat’s home. Several In 1978, Rance Allen was ordained as an Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in others volunteered to help Pat, Verlaine, and Elder of the Church of God in Christ, taking on praying for the family of fallen Officer Shuping, Pam finish masks by stitching on the elastic a position as associate pastor at Monroe’s Ho- as well as for healing for Officer Robinson and ear loops and sewing pleats. And people liness Temple. In 1985 Toledo’s New Bethel the entire Concord Police Department commu- began to leave monetary donations when Church was founded and Bishop Allen was nity. they’d pick up their mask orders. Rather than appointed its pastor, a position he held until We will never forget the sacrifice of Officer accept the donations herself, Pat began do- his death. Shuping and all those who put their lives on nating the money to the Grimes Storehouse, In 1995, Bishop Allen received an Honorary the line every day to keep our communities the local food bank. The effort has generated Doctorate of Divinity from Urban Bible Institute safe, as well as the sacrifice of their families. somewhere between $7,000 and $10,000 in of Detroit, Michigan. In 2011, Bishop Allen At this time, I ask my colleagues to join me donations for the Storehouse, including $900 was consecrated as Jurisdictional Prelate of to honor the life of Officer Shuping. in Fareway grocery gift cards Pat just dropped the Michigan Northwest Harvest Ecclesiastical f off to be included in Christmas baskets for Jurisdiction by the Church of God in Christ. In families in need. 2020, Bishop Allen earned a Doctorate of The- HONORING PAT RUTHERFORD AS Pat estimates she and her small band of fel- ology Degree from Kingdom University Inter- IOWAN OF THE WEEK low volunteers have sewn and donated more national of Orlando, Florida. than 5,000 masks since March. They’ve filled An anointed gospel singer and musician, he HON. CYNTHIA AXNE free orders and made donations to local nurs- founded the Rance Allen Group in 1967 with OF IOWA ing homes, health care facilities, teachers, a his brothers Tom and Steve, with Rance as IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES reservation in South Dakota, and beyond. the featured singer and also playing guitar and They linked up with MaskHelpers.org, a keyboard. Together for over 50 years, only the Friday, December 18, 2020 website used to connect individuals who need coronavirus pandemic temporarily stopped the Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to masks with those who make masks, in order group’s performances. The Rance Allen Group ask the House of Representatives to join me to expand their reach. They might be taking a released 21 albums, won six Stellar Awards, 3 in honoring Pat Rutherford, an extraordinary short break for the holidays, but they plan to Grammy Nominations, and have several other seamstress and community volunteer, as our get right back at it at the start of 2021. awards to the group’s credit. Iowan of the Week. Since March of this year, Pat is very humble about her efforts this Well known in the music world, Rance Allen Pat has dedicated the majority of her time to year. She’s lost track of exactly how many also performed with other music artists includ- sewing thousands of cloth face masks she masks she and her friends have made and of ing CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Snoop Dogg gives away for free so Iowans can better pro- the exact dollar amount she’s been able to do- and Aretha Franklin. In 2015, Bishop Allen re- tect themselves from COVID–19. This volun- nate to the Grimes food pantry. Those num- ceived the highest honor of his musical career teer effort has now thoroughly become part of bers aren’t her focus, nor are the accolades by being invited and performing at the White her daily life. Her dedication has not only in- she so rightly deserves for the huge impact House in a tribute to the gospel music tradition

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:03 Dec 19, 2020 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A18DE8.001 E18DEPT1 dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS E1180 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 18, 2020 hosted by President Barack and First Lady and U.S. companies continue to be the largest pands reintegration and readjustment group Michelle Obama. source of direct foreign investment there. counseling retreats for women veterans and In 1998, The Rance Allen Group was in- Kazakhstan, a strong partner in Afghanistan, their family members, and bolsters call center ducted into the International Gospel Music Hall entered into an Enhanced Strategic Partner- services for women veterans. of Fame and Museum. In 2005, Rance Allen ship for the 21st Century with the United The bill eliminates barriers to care by staff- was awarded BMI’s Trailblazer of Gospel States in 2018, where the U.S. and ing every VA health facility with a dedicated Music Award. In 2009 the Black Academy of Kazakhstan agreed to heightened cooperation women’s health primary care provider, training Arts and Letters named him as one of the on political and security issues, Afghanistan clinicians, and retrofitting VA facilities to en- Great Men of Gospel. and other defense initiatives, terrorism, extre- hance privacy and improve the environment of Bishop Allen wove his ministry and his mism, rule of law, and human rights. care for women veterans. music into a tapestry which shone for the glory Additionally, as the COVID–19 pandemic In addition, the legislation bolsters sup- of God. His was a life well lived, and when he has caused a global public health and eco- portive services by providing access to legal completed his time on earth at age 71, his nomic crisis this year, Kazakhstan has been a services for women veterans, expanding child Lord called him home with the words in Mat- leader and valuable partner with the United care for veterans receiving VA health care, thew 25:21, ‘‘Well done, thou good and faithful States. President Tokayev, has shown leader- and requiring the Government Accountability servant: thou hast been faithful over a few ship in global health while working directly with Office (GAO) to report on VA’s efforts to sup- things, I will make thee ruler over many things: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which port homeless or at-risk women veterans. enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’’ maintains a Central Asian office in And importantly, the bill improves access to To Bishop Allen’s wife Ellen, his brothers Kazakhstan. care and benefits for survivors of military sex- Thomas and Steve, his congregants and Madam Speaker, I applaud Kazakhstan’s ual trauma (MST) by expanding MST coun- countless friends, we hope the memory of this leadership, its progress, and its commitments seling to former Guard and Reserve members, great man brings comfort as his joyous life is to further political reforms that will secure its allowing VA to treat the physical health condi- tions of MST, and improving the claims proc- celebrated. leadership role in the international community. ess for MST survivors at the Veterans Benefits f I am watching with interest as Kazakhstan continues to strive to meet its international Administration. PERSONAL EXPLANATION commitments to freedom, human rights, de- Also included in the omnibus package be- mocracy, and the rule of law. I look forward to fore are several important provisions that I HON. MARTHA ROBY continuing to support Kazakhstan in its em- strongly support, including provisions directing brace of democratic standards. I wish the peo- VA to continue providing the disability benefits OF ALABAMA questionnaires online, streamlining veterans’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ple of Kazakhstan a happy Independence Day and look forward to celebrating the Republic’s access to earned disability benefits. The bill lowers the age at which a surviving Friday, December 18, 2020 30th anniversary next year. spouse may still receive dependency indem- Mrs. ROBY. Madam Speaker, I was unable f nity compensation benefits at the point of re- to vote on Thursday, December 17, 2020. Had DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT AND marriage and increases VA’s funding cap from I been present, I would have voted as follows: LIVING IMPROVEMENTS FOR $5 million to $10 million annually to better as- YEA on Roll Call No. 245. VETERANS ECONOMIC RECOVERY sist states, territories and tribal governments in f ACT covering the increasing costs of operating and KAZAKHSTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY maintaining state-run veteran cemeteries. SPEECH OF I am very pleased that this eliminates co- HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE payments for Native American veterans ac- HON. STEVE CHABOT cessing health care at VA and establishes an OF TEXAS OF OHIO Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Af- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES fairs to advise the VA Secretary on matters re- Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Friday, December 18, 2020 lating to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a sen- Native American veterans. Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, as a co- ior member of the Judiciary Committee and Mr. Speaker, this legislation requires VA to chair of the U.S. Kazakhstan Caucus, I rise the Homeland Security Committee, and review the entire scheduling process—for both today to acknowledge Republic of daughter-in-law of a beloved member of the in-house and non-VA care—in order to in- Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, which they Tuskegee Airmen who served our nation so crease veterans’ access to timely health care celebrated on December 16. It’s hard to be- heroically in World War II, I rise in strong sup- and to remove barriers to VA funding for orga- lieve that next year will mark the 30th anniver- port of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7105, nizations in need of critical upgrades to keep sary of Kazakhstan’s independence. While the ‘‘Johnny D. Isakson and David P. Roe Vet- homeless veterans safe from the coronavirus. Kazakhstan still has considerable work to do, erans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Another important provision of the bill is the especially with respect to human rights and Act of 2020,’’ which keeps faith with what expansion of the Veteran Employment the rule of law, I applaud Kazakhstan for its President Lincoln called our solemn obligation Through Technology Education Courses for commitment to democracy and for continuing ‘‘to provide for them who have borne the bat- Training Providers (VET TEC) program to help to take the necessary steps toward a more tle, and their widow and their orphan.’’ veterans and servicemembers transition to ci- democratic and free society for all. I support this bipartisan omnibus legislation vilian life. Democracy requires constant work and vigi- because it provides support for women vet- In this time where the COVID–19 pandemic lance, and in Kazakhstan, President, Kassym- erans, expands benefits for homeless vet- has disrupted the lives of so many Americans, Jomart Tokayev, who assumed office in 2019, erans, and ensures servicemembers and vet- this legislation ensures that servicemembers has continued to focus on internal reforms erans impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic who contract COVID–19 while serving will be which initially began under former President will be cared for properly and compas- eligible for VA benefits and requires VA to Nazarbayev. These reforms have focused on sionately. take a more central and active role by devel- a variety of different areas including increasing Let me highlight some of the important ele- oping a plan to address the financial exploi- the openness of government and the govern- ments of this most important legislation. tation of veterans. ment’s responsiveness to the concerns of ordi- Title V of the bill incorporates H.R. 7105, The legislation requires VA to establish a nary Kazakh citizens. In that vein, Kazakhstan the Deborah Sampson Act, which the House national protocol for administering medical will hold parliamentary elections on January passed on November 12, 2019, to address in- exams for volunteer drivers providing transpor- 10, after recently made parliamentary reforms, equities and barriers that women veterans tation for veterans who are unable to safely such as ensuring certain minority party rights face when accessing VA care and benefits. get to and from their appointments. within parliament. Deborah Sampson Gannett was a Revolu- Finally, Mr. Speaker, this legislation assists As Kazakhstan prepares to turn thirty years tionary War veteran who served in the Conti- homeless veterans by improving VA’s ability to old, it is important to reaffirm the United nental Army from 1781 to 1783 and was award grant and per diem program funding to States’ commitment to Kazakhstan and to the awarded a full military pension for her military qualified providers of homelessness assist- bilateral relationship between the United service after years of petitioning Congress. ance services, expand HUD-VASH vouchers States and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan remains Specifically the legislation creates a dedi- to veterans with other than honorable dis- an important ally and partner in Central Asia cated Office of Women’s Health at VA, ex- charges, provide legal services for homeless

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