CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1551 HON
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December 6, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1551 IN MEMORY OF CATHY THOMAS Tres Barrera is an incredibly talented pro- nity members find opportunities to be of serv- fessional baseball catcher for the Washington ice to one another. These small acts of her- HON. JOE COURTNEY Nationals. He was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, oism, pinnacles of our values and ideals as OF CONNECTICUT and moved to the Rio Grande Valley when he Americans, are far too frequently lost in the ra- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was 10 years old. Tres played on the baseball pidity of our society. team for Hidalgo High School his freshman Friday, December 6, 2019 I would like to take a moment to draw atten- year, winning the District 32–3A Most Valuable tion to one of those small acts of heroism in Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to Player award, before transferring to Sharyland the town of Fairplay in Park County, Colorado. observe and mourn the passing of one of the High School. At Sharyland High School, Tres In a small mountain town of just 762 people, pillars of civic life in the Northeastern Corner played football and baseball, and quickly be- nearly 750 people were stranded last Friday of the state of Connecticut, Cathy Thomas. came a standout athlete and student. He was and Saturday after snow, wind, and low visi- Sadly, Cathy passed away on November 26, selected to two all-state teams, and won the bility made travel impossible. At the height of 2019 surrounded by family and friends at Day 30–5A Most Valuable Player and the All-Valley the post-Thanksgiving travel rush, with their Kimball Hospital in Putnam, Connecticut. Player of the Year as a senior. His batting av- town’s limited shelter resources strained to Madam Speaker, Cathy served for 40 years erage was an astonishing .452, hitting 22 breaking, the people of Fairplay jumped to ac- as the Chair of the Thompson Democratic home runs during his time at Sharyland High tion to ensure safety and comfort for all those Town Committee—a record that I am con- School. who could not continue their travels. Hotel op- fident will never be broken. In that role, Cathy Tres’ incredible work ethic, determination, erators housed people in every space pos- supported hundreds and hundreds of can- and sheer talent earned him a spot on the re- sible; churches opened their stores of food to didates for town, state and federal office, gen- nowned baseball team for the University of ensure no one went hungry; neighbors went erously volunteering her time to the nuts and Texas at Austin. As a freshman, Tres was the door-to-door to gather blankets and supplies; bolts of campaigns—organizing conventions, team’s starting catcher, won the 2014 College transportation authorities brought vehicles lining up delegates, filing the critical paperwork Home Run Derby, and led Texas to the Col- abandoned on the highways to the town and to ensure ballot access and most of all, giving lege World Series. His achievements contin- reconnected drivers to their cars. In the end, wise, common sense counsel to public officials ued on. everyone remained safe and sheltered. This is about what the important issues were and how During his sophomore year, Tres was a vital the type of hospitality and generosity that to talk about them, and address them. Forty part of the University of Texas’ Big 12 cham- makes Park County and Colorado such an in- years ago, Cathy was a pioneer political lead- pionship team, while adding his name to the credible place. er paving the way for women to occupy posi- All-Big 12 second team. In his junior year tions of power. Over time, the respect she gar- campaign, Tres earned the 2016 Academic This year I am grateful for citizens like these nered with her quiet, steely manner became All-Big 12 baseball honors and was named an in Park County, and throughout our nation, an inspiration for other women to succeed in All-Big 12 honorable mention. He left Texas who remind us during this holiday season of public office. It was truly fitting that she was after his junior year to join the minor leagues, the essential goodness of people. awarded the 2019 Ella Grasso Women’s but only after walking away with 20 home runs Leadership Award this year. This is a special and 106 runs batted in (RBIs) for the Univer- f honor reserved to an elite group of Women in sity of Texas at Austin. THANKING LC ‘‘BUCKSHOT’’ SMITH Connecticut named after the first woman in Tres Barrera’s hard work and dedication FOR HIS 56 YEARS OF LAW EN- America to be elected the governor of a state continued for the next three years as he FORCEMENT SERVICE in her own right. I personally experienced and played for a number of minor league teams benefitted from Cathy’s dedicated work during before being called up to the Major League all my campaigns for Congress. I will be for- Baseball, MLB, on September 8, 2019, for the HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN ever grateful to her for her unstinting, unselfish Washington Nationals. Being a member of the help. Nationals, Tres participated in one of the most OF ARKANSAS Her life was not solely defined by politics unlikely runs in the history of professional IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and government. Cathy grew up in Thompson baseball. The Nationals’ record through 50 games Friday, December 6, 2019 and attended Annhurst College and Nichols was a poor 19 wins and 31 losses before they College where she received her degree in ac- Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise won 74 of their next 122 games. This secured counting. She worked as an accountant for today to recognize and extend my gratitude to the Nationals a wild-card spot in the many years at Davis publications in Worces- Mr. LC ‘‘Buckshot’’ Smith of Camden, Arkan- postseason. The Nationals continued their un- ter, Massachusetts. She was close to her sas. likely playoff run until the very end, where they brother Paul LaRoche of North Grosvenordale beat the Houston Astros in seven games, win- Officer Smith has spent a lifetime in law en- and had many friends in town with whom she ning the World Series on October 30, 2019. forcement. His career spans over five decades enjoyed going to concerts, the beach, and On that day, Tres earned himself the coveted in the Fourth District of Arkansas. Having Kittery, Maine. She was also an avid New World Series ring. spent 46 of those years with the Ouachita York Yankees fan, living in an area that leans Madam Speaker, Mr. Tres Barrera worked County Sheriff’s Department, he officially re- in favor of the Red Sox. Nonetheless, she rev- tirelessly to prove that with determination, will tired in September 2010. However, after only eled in the rivalry. power, and commitment, we can accomplish a few short months in retirement, he decided Cathy’s passing is a big loss for North- anything we set ourselves to do in life. Tres to return to the Camden Police Department. At eastern Connecticut and was felt far and wide made history, gave young people across our the age of 90 years old, he is still serving the by all who knew her and will miss her. Madam country the hope to achieve anything they set community after 56 years of service. Speaker, I ask the House to please join me in their mind to and for that I stand here today President George H.W. Bush said, ‘‘Public expressing our deepest condolences to her to recognize him. He is a proud son of South service is a noble calling.’’ Officer Smith has family and friends. Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, and we ap- answered this call to service everyday as a f preciate him for his work and dedication to the police officer, church deacon, and community HONORING MR. FELIPE ‘TRES’ Washington Nationals. member for decades. The Ouachita County BARRERA f and Camden communities can attest to the exemplary character and dedication to service TRIBUTE TO THE HEROIC ACTIONS found in Officer Smith. HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ OF FAIRPLAY, PARK COUNTY, OF TEXAS COLORADO I’m proud to know of the lifelong commit- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment to service men like Officer ‘‘Buckshot Smith’’ have. His life serves as a powerful re- Friday, December 6, 2019 HON. JOE NEGUSE minder of what an impact a lifetime of service OF COLORADO Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, can have on our communities. I take this time IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I rise today to honor Mr. Felipe ‘Tres’ Barrera, to thank him for the decades he has given to a member of the Washington Nationals 2019 Friday, December 6, 2019 the Fourth District of Arkansas and for the ex- World Series Champions and a Rio Grande Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, each and ample he has provided for generations of Valley Native. every day, across America our fellow commu- Americans to come. VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:05 Dec 07, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A06DE8.004 E06DEPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS.