E604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 4, 2021 Guo, Sofia Montelibano, Polina Novikova, Throughout her years of public service, Western Europe, signaled the death knell of Makenzie Sing, Lillian Spencer, Melaina Connie has dedicated herself to moving Indi- the German Wehrmacht, and paved the way Thompson, Margaret Tracht, Yutaka Tomokio, ana forward. She was elected to the to unconditional victory by the Allied Forces Annika Vaughan, Colleen Vine, and Nathan State Senate in 1996, and, in 2006, she be- over the evils of Nazism, fascism, and Japa- Weaver; and from South Fayette High School, came the first woman to serve as Senate Ma- nese imperialism. Zoe McCoy. jority Floor Leader. In 2012, she was ap- It is no exaggeration to say that D-Day I would like to thank these impressive young pointed to serve as Indiana’s 61st Secretary of changed the course of human history. artists for allowing us to share and celebrate State. In these roles, she worked tirelessly to The aim of the meticulously planned D-Day their talents, imagination, and creativity. The strengthen our communities and advance op- operation was to open a second front in the efforts of these students in expressing them- portunities for future generations. Connie truly European war theater from which the Allied selves in a powerful and positive manner are made our state a better place for Hoosiers to Forces could attack the German army and no less than spectacular. live, work, and thrive. push east to capture Berlin. I hope that all of these individuals continue I am grateful to have worked with Connie on With the Russian Army advancing from the to utilize their artistic talents, and I wish them behalf of our state’s businesses, workers, fam- east, coupled with the southern front opened all the best of luck in their future endeavors. ilies, and voters. Her strong conservative val- by the Allied invasion of Italy from North Africa f ues and Hoosier common sense have helped in 1942, the opening of a western front would bring Indiana’s businesses into the 21st cen- set in motion the pincer movement that would RECOGNIZING WARD TRANSPORT tury and ensured our elections remained free, catch the German Army in a trap from which & LOGISTICS fair, and secure. Her unmatched leadership, there would be no escape. tenacity, and integrity, both in the Indiana Sen- The formidable German Army expected that HON. JOHN JOYCE ate and as Secretary of State, have helped the Allied Forces would try to launch an inva- OF PENNSYLVANIA secure Indiana’s status as an economic pow- sion from the western beaches of France. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES erhouse. With a AAA credit rating, fiscally re- They just did not know when or where. So, in anticipation of an Allied invasion, the Friday, June 4, 2021 sponsible budget, and low unemployment rate, our state is among the best places in the Nazis constructed the infamous Atlantic Wall, Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speak- country to start and grow a business. an extensive system of coastal fortifications er, I rise today to recognize Ward Transport & Governor Eric Holcomb has dubbed Connie built along the western coast of Europe and Logistics for its longstanding dedication to our ‘‘Indiana’s own Iron Lady,’’ and I couldn’t Scandinavia. central Pennsylvania community as it cele- agree more. She is a true patriot with a serv- Under the direction of Field Marshal Rom- brates 90 years of service. For decades, this ant’s heart, and her passion for helping her mel, the Atlantic Wall was reinforced by the nationally recognized trucking company has fellow Hoosiers has always been clear. I have addition of concrete pillboxes built along the been instrumental in supplying and sustaining no doubt her legacy will last far into the future. beaches to house machine guns, antitank our local economy. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join guns and light artillery. Since W. W. Ward founded the company in me in thanking Indiana’s 61st Secretary of Mines and antitank obstacles were planted 1931, Ward Transport & Logistics has grown State Connie Lawson for her lifelong commit- on the beaches themselves and underwater substantially and now operates 20 locations ment to serving our communities. On behalf of obstacles and mines were placed in waters across the northeastern . This 2nd District Hoosiers, I wish her the best as just offshore. success is testament to the hard work and she embarks on this next chapter in life. By the time of the D-Day landing, the Nazis dedication of the Ward family. Ninety years f had laid almost six million mines in northern later, Ward Transport & Logistics is now led France. by the fourth generation of the Ward family COMMEMORATING THE 77TH ANNI- And awaiting Allied soldiers who made their and it employs more than 1,400 workers in VERSARY OF D-DAY AND RE- way onto and away from the beaches were Pennsylvania and beyond. MEMBERING THE MEMBERS OF gun emplacements and minefields extended As the company has expanded, its commu- THE GREATEST GENERATION inland. nity outreach also has grown. Ward Hearts & WHO SAVED FREEDOM IN THE ‘‘War is hell,’’ said General William Tecum- Hands is a volunteer program overseen by WORLD seh Sherman during the Civil War. employees with a heart for service. Their work And that is an apt description of what await- to support critical community projects includes HON. ed the brave Allied warriors who set sail from setting up charity events, serving meals and OF TEXAS England to the beaches of Normandy in the partnering with local food banks, delivering IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES early morning of June 6, 1944, at the begin- supplies to elderly members of the Blair Coun- ning of what has rightly been called ‘‘The Friday, June 4, 2021 ty community, and fostering a children’s men- Longest Day.’’ toring program to grow the next generation of Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, to- But they were buoyed in their resolve by the talent in our community. morrow, June 6, marks the 77th anniversary of millions of prayers from Americans and others Throughout their work to provide essential D-Day, the Allied Forces’ audacious amphib- back home, of all races, religions, and creeds, services, Ward Transport & Logistics has gone ious landing at Normandy, France, on June 6, invoking the Lord’s blessing, mercy, and above and beyond in support of the Blair 1944. grace. County community. As the Ward family and This joint undertaking to liberate the con- With the outcome in doubt, President Frank- their entire team celebrate 90 years of service, tinent of Europe from the clutches of an evil lin Roosevelt asked the nation to join him in I congratulate Ward Transport & Logistics on aggressor enemy was the first and most em- this solemn prayer: this outstanding legacy and wish them contin- phatic demonstration of the invincible strength ‘‘Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our na- ued success. of democratic nations when acting collectively. tion, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our f For more than 70 years, peace in Europe has been secured and no adversary, not the Republic, our religion, and our civiliza- CONGRATULATING INDIANA SEC- old Soviet Union or the contemporary Russian tion, and to set free a suffering human- ity. RETARY OF STATE CONNIE Federation, has dared to risk war by attacking LAWSON ON HER RETIREMENT ‘‘Lead them straight and true; give strength a European ally of the United States because to their arms, stoutness to their every American president has made clear that hearts, steadfastness in their faith. HON. JACKIE WALORSKI the United States is committed to Article V of ‘‘They will need Thy blessings. OF INDIANA the North Atlantic Treaty which holds that an ‘‘For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES attack on any NATO member is regarded as an attack on all of them. ‘‘They fight not for the lust of conquest. Friday, June 4, 2021 Madam Speaker, Operation Overlord, as D- ‘‘They fight to end conquest. ‘‘They fight to liberate. Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise Day was formally known, was the largest sin- ‘‘They fight to let justice arise, and toler- today to congratulate former Indiana Secretary gle amphibious assault in the history of war- ance and goodwill among all Thy peo- of State Connie Lawson on her recent retire- fare. ple. ment and to thank her for many years of dedi- The success of D-Day, which was far from ‘‘They yearn but for the end of battle, for cated service to Hoosiers. certain at the outset, led to the liberation of their return to the haven of home.’’

VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:59 Jun 05, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A04JN8.011 E04JNPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS June 4, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E605 The prayers were needed because the cost bethtown Community Hospital and the hospital RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT of D-Day was high; U.S. casualties on D-Day in Ticonderoga 5 years ago. Since then, John OF COLONEL GERALD ‘‘JERRY’’ totaled more than 2,499 dead, 3,184 wound- has helped the hospital through renovations, LUKOWSKI JR ed, 1,928 missing, and 26 captured. additions, and restructuring. He has shown Our British and Canadian allies suffered ter- steadfast leadership in the face of great chal- HON. JOE COURTNEY rible losses on D-Day as well: approximately lenges, most notably throughout the OF CONNECTICUT 2,700 for the British and 946 for the Cana- Coronavirus Pandemic. I have had the pleas- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dians. ure of working with John in the interest of the Friday, June 4, 2021 German casualties are estimated at 4,000 to people of the 21st Congressional District, en- 9,000. suring that the hospitals received necessary Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise In total, the number of combatants killed, federal funding and supplies. I am grateful for today to commend the esteemed career in wounded or missing in the Battle of Normandy the sacrifice and hard work that John and the public service of Colonel Gerald ‘‘Jerry’’ for both sides exceeded 425,000, not including entire Elizabethtown Community Hospital staff Lukowski, Junior. Colonel Lukowski retires on the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 French civil- put into keeping our community safe and June 5, 2021, from the apex of his service as ians killed. healthy. Chief of Staff to the Joint Staff for the Con- But the operation was a success. As a federally designated critical access necticut Army National Guard. Having dedi- More than 156,000 troops or paratroopers hospital, Elizabethtown Community Hospital cated a 36-year long career toward securing came ashore on D-Day, 73,000 from the U.S., provides vital care to the surrounding areas. the common defense through a distinguished 83,000 from Great Britain and Canada. John has faced unique challenges working in vocation in the military, Jerry will move on and By the end of June 11, D-Day plus 5, the rural healthcare field and yet, he continued continue to benefit the State of Connecticut 326,547 troops, 54,186 vehicles and 104,428 to relentlessly pursue providing access to high with his skill and expertise within the Con- tons of supplies had come ashore. quality care for all who walked through the necticut Department of Transportation. And with them came the seeds for the vic- hospital’s doors. For more than 30 years work- Jerry’s sense of duty catalyzed his service tory in Europe that would come less than a ing in the healthcare field, John has been a to the public through a military-oriented career. year later, on May 8, 1945, with the fall of Ber- caring and compassionate leader, under- This was exemplified from the earliest days of lin and the unconditional surrender of the that it truly takes a village. his education, when he was commissioned as Nazis. On behalf of New York’s 21st Congressional a Second Lieutenant through the University of On the eve of the Normandy invasion, Gen- District, I would like to congratulate John on Connecticut’s ROTC program in 1989, before eral Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme reaching this important milestone. John has graduating from the University of New Haven Commander of the Allied Forces, addressed left a significant impact on our community and in 1991. Armed with a Bachelors in Civil Engi- the soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied improved access to healthcare in our rural dis- neering, Second Lieutenant Lukowski set his Expeditionary Forces and said to them that trict. I wish him well in this next chapter of his sights on a path to leadership within the they were about to embark upon a ‘‘Great life. State’s civil defense unit, the Connecticut Crusade,’’ and that the ‘‘eyes of the world’’ f Army National Guard. He put himself forward were upon them. on this path, engaging with various career-re- He told them that their task would not be IN RECOGNITION OF PATRICK G. lated roles whilst simultaneously advancing a easy because the ‘‘enemy is well trained, well HIMES, SR. civilian and military education, obtaining his equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight Master’s in Environmental Engineering from savagely.’’ HON. JOHN JOYCE his alma mater in 1997, completing countless But General Eisenhower said, ‘‘this is the OF PENNSYLVANIA military instruction courses and acquiring nu- year 1944. The tide has turned. The free men IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES merous licenses within the State’s engineering of the world are marching together to victory.’’ apparatus as recent as 2019. And march to victory they did, fully justifying Friday, June 4, 2021 Colonel Lukowski applied his affinity for General Eisenhower’s ‘‘confidence in their Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speak- knowledge throughout the ranks of his distin- courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.’’ er, I rise today to honor my District Manager guished profession. His education prepared Because of the heroism of these men who Patrick G. Himes, Sr., for his service to Penn- him for 17 years of service at several stations willingly risked their lives to be the tip of the sylvania’s 13th Congressional District. An Al- of duty with the Combat Engineers and most spear of liberty, the war was won, and a world toona native, Pat has worked alongside me prominently catalyzed his ability to excel in the was saved for freedom. since the beginning of my service in Con- latter half of his career as the Construction Madam Speaker, D-Day was, and remains, gress. and Facility Management Officer (CFMO) for a day like no other in the history of man’s so- During his tenure, Pat has been an integral 13 years, and then Chief of Staff to the Joint journ on earth. member of my team as he worked with Penn- Staff since 2016. As Chief of Staff, Colonel We remember Gettysburg. sylvanians on the ground and led our district Lukowski greatly enhanced the operations of There, President Lincoln paid tribute to operations. Under his leadership, our team the Connecticut Army National Guard, pushing those ‘‘who gave their lives so that the nation has delivered substantial results for the people the troops to work with their respective units might live.’’ of Pennsylvania—from leading outreach to on their pre-deployment and redeployment re- It is equally fitting and proper that we never constituents and supporting our local commu- quirements. During his tenure as CFMO, Colo- forget D-Day and that we continue to honor nities to cutting through red tape with federal nel Lukowski’s leadership and expertise in fa- those who risked all and gave all so that the agencies. During the uncertain days of 2020, cilities management, fiscal policy and federal light of freedom would never be extinguished Pat ensured that our district team continued to contracting enabled the state to obtain nearly in the world. safely provide uninterrupted services. $975 million in Military Construction Project f Every day, Pat’s work is marked by his and Sustainment Restoration and Moderniza- HONORING JOHN REMILLARD, commitment and dedication to the people of tion funding, resulting in the planning and im- PRESIDENT OF ELIZABETHTOWN Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. plementation of 17 total projects. His tenacity COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, ON HIS Pat has spent a lifetime in service to our as an advocate for boosting Connecticut’s WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT community. Before joining my office, Pat emergency response infrastructure has well served as a law enforcement officer in Blair positioned our state’s readiness capabilities for HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK County for 27 years, including as Blair County generations to come and has truly kept the Parole Officer, Altoona Police Officer, and Al- OF NEW YORK safety of our public at heart. toona School District Police Officer. He at- Madam Speaker, Colonel Lukowski has IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tended Bishop Guilfoyle High School and spent his life developing Connecticut’s emer- Friday, June 4, 2021 holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice gency response infrastructure. His example of Ms. STEFANIK. Madam Speaker, I rise from the University of Dayton. selfless service now extends throughout his today to honor John Remillard on his retire- It is my privilege to recognize Patrick G. family—his wife Mary Beth and children John, ment from the Elizabethtown Community Hos- Himes, Sr., for his outstanding service to our Sarah, Megan and Emily—the last of whom pital. region, and to thank him for his tireless work. has gone on to attend the US Air Force Acad- John joined the University of Vermont I wish Pat and his family all the best as they emy after receiving a nomination from my of- Health Network as President of both the Eliza- embark on a new chapter. fice. While the Connecticut Army National

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