E1050 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 18, 2020 HONORING THOMAS J. MANN, IV THANKS BLAKE Boy Scouts of America, Troop 214, and earn- ing the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. HON. HON. BILLY LONG Jerald has been very active with his troop, OF OF MISSOURI participating in many scout activities. Over the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES many years Jerald has been involved with scouting, he has not only earned numerous Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Wednesday, November 18, 2020 merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, today I rise to ily, peers, and community. Most notably, Jer- I proudly pause to recognize Thomas J. Mann, pay tribute to a great man and citizen of the ald has earned the rank of Hardway Warrior in IV. Thomas is a very special young man who Show Me state, Mr. Blake Hurst, as he cele- the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Jerald has also con- has exemplified the finest qualities of citizen- brates his upcoming retirement. Since being tributed to his community through his Eagle ship and leadership by taking an active part in elected the President of the Missouri Farm Bu- Scout project. Jerald helped in with Our Lady the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 215, and reau on December 7, 2010, Blake has helped of Mercy Country Home Bench Rebuild. earning the most prestigious award of Eagle strengthen the Bureau financially and grow its Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join Scout. influence in Washington, D.C. me in commending Jerald Mutchler for his ac- Thomas has been very active with his troop, The Missouri Farm Bureau was founded as complishments with the Boy Scouts of Amer- participating in many scout activities. Over the the first state Farm Bureau in the United ica and for his efforts put forth in achieving the many years Thomas has been involved with States in 1915, and over the years, it has highest distinction of Eagle Scout. scouting, he has not only earned numerous grown to include over 130,000 members. Dur- merit badges, but also the respect of his fam- ing his tenure, Blake was a strong advocate f ily, peers, and community. Most notably, for Missouri’s farmers. He will be leaving the Thomas has served his troop as Patrol Leader Missouri Farm Bureau in a stronger position TRIBUTE TO BRIAN POTTS and earned the rank of Runner in the Tribe of than when he came into office and has en- Mic–0–Say. Thomas has also contributed to sured the long-term success and influence of HON. his community through his Eagle Scout the organization. project. Thomas built bat houses for the Mis- Blake has been an active member of the OF TEXAS souri Department of Conservation. Missouri Farm Bureau for much of his life, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES serving on the Young Farmers & Ranchers Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join Wednesday, November 18, 2020 me in commending Thomas J. Mann, IV for Committee before becoming the statewide his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of chairman and eventually serving on the state Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- board of directors. For eight years, Hurst today to honor Brian Potts, a member of the ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. served is a district board member for the state professional staff of the House Appropriations of Missouri and seven years as the Vice Presi- Committee, who has retired after 25 years of f dent of the Bureau. Blake has earned a na- service in the Federal Government. HONORING THE LIFE OF SAMUEL tional reputation as a leader in agriculture pol- Brian earned his bachelor’s degree from In- FIGUEROA icy. Over the years, Blake has written numer- diana University of Pennsylvania in 1994, ous pieces which have appeared in the Wall where he played football and studied account- Street Journal, The American, Weekly Stand- ing. Upon graduation, Brian began his career HON. ard, Wilson’s Quarterly, Reader’s Digest, To- as part of the Department of the Navy Finan- OF INDIANA day’s Farmer, and the Show Me magazine of cial Management Trainee Program. During this IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Missouri Farm Bureau. Hurst continues to be time, he worked as an auditor for the Naval Wednesday, November 18, 2020 an active member of his community, running a Audit Service and as a budget analyst for the wholesale greenhouse business with his wife, Mr. BANKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Julie, daughter, Lee; and sons-in-law, Ryan honor the life and service of Mr. Samuel (Comptroller). Brian excelled in the program, Harms and Matt Schlueter. and he was awarded the Office of the Sec- Figueroa of Indianapolis, Indiana. I wish Blake the very best as he embarks Samuel Figueroa was an outstanding em- retary of Defense Award for Excellence. on this new chapter of life, and I am grateful After completion of this program, in 1997, ployee who worked at the Creekside Health for his service to his community. and Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis. Hav- Brian joined the House Appropriations Sub- ing worked at the center since its opening in f committee on Military Construction as a pro- September 2017, Mr. Figueroa was a dish- PERSONAL EXPLANATION fessional staff member. After leaving the Hill washer. We are only aware of his role as dish- briefly to work as an auditor for the Federal washer and are unaware of work in road and HON. STEVE KING Energy Regulatory Commission, Brian re- building construction. Those who had the op- turned to the House Appropriations Committee OF IOWA portunity to witness Mr. Figueroa work wit- Subcommittee on Military Construction. In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nessed a man who took great pride in his job. 2004, Brian moved to the Senate Sub- While on the clock, Mr. Figueroa routinely Wednesday, November 18, 2020 committee on Defense where he would stay until 2014, at which time he became Minority made others smile and laugh. He was also Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I was Staff Director for the Senate Appropriations careful to ensure that the facility was as clean unable to vote on November 16th and Novem- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Vet- as possible. On many occasions, fellow em- ber 17th due to not being present in Wash- erans Affairs, and Related Agencies. ployees witnessed Samuel scanning the park- ington, D.C. Had I been present, I would have ing lot for trash to dispose of. voted as follows: When the Senate switched control in 2015, By all accounts, Mr. Figueroa was the YES on Roll Call No. 219; YES on Roll Call Brian was hired to be the Majority Staff Direc- model employee. Always on time with a smile No. 220; and NO on Roll Call No. 221. tor for the Senate Appropriations Sub- committee on Defense, a position responsible on his face and willing to go the extra mile, he f desired to serve those in need. Mr. Figueroa for a portfolio exceeding $500 billion in annual will be remembered for the wonderful impres- HONORING JERALD MUTCHLER spending. In 2019, I asked Brian to become sion he made on his peers, residents and all my National Security Advisor on my House those who interreacted with him on the cam- HON. SAM GRAVES Appropriations Committee staff, and he proved pus. OF MISSOURI to be a trusted advisor. Brian could always be counted on to give great insight into the issues The story of Mr. Figueroa is one that is IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES uniquely American. This record is a testament that face our men and women in uniform. to those ideals he embodied of service and Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Brian is known for his love of sports, and I sacrifice, which are inherent to the American Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, know he is enjoying retirement with his son, spirit. Though Samuel is no longer with us, his I proudly pause to recognize Jerald Mutchler. Owen, and attending his baseball and basket- spirit of good will and generosity in the halls Jerald is a very special young man who has ball games. We wish Brian the best in his new of Creekside and in the hearts of those whose exemplified the finest qualities of citizenship adventure and thank him for everything he has lives he touched endures. and leadership by taking an active part in the done for our nation’s security.

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