E232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 10, 2021 and his family for their dedication to our fellow RECOGNIZING JUSTIN GRAY years of exemplary service at the Salisbury citizens and our beloved Fourth District. VA. I know I speak for our entire community HON. YVETTE HERRELL in wishing him continued success and happi- f OF NEW MEXICO ness as he moves on to his next great adven- HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ture. Madam Speaker, please join me today in OF MITCH RUSSELL Wednesday, March 10, 2021 honoring Joseph Vaughn upon his retirement Ms. HERRELL. Madam Speaker, today I as Director at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Veterans HON. VICTORIA SPARTZ rise to acknowledge this year’s winner of the Affairs Medical Center. OF INDIANA New Mexico Cattle Growers Association’s f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Livestock Inspector of the Year award. District HONORING THE BRAVE AND LIFE Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Supervisor Justin Gray has served his com- munity and his team diligently and is well de- SAVING ACTIONS OF ANDERSON Mrs. SPARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today serving of this award. POLICE OFFICER JOE TODD to honor Mitchell Lee Russell who passed After graduating from Clarendon College in away at the age of 67 on February 23, 2021. Texas with a major in Ranch and Feedlot HON. VICTORIA SPARTZ Mitch was the embodiment of a model public management, Justin began his career with the OF INDIANA servant, striving to serve the citizens of Ham- New Mexico Livestock Board in 2014. In 2020, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ilton County. He protected his fellow citizens he was promoted to District Supervisor. Justin Wednesday, March 10, 2021 for over 30 years before retiring in 2006. demonstrated his diligence when he re- Mrs. SPARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today Mitch started his career following in the foot- sponded to an overturned livestock vehicle on to honor the heroic actions of Anderson Police steps of his older brother, Richard, who was U.S. 70. According to a New Mexico State Po- Officer Joe Todd, who is being credited with also a police officer. Mitch began his service lice Officer on the scene, ‘‘Justin Gray re- saving a life on January 31, 2021. Officer in Arcadia, Indiana as a Deputy Marshal. He sponded to the incident and presented himself Todd, like so many of our great police officers, then went on to serve in the Hamilton County in an excellent manner. He assisted in the re- put himself in harm’s way to serve and protect Sherriff’s Department where he spent 29 moval of deceased and live cattle from the years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant before a citizen. overturned trailer for approximately six hours Officer Todd observed a house fire in retiring. His service to his community did not without any complaint. Inspector Gray worked end with retirement as he was appointed Mar- progress around 9:00 p.m. that evening. He tediously from start to finish of the incident.’’ approached the scene and noticed a woman shal of the Arcadia Police Department. In Stories like this one exemplify Justin’s hard 2012, his service continued when he took a standing on the front porch with the door open work and dedication and I congratulate him on as the flames engulfed the house. Officer job as director of Security for Riverview Health this award. in Noblesville, where he served until his pass- Todd ran to the distraught homeowner and f ing. asked if there was anyone else inside. The His public service also extended beyond law HONORING JOSEPH VAUGHN FOR woman then ran back inside the house, visibly enforcement. Mitch served as President of the HIS YEARS OF SERVICE AS DI- shaken by what was occurring. Officer Todd Arcadia Town Council, a member of the RECTOR AT THE W.G. (BILL) ran after the woman into the burning house Kiwanis Club, a board member of the Arcadia HEFNER VETERANS AFFAIRS and carried her to the front yard to safety. baseball and softball board, and as a coach MEDICAL CENTER Our police officers put their lives on the line for his children and grandchildren. The town of everyday to serve and protect their fellow citi- Arcadia has always been very close to his HON. RICHARD HUDSON zens. Officer Joe Todd is an example of the heart. selfless work these men and women do every OF NORTH CAROLINA day. On behalf of Indiana’s 5th District, it is On behalf of the 5th District, I offer my IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES deepest sympathies to Mitch’s wife of 37 my honor to commend these brave actions. years, Melanie Anne, the Russell family, and Wednesday, March 10, 2021 f the community of Arcadia. Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today IN RECOGNITION OF OPEN HANDS to honor Joseph Vaughn for his 16 years of MINISTRIES f service, including three years as Director at NORTHERN MARIANAS FAMILY the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salisbury, North Carolina. I have HON. JOHN JOYCE ASSISTANCE ACT OF PENNSYLVANIA seen his extraordinary leadership firsthand and know how much he means to this com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO munity and to our veterans. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 SABLAN Mr. Vaughn began his career in 1983 with Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speak- OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS the United States Navy, where he served for er, I rise to honor Open Hands Ministries of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ten years and completed four Mediterranean Stahlstown, Pennsylvania for its service to the cruises before being awarded the Navy Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Westmoreland County community. Achievement Medal. He retires today after To help families struggling to buy clothes for Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today I intro- over a decade of combined service at the U.S. young infants, Open Hands Ministries began a duce the Northern Marianas Family Assistance Department of Veterans Affairs. program in 1994 to donate necessary items to Act. This legislation will make long overdue After being appointed Director on March 19, families in need. Each donation includes a crib amendments to the Temporary Assistance for 2018, he immediately began the important blanket, a receiving blanket, diapers, onesies, Needy Families (‘‘TANF’’) program to include work that would one day transform both the sleepers, bibs, hats, and socks. These con- the Northern Mariana Islands. Salisbury VA and the surrounding community. tributions have helped thousands of families The TANF program provides a lifeline to Mr. Vaughn led implementation of the VA MIS- as they welcome a new addition into their low-income families with children to meet on- SION Act, saw facility complexity increase home. going needs. Benefits such as childcare, work- from 1c to 1b, opened ambulatory surgery at Over the years, the volunteers at Open force education and training, and food assist- VA Health Care Centers in Charlotte and Hands Ministries have donated almost 11,000 ance gives families a chance when times get Kernersville, saw the Community Living Center layettes to area families. I thank the volunteers tough. But the benefits of this block grant pro- obtain a 5-star quality rating for multiple rating at Open Hands Ministries for their decades of gram are not available in the Marianas. periods, and stimulated major improvements in service to southwestern Pennsylvania, and My bill addresses this inequity. Hospital Rating (HCAPS). In response to the wish them continued success in this vital mis- As we continue to address the economic coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic, Mr. sion. challenges caused by the coronavirus pan- Vaughn’s quick actions saved many lives and f demic, inclusion in the TANF program would protected countless others through mass vac- ensure that working families with children in cination events. SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS the Marianas can continue to put food on the Renee and I would like to extend our most Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, table and have a roof over their head. heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Vaughn for his agreed to by the Senate of February 4, VerDate Sep 11 2014 11:31 Mar 11, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MR8.035 E10MRPT1 rfrederick on DSKBCBPHB2PROD with REMARKS.