December 17, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1677 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

TRIBUTE TO THOMAS G. HUNGAR of the House of Representatives, I express my Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2, the deepest gratitude to Tom for his dedication to Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, I would HON. PAUL D. RYAN this institution, and I extend our very best have voted NO. wishes to him, his wife Jaye, and their chil- OF WISCONSIN Had I been present for Roll Call No. 432, on dren, Brett, Claire, Lance, and Paige. the rule providing for consideration of the Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f ference Report to Accompany H.R. 2, the Ag- Monday, December 17, 2018 riculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, I would Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise HONORING THE LIFE OF DAKARAI have voted NO. today to express the appreciation of the entire FAGORALA Had I been present for Roll Call No. 434, on House of Representatives to Thomas G. agreeing to the Conference Report to Accom- Hungar for his exemplary service as General HON. JERRY McNERNEY pany H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, I would have voted YEA. Counsel of the House. Tom has been a faith- OF CALIFORNIA ful defender of this institution, its Members, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and its prerogatives since his appointment in f Monday, December 17, 2018 2016. Tom’s distinguished legal career has in- KATHRYN WIRKUS cluded service in all three branches of govern- Mr. MCNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask my col- ment. In the Judicial Branch, he served as a leagues to join me in honoring the life of law clerk in the United States Court of Ap- Dakarai Fagorala, who passed away on Sun- HON. ED PERLMUTTER peals for the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme day, August 12, 2018. Dakarai was only 17 OF COLORADO Court of the United States. In the Executive years old and just shy of his 18th birthday IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Branch, he served in the Office of the Solicitor when he passed as a result of injuries sus- Monday, December 17, 2018 General at the Department of Justice, includ- tained from a fatal car accident. ing as Deputy Solicitor General. Having pre- Dakarai recently graduated with honors from Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise sented oral argument before the Supreme Deer Valley High School in Antioch, California, today to recognize and honor Kathryn Wirkus Court in 26 cases, Tom is one of our Nation’s where he also played on the basketball team. for her hard work and dedication to the people leading appellate lawyers and an expert on He was an exceptional young man, working a of the 7th Congressional District. constitutional law. part-time job to save money for college and Since I met Kathryn in 2012, she has be- Tom began his Legislative Branch service help his family during his school years. come a friend and an instrumental member of with the House in 2016, as one of only a small He participated in the 2016 National Youth my team. For more than seven years, she has number of lawyers ever to serve as General Leadership Forum for National Security-Diplo- worked in my congressional office as part of Counsel of the House. Under Tom’s guidance macy and competed in the 2016 Amateur Ath- the constituent services team and handled the and leadership, the General Counsel’s Office letic Union’s ‘‘Jam on It’’ Tournament. issues of military and Veterans affairs and aerospace. Her time as a Lieutenant Colonel has provided sophisticated and invaluable Dakarai took great pride in his community in the Air Force brought a wealth of knowl- legal advice and has been a trusted institu- and looked for ways to give back. He was a edge on Veteran’s issues and a shared expe- tional resource for Members, Officers, Com- Junior Deacon at Fellowship Church in Anti- rience she that she was able to relate to with mittees, and staff, regardless of political affili- och and regularly volunteered at homeless the Veterans she helped. She has been a tre- ation. Through excellent legal work and coun- shelters in Contra Costa County, cooking and mendous asset to our team and to the con- sel, undertaken with zeal for the best interests serving meals to veterans and seniors. of the House, Tom and his office have earned stituents we serve. Her relationships with liai- Dakarai was a shining light who touched the the respect of Members on both sides of the sons at federal agencies and within the com- lives of everyone he met. Our community aisle. munity helped ensure she was always able to mourns the loss of Dakarai Fagorala, and our help answer questions, direct folks to the ap- When the House’s institutional interests thoughts and prayers are with his family. were at stake, Tom’s legal advice was always propriate resources, secure long-deserved tailored to safeguarding the House’s constitu- f medals and recognition for Veterans, and even secure money or benefits that were tional prerogatives and protecting the House’ s PERSONAL EXPLANATION vital role in our constitutional structure. Tom owed to Veterans in the district. successfully litigated cases defending and pro- Prior to serving in my congressional office, tecting the House’s constitutionally based sub- HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING Kathryn worked on behalf of Veterans across poena authority. Tom also defended the OF MASSACHUSETTS the state in the Colorado Department of Vet- House and its Officers to preserve and protect IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES erans Affairs. Prior to that, she served in the the House’s longstanding practice of opening United States Air Force for 27 years, retiring Monday, December 17, 2018 each legislative day with a prayer. Additionally, as a Lieutenant Colonel. Her dedication, par- under Tom, the House has filed amicus briefs Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, on December ticularly to women Veterans, is commendable articulating its position on the proper interpre- 12, 2018, I was recovering from an eye sur- and is shown through her work in forming the tation of the Appropriations, Rulemaking, and gery and was therefore unable to be present Colorado Women’s Veterans organization, Speech or Debate Clauses of the Constitution. for the votes on the motion on ordering the which she is the current Vice President. Numerous Members, Committees, and Sub- previous question on the Rule providing for Kathryn has a true gift for working with Vet- committees relied on Tom’s extensive litigation consideration of the Conference Report to Ac- erans and understanding the issues and chal- expertise in connection with investigative and company H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition lenges they face. Her good nature and sense oversight activities. Finally, Tom defended Act of 2018, the rule providing for consider- of humor always help make Veterans and con- House Members, Officers, and staff in judicial ation of the Conference Report to Accompany stituents feel comfortable and welcome. I ex- proceedings at both the trial and appellate lev- H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of tend my deepest appreciation to Kathryn els and advised Members and Committees in 2018, and agreeing to the Conference Report Wirkus for the difference she made in the lives connection with their interactions with both pri- to Accompany H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nu- of many people in our community and for her vate and other governmental entities. trition Act of 2018. service to our country. I will be forever grateful I know that Tom will continue his excep- Had I been present for Roll Call No. 431, on for her service to our team, the district, and tional work wherever the next chapter of his the motion on ordering the previous question the United States of America. I wish her all the impressive legal career takes him. On behalf on the Rule providing for consideration of the best in her next chapter.

∑ 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 03:47 Dec 18, 2018 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A17DE8.001 E17DEPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS E1678 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 17, 2018 RECOGNIZING THE BRAVERY OF mentary School’s hard work in creating an en- RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF DARRYL TRAPPS vironment for educational attainment that is TOM TORLAKSON recognized as a symbol of exemplary teaching HON. JOHN KATKO and learning. HON. MARK DeSAULNIER OF NEW YORK Lake Road Elementary provides a model for OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES success to all schools by creating a nurturing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES environment that promotes student develop- Monday, December 17, 2018 Monday, December 17, 2018 ment through problem solving and exploration. Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Principal Erica Weadon inspires a passionate Mr. DESAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today recognition of Syracuse firefighter Darryl and purposeful mindset that resonates with Congressman MIKE THOMPSON to recog- Trapps, who serves as an emergency re- throughout the entire organization, from the nize Tom Torlakson for his dedicated and pas- sponder at the Carrier Dome during Syracuse teachers, administrators, students, and par- sionate service to our community. A recipient of the Merchant Marine Service University basketball games. During the De- ents. This accomplishment will pay dividends Medal, Tom began his life-long commitment to cember 4th game against Northeastern Uni- for years to come as Lake Road Elementary service as a fireman in assignments such as versity, Mr. Trapps performed CPR on a pa- continues to grow and flourish. Guam, Vietnam, and Thailand. After his serv- tron suffering from a medical emergency. The On behalf of the Eighth Congressional Dis- ice, Tom attended the University of California actions of Mr. Trapps and others in attend- trict of Missouri, it is my great privilege to con- Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts ance saved the man’s life. gratulate the entire Lake Road Elementary in History, a Life Secondary Teaching Creden- Since 2004, Mr. Trapps has worked as an School community for this remarkable tial, and a Master of Arts in Education. emergency responder at the Carrier Dome. achievement. Mr. Trapps diligently monitors athletic events Tom has served as a teacher for the Mount Diablo Unified School District, a councilman for emergencies and, before December 4th, f no serious incidents had occurred during his for the City of Antioch, a county supervisor for tenure. However, before the December 4th IN RECOGNITION OF WALTER R. Contra Costa County, and as a legislator in game, a patron went stiff in his seat and BROOKS, JR. both the California State Senate and State As- began suffering a cardiac event. Mr. Trapps sembly. During his tenure in the California recognized the severity of the situation and HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING State Legislature, Tom fought to increase jumped into action. funding for education, implement school nutri- OF MASSACHUSETTS Mr. Trapps arrived to the man’s section and, tion programs and physical education, and im- upon discovering the man had no pulse, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES prove school safety. He also led the charge began performing chest compressions. Mr. Monday, December 17, 2018 for making the California public school system Trapps was surrounded by concerned more inclusive by eliminating the achievement Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in gap, reducing the dropout rate, and funding attendees but his emergency response skills recognition of the life of Walter R. Brooks, Jr., and training allowed him to block out any sort afterschool programs. founder of Cape Cod Today, who passed As the State Superintendent of Public In- of distraction. He administered chest compres- away at the age of eighty-seven. struction, Tom brought his experience and sions while a doctor performed rescue breath- Mr. Brooks has been a pillar of the commu- drive to the California Department of Edu- ing, both of them trying to keep oxygen flow- nity, serving as a voice for Cape Cod. Born in cation where he continued his vow to improve ing to the patient’s brain. 1930 to Walter Rollin Brooks, Sr. and Evelyn Emergency Medical Technicians arrived with our state’s public education system. During his Mae Brooks, he was raised as an only child in a defibrillator shortly after Mr. Trapps began two terms, Tom set new standards for testing Woodbury, Connecticut. At an early age, he assisting the man. They administered two student achievement, expanded programs that knew he wanted to follow in his father’s foot- shocks to the man’s chest with Mr. Trapps meet the needs of children outside of the reg- steps and pursue a career in journalism. Fol- continuing chest compressions between the ular school day, and oversaw a record high lowing his graduation from the University of shocks. On the third shock, the man’s pulse school graduation rate. Tom is also the chair Connecticut, Mr. Brooks went on to serve as returned and he was taken to Upstate Univer- and founder of the California Task Force on a publisher, managing editor, promotion and sity Hospital for further treatment. Mr. Trapps Youth and Workplace Wellness, where he has marketing director for the Village Voice, the had successfully saved the man’s life but im- continued to promote healthier meals and New York Post, the Greenwich CT Times, the mediately returned to his duty. physical activity for students. Naugatuck Daily News, the Amherst MA Jour- Tom Torlakson has left a positive impact on Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the nal-Record, the Enfield CT Press, the Cape the California public school system and its stu- House to join me in honoring the courageous Codder, and MPG Communications. dents, and the community at large. While his actions of Darryl Trapps. His composure dur- leadership and enthusiasm will be dearly ing this chaotic situation was no easy task and In 1959, Mr. Brooks spent a summer in missed in his official capacity, he will surely his efforts saved the life of another individual. Provincetown, where he met and married the continue to contribute to California. I join with I applaud Mr. Trapps, as well as first respond- love of his life, Patricia. Their love of Cape Congressman MIKE THOMPSON in thanking ers around the country, whose daily actions Cod would lead them to settle in Harwich in Tom for his service to our County, our state, save countless lives. 1965, where they raised their two sons, Todd and Jay. After moving, Walter and Patricia, and our students, and wish him the best in his f who were devoted to improving the accessi- retirement. RECOGNIZING LAKE ROAD bility of news outlets, launched a Cape Cod f ELEMENTARY SCHOOL tourism publication entitled Best Read Guides. HONORING ROBERT E. MOORE In 1998, his passion for his community led him HON. JASON SMITH to establish, Cape Cod Today. One of the na- tion’s first online-only local news websites, HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON OF MISSOURI Cape Cod Today has been an integral part of OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Commonwealth. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, December 17, 2018 Mr. Brooks has always put the people of Monday, December 17, 2018 Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise Cape Cod first, constantly trying to figure out Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- today to congratulate Lake Road Elementary how to better his home. He has stepped up at er, I rise today to honor Mr. Robert E. Moore, School of Poplar Bluff, Missouri for being rec- every point to improve our schools and our a pillar in the Mississippi Delta. ognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in community by using his newspaper to hold in- In the year of 1945, Robert was born on the 2018, a distinction bestowed upon only 349 stitutions and individuals accountable to the 21st day of April. Raised in Greenwood, Mis- public and private schools across the country. people. sissippi, Robert received his undergraduate The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the life of degree from Jackson State University and a recognizes public and private elementary, mid- Walter R. Brooks, Jr. for his dedication to graduate degree from the University of South- dle, and high schools based on their overall bettering our community. I ask that my col- ern Mississippi. academic excellence or their progress in clos- leagues join me in recognizing his commit- Moore was a United States Marine Corps ing achievement gaps among student sub- ment to journalism and the people of Cape Veteran. He served in Vietnam and was a groups. This award affirms Lake Road Ele- Cod. Purple Heart Recipient.

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