E256 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 16, 2021 Congratulations to Coach Mullins, the staff, HONORING GEORGE HARVEY SR. grandchildren. I would like to offer my condo- and the members of the Rifle Team on win- lences to them on the loss of this great busi- ning the 2021 NCAA Rifle National Champion- HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH nessman and community leader. ship. OF VIRGINIA f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f CELEBRATING THE 91ST BIRTHDAY Tuesday, March 16, 2021 IN HONOR OF DARWIN BEEMAN OF GERALD L. POTTER SR. Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor George Harvey Sr. of Radford, Virginia, HON. CHRIS PAPPAS HON. GUY RESCHENTHALER who passed away on February 24, 2021 at the age of 92. Mr. Harvey’s life was a true Amer- OF NEW HAMPSHIRE OF PENNSYLVANIA ican success story, in which he rose from hard IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES beginnings to great accomplishments in busi- Tuesday, March 16, 2021 Tuesday, March 16, 2021 ness and then drew upon them to give back Mr. RESCHENTHALER. Madam Speaker, I to his community. Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today rise with immense pride to celebrate the 91st Mr. Harvey was born on May 31, 1928 in to recognize Darwin Beeman, who is being birthday of my grandfather, Gerald L. Potter Mann, West Virginia. His family moved to a honored for his work as the Veterans of For- Sr. farm in Montgomery County, Virginia in 1932. eign War (VFW) New Hampshire State Com- Gerald is a resident of Allegheny Township As a child, he walked two miles to attend mander over the past year. VFW works to en- in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. As a school. When attending Auburn High School, sure that all veterans are recognized for their veteran, Gerald served in the United States he had to walk two miles to catch the bus, and service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation. Air Force and as a reservist at the 911th Airlift if his responsibilities of milking the farm’s cows Despite facing unprecedented circumstances Wing in southwestern Pennsylvania. During delayed him from catching the bus, he had to due to the COVID–19 pandemic, Commander his military service, he met his wife of fifty walk five miles more to school. Beeman worked tirelessly to ensure that our years, my grandmother Eleen M. Potter, a After graduating from Auburn in 1945, Mr. state’s veterans remained supported and con- lieutenant in the Air Force Nursing Corps. Harvey joined the United States Air Corps and nected to the community during these chal- Continuing his dedication to service, Gerald was deployed to Fairbanks, Alaska. He lenging times. attended the West Penn Hospital School of passed on the chance to attend West Point Raised in Barrington, Commander Beeman Nursing and graduated in their first male class. and opted instead to return home to South- graduated from Spaulding High School in My grandfather’s service and mentorship west Virginia. He enrolled in National Business 1976, before attending New Hampshire Voca- played a critical role throughout my childhood, College in Roanoke, majoring in Business and tional Technical College, where he gained an during my service in the United States Navy, Accounting. associate degree in Industrial Electricity in Mr. Harvey began his career by operating a and his example continues to guide my work 1978. gas station, followed by a Texaco Oil Distrib- on behalf of Pennsylvania’s 14th Congres- In 1991, Commander Beeman joined the uting Business and a used car dealership. In sional District. U.S. Navy Reserve Seabee’s, serving honor- 1957, he became a General Motors Chevrolet Madam Speaker, Gerald L. Potter Sr. has ably for nearly 22 years. During his service, he dealer in Christiansburg. The next year, he lived a life of distinction and remains an in- deployed to Iraq in 2005 in support of Oper- bought an Oldsmobile dealership, and in 1959, credible presence in my life, our family and ation Iraqi Freedom and again from 2008 to he purchased a Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac friends, and his community. It is with great joy 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Free- franchise in Radford. His business grew that I wish him a happy 91st birthday. dom. through the decades, earning him millions and Commander Beeman earned many acco- f providing jobs to many in the region. In 1989, lades during his decades of service, including it added a Pontiac-Buick dealership as well. IN RECOGNITION OF ERIKA DYER’S the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy He took the obligations that came with wealth SERVICE TO VIRGINIA’S FIRST & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x3), Joint and job creation seriously. According to the CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Good Conduct Roanoke Times, he said in 2009 that the num- Medal, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service ber he was proudest of was zero, which was Medal (x5), National Defense Service Medal HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN the number of employees he had laid off over (x2), Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star & OF VIRGINIA the then-50-year history of Harvey’s Chevrolet Eagle, Globe & Anchor, Global War on Ter- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Cadillac Buick. rorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Many local organizations and causes bene- Tuesday, March 16, 2021 Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Re- fited from Mr. Harvey’s support. At Radford serve Medal with Bronze Hour Glass and ‘‘M’’ Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise University, he was the second president of the Device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (x2), today to recognize Erika Dyer, and her dedi- foundation and the chairman of the Business Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy cated service to Virginia’s First Congressional and Economics Department, driving the cre- & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon District. After eight months with my D.C. office, ation of a certified School of Business. He was (x2), Expert Rifleman Medal, and Expert Pistol Erika will be leaving this week to pursue a chairman of the board at Radford Community Shoot Medal. new position. Hospital, now Carilion New River Valley Med- Erika has been an invaluable asset to my ical Center. While deployed to Iraq in 2005, Commander D.C. Staff, serving as my Communications Di- Other roles he held in the community in- Beeman joined the VFW and, upon his return, rector. Erika joined the team during the cluded president of the Chamber of Com- joined Post 8497 in Charlestown, NH in 2006. COVID–19 pandemic, and she was imme- merce; Vice President of First & Merchants He later served as District 2 Commander for diately committed to delivering timely and un- National Bank in Radford; past president of a decade before serving in leadership roles at derstandable information and resources to the New River Dealers Association, Kiwanis the state level, culminating in his current role constituents in Virginia’s First Congressional Club and Retail Merchants Association; past over the past year. District. Erika is extremely talented and hard- chairman of United Fund and the Michelle Commander Beeman and his wife, Terry, working and is consistently finding new and in- ‘‘Petie’’ Lineberry Heart Recipient Fund Drive; currently live in Claremont, and are the proud novative ways to effectively communicate with past vice president of the Southwest Virginia parents of three and grandparents of six. constituents. Erika is also a friend to all and is Health Services; board member of the Virginia On behalf of my constituents in New Hamp- always willing to be a resource for other staff. automobile Dealers Association, the Common- shire’s First Congressional District, I want to Therefore, Madam Speaker, I rise today to wealth Dealers Life Insurance Association, thank Commander Beeman for his service to thank Erika for her hard work and dedication and Saint Albans Psychiatric Hospital; and our country and his dedication to his fellow not only to the office, but to all constituents in Elder and member of The Presbyterian veterans. I congratulate him on his successful Virginia’s First District. Erika has a bright fu- Church of Radford. term as State Commander, and I thank him for ture ahead and I wish her the best in her ca- Mr. Harvey’s survivors include his wife of 61 all he does to make sure that veterans in our reer. years, Juanita Kirk Harvey, five children, and state are remembered and valued. VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:44 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16MR8.021 E16MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS March 16, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E257 STUDENT LOAN REFINANCING AND lenges in our country and abroad. For over great pride in knowing the First District is RECALCULATION ACT OF 2021 four decades, the Helsinki Commission has home to such a dedicated leader. On behalf of championed human rights, democracy, and my constituents, I wish Bill all the best in his HON. JOHN GARAMENDI comprehensive security across the 57 North future endeavors. OF CALIFORNIA American, European, and Central Asian coun- f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tries that make up the region of the Organiza- tion for Security and Cooperation in Europe IN RECOGNITION OF LIBERTY DAY Tuesday, March 16, 2021 (OSCE). As Chair of the Helsinki Commission 2021 Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I during the 116th Congress, I worked with my reintroduce the bipartisan ‘‘Student Loan Refi- House and Senate colleagues to continue the HON. LAUREN BOEBERT nancing and Recalculation Act’’ to address the Commission’s longstanding efforts to monitor OF COLORADO ballooning student loan debt crisis crippling participating States compliance with the Hel- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES millions of Americans and their families.