September 8, 2015 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1213 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS RECOGNITION OF EMPLOYEES OF Timothy Magruder, Office of the Chief Ad- 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF WRITING THE OFFICERS AND THE INSPEC- ministrative Officer. ON AMERICA TOR GENERAL OF THE U.S. Charles E. Powell, Jr., Office of the Chief HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Administrative Officer. HON. ALAN S. LOWENTHAL WITH 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OF CALIFORNIA Robin Richter, Office of the Chief Adminis- THE HOUSE AND RECIPIENTS OF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THE HOUSE EMPLOYEE EXCEL- trative Officer. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 LENCE AWARD AND TEAM PLAY- Randy Rogerson, Office of the Chief Admin- ER AWARD istrative Officer. Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, last month we celebrated Viet Bao Daily News’ 15th Anni- David Tonizzo, Office of the Chief Adminis- versary of the Writing on America Essay Con- HON. CANDICE S. MILLER trative Officer. OF MICHIGAN test and its subsequent annual Awards pro- We also recognize and congratulate the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES gram. Viet Bao Daily News established the House employees receiving the Employee Ex- Writing on America Essay Contest in 2000 Tuesday, September 8, 2015 cellence Award. This is a merit-based award, with the simple mission of creating an oppor- Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, given to an employee from each House Officer tunity for members of the Vietnamese commu- Ranking Member ROBERT BRADY and I rise organization, and the Office of Inspector Gen- nity to share their individual experiences. today to congratulate and recognize the out- eral. Selected employees exhibited out- Since its creation, the competition has be- standing employees of the Officers (Clerk of standing overall job performance and dis- come an annual grand award celebration and the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Ad- played a willingness to go above and beyond a uniting chronicle sharing inspirational stories ministrative Officer) and the Inspector General the call of duty for their organization through- from members of the Vietnamese community. of the U.S. House of Representatives who out the last year. We honor the individuals The initial objective of the competition was to have reached the milestone of 25 years of named below for receiving this prestigious preserve the Vietnamese language and cul- service to the U.S. House of Representatives, award. tural values. However, the impact exceeded as well as the recipients of the House Em- Melissa K. Franger and John F. Looney, III, Viet Bao’s initial expectation. The tens of thou- ployee Excellence Award and Team Player Office of the Sergeant at Arms. sands of entries over the years have become Award. more than just an anthology of shared, collec- The House’s most important asset is its Kevin Hanrahan, Office of the Clerk. tive philosophical values—but a historical dedicated and exceptional employees, whose Michael A. Howard, Office of Inspector Gen- record helping to preserve the Vietnamese work, which is often behind the scenes, is vital eral. community’s history across a broad spectrum in keeping the operations and services of the David E. McKittrick, Office of the Chief Ad- ranging from tragedy to triumph. House running smoothly and efficiently. The ministrative Officer. I would like to congratulate all of the partici- employees we recognize today are acknowl- pants in the essay competition for sharing edged and commended for their hard work, And finally, we recognize and congratulate their varied stories of life and legacy, as well dedication, professionalism, teamwork, support several House employees being presented the as congratulate all of the winners past and of House Members and their staffs and con- Team Player Award. This award recognizes present. They have all contributed a multitude stituents, and for their contributions day-in and the value the House Officers and Inspector of inspirational stories that document and day-out to the overall operations of the House. General place on working collaboratively share with the whole community their experi- These employees have a wide range of re- across House organizations to strengthen and ences and journey to assimilate in American sponsibilities and skills that support the legis- protect the U.S. House of Representatives. society. lative process, ensure the security of the insti- These awardees have demonstrated a col- I also want to congratulate and applaud Viet tution, maintain our technology and service in- laborative attitude, commitment to achieving Bao Daily News for the success of their writing frastructure, and contribute to a more effective team objectives, respect and support of their competition, not just for the community service and efficiently operating House support struc- teammates, and dedication to the betterment the program brings to the Vietnamese commu- ture. They have accomplished many great of House operations. We honor the individuals nity, but for what it contributes to the rich tap- things in a wide range of activities, and the named below for receiving this notable award. estry of our nation. House of Representatives and its Members, Alison M. Trulock, Office of the Clerk. f staff, and the American public is better served Kevin C. Cornell and Donna K. Wolfgang, RECOGNIZING THE TOWN OF because of them. Office of Inspector General. We recognize and honor the individuals KOUTS named below for 25 years of dedicated serv- James J. Kaelin, Office of the Sergeant at ice to the House. Collectively, this group has Arms. HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY provided 350 years of service to the U.S. Kevin N. Chambers, Office of the Chief Ad- OF INDIANA House of Representatives: ministrative Officer. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Keith S. Brown, Office of the Chief Adminis- On behalf of the entire House community, I Tuesday, September 8, 2015 trative Officer. extend our congratulations and once again Pamela L. Brown, Office of the Chief Admin- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with pro- recognize and thank these employees for their istrative Officer. found admiration that I recognize the town of Mona S. Burnett, Office of the Sergeant of professionalism and commitment to the U.S. Kouts, Indiana, as it marks its 150th anniver- Arms. House of Representatives as a whole, and in sary. In celebration of this special occasion, Ed Cassidy, Office of the Chief Administra- particular to their respective House Officers, festivities were held in Kouts on August 22, tive Officer. the Inspector General, and collaboratively 2015, which included a parade and com- Mark Dobbins, Office of the Chief Adminis- across these organizations. Their long hours, memoration ceremony coinciding with the trative Officer. hard work, and team spirit are invaluable, and town’s annual Porkfest and the historic Aukiki Daniel S. Hall, Office of the Clerk. their years of unwavering service, dedication, Festival. Patrick A. Hirsch, Office of the Chief Admin- and commitment to the House set an example An idyllic sanctuary for rural life, Kouts has istrative Officer. for their colleagues and other employees who become the thriving community it is today due Araceli Jennings, Office of the Chief Admin- will follow in their footsteps. I celebrate our to one noble trait: perseverance. In 1865, istrative Officer. honorees, and I am proud to stand before you when surveyors of the nearby Pittsburgh, Cin- Tara A. Kelley, Office of the Chief Adminis- and the nation on their behalf to recognize the cinnati, and Saint Louis railroad sought lodg- trative Officer. importance of their public service. ing, they were denied at the first home they ∑ 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 06:22 Sep 09, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08SE8.001 E08SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 8, 2015 came to and wandered onward to be accepted EDITH GATES BRADY—100TH The first responders worked on resuscitating with hospitality at the second, where the Kouts BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Hugh using defibrillation and medication until family lived. Henceforth, the family name was he was stable. Hugh was then transported in given to the area as it expanded from the HON. ERIC A. ‘‘RICK’’ CRAWFORD an Airlift Northwest helicopter to PeaceHealth Kouts train station and was built into a pros- OF ARKANSAS St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. The pering community by the surveyors. The vil- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES strong relationship between the CBP, Airlift lage applied for incorporation three times, fail- Northwest, Fire District 5 and the Sheriff’s De- ing twice before Kouts’ patience was rewarded Tuesday, September 8, 2015 partment was essential in ensuring the best in 1921, the same year electricity spread to Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, Edith’s par- possible outcome for Hugh, who has since re- the area. ents were William Earl and Marsha Susan turned home to fully recover. Kouts has always been a town of industry, Gates. She has one younger brother, Billy Many thanks go to: not in the sense of material production, but in Duane, who resides in Texas. Whatcom County Fire District 5 personnel: the sense that the people of Kouts have al- Edith was born at 4:00 p.m. September 4, Jerry Aguiar, Ben Boyko, Christian Craig, ways toiled with conviction and tenacity to cre- 1915, in the country outside of Peach Or- Jeff Finlay, Ryan Greene, Mark Puustelli, Fadi ate the lives they envision for themselves and chard, AR. Samaha, John Shields, Kristy Steinberger, to lift up their community as a civil microcosm She moved from Peach Orchard, Arkansas Christina Tersakian, Scott Van Den Boogaard, worthy of respect.