E216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 26, 2020 Professionally, Derrick continued to pursue IN HONOR OF GEORGE WASH- done by the Office of the Legislative Counsel: his passion for politics, working up and down INGTON PERRY’S 100TH BIRTH- for the members, their staff and most of all for the east coast, from Alabama to Maryland to DAY the American people. She often said that she New York to Washington, D.C. He worked felt lucky to be doing work that could further across the political spectrum, for campaigns, HON. RICHARD HUDSON bipartisan collaboration. Fiona will be remem- as a lobbyist and in this Congressional office. OF NORTH CAROLINA bered for her dedication to the Congress, for Derrick’s impressive resume includes: co- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the passion she showed for her work, and for the kindness with which she treated others. founding the lobbying firm Epps, Richardson Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Fiona and her fiance´ Neal Desai had sched- and Associates; serving as the first African Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today uled their marriage to take place when Con- American Director of Public Policy for the Bir- to honor Mr. George Washington Perry and gress would be in recess for the 2020 elec- mingham Chamber of Commerce; serving as wish him a very happy 100th birthday. tion. Her parents, Lavinia Hall and Charles the Senior Director for State and Regional af- The advent of World War II was a time that Heckscher, her brothers Alexander and Dylan, fairs for the Center for American Progress in not only shaped the course of our country but and her fiance´ Neal mourn the loss of her light Washington, D.C.; serving as the Legislative the lives of many Americans, including Mr. in their lives. Budget Director for the New York City Council; Perry. He was one of the many patriots who I send my deepest sympathies out to them, serving as the Director of Domestic Policy for felt compelled to serve our great country and and to all of Fiona’s close friends and col- the Lutheran Church in America; and serving enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1939 before leagues, and I ask my colleagues to do the joining the Air National Guard and later the as the Manager of Government Relations for same. Please know that Fiona’s good work U.S. Air Force. Van Scoyoc Associates in Washington, D.C. has left a meaningful and lasting mark on the For over a quarter century, Mr. Perry as- Congress, and on the country. Derrick joined our office in 2016 and served sisted in various campaigns throughout the f as District Press Secretary, devoting his con- continental United States, Germany, France, siderable talents to addressing the challenges Italy, and even Antarctica. He showed endless REMEMBERING THE KHOJALY faced by Alabama’s 7th Congressional District bravery and courage in his pursuit of peace TRAGEDY of Alabama, including unemployment, career across the globe. and college readiness, economic viability and After completing active duty, he returned to HON. VIRGINIA FOXX civil rights. his wife Dorothy and son Richard and began OF NORTH CAROLINA a successful career in engineering with Can- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Derrick then became the inaugural Execu- non Mills. Mr. Perry remained an active com- Wednesday, February 26, 2020 tive Director of the Alabama Alliance of the munity leader and has been involved in the Boys and Girls Club. There, he brought his Masonic Brotherhood, St. John’s Reformed Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam same fierce commitment to justice and equal Church, and Boy Scouts of America. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the opportunity, lending his ample professional ex- Mr. Perry was born on February 22, 1920 613 Azerbaijani men, women, and children perience to expanding and uplifting the work and represents the best our nation has to killed in Khojaly on February 25 and 26, 1992. of the Boys and Girls Club. offer. I am proud to join our community today We must never forget this tragedy and must in honoring all that he has accomplished over work to prevent such atrocities from occurring Over the years, Derrick’s many accomplish- the last 100 years. again. ments have been recognized with numerous Madam Speaker, please join me today in Since the early 1990s, Azerbaijan has been awards, including: The Veteran of Influence thanking Mr. George Washington Perry for his involved in a conflict with its neighbor to the Award from the Birmingham Business Journal; service and wishing him a happy 100th West, Armenia. The Khojaly tragedy was the the Maryland Gubernatorial Proclamation for birthday. single worst day in this conflict, resulting in Outstanding Public Service; and the Alabama f hundreds of lives lost, families devastated, Legislative Black Caucus Award for Trailblazer and the town destroyed. A cease-fire to the and Successful Lobbyist. IN REMEMBRANCE OF FIONA conflict was negotiated in 1994, but the con- HECKSCHER Derrick leaves behind his mother, Lovenia flict remains unresolved. The U.S. and Azerbaijan established diplo- Hart, his wife, State Representative Merika HON. RICHARD E. NEAL matic relations in 1992, the same year as the Coleman; his children, Jonathan, Dara Elisa, OF MASSACHUSETTS Khojaly tragedy. Since then, Azerbaijan has Elexia and Xaviar; his brothers, Everett How- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES been a key partner in the War on Terror, and ard and Gerald (Grace) Richardson; a very Wednesday, February 26, 2020 the two nations share a Trade Relations devoted cousin/little brother, Tionne Birdsong; Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to three nieces; two nephews; one very devoted Given our deepening ties with Azerbaijan, it is offer my condolences to the family and friends sister/cousin, Barbara Birdsong; and a host of important for the United States to support a of Fiona Heckscher, a valued member of the cousins, friends, frat brothers and church fam- peaceful settlement to the Azerbaijani-Arme- Office of House Legislative Counsel, who we ily. On a personal note, Derrick was a beloved nian conflict. lost over the February recess. At just 33 years member of our congressional staff. I was hon- The anniversary of this tragedy is an appro- of age, Fiona was one of only four members ored that Derrick joined us on our journey to priate time to honor the victims of these atroc- of the prestigious tax drafting team; her skilled ities and reflect on the need for all parties to move Alabama’s 7th District forward. He was draftsmanship can be seen throughout the tax an outstanding press secretary who used his work together to bring a swift end to this con- code. From her work on the TCJA, to her work flict. I urge my colleagues to join me in stand- talents and strong work ethic to passionately on important initiatives in the 116th Congress advocate for the people of his home district. I ing with Azerbaijanis as they commemorate such as the Economic Mobility Act, the Lower this tragedy. am forever grateful that Derrick played such a Drug Costs Now Act, and the Protecting f special role in our journey. We will certainly American Lungs Act, the knowledge and cre- miss his kindness, his gentle spirit, his sharp ativity that Fiona brought to the tax drafting HONORING OUR NATION’S HEROES wit and his compassionate heart; but we know process has left a lasting impact on our na- ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF that Derrick’s legacy will live on through the tion’s laws. THE AMERICAN FLAG RAISING many lives he has impacted. May we honor A graduate of Brown University and the AT IWO JIMA Derrick’s life by recommitting ourselves to the Yale School of Law, Fiona began with the Of- causes he cared about and the community he fice of House Legislative Counsel in 2014. HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI loved so much. Rest in peace, Derrick. Always Since that time, Members and staff alike had OF ILLINOIS Team Sewell. come to rely on Fiona’s wisdom beyond her IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years, the depth of her knowledge of the tax Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama’s code, and the patience and warmth she ex- Wednesday, February 26, 2020 7th Congressional District, I ask you and my uded day in and day out, no matter how Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the stressful the job got. to recognize the 75th Anniversary of the exemplary life of Derrick Lamar Richardson, a Fiona was an institutionalist and deeply be- American flag raising at Iwo Jima and to ex- true servant leader who led by example. lieved in the worth of the non-partisan work press my gratitude to the courageous service VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:46 Feb 27, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26FE8.003 E26FEPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS February 26, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E217 members who fought and won this key battle, and the Central Ohio Woodturners, and self- Azerbaijan has been healing over the 28 many laying down their lives in service to our published his autobiography, From Cold Water years since this horrendous event, working nation. The Battle of Iwo Jima marked a deci- Flat to Colonel. hard to become a successful nation with a sive American victory and signaled the begin- But most importantly, Colonel Betley is booming economy. They are a reliable friend ning of the end of the war in the Pacific.