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.