Susan Brooks

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 247--H.J. Res. 107, Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 YAY.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 233: S. 2981 To reauthorize and amend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002, and for other purposes--on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass the Bill--NAY; Roll Call 234: Republican Motion to Recommit H.R. 3884 With Instructions--YEA; and Roll Call 235: H.R. 3884 MORE Act--NAY.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, that was outstanding. And to my dear friend and colleague, best to you in retirement and in your next chapter of life. You have an amazing family; you have a passion for our country. Thank you for reminding us all of the great history of this country. And what an amazing country we are both proud to be born in and lucky to be born in. So I wish you well. Mr. Speaker, fellow Members of Congress, my dedicated staff past and present, my family and friends, and most importantly to the Hoosiers of the Fifth District of Indiana: I stand before you today at the end of an incredibly challenging year, at the close of a tumultuous decade, and in the final days of my tenure as a Member of this esteemed body. When I decided to run for Congress in 2011, it was because I wanted to make a difference in my community and my country. I believed that despite the dysfunction that did and does dominate the headlines, I could get things done for my home State of Indiana and my fellow Hoosiers. Above all, I wanted to restore confidence in Congress, to reassure people that our government can and does do enormous good, that their elected representatives are dedicated public servants who, while still human, wake up each day committed to ensuring a brighter future for every American, where the opportunity to thrive is not limited to some, but afforded to all. How do you go about rebuilding trust and faith with some 328 million people? We still have a long way to go. Congressional approval ratings continue to hover in the teens and twenties. But over the course of my 8 years here, I have identified four steps I believe can and will go a long way to restoring public trust and faith in Congress. The first sounds relatively simple. We just need to do the work. As every Member of this esteemed body knows, in practice, making an idea into an effective law takes careful planning, hours of learning, listening to the experts, deep discussions, debates with constituents, and colleagues across the political spectrum, not to mention actually writing the legislation and earning the votes to get it signed into law by the President. These days, it seems like ideas we can all get behind are few and far between. Wherever you look, it is hard not to see the deep divisions in our country, along party lines to be sure, but also along racial, socioeconomic, gender, geographic, and religious lines as well. Following a very contentious election, those divisions are on full display, for better or for worse. It is easy to point out the problems we face, but it is the difficult, humbling work to set aside our differences, to roll up our sleeves, and to focus on finding solutions. My time in Congress has taught me that it is work worth doing. Some of the most important work that I have been involved in here has been in response to the number of Americans lost to opioid overdoses each day that is still alarmingly high and being pushed higher by the pandemic. I am especially proud to have been a part of getting a comprehensive piece of legislation passed to work against every facet of the heroin opioid crisis. From prevention and education, to treatment and recovery, to getting overdose reversal drugs into the hands of first responders, and supporting law enforcement in their fight against illicit drugs, I am even prouder that the legislation that was ultimately signed into law incorporated hundreds of smart solutions and proposals from individual Members of Congress from across the country and the political spectrum. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act epitomizes the way our government can and should work for us. I have worked hard to ensure that I approach each day ready to collaborate, debate, and work alongside my colleagues, regardless of party, and to really address the challenges facing our country. I believe government's first priority is security, keeping its citizens safe, the people directly responsible for ensuring our security, our brave servicemen and -women. It is impossible to overstate my admiration and gratitude for the difficult work they do, the sacrifices they and their families make for our safety, and their willingness to pay the ultimate price for our freedom. I was lucky enough to be a part of a delegation led by retiring Members Representatives Martha Roby and Susan Davis to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan to thank moms for serving away from their families on Mother's Day. These were among the most meaningful moments of my congressional career. They reinforced my belief that Congress' top job is to support our troops and our diplomats, to give them the tools they need to perform their duty and to never forget the sacrifice they have made and will continue to make for our country. While contentious and difficult, my work on the Select Committee on Benghazi was, at its core, to make sure we do a better job of protecting our diplomats and Americans serving overseas. They deserve to know that we are doing everything in our power to keep them safe while they protect our interests and defend our Nation abroad. At home, it is our first responders who are on the front lines of ensuring our safety and upholding the rule of law. Because I worked closely with our partners in law enforcement, first as a deputy mayor in Indianapolis and later as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, I wanted to be a voice for law enforcement in Congress. I saw their dedication and the sacrifices they and their families make. There were and are areas where we can make both our citizens and our first responders safer. Following the Boston Marathon bombing, I worked to help first responders use social media as an effective tool for disaster response. Later, my fellow Hoosiers, Senators Young and Donnelly, and a bipartisan group of my colleagues in the House led efforts to give first responders critical access to mental health support to manage the trauma inherent in their day-to-day work. Today, law enforcement needs our support more than ever, even as we look for ways to ensure our laws are enforced justly and fairly. Time and time again during my congressional career, we found areas of agreement, no matter how small, where positive change can be made for our fellow citizens. And sometimes we go big. We came together to pass the 21st Century Cures Act led by Representative Fred Upton and Representative Diana DeGette from Colorado, which speeds up the research, development, and deploying of lifesaving medicines, treatments, and, yes, vaccines. I joined breast cancer survivor Representative Wasserman Schultz to ensure young women can access lifesaving mammograms and detect breast cancer early. Beyond the big headlines about gridlock and dysfunction, there is good, meaningful work being done on Capitol Hill, but none of it is done alone. To my beloved friends and family, ``thank you'' doesn't begin to cover it. You have kept me grounded in purpose, honest and strong. Your unwavering support and love and laughter have made the hard days easier and the happy days more joyful. My husband, David, and my children, Jessica and Connor, having you by my side every step of the way has made all the difference. I love you very much and couldn't be prouder of all that you have accomplished in the last 8 years. To the rest of my family and friends at home and across the country, thank you for being my champions, my cheerleaders, and, above all, for walking alongside me even during the difficult parts of this journey. You were the first volunteers for my campaign and you always have my back. I look forward to more time spent with all of you in the months and years to come. To my dedicated team, past and present, some of whom have been with me since the beginning of this wild ride, I share every accomplishment and every accolade with you. It is hard to find people with whom you can share a passion and a purpose, let alone a few laughs and tears along the way. From the day I announced my candidacy to the day we turn off the lights, there are countless individuals who have contributed to my work with integrity and grit and who served the Fifth District honorably. We have become a family. While working side by side, we have celebrated life's great joys-- weddings, babies, first grandchildren--and cheered one another on during periods of transition--new jobs, pursuing graduate degrees, first homes, and cross-country moves. And we have grieved together during life's inevitable sorrows, mourning friends and family members taken too soon, including Judy Christofolis, who died this past spring after a long battle with breast cancer. Through it all, I have been lucky to have been surrounded by smart people who are willing to work late nights and early mornings to crisscross the Fifth District to hear directly from our constituents, to learn and grow alongside, and craft effective legislation that really fixes problems for people. I am proud of all the work we have done together, and I am looking forward to cheering each of you on during all the exciting twists and turns that are yet to come in your life's journey. To my colleagues, most of whom I now call friends, particularly the Indiana delegation, my brothers and sister Hoosiers, thank you for your collaboration, your intelligence, your patriotism, and your service. It is a privilege to work with each of you, and I am grateful for all the opportunities we had to tackle big problems together. I want to especially recognize my esteemed congressional mentors, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who believed in me and supported me in my very first primary; former Speaker John Boehner, who gave me many opportunities to lead and make a difference; Representative Fred Upton and Representative Greg Walden, who were amazing leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee; and to our Republican leadership team, who I have become very close to, Leader Kevin McCarthy, Whip Steve Scalise, and Conference Chair Liz Cheney. They approached their difficult jobs with enthusiasm, integrity, and vision. Thank you for your encouragement, counsel, and wisdom, and for all of our staffs. Finally, to the people of the Fifth District, it has been the great honor of my life to serve as your voice in Congress, your advocate, for the last 8 years. I would like to especially recognize the young people who participated in my youth advisory groups, the thousands of constituents who visited with me at Connect With Your Congresswoman events, the educators and business leaders who made our Connecting Careers and Classroom events such a success. You make me proud to be a Hoosier. That brings me to my second step in rebuilding confidence in Congress. We must remain closely connected, more closely than ever before, to our home States, our communities, and the people we represent. The laws we pass in Congress are focused on the national level, but my first priority is and always has been serving the people of the Fifth. In 8 years, we worked with more than 4,500 constituents to help them navigate government, resolve issues with Federal agencies like the Veterans Administration, Medicare, assist with stalled international adoptions, and even bring terrorists to justice for the murder of a young Hoosier. We worked with communities to support critical grants and initiatives that are making the Fifth District of Indiana an even greater place to live, work, and grow. In Anderson, after years of effort, we secured support for the 8th Street Bridge, a critical transportation link downtown. We commemorated the 50th anniversary of Robert Kennedy's speech following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I worked with my fellow Hoosier Representative Andre Carson and Senators Young and Donnelly to establish the Landmark for Peace Memorial in Indianapolis as part of the African American Civil Rights Network. It was the honor of a lifetime to be with the late civil rights icon and my friend, Representative John Lewis, in Indiana to celebrate that 50 years of struggle and progress. And, yes, we grieved with the city of Noblesville following a tragic school shooting, but we honored the heroes, the teachers, the nurses, and the school police officers who saved lives that day. Yes, the job is difficult. But sometimes, this job is just fun. Whether it is calling a brilliant young Hoosier to tell them they received an appointment to attend a military academy, or whether we have traveled the district and learned how puzzles are made at a factory in Tipton, or we joined Indiana Wesleyan University students in Marion to celebrate three national sports titles and their 100th anniversary. At Launch Fishers and zWorks in Zionsville, we saw the latest and cutting-edge technology and met entrepreneurs on the cusp of the next great idea. It wouldn't be a trip home without mentioning the food, whether it was enjoying the waffles after ringing the bell to open the farmers market in my hometown of Carmel or grabbing a bite at the Indiana State Fair Midway. I can't thank all the farmers enough across the Fifth District for opening their farms to me and helping me understand all the work that goes into providing the food on our tables, both at home and around the world. I even got to try my hand at a few jobs, like spending a day as a UPS driver in suburban Indianapolis. But it is the conversations with the young Hoosiers that gave me so much hope. I will never forget visiting the JROTC program at Blackford High School and celebrating Veterans Day with them. The adventures across the district and the warm welcomes I received will stay with me for the rest of my life. Beyond the job and remaining rooted in our districts, the third way we can restore confidence in Congress is to take a hard look at ourselves in the mirror to ensure that Congress truly embodies the diversity that makes our Nation strong and to commit to a culture of continuous improvement. When my close friend, Representative Jackie Walorski, who is one of my best friends here--we were elected in 2012--we were the first Republican women to represent the State of Indiana in Washington, D.C., in 50 years. Representative Cecil Harden had come before us. We joined a small, but mighty, group of women in the House who, despite our political differences, agreed that Congress needed more women. And last year, I took the baton from my dear friends, Representative Elise Stefanik and Ann Wagner before her, and we led Republican efforts to recruit more women and more people of color to run for Congress. This fall, more Republican women ran and won than ever before. Our work must continue on both sides of the aisle if Congress is to truly reflect the diversity of our country. It is one of the reasons I agreed to co-chair the Bipartisan Women's Caucus with Representative Lois Frankel. Together, we led efforts to improve access to school around the globe for girls. We worked to recognize the female leaders who came before us, from the 100th anniversary of the first woman to serve in Congress, Jeannette Rankin, to the annual Memorial Day service where we honor our female veterans. Importantly, we acted on the findings of the Indianapolis Star investigation into sexual abuse of young Olympic hopefuls, to protect young athletes from harm and to ensure that victims have access to justice, and we did so across party lines. Nowhere was bipartisanship more at work, though, than during my service, first as a Member and then as chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee. Holding that gavel not only made me the first Hoosier woman to chair a congressional committee, but it was an unprecedented opportunity to ensure transparency, accountability, access, and justice in Congress. Little did I know that I would preside over the committee at the same time that the #MeToo movement shone a light on the pervasive problem of sexual harassment in our society and in our government. Like many of you, my good friend and the ranking member Ted Deutch and I were shocked to learn that millions of dollars in settlements had been paid by Congress to victims of sexual assault. Over the next year, a bipartisan group of Members worked to reform the Congressional Accountability Act to make it easier for victims to report sexual harassment and to make sure that financial settlements aren't paid by Members of Congress and that they must be disclosed to the public. There is still so much work to be done, but I have to tell you, at the end of my service here in Congress, the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress gives me much hope. I have been a proud member of that committee. We recently published 97 bipartisan recommendations focused on making Congress work more efficiently and transparently and to be more responsive and accessible to the American people. A quarter of our recommendations have already been enacted, and I hope the rest will soon follow, because if we are to debate 21st century issues, we must bring our policies, technology, staff, and communications into the modern age. So, I strongly encourage and urge my colleagues and the new Members of Congress to first read our report and then take up the select committee's recommendations and continue the hard work. I want to thank Representatives Kilmer and Graves for their leadership. That brings me to my fourth and final step of rebuilding trust and faith in Congress: ensuring we are looking ahead, beyond the most pressing challenges of today, to those on the horizon. Following the recession in 2009, many Americans were out of work. Still more were underemployed. Our economy was and is moving quickly to Industry 5.0 where careers in tech, connected devices, and AI become the norm. If we aren't careful, this future will leave many of our fellow citizens behind. To that end, we have passed legislation to improve training and workforce programs to retrain and deploy Americans who are out of work, to expand 5G networks and rural broadband so more people can participate in this industrial revolution and provide clear guardrails for the technology industry to continue its rapid growth, while offering better protection for our personal information, preventing cyber threats and attacks. Our world is changing fast, and Congress must keep up. When former Representative Mike Rogers approached me about continuing his work to strengthen our national biodefense, I knew it was important work. Alongside my incredible partner who became a very dear friend, Representative Anna Eshoo and I began engaging again in the biodefense efforts that have been going on since the early 2000s, the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. It was signed into law in 2019. This legislation represents years of bipartisan collaboration and thoughtful input from medical and public health preparedness and response leaders. It helped bolster our response to natural disasters and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. When it was passed, I thought the greatest threats we faced were from terrorist organizations like ISIS using chemical or biological weapons in their attack, which are still a significant concern today. But little did I realize that our Nation--our world--was on the verge of a pandemic that would grind business, travel, and life as we knew it to a halt. I am glad we passed PAHPA when we did, and I know we must do better in the future. When the next novel virus or biological unforeseen event occurs, Americans will expect more from this institution. We can learn from our successes and failures over the last 9 months and in the months to come as we look toward a COVID-19 vaccine and, ultimately, a return to our normal pace of life. We know some things will never be the same. Change must happen in our country to make good on our founding promise that all people are created equal and that our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are protected. How we do that is a matter great debate playing out in our streets in protests, on social media, around dinner tables, and in headlines. It seems like there is no good solution and no way forward. It is up to us--to every American--to forge a path together and to mend the fissures that are breaking apart our Nation and our democracy. I have spent the last 8 years engaged in this work day in and day out. It is work I will continue for the rest of my life because the truth is we have far more in common than we don't. We are up to this task. I believe in the American spirit, in the power of our ingenuity, and in the strength of our resolve. We will get through these difficult days. This pandemic will end. We will get Americans and businesses back to work and school. We will overcome the scourge of racism and prejudice. We will restore trust and confidence in our government and in Congress. We will once again see this Chamber full of big ideas aimed at ensuring the American Dream is within reach for everyone. I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the very last time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne), my colleague and wonderful, dear friend. Farewell to the House of Representatives

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend from Michigan for organizing this really important Special Order. I have to say, many of you probably heard the phrase, a politician thinks about the next election, but it is a statesman who thinks about the next generation. Greg Walden of Oregon is both. He is an amazing politician, but he is an even more important statesman for our next generation. Representative Walden has been a mentor to many. When he was chair of NRCC, he mentored and helped so many people become a part of this great institution. But then he mentored people like me, along with Representative Upton of Michigan, to make it to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, where I knew that big things got done and that the world was our jurisdiction. Not only was he a mentor, but he rose to chair of that committee, and he did it with humility, he did it with humor, he did it with wisdom. And I am so glad you talked about all of the things he accomplished, but he always reminded us that he was an Oregon broadcaster, first and foremost, and that he loved his incredible State of Oregon, and was such a leader. Mr. Speaker, it has been my pleasure--and my husband David's pleasure--to travel with he and Mylene, and more importantly, most recently, to get to know his son, that next generation of leaders, Anthony. I thank you for the opportunities you gave me and so many of my colleagues. I wish you the best in retirement. You have been an amazing mentor, an amazing friend, and an amazing leader in this country. You are a statesman, my friend.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call No. 230: H. Res. 1244 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3884) Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act--ORDERING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION ON H. RES 1244--NAY, and Roll Call No. 232: H.R. 1380 Big Cat Public Safety Act--ON MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS--NAY.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call vote. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 228: H.R. 7995 Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act--On the Motion To Suspend the Rules and Pass the Bill--YEA.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Tamara Zahn, the founder of Indianapolis Downtown Inc. now known as Downtown Indy, Inc., an organization tasked with developing, managing and marketing downtown Indianapolis. Known as Indy's ``greatest cheerleader,'' her loss will be felt far and wide across the city where she worked as a real estate analyst and consultant before establishing Indianapolis Downtown Inc. Her vision and enthusiasm and well-known contagious pride in the city led to national recognition for outstanding urban revitalization, development and beautification. She was an advocate for the city she loved and a valued mentor to many. Tamara was born on June 22, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Phyllis and Bob Zahn. She earned her BA from Indiana University and launched her career in real estate in Indianapolis. She consulted on large scale projects and played key roles with the Simon Property Group as it developed the Mall of America in Minneapolis and Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis. In 1993, she became the first president of Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. (IDI), where she served until 2012. During her years at IDI, Tamara parlayed her real estate experience and marketing insights to help Indianapolis expand its ability to host major conventions, events such as Several NCAA Final Four and the NFL's 2012 Super Bowl. She launched the Cultural District program, the Marge Tarplee Downtown Beautification Fund, and chaired the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. She facilitated the United Way's Executive Women's Leadership class in 2012, and in 2013, she was elected chair of the International Downtown Association (IDA). IDA provides tools, intelligence and strategies for creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities and regions of the world. Tamara received multiple awards throughout her time leading in the State of Indiana including IBJ Inaugural Class of 40 Under 40 (1993); Olympic torch bearer (1996); IBJ's Inaugural class of Most Influential Women (1997); IUPUI Notable Woman (2000); NUVO Cultural Vision (2012); Downtown Champion (2014) and in 2004 she was awarded the State of Indiana's highest civilian award, The Sagamore of the Wabash. Tamara was known for her infectious laugh, upbeat attitude, strong vision and love for people. She was a mentor, a leader and an advocate for the growth of Indianapolis, and for women and equality. I admired Tamara and was blessed to count her among my friends. Tamara Zahn passed away unexpectedly on October 1, 2020. I join her beloved husband of 28 years, Tim Wade, her son, Tim Wade, Jr., and brother, Tom Zahn as well as countless Hoosiers in mourning the loss of a great leader and friend. The City of Indianapolis as well as the State of Indiana will miss her remarkable talents and loving personality but her legacy will live on as the city continues to flourish on the path she created.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Thomas Walter Jernstedt, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) legend and tireless advocate for men and women student athletes across the country. Tom was known for many things in his career and life, including being referred to as the ``Father of the Final Four.'' I join Tom's family, friends, colleagues and athletes across the country in mourning the loss of this great man who passed away on September 5, 2020. Tom was born on November 24, 1944, in Carlton, Oregon. Tom attended Yamhill-Carlton High School, where he was an all-state athlete in three sports: football, basketball and baseball. On top of his incredible athletic ability, he was also elected student body president. Upon his graduation, Tom attended the University of Oregon on a football scholarship, where he was again elected student body president. He graduated in 1967 with a degree in political science and went on to receive a master's in education in 1973. He worked as an events manager at his alma mater until he accepted a full-time position as director of events for the NCAA. Tom spent the next 38 years working for the NCAA, as a leader and passionate administrator. According to his colleagues and those who worked closely with Tom, he was known to make time for everyone. He was thoughtful, respectable, likeable, honest and a silent power. He is credited with turning the college basketball championship into what it is today, a massive event with fans all around the world and a multi- billion dollar television contract. The City of lndianapolis benefited greatly from having a leader like Tom in the sports world. He was influential in moving the NCAA headquarters from Kansas City, Missouri to the City of Indianapolis in 1999. Tom not only assisted in making March Madness what it is, he was key in helping the City of Indianapolis host the Final Four. Indianapolis has hosted seven NCAA Men's Basketball Final Fours and three NCAA Women's Final Fours in its history and is scheduled to host the 2021 and 2026 men's finals as well. Tom was very friendly to the City of Indianapolis in many ways, generating events, promoting the city and, according to his friends, there was never a young person who was interested in a career in sports that Tom would not take under his wing. Tom received numerous awards throughout his lifetime including being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. He received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 for his outstanding lifetime dedication to basketball, and the University of Oregon honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame enshrined Tom as a contributor to the game, and in 2017, he was awarded Indiana's highest civilian honor, the Sagamore of the Wabash. Posthumously, Tom was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame this year. Though it is obvious Tom had a huge impact on the world of sports, it is said that his greatest joys were in his personal life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and true friend. In speaking with Tom's friends, there is one consistent theme that they all mention. Tom was a wonderful friend who would stop at nothing to help those he cared about. He loved playing golf and watching all sporting events with his family and friends. Though he loved all sports, he remained a loyal fan of his Oregon Ducks, rarely missing an event involving his university. Based on this long-term commitment, the University of Oregon has established the Tom Jernstedt Student Athlete Scholarship. I am honored to stand today and memorialize Tom. He was a man of character and class, constantly putting the wants and needs of others before his own. I join his family and many friends as well as countless student-athletes in mourning the loss of Tom Jernstedt.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an outstanding school in my district that is being honored as a National Blue Ribbon School. It is a pleasure to congratulate Boone Meadow Elementary in Zionsville, Indiana, in celebration of this special occasion. The National Blue Ribbon designation, given by the United States Department of Education, is awarded to both public and private schools across our great nation. Started by President Reagan and given annually since 1982, the award celebrates great American schools that achieve very high learning standards or are making significant improvements in the academic achievements of their students. In my district and across the country, the award recognizes the great educators, students, and parents who have worked very hard to ensure our children reach their full potential and achieve academic success. For all these reasons and many more, I am very proud that Boone Meadow Elementary is receiving this prestigious designation. It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the school's commitment to providing young Hoosiers with an exceptional education. While hundreds of schools nationwide were nominated, only 367 schools were designated as 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Of the 367 schools, Boone Meadow was one of only eight Indiana schools to receive recognition, making this recognition all the more impressive. Boone Meadow is a school that is not only committed to its students, but is committed to the teachers, staff and parents of their community. They are committed to creating an environment that allows students to grow into the leaders of tomorrow. I want to personally congratulate principal Tom Hundley for leading this school to this well-deserved honor. As an advocate for education and youth, I recognize how important it is for our nation's future to encourage and raise a new generation of Americans who have the skills and knowledge to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Students like those at Boone Meadow give me hope that we will accomplish this vital mission. Their outstanding work is an inspiration to students, educators, and parents across the nation. Once again, congratulations to Boone Meadow Elementary School. I am very proud of them.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 219: S. 327 Wounded Veterans Recreation Act--ON THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL--YEA; Roll Call 220: S. 3147 Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of--ON THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL--YEA; and Roll Call 221: H.R. 4611 Ocean Pollution Reduction Act--ON THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS THE BILL--YEA.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Hoosier philanthropist, businesswoman and education advocate Christel DeHaan. After building the successful Resort Condominium International business, DeHaan spent the remainder of her years dedicated to philanthropy and education of children around the world. The City of Indianapolis, the State of Indiana and the philanthropy world recently lost a brilliant and generous woman on June 6, 2020. Christel was born in Nordlingen Germany in 1942 to Anna and Adolf Stark. Her father, a German soldier, was killed during World War II. She left home at age 16 to become a governess in the United Kingdom. Four years later, she immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Indiana. In 1974, she co-founded Resort Condominium International (RCI), a pioneering timeshare company, which became a leading company in the multi-billion-dollar industry. She co-led the business until 1987 when she bought 100 percent of RCI for $67.5 million. She then expanded the business to over 4,000 employees until it was sold in 1996 for $625 million. DeHaan then began devoting her life to philanthropy and education by founding Christel House International in 1998. As founder and board chair, her mission was to better the lives of impoverished children through education, healthcare and other initiatives. Today, Christel House serves nearly 6,000 students and graduates worldwide through schools in India, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa and the United States. Her vision and dedication to improving the lives of children is a testament to the kind heart that she had. The philosophy that drives Christel House International is ``giving kids a hand-up, not a hand- out.'' Throughout her lifetime, she generously donated more than $220 million of her own money to various charities. She was a generous advocate for the fine arts in Central Indiana, leading to the fine arts center at the University of Indianapolis being named ``The Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.'' DeHaan was featured on Forbes' list of America's Self-Made Women for the past five years, most recently with a net worth estimated at $950 million. She was a shining example for girls all over the world of a ``self-made woman.'' For this and many reasons, she was honored with three honorary doctorate degrees from Marian University, the University of Indianapolis and the University of Nottingham in England. Christel DeHaan was a leader, a philanthropist and an inspiration for so many, including me. Her generosity, commitment and focus was rare and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. I extend my deepest sympathy to those who survive including her older sister, three children, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Though Christel is gone, I know that her legacy will live on for generations through Christel House International and will continue to change lives around the world.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Tony Etchison, an Indiana basketball legend, accomplished farmer, and loving family man. Born on April 14, 1972, in Tipton, Indiana, Tony was a life-long Hoosier. He dedicated much of his life to athletics and giving back to the youth teams in Indiana's Fifth Congressional District. While we mourn Tony's unexpected death, we are forever grateful for his endless victories and accomplishments, both on and off the basketball court. Tony graduated from Noblesville High School in 1991 where he began his standout career in basketball. As a four-year letter winner and leader of three consecutive sectional championship teams for Noblesville, Tony was chosen as the County Player of the Year for two seasons and was named All-Hamilton County four times. His countless accomplishments in high school led to a scholarship opportunity at Mercer University in Georgia where he continued his athletic career as a star basketball player. He led his team in the Trans American Conference in three-point shooting during his four-year collegiate career. Tony made Mercer University history by being the first player to earn Trans American All-Academic Team honors all four years he played. He completed his education and graduated in 1995, from Mercer's Stetson School of Business & Economics with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration and Finance. After completing his education Tony returned home and began work for the family business, Etchison Farms. It was also during this time in Tony's life that he began a twenty-two year career as an agent for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, serving many families in the Fifth District. As an adult, Tony's earlier athletic accomplishments did not go unnoticed. In 2009, he was inducted into the Hamilton County Basketball Hall of Fame. Later in 2016, he was inducted into the Noblesville High School Athletic Hall of Fame and honored by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame by being selected to be a teammate on their 2016 Silver Anniversary Team. In July of 2019, Tony was elected as a director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition to his basketball career, Tony loved to coach youth sports in the area. Tony's proudest role in life was being a husband and father. Tony and his wife, Toby, were blessed with three sons: John Phillip or ``JP'', a freshman at Indiana University, Gus, a junior at Hamilton Heights High School, and Tillman, an 8th grader at Hamilton Heights Middle School. One of Tony's greatest joys in life was having the opportunity to share with his sons his love of all sports, and the joy of competition. Tony died tragically on October 23, 2019, on the family farm in Arcadia, Indiana. Tony will be forever missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Indiana basketball community. On behalf of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, I extend my deepest condolences to Tony's wife, Toby, their three sons, the entire Etchison family, and their friends, who mourn his passing.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of legendary golf course designer Pete Dye. Pete, along with his wife Alice, spent a career designing some of the most difficult and well-known golf courses across this country and the world. This included Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, where they had a home on the 18th hole. The Fifth District, the State of Indiana and golfers across the nation join his family and friends to mourn the loss of Pete Dye. Pete Dye grew up in Urbana, Ohio, and learned to play golf on a nine- hole course, Urbana Country Club, that his father, Paul Dye--a bar owner, insurance agent and postmaster--built after becoming obsessed with the game. Dye went on to become a high school state champion in Ohio and the Indiana State Amateur champion in 1958. He competed in six U.S. Amateurs and even in the 1957 U.S. Open. Along with being a talented golfer, Dye became a successful life insurance salesman however, both his and Alice's passion for golf led them to golf course design. Their first course, the nine hole El Dorado course, was built south of Indianapolis. Dye went on to design courses in dozens of states across the country and in a dozen foreign countries. Many of his courses have been home to multiple PGA Tour events with some of the best players in the world trying to figure out the difficult slopes, sand traps and greens. Dye was responsible for the design of The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, home of the iconic ``island green'' on the 17th hole and is one of the most famous of his designs. Dye is well known and respected throughout the entire golf community, from recreational golfers to the world's best which landed him multiple honors and awards. Dye received the Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1995; the 2003 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America; 2004 Distinguished Service Award from the PGA of America; and 2005 PGA TOUR Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2008, Pete Dye became just the fifth golf architect to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Along with his world-renowned golf courses and talent for the game of golf, Pete was also a loving husband and father. Alice, his wife and design partner of 68 years preceded him in death. He is survived by his two sons both of whom carry on the golf course design legacy: Perry and his wife Ann and P.B. and his wife Jean. He is also survived by two grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. On behalf of the Fifth District I extend my deepest condolences to the Dye family. The people of Indiana and golfers throughout the entire world will miss Pete, but his courses and legacy will live on.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass S. 2330, the Empowering Olympic Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020. This bill is the result of several years of work that began in 2016. Indiana's very own Indianapolis Star broke the story about former USA Gymnastics' team doctor, Larry Nassar's abuse of athletes under his care. Several years have passed since Dr. Nassar went to prison, but Congress has continued to work to ensure this kind of abuse never happens again. In 2017, I led the charge in the House to address the horrible situation by introducing the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act. I was grateful to see it pass the House and see it get signed into law. That law established the U.S. Center for SafeSport as the entity responsible for developing policies that all U.S. Olympic governing bodies must implement to better protect their athletes and, most critically, the center was charged with investigating claims of abuse against amateur U.S. athletes. The center has received hundreds of claims they are responsible for investigating. And, today, with the passage of this bill later today, we will help ensure they will be able to fulfill that mandate. When it was originally conceived, the center was not provided a steady revenue stream, but today S. 2330 will require the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to provide direct funding to the U.S. Center for SafeSport to guarantee it stays committed to protecting athletes. This reform, along with many others included in Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act, will bring much-needed further reform to ensure our young athletes will not have to suffer at the hands of another in their quest for gold. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this measure.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so it is fitting that I rise today in support of H.R. 4078, the EARLY Act Reauthorization, which passed the House earlier this week. I am honored to have co-led this bipartisan legislation with my good friend, colleague, and breast cancer survivor, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz. This is an important public health bill to ensure that young women throughout the United States understand the importance of breast health and the value of regular breast cancer screenings. This bipartisan bill raises public awareness about breast health and educates healthcare providers to encourage early detection of breast cancer. It also supports initiatives and research to help identify high-risk women by collecting family histories and educating patients about early warning signs. These programs are vitally important. We all know the statistics. One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer over her lifetime, and many women with breast cancer typically have no symptoms. This disease has taken far too many of our loved ones. In 2017, breast cancer was the number one most diagnosed cancer type in the United States and the number two most deadly. Earlier this year, I lost a very dear friend to this terrible disease, Judy Christofilis. She and I had volunteered in the Junior League in Indianapolis over 20 years ago. She was a successful accountant, a pillar of the Indianapolis community, and, above all, a dedicated philanthropist. She was on the board of the Indianapolis Day Nursery, Indiana's oldest and largest early childhood education nonprofit. She was extremely active in the Junior League of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Art Center. But in the last decade of her life, when she was battling breast cancer, she was a founding member of the Indianapolis American Cancer Society Guild and served as its treasurer. The guild's mission is to support the central Indiana office of the American Cancer Society by generating awareness, raising funds, and providing support for community outreach programs to achieve the shared goal of savings lives by helping people stay well, get well, find cures, and fight back. This mission epitomizes Judy's fight against breast cancer. She battled metastatic breast cancer for more than a decade. Her resilience, and spirit, served as an inspiration to me and so many others in our community. Her story is just a reminder of why breast cancer screening is vitally important, and it is often the best and only way to identify this cancer in its earliest stages. Women--even young women--are susceptible to this deadly disease, which is why regular breast screenings are so crucially important. Our bill reauthorizes the program through fiscal year 2024, and it funds CDC programs to identify gaps in education and awareness, particularly among young women and healthcare providers. It supports young survivors through grants to organizations focused on helping them cope with the many unique challenges they face as young women and in implementing a targeted media campaign to reach young and higher-risk women. The science is clear: Early detection is the single most effective way to stop these cancers before they become deadly. In my very last conversation with Judy before she passed away in March of this year, she asked me to keep up the fight for all people battling cancer. This bill, in large part, for me, is dedicated to my very dear, close friend Judy Christofolis. She truly is one of my heroes. Mr. Speaker, I urge our Senate colleagues to pass this important bill this month during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. U.S. Center for SafeSport

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Judy Christofolis. Not only was she my close friend, she was also a community leader and a successful businesswoman. Over the last ten plus years of her life, she exhibited her incredible spirit and determination as she bravely fought metastatic breast cancer. Sadly, she lost her battle on March 12, 2020. I will forever cherish my memories of her. Judy was born on January 19, 1962, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Gerald and Martha Morford. She proudly attended school in Warren Township in Indianapolis at Moorehead Elementary, Woodview Junior High, and graduated from Warren Central High School in 1980. Judy attended Butler University, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance. Judy began her career as a CPA with Geo. S. Olive, a regional accounting firm. There she met her future husband, Ted, whom she married in 1986. Judy later was controller at Baker & Daniels law firm but eventually founded her own accounting business, Windsor Accounting Services, which later became Redwood Accounting Services. In 1998, she and Ted started Redwood Investment Advisors, an independent fee-only investment advisory firm. In 2011, Judy joined my campaign team, and served as my treasurer since 2012. Judy and I met as members of the Junior League of Indianapolis, an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Judy was an exemplary and active member, serving as treasurer twice and was a board member for multiple years. She used her financial skills in the volunteer world, developing the investment strategy for the Junior League's endowment, making the Indianapolis chapter one of the most successful chapters in the country. The Indianapolis Art Center (IAC) benefitted from her accounting, financial and investment skills during her tenure on its board. Ted and Judy enjoyed taking clients and friends to ArtSparkle, the summer party supporting IAC. In addition, Judy was on the board of Indianapolis Day Nursery, Indiana's oldest and largest early childhood education non-profit. In the last decade of Judy's life, while she battled breast cancer, she was a founding member of the Indianapolis American Cancer Society Guild and served as its treasurer. The Guild's mission is to support the Central Indiana office of the American Cancer Society by generating awareness, raising funds and providing support for community outreach programs to achieve the shared goal of saving lives by helping people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. This mission epitomized Judy's fight against breast cancer. Judy was known for her compassion and friendship and lived her life with passion. She was cherished by many, including her dear friends in her book club as well as the ``Kool Kat'' Club, made up of long-time high school girlfriends. Every Christmas, she entertained clients and friends at a much anticipated and beloved party, exclusively catered by Judy. She learned her skills from studying at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. The cookies and dog treats were especially prized by those fortunate enough to attend! Judy had a love for animals that was unmatched. Often times, Judy found dogs but sometimes they found her as was the case with Jasmine, one of her favorite strays. Ted and Judy's beautiful homes were always full of dogs adored by them both. Judy spent summers at Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Indiana as a child, and later she and Ted built a beautiful home on Syracuse Lake which was always full of family, friends and fun. I was pleased to be a guest there several times. She was a loving wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend who will be missed deeply by so many people. She was strong and courageous throughout her entire fight with breast cancer, never lost her positivity and fought hard until the very end. I stand today in honor of the wonderful life my friend Judy lived. I know so many will miss her and remember her as a shining light in their lives. I send my sincerest condolences to her husband Ted, her fur babies Jasmine, Big Boy Joe, J.B., Josie and the late Brady, her brother Richard and his family and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today to honor my good friend and fellow midwesterner, our colleague, Congressman John Shimkus. I had the absolute honor of serving with him also on the Energy and Commerce Committee. His 24 years of serving this body has had a tremendous impact on our country, as we have heard, but personally, his role on the steering committee had a critical impact on my own career, from which I am retiring from Congress this year as well. I thank him for fighting for me, because for the first time ever, two Hoosiers made it to the Energy and Commerce Committee, which was unprecedented, in myself and Dr. Bucshon. So the reputation of the E&C, he has led the way in working both sides of the aisle, as we have seen, to create bipartisan legislation that he crafted to help all Americans. He was instrumental in designating 911 as the universal emergency number. I am a former teacher and the mom of a teacher; he ensured that schools have the appropriate lifesaving equipment to keep students safe. As a proud Lithuanian descendant--and I might say, he is a rock star in Lithuania, and I was there once with he and Karen in Lithuania--his support for our staunch ally has been critical to our two countries' really important relationship. There are just so many things to mention. This body is going to miss him and his patriotic passion dearly, but I wish John and Karen really an incredible retirement of love and a lot of music.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in recognition of the passage of H.R. 7574, the Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act, which builds on the bipartisan work done by the Energy and Commerce Committee on pandemic preparedness issues. I am honored to have co-led this bipartisan bill with my colleague Congresswoman Slotkin from Michigan. I also thank Ranking Member Burgess and Chairwoman Eshoo, who has been a longtime champion on biodefense issues, and importantly, the Energy and Commerce Committee staff for their tireless bipartisan work on this legislation. I think all of us can agree that biodefense must be a bipartisan issue. COVID-19 has clearly exposed weaknesses in our Nation's public health infrastructure. I have spent a good part of my career in Congress focused on biodefense and pandemic response legislation. I became a U.S. attorney back in 2001, just one month after the 9/11 attacks on our country. Shortly after that were the anthrax attacks here on our Nation's Capitol. In my U.S. Attorney's Office, we actually received a hoax anthrax attack, which served as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and the threat that even a single individual can pose. As former chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, we worked on things like Project BioShield. When we talk about biodefense, people often think about things more commonly known: chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats. Pandemic threats though are yet, as we are learning, some of the most dangerous threats to everyday Americans. Every bit as complex as cyber threats, more of an imminent threat in the 21st century than even conventional conflicts, biothreats can come from anywhere. Bad actors, malicious organizations or nation-states, random industrial accidents, or even an act of nature can be the original source. And once events like this begin to unfold, they can be extremely hard to predict and respond to. That is why I am glad that we continue to focus on this and have been proud to have been part of coleading the package, which we hope will dramatically improve our Nation's ability to respond to these threats. I am very proud that Congress came together to get this done. The Strategic National Stockpile is a cornerstone of our Nation's biodefense infrastructure. It is responsible for keeping large quantities of pharmaceuticals, medical countermeasures, personal protective equipment, and other lifesaving products for rapid deployment in the event of an emergency. This bill builds on the bipartisan work done by the Energy and Commerce Committee when last year, in June 2019, the Pandemic All- Hazards Preparedness Act was reauthorized and signed into law by President Trump. Our committee's work has continued to improve our Nation's response to pandemic events. I commend Ranking Member Walden and Ranking Member Guthrie of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for their incredible work on Energy and Commerce Committee's Second Wave Preparedness Project. This critical report will serve as the most detailed analysis thus far of our Nation's public health response to date, and some of their recommendations were in this legislative package. The Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act addresses these shortcomings and will improve the ability of the SNS to manage and maintain its inventory, empower it to partner with industry to reshore some of our most critical manufacturing infrastructure, dramatically increase transparency of the stockpile, and create innovative new programs to help States create their own stockpiles. I thank all the Members of the House for their unanimous support of this important legislation because biodefense must be bipartisan to keep this country safe.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 183: H.R. 4894--Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2020--On the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass the Bill--YEA, and Roll Call 184: S. 2193--Charge Act--On the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass the Bill--YEA.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following roll call votes. Had I been present for them, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call 179: Ordering the previous question on H. Res. 1092--NAY; Roll Call 180: H. Res. 1092--NAY; Roll Call 181: REPUBLICAN MOTION TO RECOMMIT H.R. 8015 WITH INSTRUCTIONS--YEA; and Roll Call 182: H.R. 8015 ``DELIVERING FOR AMERICA ACT''--NAY.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Debbie Laird on the occasion of her retirement from Janus Developmental Services. Debbie has spent her career helping people, including her most recent role as the Senior Vice President of Development at Janus Developmental Services. She is a selfless, caring person with whom I am fortunate to know and call my friend. Janus is a non-profit agency that has served our community for nearly forty years. I visited Janus multiple times throughout my time in Congress and I strongly believe in the work they do. The group provides opportunities for clients with developmental disabilities such as autism or cerebral palsy. They provide them an opportunity to get real world work experience and use their creativity to better our community. For many years, Debbie dedicated herself to helping these individuals. This speaks to her selflessness and her desire to better the lives of those in her community. Along with her tremendous work at Janus, Debbie is the mother of fallen Indianapolis Police Officer Jake Laird, who was killed in the line of duty in 2004. She and her husband Mike have used their loss to create good in our community as well as in the law enforcement community. They were fervent advocates for red flag legislation named for their son that was enacted into law in the State of Indiana the year after his death. In honor of Jake's passion for public service, the Lairds created the Jake Laird Memorial Fund in 2004. For sixteen years Debbie and Mike have been raising money for those with the same passion as their son Jake. The mission of the memorial fund is to provide financial contributions to law and fire department agencies for the purchase of new equipment, the institution of new instructional programs, or financial assistance to officers injured in the line of duty. The main event that contributes to this fund is the annual Jake Laird Memorial Golf Outing. What started as an event with eighty golfers in 2004, has grown to one with over 360 golfers in 2019. As of January 2020, the Jake Laird Memorial Fund donated over $950,000 to various police and firefighter causes throughout the state of Indiana. I am very proud to be able to call Debbie a friend. Her advocacy for so many throughout her career has produced real and lasting change throughout our community. On behalf of the people of Indiana's Fifth District, I thank Debbie for her life-changing dedication to our community. I wish her a very happy and well-deserved retirement, although I know her service will continue.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert Knox on the occasion of his retirement as the Chief of the Zionsville Police Department. Chief Knox has spent the last thirty-five years serving and protecting the people of Zionsville, including the last nine as Chief of Police. For the entirety of his career, Chief Knox was dedicated to his true calling as a public servant, rising through the ranks of the police department. The people of Zionsville and Indiana's Fifth Congressional District are forever grateful for Chief Knox's commitment to the law and the protection of the City of Zionsville. Robert Knox grew up on the west side of Boone County where he attended Western Boone High School. Upon his graduation, Robert attended Vincennes University where he completed a four-year apprenticeship as a pipe fitter. During this time, Robert became a reserve officer for the Zionsville Police Department following in the footsteps of his father Darrel who was a military police officer. This is when he says he discovered his true calling as a police officer. Following his discovery, in 1982, Robert was offered a full-time job with the Lebanon Police Department. He graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy and on September 15, 1984, then returned to Zionsville to begin his career as a Zionsville Police Officer. Robert fell in love with the community he was serving, getting to know the people and becoming a well-known community figure. His friends and colleagues know how adamant he is about getting out of his patrol car and getting to know the people he served and protected. Through the years, Robert rose through the ranks within the department. After his start as a patrolman, he advanced to detective, detective sergeant, detective lieutenant and captain in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division. During his time with investigations, Robert spent time assisting the Metro Drug Task Force, the Boone County Homicide Task Force and the Hamilton Boone County Joint Task Force. In 2011, after spending years serving and protecting the people of Zionsville, Robert was promoted to his role as Chief of Police. As the chief of police, Robert continued his dedication to community engagement through programs such as ``Coffee with a Cop,'' the Teen and Citizens academies, the Drug Take Back program and more outreach programs all aimed at building a strong relationship with the community. Chief Knox had many successes during his tenure as the chief of ZPD, including adjusting to a growing city. As the population increased, Chief Knox adjusted to the growth by adding officers and reinstating the department's K-9 unit. When Chief Knox was sworn in, the department had 25 full time employees and today the department has 38 full time officers, a 50% increase. Chief Knox's tenure also including partnering with Zionsville Community Schools to establish the School Resource Officer Initiative. Chief Knox made a remarkable impact on his community and the lives of his friends, family and colleagues. He has truly left a legacy of success in the community of Zionsville arid in the Fifth District of Indiana that will be built upon for years to come. On behalf of the City of Zionsville and the Fifth District of Indiana, I congratulate Chief Robert Knox on his extraordinary career and I extend my gratitude for all the wonderful contributions he made to our community. I wish the very best for Chief Knox and his entire family in whatever endeavor he takes on next.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and remember my friend, the civil rights pioneer, Congressman John Lewis, a true gentle giant among us. He walked the talk, and we watched him walk the talk in these Halls of Congress for many years, from his years as a student at Fisk University to his last days as one of the most influential Members of Congress. He didn't let bad actors and people who were trying to do him harm or even cancer slow him down from his fight for equality until the very end. He led many Members of Congress on that march in Selma, a civil rights pilgrimage that my husband and I were honored to join him on a couple of years ago when we went to Memphis, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma. He walked the talk and walked with us and shared with us the memories of that painful journey for him and all of those students and all the people that he led across that bridge. He took our hands, and we all walked together. He then later that year came to Indianapolis, where he was the keynote speaker because our community celebrated the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative becoming a national historic site. Indianapolis was the site where Senator Robert Kennedy informed our city that Dr. Martin Luther King had been killed on that night 50 years ago. It was in Indianapolis, in 1968, that John Lewis learned from Robert Kennedy about Dr. King's death. Dr. King was his friend, his mentor, and his hero. He had not been to this park in Indianapolis for 50 years, yet he came there as the keynote speaker. He brought together our community--Democrats, Republicans, Hispanics, African Americans, and White. Everyone stood together to hear his words, to honor him, and to pay tribute to his legacy, to the legacy of Dr. King, and to the legacy of Senator Robert Kennedy. John was our friend. He walked the talk. He is walking in Heaven now. He is showing us all how to walk the talk, and now it is up to us to not let him down.

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana

Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the centennial year of a tremendous university in my district, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). IWU is a private university that was founded in 1920 on three basic pillars: academic excellence, Christ-centered education and global worldview. It is a testament to the academic excellence of a school to achieve the success that IWU has for one hundred years. Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church. The University was founded in 1920 as Marion College before changing its name to Indiana Wesleyan University in 1988. IWU committed to liberal arts and professional education. Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University's 350-acre residential campus in Marion. Most buildings on the Marion campus have been built in the past 25 years, so students live and learn in a visually striking environment with well-appointed residence halls and academic facilities, all on a campus that is only an hour away from both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. IWU offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees, 38 graduate degrees and 5 doctorate degrees and students represent more than 80 Christian denominations and 10 foreign countries. Indiana Wesleyan has received national attention for its innovative adult education program, which began in 1985. Over 10,000 adult learners attend classes at education centers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, and online. In its first one hundred years, IWU has produced over 80,000 degreed alumni. IWU has a 78 percent retention rate for those starting as college freshmen. The Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats have won 5 national championship titles in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), including 2 NAIA national championships from the record-setting 2006 to 2007 women's basketball team that went 38-0 and the 2012-2013 women's basketball team. IWU has won an additional 3 NAIA national championships in 2014, 2016 and 2018 in men's basketball. Congratulations to Indiana Wesleyan University for a century of success thanks to the hard working and dedicated faculty, staff, administration, board members, students and alumni. Hoosiers of the Fifth District and beyond are grateful and look forward to another century of extraordinary leadership and educational opportunities.