Barbara Comstock

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 255, the bill now under consideration.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I offer another bipartisan bill that Ms. Esty and I have introduced, H.R. 255, her bill called Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act. We are joined again on this measure by the chairman and the ranking member, who are original cosponsors of this bill. Our bill, H.R. 255, amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to authorize the National Science Foundation to use its entrepreneurial programs to recruit women and to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world. The bill also includes a number of findings regarding women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, also known as the STEM fields. One finding in this bill notes that women make up almost 50 percent of the workforce but less than 25 percent of the workforce in STEM professions. We want to make sure we can do everything to improve these statistics, and we believe this bill, along with our earlier bill that we voted on, is a step in the right direction. Again, I have been happy to collaborate with my colleague, Congresswoman Esty, on this important legislation for our young women so that they may look to the stars and realize their dreams in this important field that will really be important in the 21st century. I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Esty and Congressman Johnson and appreciate their passion on both of these bills and their leadership and, once again, being able to join with them on inspiring the next generation of women leaders in the STEM fields. As was noted by my colleagues, there is such a shortage of people to fill these jobs in general. Now this will equip more women to be able to be prepared in these important fields that will allow us to be leaders in the 21st century economy. I would like to thank our staff--particularly we have our female staff here who have been very active on our bill, as well as a male. We are fortunate to have female leadership on our staff, also, and we thank them. I know, in working on a program that I have had over the past 4 years, a young woman's leadership program, NASA, space, and astronauts have been some of the most popular people that our women in junior high and high school have liked to meet, hear from, and really be able to see themselves in those roles and to talk to women who have actually been leaders in those fields. So I appreciate the opportunity to join with my colleagues now in giving that opportunity to the next generation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Joseph Baggett, JAGC, USN (ret), who is retiring after 46 years of combined active duty and civilian service to our nation with the United States Navy. Captain Baggett was born into a military family. The son of a career enlisted Marine, Captain Baggett grew up in the presence of the United States Navy in such diverse locations as Naval Air Station Pensacola, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and the United Kingdom. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Tulane University in May 1971. He later earned a J.D. from Tulane University School of Law, and an LL. M. in Ocean and Coastal Law from the University of Miami School of Law. A longtime resident of Herndon, Virginia is his home. In 1971, Captain Baggett began his dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. During the next 30 years, Captain Baggett served on active duty in a wide variety of roles, traveling throughout the United States and overseas. His assignments included two tours as a Supply Corps officer, including service onboard USS Rich (DD 820); Naval Legal Service Office, Jacksonville, Florida; Commander, Middle East Force; Commander, Iceland Defense Force; Commander, Sixth Fleet; Navy Office of Legislative Affairs; and the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate. Later in his career he served as Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for International Law; as Counsel for National Security to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States; as Staff Judge Advocate for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; as Commanding Officer, Naval Legal Service Office, Norfolk, Virginia; and as Director of the Legislation Division in the Office of Legislative Affairs. Following his retirement from active duty in December 2000, Captain Baggett continued his superlative service to the Navy as a civilian, serving for another sixteen years as Deputy Director of the International and Operational Law Division in the Office of the Judge Advocate General in the Pentagon. In that role, he has been a constant champion of our national interests in the areas of law of the sea and freedom of navigation. His support to our national security cannot be overstated. Captain Baggett's expertise and understanding of the complexities of the law of the sea and the law of armed conflict are without equal in the U.S. government. As the Armed Forces confronted myriad diverse challenges, he delivered sage counsel to the Department of the Navy, facilitating our ability to conduct naval operations. His profound knowledge and experience directly improved the ability to the sea services to fulfil their missions throughout the world. For his outstanding service to our nation, Captain Baggett earned numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, Navy Superior Civilian Service Award, and Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in commending Captain Baggett for his commitment to our country and the sacrifices he made on its behalf. On the occasion of his retirement from the federal service, I thank him and his family for his honorable service to our nation and wish him fair winds and following seas as he concludes a distinguished career.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this time to recognize Jim Northup, who has served our nation for 36 years as an extraordinary leader within the National Park Service and will be hanging up his ranger hat and retiring on January 2, 2017. My constituents in the Northern Shenandoah Valley and I owe Jim Northup a special debt of gratitude for going beyond the call of duty concerning the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, a small but historically important partnership park that is primarily located in my Congressional District. After its superintendent retired, the park was left without sufficient leadership and there was great concern that it would not get the attention from the NPS that it needed. Jim, who was already the Superintendent of one of the busiest parks in the nation at Shenandoah National Park, took on the additional role of Superintendent of the smaller historical park. He generously gave of his time and energy in working with site managers Amy Bracewell and Karen Beck-Herzog to achieve a number of significant improvements in park planning, operations, community relations, and to accomplish an ambitious celebration of the National Park Service Centennial at the park. Always ready for a challenge, Northup began his work with the National Park Service in Shenandoah National Park as a seasonal ranger. Over the course of his remarkable career, Jim has worked as an interpretive and protection ranger, a natural resources specialist, a wildland fire and aviation specialist, a chief law enforcement ranger, and for the past 12 years, as a superintendent. His assignments have included work at Big Bend, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Teton, Guadalupe Mountains and Shenandoah national parks, and Cape Hatteras and Fire Island national seashores, the Buffalo National River, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. He has also done international conservation work in Mexico, Canada, the Republic of Georgia and China. Mr. Speaker, I wish to conclude my remarks by asking my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Parks Superintendent Jim Northup, an extraordinary public servant and patriot who has gone significantly beyond what would be expected of any individual, to learn about the magnificent beauty of our natural resources, our fascinating national history, and to do all that he could to protect, preserve and share what he had learned with his fellow citizens and with visitors from around the world.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the tremendous work of my constituent Ms. Charlotte McGallicher of Round Hill, Virginia. Ms. McGallicher is a graduate and Student Ambassador of Monroe Technology Center where she received a certification in residential and commercial air conditioning, refrigeration and heating equipment repair. This fall she will attend the University of South Alabama to study nursing. Whether assisting local businesses with her HVAC certification or helping Loudoun County parents and students as a Student Ambassador, she always makes a positive contribution to her community. In her most recent undertaking, Ms. McGallicher helped a local business owner, June Bush of Lothar's Gourmet Sausages in Purcellville, save her malfunctioning freezer whose manufacturer had gone out of business. Without a warranty, June was ready to throw away the freezer and buy a new one. But Ms. McGallicher--with the help of her HVAC teacher, Marty Park, and her fellow classmates--identified the freezer's problem and fixed it. Putting her skills to work, Ms. McGallicher was able to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need. Today, science, technology, engineering and math are critical to the future of our nation. It is young STEM leaders, like Ms. McGallicher, who will help the United States maintain its vital lead in the global economy for the next generation. I strongly encourage Ms. McGallicher, and all of my constituents, to continue exploring and developing their talents. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Ms. Charlotte McGallicher for her dedication to serving her community and helping others. I wish her all the best in all her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Michael Pellegrino for being named a finalist for the Washington Post's 2016 Principal of the Year Award. Mr. Pellegrino is the principal of Evergreen Mill Elementary School in Leesburg, Virginia. Mr. Pellegrino has led Evergreen Mill Elementary with distinction for the last five years. He has been lauded for embracing out-of-the-box techniques to ensure that his students have everything they need to succeed in the classroom. He was one of the first principals to institute the Backpack Buddies and Study Buddies programs. These programs send weekend meals home for hundreds of students and offer a mentor and tutoring program respectively. For these actions and many others, Mr. Pellegrino received the Washington Post Distinguished Educator Leader Award this year. Coming from a family of educators, I appreciate the invaluable role that educators play in inspiring our students and communities. The work Mr. Pellegrino has done, and continues to do at Evergreen Mill will inspire and shape the lives of countless young men and women for decades to come. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Michael Pellegrino for being named a finalist for the Washington Post's 2016 Principal of the Year Award. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating him on this honor, and I wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mark Miller on receiving the Virginia Library Association's Trustee Library Award. Mr. Miller has diligently served the Loudoun community for many years and is more than deserving of this honor. Loudoun County's public libraries are an enormously important resource for our community, as they serve as centers of knowledge and learning. His efforts to expand and improve LCPL have resulted in a number of great developments such as the future Brambleton Public Library. I cannot stress enough how important it is too have leaders like Mark, who understand the needs and character of our community. His dedication to improving both our district and the country as a whole is evident through his work on Loudoun County Public Library's Board of Trustees. I am proud to call Mark a friend as I have had the privilege of working with him and his wife Ellyn through the Smashing Walnuts Foundation. I look forward to continuing to work with him to better our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Mark Miller for receiving the Virginia Library Association's Trustee Library Award. It is a privilege to represent him and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time in recognition of Mr. Richard T. Gillespie, an extraordinarily gifted leader and educator from Loudoun County in the 10th Congressional District of Virginia. Mr. Gillespie is retiring from his position as Executive Director at the Mosby Heritage Area Association after over ten years of protecting historic landmarks throughout our great Commonwealth. Prior to joining the Mosby Heritage Area Association, Mr. Gillespie served the Loudoun community for 30 years as a distinguished educator at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, Virginia. During his time with Loudoun Valley High School he was able to shape the lives of countless young men and women. Coming from a family of educators, I appreciate the invaluable role that educators play in inspiring our students and communities. The work Mr. Gillespie has done both at Loudoun Valley High School and in the wider community to preserve the history of our area will be felt for decades to come. Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mr. Richard T. Gillespie for his unbelievable work teaching and preserving history over the decades, and his unwavering dedication to the people of Loudoun County. It is an honor to represent Mr. Gillespie, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize John Tuck for being named the recipient for the Washington Post's 2016 Agnes Meyer Award. Mr. Tuck is the fifth grade math and science teacher at Rolling Ridge Elementary School in Sterling, Virginia. Mr. Tuck has served at Rolling Ridge Elementary with distinction for the last five years. He has been lauded for embracing out-of-the-box techniques to ensure that his students have everything they need to succeed in the classroom. Instead of desks, Mr. Tuck opts for four stations in order to involve every student, from the highest skill level to the lowest. He uses real life math situations in order to engage his students while creating a base for solid math concepts that his students will need throughout life. For these actions and many others, Mr. Tuck received the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Award this year. Coming from a family of educators, I appreciate the invaluable role that educators play in inspiring our students and communities. The work Mr. Tuck has done, and continues to do at Rolling Ridge will inspire and shape the lives of countless young men and women for decades to come. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize John Tuck for being named a finalist for the Washington Post's 2016 Agnes Meyer Award. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating him on this honor, and I wish him nothing but success in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a school in my District which was recently crowned as state champion in football. The Westfield High School Bulldogs Football team, led by Athletic Director Terri Towle, Head Coach Kyle Simmons and Assistant Coaches Dan Keating, Jon Shields, Mike Giancola, Pete Bendorf, Jose Ardon, Alex Callas, Mike King, Chris Coyer, and Curtis Knight, was one of several teams who won state titles in a variety of sports from Virginia's 10th Congressional District. I am proud of their hard work in achieving this goal. They practiced long hours as a team, and this extraordinary achievement shows how far dedication, hard work, and commitment to teamwork can take a group as they played against some of the best competition in the nation. This year's state championship was a rematch of the 2015 state championship, where Westfield defeated Oscar Smith High School in quadruple overtime. Oscar Smith jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter; but Westfield took the lead in the second with touchdowns by Nolan Cockrill and Sean Eckert. They extended their lead to 21-7 in the third after Nathaniel Chung punched in a third touchdown. However, Oscar Smith stormed back in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns and executing a two point conversion with seven seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime. Oscar Smith struck first with a touchdown pass on the first play. With the game on the line, Westfield answered with a touchdown pass of its own, tying the game at 28 and forcing a second overtime. Westfield had capitalized on having the first possession, with Rehman Johnson throwing his fourth touchdown of the night to Ivory Frimpong. Westfield's defense then rose up, and stopped Oscar Smith's high powered offense on the three yard line and in doing so, secured the Bulldogs second state championship in as many years. Westfield High School's Football team has made Virginia's 10th Congressional District proud and they have represented us well. Winning a state championship attests to their impressive athletic ability, unselfish mentality, and determination to succeed. I commend them for their tireless dedication to both their school and their teammates, without neither of which this could have been possible. It takes a delicate combination of superior skill and many hours of practice to win a state title. Westfield Football has certainly earned this honor and the lessons learned over the years will valuably serve them as they continue on in their lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the Westfield Bulldogs for winning the Virginia 6A Football State Championship and representing Virginia's 10th Congressional District with such distinction. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Skyler Powell on becoming the first cadet in the history of Purcellville, Virginia's VIKING Sea Cadet Division to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer. This is a tremendous honor considering that historically only 1 percent of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps' 10,000 cadets receive this appointment, and of that 1 percent only 20 percent have been female. I am proud to represent this young woman, who is a shining example of the Commonwealth of Virginia's hardworking and service-minded citizens. The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps, which was founded over 50 years ago, is a federally chartered non-profit civilian organization that serves to teach individuals about naval operations, community service, citizenship, and helps foster discipline and teamwork in our nation's youth. In addition to the courses, training and exams, Powell developed and demonstrated dedication, leadership, self-reliance, commitment and courage as she rose through the cadet ranks. During summer break, she attended a two-week recruit training, a shortened version of the Navy's boot camp. She has also attended multiple advanced trainings on topics including marksmanship, cyber security and advanced music training in locations from San Francisco and Las Vegas, to Fort Custer and Fort Lee. She also served as a staff cadet at recruit training in Aberdeen, Maryland and Navy League orientation training in Norfolk, Virginia. Chief Powell has earned the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Naval Sea Cadet Medal and the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award in addition to maintaining a 4.1 GPA while taking honors and AP classes. During her Sea Cadet career she has logged over 250 volunteer community service hours. She is likewise an active member of the Loudoun Valley High School Marching Band and currently leads the VIKING Division CyberPatriot team--a nationwide cyber security competition sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to congratulate Skyler Powell for her promotion to Chief Petty Officer in Purcellville's VIKING Sea Cadet Division, and to join me in wishing her a happiness and fortune in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time in recognition of Elizabeth Minor, the beloved Mayor of Winchester, Virginia. Mayor Minor is retiring from her office after twelve years of dedicated service to the people of Winchester. During her time as Mayor and as a member of the City Council, Winchester has experienced a renaissance that has transformed the city into an extraordinary place to live, work and study. There is no one who has had a greater impact on creating this transformation than Mayor Elizabeth Minor. Always willing to speak at gatherings of Winchester residents, Mayor Minor was always prepared with the perfect message for each occasion. She has tirelessly used her special position in the community to unify and encourage people of all ages, races and incomes. Elizabeth's tenure as Mayor has been marked by many successes, including significant improvements to the city's education system, improvements to the Jim Barnett Park, the transformation of Old Town Winchester and the beautification of the gateways to the city. Additionally, when cities and states across the country are struggling to develop budgets, her stewardship has helped Winchester to win the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for four years in a row. Elizabeth Minor served as Vice-Mayor of Winchester from 1994 to 2004, and has been a member of the City Council since 1980. Her nearly four decades of selfless service to her community will serve as a benchmark for the future leaders of this great city for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Mayor Elizabeth Minor for her exemplary service and unwavering dedication to the people of Winchester, Virginia. It is an honor to represent her in the U.S. House of Representatives and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor two extraordinary parents, Dr. Howard and Elizabeth Green of Winchester, Virginia. Due to their unwavering dedication to children in need, I nominated the Greens as Congressional Angels in Adoption this year. The loving generosity of Howard and Elizabeth has formed a family of 12 children, seven of them adopted, who are now between the ages of 15 and 22, and five biological children, between 16 and 24 years of age. Their adopted children all came from difficult circumstances, yet they worked tirelessly to provide them a warm and loving home. Their first adopted child came from China when she was 15 months old; shortly thereafter they adopted six children from Ethiopia, four siblings ages 11, 9, 6 and 3, followed by two brothers, 6 and 7 years old. They identified at-risk children and took it upon themselves to change their lives for the better. After having been raised by the Greens in a loving home with strong spiritual guidance, all 12 children are extraordinary. For instance, the oldest three adopted children are thriving in college at Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Hillsdale College; while their biological children have either graduated or are currently in college. Meanwhile, their five youngest children are still in high school. While the years have surely been filled with joyous moments, it has not always been easy. With all their children, the Greens have provided the necessary accommodations for all of them to succeed. The story of the inspirational generosity on the part of Dr. Howard and Elizabeth Green has been celebrated for many years in the Shenandoah Valley and is recognized nationally, including by my colleague, Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, whose husband was a Naval Academy classmate of Howard Green. I am honored to count among my constituents, Elizabeth and Howard Green, whose faith in a loving God has inspired them to become such amazingly generous and loving adoptive parents. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Dr. Howard and Elizabeth Green. The Greens are stellar examples of the generosity of Americans, who have a long tradition of opening their hearts and their homes in adopting children from all over the world.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to introduce you and my colleagues to Colleen and Richard Davis, constituents of mine from the Shenandoah Valley in the 10th Congressional District of Virginia who have provided extraordinary support for mothers in crisis and their children. I nominated Colleen and Richard Davis for the Angels in Adoption program of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute this year because, even with three children of their own, including one special needs adopted child, Colleen and Richard Davis opened their home to two infants in need. Colleen had been dedicating her time and energy to residents of the New Eve Maternity Home in Winchester, Virginia, a home for pregnant women in need. At the New Eve home, Colleen met a young woman with twin newborn boys who was having difficulty caring for her babies. Colleen and Richard generously offered to take the twins into their home and care for them until the mother was able to provide a stable home. For more than two years now, Colleen and Richard Davis have welcomed these two children into their family and have raised them as their own. These acts of extraordinary generosity are inspired by a sense of loving compassion for their neighbors in need. Mr. Speaker, stories of unsung heroes like Colleen and Richard Davis are taking place throughout our nation and I ask that we remember with gratitude these ``Angels in Adoption'' who are making a significant difference in our communities. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Colleen and Richard Davis, and wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Dawn Dickerson of Broadlands, Virginia, for being named the Educator of the Year by the Sigma Mu Mu chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Ms. Dickerson is the Assistant Principal at Rock Ridge High School located in Ashburn. This award was granted to Ms. Dickerson for her work to improve inclusion and acceptance within the student body at Rock Ridge High School. Ms. Dickerson has been instrumental in organizing special events to help her students become introduced to new topics as our country's next generation of leaders. One such instance of her devotion was when she put together a visit from Freedom Rider Joan Trumpauer Mulholland to speak with students during Black History Month last year. Ms. Dickerson was also a key component in the Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit. This Summit enables students to engage in discussion with, and learn from, a number of international delegations who attended the event. Ms. Dickerson's role as Assistant Principal at Rock Ridge High places her in a position where she can have a positive impact on the lives of countless young minds. This recognition from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity comes as a result of her dedication to the students of Loudoun County, and it is a reflection of the wonderful and civic- minded citizens we have throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Ms. Dawn Dickerson from Rock Ridge High School for receiving this Educator of the Year Award from the Sigma Mu Mu chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to thank Mr. Robert W. Lohr, Jr. for his three decades of extraordinary leadership and service to the town of Purcellville, Virginia, located in my congressional district. Mr. Lohr has served in local government for 30 years, and for the past 23 years he was the town manager of Purcellville. As town manager he has been instrumental in the growth and development of Purcellville. Mr. Lohr has overseen Purcellville's rapid growth to a community of around 9,000 residents. In his role as town manager, Mr. Lohr, oversaw a number of important projects to improve the local infrastructure and quality of life for Purcellville's residents. Some of these projects include the development of the Basham Simms Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Purcellville Maintenance Facility, as well as the effort to preserve and improve historic downtown Purcellville. Mr. Lohr's dedication to bettering the town and the lives of its citizens has been evident during his years of tireless service. Mr. Lohr's selfless desire to constantly improve Purcellville never went unnoticed, least of all to his colleagues in the town government. Working in close collaboration with the town council, Mr. Lohr was able to identify the needs of the town's citizens, and develop a strategy in order to complete their needed goals. Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Mr. Robert Lohr, Jr.'s 30 years of public service, especially those 23 years as town manager of Purcellville, Virginia. Today, we honor and celebrate the contributions he has made to the town and all its citizens. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge Joshua, Jonluke, and Caleb O'Cain, and their friend Alex Marjanovich from my district for their charitable service to our veterans through their book collection efforts. Eagle Scout candidate Joshua O'Cain decided on this endeavor for his final project, which consisted of making boxes where people can donate their used books for the children of our nation's veterans and active duty service members. Given the need at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's pediatric department, these boys decided to focus their efforts at filling their high demand. I am honored to have these young men living in Virginia's 10th Congressional District. I commend their hard work to help our veterans and their families who make so many sacrifices to preserve freedom and democracy for others. Their project is a reflection on the noble nature of the Boy Scouts of America's continuous work to better our great nation. These young men not only embody charity and selflessness, but are also helping inspire it in others. The O'Cain family has also strived to help servicemen and women through their work with Military Operation Kindness, an organization which sends troops stationed overseas thank you letters and care packages. Astonishingly, the O'Cain family has sent over 600 of these thank you notes this year alone. I cannot express how grateful I am to the O'Cain family and others like them who do so much to aid the members of our armed forces. Mr. Speaker, Joshua, Jonluke, and Caleb O'Cain and Alex Marjanovich exemplify a spirit of comradery and a dedication to serving others that makes America truly great. I would encourage my colleagues to join me in thanking these young men for their work to help the families of America's heroes. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Robin Perkins on being named Woman of the Year by the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Committee. Mrs. Perkins has diligently served the Manassas community for many years and is more than deserving of this honor. A lifelong resident of Manassas and devoted community leader, Mrs. Perkins has served her hometown for 33 years in the City of Manassas treasurer's office. After fifteen years of service in that office, she was elected to serve as Treasurer for the City of Manassas. Now, after over eighteen years of service as Treasurer, Mrs. Perkins is entering into a well-deserved retirement. Though she is leaving her post as Treasurer, Mrs. Perkins will remain a fixture of the Manassas community. She serves as a scout leader, a youth bowling director, and has been a long-time volunteer with the city schools. Her lifelong dedication to her community is an inspiration and I'm proud to represent such a wonderful woman. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Robin Perkins for being named Woman of the Year by the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade Committee. It is a privilege to represent her and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Fairfax Rotary Club on their 85th Anniversary of community service this year. The Fairfax Rotary Club was chartered in 1931 and has grown from the original 16 members to 75 members today. This organization brings enormous benefit to the City of Fairfax and surrounding communities. I am very grateful for Fairfax Rotary Club's continued efforts to provide humanitarian service and assistance in the 10th Congressional District. The Fairfax Rotary Club holds weekly meetings and organizes numerous charitable events in order to benefit the community. Their activities range from fundraising to acts of hands-on community service. Some examples of their generous deeds include creating college scholarships for local students, doing home repairs free of charge, providing free meals to families in need, and raising money for many other charitable causes, such as polio and access to clean water. The members of the Fairfax Rotary Club are true pillars of their community, and I am proud to represent such service-minded citizens. This organization has a history of providing a setting that fosters fellowship between its members and that enables them to have a positive impact in the world. I applaud the Fairfax City Council's decision to honor this organization by declaring September 25th Fairfax Rotary Club Day in the city. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in recognizing the 85th Anniversary of the Fairfax Rotary Club and thanking its members for all of the selfless community service work they undertake. I hope that the members of this service organization will continue to find success in their endeavors for many years to come.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three colleagues of mine who have served their Districts and the Commonwealth of Virginia with distinction. Congressman Robert Hurt from Virginia's Fifth District, Congressman Randy Forbes from Virginia's Fourth District, and Congressman Scott Rigell from Virginia's Second District have dedicated years of their lives to public service. Since coming to Congress in 2001, Randy Forbes, as Chairman of the House Armed Services' Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, has worked to build a stronger defense for America to help ensure the safety of our nation and has worked with all of us to help our veterans. He also made it a priority to foster partnerships with local officials and other community leaders, earning a reputation for stellar constituent service as a representative. Congressman Scott Rigell has more active duty and retired military personnel in his district than any other district and has made it a priority to assist them. He had a major role in keeping all East Coast aircraft carriers based in Norfolk. I had the distinct pleasure of serving with Congressman Hurt in the Virginia General Assembly, where he served beginning in 2001 before running for Congress, and he is a gentleman, statesman, constitutional scholar, and most important of all a true friend to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Robert has been a leader here in Washington with his great work on the Financial Services Committee and striving to help our small businesses as well as veterans, to name just some of the ways he has worked for a better life for those in his District. While the Commonwealth of Virginia loses three committed public servants in this body, we all greatly appreciate the years they have put into advancing the priorities of their constituents and the lives of all those in Virginia and in our country. I know they will continue to serve the public in a variety of ways. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking and honoring these gentlemen for their service to their Districts and for representing their constituents and the Commonwealth in which we call home.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the 155th Anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff fought in Loudoun County, Virginia, on October 21st, 1861. Being one of the earliest battles of the American Civil War, Ball's Bluff had an enormous impact on military affairs for the remaining four years of conflict. On October 20th, 1861, Brigadier General Charles Pomeroy Stone and the Union forces under his command engaged the Confederate forces of Colonel Nathan Evans on the banks of the Potomac River near Leesburg, Virginia. Stone's forces had crossed the river and were subsequently repelled and defeated by their Confederate counterparts. This battle was unique in American history because, as Union forces were withdrawing across the Potomac, Colonel Edward Baker, a sitting U.S. Senator, was killed in action. The defeat, coupled with Colonel Baker's death, was the catalyst for the creation of the Congressional Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. Colonel Baker remains the only United States Senator killed in battle, and Ball's Bluff proved to be indicative of the long war to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in recognizing the 155th Anniversary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff. We must always remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives to preserve our nation in its darkest hour.

Mrs. COMSTOCK

Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of Ms. Elaine E. Thompson of Hamilton, Virginia. Throughout her life, Ms. Thompson was a respected leader in her community and a notable historian of African American culture in Loudoun County. Coming from a family of educators, I applaud Ms. Thompson's dedication to the search for knowledge throughout her life as teacher, historian, author, and speaker. Ms. Thompson led many successful efforts to advance the recognition and preservation of African American history. Aside from her numerous contributions of written work on the subject, she was instrumental in the founding of the Thomas Balch Library's Black History Committee, and the establishment of the historic highway marker at the Emancipation Grounds in Purcellville, Virginia. Ms. Thompson was a role model and mentor for many in the community. Most recently, she left her mark on African American history through her contribution of Joseph Trammell's freedom certificate to the Museum of African American History and Culture. Joseph Trammell, a freed slave who was buried in Lincoln, Virginia, was an ancestor of Ms. Thompson. In 2014, she donated Mr. Trammell's freedom certificate to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. One of the last joys of her life was to see her gift at the museum's opening and to be an invited guest at the Dedication Ceremony and Gala. Her selfless legacy will forever be a part of the history of Loudoun County and the nation as a whole. Elaine was quiet but passionate, resolute and firm in her convictions. She lavished love, affection, and gifts on family members and friends. She also gently shared her displeasure if someone disappointed her. After her retirement, Elaine dedicated her time to caring for her parents in their declining years. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of, and bidding farewell to, Elaine E. Thompson. May she rest in peace, and her family be comforted.