Liz Cheney

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 961, which provides a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 2083, the Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act and a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2019. The rule makes in order amendments for both bills, including three amendments offered by the minority to H.R. 2083 and several amendments offered by members of both sides of the aisle for H.R. 6157. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I expect that we will consider a rule tomorrow to provide for the consideration of additional amendments to H.R. 6157. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2083, the Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act, authored by my colleague, Ms. Herrera Beutler of Washington, clarifies the authority and streamlines the process to manage sea lion populations that are decimating ESA-listed salmon, steelhead, and other non-listed species, such as white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River. It also provides ESA-listed salmon in the lower Columbia River a habitat where they can recover while controlling the stocks of sea lions on a limited basis. The bill will benefit the residents of the Pacific Northwest who have invested millions of dollars to protect, restore, and enhance salmon and other endangered species on the Columbia River. In my home State of Wyoming, Mr. Speaker, we are far too familiar with the abuses of the ESA. The goal of the Endangered Species Act should be to recover species, not place restrictive and unnecessary burdens and protections on threatened and endangered species in perpetuity. While the ESA process as a whole must be reformed, this bill provides a targeted approach to allow the citizens of the Pacific Northwest to achieve the original intent of the Endangered Species Act, which is to recover species. This is a good bill. I support its inclusion in this rule, and I urge its adoption. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, this rule allows for consideration of H.R. 6157, the fiscal year 2019 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, authored by my colleague from Texas (Ms. Granger). Mr. Speaker, providing the funding needed by our men and women in uniform to defend this great Nation is by far the most important responsibility we have as Members of the United States Congress. For far too long, Congress has failed in this regard. For nearly a decade, we have forced our men and women in uniform to operate under continuing resolutions and the devastation of sequestration. In this Congress, Mr. Speaker, we have begun to change that. For fiscal year '18, we provided $700 billion to begin to rebuild our military from the cuts and misguided policy of the Obama years. But our job is far from done. Rebuilding our military and providing the resources needed will require dedicated efforts for years to come. Mr. Speaker, we simply must stop forcing our men and women in uniform and their families to pay the price for the dysfunction of the congressional budget process. Mr. Speaker, we know that this House is not the problem. In fact, since Republicans took control of the House in 2011, we have never failed to pass a defense appropriations bill on time and often with large, bipartisan majorities. With this week's consideration of H.R. 6157, we in this House intend to keep that streak alive. However, as we have too often found, the Senate is unable or unwilling to complete their work, and our men and women in uniform suffer. Secretary Mattis spoke late last year about this issue when he released the National Defense Strategy. He said: ``As hard as the last 16 years have been on our military, no enemy in the field has done more to harm the readiness of the U.S. military than the combined impact of the Budget Control Act's defense spending cuts, worsened by us operating, 9 of the last 10 years, under continuing resolutions, wasting copious amounts of precious taxpayer dollars.'' Secretary Mattis then went on to say that: ``The consequences of not providing a budget are clear: Without a sustained budget, ships will not receive the required maintenance to put to sea; the ships already at sea will be extended outside of port; aircraft will remain on the ground, their pilots not at the sharpest edge; and, eventually, ammunition, training, and manpower will not be sufficient to deter war.'' H.R. 6157 is a bipartisan bill that provides the resources necessary to continue the job of rebuilding our military. The bill provides our troops with the highest pay raise they have received in 9 years. It continues restoring readiness through increases in the operation and maintenance accounts, including providing needed flight time and battle training, as well as equipment and facility maintenance. This bill also provides procurement funding to ensure our troops have the tools and equipment they need, and increases the funding for research and development for future needs. We must, as General Dunford said in front of the Armed Services Committee earlier this year, ``ensure we never send America's sons and daughters into a fair fight.'' We need to ensure that they are armed to prevail every time. Mr. Speaker, we now face a more complex and dangerous set of threats than at any time since the end of World War II. Passing H.R. 6157 will help put us on the path we need to be on to restore the readiness of our military so we can deter and, if necessary, defeat those threats. In addition, Mr. Speaker, we must end this cycle and this decade of budget dysfunction. We must repeal the Budget Control Act and provide the stable resources our military needs, if we are to continue to maintain an Armed Forces that is second to none. H.R. 6157 is an important, bipartisan, and necessary step down that path. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the rule to allow consideration of H.R. 6157, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Byrne), my friend and colleague on both the Armed Services Committee and the Rules Committee.

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close as well, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's commitment to coming to some sort of a resolution on the challenges we are facing at our border. I think it is crucially important that we secure our border, and I respect very much my colleague from the Rules Committee. I appreciate that, perhaps, he doesn't believe in open borders, but certainly, Mr. Speaker, we have seen across the country, including most recently a Democratic candidate for Governor of New York referring to our ICE officials as ``terrorists.'' That is the kind of rhetoric that really does a huge disservice and, frankly, is shameful to those who are making sure that our borders are secure, to those trying to protect us. We are a Nation of laws, and we have got to ensure, Mr. Speaker, that we enforce those laws. Mr. Speaker, I think it would be a benefit and a positive move for the citizens across this country if both sides of the aisle were able to come together on this. Unfortunately, we have gotten into a situation where there are a number of people on the other side of the aisle who believe we ought to have open borders, and we simply can't accept that and can't defend that. We have got to make sure we secure our borders, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a statue that stands at the Antietam National Battlefield, which is just about 70 miles from here. Antietam, as Members know, was the site of the single bloodiest day in American history. Close to 23,000 Americans were killed, wounded, or lost that day. The statue, Mr. Speaker, is a statue of a Union soldier that overlooks the graves of the fallen. There is an inscription on the statue which says, ``Not for themselves, but for their country.'' It should be a reminder to all of us, regardless of party, Mr. Speaker, that the ultimate sacrifice has been paid by so many Americans in every single battle of this Republic's history, that those who fight to secure our freedom do it willingly. They do it by saying they are willing, as Secretary Mattis has said, to write a blank check to the Republic. They do it to defend everything we hold sacred and, indeed, Mr. Speaker, to defend what we are doing here today, to defend our right to debate, to defend our right to make laws, to defend our right to vote. Those are the freedoms that are so crucial to the founding and the establishment of this Republic. I am really proud, Mr. Speaker, that with this Defense Appropriations bill, we were able to come together in a bipartisan way to demonstrate our support for our men and women in uniform. What we need to do now, Mr. Speaker, is come together in a bicameral way. We need to ensure that our actions are worthy of those men and women on the front lines who are defending us every day. We are considering a rule, Mr. Speaker, that will allow the debate and the passage of this bill to fund our troops. For generations, young Americans have--and again I am going to quote Secretary Mattis--``been willing to shoulder the patriot's burden,'' to put on the cloth of our Nation and to fight to defend all of us and all we hold sacred and dear. It is time for us in the United States Congress, the House and the Senate, to shoulder our burden and to provide the funding our men and women in uniform need. Mr. Speaker, in addition to the Rules Committee, I also serve on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee. Over the course of the last 18 months that I have been in Congress, we have received repeated testimony on the funding, modernization, and readiness crisis facing the United States military. I can say, Mr. Speaker, that no experience that I have had since I have been a Member of this body has had a greater impact on me than hearing from the Secretary of Defense, from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from all the combatant commanders, from all the service Secretaries, time and time again, hearing them come before this body and say that no foe in the field has done more damage to the United States military than has the United States Congress. I think it is really important for people to stop, think, and listen to what that means. Our men and women in uniform and the leaders of our military are making the case--an accurate case--that we have done more damage than has any enemy. We have absolutely got to stop that, Mr. Speaker. We have got to end this process of sequestration. We have got to end the continuing resolutions. We have got to end the dysfunctional budget process. We simply cannot allow this situation to continue. The threats that we face as a Nation are real, and they are growing. Yet, as a Congress, we have continually forced our military to operate on continuing resolutions of varying lengths for nearly a decade. We have got to end this cycle of dysfunction. We cannot force our men and women in uniform and their families to pay the price for our dysfunction. That is simply reprehensible, Mr. Speaker. I fully expect and hope that we will pass H.R. 6157 this week, and I urge my Democratic colleagues in the Senate to forgo attempts to filibuster this important bill and to work with Republicans in the Senate and Members of this House to fulfill our most solemn and sacred obligation, providing funding for the men and women in uniform who volunteer to put their lives on the line to defend this great Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of both the rule, H.R. 6157, and H.R. 2083.

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings during the former Members program be printed in the Congressional Record and that all Members and former Members who spoke during the proceedings have the privilege of revising and extending their remarks.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Roma Walker on the celebration of her 100th birthday. I join her friends and family in extending my best to her on this occasion and in celebrating her life and contributions to our great state and country. I hope she uses this momentous day to do the same. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Roma Walker on her birthday. May her year be filled with happiness and blessings.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Maggie Scarlett of Wilson, Wyoming, who has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Wyoming. This is the highest award the university confers. Maggie's tireless work on behalf of our great State warrants this well-deserved honor. Maggie was awarded this honorary doctorate of humane letters for her lifetime of work creating and expanding museum and library collections. Throughout her life, Maggie has given so much back to our great State and our citizens, and she has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the importance of museums and libraries in preserving our heritage and our history. She served as a public school teacher in communities across Wyoming and brought educational opportunities, including in the field of speech language pathology, to rural Wyoming. Maggie was 1 of 10 founding trustees of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming, and she was instrumental in securing its recognition as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States. She also serves on the board of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in her hometown of Cody, Wyoming, and she earned an appointment by President George W. Bush to serve on the board of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Mr. Speaker, Maggie Scarlett is a true inspiration and has set an example for her children, her seven grandchildren, her friends, and people all across our State and Nation. I am extremely grateful for her contributions, and I am blessed to call her my friend. Maggie and her family deserve to be extremely proud of her work and of this honor.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Byrne, for his tremendous work on this issue on the Rules Committee as well as on the Armed Services Committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this rule and the bipartisan work of the House Armed Services Committee that has gone into crafting the underlying bill. This year's NDAA authorizes programs that are absolutely crucial, Mr. Speaker, to the defense of this Nation. The bill authorizes funding at levels that will begin to restore our readiness, replacing aging equipment and weapons, and developing the next generation of military technology. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would clearly like to divert attention from these issues. They would like to try to discuss everything under the sun, it seems, except funding for our men and women in uniform who are on the front lines defending the freedom that allows us to have the debate that we are having today in this very Chamber. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that, without the funding authorized in this bill, our adversaries will continue to close capability gaps and further erode our military superiority. Mr. Speaker, while passage of this rule and the underlying NDAA are vital, our work will not be done. We must appropriate the funds authorized here, and we must finally, Mr. Speaker, repeal the Budget Control Act. For the last decade, this body has routinely forced the Department of Defense to operate under continuing resolutions. In plain English, this means we are asking our men and women in uniform to stay on their posts and put their lives on the line to defend all of us while at the same time depriving them of the resources they need to do that job. The situation, Mr. Speaker, was exacerbated in 2011 with the arbitrary budget caps and sequestration of the Budget Control Act. This has devastated military readiness and enabled our adversaries to make significant gains that threaten our security and our military superiority. In testimony earlier this year, Secretary of Defense Mattis described the severity of the situation and congressional responsibility for the situation this way: ``As hard as the last 16 years of war have been, no enemy in the field has done as much to harm the readiness of the U.S. military than the combined impact of the Budget Control Act's defense spending caps, worsened by operating for 10 of the last 11 years under continuing resolutions of varied and unpredictable duration.'' In a world in which we face the most complex and severe threat environment we have faced since the end of World War II, this situation is simply shameful. The men and women who put their lives on the line for all of us are sick and tired--as my colleague said, that is absolutely true--but they are sick and tired, Mr. Speaker, of being held hostage to a range of Democratic pet programs and politics that are often played by those on the other side of the aisle in this Chamber. Year after year, Mr. Speaker, we have completed our work in this body on the Defense Appropriations bill, and we have done it on time. Unfortunately, the same is not true of our colleagues in the Senate. Rules over in the Senate have allowed Democrats in that body to hold critical funding for our military hostage in an effort to advance unrelated issues. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues on the other side of the aisle join me in the belief that no member of our military--no mother or father or wife or husband or child of any servicemember--should have to continue to pay the price for the dysfunction of the United States Congress' budget process. I fully expect that this House will complete our work, once again, Mr. Speaker, to fund our military in a timely manner this year. I call on my colleagues, the Democrats in this body and in the Senate, to join us in fulfilling our most important constitutional obligation. We must avoid another continuing resolution for the Department of Defense, and we must pass the funding authorized under this bill required to provide for the common defense. The first step in that overall process is the work we are doing here this week. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this rule so we can complete our work on the underlying bill. I urge passage of the NDAA, and I urge my colleagues to join us in putting the resources in place our troops need, to stop holding our troops hostage, and to work with us to break the cycle of continuing resolutions that have only served to undermine military readiness.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Wyoming State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, which will hold its one hundred and third annual conference on May 17-20 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Daughters of the American Revolution has a long tradition of promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism across the country and state of Wyoming. This year at their conference, members from around the state will come together to celebrate their contributions to Wyoming history and society, present the first annual scholarship to promote Native American education, and present the D.A.R. Good Citizen's award. They will hear from a host of speakers, including Claudia Stowers, the Vice President for Advancement of the Museum of the American Revolution, and they will rededicate a monument and benches donated by their organization 42 years ago. Members of the D.A.R. have a deep sense of patriotism and support for our armed services. At the conference they will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of Germany's surrender in WWI. During World War I, the state of Wyoming was very involved in war efforts. Fort D.A. Russell, now called F.E. Warren Air Force Base, outside of Cheyenne served as a major mobilization point at the start of the war. 11,393 Wyoming men served in the war. As a state with expansive agricultural and energy production, Wyoming was integral in providing resources for our troops and civilians. During this time, Wyoming oil production doubled and ranchers and farmers worked tirelessly to meet the increasing demand. I join the members of the Daughters of the American Revolution in remembering and thanking those in our state and across the country for their contributions to our armed forces during World War I and throughout history. I would also like to thank the members of the Daughters of the American Revolution for all they do to preserve the history of our great state and country and to promote the importance of education and patriotism of our great nation. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to acknowledge the many contributions the women of the Daughters of the American Revolution have made throughout history, and continue to make today.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Don Hansen on his retirement. This is a momentous occasion and I hope that he will take the time to reflect upon all his hard work over the past 50 years working as an attorney in Newcastle, Wyoming. I thank him for his contributions to Hansen & Peck and to our community. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Don Hansen on his retirement. I wish him the best in future endeavors.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, livestock producers in Wyoming and across the West have been battling for years against a Federal Government that has attempted systematically to reduce grazing allotments on public lands. My amendment would simply make vacant grazing allotments available for our producers should their existing allotments become unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances such as wildfire, drought, other natural disasters, or litigation. Today, some of our ranch families are facing extreme hardship. They are at risk of losing their livelihood because of factors beyond their control. Frivolous lawsuits have often resulted in a complete loss of grazing rights for some of our producers who have been grazing on public lands for generations. Mr. Chairman, these circumstances can lead to situations where our ranchers face two options. They either force their livestock to graze in confined conditions that are unsuitable and can't support the stock, or they have to sell their livestock at fire-sale prices. We have seen family ranches go out of business and others that are now facing the prospect that their allotments will be lost within the next year--this, all despite the fact, Mr. Chairman, that the Forest Service has vacant allotments available nearby. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would provide relief and justice for these family ranch operations. It would ensure that Federal agencies honor the terms of these allotments. Best management practices would be maintained, Mr. Chairman, by ensuring that the terms and the conditions of the original allotments are honored on the new ones. Allowing our ranchers to move their livestock to vacant allotments is plain common sense, and it is the right thing to do, Mr. Chairman, for our livestock industry. Our hardworking ranch families shouldn't face the potential of economic ruin because of natural disaster or frivolous lawsuits. My amendment will help protect them while we keep them on landscapes they have grazed on for generations. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to provide stability and peace of mind for our ranchers across the West. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse).

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my cosponsor, Mr. Newhouse, and I would also like to thank Chairman Conaway for his work on this important bill overall. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment that will just provide justice for our ranch families. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker I rise today to extend my congratulations to Joe and Shirley Hubka on the celebration of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. This significant benchmark is a symbol of their commitment to each other and to their family. I am happy to join their friends and family in extending my best to them on this special occasion. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Joe and Shirley on the celebration of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. I wish them the best today and for many more blessed years to come.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tyler Miller for being named the 2018 Business Person of the Year for the State of Wyoming. Small businesses are the foundation of our economy. Every year, the Small Business Administration recognizes one business person from each state who exemplifies the values and dedication of those businesses around the country. This year, Tyler Miller was selected for this honor for the state of Wyoming. Mr. Miller is the president of Earth Work Solutions in Gillette, Wyoming. Earth Work Solutions is a construction company whose employees pride themselves on their craftmanship, dedication to their clients, and commitment to environmental stewardship. It has been a staple in the community for over forty years, and continues to strive to improve our state and its services. Mr. Miller and his employees embody the hard work, skill, and grit that is embedded in our Wyoming way of life. I thank Mr. Miller for the excellent example he has set for businesses across the state and country. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Tyler Miller on being named the 2018 Business Person of the Year for the State of Wyoming, and thank him for his hard work and contributions to our community. He and his family should be very proud.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the congregation of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on celebrating the church's 150th anniversary. For years, St. Mark's has provided the Cheyenne, Wyoming community with a place to worship, meet, and serve the community. From their outreach activities to their strong education program, St. Mark's congregation has had a significant impact on the community, as well as others around the country and world. I thank them for their dedication to faith, to each other, and to helping those in need. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate St. Mark's Episcopal Church's congregation on celebrating its 150th anniversary. Members of the church have long served the community, and I thank them for continuing that tradition. I wish them all the best in future endeavors.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Vickie Jasmann on winning the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award. She deserves to be very proud of this prestigious recognition. The Jefferson Award is the most revered award for public service in Wyoming. It was created with the goal of honoring individuals who enrich the communities and may otherwise go unnoticed. The award emphasizes the importance of serving local communities and that one person can indeed make a difference. In Wyoming, a panel of five judges independently score nominated individuals and determine four finalists, including one winner. Vickie Jasmann is a true inspiration to all who know her. She is a force for good in the Casper, Wyoming community. Her service started at a young age and only grew from there. When she was growing up, her family installed a phone line in their house for the American Cancer Society because there was no office in town. Her mother also helped start the local Relay for Life chapter. She has continued her work for the two organizations, motivated by her own battle with cancer and others she has lost along the way. Vickie also works with the American Legion Auxiliary to support her fellow veterans and serves as a foster parent. She has fostered also 200 children over 10 years, including one that she adopted. Vickie volunteers wherever she is needed, whether it be for organizations, festivals, or members of the community in need. She participates in theater productions at the Senior Center, served as a greeter at the Help the Homeless project, and was a Certified Tourist Ambassador during the Eclipse Festival. She also helps elderly members of the community with errands and picks up single mothers' children when needed. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Vickie Jasmann for winning the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award and thank her for her countless contributions to her community. She deserves to be extremely proud of all her hard work and of this award.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate LeRoy Johnson on being selected as a finalist for the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award. He deserves to be very proud of this prestigious recognition. The Jefferson Award is the most revered award for public service in Wyoming. It was created with the goal of honoring individuals who enrich the communities and may otherwise go unnoticed. The award emphasizes the importance of serving local communities and that one person can indeed make a difference. In Wyoming, a panel of five judges independently score nominated individuals and determine four finalists, including one winner. LeRoy Johnson has dedicated the past 27 years of his life to serving his community. After retiring in 1991, LeRoy and his wife, Inez, moved to Sheridan, Wyoming and immediately started to volunteer around the community. He first got involved in the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Sheridan Senior Center. He started as a driver for the Home Delivered Meals Program when he moved, and has been delivering meals every week since then. He also volunteers at the VA Hospital, where he connects with his fellow veterans while making coffee and visiting with them and their families. LeRoy is respected by the community and has touched the lives of many in it. Although he is 90 years old now, he has never stopped helping others. Whether he is ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas, helping his children, or promoting stewardship and agriculture education, LeRoy is always striving to improve his community. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate LeRoy Johnson for being selected as a finalist for the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award and thank him for his countless contributions to his community. He and his family deserve to be extremely proud of all his hard work and of this recognition.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Toni Chariez on being selected as a finalist for the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award. She deserves to be very proud of this prestigious recognition. The Jefferson Award is the most revered award for public service in Wyoming. It was created with the goal of honoring individuals who enrich the communities and may otherwise go unnoticed. The award emphasizes the importance of serving local communities and that one person can indeed make a difference. In Wyoming, a panel of five judges independently score nominated individuals and determine four finalists, including one winner. Toni Chariez has dedicated countless hours to serving her community. After retiring, she started volunteering as a Senior Companion Volunteer with Wyoming Senior Citizen's Inc. In the 23 years since then, she has volunteered for over 26,000 hours and helped over 200 clients live independently and without long-term care. Known among her clients as ``An Angel from Heaven,'' she takes them to run errands, on walks, and to the doctor all while keeping their spirits up. Toni continues to dedicate her time to her clients, despite some health challenges herself. After spending 10 days in the hospital recovering from a stroke in 2011, she drove herself back home to Cheyenne, Wyoming and immediately started volunteering again. Cheyenne and our state of Wyoming are lucky to have Toni serving the community. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Toni Chariez for being selected as a finalist for the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award and thank her for her countless contributions to her community. She deserves to be extremely proud of all her hard work and of this recognition.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Martha Wallace on being selected as a finalist for the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award. She deserves to be very proud of this prestigious recognition. The Jefferson Award is the most revered award for public service in Wyoming. It was created with the goal of honoring individuals who enrich the communities and may otherwise go unnoticed. The award emphasizes the importance of serving local communities and that one person can indeed make a difference. In Wyoming, a panel of five judges independently score nominated individuals and determine four finalists, including one winner. Martha Wallace has dedicated her time to providing elder care in Casper, Wyoming for over 25 years. She volunteers at the Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home and Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, doing everything from serving breakfast to residents to raising money and helping with parties and activities. She is also a member of The First Christian Church and the Christian Women's Fellowship where she raises money and participates in various committees. Through her work and dedication to helping others, Martha has encouraged others to get involved. Martha's work has impacted many residents of Casper and the state of Wyoming, and we are lucky to have her serve our community. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Martha Wallace for being selected as a finalist for the 2018 Wyoming Jefferson Award and thank her for her countless contributions to her community. She deserves to be extremely proud of all her hard work and of this recognition.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Peter and Joanne Lindahl on the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. This significant benchmark is a symbol of their commitment to each other and to their family. I am happy to join their friends and family in extending my best to them on this special occasion. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Peter and Joanne on the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. I wish them the best today and for many more blessed years to come.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Ken and Kay Brittain on the celebration of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. This significant benchmark is a symbol of their commitment to each other and to their family. I am happy to join their friends and family in extending my best to them on this special occasion. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Ken and Kay on the celebration of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. I wish them the best today and for many more blessed years to come.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to Mildred Leslie on the celebration of her 100th birthday. I join her friends and family in extending my best to her on this occasion and in celebrating her life and many contributions to our great state and county. I hope she uses this momentous day to do the same. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to Mildred Leslie on her birthday. May her year be filled with happiness and blessings.

Ms. CHENEY

Ms. CHENEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to William Strahan on the celebration of his 100th birthday. I join his friends and family in extending my best to him on this occasion and in celebrating his life and contributions to our great state and country. I hope he uses this momentous day to do the same. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to William Strahan on his birthday. May his year be filled with happiness and blessings.