Richard Hudson

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 690.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 686 and YEA on Roll Call No. 687

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize City Councilman Alfred M. Brown Jr. on nearly two decades of service to the City of Concord, North Carolina. I've known Councilman Brown for many years, and throughout this time I have considered him a good friend. A lifelong Concord resident, Councilman Brown attended Concord High School and went on to attend the Citadel. After his time at the Citadel Councilman Brown worked at the Concord Telephone Company and Windstream for over forty years in the OSP Engineering Department where he gained valuable experience that enabled him as Councilman to help shape the City of Concord into the wonderful place it is today. Over the years, Councilman Brown has been very active in our community as an active member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, delegate to the Cabarrus-Rowan MPO Transportation Advisory Committee and a board member of the Concord-Kannapolis Transit System Authority. As you can tell, Councilman Brown lives to serve his community. Residing in Concord, he has two children and has shown himself to be a consummate family man. I am extremely grateful for Councilman Brown's service to our community and I wish him continued success. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring City Councilman Alfred M. Brown Jr. for his service to the City of Concord.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor J. Scott Padgett for his more than two decades of service to the City of Concord, North Carolina. I've known and worked with Mayor Padgett more than 20 years, and he's someone I've always considered a friend and partner when it came to helping the citizens of Concord. A longtime resident of Concord, Mayor Padgett received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University, a Master of Education Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and an Advanced Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mayor Padgett has spent most of his life as a public servant. Before he was elected to public office he served as the principal at Beverly Hills Elementary School in Concord and as a member of the Concord Planning and Zoning Commission. As part of the Planning and Zoning Commission, he gained valuable experience that helped him shape the City of Concord into the wonderful place it is today when he was elected to the Concord City Council and eventually elected as Mayor. Over the years, Mayor Padgett has been very active in our community, receiving multiple awards for his service. He has served on the boards of North Carolina League of Municipalities, N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, Cabarrus Boys & Girls Club, Cabarrus Bank & Trust, and the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, while also being an active member of the Concord Rotary Club, and participant in the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Mayor Padgett received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce, and has been honored with the Order of The Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a North Carolinian. As you can tell, Mayor Padgett's servant heart never stops, no matter the day or time. Residing in Concord with his wife, Teresa, he has one son and three grandchildren. Mayor Padgett has shown immense dedication to his career and his family over the years. I am extremely grateful for Mayor Padgett's service to our community and I wish him continued success in his well-deserved retirement. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Mayor J. Scott Padgett for his service to the City of Concord.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize City Councilman Lamar Barrier on over two decades of service to the City of Concord, North Carolina. I've known Councilman Barrier for many years and I consider him to be a good friend. Growing up in Concord, Councilman Barrier attended Concord High School. He went on to graduate from the Kentucky College of Mortuary Science and has been a Funeral Service Practitioner at Wilkinson Funeral Home for over thirty years. Councilman Barrier stood ready to answer the call by proudly serving his country during the Vietnam Era. Over the years, Councilman Barrier has been very active in our community by supporting the Cabarrus County Boys and Girls Club, Concord High School Athletic Boosters Club, CVAN, and Cabarrus 4-H. In addition, he has served on the boards of Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, and Community Health Centers at McGill and Logan. As you can tell, Councilman Barrier's servant heart never stops, no matter the day or time. Residing in Concord, he and his wife, Christine, have two daughters and two grandchildren. I am extremely grateful for Councilman Barrier's service to our community and I wish him continued success. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring City Councilman Lamar Barrier for his service to the City of Concord.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Martin Truex, Jr. on winning the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship in historic fashion. The journey to Martin Truex Jr's success came with a lot of adversity, both on the track and in Martin's personal life. On the personal side, Martin and his partner, Sherry Pollex, faced one of life's toughest challenges when Sherry was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer three years ago. Sherry has faced this challenge with the heart of a champion. She's continued to fight this dreaded disease even when it returned earlier this year, and Sherry has used her personal battle as an opportunity to advocate for cancer patients everywhere through her work with the Martin Truex, Jr. Foundation and SherryStrong.org. She has inspired millions through her work, and as Martin will tell you, Sherry is the true champion in their family. On the track, Martin has faced his own adversity. In 2013, through no fault of his own, Martin ended up losing his ride. Instead of giving up, Martin turned this setback into an opportunity--he landed on his feet at Furniture Row Racing and became a champion four short years later. Martin is a champion on the track and in life. Today I have the honor of congratulating Martin Truex, Jr. on winning of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship, and I can't think of anyone who deserves this victory more than him. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring a true champion in every sense of the word, Martin Truex, Jr.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, let me tell you a story. It is a story about an African-American single mother, two kids, living in south Philly. After twice being the victim of muggings, she decides to go out and legally purchase a firearm to protect herself, gets trained with her weapon, and applies for a concealed carry permit. Sometime thereafter, she crossed the State line into New Jersey and, at a routine traffic stop, did exactly as she was trained; handed her driver's license and her concealed carry permit to the police officer and let him know that she had a pistol in her purse. What she didn't know is that the State of New Jersey doesn't recognize the concealed carry permits of their neighbor in Pennsylvania. And so this poor single mother, who has never had a brush with the law, spent almost 50 days in jail and was looking at 10 years in prison. Are you serious? We have to make sure that never happens again. The other side today is going to argue that we are violating States' rights with this legislation; but Article IV, section 1, the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution, says very clearly that every State should give the full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings and documents of every other State, and that Congress has a responsibility to determine how those documents will be recognized. That is why a driver's license is recognized in every State. That is why, if I get married in North Carolina but I move to Arizona, I am not a single man again. They recognize that marriage. That is why divorce decrees are recognized in every State. The concealed carry permit should be recognized the same way. But this is not trampling States' rights, because States can still determine what can be carried, where it can be carried. They can set any kind of limits they want about how weapons are carried in their municipalities or their States. For example, if you visit the State of New York, they have a limit on the size of a magazine on a pistol. You have got to follow that law. If they want to set restrictions about places where you can't carry, even with this legislation, that law would have to be followed. The States retain this right, just like a driver's license. The other side is also going to stand up and claim all kinds of doomsday scenarios about how we are going to increase crime; we are going to increase the number of weapons out there; we are going to turn the cities into the Wild West. I find it ironic that we are being lectured to by people from big cities with a lot of gun control measures but have some of the worst crime in the Nation. They are worried about people coming from other places where we don't have crime. I think that is ironic. But the truth is, over half the States already recognize permits from every other State; 19 States, in fact, already do this. States and municipalities, as I mentioned, retain the right to restrict where guns are carried in their communities, even under this legislation. And if you look at the empirical evidence, places where you have concealed carry, even constitutional carry, when you instituted this right, violent crime went down. Gun crime went down. You have seen less crime, not more crime. There was actually a study done in Florida and Texas, and it showed that off-duty police officers commit crimes more than concealed carry permit holders. Think about that. Police officers don't commit crimes very often, but even they commit crimes more than concealed carry permit holders. These are not the people we are worried about. These are not the violent criminals that we are worried about in our cities. This is a commonsense measure that upholds our constitutional right. It makes sure that a law-abiding citizen, trying to do the right thing, doesn't become a criminal simply because they cross that line. So for every freedom-loving American who exercises their Second Amendment right, today is your day. To the 73 percent of Americans who support concealed carry, today is your day. To the 15 million concealed carry permit holders out there, today is your day. And finally, to the single mothers out there who just want to protect themselves and their families, today is your day. I thank the chairman for his leadership on this. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense legislation.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 636.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3369, a bill recognizing the life and legacy of Howard B. Pate, Jr., by naming the Spring Lake, North Carolina, Post Office in his honor. Born in Bladen County, North Carolina, in 1925, Mr. Pate first moved to Spring Lake, a town in the Eighth Congressional District I am proud to represent, where his father was stationed at Fort Bragg. Being from a military family, when the United States entered World War II, Mr. Pate answered the call to serve his country and continued his service as a member of the North Carolina National Guard until 1952. After finishing his military service, Mr. Pate assumed the position of Spring Lake's postmaster. He served in this position for 30 years, until his retirement in 1982. After retiring, Mr. Pate remained active in the community as a member of many civic organizations, including being named town historian in 1994, a post he held for more than two decades. For all his efforts, the local Chamber of Commerce named their Volunteer of the Year award after Mr. Pate. The town of Spring Lake unanimously adopted a resolution to dedicate their post office in honor of Mr. Howard Pate, Jr., because there was never a person who embodied the spirit of the community more than he. Sadly, Mr. Pate passed away 1 year ago yesterday, on November 14, 2016. On the first anniversary of his passing, I can think of no better way to honor his respected life than to name the post office after him in a town he loved and where he lived and served most of his life. As any Spring Lake resident will tell you, Mr. Pate was not only a pillar of our community, but also a cherished friend. He worked tirelessly to ensure we kept a strong grip on our past while making Spring Lake a better place for future generations. It is my honor to make sure he will always be a part of our legacy in the future by naming the Spring Lake Post Office in his honor.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Windmueller. LTC Windmueller's work ethic took him to the highest ranks of the military, serving as Deputy Chief for Combat Developments, G8, at U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and his current assignment as a Strategic Planner, J5, Joint Special Operations Command where he deployed in support of Operation Uprise Giant. LTC Windmueller received a Bachelors of Science in Biology from The Citadel and a Masters of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. In addition, he trained at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, where he served as the Chief of Special Forces Doctrine in the Directorate of Training and Doctrine. Deployed on numerous operational assignments around the globe and through some of our nation's toughest times, LTC Windmueller stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Some of his most notable engagements took place during his assignment to 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group. During this assignment he served as the Commanding Officer of a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha, with deployments to Kosovo and Iraq in support of Operations Joint Guardian and Iraqi Freedom, and commanded the Group Mountain Operations Training Detachment. Throughout these operations, he delivered on the promise to keep America safe and confront our enemies head on under the most difficult conditions. During these deployments, LTC Windmueller received numerous medals, including the Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Joint Service Achievement, Army Achievement, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Kosovo Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Afghanistan Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. These medals are a testimony to his monumental success in safe-guarding America. While fighting our nation's battles overseas, LTC Windmueller had a full family at home. His wife, Laura, and he have three wonderful children. This country cannot repay the debt we owe to LTC Windmueller and his family. The Windmuellers are true American heroes. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the career of Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Windmueller.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on this day because I was attending the memorial service for the 3rd Special Forces Group soldiers who were recently killed in action while serving in Niger. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 610, 611; nay on Roll Call No. 612, 613; yea on Roll Call No. 614, and 615.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, who was killed in action on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 while defending our nation as part of the 3rd Special Forces Group in Africa. SSG Black was a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man. Enlisting in the United States Army in September of 2009, SSG Black's list of accomplishments runs long. After attending Special Forces Assessment and Selection program, he earned his Green Beret and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. He received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Men and women like SSG Black represent the best our nation has to offer. As a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, he had undergone some of the most intense training our military has and emerged as a leader and role model. His selflessness allows us to enjoy the blessings of liberty that have persevered for well over 200 years. When his country needed him most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Leaving behind a wife and two sons, our country can never repay the debt we owe to SSG Black. He was a model citizen and soldier whose legacy will live on forever. He will always be remembered and I will do everything in my power to honor his sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Staff Sergeant Bryan C. Black for his service to God and country.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson, who was killed in action on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 while defending our nation as part of the 3rd Special Forces Group in Africa. SFC Johnson was a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man. Enlisting in the United States Army in October of 2007, SFC Johnson's list of accomplishments runs long. He received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Men and women like SFC Johnson represent the best our nation has to offer. As a Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Specialist, he had undergone some of the most specialized training in our military and emerged as a leader and role model. His selflessness allows us to enjoy the blessings of liberty that have persevered for well over 200 years. When his country needed him most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Leaving behind a wife and two girls, our country can never repay the debt we owe to SFC Johnson. He was a model citizen and soldier whose legacy will live on forever. He will always be remembered and I will do everything in my power to honor his sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson for his service to God and country.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright, who was killed in action on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 while defending our nation as part of the 3rd Special Forces Group in Africa. SSG Wright was a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man. Enlisting in the United States Army in July of 2012, SSG Wright's list of accomplishments runs long. After attending Special Forces Assessment and Selection program, he earned his Green Beret and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. He received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Men and women like SSG Wright represent the best our nation has to offer. As a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant, he had undergone some of the most intense training our military has and emerged as a leader and role model. His selflessness allows us to enjoy the blessings of liberty that have persevered for well over 200 years. When his country needed him most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Our country can never repay the debt we owe to SSG Wright. He was a model citizen and soldier whose legacy will live on forever. He will always be remembered and I will do everything in my power to honor his sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright for his service to God and country.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Sergeant La David T. Johnson, who was killed in action on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 while defending our nation as part of the 3rd Special Forces Group in Africa. SGT Johnson was a true American hero and our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family as they mourn the loss of this great man. Enlisting in the United States Army in January of 2014, SGT Johnson's list of accomplishments runs long. After completion of Advanced Individual Training, earning the Military occupational specialty 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. He received numerous medals, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Men and women like SGT Johnson represent the best our nation has to offer. His selflessness allows us to enjoy the blessings of liberty that have persevered for well over 200 years. When his country needed him most, he stood ready to answer the call to serve our great nation. Survived by a loving family, our country can never repay the debt we owe to SGT Johnson. He was a model citizen and soldier whose legacy will live on forever. He will always be remembered and I will do everything in my power to honor his sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Sergeant La David T. Johnson for his service to God and country.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 304) to amend the Controlled Substances Act with regard to the provision of emergency medical services, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Earl Wright for receiving the Moore County Man of the Year Award in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. This award is presented by the Moore County Community Foundation to an individual who has exhibited selflessness and a humble desire to serve their community. Mr. Wright earned this award by starting Project Santa, which refurbishes bicycles to distribute to thousands of children on Christmas Day each year. Project Santa started out 22 years ago as a small side-project with only 17 bikes, and has now grown exponentially into a military-sized operation that will distribute some 1,600 bikes this Christmas. As you can see, much like the real Saint Nick, Mr. Wright works year-round to deliver joy to children each Christmas. Mr. Wright has shown the recipients of these bikes--and the community at large--what it means to truly serve and give to those who need it most. My hope is people will see what Mr. Wright has done for his community and replicate his ambition to help their fellow man. I am extremely grateful for Mr. Wright's service to our community and I wish him continued success. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Earl Wright for his service to our community and being named the Moore County Man of the Year.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Konni McMurray for receiving the Moore County Woman of the Year Award. This award is presented by the Moore County Community Foundation to an individual who has exhibited selflessness and a humble desire to serve their community. Mrs. McMurray earned this award by putting others before herself and for her decades of service to Moore County. Originally from a suburb of Kansas City, Konni moved to Moore County in 1989 with her husband, Brian. Currently she is the Vice President of McMurray Fabrics in Aberdeen and Atex Technologies in Pinebluff. Mr. and Mrs. McMurray have provided hundreds of good-paying jobs to the community over the years, but despite her business success, Konni still finds time to support numerous local service organizations. She has served on the Boards of The O'Neal School, the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills, and Sandhills Community College, just to name a few. Konni has also been a tireless advocate for the less fortunate animals in Moore County through her leadership with the Moore County Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)--when she can't find a foster home for a pet in need, she's been known to foster the animals personally. Konni and her husband, Brian, have four amazing children, and she's instilled the same servant's heart in all of them. I am extremely grateful to count Konni McMurray as a friend, and I know everyone in Moore County is even more grateful for her service and leadership to our community. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Konni McMurray for being named the Moore County Woman of the Year.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ben Rose on nearly a decade of service to North Carolina's 8th District as Cabarrus County Department of Social Services Director. Originally from Raleigh, Ben received his undergraduate degree in biology at Campbell University and went on to finish his Master's in social work at Tulane University. Since finishing school, he has applied his education to community service and helping those who need it most. Ben has been an integral part of helping me assist our shared constituents and provide them with the best services possible. Over the years, Ben has dedicated his life to furthering the state of North Carolina. He has served on the boards of the North Carolina Association of County Social Services Directors, Cabarrus County Mental Health Advisory, Cabarrus County Transportation Advisory, Cabarrus County Conflict Resolution and Teen Court, Cabarrus Literacy Council, and on the Advisory Board of the State Employees Credit Union. As you can see, Ben's servant heart never stops, no matter the day or time. Residing in North Carolina, he and his wife, Brenda, have one daughter. Ben has shown immense dedication to his career and his family over the years. I am extremely grateful for Ben's service to our community and I wish him continued success. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Ben Rose for his service to our community.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 540.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained and missed a vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 491. Amendment No. 77 Offered by Mr. Norman

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to Chairman Frelinghuysen and Interior Subcommittee Chairman Calvert for their strong leadership and good work on this legislation and to thank them for this opportunity to speak today. I rise to advocate on behalf of the U.S. national forests and their upkeep, specifically through the capital improvements and maintenance program. This program provides funding to pave our national forest roads, such as those within the Uwharrie National Forest located in my district. Each year, the U.S. Forest Service is given funding to maintain roadways across our Nation. While they do their best to sustain roadways and trail access points, they can only do so much with the resources they are given. These roadways are an integral part of ensuring critical public access to our U.S. forestlands. Unfortunately, many of our national forest roadways have become severely eroded from travel, age, and the elements. The erosion has created problems for those who visit the Uwharrie National Forest as well as those who access these roads to travel to and from their homes. First responders have also not been able to reach residents in emergencies due to road conditions in recent years, causing major safety risks for people who live along these roads. I emphasize this is more than just a headache for these residents, it is a real safety issue. I have seen roads firsthand after storms, and there is no way fire trucks and ambulances can access these roads in their current condition, and I believe it is completely unacceptable. I have been advocating on behalf of the Uwharrie National Forest since my first term in Congress, and I will continue to engage with local, State, and Federal stakeholders on this issue. I appreciate Chairman Calvert's attention to this issue and his support for the Capital Improvement and Maintenance program. I look forward to working together with the chairman to find a long-term solution to this issue.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Eric Sossoman for his 28 years of service with the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District. Growing up in Cabarrus County, Sergeant Sossoman always had a profound sense of duty to his hometown. In 1989, he began his career at the Sheriff's Department, starting in communications the very day Hurricane Hugo ripped through our state. Since then, Sergeant Sossoman has held many positions with the Sheriff's Department, including the Civil Division where he became the Department's first Social Services officer, the Crime Prevention Division, Recruitment and Retention Division and as a member of the SWAT team. Throughout his career, Sergeant Sossoman has exhibited unwavering commitment to our community and we are fortunate to have had him as a leader for all these years. Some of the many notable accomplishments during his career include bringing back the Crime Stoppers program, which was so successful that he was named the President of the North Carolina Association of Crime Stoppers, and coordinating the county's annual Law Day, which honors fallen officers from Cabarrus County, the state and nationwide. It is my hope that Sergeant Sossoman will enjoy his retirement and remain a role model for all those he helped over the years. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring the career of Sergeant Eric Sossoman for his service to our community. We all wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life in retirement.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marjorie ``Margie'' Benbow on her recent appointment to the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges and the North Carolina Community College Board of Trustees. I've known Margie for many years, and believe she will make an excellent addition to these boards. Educated in North Carolina, Ms. Benbow graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and went on to receive both her Juris Doctor and Masters of Business Administration from Wake Forest University. Since finishing school, she has applied her education to community service and helping those who need it most. Over the years, Ms. Benbow has dedicated her life to furthering the state of North Carolina. Currently practicing law at Moretz & Skufca, Ms. Benbow focuses on technology transfer, licensing, corporate matters and distillery & brewery law while simultaneously serving on the Rowan- Cabarrus College Board of Trustees. Prior to her legal work, she served as Science and Technology Officer for the state's fourth-largest hospital system and as the Executive Director for the region's North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Ms. Benbow has served in nearly every leadership role imaginable. She served on the boards of the NC School of Science and Math, NC Sustainable Energy Association, Charlotte Ventureprise, NC Motorsports Foundation, Institute of Political Leadership, Charlotte Area Science Network and Leadership North Carolina. Ms. Benbow is an excellent nomination to the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. Her dedication to North Carolina earned her a spot as one of Charlotte's 50 Most Influential Women and one of Charlotte USA's 20 Most Dynamic Women. I am extremely grateful for Ms. Benbow's service to our community and I wish her continued success. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Marjorie Benbow on her appointment to the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges and the North Carolina Community College Board of Trustees.

Mr. HUDSON

Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tad Davis for his years of service to our community upon his appointment as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment at the Department of Defense. Mr. Davis has admirably and faithfully served citizens across North Carolina's 8th Congressional District for decades. I had the privilege of working hand-in-hand with Mr. Davis when he was Garrison Commander of Fort Bragg, the epicenter of the universe and the nation's largest military installation. During those years, he was a fantastic steward of Fort Bragg's resources and helped lead the charge for much-needed modernization and expansion at the base. Over the last two years, Mr. Davis has served as the Town Manager of the town of Spring Lake, North Carolina. During his tenure, Mr. Davis assisted the Board of Alderman and Mayor Chris Rey in reestablishing sound financial management procedures, led the Town's preparation for and response to several natural disasters, most notably Hurricane Matthew, and worked closely with a multitude of state and local organizations, local businesses, Fort Bragg/Pope Army Air Field, non- profits, churches and the citizens of Spring, Lake to make the town truly a great place to live, work, play and worship. Tad is also known as a pillar of the community. Despite the long hours he put in as Town Manager, he was still heavily engaged with a host of local community organizations, including the Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation Board of Directors; the Regional Land Use Advisory Commission Board of Directors, the Sustainable Sandhills Board of Directors, FAMPO, the Cape Fear Regional Theater, the Fayetteville Symphony, the Sandhills Family Heritage Association, the Arts Council, Cumberland County Schools, the Sons of the American Revolution, AUSA, MOAA, and American Legion Post 230. Tad Davis has amassed an outstanding military and professional career serving people without seeking personal acclaim or recognition--I think it's only fitting that we honor Mr. Davis from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today. Tad's leadership will be missed in Cumberland County and the 8th District, but our country will benefit from his new role at the Pentagon under Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Mr. Speaker, please join me today in recognizing the nomination of Tad Davis for his years of service to Spring Lake and our community, and his appointment to the Pentagon.