Debbie Lesko

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone whose service and dedication to both myself and the State of Arizona are unmatched, Bobby Bravo. Bobby first came to work for me when I was serving in the Arizona State Legislature, and I was honored when he joined me on my congressional staff in Washington, D.C. My longest serving aide, Bobby is a hard worker with a commitment to advancing the policies and priorities that make our Nation and State great. A native of Mesa, Arizona, and a graduate of Arizona State University, Bobby never meets a stranger. Bobby is kind to everyone and treats everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their position or party affiliation. He always has a smile for anyone he comes in contact with. When I look back at my time in elected office, Bobby was such an important part of my journey, and I thank him for his service and commitment to me, our State, and our Nation. I greatly appreciate him.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of my staff, Daniel Stefanski, for his dedication and service to the constituents of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District. As Members of Congress, we know the importance of communicating our work to our constituents, and communications staffers are essential to this endeavor. Daniel joined my communications team after a career that included service to other Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the former Attorney General of Arizona. He is a dedicated professional who is committed to helping conservatives effectively communicate their policy priorities to the American people. Mr. Speaker, I thank Daniel for his hard work and dedication to me and to our team. As I leave Congress, I have no doubt Daniel will go on to do great things. I wish him nothing but the best in all of his future endeavors. I greatly appreciate him. Recognizing Bobby Bravo

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a member of my staff, Lou Hrkman, for his dedication and service to me and the constituents of Arizona's Eighth Congressional District. Lou joined my staff as my energy policy advisor and brought with him decades of experience in the energy space, including experience on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and at the Department of Energy under President Trump. Lou's expertise was key to my work on the Energy and Commerce Committee and his commitment to advancing sound energy policy was critical in the passage of my legislation, Hands Off Our Home Appliances and Save Our Gas Stoves Act this Congress. Mr. Speaker, as I leave Congress, I have no doubt Lou will go on to do great things as he continues his public service. I wish him nothing but the best in all of his endeavors. I appreciate him. Recognizing Daniel Stefanski

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her 20 years of public service in the U.S. House of Representatives. Not only is Cathy the first woman Congress Member in history to give birth three times while in office, she is also the first woman in history to become chairwoman of the powerful and influential Energy and Commerce Committee. In addition, Cathy served 6 years in leadership as the Republican Conference Chair. Cathy and her husband, Brian, and their three children attended the same D.C. church that Joe and I attended. I remember going out to lunch after church with them and having fun throwing snowballs with their kids. I will always remember Cathy giving Bibles to every member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, inviting me and others to Bible studies, and walking around the U.S. Capitol after votes praying with other Congress Members. Mr. Speaker, Cathy has made a difference in this world and in the people she has touched. May God continue to bless her and her family. She will be missed. Recognizing Lou Hrkman

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize my friend, Russell D. Smoldon, CEO of B3 Strategies. I first met Russell while serving in the Arizona State Legislature in 2009. At the time, Russell was the manager of government relations for Salt River Project (SRP), a major utility and water company in Arizona. Russell now runs his own company and has over 35 years of public policy experience focused on energy, water, environmental, taxation, healthcare, and economic development issues. Russell is a respected leader in Arizona and I believe just about everyone knows him and likes him. He serves on the board of the Arizona Tax Research Association (ATRA) and on the board of CrossRoads. Russell has also served in leadership positions with the Western Business Roundtable, the Greater Phoenix Urban League, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the National Conference of State Legislators' Advisory Council on Energy, and the National Tax Partnership. He also served as a member of the Arizona Supreme Court's Child Support Guidelines and Domestic Relations Committees and the Arizona Highway Users' Association, and has assisted numerous non-profit organizations, including the Arizona Trails Association. Russell is caring, fun-loving, funny, and knowledgeable. I have called on him for input on Arizona issues for many years. I thank Russell for his years of support and for all of the times he has provided me with valuable information and advice. Please know that I appreciate him. May God continue to Bless him and his family for years to come.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize my longtime friend and consultant, Chad Willems, for his years of service to me, our state, and our Nation. Chad Willems has managed hundreds of campaigns and public opinion surveys at both the local and national levels. His work has spanned various political offices, from school boards to members of Congress. Before establishing himself in Arizona, Willems was heavily involved in California politics, particularly as a grassroots organizer and political fundraiser. He also served as the Executive Director of the Adam Smith Institute, a conservative/libertarian think tank, before transitioning to consulting. Chad has been one of my closest confidants throughout my time in Congress and I am fortunate to have had his counsel during this important time. I cannot thank Chad enough for his commitment and dedication to me, my district, our state, and our Nation.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Arizona's 8th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Maricopa County Supervisor for District 4, Clint Hickman. Clint, a 4th-generation Arizonan, has served on the Board of Supervisors since March 21, 2013. He also is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Hickman's Family Farms, the largest egg producer in the southwest United States. Supervisor Hickman's experience running a business and his deep roots in the West Valley have guided his actions on the Board of Supervisors, leading the Counties' approach to fiscal responsibility and effective governance. He has been a valuable resource to his constituents and small businesses, and helped lead the county through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. I sincerely appreciate Clint's service to the 8th Congressional District, Maricopa County, and Arizona.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize my consultant, Brian Murray, for his years of service to me, our state, and our Nation. Prior to consulting, Brian worked on Capitol Hill for multiple members, including his last role as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Representative Rick Renzi. Brian also worked in the U.S. Senate as a staff member on the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space and on numerous statewide, congressional, and independent expenditure committees. Brian was essential in my quest to become a member of Congress and served as a confidant throughout my tenure. No matter the challenge, Brian was already ready to fight and guide me through even the most difficult of days. I cannot thank Brian enough for his commitment and dedication to me, my district, our state, and our Nation.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Harold and Inez Richards, who are wonderful, loving, patriotic constituents of mine that live in Sun City, Arizona. Hal and Inez's patriotism started years ago. Harold, also known as Hal, enlisted in the United States Air Force in May 1955. Inez and Hal, high school sweethearts, married in 1956. They raised two sons, Bruce and Eric, and like many military families, lived throughout the U.S. on military assignments. Hal's military career included serving as the personal pilot for the Iowa Army National Guard's Regiment Commander, graduating from fixed wing flight school as number one in his flight class, serving two tours in the Vietnam war, including as 1st lieutenant assigned to the 1st Cav's CH47 battalion, serving as Inspector General for the 1st Army Headquarters located at Fort Meade, MD, and serving as Professor of Military Science at Sam Houston State University before military retirement in 1984. After military retirement, Hal and Inez ran a successful business, owned by Inez, called EJR Enterprises that sold custom sportswear throughout the country. They ran the business until they moved to Arizona to take care of Hal's Uncle and Aunt and have been involved in the Luke Air Force Base Retired Officers Association and helping and supporting Arizona elected officials, like myself, ever since. I thank Hal and Inez Richards for their lifetime of dedication to our country and for their friendship and kindness to me. May God continue to Bless them now and in future years.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a community leader whose service and dedication to myself and the State of Arizona are unmatched: Lisa Gray, my friend. When I got elected to Congress in 2018, Lisa was my First District director and assisted me in opening the office. She did a great job. Through her time in my office, Lisa was committed to providing the best service to our constituents and played an active role in our community. Still to this day, Lisa is an active member of our community and currently serves as the general manager of the Sun City Homeowners Association. Lisa is a leader and advocate who fights for what she believes in. When I look back on my time in elected office, Lisa was such an important part of this journey, and I thank her for her service and commitment to our community and our country. Mr. Speaker, I thank Lisa, and I appreciate her.

Mrs. LESKO

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives has been an honor of a lifetime, very surreal. As someone said before, I think my colleague Greg Stanton from Arizona, over 31 years ago, I left an abusive ex-husband, and I had a little daughter. There were times when I had no money. I remember there was a time when I had no place to live. I went to see if I could get into a shelter, and it was full. To go from that, just trying to survive, to serving here shows you that God is good, and America is good. Going from that, to flying on Air Force One; to sitting in my apartment in Washington, D.C., and getting a call from the President of the United States, President Trump, from staying overnight and being invited to Camp David--which not too many people get to do--and to be one of only eight U.S. Congress Members to be selected by President Trump to serve on his impeachment defense team. Wow, just absolutely unbelievable. In the 6 years and almost 8 months that I have been here, I have been part of history. I experienced so much history that has never happened before. I served on the Judiciary Committee during both impeachments, but it went through committee on the first impeachment of President Trump. I saw firsthand how I thought it was so corrupt and politically motivated, and it disgusted me. I was so upset. I really studied hard. I studied all of the so-called evidence, and it was just a dark time in the United States. I was there when Robert Mueller came to Judiciary Committee to testify, and we all prepared and it was kind of really a surprise of how he testified and wasn't able to answer certain questions. I was here in Congress and lived through COVID when Speaker Pelosi mandated that we wear masks in all of the committees and on the floor; when Speaker Pelosi put metal detectors right outside of those doors and every single Member of Congress had to go through metal detectors as if we were some type of threat. I was here when Speaker Pelosi instituted proxy voting on the floor. It never been done before in the history of the United States; not through different diseases, not through wars, but we did it here. I joined in the lawsuit against it, thinking it was unconstitutional. I was here on January 6. That was just a crazy day. I have had one heck of a ride, one heck of a ride here, and I have met so many great people. Truly, I believe that the vast majority of Congress Members are good people, good people who want to make a difference in our lives. I have been able to help hundreds of constituents, and that is such a great feeling because they have come up to me, and some of these constituents have come up to me crying, saying: Debbie, you were able to help me. I was at my wit's end. I couldn't get my Social Security payment. I couldn't get my veteran benefit payment. Your office helped me. That is really satisfying to me. I was able to pass legislation. Not only was I a cosponsor of the big border bill securing the border and other great bills, but there were my own bills, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act and the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act, which were passed out of this House. I was able to serve on the prestigious Energy and Commerce Committee, the select subcommittee on COVID-19, the Judiciary Committee, the Rules Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. What an honor it has been. I also served on the whip team and on the steering committee where we would select which Republicans served on which committees and which Republicans served as chairman or ranking member on the committees. I have made a lot of great friends, some of them are here today, and I will never forget you. Now, it is time for me to move on. I have a great family at home. My mother is 95. My loving husband is home. I have three kids. I have six grandkids. I have a brother and a sister who all live within 20 minutes of my house. I am here in Washington, D.C., 60, 70 percent of the time. There is something wrong with that picture. As I leave, it is kind of bittersweet, but I am happy. I am happy I am going home, and I am happy I have had this experience of my lifetime. I will never regret it. I thank my constituents who have always put their trust in me, the voters in my district; President Trump, who has supported me; my staff that has worked in my congressional office either now or in the past and the staff here at the Capitol. You have been great people, and I won't forget it. Thank you, and God bless all of you as God has blessed me. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, this lady, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, is just an energizer bunny. Every place I go, she is there. I don't even know how she does it. I yield to a friend and fellow Energy and Commerce Committee colleague. I remember we were on a boat somewhere and flying through-- it was raining like heck, and I think she had a towel or something over her face. I don't know, but it was quite the experience. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I remember when Michelle came in, we shared someone that helped us with our campaign, and she said you need to meet Michelle. I met her, and I thought she was great, and I have ever since. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend and colleague from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach).

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, this is kind of overwhelming, but I will yield next to one of my friends and one of the ladies that sits next to me in our women's row over here, my friend and colleague from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie), my friend and colleague who serves on the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you very much, Morgan. I appreciate you. You always have a great legal mind, and I come to you for legal questions. You are a great person. Thank you.

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you very much, David. I greatly appreciate the friendship and the work we have done together. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani) my other Arizona colleague. Juan used to work for Governor Ducey, and that is how I met him. He is such a great Member of Congress, and I am so happy he got reelected because he is in a tough swing district.

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you very much, Diana. I greatly appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), my colleague who is sitting to my left, who I have known for a long time, too. I went to your wedding reception, I think.

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you very much, Andy. Congressman Biggs, you are a great friend. Thank you so much. We will be working many years together. I am going to keep calling you. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger). Diana and I sit with each other in the women's row. And sometimes guys want to, you know, infiltrate, and we kick them out.

Mrs. LESKO. Don't make me cry, Andy.

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you so much, Juan. I am going to be calling you when I need help from the county. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith), my friend and colleague who is on the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I serve as his vice chair on the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce.

Mrs. LESKO. Thank you so much, Representative Stanton. I greatly appreciate the words. I will tell Joe, as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), my friend and colleague who I have known for many years.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gosar for his remarks. It means so much to me. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton), another colleague.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve in these sacred Halls of the U.S. House of Representatives. Part of that great honor is to serve with fantastic colleagues, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar), my great colleague.

Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to submit extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.