Greg Pence

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ginger Bradford of Ripley County, Indiana. Ginger served as the Republican County Chairwoman of Ripley County. She committed her time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for her service. A dedicated public servant, Ginger currently serves Ripley County as county clerk. She is also a fervent leader and volunteer in her community, often the first to volunteer her time and always willing to help at a moment's notice. Finally, I have gotten to know Ginger over the last four years, and I am grateful for her friendship. I thank Ginger Bradford.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles Waggoner of Jennings County, Indiana. Charles served as the Republican County Vice Chairman of Jennings County. He committed his time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for his service. Not only is Charles a successful businessman, he is also a fervent leader and volunteer in his community. Charles is actively engaged in civic and community endeavors, often the first to volunteer his time and always willing to help at a moment's notice. Finally, I have gotten to know Charles over the last four years, and I am grateful for his friendship. I thank Charles Waggoner.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Thatcher of Dearborn County, Indiana. Jim served as the Republican County Chairman of Dearborn County. He committed his time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for his service. A dedicated public servant, Jim also serves Dearborn County as a commissioner and sits on the Planning Commission and Board of Community Mental Health. Jim is a member of the Bright Lions Club, the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Cincinnati, and the Southeastern Indiana Shrine Club. Finally, I have gotten to know Jim over the last four years, and I am grateful for his friendship. I thank Jim Thatcher.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Celeste Calvitto of Dearborn County, Indiana. Celeste served as the Republican County Vice Chairwoman of Dearborn County. She committed her time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for her service. Not only is Celeste a successful businesswoman, she is also a fervent leader and volunteer in her community. She founded the Dearborn County Anti-Litter Initiative, the One Dearborn Economic Development organization, is a member of the Highpoint Health Foundation Board, and sponsors the annual Mardi Gras Ball to benefit the Children's Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana. Finally, I have gotten to know Celeste over the last four years, and I am grateful for her friendship. I thank Celeste.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Vivian Himelick of Fayette County, Indiana. Vivian served as the Republican County Chairwoman of Fayette County. She committed her time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for her service. Not only is Vivian a successful businesswoman, she is also a fervent leader and volunteer in her community. Vivian is actively engaged in civic and community endeavors, often the first to volunteer her time and always willing to help at a moment's notice. Finally, I have gotten to know Vivian over the last four years, and I am grateful for her friendship. I thank Vivian Himelick.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeanie Hahn of Jennings County, Indiana. Jeanie served as the Republican County Chairwoman of Jennings County. She committed her time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for her service. Jeanie is actively engaged in civic and community endeavors, often the first to volunteer her time and always willing to help at a moment's notice. She is a passionate social worker and has dedicated her life to helping victims of domestic violence. Finally, Jeanie has become a dear friend over the last four years, and I am grateful for her friendship. I thank Jeanie Hahn.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Nicole VanNote of Randolph County, Indiana. Nicole has dedicated her service to improving her community and helping get conservative officials elected. I want to thank Nicole for serving in the role of Randolph County Republican Vice-Chair. Nicole has helped move the conservative agenda forward, and I appreciate all the work she has done for her community and her support.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Barbara Hackman of my hometown of Columbus, Indiana. Barb served as the Republican County Chairwoman of Bartholomew County for eight years. She committed her time, talents and energy to the Sixth Congressional District and the rest of the Hoosier state. I am grateful for her service. Barb is always willing to lend a helping hand to her community, but her priority is her family--her husband of 45 years, their daughters, and six beautiful grandchildren. Finally, Barb is a dear friend to the Pence family. We are all grateful for her friendship throughout the years.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bryer Hall of East Central High school for becoming the 170-pound Indiana State Wrestling Champion. Wrapping up his astonishing 38-0 season record, Bryer won all four of his state competition matches by pinfall, becoming only one of nine in Indiana wrestling history to have done so. Having placed runner-up in the state final last year, Bryer is a true example that hard work and dedication pay off. I congratulate Bryer, he has made the Sixth District proud.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of my friend and fellow Hoosier, Ronnie Mohr. Ronnie was a 1966 graduate from Hancock Central High School before receiving a degree at Purdue and then serving in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam war. Ronnie was a pillar in the Greenfield community and a well-respected farmer across the State. He was also a member of my Agricultural Advisory Board on top of being a member of the Indiana Corn Growers Association, Hancock County Sheriff's Merit Board, NineStar Connect Board, and Hancock County Drainage Board. My thoughts are with his wife, Sarah; his three children; and his 10 grandchildren. Ronnie's legacy will live on forever. Columbus, Indiana's Bicentennial

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of my hometown, Columbus, Indiana's bicentennial. For 200 years, Columbus has been a vibrant community sitting between Indianapolis and Louisville. Today, it is world renowned for its modern and contemporary architecture. It has been my home for my entire life, and I am proud to be serving my hometown community. Happy 200th birthday to Columbus, Indiana. Congratulating Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, on her retirement. Secretary Lawson is a true public servant who dedicated her life to helping Hoosiers. Having served 32 years in public office, Connie was a champion for secure elections and the first woman to serve as majority floor leader in the Indiana Senate. Mr. Speaker, I thank Secretary Lawson for all the work she has done for the State of Indiana, and I wish her good luck on her future endeavors. Mount Suribachi

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the Battle of Iwo Jima and the taking of Mount Suribachi. On February 23, 1945, U.S. Marines were battling the Japanese to gain control of Iwo Jima. It was that day that Mount Suribachi was captured and the flag was raised for all to see. The Battle of Iwo Jima would become the deadliest battle in the United States Marine Corps history. Having visited Iwo Jima during my service, I will always remember those sacrifices of my fellow marines. Semper Fi. God bless the Marine Corps and the United States. Oorah. Democrats' Latest COVID Bill

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the Democrats' newest proposal is, yet again, a political statement rather than a sincere effort at COVID relief. Last year's CARES Act distributed money mainly by State population, but much of the $220 billion for States in the new bill will be allocated based on average unemployment over the 3-month period ending in December. In other words, States who fought COVID-19, took care of their small businesses, and helped their citizens stay afloat during the pandemic by being open are receiving less funds. Meanwhile, leftwing States-- like New York, Illinois, and California--are getting rewarded for crushing small businesses. Relief for hardworking Americans must be bipartisan, and it must be fair, end of story. March Madness

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Indiana on hosting March Madness this year. We are going to have divisions I, II, and III all over the State. We owe this opportunity and achievement to Governor Holcomb and his great work leading our State through our fight with COVID. With our Nation's eyes upon the Hoosier State, our deep-rooted history with basketball will be well-represented. Congratulations to the NCAA and Indiana. It is sure to be an extraordinary tournament.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to Congratulate the Ball State Cardinals football team on being the 2020 MAC Champions and for winning the Arizona Bowl. This team made Ball State history by winning their first ever bowl game. Roaring out of the gates, the Cardinals scored 27 points in the first quarter alone before nabbing a decisive 34-13 victory over AP No. 19 San Jose St. The Arizona Bowl caps a seven-game win streak and will make the 2020 football season a historic one for the Ball State Cardinals. Congratulations to head coach Mike Neu and the entire football team for their tremendous accomplishments this year. They have made us all proud.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give thanks to a dedicated public servant who has for two decades served the people of eastern Indiana with great care and devotion. As she now retires with twenty years of service, I want to offer my wholehearted thanks to Karrie Pardieck for all that she has done for me, my predecessors and for Hoosiers across eastern Indiana. Karrie Pardieck was first hired by my brother, Vice President Mike Pence, when he was elected to what was then the Second Congressional District of Indiana. As the Second became the Sixth, Karrie earned a reputation of putting Hoosier constituents first. My staff knows that we have no higher priority than constituent services, and Karrie has been on the front lines of ensuring that Hoosiers were taken care of and their voices were being heard. Undoubtedly Karrie has handled many thousands of cases in her area of expertise. In just the last two years alone, Karrie opened federal inquiries on behalf of more than 225 Sixth District Hoosiers. Time and again, I have heard from constituents who needed help with Social Security Retirement, Disability and Medicare. Many have reached out or sent letters saying that Karrie would always lead with a servant's heart, an eye for detail and a can-do attitude. My immediate predecessor, Congressman Luke Messer, said upon the occasion of his retirement from this body stated that Karrie ``made our office a better place to work, and she is a valuable member of our team.'' For twenty years Karrie Pardieck has made this office better. For twenty years, she has been a valuable member of the Sixth District team. As she now closes this chapter and departs from public service, I join my predecessors and the many lives she has touched as a Constituent Services Representative for Indiana's Sixth Congressional District in wishing Karrie Pardieck a joyous retirement. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for rollcall votes No. 242 and No. 243 on Thursday, December 10, 2020 because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on S. 906, Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, RC No. 242, and ``yea'' on H.R. 5040, AIR Safety Act of 2020, RC No. 243. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 965, 116th congress Barragan (Beyer) Bera (Aguilar) Bonamici (Clark (MA)) Boyle, Brendan F. (Jeffries) Brownley (CA) (Clark (MA)) Cardenas (Cisneros) Cohen (Beyer) Costa (Cooper) Cunningham (Murphy (FL)) Dean (Scanlon) DeSaulnier (Matsui) Deutch (Rice (NY)) Doggett (Raskin) Engel (Pallone) Frankel (Clark (MA)) Garamendi (Sherman) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Hastings (Wasserman Schultz) Jayapal (Raskin) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Kim (Davids (KS)) Kind (Beyer) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Kuster (NH) (Clark (MA)) Lamb (Panetta) Langevin (Lynch) Larson (CT) (Cicilline) Lawson (FL) (Demings) Lieu, Ted (Beyer) Lofgren (Jeffries) Lowenthal (Beyer) Lowey (Tonko) McEachin (Wexton) Meng (Clark (MA)) Moore (Beyer) Mucarsel-Powell(Wasserman Schultz) Nadler (Jeffries) Napolitano (Correa) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Wasserman Schultz) Peters (Kildee) Peterson (Craig) Pingree (Cicilline) Pocan (Raskin) Porter (Wexton) Price (NC) (Butterfield) Richmond (Butterfield) Rouda (Aguilar) Roybal-Allard (Garcia (TX)) Ruiz (Dingell) Rush (Underwood) Schneider (Casten (IL)) Schrier (DelBene) Serrano (Jeffries) Titus (Connolly) Tlaib (Dingell) Trahan (McGovern) Vargas (Correa) Velazquez (Clarke (NY)) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I am not recorded for roll call vote No. 239 on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on H.R. 8354, Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act. This bill would create the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Justice Department. As a United States Marine, I am strongly committed to providing for our national defense and taking care of the men and women who sacrificed everything for our freedom.

Mr. PENCE

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of the Coronavirus Task Force, appointed by President Trump and led by my brother, Vice President Mike Pence. Vice President Mike Pence has led doctors, scientists, manufacturers, elected leaders, and others as they work hard to develop therapeutics and deliver hope for the American people. Under the leadership of Vice President Pence and medical experts, Operation Warp Speed has been a historic success. We now have two vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna at 90 and 95 percent effectiveness. Companies like Lilly have developed an effective antibody. Our scientists are making history. To not recognize this achievement is an insult to the tens of thousands of people who have been working day and night to battle this pandemic. COVID-19 has gripped our Nation and our world, but under the leadership of President Trump and Vice President Pence, and the hard work of those on the front lines, we are on the path to recovery. God bless those who have dedicated so much of their time and energy to helping their fellow man. Honoring K-9 Officer Diesel

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen K-9 officer in my hometown of Columbus, Indiana. Bartholomew County's own K-9 officer Diesel died in the line of duty this weekend while he was in pursuit of a dangerous criminal. Diesel helped our Columbus officers find dangerous narcotics and search for suspects who had fled from the police. This is important work. Our community has come together to express condolences for this hero with flowers, notes, and even toys on the K-9 handler's car at the sheriff's office. Our law enforcement community is the thin blue line that protects our friends and loved ones from danger, and we are forever grateful to the heroes who sacrifice everything to ensure our safety. Thanking Indiana's Sixth District

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation to the Hoosiers of Indiana's Sixth District. They have sent me to Washington again to represent them in Congress. It is an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility. In my first term, my team and I focused on delivering quality constituent services, and we will continue to work hard for you in the next term. The Sixth District of Indiana is my home and always will be, and it is my honor to serve you in Congress and bring Hoosier values to this Nation's capital. Congratulating Ryobi Die Casting USA

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ryobi Die Casting USA of Shelbyville, Indiana, on being named the General Motors Supplier of the Year. The Supplier of the Year award is chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and logistics executives. Hoosier manufacturing plays a major role in our local economy as well as the global economy, and Hoosiers rely on the manufacturing industry for good-paying jobs in my district. Congratulations to Ryobi Die Casting USA for this tremendous achievement, and keep up the good work. Commemorating 125th Anniversary of NineStar Connect

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 125th anniversary of NineStar Connect. In 1895, Loren Helms of McCordsville, Indiana, established the very first telephone in the community and created the company we know today as NineStar Connect. With headquarters in the Sixth District, NineStar provides rural broadband to communities all over my Hoosier State. It is my pleasure to recognize this Greenfield-based company for their contributions to our community. Thank you to the great team at NineStar, and congratulations on 125 years. Congratulating Batesville FFA Skillathon Team

Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Batesville FFA Skillathon Team for winning the Indiana State 4-H title. All four members of the team scored in the top 10 for individual competitors, earning them the team State title, a big accomplishment. Congratulations to Anna, Onika, Shalee, and Blake on all their hard work and dedication to the agriculture community. This group has made the Sixth District proud.