Heath Shuler

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor several of the volunteers who have served in my District office over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide excellent constituent services and these volunteers have assisted my staff in providing the exceptional assistance so many have come to expect from our District team. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. These volunteers have always treated our constituents with the utmost respect and always made sure their needs were met in a timely fashion. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown to me during my years of service in Congress. Steve Stanfield-Switzer played a valuable role as a volunteer in my District office. I could always count on Steve to make sure visitors to our District office knew they were respected and recognized. Constituents were often comforted by Steve's calm confidence when they visited or called in need of critical assistance. Steve showed a particular interest in assisting our veterans and became a valuable resource to our staff in diagnosing their problems and helping to point them in the right direction. Steve should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Steve Stanfield-Switzer for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Tom Jones served on my District staff during my first term in Congress. Tom was instrumental in helping to establish our office's outreach program with the local business community. Tom also performed extensive research into grant opportunities for the District and was a valuable resource to local governments and non-profits in realizing assistance available to them from the Federal government. Tom established our office as a vital resource to the region in helping to grow the local and state economies. Tom should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Tom and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Tom Jones for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Julie Fishman served as a member of my Washington, D.C. staff for almost four years, beginning in 2008. Managing my schedule and daily functions in both D.C. and in the District requires a great deal of organization and attention to detail, and Julie performed the role with precision and skill. Often the first point of contact for folks in the District, Julie endeared herself to the countless constituents with whom she interacted. During her tenure, Julie served in various roles, always willing and eager to learn new skills and further her professional development. Above all, Julie was a trusted, loyal and dedicated member of the team. Julie should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with her and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Julie and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Julie Fishman for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Kelly Sheehan Martin began serving on my District staff when I first took office. Kelly helped to establish our office early on as being a source of relief to those having trouble with the Social Security Administration. Kelly then moved into coordinating Grants and Special Projects. She did a tremendous job in leading such efforts as a Regional Jobs Fair that publicized well over 600 available jobs during the height of the recession, providing access and hope to constituents and many more throughout Western North Carolina. Kelly should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with her and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Kelly and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Kelly Sheehan Martin for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Kelly Misselwitz joined my Washington, D.C. staff in January of 2011. I often receive thousands of pieces of constituent correspondence each week, and with Kelly's care and correspondence management, we were always able to ensure that constituents received responses to their ideas and concerns in a timely, thoughtful and thorough manner. I cannot count the number of times constituents approached me on the sidewalk, in church or at local events to express their gratitude for the personal and comprehensive responses they received. I was always quick to brag on Kelly's critical role in making our constituent correspondence program a success. Kelly also served as a Legislative Assistant, proving herself to have excellent research and analytical skills, key to advising any Member of Congress. What Kelly may be known for most, however, is her sharp sense of humor that we all have truly missed since her departure in August of this year. Kelly should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with her and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Kelly and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Kelly Misselwitz for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Boyce Deitz has served as a member my District staff since I first took office. Boyce's presence in my life has been a blessing for years, beginning first as my high school football coach and mentor and now, more importantly, as a friend and confidant. As the roles reversed and Coach Deitz spent the past six years as a Field Representative in my Congressional District office, I was reminded daily of Coach's dedication and drive to do everything possible to always meet the need and fix the problem of everyone who walked into his office. We have spent many days traveling the rural areas of Western North Carolina knocking on doors, visiting farms, watching football practices, and just enjoying talking with the fine people who call Western North Carolina home. Without the support of people like Boyce the past six years would have never been possible. Boyce should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Boyce and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Boyce Deitz for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Kevin O'Hanlon served in various positions both in my Washington, D.C. office and on my campaign, and has excelled in each capacity during his nearly four-year tenure. Kevin has earned a reputation for being dependable, meticulous and for always being willing to chip in however needed. While outside of his job description, Kevin was also appreciated for his technical expertise, which became invaluable to the office as he solved technical issue after technical issue, keeping our team up and running time and again. Above all, I could always count on Kevin to assist with a helping hand, regardless of the issue or the time of day or night that he was needed. I extend my thanks to his wife, Liz, for her patience for the many times Kevin worked long or irregular hours to keep our congressional office humming along smoothly. Kevin should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Kevin and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Kevin O'Hanlon for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Ed Pavia joined my Washington, D.C. office in January 2012, as he was completing his Masters in Appropriate Technology (renewable energy engineering) from Appalachian State University. It became apparent immediately that because of his understanding of energy and agriculture issues he would be a valuable addition to our team. New to Capitol Hill, Ed quickly learned the ropes and has been entrusted to serve in a variety of capacities, including work as a Research Fellow, Legislative Assistant and Executive Assistant. Ed's attention to detail, knowledge of policy issues and disciplined work ethic have proven to be invaluable assets. Ed should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Ed and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Ed Pavia for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. I recruited Chad Eaton to join my District staff in January of 2009. Having first met Chad through his service to both our families' church as the Associate Pastor at Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina, I was already well familiar with his commitment to personal and professional excellence. In the several years that have passed since we first met in 2005, I continue to be impressed by Chad's devotion to family, faith and public service. Chad's character and moral compass inspire his daily actions both inside and outside of our duties as a Congressional office, earning him my deepest respect and also the respect and appreciation of colleagues and constituents alike. Not a day goes by without my leaning on Chad in some capacity. Chad is a loyal, honorable and trusted companion and I consider his counsel and friendship a blessing in my life. No matter where the Good Lord's plans take us in the future, I look forward to many more years of our continued friendship. Chad should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Chad and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Chad Eaton for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor several of the volunteers who have served in my district office over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide excellent constituent services and these volunteers have assisted my staff in providing the exceptional assistance so many have come to expect in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. These volunteers have always treated our constituents with the utmost respect and always made sure their needs were met in a timely fashion. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Dennis Berman played a valuable role as a volunteer during my first two terms in office. Dennis offered a calm and reassuring voice to constituents as they would call our District office with concerns and needs. His ability to quickly diagnose the problem the individual had encountered allowed him to connect constituents with the proper staff member to begin the task of resolving the issue. Dennis should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with Dennis and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Dennis Berman for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Dodie Collins has served as a member of my District staff since July of 2011. Dodie came out of retirement from a career with the State of North Carolina to bring added expertise to my District office in an array of areas. Dodie's addition enabled our office to provide increased and expedited assistance by working directly with our State of North Carolina contacts when casework called for a state-directed resolution. Through Dodie's strong grasp of casework management she was able to direct constituents in the appropriate direction, ensuring a more timely and successful outcome for many. Dodie should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with Dodie and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Dodie and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Dodie Collins for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my Staff is second to none in providing the best assistance to everyone in our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Each District Staff member has shown a strong sense of dedication in meeting the needs of each and every one of our constituents. They often go well beyond the call to make sure each constituent is treated fairly and respectfully by our government agencies and that they receive appropriate resolution. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship which they have shown me while I have served in Congress. Erica Edwards has served as a member of my District staff since October of 2008. Erica provided valuable guidance to individuals seeking assistance from the Social Security Administration. Erica's background working with the Department of Social Services at the county level provided our constituents with an additional level of expertise and hands-on experience to effectively serve a broader spectrum of constituents in their greatest time of need. Erica should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with Erica and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Erica and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Erica Edwards for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of service in the Congress. Blakely Whilden was the Field Director for my first campaign in 2006. Following the campaign she served as a member of my D.C. staff for much of my first term. Blakely helped manage and organize the office, and always with efficiency and friendliness. Having grown up in the 11th Congressional District, Blakely was proud to help represent her hometown District in our nation's Capitol. She was especially passionate about issues surrounding higher education and focused on policies that would help to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality, affordable education. Blakely should be proud of the service she has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with her and as I retire from office I wish her the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of her efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Blakely and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Blakely Whilden for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of service in the Congress. Christy Hayek, a senior at American University, joined the D.C. office as an intern in April of this year. Christy proved to be a quick learner and has done an exemplary job in assisting my Washington office fulfill its daily responsibilities. Articulate, intelligent and friendly, Christy is often the first point of contact constituents have with my office when they visit or call in need of assistance, and she handles each request with poise. I am confident that when Christy graduates she will succeed in whatever path she decides to pursue. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Christy Hayek for her hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish her continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor several of the volunteers who have served in my District office over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and these volunteers have assisted my staff in providing the excellent assistance so many have come to expect from our District. I take great pride in the work that each one has done on my behalf and on behalf of everyone in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. These volunteers have always treated our constituents with the utmost respect and always made sure their needs were met in a timely fashion. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown to me during my years of service in Congress. Billy Woody has served in numerous roles as a volunteer in our District office. As retired military himself, Billy took special interest in making sure our veterans received exceptional representation as they sought needed benefits through the Veterans Administration. I could always count on a warm smile and kind words of affirmation each time I interacted with Billy. I know our local veterans share my sense of gratitude and recognize Billy's dedication for always putting them first and for making their mission his own. Billy should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Billy and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Billy Woody for his hard work on behalf of all of western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the members of my Congressional Staff who have served with me over the past six years while I have been in office. A Member of Congress' most important responsibility is to provide exceptional constituent services and my team is second to none in providing the best assistance to all in our District. My Washington, D.C. office is also tasked with researching, processing, analyzing, and making recommendations on an infinite number of reports, policies, and legislation. I could not ask for a more talented or dedicated team, and I take great pride in the work that each staff member has done not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina and the United States. My team has shown a strong sense of dedication to meeting the needs of our constituency. I owe a debt of gratitude to each one of them for the support and friendship they have shown me during my six years of service in the Congress. Andrew Whalen helped run my very first campaign and played an instrumental role in my election to Congress. Following the campaign, Andrew served as a member of my D.C. staff as Communications Director. With Andrew's talent for grasping the breadth and complexities of the day's leading issues, together we were able to sift through some of the most intricate legislation of the decade. Then, after successfully running my first reelection campaign, Andrew returned to the office to serve as my Senior Advisor for Policy and Communications. Andrew was an exceptional member of my staff in every position that he held, and his political acumen and masterful communication skills continued to be invaluable assets. Andrew should be proud of the service he has provided to our District and country. It has been an honor to serve with him and as I retire from office I wish him the very best in the future. Western North Carolina is a better place because of his efforts and I will cherish the memories of serving with Andrew and the team by my side. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking Andrew Whalen for his hard work on behalf of all of Western North Carolina and to wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Congressman Costello on his pending retirement and thank him for his service to his country and district. Serving in the House of Representatives since 1988, Congressman Costello has become a key figure in this body, serving as the dean of the Illinois delegation and working across lines to find sensible solutions to the day's most pressing challenges. Jerry has proven himself to be a gentleman whose dedication and service to his constituents and to the United States of America went above and beyond the Halls of Congress. I had the pleasure of serving alongside Congressman Costello on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where I was proud to have called the Congressman not only my colleague, but my friend. I observed as he worked to build the transportation infrastructure in Southern Illinois and the country. Over the years, Jerry has built a reputation for not only his hard work, but also his ability to work with Members of the other party. It is these qualities--work ethic and bipartisan spirit--that will be missed most in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Congressman Costello on his retirement. While his mark on the Nation and his district are permanent, his presence in this chamber will be missed.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of 1st Lt. Todd W. Lambka. On August 1st, 2012, he passed away while serving in the Paktika province of Afghanistan. 1st Lt. Lambka attended Robbinsville High School where he participated in both football and wrestling. He was known for his maturity as well as his work ethic, building a reputation for outworking his teammates and making others around him better. Following high school, 1st Lt. Lambka excelled as a student at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was awarded the Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor for receiving high marks and persevering despite the loss of his mother, Donna. After graduation in 2010, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment in the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division based in Fort Riley, Kansas. 1st Lt. Lambka is survived by his wife, Cassie, twin brother Jordan, who is also serving in Afghanistan, and father Brian. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously. In his writings with others, 1st Lt. Lambka frequently referenced a quote from President Teddy Roosevelt, ``There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.'' Mr. Speaker, with the life that 1st Lt. Lambka has lived and the sacrifices he made, his name is not merely worth remembering. Rather, it shall be engrained in our national consciousness with the other fallen servicemembers of this generation--men who sacrificed their lives for our country and freedom. I urge my colleagues today to join me in honoring 1st Lt. Lambka.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Joe Morris, who retires from law enforcement after having completed over 40 years of outstanding service to his community and Western North Carolina. Joe has shown devotion to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of our mountain communities throughout his career. He began in 1964 as a Highway Patrol Officer, a position in which he excelled until he retired as a Master Trooper in 1985. He later served as a Captain for Sheriff Homer Holbrooks at the Macon County Sheriffs Department until 2002. Joe once again returned to service the same year, working as the Jail Administrator and as a Captain at the Cherokee County Sheriffs Department. It is from this position that we can celebrate his retirement. Through literally decades of service, Joe has shown extraordinary dedication to law enforcement in Western North Carolina, and as has had a particularly important impact on Macon and Cherokee Counties. As his nephew, I could not be prouder. Thank you, Uncle Joe, for all of your service to Western North Carolina.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize today's guest chaplain, Dr. Michael Catt. Dr. Catt is the senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. I'm honored to welcome Dr. Catt, his wife, Terri, and his daughter, Hayley, to the U.S. House of Representatives today. Dr. Catt has served as senior pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church since 1989. The church has 3,000 members and has averaged 100 baptisms each year. Thousands have joined the church from Albany and 29 surrounding communities. The church has evolved from a neighborhood church to a regional, multiethnic congregation with members from 11 nations. Most notably, under Dr. Catt's leadership, Sherwood Baptist developed an out-of-the-box church outreach. Dr. Catt's goal is to change the world from Albany, Georgia. While this may sound and seem like a radical or even ridiculous statement from a pastor in southwest Georgia, it has, in fact, become a reality through Sherwood Pictures. Dr. Catt has served as executive producer of ``Flywheel,'' ``Facing the Giants,'' ``Fireproof,'' and ``Courageous.'' Each of these major motion pictures serves to influence the world for Christ. I am honored to call Dr. Catt a friend, and I look forward to how God continues to use Dr. Catt in the future. I ask my colleagues to welcome Dr. Catt and his family as he leads us today in opening prayer.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the graduating 5th Grade class of Glen Marlowe Elementary School. They are about to enter an exciting new phase of their lives: making new friends, advancing their education, and moving closer to the adults they are destined to become. Some of the most fundamental lessons that one can be taught, such as the importance of hard work and respect for others, have been instilled by the faculty of Glen Marlowe over the past few years and will shine through in every future action taken as they become young men and women. I would like to offer my thanks to Ms. Kristi Duckett, Ms. Julia Meeks, Ms. Jessica Hudgins, Ms. Deanna McNaughton, and Ms. Kathy Plount for leading by example, and helping to build the foundation of a wonderful group of young people. I would also like to acknowledge the parents of the graduates. All of those carpools, parent-teacher conferences, and late night homework checks have not been in vain, and have helped prepare these graduates for a future that will be shaped by their values and vitality. It is my honor to congratulate these graduates on achieving this important milestone and I encourage them to follow all of their dreams, wherever they might lead. I encourage my colleagues to join me today in horning the graduating 5th graders at Glen Marlowe Elementary.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an outstanding public servant and dedicated volunteer in Yancey County, North Carolina. Mr. Clyde McIntosh of Burnsville committed his life to service and activism. After graduating from Burnsville High School in 1950, Mr. McIntosh proudly served four years in the United States Navy. Upon completion of his service, he moved back to the mountains of Western North Carolina where he built a successful real estate and development business and operated a dairy farm. During this period, he worked diligently toward the goal of preserving the rural heritage of the area. Mr. McIntosh assumed public office when he was elected Sheriff of Yancey County in 1986. From 1999 to 2005, he served on the Board of Directors of the Yancey County Department of Social Services, spending a portion of his tenure as Chair. For many years, Mr. McIntosh was an active community volunteer for the Lions Club and Meals on Wheels. Mr. McIntosh worked for years to educate Yancey County youth on the importance of civic engagement and community involvement. He acted as a mentor for the Young Democrats organization of Yancey County, encouraging young people to be politically active. I commend his outstanding contributions to the Democratic Party. In April 2001, he was named Mountain Democrat of the Year and also served as the Yancey County Democratic Party Chair. He served as Precinct Chair for both Jacks Creek and Burnsville Townships. Our mountain community is a better place because of Mr. McIntosh's devotion to activism and service. Mr. McIntosh was an invaluable presence in the lives of the many people he inspired and helped through his work. Though he will be missed, I know this legacy will live on for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the exemplary life of Mr. Clyde McIntosh of Yancey County, North Carolina.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Tyler J. Southern of the United States Marine Corps. Cpl. Southern is a real American hero who nearly died on the battlefield, losing both of his legs, one of his arms as well as part of the other arm, and a hand. On November 20, 2011, Corporal Southern is tandem jumping with Team X.T.R.E.M.E. and Jeremy Soles into FedEx Stadium to kickoff the game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. I ask that this poem by Albert Caswell be placed in the Congressional Record in Cpl. Southern's honor. Look Above Look! Look above! As it's there you will find America's Greatest of all loves! Look above! At our sons and daughters, who so go off to war . . . Armed but with only their most magnificent hearts and souls, to all of our Freedoms to so insure! So very fine and so very pure . . . with such courage, and such might . . . And such faith so evermore! Look above, at such Strength In Honor . . . All at the ones who America so loves! As it's there you will find, the true sum of the meaning of the word love! Such selfless sacrifice . . . such brilliant of all lights, coming down to you now from above! The ones who bring such tears to the angels eyes, so high above! The ones who go off to war, and come back home without arms and legs no more! And who now so lie, all in such soft cold quiet graves . . . Who with their Mothers and Fathers tears, our freedom's are so paved! Teaching us all so how to behave! So look above, and it's there you will find and so see the meaning of the word patriotism this day! Coming down to us all in this way . . . And take comfort, all in that we have such men as Tyler Southern on this very day! Marines, whose fine hearts shall never wave! Who so gave up his strong arm and fine legs! Ooo Rah . . . JAR HEAD! `Oh what your most magnificent life has so said! And take comfort, all in his most magnificent shades of green! All because of The Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, And The United States Marines! We All Now So Live In Peace! And as you lay your head's down to sleep, all in your hearts and souls so ever keep . . . A warm spot for all of these . . . Heroes so very deep! And for all of those families who now so weep! And look above and thank them all, all in your hearts of love to keep! Men Tyler who are First To Fight, whose fine heart ignite! And take comfort in knowing of, America's Greatest of All Loves! Now Look, Look Above!

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Major General H. Lloyd Wilkerson, USMC ret. for a life dedicated to serving his country and helping others in Western North Carolina. H. Lloyd Wilkerson was born in Troy, Tennessee, on October 31, 1919. After graduating from Erskine College in 1941 with degrees in mathematics and english, he was an inspector for Retail Credit Company in Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. At the outbreak of World War II, Wilkerson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He quickly advanced through the ranks, serving as Platoon Sergeant and then Second Lieutenant. He served in combat in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He became Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps Base in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1972, he was promoted to Brigadier General and became Commanding General of that Base. Subsequently, as a Major General, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Studies at the Headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, Commanding General of the Third Marine Division, and Commanding General of the III Marine Amphibious Force in the Far East. His final assignment, prior to his retirement on May 31, 1978, was as Director of Personnel Management Division/Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower at Headquarters of the U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. Since his retirement, Major General Wilkerson has been involved in countless volunteer and appointed positions in his church, alma mater, and community. He served as President of the North Carolina Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation, Inc. which annually provided more than $200,000 to support clinics for childhood language disorders at East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, and the Scottish Rite Temple at Charlotte. Wilkerson has gone above and beyond to serve our country through military service and countless volunteer programs. It is an honor to represent selfless, hardworking soldiers like Major General Wilkerson whose devotion to our country is a great source of pride to me and to Western North Carolina. I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Major General H. Lloyd Wilkerson.

Mr. SHULER

Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Joe Connolly for his distinguished service to the Land-of-Sky Regional Council Area Agency on Aging and Western North Carolina. Since 2008, Mr. Connolly had been a true fighter, undergoing three instances of brain tumors in a span of three brief years. A husband, father of two, and grandfather of two, he passed away peacefully on May 31, 2011. He had served the aging community of Western North Carolina for the past nineteen years, as director of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council Area Agency on Aging since 2006 and prior to that as director of the WNC AIDS Project and the WNC Alzheimer's Association, and as a member on the boards of numerous community agencies. His service truly encompassed the spirit of giving, impacted many lives, and will not soon be forgotten. Mr. Connolly was an inspiration to those around him, a man more concerned with providing care than receiving it. I urge my colleagues to join me today in honoring Mr. Joe Connolly for the remarkable commitment he made to the people of Western North Carolina.