Marc Veasey

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the North Crowley Panthers football team on their 6A Division 1 State championship in the Texas UIL. The Panthers completed their perfect season with a sound defeat of a venerable Westlake Austin team in the title game 50-21, behind performances from senior receiver Quentin Gibson and senior quarterback Chris Jimerson, Jr. Head Coach Ray Gates emblazoned the 817 area code on the helmets and turned this team into an instant contender, going 42-2 since he took over 3 years ago. This is the first time in 76 years that a State champion in Fort Worth received the highest division high school football championship, and that was my alma mater of Arlington Heights High School. Our entire community could not be prouder of these young men for their achievement this season. I hope North Crowley keeps the momentum going and can bring home another State championship to Funky Town Fort Worth. Go, Panthers.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and admiration that I use today to celebrate a significant milestone in the history of our community--the 95th anniversary of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Our Mother of Mercy is the only African American Catholic church in Tarrant County and the Fort Worth Catholic Diocese, making it a unique and invaluable institution in our region. Founded in January of 1929 by Father Narcissus Denis of the Josephite Fathers, the church began humbly, holding Mass in a house-turned-rectory and later in a converted drug store. Over the years, it has grown into a thriving parish and community center that continues to serve the diverse needs of its congregation. Throughout its rich history, Our Mother of Mercy has been a steadfast pillar of faith in our community. It has produced leaders across various fields--elected officials, business leaders, community advocates, and television personalities--who have made substantial contributions both locally and nationally. The church's commitment to service has also been exemplified by initiatives like the establishment of St. Veronica's Mission in the Lake Como area, which served the community for over 25 years. Today, as it continues to be a cornerstone of our district, Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church remains dedicated to faith, unity, and outreach. Its ongoing legacy enriches the lives of all who are fortunate to be part of this vibrant community. On behalf of the 33rd Congressional District of Texas, I extend my warmest congratulations to the parishioners, clergy, and leaders of Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church as they celebrate this incredible milestone. Their unwavering dedication to faith and service is an inspiration to us all. Let this recognition stand as a tribute to the church's ongoing legacy and its continued positive impact on Fort Worth and beyond.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable woman, Daisy Ella Price Kahn, who made significant contributions to her community and to the field of education. Daisy was born in Marshall, Texas, to the late Memphis and Daisy Bell Price, and she was the middle of five children. A proud graduate of Wiley College with a degree in Social Studies and English, Daisy went on to teach and inspire countless students in the Fort Worth Independent School District. She earned her Master's in Education Counseling from Texas Woman's University and dedicated her career to supporting students, ultimately retiring as the Lead Counselor at Trimble Tech High School in 2001. Her impact, however, did not end there. Daisy returned to the district as a part-time and substitute counselor, where she continued to mentor and guide students until 2008. Beyond her work in education, Daisy was an active member of several civic and social organizations. She was deeply involved in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she held numerous leadership roles and performed with the AKA DFW Metroplex Choir. Daisy was also a dedicated member of the Fort Worth Wiley College Alumni Club, the Perennial Cultural Club, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, among others. Her service to the community extended to her church, historic Greater St. James Baptist Church, where she served as a soloist, Sunday School Teacher, and chair of the Historical Preservation Committee Funds. Daisy leaves behind a loving family, including her three daughters, Denise, Dr. Daphne Kahn-Wiley, and Danielle Kahn, as well as her grandson, Ian Wiley. Her legacy of service, compassion, and commitment to her community will forever be remembered. It is my honor to recognize the life of Daisy Ella Price Kahn--a woman who touched so many lives through her work, her faith, and her unwavering dedication to others. Her contributions will continue to inspire future generations.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a remarkable woman, someone whose contributions to our community and to the lives of so many are truly unparalleled. On November 19, 2024, Ms. Margie Major celebrated a milestone 100th birthday, and it is my honor to recognize her incredible life. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Margie's roots run deep in this city. She grew up in the historic Southside before her family moved to the Como neighborhood, which became an iconic African American Community. There, her parents founded Holloway Grocery Store, where Margie worked alongside her mother and sister, learning the values of hard work and service early on. Margie's educational journey began at the historic I.M. Terrell High School, where she graduated at just 15 years old. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Hampton Institute--now Hampton University--at 19 and later completed a Master of Arts in Dance at Columbia University. After returning home to Fort Worth, she spent decades as an educator, first teaching at her alma mater, I.M. Terrell, and later at Southwest High School, shaping the lives of countless young people. Margie didn't stop there. She went on to become a guidance counselor at Paschal High School, serving the community for an astounding 46 years. Her commitment to education didn't end with her retirement. She has been deeply involved in organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as President of the Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter, and the Jubilee Theatre, where she held leadership positions. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Margie has been a tireless community advocate, a founding member of St. Simon Episcopal Church, and a charter member of both Ft. Worth Chapter Charms, Inc. and the Perennial Cultural Club. Her impact is felt across Fort Worth, and her legacy will undoubtedly endure for generations to come. Today, we honor Margie Major for her 100 years of grace, leadership, and service. Happy birthday to Margie. Her life is an inspiration to us all.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and to pay tribute to the late Paul Reyes, a boxing legend from Fort Worth, Texas. Paul was not only a legend in the ring, but he was also a man of humility and great faith. If my colleagues followed boxing in the 1980s and 1990s, they will remember Donald ``The Cobra'' Curry and Paulie Ayala, who were world champions. They were students of Paul Reyes. Paul's gym was more than just a place to go train for boxing. His gym was a place to keep kids off of the streets and give them a different direction to go in. Again, he trained some of the most amazing boxers in the country and really put Fort Worth, Texas, on the map for this sport. He was a beloved member of the community. He is going to be missed, and I want everyone to know what an important legend and icon this man was. He truly changed Fort Worth and made the lives of so many young people better.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the decades of service the Honorable Franklin D. Moss and Christene Chadwick Moss have devoted to our Fort Worth community. Mr. and Mrs. Moss have dedicated their lives to making our community a better place, particularly within the Stop Six neighborhood. Mr. Moss has served as a city councilmember, realtor, historian, and board member for various non-profit organizations. His civic contributions include his tenure on the Fort Worth City Council from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2013, as well as his role as President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members. Mrs. Moss has also made significant contributions through her work as an educator, nurse, and advocate for the aging and disabled. She made history as the first Black female Board President of the Fort Worth Independent School District. Her educational background includes an associates degree from Tarrant County Junior College, a license in long-term care administration from El Centro College, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology from Texas Wesleyan College, and a master's in Hospital Administration from Texas Woman's University. Mrs. Moss has served and led on many Tarrant County, State and National Boards. The couple's unwavering commitment to education paired with their strong focus on giving back to the community has made a lasting impact on many people, particularly their three children: Edmond L. Moss, an accountant; Kimberlyn C. Simpson Moss, a retired nurse and veteran; and Franklin D. Moss Jr., CEO of Franklin & Anthony Tailor/ Clothier. I am pleased to recognize the enduring contributions of Franklin and Christene Moss's to the Fort Worth community and beyond. Thank you.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the upcoming 100th birthday of Judge Clifford Davis, who is a legend in Fort Worth. Judge Davis graduated from high school in Arkansas and applied in 1945 to go to the law school at the University of Arkansas, and he was accepted. When they found out he was Black, they did not let him attend law school, so he graduated from Howard University in 1949. Judge Davis would go on to move to Fort Worth and married the love of his life, Ethel, and raised his two daughters there. The thing that he did that was legendary was that he integrated the Mansfield Independent School District. Judge Davis received threats. They hung an effigy of his image up in the school that stayed there for an entire year. He received so much hate mail and threatening mail, but he went on to have a distinguished career. He helped desegregate the Fort Worth Independent School District and has had a successful law practice for a long time. He just retired a couple of years ago. He is truly a legend who deserves all the honor that he is going to receive at his birthday next month. Madam Speaker, I thank Judge Clifford Davis for all that he has done over the years to make the north Texas community better, for the risks he and his family took to help make this country better. We congratulate him on his 100th birthday.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a good friend of mine who was a U.S. Army veteran, in the Vietnam war, and a union leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Thomas F. Carlin. We called him Tom Carlin. Tom was a great guy who sacrificed and worked so hard for the working men and women of the DFW area. In addition to serving in Vietnam, Tom worked for American Airlines for 40 years, and he held various leadership positions throughout his union career, including vice president of the Texas AFL-CIO for nearly 35 years. Later in life, Tom battled the effects of Parkinson's disease, which he picked up when he was in Vietnam as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange, which so many of our veterans have suffered from, from the 1960s during the Vietnam war. Because of his work in labor, Tom was also honored with induction into both the Texas AFL-CIO and the Texas Labor Management Hall of Fame. Tom has just been a great guy, a great friend, and a great supporter. I have known him and his wife, Peggy, very well. Tom was so proud of his son, who is a pilot for Delta Airlines, Tommy. Tommy has been with Delta for a while now. I have never met Tommy in person, but because Tom was so proud of him and talked about his only child, I felt like I have known Tommy forever. That is the kind of family that Tom and Peggy put together, just great people who not only cared about their own family but their union family, veterans, and all north Texans. That is what Tom worked hard for, creating a better way of life for everybody. Mr. Speaker, I give my condolences to the Carlin family, all of his union brothers and sisters, and everybody in north Texas because people will miss Tom Carlin and his big Irish smile and friendliness that he always brought to the table.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Larry Lavelle Christian--a hero in our Tarrant County community and beyond. Larry Lavelle Christian grew up in Jones, Louisiana. As an adult, Mr. Christian ultimately moved to North Texas. As a professional truck driver, he drove through the entire county. ``Country boy,'' as he was known in his childhood, was a steadfast figure of reliability in the trucking community, always trying to be helpful and uplift his fellow truckers. Following the death of his wife, Mr. Christian leaned on his faith and felt called to retire. Upon his retirement and in one of the darkest moments of his life, Larry wanted to help others. Each week, Mr. Christian collected food donations and delivered them to underserved neighborhoods. Mr. Christian's dedication to the fight against food insecurity illustrates his character and commitment to our community. Mr. Christian's leadership and dedication has made a true difference in the state of Texas. He has been recognized by the Midwest Food Bank Texas, a nonprofit focused on combating hunger. In collaboration, they launched a major effort to obtain and distribute food to those in need. Their combined work led to $673,000 worth of food being provided to families, children, and seniors throughout Texas. I am pleased to honor Mr. Larry Lavelle Christian today.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the accomplishments of Ms. Margie Lee Page Jones, as she has reached her 100th birthday. Ms. Jones was born to Myrtle and Lovy Page on September 16, 1924 in Lee County, Texas. She soon became a big sister to her brother Alton Page. Their childhood was shaped by simple pleasures, including riding donkeys and spending time with their horse named `Oh Baby.' Ms. Jones also developed a love for music throughout her childhood with the song `Rattlesnake Daddy' playing on their wind-up Victrola phonograph. She attended the Doaks Springs School, where she was mentored by Principal C.L. Salsbury and teacher Ms. Corrett Moore. Soon after, she furthered her studies at C.J. Walker Beauty College. It was in Dallas, Texas that she met and married the love of her life, Mr. Joseph Jones. Together, they had four children--Myrtle Denise, Larry Joe, Elissa (Lisa) Lynn, and Michael Lee. Their marriage continued until Mr. Jones passed away in 2001. Margie's family grew to include six grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren, reflecting her role as a devoted mother and grandmother. Throughout her life, Ms. Jones has been a devout Christian and has played an active role in her church. Her involvement with the Jordan Missionary Baptist Church began in the late 1960s, where she has been an active member for over 56 years. In 2015, she was honored as one of the Church Mothers, recognizing her longstanding commitment to her community. As we mark her 100th birthday, we celebrate Margie's contributions to her family and community. Happy 100th birthday to Ms. Jones.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Chair, the bill also expands protections for election administrators, again, that are engaged in vote counting, canvassing, and election certification. It allows for a framework of punishment for people that seek to intimidate these workers. The bill also recognizes missing pieces from existing law in terms of protections for digital election records. In an increasingly technological world that we all live in, we must keep our laws up to date with the times. Mr. Chair, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit, and I include in the Record the text of the amendment. Mr. Veasey moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1398 to the Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith, with the following amendment: Strike the text and insert the following:

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Chair, I rise today to oppose the consideration of H.R. 1398, the Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from the CCP Act. This bill aims to combat Chinese espionage, protect intellectual property and trade secrets, and monitor threats to U.S. infrastructure posed by China. While these are very important goals--I don't want anyone to be mistaken--the program this bill lays out closely mirrors a Trump administration program called the China Initiative, which targeted academics at American institutions for crimes allegedly related to economic espionage. Despite the initiative's goal of combating that espionage, no one was convicted or even charged with spying in any China Initiative case. However, what the program did do was stoke a lot of fear in the Asian-American communities and contributed to a rise in anti-Asian hate, something that I think that all of us, regardless of party, should be against. For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would be composed of H.R. 3130, the Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act which I co-led with my good friend Colin Allred, also from north Texas. What this bill would do is strengthen our democracy by establishing greater safeguards against potential election subversion efforts, something that unfortunately became very real, as most of us recall, in January 2021. It would ensure that elections and vote counting are performed fairly, transparently, and without partisan influence. The bill expands crucial protections for election administrators engaged in vote counting, canvassing, and election certification. It also allows a framework for punishment for people who seek to intimidate, threaten, or coerce election workers.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Fort Worth's own Lake Como community for winning the celebrated Neighborhood of the Year award. This is a neighborhood that I know well because this is the neighborhood that my family was raised in. This recognition is given out by the nonprofit Neighborhoods USA, an organization that awards neighborhoods and communities that love where they live. The Lake Como community is an amazing community that has been a part of Fort Worth for decades and decades now, a community with attorneys, with retired teachers, with servicepeople, a variety of different professions that really make this west Fort Worth community amazing. We do an annual Fourth of July parade that is attended by thousands. Sometimes, you would be sitting on your porch, like I would sit on my grandmother's porch, and somebody may come by on horseback in the middle of one of the Nation's largest cities. That is the type of community it is. It is a community with dozens of churches and other civic organizations that make them worthy of this award. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Lake Como on getting this award because it is well deserved.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday two basketball legends were lost. One of those basketball legends was from Fort Worth, Texas, better known as the ``Mayor of Stop Six,'' and that was Coach Robert Hughes. Coach Robert Hughes was the winningest boys high school basketball coach in the country. There are only four coaches with over 1,000 wins, and Coach Hughes is one of those with 1,333 wins, making him the winningest coach of all time for boys. He grew up in Oklahoma, played basketball at Texas Southern, and was drafted by the Boston Celtics. An injury landed him in the Fort Worth Independent School District where he coached during the time of segregation for I.M. Terrell. After segregation ended, Coach Hughes moved to Dunbar High School where he put on quite a show. There were no accidents with Coach Hughes. All of his kids followed the rules. They were well disciplined. They followed through with pinpoint execution. Coach Hughes didn't play any games in his coaching of these young men. He would have his coat unbuttoned, and if someone came down and took a shot that he knew wasn't right, Coach Hughes would put his hands on his hips, look down at the bench and point, and have another person come in. It was just amazing that decade after decade, Coach Hughes produced so many outstanding players, so many State championships, and was a role model for so many of these young men and a father figure for many of these young men. You should see the comments on Facebook about Coach Hughes. Coach Hughes and Coach Rambo, as you see there to his right, are both gone now. However, the memories of what Coach Hughes has done for the city of Fort Worth, what he has done for basketball in Texas in a school known for Friday night lights, this man literally was the show, and we will miss Coach Hughes.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Mrs. Ann Dougherty Kraus--a pillar of our Dallas community. Mrs. Kraus's journey is one of remarkable achievements and selflessness. She graduated second in her class from Western Kentucky University. She subsequently moved to Japan in 1952 to care for American soldiers injured in the Korean War. She later married William Kraus in France in 1956. A Dallas resident from 1959 until 2024, Mrs. Kraus was a giant in our community. She raised her four children here, along with her community service as a member of the Dallas County Medical Alliance, Medical Center Board, and President of the Parent's Club at the St. Mark's School of Texas. She was also a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Dallas, Texas. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved Ann, especially her sister, Margie Joy, her children, Greg, Peter, Sharon, and Stephen, her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. May her memory be a source of comfort and strength.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and legacy of Captain Thaddeus (Thad) Raven, who served our city in the Fort Worth Fire Department for 25 years. Captain Raven was an exemplary firefighter and leader and served as the Head of Recruitment during his decades of service to our community. He was also known as a steadfast champion of diversity in firefighting. In 2022, as the result of his hard work, the most diverse class of fire recruits in the Department's 129-year history graduated. His work helped include more diverse voices and backgrounds into the firefighter ranks, reinforcing the department's commitment to inclusivity and representation in the community it serves. Captain Raven's legacy with the Fort Worth Fire Department and service to our community will not soon be forgotten. I am praying for his loved ones and the Fort Worth Fire Department during this time.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of some of our young people in Fort Worth. In 2024, at the Texas Relays, we had three State champions. You may have heard these names before, and it is because they were also State champions in previous meets. First, I want to highlight Kalani Lawson from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, who defended her State championship in the girls 4A 100- meter hurdles. She is only a junior. Not only that, she broke last year's record that had been on the books since the 1990s, and she broke her own record again this year in taking home the gold running the 100- meter hurdles in 13.89 seconds. I also want to take the time to highlight another back-to-back champion, Fort Worth's O.D. Wyatt's Malik Franklin, who won the State championship in the class 5A boys' 400-meter, with a winning time of 47.23. Again, Malik won back-to-back championships. He is also a great student and star of the football team. You should check out some of his videos on MaxPreps. Malik is going to take his talents and continue his track career at Arizona State University. Again, we are very proud of his accomplishments. I also want to give a shout-out to A.P. Ranch and Greg Sholars, and the coaches out there that are just bringing home those championships for north Texas and working with so many of our kids, really making north Texas one of the great areas for sprinters and distance runners. Last but not least, I want to recognize Angel Sanchez of Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School. He had an injury last year, but he won the State championship his sophomore year. He claimed the boys 4A 3200- meter and also the mile championship. During the 3200 meters, he posted a time of 9:14.44, which was nearly five seconds faster than the second-place finisher. In the 1600, he posted a 4:13.08, which is a new class 4A record. Angel has literally raced all around the country. He has been highlighted running in Oregon and running in many other high school meets. Upon his graduation here in a couple weeks, he is going to be headed to Oklahoma State to continue to run. Go Pokes. We will continue to watch Angel run while he is at Oklahoma State. I really want to congratulate him for everything that he has done for Diamond Hill-Jarvis. That entire community on the north side of Diamond Hill is just extremely proud of Mr. Sanchez and what he is doing and can't wait to continue to see him run.

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an amazing Fort Worth, Texas, and now U.S. hero, Ms. Opal Lee, better known as the grandmother of Juneteenth. She is an incredible gift to not just Fort Worth but, again, the entire Nation. This past Friday, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her efforts in establishing Juneteenth as a national holiday. When I say effort, I mean effort. Ms. Opal Lee, literally, at 90-plus years of age, walked across the country and took many steps, literally, to make this happen. At 97, not only did she receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but she will also be receiving an honorary doctorate from Southern Methodist University at their upcoming commencement. I am so glad to see all this work that Ms. Opal Lee is doing be rewarded and recognized. I also want to touch on a few of the other things that she is doing. She has an amazing community garden that feeds people all over Tarrant County and Fort Worth. She also has an incredible food bank that is doing similar work. I know that everyone is watching what Ms. Lee is doing and proud of her accomplishments and just all of the fame that she has brought to Fort Worth. The United Riverside community is also proud of her, as they get to call her a neighbor. Keep up the good work. We are proud of Ms. Lee and cannot wait until we get that museum done. Celebrating Champion Track Athletes Across Fort Worth

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Waco's longest serving lawyers for over seven decades, Clyde Vance Dunnam. He was part of a venerable legal family in the Waco community who saw his career last for seven decades and was part of a family law firm that dates back almost 100 years. Clyde Vance Dunnam graduated from Baylor with his undergrad in business administration and Baylor Law School and was proud to be part of a law firm that included not only his sons but also his grandchildren. He practiced law literally his entire adult life and gained a reputation as one of the most skilled and most successful trial attorneys in the history of central Texas. Mr. Dunnam also mentored just a countless number of attorneys in central Texas in the Waco area, and his memory will live for a long time through those many attorneys. In addition to being a very successful attorney, he also held leadership positions in the Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite, and so many other organizations. As serious a demeanor as Mr. Dunnam had, he was first and foremost a family man. I will never forget how proud he was at his granddaughter's wedding. My prayers go out to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren during this difficult time.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Mr. Anthony DeWayne Baker, Sr.--a pillar of our Dallas community. Mr. Baker was a graduate of David W. Carter High School in Dallas, Texas before rising through the ranks of Airbus helicopters. Anthony then went back to school, graduating from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business in 2005. Anthony's first job was employment at Walls Services delivering sheet rock and in 1991 his career in the aerospace industry began when he landed a job working in the Bond shop at Vought Aircraft, formerly known as LTV. However, after 3 years with his newfound skills he accepted a temporary position as a blade repairman at American Eurocopter (Airbus), and due to his hard work and determined mindset he was later offered a permanent position. Mr. Baker eventually capped off his illustrious career as Vice President for Customer Support at Airbus Helicopters, the first African-American to hold the position. Throughout his lifetime he overcame many barriers both personally and professionally, while always looking for ways to help others. He was a man of faith who proudly served our community for many years in his capacity as a Deacon, a member of the Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Brigade; he was the current President of Summit at Lake Ridge HOA; he served on the UTA Engineering Board of Advisors; a member of the Grand Prairie United Charities Board of Directors, and was involved in countless other charitable endeavors. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved Anthony, particularly his wife, Stacie, and his two children, Anthony DeWayne Baker, Jr. and Avery Alexander Baker. May his memory last forever.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the extraordinary life of Valerie Denise Campbell--a pillar of the Lake Como community, who was better known as Denise to the people who loved her. Denise attended Como Elementary School and then went on to Arlington Heights High School to support the desegregation of schools in Fort Worth. She then went on after high school graduation to attend Texas Women's University in 1975, where she majored in music education. After college, she began her career at General Dynamics and later had a 32-year career serving North Texas children with Fort Worth ISD, teaching at Burton Hill Elementary. Denise, a staunch woman of faith, was baptized by the late Pastor G.W. Burton. As a young girl, Denise began playing piano at the Zion Baptist Church in Church School and eventually on Sunday mornings. She also was a loving wife, mother, and family member to many. She was the wife of Wendell Campbell for 47 years, was the mother to three beautiful children, a grandmother, a family member, and was also a loving pet owner. Denise was sometimes referred to as ``The Music Librarian'' because she was a gifted and talented musician. She loved music, and her life was dedicated to the Lord, family, and sacred music. For years, she played at the Zion Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the Reverends J.W. Briscoe and Maurice E. Barnes. Later, she went on to join her husband at the West Mount Moriah Baptist Church, where she was greeted with joy and accolades. Without taking a break, she began to play the piano and organ there. I rise again to commemorate her memory and wish my deepest condolences to everyone whose lives she touched.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the life and legacy of the amazing Deralyn Riles Davis. She was born in Corsicana, Texas, graduated from college in Tyler as valedictorian, and made her way to Fort Worth where she became a legend in education. While she was in college, she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and she rose over the years to the position of south central regional director, which is a very prestigious position. Deralyn did so much throughout her life and activism. She helped found the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats. She was an entrepreneur. She did so much, and I will tell you one of the most amazing things that Deralyn did, which makes me sad that she passed when she did, was when the AKAs had their annual convention in Dallas back in 2000, Deralyn said the AKAs are going to come and see Fort Worth, too. She pulled together three or four busses full of AKAs and brought them to the Stockyards and historical Black communities in Fort Worth. As someone said, Deralyn was a doer and knew how to get things done. I give my deepest condolences to her daughter, Jefflyn, and all of her friends and family that loved her so much. We are going to miss Deralyn. I thank her for all of her greatness in everything that she did.

Mr. VEASEY

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 74. Stated against: