Standing in Solidarity with the People of Hong Kong
Floor Speech
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong.
Last month, I had the opportunity to hear directly from leaders in Hong Kong dedicated to both religious tolerance and to democracy, as promised in the ``one country, two systems'' agreement.
The people of Hong Kong wave American flags during their protests as a symbol of the freedoms that they desire.
Now is the time for Congress to support the people of Hong Kong and pass Representative Chris Smith's bill, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. This measure states without question that the United States Government supports the people of Hong Kong and their right to freedom of expression and democratic governance guaranteed under their 50-year arrangement agreed to in 1997 by China and the United Kingdom. Stop Ignoring Red Lines in Idlib, Syria
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today again to bring attention to the travesty happening in Idlib province, Syria.
Since mid-August, the brutal dictator Assad, his protector Putin, and Iranian coconspirators have repeatedly bombed Idlib and the surrounding region. Their aerial slaughter and shelling have displaced all but 2 percent to 3 percent of the population. They have bombed hospitals, even killing a former kindergarten student of the Wisdom House School, a school supported by constituents in my home of Arkansas, supported before the school was closed due to bombing.
After nearly 10 years of death and destruction, some say this conflict is drawing to a close. When we look back on this calamitous conflict, we and our allies in Europe will hang our heads in shame for ignoring red lines that gave a green light to Assad's slaughter of his own civilians by the hundreds of thousands. Honoring Bob Shell
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my friend Bob Shell, who passed away last month at the age of 88.
In 1950, Bob joined The Baldwin Company for a job scheduled to last 9 months and ended up staying for almost 70 years. Bob started in the field as a payroll clerk and worked his way up in the company, eventually becoming president, chairman, and chairman emeritus. The company's name was changed when Bob became president and CEO to Baldwin & Shell Construction Company, the name it holds today.
Bob is one of the five charter members of the Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame. He was named Arkansas Business Executive of the Year in 1990 and was featured by Arkansas Business as one of 10 business icons for our State in 2016.
During his time with the company, he had been involved in more than 2,700 projects, including hospitals, offices, schools, churches, and industrial plants.
I admired this good and decent man. He was a role model and a friend to many across our State of Arkansas, and I extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his friends, family, and loved ones. Honoring Nicholas Burrell
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Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize an amazing young man from my district, Nicholas Burrell from Benton, Arkansas.
Nicholas started as a Cub Scout in third grade and, at age 14, became the youngest Eagle Scout in Troop 99 in Benton. He is also a cancer survivor.
Nicholas was diagnosed with cancer of the brain and spine when he was 11. He has had multiple tumors and underwent 26 rounds of chemotherapy but was always back to participating in projects with the Boy Scouts just a few months after his last treatment.
For his Eagle project, he built a free outdoor pantry called the Blessing Box at Salem United Methodist Church, where Troop 99 holds its meetings.
Nicholas is currently a ninth-grader at Bryant Junior High School, and his cancer has been in remission since 2017.
Nicholas' strength and perseverance are a testament and witness to us all. I wish him much continued success as he grows and makes Arkansas proud.
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