Congratulating Chris Silva and Stephen Lamarca
Floor Speech
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Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two visionaries of the Hudson Valley arts scene upon their retirement.
Chris Silva and Stephen LaMarca have been life forces for the region's live music and theater performances for the past three decades, revitalizing the Bardavon Opera House built in 1869 in Poughkeepsie and the Ulster Performing Arts Center in my hometown of Kingston.
The two together preserved the Bardavon's record as the oldest operating theater in New York State, keeping it afloat through many trying times.
Their ingenuity and savviness brought big name stars from Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan to Jon Stewart to the theaters.
Chris and Stephen's impact on the community goes beyond the bright marquee lights. Their big-time gigs helped fund extensive service to our community, from free films for kids to educational programs, and igniting economic boons for the surrounding downtown neighborhoods in both Poughkeepsie and Kingston.
Although their retirement won't come until the end of this year, as they prepare, I wish them a restful and happy retirement, spent with the satisfaction of knowing they are responsible for inspiring an estimated 2.5 million audience members through the over 2,500 artists and performances they brought to the stage in the Hudson Valley. Honoring Dennis DeGroat, Jr.
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Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor World War II veteran Dennis DeGroat, Jr., who recently passed in his hometown of Port Jervis, New York, only weeks after the entire community came together to celebrate his 100th birthday and only hours after finally being pinned with a Purple Heart that had been missing and replaced from years ago.
Dennis' life of service to our Nation is incredible and started in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He then went on to serve in the Army, protecting freedom and democracy for all Americans and the world on the front lines in Europe, including on the shores of Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge, and suffering grievous injuries at the Battle of Aachen.
In that battle, he nearly lost both of his legs and was told that he would never walk again, but that was no match for Dennis. He relearned to walk and never slowed down again.
He came back to his home community and worked well into his 90s, and his incredible legacy of service and positivity lives on through 20 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren, and countless others that his 100 years of heroism, humility, and service inspired.
Dennis is proof that a century spent in service to others leaves an impact that will last many, many more. Congratulating Lieutenant Brandon Rola
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Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Lieutenant Brandon Rola on being named the new chief of police for the city of Newburgh, New York.
Lieutenant Rola is Newburgh through and through. He decided early on in his life to commit fully to serving his community, our community.
At only 38, he is already a 16-year veteran of the Newburgh Police Department, recognized over 30 times for his meritorious and heroic acts.
If you know Brandon, it truly is not about the awards; it is about protecting his community and protecting his neighbors.
It is this sense of duty and selfless service that drove him into a cold, snowy Thanksgiving night in 2014 at 2 a.m. in search of two missing boys.
During the search, he found a shovel next to a snowbank, felt a gut instinct to dig, and ultimately found the missing boys buried in an 8- foot tall snowbank. He rightly received national attention after the rescue but humbly said: It was a good day.
Today is a good day for Newburgh, and tomorrow and many more after, with the city's safety in the hands of Lieutenant Rola, a tried-and- true public servant. Congratulating Captain Steven Minard
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Mr. RYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain Steven Minard on his retirement after over four decades of extraordinary and selfless public service to the city of Poughkeepsie Police Department and all the residents of the city of Poughkeepsie in the Hudson Valley.
Throughout his incredible career, Captain Minard went above and beyond in his call to protect and serve. In addition to his selfless service and great risk to himself and his family, he earned a master's degree and ultimately a Ph.D., becoming Dr. Minard, expanding the impact of his service and training others in our local community colleges and surrounding universities. He attended the FBI Academy and developed training ultimately for the FBI National Executive Institute.
He has not only directly uplifted the Poughkeepsie community by building trust and delivering peace of mind but made countless communities across New York safer through the curriculum he developed and taught.
While his retirement from the force will be felt and he will be deeply missed, I am hopeful for the future because of the thousands of others he has trained to be champions for their communities just like he has been.
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