Alleghany Highlands Public School 2024 Employee Hall of Fame Class
Floor Speech
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor an extraordinary group of educators and staff whose dedication has profoundly impacted the Alleghany Highlands community. This group was selected as the seven inaugural inductees into the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division Employee Hall of Fame.
This distinguished class, announced on May 9, symbolizes the unwavering commitment to excellence that defines our educators in Virginia's Sixth District. These individuals: Helen Harris, Brenda Holloway, Harold Lambert, the late Katharine Nicely, Donna Vaughn, Archie Wells, and Linda Williams, have each dedicated over 20 years of their lives fostering a nurturing environment for learning within the Alleghany County, Covington City, and Clifton Forge school divisions.
Their roles range from teachers of English, French, science, and art to counselors, coaches, and even a beloved custodian.
Each, in their unique way, has contributed significantly to the educational fabric of our community, guiding countless students toward achieving their full potential. Their legacy, now forever enshrined in the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division Employee Hall of Fame, reminds us all of the transformative power of education.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all of them on this well-deserved honor and I thank them for their significant contributions to education in the Commonwealth and Alleghany Highlands. 100th Anniversary of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate an incredible milestone, the 100th anniversary of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, one of the oldest tourism organizations in the region.
Founded in 1924, the SVTA has played a pivotal role in showcasing the Shenandoah Valley's unparalleled beauty, cultural richness, and historic legacy.
Through collaboration with local businesses and national parks, the SVTA has consistently highlighted what makes the Shenandoah Valley special.
In honoring the SVTA's 100th anniversary, we recognize the profound impact that dedicated organizations and individuals can have in promoting the unique beauty and history of the Shenandoah Valley. Their efforts enrich our Commonwealth and indeed our country.
Mr. Speaker, I extend my congratulations to the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association on this significant anniversary and wish them another 100 years of success. Recognizing Helen Zebarth of Blue Ridge Hospice
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor a remarkable individual from Virginia's Sixth District, Helen Zebarth of Winchester, and her monumental legacy. She changed the face of end-of-life care in our community through the founding of Blue Ridge Hospice.
In recognition of her incredible impact, the Helen Zebarth Legacy Society was established, symbolizing our community's ongoing commitment to support the mission of this noble organization.
Helen was inspired to establish the hospice here in Winchester after her experiences in England, demonstrating her foresight and dedication to serving others. It is awe-inspiring to witness how her vision of providing compassionate care at life's end has grown from serving 30 patients in 1974 to over 10,000 by 2014, with the numbers continuing to increase.
By acknowledging the substantial impact of Helen Zebarth and Blue Ridge Hospice on our community, we are all encouraged to support such essential organizations. Their work not only enriches our community, but also offers comfort to families during their most difficult times, exemplifying the utmost in human kindness and unity.
Mr. Speaker, I applaud Helen Zebarth for her many years of success and for founding an organization that continues to shine as a beacon of hope and care in our cherished community. Celebrating Jackson River Technical Center's 50th Anniversary
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hub of education and workforce development in the Alleghany Highlands, the Jackson River Technical Center, as it celebrates 50 years of outstanding service to our community.
Established in 1974 as the Jackson River Vocational Center, JRTC has since flourished into a beacon of opportunity and growth, playing a pivotal role in the education landscape of the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools.
Over the years, JRTC has evolved to meet the changing demands of the workforce, offering a broad spectrum of programs that include automotive, building management, carpentry, culinary arts, drafting and design, early childhood education, electricity, marketing, nurse aide/ health assistant, and welding.
Through these programs, JRTC ensures that our students are not just prepared for the jobs of today but are also poised to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, I thank all those educators, staff, and students, past and present, for their dedication and hard work. Their efforts have made JRTC a symbol of success in our community for 50 years. May they continue to inspire, educate, and empower for many more years to come. Honoring America's Police Officers
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, this week marks National Police Week, a time dedicated to honoring America's courageous police officers who stand on the front lines to ensure our safety.
While certain voices on the left have demonized our police officers these past several years, it is important that we recognize and remember the profound sacrifices these men and women make protecting our communities every day.
In light of this, we must rally behind the bills proposed this week aimed at bolstering our local law enforcement and unequivocally denounce the left's effort to defund and dismantle our local police departments.
It is alarming that President Biden and many on the left support this defund the police movement and the soft-on-crime policies that have directly fueled surges in crime across the country, endangering both the public and the police.
Since 1776, over 26,600 police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. In Virginia alone, 550 have made the ultimate sacrifice. These represent individual lives, families left heartbroken, and communities forever changed.
Mr. Speaker, as we honor National Police Week, I urge all my colleagues to join us in support by passing these bills.
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