Congratulating Jordan Chiles on Gold Medal in Gymnastics
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jordan Chiles, a Gold Medal Olympic gymnast representing Team USA on her incredible performance in Paris.
Chiles grew up in Vancouver and attended Prairie High School. She was raised by parents who were both pastors, a unique identity I proudly relate to.
By the time Jordan had graduated high school, she had already made a national name for herself. At only 12, she made the U.S. gymnastics national team, a truly remarkable feat for any age.
Jordan's incredible journey as an athlete, where she navigates the pressure of being watched by millions, is nothing short of inspiring.
Mr. Speaker, Jordan Chiles has made her community in southwest Washington and her country very proud. Recognizing Vancouver Police Chief Jeff Mori
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Police Chief Jeff Mori of the Vancouver Police Department and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement.
Chief Mori has served the Vancouver Police Department for 5 years and spent over 31 years working in law enforcement.
While serving as chief, Chief Mori oversaw the rollout of the VPD camera program, the recruitment and hiring of over 75 officers and staff, and advocated for a southwest Washington regional Criminal Justice Training Academy, which is now successfully training new recruits.
The Vancouver Police Department is our first line of defense to keep our communities safe, and it is a responsibility I know they don't take lightly.
Although we are losing a valued member of the team, I know his impact will remain.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chief Mori for all that he has done for our community. I am honored to have gotten to know him and for the chance to work with him, and I hope that retirement treats him well. SkillsUSA's National Leadership & Skills Conference
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the six high school students from my district who placed in the top three for their category at SkillsUSA's National Leadership & Skills Conference this past June.
The SkillsUSA competition highlights skilled trades and the accomplishments of career-ready leaders in a nationwide, weeklong event.
Sebastian Nejar and Luke Twiss from Evergreen High School in Vancouver won a silver medal in the category of interactive application and video game development.
Zachariah Hubbard and Kaiden Wood from Rochester High School won a silver medal in the category of commercial sUAS drone.
Daniel Dugas and Mason Young from Rochester High School also won a silver medal in the category of robotics--urban search and rescue.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate each team for such a great accomplishment. They all have made us very proud in southwest Washington. Recognizing Retirement of Bill Draper
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Bill Draper, who has been a construction technology instructor at Cascadia Tech for 28 years.
Cascadia Tech Academy is a premier career and technical education institution that was created in partnership with 10 school districts in my community. Cascadia Tech provides hands-on learning opportunities for students so they can develop talents and gain credentials that will make them ready to hit the ground running after graduation.
After 11 years in the construction field, Bill became a steward of the next generation of doers and makers. I have seen firsthand the incredible respect his students have for him and the pride he cultivates in them for the trades, which is why he so deservingly earned the Evergreen School District's Educator of the Year award in 2021.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Bill for all he has done for our community and our students. I wish him the very best in his last year in the classroom and in his well-deserved retirement. MIA Air Force Sergeant David Stanley Price Finally Comes Home
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. PEREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the return home to Centralia for Air Force Sergeant David Stanley Price, who has been considered missing in action for the last 56 years.
On March 11, 1968, while serving in the Vietnam war, Sergeant Price was declared missing in action when the outpost he was manning was attacked.
On that day, he, along with 10 other servicemembers manning that post, were deemed to be killed or captured.
Finally, last year, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recovered his remains and was able to identify Sergeant Price. This allowed for him to finally return home and end the decades of worry and wondering his family has gone through.
Sergeant Price was a husband and father and an active member of his community. I cannot imagine the pain his loved ones have had to endure over the last 56 years, but I hope the return of his remains brings them some measure of peace.
Sergeant Price made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and I am grateful that he can be properly laid to rest at home.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source