Recognizing 50th Anniversary of Opera Roanoke
Floor Speech
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Opera Roanoke on the momentous occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Founded in 1976 as the Southwest Virginia Opera Society by a group of dedicated volunteers, the company staged its first production of ``The Consul'' in 1978, and in 1991, became the fully professional organization we now know as Opera Roanoke.
For five decades, it has been a cornerstone of cultural life in Roanoke and across Virginia's Blue Ridge, presenting compelling performances and fostering a broader appreciation for opera in western Virginia.
Over the years, the company has benefited from remarkable artistic leadership and the guidance of legendary mentors, such as Eleanor Steber and Irene Dalis. A special thank you to the board of trustees, who have contributed to the success of the opera: John Johnson, President; Krista Vannoy, Immediate Past President; Frank Giannini, Treasurer; Jim Dubinsky, Secretary; Isabel Ditzel; and Eric Monday.
This anniversary season opened with ``Love and Sacrifice: A tribute to the Heart of Opera Roanoke,'' which also marked the retirement of Maestro Steven White, whose more than 20 years of service have profoundly shaped the company's artistic excellence.
As Opera Roanoke looks ahead to its 50th anniversary season and upcoming production of ``Hansel and Gretel,'' I congratulate the organization, its artists, its leadership, and its supporters on five decades of achievement. May the next 50 be just as inspiring. Celebrating Robert Holland's 100th Birthday
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Robert Holland of Roanoke, Virginia, who will celebrate his 100th birthday this Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.
Mr. Holland is a proud World War II veteran who enlisted in the United States Army at just 18 years old. He spent his 19th birthday in France, serving as a Staff Sergeant with the 381st Battery. He worked as a powder man and also served in supply operations, roles vital to our mission's success in Europe.
After the war, Mr. Holland returned to his home State of West Virginia before settling in the Hollins area of Roanoke County in 1950 to be near family. He went on to enjoy a long and honorable career with the General Electric Company and has been a valued member of the Roanoke community ever since.
Mr. Speaker, as he marks a century of life, service, and devotion to family and country, I am proud to join his loved ones and neighbors in wishing Mr. Robert Holland a very happy 100th birthday and thanking him for his steadfast service to our Nation. Congratulating Warren County Middle School FFA
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in Warren County's history, a middle school FFA chapter has earned the highest honor possible from the National FFA Organization. Receiving the National Chapter Award with a gold three-star rating places Warren County Middle School's FFA among the very best agricultural education programs in the Nation.
A testament to the hard work, leadership, and community spirit of our students, these young people are not only learning about agriculture but also taking initiative to serve their neighbors, strengthen their school, and build a brighter future.
Led by adviser Lynne Phillips and officers Harlie Brooks, Madison Ballard, Bella Kaplan, Allie Englert, Camberlee Lockhart, Cadence Flint, Alexis Clark, Silas Dutton, and Lex Flores, alongside all other members, planned and carried out projects that range from food drives to environmental cleanups, demonstrating that middle school students, when given the tools and the trust, can rise to extraordinary heights.
Mr. Speaker, fewer than 10 percent of FFA chapters nationwide receive this distinction. Warren County's students have set a new standard of excellence, and they remind us that the seeds of leadership, once planted, can grow into something that lifts up an entire community. I am proud to honor them today. Denouncing Socialism in America
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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, socialism has left a long trail of suffering across the globe. Wherever it has taken root, it has brought economic collapse, political oppression, and the deterioration of freedom.
Despite this record, we are seeing a troubling rise in socialist rhetoric here at home, especially among younger Americans and in major cities like New York City where these ideas are becoming increasingly mainstream. At the same time, support for the free-market principles that built our Nation has declined. This shift endangers the core values handed down by our Founding Fathers: liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government.
We cannot ignore these warning signs. We cannot allow the failures of socialist systems abroad or here in the United States to be rewritten, dismissed, or forgotten. That is why House Republicans are set to vote on a resolution that firmly rejects socialism in all its forms and reaffirms our commitment to the American ideals of freedom and self- governance.
Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve to know where their elected officials stand. House Republicans will choose freedom, and we will stand for the principles that are the foundation of this great Nation.
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