RECOGNIZING ALACHUA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE CHIEF HAROLD THEUS

On 2026-01-09, Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL-3) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING ALACHUA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE CHIEF HAROLD THEUS" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, trade policy.

RECOGNIZING ALACHUA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE CHIEF HAROLD THEUS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026)] [House] [Pages H610-H612] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING ALACHUA COUNTY FIRE RESCUE CHIEF HAROLD THEUS (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mrs. Cammack of Florida was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.) General Leave Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this Special Order. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Florida? There was no objection. Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional public servant, a trusted leader and a dear friend to myself and everyone around him, Alachua County Fire Chief Harold Theus. Chief Theus was recently named Florida's Career Fire Chief of the Year, an honor that truly reflects his lifetime commitment to service, leadership, and his community. For many years now, Chief Theus and I have worked side by side on issues that matter deeply to our Alachua County community. Whether it is public safety, emergency preparedness, disaster response, or ensuring that our first responders have the tools, training, and support they need to do their jobs safely and effectively, Harold is there. Through hurricanes, wildfires, medical emergencies, and moments of unimaginable loss, Chief Theus has been a steady and trusted presence, quite literally the definition of a phone call away. Under his leadership, Alachua County Fire Rescue has set a standard for excellence, emphasizing readiness, innovation, and above all, care for the very people who wear the uniform every single day. Chief Theus understands that a strong department is built by investing in people, by mentoring young firefighters, prioritizing safety, and fostering a culture where every team member knows that they matter. That kind of leadership doesn't happen by accident. It comes from lived experience, from showing up day after day, and from the understanding of the weight of responsibility that comes with the badge. I also want to speak personally for a moment. As the wife of a first responder, I know the quiet sacrifices that families, particularly fire families, make, the missed holidays, the overtime shifts, the late- night calls, the constant awareness that danger is just always part of the job. Leaders like Chief Theus don't just protect communities, they look out for our fire families too. Chief Theus understands that behind every firefighter there is a family praying for his safe return. Mr. Speaker, Florida's Career Fire Chief of the Year is simply not an award for operational excellence. It is a recognition of character. It honors someone who embodies integrity, resilience, and service above self. With Florida being the third most populous State in the Union, that is one heck of an achievement. For the people of Alachua County, Chief Theus is more than just the fire chief. He is a leader in a time of crisis, a team builder, and man who has earned the trust of the community that he serves. For me, he is a friend, someone whose counsel I value, whose commitment I admire, and whose example reminds us all of what public service is meant to be. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Fire Chief Harold Theus on a well-earned recognition and thank him for his service. On behalf of the families that he protects, the firefighters that he leads, and the community that is safer because of his service, I thank Chief Theus. May his example continue to inspire the next generation of first responders. {time} 1150 Honoring Life and Legacy of Mary Sue Rich Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a remarkable public servant, trailblazer, and beloved member of our Ocala community, former Ocala councilmember Mary Sue Rich. At the end of last year, at the age of 85, Mary Sue Rich passed away. Ms. Mary left behind a legacy that helped shape the city of Ocala for generations. She was a woman of courage and conviction, and her life reminds us that progress is often driven not by loud moments but by steady, faithful service over time. In 1995, Mary Sue Rich made history when she became Ocala's first Black councilmember. At a time when representation mattered deeply and change did not come easily, she stepped forward with grace and determination. She was ready to serve her community, but more importantly, she opened doors. Mary Sue Rich remained on the Ocala City Council until 2019, becoming the longest serving councilmember in the city's history. Her longevity was not just a matter of years but a testament to the trust that her community placed in her and the respect that she had earned through her leadership. Ms. Mary was a mentor, a role model, and a living example of what it means to lead with integrity. She believed that progress comes when we bring people together, not when we divide them. Her leadership style was always rooted in listening, collaboration, and, of course, with a deep love for the city that she called home. Her impact is not measured in titles alone, but it is reflected in the strengthened institutions that she helped guide, the voices that she elevated, and the countless residents whose lives were improved because she cared enough to serve. I remember meeting her for the first time many years ago. I was a young, freshly elected Congresswoman, and she was just so gracious and kind. I recall thinking to myself how remarkable she was, someone whose tiny shoulders--she is not that tall--had been so small, but she carried so much. She was a force, a tiny titan, if you will. That meeting that we had was actually a groundbreaking for a building that today bears her name. The dirt that we dug that day still sits on my desk. As we extend our sincere condolences to her family, her friends, and the entire Ocala community, we mourn her passing, but we choose to use this as a moment to celebrate a life well lived and a legacy that will endure long after this moment. Mr. Speaker, Mary Sue Rich's story reminds us why public service matters, and I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering and honoring the extraordinary life of Ms. Mary Sue Rich. [[Page H611]] Remembering Life and Service of James Bennett Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember the life and service of James Bennett, a devoted public servant from Baker County, Florida, whose life was tragically cut short. His sudden loss is a painful reminder for how fragile life can be and how deeply one's individual service can touch the lives of so many. James Bennett was first elected as a Baker County commissioner in 2014, and he approached that responsibility with seriousness, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the people that he served. He understood that local government is where public service is most personal. It is where decisions affect families, neighborhoods, and livelihoods very directly. As a commissioner, he worked diligently to represent the interests of Baker County, always striving to do what he believed was right for his neighbors. In addition to his service in Baker County, James was also the chief operating officer for JAXPORT. In that role he played a key part in supporting one of Florida's most vital economic assets. The port of Jacksonville is not only a driver of commerce and trade but a source of countless jobs, thousands of jobs, and the support system for families all across northeast Florida. James understood the importance of that mission and brought his skills and leadership to bear in service of our State's economic future, and he always did it with a smile. In fact, I will never forget on my last trip to JAXPORT, James put on a good smile, one that he probably would have busted into laughter if he could have, as I drove one of the cranes in a dress. For those that know about those cranes in our Nation's ports, they are very tall, and they tend to have some interesting components. He was a great sport showing me all of the latest things that they were doing at JAXPORT. Beyond titles and positions, James will be remembered most for his character. He was somebody who believed deeply in public service, and he respected his fellow elected officials. More importantly, he listened to his constituents, the people who had elected him. He was always working to try to find a solution or an opportunity that would make Baker County stronger. His passing is felt deeply by his family, his friends, his colleagues, and, of course, Baker County. They have lost a leader, a neighbor, a friend, someone who cared deeply about a place that we call home. To his loved ones, I extend my deepest condolences and prayers for them during this very difficult time. No words will ever do justice for their pain and loss, but I hope they find comfort in knowing that James' life and his service truly mattered, and that his contributions will not be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, today we pause to remember James Bennett not only for how he died but for how he lived: dedicated to service and dedicated to his community. His legacy is reflected in the work that he did and the people he served. May we honor his memory by continuing to serve with the same integrity, humility, and dedication that James demonstrated throughout his life and his career. Honoring Life and Legacy of Floyd ``Sonny'' Tillman Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and legacy of Floyd Tillman, or as most of us know him, ``Sonny.'' Sonny Tillman, a Gainesville native, a visionary entrepreneur, and a man who knew his barbecue was a deeply beloved member of our Florida community whose impact will be felt for generations to come. You can't drive through south Georgia or no