RECOGNIZING TOM LANNEN ON HIS RETIREMENT

On 2024-12-17, Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-3) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING TOM LANNEN ON HIS RETIREMENT" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, the environment.

RECOGNIZING TOM LANNEN ON HIS RETIREMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)] [House] [Pages H7240-H7241] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING TOM LANNEN ON HIS RETIREMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Perez) for 5 minutes. Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career and recognize the retirement of Skamania County Commissioner Tom Lannen. Tom wasn't born here, but he got here as fast as he could. He is internationally famous in Washington State, serving as the chair of the Washington State Association of Counties' Timber Caucus. Tom pioneered the use of ``the stick,'' a yardstick that visually demonstrates the fact that our county, Skamania County, has only 1.8 percent of our acreage which can generate tax revenue. Tom won't let his Federal Representatives forget how much Skamania County needs their mills to produce timber, the Secure Rural Schools program to keep our schools open, and economic development opportunities to ensure that communities thrive. Madam Speaker, I thank Tom for his mentorship and leadership and for spending time working on behalf of things that matter, our community. I hope he enjoys his retirement with Sophia and wish him the very best. [[Page H7241]] Ballot Box Fire Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the fire that was set to a ballot box in my district on October 28. We still don't know who did this, but we know who did not do this. Real patriots don't torch each other's ballots. It was an attack on our democracy and our rule of law. The fire destroyed hundreds of ballots. Although our incredible election workers tried to recover as many votes as possible and contact those whose ballots were partially burned, many votes were lost. If people want to live in a society where ballots are burned, they can move there. My community will not stand for this spineless, shameful, and unpatriotic BS. I thank our first responders for dealing with this fire in such a timely and efficient manner. Ballot recovery would not have been possible if it were not for them. Another thank-you goes to those who stood guard at the local ballot boxes 24/7 following the fire, a precaution that never should have been necessary in the first place. I promise to all of southwest Washington that I will always fight against political violence and protect our sacred right to vote in our communities. {time} 1100 Dennis Weber Retirement Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dennis Weber on his upcoming retirement from the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners after serving as commissioner for 12 years and in the public sector for 40 years. Dennis has spent his career being a pillar for our community. He spent many years as a social studies teacher before transitioning to roles in public office. He has been an excellent advocate with the Spirit Lake/Toutle-Cowlitz River Collaborative to help protect downstream communities, project collaboration, and good, accessible data. I have been privileged to work with Dennis over the years. When I helped reintroduce the National Landslide Preparedness Act, Dennis helped to provide testimony from Cowlitz County. Dennis Weber has shown time and again what it means to be a public servant. He has always worked to ensure his community gets the resources and support they need. His priority has always been for the betterment of his hometown, and that has been evident in every chapter of his career. I thank Dennis for all he has done for southwest Washington. I hope retirement treats him well. Christmas Trees Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a beloved holiday tradition and an important part of my district's culture: Christmas trees. My district produces the second-most number of Christmas trees in the country. Coming from a family of loggers myself, I know firsthand how important it is to be a steward of the land, to depend on it, not just as a terrarium, but as part of your culture. Our support and value for the forest products that come from our woods is engrained in our ethos. For generations, Washingtonians have used our trees to build and furnish their homes. The holiday season offers us a unique opportunity to display and decorate the trees that we are so proud of. This holiday season, I encourage everybody to go out and visit a Christmas tree farm. Better yet, go into the woods, get a permit, cut down a tree yourself. This is not the time to be supporting petroleum-based Christmas trees, but our own homegrown trees that support our economy and our culture. Congratulating Sharon Pesut on her Retirement Ms. PEREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Sharon Pesut on her retirement as executive director at Partners in Careers, also known as PIC. PIC is a nonprofit organization that connects jobseekers with workforce training and opportunities with local businesses and community members. PIC aims to assist low-income parents, domestic violence survivors, homeless veterans, and others get a second chance at a career. PIC has been a huge asset to our local Ukrainian community, helping refugees and immigrants secure job opportunities. Sharon has led PIC for 13 years where she has helped to expand youth and veteran programs throughout her community. Recently, Sharon, along with her partners at PIC, were honored as the Community Partner of the Year at the Washington Workforce Association Conference. I thank Sharon for all of the work she has done for our community. I wish her all the very best in her retirement. ____________________