Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-07-14

CONGRATULATING TONY BRADS

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On 2026-07-14, Representative Eugene Simon Vindman (D-VA-7) delivered a floor speech titled "CONGRATULATING TONY BRADS" in the House.

Full Text

CONGRATULATING TONY BRADS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4422-H4423] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING TONY BRADS (Mr. Vindman of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Culpeper County Public Schools division superintendent Dr. Tony Brads. He has been recognized as Superintendent of the Year for the Northern Virginia Region of the Commonwealth. This honor reflects Dr. Brad's outstanding accomplishments, as well as the respect he has earned throughout Culpeper County and Virginia's education community. As he marks 21 years as a division superintendent, Dr. Brads is known as a voice of reason and a tenacious advocate for students, educators, and public schools. Under his leadership, the Culpeper Technical Education Center opened in 2021. This center has expanded opportunity and prepared students with the skills they need to succeed in today's workforce. Dr. Brads represents the very best of public education leadership. I thank him for his commitment to improving the lives and futures of our students. I am honored to recognize him as my Constituent of the Week. Congratulating Tim Healey Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate my Constituent of the Week, Tim Healey, on his retirement as principal of Charles J. Colgan Senior High School in Prince William County, the first and only principal since Charles J. Colgan Senior High School opened in 2016. Principal Healey is ending a remarkable 37-year career with Prince William County Public Schools. Throughout his career in education, Principal Healey has fostered an environment where his unwavering belief in his students empowers them to prepare for their next chapter and inspires them to reach their fullest potential. His leadership has shaped not only a school but a community grounded in excellence and opportunity. On behalf of the entire Prince William community and as the dad of a student at Colgan High School, go Sharks. I thank Principal Healey for his decades of dedicated service and his lasting impact on generations of students, families, and educators. I wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement. Congratulating Anita Crossfield Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my Constituent of the Week, Anita Crossfield, on being named a recipient of the 2026 President's Award for Woman of the Year. This award recognizes individuals whose leadership and service have enhanced and preserved the quality of life in Fredericksburg. A native of Albania, Anita and her daughter fled wartime in 2004. Her story is similar to my own. Our families came to this greatest country in the world to pursue the American Dream. Since then, she has earned a degree from Germanna Community College and established a successful business on Caroline Street. Anita's Cafe and Dessert Bar has become a welcoming hub in the community. In addition to her business, Anita serves on the city's Economic Development Authority and sits on the board of the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Mr. Speaker, I thank Anita for all she has done to strengthen Fredericksburg. Our community is grateful for all of her contributions. Congratulating Kristi Rice Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kristi Rice, my [[Page H4423]] Constituent of the Week, on her appointment as head coach of the U.S. Women's Cyber Team. A dedicated cybersecurity teacher at Spotsylvania High School, Kristi will guide and mentor cyber experts as they prepare to compete on the global stage. This July, she will lead her all-female team at the Women's International Cybersecurity Challenge in Ireland. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Kristi has been named Spotsylvania Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026 and is the recipient of the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award. These honors reflect on her exceptional leadership, deep professional expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing cybersecurity education. Congratulating Michael Sidebotham Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my Constituent of the Week, Dr. Michael Sidebotham, on being recognized in the inaugural class of the Virginia Department of Education's Principals of Distinction. This recognition honors outstanding school leaders while supporting their continued professional growth. A longtime principal of Grafton Village Elementary School, Dr. Sidebotham was named Stafford County's Principal of the Year in 2018. His dedication to students, staff, and families at Grafton Village has stood out. Principals like Dr. Sidebotham play a vital role in shaping the next generation and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. I thank Dr. Sidebotham for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to education in our community. ____________________

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CONGRATULATING TONY BRADS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4422-H4423] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING TONY BRADS (Mr. Vindman of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Culpeper County Public Schools division superintendent Dr. Tony Brads. He has been recognized as Superintendent of the Year for the Northern Virginia Region of the Commonwealth. This honor reflects Dr. Brad's outstanding accomplishments, as well as the respect he has earned throughout Culpeper County and Virginia's education community. As he marks 21 years as a division superintendent, Dr. Brads is known as a voice of reason and a tenacious advocate for students, educators, and public schools. Under his leadership, the Culpeper Technical Education Center opened in 2021. This center has expanded opportunity and prepared students with the skills they need to succeed in today's workforce. Dr. Brads represents the very best of public education leadership. I thank him for his commitment to improving the lives and futures of our students. I am honored to recognize him as my Constituent of the Week. Congratulating Tim Healey Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate my Constituent of the Week, Tim Healey, on his retirement as principal of Charles J. Colgan Senior High School in Prince William County, the first and only principal since Charles J. Colgan Senior High School opened in 2016. Principal Healey is ending a remarkable 37-year career with Prince William County Public Schools. Throughout his career in education, Principal Healey has fostered an environment where his unwavering belief in his students empowers them to prepare for their next chapter and inspires them to reach their fullest potential. His leadership has shaped not only a school but a community grounded in excellence and opportunity. On behalf of the entire Prince William community and as the dad of a student at Colgan High School, go Sharks. I thank Principal Healey for his decades of dedicated service and his lasting impact on generations of students, families, and educators. I wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement. Congratulating Anita Crossfield Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my Constituent of the Week, Anita Crossfield, on being named a recipient of the 2026 President's Award for Woman of the Year. This award recognizes individuals whose leadership and service have enhanced and preserved the quality of life in Fredericksburg. A native of Albania, Anita and her daughter fled wartime in 2004. Her story is similar to my own. Our families came to this greatest country in the world to pursue the American Dream. Since then, she has earned a degree from Germanna Community College and established a successful business on Caroline Street. Anita's Cafe and Dessert Bar has become a welcoming hub in the community. In addition to her business, Anita serves on the city's Economic Development Authority and sits on the board of the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Mr. Speaker, I thank Anita for all she has done to strengthen Fredericksburg. Our community is grateful for all of her contributions. Congratulating Kristi Rice Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kristi Rice, my [[Page H4423]] Constituent of the Week, on her appointment as head coach of the U.S. Women's Cyber Team. A dedicated cybersecurity teacher at Spotsylvania High School, Kristi will guide and mentor cyber experts as they prepare to compete on the global stage. This July, she will lead her all-female team at the Women's International Cybersecurity Challenge in Ireland. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Kristi has been named Spotsylvania Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026 and is the recipient of the Presidential Cybersecurity Education Award. These honors reflect on her exceptional leadership, deep professional expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing cybersecurity education. Congratulating Michael Sidebotham Mr. VINDMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my Constituent of the Week, Dr. Michael Sidebotham, on being recognized in the inaugural class of the Virginia Department of Education's Principals of Distinction. This recognition honors outstanding school leaders while supporting their continued professional growth. A longtime principal of Grafton Village Elementary School, Dr. Sidebotham was named Stafford County's Principal of the Year in 2018. His dedication to students, staff, and families at Grafton Village has stood out. Principals like Dr. Sidebotham play a vital role in shaping the next generation and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. I thank Dr. Sidebotham for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to education in our community. ____________________