Floor SpeechNeutral2026-01-15

HONORING GERALD ZEEK

Taxes

Context

On 2026-01-15, Representative Cory Mills (R-FL-7) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING GERALD ZEEK" in the House. The speech addressed taxes.

Full Text

HONORING GERALD ZEEK

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [House] [Page H909] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING GERALD ZEEK (Mr. MILLS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. MILLS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an incredible American, a devoted patriot, and a pillar of the DeBary community in Florida's Seventh District, Mr. Gerald Zeek, who peacefully passed away on January 5, 2026, at the remarkable age of 96. Gerald's life was defined by the quintessential American values of hard work, service, and family. Born on Halloween in 1929, he learned the value of a dollar early, taking his first job baling hay for just 25 cents an hour. That work ethic stayed with him throughout his entire life. Following the Second World War, Gerald answered the call of duty and joined the United States Navy, completing an honorable tour of service, but his commitment to our Nation's defense didn't end there. He went on to dedicate 34 years of his life to Picatinny Arsenal, ensuring that freedom and servicemembers had the tools that they needed to defend this Nation. In the 1980s, Gerald and his beloved wife, June, moved to DeBary, Florida. He was a man who appreciated the simple and the classic, often found working on his 1929 Ford Model A, a car as enduring and reliable as the man himself. Above all, Gerald was a man of profound devotion. He was a husband to June for over 75 years, a testament to a love and loyalty that is rare to find in this world today. He was a father to his sons, Dave and Dan; and a grandfather to Christopher, Jeffrey, Deanna, Dave; and great- grandfather to eight grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I have a personal connection to this family's legacy of service. Gerald's own grandson Dave, who is with me today, is currently serving as my U.S. Army War Fellow, carrying forward the torch of excellence and patriotism that his grandfather lit nearly a century ago as a command sergeant major who has proudly served in our Joint Special Operations Command, 75th Ranger Regiment, and other units. Gerald Zeek was an honorable, compassionate, and hardworking man. He was a great father, a great husband, and a great American. From one soldier to another, I want to take a moment to salute him and his lifetime of service. May his memory be a blessing to his family and an inspiration to our district. Airborne. ____________________

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HONORING GERALD ZEEK Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 11 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)] [House] [Page H909] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING GERALD ZEEK (Mr. MILLS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. MILLS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an incredible American, a devoted patriot, and a pillar of the DeBary community in Florida's Seventh District, Mr. Gerald Zeek, who peacefully passed away on January 5, 2026, at the remarkable age of 96. Gerald's life was defined by the quintessential American values of hard work, service, and family. Born on Halloween in 1929, he learned the value of a dollar early, taking his first job baling hay for just 25 cents an hour. That work ethic stayed with him throughout his entire life. Following the Second World War, Gerald answered the call of duty and joined the United States Navy, completing an honorable tour of service, but his commitment to our Nation's defense didn't end there. He went on to dedicate 34 years of his life to Picatinny Arsenal, ensuring that freedom and servicemembers had the tools that they needed to defend this Nation. In the 1980s, Gerald and his beloved wife, June, moved to DeBary, Florida. He was a man who appreciated the simple and the classic, often found working on his 1929 Ford Model A, a car as enduring and reliable as the man himself. Above all, Gerald was a man of profound devotion. He was a husband to June for over 75 years, a testament to a love and loyalty that is rare to find in this world today. He was a father to his sons, Dave and Dan; and a grandfather to Christopher, Jeffrey, Deanna, Dave; and great- grandfather to eight grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I have a personal connection to this family's legacy of service. Gerald's own grandson Dave, who is with me today, is currently serving as my U.S. Army War Fellow, carrying forward the torch of excellence and patriotism that his grandfather lit nearly a century ago as a command sergeant major who has proudly served in our Joint Special Operations Command, 75th Ranger Regiment, and other units. Gerald Zeek was an honorable, compassionate, and hardworking man. He was a great father, a great husband, and a great American. From one soldier to another, I want to take a moment to salute him and his lifetime of service. May his memory be a blessing to his family and an inspiration to our district. Airborne. ____________________