HONORING WALTER S. MITCHELL, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT

On 2026-01-09, Representative Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr. (R-PA-8) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING WALTER S. MITCHELL, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, trade policy.

HONORING WALTER S. MITCHELL, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 7 (Friday, January 9, 2026)] [House] [Pages H605-H606] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING WALTER S. MITCHELL, JR., ON HIS RETIREMENT (Mr. BRESNAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. BRESNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of Walter S. Mitchell, Jr., a pillar of the Bear Creek Village Borough community and an exemplary public servant. For 32 years, Mayor Mitchell provided extraordinary leadership, guiding the borough through its formative years and decades of growth. As its first and longest serving mayor, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to historic preservation, responsible governance, public safety, and environmental stewardship. Mayor Mitchell's service reflected his understanding that great leadership extends beyond the office to fostering community built on connection, tradition, and shared experiences. He is widely known for his personal contributions to community life through his involvement in theater and a barbershop quartet, as well as his legendary homemade pecan pies. During his tenure as mayor, Bear Creek Village achieved many important milestones, including placement of the Bear Creek Village Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, major flood mitigation and roadway projects, and the preservation of 139 acres of land surrounding the borough's lake, just to name a few. His conservation efforts were recognized in 2013 with the North Branch Trust Community Stewardship Award. In 2018, Mayor Mitchell received the Carol Sambol Award from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs for his outstanding public service. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mayor Mitchell for his tireless commitment to serving the people of the Bear Creek Village [[Page H606]] Borough and for setting such an inspiring example of community leadership. ____________________