HONORING KAY GRANGER

On 2024-12-10, Representative Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX-14) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING KAY GRANGER" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, defense.

HONORING KAY GRANGER

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)] [House] [Pages H6592-H6596] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING KAY GRANGER The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 9, 2023, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) for 30 minutes. General Leave Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to submit extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? There was no objection. Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of gratitude and admiration to honor my dear friend and colleague, Representative Kay Granger, a true Texas legend whose retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era in this House. Kay Granger is not just a trailblazer. She is absolutely a Texas institution. From her early days as the first woman to serve as the mayor of Fort Worth, to pave the way as the first Republican woman from the State of Texas to serve in Congress, to her historic tenure here in Congress serving Texas' 12th Congressional District, Kay Granger has embodied the values that Texans hold dear. {time} 1900 Kay Granger has embodied the values that Texans hold dear. Mr. Speaker, those values would happen to be faith, fortitude, and an absolute unwavering commitment to doing what is right. As chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee where she made history becoming that, Kay demonstrated unparalleled leadership in guiding one of the most critical responsibilities for Congress, and that would be overseeing the power of the purse. Mr. Speaker, Kay Granger's wisdom and steady hand have ensured that our appropriations process prioritized the need of the American people while safeguarding the principles of limited government. I have had the privilege of serving along with Kay in the Texas delegation for the past 11 years, Mr. Speaker, and let me tell you, she has been nothing short of extraordinary. In Texas we say: You done good. The Texas row on the House floor will not be the same without her. Kay has been an absolute cornerstone of our Texas delegation, a voice we have relied on, a leader we have admired, and a friend we have cherished. Kay's leadership on the House Appropriations Committee and her ability to get things done have moved the needle in a giant Texas way, and not just for Texas, but for the entire country. Kay, your dedication to service has truly been a blessing to this Congress and to every Texan who has had the honor of calling you their Representative. You have made Texas proud, Kay Granger, and we are all better for having worked alongside you. Kay, please know this: as you head into retirement, you are leaving a legacy that will surely stand the test of time. We hope you get to enjoy that retirement in the greatest State in the Nation, the one and only Lone Star State. Let me reiterate, Kay, thank you for your friendship, for your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to the values we hold dear. God bless you, Kay. May He continue to hold you and continue to guide you in this next chapter. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran). Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the eve of her retirement to honor Chairwoman Kay Granger for her many years of dedicated work on behalf of Texans everywhere and our entire country. For nearly three decades, Chairwoman Granger has tirelessly served the 12th Congressional District of Texas. For many of us, she has been a valued mentor, and, more importantly, a respected friend. As the most senior member of the Texas Republican delegation, her experience, wisdom, and leadership have been a valuable resource. In fact, they have been invaluable. Chairwoman Granger has been a true trailblazer, and her legacy will not be soon forgotten. Her time in public service has been marked by many firsts. She served as the first female mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican Congresswoman from Texas, and the first female Republican to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee. Over the years, Chairwoman Granger has left a lasting impact on the Dallas/Fort Worth area, our great State of Texas, and our Nation as a whole. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for her constituents and to advance policies and improve the lives of both Texans and Americans everywhere. She has successfully secured funding for many worthy local funding projects in Fort Worth, increased local and national defense spending to protect the American people, and kept a close eye on overall Federal spending. Her contributions to preserving our national security and supporting economic growth will not soon be forgotten. Chairwoman Granger, thank you for setting the standard in our mission to represent the great people of Texas. Your leadership is a testament to the strength of the Texas spirit, and your work will have a lasting impact for generations to come. We have truly been blessed by your leadership, dedication, and service, but, most of all, your friendship. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams). Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and accomplishments of my lifelong friend, Kay Granger. We both shared Fort Worth as our hometown. Throughout the years, I have watched her lead in the classroom, on the city council as mayor, as a Congresswoman, and as chairwoman. She can make a deal, she can close a deal, and she has no problem making a decision and sticking with it. Her word is her bond, and to her, a handshake means something. She has truly lived a life worth being copied. To my friend and colleague, Kay, thank you for your friendship and thank you for your leadership. May God bless you, and in God we trust. [[Page H6593]] Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey). Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor someone who has been a mentor, a trailblazer, and a dear friend, Congresswoman Kay Granger. Kay's story is the kind of Texas story all of us Texans admire. She spent her entire life serving others, and she has done it with the kind of grit and determination that defines what we like to think about when thinking about Texas. From her days as a schoolteacher to becoming the mayor of Fort Worth and now serving right here in this Chamber, Miss Kay has poured her heart and soul into every role she has taken on. She has led with strength, wisdom, and a deep love for people she represents. As the first Republican woman to chair the Appropriations Committee, Kay broke barriers and made history. There have only been about 11,000 people who have served in this Chamber, but Miss Kay is one of one. If you know Kay, then you know she didn't do it for the accolades, she didn't do it to break barriers, and she didn't do it to break the grass ceiling. She did it because she believed in getting things done; and, boy, did she ever. From standing up for our military and veterans to ensuring that north Texas communities got the resources they needed, she has left a mark that will be felt for generations. On a personal level, Kay has been a guidepost for me. From day one she has been generous with her time and advice, always ready with a word of encouragement or a little bit of wisdom delivered with that look that only she could give. That woman would walk into a room very quietly, and no matter how loud the room was, it got quiet because she had that presence about her. She has reminded me that public service is staying true to your word and putting people first and that what you do here in Congress only matters if it improves the lives of those back home. Kay, I think I speak for just about everyone in this room, well, everybody in Texas, when I say that you cannot be replaced. Your boots are way too big for anybody to fill. We are all going to miss you. However, what you have done will echo far beyond these Halls and these years. Your leadership and heart have touched so many lives, and your legacy is one of dedication, integrity, and love for Texas and this great country. Thank you, Miss Kay, for everything, for paving the way, for showing us all how it is done, and for being a good friend. I know you will keep making a difference wherever life takes you next. 200 Years of the City of Dickinson Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 200 years of the city of Dickinson, Texas, which I am proud to represent in Texas' 14th Congressional District. Dickinson has a storied history, and I want to be the first to say: Happy bicentennial. The city of Dickinson is named after John Dickinson, a landowner whose name became synonymous with the area. What began as an agricultural settlement in the mid-1800s would eventually grow into a thriving community thanks to the arrival of the railroad and the dreams of those who sought to make Dickinson their home. From its fertile soil to the efforts of early entrepreneurs who formed the Dickinson Land and Improvement Association, this city has long been a beacon of promise on the Gulf Coast. In its early days, Dickinson became known for its productive farming and later as a destination for those seeking a peaceful, prosperous life along the bayous and the prairies. Over the years, Dickinson has grown alongside the industrial expansions of nearby Houston and Galveston. The city's strategic location along major rail lines and highways has allowed it to benefit from the region's booming oil and shipping, as well as industrial sectors. When NASA established the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1962, it brought a new era of opportunity and development to our com