THE WONDERFUL McCOURT FAMILY

On 2026-07-21, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC-5) delivered a floor speech titled "THE WONDERFUL McCOURT FAMILY" in the House.

THE WONDERFUL McCOURT FAMILY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4685-H4686] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] THE WONDERFUL McCOURT FAMILY (Ms. Foxx of North Carolina was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize John McCourt and his wonderful wife, Eileen, who are the epitome of the American Dream. John began his career in 1970 in County Tyrone, Ireland, in the screening equipment business on the factory assembly line for Powerscreen International Limited. After building his reputation and business acumen across Europe, he and his wife, Eileen, relocated their family to the United States, and he soon established his own distributorship in Texas. Fast-forward to today, and the McCourt family runs a highly successful equipment business with a reputation and a track record that is steeped [[Page H4686]] in high quality and unparalleled commitment. Their business is family owned and family operated with over 500 years of experience in the industry and over 150 employees. I was fortunate to meet members of the McCourt family recently in Washington through Associated Equipment Distributors. They are a wonderful group of dedicated people. The wonderful story of their parents, John and Eileen, as well as the story and success of their entire family, is something to marvel at, Mr. Speaker. We should all take the time to recognize the impeccable, business- driven and value-driven people in our communities and across the Nation like the McCourt family for all they do in supporting our great American economy. a modern broadside Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight a very insightful and pertinent report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, ACTA, titled: ``A Broadside for the Nation, Preparing College Students for Informed Citizenship.'' ACTA is a wonderful, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability through the trustees at America's colleges and universities as well as informing and engaging the general public. The broadside is reminiscent of the many broadsides published during the revolutionary period that were so important in informing the people along with getting their support for the revolution. Being an informed citizen isn't passe. It is one of our most sacred responsibilities as Americans and one we cannot afford to abandon or ignore. As the report's authors lay out: ``True patriotism includes a commitment to and appreciation of American values and principles. Since the founding of our Nation, our greatest leaders have recognized that our freedom and our prosperity depend on informed and engaged citizens.'' We just celebrated 250 years of American greatness, Mr. Speaker, and we ought to do all that we can to learn of and espouse the values and principles that make America the greatest country in the world. Michael Poliakoff, the president of ACTA, captured this sentiment perfectly in this report: ``The birth of America 250 years ago amazed the world, and our founding documents have inspired the search for freedom and human rights throughout the world. The colleges and universities built and maintained by the vision and generosity of generations of Americans owe it to the Nation to ensure that every student they graduate understands the precious heritage we share.'' Let us not forget the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson who once opined on this very issue: ``If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.'' I commend ACTA and the many authors who contributed to this report for calling attention to this issue. It is one that we all would do well to wholeheartedly support. ____________________