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[Pages H610-H611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF NORVAL REECE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for 5 minutes.
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, on Monday we recognize Martin Luther
King Day and we celebrate his legacy of civil rights and his promotion
of opportunity for all.
Today, I am proud to recognize an individual from Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, who has spent his life and career dedicated to the
advancement of equality.
Norval Reece of Yardley remembers witnessing Dr. King's ``I Have a
Dream'' speech and marching with him on the third march from Selma to
Montgomery. He worked closely with Dr. King to enact change and in 1967
spent several hours with Dr. King in Philadelphia.
Norval credits his devotion to civil rights activism to his Quaker
faith. He served in India with the American Friends Service Committee,
and later continued to work on their behalf upon his return home. He
later became a successful businessman, building his own media company
that helped bring cable television to then-Communist Poland.
Mr. Speaker, Norval's life and dedication to the service of others is
truly inspiring, and we thank him, his wife, and their sons, Tim and
Stockton, for their service to their community and our country.
Recognizing the Food Center at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a faith community
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, that is going the extra mile to minimize
the negative impact felt by Federal workers and their families during
this prolonged government shutdown.
Last Friday, an estimated 800,000 Federal employees missed their
paychecks. Understanding the undue hardship these Federal employees are
facing, the Food Center at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church stepped
up to the plate, opening their door to furloughed Federal workers and
their families with the opportunity to receive food.
Mr. Speaker, I am truly blessed to represent such thoughtful and
compassionate constituents.
As I did in this same exact spot yesterday, I urge my colleagues to
put aside their differences and reopen our government. Our inaction is
putting Federal workers in an untenable position.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thank you to the Reverend
Rachel Rhodes and all the staff and volunteers at the Food Center at
Morrisville Presbyterian Church for their work. Each and every one of
them makes our community a special place.
Stalking Awareness Month
Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, January is Stalking Awareness Month,
and I rise today to bring attention to the critical need for action to
empower survivors and protect victims of this crime.
[[Page H611]]
Yesterday, I proudly joined my friend and colleague Representative
Stephanie Murphy from Florida along with Pennsylvania Senators Pat
Toomey and Bob Casey to reintroduce the Combat Online Predators Act.
This bill would increase criminal penalties for the stalking of
children and help ensure law enforcement officials evaluate and update
practices to combat online stalking of children.
Mr. Speaker, there are few things more sinister than preying on
innocent children. Millions of Americans, including the most vulnerable
among us, are harmed each year by stalkers. Here in Congress, we must
work in a bipartisan manner to eliminate the digital footprint of
predators to protect the kids in our communities and in our Nation.
I am deeply grateful for the support and advocacy of the Zezzo family
of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who serve as an inspiration for this
piece of legislation, the Combat Online Predators Act, and for
survivors everywhere.
Mr. Speaker, I pledge to work with all of my colleagues, Democrat and
Republican alike, to advance this legislation and other solutions to
stop stalking in all of its forms.
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