RECOGNIZING KIRK FERNITZ

RECOGNIZING KIRK FERNITZ

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)] [House] [Page H2587] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING KIRK FERNITZ (Ms. HOULAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary service of Kirk Fernitz, a dedicated public servant who is retiring after decades of service to our Nation, to our veterans, and to our community at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District. Born and raised in Germany, Kirk came to the United States as a student and earned his degree from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania before becoming an American citizen and commissioned as an Army officer. Over the course of 30 years in uniform, he served in the Active and Reserve Components of the U.S. Army, deploying to Iraq twice and supporting peacekeeping missions in Africa under Joint Special Operations Command. Following his military service, Kirk devoted more than three decades to the Coatesville VA, culminating in his role as the director of community and congressional affairs, where he worked tirelessly to strengthen the connection between veterans, the VA, and our community. Kirk's career reflects a lifetime of commitment to service, to our veterans, and to our community, and they are better for it. On behalf of Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District, I thank him for his dedication and wish him and his wife, Kristin, and their sons, Erik and Haydn, all of the very best in retirement. ____________________