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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as Benjamin Cline.
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September 15, 2026
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Download official House Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. Cline of Virginia was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.)
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Rodney Eagle, a true pillar of the Harrisonburg community. Rodney passed away just shy of his 90th birthday, leaving a lasting impression on the city he loved.
Rodney served our country honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps, achieving the rank of corporal. Shortly after his discharge, he married Sylvia Liskey. Together, they shared 67 years of devoted marriage.
including three terms as mayor, he may be remembered most for the countless unofficial ways he stepped up to serve others. He supported numerous civic organizations and nonprofits, often quietly lending a hand wherever it was needed—from loaning Eagle Carpet tents for community events to personally driving and then donating the company truck to help Open Doors move from one host church to the next.
aspiring realtors and fellow city councilmembers to the person sitting on the barstool beside him.
Mr. Speaker, let us toast a man who lived a genuinely colorful life, whether riding his turquoise Harley-Davidson downtown, wearing purple to cheer on the JMU Dukes, or adding a few extra maraschino cherries to his glass. Here is to Rodney Eagle, a man who cared for Harrisonburg deeply and spent his life making it a better place for all.
honoring frank shakespeare's lifetime achievements
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an extraordinary individual, Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist, United States Navy veteran, and retired public school teacher living in Virginia's Sixth Congressional District.
life, Shirley. This May, he celebrated his 96th birthday and is the oldest living U.S. Olympic champion. As a member of the U.S. Naval Academy's rowing team, he and his teammates represented the United States at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. They defeated the Soviet Union to win gold and were later dubbed by Life Magazine as “The Great Eight.”
people. If you meet Frank, he will hand you his business card that reads: “Be a Winner.”
opportunities that God grants, Frank wants everyone to know that when you live by this motto, Be a Winner, all things are possible.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Mr. Frank Shakespeare, a proud American yet humble Christian whose incredible achievements and message are something we can all learn from.
recognizing spencer suter's retirement
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable public servant from Virginia's Sixth Congressional District, Mr. Spencer Suter. A native of Rockingham County, Spencer dedicated 30 years to local government, including 14 as administrator of my home, Rockbridge County, a community he and his family also proudly call home.
progress. The county expanded broadband into rural communities and worked with neighboring localities to open a joint Department of Social Services building. His tenure also saw the creation of the county's first strategic economic development plan and millions of dollars in investment and expansion at Modine Manufacturing. Spencer also helped oversee the transition of Natural Bridge into a Virginia State Park, preserving one of Rockbridge County's most treasured landmarks.
centered approach to public service. He treated county employees like family, placed the needs of the community first, and demonstrated that no task was beneath him, whether managing a crisis, shoveling snow, or picking up trash along the road.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Spencer Suter for his distinguished service and lasting impact on Rockbridge County. We wish Spencer and his wife, Tina, all the best in his well-deserved retirement.
recognizing walnut springs christian church
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Walnut Springs Christian Church in Strasburg as it celebrates 200 years of faith, fellowship, and service.
made the Stickley Meeting House their permanent place of worship. In 1848, David Stickley donated the land where the church stands today.
Civil War and a devastating fire in 1945. Yet, through every challenge, its members persevered. Remarkably, when the church burned just 2 days before Christmas in 1945, members rushed inside and saved the communion table, piano, and pews—pews that remain in use today.
Mr. Speaker, Pastor Shurtz continues a tradition of faith and welcome that has defined generations of this church family. I congratulate the Walnut Springs congregation. May their simple but powerful message continue to guide them. Be faithful.