Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that we passed is wholly focused on unleashing growth for Main Street, empowering expansion of advanced manufacturing, and delivering the skilled job opportunities that will enrich people with valued learning trades that help build American innovation, technology, and infrastructure.

In north Texas, we are in a perfect position to lead this new era of American growth. Our businesses and our workforce are ready to take advantage of these opportunities. Whether they are in energy, advanced manufacturing, law enforcement, education, or technology, north Texas has something for everyone.

That is why our 2025 North Texas Job Fair was the biggest one yet and a true example of the kind of opportunity and growth that we are delivering through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

This year, we were joined by 35,000 job seekers who were able to connect with over 500 employers who were looking to fill more than 30,000 jobs across industries that are vital to our local economy.

One great example is the U.S. Border Patrol, as they are now expanding their workforce and hiring new agents as a direct result of our One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This will mean stronger borders, safer Texas communities, and definitely greater peace of mind for our families.

America's future is shining brighter than ever. With the economic policies of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to lower costs, increase wages, and expand job opportunities, I know America's industrial engine will be unleashed to deliver a breadth of career empowerment not seen at any time in our Nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished career of Detective John Haecker from the Euless Police Department, who is retiring after decades of dedicated service.

John began with the City of Euless in 1995 as a part-time Parks Field Technician. He became a full-time Police Officer in 1999, promoted to Senior Police Officer in 2003. He currently serves in the Criminal Investigation Division with the Economic Crimes Unit. He was named Officer of the Year in 2010. A Certified Master Peace Officer and Certified Fraud Examiner, John has extensive training in Identity Theft, Forgery, and Credit/Debit Card Fraud. He is also responsible for the training of new Detectives for the Criminal Investigative Division.

John has served as President of the Fraud Investigators Association of Texas and is a member of the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He enjoys spending time with his family and has proudly continued his family's tradition of public service.

I would like to thank Detective Haecker for his exemplary service to North Texas and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Christina O'Rear on her retirement after 30 years of distinguished service in law enforcement.

Officer O'Rear earned both an associate's degree in Law Enforcement and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Lamar University. She holds the designation of Master Peace Officer and has completed more than 2,500 hours of training. Throughout her career, she has been recognized with multiple certifications, awards, and commendations for her professionalism and dedication.

Since joining the Grapevine Police Department, Officer O'Rear has served her community with distinction in numerous roles, including Patrol Officer, Detective, Victim Liaison, and member of the Honor Guard. She has also contributed as a Task Force Officer with the Tarrant County Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Beyond her investigative and enforcement duties, she has provided critical support as a Peer Support, CISM, and Mental Health Coordinator, roles that reflect her compassion for both her colleagues and the community she served. She currently serves as Co-Regional Director of the Texas Crisis Intervention Association and as Regional Director of the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network.

As Officer O'Rear retires at the end of August, we celebrate a career defined by integrity, service, and leadership. I thank Officer Christina O'Rear for her three decades of outstanding service to the Grapevine community and to the State of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Officer Terry Caldwell, who is retiring after an extraordinary 41-year career in law enforcement, including 28 years of dedicated service with the Grapevine Police Department.

Officer Caldwell began his distinguished career in 1984 with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department and, over the course of his service, earned multiple certifications and commendations, amassing more than 3,700 hours of professional training. During his tenure with the Grapevine Police Department, Officer Caldwell served 25 of his 28 years as a School Resource Officer in the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, a role he considered his calling. He was deeply committed to working alongside the young people of our community, serving as a trusted role model and mentor to thousands of students across elementary, middle, and high schools.

Officer Caldwell's unwavering dedication, professionalism, and service have left an indelible mark on the community he has faithfully served. His career stands as a testament to the values of integrity, compassion, and commitment that define the very best of law enforcement.

On behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I congratulate Officer Terry Caldwell on his well-earned retirement and thank him for his decades of service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Assistant Director of Border Security for the Houston Office, Erik Shoberg.

For the last 30 years, Mr. Shoberg has demonstrated unwavering loyalty and dedication to protecting America's borders through his work at the United States Customs and Border Protection. He served in posts across the Nation and abroad, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Toronto. During his time at the U.S. CBP, he has had oversight into immigration processing, biometric programs, firearms/ canine programs, intelligence and targeting processes, and external task force officers.

Throughout his career, Mr. Shoberg has showcased his intellectual versatility by consistently being at the forefront of innovating efforts to modernize the work being done by the U.S. CBP. Many of these efforts have focused on the identification of high-risk travelers and the integration of intelligence into operations, allowing for a more harmonized effort focusing on national security concerns. Mr. Shoberg's commitment to improving processes has led to the identification of numerous persons of interest. For his service, Mr. Shoberg has been the recipient of multiple Commissioner's Anti-Terrorism Awards throughout his career and has received a Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Award for Team DHS Excellence.

It is the hard-work, dedication, and faithful service by our U.S. CBP officers like Mr. Shoberg that are the backbone of American security. We thank Mr. Shoberg for his 30 years of incredible service to our Nation and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Officer John Chandler for his 20 years of dedicated service to the Grapevine Police Department and to our North Texas community.

A native Texan, Officer Chandler graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas, and continued his education at the University

of Texas at Arlington. He began his law enforcement career in January 2005, joining the Grapevine Police Department. Throughout his career, Officer Chandler held various roles including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, and Mental Health Officer. In each of these positions, he not only upheld the highest standards of law enforcement but also served as a mentor and leader to his fellow officers. His work as a Mental Health Officer demonstrated his compassion and dedication to serving vulnerable members of the community.

He has accumulated over 2,500 hours of advanced law enforcement training and has earned multiple certifications and commendations, reflecting his pursuit of excellence and his readiness to rise to every challenge. His legacy is not only marked by years of faithful service but also by the lives he impacted, the officers he trained and mentored, and the trust he built with the community.

Officer Chandler's service to law enforcement and his community has left a lasting impact. As he enters his next chapter, I extend my best wishes to him for a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor a tremendous young woman from the Texas 24th Congressional District, Ava Moore.

Ava was an exceptional individual. She was a leader, a patriot, and a bright light in our North Texas community. From the first time we reviewed her application to the U.S. Air Force Academy, it was clear she was destined for greatness. Her academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to serving our nation stood out. That's why I nominated her not once, but twice to the Air Force Academy. The Academy itself recognized her potential and asked her to attend the U.S. Air Force Preparatory School.

Ava successfully completed that program this May, and she was home for just a short break before heading off to basic training and beginning her next chapter at the Air Force Academy. Our staff had spoken with her about her abbreviated summer break and could hear in her voice how excited she was to start a career in service to her beloved country.

While kayaking with friends on Grapevine Lake, Ava's life was taken in a senseless, preventable tragedy. Our entire office is heartbroken about her loss and grieved for Ava's

family, friends, coaches, and teammates. I am grateful local and federal law enforcement took swift action to apprehend those responsible, as that was the bare minimum we owe to Ava and to every American family trying to raise children in peace and safety.

I had the privilege of speaking with Ava's father, a man of great faith, kindness, and forgiveness. Even in the face of unimaginable loss, he told me he was remaining hopeful and positive, because, in his words, ``that's how Ava would have wanted it.'' That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of young woman Ava was, and the family who raised her.

They chose to honor her life not with sorrow, but with a coming home memorial, a celebration of how she stood as an incredible example for all those around her. This past week, Ava was laid to rest with full military honors, as family and friends gathered to celebrate her grace, dignity, character, and strength.

Our Nation is at a loss with Ava's passing. She was leading a life of service as a young woman whose dream was to protect and defend the very freedoms we enjoy in this country today. She was taken far too soon.

May we honor Ava by remembering the incredible young woman that she was and may God bring peace to her family knowing that though her time on earth was cut short, her legacy and her example will last with all of us. We ask the Lord to bless and receive His servant, Ava Moore. She has come home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor Ava Moore, a tremendous young woman from the 24th Congressional District. She was a leader, a patriot, and a bright light in our north Texas community.

From the first time that we reviewed her application to the U.S. Air Force Academy, it was clear that she was destined for greatness.

In May, Ava was home for just a short break before heading off to basic training. While kayaking with friends on Grapevine Lake, Ava's life was taken in a senseless and preventable tragedy. Our entire office is heartbroken about her loss.

I had the privilege of speaking with Ava's father, a man of great faith, kindness, and forgiveness. Even in the face of unimaginable loss, he told me that he was remaining hopeful and positive because, in his own words, that is how Ava would have wanted it.

Our Nation is at a loss with Ava's passing. May we honor her by remembering the incredible woman that she was. May God bring peace to her family, knowing that her legacy and her example will last with all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, in the past 107 days since President Trump was inaugurated and Administrator Loeffler took the helm at the Small Business Administration, we have seen incredible strides toward streamlining services, eliminating waste, and ensuring that every taxpayer dollar delivers immeasurable results.

Beyond tackling bloat, inefficiencies, and burdensome regulations, the administration has partnered with us to deliver real results for the American people.

Today, congressional Republicans are partnering with them through my bill, the American Entrepreneurs First Act.

We have heard this bill described this morning as complicated and as taking drastic measures. Drastic measures mean that the SBA is going to need new resources to be able to actually do their job.

Simply put, all this does is say that when they are giving out SBA loans, they have to require age verification and citizenship status verification. That is it. How complicated and drastic is that? Verify age and citizenship status, that is it. It is codifying an important executive action that is already taking place.

In recent months, it has been discovered that under the previous administration, lax safeguards have allowed illegal aliens, children, and even the deceased to apply for and receive SBA assistance.

Thanks to the great work done by this administration, we learned that in June 2024, the SBA approved a $783,000 loan application for a small business that was owned by almost one-half, 49 percent, by an illegal alien.

Further, they found that between 2020 and 2021, the SBA issued over 3,000 loans totaling $333 million to borrowers over 115 years old--one more time, that is $333 million of taxpayer dollars that went to borrowers over 115 years old--and more than 5,500 loans totaling $300 million to children under 11 years old. Is that where we want our dollars to be spent?

We know, without a doubt, that the previous administration welcomed millions of illegal aliens into our country when, during the first 50 days of the Trump administration, ICE made over 32,809 arrests, which included 14,111 convicted criminals, including 1,155 criminal gang members.

We cannot allow those kinds of folks who are in our country illegally to take money away from hardworking Americans who are applying for SBA taxpayer-backed loans.

I am thankful to see that the tide is now turning and that we have a new day here in America, but it is important that we pass this legislation to protect the successes of this administration in the long term.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the American Entrepreneurs First Act.

Mr. Speaker, over the past 2 years, my colleagues and I on the Ways and Means Committee have traveled around the country, listening to working families, small business owners, and job creators. North Texans have been very clear: They want relief, certainty, and a tax code that works for them, not against them.

Last week, we delivered. The bill that we passed out of committee reflects the real needs of our communities and the promises that we made to the American people. It is a strong, commonsense compromise that builds on the success of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

This bill expands the child tax credit, makes the small business deduction permanent, and boosts the standard deduction with a new enhancement for seniors. It restores immediate expensing for R&D and increases access to tax-free health savings accounts.

In short, this one big, beautiful bill stops the largest tax increase in American history and delivers historic tax relief instead.

I look forward to its swift passage and to President Trump signing it into law.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to recognize Euless Police Corporal James Gordon for his twenty-eight years of selfless service to North Texans.

Corporal Gordon, a graduate of Lewisville High School and Texas A&M University, began his career in public service as a Probation Officer for Denton, Tarrant, and Dallas Counties. He Joined the Euless Police Department in 1996, serving with distinction for nearly three decades. Promoted to the rank of Police Corporal in 2000, he has held numerous critical assignments and roles that strengthened the safety and trust in the community.

Corporal Gordon is best known to many in the Euless community for his role as a Neighborhood Police Officer and his dedicated work with crime watch programs. He has been a pillar in community engagement efforts through the Citizen's Police Academy, CERT Program, Child Safety Seat Program, Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), CPR instruction, and the David Hofer Police Camp. His commitment to safety extended to conducting home security surveys and creating the Euless SAFE business program to promote responsible business security practices.

A skilled and decorated officer, Corporal Gordon served as a SWAT officer from 2001 to 2008 and has been a Defensive Tactics Instructor since 1999. His leadership earned him the title of Crime Prevention Expert from the Texas Crime Prevention Association and STEP Officer of the Year for the State of Texas in 2007. His professional affiliations include the Texas Crime Prevention Association, where he serves as President of the North Texas chapter, and the Texas Municipal Police Association. His commitment to duty and the community has also been recognized through numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Award, multiple Unit Citations, and the prestigious Euless Employee of the Year in 2018. Beyond his accolades, James Gordon is a trusted mentor, an Eagle Scout and a devoted public servant who has made a lasting impact on countless lives.

As he enters a well-earned retirement, dedicating his time to family and friends, I express my deepest gratitude for his courage and commitment to the safety and well-being of the people of North Texas. Congratulations and thanks to Corporal James Gordon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Thomas Owen. Thomas is a senior at Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas. With his graduation quickly approaching, instead of making the celebration about him, he is organizing a graduation party to benefit Make-A-Wish North Texas.

Thomas serves on the Make-A-Wish Youth Leadership Council, and has brought together a team of students from local North Texas high schools to help support this cause. He is inspiring others to take action and give back to their communities.

I thank Thomas for inspiring his fellow North Texans through his selflessness and leadership. Through the use of his entrepreneurial skills, he is making a difference in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Loann Pham of Richardson. She has been a dedicated volunteer with Feed My Starving Children since 2019. Over the past six years, Loann has contributed to nearly 500 food-packing sessions and organized 900 volunteer groups, playing a key role in engaging the community.

Feed My Starving Children Richardson is a nonprofit committed to providing nutritionally complete meals to starving children in need around the world. Through their efforts, volunteers pack meals in the U.S. and they are distributed to over 70 countries worldwide.

We thank Loann for her commitment to the fight against childhood hunger and her efforts to inspire others to give back. Her passion makes a lasting impact on our North Texas community and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Euless Public Service Officer Russell Carter for his 25 years of dedicated service to North Texas. A proud graduate of Haltom High School, he furthered his education in criminology and criminal justice through coursework at Tarrant County College and Columbia College.

Mr. Carter began his career in warehouse operations and security at Atlantic Air in Richland Hills and Pinkerton Security at the General Motors plant in Arlington. He joined the City of Euless in 2000, where his contributions have earned him multiple recognitions, including the 2006 Civilian of the Year Award and 2011 October Employee of the Month. His commitment to excellence was evident by his role in tactical training exercises and assisting in the development of new jail FTO/ training manual and Bond Procedures manual.

A dedicated member of the Euless Police Officers Association, Mr. Carter also volunteers with a charity BBQ team, participating in competitions, and supporting local causes. In his personal time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, and cherishing moments with his family.

Mr. Carter's professionalism, service, and community involvement made a lasting impact on Euless. I thank him for his contributions to North Texas and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, who is described by others as a giver, leader, mentor, servant, strategist, planner, and doer. It's clear that Dr. Katie Simpson of Southlake goes above and beyond to help and inspire individuals in our community. While her husband served as an Active- Duty fighter pilot. Katie was an Air Force volunteer, establishing a biannual family deployment fair in Ramstein and mentoring other military families during her husband's deployments.

Now, Katie serves North Texans in a variety of ways--as a volunteer team leader at the Texas Ramp Project, Dr. Simpson surveys sites, designs ramps, and leads a volunteer crew in building dozens of wheelchair ramps. Leading three textile ministries, she makes prayer shawls for patients at Texas Oncology, makes blankets and hats for veterans transitioning out of homelessness, works with the Fort Worth VA, and creates fidget quilts/blankets for special needs children and individuals in memory care. Katie also finds time to volunteer with her church and delivers meals weekly with Metroport Meals on Wheels in Southlake.

Katie's tireless service has earned her numerous awards, including the National Daughters of the American Revolution Distinguished

Citizen Medal in 2021, Excellence in Community Service in 2016, Texas Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding DAR Service to Veterans in 2017, and the Arts Council Northeast Shining Star award for volunteer leadership service to the community.

I thank Dr. Katie Simpson for her unwavering commitment to serving others. Her devotion to our North Texas community is appreciated and continues to inspire those around her.