Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Shayne Kotara's 22 years of service with the North Richland Hills Police Department. Officer Kotara began his career in the Patrol Division, where he soon became an invaluable asset to the Department because of his committed work ethic and love for serving his community.

Officer Kotara has served the police department in several capacities over the years. In 2006, Officer Kotara transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division where he was assigned to the DEA's Fort Worth Multi-Agency Task Force and later to the DEA's Drug Diversion Task Force. In 2017, Officer Kotara was transferred back to the Uniformed Services Division, and from there he was transferred to the Community Resources Division in 2019. For the last five years, he has served as a school resource officer in the North Richland Hills district. Officer Kotara has shown exceptional dedication and has made a positive impact on his community.

Throughout his distinguished career, Officer Kotara has received numerous awards and commendations, reflecting his exemplary service and dedication. He currently holds a Master Peace Officer License and was awarded one Lifesaving Award. In addition, he's received two Meritorious Service Awards and seven Certificates of Recognition due to his outstanding service in the City of North Richland Hills.

I'd like to thank Officer Kotara for his outstanding service to our community during his career with the North Richland Hills Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Mirchelle Louis. Mirchelle Louis has spent the past 18 years smoothing the cancer journey for everyone who's walked through the doors of Cancer Support Community North Texas. As a clinical social worker, she joined the organization in 2006 providing comprehensive support to cancer patients free of charge. During her time working at the organization, she briefly served as Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Texas.

With 3 clubhouses located in Dallas, Tarrant, and Collin counties, Cancer Support

Community North Texas offers patients a sense of hope through support groups, counseling services, resources, and activities free of charge. In 2016, Mirchelle took on the role of CEO for the organization providing thoughtful, structured psychological and emotional support for patients. Five years later, she became a grateful client of the organization she's spearheaded for almost two decades after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. Even while undergoing four rounds of one type of chemotherapy, 15 weekly treatments of another, and daily radiation for over six weeks, Mirchelle chose to focus on the positives and used what she was dealing with on a personal level to better connect with clients.

I'd like to thank Mirchelle for the incredible work she's done to support and inspire North Texas cancer patients--even through her own cancer journey.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the kind gentleman from Arkansas for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor what would have been George H.W. Bush's 100th birthday, to remember his life, legacy, and service to our Nation.

Few people have left an impact so profound, one that can truly be defined by service to others.

As the 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush epitomized integrity and humility. He served our country with unwavering dedication from his early days in the military to his tenure as Commander in Chief and beyond. He understood what a lot of leaders have forgotten that the purpose of leadership is not to seek personal gain or notoriety, but to act selflessly in service of America.

Beyond the man we looked up to as Commander in Chief, I remember President Bush as a man who could connect with anyone and meet them where they were.

During the second inauguration I attended of his son, George Walker Bush, I went for a tour of the White House. It was to our astonishment that we turned into the Blue Room, and boom, there was the former President George H.W. Bush standing in the middle of the room. We were with a small group and there was a 10-year-old boy that was wearing an Indianapolis Colts jersey. I just saw the look on the former President's face as he ran up to this 10-year-old kid and said: Are you a Peyton Manning fan? This kid with a look of glory in his eyes, staring at what was the past President of the United States said: Yes, sir, I am.

Then George H.W. Bush recounted a story when he was President of when he met Peyton Manning for the first time. He went to a football game and Peyton Manning came running over to him to give him a football, and he said: Here I am, the President of the United States and I was so excited to meet Peyton Manning. I was thrilled. He was my hero on the field.

This was a man who was nearly 80 years old at the time and could still share the excitement of a ball with this 10-year-old child. He could relate with anyone. It was so touching to see this side of our legendary statesman, to hear President Bush get excited as he recounted his first meeting with his favorite football player, and he shared this joy years later with some strange 10-year-old kid, who just melted when he spoke.

In the words of his son George Walker Bush, H.W. showed how public service is noble and necessary. Rather than immediately pursue his education at Yale University, where he had already been accepted, on the day of his high school graduation, which was on his 18th birthday, when our country had entered World War II, George Herbert Walker Bush enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, receiving his wings as the youngest pilot in naval history at the time, completing his training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

During World War II, Bush flew 58 combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross after being shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire. Somehow, he managed to finish his mission embodying his determination and American patriotism.

Following in his father's footsteps, Bush eventually attended Yale before deciding to embark on his own journey. Determined to forge his own path, he left his East Coast roots behind and he moved his young family to west Texas where he began working in the oil industry. He was drawn to the can-do spirit of the Lone Star State and all the possibilities that the State had to offer, something many of us Texans can still relate to.

After working as an oilfield equipment salesman, he moved his family and newly-founded oil development company from Midland to Houston, where he contributed to the creation of countless jobs.

After establishing himself as a leading force in Texas, he became the Republican Party chairman in Harris County where he developed grassroots connections and cultivated relationships with members throughout his community, even serving for a year as a part-time professor of administrative science at Rice University.

However, public service ran deep in his veins. In 1966, Mr. Bush was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas' Seventh District. He went on to serve two terms as a Representative in the U.S. House. He sat on the Ways and Means Committee as a freshman, which is no small feat. He became chairman of the Republican National Committee, chief of the U.S. Liaison Office to China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: ``The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.''

After Mr. Bush fell short in the race for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 1980, losing out to Ronald Reagan, he was chosen to serve as the candidate for Vice President. As any of us who have ever been in the arena and lost a battle understand, it is no easy feat to act graciously in the face of defeat, let alone put aside personal ambitions in favor of loyalty to your opponent. Yet, that is exactly what George Bush did as Reagan's Vice President, never trying to upstage him or expressing disagreement.

When President Reagan was term limited, it wasn't just George H.W. Bush's remarkable life of service and indisputable qualifications that inspired faith in the American people, but his never-ending desire to put others before himself. He once said: ``Any definition of a successful life must include service to others.''

Advocating for Federal deregulation, President Bush established himself as a conservative who understood we needed to limit the power of government in favor of a strong, free-market economy, capable of creating growth, opportunity, and prosperity for all Americans.

He also saw the dangers of deep political division that prevented bipartisanship and progress that could empower a stronger future for our hardworking American families.

He never forgot about the Texans that put their faith in him and inspired him to continue a career in public service. Once elected, he helped showcase Houston as a booming city, bringing world leaders to Texas and paving the way for the State to become a powerhouse in U.S. politics. Later, even once he left public office, he continued to invest in others, serving as a mentor to many, including his fellow Texan, Congressman-turned-chairman, Kevin Brady.

George Herbert Walker Bush's vision of an America blessed with individuals acting as a thousand points of light to lift up others, strengthen communities, and selflessly act in times of need exemplified the patriotism and love of our country so rare around the world today.

He understood the importance of building bridges abroad and chose to lead with grace and diplomacy. Through the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany, President Bush led with vision and sound judgment. He proved to the American people that he was no ordinary, empty-promise politician, cementing his commitment to peace, democracy, and decency for our fellow man.

President George H.W. Bush continued to be an inspiration and beacon of life after his Presidency through his philanthropic work with organizations like his Points of Light nonprofit, where he promoted volunteerism to create positive change across our Nation.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, cherishing his family and faith above all. After leaving the White House, he settled back in Houston, and he opened The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University in College Station where he skydived on to the lawn to celebrate his 75th birthday.

In his inaugural address, President George H.W. Bush said, ``I do not mistrust the future. I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger. Our challenges are great, but our will is greater.''

President Bush had faith in something greater than himself and believed America would always persevere. His humility and love of country were at the forefront of his Presidency, and his spirit lives on in the enduring impact of his leadership.

As we celebrate 100 years of this incredible man, let us all strive to live up to the example that he set for our Nation and choose to be points of light that lift up others and preserve the best of what America has to offer for the rest of the world to follow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Melissa Ice. Melissa saw her first incidence of human trafficking when visiting China as a missional director for a church in Fort Worth. During that time, she also visited women in brothels in China, bringing them baked goods and offering them jobs at the bakery to help them get out and start a new life. After these experiences, Melissa realized how little support there was for homeless women in Fort Worth and the young girls on the streets who were being exploited.

In 2012, Melissa founded The Net, an organization that supports women and children in North Texas who have been victims of sex trafficking. After six years of doing incredible work providing care and recovery for survivors, she went on to found Worthy Co. which gives women employment after they graduate from The Net programs. Women employed at Melissa's organization have the chance to become artisans, learning everything from jewelry making, candle pouring, order fulfillment, and shipping. They're also taught life skills, such as time management and what it means to work in a healthy environment. Melissa's organizations have grown so big that they're opening a secondary location where they'll also educate the community about the issue of human trafficking and exploitation.

I'd like to thank Melissa for her dedication to supporting victims of human trafficking.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mayor Oscar Trevino's career of serving the city and the people of North Richland Hills. Mayor Trevino was elected in June 2002 and re-elected ten times, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Before being Mayor, he served as a council member for three years.

Mayor Trevino graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. His business and construction experience spans more than 40 years and he is currently CEO and owner of O. Trevino Construction. In addition to promoting a positive city image, sense of community, and financial stability, Mayor Trevino has prioritized safety, security, and economic development for North Richland Hills. Mayor Trevino believes it is important to collaborate and work with other communities to improve regional problems.

His leadership style is inclusive and consensus-based as shown by his service as President of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Chair of the Regional Transportation Council, and a member of the Tarrant Regional Transportation Committee. He is also a member of the Coalition for Better Transportation and the Texas Transportation Institute, as well as serving as the NLC's Hispanic Elected Local Officials' President. He holds numerous other volunteer positions in the community highlighting his comprehensive approach.

The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce awarded Mayor Trevino the John V. McMillan Hall of Fame award in 2022 and honored him as Hispanic Businessman of the Year in 2015. The American Planning Association Midwest Texas Section presented him with the Planning Advocate Award in 2021 and the North Central Texas Council of Governments presented him with the William J. Pitstick Regional Excellence Award in 2010.

Mayor Oscar Trevino's awards and memberships not only reflect his outstanding work ethic but also his dedication to our community. It is my pleasure to honor Mayor Oscar Trevino on his career with North Richland Hills and celebrate his commitment to our community. I congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Officer Jerry Lee Cook's retirement after 39 years with the Euless Police Department. I want to thank him for his commitment to our community and dedication to our country. Before his work as a police officer, Jerry enlisted in the US Navy in 1970 and served as an Aviation Mechanic before being honorably discharged as an E-5 in 1978. After being in the military, his training led him to Isfahan, Iran where he worked as an Aviation Mechanic for Bell Helicopter International. When he returned to North Texas, he joined

the Texas Army National Guard and became an Aviation Support Technician full-time.

Inspired by his experiences serving as an aviation mechanic and working in Iran, Jerry wanted to continue to help people which led him to a career in law enforcement. He was hired as a patrol officer by the Euless Police Department on April 1, 1985, and after serving eight years in the patrol division. Jerry was promoted to Corporal and assigned to the community services division where he taught youth the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, also known as D.A.R.E. It was during this time that Jerry developed a strong interest in computers and even taught himself how to operate them. His talents were quickly recognized by the department, and they transitioned him into the position of a computer technician in the Technical Services Division. His mechanical mind and dedication to learning the technical equipment used by law enforcement left an immeasurable impact on the Euless Police Department.

During his 39-year law enforcement career, Jerry received numerous commendations from colleagues and the community. He was presented with the W.M. ``Blackie'' Sustaire Memorial award in 1992 and 2007 in addition to winning the Distinguished Service Award in 1999. Jerry never lost his positive attitude when faced with mounting responsibilities and was always eager to share his knowledge and take the time to teach others.

It is an honor to recognize Jerry on this momentous occasion and thank him for his service to our country and North Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate this week's Hometown Hero, Leticia Ferrer. During last week's solar eclipse, Leticia's lifelong fascination with the movement of the sun and the moon gave her the opportunity to lead a project in North Texas funded by NASA. Leticia's passion for things out-of-this-world started in childhood and she's dedicated her life to documenting and filming eclipses across the globe. Collecting data on the sun throughout her viewings, last week the Farmer's Branch native had the opportunity to work with the Citizen CATE project as a coordinator of scientific viewing teams of the eclipse at home in North Texas. The Citizen CATE project works with NASA and the National Science Foundation to collect data on the magnetic structure and energy of the sun's corona. Leticia helped lead four teams of North Texans through the process of properly collecting the necessary data and using telescopes to gather images to be studied for years to come. I'm inspired by Leticia's dedication to the advancement of solar science and thankful for her outreach in North Texas during the total solar eclipse.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a great American success story that has taken place in the 24th Congressional District that I represent in North Texas As a member of the House Small Business Committee who represents countless job creators with growing businesses, I appreciate the role of our small business owners in creating opportunity and prosperity for North Texans. I rise to recognize one such company, Southland Holdings in Grapevine, Texas, which recently realized the American dream, starting as a family business and recently reaching the milestone of becoming publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Oscar and Rudy Renda, Sr., and their three other brothers, along with their parents, immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1956. Sponsored by their uncle, Ernie Renda, a Pearl Harbor survivor and construction veteran, Ernie tirelessly worked to bring his family to America. The Renda brothers grew up influenced by their Uncle Ernie's strong work ethic and a profound passion for construction. Oscar embarked on his career as a high school coach and history teacher but always harbored a deep passion for construction instilled by Uncle Ernie. In 1974, he realized his dream by founding Oscar Renda Contracting (ORC). A year later, his brother Rudy joined him, and they began building small-diameter water and wastewater pipelines across the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, employing former high school students as their initial crew, many of whom remain with the company today.

Over the next few years, ORC refined its expertise in constructing large-diameter water and wastewater conveyance pipelines and treatment plants. Much of the company's early experience centered around building projects for the City of Dallas. From this local experience, the company gradually expanded its operations with larger and more complex projects across Texas and neighboring states. Through these years, the next generation led by Frank and Rudy Renda gained invaluable experience working alongside skilled crew members from an early age. During their college years at Texas Tech University, Frank and Rudy crossed paths with Tim Winn, which further led to a discovery of shared goals, values, and aspirations that have been the foundation of Southland's success.

Frank, Rudy, and Tim assumed control of the company in 1999, and the following year, entered a joint venture with Southland Contracting, established by Charlie Griffith in 1981. Charlie's unfortunate and premature death led Frank, Tim, Rudy, and Clay, Charlie's son, to assume leadership of the company, and in 2002, Oscar Renda Contracting acquired Southland Contracting. Their shared vision, unwavering commitment, and steadfast principles motivated them to establish Southland Holdings in 2006. Frank Renda assumed the role of CEO, while Rudy Renda and Tim Winn became co COO's. This strategic move laid the groundwork for the company's remarkable growth in the following decade. In the coming years, Southland Holdings welcomed Mole Constructors, Johnson Brothers Corporation, and American Bridge Company into the Southland Holdings family. This family of companies has accomplished remarkable feats in various sectors, including connecting the United States through transportation projects, establishing water pipelines and treatment facilities to transport water across vast regions, tunneling through challenging geological conditions, and contributing to the construction of some of the nation's most iconic structural landmarks.

Once again, Frank, Rudy, and Tim achieved an ambitious goal, with Southland becoming publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SLND. On March 2, 2023, the three of them had the honor of ringing the bell at the NYSE, just a few miles away from where Frank and Rudy's ancestors immigrated into the country at Ellis Island. Frank remarked, ``Amidst the ringing of the bell and the applause, I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude, not only for myself and my partners, but also for our dedicated employees and our family that paved the way to this momentous occasion.''

Today, Southland boasts nearly 3,000 employees across North America and the Bahamas. They have performed work in seven countries and thirty-eight states, generating approximately $1.2 billion in annual revenue. Frank expressed gratitude for the journey, emphasizing that it was only possible through hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and trust. The Southland family is building a construction legacy, carrying forward the values of the generations that came before them, and that is just the beginning of the Southland story.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Alzheimer's Association on their 5th Annual Gala and thank them for their work to increase awareness and understanding of this disease and other related dementias. I'm grateful for how they empower North Texans with knowledge and strategies to cope with the complexities of Alzheimer's disease.

The Dallas and Northeast Texas chapter of the Alzheimer's Association advocates for those in our community impacted by Alzheimer's disease, while pushing forward vital research endeavors focused on treatment, prevention, and finding a cure. Leading the way in Alzheimer's research, the association is a critical piece of expediting global advancements towards ultimately ending the heartbreaking effects of this disease on individuals and families. As they celebrate their 5th anniversary, I sincerely thank the Dallas and Northeast Chapter for their tireless work in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate our Texas-24 hometown hero, Captain Greg Hewitt of Keller Fire Rescue.

Captain Hewitt has devoted 16 years to protecting the safety of our north Texas community, and as a captain at Keller Fire Rescue Station 2, Captain Hewitt has diligently shown relentless dedication throughout his years of leadership and service.

Throughout his numerous 48-hour long shifts, Captain Hewitt consistently displays heroic bravery and a committed spirit to serving his team, Keller residents, and our community.

Captain Hewitt is not only dedicated to protecting north Texans, he is also a devoted husband to his wife, Megan, and a proud father of three beautiful children. As one of the biggest support systems, they have followed him along his firefighting journey.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Captain Hewitt on reaching the milestone of 16 years of service. I thank him for the kindness and devotion he has shown to north Texas throughout his career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Susan Gillingham, and her 50 years of service saving lives as a nurse.

Beginning her career as a secretary, Susan never imagined she would become a nurse, but after volunteering as a candy striper in a hospital, her passion for healthcare became evident. Turning that passion into a long and remarkable career at Baylor Scott & White- Grapevine, Susan says that just taking care of patients and hearing them say they had the ``most wonderful care they could possibly have'' makes her day.

To celebrate her incredible and ongoing legacy, the Baylor Scott & White hospital staff threw Susan a surprise party to thank her, demonstrating the enormous impact she has had in the lives of all those around her--though she said she doesn't need a tiara or a cake because nothing compares to the impact of taking care of her patients.

In the words of hospital president Naman Mahajan, Susan is ``a testament,'' and, ``It is all who we all aspire to be.''

I am inspired by Susan's dedication to our community, and I thank her for the amazing care she has provided and continues to provide north Texans after five decades.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to pay tribute to and welcome to Washington, D.C., a group of dedicated nursing and respiratory therapy students and professionals from West Coast University and American Career College.

West Coast University has been educating and preparing students for nursing and healthcare-related careers for more than 100 years. WCU is well known for its preeminent undergraduate, master's, and doctorate nursing programs.

WCU established a campus in Dallas in 2012. In 2021, after a decade of proven excellence in student outcomes, WCU opened a state-of-the-art nursing, occupational therapy, and physician assistants campus in Richardson. The school serves approximately 1,100 campus-based and 2,000 online students. WCU also has a campus in Florida that serves approximately 1,000 students.

Through its campuses in Texas, California, and Florida, West Coast University and American Career College are expanding access to nursing education and addressing workforce shortages among healthcare professionals across the United States. They are committed to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to meet our country's rising demand for care.

Please join me in welcoming these fine students to our Nation's Capitol as they share with Congress their experience, passion, and perspective on providing quality nursing and healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his support of this legislation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration oversaw what has been described as ``the biggest fraud in a generation,'' doling out more than $200 billion to scammers, foreign crime rings, and others who took advantage of a pandemic to enrich themselves.

According to the Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, the SBA invited this fraud by failing to implement basic safeguards to ensure taxpayer funds were going to the right people. Some of the pandemic aid even went to people involved in transnational crime organizations.

When government mandates forced small businesses to close their doors, some resulting in permanent closures, fraudsters were out taking expensive vacations, buying Lamborghinis, mansions, private jets, horses, luxury jewelry, and more, all on the taxpayers' dime. While we work to recover the stolen funds, those criminals must be identified and prosecuted.

The Small Business Administration not only failed to implement safeguards to prevent fraud of this scope, but they also failed to comply with the law originally authorizing the aid, which required the agency to include an easily accessible link for the public to report suspected fraud. Instead, the SBA has ignored legal requirements and made it incredibly difficult to report fraud.

As my colleagues and I highlighted during a hearing last year, if you were even able to locate the SBA's link to report fraudulent COVID-19 loans--which were buried in their website--where did it take you? As our chairman noted, it took you to a different website that was written entirely in Spanish.

The Republican-led Small Business Committee has created a direct link for Americans to easily report pandemic fraud, and the Small Business Administration must do the same.

I urge my colleagues to support our bipartisan legislation to make it easier to report pandemic fraud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our Texas-24 Hometown Hero, Caden Leonard. As a sophomore at Southlake Carroll High School, Caden has made waves in the cross-country world. After winning the Class 6A individual state title and leading the Dragons to the 6A team championship, he went on to lift his team to a bronze medal at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) final. In qualifying for the NXN, he clocked a personal best, walking away with bronze and First Team All-Region recognition at Nike Cross Regionals South.

Not only is Caden an exceptional athlete, he's also a servant in the community, volunteering with the Young Men's Service League, the local branch of the Special Olympics, and serving in youth ministry at White's Chapel Methodist Church. Caden's dedication to academics, athletics, and public service led Gatorade to name him as Texas' 2024 Boys Cross Country Player of the Year.

Congratulations to Caden on his incredible accomplishments and well- deserved recognition. I look forward to following his cross-country career and cheering him on.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Keller City Manager, Mark Hafner, who is retiring after more than four decades of public service. At just 18 years old, Mr. Hafner started his career as a police officer. In 2001, he moved his family to Texas to lead the Keller Police Department as the Chief of Police. Under his watch, Keller's first Crime Control and Prevention District sales tax was passed, allocating a portion of the tax dollars toward ensuring public safety. Keller Police Department also earned its state and national accreditations and forged cutting-edge partnerships in 911 dispatch, animal services, detention, municipal court services, and policing with the cities of Colleyville, Roanoke, Southlake, and Westlake. He also oversaw two major police station expansions and renovation projects.

After 14 years as the Chief of Police, including three as Keller's Director of Public Safety, Mr. Hafner was promoted to the organization's top spot in June 2015 as the City Manager. In this position, he's overseen historic investments in public infrastructure, parks, and recreation amenities, helped attract vibrant commercial development, and worked to ensure Keller's long-term financial security. The new Keller Senior Activities Center and renovations to Fire Stations 2 and 3 were also completed under his tenure.

I Thank Mr. Hafner for all he has done to protect and serve the people of North Texas. His career has been marked by a commitment to excellence, service and innovation. I congratulate him on his well- deserved retirement, he will be missed.