Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and the citizens of the Texas-24, the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Kent Hopkins, Petty Officer 3rd Class, United States Navy, of Euless, Texas, for his honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued dedication to his community.

Mr. Hopkins enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1960, having served until 1964 as an aircrewman with VF-9, serving on the P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft. Notable assignments include serving as a part of Joint Task Force 8 during Operation Dominic nuclear testing in the Johnston Atoll in 1962. Other assignments include maritime surveillance of Soviet military assets in the Far East during the height of the Cold War.

After leaving the Navy, Mr. Hopkins has brought the same love he had for his country and poured it into making his community a better place. He has served on several boards, commissions, and committees. Among these are as a member of Lions Club, Optimists Club, a volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America, a former governor of the DFW Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Mr. Hopkins has also served as a precinct chairman and election judge, as well as a volunteer for several local-area churches.

Mr. Hopkins' career is marked with heroism and is consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Navy and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and the Citizens of the Twenty-Fourth District of Texas, the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Bryan Bradford, Specialist, United States Army, of Grapevine, Texas for his honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued dedication to his community.

Mr. Bradford enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1989 and served until 1993 as a radio operator. Bradford was deployed to the Middle East in 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. His decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of second award, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of a third award, the Good Conduct Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star denoting participation in two campaigns, and the National Defense Service Medal.

After leaving the Army, Mr. Bradford has brought the same love he had for his country and poured it into making his community a better place. Mr. Bradford has worked as a certified nutritionist, certified health coach and has been the Chief Nutrition Officer at Sunflower Shoppe for 27 years, which has been a service to the citizens of Colleyville and Fort Worth by providing the means to live healthier lifestyles.

Mr. Bradford's career is marked with heroism and is consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and the citizens of the Texas-24, the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Michael Esquivel, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, of Grapevine, for his honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued dedication to his community.

Mr. Esquivel was commissioned as an officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988 and served as an infantry officer during Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. He later became a civil affairs officer, seeing combat with the 82nd Airborne Division and 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. His decorations include the Bronze Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

After retiring from the Army, Mr. Esquivel brought the same love he had for his country and poured it into making his community a better place. He has served as an instructor at Tarrant County Community College, helping launch its Logistics and Supply Chain Management Program, a founder of the Northwest Campus Community Market which helps distribute food across the community, a member of Team Rubicon, and volunteers with his wife with dog rescue groups such as the Society for Companion Animals and the DFW Pet Loss Support Group.

Mr. Esquivel's career is marked with heroism and is consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and the citizens of the Texas-24, the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Alphonse Franklin Le Grand, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force, of Coppell, Texas, for

his honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued dedication to his community.

Mr. Le Grand was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1956, having served until 1978 as a navigator/bombardier for Strategic Air Command bombers. Le Grand was deployed to Vietnam during the war as the lead navigator for the AC-119 Stinger gunship, leading search and destroy operations on North Vietnamese positions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of subsequent awards, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Le Grand has brought the same love he had for his country and poured it into making his community a better place. He has served on several boards, commissions, and committees, among these are as an officer for the Knights of Columbus, leadership positions within the Boy Scouts of America, and as a member of the Catholic Church Pastoral Council.

Mr. Le Grand's career is marked with heroism and is consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Air Force and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and the citizens of the Texas-24, the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Aubrey Bruce Stacy, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, of Colleyville, Texas for his honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued dedication to his community.

Mr. Stacy was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army in 1966 and spent over 20 years as an infantry officer before retiring in 1989. During his time in service, he was deployed to Vietnam, where in 1967 his platoon was ambushed by the Viet Cong. Stacy successfully led his men in a charge on the enemy's well-fortified position, and in another firefight took point position to maneuver his platoon to safety out of the kill zone. In 1969, Stacy managed to move several of his wounded troops from the assault area while under attack from the Vietnamese despite being wounded himself. Stacy's actions during the war earned him the Silver Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster denoting a second award, the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster denoting a second award, the Bronze Star with V device denoting valorous actions, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster denoting subsequent awards, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal.

After retiring from the Army, Mr. Stacy has brought the same love he had for his country and poured it into making his community a better place. He has served as President of the Colleyville Rotary Club, the Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Air Power Council, and a permanent member of the 82nd Airborne Association.

Mr. Stacy's career is marked with heroism and consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation and the citizens of the Texas-24, the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation is hereby presented to Harold Culver, Sergeant, United States Army, of Bedford, Texas for his honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and for his continued dedication to his community.

Mr. Culver enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968, serving as a communications specialist with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. On May 5, 1968, a Vietnamese 122mm rocket was launched at his position, wounding him. His decorations include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Mr. Culver's career is marked with heroism and is consistent with the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself, the State of Texas, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our Texas 24 Hometown Hero of the week, Lexi Missimo, a Southlake native representing the United States Women's National youth team.

Last season while playing for the University of Texas, Lexi showed courage in the face of public pressure by standing proudly for our country's national anthem. While many chose to bend the knee, Lexi stood with pride to honor the country she loves, and her beloved late grandfather who selflessly served in the military.

We live in strange times--it is now more acceptable to kneel for our flag than to stand. Lexi displayed bravery by refusing to cower to public pressure, not for any political purpose, but simply out of love for country.

Lexi is an all-American kid--one who is proud of the country she calls home and those who serve to protect it. I look forward to seeing her represent our country this summer with the Under 20's national team, and one day, fulfill her dream to play for the senior team.

I thank Lexi for her courageous actions. May they inspire the rest of the country to show pride in our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, tens of thousands of men and women will fill the streets of our Capital to march for the lives of the unborn and to advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable Americans.

These men and women are advocating for an end to abortion, but they are not just seeking policy solutions. I know many of the devoted participants in the March for Life and about all the work they do in our communities to make sure that no woman ever feels alone or that abortion is her only option.

They staff pregnancy centers, host diaper drives, provide information on adoptions, and organize childcare for young mothers. They are doing the work of making their cities and neighborhoods a place where no one is alone and there is a support system for every mother. There is sensitive and compassionate help available to those facing an unwanted pregnancy.

Mr. Speaker, as we march for life this weekend, we march for a greater future for all of us, one that values the unborn and sees the potential in every life. I am proud to support, champion, and stand with these efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lieutenant Jason Moloney and the Southlake Fire Department for their selfless acts of service to protect our State during the recent wildland fire deployments.

Over the holiday season, Southlake Fire Department personnel took part in two different deployments as part of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to assist with wildland fires in the Texas panhandle. The fire covered nearly 24,000 acres and stretched 23 miles long.

Southlake Fire Department Lieutenant Jason Moloney fearlessly served as the Strike Team Leader of a specially trained team, which included five wildland brush trucks and a command vehicle.

During the second deployment, the strike team was deployed on January 4 and was safely demobilized on January 9. While Lieutenant Moloney was on the front line, his wife, Velvet, worked tirelessly treating COVID- 19 patients as a respiratory therapist and taking care of their two young children. Both Jason and Velvet served to protect our State and sacrifice time at home during the holidays as a family.

Madam Speaker, I thank Lieutenant Moloney and the entire Southlake Fire Department for their dedication, bravery, and providing world class service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor America's heroes as they protected the faithful members of Texas-24 in their place of worship over the weekend. We witnessed a terrorist threat in our community, as he held four worshippers hostage in the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.

The brave men and women of our community selflessly rose to show our neighbors and our country that we will always stand together in unity to support each other. We proved this as the Colleyville Police Department responded immediately to the threat. Local churches showed their support as Good Shepherd Catholic Community Church opened its doors to take in the evacuees and families of hostages until the situation was resolved. Pleasant Run Baptist Church also opened its doors for others and displayed prayer signs for their ``brothers and sisters at Beth Israel.''

We are grateful for everyone who stepped up to serve their neighbors, and commend the resilience of the four who were held hostage against their will, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, whose courageous actions led to the safe escape of his fellow hostages.

As we await further details, we ask for your continued support and prayers for the Colleyville community and the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5665. Bringing this bill to the floor is nothing more than empty theatrics from Democrats.

Our Nation has delivered more freedom, opportunity, and liberty to more people around the world than any nation in our history. We have served as the arsenal of democracy and a liberator of oppressed people because we are a good and just nation founded on fundamental, God-given liberties. Included among those, as part of our very first amendment, is the freedom of speech.

Our Nation has lost precious treasure of our fellow countrymen to free people from the horrors of Islamic fundamentalism. We need only look at what has happened to women in Afghanistan since Biden's disastrous and botched departure. Women are being stoned to death in the street for having the gall to be educated. Women are forced into marriages with blood-thirsty Taliban savages to serve as breeders of the next jihad.

The fight against these kinds of atrocities deserves plainspoken and hard truths be told. Instead, the other side would like to sterilize free speech and determine what words are allowed under their Orwellian tyranny.

Our Nation and the world deserve so much better than this ridiculous attempt to stifle free speech. There is tremendous evil in this world. Every day that evil is trying to infiltrate and undermine our exceptional Nation.

I will never shy away from calling out evil ideologies, and I will never back down from speaking against them and how they are used to oppress women, children, and the vulnerable. We must stay committed to opposing heinous acts of violence directed at any religious group around the world, but the fact is, the State Department is already doing this.

This bill brought to the floor today is for one purpose only: to appease the hurt feelings of Members who themselves have well- documented backgrounds of anti-American and anti-Semitic remarks.

I rise against this bill just as I will rise against any attempts to weaken our rights, diminish our liberties, and distract this body from dealing with real issues to strengthen our Nation and empower our people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our Texas 24 Hometown Hero of the Week, my hometown hero, Irving Chief of Police, Jeff Spivey.

Chief Spivey will be retiring this year after selflessly serving our community for 35 years working to strengthen community relations and serving in roles from patrol to criminal investigation. Irving is a better, safer city because of his dedication. He pioneered peer support services, formed a mental health response unit, and led a departmental reorganization.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chief Spivey for his service and the lasting impact he has made on our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bruce Stacy of Colleyville, TX who served in the U.S. Army and received two silver stars in Vietnam.

Over the weekend, I had the honor of awarding Bruce the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation. We honor Bruce for his courage and sacrifice in 1969, where he sustained serious wounds as he cleared many soldiers from an immediate area of assault by the enemy. He was later awarded two Purple Hearts after this conflict.

Bruce has always put others first and continues to make a lasting impact on the lives around him. It is an honor to recognize the distinguished veterans of TX 24, like Bruce, and to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans through the Congressional Veteran Commendation. I thank Bruce for his service and the sacrifices he made to protect our great nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Merrel Franklin (Frank) Adams, Jr. of Southlake, TX who served in the U.S. Marine Corp and USMC Reserves during his 20 years of service.

Over the weekend, I had the honor of awarding Frank the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation. Frank courageously flew during the Vietnam War and served seven months with the infantry as a Forward Air Controller, Air Liaison Officer and Battalion Operations Officer.

Among many of Frank's accomplishments during his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while flying the A4 Skyhawk, which saved American troops who were trapped by enemy fire, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for repelling enemy attack and causing many enemy casualties and 6 Air Medals for missions over North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Frank also received the Purple Heart for injuries he received when he was shot down by enemy ground fire. When he ejected, he had to outrun and fire upon the enemy until he was rescued by a helicopter.

It is an honor to recognize the distinguished veterans of TX 24 and to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans through the Congressional Veteran Commendation. I thank Frank for his service and the sacrifices he made to protect our great nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard G. Stewart, Jr. of Irving, TX who served in the U.S. Navy. Over the weekend, I had the honor of awarding Richard the 2021 Congressional Veteran Commendation.

Throughout his outstanding 24-year military service record, Richard was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, among many others. Richard retired from the Navy in 1994 and went on to serve his community in various more ways.

It is an honor to recognize the distinguished veterans of TX 24 and to preserve their stories for future generations of Americans through the Congressional Veteran Commendation. I thank Richard for his service and the sacrifices he made to protect our great nation.