Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of a lifelong public servant, Kemah Police Chief Charles Christopher ``Chris'' Reed, who passed away after a boating accident on June 7, 2019.

Chief Reed began serving his country and community in the United States Army, where he was certified as a military policeman after graduating from the Military Police Academy. He was soon promoted to Sergeant and served as a paratrooper until his honorable discharge in 1990.

In 1991, Chris joined the League City Police Department where he served in numerous investigative and training roles. He went on to serve as the Assistant Chief and later as City Administrator. During his time in League City, he graduated from the 210th Session of the FBI National Academy Command College and received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from LeTourneau University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. In 1993, Chief Reed was awarded the Law Enforcement Purple Heart for his courage and sacrifice after being shot in the line of duty.

In 2009, Chris was appointed city manager for the city of Nassau Bay, a role he held for six years. He began his own consulting agency, but a love of public service drew him back to law enforcement where he served as Chief of Police for the City of Kemah until his death. He was selected by the Shepperd Leadership Institute at the University of Texas-Permian Basin as Texas's 2012 Outstanding Local Leader, and was a finalist for the University of Houston Public Official of the Year in 2015.

Chief Reed's passion and support for the community led him to serve on several boards and committees that worked to benefit the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD). In 2016, he was elected to the CCISD Board of Trustees and had just recently been named the board's secretary.

Chris is survived by his wife of nearly twenty-nine years, Jana, and their three children, Logan, Chase, and Alexis. Madam Speaker, my prayers and condolences remain with the family, friends, and law enforcement colleagues of Chief Reed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize World War II veteran Sid Stafford, in celebration of his 100th birthday and for his service to the United States of America.

Mr. Stafford was born and raised in South Texas before joining the U.S. Army in 1941. His military service took him across the world to serve his country in the European Campaign during World War II. Mr. Stafford was in a tank platoon where he worked as a mechanic. Across much of North Africa and Europe, he courageously fought for the safety of Americans and people around the globe against the Nazi regime.

After being honorably discharged from the military in September of 1945, Mr. Stafford settled down on his farm in Hallsville, Texas, where he met his wife, Mrs. Nitalene Waldron. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters in East Texas. Mrs. Stafford passed away on March 15th of this year, and they would have celebrated their 68th anniversary yesterday, June 4th. Throughout his life, Mr. Stafford has made a positive impact on his East Texas community and it is an honor to call him my friend. No matter what life has in store for him, he has always made one thing clear: the importance of trusting in the Lord with all of your heart.

Madam Speaker, it is because of the sacrifices made by men and women like Mr. Sid Stafford that we are able to enjoy the freedoms which we all hold so dear. Let us not forget this great generation. We thank Mr. Stafford for the contribution he has made in preserving our liberty and we wish him a very happy 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Laci Kaye Booth of Livingston, Texas. She is a musician with an incredible God-given talent, which she has so graciously shared with her community, state, and country.

Laci Kaye Booth was born in Livingston, Texas on August 28, 1995. Surrounded by sixty acres of land, Laci grew up playing in the woods and creeks of East Texas. Music was a big part of her life from the beginning, whether it was singing at home or church. Inspired by her upbringing she began singing at the age of three and learned to play the guitar at the age of eight. She has become a talented musician and song writer who finds joy in sharing her talents with others.

Booth attended Sam Houston State University in pursuit of a degree in healthcare. While in college, she used her musical talent to help with expenses. Earlier this year, Laci was selected as a candidate on the competitive television show, American Idol, where she secured a spot in the top five. She sang herself into the hearts of many Americans. It has been said by hit vocal artists that she has a beautiful, ``unique timbre voice,'' and is a ``diamond in the rough.'' Livingston and the entire 36th Congressional District are proud of Laci's accomplishments and are looking forward to supporting her musical pursuits in the future.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize Laci Kaye Booth. May God continue to bless Laci and the voice He has given her, so that she may continue to share it with America and the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Newton Championship Coach, community leader, teacher, preacher, husband, father, grandfather, and father figure W.T. Johnston, who went home to be with the Lord on May 11, 2019, at the age of 54.

William T. (W.T.) Johnston was born on March 28, 1965 in Poteau, OK. He attended Henderson State University in Arkansas where he played for the Reddies as a defensive end from 1986-1988. His distinctions on and off the field were noticed, and in 2019 he was awarded with the Sporty Carpenter Award, which is given in honor of Henderson State's legendary head football coach.

He moved to Newton in the early 1990's where he coached and taught. For the last eight years, he was an outstanding head coach for the Newton Eagles football team, where he successfully led the Eagles to a 97-15 record. Even later in his career, battling Graft-versus-host disease, W.T. coached the Newton Eagles to a victory win as Texas State Champions in both 2017 and 2018.

W.T. married the love of his life Debra Short on August 3, 1985 and together they raised their two sons, Drew and Shaw. He had two grandchildren, Jax and Reece. On April 22, 2019 Newton ISD announced that Drew would be taking his father's position as head coach.

William T. Johnston not only instilled the message of God in his students and athletes, but also inspired millions around the country with his courageous message of never giving up and hope. He has truly left a legacy, and will be remembered for generations to come. The Johnston Family will continue to be in my prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mikko Colabe III Clem Fain Sylestine, the principaL chief of the Alabama- Coushatta Tribe of Texas who passed away on May 21, 2019 at 91 years old.

Chief Colabe III was born on November 4, 1927, on the Alabama- Coushatta Indian Reservation and is of the Granddaddy Long Legs Clan. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in 1952. Chief Colabe III was a teacher and coach at Southmayd High School, Holland High School, Shepherd High School, Woodville ISD, and Goodrich ISD. Although he retired in 1988, Chief Colabe III touched so many lives throughout his time in education.

In addition to the passion he had for educating children, Chief Colabe III was a distinguished tribal leader for most of his adult life. He served as an elected Tribal Council member and then served as its chairman for many years. He assumed his chieftainship role in 1995 as the second chief and was elected as the principal chief in 2014. In serving as the principal chief, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Bronson Cooper Sylestine, who served as the chief from 1936 to 1969. Chief Colabe III was a direct descendant of Chief Colabe, who served as the second chief to Principal Chief Antone in the early 1800s. He also was an elder in the Indian Village Presbyterian Church on the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation.

As I join the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in their period of mourning through the end of 2019, I want to recognize the impact that Chief Colabe III had on many East Texas communities. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is an integral part of East Texas, large in part because of Chief Colabe III's passion, leaders hip, and hard work for the people he cared so deeply for.

Madam Speaker, my prayers and condolences are with the family, friends, and Tribe of Chief Colabe III.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mikko Colabe, III, or Clem Fain Sylestine, as he was also known, the principal chief of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, who passed away on May 21, 2019, at the age of 91 years.

Chief Colabe, III, was born on November 4, 1927, on the Alabama- Coushatta Indian Reservation and is of the Granddaddy Long Legs Clan.

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, in 1952.

Chief Colabe, III, was a teacher and coach at Southmayd High School, Holland High School, Shepherd High School, Woodville ISD, and Goodrich ISD. Although he retired in 1988, Chief Colabe, III, touched so many lives throughout his time in education.

In addition to the passion that he had for educating children, Chief Colabe, III, was a distinguished Tribal leader for most of his adult life. He served as an elected Tribal Council member and then served as its chairman for many years.

He assumed his chieftainship role in 1995 as the second chief and was elected as the principal chief in 2014. In serving as the principal chief, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Bronson Cooper Sylestine, who served as the chief from 1936 to 1969.

Chief Colabe, III, was a direct descendant of Chief Colabe, who served as the second chief to Principal Chief Antone in the early 1800s. He was also an elder in the Indian Village Presbyterian Church on the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation.

As I join the Tribe in their period of mourning through the end of 2019, I want to recognize the impact that he had on so many east Texas communities.

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe is an integral part of east Texas.

Mr. Speaker, my prayers and condolences are with his family, his friends, and the Tribe of Chief Colabe, III.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judge Holly Williamson, Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 8, Place 1, on being named the 2018 Judge of the Year by the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas.

Judge Holly Williamson took the oath of office as Presiding Judge of Harris County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 8-1 on January 1, 2009. Holly earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Southwest Texas State University and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston. Prior to her election to the bench, Judge Williamson practiced law in federal, state, and justice of the peace courts.

Judge Williamson is responsible for a staff of fourteen professional clerks and a budget of $1.3 million. She presides over a diverse case load of approximately 20,000 cases a year that include: civil and criminal trials, jury and bench trials, traffic court, hot checks, evictions, probable cause hearings, administrative hearings, and truancy court.

From 2009 to 2015, Judge Williamson served as the Co-Presiding Judge for the 16 Justice Courts of Harris County. Judge Williamson is involved in many professional organizations as a volunteer or presenter including the Texas Justice Court Training Center (TJCTC) Education Committee. She is responsible for developing and implementing curriculum for both continuing judicial education and the TJCTC New Judge School. Judge Williamson is a leader in the field of truancy law and was appointed by then Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to the Truancy Committee where she was tasked with recommending a uniform truancy policy for the school districts of Harris County.

When not in the courtroom, Judge Williamson is actively involved with her family and volunteering with numerous civic organizations. Holly has been married to Dr. Danny Williamson, a Pasadena chiropractor and small business owner, for over thirty years. Judge and Dr. Williamson have one daughter, Mary Kate, a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in aerospace engineering. The Williamson family are active parishioners at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my good friend, and fellow dentist, Dr. John David Chandler of Kerrville who passed away on May 15, 2019 in San Antonio.

Dr. Chandler was born on September 7, 1947 in Victoria, Texas and graduated from Victoria High School in 1965. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Sam Houston State in 1969 and a doctorate in dentistry from the University of Texas Dental Branch in 1973.

Following dental school, Chandler served as an officer in the United States Air Force Dental Corps at Yokoga Air Force Base from 1973 to 1976. For the next year Dr. Chandler served as an Associate Professor at the University of Texas Dental Branch. In 1977, Dr. Chandler moved to Huntsville and started his private dental practice. Chandler practiced for 38 years in Huntsville, Texas from where he was recognized as an outstanding restorative general dentist and was beloved by his patients, friends and his peers. John and his wife, Janie, retired in 2015 and moved to Kerrville, Texas where their love for the outdoors led them to create a backyard sanctuary for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Dr. Chandler had a passion for continued education and teaching and mentoring young dentists. He served in a leadership role in numerous state and national professional organizations such as the Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Brazos Valley District Dental Society, and the Heart of Texas Dental Society.

Dr. John David Chandler leaves behind his loving wife of forty-nine years and eleven months, nearly half a century. John is also survived by his son Ty Scott Chandler of Austin, son Ryan Todd Chandler of Amarillo, brother and sister-in-law Jay and Ann Garner of Laguna Vista, and sister, Brenda Anderson of Austin.

Madam Speaker, my prayers and condolences are with the family and friends of Dr. Chandler.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today commending President Trump for not waiving the Jones Act.

This is a hypothetical picture, thank goodness, a Chinese-built vessel, subsidized by their communist regime, operated by the Chinese, and delivering Chinese goods, all in the very heartland of the United States of America. But this could easily become a reality if the Jones Act is waived.

For the past 100 years, the Jones Act has brought strength and certainty to maritime commerce here in the United States. It has protected the rights of American sailors, created and maintained American jobs, and been one of the single largest factors in facilitating the strong American economy that we are enjoying.

The Jones Act states that goods shipped between U.S. ports are to be built, owned, and operated by the citizens of the United States, and to support the Jones Act would be an easy decision to continue promoting the policy of America first.

To waive the Jones Act would be to directly jeopardize our national security, our economic growth, and our ability to provide American jobs all across this country. Worst of all, waiving the Jones Act would be allowing these foreign-operated ships into our waterways and could be opening the door to espionage. These foreign vessels would have the potential to literally threaten our national security by exposing our waterways to very real threats.

Not only has the Jones Act played a vital role in economic growth, but it has and continues to play a very large role in disaster recovery and the efforts of emergency response. Take a look at the photos of New York City after the attack on 9/11. You will see the Hudson River and the East River full of American vessels who quickly came to the rescue. Or how about all of the supplies delivered to the coastal communities after catastrophic hurricanes?

The list goes on to include the cleanups of oil spills, fires, and nautical accidents. Americans are always there, and the Jones Act makes that possible.

The Jones Act creates stability and certainty to the maritime and shipping industry. Taking away the Jones Act strips this industry of job and market availability and stability, handing it over to foreign countries to cheaply fill the role through questionable labor practices and lower standards of performance. It would singlehandedly jeopardize one of the Nation's most reliable and strongest of our economic drivers.

As a conservative Republican, I am well aware that many groups and thought leaders here in Washington and back in Texas, whom I respect and agree with on most of the other issues, do not share my view on the Jones Act, and they are actively working to try to weaken or even repeal it.

I respectfully, but firmly, disagree, and that is why I am calling on any and all of my colleagues who want to repeal the Jones Act to explain why the image that they see here would make for a better and stronger America.

If they need to borrow this poster, I will be glad to let them use it. Just let me know.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a great man and thank him for fifty years of service to the City of Orange's Fire Department, Chief David Frenzel. Chief Frenzel was born on June 25, 1947 to E.P. and Sophia Frenzel in Orange, Texas. He and his brother, Dolan, were raised there and attended public school.

Chief Frenzel began his college career at Lamar Tech anticipating a career in the medical field. In the spring of 1969 Fire Chief Vertis Sands called and offered him a job with the fire department on a Thursday. He withdrew from classes at Lamar on Friday and went to work at the fire department on Saturday, April 19, 1969. The rest, as they say, is history. Chief Frenzel did go on to earn his degree from Lamar University in Fire Protection Technology in 1978 and completed the Executive Officer program through the National Fire Academy in 2000.

Through the years, Chief Frenzel advanced through the ranks at the fire department and was named Fire Chief in 1997. Today he continues to serve in that capacity, claiming that he still has a few things he would like to accomplish within the department before retirement.

In addition to his firefighter duties, Chief Frenzel has volunteered in many capacities throughout the community, including service on St. Mary's Catholic Church Pastoral Council; serving on the boards of the Sabine Neches Chief Association and Lamar Institute of Technology; and serving as Scout Master for Troop 1 for twenty-five years with 75 young men earning the rank of Eagle Scout under his leadership.

Chief Frenzel and his wife Hildy have been married for 41 years and have two sons, David and Adam, both of whom were valedictorians at West Orange Stark High School and went on to graduate from Texas A & M University. They are also the proud grandparents of five grandchildren Charlie, Sam, Andy, Abigail, and Alden.

Chief Frenzel is known for his humble ways, quick wit, and knowledge of Orange history. His most admirable quality is his love of God, his family, and for the Orange Fire Department.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Chief Frenzel on his half century of dedicated service to the Orange Fire Department and in thanks of a heroism few share, but all are grateful for.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Baytown Christian Academy Bulldogs on winning both the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) football and boys basketball state championships for the 2018-2019 school year!

On Thursday, December 6, 2018, Baytown Christian Academy captured its second TAPPS 6-Man Division III football State Championship in three years with a 49-34 victory over Weatherford Christian Academy. In the playoffs the Bulldogs defeated Greenville Christian Academy, Fredericksburg Heritage School, and Cedar Park Summit Christian Academy on the way to the title game. The Bulldog football team finished the 2018 season with a perfect 14-0 record.

On March 1, 2019, the Baytown Christian Academy basketball team won its first TAPPS Class 1A Boys State Championship, beating Tyler Street Christian Academy of Dallas by a score of 63-39. On the way to their historic victory, the Bulldogs defeated Cypress Oaks Adventist Christian School, Fredericksburg Heritage School, Houston Southwest Christian Academy, and San Antonio Legacy Christian Academy. The team finished the 2018-2019 season with a record of 29-3. The entire basketball team was also on the state title winning football team.

I would like to personally recognize each student and their coaches. Players: Grayson Albarado, Colton Anderson, Jelan Dowdy, Kory Early, Ethan Flukinger, Charles Flynt, Jaden Jefferson, Jaron Jefferson, Aden Lambeth, Jordan Lewis, Jordan Luke, William Morgan, Matthew Pate, Kyron Pitre, Rajean Sheppard, Chance Strange, Dave Sun, Richard Washington, Jakob Wheatfall, Trey Williams, Sebastian Wilson, and Bryce Gillum. Head Football Coach: Jeromey Anderson. Assistant Football Coaches: Mike Usry, Nathan Gray, Daren McClellan, Quintin Outland, and Jason Welch. Trainers: Janci McClellan, Emily Gray, and Carli Norris. Head Basketball Coach: Kevin Fletcher. Athletic Director: Kevin Jones. Headmaster: James Twardowski.

I wish each of these young men continued success in the classroom and in athletics. Go Bulldogs!

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the centennial anniversary of Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District in Baytown, Harris County, Texas.

Goose Creek ISD was created by an act of the Texas Legislature in February 1919. On July 26, 1919, the first Goose Creek School Board was organized and hired John F. Crawford as the district's first superintendent. Many of the first students to attend Goose Creek schools where children of employees of the nearby Humble Oil and Refining Company, later known as ExxonMobil. In 1922, the first school bond election provided the necessary funding for building Anson Jones Elementary School, Baytown Elementary, and Goose Creek High School.

Goose Creek experienced tremendous growth during the mid-twentieth century with the annexation of Highlands in 1936 and the unification of the Tri-Cities of Goose Creek, Pelly, and Baytown in 1948. Cedar Bayou ISD merged with Goose Creek ISD on March 6, 1954, forming the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District.

Today, Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District is the largest employer in the community. With nearly 24,000 students and twenty-eight schools, Goose Creek is the fifty-eighth largest school district in the State of Texas.

Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District. May God continue to bless the students, faculty, and communities the district serves.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Baytown Christian Academy Bulldogs on winning both the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) football and boys basketball state championships for the 2018-2019 school year.

On Thursday, December 6, 2018, Baytown Christian Academy captured its second TAPPS 6-Man Division III football State Championship in three years with a 49-34 victory over Weatherford Christian Academy. In the playoffs the Bulldogs defeated Greenville Christian Academy, Fredericksburg Heritage School, and Cedar Park Summit Christian Academy on the way to the title game. The Bulldog football team finished the 2018 season with a perfect 14-0 record.

On March 1, 2019, the Baytown Christian Academy basketball team won its first TAPPS Class 1A Boys State Championship, beating Tyler Street Christian Academy of Dallas by a score of 63-39. On the way to their historic victory, the Bulldogs defeated Cypress Oaks Adventist Christian School, Fredericksburg Heritage School, Houston Southwest Christian Academy, and San Antonio Legacy Christian Academy. The team finished the 2018-2019 season with a record of 29-3. The entire basketball team was also on the state title winning football team.

I would like to personally recognize each student and their coaches. Players: Grayson Albarado, Colton Anderson, Jelan Dowdy, Kory Early, Ethan Flukinger, Charles Flynt, Jaden Jefferson, Jaron Jefferson, Aden Lambeth, Jordan Lewis, Jordan Luke, William Morgan, Matthew Pate, Kyron Pitre, Rajean Sheppard, Chance Strange Dave Sun, Richard Washington, Jakob Wheatfall, Treyvian

Williams, Sebastian Wilson. Football Coach: Jeromey Anderson. Basketball Coach: Kevin Fletcher. Athletic Director: Kevin Jones. Headmaster: James Twardowski.

I wish each of these young men continued success in the classroom and in athletics. Go Bulldogs

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Charles Eugene Gee of Jasper, Texas, who recently lost his four-year battle with cancer. Mr. Gee passed away at his home surrounded by loved ones on April 3, 2019.

Charles Eugene Gee, more affectionately known as Charlie, was born on October 10, 1942 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His family eventually moved to Jasper, Texas, where he graduated from Jasper High School in 1960 and married his high school sweetheart, Sue Hollis Gee, in July of 1962.

In 1966, Charlie graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and Forestry. He began working as a new-hire for Kirby Lumber Co. and eventually became the logging superintendent. After 18 years with Kirby, Charlie decided to start his own logging business, Charles Gee Logging Inc. Over the years, he worked many long hours as the dedicated and successful owner of his logging company, as well as several other local businesses. In fact, Charlie later became the State Coordinator for the Texas Logging Counsel, a position in which he served proudly to improve conditions for future generations of loggers.

After his college graduation, Charlie became a dedicated member of the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department. During his time at the department, he served as an original member of the Board of Trustees for the Texas Fire Museum, president of the East Texas Firemen and Fire Marshall's Association, a member on the committee for the Retirement and Pension Fund for Jasper's firemen, and even as the Fire Chief. He also became an instructor for the Texas A&M Fire School in College Station, where he eagerly shared his years of fire-fighting knowledge and experience with younger generations. His devotion and service will live on through the various fire departments in Jasper County and surrounding areas that were established on his instruction.

Charlie is survived by his bride of nearly 57 years, Sue Hollis Gee; his daughters Sarah Smith and husband Sam; Laura McMillon and husband Mitch; Rebecca Soisson and husband Scott; Jennifer Cline and husband Billy; and brother Bill Gee and wife Sue. Charlie is also survived by his grandchildren: Matthew and wife Halea; Ashleigh, Charlie, John, Henry, Jacob, Emily, Michael, Brian, Brandon, and Grant, as well as four great-grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to remember the life of Charles Eugene Gee. May God comfort his family during this time.

Mr. Speaker, former Vice President Joe Biden has been in the news a lot lately, along with a predictable narrative from the Washington know-it-all chorus and their mainstream media partners that he has a distinguished record and reputation as an expert on foreign policy.

How very ``Washington'' it is to assume that with his long Washington resume, especially his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, that Joe Biden is a foreign policy genius.

Nice guy that he is, let's look at the facts.

Because America's national security depends on America's wise choice of our next President, I want to quote the great Charles Krauthammer, who more accurately described Mr. Biden's record back in 2012.

The Vice President over the last 30 years holds the

American record for being wrong on the most issues in Foreign

Affairs ever. And the list starts with the nuclear freeze in

the early eighties against Thatcher and Reagan, which is one

of the follies of the era. He supported it.

He was against aid to the Nicaraguan Contras, which in the

end brought democracy and ended the Sandinista rule at the

time.

He was against Reagan's expansion of the defense budget,

which bankrupted the Soviet Union and led to the end of the

Soviet Empire.

He was against Reagan on strategic defenses, which is the

big advantage that we have now in missile defense.

And look at where he was on Iraq. He opposed the first Iraq

war, the Gulf war that liberated Kuwait, that everyone agrees

was a good thing.

He supported the second Iraq war, which he, not I, say was

a terrible mistake. And then when the surge happened, he

opposed the surge in Iraq which rescued a losing war and

ended in our leaving with our heads held high and some

promise of the future.

He seems to be the Herbert Hoover of American foreign

policy. And for him to be the spokesman for the Obama

Administration on these affairs, I think is quite ironic.

It is not just conservative commentators who can see through the illusion of Vice President Biden's foreign policy judgment.

Robert Gates, former CIA director and Defense Secretary for George W. Bush and Barack Obama, had this to say about Biden in his book, ``Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War'':

``I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.''

I rarely, if ever, agree with Barack Obama, and I am glad to see our country is now back on the road to a strong foreign policy. But I will give President Obama credit for wisely disregarding Vice President Biden's counsel on, arguably, the greatest achievement of Obama's presidency: his authorization in 2011 of the raid by America's SEAL Teams that killed Osama Bin Laden.

As Vice President Biden, himself, recalled to a group of Democrats in 2016, President Obama asked for a final recommendation from his national security team, and he asked, Joe, what do you think?

His answer was, Mr. President, my suggestion is, don't go.

Many agree that President Obama picked Biden as his Vice President in 2008 to quell concerns about his youth and lack of experience in Foreign Affairs, but in retrospect, it has now become clear that the most useful role he played was for Mr. Obama to take whatever he recommended and advised and conclude that it was probably the wrong approach.

Mr. Biden now believes that he is the right man to lead our Nation as President. America will choose a President in 2020, and I hope that Republicans and Democrats will conclude, as our 44th President and countless others have, that the opposite might just be true.