Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Baytown, located in both Harris and Chambers Counties, Texas.

Present-day Baytown was incorporated on January 24, 1948, combining the communities of Goose Creek, Pelly, and Baytown. Baytown is situated on the Texas Gulf Coast and is home to several of America's critical waterways: the Galveston Bay system, the Houston Ship Channel, and the Port of Cedar Bayou. It also shares the bay with the San Jacinto State Historic Site and San Jacinto Monument, where Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836. Early settlers of Baytown assisted the Texian Army during the Runaway Scrape.

Pioneers arrived in the area in the early 19th century and became known for rice farming and, later, brickmaking due to the high-quality clay found in the region. Over the course of a century, up to 12 million bricks a year were made at Cedar Bayou and shipped to Galveston.

Baytown, and the surrounding region, are known worldwide as innovators in the petrochemical industry. In 1908, the Goose Creek Oilfield became Texas's first offshore drilling operation and paved the way for significant growth and development. During World War II, the research conducted at the Baytown Refinery contributed to producing essentials like 100-octane fuel used in planes. Today, Exxon's Baytown Refinery is among the largest in the United States. Over the decades, many other leaders in the petrochemical industry have established a significant presence in Baytown and nearby communities. In addition to its industrial history, Baytown has long been committed to preserving the region's natural resources: saltwater and freshwater fishing, native marshland habitats, and waterfowl migration paths.

The following men have served the citizens of Baytown as Mayor: E.D. Cleveland; J.A. Ward; R.H. Pruett; Al Clayton; C.L. Liggett, MD; Seaborn Cravey; C. Glen Walker; Tom Gentry; Emmett O. Hutto; Allen Cannon; Pete C. Alfaro; Calvin Mundinger; Stephen H. DonCarlos; and Brandon Capetillo, who currently serves as Mayor.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of Baytown. May God bless this town and its citizens even more richly over the next 75 years.

Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate Chris Smith, and I thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach) for having this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, today, as we mourn the millions of babies lost because of the decision in Roe v. Wade 53 years ago, we also celebrate the millions that will

be saved now because that decision has been overturned.

Tragically, Mr. Speaker, my Democratic colleagues would rather spread lies about the Supreme Court decision than to tell the truth. They want to deceive you into believing that Republicans don't care about women's health--that is crazy--even as they enable and encourage biological men to use women's bathrooms and to compete in women's sports, and they are content to simply watch pro-abortion thugs attack and burn pregnancy centers and churches around the country.

They may refuse the truth because it doesn't further their anti-life agenda, but they can't change it. The truth is that the reversal of Roe v. Wade returned the power to where it belongs, and that is to States.

So today I celebrate that decision, I pray for those taken, and I renew my promise to never surrender the fight for our unborn. I will always defend the voiceless, and I will always stand for life.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 23, H. Res. 5.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend and longtime community leader, John Moon Sr. of Pasadena, Texas, who passed away on December 7, 2022.

John was born on August 19, 1937, in Van Buren, Arkansas, to Benjamin and Alma Moon. He married the love of his life, Rose A. Moon, on August 16, 1958. They had two sons: John Moon Jr. and Randall Moon.

John became a Certified Public Accountant at the age of 21, one of the youngest in Texas history. He was soon hired by Texas Eastern Transmission and relocated his family to Houston. Several years later, he accepted an opportunity at the Houston Research Center and eventually became a bank owner.

In 1970, John was invited to join the Rotary Club of Pasadena. Since that time, he has never missed a meeting. John was the epitome of a Rotarian, serving the community with leadership and compassion.

In 1973, John was named ``Outstanding Young Man of the Year'' by the Pasadena Junior Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 20 years later, he was named the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce's ``Citizen of the Year'' and was eventually inducted into the Pasadena Hall of Fame. John's devotion to his community was truly remarkable. Over the years, he held positions on the Harris County Industrial Commission, Sam Houston Parkway Transportation Corp., San Jacinto River Authority, and Harris County Economic Development Council.

John's civic and philanthropic work for Pasadena and Harris Counties remains unmatched. He exemplified the Rotary motto, ``Service Above Self.''

Madam Speaker, it is a privilege to honor my friend, John Moon Sr. I know this is something he would have cherished. My most sincere prayers are being sent to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tens of thousands of veterans who served on radar stations across the world during the Cold War.

From 1947 to 1991, American servicemembers faced extremely challenging climates and conditions in the most isolated locations to successfully mitigate threats from the Soviet Union to ensure the maintenance of peace.

These veterans were highly trained and from every United States military branch, including the National Guard and Reserve units. They were also supported by allied forces and civilians, as well.

These brave watch guards were on a mission of the utmost importance to detect, track, intercept, and destroy hostile airborne intruders when they entered the free world airspace.

Although the protection of allied airspace was successful following the end of the Cold War, the United States never officially recognized the countless hours of surveillance that these servicemembers provided to our country and the world.

Several years ago, a dedicated group of Air Force Cold War-era radar station veterans formed a nonprofit organization to raise funds for the construction of a monument commemorating their fellow servicemembers' sacrifices.

The monument was unveiled on November 7, 2019, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, with some 100 veterans and their family members in attendance.

Today, I thank these veterans for their service during such a tense and a turbulent time in our history. Their dedication to our security and the prosperity of peace never wavered an iota.

As a veteran stationed in Germany during the Cold War, I can relate to many of the sacrifices that these courageous individuals made, and I am forever grateful for them.

I include in the Record a letter by one of the United States Air Force Radar Station Veterans Monument Association founders, 1st Lieutenant James E. Muecke, which contains more information about the hard work that went into making the dream of a monument into a reality.

Radar Station Veterans Monument

Several years ago, three Air Force veterans who served on

various radar stations during the Cold War began discussing

how to honor their service and others who held the same job.

A monument was suggested, but they lacked funding and a

location. Washington, D.C., was thought to be the most

obvious location choice, but given how long it took to

construct the World War II Memorial, they decided to look

elsewhere. After many discussions with their fellow veterans,

they formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called the

United States Air Force (USAF) Radar Station Veterans

Monument Association. Five veterans volunteered to serve as

officers for the association, and 26 agreed to become board

members.

Once the association was formed, donations were sought from

many Cold War-era manufacturers and suppliers of radar

equipment. Unfortunately, most were out of business or had

merged with other companies. As a result, the association

contacted as many radar station veterans as possible to ask

for their donations for the monument. Eventually, the

National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-

Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, was selected as the

location for the monument's placement. The museum indicated

that the project would cost approximately $30,000. After much

aid from their fellow veterans, they raised $43,000.

When designing the monument, their goal was to educate the

public in an appealing way. They decided on a monument made

from black granite stone, with images of 23 radar sites

etched into it. A mission statement and description of the

radar station operating conditions were inscribed on the

front, and a globe sat on top, symbolizing worldwide

involvement. The monument was completed and placed in section

two of Memorial Park at the National Museum of the United

States Air Force. The dedication ceremony was held on

November 7, 2019, with some 100 veterans and family members

in attendance. It was an outstanding program; the Air Force

honor guard members gave a flag presentation. After the

program, the USAF Radar Station Veterans Monument Association

members formally turned the monument over to the museum.

Following the ceremony, an evening banquet was held, and

the association's officers were recognized for their work in

commissioning the monument. They received a standing ovation.

All officers were presented with a framed picture of the

monument, the USAF Radar Station Veterans Monument

Association's logo, and a statement of appreciation.

This is just one example of what it means to be a United

States veteran: We are loyal, are proud to have served this

great country, and can still stand tall for a monument

dedicated to this purpose. We give a proud hand salute to all

who attended, to those who could not attend because of

distance or health, and especially to those who served but

are no longer with us.

1st. Lt. James E. Muecke.

May God bless these heroes and may history remember them.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the achievements of Patrick ``Hawk'' Hardy and express my sincere gratitude for his service to our Nation.

Although he is now a resident of Kountze, Texas, Patrick was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on June 14, 1949. Patrick, known by many as ``Hawk,'' and I first met when we were children. In our youth, we made wonderful memories playing football together.

After graduating from French High School, in Beaumont, Texas, in 1968, Hawk enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He bravely served from 1968 to 1970, earning the rank of sergeant. Former Secretary of the Navy, William K. Jones, stated the following citation while awarding Hawk with the Navy Commendation Medal:

For meritorious service, while serving with the Second

Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in connection

with the combat operations against the enemy in the Republic

of Vietnam from 20 September 1969 to 11 September 1970.

Throughout this period, Sergeant Hardy performed his duties

in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Following

initial assignment to Company H, he was reassigned as Team

Leader of the Marine Liaison Team with the Fifth Battalion.

Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Participating in several

major combat operations, he repeatedly distinguished himself

by his courage and composure under fire. Particularity

noteworthy were Sergeant Hardy's achievements on 21 July 1970

as he skillfully coordinated the maneuver of United States

Marines and Korean Marines, thereby enabling them to close on

an enemy force attempting to cross the Vinh Dien River and

kill ten enemy soldiers. Displaying exceptional initiative

and resourcefulness, he organized and supervised a training

program for personnel in his section, which increased their

individual proficiency and enhanced the combat effectiveness

of his unit. As a result of his diligent and resourceful

efforts throughout his tour in the Republic of Vietnam, the

operational effectiveness of his unit was greatly enhanced.

By his initiative, superb professionalism, and loyal devotion

to duty, Sergeant Hardy earned the respect of all who served

with him and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps

and of the United States Naval Service.

Hawk attended Lamar University in Beaumont, graduating with an associate degree in law enforcement and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He worked as a deputy sheriff in Harris County from 1971 to 1981. In May of 1981, he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence. Hawk served as a criminal investigator and First Assistant Prosecutor in Hardin, Jasper, and Tyler counties. He was a county attorney for Tyler County in 1984 and later served as the Tyler County District Attorney from 1985 to 1990. Hawk also served as a criminal investigator in Kaunnan County and was appointed as the Assistant Prosecutor.

Hawk has been a student of taekwondo since the age of 16. However, in the 1970s, he also made a name for himself on the karate circuit, winning numerous titles and awards. He reached professional status after claiming the 1975 U.S. Karate Championship title. From 2000 to 2008, he competed extensively in Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments worldwide, winning 21 gold medals, four silver medals, and seven bronze medals. In 2004, he was the legendary Royce Gracie's first Black Belt, which Hawk stated was his proudest moment in martial arts. Hawk still holds a Black Belt in taekwondo, tang soo do, and Gracie jiu-jitsu, as well as a 5th degree in Shotokan.

Madam Speaker, it is a great pleasure to honor my friend Patrick ``Hawk'' Hardy. His

love for our country is evident in his patriotic service and diligence in protecting and defending it. He is one-of-a-kind.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Ben Ogletree, Jr.

Ben was born on October 6, 1938, in Livingston, Texas. He graduated from Livingston High School in 1956 and married the love of his life, Janice Helen Clark, on January 31, 1958.

Ben graduated in the class of 1960 from the University of Texas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a focus on industrial management. He spent the next 25 years overseeing his family's land, timber, and wood products business.

In 1970, East Texas Bancshares, Inc., a bank holding company, elected Ben to serve on their Board of Directors and Executive Committee. As a devoted public servant, he also sat on the Livingston City Council for 32 years, spending 22 of those years as mayor of Livingston. In 1985, Ben became president and Chief Executive Officer of First State Bank. Later, he served as Chairman of the Board for both First State Bank and East Texas Bancshares, Inc. To recognize his years of outstanding service to the community, Polk County named him 1989's Polk Countian of the Year. In 1991, Ben graduated from Southern Methodist University's Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

After a long career in business, Ben retired in 2005. However, he still serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for First State Bank. In addition to Ben's earnest commitment to his community, he is also incredibly passionate about flying and has held a commercial pilot's license for more than 50 years with ratings for multi-engine, instrument, and flight instructor. Ben continues to put the needs of others first while enjoying cherished hobbies like hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is the father of three, grandfather to eight, and great-grandfather to five.

Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to honor my friend, Ben Ogletree, Jr., who has faithfully and humbly served his community, our state, and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend. Both of these guys are great friends. This is a great tribute today to a great man.

No one is more well-known in the conservative world than Judge Louie Gohmert. I am very grateful to have served with him as my brother in the Texas delegation for the last 8 years since I was elected.

It is no secret that Louie is a speaker of truth and a fighter for our freedoms. He is unapologetic in his principles and a true defender of the United States Constitution.

As President Trump said: Louie has guts. He is as tough as hell.

Isn't that the truth?

But he is more than that. He is also a man of integrity, a veteran, a judge, a historian, a Bible scholar, a really fair preacher, a husband, and a father.

Judge Gohmert is my neighbor to the north. He represents the First District of Texas, and I represent the last district, the 36th District. That is changing as we have had redistricting, but I like to tell people that. He has fought tirelessly to preserve and protect our border and prosper the State of Texas.

In a judiciary hearing a few months ago, Louie quoted the author George

Orwell saying, ``Free speech is my right to say what you don't want to hear.'' What a fitting quote for our friend, Louie Gohmert.

You can count on Louie to be truthful. Sometimes he says what you don't want him to say. But he says it if he believes it. He is a man of integrity, and he stands his ground. You can count on Louie Gohmert to be bold, and you can count on Louis to be fearless.

There will be a great hole in this august body here without Louie Gohmert. I imagine that it will really never be filled in the same way that it was.

In a recent Louie Hour, my friend closed his time on the floor with following words, and I would like to do the same.

I continue to have hope that springs eternal in the human

breast that we don't and won't lose the greatest freedom, the

greatest country, and the greatest gift of a country any

people has ever received, and that it will not be our

generation that sees it lost.

May God bless Louie Gohmert and his family.

We will miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my good friend from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn) for having this Special Order for National Bible Week.

Mr. Speaker, I am elated to recognize National Bible Week once again and to share why God's Word is such an immovable pillar, not only in my life, but millions and millions of people's. From guidance and encouragement to past lessons and future promises, the Bible holds the answers to all of it.

Our nation is in the midst of a moral and spiritual war currently, the likes of which we have never seen. The rule of law is being trampled. Men compete in women's sports. Child pornography is used to sell clothing. Babies continue to be murdered, even after a botched abortion.

Now more than ever, the direction of God's Word is crucial. As we maneuver through these woke and morally corrupt times, I pray that we, as a country, the great United States of America, the shining city on a hill, would find our way back to the teachings of Scripture.

America would not even exist today had God's divine providence and written word not stirred the hearts of our Founding Fathers 246 years ago. Only a fool would think that our Nation could ever survive without God.

I will close with a biblical passage, and I pray that we remember Proverbs 3:5-6: ``Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my dear friend, Phil McClure, of Warren, Texas, who passed away on Monday. October 31, 2022, at the age of 70.

Phil was born in Beaumont, Texas, on December 27, 1951, to Thomas Lindburg and Tressie Mae Droddy McClure. He graduated from Kirby High School in Woodville, Texas, and was a member of the 1969 District Champion football team. As a young man, Phil was very active in Future Farmers of America and attained Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement the Boy Scouts of America offer.

Phil owned and operated McClure Furniture Store in Woodville for many years, working as a licensed real estate broker on the side. My wife, Roxanne, and I purchased our first home from him when we moved to Woodville after I separated from the United States Air Force.

He loved being involved in his community and devoted countless hours serving in the Woodville Volunteer Fire Department, the Woodville Lion's Club, and the First Baptist Church of Warren. Phil graciously hosted my congressional staff at his beautiful Cypress Creek Ranch, sharing his passion for wildlife management, the great outdoors, and hunting with each of them.

Madam Speaker, it is a special privilege to recognize my friend, Phil McClure. My most sincere prayers remain with his friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of my friend, Senator Larry Taylor, who admirably served two decades in the Texas Legislature as State Representative for House District 24 from 2003 to 2013 and as State Senator for Senate District 11 from 2013 to today. Senator Taylor will retire after a distinguished career at the end of this current session in early 2023.

Senator Taylor was raised in Friendswood, Texas, and is a lifelong Texan and Baylor University graduate. He and his wife, Kerri, have three children and five grandchildren. Senator Taylor formerly owned Truman Taylor Insurance Agency in Friendswood, an independent agency started by his father more than 50 years ago.

Senator Taylor served five sessions in the Texas House of Representatives before his election to the State Senate. During the 82nd Legislature, Representative Taylor served on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, a 12-member body made up of legislators and members of the public who are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and are tasked with identifying and eliminating waste, duplication, and inefficiency for more than 130 Texas state agencies. As a House member, he also served on the following committees:

Elections, Insurance, Voter Identification and Fraud Select

Committee, Windstorm Insurance Oversight, Emergency

Preparedness Select Committee, Special Purpose Districts

Select Committee, Ways and Means, Appropriations, Calendars,

Hurricane Ike Storm Devastation to the Texas Gulf Coast

Select Committee, Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform

Select Committee, Business and Industry, House

Administration, Health Insurance Risk Pool Deficit, Windstorm

Coverage and Budgetary Impact, and Public Health.

Senator Taylor has served five sessions in the Texas State Senate and spent four of those sessions as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education. He also served as Chair of the Senate Finance Article III working group and was a member of the important Budget Conference Committee, a select group chosen to ensure that legislators passed a balanced budget. Additionally, he is a member of the Legislative Budget Board, a permanent joint committee responsible for developing budget and policy recommendations for legislative appropriations. Senator Taylor has served on the following Senate committees:

Education, Finance, Future of College Sports in Texas

Select Committee, Higher Education, Ports Select Committee,

Veteran Affairs, Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs,

Coastal Barrier System, Mass Violence Prevention and

Community Safety Select Committee, Texas Commission on Public

School Finance, Cruise Industry Development, Business and

Commerce, Intergovernmental Relations, State Real Property

Data Collection, Reporting and Assessment Select Committee,

Government Organization, Health and Human Services, Education

Policy for a Skilled Workforce, Texas Lottery and Texas

Lottery Commission, and Violence in Schools and School

Security Select Committee.

In 2020, Senator Taylor was named ``Galvestonian of the Year'' by the Galveston Chamber of Commerce. Two years later, he was given the 2022 inaugural ``Senator Larry Taylor Champion of Education'' award by the League City Chamber of Commerce for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Texas students and teachers. He currently serves on the board of Hope Village, a residential and day program for people with developmental disabilities, and as the Director and Chairman of the Board for Texan Bank. He is also President of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute Board.

Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my good friend Senator Larry Taylor for his many years of faithful service and dedication to the State of Texas, his constituents, and the education of countless Texans. I would also like to congratulate him on an outstanding career and wish him, his wife, Kerri, and their family the best in his retirement and future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I voted `no' but it was not recorded (card apparently not read).

Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 373.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Louisiana. I appreciate Mr. Johnson for having this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, according to a recent New York Times poll, more than 77 percent of Americans think that the country is on the absolutely wrong track--and they are right.

Inflation is at a 41-year high. Small businesses cannot afford to stay open. Real wages are down 4 percent. Skyrocketing prices are costing Americans an extra $500 or more per month. Essentially, hardworking Americans are paying more for almost everything while they are taking home less. Why?

Well, the answer is simple. Joe Biden and the Democrat party have put politics over your prosperity. Think about that. Over the last year and a half they have repeatedly shown us that their green fantasy is more important than you being able to feed your family or fill up your car with gasoline.

The administration says that we are in an ``economic transition moment.'' Yes, this inflation was supposed to be temporary and transitory, according to the administration, but prices have risen for 14 straight months since that announcement was made. You don't need to be an economist to agree.

We are undoubtedly in a state of transition. The real question is: What are we transitioning into?

My colleagues across the aisle avoid this question at all costs because the facts just don't back up their fictitious answers. Let me tell you the truth.

You don't need to like Donald Trump to accept the fact that our economy prospered under his leadership. You don't need to be a Republican to accept the fact that our Nation flourished under free- market, small-government policies--policies that allowed Americans to thrive without Big Brother interference.

You don't need to be in politics to accept the fact that our country has been in a perpetual state of crisis under President Joe Biden. Our economy is plummeting, our southern border is nonexistent, our military is shrinking, and our standing on the world stage is in rapid decline.

So, to answer the question of what we are transitioning into?

Well, under the left's woke agenda, America will transform into a broke, borderless, weak, socialist Nation unable to compete internationally or defeat those who seek our very demise. It is a very frightening future, and one that we as the GOP cannot let come to fruition.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 345.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for this Special Order.

The Supreme Court's monumental overturn of Roe v. Wade is a milestone we have been working on for nearly half a century. However, our work has only just begun.

Since the Court's ruling, pro-abortion extremists have attacked, vandalized, and even firebombed pregnancy centers and churches across this country.

Since 2016, pregnancy help centers have saved more than 800,000 lives by providing critical resources for women and their children. They should never be forced to operate under the threat of violence from anarchists who do not value life or our laws.

I have introduced H. Res. 1183, which condemns these attacks and the domestic terrorists behind them.

We must keep fighting to protect the unborn from those who wish to extinguish them at all costs.

I am a proud supporter of such an effort, the Heartbeat Protection Act, which prohibits abortions from the moment a child's heartbeat is detected. All babies deserve a chance at life, and we must defend that chance and that life.

My colleagues across the aisle have disturbingly embraced an anti- life agenda so radical that it sadistically enables the murder of millions.

This week, our colleagues across the aisle are pushing the abortion on demand until birth act, a bill that legalizes abortion on demand for any reason and at any time. They don't care that their pro-abortion agenda fails to align with the views of the majority of Americans--71 percent, to be exact--who support some limitations on abortion.

We cannot and must not remain silent while the lives of the most innocent among us are threatened to be terminated.

Mr. Speaker, I will always stand for our unborn and firmly stand against any efforts to promote abortion.