Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work done by the Mulberry River Society to restore the High Bank and Indian Creek access points on the nationally-designated Wild and Scenic Mulberry River. The river, which runs through the

Fourth Congressional District's northwest counties, is the result of collaborative efforts by the Mulberry River Society, U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and the Arkansas Canoe Club.

The resulting restoration will allow the Mulberry River to continue as a recreation spot for residents and visitors alike for decades to come. I congratulate the Mulberry River Society on its restoration and look forward to marking the occasion in person on Friday, April 20, 2018 at its 50th Anniversary Celebration of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act on the banks of the Mulberry River.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sergeant Jack Coleman Cook of Hot Springs, Arkansas, for his heroic actions in World War II. Sergeant Cook was a ball turret gunner on a B- 17 Flying Fortress named the Challenger.

On February 3, 1945, the 384th Bomb Group participated in a mission over Berlin. During the mission, the Challenger was hit by flak, damaging multiple engines, gas tanks, and the fuselage, but left the crew unharmed.

On the return journey home, the plane began losing altitude and crash-landed in the frigid North Sea. The crewmembers abandoned the aircraft and boarded two life rafts but became separated.

Navigator Edward Field, a crewmember who stayed in the water, began to push his raft towards the other raft but became numb and said that he could no longer hold on. Sergeant Cook got into the water so the crew's navigator could get out of the cold sea and take his spot in the raft. The sergeant then swam for 45 minutes until they reached the second raft. Shortly afterward, air-sea rescue located the crew, but Sergeant Cook had little life left in him, and he passed away on the boat.

It is with great gratitude and respect that I honor Jack Coleman Cook. Sergeant Cook is a true American hero. He selflessly gave his life for his fellow man, and for this, we remember him more than 70 years later.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Jim Fram, who recently retired from his role as president and CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Hot Springs Metro Partnership.

A dedicated professional, Jim brought more than 30 years of economic development experience with him to Hot Springs, having previously served in communities large and small from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. His expertise was vital as Hot Springs and Garland County looked to revitalize its downtown and expand its economic base.

Jim's support of businesses large and small has paid off. The Garland County economy has grown under his stewardship of the Chamber. I thank him for his dedication to my hometown and I wish him well in his next endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Hot Springs National Park Superintendent Josie Fernandez on a well-earned retirement.

A fixture in the Hot Springs community for more than a decade, Josie poured her heart and soul into her work as superintendent of one of America's oldest national parks. She led efforts to restore historic bathhouses along Central Avenue, bringing life to the core of Hot Springs National Park while raising needed revenue. Her work was both innovative and welcome by the community.

In addition to restoration efforts, Josie has joined with community leaders and groups to make Hot Springs National Park a true partner in the greater Hot Springs community.

When she retires, Josie will end more than a decade of service to the Hot Springs community and a quarter century of service to the Parks Service. Her service to our country extends beyond the Parks Service, having retired as a colonel in the Air Force Reserve.

I thank Josie for her dedication and wish her well as she begins her next journey.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Jack Coleman Cook of Hot Springs, Arkansas, for his heroic actions in World War II when he selflessly sacrificed his own life to save his fellow airmen.

Sergeant Cook was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress, the ``Challenger,'' with the 384th Bomb Group. On February 3, 1945, the 384th Bomb Group participated in a mission to bomb the Tempelhof Railroad Marshalling Yards in Berlin. During the mission, the Challenger was hit by flak, damaging multiple engines, gas tanks, and the fuselage, but left the crew unharmed.

As they made their way back to base in England, their plane began losing altitude and crash landed in the frigid North Sea. As soon as the plane hit the water, the crew members proceeded to abandon the aircraft and pull out the two life rafts, but only one fully inflated. The pilot and radio operator swam for the partially inflated raft, but the pilot succumbed to the cold and passed away, and the radio operator was dragged into the sea where he was lost.

The rest of the crew swam for the closer, fully inflated raft. Sergeant Cook, the first to make it, helped four other crewmembers into the overcrowded raft, while two men stayed in the water. Edward Field, the navigator who stayed in the water, began to push their raft towards the second raft. After thirty minutes in the water, Edward Field became numb, and said that he could no longer hold on.

Jack Coleman Cook got into the water so Edward Field could take his spot in the raft, where he continuously swam for forty-five minutes until they reached the second raft. Shortly after, Air-Sea rescue reached their position, but Sergeant Cook had little life left in him, and he passed away on the boat.

Sergeant Cook selflessly sacrificed his own life so Edward Field and his fellow crewmembers could live. Those men returned to duty only four weeks after the crash, where they bravely fought through the rest of the war.

Jack Coleman Cook is a true American hero who showed bravery and courage in a time of great circumstance. He gave his life for his fellow man, and for this, we remember him over seventy years later. It is with great pride that I honor Jack Coleman Cook.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of pro-life pregnancy centers, not only in the Fourth District of Arkansas but all across our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland, Dr. Harris, and my colleague Mr. LaMalfa from California for hosting this important time so that we can come together and talk about the great work that these crisis pregnancy centers do.

In my hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1988, a crisis pregnancy center was formed to assist young parents and to protect innocent lives. In the last 30 years, Change Point Pregnancy Center has saved the lives of 2,821 babies by offering and advocating for alternatives to abortion. This center is comprised of compassionate volunteers and staff who invest significant time and energy in our posterity, making a positive difference for our future.

Mr. Speaker, I know firsthand the quality of these volunteers because my own mother was one of them in the early years of the crisis pregnancy center, when it was just getting off the ground.

In addition to free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, Change Point offers diapers, wipes, and formula through their Earn While You Learn program, which offers supplies to families who attend parenting classes at the center. Families and churches like mine have been vital in supporting Change Point Pregnancy Center, not only by volunteering but also by donating supplies and baby bottles full of change to help fund the center.

Change Point has taught more than 10,000 classes for both mothers and fathers. As Mr. Harris mentioned, these centers are not only for mothers, but they also help fathers and they help parents and families. They give families the tools to succeed rather than the stigma that burdens them.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support Change Point in their continued mission to provide care and support to families in the Fourth District of Arkansas, and I applaud these centers not only from my home State but all across the country for the great work that they are doing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and ministry of Billy Graham. Billy Graham shared a simple message of the good news of salvation through Jesus. He never tired nor wavered from the story of how, as humans, we all have a relationship problem with God because of sin in our lives. But God loves us so much that He doesn't give up on us. In fact, God has offered us an escape from the punishment due for our sin through the free gift of salvation, a gift that we can receive but we cannot earn because Jesus paid the price for our sins when He gave his life on the cross. Jesus overcame death; and through faith in Christ, we can, too.

Billy Graham shared this message out of a deep love for God and his fellow man. Not for fame. Not for fortune.

I thank God for the ministry of Billy Graham and the example he lived. May God comfort his family and a grateful nation as we mourn his loss, and may we never tire of sharing the good news of Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize a true American hero. Marvin Hill of Dierks, Arkansas, is a 103-year-old veteran of World War II. On Tuesday, January 30, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System will recognize Mr. Hill with a commemorative coin in honor of his service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States.

I ask the people of Arkansas to join the VA and myself in honoring Mr. Hill and thanking him for fighting in defense of freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize a true American hero. Marvin Hill of Dierks, Arkansas, is a 103-year-old veteran of World War II. On Tuesday, January 30, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System will recognize Mr. Dierks with a commemorative coin in honor of his service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States.

I ask the people of Arkansas to join the VA and myself in honoring Mr. Dierks and thanking him for fighting in defense of freedom

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true patriot and friend. James Cody Burkham of Hope, Arkansas, has faithfully served in my office as a legislative correspondent and most recently as a legislative assistant. He previously served on my congressional campaign, for a combination of four years on my staff.

Whether it was traveling the farms of the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas to meet with cattle ranchers or taking a meeting with postal workers, Cody put in the long hours to meet the needs of his fellow Arkansans.

When I learned Cody would take a new position that would return him to our beloved Natural State, I felt sadness for the people of the Fourth District to lose Cody's hard work and persistence. At the same time, I felt happiness and joy for him as he begins the next chapter of his life. I give Cody thanks for his dedication during these four years and wish him the best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly talented group of students whose artistic abilities are on display here in our Nation's Capital.

Students from Washington Middle School and the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado, Arkansas, designed ornaments adorning this year's Arkansas State Christmas tree on the Ellipse here in Washington, D.C.

The students used colored pencils, paper, markers, and glitter to create beautiful pieces of art which represent Arkansas' natural resources and economy.

I congratulate these students on highlighting the best of the Natural State in a truly wonderful way. I wish them, their families, and all of the Fourth District of Arkansas a Merry Christmas filled with joy and smiles, like I felt when I saw this remarkable art from home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly remarkable family from the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas.

The Alston family from Mena was recently named Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The Holly Springs Homestead, run by Luke and Deedee Alston, is a diverse farm of Angus cattle, chicken houses, and a large variety of fruits and vegetables grown at its location in Polk County.

Not only is the family--which includes sons Ryan and Drey--active in traditional farming, but the Alstons are also a leader in Arkansas agritourism, with a variety of crops bringing families to the Holly Springs Homestead. Their work supports the Polk County economy and brings pride to their friends and neighbors.

I send my congratulations to the Alston family on this prestigious honor, as well as all the county farm family winners across Arkansas.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to plead on behalf of our country for immediate Senate action on the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. The House passed this bipartisan bill on November 1, following a record wildfire season with millions of acres going up in smoke and ash.

Just this week, fires have flared up again in southern California with more than 110,000 acres currently burning

and more than 200,000 individuals forced from their homes. Many schools are closed, residents hundreds of miles away are advised to stay indoors to avoid the smoke, and, more urgently, lives and property are at risk across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

The time for the Senate to act was 2 years ago when they failed to act on similar legislation. We can't afford for the Senate to continue to do nothing. Pass the Resilient Federal Forests Act. Give the Forest Service the tools it needs to prevent and combat catastrophic wildfires. Fires are raging, lives are in danger, and the situation will get worse in the future if the Senate continues to fail to act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the men and women who deliver the mail in rural America. The work is not easy. As the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association notes, these carriers are essentially post offices on wheels, providing many of the same services to rural residents that urban dwellers take for granted.

One such rural carrier was Larry Earl Robertson from Jessieville, Arkansas. Larry was my mailman for more than 25 years and, as many rural letter carriers throughout our country can attest, he was a part of our family. He knew my wife and children, just as we knew his family. He was an integral part of our community and played an important role in the lives of rural Garland County residents. Simply put, Larry was a friend to everyone. Just as Larry was a friend to all, he was also a faithful Christian and family man.

Through his service--at just 54--he had made an important and lasting impact on his community, as many rural letter carriers do. That is why it was especially sad when we received word of his untimely passing last week. In the pain and grief of death, we take comfort in the words of Christ who said: ``I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.''

May we all strive to do our jobs with diligence and a smile and positively impact our communities as Larry Robertson impacted his.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Wyoming (Ms. Cheney) for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule for H.R. 3905 as well as the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year I had the opportunity to travel to Minnesota with Minnesota Congressmen Emmer and Nolan and others to visit the Superior National Forest in northeast Minnesota.

While northeast Minnesota is a long way from the Fourth District of Arkansas, the people, areas, and the economics are somewhat similar. This is a rural area where local economies and constituencies depend on the ability to sustainably and responsibly harvest and mine the natural resources found there.

Unfortunately, the previous administration placed the wants of special interest environmental groups before the needs of Minnesotans and others who depend on natural resources management. In my opinion, they trampled our Article I constitutional authority of the legislative branch when doing so.

On January 19, 2017, one day before President Trump was sworn in, the Obama administration published a 235,000-acre Federal mineral withdrawal application in the Federal Register to impose a 20-year moratorium on lands within the Superior National Forest in northeast Minnesota.

Mr. Speaker, this was in direct conflict with the will of Congress and the law going back to when the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was established.

At the same time, the Obama administration wrongly rejected Twin Metals Minnesota's application to renew two hard rock mineral leases that were renewed in 1989 and 2004. The land in question is not in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and it doesn't even border Boundary Waters. In fact, the land in question is outside a buffer area around Boundary Waters created by Congress to protect the Boundary Waters.

This politically motivated decision has the ability to destroy the local economy, kill job creation, significantly harm education in Minnesota, and sets a bad precedent.

I want to talk just a moment about the impact this decision will have on Minnesota education. If this withdrawal is allowed to take place, Minnesota is projected to lose up to $3 billion in royalty revenues for the State's permanent school trust fund, supporting nearly 900,000 students.

Mr. Speaker, as someone who represents schools, communities, and counties that depend on programs like Secure Rural Schools and PILTs, I know the harm that will be brought on school districts, specifically rural school districts, should the withdrawal and application rejection go forward.

How much longer will we allow rural communities and education to suffer because a special interest group doesn't agree with forest management or mining, even though any projects will be carried out in compliance with all environmental regulations in a responsible manner?

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3905 is a vital piece of legislation to not only Minnesota, but to other States and communities that depend on natural resource utilization.

It is also important for the legislative branch to remind the executive branch it is not their job to make law or to change laws made by Congress. For these reasons, I ask my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.