Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Salt Lake Community College Cross Country Program-- a testament to the determination, resilience, and spirit of Utah's student-athletes.

In Richmond, Virginia, at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross Country Championships, the SLCC Bruins made history by sweeping both the men's and women's races, capturing national titles on both sides. This remarkable accomplishment speaks to the extraordinary talent and dedication of the student-athletes and coaching staff.

The women's team claimed its second consecutive national championship, dominating the field and finishing 46 points ahead of their closest competitors. Their impressive victory continued just two days later, as they claimed first place in the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championship, a historic feat for SLCC and a significant milestone in women's athletics at the college.

On the men's side, the Bruins secured second place in the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championship, demonstrating their competitive edge and depth of talent.

These achievements would not have been possible without the leadership of Head Coach Isaac Wood, who was named NJCAA National Coach of the Year, along with Assistant Coaches Kelsey Gilbert, Aiden Carlson, and Tom Gruenewald. Athletic Director Kevin Dustin has also been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence at SLCC.

Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee and a former athlete myself, I know firsthand the importance of athletic programs in shaping character and building future leaders. The success of the Salt Lake Community College Cross Country Program is not just a win for Utah, but an inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.

I applaud the SLCC Cross Country Program for their extraordinary accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing their continued success in the years to come. Their hard work, resilience, and sportsmanship embody the best of what it means to be a Bruin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor K9 Officer Andy Maybo of the U.S. Capitol Police, whose tireless work has ensured that our fallen heroes are never forgotten.

For years, Officer Maybo has been at the heart of organizing the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, coordinating with Congress, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Secret Service, and the U.S. Park Police.

His dedication has been particularly impactful for Utah's fallen officers, ensuring that their families were properly honored at this important event. In addition to his role in the memorial, Andy served as president of DC FOP Lodge 1 and contributed to several other lodge committees.

As Andy steps down from his role on the National FOP Memorial Committee this May, we owe him our deepest gratitude for his leadership and service. His unwavering commitment has made a lasting impact on the families of fallen officers across the nation.

I thank Officer Maybo for his years of service and dedication. May God bless him, and may God bless the United States of America

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margaret Peterson, a dedicated public servant and respected leader in West Valley City.

Margaret served on the city council for 18 years, always putting families and students first. She is also the founder and Executive Director of the Community Education Partnership, a nonprofit that supports afterschool programs across the city.

Under her leadership, the program has reached over 15,000 students from 20 elementary schools, four junior highs, one high school, and several charter schools. It has helped improve academic outcomes, encouraged stronger attendance, and given students a safe place to grow.

In 2024, West Valley City honored Margaret with the ``Essential Piece'' award--a heartfelt recognition of her decades of service and the lives she's touched through education and community building.

Her example is one we should all aspire to.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Olympus High School Titans on winning the 5A Boys Basketball State Championship.

With a commanding 69 to 40 win over Highland High, the Titans capped off a season defined by discipline, grit, and teamwork. This championship reflects the hours of practice, the leadership of their coaches, and the drive of a team that refused to let up.

I also want to give a special shout-out to three players from the Millcreek area--Luke Owen, Jack Evan, and Malakai Philip--whose efforts on the court made a lasting impact.

Their hard work, and the hard work of the entire team, has brought pride to their school and to our entire community.

Congratulations again to the Titans on an outstanding season and a well-earned title.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary team of hardworking Utahns who brought home a world

title--Team Utah from Papa John's, winners of the 2025 Global Pizza Games.

Out of more than 6,000 locations worldwide, this locally owned and operated franchise in West Jordan achieved something that's never been done before in our state. Competing against teams from Peru, the UK, South Korea, the UAE, and across the United States, they earned first place with unmatched precision, speed, and teamwork, setting a record time of 8 minutes and 33 seconds while producing four near-perfect pizzas, each scoring an impressive 9.9 out of 10.

Behind this victory are three standout individuals: Nicole Brock, a 25-year veteran and general manager in American Fork; Benny Loughton, her assistant manager; and Phillip Newson, their coach and motivator. Their dedication, discipline, and belief in excellence showcase the best of Utah's work ethic and spirit.

Mr. Speaker, their victory is a testament to what's possible when local businesses invest in people, when teams lead with pride, and when hard work meets opportunity.

Congratulations to Team Utah, our Global Pizza Champions. They have made us proud.

Mr. Speaker, today we remember and honor a trailblazer, a leader, and a dear friend, Mia Love.

Mia made history as Utah's first Black mayor and the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, but her impact went far further than those titles. She was a fierce advocate, a tireless servant, and a bright light in the lives of so many.

Mia brought passion, energy, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Utah's Fourth District, a district that I am now proud to serve. She led with grace and conviction, never backing down from a challenge, and always striving to make a difference for those she served. It is for me a profound honor to follow in her footsteps.

Her legacy is one of faith, courage, and love, and the highlight of her life was her husband, Jason, and her family. These descriptions are all fitting for a woman whose name said it all.

While we grieve her loss, we also celebrate a life well lived, a mission well served, and a friend deeply missed. Our Utah communities mourn for the Love family. We pray that they find peace in the Heavenly Father's love and comfort and solace in what Mia has meant to all of us.

Now, please rise for a moment of silence.

Mr. Chair, imagine our esteemed universities, pillars of free thought and innovation, quietly channeling millions into investments linked to the Chinese Communist Party, Russian oligarchs, or the Iranian regime. While our students learn about democracy and liberty, their tuition dollars may be funding governments that stand against these very ideals.

This isn't hypothetical. This is happening. Since 2013, U.S. colleges and universities have received over $1 billion from Chinese Communist Party-affiliated sources. In return, we have seen professors silenced, student groups threatened, and our intellectual property stolen.

At the same time, these institutions, many of which proudly divest from fossil fuels and boycott Israel, are more than willing to accept foreign funding from adversaries who seek to undermine our Nation.

The DETERRENT Act is our line in the sand. It demands transparency and accountability from higher education. If universities are entangled with foreign adversaries, the American people deserve to know. I am proud that my Reporting on Investments in Foreign Adversaries, or RIFA, Act is included in this legislation. The RIFA Act ensures private colleges and universities disclose whether they are investing their endowments in hostile nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These financial partnerships should not be hidden from the public.

For far too long, we have allowed educational institutions to become conduits for foreign influence. Administrators on the taxpayers' dime have given repressive regimes easy access to our students, turning their backs on the very freedoms they claim to uphold. This betrayal must stop, and I must make it clear that profit over patriotism, profit over American values, and profit over American culture is traitorous betrayal.

The DETERRENT Act takes critical steps to safeguard our institutions, protect our students, and preserve American values. We must not allow profit to overshadow patriotism. It is time to reclaim our universities and secure our future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Salt Lake Community College Cross Country Program-- a testament to the determination, resilience, and spirit of Utah's student-athletes.

In Richmond, Virginia, at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross Country Championships, the SLCC Bruins made history by sweeping both the men's and women's races, capturing national titles on both sides. This remarkable accomplishment speaks to the extraordinary talent and dedication of the student-athletes and coaching staff.

The women's team claimed its second consecutive national championship, dominating the field and finishing 46 points ahead of their closest competitors. Their impressive victory continued just two days later, as they claimed first place in the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championship--a historic feat for SLCC and a significant milestone in women's athletics at the college.

On the men's side, the Bruins secured second place in the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championship, demonstrating their competitive edge and depth of talent.

These achievements would not have been possible without the leadership of Head Coach Isaac Wood, who was named NJCAA National Coach of the Year, along with Assistant Coaches Kelsey Gilbert, Alden Carlson, and Tom Gruenewald. Athletic Director Kevin Dustin has also been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence at SLCC.

Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee and a former athlete myself, I know firsthand the importance of athletic programs in shaping character and building future leaders. The success of the Salt Lake Community College Cross Country Program is not just a win for Utah, but an inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.

I applaud the SLCC Cross Country Program for their extraordinary accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing their continued success in the years to come. Their hard work, resilience, and sportsmanship embody the best of what it means to be a Bruin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

Fifty years ago, Title IX revolutionized women's sports and opened doors that had been closed for all previous generations. Because of Title IX, women's participation in athletics skyrocketed by over 1,000 percent in high schools and 600 percent in college athletics.

This progress of equal opportunity for millions of girls and women for scholarships, honors, careers, and wealth has been under attack for the entirety of the Biden administration.

By ignoring the biological, physical, and genetic differences between men and women, this administration has dismantled the level playing field that women and girls deserve.

This is about fairness, safety, and opportunity. When viewed through the eyes of common sense, it is obvious. When seen through the results of lost opportunities, it becomes clear that something valuable has been stolen.

When men are allowed to compete in women's sports, not only are women no longer safe but they also lose scholarships, championships, and opportunities to build self-esteem that lasts a lifetime. Young men also lose when they embrace this ideology of unfairness and call it admirable. It is called loss of shame.

I have 5 daughters and 12 granddaughters. I have stood on the sidelines and watched them pour their hearts and souls into the sports they love. I have seen their grit, determination, and pride as they worked hard, hoping to be victorious. Even when they are not, these moments of competing add to the lifelong building blocks of character.

What message are we sending to our girls when we tell them their hard work doesn't matter? What is our message as we cowardly stand by as boys and men steal their opportunities, dominate their sports, and erase their records?

This debate isn't about sports. It is about what kind of country we are going to be. Do we remain a Nation that stands with fairness, celebrates achievement, and defends the rights of our girls and women, or do we devolve into a country that bows to radical ideologies at their expense?

An overwhelming majority of Americans have boldly spoken on the vision of our society. We see it as one in which we continue to teach our young men respect.

Mr. Speaker, the only respect they earn is the respect to defend and honor womanhood.

Our daughters and women are watching. The message to men standing quietly on the sidelines of this issue is: It is time to man up. These are girls and women in our lives who depend on us to stand and fight for what is right. Now is the time to protect them from men who want to infringe on their space and their sports.

To my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, please join us as we support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1602, I call up the bill (H.R. 5349) to develop and disseminate a civic education curriculum and oral history resources regarding certain political ideologies, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material to H.R. 5349.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act authored by Representative Salazar from Florida.

Communism is a cancerous ideology that has a long, dark history of political suppression, persecution, and violence. There is no question about that.

This ideology has led to the deaths of over 100 million men, women, and children worldwide, and it tramples the human rights of 1.5 billion people across the globe.

If you think this is a thing of the past, think again. The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation put it this way: ``The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, but communism didn't. One hundred years after the Bolshevik Revolution, one-fifth of the world's population still lives under single-party communist regimes in China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam.''

The freedom we enjoy is a threat to these communist regimes, and they benefit when their atrocities are covered up.

It is no surprise that malign foreign actors are infiltrating American educational institutions to spew propaganda and keep the horrors of communism buried.

For example, the Chinese Communist Party, the CCP, is using Confucius Classrooms under the guise of cultural exchange centers to undermine the principles upon which this Nation is built.

They are explicitly organized by the CCP to project soft power on American students. The strategy is straight out of the Soviet playbook. In 1960, the USSR established the Peoples' Friendship University as a cultural and literary exchange program to indoctrinate students in developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

This blatant attempt to inject foreign ideologies into schools undermines the fundamental purpose of American education. It goes without saying that we should be teaching American values in American schools.

Make no mistake, every dollar that flows into American classrooms from the CCP comes with strings attached, and the most important string is the requirement that instructors censor themselves to appease Beijing.

The censorship stifles academic freedom, which is a cornerstone of the American educational system. Academic freedom encourages open dialogue, the free exchange of ideas, and the pursuit of knowledge without fear of reprisal.

Confucius Classrooms, however, undermine these principles by fostering an environment where educators are pressured to align with the CCP's agenda, stifling critical thinking and true intellectual exploration.

Yet, over 500 K-12 schools across the United States have allowed the CCP to establish itself in their halls under the guise of Confucius Classrooms, which has been especially concentrated close to military bases.

To make matters worse, currently, 28 percent of Gen Zers hold a favorable opinion of the term ``communism,'' and 18 percent of Gen Zers think communism is a fairer system than capitalism and deserves consideration in America.

These disturbing statistics make it clear that we are in a war of ideas. President Reagan's quote is even more prescient: Freedom ``is never more than one generation away from extinction.''

We celebrate accountability, free markets, human rights, and good governance, while communism seeks to subvert these ideas. We must protect and nurture our own democratic values for them to continue to thrive.

This a serious problem that must be confronted, and the Crucial Communism Teaching Act is the answer.

This legislation will offer States and local school districts optional educational materials with which they can educate high school students about the dangers of communism and how these systems are contrary to the founding principles of freedom in the United States.

This is all about preserving those founding principles, safeguarding the freedoms that have always defined this great Republic throughout its history, and educating this Nation's future leaders about the true nature of this caustic ideology that is communism.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote for the Crucial Communism Teaching Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Salazar), who is the bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank my colleague from Florida for her remarks.

We can do a lot of good things in our country, including closing the border and taking care of inflation. If we do not teach our young people the danger

of communism, then we will rot from within.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Salazar for her leadership.

Communism's long, dark history of political suppression, persecution, and violence is established fact. As I mentioned at the start, communism has led to the deaths of over 100 million victims worldwide and currently tramples the human rights 1.5 billion people across the globe.

It is troubling that so many Gen Zers have no problem with communism or even embrace it. This is the result of at least two factors: the lack of accurate educational materials in U.S. schools and malign foreign actors who successfully push their propaganda.

The good news is that Republicans have a solution that has bipartisan support. H.R. 5349, the Crucial Communism Teaching Act, will support State and local efforts to educate high school students about the dangers of communism and how those systems are contrary to the founding principles of freedom in the United States.

Communist influence and infiltration in schools is real. Students need accurate information about how dangerous these ideologies are. By passing this bill, Congress can send a message that it stands against hate, indoctrination, and radicalization of America's next generation of leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

As mentioned, this amendment would ensure that optional learning resources developed by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation are periodically updated, with a special focus on China's human rights abuses and aggression against democratic nations.

The Chinese Communist Party has egregiously and repeatedly violated human rights. They have persecuted Muslim minorities, displayed aggression toward Taiwan, and cracked down on peaceful pro-democracy protesters. In Chinese schools, they are indoctrinating students to ignore or dismiss these human rights abuses.

They are not content to only brainwash their own students. They are also attempting to indoctrinate American students, as I mentioned in my opening statement.

American students need to know about Communism and especially the evils of the Chinese Communist Party. The Gottheimer amendment would ensure that these optional resources fully include information about China's abuses so students can get a full version of history.

Mr. Speaker, I support the gentleman's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of a true hero, Sergeant Bill Hooser, whose life was tragically taken on May 5, 2024, in the line of duty.

Sergeant Hooser dedicated himself to protecting our communities, serving first in the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico and later joining the Santaquin City Police Department in Utah in 2017.

Just this last February, he was promoted to sergeant, a testament to his dedication and leadership.

Sergeant Hooser gave 29 years of his life to his family--a devoted husband, a loving father to two daughters, and a proud grandfather. He also gave himself fully to his community, sacrificing everything to keep others safe.

On May 5, 2024, he was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer during a high-speed chase on Interstate 15. His courage and selflessness are the very embodiment of what we ask of our law enforcement officers each day.

Utah has not faced a line-of-duty death since 2020, but this loss is a stark and sobering reminder of the risks our officers take every time they put on their uniforms.

Sergeant Hooser's passing is a wound in the heart of our State and a call for all of us to reflect on the cost of the safety and security we often take for granted.

Today, we have an opportunity to honor Sergeant Hooser's legacy in a lasting and meaningful way. My legislation, cosponsored by the entire Utah House delegation, will name the Santaquin post office the Sergeant Bill Hooser Post Office Building.

This act ensures that Sergeant Hooser's sacrifice is remembered by future generations. It is a small gesture in the face of an immense loss, but it carries a profound message: Utah will not forget its heroes.

I say to Sergeant Hooser's family that their loss is immeasurable, and their grief is shared by our grateful State. May God comfort them and give them strength. To our law enforcement officers across the country, know that we see you, we value you, and we stand with you.

Let us come together today to pass this legislation and honor Sergeant Bill Hooser's courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act.

This bill addresses the urgent need for predictability and transparency in release of FAFSA, the form that helps so many American families to plan and afford college.

For years, students and parents could rely on the October 1 release date for FAFSA, giving families time to understand their aid options and make informed decisions about the future, but under the Biden- Harris administration, we have seen a pattern of delays, poor planning, and, worse: indifference to the impact these failures have on Americans.

After years of groundwork laid by the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act, the Department of Education had every reason to be prepared, but in 2023, they missed their mark, and not just by days or weeks. They delayed the form's release until the end of December, leaving families in the lurch and scrambling to meet a last-minute deadline.

The consequences of these delays are real. It isn't just about dates on a calendar. It is about futures on hold. The Department of Education's dysfunction means 430,000 fewer students filed a FAFSA this year. That is not a small number. It is hundreds of thousands of young people who have abandoned their plans for college simply because they couldn't get the information they needed.

Beyond the missed opportunities for students, these delays burdened schools and States, preventing them from processing aid packages on time and creating even more uncertainty in an already challenging time for higher education.

The FAFSA Deadline Act isn't just a fix. It is a promise, a promise that our Department of Education will be held to an October 1 release date, giving students, families, and schools the clarity and predictability they deserve.

This bill would end the needless confusion. It says that future administrations won't be able to move the goalposts or let the deadline slip through their fingers, all while families are left paying the price.

Mr. Speaker, we are here to make college more accessible for our kids. H.R. 8932 will ensure that students don't lose the chance to pursue their higher education just because of bureaucratic missteps.

It is a commonsense reform that will bring accountability and order to a system that desperately needs it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, not just for us but for the millions of young Americans counting on us to keep the doors of opportunity wide open.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Edward Ross Newton, a remarkable Utahn who served his country with distinction and honor during the Vietnam war.

Ed was raised in a small tight-knit community of Juab County. With love for his country, he traded the peaceful farm fields of Utah for the battlefields of Vietnam.

While serving as a rifleman in the 82nd Airborne Division, Ed and his fellow soldiers were engaged in a search operation in the jungles of Vietnam when they suddenly came under direct enemy fire.

Ed witnessed his platoon leader and medic fall under a hail of bullets and instantly sprang into action. He rushed the enemy position, enabling a medic to administer aid to the wounded.

Though seriously injured, his actions saved the lives of several of his comrades.

For his actions, Ed was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a V for valor. He was also honored with a Purple Heart.

Mr. Speaker, Edward Ross Newton's story is a powerful reminder of the values that define our Nation, an unwavering commitment to protect and serve others, even at great personal cost.

May God bless Edward Ross Newton, his family, and all those who serve our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5646) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to disclose hazing incidents, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 5646.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, H.R. 5646.

Given that it is National Hazing Prevention Week, I am pleased that we are considering this bipartisan bill. H.R. 5646 will help ensure that our campuses remain safe environments for all students.

Safety is a top priority for the Committee on Education and the Workforce's agenda and is boldly highlighted in H.R. 5646.

Hazing has been a persistent problem in America's postsecondary education. In fact, a national study on hazing found 55 percent of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experienced hazing. The same report found students' exposure to hazing prevention efforts is limited.

Since the year 2000, there have been more than 100 hazing-related deaths.

On September 21, 2023, Republican and Democratic lawmakers introduced the Stop Campus Hazing Act with the aim to combat hazing and protect students across the country. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed this bill on September 11, 2024.

If enacted, the bill would do the following.

First, the bill would add hazing incidents to the Clery Act ``Annual Security Report,'' enhancing the transparency of campus crime statistics.

Second, the bill would require universities to develop campus-wide educational programs aimed at preventing hazing. Additionally, it requires an institution to report publicly on their websites the findings of student organizations' hazing violations so students and parents can make informed choices on whether or not to join student organizations.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a result of tireless advocacy from affected families, campus safety professionals, and dedicated organizations. The legislation responds to the needs of these stakeholders while also balancing any additional burden on institutions.

This is why this legislation is so critical. It respects institutions' existing processes and provides clear guidance on reporting and transparency.

Hazing is a persistent issue that endangers young lives and undermines the very promise of an educational environment conducive to learning.

By strengthening policies around hazing prevention and reporting, we are reinforcing the message that student safety comes first. With that, let's pass the Stop Campus Hazing Act.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, for far too long, the culture of hazing has permeated college campuses, impacting all types of student organizations. While some anti-hazing policies and laws are in place, more can be done to ensure all tools are appropriately used to deter this very dangerous culture.

That is where H.R. 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, comes in. It will improve reporting and prevention on college campuses. Simply put, it means ensuring students are safe.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the bill's authors, Representative Lucy McBath and Representative Jeff Duncan.

Students and their parents have advocated for this legislation. We have some of the families with us here today, and I would like to thank the families of Timothy Piazza, Max Gruver, Marquise Braham, Harrison Kowiak, Dalton Debrick, Collin Wiant, Justin King, George Desdunes, Gary DeVercelly, Jr., Sam Martinez, Gordie Bailey, Robert Champion, and Antonio Tsialis.

I also thank the Clery Center, StopHazing Coalition, Anti-Hazing Coalition, National Panhellenic Conference, North American Interfraternity Conference, National Pan-Hellenic Council, SAFE Campuses, LLC, and dozens of other groups in support of H.R. 5646 that have recognized this terrible issue and worked tirelessly with Congress to draft this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today is an important day for student safety. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2468, the Mountain View Corridor Completion Act.

I was pleased to introduce this legislation last year with the support of Utah's entire congressional delegation.

As the Representative of the fastest growing district in the fastest growing State in the Union, I can tell you firsthand that our transportation infrastructure is under significant stress.

Rapid growth brings with it a host of challenges, particularly in the Intermountain West, where over two-thirds of Utah is owned or controlled by various Federal agencies.

This bill addresses one of those challenges, the need to connect our communities with federally owned land.

The Utah Department of Transportation, UDOT, has anticipated significant population growth for decades, and over 15 years ago, they initiated the Mountain View Corridor project. This crucial corridor connects eastern Utah County with southwestern Salt Lake County and passes through Camp Williams, an important military training installation managed by the U.S. Army National Guard.

The existing road is vital, serving as the only public access to the headquarters of the Utah National Guard complex and providing essential access to the National Security Agency's datacenter.

While two-thirds of Mountain View Corridor has been completed, the final third requires UDOT to acquire three separate, irregular parcels of Federal land to link 36 acres currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

However, because these parcels are situated within the boundaries of an active military reservation established by a 1914 executive order, the BLM lacks the authority to transfer this land. That is why we are here today.

I am proud to report that the Utah National Guard fully supports this project and has collaborated extensively with UDOT and BLM to determine the most effective alignment for the corridor.

This bill has already gone through a hearing and a markup in the House Natural Resources Committee. I am grateful for the support of my friend, Chairman Westerman.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation to help Utah complete this vital transportation project 15 years in the making.