Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the opening of Mojo Donuts' newest location in Florida's 26th Congressional District. Since its inception in 2013, what started as one small business, today has expanded to several locations throughout the Miami area that specialize in gourmet donuts. Jimmy Piedrahita had a vision to bring his delicious donuts from his first location in Miami to South Florida including Kendall, Homestead, and the Florida Keys. He teamed up with Shawn Neifeld and Willie Munoz to make his vision a reality.

The owners have taken a distinct approach that has allowed for them to create and craft unique donuts that incorporate South Florida flavors. Their achieved success has been a direct result of revolutionizing and fostering innovative ideas. These ideas have led to numerous customer favorites that include Guava and Cheese Donut, Creme Brulee Donut, and Abuelita Donut. Over the last few years, Mojo Donuts has notably achieved significant milestones. They were the first donut shop to be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, a well-known program featured on the Food Network that spotlights America's best food establishments.

When not working on crafting the next customer favorite, Mojo Donuts takes every opportunity to give back to the community.

Whether it be hosting events in honor of community members who have inspired Floridians all around or running a yearly campaign for cancer awareness at their shops, Jimmy Piedrahita, Shawn Neifeld, and Willie Munoz understand the importance of giving back to the community and ensuring that those who are less fortunate are met with the assistance they need.

In is an honor to join the South Florida community in celebrating Mojo Donuts' newest location. I congratulate Jimmy Piedrahita, Shawn Neifeld, and Willie Munoz on this grand achievement. This new location will allow and accommodate residents from all of Florida and around the world. Small businesses such as this one are the backbone of this great nation and are the economic engine of America. I look forward to their continued success and prosperity in the future.

Madam Speaker, life has been hard for the American people as President Biden concludes his first year in office. Unfortunately, too many in this Chamber have bowed down to the most radical fringes of the Democratic Party.

The sad reality today is liberals in Congress have no clue what every day, hardworking Americans are going through. They care more about pushing their radical agenda than helping working families. The result is more inflation, higher gas prices, unconstitutional vaccine mandates, broken supply chains, and Americans struggling to make ends meet.

On our side of the aisle, Republicans are committed to making sure we get the American people back to work, ensuring that small businesses can find employees to help keep their businesses open, making sure Americans have uninterrupted access to goods, and getting our country roaring back with a strong economy and safe communities. Those are the issues that Americans really care about.

Here in Washington, Republicans will use our congressional authority to hold the Biden administration accountable for the Afghanistan debacle where we don't know how many Americans are still left behind in Afghanistan, for choosing to wreck our energy sector, handing Putin the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and for allowing the southern borders to be kept wide open. Where once we were energy independent a year ago, now we are begging OPEC to please produce more.

Madam Speaker, after only a year of the Biden administration and his radical governing of our country, we have had enough. The American people have had enough. Our people, our country deserve better.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 60th anniversary of Operation Pedro Pan. Fidel Castro's communist regime tainted a country beyond repair over six decades ago. Parents on the island became increasingly concerned with the communist rise and indoctrination of their children that was taking place in schools. What is today known as Operation Pedro Pan was the result of concerned parents making a critical decision about how their children would be taught and educated and these parents ultimately deciding to send their children to the United States, where freedom and liberty are guaranteed in our Constitution.

Operation Pedro Pan took place from December 1960 to October 1962 and was created by the Catholic Welfare Bureau. More than a thousand Cuban minors left the island and arrived in the United States. Upon arrival, many of the minors were reunited with relatives and family friends residing in the United States, while others were looked after by the Catholic Welfare Bureau. Other children were part of the Cuban Refugee Children's Program where they were relocated to various other states.

South Florida became a central hub where many minors arrived and settled. Throughout the years those who arrived in the United States have contributed significantly. Many went on to pursue various career fields that include business, medicine, education, law, and public service. Others went on to become small business owners and citizens who have come to strongly advocate on behalf of the courageous freedom fighters in Cuba who have endured decades of oppression under the communist regime.

Operation Pedro Pan is the largest organized exodus of unaccompanied minors in the Western Hemisphere to this day. On its 60th anniversary, I want to highlight the significant contributions that many of those who arrived because of Operation Pedro Pan have made. I know firsthand the American dream many of the exiles achieved because I immigrated to this country with my family when I was a young boy. In just one generation, my family went from Cuba to Congress. I believe with all my heart and soul that in no other country in the world is that achievement possible.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kerry Black of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of her retirement. Mrs. Black's career has touched the lives of many individuals in South Florida and throughout the world. She specializes in improving organizational culture and establishing healthy, thriving companies.

In August of 1991, Mrs. Black and her husband, Russell Black, founded Latin Impact Ministries in order to develop a network of national church leaders. Latin Impact Ministries has reached over tens of thousands of Latinos and has developed hundreds of individuals and teams focusing on serving their communities. Today, Latin Impact Ministries has extended outreach to build schools, provide members of the community with access to a higher education, and promotes the collaboration of strong leaders in the city to improve local and regional unity.

Not only did Mrs. Black serve the underprivileged, she empowered the South Dade entrepreneurial community by serving as the CEO of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce from October 2017 to May 2021. The South Dade Chamber of Commerce is the second oldest standing chamber in Miami Dade County and is a critical resource for many of the community's entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, she reinvigorated the chamber by creating a new mission statement and following through on that promise. Because of her leadership, the chamber experienced one of their best renewal seasons, leading to a restored reputation throughout the community. She increased community visibility by participating in weekly podcasts hosted by Miami Community News. Throughout the pandemic, Mrs. Black ensured business leaders were still connected to the chamber and provided them with resources and guidance.

It is an honor to join the South Florida community in celebrating Kerry Black's retirement. As she celebrates an extensive career of service, I am grateful for all the work she has done to serve the needs of South Florida businesses, entrepreneurs, and members of our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Key West's former First Lady, Cheryl Cates. Her outstanding public service to the Florida Keys and South Florida and unwavering sense of conviction earned her the respect and admiration from those who knew her and anyone she crossed paths with.

Cheryl led an incredible life full of perseverance and devotion. She was selfless and dedicated to our community having served on several boards and committees. In 2012, Cheryl was awarded the Community Service Award of Excellence for her committed decade of service to Zonta, an organization dedicated to empowering women through service and advocacy. Additionally, she was awarded the Key West Business Guild's Presidential Award and the Key West Star Award from the Chamber of Commerce for her grand contributions over the years.

Cheryl's tremendous service over the years was exemplary. Her legacy is a testament of what it means to be selfless and noble. Her ongoing support and encouragement for local non-profits fostered great awareness in the Keys. Cheryl served as the First Lady of Key West for more than a decade, representing city leadership at hundreds of events throughout former Mayor Craig Cates' time in office.

A woman of dignity and integrity, Cheryl Cates will be remembered for her lifelong charitable contributions to Key West and her dedication to public service. It was a pleasure knowing her. She will be profoundly missed.

May God bless Cheryl Cates.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Michael Collins. His unwavering sense of conviction and outstanding public service to his community earned him respect and admiration from those who knew him and anyone he crossed paths with.

The state of Florida recognizes his success as the champion of the Greater Everglades ecosystem from Orlando to the Keys. His leadership on the South Florida Water Management Board for over a decade has tangibly benefited the lives of tens-of-millions Floridians. His advocacy for Florida Bay, Lake Okeechobee as well as the Upper Chain of Lakes was heard and acted upon.

Michael Collins had the unique ability to unite various stakeholders to implement consensus solutions to complex water resource issues. He was the father of the creation of the Water Resource Advisory Commission to carry out this mission. His grand contributions cannot be measured. He was always attentive to his community and gave it his all.

Michael Collins will be remembered for his lifelong contributions and dedication to Florida's water resources. Captain Mike will be missed at the helm, however, his ``troops'' will carry on the mission. It's an honor to commemorate a man of this stature and integrity. Michael Collins will be profoundly missed.

God bless.

Madam Speaker, founded in the late 1960s, Community Health of South Florida, Incorporated was established in order to answer the call of service for members of the community. Many minority residents of Miami-Dade County lacked access to health care due to the existing segregation of medical care in the South. Other migrant farmworkers were uninsured, preventing them from obtaining preventative or ambulatory care. Doris Ison recognized the need to provide care for all, regardless of race or economic status, having been a farmworker herself who immigrated from the Bahamas. Inspired by the American dream, Mrs. Ison was a catalyst for action and inspired local leaders, organizations, and members from her church to establish Community Health of South Dade, Incorporated in April of 1971.

Beginning as two trailers off U.S. Highway 1, today, the mission has expanded to 11 health centers. Additionally, 35 school-based centers were established in order to serve the needs of Miami-Dade and Monroe County's underprivileged children. Community Health of South Florida, Incorporated offers services ranging from Primary Care, Urgent Care, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Radiology, Dental, Vision, and many others. Community Health of South Florida, Incorporated again answered the call for service during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing testing and telehealth medical services. True to Mrs. Ison's vision, CHI provides care for the uninsured and low income in Miami-Dade County, as well as the insured.

In 2016, Community Health of South Florida, Incorporated received the Governor's Sterling Award. They are designated as the second federally qualified health center in the nation to be a behavioral health medical home, are certified as a patient centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and are accredited by the Joint Commission. To carry on the legacy of Mrs. Ison, the Brodes H. Hartley, Jr. Teaching Health Center helps to train the next generation of medical professionals.

It is an honor to join the South Florida community in celebrating their 50th anniversary. As Community Health of South Florida, Incorporated celebrates this milestone, I am grateful for all this organization has done to serve the needs of South Florida.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 60th anniversary of the Diamond Jubilee, of Saint Timothy Catholic Church in Miami, FL. Saint Timothy was founded in 1960, and the church and parish have expanded to include many members of Florida's 26th Congressional District and beyond.

Saint Timothy Catholic Church not only provides a place of worship but also engages its parishioners through outreach to give back to the surrounding community. By distributing food to the hungry and providing a wide range of outreach services, the church exhibits the strong passion it has for helping others. I am very thankful for all the great work that Saint Timothy Catholic Church and their parishioners contribute to our community.

I congratulate all members of Saint Timothy Catholic Church on their 60 years of community. I look forward to their continued success and prosperity in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 30th anniversary of the Latino Center on Aging (LCA). LCA was founded in 1991 and for decades has been a champion of advocating on behalf of Latino senior citizens by advancing and improving their quality of life. The center has been able to support and assist many members of Florida's 26th congressional district and beyond.

The Latino Center on Aging has successfully been able to carry out its mission through various avenues such as media engagement, testimony at public hearings, and conferences that directly address the problems Latino senior citizens are faced with.

Additionally, LCA has implemented a weekly radio show titled Para Mayores that has been broadcasted for the last three years. During the COVID-19 quarantine period, Para Mayores contributed to the lives of many seniors by providing them with timely and valuable information. This has become of significant importance as many times, language and cultural barriers impede seniors' ability to effectively obtain the necessary assistance they require.

As South Florida continues to see an expansion of Hispanic elderly residents in the region, now more than ever are LCA's contributions and mission critical to the surrounding community. I congratulate the Latino Center on Aging on their 30 years of community and contribution. I look forward to their continued success and prosperity in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of former Monroe County Commissioner Mike Forster. Commissioner Forster's unwavering sense of conviction and outstanding public service to his community earned him respect and admiration from those who knew him and anyone he crossed paths with.

Mike Forster was first elected to office in the Village of Islamorada where he served for twelve years. Before becoming commissioner, he served as mayor twice, vice mayor twice, and served on the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

A man of dignity and integrity, commissioner Mike Forster was an exemplary role model for many. His grand contributions cannot be measured. From Uganda to the Florida Keys, he was always attentive to his community and gave it his all. He earnestly fought to ensure that anyone he met had a quality of life.

He rose to the challenge. When it was needed, he stepped up to the plate. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided free meals to servers, bartenders, cooks, bussers, and other Florida Keys residents involved in the hospitality industry out of his restaurant. During Hurricane Irma, he led efforts to assist those who were ill and help their families when the community underwent disasters.

Commissioner Mike Forster will be remembered for his lifelong charitable contributions to the Florida Keys and his genuine character. It was a pleasure knowing Commissioner Forster. He will be profoundly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the grand opening of the College of the Florida Keys Upper Keys Center. The College of the Florida Keys, CFK, is part of the Florida College System and has been an integral part of higher education in Florida for nearly 50 years.

Over the years, CFK has accomplished significant milestones such as instating bachelor programs that are accessible to the neighboring communities, introducing prominent skilled programs, and preparing students for their future endeavors.

The grand opening of the Upper Keys Center will expand and enhance the college's mission in equipping the student body with additional space that will allow them to study, learn, and grow. The new center will include new classrooms, nursing labs, a bio-chemical lab, apprenticeship labs, an auditorium, a testing center, and a library. Additionally, the center will also feature learning spaces, lounges, an activities room, and a patio deck.

Again, I rise to recognize the College of the Florida Keys Upper Keys Center. CFK has provided meaningful contributions to the Florida Keys community. Many individuals from all walks of life have been able to fulfill their goals and foster meaningful relationships that have helped them advance and enrich their academic careers. I know that CFK will continue to do this for decades to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the freedom fighters in Cuba and against communism, the very system of social, political, and economic oppression that

has brought misery, poverty, and death to the Cuban people.

As the struggle of the Cuban people continues, I am calling on President Biden and his administration to take decisive measures in support of the Cuban protestors.

Specifically, I am calling on him to: condemn the communist Cuban regime for their decades of oppression; condemn the communist Cuban regime for any acts of violence against peaceful protestors; condemn the evils of communism that have led to misery, poverty, and stifled basic and fundamental human rights; support the mission of the protesters in Cuba, which includes establishing free and democratic elections, releasing all political prisoners, and establishing a free and independent press; and commit to the United States continuing its policy of maximum pressure on the communist Cuban regime until fundamental democratic reforms take hold.

On a personal note, I immigrated to this country with my family when I was a young boy, just 6 years old. I lived through the indoctrination curriculum in elementary school. I witnessed my birth country crumble to the woes of communism. Luckily, my family and I had the opportunity to immigrate to this great country.

In just one generation, my family went from Cuba to Congress. I believe with all my heart and soul that in no other country in the world is that achievement possible.

I am heartened to see my fellow Cubans on the island wave the symbol of freedom, our American flag, as they demand the same freedoms that we take for granted.

For that reason, I will always stand firmly on the side of all who yearn for freedom and democracy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 1895, the Transportation Security Public Health Threat Preparedness Act. This is an important piece of legislation that will help ensure America's transportation systems are better prepared for future public health threats. The current COVID-19 pandemic has only further underscored the importance of keeping our TSA officers safe.

Specifically, this bill directs TSA to conduct an analysis of looming public health risks to all components of our transportation systems, working with the Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and its transportation stakeholders. The analysis will describe TSA's security checkpoint policies and procedures to protect TSA personnel, passengers, aviation workers, and airport personnel from public health threats.

Additionally, this bill instructs TSA to brief Congress on this analysis following its conclusion so that we may rectify or codify any important recommendations so we can protect our officers and our transportation systems from public health risks.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues who joined me on this legislation, and I urge the House to swiftly pass this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding career of one Mr. John Lynskey for his service in: educating, coaching and mentoring the young men at Christopher Columbus High School for the last 37 years.

Mr. John Lynskey has dedicated the last 37 years of his life to educating and teaching the students of Christopher Columbus High School what it takes to become a responsible man. What began as a teaching/ coaching career in 1984, evolved into a prestigious reputation as one of the schools finest and most respected mentors to thousands of Explorers who have walked the halls of Christopher Columbus. Mr. Lynskey is one of the few Explorers inducted into both the School's main hall of fame and Athletic Hall of Fame; he joins the ranks with several professional athletes including: former NFL Quarterback Brian Griese, MLB outfielder Jon Jay, and Olympic athlete Eddie Alvarez (just to name a few).

Although the entire Christopher Columbus community alumni and students will miss Mr. Lynskey, he is leaving behind an unshakeable legacy. From teaching Social Studies for over thirty years and more recently as the Dean of Students, to having his own Podcast (Looking Back with Lynskey) John Lynskey will be remembered as more than just an educator and administrator but as truly a Renaissance man in the realm of education in the South Florida Community.

John Lynskey will be moving to Macon, GA to be the director of the legendary Allman Brothers Band Museum but will remain active in the Development Department for the school in the years to come.

Moving forward (Adelante).

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, during our time tonight, my colleagues and I will address the major crises happening here at home and happening abroad. Our message tonight will all have a consistent theme: House Republicans are leading the fight, whether it is protecting the Hyde amendment, taking action to fix President Biden's economic crisis, or holding China accountable for the COVID-19 coverup once and for all.

On the last point, the time has come for Congress to take seriously its job to hold China accountable for their role in the proliferation of the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has killed over 600,000 Americans, ruined the American economy, forced into closure many people's livelihoods, and destabilized our way of life.

Just as we did in the aftermath of 9/11 and in response to the Great Recession, Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues on her side of the aisle cannot abdicate Congress' constitutional responsibility to investigate the origins of COVID-19 and the roles both the Chinese Communist Party and the World Health Organization played in preventing an expeditious global response.

A March 2020 report by the University of Southampton found that if interventions in China could have been conducted 1, 2, or 3 weeks earlier, then cases could have been reduced by 66 percent, 86 percent, and 95 percent, respectively. That is inexcusable.

Luckily for the American people, Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and House Republicans have a plan to hold China accountable and ensure an atrocity such as the CCP virus never happens again.

The American people deserve transparency. That is why Congress must declassify information related to the origins of COVID-19. Yes, that includes any report that comes from President Biden's recent requests.

For far too long, the government has allowed individuals with known ties to the CCP or Chinese state-owned enterprises to benefit from American research and innovation. That is why we must continue to pursue policies that curb any gains made by the Chinese Communist Party.

It is also time for Congress to prohibit the National Institutes of Health or any entity that receives grants and funding from NIH from conducting research or spending resources on research with malicious foreign actors. This includes China. Our taxpayer dollars should not be going into arming our adversaries.

Foreign policy is a crucial element in holding China accountable. Congress must compel the administration to flex its foreign policy posture and reform the World Health Organization. As more information comes forward, it is evident that the WHO was complicit in China's coverup of the exploding pandemic. Their negligence is directly responsible for the loss of millions of lives. We need trusted actors such as Taiwan to form part of the organization.

In keeping in line with a tough foreign policy stance, Congress must implement a new round of tough and deliberate sanctions on anyone-- whether they are Chinese nationals with ties to the CPP or high-level executives at the World Health Organization--who willfully participated in the coverup of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped prevent a robust global response. Millions of lives are on their hands.

Another tool at our disposal is for Congress to pass the resolution introduced by my Florida colleague, Congressman Michael Waltz, and Senator Rick Scott to prevent Beijing from hosting the Winter Olympics.

Finally, we need to allow them to sue the Chinese Communist Party and any CCP official who participated in the coverup that killed over half a million Americans. They deserve no sovereign immunity.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to do our jobs and join Leader McCarthy and the House Republicans in holding China accountable, holding our adversaries accountable, and ensuring an atrocity such as this never happens again.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to introduce the Congressman from Texas, Congressman Van Taylor. Congressman Van Taylor is a decorated Iraq

War veteran and an important member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Taylor).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague from Texas for his great words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the 22nd District of Texas (Mr. Nehls), who is a veteran law enforcement officer.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to introduce the Congressman from California, Mike Garcia. Congressman Garcia flew over 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a naval aviator. We thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garcia).

Mr. Speaker, Glenn Grothman from Wisconsin is an experienced legislator in Wisconsin and a United States Congressman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more with the gentleman about the Hyde amendment. I think the majority of Americans couldn't agree with the gentleman more about the Hyde amendment. We need to maintain that the majority of Americans do not want to fund taxpayer- funded abortions.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman John Rose from Tennessee is an eighth- generation farmer and a key member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments.

Congressman Glenn Thompson from Pennsylvania is the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee. Mr. Thompson and I share a common experience as former firefighters.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), a Congressman and a former firefighter.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Thompson for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania retired as a brigadier general in the Army and now represents the people of Pennsylvania's 10th District. I thank the gentleman for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for his comments. I couldn't agree with him more. My opening statements were about China and their complicity, and we do need to investigate China and the World Health Organization and find out what did they know and when did they know it. Again, as I said, if we had known about this 1, 2, or 3 weeks earlier, we could have saved an incredible number of lives.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Michael Cloud represents the 13th District of Texas and is the only Texas Republican on the Agriculture Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cloud).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Cloud for his comments.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman John Joyce of Pennsylvania is part of the Doctors Caucus and has worked with the U.S. Navy at Naval Hospital Portsmouth in Virginia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I thank the gentleman for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce).

Mr. Speaker, who would know better about protecting life and saving life than the good doctor from Pennsylvania and my colleague, Congressman John Joyce.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), who has led a distinguished career in business and public service and serves as a member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser), who comes from a family dedicated to public service. He serves as a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Pennsylvania's 13th District for those strong words and strong ideas on why we need to hold the people accountable who unleashed this horrific virus on the United States and the world at large.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller), who is a farmer, a business manager, and a member of the Agriculture Committee and Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree with the Congresswoman more. As a father and a grandfather, it is atrocious, the debt that we are going to be leaving our children and our grandchildren. We are stealing their future. They will not have the money that they need to provide for their programs and their infrastructure that they are going to need to fund in the future. That is one of the reasons why I wholeheartedly agree with her.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann), who is a fifth generation Kansan and proudly serves on the Agriculture Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He represents Kansas' First District.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Carl), who is a successful small business owner and a valued member of the Armed Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), who represents Texas' 36th District. He is a lifelong resident of east Texas and my colleague on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Franklin), my friend and colleague. He has served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy for 26 years. I thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger). She has been a successful pharmacist and business owner for over three decades.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman). He is an experienced government official. We share a common background in local government, having both served as mayors.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa). He represents California's First District. He serves on the Agriculture Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

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