Floor Statements

Mr. President, I object to the Senator's motion to strike the provision establishing a commonsense protection of taxpayer dollars by prohibiting abortion providers from receiving Medicaid funds for 1 year.

There was a time when protecting American tax dollars from supporting the abortion industry was an uncontroversial, nonpartisan effort that we could all get behind, even if we held opposing views on protecting the dignity of human life.

This provision does not target any one entity. If a medical provider wishes to stay within the Medicaid Program, it should simply cut elective abortion procedures from its services.

Point of Order

Mr. President, the pending amendment, No. 2771, would cause the underlying legislation to exceed the Finance Committee's section 302(a) allocation of new budget authority and outlays; therefore, I raise a point of order against this measure pursuant to section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Mr. President, this week has given the pro-life movement quite a bit to celebrate. On Tuesday, we marked the third anniversary of the landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. And today the U.S. Supreme Court delivered another life-affirming victory in the Medina v. Planned Parenthood case out of South Carolina, holding that States can defund the abortion industry by ensuring that abortion providers are excluded from the States' Medicaid Program.

This commonsense decision from the Supreme Court reinforces the important work that pro-life lawmakers are doing at the State and Federal level to keep tax dollars out of the abortion business. We can rest easy knowing that pro-life States across America are fiercely protecting the lives of innocent, preborn children.

But a child's right to exist should not depend on geography, and that is why my fellow pro-life colleagues join me on the Senate floor today to commemorate this time when the responsibility of protecting human life has been returned to the people and their elected leaders at both the State and Federal level.

Three years ago, the Supreme Court held that:

The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe

and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate

abortion is returned to the people and their elected

representatives.

I am especially proud that my home State of Mississippi was at the center of this historic decision. The Dobbs landmark decision and all those involved in making it happen are very close to my heart, including my friends Representative Becky Currie of Brookhaven, MS, who authored the bill, and Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who represented our State so well in the Supreme Court. The High Court gave us exactly what we asked for.

Two hundred twenty-seven of my pro-life colleagues in Congress joined me on the brief we filed in Dobbs asserting that ``it is long overdue for this Court to return lawmaking to legislatures . . . we respectfully urge the

Court to affirm the constitutional authority of the federal and state governments to safeguard the lives and health of their citizens, born and not yet born.''

While the pro-life movement has long sought to change hearts and minds through decades of court battles, today we can make a real difference to ensure our laws reflect the values we hold dear. A handful of examples of these legislative efforts include supporting pregnancy resource centers, protecting abortion survivors, and ensuring U.S. tax dollars are not funneled into the abortion industry.

While the pro-life community has held an outstretched hand to expecting parents who may be facing tough and scary hurdles--a primary one being the financial cost of birth--my colleagues and I are committed to supporting these families.

To that end, the Supporting Healthy Moms and Babies Act is meant to ease the out-of-pocket costs paid by parents to have a child. If we can relieve the financial stresses associated with pregnancy and childbirth, I hope expecting mothers and fathers will feel empowered to embrace the beautiful gift of parenthood.

As a proud Christian, mother, and committed member of the pro-life movement, I will continuously fight to uphold and defend the dignity of every life at every stage.

Dobbs lifted the gate for us to move forward, and there is still much important work to be done.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, it is an honor to express my deep admiration and heartfelt respect for one of my constituents and dear friend Mr. Joe Aguzzi of Cleveland, MS, who celebrated his 99th birthday on May 8, 2025. At 99 years young, Joe continues to stand as a towering figure, not just in the field, but as a legacy for his family and the Mississippi farming community.

From guiding a mule across his family's fields as a youth to embracing precision agriculture in his golden years, Joe Aguzzi's journey reflects a rare combination of tradition and entrepreneurship. As the grandson of Italian immigrants who came to the Mississippi Delta seeking opportunity, Joe built a legacy that honors their sacrifice and uplifts the generations that follow.

Mr. Aguzzi's story is one of grit and grace. From his service as an 18-year-old infantry scout in World War II to returning home and helping shape what is now a multigenerational farming dynasty, Joe's story is a powerful testament to perseverance, family, and vision. The land his grandfather first tilled more than 100 years ago continues to bear fruit, thanks to the love and labor he poured into it and the wisdom passed down through four generations.

Joe is not only the patriarch of his family but a cornerstone of his community and an inspiration to all who believe in the power of perseverance, service, vision, and unwavering commitment to family and craft. Farming

may be unpredictable, but Joe's presence in the field--rain or shine-- is something everyone can count on.

Congratulations to Joe Aguzzi on an incredible life well lived. The fields he has sown have grown more than crops; they have grown generations of strength.

Mr. President, as our Nation comes together to observe National Police Week, we honor the courageous men and women in law enforcement who have given their lives in service to others.

This is a time of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude--a moment to recognize not only those fallen heroes, but also the families, friends, and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and carry the weight of their loss.

In my home State of Mississippi and across the country, law enforcement officers serve on the frontlines with unwavering dedication. Despite increasing challenges and adversity, they show up every day--facing risk and uncertainty--not for the recognition, but out of a deep commitment to protect and serve their fellow citizens. Their courage is matched by the strength of their families, who live with the daily reality of what that service demands.

These public servants are more than officers. They are mentors, protectors, neighbors, community leaders, and patriots. In Mississippi, we are blessed with extraordinary individuals who wear the badge with honor and integrity. Every life lost in the line of duty is a tragedy that affects us all.

Today, I want to specifically honor the four Mississippi officers whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year--four heroes who protected our communities, four heroes whose legacy will never be forgotten.

We remember: Jeremy Todd Malone, a George County Sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in January 2024. He served in law enforcement for 21 years and is survived by his wife, three daughters, mother, and two brothers.

We remember: Troy Lamar Floyd, a Summit Police Department patrolman who was shot and killed in August 2024 while conducting a checkpoint. Patrolman Floyd had served in law enforcement for more than 20 years and is survived by his wife and children.

We remember: Michael Elaine Griffin, a government affairs liaison and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who died in the line of duty in September 2023 after encountering a car accident involving a partially overturned vehicle, which unfortunately shifted and fell on top of him. After retiring from the Mississippi Highway Patrol with 34 years of service, he served as a sworn officer with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for 2 years until he passed away. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

And we remember: Robert Daye Daffin, Jr., a narcotics agent who served with the George County Sheriff's Office for more than 14 years. He died in 2021 from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty and is survived by his daughter, parents, and three siblings.

We honor their memory and stand beside their families with enduring respect.

Remembrance must also inspire action. Supporting law enforcement means ensuring our officers have the tools, resources, support, and safety that they deserve on and off duty. It also means fostering a climate of respect and appreciation for the burdens they and their loved ones carry.

I remain steadfast in my commitment to those who wear the uniform and to the families who sacrifice alongside them. Their service deserves not only our gratitude but also our unwavering support.

Let us come together this week and throughout the year to honor their service, remember their sacrifices, and renew our promise to stand with those who protect our communities. May God bless our fallen heroes, their families, all who serve in law enforcement, and the United States of America.

Mr. President, Faith Month is designated every April, bringing together people of faith in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith. I embrace this special month and commend Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations for encouraging people to use this month to actively strengthen their faith.

Religion is often viewed as a controversial topic, but without religious faith, there would be no United States of America. Faith is deeply woven into the fabric of our great Nation. It was a commitment to faith that led the Pilgrims to flee religious persecution in Europe and seek freedom in a new land. They were followed by Roman Catholics, Baptists, Quakers, and Calvinists, all seeking the chance to practice their faith free from the bonds of a tyrannical government. The Christian faith profoundly shaped the culture and politics of Colonial America.

Faith also inspired our struggle for independence. As our founding documents declare, we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' and our government is founded on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God.'' Acknowledging our ``reliance on the protection of divine Providence,'' we could not be ruled by a King or taxed by a Parliament without consent. America's Founders created the first Nation in history not based on shared ethnicity or language, but rather on the belief that God grants every human being inherent value and natural rights.

The Founders worked to protect the religious freedom sought by the first Colonists. They enshrined that freedom in the very First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as well as ``the free exercise thereof.'' They did not want the state to be separate from the church as a means to free the state from faith, but to guarantee that Americans could worship freely and as they chose. A nation founded on inalienable, God-given rights could not ignore the importance of belief in God.

The Founders also understood that faith was an indispensable part of freedom. For a nation to govern itself without a monarch or authoritarian ruler, its people must be capable of self-government, exercising their liberty responsibly. They understood that faith fosters good character, virtue, and self-restraint--qualities that prevent society from falling into chaos.

Unfortunately, we have seen the proof of this too often in years. Attacks against faith-based organizations and individuals of particular religious groups are staggeringly high. Peaceful pro-life advocates have been unjustly jailed, churches have been vandalized and burned, and students have faced threats and violence on their college campuses due to radical protests. The emphasis on race and sexual preference over merit have undermined our businesses and schools. As faith--and the moral foundations that come with it--declines, so does the well- being and stability of our Nation.

Yet when religion is allowed to flourish, communities thrive. Research shows that faith strengthens the family unit, promotes stable marriages, and discourages drug abuse and violence. Regular church attendance is linked to lifting young people out of poverty, and faithful people tend to be happier and more fulfilled in life.

Our Nation has always been a beacon of hope for those seeking religious freedom, and today we are enriched by a diverse religious heritage. This Faith Month, I join Concerned Women for America and millions of Americans to celebrate our distinctly American foundations. We honor the right to worship freely and openly, proud of our heritage as a people of faith. In doing so, we reaffirm our commitment to the religious liberty principles of our founding and our national motto, ``In God We Trust.''

Mr. President, I rise today to once again join my Republican colleagues in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding the protections provided by title IX and the hard-won opportunities it offers women and girls.

Since its enactment in 1972, title IX has been instrumental in preventing sex discrimination in education, ensuring equality for girls and women. Remember that before title IX, women and girls were denied the same academic and athletic opportunities as their male peers.

Title IX was originally designed by Congress to ensure that women and girls receive equal and fair opportunities based on biological reality while also ensuring their safety in educational settings. For more than 50 years, it successfully upheld these principles.

Unfortunately, over the past 4 years, we have seen a concerted and completely misguided effort to redefine gender in ways that ignore biological facts and threaten the significant strides women and girls have made since the passage of title IX. These misguided actions eroded the protections that title IX was created to offer.

After watching the Biden administration claw away at the integrity of title IX for 4 years, I am proud to stand with my colleagues and President Trump in fighting to restore the protections that title IX was always meant to provide to girls and women in sports.

Despite the attempts of our colleagues across the aisle to defend their war on title IX, the American people overwhelmingly agree on a fundamental point: Biologically male athletes should not be allowed to compete in women's sports or use women's locker rooms.

I find it ironic that the party that wore pink to protest President Trump's address last night claiming his policies harm women is the same party where not one Member voted to protect women in sports this week. If it were not so serious, it would almost be laughable.

This is not a matter of partisanship but of common sense and fairness. It is a matter of equal opportunity for all.

This is the message we must continue to amplify in Congress as we work to ensure the future protections of title IX remain intact.

We must pass legislation that protects female athletes and preserves the integrity of women's sports. To suggest that biological females and transgender women are the same in all respects, particularly in the context of athletic competition, is to set women and girls back, not forward.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act would safeguard title IX by defining gender based on an individual's biological and genetic sex at birth. It would also ensure that no Federal funding goes to schools or educational organizations that allow males to participate in women's sporting events, ensuring that title IX's original intent is upheld across the board.

Importantly, its passage would make it harder for some future President to again assault title IX.

It is disheartening to see that, once again, my Democratic colleagues are failing to advocate for the importance of title IX and what it means to women and girls everywhere. Instead, they choose to cater to an out-of-touch woke mob on this issue.

I am proud to join Senator Tuberville in supporting this commonsense legislation that will continue to protect our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters for years to come.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, it is with a sense of sadness but also an honor to celebrate the life of someone who truly made a profound impact on my home State of Mississippi: Paul Gallo. My State mourns Paul, who died January 19, 2025, after a brave fight with cancer.

Known across the airwaves as the host of ``The Paul Gallo Show,'' Paul was far more than just a broadcaster. If there is anyone who can be considered a Mississippi icon, it is him. He earned that status over decades as a steady voice for news and opinion in my State.

I will never forget the first time I had the honor of being on ``The Paul Gallo Show'' as a newly elected State senator. Paul treated me with kindness, fairness, and respect, qualities he extended to everyone he encountered, whether they were politicians, movers and shakers, or simply everyday listeners. He made you feel like you were a part of every conversation, someone you could rely on and someone you could trust.

In the 1990s, Paul helped transform a longtime vision into reality with the creation of SuperTalk Mississippi, a statewide network that gave Mississippians a platform to be heard, uniting our State through shared conversation.

Paul, the son of the Mississippi Delta, was a true believer in Mississippi. He recognized its potential and its strengths, but he wasn't afraid to address its challenges head-on. He shaped the conversations that mattered to the people of Mississippi, no matter where they lived across the State.

Throughout his career, Paul was a voice for change. He spoke out on critical issues affecting our communities and held our leaders accountable. His dedication to the people of Mississippi and his unabashed commitment to doing right by them was evident in everything he did.

Beyond his broadcasting career, Paul and his colleagues at SuperTalk Mississippi became champions for the Palmer Home for Children. Their tireless efforts have raised millions of dollars to support children in need, giving them a better chance at a brighter future. Paul's compassion for the people of Mississippi, especially its children, was unwavering.

My heart goes out to his wife Patsy, their children, grandchildren, the entire SuperTalk family, and the countless listeners whose lives he touched.

Paul's impact on Mississippi will be felt for generations through the stories he shared, the people he connected with, the policies he has influenced, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Paul Gallo will always be part of Mississippi's story and always a part of our hearts.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, this is an incredibly special week for pro-life Americans. We have welcomed back a life-affirming administration with the second inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Both Chambers of Congress are united in our pursuit of commonsense legislation to protect the most vulnerable Americans among us with a vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

This Friday, we will join thousands of pro-life Americans who will faithfully participate in the 52nd annual March for Life in our Nation's Capital. The National March for Life always reminds us of why we continue to fight for stronger protections for our unborn children and for their mothers. Thankfully, the march also serves as a bright reminder of the progress we have made as a movement.

Now, thanks to efforts led by my fellow Mississippians in the Governor's Office, the Attorney General's Office, and in the State legislature, we live in the Dobbs era. The entire process that brought us to this historical overturning of Roe v. Wade almost 3 years ago began with the introduction of a bill in the Mississippi State Legislature called the Gestational Age Act. My dear friend Representative Becky Currie is responsible for introducing this legislation, which turned out to be a catalyst for such great change in our Nation.

(The remarks of Mrs. HYDE-SMITH pertaining to the introduction of S. Res. 30 are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I would like to enter into the Record a resolution honoring Representative Becky Currie in this role in history that she plays.

Today, I am introducing a Senate resolution honoring the Mississippi Gestational Age Act:

Whereas, on January 15, 2018, Mississippi State

Representative Becky Currie of Brookhaven, Mississippi

introduced the Gestational Age Act to protect unborn children

from elective abortion after 15 weeks gestation;

Whereas, on March 19, 2018, the Gestational Age Act was

passed by the Mississippi State Legislature, approved by

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, and enacted into law;

Whereas, in May 2021, the United States Supreme Court

agreed to review Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health . . . a

challenge to the constitutionality of the Gestational Age

Act, where the question before the Court was whether all pre-

viability prohibitions on elective abortion are

unconstitutional; and

Whereas, on June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court

issued its historical decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's

Health, holding that ``the Constitution does not confer a

right to abortion. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the

authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people

and their elected representatives.'': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) expresses profound gratitude to Mississippi State

Representative Becky Currie for introducing the catalyst that

ultimately brought about the historical victory of

overturning Roe v. Wade . . . and Planned Parenthood v.

Casey; and

(2) honors life-affirming States across the country that

have enacted laws aimed to value and protect the inherent

dignity of every mother and unborn child.

Mr. President, it is my pleasure to recognize Harry Dendy as he retires from the sales committee of the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions. Each year, hundreds of young agriculture enthusiasts gather at the State fairgrounds in Jackson, MS, to show their livestock at this sale. Mr. Dendy has attended every sale since 1975, making this year's sale on February 6 his 50th.

The Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions consistently raises money for 4-H and Future Farmers of America scholarships and programs that shape Mississippi youth to become the State's agriculture leaders. The sale and the programs it supports enable youth to develop both the technical knowledge and soft skills that they will need to become professionals working to feed and clothe the world. There is hardly any better way for youth to learn essential life skills like patience, persistence, hard work, and personal responsibility than by working with livestock.

Mr. Dendy has been a cornerstone of this sale for decades, and his hard work and support have been essential to the

sale's success in youth development. Mr. Dendy's passion for agriculture and its future has been evident throughout his entire life. He first joined 4-H in Chickasaw County, MS, at the age of 10 and later worked for the Farm Credit System for 33 years. He served multiple roles on the 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the development of the Mississippi 4-H Learning Center and Pete Frierson 4-H Museum. He was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2011.

I look forward to watching the future of the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions continue to grow on the foundation that Mr. Dendy has laid. Mr. Dendy leaves behind big shoes to fill, but I am confident his legacy will continue to inspire the sale and its youth toward success for decades to come.

Mr. President, as if in legislation session, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 733.

The clerk will report the resolution by title.

Mr. President, I know of no further debate on the resolution.

I ask unanimous consent that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

I ask unanimous consent that the preamble be agreed to.

Mr. President, I rise today to ask unanimous consent that the Senate adopt my resolution honoring the life and legacy of my dear friend Patrick Gottsch. Patrick was a strong friend and ally of rural America, and it is only appropriate that the Senate commemorate his life.

Along with so many other rural Americans, I miss Patrick every day. It is an honor to remember Patrick by advocating for and promoting the American rural way of life in the Senate.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, our farm economy is headed in a dark and scary direction. I hope all of my colleagues here in the Senate and on the other side of the Capitol recognize that.

It is time for Congress to deliver meaningful assistance to our agricultural producers. They have been devastated by unprecedented market conditions and natural disasters over the last 2 years, and they need help recovering from both, not one or the other.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to take action and to support those who support you.

The economic landscape for farmers is looking more like the farm crisis of the 1980s every day.

That is pretty scary.

There is not a farm crisis looming--it is already underway--but it is not too late to keep it from snowballing out of control if Congress acts.

The farm crisis of the 1980s--I remember so well--was one of the worst economic disasters since the Great Depression that decimated rural America and took years for many communities to recover from. Some never did. What caused the crisis? Inflation, high interest rates and production costs, low farm income, depressed crop prices, declining exports, and inadequate Federal price support policy.

Does that sound familiar?

The U.S. farm income has dropped $41 billion over the last 2 years-- the worst decline we have ever seen. Our trade deficit is expected to reach a record high of $45.5 billion for fiscal year 2025. Input costs and interest rates are close to an alltime high; commodity prices are low; and the Federal farm safety net is not providing any support because the Price Loss Coverage Program's reference prices haven't been updated since the 2014 farm bill. These are unprecedented market conditions. Believe me, I know.

To break this down in greater detail, market losses suffered by producers for the 2024 crop year alone are estimated at $31 billion-- $31 billion with a ``b.''

I have a breakdown of the market losses by State and commodity. I ask unanimous consent that they be printed in the Record.

Madam President, every single State in the United States suffered market losses this crop-year. The Office of Management and Budget recently submitted a disaster supplemental request to Congress asking for $21 billion in ad hoc support for producers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and in 2024, and I certainly support that because many producers across the country deserve it.

However, OMB's request failed to mention anything pertaining to market losses. How can we ignore $31 billion in market losses this year alone and expect to keep U.S. agriculture afloat? We shouldn't, and we can't. Farmers need market loss assistance, too. We need an additional $15 billion for market losses.

The House and Senate Agriculture Committees have been working on a proposal that would cover market losses on top of natural disaster losses. It is estimated to cost about $15 billion. Congress should support that, whether through supplemental appropriations or a farm bill extension, in addition to what has been proposed for natural disasters. Producers should be eligible for both.

State farm bureaus from all 50 States have sent letters to Congress asking for both market and disaster assistance--both, not one or the other. Further, every major agricultural organization across the country--the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, USA Rice, and Western Peanut Growers Association--have endorsed marker legislation, introduced in the House, focused on market losses.

If Congress fails to recognize the importance of providing market loss help and only focuses on natural disaster, my fear is that, one, farmers and farm groups across the country are going to be very angry that Congress decided to address only half the problem while ignoring every farmer across the country impacted by record input costs and depressed prices, and, two, we are going to have a farm crisis in this country worse than the 1980s crisis.

I will leave my colleagues with this question: Are we going to learn from lessons of the past and take appropriate action or take the path of least resistance today and be required to pay hundreds of billions on the back end after it is too late?

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I rise today with a deep sense of respect, admiration, and sadness to honor the remarkable life of Jeanne Luckey. Her legacy of service, strength, and compassion will leave a lasting impact on Mississippi, our Nation, and beyond.

A proud daughter of Biloxi, MS, Jeanne was a woman of extraordinary character--dedicated to her family, her community, and her country. She was a tireless leader and key figure in Mississippi's Republican Party, serving in the roles such as president of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women, as the cochair of the State Republican Party, and as the Republican National Committeewoman. Her voice and influence over the decades shaped the party at the State and national levels, and her work touched the lives of countless individuals across our State.

She faced extraordinary challenges with unmatched grace. Even after a car

accident left her in a wheelchair just days after Hurricane Katrina reshaped the coast of Mississippi, Jeanne didn't stop. She kept working. She continued her work with an unwavering commitment to the values she held dear, always finding a way to move forward.

Jeanne's influence went far beyond politics. Jeanne cared deeply about education and the people of Mississippi. As a member of the board of trustees for the Institutions of Higher Learning, she worked tirelessly to make Mississippi's universities stronger and more inclusive, especially for those with disabilities. Always focused on serving others, her contributions will be felt for generations.

What truly defined Jeanne was her strength of character. She was a woman who made others better. Her husband always said it best:

She made me a better person than I otherwise would have

been.

Those of us who had the privilege of knowing her can attest to that. Her wisdom, her kindness, and her ability to bring people together left a permanent mark on everyone she met.

Jeanne leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire those whose lives she has touched. My heart goes out to her husband Alwyn, to their two daughters Laurel and Taylor, and to her grandchildren Cornelius and Toxie Ray.

Mississippi has lost an amazing woman and a true leader, but Jeanne's spirit, her passion for life, and her commitment to making our State and country a better place will endure.

Madam President, today, I am pleased to commend and bid farewell to my longtime legislative director, Tim Wolverton, who has loyally served the Senate and the great State of Mississippi for more than 15 years. Tim has not only been a trusted member of my staff but a dear friend.

Born and raised in Starkville, MS, Tim attended Mississippi State University where he began his political career, winning an election to serve as student body president.

Apparently, Tim enjoyed being an elected official so much that he decided to move to the one place in the country where elected officials are everywhere: Washington, DC. It was here that Tim interned for one of his home State Senators, the late, great Senator Thad Cochran. If Tim hadn't caught the bug before that summer, he definitely had it now. A year later, Tim moved to the Nation's Capital to begin his professional career by accepting a job in Senator Cochran's office right after graduating with a degree in communications and a minor in leadership studies.

Tim started his career as many of our aides do--fresh out of college, wide-eyed, and ready to make a difference. Under the leadership of Senator Cochran, Tim quickly rose through the ranks and grew from the eager, young staffer into an effective legislative aide and a valuable member of Senator Cochran's office. Throughout that time, Tim continued his studies, completing a program from the Air Command and Staff College and earning his master's from the U.S. Naval War College.

When Senator Cochran's career was coming to an end and I was appointed to the difficult task of carrying forward his legacy and representing all the people of Mississippi, I made the smart choice of asking Tim Wolverton to stay on as my legislative director, and I am forever grateful that he said yes. Even now, 7 years later, I couldn't imagine having anyone else guiding the legislative priorities of my office with as much skill, dedication, and integrity as Tim Wolverton. His steady hand and deep understanding of the legislative process have been instrumental in advancing the policies that matter most to Mississippi and to our Nation.

Tim approached every challenge with the same unwavering commitment to help create a better Mississippi, whether it was working to secure disaster recovery funds for storm-ravaged areas of the State, advancing military installations to provide well-paying jobs and security for my constituents, or championing infrastructure projects to expand economic opportunity. His ability to navigate complex issues, deliver meaningful results, and do so with humility and grace speaks volumes about his character.

Beyond Tim's many professional accomplishments, he has been a volunteer in his community and a mentor to younger staff members in the office. Although this is just one of the many examples of Tim's generosity, he coached a boys basketball team from their third grade all the way to their senior year. Tim dedicates his time and energy for the betterment of others.

In the office, Tim is no different. He always keeps his door open to staff, listens, gives good advice, and passes on his many years' worth of knowledge and experience to others. They say a true leader's legacy is not measured by their achievements but by the achievements of those who he prepared to lead after he is gone. By any measure, Tim Wolverton stands out among the best.

While his coworkers and I regret to see Tim move on, we are equally excited about the opportunities that await him. The skills he has honed, the relationships he has built, and the impact he has made will undoubtedly serve him--and whoever is fortunate enough to work with him next--extraordinarily well.

To Tim, thank you for your years of dedicated service. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Mississippi and to the United States. Most importantly, thank you for your good counsel and your friendship, which have undoubtedly helped me serve Mississippi and our Nation in the best way possible over the past 7 years. Now, I wish you every success in all of your future endeavors.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, it is my pleasure to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Tadlock Stockyard in Forest, MS, which was celebrated November 8, 2024. This fourth-generation, family-owned business is recognized as a cornerstone of the cattle industry in Mississippi for more than a century, serving producers as they seek to provide wholesome, safe, and nutritious beef to the American people.

Originally founded by O.T. Bishop in 1924, the stockyard moved to its current location along Highway 35 in 1960 under the ownership of Luther and Ouida Jean Tadlock. David Tadlock, who assumed ownership of Tadlock Stockyard in 1974, has managed the sale barn and a weekly Monday sale at the current location ever since. The family-owned business is currently operated by all four members of the Tadlock family--David and Sandy Tadlock and daughters Greggina Brown and Char'lesa Tadlock.

Given the remarkable changes in our Nation over the past 100 years, including economic disruptions and global competition, the success of Tadlock Stockyard is a testament to the fortitude and commitment of the Tadlock family.

Tadlock Stockyard is the largest sale barn in Mississippi today, and it has consistently served to provide cattlemen across the State and region with a place to market their cattle. Given its proximity to Interstate 20, it serves as a hub for cattle marketing in the Southeast, especially as a gateway for stocker cattle to be shipped to feedlots out West.

Recently, the stockyard raised over $35,000 for the victims of Hurricane Helene. During the sale on October 7, a Brangus heifer calf was donated by an anonymous producer and resold 18 times in 10 minutes. This represents the generosity of Mississippi cattlemen and women and the sense of community among them that Tadlock Stockyard has fostered over the past 100 years.

Rural America is the backbone of this country, and Tadlock Stockyard is an important part of the backbone of rural Mississippi. I am thankful for the many important ways Tadlock Stockyard has contributed to the cattle industry and central Mississippi as a whole. I wish the stockyard and the Tadlock family continued success in their endeavors and look forward to watching another century of their legacy unfold.