Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise to express my support also for the resolution of disapproval of the new soft-on-crime law approved by the District of Columbia City Council. The resolution represents my chance to say: Enough is enough.

Today, Americans feel increasingly unsafe. It is not hard to understand why, since it has become impossible to disregard or dismiss the unraveling of law and order across the country over the past few years.

Whether it is the lack of law enforcement on the border, anti-police rhetoric, or weakened punishments for the violent crimes, Americans know the shift away from law and order, right and wrong, is tearing all the fabric of their communities. Crime is at a 25-year high across the entire country.

Unfortunately, my home State of Mississippi is not immune from this trend. Our capital, Jackson, has recorded more than 100 homicides for 3 consecutive years.

It is the same song, different verse in our Nation's very own Capital, where overall crime is up 25 percent since last year. In fact, Washington, DC's murder rate is 34 percent higher today than this time last year. Auto thefts are up 110 percent in this city.

What has the response been from the Democratic leadership? Well, it certainly has not made public safety a priority. There is a good reason the Senate is considering a resolution of disapproval against the DC Council's Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. With DC's growing record of lawlessness, the city council voted to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reduce penalties for crimes like robbery, carjacking, home invasion, burglary, and more. These are violent crimes that leave victims traumatized, injured, or worse--dead.

So why is the instinct to protect the criminal--to signal that the penalties for violating the law are being eased?

This law will put residents, constituents, tourists, Federal workers, and

elected officials directly in harm's way. Rather than holding them accountable for their own actions, the DC Council would prefer to let these violent criminals go back to the streets and commit the same violent crimes. Is it any wonder Washington, DC, has a police recruitment and retention problem?

At the same time, those responsible for enforcing our justice system seem more interested in carrying out ``justice'' based on politics. The Biden administration's Justice Department, for example, appears to be laser-focused on parents at local school board meetings, pro-life Americans exercising their right to protest, and spying on Catholic Americans, while taking a nothing-to-see-here approach to threats of violence against sitting Justices at the Supreme Court or attacks on pregnancy centers. If things continue this way, Americans will start to wonder if their safety and protection is determined by their political affiliation.

Mr. President, public safety should not be a political issue. It is not virtue signaling to lessen punishments for violent criminals; it is just dangerous. It is not progressive to pretend the breakdown in border security and subsequent flood of fentanyl aren't contributing to the surges in the crime and death; it is nonsensical.

Americans who live in the greatest Nation in the world at the very least deserve to feel safe. We deserve to live in a country of law and order. Yes, it is time to say ``enough is enough'' to the radical policies embraced by the Democratic Party that have only resulted in more crime, more fear and more tragedies.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, in less than a week, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union Address to the Nation. In the buildup to that speech, we are already seeing the President and his administration spinning a tale about just how wonderful things are in this country, particularly after they took power and racked up more than $3 trillion more in spending. Unfortunately, those tall tales do not reflect the reality for the people in my home State of Mississippi or across the Nation.

In the 2 years since President Biden took office, we have seen his administration fail the American people time and time again. Inflation was 1.4 percent in January of 2021, but the policies the President has forced on this Nation since then have made daily living unaffordable for families. Today, a strong majority of Americans--more than 70 percent--believe that the country is on the wrong track, and it is easy to understand why. Too many workers and families now live paycheck to paycheck, trying to keep the lights on, put food on the table, get gas in their cars, and stock up on everyday essentials that they have to have.

President Biden's inflationary runaway spending is a root cause of the skyrocketed prices we are paying for all goods and services. Not a single industry is spared the cost of this inflation. Since Joe Biden took office, higher prices have cost families an additional $10,000, and there seems to be no end in sight. Prices have gone up across the board to 13.5 percent, and grocery costs have jumped 18.6 percent. Just look at the price of essential staples: Chicken breast prices have gone up by 33 percent, and ground beef, whole milk, and bread have gone up by 21 percent.

Unlike President Biden, I actually have to take a trip to the grocery store to feed my family. I do all of my own shopping, and I see firsthand how these price increases affect the people of Mississippi. In the checkout line, I have watched a mother forced to put something back on the shelf after realizing that she can't afford everything in her cart. I have seen a retired husband grabbing only the barest necessities for the week. Up and down the aisle, as I push my buggy, the conversation is constant on ``Can you believe how much the price of groceries has increased and how expensive it is?''

It breaks my heart to see the individuals in my community and the Nation struggling to get by. It shouldn't be this way, but in Joe Biden's America, you are forced to weigh priorities on buying groceries, prescription medicine, or putting gas in your car.

When it comes to energy prices, the hardship continues for many Americans. This pain is 100 percent self-inflicted by the Biden administration's stubborn refusal to maximize American energy production. According to census data, about 22 percent of American households could not pay their energy bill last year. When families were actually able to pay, they had to sacrifice other necessities, such as groceries, their medicine, or their gasoline.

This winter isn't bringing any relief either. Compared to last winter, the average household will spend upwards of 28 percent more to heat their home with natural gas, according to the Energy Information Administration. Electricity rates are also expected to continue to rise due to lower domestic supply of liquefied natural gas as well as labor shortages and the cost of materials. But this should come as no surprise since the attack on American energy began on day one of the Biden Presidency. In fact, this administration's regulatory overreach also contributes to rising costs across our economy.

Despite record-high prices, Joe Biden wants to further regulate the agriculture industry. The Food Safety and Inspection Service, for instance, is studying line speeds of poultry plants with the ultimate goal of just slowing them down, which will affect costs and supplies in the grocery stores. In addition, the EPA recently unveiled its new waters of the United States rule, which will further hamper the ability of farmers to grow food because the Federal Government will have the ability to regulate ditches and low spots on private land.

It is a basic fact that it is expensive to comply with overly burdensome regulations. The Biden administration's desire to overregulate everything makes it seem as if the President wants Americans to struggle to afford food.

Madam President, the American people are smart, and they understand when things aren't going well.

The rosy stories the White House will barrage us with before the State of the Union Address won't change the fact that the American dream seems further from attainable for hard-working families because we just cannot afford Joe Biden.

My colleagues and I want to get our economy back on track to relieve the financial stress that families are experiencing. We must stop the irresponsible government spending, unleash

American energy production, cut regulations, and embrace pro-growth commonsense policies. The American people deserve that.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I started the new year by joining Senator Blackburn of Tennessee and our new colleague Senator Britt of Alabama on a recent tour of the Del Rio Border Sector in Texas.

We traveled to the border to gain more firsthand knowledge of the ongoing mass migration of illegal immigrants into our Nation, to hear from Border Patrol agents about how they are handling this crisis, and to, perhaps more powerfully, hear from young women and girls who are victims of President Biden's careless border and immigration policies.

We learned more how States are taking action to protect their citizens and their borders when the administration won't. Few States are affected more than Texas, which instituted Operation Lone Star in March of 2021 to counter illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

We looked on as a family led by a coyote crossed the Rio Grande in dangerously cold waters and witnessed the family's struggle to help their grandmother wade through rushing waters to enter our Nation illegally. She made it safely across, but, sadly, that is not always the case for many people, including children who have drowned making the same trek under the misguided belief that our borders are open.

We visited a massive migrant processing center where illegal immigrants were taken upon arrival. An astonishing fact about this processing center is that it costs U.S. taxpayers $16 million a month to operate, and that is just one of five on the southern border. Let me say that again. It is costing American taxpayers $16 million per month to process illegal immigrants at just one of these five centers.

What was especially gut-wrenching to me was hearing directly from human trafficking victims. We heard from one young lady who was trafficked from the age of 12 to the age of 16. She told a story I will never forget, and there are thousands of stories just like hers.

Yes, we learned about the true severity of the crisis. We learned how Border Patrol agents simply cannot carry out their jobs. We learned how States are forced to use up resources on border security and migrants-- resources meant for U.S. citizens. We learned how ranchers and U.S. property owners are being overwhelmed and in constant fear of being robbed and assaulted by smugglers. We learned how all of this affects our entire Nation--not just the unbelievable pricetag, but in the incidences of human trafficking across the country and tens of thousands of overdose deaths linked to fentanyl smuggled across our border.

And, heartbreakingly, we learned of the wickedness of the cartels. They are thriving, thanks to President Biden's apathetic attitude toward his own country's border.

This should not be a political debate. People and children are dying in an attempt to enter our country illegally. Drug cartels are taking control of not just the border towns on the Mexican side of the border but on the American side too. Human trafficking is now a $13 billion industry.

How did we get here? Why do they come? Well, because our President basically invited them. Immediately after President Biden was sworn in, he started dismantling vital policies like ``Remain in Mexico'' and restarted catch-and-release, halted construction on the border, and, essentially, set up a big neon sign on the southwest border that read ``Vacant.''

The rest is history: 4.5 million border apprehensions with an estimated 1.5 million undetected got-aways, a staggering increase in the number of women and children who are being subject to assault and domestic violence, fentanyl flowing into our communities and skyrocketing deaths.

I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to go and listen to Border Patrol agents. Hear the stories of the cartel victims. See for yourself the heartbreaking scenarios the greatest country in the world is allowing to unfold.

I learned much from my visit to the border, but perhaps the worst thing I learned is this: The Biden administration is not lacking any resources or authority to address this crisis. No, it can support our Border Patrol and border States. It can secure our border. It can save children from dying and drowning in the Rio Grande or 14-year-old girls from being sold. But it won't, either through incompetence or, worse, by design.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, this past Friday, tens of thousands of pro-life Americans came to Washington, DC, to march for the 50th consecutive year to be a voice for the voiceless. They marched because the pro-life movement did not end with the overturning of Roe v. Wade last summer. They marched because the end of Roe v. Wade represents a new beginning.

Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision in Mississippi's Dobbs case, for the first time in 50 years, the fate of the lives of millions of unborn children now rests not in the hands of unelected Federal judges but in the American people and their elected representatives.

I am grateful for the more than a dozen States that have answered the call, including my State of Mississippi, where babies in the womb are now legally protected even at their earliest and most vulnerable stages. But the fight for life also continues here in our Nation's Capital and here in the U.S. Senate. That is why it makes sense that, this year, the March for Life's route ended not at the U.S. Supreme Court, as in years past, but here in Congress.

As the chairman of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, I am committed to fight for compassionate legislation to protect unborn children and their mothers. We will be a firewall against the radical abortion agenda of Senate Democrats and hold the Biden administration accountable for its reckless and illegal pro-abortion policies.

The contrast could not be clearer. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would guarantee the same basic medical care to babies who are born alive after an attempted abortion as would be given to any other baby born in any other circumstance. I am appalled that 210 House Democrats voted against this humane legislation. Apparently, even infanticide is no longer a bridge too far.

In addition, this month, the Biden administration's FDA rubberstamped the reckless distribution of chemical abortion drugs by mail and telemedicine, as well as retail pharmacies, without ever seeing a doctor in person. This decision turns retail pharmacies and post offices into abortion clinics.

The FDA's action provides no safeguards to screen by ultrasound for dangerous ectopic pregnancies and abandons pregnant women to suffering life-threatening complications alone. These can include severe bleeding, infection, potential surgical intervention, and even death.

The FDA's promotion of dangerous do-it-yourself abortions is not only unsafe, it is illegal. Specifically, the decision violates longstanding Federal criminal laws that clearly prohibit the mailing of abortion drugs. This decision puts the profits and political agenda of the abortion industry over the science and clear evidence that abortion drugs present grave dangers to pregnant mothers and certainly their unborn babies.

Later this week, I will introduce the SAVE Moms and Babies Act to reverse the FDA's reckless and illegal action and, at minimum, restore the basic health and safety requirement for these dangerous abortion drugs, which should never have been approved.

The issue of abortion gets to the heart about what it means to be human. Who counts as one of us? Why can brutally killing a baby before birth be justified simply because the baby is inconvenient, imperfect, unwanted, unplanned, or dependent on her mother?

Rather than answer these questions about the humanity of the child in the womb--the child sucking her thumb, the child whose heart is beating, and the child whose sonogram pictures are cherished as proof of life--the abortion industry wants you to look away from the baby.

Over the past year, we have witnessed millions of dollars of political advertisement spent to promote lies and fearmongering about the pro-life movement and pro-life laws and that try to pit unborn children against their own mothers.

As a mother, a woman, and a Senator, I know we must refute these lies, because each unborn child is not a threat but a blessing, a unique and unrepeatable individual created in the image of God.

In addition, the pro-life movement cares for both pregnant moms and their unborn babies. More than 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country provide critical medical and material support for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Several of my colleagues have already introduced commonsense measures to support pregnant moms and families, including through pregnancy centers.

As we move on from this year's March for Life and into a post-Roe era, we will never rest and we will never stop fighting until every unborn child is protected under our laws from the lethal violence of abortion.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Mr. Bill Cotter for his service and contributions to the State of Mississippi in his 23 years of service with the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission.

Bill is retiring as CEO, but his record of leadership with the commission extends well beyond his latest role. In addition to CEO, Bill has served as the director of Stennis International Airport, as well as the chief operations officer for the facility as a whole, which includes the airport, its surrounding commercial property, and the Port Bienville Industrial Park, located on the Pearl River in southwest Mississippi.

While advancing into greater positions of responsibility, Bill's guidance helped the Hancock Port and Harbor Commission meet challenges head-on and achieve enormous success. As airport director, Bill led Stennis Airport's recovery from Hurricane Katrina, and he coordinated the tasks necessary for transitioning the airfield into a disaster response staging area during the BP Deepwater Horizon crisis.

Bill's contributions to the agency are also felt through his project management undertakings. Since 2005, Bill has overseen nearly $40 million in capital improvements at Stennis International Airport, which have proved invaluable in enabling the facility to serve as a resource in meeting the aviation needs of both the military, businesses, and industry.

The Port and Harbor Commission's maritime business has also thrived under Bill's leadership. During his tenure as chief operating officer, existing docks at Port Bienville were refurbished and improved, and construction is underway on a new 600-foot dock.

The Hancock Port and Harbor Commission has consistently fulfilled its economic development mission, and Bill is a big reason why. Through his efforts, numerous companies have located on commission properties, including the U.S. Department of Defense contractor Tyonek Service Group, which performs a wide range of aircraft service operations and has been a vital catalyst in the success of the Stennis International Airport in attracting and serving military customers.

In conclusion, the value provided by Hancock Port and Harbor Commission has been made more appealing through Bill's leadership and hard work. The resulting economic growth and development is felt on multiple layers throughout Hancock County and has brought about a quality of life revered by residents and visitors alike.

With his retirement from the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, I thank Bill Cotter for his long and dedicated service to Hancock County, my State, and our Nation. I wish him a retirement filled with opportunities for him and his wife to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

Mr. President, over the past week, Americans were hit once again with a grave inflation report. Worse, the American people got more evidence of just how out of touch the White House and congressional Democrats are with the damage inflation is doing to families across the country.

We were all hoping President Biden's crushing inflation might show signs of easing and give folks a chance to catch their breath after months and months of watching their paychecks shrink. That is not what happened at all. Inflation is up 8.3 percent from a year ago--a disastrous number.

We are feeling the inflation in every aspect of our lives, from paying utility bills to gassing up cars, to rent and insurance, and, especially, to the basics like food. Grocery prices are up 13.5 percent from this time last year, which is a crushing blow to most Americans who visit their local store once a week, like I do. Milk is up 17 percent. Bread and chicken are up 16 percent. Eggs are up an outrageous 40 percent. And the list goes on and on.

I do my own shopping for my family, and I see this weekly, and it is incredible. This is a reality, but President Biden appears to be living in a very, very different reality. When the latest bad inflation numbers were released last week, the President and Washington Democrats threw a party on the White House lawn. That is right, a party--a lawn party. The President and Democrats celebrated as the rest of us watched the Dow plummet and received an inflation report confirming that this is the worst year for food and electricity inflation since the fallout from President Jimmy Carter.

What exactly did they celebrate? Their latest reckless, Big Government spending bill.

I don't have to remind you that, just over a year ago, the Democrats rammed through their $2 trillion spending spree despite economists warning that it would be a catalyst for rampant inflation. Economists warned us then, and they are warning us now, about the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act; namely, that it won't do anything to ease inflation, but it will certainly add to the deficit.

Apparently, hosting a big party is preferable than heeding these nonpartisan warnings and getting to work to get our Nation back on the right track.

When the ``Inflation Act'' was on the floor, Republicans tried countless times to adopt solutions to tackle inflation, crime, and secure our border. But our efforts were consistently shut down because not one Senate Democrat could spare a penny from the Green New Deal. No, they have their own priorities, and they are awfully out of touch with the priorities of American families.

On Sunday, we were given more evidence that the President is living in a completely different world than the rest of us. The President appeared on ``60 Minutes,'' where he discussed several challenges currently facing our Nation, only, according to him, our Nation is doing swell. And indeed, the President seemed to paint a rosy picture of little to no inflation and suggested we should be relieved by the new inflation numbers.

When asked what he could do better and faster to help Americans get some relief at the grocery store checkout line, he claimed inflation was up ``hardly at all.''

``Hardly at all''? Say that to parents paying 40 percent more for a dozen of eggs just to feed their children breakfast. Say that to workers who are watching their savings dwindle month after month because their paychecks can't keep up with these prices. Say that to the Americans who are just barely getting by in this economy.

President Biden, you may not have to visit the grocery store or pay an electricity bill, but my constituents do.

Time and time again, the President and his allies in Congress have proven he is out of touch with American priorities and in denial about the real suffering and fears of the American people. They are right to question whether they can still afford the leadership they are getting out of the White House and the Democrat-led Congress.

It is high time for the President and Democrats to align their priorities with those of the people, allow real solutions to be considered on the Senate floor, and get out our economy back on its feet.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I rise to express deep appreciation for Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, a friend and leader to all of the frontline healthcare workers in my State.

Dr. Dobbs joined the Mississippi State Department of Health as the State health officer in December 2018. After 3\1/2\ years and a global pandemic that none of us saw coming, he will soon step down from his role and return to the clinical side of medicine.

Mississippi's State health officer is responsible for directing public health activities related to the State's many health challenges, which included my State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Dobbs' experience and his expertise made him the perfect professional to lead Mississippi through this pandemic. With a belief that each person in Mississippi was his patient, Dr. Dobbs worked tirelessly throughout his tenure to care for our nearly 3 million residents. From the start, Dr. Dobbs was steadfast in informing and advising citizens, policymakers, and healthcare providers on the best practices to combat the deadly coronavirus. He never wavered despite evolving challenges and so many tragic COVID-related deaths.

He is one of the country's most respected public health officers, having earned a stellar reputation for his clinical work in the field of infectious diseases. Dr. Thomas Dobbs proved himself to be the leader Mississippi needed during a very difficult time. I am saddened to see Dr. Dobbs leave the Mississippi State Department of Health, but I am confident he will continue to do great things.

There are not enough thanks in the world that could cover all that Dr. Dobbs has done for Mississippi, but I say from the bottom of my heart, thank you, Dr. Dobbs. Your service and sacrifice on behalf of Mississippi reflects well on you and your profession.

I am also grateful for his wife, Dr. Kim Dobbs, and their two sons, Wyn and Max, for sharing so much of their husband and father during this time.

As Dr. Dobbs departs the State department of health, I look forward to continuing to work with him and the new State health officer, Dr. Dan Edney, in making Mississippi healthier and happier.

Thank you again so much, Dr. Dobbs.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following interns in my office be granted floor privileges until August 5, 2022: Emma Bozeman, Jake Tipton, Cameron Hall, Olivia Hardwick, Preston Dubberly, and Anna Pittman.

Mr. President, I also am very pleased to congratulate the University of Mississippi baseball team on its recent 2022 NCAA World Series championship.

If there is anything an Ole Miss fan is sure of it is that the Rebels love to keep you on the edge of your seat. Some fans were nervous when the Rebels hit a midseason slump, but, boy, this talented team hit its stride right at the perfect time.

The players knew all along they had it in them to take it all the way. They even issued a warning in early May: Don't let the Rebels get hot. Well, the Rebels did get hot, and they were able to be there to be the team that no one saw coming and the team that no one could stop.

Their impressive and exciting run through this year's College World Series speaks volumes to the Ole Miss baseball program, its leadership, its players, and, of course, its fan base.

Mississippi's energy has been electric following the win, especially at Ole Miss's first-ever national baseball championship this year occurred after Pearl River Community College clinched the NJCAA Division II baseball championship in June and after Mississippi State University's win just last year.

Mississippi's sports culture is strong and it is not to be underestimated. We take great pride in the legacy and inspiring example of these young athletes and their coaches.

To the entire Rebel baseball family, thank you for your hard work and dedication to the sport. To Ole Miss and to our great State, congratulations and Hotty Toddy.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following interns in my office be granted floor privileges until August 31, 2022: Cameron Hall, Jacob Tipton, AnnAdair Blackledge, Preston Dibberly, and Olivia Hardwick.

Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute today to Ms. Karen Goode, who has retired after 47 years of dedicated public service with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Jackson, MS. Since becoming a U.S. Senator in 2018, I have come to appreciate Ms. Goode who has earned consistent high praise from my State office staff responsible for assisting veterans with their VA claims. Karen's knowledge, responsiveness, reliability, and trustworthiness have enabled me to serve Mississippi's

veterans better and more effectively, and I am very thankful to her for that.

Karen began her career with the VA in 1975 in a clerical position with the finance department. A GS-3 at the time she was hired, Karen is retiring as a GS-13 supervisory veterans service representative, which is evidence of her meritorious work leading to continual promotions throughout her Federal civil service career. In the process, she acquired the knowledge and skill sets for processing all claims for compensation, pension, education, vocational, and rehabilitation. Ms. Goode's thorough understanding of the claims review process, along with her excellent management skills, propelled her into key senior leadership roles that led her to supervising seven different employee teams over her VA career.

Ms. Goode's high degree of professionalism earned her multiple special recognitions. At the recommendation of the veterans service center manager, Karen in 2006 served as the representative for the southern area on a quality assurance detail HELP team in Washington, DC. In 2012, at the completion of a designated special project as quality team coach, Karen obtained Lean Six Sigma Green Belt designation.

Even though Congress writes the laws regarding veterans' benefits, it is up to teams set up within the VA to review veterans' claims and determine if they are eligible for benefits. It can be a complex and lengthy process, which I highly respect. Covering a broad range of benefit categories, I understand the effectiveness in which VA team member groups review and process claims can differ greatly. Despite exercising most of her leadership away from the public eye, Mississippi's veterans are fortunate to have been served by Ms. Karen Goode for so many years working in this capacity. She has been unwavering in her commitment to ensuring that Mississippi's veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled under the law.

In conclusion, I am incredibly grateful to Ms. Karen Goode for dedicating her career to serving those who have served our country. I commend her for her many accomplishments, and I send her my best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

Madam President, I am pleased to commend Mr. Patrick Johnson, Jr., of Tunica, MS, for his service and contributions to the State of Mississippi while serving as the 86th president of Delta Council.

Organized in 1935, Delta Council plays an important role in uniting agricultural, business, and economic development leadership to solve problems and promote greater opportunities in the Mississippi Delta region, which encompasses 19 counties in northwest Mississippi.

Mr. Johnson has worked tirelessly this year to advance the priorities of Delta Council, including farm policy, economic development, flood control, and education. As a partner in Cypress Brake Planting Company, Tunica Air, Inc., and Buck Island Seed Company, he knows all too well the challenges producers currently face with increased costs and volatility in the agricultural industry. As a member of the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, he is dedicated to helping find solutions to the Delta's groundwater and alluvial aquifer issues so that future generations can continue to produce crops and enjoy the recreation that is such a large part of the rich history of the Mississippi Delta. Mr. Johnson also understands the importance of economic development to the viability of the Delta and that, through efforts like Delta Strong, the region will continue to successfully attract new opportunities.

Mr. Johnson assumed the role of Delta Council president during a time characterized by difficulties, such as the ongoing and disruptive pandemic, rising inflation, and many other challenges. Patrick Johnson has been a steady and calm leader over the past year and has contributed his vast knowledge and service to many critical issues during his tenure as president.

Outside of his time spent working on his farm and serving Delta Council, Mr. Johnson contributes his time as a leader to many valuable organizations. He serves as a Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality commissioner, National Cotton Council Environmental Task Force member, American Cotton Producers Farm Bill Task Force chairman, and Tunica County Chamber of Commerce member. In addition to serving as a member of Delta F.A.R.M., Mr. Johnson has also served on the Tunica County Farm Service Agency Committee and is a past director of the Tunica County Farm Bureau. Mr. Johnson and his wife, Emily, are members of Tunica Presbyterian Church where he sings in the choir.

It is my pleasure to join the citizens throughout the Mississippi Delta and the great State of Mississippi in offering congratulations to Mr. Patrick Johnson, Jr., and sharing our appreciation with his wife Emily Purifoy Johnson. His input over his year of service has undoubtedly contributed to the overall continued success and influence of this highly respected 87-year-old organization, Delta Council.

Mr. President, every single day, law enforcement officers across the Nation put on a badge and leave for work to protect and serve our families and communities, not knowing if they will return to their own. Whether it be by ensuring safety on our roadways or responding to life-or-death crises, these brave men and women consistently honor their solemn oath in safeguarding the people of this blessed Nation.

As we commemorate 2022 National Law Enforcement Week, we offer special honors for the 619 officers our Nation lost last year in the line of duty, sadly including officers from Mississippi. This week is dedicated to remembering their ultimate sacrifice, which is dearly felt by loved ones, friends, and entire communities.

Law enforcement officers have remained steadfast in their commitment to serve, even when faced with harsh, unfair criticism, scrutiny, and limited resources. Their ability to carry out their already stressful duties in such a challenging and sometimes hostile environment is remarkable.

I want to make it known to all the law enforcement officers across the State of Mississippi and around the country that I greatly admire you for your rock solid tenacity and loyalty throughout such challenges. I will continue to work to ensure you have what you need to do your job.

These officers, who are truly hometown heroes, are strongholds in our communities, and the loss of any officer is deeply felt by all. This Police Week, we honor and mourn five heroes from Mississippi, officers who died in the line of duty in 2021.

Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Trooper John Martin Harris, 44, died on May 28, 2021, after a vehicle struck him during a traffic stop. Harris' childhood dream was to be a policeman and serve his community. Having earned two Purple Hearts throughout his 24-year law enforcement career is a testament to his dedication, bravery, and selflessness. He leaves behind his wife and his two children.

Jefferson Davis County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Patrick ``Pat'' Barnes, 50, lost his life on April 10, 2021, after he sustained injuries in a single vehicle car crash while responding to a call for assistance from another agency. Barnes' passion for law enforcement began while working in security. He joined and graduated from the police academy in 2017 and began his career with Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's department shortly thereafter. He leaves behind his wife, four children, and his grandchildren.

Hancock County Lieutenant Michael Anthony Boutte, Sr., was tragically shot and killed after responding to an emergency situation involving a suicidal man who turned his weapon onto arriving deputies. He died on February 1, 2021, at the age of 57. Before his law enforcement career, Boutte served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was deployed during Operation Desert Storm. Boutte is survived by his wife, his child, his step-children, and his grandchildren.

Deputy Sheriff Bobby Daffin of George County Sheriff's Office passed away August 12, 2021, following a battle with COVID-19. He was 37 years old. Daffin served his community for 14 years and had recently served as a narcotics agent for the Southeast Mississippi Narcotics Task Force. He leaves behind a young daughter.

Hinds County Sheriff Lee D. Vance, 63, lost his life from cardiorespiratory failure as a result of COVID-19 on August 3, 2021. Vance, who has always had a love for the city of Jackson, served as Jackson police chief from 2014-2017 and was later elected Hinds County Sheriff in 2019. He leaves behind four daughters, a son, and numerous grandchildren.

We also honor the lives of many officers, whose stories of sacrifice had been lost to history until now.

In addition to these recent losses, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will include the name of Deputy Town Marshal Walker Cobb of Saucier, MS. At the age of 41, Cobb was fatally shot on December 25, 1903, while attempting to arrest an impaired suspect for disorderly conduct. More than a century later, his loss and sacrifice will be remembered.

Throughout our Nation's history, our men and women in blue have often risked personal peril to safeguard their fellow citizens, and we owe them our staunch support. As we mark National Police Week, let us acknowledge our debt to these fallen officers and recommit ourselves to support them and their families, especially when tragedy strikes.

I will continue to be an advocate for law enforcement professionals and do all I can to honor the legacy of those lost in the line of duty.

To the families and loved ones of our fallen Mississippi law enforcement officers, I know you have faced enormous loss. It is said, ``The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.'' Please know that it is my prayer that the Lord stays near you during your time of grief. God bless you, and God bless our men and women in blue.

Madam President, Americans across the country, led by Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations are celebrating April as Faith Month. I commend this noble effort calling all people of faith to join in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith.

The United States of America was born of the unanimous declaration that we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' based on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,'' ``appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,'' and acknowledging our ``reliance on the protection of divine Providence.'' We are a people

of faith, which is why religious freedom is known as America's first freedom, as laid out in the Establishment and the Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment and also supports America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in matters of faith.

America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes religious diversity and tolerance. Our motto, ``In God We Trust,'' further emphasizes the importance of faith in our Nation's founding. From our first President to the last, we have always acknowledged America's faith. President George Washington recognized ``it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.'' More recently, President Joe Biden acknowledged Thanksgiving as a ``time to reflect on our many blessings--from God, this Nation, and each other.''

Religious liberty serves to strengthen our country's appreciation of all peoples, regardless of faith. But eternal diligence is needed to preserve religious freedom. Attacks on religious liberty and people of faith continue to plague our Nation with some religious charities even being forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order to participate in certain government programs. We must actively reject all efforts to criminalize or cancel religious beliefs as somehow incompatible with our democracy.

Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable engagement by helping the sick, poor, and afflicted. They should be celebrated, not maligned for their contributions to improving our way of life. According to the Pew Research Center, more than 75 percent of Americans practice some type of religious faith. This rich, diverse religious heritage is to our credit and should be encouraged.

Therefore, I join millions of Americans during this Faith Month in celebrating their personal faiths freely and openly, with public displays and celebrations, including prayer and expressions of thanksgiving. In this manner, we can strongly reaffirm our commitment to the religious liberty principles of our founding.