David Kustoff

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my friend and colleague from Utah organizing our time this afternoon.

In Congress, a lot of times the public focuses on the things we don't get done, which is fair. I think it is good to celebrate the things that we can accomplish that are good for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that last year House Republicans worked with President Trump to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which stopped the largest tax increase that could have happened in American history.

There is no doubt that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is rooted in our Nation's founding principles, and that is limiting Washington's reach into the lives and also the paychecks of Americans, which gives people the freedom to shape their own future, quite frankly, allowing people to keep more of their hard-earned money in their own pockets.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I was proud to help secure lasting tax relief and certainty for individuals and for small businesses.

During this August district work period, I was back on the road in west Tennessee, talking and meeting with farmers, manufacturers, small business owners, and people. Time and again, I heard how heavily their decisions depend on a tax code that they can count on and also depend upon.

For a family farm, the tax code affects plans for the next season. On Main Street, the tax code affects the next payroll. Workers' livelihoods depend on decisions that cannot wait for the next vote in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, from no tax on tips to no tax on overtime to a doubling of the

standard deduction to lowering tax brackets for everybody at all income levels, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a benefit to working Americans across the board.

One of the most important provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act--and there are a lot--for small businesses was something known as section 199A. It allows eligible small businesses to deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income.

Now, for a small business, permanence is paramount. Farmers and local employers can now plan ahead rather than wait for the next congressional deadline.

For everybody who voted ``no'' on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I will tell them that my Republican colleagues and I worked with President Trump to make section 199 permanent, which delivered substantial relief for small businesses as well as American farmers. I also worked to strengthen the employer-provided childcare credit under something known as section 45F.

Before we passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I introduced the Child Care for American Families Act to make this credit more useful for employers, especially for small businesses. Language from this bill was included in the final law.

For most employers, the law increased the credit from 25 percent to 40 percent of qualified childcare credit expenditures and raised the annual cap from $150,000 to $500,000. Eligible small businesses can now claim a 50 percent credit with an annual cap of $600,000.

Employers can now partner with outside organizations or other businesses to provide childcare. That is so important because when childcare is reliable, parents can stay in the workforce and employers can retain valued employees.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was a victory for families, for Main Street, and for manufacturers. I am proud of what House Republicans and President Trump were able to accomplish.

We should all pledge to fight for lower taxes and limited government so small businesses can create jobs and people can keep more of what they earn. I am proud of this. We showed that Congress can work with the American people and accomplish a lot under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

I again thank my colleague from Utah for organizing this Special Order hour today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pastor Carlton Gerrell of Tennessee Valley Community Church in Paris, Tennessee, as our guest chaplain.

Pastor Gerrell has dedicated his life to ministry in the church and through public service.

Mr. Speaker, under Pastor Gerrell's leadership, TVCC, the Tennessee Valley Community Church, has become one of the largest congregations in rural West Tennessee.

Pastor Gerrell also served on the Paris City Commission from 2010 to 2022. During that time, he spent 8 years as mayor, working to strengthen the city that he calls home.

He and his wife, Dr. Norma Gerrell, have built a life in Paris and are the proud parents of two sons, Trey and Scott.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Pastor Gerrell's service to the ministry and to the community in Henry County. I thank him for offering the opening prayer before the people's House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Martha Sundquist.

Martha passed away on March 11 of this year, and she served as First Lady of Tennessee from 1995 to 2003, alongside Governor Don Sundquist, a former Member of the House of Representatives. She used her position to bring people across Tennessee closer together.

Though she was born in Illinois, Martha planted her roots in Tennessee. She often said that she got to Tennessee as quickly as she could, and over time, she and her family lived in each of Tennessee's three grand divisions.

Martha's favorite saying was to ``bloom where you are planted,'' and she carried that with her wherever life took her.

As the First Lady of Tennessee, Martha brought a steady, approachable presence and authority to the job. She was deeply involved in communities across the State of Tennessee. She spent time in schools with parents, teachers, and families, making sure that people felt seen, and leaving a lasting impression.

In addition, Martha Sundquist placed a strong emphasis on the next generation. She brought to Tennessee the Easter egg roll at the Governor's residence, which became one of her most meaningful traditions. It expanded to welcome underserved kindergartners for a morning of games, lunch, and visits from beloved characters that made the day truly feel special.

Care for Tennessee's natural beauty was also central to Martha's mission as the First Lady. Martha supported efforts to plant wildflowers along the State's highways and helped to promote products grown and made in the State of Tennessee. Martha's legacy in this area lives on in the State forest in Cocke County that bears her name.

Martha also understood the importance of preserving the Governor's residence and its history. Martha worked to maintain the Governor's residence, while ensuring that it remained a place where Tennesseans and visitors felt welcomed each and every day.

Even before Martha's time as First Lady, her commitment to service was clear. It was a real honor. In the late 1980s, she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Board of Governors of the United Service Organizations, helping to support members of our military and their families. That role was really important to Martha.

Madam Speaker, I have to tell you that for all who knew her, throughout her life, Martha led with grace. She met people with warmth in every single interaction.

I will say that Martha, for those who knew her, was never one to seek the spotlight. Those close to her would say that she and Governor Sundquist had an understanding that she would be the First Lady 24/7, but she would also focus on her family and her friends at the same time, and all the things that she loved, including time in her garden and on the golf course.

While I was working on these remarks, I talked to her longtime friend, Wendell Moore. Wendell served Tennessee as the principal deputy and chief of staff to Governor Sundquist.

This is what Wendell had to say about Martha Sundquist: ``Martha touched countless lives in various ways, and always in a kind and thoughtful way. Her humility was ever present, as she never put herself first but, rather, served others. Her selfless concern, love, and kindness for others should be a model for all of us to follow.''

Madam Speaker, Roberta and I are saddened by the loss of Martha Sundquist. I believe Martha will always be remembered not only as a strong advocate for her State and its people but also for the example that she set in public life.

Martha Sundquist was completely devoted to her husband, Don, and her entire family. Today and always, our thoughts are with her children, Andrea, Tania, and Deke.