Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifelong west Tennessean, a dedicated public servant, and, frankly, just a good friend, Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner.

Stan Joyner, after 25 years of exemplary public service, has decided to retire from public service and pass the torch. Stan Joyner's roots run wide and deep in Shelby County. Born and raised in Collierville, Tennessee, Stan attended and played football at Collierville High School, and still to this day, you can find him in the stands cheering on his alma mater.

Stan Joyner was elected as a Collierville alderman in 1999. In 2008, Stan Joyner was elected as the town's mayor. One of Stan Joyner's significant achievements as mayor was establishing a municipal school system for Collierville. Stan led his community through the formation and the development of the Collierville Schools system, the election of the first Collierville school board, and the hiring of a Collierville Schools superintendent.

In my opinion, the creation of the Collierville Schools system is one of the primary reasons that Collierville is such a desirable place to live in Tennessee. Without a doubt, Stan has worked diligently to ensure that every child in Collierville has access to an education that prepares them for success.

Stan Joyner has also long understood that people choose where to live based on the quality of life that they are going to experience. Now, obviously, this depends on the strength of the local schools, which I just talked about, the vibrancy of the community, and the opportunities for economic growth.

Under the mayor's leadership, Collierville has seen a boom in local business development, as well as economic expansion. Stan's deep knowledge of Collierville's past, his commitment to the future, and his ability to listen and advise his colleagues make him a trusted leader.

While I was working on these remarks, Mr. Speaker, I called my good friend, Wright Cox, who is also the Chairman of the Collierville school board, about how he would sum up Stan Joyner's tenure in Collierville. This is what Wright Cox told me: Stan led from the front. He always advocated for Collierville. Most importantly, he always fought for the needs of Collierville. In my opinion, Stan filled the job description flawlessly as mayor of Collierville.

I think Wright Cox summed it up perfectly.

Beyond his work in the public sphere, Mayor Joyner is a man of deep faith and personal integrity. His strong spirit has guided him as a Sunday school teacher in his community.

Stan's dedication to his family is equally strong. He and his wife, Linda, have been married for over 48 years. Together, they have three children and are the grandparents of eight grandchildren.

As he steps down after a distinguished public service career on December 18, in about 2 weeks, Collierville is certainly a better place to live because of Stan Joyner's service.

Roberta and I congratulate Stan and Linda on a job well done. We all wish them the very best in the next chapter of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 9495, the bill titled the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. I am proud that it is a bipartisan bill. In my opinion, it will make much needed improvements to our tax code.

I also thank my colleagues, Representatives Claudia Tenney from New York, Brad Schneider from Illinois, and Dina Titus from Nevada, for joining me in introducing this legislation. I thank Chairman Jason Smith for his strong support and leadership with this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today, right now, there are American citizens being held captive by terrorist groups and foreign adversaries.

Under our current law, Americans who have been detained illegally abroad may be subject to certain tax penalties and IRS fees. It is our responsibility to bring these Americans home and, frankly, to fix this unacceptable

flaw in the Federal tax code. The last thing that Americans should have to deal with is more government red tape and bureaucracy.

H.R. 9495 also works to prevent tax abuse in our tax code. Since the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas, the Ways and Means Committee has investigated terror groups and bad actors that threaten the U.S. and our allies.

One finding, Mr. Speaker, which should enrage all of us, is that there are tax-exempt nonprofits operating in the United States despite being suspected of providing support to terrorist groups such as Hamas.

More recently, and I am using this term in quotes, a ``journalist'' working for a publication called ``The Palestine Chronicle,'' which is part of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in the U.S., was discovered holding Israeli hostages in his Gaza home.

This is unacceptable. The financing of terrorism and extremism should not have preferential treatment under the U.S. tax code. I think this should be a no-brainer.

This legislation would revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization found to have provided--and here are the key words-- material support or resources to a designated terrorist group within the past 3 years.

I do want to note that this part of the bill was originally considered on this floor on April 15 of this year under H.R. 6408. The language in H.R. 6408 affecting these tax-exempt groups is the same language in the legislation that we are considering today. It did pass by a vote of 382 in favor to 11 against, which I think in the current political atmosphere is pretty remarkable.

I also appreciate that there are a number of people who are speaking against this bill today who voted in favor of the former bill, H.R. 6408, on April 15 of this year. Obviously, a vote of 382 in favor and 11 against shows the resounding support of this body. If there are any due process concerns, which we have been hearing about this morning, they existed in that bill on April 15, yet there were only 11 people who voted ``no.''

I was glad to see this commonsense legislation unanimously pass out of the Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Smith, in his remarks, termed it as commonsense, and that is exactly what it is.

Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the 1-year anniversary of Hamas's vicious and horrific attack on Israel.

As we all know, in the early morning of October 7, Hamas invaded and brutally attacked Israel and her people, murdering over 1,200 innocent men, women, and children, including 35 Americans. These terrorists violently took hostages, including Americans.

In the weeks after the attacks, I watched a 47-minute video taken on October 7. I watched it along with other Members of Congress. All of us who saw the images and heard the words and the language of that day were horrified. The savagery, the barbarism, the violence, and the pure hatred against Israel and the Jewish people is indescribable on that video, but yet we all know what happened.

Indeed, the world changed forever on that day.

Now, here we are 1 year later, and Hamas still has innocent hostages captive and we continue to see a rise in anti-Semitism across the globe and in our own Nation.

I am honored to serve as chairman of something called the House- Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group. I am also proud that this group is bipartisan. In July, I traveled to Israel to meet with Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana and also Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

When I was there, I reiterated that the United States House of Representatives continues to stand with Israel. I told Israeli leadership that our Nation will ensure that Israel will have the resources that it needs to defend itself.

I also had the opportunity to visit Kfar Aza, which is a kibbutz in southern Israel, as well as the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival with the Israel Defense Forces.

Madam Speaker, I have to tell you it was deeply moving to stand where Hamas invaded and murdered and butchered so many innocent Israelis. When I was there, I met and I talked with family members and heard the real-life stories of those who survived, those who are being held captive, and those who were brutally and viciously mutilated and murdered.

Madam Speaker, I have to tell you that I am truly impressed by the resilience of the Israeli people, by their hope, and by their strong morale against the barbarism that tries to stifle the will of Israel.

The United States stands unequivocally with our greatest ally in the Middle East, that being Israel. Israel fights an enemy who not only seeks the elimination of Israel, but more broadly, the elimination of Western values like freedom, liberty, and democracy. Prime Minister Netanyahu told us as much when he spoke right here giving a joint address to a joint session of Congress back in July.

It is so important that we come together and ensure that Israel has the resources and support that it needs so that they can combat this evil.

We also continue to condemn the blatant and brazen forms of anti- Semitism that have arisen here in the United States and certainly around the world. Such hatred can't be tolerated. It can't be tolerated in the Halls of Congress or anywhere else in this country or in the world. It is really a matter of good versus evil and life versus death.

Israel and the U.S. are committed to defeating Hamas and ensuring that all the hostages are returned home, but we can't stop there. We have got to work together to wipe terrorism off of the face of the Earth, and we have got to make sure that Israel can live in peace with her neighbors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and thank Edward ``Ed'' Gardner Haley of Shelby County for his long career of public service to west Tennessee. Now, Mr. Speaker, everyone just knows him as Ed. Ed recently announced that he is going to end his long career in public service.

Ed is a west Tennessean through and through. He grew up in north Shelby County, just outside of Millington and graduated from Millington Central High School in 1956.

Before starting his career in government, Ed spent 8 years in the United States Air Force, 4 years on Active Duty, and 4 years in the reserves. He then worked for the U.S. Postal Service, and then with DuPont.

Now, in his nearly five decades of public service to our community, he has held a lot of titles: city manager for the city of Millington, superintendent for the town of Arlington, representative in the Tennessee General Assembly, and Airman First Class in the United States Air Force.

Ed is also the proud husband to his wife, Kay, and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Also, a special shout-out to Gracie.

In 2014, Ed announced his retirement serving the town of Arlington. That was just a false alarm. Given his long history in Millington, he couldn't refuse Millington Mayor Terry Jones' offer to be the new city manager in Millington.

Millington is also home to Ed Haley. Today, he says he is retiring for good. He recently told the Daily Memphian: I am not going to quit working, but I am really retiring.

It all started in 1973 when Ed accepted a job with Shelby County government working in safety. He worked under the county's first-ever mayor, Roy Nixon, who took office in 1976. Ed served various roles in Shelby County government for 27 years, when he left to become Arlington's town superintendent.

In between all that, Ed served as Millington alderman from 1972 to 1990, and he was then elected to the State House of Representatives. Ed served three terms in the Tennessee General Assembly.

In classic Ed fashion, he agreed to stay in Arlington and lead for 3 years, but he ended up staying for 14 years. Then he returned home to Millington on, you guessed it, another 3-year contract. He stayed for 9 more years.

Ed has always had an open-door policy, and he wanted to hear from anyone and everyone that had a problem. Ed is a fix-it type of guy. In my opinion, if you looked in the dictionary under public servant, there would be a photo of Ed Haley.

Oftentimes, Ed would do whatever he needed to do, whether that was mowing a lawn for somebody or providing a meal to someone in need. Everyone who has ever met or worked with Ed has been touched by how much he truly cares about people and his community.

When Ed started this final tour in Millington, he drove around the city taking pictures and putting together a list of 52 projects he thought would improve the community. It took him a few years to complete the projects, but he finished every single one of them.

I offer my congratulations to Ed on a job well done, and I thank Kay, as well. On behalf of our community, we thank him for his lifetime of public service. Ed is really a good friend, and he is a good man. Roberta and I wish him the best in his next chapter coming up.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a west Tennessee native and a true American patriot, the 73rd Adjutant General of Tennessee, Jackie Daniel ``Dan'' Wood.

Major General Dan Wood passed away peacefully at his home in Tennessee on April 12. Dan, as he was known, was born on Maple Street in Lexington, Tennessee. He attended Lexington City School and Lexington High School where he enjoyed playing basketball.

In 1961, Dan Wood answered the call to serve our Nation and enlisted in the United States Army.

Shortly thereafter, he deployed to Vietnam and bravely answered his call to duty.

Upon his return home, Dan enlisted in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He completed Officer Candidate School, the Tennessee Military Academy, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1966.

General Wood went on to serve as commander of the 4th Battalion, the 117th Infantry, and the 30th Separate Armored Brigade. In 1995, Dan Wood was named as adjutant general by my friend and former Member of the House of Representatives, the late Governor Don Sundquist.

General Wood held this position until his retirement in July 2002.

As adjutant general, Dan oversaw numerous deployments of soldiers and airmen overseas, he ushered the National Guard into the 21st century, and he coordinated the Tennessee National Guard's response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

General Dan Wood served in the military for more than 40 years. As a proud fourth-generation citizen of Henderson County and a fifth- generation Tennessean, we mourn a son of Tennessee, but we also celebrate a true American hero.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with his wife of 62 years, Janis; his son, Stuart; his daughter, Amy; and three grandchildren.

Dan Wood taught us all what it means to serve your country and to dedicate your life to preserving freedom for generations of Americans.

We truly miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of the Antisemitism Awareness Act.

We all know that since Hamas' brutal and barbaric attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, we have seen an absolute explosion of anti-Semitic attacks and violence now, especially on our college and university campuses.

There is no doubt that the free exchange of ideas is a crucial pillar of our freedom, but there is also no doubt that the conversations must be grounded in truth and respect for one another.

Leadership at institutions of higher learning across our Nation have allowed these anti-Israel protests and anti-Semitic protests to descend into absolute chaos.

Ultimately, they have failed to support Jewish students. Such hatred has no place in our society.

Mr. Speaker, by clearly defining anti-Semitism, the Antisemitism Awareness Act will help the Department of Education better enforce Federal anti-discrimination laws.

This bill will, for the first time, codify protection for Jewish students who are and have been subject to anti-Semitic harassment, intimidation, and violence. It is imperative that all students feel safe on their campuses.

As such, I urge this body to pass this critical legislation and do what university leaders will not do and that is condemn these acts of hatred and support Jewish students across the country.

I am proud to join my colleague, Mr. Lawler, in supporting this legislation, and I look forward to voting for it today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart but also with pride, to pay tribute to Greggory Jackson Hughey from Tipton County, Tennessee.

Jackson Hughey is a former Covington High School football player who recently lost his 7-year battle with cancer.

Jackson had bravely fought neuroblastoma cancer since 2017. That cancer should not define Jackson, but it is certainly part of his story.

Jackson was a brave young man. In fact, Jason Hughey, Jackson's father, said that Jackson defined his cancer and defined his life.

Jackson never ever discussed his cancer diagnosis unless he was receiving treatment or getting a checkup at St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis. Jason and Deanne Hughey are so appreciative of all the care and support they received from the healthcare providers at St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Jackson found comfort through his faith. His family said that Jackson did not allow the cancer to control him or bother him because, in their words, he knew where he was going.

Jackson is remembered for his passion for all sports, specifically football. It was through football that I first met Jackson a number of years ago. Jackson's love for life and for sports truly shined through, and I think this photo here clearly shows that.

Along with his childhood friends, Jackson started H+H Podcast, a weekly show to discuss the latest news and sports and to preview upcoming games. Now whether the topic was football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport, Jackson and his friend, Tanner, covered the bases over their 70 episodes.

Jackson was a big fan of the University of Memphis Tigers. One morning just before Christmas, a couple of months ago, Jackson and his father headed to St. Jude Children's Hospital for a transfusion of platelets. When it was clear that they were not going to be ready for the treatment before they needed to leave for the Memphis Tigers basketball game versus Vanderbilt, Jackson told his St. Jude nurse that he had to wait to get his platelets until after the basketball game, and that is what he did.

Jackson went to the game and then he returned to the hospital for his transfusion. Jackson simply was not going to allow his sickness to stop him from doing the things that he loved.

In the years following his diagnosis, it was moving to see the entire Tipton County community rally in support of him. Even the rival fans started wearing Covington High School colors in honor of Jackson.

Jackson taught all of us that life is precious, and he showed us what it is like to be brave and to fight hard. Jackson showed us how to fully embrace life and how to overcome fear.

As a testament to his courage and to his life, Jackson was awarded the Commercial Appeal's Courage Award in 2021. Jackson passed away on January 28, just a couple of weeks ago.

Yesterday would have been Jackson's 21st birthday. Jackson Hughey is the pride of Covington and Tipton County. Today our prayers go out to Jason and Deanne, as well as Jackson's brother and sister, Jake and Jan Claire, as they mourn their beloved son and brother. Jackson's story and his strength are an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday marked 100 days since Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, brutally slaughtered, tortured, and kidnapped innocent Israelis.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, these barbaric extremists murdered individuals and families in cold blood. They raped women; they beheaded infants; they mutilated bodies; they burned people in their homes; and they abducted men, women, children, and the elderly. These are things that are very hard to say on the floor of the House of Representatives.

This is an incredible statement: More Jews were murdered on October 7 than on any other single day since the Holocaust. Today, 136 innocent hostages still remain in Hamas' custody in Gaza.

Our hearts ache with the families of the hostages. We will not rest until every single one of their loved ones returns home. We are waiting for the hostages, and we are fighting for them.

That is why I am honored and privileged to lead a bipartisan initiative in the House of Representatives to highlight the stories of these innocent hostages. Together, it is my hope that we can bring awareness to those viciously kidnapped by Hamas, and we can clearly say with one voice: Bring them all home.

I will begin by sharing the story of Agam Berger. Agam, who is 19 years old, was more than one of 240 innocent Israelis taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

According to family and friends, Agam loves to volunteer with people with special needs and with children who have learning disabilities.

Agam and 135 hostages are still being held captive in Gaza, enduring incredible torture and trauma.

Agam's father, Shlomi Berger, said that he dreads what his daughter is going through after viewing footage of her wounded and scared along with three other teenage hostages.

Hamas should release Agam immediately, along with all of the other remaining hostages. Our country's strong support for Israel must not waver. It is time to bring Agam home. It is time to bring all of the innocent hostages home.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in this crucial effort to demonstrate our support for the hostages and for their families.

Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleague from Kansas for getting this together this evening to discuss our important issues so the American public can hear from us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about three progrowth tax policies that are critical for businesses and workers across west Tennessee and across the Nation: bonus depreciation, business interest deductibility, and immediate expensing for research and development costs. These policies help businesses grow, create jobs, and invest in our communities.

It is crucial that Congress extend these policies to ensure our tax code remains competitive and encourages economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and it led to one of the strongest economies in our Nation's history.

One important piece of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, known as bonus depreciation, allows businesses to fully and immediately deduct the cost of certain capital investments. If we want businesses to continue investing in their

workers and in their future, bonus depreciation must be extended.

Domestic investment will also be strengthened by restoring business interest deductibility. Interest deductibility has served as a vital tool for manufacturing and other capital-intensive businesses. Restoring this provision will protect American jobs and keep manufacturing right here at home in the U.S.

Mr. Speaker, for decades, America has been the global leader in innovation and the go-to destination for startups and entrepreneurs. It is important that we keep it that way.

Allowing U.S. businesses to immediately deduct research and development costs will lead to more innovation, more domestic investment, and more jobs.

I have heard from west Tennessee businesses, large, medium, and small, and they are asking Congress to pass these three provisions.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to stand with American businesses and workers and extend these critical provisions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cordell Walker for his work caring for veterans in the Memphis area.

I first met Cordell probably more than 20 years ago through current Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland. Mr. Walker is retiring as executive director of Alpha Omega Veterans Services later this month after several decades of service to our community and to our veterans.

Cordell Walker said that after seeing his friends return home from Vietnam a shell of who they were, he decided that he wanted to dedicate his life to serving our Nation's veterans, and he has done exactly that.

This past Veterans Day, just a month or so ago, Cordell Walker was honored in a ceremony to open the new Cordell Walker Veterans Center in Memphis.

I believe--I think we probably all believe--that answering the call to service in the United States military is about the most admirable thing that a person can do.

Cordell Walker recognized that our veterans sacrificed so much for all of our freedom and that they deserve the best care after they retire from our military.

I thank Cordell Walker for his service caring for veterans in the Memphis area and throughout west Tennessee.

I am really proud to know Cordell, and I congratulate Cordell Walker on a job well done. Roberta and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Honoring Justin Hunter

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend, Justin Hunter, who left us way too soon on September 16 of this year, 2023.

Originally from the bootheel of Missouri, just north of my district in west Tennessee, Justin Hunter had a big impact in west Tennessee. He served our community many years ago by working for former Congressman Ed Bryant.

It was in west Tennessee that Justin met his wife, Caroline. Together, they attended law school at the University of Memphis.

Later, while working for Encompass Health, Justin put his experience to work to help improve access to rehabilitation hospital care.

Justin Hunter was a really strong and passionate advocate for rehabilitation hospitals. Justin used his understanding of the laws governing Medicare programs to help improve the quality of healthcare available to Americans across our Nation.

I know I just used the word ``passion,'' but Justin was very passionate about everything he did and believed in. If he was in, he was in 100 percent on everything.

Justin Hunter will be remembered not only for his dedication to healthcare and to the law but also as an avid hunter and barbecue master and for his tremendous devotion to his family.

For both Roberta and me, our thoughts are with Justin's wife, Caroline, and with their two daughters, Helena and Vivian.

Justin is truly and sorely missed by so many, and I will always have good and fond memories of our friendship together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution that strongly condemns the dramatic rise of anti-Semitism both here in our Nation and abroad.

Last week, I had the privilege and the honor, frankly, of speaking with Amir Ohana, who is the Speaker of the Knesset. We discussed a lot of things. We talked about how life has changed not only in Israel but around the world since Hamas' horrific and brutal terrorist attack against Israelis on October 7. We also talked about how we have seen an absolute explosion of anti-Semitic incidents, attacks, and harassment in Israel, here in our own Nation, and across the world.

Mr. Speaker, two interesting statistics, if I can: According to the Anti-Defamation League, since the Hamas massacre on October 7, anti- Semitic incidents around our Nation have increased over 400 percent compared to the same time period last year.

The second statistic, Mr. Speaker, more Jews were murdered on October 7 than on any other single day since the Holocaust. Let that sink in.

We have seen Members of this very body repeat blatantly anti-Semitic rhetoric and spread lies about Israel and her right to exist. Let me be absolutely clear: Such hate has no place in the Halls of Congress nor in our national discourse.

It is our fundamental responsibility as leaders and as Members of Congress to condemn and fight these horrific acts of hate and discrimination against the Jewish community.

That is why I am proud to work with my colleague, Congressman Max Miller, to introduce this critical resolution to condemn and denounce all instances of domestic and global anti-Semitism.

A few months ago, Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity--really, the privilege--to take a group of people through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

A lot of us have been there. It is not too far away from here in the Capitol where we are standing. That museum serves not only as a reminder of the atrocities that took place during the Holocaust, but it also serves as a stark reminder that we can never forget the horrors of the Holocaust and that we, as leaders, have an obligation and a duty to make sure that it never happens again.

For these reasons, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this very simple, yet critical, resolution.

It is absolutely important that we send a clear and firm message to the world that the United States House of Representatives stands shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community here in the United States and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, as Jews around the world celebrate Hanukkah very soon in the next few days, we should remember the words of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

He said: ``Hanukkah tells us not to curse the darkness, but instead to bring light to the world. It tells us to fight back and not be afraid.''

We should truly heed those words. I thank my colleagues for supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her leadership and bringing this crucial security package that provides much-needed aid and support for Israel, our greatest ally in the Middle East.

Israel has every right to defend herself from terrorists who have brutally murdered over 1,400 men, women, and children. As I stand here today, I quote Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: ``If the Arabs lay down their arms there will be no more war, but if Israel lays down its weapons there would be no more Israel.''

It is essential that we demonstrate our unwavering support for the State of Israel.

I urge my colleagues strongly to support this package that is so crucial for our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of this critical resolution to condemn Hamas' brutal attack on Israel and reiterate our Nation's support, our strong support, for our greatest ally in the Middle East--Israel.

We all know that Hamas' heinous and unprovoked attack on innocent Israelis is barbaric. It is our responsibility as Members of Congress to stand united with Israel.

Let me be clear: Israel has a fundamental right to defend herself and her people during this war.

I am honored to be chairman of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group. From both

sides of the aisle, our members' support for the only democracy in the Middle East is absolutely ironclad.

This resolution demonstrates our unwavering commitment to Israel and our relationship. It is important for our Nation and the rest of the world to hear this strong support and commitment from the United States' House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for their leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor, remember, and celebrate the life of a dear friend and mentor, Donald Kenneth Sundquist, known to all of us as Don. Don passed away this year on August 27.

Over his long and successful career, Don Sundquist served as a business leader, a Member of Congress from his election in 1982 and serving for six consecutive terms, and as Governor of the State of Tennessee from 1995 until 2003.

In public office and out of public office, Don cared greatly and profoundly about the people of Tennessee and worked tirelessly for their betterment.

Don Sundquist was born in Illinois and earned his bachelor's degree from Augustana College in 1957. Following his graduation, Don served for 2 years in the United States Navy.

After an extensive business career, Don was elected to this very body in 1982 from the Seventh Congressional District of Tennessee.

Don was known as what was then called a ``Reagan Republican,'' and made himself known as a fiscal conservative. In the House of Representatives, Don served on the House Ways and Means Committee. That is the same committee I serve on. I walk into that grand committee room almost every day and think about Don and his many accomplishments.

In 1994, Don was elected as the 47th Governor of the State of Tennessee, he

was then elected to serve a second term in 1998 by a record margin.

During his tenure as Governor, Don Sundquist ushered in new businesses and companies to the State of Tennessee. His Families First welfare program significantly reduced the number of families on welfare, and he insured that Tennessee became the first State to connect all of its public schools and libraries to the internet.

Don Sundquist's life can be summed up in one word: service.

He dedicated his life to the betterment of the Volunteer State, and he taught us all many lessons along the way. If you walk the streets of Memphis, Nashville, and other cities throughout Tennessee, and Washington D.C., you will meet a lot of people who owe their careers and their livelihoods to Don Sundquist.

Indeed, Don Sundquist was a person of honor and integrity.

On a personal note, I will tell you that Don was not only a mentor to me, but to so many others in Tennessee and across the Nation. He has a true legacy that will continue to live on in those in and out of public service.

Don Sundquist was a good friend to both my wife, Roberta, and to me. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Martha, the former First Lady of Tennessee, and their children, Tania, Andrea, and Deke.

Mr. Speaker, I know that each of you and all of us will keep his memory and legacy alive.

Thank you to Don for a lifetime of service not only to Tennessee but to the entire Nation. You had a remarkable career and a remarkable life.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2, which is the Secure the Border Act.

Everyone knows that the southern border is not secure. At the start of his Presidency, Joe Biden halted construction of the border wall, essentially prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement from doing its job to keep our country safe.

And took steps to end the Migrant Protection Protocols as well as other enforcement policies.

President Biden's open border policies have led to the humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border today. Since Joe Biden took office, there have been over 5 million illegal border crossings at the southern border. Customs and Border Protection officers have seized over 14,000 pounds of deadly fentanyl that have come across our southern border. For perspective, that is enough fentanyl to kill every single American.

Furthermore, in just the first 6 months of this fiscal year, 2023, the names of 80 people who appear on the terrorist watch list were stopped trying to cross the southern border.

It is about to get much worse, because tomorrow, title 42, one of our most powerful tools to quickly expel illegal immigrants, will expire. Again, that happens tomorrow.

Title 42 is a public health order that allows migrants, who would otherwise be held in processing facilities, to be quickly expelled due to a risk of COVID-19 transmission.

The end of title 42 is expected to incentivize a worsening influx of illegal migrants. Border Patrol officials at our border are already seeing an unprecedented surge at our southern border with over 26,000 migrant apprehensions in just 72 hours.

For more than 2 years, President Biden and his administration have ignored the crisis. I can tell you that House Republicans have listened to the concerns of Americans and are working on solutions to the crisis. In our Commitment to America, we promised to create a Nation that is safe.

We are going to vote soon on the Secure the Border Act, to make sure that our southern border is, in fact, secure and to combat illegal immigration.

Just a few things that our Secure the Border Act will do:

Number 1, it will force the administration to restart construction of the border wall.

It will deploy technology to the southern and northern border. It will increase the number of Border Patrol agents, and it will increase their pay. It will require transparency regarding illegal crossings from the Department of Homeland Security. It will strengthen our current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking. It will end catch and release. It will end the abuse of executive immigration authority. It will strengthen and streamline the asylum process.

This bill, the Secure the Border Act, fulfills our promise to the American people to offer solutions to a crisis that affects not just cities and States along the border but every city and every State in this Nation.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.