Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Louisiana for arranging the time to talk to the Nation today about these very important issues.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about the reckless spending plans put forward by Democrats, which I think, without a doubt, have put our country in a real economic crisis.

Let me take you back to March when, along purely partisan lines, Democrats pushed through a $1.9 trillion spending plan. Just 2 weeks ago, Democrats pushed through another $1.2 trillion in spending. This week, we may likely vote on the Democrats' social spending plan, which would drive the total spending to almost $5 trillion when you add together all three of these spending bills.

Now, if you will focus for a moment on the runaway inflation that has really been exacerbated and inflamed by this massive spending, it was reported just last week that the Consumer Price Index, which measures this data, rose over 6 percent. That is the highest level in 30 years.

This means that the price of everyday goods has skyrocketed. I am talking about everything: cars, appliances, food, gas. Estimates are that the price to heat your home this winter could be 54 percent higher this year compared to last winter. Americans--our constituents--are getting hit really hard financially, and there is no end to it in sight.

Without a doubt, the huge social spending bill that we may vote on this week will leave severe and long-lasting consequences.

Madam Speaker, I want to point you to a story that ran yesterday in The Washington Times. Here is the headline: ``Biden's social welfare bill breaks pledge to not raise taxes on people making less than $400,000.'' The newspaper cites the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Now, here is the deal: with the social spending bill beginning in 2023, taxpayers making between $50,000 and $75,000 annually would see a tax increase. For people earning between $75,000 and $100,000 a year, the tax increase is 2.9 percent. Folks making between $100,000 and $200,000 per year would see a tax increase of 7.4 percent in 2023.

Madam Speaker, let's listen to our constituents. Let's focus on the real-world problems that they are dealing with every day and that they talk to us about. Let's work on the supply chain. Let's focus on the threat from China. Let's stop this massive spending.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about something that plays a special role in American life, and that is college athletics.

College sports is ingrained in our culture, and its impact is far- reaching on student-athletes, alumni, and their fans.

For decades, college athletics have been governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, more commonly known as the NCAA. The NCAA has tremendous power, really omnipotent power over college athletics. The NCAA decides the rules of play, who gets to play, and who gets the revenue.

Now, the NCAA investigates and penalizes any school, coach, or student-athlete that it claims infringes on its rules. This is what the NCAA calls the infractions process.

Let's be clear. The NCAA infraction process is systemically and fundamentally flawed. The NCAA's rules are vague, constantly changing, and irregularly enforced. The NCAA's investigations lack transparency and established procedures and are performed while universities are often kept in the dark.

Fundamentally, there is no due process for member schools nor for their students. The NCAA investigations can last years, and they cost universities millions of dollars in legal fees and other expenses.

Finally, the NCAA punishes universities and student-athletes with no consistency and no predictability. The NCAA may decide to punish one school but not another.

Without a doubt, the NCAA acts with little regard for fairness, due process, or transparency. Through its monopolistic power and lack of oversight, the NCAA has caused irreparable damage to athletic departments, to colleges, and to universities across the Nation.

That is why today I am introducing the NCAA Accountability Act with my colleagues, Representatives Burgess Owens and Josh Harder.

This bipartisan legislation will establish due process protections for any athlete, university, or individual going through the NCAA infraction process. These protections include fair notice on enforcement proceedings, a defined statute of limitations, and a deadline for the completion of investigations.

The NCAA Accountability Act also includes mechanisms to ensure that NCAA sanctions are equitable and fit the alleged infraction.

Universities will have the right to resolve punishment disputes with the NCAA through binding arbitration. This will bring an independent, unbiased voice into the process to ensure that an equitable outcome is obtained.

If the NCAA fails to comply with these obligations, the Department of Justice will have the authority to fine the NCAA and its staff, and the Department of Justice will have the power to permanently remove any member from the NCAA Board of Governors.

For our universities and our student-athletes, it is vital that Congress end the NCAA's long reign as prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner over college athletics.

I urge my colleagues to support this important, bipartisan legislation that will finally hold the NCAA accountable.

Madam Speaker, last week, our community in Collierville, Tennessee, experienced a horrific tragedy.

On Thursday, September 23, last week, a gunman opened fire at the Kroger on Byhalia Road. Fifteen people were shot, and one woman, Olivia King, a mother and grandmother, died as a result of her injuries in the hospital later that day.

Roberta and I are praying for Olivia King's children, her family, and her friends at this difficult time.

As Collierville Alderman Maureen Fraser said: ``Everybody needs to be more like Olivia King. She was very kind, very generous, very Christian, and a rule-follower.''

Our hearts go out to all the victims, their loved ones, and everyone in the entire community who has been impacted.

I want to quote Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane, who said that Collierville is ``one of the most resilient communities in America.'' I believe that this is an absolutely true statement.

On that tragic day, we witnessed our brave heroes--law enforcement officers, Federal agents, firefighters, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and other local officials--spring into action. Not a single person hesitated to act or tend to a person in need.

Their training and selfless actions helped save people's lives that day. There is no doubt about it. I cannot thank enough everyone for their incredible bravery and courage that day.

The collaboration and cooperation between all the law enforcement agencies and all the first responders was tremendous. These agencies included: the Collierville Police Department; the Collierville Fire Department; the Shelby County Sheriff's Office; the Germantown Police Department; the Germantown Fire Department; the Memphis Police Department; the Memphis Fire Department; the Bartlett Fire Department; the Bartlett Police Department; the Fayette County Sheriff's Office; the DeSoto County, Mississippi, Sheriff's Office; the Tennessee Highway Patrol; the FBI; and other Federal law enforcement agencies. They worked flawlessly together to address and handle the situation in a timely and professional manner.

I also commend Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane's strong and effective leadership, and I thank his entire staff for their heroism. Special commendation also goes to Collierville Fire Chief Buddy Billings and his men and women for their swift action that prevented the additional loss of life.

Further, I want to recognize all the first responders, the doctors, the surgeons, the nurses, and their staff for delivering the necessary and immediate care to these victims.

Lastly, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner, Town Administrator James Lewellen, and Collierville Municipal School Board Chairman Wright Cox for their continued and strong leadership.

Mayor Joyner issued a proclamation declaring tomorrow, September 30, 2021, at 1:30 p.m., as a day of prayer and meditation for the town of Collierville and her victims.

The people of Collierville are strong and resilient. They will always remain Collierville Strong.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and congratulate a great Memphian and friend, Rabbi Micah Greenstein, who is celebrating 30 years of service and commitment to Temple Israel in Memphis and the entire Jewish community.

Rabbi Greenstein is the eighth senior rabbi at Temple Israel, a synagogue founded in the 1850s. He has served as senior rabbi for over 20 years and is now celebrating his 30th anniversary at Temple Israel.

In 1991, after completing his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Cornell University, Harvard, and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Greenstein came to Memphis, a place he and his family have called home for more than 30 years.

Over the years, Rabbi Greenstein has served as two-time president of the Memphis Ministers Association, was the first rabbi to speak at the Washington National Cathedral on a major state day and has been named by Newsweek magazine as one of the top American rabbis in 2012 and 2013.

Rabbi Greenstein has been honored with the Memphis City Council Humanitarian Award and the Memphis Theological Seminary's President's Humanitarian Award. As clearly demonstrated, Rabbi Greenstein has worked throughout his career to make his community, his home in Memphis, and his country a better place.

Mr. Speaker, when you speak with members of Temple Israel, they will tell you how extraordinary the congregation is, and that is due to the rabbi's dedication, his charisma, and his passion. I talked to Laurie Meskin, the current president of Temple Israel. She stated: ``Rabbi Greenstein has made our synagogue, Temple Israel, what it is today. He is truly gifted at mobilizing people from near and afar, is a great communicator and orator, and believes in a vibrant Jewish future for all of us in Memphis.''

From my good friend and former Temple Israel president, Billy Orgel: ``Many families at Temple Israel are very intertwined with the Greenstein family, as everyone knows each other in Memphis. Our kids know each other very well and are all the same age. Rabbi Micah is a good friend who is there in sickness and in health.''

He continues: ``He is not just our rabbi, but to many in the Memphis community, no matter their religious background, he is a close friend as well. He is their rabbi too.''

Rabbi Greenstein has forged bonds with numerous other religious leaders in Memphis and throughout the country. For example, he led Memphis' first interfaith religious leaders mission to Israel years ago.

Another friend of mine, Mark Halperin, also another former Temple Israel president, said: ``Ultimately, the unique thing about Rabbi Micah is that he is the whole community's rabbi. Temple Israel is a special place, but it makes it more special to have someone like Rabbi Micah there with us.''

In a 1999 profile of the rabbi in Memphis Magazine, the article cited a then young college-age Micah Greenstein finishing at Harvard's JFK School of Government and deciding to switch studies from what he said was public service to Jewish service. The rabbi went on to say: ``I'm doing exactly what I think God intended for me to do, to touch people's lives in a Jewish way, to make the world more human, and to bring people together to share their differences.''

Roberta and I congratulate Rabbi Micah, his loving wife, Sheril; and their three children, Cara, Jake, and Julia, on this incredible 30-year milestone.

We say mazel tov.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I would like to recognize my friend and colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), a great leader. I thank him for organizing this evening.

Mr. Speaker, I want to address two different fronts of President Biden's policies, both of which are failing the American people.

The April jobs report showed that the economy added less than 270,000 new jobs. That is disappointing, and it was an underperformance from the 1 million jobs that economists expected.

It really should be no surprise to anyone because the enhanced unemployment benefits that were approved by Congress, against all of our objections, under President Biden's initiative have truly disincentivized people from going back to work.

Then, on the second front, we have seen over the past week or so Hamas continue to launch thousands of rockets at Israel, aiming to kill as many innocent lives as possible.

Let me be clear: I strongly condemn these attacks. Everybody on this side of the aisle strongly condemns those attacks. We fully support Israel's unequivocal right to defend herself and her citizens.

Yet, President Biden has taken a weak approach, demonstrating to terrorist organizations that his administration won't stand up for one of our greatest nations, greatest friends, and greatest allies, and that is Israel.

America's support of our strongest ally in the Middle East, it should never be quiet. That sends a terrible message to the rest of the world.

Ultimately, we need a government that is more efficient, more effective, and accountable.

We need to get people back to work. We must reopen our economy, lower taxes, and get our children back in school.

Lastly, we have to show the rest of the world that our support for Israel will never waver, that we stand strong in defending the Jewish state together as one.

You know, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once said, and I will paraphrase: If Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no Israel. I think that pretty much sums it up.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in the memory of my friend and a great Memphian, Arnold Perl.

Arnold was known as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and strong advocate. While Arnold Perl was born in Texas and raised in Chicago, Memphis was Arnold's true home. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois and, in 1968, moved to Tennessee. Memphis remained his adopted city until his passing on May 4 of this year.

After he came to Memphis, Arnold founded his own law firm, Young & Perl, a law firm focusing on labor law and labor-management relations. Arnold later served as a member of the well-known Memphis law firm Glankler Brown, where he represented some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies.

Arnold also argued cases before numerous State and Federal courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

As a lawyer, Arnold was sought after for his impressive skills, his expertise, and his extensive knowledge of the rule of law. Since 1983, he was listed in each edition of The Best Lawyers in America and even served on its advisory board.

Without a doubt, Arnold was an extremely accomplished lawyer, but his passions went beyond the law.

For over 30 years, Arnold served as a strong and committed member of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. For 16 of those years, from 1996-2012, he was its chairman.

Through his leadership, Arnold played a vital role in making the Memphis International Airport into one of the top hubs in the world. Working in conjunction with FedEx, Arnold helped the Memphis airport become the world's largest cargo airport.

He also facilitated the relocation of the Tennessee Air National Guard's headquarters, which helped promote growth for Memphis.

Arnold was chairman of the New Arena Public Building Authority, where he oversaw the development of the FedExForum, the home of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Memphis Tigers.

This was a huge accomplishment for Memphis, as it brought great economic development and unity to the community.

During its construction, Arnold's mantra was to build the facility on time and on budget. Indeed, the FedExForum was built in 3 years and on budget.

Most importantly, Arnold was a dedicated member of the Memphis Jewish community and was devoted to his faith. He served as the 45th president of Temple Israel in Memphis, from 2006-2009.

Arnold was passionate in his advocacy for Israel. In 1983, he and his wife, Mary Lynn, were two of the founding members of the AIPAC chapter in Memphis. Arnold was devoted to educating people on the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.

Ultimately, Arnold was not only a gifted lawyer; he was a true civic giant, a fierce advocate, a faithful individual, and a loving family man. He worked tirelessly to make Memphis a better place for all to live.

His two daughters, Stephanie and Laurie; and his two sons-in-law, Jeff and Jonathan, who he saw more as sons, said that their dad followed four pillars that he adopted from one of his mentors: Family, faith, professionalism, and community.

Roberta and I extend our deepest sympathies to Mary Lynn, his loving wife of 55 years; their daughters, Stephanie and Laurie; his sons-in- law, Jeff and Jonathan; his six grandchildren, and the rest of his family and friends.

May his memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the upcoming 100th birthday of Irma Roberts, probably the most famous high school librarian in the history of Memphis City Schools.

Irma Roberts was the librarian at White Station High School from 1963 to 1986. Aside from being the librarian, she was the school's student council sponsor. She planned the homecoming and directed the annual Queen of Clubs.

Without a doubt, Irma Roberts had a great influence on my life and on so many other students at White Station High School. She is truly an inspiration to a couple of generations of students at White Station High School. She was a tremendous educator.

Dodson, DeAnn, Dabney, Bob, Bill, and Ryan know how terrific their mother and grandmother is as a person. Now, so does everyone else.

Irma Roberts, congratulations on your 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Judge Harry Walker Wellford, who passed away Saturday, April 17.

Judge Wellford was a third-generation Memphian, who dedicated his life to serving his community through the

justice system, and also dedicated his life to his family.

Judge Wellford started serving his community in our great country at a young age. Like so many of his generation, the Greatest Generation, Harry served our Nation fighting in the Pacific theater during World War II. After serving our Nation overseas, Harry Wellford returned to his home State of Tennessee to obtain his law degree from Vanderbilt University.

In the 1960s, a turbulent time for our Nation and for Memphis, Harry Wellford was an active member of the biracial Memphis Relations Committee, serving for the betterment of the Memphis community.

It was during this time that Harry Wellford became politically active, leading the west Tennessee efforts for Howard Baker's campaign for the United States Senate; and then, in 1970, managing the Statewide campaign for his good friend, Winfield Dunn, to become Governor of Tennessee.

Harry had a good and successful law practice and was well-regarded in the legal community. It was for these reasons that Harry was nominated for a Federal judgeship in 1970 by then-President Richard Nixon. Judge Wellford was unanimously confirmed as district court judge. Later, President Ronald Reagan nominated Judge Wellford for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, to which he was confirmed.

Judge Wellford had a long and distinguished career on the bench. A good friend of Judge Wellford was Judge Julia Gibbons, who currently serves on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and, in 1982, replaced Judge Wellford on the district court when he was elevated to the appellate court. Commenting on him yesterday, Judge Gibbons said: Harry Wellford was one of the people we most admire to become; he was my friend; his touch with people emanated in everything he did in life.

Madam Speaker, Harry and his wife, Katherine, were members of Idlewild Presbyterian Church before she passed away. They loved to travel, and he enjoyed spending his free time playing tennis and golf. Despite being a well-distinguished judge and a political reformer for the State of Tennessee, what mattered most to Harry was his family.

Judge Wellford's favorite song was ``Eternal Father Strong to Save,'' more commonly known as ``The Navy Hymn.'' So appropriate for him and for his generation.

Indeed, Harry Wellford will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Today, Roberta and I are thinking about Harry and his five children: Harry, Jr.; Beasley; Buck; Kate; and Allison.

Harry Wellford, thank you for your service to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from Arizona for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here tonight saddened because a little over a year ago, I took to the House floor to pay tribute to a dear friend, Peggy Daniel of west Tennessee, who had recently passed away.

Today, we honor the life of her son and my friend, Drew Daniel, who left us way too soon. Drew passed away last week. He was a native of west Tennessee, the son of my friends, Peggy and Jimmy Daniel.

Drew moved to Shelby County in the early 1990s for college, and he received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Memphis, where he then later achieved a master's degree in public administration. Drew interned in the House of Representatives for then- Congressman Don Sundquist, who also was a close and dear friend of Drew's parents.

Drew loved to volunteer for his community, and he was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, the Midtown Rotary Club, and Memphis City Beautiful Commission.

Drew was also extremely active in the Shelby County Republican Party and the Tennessee Republican Party. He had served as the Shelby County Young Republican chair and was an elected member of the Tennessee State executive committee of the Tennessee Republican Party. In 2019, Drew was selected as a Tennessee Republican Party Statesman of the year.

Drew was also a longtime valued employee for David Lenoir in the Shelby County Trustee's Office and then an agent for New York Life.

Without a doubt, Drew was a dedicated leader with a heart for public service and also for volunteerism. I really don't know many people who were more passionate about politics or their community than Drew Daniel.

I have so many memories, seeing Drew and Peggy cheering on the Memphis Tigers in the Liberty Bowl and the FedEx Forum. Truly, as good of a person as Drew was, he was a great son to his parents and a terrific brother to Mike and Melanie.

We are all better because of Drew, and he will be deeply missed by everyone. Roberta and I extend our deepest sympathies to his brother, Mike, and his sister, Melanie. Rest in peace, Drew.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Paul Tinkle, a Tennessee radio legend.

Paul is currently the president and general manager of Thunderbolt Radio, a strong media presence in west Tennessee. Paul has almost 50 years in radio and is a past Distinguished Service Award recipient, served as the National Association of Broadcasters director representing both Tennessee and Arkansas, and was the 1982 Tennessee Associated Press Broadcaster of the Year.

On August 6, Paul will be inducted into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame, an honor that is so well-deserved.

Keith Carver, chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin, said:

Paul Tinkle is a tremendous asset to northwest Tennessee.

In an era of large networks and 24-hour continuous world news

coverage, Paul's primary focus is bringing the world to his

region. Paul is a master at his craft and a true public

servant.

Chancellor Carver summed up Paul's legacy perfectly.

I congratulate Paul on his induction into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame. I know I speak for everyone when I say west Tennessee is lucky to have someone as dedicated and committed to good journalism as Paul.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Georgia for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to highlight the importance of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program that is known as HIDTA.

I have had a fair number of conversations with law enforcement throughout my district in west Tennessee, and they have told me time and time again that drug trafficking continues to be one of their main concerns. Along Interstate 40 in Tennessee, we continue to see an increase in drug trafficking.

I think we can all agree that the spread of illegal drugs leads to higher crime rates which ultimately increases the financial strain on our local, State, and Federal law enforcement.

The HIDTA program provides funding for additional equipment and man- hours to carry out investigations required to arrest these criminals and ultimately stop the flow of drugs.

Mr. Chairman, I know that many of my colleagues are experiencing similar situations back home, and they understand just how serious of an issue this is becoming for the safety and security of all Americans.

The bottom line is that our law enforcement needs the resources offered by the HIDTA program to help keep us safe. The HIDTA program is also a good first step to combating the opioid epidemic that is plaguing our communities. We must be proactive now because prevention is the best long-term solution.

Law enforcement at the local, State, and Federal level have all expressed support for this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same today.

I also want to thank my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Foster) for joining me on this bipartisan amendment, and I do appreciate the support of the chairman and also the ranking member for including my amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my profound frustration with the majority on the Rules Committee. I am disappointed that the majority has chosen to cut members out of the process.

I worked with colleagues across the aisle to introduce a bipartisan amendment to address the epidemic of Asian carp infestation in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. This invasive species has invaded the Tennessee and Cumberland River basins and continues to threaten our rural economies and native fisheries that thrive off of the recreational and sporting industries.

Without a doubt, it is a major problem in my home State of Tennessee, as well as Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi. If these States continue to get cut out of the process, the problem will only get worse.

I want to thank Members from both sides of the aisle who fought hard for this amendment, only to have it thrown out at the last minute. We deserve the opportunity to have the concerns of our constituents heard and addressed, but unfortunately, the process is broken.

I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible life of Trooper Matthew Gatti of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

On May 6, 2019, just a week or so ago, while responding to a call for help on Interstate 40 in Tennessee, Trooper Gatti was killed in the line of duty.

Matthew Gatti will be remembered in west Tennessee and in our entire Nation as a dedicated public servant, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend to all.

Although just 24 years old, Trooper Gatti had an incredible, an impressive career in public service. He served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office in Jackson, Tennessee, and then began working for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

In addition to serving others, Matthew was passionate about hunting, about baseball, about comedy, and he was an active member of his church, Gospel Light Baptist Church, in Jackson, Tennessee.

Trooper Gatti lived a life that very few people have the honor of living.

According to those who knew him the best, Trooper Gatti's willingness to serve and his constant sacrifice for others was of second nature to him.

He exemplified duty and service both on and off the clock, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Matthew had a deep love for his church, and his strong faith could be seen in everything that he did. His friends described him as a humble gentleman who would say or do anything to lift your spirits.

Matthew leaves behind his loving wife, Anna; his parents, Christopher and Christy; his sisters, Hannah and Esther; his brother, Joshua; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kimberly and Frankie Lax; and his grandparents.

Matthew was a blessing to our community, and his life was a service and an inspiration.

Trooper Gatti died doing what he loved doing: protecting people, protecting his community, and protecting the State of Tennessee. And although his life on Earth has ended, his legacy will live on.

My thoughts are with his family, with his friends, and with the men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

I also want to thank all the men and women in uniform who risk their lives each and every day to protect all of us for our safety and for our betterment.

Matthew Gatti will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green), my colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I am in its current form.

Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill. It would not kill the bill nor send it back to committee. If adopted, the resolution will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, the attack in October last year against the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh was a devastating assault on the Jewish community. By inflicting violence on a neighborhood congregation's Shabbat morning service, the gunman sent a bone-chilling message; even in 2018, hate-filled individuals will attack Jews simply for being Jewish.

The Anti-Defamation League believes that this is the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States of America. This tragedy is merely one part of an upsetting development that has emerged in recent years, a resurgence of anti-Semitism around the globe.

The Anti-Defamation League reported a 60 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States from 2016 to 2017.

In December, the European Union released a survey of over 16,000 European Jews, which reported that ``anti-Semitism pervades everyday life,'' undermining European Jews' feelings of safety and security.

Mr. Speaker, we should all be alarmed by this international trend. No one should be forced to live in fear of violence, or be deterred from participating in their faith community.

The United States must remain a global leader, not only in speaking out against anti-Semitism, but in holding those who enable these vile beliefs accountable.

Our motion to recommit adds language to H.J. Res. 37 that affirms that it is in the national security interest of the United States to combat anti-Semitism around the world. It states that we must make combating anti-Semitism a priority in all of our diplomatic relationships; and we need to ensure that Jews around the world feel safe in their communities.

Mr. Speaker, I remain deeply concerned by the measure the Democrats have called up today on Yemen, but if this resolution is going to move forward, it should do so while making a strong statement that the United States has no tolerance for anti-Semitism.

I urge all Members to stand in solidarity with Jews around the world and support the motion to recommit.

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the town of McKenzie, Tennessee, which is located in Carroll County. McKenzie's yearlong celebration commemorating 150 years since their proclamation begins this week.

The town of McKenzie has persevered through epidemics, wars, and two great fires. In 150 years, McKenzie has grown from a population of 500 people to over 5,000 people, and over 10,000 residents outside the city limits. The town was visited by President Grover Cleveland and is home to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at McKenzie and the fastest growing private university in Tennessee, Bethel University, which is led by my good friend, President Walter Butler.

I congratulate the town of McKenzie, its Mayor Jill Holland, Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler, and its residents on a remarkable 150-year history. McKenzie has shown great resilience, and I wish it nothing but the best on its next 150.