Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jay and Alice Anne Yeargin of Weakley County, Tennessee. The Yeargin's were named runner-ups in the Achievement contest at this year's Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Yeargins farm approximately 5,000 acres where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle. They also host groups on their farm each year, including the Tennessee Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences, to share the story of agriculture. The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and exhibited superior leadership abilities.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have such a family as a member of our community and want to recognize them for their service to West Tennessee and to the agriculture industry.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the sheriff so much for his leadership tonight and throughout the course as we honor law enforcement and police here and across the country.

I rise today to honor the brave men and women of our police forces in the Eighth Congressional District and across the Nation.

I have got to tell you that it is challenging to find the right words to thank those who literally lay their lives on the line for others each and every day--most of the time for people who they have never met.

This past Monday, I had the incredible privilege of joining the Jackson Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office at a memorial service in Jackson, Tennessee. I was moved to see not just the active and retired officers there but also the family members of those who died in the line of duty.

During the ceremony, there was a wreath for all those who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the Jackson and Madison County area. The names of those officers, sheriff's deputies, and law enforcement officials who laid their lives on the line, going back to the 1800s, were read. For some of those who died many years ago, there were no family members there. There were family members for those who died going back 60 and 70 years ago in the line of duty.

Each of those family members were given a rose that they would place in a wreath--a memorial for all those who have died in the line of duty. It was very moving to see those family members and, obviously, to hear the names of those people who have given their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony reminded me of the daily sacrifices that our law enforcement make in order to protect and serve their communities, their State, and their country. These men and women have families, hobbies, and places of worship. They are heroes living among us who deserve our praise each and every day.

During my time as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, I worked closely with our police departments and law enforcement agencies to tackle violent crime. Our men and women in law enforcement were on the front lines of some of the most incredibly dangerous and sensitive situations. I feel fortunate to have seen how their tireless work saves lives and changes communities for the better.

I also want to take time to thank those in the United States Capitol Police here in Washington, D.C. They are some of the finest, sharpest men and women in the country. We can rest easier knowing they are watching closely over our Nation's capital and protecting our democracy.

This is a pivotal time for our country. We must not forget the significance of maintaining law and order. At

a time when it seems so many in our society have grown distrustful and disrespectful of law enforcement, the overwhelming majority of the people in the country respect our law enforcement. They need to know that they have our support now more than ever. Too often, their courage and selfless deeds go unnoticed and unacknowledged. Whether it is bringing violent criminals to justice, rushing to the scene of a terrible incident, or keeping constant watch over our schools and neighborhoods, our police officers serve with such distinction. We must not take their service and steady presence for granted.

I have never been more appreciative of law enforcement for all that they do to keep us safe. National Police Week is a solemn time as we remember those we have lost. We must also celebrate our active police officers and law enforcement who will continue to serve our country for future generations.

I thank the sheriff for allowing me to speak this evening on behalf of all those in law enforcement. We truly appreciate their service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Small Business Week.

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and the main driver of our local communities. In fact, two-thirds of all new jobs in the United States are created by small businesses. It is crucial that our entrepreneurs and small-business owners have the support that they need; and as legislators, it is incumbent upon us to create an environment that allows them to succeed.

I am proud to be a member of the Financial Services Committee as we mark up a bill today that will give our small businesses the boost that they need.

The previous administration enacted rules and regulations that helped some big companies and some big cities but slowed growth for our small businesses in rural communities. The Financial CHOICE Act will repeal Dodd-Frank's one-size-fits-all regulations and finally allow small businesses to access the capital they need to grow and to prosper.

I am grateful for this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable small businesses in the Eighth Congressional District of Tennessee, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass financial regulatory reform that will revive our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the World's Biggest Fish Fry, which happens to be this week in Paris, Tennessee. Each year at the end of April, people from all across the country travel to west Tennessee to take part in a week-long celebration that includes parades, a carnival, rodeos, dances, catfish races, and much more.

The Fish Fry, as folks call it in west Tennessee, originated in 1938 as one of the many ``Mule Days,'' when farmers gathered to trade their products, do their shopping, and enjoy the fellowship of their community.

By the 1950s, the tractor replaced the mule, so the good citizens of Paris and Henry County started a new event that is now known in west Tennessee and around the country to be ``The World's Biggest Fish Fry.''

The festival ends with the main event this Friday, April 28, when more than 5 tons of catfish will be cooked, leading up to a grand 2- hour finale of parades.

I thank the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce for their leadership in preserving this great west Tennessee tradition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1730, the Combating Anti-Semitism Act of 2017. I am proud to introduce this important legislation with my colleague from the other side of the aisle, Representative Derek Kilmer from Washington.

Since this January, we have seen a wave of disturbing violence and threats towards religious institutions across America. In 2017 alone, more than 100 bomb threats have been made at 81 Jewish Community Centers across our Nation in 33 States. Tennessee, the State I call home, is also on that list. It is time that we send a clear message: religious intolerance has no place in this country.

The Combating Anti-Semitism Act of 2017 would increase the penalty for these violent threats and make them punishable as hate crimes under Federal law. We have a moral duty and responsibility to protect the rights of all Americans to worship freely and without fear, whether at a church, a synagogue, or any religious institution.

With this bill, we will deter threats and stand united against religious intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chancellor Keith Carver and celebrate his appointment as chancellor of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

I have known Keith Carver for more than 30 years, and I could not think of anyone more deserving of this prestigious role. We met during college at the University of Memphis. And during that time, I was always impressed by his energy, his creativity, and his focus. Most importantly, he was and certainly still is an incredibly strong leader; and that is the most important part.

I believe that Dr. Carver is the right person at the right time--a time when this university needs strong, responsible leadership.

I am so excited for the town of Martin, for the University of Tennessee system, and the entire Volunteer State in this prosperous new era under Dr. Carver's strong leadership. I can't wait to see what great things we can accomplish together.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 79, the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act. This important legislation has the ability to produce real results that Congress continually promises their constituents.

When I decided to seek office, a major driving force was the governmental overreach that I saw at home in west Tennessee. The financial crisis of 2008 crushed the middle class and lower classes across America.

West Tennesseans were hit hard. Far too many faced unemployment, struggled to pay their bills, and lost their homes and businesses that meant everything to their livelihoods. There has been no doubt that it has been a slow recovery under these last 8 years. Thankfully, many areas of the country have begun to bounce back.

West Tennessee, my home, still needs strong workforce development so we, too, can bounce back. As I traveled throughout the Eighth District of Tennessee last year, I met amazing people, great Americans who were ready to work hard to provide for their families and for their communities. Too often, I heard stories of burdensome mandates and regulations that are preventing these hardworking Tennesseans from moving forward.

With this legislation, we can keep our promise to help alleviate the burden of Federal regulations on small businesses. There is no doubt that angel investors are the backbone of startups; and unless we find a solution to unreasonable restrictions, small businesses could continue to suffer as they struggle to compete with large, established companies.

We need to keep our promise to the American people. We need to focus on creating good-paying jobs. And I believe that this bipartisan legislation is a step in the right direction.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important legislation.