Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Jud Teague, Director of the Kingsport Chamber's Visit Kingsport Program, for his dedication to our community and commitment to tourism in Northeast Tennessee.

A native of Powell, Tennessee, Jud Teague dedicated over 25 years of service to the tourism industry in East Tennessee. Jud graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture. From there, he began teaching biology with the Knox County School System. His tenure as an educator also included a successful coaching career in baseball, football, and basketball at Bearden High School and Powell High School.

Jud also found time to volunteer with local community sports programs, including Knox Youth Sports, and was later hired as their Executive Director. He was instrumental in developing Lakeshore Park, 200 plus-acre facility with multiple trails, baseball, softball fields, and playgrounds, including a universal playground designed to be inclusive for children of every ability. Jud's involvement in youth baseball earned him a spot on the AAU Baseball Executive Committee. He also received the AAU National Baseball Volunteer of the Year award and the Disney Wide World of Sports Award of Excellence. He was later hired as the baseball senior sports manager for AAU at Walt Disney World Resort.

Since 2006, Jud has served as the Executive Director of Visit Kingsport, where his collaborative efforts led to more than $100 Million in local economic impact. As a result of his work, Visit Kingsport received multiple Pinnacle Awards for Excellence in Tourism from the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association (NETTA).

Adding to his list of accolades and accomplishments, Jud received the Tennessee Tourism Professional of the Year Award--the state's highest tourism honor--from the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association. He is perhaps most proud of developing Miracle Field, a $2.5 million sporting complex. Jud created and spearheaded the project for his son Nicholas, who has Down syndrome, and other children with special needs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Jud Teague on his years of service to the tourism industry and wishing him and his family the best of luck in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Buddy Carter from Georgia, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because our veterans deserve better.

Our Active-Duty servicemembers and veterans chose to serve this great Nation knowing it would take unimaginable sacrifice and precious time away from their loved ones.

Many of them left their lives behind and were taken to far corners of the world to face enemies of democracy. They did this for us, for our freedom, for our ability to stand here today without fear of persecution.

This is a sacrifice we should all feel indebted to, including those people at Express Scripts. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the company, it is a Cigna-owned pharmacy benefit manager, known as a PBM, that administers the TRICARE benefits on behalf of the Department of Defense.

Last year, the Department of Defense allowed this PBM--and this was suddenly and without warning--to institute pharmacy network changes that impacted 400,000 TRICARE beneficiaries by removing almost 15,000 independent community pharmacies from the retail network.

Most people in this country live 5 minutes from a pharmacy. They have immediate access to a pharmacist. They don't have to make an appointment, and they can go in and talk to that professional.

Most of those pharmacies are now excluded. They are located in rural and underserved areas. These people are no longer able to rely upon their local pharmacy to access needed medications and in-person pharmacist counseling.

These TRICARE beneficiaries and their families are being forced to drive sometimes long distances to find a corporate, in-network pharmacy, or if they can't do that, they are funneled into an Express Scripts mail order program, and that is unacceptable.

This abrupt change by PBM giant Express Scripts is especially problematic for a small group of TRICARE beneficiaries who are chronically ill, that have a disability and receive infusion medications in their homes.

It will almost certainly delay care for those patients with chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

By the way, I am talking to oncology groups now that are absolutely tracking that these patients do not get their medicine in time, or go without their cancer drugs, and it causes an immediate response and a degradation of their health based on the cancer that they have.

The department's decision to carry on with this contract despite the grave impacts we all knew would impact our veterans and servicemembers is reprehensible.

Veterans and Active-Duty servicemembers and their families are losing access to quality care, and those with cancer and rare diseases are often being faced with the impossible choice of switching to a new pharmacy that may be far, far away or paying out of pocket to stay with the pharmacy they have come to know and trust.

America made a promise to our veterans. We promised to take care of those who have risked their lives to defend us. Leaving our heroes in jeopardy to line the pockets of a multibillion dollar PBM is inexcusable.

As a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years, I know how much a community leans on their trusted, independent pharmacist, and especially in rural areas like I serve and like Buddy serves.

It is true that pharmacists are still one of the most accessible healthcare providers in the United States. Trusting the pharmacist dispensing one's medicines has a very real impact on health outcomes and costs for the patients.

I thank Congressman Buddy Carter for his leadership on this important issue. Buddy and I were both pharmacists in our former careers, we still are pharmacists, and we know firsthand just how much this policy will hurt health outcomes.

Our veterans and Active-Duty servicemembers deserve to trust that they can access the medication that they rely on, and they deserve to have strong advocates against these greedy PBMs.

They deserve all our thanks and more. They deserve so much better. The Department of Defense must reverse this grave injustice, and I won't stop fighting until our heroes get what they have earned and what they are owed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mrs. Cathy Morgan Richardson, a beloved pillar of the community in Hamblen County, Tennessee. Cathy passed away on October 28, 2022, after a life of faith and left a legacy of love for her family and her community.

Cathy was born in Morristown, Tennessee, and graduated from Morristown Hamblen High School West. After graduation, she worked in accounting at Laminate Specialty Plastics, then went on to a 30-year career as an employee in the office of Hamblen County's Circuit Court Clerk. She was an election official, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, and a member of the Hamblen County Republican Party and the Republican Women's Club of Hamblen County.

Cathy was a God-fearing woman who praised the Lord every single day of her life. She was known for making everything fun and adventurous and often was the life of the party at her church events. She loved music and enjoyed hearing her daughter, Kaylan, sing and play the piano. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Morristown and was known for her smile and for encouraging others with love from her heart. She was full of Jesus and full of joy and it was contagious to her family, her friends, and her church. A frequent volunteer, she organized many events for her church and her local Women's Republican club and was nicknamed the Event Planner Extraordinaire. She brought light and laughter to every person she met and in every corner of her existence. She had the gifts of hospitality, decorating, organizing, energizing, and encouraging.

Her legacy of love includes being married to Mike, her husband of 40 years; her daughter, Kaylan, her son, Channing and his wife, Kristen; and her grandchildren Cade, Christian, and Crew.

Mr. Speaker, Cathy Morgan Richardson was a source of joy, faithfulness, and support for many in Morristown, Tennessee and I honor her life and her service to her family, her Lord and Savior, her church, and her community.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize one of the most outstanding companies in the state of Tennessee, Wallace Hardware, which is celebrating 100 years in business in Morristown, Tennessee. As a regional distributor of hardlines, lumber, and building material products, Wallace Hardware has remained committed to customer service and dealer relationships, always based on honesty and integrity.

With humble beginnings, rapid growth and ever-expanding customer service that began in 1921, W.B. Whittaker and S.M. Holtsinger partnered with D.M. Wallace to start a wholesale hardware business that was chartered in 1922. During this time, salesmen traveled by horseback, collecting orders, and mailing them to the home office. Then, merchandise was picked, packed, and delivered either by wagon, rail, or truck. In 1944 the thriving business changed its name to Wallace Hardware Company and in 1955, after the death of D.M. Wallace, the reigns were passed to his brother, J.G. Wallace, who led the company until January 1959. Then, D.M. Wallace's son, John D. Wallace, was named President and Chief Executive Officer.

With thirty-fold growth and a coverage area expanding far beyond the Lakeway region to encompass eleven states, the company thrived under the leadership of John D. Wallace until 2002 when he was succeeded by Stanley Snowden until 2008, followed by Doyle Wallace, John's son. Doyle joined the family business as a nine-year-old boy, working in the warehouse on Saturdays and during the summers, and after graduation from Carson-Newman College in 1975 with his bachelor's degree in business administration, he moved to Memphis to join the staff of the newly acquired farm equipment division of the company, King Wallace, Inc. Doyle then moved in 1977 to Chattanooga to join another sister farm equipment company, Southeastern-Wallace, returning in 1984 to become the PRO Program Director at Wallace Hardware. Over the next few years, he worked as a buyer and manager of the company's industrial division.

Wallace Hardware's service, price, breadth of product, friendliness, and reputation as a customer-oriented distributor have provided a competitive edge, all the while maintaining the company's goal of being ``large enough to supply you, small enough to know you.''

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Wallace Hardware on the celebration of its 100th Anniversary and to applaud this company's ongoing legacy of integrity and commitment to excellence. I wish Wallace Hardware much continued success in all its future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize The Tennessee Valley Authority's Chris Saucier, a Resources Management and Operations Services engineer with 12 years of service, who will receive the utility's highest engineering honor--the Ike Zeringue Engineer of the Year award.

Chris serves as the technical director for the budgeted $450 million Boone Dam remediation project. Chris leads a team of 60 engineers, geologists, and geographic information specialists. His team is responsible for design, construction oversight, dam safety performance monitoring, and quality assurance for the largest dam safety modification project in TVA history. With Chris's leadership, the Boone Dam project is scheduled to be completed on-time and under budget.

Each day, Chris helps ensure TVA's network of 49 dams operates at the highest levels of reliability to protect public safety and generate electricity to power the region's growing economy--while keeping TVA's power rates among the lowest in the nation.

Chris is also one of the top 10 finalists for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award, which will be presented February 24 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Chris is a graduate of Mississippi State University and holds Master of Engineering degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Mississippi State University. Chris has also published papers in multiple engineering journals.

The Boone Dam Project is the largest dam safety project in TVA history and Chris's strategic leadership helped shape the successful outcome of the project that will benefit our region for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Andy and Sandy Smith, for their tireless dedication and service to the Morristown, TN community and the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation.

Anderson L. ``Andy'' Smith is a Morristown native and graduated from Carson-Newman University before pursuing a tremendously successful career as one of East Tennessee's leaders in the banking industry. He retired as Senior Vice President and Regional President of HomeTrust Bank in 2016, and he was the former President and CEO of Jefferson Federal Bank, following a successful tenure with First Tennessee Bank. His community service included sixteen years as Past President of the Hamblen County Foundation for Educational Excellence and total service of twenty-six years to HC*Excell. He has served as a Past President of the Morristown Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Industrial Development Board for the City of Morristown (42 years), the Walters State Foundation (37 years), and the Jefferson Federal Charitable Foundation (17 years). He has been a board member of the Tennessee Banker's Association, Boys and Girls Club of Morristown, Hamblen County's United Way and a host of many other community organizations.

Sandy Smith has taught mathematics for twenty-five years including three at Morristown-Hamblen West High School and twenty-two years at Walters State Community College. She has also taught in many programs including the Talented and Gifted program for grades 5 through 8 at Walters State. She has been a Sunday School teacher and Bible Study leader at her church, First Presbyterian, for many years. She was also a board member of HC*Excell, various Chamber of Commerce Committees including the Christmas Parade Chairman, and several PTA chairmanships. She graduated Carson-Newman University with degrees in American Literature and English Literature, as well as a degree in Mathematics.

Andy, with the support of Sandy, has helped lead the growth of the McNabb Center's Hamblen County Services beginning with the merger in 2008. The Smiths helped to eliminate debts of the New Hope Center upon the merger and were instrumental in giving and soliciting funds for the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation's capital campaigns to create a new community health mental health center, Jail to Work Program, and Recovery Home in Hamblen County and recently joined the Hamblen County Advisory Board to continue his service to the McNabb Center.

Sandy and Andy's legacy of love includes three children--Abbe, Parker, and Casey--and six grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, Sandy and Andy Smith have given their time, talents, and treasure to so many worthy organizations in the Lakeway region and I rise today to honor their service and their legacy to the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation and the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Northeast State Community College's Richard A. Blevins, Director of the Northeast State Community College Aviation Technology Program with 43 years of service in aviation, who will be inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame.

Ret. USAF Chief Master Sergeant Richard A. Blevins, a native of Kingsport, entered the Air Force in March 1979 as a Systems Analyst on Nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and Space Lift Launch Systems. Chief Blevins held numerous positions during his 27-plus-year career culminating as the 30th Launch Group Superintendent, Vandenberg AFB, CA. He led three diverse launch squadrons of 181 USAF and 121 contractor personnel there.

Richard provided oversight and mission assurance on Delta IV/Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) programs, Titan IV/Delta II space launch systems, Ground-Based Mid-Course Defense (GMD) system build, integration, and deployment. He was responsible for implementing $660 million test launches, $65 million modernization, and $2 billion space lift certification programs. In addition, he directed maintenance activities on five launch complexes and ten missile processing facilities valued at over $500 million.

During his career, he was selected to attend the ICBM Technical Engineering School, one of the youngest ranking sergeants ever chosen for the position. His leadership was demonstrated when he was awarded as the top Strategic Air Command Non-Commissioned Officer Academy graduate. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Richard was hired as the Training Manager for Bell Helicopter. His responsibility encompasses the training and qualification of over 500 personnel to meet Federal Aviation Regulations and ISO AS9100 requirements.

Richard is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a Masters Degree in Aeronautics. Richard is also a certified FAA Private Pilot, FAA Part 107 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and FAA Airframe Certified Mechanic.

Each day, Richard helps ensure Northeast State's students are trained at the highest levels of reliability for employment in the aviation maintenance industry. The success of this program will benefit our region for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Richard A. Blevins on his 43 years of service to the aviation industry and being inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th anniversary of the Holston Army Ammunition Plant.

For the last eight decades, The Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP) and the great patriots of the Tri-Cities area have played a significant role in defending our homeland. The HSAAP was established in 1942 after Tennessee Eastman revolutionized the production of RDX at the Wexler Bend Pilot Plant. Due to their success, the US government would assign Holston the mammoth mission of mass producing Composition B.

As the Battle of the Atlantic was raging, The US military and its allies needed as much Composition B as they could get their hands on. This new war compound was needed due to previous munitions being too weak to penetrate U-Boat armor. No time could be wasted, as German U- boats were sinking the American merchant ships at the rate of five to six per day. Without hesitation, Holston operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet its mission. Before mid-1943, one U-boat was lost for every 100,000 tons of shipping sunk; afterward, one U-boat was lost to 10,000 tons of shipping. This massive shift could not have occurred without the large-scale use of Torpex munitions.

The HSAAP's contribution to World War II is incalculable. Holston's mass production of Composition B saved countless American lives and helped end the war much sooner.

Except for a four-year standby period immediately following V-J Day, HSAAP has been in

continuous production since its initial construction in 1942 through 1944. From the Korean War to the campaign against ISIS, Holston has been relied on to supply the war effort.

Madam Speaker, The Holston Army Munitions Plant has dutifully served the American War effort. Without the blood, sweat, and tears of Holston workers, many of our battles could have ended differently.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Tom Wennogle, the retiring president of Artazn, one of the most outstanding companies in Tennessee's First Congressional District. After fourteen years of distinguished service marked by innovation and growth, Artazn and its predecessor corporations have a long history of service to this country and to the Greeneville, Tennessee community. As the producer of high-quality blanks for the United States Mint for more than forty years, Artazn is the largest North American producer of solid zinc strip and zinc-based products for a broad range of applications, including automotive and electronic applications, building materials, and cathodic protection products. Artazn is also one of the world's leading coin blank manufacturers, with 300 billion coins released into circulation in more than 20 countries.

Focusing on revenue growth, and expertise in launching new products, exceptionally strong customer relationships and an aptitude for building cohesive teams best encapsulate his wide-ranging track record and success in the industrial sector. Throughout his career, he has acquired extensive experience in the North American, European, Asian, and South American markets. For ten years, Tom was an adjunct professor teaching Business Capstone at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. He has his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and

Business Administration from Merrimack College and his MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Tom's legacy of community service is notable as well. He has provided leadership to Tusculum University as both Chairman of the Board of Trustees and he has historically led company efforts to support Niswonger Children's Hospital, United Way, and the Greene County Food Bank.

Madam Speaker, Tom Wennogle has been a tremendous business leader in Greene County, Tennessee and has served numerous businesses with a commitment to excellence and provided faithful service to the community and I proudly honor him and wish he and his wife, April, an enjoyable retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the far-left inflation expansion act.

This bill is detrimental to Americans' wallets and their ability just to keep their heads above water. This bill is littered with economy- crushing measures that cater to climate extremists and Socialists. This tax will impact every single part of our lives. It will be more expensive to heat our homes, to buy basic necessities, and it will even de-incentivize manufacturing of thousands upon thousands of goods that we use every day.

This bill is chock-full of Green New Deal slush funds with no accountability and no transparency. We cannot afford to pour billions that we don't have into programs that cut our gas and oil industry off at the knees--an industry that is already suffering greatly under the Biden administration.

This attack on our refineries could lead to even higher gas prices. I know that is hard to believe, but it is true. It leaves us exposed and more reliant on our enemies.

This bill is problematic from start to finish, but as a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years, the most concerning part of this Socialist scheme is that the government will now have authority to set pricing on lifesaving medication. And when they set the price, it is going to be out of the reach of the Americans who need it the most. The tip of the day is you never want the government in control of pricing anything.

This act will directly take away hope from seniors and as many as 100-plus cures will be in jeopardy. There will be no incentive for companies to develop cures for rare and ultra-rare diseases. This bill encourages drug companies to spend less on research and development and more on navigating the politics of it all.

Americans are already being forced to choose between purchasing groceries or purchasing their prescriptions, and the last thing anyone needs is higher prices for prescriptions and rising insurance premiums.

Members on the other side of the aisle continue to push an agenda that America does not want. This bill is horrendous. It is an abomination that Democrats would go to such lengths--as far as risking the health and the safety of the people they swore an oath to represent--just to push their radical liberal agenda.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to consider the lives that will be negatively impacted by this radical bill and hope to see all the Members of the House of Representatives make the right decision for America with a ``no'' vote on this far-left inflation expansion act.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to share my concern for the extraordinary lengths that my colleagues across the aisle will go in order to rip away a chance at life from unborn children.

H.R. 8297, the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, is a deceptive ploy to circumvent the authority of States to set their own laws about abortion procedures or, more plainly, the procedures that violently end an unborn child's life.

On June 24, the Nation received historical news from the highest court in the land that Roe v. Wade had been overturned. This decision was an answer to nearly 50 years of prayer and a decision that rights a wrong that was committed in the very same court almost half a century ago.

The Supreme Court ruling verified that our Constitution gives no protections for abortion procedures. Abortion was never a constitutional right, and that has been the big lie to millions of women for the past 50 years. It was determined that this decision should not be mandated by Washington but chosen by the people through their State legislatures.

The Ensuring Access to Abortion Act is not only a blatant attempt to undermine State sovereignty; it also opens the door to incredibly dangerous consequences.

For one, the bill would restrict enforcement of State laws that require physicians to be present when chemical abortions are administered. This supervision is a safety measure to ensure that a patient does not have an ectopic pregnancy, which could lead to fatal consequences.

The primary pillar of the pro-life movement is that all life is precious. We must consider the health implications of women who receive an abortion or partial procedure across State lines and return to their home State in need of dire medical attention.

Women who have abortion procedures face a myriad of increased risks that can occur later. Sterilization, miscarriage, and tubal pregnancies are not uncommon.

Are we to assume that the responsibility for treatment of these subsequent health risks falls on the State whose laws were circumvented? Because that is what would ultimately happen.

And as a woman in Congress, I urge my colleagues to look at how this legislation puts at-risk minors and women in vulnerable positions. The language in this bill is so vague that it makes no consideration for abusers, those abusers that transport minors across State lines to receive abortions after their abuse.

We can't afford to be vague and allow blanket protection for anyone assisting in an abortion. We cannot be that naive, especially when these procedures have life and death consequences.

To be clear, not a single State has banned interstate travel for women seeking abortion. This bill isn't about protecting women from the State; it is about dramatically restricting States from protecting their citizens and forcing pro-life States to absorb the burden of safety complications that follow the superseding of their protective measures.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to think about the damaging consequences.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to think about the damaging consequences of taking power from the States. Not only does it set a dangerous precedent of Federal overreach and taking power from the people, but it also has terrifying health implications for expectant mothers and at-risk youth, and the protection of bad actors.

I will always be a steadfast defender of an unborn child's right to live, and I will never back down from a fight to protect women and those unborn children. We cannot put both at risk with this damaging legislation.

Madam Speaker, I had a lot of problems to choose from tonight, but I rise today to talk about the border crisis.

I remind the American people that our national security is still in jeopardy as our southern border remains wide open. Since Joe Biden took office, over 2.6 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the southern border.

Because of President Biden's failed open border policies, more drugs have been smuggled into our neighborhoods than ever before. CBP estimates that nearly 5,300 pounds of deadly fentanyl analogues have been apprehended, and that is enough to kill 2.4 billion people. I don't know of a person that I talk to or that I see that hasn't been touched by the loss of somebody concerning overdoses.

As a pharmacist, I know this all too well, that the illegal fentanyl analogues flowing through Joe's open border have caused unthinkable harm by poisoning our communities.

According to the Metro Public Health Department in Nashville last year, 74 percent of overdose-related toxicology reports detected fatal fentanyl analogues.

Wondering how all that fentanyl is getting into a State like mine? I am not even a border State.

It is no coincidence that Border Patrol agents reported a 1,066 percent increase in fentanyl seizures at just one stretch of the U.S.- Mexico border last year.

The influx of dangerous, illegal drugs is making its way through all our neighborhoods, and this is no longer a geographically tied tragedy. As I said before, Tennessee isn't a border State, but we are all border States. The Biden administration's failure has had deadly consequences, and my home State has not been immune.

As I stand here today, the largest caravan of people intending to illegally reside in the United States is heading to our southern border. Word has gotten around that Joe Biden is soft on crime and that he has opened his arms and our border to anyone and everyone.

This caravan could total up to 15,000 people, and that far outnumbers our Border Patrol agents who are already struggling to protect our borders. These thousands are just crumbs compared to the millions who have entered our country illegally in the last year.

I have been to the border more times now in my first term in the House of Representatives than Joe Biden has in nearly half a century in public service. What I saw there at both Eagle Pass and the Rio Grande Valley Sector was heartbreaking and infuriating.

I had the opportunity to speak with our Border Patrol agents who just want to do their job and keep our Nation safe, but they are struggling under the conditions this administration has boxed them into. They don't have enough resources, manpower, or support to turn away the hordes of invaders that come through the border every single day, and the illicit and illegal criminals that are coming, the got-aways, we don't know who they are, where they came from, or where they are going. That is of even more concern.

In fact, they have been encouraged to help transport these individuals to every corner of the Nation without a way of knowing who they are or where they are going. What we do know is who is paying for all this, and that is a simple answer. It is the American taxpayer.

This year, Secretary Mayorkas admitted that Americans are out $72 million just from President Biden's order to halt the border wall construction. We are paying not to build the border wall. Plainly speaking, the American people are being charged to ensure they are less safe. This crisis greatly benefits the cartels and gravely threatens Americans.

Every State is a border State as Joe Biden's border crisis damages our national security. This crisis has gone on long enough. Americans deserve better, and they deserve a closed border.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the historic celebration of Jefferson County's 230th anniversary. On June 11, 1792, Governor William Blount, by ordinance formed Jefferson County, originally a part of North Carolina. Later, when Tennessee became a state in 1796, Jefferson County became a part of the state and three other counties have since been fanned out of the original land of Jefferson County.

On July 23, 1792, the first County Court of Jefferson County was organized at the home of Jeremiah Mathews, and the county court selected a distinguished committee to locate a county seat which became Dandridge, in honor of President George Washington's wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington; America's first, First Lady.

The famed frontiersman Davy Crockett found his way to Jefferson County and in 1806 was married to Polly Finley at the Finley's homeplace after meeting at a harvest dance and the folk hero sold his rifle in 1806 to post a marriage bond. He and Polly had two children while in Jefferson County and lived here until 1811. Davy Crockett also served two terms in the United States House of Representatives, from 1827 to 1831.

This beautiful county is nestled at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and is home to 2 TVA lakes and both Cherokee Dam and Douglas Dam were built in record time to support the WWII emergency.

Home to Carson-Newman University, Bush Beans, the world's largest supplier of baked beans, along with many other notable businesses and industries, century farms, and five incorporated cities or towns including Dandridge, Jefferson City, New Market, White Pine, and Baneberry. Jefferson County is home of the Patriots of Jefferson County High School in beautiful Dumplin Valley and continues to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Jerry Young of Tennessee's 1st Congressional District. Mr. Young currently serves as President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Morristown. He was named President in May 2017 and since that time, TCAT of Morristown has seen technical training opportunities expand for all residents in the college's ten county service area. The college has added dual enrollment opportunities for high school students in seven counties and completed a fourteen-million-dollar advanced manufacturing training center that will be the hub of workforce development in the region.

Before beginning his career with the Tennessee Board of Regents, he served in the U.S. Navy as an Electronics Technician for 5 years. For 3 of those years, he was deployed for overseas operations where he was awarded a Naval Expeditionary Medal, Battle Efficiency Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Marksmanship Medal and two Naval Sea Service Ribbons. After leaving the Navy, he worked as an engineer while earning his Master of Arts degree from the University of the Cumberlands, a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College and an Electronics Technician from the Great Lakes (IL) Naval Training Center.

His career in technical education began in 1988 as the senior instructor in the Electronics Technology Program at the Crossville campus. He served as Vice President there from 2005 until his appointment as President in 2014. As President, he took on many initiatives to expand the school's capabilities through new program development. During his three-year tenure there, the school's enrollment increased by 30 percent, maintained an 85 percent completion rate and an 85 percent placement rate. He has been recognized as the Technical Teacher of the Year in Tennessee, Technical Teacher of the Year by the American Technical Education Associations' Gulf Coast region and nominated for national honors.

Jerry and his wife, Gail reside in the Morristown area, and they have two daughters, Jennifer Young Albertson and Dr. Emilie Young Bee as well as three grandchildren. He is an active supporter of Shriners Hospitals for Children and enjoys traveling America's rural highways on his motorcycle.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Jerry Young has been an outstanding leader and promoter of training for technical jobs and a valuable contributor to workforce development in East Tennessee, and I proudly honor him.

Madam Speaker, America's drug epidemic hit a mild sobering milestone recently when last year over 100,000 people died of drug overdoses. There are 275 Americans dying every day. That is the highest level ever.

My home State of Tennessee experienced some 3,400 fatal drug overdoses, which is a 49 percent rise from the previous year.

Having served as a community pharmacist for over 30 years in East Tennessee, this is personal for me. Every one of those people are someone's parents or someone's children. The main driver of this increasing death toll is illegal synthetic fentanyl, which is inexpensive to manufacturer, can be 50 times stronger than heroin, and people can die from doses equal to only a few grains of sand.

Most illegal, counterfeit fentanyl is developed in China and trafficked into the U.S. across the border with Mexico by drug cartels and other criminals. As a Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I have been to the border to see things firsthand.

Customs and Border Protection officials outrightly admit that increasing amounts of illicit fentanyl being smuggled, infecting our communities, and fueling overdoses is largely due to the Biden administration's chaotic open border policies. When you have the drug totals up higher than what the cost is--you can get a dose for $20 on the street, which is unbelievable right now.

These open border policies are effectively a green light to Mexican drug cartels--looking to exploit an increasingly overloaded immigration system--to trafficking alarming amounts of counterfeit fentanyl across the border.

President Biden must take immediate action to reverse the border crisis his policies created, secure our southern border, and stop the influx of fentanyl pouring into our country and wreaking havoc on our communities.