Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Shannon Bingham of Omaha, Nebraska.

Shannon is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and advocate whose life and service have been profoundly shaped by the power of adoption. Recently named a two-time Nebraska Merit Mother of the Year, Shannon has dedicated her life to strengthening families, supporting children, and raising awareness about adoption.

Her advocacy began in her own home when Shannon adopted her son Seth. She quickly realized that adoption is not simply about welcoming a child into a family. It is a lifelong commitment to unconditional love, understanding, and growth. Like many adoptive families, their story has been filled with both joy and significant challenges. Through it all, Shannon developed an understanding of the unique needs of adoptees and the importance of ensuring families have the resources they need to thrive.

What began as a personal family journey has grown into a powerful mission to help others. In 2023, Shannon, Seth, and their family stood alongside Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen as he proclaimed National Adoption Awareness Month in the State of Nebraska. Since then, this inspiring mother-and-son duo have continued to use their voices to support families navigating their own adoption paths.

Today, Shannon continues as an adoptive family mentor with the Nebraska Children's Home Society. In

this role, she provides support and encouragement to prospective and adoptive families. She has also shared her family's story across numerous television media and speaking platforms, using every opportunity to educate, advocate, and inspire.

Through her platform, Adoption is an Option, Shannon works to increase awareness, encourage families to consider adoption, and advocate for children awaiting permanent loving homes. She believes that every child deserves a true sense of connection, belonging, and the knowledge that they are deeply loved.

By sharing both the beautiful moments and the real challenges of adoption, Shannon has become a champion for children and families across Nebraska and beyond. Her story is a testament to this belief that while adoption begins with a single act of love, its impact echoes for generations.

Shannon and her husband, Kurt, have three children, Seth, Ian, and Nora.

Recognizing Sue Morris

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sue Morris, a leader and a true champion of community transformation in Nebraska.

For 25 years as president of Heritage Omaha, she shaped the culture and civic landscape of our region. Under her leadership, the organization realized over $1 billion of community projects and raised more than $750 million in private philanthropic funds. From the Holland Performing Art Center and the Joslyn Art Museum to the University of Nebraska Omaha's Baxter Arena and Charles Schwab Field, her work has transformed our community.

Sue's approach to philanthropy is to always focus on stewardship, ethics, and deep community impact. She mastered the art of aligning a donor's unique passion with a meaningful public need, viewing herself not just as a fundraiser but as a facilitator for the common good.

Her recent work represents what she calls the crown jewel of her professional life. As president of the Veterans Trust, Sue spearheaded the development of the new Ambulatory Care Center at the Omaha VA Medical Center, which serves thousands of veterans across Nebraska and western Iowa. The Ambulatory Care Center was the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership under the landmark legislation known as the CHIP-In for Veterans Act, which Sue helped shepherd through Congress. Her efforts on behalf of veterans continue to see the CHIP-In for Veterans Act become the permanent pathway for construction of veterans' healthcare facilities through public-private partnerships.

After leaving Heritage Omaha in 2020, Sue served as an adviser at Nebraska Philanthropic Trust until retiring in July 2026. Today, Sue remains a vital force in our community, driven by a simple and enduring desire to make a positive impact.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership in compiling this bill. By the way, it passed with a huge bipartisan majority in committee.

I also thank my friend and subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Ro Khanna, for his collaboration this year, and I appreciate the great subcommittee staff who do such a fantastic job.

As we have seen across modern battlefields, technology is evolving at a faster rate than ever before. Artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum, biotechnology, and other emerging capabilities are changing the way wars are fought and won.

The United States is the gold standard for scientific innovation, and it is of the utmost importance that we remain committed to equipping our servicemembers with the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art, and mission-relevant tools available.

This year's NDAA delivers on that promise by supporting our defense industrial base, our science and technology communities, and our warfighters. The FY27 NDAA helps lay the foundation for our future technological edge by providing budget certification authority for the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to enable better oversight of the military services' S&T budgets and priorities.

This bill also requires the Department to review, update, and modernize its policies on leveraging AI for military functions, ensuring more secure and robust development of AI capabilities.

The FY27 NDAA also helps tackle the ``valley of death'' by requiring more formal integration and technology

transition between the Defense Innovation Unit and military services.

Finally, this Defense bill importantly restores our defense spending to 4.5 percent of the GDP, which is critical to deter conflict and reinforce America's commitment to ensuring security and stability around the world.

This NDAA is a strong, bipartisan bill that takes care of our servicemembers and promotes U.S. military dominance, and I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8800.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man from Omaha who is known for his dedication, integrity, tenacity, and voice. Bill Jensen, also known as the Voice of the College World Series, started his radio broadcast career at KLIN in 1967. He took a small break to serve in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1972.

Bill then returned to Omaha radio, working at KOTD, KLNG, KYNN, WOW, KOMJ, and KFAB. He gave his vocal pipes a break when he worked as an aide to the Omaha mayor from 1978 to 1981.

On January 10, 1975, Bill was the last to arrive at KLNG on a Friday and would be stuck there with the rest of his news team until Sunday. Omaha received 16 inches of snow, compounded by 60-mile-an-hour winds, paralyzing the city for days.

The following May, Omaha was struck by an F4 tornado that, at the time, was the costliest tornado in history, with at least $150 million in damage. As trained spotters and radio station personnel called in reports, Bill

remained steadfast on the KLNG airwaves as the anchor, providing the people of Omaha with calm resolve and valuable information.

Bill was also credited with being the first journalist to report on the death of Omaha Mayor Bernie Simon in 1988.

Throughout his career, Bill also worked part-time for the Omaha Royals and the Storm Chasers at the College World Series, starting in 1983 as an usher supervisor and serving in different areas such as ticket taker, pass gate attendant, security at the Hall of Fame room at Rosenblatt, and scoreboard operator. In the mid-1980s, he took over as the announcer for the Omaha Royals, and in 2001, he competed and won the coveted spot to replace Jake Payne at the mike at the College World Series.

What many people don't know is the time that Bill would spend preparing for the World Series, watching as many regional college games as possible to learn the teams and the players' names. In his 26 years, Bill has announced more than 370 consecutive games, and together, he and Jack announced over 900 games.

Some of his most memorable moments include his very first game when he introduced President George W. Bush, who threw out the first pitch, and Nebraska's first-ever appearance at the College World Series.

Bill also fondly remembers Father's Day in 2022, when members of his family surprised him in the announcer's booth because he never got to spend a Father's Day with them. He will also remember the baked treats that his wife would make for him and his colleagues during the World Series.

Bill Jensen and his predecessor, Jack, will forever be remembered as the Voices of the College World Series.

Now, he looks forward to being a fan and spending time at and away from the games with his wife, Deanna; his daughter, Danielle; stepson, Brian; daughter-in-law, Wendy; and grandchildren Natalie, Connor, Carly, and Camryn.

Mr. Speaker, as Bill hits the button on the mike for the last time, Omaha thanks him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the late Mrs. Ruth Patrick Thomas, an Omaha icon and pioneer for the North Omaha community.

Living a wonderful and blessed 105 years, Mrs. Thomas' life is marked by service and love for all, touching the hearts of many in each of the various roles she maintained.

Graduating from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1943, Ms. Thomas wed Francis Thomas the same year and joined him in caring for the home and family business, the Thomas Funeral Home.

Active in the community, she also devoted her efforts to the League of Women Voters for nearly two decades, directed the YWCA, and focused on cultivating kinship within her neighborhoods.

Behind her service to others, Mrs. Thomas championed many milestones, such as being one of the first board members to vote in favor of desegregating Omaha Public Schools, being the first of three women at Zion Baptist Church to be appointed to trustee, and, in 1954, enrolling and graduating from the College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis as the only female and African-American person in her class.

Her lifetime of accomplishments has been recognized by the NAACP with the NAACP Freedom Fighter's Award and with a Diamond Award bestowed by the Delta Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., for over 75 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, to the family and North Omaha friends of Mrs. Thomas, I offer my deepest condolences on her passing, and I stand with pride to have had such a wholesome and selfless person to be a part of developing our community.

Recognizing LaVon Stennis Williams

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a true example of resiliency, generosity, and commitment to serving others, my friend LaVon Stennis Williams from Omaha, Nebraska.

LaVon is a woman of many titles: attorney, author, entrepreneur, and mentor. Perhaps her most defining characteristic is her unwavering commitment that our past does not define our future and that history, when preserved, can be a powerful tool for healing.

A graduate of Creighton University with her bachelor's and juris doctorate degrees, LaVon has spent her life building bridges. In 2012, drawing from her own personal journey, she founded ReConnect, Incorporated. This nonprofit has served over 500 individuals, helping those currently or formerly incarcerated navigate the difficult transition back into society. Through her Success Prep curriculum, she teaches a philosophy that our communities desperately need: the mindset of being better, not bitter.

But LaVon's service to Omaha doesn't stop at professional development. She understands that to move forward, we must also look back. She transformed her private doll collection into a doll museum of African-American history. This museum houses a collection of over 3,000 historic dolls, and it is free for all.

Far more than simple artifacts, these figures serve as a unique lens through which people can examine these three centuries of Black history and culture. This museum stands as a testament to her belief that understanding where we have been is essential to determining where we are going.

Whether she is writing children's books to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen through her publishing house, TwoBee Publishing, or coaching a client toward a new career path, LaVon Stennis Williams is a builder of dreams.

LaVon Stennis Williams has made extraordinary contributions to Nebraska's Second Congressional District, and we are grateful for her tireless work in preserving our Nation's history by empowering its future.

I thank LaVon Stennis Williams.

Mr. Speaker, today's vote, are we going to stand with good or are we going to stand with evil? That is what this is about tonight.

Ukraine is a democracy, a free market, and rule of law. It has been invaded by a dictator who throws its enemies off of roofs, poisons his adversaries, and attacked his neighbor, which is four times smaller than Russia.

What is the goal? To eliminate their independence, culture, and people because he wants to control those old borders of his that he has had. We have to stand for the good side tonight.

What does this bill do? It provides $1.3 billion in direct military aid, $8 billion in military sales, and tough sanctions on Russia. We should have done this a year ago. We could have done this in a bipartisan way a year ago, but we have not.

This decision is needed now. Russia is bombing Ukrainian cities every night with ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles. We had better be there to help them, or in the history books, it is going to say the United States failed when it was most needed.

I know this: I want this House to stand on the right side. I want Republicans to stand where Ronald Reagan would be if he were here right now. Ronald Reagan would be voting ``yes'' tonight. He would be standing up for Ukraine and opposing Russia. This is our Churchill moment or our Chamberlain moment. By God, I am going to choose Churchill, and this House better choose Churchill tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Bruce Van Zuiden, who is retiring after 39 years of dedicated service to this great Nation both in our military and civilian service.

Bruce Van Zuiden was born in Fulton, Illinois, the youngest boy of the family's six children. From his early days, he was an intrepid explorer who had a heart for service. One of his proudest accomplishments was becoming an Eagle Scout.

In February 1976, five months before graduating from Fulton High School, soon-to-be Airman Basic Van Zuiden signed up for delayed enlistment in the Air Force. He entered basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in August 1976 and left as an Honor Graduate enroute to technical training at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois.

Upon graduation from Aircraft Maintenance school, Airman Van Zuiden was assigned to 376th Strategic Wing, Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. At Kadena, Airman Van Zuiden was assigned to KC-135Q Strategic Tankers whose primary mission was aerial refueling SR-71 Reconnaissance aircraft. On August 4, 1977, he was promoted to Airman First Class.

In September 1978, Airman First Class Van Zuiden was assigned to 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, where he was a crew chief on the venerable C-141 aircraft. During that time, he was promoted to Senior Airman and then to Staff Sergeant, continuing to excel in every mission assigned. He also continued to challenge himself during off-duty time, taking and excelling in college courses at Trident Technical College and The Citadel.

Because of his demonstrated leadership and exceptional performance, Staff Sergeant Van Zuiden was selected for the Airman Education and Commissioning Program in June 1982 and headed off to be a full-time student at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. In May 1985 he earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and reported to Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in September 1985.

Second Lieutenant Van Zudien's first assignment was as a Tactical Communications Engineer with the 3rd Combat Communications Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, where he deployed to support several real-world operations including Honduras during the Contra Affair, Jordan during United States escort duties of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, and several Joint Chiefs of Staff exercises. In September 1987, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.

Again, because of his proven leadership, strong academic acumen, and performance, First Lieutenant Van Zuiden was selected to attend an Air Force Institute of Technology program at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, graduating in 1991 as an Air Force Captain with a Master of Science in Systems Technology.

In July 1995, Captain Van Zuiden was assigned to NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control Systems at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany, one of only two operational Airborne Early Warning and Control wings in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In July 1997, he was promoted to Major and assigned as Chief Systems Engineer at the United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, overseeing numerous major systems integration programs until his retirement in May 2000.

In February 2011, Bruce Van Zuiden returned to public service and began his civilian career with the Air Force as the lead engineer of Global Strike systems for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. In 2015, he was promoted to the Branch Chief of the Integration Management Branch where he was responsible for the mid-tier technical environment hosting all nuclear planning applications. In 2018, he led migrating Integrated Strategic Planning and Analysis Network systems to the new United States Strategic Command headquarters building. In 2019, after the new Command and Control Facility was operational, he focused on transitioning all Air Force Life Cycle Management Center offices, networks, and staff to another location.

In 2020, Bruce Van Zuiden was selected for assignment to Headquarters European Command as the Chief Architect of the European Theater where he was responsible for information technology support for allied nations supporting United States operations in the Ukraine conflict. Because of his expertise and proven success, he was tasked to support information operations for activities related to the Gaza crisis.

In April 2024, Bruce Van Zuiden returned to Offutt Air Force Base as Branch Chief Rogue Blue Software, skillfully leading a team of over 30 professionals who provided invaluable support to the Nuclear Weapons Center, resulting in his team receiving multiple quarterly awards and recognition for going above and beyond.

In March 2025, he was selected as lead engineer of the Mission Planning and Analysis System and collaborated with the Chief Engineer and Chief Architect on future Strategic Mission Planning and Execution System efforts. His efforts resulted in a technology road map for the Strategic Mission Planning and Execution System for the next five years.

I ask my colleagues to please join me in recognizing Bruce Van Zuiden for his 39 years of selfless service to this Nation. Despite receiving numerous achievements, medals, and awards, Major Van Zuiden remains focused on his faith, his family, his community, and his Nation. We thank him, his wife Sarah, their five children--Stacey, Heather, Holly, Tyler, and Cody--for their sacrifice and service, and wish them well in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Women's History Month, to recognize and honor the late Mrs. Ruth Patrick Thomas, an Omaha icon and pioneer for the North Omaha community. Living a wonderful and blessed 105 years, Mrs. Thomas's life was marked by service and love for all, touching the hearts of many, in each of the various roles she maintained.

Graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1943, Mrs. Thomas wed Mr. Francis Thomas the same year and joined him in caring for the home and family business, the Thomas Funeral Home. Active in the community, she also devoted her efforts to the League of Women Voters for nearly 2 decades, directed the YWCA, and focused on cultivating kinship within her neighborhoods.

Beyond her service to others, Mrs. Thomas championed many milestones, such as being one of the first board members to vote in favor of desegregating Omaha Public Schools, first of three women at Zion Baptist Church to be appointed to deaconess, and in 1954, enrolling and graduating from the College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis as the only female and African American person in her class.

Her lifetime of accomplishment has been recognized by the NAACP with the NAACP Freedom Fighter's Award and with the Diamond Award bestowed by the Delta Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., for over 75 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and North Omaha friends of Mrs. Thomas on her passing, and I stand with pride to have had such a wholesome and selfless person be a part of developing my community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a true example of resiliency, generosity and commitment to serving others: LaVon Stennis-Williams from Omaha, Nebraska.

LaVon is a woman of many titles--attorney, author, entrepreneur, and mentor. But perhaps her most defining characteristic is her unwavering commitment to the idea that our past does not define our future, and that history, when preserved, can be a powerful tool for healing.

A graduate of Creighton University with both her Bachelor's and Juris Doctor degrees, LaVon has spent her life building bridges. In 2012, drawing from her own personal journey, she founded ReConnect, Inc. This non-profit has served over 500 individuals, helping those currently or formerly incarcerated navigate the difficult transition back into society. Through her ``Success Prep'' curriculum, she teaches a philosophy that our communities desperately need: the mindset of being ``better, not bitter.''

But LaVon's service to Omaha doesn't stop at professional development. She understands that to move forward, we must also look back. She transformed her private doll collection into The Doll Museum of African-American History. This museum, which is open to the public free of charge, houses a collection of over 3,000 historic dolls.

Far more than simple artifacts, these figures serve as a unique lens through which people can examine three centuries of Black history and culture. By meticulously curating this exhibit, Ms. Stennis-Williams offers our community--and particularly our youth--a tangible connection to the past.

Her efforts ensure that the legacy of African-American resilience, creativity, and heritage is not only preserved but remains a living, breathing part of our public education. This museum stands as a testament to her belief that understanding where we have been is essential to determining where we are going.

Whether she is writing children's books to honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen through her publishing house, TwoBee Publishing, or coaching a client toward a new career path, LaVon Stennis-Williams is a builder of dreams.

LaVon Stennis-Williams has made extraordinary contributions to Nebraska's 2nd District and we are grateful for her tireless work in preserving our Nation's history while empowering its future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Command Sergeant Major Darrold D. DeGunia on his retirement from the United States Army Reserve.

His career began in 1986 after enlisting in the Army from Crawford, Nebraska. CSM DeGunia served our country honorably for 34 years, culminating in his service as the Command Sergeant Major of the 472nd Chemical Battalion in Chicago, Illinois. CSM DeGunia's leadership positively impacted the lives of countless servicemembers.

I am certain that his dedication and achievement will have a lasting impact on the Army's ability to fight and win our Nation's wars.

Upon retirement, CSM DeGunia is recognized for his distinguished service and exemplary performance of duty, reflecting the highest tradition of the United States of America.

CSM DeGunia is married to Heather-Lea DeGunia and they have three children: Steven, Brittany, and Jacob.

CSM DeGunia will simultaneously retire from his civilian career as a Wage Leader at the Army Reserve Area Maintenance Support Activity 35 in Elkhorn, Nebraska, after 23 years.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate his commitment to service in the Army and his country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Beth Ragland, who I call my honorary mother, a remarkable Nebraskan who is celebrating her 90th birthday this week.

Beth represents the spirit of our district. After the passing of her husband, Ken, she chose not to slow down but to keep moving forward with a purpose. She returned to the classroom, pursued her long-held interest in law, and earned a degree with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

She went on to serve as an intern at the Sarpy County Courthouse, where her curiosity and work ethic stood out immediately. I know firsthand that the county attorney from Sarpy, Lee Polikov, values her hard work and support.

Beth is an inspiration to her fellow students. She reminded them, and all of us, that learning, service, and ambition never end at any stage of life.

Her unyielding spirit inspires us all to work hard for whatever we desire. Her generosity, resilience, Christian spirit, and joy for learning continue to uplift everyone around her.

On behalf of Nebraska's Second District, I wish Beth Ragland a very happy 90th birthday and thank her for being such a powerful example of perseverance and purpose and for being my friend.

Celebrating Black History Month

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Black History Month, I rise today to honor two community leaders and two outstanding youth for their contributions to the Second Congressional District of Nebraska.

Brenda Council has been described as a pure force, a trailblazer, a fighter, and a leader who has paved the way for so many in Omaha. As a prominent politician and community leader from North Omaha, she has established a historic career marked by several firsts for African- American women in Nebraska.

She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Omaha City Council and president of the Omaha School Board and first to serve in the Nebraska Unicameral. She served on the Omaha Board of Education for 11 years and is president of the National Caucus of Black School Board Members and State senator for the 11th legislative district.

Council has held leadership roles in many organizations such as the Urban League of Nebraska, North Omaha Community Care Council, and United Way of the Midlands.

Ms. Council has been married to her husband for 40 years. Together, they have one son and five grandchildren.

Fred Conley is a pioneering figure in Nebraska politics, recognized as the first African American elected to the Omaha City Council. His career, spanning over 50 years, is defined by breaking racial barriers and advocating for the revitalization of North Omaha.

Raised in Omaha, Mr. Conley is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. His political career was born from community activism, specifically the right for district-based voting. Prior to the city's removal from at- large elections, a system that historically marginalized Black candidates, Conley ran for the city council twice.

Following the transition to district elections in 1981, Mr. Conley was elected to represent North Omaha and dedicated his efforts toward infrastructure and economic development. His leadership was recognized by his peers who elected him city council president. In 1988, Mr. Conley served as Omaha's first African-American acting mayor.

Mr. Conley's legacy includes the enforcement of fair housing laws and the physical reclamation of community landmarks. He was instrumental in their naming of the Malcolm X Park and supporting the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial.

His continued civic work through service on the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board, and as a founding member of 100 Black Men of Omaha leave a great mark in our city.

Mr. Conley and his wife, Teresa, have three children and have resided in the same North Omaha district they have dedicated themselves to for over 40 years.

Earsul Banks IV exemplifies resilience, resilience in the face of adversity. Despite significant academic disruptions caused by a chronic battle with sickle cell disease, Banks utilized mentorship from 100 Black Men of Omaha to regain his academic standing. He is a dedicated member of the chorus, drill team, and marching band. Mr. Banks is an unstoppable force who transformed health challenges into an opportunity for personal and academic growth.

Mara Johnson Anthony is a high-achieving high school student who maintains a 4.0 GPA with AP courses. She balances academic rigor with leadership in volleyball, the art club, and the Girls Inc. Eureka! program.

Her extensive history of community service includes the Open Door Mission and organizing gift drives for overseas troops and local seniors. Ms. Anthony is known for her compassionate leadership and is a role model for her peers.

Mr. Speaker, I greatly admire these leaders in the Second District of Nebraska. They make our district better and our community better.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7211) to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to John W. Ripley for acts of valor during the Vietnam War, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 3377) to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for acts of valor as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on

Armed Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 7194) to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Kareem N. Dockery for acts of valor as a member of the Army while serving in Afghanistan, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Patrick Flood, United States Air Force retired, who recently departed the House of Representatives as our deputy chief of staff and national security advisor after more than 39 years of Federal service.

Colonel Flood comes from a family with a distinguished record of Federal and military service dating back to the American Civil War.

Born in Baltimore, Colonel Flood was raised in Ohio and entered military service at the age of 18. He was nominated in 1986 to attend the United States Air Force Academy by Representative Ralph Regula of Ohio's 16th Congressional District.

A distinguished graduate of the Academy, Pat established an early reputation for excellence in military leadership, academics, and athletics.

In his senior year at the Academy, Flood commanded Cadet Squadron 33 and was honored as one of the top squadron commanders in the cadet wing.

As a commissioned officer, Colonel Flood's remarkable career spanned more than 26 years in the combat air forces and special operations communities. Serving in nearly every major U.S. military operation since 1991, Colonel Flood deployed for operations Southern Watch, Provide Comfort II, Deny Flight/Provide Promise, Uphold Democracy, Enduring Freedom, and Odyssey Dawn.

His distinguished record also includes two tours of duty in Korea with service as a corridor patrol officer for the eastern demilitarized zone, service as a continuity of operations officer for the Air Force Chief of Staff during the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon, and aviation duty as an RC-135 crewmember flying long-range combat operations over Afghanistan.

Selected to lead several of the Air Force's most engaged combat intelligence units from 2006 to 2013, Colonel Flood commanded the 55th Wing's 488th Intelligence Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England; led the 603rd Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany; and commanded Distributed Ground Station 2 and the 548th Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Beale Air Force Base, California.

Following my election to the House in 2016, I invited Pat to help me establish our Washington, D.C., office. We both arrived in Congress in January of 2017 with no prior legislative experience. Without hesitation or any formal training, for the next 9 years Pat selflessly committed himself to learning and mastering Congress' complex legislative processes. Pat personally drafted hundreds of legislative bills and amendments, shaping America's national defense policy, force structure, and capabilities.

The results of his efforts have been remarkable with a significant number of his proposals enacted into law via the National Defense Authorization Act and the Defense Appropriations Act from the years 2018 to 2025.

While by no means exhaustive, here are some of the accomplishments: quality of life reforms for the all-volunteer force and military families; comprehensive management reforms for DOD's electromagnetic spectrum superiority policy; numerous casualty assistance policies; program reforms for Gold Star and surviving families; the first DOD program for integrated military-civilian national emergency medical response; the reconstruction of Offutt Air Force Base following the devastating 2019 floods; the DOD's Warfighter Brain Health Initiative; the elimination of Russian fuel at U.S. military installations in Europe; the significant expansion of the EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack combat aircraft fleet; academic copyright ownership for civilian faculty members of DOD academic institutions; direct support to military service academy foundations; sustained funding for the Baltic Security Initiative; and significant funding to establish the first secure software development facility to modernize our aging nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise.

However, these legislative victories only tell a small part of the story of the impact Pat has had. As my closest and most trusted adviser, he turned my intent and aspirations as a member of the Committee on Armed Services into legislative action that delivered tangible progress and results for DOD, Nebraska, and for the men and women who commit, and sometimes sacrifice, their lives for our security and the defense of our freedom.

I was selected multiple times as the most effective Member of Congress, and I owe much of this to Pat Flood.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Pat for his years of service to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished veteran of the Army Air Forces who served the United States during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War by fighting in the skies. The country lost Retired Air Force Lt. Col. George E. Hardy, the last surviving member of the famed original Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-

American combat pilots, on September 25, 2025. He was 100 years old.

Lt. Colonel Hardy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1925, as the second oldest of seven children. He was the youngest Red Tail fighter pilot among the Tuskegee Airmen and one of the first African American aviators at the age of 19.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Hardy deployed in 1945 to Italy, joining the African American 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. He flew 21 combat missions over Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe in P-51 Mustangs, helping escort heavy B-17 and B-24 bombers.

America's bomber crews grew to value and respect the ``Red Tails,'' a nickname derived from the strikingly painted red tails of the Tuskegee fighter planes and often requested to be escorted by them.

Before then, African Americans could not serve as United States military pilots, and their service did not stop the segregation and racism they faced while they fought for our country. During this time, our military was racially segregated, and black Americans faced intense discrimination in the Jim Crow South where they trained. The Tuskegee Airmen faced resistance to their integration as pilots, and many were assigned to non-combat roles; Hardy experienced that himself.

Colonel Hardy faced segregation, like his fellow Tuskegee men, who were also restricted from attending social clubs and were under pressure to excel with outdated aircraft and biased personnel. Yet, he never let that stop him.

After World War II, Hardy was deployed to Japan in 1950 during the Korean War. He was assigned as a co-pilot for B-29 bombers, but his commander doubted the abilities of a Black pilot. He remembered the moment when then-Lt. Col. Fred W. Miller ordered him, ``Hardy, get down out of the airplane,'' as he was preparing for his first mission. But eventually, that senior officer commended his talents. Hardy then served in the Vietnam War, flying an additional 70 combat missions.

Leaving a lasting legacy, he and his Tuskegee Airmen comrades were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, alongside his decorations. Hardy was described as a ``humble man'' with a deep passion for aviation by the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum. He attended air shows and speaking events, inspiring future generations to pursue careers in aviation.

We are forever grateful for Hardy's courage, sacrifice, and perseverance. The legacy of all the original Tuskegee Airmen will continue to live on for future generations.

May we continue to honor and celebrate the progress our American military has made from the service of people of all colors. America is a better country today because of the bravery and resilience of the Tuskegee Airmen. America's promise is that all citizens will be treated equally under the law and can equally attain life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the land of the opportunity. Lt. Col. Hardy helped make this reality. We must never forget.